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SC affirms ruling granting bail to ex-Masbate lawmaker, Napoles
The Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed a ruling of the Sandiganbayan that allowed businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles and former Masbate congresswoman Rizalina Seachone-Laneta to post bail in the plunder charges filed against them in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork scam......»»
BATO DARES ICC ‘I am here, arrest me!’
By: Ann JEnireene Gomez and Alvin Murcia With GLEN JACOB JOSE, Tiziana Celine Piatos AND JOM GARNER, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa warned of “big trouble” if the International Criminal Court comes to the Philippines to arrest him or anyone else. “I already expected that, their insistence on meddling in our domestic affairs. Let them, let them do what they want,” Dela Rosa said in Filipino in an interview with Frontline Tonight. “I’ll be here, I am not hiding. If they have a warrant of arrest, let them serve the warrant,” Dela Rosa said, with one caveat — that he’ll only allow himself to be arrested by Philippine authorities and not by any foreigner ordered to do so by the ICC. Dela Rosa was responding to a statement of Senate President Miguel Zubiri that the government will have no choice but to turn over anyone to the ICC if the arrest warrant will be coursed through local courts and will be served by local authorities. “We are still a sovereign country, and they (accused) are still citizens of this country. They do that with many other countries. However, the danger there is if Senator Bato dela Rosa goes to a country that is friendly to the ICC, then they will arrest him. Here in the Philippines, the process is they must coordinate with the local courts,” Zubiri said. The ICC’s Appeals Chamber voted 3-2 on Tuesday to deny the Philippines’ appeal to stop the ICC Office of the Prosecutor from resuming its investigation. “There’s no problem if the Philippine government would be the one to arrest me, but not the foreigners,” he said. “If it’s the government of the Philippines that would decide to arrest me, what can I do? But if they (ICC) would come here to take me, our government would have none of that.” “There’s going to be big trouble if they would insist on coming here against our government’s expressed will. That would be too blatant an interference and they would be treating us like fools,” he added. Chill Meanwhile, Senator Francis Tolentino, who offered to stand as legal counsel for a fellow lawmaker in the ICC probe, advised Dela Rosa to “Just chill”. “I accept the proposal of Sen. Dela Rosa to a lawyer for him. I am now speaking as the counsel for Senator Dela Rosa,” said Tolentino, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, in an online press conference yesterday. He said nothing has changed in the Philippines’ position on the dismissal of the ICC Pre-Chamber in the country’s appeal regarding the probe of the “war on drugs.” The ICC, he added, has no jurisdiction in the Philippines. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday advised former president Rodrigo Duterte and Dela Rosa to stay away from countries where the ICC has influence. Dela Rosa is accused of implementing the alleged iron-fist policy of Duterte as a Davao regional police official and later as Duterte’s first Philippine National Police chief in 2016. “They are citizens of the republic who also need our protection,” Remulla said, adding that Duterte and Dela Rosa should refrain from going to countries in Europe. Why Sara? But even before Remulla came out with his advice, Dela Rosa had already said he would not deliver himself to the ICC. “I will make sure not to go to those countries that are friendly with the ICC,” he said. He also brushed aside efforts to involve Vice President Sara Duterte in the ICC probe, calling the move politically motivated against one who could become the country’s next president. He reiterated that the Vice President’s name was never mentioned in proceedings that looked into the alleged activities of the so-called Davao Death Squad. On Wednesday, the Department of Justice maintained that the ICC has no jurisdiction to investigate the extrajudicial killings allegedly committed during the Duterte administration’s so-called war on drugs. The DoJ expressed deep disappointment and strong disagreement with the denial by the ICC of the Office of the Solicitor General’s appeal to stop the probe on account of the Philippines having withdrawn from the ICC, and its having a fully functioning justice system. It said the rejection of the appeal was based on the ICC’s flawed interpretation of its jurisdiction as a court of last resort — that it could only assume jurisdiction when a member country showed it was not capable of investigating and prosecuting crimes within its borders. The DoJ pointed out that the principle of complementarity, enshrined in the Rome Statute that created the ICC, recognizes the jurisdiction of local courts to try crimes within their respective countries. “The dissenting opinions of two esteemed justices out of the five-judge panel highlight the grave errors in the majority decision,” the DoJ said in a statement. “These dissenting justices rightly recognized the Philippines’ commitment to upholding the rule of law and maintaining an independent and effective legal system.” “Their dissenting opinions underscore the existence of a legitimate difference of legal interpretation, casting doubt on the majority’s ruling,” it added. Remulla had lambasted the ICC for meddling in Philippine affairs and said the government would not honor any arrest warrant issued by the ICC. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his predecessor, Duterte, had been firm in saying the ICC had no jurisdiction over events that transpired in the Philippines. PNP no ICC lackey Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police said it would not be dictated to by the ICC as it recognizes the stance of the government that the international tribunal has no jurisdiction over the conduct of the drug war probe. “The PNP is under the executive department and we will follow the lead of the national government that there is a question with respect to sovereignty and jurisdiction of the ICC,” PNP spokesperson P/Col. Jean Fajardo said. Duterte, as Davao City mayor from 2011 to 2016 and as the country’s president from 2016 to 2022, is seen as the ICC prosecutor’s primary target, along with his former police chief, Dela Rosa. Government data showed that about 6,200 people died in “legitimate” anti-drug operations during the Duterte presidency, including law enforcement officers killed in action. Government critics claim as many as 15,000 to 30,000 were killed. Meanwhile, Vice President Duterte appeared to have been included in the complaints filed with the ICC prosecutor, along with her father’s long-time aide, the now Senator Christopher “Bong” Go. “No comment,” was the terse reply of the Vice President’s camp on her alleged inclusion in the ICC complaints. Go, on the other hand, said the ICC had no “business meddling in our internal affairs, where our courts remain fully functional and free from political interference.” “Probes into the war on drugs are presently being conducted by the competent authorities. Filipinos should be judged by fellow Filipinos before Philippine courts operating under Philippine laws,” Go said. With the ICC ruling, the DoJ vowed to continue to defend the sovereignty and integrity of the nation’s legal system and strongly urged the ICC to reconsider its decision and recognize the Philippines’ unwavering commitment to the rule of law and the pursuit of justice. “Furthermore, we would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our commitment to the well-being and support of all victims affected by the drug war,” Remulla’s department said. “The DoJ, in collaboration with other relevant agencies, is willing and able to assist those who had suffered harm or loss during this challenging period. We encourage all individuals with evidence and witnesses to come forward and share their testimonies with us,” it added. Former president Duterte, through his former spokesperson Harry Roque, shrugged off the ICC decision. In a Facebook post, Roque said Duterte has always maintained that as an independent and sovereign state, only Philippine courts can try any crime committed in Philippine territory. “He has time and again said that because of this, he will face all his accusers anytime but before Philippine courts and before Filipino judges only,” Roque said. In a television interview, Zubiri said the upper chamber would “not give up” Dela Rosa should the ICC issue a warrant of arrest against the latter. “Without the local warrant of arrest issued by the courts, then as far as I’m concerned, he is still a working member of the Senate and accorded of course that respect, similar to Senator De Lima and Senator [Antonio] Trillanes,” he said. “Only when the warrant of arrest was issued, then we allowed or we agreed that he may be taken in custody,” he added. The post BATO DARES ICC ‘I am here, arrest me!’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tandems
If President Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte is “sold” on the idea of running for vice president, then he’s more likely to choose Sen. Lawrence Christopher “Bong” Go, his long-time aide-de-camp, over his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara “Inday” Duterte-Carpio......»»
Duterte now ‘somewhat sold on idea’ of VP run
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte is getting to like the prospect of running as Vice President in the 2022 elections, but believes that his future successor should be a “friend” that he can work with, like his longtime aide, Sen. Bong Go. “I am somewhat sold with the idea. Meaning to say, I am […] The post Duterte now ‘somewhat sold on idea’ of VP run appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Golf-playing, motorbike-riding Duterte chills before public address on Monday
MANILA, Philippines — For the second time since his last public appearance two weeks ago, another undated photo and video of President Rodrigo Duterte, this time playing golf and riding a three-wheeled motorcycle, were released by his longtime aide, now Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Sunday after midnight. In a series of photo and video […] The post Golf-playing, motorbike-riding Duterte chills before public address on Monday appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Duterte jogs, hops on motorcycle amid health rumors
With President Duterte’s prolonged absence from public view stirring speculations over the true state of his health, long-time aide and now Sen. Bong Go has posted on Facebook photos and videos of the Chief Executive showing him jogging and even riding a motorcycle at the Palace grounds......»»
Duterte negative for COVID-19 in last swab test — Go
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte tested negative for COVID-19 when he underwent his last swab test during the Holy Week, his longtime aide Sen. Bong Go said Thursday. “Regular naman pong nagpapa-swab test si Pangulong Duterte at, so far naman po, sa awa ng Diyos, ay negatibo naman po kung pagbabasehan po ‘yung last […] The post Duterte negative for COVID-19 in last swab test — Go appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Duterte to spend 76th birthday in Davao under ‘self-quarantine’
President Rodrigo Duterte will spend his 76th birthday on Sunday in Davao City, where he will undergo “self-quarantine.” Col. Jesus Durante Jr., chief of the Presidential Security Group, as well as Duterte’s former top aide Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, confirmed to the Daily Tribune that the president will mark the occasion in his hometown. Duterte’s chief legal […] The post Duterte to spend 76th birthday in Davao under ‘self-quarantine’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Duterte wants PhilHealth to defer contribution hike
President Rodrigo Duterte is in favor of deferring the increase in the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) members’ contribution amid the coronavirus pandemic. Duterte’s former aide-turned-lawmaker Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said the chief executive has acknowledged that the national government should augment PhilHealth’s fund so it can fulfill its mandate under the Universal Health […] The post Duterte wants PhilHealth to defer contribution hike appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
A performer and achiever
During the 2019 elections, one of the candidates for the Senate was a close aide of President Duterte, Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go......»»
Duterte to Bong: Don’t be a ‘yes man’
President Duterte has told his long-time close aide and now Sen. Bong Go to sometimes criticize him and not just be a “yes man” all the time......»»
Rody vows jail time for PhilHealth corrupt execs – Go
President Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to jail those involved in the alleged corruption inside the Philippines Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), former presidential aide and now Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go. “Alam niyo po itong sa PhilHealth na ito, nangako ang Presidente na talagang tutuluyan niya ipapakulong ang mga corrupt dyan sa PhilHealth,” Go said in […] The post Rody vows jail time for PhilHealth corrupt execs – Go appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘I’ve been in Davao all along,’ Duterte says after rumored treatment in Singapore
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday quashed rumors that he flew to Singapore over the weekend for emergency treatment, saying he has been staying in Davao City “all along.” Duterte belied the “fake news” circulating about him in a brief Facebook live by his former aide and now Senator Christopher “Bong” Go. “Well […] The post ‘I’ve been in Davao all along,’ Duterte says after rumored treatment in Singapore appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Go inspects Bacolod Super Health Center
Sen. Bong Go, chairperson of the Senate committee on health and demography, inspected a Super Health Center in Bacolod City on Sunday......»»
Spy Wednesday
What significant event took place on the Wednesday of the Holy Week? If Maundy Thursday was all about the Last Supper, the betrayal of Jesus, etc. and Good Friday was all about the kangaroo trial, torture and crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ and Easter Sunday was the glorious resurrection of our Lord, what, I wondered, happened on the Wednesday before......»»
SC allows UN expert to act as friend of the court in Maria Ressa s cyber libel plea
Irene Khan, United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur for freedom of expression and opinion, has been allowed by the Supreme Court (SC) to sit as an "amicus curiae" to the court in the appeal for the cyber libel case of Rappler.com chief executive officer Maria Ressa and former researcher Reynaldo Santos......»»
Go extends aid to Muntinlupa fire victims
In observance of Fire Prevention Month, Sen. Bong Go and his Malasakit Team distributed aid on March 21 to almost 1,000 families in Alabang, Muntinlupa who were affected by a recent fire......»»
Sabalenka wins with heavy heart
World number two Aryna Sabalenka returned to the court for the first time since the death of her former boyfriend earlier this week and kept her emotions in check as she beat Spain’s Paula Badosa, 6-4 6-3 on Friday......»»
DOT seeks inclusion in protected areas board amid Chocolate Hills issue
Department of Tourism Sec. Christina Frasco —INQUIRER.net file photo / Ryan Leagogo After the recent controversy surrounding a resort development near Chocolate Hills in Sagbayan town, Bohol, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced plans to advocate for its inclusion in the national government’s Protected Area Management Board (PAMB). Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco stated during a.....»»
SC upholds decision granting Napoles bail in one PDAF case
Pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles and former Masbate Rep. Rizalina Seachon-Lanete have been allowed to post bail after the Supreme Court dismissed a case related to the Priority Development Assistance Fund......»»