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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......»»
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......»»
A mandatory duty
With dynasty-building reaching shameless proportions, the Supreme Court has finally been asked to step in and mandate Congress to carry out a task set out in the Constitution: to define and prohibit political dynasties......»»
SC: LGU lawyers cannot represent local execs
Legal officers of local government units cannot represent LGU officials in cases filed before the Office of the Ombudsman, according to the Supreme Court......»»
Contempt order vs 3 Navotas cops involved in Jemboy Baltazar slay lifted
The Senate committee on public order on Wednesday has lifted the contempt order against Navotas police officers who were detained in the Senate for allegedly evading the senators’ questions in the killing of 17-year-old Jerhode “Jemboy” Baltazar. Senator Ronald “Bato ruled the lifting of contempt order on Police Capt. Juanito Arabejo, Staff Sgt. Gerry Maliban, and Police Capt. Mark Joseph Carpio. This was after Senator Risa Hontiveros made the motion, allowing the transfer of these police officers to the custody of the PNP National Headquarters. Maliban was earlier cited in contempt along with Carpio on 22 August after the senators found the two to be evasive during the questioning on the truth behind Baltazar’s “mistaken identity” case. Arabejo, meanwhile, was cited in contempt after the Senate panel found out that he skipped the paraffin tests for the six suspects involved in Baltazar's death. During the same hearing, teenager Sonny Boy Augustilo, Baltazar’s friend, said a Navotas cop punched him three times and threatened him when he was brought to the police station. “Pinagsusuntok po nila ako sa tagiliran ko po… Tatlong beses lang pero malalakas (I was punched on the side…Three times only, but strong),” he recalled. Senator Risa Hontiveros asked if he knew who the police officer was, Augustilo did not get the name but he will be able to recognize the cop if he sees the officer’s face. Augustilo was further asked to describe the assailant. He said cop as was a small man with a mustache and worn civilian clothes. “Nakita ko po kaso po hindi ko po siya masyadong kilala sa pangalan pero sa mukha po kilala po. Naka-sibilyan po siya non eh. Naka tokong, tapos naka jacket (I saw the face but I don’t know the name but I can recognize him. He was in civilian clothes. He was wearing shorts and a jacket),” the teenager responded, noting that Police Captain Mark Joseph Carpio knows the cop who assaulted him. However, Carpio said they do not have a police officer who fits the description described by the boy. Augustilo also testified that Police Staff Sergeant Gerry Maliban threatened him and forced him to confess about the robber in their area. “Si Maliban. Sabi nya kapag hindi ako umamin, hindi na raw po ako aabutan ng magulang ko. Pinapaamin po niya ako, kung kakilala ko po ‘yung mga nanghoholdap sa lugar namin,” he said. Maliban, meanwhile, did not comment on Augustilo’s account. Hontiveros criticized contradicting testimonies and statements of one police officer to another, lamenting that these could not be trusted when asked to narrate the details of their operation. "It's saddening that the Senate has to be the one to investigate a matter which in normal circumstances, should be investigated by the police, and more than that, law enforcers should not be the ones being investigated or involved in this tragedy," she said. Further, Dela Rosa adjourned the hearings on the killing of Baltazar and reminded the PNP Deputy Chief for Administration Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia of the issuance of batons and whistles to the police force. The senator told Sermonia not to wait for the order from the Napolcom or even no longer needed to wait for the legislation. "Palkita niyo sa publiko na nagrereact kayo sa mga pangyayari (Show the public that you are reacting to what is happening),” he said. The post Contempt order vs 3 Navotas cops involved in Jemboy Baltazar slay lifted appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pork’s different strokes
Efforts have begun in the House of Representatives to raise the Motor Vehicle Road Users Charge or the Road Users Tax after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. identified the levy as a main source of precious funds. The eagerness of the members of the House to comply with the proposal to hike the tax makes people wary. Proceeds from the tax are the favorite source of legislative pork. Albay Rep. Joey Salceda’s bill indicates the MVUC which ranges from P120 to P4,000 will be raised to between P2,080 and P10,400 for cars, depending on their gross weight. Under the proposal, the MVUC will be increased by a fixed rate yearly until 2025, and by 5 percent from 2026 onwards. Salceda is looking at collecting P151 billion more in revenue from 2024 to 2027 through the higher MVUC. The higher collections should be earmarked for road improvements which is under the Department of Public Works and Highways after President Rodrigo Duterte signed a law abolishing the graft-tainted Road Board. The disposition of the MVUC sparked the feud between House members and the Department of Budget and Management during the initial years of the Duterte term after then Budget Secretary Ben Diokno refused to release the MUVC proceeds until the Road Board was dissolved. Moreover, the late former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III exploited the RUT funds using them as leverage to get House members to impeach former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez and to obtain the legislators’ approval for his political agenda, such as a measure seeking to postpone the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao election to allow Noynoy to place his appointees in the Muslim region. The Road Board had an unusual collection setup that practically freed its state audit, making it a perfect “cash cow” as termed by some senators. Gutierrez was impeached overwhelmingly in the House after Noynoy first dangled the pork barrel, saying through his House allies that those who would vote against the impeachment would not receive their pork barrel while those who signed the measure would get a P20-million bonus taken from the Road Board.Later, Gutierrez, knowing that she was in a losing situation, resigned from her post despite her having a guaranteed term. She was replaced by Noynoy’s favorite associate justice, Conchita Carpio-Morales, who carried out the yellow brand of selective justice. Gutierrez had displeased Noynoy when she dismissed the case against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in connection with the P729-million fertilizer fund scam. Former Chief Justice Renato Corona Jr. was also ousted through impeachment and the leverage used, in turn, were the DAP funds. It was ironic that Noynoy’s allies vowed to abolish the Road Board, which under the law that created it, had full discretion on its use. Its disposition was beyond the scope of the Commission on Audit since the RUT was not part of the budget. Former Sen. Franklin Drilon, for instance, said the body would be abolished by the Senate despite the House allies of former President Arroyo’s withdrawal and eventual rescinding of the bill that sought to terminate the anomalous 2001 creation. Congressmen turned the RUT proceeds into a source of fast money through collusion with Road Board officials. Since the DPWH is now the custodian of the funds, attention must also be directed at the agency in the proper disposition of the MUVC proceeds. Increasing the audit-free funds plus the recently discovered P215 billion in insertions in the budget through the generic flood mitigation projects exposed maneuvers to pilfer public funds. The post Pork’s different strokes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senators grill Navotas cops over teenage boy’s death
Senators on Tuesday grilled Northern Police District personnel involved in the killing of 17-year-old Jemboy Baltazar, who was shot while he was boarding his boat in Navotas City. During the resumption of the investigation by the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs into the killing of Baltazar, lawmakers quizzed policemen, specifically about the absence of paraffin tests on individuals involved in the operation. Juanito Arabejo, who heads the Navotas City police station investigation and detective management section, said he did not conduct a paraffin test on the six policemen who shot Baltazar in a case of mistaken identity on 2 August based on his "sound judgment." A paraffin test is done to determine whether or not a person has fired a gun. "Is that your discretion not to subject them to paraffin test or [did] they refuse?" Senator Ronald "Bato” dela Rosa, who presided over the hearing, asked Arabejo. Responding to Dela Rosa’s query, Arabejo said, "That was based on our sound judgment and in good faith, considering the direct testimony of the eyewitnesses is sufficient to establish the guilt of these six suspects." This prompted lawmakers to ask former Navotas City police chief Allan Umipig whether or not he told Arabejo to conduct paraffin tests. According to Umipig, he ordered Arabejo to subject policemen involved in the operation to paraffin tests during their emergency meeting on 3 August, which Arabejo refuted. Dela Rosa then ordered Umpig to contact other policemen who were present at their 3 August meeting to validate his claim. Minutes later, Navotas City Police Captain Anthony Mondejar, and Police Major Edwin Fuertes, joined the hearing and validated Umipig’s claim. Due to the alleged inconsistency in his statements, Senator Risa Hontiveros, on behalf of Senator Raffy Tulfo, made the motion to cite Arabejo in contempt. “On behalf of Senator Raffy Tulfo and the guidance of the chairperson, I move to cite [for] contempt Police Captain Juanito Arabejo,” Hontiveros said. Dela Rosa, who was evidently fuming over Arabejo’s “annoying smirks,” approved Hontiveros’s motion. This is not the first time Dela Rosa’s panel ordered a cite in contempt of individuals involved in Baltazar’s killing. Last week, the Senate panel also held Navotas City police officers Captain Mark Joseph Carpio and Staff Sergeant Gerry Maliban in contempt for allegedly lying and evading lawmakers’ questions. Carpio was the leader of the team in Baltazar’s fatal shooting. The post Senators grill Navotas cops over teenage boy’s death appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DILG to LGUs: Implement Magna Carta of Women
Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos on Friday urged local government units to implement projects and programs promoting women's rights based on Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women. “As active agents of the government in promoting gender equality, our LGUs must ensure the localization of the Magna Carta of Women to ensure that women empowerment is recognized and mainstreamed in all sectors,” Abalos said during the 18th General Assembly of the Philippine Federation of Local Council of Women. Abalos, Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio and Senator Imee Marcos graced the event held in Pasay City. The DILG chief announced the pilot run of the DILG GAD Seal Certification Program, with a “GAD Seal” awarded to offices of the department that observe the Magna Carta of Women and implement policies aimed at women's rights. “This is intended to put a premium on the gender mainstreaming efforts implemented and adopted by the DILG regional offices making them gender-responsive. We want to transform the DILG into a GAD-Centered organization promoting gender equality and development with social inclusion, reflecting the Department’s commitment to creating a more equitable and inclusive society for all,” Abalos said. “Soon, we will roll out this program outside the DILG and will name local government units and other government offices that provide primacy to women’s rights,” he added. The post DILG to LGUs: Implement Magna Carta of Women appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Del Rosario’s wake open to public
The public may now pay their last respects to Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario whose remains arrived in the country on Saturday as the late diplomat’s family opened the public visitation for his wake on Sunday. Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas blessed the casket of Del Rosario on the first day of his wake at the Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati City. Among those who first visited the wake of Del Rosario were former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales and retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio — both convenors of the 1Sambayan, a broad coalition that attempted to form a united opposition for the May 2022 poll. Del Rosario was one of the convenors of the coalition. Meantime, Dr. Inge del Rosario, daughter of the former Secretary of Foreign Affairs, said that his father’s remains arrived in the country from the United States at around 5:30 a.m. on Saturday. “A patriot has returned to his beloved family and his home, the Philippines,” the family’s statement read. Inge confirmed that his father “breathed his last” at the age of 83 on Tuesday, 18 April, while en route to San Francisco with his wife and son-in-law. “While there were valiant attempts to resuscitate him by two doctors who were passengers on the same flight, these efforts were to no avail,” the family said. “Following an investigation by the coroner’s office in San Francisco, California, it was determined that the causes of death of Ambassador del Rosario were cardiac insufficiency, congestive heart failure, and cardiomyopathy. He had suffered a massive heart attack,” it added. According to the family, Del Rosario “died in the arms of his wife of more than 60 years, Gretchen.” The family disclosed that Del Rosario embarked on a trip to California on short notice in hopes to pray at a private devotion to our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. “He was a devotee of the Rosary and sought to pray for better health as he believed he continued to have a mission to fulfill for his country,” they revealed. “He had suffered over the past twenty years from various ailments and had had numerous back and knee surgeries but persevered despite the pain and suffering to serve as Philippine ambassador to the United States and Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs.” Del Rosario stepped down from his post as secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs in 2016, citing health issues. Del Rosario took the helm of the DFA chief for five years. During his stint, he ushered the Philippines’ case against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration and challenged the latter’s historic nine-dash claim in the South China Sea. On 12 July 2016, The Hague-based arbitral tribunal favored the Philippines’ claims in the West Philippine Sea — a landmark decision that the People’s Republic of China continues to reject. Del Rosario’s family is asking the Filipino people to “pray for the peaceful repose of his soul and for consolation in our time of grief.” “We are deeply proud of our former Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Albert F. del Rosario, and are grateful for the outpouring of support for the family. Our Papa, a loving husband, father and grandfather, a Patriot, has returned home to our Merciful God and rests now in the arms of our Blessed Mother. He is home to stay,” his family said. The post Del Rosario’s wake open to public appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
VP Sara kind, gentle, caring to learners: Briones
MANILA - Former Secretary Leonor Briones assured Monday that the new Department of Education (DepEd) chief, Vice President (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio, will take the helm of the sector with the right character fit for the learners' needs.In the thanksgiving and turnover ceremony, Briones expres.....»»
The debate
Of course, retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio was glad to accept the debate challenge on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) hurled by President Duterte. He and his partners in this years-long WPS campaign have been waiting for the opportunity to make this the priority concern not only of the Duterte administration but of the entire nation as well. There was no better way to make it on top of the list than to goad (bait may be a better word) the Chief Executive no end to make that challenge. Having grown up at the same time and mixed with the same crowd in Davao for years, he must have known how to throw the bait and succeeded in worming his way. .....»»
Duterte hindi makikipag-debate kay Carpio
Hindi papatulan ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang pagkagat ni dating Supreme Court Chief Justice Antonio Carpio sa kanyang hamon na debate kaugnay sa isyu ng West Philippine Sea. Ayon kay Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, itinalaga siya ni Pangulong Duterte na makipag-debate kay Carpio. Paliwanag ni Roque, sinunod kasi ng Pangulo ang payo ng kanyang gabinete […] The post Duterte hindi makikipag-debate kay Carpio appeared first on Bandera......»»
Rody backs off from debate
President Rodrigo Duterte backed down from his own challenge to debate retired Supreme Court associate justice Antonio Carpio on the West Philippine Sea after the former magistrate called his bluff and said he was ready to face the Chief Executive anytime of the day......»»
Carpio to debate anyone on West Philippine Sea ‘possession’
With a verbal square-off with President Duterte now out of the question following the latter’s change of heart, retired Supreme Court justice Antonio Carpio said he is still willing to push through with the debate even only with the Chief Executive’s alter egos......»»
Ex-SC justices Antonio Carpio and Conchita Carpio-Morales, UP law profs challenge anti-terrorism law
Retired Supreme Court justices, Antonio Carpio and Conchita Carpio-Morales—also former chief graft-buster—led the 11th group of petitioners asking the tribunal to strike down the much-feared Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) of 2020 as unconstitutional......»»
Church visits are allowed only until 10 p.m. – Police chief
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Church visits on Maundy Thursday will only be allowed until 10 p.m. the chief of the Cebu City police announced on Thursday, March 28. Police Colonel Ireneo B. Dalogdog, City Director of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) said that the public is not allowed inside religious places past 10:00 p.m......»»
Pentagon chief reaffirms support after latest China aggression in WPS
Austin emphasized US support for the Philippines in defending its sovereign rights and jurisdiction in a phone call with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on Wednesday. .....»»
New DCPO chief pledges technology-driven approach
THE new director of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) underscored the utilization of technology to streamline their operations......»»
Victims of Baltimore bridge collapse include those from Mexico, Guatemala
Maryland [US], March 27 (ANI): Among those reported missing following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore in the US are Mexican nationals, CNN reported, citing Rafael Laveaga, Chief of the Consular Section of Mexico's Embassy in Washington. Laveaga refrained from specifying the exact number of missing Mexican nationals when he addressed reporters near the scene on Tuesday. A reporter asked Laveaga: ".....»»
Ministry helping improve BARMM’s business climate names 10 new officials
The Bangsamoro chief minister has filled out ten regional positions in one of the ministries under him to boost its operation as requested by business blocs enticing foreign investors to venture into viable businesses in the region......»»