Duterte ally steps up criticisms on federalism
MANILA: A close ally of President Rodrigo 'Rody' Duterte who also heads his economic team, stepped up his criticisms on the proposed controversial shift to a federal form of government, w.....»»
Duterte: Alvarez can have multiple wives if he wishes
House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez can have multiple wives if he wishes, President Duterte said in defending his ally from criticisms for allegedly having extramarital relations. Duterte: Alvarez can have multiple wives if he wishes House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez can have multiple wives if he wishes, President Duterte said in defending his ally from criticisms for… link: Duterte: Alvarez can have multiple wives if he wishes.....»»
Goodbye BBL, Hello Federalism
COTABATO CITY – For the third time around, majority Christian lawmakers in the House of Representatives are expected to reject the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law or BBL being pushed by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which signed an interim peace deal with Manila in 2014. Instead of BBL, lawmakers are now pushing for a federal form of government and President Rodrigo Duterte is also strongly advocating the shift to federalism, an advocacy he made even before when he was the mayor of Davao City. Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque also said Duterte’s priority now is to change the form of current government and this can only be achieved through amendments in the Constitution which lawmakers are currently working on. There was also a proposal to hold a plebiscite next year in time for the mid-term elections for Filipinos to decide whether to accept or reject federalism. But there are also many lawmakers who wanted to cling to power and extend their term of office until 2022 when voters would have to choose their leaders in national elections. BBL Duterte has previously backed the BBL and expressed optimism that the draft law will pass the scrutiny of Congress that previously opposed it – during Arroyo and Aquino’s presidency. But Duterte himself has been campaigning for BBL and federalism even before he won the presidency in 2016. And his political allies in Congress are supporting the proposed shift from the current presidential system to federalism, and not the BBL. The MILF, whose ageing leaders, called for the passage of BBL may be overridden by Duterte’s plans to grant regions autonomy through federalism. It said the administration of Duterte should immediately work for the passage of the BBL where the Aquino government left off. It stressed that the negotiation is completed following the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) between the MILF and government peace panels. Politicians questioning the BBL said the provisions in the draft law remain the same. Zamboanga City Representative Celso Lobregat, who was one of those who opposed the BBL during the Aquino administration citing unconstitutional provisions in the draft law, is again raising the same issue. Unconstitutional In a previous statement, Lobregat made it clear, he will be vigilant and consistent with his stand with regards to the BBL. “I am for peace, I am not anti-peace, but we need a Bangsamoro Basic Law that is just, that is fair, that is acceptable, feasible and more importantly, it should not be contrary to the Constitution and existing laws,” he said. He said the BBL which the Bangsamoro Transition Commission submitted to Duterte still contains the same and even more contentious and questionable provisions. “Among the contentious provisions in the present version of the BBL is that there will be six plebiscites – one for ratification of the law, and second the periodic plebiscite every 5 years for a period of 25 years in the cities, municipalities and other geographic areas outside the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao which did not join the Bangsamoro after the ratification of the BBL,” Lobregat said. Lobregat, who was also former mayor of Zamboanga City, said Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) was the predecessor of the old BBL filed during the previous 16th Congress. The MOA-AD was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2008 describing the process that led to its crafting as “whimsical, capricious, oppressive, arbitrary and despotic.” He said the MOA-AD and the BBL have similar provisions, with some unconstitutional and controversial provisions. “Instead of promoting peace, there will be a constant tug of war on the political boundaries that will promote instability. The Bangsamoro will try to expand its area of jurisdiction and in turn, the local government adjacent, surrounding or neighboring the Bangsamoro will also fight tooth and nail in order to retain their territory,” Lobregat said. Lobregat said he will again be active and vigilant in the committee deliberations, plenary debates and caucuses to ensure that the interest of Zamboanga City and the rest of Mindanao are protected. Davao del Norte Representative and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Duterte’s ally in the lower chamber, said the country’s push for federalism has almost the same concept of the BBL. “The BBL will be absorbed by the federal form of government, because that’s the same. The concept of BBL is the same in federal form of government,” he said, suggesting an amendment in the Constitution. “How can you implement the provisions of the BBL without amending the Constitution? You cannot do it because there are provisions in the BBL that run contrary to the provisions of the Constitution,” said Alvarez. MILF’s rival group, the Moro National Liberation Front under Nur Misuari, has strongly opposed the government peace talks with the MILF, citing a 1996 peace accord with Manila. And Misuari, who eventually became government of the Muslim autonomous region, is now facing rebellion charges for deadly attacks in Sulu’s Jolo town and in Zamboanga City in 2001; and another raid in 2013 in retaliation to government’s failure to fully comply with the peace agreement. Under the accord, Manila would have provided a mini-marshal plan in the restive region and livelihood and housing facilities for thousands of MNLF rebels. Misuari, a close friend and political ally of Duterte, also wanted to become a perpetual regional governor. He is also […].....»»
Federalism shift pushed
THE Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte-National Executive Coordinating Committee (MRRD-NECC) has called on Congress to immediately adopt steps to shift from a Unitary System of Government to a Federal System of Government “in order to address the issues of poverty, insurgency, corruption, criminality and drugs.” The movement averred there is a….....»»
Nation: Halal, culture, drugs in Duterte-Bolkiah meeting
AMID MOUNTING criticisms at home and abroad for his bloody drug war, President Rodrigo R. Duterte might have found an ally in Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, who visited the Philippines on Thursday......»»
Duterte firms up trip to China amid sea row
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – President Duterte has firmed up his plan to visit China this month on the heels of criticisms from long-time ally the United States.....»»
Filipinos still trust US the most, distrust China — poll
Despite the Duterte administration's efforts to move closer to China, Filipinos still trust long-time ally United States the most, according to the latest Social Weather Stations survey......»»
Sotto defends Duterte’s ‘power naps’ in Singapore
Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III on Saturday downplayed criticisms of President Rodrigo Duterte's "power naps," saying: "Hindi dapat ito masamain." [These shouldn't be taken in a bad way.] Last Nov. 14, on the second day of the 33rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit in Singapore, the President Duterte missed some events attended by other regional leaders reportedly because he took "power naps." READ:Duterte 'took power naps' during absence in Asean events --- Palace In an interview with AM radio station DWIZ, Sotto said Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. might have advised the President to not attend some sessions. "Siguro yung secret...Keep on reading: Sotto defends Duterte’s ‘power naps’ in Singapore.....»»
Duterte on skipping ASEAN-Australian breakfast summit: What will they feed us? Kangaroo?
President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday sought to defend his decision to skip a special summit between Southeast Asian nations and Australia, amid criticisms that he is lazy and speculations he is seriously ill to perform his duties......»»
STATEMENTS | On OPAPP’s Attempt to Create a Cordillera People’s Autonomy Bill
OPAPP’s bogus autonomy will be no different from the Duterte regime’s deceptive Charter Change and Federalism proposal, which will further worsen the national oppression of indigenous peoples......»»
Looking into the controversies on Chinese businessman Michael Yang
President Rodrigo Duterte’s denial and subsequent admittance of Chinese businessman Michael Yang’s involvement with the government drew criticisms over having a foreigner in public office. Duterte first mentioned Michael Yang in public at an event last October 2018. It was later reported that Yang was the presidential economic adviser based on official records. Still, Duterte […] The post Looking into the controversies on Chinese businessman Michael Yang appeared first on Interaksyon......»»
‘Humor-mongering’
If there is one thing that almost always stirs troubles for President Rodrigo Duterte, it is his penchant for wisecracking in public. Unrepentant to the ensuing criticisms and backlash of his jokes, President Duterte continues with his stand-up comic antics......»»
Duterte creates federalism task force
Duterte creates federalism task force.....»»
Duterte forms task force on federalism
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte formed an inter-agency body tasked to “integrate, harmonize, and coordinate efforts” to promote federalism and constitutional reform. Memorandum Circular 52, signed on October 31 by Executive Secretary...READ MORE The post Duterte forms task force on federalism appeared first on The Manila Times Online......»»
Duterte creates charter change task force
MANILA, Philippines – To reinvigorate his push for federalism and charter change, President Rodrigo Duterte created the Inter-Agency Task Force on Federalism (IATF) through a memorandum circular. Signed on October 31, Memorandum Circular No 52 states the IATF is to coordinate and harmonize all activities and efforts geared towards federalism ........»»
Duterte forms inter-agency federalism task force
President Rodrigo Duterte created an inter-agency task force that would “integrate, harmonize and coordinate” efforts toward federalism and constitutional reforms......»»
Hontiveros: Duterte’s defeatist take on inflation ‘unacceptable’
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday said President Rodrigo Duterte's defeatist take on inflation was "unacceptable" as a lot of steps can still be done to tame the seemingly nonstop increase in prices of basic goods in the country. "Kapag gusto, may paraan. Kapag ayaw, maraming dahilan," Hontiveros said in a statement. "Hindi katanggap-tanggap ang pahayag ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na walang magagawa ang kanyang pamahalaan para tugunan ang problema ng taas-presyo sa ating bansa. Hindi ito totoo," she added. The opposition senator then suggested the following actions to level the inflation rate, which reached an over-nine-year-high of 6.7 percent in September: 1. Suspend a...Keep on reading: Hontiveros: Duterte’s defeatist take on inflation ‘unacceptable’.....»»
Duterte wants to spare Lapeña from intrigue — Panelo
President Rodrigo Duterte transferred Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapea to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) to spare him from intrigue, Malacaang said Friday. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo noted that the transfer has already been arranged before and was set to be promulgated next week. However, Duterte made the announcement on Thursday to spare the embattled Bureau of Customs (BOC) chief from further criticisms, Panelo said. Lapea has been under fire after a shipment of P11 billion worth of shabu slipped past Customs under his watch. "With respect to Commissioner Lapea, alam mo matagal nang naka ano iyon... naka-ready i-transfer sa Tesda. K...Keep on reading: Duterte wants to spare Lapeña from intrigue — Panelo.....»»
De Lima: IPU withdrawal is Arroyo’s ‘personal vendetta’
Detained Senator Leila de Lima believes that Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's proposal for the Philippine Senate to withdraw from the Inter-Parliamentary Union's (IPU) was a "personal vendetta" against her. "Arroyo's personal vendetta against me for her detention on electoral sabotage and plunder charges is not yet over, and is not about to end soon," De Lima said in a statement on Friday. The senator noted that Arroyo is a "known ally" of President Rodrigo Duterte and would "go the extra mile to undermine any international effort in support of her plight as the first prominent political prisoner of the President." De Lima has been detained at the Philippine National Police's C...Keep on reading: De Lima: IPU withdrawal is Arroyo’s ‘personal vendetta’.....»»
News Briefs: Oct. 23, 2018
Customs personnel urged to come to Lapea's defense, Jose Maria Sison, Joma Sison, localized peace talks, NPA, CPP communist rebels, NDFP Customs Deputy Commissioner Edward James Dy Buco on Monday urged the bureau's personnel to speak out in defense of Commissioner Isidro Lapea amid criticisms of his competence and allegations of his possible involvement in the cover-up of the smuggling of P6.8 billion worth of "shabu" (crystal meth). "Let us be proud of him. Honestly, in this administration, he is the only hardliner official that implements truly the reforms of the Duterte administration," Buco said during Monday's flag-raising ceremony at the Bureau of Customs....Keep on reading: News Briefs: Oct. 23, 2018.....»»
Duterte and Sara ‘share the same strongman streak’ — Villarin
Now it can be said: President Rodrigo Duterte and her daughter, Davao Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio "share the same strongman streak." Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin had this to say on Friday after the President admitted that Sara had a role in the ouster of the Chief Executive's closest ally at the House of Representatives, former Speaker and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez. READ:Duterte: Be careful with Sara, she can even oust the Speaker "Now that the cat is out of the bag, there is no pretension that both father-daughter share the same strongman streak," Villarin said in a statement. ...Keep on reading: Duterte and Sara ‘share the same strongman streak’ — Villarin.....»»