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.....»»
Duterte welcomes U.S. national security adviser s threats vs ICC
MANILA, Philippines - President Rodrigo Duterte has found an ally in United States National Security Adviser John Bolton who, last September 10, threatened the International Criminal Court (ICC) if it would proceed with investigations into America's war crimes in Afghanistan or into any of its allies. "The timely word of ........»»
Koko Pimentel s wedding ninongs: Duterte, Bong Go, Sotto, Pacquiao
In less than a month, reelectionist Senator Aquilino Pimentel III will tie the knot with his fiancée, Anna Kathryna Yu , and the big celebration – as expected – will include big names in politics. No less than President Rodrigo Duterte will grace the October 18 wedding of his ally at ........»»
How to stop Trillanes attacks vs Duterte? Kill me or isolate me
MANILA, Philippines – Opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said only death and isolation can stop his criticisms against President Rodrigo Duterte. “Probably they'll have to put me away physically – either killing me or isolating me from the rest of the world,” Trillanes said in a Rappler Talk interview on Friday, September ........»»
Mindanao to benefit from OLBARMM, federalism – Chinese envoy
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 14 Sep) – People’s Republic of China Consul General in Davao City Li Lin said Mindanao is facing a rare opportunity for growth with the signing of the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OLBARMM) and the proposed federal form of government being pushed by the Duterte […].....»»
Fitch unit: Duterte allies likely to win Senate control
Next year’s mid-term elections could allow President Rodrigo Duterte’s allies to take control of the Senate and facilitate a shift to federalism, a Fitch unit said. This would also provide a boost to the policymaking process but at the same time weaken the country’s system of checks and balances, Fitch Fitch Solutions Macro Research said [...] The post Fitch unit: Duterte allies likely to win Senate control appeared first on The Manila Times Online......»»
Trillanes catches cold in Senate sanctuary – ally
An "exhausted" Senator Antonio Trillanes caught a cold amid his nearly week-long stay at the Senate, following the withdrawal of his amnesty by President Rodrigo Duterte, an ally said Sunday. Source link link: Trillanes catches cold in Senate sanctuary – ally.....»»
Irked by criticisms, Sotto turns to social media
"Maraming masyadong epal sa history." Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III made the remark on social media late Thursday night to respond to people, criticizing the Senate's decision not to allow the arrest of opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. On Tuesday, Sotto directed the Senate's Sergeant at Arms not to allow the arrest of opposition Trillanes, whose amnesty had been revoked by President Rodrigo Duterte. Sotto's decision was later affirmed by by his colleagues in an all senators caucus held at the Senate. READ: Senators back Sotto's stand on Trillanes' arrest "For the "KNOW IT ALLS" JPE and other senators who had warrants of arrest were never allowed to be a...Keep on reading: Irked by criticisms, Sotto turns to social media.....»»
Administration ally blames gov’t for rising inflation
AN administration ally is blaming the Duterte government for doing little or nothing to address the rising inflation or the increase in the prices of goods. Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said the government has failed to get the right ways and means to address this problem. Reports of the Philippine….....»»
‘Don’t follow illegal orders,’ Trillanes ally tells military, police
MAGDALO party-list Rep. Gary Alejano told the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to disobey “illegal orders” from President Rodrigo Duterte to arrest party-mate Senator Antonio Trillanes 4th. “The proclamation issued by Duterte has no basis at all. There is no warrant of arrest and there are no charges [...] The post ‘Don’t follow illegal orders,’ Trillanes ally tells military, police appeared first on The Manila Times Online......»»
Duterte: ‘Rape joke? It’s freedom of expression’
President Duterte yesterday cited freedom of expression to justify his latest remark on rape and to defend presidential communications assistant secretary Mocha Uson, who has been accused of poking fun at federalism......»»
Duterte makes historic visit to Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem
JERUSALEM --- President Rodrigo Duterte visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Center here, the first time a Philippine President visited the memorial. Duterte arrived here with his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, and top government officials. In September 2016, Duterte drew criticisms after he compared his anti-drug campaign to the Hitler-led Holocaust, saying he would be "happy to slaughter" three million drug addicts. The President later visited a synagogue in Manila to personally apologize to the Jewish community, in what he described as a "terribly wrong" remark. The President and his daughter also visited the Hall of Names inside the...Keep on reading: Duterte makes historic visit to Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem.....»»
Duterte defends Mocha despite admitting she went overboard
President Duterte defended Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson, who recently drew sharp rebuke over a dance video on federalism that offended even allies of his administration. .....»»
Duterte says overboard Mocha Uson still has right to free speech
MANILA, Philippines – Reacting for the first time in public to Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson's controversial federalism jingle , President Rodrigo Duterte admitted she may have overdone things but that he can't sanction her for expressing herself. "Si Mocha maraming kalaban.... There are things ........»»
Sara Duterte to rape joke critics: What have you done to help?
MANILA, Philippines – Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio has again come to the defense of her father following the backlash over his latest rape joke . Carpio hit back at critics of President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday night, August 31, while she enumerated steps of the city government to curb the ........»»
Imee: Nothing wrong when Duterte says Marcoses make ideal presidents
Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos sees nothing wrong with President Rodrigo Duterte's frequent mentioning of two Marcoses --- her brother former Senator Bongbong Marcos and their father former President Ferdinand Marcos --- when he talks of ideal presidents. According to her, it only reflects that the president wants "someone else," not the incumbent Vice President, to lead the country if ever he steps down from office. "It's (Duterte's endorsement) is also an endorsement of the Escudero family, the Cayetano family, it's very clear that the president would prefer someone else, that's all," Marcos told reporters in an ambush interview after a forum on Friday. "It's the president'...Keep on reading: Imee: Nothing wrong when Duterte says Marcoses make ideal presidents.....»»