Duterte says Marcos risks same fate as dictator father amid charter change push
In a fiery speech Sunday evening, Duterte accused his predecessor of being a “drug addict” and of trying to amend the Constitution to prolong his term of office. .....»»
FPRRD opposes disguised Charter change initiative
Former President Rodrigo R. Duterte has vehemently opposed the disguised People’s Initiative for Charter change, denouncing the cash-for-signature campaign as repugnant and a disgraceful act during a YouTube interview with Banateros Brothers on January 22, 2024. Duterte emphasized his disapproval of the initiative, urging for it to be halted, particularly criticizing the payment of individuals to sign the documents. He warned that such actions could lead to a new Constitution that might destroy the nation and open avenues for political abuses. Duterte stressed the importance of democracy in the Philippines, asserting that those seeking to remain in power should go through the electoral process. He highlighted that a well-performing and non-corrupt individual would retain power, while those with poor performance would be ousted through the electoral process. Expressing satisfaction with the current Constitution, Duterte argued that it has contributed to stability, reducing conflicts with groups like the New People's Army (NPA). He strongly advised against meddling with the Constitution, cautioning that it would only bring trouble to the country. Duterte pledged active opposition to the initiative, stating that he would campaign against it. Additionally, residents of Calinan District, Vice President Sara Duterte, and Representatives Isidro Ungab and Paolo Pulong Duterte have also voiced opposition to the People's Initiative for Charter Change. Margarita Atty. Migs Nograles, the representative of the Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Partylist, alleged to have started the cha-cha signature campaign, has yet to issue an official statement on the matter as of the latest update. Related stories include the denouncement of alleged `vote buying’ in signing the petition for Cha-cha by Davao City lawmakers, Vice President Duterte's condemnation of the cash-for-signature drive, and a prayer rally against PI’s Cha-cha on Jan 28......»»
Charter change could worsen destructive mining impact
By DOMINIC GUTOMAN AND ZYSA MEI ELLORAN Bulatlat.com MANILA – For environmental defenders, the government’s push for charter change (cha-cha) could worsen the already dire impacts of destructive mining corporations on vulnerable communities. The Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas (Katribu) and Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines (YACAP) held a protest in front of… The post Charter change could worsen destructive mining impact appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Groups commemorate 38th year since toppling of dictator Marcos Sr.
"They do not want to commemorate the EDSA People Power because this will remind them of the day that people the overthrew them from Malacañang." The post Groups commemorate 38th year since toppling of dictator Marcos Sr. appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Duterte warns Marcos of ouster like his father’s if charter change pushes through
'Kapag pinilit mo ito, lalabas ka ng Malacañang kagaya noong panahon na pinalayas kayo," Former president Rodrigo Duterte says in a scathing speech targeting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr......»»
TV5 contextualizes push for Charter change via people s initiative
CHEERS TO TV5 for its explainer on the controversial push for Charter change (also called Cha-cha) through the mechanism of a people's initiative. The five-minute report provided the necessary background on the issue and broke down the underlying strategy that sets this current attempt apart from previous undertakings......»»
Charter change could bring back dictatorship, intensify rights abuses — survivor
For Medy De Jesus, 74, a martial law survivor and member of human rights group Hustisya, the impending charter change could bring back another dictatorship and more human rights violations. The post Charter change could bring back dictatorship, intensify rights abuses — survivor appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Baste Duterte tells Marcos: My father gave yours a hero’s burial
'My father allowed their father to be buried,' says the Davao City mayor.....»»
Not in aid for election
The well-intentioned ayuda of the government that targets to tide over inflation-impacted middle income families will remain under a cloud of uncertainty without an enabling law. In particular, this will be the fate of the P26.7-billion Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program that has become the bone of contention of lawmakers feuding over alleged use of the newest ayuda program of the government to push Charter change......»»
Marcos: Charter change only about economic reforms, ‘nothing more’
Fears of amending political provisions of the 1987 Constitution come against the backdrop of an important historical detail – that charter change under his father's regime decades was a key factor in being in power for 21 years.....»»
Calinan District residents protest vs disguised Cha-cha
Residents from the 19 barangays in Calinan District rallied against the disguised People's Initiative for Charter Change in a protest held on January 19, 2024. Organized by the barangay captains, around 100 individuals from each barangay gathered at Rizal Park, chanting Dabawenyos are not for sale and expressing their disapproval of the alleged cash-for-signature scheme. The protest emphasized the residents' desire for fairness and a better government approach, rejecting the notion of exchanging signatures for money. Participants, including both young and old residents, voiced their opposition to the charter change, with the youth expressing concerns about power-hungry officials. Even 75-year-old Rosminda Amarilla joined the protest to question the need for change after numerous presidents have governed without such alterations. The rally, which included a motorcade and drew approximately 300 participants, received disapproval from Congressman Paolo Pulong Z. Duterte and Congressman Isidro Ungab, who alleged that the signature campaign was orchestrated by leaders of the Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Partylist. As of the latest update, PBA Representative Margarita Atty. Migs Nograles has yet to release a statement on the matter......»»
Ex-president Duterte now supports Charter change
Ex-president Duterte now supports Charter change.....»»
VP Sara ready to face ICC charges only before a Filipino court
Vice President Sara Duterte expressed her readiness to confront any allegations against her but insisted that she would only do so in front of a Filipino judge and within the jurisdiction of a Filipino court. In a statement on her Facebook page, she emphasized her refusal to participate in any process that could tarnish the reputation and integrity of the Philippine judiciary system. Duterte adamantly opposed the involvement of foreign entities in the country's legal affairs, citing it as a dishonor to the sacrifices made by Filipino heroes for the nation's freedom. Duterte, who previously served as vice mayor and mayor of Davao City, vehemently denied any involvement in the Davao Death Squad during her terms in office. She expressed dismay over the sudden appearance of a witness against her in the International Criminal Court (ICC) after assuming the vice presidency. Duterte dismissed the accusations and questioned the motives behind the allegations, asserting her capability to accomplish tasks without resorting to unlawful means. In a related development, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. voiced his refusal to acknowledge the ICC's jurisdiction in the Philippines, considering it a threat to the country's sovereignty. He issued a directive for all government agencies to refrain from cooperating with the ICC, emphasizing the nation's non-recognition of the court's authority. Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV claimed that ICC investigators had gathered substantial evidence against former President Rodrigo Duterte regarding his administration's war on drugs. He anticipated an imminent issuance of an arrest warrant against the former president. Former President Rodrigo Duterte condemned the ICC's decision to initiate a preliminary investigation into the war on drugs, labeling it an insult to the Philippines and challenging the court's jurisdiction within the country. During his presidency, he initiated the withdrawal of the Philippines' membership from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC. The ICC appeals chamber recently granted a request to resume the investigation into alleged crimes against humanity related to the Philippines' controversial drug campaign, spanning from November 2011 to March 2019. The developments surrounding the ICC's probe into the Philippines' internal affairs have sparked a contentious debate, with key political figures and rights groups expressing divergent views on the matter. The ongoing tensions between the Philippines and the ICC underscore the complex intersection of international law, national sovereignty, and human rights issues......»»
No order from me to push people’s initiative, says Romualdez
MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday denied any link to push Charter change (Cha-cha) via people’s initiative (PI). He told reporters that he gave no order to members of the House of Representatives to undertake such a campaign, after Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, in a news conference earlier on Monday, linked him to.....»»
Signature campaign for Charter change: ‘Rife with anomalies’
IBON Foundation notes that the logic behind the push for economic Cha-cha is “fundamentally flawed.” “More foreign investment does not mean development,” IBON states, adding that despite the increase in annual foreign investment inflows since the 1980s, this did not translate to growth and development for the Philippine economy. The post Signature campaign for Charter change: ‘Rife with anomalies’ appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Moody’s: Philippines highly exposed to food security risks
Food security risks will likely remain elevated in Asia-Pacific even if prices of food ease this year, with the Philippines among the most exposed to shocks and risks in the region, Moody’s Investors Service said......»»
Stan by Me goes to ENHYPEN’s ‘Fate’ concert in PH
We’ll give you a glimpse of what’s happening before ENHYPEN’s ‘FATE’ concert at the New Clark City Stadium in Tarlac.....»»
Charter change could mean more US troops in the PHL – Fil-Am activists
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAOBulatlat.com NEW YORK — Filipino-American activists here denounced ongoing attempts to change the Philippine Constitution as this may result in increased US military presence in the Philippines and worsen the geopolitical tension in the West Philippine Sea. In an interview with Bulatlat, Michelle Thiele of Gabriela-New York stressed that for US… The post Charter change could mean more US troops in the PHL – Fil-Am activists appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Duterte wants “Independent Mindanao”, but Mindanao solons oppose
While opposing the people’s initiative for charter change which he believes is orchestrated by the Marcos administration, former President Rodrigo Duterte says he is pushing the idea to secede Mindanao. .....»»
Sara: No political discussions with Marcos Jr., Duterte
Vice President Sara Duterte has neither been discussing with her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, nor with President Marcos any of her political plans or stand on national issues......»»
Marcos-Duterte rival rallies ‘a disgusting display of political ambitions,’ says lawmaker
Amid the growing rift, a lawmaker asserted that Filipinos are bearing the brunt of the ongoing political play. The post Marcos-Duterte rival rallies ‘a disgusting display of political ambitions,’ says lawmaker appeared first on Bulatlat......»»