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Why mounting a 2024 plebiscite on charter change will be a daunting task for Comelec
Charter change advocates are eyeing a plebiscite this year to ratify their proposed amendment to the 1987 Constitution, but the Comelec says it doesn't have enough time, manpower, and resources to mount a nationwide vote, as the 2025 elections inch closer.....»»
90,000 to vote in BARMM plebiscite
Up to 90,000 voters are expected to participate in a plebiscite that will ratify the creation of eight new municipalities in the Bangsamoro Special Geographic Area on April 13......»»
3 Army battalions to guard plebiscite for creation of 8 Bangsamoro towns
The Philippine Army will deploy three battalions of soldiers to help ensure a peaceful conduct of the April 13,2024 plebiscite for the creation of eight municipalities covering 63 Bangsamoro barangays in different towns in Cotabato province......»»
Rama wants Cebu City residents to vote for governor
Rama wants Cebu City residents to vote for governor.....»»
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......»»
NEWS BRIEFS | 3 February 2024
Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ebrahim says no to independent Mindanao CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews / 03 February) — Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim has rejected the call of former President Rodrigo Duterte for an independent Mindanao. Murad instead urged Bangsamoro officials and residents to support the current administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. […].....»»
Marcos to the Bangsamoro: show the world the May 2025 polls will be peaceful and credible
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 09 February) – “Giving the vote to the people to choose their leaders is the logical succession, evolution, to the grant of self-rule to your land,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said as he urged Bangsamoro leaders to “show the world” that the first election of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim […].....»»
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......»»
Teachers urge Congress: Fund classrooms, not Charter plebiscite
he Alliance of Concerned Teachers on Thursday called on the House of Representatives to reallocate the budget earmarked for the proposed Charter change plebiscite toward constructing more classrooms amid the learning crisis......»»
Plebiscite for creation of 8 BARMM towns set April 15
All is set for the plebiscite on the creation of eight towns out of 63 barangays in Cotabato to form part of the Special Geographic Area of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao......»»
3 Army battalions to secure BARMM plebiscite
Three Army battalions will be deployed during a plebiscite to ratify the creation of eight towns in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao......»»
Bangsamoro official demands apology for ‘misappropriation’ of Bangsamoro culture in Sinulog
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 13 January) – The head of the Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage (BCPCH) issued a statement Saturday demanding a public apology from the contingent that presented Bangsamoro traditional dances depicted as Muslim in the Sinulog Festival of Cebu City, an event dedicated to the Santo Nino. BCPCH Commissioner […].....»»
Residents oppose dividing Wao, Lanao del Sur into two towns; say BTA didn’t consult them
COTABATO CITY (MindaNews / 09 March) – Residents and local officials of Wao in Lanao del Sur on Thursday held a rally protesting the proposal at the Bangsamoro Parliament to divide their towns into two. Wearing red and green arm bands, Muslim and Christian residents filled the Municipal Hall grounds in the indignation rally dubbed […].....»»
Proposed US Law Would Protect Human Rights Defenders
Proposed US Law Would Protect Human Rights Defenders.....»»
Al-ag proposes to repeal ordinance requiring delivery riders biz permits
Davao City Councilor Bernie Al-ag has proposed the repeal of an ordinance that requires delivery riders to obtain business permits. The ordinance in question, City Ordinance 0612-21 series of 2021, classified delivery riders as independent service contractors, mandating them to apply for business permits. However, a joint memorandum circular issued by various government agencies exempts individuals providing personal services, including delivery riders, from securing business permits. Al-ag emphasized that the city government must adhere to the guidelines set forth in the memorandum. While the proposed repeal is pending, Al-ag advised delivery riders to comply with the existing ordinance. He expressed confidence in the passage of the repeal, citing the solid basis provided by the joint memorandum. Despite a group of delivery riders seeking an audience with Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte on the matter, Al-ag's proposal was drafted in response to a separate petition. He clarified that the repeal is not about monetary collection but aligning with national law, which exempts delivery riders from obtaining business permits. Al-ag remains optimistic about the repeal's approval, pointing to the support provided by the joint memorandum as a strong foundation for his proposal......»»
Proposed EU Forced Labor Regulation Should Focus on Workers
European Union governments meeting today in Brussels to discuss a proposed ban on products linked to forced labor, should allow forced labor victims in companies' supply chains to receive remediation. Companies and business associations have called for remediation to be included in the draft.....»»
Bangsamoro folks reject Duterte’s Mindanao independence call
People from different sectors in the Bangsamoro region on Friday blatantly rejected former President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for Mindanao independence, asserting that they will never ever ruin the gains of their peace process with the national government......»»
Sara reveals she will run in next polls
Summary: Sara Duterte, the Vice President and Education Secretary, announced her intention to run in the next election during a visit to flood victims in Barangay Bago Gallera. In a Facebook Live video, she mentioned that her brothers, Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and First District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, may not run in the next election, prompting her decision to campaign. However, she did not specify the position she would be running for. The upcoming election will be the 2025 midterm senatorial elections for senators, congressmen, and local officials, with the presidential national elections scheduled for 2028. Duterte also emphasized the importance of barangay development councils in times of calamity and stressed the need for disaster resilience and awareness among barangay officials and children. Additionally, she highlighted the significance of safety and security, urging trust in security personnel and caution against scammers and swindlers. Duterte also emphasized the importance of education for the younger generation and the equal opportunities it provides. This announcement comes amidst her visits to various areas in the Philippines, where she has been extending aid and addressing pertinent issues such as disaster resilience and community safety......»»
Cha-cha plebiscite and midterm polls in one event: A test of Comelec s independence
BOTH LEGISLATIVE chambers are now leading charter change discussions. Legislators have repeatedly said that amendments will be limited to economic measures in the 1987 Constitution.Meanwhile, the conduct of the plebiscite had Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair George Garcia describe the logistical preparations required for it. He argued that it should be held as a separate event from the 2025 midterm electi.....»»
Caloocan starts preparing for barangay plebiscite
The city government of Caloocan has started preparations for the conduct of a plebiscite for the division of Barangay 176, also known as Bagong Silang, into six separate barangays, Mayor Dale Gonzalo Malapitan said yesterday......»»