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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......»»
Zanjoe, Ria nagpakasal na; magiging nanay at tatay na rin ba?
IKINASAL na ang celebrity couple na sina Ria Atayde at Zanjoe Marudo sa pamamagitan ng intimate wedding ceremony officiated by Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte. Kinumpirma ito ng Kapamilya actor sa kanyang latest Instagram post kung saan makikitang nakasuot siya ng black suit habang naka-white dress naman si Ria na may hawak na bouquet of flowers......»»
Leila de Lima released from Camp Crame: ‘Sweet, sweet freedom’
MANILA, Philippines — After nearly seven years of being detained in the custodial facility of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame, former Senator Leila de Lima has finally been released. This was after she underwent a medical and physical examination. READ: Leila de Lima allowed to post bail by Muntinlupa court Before.....»»
Ombudsman fails to pin Napoles for plunder
The Sandiganbayan yesterday convicted Janet Lim Napoles of nine counts of corruption of a public official, but acquitted her of plunder over the so-called “pork barrel fund scandal.” Likewise found guilty of nine counts of direct bribery by the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division was former Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives Partylist Rep. Edgar Valdez. The convictions were in relation to the misuse of lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Fund or PDAF. Napoles and Valdez were each sentenced to imprisonment of two years and four months up to six years and one day, and were each meted out a fine of P26,996,700. The cases stemmed from the charges of plunder filed by the National Bureau of Investigation and the Office of the Ombudsman, which alleged that five lawmakers, including Valdez, channeled their PDAFs to Napoles’ fake non-government organizations in exchange for kickbacks. According to the information filed by the Ombudsman, Valdez received P56 million in kickbacks from Napoles. The amount was over the P50-million threshold for the crime of plunder. Lacking evidence Former senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada, as well as former representative Rizalina Seachon-Lanete, were among the other lawmakers accused of plunder in connection with the pork barrel scam. Revilla was acquitted in 2018 but the cases against the others are still pending before the Sandiganbayan. Enrile, Estrada and Seachon-Lanete were granted bail. The dispositive portion of the Sandiganbayan’s ruling said the evidence to prove plunder against Napoles and Valdez was lacking. “The Court finds accused Edgar de Leon Valdez and Janet Lim Napoles not guilty of plunder due to insufficient evidence proving that they had, through conspiracy, amassed, accumulated, and or acquired at least 50 million pesos of PDAF funds through kickbacks and/or commissions,” the decision read in part. Valdez was allowed to post bail in 2016 after the Fifth Division said the prosecution was only able to prove that Valdez received P2.6 million, and not P56 million, in kickbacks from a foundation belonging to Napoles, who was dubbed the “pork barrel queen.” The division rejected Napoles’ request for the court to accept her belatedly filed memorandum that cited whistleblower Benhur Luy’s testimony in a different graft case, where he allegedly acknowledged that the funds in this case were not from PDAF. The 108-page Sandiganbayan decision was per curiam, meaning, not one justice from the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division penned the ruling. The per curiam decision was signed by Associate Justice and Division Chairperson Rafael Lagos, and Associate Justices Maria Theresa Mendoza-Arcega and Maryann Corpus-Mañalac. Previous acquittals Napoles attended through videoconference, while Valdez was physically present in court on Monday morning. Napoles is currently serving prior convictions. Last May, the Sandiganbayan First Division acquitted Napoles of graft in 16 PDAF cases. Napoles and Revilla were charged with the crimes in 2014. In 2018, the court ruled in favor of Napoles and against Revilla in the plunder case. In 2021, after filing a demurrer to evidence in both graft instances, Revilla was exonerated. The court ruled that the liability of the accused could no longer be determined because they were included in the plunder case for which they were already prosecuted. The charges of plunder against Revilla, his former political officer Atty. Richard Cambe, and Napoles also constituted graft because they were based on “predicate acts,” the court said. The resolution was written by Associate Justice Geraldine Faith Econg and adopted by Division chairperson Efren dela Cruz and Associate Justice Arthur Malabaguio. Same proof “This fact became even more apparent after the presentation of the same testimonial and documentary evidence in both cases,” the resolution read. Those acquitted in that case were Gondelina Amata, Ofelia Ordoez, Sofia Cruz, Evelyn Sucgang, Francisco Figura, Ma. Rosalinda Lacsamana, Marivic Jover, Consuelo Lilian Espiritu, Victor Roman Cacal and Maria Ninez Guanizo. Dennis Cunanan, Gregoria Buenaventura, Rhodora Mendoza, Evelyn de Leon, Laarni Uy and Jocelyn Piorato were found guilty and sentenced to prison terms ranging from 6 to 8 years, and were permanently barred from holding public office. Cambe, Eulogio Rodriguez and Emmanuel Alexis Sevidal had their cases dropped after they passed away. Still another case Napoles was found guilty of two charges of graft and two counts of malversation in another batch of PDAF proceedings involving the late Davao del Sur representative Douglas Cagas. The Sandiganbayan 2nd Division observed in a ruling released on 19 May 2023, that the Anti-Money Laundering Council report corroborated the evidence of whistleblower Luy, who claimed that Napoles owned and controlled the NGOs implicated in the PDAF scam. The post Ombudsman fails to pin Napoles for plunder appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CIDG nabs 6 suspects in missing cockfighters case
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on Friday arrested six suspects in the case of missing 'sabungeros' (cockfighting enthusiasts) in Parañaque City, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said on Friday. According to CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr., the CIDG Region 4A arrested Julie Patidongan alias Dondon, Mark Carlo Zabala, Roberto Matillano Jr., Johnny Consolacion, Virgilio Bayog and Gleer Codilla at around 1:45 p.m. at Jackielou Village and Fortunata Village, both in Parañaque City, based on the arrest warrant for kidnapping and serious illegal detention issued by Regional Trial Court NCJR Branch 40, Manila, dated 24 January 2023, with no bail recommended. Acorda said aside from the six suspects, two companions of the suspects identified as Melchor Neri and Victorino Diocoso were also arrested for obstruction of justice. “I hope that with the arrest of these suspects, those who were reportedly backing out as witnesses may reconsider their position, and I do believe the case is still strong. We have enough evidence to continue with the case,” Acorda said in a press briefing held at Camp Crame. Acorda said the CIDG created Special Investigation Task Group “Sabungero” on 24 January 2022 to focus on the reported missing sabungeros. Based on the agency's investigation, at least 34 sabungeros have been reported missing as of this date. “I would like to commend the CIDG for their unrelenting efforts that led to the arrest of the six suspects. We hope that their arrest will give assurance to the families that the PNP have not reneged on their commitment to pursue this case until justice is served,” said Acorda. The Department of Justice has offered a P6 million reward for any information on the arrest of the six suspects. Acorda said that because police officers are not allowed to receive rewards and this goes to the action agents, the informants who are instrumental in their arrest will receive the reward, with the hope that this will convince others to support the PNP in manhunt operations against other wanted persons. A separate case for kidnapping and serious illegal detention was also filed by CIDG in relation to the case of the missing master agent of online "sabong" Ricardo Lasco, who was reportedly abducted on 30 August 2021 in San Pablo, Laguna. So far, the criminal complaints filed by the CIDG in the Manila Arena case and the case of Lasco have been found by the courts to have probable cause, resulting in the indictment of respondents through the issuance of arrest warrants. The post CIDG nabs 6 suspects in missing cockfighters case appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
World wrestling body suspends India after harassment scandal
The Wrestling Federation of India has been suspended by the sports' world body for not holding elections after its chief was charged with sexual misconduct. India's top wrestlers staged weeks of sit-in protests in the capital New Delhi earlier this year demanding the resignation of WFI president Brij Bhushan Singh. The 66-year-old, also a lawmaker for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, has since been charged with sexual harassment and stalking but is currently on bail. The federation's leadership was disbanded in the wake of the scandal, with fresh elections scheduled for earlier this month but postponed indefinitely at the last moment. "The absence of a regularly elected president and a board does not comply with the UWW regulations and the conditions for membership," United World Wrestling said in its statement late Thursday. Indian wrestlers will be allowed to compete in the Asian Games next month but not under the Indian flag, the statement added. Singh denies all charges against him and has said he is a victim of a "conspiracy". Wrestling is hugely popular in rural northern India. Images of star athletes being detained by police as they tried to march to parliament in May went viral on social media. Commonwealth Games gold-medal-winning wrestler Anita Sheoran, a witness in a sexual harassment case, has filed her nomination to replace Singh for the top post. But backers of Singh, whose family is prohibited from contesting the elections, had been expected to win any fresh election. Bajrang Punia, one of the wrestlers who led protests against Singh, who won bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, is in the squad for the Asian Games starting September 23 in Hangzhou. The post World wrestling body suspends India after harassment scandal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
De Lima should have been granted bail — Lagman
Former senator Leila de Lima’s plea in her last drug case pending before the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court should have been granted, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, president of the once-ruling Liberal Party, said on Thursday claiming there are several “overriding factors” to fully warrant the post bail. Among the factors brought forth is the Supreme Court granting bail to ex-senator Juan Ponce Enrile in 2015 on a plunder case over the infamous pork barrel scam. The high court had allowed Enrile to post bail based on the presumption of innocence, voluntary surrender, not being a flight risk and fragile health. However, the opposition lawmaker believes that De Lima, a member of the LP, is subject to all of the aforementioned standards on an equal footing. Meanwhile, the camp of former Senator Leila de Lima is set to file an appeal to reverse the decision of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 256. Presiding Judge Romeo Buenaventura of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 256 in a decision dated 7 June denied the petitions and motions for bail filed by the former lawmaker and co-accused Franklin Jesus Bucayu, Ronnie Dayan, Joenel Sanchez and Jose Adrian Dera in case 17-167. Based on the information filed by the Department of Justice in February 2017, De Lima and her co-accused were charged of conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading. The post De Lima should have been granted bail — Lagman appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Priest arraignment postponed
A Quezon City court on Thursday moved the supposed arraignment of exorcist priest Fr. Winston Cabading to 1 August due to a pending appeal at the Department of Justice. Cabading was charged with offending religious feelings, as the case against him stemmed from the 2022 complaint filed by former Commissions Chief Harriet Demetriou after his statements on the authenticity of the 1948 Lipa Apparitions were quoted in a digital Catholic show. Demetriou, in her complaint, accused the priest of being a “rabid critic” of Mary and lambasted his comment that there exists a 1951 Lipa Diocesan Verdict that “negated the authenticity of the 1948 apparition of Our Lady, Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace.” He was supposed to undergo arraignment Thursday morning but the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 81 rescheduled the arraignment of Cabading to 1 August at 8:30 a.m. The Court also allowed Cabading to travel abroad to visit his family but was required to post a travel bond twice the amount of his bail bond. On the other hand, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, also issued a certificate of good standing for the priest last Wednesday. The certificate stated that Cabading “is a Dominican priest of good standing and is not under any censure or investigation by the CBCP.” The CBCP, for its part, has shouldered the blame over Cabading’s case, saying it may be due to the “shortcomings” of Church leaders. The post Priest arraignment postponed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
QC court postpones arraignment of exorcist priest
A Quezon City court on Thursday moved the arraignment of exorcist priest Fr. Winston Cabading to 1 August due to a pending appeal at the Department of Justice. Cabading was charged with offending religious feelings, stemming from a 2022 complaint filed by former Commission on Elections chief Harriet Demetriou following Cabading's statements that discounted the authenticity of the 1948 Lipa apparitions. Demetriou, in her complaint, accused the priest of being a “rabid critic” of the Virgin Mary and lambasted his comment that a 1951 Lipa diocesan verdict “negated the authenticity of the 1948 apparition of Our Lady, Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace.” Cabading was scheduled to undergo arraignment Thursday morning but the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 81 rescheduled the arraignment to 1 August at 8:30 a.m. The Court also allowed Cabading to travel abroad to visit his family, but the priest was required to post a travel bond twice the amount of his bail bond. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines also issued a certificate of good standing for the priest last Wednesday. The certificate stated that Cabading “is a Dominican priest of good standing and is not under any censure or investigation by the CBCP." The CBCP has shouldered the blame for Cabading’s case, saying it may be due to the “shortcomings” of Church leaders. The post QC court postpones arraignment of exorcist priest appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Vhong Navarro glad after court denies Deniece Cornejo s appeal to cancel his bail
Kapamilya host Vhong Navarro is glad after the court denied the appeal of model Deniece Cornejo to cancel his bail that allowed him to temporarily get out of jail. .....»»
Manila court allows Nasino, 2 other activists to post bail
A Manila court has allowed activist Reina Mae Nasino — who lost her three-month old daughter while in detention — and two others to post bail in the criminal cases they are facing......»»
It’s going to be a blessed Christmas : Vhong Navarro to return to It s Showtime after allowed bail for rape
Host-comedian Vhong Navarro has posted the P1 million bail granted to him by the Taguig Regional Trial Court 69, temporarily earning him freedom to return to "It's Showtime.".....»»
Navarro posts P1 million bail in rape case
Comedian-host Vhong Navarro was released from detention last night when he posted bail of P1 million after a Taguig City court allowed him to do so in the rape case filed against him by model Deniece Cornejo......»»
I feel sick : Kat Alano expresses disappointment after Vhong Navarro allowed to post bail
British-Filipino host-model Kat Alano expressed intense lamentation shortly after news that TV host Vhong Navarro would be allowed to post bail amounting to P1 million for temporary liberty from Taguig City Jail......»»
Vhong Navarro allowed P1M bail for rape
Taguig Regional Trial Court has allowed Kapamilya host Vhong Navarro to post bail for his temporary liberty. .....»»
Court finds grenade planted, grants bail plea of labor leader
An activist from Central Luzon was allowed to post bail after more than a year since his arrest. The post Court finds grenade planted, grants bail plea of labor leader appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Central Luzon activist granted bail a year after arrest
An activist from Central Luzon was allowed to post bail after more than a year since his arrest. The post Central Luzon activist granted bail a year after arrest appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Former political detainees ask SC to junk Imelda Marcos’s appeal
"Imelda Marcos was allowed to post bail two years ago, citing health reasons, even though she was able to attend and host parties since that time. Meanwhile, we have sickly and elderly political prisoners who were wrongly accused or convicted of crimes they have not committed, but are still unjustly suffering behind prison bars." The post Former political detainees ask SC to junk Imelda Marcos’s appeal appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
7 nanlaban drug suspects dead after Baste Duterte declares drug war
Less than a week after Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte declared a "war on drugs" in the city, at least seven drug suspects were killed during a buy-bust operation in the city — violence that highlights the seriousness of the mayor's recent threat of outright killing persons caught using illegal drugs......»»
Antipolo City throws support on Ajido
The Antipolo City government led by Mayor Casimiro “Jun” Ynares III will provide support to Antipolo-born swimmer Jamesray Mishael Ajido, who won the country’s lone gold medal in record-breaking fashion at the recent 11th Asian Age-Group Swimming Championships......»»