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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......»»
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 […].....»»
Marcos commits to sign NIR bill into law
President Marcos yesterday committed to sign a measure seeking to create the Negros Island Region, which is now being transmitted to Malacañang by the House of Representatives for his approval......»»
4th mode of Cha-cha
In 2013, then House Speaker Quezon City 4th District Rep. Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr. first initiated a move to amend to the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution by legislation – a law approved by Congress. Under Belmonte’s proposal, both chambers of Congress could vote separately to pass these economic amendments into law instead of a wholesale amendment of the Constitution......»»
Bill pushing P100 daily wage hike gets Senate nod on 2nd reading
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate on Wednesday approved on second reading a bill pushing for a P100-daily minimum wage hike for private sector workers. Senate Bill No. 2534 under Committee Report No. 190 was unanimously approved during Wednesday’s plenary session. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said that once the wage hike bill gets the final.....»»
BARMM leaders buck Duterte’s secession call
Leaders of different sectors in the Bangsamoro region yesterday rejected former president Rodrigo Duterte’s call for Mindanao independence, asserting that they will never ruin the gains of their peace process with the national government......»»
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 […].....»»
NEWS BRIEFS | 01 March 2024
Bill for IPs in Bangsamoro passes second reading at BARMM Parliament CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews / 01 March) – The Bangsamoro Parliament approved on second reading Parliament Bill No. 273, a measure that would recognize, develop and protect the rights of the indigenous peoples in the autonomous region. Deputy Floor Leader Mary Ann Arnado said […].....»»
Bill creating 32 single-member parliamentary districts in the BARMM passed
COTABATO CITY (MindaNews / 29 February) — The bill creating 32 single-member parliamentary districts in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was passed Wednesday night by a vote of 47 in favor, one against and three abstentions. Parliamentary Bill 267, introduced on December 18, 2023 by the Government of the Day and signed […].....»»
Lawyers file petition pushing Congress to enact law vs political dynasties
A group of lawyers on Tuesday filed a petition asking the Supreme Court to compel Congress to enact a law prohibiting political dynasties in the country......»»
Peru: Congress Runs Roughshod Over Rule of Law
(Washington, DC) - The decision by Peru's Congress on March 7, 2024, to arbitrarily remove two members of the National Board of Justice severely undermines judicial independence, the rule of law, and the protection of human rights, Human Rights Watch said today. The Organization of American States (OAS) should convene a meeting of its Permanent Council to address ongoing attacks on judicial independence in Peru......»»
Hontiveros hopes for fair consideration of divorce bill in Senate
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Risa Hontiveros expressed hope on Wednesday about the potential reintroduction of a divorce bill onto the Senate’s legislative agenda. In the House of Representatives, a bill on absolute divorce was brought for plenary consideration on Tuesday. The divorce bill in the Senate, however, remains pending for plenary discussion. “I had the.....»»
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. […].....»»
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......»»
Tulfo’s bill seeks to impose stricter penalties for drunk drivers
MANILA, Philippines — A bill seeking to impose stricter penalties for drunk drivers, including a fine of up to P1,000,000, has been filed by Senator Raffy Tulfo. At present, the current law penalizes drunk drivers who caused homicide with a fine ranging from P300,000 to P500,000. But Tulfo, through his Senate Bill No, 2546, proposed.....»»
‘Insensitive’ Singkil dance in Sinulog called out by Bangsamoro gov’t; CTU apologizes
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Bangsamoro Government urged festival organizers and local officials for an open and constructive collaboration in representing Moro culture after performers from a university here danced the Singkil during the Opening Salvo of the Sinulog Festival. The Bangsamoro called out the ‘grossly inappropriate and culturally insensitive’ representation of the Singkil of.....»»
DOLE-Davao exec calls on Congress to carefully study uniform daily wage hike bill
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 11 March) – The legislative push for a nationwide P100 to P400 daily increase for minimum wage earners in the private sector “must be compatible with the socio-economic conditions and purchasing power of each region,” an official from the Department of Labor and Employment – Davao Region (DOLE-Davao) said. “If Congress […].....»»
Tax break for 2-wheeled EVs gains ground in Congress
Giving tax breaks for two-wheeled electric vehicles is getting more support from Congress, as a bill aiming for their inclusion in the list of vehicles benefiting from tariff reduction has been filed in the House of Representatives......»»
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......»»
Bangsamoro leaders calls out Sinulog dance for ‘cultural insensitivity’
Moro leaders and netizens criticized one performance during Cebu’s Sinulog opening ceremony last Friday that interpreted a Moro dance they said was “insensitive” and “inaccurate”......»»