NTF-ELCAC presents alleged former rebel amid red-tagging campaign
An alleged former communist rebel was presented by the anti-communist task force to the public on Friday amid recent controversy sparked by the veiled threats made by the task force's spokesman Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. against public figures and a women's group. .....»»
Ecuador officials fired as 7th ‘assassin’ slain in prison
Another suspect in the assassination of a presidential candidate in Ecuador has died in prison, the same fate that befell six other suspects to the crime at another penal facility. The prison authority reported Saturday the killing of the Colombian suspect at the El Inca prison in Quito as President Guillermo Lasso announced the sacking of the police force’s general commander, investigations chief and prisons director. Lasso’s office also said it will file a criminal complaint against the director of the Guayaquil prison, where the six prisoners were said to have died amid “disturbances.” “He has already been detained... to give his version before the prosecutor’s office,” the presidency said. Authorities have not provided details on the inmate deaths, nor explained how the Quito prison failed to provide extra protection for the seventh suspect following Friday’s killings. All dead victims were arrested and detained in August over their alleged involvement in the assassination of anti-corruption crusader Fernando Villavicencio. The centrist candidate who had been polling in second place was gunned down days ahead of the 20 August as he left a stadium where he held a campaign rally. One suspected assassin was killed by police responding to the shooting of Villavicencio, while another six were arrested. The suspects’ deaths come just over a week before the election between leftist frontrunner Luisa Gonzalez and challenger Daniel Noboa. The winner of the 15 October vote will succeed Lasso, who called snap polls to avoid possible impeachment for embezzlement. The post Ecuador officials fired as 7th ‘assassin’ slain in prison appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Trudeau to be star witness in election meddling probe
The Canadian prime minister could be the star witness in his government’s investigation of alleged national election meddling by China, Russia and other countries. Justin Trudeau was asked by reporters in Singapore Friday on the possibility of him testifying in the case, he replied, “Willingly and with very much enthusiasm.” The prime minister, who was coming from the ASEAN Summit in Indonesia, added, “I think it’s important for Canadians to know exactly everything this government has been doing in regards to foreign interference, and to talk frankly about the challenges that we continue to face in our democracies around the world.” His statement came a day after Ottawa named an appeals court judge to lead the inquiry into the allegations surrounding federal elections in 2019 and 2021. Quebec Court of Appeal Justice Marie-Josee Hogue replaces the investigator who resigned in June. Trudeau faced pressure to explain how it first responded to the claims that Beijing sought to subvert Canada’s democratic process. Relations between Ottawa and Beijing hit a new low this year amid accusations of Chinese meddling in those elections and the attempted intimidation of Canadian lawmakers that led to the expulsion of a Chinese diplomat in May. Beijing has called the accusations “groundless” and responded by sending home a Canadian diplomat from the country’s consulate in Shanghai. The reported accusations included secret campaign donations and that Chinese operatives were working for Canadian candidates and lawmakers in an attempt to influence policy. WITH AFP The post Trudeau to be star witness in election meddling probe appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cagayan province officials cited in contempt
Members of the House of Representatives public accounts and the suffrage and electoral reforms panel has cited in contempt five officials of the Cagayan province during the probe on the provincial government’s alleged illegal use of government funds during the 2022 election campaign period. This comes as provincial accountant Jeanna Garma, treasurer Mila Mallonga, budget officer Reynald Raul Ramirez, agriculturist Dr. Pearlita Mabasa and social welfare officer Helen Donato did not show up in the probe amid the subpoena issued to them during the 21 May hearing. On Monday’s joint hearing on House Resolutions 145 and 146, lawmakers blasted the officials not only on their non-appearance but also over their “flimsy excuses.” The resolutions, filed by Cagayan Representative Jojo Lara, seek to delve deeper into the alleged anomalies during the May 2022 polls in Cagayan, in which the provincial was accused of illegally spending its expenditures and distributing cash and other forms of assistance to registered voters and barangays. Public accounts chairperson Joseph Stephen Paduano, in his opening speech, revealed that a P320 million was distributed to voters of Cagayan in the guise of P1,000 Covid-19 assistance during the campaign period. During the hearing, public accounts chairperson Joseph Stephen Paduano told the panel that the provincial administrator sent a letter to the committee on 4 August requesting that the 17 officials from Cagayan, including Governor Manuel Mamba, and the five subpoenaed be excused citing the lack of funds for transportation as one of the reasons. According to the unnamed provincial administrator, the Cagayan province, which had been placed under a state of calamity due to the devastation of typhoon “Egay,” continues to operate under a “reenacted budget.” However, that did not sit well with several lawmakers, with Antipolo Representative Romeo Acop, who categorically thumbed down the claim of a limited fund that could not cover the travel expenses of the 17 officials who will spend at least four days in Metro Manila. “The first reason — which was the state of calamity — is correct. I don’t know if the second reason — the reenacted budget — is true. Only the vice governor can answer that. And for the third reason that their funds are said to be insufficient, I wouldn’t believe this, Mr. Chair. Because if they were able to disburse P320 million one week before the election, I do not see any reason why they cannot fund for this purpose, Mr. Chair,” Acop said. Cagayan Vice Governor Melvin Vargas, for his part, brushed off the notion that the reenacted budget was the reason from sending the officials. “It’s true. We are operating on a reenacted budget. But that doesn’t mean that it is stopped and we are limited. That’s why it’s called reenacted because the service is continuing. It’s not a reason to cite that we are limited to with travel because they have been doing that in a few years,” Vargas told the panel. Surigao del Norte Representative Ace Barbers, meanwhile, claimed that the officials of the provincial government were just making “flimsy excuses.” The post Cagayan province officials cited in contempt appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DepEd memo doesn’t target any group
The Department of Education explained that its memorandum requesting all teachers’ groups to submit the complete list of mentors affiliated with an organization who are availing of the agency’s Automatic Payroll Deduction System was not intended for a particular group like the ACT Teachers. According to the DepEd, ACT Teachers is providing the public with wrong information about the said request. “The allegation that the memorandum was intended to profile the members of ACT Union as part of a supposed government anti-insurgency campaign is patently absurd, distorted, and follows no logic,” the DepEd said in a statement. The said memorandum was issued on 14 June 2023 and was signed by DepEd Undersecretary for Operations Atty. Revsee Escobedo. “The request was publicly available and proves that it did not intend to target members of the union, as alleged by ACT,” the DepEd said. The Education Department explained that the sole purpose of consolidating the list of APDS availees is to centralize, connect, update, and improve the agency’s human resource systems, including the APDS. “This is especially relevant amid the regular complaints from employees over inaccurate, questionable, and unwarranted salary deductions for loan remittances and membership dues,” the DepEd said. “It is well within its authority and even incumbent upon DepEd to look into the complaints made by its employees and to ensure that their welfare and rights are protected,” it added. DepEd, however, said that while a memorandum sought the list of ACT Union members, separate requests were also made for the list of members of other unions, organizations, and associations of teaching and non-teaching personnel availing of the APDS. “There is simply no effort or intention to purposely target members of ACT Union,” it added. According to DepEd spokesperson and Undersecretary Michael Poa, teachers’ groups and organizations are collecting membership dues through APDS. “The APDS is the facility used for salary deduction in relation to statutory contributions, as well as loan remittances and membership dues,” Poa said. “Currently, hindi connected ang HR systems natin nationwide. Our HROD is looking to connect not just APDS but all HR Systems,” he added. Poa said the memorandum does not simply ask for a list of all ACT Union members as is being projected. “It is requesting for a list of ACT Union members that are availing of the APDS. Meaning it’s already in our records. So it’s important to put things in the proper context — meaning that this was being requested in relation to the APDS,” he said. “It is particularly important to update the APDS because usual ang complaints that employees are being wrongly deducted membership dues, or hindi tama ang deduction ng loan remittances,” the DepEd official added. The post DepEd memo doesn’t target any group appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Palace to ICC: Let PH gov t address alleged flaws in drug war
MANILA - Malacanang on Saturday asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to allow the Philippine government's efforts to address alleged flaws in the drug war to "run its course"."Amid our hugely successful anti-illegal drug campaign that saw a massive dip in crime incidences attributed.....»»
NTF-ELCAC presents alleged former rebel amid red-tagging campaign
An alleged former communist rebel was presented by the anti-communist task force to the public on Friday amid recent controversy sparked by the veiled threats made by the task force's spokesman Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. against public figures and a women's group. .....»»
Israel war undermining top UN court, South Africa says
South Africa's top diplomat on Tuesday accused Israel of setting a precedent for leaders to defy the top UN court, as she again alleged a campaign of starvation in Gaza......»»
NFA defends sale of cheap rice; farmers slam ‘mafia’
The National Food Authority yesterday defended the sale of rice to some traders, saying the NFA is allowed to dispose of aging stocks amid the alleged anomalous sale of rice to traders......»»
Israeli swimmer booed by crowd in sour finish to World Championships
The presence of Israeli swimmers in the Doha World Championships has drawn criticism from some Qatari media outlets and pro-Palestine groups amid Israel's military campaign in Gaza.....»»
55% of Filipinos favor gov’t cooperation with ICC probe — survey
Results of the poll released Sunday showed that 55% of adult Filipinos are in favor of the government cooperating with the probe into alleged crimes against humanity committed during the previous administration’s anti-illegal drugs campaign. .....»»
Egypt: Court Punishes Activists for Challenging al-Sisi
(Beirut) - An Egyptian court on February 6, 2024, sentenced the prominent politician Ahmed Tantawy, along with his campaign advisor and 21 of his detained supporters, to a year in prison for alleged offenses associated with his presidential challenge to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Human Rights Watch said today. The court also barred Tantawy from running f.....»»
‘Polvoron’ campaign emerges amid Marcos-Duterte political tussle
From late December 2023 to January 2024, anonymous accounts flooded several social media platforms with hundreds of posts and videos claiming, without proof, that the president had been caught on video using illegal substances and that this would be used to unseat him from office......»»
Amid House-Senate rift, Romualdez seeks common ground on Cha-cha with Zubiri
After the Senate delivered a scathing rejection of the ongoing People’s Initiative (PI) campaign to amend the Charter, House Speaker Martin Romualdez has reached out to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri to express the lower chamber's support for an alternative PI led by the upper chamber......»»
Quiboloy dares Risa, accusers: Sue me
Pastor Apollo Quiboloy yesterday dared Sen. Risa Hontiveros and other accusers to file charges in court amid the Senate probe into the alleged sex trafficking ring in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ......»»
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......»»
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......»»
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......»»
PMPI Issues Urgent Warning against Alleged Manipulation of People s Initiative for Constitutional Amendments
Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc. (PMPI) expresses alarm over reports that a campaign to amend our Constitution through the people's initiative has begun.Various accounts have alleged that payment or aid is being used to lure people to sign documents to push for the so-called charter change through a people's initiative. Worse, there are reports that local government officials have facilitated these alleged c.....»»
PMPI Issues Urgent Warning against Alleged Manipulation of People s Initiative for Constitutional Amendments
Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc. (PMPI) expresses alarm over reports that a campaign to amend our Constitution through the people's initiative has begun.Various accounts have alleged that payment or aid is being used to lure people to sign documents to push for the so-called charter change through a people's initiative. Worse, there are reports that local government officials have facilitated these alleged c.....»»
Kathryn Bernardo, Andrea Brillantes together in 1 shopping campaign amid controversies
Despite the controversies they are facing, actresses Kathryn Bernardo and Andrea Brillantes managed to even star together in a campaign at the end of last year......»»