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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......»»
Groups urge to include placemaking in planning for public spaces
The push for placemaking in planning for public spaces was emphasized by various groups during a recent forum in Davao City. ATTY. Mark Peñalver, executive director of Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (Idis), stressed the importance of incorporating placemaking in public space planning to not only enhance the physical environment but also to promote inclusivity. He highlighted the exclusion of certain sectors in existing public spaces and emphasized the need for stakeholders' input and acknowledgment of their stories in the planning process. Dr. Derlie Mateo-Babiano, an associate professor in Urban Planning Assistant, described placemaking as a means to transform places into spaces that people will cherish. She emphasized the significance of engaging the community in the planning process to understand their cultural, environmental, and other needs. Peñalver also cited a successful placemaking project in Davao Executive Homes, which catered to children, the elderly, and individuals with special needs, demonstrating the positive impact of placemaking. Furthermore, Peñalver advocated for the institutionalization of placemaking in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and other development plans in Davao City. He highlighted the potential of placemaking to ensure that government projects are beneficial to the community. Architect Harold Delima, co-convenor of Placemaking Davao, discussed ongoing workshops with various demographics to integrate placemaking into the city's development. The groups involved are hopeful that placemaking will become a fundamental aspect of public space planning in Davao City, aiming to create inclusive and community-centered environments......»»
Women activists to Marcos: provide jobs, lower prices, not cha-cha
For working women and mothers, the Marcos Jr. presidency should provide jobs, decent wages, and lower prices of commodities to address economic woes and not tinker with the Constitution......»»
Dipolog bishop urges people not to sell signatures for people’s initiative
'A people’s initiative that does not genuinely come from the people themselves... only favor the interests of the powerful few,' says Dioscese of Dipolog Bishop Severo Caermare.....»»
‘Cha-cha lies in the power of the people, not politicians’ – coalition
“The amendments are unnecessary, not urgent, and could worsen the situation of the Filipino people. The process is also alarming since adding the provision ‘unless provided by law’ gives Congress the power to revise or even reverse the constitutional provisions through ordinary legislation." The post ‘Cha-cha lies in the power of the people, not politicians’ – coalition appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Abduction by state agents: An isolated incident or a growing pattern
JEERS TO the media for reporting the abduction in Batangas of Jose Marie Estiller on February 20 as an isolated incident and for not providing the necessary background of past cases of abductions and enforced disappearances by state agents in the country. The lack of context ignores the continuing reality of human rights violations against activists and critics during the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.Media.....»»
Abando health status uncertain for EASL Final Four
LAPU-LAPU CITY – Defending champion Anyang Jung Kwan Jang faces the possibility of not being able to play former Gilas Pilipinas standout Rhenz Abando for its East Asia Super League (EASL) Final Four showdown against the Seoul SK Knights. The 25-year-old Abando said he’s not certain if he’ll be ready to suit up for the.....»»
After a failed bid for a Federal Philippines, Duterte now wants an independent Mindanao
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 31 January) – After a failed bid to change the 1987 Constitution and shift to a Federal Philippines during his six-year Presidency, former President Rodrigo Duterte now wants an independent Mindanao. It will not be a bloody separation from the Philippines and they would go all the way to the United […].....»»
Xinhua world news summary at 0800 GMT, April 15
DOHA -- At least 12 people died in weather-related accidents in certain Omani governorates, Oman News Agency reported on Sunday. The victims were killed after their vehicles were swept away by rapidly flowing waters, the search and rescue sector of Oman's National Committee for Emergency Management was quoted as saying. (Oman-Flood-Deaths) - - - - MEXICO CITY -- At least three people were killed af.....»»
Abduction by state agents: An isolated incident or a growing pattern
JEERS TO the media for reporting the abduction in Batangas of Jose Marie Estiller on February 20 as an isolated incident and for not providing the necessary background of past cases of abductions and enforced disappearances by state agents in the country. The lack of context ignores the continuing reality of human rights violations against activists and critics during the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.Media.....»»
‘Cha-cha not solution to Philippine economic woes’
Amending certain provisions of the 1987 Constitution is not a guarantee that economic problems in the country will finally be addressed, a research and advocacy group said......»»
Maymay Entrata clarifies wrong path not about afam ex-boyfriend
Kapamilya actress Maymay Entrata clarified that it was not her ex-boyfriend Aaron Haskell she's pertaining to when she recently posted about a certain "wrong path.".....»»
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......»»
Marcos trip Down Under allows revisit to sweet spots
President Marcos’ latest overseas trip allowed him to revisit his favorite spots in the country where he took some rest after a grueling yet successful campaign for the presidency in 2022......»»
Bringing UP to the people
Since it was established in 1908 as a “university for Filipinos,” the University of the Philippines has grown into a system of eight “constituent universities,” each with a certain degree of autonomy but all of them unified by a common vision, shared practices and high academic standards......»»
Senate to start tackling economic Cha-cha
With the Commission on Elections indefinitely suspending all proceedings related to the people’s initiative, the Senate will convene on Wednesday the committee of the whole to tackle the proposal to amend certain economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution......»»
Sayonara and Kon’nichiwa
“Most challenging, most wonderful, most exciting, most valuable, and most meaningful,” was how former Toyota Motor Philippines president Atsuhiro Okamoto described his four-year stint in the Philippines as he gave his farewell speech last Tuesday, Feb. 20, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel during the formal turnover of the TMP presidency to his successor, Masando Hashimoto......»»
Indonesian polling stations open in election to replace Jokowi
Nearly 259,000 candidates are contesting 20,600 posts across the archipelago of 17,000 islands in the world's biggest single-day election, but all eyes are on the presidency and the fate of Jokowi's ambitious agenda.....»»
Sara on poll plans: Who knows what will happen?
Although widely expected, another shot at public office – possibly the presidency – by Vice President Sara Duterte is still in the realm of the unpredictable......»»
Human rights panels urged to hear out Lascañas testimonies vs Dutertes
Palabay added that with several whistleblowers like Lascañas coming forward with their revelations, the government’s rights commission and the congressional human rights committees should exercise their mandate in “getting to the bottom” of drug-related killings under Rodrigo Duterte’s terms as Davao City mayor until his presidency......»»