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MILF rejects appointment of new BARMM chief minister
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 227• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 •
PNP resurrecting probe SolGen declines to defend into PCSO official's slay By Charles Dantes and Nash Maulana
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 35 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2025 •
Rody’s interim release unlikely —rights groups
THE Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is questioning the appointment of Abdulraof Macacua as Interim
A REQUEST for the interim release of
By RioPresident N. Araja former Rodrigo Duterte is not
likely to be granted as he poses a flight risk and may up intimidating witHEend Philippine nesses, a lawyer accredited by the InterNational national Criminal CourtPolice said yesterday. Human(PNP) rights advocates have also is reopening called on the ICC to keep Duterte in its investigation detention, citing a surgeinto in online harassment and murder hate campaigns the 2020 of targeting families of EJK victims and witnesses. Philippine Charity “They will have a hard time securing an interim release, especially since Sweepstakes Office the former President is a flight risk,”
T
(PCSO) board secretary Next page Wesley Barayuga.
Imee spearheads probe into Duterte’s arrest
On Sunday, PNP Chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil said he ordered the reopening of the cold case after whistleblower Police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza told the House Quad Committee that he helped carry out the killing at the behest of ex-PCSO general manager Royina Garma. narrated before conByMendoza Ram Superable gressmen how Garma allegedly facilitated the Imee PCSOMarcos official’s SENATOR willroadside begin on assassination on July 30, 2020 into by March 20 an “urgent” investigation providing theformer necessary information the arrest of President Rodrigo about his schedule, details about his Roa Duterte. vehicle the funding necessary to "It is and imperative to establish whether carry it out. was followed and to ensure due process also thatThe his whistleblower legal rights were notimplicated upheld but incumbent National Police protected," the senator said in aComstatemissioner Edilberto Leonardo in the ment yesterday. planning of who the murder. Marcos, also chairs the Sena retiredRelations, police ateBarayuga Committeewas on Foreign general andthe lawyer whoclarity supposedly emphasized need for on how threatened to expose corruption withPhilippine law enforcement agencies in the PCSO coordinate withshortly in- before he was shot dead inbodMandaluyong City. ternational bod herself an ex-police Lt. iesGarma, such as the Colonel, allegedly gained the top International spot because of her inC r i at m ithe n aPCSO l Next page Court (ICC) and International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).
DOTr’s Bautista says online news report‘unfounded' Next page
Gov’t readies P1.48b aid as 'Julian' strengthens
THE government has readied P1.48 billion worth of aid for communities that may be hit hard by typhoon ‘Julian’ which PAGASA says could turn into a supertyphoon. As of 5:00 PM on Sunday, PAGASA raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 over Batanes and the northeastern portion of Babuyan Islands. “’Julian’ is forecast to continue intensifying over the next 24-36 hours as it moves towards Batanes and/or Babuyan Islands. With the current trend in its intensification, the possibility of reaching super typhoon category is not ruled out,” PAGASA said in its advisory. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said that a total of 1.9 million family food packs worth P1.48 billion, other food items worth P276 million, and non-food items (NFIs) worth P919 million were already prepared by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Some P171 million in standby fund is also available for utilization by the DSWD, including P123 million which can be allotted as Quick Response Fund (QRF) in the central office of the DSWD. In Batanes, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) advised residents to secure their roofs and install window shutters as Typhoon Julian is expected to make landfall
gov’t execs over ICC arrest
Speaker grateful for PMA Class '83 vote of confidence in Quad Comm
By Rex Espiritu
Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao PAGASA (BARMM) stating that the decision was made despite previous resolutions supporting the retention of MILF leader Ebrahim Murad. Next page
Cites ‘firm position’ on ICC jurisdiction over PH
By Pot Chavez and Charles Dantes
S
OLICITOR General Menardo Guevarra has declined to represent state agencies in petitions for habeas corpus filed by the children of former President Rodrigo Duterte that question the actions of government officials that led to the latter's arrest and transfer to The Hague.
In his manifestation of recusal received by the Supreme Court Monday afternoon, Guevarra said: "Considering the OSG's firm position that the ICC is barred from exercising jurisdiction over the Philippines and that the country's investigative, prosecutorial, and judicial system is functioning as it should, the OSG may not be able to effectively represent Respondents in these cases and is constrained to recuse itself from participating therein.” It was Duterte's former chief legal counsel, Salvador Panelo, who first posted a copy of the six-page manifestation on social media. Panelo said Guevarra's move implied the surrender of Duterte to Interpol based on an ICC warrant was illegal Next page and unconstitutional.
• Carpio: SC ruled ICC
covers crimes 'til 2019 • Ex-ICC judge: Legality of arrest won't affect case • Palace: Justice greater than 'utang na loob'
Next page
A WEB OF CRIME? House leaders Aurelio Gonzales and David Suarez presented this matrix during the last QUAD Comm hearing which shows the operations of a criminal syndicate allegedly led by fugitive Michael Yang, then economic adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, that controlled the illegal activities of the POGOs and was involved in the drug trade and extrajudicial killings.
Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry
PH lobbies UN for Security Council seat
THE Philippine government on Sunday publicly called for the UnitTHE legal counsel of Chinese adviser of former President Rodrigo of illegal drugs and illegal activities ed Nations (UN) to give it a seat on businessman Tony Yang sought to Duterte. associated with POGOs,” Suarez said the UN Security Council, highlightdisparage lawmakers’ conclusions Fortun, a lawyer who often finds in a mixture of Filipino and English. ing the country’s strong record and about his client’s supposedly himself at the center high-profile The solons explained how the dedication to upholding the rule of sketchy past and his alleged ties cases, apparently sought to mock matrix details Yang’s connections to law. with Philippine Overseas Gaming congressmen, calling their probe other individuals involved in illicit Department of Foreign Affairs Operators (POGOs) and even “unacceptable.” activities, including the operations of (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo in organized crime. However, House members argued illegal POGOs. a speech delivered at the UN GenLawyer Raymond Fortun they did not come by their suspicions Among the companies implicated eral Assembly in New York said the questioned the House Quad about Yang recklessly. are Brickhartz Technology Inc. Philippines to emphasize REJOINandICCitsRALLY.On Protesters from various groups and marchXionwei to Mendiola, Manila to urge President Ferdinandcontinues R. Committee’s impartiality Friday, Senior Deputymilitant Speaker Technology Co. Ltd., the “importance of upholding the Marcos Jr. to rejoin the International Criminal Court (ICC). They called on the Marcos Jr. administration to take swift action in ability to pin Chinese national Yang Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga which are being linked to alleged rule of law and the integrity of the rejoining the ICC to ensure that former President Rodrigo Duterte is held accountable for crimes against humanity. Norman Cruz down for ay wrongdoing in a real and Deputy Speaker David Suarez of kidnapping. multilateral system in the face of tocriminal court. Quezon presented a matrix showing The two firms supposedly day’s global challenges.” “I am very interested in how they Yang’s first appearance and his have connections with the Baofu Quoted by reports, Manalo also [Quad Comm members] can prove subsequent activities at the Quad Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, said: “The Philippines has consisthis criminal network in court. In Comm hearing. which, in turn, can be directly traced tently pursued peace, the sovereign Congress, lawmakers act as both “We saw a pattern, and we tracked to disgraced ex-mayor Alice Guo. equality of states, the rights and digprosecutor and judge,” he said. it to the top of these corporations... During Friday’s Quad Comm nity of all persons.” Yang, who already admitted we stripped it of its layers , to get to hearing, lawmakers cited Tony Yang He added that the country is also having a fake Philippine birth the andSuperable through it all, we have in contempt forme “lying” aboutBato his "It’s not for to stop to Senator National Police (PNP) chief, faces Bytop Ram recognized as the “first Asian Recertificate, is the brother of Michael discovered and identified at least two businesses and business partners. from going here. That’s his decision, potential charges related to his role in Yang, a presidential economic main actors or players in the issue SENATE President Francis Escudero but the limit of that should Next probably former President RodrigoNext Duterte’s page page said Senator Ronald dela Rosa would be until the court has made a clear rulcontroversial war on drugs. be allowed to stay within Senate ing on his judicial remedies, which is The ICC is investigating alleged premises if the International Criminal his right, not only as a senator but also crimes against humanity committed Court (ICC) issues an arrest warrant as an ordinary citizen," he said. during Duterte’s six-year presidency, against him. Dela Rosa, a former Philippine which ended in 2022. Next page
Bato can seek temporary refuge in Senate—Chiz
BAUTISTA
By Darwin Amojelar
Navy spokes debunks China claim of military exercises in Scarborough shoal By Rex Espiritu
THE Philippine Navy debunked onmore Sunday the recent announceTRANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime PETA POSTER STAR. Covered by little than bodypaint depicting China that it at conducted the Earth's oceans and continents, actress andment singerby Nadine Lustre poses the Bautista denied an online news report military exercises offeveryone Bajo de Parallaxthat Studio in Pasig Citywas for a angry sultry new PETA campaign encouraging claiming Malacañang to the helpincrease save theinplanet byfees going vegan. The ad explains how animal agriculture is Masinloc, also known as Scarborwith airport without of the leading causes of climate change and is a major contributor pollution, ough Shoal, in the to West Philiptheone approval of the Cabinet members. deforestation, and greenhouse emissions.pine Danny Pata Sea (WPS). “The Bilyonaryo article isgas maliChina reportedly made the ancious and unfounded,” Bautista said nouncement coinciding with the in a Viber message, referring to the fourth Multilateral Maritime Cowebsite that published the said story. operative Activity between the “Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” he added. Philippines, Australia, Japan, Bilyonaryo reported online that has formed its prosecution with New Zealand, and theteam United “Bautista and his long-time protege in By Charles Dantes, deputy within prosecutor Mame exclusive Mandiaye States Manila’s Philippine Airlines, Undersecretary for Ratziel San Juan and Niang joining Chief Prosecutor Karim economic zone (EEZ) in the reAviation and Airports Bobby Lim, are Rachelle Khan inwaters the 'crimes humanity' gional overagainst the weekend. at the center Tonelada of the storm after it was case against former Rodrigo Philippine NavyPresident Spokesperson THE International Criminal Duterte. for WPS Rear Admiral Roy NextCourt page NextVinpage
ICC lists prosecutors; Sara with defense
Roque wants asylum in the Netherlands
cent Trinidad told reporters that Manila troops did not monitor any such activity, adding that Beijing’s statement was meant only for its internal audience. “Our troops did not observe any exercise, we have to understand that sometimes, China is doing this for their internal audiBy Rachelle ence, right? ForTonelada them not to look weak and embarrassed,” Trinidad FORMER presidential spokesperson said. Harry Roque, who faces a standing Two Chinese warships were contempt order from the House of monitored at a distance ranging Representatives in the Philippines, has from eighthis to intention 14 nautical miles. announced to seek asyOne went up to 1,000 lum inofthethese Netherlands. yards at the to MMCA siteRoque but evenSpeaking reporters, said tually went away. “It was not he could not return to the Philippines threatening, normal,” accordand would bejust filing for asylum to
Next Nextpage page
AWARD. Hans Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings, was honored by the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) with its Outstanding Filipino Retailers President Award for his visionary leadership in retail development. HARVARD WORLDMUN AWARD. Speaker Martin G.PRA (From left to right): PRA Director and Director of SM RetailFerdinand Jorge T. Mendiola, Romualdez receives from Harvard World Model United Nations (WorldMUN) Vice President and President and COO of Golden, ABC, Inc. (The Penshoppefounder Group) Geraldine Acuna Sunshine, 2nd from left, the of Education Alice T. Liu, SM Prime Holdings Chairman of Internationalization the Executive Committee Hans T. Sy, Champion Awardand following his of keynote address at the opening plenary of the 33rd PRA President Chairman Quorum International, Inc. (Toby’s Sports) Roberto Harvard WorldMUN Samsung Hall, at the SM Aura, City. S. Claudio, and PRAyesterday Director in and President of Sportshouse Int’l.Taguig Leisure, Inc.With andthem are Harvard WorldMUN Gen. Kevin Lin (left) 33rd Harvard World MUN Host proponent of PRA OFRSec. President’s Award Marsand C. Chua President Tyler Javier. See Story on A3