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Palace clueless on Duterte’s ‘failed asylum bid’ in China By Charles Dantes
in the days leading up to his arrest at the Ninoy Aquino International AirMALACAÑANG on Friday denied port upon arriving from Hong Kong. Reacting to online scuttlebutt, receiving any information suggesting that former President Rodrigo Duterte Presidential Communications Office Next page tried but failed to obtain asylum abroad
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 39 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 2025
Rody’s legal team now complete To seek his interim release, apply for ICC legal aid to defray costs By Rex Espiritu, Maricel Cruz, Ram Superable and Othel Campos
F
ORMER President Rodrigo Duterte now has a full defense team to represent and defend him in his crimes against humanity for murder case before the International Criminal Court, his lead counsel in The Netherlands said.
REMORSEFUL. Vlogger Mary Jane Quiambao Reyes, left, and social media personality Krizette Laureta Chu, right, break
down while being questioned during the hearing of the House Tri-Committee (Committees on Public Order and Safety, Information and Communications Technology, and Public Information) on the proliferation of fake information. Ver Noveno
PH needs EU-style anti-fake news law—PCO By Maricel V. Cruz PRESIDENTIAL Communications Office chief Jay Ruiz asked lawmakers to enact a European Union-like Digital Services Act which will ban publication of harmful information online if the
social media platforms refuse to selfregulate and take these down. During Friday’s House Tri-Committee inquiry into disinformation, Ruiz said social media platforms such as Meta, Tiktok, and Youtube do not maintain local offices, and coordinat-
ing with them on harmful posts can be difficult. “So we have to focus on the platforms, first of all, to self-regulate, if you [social media platforms] want self-regulation. Or maybe come up Next page
According to British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman, the team is composed of five individuals, one of whom is Filipino citizen. Kaufman, however, did not disclose the names of his team members. He said they will soon file a petition for Duterte’s interim release. “As far as I’m concerned, he’s been illegally detained and he should go back to the Philippines as soon as possible,” Kaufman said. “Nearly every case in application for interim release is submitted and I file it if I feel it is appropriate.” “Interim release is a right accorded to all suspects at the International Criminal Court which may only be tempered by three recognized risk factors under the Rome Statute. None of those risk factors apply in the present case,” Kaufman said in a separate interview with Rappler. The Duterte camp is also eyeing to get ICC legal aid, which former presidential spokesperson and ICC-accredited lawyer Harry Roque said can reach up to P2.8 million every month or equivalent to 40,000 euros. The aid can be used to compensate
Nicholas Kaufman
the lead counsel, co-counsel, legal assistant, case manager and investigator. Meanwhile, a militant lawmaker yesterday chided the Vice President for asking Filipinos to “move on as a country,” saying there has be accountability Next page
Best for Roque to return and face raps—Castro By Maricel V. Cruz PALACE communications undersecretary Claire Castro yesterday said it would be better for lawyer Harry Roque to return home and prove that he has done nothing wrong. Castro was reacting to Roque’s an-
nouncement that he had filed for asylum in the Netherlands. “He is no longer part of the legal team of former President Duterte, wasn’t that the reason why he didn’t come home?” she said in a news briefing. Next page
OIL PRICES HIGHER NEXT WEEK NEWS / A3 GUINNESS WORLD RECORD. Malabon Mayor Jeannie Sandoval is joined by her
husband Ricky Sandoval in officially receiving the Guinness World Record Certificate from Official Adjudicator for Guinness World Records Sonia Ushirogochi for the Longest Line of Bowls of Noodles. A total of 6,549 bowls of Pancit Malabon was served yesterday at the Malabon Sports Center. Andrew Rabulan, Danny Pata
Gov’t to appeal Timor court’s decision on Teves By Charles Dantes THE government plans to appeal the Timor-Leste Court of Appeals’ decideci sion rejecting its request to extraextra dite former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnulfo Teves Jr., Malacañang said Friday. Presidential Communications OfOf
fice (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the administration was surprised by the ruling, particularly since the Department of Justice (DOJ) had submitted extensive evidence supporting the extradition request. “The DOJ ensured all necessary documents and evidence were provided, including proof that the death penalty
is suspended in the Philippines,” Castro said. According to Castro, DOJ Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano confirmed that the Philippines will appeal the ruling, taking the case back to the TimorLeste Court of Appeals. The court in Timor-Leste denied the Next page
Vlogger QCPD cop turns himself in, to face raps By Vince Lopez TRANSITION. Three Philippine Eagles are presented by their handlers upon their arrival yesterday in Mahagnao village in Burauen, Leyte after an 18-hour land travel from the Philippine Eagle Foundation Center in Davao City. The raptors will be released in the Leyte mountain range after three months of acclimatization. Officials committed to support the reintroduction program of the eagles in the province. Andrei Burawis
THE National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) yesterday said that the vlogger cop who went viral in social media because of his posts attacking the arrest of former president Rodrigo
Duterte has turned himself in and will be placed in restrictive custody. In a statement, NAPOLCOM commissioner Rafael Vicente Calinisan said Fontillas promised to stop posting seditious comments and hate speech on social media.
“Pat. Fontillas reported to the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Headquarters yesterday, March 20, 2025. He was crying and extremely apologetic. Fontillas also promised not to post seditious comments and Next page