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DOJ: ‘Sabungero’ case brains ‘very powerful’ Suspect tags female showbiz celebrity as 'alpha' member in case By Pot Chavez
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USTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Thursday warned the mastermind in the case of the missing “sabungeros” (cockfight aficionados) is not only powerful but also has enough money to influence even the courts.
A female showbiz celebrity is part of the inner circle who knows about the disappearance of at least 100 "sabungeros," said alias "Totoy," one of the accused in the case. "She is among the alpha members or part of the inner circle...She was present during the meetings. She was one of the key people because she has more knowledge about this case," he said in an interview on "24 Oras."
Remulla said he will seek a meeting with Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo to discuss his apprehensions that the judiciary might be compromised. “Remember, our adversary here is a heavyweight, with money to infiltrate even the Next page
TRANSPORT 1ST ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
BUILDING THE FUTURE: A LOOK AT THE GOV’T INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS
SECTIONS D & E
Tel Aviv embassy advises downgrade of PH alert level By Othel V. Campos THE Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv on Thursday recommended a downgrade in the alert level for Filipinos in Israel, following the continued observance of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran earlier this week. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) had previously placed
Remulla sees more witnesses in Rody ICC case By Pot Chavez and Joel Zurbano
INSIDE
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VOL. XXXIX • NO. 131 • 5 SECTIONS 24 PAGES • P20 • FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2025 •
JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said yesterday that “three or four” witnesses are now under government protection and he expects more to testify against former President Rodrigo Duterte after an ICC request that those testifying for the prosecution in the crimes against humanity case be shielded from reprisal. "We will protect the witnesses, whatever it takes to protect the witnesses, we will do because the prosecution will rely on the witnesses to prove their case," he told reporters. However, the justice secretary noted that the government can only protect witnesses while they remain on Philippine soil. “Of course, when they get to The Hague [we can no longer protect them]. But while they are here, we exhaust our obligation to them. If we can protect witnesses for other cases, why not in this case,” he explained in a mixture of Filipino and English. Still, Remulla clarified that the unnamed witnesses have yet to be officially included in the witness protection program where the national government shoulders their expenses, but hinted on this possibility sometime in the future. “So long as there is coordination if there’s a problem, we bridge the gaps.
HOMAGE TO FISHERFOLK. Students in colorful regalia, representing the Municipality of Sabtang, in the island province of Batanes, pay homage to fisherfolk and the island's main livelihood of fishing clad through a musical and dance number during the 42nd foundation week of Batanes. Dave Leprozo
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G-7 countries call out China’s dangerous actions in WPS THE Group of Seven (G7) has called out China for its "increasing use" of dangerous maneuvers and water cannons against Filipino vessels, reiterating its opposition to Beijing’s ‘‘intimidation activities’’ in the South China Sea. In a communiqué issued on Saturday following the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy, the leaders of the powerful economic bloc expressed con-
cern over developments in the East and South China Seas, reiterating their ‘‘strong opposition to any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force or coercion.’’ ‘‘We continue opposing China’s dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia in the South China Sea and its repeated obstruction of countries’ high seas freedom of navigation,’’ the statement read. Next page
THUMBS UP. House Speaker Martin Romualdez gestures with a thumbs up sign in this group photo with neophyte lawmakers-elect after a fellowship dinner he hosted yesterday at Imelda Hall in Aguado, Manila. Ver Noveno
Senate to carefully consider any motion to dismiss—Alan THE Senate impeachment court is given much leeway on what it can do, according to Senator-judge Alan Peter Cayetano. He added however, that just because the Senate can does not mean it should. Cayetano made these remarks on Thursday amid comments that the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte could be dismissed after her camp asserted that there were no Articles of Impeachment submitted to the Senate, which remanded it to the House of Representatives. “We are talking only of two
things: What can be done and what should be done? They are different,” Cayetano said in mixed English and Filipino. He also cited a view by Senate President Francis Escudero that the impeachment case could be dismissed. “That’s the reality that the Senate acts through its members and the majority wins,” Cayetano pointed out. “What is the limitation there? he asked. “We cannot do anything unconstitutional because that may constitute grave abuse of discretion Next page
Court clears Marantan, 11 other cops in Atimonan case By Pot Chavez A MANILA court has acquitted Davao City police chief Col. Hansel Marantan and 11 other policemen of murder charges arising from a shootout in Atimonan, Quezon in 2013 that left 13 people dead. In a decision, the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 27 also acquitted Ramon Balauag, Grant
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CONFRONTATION. Rallyists holding the first Stonewall Philippines, a grassroots-led Pride event, clash with police yesterday along Recto Avenue, in Manila. The marchers, belonging to the national LGBTQ+ alliance Bahaghari, called on lawmakers to pass the SOGIESC Equality Bill and other pro-LGBTQ+ and procitizen reform measures. Norman Cruz