News Roundup 06 September 2022
Sep 06, 2022 • 5 min Read
Bongbong Marcos orders Rodriguez to snub Senate probe on sugar importation | INQUIRER.NET –Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez on Tuesday said he will not attend the Senate inquiry into the sugar importation fiasco, as instructed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. This was enclosed in his letter to the Senate blue ribbon committee sent on Tuesday explaining his absence, for the second time, in the probe. Rodriguez, however, expressed willingness to answer questions about the issue, but in written form. The letter was read by the committee secretary for the record. “As stated in the attached letter dated 30 August 2022, I regret to inform the Senate that per instructions of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. I will not be able to attend the hearings of the abovementioned committees,” the letter read. “However, in recognition of the mandate of the Senate, and with my intention to extend all possible and necessary assistance to its members to shed light on the matter, I would like to reiterate that the undersigned is willing to answer written inquiries directly related to the unauthorized issuance Sugar Order No. 4,” Rodriguez further said. The Senate blue ribbon was to hold the third installation of its inquiry on the sugar mess on Tuesday. Rodriguez was present during the first one. Rodriguez’s justifications for his absence, however, did not sit well with opposition senator Risa Hontiveros, who said it is “concerning” that the President is instructing him to not attend the panel’s hearings. “Concerning ito. On what basis ini-instruct ni Presidente ang pinakamataas na opisyal ng bureaucracy na hindi dumalo sa pagdinig ng isang Senate Committee, the Blue Ribbon committee at that?” she asked. (This is concerning. On what basis is the President instructing the highest ranking official in the bureaucracy not to attend the Senate blue ribbon committee’s hearings?) She likewise called out how, “in effect,” Rodriguez is “dictating” the blue ribbon panel on how he will answer queries of the senators, further saying that the Executive Secretary is not respecting the panel. “Bakit po mayroon tayong invited resource person na, in effect, nagdidikta sa Blue Ribbon in what way siya sasagot ng mga tanong?” the senator said. (Why do we have an invited resource person who, in effect, is dictating the panel in what way he will answer the queries?) “Bakit written lang ang pasagot nila? Bakit hindi nila nirerespeto ang imbitasyon ng Blue Ribbon since the beginning of the Blue Ribbon na pinauunlakan ang imbitasyon ng mga resource person?” she added. (Why is his answer only written? Why are they not respecting the blue ribbon committee that since the beginning has been inviting resource persons in its hearings?) With this, Hontiveros motioned to issue a subpoena against Rodriguez to compel him to attend the Senate blue ribbon hearings, even via Zoom. The panel, considering that this is a “sensitive issue,” held an executive session on the matter, after which accepted the motion of Hontiveros.
‘Angat Buhay’ plans to feed, improve learning skills of over 200 kids in Iloilo town | INQUIRER.NET – A nutrition program under former vice president Leni Robredo’s Angat Buhay organization is aiming to feed more than 200 children, and improve their learning capacities in an Iloilo town. On Saturday, the Angat Bukas Convergence Program for Nutrition and Education announced it wants to feed Mingo meals (instant meals made from rice, mung beans, and moringa) to 230-260 children from all 60 barangays of Janiuay town. They will be monitored by the Janiuay local government for six months before, during, and after the feeding program. Produce from local farmers in the province will also be used for in-school feeding programs for Kindergarten to Grade 3 learners with parent groups and local volunteers to serve as cooks. This project was previously implemented by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) under Robredo in the neighboring town of Lambunao together with the Negrense Volunteers for Change (NVC) Foundation, which partners again with the now-private Angat Buhay. Aside from NVC, other partners include the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), and local civil society organization Sarangan Ta Dya, composed of former Robredo campaign volunteers in Iloilo province. PBSP Executive Director Elvin Uy said their focus in the new project is to provide learning interventions to help with elementary learners’ basic literacy and numeracy skills. Angat Buhay Executive Director Raphael Martin Magno, the private partners, and Rep. Lorenz Defensor of Iloilo’s third district signed a memorandum of agreement to formalize the program. Angat Buhay treasurer Camille Genuino said this complemented the already-existing Community Learning Hubs (CLH) in the towns of Oton, Pavia, San Joaquin, Santa Barbara, and Tigbauan, which were initiated under Robredo’s office.
Philippines seeks executive clemency for Mary Jane Veloso | PHILSTAR.COM – The Philippines has requested executive clemency for Mary Jane Veloso, an overseas Filipino worker who has been detained in Indonesia for over a decade after being convicted for smuggling heroin into the country in 2010. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo made the request through Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles earlier said Manalo “brought it up” during their meeting but refrained from giving further information. The Palace on Tuesday evening reiterated that a request was made and that Marsudi said she would relay the request to Indonesia’s ministry of justice. Manalo was with the delegation of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. during his state visit to Indonesia from September 4 to 6. Whenever asked about Veloso’s case, government officials refrained from giving details to avoid preempting discussions. The department said it has been providing consular assistance to Veloso since she was arrested in 2010. The embassy in Jakarta also regularly checks in on the detained OFW. Veloso was also given legal counsel via an Indonesia law firm to help with Indonesian laws and procedures.
