News Roundup 08 February 2023
Feb 08, 2023 • 4 min Read
Friends, kin, colleagues remember late president Noynoy Aquino on his birthday | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Friends, family, and former colleagues of late President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III sent him greetings on what was supposed to be his 63rd birthday.
Aquino, who served as a congressman and a senator before becoming the 15th president of the Philippines, was born on February 8, 1960.
In a Facebook post, Aquino’s cousin, former Senator Bam, thanked him for his love for the country.
“Maraming salamat sa inspirasyon, katapatan, at malalim na pagmamahal sa bayan. Sa iyong ala-ala, sisiguraduhin naming hinding hindi maiiwan ang kahit sino man. Maligayang kaarawan, PNoy!,” Bam Aquino said.
(Thank you for the inspiration, honesty and the deep love for the country. In your memory, we will make sure no one will get left behind. Happy birthday, PNoy!)
For his part, former Senator Panfilo Lacson said he “misses” Aquino, describing him as a “public servant who called me and every Filipino his ‘Boss.’”
“I miss this public servant who called me and every Filipino his “Boss”. Heavenly birthday, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III,” Lacson said in a Twitter post.
Full Story at: Friends, kin, colleagues remember late president Noynoy Aquino on his birthday | Inquirer News
Turkey-Syria quake toll tops 7,800 as rescuers battle cold | INQUIRER.NET – SANLIURFA, Turkey — Rescuers in Turkey and Syria battled bitter cold Tuesday in a race against time to find survivors under buildings flattened by an earthquake that killed more than 7,800 people.
Tremors that inflicted more suffering on a border area, already plagued by conflict, left people on the streets burning debris to try to stay warm as international aid began to arrive.
But some extraordinary survival tales have emerged, including a newborn baby pulled alive from rubble in Syria, still tied by her umbilical cord to her mother who died in Monday’s quake.
“We heard a voice while we were digging,” Khalil al-Suwadi, a relative, told AFP. “We cleared the dust and found the baby with the umbilical cord (intact) so we cut it and my cousin took her to hospital.”
The infant is the sole survivor of her immediate family, the rest of whom were killed in the rebel-held town of Jindayris.
Full Story at: Turkey-Syria quake toll tops 7,800 as rescuers battle cold | Inquirer News
ICC can gather ‘drug war’ info while government seeks pause on probe — lawyer | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The International Criminal Court can proceed with taking testimonies and collecting documentary evidence on the Duterte administration’s “war on drugs” despite the Philippine government’s appeal for suspension, according to lawyer and ICC assistant to counsel Kristina Conti.
Conti, who represents victims of the “drug war”, said that the international court can continue its probe even as the Philippine government awaits a decision on its appeal to halt it.
“The Philippine government did ask for suspension while the appeal has not been resolved, but the Appeals Chamber must categorically make an order,” Conti told Philstar.com in an online message.
“Meanwhile, the investigation can proceed and the ICC investigators and prosecutorial team can proceed with the taking of testimonies and collection of documentary evidence.”
Full Story at: ICC can gather ‘drug war’ info while government seeks pause on probe — lawyer | Philstar.com
Villanuevas in Congress move to delay SOGIE Equality Bill | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The father-and-son duo of preacher Rep. Eddie Villanueva (CIBAC party-list) and Senate Majority Joel Villanueva on Wednesday deployed parallel parliamentary tactics to delay proposals that seek to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (SOGIE).
With the backing of 18 senators who were convinced through a barrage of letters from evangelical groups that they were not given enough time to air their views on the measure, Villanueva moved to have the SOGIE bill sent to the powerful rules committee, which he chairs.
This would mean that the measure, which was supposed to be sent to the Senate floor, would go back to the committee level. The rules committee controls where proposals are referred and sets the agenda for Senate session.
“I think it’s been clearly stated and manifested, Madame President, that indeed, we have to hold our horses and give chance to these groups, these sectors to be heard,” Sen. Villanueva said.
In her manifestation, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said “we have been listening to and hearing religious groups for 23 years,” referring to the length of time that the SOGIE bill has been languishing in Congress. Still, she said, she is “willing to keep on engaging and listening in good faith.”
Full Story at: Villanuevas in Congress move to delay SOGIE Equality Bill | Philstar.com
