News Roundup 22 March 2023
Mar 22, 2023 • 4 min Read
Teves still no-show, defies House deadline | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Defying an ultimatum set by his peers, Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. did not show up during Tuesday’s hearing by the House ethics and privileges committee which is looking into his unauthorized absence from the chamber.
The nonappearance of the congressman, who was implicated in the March 4 killing of his political rival, Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, and eight others, prompted the committee chaired by Coop-Natcco party-list Rep. Felimon Espares to wrap up its inquiry into his conduct.
But Espares did not immediately disclose the committee’s findings and recommendations in compliance with House rules.
“The committee has reached a conclusion by unanimous voting, and we will transmit and submit our report and our recommendation at once to the plenary for appropriate action,” he told a press briefing after the 18-member committee’s closed-door meeting.
“The continuing failure of Representative Teves to heed the order to appear before the panel leaves us [with] no choice but to wrap up the investigation in his case without his valid explanation,” Espares said.
Full Story at: Teves still no-show, defies House deadline | Inquirer News
Senate wants probe of seized cache of firearms, ammo inside Rockwell condo | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubri has asked the chamber’s panel on public order and drugs to conduct a motu proprio investigation into the massive volume of high-powered firearms and ammunition the police seized inside a Taiwanese national’s residence in Makati City.
Thirteen rifles, seven submachine guns, 65 handguns, ammunition, and hand accessories were confiscated by authorities in the condominium unit of Jiang Zhang Xiadong – the suspected leader of a Taiwan-based criminal syndicate – along Rockwell Drive on Monday night.
During the plenary session on Wednesday, Zubiri urged former national police chief and Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who chairs the panel, to look into the issue and its possible implications for national security.
“It could be anything such as gunrunning, but it could also be as bad as a terrorist cell. So, I think there might be some national security concerns on this particular issue. Maybe you can initiate your own inquiry…I think this needs further investigation on your part, and then, you can brief the Senate if possible,” Zubiri said.
Full Story at: Senate wants probe of seized cache of firearms, ammo inside Rockwell condo | Inquirer News
US report: Philippine laws for persons with disabilities, special education not effectively enforced | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Despite the passage of a law requiring all cities and municipalities to establish a learning center for students with disabilities, the Philippines has yet to effectively enforce the measure, according to the US State Department’s report on the country’s human rights practices.
“The law was not effectively enforced, and many barriers remained for persons with disabilities,” the report stated.
Republic Act 11650 or the “Instituting a Policy of Inclusion and Services for Learners with Disabilities in Support of Inclusive Education Act” was passed in 2022. It requires every city and municipality to have an inclusive learning center to increase the access to education among Filipino students with disabilities.
The 2022 country report also stated that several schools had “architectural barriers” that make it difficult for persons with physical disabilities to attend classes on-site.
Most public buildings in the country also remained inaccessible to persons with physical disabilities, according to the report.
Full Story at: US report: Philippine laws for persons with disabilities, special education not effectively enforced | Philstar.com
US State Dep’t: Harassment of left-leaning rights activists continue under Marcos Jr. admin | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — A new report published by the US State Department noted that while the Philippines has moved forward from being uncooperative with global human rights groups, but abuses still continue under the Marcos Jr. administration.
It also noted that the government’s own rights bodies also did not have enough resources to follow up on leads or reports presented to local offices.
“Leftist and left-leaning human rights activists continued to report harassment by local security forces, including arbitrary arrest and abuse of detainees by police and prison officials,” the report read.
It also recalled recalled how President Rodrigo Duterte’s government refused to cooperate or even recognize and respond to the findings or cases highlighted by human rights groups.
More evidently, Duterte refused to cooperate with the International Criminal Court when it sought to complete an investigation on the killings caused by his administration’s “war on drugs.”
Full Story at: US State Dep’t: Harassment of left-leaning rights activists continue under Marcos Jr. admin | Philstar.com
