News Roundup 23 March 2023
Mar 23, 2023 • 4 min Read
Only 3 prosecutions, convictions for drug war-related EJK since 2016 — US report | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — There have been only three prosecutions and convictions for extrajudicial killings in connection to the war on drugs since 2016, a report noted.
The 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, published by the United States (US) on its Department of State website on Monday (US time), showed that the Philippine National Police (PNP) were recorded to commit “arbitrary or unlawful killings” relating to the anti-drug operations.
“Impunity was a significant problem in the security forces, particularly in the PNP. Local and international human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch described widespread impunity for killings,” the report read.
“There were no prosecutions or convictions for extrajudicial killings in the year to October and just three since the start of the drug war in 2016,” it added.
Full Story at: Only 3 prosecutions, convictions for drug war-related EJK since 2016 — US report | Inquirer News
Ex-NEA exec warns vs ‘profit motive’ of Aboitiz firm in taking over Davao electric coop franchise | INQUIRER.NET – TAGUM CITY — A former top executive of the National Electrification Administration (NEA) has urged member-consumers of the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (Nordeco) to continue raising their voice against the planned entry of the Aboitiz-owned Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) into its franchise area or else they would fall into the supposed ‘profit motive’ of the firm.
Edgrado Masongsong, secretary general of the National Center of Electric Consumers Cooperative (NCECCO), warned Nordeco member consumers that if they allow DLPC to take over several areas of its franchise, the members would turn into “mere rental payers” of the power distribution company.
Unlike private power companies, which are allowed to raise power rates in the era of deregulation, power coops still continue to consult with their members and even report to them the cooperative’s financial status every end of the year.
Masongsong, a former NEA administrator, cited their experience when DLPC tried operating on Samal Island in 1986. They found that they could not rake in profits from the operation, so they turned it over to Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative, Nordeco’s former franchise name, Masongsong said.
“They saw the areas covered by the proposed House bills would generate big revenues, so they slowly creep in to grab these areas,” he said.
Full Story at: Ex-NEA exec warns vs ‘profit motive’ of Aboitiz firm in taking over Davao electric coop franchise | Inquirer News
House unsure on how unprecedented Teves suspension will be implemented | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — For the first time in recent history, the House of Representatives on Wednesday imposed a 60-day suspension on a lawmaker for “disorderly behavior” after he missed an ultimatum to return to the Philippines.
What this means next for Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. (Negros Oriental, 3rd District) depends on whether the House will deny him the same privileges that the chamber’s rules dictate for preventive suspensions.
In a message to Philstar.com, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said that recent precedents only cover preventive suspensions among lawmakers, not a suspension for disorderly behavior.
“Our precedents refer only (to) the implementation of orders of preventive suspension. There is no recent precedent on the imposition of suspension as a penalty for disorderly behavior,” Velasco said.
Historically, members of Congress have been hesitant to censure their colleagues. In 2012, convicted murderer Ruben Ecleo was dropped from the rolls as district representative of Dinagat Islands only after he was convicted for killing his wife and on separate graft and corruption cases.
Full Story at: House unsure on how unprecedented Teves suspension will be implemented | Philstar.com
Overall Deputy Ombudsman Liong, others put on preventive suspension over Pharmally mess | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines (Update 2, 2:06 p.m.) — The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the preventive suspension for six months of people it is investigating for alleged corruption in the procurement of pandemic response supplies.
At least one person named in the complaint — former budget department procurement service head Lloyd Christopher Lao — has left government but the suspension order also covers Overall Deputy Ombudsman Warren Rex Liong.
Lao and Liong were in the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management when it entered into deals with Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp., a little-known company that bagged the lion’s share of government contracts for face shields, face masks and COVID-19 test kits.
Full Story at: Overall Deputy Ombudsman Liong, others put on preventive suspension over Pharmally mess | Philstar.com
