News Roundup 25 March 2023
Mar 25, 2023 • 5 min Read
Hontiveros urges resigned SRA chief to ‘speak his truth’ on sugar import mess | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros urged Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) chief David Thaddeus Alba to “come out and speak his truth” on the alleged preferential treatment given to sugar importers and the issue of smuggling plaguing the country.
“We urge Former Administrator Alba to come out and speak his truth […] Baka kung hindi (If not), you will be left holding the bag,” Hontiveros said in a statement issued Saturday.
On March 24, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) confirmed the resignation of Alba due to his “worsening health condition.” It will be effective on April 15.
“If the resignation is due to his failing health, then I wish him a speedy recovery,” Hontiveros said.
However, she claimed that the circumstances of Alba’s decision suggest that he might have witnessed how the SRA is only used as a rubber stamp “to legitimize the preferential treatment given to all Asians and the other two importers.”
“Basta ang alam natin, sa kabila ng pressure ng DA (Department of Agriculture), ay hindi pumirma si Administrator Alba sa sugar release order para sa mga smuggled na asukal na nakaipit pa rin sa port of Batangas.” Hontiveros wrote.
(Despite the pressure from the DA, Alba did not sign the sugar release order for the smuggled sugar in Batangas port.)
Full Story at: Hontiveros urges resigned SRA chief to ‘speak his truth’ on sugar import mess | Inquirer News
UN expert presses PH gov’t to protect rights defenders, probe missing community organizer | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines–United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders Mary Lawlor has urged the Philippine government to investigate the disappearance of a community organizer in Central Luzon even as she underscored the need to pass the Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill.
Speaking at a side event during the 52nd Regular Season of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Lawlor cited the risks human rights defenders face, including attacks, killings, judicial harassment, arbitrary detention, and stigmatization campaigns in the Philippines.
She also expressed concerns about the country’s Anti-Terrorism Act and its overly-broad definitions of terrorism, which she says compound the precarious situation of human rights defenders.
Full Story at: UN expert presses PH gov’t to protect rights defenders, probe missing community organizer | Inquirer News
3 suspects arrested in ex-gov Henry Teves’ compound as more guns seized, says CIDG | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Police officials arrested three people by virtue of a search warrant implemented in a compound owned by former Negros Oriental Gov. Pryde Henry Teves — brother of Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. — allegedly in violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
In a statement released by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on Saturday, the operation conducted last Friday “resulted in a continuous recovery of more firearms and ammonition” in HDJ Tolong Compound, Brgy. Caranoche, Sta. Catalina. Teves is known as the president of the HDJ Agri-ventures Corp.
Operatives from the CIDG RFU 7 and RFU NCR, together with Special Action Forces, the Philippine National Police local units and the Philippine army jointly enforced the warrant against Henry Teves issued by Hon. Allan Francisco Garciano, executive judge of 7th Judicial Region in Mandaue City on March 23, 2023.
“The said operation led to the arrest of three (3) individuals identified as Nigel Lagunay Electona, Chief Security HDJ, Tolong, Brgy. Caranoche, Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental, Jeson Baillo Timtim, Security Guard Tolong compound and Dionilo Estoconing Mayagma Jr., Firetruck Driver HDG, Tolong, Caranoche, Sta. Catalina,” according to the statement.
“While the above-named subject of the warrant was not in the area during the operation,” it added.
Full Story at: 3 suspects arrested in ex-gov Henry Teves’ compound as more guns seized, says CIDG | Philstar.com
Biz groups to Congress: Consider high Cha-cha costs | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — High financial costs and the potential impact on current reforms are some of the points the Senate should consider as it deliberates on whether to support moves to amend the Constitution, according to six of the country’s business groups.
In a joint statement yesterday, the Makati Business Club, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, Filipina CEO Circle, Justice Reform Initiative, Philippine Women’s Economic Network and the Women Business Council Philippines listed three points the Senate should consider as the House of Representatives approved earlier this month House Bill 7352, which calls for a constitutional convention (con-con) to amend the 1987 Constitution.
“We respectfully urge the Senate – and the House, if and when the deliberations progress – to consider these and other points raised by our colleagues in various sectors as you decide on this potentially disruptive proposal at a time when the country may be poised to regain its economic momentum,” the statement read in part.
The groups emphasized that with the high financial cost of amending the Charter, the funds would be better spent on pro-people programs. It cited National Economic and Development Authority estimates that a con-con would cost P14 billion to P28 billion.
The groups also noted that HB 7352 proposes 300 delegates who would get P10,000 per day – a total of P3 million per day, or more than P400 million for the seven-month project.
“We believe these funds can be better used on agriculture to address the high inflation, transportation to enable Filipinos to get to work and home in much less time and needed social services like health, education and social security,” the groups said.
Full Story at: Biz groups to Congress: Consider high Cha-cha costs | Philstar.com
