News Roundup 09 June 2023
Jun 09, 2023 • 4 min Read
DOJ chief disputes bribery claim | INQUIRER.NET – “This is no joke,” Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla said on Thursday when asked by reporters about the bribery allegation made by a lawyer of suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. and the congressman’s recent antics on social media.
Ferdinand Topacio, one of Teves’ lawyers, earlier released a statement, claiming that certain high-ranking officials of the Department of Justice (DOJ) had offered a huge amount of money—running into the tens of millions of pesos—to Marvin Miranda, one of the suspects in the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo in a “desperate move.”
But Topacio did not specify what the money was supposed to be for, saying only that the information came from a “reliable source.” The Inquirer tried but failed to get a comment from Miranda’s lawyer, Reynante Orceo.
Except for Miranda, all of the suspects in the Degamo killing had retracted their statements admitting their involvement in the crime, saying they were tortured by the police. Remulla, however, claimed that Orceo, a former DOJ undersecretary, had offered the suspects P8 million each to retract their confessions, although the latter denied this. When asked about Topacio’s accusations, an obviously fed-up Remulla responded with “Baloney! Garbage.”
Teves, who has been charged with the murder of Degamo, is set to undergo a preliminary investigation on June 13. Remulla said a subpoena had been sent to him. Teves, however, has refused to come home and his current whereabouts are unknown. He has insisted on his innocence and says he will return only when there is “a semblance of fairness” in the investigation against him.
Full Story at: DOJ chief disputes bribery claim | Inquirer News
Gibo Teodoro in DND: Stronger sovereignty fight, tough counterinsurgency hand seen | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines—The appointment of Gilbert Teodoro as defense secretary drew mixed reactions, with some saying he is experienced and reliable, while others pointing to his stand on human rights as worrisome.
Teodoro, over a year since a failed senatorial campaign in 2022, was appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday (June 5) to lead the Department of National Defense (DND) which, since last year, had been headed only by officers-in-charge (OIC).
Jose Faustino Jr. served the DND until his resignation on Jan. 9 and was succeeded by Carlito Galvez, who was OIC until the appointment of Teodoro. Both had served as chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The AFP, which immediately expressed support for Teodoro, said “we believe that his decisive leadership, professional competence and wealth of experience […] will help build upon our gains in the defense and security of our country.”
Full Story at: Gibo Teodoro in DND: Stronger sovereignty fight, tough counterinsurgency hand seen | Inquirer News
New bill, same problem: Lawmakers bat for more prison facilities to solve jail congestion | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — In a bid to ease the prolonged strain felt by persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in the country’s limited jail facilities, House lawmakers have introduced a measure creating new penal facilities in 11 regions.
By adding to the seven existing correctional facilities in the country, the bill aims to accommodate and improve the living conditions of the country’s increasing number of PDLs, many of whom stay in overstuffed jails while undergoing or awaiting trial.
“The Constitution vehemently opposes the use of substandard or inadequate penal facilities under subhuman conditions. Despite the said mandate, there are only seven existing correctional facilities in the country which are under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor),” said Rep. Paolo Duterte (Davao City) and Rep. Eric Yap (Benguet), authors of House Bill 8071.
Full Story at: New bill, same problem: Lawmakers bat for more prison facilities to solve jail congestion | Philstar.com
Coast Guard in coordination with Chinese Embassy over suspected rocket debris | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard said Friday it is coordinating with Beijing’s embassy in Manila over debris suspected to be from a Chinese rocket which was recovered in Morong, Bataan.
“We are coordinating with the Chinese Embassy. We have told them about this,” PCG spokesperson Armand Balilo said in a briefing aired over state-run People’s Television.
Balilo added that they are also in close coordination with the Philippine Space Agency.
The debris spotted Monday by fisherman Alvin Menez in waters off Napot Point resembled a portion of Chinese automated cargo spacecraft Tianzhou, the PCG earlier said.
Balilo noted that the debris had markings of Chinese characters.
Full Story at: Coast Guard in coordination with Chinese Embassy over suspected rocket debris | Philstar.com
