News Roundup 01 August 2023
Aug 01, 2023 • 4 min Read
Cory Aquino remembered on her 14th death anniversary | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Several relatives and supporters gathered to remember former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino’s passing fourteen years ago on Tuesday morning, August 1.
A holy Mass was held to commemorate the life of the democracy icon, which the presiding priest said serves as an “assurance that people will live out Cory’s life of service and sacrifice for God and nation.”
Aquino’s eldest daughter Ballsy Aquino-Cruz and her fourth child Viel Aquino-Dee were present at her burial place at the Manila Memorial Park, Parañaque City. Her husband, former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., and her son, former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III are buried next to each other in Cory’s tomb.
Former actress Kris Aquino, Cory and Ninoy’s youngest child, was not present during the gathering as she currently stays in California for medical treatments.
Full story at: Cory Aquino remembered on her 14th death anniversary | Philstar.com
Senate condemns China’s actions in West Philippine Sea | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Senate unanimously adopted Tuesday a resolution condemning China’s continued harassment of Filipino fishermen and its persistent incursions in the West Philippine Sea.
The resolution, which expresses the sentiment of the upper chamber but is non-binding, also urged the Philippine government “to take appropriate action in asserting and securing” the country’s sovereign rights, and “to call on China to stop its illegal activities.”
The Philippines and other nations have repeatedly criticized Beijing’s aggressive actions in the resource-rich waterway, including the harassment of Philippine vessels by Chinese coast guard, navy and maritime militias, and the construction of artificial islands.
“This bipartisan effort tells the Filipino people that when it comes to matters of national sovereignty, we will never be bullied into submission,” said Sen. Risa Hontiveros, one of the senators who filed the resolution.
“The fight against China’s reckless behavior in the West Philippine Sea does not end here,” she added.
An earlier Senate resolution filed by Hontiveros called on the government to raise Beijing’s acts before the United Nations General Assembly. Senators held a closed-door meeting Monday with security officials and Foreign Affairs chief Enrique Manalo to discuss the upper chamber’s stand on Hontiveros’ resolution.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri stressed that Hontiveros’ resolution was not “watered down.”
“What happened here was we strengthened the position of the government. Now, we gave them several options to choose on how to deal with our neighbors in the north,” he said.
Full Story at: Senate condemns China’s actions in West Philippine Sea | Philstar.com
Dela Rosa unleashes ire over irregularities in PNP ops in Misamis Occidental INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Several instances involving an alleged act of insubordination and a questionable manner of arrest in Misamis Occidental triggered Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s anger during a public hearing held Tuesday.
“Mabait ka pala, chief. If I were the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief tapos hindi ako kakausapin ng tao ko, lilipad ako right there and then. Lilipad ako papuntang Misamis Occidental at pagsisipain ko ‘yung mga opisyal na ‘yun na ayaw akong kausapin,” said Dela Rosa.
(You’re too kind, chief. If I were the chief PNP and my people wouldn’t talk to me, I would fly right there and then. I will fly to Misamis Occidental and kick those officials who don’t want to talk to me.)
Dela Rosa said this after finding out that personnel from the Misamis Occidental Police Provincial Office refused to talk to PNP Chief General Benjamin Acorda after Bonifacio municipality Mayor Samson Dumanjug’s arrest.
It can be recalled that controversy hounded PNP over alleged “inhumane” and “violent acts” perpetrated by some of its personnel in Misamis Occidental.
Full story at: Dela Rosa unleashes ire over irregularities in PNP ops in Misamis Occidental | Inquirer News
Teves’ counsel claims House-ATC collusion in solon’s terrorist tag | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The counsel of Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. has accused the legislative and executive branches of colluding to pin down the lawmaker, as the terrorist designation was issued on the eve of the House committee on ethics and privileges’ hearing.
Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said this in a press briefing on Tuesday, after the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) tagged Teves and 12 others as terrorists — claiming that the principle of checks and balances are fading.
The ATC issued the declaration on Tuesday morning, while the said panel was set to discuss Teves’ continuous absence later in the afternoon.
“Talagang may kumukumpas dito, kita niyo, ilalabas nila ‘yong declaration na terorista si Congressman Teves on the very day na may hearing ang Committee on ethics whether or not recommending his expulsion,” Topacio said.
(Somebody is really orchestrating these moves, see, they released the declaration that Congressman Teves is a terrorist on the very day that the Committee on ethics will have a hearing whether or not recommending his expulsion.)
Full Story at: Teves’ counsel claims House-ATC collusion in solon’s terrorist tag | Inquirer News
