News Roundup 08 November 2023
Nov 08, 2023 • 3 min Read
Arroyo saw ‘nothing new’ with House resolution to support Romualdez | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Wednesday shrugged off the loss of her deputy speaker title at the House of Representatives, explaining that she did not sign the resolution by the lower chamber’s leaders to defend House Speaker Martin Romualdez as she was abroad at the time and it was “nothing new.”
“In any case, that Resolution does not contain anything new for me, because I have always supported [Romualdez’] leadership as Speaker,” Arroyo said, referring to House Resolution 1414, which sought to condemn recent remarks by former President Rodrigo Duterte against Romualdez and the House.
House leaders ousted Arroyo and Rep. Isidro Ungab (Davao, 3rd District) from their deputy speaker positions in Tuesday’s plenary session and elected Rep. Antonio Tonypet Albano (Isabela, 1st District) and Rep. Yasser Balindong (Lanao del Sur, 2nd District) to replace them.
The two lawmakers were stripped of their titles because they did not sign House Resolution 1414 and “demonstrated that their perspectives differ from the collective stance of the leadership,” House Majority Leader Manuel Dalipe said.
Full Story at: Arroyo saw ‘nothing new’ with House resolution to support Romualdez | Philstar.com
Comelec calls off special elections to replace Teves | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections on Wednesday canceled the December 9 special elections for the replacement of expelled congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr.
Upon the request of the House of Representatives, the poll body has called off the special polls for the congressional seat of the 3rd district of Negros Oriental, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia announced in a press briefing.
This came after the House sent the Comelec a copy of its adopted House Resolution 1431, which called for the cancellation of the special elections due to possible safety and security threats.
“The conduct of special elections in the third legislative district of the Province of Negros Oriental at this time and under the present circumstances may have a negative impact on the peace and order situation not only in the district but also in the surrounding areas in the province,” House Resolution 1431 read.
The House resolution also cited concerns with Teves’ continued questioning of his expulsion from the House by filing a petition for certiorari against the lower chamber before the Supreme Court.
Full Story at: Comelec calls off special elections to replace Teves | Philstar.com
Israel targets Gaza tunnel network, UN repeats calls for humanitarian pause | INQUIRER.NET –GAZA/JERUSALEM – Air strikes on the Gaza Strip killed a Hamas weapons maker and several fighters, the Israeli military said on Wednesday, as its air and ground offensive targeted the militants’ tunnel network beneath the besieged Palestinian enclave.
Gaza City, the Hamas militant group’s main stronghold in the territory, is encircled by Israeli forces. The military said troops have advanced to the heart of the densely-populated city while Hamas says its fighters have inflicted heavy losses.
Witnesses said thousands of people were leaving northern areas and heading south on a road controlled by Israeli tanks on Wednesday, during a daily four-hour window proclaimed by Israeli forces for civilians to leave.
Thousands of others still remain inside the encircled area, including at Gaza City’s main Al Shifa hospital, where Um Haitham Hejela was sheltering with her young children in an improvised tent.
Full Story at: Israel targets Gaza tunnel network, UN repeats calls for humanitarian pause | Inquirer News
Senior Deputy Speaker Gonzales, 3 other lawmakers join Lakas-CMD party | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. and three other lawmakers have joined the political party Lakas-CMD, Majority Leader and Zamboanga City 2nd District Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe said.
Dalipe in an ambush interview on Wednesday confirmed that aside from Gonzales, the following lawmakers took their oath of office as Lakas-CMD members:
- Nueva Ecija 1st District Rep. Mikaela Suansing
- Pampanga 1st District Rep. Carmelo Lazatin
- Siquijor Rep. Zaldy Villa
This brings the total strength of Lakas-CMD at the House to 77, Dalipe said.
Full Story at: Gonzales, 3 other lawmakers join Lakas-CMD party (inquirer.net)
