News Roundup 28 November 2023
Nov 28, 2023 • 4 min Read
Opposition to ICC return supports ex-president Duterte — De Lima | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines (Updated 3:27 p.m.) — Former Senator Leila de Lima said that individuals against the Philippines rejoining the International Criminal Court (ICC) are primarily serving the interests of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The former justice secretary said on Tuesday that rejoining the ICC is the “right thing” to do, saying that the 2019 withdrawal was “questionable” for it “served the interests of one man.”
“Here we are, dahil may isang tao na gustong umiwas sa accountability, bigla niyang winithdraw so anong problema ngayon sa pagbalik natin which is the right thing to do?” De Lima said in an interview with the reporters after a court hearing at Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 206.
(Here we are, because there’s someone who wants to avoid accountability, they suddenly withdrew. So what’s the problem now with our return, which is the right thing to do?)
“Those who oppose rejoining the ICC are only serving the interest of Duterte and others who are responsible for the murder of thousands of our countrymen,” De Lima also said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
De Lima said she is hopeful that the government will have a “positive” stance toward rejoining the tribunal.
Full Story at: Opposition to ICC return supports ex-president Duterte — De Lima | Philstar.com
Philippine government, NDFP to revive peace talks | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines have agreed to restart peace negotiations six years after former President Rodrigo Duterte called off peace talks with the group behind Asia’s longest-running insurgency.
Both parties said they “recognize the need to unite as a nation” in light of “foreign security threats” and serious socioeconomic and environmental issues, according to a joint statement signed by Philippine government officials and the NDFP in the Norwegian capital of Oslo on November 23.
“The parties agree to a principled and peaceful resolution of the armed conflict,” the statement read.
Special Assistant to the President Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr. signed on behalf of the Philippine government, while National Executive Council Member Luis Jalandoni signed on behalf of the NDFP.
The NDFP is the diplomatic arm and umbrella group representing communist rebels in peace talks with the government.
According to the joint statement from Oslo, both the Philippine government and the NDFP have agreed to create a framework that “sets the priorities for the peace negotiations with the aim of acheiving relevant socioeconomic and political reforms towards a just and lasting peace.”
Full Story at: Philippine government, NDFP to revive peace talks | Philstar.com
Teodoro tells Asean military veterans to watch out for expansionism | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Stressing that the region is “facing the same threats again,” Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Tuesday warned military veterans of Southeast Asian nations against the expansionist moves of “bigger and mightier countries of brute power.”
Teodoro made the remark before some 160 delegates of Veterans Confederation of Asean Countries during the conference opening held in a hotel in Pasay City.
“We are facing the same threats again in a different guise,” Teodoro said in his speech. “Different actors threaten our individual securities, and if one member of Asean’s security is threatened, then collectively, we open the door for expansionism.”
The top DND official also encouraged the military veterans to be vigilant against “the use of bigger and mightier countries of brute power in order to force themselves on [your] national territory, national sovereignty and the rights of your future generations.”
Full Story at: Teodoro tells Asean military veterans to watch out for expansionism | Global News (inquirer.net)
House to probe SMNI on claim Romualdez spent P1.8B on trips in 1 year | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — House committee on legislative franchises has been directed to investigate Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).
The order comes, after SMNI’s hosts in a program supposedly aired misleading information against Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
In a privilege speech during Tuesday’s session, Quezon 2nd District Representative David Suarez said he was able to watch an SMNI program where hosts claimed Romualdez spent P1.8 billion in just a year for his travels.
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco previously disputed these claims.
He said the reports are categorically false and a mere ‘fake news.’
But Suarez believes the committee should use its oversight function over the matter.
“In the spirit of transparency and accountability, I humbly request this august chamber to direct the committee on legislative franchises, in the exercise of its inherent oversight function, to investigate this matter immediately and other similar measures pending with the committee, including this personal and collective privilege,” Suarez told his colleagues.
A few minutes after Suarez’ speech, lawmakers in the majority moved to direct House committee on legislative franchises to start the probe on Thursday.
Full Story at: House to probe SMNI on claim Romualdez spent P1.8B on trips in 1 year | Inquirer News
