News Roundup 08 January 2024
Jan 08, 2024 • 4 min Read
Acorda files cybercrime raps vs vlogger over spread of destab rumors | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said that PNP chief Benjamin Acorda Jr. filed cybercrime charges against a content creator who implicated him in an alleged destabilization plot against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
In a press briefing, PNP Spokesperson Police Col. Jean Fajardo said that the individual had spread false information through a vlog saying that the PNP chief and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Romeo Brawner Jr. withdrew their support for the Marcos administration.
“Ang sinampa nating kaso ay dahil sa pagpapa-kalat ng hindi totoong information na ang ating chief PNP ay nag-withdraw na ng support sa ating presidente at hinihikayat ang ating presidente na magresign na,” Fajardo said.
(The case we filed is due to spreading false information that our chief PNP has withdrawn support for our president and is urging the president to resign.)
The PNP spokesman said that the individual is believed to be a former official of the AFP.
Full Story at: Acorda files cybercrime raps vs vlogger over spread of destab rumors | Philstar.com
Lawmakers flag ‘vote-buying’ in Charter change signature campaign | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Local executives have allegedly been tasked with carrying out a people’s initiative signature drive for Charter change that involves P100 payouts to each constituent who signs the petition, House lawmakers said over the weekend.
Rep. Edcel Lagman (Albay, 1st District) said on Saturday that mayors of his represented district in the province of Albay were given “mobilization funds” to clinch the signatures of their constituents in support of allowing Congress to vote on changes to the Constitution jointly.
A copy of the alleged petition that Lagman showed reporters stated that it wants to amend the 1987 Constitution to allow the Senate and the House to vote as one instead of convening separately when deciding on possible changes to the 1987 Constitution. This would effectively give the House an upper hand in Cha-cha talks as the 315-member lower chamber outnumbers the Senate.
“This movement is apparently nationwide as Congressmen belonging to various political parties have been sent the necessary forms,” said Lagman, who showed reporters a copy of the form.
Full Story at: Lawmakers flag ‘vote-buying’ in Charter change signature campaign | Philstar.com
Sen. Raffy Tulfo hits plan to import jeepneys from China | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Raffy Tulfo on Sunday questioned the supposed plan of the government to purchase vehicles from China to replace the country’s traditional jeepneys, claiming the move “reeks of corruption.”
“China is already invading the West Philippine Sea. Will we allow them to take over even our roads?” Tulfo said in a statement.
The radio broadcaster-turned-lawmaker said he received information that the government was planning to import modernized jeepneys from China for as much as P2.9 million per unit as part of the multibillion-peso modernization program for public utility vehicles.
Tulfo pointed out that this was nearly triple the price of locally manufactured jeepneys that comply with the strict safety requirements mandated by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
He said Sarao Motors and Francisco Motors, two of the major jeepney manufacturers in the country, had earlier offered their vehicles for as low as P900,000.
Full Story at: Sen. Raffy Tulfo hits plan to import jeepneys from China | Inquirer News
Drug war victims’ lawyers agree ICC probe likely finished | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Lawyers of the families of drug war victims agreed that the investigation of the alleged crimes against humanity against former President Rodrigo Duterte may already have been completed even as the Duterte camp tried to stir a controversy over the purported arrival of probers of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“I agree with that because the evidence is strong and the investigation has been going on for years,” said former Rep. Neri Colmenares, who represents the victims’ families, along with human rights lawyer Kristina Conti.
“It’s been so long. But we believe that the case is strong and the culpability is very clear,” Colmenares said, reacting to the view of former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV that the probe may already be at the level of finishing touches.
“I think the case is now at the finishing touches level for some of the principals, while those who are at the secondary level, cases are still being built up or are about to be completed too,” Trillanes said in a television interview late Saturday.
Full Story at: Drug war victims’ lawyers agree ICC probe likely finished (inquirer.net)
