News Roundup 23 May 2024
May 23, 2024 • 5 min Read
Chiz seeks to mend House-Senate ties before another Cha-cha word war | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Even as he remains unconvinced about changing the Charter, Senate President Chiz Escudero said on Thursday that he wants to repair the relationship between the Senate and the House of Representatives to prevent another heated public exchange among lawmakers.
Escudero, whose recent ascension to the Senate presidency has been endorsed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., said that he will reach out to House Speaker Martin Romualdez soon to address how the two chambers can avoid trading barbs even with their disagreements on Charter change.
“It’s not befitting for lawmakers to exchange unparliamentary remarks. We can probably start there before we discuss other issues,” Escudero said in Filipino during Thursday’s Kapihan sa Senado forum.
The newly-installed Senate president also said that he envisions himself as a leader that will serve as a “bridge to finding solutions to problems” instead of flip-flopping on his position.
A measure proposing economic amendments to the 1987 Constitution was passed on final reading at the House in March, but a similar version remains pending at the committee level in the Senate, where senators remain divided due to concerns about possible insertions of political amendments.
This, too, remains a concern for Escudero, who said that the years-long difficulty in passing Charter amendments can be attributed to “hidden motives” by its proponents.
“The primary reason why Charter change does not push through or gets delayed is because of people’s doubts about the motives behind it,” Escudero said.
“If people are asked directly about wheter they are for or against is, I believe this will make it more likely to reach the final stage of approval,” the Senate president added.
Full Story at: Chiz seeks to mend House-Senate ties before another Cha-cha word war | Philstar.com
Disbarred lawyer Gadon guilty of gross misconduct anew over ‘falsehoods’ — SC | PHILSTAR.COM –MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has found disbarred lawyer lawyer Larry Gadon guilty of gross misconduct for committing perjury and making accusations based on hearsay in the impeachment case of former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.
In a press release on Thursday, the high court said that Gadon violated Canon II, Section 11 of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability, which prohibits lawyers from making false statements.
“His disregard for the verification requirement in impeachment complaints shows disrespect for the impeachment process, using it to advance his personal agenda rather than air genuine and legitimate grievances,” the SC’s press release read.
For a member of the bar, gross misconduct is punishable by disbarment. However, since Gadon was previously disbarred on June 28, 2023, for repeatedly uttering curse words and profanities on social media against journalist Raissa Robles, the SC said the penalty of disbarment would not be imposed again.
The high court also imposed a fine of P150,000 on Gadon and declared him ineligible for judicial clemency.
Full Story at: Disbarred lawyer Gadon guilty of gross misconduct anew over ‘falsehoods’ — SC | Philstar.com
Escudero: Burden of proof lies upon those alleging Guo isn’t Filipino | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Newly-installed Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero admitted that embattled Bamban town Mayor Alice Guo’s identity is dubious, but he noted that “the burden of proof” now lies upon on those alleging that she is not Filipino.
“There’s [a] basic principle in law: He who alleges must prove the same. Iyong nag-a-allege na hindi [siya Filipino], dapat patunayan. Kung mapatunayan, eh ‘di dapat tanggalin,” said Escudero in a Kapihan sa Senado forum on Thursday.
(There is a basic principle in law. He who alleges must prove the same. Those that are alleging that she is not Filipino, must prove it. If proven, then she must be removed.)
“Let me say it this way: The burden of proof is on those saying she is not. Kaya nga, gaya ng sabi ng [Commission on Elections], ministerial ang pagtanggap ng Certificate of Candidacy. In fact, hindi sila pwedeng mag-disqualify,” he added.
(Let me say it this way: The burden of proof is on those saying she is not. Similar to what Comelec said, acceptance of COC is ministerial. In fact, they cannot disqualify.)
Guo has been the subject of scrutiny after the Senate panel on women bared her alleged ties to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos). Senators questioned.
Panel head Senator Risa Hontiveros earlier flagged the town mayor’s supposed links to criminals. Despite repeated questioning from senators, Guo categorically denied having links to Pogos.
Full Story at: Chiz: Burden of proof lies upon those alleging Guo isn’t Filipino (inquirer.net)
Davao police chief relieved from post amid probe into drug ops deaths | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The director of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) was relieved from his position on Thursday amid the ongoing probe launched by the Regional Internal Affairs Service (RIAS) into the deaths of seven individuals during a drug operation late last March.
In a statement, Davao Region police said Col. Richard Bad-ang was removed from his post in connection to a police operation last March 23 to 26. RIAS 11’s recommendation was approved by Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 director Brig. Gen Aligre Martinez.
“The City Director of Davao City Police Office, Col. Richard P. Bad-ang was administratively relieved from his position on May 23, 2024,” PRO 11 said.
“The said momentary removing of personnel from their duties was to ensure an independent and credible investigation,” it added.
Bad-ang’s relief “aims to prevent these personnel from unduly influencing witnesses or tampering of evidence,” it further disclosed.
Full Story at: Davao police chief relieved from post amid probe into drug ops deaths (inquirer.net)
