News Roundup 31 May 2024
May 31, 2024 • 5 min Read
MMDA chief notes ‘reservations’ about cop’s handling of arrested staff | INQUIRE.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) head Don Artes expressed “reservations” about the arrest of their two personnel over the unlawful use of stickers marked with police insignia.
Artes raised concern about how the two MMDA staff were treated following their arrest in Parañaque City on Wednesday, May 29.
“Ang akin reservations siguro, the way ‘yung pag-treat sa tao namin. Dinetain sila sa mahabang oras, hinayaang ma-interview ng mga media sa harap nila, which can be considered as an interrogation, nang wala pong abogado ‘yung aming tauhan,” he told reporters during a chance interview at an event in Quezon City on Friday.
(Maybe my reservations are on the way our personnel were treated. They were detained for a long time and allowed to be interviewed by the media in front of them, which can be considered an interrogation without our staff having a lawyer.)
MMDA employees Teofilo Labsan Padilla, 64, and Jonathan Alames Pacle, 42, were caught illegally using the insignia of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Master Rider’s Badge as printed on stickers attached to their motorcycles’ windscreen and saddle box, according to Highway Patrol Group (HPG) Director Col. Neil Francia on Thursday.
Full Story at: MMDA chief notes ‘reservations’ about cop’s handling of staff (inquirer.net)
Tolentino questions arrest of escorts: They didn’t impersonate cops | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Senate Majority Floor Leader Francis Tolentino said his two motorcycle escorts, who were apprehended on May 29 for unauthorized use of police insignia, violated no laws.
Tolentino’s motorcycle escorts are two Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) officers who were nabbed for having police insignia stickers on their motorcycles, the Philippine National Police’s Highway Patrol Group (HPG) earlier bared.
In a statement on Friday, Tolentino defended his two motorcycle escorts, questioning the basis of their arrest.
“They were charged with Usurpation of Authority, yet they never impersonated police officers. Secondly, they were charged with improper use of stickers, but there is no law prohibiting the use of stickers. Perhaps insignias, but the stickers weren’t even on their uniforms,” Tolentino said.
In the same statement, the senator emphasized that “no laws were violated” as the MMDA riders “owned the motorcycles with markings.” It then prompted him to call for “clarity on the policy” regarding the use of blinkers, stickers, and decals, as well as the operational jurisdiction of the HPG.
Provide correct information
Meanwhile, Tolentino likewise called the attention of PNP spokesperson Police Col. Jean Fajardo, who, according to the senator, disseminated inaccurate information about the incident.
Tolentino claimed that Fajardo discussed the arrest of the two MMDA riders in a press conference on Thursday, noting that she claimed that the motorcycle escorts were “wearing police uniforms.”
“It appears that [Police] Col. Fajardo has mixed up details of separate incidents involving the arrest of riders and a police officer,” Tolentino remarked.
Full Story at: Tolentino questions arrest of escorts: They didn’t impersonate cops (inquirer.net)
Senate report on divorce bill gains support from senators | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Loren Legarda on Thursday expressed openness to legalize divorce after signing the committee report of the Senate version of the divorce bill.
At a press briefing, the former Senate president pro tempore said she signed the committee report on the proposed “Dissolution of Marriage Act” that hurdled the Senate women, children, family relations and gender equality panel last year.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros was the main proponent of the Senate version of the divorce bill. Backers of the measure include Sens. Robin Padilla, Grace Poe, Imee Marcos, Pia Cayetano and Raffy Tulfo.
Hontiveros, Poe, Cayetano, Marcos, Tulfo and Padilla and JV Ejercito also signed the report.
Poe and Cayetano said they signed the report to propose amendments during interpellation at the plenary.
Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III also signed the report with the intention to interpellate.
“My signature implies that I want it discussed because it might be the right time for divorce, that it could be a way to help both abused women and men,” Legarda said
Full Story at: Senate report on divorce bill gains support from senators | Philstar.com
Writ of Kalayaan to improve penal facilities, ensure human rights in jails — Leonen | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The proposed writ of kalayaan by the Supreme Court (SC) has the potential to “rectify” the conditions of confinement in jails and humane treatment of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs, Senior Associate Marvic Leonen said.
In a speech before the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Caloocan-Malabon-Navotas Chapter last May 25, Leonen emphasized the need to address the “colossal and perennial problem” of jail congestion in the Philippines.
“The writ of kalayaan is an extraordinary remedy for PDLs created through the Court’s constitutional power to promulgate rules protecting and enforcing our fundamental rights,” said Justice Leonen. “It intends to protect the PDLs’ right to life, right to health, and right against cruel, degrading, and inhuman punishment. It aims to rectify the conditions of confinement and address not only the congestion of facilities but any issue that frustrates the inherent dignity and humane treatment of PDLs,” Leonen said.
Citing the latest World Prison Brief, he said that the Philippines has the third highest prison occupancy in the world with 362%.
He also mentioned that 323 out of 478 jails experience a high occupancy rate which leads to poor conditions of the PDLs.
Leonen also emphasized that the proposed writ is not intended to resolve all the issues affecting penal facilities, nor is it meant to replace existing programs and policies implemented by other government agencies.
“This remedy is designed to complement the ongoing efforts of the executive and legislative branches. It identifies the role of the courts and empowers them to contribute to addressing this social problem holistically and collaboratively,” Leonen said.
Full Story at: Writ of Kalayaan to improve penal facilities, ensure human rights in jails — Leonen | Philstar.com
