News Roundup 03 June 2024
Jun 03, 2024 • 5 min Read
Philippines, Ukraine vow stronger ties in Marcos-Zelensky meet | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines (Updated, 11:52 a.m.) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met on Monday at Malacañan, pledging to strengthen the diplomatic relations between the two countries as Russia’s war on the eastern European nation continues to rage.
Zelensky arrived in Manila on Sunday evening for a one-day working visit after attending the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, where he sought support for a global peace conference in Switzerland and appealed for more military aid for Ukraine.
He expressed his gratitude for the Philippines’ support of Ukraine and for Marcos’ stance on the issues impacting the country, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said.
“We’re thankful to be here in your country, and which supports Ukraine, our territorial integrity and sovereignty. Thank you so much for your “big word” and clear position about us, about this Russian occupation of our territories, and thank you for your support,” Zelensky said in a meeting with Marcos.
Marcos assured Zelensky that Manila will continue to help Kyiv in any way possible.
“We will continue to do all that we can to promote peace and to bring an end to the fighting and to come to a political resolution of your country,” Marcos said.
In 2022, Marcos described the war between Russia and Ukraine as “unacceptable.” The Philippines has consistently opposed and condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, joining votes on related resolutions at the United Nations.
Zelensky also told Marcos that Ukraine is set to open its embassy in Manila this year.
Full Story at: Philippines, Ukraine vow stronger ties in Marcos-Zelensky meet | Philstar.com
Zubiri to sue vloggers for spreading ‘black propaganda’ ahead of his ouster | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri on Monday vowed to file cyber libel complaints against social media users who spread “black propaganda” videos to allegedly discredit him before his anticipated ouster from the Senate leadership last month.
The former Senate president said the information campaign, which he believes to be well-funded but did not say by whom, was an attempt to tarnish his name amid moves in the upper chamber to unseat him.
“They came out with a first set of videos two months ago, on the first attempt to unseat me. When that failed, they produced a part two video, which was released during the week of the second attempt. The timing is impeccable,” the senator said in a press release.
“It’s an obvious attempt to discredit my leadership and taint my name. And they’re funneling huge amounts of money into this campaign – from production to promotion,” Zubiri added.
The senator pointed to a series of videos circulating on social media that alleged he acquired luxury properties and private aircraft through corrupt means.
He said the claims were “totally false.”
Full Story at: Zubiri to sue vloggers for spreading ‘black propaganda’ ahead of his ouster | Philstar.com
Alice Guo: ‘I am innocent’ | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Alice Guo, who was ordered suspended as mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, by the Ombudsman, maintained her innocence and vowed to continue defending her “integrity and character.”
“I respect the legal process and accept the Ombudsman’s decision,” Guo said in a statement Monday.
“I want to reiterate that I am innocent and I have served our town and its people with integrity. I believe this is an opportunity to clarify the accusations against me. I am ready to cooperate with the authorities to ensure truth and justice,” she added.
The Office of the Ombudsman issued the order suspending Guo and two other officials of Bamban on May 31. Copies of the directive were shared with the media on Monday, June 3.
In the order, Ombudsman Samuel Martires said there are “sufficient grounds to preventively suspend” Guo and two other town officials “considering: that there is strong evidence showing their guilt.”
Guo, Municipal Business Permits and Licensing Office officer Edwin Ocampo, and Municipal Legal Officer Adenn Sigua were placed under preventive suspension without pay pending the resolution of an investigation against them. But their suspension must not exceed six months, according to the Ombudsman.
Full Story at: Alice Guo: ‘I am innocent’ (inquirer.net)
Duterte ordered transfer of P47.6 billion COVID funds to PS-DBM – Duque | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — It was then-President Rodrigo Duterte who ordered the transfer of P47.6 billion in COVID-19 funds from the Department of Health (DOH) to the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) in 2020.
Former Health Secretary Francisco Duque III admitted this information during the hearing of the House of Representatives committee on appropriations Monday, upon the questioning of ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro.
Based on a Commission on Audit (COA) report, the P47.6-billion COVID-19 fund includes PS-DBM contracts with Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp., which was accused of selling overpriced medical supplies such as face masks, face shields, and other equipment used during the pandemic to the government.
Former Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said it was former President Rodrigo Duterte who directed the transfer of P47.6 billion under the Department of Health (DOH) to the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) during the height of the pandemic.
“Another question, it was authorized by former President Duterte, right?” Castro asked Duque, referring to the transfer of the funds.
“Oho (Yes), in his public pronouncements, the transfer was done because of the public health emergency, which he declared sometime in March [2020],” Duque replied.
Later, during her interpellation, Castro asked Duque again if it was indeed Duterte who directed the fund transfers.
“Sinasabi sa atin ni Secretary Duque sa utos ni dating Presidente Duterte ay nagkaroon ng ganito na transfer ng P47.6B, tama po ba?” Castro asked again.
(Secretary Duque already said that it was the order of former President Dutert to have these transfers worth P47.6 billion, correct?)
“Publicly this was made by the President in our meetings, in the weekly meeting or ‘Talk to the People,’” Duque replied.
“So clear po ‘yan (So that is clear), P47.6 billion to be transferred to PS-DBM, publicly announced by former President Duterte na ma-transfer (for trasnfer),” she added.
Full Story at: ‘Duterte ordered transfer of P47.6 billion COVID funds to PS-DBM’ (inquirer.net)
