News Roundup 02 October 2024
Oct 02, 2024 • 5 min Read
DOJ told: File raps vs Barayuga slay masterminds, don’t wait for House | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) can start filing complaints against alleged masterminds behind the killing of former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga, Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said on Wednesday.
In a statement, Barbers said the DOJ does not need to wait for the House of Representatives’ quad panel to finish its joint committee report before complaints are filed.
Barbers was referring to Police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza’s testimony before the House quad committee that former PCSO general manager Royina Garma and National Police Commission Commissioner (Napolcom) Edilberto Leonardo ordered Mendoza to kill Barayuga.
“We are in close coordination with the DOJ. They have representatives monitoring our hearings precisely because we are unearthing evidence of criminal activities and other acts of wrongdoing in the course of our inquiry. They should interview our two witnesses last Friday and assess their testimonies,” Barbers said.
“They do not have to wait for the report of the joint committee, which will include a recommendation to file such charges. The panel will take time to write the report since the inquiry is still ongoing,” he added.
During the quad committee hearing last September 27, Mendoza tagged Garma and Leonardo — two former police colonels — as those behind Barayuga’s killing.
Full Story at: DOJ told: File raps vs Barayuga slay masterminds (inquirer.net)
Escudero says he won’t block anti-political dynasty bill | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Chiz Escudero assured the public on Wednesday that he would not block the passage of a law that would prohibit political dynasties in the country.
“Dahil produkto ako nyan, hindi ko haharangin ‘yan. Kung kailangan ng boto ko para mapasa ‘yan, boboto ako dahil laban naman ‘yun sa interest ko,” Escudero said at a press briefing in the Senate when asked about the chances of a passing an anti-political dynasty law in Congress.
(Because I am a product of that, I won’t block it. If my vote is needed to pass that, I will vote for it because it goes against my interests.)
“Na makikiaalam ako sa pagbalangakas nyan ay klarong kaso ng conflict of interest para hindi ko dapat panghimasukan maliban na lamang kung ang boto ay kinakailangan para mapasa ‘yan (To get involved in the drafting of that would clearly be a case of conflict of interest, so I shouldn’t intervene unless my vote is needed to pass it).
“In which case, that would be a vote against interest which is allowed by our laws and the Constitution,” he further said.
The issue of whether there was a need to pass the law cropped up anew amid the observation that many among those filing the certificate of candidacy for the 2025 midterm elections belong to political clans.
Full Story at: Escudero says he won’t block anti-political dynasty bill (inquirer.net)
Harry Roque urged to surrender as SC denies ‘amparo’ protection | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque should surrender now that the petition to protect him from contempt or detention has been voided, House lawmakers said.
In a statement on Wednesday, October 2, Rep. Dan Fernandez (Santa Rosa, Lone District) said, “Sumuko ka na (Surrender now), Atty. Roque.”
The Supreme Court denied on Tuesday, October 1, Roque’s petition for special protection, or writ of amparo, which was filed by his daughter on September 23.
A writ of amparo offers court protection to an individual whose rights have been recognized by the Supreme Court as violated.
According to the Supreme Court, the writ of amparo was not permitted because it “is limited to extrajudicial killings and threats.”
Fernandez said the petition is only Roque’s way to evade answering questions on the allegations made against him “in a proper forum.”
“Ang batas ang dapat manaig. Hindi dapat itago ni Roque ang kanyang sarili sa likod ng mga technicalities o mga writ na wala namang basehan,” he added.
(The law must prevail. Roque should not hide behind technicalities or writs that have no basis.)
The House quadcom’s chairperson, Rep. Ace Barbers (Surigao del Norte, 2nd District), also said that if Roque truly believes in his innocence, he should not run away from the legal process.
Full Story at: Harry Roque urged to surrender as SC denies ‘amparo’ protection | Philstar.com
Alice Guo can still file for candidacy — SolGen | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Despite removal from public office and ongoing legal hurdles, dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo can still file a certificate of candidacy (COC) for the 2025 midterm elections.
According to Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, the former mayor can still file her candidacy as the Ombudsman’s dismissal order is not yet final.
“Guo may still file her certificate of candidacy unless the Comelec (Commission on Elections) disqualifies for some reason,” Guevarra said in a message to Philstar.com.
Meanwhile, when asked about the possibility of Guo filing a COC, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco explained the poll body does not have motu proprio powers to cancel a certificate of candidacy.
In law, motu proprio (Latin for “on his own impulse”) refers to an official act taken without a formal request from another party.
“Gaya nung nabanggit ko, ‘yung parte ng petition for disqualification, petition to cancel or deny due course ‘yung COC, hindi po po pwedeng Comelec ang magfafile po niyan,” Laudiangco said in an ambush interview with reporters.
(As I mentioned earlier, regarding the part of the petition for disqualification,petition to cancel or deny due course to the COC, the Comelec cannot be the one to file that.)
In a separate interview with Teleradyo on Tuesday, Laudiangco explained the Comelec only has a “ministerial duty” when it comes to certificates of candidacy.
Full Story at: Alice Guo can still file for candidacy — SolGen | Philstar.com
