News Roundup 22 October 2024
Oct 22, 2024 • 5 min Read
Sandro Marcos calls out VP Sara Duterte: ‘You crossed the line’ | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos broke his silence over Vice President Sara Duterte’s tirades against his family, saying she “crossed the line” and describing her behavior as a “bizarre temper tantrum” towards the dead.
Rep. Marcos called out Duterte on Tuesday, days after Duterte threatened to dig up the body of his grandfather, former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., if the political attacks on her continue.
The lawmaker also took notice of Duterte’s remarks about trying to behead his father, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“For all this time, I have held my tongue out of respect for the Vice President, given the mandate she was given and the responsibility which her office holds. However, as a son, I cannot stay silent while she threatens to exhume a former president and behead an incumbent one,” Rep. Marcos’ statement read.
“Besides, her bizarre temper tantrum has been condemned by a nation horrified by such displays of insensitivity towards the dead and cruelty to the living,” he added.
According to Rep. Marcos, his father did not say anything against Duterte that could be construed as even a mild rebuke of her outbursts.
“He even advised me to withhold my disappointment and refrain from making a statement. However, one must draw the line at some point and it’s frankly long overdue,” he added.
Full Story at: Sandro Marcos calls out VP Sara: ‘You crossed the line’
DOJ chief on Sara’s attack: Now we know how unstable her mind can be | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday said, “ok lang yon” when asked to react to Vice President Sara Duterte’s negative remarks, saying it was already clear “how seemingly unstable her mind can be.”
Duterte earlier accused Remulla of “not knowing the law” after he mentioned that the Department of Justice (DOJ) might take legal action against her for her remarks about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s father, particularly involving the desecration of Marcos Sr.’s remains.
“‘Di, okay lang ‘yon (no, that’s okay), I’m used to that, ad hominem and other means to react to what we say, [that] is normal for the job that I am undertaking,” said Remulla in a press conference.
Instead, Remulla just reiterated that the DOJ is “studying the possibility” of filing cases against Duterte based on criminal acts.
He then further stressed how “shockingly disturbing” Duterte’s statements were, especially given her former position as education secretary.
“How can we entrust our youth to such a person who can utter such words and reflect such thoughts that are against human decency and good behavior,” said Remulla.
Full Story at: DOJ chief: Now we know how unstable Sara’s mind can be
De Lima: ‘Davao Model’ resembles Davao Death Squad’s reward system | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The “Davao Model,” which allegedly involves rewarding police officers with cash for each drug suspect killed, mirrors the reward system of the notorious Davao Death Squad (DDS), former Senator Leila de Lima said on Tuesday, October 22.
Speaking as a resource person at the House quadcom’s ninth hearing on extrajudicial killings during the drug war, De Lima presented past findings showing that the practice of rewarding individuals for arbitrary killings dates back to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s first term as Davao City mayor.
The “Davao Model” was first referenced by retired police chief Royina Garma in her sworn statement, where she revealed that Duterte had asked her to find a police officer or operative who could replicate the model on a national scale.
She confirmed with lawmakers that cash rewards ranged from P20,000 to as much as P1 million per drug suspect killed.
The DDS reward system, on the other hand, was reported to have paid police officers, assassins and civilian informants up to P15,000 in total.
These findings come from the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), part of which De Lima uncovered during her tenure as the agency’s chairperson from 2008 to 2010.
Full Story at: De Lima: ‘Davao Model’ resembles Davao Death Squad’s reward system | Philstar.com
Pasig court allows Quiboloy’s appearance in Senate probe | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — A Pasig court has allowed detained doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy to appear in the investigation by the Senate regarding the alleged abuses within his “church,” the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC).
In a five-page order dated October 21, the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 159 granted the request of Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chair of the the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, to permit the appearance of the detained FBI-wanted preacher.
The committee hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, October 23, at 10 a.m.
Joining Quiboloy are his co-accused, who are leaders of KOJC: Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada, Ingrid Canada, Paulene Canada and Sylvia Calija Cemanes.
Quiboloy, who was arrested on September 8, is currently facing charges of child and sexual abuse, along with a non-bailable trafficking in persons charge.
The human trafficking charge has been filed in the Pasig RTC, while the child and sexual abuse charges were lodged with a Quezon City RTC.
Quiboloy’s opposition
The court noted that Quiboloy opposed Hontiveros’ request. His camp argued that Congress’ power to compel witnesses should be balanced against Quiboloy’s constitutional rights, particularly since he is already in legal custody and facing trial.
Citing the right to presumption of innocence and the right against self-incrimination, Quiboloy’s camp contended that the matters the panel intends to investigate are already under court jurisdiction, and forcing him to appear before the Senate during the ongoing trial would constitute legislative overreach.
However, the court did not grant this request, referencing precedents that allow an accused individual to attend a legislative committee hearing while a case is pending in court.
Full Story at: Pasig court allows Quiboloy’s appearance in Senate probe | Philstar.com
