News Roundup 27 May 2021
May 27, 2021 • 4 min Read
Coronavirus cases in the Philippines rise to 1,200,430 | PHILSTAR.COM – The Department of Health on Thursday recorded 6,483 additional COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 1,200,430.
- Active cases: 48,109 or 4.0% of the total
- Recoveries: 4,335, pushing total to 1,131,942
- Deaths: 210, bringing total to 20,379
Leonen: Dismissal of impeachment rap affirms baselessness of allegations | PHILSTAR.COM – The House of Representatives’ swift junking of the impeachment complaint speaks of the baselessness of allegations against him, Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen said. “A dismissal on the basis of the mere face of impeachment complaint affirms the baselessness of the grounds raised. It is an act that powerfully speaks for itself,” he said in a statement posted by the SC Public Information Office. The House Committee on Justice on Thursday morning voted 44-0 to throw out the complaint filed by Edwin Cordevilla, who identified himself as secretary-general of the Filipino League of Advocates for Good Government. The lawmakers pointed out that the complaint largely relied on news reports and is thus hearsay and did not even include certified true copies for affidavits. Leonen is accused of culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust. The complaint was anchored on his supposed failure to dispose 37 cases within two years, which the former said violates the Constitution. He also accused the justice of lacking integrity due to his supposed failure to file his SALNs, which the former said is a betrayal of public trust. “The House of Representatives has just affirmed the constitutional independence of the Judiciary by not allowing others to take advantage of the vulnerability of its members, they have created a precedent that warns against the abuse and trivialization of constitutional processes,” Leonen said. The justice went on to recall how he was privileged to receive support from the entire SC full court that “easily united on the basis of principle.” He also noted the support he received from fellow workers in the Judiciary, and the law profession and academe — even from religious, business and civic sectors.
Ignore Cusi’s call for nat’l assembly, Pacquiao urges PDP-Laban members | INQUIRER.NET – Senator Manny Pacquiao, president of the PDP-Laban party, discouraged members from participating in the national assembly called by party vice-chairman Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi. In a memorandum circular signed by Pacquiao, he “strongly advised” party members to ignore Cusi’s invitation letter. “You might have received Vice Chairman Alfonso Cusi’s letter calling for a national assembly on May 31, 2021,” the memorandum read. “Said invitation letter is not sanctioned by Authorized National Council officials and violates Section 4 and Section 5, Article XVI, Constitution of the PDP Laban,” it added. Further, the memorandum stressed that any call for a national council, assembly or meeting is subject to the approval of both Pacquiao and the party chairman, President Rodrigo Duterte, only.
Villanueva on Roque infomercial error: ‘Even in showbiz, miscommunication rarely committed’ | Manila Bulletin – Senator Joel Villanueva on Thursday, May 27, related to show business the mistake of President Duterte’s spokesperson of attributing to Vice President Leni Robredo the call for a joint informercial on COVID-19 vaccines. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque erroneously claimed that Robredo was pushing to be featured in a public service announcement along with Duterte, even saying that the Vice President “volunteered” in an attempt to piggyback on the supposed success of the government’s vaccination program. Contrary to Roque’s statement, it was Villanueva who broached the idea of Duterte and Robredo teaming up to boost the public’s confidence on coronavirus vaccines. “These are the usual kinks in casting the talents of a blockbuster ad. But even in showbiz, this kind of miscommunication is rarely committed by talent managers,” Villanueva said in a text message to reporters. The senator admitted that it would be difficult to have the two Philippine top officials in a single ad. The two are of opposing political parties. “Alam po natin na mas madali pang ipagtambal si Romeo and Juliet (We all know that it’s easier to feature Romeo and Juliet). But with vaccine fake news on the rise, we need a pushback, through an infomercial featuring, to use showbiz lingo, ‘ang dalawang higante sa pulitika (the two giants of politics)’,” Villanueva said. The camp of Robredo on Thursday corrected Roque, saying the Vice President never volunteered to do the vaccine infomercial with Duterte. Roque, on the hand, insisted on his claim.
