News Roundup 28 June 2021
Jun 28, 2021 • 5 min Read
5,604 new COVID-19 cases push total to 1.4 million in Philippines | PHILSTAR.COM – The Department of Health on Monday said 5,604 more individuals got sick with COVID-19, bringing the country’s overall count to 1,403,588. The newly reported cases are relatively low as DOH said six laboratories did not submit testing results. “Based on data in the last 14 days, the six non-reporting labs contribute, on average, 1.5% of samples tested and 2.5% of positive individuals,” the agency said.
- Active cases: 52,029 or 3.7% of the total
- Recoveries: 6,154, bringing the number to 1,327,103
- Deaths: 84, or now 24,456 in total
In last submission to SC, petitioners say with anti-terror law, habeas corpus writ won’t be issued | PHILSTAR.COM – Petitioners against the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 insisted to the Supreme Court that the contentious law renders the extraordinary remedy writ of habeas corpus suspended for a suspected terrorist held under a section that allows warrantless detention up to 24 days. In the memorandum filed by Rep. Edcel Lagman (Albay), the petitioners said a person detained under Section 29 of the law may file a petition for a writ of habeas corpus but due to the law’s wording, the writ will not be issued. Lagman is one of the petitioners and oralists in the oral arguments on the legal challenges against the anti-terrorism law. The Supreme Court ordered parties to file their respective memoranda according to the cluster of issues they designated for the debates. During the oral arguments, Section 29 was one of the heavily discussed portions of the law. Associate Justice Marvic Leonen had asked National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers chair Neri Colmenares if the petition for the writ of habeas corpus is still available to a person detained. Habeas corpus literally translates to “produce the body.” It is an order to present a person before the court to determine if the arrest or imprisonment is legal or if the inmate must be released from custody. Under Section 29, law enforcers or military can take custody of a suspected terrorist, with written authorization of the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC), up to 14 days and extendible with another ten days before the accused should be brought to judicial authorities and not incur any criminal liability. Zeroing in on this, Lagman told the SC that “while the remedy of the writ of habeas corpus is available in cases of detention under Section 29 of the ATA, it is only available in the sense that the detained individual may apply for the writ before a court of competent jurisdiction.” “Section 29 of the ATA gives one’s detention the color of legality, thereby ensuring that the writ of habeas corpus will not issue,” he added. Lagman argued that the contentious section of the law suspends the writ of habeas data for a maximum of 24 days even though there is no invasion and rebellion nor does public safety demands it, which are requisites stated in the Constitution.
Robredo-Bongbong legal battle reboils | INQUIRER.NET – The Supreme Court sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) has ordered Vice President Leni Robredo to respond to former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos’ appeal to reconsider its dismissal of his election protest. Robredo had 10 days from receiving the notice to reply. “I confirm that the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, in its resolution of June 15, 2021 in PET Case No. 005, has required respondent VP Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo to file her comment to the Motion for Reconsideration dated May 6, 2021 filed by protestee Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, within a period of 10 days from receipt of notice,” high court’s Public Information Chief and Spokesperson Atty. Brian Keith Hosaka told reporters Monday. Marcos, in his motion, said he would stop contesting the dismissal of his other two causes of actions but pleaded with the PET to revise the decision on the third cause, arguing that it is independent of the other two. The third cause of action sought to annul election results in 2,756 protested clustered precincts in Lanao Del Sur, Maguindanao, and Basilan because of terrorism, violence, threats, intimidation, voter substitution and pre-shading of ballots in Robredo’s favor. The PET, in its February ruling, said the former senator’s “abject failure” to provide evidence led to his appeal being denied.
Robredo reminds Filipinos on ‘what’s at stake’ in 2022 polls | Manila Bulletin – Vice President Leni Robredo has called on Filipinos to register to vote in the May 2022 polls and to “remind one another of what is at stake” in the next elections. She also highlighted the invaluable contributions of women in governance and the challenges they face in achieving gender equality. “Use your platforms to push for policies that advance women’s rights and gender equality and rally behind people who will fight for them. Organize, educate, and remind one another of what is at stake. Listen and uplift each other so that more women leaders can take on the greater task of rebuilding our nation,” she said in a speech delivered virtually for the #BotoNiJuana: Wo/Men/toring women webinar. The online event held on Monday, June 28, was made possible because of the efforts of the Czech Embassy in Manila, Spark Philippines, and Galing Pook. Robredo said that women leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic “teach us that there is a more humane and more effective way to show our strength as leaders.” “Being a strong leader means nurturing and empowering others to become the best version of themselves. It means channeling strength without blaster in a manner that is firm, yet dignified, compassionate and empathetic, and thrives quietly yet decisively amidst adversity,” she added.
