News Roundup 01 September 2024
Sep 01, 2024 • 5 min Read
Castro vows to oppose OVP proposed 2025 budget over past misuse issues | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. France Castro has announced her intention to oppose the budget allocation requested for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for fiscal year 2025, especially those designated for social aid.
In a statement on Sunday, Castro said that “given the previous misuse of confidential funds, we must ensure that public funds are allocated and utilized properly.”
She added that allocating a separate budget for a department that has a “dubious track record” cannot be allowed.
In the statement, Castro mentioned the “alarming” track record of Vice President Sara Duterte in managing public funds.
She cited the recent directive of the Commission on Audit for Duterte to return P73 million in confidential funds to alleged improper use.
“The COA’s findings are clear. If the OVP cannot properly manage its P73 million confidential funds, how can we entrust them an even higher budget? This is about protecting taxpayers’ money from potential misuse,” she said.
During the recent hearing for the OVP’s budget for 2025, Castro noted that Duterte failed to provide sufficient explanation on how taxpayers’ money was spent.
“We asked, and the Vice President could not give clear answers. She consumed entirely the confidential funds, but she doesn’t want to explain how it was used,” she said.
Full Story at: Castro to oppose 2025 OVP budget over past misuse issues (inquirer.net)
Barbers warns ex-PCSO exec to attend House probe or face arrest | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives Quad Committee warned former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Royina Garma to attend the next scheduled hearing or face arrest.
In a statement on Sunday, Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, lead chairman of the Quad Committee, said a subpoena has been issued to Garma requiring her to appear before the committee.
This is in relation to the ongoing investigation on cases of extrajudicial killings, illegal drug proliferation, and other related crimes.
The lawmaker said the committee uncovered important evidence pointing out that Garma may have had a role in planning unlawful operations during her tenure with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Davao.
“These are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of abuse that we believe Garma had a direct hand in. The gravity of these allegations cannot be overstated,” Barbers said.
Full Story at: Barbers warns ex-PCSO exec to attend House probe or face arrest (inquirer.net)
Immigration intercepts 3 Malaysian Quiboloy-led KOJC members | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Three Malaysian nationals, alleged members of the “church” of fugitive doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy, were barred from entering the Philippines.
The passengers, identified as Jessica Lynn Henry, Mimielianna Annie Anak Leesoi and Andrijosebaul Anak Garra, arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on the night of August 27 aboard a Philippine Airlines flight from Kuala Lumpur.
The Malaysian nationals, all in their mid-20s, were part of a group of Filipinos who also claimed to be members of the preacher’s “church,” the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC). However, the Filipinos “abandoned” them when the group was referred for further immigration inspection.
“Our immigration officers discovered their intent to participate in anti-government demonstrations being staged by KOJC members who are protesting the ongoing manhunt for Pastor Quiboloy,” Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said in a statement.
During the interview, the Malaysian nationals claimed they were invited to Davao City by the KOJC but were unable to provide proof of financial capacity to support their stay and admitted they were unemployed.
One of the passengers revealed a screenshot containing various anti-government slogans, such as “BBM Resign,” “Stop KOJC Injustices” and “AFP/PNP Protect the People.”
When questioned about the screenshot, the passenger claimed she accidentally downloaded the slogans from her social media accounts.
The Bureau of Immigration has placed the three Malaysians on an immigration blacklist, effectively banning them from re-entering the Philippines.
What protest?
The protest referred to by the Malaysian nationals is the demonstration around the KOJC compound in Davao City, opposing the implementation of the arrest warrant against Quiboloy.
Full Story at: Immigration intercepts 3 Malaysian Quiboloy-led KOJC members | Philstar.com
US condemns China’s aggression, reminds defense treaty covers attacks | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The United States has condemned the recent aggression by Chinese maritime forces against a Philippine Coast Guard ship on August 31 (Manila time).
The US, a treaty ally of the Philippines, called the incident “dangerous and escalatory,” according to a statement from the US State Department.
The condemnation follows a Chinese Coast Guard vessel’s ramming of the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Teresa Magbanua three times near Escoda Shoal.
“The PRC’s unlawful claims of ‘territorial sovereignty’ over ocean areas where no land territory exists, and its increasingly aggressive actions to enforce them, threaten the freedoms of navigation and overflight of all nations,” the US statement read.
The US reiterated its call for China to align its claims and actions with international law and to desist from “dangerous and destabilizing conduct.”
It also reaffirmed the 73-year-old Mutual Defense Treaty, stating that it covers any attacks on Philippine assets.
“The United States reaffirms that Article IV of the 1951 United States-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft – including those of its Coast Guard – anywhere in the South China Sea,” the statement read.
Full Story at: US condemns China’s aggression, reminds defense treaty covers attacks | Philstar.com
