News Roundup 09 March 2024
Mar 09, 2024 • 4 min Read
Liberal Party backs Hontiveros: Issue arrest warrant vs Quiboloy now | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — An opposition political expressed support for the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality in advocating for the detention of a controversial religious leader who refused to testify regarding sexual abuse complaints filed by church members.
Liberal Party spokesperson and former Sen. Leila de Lima shared their position on the matter after committee chair Sen. Risa Hontiveros moved to cite Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy in contempt after ignoring a subpoena by the Senate.
“The mounting evidence against [Quiboloy] paints a disturbing picture of abuse, and delaying justice only serves to embolden perpetrators and further victimize the vulnerable,” said the party on Saturday.
“We are deeply troubled by reports that some senators are hesitant to compel Quiboloy to appear before the Senate.”
Sen. Robinhood Padilla is currently lobbying to have the contempt order reversed in the name of “separation of church and state,” while managing to get the support of Sen. Bong Go, Sen. Cynthia Villar, and Sen. Imee Marcos.
Sen. JV Ejercito earlier signed the written manifestation against the contempt ruling, but later on withdrew after receiving information that the Department of Justice is pursuing charges of sexual abuse and qualified trafficking against the KOJC leader.
Quiboloy, self-styled as the “Appointed Son of God,” is currently wanted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for sex trafficking charges of women and children alongside two others.
Known to be the spiritual advisor of former President Rodrigo Duterte, the LP said that “influence and political affiliation must never be a shield against accountability.”
Full Story at: Liberal Party backs Hontiveros: Issue arrest warrant vs Quiboloy now | Philstar.com
Philippine-US defense treaty doesn’t trigger immediate military action — analyst | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Maritime expert Jay Batongbacal addressed misconceptions about the Philippine-US Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), saying that the treaty does not require an immediate military response in maritime conflicts.
Batongbacal clarified that the treaty is not inactive since it is already in effect.
“Iyong Mutual Defense Treaty, hindi po siya kumbaga inactive and then i-activate ‘no – it is already enforced between the parties,” Batongbacal said in a news forum on Saturday.
(The Mutual Defense Treaty is not dormant and awaiting activation. It is already enforced between the parties.)
“Ang problema lang kasi doon, mayroong parang misunderstanding, may misconception na ‘pag sinabi mong ‘triggered the Mutual Defense Treaty,’ mag-uumpisa ka ng giyera. Hindi po iyon ‘yung konsepto noon,” he added.
(The problem here is there is a misunderstanding, a misconception that once you say that the Mutual Defense Treaty is triggered, a war will unfold. This is not the intended concept.)
He explained that the term “triggered” does not mean starting a war but rather signifies a commitment to collaborative responses for security challenges.
Full Story at: Philippine-US defense treaty doesn’t trigger immediate military action — analyst | Philstar.com
Ex-president Duterte appointed as new administrator of KJC properties — SMNI | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Former President Rodrigo Duterte has been named the new administrator for Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) properties, the religious group’s media arm, Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) said.
“JUST IN: Former President Rodrigo Duterte is appointed as new administrator for KOJC properties,” SMNI said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.
It did not provide further details about the appointment.
Duterte is a close friend of KJC founder and Davao-based preacher Apollo Quiboloy.
The announcement came shortly after the Senate sought the arrest of Quiboloy for failing to attend the chamber’s investigation into his alleged crimes.
During a hearing last March 5, Senator Risa Hontiveros moved to cite Quiboloy for contempt and requested an arrest warrant against the controversial leader.
Full Story at: Ex-president Duterte appointed as administrator of KJC properties (inquirer.net)
DTI: ‘High-level’ US trade delegation to arrive in PH next week | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DT) said a “high-level” business delegation from the United States is set to arrive in the country next week to boost “commercially meaningful partnerships.”
DTI Foreign Trade Service Officer Jollan Llaneza said in a news forum on Saturday that the US trade mission will be headed by US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, who is expected to meet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual.
She stressed the US is one of the country’s top trading partners.
“There will be a high-level delegation comprised of 22 business delegates, C-level representatives from strategic sectors, and [the issue that will be discussed] next week is, of course, how to enhance our trade and investment relations,” Llaneza said.
Full Story at: DTI: ‘High-level’ US trade delegation to arrive in PH next week (inquirer.net)
