News Roundup 11 July 2024
Jul 11, 2024 • 5 min Read
A first: Sara to skip Marcos’ Sona, names self ‘designated survivor’ | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte will not attend the third State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 22, and named herself the “designated survivor.”
Duterte’s decision to not show up at Marcos’ third Sona is a first since their tandem won the 2022 election.
“No, I will not attend the Sona,” Duterte said in an ambush interview Thursday on the sidelines of the Child and Adolescent Neurodevelopmental Center Inauguration in Davao City.
She also said: “I am appointing myself as the designated survivor.”
A “designated survivor” is a US government official chosen to stay at a secure location during events where top leaders are gathered. This ensures continuity of government in case a catastrophic event kills or incapacitates the president, vice president, and other top officials.
There is no such position yet in the Philippines, but Senator Panfilo Lacson filed a bill in 2019 authorizing the President to name a designated survivor.
But the Vice President did not offer any reason or explanation for her plan to skip Marcos’ upcoming Sona during the ambush interview, which video was distributed to media members by the Office of the Vice President on Thursday.
Full Story at: Sara Duterte to skip Marcos’ Sona: I’m the designated survivor (inquirer.net)
Sara Duterte as ‘designated survivor’? She must be ‘delulu’ – group | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte must be “delulu” (slang for delusional) for appointing herself “designated survivor” as she announced that she would snub President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) this year.
“Who appointed you? This is delulu (slang for delusional) behavior. She is no alternative or backup leader when the only legacy she has proven to Filipinos is her confidential funds racket and the thousands of victims of her family’s fake war on drugs,” said Kabataan Partylist Executive Vice President Renee Louise Co.
“Pa-main character na politiko na gustong pumostura na oposisyon, pero wala siyang maloloko. Drama ito sa pagitan ng magkaaway na dinastiya at paksyon ng ruling class,” Co added. “Genuine leaders always show up to answer the call to serve the people, and not just when it is convenient to their political ambitions.”
(A politician who wants to be a main character, presenting herself as the opposition. But she can’t fool anyone. This is a drama between rival dynasties and factions of the ruling class. Genuine leaders always show up to answer the call to serve the people, and not just when it is convenient to their political ambitions.)
A “designated survivor” is a US government official chosen to stay at a secure location during events where top leaders are gathered. This ensures continuity of government in case a catastrophic event kills or incapacitates the president, vice president, and other top officials.
Full Story at: Sara Duterte as ‘designated survivor’? She must be ‘delulu’ – group (inquirer.net)
Makabayan bloc to field 12-member Senate slate | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Makabayan bloc will field a full 12-member senatorial slate in the 2025 elections, its representatives announced on Thursday, who also expressed willingness to work with non-Makabayan candidates with a “strong track record in standing up for the people.”
Branding themselves the “oposisyon ng bayan” (opposition of the people or the nation), the Makabayan coalition said its candidates will push for a comprehensive national program that will ensure progress for all, respect for human rights and national sovereignty.
The Makabayan coalition is made up of five progressive partylists, namely the ACT Teachers partylist, Gabriela Women’s party, Kabataan partylist, Bayan Muna partylist and Anakpawis. The first three have incumbent representatives in the House of Representatives, and the coalition has never won a Senate seat.
“Hindi sila mula sa angkan ng mga mayayaman o mga dinastiya sa pulitika. Hindi kurap, hindi tagapagtanggol ng interes ng ilan. Maipagmamalaki namin na mula sila sa hanay ng mga manggagawa, magsasaka, kababaihan, kabataan, mangingisda, katutubo at ibang sektor na matagal nang tinatanggalan ng boses sa kongreso,” the Makabayan bloc said in a statement read during the press conference.
(They do not come from wealthy clans or political dynasties. They are not corrupt, nor are they defenders of the interests of a few. We are proud that they come from the ranks of workers, farmers, women, youth, fishermen, indigenous peoples, and other sectors that have long been deprived of a voice in Congress.)
Full Story at: Makabayan bloc to field 12-member Senate slate | Philstar.com
Vatican permits inquiry into Filipina catechist’s sainthood | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Vatican has authorized a diocesan inquiry into the sainthood cause of Filipina catechist Laurena “Ka Luring” Franco.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Pasig Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara announced that the Holy See’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints has issued the “nihil obstat” document, marking the preliminary phase of Franco’s sainthood cause.
“The apostolic nuncio, Abp. Charles Brown and his secretary, Msgr. Giuseppe Trentadue handed me the ‘nihil obstat’ from Rome for the cause of beatification and canonization of Servant of God Laurena ‘Ka Luring’ Franco,” Vergara’s post on his Facebook account read.
The no-objection letter was a response from the dicastery to Bishop Vergara’s inquiry about whether there were any impediments to the beatification and canonization process for Franco, who is now recognized as a “Servant of God.”
The title “Servant of God” signifies the first step toward possible canonization as a saint. Meanwhile, the term “nihil obstat,” meaning “nothing hinders” in Latin, indicates that there are no obstacles to the cause for sainthood.
Full Story at: Vatican permits inquiry into Filipina catechist’s sainthood | Philstar.com
