News Roundup 12 March 2024
Mar 12, 2024 • 5 min Read
PNP files admin charges vs chief of police, other officers over Jade Castro arrest | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police has filed administrative charges against the police officers involved in the arrest of film director Jade Castro and his three friends.
This was revealed by Michel Marpuri, one of Castro’s lawyers, in a press conference on Tuesday, a day after the film director and his friends were released from the Catanauan Bureau of Jail Management and Penology facility.
“I just got a phone call from the PNP Regional Internal Affairs Service, that they filed motu proprio administrative cases against the chief of police, the investigators and the arresting officers for unlawful arrest,” he said.
However, they expect the Calabarzon police to file a motion for reconsideration to assail the resolution that freed Castro and his friends.
“Even the decision of the judge said na hindi niya binabalewala ‘yung imbestigasyon ng police,” Peña said.
(Even the judge’s decision stated that he is not disregarding the police investigation.)
When asked if they will file counter-charges, Marpuri said that they are still deciding on the matter.
On February 16, prosecutors recommended filing arson charges against Castro and his companions, alleging their involvement in the January 31 incident of setting fire to a modern jeepney in Catanauan.
The film director and his friends were arrested on February 1 without an arrest warrant after alleged witnesses of the incident identified them.
However, on February 6, a report by ABS-CBN news showed CCTV footage that Castro and his companions were in the town of Mulanay when the burning incident happened.
Philstar.com has reached out to the Catanauan police for a comment on this matter, but they have yet to give a response.
Full Story at: PNP files admin charges vs chief of police, other officers over Jade Castro arrest | Philstar.com
House panel cites Quiboloy in contempt for snubbing SMNI franchise hearings | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The House legislative franchises committee on Tuesday cited embattled preacher Apollo Quiboloy in contempt after he again refused to attend the panel’s hearing into the alleged franchise violations by the television network connected to his church.
In connection to the contempt ruling, the House sergeant at arms has also been directed to physically bring Quiboloy to the Batasang Pambansa complex.
In his motion to cite Quiboloy in contempt, Rep. Johnny Pimentel (Surigao del Sur, 2nd District), committee vice chairperson, said that the panel may cite any individual in contempt for ignoring its summons.
That Quiboloy has thrice snubbed the House panel hearings on a bill that seeks to revoke SMNI’s legislative franchise shows that the preacher “acts like god” and “acts with impunity,” Pimentel said.
“It is very clear that he has no intention whatsoever of appearing in this committee. Under House rules, it is our obligation to show these people who take this committee for granted the sanctions that can be meted,” Pimentel said, adding that the committee has given the Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder enough time to face House lawmakers since it began its hearing in November.
Full Story at: House panel cites Quiboloy in contempt for snubbing SMNI franchise hearings | Philstar.com
Senate issues show cause order vs Quiboloy for snub of its probe | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The Senate has issued a show cause order against Apollo Quiboloy, directing the religious leader and alleged rapist to explain why he should not be arrested and detained in the Senate for failing to attend its investigations.
A quick look at the document shared to the media on Tuesday night showed that the order was signed by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senate panel on women chair Risa Hontiveros.
It, however, was dated March 13, 2024 as it will be served to Quiboloy on Wednesday.
The order specifically directs Quiboloy to “show cause” — within 48 hours from his receipt of the order — why his arrest should not be ordered, despite skipping the Senate probe on his alleged multiple crimes.
Quiboloy snubbed the Senate panel on women’s invitations for hearings set on January 23, February 19, and March 5 — dismissing the authority of the chamber and “merely sending his counsel to appear on his behalf without justifiable reason.”
“You are hereby ordered to show cause within a non-extendible period of 48 hours from receipt of this Order why you should not be ordered arrested and detained at the Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms,” the order reads.
Full Story at: Senate issues show cause order vs Quiboloy for snub of its probe | Inquirer News
PH Army observes a rise in number of persons applying to become soldiers | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Army is seeing an increase in the number of recruits this year, amid surveys showing that the majority of Filipinos are willing to fight against foreign invaders.
Army spokesperson Louie Dema-ala told INQUIRER.net in a text message that almost 40,000 individuals applied in the Philippine Army for the first few months of this year alone.
In contrast, there were over 45,000 applicants covering the entire 2023, Dema-ala recalled.
Despite the big turnout, only 4,029 of this year’s applicants will be enlisted.
The training for the enlisted personnel will be divided among five batches.
“The first batch begins their training in the first week of March,” Dema-ala noted.
The total number of Army applicants is likely to increase since the online application remains open.
Full Story at: PH Army observes a rise in number of persons applying to become soldiers | Inquirer News
