News Roundup 14 May 2024
May 14, 2024 • 5 min Read
Trillanes files cyber libel, libel raps vs Roque, SMNI hosts, pro-Duterte vloggers | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV on Tuesday filed libel and cyber libel charges against former presidential spokesman Harry Roque, pro-Duterte vloggers and hosts of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) over persistent attacks and “fake news”.
The former lawmaker filed the complaints before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office and the National Bureau of Investigation.
In his complaint-affidavit, Trillanes said that he sued Roque, vlogger Banat By and other respondents after accusing him of giving away the Scarborough Shoal to China in 2012 through different videos posted on social media in March and April 2024.
“All of the foregoing clearly show that the statements published by Respondent Roque are defamatory, devoid of truth and without foundation in fact whatsoever. His statements directly accuse me of brokering a back-alley deal in the nomenclature of a ‘secret agreement’ with a foreign government and abdicating a part of our national territory with nefarious motive,” Trillanes’ complaint against Roque read.
“Respondent maliciously impeached my good faith and most honorable motives as Senator of the Republic, casting aspersion upon my character, integrity, and reputation. The video was published with the malicious purpose of giving the public the impression that I had been disloyal to my country and had betrayed its interests, thereby exposing me to public ridicule, contempt and hatred,” it added.
Trillanes also pointed out that the libel and cyber libel charges fall within the statute of limitations, citing a recent Supreme Court ruling on cyber libel prescription.
Full Story at: Trillanes files cyber libel, libel raps vs Roque, SMNI hosts, pro-Duterte vloggers | Philstar.com
Remulla orders probe into alleged illegal activities by diplomats | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) ordered an investigation into reported illegal activities by diplomats posted in the Philippines as it stressed that diplomatic immunity is never absolute.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into the alleged unlawful acts of foreign diplomats.
This comes after the Chinese Embassy in Manila released to select media a recording and transcript of an unverified phone call between a Chinese diplomat and Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, commander of the military’s Western Command, on the so-called “new model” arrangement on the Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.
“While enjoying the privileges and immunities accorded to foreign diplomats, it is also their duty to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving state,” Remulla said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is also investigating alleged illegal activities by diplomats after the Department of National Defense (DND) and National Security Council (NSC) called on the agency to take appropriate actions against Chinese Embassy officials for potentially violating the Anti-Wire Tapping Act and breaching diplomatic protocols.
“Diplomatic immunity should never be used as a license to exploit our country’s peace and harmony for selfish motives, this privilege does not shield anyone from the consequences of the rule of law,” Remulla said.
Full Story at: Remulla orders probe into alleged illegal activities by diplomats | Philstar.com
Comelec: Bamban mayor may face perjury charge | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — While it has already distanced itself from the issue, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said embattled Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo may be charged with perjury if she is proven to have misrepresented herself as a Filipino citizen when she filed her candidacy.
After a Senate hearing on Monday, Comelec Chair George Garcia said “there was a possibility” that some candidates in the 2022 elections, including Guo, had submitted fake documents, particularly about her Filipino citizenship, that allowed her to run as mayor of the municipality.
“If it is proven by the court that she is not really a Filipino citizen, then she can be liable or be charged with perjury,” Garcia told reporters.
The Comelec only requires aspiring candidates to submit a certificate of candidacy (COC), in which they declare they are Filipino citizens. Candidates in local positions in the country may be natural-born Filipinos or foreign nationals who become naturalized Filipino citizens.
Full Story at: Comelec: Bamban mayor may face perjury charge (inquirer.net)
Garin urges Senate panel: Assess ‘PDEA leaks’ evidence first | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin has urged the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs to pause and take steps back to assess the evidence gathered during hearings on the allegedly leaked Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) documents.
Garin on Tuesday stressed that since congressional hearings are funded by taxpayers’ money, the inquiry should answer specific questions — like what benefit it would bring to the country, or what laws may be amended afterwards.
The Senate panel headed by Senator Ronald dela Rosa has already conducted three hearings on the supposedly leaked PDEA documents, which linked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and actress Maricel Soriano to drug use. Former PDEA agent Jonathan Morales insists on the authenticity of the document — a pre-operation report — but current officials say it was fabricated.
“That’s why when there are investigations, we should answer questions like where it is headed, what benefits it would bring to the country, and what laws would be crafted or amended to ensure the problem does not repeat. Apparently in the Senate investigation on PDEA leaks, what we are seeing is a confused narrative,” Garin said in a press briefing at the Batasang Pambansa complex.
“I believe the best thing that can be done as a legislator is for the committee to go back maybe 3 or 4 steps backward, gather all the evidence, decipher whether these are true or not,” she added.
Full Story at: Garin urges Senate panel: Assess ‘PDEA leaks’ evidence first (inquirer.net)
