News Roundup 14 September 2024
Sep 14, 2024 • 4 min Read
Duterte, others should face probe for shielding Quiboloy — solon | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — As more witnesses have come forward to pin down Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy and his cohorts, a lawmaker said former president Rodrigo Duterte and other officials should be investigated and prosecuted for aiding the sect leader in hiding from authorities.
“His potential involvement in shielding him from justice must be scrutinized,” Gabriela Women party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas said, referring to Durterte.
She cited Quiboloy’s earlier pronouncement that he had appointed his friend and former president as administrator of KJOC properties.
“We cannot allow this culture of impunity and fear to persist. No one should be above the law, and the cries for justice from these young girls must be heard and acted upon without delay,” she pointed out, referring to Quiboloy’s alleged victims of sexual abuse.
“The details about Quiboloy’s alleged crimes are the work of someone who is pure evil. It is a grave injustice that Quiboloy has operated with impunity in Mindanao for decades, possibly leaving behind a trail of countless victims who have been too terrified to speak out,” she added.
The lawmaker said that Quiboloy must face the “fullest extent of the law for the crimes he has committed against women and children.”
She said the KOJC leader “should rot in jail” and that “all those who aided and abetted his actions, including powerful figures and public officials, must be held accountable.”
Story at: Duterte, others should face probe for shielding Quiboloy — solon | Philstar.com
Marcos admin scores ‘good’ satisfaction rating after 11-point increase — SWS | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The public satisfaction with the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. climbed 11 points in the latest survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS), placing the administration’s overall rating in the “good” category.
Conducted from June 23 to July 1, the survey released on Friday, September 13, showed that 62% of adult Filipinos were satisfied with the general performance of the administration, while 22% percent were dissatisfied. Around 15% were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied.
This resulted in a net satisfaction score of 40 points, classified as “good,” improving from the 29-point “moderate” rating recorded in March.
Despite the increase, the current net satisfaction score is still lower than the “excellent” rating of 52 points reported in December 2023, falling 12 points below the previous figure.
Ratings on issues
The administration received “very good” ratings for helping victims of disaster (+64), improving the quality of children’s education (+62) and helping the poor (+51).
Full Story at: Marcos admin scores ‘good’ satisfaction rating after 11-point increase — SWS | Philstar.com
Harry Roque on the run: PNP joins the hunt | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine National Police (PNP) has launched an intensified manhunt for former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque after he was cited for contempt by the House of Representatives over his alleged ties to illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).
Roque, who served as the spokesperson for former President Rodrigo Duterte, has ignored multiple summonses from a joint House panel investigating the matter.
His refusal to cooperate prompted authorities to issue an arrest warrant, though he was not found at his Makati office, sparking concerns that he may be attempting to evade capture.
“The PNP is now fully engaged in the manhunt for Atty. Harry Roque,” said Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez, co-chair of the Quad Committee. “We are working closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure his swift apprehension. No one is above the law.”
Roque is accused of withholding documents, including his Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth, as well as records connected to his family business, Biancham Holdings. These records are seen as key to understanding his alleged involvement with Lucky South 99, a POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga, which is under investigation for illegal operations.
Full Story at: Harry Roque on the run: PNP joins search (inquirer.net)
Solon on OVP’s 2025 budget: Transparency, accountability over tradition | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Transparency and accountability should be prioritized over traditions in government practices following the recent scrutiny of the 2025 budget proposal of the Office of Vice President (OVP), Alliance of Concerned Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro said on Saturday.
According to Castro, transparency and accountability should come first when the public’s welfare is on the line.
“Transparency and accountability must be above traditions,” Castro said in a statement.
“If not, then what we will have are just dogmas that do not serve the interest of the people but those of their oppressors.” she added.
The budget deliberations were previously deferred by the House panel on appropriations after Vice President Sara Duterte evaded almost all questions by the lawmakers who asked about unutilized and controversial funds of different programs of the OVP.
Full Story at: Solon on OVP budget: Transparency, accountability over tradition (inquirer.net)
