News Roundup 16 February 2021
Feb 16, 2021 • 4 min Read
Philippines reports 1,391 new COVID-19 cases, bringing total to 552,246 | PHILSTAR.COM – The Department of Health reported Tuesday 1,391 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases to 552,246. Of the total number of cases, 28,926 or 5.2% are still tagged as active cases, or patients who are still being managed in isolation facilities or hospitals. Meanwhile, seven more died due to the respiratory disease, bringing the death toll to 11,524 or 2.09% of the total cases. The DOH also reported that 45 more people have survived the disease, bringing the total number of recoveries to 511,796, representing 92.7% of all cases.
As debates extend, petitioners again press SC to halt implementation of anti-terror law | PHILSTAR.COM – As the oral arguments on the pleas against the Anti-Terrorism Act stretch to a fourth session, petitioners have again pressed the Supreme Court to temporarily halt the implementation of the law citing supervening events such as prosecution threats from the military and arrest of one petitioner. Before Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta officially suspended the session on Tuesday, Rep. Edcal Lagman (Albay), who is one of the oralists for the petitioners, made a manifestation. “Your honors, for the first time in history, petitioners and their counsels before this honorable court are seriously threatened with prosecution under the challenged statute by no less than a military who is part of the State enforcing the ATA,” Lagman told the court. The opposition lawmaker did not mention who he was referring to, but retired SC Justices Antonio Carpio and Conchita Carpio-Morales had previously brought to the SC’s attention the posts of Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. Parlade, also spokesperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, had posted on his Facebook that “very soon, blood debts will be settled” addressing petitioners, and that “the long arm of the law will catch up on you and your supporters.” He also hinted at filing anti-terrorism violation raps against Inquirer.net Tetch Torres-Tupas for her report that the military general disputes. Parlade later denied he is threatening prosecution. Lagman also said Alcadev teacher and anti-terrorism law petitioner Chad Booc is currently detained in Cebu, after police raided the University of San Carlos and claimed they were conducting a “rescue operation” of Lumad children—the school had said there was no need for any rescue. “All of these would underscore the chilling effect of the ATA, which cows citizens into silence and are restrained or precluded from exercising their freedom of expression,” Lagman added. The petitioner again reiterated their prayer to issue injunctive reliefs such as a temporary restraining order in the case.
PET dismisses Marcos poll protest vs Robredo, stresses ‘entire’ case junked | INQUIRER.NET – The Supreme Court sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) unanimously voted to dismiss the election protest of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos against Vice President Leni Robredo. In its updated briefer Tuesday afternoon, the high court, through its Public Information Office said: “With regard to PET Case No. 005 (Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr., protestant vs Maria Leonor “Leni Daang Matuwid” G. Robredo, protestee), the 15 members of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal unanimously dismissed the entire electoral protest.” “WHEREFORE, the Presidential Electoral Tribunal DISMISSES the Election Protest filed by protestant Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. for lack of merit. The Counter-Protest filed by protestee Maria Leonor “Leni Daang Matuwid” G. Robredo is likewise DISMISSED,” it added quoting the dispositive portion of the ruling. Supreme Court Spokesperson Atty. Brian Keith Hosaka said out of the 15 justices who were present during Tuesday’s session, “seven members fully concurred in the dismissal while eight justices concurred in the results.” However, Hosaka could not give additional information why the justices voted that way. But court insiders said the PET dismissed the case because the Marcos camp has failed to give specific details on areas that he claimed are laden with election irregularities. The insiders also noted the substantial recovery of votes favoring Robredo in 5,415 clustered precincts in Camarines Sur, Iloilo and Negros Oriental, the pilot provinces subject of the protest. The substantial recovery from the pilot provinces is contained in the PET report on October 2019, indicating that Robredo’s lead grew by around 15,000.
Unanimity in PET ruling should put to rest any doubt on Robredo win- Lower House solons | Manila Bulletin – The unanimous decision of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal to junk the election protest against Vice President Leni Robredo should now put to rest any doubts about her election victory. This was the consensus among a number of congressmen who lauded the Supreme Court justices for resolving complaint filed by former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. who ran against Robredo during the presidential elections. However, public interest lawyer Larry Gadon remained unconvinced with the PET’s decision that was released Tuesday, February 16. However, Gadon’s statement was brushed aside by House members.
Featured Photo: Atok, Benguet, Philippines
Photo Source: By Leocadio Sebastian – Flickr, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=45605351
