News Roundup 20 August 2024
Aug 20, 2024 • 4 min Read
Duterte, Hontiveros clash over ‘politicizing’ budget hearings | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — A heated exchange erupted between Senator Risa Hontiveros and Vice President Sara Duterte during the Senate committee on finance’s deliberation on the proposed 2025 budget of Duterte’s office, after the VP accused the lawmaker of “politicizing” government funds during the Tuesday hearing.
Duterte’s accusations followed Hontiveros’ queries regarding the Vice President’s proposed P2.037 billion funding for next year.
Hontiveros specifically asked about the book that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) is eyeing to distribute in remote areas titled Isang Kaibigan, a children’s book authored by Duterte herself.
“For 2025, one of the OVP’s programs [is] Pagbabago campaign: A million learners entries, involves the provision of bags to one million learners in remote communities while initiating tree planting activities. This gets an appropriation of P100,000 million. Part of this campaign is an allocation of P10 million for the distribution of Isang Kaibigan books, a children’s book authored by the Vice President,” said Hontiveros.
The opposition senator proceeded to request additional information about the book. Duterte, however, opted to raise a different matter, accusing Hontiveros of politicizing the budget.
Full Story at: Duterte, Hontiveros clash over ‘politicizing’ budget hearings (inquirer.net)
Dela Rosa warns of Davao’s fury over masked cops at checkpoints | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Tuesday asked the Philippine National Police (PNP) not to “antagonize” the people in Davao City, warning that they might revolt if this issue is not properly addressed.
According to dela Rosa, Davao residents are intimidated by local cops wearing face masks when conducting regular checkpoint operations in the province.
He said he personally witnessed it when he recently went to his home province and decided to pass by the compound of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC).
“Tinanong ko ‘yung patrolman: “Dong, is that face mask part of uniform talaga? Wala namang Covid ngayon, e. Bakit kayong lahat naka face mask? Ano ba ‘yan, intidimidating factor ba ‘yang ginagawa nyo?” dela Rosa narrated during the hearing of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs.
(I asked the patrolman: “Is that face mask really part of the uniform? There’s no Covid right now. Why is everyone wearing face masks? Is this some kind of intimidating factor you’re using?”)
There was no response from the patrolman, according to the senator.
Full Story at: Dela Rosa warns of Davao’s fury over masked cops at checkpoints (inquirer.net)
Bersamin asks DOJ, DFA to cancel Guo, siblings’ Philippine passport | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin ordered the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Foreign Affairs (DFA) to do “appropriate action” for the cancellation of the Philippine passport of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and three others following reports of the mayor’s escape.
Aside from Guo, Bersamin also asked for the cancellation of the passports of the mayor’s siblings, Wesley Leal Guo and Shiela Leal Guo and the Porac-based Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator Lucky 99 representative Cassandra Ong, according to a memorandum sent by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission to reporters on Tuesday.
“It is worthy to note that currently, the Senate issued arrest warrants against Guo and her family for unduly refusing to appear, despite due notices, its probe into the illegal activities of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators,“ Bersamin’s memorandum read.
Guo’s escape to the country was first revealed by Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Monday, saying that the former official traveled to Singapore to meet her parents Lin Wen Yi at Guo JianZhong.
She was said to leave the Philippines for Malaysia on June 17 while using a Philippine passport.
Full Story at: Bersamin asks DOJ, DFA to cancel Guo, siblings’ Philippine passport | Philstar.com
US, 3 nations condemn China’s aggression vs Philippine Coast Guard | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The United States and three other nations have called out China for its “reckless maneuvers” against Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, parts of which the Philippines refers to as the West Philippine Sea.
In separate statements, the US, France, Germany and Japan urged China to adhere to international maritime law, including an international legal framework governing the oceans, and to desist from its “escalatory actions” in the tense waterways.
This comes after the Philippines accused the Chinese Coast Guard of “unlawful and aggressive maneuvers” that led to its collision with two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels near Escoda (Sabina) Shoal. Both boats sustained structural damages, with one getting a five-inch hole from the impact.
The US expressed solidarity with the Philippines which it described as its “ally.” It also reaffirmed its 1951 mutual defense treaty with the Philippines — a deal that compels it to defend the country during armed attacks.
“These actions are the latest examples of the PRC using dangerous and escalatory measures to enforce its expansive and unlawful South China Sea maritime claims,” the US State Department said.
The US also called on China to “abide by international law and desist from its dangerous and destabilizing conduct.”
France and Germany urged China to abide by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which China is a signatory of.
Japan also expressed “[serious] concern” over China’s aggressive conduct that damaged Philippine vessels.
Full Story at: US, 3 nations condemn China’s aggression vs Philippine Coast Guard | Philstar.com
