News Roundup 20 March 2023
Mar 20, 2023 • 5 min Read
PNP: Gov’t pressing Teves to return, face charges | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police said government agencies are working together to persuade Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. to come home and face criminal complaints as well as allegations of his involvement in the assassination of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo.
Teves, who flew to the United States for a medical procedure last month, has not returned to the country, as he claimed that there was a “very grave security threat” to his life and family.
But House Speaker Martin Romualdez has denied his request for a two-month leave after his travel authority expired on March 9.
“I strongly urge Cong. Arnie to reconsider his decision not to return. It does not sit well for a House member to flee the country rather than avail himself of all the legal remedies available to him,” Romualdez explained.
In a press briefing on Saturday, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo reiterated the government’s assurances that Teves and his family would be provided security to address his safety concerns.
“Suffice it to say, all government agencies are working together to convince Cong. Teves to come home and face the complaints against him,” she said.
“We reiterate that we are ready to provide security for him and his family when he flies back home,” Fajardo added.
But she also pointed out that the camp of Teves has yet to approach the PNP.
Full Story at: PNP: Gov’t pressing Teves to return, face charges | Inquirer News
‘Unacceptable’ to bar, limit access of police aviation security, Dela Rosa tells airport execs | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Airport officials got a mouthful from Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Monday for supposedly barring the police aviation security group from entering the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).
According to Dela Rosa, he was told by members of the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEG) that they are no longer allowed inside the Naia.
He said it would be “a very immature reaction” and could compromise airport security if the supposed policy change resulted from the Senate probe on alleged human smuggling at the Naia.
But Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Cesar Chiong immediately denied this during the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing.
“No sir, that’s not true, sir. In fact, during our coordination meeting with the PNP-AVSEG, it was clarified that the access passes that were given to them, they are authorized to enter the NAIA premises, sir,” Chiong said.
“So mali pala yung nagsabi sa akin na AVSEG na hindi sila makapasok [So it was wrong when someone said AVSEG can no longer enter]?” Dela Rosa asked.
The senator nevertheless reminded Chiong that under the law, it is clearly stated that the police’s aviation security group is mandated to secure all the country’s airports against offensive and terrorist acts.
Full Story at: ‘Unacceptable’ to bar, limit access of police aviation security, Dela Rosa tells airport execs | Inquirer News
Lawyers, environmentalists demand transparency from gov’t, firms behind oil spill | PHILSTAR.COM –MANILA, Philippines — The government and the companies responsible for the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro should be completely transparent about the incident’s impacts and the actions being done to mitigate the disaster, lawyers and environment advocates said.
In a statement released on Monday, concerned lawyers called for transparency and accountability in the conduct of investigation into the oil spill, and for full disclosure of parties involved in the incident.
They said that critical details only finally came to light during a Senate panel inquiry conducted more than two weeks after the MT Princess Empress sank off Naujan town in Oriental Mindoro and leaked oil into the sea.
The lawyers also noted the inconsistent statements from government agencies and vessel owner RDC Reield Marine Services on operations of MT Princess Empress and its state as well as the incomplete information on the owner of the oil and the kind of oils present in the tanker.
Full Story at: Lawyers, environmentalists demand transparency from gov’t, firms behind oil spill | Philstar.com
MARINA insists it did not issue permit to sail for MT Princess Empress | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) on Monday reiterated that it did not issue an amendment to the certificate of public convenience (CPC) of the owner of MT Princess Empress to include the sunken tanker in its fleet.
At a Senate panel inquiry last March 13, MARINA said that the tanker had no permit to operate in the form of an amendment to its CPC. But hours later, the Philippine Coast Guard posted on social media a document — a November 16, 2022 decision by the Marina — showing that MT Princess Empress had an approved CPC.
A CPC is issued by the MARINA to a domestic water transport service provider to operate a vessel for commercial or public use, for which no franchise, either municipal or legislative, is required by law.
The Coast Guard, on the following day, said it is investigating the authenticity of the document presented to its personnel, which allowed the vessel to sail at least four times before it sank off Oriental Mindoro and leaked oil into the sea.
But in a briefing on Monday, MARINA-National Capital Region regional director Marc Anthony Pascua denied signing an amended CPC.
Full Story at: MARINA insists it did not issue permit to sail for MT Princess Empress | Philstar.com
