News Roundup 20 September 2023
Sep 20, 2023 • 4 min Read
Lagman rues zero funding for Martial Law museum | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman has called out the government for not appropriating funds for the Martial law museum.
Lagman raised his concerns on Wednesday, after the plenary debates on the proposed 2024 budget of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) — highlighting the need to remember the incidents of the past especially a day before the anniversary of the declaration of martial law.
Lagman said that it is ironic that the Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Museum, Library and Compendium — which is mandated by Republic Act No. 10368 or the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013 — has no funds in the 2024 National Expenditures Program (NEP) when it is meant to remind people of the excessive money spent during the said period.
“While there was surfeit of funds, including the proceeds from behest loans, for the prosecution of the martial law regime’s repressive and plunderous programs and policies, there is now no appropriation in the 2024 budget as proposed in the NEP for the construction and completion of the Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Museum, Library and Compendium,” Lagman said in a statement.
Full Story at: Lagman rues zero funding for Martial Law museum | Inquirer News
2 activists’ lawyer to military: Stop persecution, lies | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The legal counsel of two environmental activists on Wednesday urged the government’s anti-communist task force to stop their “prosecution” and “do the right thing,” as the military plans to file perjury charges.
“We call on the NTF-Elcac to stop their persecution and to do the right thing and stop propagating lies,” lawyer Dino De Leon told reporters in a phone interview.
“All legal jurisprudence is against NTF-Elcac, so we enjoin them to actually not file frivolous cases that will just make them also ultimately accountable and liable,” he added.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines is planning to file perjury charges against Jhed Tamano and Jonila Castro, a lawmaker said on Wednesday, confirming a National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict’s (NTF-Elcac) official’s earlier statement.
Full Story at: 2 activists’ lawyer to military: Stop persecution, lies | Inquirer News
Marcos called for civilian-led approach to Ayungin Shoal, NTF-WPS says | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called for a “civilianized” approach to managing the situation at Ayungin Shoal.
Jonathan Malaya, spokesperson for the NTF-WPS, explained in an interview with ANC how to respond to the presence of China Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels near Ayungin.
“That is a decision that has to be made by higher authorities because we want to keep the tension low in the WPS,” Malaya said.
“And there is an instruction from the president to civilianize the approach to Ayungin. So it’s going to be Coast Guard against Coast Guard, and the Navy is only in support,” he added.
During the 43rd ASEAN Summit Retreat Session, Marcos discussed the persistent challenges being faced by the country, stating that his vision for the South China Sea as a “sea of peace, stability, and prosperity” remains a distant reality due to unresolved territorial disputes and escalating tensions in the region.
Full Story at: Marcos called for civilian-led approach to Ayungin Shoal, NTF-WPS says | Philstar.com
Call to expel POGOs gains ‘enough’ backing in Senate — Gatchalian | PHILSTARCOM – MANILA, Philippines — The call to expel Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) from the Philippines has gathered enough backing from the Senate, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said Wednesday.
Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate committee on ways and means, filed a committee report that includes a resolution urging the executive department to halt POGO operations.
“This is an important step to curb the spread of crimes originating from certain POGO companies,” the senator said in Filipino.
“It’s clear from the data that we have gathered in recent months that criminals are utilizing POGO to engage in various crimes, including human trafficking as well as different investments such as cryptocurrency and love scams,” he added.
Full Story at: Call to expel POGOs gains ‘enough’ backing in Senate — Gatchalian | Philstar.com
