News Roundup 21 July 2024
Jul 21, 2024 • 4 min Read
Amid US support vow, Ayungin resupply missions to remain Philippine operation — NSC | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Manila’s resupply missions to troops on a disputed South China Sea atoll will remain purely Philippine operations, the National Security Council said Sunday, after Washington vowed to “do what is necessary” to support them.
The Ayungin or Second Thomas Shoal, which hosts a tiny Philippine garrison stationed on a deliberately beached old warship, has been a focus of escalating confrontations between Chinese and Philippine ships in recent months as Beijing steps up efforts to push its claims to the South China Sea.
A Filipino sailor lost a thumb on the latest June 17 clash when Chinese coast guard members wielding knives, sticks and an axe foiled a Philippine Navy attempt to resupply its troops.
“As far as the RORE (rotation and resupply mission) is concerned, we’re keeping it as a purely Philippine operation utilizing Philippine ships, personnel and leadership,” National Security Council spokesman assistant director general Jonathan Malaya told AFP.
“That may change depending on the guidance from top management but that’s the direction or policy at present.”
Malaya’s remarks came after White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the United States “will do what is necessary” to ensure the Philippines can continue to resupply its troops on the contested atoll.
“We will continue to support the Philippines and stand behind them as they take steps to be able to ensure that,” Sullivan said during the Aspen Security Forum conference in Colorado.
Malaya said the National Security Council appreciated the US offer and the Philippines would continue consultations as treaty allies.
Full Story at: Amid US support vow, Ayungin resupply missions to remain Philippine operation — NSC | Philstar.com
Philippines says has agreed with China on ‘arrangement’ for Ayungin resupply missions | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and China have agreed on an “arrangement” for resupplying Filipino troops stationed at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, Manila said Sunday, after a series of escalating confrontations in the disputed waters.
“The Philippines and the People’s Republic of China have reached an understanding on the provisional arrangement for the resupply of daily necessities and rotation missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal,” the Philippine foreign ministry, using the Filipino name for Second Thomas Shoal.
A handful of Filipino troops are stationed on a rusty warship that was deliberately grounded on Second Thomas Shoal in 1999 to assert Manila’s claims to the area.
It has been a focus of clashes between Chinese and Philippine ships in recent months as Beijing steps up efforts to push its claims to almost the entire South China Sea.
A Filipino sailor lost a thumb on the latest June 17 confrontation when Chinese coast guard members wielding knives, sticks and an axe foiled a Philippine Navy attempt to resupply its troops.
Full Story at: Philippines says has agreed with China on ‘arrangement’ for Ayungin resupply missions | Philstar.com
Maria Ressa, Rappler cleared in last tax case | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) has upheld the acquittal of Nobel laureate Maria Ressa and her online news company, Rappler Holdings Corp. (RHC), in the last of their five tax evasion cases.
In a decision on July 16, the CTA’s Second Division junked “for lack of merit” the petition for certiorari filed by the Office of the Solicitor General in December last year.
The petition sought a reversal of the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) decision clearing Ressa and RHC of tax evasion over their alleged failure to correctly file and pay their taxable income for the second quarter of 2015. It also asked them to pay their value-added tax (VAT) dues for the period amounting to P294,258.58, with surcharge and interest fees.
‘Not a matter for certiorari’
But according to the tax court, it found “no grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction” on the part of Presiding Judge Ana Teresa Cornejo-Tomacruz of Pasig RTC Branch 157 when she dismissed the case on Sept.12, 2023.
“Records show the petitioner (OSG) was given an ample opportunity to present its case … and was able to present and formally offer its evidence,” read the 15-page decision.
“Absent any showing that there was mistrial that amounts to a denial of petitioner’s right to due process or that [Tomacruz] committed an error of jurisdiction in the appreciation of the evidence presented by the parties, certiorari will certainly not lie,” it added.
Full Story at: Maria Ressa, Rappler cleared in last tax case (inquirer.net)
‘Lowest bid’ no sure win under new gov’t procurement law | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday enacted a law that gives no guarantee that the lowest bidder would win a government procurement contract.
The new law to improve the state procurement system intends to make it more transparent and efficient so that Filipinos would get the best value-for-money for supplies needed in government operations while safeguarding public funds, he said.
“We have just signed into law a bill that will move us closer to attaining a strong, more responsive and efficient bureaucracy,” Marcos said after signing Republic Act No. 12009, or the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA), an update of the 21-year-old Republic Act No. 9184, or the Government Procurement Reform Act.
Full Story at: ‘Lowest bid’ no sure win under new gov’t procurement law | Inquirer News
