News Roundup 23 August 2022
Aug 23, 2022 • 5 min Read
For lawmaker, no stopping death penalty revival even if Philippines is barred from doing so | PHILSTAR.COM – A lawmaker is once again pushing for the revival of death penalty even if the country is barred by an international agreement from reintroducing capital punishment. The Philippines is a party to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which explicitly prohibits state parties from carrying out executions within their jurisdictions. “If there is a strong sentiment that the Philippines would want a restoration of death penalty for the capital crimes or the heinous crimes committed, then no international organization can stop us from implementing such,” Barbers said Tuesday in a news conference. He added that he will stand by the democratic process and whatever the majority approves. International law expert William Schabas said in a 2019 speech that reviving death penalty would mean that the Philippines will no longer be able to enter future international treaties as it would earn a global reputation as a country unable to abide by its word. The last time that the Philippines exited an international agreement was when former President Rodrigo Duterte withdrew the country from the Rome Statute which established the International Criminal Court after its prosecutor initiated a preliminary examination into the alleged crimes against humanity that occurred during the course of the “drug war.” But unlike the Rome Statute, the ICCPR and its Second Optional Protocol do not have withdrawal clauses, effectively binding the Philippines not to carry out executions permanently. If the Philippines goes ahead with its death penalty measure, it would be the first country after North Korea to openly challenge a global treaty and would be known worldwide as an international outlaw, Schabas said.
ES Rodriguez’s role in sugar import mess raised, questioned during Senate hearing | INQUIRER.NET – Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday questioned Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez’s role in the sugar importation controversy. The Senate is conducting an inquiry into the Sugar Regulatory Administration’s (SRA) supposed approval for the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar – which President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. later voided. Marcos Jr. concurrently sits as Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA). Hontiveros, during the Senate blue ribbon panel’s hearing, asked whether there are “crossed lines” among the Palace, DA, and SRA. She noted that the Palace had referred to Sugar Order No. 4 as illegal since it was released “beyond the authority of the entity that issued it.” “Wala raw authority si dating Undersecretary [Leocadio] Sebastian (They claimed that former Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian had no authority to do this). But is that true? How can it be illegal when it was [ES Vic Rodriguez] himself who issued a memorandum dated July 15, 2022, authorizing Usec. Sebastian to sit as ex-officio chairman or member of all duly constituted committees, councils, boards or bodies where the DA Secretary is a member,” the legislator said. The memorandum being referred to by Hontiveros was on Sebastian’s designation as DA undersecretary, indicating additional authorities and tasks to sign contracts, memorandums of agreement, administrative issuances, and administrative and financial documents. Hontiveros further raised: “Why was it not immediately brought to the attention of the President by the ES that there was a new sugar order meant to bring in 300,000 metric tons of sugar? Nag-meeting na pala sila ng August 4 (They already had a meeting on August 4). And the intent to import was already clear then.” She then pointed out that Sebastian had already sent the draft of the importation plan, along with the memorandum of the President last August 5. “Ibig sabihin po, alam ni ES Rodriguez na may umiikot na draft order. An order that received support from stakeholders of the sugar industry. Did he mention this at all to his principal? Hindi ba dapat ang ES pinoprotektahan ang Pangulo? Hindi ba dapat ang ES gatekeeper?” Hontiveros added. (That means, ES Rodriguez knew there was an existing draft order, which received support from stakeholders of the sugar industry. Did he mention this at all to his principal? Shouldn’t the ES protect the President? Shouldn’t the ES serve as a gatekeeper?) The lawmaker raised more questions on the matter: “Bakit may packaging na niloloko ang Pangulo? Bakit pinapalabas na may paglilinlang? Why suggest na first time mo nadinig na may Sugar Order No. 4 when you were informed and kept in the loop as early as August 5?” (Why is it being packaged as if the President was deceived? Why suggest it was the first time they heard of Sugar Order No. 4 when they were informed and kept in the loop as early as August 5?)
PH Coast Guard gets P11 million equipment donation from US | INQUIRER.NET – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) received P11 million worth of equipment from the United States (US) to strengthen its maritime law enforcement efforts. On Monday, the US government donated maritime tactical gear and vessel maintenance equipment through the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. “The PCG is on a promising trajectory, and we are committed to support them in achieving their vital and ambitious development goals and in responding to a wide range of maritime challenges,” US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said during the turnover ceremony at the PCG headquarters in Manila. PCG Deputy Commandant for Operations Vice Admiral Eduardo Fabricante noted the ally country’s consistent support. “The United States government has consistently shown its support for this organization throughout the years. They are one of the most vocal advocates for improving [PCG] capabilities, in addition to the funding for education and training of the men and women of the PCG,” he said. The donation includes “visual detection and monitoring equipment, first aid kits to support fleet-provided trauma care, and an array of tools for conducting shore-based maintenance of PCG vessels.” Currently, the PCG and the US Embassy are teaming up to prepare for the visit of the US Coast Guard Cutter Midgett to the Philippines next week.
