News Roundup 26 June 2024
Jun 26, 2024 • 5 min Read
Hontiveros: Is ‘Alice Leal Guo’ a stolen identity? | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — “Is this a case of stolen identity? Has Guo Hua Ping assumed the identity of a Filipino woman?”
Sen. Risa Hontiveros couldn’t help but raise these questions on Wednesday after finding out that a different individual with the name Alice Leal Guo already exists in the database of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Her panel is investigating Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Leal Guo’s alleged involvement in the raided Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) hub in Bamban.
“I want you all to take a good hard look at this document. The birthday on the birth certificate of [Bamban, Tarlac Mayor] Alice Leal Guo is the same: July 12, 1986. The spelling of the name is the same, but the faces are different,” Hontiveros said in Filipino during the hearing.
The documents that Hontiveros presented are record clearances provided by the NBI. A quick look at the documents would show that both individuals have the same date of birth. Both of them hail from Tarlac.
“I have many questions. Is it a coincidence that two Alice Leal Guo were born on July 12, 1986, in Tarlac? Is it a coincidence that this NBI clearance was applied for just a few days before the date of filing of the delayed registration of birth of the other Alice Leal Guo in Tarlac City? Or is this a case of stolen identity?” she added.
In her closing remarks, Hontiveros said she is convinced that the name Alice Leal Guo was stolen from a Filipino.
“She did not only steal her citizenship but also the identity of a Filipino. A Chinese citizen who managed to fraudulently obtain the status of a Filipino citizen, run for mayor, and gain the trust and friendship of very powerful and influential Filipinos — some of which seem to include politicians,” the senator added.
Full Story at: Hontiveros: Is ‘Alice Leal Guo’ a stolen identity? (inquirer.net)
Escudero: VP Duterte’s election announcement signals early politicking | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said Vice President Sara Duterte’s earlier pronouncement that her father and brothers are gearing up for their respective senatorial bids signals that the politics and politicking in the country have begun ahead of the 2025 midterm polls.
The newly-instated Senate chief, however, stressed that a lot more can happen before the official filing of certificates of candidacy in October.
“[P]ara sa akin, matagal pa ang last day of filing at [marami] pang pwede mangyari, tulad ng nakita natin sa mga nagdaang panahon,” he said in a text message to reporters.
(For me, the last day of filing is still a long time away and as we have seen in the past, a lot more can happen.)
“Bagamat hudyat ito na simula na ang pulitika at pamumulitika sa ating bansa kaugnay ng nalalapit na halalan sa 2025,” he added.
(This signals that politics and politicking in our country have begun in relation to the upcoming 2025 elections.)
Escudero maintained that the Dutertes have the right to run for any position.
“Karapatan nila tumakbo sa anumang posisyon sa darating na halalan at karapatan ng ating mga kababayan na pumili at piliin ang nais nilang manilbihan sa anumang pwesto sa pamahalaan,” he said.
(It is their right to run for any position in the upcoming election and the right of our countrymen to choose and choose who they want to serve in any position in the government.)
Full Story at: Escudero: Duterte’s election announcement signals early politicking (inquirer.net)
Duterte family’s Senate ambitions slammed | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — A party-list lawmaker on Tuesday slammed the plan of the Duterte family to expand their political dynasty following Vice President Sara Duterte’s announcement that her father and two brothers will each seek a Senate seat.
Recently, the vice president said that former president Rodrigo Duterte and sons Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte shall each seek a Senate seat in the 2025 midterm elections. She also confirmed that the family is already preparing for the 2028 presidential race, with Baste being groomed as their presidential candidate.
“This is the height of bureaucrat capitalism, where a single family wants to control every aspect of a nation’s politics,” said ACT Teachers partylist Rep. France Castro in a statement.
Full Story at: Duterte family’s Senate ambitions slammed | Philstar.com
Foreign governments welcome De Lima acquittal | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Foreign governments welcomed the acquittal of former senator Leila de Lima in the final criminal charge against her.
The US State Department said Washington remains committed to working with the Philippines to strengthen democracy and human rights around the world.
“We continue to urge the Philippines to resolve politically motivated cases, including those against journalists and civil society, in a manner consistent with its international human rights obligations and commitments,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a June 24 statement.
De Lima’s acquittal followed her release on bail in November 2023 after nearly seven years of detention and her acquittal on two separate politically-motivated criminal charges.
US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson welcomed the dismissal of all cases against De Lima.
“The United States supports rule of law and respect for fundamental rights and freedoms around the world,” Carlson wrote on Twitter.
European Union Ambassador Luc Veron said the acquittal of de Lima and her co-defendants by the Muntinlupa City court is a “victory for justice.”
Full Story at: Foreign governments welcome De Lima acquittal | Philstar.com
