News Roundup 26 November 2023
Nov 26, 2023 • 4 min Read
De Lima urges probe of former Justice chiefs after CA ruling | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Leila de Lima has called for the investigation into former Justice chiefs Vitaliano Aguirre II and Menardo Guevarra after the Court of Appeals ordered the Office of the Ombudsman to act on her complaints against the two.
De Lima secured another legal victory as the CA reversed the Ombudsman’s dismissal of her complaints against Aguirre and Guevarra over the government’s use of convicted criminals as state witnesses. The court voided the notices issued by the Ombudsman, citing “lack of due process.”
In a statement Sunday, the former justice chief of late President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III welcomed the development.
“With the reversal of the Ombudsman dismissal by the CA, I expect the Ombudsman to now conduct a full investigation of both Aguirre and Guevarra,” De Lima said.
De Lima added that Guevarra, who currently serves as the solicitor general, should at least be required “to answer the administrative aspect of the case and defend his role in propping up criminal convicts as state witnesses even if they are disqualified from being granted immunity under the law.”
In 2018, De Lima filed complaints against Aguirre and Guevarra for granting state witness status and immunity to convicted criminals, a violation of the Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act.
Full Story at: De Lima urges probe of former Justice chiefs after CA ruling | Philstar.com
Filipino hostage freed by Hamas to receive Israeli gov’t support | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Filipino worker freed by the Palestinian militant group Hamas is set to receive social security benefits and regular stipends from the Israeli government, authorities said Sunday.
Jimmy Pacheco, a caregiver working in Israel, was among the hostages released to the Red Cross in war-torn Gaza by Hamas Friday, according to Qatar, which mediated the deal.
The 33-year-old Filipino worker was among the 200 people taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7 attack.
The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv said the Israeli government “will provide Jimmy and his immediate family lifetime social security benefits and regular stipends” similar to those given to Israelis.
The embassy added that Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen visited Pacheco at the hospital where he is recovering.
The Filipino worker was “in high spirits” and appeared “to be in good health” after his release, the embassy earlier said.
Full Story at: Filipino hostage freed by Hamas to receive Israeli gov’t support | Philstar.com
PNP, gov’t security agencies laud President’s amnesty grant to ex-rebels | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has voiced its support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s move to grant amnesty to former communist and secessionist rebels.
Malacañang announced on Friday that Marcos has issued Proclamations 403, 404, 405, and 406, granting amnesty to former members of rebel groups in the country.
“We firmly believe that amnesty initiatives for former members of such groups, within the bounds of the legal framework, prioritize public safety and contribute significantly to fostering peace and stability in our nation,” PNP Public Information Officer Col. Jean Fajardo said in a statement on Saturday.
Fajardo emphasized that this initiative is a significant step towards reintegrating rebels back into the fold of the law.
Full Story at: PNP, gov’t agencies laud President’s amnesty grant to ex-rebels (inquirer.net)
Chinese jets seen shadowing PH aircraft during AFP drill with Australia | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Chinese jets shadowed an aircraft used during the joint patrol of Australia and the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea on Sunday, according to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff General Romeo Brawner Jr.
Brawner said two People’s Liberation Army (PLA) jet fighters were found circling a Philippine Air Force’s Super Tucano attack aircraft around the vicinity of Hubo Reef in Kalayaan Island Group.
“May dalawang Chinese jet fighters na umikot dun sa plane natin,” Brawner told reporters in a phone interview.
(There were two Chinese jet fighters circling our plane.)
“Umikot yung mga eroplano, jet fighters inikutan yung Super Tucano natin. Pero yung Super Tucano dirediretso lang … kung ano yung flight path nya, kung ano yung plano nya, tuloy-tuloy lang,” he also said.
(The jet fighters circled our Super Tucano, but our Super Tucano went on its way. It went on its plan and flight path.)
Full Story at: Chinese jets circle PH aircraft during AFP drill with Australia (inquirer.net)
