News Roundup 27 June 2023
Jun 27, 2023 • 5 min Read
Gadon’s anti-poverty czarship questioned: Any plans or programs? | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Progressive groups have questioned President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s selection of controversial lawyer Larry Gadon as anti-poverty czar and what programs will be created for the poor.
Former senatorial candidate and current president of the anti-poverty group Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) Luke Espiritu said the public has a right to know if Gadon has a firm grasp on the causes of poverty and the plans for alleviating it now that he has been appointed to the position.
INQUIRER.net is seeking Gadon’s comment on the concerns raised by the progressive groups.
“Ngayong nagbunga na ang pagdikit ni Gadon sa kusina at namantikaan na siya sa paghirang sa kanya bilang Presidential Adviser on Poverty Alleviation, nararapat lang na hingiin sa kanya ang dalawang bagay. Una, ano ang dahilan ng kahirapan ng masang Pilipino laluna ng mga manggagawa?” Espiritu asked in a statement on Monday night.
(Now that Gadon’s decision to stick close to the kitchen has borne fruit with his designation as a Presidential Adviser on Poverty Alleviation, it is only fitting to ask two things. First, what is the cause of poverty of the Filipino masses, especially the workers?)
“Ikalawa, ano ang mga panukala niyang programa para mapagaan ang kahirapan ng taumbayan, na naka-angkla sa kanyang philosophy on poverty? Kung wala siyang ganitong pagsusuri, ang mabubuking lamang ay ang kanyang poverty of philosophy,” he added.
(Second, what are his proposals for programs that could alleviate the people’s poverty, anchored on his philosophy on poverty? If he does not have these assessments, it would only show his poverty of philosophy.)
Full Story at: Gadon’s anti-poverty czarship questioned: Any plans or programs? | Inquirer News
6 die in Sulu clash between cops and ex-Maimbung vice mayor’s men | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The firefight on Saturday between the group of former Maimbung, Sulu vice mayor Pando Mudjasan and government troops on Saturday has resulted in the death of six persons, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson police colonel Jean Fajardo reported on Tuesday.
She said five of Mudjasan’s men were killed in action (KIA).
A police from PNP Special Action Force also died.
“So far po ay one KIA po ang naitala natin. Doon sa side naman po ng enemy… ay five ang naitala na killed-in-action,” Fajardo gave the figures in a press conference.
(So far, we recorded one KIA [on our side], while on the enemy side, five were recorded to have been killed in action.)
The official also announced Mudjasan was not among the fatalities.
This means, the former vice mayor remains at large.
Meanwhile, 14 were injured on government side.
Four were also injured in the group of the former local official.
(Yung may mga mas malalalim na sugat ay kasalukuyan pa rin pong nasa ospital,” Fajardo said.
(Those with deep wounds are currently in the hospital.)
Full Story at: 6 die in Sulu clash between cops and ex-Maimbung vice mayor’s men | Inquirer News
Prosecution panel denies Teves motion to inhibit from Degamo slay probe — lawyer | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The prosecution panel has denied the motion for them to recuse from handling the preliminary investigation into murder complaints filed against suspended Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. (Negros Oriental) over the brazen assassination of Gov. Roel Degamo, a lawyer said Tuesday.
“The motion for inhibition was denied because for them, as a panel, they act independently,” lawyer Andres Manuel, one of Teves’ counsels, told reporters in Filipino.
But the lawyer raised that their motion does not only cover the prosecution panel, but is also pushing for the recusal of the Department of Justice.
Manuel said they will be asking to have the denial put in writing so they can seek appropriate legal remedies.
Teves earlier asked the DOJ and the prosecution panel to inhibit from proceeding with the ongoing preliminary investigation.
Full Story at: Prosecution panel denies Teves motion to inhibit from Degamo slay probe — lawyer | Philstar.com
Ex-PNP chief’s P409.7 million graft trial to proceed | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Avelino Razon will continue to face trial over the graft and malversation charges filed against him and other former police officials in relation to the alleged “ghost” repair of vehicles worth more than P400 million over 15 years ago.
In a 273-page resolution dated June 21 and released on Friday night, the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division denied Razon’s demurrer to evidence in two graft and two malversation through falsification of documents charges filed against him.
A demurrer to evidence challenges the sufficiency of evidence presented by the prosecution during the trial. The case will be dismissed if a demurrer is granted.
In its ruling, the court said that at this stage of the proceedings, the prosecution’s evidence is strong enough to support the indictments against Razon and over a dozen co-accused.
The cases stemmed from a complaint filed by the Fact-Finding Investigation Bureau of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Law Enforcement Office over the alleged anomalous transactions relating to the repair and maintenance of 28 units of V-150 Light Armored Vehicles of the PNP totaling P409.74 million in 2007.
In 2012, the ombudsman found probable cause to file charges of graft, malversation and procurement law violation in relation to four transactions.
During the trial, the prosecution alleged that the accused falsified public documents to make it appear that there were valid biddings and that there were deliveries made.
The malversation and graft cases against Razon that will proceed to trial involved the alleged anomalous procurement of vehicle supplies, spare parts and maintenance worth P134.388 million and P239.615 million.
In both transactions, the court noted that the former police chief signed the purchase and work orders “despite the defects and irregularities therein.”
Full Story at: Ex-PNP chief’s P409.7 million graft trial to proceed | Philstar.com
