News Roundup 28 July 2023
Jul 28, 2023 • 4 min Read
Muntinlupa court junks DOJ’s appeal to reopen De Lima’s 2nd drug case | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — A Muntinlupa court has junked the prosecution’s bid to reverse the acquittal of former Sen. Leila De Lima from one of her two remaining drug trafficking charges in May.
In a decision dated July 6, the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 204 said that the motion for prosecution filed by the prosecution is “denied for lack of merit.”
In May, the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 204 dismissed the case filed by the justice department against De Lima and her former driver Ronnie Dayan in February 2017. The two were cleared of conspiring to commit illegal drug trading.
For this case, the Muntinlupa court based its decision on the recantation of one of the witnesses against De Lima, former Bureau of Corrections chief Rafael Ragos, in junking the charges against her.
“Every acquittal becomes final immediately upon promulgation and cannot be recalled for correction or amendment. With the acquittal being immediately final, granting the State’s motion for reconsideration in this case would violate the Constitutional prohibition against double jeopardy because it would effectively reopen the prosecution and subject the accused to a second jeopardy despite their acquittal,” the decision read.
Full Story at: Muntinlupa court junks DOJ’s appeal to reopen De Lima’s 2nd drug case | Philstar.com
‘Egay’ leaves 13 dead, 500,000 affected — NDRRMC | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Egay left at least 13 people dead and 500,000 others affected before exiting country, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported Friday.
Six cases of deaths have been confirmed by the disaster risk reduction council, while the other seven are still being validated, according to NDRRMC’s report.
In its latest report, the NDRRMC said that the combined effects of Egay and the southwest monsoon have affected more than 500,000 locals and displaced more than 42,000. Around 12 have also been injured.
Around 17,000 locals from Regions 1, Region 2, Region 3, MIMAROPA and Region 6 were also pre-emptively evacuated by officials in anticipation of the the cyclone and southwest monsoon, the NDRRMC said.
Of the affected population — or people forced to move out of their homes — at least 29,000 have been served inside evacuation centers and more than 13,000 were accommodated, the NDRRMC added.
Full Story at: ‘Egay’ leaves 13 dead, 500,000 affected — NDRRMC | Philstar.com
Coast Guard relieves 2 substation personnel after Laguna Lake tragedy | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday announced the suspension of two officers assigned at the Binangonan, Rizal substation after a motor banca capsized and resulted in the death of 27 passengers.
PCG Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu said the suspension was carried out to make way for the investigation of the incident.
“Hindi pa natin masabi agad na may pagkukulang sila, kaya yung purpose ng investigation has to determine kung meron ba silang pagkukulang sa pagharap ng kanilang tungkulin,” Abu told reporters in a press briefing.
(We could not immediately conclude whether or not they had lapses. That’s the purpose of this investigation, to determine if they did not fulfill their duties.)
Full Story at: Coast Guard relieves 2 substation personnel after Laguna Lake tragedy | Inquirer News
Nasino’s acquittal must prompt courts to grant humanitarian pleas – Brosas | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker has urged the courts to grant petitions for humanitarian considerations in the future.
Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas made this statement after activist Reina Mae Nasino was acquitted of charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
Nasino had been denied temporary liberty when her infant daughter became ill.
The three-month-old baby eventually died from pneumonia in October 2020.
In a statement on Friday, Brosas said although the court’s declaration that Nasino was innocent is a welcome development, the detainee remained wronged.
The legislator explained that Nasino fairness had not been done since she refused by the court to take care of her child in custody.
“The acquittal of Reina Mae Nasino and her companions is a victory for justice and the recognition of their innocence. It is a testament to the flawed and baseless charges brought against them,” Brosas said.
“It is important to note that Nasino’s legal victory comes after years of unjust detention, and tragically, after the passing of her daughter, Baby River, in 2020,” the lawmaker recalled.
Full Story at: Nasino’s acquittal must prompt courts to grant humanitarian pleas – Brosas | Inquirer News
