News Roundup 29 January 2024
Jan 29, 2024 • 4 min Read
Marcos, Romualdez lash out at Dutertes for ‘drug addict’ accusation | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — In a first, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has rebuked former President Rodrigo Duterte for publicly accusing him of taking illegal drugs, saying that the former leader is suffering from his use of the “highly addictive” Fentanyl drug.
Similarly, House Speaker Martin Romualdez has also publicly called out the former president and his congressman son for levying “wild accusations” against the president during a rally over the weekend that observers believe is ultimately the Dutertes’ show of force and political clout.
Marcos said on Monday in an interview with reporters: “It is highly addictive and it has very serious side effects. And PRRd has been taking the drug for a very long time now. When was the last time he told us that he was taking fentanyl?”
Romualdez on Sunday challenged the former president and Rep. Paolo Duterte (Davao City) to present proof of the accusations they flung at Marcos during their Davao City prayer rally, which was held to oppose attempts to change the Charter.
Full Story at: Marcos, Romualdez lash out at Dutertes for ‘drug addict’ accusation | Philstar.com
House leaders to snub Senate probe on People’s Initiative | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — House Majority Leader Manuel Dalipe on Monday turned down the Senate’s invitation for House lawmakers to attend its committee hearing on the alleged vote-buying practices of those behind the People’s Initiative (PI) campaign, saying that one senator is out to implicate House members.
“While we appreciate Senator Marcos’ open invitation to the Senate probe, it seems we in the House have our hands full crafting legislation aimed at enhancing the lives of our fellow Filipinos,” Dalipe said in a press conference.
“Perhaps while we focus on building bridges, others seem more inclined to hunt for witches,” the House majority leader added.
This comes after Sen. Imee Marcos — the president’s sister — extended an open invitation for House members to attend the Senate probe, saying that the inquiry would be an opportunity for them to “defend” themselves.
While House Speaker Martin Romualdez has repeatedly distanced himself from the ongoing PI campaign to change the 1987 Constitution, Marcos said last week that the House leader “definitely” orchestrated the campaign and offered a P20 million reward for each legislative district that clinches enough signatures.
Full Story at: House leaders to snub Senate probe on People’s Initiative | Philstar.com
Comelec suspends proceedings for people’s initiative to amend Charter | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday said it will halt all proceedings related to the signature drive for amending the 1987 Constitution via people’s initiative (PI).
This includes the Comelec’s acceptance of signatures in their local offices.
In a press conference in Manila, Comelec Chair George Garcia said that the commission has decided to suspend all PI proceedings to make way for reviewing and amendment rules regarding the initiative.
“This is an act of due diligence on the part of Comelec en banc,” Garcia said.
“Kapag pinayagan namin ang pagtanggap [ng pirma] tapos alam naming may problema…kami po ang masisisi,” he continued.
(If we allow the acceptance [of signatures] while knowing there is a problem…we will be blamed.)
Full Story at: Comelec suspends proceedings for people’s initiative (inquirer.net)
PH denies ‘special arrangements’ with China to supply troops on reef | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA – The Philippines on Monday denied China had a “temporary special arrangement” with Manila to allow the delivery of supplies to Philippine troops occupying a disputed South China Sea reef, calling it “a figment of imagination”.
The Chinese coastguard said on Saturday it had temporarily allowed the Philippines to provide food and water to soldiers stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre, a vessel grounded in 1999 at the Second Thomas Shoal, 190 km (118 miles) off Palawan province, to assert Manila’s territorial claims.
“This is a figment of the imagination of the Chinese coastguard. There is no truth to this.” National Security Council spokesperson Jonathan Malaya told state-run broadcaster PTV-4.
The Chinese coastguard said the Philippines air-dropped supplies to the navy vessel on Jan. 21. Malaya did not confirm nor deny the airdrop, but said supplying troops was his country’s right.
“We do not need to get the permission of anyone, including the Chinese coastguard, when we bring supplies through whatever means, whether by ship or air,” Malaya said.
The Philippines’ occupation of the shoal has irked Beijing and has been a flashpoint in recent disputes between them, which have intensified under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who has sought stronger ties with the U.S. military.
Full Story at: PH denies ‘special arrangements’ with China to supply troops on reef | Inquirer News
