News Roundup 30 January 2024
Jan 30, 2024 • 4 min Read
Marcos: Philippines firm on sovereignty, seeks peaceful talks with China | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stressed Tuesday the Philippines’ resolute stance in defending its sovereignty against Chinese provocations, while emphasizing the country’s commitment to resolving issues through peaceful dialogues.
Marcos acknowledged that the South China Sea “remains to be a point of contention” during his meeting with Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong in Hanoi.
Marcos’ state visit also witnessed the signing of memoranda of understanding on “incident prevention and management in the South China Sea” and on cooperation between the coast guards of the Philippines and Vietnam.
“We are firm in defending our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction against these Chinese provocations,” Marcos said.
“But at the same time, we are also seeking to address these issues with China and all other partners through peaceful dialogue and consultations as two equal sovereign states,” he added.
Full Story at: Marcos: Philippines firm on sovereignty, seeks peaceful talks with China | Philstar.com
PIRMA confirms coordinating with Romualdez for People’s Initiative signatures | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The head of the People’s Initiative for Modernization and Reform Action (PIRMA) admitted to coordinating with House Speaker Martin Romualdez and other House lawmakers in gathering 3% of voters’ signatures per legislative district for the People’s Initiative (PI) campaign.
During the Senate’s probe on the PI campaign on Tuesday, Noel Oñate, lead convenor of the group behind the “EDSA-pwera” ad, confirmed that his group met with House lawmakers for “help” in the signature drive to amend the 1987 Constitution.
Oñate made the admission in response to Sen. Imee Marcos, who flashed a screengrab of a text message containing a picture of him with Romualdez and other House lawmakers. The text message also contained the words “‘People’s Initiative for Charter Change Staff Meeting’ dated January 8, 2024.’”
Marcos asked if Romualdez is “supporting … and all out behind the PI.”
“Yes, we coordinate with the Speaker and the congressmen in getting 3% signatures per congressional district. That’s correct,” Oñate said.
Full Story at: PIRMA confirms coordinating with Romualdez for People’s Initiative signatures | Philstar.com
Former SC Justice Carpio reacts to Comelec rules on people’s initiative | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines – If the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will amend its existing rules on the conduct of people’s initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution, retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Antonio Carpio said it cannot touch two key provisions of the rules.
On Monday, Comelec Chairman George Garcia announced that the commission has decided to suspend all people’s initiative proceedings to make may for reviewing and amendment the rules regarding the initiative.
Garcia was referring to Comelec Resolution 10650, the rule governing the conduct of people’s initiative, promulgated on Jan. 31, 2020.
“I have no idea what amendments they want. But they should not change or remove Section 7 (b) of the Definition of Terms and Section 8 (a) on Prohibited Measures because they embody Lambino v. Comelec,” Carpio told INQUIRER.net.
“If they change or remove these provisions, then they are obviously favoring the proponents of the present people’s initiative,” he added.
Full Story at: Former SC Justice Carpio reacts to Comelec rules on people’s initiative | Inquirer News
Marcos-Duterte alliance shaken as battle lines drawn | INQUIRER.NET – DAVAO CITY, Davao del Sur, Philippines — The Duterte family has finally drawn the battle lines in its uncertain alliance with President Marcos.
From Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte calling for Mr. Marcos’ resignation to his brother Rep. Paolo Duterte lashing out at a party list representative heading a people’s initiative campaign in this city, and now former President Rodrigo Duterte warning Mr. Marcos that he may be ousted like his father—almost the entire Duterte family, indeed, vented its resentment toward the President in a rally here on Sunday night timed with Mr. Marcos’ “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines) launch in Manila.
“I feel very bad [because] the ICC (International Criminal Court) never landed in this country before, but after the change of administration, they’re suddenly here, and they want to imprison my father,” Baste said in a gathering before the Sunday night rally, referring to the ICC’s investigation in the drug war case against his father.
The mayor reminded the President of his father’s accommodation of the Marcos family’s request to have the remains of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos Sr. exhumed to the Heroes’ Cemetery.
“Think of the Romanovs, Mussolini and his wife, think of what happened to you [and your family] in 1986, maybe you will reconsider the decision you are taking,” Baste said of the Charter change (Cha-cha) drive being pushed by Mr. Marcos’ congressional allies.
Full Story at: Marcos-Duterte alliance shaken as battle lines drawn | Inquirer News
