Pinoy News Daily

Gun battle with Abu Sayyaf kills 3 soldiers in Sulu

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MANILA — Government troops suffered three casualties in an encounter with Abu Sayyaf rebels in Patikul, Sulu, on Saturday.<br /><br />
According to the military, the combat operation in Sitio Bud Taming in Barangay Kabbontakas was led by Lieutenant Colonel Vlademir Lenos Villanueva of the 35th Infantry Batallion.<br /><br />
The Abu Sayyaf unit Villanueva’s men fought included senior leader Radulan Sahiron and lower-ranking leaders Hatib Hajan Sawajaan, Yasser Igasan and Mujer Yadah.<br /><br />
The gun battle lasted one hour and 45 minutes. Sahiron and his group fled with numerous casualties, a report said.<br /><br />
Seventeen were reported wounded on the government side.
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Gun battle with Abu Sayyaf kills 3 soldiers in Sulu

MANILA — Government troops suffered three casualties in an encounter with Abu Sayyaf rebels in Patikul, Sulu, on Saturday. According ...

FVR, advocates to Duterte: Time running out, implement RH Law

Unknown 0 4:36:00 PM

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Former President Fidel Ramos and other several responsible parenthood advocates on Saturday urged President to intervene in the implementation of the Reproductive Health (RH) Law.<br /><br />
"It is high time to act now. We ask for your intervention to mandate for the full implementation of the RH before time runs out," Ramos and 23 other responsible parenthood advocates said in an open letter to Duterte.<br /><br />
Ramos and the group The Forum for Family Planning and Development Inc. reminded Duterte that he promised the full implementation of the RH Law in his first State of the Nation Address.<br /><br />
"Full implementation of the law will not only safeguard the health and save the lives of thousands of women and children but also reduce poverty and ensure that poor families are able to live a dignified life," the group told Duterte.<br /><br />
Months after former President Benigno Aquino III signed the measure into law, the Supreme Court declared some of its provisions as unconstitutional.<br /><br />
Two temporary restraining orders (TRO) on the implementation of the RH Law has been issued by the high court.<br /><br />
The group told Duterte that the RH Law should be immediately implemented, citing that at least 15 Filipino mother die every day due to pregnancy and childbirth.<br /><br />
"Such act is a blatant disservice to the poor, the very people you vowed to look after and protect. The government must provide free family planning services to those who want it," the RH advocates said in the letter.

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<p>Source: <a href='#'>#</a></p>

FVR, advocates to Duterte: Time running out, implement RH Law

Former President Fidel Ramos and other several responsible parenthood advocates on Saturday urged President to intervene in the implem...

VACC to ask Duterte to prevent De Lima from leaving PHL

Unknown 0 4:12:00 PM

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The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) on Saturday said it will try to make a last-ditch effort to prevent Sen. Leila de Lima from leaving the country on Sunday.<br /><br />
"Nananawagan ako sa Presidente na i-revoke ang clearance na 'yan," Lorenzo "Larry" Gadon, legal counsel of the VACC, said in a forum in Quezon City.<br /><br />
Gadon was referring to the allow departure order (ADO) issued by the Department of Justice to De Lima.<br /><br />
VACC chairman Dante Jimenez said in the same forum that De Lima should stay in the country to answer to the charges that they filed against her.<br /><br />
The VACC filed a drug trafficking complaint against De Lima before the Department of Justice over her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison.<br /><br />
The group had also filed a disbarment case against De Lima before the Supreme Court over the senator's alleged illicit affair with her former driver-bodyguard Ronnie Dayan.<br /><br />
Two more disbarment cases have been filed against De Lima by lawyers Agustin Sundiam and Ricardo Rivera.<br /><br />
Gadon said they have learned that De Lima is leaving on Sunday night.<br /><br />
"It's too late. Nalaman namin na she's leaving tomorrow evening, it's Sunday, Wala na kaming magagawa," said Gadon.<br /><br />
De Lima will be out of the country from December 11 to 22.<br /><br />
Gadon said the only legal recourse they have at the moment is to ask the president to revoke the travel clearance as he has the authority to do so.<br /><br />
Allow departure order<br /><br />
Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, meanwhile, said that his office has issued an order allowing De Lima to leave the country despite the department's lookout bulletin issued against the senator.<br /><br />
"Acting on the letter of Senator De Lima relative to her plan to travel abroad, the Department of Justice has issued an Allow Departure Order or ADO to allow her to travel abroad because no case has as yet been filed against her before the courts,"<br /><br /> Aguirre said.<br /><br />
GMA News Online had sought Aguirre, De Lima, and the Palace for comment about the appeal of the VACC to Duterte but they have yet to reply as of this posting.<br /><br />
'Rotten' justice system<br /><br />
Jimenez, who became emotional during the forum, said he fears that De Lima might not return to the Philippines if allowed to leave for the US and Germany on Sunday.<br /><br />
Criticizing what he calls the "rotten criminal justice system" in the country, Jimenez said, "powerful people, hindi ko na babanggitin, umalis hindi hinarap ang kaso at nagtago, maraming ganun, alam yan ng ating mga abogado."<br /><br />
"But what happened? Pagbalik nila dito, hinihintay lang nila ang absolution ng mga korte. Ganoon po kabulok ang sistema natin," he added.<br /><br />
Jimenez claimed that De Lima is using her knowledge of the law to delay the cases filed against her.<br /><br />
"She knows the law. Kami wala," he said.<br /><br />
He urged De Lima to face the cases filed against her. "Huwag ka nang umalis if you want to be respected," he said.<br /><br />
Jimenez said they would not have any reason to be concerned about De Lima's travel if she had been appearing in the hearings.<br /><br />
He mentioned that they have another hearing on December 21, but De Lima is scheduled to return to the Philippines on December 22.<br /><br />
In a statement on Friday, De Lima said there was nothing to fear about her scheduled trips abroad.<br /><br />
She promised to return to the country after going to the US to receive an award, and to Berlin, Germany to attend the Annual Conference on Cultural Diplomacy.<br /><br />
Hold departure order<br /><br />
Gadon recalled that during De Lima's time as Justice Secretary, she prevented former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from traveling abroad in 2012.<br /><br />
De Lima issued hold departure orders (HDO) against Arroyo pending the filing of plunder and graft charges.<br /><br />
Gadon, who was part of the legal team that defended Arroyo, recalled that De Lima issued the HDO on the basis that the the former president was on the DOJ's Watch List Order (WLO).<br /><br />
He is questioning why De Lima, who is on a WLO herself, was not issued an HDO.<br /><br />
Gadon mentioned that the testimonies during the probes at the Senate and the House of Representatives on the illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison should have been enough to prevent De Lima from leaving the country.<br /><br />
Gadon also noted that one of the countries that De Lima is heading to is Germany, which does not have an extradition treaty with the Philippines.<br /><br />
An extradition treaty allows the transfer of an accused person from one country to another that seeks to put the accused on trial.

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<p>Source: <a href='http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/592005/news/nation/vacc-to-ask-duterte-to-prevent-de-lima-from-leaving-phl'>gmanetwork</a></p>

VACC to ask Duterte to prevent De Lima from leaving PHL

The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) on Saturday said it will try to make a last-ditch effort to prevent Sen. Leila de L...

De Lima to leave for US, Germany with a promise to return

Unknown 0 2:07:00 AM

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Senator Leila de Lima on Friday assured her critics that there is "nothing to worry about" as she prepares to leave for official visits abroad.<br /><br />
In a statement, De Lima, who is the subject of a lookout bulletin issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ), said she is set to receive an award in the United States, and to speak at the Annual Conference on Cultural Diplomacy in Berlin, Germany.<br /><br />
She will abroad from December 11 to 22.<br /><br />
A lookout bulletin directs all immigration officers to closely coordinate with the DOJ and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and inform them of any attempt by the subjects to leave the country by forwarding details of their flight, itineraries and/or whereabouts.<br /><br />
De Lima said both visits are "very important" to her as she will speak before "influential world leaders and global thinkers on raising awareness and support for human rights, an advocacy I am passionate about."<br /><br />
De Lima was chair of the Commission on Human Rights and secretary of the DOJ before she was elected senator in the May 2016 elections.<br /><br />
"This is a great opportunity to meet leaders from various fields from around the world and learn from their respective government's initiatives and challenges about cultural diplomacy," she said.<br /><br />
"There is, however, nothing to worry about as I will surely return, along with my staff who will be with me during these foreign visits. I hope my brief absence would provide a welcome relief and respite to my detractors and critics. I will keep them in mind though," De Lima added.<br /><br />
De Lima is the subject of complaints filed by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, former National Bureau of Investigation directors Reynaldo Esmeralda and Ruel Lasala, and convicted kidnapper Jaybee Sebastian.<br /><br />
Last week, she snubbed the preliminary hearing of the DOJ in relation to the complaints filed against her over her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.

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<p>Source: <a href='http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/591927/news/nation/de-lima-to-leave-for-us-germany-with-a-promise-to-return'>gmanetwork</a></p>

De Lima to leave for US, Germany with a promise to return

Senator Leila de Lima on Friday assured her critics that there is "nothing to worry about" as she prepares to leave for...

Matobato’s complaint aimed to harass, distract Duterte —Palace

Unknown 0 4:13:00 PM

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Malacañang on Friday said that the complaint-affidavit against President Rodrigo Duterte filed at the Office of the Ombudsman was aimed to harass and distract him from doing his work.<br /><br />
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Asec. Anna Marie Rafael-Banaag in a statement pointed out that the Ombudsman cannot remove an impeachable official such as the President.<br /><br />
"It is noteworthy to mention that the Ombudsman cannot discipline or remove impeachable officials, which include the President. He enjoys immunity while in office," she said.<br /><br />
"The complaint is nothing but harassment aimed at distracting the Chief Executive from performing his duty," she added.<br /><br />
Self-confessed hitman Edgar Matobato filed a complaint anchored on his activities as an alleged member of the Davao Death Squad that Duterte supposedly established during his time as a mayor of Davao City.<br /><br />
But Banaag said that the Ombudsman already dismissed an earlier investigation on the so-called DDS.<br /><br />
"The Ombudsman already terminated an earlier investigation on the Davao Death Squad case which linked then Davao City Mayor Duterte," she said.<br /><br />
Aside from Duterte, Matobato tagged 27 others in his complaint including presidential son and Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and Philippine National Police chief Dir. Gen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa.

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<p>Source: <a href='http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/591867/news/nation/matobato-s-complaint-aimed-to-harass-distract-duterte-palace-nbsp'>gmanetwork</a></p>

Matobato’s complaint aimed to harass, distract Duterte —Palace

Malacañang on Friday said that the complaint-affidavit against President Rodrigo Duterte filed at the Office of the Ombudsman was aime...

Gordon: Trillanes, De Lima behind Matobato complaint vs. Duterte

Unknown 0 3:46:00 PM

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Malacañang on Friday said that the complaint-affidavit against President Rodrigo Duterte filed at the Office of the Ombudsman was aimed to harass and distract him from doing his work.<br /><br />
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Asec. Anna Marie Rafael-Banaag in a statement pointed out that the Ombudsman cannot remove an impeachable official such as the President.<br /><br />
"It is noteworthy to mention that the Ombudsman cannot discipline or remove impeachable officials, which include the President. He enjoys immunity while in office," she said.<br /><br />
"The complaint is nothing but harassment aimed at distracting the Chief Executive from performing his duty," she added.<br /><br />
Self-confessed hitman Edgar Matobato filed a complaint anchored on his activities as an alleged member of the Davao Death Squad that Duterte supposedly established during his time as a mayor of Davao City.<br /><br />
But Banaag said that the Ombudsman already dismissed an earlier investigation on the so-called DDS.<br /><br />
"The Ombudsman already terminated an earlier investigation on the Davao Death Squad case which linked then Davao City Mayor Duterte," she said.<br /><br />
Aside from Duterte, Matobato tagged 27 others in his complaint including presidential son and Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and Philippine National Police chief Dir. Gen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa.

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<p>Source: <a href='http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/591869/news/nation/gordon-trillanes-de-lima-behind-matobato-complaint-vs-duterte'>gmanetwork</a></p>

Gordon: Trillanes, De Lima behind Matobato complaint vs. Duterte

Malacañang on Friday said that the complaint-affidavit against President Rodrigo Duterte filed at the Office of the Ombudsman was aime...

VACC, ex-NBI officials oppose De Lima bid for DOJ to inhibit from drug raps

Unknown 0 3:24:00 PM

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Two of the four complainants opposed on Friday the bid of Senator Leila De Lima for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to transfer to the Office of the Ombudsman the complaints in relation to her alleged involvement in the Bilibid drug trade.<br /><br />
Complainants Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) and former National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) deputy directors Ruel Lasala and Reynaldo Esmeralda said De Lima's motion was against the law and the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the DOJ and Ombudsman on concurrent jurisdiction on cases involving government officials and employees.<br /><br />
In their joint opposition, the complainants said only the DOJ has the jurisdiction to handle drug cases under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (Republic Act 9165).<br /><br />
"It is elementary that jurisdiction is vested by law and not by agreement of the parties. Considering that RA 9165 has vested the handling of cases and preliminary investigation involving violations of the said law to the special prosecutors designated by the DOJ, the Ombudsman has no jurisdiction to handle the preliminary investigation of the instant cases despite the MOA (memorandum of agreement between DOJ and Ombudsman)," the joint opposition stated.<br /><br />
The complainants also rebuffed De Lima's claim of lack of objectivity on the part of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II and the five-man panel of prosecutors, calling it a pure "figment" of her imagination.<br /><br />
"Surely, if there is anyone who should be moving for the inhibition of the honorable panel, it should be the complainants," the joint opposition read.<br /><br />
De Lima snubbed the preliminary hearing on December 2. She instead sent her staff, Romeo Siazon, to obtain copies of the complaints.<br /><br />
The senator is accused of tolerating drug syndicates inside the national penitentiary in exchange for campaign funds for the 2016 elections.<br /><br />
De Lima has repeatedly denied the allegations which she called a fabrication by the government. She has been critical of the current administration because of its bloody war on drugs.

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<p>Source: <a href='http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/591883/news/nation/vacc-ex-nbi-officials-oppose-de-lima-bid-for-doj-to-inhibit-from-drug-raps'>gmanetwork</a></p>

VACC, ex-NBI officials oppose De Lima bid for DOJ to inhibit from drug raps

Two of the four complainants opposed on Friday the bid of Senator Leila De Lima for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to transfer to the...

Senate committee report flags De Lima, Trillanes for 'unparliamentary conduct'

Unknown 0 3:21:00 PM

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A Senate committee report said senators Leila de Lima and Antonio Trillanes IV should be held accountable for their alleged "unparliamentary conduct" during the upper assembly's probe on extrajudicial killings (EJKs).<br /><br />
The report was prepared by Senators Richard Gordon and Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the Senate committees on justice and human rights, and public order and dangerous drugs, respectively.<br /><br />
Eleven senators have signed the report but both Trillanes and De Lima did not sign it.<br /><br />
"As elected Senators of the Republic, we must at all times conduct ourselves as honorable men and women observing the highest ethical standards in the performance of our duties," part of the 101-page report said.<br /><br />
Citing the rules of the Senate, the report said "acts and language which offend a senator or any public institution shall be deemed unparliamentary."<br /><br />
The report noted De Lima's supposed deliberate "material concealment" of information concerning a kidnapping case filed against confessed hitman Edgar Matobato.<br /><br />
It also noted that the committee, which De Lima chaired until she was ousted by majority of the senators, was used to "retaliate" against President Rodrigo Duterte after De Lima was dragged into allegations of being involved in the illegal drug trade.<br /><br />
"To defend herself and retaliate against the President, she led the Justice committee to target Duterte and show his propensity for EJK, by presenting and using a lying, inconsistent and unreliable witness," it said.<br /><br />
On Trillanes, the report cited the incident where the senator supposedly allowed Matobato to leave the Senate premises before the hearing was suspended.<br /><br />
Trillanes had been securing the safety of Matobato since the witness appeared before the Senate probe.
"When it was clear that Matobato's failure to reveal the real accused would be cornered with the damaging information presented by the NBI, he was conveniently whisked away," the report said.<br /><br />
After De Lima and Trillanes supposedly apologized to Gordon for their acts, they continued to complain about how the hearing was being conducted before the media.<br /><br />
"All these manifest unparliamentary conduct committed by senators De Lima and Trillanes for which both should be held accountable in order to preserve the integrity of the Senate," it concluded.<br /><br />
The committee report said there was no proof to indicate that the recent rampant killings are state-sponsored.<br /><br />
It also said that the committee did not find any evidence to prove that the so-called Davao Death Squad exists, contrary to Matobato's accusations.

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<p>Source: <a href='http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/591915/news/nation/senate-committee-report-flags-de-lima-trillanes-for-unparliamentary-conduct-nbsp'>gmanetwork</a></p>

Senate committee report flags De Lima, Trillanes for 'unparliamentary conduct'

A Senate committee report said senators Leila de Lima and Antonio Trillanes IV should be held accountable for their alleged "unpa...

De Lima to leave for US, Germany with a promise to return

Unknown 0 3:15:00 PM

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Senator Leila de Lima on Friday assured her critics that there is "nothing to worry about" as she prepares to leave for official visits abroad.<br /><br />
In a statement, De Lima, who is the subject of a lookout bulletin issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ), said she is set to receive an award in the United States, and to speak at the Annual Conference on Cultural Diplomacy in Berlin, Germany.<br /><br />
She will abroad from December 11 to 22.<br /><br />
A lookout bulletin directs all immigration officers to closely coordinate with the DOJ and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and inform them of any attempt by the subjects to leave the country by forwarding details of their flight, itineraries and/or whereabouts.<br /><br />
De Lima said both visits are "very important" to her as she will speak before "influential world leaders and global thinkers on raising awareness and support for human rights, an advocacy I am passionate about."<br /><br />
De Lima was chair of the Commission on Human Rights and secretary of the DOJ before she was elected senator in the May 2016 elections.<br /><br />
"This is a great opportunity to meet leaders from various fields from around the world and learn from their respective government's initiatives and challenges about cultural diplomacy," she said.<br /><br />
"There is, however, nothing to worry about as I will surely return, along with my staff who will be with me during these foreign visits. I hope my brief absence would provide a welcome relief and respite to my detractors and critics. I will keep them in mind though," De Lima added.<br /><br />
De Lima is the subject of complaints filed by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, former National Bureau of Investigation directors Reynaldo Esmeralda and Ruel Lasala, and convicted kidnapper Jaybee Sebastian.<br /><br />
Last week, she snubbed the preliminary hearing of the DOJ in relation to the complaints filed against her over her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.

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<p>Source: <a href='http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/591927/news/nation/de-lima-to-leave-for-us-germany-with-a-promise-to-return'>gmanetwork</a></p>

De Lima to leave for US, Germany with a promise to return

Senator Leila de Lima on Friday assured her critics that there is "nothing to worry about" as she prepares to leave for offi...

Drilon, De Lima deny Duterte ouster plot

Unknown 0 4:43:00 PM

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At least two Liberal Party (LP) senators on Thursday refuted the statement of President Rodrigo Duterte that his “yellow” critics are plotting his ouster from Malacañang.<br /><br />
Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin Drilon said Duterte’s allegation was “totally unfounded.”<br /><br />
“Walang katotohanan yan. We have not discussed any plot to change the President. We respect the mandate of the people,” Drilon told reporters.<br /><br />
He said LP’s opposition to certain issues, like the burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, has nothing to do with any ouster plan.<br /><br />
Another LP senator, Leila de Lima, a staunch critic of Duterte, said their party was just “making their voices hear” when it opposed extrajudicial killings, proposals to reimpose death penalty, and the “misogynistic acts and behavior.”<br /><br />
“The ‘yellows,’ including the LP senators, are simply weighing in or making their voices heard on those issues of deep public interest,” De Lima said.<br /><br />
“And, certainly, we're not doing that to benefit any political figure or promote any political agenda,” she added.<br /><br />
De Lima said Duterte should not “silence” citizens who are speaking up on serious issues affecting the nation by making “paranoid accusations.”<br /><br />
The President earlier said that the “yellows” were holding protests against him because they cannot accept defeat.<br /><br />
Duterte was referring to the political color of the LP, which was the ruling party before he won the presidency in the last elections.

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<p>Source: <a href='http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/591708/news/nation/drilon-de-lima-deny-duterte-ouster-plot'>gmanetwork</a></p>

Drilon, De Lima deny Duterte ouster plot

At least two Liberal Party (LP) senators on Thursday refuted the statement of President Rodrigo Duterte that his “yellow” critics are ...

Drilon to Duterte: Let due process take course in Espinosa slay case

Unknown 0 4:33:00 PM

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Senate President Pro Tempore Franklin Drilon on Thursday appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to let due process take its course in connection with the murder charges filed against cops involved in the death of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa.<br /><br />
In an interview with reporters, Drilon said Duterte will only have a say on the matter if and when he decides to pardon the policemen.<br /><br />
“We therefore appeal to the President, being a former prosecutor, to allow the process to proceed. Ibig sabihin, hayaan mo na ang piskal na suriin ang ebidesnyang ihaharap ng NBI (National Bureau of Investigation),” Duterte said.<br /><br />
Drilon said the decision would then still be appealable before the justice secretary, and when the President is not satisfied with the final finding, he can always pardon the accused.<br /><br />
“That is the process. But at this stage, I would appeal to the President to let the process proceed,” he said.<br /><br />
Drilon pointed out that even Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre has expressed before the Senate that Espinosa’s death was premeditated.<br /><br />
“Hindi ko malaman ano gagawin ni Secretary Aguirre dahil sinabi niya na premeditated ang pagpatay kay Mayor Espinosa. I would want to seek a clarification,” the senator said.<br /><br />
Malacañang had clarified that Duterte’s statement that he will not allow the cops involved in Espinosa’s death to go to jail does not mean that he will interfere with due process.<br /><br />
"The recent pronouncements of the President pertaining to the PNP, standing by his men, are critical to maintaining their high morale, with the end in view of succeeding in the anti-drug campaign," presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.<br /><br />
"It should not be misinterpreted to mean that the President will intervene in investigations or any legal proceedings in order to exculpate erring cops," Abella added.<br /><br />
The NBI has said that Espinosa’s death was a result of a rubout by several Leyte police officers.<br /><br />
Complaints for murder, robbery, malicious procurement of search warrant, perjury and planting of evidence were filed before the Department of Justice on December 2 against 25 people, including Supt. Marvin Marcos, former CIDG Eastern Visayas director, and other members of the raiding team.

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<p>Source: <a href='http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/591713/news/nation/drilon-to-duterte-let-due-process-take-course-in-espinosa-slay-case'>gmanetwork</a></p>

Drilon to Duterte: Let due process take course in Espinosa slay case

Senate President Pro Tempore Franklin Drilon on Thursday appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to let due process take its course in c...

LP senators to oppose proposals reimposing death penalty

Unknown 0 4:30:00 PM

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Liberal Party (LP) senators are opposed to legislative proposals reimposing death penalty, Senate President Pro Tempore Franklin Drilon said Thursday.<br /><br />
“The LPs in the Senate will not vote in favor of the reimposition of death penalty. We are against the re-imposition of death penalty,” Drilon told reporters.<br /><br />
“Our less than ideal justice system can result in someone being executed when he was in fact innocent…Kapag nagkamali ka, hindi mo na pwedeng bawiin,” Drilon added.<br /><br />
Drilon further said that they are not convinced that the reimposition of death penalty will lead to a deterrence of crime.<br /><br />
Senator Leila de Lima, also a member of the LP, said she was against the death penalty whatever the offenses the proposed measures intend to cover.<br /><br />
“Whatever is the offense or the offenses covered, whether drug-related lang, cases of violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, or other heinous crimes, I am against death penalty,” De Lima said.<br /><br />
Senators Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV, Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, and Ralph Recto are also members of the LP, while Senator Risa Hontiveros is a close ally of the party.<br /><br />
There are at least seven legislative proposals seeking to reimpose death penalty filed before the Senate, three of which were filed by Senator Manny Pacquiao.<br /><br />
Pacquiao has already presented his position before the Senate justice and human rights committee during its first hearing on the proposals.<br /><br />
Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III was non-committal whether legislative proposals restoring the death penalty will pass at the upper house.<br /><br />
He said however that he was keeping an “open mind” about it in order to support President Rodrigo Duterte’s initiative, the proposal being a priority bill.<br /><br />
Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, meanwhile, was positive that the death penalty proposals will pass.<br /><br />
He said plenary discussions will likely begin by February or March.<br /><br />
“Mapapasa pero matagagalan but I think there’s a very strong possibility that it will pass especially if it’s my proposal, which is only for high-level drug trafficking,” Sotto earlier said.

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<p>Source: <a href='http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/591739/news/nation/lp-senators-to-oppose-proposals-reimposing-death-penalty'>gmanetwork</a></p>

LP senators to oppose proposals reimposing death penalty

Liberal Party (LP) senators are opposed to legislative proposals reimposing death penalty, Senate President Pro Tempore Franklin Drilo...

Hontiveros: 'Deadly combo' bills to lead to 'death row kids'

Unknown 0 4:25:00 PM

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Senator Risa Hontiveros sounded alarm Thursday on simultaneous efforts to bring back the death penalty and lower the age of criminal responsibility, calling it a "deadly combination that will condemn Filipino children to a dark and sinister future in which they will become death row kids.”<br /><br />
In a press conference organized by Amnesty International Philippines, Hontiveros said there is no empirical proof that death penalty, the reimposition of which is being supported by many congressmen, is an effective deterrent against crime.<br /><br />
She said the measure even contradicts the government’s supposed thrust on the rehabilitation and reformation programs for convicted drug users and criminals.<br /><br />
"The broad scope of crimes punishable by death, including the mere possession of illegal drugs, is extremely bothering. What is therefore the point of building a mega-drug rehabilitation center in Nueva Ecija if the government wants all the drug addicts killed anyway?” the senator asked.<br /><br />
The House justice committee on Wednesday passed the substitute measure seeking to reinstate the death penalty, which is one of the administration’s legislative priorities.<br /><br />
Among the heinous crimes punishable by capital punishment under the bill include treason; qualified bribery; parricide; murder; infanticide; rape; kidnapping and serious illegal detention; robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons; destructive arson; plunder and possession of dangerous drugs.<br /><br />
The mode of capital punishment could either be through hanging, by firing squad or lethal injection.<br /><br />
Dinagat Islands Rep. Arlene Bag-ao expressed alarm at the rush with which her colleagues aim to approve the death penalty bill despite lack of empirical data that will prove the necessity of its reinstatement.<br /><br />
“The Death Penalty Law already had its time in the Philippines when it was imposed for 12 long years since 1994. And this very same Congress had enough of it when it was abolished in 2006 since it was clear that it was not an effective deterrent to crime,” she said.<br /><br />
While President Rodrigo Duterte’s allies in the House of Representatives are bent on approving the death penalty bill by next year, Hontiveros said she expects lively debates on the measure to ensue in the Senate, considering nine or 10 of her colleagues are supposedly against it.<br /><br />
“From seven who are initially against the death penalty at the start of the 17th Congress, our numbers have grown to nine or 10. Ibig sabihin nito, we will be able to put up a good fight pagdating sa mga debate,” she said.<br /><br />
In addition to reinstating the death penalty, administration allies in the House are working for the passage of a bill lowering the age of criminal liability from the present 15 to 9.<br /><br />
Hontiveros, however, said sentencing children to jail is not the way to reform them.<br /><br />
“Putting children aged nine, who are not psychologically developed enough to understand the nature of crimes, in prison will merely turn them into hardened criminals. It will only stigmatize them and trigger repeat offense,” she said.<br /><br />
“What they need is to recover their sense of dignity and self-worth through rehabilitation and education programs under a fully-implemented Juvenile Justice Law," Hontiveros added.

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<p>Source: <a href='http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/591755/news/nation/hontiveros-deadly-combo-bills-to-lead-to-death-row-kids'>gmanetwork</a></p>

Hontiveros: 'Deadly combo' bills to lead to 'death row kids'

Senator Risa Hontiveros sounded alarm Thursday on simultaneous efforts to bring back the death penalty and lower the age of criminal r...

Alvarez twits Robredo: Even US has death penalty

Unknown 0 4:22:00 PM

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House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Thursday advised Vice president Leni Robredo to brush up on the history of capital punishment first before criticizing the Duterte administration's thrust to reimpose the death penalty.<br /><br />
"Dapat usisain muna niya ang record o datos sa kasaysayan ng pagpapatupad ng death penalty," said Alvarez, as he stressed that the Philippines remains the only Asian country without capital punishment.<br /><br />
"Kahit ang pinaka makapangyarihang bansa sa mundo, ang United States of America, ay nag nagpapatupad ng death penalty," Alvarez added.<br /><br />
In a statement on Wednesday, Robredo expressed worry over the passage at the House committee level of a substitute bill to reimpose the death penalty, saying it was "done in haste only to grant what the President wants."<br /><br />
Robredo reminded the House justice committee, which approved the death penalty bill, that the Philippines is a signatory to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which prohibits the restoration of the death penalty.<br /><br />
In response, however, Alvarez reminded Robredo that the 1987 Philippine Constitution prevails over any international protocol.<br /><br />
"Nais kong ipaalala sa kanya na ang ating Saligang Batas ay higit na makapangyarihan laban sa anumang international protocol," the Speaker said.<br /><br />
Alvarez said the Constitution itself provides the option for Congress to reinstate the death penalty if it finds compelling reasons to do so.<br /><br />
"Nais ko din ipa alala sa kanya na ang dahilan kung bakit ang death penalty ay hindi nag tagumpay ay sa dahil sa nag kulang ng political will ang mga naka upong pangulo sa mga panahon na iyon," Alvarez added.

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<p>Source: <a href='http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/591768/news/nation/alvarez-twits-robredo-even-us-has-death-penalty'>gmanetwork</a></p>

Alvarez twits Robredo: Even US has death penalty

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Thursday advised Vice president Leni Robredo to brush up on the history of capital punishment first...

If Senate finds Oplan Tokhang unconstitutional, we will stop — PNP chief

Unknown 0 4:19:00 PM

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Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa on Thursday said if the Senate finds the government’s Oplan Tokhang campaign against illegal drugs unconstitutional, they will stop implementing it.<br /><br />
“Mas alam nila ‘yun, kung unconstitutional we will follow. Kung sabihin nila sa kanilang report na we stop Oplan Tokhang then we will stop,” Dela Rosa said when asked to comment on the Senate committee report.<br /><br />
However, Dela Rosa said he will not obey if the Senate will ask him to stop the campaign against illegal drugs. <br /><br />
“Sabihin nila you stop your war on drugs and let the drug menace continue, ah pag-isipan ko muna kung stop ko yan dahil hindi ako papayag na kakalat yung droga. Pero yung legal standpoint na yan we will follow what is legal. Iko-consider namin,” he said. <br /><br />
The report of the committees on justice and human rights, and public order and dangerous drugs led by Senators Richard Gordon and Panfilo Lacson, stated that “Oplan Tokhang” campaign violates the rights of alleged drug users and pushers.<br /><br />
 The Senate panel said the police and other law enforcement officers “must be admonished” for compelling drug users to sign “voluntary surrender certificates” under the PNP Oplan Tokhang. <br /><br />
Dela Rosa said they can will re-evaluate their strategy.<br /><br />
“Maybe we will step back and reconsolidate our forces and reevaluate the situation before going further with our campaign,” he said.

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<p>Source: <a href='http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/591769/news/nation/if-senate-finds-oplan-tokhang-unconstitutional-we-will-stop-pnp-chief'>gmanetwork</a></p>

If Senate finds Oplan Tokhang unconstitutional, we will stop — PNP chief

Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa on Thursday said if the Senate finds the government’s Oplan Tokhang...