Pinoy News Daily

Gordon: PNP’s ‘Oplan Tokhang’ violates rights of drug users

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The Philippine National Police’s (PNP) “Oplan Tokhang” campaign violates the rights of alleged drug users and pushers, Senator Richard Gordon said on Tuesday.<br /><br />
Gordon said he indicated this in the draft report of the Senate justice and human rights committee, which investigated cases of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) amid the administration’s war on drugs.<br /><br />
“‘Yung mga tokhang-tokhang, may violation yan ng constitutional rights ng mga tao. Kailangan may abogado at kailangang dagdagan ang turo sa mga tao ng kanilang constitutional rights against self incrimination at tsaka yong kanilang mga rights against rogue policemen,” Gordon pointed out.<br /><br />
Gordon said a lawyer should be present when a suspected drug user and pusher admits his or her use of illegal drugs.<br /><br />
“Hindi nga nag surrender eh. Pinapapunta nila tapos 'o pumirma ka na ikaw ay dating drug addict',” he said.<br /><br />
Oplan Tokhang refers to the PNP's campaign of going house to house in communities to appeal to drug suspects to surrender and stop using and selling drugs.<br /><br />
The PNP reported to have visited more than four million houses since it started its intensified campaign against illegal drugs in July.<br /><br />
Based on data from police regional offices as of 6 a.m. November 24, a total of 4,041,333 houses have been visited under Oplan Tokhang.<br /><br />
Committee report<br /><br />
Gordon said the draft report is already being circulated for the signatures of committee members.<br /><br />
Some of the proposals he said include setting a definite timeline on concluding a case of EJK “Ang sinabi ko within 15 days tapos kaagad ang summary hearings, tanggal kaagad o suspendido [yung pulis] at i-file yong criminal case,” Gordon said.<br /><br />
Several cops have been alleged to be involved in several EJKs. Gordon said he also recommended for the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to require larger plate numbers for motorcycles, which are commonly used in EJK cases.<br /><br />
Gordon reiterated that EJKs were not state-sponsored as alleged by the President’s critics. He said witnesses earlier presented by Senator Leila de Lima to the committee neither proves the existence of the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS).<br /><br />
Duterte was accused by witness Edgar Matobato, a self-confessed assassin, to have ordered the killings of several people in Davao City during his term as mayor.<br /><br />
Bad behavior<br /><br />
Meanwhile, Gordon said the committee report also included the bad behavior of Senators De Lima and Antonio Trillanes IV.<br /><br />
Gordon was referring to De Lima’s alleged material concealment of evidence, concerning a kidnapping case of Matobato.<br /><br />
He had also earlier called out Trillanes, whom he said deliberately allowed Matobato to go home while the hearing was ongoing. Matobato is under the custody of Senator Trillanes.<br /><br />
Gordon said however that it was up to the Senate whether it will pursue an ethics complaint against the two senators.<br /><br />
“I will leave it up to the Senate to do that. Hindi ko na inilagay na recommended for ethics. It would be up to the Senate,” he said.

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<p>Source: <a href="http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/591446/news/nation/gordon-pnp-s-oplan-tokhang-violates-rights-of-drug-users">gmanetwork</a></p>

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Gordon: PNP’s ‘Oplan Tokhang’ violates rights of drug users

The Philippine National Police’s (PNP) “Oplan Tokhang” campaign violates the rights of alleged drug users and pushers, Senator Richard...

Aguirre blasts CHR chair for comparing number of drug killings to Martial Law deaths

Unknown 0 5:35:00 PM

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Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Tuesday criticized Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairperson Chito Gascon for making a comparison between the number of deaths during Martial Law and the killings under the Duterte administration's war on drugs.<br /><br />
In a chance interview, Aguirre took exception to Gascon's statement that the casualties in the drug war that has reportedly reached the 5,000 mark, a figure that was allegedly higher than the deaths recorded in the first few years of Martial Law, which was imposed in 1972.<br /><br />
"Ayusin niya pagsasalita niya, ayusin muna niya mga figures niya. Pare-pareho naman kami nakipaglaban kay Marcos. Nag-ge-generalize siya,” the Cabinet official said.<br /><br />
His official profile on the Department of Justice website read "As a student and a young lawyer, he fought the Marcos dictatorship."<br /><br />
"In November 1972, less than two (2) months after the declaration of Martial Law, the dictatorship’s Military Tribunal filed a case against him for Inciting to Sedition and issued an Arrest Search and Seizure Order (ASSO) against him," Aguirre's profile read.<br /><br />
Aguirre said Gascon failed to distinguish if the deaths in the drug war were a result of legitimate police operations or the work of vigilante groups.<br /><br />
The justice chief also slammed Gascon for urging the DOJ to file criminal charges despite the lack of complaints against policemen who admitted to killing drug suspects for allegedly resisting arrest.<br /><br />
“Huwag na niya ako pagsabihan, wala naman siyang alam. Hindi siya abugado. Bakit hindi sila magfile ng kaso? Sila may karapatan magfile ng kaso. Kahit siya, yung office niya, may karapatan magfile ng kaso pero kahit isang kaso wala,” he said.<br /><br />
Aguirre added the CHR has not even filed a case against President Rodrigo Duterte over his alleged links to the vigilante group Davao Death Squad.<br /><br />
Fact-finding and recommendatory<br /><br />
Responding to Aguirre's tirades, Gascon said the CHR has no powers to prosecute, which the DOJ and the Office of the Ombudsman have.<br /><br />
"The extent of CHR jurisdiction is only fact-finding and recommendatory. Why should Secretary Aguirre have to wait for complaints to be filed with the DOJ for the 'nanlaban' cases? In these cases, there arises a reversal of presumption because of the admission of killing and self-defense justification must be a matter for the courts to weigh or consider," Gascon said.<br /><br />
The CHR chair said the "burden" of conducting thorough criminal investigation is primarily with the law enforcement agencies such as the police and DOJ "as they have access to the necessary human resources and facilities to undertake the same."<br /><br />
"The CHR as a watchdog and monitoring institution has the role of reminding the govt agencies of their responsibilities as duty-bearers. Secretary Aguirre cannot shift the burden of delivering justice to others as it is his," Gascon said.

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<p>Source: <a href="http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/591457/news/nation/aguirre-blasts-chr-chair-for-comparing-number-of-drug-killings-to-martial-law-deaths">gmanetwork</a></p>

Aguirre blasts CHR chair for comparing number of drug killings to Martial Law deaths

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Tuesday criticized Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairperson Chito Gascon for making a co...

Cesar Montano appointed by Duterte as COO of Tourism Promotions Board

Unknown 0 5:17:00 PM

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President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed actor Cesar Montano to head the agency in charge of promoting tourism programs of the country.<br /><br />
Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo on Tuesday confirmed Montano's appointment as Chief Operating Officer of the Tourism Promotions Board.<br /><br />
"He has been appointed as the head of TPB," Teo said after launching the Pasko sa Intramuros event.<br /><br />
"The appointment came from the President so we have to follow," she added.<br /><br />
Teo said that Montano will assume the position after December 15.<br /><br />
"The appointment paper is already there. We just have to induct him, so probably after the 15th," she said. <br /><br />
According to the Tourism Act of 2009, the TPB "shall be responsible for marketing and promoting the Philippines domestically and internationally as a major global tourism destination, highlighting the uniqueness and assisting the development of its tourism products and services, with the end in view of increasing tourist arrivals and tourism investment."

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<p>Source: <a href="http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/591464/news/nation/cesar-montano-appointed-by-duterte-as-coo-of-tourism-promotions-board">gmanetwork</a></p>

Cesar Montano appointed by Duterte as COO of Tourism Promotions Board

President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed actor Cesar Montano to head the agency in charge of promoting tourism programs of the country....

Alvarez to Catholics: Look for new religion if shunned for backing death penalty

Unknown 0 5:03:00 PM

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House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Tuesday urged Catholics not to be scared if they were shunned by religious leaders for supporting the Duterte administration's policies, such as the reimposition of the death penalty.<br /><br />
Alvarez was asked in a radio interview if he would still back President Rodrigo Duterte's push for the reimposition of death penalty when some Catholics reportedly were refused communion when they supported the Reproductive Health Law.<br /><br />
"Eh 'di magtiwalag! Ang importante naman dito naniniwala ka sa Panginoon eh," said Alvarez, the author of a bill providing for the death penalty in cases of heinous crimes.<br /><br />
"Ngayon kung ganyan ang ginagawa nila, eh di maghanap ka na ng iba mong relihiyon," Alvarez added.<br /><br />
At the same time, Alvarez advised the Catholic church to stay out of political governance, and focus instead on helping the needy, even as he stressed the separation of church and state.<br /><br />
"Gawin nila yung trabaho nila bilang nagpre-preach sila ng faith," Alvarez said.<br /><br />
He said the Church should let the government carry out its campaigns against society's ills, like the illegal drug problem.
"Kung wala naman silang maitutulong dito ay tumahimik na lang, huwag na silang makialam. Magconcentrate na lang sila sa kawang-gawa, maraming nangangailangan ng serbisyo nila," Alvarez said.<br /><br />
"Maraming nagugutom sa kalye. Bakit hindi nila pagtuunang n pansin iyon?," he added.<br /><br />
Alvarez also criticized Catholic schools that let their children join political demonstrations.<br /><br />
A House sub-committee earlier approved a substitute bill to Alvarez's House measure seeking to reimpose capital punishmenton heinous crimes.

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<p>Source: <a href="http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/591467/news/nation/alvarez-to-catholics-look-for-new-religion-if-shunned-for-backing-death-penalty">gmanetwork</a></p>

Alvarez to Catholics: Look for new religion if shunned for backing death penalty

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Tuesday urged Catholics not to be scared if they were shunned by religious leaders for supporting t...

VP Leni to be more critical of EJKs, death penalty, Marcos burial

Unknown 0 10:05:00 PM

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Vice President Leni Robredo's supporters should expect her to be even more critical of some policies of President Rodrigo Duterte's administration, her spokesperson assured on Tuesday.<br /><br />
"Makakaasa tayo na ang boses ni VP Leni ay magiging mas malakas tungkol sa mga bagay na hindi rumerespeto sa karapatang pantao lalung lalo na sa mga issue ng EJK (extrajudicial killings)," Robredo's spokesperson Georgina Hernandez said during an interview on News To Go.<br /><br />
Hernandez said Robredo will continue to oppose Duterte's push to revive death penalty and the burial of late strongman Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in the Libingan ng mga Bayani.<br /><br />
"Kung may mali ay kanya itong pupunahin at kung tama naman ay susuportahan pa rin niya ito," Hernandez said when asked during the interview if Robredo will now be more open in public as an opposition leader.<br /><br />
Mind conditioning<br /><br />
In an earlier interview with Unang Balita, Hernandez said that the comment of former senator Bongbong Marcos' camp following Robredo's resignation was expected and still part of their efforts of "mind conditioning" to make it appear that the late dictator's son was robbed of the vice presidency.<br /><br />
“Matagal na rin naman po nilang sinasabi na 'yung mga ganyang mga kasinungalingan, pagkatapos pa lang ng eleksyon, bahagi ito ng mind conditioning na ginagawa nila sa publiko ukol na rin doon sa protesta na inihain nila sa PET (Presidential Electoral Tribunal),” Hernandez said.<br /><br />
She added: "Yung mga ganoong naging reaksyon mula sa kampo ni Bongbong Marcos ay inaasahan na rin naman po namin 'yan.”<br /><br />
Marcos’ camp on Monday said Robredo "has shown her true colors" with her resignation as chief of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC). It added that the resignation was "long overdue" owing to her "very obvious adversarial attitude and opposite stance” against Duterte’s policies.<br /><br />
"Whether she was fired or she resigned from her post is definitely not the business of former Senator Bongbong Marcos. However we take strong exception to her statement on not letting the vice presidency to be ‘stolen’ from her and the will of the people to be 'thwarted,'" Marcos' legal spokesperson Vic Rodriguez said in a statement.<br /><br />
"Such pronouncement is the height of hypocrisy," he added.<br /><br />
Still speculating<br /><br />
During the interview, Hernandez said that their camp could only speculate on the possible reasons for Duterte's order to bar Robredo from Cabinet meetings, which led to Robredo's resignation.<br /><br />
She particularly mentioned Robredo's strong statements against the burial of the late strongman in the Libingan ng mga Bayani, which was supported by Duterte.<br /><br />
Hernandez, meanwhile, denied that they were sure that Robredo's performance as Housing Secretary was not the reason for Duterte's order.<br /><br />
She said that even members of Duterte's Cabinet acknowledge her accomplishments as Housing Secretary during her five-month tenure as chairperson of HUDCC.<br /><br />
Hernandez also reiterated their camp's suspicion that the Marcos camp had been informed by an "insider" of Duterte's order for her to desist from attending Cabinet meetings.<br /><br />
Robredo said in a press conference on Monday afternoon that before she announced her resignation, they monitored "Goodbye, Leni" tweets from the Marcos camp.<br /><br />
Hernandez, however, could not say who among the other members of the Cabinet could have informed the Marcos camp of Duterte's order.

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<p>Source: <a href="http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/591372/news/nation/vp-leni-to-be-more-critical-of-ejks-death-penalty-marcos-burial">gmanetwork</a></p>

VP Leni to be more critical of EJKs, death penalty, Marcos burial

Vice President Leni Robredo's supporters should expect her to be even more critical of some policies of President Rodrigo Duterte...

Robredo: ‘No one can say na nagkulang ako’

Unknown 0 3:16:00 AM

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Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday said President Rodrigo Duterte and his Cabinet members — even those who don't like her — can attest that she did her work well as housing czar.<br /><br />
At a press conference, Robredo said she was certain her seeming exclusion from Cabinet meetings was not related to her work as chair of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).<br /><br />
"Mukhang hindi," she replied when asked if her and the President's "irreconcilable differences" included their views on housing.<br /><br />
"Before I went down... tinitingnan ko pa lang yung statements pareho silang nagsasabi na they recognize the good things I did with Housing. Wala silang problema do'n. In fact inextoll nila 'yung lahat kong ginawa. Kasi i think everyone in the Cabinet, even those na ayaw sa'kin, would say na pinakita ko kung gaano ako kagrabe magtrabaho. Pinakita ko kung gaano ko pinaglaban yung issues patungkol sa housing," she said.<br /><br />
"So ako i don't think even the President or anyone in the Cabinet can say na nagkulang ako," she added. <br /><br />
Robredo, who was offered the Housing portfolio via phone call last July 7, said she would have preferred to remain in her post given the work needed to be done.<br /><br />
However, she said recent events hinted that she may no longer hold the trust of the President.<br /><br />
"'Yung sa akin, I really serve at the pleasure of the President, so 'pag nagpakita ng indikasyon ang Presidente na wala na siyang confidence sa akin, tingin ko obligasyon kong umalis kahit ayokong umalis," she said.<br /><br />
"Kasi kung tatanungin n'yo 'ko, ayaw ko sanang umalis sa aking posisyon, ngayon pa na nakita ko na kung gaano kalaki yung problema, ngayon pa na kung ano yung kaya kong gawin sa Housing," she added.<br /><br />
"Pero again hindi ko hawak sa akin ito. Kung binigyan sana ako ng pagkakataon na magawa man lang yung aking gagawin, yun sana yung makakabuti," she went on.

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<p>Source: <a href="http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/591300/news/nation/robredo-no-one-can-say-na-nagkulang-ako">gmanetwork</a></p>

Robredo: ‘No one can say na nagkulang ako’

Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday said President Rodrigo Duterte and his Cabinet members — even those who don't like her — can...

House to file string of raps vs. De Lima this week

Unknown 0 5:59:00 PM

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The House of Representatives will be filing this week a string of complaints against Sen. Leila de Lima for telling her former driver-bodyguard Ronnie Dayan to hide and skip a House inquiry on illegal drugs.<br /><br />
In a radio dzBB interview on Sunday, Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali, chair of the House justice committee, said they plan to file an ethics complaint, a criminal complaint, and a disbarment case against the senator all "within the week siguro."<br /><br />
"This coming week, maaaring gawin na iyan kasi iyong mga lawyers namin sa committee on justice and lawyers ng House of Representatives are already working on it," said Umali.<br /><br />
The congressman said he expects to get a draft of the complaints.<br /><br />
"I think the leadership of the House will not waste any minute to file it. Kasi nga alam mo sa buhay naman puwede namang 'pag naging maayos ang takbo ay pwedeng hindi ituloy," said Umali.<br /><br />
"Pero 'pag nandiyan na nga 'yan at nagkakagulo na, eh malakas pa ang dating nong sa tingin natin ay nagkasala sa House of Representatives ay puwedeng lahat yon i-file," said Umali, even as he stressed he was merely "taking the cue from the leadership of the House."<br /><br />
House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez earlier said the House could still end up issuing an arrest warrant against De Lima for her actions, after she declared she would not honor the show cause order issued to her by the House justice panel.<br /><br />
De Lima had repeatedly said her message to Dayan not to show up at the House hearing was merely advice and not an order.<br /><br />
Umali had earlier said the House for now would not be issuing an arrest warrant against De Lima to "avoid that [confrontation] because of interchamber courtesy."

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<p>Source: <a href="http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/591179/news/nation/house-to-file-string-of-raps-vs-de-lima-this-week">gmanetwork</a></p>

House to file string of raps vs. De Lima this week

The House of Representatives will be filing this week a string of complaints against Sen. Leila de Lima for telling her former driver-...

Sen. Pangilinan voices support for Robredo, warns of pro-Marcos moves

Unknown 0 5:56:00 PM

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Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan on Sunday night expressed his support for Vice-President Leni Robredo and warned that forces seeking to return ex-dicatator Ferdinand Marcos' family to power were on the move.<br /><br />
"We are saddened by this latest development. We believe the Vice President should have been treated with greater respect," Pangilinan said in statement.<br /><br />
The senator added that like the vice president, he, too, was against the death penalty, the jailing of minors like adults, the mistreatment of women, and the burial of Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mg Bayani.<br /><br />
"Dagdag pa rito, ang pagkaltas ng P19 billion sa budget ng housing ay direktang makakaapekto sa programa ng pabahay lalo na para sa kapos-palad nating mga kababayan," Pangilinan added.<br /><br />
The senator ended by calling on all supporters of democracy to resist the pro-Marcos forces and "defend Leni."

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<p>Source: <a href="http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/591192/news/nation/sen-pangilinan-voices-support-for-robredo-warns-of-pro-marcos-moves">gmanetwork</a></p>

Sen. Pangilinan voices support for Robredo, warns of pro-Marcos moves

Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan on Sunday night expressed his support for Vice-President Leni Robredo and warned that forces ...

Andanar on alleged plot to steal vice presidency from Robredo: It’s speculation

Unknown 0 5:47:00 PM

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Presidential Communications Office Secretary Martin Andanar on Monday dismissed the allegation of the existence a plot to steal the vice presidency from Leni Robredo.<br /><br />
"Speculation coming from the camp of the Vice President," Andanar said in an interview on Unang Balita.<br /><br />
He said it is not their job to do such a thing. <br /><br />
"Ang trabaho po namin ay ipatupad ang mga polisiya (ng Presidente)," Andanar said.<br /><br />
On Sunday, Robredo said in a statement that she had been warned of a plot to steal the vice presidency away from her.<br /><br />
"I had been warned of a plot to steal the Vice Presidency. However, as your duly elected Vice President, I will not allow the Vice Presidency to be stolen," she said.<br /><br />
Robredo announced Sunday that she is quitting her post as chair of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).<br /><br />
"We had hoped this day would not come... I am tendering my resignation from the Cabinet on Monday, December 5, 2016. With this resignation, you can expect that I will continue to support the positive initiatives of this administration and oppose those that are inimical to the people’s interest," she said in a statement posted on her Twitter account.<br /><br />
Robredo said she will tender her resignation on Monday.<br /><br />
Andanar told Unang Balita they received a statement on Sunday from Robredo's spokesperson that the vice president will resign as chair of HUDCC on Monday.<br /><br />
Asked about the text message Robredo said Cabinet Sec. Jun Evasco Jr. sent her telling her that President Rodrigo Duterte wanted her to "desist from attending all Cabinet meetings starting Monday, December 5," Andanar replied: "That was the last straw, according to the letter."<br /><br />
He confirmed that "irreconcilable differences" between Duterte and Robredo was the reason why the vice president was asked not to attend Cabinet meetings anymore.<br /><br />
"If you're a Cabinet member, if you serve at the pleasure of the President, you have to build his confidence in you," Andanar added.<br /><br />
Regarding Robredo's statement that there were "obstacles" in the HUDCC, such as the P19-billion slash in the 2017 budget for key shelter agencies, Andanar pointed to the previous administration.<br /><br />
"Kung pag-uusapan natin ang budget, ito ang preparado ng nakaraang administrasyon," he said.<br /><br />
Andanar also gave unsolicited advice to Robredo: "Kung ako ang nakatanggap na huwag um-attend ng meeting, tanggapin na lang na wala nang confidence (sa 'yo) ang Pangulo."<br /><br />
He added that should Duterte accept Robredo's resignation, the President already has the name of the person likely to take over the HUDCC chair post.

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<p>Source: <a href="http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/591207/news/nation/andanar-on-alleged-plot-to-steal-vice-presidency-from-robredo-it-s-speculation">gmanetwork</a></p>

Andanar on alleged plot to steal vice presidency from Robredo: It’s speculation

Presidential Communications Office Secretary Martin Andanar on Monday dismissed the allegation of the existence a plot to steal the vi...

Leni Robredo quits Duterte Cabinet

Unknown 0 5:23:00 PM

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Vice President Leni Robredo is stepping down as chair of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).<br /><br />
The decision was announced on Sunday night, with Robredo to tender her resignation on Monday.<br /><br />
"We had hoped this day would not come... I am tendering my resignation from the Cabinet on Monday, December 5, 2016. With this resignation, you can expect that I will continue to support the positive initiatives of this administration and oppose those that are inimical to the people’s interest," she said in a statement posted on her Twitter account.<br /><br />
Robredo mentioned in her statement that she had been warned of a plot to steal the vice presidency from her.<br /><br />
Robredo, who was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte over the phone in July to head the housing agency, said she decided to quit as Housing Secretary after receiving a text message from Cabinet Secretary Jun Evasco Jr. that Duterte wanted her to "desist from attending all Cabinet meetings starting Monday, December 5."<br /><br />
"This is the last straw, because it makes it impossible for me to perform my duties," she said.<br /><br />
Robredo also cited "major differences" between her and Duterte "in principles and values."<br /><br />
"Since I assumed office, I have been consistent in my opposition to issues such as the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos in the Libingan ng mga Bayani, extra-judicial killings, reinstating death penalty, lowering the age of criminal liability, and sexual attacks against women," she said.<br /><br />
She added: "But we both had a mandate to serve the people. I had hoped that this shared commitment to the poor and marginalized would transcend the differences between us. So, I took the job of Housing Secretary when it was offered to me."<br /><br />
The Vice President also cited "obstacles" in the HUDCC.<br /><br />
"One, the budget for all key shelter agencies in 2017 has been slashed by more than P19 billion. Two, all our key shelter agency appointment recommendations have not been acted on. Three, the Executive Order designed to make HUDCC effective was not signed," she said.<br /><br />
The head of the Governance Commission for Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations quit his post last October, the first resignation among Cabinet members of Duterte.<br /><br />
On Tuesday last week, National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Maria Serena Diokno resigned from her post in protest of the burial of Marcos in the Libingan ng mga Bayani.<br /><br />
'Irreconcilable differences'<br /><br />
In separate radio interviews, Evasco and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar also cited the "irreconcilable differences" between Duterte and Robredo.<br /><br />
"Wala akong detalye, basta sinabi lang ni Presidente, irreconcilable differences. Tsaka alam naman ng Pilipinas, ng tao ano ang irreconcilable differences nila. Ang mga issue ngayon, si Presidente [nandito] at si VP, sa kabila naman parati," said Evasco.<br /><br />
Andanar said in a statement that as a Cabinet member, Robredo was expected to be a team player.<br /><br />
"Recent events, however, showed the differences between the President and the Vice President as becoming irreconcilable and public," he said.<br /><br />
He said they have yet to receive a resignation letter from Robredo.<br /><br />
"The Vice President has served our people for many years in various capacities and we wish her to continue this unhampered service to the nation to the best of her abilities," Andanar said.<br /><br />
Evasco said they are still not yet looking for Robredo's replacement, but said that when the time comes, the Duterte Cabinet would be "constrained to look for" a replacement.<br /><br />
"[For now] wala naman [kapalit]... tsaka wala naman instruction for her to be terminated sa position. Whatever decision she takes, that's her prerogative," he said.<br /><br />
"I think it's part of the normal administration. If they cannot side with what the President is doing, then they have to resign," Evasco said.<br /><br />
Evasco remained confident that despite her departure from the Cabinet, Robredo would still "be figuring in other important positions, being [the] second highest official."
'Defend Leni, defend democracy'<br /><br />
Liberal Party acting president Sen. Francis Pangilinan said that while they are "saddened" by it, they support Robredo's decision.<br /><br />
"We believe the Vice President should have been treated with greater respect. Nakakalungkot ang mga pangyayari," Pangilinan said in a statement.<br /><br />
"Ngayon, mas kailangan natin ang suporta ng mga nagmamahal sa ating demokrasya. Defend Leni, defend democracy," he added.<br /><br />
Sen. Antonio Trillanes had harsher words for the administration. "I'm so glad it did happen sooner than later," he said of Robredo's resignation from the Cabinet. "Otherwise, she would have been tainted by the Duterte Administration's politics of death, divisiveness, deceit and impunity."<br /><br />
In another statement, Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat noted that Duterte's instruction to Robredo not to attend Cabinet meetings "is tantamount to asking her to resign or firing her."

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<p>Source: <a href="http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/591176/news/nation/leni-robredo-quits-duterte-cabinet">gmanetwork</a></p>

Leni Robredo quits Duterte Cabinet

Vice President Leni Robredo is stepping down as chair of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC). The decision...

Pangilinan hits Palace decision to reinstate embattled cop

Unknown 0 1:47:00 AM

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Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan questioned Malacañang's motive in reinstating a senior police officer who was tagged as a protector of the illegal drug trade. <br /><br />
"If Supt. [Marvin] Marcos was reinstated so that his alleged illegal activities could be closely monitored and a case built up against him, why then did Malacañang after such a reinstatement immediately clear him and support his version that Espinosa put up a fight inside prison?" the senator posted in his Facebook account.<br /><br />
"Hindi tumutugma," he added.<br /><br />
Criminal Investigationand Detection Group (CIDG) Region 8 Director Marvin Marcos figured in the alleged shootout in which Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa was killed. Espinosa was detained inside the Baybay City Sub-Provincial Jail when he was shot to death.<br /><br />
President Rodrigo Duterte had defended the actions of the police officers involved in the shooting.<br /><br />
Marcos had also been tagged by suspected drug lord Kerwin Espinosa as a protector.<br /><br />
Kerwin Espinosa, during last week's Senate hearing, claimed that Marcos was given P3 million for his wife's election campaign.<br /><br />
Recently, Duterte admitted that he told Philippine National Police Director General Ronald Dela Rosa to reinstate Marcos as CIDG 8 director.<br /><br />
The President said he did not want the officer transferred because he was being investigated.<br /><br />
He added that Marcos would have to face the charges that could be filed against him.

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<p>Source: <a href="http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/591051/news/nation/pangilinan-hits-palace-decision-to-reinstate-embattled-cop">gmanetwork</a></p>

Pangilinan hits Palace decision to reinstate embattled cop

Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan questioned Malacañang's motive in reinstating a senior police officer who was tagged as a...

Duterte, inaming siya ang nag-utos kay Dela Rosa na 'wag alisin ang hepe ng CIDG-8

Unknown 0 1:42:00 AM

Mismong si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na ang tumapos sa palaisipan kung sino ang "mataas na opisyal" sa Malacañang ang kumausap kay Philippine National Police Chief Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa para ibalik sa posisyon ang kontrobersiyal na hepe ng Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Region 8 na si Superintendent Marvin Marcos.<br /><br />
Ginawa ni Duterte ang pag-amin ilang araw matapos sabihin ni Dela Rosa na ibinalik niya sa posisyon si Marcos matapos siyang makatanggap ng tawag mula umano sa isang mataas na opisyal.<br /><br />

Dahil hindi binanggit ni Dela Rosa kung sino ang mataas na opisyal na kumausap sa kaniya, nanawagan ang ilang mambabatas--pati na si Vice President Leni Robredo-- na dapat itong pangalan ng hepe ng pulisya.<br /><br />
Si Senador Leila De Lima, tinukoy si Special Assistant to the President Sec. Christopher "Bong" Go, na siyang kumausap kay Dela Rosa, batay umano sa impormasyong ibinigay sa kaniya ng source sa PNP.<br /><br />
Itinanggi naman nina Go, Dela Rosa, at Duterte ang naturang alegasyon ni De Lima.<br /><br />
Huwag Tanggalin<br /><br />
Sa kaniyang talumpati sa graduation rites ng PNP-Highway Patrol Group's motorcycle riders nitong Biyernes, ipinaliwanag ni Duterte ang dahilan kung bakit nais niyang manatili sa posisyon si Marcos.<br /><br />
"I'd like to make it public. Kaya sabi ko as it is kayo diyan. Doon ko nalaman na si Dolina [Chief Supt. Asher Dolina] malinis. 
Si Marcos, may tama. Kaya huwag mong galawin kasi gusto kong tingnan," saad ni Duterte patungkol kina Marcos at Dolina, na kapwa idinawit ng umano'y drug lord na si Kerwin Espinosa sa isyu ng droga.<br /><br />
"Kung biglain mo, eh napuputol ang nagbi-build up ng kaso. Alam na natin na before Espinosa na wala siya sa unang listahan," dagdag ng pangulo.<br /><br />
Sinabi ng pangulo na desisyon pa rin umano ni Dela Rosa na ibalik si Marcos sa puwesto.<br /><br />
"Whether or not you retain them, it does not really matter. Prerogative ni Bato iyan eh. Kahit na sabihin mo na kriminal iyan. Teka muna. Let the law take its own..." ayon pa sa pangulo.<br /><br />
"Huwag n'yong tanggalin... Nagpo-program pa kami dito kung totoo o hindi," patuloy niya.<br /><br />
Dagdag ni Duterte; "Second, low morale ang tao. Ang ibang pulis, hindi nila nalaman na we're doing the investigative work. Doing that, it will create a ripple in the entire country. Hindi ko masabi na relax lang kayo. We were really building the case."<br /><br />
Una rito, itinanggi ni Dela Rosa na si Duterte ang tumawag sa kaniya dahil "ninong" niya ito, habang inilarawan niya bilang "kumpare" ang kumausap sa kaniya.<br /><br />
Nangyari ang pagbabalik kay Marcos sa posisyon bago pa mapaslang sa loob ng kulungan noong nakaraang buwan si Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa, na ama ni Kerwin.<br /><br />
Nadadawit din si Marcos sa pagkamatay ng alkalde dahil mga tauhan nito ang nagsilbi ng search warrant sa nakatatandang Espinosa kahit nasa loob na ng kulungan.<br /><br />
Binaril ang alkalde dahil nanlaban umano ito.

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<p>Source: <a href="http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/591049/news/ulatfilipino/duterte-inaming-siya-ang-nag-utos-kay-dela-rosa-na-wag-alisin-ang-hepe-ng-cidg-8">gmanetwork</a></p>

Duterte, inaming siya ang nag-utos kay Dela Rosa na 'wag alisin ang hepe ng CIDG-8

Mismong si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na ang tumapos sa palaisipan kung sino ang "mataas na opisyal" sa Malacañang ang kumau...

Trump supports PHL anti-drug drive —Duterte

Unknown 0 1:35:00 AM

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US President-elect Donald Trump expressed support for the Philippine's anti-drug campaign, saying he understands the way the administration is handling it, President Rodrigo Duterte said.<br /><br />
Duterte mentioned this as he described his late Friday evening [Manila time] phone conversation with Trump.<br /><br />
Duterte said he takes the remark to mean that the US under Trump would not interfere with the affairs of the Philippines.<br /><br />
In the transcript of the phone conversation that the Presidential Communications Office sent to media, Duterte said: "President-elect Trump wishes ... to extend his warmest regards to the Filipino people. And in just a few minutes, we were talking a lot of things." <br /><br />
"He was quite sensitive also to our worry about drugs. And he wishes me well to ... in my campaign and he said that… well we are doing it as a sovereign nation, the right way. And he wishes us well. And I said that, well, we assured him of our ties with America.<br /><br />
"He understood the way we are handling it [anti-drug drive] and I said that 'there is nothing wrong in protecting a country.' It was a bit very encouraging in the sense that I supposed that what he really wanted to say was that we [US] would be the last to interfere in the affairs of your own country," Duterte said, quoting Trump.<br /><br />
Duterte also said the appreciated the kind of response that he received from the US President-elect, and in response, he also wished Trump success.<br /><br />
"He will be a good president for the United States of America. I am very sure," Duterte added.<br /><br />
Meanwhile, Duterte said Trump invited him to visit the US.<br /><br />
"He has invited me to visit New York and Washington DC, [saying] that if I'm around, he wants to be notified of my presence and maybe..."<br /><br />
According to Duterte, Trump would also try his best to be present at the ASEAN Summit next year.<br /><br />
"He wants to attend the Summit and that would be great for our country," Duterte said.<br /><br />
The expected phone conversation happened amid local and international criticisms against Duterte's bloody campaign against illegal drugs and criminality, with some groups claiming the death toll has been more than 3,000.<br /><br />
TIME Magazine even dedicated an issue to Duterte's anti-drug war with the cover title: "Night falls on the Philippines."<br /><br />
For raising human rights concerns over the bloody campaign, outgoing US President Barack Obama had taken criticisms from Duterte.  United Nations officials were also not spared by Duterte's sharp tongue.

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<p>Source: <a href="http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/591078/news/nation/trump-supports-phl-anti-drug-drive-duterte">gmanetwork</a></p>

Trump supports PHL anti-drug drive —Duterte

US President-elect Donald Trump expressed support for the Philippine's anti-drug campaign, saying he understands the way the admin...

Duterte all smiles, laughing during conversation with Trump

Unknown 0 1:32:00 AM

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President Rodrigo Duterte was seen laughing and smiling during a phone conversation with US President-elect Donald Trump on Friday night.<br /><br />
The Presidential Communications Office posted an excerpt of the conversation on its Facebook account before noon Saturday.<br /><br />
The video was mostly muted due to the nature of the conversation, but Duterte was seen smiling all the time.<br /><br />
Malacañang said earlier that according to Duterte, he and Trump have a "good rapport."<br /><br />
In a released transcript by Malacañang, Duterte assured Trump that the Philippine government's campaign against drugs is being don "the right way."<br /><br />
"He was quite sensitive also to our worry about drugs," Duterte said.<br /><br />
Duterte also said that Trump had invited him to visit New York and Washington DC.<br /><br />
"He said that if I’m around, he wants to be notified of my presence," the Philippine leader said.

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<p>Source: <a href="http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/591091/news/nation/duterte-all-smiles-laughing-during-conversation-with-trump">gmanetwork</a></p>

Duterte all smiles, laughing during conversation with Trump

President Rodrigo Duterte was seen laughing and smiling during a phone conversation with US President-elect Donald Trump on Friday nig...

Palace denies Duterte ‘drug protector’ tag, respects senators’ opinions

Unknown 0 1:12:00 AM

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Communications Secretary Martin Andanar on Sunday denied Sen. Leila de Lima's accusation that President Rodirgo Duterte could be the country's top drug lord protector and coddler for ordering the reinstatement of Superintendent Marvin Marcos as Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Region 8 director.<br /><br />
"I do not think [Duterte is a drug protector] and I do not believe and it has not crossed my mind that the President is what he is as you said," Andanar said in a radio interview on state-run dzRB, addressing a reporter who asked the question.<br /><br />
"The President is the President of the land and he is the number one protector of our laws in the land," Andanar added.<br /><br />
Andanar said he respects the criticisms not only of De Lima but even that of Sen. Panfilo Lacson against the President, who both accused the administration of "double speak" in its war against illegal drugs.<br /><br />
"Senator [De Lima]] has her own opinion. She is entitled to her own opinion. She is a senator of the land. And let her and let our Department of Justice secretary answer her. Thank you," said Andanar.<br /><br />
Duterte had explained that he ordered the reinstatement of Marcos so as not to disrupt an ongoing investigation against the police officer.<br /><br />
Suspected drug lord Kerwin Espniosa had accused Marcos of receiving drug money from him.<br /><br />
Asked if he thought Duterte is also guilty of "double standard," Andanar said: "What do you think? Maybe you should answer that question," said Andanar, addressing another phone-in question from the media.<br /><br />
In a statement on Saturday, De Lima said that the Senate should investigate Duterte’s admission of ordering PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa not to remove Marcos.<br /><br />
De Lima asked the public, “Whether or not the President, rather than De Lima, is actually the number one drug lord protector and coddler in the country.”<br /><br />
“Let us once again start asking questions, for the truth to come out, and to put an end to Malacañang's factory of lies and Orwellian doublespeak,” she added.<br /><br />
Prior to the controversy over Marcos' reinstatement, Duterte made an equally controversial meeting with Cebu businessman and suspected drug lord Peter Lim in Davao City in July where the President threatened to kill Lim if his drug links would be proven.<br /><br />
Lim would later be reported to have already fled the country with his family.<br /><br />
Lim's lawyer, Ramon Esguerra, however in August denied the reports, saying his client and his family are just in Cebu at the time.<br /><br />
The Cebu businessman had also been tagged by Espinosa as a top drug supplier.<br /><br />
Asked about Lim's whereabouts and the government's possible action against the businessman, Andanar said the Philippine National Police has yet to provide a report to Malacañang.

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<p>Source: <a href="http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/591164/news/nation/palace-denies-duterte-drug-protector-tag-respects-senators-opinions">gmanetwork</a></p>

Palace denies Duterte ‘drug protector’ tag, respects senators’ opinions

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar on Sunday denied Sen. Leila de Lima's accusation that President Rodirgo Duterte could be t...