he results of the investigation on government personnel involved in the escape of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo are expected to be released soon, an official of the Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed on Saturday.
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“I was just told that the only thing I can disclose at this point is that it is coming to an end. and we can expect that the results of the investigation will come out very soon,” DOJ Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Mico Clavano told a news forum in Quezon City.
Clavano said the results might be made public this month unless new facts for investigation arise.
“Well, they also did not give a timeline however…from the (DOJ) Secretary’s (Jesus Crispin Remulla) direction, any actuation, it seems to be, perhaps this month. Although I cannot also guarantee that because if other factors or other facts come to light, then it may be moved,” he said.
Clavano declined to disclose the number of people involved or who among the government personnel are being probed, saying he is “simply not privy to that information.”
“We’re not only looking at the possibilities of public officials aiding and abetting, but we’re also looking at the angle of private individuals as well,” Clavano said.
“She (Guo) could have not done this alone. So, mayroon talaga siyang network and the POGO network is quite big. It’s quite large. There’s a web of these bosses, managers, supervisors that may be helping each other as well,” he said.
“I was just told that the only thing I can disclose at this point is that it is coming to an end. and we can expect that the results of the investigation will come out very soon,” DOJ SPOX CLAVANO
Swimmer Angel Mae Otom will carry the Philippine flag during the Paris Paralympics closing ceremony at Stade de France on Sunday.
Otom, 21, was the unanimous choice after reaching the finals of her two events at La Defense Arena.
She placed fifth in the women’s 50-meter butterfly S5 event, with a personal-best of 45.78 seconds, and was sixth in the 50m backstroke S5 with a time of 44s.
“The fact that Angel made two finals in both of her events, in her Paralympic Games debut at that, was truly remarkable and bodes well for future appearances for the country in international competition,” delegation chief Ral Rosario said in a news release on Saturday.
“She (Otom) has earned the honor of being the flag-bearer at the closing ceremony. And the decision among the team members and coaches was READ MORE
The governments of the Philippines and Indonesia have agreed to institutionalize cooperation between their police forces, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Saturday.
DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said this development followed the capture of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, who was hiding in Indonesia.
“Iyong nangyari sa Indonesia, you know Alice Guo, is just one case. But there a lot of other criminals that can go through this path. Kaya nag-usap kami ng Indonesian police na ‘yung ginawa namin na ganito, police to police, ito ay magiging institutionalize na. ‘Yung cooperation na ito, ‘Yung pagtutulungan natin,” Abalos said in a news forum in Quezon City.
The DILG chief said an exchange of information and operations between the
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Saturday vowed to use all possible means to protect the country’s porous borders against illegal activities and ensure the safety of Filipinos.
“Well, you know, we are one with the congressmen and the senators when we try to look for possible ways to guard our porous borders,” DOJ Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Mico Clavano said in a forum in Quezon City.
Having 7,107 islands and one of the longest coastlines in the world as an archipelago, the Philippines presents a security challenge, Clavano said. However, it can still be addressed with the help of various legal components and initiatives, he added.
“So, it is quite challenging, but it’s not a challenge that cannot be overcome with with help of legislation, with the help of proper law enforcement, with the help of all these other mechanisms and programs that we can instill. So, the Secretary of Justice has also categorized this as a big challenge, but not something that is insurmountable,” Clavano said.
He also cited the importance of a whole-of-government approach in safeguarding the country’s coastline, noting the DOJ’s collaboration with congressmen and senators in finding a solution to the problem.
Pangandaman issued the statement, following the claim of the Medical Action Group that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) “unilaterally removed” the PhilHealth coverage of 30 million individuals, including Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and their dependents.
“Under the Universal Health Care Act, all Filipinos are entitled to health insurance, whether as direct or indirect contributors to PhilHealth. The government subsidizes premiums for those who can’t afford them, ensuring even the most vulnerable are covered,” she said in a Facebook post.
“Claims that millions will lose their coverage are simply false, as PhilHealth is committed to fulfilling its obligations, backed by substantial funds,” she added.
Pangandaman said the DBM’s role is to “faithfully [implement] the national budget,” adding that it is committed to upholding transparency and open communication to keep everyone informed and supported.
She reminded the medical group to be “thoughtful and responsible” in what it shares on social media.
“Every post has the power to shape public opinion, impact lives, and influence the future of our nation.
MANILA – There will be no reduction in the number of members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman assured on Saturday.
Hence, I urge every Filipino to use that power wisely -- to lift each other up, not to spread fear or falsehoods,” Pangandaman said.
“We are serious in our advocacy to counter misinformation that preys on fear and anxiety, undermining trust in our institutions as part of our responsibility to manage the country's resources.”
On Thursday, the group said the DBM has no power to remove membership in PhilHealth.
The DBM responded to the group’s statement the following day, saying the law mandates the health insurance coverage of all Filipinos.
It added that the national government not only provides premium subsidies for indirect contributors but also grants subsidies to those who are financially incapable of paying for health insurance premiums through the provision of subsidies for Point-of-Service patients.
“Remember that what the government provides is the subsidy for the insurance premiums of indirect contributors and since they are already covered by this health insurance, it is now incumbent upon the PhilHealth as the insurer to pay the valid claims of its members,” the DBM said.
The DBM said it is consulting with its legal team for possible filing of legal actions against the medical group “for purveying malicious and misleading information to the public.” (PNA)
Unarmed Philippine National Police (PNP) lady officers were body-searched by members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) before they began looking for Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, PNP-Davao Region Director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said on Friday.
During the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights public hearing, chaired by Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, in Davao City, Torre said they allowed it after a negotiation with the lawyers of the KOJC on the first day of the search for Quiboloy and five others on Aug. 24.
The KOJC founder and his aides are wanted for qualified human trafficking and violating the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.
"We had to endure that kind of humiliation kasi mag-aaway lang kami, Sir, kapag hindi namin sinunod yan (because we will only quarrel with them if we do not follow)," he added.
Torre also showed a video of how they searched the rooms inside the ACQ (Apollo C. Quiboloy) College of Ministry Building, saying the 10 women officers could not do their job properly with KOJC members "swarming, leading, and prohibiting" them from opening some rooms.
KOJC legal counsel Israelito Torreon said the videos presented by Torre were on the ninth day of the search.
"They have already been conducting searches in that area, your honor. I don't
know why they like that area very much, the Bible School. Since Day 1, that has been searched already many times," Torreon said.
Dela Rosa castigated Torre for allowing the 10 women officers to do the search without their firearms.
"If your purpose there in going inside is to arrest Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, you allow only 10 women without firearms, finrisk pa ng mga taga-KOJC, paano ngayon kung may mga armas si Pastor (Quiboloy) doon sa loob at niratrat yung mga pulis mo? Payag ka na mamatay 'yung mga sampu mong pulis (who were also frisked by KOJC members, what if Pastor [Quiboloy] had weapons inside and opened fire at your policewomen? Will you allow 10 of your policewomen to die)?" Dela Rosa asked Torre.
Torre responded: "That's one of the risk(s) that we have to take, Sir."
"For me, if I am the commander, that's a very wrong decision kung mag-aresto ka, babae pa ang ginagamit mo, walang armas, sampu lang tapos. Hindi mo na-imagine (it was a very wrong decision to send 10 unarmed policewomen to arrest someone. Did you not imagine that)?” Dela Rosa said.
"I take responsibility for that, Sir," Torre answered.
No retreat
Dela Rosa advised Torre to have a tactical or strategic retreat as the continuing search, now on its 15th day, has affected the lives of the people inside the compound as well as the thousands of learners of Jose Maria College.
