light is an indication of guilt,” declared Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr., chairman of the House Committee on Human Rights, in response to former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque’s continued refusal to cooperate with a congressional investigation into his alleged involvement with illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).
Roque was ordered arrested and detained by the House Quad Committee after being cited in contempt for failing to
F
submit subpoenaed documents crucial to the investigation, including his tax records and Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and
Net Worth.
Instead of complying, Roque has gone into hiding and vowed not to surrender.
“The law applies to everyone. Roque’s actions are not about standing up for his rights—they are about avoiding accountability. He is not above the law,” stressed Abante, one of the co-chairs of the Quad Committee.
Roque, in a statement, claimed that Congress had overstepped its authority and vowed to challenge his contempt citation in court.
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A member of the “Young Guns” of the House of Representatives on Tuesday expressed grave concern over Sen. Jinggoy Estrada's “fierce defense” of the P2 billion allocation of the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) that the chamber slashed to P733 million, saying he should not turn a blind eye to the many red flags raised by no less than the Commission on Audit (COA) itself.
House Assistant Majority Leader and Taguig City Rep. Pammy Zamora cautioned Estrada as his statements may be misconstrued as tolerance of what COA itself is flagging.
“Sen. Estrada’s fierce defense of the VP Sara Duterte’s is a cause of concern. These are not confidential funds; they are part of the regular budget that should be carefully reviewed. Public money is always scrutinized in their use,” Zamora said.
On Sunday, Deputy Majority Leader Jude Acidre and Assistant Majority Leader Jil Bongalon told Sen. Joel Villanueva to respect interparliamentary boundaries and not interfere in matters that are solely within the discretion of the House of Representatives, such as the chamber slashing by almost P1.3 billion the 2025 budget of Duterte’s office.
They both issued statements censuring Villanueva for publicly attacking the decision of the House Committee on Appropriations to reduce to P733 million the budget of Vice President Sara Duterte for failure to address lawmakers’ concerns.
Zamora highlighted the country's current economic difficulties, pointing out that every centavo of the national budget must be spent wisely, especially with rising costs affecting ordinary Filipinos.
She called for a thorough review of the OVP's budget, and emphasized that the VP is being given the proper forum to air her side.
“We need to closely examine not only confidential funds but also regular budget items. They should always be used for real programs and services, Zamora said.
She also urged her fellow lawmakers to uphold their duty as guardians of the public purse.
“We owe it to the Filipino people to ensure that their taxes are used responsibly,” she emphasized.
Zamora concluded by reminding her colleagues of their responsibility to provide oversight on government spending.
“Filipinos deserve leaders who are transparent and accountable. It's our job to make sure that public funds are always used for their benefit,” she said.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos on Monday led the campaign to combat the proliferation of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC), emphasizing its impact on the heart and foundations of every community in the Philippines.
In his speech during the Iisang Nasyon, Iisang Aksyon: Tapusin ang OSAEC Ngayon Summit 2024, President Marcos cited that nearly half a million Filipinos children have been victimized by OSAEC.
“Many of these victims live within our midst, and several may even be the sons, daughters, and neighbors of those we know, while the perpetrators are the victims’ families or relatives who are expected to care for them,” he added.
“We are here today to confront one of the greatest challenges of our time. The challenges that we face in government are always the challenges that are brought to us by the future. And what exemplifies our future more, what symbolizes our future more than our children? And that is why this strikes at the very heart of our society. It undermines the foundations of what we are, of who we are as a people,” President Marcos said.
“In every community that is alive with the laughter and the chatter of children, there is a dark reality— where half a million Filipino, 1 in every 100 Filipinos has been victimized. It is an appalling statistic. We cannot allow this to continue. We will not allow it to continue. It is the horrible scourge of Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children or OSAEC, which remains widespread now in our country,” he added.
Recognizing the need to take massive action against OSAEC, the Chief Executive created the Presidential Office for Child Protection (POCP), which will serve as the epicenter of all efforts, resources, and strategies to ensure that every child in the country is protected and supported.
“As this is a battle that we must not lose and we will not lose, this Administration created the Presidential Office for Child Protection or POCP, which is a critical step in our fight against this crisis,”
the President announced.
“The POCP will serve as the epicenter of our efforts, bringing together resources and strategies to ensure that every child in our country is protected and supported,” he added.
President Marcos pointed out the Anti-OSAEC and Anti-CSAEM Act and the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022 as legislative strides that focus on the relentless pursuit of bringing perpetrators to justice.
“On the legislative side, such as the Anti-OSAEC and Anti-CSAEM Act as well as the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022, also underscore our relentless pursuit to bring these perpetrators to justice,” the President said. PND
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday maintained that the latest move by the legal team of former Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. insisting on new proceedings to question his extradition from Timor-Leste will not prosper.
“We are confident that the outcome of the new proceedings will be the same as the previous decision. The legal merits are clear, and we expect that Mr. Teves will face justice in the Philippines soon, given the strong evidence against him in connection with multiple serious charges, including the murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo,” the DOJ said in a statement.
The DOJ’s statement clarified recent reports regarding the alleged nullification of the Timor-Leste court’s decision to extradite Teves.
Contrary to these claims, the department said the proper court in Timor-Leste has already ruled, based on the merits, that Teves should be extradited to the Philippines.
It said Teves’ attempt to contest this ruling on procedural grounds, specifically questioning the number of
judges involved in the decision, is just “a clear afterthought”.
“Mr. Teves and his representatives were fully engaged in the proceedings, had the opportunity to present their case, and were afforded due process throughout. Their recent objections only arose after they failed to secure a favorable outcome,” the DOJ said.
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla reassured that the Philippine government is fully committed to bringing Teves back to the country.
“No amount of underhanded tactics will derail our determination to get this fugitive home to face the murder charges. The victims need justice,” he said.
Teves is facing 10 counts of murder, 12 counts of frustrated murder, and four
counts of attempted murder before the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 51 over the March 4, 2023 shootings in Pamplona, Negros Oriental that led to the killing of Governor Roel Degamo and several others.
He fled to Dili, Timor-Leste, and applied for political asylum.
In March, he was arrested while playing golf. He was released from the Becora Prison but was re-arrested and transferred to the Polícia Nacional of Timor-Leste.
On June 27, the DOJ said the Court of Appeals of Timor-Leste granted the Philippines’ request for Teves’ extradition.
Teves has filed an appeal on the ruling, but the Timor-Leste government turned it down. (PNA)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has endorsed former Presidential Communications Office (PCO) secretary Cheloy Garafil as a member and chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), Malacañang announced on Tuesday.
Marcos issued a desire letter, expressing his intent for Garafil to lead the MECO Board of Directors, the PCO said in a Facebook post.
“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., through a desire letter, recommends Atty. Cheloy E. Velicaria-Garafil as Member and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO),” the PCO said.
The PCO did not release a copy of the desire letter.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. directed on Tuesday the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) to partner with the Department of Health (DOH) in strengthening the information drive on immunization for children.
In a sectoral meeting, President Marcos told PCO Acting Secretary Cesar Chavez to help in communicating the cause.
He stressed the need to utilize social-
-media.
“We have to get people to talk that they will say-
The DOJ will evaluate the new complainants-witnesses “to preclude the possibility of infiltration” by Quiboloy supporters out to sabotage the government’s cases against the 74-year-old pastor, Undersecretary Nicolas Felix Ty told the media.
“May mga lumutang na sa Davao, may mga lumutang din sa ibang regions ng Mindanao at sa amin dito sa head office (in Manila), may mga nag-contact na upang makiramdam kung ano pwede nilang gawin (Some came out from Davao and other regions of Mindanao, and here at the DOJ, some have contacted us to inquire what they can do),” Ty said.
He urged other victims and witnesses to come forward and assured that the DOJ would assist them.
“Basta para sa amin, ang mga biktima, bukas kami na tanggapin, marinig ang
MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday said it at least eight individuals have come out to file fresh complaints against religious leader Apollo Quiboloy.
inyong mga kwento. At kung handa na kayong magkaso, tutulungan namin kayo na mag-kaso (For the victims, we are ready to receive you and hear your stories. And whenever you are ready to file cases, we will assist you),” Ty said.
Quiboloy, founder of the Davao City-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ the Name Above all Else (KOJC), faces charges of child abuse and trafficking in the Philippines, as well as sex trafficking charges in the United States.
Ty said the DOJ also coordinated with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in connection with possible complaints against coddlers of Quiboloy.
“Nationwide naman ang sakop ng mga state prosecutor pagdating sa preliminary investigation.