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Bid to impeach SC justices may be consolidated

By Charmaine A. Tadalan
THE HOUSE committee on justice may consolidate the seven impeachment complaints filed by opposition lawmakers against the seven Supreme Court associate justices who granted the quo warranto petition that ousted Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno as chief justice.
“Considering that more or less (this involves) similarly situated…parties because all of them are members of the court, all of them made the decision as a collegial body — same facts, same issues, same relief prayed for, (so) we can make this consolidation to expedite the proceeding,” committee chairperson Doy C. Leachon told reporters in a press briefing, Monday.
The Mindoro Oriental Representative had earlier committed to begin hearing on the impeachment complaints early next month, as the complaints are expected to be referred to the committee upon resumption of sessions today, Aug. 28.
“Well, tomorrow it will be referred to us. And…. we have the three-day-notice rule, and considering that we have to inform about 55 members of the committee, and the reproduction of so many documents, we set the initial date of hearing on Sept. 4. That’s Tuesday, at 9:00 in the morning,” Mr. Leachon said.
He also said he will see if the committee can coordinate with the complainants as he plans to push for the joint hearing of the impeachment complaints.
“As to the manner, let’s see…if the complainants will agree with us that the hearing as well as the trying of the complaints will be tackled simultaneously and jointly,” Mr. Leachon said.
He noted this is in accordance with Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s pronouncement to expedite proceedings to allow the chamber to tackle other legislative agenda.
“And of course we will solve this issue as soon as we can, considering that we have so many legislative measures that are being prioritized, as initiated in the State of the Nation Address by the President. And so with the pronouncement of the Speaker,…we have to expedite this one dahil (because it’s currently the) budget season ngayon,” he also said.
Members of the Magnificent 7 bloc last Thursday filed the impeachment complaints against Diosdado M. Peralta, Lucas P. Bersamin, Andres B. Reyes, Francis H. Jardeleza, Noel G. Tijam, Alexander G. Gesmundo, and Teresita L. de Castro, whom President Rodrigo R. Duterte appointed over the weekend as the new chief justice.
They were charged with culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust. Three of the justices, apart from Ms. de Castro, had vied for the post of chief justice — Messrs. Peralta, Bersamin, and Tijam.

Report: PHL’s move to Jerusalem may be raised in Duterte’s visit

THE Philippine Embassy’s possible transfer from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem will be raised during President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s visit to Israel, the Jerusalem Post has reported.
Citing “diplomatic officials” in its report on Aug. 22, the newspaper said, “The Philippines was mentioned repeatedly in December as one of a handful of countries that might follow the US lead and move its embassy to Jerusalem, a rumor that was shot down by Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano later that month when he said the move had not been discussed. Nevertheless, reports about a possible move have continued to surface.”
The Post also noted the Philippines was one of 35 countries which abstained when the UN General Assembly passed a resolution in December that condemned the US for the move to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Sought for comment about this possible agenda when Mr. Duterte visits Israel on Sept. 2 to 5, University of the Philippines (UP) law professor Antonio G.M. La Viña said: “Yes, of course, you would expect that.”
But he noted that the Philippine government should be extra careful with this “because we have also very, very important relationships with other Arab countries. So why should we risk that for this, right?”
“On the part of Israel, probably, that is one of the things that they would want to prioritize. But the Philippines cannot prioritize that, because we have this relationship with Muslim countries as well,” he added.
Mr. Duterte is also scheduled to visit Jordan in the course of his Middle East trip.
Also sought for comment, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ernesto C. Abella said: “I have not received any such report.”
DELEGATION
Speaking about his trip to Israel on Monday, Mr. Duterte said a delegation of his will include retiring military and police officials.
“I would be going there with some of the retiring military and police officers. Marami kami (There are many of us). That is my gift to them for serving the country well,” Mr. Duterte told reporters on Monday morning, Aug. 27, at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on the sidelines of the National Heroes Day commemoration.
Asked about the purpose of his trip, Mr. Duterte said: “I’m there because of the 28,000 Filipinos, and it’s getting hotter there. And also on the Lebanese front, there is something brewing there. And in Jordan, we have 48,000 Filipinos. That’s why I am bringing (Environment Secretary and retired general Roy A.) Cimatu to prepare for that eventuality and just in case war breaks out there.”
In a phone interview, University of Santo Tomas (UST) political science professor Marlon M. Villarin said: “The presence of the President, particularly in Jordan, is a diplomatic statement that this government is very serious when it comes to providing protection to our overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are affected by the current situation in Jordan.”
“In dealing with Israel and Jordan, I think the Philippine government is very serious when it comes to its idea of expanding our military capability….It’s one way to manifest our independent foreign policy when it comes to military [cooperation with other nations],” Mr. Villarin added.
Mr. La Viña, for his part, said the Philippine government “just would like to establish ties with countries” like Israel and Jordan. — Arjay L. Balinbin

President defends De Castro’s appointment

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday defended his appointment of Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, citing the Supreme Court’s (SC) tradition of seniority.
“Kung sinong naunang pumasok, siya ang unang ma-promote (Whoever comes first, he will be promoted first) and that would go for everybody,” Mr. Duterte told reporters on Monday morning, Aug. 27, at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on the sidelines of the National Heroes Day commemoration.
He added: “And it will be the same for all justices, not only de Castro. Lahat ‘yan sila (All of them). Unless, of course, they refuse or maybe they would opt to retire o konti na lang panahon (or there is little time left). Pero kung lahat sila tatanggap, talagang train ‘yan (But if they all accept, it’s really like a train). In the Civil Service, no political colors included. Bawal ‘yan (That’s prohibited). So merit system.”
As for his critics who claim Ms. de Castro’s appointment is a reward for her role in the ouster of her predecessor, Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno, Mr. Duterte said: “I have yet to hear those guys state something without malice. They always say the worst….People, kagaya nila (like them) judge best when they condemn.”
Asked what he expects Ms. de Castro to accomplish in less than two months until she retires on Oct. 8, Mr. Duterte said, “I am not familiar with any of them actually. They are all strangers to me.”
On the possibility of Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio succeeding Ms. de Castro once she steps down, the President said: “He stated publicly that he is not going to accept it.”
“So why force the person to accept a task that he does not want? This is a free country….” he added.
In a message to reporters on Monday afternoon, Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence T. Go said,
“CJ (Chief Justice) appointee Justice De Castro has communicated to OP (the Office of the President) that she will endeavor to take her oath at the earliest time as soon as SC is in receipt of her appointment paper that she may assume and enter into judicial functions and duties as CJ.”
“OP has scheduled on Aug. 31 for CJ to visit Malacañang and take her Ceremonial Oath before PRRD (Mr. Duterte),” Mr. Go also said. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Fuel products up this week

OIL COMPANIES are raising the prices of major petroleum products this week, with gasoline going on its third week of hike. Diesel will rise by P0.60 per liter (/L) after staying unchanged last week, while kerosene will increase by P0.45/L coming from last week’s P0.20 hike. Gasoline will move up by P0.10/L. For most of the oil companies, the price adjustment will take place at 6:00 a.m. today. So far this month, oil prices have increased after initially starting the month with a price cut. Gasoline prices have consistently rose, while diesel and kerosene had one week each of staying unchanged. — Victor V. Saulon

Poe says HOV scheme unsuitable for Metro Manila

SENATOR GRACE Poe-Llamanzares on Monday said the expanded High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) traffic-reduction scheme is not fit for a place like Metro Manila.
In an interview with reporters, Ms. Poe, chair of the Senate committee on public services, said the HOV policy, which was approved by the Metro Manila Council (MMC) earlier this month and is currently being implemented on a test run in EDSA, would not work if the alternative routes are also congested.
“Ang High Occupancy Vehicles ay nagtatagumpay sa lugar na may ibang kalsada na pwede gamitin pero dito sa atin, siksikan sa mga ibang kalsada, Baka mahirapan talaga tayo,” she said.
The HOV scheme bars all driver-only vehicles from passing through EDSA from 7 to 10 a.m. and 6 to 9 p.m.
She added, “Dapat meron silang pag-aaral na iprepresenta sa madla at sa senado (They should have a study they can present to the public and the Senate).”
She said the MMC should also provide information if the dry run has shown improvement in traffic flow along EDSA and if it did encourage commuters to do carpooling.
Under the test run, the ban is in place, but violators would not be slapped with the fine.
Ms. Poe stressed that the government should focus on other ways to ease traffic congestion and transportation problems in the capital, such as completing the North Luzon Expressway-South Luzon Expressway connector road and expediting the delivery of trains ordered from China.
The MMC, the policy-making body of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), is composed of the mayors and congressmen from the National Capital Region.
JEEPNEY MODERNIZATION
Meanwhile, Ms. Poe also said that she will call for Senate hearings on the public utility jeepney (PUJ) modernization program.
“Kung puwedeng isabay sa budget o magkakaroon ng hiwalay na hearing, lalo na do’n sa mga memorandum circular na bagong ipinatutupad ng (If possible, it will be simultaneous with the budget hearing, or separate, particularly on the new memorandum circular that will be implemented by the) DOTr (Department of Transportation),” she said.
Ms. Poe noted that the planned ₱80,000 subsidy per vehicle seems insufficient.
She added that while she is not against the modernization program, she wants government to first sort out the guidelines and procedures to ensure that affected drivers are not burdened. — Gillian M. Cortez

50,000 sacks of rice up for bidding

THE BUREAU of Customs (BoC) will auction off on Wednesday some 50,000 sacks of white rice that is 5% broken. In an advisory, the BoC’s Manila International Container Port (MICP) said that it will bid out about 100 50×20’ containers containing the staple grain that arrived on July 24. The bidding will be held 2:00 pm at the MICP building in North Harbor, Manila. Eligible to participate are those who have an updated National Food Authority license. The BoC has said that it will speed up the auction of seized goods in a bid to address supply concerns that made inflation accelerate in recent months. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan

Ilocos Norte declares state of calamity due to flooding, damages

THE ILOCOS Norte provincial board has declared a state of calamity due to widespread flooding and damages to infrastructure and agriculture caused by continuous and heavy rainfall over the weekend. In a statement, the local government said more than 14,000 affected residents have been recorded and damages estimated at P111 million. “Declaring Ilocos Norte under state of calamity would mean coordinated efforts in every part of our province,” said Vice-Governor Angelo Marcos Barba, who chairs the provincial board. The Ilocos Norte Tourism Office also released an advisory urging tourists and locals to stay indoors. Tourist spots like the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, Malacañang of the North, the Marcos Presidential Center, and other government-owned facilities have been closed until further notice. The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council have launched initial relief operations in the towns of Paoay, Pasuquin, and Burgos.

Cebu flights to be cancelled, rescheduled as runway undergoes rehab

BW FILE PHOTO

A NUMBER of domestic and international flights to and from the Mactan-Cebu International airport will be cancelled or rescheduled from Sept. 1-21 as runway 04/22 will be closed for repair and rehabilitation. The runway closure will be between 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. All flights outside these window hours will remain operational. “Passengers of cancelled flights have been reprotected on next available flights and have been notified via email (Trip Notification) and/or call-out. Passengers of re-timed flights have been informed of their revised flight schedule via email and/or call-out,” Philippine Airlines said in a statement. Passengers who booked through travel agents are advised to check with their agents for the new schedule. Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific, in a separate statement, apologized for the inconvenience and offered to rebook, reroute or refund affected flights without charges. “The closure of the runway is necessary to allow for the extremely important runway rehabilitation spearheaded by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority,” Cebu Pacific said. — Reicelene Joy N. Ignacio

Cops to sue Osmeña for taking 3 men arrested for butane refilling

THE CEBU City Police Office is set this week to file charges for obstruction of justice, grave abuse of authority, and graft against Mayor Tomas R. Osmeña for taking custody of three men arrested last week for their illegal butane canister refilling business. Senior Supt. Royina Garma told The Freeman that Police Central Visayas Regional Director Debold M. Sinas has given the go signal to file the cases. “He (Mr. Osmeña) should not meddle with the work of the police. He should not have released those arrested inflagrante delicto (caugt in the act),” Ms. Garma said. Last Friday, cops from the Pari-an Police Station arrested three men for refilling butane canisters with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at the T. Padilla Public Market. Insp. Emmanuel S. Lumancas, deputy chief of the Pari-an police, said the three were arrested in separate operations in line with ongoing efforts to crack down on refilling businesses as mandated by the Department of Energy. Mr. Osmeña arrived at the police station close to 11 p.m. that day and told the police on duty that he would be taking custody of the suspects. Mr. Osmeña has said he is ready to face possible charges, noting that his action was for “mercy” to poor people trying to make a living. — The Freeman

NEA task force takes over Zamcelco operations

THE NATIONAL Electrification Administration (NEA) has formed a task force that took over the operation and management of the financially-ill Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (Zamcelco) starting last week. The team, named Task Force Duterte Zamboanga City Power is composed of seven general managers (GM) of electric cooperatives from different parts of the country. One of them, Adelmon P. Laput, Zamboanga del Norte Electric Cooperative (Zaneco) GM and appointed executive officer of the group, told the media that they will temporarily handle operations while Zamcelco’s current board will focus on the Investment Management Contract (IMC). “We will be holding the operation and the management of the Zamcelco for three months only until the winning bidder [of the IMC] will be awarded,” he said. Last month, Manila Electric Co.-Comstech Integration Alliance, Inc. (Meralco-Comstech) backed out from the IMC. Records from Zamcelco show that the cooperative has about P2 billion in total debts. This includes dues to NEA, P373 million; Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management, P28 million; Mapalad Power Corp., P2 million; Western Mindanao Power Corp., P197 million; San Miguel Consolidated Power Corp., P374 million; and Infinity Power, P212 million. Zamcelco President Hji. Omar A. Sahi, in a radio interview, said the current board is “on standby waiting for the schedule of bids submission on Aug. 30.” He added, “After the approval of the IMC, a transition will be followed and allow the new management to take over.” — Albert F. Arcilla

Marilog IPs get health, social services

ABOUT 1,000 members of the Matigsalug indigenous people (IP) community in a far-flung area of Davao City received health and social services on Aug. 26 delivered by a combined group from the government and private sector. The activity was undertaken by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI), and the Buda Community Healthcare Center-Committee of German Doctors. “This is our way of reaching out to the IP community. We would like to make them feel they have not been forgotten and are now a priority of the government,” Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus G. Dureza said in a statement. Around 170 volunteers joined the medical and dental mission, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, government workers, and members of the security sector. Mr. Dureza noted that majority of the IPs in Mindanao live in remote, underdeveloped, and conflict-affected areas, which limit access to services. Mr. Dureza said uplifting the plight of IPs contributes to bringing peace and security to their communities. “Peace and development should not happen one after the other but should take place simultaneously,” he said. — Carmencita A. Carillo

Nation at a Glance — (08/28/18)

News stories from across the nation. Visit www.bworldonline.com (section: The Nation) to read more national and regional news from the Philippines.

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