Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube
Home Blog Page 701

ICC likely to proceed with Philippine drug war probe despite US sanction threat

PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

By Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Reporter

POSSIBLE US sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) are unlikely to quash the tribunal’s interest in investigating the Philippines’ deadly war on drugs, which has drawn international scrutiny over human rights violations, political analysts said on Monday.

The Philippines should still push the ICC probe of ex-President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s anti-illegal drug campaign even if Washington undermines the ICC “if we are to remain adamant about promoting and adhering to democratic norms and the rule of law,” Josue Raphael J. Cortez, a diplomacy instructor at the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde’s School of Diplomacy and Governance, said in a Facebook Messenger chat on Monday.

“This is something that we want in line with our campaign for a nonpermanent seat in the United Nations Security Council by 2027,” he added.

Mr. Cortez noted that if the Philippine government chooses to collaborate with the ICC and the International Police (Interpol) once the court orders the arrest of key actors in the drug war, the US decision to penalize the ICC would have a minimal impact on such efforts.

Manila would likely feel pressured to align its actions with Washington’s stance on the ICC due to US President Donald J. Trump’s “drastic” orders, he added.

“In terms of strengthening our alliance, furthering our economic partnership, and ensuring the welfare of Filipino migrants in the US, our decision to support Washington on the matter may be some sort of appeasement towards Washington’s new regime,” he said.

The ICC might assert its independence and continue probing the bloody drug war, National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) President Ephraim B. Cortez said.

“We have to wait and see how the ICC would respond to the threat of sanctions from the US,” he said in a Viber message. “Of prime consideration is whether the US will consider the Philippines a US ally within the context of the proposed US bill.”

The US House of Representatives earlier this month approved a bill that seeks to sanction the ICC in protest of its arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

The vote was 243 to 140 in favor of the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, which would sanction any foreigner who investigates, arrests, detains, or prosecutes US citizens or those of an allied country, including Israel, who are not members of the ICC, Reuters reported on Jan. 11.

The ICC is a permanent court that can prosecute people for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression in member states or by their nationals.

“Although the US is not a major financial contributor to the ICC, the sanctions proposed under the bill will affect US companies like Microsoft, financial and banking institutions that have dealings with the ICC,” NUPL’s Mr. Cortez said. “This may also move some US allies who are major contributors to the ICC, like Germany and the UK, to follow suit.”

“Financially, the immediate effect of a US sanction would be the cessation of US financial assistance to the ICC’s victims’ fund,” he added.

American sanctions could also affect the tribunal’s legitimacy, making more countries hesitant to work with it in the future, Benilde’s Mr. Cortez said.

“The US, by promulgating such decisions, is clearly undermining the ICC’s mandate and influence,” he said. “This will certainly debilitate the ICC’s capacity to help out in addressing certain crimes that are deemed perilous to the global order.”

The ICC started its preliminary examination of the Philippines’ war on drugs in February 2018, focusing on allegations of crimes against humanity committed under Mr. Duterte’s anti-narcotics campaign.

The probe examined reports of extrajudicial killings and widespread human rights violations, which resulted in thousands of deaths, including those of minors and civilians.

In March 2019, Mr. Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICC, citing “unwarranted attacks” against his government.

In September 2021, the ICC authorized a full investigation of the drug war, but the probe was suspended two months later after the Philippine government requested a deferral, claiming it was conducting its own probe.

The ICC resumed its investigation in early 2023, citing insufficient evidence of genuine efforts by Philippine authorities to prosecute offenders.

Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. earlier said the country would not lift a finger in the probe, but Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin said the country would respond favorably if the ICC seeks Interpol’s help.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla has signaled a softer stance on the ICC probe, Reuters reported on Jan. 23.

“We will talk to them soon in a very well-defined manner, in the spirit of comity,” he told Reuters. “Some people are trying to bridge the divide to bring us together, so we can sit at one table. There are certain areas where we can cooperate… Lines have to be drawn properly.”

Smaller Philippine Coast Guard ship keeps China vessel from Zambales coast

PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD PHOTO

THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said its 44-meter vessel BRP Cabra had managed to prevent a bigger Chinese ship from getting closer to the coastline of Zambales province.

“BRP Cabra, despite its smaller size [than] the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 3103, has been successful in preventing [it]] from advancing closer to the coast of Zambales,” it said in a statement on Sunday night.

It added that the ship had kept CCG 3103 at a distance of 185.2 kilometers from the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

While BRP Cabra is only 44 meters in length, the China Coast Guard deployed another vessel at a distance, “appearing to serve as a supporting vessel for CCG 3103,” the PCG said. “Additionally, CCG 5901 was also spotted a few nautical miles away from CCG 3103.”

The Philippine Coast Guard vowed not to allow China to alter the order in the South China Sea by encroaching closer to the Zambales coastline in northern Philippines.

“Despite these developments, the PCG remains committed to challenging the illegal presence of Chinese Coast Guard vessels,” it said.

“Our continued presence serves as a clear demonstration of our commitment to upholding our sovereign rights and a steadfast stance against any violations of international law, all while prioritizing a peaceful approach,” it added.

The PCG at the weekend accused CCG 3103 of using a long-range acoustic device against its vessel near the Zambales, weeks since it started monitoring the area after Beijing deployed its biggest coast guard ship in the Philippine EEZ.

The PCG said CCG 3103 had replaced another vessel deployed near the Zambales and “appears to be escorted by CCG 5901 or the “Chinese monster ship.”

The Philippines has accused China of intimidating Filipino fishermen near Scarborough Shoal and normalizing its “illegal presence” after Beijing sent the monster ship, the world’s biggest coast guard vessel, into the Philippine EEZ on Jan. 4.

A United Nations-backed court in the Hague voided China’s expansive claim in the South China Sea in 2016, as it ruled the shoal is a traditional fishing ground for Filipino, Chinese and Vietnamese fishermen. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Marcos pardons ex-Iloilo mayor dismissed during Duterte’s term

FORMER ILOILO CITY MAYOR JED MABILOG — FACEBOOK.COM/HOUSEOFREPSPH

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has pardoned a former mayor who was dismissed from office in 2017 and had been linked by the former administration to the illegal drug trade.

In granting executive clemency or presidential pardon to former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog, Malacañang cited his “long standing commitment to good governance, coupled with awards and recognition received by Iloilo City under his leadership.”

Mr.  Mabilog was dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2017 after being found guilty of “serious dishonesty” for failing to explain an P8.9-million increase in his wealth from 2012 to 2013.

Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin said the presidential pardon dated Jan. 15 also reverts Mr. Mabilog’s right to run for public office and removes all other penalties related to the 2017 case.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Juan Victor “Jonvic” Remulla said in a Viber message to reporters that all Mr. Mabilog’s “civil rights are restored.”

“This serves not just as a vindication for the wrongful and deceitful cases filed against me but as the triumph of justice in this country,” Mr. Mabilog said in a statement.

“My seven years of exile taught me very beautiful lessons, but foremost among them is this: to build and rebuild the community, we need love and integrity,” he added.

Former President Rodrigo R. Duterte had linked Mr. Mabilog to the drug trade, which the former local chief had denied. No charges were filed against him in relation to drug allegations.

Mr. Mabilog left the country in 2017 and only went back in September 2024 under the Marcos administration, supposedly to clear his name.

In a congressional hearing last year, the ex-mayor said he had been pressured by the former administration to implicate opposition figures including former Senator Franklin M. Drilon and former presidential candidate Manuel A. Roxas II in the drug trade. 

‘REWARD’
“The pardon granted Mabilog on his administrative [case], obviously, is a reward for attacking and besmirching the integrity and reputation of former [President] Rodrigo Roa Duterte, who is a critic of the administration,” Mr. Duterte’s former chief lawyer, Salvador M. Panelo, said in a statement.

Mr. Mabilog said the Marcos administration “upholds justice, which people like me, who are unjustly accused, can somehow be confident to avail themselves of vindication.” — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Minimal impact seen in US aid halt

BW FILE PHOTO

THE United States government’s temporary suspension of foreign assistance would only have minimal impacts on the Philippine economy, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) said.

Foreign assistance from the US represents only a “small part” of the Philippines’ overall economic activities, NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said.

“Not so much directly. And in the short term, much of our loans now are with other countries and multilateral institutions,” he told reporters when asked about the potential impacts of US President Donald J. Trump’s freeze on foreign aid.

“If you are talking about the economy, that’s a small part,” he added.

He said any indirect effects could stem from its role as a key shareholder in multilateral lending institutions like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The potential impacts would likely be more medium-term in nature, he noted.

Mr. Balisacan also said the Philippines’ flagship infrastructure projects, which are largely funded by countries like Japan, Korea, and multilateral institutions like the ADB and World Bank, would not be significantly impacted.

“For our current infrastructure flagship projects, not much. Many of those projects are funded by Japan, Korea, ADB, and World Bank,” he said.

The suspension, announced by the US State Department, involves a “stop-work” order for all existing foreign assistance, in addition to halting new aid, as Mr. Trump recently ordered a 90-day pause in foreign development assistance. A stop-work order issued by the US State Department last week covers all existing foreign assistance. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Budget is constitutional — Quimbo

JCOMP-FREEPIK

THE PHILIPPINE Congress submitted to Malacañang the budget bill without any blank line items, a lawmaker said on Monday, allaying concerns about the constitutionality of the P6.326-trillion national budget this year.

In a statement, Marikina Rep. Stella Luz A. Quimbo said the 2025 budget’s bicameral conference committee authorized legislative staff members to “implement corrections” made to the spending plan, acknowledging there were blank line items in its committee report.

The 2025 national budget was put in the spotlight in mid-January after ex-President Rodrigo R. Duterte said the budget bill had blank line items whose amounts were later filled out by the Executive branch, a claim that President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. denied.

“When the members of the Bicameral Committee signed the report, all appropriations had already been determined and approved — no changes were made,” she said.

“The Bicameral Report explicitly authorized the technical secretariats of both the Senate and the House of Representatives to implement corrections and adjustments as required,” she added. “These do not affect the integrity nor the legality of the budget.” — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

ERC power over bill deposits upheld

BW FILE PHOTO

THE Supreme Court (SC) upheld the authority of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to require consumers to provide bill deposits as security for their electricity bills, deeming it a legitimate exercise of the ERC’s rate-setting powers to safeguard the financial stability of electricity distributors.

The tribunal en banc, in a 32-page ruling promulgated on Oct. 8, 2024, but was only publicized on Jan. 27, said that judicial review necessitates an actual and finalized government action that directly impacts the petitioners.

As the ERC’s Rules on Bill Deposits are still in the process of being finalized, there is no definitive act subject to challenge.

“It is not our function to issue an advisory opinion on the questions of policy and regulations of administrative agencies. It is premature for this Court to intervene in the delicate exercise of the ERC’s rate-fixing functions since it has yet to finalize the rules on bill deposits and the more specific mechanisms for its implementation,” it said.

The case stemmed from the Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers, which ERC introduced in 2004. It mandated residential consumers to pay bill deposits equivalent to one month’s estimated billing as a guarantee for payments.

These deposits could be used for overdue bills, earned annual interest credited to customers’ accounts, and were refundable upon service termination. The ERC issued guidelines for the collection and refund of deposits.

In 2018, the ERC proposed draft rules for monitoring and reporting bill deposits and sought stakeholder feedback.

In 2019, former lawmakers Neri J. Colmenares and Carlos Isagani T. Zarate, among others, challenged the bill deposit requirement before the high court, arguing that it lacked sufficient regulations. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Halt vehicle inspection, Tulfo says

Motorists are stuck in traffic along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, July 28, 2022. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

A PHILIPPINE senator on Monday asked the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to halt its mandatory inspection of private vehicles to spare owners of needless costs, citing the need for the agency to focus on the roadworthiness of public utility vehicles (PUVS).

“Suspend that first (private motor vehicle inspection). Study this first and reduce the burden on private vehicle owners,” Senator Rafael T. Tulfo, who heads the public services committee, told a hearing in mixed English and Filipino.

“Most of these private vehicles are well-maintained by their owners, these delivery vans and bigger vehicles are what we see with smoke emissions.”

He said the agency should focus on buses and other public utility vehicles.

At a Senate public service committee hearing on Jan. 14, LTFRB Chairman Teofilo E. Guadiz III said the government would use these testing centers to certify jeepneys for road safety ahead of cooperatives’ vehicle modernization obligations once transport routes are finalized by 2026.

The agency earlier said it would come up with at least half of the final transport routes for modern jeepneys by the end of this year and finish these routes by 2026 with only about 15% of routes having been completed.

In August last year, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. rejected a proposal to suspend the government’s jeepney modernization program, rejecting criticisms that the plan had been rushed.

Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista earlier said suspending the modernization program would waste investments that have been made to roll out the plan. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Dengvaxia petitioners may pursue civil case instead — DoJ

OLGA KONONENKO-UNSPLASH

A Department of Justice (DoJ) official on Monday said the petitioners in the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine case might have a better chance of obtaining justice if they pursue a civil case rather than a criminal one after it withdrew charges against health officials.

“The remedy may not be criminal. There could be claims of civil damages whoever may be held responsible,” Justice Undersecretary Raul T. Vasquez told reporters in an ambush interview in Manila City.

“We’re not saying there is an obligation — we don’t want to speculate — but it is up to their lawyers to craft a legal strategy that could provide them with some assistance and support, particularly in seeking compensation for all their suffering. It’s truly a very difficult situation.”

This comes after the DoJ junked 98 Dengvaxia complaints, dismissing criminal charges against former Health Secretary Janette L. Garin and other officials.

The charges involve the deaths of 98 children who were inoculated with the anti-dengue vaccine.

In a resolution dated Jan. 10, and signed by Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, the prosecutor general was directed to withdraw the charges filed before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court against Ms. Garin, along with co-respondents.

“In the scheme of things that transpired involving Dengvaxia, we found that the step-by-step procedures undertaken by respondents-appellants, leading to the implementation of the program, do not exhibit inexcusable lack of precaution to hold them liable for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide,” the resolution read.

The DoJ added that no causal link could be established between the Dengvaxia vaccination of school children, and the deaths cited in the victims’ complaint-affidavit. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Lawmaker wants temporary operation license for Elon Musk’s Starlink

BRISA PALOMAR/PACIFIC PRESS/SIPA USA VIA REUTERS CONNECT

A RESOLUTION urging the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to provide Elon Musk’s Starlink Internet Services Philippines, Inc. a temporary license to operate was filed at the House of Representatives last week.

Albay Rep. Jose Ma. Clemente S. Salceda wants the NTC to give Starlink a provisional authority to build, own, and operate satellite ground radio stations for at least a year, while its franchise is undergoing the legislative mill, according to House Joint Resolution No. 21 filed on January 23.

“Starlink Philippines was the first accredited Satellite Systems Provider and Operator in the Philippines and the first wholly foreign-owned company authorized to provide internet access services to Filipinos,” Ilocos Norte Rep. Angelo Marcos Barga said in House Concurrent Resolution No. 40, which was filed on January 22.

Starlink is a satellite internet service of Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX). According to its website, SpaceX continues to launch satellites into orbit to bring high-speed broadband to rural and remote areas.

Bills seeking to provide Starlink a 25-year franchise to operate have been filed at the Senate and House of Representatives last year. Both versions require Starlink to improve internet access to areas with scant connections, while also hiring residents near where a satellite station would be constructed.

Starlink’s domestic internet service operations started in Feb. 2023 and is currently operating under accreditations provided by the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the National Telecommunications Commission. – Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Legal education reforms sought

THE PHILIPPINE Chief Justice called for reforms to modernize the country’s legal education system, underscoring the need to prepare lawyers for the challenges posed by a rapidly evolving global landscape.

Speaking at the 2025 Philippine Association of Law Schools, Inc. (PALS) Annual Convention in Pampanga, Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo said current legal education must adapt to address technological advancements, internationalization and emerging issues such as environmental law and artificial intelligence (AI).

“AI and other technological tools are reshaping the practice of law, from legal research and document review to predictive analytics and case strategy,” he added.

He highlighted the need for a curriculum that integrates theoretical knowledge, practical expertise, and the values necessary for ethical and responsible legal practice.

Collaboration among stakeholders, especially between the Legal Education Board and PALS, was emphasized as essential for driving the necessary reforms in the legal education system. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Sex education lessons sans law questioned

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

A House of Representatives committee on Monday questioned the Department of Education (DepEd) for implementing sex education in Philippine schools despite the lack of an enabling law.

A 2018 DepEd order allowing schools to teach sex education could even be unconstitutional, Manila Rep. Bienvenido M. Abante, Jr. said, claiming that the 1987 Philippine Constitution places focus on “preserving moral values and protecting the youth.”

“We promote morality, we preserve moral values, and we protect our youth… in the Constitution, and [DepEd] Order No. 31 of 2018 is highly unconstitutional,” he told lawmakers.

“We will question this in the Supreme Court,” he added.

The Education department issued the 2018 sex education memorandum to raise students’ understanding regarding the “cognitive, emotional, physical, and social aspects of sexuality” in an age-appropriate manner.

The Education department is still implementing the sex education order, but it is currently undergoing review, DepEd Undersecretary Filemon Ray L. Javier said in the same hearing.

“There’s no decision to suspend. But the directive from us is to totally review Department Order No. 31… to ensure that its implementation is correct,” he said.

Sex education has been incorporated into the Philippine curriculum across all grade levels since the approval of the Reproductive Health Act of 2012.

“You have a different issuance, which complicates the matter and normalizes comprehensive sexuality education (CSE),” Pasig Rep. Roman T. Romulo, who heads the House basic education panel, said in mixed English and Filipino.

“[This] normalizes CSE, which is not yet a law. There is no CSE Act yet,” he added.

Measures seeking to make sexuality education a mainstay in the school curriculum have faced backlash from conservative sectors of the predominantly catholic country. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

PBEd helps 200 youth find jobs

PHILIPPINE STAR/RYAN BALDEMOR

A WORKFORCE development initiative has helped 200 Filipino out-of-school youth secure jobs in construction and automotive industries, addressing skills shortages in high-demand sectors while tackling unemployment, the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) said on Monday.

“Our out-of-school youth often face barriers in accessing training and employment opportunities, limiting their ability to showcase their full potential,” Hanibal E. Camua, PBEd deputy executive director for programs, said in a statement.

Project Human Capital Investment for Work Readiness and Employment (HIRE), was implemented by PBEd with funding from Wells Fargo. Conducted between June 2023 and September 2024, it offered enterprise-based education and training in South Cotabato, Mindanao and Pasig City.

Participants received training subsidies, mentoring, and core skills development to prepare them for employment, PBEd added.

It said the project aligns with the recently enacted Enterprise-Based Education and Training framework, which institutionalizes private sector involvement in technical-vocational training.

“Project HIRE harnesses private sector involvement in training, ensuring that young individuals… acquire the precise skills industries need,” Mr. Camua added.

Philippine Statistics Authority, in its October 2024 Labor Force Survey, found that 774,000 youth were not in education, employment, or training. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

1...700701702...12,859Page 701 of 12,859
© 2024 BusinessWorld Publishing.
All rights reserved.
Read our privacy guidelines
Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube