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Philippines, Germany sign defense pact

PHILIPPINE Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. and German counterpart Boris Pistorius signed a defense agreement on Wednesday in Berlin. — DND

GERMANY and the Philippines have agreed to enhance defense ties and boost joint activities as Manila builds up a range of alliances to strengthen its position in a longstanding dispute with China in the contested South China Sea.

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. and German counterpart Boris Pistorius signed an “arrangement concerning defense cooperation” in Berlin on Wednesday, agreeing to expand cooperation to include cybersecurity, defense armament and logistics, and United Nations (UN) peacekeeping, the Philippine Department on National Defense (DND) announced on Thursday.

Defense officials from both nations are set to review proposed joint activities for potential implementation under the agreed arrangement next year, it added.

“The arrangement builds on the 1974 Administrative Agreement concerning training of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel in Germany, one of the longest defense cooperation frameworks of the Philippines with another country,” it said in a statement.

The deal follows a visit by Mr. Pistorius to Manila last year where he and Mr. Teodoro committed to boosting long-term relations between their militaries.

The Philippines’ defense cooperation arrangement with Berlin adds to a growing list of defense deals beyond its traditional ally the United States.

Last month, the Philippines signed a defense agreement with New Zealand for expanded military cooperation, and a similar deal with Canada is expected to be signed soon.

A reciprocal access deal with Japan was ratified in December, and President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has approved the start of negotiations with France for a visiting forces agreement.

The Philippines and China have repeatedly locked horns over contested features in the South China Sea — such as Scarborough Shoal and Spratly Islands, leading to maritime confrontations that involve the use of water cannons and repeated sideswipes by Chinese vessels against Philippine ships.

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, a vital trade artery, despite overlapping maritime claims by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam, angering its neighbors.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague said Beijing’s claims had no legal basis. China rejects that decision.

Mr. Pistorius said in Manila last August that the “ruling remains valid, without any exceptions.”

In September last year, two German warships went on a rare transit in the Indo-Pacific to demonstrate Berlin’s commitment to freedom of navigation.

Also in Berlin, Mr. Teodoro said the Philippines pledged to deploy more Filipino troops as part of the UN peacekeeping force, adding a light infantry battalion from the Philippine military and a police unit.

Manila will also continue deploying military observers and police officers to safeguard support staff offices of UN missions in other countries, the DND said in a separate statement.

“The Philippines stands ready to contribute to a safer and more secure world as a trusted partner, pathfinder and peacemaker in the pursuit of lasting and sustainable peace,” Mr. Teodoro said. The Southeast Asian nation is currently bidding for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council.

Meanwhile, the Philippines’ army chief stressed the need for smaller nations to expand alliances and engage in strategic partnerships with allies to help boost the land-fighting capabilities of their militaries. “Small states could multiply their land power exponentially by continuously building a network of partnerships and alliances involving reliable and like-minded arms for a more… integrated response,” Lieutenant General Roy M. Galido, commanding general of the Philippine Army, said based on a statement by the US Army Pacific. 

“Caught in the middle of this geopolitical maelstrom are not only major global and regional players, but also small states struggling to survive and protect their interests,” he added. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio with Reuters

Senate chief wants to keep impeachment rules

BW FILE PHOTO

SENATE President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero on Thursday said that he is looking to retain the Senate’s Rules of Impeachment for the upcoming trial of Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Mr. Escudero said there were proposals from the legal team and various senators during the congressional recess to change the rules.

“The direction I am personally taking right now is to suggest to the impeachment court not to change the rules because the Senate and the institution of the Senate might be accused of changing the rules in the middle of the game to favor one side or the other,” the Senate chief said in a media briefing, in mixed Filipino and English.

Mr. Escudero added that he will propose that any changes in the impeachment rules should be applied to future impeachment cases.

He said that his proposal is still subject to the approval of the Senator Judges that will be sworn-in once Congress resumes in June.

“We can still discuss them, but they will be prospectively applicable to future impeachment complaints that will be discussed by the Senate and not to the current impeachment that we are facing right now,” he added.

Mr. Escudero also called on newly elected and re-elected Senators to refrain from giving out their positions regarding the upcoming impeachment trial.

“According to the rules, they should avoid giving out their categorical position regarding this until the trial has begun and they have not seen any evidence in favor or against the defendant,” he added.

Congress, which went on a nearly four-month long break on Feb. 8 for the midterm elections, is set to resume on June 2-13.

Asked on how Duterte-backed candidates will affect the impeachment trial, Mr. Escudero said that endorsed candidates are still likely to turn their backs on those that have endorsed them.

“If I base it on history, and not just in a specific senator but on the political history of our country, we have seen that alliances change,” he added.

Unofficial election tallies showed that only six senatorial candidates backed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. secured seats during the May 12 elections.

“The level of readiness of the Senate is higher, including the invitations, the ID, the security preparations, the holding areas of the prosecution, the defense panel, even down to the details of their parking, we have prepared, and we are ready,” he added.

Senator Judges are expected to take oath in June where they are expected to discuss Ms. Duterte’s charges and the Rules of Impeachment. The Vice-President is expected to face the Senate as an impeachment court once her trial commences in July.

Newly elected lawmakers will take their oaths once the 20th congress begins in July, coinciding with the President’s State of the Nation Address.

The House impeached the Vice-President on Feb. 5, alleging secret fund misuse, unexplained wealth, acts of destabilization and plotting the assassination of Mr. Marcos, his family, and the Speaker of the House. Ms. Duterte has denied any wrongdoing.

The impeachment complaint was filed and signed by more than 200 congressmen, meeting more than the one-third legal requirement before it could be sent to the Senate.

NEW PROSECUTORS
Meanwhile, a congressman on Thursday said the inclusion of two newly minted lawmakers in the House of Representatives’ prosecution team for Ms. Duterte’s impeachment trial could bolster the case against her.

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday confirmed the addition of ex-Senator Leila M. de Lima and human rights lawyer Jose Manuel Tadeo “Chel” I. Diokno in the prosecution team that will argue for Ms. Duterte’s ouster at the Senate.

“It’s not just about adding members to the team; we’ve gained two voices that have long fought for human rights and the rule of law,” House Deputy Majority Leader and La Union Rep. Francisco Paolo P. Ortega V. said in a statement.

“Their presence assures the public that the proceedings will be grounded in legal merit and Constitutional fidelity,” he added.

A former Justice secretary, Ms. de Lima has secured a seat as the representative of the Mamamayang Liberal party-list in the May 12 elections, marking her return to public office after a series of political and legal challenges during the Duterte administration.

Meanwhile, Mr. Diokno ran as a nominee of Akbayan party-list, which is expected to have three seats in the 20th Congress. He is chairman of the Free Legal Assistance Group and served as dean of the De La Salle University’s college of law.

“They are true icons of justice, so their decision to join the House prosecution is significant,” said Mr. Ortega. “This reflects the kind of leaders we want at the forefront — those who have dedicated their lives to defending the Constitution.”

The Marcoses are currently entangled in a deepening political feud with the Dutertes that culminated in the Vice-President’s impeachment at the House. Ms. Duterte had emerged as a frontrunner for the 2028 presidential election, but her trial before the impeachment court could possibly bar her from holding public office permanently. — Adrian H. Halili and Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Warrant issued vs Roque, businesswoman for alleged POGO-linked human trafficking

HERMINIO “HARRY” L. ROQUE — PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

By Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Reporter

A REGIONAL Trial Court in Angeles City issued an arrest warrant against a former spokesman of Rodrigo R. Duterte, and Filipino-Chinese businesswoman among others over their alleged involvement in illegal activities linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in Porac, Pampanga.

Ex-Spokesman Herminio “Harry” L. Roque and Katherine Cassandra Li Ong were slapped with a non-bailable trafficking charge in a May 8 order signed by Presiding Judge Rene E. Reyes.

“After careful evaluation of the 11 separate informations, the resolution, and the supporting documents attached to each and every case record, this Court finds probable cause to hold all the aforenamed accused for trial for the offenses for which they are respectively charged,” the order read.

The Court ordered the arrest of the so-called “godfather” and “big boss,” Duanren Wu, who has been in hiding since congressional hearings began.

The charges arise from a raid on a POGO hub in Porac last year, which prosecutors alleged to have been operating as a large-scale scam farm involved in human trafficking.

Mr. Roque admitted to representing real estate firm Whirlwind, the company had leased property to the Lucky South 99 POGO, in an ejectment case.

He also acknowledged assisting his client, Ms. Ong, in arranging meetings with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to facilitate the renewal of the POGO license. However, he insisted that these actions did not constitute involvement in human trafficking.

In a statement on Thursday, Mr. Roque said he will cite the arrest orders in his application for asylum in the Netherlands.   

“The issuance of a warrant of arrest forms part of the unjust prosecution, which I will include to my application for asylum in the Netherlands as a victim of political persecution owing to my loyalty to the Dutertes,” he said.

“I will seek all available legal remedies to secure my life and liberty which are currently under threat.”

In a statement on Thursday evening, Ferdinand S. Topacio, a lawyer for Ms. Ong said he has no information with regards to the location of his client. 

“I can neither confirm nor deny whether or not Ms. Katherine Cassandra Li Ong is still in the country due to lack of knowledge or information,” he said in a Viber message.

“I also cannot give any statements regarding the warrant for her arrest pending verification and study of the same.”

Comelec receives all certificates of canvass for Senate, party-list races

BW FILE PHOTO

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday said it has received all local Certificates of Canvass (CoCs) for the senatorial and party-list races as the midterm polls near conclusion.

In a message to reporters via Viber, Comelec spokesman John Rex C. Laudiangco said that while all domestic CoCs have been accounted for, the poll body is still awaiting the transmission of seven more overseas CoCs.

These remaining documents are from Philippine posts in Portugal, Pakistan, Egypt, Iran, Russia, South Africa, and Poland.

Once these are transmitted and canvassed, the vote tallying for the senatorial and party-list contests will be complete.

The last local CoCs it received were from special geographic areas (SGAs) or the 63 villages in the province of Cotabato in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

According to initial and unofficial figures from the Comelec, voter turnout for the 2025 midterm polls reached an estimated 81.65%, as of 2:30 p.m. on May 15.

This translates to approximately 55.88 million voters participating out of the 68.43 million registered voters nationwide.

This is in comparison to the 84.20% turnout recorded in the 2022 presidential elections, where over 55.43 million voters out of 65.83 million registered cast their votes.

Comelec is targeting to complete the canvassing of all CoCs by Thursday evening. Once completed, the poll body plans to proclaim the winners.

Barring any delays, the commission aims to officially proclaim the twelve newly elected senators and the party-list representatives by Sunday, a timeline it touted as the earliest proclamation of national candidates in Philippine election history.

Comelec earlier noted that improved transmission systems, streamlined procedures, and increased coordination with electoral boards and field personnel contributed to the faster processing of results this year.

The 2025 midterm elections were widely seen as a referendum on the current administration’s performance, with key legislative seats at stake.

Aside from the 12 Senate seats, over 60 party-list groups are vying for representation in the House of Representatives. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

CA declares de Lima’s 2023 acquittal ‘null and void’

PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

THE Court of Appeals (CA) declared the 2023 acquittal of former senator Leila M. de Lima in one of her drug-related cases as “null and void,” just days after she secured a seat in Congress.

The CA Eighth Division granted the petition filed by the Office of the Solicitor General, which challenged the ruling and subsequent order issued by Judge Abraham Joseph B. Alcantara of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court, Branch 204.

The court found that the acquittal was based “solely” on the recantation of former Bureau of Corrections Director General and ex-National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Deputy Director Rafael Z. Ragos, a key prosecution witness, without adequately assessing its impact on other evidence or clarifying which elements of the alleged crime remained unproven. 

The ruling deemed the trial court’s decision “void” for lacking the constitutionally required discussion of facts and legal basis.

In a statement on Thursday evening, Ms. De Lima said they will appeal the CA decision, noting that it did not nullify her acquittal which is “final and unappealable.” She added they will appeal the decision, up to the Supreme Court if necessary.

She also dismissed the CA decision as an issue of clarification, rather than a reversal of her acquittal.

“I also want to clarify that the CA did not reverse my acquittal, rather the court wants us to put the content of the decision in order, which in our opinion, is not necessary because the RTC’s decision is clear,” she said in Filipino.

“The way we see it: this is an issue of clarifying and explaining to the CA questions raised in the decision.”

The CA division held that while a judgment of acquittal is generally final, it may be assailed through a petition for certiorari, to review if the court acted without jurisdiction or with grave abuse of discretion. It defined grave abuse of discretion as a capricious and whimsical exercise of judgment amounting to an evasion of positive duty.

“The presence of grave abuse of discretion effectively nullifies the public respondent’s jurisdiction, thereby negating the second requisite of double jeopardy,” the ruling penned by Justice Eleuterio L. Bathan read.

“To this, therefore, an acquittal rendered through a judgment marred by grave abuse of discretion cannot be considered an acquittal entitled to the protection against double jeopardy,” it added.

The CA noted that the RTC Decision and Order failed to meet the constitutional and procedural standards for a valid judgment.

It pointed out that the RTC judge acquitted the private respondents solely based on Mr. Ragos’ recantation but failed to state the particular statements that witness Mr. Ragos specifically retracted. It also failed to state the effects of the retracted statements on the facts proven by the prosecution, and state which particular element of the crime charged was not proven.

The case sought to nullify the Muntinlupa RTC’s ruling that cleared Ms. De Lima and her former aide, Ronnie P. Dayan.

It involved allegations that Ms. De Lima received P10 million in drug proceeds from inmates at the national penitentiary in 2012 during her tenure as justice secretary.

The assailed RTC Decision, dated May 12, 2023, acquitted Ms. De Lima and Mr. Dayan of violating Section 26(b) in relation to Section 5, Section 3(jj), and Section 28 of Republic Act No. 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana with Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Expanded passenger insurance eyed

PHILIPPINE STAR/WALTER BOLLOZOS

THE Philippine government is pushing for higher insurance coverage for public utility vehicle (PUV) passengers, following a series of deadly road accidents that prompted President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., to demand reforms to bolster commuter safety.

Transportation Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon said on Wednesday that the administration will align mandatory insurance coverage for PUVs, including buses and jeepneys, with levels provided in the private transport sector.

“It’s a very good idea,” Mr. Dizon told reporters in Filipino in an ambush interview in Malacañang, citing the President’s direct orders. “We will push for this, and we will work with the Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to enforce it.”

The renewed focus on insurance comes after recent incidents involving PUVs that led to multiple deaths and serious injuries.

“Our passengers pay for their ride. In return, they must get home safe,” Mr. Dizon said. “Sadly, many recent cases didn’t end that way.”

He said the department is looking to implement the new policy within the year, though specific details, including whether additional costs would be shared between operators and passengers, remain under discussion.

“Nothing is free in this world. If premiums go up, someone has to pay,” he said. “Now we will look at how that can be done and what regulations are possible.”

The insurance mandate will also cover passengers in “colorum” vehicles, or those unregistered or unauthorized public transport vehicles, which Mr. Dizon described as a persistent problem.

“Technically, they shouldn’t be operating. But if they’re on the road, passengers must be protected,” he said.

“Bottom line here, passenger safety, passenger peace of mind, and passenger family peace of mind that when he gets on a bus, a jeepney, or whatever public utility vehicle, he is safe, and if something happens… there is responsibility and there is compensation.”

The Department of Transportation has convened a task force to address road safety standards, with Mr. Dizon expecting recommendations this week.

Among the proposed measures is to reduce the consecutive driving hours to four hours from six to prevent driver fatigue.

Despite efforts, the administration still lacks enabling legislation for a comprehensive PUV Modernization Act, which the transportation chief described as essential.

“We thank our lawmakers who are open to filing such a bill, but for now, we’re doing what we can through executive action,” he said.

The proposed legislation could provide tax breaks, subsidies, and other incentives to accelerate the shift to modern, safer vehicles. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Power interruption hits DoE

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

AN isolated power interruption hit the Department of Energy (DoE) on Thursday amid an ongoing press conference at the agency’s headquarters in Taguig City.

The power outage at the building inside the DoE compound lasted for nearly 10 minutes and was restored by a backup generator.

Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla told reporters after the briefing that the interruption was “localized in the building” and that it might be because “connections cannot take simultaneously all of your equipment.”

Upon receiving a report on a sudden power interruption, Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the power supplier covering franchise areas in Metro Manila, said that it immediately deployed crews onsite.

“It appears to be a problem with loadside facility, as our crews found a blown fuse at the building,” the company said in a statement.

“Meralco is currently assisting the DoE to identify the cause of the trouble and to restore service the soonest possible time.”

During the briefing, Luningning G. Baltazar, assistant director of the Electric Power Industry Management Bureau, said the Philippines currently has “a stable power situation in terms of generation.”

“Insofar, the projected peak demand has not been met yet, especially for Luzon and Mindanao,” she said. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

DMW to aid quake-hit OFWs in Myanmar

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE DEPARTMENT of Migrant Workers (DMW) said that it would continue to aid Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) affected by the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that rocked Myanmar last March.

“As of now, we have provided financial assistance to 69 OFWs — 58 in Yangon and 11 who approached the MWO (Migrant Workers Office) in Bangkok,” DMW Undersecretary Felicitas Q. Bay said in a statement.

Ms. Bay added that OFWs who have already arrived in the Philippines should approach the DMW Main Office or its regional offices for further support.

The DMW had also verified 32 employment contracts and reissued five Overseas Employment Certificates to enable OFWs to continue their work, after their documents were lost or damaged during the quake.

OFWs had also requested assistance in reconstructing lost employment documents.

“We are in continuous coordination to reach the families of the remaining OFWs so that we can extend our help to them,” she said.

Myanmar remains in Alert Level 2, where the deployment of newly hired OFWs is restricted. Only the deployment of returning or vacationing workers are allowed. — Adrian H. Halili

Man nabbed for Comelec bomb threat

NBI FACEBOOK PAGE

THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested a man who allegedly incited violence on social media by encouraging the bombing of Commission on Elections (Comelec) sites in region 7, just a day after the country held its midterm elections on May 12.

In a memorandum dated May 14 from the NBI Central Visayas Regional Office, authorities said they were alerted on the afternoon of May 13 about a Facebook post that read: “5 million reward to BOMB all COMELEC site[s] @highlight.”

The post rapidly gained online traction, with at least 120 shares and several comments, raising alarm among law enforcement and election officials.

The suspect was taken into custody without resistance. During initial questioning, he admitted to publishing the post, though authorities have yet to determine his motives and whether others may have been involved.

The arrest comes amid heightened security measures following the May 12 midterm elections, in which Filipinos cast their votes for senators, congressional representatives, and local officials.

The Comelec, along with law enforcement agencies, has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for election-related violence and disinformation, including that spread online. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

BIR seizes 81,000 illicit vapes

PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Thursday said it confiscated more than 81,000 illicit vape pods worth over P543.74 million in tax liabilities in a Bulacan raid.

In a statement, the BIR said vape pods were found in a residential compound in Marilao, which contained 406 master cases under the brand “TEAM PAPA.”

The discovered products did not have the mandatory BIR-issued excise stamps, in clear violation of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, it said.

Illicit trade of tobacco products eats away the collection of excise taxes, which saw decline in recent years.

Data from the BIR reported that the tobacco tax component of excise taxes declined by 0.35% to P134.43 billion last year, against the P176 billion collected in 2021.

“These criminals are now hiding in houses and villages, thinking that we cannot reach them. Think again.” BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. said.

“We call on everyone to report all forms of illicit vape. They are hiding in villages. They are hiding in residential compounds. Once reported and verified, the BIR will raid these locations and file cases against these criminals,” he added. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

Gov’t workers to receive bonus — DBM

BW FILE PHOTO

GOVERNMENT workers, including military and uniformed personnel, will start receiving their mid-year bonuses starting May 15, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said on Thursday.

In a statement, the DBM said the total budget for the mid-year bonus this year amounted to P63.70 billion.

Of this amount, P47.59 billion will be for civilian personnel, while P16.11 billion for military/uniformed personnel.

DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said the funds for the mid-year bonus were released to implementing agencies in January.

Under Budget Circular No. 2017-2, eligible personnel must have rendered at least four months of service from July 1 of the immediately preceding year to May 15 of the current year.

They must still be in government service as of May 15 with at least a satisfactory performance rating.

The bonus applies to all positions—regular, casual, contractual, appointive, or elective—across all branches of government, constitutional offices, state universities and colleges, government-owned or -controlled corporations, and local government units.

Eligible uniformed personnel include military personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines under the Department of National Defense and uniformed personnel of the Philippine National Police, Philippine Public Safety College, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology of the Department of Interior and Local Government.

Also covered are personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard of the Department of Transportation, and National Mapping and Resource Information Authority of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

Traders back newly elected Maguindanao del Norte execs 

COTABATO CITY — Chinese traders were elated with the election of a governor in the fledgling Maguindanao del Norte province who can speak their language and a vice governor who is a businessman.

Tucao Ong Mastura, who is of mixed Moro and Chinese descent, and Marshall Ibrahim Sinsuat were proclaimed as first ever elected governor and vice governor of the barely two-year-old Maguindanao del Norte, respectively, at the venue of the canvassing of election returns in Datu Odin Sinsuat town in the province on Wednesday afternoon.

Mr. Mastura and Mr. Sinsuat aspired for the two elective posts as official candidates of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, whose officials are together managing the now five-year-old Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the creation of which is a concession to their erstwhile revolutionary organization as part of the government-MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) peace compact.

Members of the Chinese communities in Cotabato City, the seat of the BARMM government, and in nearby towns in Maguindanao del Norte told reporters on Thursday that they are certain that Mr. Mastura and Mr. Sinsuat, whose families are engaged in businesses, will both focus on programs needed to boost the investment potentials of the province.

A number of Chinese merchants in Cotabato City, the regional capital of BARMM, had stated on Facebook their optimism on improvements soon in the business climate of Maguindanao del Norte with a governor who is close to them and a vice governor whose clan has large-scale fishing ventures in their hometown, Datu Blah Sinsuat, in the western coast of the province.

Mohammad Omar Pasigan, chairman of the Bangsamoro Regional Board of Investments, had told reporters that Chinese businessmen and their spouses had campaigned for Mr. Mastura and Mr. Sinsuat owing to their being connected with the business sectors in Central Mindanao. — John Felix M. Unson

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