Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez
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Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
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PM for any hospital discharge problem
Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come
Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come
Family of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas appreciates every moments shared by friends and relatives in their bereavement
Ruby slippers fr ‘The Wizard of Oz’ up for auction, could go for P176M
By Cynthia Montojo
“They are legendary like no other,” Nikki Hale, manager of special projects at Heritage, said of distinctive sequin covered court shoes, topped with bows.
Ruby slippers worn by actress Judy Garland in classic film “The Wizard of Oz” will be sold at auction next month, nearly 20 years after they were stolen.
Heritage Auctions showed off magical footwear in London before they go under hammer in Dallas on December 7, with predictions they could sell for up to $3 million (P176 million).
“‘The Wizard of Oz’ really stands test of time as cult classic, iconic film that anywhere across the world, people know what ‘The Wizard of Oz’ is.”
“You see them when she’s clicking the heels to go home…you see them when she starts her adventure, when she goes down Munchkinland, ..they are absolutely Holy Grail as far as movie memorabilia,” Hale added.
Only four pairs made for the 1939 film still survive and those on sale have belonged to a collector since 1970.
They were kept in the Judy Garland Museum in her home town of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, until they mysteriously disappeared in 2005.
Despite six-figure reward and involvement of FBI, it was not until 2018 that they were finally tracked down.
“They were recovered, apparently buried in Tupperware box, underground,” said Hale.
Perpetrator of theft, Terry Martin, admitted taking them and said he did so because he believed they were encrusted with real rubies.
Now 76, he was given suspended prison sentence in January this year.
Other memorabilia from “The Wizard of Oz” will also be on sale, including Garland’s wigs, film posters and photographs, as well as other items such as wooden game board from “Jumanji” with Robin Williams.
Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Family of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas appreciates every moments shared by friends and relatives in their bereavement
Rizal’s ‘Josephine Sleeping’ going for P7M at auction
By Cynthia Montojo
“Josephine Sleeping,” Jose Rizal made during his Dapitan exile and is said to be one of his last works of art, has selling price of P7 million for auction on November 30.
Sculpture by Jose Rizal inspired by his wife Josephine Bracken is one of the many items going under hammer at Leon Gallery’s upcoming Kingly Treasures Auction.
sculpture is 2.5 inches tall, 9.5 inches long, and 2.75 inches wide, and has “Rizal” written on its bottom left, coming from family of his sister Narcisa.
“Josephine lies outstretched on classical Roman-style couch with head-rest, covered in thin blanket outlines her waist and thighs,” Leon Ma. Guerrero III described sculpture in “The First Filipino.” “A hand modestly covers one breast, she half-smiles innocently in her sleep, tresses parted over her forehead.”
Guerrero said scultpure depicts Josephine as “mother, child, and wife all at once” and “an intimate and happy depiction of his life and love, a rare exception to his allegorical themes of machismo, knowledge, and strength.”
“If Rizal can be said to have ever loved anyone else but the Filipino Nation, then it must be said that he loved Josephine; he was her husband twice over, her open lover in defiance of all his innate propriety and sensibility; she was the one woman with whom he shared that most jealously prized of all his possessions, his name, and also his heart’s intimacies,” he added.
Other valuable items going under the hammer are Fernando Zobel’s “Orilla 69. En Amarillo y Gris,” “Tomas II,” “Azul sobre pardo (Saeta 258);” Carlos “Botong” Francisco’s “Tinikling No. 2;” Benedicto Cabrera’s “Sabel;” Jose Joya’s “Murmurllo;” and Felix Hidalgo’s “Portrait of Raimunda Chiudian Roxas.”
There are also many paintings by Fernando Amorsolo including “Rice Fields,” “Under the Mango Tree,” “Lying Nude,” “A Man Leading Bullock Carriages at Sunset,” “Baguio Trail,” “Market Scene,” “Bamboo Bridge over a River,” and “Lavanderas.”
Kingly Treasures Auction will take place on November 30, 2 in the afternoon in Leon Gallery in Makati City.
Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come
Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come
Family of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas appreciates every moments shared by friends and relatives in their bereavement
VP security to be replaced
By Nidz Godino
“There were rumors that security for the Vice President will be pulled out by AFP. ..that is not true. ..so, story here is that we received subpoena from PNP calling members of VPSPG for investigation,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said. government is replacing head and members of Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) with new contingent from AFP and Philippine National Police (PNP).
In speech during leadership summit at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Brawner said they received subpoena from PNP called for members of VPSPG to be investigated due to commotion at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City over the weekend.
Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, claims there are threats to her life, said she would refuse the new security contingent and would instead rely on her own team, being put together by friends.
Brawner clarified he is not taking over VPSPG but is replacing personnel including its commander, Col. Raymund Dante Lachica, because of ongoing police and legislative investigations.
“There is investigation..so we followed subpoena and what we will do is we are just going to temporarily replace them with contingent from PNP and from AFP,” he explained.
Brawner told reporters not yet clear if all VPSPG personnel will be replaced, since all are still under study.
Brawner also gave assurance that military will continue to protect and will not allow any harm to come to Vice President Sara Duterte.
“We will not leave her because security of Vice President is still of primary concern to us…because if there’s untoward incident, let’s say something happens to the Vice President, this may be start of disorder….because according to what she said, she will take actions against the President, the First Lady and the Speaker of the House, we don’t want that to happen…what if there are some groups there that may do something to the Vice President just to blame it on another and then that could cause chaos…so we will not allow that, we will not allow that….so we will still protect our Vice President” ,Brawner said.
PNP public information officer Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said 25 officers from Police Security and Protection Group were assigned to Duterte’s security detail on Tuesday.
Fajardo said reassignment of police officers to VPSPG was upon request of AFP in anticipation of possible recall of military personnel from Duterte’s security detail.
PNP earlier recalled 75 police officers from Duterte’s security detail. Thirty-one other PNP personnel were retained but they were under-utilized, Fajardo said.
“This is again prerogative of our Vice President, that’s why they were recalled since they are under-utilized,” she said.
On Duterte’s claim she has been receiving threats to her security, Fajardo said they have no information of any threat to the Vice President’s life.
Vice President Duterte’s alleged assassination plot against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez may be considered as terrorism under Anti-Terror Law, according to Department of Justice (DOJ).
Citing Section 4 of Republic Act 11479 or Anti-Terror law, Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres said punishable acts include engaging in acts intended to cause death or serious bodily injury to any person or endangers person’s life.
“If you engage in acts intended to harm or cause death of other individuals, that’s part of terrorism. Especially if the purpose is to intimidate and create an atmosphere of fear,” Andres said.
He pointed out that threat to the President’s life is national security matter, considering that the one accused of plotting against him is the Vice President.
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) earlier served subpoena to Duterte to explain her declaration of allegedly hiring hitman to kill Marcos if alleged plot against her succeeds.
In subpoena, NBI noted Duterte’s “possible violation” of Republic Act 11479 or “Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020,” enacted when her father Rodrigo Duterte was president.
Meanwhile, Brawner is confident that despite what is currently happening in the country, he “is not worried at all” because he is sure that “ whole Armed Forces of the Philippines will remain professional and competent.”
“So there is no need for loyalty check because our soldiers and officers are loyal to their oath…when we entered service, we took vow, we took an oath and, in that oath, we said we will always defend Constitution of the Philippines, defend our country and defend the duly constituted authorities. ..so, in that aspect, I am not worried,” he said.
The AFP chief also stressed that military will not heed calls for it to intervene in what former president Duterte described as “ fractured government that only military can fix.”
“But that is not our job…our job is to protect Republic of the Philippines, protect its people, defend our territory and defend our sovereignty and our sovereign rights,” he emphasized.
He said past cases of military adventurism will no longer succeed today and AFP “will not take law into our own hands. We will remain professional. If they want change, we have process for that under our democracy. So, let’s allow that to happen.”
Brawner added that while each and everyone may have their own political beliefs that are respected, for soldiers such beliefs and opinions cannot be openly declared or discussed.
Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come
Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come
Family of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas appreciates every moments shared by friends and relatives in their bereavement
Reunion Mary Jane, family seen
By Nidz Godino
“Thought of having her home fills me with hope,” Veloso Mary Jane Veloso’s mother Celia said during their meeting, noting that her daughter remained in good spirit despite her ordeal.
Veloso Mary Jane, overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who was convicted and imprisoned in 2010 in Indonesia for drug trafficking, is expected to be reunited with her family in December.
OFW party-list Rep. Marissa Magsino visited Veloso’s mother, Celia, to relay good news.
Celia also expressed gratitude for Indonesia’s humane treatment of her daughter over the years.
“Mary Jane calls us every month to share updates, though we cannot call her…she is youngest of my five children and has two kids of her own, aged 22 and 16, who live with me…while I had accepted possibility of her staying in Indonesia, this news brings renewed hope,” she said.
Magsino highlighted OFW party-list’s reintegration program in partnership with Department of Migrant Workers provides livelihood support, scholarships, medical assistance and insurance.
“We will stand by Mary Jane and her family every step of the way,” Magsino said.
Veloso’s case has become symbol of resilience in the fight against human trafficking.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.has confirmed Veloso will be returning to the country after years of “long and difficult” negotiations with Indonesia.
On the other hand, casino junket operator Hector Aldwin Pantollana is expected to arrive in the Philippines today, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said.
Pantollana, who allegedly took P4 billion worth of investments in an investment scam, was arrested at Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali on Nov. 9 while attempting to board flight to Hong Kong.
Wanted in the Philippines for multiple cases of syndicated estafa and swindling, Pantollana is included in the International Criminal Police Organization’s red notice list.
Philippine government secured custody of Pantollana through prisoner swap with Indonesia.
In return for Pantollana’s custody, Torre said they turned over Handoyo Salman, Indonesian national who allegedly amassed 900 billion rupees or about P3.3 billion in online scams, to their counterparts in Indonesia.
Salman was apprehended at Central One Bataan PH Inc., business process outsourcing firm raided on Oct. 31 following reports that it was an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator hub.
Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come
Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come
Family of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas appreciates every moments shared by friends and relatives in their bereavement
‘Michael Yang key actor in Ch intel opns in Philippines’
By Nidz Godino
“Michael Yang is key actor in Chinese intelligence operations here,” Sen. Risa Hontiveros said, referring to Duterte’s economic adviser went into hiding after his alleged criminal links were exposed said economic adviser of former president Rodrigo Duterte was directly involved in Chinese intelligence operations in the Philippines and possibly in other illegal activities as well like drug trade.
Hontiveros said as her committee concluded its investigation on Philippine offshore and gaming operators (POGO) being used as fronts by criminal syndicates.
“He was economic adviser of the former president…they’ve exploited us and betrayed us,” she said during 16th and last hearing of Senate committee on women, children and family relations, she chairs.
The senator also linked Yang to Pharmally, under-capitalized firm bagged billion-peso contract to supply the country with face masks and other protective health kits at the height of pandemic.
She also cited activities of “web of people who used POGOs for their personal gains, for their selfish interest at the expense of Filipino people.”
“POGO is monster, this photo was given to us by one of our key informants and it further deepens what we already know,” she said as she presented images of 20 individuals, including Duterte, Alice Guo and Yang.
Hontiveros said Senate probe has exposed real nature of POGO as nothing more than Trojan horse.
“POGOs brought us nothing but nightmares,” she said.
Despite many heinous crimes unearthed by the committee, including large-scale scamming, corruption, kidnapping, torture, prostitution and human trafficking, Hontiveros clarified that their objective has never been to prove any single individual guilty.
“Guo Hua Ping, this committee has unmasked you as Chinese national mocking our Filipino identity to amass wealth and commit crimes against true Filipinos,” said Hontiveros, referring to former mayor Alice Guo’s real identity as Chinese.
Addressing Guo, Hontiveros is “looking forward to the day you face justice.”
The senator said Senate panel’s investigation, while establishing POGOs as fronts for scamming and human trafficking, has also set into motion legislative reforms to prevent another Alice Guo.
“This may be end of our hearings on POGO, but this is only beginning of legislative reforms that we will strive to push, to ensure to every Filipino that there will never be another Alice Guo, Guo Hua Ping, I’ll make sure you can’t do this again…and everyone will learn from what you do, for five long years, counting our pastillas investigation, committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality tried to leave no stone unturned to unravel many evils brought to our shores by POGOs, welcomed with open arms by administration of former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” Hontiveros added in her closing statement.
Guo was absent during yesterday’s Senate hearing as she had to attend proceeding at Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 167 for qualified trafficking.
Hontiveros lamented irregularities in Guo’s birth certificate registration, immigration procedures, passport and visa applications, bank secrecy laws and in election rules.
She said Senate President has committed to prioritizing enactment of Anti-POGO Bill to ensure POGOs, in whatever form or name, would forever be banned in the country.
Hontiveros said committee would hold on to Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) commitment to reach out to She Zhejiang for information in his possession on Guo Hua Ping, Yang brothers and other possible foreign agents.
“We will also seek to obtain these documents preparatory to committee report…even post adjournment, committee retains its jurisdiction insofar as seeking access to She Zhejiang is concerned,” he stressed.
Hontiveros further questioned National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) about Alice Guo’s alleged status as Chinese spy.
NICA deputy director general Ashley Acedillo confirmed Guo could be classified as “agent of influence,” using her position to shape public opinion and decisions favorable to foreign power.
“What is applicable is she uses her influence, using her stature of position, to influence public opinion or decision helping to produce results beneficial to country whose services they benefit from…to that effect that is applicable to her… she may be classified as such,” Acedillo said.
He noted that at present, there is no law that defines it as such.
On POGOs’ possible hosting of troll farms, Acedillo said, “we cannot discount possibility that these POGO hubs are also operating as dual-use entities.”
Hale Oliver Labayo, chief counsel of SEC Company Registration and Monitoring Department, said legitimate POGOs could not be prevented from applying for new article of incorporation.
Asked if SEC would approve application of POGO to amend articles of incorporation to become business process outsourcing firm, Labayo responded, “Those who are legitimate POGOs, those that are not revoked and without violations can apply for an amendment and become BPO, provided there is clause that they will obey the law.”
He said “there will be consequences” if they violate the law.
“There will be revocation proceedings because they did not fulfill their primary purpose,” Labayo said.“I hope SEC will be vigilant. ..guard against these POGOs whose licenses are revoked and who are guilty of other illegal activities from rebranding as BPOs,” Hontiveros said.
Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Family of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas appreciates every moments shared by friends and relatives in their bereavement
RD’s challenge to military ‘borders sedition’ — DOJ
By J.Lo
“I do not know where the president is getting his notion, we have strong and functioning republic…civil governance is for civilians, and military has no role whatsoever,” Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres said Department of Justice announced it will investigate former President Rodrigo Duterte over his remarks about military intervention in governance of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Andres said Duterte’s remark is “bordering on sedition.”
“For him to invite military to have part in seeking remedy is bordering on sedition and is legally actionable,” he said.
This stemmed from early morning conference on Tuesday, where Duterte described Philippines as having “fractured governance” and accused Marcos of being drug addict.
“There is fractured governance in the Philippines today…nobody can correct Marcos, nobody can correct Romualdez…there is no urgent remedy… only military can correct it,” Duterte said at press conference.
The former president also asked military: “until when will you support addict president… I challenge the whole military because they’re supposed to be protectors of Constitution.”
However, the former president did not mention calling coup d’etat against Marcos.
Duterte has repeatedly accused Marcos of drug use, allegations that Marcos has consistently dismissed.
In response, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin condemned Duterte’s statements, saying that the former president has gone to “great and evil lengths” to see his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio ascend to presidency.
“No motive is more selfish than calling for sitting president to be overthrown so that your daughter can take over…and he will go to great and evil lengths, such as insulting our professional armed forces by asking them to betray their oath, for his plan to succeed, the former president should respect the Constitution, not disobey it…he should desist from being as irresponsible as he has become,” Bersamin said.
.Andres addressed Duterte’s common tactic of retracting contentious statements as jokes or hyperbole, saying that such remarks would be taken in their proper context.
“In legal contemplation, we have to place it in its proper context and ordinary meaning…we must also consider other contemporaneous acts ,what you are saying, what you are expressing, and what you are doing,” he said.
Andres also highlighted gravity of Sara Duterte’s admission of hiring someone to target the president, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, emphasizing that it constitutes direct threat rather than conditional one.
He stressed that such statement, coming from highly influential figure, is matter of national security, particularly as it involves country’s elected leader.
“We will not take this lightly and we will address this very seriously,” Andres said.
The former president’s press conference was held few days after Sara Duterte’s virtual press conference, where she threatened to kill Marcoses if she were killed.
This prompted National Bureau of Investigation to issue subpoena against the vice president, asking her to shed light on the incident.
Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come
Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come
Family of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas appreciates every moments shared by friends and relatives in their bereavement
Mary Jane’s family getting aid
By Nidz Godino
“We are here to provide all welfare assistance government can offer to Mary Jane’s family as directed by the President,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said family of Mary Jane Veloso is receiving welfare and other necessary assistance.
Cacdac personally visited the mother and children of Veloso on Friday to assure them government’s full support.
According to Cacdac, government is extending psychosocial counseling skills training through Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and allowances to Veloso’s eldest son, Daniel.
DMW also extended financial assistance and grocery pack for the family.
Cacdac said DMW would continue working closely with Veloso family and ensure that they have access to government programs such as medical assistance and other support programs that can improve their welfare and future prospects.
Local government of General Natividad, Nueva Ecija, committed to providing employment assistance and skills training from TESDA to Veloso family.
Cacdac also spoke to Veloso’s sister, who expressed her concerns about her Arab employer and wanted to return home from Riyadh.
“Hopefully, we can bring her home before Christmas,” Cacdac said while noting that they would arrange her safe repatriation.
Cacdac also promised to refer medical concerns of some members of the Veloso family to Department of Health.
Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come
Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come
Family of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas appreciates every moments shared by friends and relatives in their bereavement
“Immediate investigation is necessary and we have legal recourse for NBI to issue subpoena against Vice President to, let her explain her remarks,” Justice Undersecretary Jesse Hermogenes Andres said National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will summon Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio to explain her public declaration that she had contracted hitman to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife Liza and cousin Speaker Martin Romualdez should alleged plot on her life succeed.
Andres said government is taking Duterte’s remark as “serious and active threat,” considering that it emanated from second highest ranking official in the country, “influential and powerful.”
He stressed NBI will undertake all processes necessary to identify supposed hitman hired by the Vice President. Department of Justice has jurisdiction over NBI.
“We are not leaving any stone unturned, we will take every effort to protect the President and to investigate everyone that could possibly be involved in this assassination plot of the three high-ranking officials of government,” Andres told Palace reporters. The First Lady is not government official.
Asked if Duterte’s pronouncement can serve as grounds for her impeachment, Andres replied: “Impeachment is constitutional option that is vested in the House of Representatives to initiate and eventually elevated into Senate. It is not within ambit of our authority to determine whether this should be ground for impeachment.”
“But I will only say that there are serious violations of law in these acts. ..so we will leave it up to Congress to make that determination,” he said.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago said out of courtesy and due process, agency is giving Duterte five days to appear before NBI and give her explanation and answer questions. NBI is set to issue subpoena today.
Santiago said they have no leads yet on identity of supposed hitman but this would be cleared up if Duterte follows subpoena and gives explanation on her remarks.
Should Duterte snub summons, NBI will proceed with whatever evidence it has in its possession and file corresponding cases if warranted.
“Prosecution office will determine whether there is prima facie evidence and certainty of conviction before case is filed in court,” Santiago explained.
For his part, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon explained purpose of subpoena is to ensure due process is observed and Duterte is given opportunity to present her side. If Duterte refuses to comply, government will not wait until she is “good and ready.”
“Whatever evidence is in possession of or will be in possession of NBI based on its investigation outside of any statement or any cooperation coming from them is something that we can work on already…if they refuse to answer, we cannot do anything but to comply with law and adhere to it based on evidence that we have,” he said.
Andres explained there is “nothing personal” about proceedings against Duterte and government is just showing that no one is above the law and accountability can be exacted from anybody.
“We will do what is necessary under the Constitution and in accordance with Constitution,” he said.
Fadullon said investigation would also look into motivation of Duterte for making threat and to put it in context of current circumstances.
“We will be careful in going over events leading to statements that were pronounced by the Vice President,” he said.
While law enforcement agencies earlier dismissed as mere “metaphor” previous statements of Duterte of wanting to behead the President, Andres said her latest remarks can no longer be dismissed when she herself said it was “no joke.”
“It is not for anyone to speak in that manner, to disrupt public order, by making threats especially on the life of anyone, more so life of the Chief Executive… so we have to put our foot down on this matter,” Andres said.
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) is also set to investigate Vice President, according to its chief Maj. Gen. Nicholas Torre III.
He clarified though that investigation would focus on the incident of Duterte making such pronouncements and not on the Vice President herself.
“The instruction is to investigate incidents…we are determining facts, establishing what transpired and creating chronological record…from there, we will analyze and compare these facts with applicable laws,” Torre explained.
Torre said CIDG also aims to determine veracity of Duterte’s “hitman” claim, which he acknowledged could be “figure of speech.”
“We will determine if there is indeed hitman or if this is something else entirely,” he said.
Torre noted that investigation is still in its early stages and that timeline will depend on information gathered.
“Criminal investigation cannot be rushed. It may take a day, a week or longer, depending on complexity of case,” he said.
Torre said CIDG will submit report on its investigation along with recommendations to appropriate authorities.
He also reiterated that probe seeks to uncover truth and determine if laws were violated.
“CIDG is committed to impartiality and thoroughness in this case,” Torre said.
Meanwhile, PNP public information office chief Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo noted that investigation would cover other people.
“CIDG is collating evidence, including words and actions of all involved,” Fajardo said.
She confirmed that PNP is also reviewing its personnel’s actions during transfer of Office of the Vice President chief of staff Zuleika Lopez from St. Luke’s Medical Center to Veterans Memorial Medical Center. Transfer, ordered by Congress, was marred by tension.
Fajardo said National Security Council (NSC) has deemed safety and security of President Marcos and his family national security concern, requiring adjustments in security protocols.
“PNP is prepared to provide additional personnel for Malacañang’s security upon request,” Fajardo said.
Lawmakers, meanwhile, have called on authorities to investigate Duterte’s threat thoroughly.
“Threats to lives of high government officials and their families must be thoroughly investigated, especially by NBI,” Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III said.
“We need to identify person VP Duterte spoke to, the one who allegedly assured her that he could carry out such an act…who is this person?” Pimentel said.
Additionally, Pimentel warned that this latest development could have political consequences, particularly for budget allocation of OVP.
“We may have to reconsider OVP’s funding. Given her behavior, perhaps she and her office do not deserve increased budget,” Pimentel added.
Sen. Joel Villanueva is sticking to his position that OVP’s budget should be augmented.
“I will remain consistent with what I said to increase OVP budget… we don’t think about personalities. I only consider office, the office itself…so, that’s all I can say but of course, other members have their different opinions about what just transpired recently,” Villanueva told reporters in chance interview.
Like Villanueva, Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the Senate finance committee, said budget allocations should not be personality-based.
“It should never have affected that. It’s not personality… just see tomorrow… I’m signing the committee report,” Poe added.
Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said adjustments in OVP budget depend on decision of majority.
At the House, Bukidnon Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores called Duterte’s pronouncements “deeply alarming and raises serious national security concerns.”
“We must ascertain who this ‘mystery assassin’ is…is this individual part of Vice President’s trusted security detail, member of notorious syndicate or hired gun… fact that Vice President Duterte claims to have personally communicated with this person, allegedly agreed to her directive, indicates close and trusted relationship,” he added.
He also urged Marcos to consider disbanding Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group organized just days before former president Rodrigo Duterte left office.
ISKUP! 