1 Setyembre 2024, Linggo

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Headlines

Chinese vessel rams PCG patrol ship thrice

By Nidz Godino

“For  Philippine Coast Guard,  reason for deployment of BRP Teresa Magbanua is for us to carry out legal, legitimate coast guard operation within our exclusive economic zone,” Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore Jay Tarriela said PCG’s first 97-meter patrol vessel, BRP Teresa Magbanua, became  latest victim of aggression by Chinese forces, with  single China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel ramming it at least three times.

Patrol  ship acquired from Japan lifted anchor in  area within Escoda Shoal at 8:50 in the morning yesterday despite being surrounded by People’s Liberation Army Navy tugboats 185 and 175, CCG vessels 4303 and 3104 and five Chinese maritime militia vessels, according to Tarriela.

Suddenly, another CCG vessel, 5205, was seen sailing toward BRP Teresa Magbanua, as shown in  photo captured by drone of  PCG.

While  PCG ship was on move, CCG 5205 performed “dangerous maneuvers” around it.

Tarriela said CCG 5205 hit Teresa Magbanua’s port bow, then turned around and crashed onto its starboard quarter, then turned again and struck its port bow.  Collisions  left holes in parts of  PCG vessel.

Tarriela said  PCG vessel had to drop anchor again within Escoda Shoal at 2:59 in the afternoon.

He pointed out  CCG carried out its “bullying” moves toward BRP Teresa Magbanua “despite its unprovoked action and presence in Escoda Shoal,”  near  coast of
 Palawan and within  200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Philippines pursuant to international law and  2016 Arbitral Ruling.

It previously earned ire of China, filing  diplomatic protest saying it illegally anchored in Escoda Shoal, while China’s state media suspected that its presence was  sign of  Philippines building  forward deployment base, according to Tarriela.

Operation  includes routine patrols and provision of supplies and assistance to both PCG personnel and Filipino fisherfolk in  West Philippine Sea.

Tarriela said PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan ordered  team deployed to Escoda Shoal to inspect  damage to BRP Teresa Magbanua.

Tarriela added  no personnel onboard BRP Teresa Magbanua was hurt as  result of ramming incidents.

Ramming  of BRP Teresa Magbanua was  fifth time  PCG had documented provocations by China near Escoda Shoal, also targeted both vessels and aircraft from  PCG and  Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, in  span of two weeks starting last Aug. 19.

Aside from ramming incidents,  China’s actions included blasting of water cannons by CCG vessels.

Asked about next action, National Maritime Council spokesman retired vice admiral Alexander Lopez said it would be studied by  Department of Foreign Affairs.

BRP Teresa Magbanua has been in Escoda Shoal since April to prevent suspected reclamation by China, following  discovery by marine science researchers from  University of the Philippines of crushed corals dumped in the area, according to previous reports.

Hours after incident, China was again quick to place  blame on Philippines, as former claimed that  PCG’s BRP Teresa Magbanua caused  collision with  CCG vessel in Escoda Shoal.

In  statement issued by  Chinese embassy in Manila, CCG spokesman Liu Dejun said that at 8:02 in the morning yesterday,  BRP Teresa Magbanua, “illegally stranded in China’s Xianbin Reef, lifted anchor and continued to maneuver and cause trouble in the Xianbin Reef lagoon.”

“Chinese Coast Guard ship 5205 took measures such as issuing warnings and following up on ship 9701 in accordance with laws and regulations…at 12:06 in the afternoon,  Philippine ship 9701 deliberately collided with the Chinese ship 5205, which was normally enforcing rights and law enforcement, in an unprofessional and dangerous manner, resulting in  collision,  responsibility lies entirely with Philippines…we once again warn  Philippines to face reality, give up illusions and withdraw immediately on its own is  only correct way…do not misjudge  situation, create hot spots or escalate  situation, otherwise  Philippines will bear all consequences,”  statement alleged.

Repeating its usual statement despite 2016 Arbitral Award  rejected China’s expansive maritime claims in South China Sea and  West Philippine Sea,  numerous nations declare to be legal and binding, China said it “has indisputable sovereignty over  Nansha Islands, including Xianbin Reef, and its adjacent waters.”

“China Coast Guard will take necessary measures to resolutely thwart all infringements that provoke trouble and cause trouble, and resolutely safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” Liu said.

Meanwhile,  United States, through US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, slammed China for again intentionally ramming Philippine vessel in  West Philippine Sea.

“US condemns  multiple dangerous violations of international law by PRC ,People’s Republic of China, including today’s intentional ramming of  BRP Teresa Magbanua while it was conducting lawful operations within Philippine EEZ, we stand with  Philippines in upholding international law,” she said.

US has been consistently calling on China to stop its harassment of Philippine vessels in  West Philippine Sea anchored on final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award.

“We stand with  Philippines in upholding international law,” Carlson added in  post on X, where she shared Tarriela’s post on the incident.

31 Agosto 2024, Sabado

Happy third birthday with father God Cynthia Lopez

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Gordon, Hontiveros to indict Duque in graft case

By Nidz Godino  

“Lao accepted said transfer of funds by DOH for the procurement of COVID-19 medical supplies and equipment that are not available in the PS-DBM inventory and notwithstanding non-compliance with aforementioned procurement law, rules and issuances as well as the aforecited accounting and auditing rules on transfer of funds from one agency to another,” Office of the Ombudsman has listed Sen. Risa Hontiveros and former senator Richard Gordon as among its witnesses in the graft case it filed before  Sandiganbayan against former health secretary Francisco Duque III and former Department of Budget and Management Procurement Service (PS-DBM) executive director Lloyd Christopher Lao.

Based on  charge sheet, Hontiveros and Gordon are among six people eyed by  ombudsman as witnesses in the case.

Other  possible witnesses are Senate Blue Ribbon Oversight Office Management director general Rodolfo Noel Quimbo, state auditor Raymond Vallejo of the Commission on Audit (COA) Fraud Audit Office-Special Services Sector, PS-DBM Administrative Finance Group officer-in-charge director Arnold James Dupla and Department of Health (DOH) Accounting Division officer-in-charge head accountant Filipina Velasquez.

Ombudsman  also included  words “and others” so it could present other individuals as witnesses, if necessary.

On Tuesday,  ombudsman charged Duque and Lao before  Sandiganbayan with one count each of violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act,  prohibits public officials from giving unwarranted benefit, advantage or preference to  private party or from causing any party, including  government, undue injury.

Case  was raffled off  to  Sandiganbayan First Division, chaired by Associate Justice Maria Theresa Mendoza-Arcega with Associate Justices Bayani Jacinto and Juliet Manalo-San Gaspar as members.

Ombudsman  has recommended  P90,000 bail bond for each of the accused.

As of yesterday afternoon, Duque and Lao had not posted bail.  Court  staff of  First Division, wished anonymity, said no arrest warrant had been issued as of closing of  Sandiganbayan office.

Staff, however, clarified that Duque and Lao may post their bond without waiting for any arrest warrant from the court.

Case  stemmed from alleged irregularities in  DOH’s transfer of P41.46 billion to PS-DBM at height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Fund  transfer was supposedly for PS-DBM’s procurement of medical supplies needed by  DOH for  government’s pandemic response.

Based on  charge sheet, prepared by Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer III Napoleon Regan Malimas and approved by Ombudsman Samuel Martires on Aug. 16,  fund transfer of P4.4 billion was not supported by any valid Memorandum of Agreement between  DOH and PS-DBM.

Furthermore,  ombudsman said  fund transfer “did not hasten”  implementation of  procurement project.

Ombudsman  said its investigation also revealed  DOH “had  capacity and proficiency to undertake  procurement” itself.

Ombudsman  said  DOH transferred  funds despite  lack of certification that  PS-DBM had already liquidated funds received from the department, “in utter disregard” of procurement laws and government auditing rules.

Ombudsman  said its investigation also revealed  medical supplies and equipment needed by  DOH such as test kits, mechanical ventilators, surgical masks, personal protective equipment, nucleic acid extraction machine and cadaver bags were not even in  inventory of the PS-DBM.

As  result of  unlawful transfer,  government lost P1.658 billion, representing  four percent service fee  PS-DBM had charged  DOH for supposedly carrying out  procurements.

Ombudsman’s investigation on Duque, Lao and  other DOH officials stemmed from  2020 COA report and from  complaint filed by Hontiveros and Gordon in 2022 following months of hearings by  Senate Blue Ribbon panel on the issue.

In its 2020 annual audit report on DOH,  COA flagged several “deficiencies” in the health agency’s utilization of P67.32 billion in COVID-19 funds, including  unspent P11.89 billion intended for  procurement of various medical equipment and supplies and payment of benefits for health workers, and  P41.46-billion fund transferred to PS-DBM despite  lack of  required MOA and other supporting documents.

In their complaint, meanwhile, Hontiveros and Gordon said  funds received by PS-DBM from DOH, P11.5 billion was paid to start up Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp., as well as fund  supply of face shields, face masks, test kits and other medical items for the government’s pandemic response.

Procured  items were allegedly overpriced while some were already expired upon delivery. 

31 Agosto 2024, Sabado

Happy third birthday with father God Cynthia Lopez

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KOJC cpd search almost half done

By J.Lo

“We have searched close to 40 to 50 percent of  property overall,” Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo told reporters manhunt for fugitive preacher Apollo Quiboloy and his co-accused has entered its second week, but police have searched only around half of  30-hectare Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound.

At least 2,000 police officers are scouring  vast compound to find Quiboloy, believed to be hiding together with his four co-accused in  underground bunker.

Fajardo said finding  fugitive preacher has been challenging.

Fajardo said police forces led by Police Regional Office 11 director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre have yet to inspect all 42 buildings in the compound as they are concentrating their search on specific areas where heartbeats were detected by ground-penetrating devices.

Addressing questions about why it is taking police so long to complete  search of  underground facility, Fajardo said  structures in the compound are made of thick stone that can withstand man-made and natural calamities.

“We’re having difficulty in penetrating this underground facility as we are still locating  possible ingress and egress of this facility,” she said.

Without giving details, Fajardo said they have reason to believe  heartbeats police are detecting underground are that of Quiboloy and his co-accused.

Photos of the complex shown by Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos on Thursday reveal  underground facility is covered with barbed wire and live electrical wires set up by Quiboloy’s supporters, making  hunt for  fugitive preacher more difficult.

He said they will coordinate with  city government’s engineering office to find out if all the rooms and passageways that police have so far found are declared in the KOJC’s construction plan.

Abalos urged Quiboloy to end  standoff by surrendering to  police and face  cases in court, stressing police would not leave  compound until he and his co-accused are caught.

Meanwhile,  PNP defended their chief Gen. Rommel Marbil, who drew flak after  video of him partying amid search for Quiboloy and his co-accused made rounds on social media.

“There was  gathering that night Chief PNP talked to  personnel, encouraging them and lifting their morale despite  tedious operation,” Police Regional Office 11 spokesperson Catherine dela Rey said.

She maintained  main focus of  mission remains,  to serve  warrant of arrest on Quiboloy and the others and bring them to court.

She added  brief flying of helicopters over  KOJC compound “provides aerial view and monitoring to the PNP operating units on the ground.”

She explained that they just wanted to have a bird’s eye view of the situation on the ground.

However,  PNP claimed  members of  KOJC “pointed high-resolution lasers to obstruct  pilot’s view,” posed great risk and danger to their pilots.

KOJC lawyer Israelito Torreon said “PNP has to prove first whether  laser emanated from  KOJC members.”

31 Agosto 2024, Sabado

Happy third birthday with father God Cynthia Lopez

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Quadcom  hearings could be used for ICC case

By Nidz Godino

“Yung mga committee chairman, wala akong pagdududa, pero kung sinong nasa likod nitong mga committee na ito, ay yung Speaker of the House, ‘di ba…alam ko, is the same person na nagkumbinsi sa mga opisyal na gustong bumaliktad, mag-execute ng affidavit laban sa amin ni President Rodrido  Duterte para sa ICC, so I am expecting na itong ginagawa ng quadcomm na imbestigasyon ay pwede na itong gamitin laban sa amin doon sa ICC,” Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa  said  House of Representatives’ mega-panel probe may be used in  International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation into alleged human rights violations in the country during  time of former president Rodrigo Duterte. 

Despite not being asked about  ICC, Dela Resa told reporters that there is  likely connection.

Dela Rosa  held no grudges against the chairpersons leading  four-panel strong inquiry into Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), extrajudicial killings and  illegal drug trade. Former  police chief said they were merely doing their jobs. 

However, he was suspicious of the person who was allegedly behind these hearings, none other than House Speaker Martin Romualdez. 

Dela Rosa is one of the persons of interest in the ICC probe. As former chief of  Philippine National Police, Dela Rosa was instrumental in Duterte’s crackdown on illegal drugs during his term. 

Former drug war poster boy Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido recently testified in the House’s quadcomm hearing, accusing Dela Rosa and Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go of rewarding money to police officers who helped eradicate illegal drugs, even if it meant killing suspects. 

Espenido testified  money used to reward cops came from different sources, including Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO). 

Police  chief-turned senator denied such accusations, calling it part of  script. Dela Rosa questioned why all of these problems were suddenly being connected, as POGOs were not even that prevalent at the time. 

“Hindi pa man yan sikat noon, ako mismo ignorante kung ano ‘yang POGO, at that time, so bakit ngayon iko-connect niya yan doon?” Dela Rosa said. 

Duterte began  regulation of POGOs in 2016, when Dela Rosa was still  police chief. 

31 Agosto 2024, Sabado

Happy third birthday with father God Cynthia Lopez

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903K liters of oil siphoned out of sunken tanker in Bataan waters

By J.Lo

“Contracted salvor, Harbor Star, reported over 903,000 liters of collected oily waste from 19 to 29 August 2024,” at least 903,000 liters out of  1.4 million liters of oil have been siphoned out of  MTKR Terranova, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

MTKR Terranova sank in Bataan waters on July 25 after  onslaught of Super Typhoon “Carina” and southwest monsoon.  PCG has been overseeing efforts to remove  oil from  sunken oil tanker, but  actual siphoning is up to  contracted salvor. 

Here is the volume of oil  Harbor Star has been able to siphon per day: 

• August 19 – 2,350 liters
• August 20 – 36,100 liters
• August 21 – 42,026 liters
• August 22 – 81,136 liters
• August 23 – 17,103 liters
• August 24 – 121,724 liters
• August 25 – 101,603 liters
• August 26 – 104,202 liters
• August 27 – 67,871 liters
• August 28 – 232,187 liters
• August 29 – 97, 011.58 liters 

However,  PCG said  siphoning operations were temporarily halted to change tanks. It added  average rate of oily waste flow is 12,437 liters per hour. 

Meanwhile, there are two other vessels that have leaked fuel into Bataan waters:  MTKR Jason Bradley and  MV Mirola Uno.  

Oil from  MTRK Terranova is believed to have reached  shores of Cavite, Batangas, Metro Manila and more. Several towns have already declared  state of calamity and imposed fishing bans due to  oil spill.  

31 Agosto 2024, Sabado

Happy third birthday with father God Cynthia Lopez

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Ph, Australia to strengthen cyber defense ties

By Nidz Godino

IN cybersecurity and cyber defense capabilities, Philippines and Australia are exploring ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Top officials of  Department of National Defense (DND) met with  delegation from Australia  to discuss shared challenges and ways to boost collaboration in cyber defense.

Meeting  was chaired by DND Undersecretary for capability assessment and development Angelito de Leon, while Australian delegation was led by Ambassador for cyber affairs and critical technology Brendan Dowling.

During discussions, De Leon underscored  importance of deepening cooperation and convergence in cyber defense between  two countries.

 DND said both sides highlighted areas of cooperation such as information sharing on policies and best practices, innovations in information and communication technology and organizing joint cyber drills and tabletop exercises.

Discussions  also covered possible defense technological cooperation such as building  skilled cyber defense workforce through exchange programs and workshops, research and development, among others.

DND Office for Cyber and Information System Management director Christine June Cariño provided  overview of  Philippines’ cybersecurity efforts, including  crafting of  department’s cyber strategy and policy.

DND officials also mentioned  proposed activation of  cyber command under  Armed Forces of the Philippines, emphasizing  need for  adaptive and responsive cyber defense posture in  face of evolving threats.

Dowling, for his part, shared Australia’s approach to cybersecurity,  adopts  “whole-of-nation” strategy  includes private sector, especially in safeguarding critical infrastructure.

DND said  meeting concluded with both countries reaffirming  significance of  Philippines-Australia alliance and their shared commitment to enhancing cyber defense and ensuring  security and stability of the region.

31 Agosto 2024, Sabado

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Daylight  saving time in 2025

By Nidz Godino

“Currently, both  labor sector and  educational sector are suffering from interruptions in  productive hours brought about by torrential rains and  consequent floodings during  rainy season due to climate change,” House committee on economic affairs has approved  measure that will allow the president to advance Philippine Standard Time (PST) by one hour in the first six months of the year to maximize productivity.

House Bill 7750, or  proposed Daylight Saving Time Act, is primarily authored by Parañaque Rep. Edwin Olivarez.

These institutions,  bill stated, “not only substantially lessen  school days and hours spent by children within  academic year, they likewise adversely affect  productivity of our workforce due to difficulty in going to and from work.”

“Hence, essential state take preventive measures in this decline in productivity by adjusting  PST by one hour during  dry season” it said.

31 Agosto 2024, Sabado

Happy third birthday with father God Cynthia Lopez

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Headlines

Money laundering raps vs Alice Guo, 35 others

By J.Lo

“Following circumstances would show  grand conspiracy between and among  incorporators, officers and other individuals involved in  commission of unlawful activities, such as qualified trafficking in persons, violation of Securities Regulations Code and swindling or estafa and, in turn, money laundering,” complaints for 87 counts of money laundering amounting to P7 billion were filed  against dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo, her purported sister Shiela, business partner Cassandra Li Ong and 33 others.

Complaint  was filed by  Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission and  National Bureau of Investigation before  Department of Justice (DOJ) .

Other respondents include  sisters’ father Jian Zhong Guo, also known as Angelito Guo and Angelito dela Cruz; their mother Lin Wenyi, also known as Wen Yi Lin; Seimen Guo, Amelia Leal and former Technology and Livelihood Resource Center deputy director general Dennis Cunanan.

According to AMLC deputy director Adrian Arpon, they found Alice Guo to be “ principal in  money laundering committed,” using several entities in transferring money.

Ultimately,  money ended up with  real estate company Baofu Land Corp., where Guo was  shareholder and  leased  property to  Hongsheng/Zun Yuan Technology, Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) raided in Bamban over human trafficking and other alleged crimes.

In  105-page complaint,  agencies alleged  respondents collaborated in committing various crimes and other illegal activities and each of them played  significant role in  illegal POGO operations.

It also said  dozen businesses under Guo’s name were aimed to hide  true nature of their businesses and make it appear  they are engaged in legitimate activities.

“Alice Guo and her cohorts intended to create layers and layers of corporations to make it appear  they were engaged in profitable and legitimate businesses, but in fact, they are not,” complaint read.

Complainants  also said Guo never divested all of her shares in Baofu. She did not declare 12 vehicles in her statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.

Guo, as  representative of Hongsheng, also allegedly facilitated  issuance of  Sangguniang Bayan Resolution , did not object to Hongsheng’s application to operate.

Moreover, she paid  bills of Baofu, Hongsheng and Zun Yuan despite lease contracts stipulating that lessees should shoulder  bills.

Meanwhile, Ong was included in money laundering complaint as “silent partner” in  Bamban POGO as she was allegedly  contributed  construction of  Baofu compound.

Ong is one of the incorporators of Whirlwind Corp.  leased  property to  POGO in Porac, Pampanga.

Company  was also raided for various illicit activities, including human trafficking, forced labor and scams.

She has also been identified as  liaison between former presidential spokesman Harry Roque and Lucky South 99, where she served as  legal officer.

“Circumstances indicate  respondent Cassandra Li Ong employs  same scheme or pattern of illegal corporate layering as that used by Alice Guo and her family,”  complaint read.

Meanwhile, Shiela Guo was named as one of the respondents for allegedly being  incorporator in  many corporations of the Guo family.

According to PAOCC spokesman Winston Casio, scamming proceeds from Lucky South 99,  POGO in Porac, were used to build  POGO hub in Bamban.

In  complaint,  complainants said  “overly impossible” for Baofu to afford  construction of  buildings it leased to Zun Yuan and Hongsheng,  worth hundreds of millions or even billions.

Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres said they believe they have  “very strong and airtight case.”

“Of course, there will be due process afforded for all of these respondents for them to be given their opportunity to explain their side,” he said.

AMLC’s investigation showed  Guo and her accomplices amassed over P101 million in illicit proceeds between June 2020 and January 2024.  Funds , initially intended for Baofu’s electricity bills, were systematically laundered through illegal means.

“Money laundering case is part of  series of cases to be filed by  AMLC, in coordination with partner agencies, to ensure Philippines shall not be used as money laundering site for  proceeds of any unlawful activities,”  AMLC said.

Meanwhile, freeze order issued by  Court of Appeals against Guo and two others has been extended until January 2025, according to  Arpon.

In July, appellate court ordered  freezing of  bank accounts and personal assets of Guo, Zhiyang Huang and Baoying Lin for alleged involvement in illegal activities.

AMLC said  freeze order covered 90 bank accounts in 14 financial institutions, several real estate properties and high-value personal properties like luxury vehicles and  helicopter.

Lawyer  of Guo belied allegations  he made “untruthful statements” regarding  embattled official’s whereabouts.

Guo’s legal counsel Stephen David  was only relying on what Guo told him: that she was still in the country, even as Sen. Risa Hontiveros earlier revealed  beleaguered mayor had fled as early as July.

“I was merely echoing her declaration that she is still in the country,” he said.

David, however, admitted that he could not confirm information and had no idea where she was exactly.

He also explained that when he made  pronouncements, Guo had no travel records such as stamps of entry in another country, fingerprints or CCTV footage, giving him no reason to doubt  dismissed mayor’s statements.

He added  notarization of Guo’s counter-affidavit further bolstered his belief that his client was still in the country, expressing confidence in  integrity of Elmer Galicia,  notary public who notarized  counter-affidavit.

David issued  statement after officials said cases might be filed against him because of his statements.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has said  DOJ will look into  possible involvement of Guo’s legal counsel in her exit from the country.

DOJ is also seeking to investigate Galicia for notarizing Guo’s counter-affidavit even though she did not personally appear to swear before him. 

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Psalm 95:6-7

⁶ Come, let us bow down in worship,
    let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
⁷ for he is our God
    and we are the people of his pasture,
    the flock under his care.

Today, if only you would hear his voice,

30 Agosto 2024, Biyernes

Happy third birthday with father God Cynthia Lopez

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De Lima’s final acquittal appeal junked

By J.Lo

“Prosecution, in its Motion for Reconsideration, did not even ascribe grave abuse of discretion on the part of  Court…it did not cite any instance in  Court’s Order that, in reaching such  conclusion,  Court encroached into  area of grave abuse of discretion,” read  court’s decision, penned by Presiding Judge Gener Gito  Muntinlupa court has denied  appeal of  prosecution which opposed  acquittal of former senator Leila De Lima from drug charges.

In  decision dated August 7, Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 206 denied  prosecution’s motion for reconsideration,  sought to reverse De Lima’s acquittal.

Prosecution  argued court had committed grave abuse of discretion in its ruling.

“Having failed to cite any instance of grave abuse of discretion on the part of  Court,  only thoroughfare to vacating judgment of acquittal, there is therefore no reason for this Court to reconsider its Order dated July 19, 2024,” decision styressed.

In June, RTC cleared De Lima of  third and final drug charge filed against her during  administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.  Court  granted De Lima’s motion for  demurrer to evidence, effectively acquitting her.

Motion  was granted due to  lack of sufficient evidence against De Lima, as well as  recantation of several witnesses who claimed they were coerced by former government officials.

This was similar to motion De Lima filed in 2021 regarding another drug charge in separate Muntinlupa court, which was also granted.

In May 2023,  Muntinlupa RTC Branch 204 acquitted De Lima and her aide, Ronnie Dayan, of conspiracy to commit illegal drug trade within National Bilibid Prison in  separate case.