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SC prayed to junk AQ plea vs Senate arrest order
By J.Lo
Senate, through Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), has asked Supreme Court to dismiss petition filed by fugitive doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy.
Quiboloy is challenging the contempt, arrest and detention order issued against him by Senate on March 19. He also claimed Senate would violate his constitutional right against self-incrimination.
In 45-page comment dated July 8, OSG argued Quiboloy’s claim is “mere speculation” and “misplaced.” Senate maintains if Quiboloy had attended hearings as expected of all citizens, he would not be in this situation.
OSG stated, “Petitioner seeks to carve out exception for himself. Armed with only a speculative and misguided claim, he has the temerity to seek judicial succor even as he is openly and obstinately defying the authority of not one but two great branches of government.”
OSG also noted right against self-incrimination may only be invoked by an accused during criminal proceeding. Senate inquiry, Quiboloy was asked to attend, is not criminal proceeding.
In January, Senate invited Quiboloy to attend committee hearing on alleged abuses committed by him and his church, Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Quiboloy did not attend any hearings and instead sent his lawyer. This led Senate to cite him in contempt and issue arrest order on March 19.
Aside from Senate’s arrest order, Quiboloy faces charges in different courts:
Supreme Court recently granted the Department of Justice’s request to transfer child and sexual abuse cases against Quiboloy to the Quezon City Regional Trial Court. The Davao City RTC had first issued an arrest warrant on April 3.
One of Quiboloy’s co-accused, Pauline Canada, was apprehended on July 11 in her home in Davao del Sur.
Non-bailable qualified human trafficking case is lodged against Quiboloy and his co-accused before the Pasig City court, which issued an arrest warrant on April 11.
“It is great honor that President Marcos has given us to serve as secretary of Department of Education. I humbly accept this position, in response to our President’s trust and challenge to further enhance programs that will promote high quality education for our students,” Sen. Sonny Angara officially took reins of Department of Education succeeding Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio as 37th DepEd secretary.
Angara, who tendered his resignation as member of Senate received department seal and flag from Duterte during ceremonies at the DepEd central office in Pasig City.
In her last speech as DepEd chief, Duterte highlighted programs and projects, including Matatag Curriculum rollout and review of Senior High School (SHS) curriculum, that were implemented during her two-year tenure.
Duterte said some projects were unrealized during her stint, including Matatag Center and Portal, DepEd digital education agenda, overtime pay for teachers, revised curriculum for SHS, universal school-based feeding program for kindergarten learners as well as calamity fund and health insurance for teaching and non-teaching personnel.
She expressed hope that Angara would push unrealized projects.
Angara, during his inaugural speech, expressed his gratitude and commitment to improving Philippine education system.
He also paid tribute to Duterte and other outgoing DepEd officials for their dedication and service, underscoring importance of building on existing efforts.
“We will build from what you have already started,” Angara said.
Civil society group Tindig Pilipinas also asked Angara to address crisis in education and to reconsider implementation of Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.
“Our challenge to Secretary Angara is to address crisis in education…he should change legacy of former Deped secretary Duterte of purely drama. .. squabble among politicians will not address needs of students and teachers,” said Tindig Pilipinas convenor Matthew Silverio.
After turning over DepEd to Angara, Duterte revealed that her reason for leaving post was mainly personal and political.
“It’s long story…we need sit down for the reasons… personal element between me and President Marcos stems from our agreement before I agreed to run as his Vice President…there’s element involving work and one involving the nation,” Duterte said in but did not elaborate.
Asked whether her resignation had something to do with her spat with First Lady Liza Marcos, Duterte said: “No, the First Lady had nothing to do with this as she has nothing to do with my and President Marcos’ jobs.”
The First Lady revealed in April she had come to view Duterte negatively because Vice President laughed when her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, called Marcos bangag or high on drugs during rally in Davao City.
The Vice President also said she no longer has any interest in serving in Marcos’ Cabinet “in other capacities.”
She also said she has declined invitations from Marcos and her own father to campaign for their respective senatorial slates for 2025 elections, adding that she has yet to determine direction of her interests.
Before resigning, Duterte said Marcos invited her to meeting where he asked her to help the administration field senatorial candidates to successful bid.
“I think President Marcos will also confirm this… I told him I will not participate yet in midterm elections,” Duterte told reporters.
She also said she met her father “by chance” and was asked to campaign for senatorial candidates of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino, former president’s political party.
“I also told him that I would not participate in midterm elections… I still need to think about my direction for midterm elections that’s why I can’t give answer yet to the two of them on what I’ll be doing,” Duterte said.
Duterte revealed she has scheduled meeting with Senators Bong Go and Ronald dela Rosa after Marcos’ State of the Nation Address “to sit down and have heart-to-heart among the three of us.”
The Vice President’s involvement in the midterm elections may be sought after in some quarters as, aside from her current political capital, she also founded regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago, met great success during last midterm senatorial elections.
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Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro
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Garcia mulls suing Erice over ‘Bahamas files’
By Nidz Godino
COMELEC CHAIRMAN GEORGE GARCIA
“As much as possible, I don’t want to preempt NBI and AMLC…take note, allegations thrown against me and commission on elections were allegations not under oath,” Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia is considering filing counter-charge of falsification against former Rep. Egay Erice, who accused poll body official of owning foreign bank accounts and assets.
Garcia would wait for findings of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) before filing any charges.
“That’s falsification if proven not true especially if it’s made public and if done with bad intention or bad faith,…that is punishable under Revised Penal Code,” he stressed.
Article 172 of Revised Penal Code states falsification by private individual and use of falsified documents can lead to up to six years of imprisonment and fine of up to P5,000.
Erice presented what he called “Bahamas files,” allegedly list 14 bank accounts amounting to P877 million belonging to unnamed Comelec official and his wife.
Erice said official owned properties in Singapore, Hong Kong, US and Makati City.
Erice also mentioned unnamed Comelec official received $1 million (approximately P58.3 million) from Miru Systems, South Korea-based service provider for 2025 midterm elections.
Garcia denied accusations, asserting he has never held any offshore accounts or owned properties abroad. He stressed he has only held two visas in his life, making it impossible for him to have established accounts in mentioned countries.
“I would like to categorically state that I know not single offshore account nor single property abroad,” Garcia said .
On Tuesday, Erice requested Supreme Court (SC) to cite Comelec chair in contempt for his statements regarding petition Erice filed, challenges poll body’s P17.9-billion contract with Miru Systems.
SC has required Erice to comment on Miru’s gag order petition, aims to prevent disclosure and discussion of information by third parties.
supports National Disability Rights Week, July 13-20,2024
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Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024
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Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro
happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor
PM for any hospital discharge problem
SB19 got Favorite Asian Act at Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards 2024
By Cynthia Montojo
“It’s such honor to represent Philippines,” Justin said in their video uploaded on Nickelodeon Asia’s Instagram P-pop group SB19 beats other acts including K-pop group Enhypen to win Favorte Asian Act at Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2024.
Quintet thanked their fans for their support.
His fellow SB19 members Pablo, Ken, Josh and Stell were also with him in video thanked their fans, collectively known as A’TIN, and people who voted for them.
Apart from K-pop group, SB19 was also competing with Japanese girl group NiziU, young Malaysian singer Iman Troye and Indonesian actress-singer Tiara Andini for the award.
This year’s Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards is ceremony’s 37th edition and will be dedicated to silver anniversary of “Spongebob Squarepants.”
supports National Disability Rights Week, July 13-20,2024
Register now and vote in midterm polls
Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024
Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party
Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro
happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor
PM for any hospital discharge problem
SB19’s ‘Pagtatag’ docu set to premiere on Aug 28
By Cynthia Montojo
“Tagged as P-POP Kings, SB19 confronts year of challenges as they move forward to new era of music, career, and emancipation…this is SB19’s PAGTATAG! era,” they wrote.
P-pop group SB19’s much-awaited “Pagtatag” documentary is set to premiere on August 28 in cinemas nationwide.
In their official Instagram account, SB19 posted teaser of their documentary.
“PAGTATAG! Documentary is produced by First Light Studios and 1Z Entertainment, and directed by Jed Regala.”
In the teaser video, group was seen huddling before big show.
“This is final show!…walang lalaylay…sama-sama tayo dito…!” Pablo, group leader, said.
Composed of Pablo, Stell, Ken, Justin and Josh, SB19 ended their “Pagtatag” era with back-to-back concerts in Araneta Coliseum last May.
supports National Disability Rights Week, July 13-20,2024
Register now and vote in midterm polls
Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024
Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party
Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro
happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Total ban on POGOs backed
By Nidz Godino
“We, the undersigned business groups, fully support the recommendation of DOF ,Department of Finance Secretary Ralph Recto and NEDA ,National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan for total ban on POGOs,” groups include Makati Business Club, Alyansa Agrikultura, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, Foundation for Economic Freedom, Institute of Corporate Directors, Justice Reform Initiative, Management Association of the Philippines and UP (University of the Philippines) School of Economics Alumni Association expressed support for total ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO), being linked to illegal activities in the country.
Citing NEDA data, groups said POGO investments’ contribution to Philippine economy is minimal at 0.2 percent of gross domestic product last year.
Groups said there also social costs, with recent hearings illustrating POGOs have been linked to involvement in crimes such as human trafficking, kidnapping and money laundering, among others.
Citing data from Philippine National Police, groups said 55 percent of 31 cases of kidnappings in 2022 were POGO-related.
Earlier, Balisacan said government, in his view, should be focusing on generating high quality jobs and not gambling jobs. Recto said recommendation to totally ban POGOs has been sent to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr..
Business groups stressed government should help re-skill Filipino workers who may lose their jobs due to ban and enable industries affected by POGOs to find alternative uses for their assets.
It will be best if Marcos will declare his policy toward POGOs in the country so as to make definitive line between law-abiding POGOs and illegal ones, key official of the House of Representatives said.
Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda, chairs House ways and means committee, suggested Chief Executive can do so by simply stating that the country’s law must be followed, when he delivers his third State of the Nation Address before joint Congress on Monday.
“It’s simple implement the law…follow the law…enforce the law…if you enforce the law, naturally, you will catch violators, if you hear news of violations, that’s because PAGCOR ,Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and law enforcement are catching them… let the law work,” Salceda said.
The Bicolano lawmaker noted that there is definite line between POGOs that toe line, and those that do not.
He is against proposal to totally ban or shut down POGOs mainly because of enormous taxes government generates from them, but he said going after ones that engage in illegal activities would be ideal.
Citing data from gaming licensing agency, Salceda said last year’s collections from POGOs improved to P5.1 billion from just 87 licensees , huge contrast to P2.99 billion from the year before, which came from 158 licensees.
PAGCOR had renamed POGOs to internet gaming licensees or IGLs.
With this, PAGCOR collected about 71 percent more revenues for last year with 45 percent fewer licensees.
Salceda also noted POGO industry has been getting fewer Chinese and more Filipinos in terms of direct and indirect hires.
“If they are not engaged in illegal activities, and if they pay their taxes, then licensees should be allowed to continue operating…my stance has always been this: close down bad ones, as you would in any industry,” he recommended.
Problem with POGOs, according to the lawmaker, is that government was able to collect more taxes with only fewer of them, compared to those that mushroomed during the time of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
“We are cutting out weeds so that flowers can grow,” Salceda stressed, noting since PAGCOR started cracking whip under current administration, “tax and regulatory fee collections have increased dramatically from fewer licensees.”
“Difference is starker on tax side…at the height of POGOs in 2019, there were 298 licensees that paid P6.42 billion in total taxes…now, with just 87 licensees, internet gaming licensees paid P10.3 billion in taxes, if you close down whole sector, good players and bad, you put to waste all efforts of Marcos administration to crack down on bad players,” he said.
As these developed, names Alice Guo and Guo Hua Ping have both been placed in the Immigration Lookout Bulletin (ILBO), Bureau of Immigration said.
“Both Alice Guo and Guo Hua Ping’s names are included in ILBO,” BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said after Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian stated that suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo might have left the country using her Chinese passport.
But he also said that information from BI reportedly showed beleaguered mayor is still in the country.
When asked if Guo might have left the country through south, using “backdoor,” or if she had taken advantage of the country’s porous borders, Sandoval said that question should be directed to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Philippine Navy.
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) earlier confirmed Mayor Guo and Guo Hua Ping are the same person.
Last July 13, Senate issued warrants of arrest against Guo and seven others, namely Sheila Leal Guo, Wesley Leal Guo, Jian Zhong Guo, Seimen Guo and her suspected mother Wen Yi Lin, as well as Dennis Cunanan and Nancy Gamo. The respondents have been called to appear at the next committee hearing set on July 29.
Warrant against Guo was issued after she failed to attend hearing called by Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality.
Gamo, accountant of Mayor Guo, had been arrested. She will stay in Senate until resumption of Senate’s inquiry into raided POGO hub in Bamban, Tarlac.
Four foreign nationals, mostly Chinese, rescued from POGO hubs in Pampanga and Tarlac appeared at inquiry of two House panels to prove torture activities inside online gambling facilities.
Filipina who was rescued from scamming facility in Myanmar by Presidential Anti-organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) was also presented during joint hearing of the House panels on public order and security and human rights.
“We cannot allow these rogue POGO operators to persist… imperative that we identify and unmask masterminds and protectors behind these operations so they can be prosecuted to fullest extent of the law,” House Speaker Martin Romualdez underscored.
“We presented Myanmar case to provide context to committee that problem of scam farm is not limited to Philippines but inter-Asian problem,” PAOCC spokesman Wilson Casio said, adding influx of foreigners working in POGOs started in 2017 and peaked in 2019.
PAOCC also showed video clips of five POGO workers undergoing torture at the hands of Chinese nationals inside facilities. This included video of Malaysian national who was found dead last year.
First video showed Chinese woman being hit by pipes in the head and back. Second video showed Chinese man tied to the foot of double-decker bed while his hands were tased, and third video showed naked Chinese man whose genitalia were tased by two men.
One of the rescued workers, Malaysian who identified himself as Dylan, told panel he was invited for dinner by friend in Bamban because it was Chinese New Year. But he was, instead, sold to POGO hub in Bamban for P300,000.
Dylan was told by POGO that he would be released if he pays his “debt” or work for them for 18 months without pay. He suffered minor beating when he asked for his release on his sixth month at the said facility.
On the other hand, Filipina woman told panel she was encouraged to work in Myanmar by her own relative as an encoder. She, however, ended up working in facility engaged in love scams and investment scamming through chat. Victim also experienced being tortured when she asked to go home.
Also in Congress, Lanao del Sur Rep. Adiong filed resolution seeking inquiry into proliferation of fictitious and falsified birth certificates and passports issued to foreign nationals.
In House Resolution No. 1802, Adiong proposed probe be conducted jointly by committees on local government and justice.
Resolution stated proliferation of these documents “posts serious threat to national security.”
Measure was filed in the aftermath of NBI’s revelation that almost 200 allegedly falsified birth certificates were issued to mostly Chinese nationals by civil registry in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.
Licenses issued by government to POGOs, particularly those run by Chinese, were being used as fronts for illegal activities, former Supreme Court justice Antonio Carpio said.
Carpio pointed out that PAGCOR should not have issued licenses to Chinese-run POGO firms in the first place because their websites are not accessible to China. He said that China declared it “never allows any kind of gambling.”
“Have you heard about ‘great firewall of China… online POGOs claiming to operate in China are blocked…they get license from PAGCOR saying they operate in China but they are blocked,” Carpio said during Kapihan sa Manila Bay media forum.
Carpio said POGO firms run by Mainland Chinese could have used PAGCOR licenses as “cover only so they can have buildings, operation with computers, but cannot actually bring online gaming to China because they are blocked.”
“So what are they doing… scamming, internet phishing and scamming,” he said.
Carpio also hoped President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.would announce declaration against Chinese-run POGO firms.
“It is probably good if he can announce he is against rules of PAGCOR issuing licenses on POGO that cater to Mainland Chinese market,” he said when asked what he wanted to hear on upcoming State of the Nation Address next week, would be Marcos’ third of his six-year presidency.
Carpio was among alumni of UP College of Law who recently called on the President to order cancellation of all POGOs serving clients from mainland China.
PAGCOR should not have issued licenses to Chinese POGO firms since online gambling websites are blocked in China where gambling is prohibited, he explained.
“Just cancel those licenses…we are just fooling ourselves,” he concluded.
“It’s illegal because what they are doing with this provision is to essentially amend all charters, all these laws created GOCCs,” former finance undersecretary Cielo Magno said advocates are expected to mount legal challenge to government’s move to transfer excess funds from Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) and other government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) to finance unprogrammed appropriations in this year’s budget.
Magno said they would file case before Supreme Court (SC) to question legality of provision in 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
Provision Magno said was inserted by bicameral conference committee, allowed use of fund balance from GOCCs to finance “unprogrammed appropriations” or government projects without budget allocation.
Magno, economics professor at University of the Philippines, said inserted provision in budget law may be considered “rider provision” that is inconsistent with subject matter of legislation.
“It is clear in the charter of PhilHealth and in Universal Healthcare Law that if PhilHealth has reserve funds, you can only use it for two things: either you increase scope of service or benefits provided to the people or you reduce premium of members,” she stressed.
Excess funds of PhilHealth worth P89.9 billion were diverted to fund unprogrammed appropriations this year, which led health advocates and budget watchdogs to call for probe into Department of Finance’s action.
Federation of Free Workers (FFW) echoed Magno’s sentiment as it called for state health insurer to reduce workers’ contributions.
“Meager take-home pay of workers should not be deducted…it is justified for these salary deductions to be reduced,” FFW president Sonny Matula said.
PhilHealth members’ premium contributions increased to five percent from four percent this year.
Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024
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Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
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Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro
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Chicken prices hike to P250 per kilo
By J.Lo
“There is already some sort of panic…it means there is no supply of day-old chicks,” Jose Gerardo Feliciano, president of the United Broiler Raisers Association (UBRA), said chicken prices in Metro Manila have reached record high P250 per kilogram as local broiler output retreated and raisers sought to recover losses incurred in previous months.
Whole chicken sold in Metro Manila ranged between P190 per kilo and P250 per kilo at start of this week, based on latest price monitoring report by Department of Agriculture (DA).
Compared to last month, whole chickens sold in Metro Manila ranged between P160 and P220 per kilo , P30 increase.
Feliciano said P250 per kilo price is “too high,” noting that prevailing market prices should range between P210 and P230.
He also noted price of P250 per kilo could mean that somebody is “taking advantage” of limited supply in given market or area.
Feliciano explained at press briefing that chicken prices have been rising due to lower broiler stocks after raisers reduced their flock loading to recoup losses they incurred in recent months.
As an indication of reduced broiler output, farm gate price of day-old chicks has risen to P43 per chick, nearly double usual average of P24 apiece.
Nonetheless, Feliciano assured public that the country has sufficient stocks of broilers. “Supply is there but the problem is sizes,” he said.
UBRA data showed average farm gate prices of broilers fell below P100 per kilo last October and persisted until January of this year.
Average farm gate price of broiler between October 2023 and January ranged from P91.47 per kilo to P97.12 per kilo. Estimated break-even cost for regular-sized broiler is between P100 and P110 per kilo.
This month, average farm gate price of broiler is hovering around P137 per kilo, reflecting reduced supply in the market. Average quotation is already nine percent higher than P125.57 per kilo average price recorded last month, based on UBRA data.
Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024
Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party
Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
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Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro
happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Senate detention facility ready
By Nidz Godino
“Here I can assure her security 24/7… I’ve done it before… I was commander before, and I assured people within my area of responsibility that they are safe,” Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) head Roberto Ancan, retired Army officer said dormitory-type detention facility for suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, her mother and female siblings in Senate compound is now ready.
Ancan inspected room has three bunk beds where Guo and her family would be detained if Senate sergeant-at-arms succeeds in serving its arrest order on suspended mayor and her companions.
OSAA will primarily be in charge of their safety, but Philippine National Police may be tapped for assistance.
Ancan assured resource persons of their safety, especially of Guo, whose detention facility is beside PNP detachment. He noted that there will be medical team ready for their needs as well.
Apart from Guo, Senate has also ordered arrest of Siemen Guo, Wesley Guo, Sheila Guo, her alleged mother Wen Yi Lin and Dennis Cunanan after they failed to appear before Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality chaired by Sen. Risa Hontiveros.
OSAA chief said structure was formerly air-conditioned daycare center, where there is water dispenser and table.
Ancan noted that only female relatives of Guo would be allowed to stay with her. He noted that male resource persons would be detained in separate room, while Guo’s former accountant, Nancy Gamo, will also stay in different room.
Detention facility was specifically converted last year from being daycare center in the event Senate needs to detain more people. Guo and her family will be first to use the facility in case they surface. There are also detention facilities in Senate basement.
Ancan said facilities would be comfortable and Senate will provide detainees with food three times a day, although they can also bring their own food.
Visiting hours would be from 8 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon.
Guo and the others would be allowed to go outside of detention facility for few minutes in the morning for sunlight.
At present, Senate guidelines for individuals under Senate custody do not allow detainees to use gadgets. However, Senate President Francis Escudero earlier said they would revisit such guidelines.
Escudero visited Nancy Gamo, alleged accountant of Guo, who has been detained in Senate since her arrest last Saturday. He was accompanied by staff of Hontiveros.
While Gamo’s health condition was good, she reportedly complained of boredom as she was not allowed to use cell phones. But she is allowed to request for cell phone if she needs to make call.
Escudero said there is need to review rules of Senate prohibit use of cell phones by detainees as they are not prisoners.
With Guo’s whereabouts still unknown, Supreme Court (SC) has asked Hontiveros’ panel to comment on petition of Guo seeking to stop senators from summoning her as resource person in the probe on POGOs.
According to SC spokesperson Camille Sue Mae Ting, SC gave committee 10 days from notice to file its comment.
Guo earlier filed before SC petition for certiorari, with prayer for annulment of subpoena and temporary restraining order against her being required to appear as resource person in Senate.
In her 78-page petition for certiorari, Guo asked High Court to annul subpoena issued by Senate panel.
She argued Senate committee committed grave abuse of discretion, amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction, when it subjected her to “public persecution and humiliation, disregarding her Constitutional rights.”
Mayor’s right to presumption of innocence and due process were likewise violated as she was already branded, called and concluded to be “liar,” “spy” and “POGO operator,” petition claimed, citing opening remarks of Hontiveros in one of the hearings.
Petition also pointed out hearings focused on Guo’s personal life, which are “totally unrelated, unconnected and unassociated with pending resolutions subject of public hearing.”
“As a result, she was asked and forced to divulge matters of her private life, childhood, love life and personal businesses to public under pain of contempt,” it read.
Guo’s lawyer Stephen David previously said Senate hearings have left mayor “traumatized.”
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