Ex-President Duterte on De Lima’s...

accepted no matter how one disagrees with it,” he noted.

“In this particular De Lima case, the acquittal is flawed. The evidence extant supports a judgement of conviction,” he also said.

According to Panelo, the court was mistaken when it took former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) officer-in-charge (OIC) Rafael Ragos’ recantation of his testimony as justification to doubt the guilt of de Lima.

Ragos recanted his testimony against de Lima in November 2022, telling the court that he was coerced into signing prepared affidavits on three occasions in 2016 and 2017 to say that de Lima has been receiving bribe money from drug lords at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP). g

DOT launching ‘enhanced tourism...

as a country brand, but I assure you you’ll love it,” she said in a Palace briefing.

“There will be [a preview] in the next few weeks. But we will make sure to engage in consultation with our tourism stakeholders first as their opinions matter very much to us,” Frasco added. Asked if the Philippines’ marketing strategy will also change, Frasco said the “main change” would be the shift in focus of the DOT to “highlight the heart and soul of the Filipino.”

She said the transformation is evident in the country’s culture, festivals, food and products.

“Everything that makes us diverse and unique and a proud Filipino people that gives us pride of place. We are putting forth the best of the best of the Philippines to the world because it cannot be denied that we do give the world our best,” she said. g