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SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2018 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
Dateline PhiliPPines
Administration destabilizing itself – LP senators by Paolo
roMero Philstar
MANILA — The Duterte administration is the one destabilizing itself by its failure to stem the rising prices of basic commodities and ensure a stable supply of rice while flouting the rule of law, Sen. Francis Pangilinan said Tuesday, September 11. “The opposition does not have to do anything. On its own, either by its incompetence or corruption, the government is doing a good job of destabilizing itself,” he declared. Pangilinan, Liberal Party president, described Duterte’s accusation of the opposition causing destabilization as “downright false” and “ridiculous,” adding that his party is committed to adhering to constitutional processes in pushing for its advocacies and does not believe that ousting the country’s leaders would address urgent problems. “We already ousted presidents twice. If that was the solution to our problems, we should be a first world country by now,” he pointed out. The lawmaker stressed that all Malacañang has to do to address the current inflation woes is to listen to its own allies who, like the opposition, are calling for the resignation of officials of the Department of Agriculture and the National Food Authority for causing the rice crisis. He added that instead of throwing baseless accusations at
Philstar.com photo
LP and the opposition, the government should listen to the cry of the people and focus on rising prices of goods and lack of jobs that would sufficiently provide for the average Filipino family. Vice President Leni Robredo also debunked Duterte’s accusation that the LP, which she chairs, is part of an alleged plot to oust him. “We have no connection with the Communist Party of the Philippines, we don’t have any kind of conversation with them. We know the role of the CPP in our society—they exist independently of any political party. We have different beliefs,” Robredo said. Duterte’s accusations came after LP officials, including Robredo, expressed their support for Trillanes, whose amnesty was nullified by the President through Proclamation 572 signed on Aug. 31. Robredo maintained the revo-
cation of Trillanes’ amnesty “is clearly an attempt to silence the opposition.” “For me, whoever is the victim of abuse of power, we are one with him,” said Robredo who visited Trillanes last Thursday, September 6 at the Senate, where he has been staying after the proclamation was issued. The president in a speech in Davao on Saturday, September 8 said a supposed oust Duterte movement “will go into a high gear” next month. Robredo lamented that the LP had been the usual whipping boy of the administration to deflect the blame for its “incompetencies.” “It’s like blaming U.S. President Donald Trump for the weakening economy. The Liberal Party is always the one to blame for all the shortcomings of this administration. I think this is not right,” she said. n
GIFT FROM CHINA. Senate President Vicente Sotto III (2nd from left) receives a token from Ji Bingxuan (left), Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), People’s Republic of China, during a courtesy call at the Senate, Monday, September 10. Senate photo by Joseph Vidal
House panel junks impeach raps vs De Castro, other SC justices for lack of substance by Gaea
Katreena Philstar.com
CabiCo
MANILA — The House of Representatives justice committee on Tuesday, September 11 shot down the consolidated impeachment complaints filed against Chief Justice Teresita de Castro and six other Supreme Court jus-
tices. This, after the panel chaired by Rep. Doy Leachon (Oriental Mindoro) found that the impeachment complaints against the seven high court justices who voted to oust Maria Lourdes Sereno via quo warranto were insufficient in substance. A total of 23 lawmakers in the justice committee voted that the consolidated complaints against the seven justices lack substance. Only Ramon Rocamora (Siquijor) voted that the complaint was sufficient in substance. Last week, the committee voted that the complaints were sufficient in form. Opposition lawmakers Reps. Edcel Lagman (Albay), Gary Alejano (Magdalo party-list) and Teddy Baguilat Jr. (Ifugao) accused De Castro, Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Francis Jardeleza, Noel Tijam, Andres Reyes Jr. and Alexander Gesmundo of committing culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust. “As justices of the high court, they are fully aware that impeachment is the only mode provided
in the Constitution to oust impeachable officials like the chief justice,” Lagman said. Rep. Jess Manalo (ANGKLA party-list) said that lawmakers are “not in the position to judge and impeach people for deciding what they considered is right.” Reps. Henry Oaminal (Misamis Occidental) and Ron Salo (Kabayan party-list) said the justices only performed their constitutional duty. Rep. Rodante Marcoleta (SAGIP party-list), for his part, criticized the complainants for their supposed “opinionated, selective recital of facts.” In his rebuttal, Lagman stressed that they are not asking the Supreme Court to reverse its decision to remove Sereno via quo warranto. He, however, insisted that the May 11 ruling was “malicious, capricious and conspiratorial.” He also urged the members of the justice panel to “reclaim the power of the House of Representatives, which has been arrogated by the Supreme Court” when they ruled to oust Sereno through quo warranto.n
Russia offers joint project for AK rifles factory in Philippines by MiChael
PunonGbayan Pia lee-braGo Philstar.com
MANILA — As bilateral ties become warmer, Russia believes it is time for the Philippines to “diversify” defense and other forms of cooperation with other countries, without damaging its traditional alliances. As part of a blossoming “partnership,” Russia is proposing, among others, a joint project with the Philippines for the production of assault rifles, including Kalashnikovs, in this country. “Last year… we proposed organizing a joint production facility here, to jointly produce Russian assault rifles,” Russian Ambassador Igor Khovaev told “The Chiefs” recently on Cignal TV’s One News channel. Khovaev, however, said there has been no response so far from the Philippine government. He stressed that Russia’s proffered hand of partnership has no “hidden agenda” or political strings attached. “Russia has experience of supplying arms and military weapons to Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, so it’s time to be open-minded. It’s time to diversify. Diversify cooperation with no damage to your traditionally close relationship with the some other allies,” Khovaev said, The Kalashnikov range of assault rifles includes the AK-47 – Avtomat Kalasknikov or Ka-
lashnikov’s Automatic Rifle, arguably the most widely used of its kind in the world. Developed by Mikhail Kalashnikov, the AK47 was first used by Soviet forces in 1949. Kalashnikov also produces shotguns, rifles, pistols and ammunition. Asked about the status of his proposal, Khovaev replied, “I hope it’s still under consideration.” The proposal is likely to be blocked by the United States, with which the Philippines has a defense alliance. Last month, during a visit to Manila, Randall Schriver, U.S. assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific security affairs, cautioned Manila against buying military hardware from U.S. rival Russia. Schriver issued the statement as Philippine defense officials were reportedly considering the acquisition of a submarine from Russia. President Duterte slammed Schriver’s statement, saying, “Is that the way you treat an ally?… You want us to stay with you for all time? Who are you to warn us?” Reacting to Schriver’s warning, Khovaev emphasized that the US and other traditional allies of the Philippines should not interfere in the bilateral cooperation between Manila and Moscow and the choices made by the two countries, including defense cooperation and acquisition of arms and weapons. n
PH to have 3rd telco in December – Duterte
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, September 11, said the Philippines would have its third major telecommunications player in December, as he vowed to select the offer of the bidder with the “best track record.” Duterte made the statement as he expressed frustration over the delays in the government’s selection of the country’s third major telecommunications player. “Late, early November, pag wala pa (if there’s no decision yet), I’ll take over. Ilagay ko iyan sa Office of the President. And I will invite all the businessmen and I will decide in front of them kung sino (who it will be),” Duterte said during a televised interview with Chief Presidential
Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo. “I will resolve it by late October or early November. By Christmas, alam na ng mga tao kung sino na ang (the people will know the) third player,” he added. Last month, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said it aims to finish the selection process before the end of the year. This was after missing its initial target of making an announcement before Duterte’s State of the Nation Address in July as the terms of reference for the selection process has yet to be finalized. Duterte, who said he would place the selection process un-
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