Sandigan clears Marcos family anew

By Maricel V. Cruz

MEMBERS of the immediate family of the late President Ferdinand Marcos and his alleged cronies won another round in the battery of cases filed against them by previous administrations.

This as the Sandiganbayan’s second division upheld its decision to dismiss Civil Case 0014 involving high-value properties such as hotels, resorts, and other corporations. In the resolution of the court promulgated on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, the motion for reconsideration filed by the government through the Solicitor General was denied for lack of merit.

The antigraft court noted that the So -

Zubiri: Boycott Chinese goods like Vietnam did

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

AS A sign of protest to China’s persistent bullying of the Philippine Coast Guard, Navy, and local fishermen, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri called for a boycott of Chinese goods and all Chinese companies.

Earlier, Zubiri sponsored a Senate Resolution condemning Chinese incursions on Philippine territory.

In an interview over Radyo 630, Zubiri said like Vietnam, “we should start looking for other trading partners instead of relying on China.” “We should look for other trading partners where we can grow and improve our country’s economy without being dependent on China,” he said.

“We should not be relying on China for our products,” he further stated.

Zubiri related the Philippines may reopen its free trade agreements with countries like the United States, European Union, Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asian countries.

“So that we can boycott Chinesemade products, boycott Chinese companies entering the Philippines to show our anger towards them in that way,” he added.

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“We can also consider deploying the 97-meter vessel or the 83-meter vessel for us to have a much bigger boat to support the resupply mission,” he said.

Tarriela also said that the PCG is requesting a higher intelligence fund, which has been pegged at P10 million a year in the last 15 years.

“With the magnitude of the function of the coast guard, not to mention the maritime safety and the maritime environmental protection, it is important for the Philippine Coast Guard to receive a larger intelligence fund to support our operations,” Tarriela said, urging Congress “to add some zeroes in our intelligence funds.” licitor General did not present any new arguments and evidence to warrant the reversal of the original decision.

Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea by its discredited nine-dash line and has ignored a 2016 international court ruling that its expansive claims have no legal basis.

Ayungin Shoal is about 200 kilometers from the mainland Palawan province and more than 1,000 kilometers from China’s nearest major landmass, Hainan island.

China’s Ambassador Huang Xilian accused the Philippines of repeatedly taking unilateral actions “to undermine the existing status quo” on Ayungin Shoal.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) had summoned Huang on Monday to protest the water cannon incident and the Chinese Coast Guard’s dangerous maneuvers against Filipino vessels in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said a note verbale was sent to Huang in connection with the water cannon incident.

The PCG vessels were escorting boats chartered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to deliver food, water, fuel, and other supplies to military troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre, which has been beached on Ayungin Shoal.

“Needless to state, the allegations contained in the motion are mere rehash of the issues already ruled, passed upon, and judiciously resolved by this court,” the resolution written by Associate Justice Arthur Malabaguio said. Division Chairman Justice Oscar Herrera, Jr. and Associate Justice Edgardo Caldona,