News Briefs

JBC opens applications for SC seat

The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has opened applications for the position of Supreme Court associate justice vacated when Lucas Bersamin was appointed Chief Justice on Nov. 26. In a two-page announcement issued on Friday by Supreme Court clerk of court and JBC ex-officio secretary Edgar Aricheta, the council gave all aspirants until 4:30 p.m., Jan. 22, 2019, to submit documentary requirements at the JBC office in Manila.—JEROME ANING

Comelec sets 1 more day for voting on BOL

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) added another day for the plebiscite for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) to have enough time to resolve petitions for inclusion in the new administrative region. Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said on Friday that while the Jan. 21 plebiscite will push through, the poll body had to add another date, Feb. 6, because it received “too many petitions for inclusion.” There are currently 99 petitions for inclusion in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The Comelec had set the campaign period for the plebiscite on Dec. 7 to Jan. 19 next year. Each village included in the plebiscite area is required to hold at least one assembly for awareness about the BOL.—JOVIC YEE

CPP declares truce…

DAVAO CITY—The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) declared a unilateral ceasefire for Christmas and New Year to allow its forces to mark its 50th year. The communist’s holiday truce will take effect at midnight of Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, to end at midnight of Dec. 26, when the CPP turns 50. CPP, in a statement, said the truce would give rebels “a brief period to pay tribute to their heroes and martyrs.” During the truce, the statement said, New People’s Army, CPP’s armed wing, will be in “active  defense mode.”—MART  SAMBALUD

…But Lorenzana says no ceasefire

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana rejected a truce with communist rebels for the holidays because “I don’t want the NPA (New People’s Army) using it to celebrate” the  Communist Party of the Philippines’ 50th anniversary. Lorenzana said that if NPA fighters were to emerge from their camps during the truce, “we won’t touch them if they’re not armed.” “They can surrender outright,” Lorenzana said. “That would be better. We’ll give them a house and lot and livelihood,” he added. Lorenzana made the statements on the sidelines of the “Pilipinas Conference” on Friday organized by the independent think tank Stratbase Albert del Rosario Institute.—JAYMEE T. GAMIL