News Briefs: Jan. 9, 2019
Sandiganbayan finds evidence vs ex-Mariveles mayor strong
The Sandiganbayan has found the Ombudsman’s evidence strong enough to convict former Mariveles, Bataan, Mayor Angel Peliglorio of graft if he failed to refute it with his own evidence.
In a resolution dated Dec. 11, the court’s Second Division denied Peliglorio’s motion for permission to file his demurrer, which would cut his trial short and dismiss his case on the ground of insufficient evidence.
The rejection of Peliglorio’s motion meant he could either present evidence to defend himself in the trial or waive this right by insisting on filing the demurrer anyway.
Peliglorio was accused of approving the purchase of several parcels of land totaling 3,777 square meters from Lauro Guansing despite the lack of original transfer certificates of title and other important supporting documents.
The titles turned over by Guansing only covered a total of 1,131 square meters of land. The transactions amounted to P1.89 million. —Vince F. Nonato
DOH: Fireworks-related injuries drop by 34%
The Department of Health (DOH) saw a 34-percent drop in the number of fireworks-related injuries during its two-week monitoring of the holiday revelries.
From Dec. 21, 2018, to Jan. 5, hospitals across the country treated a total of 340 patients injured by fireworks.
The figure is lower by 175 cases compared with the previous year.
The DOH also did not record any fireworks-related deaths or injuries due to stray bullets.
Despite the significant reduction, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said on Tuesday that much still needed to be done to achieve zero casualty.
Almost a quarter of all the injuries involved “kwitis,” while another 12 percent used “luces.” Both are classified as legal fireworks.
The three other fireworks that caused the most injuries were “piccolo,” “boga” and “triangulo” — all of which are illegal. —Jovic Yee
House to conduct probe on South Korean trash
The consignee of the 5,100 tons of trash from South Korea and officials of government agencies involved should still be held accountable even if the South Korean government had agreed to take back the garbage, Misamis Oriental Rep. Juliette Uy said on Tuesday.
In a statement, Uy said Verde Soko Philippines Industrial Corp. must face legal liabilities for facilitating the illegal importation of the garbage, which entered the country through the Mindanao International Container Terminal in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, in July last year.
She said officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Bureau of Customs and local governments should explain why they allowed the entry of the 51 containers filled with solid waste.
Uy and several other Mindanao lawmakers have filed a resolution seeking a congressional inquiry into the incident. —Marlon Ramos
Duterte backs bill to boost AIDS prevention efforts
President Rodrigo Duterte is supporting the passage of a measure boosting the government’s human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) prevention efforts.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the President was supportive of the bill, noting that the President would have vetoed it immediately if he were against it.
Panelo made the remarks when asked about the status of the proposed HIV and AIDS Policy Act of 2018.
The Senate and the House of Representatives have ratified the conference committee report on the proposed HIV and AIDS Policy Act. —Julie M. Aurelio
