INQToday: PH files another diplomatic protest vs China; Dela Rosa: ‘I’m afraid of going to jail’
Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
PH files another diplomatic protest vs China
The Philippines on Wednesday filed a diplomatic protest against China anew, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Teresita Daza told INQUIRER.net.
In a text message, Daza said four diplomatic protests have so far been filed by the country against China in 2024.
Pimentel: Comelec may face raps for accepting Charter change signatures
For Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel, he sees a “justiciable controversy” to file cases against the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for receiving signatures from a people’s initiative (PI) to amend the 1987 Constitution.
Pimentel said the cases may be filed before the Comelec or Supreme Court.
DILG chief has ‘no knowledge’ about ICC investigation in PH
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has no information on whether International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators have already finished with their investigation and evidence gathering in the country, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said on Wednesday.
The statement was his response when asked for a comment on reports that the ICC investigators have already completed their investigation on the previous administration’s war on drugs.
Bato dela Rosa admits: ‘I am afraid of going to jail’
Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa admitted he is afraid of going to jail, anxious that he may not see his grandchildren if it happens.
His remarks came as speculations abound that investigators of the International Criminal Court (ICC) are already in the Philippines. The ICC had launched a probe into the bloody “drug war” during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration when dela Rosa served as head implementer as the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
SMNI disputes NTC’s suspension order as unconstitutional
The National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC) order to indefinitely suspend the operations of the Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) radio and television stations “is unconstitutional,” the network’s legal counsel said on Wednesday.
“We believe na yung suspension order of the NTC is unconstitutional and in grave violation ng ating Saligang-Batas because it is very clear na ang jurisprudence natin na any decision or ruling ng any government agency that affects freedom of press or freedom of expression are presumed unconstitutional,” SMNI lawyer Mark Tolentino said in an interview over ANC.
IDF soldier of Filipino descent killed amid Israel-Hamas conflict
An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldier of Filipino descent was among those killed in a massive explosion amid Israel-Hamas conflict, the embassy of Israel in the Philippines confirmed on Wednesday.
In a statement, the embassy identified the Filipino soldier as Sergeant First Class Cydrick Garin.
