Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
‘No ICC comeback for PH’ despite Garma’s drug war exposé – Bersamin
The Philippines will not rejoin the International Criminal Court (ICC), Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said on Monday.
Bersamin made this statement amid calls for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to submit the recent House quadcomm investigation findings—including retired police colonel Royina Garma’s exposé—to the ICC as part of its case build-up on crimes against humanity allegedly committed during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody “war on drugs.”
PAOCC says 100 Pogos still operating despite ban, vows crackdown
Around 100 Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) are still operating nationwide even months after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordered a total ban on the sector, according to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).
Citing a report from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), PAOCC chief Gilbert Cruz said that while many Pogos have already been closed, about a hundred are still being monitored.
Hontiveros asks courts to allow Quiboloy to attend Senate hearing
Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Monday asked the Pasig and Quezon City courts to allow detained televangelist Apollo Quiboloy to physically attend the Senate panel on women’s hearing on October 23.
She requested through separate letters sent to Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 159 and Quezon City RTC Branch 106.
Bong Go wants Senate to probe Duterte admin’s drug war
Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, former aide of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, mulls filing a resolution to kickstart the Senate investigation into the Duterte administration’s drug war.
Go said he is “very much willing” to initiate a parallel probe in the Senate if there is a need for it.
DSWD chief refutes claims of snubbing VP Duterte’s referrals for aid
Social Welfare chief Rex Gatchalian on Monday denied claims that his agency snubbed Vice President Sara Duterte’s referral requests for aid.
Speaking at the Senate’s hearing on his agency’s proposed 2025 funding, Gatchalian said he was willing to show messages exchanged between the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Office of the Vice President (OVP) to disprove such allegations.
Admin charges vs Duque on Pharmally deals junked
The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed the administrative charges against former Health Secretary Francisco Duque III in connection with the alleged anomalous purchase of billions of pesos worth of COVID-19 supplies, owing to his separation from the service.
In a 10-page order approved by Ombudsman Samuel Martires on Sept. 30, the antigraft body granted the motions for reconsideration filed by Duque in May, in which he maintained his innocence in the irregular procurement of face masks, test kits, and other medical supplies during the pandemic.