News Briefs: Oct. 3, 2018

Palace body, empowered to probe appointees, probes Trillanes

The Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC)  investigated opposition Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV over an alleged “ghost” lamppost project, although it was not among its duties listed by the executive order that created the commission.

Eduardo Bringas, PACC executive director, on Tuesday said the PACC had “prepared a complaint” against Trillanes and would file it at the Ombudsman “one of these days.”

Executive Order No. 43 empowered the PACC to investigate presidential appointees. —Vince F. Nonato

Roque, survey bottom-feeder, to file COC for senator

Malacañang is now in search for a new spokesperson for President Rodrigo Duterte as Harry Roque prepares to run for senator and will file a certificate of candidacy (COC) next week.

Roque, who is near the bottom of a survey of likely winners in the Senate race, remained coy about running, however.

At least five persons were being considered replacements for Roque, according to a source. —Christine O. Avendaño

De Lima lawyers hit lack of due process

Lawyers for detained Sen. Leila de Lima accused a Muntinlupa City judge of violating her right to due process after the court ruled that 13 convicts could testify against her — even before it had received all of the defense’s pleadings.

Boni Tacardon, De Lima’s counsel, said on Tuesday that Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 206 Judge Lorna Navarro-Domingo had ruled prematurely. —Matthew Reysio-Cruz

2 customs execs probed for clearing cargo with glycerol

Two Bureau of Customs officers are now being investigated after they tried to clear a P5-million shipment of chemicals and computer equipment that was declared mosquito nets and clothes.

Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña, however, did not identify the examiner and appraiser behind the attempt.

The shipment contained a forklift, 18 drums of glycerol, computers and mobile phones. —Jovic Yee