News Briefs: Oct. 14, 2018

Andanar to stay as PCOO head until…

Martin Andanar will stay as chief of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) for now or until President Rodrigo Duterte issues an executive order reviving the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS).

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the PCOO would continue to exist “until such time as the OPS is created.”

Until that happens, Panelo said PCOO “is still operational as an entity.” —Julie M. Aurelio

1st graft case under Martires filed

Prosecutors have filed a corruption case at the Sandiganbayan for the first time since Ombudsman Samuel Martires assumed office in August.

The graft case was filed against former Biñan, Laguna, Mayor Hermis Perez involving a P71-million solid waste management contract.

Prosecutors accused Perez of awarding two agreements in November 2001 and March 2002 to Etsaw Consultancy and Construction of Environment Technologies International Corporation of the Philippines without public bidding. —Vince F. Nonato

Dispute with China not domain of ICC

Malacañang saw no connection between the Philippines’ withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its territorial dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo dismissed fears that pulling out of the Hague-based ICC will remove a legal option against China.

Panelo said that, technically, the Philippines was not pulling out of the ICC, which does not include China.

“The notice was more of informing them that, excuse me, we’re not part of you because you never assumed jurisdiction over us,” Panelo said. —Julie M. Aurelio