23.6 C
Tacloban City
March 23, 2026 - Monday | 9:53 PM
Home Blog Page 1025

Imee sees nothing wrong with China visit of Duterte; lambasts ICC for denying PH appeals on drug war

By
Web Master
-
0
NOTHING SUSPICIOUS. Senator Imee Marcos said that there is nothing suspicious on the visit of former president Rodrigo Duterte to China, adding that he is an ‘invaluable asset’ for the country with its dialogue with China amid tension on territorial ownership of West Philippine Sea.

TACLOBAN CITY– Senator Imee Marcos welcomed the visit of former president Rodrigo Duterte to China saying it could lead to possible help on the current territorial dispute between the two countries.

NOTHING SUSPICIOUS. Senator Imee Marcos said that there is nothing suspicious on the visit of former president Rodrigo Duterte to China, adding that he is an ‘invaluable asset’ for the country with its dialogue with China amid tension on territorial ownership of West Philippine Sea.

The senator said that any speculations as to what really the purpose of the visit of her brother, immediate predecessor would not help the current relations between the Philippines and China over the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea row.

“I’m sure former President Duterte will be an invaluable asset to the dialogue…and has a great contribution to make,” Marcos said in a brief press conference on Wednesday(July 19) held at the City Hall attended by her cousin, Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez.
“And I hope he will pursue that dialogue and help us unravel the many troubles we had in recent past,” she added.

Marcos also cautioned the public not to make any speculations on the July 17 visit of Duterte, a close ally of the senator.

“Huwag tayong maging suspitsoso, mapra-praning lang tayo,” she said.
The senator also said that like Duterte, her mother, former first lady Imelda Marcos, is also close and a friend to the Chinese.

“Kaya hayaan na lang natin sila, baka makatulong. Malaking bagay yun,” she said.
Meantime, Marcos, who chairs the foreign relations committee at the Senate, lambasted the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) denying the appeal of the Philippine government on the brutal anti-drug war waged by the Duterte administration.

Sen. Marcos said that the ICC was gravely wrong in denying the appeal of the Philippine government considering that it is also addressing issues relative to the drug war, notably on the extrajudicial killings (EJKs).

She said that the local courts have already convicted police authorities due to the EJKs.
In 2018, a court convicted police officials who were involved in the killing of Kian de los Santos, one of the high-profile cases of the Duterte drug war.

The police accused the 17-year-old as a drug runner. The family denied the claim of the police.

“It’s very, very cleared that those guilty of EJKs have been punished,” she said, adding that our courts are functioning.

“Papasok kang dapat sila pag walang korte, walang umaandar na hidikatura.Pero dito sa Pilipinas, buhay na buhay ang ating judiciary. There is no reason for them to intervene in our internal affairs,” Marcos said.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)

Msgr. Balagapo among 2 new officials of Vatican’s missionary arm

By
Web Master
-
0
Msgr. Erwin Jose Balagapo
Msgr. Erwin Jose Balagapo

TACLOBAN CITY– Pope Francis on Tuesday appointed a Filipino priest among the two new officials of the Dicastery for Evangelization, the Vatican’s missionary arm.

Msgr. Erwin Jose Balagapo of the Archdiocese of Palo and Korean Msgr. Han Hyun-taek will serve their new roles in the dicastery for a period of five years.

Both priests have been working in the dicastery before their promotion.

Their tasks involve leading the office under the Section for the First Evangelization and New Particular Churches, which is overseen by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle as pro-prefect.

Born in Tacloban City, Balagapo was ordained priest in 1996.

As a canon lawyer, the priest has been working at the dicastery since 2015 after completing his further studies in Rome.

As part of the Curia’s reform, the dicastery merges the former Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization.

Under the leadership of Pope Francis, the dicastery consists of two sections: one that addresses fundamental questions of evangelization in the world, and another dedicated to first evangelization and the establishment of new particular Churches within its jurisdictional territories.
(CBCP News)

Man dies after jumping off from a wayward vehicle in Northern Samar

By
Web Master
-
0

ORMOC CITY-A man was killed after the truck he was on board tumbled which also resulted in the injury of two persons in Lavezares, Northern Samar on Monday (July 17) at about 4:30 pm.

Killed was Reynaldo Torcido, a resident of San Roque, also in Northern Samar, while the injured were identified as Oscar Ligid-ligid, Jr.43 and from Catarman, and Ruben Mansanilla, 30, who is from Victoria, in the same province.

In an interview, Police Corporal Andre Banez said that the truck that Torcido was on board fell to the side of the road due to a mechanical problem.

However, he jumped off the vehicle and landed on the pavement which resulted in his death.

His companion, Mansanilla, and Ligid-Ligid, a lending collector whose motorcycle was hit by the rampaging truck, sustained injuries.

About 24 motorcycles, which were parked in the streets where the incident happened, were damaged. The truck was loaded with about 300 bags of cement which was on its way to Catarman from Allen town.

All three were brought to the Allen District Hospital where Torcido was declared dead on arrival by his attending physician. (ROBERT DEJON)

Vanguard Against Corruption

By
Web Master
-
0

Our country has historically grappled with the pervasive issue of corruption within its government institutions. But our citizens, known for their vigilant stance against corruption, have emerged as a formidable force in combatting this societal ill. Through their unwavering dedication, collective action, and the employment of various tools and approaches, Filipinos are actively working towards eradicating corruption and ensuring a more transparent and accountable government.

One of the core attributes that define the Filipino society’s character is their innate intelligence and comprehension. This enables them to grasp the systemic intricacies of corruption, dissect its root causes, and identify feasible solutions. These individuals have acquired the intellectual prowess necessary to analyze the workings of the Philippine government, identify patterns of corruption, and suggest effective countermeasures. With this knowledge, they play a crucial role in fostering public awareness, mobilizing communities, and engaging in informed discussions that lead to tangible actions against corruption.

The comprehension of Filipinos further extends beyond the realm of academia. Through an informed understanding of their rights as citizens, Filipinos are equipped with the necessary tools to hold their leaders accountable. Transparency and accountability are foundational principles emphasized not only in educational institutions but also by civil society organizations and media outlets. With increasing access to information through social media platforms, the dissemination of news regarding corrupt practices has become more widespread. Filipinos, thus, remain vigilant in their efforts to expose corruption and ensure that public officials are held accountable for their actions.

Collective action acts as a unifying force among Filipinos in their fight against corruption. The shared belief that corruption must not be tolerated fosters a strong sense of community engagement and involvement. This collective action takes various forms, including peaceful protests, grassroots campaigns, and active participation in anti-corruption initiatives. Collaborative efforts between civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, and advocacy groups provide a platform for Filipinos to voice their concerns, demand transparency, and maintain pressure on the government to enact reforms. By lending their collective voice to the cause, Filipinos continue to push for change and challenge the status quo.

The Filipinos’ intelligence and comprehension, coupled with their unyielding dedication, have positioned them as key players in the fight against corruption within the Philippine government. While challenges persist, the vigilance exhibited by Filipinos serves as a beacon of hope, driving the country towards a future marked by accountability, transparency, and good governance.

Bracing for Global Government

By
Web Master
-
0
DOMS PAGLIAWAN

The United Nations (UN) currently finds itself at a crucial juncture in its history, as it confronts the challenging task of adapting to an increasingly interconnected world that demands global governance. As globalization continues to shape the political, economic, and environmental landscape, the need for effective global coordination becomes ever more imperative.

The UN’s intelligence in preparing for a global government is evident through its emphasis on sustainable development goals (SDGs) and climate change mitigation. Understanding the interconnectedness of global challenges, the organization has developed a comprehensive agenda focusing on economic growth, social welfare, and environmental protection. Through initiatives such as the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the UN exhibits a profound comprehension of the need for coordinated global efforts to tackle pressing issues such as poverty, inequality, and climate change.

Moreover, the UN’s resolve is reflected in its ability to foster multilateralism as a key driver of global governance. The organization serves as a platform for nations to come together and negotiate shared values, norms, and policies, furthering the understanding that collective action is necessary to address global challenges effectively. By facilitating dialogue and promoting international cooperation, the UN strengthens its position as a global authority capable of providing guidance on matters of global concern, substantiating its preparedness for a potential global government.

The need for inclusivity and equity underpins its progressive stance on global governance. Acknowledging that true global governance requires representation from all nations, the UN strives to give each member state an equal voice in decision-making processes, regardless of their economic, political, or social standing. This approach ensures that the potential global government doesn’t marginalize any nation, fostering a more equitable and just world order.

However, challenges persist in the UN’s journey towards a global government. The intelligence of the organization is tested by increasing disputes and conflicts among member states, which hinder effective global governance. Addressing these challenges requires the UN to enhance its conflict resolution mechanisms, strengthen diplomatic efforts, and ensure that its decision-making processes are fair, transparent, and supported by all member states. By continually evolving and adapting to such challenges, the UN displays its blueprint in its pursuit of a global government.

Thus, the UN stands poised to address the growing demand for global governance as the world becomes increasingly interconnected. The organization demonstrates a profound understanding of the need for sustainable development, multilateralism, inclusivity, and equity in shaping global governance. While challenges persist, the UN’s commitment to overcoming obstacles and fostering international collaboration paves the way for a more effective and inclusive global government, enabling the world community to tackle pressing issues collectively and shape a supposedly more prosperous future for all.

Blood stains

By
Web Master
-
0
AL ELLEMA
AL ELLEMA

The majority decision of the International Criminal Court authorizing the investigation of the brutal drug war by the Duterte administration would open unhealed wounds of the victims. It will also expose the extent of the mayhem that the drug war was carried out by the police under the command of now senator Ronald Marapon dela Rosa, purported other person subject of the investigation. It would be recalled that the administration of then president Rodrigo Roa Duterte made the drug war as its primary program.

The strategy started with knocking on doors dubbed as “tokhang” which stands for the combined local dialects “katok” (knock) and “hangyo” (request) on houses where suspected drug users and sellers reside. The houses and the purported drug users and pushers were taken from a list made by barangay officials who were forced to submit a list to the police under pain of being tagged as supporters of drug users and sellers in the community.
But the knocks were reportedly carried out at night while people in the community are asleep. The tagged persons would the be brought to police stations were they were made to admit as drug users or pushers. Often, the admissions were under duress and the purported suspected drug users and sellers would be made to list names of their drug suppliers.

In the worse case that the revelations extracted would point to the very same police officers who nabbed them, the drug user or seller becomes a candidate for silencing to “serve and protect” the police officers who were labelled by their then police director and now senator Ronald Marapon dela Rosa as “ninja cops” which he explained as police officers in the practice of recycling confiscated drugs as repacked commodity for sale.
The helpless drug suspects who are under police custody would become an asset in detention in exchange of cooperation, otherwise, a candidate for elimination to silence the squeeler forever.

In the horrible days that the drug war was in full implementation, the streets and communities became dangerous places splattered with blood of suspected drug users and pushers. The knocks were reportedly turned into shooting sprees carried out by police officers who blindly follow the unwavering instruction by the then president Rodrigo Roa Duterte and his loyal policebgeneral Ronald Marapon dela Rosa, to shoot on the incredible nse of “nanlaban” meaning “fought back”.

Thus far, the families of the victims are united and wailing in pain as they fight for justice of their murdered kin. The evidence are splattered with blood stains.
comments to alellema@yahoo.com

1...1,0241,0251,026...2,024Page 1,025 of 2,024

Recent Posts

DALMACIO C. GRAFIL
PUBLISHER

ALMA GRAFIL
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ROMEO CEBREROS
OFFICE IN-CHARGE

OFFICE
BRGY. SONGCO, BORONGAN CITY

CONTACT NUMBERS
(055) 261 – 3319 | 0955 251 1533 | 0917 771 0320 | 0915 897 7439 | 0921 511 0010

DALMACIO C. GRAFIL
PUBLISHER

RICKY J. BAUTISTA
EDITOR

ALMA GRAFIL
BUS. MANAGER

OFFICE
RIZAL AVENUE, CATBALOGAN
(INFRONT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT, NEAR CITY HALL)

CONTACT NUMBERS
0917 771 0320 | 0915 897 7439 | 0921 511 0010

EMAIL
lsdaily2@yahoo.com

WEBSITE
www.issuu.com/samarweeklyexpress