ONE NATION UNDER GOD: convicts testifying vs De Lima

TRENDING: LAUGHTRIP SA KONGRESO NG TAWAGIN SI DELIMA KAY DURANO NA T.I "TIGULANG IGAT " O MALANDING MATANDA | todaysupdateph.blogspot.com

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-hXeNR4xX60NKAZIgK8sHAmaVux7mF-AAFtYSs-4hbbbbDrezX0PNFNuLcRfEsY7xCZ-CcDbLAhD6dDRXfI5xjCxiPZX4XHo8AqhfBdwiMfMK_7h3ZcerZ08te1kCusJ9zKGGTjXlGU/s1600/Screenshot_45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="http://todaysupdateph.blogspot.com/2016/10/trending-laughtrip-sa-kongreso-ng.html" border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-hXeNR4xX60NKAZIgK8sHAmaVux7mF-AAFtYSs-4hbbbbDrezX0PNFNuLcRfEsY7xCZ-CcDbLAhD6dDRXfI5xjCxiPZX4XHo8AqhfBdwiMfMK_7h3ZcerZ08te1kCusJ9zKGGTjXlGU/s320/Screenshot_45.jpg" title="ISINALAYSAY NI DURANO SI DATING DOJ SECRETARY DE LIMA NA PANG T.I RAW ANG GALAW NIYA AT KIMBOT SA MGA BISAYA TIGULANG IGAT.NG TANUNGIN NI REP. HARRY ROQUE ANO ANG IBIG SABIHIN NG T.I KONG SA BISAYA TIGULANG IGAT SA TAGALOG MATANDANG MALANDI." width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-hXeNR4xX60NKAZIgK8sHAmaVux7mF-AAFtYSs-4hbbbbDrezX0PNFNuLcRfEsY7xCZ-CcDbLAhD6dDRXfI5xjCxiPZX4XHo8AqhfBdwiMfMK_7h3ZcerZ08te1kCusJ9zKGGTjXlGU/s1600/Screenshot_45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-hXeNR4xX60NKAZIgK8sHAmaVux7mF-AAFtYSs-4hbbbbDrezX0PNFNuLcRfEsY7xCZ-CcDbLAhD6dDRXfI5xjCxiPZX4XHo8AqhfBdwiMfMK_7h3ZcerZ08te1kCusJ9zKGGTjXlGU/s1600/Screenshot_45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br />
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<a href="http://go.ad2up.com/afu.php?id=774878">HOUSE HEARING </a><span style="color: magenta;">DAY 3<br />IMBESTIGASYON KAUGNAY SA PAGLAGANAP AT DRUG TRADE SA BILIBID.</span></h2>
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<a href="http://go.ad2up.com/afu.php?id=774878">ISINALAYSAY NI DURANO</a> <span style="color: magenta;">SI DATING DOJ SECRETARY </span><a href="http://go.ad2up.com/afu.php?id=774878">DE LIMA </a><span style="color: magenta;">NA PANG</span> <a href="http://go.ad2up.com/afu.php?id=774878">T.I </a><span style="color: magenta;">RAW ANG </span><a href="http://go.ad2up.com/afu.php?id=774878">GALAW </a><span style="color: magenta;">NIYA AT </span><a href="http://go.ad2up.com/afu.php?id=774878">KIMBOT </a><span style="color: magenta;">SA MGA BISAYA</span> <a href="http://go.ad2up.com/afu.php?id=774878">TIGULANG IGAT</a>.<span style="color: magenta;">NG TANUNGIN NI</span> <a href="http://go.ad2up.com/afu.php?id=774878">REP. HARRY ROQUE </a><a href="http://go.ad2up.com/afu.php?id=774878">ANO ANG IBIG SABIHIN NG T.I</a> <span style="color: magenta;">KONG SA BISAYA TIGULANG IGAT SA </span><a href="http://go.ad2up.com/afu.php?id=774878">TAGALOG MATANDANG MALANDI</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://todaysupdateph.blogspot.com/2016/10/trending-laughtrip-sa-kongreso-ng.html"><span style="color: red;">Watch Video here</span></a></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0ktcTP_T3Hs" width="640"></iframe><br />
<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />SOURCE: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ktcTP_T3Hs">Youtube</a>

TRENDING: LAUGHTRIP SA KONGRESO NG TAWAGIN SI DELIMA KAY DURANO NA T.I "TIGULANG IGAT " O MALANDING MATANDA | todaysupdateph.blogspot.com

convicts testifying vs De Lima LAUGHTRIP SA KONGRESO ORAL SEX! Showing of De Lima's alleged sex video starring in 'sex video TRENDING: LAUGHTRIP SA KONGRESO NG TAWAGIN SI DELIMA KAY DURANO NA T.I "TIGULANG IGAT " O MALANDING MATANDA | todaysupdateph.blogspot.com

HOUSE HEARING DAY 3 IMBESTIGASYON KAUGNAY SA PAGLAGANAP AT DRUG TRADE SA BILIBID. ISINALAYSAY NI DURANO SI DATING DOJ SECRETARY ...

SHOCKING NEWS: Jaybee at Herbert May Banta kay Leila De Lima.

1:34:00 AM TodaysUpdatePH 0

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazx2O_91jdssG-H1EwcOwKpT92jqEKE5uD-tC-4RlHivYzaqIn_dRwHX10hzyaNksgZ7JBhNoadoetWAdLDqKlRwNf3MflTVf_eklUA0skO3NH1877AibGVSty1Bfj1orQQE7EghkYUo/s1600/Screenshot_4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="http://todaysupdate.blogspot.com" border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazx2O_91jdssG-H1EwcOwKpT92jqEKE5uD-tC-4RlHivYzaqIn_dRwHX10hzyaNksgZ7JBhNoadoetWAdLDqKlRwNf3MflTVf_eklUA0skO3NH1877AibGVSty1Bfj1orQQE7EghkYUo/s320/Screenshot_4.png" title="Ang mga kilalang bigating druglords sa Bilibid prison na sina Jaybee Sebastian at Herbert Colangco ay may mensahe para kay Leila De Lima, isang banta na siya ay palapit ng makulong. Matter of life and death kaya siya ay ibubuking na ng kanyang mga pinagkatiwalaang mga bigating druglords sa Bilibid." width="320" /></a>Ang mga kilalang bigating druglords sa Bilibid prison na sina Jaybee Sebastian at Herbert Colangco ay may mensahe para kay Leila De Lima, isang banta na siya ay palapit ng makulong. Matter of life<br />and death kaya siya ay ibubuking na ng kanyang mga pinagkatiwalaang mga bigating druglords sa Bilibid.</h2>
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<b><span style="color: red;">WATCH VIDEO HERE</span></b></div>
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SOURCE: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4oKdErtR8o">YOUTUBE</a>

SHOCKING NEWS: Jaybee at Herbert May Banta kay Leila De Lima.

convicts testifying vs De Lima DE LIMA felt Stress Herbert Colanggo Jaybee at Herbert May Banta kay Leila De Lima Jaybee Sebastian P38-M deposits went to Leila driver’s kin SHOCKING NEWS: Jaybee at Herbert May Banta kay Leila De Lima.

Ang mga kilalang bigating druglords sa Bilibid prison na sina Jaybee Sebastian at Herbert Colangco ay may mensahe para kay Leila De Lima,...

LIVE: Senate session, 4 October 2016

12:54:00 AM TodaysUpdatePH 0

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnFPD5VkA7qDUH4HYKwPI3UvGcmnNE3h6KPXdCnd3a5OEmXv8qzz0OrJZTtXAgmD95w2Zf5Ng_dLNkXKvbDn6G5K-SmEj5Tf0OgdnkbRWE-uruB3suNDPeJA7196rhdVaP5bZ8oGlPA8/s1600/Screenshot_1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="http://todaysupdateph.blogspot.com/" border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnFPD5VkA7qDUH4HYKwPI3UvGcmnNE3h6KPXdCnd3a5OEmXv8qzz0OrJZTtXAgmD95w2Zf5Ng_dLNkXKvbDn6G5K-SmEj5Tf0OgdnkbRWE-uruB3suNDPeJA7196rhdVaP5bZ8oGlPA8/s320/Screenshot_1.png" title="Expected today: Senator Risa Hontiveros' privilege speech against the showing of the alleged sex video of Senator Leila de Lima Senator Sonny Angara to deliver a privilege speech on the extrajudicial killings hearing." width="320" /></a><b><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Expected today:</b></div>
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<b>Senator Risa Hontiveros' privilege speech against the showing of the alleged sex video of Senator Leila de Lima</b></div>
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<b>Senator Sonny Angara to deliver a privilege speech on the extrajudicial killings hearing.</b></div>
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SOURCE: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rapplerdotcom/videos/1346427962044650/">RAPPLER</a>

4 October 2016 convicts testifying vs De Lima DE LIMA felt Stress Sen. Leila de Lima walks out SENATE HEARING PART3 (10/3/16) Senate session LIVE: Senate session, 4 October 2016

Expected today: Senator Risa Hontiveros' privilege speech against the showing of the alleged sex video of Senator Leila de Lima Se...

WATCH: DE LIMA is being obvious and defensive.

12:12:00 AM TodaysUpdatePH 0

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjyWvUXoK3UtEbNkssiTOLq1rj4EUdgkXOZfhiM_rErZHZMdw2d5zWNnNacdf1W9922lZ0435J_xfSnD-PeegDGqSAQmQYixElzh_cctX5BDa4G8AGJS-6rgh7FVCQ7s4WHVBJZ8xXlU/s1600/Screenshot_151.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="http://todaysupdateph.blogspot.com/  http://go.ad2up.com/afu.php?id=774878" border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjyWvUXoK3UtEbNkssiTOLq1rj4EUdgkXOZfhiM_rErZHZMdw2d5zWNnNacdf1W9922lZ0435J_xfSnD-PeegDGqSAQmQYixElzh_cctX5BDa4G8AGJS-6rgh7FVCQ7s4WHVBJZ8xXlU/s320/Screenshot_151.png" title="HALATANG DEFENSIVE SI DE LIMA SA SINABI NG WITNESS NA NAGKITA SILA NITO - EJK SENATE HEARING OCTOBER 3, 2016" width="320" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">
HALATANG DEFENSIVE SI DE LIMA SA SINABI NG WITNESS NA NAGKITA SILA NITO - EJK SENATE HEARING OCTOBER 3, 2016</div>
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SOURCE: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNpUGfyYL4M">YOUTUBE</a>

WATCH: DE LIMA is being obvious and defensive.

convicts testifying vs De Lima DE LIMA felt Stress defensive DE LIMA Sen. Leila de Lima walks out Showing of De Lima's alleged sex video WATCH: DE LIMA is being obvious and defensive.

HALATANG DEFENSIVE SI DE LIMA SA SINABI NG WITNESS NA NAGKITA SILA NITO - EJK SENATE HEARING OCTOBER 3, 2016 SOURCE: YOUTUBE

READ: De Lima denies starring in 'sex video,' says ex-driver under threat

6:20:00 AM TodaysUpdatePH 0

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<b><span style="color: magenta;">MANILA - Senator <a href="http://todaysupdateph.blogspot.com/2016/09/de-lima-denies-starring-in-sex-video.html">Leila de Lima</a> said Saturday she did not have a "<a href="http://todaysupdateph.blogspot.com/2016/09/look-expert-solons-to-face-raps-if-they.html">sex video</a>," adding she was hurting from personal attacks after she questioned President Rodrigo Duterte's bloody <a href="http://todaysupdateph.blogspot.com/2016/09/look-expert-solons-to-face-raps-if-they.html">war on drugs</a>.</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1axJDpJyypkOH4MmUPhJZ2zTsCC1sKRqU2Gowv66_EWNZHW_FbrmSwObPhSidp9aICEyAbaRL9HqnMOqSAXz_-hY8RoiYAOWQtoV__-Ks6aMHH6WZwHKrH82oMuZWRSbs9WZp-pCMX4/s1600/Screenshot_56.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="http://todaysupdateph.blogspot.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1axJDpJyypkOH4MmUPhJZ2zTsCC1sKRqU2Gowv66_EWNZHW_FbrmSwObPhSidp9aICEyAbaRL9HqnMOqSAXz_-hY8RoiYAOWQtoV__-Ks6aMHH6WZwHKrH82oMuZWRSbs9WZp-pCMX4/s1600/Screenshot_56.png" title="MANILA - Senator Leila de Lima said Saturday she did not have a "sex video," adding she was hurting from personal attacks after she questioned President Rodrigo Duterte's bloody war on drugs." /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://todaysupdateph.blogspot.com/2016/09/look-expert-solons-to-face-raps-if-they.html">De Lima</a> said her former driver, whom <a href="http://todaysupdateph.blogspot.com/2016/09/de-lima-denies-starring-in-sex-video.html">Duterte</a> accused of receiving money from drug suspects as well as being her lover, was under threat. <br /><br /><i>"Masakit ang mga tungkol sa personal na buhay, nirereview na naman yang alleged<a href="http://todaysupdateph.blogspot.com/2016/09/look-expert-solons-to-face-raps-if-they.html"> sex video</a> na yan. Hindi iyan totoo. Matagal na nila iyang nire-raise [Attacks on my personal life are painful. That alleged sex video is being raised again. It's not true. That has been raised before],"</i> she said.<br /><br /><i>"Every time I am in the middle of something, nilalabas nila ang so-called <a href="http://todaysupdateph.blogspot.com/2016/09/look-expert-solons-to-face-raps-if-they.html">alleged sex video</a> na yan [that so-called sex video is always brought up],"</i> she told reporters.<br /><br /><i>"Nakita ng staff ko na may still photo, na ginawa kunyari video. In-examine nila ang photo, hindi ako iyon. [My staff saw a still photo that was made to appear like a video. They examined the photo. That's not me]. I don't understand,"</i> she said.<br /><br />De Lima said she last spoke with her former long-time driver when she was justice secretary, <a href="http://todaysupdateph.blogspot.com/2016/09/look-expert-solons-to-face-raps-if-they.html">Ronnie Dayan</a>, three or four weeks ago.</b><br />
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<b><i>"May mga kakilala siyang pulis na winarningan siya, '<a href="http://todaysupdateph.blogspot.com/2016/09/look-expert-solons-to-face-raps-if-they.html">Lie low ka,</a> may nagha-hunting sa iyo.' Hindi ko ulit nakausap, pero nagparating sa akin na delikado na raw [He knows some policemen who told him to lie low because he's being hunted down. I haven't talked to him again but I was told that he is in danger],"</i> De Lima said, declining to say where her driver is.<br /><br />De Lima admitted she was "close" to Dayan, but declined to elaborate on their relationship. She said Dayan started driving for her when she was a<a href="http://todaysupdateph.blogspot.com/2016/09/look-expert-solons-to-face-raps-if-they.html"> private lawyer </a>before resigning last year.<br /><br /><i>"Napalapit siya sa akin. Paumanhin niyo po, hindi ko na po pwedeng...ayaw ko na pong mag-touch on that. Ayaw kong malihis sa mga personal na bagay [We became close. I’m sorry, I don’t want to touch on that. I don’t want focus to be diverted to personal issues],"</i> she said.<br /><br />She said said hoped the<a href="http://todaysupdateph.blogspot.com/2016/09/look-expert-solons-to-face-raps-if-they.html"> personal attacks </a>would stop.<br /><br /><i>"Nasasaktan ang pamilya ko, at pamilya din ni Ronnie. Hiwalay siya sa asawa niya, matagal na, pero nasasaktan po ang kanyang pamilya. May mga babae din po siyang mga anak [My family and Ronnie's family are getting hurt. He has separated from his wife for a long time but his family is hurt. He has daughters, too],"</i> she said.<br /></b><br />
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<b><a href="http://todaysupdateph.blogspot.com/2016/09/look-expert-solons-to-face-raps-if-they.html">LOOK: Expert: Solons to face raps if they show alleged de Lima video</a>.</b></h4>
<b><br /><br />SOURCE: <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/20/16/de-lima-denies-starring-in-sex-video-says-ex-driver-under-threat">ABS-CBN</a></b></div>

READ: De Lima denies starring in 'sex video,' says ex-driver under threat

'ex-deal' issue "TAPE TEST" convicts testifying vs De Lima ORAL SEX! Showing of De Lima's alleged sex video starring in 'sex video The RICE Policy READ: De Lima denies starring in 'sex video,' says ex-driver under threat

MANILA - Senator Leila de Lima said Saturday she did not have a " sex video ," adding she was hurting from personal attacks afte...

WATCH: Senators: Showing of De Lima's alleged sex video in probe 'reckless, foul'.

8:56:00 AM TodaysUpdatePH 0

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<span style="color: magenta;">A NUMBER of senators <a href="http://todaysupdateph.blogspot.com/2016/09/watch-emotional-de-lima-dares-duterte.html">opposed</a> the plan of the House of Representatives to show the<a href="http://todaysupdateph.blogspot.com/2016/09/watch-emotional-de-lima-dares-duterte.html"> alleged sex</a> video of Senator Leila de Lima on its <a href="http://todaysupdateph.blogspot.com/2016/09/watch-emotional-de-lima-dares-duterte.html">inquiry</a> into the illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).</span></h2>
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<br /><br /><b>Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III described the move as reckless.<br /><br />"If they do some reckless action, they have to pay the political price," Pimentel said as he reminded them of the <a href="http://todaysupdateph.blogspot.com/2016/09/watch-emotional-de-lima-dares-duterte.html">interparliamentary</a> courtesy.<br /><br />Pimentel urged fellow legislators to be sensitive to the feelings of others as he called for respect towards members of a co-equal body.<br /><br />Senate President Pro Tempore Franklin Drilon said this is not a usual practice in Congress. He said he will talk to Pimentel so that the <a href="http://todaysupdateph.blogspot.com/2016/09/watch-emotional-de-lima-dares-duterte.html">Senate leader</a> can discuss the matter with House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.<br /><br />Senator Panfilo Lacson and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV were one in calling the move as foul.<br /><br />For her part, de Lima said congressmen must review their law.<br /><br />Playing a <a href="http://todaysupdateph.blogspot.com/2016/09/watch-emotional-de-lima-dares-duterte.html">sex video</a> in a congressional proceeding or before a court is against the law, de Lima said.<br /><br />De Lima denied the insinuations that she had sexual relations with her former driver Ronnie Dayan and Bilibid inmate Jaybee Sebastian.<br /><br />"They're making me appear that I am a <a href="http://todaysupdateph.blogspot.com/2016/09/watch-emotional-de-lima-dares-duterte.html">sex worker</a>. There is no truth about their allegations. It is all lies," De Lima said.<br /><br />De Lima said she cannot understand what <a href="http://todaysupdateph.blogspot.com/2016/09/watch-emotional-de-lima-dares-duterte.html">satisfaction</a> these people are getting.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />SOURCE:<a href="http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2016/09/28/senators-showing-de-limas-alleged-sex-video-probe-reckless-foul-500420"> SUNSTAR</a></b></div>

WATCH: Senators: Showing of De Lima's alleged sex video in probe 'reckless, foul'.

Bilibid 'riot convicts testifying vs De Lima De Lima slams 'censorship' De Lima Walks out LIVE Bilibid Riot 9/28/16 ORAL SEX! Showing of De Lima's alleged sex video WATCH: Senators: Showing of De Lima's alleged sex video in probe 'reckless, foul'.

A NUMBER of senators opposed the plan of the House of Representatives to show the alleged sex video of Senator Leila de Lima on its inqu...

READ: PHILIPPINES Removal of seniors' VAT exemptions 'counter-productive' – lawmakers.

1:03:00 AM TodaysUpdatePH 0

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<b><span style="color: magenta;">'In our culture, we respect senior citizens. So why would we remove the exemption granted to them?' asks veteran politician and Northern Samar 1st District Representative Raul Daza</span></b></h3>
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<b>VAT EXEMPTIONS. Northern Samar 1st District Representative Raul Daza (1st from left) and Albay 1st District Representative Edcel Lagman (2nd from right) both oppose the removal of VAT exemptions for senior citizens. Photo by Mara Cepeda/Rappler<br /><br />MANILA, Philippines – Two veteran lawmakers oppose the Duterte administration's plan to remove some of the value added tax (VAT) exemptions granted to senior citizens, calling the move unfair for aging Filipinos.<br /><br />"The removal of [some] VAT [exemptions] from the benefits of the senior citizens will be completely counter-productive. The United Nations even suggests that the state should pursue policies to enhance active aging through better social interaction, economic independence of the elderly, and their participation in community activities," said Albay 1st District Representative Edcel Lagman in a press conference on Tuesday, September 27.<br /><br />"I call on the government to really address this pressing problem of an aging population," the 74-year-old lawmaker added.<br /></b><div>
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<b>In his first State of the Nation Address, President Rodrigo Duterte announced the plan to lower personal income and corporate taxes.<br /><br />The Department of Finance (DOF) earlier this week also submitted its proposed tax reform program to both houses of Congress. The major reforms include the following:</b></div>
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<b><br />Adjustment in the personal income tax brackets and reduction of the maximum rate of 32% to 25%, except for the high-income earners</b></div>
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<b><br />Expansion of the VAT base by limiting exemptions to raw food, education, and health<br />Limiting the VAT zero rating to direct exports</b></div>
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<b><br />Adjustment in the excise rates of petroleum products to account for the effect of inflation<br />Restructuring of the excise tax of automobiles to enhance progressivity of the tax and address the negative externalities<br /><br />One of the consequences of the lowering of personal and corporate tax rates include the removal of some VAT exemptions for senior citizens.<br /><br />On Tuesday, Northern Samar 1st District Representative Raul Daza mentioned Duterte's budget message, where the President said that his administration will take a "human approach" to public finance.<br /><br />"I think when we talk of human approach, we talk of a kind of approach that is comparable to our culture. Sa kultura naman natin 'di ba, 'yung mga senior citizens pinagpipitagan natin, ano? E bakit kung ano man 'yung exemption na binigay ng sa senior citizen, tatanggalin natin? (In our culture, we respect senior citizens. So why would we remove the exemption granted to them?)" said the 81-year-old Daza.<br /><br />DOF spokesperson Paola Alvarez earlier clarified, however, that the government will retain senior citizens' 20% discount on purchases as well as VAT exemptions on raw food and healthcare. (READ: Duterte admin keeping seniors' 20% discount, most VAT exemptions)<br /><br />But aging Filipinos will lose their VAT exemptions when they dine in restaurants.<br /><br />"[S]uch discounts are usually availed of by affluent senior citizens who can well afford anyway to do away with this privilege," Alvarez said.<br /><br />She added that the government is putting in place direct subsidy programs for the benefit of the needy and other vulnerable sectors to be affected by the proposed VAT exemptions.<br /><br />House committee on ways and means chairperson Dakila Cua said his committee plans to file the bill containing the DOF's proposed tax reform package within the next 10 days, after the plenary deliberations on the proposed 2017 budget.<br /><br />"We will do it as quickly as possibly and we will make this bill as equitable as possible," he said. </b><br /><br /><br /><br /><h3>
SOURCE: <a href="http://www.rappler.com/nation/147465-removal-vat-exemptions-senior-citizens-counter-productive-lawmakers?utm_content=buffer56073&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer">RAPPLER</a></h3>
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READ: PHILIPPINES Removal of seniors' VAT exemptions 'counter-productive' – lawmakers.

'ex-deal' issue 'HITMAN.' Edgar Matobato testimony convicts testifying vs De Lima DE LIMA odd mental behavior De Lima Walks out seniors' VAT exemptions The RICE Policy READ: PHILIPPINES Removal of seniors' VAT exemptions 'counter-productive' – lawmakers.

'In our culture, we respect senior citizens. So why would we remove the exemption granted to them?' asks veteran politician and Nor...

READ: Senate panel to review Trillanes' motion for Duterte probe.

8:22:00 AM TodaysUpdatePH 0

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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: magenta;">Some of Trillanes' fellow senators oppose his motion, however, saying that the President can only be investigated by initiating impeachment proceedings</span></span></h3>
<img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7F4hdf1XZtHxvnrUO5HzFARqzGGx8X7x6bN-SxHc4yio1xvFABJy_D3NBbGwyPhcILBRHq3gnT8p0oQWtuMuhI1bR5Jt8taMTL_Fl2BlhBOsj_AxI3Yqq5462K7LAFrgGu-zFKreklY/s640/senate-hearing-binay-20150218-002_7b35b976ac9e43cc9c70138566e81309_197050E91F6C4E059DEB8C3EC7E3B512.jpg" width="640" /><br /><br /><b>PROBE. Senator Antonio Trillanes IV's proposal for a Senate probe into the 'direct' involvement of President Rodrigo Duterte in the Davao Death Squad killings was not immediately decided upon, as it was referred to the Senate committee on rules. File photo by Mark Cristino/Rappler.</b><div>
<b><br /><br />MANILA, Philippines – Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, one of President Rodrigo Duterte's critics, sought a Senate inquiry into the alleged "direct" involvement of Duterte in the Davao Death Squad (DDS) killings.<br /><br />Trillanes delivered a privilege speech on Monday, September 26, to defend the credibility of witness Edgar Matobato, self-confessed hitman of the DDS, who accused Duterte of ordering killings when he was Davao City mayor.<br /><br />"I now move that this privilege speech be referred to the committee on accountability of public officers and investigations so that an inquiry be conducted to look into the alleged direct involvement of then mayor and now President Duterte and other public officials in more than a thousand killings in Davao City through the Davao Death Squad," Trillanes said.<br /><br />he senator tagged Duterte as the "mastermind" of the killings and a "mass murderer."<br /><br />But several allies of Duterte – senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Richard Gordon, and Juan Miguel Zubiri – opposed Trillanes, saying the committee and the chamber are not the proper venues to investigate the President.<br /><br />Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III wanted a viva voce vote on whether to approve or reject Trillanes' motion.<br /><br />But Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III counter-proposed that it be referred to his committee on rules for "proper review and study."<br /><br />Asked about this, Trillanes initially said it seems the motion is practically shelved already.<br /><br />"Parang ganun na nga (Seems like it)," he said in a text message.<br /><br />But in a separate interview with reporters, Trillanes said the motion is "still there."<br /><br />"The motion is not dead technically. It's going to be studied by the [committee on] rules," he added.<br /><br />Impeachment, not Senate probe<br /><br />Cayetano said the House of Representatives, which is presently composed of Duterte allies, and not the Senate is the proper venue, citing the 1987 Constitution.<br /><br />Zubiri echoed the same sentiment, as he said there is a "different mechanism" for investigating the President and other officials such as Supreme Court justices and constitutional commission officers.<br /><br />"Iba po trato sa Pangulo (There is different treatment for the President). Proper way is to go to the House of Representatives for whatever purpose, they can initiate impeachment," Zubiri explained.<br /><br />He added that the Senate should not be involved as the senators might one day serve as judges in an impeachment court. He urged his colleagues to start working on more important issues instead.<br /><br />"We will prejudge the case, a possible impeachment case. Ang dami nating problema, dami kailangan gawin – 'yung budget 'di pa tapos (We have many problems, we have many things to do – the budget is not yet finished), we should confirm members of Cabinet so they can continue doing their jobs. Maybe we can bow down to other matters of business," Zubiri said.<br /><br />Gordon, the chairman of the blue ribbon committee, rejected the motion outright, even before it was referred to the rules committee. He also hit Trillanes for calling the President a "mass murderer," saying it is "uncalled for" and is only reserved for the likes of Cambodia's Pol Pot, Russia's Joseph Stalin, and Germany's Adolf Hitler.<br /><br />The motion, Gordon added, is "premature" and just a "waste of taxpayers' money."<br /><br />"That's premature. What will I do? If I investigate it, he won't appear before me. That's not allowed.There is a process. You do not investigate the President. The only way you can investigate the President is through impeachment," Gordon said in a mix of English and Filipino.<br /><br />"What would it do if I say he's guilty sige, saan ko dadalhin? 'Di babalik din ako sa Congress (then where will I bring the case? I would have to go back to Congress). They're not gonna start anything until I have something there. So it's a waste of taxpayers' money."<br /><br />'But Senate probed Estrada, Arroyo, Aquino'<br /><br />Trillanes, for his part, disputed this claim, citing past Senate investigations on former presidents. He maintained the blue ribbon committee is the most appropriate body to handle the matter.<br /><br />For the senator, impeachment is not the only way to probe a sitting president.<br /><br />"Naalala natin inimbestigahan dati si President Erap, si GMA, tapos si President Aquino, 'yung sa DAP (Disbursement Acceleration Program), 'yung Mamasapano. Gano'n lang 'yun. This is a system of checks and balances. 'Wag sila matakot. That’s an opportunity for them i-clear ang kanilang mga pangalan," he said.<br /><br />(If you recall, there were investigations on President Erap, on GMA, then President Aquino regarding DAP and Mamasapano. It'll just be like that. This is a system of checks and balances. They have nothing to fear. That's an opportunity for them to clear their name.)<br /><br />Asked what his end goal is, Trillanes said he only wants Duterte to be held accountable for his actions. He said he has not gone as far as thinking of impeachment just yet.<br /><br />"The end goal is to make sure na walang nalabag na batas at walang public official na kumbaga ay out there na hindi sila held into account," the senator said.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />SOURCE: <a href="http://www.rappler.com/nation/147397-trillanes-senate-panel-review-motion-duterte-probe?utm_content=bufferfb553&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer">RAPPLER</a></b></div>

READ: Senate panel to review Trillanes' motion for Duterte probe.

'ex-deal' issue 'HITMAN.' Edgar Matobato testimony "TAPE TEST" convicts testifying vs De Lima De Lima Walks out Trillanes' motion for Duterte probe READ: Senate panel to review Trillanes' motion for Duterte probe.

Some of Trillanes' fellow senators oppose his motion, however, saying that the President can only be investigated by initiating impeach...

READ: Duterte on drug list: 'I had it revalidated again'.

8:37:00 AM TodaysUpdatePH 0

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<span style="color: magenta;">'Kasi may mga nakita ako doon na mga kaibigan ko na hindi ko sukat akalain,' President Rodrigo Duterte says.</span></h2>
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<span style="color: magenta;">CHIEF EXECUTIVE. President Rodrigo Duterte presides over a command conference at the Police Regional Office-10 Headquarters in Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City, on September 22, 2016. Photo by Toto Lozano/PPD</span></h4>
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MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte said he has ordered his men to revalidate the list of around 1,000 alleged drug pushers and drug lords, including barangay captains, mayors, and governors.</div>
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"I had it revalidated again kasi may mga nakita ako doon na mga kaibigan ko na hindi ko sukat akalain (because I saw there some friends whom I never imagined will be there)," Duterte said in an interview before midnight on Thursday, September 22.</div>
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Duterte made this remark after he was asked when he would release this list of drug personalities.</div>
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Explaining why the revalidation was needed, the President cited the case of a certain "General Espino" whom he could not "connect" to the bigger picture.</div>
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Referring to Espino's case, he said: "I hit a snag there, e. Kaya nu'ng pina-revalidate ko na sa mga mismong tao ko na, hindi ko ma-connect si General Espino, governor ng ano. So ibinalik ko na naman kagaya ng iba." (So when I had it revalidated by my men, I couldn’t connect General Espino. So I returned it again, like the rest.)</div>
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Earlier, 68-year-old former Pangasinan governor Amado Espino Jr had been included in Duterte’s matrix of the prison drug trade. He is a former police and military officer.</div>
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"Kindly try to give me an idea how does this guy came into the picture or for that matter, why is his name there. So give me an idea – the link, I need a link, either a person or event somewhere," the 71-year-old Duterte said in a mix of English and Filipino.</div>
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The President earlier said he is set to reveal a new and final list of alleged drug pushers and drug lords, which includes barangay captains, policemen, mayors, and governors.</div>
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This new list is supposedly 6 times longer than his previous roster of 158 drug personalities.</div>
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This is part of Duterte's war on drugs, which has killed more than 3,330 people since he took office last July 1.</div>
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SOURCE: <a href="http://www.rappler.com/nation/147231-duterte-drug-list-revalidated-friends?utm_content=buffera9f62&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer">RAPPLER</a></div>

READ: Duterte on drug list: 'I had it revalidated again'.

'ex-deal' issue convicts testifying vs De Lima Duterte on drug list Heat exchange between Sen. Alan and Sen. Leila The RICE Policy READ: Duterte on drug list: 'I had it revalidated again'.

'Kasi may mga nakita ako doon na mga kaibigan ko na hindi ko sukat akalain,' President Rodrigo Duterte says. CHIEF EXECUTIVE. P...

READ: COA: Office of the Ombudsman broke procurement rules in 2014.

8:11:00 AM TodaysUpdatePH 0

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<span style="color: magenta;">State auditors say the Office of the Ombudsman had unimplemented procurement worth P183.9 million or 65% of its Annual Procurement Plan for that year</span></h2>
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<i><span style="color: magenta;">AUDIT REPORT. The Commission on Audit raises concerns regarding the unimplemented procurement of the Office of the Ombudsman. File photo from the Office of the Ombudsman</span></i></h4>
MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Audit (COA) said the Office of the Ombudsman violated procurement guidelines back in 2014 over unimplemented procurement totaling P183.9 million or 65% of its Annual Procurement Plan (APP) for that year.<br />
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In a value-for-money audit released last September 6, COA said the Ombudsman did not observe guidelines under the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act, as well as Government Procurement Policy Board Circular Number 01-2009.<br />
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The law directs government agencies to be prudent in using government funds and requires them to ensure that only equipment and supplies crucial to carrying out their functions should be included in the procurement plan.<br />
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"Of the total APP of P280,832,533.94 for CY 2014, only P96,936,531.47 or 35 percent was undertaken... due to non-adherence to [existing rules]. In addition, the APPs were not within the approved budget," the audit report read.<br />
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The state auditors also pointed out that the Ombudsman asked for funds exceeding P150 million to purchase items it had no immediate use for.<br />
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"The APP prepared by the OMB-CO was not reflective of the Office's entire procurement activity for one year due to the inclusion of excessive items in the APP that seemed not yet essential in the pursuit of its operations," COA said.<br />
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Based on the report, the biggest unimplemented sum was under the Ombudsman-Central Office with P151.33 million.<br />
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This was followed by the OMB-Office of the Special Prosecutor with P16.64 million, OMB-Luzon with P12.29 million, and OMB-Military and other Law Enforcement Offices (MOLEO) with P3.63 million.<br />
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The items included "property, plant and equipment," with a budget of P134.23 million of which only P31.57 million was spent; "common supplies/materials" which had P16.33 million in allocations but only P5.11 million was utilized; and "building administration supplies" with P16.5 million of which only P0.58 million was used.<br />
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Other procurements included "repairs and maintenance of vehicles/spare parts" which had P12.41 million set aside but only P3.23 million was spent during the year.<br />
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The report cited that procurement implementation ranged from 0% to 1.89% for the Ombudsman-Central Office.<br />
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"With the huge amounts of unimplemented balances, the aforementioned APPs were therefore not meticulously and judiciously planned," COA added.<br />
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In response to the audit report, the Ombudsman said much of the unimplemented procurement was for the new office spaces for the Office of the Special Prosecutor which ended up being delayed.<br />
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SOURCE: <a href="http://audit%20report.%20the%20commission%20on%20audit%20raises%20concerns%20regarding%20the%20unimplemented%20procurement%20of%20the%20office%20of%20the%20ombudsman.%20file%20photo%20from%20the%20office%20of%20the%20ombudsman%20%20manila%2C%20philippines%20–%20the%20commission%20on%20audit%20%28coa%29%20said%20the%20office%20of%20the%20ombudsman%20violated%20procurement%20guidelines%20back%20in%202014%20over%20unimplemented%20procurement%20totaling%20p183.9%20million%20or%2065%25%20of%20its%20annual%20procurement%20plan%20%28app%29%20for%20that%20year.%20%20in%20a%20value-for-money%20audit%20released%20last%20september%206%2C%20coa%20said%20the%20ombudsman%20did%20not%20observe%20guidelines%20under%20the%20revised%20implementing%20rules%20and%20regulations%20of%20republic%20act%209184%20or%20the%20government%20procurement%20reform%20act%2C%20as%20well%20as%20government%20procurement%20policy%20board%20circular%20number%2001-2009.%20%20the%20law%20directs%20government%20agencies%20to%20be%20prudent%20in%20using%20government%20funds%20and%20requires%20them%20to%20ensure%20that%20only%20equipment%20and%20supplies%20crucial%20to%20carrying%20out%20their%20functions%20should%20be%20included%20in%20the%20procurement%20plan.%20%20%22of%20the%20total%20app%20of%20p280%2C832%2C533.94%20for%20cy%202014%2C%20only%20p96%2C936%2C531.47%20or%2035%20percent%20was%20undertaken...%20due%20to%20non-adherence%20to%20[existing%20rules].%20in%20addition%2C%20the%20apps%20were%20not%20within%20the%20approved%20budget%2C%22%20the%20audit%20report%20read.%20%20not%20meticulously%20planned%20%20the%20state%20auditors%20also%20pointed%20out%20that%20the%20ombudsman%20asked%20for%20funds%20exceeding%20p150%20million%20to%20purchase%20items%20it%20had%20no%20immediate%20use%20for.%20%20%22the%20app%20prepared%20by%20the%20omb-co%20was%20not%20reflective%20of%20the%20office%27s%20entire%20procurement%20activity%20for%20one%20year%20due%20to%20the%20inclusion%20of%20excessive%20items%20in%20the%20app%20that%20seemed%20not%20yet%20essential%20in%20the%20pursuit%20of%20its%20operations%2C%22%20coa%20said.%20%20based%20on%20the%20report%2C%20the%20biggest%20unimplemented%20sum%20was%20under%20the%20ombudsman-central%20office%20with%20p151.33%20million.%20%20this%20was%20followed%20by%20the%20omb-office%20of%20the%20special%20prosecutor%20with%20p16.64%20million%2C%20omb-luzon%20with%20p12.29%20million%2C%20and%20omb-military%20and%20other%20law%20enforcement%20offices%20%28moleo%29%20with%20p3.63%20million.%20%20the%20items%20included%20%22property%2C%20plant%20and%20equipment%2C%22%20with%20a%20budget%20of%20p134.23%20million%20of%20which%20only%20p31.57%20million%20was%20spent%3B%20%22common%20supplies/materials%22%20which%20had%20P16.33%20million%20in%20allocations%20but%20only%20P5.11%20million%20was%20utilized;%20and%20%22building%20administration%20supplies%22%20with%20P16.5%20million%20of%20which%20only%20P0.58%20million%20was%20used.%20%20Other%20procurements%20included%20%22repairs%20and%20maintenance%20of%20vehicles/spare%20parts%22%20which%20had%20P12.41%20million%20set%20aside%20but%20only%20P3.23%20million%20was%20spent%20during%20the%20year.%20%20The%20report%20cited%20that%20procurement%20implementation%20ranged%20from%200%%20to%201.89%%20for%20the%20Ombudsman-Central%20Office.%20%20%22With%20the%20huge%20amounts%20of%20unimplemented%20balances,%20the%20aforementioned%20APPs%20were%20therefore%20not%20meticulously%20and%20judiciously%20planned,%22%20COA%20added.%20%20In%20response%20to%20the%20audit%20report,%20the%20Ombudsman%20said%20much%20of%20the%20unimplemented%20procurement%20was%20for%20the%20new%20office%20spaces%20for%20the%20Office%20of%20the%20Special%20Prosecutor%20which%20ended%20up%20being%20delayed.">RAPPLER</a>

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State auditors say the Office of the Ombudsman had unimplemented procurement worth P183.9 million or 65% of its Annual Procurement Plan for...

READ: De Lima slams 'censorship' of UN's drug slays probe

3:26:00 AM TodaysUpdatePH 0

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<span style="font-family: franklin-gothic-urw, Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: magenta;"><b>MANILA - Senator Leila de Lima questioned Sunday the guidelines set by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for United Nations (UN) officials who are set to investigate summary killings of drug suspects in the country.</b></span></span></h4>
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"While it is within the prerogative of the Philippine government as the host country, through the DFA, to set reasonable parameters for the visit of the UN special rapporteurs and other UN probers, I find questionable the announced rule that it is the government that will decide the places to be visited and the persons to be interviewed by these probers," De Lima said. </div>
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"What kind of investigation can we expect if the government is going to decide how the investigation is going to be conducted by UN rapporteur's team?" </div>
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Last Thursday, Duterte invited officials of the UN and European Union (EU) to conduct a probe on his war on drugs. </div>
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On the same day, the DFA laid down protocols that UN rapporteurs and EU rights experts must agree to before they are allowed to visit the country -- including a prohibition on visiting slum areas, where most of the victims of summary executions live. </div>
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DFA Secretary Charles Jose said foreign investigators will not be allowed to go there for safety reasons. </div>
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De Lima, however, deemed the parameters as "censorship and control" that will only assail the probe's independence. </div>
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"What is the sense of inviting independent probers if they are not going to be allowed freedom of movement and action, and are going to be dictated upon on the extent of their visits and sources of information? </div>
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"Under any standards, an investigation under such constraints can no longer be deemed independent. Protocol does not mean censorship and control over the ability of the UN team to conduct an independent, credible and exhaustive probe," she pointed out. </div>
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Over 1,700 drug suspects have been killed since Duterte won the elections in May, based on monitoring by the ABS-CBN Investigative and Research Group. A total of 1,020 people were killed in police operations and 581 killed by unidentified assailants from May 10 to September 21. </div>
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It was De Lima who filed Monday a Senate resolution urging the executive department to invite UN experts to look into the spate of drug-related killings. </div>
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Her resolution was filed on the same day that she was ousted as chair of the Senate committee on justice and human rights, a capacity in which she led a legislative inquiry on the rising death toll of the war on drug. </div>
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SOURCE: <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/25/16/de-lima-slams-censorship-of-uns-drug-slays-probe">ABS-CBN</a></div>

READ: De Lima slams 'censorship' of UN's drug slays probe

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MANILA - Senator Leila de Lima questioned Sunday the guidelines set by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for United Nations (UN) offi...

READ: How COA, public can fight corruption using social mediam

9:03:00 PM TodaysUpdatePH 0

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<b style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: magenta;">Commission on Audit Chairman Michael Aguinaldo says the agency is beefing up its use of social media to fight corrupt practices in government</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">SOCIAL MEDIA. The Commission on Audit says it is beefing up its use of social media to fight corrupt practices in government.</span></b></h4>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">MANILA, Philippines – Running after corrupt officials will be more effective if the government, public, and technology come together.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Commission on Audit (COA) Chairman Michael Aguinaldo said this, as he shared how the agency is partnering with people on the ground to fight corruption.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the ways COA does this is through its “citizen participatory audit,” which allows ordinary Filipinos to join auditors on certain audit work. This method could make an audit more credible, he added.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">“It’s really a transparency mechanism so that when auditors do work in certain types of audit, may mga kasamang (there are) private citizens so they can also see what’s going on.Minsan may sinasabi na binabayaran din auditor para 'di na lang tingnan o ireport (There are allegations that the auditor is being paid just so he or she could no longer investigate or report), so this is one way to address it,” Aguinaldo said during Rappler’s Social Good Summit on Saturday, September 24.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Citing as example, Aguinaldo shared how ordinary citizens and civil society helped the agency check projects under the farm-to-market roads program.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Civil society organizations and in some cases, farmers themselves, they’ve been going out and measuring these roads. They check if the construction is right. They use a stick and walk the entire length of the road and it actually measures the road,” he said.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Social media, technology</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">These groups and farmers, he said, also use the mobile application called MyTrack to plot road locations and lengths.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Nakikita saan ginawa 'yung kalye. In some cases, bakit kulang ng 200 meters? 'Di naman kakasuhan agad, you have to ask why is it short of 200 meters? How much was paid for it?" he said.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">(Where the road was built can be seen. In some cases, why is it short of 200 meters? No immediate cases will be filed, you have to ask why is it short of 200 meters? How much was paid for it?)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">COA also relies on citizens’ reports through Facebook, the most common social media platform in the Philippines. While he admitted that the use of such platform is not yet fully tapped, Aguinaldo encouraged the public to report questionable projects to COA.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Now, here’s what we're working on... Let's say roads built in barangays, or building, bridge, school, any citizen should be able to take a picture of that road, building, bridge, or school, as it’s being built and they can post it in some form of social media so people could see,” Aguinaldo said.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">This, he said, allows people to actually witness and check the progress of construction projects.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Everyone can now see that as of September 24, ito itsura(this is how it looks like), September 30, this is how it looks like. May (There's) progress and people are actually monitoring it," he added.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">He suggested that the Department of Public Works and Highways participate in the planned program. It is the DPWH, after all, that oversees construction of national roads and bridges.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The DPWH, he said, could manage the central Facebook account where complaints are to be sent.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">SOURCE: </span><a href="http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/social-good-summit/982-2016/147218-coa-fighting-corruption-social-media?utm_content=buffer6cd22&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer" style="font-family: inherit;">RAPPLER</a></b></div>
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READ: How COA, public can fight corruption using social mediam

convicts testifying vs De Lima Equipment for shabu mass-production public can fight corruption using SOCIAL MEDIA The RICE Policy US commits P320M READ: How COA, public can fight corruption using social mediam

Commission on Audit Chairman Michael Aguinaldo says the agency is beefing up its use of social media to fight corrupt practices in governme...

READ: Rice in the time of Duterte: Will more imports be good?

5:18:00 PM TodaysUpdatePH 0

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<b><span style="color: magenta;">As of August 2016, Filipinos are paying more than twice for a kilo of rice compared to their Thai and Vietnamese counterparts.</span></b></h3>
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<b>Although national attention is currently focused on the war on drugs, the Duterte administration is quietly making gains in another policy area – rice policy.</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjq0FwbeVqcuBIdTzlGrjrexFUkodGAvfK9BHWbUY_YyI70gzelSp5nljioddh200OsKriQn1WXgm2Etyw2BPSXDu1wo1wxdIItzrlySXa_WuDOjY2IVB0yeeuiFExlzS-OcY5hSoWIo/s1600/jc-punongbayan-20160909-small_A23B99BDBD3D4752B58381A31410B36B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjq0FwbeVqcuBIdTzlGrjrexFUkodGAvfK9BHWbUY_YyI70gzelSp5nljioddh200OsKriQn1WXgm2Etyw2BPSXDu1wo1wxdIItzrlySXa_WuDOjY2IVB0yeeuiFExlzS-OcY5hSoWIo/s320/jc-punongbayan-20160909-small_A23B99BDBD3D4752B58381A31410B36B.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Recently the Duterte Cabinet, led by its economic team, agreed to lift restrictions on the importation of rice by 2017. </b><br />
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<b>This would usher in greater volumes of rice imports that the government has been trying to put off for more than two decades now.</b></div>
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<b>On the one hand, local rice farmers are naturally worried. They say that this policy will hurt them in the same way that other farmers have been hurt by the influx of cheap imported agricultural goods (like onions).</b></div>
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<b>On the other hand, some say that this policy will help promote competition, lower prices, and benefit several millions of Filipino rice consumers.</b></div>
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<b>Some groups are already hailing the Cabinet’s rice policy as one of its first major economic reforms. To appreciate how exactly this policy can benefit the country in general, it may help to step back and look at key facts about rice consumption and production in the Philippines.</b></div>
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<b>How affordable is rice in the PH?</b></div>
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<b>Figure 1 shows that the Philippines has always had some of the highest rice prices in Southeast Asia. As of August 2016, Filipinos are paying more than twice for a kilo of rice compared to their Thai and Vietnamese counterparts.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mRxXtZ2DbGqxoJ0dApLloNa7G69uuyoNk4_yPkHkqbFUZ_9M1WuA1qkMd73VL8Nvex2oBOQVFmuY1L4POS5x7hj0mYjrIvYoXAfQwxNN6jFcXfnrEqilAZQ-OMUVVNcZpEBuUxKov6E/s1600/rice-policy-20160923-01_C27D7629184C45BFAF0398B8E00079CE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mRxXtZ2DbGqxoJ0dApLloNa7G69uuyoNk4_yPkHkqbFUZ_9M1WuA1qkMd73VL8Nvex2oBOQVFmuY1L4POS5x7hj0mYjrIvYoXAfQwxNN6jFcXfnrEqilAZQ-OMUVVNcZpEBuUxKov6E/s640/rice-policy-20160923-01_C27D7629184C45BFAF0398B8E00079CE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Figure 1. Source: FAO (Food Price Monitoring and Analysis Tool). Period covered: January 2000 to August 2016. PH data refer to regular-milled rice; Thai and Vietnamese data refer to the 25% broken variety.</b></div>
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<b>These high rice prices harm poor Filipino households more than anyone else. Based on recent data, while the poorest households spend around 20% of their income on rice alone, the richest households spend just under 5% (Figure 2).</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxzUXQihEmtNfZrcjSxW3BSqK-Lxx6l-5ZL-b8a61XkwqUgxcNrCzrNZqJZ0FLudk11DO1IabKoks2qgi_HCF-rlMGJ0MGsTqzwAcp4V6lSSldChBGQLZAg_MhMnCTie3TwAc7ly5Ocw/s1600/rice-policy-20160923-02_F1A0FF3B54244A5E9E6F0DE0631552A3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxzUXQihEmtNfZrcjSxW3BSqK-Lxx6l-5ZL-b8a61XkwqUgxcNrCzrNZqJZ0FLudk11DO1IabKoks2qgi_HCF-rlMGJ0MGsTqzwAcp4V6lSSldChBGQLZAg_MhMnCTie3TwAc7ly5Ocw/s640/rice-policy-20160923-02_F1A0FF3B54244A5E9E6F0DE0631552A3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Rice prices are harmful not only when they are high, but also when they are volatile. Figure 3 shows that since 1991 we experienced three major spikes in rice prices: 1995 (a 45% increase in price prices), 2008 (60% increase), and 2014 (20% increase).</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcFYeX01AhFMiQnb7HThLZ4Ymvim-5CfAq44Rpkw5lW7Dugb4WJFdO0xWX1fC5Ye6szISJwQOupx72Qh52Vy_wAR83WYpxIp57DIGvm2mkWzlvKfW0gliA1DPKz3mvxsdHiak40INuk0/s1600/rice-policy-20160923-03_9A2AD98703FE49E2B66B0619087623FE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="465" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcFYeX01AhFMiQnb7HThLZ4Ymvim-5CfAq44Rpkw5lW7Dugb4WJFdO0xWX1fC5Ye6szISJwQOupx72Qh52Vy_wAR83WYpxIp57DIGvm2mkWzlvKfW0gliA1DPKz3mvxsdHiak40INuk0/s640/rice-policy-20160923-03_9A2AD98703FE49E2B66B0619087623FE.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="color: magenta;">Figure 3. Period covered: January 1990 to July 2016. Trend displays growth in the price of regular-milled rice, which mimics the trend for other types of rice.</span></div>
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<b>Such significant jumps in rice prices can have devastating impacts on the poor. A 2015 study found that at the height of the 2008 rice crisis, the inflation rate faced by the poorest 30% of the population was about twice the inflation rate faced by the general population. This significantly eroded the purchasing power of the poor and led more households into hunger and poverty.</b></div>
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<b>Some studies also show that poor rice farmers are, in fact, net consumers (rather than net producers) of rice, meaning that they consume more rice than they produce. Hence, poor farmers are hurt by high rice prices as well.</b></div>
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<b>What makes rice extra expensive for Filipinos?</b></div>
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<b>High and volatile rice prices in the Philippines are borne by a myriad of factors, but largely geography and policy.</b></div>
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<b>On the one hand, the Philippines has a relative disadvantage when it comes to rice production because of our peninsular geography. Unlike Vietnam and Thailand, we do not enjoy as much vast, uninterrupted rice plains and access to natural irrigation at the scale of, say, the mighty Mekong River.</b></div>
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<b>On the other hand, expensive rice is also due to government policies, particularly the National Food Authority’s (NFA) status as the sole importer of rice in the country.</b></div>
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<b>Every year the NFA decides how much rice to import in a given year based on forecasts of domestic rice demand and supply. This heavy-handed tinkering with the market, however, can occasionally lead to disaster when planning becomes faulty.</b></div>
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<b>Specifically, the NFA may at times fail to import sufficient quantities of rice, leading not only in smuggling (which is really a manifestation of a large unmet demand for rice) but also in catastrophic shortages and price spikes.</b></div>
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<b>Our last two rice crises attest to this. In 1995 and 2008, erroneous supply forecasts, external factors, and badly-timed imports led to massive rationing and queues. These were relieved only through belated importation of massive amounts of rice.</b></div>
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<b>In the aftermath of these events, a select number of private agents have been allowed to import rice, but with a collective limit of 805,000 metric tons per year and levied with 35% tariff rates.</b></div>
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<b>It is these import restrictions that the Duterte Cabinet is seeking to abolish by next year. By allowing more private agents to import rice, the NFA need not second-guess domestic demand and supply conditions, thus avoiding over- or under-importation of rice in any given year.</b></div>
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<b>More importantly, this policy also means more competition in the domestic market that could lead to lower and less volatile prices, as well as food security for the vast majority of Filipinos.</b></div>
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<b>This is not to say, however, that the NFA no longer has any significant role to play. For instance, it could focus on maintaining a buffer stock of rice to prepare for emergency shortfalls and provide immediate relief to avoid events like the violent Kidapawan protests last March. The NFA could also maintain a small tariff from which it can earn revenues to support farmers adjusting to this new era of freer rice trade.</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA872y27l4bDjFn_wmOJFPtZ6ocS485OiiRIj5zrtYbzx6BfgNdCSMyPR9DmTYDGfSQZOi51jzW_K_uQtf376L6eUgqRtpmjg0E-W8tqMvBDVPHl6ZETOe1I4pV7to6Gktnv1ebbRdvCg/s1600/rice-imports_37D5B0DC4AE44327B186ED574E8C7DA1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA872y27l4bDjFn_wmOJFPtZ6ocS485OiiRIj5zrtYbzx6BfgNdCSMyPR9DmTYDGfSQZOi51jzW_K_uQtf376L6eUgqRtpmjg0E-W8tqMvBDVPHl6ZETOe1I4pV7to6Gktnv1ebbRdvCg/s640/rice-imports_37D5B0DC4AE44327B186ED574E8C7DA1.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="color: magenta;">RICE IMPORTS? The government tries to balance between keeping rice farmers happy and keeping prices low for consumers</span>. AFP file photo</h4>
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<b>Conclusion: Good rice policy as a low-hanging fruit</b></div>
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<b>The Duterte Cabinet’s proposal to lift rice import restrictions promises to benefit millions of Filipino rice consumers, especially the poor.</b></div>
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<b>However, rice producers have already protested the Cabinet’s recent pronouncements. There are even renewed calls to reestablish the NFA’s status as the sole importer of rice. Hence, the Duterte Cabinet’s success in bringing rice policy reforms is yet to be ensured.</b></div>
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<b>Such policy could arguably enjoy more success if it found support in the President himself. After all, there are about 101 million rice consumers in the country. In contrast, there are just 1.8 million drug users in the country as of 2015. Hence, shifting even a bit of attention away from drug policy and into rice policy can potentially benefit a far greater number of Filipinos.</b></div>
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<b>Of course, it seems that the current drug war is here to stay. But given the potential benefits, here’s hoping that the present leadership brings at least as much interest and enthusiasm into rice policy. In the vast tree of social policies, this could very well be one of the lowest-hanging fruits out there.</b></div>
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SOURCE: <a href="http://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/147136-rice-duterte-more-imports?utm_content=buffer14fb5&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer">RAPPLER</a></h3>
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As of August 2016, Filipinos are paying more than twice for a kilo of rice compared to their Thai and Vietnamese counterparts. Although...

READ: Lawmaker defends convicts testifying vs De Lima!

4:50:00 AM TodaysUpdatePH 0

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<span style="color: magenta;">Oriental Mindoro 2nd District Representative Reynaldo Umali also dares Senator Leila de Lima 'to appear in our next hearing instead of casting aspersions on the integrity of our probe through media"</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PAswHl4V_0sFPpJdqvIqDX_67hM3sJptqJbdC8NYG9zTMKNCshIZlb30BsxCt8jbI48Wj3wWWKu2cZUWKLNOnVLnXbDqVTC76A4bfrDGjS8bOqE_rwIoghwAyzNPpR6KjFEp3jGVJOE/s1600/Umali-HOR-Bilibid-Drugs-Inquiry-20160921-002_920B4798C3574FC886F12031C05DD5AD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PAswHl4V_0sFPpJdqvIqDX_67hM3sJptqJbdC8NYG9zTMKNCshIZlb30BsxCt8jbI48Wj3wWWKu2cZUWKLNOnVLnXbDqVTC76A4bfrDGjS8bOqE_rwIoghwAyzNPpR6KjFEp3jGVJOE/s640/Umali-HOR-Bilibid-Drugs-Inquiry-20160921-002_920B4798C3574FC886F12031C05DD5AD.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: magenta;">COMMITTEE CHAIR. Representative Reynaldo Umali on September 21, 2016, presides over a congressional probe into the alleged illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison. Photo by LeAnne Jazul/Rappler</span></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br />MANILA, Philippines –The chairman of the House committee on justice on Saturday, September 24, defended the convicts testifying against Senator Leila de Lima on the alleged illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).<br /><br />Oriental Mindoro 2nd District Representative Reynaldo Umali said, <i>"Does she expect angels to squeal?"</i><br /><br />Umali explained: <i>"We summoned witnesses who have first-hand knowledge of the illegal activities in prison. Who else can they be but convicted criminals themselves?"</i><br /><br />This comes as De Lima claims the Duterte administration pressured convicts to testify against her at the ongoing probe House probe on the alleged proliferation of the drug trade at the NBP when she was justice secretary.<br /><br />All the convicts, as well as some other witnesses who were presented at the congressional inquiry, were granted immunity from suit for anything they may say at the hearings.<br /><br />President Rodrigo Duterte said this probe shows he <i>"was correct all along"</i> in linking De Lima to illegal drugs.<br /><br />De Lima, however, said on Tuesday, September 20, "Prisoners are being selected and isolated just to be intimidated into implicating me and to fit the President’s narrative that I am a drug lord coddler, aside from being the most evil woman in the planet."<br /><br />Umali, in turn, pointed out on Saturday: <i>"We are conducting an investigation in aid of legislation on the extent and magnitude of the illegal drug trade right within the biggest prison facility in the country. The Bureau of Corrections that oversees the NBP is under the Department of Justice, which she headed during the previous administration."</i><br /><br />"If she really wants to clear her name and help government stop the proliferation of illegal drugs not just in the NBP but also in the entire country, then she may wish to appear in our next hearing instead of casting aspersions on the integrity of our probe through media," Umali said.<br /><br />In a news briefing on Thursday, De Lima praised how Umali had conducted the congressional inquiry, so far.<br /><br /><i>"Representative Umali is rather fair in handling the proceedings," she said.</i><br /><br />De Lima said that Umali is one of the godfathers of her eldest son, and a fraternity bother. Umali himself had divulged at the House hearing that he is a member of the Lambda Rho Beta while De Lima is a member of the Lambda Rho Sigma.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />SOURCE: <a href="http://www.rappler.com/nation/147203-lawmaker-convicts-de-lima-drugs-bilibid?utm_content=buffer3d1eb&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer">RAPPLER</a></b></span><div>
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Oriental Mindoro 2nd District Representative Reynaldo Umali also dares Senator Leila de Lima 'to appear in our next hearing instead o...