MARCOS REFUSAL TO REJOIN ICC SHOULD HAVE NO BEARING ON INVESTIGATION — HRW

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s comments that the country has "no intention" of rejoining the International Criminal Court should have no bearing on the latter's possible investigation should it continue past the September 9 deadline, the New York-based Human Rights Watch said Tuesday.

This comes after Marcos made the claim at a press conference Monday, saying he directed top legal executives to look into the ICC situation to figure out how to respond.

In a phone interview with Philstar.com, Humans Rights Watch Asia Senior Researcher Carlos Conde pointed out that the ICC could still insist on its mandate despite administration allies continuing to parrot its narrative of foreign interference in a justice system that supposedly works.

"What working court is the Philippine government talking about? That is the point here...I think at this point the Philippine government has unloaded all its ammunition against the ICC and against this case. I don’t think it can do more, kasi wala naman talaga silang maipapakita," he said.

"It’s another manifestation ng ICC na hindi sila sarado sa Philippine government and they’re willing to give the government every chance it can get to try to defend itself," he also said of the September 9 deadline the global court gave the government to submit its "observations" on its findings.

Conde said the international court still has options and resources to gather evidence from abroad in the event that investigators are barred from entering the country once a full-blown investigation is greenlit.

"If the Philippine government is serious about accountability, it should have cooperated with the ICC a long time ago. But the fact of the matter is that they're not only not willing to do that, but I think they're limited in their capability to do that," he said.

"Now what they’re doing is that, because they know in the eyes of the ICC they've already lost because the facts are very clear, so they're saying, we will not engage."

Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra also disclosed Tuesday that the government had already agreed on how to address the yet-unapproved ICC case, though he stopped short of mentioning what this course of action would look like.

DOJ TO STILL GIVE ICC INFORMATION ABOUT DRUG WAR OUT OF FRIENDSHIP

Even if the Philippines no longer rejoins the International Criminal Court, as a matter of “comity” or courtesy, the government could share with the ICC information on the progress of its drug war review, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Tuesday.

“We will furnish them with the available information as a matter of comity… out of our friendship with them, out of decency, we will give it to them if they ask for it,” Remulla said.

The numerous cases of killings linked to the Duterte administration’s drug war are already being speedily investigated by the government, Malacañang added Tuesday.

The Palace made the statement after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday ruled out the Philippines rejoining the ICC after discussing the resumption of the ICC investigation with his legal team last week.

In a briefing, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles further explained that the President’s decision not to rejoin ICC is “an issue of sovereignty.”

“Complaints about those who died during the drug war are being investigated, so there is no need to respond to the ICC or for our country to return to the Rome Statute,” she said.

Cruz-Angeles acknowledged the grievances aired by the families of drug war victims but assured them that legal institutions are fully capable of helping them achieve justice.

She said there is no need to call on the President to order an immediate probe into drug war cases because this is already being done.

PHILIPPINES ‘CLOSELY MONITORING DEVELOPMENTS’ ON PELOSI’S REPORTED TAIWAN VISIT

MANILA — The Philippines said it is “closely monitoring developments” amid US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s reported surprise visit to Taiwan during her first official tour of Asia.

“It is important for the US and China to ensure continuing communication to avoid any miscalculation and further escalation of tensions,” Ambassador Ma. Teresita Daza, DFA spokesperson, said in a WhatsApp message to the media on Tuesday.

Pelosi is currently on an official Asia tour, with stops in Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan in her itinerary.

Daza clarified that the department “has not received any request” neither from the US government nor the US embassy in Manila to either transit or visit the Philippines during this trip.

There are talks that Pelosi would be landing in the Philippines’ Clark, Pampanga airport before hopping on a flight to Taiwan.

Beijing warned Washington last week that it would “bear the consequences” if Pelosi steps on Taipei. The relationship between the two countries has continued to deteriorate due to issues including Taiwan, human rights, and competition in the technology sector.

Taiwan is under the constant threat of being invaded by China and Pelosi previously told reporters that it was important for the US “to show support for Taiwan.”

Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian on Tuesday said Beijing "firmly opposes" the possible visit.

In a statement sent to reporters, Huang maintained that "there is only one China in the world."

Like many countries in the world, the Philippines maintains a "One China" policy and officially only has diplomatic relations with China. The Manila Economic and Cultural Office represents Taiwan in the country.

YOUTH-DRIVEN CONSUMPTION BIGGEST CONTRIBUTOR TO ECONOMIC GROWTH: FINANCE CHIEF

MANILA — The domestic consumption especially by the youth remains the top contributor to the country's economic growth, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said Wednesday.

The economy expanded by 8.3 percent in the first quarter, which was faster than anticipated.

"[A]ng biggest source of growth ng Pilipino ay consumption kasi we have a very young population, and they are mostly, they are consumers, and very young," Diokno said in an interview.

"If you are aging, yung demand mo hindi na masyado. Hindi ka na bumibili ng mga gadgets, hindi ka na nagtatayo ng bahay, hindi ka na bumibili ng bagong damit," he added.

Based on the data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, the youth labor force in May 2022 is at 7.30 million out of the estimated 20.14 million youth population or the 15 to 24-year-olds, the DOF said.

This translates to a youth labor force participation rate of 36.2 percent, it added.

In terms of the new addition to the country's labor force, there was an increase to 999,999 in May from 899,000 in April, data showed.

BILL MAKING BIRTH, DEATH, MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES VALID FOR LIFE LAPSES INTO LAW

MANILA — A bill that seeks to make birth, death and marriage certificates valid for life lapsed into law Thursday.

In a transmittal letter to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez said the measure lapsed into law pursuant to Article VI, Section 27(1) of the Constitution.

That provision of the Charter states that bills passed by Congress left unacted on by the president automatically become law after 30 days.

"The winners here are every Filipino who do not need to spend again and again for certificates because what they have obtained and paid for will never expire," Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr, who sponsored the measure in the Senate, said in a statement in Filipino.

The law provides for the permanent validity of birth, death and marriage certificates issued, signed, certified or authenticated by the Philippine Statistics Authority and its predecessor, the National Statistics Office.

It says that these documents will forever be valid "provided that the document remains intact, readable and still visibly contains the authenticity and security features."

The PSA has said in a Senate hearing on this measure that the birth certificates it issues do not expire, some government agencies and private institutions still require this document to be obtained in the past six months as the security paper it is printed on changes every six months.

The measure, however, seeks to ban and punish this with jail time ranging from one month and a day to six months, or a fine of at least P5,000 to P10,000, or both. Government officials who violate the bill if passed into law will also be temporarily disqualified to hold public office.

MARCOS APPOINTS DOJ USECS, ASECS

MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. has made new appointments to key positions in the Justice department, a month after he took office.

He named 3 new undersecretaries — veteran litigator Jesse Andres, former DOJ assistant secretary Geronimo Sy and lawyer Jose Cadiz, Jr, based on the appointment paper dated July 29.

Undersecretary Deo Marco will stay on while Assistant Secretary Nicholas Felix Ty has been promoted to undersecretary.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla confirmed the new appointments to ABS-CBN News Wednesday.

Andres, Sy and Marco also confirmed their appointments.

Andres, who replaced Usec. Adrian Sugay, will oversee the National Prosecution Service.

He previously served as chief of staff to former Vice President Noli de Castro and, prior to that, was co-head of the litigation department of Ponce Enrile Cayetano Bautista Reyes & Manalastas Law Offices (PECABAR) before founding his own law firm.

Sy, who served as assistant secretary from 2008 to 2016, will focus on priority initiatives.

Remulla said he is waiting for 2 more undersecretary appointments.

In addition to appointments for undersecretary, 2 DOJ assistant secretaries were also named — Jose Arturo Malvar and Majken Anika Gran-Ong.

DOH: NO NEED TO DELAY SCHOOL OPENING DUE TO MONKEYPOX

Department of Health (DOH) officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said Tuesday that there is no reason to delay or stop the opening of classes on Aug. 22 despite the detection of the country’s first case of monkeypox.

Vergeire, in a press briefing, said they have put up measures to ensure the safety of the children who are set to go back to face-to-face classes.

Along with the Department of Education (DepEd), she said they will heighten the health screening both among students and teachers.

“One of the most important measures is the screening of children and teachers when they go to school. We will be working with the Department of Education on this,” she said in Filipino. “No one should be able to go to school with symptoms or if they already have lesions, we should be able to see them right away.”

Vergeire made the remark after DepEd spokesman Michael Poa said on Monday that they will defer to the guidelines that the DOH will issue on monkeypox in relation to the resumption of classes three weeks from now.

The DOH announced last Friday that the Philippines recorded its first case of monkeypox in a 31-year-old patient who arrived from abroad on July 19. He tested positive for the virus on Thursday, July 28.

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NEARLY HALF OF FILIPINOS FEEL 'POOR', SWS SURVEY SHOWS

MANILA – Nearly half — or 48 percent of Filipino families feel poor — according to results of a new Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released Tuesday.

Of 1,500 adults polled on June 26 to 29 this year, 31 percent said they were borderline poor while 21 percent said they were not poor.

"The estimated numbers of self-rated poor families are 12.2 million in June 2022 and 10.9 million in April 2022," the survey said.

Self-rated poor Filipinos rose in all areas, especially in Metro Manila and the Visayas.

Compared to April 2022, they increased in the Visayas from 48% to 64%, and in Metro Manila from 32% to 41%, while their numbers slightly went up in Mindanao from 60% to 62%.

Balance Luzon came from 35% to 36%.

The "borderline" poor, meanwhile, decreased in the Visayas from 46% to 26%, and in Metro Manila from 42% to 22%. In Mindanao, they also declined from 33% to 31%, while it went up in Balance Luzon from 28% to 36%.

At the same time, "not poor" Filipinos rose in Metro Manila from 26% to 37%, and in the Visayas, from 6% to 10%. In Mindanao, they stayed at 7%, while they decreased in Balance Luzon, from 37% to 28%.

The survey also showed that 34% of families rated themselves as "food-poor", based on the type of food they eat. Forty percent rated themselves as "borderline" food-poor while 26% said they were not either.

"The estimated numbers of self-rated food-poor families are 8.7 million in June 2022 and 7.9 million in April 2022," the SWS said, adding they increased in all areas except Mindanao.

The survey also showed that the "total percentage of poor families consists of 8.8% who were non-poor 1 to 4 years ago."

"Of the estimated 12.2 million self-rated poor families in June 2022, 2.2 million were newly poor, 1.6 million were usually poor, and 8.4 million were always poor," it said.

The SWS also noted that of the estimated 13.3 million self-rated non-poor families in June 2022, "5.3 million were newly non-poor, 3.0 million were usually non-poor, and 5.0 million were always non-poor."

The Commission on Population and Development (Popcom), citing PSA's figures, said last May that the COVID-19 pandemic has driven more Filipinos into poverty, noting that compared to the first half of 2018, more families plunged into poverty in the same period of 2021, or a year into the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Popcom said the figure is equivalent to 23 percent of the population who were on the poverty line or those earning below P12,000 monthly.

According to the report, the regions hit hardest by the pandemic registered the biggest increase in the number of poor Filipinos.

PHILIPPINES' DENGUE CASES DOUBLE VERSUS LAST YEAR: DOH

MANILA - The Philippines' dengue cases have doubled compared to last year, according to data from the Department of Health released Tuesday.

From Jan. 1 to July 16, the country logged 82,597 dengue cases, a 106-percent increase versus 40,096 cases reported during the same period in 2021, the DOH said.

Majority of the dengue cases were from Central Luzon (13,449 or 16 percent), Central Visayas (8,905 cases or 11 percent), and Metro Manila (6,884 or 8 percent).

In the recent period of June 19 to July 16, a total of 20,261 cases were recorded, with the following regions tallying the highest number of cases:

Central Luzon: 4,629 cases or 23 percent

Cagayan Valley: 2,151 cases or 11 percent

Metro Manila: 1,985 or 10 percent

Ten out of 17 regions exceeded the epidemic threshold in the past four weeks, with Cagayan Valley, Mimaropa, and the Cordilleras showing a "sustained increasing trend," the DOH said. The figure is a decrease from 11 regions during the period of June 12 to July 19.

A total of 319 dengue-related deaths or a 0.4 percent case fatality rate have been reported so far this year, the DOH said.

The agency is looking into procuring dengue vaccines as cases rise, its officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire earlier said.

PINOY UBE LIQUOR WINS BIG AT WORLD LIQUEUR AWARDS 2022

MANILA — Destileria Barako head distiller Brendan Green shared the secret how their Ube Cream Liqueur bagged the World's Best Cream honor at the recent World Liqueur Awards 2022.

In an exclusive interview with Philstar.com, Green said teamwork made them won in the prestigious competition.

“Teamwork. Honestly, it's teamwork. It is chasing your dreams. It is literally not sort of sitting down and saying that's enough. It's actually going that extra step to see what else you can do. Pushing the boundaries,” Green said.

“When we first come into alcohol, you're sort of told that this is the way it should be done. And now that we actually own and (are) running our own distillery... we're able to do whatever we like. So we really push those boundaries we see exactly how far we can push it and see what we can do,” he added.

Mixed by Chef Kalel Demetrio, the Ube Cream Liqueur is made with ube, full cream and sugar cane vodka from Negros.

“Ube Cream Liqueur basically came around when Kalel (Demetrio) was playing around with some ideas in his head and brought it to the team to sort of say we should really push forward with with the Ube Cream Liqueur. As a team, we sat down and basically tried to work out how this is possible. It took a lot of trial and error to basically figure it out, but the team that we've got is just unbelievable,” Green said.

“When something seems like it's impossible, somebody else comes up with a solution and we're able to figure it out. And basically that's how Uber Cream Liqueur was here,” he added.

Ube Cream Liqueur is available in Agimat at Ugat Foraging Bar and Kitchen in Poblacion, Makati.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

'MAHJONG SCENE IN MARCOS MOVIE DISTORTS HISTORY, CASTS DOUBT ON CARMELITES'

MANILA — Scenes from a trailer for a movie about the 1986 People Power Revolution from the perspective of the Marcoses portaying Corazon Aquino playing mahjong with nuns distort history and may shake the trust that people have in the Order of Carmelites, the head of its Cebu City monastery said Tuesday.

Screen captures from the "Maid in Malacañang" show a representation of Aquino gambling with nuns as the Marcoses were about to flee the country at the end of the dictatorship.

In a statement released to media and carried by RPN, Cebu Daily News and PressOnePH, Sr. Mary Melanie Costillas, OCD, prioress of the Carmelite Monastery, said that while the nuns in the clip were not wearing the order's habit, "if these pictures are portraying the events of February 1986, then the allusion to the Carmelite Order in Cebu is too obvious for anyone not to see."

Giselle Sanchez, the actress who plays Aquino in the movie, has defended the scene and the line, saying she had been assured by Sen. Imee Marcos that "‘Yun daw ang sabi ng mga Kano (That is what the Americans told us)."

She said producers of the film did not reach out to the monastery about the scene, which she also described as malicious as it portrays Aquino — president of the Philippines after Ferdinand Marcos fled — as having time to "leisurely play games" during a perilous time for the Philippines.

"The truth was we were then praying, fasting and making other forms of sacrifices for peace in this country and for the people's choice to prevail," she said, adding they were constantly in fear of the military coming to the monastery to get Aquino.

She said the scene trivializes "whatever contribution we had to restore democracy."

More than that, Costillas said, the scenes "would put into doubt the trust that the people have placed in us."

She said that Cebuanos have been asking the Carmelite nuns to pray for their intentions for more than seven decades and portraying them as gambling during the revolution would jeopardize that.

"With the grace of God, we take this vocation to pray for and with the people in all seriousness," she said.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. - Maya Angelou