‘NO ARGUMENTS OVER ICC PROBE ON DRUG WAR’ 

MANILA— Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla had expected to argue with the European Parliament’s delegates who visited the Philippines this week over the country’s human rights situation, but came away saying his discussion with them about the International Criminal Court (ICC)’s looming investigation was “not argumentative.”

Remulla met on Thursday afternoon with members of the European Parliament that included Isabel Wiseler-Lima of the European People’s Party, Karsten Lucke of the Group of Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, Hannah Neumann of The Greens and the European Free Alliance, Ryszard Czarnecki of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group and Miguel Urban Crespo of The Left.

He said the visit took place in the context of “open and regular engagement on human rights between the Philippines and the EU (European Union).”

Remulla told the parliamentarians that the government intends to convince the ICC to instead drop the task of investigating the alleged crimes against humanity to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“What I told them is if the ICC really has a problem they want to investigate here, just give it to us, and we will do it. Because these are crimes committed in the Philippines, by Filipinos, right? Well, we’ll just do it ourselves. They no longer interjected,” Remulla told reporters after the meeting, saying the ICC conversation lasted no longer than three minutes.

“After that, nothing else was said about the ICC. They didn’t interject anymore because we talked for a long time. Most of it is about judicial reform, correction reform, corrections in our reforms on prosecution, reforms on bail, and all the improvements we are making, they seemed surprised so they didn’t argue with us. They are not argumentative actually,” he added.

While such was the case, Remulla said the parliamentarians also raised key issues in the country including the detention of former senator Leila de Lima and fake news.

The justice secretary did not disclose the particulars of the conversation on De Lima, but he said he told the parliamentarians that her camp had been advised that they could file a habeas corpus petition for her provisional liberty.

On fake news, Remulla said the government will not be weaponizing cyberlibel laws but the DOJ intends to address the problem.

PHILIPPINES JOINS UN DEMAND FOR RUSSIA TO WITHDRAW FROM UKRAINE

UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations voted overwhelmingly Thursday to demand Russia immediately and unconditionally withdraw its troops from Ukraine, marking the one-year anniversary of the war with a call for a "just and lasting" peace.

Ukraine earned strong backing in a non-binding vote that saw 141 of the 193 UN members in support, seven opposed and 32, including China and India abstaining.

Coming on the eve of the first anniversary of the brutal war, support for Kyiv was little-changed from that of last October when 143 countries voted to condemn Russia's declared annexation of four Ukraine regions.

"Today, United Nations General Assembly has just spoken very clear," said European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

"This vote shows that the international community stands with Ukraine."

The vote came after two days of debate during which Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba urged the international community to choose "between good and evil."

He rejected the idea that Kyiv only enjoyed the support of the West -- the European Union, the United States and their key allies.

"The vote defies the argument that the Global South does not stand on Ukraine's side, because many countries representing Latin America, Africa, Asia voted in favor today," Kuleba said.

"The support is much broader, and it will only continue to be consolidated and to be solidified," he added.

Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, expressed gratitude to all those "who stood up for Ukraine on the anniversary of the unprovoked Russian aggression."

PH DIVORCE BILLS GAIN GROUND

A house panel on Thursday moved to consolidate bills instituting divorce in the Philippines, the only country in the world where it is not legal.

The House committee on population and family relations on Thursday approved in principle House Bills (HBs) 78, 2593, 3843, 3885, 4957, 4998, along with HBs 1021 and 1593, setting the stage for the consolidated measure’s endorsement for plenary discussions.

Former Speaker and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, one of the advocates of divorce, said that instituting divorce in the country will allow the husband and the wife to “correct” their errors. He said allowing for the dissolution of a “toxic” marriage, through divorce, would be “best way forward.”

“Marriage is beautiful. But only for those who get it right. And for those who do get it right, congratulations! (The) reality, however, shows us a different picture for most people. Many get marriage wrong,” Alvarez said as he sponsored his bill instituting absolute divorce and dissolution of marriage.

Alvarez said the state should not “forcibly chain together those who should be allowed to distance and part ways in peace.”

The committee designated one of the bill’s authors, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, to lead the technical working group to work on the consolidated bill.

Lagman’s bill, HB 77, provides that the divorce petition will undergo a judicial process where proof of the cause for the divorce is established and that the marriage has completely collapsed without any possibility of reconciliation.

Lagman’s bill also allows divorced couples to remarry.

MARCOS JR. DECLARES PEOPLE POWER HOLIDAY TODAY; 6 IN 10 SAY EDSA SPIRIT IS ALIVE—SWS

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared February 24 as a special non-working day in observance of the EDSA People Power anniversary, moving its celebration from a Saturday to today (Friday) to support the government’s holiday economics thrust.

This developed as about 6 in 10 Filipinos believe the spirit of the EDSA Revolution is alive, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released Thursday.

The Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) released Presidential Proclamation Number 167 signed by President Marcos declaring the special non-working day.

According to the Palace, the declaration of the non-working day is “to enable Filipinos to avail the benefits of a long weekend.”

Furthermore, the memo stressed that the celebration of the EDSA People Power anniversary – normally marked every Feb. 25 – “may be moved from its original date as long as the historical significance is maintained.”

The Office of the President also directed the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to issue the appropriate circular to implement the proclamation for the private sector.

The SWS survey, meanwhile, said out of 1,200 adults polled from Dec. 10 to 14 last year, 62 percent said the spirit of the People Power revolution was alive, while 37 percent said it was not.

The survey said 57 percent of respondents said the date was still important to commemorate the February 1986 uprising, while 47 percent said the commemoration was no longer important.

Asked about how many EDSA Revolution promises were fulfilled, 47 percent of respondents said “a few”, 28 percent answered “almost none or none,” 19 percent said “most,” and 5 percent believed “all or nearly all.” Vince Lopez

The SWS face-to-face national survey had a sampling error margin of ±2.8 percent.

PH, AUSTRALIA IN SEA PATROL TALKS

The Philippines and Australia confirmed Wednesday they are discussing possible joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea (WPS)—an arrangement that Manila is also exploring with the United States and Japan.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the visit of Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles “‘will be an important part of the response’ to the recent acts by the Chinese Coast Guard in the West Philippine Sea,” the Presidential Communications Office said in a statement.

Mr. Marcos added the Australian official’s visit will “form a stronger alliance with the Philippines’ Indo-Pacific neighbor.”

“I truly believe that the future lies in strong alliances and in a united front in promoting again the values that we consider important to our countries,” the President said, as quoted by the PCO

In an earlier joint press briefing with Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. in Manila, Marles said he hoped the joint patrol talks would come “to fruition soon.”

“(We are) looking at ways which we can pursue joint patrols together in the South China Sea, and looking at ways in which we can do more exercises together,” said Marles, who also serves as Australia’s defense minister.

Marles said Australia is sending one of its largest contingents ever to this year’s iteration of “Exercise Balikatan,” which will take place in April.

“And we look forward to the Philippines, for the first time, sending observers to Exercise Talisman Sabre in Australia in August,” he added.

KILLINGS, ARRESTS CONTINUE 37 YEARS AFTER EDSA REVOLT – KARAPATAN

MANILA – Killings and illegal detention of activists continue to persist in the country 37 years after the EDSA People Power Revolution, a human rights group said Friday.

“It’s a sad thing ‘no…in the reign of President Bongbong [Marcos], na it’s so early in his reign, we have already documented at least 15 cases of political killings and hundred cases of illegal arrest and without warrant,” said Karapatan Central Visayas spokesman Dennis Abarientos.

“There are additional 30 arrest and detention of activist and other persons due to their political beliefs. Here in Central Visayas, (there are) at least 105 political prisoners and 6 of those are in Cebu and 13 in Bohol, the rest are in Negros Oriental,” he added.

The Philippines is commemorating this week the 1986 bloodless revolt that ousted former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.--the father of sitting president Ferdinand Marcos Jr.-- from the presidency after being in power since 1965.

Abarientos said martial law victims continue to fight for their rights to this day.

“This will even encourage other people to renew their commitment to freedom, independence and solidarity,” he said.

“It has become even more relevant now with all these persecution that is happening and non-access to local remedies to violations that are being committed against our rights,” he noted.

DE LIMA'S 6 YEARS IN ARBITRARY DETENTION TOO MUCH - SOLON

MANILA — A lawmaker is calling anew for the release of former Sen. Leila de Lima, who marks her sixth year in detention on Friday.

This comes as a European Parliament delegation visited De Lima inside the Philippine National Police’s custodial facility Thursday.

"We are even calling in the Makabayan bloc to release and free Leila de Lima kasi 'yung 6 years na arbitrary detention niya is too much," Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas told ANC's "Headstart".

The progressive solon stressed there is no more reason to keep De Lima in detention.

"Kung wala ka namang ikakaso sa kaniya, bakit naman ganun?" she said. "Alam natin na fabricated 'yung mga allegations and 'yung mga witnesses nag-recant na so there's no more reason para 'yan ay patagalin pa."

The EU delegation belongs to the European Union Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights, which has previously expressed concern over De Lima's prolonged detention.

The parliamentarians have yet to release details of the meeting with De Lima.

De Lima is facing 2 drug charges for allegedly conspiring to run an illegal drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison — charges which she vehemently denied, calling them political retribution for having initiated an inquiry into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-narcotics campaign and the Davao Death Squad killings.

Three witnesses have recanted their testimonies against her.

Since 2017, De Lima has been detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City, where she survived a hostage-taking incident perpetrated by 3 Abu Sayyaf members who attempted to escape there in October.

THE REST

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ALL SET FOR TOMORROW’S CAVITE SPECIAL POLLS

MANILA— The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is ready to conduct a special election in the seventh district of Cavite tomorrow for a seat in the House of Representatives left vacant by former congressman Jesus Crispin Remulla, who was appointed justice secretary.

Comelec spokesman Rex Laudiangco said the poll body has prepared everything for the automated elections, wherein four candidates are vying for the elective post.

Among the candidates is Remulla’s son Crispin Diego Diaz Remulla of the National Party. The rest – Jose Angelito Domingo Aguinaldo, Melencio Loyola de Sagun Jr. and Michael Angelo Bautista Santos – are running as independents.

“All vote counting machines are ready as we will be using the automated system. Voters will shade the ballots and we will use the VCMs. All contingency measures including extra VCMs have been prepared,” Laudiangco said.

Comelec records showed there are 355,184 registered voters in the seventh district of Cavite composed of the municipalities of Amadeo, Indang and Tanza as well as the city of Trece Martires.

Earlier, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said that the poll body expects  a voter turnout of 60 to 70 percent in the special elections.

MAYOR WOUNDED IN ROXAS BOULEVARD AMBUSH

The mayor of Datu Montawal in Maguindanao has been shot by still unidentified assailants along Roxas Boulevard in Manila Wednesday night, police confirmed Friday.

PBGen Kirby Kraft, Southern Police District director, said Mayor Ohto Montawal had just come from a meeting at the Manila Hotel when he was ambushed along the boundary of Pasay and Manila.

"Nasa ospital po siya, hindi naman ganun ka kritikal ang kanyang tama at nag re recover na po siya," he said in an interview on Sakto.

He said the mayor's men first reported the incident to the Manila police before he was informed.

Police are still investigating the incident.

The shooting occurred just days after the slay attempt on Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. in Maguing town.

A suspect linked to the shooting has been killed in a follow-up operation.

29 BIFF MEMBERS SURRENDER TO ARMY

COTABATO CITY— A large group of religious extremists from a local group fashioned from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria surrendered to the Army Tuesday.

Major Gen. Alex Rellira, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said Wednesday the 29 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters agreed to return to the fold of law through the efforts of the 1st Brigade Combat Team based in nearby Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao del Norte.

“Credit for their having agreed to surrender should also partly go to local executives in the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato,” Rellira said.

The 6th ID withheld, meantime, the names of the 29 BIFF men for their safety. The BIFF is known for harassing former members who have availed of the 6th ID's reconciliation program for violent religious extremists.

1,659 NPD COPS OBESE, OVERWEIGHT 

MANILA— More than half of the members of the Northern Police District are overweight or obese, according to NPD director Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones Jr.

“For the record, 50.04 percent of the NPD personnel are overweight and obese, including myself,” Peñones said at the launching of the 95-kilometer run challenge in Malabon yesterday.

The figure represents 1,659 police officers who are not at their ideal weight, he said.

Peñones and 186 police officers assigned in Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela signed up for the weight loss challenge by running three kilometers every day for a month.

He said they initiated the weight reduction program to encourage NPD personnel to lead a healthy lifestyle.

“A strong and healthy body will enable them to think clearly despite the demands of our job,” he said in Filipino.

Peñones said he has gained weight by three to five kilos since he took over the NPD post in August last year.

He weighs 74 kilos, which is above his ideal weight of 69 kilos, based on his body mass index.

Participants in the weight loss challenge had passed medical and psychological tests, Peñones said.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

NEW VERSION OF EDSA ANTHEM'S 'HANDOG NG PILIPINO SA MUNDO' RELEASED

MANILA -- In commemoration of the 37th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, OPM icon Jim Paredes has released a new version of the iconic song "Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo."

The more than five-minute music video for the iconic EDSA anthem was uploaded on the official YouTube page of Paredes on Thursday night.

"A remake of the iconic EDSA anthem of 1986 written by Jim Paredes. This time old veterans and millennials do the song with a modern arrangement, video treatment, and a fresh new rendition with a rap portion," Paredes captioned his post.

The new version includes OPM veterans such as Paredes, Boboy Garrovillo, Bayang Barrios, Mitch Valdez, Leah Navarro, Pinky Marquez, The CompanY, Celeste Legaspi, Bituin Escalante and Noel Cabangon.

Theater artists including Bodjie Pascua, Raul Montesa and Audie Gemora were also part of the video. The rap portion of the song was done by Magalona brothers Elmo and Arkin.

"Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo" was originally released in 1986 to celebrate the bloodless revolution that ousted the former dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

In February 2011, ABS-CBN released a re-recording of the popular patriotic song featuring Kapamilya artists led by Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera.

SPORTS

MERALCO DEF. NLEX, 114-98

Meralco Bolts (4-3) defeated NLEX Road Warriors, 114-98 to grab their fourth win in the 2023 PBA Governors' Cup on Thursday, February 23 at the PhilSports Arena.

The Scores:

MERALCO 114 - McDaniels 31, Maliksi 19, Newsome 18, Black 15, Hodge 9, Caram 8, Almazan 7, Banchero 5, Quinto 2, Jose 0.

NLEX 98 – Selden Jr 20, Trollano 19, Ganuelas-Rosser 16, Alas 13, Semerad 9, Nieto 9, Rosales 3, Miranda 0, Pascual 0, Gabo 0.

Quarters: 27-16, 56-46, 87-71, 114-98

CONVERGE DEF. BLACKWATER, 98-90

Converge FiberXers (6-2) defeated Blackwater Bossing (1-8), 98-90 to grab their sixth win in the 2023 PBA Governors' Cup on Thursday, February 23 at the PhilSports Arena.

The Scores:

CONVERGE 98 - Ahanmisi 31, Franklin 19, Teng 17, Stockton 10, Tratter 8, Arana 6, Ebona 3, Balanza 2, Racal 2, Murrell 0.

BLACKWATER 90 – Rosario 20, Glover 19, Ilagan 12, Amer 8, Banal 7, Hill 6, Torralba 6, Ular 4, McCarthy 3, Casio 3, Taha 2, Digregorio 0, Suerte 0.

Quarters: 21-14, 43-38, 78-66, 98-90

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 54.87

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

You can discover what your enemy fears most by observing the means he uses to frighten you. - Eric Hoffer