By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Bong Go stated that the Senate hearing conducted by Senator Imee Marcos on the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte is already too late.
However, Go expressed his respect for Marcos, who chairs the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
“I respect the initiative of Senator Imee Marcos to hold a Senate inquiry. It’s her right as the chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Relations. As for me, as a member, I just want to express my feelings that it feels too late. This is what we call ‘too late the hero,’” Go said.
Go previously mentioned that he was still considering whether to attend the hearing, as the investigation would not have an impact on the former president’s current situation.
The senator emphasized that the hearing would not bring Duterte back to the country and that the only possible discussion would be regarding the laws violated in his arrest.
“Can we bring Tatay Digong back here? If we could, even if we hold hearings every day, it wouldn’t make a difference,” the senator said.
ia/mnm
MANILA — Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has arrived in The Hague, Netherlands, where he is now in the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
According to the Philippine Embassy in the Netherlands, Duterte arrived at Rotterdam Airport on chartered flight RP-C5219 at 4:56 p.m. CET (11:56 p.m. PH Time) on Wednesday. He was then transferred into ICC custody by Philippine law enforcement officials to the Judicial Cooperation Unit of the ICC Office of Registry.
Upon arrival, an ICC nurse met with Duterte’s personal nurse to discuss his medical needs. The information was shared with an ICC medical doctor, who will conduct a thorough check-up at the ICC Detention Center.
The embassy provided consular assistance, including winter clothing, a change of clothes, and care packages for Duterte and his delegation. Additionally, former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea has been issued a 15-day visa as Duterte’s counsel and is permitted to visit the former president at the ICC Detention Center on Thursday.
Duterte’s nurse and aide will return to the Philippines, as they were granted two-day visas to rest before their return flight. Embassy officials also ensured that the ICC and the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs are aware of the need to monitor Duterte’s health closely.
The embassy has provided Duterte with contact details for further consular assistance if needed.
ia/mnm
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. confirmed on Tuesday that the Philippine government adhered to all legal processes in the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
“We followed all the necessary legal procedures. I’m confident that further examination will show it was done properly and correctly,” Marcos stated during a press conference. He emphasized there was a “very good basis” to enforce the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant against Duterte.
Marcos rejected claims of unlawful action, explaining that the arrest was carried out in compliance with a request from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to enforce the ICC warrant. He stressed the government was fulfilling its obligations to Interpol, not cooperating with the ICC directly.
“This isn’t about the ICC. It’s about Interpol’s request, and we honor our commitments to them,” Marcos said.
He also refuted allegations of political persecution, highlighting that the case dates back to 2017 when the Philippines was still a member of the ICC under Duterte’s administration. “I don’t see how this can be political persecution, as this was initiated before I even took office,” he added.
Marcos assured that the official arrest warrant against Duterte, signed by ICC judges on March 7, would be made public for transparency.
Duterte was arrested on Tuesday morning upon returning from Hong Kong at Ninoy Aquino International Airport and was subsequently transferred to Villamor Air Base. The official ICC arrest order was received by Interpol Manila earlier that day.
The ICC is investigating Duterte for crimes against humanity related to deaths linked to his war on drugs during his tenure as mayor of Davao City and as president. Although the Philippines withdrew from the ICC in March 2019, the court maintains jurisdiction over crimes committed while the country was still a member.
Duterte was flown to The Hague, Netherlands, on a chartered plane later that evening to face charges at the ICC headquarters.
ia/mnm
MANILA — The Marcos administration is “prepared for any eventuality” in case the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues an arrest warrant for former President Rodrigo Duterte, according to Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Jay Ruiz on Sunday (10 Mar 2025).
Duterte, who reportedly left the Philippines for Hong Kong on March 7, is facing a case at the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity related to his administration’s controversial war on drugs.
Speculation arose after reports suggested that an arrest warrant could be issued by the ICC, a development that was reportedly leaked to Duterte’s camp on March 8.
Ruiz confirmed the government’s readiness for any situation but declined to provide specific details on the warrant’s status. “We’ve heard that an arrest warrant has been issued by the ICC for crimes against humanity. The government is prepared for any eventuality,” he said.
Meanwhile, PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro clarified that the Palace had not confirmed the issuance of an arrest warrant. “No confirmation of the arrest warrant from the Palace. But as the Executive Secretary (Lucas Bersamin) and the Secretary of Justice (Jesus Crispin Remulla) said, if Interpol requests assistance, the government will comply,” Castro stated.
Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra and the Philippine National Police were also contacted for comments. Guevarra confirmed they had not received any notification from the ICC regarding the warrant.
Duterte’s war on drugs, which claimed at least 6,000 lives according to official reports, has been condemned by human rights groups, who estimate the death toll could be as high as 20,000. Duterte and former police chief, now Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, are among those implicated in the ICC’s ongoing crimes against humanity investigation.
ia/mnm
By Junex Doronio
MANILA – Fresh allegations have linked former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and his former economic adviser Michael Yang to the illegal drug trade through an affidavit presented to the House Quad Committee, revealing their ties to a 2004 raid on a clandestine shabu laboratory in Dumoy, Davao City.
The raid, conducted during Duterte’s tenure as Davao City mayor, uncovered over 100 kilos of high-grade shabu worth ₱300 million, the largest drug bust of its time.
In her sworn affidavit submitted during Thursday’s hearing, Jed Pilapil Sy, wife of suspected drug lord Allan Sy and owner of the Dumoy property that was later revealed to be a shabu lab, detailed the events leading to her husband’s mysterious disappearance and her eventual conviction.
Jed recounted a harrowing incident on December 31, 2004, involving a confrontation with then-Mayor Duterte. She described Duterte visiting her home, visibly enraged, and demanding her husband’s whereabouts.
“Noong araw din na ‘yun, mga bandang 9:30 ng gabi, pinuntahan ako ni Mayor Duterte at hinahanap niya ang asawa ko sa aming bahay sa Arlene apartment kung saan kami umuupa. Tinanong ko si Mayor Duterte kung bakit niya hinahanap ang asawa ko, ang sabi lang niya ‘basta, galit na galit ako sa kanya,’” Jed recalled.
She added, “Ako ay nagtataka at nagulat, at dahil dito tinanong ko si Mayor Duterte kung mayroon po bang kasalanan ang asawa ko sa kanya. Inulit lang ni Mayor Duterte na ‘basta, galit na galit ako sa kanya.’”
Duterte reportedly provided her with security and warned her not to leave the house, but there was no follow-up.
Hours later, Jed learned from a friend that the Dumoy property had been raided.
“Makalipas ng ilang oras, tumawag ang isa sa mga kaibigan ng asawa ko para sabihin sa akin na ako daw ay manood ng telebisyon dahil na-raid daw ang Dumoy at nandoon ang asawa ko at may mga namatay,” Jed said. “Noong pagkabukas ko ng telebisyon, napanuod ko ang news tungkol sa Dumoy raid at may mga napaslang.”
The Dumoy raid was the last reported sighting of Allan Sy. Jed lamented that she still does not know if her husband is alive or dead. She, her brother Jong Pilapil, and others were arrested the following day and sentenced to life imprisonment, which has been upheld by the Supreme Court.
The affidavit further implicated Michael Yang, linking him to the Sy family’s business dealings through his DCLA Plaza in Davao City.
“Ang DCLA Plaza na pagmamay-ari ni Hong Ming ay naging display area namin ng foam,” she said, referring to Yang by his Chinese name, Hong Ming Yang. When shown a photo, Jed identified Yang as a close friend of her husband.
These statements align with those of dismissed Police Col. Eduardo Acierto, who previously accused Duterte of shielding Yang and another suspected drug lord, Allan Lim (alias Lin Weixiong). Acierto alleged that Yang operated drug labs in Mindanao, including the Dumoy facility, since the early 2000s.
“Michael Yang, alias ‘Dragon,’ was heavily involved in manufacturing and distributing illegal drugs,” Acierto told lawmakers, citing intelligence reports compiled in 2017.
Acierto claimed Yang provided shipping documents for illegal drugs seized during a 2005 raid in Cagayan de Oro City. He submitted a detailed matrix of this information to then-PNP Chief Ronald Dela Rosa, former PDEA Director Aaron Aquino, and Police Deputy Director General Camilo Cascolan. The report was forwarded to Dela Rosa’s successor, former PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde, but was reportedly ignored.
Acierto accused Dela Rosa of inaction, claiming he chose to meet with suspected drug lord Allan Lim instead. Following this, Acierto himself was accused of drug involvement by Duterte.
In October 2018, Duterte publicly named Acierto as a police official linked to the drug trade. By 2019, Acierto went into hiding after being implicated in smuggling ₱11 billion worth of drugs concealed in magnetic lifters.
In prior testimony before the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, Acierto alleged that Duterte ordered his execution due to investigations into Yang and Lim, associates of then-Special Assistant to the President, now Senator Christopher “Bong” Go.
“Pinapapatay po ako ni Duterte dahil tinutukan ko at pinaiimbestigahan ko si Michael Yang at Allan Lim na malapit na kaibigan ni Bong Go,” Acierto claimed.
Ia/mnm
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Piqued that he is hooked to an “addictive” Fentanyl, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has dared President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. that they both undergo a drug test in public at the same time at the Rizal Park, popularly known as the Luneta.
“Set it in Luneta Park, magpakuha siya ng dugo doon [from] independent entity or doctor. Magpakuha rin ako, sige pati ako. Pakuha siya ng blood test,” Duterte said in a press conference in Davao City on Tuesday (30 January 2024).
The feisty ex-president also alleged that a Cabinet official who he did not identify also used cocaine with Marcos Jr. and insisted that Marcos was on the watchlist of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
However, PDEA on Monday (29 January 2024) belied FPRRD’s accusation.
“The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency categorically states that President Ferdinand R Marcos, Jr is not on its watch list, contrary to the statement of former President Rodrigo Duterte, claiming that ‘when he was the Mayor of Davao, he was shown evidence by PDEA that in the list, the name of the president was there,” the agency said in a statement.
It added that Marcos Jr. was never in the agency’s National Drug Information System (NDIS) since PDEA’s “activation” in 2002.
“I think it’s the fentanyl,” Marcos Jr. told reporters shortly before leaving for Vietnam last Monday when asked to comment on Duterte’s claims that the incumbent Chief Executive is a drug addict.
PBBM said Duterte “has been taking the drug for a very long time now…after five, six years, it has to affect him.”
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Acknowledging the “weakness” of the political opposition, two political analysts have agreed that it should ally — for now — with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., particularly on the issue of West Philippine Sea (WPS) in the face of China’s aggressive moves and against the Dutertes’ apparent intent to seize power.
Political analysts Ronald Llamas and Richard Heydarian in their vlog agreed that PBBM “is not the enemy” of the opposition but those who serve the interests of China which had became “spoiled” during the six years term of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
“I hope they (the opposition) can put up a bigger tent for the 2025 midterm elections,” Llamas told Heydarian in their exchanges on the latter’s vlog.
Earlier, he noted that during the recent Christmas party of the Liberal Party at the house of LP president and Albay Representative Edcel Lagman, only the Makabayan bloc stalwarts were invited.
Former Senators Antonio “Sonny”Trillanes IV of Magdalo and Bam Aquino and Chel Diokno of Kaya Natin, Sen. Risa Hontiveros and Llamas of Akbayan were not invited.
To recall in 2022, the opposition was also not able to establish a “big tent” due to the alleged blocking of Trillanes to the inclusion of Neri Colmenares of Makabayan bloc into their Senate slate.
Only Hontiveros won from the senatorial bets of the opposition.
He added that it is now obvious that there’s a “civil war” between the Marcos loyalists and the DDS (Duterte Diehard Supporters).
“It all started early this year with the Tambaloslos (remark),” Llamas noted.
He was referring to Vice President Sara Duterte’s insulting reaction apparently targeting Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez after her political mentor former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was stripped of her position as Senior Deputy House Speaker.
Heydarian also commented that the opposition could now be a “de facto UniTeam” with PBBM with regards to standing up against China in the WPS issue and against Duterte returning to power.
Llamas said he believes Duterte will run for Senate in 2025 “to rally his remaining DDS.”
However, he added that although Duterte emerged as the number one choice for senator in 2025 in a recent survey but his “approval and popularity ratings” have significantly dropped to only about 40 percent unlike his time when he was president.
(IA/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Apparently ashamed or not wanting to be associated with former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, former Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV has revealed that some military officials and personnel have started to remove fist bump photos on social media.
This developed amid rumors of a destabilization move to oust President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr and hand over the presidency to Vice President Sara Duterte.
“According to my AFP contacts, the active officers and EP are now voluntarily deleting their photos na naka-fist salute ni duterte. Either nahihiya na sila or ayaw na maassociate kay duts at baka madamay pa sa destab calls nya. Buti naman!” Trillanes on Sunday, November 26, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The fist bump pose, initially used by Duterte in his 2016 presidential campaign, became popular as a symbol of his tough stance on illegal drugs and crimes.
In a television interview early this month, Trillanes insinuated that FPRRD seemed to support efforts to destabilize the Marcos Jr. administration.
“Duterte has not experienced a life without being in power. He cannot breathe until he has returned to power. Plus the fact that he is under threat by the International Criminal Court. It’s a matter of survival for him and physical freedom. He has the motive to do all these things,” he said during the “The Chiefs” program on November 11.
But on November 16, in his interview with “Facts First” podcast hosted by Christian Esguerra, the former senator directly charged the feisty former chief executive as the brains behind the destabilization efforts against Marcos Jr. that will benefit his daughter VP Sara Duterte if a coup d’etat succeeds.
Trillanes IV, who was once involved on the July 23, 2003, Oakwood mutiny in Makati City against then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, noted that the destabilization efforts did not ripen to a coup plot because of the absence of a military component due to the perception among some military officers that FPRRD is pro-China.
“And besides kung si Duterte, ang feedback ha ng mga junior officers atsaka mid-ranking officers ay natu-turn off sila dahil pro-China siya. So they won’t join him. Kasi otherwise, alam nila na ang ending nito is basically letting China in again, similar to what he did from 2016 to 2022,” he disclosed.
However, Trillanes IV still cautioned the PBBM administration not to take lightly the reports that only the retired generals were involved in the destabilization efforts.
He recalled that the so-called “Edsa Dos” that ousted then President Joseph”Erap” Estrada and installed VP Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as acting President was due to the instigation of some retired generals like the late President Fidel V. Ramos and former Defense Secretary Renato de Villa.
(ai/mnm)
By Ismael Amigo, Sr.
Here’s our bet: Methinks there is a big possibility that PBBM’s administration would allow the entry of the ICC to investigate the so-called ‘bloody drug war” of the previous administration of FPRRD.
This is the “NEXT PICTURE” that many movie houses use to announce at the entrance while you are enjoying the week’s blockbuster, which is nothing less than the temporary freedom of incarcerated former lady senator Leila de Lima after almost seven (7) long years.
Incumbent Senator and former PNP chief Bato dela Rosa was correct down to the letter when he said that “ganun talaga wala na kasi si PRRD kaya humina ang kaso.”
Dela Rosa was the head of the country’s police force when then-president Rpdrigo Roa Duterte slammed D5 into the slammer way back in 2017 based on what she calls “trumped-up drug charges.”
A lawyer and former CHR chairperson, De Lima was slapped with three drug charges filed against her in 2017 based on allegations that she was involved in the illegal drug trade in the national penitentiary.
She was acquitted in her first charge in February 2021 and her second charge in May this year.
Department of Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla himself, in an interview with the Philippine Star, offered that “chances are she (De Lima) will be acquitted.”
Why?
Take it away chief:
“Chances are she will be acquitted. There’s a huge chance. Bail is not granted just like that. We trust the judge on this matter,” Remulla said in a separate interview with CNN Philippines.
Remulla also stressed that De Lima’s last drug case, in which she allegedly conspired to commit illegal drug trading using New Bilibid Prison inmates, is non-bailable in fact.
But “when it becomes bailable, it (only) shows the kind of evidence that the prosecution was able to establish in the eyes of the judge. This case cannot be granted bail if the evidence is strong. Vice versa, if the evidence is weak, bail can be granted,” Boying explains.
Judge Gener Gito of the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 206 allowed De Lima to post a P300,000 bail, pointing to the prosecution’s lack of substantial evidence to sufficiently establish her guilt.
As this is happening under the present admin of PBBM, it is safe to say that there is something bigger coming to happen.
And with Remulla himself announcing the possible acquittal of the feisty former lady lawmaker, methinks this “softening” could lead to “eventual hardening” of the DOJ’s resolve to finally allow the ICC to step into the country and investigate the thousands of drug-related, “nanlaban” killings charges vs FPRRD.
And its heavy steps, while in the country doing its investigation, could smash and bury for good the political dreams of the DUTERTES including that of VP Sara’s as she is accordingly implicated in the ICC case.
With it, we need not mention here who will benefit the most from that scenario.
But your guess is as good as mine.
This could be no more than the top man of the country’s House of Reps who is maintaining a moist eye for president in the 2028 national elections, although methinks he will first throw in his hat in the 2025 midterm elections for senator and once elected, level-up via that mid-term perks for senators seeking a higher office.
They simply slide back as a senator if he or she won’t win a higher office as president or vice president.
Moving on, that ICC entry would also hammer in the last nail to UniTeam’s coffin, and I’m very sure FPRRD would once again tell daughter VP Sara the sad refrain of: “I told you so.”
After all, we never heard of FPRRD supporting PBBM politically or otherwise before and after the 2022 national elections.
Instead, FPRRD openly accused PBBM as a “weakling,” not qualified to lead the country. Simple words but daggerlike. And what we know is the Marcoses never instantly react. They prefer to operate quietly, tersely, slowly but surely.
Hint: PBBM never lifted a finger to protect VPSDu while the latter was on the griller re her fave but now infamous “confidential funds.”
Abangan natin mga tao!
(Email ismaelamigo@yahoo.com)
By Junex Doronio
Dropping of the charges and subsequent freedom from detention of former Senator Leila de Lima may reinvigorate the fledgling opposition that is being hijacked by her political nemesis former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte political pundits say.
Some political observers aired this possibility on Wednesday following the renewed call of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) for De Lima’s release from detention after seven long years.
“[The IPU] renews its call, in light of the foregoing, for Ms. de Lima to be released immediately and for the remaining criminal case against her to be dropped,” the international organization of national parliaments said in a decision it adopted in its 212th session.
The international group said it remains convinced that De Lima’s detention for more than seven years was in response to her vocal criticism against Duterte’s drug war and extra-judicial killings.
Several witnesses have recanted their testimonies against De Lima.
Ironically, Duterte recently hinted to become the leader of the opposition, charging that some may had been bought because they have been silent in criticizing President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. that he referred to as “weak” during the 2022 presidential campaign.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
THE DAY AFTER the China Coast Guard (CCG) rammed a Philippine resupply boat off Ayungin Shoal within the Philippine exclusive economic zone, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez lost no time in assailing the “mythical Red Dragon” while Vice President Sara Duterte, who would always portray herself as a patriot, was eerily silent.
And so was his father, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte who visited China in July and met with Xi Jinping without even informing his successor President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as a matter of elementary courtesy.
Oh, before I forget that not-so-secret meeting in China’s capital Beijing was reportedly between “old friends” and the seemingly invincible Chinese leader supposedly asked FPRRD to continue promoting “friendly cooperation” between the two countries.
On the other hand, Romualdez on Monday, October 23, assailed China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea.
He called on China to adhere to maritime laws to ensure the safety of all parties concerned.
“Such actions not only jeopardized the lives of those onboard but also threatened regional peace and stability,” Romualdez stressed.
Again, nary a whimper from the Dutertes.
They seem to be peacefully sleeping inside their air-conditioned rooms.
Yes, I dare say only the hopelessly idiots will believe that their idol is sleeping inside a “moskitero” (mosquito net).
And the universe may forbid that if ever Inday becomes president, maybe we all have to learn China’s national language Mandarin that she fluently delivered in a videotaped message to greet the People’s Republic of China for its 73rd founding anniversary last year.
Now, will we allow our Lupang Hinirang to become China’s province?
(ai/mnm)