By Junex Doronio
MANILA – House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro expressed her belief that former President Rodrigo Duterte’s confidential funds may have financed a cash reward system that incentivized extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during his administration’s controversial war on illegal drugs.
During the Oct. 11 House Quad Committee hearing, Castro questioned former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Royina Garma about the alleged flow of funds used to finance the EJKs.
She suggested that Duterte’s billions in confidential funds could have been channeled into a reward system that motivated operatives to kill drug suspects.
“Do you think the confidential or intelligence funds were one source of the rewards?” Castro asked.
Garma, hesitant to speculate, responded, “Ayoko pong mag-speculate po, Your Honor.”
Earlier in the hearing, Garma read her sworn affidavit, which directly implicated Duterte in orchestrating a nationwide campaign that led to the EJKs of drug suspects. The affidavit revealed the alleged reward system that incentivized the killings and detailed the roles of Duterte and his close aide, Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, in overseeing and coordinating anti-drug operations.
Castro focused on the alleged financial flow from Go to former Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Region 11 chief Police Col. Edilberto Leonardo, as well as to other Philippine National Police (PNP) officials and operatives from agencies like the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Bureau of Corrections.
Garma confirmed the existence of the reward system but did not specify the source of the funds.
Castro further linked key Duterte allies such as Go and Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Duterte’s first PNP chief, suggesting their involvement in facilitating the flow of money.
“Sen. Bong Go and Sen. Ronald Bato were very close to President Duterte,” Castro remarked.
Garma replied that Leonardo had managed much of the reward distribution but noted her limited knowledge of the overall system.
During the interpellation, Castro also raised the omission of known Duterte associates, such as businessman Michael Yang, while Garma only mentioned Peter Lim, a suspected notorious drug lord in the Visayas. Yang, Duterte’s former economic adviser, was allegedly involved in drug smuggling in Mindanao.
The exchange bolstered Castro’s claim that Duterte’s confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) may have supported a reward system linked to EJKs in the drug war.
While Garma did not directly confirm this connection, Castro’s questions raised concerns about the potential misuse of funds during Duterte’s presidency and the brutal methods used in his anti-drug campaign.
Garma later admitted that many officers were aware of the flow of funds but were too afraid to speak out.
“All the officers here know about it—it’s public knowledge. I was just the one brave enough to say it,” she said.
Garma also informed the Quad Committee that, while she didn’t know the exact amounts, cash rewards for drug-related killings ranged from P20,000 to P1 million, depending on the target.
ia/mnm
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — After Vice President Sara Duterte refused to answer the questions of the House Committee on Appropriations and “dictated” that a different lawmaker should preside on the panel, Rep. France Castro of the ACT Teachers partylist has expressed her intent to slash by half the proposed P2.037-billion budget for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for 2025.
The national democrat legislator pointed out that there are too many programs that are not under the Vice-President’s mandate.
“Hindi trabaho ng VP ang pagpapalimbag ng libro niya. ‘Yung ginagastos niya sa ayuda, andyan DSWD, DOH, DTI Tesda sa livelihood. Tatanggalin ko ‘yun kasi wala naman sa mandate niya,” Castro noted.
On Wednesday (28 August 2024), the ACT Teachers party-list lawmaker criticized VP Sara’s actions during a congressional budget hearing in which she asked that a different lawmaker preside over the hearing.
“Nakita natin ‘yung tunay na ugali ng ating VP. Feeling niya underdog siya,” Castro said in an interview on TeleRadyo Serbisyo.
She added that she was also surprised when VP Sara asked that the chairperson of the Finance Committee preside over the hearing instead of House Committee on Appropriations Senior Vice Chairperson Rep. Stella Quimbo.
“Ngayon lang kami nakakita na isang resource person na magdidikta sa committee,” Castro quipped.
During Tuesday’s (27 August 2024) hearing, VP Sara was visibly irked after Castro commented on the OVP’s use of P125 million in just 11 days.
(ia/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — For allegedly endangering minors, ACT Teachers Party-list Representative France Castro and former Bayan Muna representative Satur Ocampo were sentenced to four to six years imprisonment.
The Tagum Regional Trial Court Branch 2 found Castro and Ocampo guilty of the trafficking charge filed against them and 17 others for allegedly holding minors during their solidarity mission in Talaingod, Davao Del Norte, in November 2018.
“Records reveal that the prosecution has established proof beyond reasonable doubt that [the] accused… committed acts detrimental to the safety and well-being of the minor Lumad learners,” the court said.
It also ordered them to pay, jointly and severally, P10,000 as civil indemnity and P10,000 as moral damages to each minor, with an interest rate of 6% per annum from the finality of the decision until full payment.
In a joint statement, Castro and Ocampo decried the court’s decision as unacceptable and unjust.
“This wrongful conviction speaks of the continuing persecution of those who are helping and advocating for the rights of Lumad children and the persistent attacks on Lumad schools and communities,” they said.
Castro, however, said she would still run for senator in 2025.
She earlier mentioned that the Makabayan bloc, which is national democratic in orientation, will field a 12-man senatorial slate in next year’s midterm elections.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro urged new Department of Education (DepEd) Sec. Sonny Angara to immediately act on education issues such as the K to 12 program.
“While it is good that a new DepEd Secretary has been named, we challenge Sen. Sonny Angara to hit the ground running and immediately address the education crisis in our country as well as the long-standing demands of teachers and education support personnel,” Castro said.
Castro hopes Angara will overhaul the K to 12 program, subject it to review and implement reform.
The lawmaker also requested that the working conditions, salaries and benefits of teachers and education personnel be adjusted.
“We expect Secretary Angara to utilize his insights from EDCOM 2 to implement much-needed reforms in our education system. The crisis in education requires immediate and decisive action.”
Earlier, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. told Angara to ensure the welfare of the teachers.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — ACT Teachers Partylist Representative France Castro described Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s resignation as a “positive” move, noting that there were no significant changes in the education sector during her tenure at the Department of Education.
“We are pleased and welcome her resignation,” Castro said in a radio interview on Thursday, June 20, 2024.
“We have long been saying that she should no longer be at the DepEd. Despite her more than two years in the position, there have been no substantial changes in addressing the issues in education. So, this resignation is indeed a positive move,” the lawmaker added.
Castro emphasized that the next DepEd Secretary should come from the education sector, as they understand the condition of students, teachers, and the overall state of education in the country.
The lawmaker expressed hope that there would be “no political accommodation” to ensure that the next DepEd head is genuinely qualified for the position.
Previously, Senator Win Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education, mentioned that he has “several names in mind” for the next DepEd chief, though he still needs to “consider them thoroughly.”
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — ACT Teachers Partylist Representative France Castro emphasized on Sunday (May 5, 2024) the necessity for the government to construct more classrooms as a long-term solution to the extreme heat experienced in classrooms due to the El Niño phenomenon.
“Pagbi-build ng enough classrooms para sa ating mga estudyante para magkaroon din ng standard class size kasi ‘yung 50 [or] 60 students per class sobrang dami nun sa mga classrooms,” Castro expressed.
“Kailangan talaga mag-double time ang DepEd (Department of Education) sa pagbi-build ng classrooms,” she added.
Castro, also a teacher, pointed out that some classrooms, especially in urban areas, accommodate 60 students per class.
According to DepEd, the ideal class size shall range from a minimum of 15 students to a maximum of 65 students per class. The ideal average class size shall be 50.
“Kaya kailangan talagang mag-adjust ang ating pamahalaan, and DepEd doon sa pagpapabilis ng pagbi-build ng classroom at paliitin ang class size,” Castro stressed.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — For belatedly suspending the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) to avert power rate hikes, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro on Thursday (02 May 2024) assailed the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), saying such a slow reaction only benefits the generation companies.
The militant lawmaker noted that the ERC’s suspension of the WESM came only after two weeks of yellow and red alerts in the Luzon and Visayas grids.
“Dapat 2-3 days pa lang na nag-red and yellow alerts suspended na agad ang WESM hindi yung inantay pa para kumita ng husto ang mga gencos (generation companies) na ito na sila mismo ang dahilan ng pagbagsak ng supply ng kuryente,” Castro fumed.
Short of saying that gencos should moderate their greed for a big profit, Castro said she took pity on the consumers.
“Pumalpak na, sila (gencos) pa ang kumita tapos ang kawawa ang consumers na tatamaan ng electric bill shock Nangyari na ito noong 2013 at inuulit na naman nila ang modus nilang ito ngayon,” Castro raged on.
“Another problem with this belated and insufficient suspension is that it only kicks in when there is a red alert but even in yellow alerts power rates already surge. Kaya dapat yellow alert pa lang suspended na,” she added.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Expressing fear that building military infrastructures in Batanes Island may only heighten the regional tensions in the South China Sea, House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro on Sunday called for a critical assessment of the long-term consequences of such move.
Castro made the statement on the heels of arrival of two ranking United States Army engineers in Batanes Island ostensibly to prepare for the construction of military infrastructure, including a humanitarian logistics warehouse, as part of the Balikatan military exercises.
“The military transformation of such an idyllic island is highly deplorable and would further escalate the growing tensions in the South China Sea. It would also make Batanes a target of attacks as it would be a forward base of the US if China moves against Taiwan,” the opposition lawmaker said.
She added that instead of “militarizing Batanes,” there should be efforts to uphold peace and stability in the region.
Castro denounced the “militarization of Batanes Island,” which she said may heighten the regional tensions in the South China Sea.
“If this happens or if China escalates its aggression in the West Philippine Sea then we would be right smack in the middle of an inter-imperialist war, making the Philippines the theater of war in Southeast Asia,” she quipped.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Anticipating that the economic charter change (Eco Cha-Cha) will be passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives, House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro on Thursday (14 March 2024) said they are considering challenging it before the Supreme Court.
“Just in case na matapos na rin ito eh pag-iisipan din po natin yung pagpapasa ng petition sa Supreme Court kasama ng No to Cha-Cha Coalition,” Castro said in a press conference.
Castro, however, noted that the Eco Cha-Cha being pushed by the lower chamber appears to be “not a priority” of the upper chamber of Congress.
On the other hand, House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin lamented hearing news of Filipinos being hostaged again overseas, knowing that they cannot get jobs in the country because of the restrictive economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.
“Nang naipasa natin on 2nd reading yung economic Chacha, sumabay dito yung balita ng ating mga seafarers, yung 17 na nahostage ulit ng Houthi rebels. So napakasakit noon na narerealize mo ulit na dahil sa walang flexibility o saradong-sarado yung ating mga batas o yung ating Konstitusyon ay talagang de kahon,” Garin noted.
She said these economic restrictions compelled many Filipinos to seek the proverbial greener pastures outside the Philippines.
“Kaya tuloy di tayo makahabol sa ibang bansa at yung ating magagaling na Pilipino ay napipilitan na mangibang-bansa magtrabaho doon kasi dito sa atin kulang na kulang yung pumapasok na investors,” Garin said.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Stressing that no one is above the law, House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro on Thursday called on the House of Representatives to investigate Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged connection to Oplan Tokhang during her term as mayor in Davao City.
Castro made the call after Arturo Lascañas, a confessed hitman of the Davao Death Squad (DDS) linked the feisty Vice President to extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in Davao City.
“It is no wonder that VP Duterte’s position is not to cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) because it would seem that she is involved in the drug killings and not just her father,” Castro noted.
Lascañas has submitted an affidavit before the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding the alleged involvement of VP Sara in the EJKs.
“No one is above the law. Justice delayed is justice denied. Huwag nang ipagkait ang hustisyang ilang taon nang isinisigaw ng taong-bayan,” Castro said.
Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday denied orchestrating “Oplan Tokhang” in Davao City during her term as mayor.
“Bago ang script na ito. Sa mga taon na nagsilbi ako bilang vice mayor at mayor ng Davao City, ni minsan ay hindi naugnay ang aking pangalan sa isyung ito,” VP Sara said.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Smelling something fishy, ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro on Monday said she wants the “shadowy” People’s Initiative for Reform, Modernization and Action (PIRMA) to face the House of Representatives where they get their funding for pushing charter change (Cha-Cha) via people’s initiative or PI.
Castro made the statement on the heels of House Resolution 1541 filed by the Makabayan bloc lawmakers urging the House of Representatives to investigate claims of alleged “signature buying” in the ongoing campaign for Cha-Cha through PI which is valid if it has the signatures of three (3) percent of the voters of each of the country’s legislative districts and 12 percent of all the voters nationwide.
“Kailangan i-open nila. Sinasabi nila sa mga private individual entities na nagsusulong ng pagbabago ng Constitution [sila kumukuha ng pondo] so kailangan nilang sabihin yun para malaman ng taumbayan na hindi government ang ginagamit nila,” Castro said.
It was gathered that PIRMA came out last week to be behind the TV advertisement seeking to stir discussion on Cha-Cha via PI.
“The ongoing signature-buying and the paid advertisement seem to be part of a coordinated effort to force and railroad the amendment of the 1987 Constitution,” Makabayan bloc’s HR 1541 noted.
Earlier, Liberal Party (LP) president and Albay Representative Edcel Lagman claimed that some funds were mobilized to kick off the Cha-Cha petition.
Prominent sociologist Randy David, however, expressed doubt that either President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. or his cousin Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez was behind the “EDSA-pwera” commercial for charter change (Cha-Cha) that began airing on primetime television last week.
“I doubt that President Marcos or his first cousin Speaker Martin Romualdez would wish to premise a productive discussion on Charter change on the supposed failures of Edsa. They are back in power; the last thing they need is to open old wounds and awaken dormant animosities. That advertisement does them a disservice; I don’t believe they’re behind it,” David wrote in his January 14 column for the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Following the thrashing of the grave threat complaint she filed against former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, ACT Teachers party-list France Castro on Saturday (13 Jan 2024) expressed dismay and said she would consult her lawyers on what steps they would make.
“Kailangan pa naming mapag-aralan ang desisyon at makipagkonsultahan sa aking mga abugado para sa mga susunod naming mga hakbang,” Castro said in a statement.
She said that they have yet to receive a copy of the decision.
“Dismayado ako sa sinasabing pagbasura ng kasong grave threats na isinampa ko laban kay dating Pang. Rodrigo Duterte dahil di nito kinilala ang takot na dinala nito sa akin at sa aking pamilya,” the ACT Teachers lawmaker stressed.
Although he did not appear before the court, Duterte said he made no threat against Castro.
“Para din nitong pinagkait ang katarungan sa akin,” Castro lamented.
In a 14-page resolution, the Quezon City Office of the City Prosecutor (OCP) recommended the dismissal of the complaint “for want of sufficient evidence.”
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Alarmed by the “mysterious Edsa-Pwera” television advertisement promoting charter change, House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro on Wednesday said she will file a resolution before the House of Representatives seeking to investigate the funding source of the paid commercial.
The national democrat lawmaker was particularly concerned if public funds were used in the pro-Cha-Cha ads that were aired on primetime Tuesday evening across ABS-CBN, TV5, and GMA.
“Were the funds used for this ad from public coffers or money from foreign interests trying to change our Constitution so that they can own most of our country?” Castro asked.
The TV-viewing public was caught by surprise with the questions aired by the ad narrator.
“Pangako nila pagsulong pero sa pagbuo ng 1987 Constitution, na-Edsa-pwera tayo.”
“Ang pinayaman ng Konstitusyon, mamamakyaw at negosyante.”
On December 13 last year, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said the House of Representatives in 2024 will “focus its attention” on proposals regarding restrictions in the entry of foreign capital and investments including Cha-Cha.
Romualdez stressed that Cha-cha was needed to unlock the country’s potential as an investment destination.
But Castro does not believe in Cha-Cha which entices foreign investments as the key to national progress.
“Hindi Konstitusyon ang may kasalanan ng bumubulusok na economic status ng bansa kundi ang neoliberal na polisiya ng kasalukuyan at mga nagdaang administrasyon,” Castro pointed out.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Firing the first shot this new year, ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro has lambasted the Department of Education (DepEd) headed by Vice President Sara Duterte for constructing only 2,201 classrooms in 2023.
The House Deputy Minority Leader pointed out that this falls far short of the 165,000 needed and missing the target of 5,000 to 6,000.
“Disyembre 31 na pero 2,201 lang ang nagawa, ni wala sa kalahati ng sarili nilang target tapos may gana pang ipagmalaki na magandang accomplishment daw ito, napakababa naman ng standard ng Kalihim ng DepEd at napakalayo sa bilis nyang gastusin ng P125 milyon ng illegal confidential fund sa loob lamang ng 11 araw noong 2022,” Castro said on Sunday, December 31, 2023.
The national democrat lawmaker was referring to the P125 million confidential funds spent by the Office of the Vice President in the last 11 days of 2022.
“As it is, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vow to prioritize the construction of new classrooms and DepEd Secretary VP Sara Duterte’s recognition of the enormity of shortage in school infrastructure and facilities in her Basic Education Report 2023 appear to be insincere as they failed to demonstrate their firm resolve to cut down the classroom shortage significantly,” Castro hammered on.
She underscored the need to construct 50,000 annually to improve the learning conditions in public schools.
“It had been done and it can be done again if only the current administration were sincere in addressing the classroom crisis as well as the bigger learning crisis,” the ACT Teachers party-list representative stressed.
(IAmigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Citing possible conflict of interest, House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro has called on the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to address the complaints of farmers in Yulo King Ranch, owned by the family of Environment Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga.
Castro disclosed that the Makabayan bloc which filed a resolution seeking a congressional probe on the issue, will also review the complaints of the farmers.
The Makabayan bloc is composed of party-list lawmakers espousing the so-called “national democratic” political line.
“Kailangan naman tignan din ng Marcos administration itong problema ng ating mga magsasaka dyan sa Yulo ranch,” Castro said.
It was learned that the Makabayan bloc had filed House Resolution 50 as early as July 2016 to investigate in aid of legislation the Yulo King Ranch (YKR) Corporation owned by the family of the current DENR chief.
YKR came into being when 39,238.93 hectares of land in Coron and Busuanga in Palawan was declared by the first Marcos administration as pasture reserve through Proclamation 1387.
However, after the February 1986 civilian-backed military uprising on EDSA in Mandaluyong City that toppled the 20-year Marcos Sr. regime, the land was sequestered by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) assigning the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) as the estate’s fiscal agent to administer the land.
In March 2010, the Supreme Court (SC) lifted the sequestration order in response to YKR Corp’s Motion to Lift Sequestration filed in October 1996.
“Pag-aaralan nga natin yung tungkol dyan dahil may mga kaso daw na pangangamkam ng lupain dyan sa lugar na yan at yun nga ang sinasabi ng ating mga magsasaka, may conflict of interest,” Castro maintained.
The opposition lawmaker said the Agrarian Reform department should also get involved in the probe.
“Well sa DAR (Department of Agrarian Reform) ano, sana tingnan din yung hinaing ng ating mga magsasaka dyan…. at kung makikita yung conflict of interest dyan ng Sec. Yulo sana ang DENR ay imbestigahan din yan dahil syempre ang ating mga magsasaka dapat ang nagmamay-ari ng kanilang mga lupang sinasaka dyan,” Castro quipped.
The Makabayan bloc claimed that there were already farmers cultivating the land even before Proclamation 1387 was issued.
It added that the farmers were also reportedly given “token” compensation by the YKR Corp.
Yulo-Loyzaga has not issued any statement as of this posting on Sunday (24 Dec 2023).
(IAmigo/MNM)
By Liezelle Soriano
House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro said former president Rodrigo Duterte should not be “dramatic” on his response after the lawmaker filed a grave threat complaint against him.
“Huwag siyang nagdadrama na magpapakulong siya. Abogado siya, alam niya ang proseso ng batas kaya pumaloob siya sa proseso ng batas. That is rule of law,” Castro said.
Earlier this week, the Quezon City Prosecutors’ Office served Duterte with a subpoena demanding that he respond to Castro’s complaints filed on December 4 and 11.
The complaint of Castro stemmed from Duterte’s statement made on national television, labeling her as communist and threatened the party-list lawmaker to “kill her.”
“He can send his counsel, but if he does not appear personally, I would say it is a form of disrespect to the prosecutor,” Castro said.
“Bagama’t mabagal ang ating justice system, antayin niya ang proseso ng batas. Huwag niyang pangunahan ang batas,” she added.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
SAYING HE WOULD RATHER GO TO JAIL than submit his counter affidavit on grave threat complaint, former President Rodrigo Duterte has tagged again complainant ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro of having communist links.
The feisty former president made the statement a day after the Office of the City Prosecutor of QC issued a subpoena to Duterte, ordering him to personally submit his answer to the death threats complaint filed against him by Castro.
“Si France, party-list ‘yan, Act. They are the Left who are the members of the Communist Party of the Philippines. They joined the mainstream…mga rebel ‘yan eh. Gusto nila sirain ang Pilipinas,” Duterte said in an SMNI interview on early Thursday, November 16.
He was responding to a query seeking his comment on the subpoena issued on Wednesday, November 15,
The one-page subpoena, issued by Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Ulric Badiola, ordered Duterte to submit his counter affidavit on December 4 and 11, both at 2:30 p.m.
Asked if he will comply with the subpoena, Duterte, himself a former prosecutor, said: “Magpakulong na lang ako. Gina-oppress ako ni France”.
He stressed: “Magpakulong ako, paglabas ko hanapin…Alam mo nakikinig lahat ng military, intelligence community. Akala mo happy yan sila?”
In October, Castro has accused Duterte of grave threat based on Duterte’s television interview in SMNI owned by Duterte’s friend Pastor Apollo Quibuloy wherein he said: “Kayong mga komunista ang gusto kong patayin (It’s you communists whom I want to kill)”.
Duterte went on: “Sabi ko sa kanya [his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte], magprangka ka na lang. Itong intelligence fund na ito gagamitin ko para sa utak ng mga Pilipino kasi ito ang target ko, kayong mga komunista andiyan sa Congress. Prangkahin mo na ‘yan si France Castro.”
Duterte made the remark as he vigorously defended the P650-million confidential funds requested by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and P150 million to the Department of Education (DepEd) in the 2024national budget.
Both offices are headed by his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.
Earlier, the House of Representatives led by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez decided to realign the P1.23 billion confidential and Intelligence funds (CIF) under the proposed 2024 national budget to the agencies tasked to safeguard the country’s security and sovereignty.
Duterte explained that his daughter VP Sara intended to utilize the CIF for preparatory military training (PMT) program for high school students for the proposed reinstatement of the mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program in tertiary education.
VP Sara’s popularity rating in recent surveys notably plunged due to public uproar over the P125-million CIF that she allegedly spent in just 11 days in 2022.
(ai/mnm)
By Liezelle Soriano
ACT Teachers Partylist Representative France Castro stated that her decision to file a lawsuit against former President Rodrigo Duterte was a necessary legal action to ensure her protection and not for any other reason.
She made this statement in response to comments made by Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte, the son of the former president, during an interview in which he emphasized that public servants should be open to public criticism and should not be overly sensitive.
“Why does it seem like I am the one at fault when my life was threatened and I was subjected to red-tagging once again?” Castro remarked.
“I filed a grave threats case against former President Rodrigo Duterte to safeguard myself, my family, and my fellow colleagues,” she emphasized.
Castro further highlighted the need to put a stop to death threats and the practice of red-tagging being aired on television, as they pose a significant risk to people’s lives.
“This goes beyond mere criticism and should not be tolerated, as it perpetuates a climate of impunity. We must establish clear boundaries,” she explained.
In a televised episode on SMNI, the former president offered his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, advice on how to utilize confidential funds.
“But your primary target with your intelligence fund, you, France, and all you Communists, those are the ones I want to eliminate,” the former president declared on national television.
Castro proceeded to file a complaint against the elder Duterte on Tuesday (24 Oct 2023), alleging violations of Article 282 of the Revised Penal Code and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. (ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
STRESSING THAT PUBLIC SERVANTS shouldn’t be onion-skinned, Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte on Wednesday came to the defense of his father, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte who ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro sued for an alleged grave threat.
The younger Duterte said that his father FPRRD has received “much harsher and humiliating criticisms in the past but never filed a case against anyone.”
“We all have the right to file a complaint against anyone in court. But public servants should not be onion-skinned and should not make use of this right as a tool to silence critics,” the younger Duterte pointed out.
He made the statement after Castro filed a grave threat complaint against the former President before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.
“As public servants, we all are under scrutiny by the Filipino people. If the former President has said something that threatened her, then maybe she should come out clean,” Rep. Duterte added.
He also ribbed Castro for being “left-leaning”.
“’Di yung nagtatago tayo sa likod ng so-called ‘right’ na ito. As a Congressman myself, madami din akong alam sa maka-kaliwang mga Party-list Representatives. Tigilan na lang natin ang ka-dramahan at pagpapa-media,” Pulong quipped.
Castro apparently caught the ire of FPRRD when she questioned the Office of the Vice President (OVP) on its P125 million confidential funds that were only spent in 11 days in 2022.
Last October 10, FPRRD defended his daughter and Pulong’s sister, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, over the use of confidential funds in both the OVP and the Department of Education (DepEd).
He justified that the CIF would be used for the creation of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program.
“Pero ang unang target sa intelligence fund mo, kayo! Ikaw France, kayong mga komunista ang gusto kong patayin. Sabihin mo na sa kanya,” the elder Duterte said, referring to the ACT Teachers party-list lawmaker.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
WHO’S AFRAID OF DIGONG?
Definitely not ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro who filed on Tuesday a criminal complaint against former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte over his alleged threats against her life, which were aired on national television and livestreamed online.
“Malubhang pagbabanta ito sa aking buhay dahil nagkaroon din naman ito ng epekto lalo na sa panahong ako ay kasalukuyang nagdadalamhati sa pagkamatay ng aking tatay, doon pa nya talaga pinagbantaan ang aking buhay,” Castro told reporters after the filing of the criminal complaint against the feisty ex-Chief Executive.
She was accompanied by current and former Makabayan bloc representatives and her lawyers from the Movement Against Disinformation (MAD) when Castro filed a grave threats complaint against the former president at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.
It was the first known criminal rap filed against Duterte since he stepped down from office.
Castro apparently caught the ire of FPRRD when she questioned the Office of the Vice President (OVP) on its P125 million confidential funds that were only spent in 11 days in 2022.
Last October 10, FPRRD defended his daughter, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, over the use of confidential funds in both the OVP and the Department of Education (DepEd) justifying that it would be used for the creation of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program.
“Pero ang unang target sa intelligence fund mo, kayo! Ikaw France, kayong mga komunista ang gusto kong patayin. Sabihin mo na sa kanya,” the elder Duterte said, referring to the ACT Teachers party-list lawmaker.
Castro claimed she was at her father’s wake when she heard Duterte’s remarks.
“Talagang na-shock po ako doon sa ginawang threat ni dating Presidente Rodrigo Duterte sa aking buhay… Talagang masakit. Parang dobleng sakit ang naramdaman ko noong panahon na ‘yon na naka-receive pa ako ng pagbabanta sa aking buhay,” she said.
(ai/mnm)