By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros has called on law enforcement to investigate the case of the Korean fugitive who allegedly escaped from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) detention center.

“Fresh reports have just come in. We’ve received credible information from sources that this fugitive managed to escape just yesterday while en route to his hearing in Quezon City. Is this true? If it is, the question is: Did he escape, or was he allowed to escape? At the very least, this is gross negligence on the part of the BI,” Hontiveros said.

“I urge law enforcement to investigate this matter immediately. A criminal cannot be allowed to roam freely in our country,” she added.

Na Ikhyeon, a South Korean national, was apprehended in Clark, Pampanga in 2023 for using a fake Filipino identity. It was later discovered that he was wanted in South Korea for his involvement in large-scale fraud.

“Our Senate Committee on Women hearings have shown that many POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) workers also pretend to be Filipinos, so I wouldn’t be surprised if this fugitive is also linked to POGO. Many individuals connected to POGO are involved in fraud and scamming operations, so it’s likely that he has ties to scam networks here in the country,” the senator said.

Hontiveros expressed her ongoing frustration with the BI’s repeated failure to perform its duties effectively.

ia/mnm

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed concern over the return of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) in the country.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. had previously banned POGOs in the Philippines.

Hontiveros pointed out an increase in citizens reporting text scams again, compared to last year.

She expressed alarm, noting that the recurrence of such scams could indicate that POGOs have found ways to continue their illegal activities.

The senator also raised concerns that some Filipinos might fall victim to human trafficking due to new tactics employed by POGOs.

Meanwhile, Hontiveros continues to believe that the head of the POGO operations remains in the country, as these operations persist.

ia/mnm

MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros emphasized the importance of passing Senate Bill No. 1979, or the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Bill, to help address teenage pregnancy.

“Ang pangunahing layunin po ng Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Bill ay maturuan, masuportahan, at maprotektahan natin ang ating mga anak, ang ating mga estudyante laban sa maagang pagbubuntis,” Hontiveros said on Friday (January 17, 2025).

“Layunin din po ng Comprehensive Sexuality Education sa bill na kung, sa kabila ng lahat ng ating preventive measures, ay maaga pa rin silang mabuntis, at least mag-provide ng social protection sa kanila, para makabalik at makapagtapos sa pag-aaral, maturuan at masuportahan silang alagaan ang kanilang mga babies at mapigilan ang repeat teenage pregnancy,” she added.

However, the senators’ positions on the matter are divided.

Earlier, Senator Joel Villanueva stated that he is “rejecting” the bill, adding that he does “not feel it is important.”

“I just can’t believe that we’re even entertaining this idea. Why should we follow international standards? We have our own culture,” Villanueva said.

Meanwhile, Senate President Chiz Escudero has also expressed opposition to the bill.

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By Junex Doronio

MANILA — In her bid to put a halt to the practice of public officers or employees coercing witnesses to lie, Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros has filed a bill seeking to penalize those found guilty of six years jail time, a P1 million fine and perpetual absolute disqualification from holding any appointive or elective position in the government.

Under Hontiveros’ Senate Bill 2512, subornation of perjury is committed if a person procures, coerces, or otherwise induces another to commit any perjury.

“Subornation of perjury, particularly when committed by public officers and those in power, strikes at the core of justice by undermining the truth-seeking function of the legal system,” Hontiveros said.

Subornation refers to underhandedly or improperly inducing someone to do something improper or unlawful.

She added that increasing penalties against government workers involved in subornation of perjury will reflect “a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of honesty and accountability in the public service.”

“This bill seeks to preserve the integrity of court proceedings and maintain public confidence in the fairness and impartiality of the legal process by sending a strong message that dishonesty and corruption within the legal system will not be tolerated,” Hontiveros stressed.

Touted as the new opposition leader, Hontiveros is anticipated to run for president in 2028, with fellow Akbayan partymate Ronald Llamas as running mate.

(IAmigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

LOOKS LIKE PRESIDENTIAL BUDDY Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. will have rough sailing for his confirmation hearing as opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros has expressed her firm resolve to grill fishing magnate-turned-Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on the veracity of “murmurs of conflict of interest.”

Hontiveros pointed out that the government’s policies on food security under the DA “should not be compromised for corporate and oligarchic interests.”

The democratic socialist lawmaker who will be the likely opposition standard bearer in 2028 stated on Friday, November 3, after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced Laurel’s appointment as the new DA chief.

On the other hand, national democrat House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro said on Friday that the appointment of Laurel Jr. as the new DA Secretary smacks of a political payback since the fishing magnate contributed at least P30 million to the presidential bid of Marcos Jr. in the 2022 elections through the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP).

“We will await Secretary Tiu-Laurel when he goes before the Commission on Appointments, so these issues affecting his capacity to lead the DA can be scrutinized and the concerns of our peasant farmers and fisherfolk discussed,” Hontiveros said.

Laurel is president of Frabelle Fishing Corporation, a seafood production company that was first established in 1966.

On its website, Frabelle owns “a fleet of over 100 vessels and a growing workforce of 5,000.”

It is described as a “go-to source for fresh, frozen, and processed seafood, with a market that extends to Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South Africa, and the United States.”

“Handa akong makinig at makatrabaho kayo,” said Laurel at a press conference on Friday.

“Higit sa lahat, ako’y handang magtrabaho para sa inyo.” Laurel promised the agricultural sector.

Despite her reservations about Laurel’s appointment, Hontiveros has expressed hope that long-standing issues in the agriculture sector will be finally addressed with the assumption of a full-time secretary at the DA’s helm. (ai/mnm)

By Junex Doronio

DESPITE STRONG DENIAL by members of Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. in Surigao del Norte that their group allegedly engaged in rape, child marriages, and child labor, Senator Risa Hontiveros has dared their leader Jey Rence Quilario who reportedly claimed to be the “new Jesus” and also called “Senior Agila” to attend the Senate investigation in aid of legislation.

In a recent privilege speech, Hontiveros urged her fellow senators to look into the operations of Socorro Bayanihan Services after receiving complaints that the group was involved in child marriage, which had been outlawed with the passage of Republic Act No. 11596 last year.

“Si Jey Rence ay ipinatawag sa Senado kaya siya ang dapat pumunta ng Senado, gaya ng iba din na pinatawag namin sa Senado para harapin ang lehitimong mga issue,” Hontiveros quipped.

Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. is also known as “Omega de Saloner”.

Hontiveros claimed that the group’s leaders Quilario and Karren Sanico had been collecting money from thousands of their members, many of them 4Ps beneficiaries.

“This cult has a lot to answer for. Titiyakin nating mabigyan ng hustisya ang mga kababayan nating sinaktan at inalipusta nila,” she vowed.

In an interview with GMA News, Quilario has expressed willingness to face any investigation over the activities of the Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI).

“Ang hiling ko lang is ‘yung fair naman, fair,” Quilario said. (ai/mnm)