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)