Trump says Iran war deal close as Strait of Hormuz tensions linger
Dubai, United Arab Emirates/Washington, U.S. – Hopes grew on Friday for peace between Iran and the United States after President Donald Trump said a deal could be signed as soon as this weekend, even as Tehran said it had not made a final decision on a pact. The deal, if confirmed, would be the most significant diplomatic breakthrough yet to end the three-month-old war, which has killed thousands and sent global energy prices sharply higher after Iran all but closed the Strait of Hormuz to shipping. “We just made a great settlement of the war with Iran,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Thursday. “The strait will officially open as soon as we sign, which could be soon, very soon, maybe over the weekend in Europe,” he said, adding that Vice President JD Vance would attend the deal signing. Asked if Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei had approved the deal, Trump said, “I understand…
Marcos to Filipinos: Keep on loving, choosing, fighting for the country
Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged Filipinos to remain steadfast in their love for the country despite the challenges, and said that nation-building requires citizens to continue choosing the common good over personal interests and divisions. Speaking during the 128th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence at Rizal Park in Manila on Friday, June 12, Marcos said the sacrifices of heroes should inspire the people to confront challenges with the same sense of unity and purpose. “Sa bawat Pilipino, ito ang aking panawagan: Huwag po tayong mapagod na mahalin, piliin, at ipaglaban ang Pilipinas,” Marcos said. [Translation: To every Filipino, this is my call: let us not get tired of loving, choosing, and fighting for the Philippines.] The president said the lessons of the past extend beyond commemorating the struggle for independence and should guide the people in addressing challenges, including corruption, poverty, division, global uncertainties,…
Philippine defence chief vows to press on against China’s ‘wickedness’ after sanctions
Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippines defence chief said on Friday he would continue to do his duty in the face of China’s “wickedness”, a day after he was sanctioned by Beijing for what it described as repeated “erroneous remarks”. Ties between China and U.S. ally the Philippines have soured in the past few years, with frequent spats as Manila, under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, pushes back at what it sees as aggression by Beijing. China has accused the Philippines of repeated encroachment in its waters in the disputed South China Sea. “That is truly what they do to those who speak the truth against their deception,” Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said in a statement on Friday. “I will just keep doing my duty and uphold our nation in the face of the wickedness they are committing here and even in our seas,” Teodoro added. China’s foreign ministry announced sanctions on Thursday against Teodoro and his…
No plan to overthrow gov’t – Duterte
Metro Manila, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte said on Friday, June 12, she has no intention to “overthrow the administration,” while vowing to uphold the Constitution as a “constitutional successor.” Duterte threw shade, however, on her former ally before a political falling out. “Wala sa aking mga kamay ang pagsasagawa ng extra constitutional means to overthrow the current administration. At hindi ko din gusto ‘yun. Hindi ko gusto agawin ‘yung posisyon ni Bongbong Marcos,” Duterte said, when asked about unverified calls from retired military officers and some groups to lead a revolution. “Gusto ko makita ng taong bayan hanggang sa dulo kung gaano ka walang hiya si BBM,” she added. [Translation: Carrying out extra-constitutional means to overthrow the current administration is not in my hands. And I don’t want that either. I don’t want to seize Bongbong Marcos’s position. I want the people to see all the way to…
Kapunan, nine others to serve as private prosecutors in Duterte impeachment trial
Metro Manila, Philippines – Seasoned litigation lawyer Lorna Kapunan and nine others from top law firms will serve as private prosecutors in the looming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, the head of the House prosecution panel announced on Thursday, June 11. Batangas 2nd District Rep. Jinky Luistro introduced the 10 private prosecutors, whom she said comprised the first batch of lawyers assisting the lawmaker-prosecutors in the case. The private prosecutors come from three different law groups. They are: Kapunan and Castillo Law Lorna Kapunan Lino Kapunan Sonya Castillo Deanna Lorenzo-Singian Bettina Zamora PECABAR Law, formerly Ponce-Enrile-Reyes and Manalastas Marforth Fua James Bryan Ibrahim Alih Erwin Matib Justine Lamarca SaLiGal Law Amando Ligutan Luistro said the lawyers accepted the case pro bono, which means free services. She noted that their addition to the team was a boost, given that the majority of the House prosecutors paused legal practice when…
