ICC freezes money seized from Duterte after arrest
Metro Manila, Philippines – The International Criminal Court (ICC) has granted prosecutors’ request to freeze any money seized from former President Rodrigo Duterte following his arrest and transfer to The Hague in March 2025, according to newly released public court filings. The filings also show prosecutors are seeking access to other items taken into the custody of the ICC Registry after Duterte’s arrest. The amount in the freeze order was not disclosed in the public redacted documents. In a response dated June 26, Duterte’s defense lawyer opposed parts of the prosecution’s request, arguing that prosecutors failed to explain why some of the seized materials are relevant to the crimes against humanity charges before the court. “The Defence respectfully requests that Trial Chamber III reject the Prosecution’s Request,” Peter Haynes wrote in the filing. The defense also argued that prosecutors sought access to the materials too late, noting that the Office…
Marcos gov’t seeks ₱7.2-T budget for 2027, prioritizes infrastructure
Metro Manila, Philippines – The Marcos administration is proposing a ₱7.2-trillion national budget for 2027, with infrastructure, flagship projects and key development programs at front and center as the government seeks to sustain economic growth despite fiscal constraints. The proposed budget totals ₱7.2002 trillion, or 21.7% of gross domestic product, representing a 6 percent increase from the current budget of ₱6.7932 trillion, according to National Budget Memorandum 158 issued by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). In a text message to NewsWatch Plus, Budget Secretary Kim De Leon clarified that only the overall budget ceiling has been approved and that agencies’ funding allocations are still being finalized. “What was approved is the budget level for 2027. We are still in the process of preparing the details coming from the proposals of agencies,” De Leon said. The memorandum stated that the 2027 spending plan will focus on programs, activities and…
DOLE to subpoena Ateneo officials over Tab Baldwin work status, lack of foreign work permit
Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Labor and Employment on Monday, June 29, said it would subpoena officials of the Ateneo de Manila University to attend next month’s special panel hearing into the work status of former men’s basketball team head coach Tab Baldwin. During the Monday hearing, US-born Baldwin admitted that he did not have an alien employment permit (AEP), which allows foreign nationals to work. He began working as a basketball coach in 2013. Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said that the Bureau of Local Employment did not have any record of Baldwin’s AEP. The former coach said that he received a partially filled AEP form in 2015 but said he did not remember filling out the document completely. Baldwin’s counsel argued that he is exempt from securing an AEP because he had acquired an Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR), giving him the status of permanent resident. “Him…
Iran and US agree to halt attacks and renew talks, U.S. official says
(Reuters) – Iran and the United States agreed to halt recent hostilities in the Gulf and renew talks regarding their dispute over the Strait of Hormuz, a U.S. official said on Sunday, raising hopes of saving an interim peace deal that was under pressure from days of tit-for-tat strikes. “Technical talks are slated to continue on all areas of the MOU. Both sides will stand down for now and vessels can move freely,” the official said, referring to the 14-point memorandum of understanding that was agreed on June 17 under which the strait would be re-opened for traffic. Axios, which first reported the cessation of hostilities, citing a senior U.S. official, said talks would resume Tuesday in Qatar. A return to diplomacy would follow several days of strikes and counterstrikes since an Iranian projectile hit a cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, with both the U.S. and Iran accusing the other of breaking an interim ceasefire that was agreed to on June 17. Iran launched missiles and drones at U.S. military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain early on Sunday, shortly after President Donald Trump threatened that the Islamic Republic would cease to…
Death toll in Venezuela quake tops 1,400 as rescue efforts intensify
(Reuters) – The death toll from Venezuela’s devastating twin earthquakes rose above 1,400 on Saturday as foreign rescue teams poured into the country and authorities pressed on with the search for survivors in the hardest-hit coastal areas. The updated toll came as rescuers fanned out across La Guaira and parts of Caracas, where families and volunteers have spent days pulling survivors and bodies from the rubble, often complaining of scant heavy equipment and a limited official presence. Officials said more than 1,600 foreign rescuers had arrived and that additional teams were on the way, adding to a growing international response to the twin quakes that struck on Wednesday and unleashed hundreds of aftershocks. In Caraballeda, one of the worst-hit areas of La Guaira, U.S. helicopters ferried rescue teams into a dusty landing zone, according to Reuters witnesses, dropping off crews before taking off again. Among the crowds of volunteers was Alejandro Serrano, a 33-year-old…
