Duterte’s P375M disallowed over improper disbursement, inadequate documents – COA
Metro Manila, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte’s ₱375-million confidential funds in 2023 were disallowed over improper disbursement and insufficient documents, state auditors said. The notice of disallowance means Duterte and her colleagues should return the funds. They have six months to appeal the decision. In the ruling of the Commission on Audit (COA) intelligence and confidential funds audit office shared by Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon, a House justice committee member, the following people were asked to settle the disallowance immediately: Vice President Sara Duterte OVP special disbursing officer Gina Acosta OVP chief accountant Julieta Villadelrey former vice presidential security and protection group chief Col. Raymund Dante Lachica The latest COA order is on top of the ₱73.2 million it asked Duterte to return for her confidential funds in 2022 when it junked the vice president’s appeal on the previous order. This means her potential obligations may reach ₱448…
PISTON files P10 jeepney fare hike petition
Metro Manila, Philippines – Transport group PISTON on Monday, April 20, filed a petition before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) seeking a P10 increase in the minimum jeepney fare–from P13 to P23–citing continued financial losses among drivers. The group said recent diesel rollbacks are not enough to offset high operating costs and declining earnings. “Mula noong magkaron ng US aggression ay halos umabot ito ng P170 per liter sa diesel at P120 sa gasolina kaya isa ito sa naging tuntungan ng pagfa-file at siyempre yung mataas na piyesa na ginagamit ng public transport kung saan di naman bumabababa ang presyo,” PISTON president Mody Floranda said. [Translation: “Since the start of US aggression, diesel prices nearly reached P170 per liter and gasoline P120, which became one of the bases for filing the petition, along with the high cost of public transport parts, whose prices have not gone down.”]…
DOE: Oil supply good for 52 days; 320,000 barrels of diesel arriving Tuesday
Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Energy (DOE) said on Monday it has not ordered an additional batch of diesel supply, as current inventory remains sufficient. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the country still has more than one million barrels of diesel in storage. In its weekly report, the DOE said the local oil supply could last for 52 days, with diesel stocks estimated at 50 days. “We still have our one million barrels, or 158 million liters—it’s there and we haven’t used it yet. So we keep it at that muna kasi sufficient pa naman and we have 52 days supply,” Garin said, noting limited storage capacity should additional diesel be procured. Garin also assured that the agency, through the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC), is prepared to acquire more diesel supply if needed. “Ready naman yung PNOC to order more but we need to balance it properly…
Sotto meets majority bloc to discuss possible Duterte impeachment
Metro Manila, Philippines – Senate President Vicente Sotto III said on Monday, April 20, he has met with some members of the majority bloc to discuss the possibility of receiving the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte. In a message to reporters, Sotto said the discussion that took place last week was meant to give his colleagues a “heads up” on the possible impeachment case, which is now being tackled at the House of Representatives. “It’s best that we prepare for it as senator-judges. I am undergoing a crash program on the rules of court to jibe with our own rules to be sure in case of any eventuality,” he said. The Senate leader clarified that the meeting was not a caucus but rather a simple dinner “exchanging talks and expectations.” Minority lawmakers have yet to issue a reaction. This is not the first time senators have prepared…
Marcos: PH sending high-level team to Czech Republic for Zaldy Co’s return
Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said former lawmaker Zaldy Co remains under the custody of Czech authorities, as the Philippine government prepares to send a high-level delegation to facilitate his return. “Nananatili po siya sa kustodiya ng Czech Republic at isinasagawa natin ang lahat ng mga kinakailangang hakbang para sa kanyang pagbalik dito sa Pilipinas,” Marcos said in a video statement on Monday, April 20. [Translation: He remains in the custody of the Czech Republic and we are undertaking all necessary steps for his return to the Philippines.] The president said he has directed the Department of Justice and the Department of Foreign Affairs to lead coordination with Czech authorities. “Inutusan ko ang Department of Justice kasama ang Department of Foreign Affairs na pangunahan ang pakikipag-ugnayan… upang matiyak na maayos at naayon na proseso ang lahat,” he said. [Translation: I have directed the Department of Justice together…
