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Metro Manila, Philippines – It is time to open the controversial box containing Vice President Sara Duterte’s tax records during the pre-trial proceedings, the House prosecution panel said in a manifestation filed with the Impeachment Court on Wednesday, June 24. House prosecutor and Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima said the pre-trial conference is the “proper stage” to unseal the box so its contents can be marked and used as evidence during the trial.  “Kasi kung ‘di gagawin ngayon saka lang sa trial pabubuksan, and then saka lang sa trial ipi-premark kung gagamitin as evidence by either or both parties,” De Lima told reporters in a chance interview on the sidelines of the pre-trial.  “Anyway, ongoing pa naman yung marking dito sa pre-trial… makahabol yung pagbukas ng BIR box na iyan, yung sealed BIR box, para malaman na, ma-inventory na yung kanyang mga laman,” she added.  [Translation: Because if this…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said it will file human trafficking charges against former lawmaker Mike Defensor in connection with a KTV bar raid in Pasig City on April 21. During a press conference on Wednesday, June 24, NBI Director Melvin Matibag said investigators found evidence linking Defensor to the establishment’s operations, citing alterations made to the property’s approved building plans. Matibag said the original design of the compound, which houses a KTV and a hotel, was supposedly modified to accommodate the illegal activities. “It was observed na ang design, original design itong compound na ito ay binago to suit sa plano nila talagang human trafficking,” said Matibag. [Translation: It was observed that the original design of the compound was changed to suit their plan for human trafficking.] The NBI said official documents obtained from the Pasig City Engineer’s Office showed that portions of the…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday, June 24, filed criminal complaints against the 15-year-old suspect in the Tacloban school shooting. According to the PNP Regional Office 8, the complaint covers three counts of murder, three counts of frustrated murder, and multiple counts of serious physical injuries. Three students were killed while 20 others were injured at the San Jose National High School on Monday.   PNP Public Information Office chief Allen Rae Co told media on Tuesday that the two suspects planned the shooting in advance. They even met up in a school rest room for over an hour to polish their plan.  One suspect used a police service weapon from his aunt, a non-commissioned officer, who has since been relieved of duty and is facing summary dismissal proceedings. The other used a .38 Armscor revolver registered to a Cebu City security firm.  READ: PNP investigating…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the government’s investigation  on alleged anomalies in flood control projects goes beyond fugitive former Rep. Zaldy Co, as other individuals may also be involved in what officials described as a broader pattern of corruption. In a Palace briefing on Tuesday, June 23,  Castro said authorities are looking into allegations surrounding flood control projects dating back several years since the probe is not focused on Co alone. “Marami pang maaaring involve sa anomalya. Maaari pang maraming korupsiyon na naganap,” Castro said. [Translation: There may be many others involved in the anomalies. There may have been widespread corruption.]  Castro cited previous allegations raised by former Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. that have yet to be fully investigated and resolved. “Nandiyan na nga iyong binabanggit ni dating Congressman Andaya na 2018 pa lang ay mayroon nang isyu tungkol sa flood control projects at…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Rene Baterbonia was buried on Wednesday, June 24, over two weeks after he drowned during a university men’s basketball team building event in Dipaculao, Aurora.  Fellow student athlete Divine Adili also drowned. He has been sent back to his family in Nigeria. Their deaths triggered calls for more protection for student athletes and institutional accountability. Baterbonia was buried at the Barangay Labnig Memorial Cemetery in Talacogon, his hometown in Agusan del Sur. The municipal government of Talacogon declared June 8 of every year as “Rene Baterbonia Day” in honor of the Ateneo de Manila University athlete. Meanwhile, the school is observing a 40-day mourning for Baterbonia and Adili that began June 8.