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Metro Manila, Philippines – The International Criminal Court (ICC) has constituted Trial Chamber III to handle the case of former President Rodrigo Duterte as he stands for trial on charges of crimes against humanity over killings linked to his anti-drug campaign. According to the ICC decision shared by the court on Tuesday, April 28, Duterte’s case will be tried by the three-member panel of judges Joanna Korner of the United Kingdom, Keebong Paek of South Korea, and Nicolas Guillou of France. None of the three were part of the unanimous decision in the pre-trial chamber that previously confirmed all three counts of crimes against humanity against Duterte. Here are details of what we know about these three judges. Judge Joanna Korner, UK The senior among all three is Korner at 74 years old. She has spent 45 years in criminal law. Korner spent eight years as an International Criminal Tribunal…

Metro Manila, Philippines – A number of lawmakers criticized the executive branch for what they call a failure to act swiftly in securing the return of fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co while still under Czech custody. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier announced Co’s apprehension on April 16. Co fled the country last year amid allegations that he masterminded the flood control corruption scandal. He has since issued statements and online videos denying the accusations.  In a late night briefing on Monday, April 27, the Department of Justice confirmed that Co was no longer under the custody of Czech authorities. In a strongly worded statement on Tuesday, April 28, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said the executive failed to act with urgency despite timely information on Co’s apprehension by Czech authorities, adding that it “now puts the government in an embarrassing situation.” “Simply put, it was a lost opportunity…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The peso touched a record low of ₱61.30 against the US dollar on Tuesday, April 28, breaching the ₱61-per-dollar level for the first time. The local unit shed a hefty 59 centavos from ₱60.71 on Monday, April 27. This surpassed the previous record low closing at ₱60.748 on March 31. Tuesday’s close was also the currency’s intraday low, while it reached a high of ₱60.77 after opening at ₱60.8.  Data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines said total trading volume jumped to $1.75 billion from Monday’s $1.41 billion.

Metro Manila, Philippines – A Senate resolution sought an inquiry into the design, targeting, and financing of the lifeline rate subsidy and other power rate discounts to ensure their “fair and sustainable implementation without placing undue burden on consumers.” Amid widespread complaints of bill shock, Senator Bam Aquino filed Senate Resolution 375 which proposed that electricity subsidies and discounts be funded through the national budget instead of being passed on to consumers. The lawmaker called on the committee on energy to look into the financing of the lifeline rate subsidy and other mandated electricity discounts, noting that these subsidies add about ₱20 to ₱100 per month to the electricity bills of non-beneficiary households, depending on consumption levels. “The objective of this policy review is not to remove or diminish the lifeline rate subsidy, but to ensure that it remains well-targeted, fiscally sustainable, and equitably financed, without unduly shifting the burden…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) said the motorcycle rider who went viral for brandishing a gun in a multi-vehicle collision in Taguig and Makati is an unemployed protection agent with a permit to carry a licensed weapon. “Isa po siyang protection agent individual…Nakita natin na meron po siyang license to own and possess firearms,” PBGen Ranulfo Tuaño, public information office chief, said in a briefing on Tuesday, April 28.  [Translation: He is a protection agent individual…We saw that he has a license to own and possess firearms.] Tuaño identified the person as Joey Sabando, 51, who obtained his license as a protection agent in 2024 but is not on duty. Sabando has surrendered his firearm to the PNP.  Tuaño said the PNP is considering a review of the guidelines in releasing licenses for protection agents.  The crash on April 24 involved a sedan, pick-up truck, and…