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Metro Manila, Philippines –  Malacañang said it sees no security threat to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. despite his decision to cancel his morning engagements on Tuesday, June 30,  and monitor the surprise protest of tens of thousands of Iglesia ni Cristo members on EDSA. Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the president was immediately informed of the gathering and spent the morning monitoring its impact, particularly on commuters, workers and emergency responders affected by the massive traffic congestion on the busy highway. “Wala pong nakikitang threat dahil alam naman po ng pangulo na ang kanyang ginagawa ay para sa taumbayan,” she said. [Translation: The president sees no threat because he knows that what he is doing is for the people.]  Castro said Marcos canceled his scheduled activities not because of a direct threat to his safety but to closely monitor the situation and ensure the government could respond appropriately. She acknowledged…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will push through with his official visit to Canada from July 1 to 4 despite the massive Iglesia ni Cristo protest on EDSA that forced the cancellation of his morning engagements on Tuesday, June 30.  Communications Secretary Dave Gomez said in an interview with reporters that the travel schedule stays. “There will be no changes to the schedule of the president going to Canada tomorrow (July 1),” Gomez said. The president canceled his morning engagements to monitor the impact of the surprise protest, which caused widespread traffic disruptions in parts of Metro Manila.  Marcos will travel to Canada at the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for talks aimed at expanding economic and security cooperation. The visit will be the first by a Philippine president to Canada in 11 years. The Presidential Communications Office earlier said Marcos and Carney are expected…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is not intended to divert attention from the government’s investigation on the flood control scam, a House spokesperson for the prosecution panel said Monday, June 29. In an interview  on The Newsmaker, Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong rejected claims by some senators, including Alan Peter Cayetano, that the impeachment proceedings overshadow the flood control controversy. “I respect the position of Senator Cayetano, although I strongly disagree with how he framed it,” Adiong said. “The government is designed to address multiple problems at the same time.” He said the flood control investigation has progressed independently. “The flood control issue has already been taken cognizance of by the ombudsman. In fact, there is already a case where an elected official has been arrested and detained, while case build-up continues,” Adiong said. He said the Senate should allow the…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  Malacañang said street protests are not the proper way to clear Senator Rodante Marcoleta of possible criminal liability, insisting that any allegations against the lawmaker should be resolved through the courts. Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro made the statement after tens of thousands of members of the Iglesia ni Cristo caused traffic gridlock on EDSA to protest what they described as selective justice and to express support for Marcoleta, a member of the religious group, who is facing a possible plunder complaint at the Office of the Ombudsman. “Ang pagra-rally po ay hindi po sagot para mawala at maabsuwelto agad ang isang tao sa isang kaso. Ang pag-absuwelto ng isang tao ay sa korte, hindi po ito madadaan sa rally.” Castro said. [Translation: A rally is not the answer to immediately clear a person of a case. Acquittal is decided by the courts, not through street protests.] …

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday, June 30, defended its planned plunder complaint against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, saying the law does not limit plunder to public funds. Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the complaint against Marcoleta may be the first plunder case anchored on alleged private funds, noting that while previous plunder cases have largely involved government money, the law also covers private funds when the elements of the offense are present. “Pag binasa mo talaga ‘yung batas, nandiyan ‘yan… na kahit private funds puwede. It’s just that kadalasan ang nafa-file yung public funds,” said Clavano. “Even private funds can comprise of the crime of plunder,” he added. [Translation: If you read the law, it’s there that even private funds may be covered. It’s just that most plunder cases filed in the past have involved public funds. Even private funds can constitute the crime of…