PH Politics | LAWIN.news

First-ever ‘organizing trafficking’ conviction handed to Alice Guo

LAWIN.newsNovember 20, 202508 views

A Philippine court convicted former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo under the “organizing trafficking in persons” provision of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, marking the first conviction under this specific section of the law. Prosecutors presented evidence on the alleged organization and management of trafficking activities in Bamban, Tarlac, which authorities investigated and brought to trial. The ruling interpreted and applied the organizing trafficking provision, imposed penalties under the statute, and added a new reference point for future human trafficking prosecutions in the Philippines.

SC rules in favor of seizing unexplained wealth from public officials

LAWIN.newsNovember 20, 202508 views

The Supreme Court of the Philippines, in a 27-page ruling promulgated on March 5, 2025, upheld the forfeiture of approximately P155 million in properties and bank accounts linked to the unexplained wealth of retired Lieutenant General Jacinto Ligot and his family. The court’s Third Division affirmed earlier findings that the assets greatly exceeded Ligot’s lawful income and that the respondents failed to justify their acquisitions with credible evidence. The decision ordered the transfer of the questioned assets to the government and clarified the legal standards and burden of proof in civil forfeiture cases involving alleged ill-gotten or unexplained wealth of public officials and their relatives.

Missing sabungeros search in Taal Lake reveals 57 more skeletons

LAWIN.newsNovember 20, 2025020 views

Authorities recovered 57 additional skeletal remains from Taal Lake in Batangas during an ongoing search for missing “sabungeros” linked to alleged cockfighting-related abductions. Police forensic teams transported the remains for examination and possible DNA testing to establish identities and potential connections to previously reported disappearances. Law enforcement agencies coordinated with local government units, disaster response teams, and national investigators to secure the recovery site, preserve evidence, and compare findings with existing missing persons records. Further search operations and forensic analyses continue as authorities work to determine whether the remains match any of the individuals reported missing in relation to e-sabong activities.

Comelec to hold Marcoleta accountable over campaign spending report

LAWIN.newsNovember 19, 2025016 views

The Commission on Elections will issue a show-cause order to Sen. Rodante Marcoleta next week over possible inconsistencies in his declared campaign expenditures for the 2025 midterm elections in the Philippines. The order will require Marcoleta, a candidate in the upcoming polls, to explain his total reported spending compared with figures in his submitted campaign finance documents. Comelec’s campaign finance office will review his explanation and supporting records to determine compliance with election spending rules and decide whether further administrative or legal action is necessary under Philippine law.

Discaya couple may face charges next, says Remulla

LAWIN.newsNovember 19, 2025019 views

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya will likely be the next to face criminal charges in court over alleged widespread anomalies in flood control projects. He confirmed that the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman are preparing complaints against the couple as part of a broader probe into irregular infrastructure contracts. Authorities continue to review documents, project records, and testimonies and will release more details once prosecutors file the cases.

Graft raps filed vs Zaldy Co, DPWH execs in Oriental Mindoro flood projects

LAWIN.newsNovember 18, 2025029 views

The Office of the Ombudsman filed graft and corruption charges against former lawmaker Zaldy Co and several Department of Public Works and Highways officials over alleged irregularities in flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro. Prosecutors brought the cases before the Sandiganbayan under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, citing alleged undue injury to the government and unwarranted benefits to contractors. The charge sheets detail questioned DPWH flood mitigation works, procurement procedures, and project implementation in the province. The Sandiganbayan will raffle the cases, issue notices for arraignment, and hear evidence from both the prosecution and the defense.

Supreme Court rejects Dela Rosa’s bid to force release of ICC warrant

LAWIN.newsNovember 18, 2025031 views

The Supreme Court of the Philippines denied Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s petition seeking to compel government agencies to release an alleged International Criminal Court arrest warrant reportedly tied to the anti-illegal drugs campaign. In a resolution, the Court ruled that Dela Rosa failed to show a clear legal right or a ministerial duty on the part of the agencies to disclose the document, rejecting his plea for a writ of mandamus. The decision left unresolved, on the judicial record, whether such an ICC warrant exists and did not require any agency to confirm or deny its existence.

Palace tags Imee Marcos as defender of ‘self-confessed murderer’

LAWIN.newsNovember 18, 2025034 views

Malacañang accused Senator Imee Marcos of protecting former President Rodrigo Duterte, whom it labeled a “self-confessed murderer,” in an escalation of tensions between the Palace and the senator. The Office of the President issued the statement after Marcos renewed her criticism of the administration and defended Duterte, who previously made public claims about killings linked to his anti-crime and anti-drug campaigns. The exchange highlighted deepening rifts between political factions allied with the Marcos and Duterte families, who ran together in the 2022 elections.

DBM allocates P1.28 trillion for education

LAWIN.newsNovember 17, 2025014 views

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced that the education sector will receive P1.28 trillion under the House-approved Fiscal Year 2026 national budget. The allocation covers key education agencies and programs, including basic and higher education, technical-vocational training, and support services such as classrooms, learning materials, and scholarships. The House of Representatives passed the spending plan after deliberations on sectoral priorities and will transmit the measure to the Senate for further review and amendments before final approval and enactment into law.

CBCP cautions public on politicizing Zaldy Co’s claims

LAWIN.newsNovember 16, 2025018 views

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Friday cautioned the public and political actors against using former Ako Bicol representative Zaldy Co’s allegations for political gain and called for due process in addressing the issue.