PH Politics | Page 11 of 72

ICC finds Duterte capable of facing trial, victims call for speed

LAWIN.newsDecember 19, 2025085 views

Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court has received medical expert reports finding former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte fit to participate in proceedings over alleged crimes against humanity. The Office of Public Counsel for Victims reported that court-appointed doctors saw no medical barrier to Duterte’s meaningful participation in a confirmation of charges hearing. Victims’ counsel urged judges to promptly set a hearing date, citing the right to an expeditious trial. The prosecution must now respond to the findings before the chamber, led by Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc, issues a final ruling on Duterte’s fitness and schedules the next steps in the case.

Alcantara returns P71 million tied to flood control scam

LAWIN.newsDecember 19, 2025094 views

Former DPWH Bulacan First District engineer Henry Alcantara on Friday turned over P71 million to the Department of Justice in Manila as restitution for his role in an alleged flood control scam involving public works funds. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and DOJ prosecutors received the amount as part of efforts to recover allegedly misused government money from flood control projects in Bulacan. The DOJ said it would use the restitution as evidence in its ongoing investigation and possible filing of charges against other officials and private contractors linked to the case.

Richard Gomez under fire for allegedly hitting fencing official at SEA Games 2025

LAWIN.newsDecember 18, 2025072 views

Philippine Fencing Association president Rene Gacuma filed a complaint against Representative Richard Gomez during the 2025 SEA Games, alleging Gomez hit him amid a dispute over the replacement of a national fencing athlete. Event organizers and relevant authorities received the complaint and began reviewing reports and witness accounts to determine what occurred and whether competition or disciplinary rules were violated. The investigation remained ongoing, and no formal charges or official findings had been announced as officials examined the incident under SEA Games and national sports regulations.

Marcos confirms warrants for Sarah Discaya, 9 more over Davao Occidental project

LAWIN.newsDecember 18, 2025089 views

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on Thursday in Manila that a court issued arrest warrants for contractor Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya and nine others over an alleged P96.5-million ghost flood control project in Davao Occidental. Marcos said the accused face non-bailable graft and malversation charges. He also disclosed that eight additional Department of Public Works and Highways officials have expressed willingness to surrender in connection with the same case. Authorities will pursue arrests, process voluntary surrenders, and continue investigations into the planning, procurement, and implementation of the flood control project. Marcos said the administration will keep filing charges against all individuals found involved in the Davao Occidental flood control scandal and will review similar infrastructure projects nationwide for possible irregularities.

Marcos slams claims calling PH an ‘ISIS training spot’

LAWIN.newsDecember 17, 2025078 views

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday in Manila rejected claims that label the Philippines as an ISIS training hotspot, following reports that Bondi Beach shooting suspects previously traveled to the country. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, citing the National Security Council, said authorities have not validated any report that the suspects received terrorist training in the Philippines. She said Philippine agencies, working with international partners, continue to verify all available information but have not seen evidence that the country hosted ISIS training for those involved in the Bondi Beach incident.

Marcos names new presiding justice of Court of Tax Appeals

LAWIN.newsDecember 17, 2025081 views

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday appointed Ma. Belen Ringpis-Liban as presiding justice of the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) in Manila, Philippines, according to Malacañang. Ringpis-Liban, previously an associate justice of the CTA and a Regional Trial Court judge for 17 years in Malolos and Quezon City, brings experience from both public and private sectors, including roles at the Office of the Solicitor General and Court of Appeals. She holds a law degree from the University of the Philippines and an economics degree from the University of Santo Tomas.

Flood victims seek P1B in class suit vs Romualdez, Zaldy Co, Vargas

LAWIN.newsDecember 17, 2025090 views

An anti-corruption group filed a P1-billion class suit in a Quezon City court against former speaker Martin Romualdez, ex-congressman Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co and Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas to seek compensation for Novaliches flood victims, as Malabon City lodged a separate complaint over alleged unauthorized works on government land. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered tighter police security for Christmas, De La Salle University reclaimed the UAAP men’s basketball crown, and Philippine athletes delivered multiple gold medals in triathlon and muay at the SEA Games. BSP data showed banks trimming real estate exposure amid rising non-performing loans.

Bicam panel: medical fund cut could impact over 1M people

LAWIN.newsDecember 16, 2025070 views

The House–Senate bicameral conference committee in the Philippines agreed to allocate P51.6 billion to the Medical Assistance for Indigents and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program in the proposed 2026 national budget, after initial Senate cuts raised concerns that more than one million poor patients could lose access to medical aid. Lawmakers said MAIFIP assures payment to public and private hospitals for emergency care of indigent patients and complements PhilHealth by covering gaps in insurance benefits, supporting the implementation of the Universal Health Care Program.

Marcos selects new top legal adviser

LAWIN.newsDecember 16, 2025073 views

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed lawyer Anna Liza Logan as the new chief presidential legal counsel, Malacañang announced on Tuesday. Logan, who previously served as deputy executive secretary for Legal Affairs at the Office of the President, replaces the late Juan Ponce Enrile. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Logan brings extensive experience in civil and criminal litigation, family law, labor cases, Human Settlements Adjudication Commission cases, and corporate and commercial practice. Logan previously worked with several law firms, including Logan Masukat Ronulo Huang, Marcos Ochoa Serapio and Tan, and Agabin Verzola Hermoso Layaoen & De Castro.

Ex-DPWH official gives back P40M in flood control kickbacks probe

LAWIN.newsDecember 16, 2025078 views

The Department of Justice announced that former DPWH-NCR regional director Engineer Gerard Opulencia returned P40 million as part of a pledged P150 million linked to alleged flood control project kickbacks. DOJ OIC Fredderick Vida said the money turnover, witnessed by Treasury officials, will undergo verification by Land Bank. Opulencia, provisionally under the Witness Protection Program, provided testimony deemed material by prosecutors in an ongoing probe involving projects in Bulacan and related transactions. He faces a pending preliminary investigation before the Office of the Ombudsman while DOJ continues to review financial records and witness statements.