Latest news with #DILG
GMA Network
22-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Ombudsman tells Cebu's Gwen Garcia, DILG to explain defiance of suspension order
The Office of the Ombudsman has directed Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia to explain her failure to heed its earlier suspension order. Ombudsman Samuel Martires also sought an explanation from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) why it has yet to implement the suspension, which was supposedly "immediately executory." In a communication dated May 19, 2025, the Ombudsman ordered Garcia "to show cause within five days from receipt thereof why you should not be cited for indirect contempt for continuously defying the 23 April 2025 Order of the Ombudsman preventively suspending you from office." The suspension does not exceed six months. It added that Garcia received a copy of the suspension order on April 29, 2025, and despite its "immediately executory nature" of the implementation, it said the governor "publicly avowed not to abide" by it. The order addressed to DILG Undersecretary Rolando Puno said that in a press conference held on May 9, 2025, the official said the agency will not act on the suspension order because it was still awaiting the response of the Commission on Elections to its query "as to the need to secure the Commission's approval for the suspension of elected officials during the campaign period." The Ombudsman said this was the DILG's response "when you office knows fully well that the Order has already been implemented and is immediately executory." "In view of this, you are hereby ordered to show cause within five days from receipt thereof why you should not be cited for indirect contempt for tolerating or consenting to the acts of defiance of respondent Garcia to the lawful order of preventive suspension issued against her..." Garcia is accused by a certain Moises Deiparine of granting a special permit to Shalom Construction, Inc. last May 14, 2024 without an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) or a Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC) issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) or prior study/consultation with other relevant government agencies. Garcia ran for a third consecutive three-year term as Cebu governor. However, she lost to Pamela Baricuatro. GMA News Online reached out to Garcia and the DILG for a comment. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
20-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Marcos: Law enforcers to go after small-scale drug dealers
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. said he wants law enforcers to go after small-scale drug dealers while strictly upholding due process in its anti-drug operations. In an interview with broadcast journalist Anthony Taberna, he said that his administration would carry out the anti-drug campaign without resorting to killings. 'So ngayon, in the same vein, part of the lesson of this election, let's go back to 'yung sa grassroots level. Kung inaalala ng tao, sinasabi, nagbabalikan (ang drugs) dito, sige, tuloy natin 'yung malalaking drug bust,' Marcos said. (Right now, in the same vein, part of the lesson of this election, let's go back to the grassroots level. If people were saying that illegal drugs have come back, let's continue the huge drug bust.) 'Tuloy natin… ikukulong natin 'yung mga sangkot diyan sa drugs. Pero tingnan na muna natin 'yung mas small offender," he added. (Let's continue, let's put to jail those involved in illegal drugs. But let's look at the small offender.) Marcos said he talked to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla and told him that it is not good to see areas which have been experiencing drug menace. Marcos then mentioned the need for increased police visibility in those areas inflicted with illegal drugs. 'Sinabihan ko na nga ang DILG, nakausap ko si Sec. Jonvic. Sabi ko, tama rin naman, kasi hindi magandang tingnan 'yung lugar mo maraming nagbebenta, maraming – maraming mga high na kung ano-ano ginagawa,' Marcos said. (I've talked to Sec. Jonvic. I told him it's not good to see areas where there are a lot of drug pushers and users.) 'That's why 'yung aming na – bagong ano is 'Cops On The Beat,' na may tao doon. Kasi kung may tao doon, walang ginawa 'yan, araw-araw umiikot nang umiikot, alam niya lahat 'yan,' he added. (That's why we have this 'Cops On The Beat.' If there are cops there, they will conduct surveillance everyday.) Marcos ensured that while concerned agencies focus on small drug dealers, due process will still be observed. 'Kasi talaga, iniwasan ko, 'yung basta may suspect siya o may hinala o may sumbong, basta kung huli, papatayin na lang, di ba? Ah, wala. 'Yun, doon kami lumayo,' Marcos said. (I've been thinking, maybe there's a drug suspect then he will just be killed? We don't do that.) Big syndicates Still, Marcos said the operations against big time syndicates would still continue. 'Hindi naman namin ititigil 'yung mga operation,' Marcos guaranteed. (We won't stop the operations [against huge syndicates]) In his SONA last year, Marcos had said that his fight against dangerous drugs does not include extermination. He has since expressed opposition to handling the drug menace with violence, an approach that is different from his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
17-05-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DILG tells LGUs to adopt cashless transactions for government payments
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Saturday asked local government units to use the electronic payment and collection systems (EPCS) as an alternative to cash transactions. The department said this is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s push for digital transformation in government. The DILG, in a memorandum circular, said LGUs may implement EPCS in collecting local taxes, fees, and other charges, in accordance with Executive Order No. 170, s. 2022 regarding the use of digital payments for government transactions. Digital payments improve transparency, efficiency, and public convenience, the DILG said in a press release. "LGUs are encouraged to offer secure, accessible digital options, ensure payment channels are user-friendly, and partner with authorized providers, including government servicing banks," it added. The DILG said efforts must be made to align with the National Retail Payment System Framework and the Data Privacy Act. The department also tasked LGUs to set clear procedures for the issuance of electronic invoices and billing notices in accordance with guidelines from the Commission on Audit and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The DILG however clarified that LGUs must still accept cash and other traditional modes of payment in addition to electronic payments. It also encouraged LGUs to pass ordinances and local policies to support the full implementation of the acceptance of electronic payments. —KG, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Rodrigo Duterte wins as mayor of Davao, but who will run the city while he is detained at The Hague?
The city of Davao is now in an unusual situation after former President Rodrigo Duterte was proclaimed the new mayor, despite being detained at The Hague. The unexpected outcome has left many questioning how the city will be governed while Duterte remains in custody. When asked about the situation, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) clarified that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will determine who will take on the mayoral duties while Duterte remains detained. 'Ang DILG na po ang bahala doon, kasi as far as we are concerned, hanggang doon lang po kami sa… hanggang proclamation lang po kami, sa isang tao na nanalo,' Comelec Chair George Garcia told reporters in an ambush interview. Garcia said that detained candidates can still be proclaimed winners unless there is a court or Comelec order to suspend the proclamation, which they have not received in Duterte's case. After the proclamation, Comelec's jurisdiction ends, Garcia explained. Whether the winner takes office or not falls under the DILG, as outlined in the Local Government Code. He also emphasized that a candidate's physical presence during the proclamation is not required. Duterte secured a landslide victory with 659,557 votes—about eight times more than his closest rival and former Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles. Duterte was detained on March 11 after being arrested in the Philippines on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). He is facing charges of crimes against humanity related to extrajudicial killings for his war on drugs campaign during his term. Meanwhile, his son Baste Duterte, the current mayor of Davao City, also won the vice mayoralty seat with 648,344 votes.
Hindustan Times
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Vitaly Zdorovetskiy faces up to 24 years in Philippines' jail: Will Russia step in to free him?
Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, the Russian prankster who was arrested in the Philippines on 2 April, is now staring down the barrel of a 24-year prison sentence, and, if enforced, could see the internet's Russian internet personality locked away until his late 50s, per Daily Mail. Russian prankster Vitaly Zdorovetskiy faces a 24-year sentence in the Philippines for various offenses, including harassment and unauthorized filming.(X/DILG) Vitaly built his brand on outrageous stunts, such as streaking at the NBA Finals, climbing the Hollywood sign, and even interrupting the 2022 World Cup. ALSO READ| When will Vitaly Zdorovetskiy be released from Filipino prison? Breaking down what's happening with Russian YouTuber Vitaly's latest antics in Manila's upscale Bonifacio Global City have finally crossed a line During a Kick livestream, he allegedly harassed security guards, attempted to kiss one, tried grabbing an officer's firearm, and filmed without permits. 'Vitaly engaged in multiple disruptive and inappropriate acts, including attempting to kiss and grab him (the security guard), trying to seize his service firearm, taking pictures of him without consent, mocking other security guards, and vlogging without a permit in BGC,' Philippines Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla stated sternly during a press conference. Unlike the US, where Vitaly often escaped with fines or short detentions, the Philippines treats such offences with far greater severity. Public disorder, harassment, and attempting to disarm an officer are no jokes here, and with no court date set yet, his future hangs in the balance. Notably, this isn't Vitaly's first brush with foreign law, he once spent five days in an Egyptian jail for climbing the Pyramids of Giza. But 24 years? That's a life sentence by any measure. What the Kremlin can do in Vitaly Zdorovetskiy case Born in Russia but raised in the US from age 14, Vitaly holds dual citizenship. The question now: Will Moscow intervene? Russia has a history of aggressively protecting its citizens abroad, even controversial ones, like Brittney Griner's prisoner swap, and RT journalists detained abroad. But Zdorovetskiy isn't a political prisoner; he's a troublemaker who may have finally out-pranked himself. ALSO READ| Vitaly Zdorovetskiy case: Here's what will happen to Russian YouTuber after deportation halt And also with dual citizenship, it further weakens Moscow's chance to intervene. Will the US help? Although the Philippines has stronger ties with the US, it's very unlikely Washington will go out of its way.
