Latest news with #RodrigoDuterte
GMA Network
a day ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
ICC judges seek dismissal of Duterte's disqualification bid
Two judges handling the crimes against humanity case of former President Rodrigo Duterte in the International Criminal Court (ICC) have asked the tribunal to dismiss the disqualification bid against them, calling it groundless. In a 3-page document dated May 22, Judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou and Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera stressed that they abide by their undertaking to exercise their judicial functions impartially. '[T]here are no grounds to doubt our impartiality in the current case and none of the criteria established under article 41(2) of the Rome Statute are met,' it read. 'We, as judges, act at all times in accordance with our judicial duties under the Rome Statute and kindly request the Plenary of Judges to reject the Disqualification Request,' it added. Duterte's camp previously requested the Presidency to disqualify Alpini-Gansou and Flores Liera from adjudicating on the issue of jurisdiction. The judges, however, said that when the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber 1 addressed the issue of jurisdiction in the Philippines' case, it did so in accordance with its duties, within the limits of the proceeding, and without prejudice to the future determinations of the same issue. It said that the chamber only previously considered the matter of jurisdiction in relation to the question whether there is a basis for the ICC Prosecutor to proceed with its investigation in the country. The judges said that the arguments raised by the Duterte camp were not considered by the Chamber at that time. 'Thus, it is untenable to suggest that judges cannot adjudicate a matter which is legally within their competence just because they previously issued judicial decisions at different stages of the proceedings in the same Situation on the basis of different arguments,' it read. 'As mentioned earlier, judges are professionals capable of deciding on issues before them relying solely and exclusively on the evidence and submissions adduced in the particular case,' it added. Duterte is currently under the custody of the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands. The confirmation of charges will take place on September 23, 2025.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
CNA
2 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Marcos' Cabinet revamp: Officer who led Duterte arrest named new Philippine police chief
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Junior is replacing his police chief as part of a Cabinet revamp. Police Major-General Nicolas Torre III will head the National Police from next month. He rose to prominence in March, when he led the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte on a warrant from the International Criminal Court. The Marcos administration has also confirmed that the entire economic team and the secretaries of defence, justice and interior will be retained. Buena Bernal reports from Metro Manila.
Bloomberg
2 days ago
- General
- Bloomberg
Marcos Promotes Police Officer Who Led Duterte Arrest
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. promoted a police officer who led the arrest of his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, as part of a broader government reorganization following a setback in recent elections. Police Major General Nicolas Torre will head the national police force, replacing retiring chief Rommel Marbil, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said in a briefing on Thursday.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Israeli defense firms lament a chill from erstwhile client Philippines
JERUSALEM — Israeli defense companies have begun questioning their government about a chill in relations with the Philippines, as officials in Manila appear to be turning away from a longtime supplier of defense equipment. The source of the bilateral freeze is murky, with some executives here blaming the Israeli government's unwillingness to back Filipino sovereignty claims in the South China Sea. The Israeli Ministry of Defense's mandate of prioritizing equipment deliveries to Israeli forces amid the Gaza war – at the expense of international customers – also is to blame, industry officials have said. 'The competitors are already aware and have begun to act on it,' one executive told Defense News, speaking on condition of anonymity while discussing the sensitive matter. Israeli companies were most recently observing the Manila chill during the DSEI Japan defense exhibition, which ran from May 21 to May 23, according to an Israeli industry insider who said Filipino representatives appeared interested in Japanese products instead. The Philippines is the third-largest defense buyer from Israel, accounting for about 8.1% of total exports after the United States (13%) and India (34%). That is according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report from last March. Defense purchases from Israel intensified during the period of Rodrigo Duterte as president of the Philippines. In his visit to Israel in September 2018 he said during a speech at a joint event with then-Israeli President Reuven Rivlin: 'I instructed my military personnel that in the field of military equipment and weapons, there is only one country to buy from, and that is Israel.' Among the Israeli defense systems purchased by the Philippines are the Spyder air defense systems from Rafael, Sabrah 2 light tanks from Elbit, Shaldag boats from Israel Shipyards, and Hermes-type drones. Israeli defense companies declined to comment on the record. The Israeli Foreign Ministry wrote in a statement that 'the issue is known and is in discussion with security officials and defense industries.' A ministry spokesperson denied that Israel's position on South China Sea claims is at the center of any disagreements. The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv did not return a request for comment by press time.
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
58% of Filipinos disagree with Rodrigo Duterte's arrest, survey says
- Photo: Screengrab from ICC MANILA: Majority of Filipinos disagree with the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte in connection with the extrajudicial killings allegedly committed during his administration's war against illegal drugs, the latest Pulse Asia survey showed. Based on the 'Pulso ng Bayan' survey of Pulse Asia conducted from May 6 to 9, 58 percent of the 1,200 respondents asserted that Duterte should not have been arrested and tried in the International Criminal Court (ICC). Pulse Asia specified the breakdowns of disagreement percentages, with 33 percent strongly disagreeing while 25 percent somewhat disagreeing. On the other hand, 26 percent of the respondents said that it is just right for Duterte to get arrested and face charges. Ten percent strongly agreed with the arrest of the former president, while 16 percent somewhat agreed. The survey likewise showed that 16 percent cannot say whether they agree or disagree with the current situation of Duterte. Mindanao: 96% disagree Ninety six percent of those surveyed in Mindanao disagreed with Duterte's arrest, and 60 percent in the Visayas, followed by Balance Luzon (provinces in Luzon outside Metro Manila) at 42 percent, and Metro Manila at 38 percent. Mindanao is known as the bailiwick of the Dutertes. In the recent 2025 midterm elections, Duterte was again elected mayor of Davao City, even though he was not able to campaign since he is currently under the custody of the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands. Metro Manila: 43% agree Meanwhile, Metro Manila had the most number of respondents who agreed with the arrest of the former President at 43 percent. The capital region was followed by Balance Luzon (35 percent), Visayas (24 percent) and Mindanao (1 percent). Last March, Duterte was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and brought to the ICC headquarters to face allegations of crimes against humanity allegedly committed in the war on drugs of his administration. According to the official government data, the drug war of the Duterte administration claimed at least 6,000 lives. Human rights watchdogs, however,, estimated the death toll to be between 12,000 and 30,000 from 2016 to 2019, noting that many of these incidents were extrajudicial killings. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
