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Metro Manila, Philippines – Despite the repeated mention of Vice President Sara Duterte’s former security chief in the impeachment trial, the prosecution has yet to decide to call him as witness, with the lead prosecutor saying she is inclined to drop the military official from the list. In a press briefing on Tuesday, Aug. 25, lead prosecutor Jinky Luistro said the prosecution has yet to come up with a unanimous decision about Col. Raymund Lachica, whom a disbursing officer has identified as the official that distributed the hundreds of millions in confidential funds to recipients. Duterte’s staff – Gina Acosta and Lemuel Ortonio, who were classified as uncooperative witnesses – mentioned Lachica’s name on several occasions at the Impeachment Court, as former commander of the vice presidential security group who carried out confidential activities.  Acosta had testified that she turned over half a billion pesos to Lachica in the fourth…

Metro Manila, Philippines – A witness declared by the Impeachment Court as uncooperative said Sara Duterte had full control over the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) use of ₱500 million in confidential funds in 2022 and 2023.  The prosecution panel grilled OVP Assistant Secretary Lemuel Ortonio on Tuesday, Aug. 25, who was asked point blank by private lawyer Mae Divinagracia if Duterte was the “architect and mastermind” behind the questionable use of the funds as her signature appeared on all documents pertaining to their liquidation.  “Siya ang architect ng buong ito [She is the architect of this whole thing],” Divinagracia said, referring to Duterte.  Defense counsel Kristine Ferrer objected to the language because of its suggestive nature. Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero sustained the objection and reframed the question himself. “Lahat ng bagay kaugnay sa confidential fund, mula sa pag-request, sa pag-release, sa pag-encash, sa pag gastos, sa pag-liquidate, sa…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is open to banning Facebook and other online platforms if they are found to harm young people or fail to address violence and disinformation, Malacañang said Tuesday, Aug. 25. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the statement after the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center floated proposals to ban Facebook following the deadly violence at Ateneo de Zamboanga University. “Sa lahat ng maaaring gaming apps, lahat ng pwedeng masabing makakasira sa ating mga kabataan at sa bansa natin, open po ang pangulo na matanggal ang lahat ng iyan,” Castro said. [Translation: When it comes to gaming apps and anything that could be considered harmful to our youth and our country, the president is open to removing all of them.] Castro said any potential ban would have to be studied, particularly whether social media companies are doing enough to address harmful content and false…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang said there are grounds to convict Vice President Sara Duterte over the confidential funds misuse in the Articles of Impeachment, citing testimony that she and her former security chief controlled the release of the funds. Palace press officer Claire Castro said the prosecution has, at least on the issue of control over the funds, presented enough evidence to merit a conviction. “Ayon sa Palasyo, in a way, in a way, yes. Pagdating sa pagturo kay bise presidente, kay Col. Lachica na sila ang nag-control ng pondo para sa confidential funds,” Castro said Tuesday, Aug. 25, referring to Col. Raymund Lachica. [Translation: According to the Palace, in a way, yes, when it comes to identifying the vice president and Col. Lachica as those who controlled the confidential funds.] Castro said the verdict rests with the senator-judges. “Depende po iyan sa magiging desisyon ng mga judges,” Castro…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Motorists shell out more at the pump on Tuesday, Aug. 25, said the Department of Energy. It said the adjustments reflect movements in the global oil market as the volatile security in the Middle East affect supply and prices. The following price increases will take effect: Gasoline: ₱1.08 per liter Diesel: ₱2.31 per liter Kerosene: ₱0.95 per liter