Philippine Senate Investigations and Political Issues

Aug 22, 2024

Notes on Recent Philippine Senate Investigations and Political Developments

Investigation into Alice Goh's Escape

  • Three Senate Committees involved:
    • Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights (Chair: Coco Pimentel)
    • Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality (Chair: Risa Hontiveros)
    • Panel on Public Services (Chair: Rafi Tulfo)
  • Alice Goh, dismissed Mayor of Bambantarloc, allegedly escaped the Philippines.
  • Risa Hontiveros revealed Goh is no longer in the country.
  • Senate supports:
    • Cancelling Goh's passport.
    • Involving Interpol to locate her.
  • Hontiveros emphasizes the regional and global implications of the crime associated with Pogo.
  • Concerns raised about the lack of official record of Goh's departure from the Philippines.
  • Senate President Francis Escudero expresses doubt on the success of the case against Goh due to her absence.

Political Climate and Impeachment Claims

  • Vice President Sara Duterte claims there is a plot to oust her, alleging discussions in the House.
  • House lawmakers deny any impeachment efforts; assert auditing of Duterte's secret funds is within their responsibilities.
  • Emphasis on the political unfeasibility and waste of time about unfounded impeachment discussions.

Controversy Over Duterte's Children's Book Project

  • Two opposition lawmakers propose cutting funding for a children's book project by VP Sara Duterte.
  • Book Details:
    • Title: "Isang Kaibigan" (One Friend)
    • Budget: 10 million pesos for 200,000 copies.
    • Aim to promote reading among young learners.
  • Senator Risa Ontiveros questions the project’s funding, plans to realign budget.
  • Duterte’s spokesperson defends the project; claims it has no hidden political agenda.
  • Printing costs estimated to be significantly lower than allocated budget.

Investigation into COVID-19 Debt

  • Deputy Majority Leader Janet Garin calls for an investigation into how the Duterte administration accumulated 7.2 trillion pesos in debt during the pandemic.
  • Former President Rodrigo Duterte left office with over 12 trillion pesos in debt due to aggressive borrowing for pandemic response measures.

Health and Safety Updates

  • Ongoing surveillance of MPOCs after detection of a case in the Philippines.
  • Recent patient has recovered; 41 close contacts in quarantine.
  • Health officials reassure the public that MPOCs will not cause a new pandemic.

Environmental Update

  • Philippine Coast Guard working on extracting industrial oil from sunken tanker MTKR Taranova, carrying 1.5 million liters of oil.
  • Expecting improved extraction rates with new booster pumps.

Commemoration of Ninoy Aquino Jr.

  • Gathering to mark the 41st anniversary of Ninoy Aquino Jr.'s assassination on August 21, 1983.
  • Commemoration at the Manila Memorial Park despite Presidential decision to reschedule Ninoy Aquino Day.
  • Key Figures Present:
    • VL Aquino (son), Bam Aquino (nephew).
  • Emphasis on significance of remembering Ninoy’s legacy and the impact of his assassination on Philippine politics.
  • Bam Aquino clarifies rumors of a political alliance for 2025 elections; indicates intention to run independently but open to collaboration.