NEW TAX COMPLAINTS VS CONTRACTORS OVER BULACAN GHOST PROJECTS

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed fresh tax evasion complaints with the Department of Justice on Thursday, November 27, against two construction firms implicated in the multi-billion flood control corruption scandal.

The bureau filed two complaints for alleged violation of the National Internal Revenue Code against Sally Santos, proprietor of the controversial SYMS Construction Trading. The BIR also filed similar complaints against IM Construction Corporation and its corporate officers, including its president Roberto Tecson Imperio and treasurer Marie Jane Manalo Imperio.

NO INTERPOL RED NOTICE YET VS ROQUE

Department of the Interior and Local Government chief Jonvic Remulla tells Rappler that an Interpol Red Notice has yet to be issued against fugitive Harry Roque, who faces cases over his POGO links.

"It’s in the process of application. No news yet on the approval and dissemination," the interior chief said.

Once issued, a Red Notice would inform Interpol member-states about the pending warrant Roque. These countries, based on their own judgment, may also enforce the warrant based on the Interpol's notice.

DUTERTE WILL NOT BE PRESENT IN APPEALS HEARING

Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte will not be present in court later at the ICC when the appeals chamber issues its decision on interim release or temporary freedom.

The hearing, set to start 5:30pm Manila time on Friday, will end with a decision on his appeal on his interim release. The pre-trial chamber denied Duterte’s request for interim release, which the former president appealed.

If it’s denied, Duterte will continue to be detained. An appeal on jurisdiction is expected to be tackled next. But most urgent for victims and the prosecution is the decision on his fitness for trial, so the confirmation of charges can begin.

But if the appeal is granted, Duterte will be temporarily freed.

Duterte's appeals judgment on interim release is happening later! Who here will tune in?

Victims of Duterte's war on drugs and their support community watch the ICC appeals hearing live on Rodrigo Duterte's interim release request.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) appeals chamber will issue its decision on Friday, November 28, on the interim release request of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte.

Watch the hearing live at 5:30 pm Manila time. @here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8larYiW6yMM

So far, it looks bad for the defense. Bases being discussed now tend to go toward the denial of the request. But it's not done yet. So we will continue listening.

Looks like it's really a denial for Duterte, Judge Carranza is reading out lists of how the defnese failed to dispute the earlier decision.

The ICC denied Duterte’s request for interim release but families of EJK victims have their eyes on something else. How long will they have to wait for the actual trial to start? @Lian Buan - Rappler spoke with them. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/duterte-drug-war-victims-families-wait-icc-trial/

If you’re closely following developments in The Hague in relation to Duterte and the ICC, this coming Friday is worth watching too. Take note of important dates as listed by @Jodesz Gavilan - Rappler here: https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/rodrigo-duterte-international-criminal-court-key-dates/

Cuando, cuando, cuando. 🤔

More digging yielded this latest investigative story from @Lian Buan - Rappler. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/investigative/doj-undersecretary-jose-cadiz-jr-link-dpwh-contractor-jsj-builders/

Thanks to Lian Buan and Rappler for this investigative story. As usual, investigations are "for show only," at least most of them. 😠

BREAKING: Ombudsman will investigate DOJ Usec Jojo Cadiz over contractor ties.

Ombudsman Boying Remulla confirmed to Rappler on Friday that they will investigate DOJ Usec Jojo Cadiz, who also just resigned after Rappler published a story on a construction company owned by his 21yo son, with DPWH contracts all in Ilocos Norte.

"Yes, making that the basis for our investigation," Remulla told Rappler when asked what their action would be on the new information.

The Office of the Ombudsman orders the filing of criminal cases against Sarah Discaya and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways Davao Occidental District Engineering Office due to a P96.5-million ghost project.

Discaya and others will face cases over malversation of public funds and alleged violation of section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. 

This will be the second set of flood control-related cases that will reach the courts. | via @Jairo Bolledo-Rappler @here

Good work, OMB. What will be its final result? Will there be conviction?