SC denies petition compelling Senate to act on VP Sara’s 2025 impeachment ‘forthwith’

The Supreme Court (SC) en banc unanimously dismisses the petition seeking to compel the Senate to immediately act on Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment in 2025.

“Contrary to the petitioner’s claim, the SC found that the Senate acted on the impeachment complaint in a timely manner,” the SC says.


“The SC clarified that the term ‘forthwith’ in Article XI, Section 3(4) of the Constitution means within a reasonable time, which may be longer or shorter, depending on the circumstances of each case. This allows the Senate to make the necessary preparations to convene as an impeachment court,” the SC adds.

Ex-broadcaster Jay Sonza arrested over cyber libel


Duterte supporter and former broadcaster Jay Sonza is arrested over cyber libel on Thursday, April 30 in Quezon City, National Bureau of Investigation chief Melvin Matibag confirms to Rappler.

Matibag confirms the case is related to alleged defamatory remarks against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

SC voids ex-Overall Deputy Ombudsman Art Carandang’s Duterte-time dismissal

Two points:

1. The President – in this case, Duterte – has no administrative or disciplinary powers over a Deputy Ombudsman.

"Allowing the President to unilaterally discipline officials charged with investigating potential wrongdoing within the administration invites retaliation, coercion, and the suppression of oversight, conditions fundamentally at odds with transparency and accountability," the SC says.

2. Carandang did not commit graft when he mentioned in a media interview details about allegedly anomalous bank transaction records related to the former president.

LOOK: On World Press Freedom Day, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) lead a "Walk For Freedom and Justice" at the UP Diliman Academic Oval today, May 3.

NUJP renews calls for justice for Frenchie Mae Cumpio, a journalist of the Altermidya Network who was arrested back in 2020 and later convicted for 'terrorism financing'. Cumpio's case has been symbolic of the state of press freedom in the Philippines, as the NUJP and other media organizations denounce her unjust arrest and view it as an attempt to silence journalists.

PGMN founder Franco Mabanta arrested

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrests Peanut Gallery Media Network founder Franco Mabanta, NBI director Melvin Matibag confirms to Rappler on Wednesday, May 6.

Matibag, however, did not provide specific details regarding Mabanta’s arrest. The NBI is expected to hold a briefing at 11 am on Wednesday.

Mabanta once served as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s social media strategist.

Castro on Mabanta's arrest: He's not a friend of the president

At a press briefing in Cebu, Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro says that Franco Mabanta, founder of Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) who was recently arrested in an entrapment operation for alleged extortion, is no friend of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Castro presents photos of Mabanta with the Dutertes, questioning their relationship in response to links made with Mabanta and the president. | via @John Sitchon - Rappler

Screenshot from RTVM

Dear sir/ma'am,

I've been hearing rumors that the police accused of murdering Diego Bello Lafuente are actually in hiding in Mindanao. This information came to my attention from a British foreigner who lives in Davao that has close ties with the Duterte family. I'm hoping this is just silly island gossip but thought it was worthwhile to bring to your attention.

Respectfully,

A concerned citizen

Thanks @lazonaman4 ! Tagging justice reporter @Jairo Bolledo-Rappler here in case this information will help in his coverage.

Nicholas Kaufman asks ICC to be removed as Duterte's lawyer

Nicholas Kaufman asks the International Criminal Court to remove him as Rodrigo Duterte's lawyer. 

"In light of the aforementioned, in accordance with Regulation 78(1) of the Regulations of the Court, I hereby respectfully request leave to withdraw as Counsel for Mr Rodrigo Roa Duterte in the case of the Prosecutor v. Rodrigo Roa Duterte," Kaufman says.

Kaufman says in his request that Duterte seeks a new lawyer to represent him in his crimes against humanity case.

'I hereby respectfully request leave to withdraw as Counsel for Mr Rodrigo Roa Duterte in the case of the Prosecutor v. Rodrigo Roa Duterte,' Kaufman says in his May 8 request. https://www.rappler.com/philippines/nicholas-kaufman-withdraws-duterte-icc-lawyer/

Dov Jacobs also leaves Duterte's ICC defense team

Duterte’s associate counsel Dov Jacobs also leaves the defense team. Jacobs filed a request on May 7, citing Duterte’s decision  “in reorganising his Defence team in anticipation for the trial phase of this case.” 

The trial chamber approved Jacobs’ withdrawal in a decision on May 8

Is Bato’s ICC warrant already here in the Philippines?

Interior chief Jonvic Remulla says there is no information yet if the supposed ICC warrant against Senator Bato dela Rosa is already transmitted to the Philippine government.

The supposed warrantis expected to be implemented through the Interpol and the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime.

Remulla, however, says Dela Rosa is said to be in the Davao Region.

“As of latest update, the DILG is preparing a 10k task force for the dragnet operations in case a warrant of arrest for Senator Bato is issued,” Remulla tells Rappler.

ICC: No public warrant yet in the Philippines