https://www.rappler.com/philippines/sc-decision-void-former-overall-deputy-ombudsman-carandang-dismissal/

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

Trillanes' ICC warrant 'inactionable'

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla says the local police cannot implement the ICC warrant against Senator Bato dela Rosa. He says the Philippines can only implement the ICC warrant if it's coursed through the Interpol.

"The warrant that Sen Trillanes holds is a correspondence by the ICC to the PCTC.  However, we are not part of the treaty.  We are affording Sen de La Rosa due process by waiting for the Interpol to serve notice to the PCTC. As far as the DILG, What Sen Trillanes has is an inactionable document," Remulla tells Rappler.

BREAKING: ICC confirms warrant vs Bato dela Rosa, says the court is on the process of unsealing the warrant against the senator. Dela Rosa was named as Rodrigo Duterte's indirect co-perpretrator in his crimes against humanity case.

"The International Criminal Court confirms that the document published by national authorities of the Republic of the Philippines and circulated in media is indeed a formal ICC document," ICC spokepserson Oriane Maillet tells reporters.

"This arrest warrant against Mr Ronald Marapon Dela Rosa was issued confidentially, under seal, by Pre-Trial Chamber I of the ICC on 6 November 2025.

The ICC is currently in the process of unsealing the warrant of arrest. We will circulate to this group as soon as available."

WATCH: A leadership shakeup at the Senate unseats Tito Sotto as Senate president and installs Alan Peter Cayetano as the upper chamber’s new leader. The leadership change coincides with the sudden appearance of Senator Bato dela Rosa at the Senate after months of absence – only to face an attempted arrest linked to an International Criminal Court warrant. @Patrick Cruz - Rappler breaks down the key developments inside the Senate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaTwuhV0Nr0