Maniolas

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said the House of Representatives cannot dictate them over what to do with Sen. Leila de Lima, a News To Go report said Friday.  This came after the House committee on justice issued a show cause order against De Lima, following the testimony of her former driver-bodyguard Ronnie Dayan and his daughter, Hannah Mae, saying the senator asked him to snub the House inquiry on the proliferation of drugs at the New Bilibid Prison, despite a subpoena issued against him.  During the hearing, Rep. Harry Roque also called on the Senate to “remove” De Lima from office to “maintain the integrity of the institution.”  In response, Pimentel was quoted as saying this is unrealistic.  The requests should also be coursed through proper channels, he added.  Earlier, De Lima’s partymates in the Senate rallied behind her, and said the House should recognize the inter-parliamentary courtesy. —Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/KG, GMA News

Since coming to power in June, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has made global headlines, a rarity for national leaders in Southeast Asia. His comments on his country’s relations with major powers – the US, China, Japan and Russia – have been extraordinary for their divergence from conventional wisdom. Now the time has come for him to demonstrate his leadership finesse in representing the region. The Philippines is the incoming chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, succeeding Laos, which has done a good job despite limited resources and modest expectations. In contrast, the Philippines has the most outspoken leader in Asean and expectations are high that it will raise the bloc’s profile to a new level in the year ahead as it takes over the rotating duty at the helm. Adding to this sense is the fact that the chairmanship coincides with the association’s 50th anniversary. Manila has indicated it is ready for the task, even conceiving the sweeping, snappy new theme “Partnership for changes, engaging the world”. READ: Duterte formally accepts PH hosting of Asean summit in 2017 It’s clear that whatever the Philippines has in mind for its tenure as Asean chair will have to take into account the historic importance of this milestone, coming at a time when the region is facing serious challenges. Several agenda items stand out as being the most critical. Firstly, the Philippines will give top priority to making Asean a people-centered, peopled-oriented community. The Asean Economic Community has entered its second Read More …

Russia has offered to sell rifles to the Philippines at an apparent bargain after a United States senator questioned the country’s planned purchase of guns from America, according to President Duterte who is seeking more robust ties with Moscow. Mr. Duterte had met with Russian President Vladimir Putin made at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru. The Philippines’ planned purchase of assault rifles from the United States has been put under review after Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin questioned the sale amid concerns over human rights violations. Mr. Duterte said the Philippines would explore other potential transactions that offer “better deals and more advantageous terms.” Putin had offered to sell guns to the Philippines, he said. “If the Senate—I forgot, Cardin?—does not want to sell rifles to us, Putin said that you can have, I’ll give you, buy one and take one. Almost like that,” he said in a press briefing upon arrival from Peru and New Zealand. “He said, ‘If you cannot buy arms anywhere, you go to me,’” he added. Upon arrival Wednesday night in Davao, Duterte said he did not discuss any arms deal with Putin during their meeting in Peru. The President, who bristles at criticism of his antidrug war and the killings that have marked it, said he sees no reason to “belabor the point” with Cardin. There are other countries the Philippines can ask for help, he said. But he added that a country should not deprive an ally of key equipment. Mr. Duterte Read More …