Breaking news

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) First Division, voting 2-1, cancelled Grace Poe’s certificate of candidacy (COC) for president; that makes the Comelec en banc decision at 5-1, disqualifying Poe as a presidential candidate.

This sets the stage for the Supreme Court (SC) to make the final decision on Poe’s candidacy.

Poe’s disqualification will surely be a game changer and improves the chances of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Commissioner Christian Lim dissented. Majority votes to disqualify came from Commissioners Rowena Guanzon and Luie Tito Guia.

Duterte admits killings

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte openly admitted in a radio interview that he had killed three rapist-kidnappers and that he threw overboard from a helicopter a drug lord.

These are dangerous admissions which must be fully investigated by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

He promised to kill five criminals every week, if he is elected President, before a meeting of supporters in Taguig.

Nobody can take the law into his own hands even if the action is meant against lawless elements or criminals. It’s a gross violation of the Constitution.

Duterte also admitted he has killed or caused to be killed 1,700 suspected criminals.

Earlier, the Amnesty International Philippines has raised red flags (AIP) about Duterte’s human rights record since he has long been tagged in the alleged vigilante group, “Davao Death Squad,” that carried out several executions in the city. Human Rights Watch, a New York-based human rights group, called for a probe regarding the tough-talking mayor’s alleged involvement in this group.

Duterte even promised his running-mate Senator Alan Peter Cayetano that if the latter wins and he loses, he will kill the president so Alan can succeed.

Senator Poe said at the commemoration of International Human Rights Day that “when a government or people abuse human rights, they are violating international human rights and have no right to lead our country.” She did not mention Duterte, but was obviously referring to the feisty mayor.

The camp of Roxas challenged Duterte to reveal the names of the persons he has killed if he is proud of taking the law into his own hands, or he had nothing to fear.

Clearly political harassment

Presidential Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa has issued a 60-day suspension order on Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama on the same day he flew out of the country, with permission from Malacañang.

A barangay captain in Cebu City filed a complaint against Rama, who was charged for grave abuse of authority, misconduct, and oppression for ordering the demolition of a traffic center island and street lightning.

According to Ochoa, the decision was in accordance with the law and on the merits of the case. He noted the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) could recommend disciplinary action on local government officials.

The camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay cried political harassment as Mayor Rama is the regional coordinator of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) party for Eastern Visayas. He is running for reelection against LP candidate Tommy Osmeña.

Tanim-bala confirmed

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)’s charges against six persons of the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) and Aviation Security Command (AVSECOM) in connection with the case of United States missionary Lane Michael White, confirm the “tanim-bala” operation at the NAIA airport.

Named respondents were Marvin Garcia and Maria Elena Cena of OTS, Police Inspector Adriano Junio, SPO4 Ramon Bernardo, SPO2 Rolando Clarin and SPO2 Ramon Navarro of AVSECOM.

Department of Justice (DOJ) undersecretary Emmanuel Caparas said: “Based on investigation, there was indeed an instance of the tanim-bala scam by corrupt OTS personnel to obtain financial considerations in lieu of non-filing of cases against passengers.”

The Pasay City Regional Trial Court dismissed the case against White.

The NBI said they’re continuing its investigation of the extortion racket.

Enderun launches pioneering program

Enderun Colleges announced the launch of its new undergraduate program on Sustainability, an interdisciplinary course in environmental science, business management and public policy that will be the first of its kind in Asia.

Edmond Vera-Perez Maceda, who co-chairs the department with Bryan McClelland, said students accepted into the four-year degree course will explore a wide range of topics, including climate change, global sustainable-development policy, product design, food systems, urban planning, transportation systems, green buildings, as well as energy, water and waste systems, before choosing a concentration in social entrepreneurship, corporate sustainability management, public policy, or applied environmental science.

Enderun College is a four-year undergraduate college that offers bachelor’s degree and non-degree courses in the fields of international hospitality management, business administration, entrepreneurship, economics and sustainability.

Enderun Colleges’ Sustainability degree program starts in June 2016. Application for this course is ongoing.

Tidbits

The killer of the mother of actress Cherry Pie Picache has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

The Mitsubishi Motors declared they will not recall Montero vans they have sold, claiming there is no defect in their cars. Thirty-four cases of Montero going into accelerated speed have been reported. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has, so far, refused to order a recall of Mitsubishi Montero Sport.

Richard Tuason was shot dead in a road rage incident in Pasig City.

Chavit Singson has withdrawn his candidacy for vice governor of Ilocos Sur, instead running for councilor of Narvacan.

Christmas greetings to Senator Gringo Honasan and Jane Honasan, Robert Cojuito Jr., Ambassador Antonio Cabangon, Barangay chairmen Dennis Tan, Pio Morales, Arnel Matulac, Joey Chua and Pedro Borja; Peter and Glory Roxas, Dante Go, Jaime Dechavez and Johnny Sy.