INQToday: De Lima acquitted in last drug case; Teodoro denies gov鈥檛 downplaying China鈥檚 aggressions
Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
The Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court has acquitted former Senator Leila de Lima in the last drug-related case filed against her by the Duterte administration.
Last March, her camp filed the demurrer to evidence to dismiss the third and last case against her.
Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro said the government is not downplaying China’s recent aggression near Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
He acknowledged that the June 17 incident in the West Philippine Sea was an “aggressive and illegal use of force” by China.
Article continues after this advertisementPresident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the non-disclosure of the military rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission schedules for troops stationed at Ayungin Shoal.
Article continues after this advertisementMarcos’ decision came after the to the moored BRP Sierra Madre, the Philippines’ naval outpost in the West Philippine Sea.
A West Philippine Sea monitor saw on Monday the “monster ship” of China Coast Guard (CCG) near the BRP Sierra Madre, a naval outpost grounded in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.
As of 9:00 a.m., the 12,000-ton CCG vessel “passed close” to the Philippines’ naval station and was “heading north”, according to Sea Light director Ray Powell.
Alice Guo’s alleged link to the busted Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) Lucky South 99 is supported by existing information, according to Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.
But he refused to disclose more details on the supposed relationship of the suspended Bamban, Tarlac mayor to the Pampanga-based Pogo because investigations on the matter are still ongoing.
Senator Imee Marcos again declared her solid support for Vice President Sara Duterte, who recently quit all her Cabinet duties under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“Paulit-ulit lang naman na anuman ang mangyari, ang aking paniniwala at pagmamahal para kay Vice President Sara ay mananatili. Anumang laban, anumang hakbang, anumang hinaharap ako’y kasama niya,” Marcos told reporters in an ambush interview Monday.
