SC affirms dismissal of forfeiture raps vs. Marcoses, Tantoco

The complaint filed in 1987 alleged that the late president unlawfully withdrew from the National Treasury, the Central Bank and other financial institutions of the country and transferred these funds to various payees.

The Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed the 2019 decision of the Sandiganbayan which dismissed the complaint filed by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) against the family of the late president Ferdinand Marcos and Tantoco family seeking the forfeiture of all properties acquired by them during the Marcos administration.

In the 26-page decision promulgated on March 29 and uploaded on July 18, the SC First Division dismissed the complaint against Bienvenido R. Tantoco Jr.; Ferdinand E. Marcos, substituted by his heirs namely: Imelda R. Marcos, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Imee Marcos and Irene Marcos-Araneta; Bienvenido R. Tantoco Sr., Gliceria R. Tantoco, substituted by Dominador R. Santiago and Maria Lourdes Tantoco-Pineda.

READ MORE: The Tantocos and Santiago were alleged to have acted as dummies in the acquisition of various real and personal properties as well as businesses of the Marcoses and obtained unwarranted benefits for themselves and their businesses as a result of their close association

DAVAO CITY 38th Kadayawan Festival officially launched

“Colors of Abundance, Vibrance of Diversity, Festivals of Festivals”

By ROGER M. BALANZA

Davao City’s 38th Kadayawan Festival was officially launched on Monday, July 18, highlighted by the unveiling of a logo of the annual festival from August 10 to 20, 2023.

“This year, we are back and bigger than ever, and we are excited to stage a more exciting Kadayawan Festival for everyone,” Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte said in the opening rites at Seda Hotel, where he urged Dabawenyos to go out and celebrate this year’s festival.

“This year, we are back and bigger than ever, and we are excited to stage a more exciting Kadayawan Festival for everyone,” Baste said in his message read for him by vice mayor J. Melchor Quitain Jr.

This year will be the second celebration of Kadayawan after last year after the end of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Let us come together to celebrate the vibrant culture, rich heritage, and abundant harvest of our city. Let us embrace the spirit of gratitude and remember that it is our mutual respect for the uniqueness of our respective customs and traditions that binds us all as one Dabawenyo community. Come witness the colors of abundance, the vibrancy of diversity, and the festival of festivals. Join us and experience the best of Davao City at the 38th Kadayawan Festival,” he sai

City Hall is allocating P65 million for this year’s festival.

MARCOS FAULTS DUTERTE WAR VS. ILLEGAL DRUGS

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said that there had been abuses committed during the “previous administration” in the war on illegal drugs.

In Washington on Thursday, April 4, 2023, Marcos said the anti-drug campaign of former President Rodrigo Duterte committed errors because it “focused too much on law enforcement”which led to “abuses by certain elements in the government.”

READ: Abuses linked to war on drugs committed during ‘previous administration’

“In my view what had happened in the previous administration is that we focused very much on enforcement. And because of that, it could be said that there are abuses by certain elements in the government and that has caused some concern with many, in many quarters about the human rights situation in the Philippines,” Marcos said in a forum organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Marcos admin’s anti-drug drive to focus on dismantling syndicates

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said his administration’s campaign against illegal drugs would now focus more on dismantling drug syndicates and strengthening re-education programs.

Philippines to stay away from China-Taiwan tension

Won’t use EDCA to meddle in conflict

The Department of National Defense (DND) said on Saturday, April 15, that the Philippines-US Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) will not be used to meddle in China’s affairs in relation to Taiwan, contrary to the suggestion of China’s envoy to Manila.

“The Department of National Defense takes exception to the statement of Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian that the Philippines is meddling in the internal affairs of China concerning Taiwan,” DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said in a statement on Saturday, April 15.