DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Several candidates in the forthcoming barangay elections here have identified themselves openly in campaign paraphernalia as associated with either of the two ruling political families in Davao City.

These acts violate election rules  according to the Comission on Elections (Comelec) which urged politicians to keep the barangay polls non-partisan.

In Barangay Dumoy, a huge poster shows a set of candidates belonging to “Team Pagbabago” (Team Change) with images of Davao City 1st District Representative Karlo Nograles and his brother, Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Partylist Representative Jericho Nograles.

The barangay belongs to the city’s first congressional district, represented by Karlo Nograles, who in September 2017 joined President Rodrigo Duterte’s PDP-Laban.

Meanwhile, kagawad re-electionist Vic Cabatbat's campaign poster identify him as a “Hugpong member.” It also has a photo of Cabatbat with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

In Barangay Bago Aplaya, kagawad candidate Gresso “Jing” Bustamante and barangay chairman candidate Boboy Dujali have posters showing a photo of them with Jericho Nograles raising their hands. 

Also in Bago Aplaya can be seen posters of kagawad candidates Herry Dandoy, Abdul Imbas, and Allan “Awang” Urtado with the logo of theHugpong ng Pagbabago, the regional political party formed by Duterte-Carpio and other Davao governors.

Kagawad candidate Jong “Mamac” Basan’s poster shows a logo of the iconic fist used by President Duterte in his campaign.

At a press conference Wednesday, May 9, Comelec XI election lawyer Krisna Samantha Caballero said these acts violate pre-election rules.

“It is illegal, so it’s not allowed. Because it’s a violation, that is already tantamount to an election offense,” Caballero told reporters.

But Comelec, she said, could not prevent the candidates from identifying themselves with incumbent politicians in local government.

She said “there must be a certain person who can stand up and complain, because if there’s no complainant how can we act on it.”

Earlier, Davao City Mayor Duterte-Carpio said she has received complaints from several candidates on this issue. 

One case was by a certain Arnold Llamas who claimed to be head coordinator of Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (Hugpong) and came out with a list of candidates “supposedly supported” by the party.

The mayor said  “Llamas has no position in Hugpong and is not authorized to release a list of candidates for the Party.”

“Hugpong is aware of the law restraining partisan politics in the barangay elections and has not endorsed candidates.”

Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod is a Davao City political party led by Duterte-Carpio’s father, President Duterte. – Rappler.com 

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines and Japan finalized an agreement to cooperate in repatriating the remains of Japanese soldiers who died in the Southeast Asian country during World War II.

"The Philippines and Japan have officially concluded an agreement to cooperate in the humanitarian repatriation of the remains of World War II Japanese soldiers in the Philippines," said the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday, May 9.

"This agreement will facilitate the proper collection, handling, storage, and shipment of these remains," the DFA added in its news release on Wednesday.

The DFA said around 518,000 Japanese soldiers died in the Philippines during World War II. (READ: Japan's discomfort with history and the PH dilemma)

Since 1958 under then president Carlos P. Garcia, the Philippines has "allowed Japan to undertake recovery missions in the country for humanitarian reasons."

"Since then, the remains of 100,000 soldiers have been returned to Japan," the DFA said. 

Recently, World War II issues between the Philippines and Japan came up again after a controversial comfort woman statue along Roxas Boulevard was removed.  

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said the statue can be placed somewhere else because "it is not the policy of government to antagonize other nations," in this case Japan, which complained about the statue. – Rappler.com

MADRID, Spain – Spain's executive said Wednesday, May 9, it would block Carles Puigdemont from being re-appointed president of Catalonia, putting pressure on the separatist camp to pick another candidate and form a regional government after months of limbo.

Madrid has requested the Constitutional Court cancel a reform voted for last week by Catalonia's majority separatist parliament that would allow Puigdemont – currently in self-exile abroad – to be appointed president without having to be present, government spokesman Inigo Mendez de Vigo told reporters.

The court will have to examine the request and rule on it but while it does that the reform will automatically be suspended, which means Puigdemont won't be able to be appointed as planned later this week.

Mendez de Vigo said this meant the Catalan parliament would not be able to call a session to appoint Puigdemont "at the risk of committing the offense of disobedience".

Puigdemont's allies had announced Saturday they would try and have him appointed by May 14.

But they also recognized that if they couldn't, they would pick an alternative candidate to unblock the political impasse in Catalonia, which was put under direct rule by Madrid on October 27 after a failed secession bid.

That day, Rajoy also sacked Puigdemont and all his ministers after the regional parliament declared independence following a referendum that wasn't sanctioned by Madrid and was banned by the courts.

He also called snap regional elections for December 21, which separatist parties went on to win, once again getting an absolute majority in parliament.

By then, Puigdemont had already left for Belgium in self-imposed exile.

But since then, all candidates proposed by the separatist camp to lead Catalonia have fallen flat, as they are either abroad and wanted by Spain, or already in prison, charged with rebellion.

Critics of the independence camp have charged they are merely dragging the process out to try and garner sympathy.

Speaking in the Senate on Tuesday, May 8, Rajoy slammed the separatists' attempts to have Puigdemont re-appointed.

He accused them of "having put Catalan politics in an absurd loop in which the personal interests of one person – just one – are placed before the collective project of an entire society".

Catalan separatists, however, say Puigdemont is their legitimate leader as his Together for Catalonia grouping was the most voted out of all separatist parties in the December elections.

They also say the rebellion charge against him and others is disproportionate, and describe those already in jail in Spain – like former Catalan vice president Oriol Junqueras – as "political prisoners". – Rappler.com

LONDON, United Kingdom – A waxwork of Meghan Markle wearing a replica of her diamond engagement ring was unveiled on Wednesday, May 9, at London's Madame Tussauds museum, less than two weeks before her wedding to Prince Harry.

"Excitement ahead of the royal wedding is reaching fever pitch and we have been inundated with questions about when people can finally meet Their Royal Likenesses," general manager Edward Fuller said.

The likeness of the US former television actress is in a green dress like the one she wore when the couple, who are getting married at Windsor Castle on May 19, announced their engagement in November.

"They take about six months to make. We had to speed up a little because obviously once the engagement was announced we were off and running," Stephen Mansfield, the principal sculptor, told AFP.

Not to be outdone, Legoland Windsor Resort unveiled Wednesday, May 9, it's "own Royal Wedding scene complete with a Lego Windsor Castle" made entirely of Lego blocks. 

"So to celebrate the marriage of His Royal Highness Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle,
we’ve created here at the Legoland Windsor Resort our very own Royal Wedding scene complete with a Lego Windsor Castle," said Lauren Moss, of Legoland Windsor. 

Moss said: "The scene ... took our talented model-making team 60,000 Lego bricks and took 752 hours to build."

Aside from the royal wedding scene in the Windsor Castle, the tableau includes Lego blocks of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, Royal Family members and versions of Elton John and The Spice Girls. 

Asked if Harry and Meghan had posed for the sculptures, he said: "As you can imagine they've got one or two other things on their minds currently, so we were able to create the figures using techniques that we're built up over the years".

Harry's figure, which was originally created to mark the royal's 30th birthday, has been updated for the occasion with the ginger beard he currently sports.

"The massive challenge in this case was that there would be a huge expectation and people interested to see how our figures would look," Mansfield said.

The waxworks will go on public show the day before the wedding. On the day, the museum said it will offer free entry to guests named Meghan or Harry. – Rappler.com

WASHINGTON,  USA – Three American detainees have been freed by North Korea and are heading home with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, US President Donald Trump said Wednesday, May 9.

"I am pleased to inform you that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in the air and on his way back from North Korea with the 3 wonderful gentlemen that everyone is looking so forward to meeting. They seem to be in good health," Trump tweeted.

Trump said he would be on hand when Pompeo's 3 "guests" land at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington at 2:00 am (0600 GMT) Thursday, May 10.

The release of the 3 – Kim Dong-chul, Kim Sang-duk and Kim Hak-song – had been expected as a goodwill gesture amid preparations for a summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Trump said Pompeo had a "good meeting" with Kim and that a date and place had been finalized for the summit, a historic encounter called to discuss the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

Washington is demanding that North Korea dismantle its nuclear weapons program. – Rappler.com

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Two Japanese nationals and their Filipino worker are facing charges for allegedly trafficking at least 13 of their countrymen who came to the Philippines to learn English but found themselves being beaten and forced to do manual labor. 

Charges are being filed against Hajime Kawauichi, 61, and his son Yuya Kawauichi, 35, for violating the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 (RA 7610), as well as the Special Protection of Children Against Exploitation and Discrimination Act (RA 10364).

Police Chief Inspector Milgrace Driz, spokesperson of Davao’s Regional Police Office, said the Kawauichis were arrested last Friday, May 4, in a raid led by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking in the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte.

Also arrested was Lorena Mapagdalita, who according to Driz, worked for the Kawauichis. “But her RA 7610 case has been dismissed,” Driz said in a press briefing in Davao City on Wednesday, May 9.

The inter-agency group initiated the rescue operation in the Davao del Norte island city after a tip by a resident. The resident told the authorites that Japanese nationals, many of them minors, were allegedly abused by the Kawauichis.

The minors, according to police, arrived in Davao City in 2017. They arrived in Samal in October to take lessons in English and Karate, for which their parents supposedly paid a monthly fee of as much as P100,000.

But the students found themselves becoming workers, and allegedly were being beaten by the Kawauchis, according to Police Superintendent Venus Ortuyo, Samal’s police station commander.

“Sila na ang ginapatabang ug construct sa ilahang facility didto sa Samal. Ginapakalot sila ug mga poste, mag haul sila ug balas, bato, mga yuta and then ginapamix ug cemento (They are the ones helping construct the facility there in Samal. They were tasked to dig holes for posts, haul sand, rocks, and soil, and then mix cement),” Otuyo said in a TV Patrol Southern Mindanao report May 8.

The same report also showed police photos of evidence that the Japanese nationals were being beaten.

Alma Acera, a social welfare officer in Davao, said there were questions as to why the students were being beaten “to the point of being wounded.”

Of the 13 rescued, 9 were minors who were now under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The suspects are detained at the Samal police station, said Driz, who added the Japanese consulate has intervened as the Kawauichis could barely speak in English.

“There is a possibility that they will be deported; but that depends on the outcome of their cases,” she added. – Rappler.com

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Malaysia's opposition alliance led by veteran ex-leader Mahathir Mohamad was making early gains in a hard-fought election against the long-ruling coalition, according to unofficial tallies, Wednesday, May 9.

The ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition had won 34 parliamentary seats, while opposition alliance Pact of Hope was on 40, according to a count on the website of the pro-government Star newspaper.

The opposition gained several new seats in Sarawak state, a traditional BN stronghold, according to state-run Bernama news agency.

Some key figures in the coalition had fallen, with the heads of the ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indian parties having lost their seats, according to unofficial counts on Bernama.

Official results on the Election Commission website showed BN with 20 seats, with two parties in the opposition alliance – People's Justice Party and the Democratic Action Party – on 6 seats each.

There are 222 seats in parliament, and 112 are needed for victory at the election with a simple majority. BN currently has 133.

The election race has been one of the most closely contested in Malaysia's history, with Mahathir, 92, coming out of retirement to take on his former protege Najib Razak, who has been embroiled in a massive corruption scandal. – Rappler.com

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Malaysia's veteran ex-leader Mahathir Mohamad, 92, won a historic election victory Thursday, May 10, in a political earthquake that toppled the country's scandal-plagued premier and ousted a regime that had ruled for over 6 decades.

In a stunning political upset that took pundits by surprise, Mahathir's opposition alliance ended the long hold on power of the Barisan Nasional coalition, which has been in power in Malaysia since its birth as an independent country in 1957.

The thumping victory capped a dramatic political comeback for Mahathir, who previously ruled the country with an iron fist for 22 years and came out of retirement to take on Prime Minister Najib Razak after the leader became embroiled in a massive corruption scandal.

When he takes power, Mahathir will be the oldest prime minister in the world.

Despite the shock result there were no reports of trouble on the streets, where pockets of celebration erupted overnight.

A flag-waving crowd of supporters gathered on a field outside the headquarters of Mahathir's party near Kuala Lumpur.

Suva Selvan, a 48-year-old doctor, said he felt the country had just won its independence.

"I feel that with this change we probably can see something better in the future... our hope for the future is a better government, fair, free and united," he told Agence France-Presse.

Defeat could just be the beginning of Najib's troubles. Mahathir has vowed to bring him to justice over allegations that billions of dollars were looted from sovereign wealth fund 1MDB, which the scandal-hit leader set up and oversaw.

But at a press conference after his win, Mahathir vowed: "We are not seeking revenge. We want to restore the rule of law."

He said he would be sworn in Thursday.

Mahathir's return to the political frontlines saw him throw in his lot with an opposition alliance filled with parties that he crushed while in power, and which includes jailed opposition icon Anwar Ibrahim – his former nemesis.

Anwar is due to be released from prison in June. Mahathir has vowed to get him a royal pardon, and later hand over the premiership to him.

As well as seizing control of the national government, several state legislatures across the country fell into opposition hands for the first time, including the highly symbolic bastion of Johor, the birthplace of Najib's party that was the lynchpin of the ruling coalition.

Dramatic defeat

Official results from the Election Commission showed that Mahathir's opposition grouping Pakatan Harapan, along with a small ally, had secured 121 parliamentary seats. 112 are needed to form a government.

BN got 79 seats – a dramatic drop from the 133 they held previously.

Najib was nowhere to be seen as the evening wore on, and was believed to have holed up inside his house for talks with senior members of BN.

The opposition win was particularly striking as critics said that Najib tried everything he could to cling to power.

His government was accused of pushing a redrawing of electoral boundaries through parliament that created constituencies packed with the country's Muslim Malay majority, who have traditionally supported BN.

He called the election on a weekday – polls are typically held at the weekend in Malaysia – in what observers said was an effort to keep turnout down, which would hurt the opposition. In the event, voters flocked to the polls in huge numbers.

Ultimately the explosive allegations of corruption, coupled with anger at rising living costs, proved too much for Malaysia's 15 million voters, already sick of racially divisive politics in the multi-ethnic country and graft scandals under years of BN rule.

In Mahathir, the opposition found the perfect person to take on Najib. He is a staunch Malay nationalist who could appeal to the country's biggest ethnic group, and whose years in power were remembered as a prosperous period in the country's history.

The initial euphoria at the opposition victory will likely give way to some apprehension.

Mahathir was also a accused of being an authoritarian leader, and political opponents were thrown in jail during his time in office. – Rappler.com

WASHINGTON DC, USA – US President Donald Trump will greet 3 Americans released by North Korea at an airbase near Washington Thursday, May 10, underscoring a much needed diplomatic win and a stepping stone to a historic summit with Kim Jong-Un.

Trump will make the short helicopter ride from the White House to Joint Base Andrews to meet Kim Hak-song, Tony Kim and Kim Dong-chul in person, after their release on from North Korea on Wednesday, May 9.

The North Korean regime granted the 3 men "amnesty," a US official said, removing a major point of friction between Washington and Pyongyang and a potential obstacle to talks between the Cold War foes.

"I am pleased to inform you that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in the air and on his way back from North Korea with the 3 wonderful gentlemen that everyone is looking so forward to meeting. They seem to be in good health," Trump tweeted.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I am pleased to inform you that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in the air and on his way back from North Korea with the 3 wonderful gentlemen that everyone is looking so forward to meeting. They seem to be in good health. Also, good meeting with Kim Jong Un. Date &amp; Place set.</p>&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/994192995737096192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Two of the men, agricultural expert Kim Hak-song and former professor Tony Kim were arrested in 2017, while Kim Dong-chul, a South Korea-born American businessman and pastor in his 60s, was sentenced to 10 years' hard labor in 2016.

The White House said all 3 men were able to walk unassisted onto a US Air Force plane that carried them and the secretary of state out of North Korea.

A second plane, with more robust medical equipment, awaited them at Yokota Air Force Base, just outside Tokyo and will bring them back to the United States.

"All indications are at this point that their health is as good as could be given that they've been held," Pompeo told reporters traveling with him.

The trio later released a statement of thanks conveyed via the State Department.

"We would like to express our deep appreciation to the United States government, President Trump, Secretary Pompeo, and the people of the United States for bringing us home," they said.

"We thank God, and all our families and friends who prayed for us and for our return. God Bless America, the greatest nation in the world."

The family of Tony Kim also voiced gratitude to "all of those who have worked toward and contributed to his return home" – and specifically thanking Trump for "engaging directly with North Korea."

Game on

Trump described the men's release as "a gesture of good will" and said he would be on hand when Pompeo's 3 "guests" land shortly after 2 am (0600 GMT) Thursday.

{source}<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Secretary Pompeo and his “guests” will be landing at Andrews Air Force Base at 2:00 A.M. in the morning. I will be there to greet them. Very exciting!</p>&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/994194233111273472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Trump acolytes declared their release an unbridled political victory, evidence, Vice President Mike Pence said, that "strong leadership and our America First policies are paying dividends."

The development appears to pave the way for a much-anticipated summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim, scheduled to take place within weeks.

"It was absolutely imperative that the Trump Administration secure the release of the 3 Americans well before any summit," said Jean Lee, an analyst at the Wilson Center.

In his first reported comments on the summit, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un said his sit down with Trump "would be a historic meeting" and an "excellent first step" according to state media.

Summit details to follow

Trump says a time, date and location have been decided for his historic summit with Kim, although US officials say there is still some fine-tuning to be done.

The most likely location appears to be neutral Singapore.

The president told reporters the administration would announce the details "within 3 days" but revealed it would not be at the Demilitarized Zone that separates North and South Korea.

"I think that Chairman Kim is trying to set good conditions for the summit. I think we are having good conversations, productive conversations," Pompeo said.

"We're planning on it will be a single day, but in the event that there is more to discuss, there'll be an opportunity for it to extend into the second day as well."

The meeting will discuss North Korea's nuclear and ballistic weapons program, which may soon give Pyongyang the capability of striking the continental United States.

Trump has demanded that North Korea give up its nukes, while Kim has offered few indications about what he is willing to concede or what he will demand in return.

North Korea has often insisted that the United States withdraw support for South Korea, where 30,000-plus US military personnel are stationed.

Since coming to office Trump has embarked on a campaign of "maximum pressure" on the North Korean regime.

A series of provocative North Korean missile tests have been met with US sanctions and a tougher Chinese stance on cross border trade.

Officials in Washington believe the punitive economic measures have prompted fuel shortages in North Korea and increased tension inside the regime.

North Korea official Kim Yong-Chul, who met Pompeo in Pyongyang, insisted the country's openness to talks was "not the result of sanctions that have been imposed from outside," but a change in regime focus.

"We have perfected our nuclear capability. It is our policy to concentrate all efforts into economic progress in country," he said. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Lawyer Edna Batacan, legal counsel who once represented President Rodrigo Duterte, applied for the post of Ombudsman to replace the retiring Conchita Carpio Morales.

Three well-informed sources from the judiciary confirmed to Rappler that Batacan personally applied with the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC). 

Duterte, Mike Arroyo as clients

Batacan, like Duterte, is a graduate of the San Beda College of Law, where she also taught for more than 3 decades after passing the Bar in 1981. 

Batacan represented Duterte in some of the lawsuits he faced as mayor of Davao City. 

In 2010, Batacan appeared as counsel for Duterte in the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan where the then mayor was facing graft charges for the demolition of a canal cover project in Davao City. It was a complaint filed against him by former House speaker Prospero Nograles.

By April 2011, the Sandiganbayan had cleared Duterte. 

Batacan is more prominently known to media as the counsel of former first gentleman Mike Arroyo.

She handled Arroyo's graft cases involving the Philippine National Police (PNP) helicopters anomaly, and the controversial NBN-ZTE broadband deal.

Ombudsman race

Batacan's name has been circulating in legal circles for months now, as a potential frontrunner in the Ombudsman race. 

One of the sources said Solicitor General Jose Calida, who is known to be interested in the post too, has not applied as of Thursday, May 10.

Another applicant for the post is Special Prosecutor Edilberto Sandoval, who also personally applied.

Supreme Court Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo de Castro was nominated, but her confirmation is needed before she is considered an applicant by the JBC.

The JBC is accepting applications until May 15. Morales retires on July 26. – with reports from Jodesz Gavilan/Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – A complaint was filed before the Office of the Ombudsman against Solicitor General Jose Calida on Thursday, May 10, accusing him of violating the Code of Conduct for Public Officials for a majority share in a security agency.

The complaint was filed by Jocelyn Nisperos-Acosta, a private individual who is a vocal supporter of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

{source}<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jocelyn Nisperos Acosta, a vocal supporter of CJ Sereno. files a complaint vs <a href="https://twitter.com/SolGenCalida?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SolGenCalida</a> before the Office of the Ombudsman for violation of Code of Conduct over a security agency he supposedly owns <a href="https://twitter.com/rapplerdotcom?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rapplerdotcom</a> <a href="https://t.co/vrEACwDnNF">pic.twitter.com/vrEACwDnNF</a></p>&mdash; Lian Buan (@lianbuan) <a href="https://twitter.com/lianbuan/status/994413265835868160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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In the complaint, Acosta said Calida owns 60% of capital stocks of security agency Vigilant Investigative and Security Agency Inc (VISAI), based on the General Information Sheet filed with the Securities and Exchange Commmission on September 29, 2016.

"[Calida's] wife and 3 children own 10% each," the complaint said.

According to Acosta, VISAI has contracts with government, particularly with the National Economic Development Authority, the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, and the National Parks Development Corporation.

Acosta said Calida's wife Milagros signed a 2016 contract with NAPC as the company's chairperson and president.

Acosta attached Facebook posts of VISAI employees referring to Calida as their boss.

This, Acosta said, violates Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct For Public Officials.

Under Section 9 of RA 6713, a public official shall resign from his position in a company when a conflict of interest arises.

"The fact that his wife remains as President of VISAI proves that respondent still has material pecuniary interest in VISAI," said the complaint.

It added: "Respondent cannot be the lawyer of the government, at the same time its client. By basically owning VISAI, respondent places the government at a disadvantageous position."

The last public official who was indicted for conflict of interest was Davao del Norte 2nd District Representative Antonio Floirendo Jr, who is facing graft charges at Sandiganbayan for having financial interest in Tagum Agricultural Development Company (Tadeco).

Tadeco has a multi-million land lease with the government.

Rumored affair

The complaint also accused Calida of having an affair with an Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) intern. It further accused Calida of diverting P1.8 million in OSG funds to his rumored girlfriend.

Acosta wants to charge Calida for malversation over this. The complaint, however, offers no evidence yet except for "reports."

Acosta also included in the complaint Calida's quo warranto petition against Sereno, as well as the reforms he's undertaking so that the OSG would control the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG).

Saying that the quo warranto petition is unconstitutional, Acosta said Calida can be charged of graft for "persuading, inducing or influencing another public officer – the Supreme Court in this case – to perform an act constituting a violation of rules and regulations duly promulgated by competent authority."

In the PCGG reform, Acosta said Calida being a Marcos loyalist makes him liable under Article 2308 of the Revised Penal Code, which prohibits public officials from "tolerating commission of offenses."

"The fact that the PCGG does in fact currently refuses to perform its mandate of running after Marcos’ ill-gotten wealth, all point to the same conclusion: respondent is not true to his oath as Solicitor General. He is not acting as a lawyer for the Government. He lawyers for the Marcoses," the complaint said.

Calida has earlier refuted claims of conflict of interest in the PCGG reforms, saying his ties do not influence his duties as solicitor general.

Acosta was the one who wrote Calida to initiate a similar quo warranto petition against Supreme Court Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo De Castro, a request which the solicitor general denied. – Rappler.com

PAMPANGA, Philippines – Police have arrested  the officer-in-charge of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Tarlac District Office for alleged possession of illegal drugs and explosives.

In a press statement, Chief Superintendent Amador Corpus, Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) Director, identified the official as Rogel Yambao.

Corpus described Yambao as a “level 2 high value target” in the Philippine National Police’s campaign against illegal drugs.

He said  that on Wednesday, May 9, operatives from the intelligence branch and the drug enforcement unit of the Tarlac Provincial Police Office implemented a search warrant issued by Executive Judge Lily De Vera-Vallo of Tarlac City Regional Trial Court Branch 64 against Yambao for drug possession, in violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Corpus said authorities seized from Yambao's residence 9 pieces of heat-sealed plastic sachets of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, one hand grenade, and 17 cartridges for a caliber .45 gun.

The PRO3 director said Yambao faces charges for violation of RA 9165, illegal possession of explosives under RA 9516, and violation of RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Act.

“The arrest of Yambao, who is a high ranking official of  LTO, only goes to show that more and more unscrupulous government workers are involved in illegal drug and we continue to launch operations against all who are included in our target list and watch list,” Corpus said.

The Tarlac LTO official was arrested on the same day newly installed PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde visited the PRO3 headquarters in Camp Olivas in this province to reiterate the PNP's continued campaign against illegal drugs. – Rappler.com 

SEOUL, South Korea – North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un hailed a planned meeting with US President Donald Trump as a "historic" opportunity during talks with America's top diplomat Mike Pompeo in Pyongyang, according to state media Thursday, May 10.

Kim, who is at the center of a whirlwind of diplomacy as the international community looks to curtail the North's nuclear program, said his summit with Trump "would be a historic meeting" and an "excellent first step."

He said it would help towards improving the situation on the Korean peninsula and the "building of a good future," in comments published on North Korea's official KCNA news agency.

It was the first time Kim is known to have acknowledged the planned meeting with Trump, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap. (READ: Kim makes first official mention of U.S.-North Korea talks)

Pompeo was in the North to discuss arrangements for the high-stakes summit, expected within weeks, as well as to secure the release of 3 Americans detained in North Korea.

Kim said he had granted "amnesty" to the 3 men "who have been detained in the DPRK for their anti-DPRK hostilities," according to KCNA.

The move is seen as a diplomatic victory for Washington and removes the last major obstacle to the summit between the Cold War foes. – Rappler.com

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Malaysia's defeated leader Najib Razak said Thursday, May 10, he accepted the will of the people after his long-ruling coalition suffered a shock election loss to 92-year-old former strongman Mahathir Mohamad.

"I accept the verdict of the people," the leader, who looked shattered after his coalition's defeat, said. But he added that because no single party got a majority in parliament, it was up to the king to decide who will become prime minister.

Mahathir's opposition won 121 seats, if a small ally from Sabah state is included. There are 222 seats in parliament and a majority is needed to form a government.

The veteran ex-leader, who led the country with an iron first for over two decades, stormed to a shock victory at the hard-fought election early Thursday, beating Najib's Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition that has been in charge for over 6 decades. – Rappler.com

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Iraq is gearing up for key parliamentary elections on Saturday, May 12, some five months after declaring victory over the Islamic State group (IS, formerly known as ISIS or the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq), with the dominant Shiites split, the Kurds in disarray and Sunnis sidelined.

A lull in violence ahead of the fourth such nationwide vote since Saddam Hussein was toppled in 2003 has spurred some hope for Iraqis, but surging tensions between key players Iran and the United States could rattle the country.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi – who has balanced off Washington and Tehran – is angling for a new term as he takes credit for the brutal fightback against the jihadists and seeing off a Kurdish push for independence.

But stiff competition from within his Shiite community, the majority group that dominates Iraqi politics, should fragment the vote and spell lengthy horse-trading to form any government.

Whoever emerges as premier will face the mammoth task of rebuilding a country left shattered by the battle against ISIS.

Despite a rare period of calm, more than two and a half million people remain internally displaced and the jihadists still pose a major security threat.

Over 15 blood-sodden years since the US-led invasion upended Iraqi politics there is also widespread disillusionment with the same old faces from an elite seen as mired in corruption and sectarianism.

Shiite rivals

Abadi – who took over as ISIS rampaged across the country in 2014 – is facing two leading Shiite challengers to his Victory Alliance, which has pitched itself as an attempt to bridge Iraq's Shiite-Sunni divide.

Ex-prime minister Nuri al-Maliki – a bitter foe despite coming from the same Dawa party – is widely reviled for stirring sectarianism and losing territory to ISIS, but draws support from a hardline base.

Former transport minister Hadi al-Ameri – who has close ties to Iran's Revolutionary Guards – is hailed by many as a war hero after leading paramilitary units that fought ISIS alongside Baghdad's troops.

He wants US forces that helped battle the jihadists to leave Iraq for good, challenging Abadi's cautious foreign policy that has seen him build bridges with Iran's rival Saudi Arabia.

Overall just under 7,000 candidates are standing and Iraq's complex system means no single bloc looks set to get anything near a majority in the 329-seat parliament.

"There is certainly a contest between the 3 main lists for the post of prime minister, but that will not impact the system that sees the Shiites control and run Iraq," said Jordan-based analyst Adel Mahmud.

Among the other groups jostling for position in the negotiations to come is an unlikely alliance between Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr and secular communists that is looking to ride a wave of protests against corruption.

Sunnis, Kurds struggling

Votes in the Sunni heartlands once dominated by ISIS – including Iraq's devastated second city Mosul  – are up in the air as traditional alliances have been shredded by the fallout of jihadist rule.

Abadi is aiming to be the first Shiite leader to make inroads there but apathy is high as people struggle to rebuild their lives and few efforts have been made to reach out to the hundreds of thousands still displaced in camps.

Political forces in the Kurdish community – often seen as potential kingmakers – are also in disarray after a controversial vote for independence in September backfired spectacularly.

Baghdad unleashed a battery of sanctions and seized back disputed oil-rich regions in the wake of the ballot and the Kurds now look set to lose some of their clout on the national stage.

In a sign of the disenchantment with Iraq's squabbling elite, the country's top Shiite cleric Ayatollah Ali Sistani has broken with previous habits and not urged people to cast ballots.

Instead he demanded that Iraq's nearly 24.5 million registered voters refuse to re-elect legislators who have already held government jobs and proved to be "corrupt and failing".

The swirling uncertainty around the elections has sparked concern that ISIS – which has threatened to attack the vote – could profit from any power vacuum.

There are also fears that a spike in tensions between the US and Iran after President Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal could spill over into Iraq, where both play major roles.

But while the situation remains combustible, analysts say that for now no side appears keen on destabilizing Iraq as it emerges from the turmoil of the war against the jihadists.

The US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear agreement "will of course have a direct influence on the political situation in Iraq," said Iraqi political expert Essam al-Fili.

"But the situation is sensitive and parties loyal to Iran will surely want to join forces with a moderate Shiite figure who can get American approval." – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The Dengvaxia controversy continues to hound former president Benigno  Aquino III and his administration, as a plunder complaint was file against him and other health officials over the purchase of the anti-dengue vaccine on Thursday, May 10.

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio filed the complaint against Aquino before the Office of the Ombudsman for plunder, malversation of public funds, and graft. Others included in the complaint are the following:

1. Former budget secretary Florencio Abad
2. Former executive secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr
3. Former health secretary Janette Garin
4. Undersecretary Maria Carolina Vidal-Taiño
5. Undersecretary Gerardo Bayugo
6. Undersecretary Lilibeth David
7. Undersecretary Mario Villaverde
8. Assistant Secretary Lyndon Lee  Suy
9. Assistant Secretary Nestor Santiago Jr
10. Director Laureano Cruz
11. Director Irma Asuncion
12. Director Maria Joyce Ducusin
13. Director Mar Wynn Bello
14. Director Leonita Gorgolon
15. Director Rio Magpantay
16. Director Ariel Valencia
17. Dr Julius Lecciones
18. Undersecretary Nemesio Gako
19. Undersecretary Vicente Belizario
20. Undersecretary Kenneth Hartigan-Go 
21. Dr Yolanda Oliveros 

Why plunder? The Aquino administration procured P3.5 billion worth of anti- Dengvaxia in 2016.

Questions about its rushed procurement, and alleged legal shortcuts, have been the basis of graft complaints against Aquino and Garin. 

Manny Luna, Topacio’s colleague at the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), even filed an election complaint, saying that the vaccination program was undertaken within the campaign prohibition period.

Why plunder in this case? Under a plunder complaint the respondents should have allegedly amassed ill-gotten wealth worth more than P50 million. The amount threshold is satisfied but the allegation that the respondents pocketted the money has to be proven.

Topacio argued that the sale of the vaccine showed that Dengvaxia manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur got the money. Aquino and Garin signing off on the deal means there is a conspiracy, the lawyer alleged.

“[They] took advantage of the official position to unjustly enrich themselves, Sanofi and Zuellig Pharma. at the expense and prejudice of the Eight Hundred Thirty Thousand (830,000) Filipinos who were vaccinated with an untested and now proved to be unsafe vaccine, Respondents have conspired and connived with each other to commit the crime of Plunder,” the complaint said.

Where’s the P500 million? A recently released audit report of the Commission on Audit (COA) raised questions on the procurement of Dengvaxia, including conducting bidding activities even before the agreement was signed.

The COA report only said P3 billion; Topacio’s complaint said P3.5 billion. 

According to the complaint, the remaining P500 million “was later re-allocated and commingled with another government project, the Health Facility Enhancement Program.”

“Coupled with the failure to account for more than PhP500,000,000.00 as explained by Dr Cruz, then there is more than enough reason, based on logic and human experience, that the Respondents have amassed huge amounts of money for personal gain, arising from the massive purchase of the Dengvaxia vaccine,” said the complaint.

Dr Cruz is physician Francis Cruz who briefly worked at the Department of Health (DOH) under former secretary Paulyn Ubial. He claims he had access to critical documents.

The Aquino camp reiterated that the former president is ready to face more complaints related to Dengvaxia.

Following the latest complaint, Aquino's spokesman, Abi Valte, pointed to a seeming pattern in the VACC's actions against the former chief executive, supposedly aimed at getting government positions. (READ: Aquino camp hits VACC 'pattern': File cases vs ex-president, get gov't post)– Rappler.com 

MANILA, Philippines – The camp of former president Benigno Aquino III slammed the latest plunder complaint lodged by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption against the former Philippine chief, alleging that taking such legal action was an apparent "ploy" of its members to get government posts.

Abigail Valte, Aquino's spokesperson, made the observation on Thursday, May 10, after VACC lawyer Ferdinand Topacio filed before the Office of the Ombudsman plunder, graft, and malversation of public funds complaints against Aquino, his former officials, and several others over the P3.5-billion Dengvaxia procurement.

The VACC has been filing complaints against Aquino and officials who served his administration, including former budget secretary Florencio Abad and former Health chief Janette Garin, over the Dengvaxia controversy and other issues.

“The latest VACC complaint has less to do with a true desire to seek accountability, but more of a ploy to get more government posts for themselves. Even the severely inebriated can see the pattern: anyone who files a complaint against the former president is magically given an appointment,” Valte said in a text message.

“The VACC can be assured that the former president is ready to respond to their unfounded complaints when required to do so,” she added.

In February, the VACC filed separate complaints for graft, malversation of public funds, causing undue injuries and violations of the procurement law against Aquino, Abad, Garin, current and former Department of Health officials, as well as executives of pharmaceutical manufacturers Sanofi Pasteur and Zuellig before the Department of Justice.

The group also filed an election complaint against Aquino before the Commission on Elections for allegedly spending government funds during the 2016election ban in 2016.

In February, suspended lawyer Eligio Mallari, aided by the VACC, filed a graft complaint against Aquino, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, and Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) officials over the Chief Justice's appointment in 2012.

After filing complaints against President Rodrigo Duterte's critics, including Aquino, VACC founding chairman Dante Jimenez was appointed head of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, VACC member Manny Luna as PACC Commissioner, and Jacinto “Jing” Paras as labor undersecretary.

Jimenez, Luna, and Paras also filed the drug case against Senator Leila de Lima, the impeachment complaint against Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales which was not endorsed by any lawmaker; and the complaint against Overall Deputy Ombudsman Arthur Carandang, among others. – Rappler.com

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (UPDATED) – Malaysian ex-leader Mahathir Mohamad, 92, said Thursday, May 10, he expects to be sworn in as prime minister within hours, quelling concerns around the succession after his stunning win over the scandal-plagued coalition that has ruled for 6 decades.

In a huge political upset, Mahathir's opposition alliance ended the hold on power of the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, which has governed Malaysia uninterrupted since its birth as an independent country in 1957.

It capped a dramatic political comeback for Mahathir, who previously ruled the country with an iron fist for 22 years and came out of retirement to take on Prime Minister Najib Razak after the leader became embroiled in a massive corruption scandal.

When he takes power, Mahathir will be the world's oldest leader.

However concerns mounted about the transfer of power Thursday morning after Mahathir was not inaugurated by the king, as had been widely expected.

He said there had been some delays due to confusion over certain parts of the constitution but this had now been cleared up, and called for his inauguration to take place by 5 pm (0900 GMT).

"We expect today for me to be sworn in as prime minister," he told a press conference.

"There is an urgency here. Currently there is no government in Malaysia."

His speech came after Najib, in his first public comments since his shock loss, said he accepted the people's will – but did not give a clear concession, and said that it was up to the king to decide on the prime minister as no single party had won a clear majority.

"I accept the verdict of the people and BN is committed to the principles of democracy," said the leader, looking shattered.

Analysts warned he could be trying to buy time to win defections from other parties over to BN, in what would be a desperate bid to cling to power despite a landslide defeat.

Uphill battle

To claim a simple majority in parliament, a party or coalition would require 112 seats.

The opposition alliance, Pact of Hope, along with a small ally on Borneo island, won 121. BN won just 79 – down from 133 previously.

However the official Election Commission listed the scores for the alliance's separate component parties when they released the results, not the overall score for the alliance as a whole.

The opposition faced an uphill battle at the election due to what critics said were no-holds-barred attempts by Najib to hang on to power.

His government was accused of gerrymandering while activists said he hurled cash and gifts at voters and there were a litany or problems with the electoral roll, including dead people appearing on the list.

Najib's defeat could be just the start of his problems – Mahathir has vowed to bring him to justice over allegations that billions of dollars were looted from sovereign wealth fund 1MDB, which the scandal-hit leader set up and oversaw.

Mahathir's return to the political frontline saw him reconcile with jailed opposition icon Anwar Ibrahim – his former nemesis.

Despite what critics say were BN's blatant attempts at cheating, the explosive corruption allegations, coupled with anger at rising living costs, proved too much for Malaysia's 15 million voters.

Citizens were already sick of racially divisive politics in the multi-ethnic country and graft scandals under years of rule by the coalition.

In Mahathir, the opposition found the perfect person to take on Najib. He is a staunch Malay nationalist who could appeal to the country's biggest ethnic group, and whose years in power were remembered as a prosperous period in the country's history.

The initial euphoria at the opposition victory will likely give way to some apprehension.

Mahathir was also accused of being an authoritarian leader, and political opponents were thrown in jail during his time in office. – Rappler.com

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – At the age of 92 Malaysia's former strongman leader Mahathir Mohamad is poised to become the world's oldest prime minister after a stunning election victory against scandal-haunted leader Najib Razak.

In a win that overturns decades of dominance by the country's main coalition, Mahathir has secured an unlikely second act in the twilight of his political career.

A former doctor who entered politics in 1964, Mahathir governed Malaysia with an iron fist for 22 years, with accusations of rights abuses overshadowing a period that also saw Malaysia transform from a sleepy Southeast Asian backwater into a relatively affluent country.

His return to frontline politics started when he fell out with his one-time protege Najib over allegations huge sums were looted from sovereign wealth fund 1MDB.

In a volte-face that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago Mahathir teamed up with parties that he suppressed while in power to take on the party he once led.

It was a gamble for the opposition coalition Pact of Hope to join forces with Mahathir, a divisive figure in the country.

He is remembered fondly by some as a champion of country's Muslim Malay majority and the father of modern Malaysia, credited with policies that helped the economy blossom.

But he was also criticized for disregarding human rights, undermining the judiciary, jailing political opponents and pushing policies that exacerbated racial divisions in the multi-ethnic country.

He was notorious for his acid-tongued attacks on his foes and what he saw as Western neo-colonialism – in one outburst, he described Europeans as greedy, warmongering sexual deviants.

Ace card

But the bet paid off – he succeeded in eroding the key Malay support base of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, helping to bolster the opposition alliance's core supporters in urban areas and among minority groups, in particular ethnic Chinese who make up about a quarter of the population.

During a vicious election campaign, he energetically toured the country, attacking Najib over his mismanagement of the economy and the 1MDB financial scandal.

Mahathir was spurred out of retirement over allegations huge sums were looted from 1MDB, which Najib set up. Najib and 1MDB deny any wrongdoing.

"The biggest mistake that I have made in my life is choosing Najib," he said in one broadside.

"I want to fix this mistake."

The most remarkable aspect of Mahathir's political comeback has been his reconciliation with former nemesis Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar was Mahathir's heir-apparent until the premier sacked him in 1998 over political differences, and he was subsequently jailed on charges of sodomy and abuse of power. His conviction was widely condemned by rights groups and the international community as politically motivated.

After being released Anwar led the opposition to its best-ever showing in 2013 elections, but was imprisoned again in 2015 under Najib's government.

Mahathir has vowed to hand power to Anwar once he is released. – Rappler.com

Top photo: Former Malaysian prime minister and opposition's candidate Mahathir Mohamad speaks to the media following the 14th general elections in Kuala Lumpur on May 9, 2018. Photo by Manan Vatsyayana/AFP

SYDNEY, Australia – Bum-biting is common mating behavior among certain wombats, researchers revealed Thursday, May 10, shedding light on the secret sex lives of the furry marsupials in a discovery that could protect the species as a whole from extinction.

Scientists monitoring the breeding patterns of the southern hairy-nosed wombat found females became more physically active when ready to mate and were more likely to bite males on the bottom when most fertile.

Researchers are tracking their behavior in a bid to improve captive breeding of the critically endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat – one of the world's rarest species.

"With only about 200 northern hairy-nosed wombats remaining, being able to breed these animals may one day ensure the survival of the species," said University of Queensland professor Stephen Johnston.

"There has been no captive breeding of the northern hairy-nosed wombat, and even the southern species fails to breed regularly in captivity."

Australia's 3 wombat species face threats to their survival from predatory dogs, diseases and competition for food from kangaroos.

The aggressive nature of wombats – their love bites on the rump can rip out tufts of fur – makes collecting behavioral data challenging, researchers said, with the latest findings offering a "significant step forward".

Johnston said that the amorous behaviors discovered by researchers could serve as "cues for animal husbandry managers" to bolster chances for the success of wombat breeding programs at zoos and wildlife enclosures. – Rappler.com

Wombat image via ShutterStock