Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said that he would support the war against illegal drugs by the Duterte administration as long as the law enforcers respect the human rights of the suspects.

On July 4, Moreno said that he would keep his opinion about the actions of the Duterte administration towards drug suspects, meaning that only God has the right to end the lives of anybody.

However, he added that law enforcers also have the right to fight back if the suspects tried to resist the authorities who wanted to detain them.

“I made a commitment during the campaign that human rights must be respected. But our law enforcers also have human rights,” Moreno said.

Moreno made the statement, several days after he met Manila Police District director Brigadier General Vicente Danao during a first command conference on Monday.

General Danao is a former Davao City police chief like Senator Ronald Dela Rosa.

Moreno and Danao both agreed to respect due process when they’re pursuing lawbreakers.

The new Manila City Mayor also made a statement that always being said that the President when defending Oplan Tokhang.

“Ibig sabihin kapag nalagay na sa alanganin yung lespu o yung buhay niya, e may karapatan naman siyang proteksyonan ang kanyang buhay,” Moreno said.

Meanwhile, Senator Leila De Lima praised Moreno for respecting human rights.

“I hope that other mayors will follow Isko’s lead and put more premium on respecting human rights and giving importance to the dignity of human life,” the senator said.

De Lima is a known human rights advocate and a critic of the Duterte administration.

Mayor Isko Moreno spent the first week of his leadership in Manila to clean up the streets from illegal vendors including in Divisoria.

In a video posted by DJ Jhen, it showed Moreno talking to the illegal vendors during a clearing operation, urging them not to oppose his orders and trying to convince them that it’s better to operate a business without giving inconvenience to other people.

Some vendors told Moreno that they’re giving 20-50 pesos to some “officials” to allow them to operate their businesses illegally along the streets of Divisoria.

As a response, the Mayor urged them not to give money to the officials

“Dito sa lugar na ito, bawal mag hari-harian ang mga Barangay officials, pwede silang makisapi, pwede silang makipag-cooperate, pwede silang mag colaborate at obligasyon nila na ito ay maisaayos sa tulong ng siyudad ng Maynila,” he said.

He told the people that they already caught some “collectors” along Blumentritt, asking money to the vendors daily so they could operate their businesses even in illegal places.

Moreno said that he would do the same to the Barangay officials who are handling Divisoria if they’re still going to continue collecting money from the vendors.

Instead of paying from illegal collectors, he said that they should pay 20 pesos two times a day directly to the government of Manila City.

He also vowed that he would not allow any Barangay officials in Divisoria to force the vendors again to collect fees.

“Hindi ako pwedeng tolonggesin sa lugar ninyo na may mang aapi na ibang tao sa lugar ninyo, mayroon na kayong kakamping Mayor,” he said after narrating how he grew up in Manila and work as a garbage collector.

“Pero magtatagumpay yung sinasabi ko kung makikiisa kayo,” he added.

The clearing operation became successful and some netizens are happy to see Divisoria being street vendor-free.

“This is Juan Luna Street in Divisoria now. May it last.” Netizen Pete Ilagan said.

“No more hassle, no more siksikan! salamat Mayor.
Divisoria now,” netizen Daniel Gonzales remarked.

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is pushing to bring back the old days by punishing the shabu traffickers via firing squad.

“Sa BuCor (Bureau of Corrections), malaki naman ang grounds sa Bilibid. Kung may facility dun for electric chair, meron din sa lethal injection, maglagay tayo ng firing squad range,” Dela Rosa said.

He pointed out that the bill he filed is not against the poor people, saying that only rich lawbreakers could import shabu inside the country.

“Kaya nga ang aking bill ay sa drug traffickers lang. Kasi noon, hindi naipasa dahil sabi anti-poor. Wala naman drug trafficker na mahirap, big time ang mga ito,” he said.

In Senate Bill 226 filed by Dela Rosa, people who will import, manufacture or culture plants classified as dangerous drugs will face fine ranging from P500,000 to P10,000.

“In the case of medical laboratories and medical research centers which cultivate or culture marijuana, opium poppy and other plants, or materials of such dangerous drugs for medical experiments and research purposes, or for the creation of new types of medicines, the Board shall prescribe the necessary implementing guidelines for the proper cultivation, culture, handling, experimentation and disposal of such plants and materials,” the bill stated.

Dela Rosa who’s the former leader of the Philippine National Police (PNP) was known for creating Oplan Tokhang which aims to urge the people selling shabu to surrender.

Firing Squad against shabu traffickers are implemented during the administration of former President Ferdinand Marcos.

Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte decided not to pursue the position of being a House Speaker, saying that he could still help the current administration in different ways.

In his statement, Pulong Duterte admitted that he’s planning to run as the leader of the lower house amid the confusing Speakership race between Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.

He talked to his father, President Rodrigo Duterte for advice and he was told that it’s not the right time for him to become the Speaker of the House.

“We both agreed that this will not be the right time for me to be Speaker and I can still help this administration from the house in a different capacity,” Pulong Duterte said.

Duterte who’s the leader of Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod, and also part of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) instead expressed his support to Congressman Isidro Ungab who’s the representative of the 3rd District of Davao City.

Pulong said that the President is already aware of Ungab’s participation in the House Speakership race.

“I will support the bid for the speakership of Congressman Isidro Ungab from our sister party, Hugpong ng Pagbabago,” he said.

Congressman Ungab already accepted the endorsement of HNP.

“I abide by the decision of our party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP). HNP is ready and open to working with everyone. HNP hopes that everyone will aim for and work towards unity and cooperation in order to establish a strong and efficient House,” Ungab said in a statement.

“I reiterate my commitment to support the legislative agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte, ensure further economic growth, lower poverty incidence and to help create more opportunities for all Filipinos,” he added.

HNP opposed the term-sharing scheme in the Congress, saying that it would only “slow down the last three years of the administration of President Duterte.”.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said that the critics of President Rodrigo Duterte may have a hard time to use the verbal agreement between the Filipino leader and China President Xi Jinping allowing the Chinese fishermen to fish inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

In a statement, Drilon said that a verbal agreement between two people can’t be used as evidence in impeachment proceedings and the veteran senator believes that the President is also aware of it.

He pointed out that only signed documents or verbal testimony could be used as evidence.

“The President’s mind as a lawyer and as a prosecutor is working. Tell me, if it is a ground for impeachment, how do you prove a verbal agreement?” Drilon said who’s also a lawyer and former Secretary of Justice.

“The primary evidence would either be a document signed or a verbal testimony. There is no document. The verbal testimony is between the President and Xi Jinping. So, tell me, who would be witness to that?” he added.

According to Drilon, the verbal agreement between President Duterte and Xi could only be presented to the impeachment proceedings, if the Chief Executive voluntarily testify about it, which is far from possible.

“When it comes to impeachment, you observe the rules of evidence and the President, as a former prosecutor, knows this. You need either a written document or the direct testimony,” Drilon said.

“The President will not testify against his own interest in an impeachment proceeding. Even if the statement [on the verbal agreement] was reported in media, you cannot present them as evidence in impeachment proceedings because that’s hearsay,” he added.

The critics of the President wanted to impeach him because of the verbal agreement between Duterte and Xi.

Meanwhile, Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin said that the verbal agreement between the two leaders cannot be enforced because it needs a document to implement it.

“The verbal agreement cannot be enforced. It cannot be enforced on us, because it’s verbal,” Locsin said. “You need a document to prove an agreement, that’s just the way it is.”

Vice President Leni Robredo may also face impeachment case for urging the minority to make a move to oust President Rodrigo Duterte over his statements on the West Philippine Sea issue.

In a statement, Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Commissioner Manuelito Luna said that Robredo is also impeachable for trying to unseat the President by giving a statement supporting the minority members of the Congress.

“Robredo may get herself impeached for urging the minority in the House to press impeach rap against the President respecting the latter’s statement on the “little maritime incident” in the Reed Bank,” Luna said.

Robredo said in her radio program that having few members of the opposition in the Congress would not make an impeachment against the President impossible.

Ito ang nakakalungkot kasi kahit sana political act, iyong panakot dapat sa mga impeachable officials na kapag nag-violate, ang essence ng pinaka-violation at saka iyong essence ng Saligang Batas ang magpe-prevail, pero alam natin sa experience hindi iyon ganoon. Sa experience na lang… parang mas nagpe-prevail ang pulitika kaysa sa iba pang mga consideration.” she said.

“Pero tingin ko hindi naman iyon dahilan para… Kahit minority kayo, ipaglaban ang tama pa din. Kahit napaka-kaunti ng numero, ang pinakamahalaga doon, hindi ka napapagod ipaglaban ang tama,” Robredo added.

Meanwhile, some allies of the Duterte in the Senate already decided that they would not support any impeachment complaint against the President.

“Karapatan niyong mag-file ng impeachment against the President, but personally wala akong nakikita, walang basis aang sinasabi na mag-file ng impeachment. Sa tingin ko hindi mananaig iyan,” Go said.

Vice President Leni Robredo believes that a low member of the opposition in the Congress would make the impeachment of President Rodrigo Duterte impossible.

In his radio program, Robredo said that the Congress should still study the possible impeachment case against Duterte primarily that his critics are already pointing out that the Chief Executive seems to ignore China’s action in the West Philippine Sea.

According to her, it’s more important that you members of the opposition in the Congress are still fighting for their beliefs instead of joining the supermajority who sided with the President.

She added that the people should also decide to the impeachment of the President instead of the lawmakers only.

“Kahit napakakaunti ng numero, ‘yong pinakamahalaga doon, hindi ka napapagod ipaglaban ‘yong tama,” Robredo said.

However, she was saddened by the reality that the impeachment can only succeed if most of the lawmakers support it, that’s why she believes that the President is confident that he would still keep his position.

“Iyong impeachment case kasi, political act iyan. May grounds para ma-impeach ang mga impeachable officials. Pero ang reyalidad noon, political act siya,” she said.

“Ito ang nakakalungkot kasi kahit sana political act, iyong panakot dapat sa mga impeachable officials na kapag nag-violate, ang essence ng pinaka-violation at saka iyong essence ng Saligang Batas ang magpe-prevail. Pero alam natin sa experience hindi iyon ganoon,” she added.

Robredo is still hoping that someday the people would pressure the lawmakers to do what is right.

“The senators and congressmen are only their representatives. We should be the ones putting pressure on them so that they would really represent our beliefs,” she said.

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“University of the East, wag matigas ulo niyo ah. Nagdeklara na kami ng suspensyon ng klase. Ngayon, kung ayaw niyong sumusod, umalis kayo sa lungsod ng Maynila. We will withdraw your permit to operate in the City of Manila,”

This is what Mayor Isko Moreno warned to the University of the East (UE) Manila Campus to follow the class suspension order of the City government or else he would not allow the school to operate anymore.

In a live Facebook video, Moreno in the first day of his work as Mayor of Manila told UE that all the students, including college level, are not “frogman” who could bear the strong rains and swim into the flood.

According to Moreno, UE only suspended the classes of Elementary and Senior High School level while they still insisted that the College students are exempted in the suspension.

“Ngayon mga kababayan, mga taga pamahalaan ng UE… hindi frogman ang mga estudyante sa kolehiyo… kung ano po ang pagpapahalaga ko sa mga maliliit na bata na estudyante ng elementarya, ng high school… ganun din po ang  equal na pagpapahalaga natin sa mga college students,” Moreno said.

Moreno heard that UE is always not following the orders of the City Government of Manila many times.

He expressed his disappointment to the management of UE, saying that he’s prioritizing the welfare of Manilenos especially students, while the said University is just trying to ignore the orders of class suspension.

“Wag niyong sasabihin sa akin na kayo ay under CHED… responsibilidad po ng alkalde ng lungsod na mapangalagaan ang kaligtasan ng kanyang nasasakupan at nasasakupan nitong mamamayan,” Isko said.

“I hope you’d learn your lesson, never do that again to us, we only care, but if you don’t care for your students. I think if I’m a parent I will not ask my son or daughter to enroll in your institution,” he added.

Moreno insisted that while education is important, the safety of the students should be prioritized.

He said that he would not punish UE today, however, he warned the school and other universities to follow the orders of the government next time or they should look for another City to operate.

“Ayoko na pong mauulit yan, kung hindi rin kayo susunod.. kayong mga eskwelahan sa tagubilin ng pamahalaan ng lungsod ng Maynila, ayon sa pag sasaayos, ayon sa pangangalaga ng kaligtasan, you are not welcome to the City of Manila. Mag sara na po kayo,”  he said.

“Wag po kayong masanay na walang gobyerno ang lungsod ng Maynila, masanay na po kayo simula today, mayroon na pong gobyerno ang lungsod ng Maynila,” he added.

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is all smile during his first day in office, he was accompanied by his wife and children who also didn’t leave him during his campaign several months ago.

In the photos posted by his Facebook page, Dela Rosa was seen walking along the hallways in the Senate, inspecting his new workplace for the next six years.

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He was also welcomed by his supporters presenting a tarpaulin who includes him, President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Christopher “Bong” Go.

He also inspected his office which formerly used as extension office by Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri.

They also didn’t forgot to do the photo session.

According to Bato on June 25 surprised the media when he said that he was a believer of Feng Shui and he will let an expert arrange his room.

“Ipa-feng shui kung saan ka uupo, wala namang mawawala sa atin kung maniwala tayo,” he told reporters.

He said that during his time as the leader of PNP, he also consulted a Feng Shui expert saying that it helped him to survive hardships.

“Oo (pina-feng shui ko) kaya tignan niyo kahit gaano ako ginigiba, hindi ako nag-resign kasi maganda pagka-feng shui. Wala namang mawala kung maniwala tayo,” he said.

He also feels the good aura of his new office, saying that it would give positivity in his life.

Davao City Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte reminded his friends in the House of Representatives to avoid using his name if they’re trying to gain an advantage in the Speakership race.

In a statement released on June 30, Pulong wanted to be out in dirty politics, saying that he would not tolerate any use of black propaganda even if they’re friends or political ally.

“Pakiusap lang po. Kung sino man ang gusto na idamay ako sa usapin ng speakership sa House of Representatives — huwag po ninyo akong gamitin. Huwag po ang pangalan ko. Ilabas po ninyo ako sa inyong marumi, mapanghamak, bastos, at nakakawala ng respeto na uri ng pulitika.” Duterte said.

“Magkaibigan tayo, pero ang pagkakaibigan na ito ay may limitasyon. Ang pagkakaibigan natin ay hindi lisensya para gamitin ninyo ako upang sirain ang inyong kalaban, bastusin ang kanyang asawa o ang kanyang pamilya.” he added.

Pulong also urged the Congressmen to choose a leader that knows how to respect women even if she’s the wife of his number one enemy in the speakership race.

“Sa mga kapwa ko mambabatas, ako po ay baguhan lamang, pero sa tingin ko, ang nangyayari ngayon ay dapat na magsilbing paalaala sa atin sa ating pagpili ng ating lider sa Kongreso.” he said

“Piliin po natin ang lider na may respeto sa kawpa, lalo na sa babae — kahit na asawa pa man ito ng kanyang kalaban.” he also said.

“Piliin po natin ang lider na ang interes ay hindi pansarili, tiyak na maninindigan at tunay na aalalay kay Pangulong Duterte at sa kanyang administasyon para isulong ang tunay at positibong pagbabago sa ating bansa.”

Duterte made the statement after Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano claimed that Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco’s wife Wen proposed the term-sharing in the House Speakership.

In his latest interview, the partner of the President in the 2016 elections accused Velasco of lying after they claimed that the term-sharing is not going to happen.

“Sinabi ni Cong. Velasco, there was no such agreement. Alam naman niyang kasinungalingan iyon because sila nag-propose nun e,” Cayetano told ANC.

“Okay lang sa kin magsinungaling s’ya because politicians lie. But to call the President a liar by saying na there’s no such agreement, I’ll not take that sitting down. Congressman Velasco owes the President an apology and he owes the people na maging mas honest s’ya,” he added.

Cayetano said that during the presidential elections, his two opponents in the speakership race, Velasco and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez only joined the side of President Duterte in the last period of the campaign.

“Si Cong Velasco and his wife, last three weeks na ng eleksyon sumama sa amin yan, before that na kay Grace Poe sila, Martin’s wife is with us since day one, pero Martin joins us nung huli na,” he said.

He also insisted that he’s only a victim of the people who are trying to destroy his reputation to the first family by telling them that he has no loyalty to the President