Philippines: Human Rights News 02/24/2023

Top News: Freedom pressed for Leila de Lima, now in detention for 6 years; PH lawmaker tell EU not to use human rights as stick in GSP+ carrot; divorce gains ground; Palawan folk resist nickel mining

ICC

Duterte allies in Senate back bid to block ICC probe https://www.panaynews.net/duterte-allies-in-senate-back-bid-to-block-icc-probe/

‘No arguments over ICC probe on drug war’   | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/24/2247248/no-argumentsover-icc-probe-drug-war-

Jinggoy calls ICC ‘white monkeys’ - Manila Standard https://manilastandard.net/news/314308162/jinggoy-calls-icc-white-monkeys.html

RIGHTS DEFENDERS / EU

DOJ chief, EU lawmakers tackle human rights, ICC probe in Manila meeting https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/2/23/DOJ-Remulla-European-Union-lawmakers-meeting-human-rights-ICC-probe.html

Progressive solons meet EU lawmakers | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/23/23/progressive-solons-meet-eu-lawmakers

European Parliament members meet Remulla | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/23/23/european-parliament-members-meet-remulla

Dela Rosa slams EU lawmakers for 'interfering' in drug war | ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/23/23/dela-rosa-slams-eu-lawmakers-for-interfering-in-drug-war

Bato scores European lawmaker for questioning his deadly drug war | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1733741/bato-scores-european-lawmaker-for-questioning-his-deadly-drug-war

EU / GSP+

EU lawmakers told not to tie Philippine trade perks to human rights - BusinessWorld Online https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2023/02/23/506632/eu-lawmakers-told-not-to-tie-philippine-trade-perks-to-human-rights/

Abante to EU: Don't use trade agreement as card in rights abuse probe https://www.rappler.com/nation/abante-tells-european-union-do-not-use-trade-agreement-card-human-rights-abuse-probe/

DTI: 26% of PH exports depend on EU GSP+ | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1195952

Pascual appeals to EU Parliamentarians to push for GSP+ – Manila Bulletin https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/23/pascual-appeals-to-eu-parliamentarians-to-push-for-gsp/

LEILA DE LIMA

Philippines: Six years on, arbitrary detention of former Senator Leila de Lima continues - Amnesty International https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/02/philippines-leila-de-lima-detention/

European Parliament lawmakers visit De Lima | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/02/24/2247232/european-parliament-lawmakers-visit-de-lima

EU delegates visit De Lima in prison | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1734193/eu-delegates-visit-de-lima-in-prison

DOJ won't stand in the way of de Lima seeking release via habeas corpus- Remulla | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1734137/doj-will-not-oppose-habeas-corpus-bid-for-de-limas-freedom-says-remulla

[OPINION] A tale of 2 women: Leila de Lima and Theary Seng https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/opinion-tale-women-leila-de-lima-theary-seng/

EXTRAJUDICIAL / SUMMARY / ARBITRARY KILLING

‘Alameda’s assailants wore Army uniforms’ | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/02/24/2247204/alamedas-assailants-wore-army-uniforms

REDTAGGING / INSURGENCY

Excuse Me, Bishop: Ex ranking Communist blasts Negros prelate, twits him for echoing CPP Central Committee line https://dnx.news/excuse-me-bishop-ex-ranking-communist-blasts-negros-prelate-twits-him-for-echoing-cpp-central-committee-line/

LIBEL / PRESS FREEDOM / MEDIA

Makati court junks libel rap vs. MS execs - Manila Standard https://manilastandard.net/news/314308170/makati-court-junks-libel-rap-vs-ms-execs.html

Lawmaker backs foreign media ownership under Cha-cha | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/24/2247244/lawmaker-backs-foreign-media-ownership-under-cha-cha

EDUCATION

Lawmaker wants 'no permit, no exam' policy scratched | Inquirer News https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1734276/lawmaker-wants-no-permit-no-exam-policy-scratched

Sara tells mayors: Don’t use teachers to win polls | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/02/23/2246943/sara-tells-mayors-dont-use-teachers-win-polls

LABOR

End of the road for 50,000 traditional jeepneys? | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/02/24/2247233/end-road-50000-traditional-jeepneys

DIVORCE / WOMEN

PH Commission on Women backs divorce bills, says current system disadvantageous to women | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/861781/ph-commission-on-women-backs-divorce-bills-says-current-system-disadvantageous-to-women/story/

House takes another shot at divorce law https://www.rappler.com/nation/house-panel-divorce-dissolution-marriage-bills-2023/

PH divorce bills gain ground - Manila Standard https://manilastandard.net/news/314308211/ph-divorce-bills-gain-ground.html

House panel approves divorce bills in principle   | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/24/2247245/house-panel-approves-divorce-bills-principle-

HEALTH / COVID

COVID-19 drugs out in Philippine markets soon | Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/24/2247323/covid-19-drugs-out-philippine-markets-soon

CHILDREN

Cagayan de Oro’s rate of teenage pregnancy cases worries officials https://www.rappler.com/nation/mindanao/cagayan-de-oro-teen-pregnancy-cases-northern-mindanao-2022/

ENVIRONMENT / MINING

Palawan folk mobilize vs mining op | The Manila Times https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/02/24/news/regions/palawan-folk-mobilize-vs-mining-op/1880005

In 9-day march, Dumagat-Remontados carry the burden of saving their homes and the Sierra Madre https://www.rappler.com/nation/march-dumagat-remontados-carry-burden-saving-homes-sierra-madre-february-2023/

CENSORSHIP

Padilla to give more power to MTRCB | Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1195945

DISPLACEMENT

Thousands flee homes as flood hits Davao del Norte again https://www.rappler.com/nation/mindanao/thousands-flee-homes-as-flood-hits-davao-del-norte-again/

CONFLICT / TERRORISM

MILF offers help in ending spate of violence in Cotabato province https://www.rappler.com/nation/mindanao/milf-offers-help-ending-violence-gun-attacks-pikit-cotabato/

29 Moro extremists surrender | The Manila Times https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/02/24/news/regions/29-moro-extremists-surrender/1880008

POLITICS / CORRUPTION

Filipinos protest as Marcos family cleared in graft case - UCA News https://www.ucanews.com/news/filipinos-protest-as-marcos-family-cleared-in-graft-case/100467

FOREIGN AFFAIRS / ARMS

Exclusive: Arms sales under Biden to get stricter human rights review, officials say | Reuters https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-vet-human-rights-more-closely-before-approving-arms-deals-officials-2023-02-22/