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Madriaga, handang tumestigo sa impeachment proceedings laban kay VP Sara

Venus L Peñaflor
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Madriaga, handang tumestigo sa impeachment proceedings laban kay VP Sara

MAYNILA — Handa umanong humarap si Ramil Madriaga, dating aide at umano’y bagman ni Vice President Sara Duterte, sa impeachment proceedings at sa Office of the Ombudsman sakaling siya ay pormal na ipatawag ng mga awtoridad.

Sa isang pulong balitaan, nilinaw ng kanyang abogado na si Atty. Raymund Palad na wala silang nalalaman o intensiyon na maisama ang affidavit ni Madriaga sa mga impeachment complaint laban sa Bise Presidente. Aniya, nabatid lamang nila ang posibilidad na ito mula sa ilang ulat-balita.

Gayunman, iginiit ni Palad na handa ang kanyang kliyente na humarap sa Kongreso kung makatatanggap ito ng subpoena.
“Alam niya nag-aral naman siya ng abogasya na sa pag-execute ng affidavit, maaari siyang ipatawag ng Kongreso, Senado, o ng Ombudsman,” pahayag ni Palad. “Kung may subpoena at siya’y ipatawag, mag-a-appear po siya.”

Dagdag pa ng abogado, sa ngayon ay wala pa umanong kumokontak sa kanila kaugnay ng nasabing usapin.

Samantala, umaasa si House Committee on Public Accounts Chairperson at Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon na makapagbibigay-liwanag si Madriaga hinggil sa mga umano’y tumanggap ng confidential funds mula sa Office of the Vice President (OVP) at Department of Education (DepEd).

“Kung may alam si Mr. Madriaga tungkol sa mga bogus na pangalan, panahon na para mailahad ito upang magkaroon ng linaw, lalo’t hindi ito sinasagot ni Vice President Duterte,” ani Ridon.

Ayon sa mga ulat, umano’y naubos ang kabuuang P612.5 milyong confidential fund ni VP Duterte kabilang ang P125 milyon sa loob lamang ng 11 araw noong Disyembre 2022.

Nauna nang sinabi ni Madriaga na nagsilbi umano siyang bagman ng Bise Presidente at personal na nag-deliver ng mga bag ng pera.
“If Mr. Madriaga knows the process, the handlers, and the real persons behind these entries, then his account can help close the gaps that continue to trouble this issue,” pahayag pa ni Ridon.

Kabilang si “Mary Grace Piattos” sa mga tumanggap umano ng confidential fund batay sa mga dokumentong isinumite ng OVP sa Commission on Audit.

Noong Huwebes, pormal na ipinadala ng tanggapan ni House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil ang dalawang impeachment complaint laban kay Duterte sa Office of the Speaker.

Thailand election ends as reformists and conservatives battle for control

Venus L Peñaflor
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Thailand election ends as reformists and conservatives battle for control

BANGKOK — Polls closed across Thailand on Sunday following a closely watched general election that pits progressive reformists against military-backed conservatives, with no single party expected to secure a clear parliamentary majority and coalition talks looming.

Voting began at 8 a.m. local time and ended at 5 p.m., as millions of Thais cast ballots in an election seen as another test of the country’s fragile democratic process. Thailand has cycled through three prime ministers in as many years, underscoring persistent political instability driven by military influence, court interventions, and fragile coalition governments.

Although more than 50 political parties contested the election, only three are considered capable of winning a governing mandate: the progressive People’s Party, the conservative Bhumjaithai Party, and the populist Pheu Thai Party. A total of 500 seats in the House of Representatives are at stake, and surveys conducted ahead of the vote consistently indicated that no party would win an outright majority. Under Thailand’s system, a simple majority of elected lawmakers will choose the next prime minister.

The People’s Party, led by Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, is widely expected to emerge with the largest number of seats. The party advocates sweeping reforms, including curbing the influence of the military and judiciary and dismantling powerful economic monopolies. However, its platform remains deeply unpopular with conservative rivals, raising the possibility that it could again be sidelined through post-election alliances.

The People’s Party is the successor to the Move Forward Party, which won the most seats in the 2023 election but was blocked from forming a government by a military-appointed Senate. The party was later dissolved by the Constitutional Court over its call to amend Thailand’s strict royal insult laws.

Bhumjaithai, led by caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, is viewed as the preferred option of the royalist-military establishment. Anutin assumed office in September after serving in the Cabinet of former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was removed over an ethics violation linked to her handling of relations with Cambodia. Facing a looming no-confidence vote, Anutin dissolved parliament in December and called a snap election.

His campaign has emphasized economic stimulus and national security, drawing on nationalist sentiment heightened by deadly border clashes with Cambodia.

The third major contender, Pheu Thai, represents the latest iteration of political movements aligned with former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who remains jailed. The party traces its roots to the Thai Rak Thai Party, which governed from 2001 until it was ousted in a 2006 military coup. Pheu Thai has campaigned on economic recovery and populist measures, including cash handouts, and has nominated Thaksin’s nephew, Yodchanan Wongsawat, as its prime ministerial candidate.

Alongside the parliamentary vote, Thais also participated in a referendum on whether to replace the 2017 constitution drafted under military rule. Pro-democracy groups argue that a new charter is essential to reducing the power of unelected institutions such as the military and courts, while conservatives warn that constitutional change could further destabilize the country.

The Election Commission said around 53 million people were eligible to vote, with more than 2.2 million ballots cast during early voting that began on February 1.

Reporting from Bangkok, Al Jazeera correspondent Tony Cheng said many voters approached the election with a sense of fatigue. “It’s only three years since we had an election. We weren’t supposed to have another one for a couple of years yet,” he said, noting expectations that the People’s Party would again top the polls.

“What Thai voters really want to know is whether the next government will move things forward,” Cheng added. “They’ve seen growth slow while the rest of the region surges ahead, and there’s a strong feeling that things need to change.”

Still, uncertainty looms over whether electoral outcomes will translate into real power. “We’ve seen parties win elections only to have prime ministers removed by coups or court rulings,” Cheng said. “Institutions keep saying Thailand isn’t ready for democracy, but many voters believe democracy has never been fully allowed to take root.”

As counting continues, attention now turns to coalition negotiations that could once again determine whether the will of Thai voters is reflected in the next government.

Charismatic and controversial, Takaichi stands at the center of Japan’s election test

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Charismatic and controversial, Takaichi stands at the center of Japan’s election test

TOKYO — Charismatic, blunt-speaking, and unafraid of controversy, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is poised to further consolidate her political power as Japan heads into a crucial lower house election on Sunday, with polls indicating potential gains for the long-dominant Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

A heavy-metal music enthusiast who rides motorcycles and plays the drums, even with visiting dignitaries, Takaichi has cultivated a public image that blends toughness with an unexpectedly playful edge. Her oft-repeated mantra for leadership, “work, work, work, work, work,” has resonated with supporters and helped make her one of the most popular prime ministers in recent memory, an uncommon feat in a country where public approval of leaders is often fleeting.

In contrast to the succession of elderly male leaders who have dominated Japanese politics for decades, Takaichi’s appeal is strongest among younger voters. Many affectionately refer to her by her nickname, “Sana,” and closely follow her fashion choices, favorite stationery, and even her preferred comfort food, steamed pork buns. Analysts say her popularity has lifted the LDP, a party burdened by long-standing structural and image problems, into a strong position ahead of the vote.

A victory would give Takaichi greater latitude to steer Japan further along the hawkish and deeply conservative path championed by her late mentor, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Born in Nara, Japan’s ancient capital, Takaichi was raised in a conservative household steeped in prewar moral values. Her mother served as a police officer, while her father worked for a machinery manufacturer. She has recalled listening as a child to her parents recite an 1890 imperial document emphasizing loyalty to the state and traditional family roles.

Despite admission to elite universities in Tokyo, her parents required her to attend Kobe University while living at home—then a common expectation for unmarried daughters in conservative families. In the late 1980s, she briefly interned for a U.S. Democratic lawmaker in Denver before returning to Japan to work as a television personality, author, and social critic.

Political observers attribute her appeal to an unusual combination of candor and approachability. Izuru Makihara, a politics expert at the University of Tokyo, said Takaichi is particularly admired by women and young people who feel “stuck and hopeless” in contemporary Japan.

Elected prime minister by Parliament in October, Takaichi quickly signaled a more assertive foreign policy stance, drawing criticism from China after comments on the possibility of Chinese military action against Taiwan that departed from Japan’s traditional strategic ambiguity.

Her political career began in 1993, when she won a seat in Parliament at age 32, despite her parents’ opposition. She has recalled being dismissed as “a little girl” by voters and facing sexist rumors and criticism over her appearance, including her choice of heels, jewelry, and skirts.

“I am who I am,” Takaichi said in 2023. “The only way to prove myself is with the work I do.”

Ideologically, Takaichi supports the imperial family’s male-only succession, opposes same-sex marriage, and rejects amending the law requiring married couples to share a surname, a policy critics say disproportionately pressures women to abandon their own names. Feminist groups argue her leadership represents a setback for gender equality, though some voters dismiss gender as irrelevant. “Her being a woman doesn’t matter,” said Riho Shimogomi, a 43-year-old office worker. “She has strong leadership skills and charisma.”

As Abe’s protégé, Takaichi has consistently echoed his nationalist positions, including defending Japan’s wartime actions, advocating for expanded military spending and capabilities, promoting patriotic education, and emphasizing traditional family values. After two unsuccessful bids for the LDP leadership in 2021 and 2024, she finally secured the top post last October, replacing centrist rival Shigeru Ishiba.

She has since reappointed several of Abe’s former advisers and is expected to push Japan further to the right on issues such as security, gender policy, and immigration if the LDP performs strongly in Sunday’s election.

Despite her public image as tireless, media reports suggest a more insular governing style. Kyodo News Agency noted that during her first three months in office, Takaichi spent much of her time in her official residence or office, with few social engagements. The Mainichi newspaper reported she held no dinner meetings with political or business leaders in her first month.

Those close to her say her strict discipline is rooted in family upbringing. At her mother’s funeral in 2018, Takaichi recounted being scolded—even after becoming a cabinet minister an anecdote that left a lasting impression on attendees.

Yet colleagues also point to her lighter side. After discovering she attended the same elementary school as a local television executive, Takaichi surprised him by singing the school song together. “While she gives a strong impression of being right wing and hawkish,” he said, “she also has a playful side.”

As voters head to the polls, that mix of firmness, charisma, and contradiction may determine whether Sanae Takaichi emerges not only as Japan’s first woman prime minister, but as one of its most consequential.

Pagsuko sa KIG katumbas ng pagsuko sa Pilipinas – Lacson

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Pagsuko sa KIG katumbas ng pagsuko sa Pilipinas – Lacson

MAYNILA – Iginiit ni Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson nitong Sabado na ang anumang mungkahi na “isuko” o i-give up ang Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) sa ibang bansa, lalo na sa China, ay katumbas ng pagsuko sa buong Pilipinas, partikular sa soberanya at teritoryal na integridad ng bansa.

Sa kanyang post sa X (dating Twitter), binanggit ni Lacson na ayon sa international law, partikular sa lexicon ng res nullius o terra nullius, ang “first discovery and possession” ng kung kung sino ang unang makadiskubre sa isang pook na walang nakikitang may-ari ay isang kinikilalang paraan ng sovereign ownership, na siyang legal na batayan kung bakit pag-ari ng Pilipinas ang Kalayaan Island Group.

“Giving up the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) is no different from giving up Luzon Island or the entire country,” paliwanag ni Lacson.

Ginawa ng mambabatas ang pahayag kasunod ng mungkahi ni Senador Rodante Marcoleta noong nakaraang linggo sa isang pagdinig ng Commission on Appointments na igiit na i-give up na lamang ang KIG dahil “labas daw ito sa ating Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).” Ayon kay Lacson, hindi niya ito matanggap lalo’t may matibay na batayan at aktibong Filipino civilian community sa Pag-asa Island, na bahagi ng KIG.

Ang Kalayaan Island Group ay isang munisipalidad sa lalawigan ng Palawan na binubuo ng pitong isla at tatlong reef o shoals sa West Philippine Sea, kabilang dito ang Pag-asa (Thitu Island), Likas (West York), Parola (Northeast Cay), Lawak (Nanshan), Kota (Loaita), Patag (Flat Island) at Panata (Lankiam Cay) pati na ang Ayungin Shoal, Balagtas Reef, at Rizal Reef.

Ang munisipalidad ay itinatag noong Hunyo 11, 1978 sa bisa ng Presidential Decree No. 1596 ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Sr., at kasunod nito ay nilinaw ng Republic Act 9522 noong 2009 ang archipelagic baselines ng Pilipinas na kinikilala ang soberanya ng bansa sa Kalayaan at iba pang bahagi ng West Philippine Sea.

Sa kabila ng maliit na sukat ng lupa na humigit-kumulang 88.44 hectares ang pinagsamang teritoryo ng mga isla, ang Kalayaan ay sumasaklaw sa napakalawak na territorial jurisdiction na halos 64,976 square miles ng karagatan ng mayamang katubigan.

Ang Pag-asa Island ang puno ng buhay at sentro ng administrasyon ng Kalayaan at tanging pook sa KIG na may permanenteng sibil na pamayanan ng mga Pilipino. Kasalukuyang may humigit-kumulang 200–300 residente na nakatira sa ilang dosenang bahay at mga imprastruktura gaya ng municipal hall, health center, integrated school, police at coast guard stations.

Mayroon ding airstrip na 1.3 kilometro at masasabing ito ay isang strategic location dahil ito ay halos 280 nautical miles mula sa Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. Sa mga nakalipas na taon, pinalalakas ng pamahalaan ang imprastruktura sa lugar, kabilang ang mga proyekto sa paliparan at shelter port upang suportahan ang maritime operations at seguridad sa nasabing pook.

Hindi maikakaila ang lumalalang tensiyon sa paligid ng West Philippine Sea, kung saan ang Pilipinas, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, at iba pang bansa ay may magkakapatong na pag-angkin sa ilang bahagi ng Spratly Islands. Sa kabila ng mga ginagawang aktibidad ng mga banyagang barko, iginiit ng Department of Foreign Affairs at lokal na pamahalaan ang legal at mapayapang pagpapatupad ng soberanya ng Pilipinas sa lugar alinsunod sa UNCLOS 1982 at 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.

Para sa mga residente at lokal na lider sa Kalayaan, ang kanilang pamayanan ay hindi lamang simpleng pook sa dagat kundi simbolo ng karapatan ng bansa at tahanan ng mga Pilipino. Ang mga suhestiyon ng pagsuko ng KIG ay tinutulan din ng iba pang sektor na naninindigan sa pagpapatuloy ng presensya ng Pilipinas sa teritoryong ito.

U.S. sets June deadline for Ukraine-Russia peace deal, Zelenskyy says

EDGARDO HERNAL
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U.S. sets June deadline for Ukraine-Russia peace deal, Zelenskyy says

KYIV, Ukraine — The United States has given Ukraine and Russia until June to reach an agreement to end the nearly four-year war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure forced nuclear power plants to reduce output over the weekend.

Speaking to reporters on Friday in remarks embargoed until Saturday, Zelenskyy said the U.S. is pushing for a clear timetable to end the conflict by early summer and is prepared to pressure both sides if the deadline is not met.

“The Americans are proposing that the parties end the war by the beginning of this summer and will probably put pressure on the parties precisely according to this schedule,” Zelenskyy said. “They want a clear schedule of all events.”

Zelenskyy added that the U.S. has proposed holding the next round of trilateral talks involving Washington, Kyiv, and Moscow as early as next week, possibly in Miami, marking the first time such discussions would take place on U.S. soil. Ukraine has confirmed its participation.

He also disclosed that Russia has submitted a $12 trillion economic proposal to the U.S., which he referred to as the “Dmitriev package,” named after Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev. Zelenskyy said bilateral economic arrangements between Washington and Moscow are part of the broader negotiation framework.

Meanwhile, Russian forces continued large-scale attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector. Zelenskyy said more than 400 drones and about 40 missiles were launched overnight Saturday, targeting the national power grid, electricity generation facilities, and distribution networks.

Ukrenergo, Ukraine’s state energy transmission operator, said the assault marked the second mass strike on energy infrastructure since the start of the year. Eight energy facilities across eight regions were hit, forcing nuclear power plants to scale back operations.

“As a result of missile strikes on key high-voltage substations that ensured the output of nuclear power units, all nuclear power plants in the territories under control were forced to reduce their load,” Ukrenergo said, warning that the attacks significantly widened the country’s power deficit and led to extended hourly blackouts nationwide.

The June deadline follows U.S.-brokered trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi that failed to produce a breakthrough, with both sides holding firm to incompatible demands. Russia continues to press Ukraine to withdraw from the Donbas region, where fighting remains intense—an option Kyiv has repeatedly rejected.

“Difficult issues remained difficult,” Zelenskyy said, reiterating Ukraine’s stance on Donbas. “We stand where we stand is the fairest and most reliable model for a ceasefire today.” He added that the most contentious issues would need to be addressed directly in a trilateral meeting of leaders.

Zelenskyy also said no agreement was reached on managing the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and expressed skepticism over a U.S. proposal to designate Donbas as a free economic zone as a compromise solution.

“I do not know whether this can be implemented, because when we talked about a free economic zone, we had different views on it,” he said.

During the latest talks, negotiators discussed the technical mechanisms for monitoring a potential ceasefire. Zelenskyy said the U.S. reaffirmed its willingness to take part in overseeing such arrangements.

Russian aerial assaults in recent months have increasingly targeted Ukraine’s power grid, triggering widespread blackouts and disrupting heating and water supplies during winter, further straining the country’s infrastructure.

Zelenskyy said Washington has once again proposed a ceasefire banning strikes on energy facilities. Ukraine is prepared to observe such a pause if Russia commits, he said, but noted that a previous U.S.-backed one-week halt was violated by Moscow after just four days.

12 patay naitala dahil sa bagyong Basyang —OCD

Venus L Peñaflor
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12 patay naitala dahil sa bagyong Basyang —OCD

MAYNILA — 12 katao na ang iniulat na nasawi dahil sa epekto ng tropical cyclone Basyang (international name: Penha), ayon sa pinakahuling datos mula sa Office of Civil Defense (OCD) at National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) nitong Sabado.

Ayon sa ulat, kabilang sa mga nasawi ang mga sumusunod:

  • Cagayan de Oro City — apat (4) na katao, kabilang ang dalawang bata, na nasawi matapos tamaan ng malakas na landslide sa Barangay Agusan habang umuulan nang walang tigil.
  • Iligan City — tatlo (3) na katao na namatay sa iba’t ibang insidente na inaalam pa ang eksaktong dahilan ng pagkamatay, ayon sa lokal na opisyal.
  • Surigao del Sur — dalawa (2) na nasawi dahil sa pagkalunod sa baha, ayon sa ulat mula sa OCD Caraga.
  • Agusan del Norte — isa (1) dahil sa pagkalunod dahil sa baha.

Sinabi ng mga awtoridad na ang lahat ng mga ulat ng pagkamatay ay kasalukuyang “for validation” at patuloy pang iniimbestigahan para sa opisyal na kumpirmasyon.

Samantala, isinailalim sa state of calamity ang Iligan City noong Biyernes dahil sa epekto ng Basyang. Gumuho ang isang taong gulang na steel bridge sa Barangay Puga-an, habang inanod ng malalakas na agos ng baha na umabot hanggang baywang ang taas ang ilang sasakyan sa Barangay Mahayahay.

Tatlong katao ang iniulat na nasawi sa Iligan City dahil sa pagbaha dulot ng malalakas na ulan, ayon sa Iligan City Social Welfare and Development, batay sa ulat din ni Yap sa Saksi. Tinatayang 3,800 pamilya ang naapektuhan sa lungsod, ayon sa mga lokal na opisyal.

Sa Cagayan de Oro City, mahigit 2,000 indibidwal ang inilikas dahil sa masamang panahon.

Bilang isang tropical storm, nag-landfall ang Basyang sa Bayabas, Surigao del Sur noong Huwebes ng gabi. Nagdulot ito ng malalakas na ulan habang tinatahak ang Agusan del Norte, Bohol Sea, at Bohol, kung saan muli itong nag-landfall bilang isang tropical depression. Ayon sa PAGASA, umabot sa limang landfalls ang ginawa ng Basyang.

Dahil sa masungit na lagay ng panahon, libo-libong pasahero ang na-stranded sa mga pantalan sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa matapos kanselahin ang mga biyahe sa dagat.

Noong Biyernes ng gabi, namataan ang Basyang sa Negros Oriental habang patuloy itong humihina. Bandang 2 a.m. ng Sabado, humina ito bilang isang low pressure area (LPA), ayon sa PAGASA. Pagsapit ng 4 a.m., ang LPA ay namataan 105 kilometro timog-silangan ng Cuyo, Palawan, na kumikilos pa-kanluran sa bilis na 25 km/h. Bandang 8 a.m., tuluyan nang nag-dissipate ang LPA, ayon sa PAGASA.

Epstein files trigger political fallout across Europe as U.S. impact remains limited

Venus L Peñaflor
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Epstein files trigger political fallout across Europe as U.S. impact remains limited

LONDON — Revelations from newly released Jeffrey Epstein documents have upended political, diplomatic and royal figures across Europe, while the fallout in the United States has so far been more restrained, highlighting sharp contrasts in accountability and public response on both sides of the Atlantic.

The extensive trove of documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice has dominated headlines across Europe, prompting resignations, dismissals, and criminal and parliamentary investigations. Those implicated include a former British ambassador to Washington, senior diplomats, top politicians, and members of royal families in several countries.

Former U.K. Ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson was dismissed from his post and is now under police investigation for possible misconduct in public office. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing mounting political pressure over Mandelson’s appointment, with lawmakers questioning his judgment amid revelations that Mandelson maintained close ties with Epstein long after the financier’s 2008 conviction for sex offenses involving a minor.

Even before the latest document release, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the brother of King Charles III, had lost his royal honors, princely title, and publicly funded residence following scrutiny of his relationship with Epstein. Andrew later paid millions of dollars to settle a civil lawsuit with one of Epstein’s victims, though he has denied wrongdoing.

With the exception of Prince Andrew, none of the European figures who have fallen face allegations of sexual abuse. Instead, they have been criticized for continuing social or professional relationships with Epstein after his criminal conviction.

“Epstein collected powerful people the way others collect frequent flyer points,” said Mark Stephens, an international and human rights lawyer in London. “But the receipts are now public.”

The document release followed intense public pressure in the United States that led to a rare bipartisan push to declassify investigative files related to Epstein. Despite this, the U.S. has not yet seen a comparable wave of resignations or career-ending consequences for Epstein’s associates.

Political analysts say the difference reflects stronger media scrutiny and accountability mechanisms in Europe. Rob Ford, a political science professor at the University of Manchester, said that in Britain, appearing in the Epstein files immediately becomes a major political issue. “There is still a degree of shame in politics,” he said, adding that unacceptable behavior can rapidly become untenable for public officials.

In the United Kingdom, Mandelson had previously minimized his relationship with Epstein, despite having called him “my best pal” in 2003. The newly released files show that contact continued for years after Epstein’s imprisonment, including a 2009 message in which Mandelson appeared to refer to Epstein’s release as “liberation day.” British police are now examining whether Mandelson improperly shared sensitive government information with Epstein.

Prime Minister Starmer has apologized to Epstein’s victims and pledged to release documents related to Mandelson’s vetting. Nevertheless, anger within Parliament has intensified, with some lawmakers calling for Starmer’s removal over what they describe as a failure of judgment.

Across continental Europe, the disclosures have led to further upheaval. Officials in Norway, Sweden, Slovakia, and other countries have resigned or been suspended after previously undisclosed contacts with Epstein were revealed. Investigations have also been launched in Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, where Prime Minister Donald Tusk ordered a review of the files for potential Polish victims and possible links to Russian intelligence services.

In Norway, the country’s economic crimes unit has opened a corruption investigation into former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland, who once chaired the Nobel Peace Prize committee. High-profile diplomats Terje Rød-Larsen and Mona Juul have also come under scrutiny, with Juul suspended as Norway’s ambassador to Jordan after revelations that Epstein left $10 million to the couple’s children in his will.

The Epstein files have also affected Norway’s royal family. Crown Princess Mette-Marit apologized publicly after documents detailed her past communications and planned visits with Epstein. The revelations surfaced as her son, Marius Borg Høiby, faces an unrelated rape trial in Oslo, charges he denies.

In contrast, the repercussions in the United States have been limited. Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers took leave from academic roles at Harvard University, and Brad Karp resigned as chair of the law firm Paul Weiss. The National Football League has said it will investigate Epstein’s relationship with New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch.

Other prominent Americans named in the documents, including former Trump strategist Steve Bannon, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and tech billionaire Elon Musk, have not faced formal sanctions. Former Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton have again been questioned about their past associations with Epstein, though neither has been accused of wrongdoing by Epstein’s victims.

Analysts say the files expose a vast international network of political leaders, billionaires, academics and royals cultivated by Epstein, raising unresolved questions about influence, access, and accountability.

“It will be interesting to see whether in the correspondence he had an influence in policymaking,” said Grégoire Roos of the Chatham House think tank, noting the depth of Epstein’s access to figures who were either in power or rising toward it.

As investigations continue across Europe, officials and observers say further political consequences are likely, underscoring how the Epstein revelations continue to reshape public trust and elite accountability well beyond the United States.

Atong Ang naghain ng motion to suspend proceedings sa San Pablo RTC

Arman B. Cambe
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Atong Ang naghain ng motion to suspend proceedings sa San Pablo RTC

Maynila — Isinumite ni businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang ang isang motion to suspend proceedings sa Regional Trial Court (RTC) ng San Pablo kaugnay ng mga kasong kidnapping with homicide at kidnapping with serious illegal detention kaugnay ng nawawalang mga sabungero, ayon kay Justice spokesperson Polo Martinez nitong Biyernes.

“Pinapaalam namin sa publiko na ang issuance ng warrant of arrest ay na-defer ng korte kasunod ng motion to defer o suspend proceedings na isinumite ng akusado,” ani Martinez sa isang media briefing.

Kasalukuyang nahaharap si Ang sa mga kaso sa mga hukuman ng Sta. Cruz, Laguna; Lipa, Batangas; at San Pablo, Laguna. Sa tatlong hukuman, ang Sta. Cruz RTC Branch 26 at Lipa RTC Branch 13 lamang ang nakapag-isyu ng warrant of arrest laban sa kanya.

Ayon kay Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon, humihiling ang korte sa DOJ na magsumite ng mga dokumento kaugnay ng kaso, kabilang na ang mga counter-affidavits ng mga respondent.

“Tayo ay magco-comply. Magco-comply tayo para makita natin kung sa sandaling mag-comply tayo, magiging sapat na basehan na ba ito para makapagdesisyon ang korte kung dapat itong mag-isyu ng warrant o hindi,” paliwanag ni Fadullon.

Ayon pa rin sa kanya, anuman ang magiging hakbang ng korte, sisiguraduhin din ng DOJ na magkakaroon ng nararapat na aksyon. “Kung ano ang mga hakbang na ito, hindi pa namin maibubunyag sa ngayon,” dagdag pa niya.

Samantala, sinabi ni Martinez na nagsimula na ang trial ni Ang sa Sta. Cruz at Lipa.

Nag-anunsyo naman si Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla ng P10-million reward para sa impormasyon na magdadala sa pag-aresto kay Ang. Ayon kay Remulla, ang malawak na koneksyon ni Ang sa iba’t ibang antas ng pamahalaan ang pangunahing balakid sa kanyang pag-aresto.

Kikilos ang PNP sa pag-aalis ng ‘epal’ signage, tarpaulins ng mga pulitiko

Venus L Peñaflor
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Kikilos ang PNP sa pag-aalis ng ‘epal’ signage, tarpaulins ng mga pulitiko

MAYNILA — Pinaiigting ng Philippine National Police (PNP) ang crackdown sa mga signage at tarpaulin na may pangalan at larawan ng mga politiko sa mga proyekto at ari-arian na pinopondohan ng gobyerno, bilang hakbang upang maprotektahan ang integridad ng pampublikong serbisyo.

Ayon kay PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., ang layunin ng kampanya ay malinaw: “Ang pera ng bayan ay para sa bayan. Government projects should never look like they are owned by a person. They belong to the Filipino people.”

Iniutos ni Nartatez na agad alisin ang anumang materyal na nagpapakita ng pangalan o larawan ng opisyal sa mga programa at proyekto ng gobyerno. “No excuses. Hindi natin dapat ginagamit ang serbisyo publiko para sa personal na pagpapakita o pagpapakilala,” dagdag pa niya.

Ang direktibang ito ay nakasaad sa PNP Memorandum noong Pebrero 2, na nakabatay sa DILG Memorandum Circular 2026-006. Ayon sa dokumento, ang mga opisyal at kawani na hindi susunod ay pananagutin alinsunod sa umiiral na batas at regulasyon.

Binanggit ng Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) na malinaw na ipinagbabawal ng 1987 Konstitusyon, Code of Conduct, at 2026 General Appropriations Act ang paglalagay ng pangalan at larawan ng opisyal sa mga proyektong pinondohan ng gobyerno.

Lahat ng opisyal at kawani ay inatasang agad na magpatupad ng pag-alis at pagwasto sa mga materyales na lumalabag sa patakaran, habang ang mga pinuno ng tanggapan ay mananagot sa buong pagsunod sa direktiba.

Trump deletes racist post targeting Obamas after bipartisan backlash despite White House defense

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Trump deletes racist post targeting Obamas after bipartisan backlash despite White House defense

WASHINGTON — A social media post shared by President Donald Trump depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as primates was deleted Friday following widespread bipartisan backlash, including criticism from civil rights leaders and senior Republican lawmakers.

The post, which appeared Thursday night on Trump’s Truth Social account, drew swift condemnation for its racist imagery, particularly as it targeted the nation’s first Black president and first lady. The White House initially defended the post, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissing criticism as “fake outrage,” before later acknowledging that the content had been posted in error by a staff member.

By Friday afternoon, the post had been taken down. The White House described the deletion as a corrective step and said the staffer responsible acted without proper authorization, a rare admission of error from the administration.

The now-deleted post was part of a broader series of overnight messages amplifying false claims that the 2020 U.S. presidential election was stolen, assertions repeatedly rejected by courts and by Trump’s own former attorney general due to lack of evidence.

Nearly all of the 62-second video reposted by Trump originated from a conservative clip alleging election manipulation in battleground states. A brief segment near the end showed jungle primates with the Obamas’ faces digitally imposed — imagery traced to a previously circulated political meme portraying Trump as the “King of the Jungle” and Democratic leaders as animals.

“This is from an internet meme video,” Leavitt said in a text message, urging media outlets to “stop the fake outrage.” However, the explanation did little to quell criticism, particularly as the post appeared during the first week of Black History Month, shortly after Trump issued a proclamation praising Black Americans’ contributions to the nation.

An Obama spokesperson said the former president had no comment.

The incident raised renewed questions about oversight and control of Trump’s social media accounts, which the president has used to announce policy positions, threaten military action, and attack political rivals. The White House did not immediately respond to inquiries about how posts are reviewed or how the public can distinguish posts written personally by the president.

Condemnation came from across the political spectrum. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, the only Black Republican in the U.S. Senate, called for the post’s removal, describing it as “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.” Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi also called the post “totally unacceptable” and said the president should apologize.

Mark Burns, a Black pastor and prominent Trump supporter, said he spoke directly with the president and urged him to fire the staffer responsible and publicly denounce the content. “He knows this is wrong, offensive, and unacceptable,” Burns wrote on X.

Democratic leaders were more blunt. Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Rep. Yvette Clarke of New York rejected the White House’s explanation, saying the incident reflected a broader “toxic and racist climate” within the administration.

Civil rights groups also weighed in. NAACP President Derrick Johnson described the video as “utterly despicable,” linking the controversy to what he said were efforts to distract from economic concerns and renewed scrutiny surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein case.

Public reaction extended beyond Washington. In Harlem, New York, vendor Jacklyn Monk said the post was “horrible” regardless of timing, while in Atlanta, Rev. Bernice King, daughter of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., reminded Americans that Black people “are not apes,” quoting her father’s words affirming Black dignity and pride.

Historians and advocates noted that the imagery echoed a long and documented history of racist portrayals associating Black Americans with animals, a practice rooted in centuries-old pseudoscience and used to justify slavery, segregation, and discrimination.

Trump has long faced criticism for racially charged rhetoric, including promoting the false “birther” conspiracy questioning Obama’s citizenship, derogatory remarks about majority-Black nations, and campaign language likened by critics to historical dehumanization narratives.

As of late Friday, the White House had not issued a formal apology, despite mounting calls from lawmakers in both parties and civil rights organizations.

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