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Putin, Netanyahu discuss Middle East in phone call, Kremlin says

Venus L Peñaflor
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Putin, Netanyahu discuss Middle East in phone call, Kremlin says

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone conversation on Saturday to discuss key developments in the Middle East, according to a joint statement from the Kremlin and the Prime Minister’s Office.

The leaders focused on the situation in the Gaza Strip, including the implementation of the current ceasefire agreement and the ongoing exchanges involving Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. Both sides also reviewed concerns over Iran’s nuclear program and efforts to stabilize conditions in Syria.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the call was initiated by the Russian president. The Kremlin described the discussion as a thorough exchange of views.

The two leaders last spoke by phone in October, when they discussed the United States-brokered ceasefire deal. During that call, Putin reiterated Moscow’s support for a comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian issue. Their talks at the time also covered developments related to Iran and Syria.

Earlier this year, KAN News reported that Netanyahu’s office had been coordinating closely with Russia on a range of issues, including tensions between Washington and Moscow amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Saturday’s call came as Russia advanced its own draft resolution on Gaza at the United Nations. The proposal challenges a United States-backed draft that seeks Security Council approval of the ceasefire plan.

In a note circulated to Security Council members and reviewed by Reuters, Russia said its counterproposal was inspired by the US draft and aimed to help the council form a balanced and unified approach to achieving a sustainable halt to hostilities. The Russian version asks the UN Secretary General to present options for an international stabilization force in Gaza and omits references to the Board of Peace, which the United States has promoted as a transitional governing body for the territory.

JCI San Pablo 7 Lakes marks 77th anniversary with fellowship and leadership seminar

Venus L Peñaflor
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JCI San Pablo 7 Lakes marks 77th anniversary with fellowship and leadership seminar

SAN PABLO CITY — JCI San Pablo 7 Lakes celebrated its 77th anniversary in grand style last night at Coco Palace, gathering current and past members for a heartwarming evening of fellowship, leadership, and renewed commitment under 77th President Jessa Enrera Estrellado.

The day started on a high note with a motocade in the morning, as members and supporters toured key parts of the city. This energetic kickoff was followed by an orientation and training seminar for prospective Baby Jaycees, giving them a solid foundation in JCI ideals and leadership.

As evening fell, past presidents, JCI Senators, regular members, and Jaycees Associates filled Coco Palace for a reunion full of good conversation and camaraderie. Among those present were former presidents Marius Myrone Zabat, Jun Ariate, Benick Caparas, Tina Fontanilla, Dianalyn Carlos, Dave Gamara, Raymond Estrellado, Dhora Estrellado, Reynato Estrellado, Venus P. Funtanilla, and JL Perlas.

Notably, PJ Estrellado, Reynato Estrellado, Marius Myrone Zabat, and Venus P. Funtanilla are honored as JCI Senators, a lifetime distinction awarded to those who have made outstanding contributions to JCI. The Senatorship is the highest honorary recognition in JCI, granting lifetime membership for exceptional service.

City officials, who are also active JCIs, also joined the celebration. Atty. Joseph Marnic V. De Mesa, the San Pablo City Administrator, lent his support, as did Jeremy Alcantara from the MIS/Digitalization Department and JL Perlas, past chapter president now connected with the city’s Youth and Sports Development Office. The presence of Past National President PJ Estrellado, who also serves as CEO of the El Coco Group of Companies, added further prestige to the event.

Among the JCI Associates present was Dr. Cyrus Constantino, Chairman of the Eye Care We Care project, a community initiative providing eye care and check-ups, highlighting the chapter’s active involvement in public health and service projects.

The anniversary celebration underscored JCI San Pablo 7 Lakes’ ongoing mission: developing new leaders, strengthening community bonds, and forging a legacy of service that spans generations.

The organizing team behind the successful celebration included Project Chair Harry A. Viterbo, Co-Chair John Marc Manozon, Secretaries Temmelie Mate and Rosebel Agapay, Program/Events Directors Jayson Fajardo and Rainy Rose Alcantara, Food and Hospitality Committee VP Shy Estrellado, and sponsors VP Paul Jess Estrellado, AVP Rovin Estrellado, RVP Raymond Estrellado, Past Presidents Dhora Estrellado, Dianalyn Carlos, and Belai Nassif.

The day started on a high note with a motocade in the morning, as members and supporters toured key parts of the city.
As evening fell, past presidents, JCI Senators, regular members, and Jaycees Associates filled Coco Palace for a reunion full of good conversation and camaraderie.
City officials also joined the celebration. Atty. Lex De Mesa, the San Pablo City Administrator, lent his support, as did Jeremy Alcantara from the MIS/Digitalization Department and JL Perlas, past chapter president now connected with the city’s Youth and Sports Development Office.

Footnote: Edited the name “Lex De Mesa” to the correct full name “Joseph Marnic V. De Mesa” on 15 November 2025, 2:57 PM, as “Lex” is his Facebook display name and not his legal name.

3 dead, 3 injured as double-decker bus slams into Stockholm bus stop

EDGARDO HERNAL
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3 dead, 3 injured as double-decker bus slams into Stockholm bus stop

STOCKHOLM — Three people were killed and three others were injured when a double-decker bus crashed into a bus stop in Stockholm on Friday, police said.

The crash occurred at 3:23 p.m. on Valhallavägen in the Östermalm district, in the northern part of the Swedish capital near the Royal Institute of Technology. The bus rammed directly into the shelter, leaving the front of the vehicle heavily damaged.

Police are investigating the incident as involuntary manslaughter, although the cause of the crash has not yet been determined. According to the Swedish news agency TT, authorities confirmed that the driver had been detained and will be questioned to establish what happened.

Emergency services said the bus, a regular city vehicle, was not in service at the time and had no passengers on board.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson wrote on X that he had received “the tragic news that several people have been killed and injured at a bus stop, people who were perhaps on their way home to family, friends, or a quiet evening at home.”

He added that although the cause remained unclear, his thoughts were with the victims and their families.

ICC nagtalaga ng bagong eksperto para suriin ang medical condition ni dating Pangulong Duterte

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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ICC nagtalaga ng bagong eksperto para suriin ang medical condition ni dating Pangulong Duterte

Nagtalaga ang International Criminal Court o ICC ng bagong eksperto na sasali sa panel na magsasagawa ng pagsusuri sa kundisyong medikal ni dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte upang matukoy kung kaya pa nitong harapin ang paglilitis.

Kasabay nito, binawi ng ICC ang appointment ng isa pang miyembro ng panel at inalis ang kanyang access sa mga dokumentong may kinalaman sa kaso ni Duterte.

Nakasaad ito sa desisyong inilabas ng ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I kaugnay ng hiling ng depensa na i-disqualify ang naturang eksperto. Inilabas ang public redacted version ng dokumento sa website ng ICC noong Nobyembre 14.

Noong Agosto, sinabi ng depensa sa ICC na ang 80 anyos na si Duterte ay wala na umano sa kapasidad na gamitin ang mga kinakailangang cognitive skills para maayos na maipagtanggol ang sarili at hindi na raw fit to stand trial.

Inatasan ng korte ang medical examination ni Duterte, na kasalukuyang nakakulong sa The Hague dahil sa kasong crimes against humanity, kabilang ang murder at attempted murder, kaugnay ng mga namatay sa war on drugs noong siya ay Pangulo at dating alkalde ng Davao City.

Noong Setyembre 15, nagsumite ang ICC Registry ng listahan ng mga eksperto. Pagkaraan ng siyam na araw, nagtalaga ang korte ng tatlong eksperto, isang neurologist, isang forensic psychiatrist at isang neuropsychologist, upang suriin ang dating pangulo.

Noong Setyembre 25, hiniling ng depensa na bawiin ang appointment ng isang eksperto dahil sa umano’y aktibong suspension nito ng kanyang professional regulatory body. Noong Setyembre 30, humiling din ang prosekusyon ng pagbawi ng appointment ng isa pang eksperto. Nagpahayag naman ang Office of Public Counsel for Victims o OPCV na hinahayaan nila sa Chamber ang pagpapasya matapos makuha ang kinakailangang paglilinaw mula sa Registry.

Humingi ang Registry ng karagdagang eksperto sa neuropsychology at nagsumite ng shortlist noong Oktubre. Muling humiling ang depensa na bawiin ang appointment ng isa pang eksperto dahil sa parehong isyu ng suspension.

Matapos imbestigahan ang mga pangamba, sinabi ng ICC na ang kasalukuyang sitwasyon ng naturang eksperto at ang kabiguan nitong ipaalam ang kanyang kondisyon sa Registry ay nagpapakitang hindi angkop at imposibleng ipagpatuloy ang kanyang assignment sa panel. Idinagdag ng korte na ang pagpapanatili sa eksperto ay magdudulot lamang ng dagdag na litigasyon na magpapabagal sa proseso sa ilalim ng Rules 113 at 135.

Dahil dito, binawi ng Chamber ang appointment ng eksperto at inatasan ang Registry na alisin ang kanyang access sa mga dokumentong natanggap niya. Paalala ng ICC na nananatiling confidential ang anumang impormasyon na napasakamay ng naturang eksperto.

Nagpasiya ang korte na magtalaga ng kapalit na eksperto sa neuropsychology. Dahil hindi pa kabilang sa Court’s List of Experts ang bagong eksperto, inatasan ang Registry na agad ayusin ang kanyang admission bago Oktubre 24.

Panel reports due December 5

Pinalawig ng ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I ang deadline para isumite ng Registry ang joint o individual reports ng panel hanggang Disyembre 5, 2025. May hanggang Disyembre 12 naman ang depensa, prosekusyon at OPCV upang magsumite ng kanilang obserbasyon.

Inaresto si Duterte noong Marso dahil sa crimes against humanity na may kaugnayan sa libo-libong namatay sa kampanya kontra droga. Siya ay nakakulong sa Hague Penitentiary Institution o Scheveningen Prison habang hinihintay ang paglilitis.

Ayon sa police records, umabot sa 6,000 ang extrajudicial killings sa ilalim ng war on drugs, ngunit sinasabi ng human rights groups na posibleng umabot ito sa 30,000, kabilang ang vigilante killings.

Marcos at Romualdez itinuro ni Zaldy Co sa umano’y P100 bilyong insertion, Palasyo pumalag

Venus L Peñaflor
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Marcos at Romualdez itinuro ni Zaldy Co sa umano’y P100 bilyong insertion, Palasyo pumalag

MAYNILA – Diretsahang idinawit sina Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at House Speaker Martin Romualdez sa umano’y P100 bilyong budget insertion para sa flood control projects.

Sa isang video message, iginiit ni Co na ginamit lamang siya at ginawa umanong kasangkapan ng Pangulo at ni Romualdez. Sinabi niyang umalis siya ng bansa noong Hulyo para sa medical check up at nakatakdang bumalik matapos ang State of the Nation Address, ngunit pinigilan umano siya ni Romualdez na umuwi.

Ayon kay Co, sinabi umano ng kongresista sa telepono na, “Stay out of the country. You will be well taken care of as instructed by the President.”

Idinagdag niyang noong bicameral conference sa 2024 budget, inatasan siya ni Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman na magpasok ng P100 bilyong halaga ng proyekto matapos umanong magpulong ang kalihim at ang Pangulo. Kinumpirma raw niya ito kay Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin bago niya ipinaalam kay Romualdez ang utos ng Pangulo.

Sagot umano ni Romualdez, “What the President wants, he gets,” ayon kay Co.

Giit ni Co, hindi na siya mananahimik at ilalabas ang lahat ng ebidensyang magpapatunay sa mga transaksiyong kanyang binanggit.

Lacson, hinamon si Co na manumpa

Para kay Senador Panfilo Lacson, walang probative value ang mga pahayag ni Co hangga’t hindi ito inuulit sa ilalim ng panunumpa. Hinamon niya ang dating kongresista na dumulog sa Senado upang magkaroon ng bigat ang kanyang mga akusasyon.

Nilinaw ni Lacson na hindi niya ipinagtatanggol ang Pangulo, ngunit iginiit niyang kung totoong may P100 bilyong insertion, maaari itong gawin sa National Expenditure Program at hindi sa bicameral conference committee. Aniya, “Why would he insert 100 billion sa BICAM samantalang sa NEP kaya niyang gawin yun?”

Palasyo, itinuring na hearsay ang mga paratang

Mariing itinanggi ng Malacañang ang mga alegasyon ni Co. Ayon sa Acting Secretary ng Presidential Communications Office na si Dave Gomez, puro hearsay at walang basehan ang mga paratang laban kay Marcos.

Sinabi ni Gomez na mismong ang Pangulo ang nagpasimuno sa pagsisiwalat ng mga anomalya sa flood control projects at nagsasagawa na ng mga hakbang para papanagutin ang mga responsable.

Binigyang diin niya na dapat bumalik si Co sa bansa at pirmahan ang kanyang mga pahayag sa ilalim ng panunumpa.

Sa parehong press briefing, sinabi ni Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro na lumilikha lamang si Co ng mga kuwento upang mailigtas ang sarili mula sa mga kasong kinakaharap niya. Giit niya, “Laway lang ang puhunan at walang basehan.”

Ayon kay Castro, may posibleng ibang tao na gumawa ng salaysay ni Co dahil tila hindi raw nito nauunawaan ang kanyang sinasabi. Tinukoy niya na kung gusto talagang maglagay ng P100 bilyon ang Pangulo, maaari itong ilagay direkta sa NEP at hindi bilang insertion.

Dagdag pa niya, alam na ng Pangulo ang mga akusasyon ngunit hindi ito nababahala dahil alam nito ang katotohanan.

Banta sa buhay ni Co, pinatutunayan ng Palasyo

Tungkol sa sinasabing banta sa buhay niya, hinamon ng Palasyo si Co na magpakita ng ebidensya. Ayon kay Castro, dapat maipakita ng dating kongresista kung saan nagmula ang impormasyon at kung may opisyal na rekord na nagpapatunay sa mga banta.

Nauna nang sinabi ni Co na ginagamit ng administrasyon ang lahat ng resources ng gobyerno para siya ay patahimikin.

Movie Review: ‘Now You See Me: Now You Don’t’ returns with new tricks and fresh faces

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Movie Review: ‘Now You See Me: Now You Don’t’ returns with new tricks and fresh faces

Ten years may have passed since the last installment, but the third “Now You See Me” film proves the magic is still alive. Now You See Me: Now You Don’t brings back the original team while introducing a new generation of magicians, delivering a globe-trotting, crowd-pleasing spectacle that already has a fourth movie in development.

“It is very good to be back,” says Jesse Eisenberg as J. Daniel Atlas, the egotistical and perfectionist brain behind the magician-robber group. Director Ruben Fleischer balances the returning cast with new faces, making the film a lively mix of old and new.

The story introduces three Gen Z magicians, Dominic Sessa, Justice Smith, and Ariana Greenblatt, who clearly represent the franchise’s future. The narrative spans Brooklyn, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, France, and South Africa, featuring everything from heists at the Louvre to a high-speed F1 chase in Abu Dhabi.

The original Four Horsemen Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, and Isla Fisher return alongside Lizzy Caplan, who replaced Fisher in the second film. Morgan Freeman reprises his role as the gravel-voiced mentor. The central plot revolves around the Heart Diamond, the largest ever discovered, valued at half a billion dollars, owned by a ruthless South African diamond heiress played with relish by Rosamund Pike.

The Eye, a secretive magic society, unites the original Horsemen with the new trio to retrieve the diamond from a multilevel, biometric bunker. True to their anti-capitalist ethos, the heroes aim not to enrich themselves but to strike a blow against greed.

With eight main characters, the film sometimes feels crowded, and the new magicians need time to establish themselves. Yet intergenerational banter keeps the story engaging. Physical magic and old-fashioned sleight-of-hand shine throughout, with impressive sequences including a hall of mirrors, an upside-down room, an infinity staircase, and a sand-filled escape chamber. These practical tricks provide a welcome break from CGI-heavy effects seen in previous installments.

The climax delivers a clever twist as the team faces off against Pike’s villain, revealing a surprising mastermind behind the plot. By the film’s end, a new generation of magician-thieves is firmly established.

Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, released by Lionsgate, is rated PG-13 for some strong language, violence, and suggestive references. Running time is 112 minutes. Rating: three out of four stars

Israel confirms militants returned remains of 1 of the last 4 hostages in Gaza

Venus L Peñaflor
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Israel confirms militants returned remains of 1 of the last 4 hostages in Gaza

JERUSALEM — Israel announced Thursday that militants in Gaza have turned over the remains of one of the last four hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack that ignited the war.

The victim was identified as Meny Godard, who was abducted from Kibbutz Be’eri in southern Israel. His wife, Ayelet, was killed during the assault. According to statements from the armed wings of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Godard’s body was recovered in southern Gaza.

Israel says that since the ceasefire began on October 10, the remains of 25 hostages have been returned. Three more remain unaccounted for in Gaza.

Kibbutz Be’eri described Godard as a former professional soccer player who later served in the Israeli military during the 1973 Mideast War. He went on to hold various positions in the kibbutz, including work at its printing press.

As part of the ceasefire agreement, Israel has been releasing 15 Palestinian bodies for each hostage’s remains. The Gaza Health Ministry said it has so far received 315 remains through the exchanges.

Hamas says recovering bodies in Gaza has become increasingly difficult due to widespread destruction. Israel has pressed for faster returns and in several cases, has disputed whether remains provided were those of hostages.

The ceasefire deal also led to the release of 20 living hostages on October 13. The handover of remains forms the core of the first phase of the United States brokered agreement, which requires Hamas to return all hostage bodies as quickly as possible. Both sides have accused each other of violating other parts of the deal, even as the exchanges continue.

Israeli officials allege that Hamas has delivered partial remains in some instances and staged body discoveries in others. Hamas accuses Israel of firing on civilians and restricting humanitarian aid. Although casualties have decreased under the ceasefire, Gaza officials continue to report deaths from strikes, while Israel says soldiers have been killed in militant attacks.

Health authorities in Gaza say the shortage of DNA testing kits has hampered the identification of remains sent by Israel.

With three hostages still to be recovered, the parties are close to completing the first phase of the 20-point plan. The next steps call for establishing an international stabilization force, forming a technocratic Palestinian government, and disarming Hamas.

The agreement is intended to end the war triggered by the Hamas-led attack that killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel and resulted in 251 hostages. Israel’s ensuing offensive has killed more than 69,100 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government but maintains detailed casualty records considered generally reliable by independent experts.

Dizon, higit 40 sangkot sa flood scam makukulong ngayong Nobyembre, Marcos nagsabing ‘wala silang Merry Christmas’

Venus L Peñaflor
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Dizon, higit 40 sangkot sa flood scam makukulong ngayong Nobyembre, Marcos nagsabing ‘wala silang Merry Christmas’

MAYNILA — Inihayag ni Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon na posibleng makulong ngayong Nobyembre ang higit 40 indibidwal na sangkot sa umano’y maanomalyang flood control projects sa Bulacan at Oriental Mindoro.

Sa panayam sa Unang Balita, sinabi ni Dizon na hindi na hihintayin ang Disyembre at inaasahang may mga makukulong na bago matapos ang buwan.

Kabilang sa mga tinukoy niya ay ang 26 indibidwal na idinadawit sa flood control project sa Bulacan at 15 pa na sangkot umano sa kahalintulad na anomalya sa Mindoro.

Ayon kay Dizon, kasama sa mga kakasuhan sa Bulacan sina Discaya at Henry Alcantara, habang sa Mindoro naman ay kabilang sa mga iniimbestigahan si dating congressman Zaldy Co at ang kanyang kompanya.

Sinabi ng kalihim na mismong si Ombudsman Boying Remulla ang nagsabing ang mga kasong kriminal kaugnay sa dalawang flood control projects ay maaaring masampa ngayong linggo o sa susunod.

Dagdag niya, ilang araw o linggo na lamang ang bibilangin bago makasuhan at makulong ang mga indibidwal na sangkot, lalo na at non bailable umano ang mga kasong isasampa.

Samantala, tiniyak ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na makukulong bago mag Pasko ang mga pinangalanang sangkot sa kontrobersiya.

Sa isang pulong balitaan, sinabi ng Pangulo na hindi magiging masaya ang kanilang Pasko dahil buo na ang kaso laban sa marami sa kanila at nakatakdang maisilbi ang mga ito. “Wala silang merry Christmas,” ayon sa kanya.

Tiniyak din ni Marcos na mababawi ang bilyon bilyong pisong ninakaw umano sa kaban ng bayan, bagaman hindi pa siya nagbibigay ng eksaktong timeline dahil patuloy pa ang pagtukoy sa iba pang posibleng assets.

Sa ngayon, tinatayang P6.3 bilyon ang maaaring mabawi mula sa freeze orders ng Anti Money Laundering Council na inuugnay sa korupsiyon sa flood control projects, bukod pa sa P3 hanggang P5 bilyong halaga ng tax liability.

Sinabi ng Pangulo na umaasa siyang mas marami pang halaga ang mababawi habang nagpapatuloy ang imbestigasyon.

BBC apologizes to Trump for misleading edit but rejects defamation claim

EDGARDO HERNAL
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BBC apologizes to Trump for misleading edit but rejects defamation claim

LONDON — The BBC apologized Thursday to United States President Donald Trump for a misleading edit of his January 6, 2021, speech, but said there is no basis for a defamation claim despite the president’s threat of a one billion dollar lawsuit.

BBC Chair Samir Shah sent a personal letter to the White House expressing regret for the edited version of Trump’s speech, which appeared in a “Panorama” documentary aired days before the 2024 US presidential election. The edit combined portions of the speech delivered nearly an hour apart.

In a formal retraction, the broadcaster acknowledged that the edited sequence created the impression of a single continuous statement and may have suggested that Trump directly called for violent action.

The BBC said it does not plan to rebroadcast the documentary.

Trump’s lawyer had demanded an apology, a full retraction, and compensation, claiming the edit caused overwhelming financial and reputational harm. The legal letter gave the BBC until Friday to respond. The BBC’s news report on the apology said it refused to pay compensation.

The documentary, titled “Trump: A Second Chance?”, was produced by a third-party company. It stitched together three quotes from two separate moments in Trump’s 2021 speech, omitting parts in which he told supporters to protest peacefully.

The fallout led to the resignation of Director General Tim Davie and news chief Deborah Turness, who said the controversy was damaging the institution and that accountability rested with them.

Legal experts say Trump faces significant obstacles should he pursue the case in either the United Kingdom or the United States. They note that the deadline to file a defamation claim in England expired more than a year ago and that the documentary did not air in the US, making it difficult to prove harm.

Although analysts consider most of Trump’s media-related legal threats to have limited merit, he has secured sizable settlements in other cases. In July, Paramount agreed to pay 16 million dollars to settle a lawsuit over a “60 Minutes” interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris, which Trump said was edited to improve her presentation. The settlement came as the Federal Communications Commission, led by a Trump-appointed chair, investigated Paramount during its pending merger with Skydance Media.

Last year, ABC News agreed to pay $15 million to resolve a defamation case after anchor George Stephanopoulos inaccurately stated that Trump had been found civilly liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll. A jury found him liable for sexual abuse.

The BBC said it is also reviewing a report that its “Newsnight” program made a similar edit to Trump’s January 6 speech in 2022.

Juan Ponce Enrile, former Senate President and Marcos’ chief legal counsel, dies at 101

Venus L Peñaflor
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Juan Ponce Enrile, former Senate President and Marcos’ chief legal counsel, dies at 101

MANILA — Juan Ponce Enrile, chief presidential legal counsel to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and one of the most influential figures in Philippine political history, has passed away at 101.

“It is with profound love and gratitude that my father, Juan Ponce Enrile, peacefully returned to his Creator on November 13, 2025, at 4:21 p.m., surrounded by our family in the comfort of our home,” his daughter, Katrina Ponce Enrile, announced in a Facebook post.

She said it was her father’s wish to spend his final moments at home, adding that the family “was blessed to honor that wish.”

“He dedicated much of his life to the service of the Filipino people,” she said. “At this time, we humbly ask for understanding as our family takes a brief moment to grieve privately and honor his memory in peace.”

Katrina said details for public viewing would be announced once arrangements are finalized.

President Marcos paid tribute to Enrile, calling him “an icon in the pantheon of Philippine history” during a speech in Malacañang.

Final public appearance

Enrile last made headlines on October 24, 2025, when he appeared online from a hospital room to attend the promulgation of his graft cases before the Sandiganbayan. His daughter said he was then confined for pneumonia.

The Sandiganbayan Special Third Division acquitted Enrile, his former chief of staff Jessica “Gigi” Reyes, and businesswoman Janet Napoles of 15 counts of graft related to the alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund.

“I thank the Lord foremost for this vindication and also the Honorable Justices of the Sandiganbayan who carefully studied the evidence and tried the case with fairness and discernment,” Enrile said after the ruling.

Five decades in public service

Before his appointment as chief presidential legal counsel in 2022, Enrile had already served in government for more than 50 years, holding key positions in both the executive and legislative branches.

He began his government career in 1966 when then-President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. appointed him finance undersecretary and later acting finance secretary. Enrile also served as concurrent acting chairman of the Monetary Board, head of the Insurance Commission, and commissioner of Customs.

In 1968, he became Secretary of Justice and later chaired the Board of Pardons and Parole. Two years later, he was named Secretary of National Defense, a post he held when Marcos Sr. declared Martial Law in 1972.

Enrile remained in that role until 1986, when he and then Armed Forces Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Fidel Ramos withdrew support from the Marcos administration, triggering the EDSA People Power Revolution that ended the dictatorship.

He briefly served in the Cabinet of President Corazon Aquino before resigning later that year.

Long legislative career

Enrile transitioned to the legislature as an assemblyman representing Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) from 1978 to 1984, then Cagayan province until 1986.

He was elected senator in 1987 and served multiple terms until 2016. He held the position of Senate President from 2008 to 2010, and again from 2010 to 2013.

Enrile played key roles in two historic impeachment trials, first as a senator-judge in the trial of President Joseph Estrada in 2001 and later as presiding officer in the 2012 impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

He stepped down as Senate President in 2013 amid controversy over Senate funds.

Legal battles and acquittal

In 2014, Enrile was charged with plunder in connection with the alleged misuse of pork barrel funds. He surrendered to authorities and spent over a year under hospital arrest at the Philippine National Police General Hospital before being released on bail in 2015.

Nearly a decade later, in 2024, the Sandiganbayan Third Division acquitted Enrile, Reyes, and Napoles of plunder, ruling that prosecutors failed to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Legacy

A lawyer, law professor, and political strategist, Enrile’s career spanned nearly every era of modern Philippine politics—from Martial Law to the post-EDSA democratic restoration.

His life, marked by power, controversy, and resilience, left a complex but indelible mark on the nation’s political landscape.

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