News Update
As of September 29, 2017 (Friday)
1. Manila Bulletin
South Korea expects more North Korea provocations mid-October
South Korea expects North Korea to engage in more provocative action next month to coincide with the anniversary of the founding of its communist party and China’s all-important Communist Party Congress. In a meeting with President Moon Jae-in on Thursday, national security adviser Chung Eui-yong said he expected Pyongyang to act around Oct. 10 and 18, but gave no details.
“(Chung’s report) also said there are worries over military conflict being sparked by accidental incidents,” said Park Wan-ju, lawmaker and head spokesman of the ruling Democratic Party. “The president said the United States speaks of military and diplomatic options, but South Korea can’t go through war again.”
http://news.mb.com.ph/2017/09/28/south-korea-expects-more-north-korea-provocations-mid-october/
2. Philippine Star
Rody threatens to probe ombudsman for graft
President Duterte yesterday announced he is forming a commission that will look into the alleged corrupt activities in the anti-graft agency, which has launched a fact-finding probe into the alleged billions that he and his family own – the subject of earlier exposés by opposition Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV.
He hinted that ombudsman prosecutors have received bribes from military, police and local officials in exchange for dismissing graft cases.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/09/29/1743700/rody-threatens-probe-ombudsman-graft 3. Daily Inquirer
Sereno wants to grill witnesses against her
Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Thursday invoked her right to cross-examine the witnesses to be called by the House justice committee in the looming impeachment hearing against her.
Her lawyers submitted a letter to the House panel asserting her fundamental right to confront witnesses against her and to cross-examine them, citing provisions in the 1987 Constitution and the impeachment rules of the House of Representatives. If her wish is granted, the Chief Justice will not personally do the cross- examination but “through counsel,” her camp said.
The House justice committee is still in the process of determining sufficiency of grounds for Sereno’s impeachment. If the grounds are deemed sufficient, the case will proceed to a determination of probable cause, in which case a hearing will be set.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/934170/sereno-wants-to-grill-witnesses-against-her 4. Manila Times
Duterte now wants to befriend America
President Rodrigo Duterte has again made a surprising turnaround, declaring on Thursday that he wants to be friends with Americans. In a speech during the commemoration of the 116th year of Balangiga Encounter Day in Balangiga, Eastern Samar, the President acknowledged that the US had been of great help to the Philippines. He noted that incidents during the war are “all water under the bridge”
http://www.manilatimes.net/duterte-now-wants-befriend-america/353473/
