Sen. Loren Legarda is confident the resolution will be passed on second reading

The Senate approved on second reading the landmark Paris Agreement on Climate Change that calls for the reduction of carbon emissions.

Sen. Loren Legarda, the main sponsor of Senate Bill 320, on Wednesday said she is confident the resolution will be passed on third and final reading soon.

"We're going to pass it as long as we have a quorum next week, we're going to pass it on third reading…before adjournment so that on Earth Day, we will have a true celebration," Legarda said.

In 2015, members of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, including the Philippines, drafted the agreement to limit the increase in the global average temperature to below two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

The pact was signed by 175 countries in New York in April 2016, and took  effect on November 4.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed the agreement after rejecting it earlier. 

Once the Senate ratifies the pact, Legarda said the Paris Agreement will compel polluting countries to finance the Green Climate Fund, which will help developing countries like the Philippines to start projects for adaptation and mitigation efforts.

"Once it's completely ratified and we can negotiate on a position of strength having ratified the agreement, this is really a legacy we have for our future generation, for the children of our country," she said.

World Bank Disaster Risk Financing and Insurance Program Head Olivier Mahul highlighted the financial cost of disasters in vulnerable countries.

"Every year on average, $300 billion (are lost) in terms of assets, and if you include well-being impact, it's about $500-billion dollars," Mahul said.

He said if countries are better prepared, they can respond quickly and limit the impact of disasters.

DFA Sec. Yasay, DENR Sec. Lopez to face Confirmation hearing

 Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. and Environment Secretary Gina Lopez will go through confirmation proceedings of the Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday morning.

Yasay has been on the hot seat due to reports of his U.S. citizenship. The last time he went through the same proceedings, he told CA members that he never acquired legal U.S. citizenship although he admitted that he used to be an American resident.

Yasay was also quoted as saying in a TV interview that he used to have an American passport but he returned it — fueling speculation that Yasay has been lying all along about his alleged US citizenship.

Prior to the confirmation proceedings, he admitted having a U.S. passport, but denied he lied.

"Yeah, I did not only have a U.S. passport, I had a naturalization certificate which I all returned to the authorities," he said.

He added he applied for naturalization in 1986, and was granted in the same year.

Yasay and Lopez paid a visit to CA member Senator Loren Legarda, a day before the scheduled confirmation.

Lopez' controversial move against many mining companies led to 23 oppositions to her confirmation. Despite the support of many church, environment, and other cause-oriented groups, Lopez appealed to the members of the CA to vote based on the common good and their conscience and not based on business interest.

"My worry is that there are some CA members that are into mining and that a bit scary…In fact the head of the CA in Congress is a miner," Lopez said.

A day before the resumption of confirmation proceedings, the CA membership decided to change some rules, one of which is having a secret vote

Kredibilidad ni Lascañas, nananatili parin? — Trillanes

Mananatiling ‘intact’ ang kredibilidad ni retired SPO3 Arturo Lascañas matapos itong humarap sa Senado kahapon para tumestigo sa mga aktibidad ng Davao Death Squad (DDS).

Punto ni Senador Antonio Trillanes, naidetalye naman ni Lascañas ang mga diumano’y pagpatay na iniutos umano ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte at ang anak nitong si Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte.

Hindi naman umano napasinungalingan ng mag-amang Duterte ang mga akusasyon ni Lascañas.

Una nang sinagot ng nakababatang Duterte ang mga patutsada ni Trillanes at sinabing gumagawa lang ng pera ang senador para sirain ang kanyang ama.

Hindi naman na makahaharap muli si Lascañas sa Senado matapos tapusin ang imbestigasyon sa loob lamang ng isang pagdinig.

Napoles, inakusahan ng pangingikil si De Lima

Inakusahan ng tinaguriang ‘pork barrel’ scam queen Janet Lim-Napoles si Senadora Leila De Lima na nangikil umano sa kanya.

Ani Napoles, ang pangingikil umano noon ni De Lima ay para sa kampanya nito noong tatakbo pa lamang na senadora.

Ang nasabing pera ay bilang kapalit umano ng pagbasura sa kanyang kasong illegal detention.

'Tokhang' survivor files charges vs 4 policemen

A man who claims to have survived a summary execution during an anti-illegal drugs operation in Payatas, Quezon City has filed administrative and criminal charges against four policemen before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Efren Morillo said on Friday that on August 21 last year, policemen identified as Sr. Insp. Emil Garcia, PO3 Allan Formilleza, PO1 James Aggarao and PO1 Melchor Navisaga accused him and four others of being involved in illegal drugs.

Without any proof, Morillo said they were handcuffed and brought inside a house where they were shot.

His four companions died while he sustained a gunshot wound in his left chest. He then pretended to be dead. Morillo said he managed to escape when the policemen left the crime scene.

PNP chief promises better drug war enforcement

Morillo said one of the policemen even ordered to call the Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) unit, then declared that the suspects resisted arrest and fought back, and planted evidence to support their claims.

The alleged crime took place a month after the Duterte administration launched its bloody war on drugs or "tokhang."

Morillo said until now he feared for his life even if cases had been filed against the policemen. His lawyer said the best way to deal with the situation would be to take the matter to court.

AFP, NPA trade faults amid scrapped talks

The military and New People's Army continue trading accusations of atrocities amid calls to resume peace talks. With both sides insisting the allegations are not mere propaganda, it remains unclear how these charges could be resolved.

Pangulong Duterte, mariing pinabulaanan na siya ang nasa likod ng DDS

Mariing pinabulaanan ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang akusasyong siya ang nasa likod ng Davao Death Squad (DDS) noong alkalde pa siya ng Davao City.

Sa kanyang talumpati sa Cebu, sinabi ni Duterte na hindi siya nag-utos na pumatay ng partikular na tao taliwas sa inihayag ni retired SPO3 Arthuro Lascañas at ng self-confessed hitman na si Edgar Matobato.

Ayon kay Duterte, ang iniutos lamang niya ay patayin ang mga kriminal kung manlalaban ang mga ito na ikapapahamak ng  mga awtoridad.

Una na ring inamin ng pangulo na may mga naganap na pagpatay sa Davao noong termino niya bilang alkalde pero ang mga ito ay resulta aniya ng mga lehitimong police operations.