Published February 18, 2021, 2:02 PM
The wealthiest member of the House of Representatives has set up a P500,000 fund to finance the legal action for the release of 15 children from Lumad communities in Mindanao who are currently being held allegedly against their own and their respective parents’ will by the Philippine National Police.
(JUAN CARLOS VELA / MANILA BULLETIN)
Deputy Speaker and 1PACMAN Partylist Rep. Michael “Mikee” L. Romero, a staunch advocate of children’s rights and welfare, has also demanded the relief of police operatives behind the February 15 raid at the San Carlos University in Cebu City.
“I call on General (Debold) Sinas to relieve these people in Region 7 for subjecting the children to violence during the raid. The children did nothing wrong, there was no terrorism or inculcation of communist ideals taught to them,” he stressed during a virtual press conference on Thursday, February 18.
Amb. Han Dong-man
Also on Tuesday, the Lower House adopted
a resolution commending former House Secretary General Jocelia Bighani C. Sipin for her exemplary performance in shepherding the House Secretariat through a period of transition of leadership from the period 13 October to 18 November 2020.
Han received a copy of House Resolution 1405 which Speaker Lord Allan Velasco personally gave the envoy on suspended session at the plenary hall.
Unanimously adopted on December 7, the resolution recognizes Han’s achievements as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea (ROK) to the Philippines since January 17, 2018.
Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte conferred Han the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Datu (Gold Distinction Grand Cross) in simple ceremonies at the Malacanang Palace.