We're in Masbate for Bongbong Marcos' 2nd Bicol stop. He's claiming lead over Robredo in her own bailiwick, citing surveys. In that aspect, this leg has something to prove. Sorsogon had a so-so crowd, let's see turnout here where Marcos is endorsed by Gov Tony Kho @rapplerdotcom
LOOK: Members of a Marian Catholic group Ina Poon Bato Simbahang Naglalakbay waiting for Marcos' arrival at the Masbate airport, say Imelda and the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos are devotees
Senator Migz Zubiri joins Uniteam here in Masbate. Zubiri is in the Lacson, Marcos, Pacquiao and Robredo slates.
We've also seen senatorial bets Sherwin Gatchalian, Mark Villar and Jinggoy Estrada deplane. Waiting for Marcos to arrive.
Marcos has arrived for a motorcade and rally in Masbate City. This is a far warmer welcome than the Sorsogon motorcade.
The stretch of the City Center has many buildings adorned with pink ribbons and Leni-Kiko posters. Marcos will be passing by this group of Kakampinks. When I filmed them as part of the convoy in front, they were shouting “convicted!”
Perhaps the best visual representation of what Masbate can be for Marcos - his PFP HQ right beside a proudly pink building. 590k votes up for grabs here. Marcos lost Masbate to Robredo in 2016, getting only 47,220 to Robredo's 169,297. Marcos will have Gov Kho to help out.
Marcos Uniteam program about to start here at the Masbate City Social Center, as Zubiri entertains the crowd.
Jinggoy's humor: May narinig ako hindi si Erap yan, pangit yan. Pangit man akong titingnan, masarap naman kung inyong titikman.
Goes on to say Erap jokes him: Lagi mo ko ginagaya, nung nakulong ako nakulong ka rin. A supporter behind me shouts: "Mana mana lang!"
Sherwin Gatchalian pitches for a return to in-person classes as soon as possible; says parents have lost livelihoods because they spend their time teaching their children instead.
This is the part of Marcos' speech that always rouses the crowd. It's also a line he has perfected, and resonates with so many supporters we have talked to on the ground.
Sara Duterte skipped both Sorsogon and Masbate of the Bicol leads. In Masbate, she was represented by a singer who read a message and sang a number for the crowd.
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FACT CHECK: Bongbong Marcos told One News he had never seen gold. It's a different tune from records we obtained showing in 1990 he told Inquirer "only I know where [the gold] is and how to get to it" & in 2007 he told court trading gold was their source of wealth @rapplerdotcom
If Marcos says that "sa buong buhay ko hindi pa ko nakakakita ng gold," why submit a pleading to Sandiganbayan in 2007 staking claim to Payanig property because their legitimate wealth "includes trading of precious metals." This was junked by Sandiganbayan way back July 2007.
In 2007, Marcos' lawyer Erme Labayog attended Laoag RTC hearing to perpetuate testimony of Constante Rubio who claimed he was a close associate when the dictator traded gold. Marcos through Manila lawyers then attached that to their SB pleading to claim Payanig. They failed.
JUST IN: Office of the Solicitor General files a petition with the Supreme Court asking to rescind Rappler's fact checking agreement with Comelec. But SolGen Jose Calida aren't here, neither are lawyers, they sent admin staff to file @rapplerdotcom
We haven't seen the petition but according to the press statement, OSG argued the fact checking deal constituted the unconstitutional prior restraint on free speech. This is unchartered territory, using the press' favorite defense against the press.
In OSG's letter earlier sent to Comelec, Calida said the fact checks will violate free speech as it "has become highly contentious as it may result to a monopoly of truths."
Bongbong Marcos flip-flops on Ukraine issue, from not wanting to take a stand last Tuesday to now "standing with the rest of the world for Russia to respect Ukraine's freedom and its citizens' democratic way of life."
Marcos' flip-flop to now standing for Ukraine is too bad for his supporter in Sorsogon who liked that he was neutral, saying he doesn't like his Kababayan Robredo who stood for Ukraine, following what some say is a flawed logic that doing so means going to war ourselves.
[Thread] Process of potential extradition for Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to the US. The United States will first file a request for extradition, coursed through the diplomatic channels. DFA as first step is not merely ministerial, said Justice Sec Menardo Guevarra @rapplerdotcom
Guevarra said DFA will make the determination if the case is covered by the PH-US extradition treaty, including the dual criminality test, meaning the offense is a crime both in PH and US. If request passes those test, it is endorsed to DOJ.
If and when it is endorsed to the DOJ, prosecutors will file a petition for extradition before a local court. This process, including the right to appeal, follows regular process said Guevarra. In case a warrant is issued, Quiboloy may post bail.
ONGOING: Pharmally board members attend Senate hearing after two invitations and a contempt order. Twinkle Dargani (president), Mohit Dargani (treasurer), Linconn Ong (director) and Justine Garado (director says SEC records, but exec asst accdg to him) @rapplerdotcom
Michael Yang attends the Senate hearing from a hotel in Davao City.
Sen President Tito Sotto says PS-DBM and DOH did not submit to the blue ribbon committee a detailed inventory of their procurements and releases; says what the agencies submitted is a general breakdown of funds.