BY ALEX ALAGON
THE LEAD defense counsel for former President Rodrigo Duterte accused the Marcos administration of covertly orchestrating his client’s “unconstitutional” arrest.
Addressing the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I on Tuesday, Kaufman alleged the existence of a covertly recorded telephone call that proves a “scheme” to funnel witnesses to The Hague while providing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. with “plausible deniability.”
Kaufman claimed the defense recently received a transcript—disclosed by the prosecution as “exonerating evidence”—detailing a conversation between four unidentified parties.
According to Kaufman, one party boasted of being a “silent partner” to President Marcos Jr., managing the delivery of witnesses to the ICC despite the President’s public “cast-iron undertaking” that the Philippine government would not assist the court.
“President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. set out to neutralize Rodrigo Duterte and his legacy,” Kaufman told the court, pointedly using the prosecution’s own terminology.
‘Cherry-picked’ rhetoric
The defense dismissed the prosecution’s case as being built on “political demagoguery” and “spicy gossip” rather than forensic reality. Kaufman argued that Duterte’s infamous “tough tongue” was a tool for law and order, not a mandate for murder.
The defense presented its own “speech counter,” claiming that for every one speech the prosecution uses to prove incitement, there are 3.5 speeches where Duterte explicitly ordered police to operate within the bounds of law and self-defense.
“Abuse your authority, and there will be hell to pay,” Kaufman quoted from a 2016 Duterte speech, arguing this was the “exonerating evidence” the prosecution intentionally ignored.
Attack on the investigation’s integrity
Kaufman further alleged that the entire investigation was “contaminated” from the start. He targeted ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan—who has since been disqualified from the case—accusing him of a “one-track crusade” and failing to disclose prior ties to witnesses as a private lawyer in 2018.
The defense painted a picture of Davao City’s transformation from a “communist outpost” to a global safety standard as the true legacy of the Duterte administration. Kaufman argued that the “Davao Model” was not a code for violence, but a blueprint for the “Selfless Public Service” that led to Duterte’s landslide 2016 victory.
As the four-day confirmation of charges hearing continues, the defense maintains that without Duterte’s “bombastic rhetoric,” there would be no case.
WITH MASSIVE floods and landslides isolating several communities, the 10th Infantry Division and the Davao de Oro government took to the skies on Saturday, Feb. 21, to conduct a high-stakes Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA).
The joint aerial mission, led by Brigadier General Vince James Bantilan of the 1001st Infantry Brigade and Governor Raul Mabanglo, aimed to provide a “bird’s-eye view” of the devastation caused by the persistent shear line that has hammered the region with heavy rainfall.
The inspection team surveyed the hardest-hit municipalities in Davao de Oro, extending their reach into parts of Agusan del Sur and Davao del Norte. From the air, officials monitored critical “red zones,” including submerged road networks and bridges that cut off relief access, swelling riverbanks threatening low-lying residential areas, and saturated slopes showing signs of imminent landslides.
The data-driven approach allows the military and the PDRRMO to bypass “guesswork” and deploy heavy equipment and relief goods exactly where they are needed most.
No community left behind
Major General Alvin Luzon, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, emphasized that the aerial survey is a vital precursor to a massive ground response.
“The proactive aerial assessment ensures swift resource allocation. We aren’t just reacting; we are planning based on the actual landscape of the disaster,” Luzon stated. “The Agila Troopers remain ready to support our communities… to safeguard lives and ensure timely humanitarian assistance.”
The mission highlights the strong “whole-of-nation” coordination between the Armed Forces and the local government units.
THE DAVAO City Council on Tuesday, Feb. 24, extended financial aid to local government units that declared a state of calamity due to the devastation wrought by Typhoon Basyang in early February.
A total of 320,524 families or 1,160,732 persons are affected in 1,464 barangays from Typhoon Basyang.
The 21st City Council approved nine ordinances on Tuesday, providing financial aid covering the following:
1. Province of Surigao del Sur- P1 million
2. City of Iligan,Lanao del Norte- P500,000
For municipalities under Surigao del Sur:
3. Municipality of Cortes- P300,000
4. Municipality of Madrid- P300,000
5. Municipality of Bayabas- P300,000
6. Municipality of Cagwait- P300,000
7. Municipality of Carmen- P300,000
8. Municipality of San Miguel- P300,000
9. Municipality of Lanuza- P300,000
Proponent Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, committee chair on finance, ways, means and appropriations, said the funds will be sourced from the 30% Quick Response Fund (QRF) portion of the 5% Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (DRRMF) for the calendar year 2026.
Dayanghirang emphasized that the city has available P235,203,855 under the FY 2026 Annual Budget of the DRRMF.
Alfredo D. Baloran, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head, recommended giving financial assistance to the local government units that declared a state of calamity due to Typhoon Basyang.
This is in line with DRRMC Resolution No. 09-2022, adopting DCDRRMC Resolution No. 05-2020.
AS THE International Criminal Court (ICC) began its hearing to confirm charges against former President Rodrigo Duterte on Feb. 23, a veteran Davao journalist stepped forward to challenge the prosecution’s interpretation of a key piece of video evidence.
The hearing aims to determine if “substantial grounds” exist to try the 80-year-old former leader for crimes against humanity. Central to the prosecution’s opening was a 2013 video involving the killing of three alleged thieves at the Agdao Public Market in Davao City.
Context vs. contention
ICC prosecutors alleged that the footage shows Duterte “gloating” over the killings, suggesting the perpetrators—purported members of the “Davao Death Squad” (DDS)—acted with impunity under his orders.
However, veteran Davao journalist Ben Tesiorna, posting under his Facebook name Aeson Anroiset, contested this narrative.
Tesiorna, who was present at the time of the original recording, clarified that the context of the video had nothing to do with endorsing extrajudicial killings.
“I took that video myself and nowhere in the video was FPRRD [Duterte] gloating about the killing,” Tesiorna stated in a comment on a national media outlet’s report. “He was very proud of the high-tech CCTVs installed that can zoom into several meters—that was more than a decade ago.”
Tesiorna’s claim suggests that Duterte’s recorded reaction was directed at the city’s technological capabilities rather than the violence itself.
This development aligns with the strategy of Duterte’s lead defense counsel, Atty Nick Kaufman, who accused the prosecution of “cherry-picking” rhetoric to fit a narrative of state-sponsored violence. The defense is expected to use Tesiorna’s statement to argue that the prosecution is building its case on “contextual misrepresentations.”
Deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang continues to maintain that Duterte oversaw a “common plan” to neutralize alleged criminals.
The prosecution argues that the lack of resolution in cases like the Agdao killings is proof of a systematic shield of protection for the DDS.
Status of the hearing
Duterte remains in custody at the ICC Detention Center in Scheveningen. While he waived his right to attend the four-day proceedings in person, his legal team remains active in challenging the court’s jurisdiction and the validity of the evidence.
Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc is expected to conclude the confirmation of charges hearing on Feb. 27.
The three-judge panel of the Pre-Trial Chamber I will then have 60 days to confirm the charges for a full trial, decline the charges, effectively halting the case, or request additional evidence.
A 19-YEAR-OLD student tagged in a fatal road crash surrendered to authorities on Sunday morning, shortly after police discovered his abandoned getaway vehicle in a remote area of Catalunan Grande.
The suspect, identified only as alias Ury, a resident of Catalunan Grande, turned himself in at Talomo Police Station (PS3), accompanied by his parents.
The breakthrough in the case came at approximately 8:35 a.m. on February 22, when personnel from PS3 located a gray Toyota Hilux abandoned at Sitio San Miguel.
Traffic investigator PSSg Relativo reported that the vehicle sustained visible damage to its front right portion, consistent with the impact of the earlier road crash.
Verification of the vehicle’s records revealed it is registered to a resident of Pag-IBIG Heights, also in Catalunan Grande, according to the report.
While investigators were processing the abandoned pickup truck, the suspect arrived at the station with his parents.
According to the police report, he confessed that the recovered Hilux was indeed the vehicle involved in the fatal incident.
He surrendered after he hit a 32-year-old man who was walking along the road in Catalunan Grande on Sunday.
As of press time, both the driver and the Toyota Hilux are in the custody of the Talomo Police.
Authorities are currently preparing the necessary documents for the formal filing of a reckless imprudence resulting in homicide charge.
SINGAPORE – Disney announced that Academy Award-winning actor Robert Downey Jr. will be the godparent for the Disney Adventure, the newest and largest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. Disney shared the news ahead of the vessel’s maiden voyage next month out of its home port in Singapore.
“Our new ship continues Disney Cruise Line’s tradition of bringing great stories to life at sea, and we are honored that Robert Downey Jr., who has guided audiences through unforgettable Marvel stories, is the official godparent for the Disney Adventure,” said Josh D’Amaro, chairman, Disney Experiences and incoming CEO of The Walt Disney Company.
Downey’s portrayal of Tony Stark/Iron Man was the cornerstone of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the highest-grossing film franchise of all time. His unparalleled decade-plus cinematic journey as the iconic character culminated in Avengers: Endgame, which amassed more than $2.79 billion at the global box office. Downey was named an official Disney Legend in 2019 and will now star as Doctor Doom in Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday, in theaters Dec. 18.
“It’s impossible to describe the majesty of the Adventure, and to be its godparent is an honor. As the largest ship in the Disney fleet, a gargantuan blessing must be bestowed … I’ll do my darndest,” Downey said.
The Disney Adventure brings more than 100 years of Disney storytelling to life across seven themed areas, including several Marvel experiences. At Marvel Landing on the top decks, guests can have the ultimate Super Hero adventure on Tony Stark’s Ironcycle Test Run, the first roller coaster on a Disney Cruise Line ship and the longest of its kind at sea. In the open-air Disney Imagination Garden area, the “Avengers Assemble!” live stage production will feature jaw-dropping stunts and special effects during an action-packed battle of Marvel Super Heroes and Villains. And inside Disney’s Oceaneer Club, the Marvel WEB Workshop invites young recruits to try out new Super Hero suit prototypes and conduct training simulations using top-secret Avengers technology.
The new ship offers signature Disney entertainment and hospitality: character encounters; Broadway-style shows; themed stateroom and concierge accommodations; and more than 20 dining and lounge venues featuring world-class international and Asian-inspired cuisines and beverages.
The maritime tradition of appointing a godparent to bless a new ship is a centuries-old custom believed to bring good fortune before a maiden voyage. A video revealing Robert Downey Jr. as the Disney Adventure’s godparent can be viewed and reshared on Youtube and Instagram.
THE PUBLIC Employment Service Office (PESO) Davao and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) XI are working together to assist displaced construction workers due to the public infrastructure slowdown.
During the Kapehan sa Davao on Monday, Shirly Duran, PESO Davao labor and employment officer, said the office is conducting local recruitment activities that cater to the workers in the construction industry.
“Every day we conduct a local recruitment activity in our main office and eight district offices in Davao, they can visit anytime to check available jobs for them, since construction is experiencing a slowdown,” Duran said.
Duran said apart from the visiting job seekers, the office is awaiting referrals from DOLE for the number of displaced workers in the city.
“We readily invite those displaced workers, and if there is a chance, we can provide them emergency employment under TUPAD,” she said.
The Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) Program under DOLE provides emergency, community-based, temporary employment for 10–30 days to informal-sector workers, underemployed workers, and displaced workers. It offers minimum wage pay, insurance, and safety equipment for tasks like cleaning, serving as a social safety net.
Duran said the major factor in the unemployment of construction workers is controversy surrounding government infrastructure projects, such as flood control initiatives.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) recently reported that about 550,000 construction workers nationwide have already lost employment.
THE MANGOES produced in the Island Garden City of Samal will be bound for Japan soon, the Department of Agriculture XI announced.
Wismettac Foods, Inc. of Japan, a trusted supplier of Japanese and Asian Food Products, paid a visit to the farmers of Ang Diyosnong Maguuma Winner sa Life (ADMWL) Sto. Niño Samal Farmers Association, which the agency described as a potential breakthrough for the island’s mango industry.
DA XI officials, along with Wismetta, conducted a site visit to the 60-hectare ADMWL mango farm to assess production capacity, fruit quality, and compliance with international export standards, including PhilGAP certification.
“Japanese buyers expressed confidence in Samal mangoes, citing prior tasting experiences and describing the fruit as sweet, high-quality, and highly recommended for export,” DA XI said in a press release.
Marie Ann M. Constantino, DA XI agriculture regional technical director for operations, and the technical teams from the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) and the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), welcomed representatives from Wismettac Foods, Inc. of Japan.
Samal mayor Lemuel Reyes and the City Agriculture Office emphasized forging partnerships with international buyers, such as Japan, to position locally grown mangoes in the international market.
ADMWL chairman Gregorio Abarsolo said the partnership, with the support of DA Davao, is in line with the association’s initiative to help farmers’ livelihoods.
Abarsolo added that the move is aimed at strengthening the identity of Samal mangoes in the local and global market.
DA XI is committed to assisting farmers in guiding and packaging export standards, and facilitating and strengthening market linkages.
“With more than 2,700 hectares of mangoes planted in Samal, stakeholders remain optimistic that this collaboration will lead to formal agreements and long-term opportunities for local mango growers,” the agency stated.
Photo: Agri Info Davao
THE CONVERSATION has already begun.
Even before the midpoint of the current administration, speculation is growing about the 2028 presidential race. Among the names frequently mentioned is Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio. Supporters are enthusiastic. Critics are cautious. Political observers are calculating. Campaign narratives are quietly forming.
But perhaps the most important question is not whether she will run.
The more important question is what this early political positioning says about our political culture and about us as voters.
In the Philippines, presidential elections often begin years before the official campaign period. Public appearances are scrutinized. Alliances are analyzed. Speeches are interpreted as signals. In a country where political dynasties and familiar names carry weight, speculation becomes strategy.
Vice President Sara Duterte remains one of the most visible and influential political figures in the country. Her surname alone carries historical and emotional significance for many Filipinos. For some, it symbolizes strong leadership. For others, it represents controversy. Either way, it commands attention.
But public office is not inherited through memory or legacy. It must be earned through vision, competence, and trust.
As discussions about 2028 intensify, the focus must shift from personality to policy.
It is natural for potential candidates to begin positioning themselves. Politics is strategic by nature. However, voters must resist the temptation to decide based solely on familiarity or loyalty.
Popularity is not governance. Charisma is not policy. Name recall is not performance.
The presidency demands more than recognition. It requires clarity of direction on economic stability, national security, education reform, climate resilience, healthcare access, and international diplomacy. It demands the ability to unite a divided public and strengthen institutions that outlast any administration.
If Vice President Sara Duterte chooses to run in 2028, as many expect, she will need to articulate not only continuity or distinction from past leadership but also a comprehensive plan for the country’s future.
And voters must be prepared to evaluate that plan critically.
There is also a broader issue at play. When conversations about the next election dominate headlines years in advance, governance risks become secondary. Public officials may begin acting not for the immediate public good, but for long-term electoral positioning.
The danger of early campaigning is that it shifts attention away from urgent concerns. Inflation does not wait for election cycles. Disaster preparedness cannot be postponed for political strategy. Education gaps will not resolve themselves while leaders calculate alliances.
As citizens, we must demand that present responsibilities remain the priority, regardless of future ambitions.
The role of media and public discourse
Media coverage and social media conversations shape public perception long before official candidacies are filed. Speculation, endorsements, and attacks circulate widely. Sometimes they clarify issues. Often, they amplify division.
The question for us is how we engage in these conversations.
Are we listening to policy discussions, or reacting to personalities? Are we asking about measurable achievements and concrete plans, or defending positions based on allegiance?
Development communication teaches that healthy democracies thrive on informed dialogue. Elections should be spaces for debate about ideas, not just competitions of influence.
It is increasingly difficult to maintain neutrality in Philippine politics. Political identities have become personal. To question a candidate is often interpreted as betrayal. To withhold endorsement is sometimes viewed as opposition.
But neutrality does not mean apathy. It means insisting on fairness and evidence before making conclusions.
If Vice President Sara Duterte runs in 2028, she deserves evaluation based on her record and proposals, just as any other candidate does. Neither blind support nor automatic rejection serves democracy.
Democracy requires discernment.
What 2028 should be about
The 2028 presidential election should not be about surnames or rivalries. It should not be a referendum on past administrations alone. It should be about the future that Filipinos want to build.
What kind of economic structure do we envision? How will the country respond to global instability? What reforms are needed in education and public health? How will governance address corruption, accountability, and transparency?
These questions are larger than any single candidate.
If Vice President Sara Duterte seeks the presidency, her campaign must engage these issues with depth and clarity. Voters, in turn, must be prepared to engage thoughtfully rather than emotionally.
The responsibility of voters
It is easy to become swept up in momentum. It is harder to remain patient and analytical.
The power of a democracy lies not only in candidates but in voters. Citizens decide whether elections become popularity contests or platforms for meaningful debate.
As early conversations about 2028 unfold, we have time. Time to listen carefully. Time to study records. Time to compare visions. Time to resist being rushed into conclusions.
The presidency is not a position to be treated casually. It shapes the direction of a nation for years.
Political ambition is not inherently negative. It is part of democratic life. But ambition must be balanced with accountability and responsibility.
As discussions about Vice President Sara Duterte and the 2028 presidency continue, our public spaces must speak to maturity. They must allow room for differing views without hostility. They must prioritize policy over personality. They must remind us that leadership is service, not spectacle.
The long road to 2028 is not only about who will run.
It is about how we, as a nation, choose to think, speak, and decide.
The election is years away. But the quality of our democracy is being shaped now.
And that responsibility belongs to all of us.
Kethelle I. Sajonia is a college instructor at the University of Southeastern Philippines, Mintal Campus. She is currently in the final phase of her Doctor of Communication degree at the University of the Philippines. Her research interests include inclusivity, education, communication, and social development. She actively engages in scholarly research and community-based initiatives that advocate for inclusive and transformative communication practices.
