Philippine government to stay out of former President Duterte’s legal defence
The Philippine government on March 15 said it will not intervene in the legal defence mounted by supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte as he faces charges of crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Hanoi (VNA)𝔍 - The Philippine government on March 15 said it will not intervene in the legal defence mounted by supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte as he faces charges of crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The ICC set the confirmation of charges hearing on September 23 to allow Duterte and all involved parties to "adequately prepare" for the pre-trial, as well as to acknowledge his "right to be tried within a reasonable time."
"This is the time when he will really prepare his defence. Maybe if he has witnesses, he can call them, make any statements or affidavits," Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said.
She reiterated that the Philippine government had given Duterte the necessary assistance, including medical services and "care package," from the time he was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay city on March 11 morning until he is sent to The Hague, the Netherlands.
She said the government will not shoulder the travel expenses of the witnesses of the Duterte camp.
Castro pointed out that Duterte's camp is capable of sending their own team to The Hague, since some of his allies, including former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and Senator Robin Padilla, went there using their own money.
She added the assistance that the Philippine embassy in the Netherlands may extend to Duterte would not be mandatory. Nevertheless, she said the government would continue monitoring the developments to keep the public updated.
Earlier, the Philippine Presidential Office announced that the country’s police had executed an arrest warrant for Duterte issued by the ICC over his controversial anti-drug campaign during his presidency, which resulted in thousands of deaths./.
The Philippine Department of Agriculture said the rapid spread of bird flu in a short period since the first laboratory detection necessitates a wider coverage of trade restrictions. It had previously banned poultry imports from Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Maryland, and Missouri.
A Philippine Air Force (PAF) FA-50 fighter jet carrying two-member crew went missing on March 4 during an aerial support mission for ground forces in southern Mindanao.
To help maintain a stable and reliable energy supply, the DOE encouraged all consumers, including households, businesses, and government institutions to refrain from or reschedule high-energy-consuming activities during peak hours when electricity demand is at its highest.
The article stressed that throughout his revolutionary career, the founder of modern Vietnam consistently regarded the revolutionary press as a vital part of the Vietnamese Party’s and nation’s revolutionary struggle.
Pichai said the trade talks with the US are important and need to move forward professionally, without regard for any political changes in Thailand, believing that Thailand has clear principles, guidelines and procedures in place.
The tax adjustment supports the Malaysian Government’s strategy to reduce reliance on foreign food supply chains and to assist domestic farmers, a finance official has said.
The proposed venue is located in the Chatuchak area of Bangkok, featuring eight public sites, including Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal and several nearby parks.
Connectivity is expected to improve further with the completion of the fifth Laos–Thailand Friendship Bridge by the end of 2025, facilitating logistics and agricultural exports to Vietnam, Thailand, and China.
Two naval gunboats intercepted a fishing vessel carrying 1.5 tonnes of methamphetamine hydrochloride off the coast of the main island of Luzon just before dawn, in a joint operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
In the today context of socio-economic development and growth, the professionalism of Vietnam’s revolutionary journalists continues to rise, guided by exemplary mastery of new information technologies and the modernisation of their founding principles to preserve the enduring values of revolutionary journalism.
Thai Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Vuttikrai Leewiraphan Thailand's formal proposal will be substantial enough for the US to consider further detailed negotiations. He hoped for a tariff rate not exceeding 10% and suggested that the US might extend the negotiation period if an agreement is not reached by the July 8 deadline.
Organised by the Ministry of Culture and the Association of Thai Silk & Culture Promotions, the event honors Her Majesty the Queen on her 47th birthday anniversary and promotes Thai craftsmanship on an international stage.
Prensa Latina's recent article on Vietnam’s assurance of smooth and effective transition to a leaner structure highlighted Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s latest directions on implementing 28 resolutions regarding the decentralisation and delegation of authority.
The lab focuses on four key thematic areas: energy transition and green innovation, sustainable agriculture, circular economy and sustainable cities, and nature-based solutions and biodiversity.
The key content of the document titled "Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Addressing the OOSCY Challenges" will be refined further in a seminar preceding the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October.
This follows Telegram’s serious failure to address the content that has been repeatedly reported to them, despite various efforts of negotiation and cooperation made by MCMC, it said.
Efforts to empower women must transcend dialogue and translate into concrete commitments, including corporate pledges and government partnerships, according to the spouse of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The forum featured two in-depth discussion sessions, engaging representatives from governments, think tanks, and businesses from both ASEAN and China, on how to forge closer ties for a common future.
The new FIFA Hub in Jakarta will not only support football development in Indonesia but also serve as a coordination centre for 21 football associations across Southeast and East Asia.
Minister Counselor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen reaffirmed Vietnam’s principled and consistent stance on the Palestine issue, calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire across the entire Gaza Strip.
PM Anwar Ibrahim affirmed the determination of Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, to utilise all viable regional mechanisms of the bloc and work with partners to de-escalate violence and restore a peace process led by Myanmar.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
