Context Dispatch

Tropical Storm Kristine is wreaking havoc across the Bicol region, with widespread flooding reported in Albay. Government offices and schools have suspended operations in many parts of Luzon, while weather bureau PAGASA warns in its early morning advisory that the storm could intensify before making landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday in either Isabela or northern Aurora province. Emergency services are on high alert, coordinating rescue efforts for affected residents. PAGASA warns for rough seas and risk of storm surges, particularly in the  Pacific Ocean-facing coastal areas.

Former Police Col. Royina Garma, who is reputedly very close to former President Rodrigo Duterte, submitted to the House Quad Committee a second affidavit regarding the Davao Death Squad, a system implemented during the time of Duterte as mayor of Davao City and when she was one of the station commanders in the southern city.

Former Senator and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima testifies at the House Quad Committee hearings on extrajudicial killing linked to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s “War on Drugs.” Her initial testimony described the Davao Death Squad structure—claimed to be the template of the War on Drug. De Lima said she first learned about the DDS when she was Human Rights Commission chairwoman. She was imprisoned for six years during Duterte’s presidency on drug-related charges, which have since been dismissed.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte skipped the October 22 House Quad Committee hearing on extrajudicial killings tied to his anti-drug campaign. His lawyer, Martin Delgra III, cited health concerns and recent travel as reasons for the absence, requesting to postpone his appearance. Committee chair Rep. Robert Ace Barbers invited Duterte to address allegations of a reward system for killing high-profile drug suspects and the use of the “Davao template” for extrajudicial killings. The inquiry also seeks his comments on the 2016 murders of Chinese drug lords in Davao prison. Rights groups estimate over 20,000 deaths during Duterte’s drug war, a figure significantly higher than official government counts.

The trust and satisfaction ratings of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte took divergent paths in the October poll of Acquisition Apps Inc., owner of the biggest online market research panel in the country. The survey period showed the widening rift between the President and his VP. Marcos’ trust rating rose to 59.3 percent in the October 16-19 survey, up from 58.8 percent in September, while his satisfaction rating rose to 46.9 percent from 46.4 percent. His ratings are better in Luzon and Visayas while Mindanao, considered a bailiwick of VP Duterte, showed the highest dissatisfaction. Meanwhile, the trust rating of the VP declined to 56 percent from 56.8 percent while her satisfaction rating slipped to 48 percent from 48.7 percent.