The ANC Brief: Dureza out, new CJ in

Jesus Dureza resigned as presidential peace advisor. At the same time, President Duterte said he chose a new president of the Supreme Court, but does not recognize the identity of his choice. Here are the stories that ANC will cover today:

A resignation, two dismissals

President Duterte said that he had accepted the resignation of the presidential adviser for peace, Jesus Dureza. The president also announced the dismissal of two officials from the office of the presidential advisor in charge of the peace process for corruption. What are the details of the alleged corruption? Charges against the two coming? What about other officials that the president has fired? Will they have to face charges or will they be allowed to disappear from the public eye? In his letter, Dureza said that he assumed responsibility for corruption in his agency.

Half of the work done

Jesus Dureza resigned with only half, more or less, of the work done. The Bangsamoro Organic Law, an important element of the peace process with the Moro rebels, was adopted and will be the subject of a referendum in January 2019. The peace talks with the Communists are in tatters during An "informal meeting" between the two parties. discarded. In his last speech, President Duterte said that he would form his own strike group to attack the NPA's Sparrow unit. The President will visit Wednesday in the cities of Iligan and Ozamiz. ANC will follow his speech because he could talk about the peace process.

New CJ

President Duterte said he chose a new chief justice but did not say who. It is a good bet that it will probably not be Associate Senior Judge Antonio Carpio, highest ranking High Court and critic of China and the Duterte government in the South China Sea. ANC will monitor the announcement of the new Chief Magistrate and provide a profile.

Delays in new projects

It is possible that the 2019 budget will not be signed before the end of the year. According to the new budget calendar submitted by the Senate to DBM, the budget bill could be ratified by February at the latest. This could mean that a replenished budget will have to suffice for the first three months of the year. As a result, there will be a delay in the implementation of new projects. Budget and Management Sec. Ben Diokno said that a reconstituted budget for 2019 is unacceptable. Lawmakers will meet Diokno Wednesday at 14:00. Diokno is also expected in Davao for the 2018 Sulong Pilipinas event. In the meantime, Senators have rejected a BIR order to tax health insurance premiums. They said that Congress had the sole power of taxation.

Another corner of paradise

Managers led by Environment Sec. Roy Cimatu, Tourism Sec. Berna Romulo-Puyat and the interior and local governments Sec. Eduardo Ano is in El Nido, Palawan, for the cleaning campaign and the rehabilitation of the tourist site. They will hold a press conference at noon. Stay tuned to ANC for live broadcast of the press conference.