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Embattled envoy gets support (sort of), Senate tackles red-tagging

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PHILSTAR.COM’S MORNING NEWSLETTER Your daily brief on issues, engaging stories, smart perspectives and forecasts on the Philippines and beyond. By Camille Diola November 4, 2020

1 No corps-relation A group of career diplomats and retired envoys appeared to have expressed support for recalled Ambassador to Brazil Marichu Mauro, after she was allegedly caught on video poking, slapping and pinching a domestic helper. The thing is, the Department of Foreign Affairs says it has not heard of the existence of those organizations supposedly backing Mauro. 2 Left turn Sen. Panfilo Lacson's committee has a hearing into allegations that several prominent individuals and groups are mainstream extensions of the communist rebel underground. Among them were a beauty queen, the so-called real-life Darna and members of the House of Representatives' progressive Makabayan bloc. The slurs are so far unsubstantiated. Unsurprisingly, the lower house lawmakers who were invited to the proceedings skipped it, perceiving it a possible venue to amplify red-tagging, particularly by Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade. Amnesty International called red-tagging "deadly" and "vicious." Instead of resorting to such labeling, government could address legitimate criticisms of its policies, it suggested. 3 Quo unwarranted A previously unheard-of legal device was used in recent years to skirt impeachment proceedings and unseat a chief justice. A quo warranto petition is being readied again, this time involving Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, an appointee of the previous president and one of the few dissenters left in the Supreme Court. Behind the move again is the Office of the Solicitor General, which requested the high court twice to release copies of Leonen's declaration of wealth. It also faced rejection twice.

ESSENTIAL LIST Do or donate, there is no try "While some Filipinos take the 'cozy weather' as a sign that we 'breezed' through the typhoon from the comfort of their homes, others in mainland Bicol and Catanduanes remain in evacuation shelters and are left to reckon with the damage," writes our reporter. Here are Philstar.com's list and Interaksyon's live thread of initiatives and efforts you can assist or donate to.

LIGHT STUFF Kicked in It will be a football-like program that will start in the grassroots but not on the grass. Victor Jacobus Hermans, the legendary Dutch national futsal team player and multi-titled national coach, will be leading efforts to develop the fast-paced, indoor sport in the Philippines. Not in a Harry A superfan's sweetest dream turned into her worst nightmare. Theodora is living on the street where Harry Styles' car broke down. When he knocked at her door, her dad was home but she was not. Not everything was lost though.

ELSEWHERE ON PHILSTAR.COM We're hoping COVID-19 gets resolved by 2022, but the Comelec is better off assuming it won't. "Avengers" star Mark Ruffalo asked for prayers for the Philippines as it took a beating from Super Typhoon Rolly. Oddly, it was his 2017 tweet about the country that is gaining attention. Para sa mga nagtatanong kung kailan tatama ang bagyong Siony at saan. ABS-CBN's network was shut down earlier this year and then yesterday, its YouTube accounts were terminated. The incident was a head-scratcher.

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