Prevent Harry Roque to be part of ILC, Sign the #COCBlockHarryRoque petition

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Concerned Online Citizens released its opposition to the Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque's nomination to the ILC on Thursday night. They emailed letters to the body and to other representatives to the UN to block Roque's nomination. 

Bloggers, influencers, artists and content creators led by Concerned Online Citizens  tonight joined the opposition Harry Roque's nomination to the ILC. They emailed nearly 200 member-states of the UN to oppose the nomination of Harry Roque to the International Law Commission.

https://www.change.org/p/united-nations-cocblockharryroque-reject-harry-roque-as-ilc-nominee

Please prevent a Philippine government official who is a Duterte apologist from continuing to be a fake human rights lawyer.

Let us not allow a big-time human rights violator to be a part of Internal Law Commission.

No to Harry Roque's appointment to ILC. He is the ruthless and more obnoxious goebbels of the Philippines. Duterte is the second coming of Marcos and Hitler combined. 

Maki-isa sa pag #COCBlockHarryRoque tutulan ang kanyang nominasyon sa International Law Commission.

https://www.change.org/p/united-nations-cocblockharryroque-reject-harry-roque-as-ilc-nominee

 

Concerned Online Citizens started this petition to United Nations:

"We, the Concerned Online Citizens composed mostly of petitioners in a suit filed against the Philippine government’s terrorism law before the Supreme Court, write to you to oppose the nomination of Herminio Harry Roque to the International Law Commission.

The Philippines has many lawyers specializing on human rights, public interest law, international humanitarian law and international law who are more knowledgeable and more qualified than Mr. Roque to be a member of the ILC. Unfortunately, they are all busy defending journalists, activists, widows, orphans, dissenters, peace negotiators and their own lives from the wrath of President Rodrigo Duterte and his presidential spokesperson Mr. Roque. 

Many of the 65 lawyers slain in the line of duty under Mr. Duterte’s watch are arguably more qualified than Mr. Roque. They brilliantly and courageously practiced human rights and international law; Mr. Duterte and Mr. Roque violate and tamper with those laws. 

Since his first appointment and in his current reappointment as presidential spokesperson, Mr. Roque has publicly spoken against freedom of expression, press freedom, due process and other fundamental rights guaranteed by the Philippine Constitution and international laws.

Mr. Roque has been an avowed and unapologetic defender of extrajudicial killings that have been brought before the International Criminal Court. He gaslights victims and families of extrajudicial killings with regularity and with relish. 

Mr. Roque has transmogrified from a former champion of the ICC into an attack dog against the ICC and cheerleader of Mr. Duterte’s decision to withdraw the Philippines from the ICC to evade being held to account for extrajudicial killings. 

Mr. Roque is a leading purveyor of disinformation and misinformation in the Philippines in his official capacity and in his own social media accounts. Factcheckers and watchdogs have repeatedly called him out. 

Mr. Roque cannot hide behind his freedom of expression. What he says or does as presidential spokesperson with rank of secretary has the force of presidential policy. Everyone has rights, yes, but not everyone is a presidential spokesperson or secretary. 

When Mr. Duterte and Mr. Roque finally leave office, they would most certainly be held accountable for their offenses and crimes against Philippine and international law. We don’t wish to see Mr. Roque use the ILC as a platform to promote and defend himself and his principal in future litigation. 

We reiterate: We oppose Mr. Roque’s nomination, and ask you to save the ILC from the embarrassment of having someone like Mr. Roque as a member." 

Respectfully yours,

Tonyo Cruz

Dr. Gia Sison

Jover Laurio

Thysz Estrada

Rob Cham

Albert Raqueno

Lean Porquia

Mark Averilla

Jhay Rocas

Mark Geronimo

Tarantadong Kalbo

Dr. Jai Cabajar

Chino Singson

Sassa Gurl

Professional Heckler

Aling Marie

Mong Palatino

Dean Rodel Taton

Ross Del Rosario

https://www.change.org/p/united-nations-cocblockharryroque-reject-harry-roque-as-ilc-nominee

Radisson Bhopal opens its doors to guests in the city of lakes

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Radisson, an upscale hotel brand today announced the opening of Radisson Bhopal in the capital city of Madhya Pradesh. Situated in the heart of the city, the hotel is conveniently located within a 40-minute driving distance from Raja Bhoj International Airport and 10 minutes from Habibganj Railway Station. The hotel spans across 4,500 sqm and provides an ideal stay for both leisure and business travelers visiting the city. Radisson Bhopal also provides easy access to tourist attractions like Sanchi Stupa, Upper Lake, Van Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary and Bhimbeteka Caves.

“We are delighted to strengthen our footprint in Madhya Pradesh with the opening of Radisson Bhopal. It is a welcome addition to our existing portfolio in the state where we also have hotels located in Indore, Gwalior and Khajuraho. Being a smart city, Bhopal is poised to emerge as a strong economic and investment hub for multiple sectors in the years to come,” said Zubin Saxena, Managing Director and Vice President Operations, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group.

Radisson Bhopal features 104 uniquely designed and spacious rooms and suites - Superior Room, Executive Room, Junior Suite, Deluxe Suite and Executive Suite equipped with facilities like work desks, free high-speed Wi-Fi and in-room entertainment. The rooms and public areas of the hotel derive their design inspiration from Madhya Pradesh’s Gond art. The signature wall mural located in the hotel’s lobby is a personification of the state’s folklores and was brought alive by local artisans over more than 200 man hours.

The hotel boasts over 3,900 sqm of event and meeting space with seven indoor venues and two outdoor venues offering stunning, 360-degree views of the city. Indoor venues include Grand Ballroom 1, Grand Ballroom 2, Nurture, Nirvana, Review, Refresh and Renew, that can host up to 1,200 pax while outdoor venues include Grand Terrace and Infinity Terrace, that can host up to 1,400 pax. All meeting and event spaces come equipped with modern audio-visual technology, making them ideal for hosting corporate conferences, weddings, and other social occasions.

“It gives us immense pleasure to partner with Radisson Hotel Group to deliver a memorable experience to travelers. The Group’s operational expertise and brand reputation will help us in setting a new benchmark for hospitality in this part of the country. We look forward to welcoming guests in this beautiful city of lakes,” said Mr. Adarsh Malhotra, Managing Partner, Shiva Infrastructures.

The hotel offers an array of dining options catering to all tastes including - Fusion Café, the world cuisine restaurant that offers delicacies from Italy, Mediterranean, South-East Asia and India; Just Baked, an all-day patisserie that serves a variety of baked goods, designer cakes, gourmet sandwiches, and hand-rolled pralines; Urzza Lounge Bar, presenting a wide range of innovative cocktails, local and international beers, and wines from around the world; and Wok Thai, a Pan-Asian restaurant with exotic flavors of Thai, Indonesian, Japanese and Chinese cuisines.

Saurabh Thakur, General Manager, Radisson Bhopal said, “It gives me great pleasure to welcome guests to Radisson Bhopal. With the hotel’s ideal location and our commitment to our Yes I Can! service philosophy, we are confident of delivering memorable stays to guests. Radisson Bhopal is a perfect getaway for guests looking for an all-inclusive hospitality experience in the city.”

The hotel also features a full-service fitness center and rooftop swimming pool overlooking the city.

With the health and safety of guests and team members as its top priority, Radisson Bhopal is implementing the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol program. The in-depth cleanliness and disinfection protocols were developed in partnership with SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, and are designed to ensure guest safety and peace of mind from check-in to check-out.

Akbayan Youth, Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking, and First Time Voters Network gave out free alcohol spray bottles to youth registrants

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

With two weeks left before the deadline to register, Akbayan Youth, Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking (CYAN), and First Time Voters Network (FTVN) gave out alcohol spray bottles to youth registrants lining up outside COMELEC QC to urge first time voters to join the call for the extension of voters' registration.

"We are proud of our fellow youth who are braving the pandemic and are lining up to get registered every day. With these alcohol spray bottles, we wish for them to stay safe but we also want this to serve as a reminder to COMELEC that voters are safer when we extend the registration," Gladys Milioga, First Time Voters Network convenor said.

"We are hearing reports of unbearable long lines and of people lining up as early as 3AM outside COMELEC. These are potential health risks that can be mitigated if COMELEC finally decides to extend voters registration," Alyannah Lagasca of Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking said.

After the Senate resolution supporting calls to extend the registration, the youth groups want COMELEC to declare the extension weeks before the deadline on September 30.

"Wala nang excuse ang Comelec not to extend the registration. Lahat nananawagan na nang extension: House of Representatives, Senate, media, youth and student groups and other sectors. All concerns were fully deliberated and considered. Lahat nag-aagree na kaya ang ligtas na extension at ito ay nararapat," Justine Balane, Secretary General of Akbayan Youth said.

The spray bottles contained calls like: "Stay safe and Extend!", "Safe na safe sa voters reg extension!" and "Kapit lang! Ipapaextend din natin to!" (Hang tight! Let's call for extension!)