#ThewRap: Things you need to know, June 26, 2018

Hello, Rappler readers!

Supreme Court oral arguments on the same-sex marriage petition will resume on Tuesday, June 26. Rappler looks at the pertinent procedural questions raised during the first round of oral arguments last June 19 to see if they are enough reasons to dismiss the petition.

Meanwhile, on Monday, June 25, President Rodrigo Duterte said he only ordered the police to “frisk” tambays (loiterers), not “arrest” them. He made this clarification after police had already detained thousands of loiterers. Genesis Argoncillo, an alleged tambay arrested by the police, died in detention due to “multiple blunt force trauma.”

And in sports news, James Harden of the Houston Rockets won his first career NBA Most Valuable Player Award on Monday (Tuesday, Manila time) during the NBA Awards Show in Santa Monica, California. 

Here are today’s top stories. 

Same-sex marriage: Flawed petition or unready Court?

For University of the Philippines constitutional law professor Dan Gatmaytan, the petition stands on solid ground which should convince the Supreme Court to let go of the procedural questions.

Duterte says he’ll ‘let jueteng be’ for now

Duterte said jueteng, an illegal numbers game, is an economic activity that helps “circulate” money in provinces.

James Harden wins first career NBA MVP Award

Harden averaged a league-high 30.4 points a game to go along with 8.8 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.8 steals on 45% shooting and 37% from 3-point land. 

Duterte says he only ordered ‘frisking’ of tambays

The police, however, have already arrested thousands of loiterers for allegedly violating local ordinances on curfews, smoking in public, drinking in public, and public nudity.

NBI nabs 3 BIR special investigators for bribery

According to a complaint sheet filed by the NBI before the Office of the Ombudsman, the trio armed with a “bureau mission order” allegedly demanded P600,000 from the restaurant owner, only half of their supposed P1.2-million tax delinquency.

Roque on Duterte’s ‘stupid God’ remark: It’s his personal belief

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in an interview that the President was merely being honest about his thoughts on religion and that he has a right to express his beliefs.

Court drops $5-M Marcos wealth case, leaves it to Calida to pursue

The Sandiganbayan said it’s the Office of the Solicitor General, and not the Office of the Ombudsman, which should pursue the forfeiture case.