AGP Executive Report

Impeachment Watch (Philippines): House prosecutors in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial say the defense has agreed to open a sealed BIR records box, but only under confidentiality and executive-session conditions, while prosecutors also argue the Senate impeachment court can compel testimony from a court sheriff Duterte punched. Legal Personnel (Philippines): Leila de Lima announces new private prosecutors for the Duterte case, including former Supreme Court spokesperson Theodore Te and other prominent lawyers. Criminal Appeals (Malaysia): Malaysia’s Court of Appeal upheld a 13-year jail term and caning for a mechanic convicted of raping his underage niece, while adjusting compensation orders. High-Stakes Courts (US): The Texas Supreme Court rejected an appeal by Uvalde shooting survivors seeking to sue over police response, citing governmental immunity limits. US Supreme Court (US): With major opinion-day rulings pending, the court is set to weigh election rules and presidential power, including birthright citizenship. Environmental/Consumer Law (US): The US Supreme Court sided with Roundup maker Bayer on state failure-to-warn claims, shaping how glyphosate lawsuits may proceed. Planning & Judicial Review (Ireland): Dublin’s High Court dismissed a third challenge to a Kimmage plan for 208 homes, after earlier permissions were overturned. Human Rights/Rule of Law (Georgia): The ECHR moved to substantive review in a case over seizure of bank accounts of Georgian civil society groups. Sex Crimes Sentencing (India): A Pune fast-track court awarded the death penalty in the Nasrapur child rape and murder case. Corporate/IP (China): China’s Shanghai IP court ruled Biocytogen did not infringe Harbour’s patent in a RenNano® dispute. Tech/Antitrust (US): A new US class action accuses Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron of fixing RAM prices and supply. Elections & Voting Rights (US): A federal judge’s ruling blocking a Trump immigration database from voter-roll checks is being tested for what it means for already-flagged registrants.

Wisconsin Redistricting: Wisconsin legislators are regrouping after the state Supreme Court ruled current legislative maps fail constitutional requirements, including non-contiguous boundaries, setting up new map-drawing talks. Big Tech & Legal Services: A new roundup tracks how Microsoft, Anthropic, Perplexity and Google are pushing deeper into legal tech, partnering with firms and clients as AI tools move into the courtroom-adjacent market. Criminal Procedure: A judge is set to decide whether NFL cornerback Terrion Arnold should remain jailed pending trial over alleged armed robbery and kidnapping charges. Sports Injury Litigation/Updates: The Yankees say Aaron Judge’s rib stress fracture re-imaging still isn’t scheduled, keeping his return timeline uncertain. Medical Malpractice Settlements: UI Health Care agreed to pay $312,500 to resolve negligence claims tied to an eye surgery gas injection, with another settlement also approved. Climate Litigation in NZ: A New Zealand activist filed a High Court challenge to proposed changes that would block private climate tort lawsuits against major emitters. US Supreme Court Term: The court is nearing the end of its term with major Trump-related presidential powers and election cases still pending. California Consumer Protection: California’s new rule limits how loud streaming ads can be compared with the programs they interrupt, taking effect July 1. Immigration Enforcement: A Mississippi law will let the state compile a list of “illegal aliens,” drawing sharp criticism from immigrant advocates.

US Supreme Court Watch: The court is set to issue major rulings soon, including cases testing Donald Trump’s presidential powers and a decision clearing the way to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians, leaving families facing fast-moving deportation uncertainty. Immigration & Courts: Wisconsin’s high court suspended Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan over allegations she helped a man evade ICE, and a separate US case continues to shape how far states can restrict immigration-related legal aid. Legal Accountability: A federal judge ordered the Justice Department to release unredacted Epstein documents or justify redactions, including a log of every withheld passage. Appointments & Governance: California Governor Gavin Newsom named multiple Superior Court judges, including Shaundeep Wahid in Stanislaus County. International Justice: Lawyers for Rodrigo Duterte urged the ICC to avoid freezing money seized from him as the prosecution seeks access to his belongings. Middle East Rule of Law: Iraq’s Al-Anbar council ordered legal action against illegal fishing in the Euphrates, targeting explosives and electric shock methods. Ukraine National Memory: Zelenskyy submitted a draft law to create a Ukrainian National Pantheon. Sports & Law: Wimbledon confirmed Serena Williams’ return on Centre Court against Maya Joint.

ICC Duterte Case: Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court are asking for access to materials seized after Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest, but his lawyers oppose a bid to inspect “all keys” held by the court registry, calling it a fishing expedition. Philippines Impeachment: In Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, a court sheriff linked to a 2011 incident is seeking to be excused from testifying, with the Senate impeachment court set to decide. US Immigration & Courts: The US Supreme Court let the Trump administration move to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians, while a federal judge blocked major parts of a Trump order restricting voting by mail. War Powers Fight: Rep. Ro Khanna warned Trump he’ll be taken to court over reported new strikes on Iran, calling them a blatant War Powers Resolution violation. Alaska Ballot Ruling: An Alaska judge ruled that a challenger sharing the name “Dan Sullivan” must be allowed on the primary ballot, rejecting election officials’ “good faith” basis. Environmental Regulation: A federal appeals court rejected efforts to lift Biden-era soot limits for coal plants, keeping the annual PM2.5 cap in place. Local Legal/Enforcement: Texas police chief Travis Griffith received a state public service award; in Kentucky, flash flooding left at least one confirmed death.

Immigration & Asylum: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the Trump administration to reject asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border and also upheld the end of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians, raising fresh fears of mass deportations in places like Massachusetts. Criminal Justice & Courts: A state appeals court upheld Harvey Weinstein’s 2022 rape conviction but ordered resentencing, while in the U.S. a judge kept a homicide suspect’s public defender after a breakdown in trust. Human Rights & Press Freedom: Cambodia’s Supreme Court upheld 14-year prison terms for two journalists, and Gaza flotilla activists appeared in Israeli court as rights groups sought detention extensions. Rule of Law & Access to Justice: Malaysia announced RM1.5 million to expand Syariah legal aid through BAGUS. Politics & Accountability: In the Philippines’ Sara Duterte impeachment fight, prosecutors say the Senate impeachment court—not the House panel—will decide whether a key sheriff can be excused from testifying. International Pressure: Tibetan groups urged foreign ministers to reject China’s “Ethnic Unity and Progress” law, calling it a legal tool to erase Tibetan identity.

Human Trafficking Trial: A Utah judge narrowed defenses in the Roche family case, denying requests for more records and blocking an expert from testifying as prosecutors allege abuse of an H-2A worker at Roche Ranch. Child Exploitation Sentencing: Former Box Elder County Justice Court judge Kevin Christensen was sentenced to consecutive prison terms after pleading guilty to enticing a minor and dealing in harmful materials tied to online communications. Elections & Voting Rights: A California court ordered Huntington Beach to switch to ranked-choice voting, finding the at-large system diluted Latino voting power. Immigration at the Supreme Court: Massachusetts officials condemned a ruling that clears the way to end TPS protections for Haitians and Syrians, while Delaware’s Haitian community in Milford faces uncertainty. Corporate & Consumer Law: The U.S. Supreme Court’s Roundup decision shielding Bayer/Monsanto from certain cancer labeling suits sparked MAHA backlash. Tech & Cybersecurity: A federal judge barred a suspected Chinese phishing operation from using Google’s Gemini and other AI tools. Business Litigation: A Texas Business Court granted expedited discovery in a dispute over Fermi’s board changes and shareholder access. Criminal Procedure: A Michigan appeals ruling ordered a new trial for a man convicted in a 2021 drowning death, finding Miranda violations in key custodial questioning.

US Immigration & Courts: The US Supreme Court cleared the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians, and also moved to revive a border “metering” approach that limits asylum filings—sparking immediate political backlash and fears for healthcare and caregiving workforces. Voting Rights: A federal judge temporarily blocked Trump’s executive order aimed at creating a federal voter list and restricting mail voting, while another ruling halted a proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration. Gun Law: The Supreme Court struck down Hawaii’s gun-carry restriction for private businesses and hotels, with the Hawaii AG signaling a review. Elections/Executive Power: A court also blocked key parts of Trump’s elections executive order, finding the administration exceeded authority. Corporate & Consumer Litigation: The Supreme Court dealt Bayer a major blow by blocking Roundup cancer warning lawsuits in state court. Energy/Environment: A South African court invalidated Shell’s offshore oil environmental approvals, faulting the review for missing socio-economic and climate-change spill impacts. International Legal Affairs: Germany’s top court sent back a Jehovah’s Witnesses archive dispute for a fresh hearing. Anti-Corruption/Assets: South Africa’s NPA won a preservation order freezing a luxury property tied to Judge Phahlane’s corruption case.

Immigration & Voting Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court backed the Trump administration in major immigration rulings, allowing the end of temporary protected status for Haitians and Syrians and clearing the way to potentially revive limits on asylum processing at the border. In parallel, a federal judge in Boston temporarily blocked key parts of Trump’s mail-in voting restrictions, including efforts to build a nationwide eligible-voter list using federal citizenship data. Consumer Protection: Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed a junk-fee ban and other transparency measures, including limits on automated ticket scalping and rules aimed at ticket resale practices. Education & Student Loans: A federal judge tossed out the Education Department’s “professional” degree definition that would have tightened graduate borrowing limits, a win for nursing and other programs. Criminal Courts (US): In California, a library shooting suspect was arraigned on murder charges with no bail; in Michigan, an appeals court upheld a former priest’s sex-abuse sentence. Business/Corporate Law: Dell shareholders approved moving the company’s legal home from Delaware to Texas. Sports/Contracts: Floyd Mayweather’s exhibition fight in Greece was canceled after a contract dispute landed in federal court. Juvenile Justice (Philippines): After a deadly school shooting involving teens, debate continues over whether to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility.

U.S. Voting Rights: A federal judge permanently blocked the Trump administration from requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote, keeping birthright voting rules intact. Immigration Enforcement: Courts also blocked Trump-era courthouse arrest plans, limiting federal access to immigration enforcement at courthouses. SNAP Food Limits: A federal judge struck down the Trump administration’s effort to restrict SNAP purchases of candy and sugary drinks, saying the government exceeded its authority under existing SNAP law. Transgender Medical Records: Judges blocked government subpoenas seeking transgender youths’ medical records from NYC hospitals, citing fears of “round up” targeting. Rule of Law in Europe: Civil society groups urged the European Commission to strengthen and follow up on rule-of-law monitoring in its July report. Philippines Juvenile Justice: After a Tacloban school shooting, the Interior Secretary urged Congress to revise the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, arguing intent and cognizance matter more than age. Corporate/Legal Ethics: A judicial ethics opinion said a part-time judge who owns and runs a company must choose between judicial office and the company’s political activity. Consumer Protection: Sri Lanka’s courts fined businesses for selling regulated rice above maximum retail prices.

Juvenile Justice Debate: A Tacloban school shooting that killed three students and injured 20 has reignited calls in the Philippines to revisit the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, with Sen. Panfilo Lacson arguing age shouldn’t automatically block criminal accountability. U.S. Religious Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled a Rastafarian former inmate can’t sue individual prison officers for money damages under RLUIPA after officials cut his hair. Voting & Federal Power: A federal appeals court dealt the Trump administration its first voter-roll win-loss swing in Michigan, rejecting demands for unredacted state registration data, while other courts continue to limit Trump immigration enforcement tactics. Kennedy Center Fight: A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to explain why a tarp was placed over the Kennedy Center façade after a court ordered removal of Trump’s name. Abortion Records Privacy: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a law blocking out-of-state disclosure of abortion-related electronic medical records without patient consent. Corporate/Contract Disputes: Courts also moved in cases ranging from a Seattle Space Needle arbitration fight over a fired worker to a lawsuit over Sky owner Michael Alter’s conversion of loans into equity. International Courts: Japan’s Supreme Court finalized dissolution of the Unification Church, and India’s Bombay High Court cleared mangrove removal for the Vadhvan Port project.

US Immigration Courts: A federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s policy of arresting migrants at immigration courthouses, adding to a string of court setbacks on immigration enforcement. SNAP Food Limits: A judge stopped USDA from enforcing SNAP restrictions on soda and candy, ruling the agency lacked authority. NO FAKES Act: The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the NO FAKES Act, which would create civil liability for unauthorized AI-generated voice and likeness replicas. Crypto Regulation: CME sued the CFTC over how “perpetual futures” should be classified in crypto—futures vs swaps—an issue that could reshape market access. Nigeria Court Fight: A Nigerian federal court sent activist Omoyele Sowore back to Kuje prison and set June 30 for a bail ruling. EU/Environment Law: Dassault won an EU legal claim supporting the idea that private jets can be environmentally sustainable. Sports Law: The Court of Arbitration for Sport ordered Lazio Women to pay a pregnant player compensation, reinforcing that clubs can’t walk away once they learn of pregnancy. South Africa Tax: South Africa’s Constitutional Court upheld SARS that recycled gold can’t get VAT zero-rating.

Immigration & Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court backed the Trump administration in a green-card case, allowing immigration officials to use parole decisions against lawful permanent residents accused of crimes, while a federal judge in California issued a nationwide block on ICE’s practice of making arrests at immigration courts and another ruling struck down parts of the SAVE citizenship database push. Due Process & Detention: A federal appeals court revived nationwide expedited deportations, clearing the way for fast-track removals for certain migrants. SNAP Litigation: Judges blocked multiple Trump-era SNAP limits, ruling the government can’t stop benefits from buying candy and sugary drinks and can’t impose certain “junk food” restrictions. AI in Legal Filings: New York courts issued guidance on how to handle AI-generated mistakes in court papers, as New York’s rules on generative AI drafting aim to curb hallucinations. International Criminal Law: The ICC ordered former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte to appear for trial if cleared by medical specialists, with status hearings scheduled through November. State Politics: South Carolina AG Alan Wilson won the GOP governor runoff, setting up a November contest that could shape future voting and redistricting fights. Sports/Business & Arbitration: A Ninth Circuit panel signaled skepticism about Live Nation’s attempt to force arbitration over refunds tied to a canceled festival.

Philippines Juvenile Justice: After the Tacloban school shooting, lawyers and officials stressed that minors under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act aren’t “free to walk away” and can still face court-linked intervention and rehabilitation. Philippines Anti-graft Trial: In the Sandiganbayan case over alleged “ghost” DPWH projects, a former driver testified he delivered cash boxes about 10 times to named former lawmakers. Impeachment Watch (Philippines): Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense said it will keep some witnesses undisclosed for security and asked for clarity on the trial order ahead of the July 6 start. Kenya Ebola Facility: A court found Health Minister Aden Duale in contempt for continuing a US-backed Ebola quarantine project, but accepted his apology and ordered a halt pending further proceedings. South Africa/Zambia Burial Fight: South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal backed Edgar Lungu’s family on where he should be buried, rejecting Zambia’s bid for custody of his remains. Myanmar Immigration Case: A Thai woman accused in a US diplomat killing appeared in Myanmar court on an immigration-code charge first, with murder proceedings to follow. UK Airport Expansion: A UK High Court dismissed challenges to Gatwick’s £2.2bn expansion, clearing the way for the project to proceed. International Criminal Court: Niger formally left the ICC, accusing it of selective justice, joining withdrawals by the Philippines and Burundi. South Korea Martial Law: A district court sentenced former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae to 25 years over his role in Yoon Suk Yeol’s 2024 martial law bid.

Voting & Immigration Database Battles: A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from using a federal immigration database to check citizenship for voter eligibility, warning it could wrongly purge voters and violate privacy and voting rights. SNAP Restrictions Struck Down: Another judge rejected USDA-approved SNAP “food restriction” waivers that barred benefits for items like soda and candy, saying the agency exceeded its authority and broke required notice rules. Minnesota DOJ Subpoenas Tossed: Judge Patrick Schiltz quashed DOJ subpoenas targeting Gov. Tim Walz and other Minnesota officials, calling the probes politically motivated harassment. AI Hiring Lawsuit Moves Forward: A San Francisco federal judge largely allowed a class action against Workday to proceed over claims its AI recruiting tools screened out candidates in ways that may violate discrimination laws. Criminal Procedure in High-Profile Case: In the Charlie Kirk murder case, a Utah judge denied a request to force a former roommate to testify in person at the preliminary hearing and postponed a ruling on possible sanctions over prosecutors’ media comments. Local Legal Fallout: A developer’s rezoning challenge in Hendersonville faces dismissal arguments over standing and missed deadlines. Professional Discipline & Ethics: A New Hampshire lawyer was sentenced to 7.5–15 years for exploiting a disabled client and falsifying documents.

Impeachment Procedure Watch (Philippines): Prosecutors in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial asked the Senate court to force the defense to name witnesses and explain the purpose of their testimony, pushing back on what they say is overly general pre-trial denials. Martial Law Fallout (South Korea): A Seoul court sentenced former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae to 25 years for his role in the 2024 martial law declaration, citing preparations for political detentions after warnings were ignored. Digital Rights & Courts (India/UK): Delhi High Court ordered takedowns of fake content targeting judges and ministers tied to a London badminton event, directing intermediaries to remove URLs quickly and preserve uploader details. Criminal Justice (Nigeria): A Federal High Court remanded Omoyele Sowore in Kuje prison after bail was revoked, rejecting a recusal bid and setting further hearings. Access to Justice (Ireland): Cork solicitors withdrew from criminal legal aid work in protest, warning of “legal deserts” and major disruption to court cases. Public Safety Law (U.S./Iowa): Iowa’s new rule starting July 1 requires in-person dispensing of abortion-inducing pills, with critics saying it won’t stop mail-order access.

US Supreme Court Gun Ruling: The Court unanimously sided with a marijuana user, saying the government can’t prosecute firearm possession just because someone uses cannabis—an important Second Amendment win. US Federal Prosecution: U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said vandalism at Washington’s Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool will be fully prosecuted, with potential tougher charges for conduct tied to algae and damage. Ohio Ballot Fight: Opponents of Ohio’s higher-education overhaul failed to gather enough signatures for a referendum to block the law this year. Colorado Prison Corruption: Federal court filings allege a Colorado prison supervisor took bribes to smuggle contraband into FCI Florence, including phones and alcohol. Ghana Hemp Fees Challenge: Ghana’s hemp licensing fees and rules face a constitutional court challenge after no licenses were issued months after launch. Vermont Homelessness Law: Vermont enacted a homelessness response law that adds disability protections and requires compliance with the ADA. Wisconsin Scholarships: Wisconsin’s Supreme Court struck down race-based state-funded scholarships as unconstitutional. South Carolina Election Update: Attorney General candidate David Stumbo was hospitalized ahead of a GOP runoff, but campaign says he expects to return. EU Supply-Chain Law Plan: EU leaders backed a new approach to reduce dependence on China for critical goods, with a possible new law requiring alternative sourcing. Prisoner Rights/Procedure: A Supreme Court decision applied the Rooker-Feldman doctrine to block a federal challenge to a state consent order tied to involuntary psychiatric treatment.