AGP Executive Report

Cyber Warrant Boosts Extortion Case (Philippines): A Pasig RTC approved the NBI’s cyber warrant, letting investigators legally open seized devices from PGMN founder Franco Mabanta and others accused of extorting former Speaker Martin Romualdez, with access to messages, call logs, and media. High-Profile AI Fallout (US): A federal jury in Oakland rejected Elon Musk’s $150B bid against OpenAI and Sam Altman, ending the nonprofit-mission fight after the court found Musk sued too late. Impeachment Court Moves (Philippines): The Senate formally convened as an impeachment court for Vice President Sara Duterte, ordering her to file an answer within 10 days. ICC Warrant Enforcement Stalled (Philippines): DILG said it can’t act on the ICC arrest warrant for Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa until a Philippine court order, citing a Supreme Court-related directive. Defamation Damages (Malaysia): Malaysia’s High Court ordered blogger Papagomo to pay RM280,000 to Lim Guan Eng and his son over a 2020 Facebook post. Tender Fraud Discovery Fight (South Africa): Durban’s High Court dismissed a bid to force disclosure of investigators’ diaries in a R320m solid waste tender fraud case.

Criminal Justice: Florida AG James Uthmeier charged Jacob Rookey, 21, in the Florida Keys with a sprawling child sexual abuse materials case tied to Snapchat, plus animal abuse materials—facing up to 100 years. Courts & Procedure: A Delaware judge sanctioned three Florida insurance attorneys for “sloppy lawyering,” while a Massachusetts appeals court backed Hanover Insurance on coverage duties tied to a long-insured home. Evidence Battles: In Luigi Mangione’s case, a New York judge suppressed some backpack evidence but allowed other items seized in Pennsylvania, including the alleged weapon. Civil Rights & Accountability: Alex Murdaugh filed a federal civil-rights suit against former court clerk Becky Hill after the South Carolina Supreme Court ordered a new trial over alleged jury tampering. Health & Safety Regulation: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed “Larry’s Law” banning “no lift/no touch” assisted-living fall policies after a resident’s death. Sports Law: The Pac-12 and Mountain West reportedly reached a settlement in their antitrust fight over exit and penalty fees, with a June 9 hearing pending. Legislative Reform: Oklahoma lawmakers killed bills that would have ended child-sex-abuse and trafficking nondisclosure deals and removed criminal time limits.

Impeachment Clock Starts: The Philippine Senate formally convened as an impeachment court for Vice President Sara Duterte after receiving the House articles, then issued a writ of summons ordering her to file her response within 10 non-extendable days—though the trial itself still won’t begin immediately, with pleadings and pre-trial steps first. UAPA Bail Push: India’s Supreme Court reiterated “bail is the rule, jail the exception” even under UAPA, questioning an earlier bail denial for Umar Khalid and pointing to the need to follow its own precedent on prolonged custody and delays. Religious Rights Clash: India’s Madhya Pradesh High Court declared another medieval mosque in Dhar a temple site, triggering saffron-flag rituals and fresh legal and political backlash. Health Regulation Scrutiny: Malaysia’s MOH says it will refine with the AGC the legal follow-ups after a court allowed a judicial review challenging exemptions for liquid nicotine and nicotine gel from the Poisons List. Local Justice Flashpoints: Greater Noida dowry case arrests followed a woman’s death after she jumped from a building, while York and Scarborough protesters plan to oppose jury-trial limits under England’s Courts and Tribunals Bill.

Prison Healthcare Overhaul: An Arizona federal judge is moving to install a receiver to run inmate healthcare, saying the appointee must have broad powers and be ready to help shape the state budget talks as lawmakers fight over funding. Courtroom Disruption: Lawyers staged a strike and protests erupted at court, with clashes reported as the legal system strains under staffing and access pressures. Legal Aid Under Pressure: In Australia’s Northern Territory, dozens of serious-crime defendants are seeking to halt cases because a worsening legal aid crisis leaves them without representation. Election & Voting Rights: In the U.S. South, Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson blasted a Supreme Court ruling that weakened the Voting Rights Act, arguing it opens the door to map changes that dilute protections. School Safety Law: Pennsylvania signed “Greg Moyer’s Law,” requiring AED access and CPR/AED-trained staff at school athletic events. Religious/Policy Fight: A California court ordered Kars4Kids to stop running ads unless it discloses that donations are directed to Orthodox Jewish programs.

Impeachment Clock Starts: Philippines Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano has formally ordered the Senate to sit as an impeachment court on Monday, May 18 at 3 p.m., urging senators to show up and wear crimson robes as they begin considering the House’s impeachment articles against Vice President Sara Duterte. ICC Showdown: Reuters reports Philippine lawyers urged the Supreme Court to reject Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s bid to block ICC arrest, arguing the Philippines can enforce the warrant under domestic law and that he can’t claim sanctuary from lawful process. Trade Law Reversal: A U.S. trade court struck down Trump’s 10% global tariffs as “unauthorised by law,” saying the administration used the wrong deficit standard under the 1974 Trade Act. Courts & Conduct: Arizona’s appeals court ruled the AG’s office mishandled a public records fight; in Michigan, the attorney discipline board dismissed two counts against Matt DePerno, leaving one misconduct count for a Monday hearing. Workplace Harassment: India’s Nashik court denied bail to a TCS POSH committee member, finding her silence “abetted” the alleged harassment.

Cyber & Privacy: A Texas lawsuit targets Netflix over alleged user-data practices, setting up another fight over what platforms can collect and how they use it. International Justice: Rwanda genocide suspect Félicien Kabuga has died in custody in The Hague, closing a long-running prosecution tied to the 1994 massacres. Criminal Courts: In San Francisco, a man faces felony charges after threats tied to multiple schools, including alleged posts about “shooting people” and campus lockdowns. Public Safety & Rights: Amnesty warns that the siege of Bamako is harming civilians’ access to food, health, and safety, urging GSIM to follow international humanitarian law. Consumer/Business Litigation: Bank of America agreed to pay $2.25 million in an ATM fee class action, with eligibility tied to out-of-network balance inquiry charges. Media & IP: Netflix confirmed The Lincoln Lawyer will end after season 5. Human Rights/Foreign Affairs: France is moving forward with a judge-led inquiry into complaints linking Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the Khashoggi killing. Sports & Law Pop Culture: Dua Lipa sued Samsung for at least $15M over alleged unauthorized use of her image on TV packaging.

Local Government & Public Safety: Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz vetoed a law letting 12- and 13-year-olds hunt big game under adult supervision, saying the move could still lead to deadly accidents even though New York hasn’t seen recent child-hunter fatalities. Criminal Justice: India’s Supreme Court ordered the Delhi High Court to reconsider its suspension of former BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar’s life sentence in the 2017 Unnao rape case, and set a two-month deadline to decide the main plea. Courts & Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court’s latest voting-rights fallout is being framed as a major blow to minority representation, with critics warning it enables states to redraw districts in ways that disenfranchise voters. Gun Policy: Virginia’s new semi-automatic “assault firearm” limits are already triggering lawsuits from gun-rights groups. School & Community: Richland County’s school board approved a tennis-court redesign after residents argued an east-west layout would put players in the sun. Tech & Competition: Delhi High Court told India’s competition regulator not to issue final orders in Apple’s App Store probe while Apple’s constitutional challenge is pending.

Criminal Justice: A Texas Court of Criminal Appeals judge dissented in a jail-courtroom murder case, arguing the trial location violated state law. Judicial Careers: In California, the judge who sent disgraced attorney Tom Girardi to prison is set to take senior status, teeing up a Trump appointment. Election Law: Florida’s new congressional map is headed to a Leon County judge, with voting-rights groups pushing to block it before the 2026 elections. High-Profile Sex Crimes: In New York, a judge declared a mistrial in Harvey Weinstein’s rape retrial after the jury deadlocked—again. Gun & Campus Security: Virginia’s “assault weapons” ban is already facing lawsuits, while Florida signed a law extending campus security rules to public colleges and universities. International Legal Pressure: The Law Society of England and Wales warned Bangladesh’s PM about alleged interference and harassment in bar association elections. Family & Civil Rights: Canada’s Supreme Court recognized a new civil damages path for intimate partner violence victims.

Supreme Court (US): The Court kept abortion-pill access via telehealth in place, while also ruling that negligent hiring claims against freight brokers can proceed under a safety exception—narrowing how often brokers can dodge lawsuits with federal preemption arguments. Immigration (US): An Atlanta federal judge refused to lift a pause on certain immigration application processing for now, leaving hundreds of applicants in limbo. Corruption (Kenya): Okoth Obado and his children walked free after a court allowed withdrawal of a Sh73.5m graft case tied to an out-of-court settlement. Criminal Law (Philippines): The Philippines’ Supreme Court said nonverbal gestures can amount to grave threats if intent is proven. International Finance (Singapore/1MDB): Singapore’s High Court granted winding-up bids for three 1MDB-linked entities, clearing the way for further claims against banks. Tech & Rights (UK): England and Wales facial recognition for policing protests faces legal risk, with warnings that misidentifications could trigger lawsuits.

Criminal Courts: A Massachusetts judge sent alleged Cambridge shooter Tyler Brown to arraignment from a hospital bed, after prosecutors say he fired dozens of rounds on Memorial Drive and left two people badly hurt. Public Safety & Procedure: Colorado State Patrol reminded drivers that the state’s hands-free law also covers scrolling and watching apps—treating phone distraction like drunk driving. Housing & Tenant Costs: Massachusetts AG complaints allege landlords and brokers are dodging the state’s broker-fee rules by shifting costs to tenants after online inquiries. Government Transparency: Ontario’s tougher freedom-of-information rules have shut down another request for health-minister records tied to hospital budget cuts. Elections & Power: Alaska lawmakers rejected Gov. Dunleavy’s attorney general pick, Stephen Cox, in a rare confirmation failure. Business & Courts: Iowa’s lawsuit against Roblox can proceed, with a judge rejecting the company’s bid to dismiss claims about parental controls and content misrepresentation. Tech & Litigation: OpenAI’s Apple partnership is reportedly straining, with possible legal action looming. Local Governance: Hanford’s mayor and other California mayors warn a high-speed rail plan to divert local taxes could trigger protracted lawsuits.

Impeachment Clock Starts: The Philippine Senate will convene as an impeachment court on Monday, May 18 at 3:00 p.m. to try Vice President Sara Duterte, with Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano insisting there will be no delays after the House transmitted the articles—though legal teams are already expected to push back with motions to dismiss or quash. AI Under Fire: Florida’s attorney general is investigating OpenAI after claims that ChatGPT allegedly offered advice to a Florida State University shooter; the probe is expanding to other cases. Home Births vs Licensing Rules: Georgia is cracking down on non-nurse midwives, where demand for home births is rising fast. Fraud Trial Watch: Nigeria’s Malami case continues as a Zenith Bank compliance witness says suspicious transaction reports were filed tied to his accounts. Courts & Safety: A judge in England’s NHS GP system says face-to-face appointments must be offered when patients request them. OpenAI Fallout in Court: Microsoft told a court it prepared a $25B plan to absorb OpenAI leaders after Altman’s sudden removal.

International Criminal Law: A Philippine senator linked to Duterte’s drug war, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, is still sheltering inside Senate premises after gunshots were heard nearby, while the Supreme Court refused his bid for a temporary restraining order against an ICC arrest warrant. Voting Rights & Elections: A federal appeals panel sounded skeptical of the DOJ’s push for Michigan’s unredacted voter registration records, and Georgia counties say they’ll sue over a new law making some local races nonpartisan in Democratic-heavy areas. Courts & Accountability: South Carolina’s Supreme Court overturned Alex Murdaugh’s murder convictions, citing improper jury influence by former clerk Becky Hill. Public Power & Local Governance: In Alberta, a judge quashed a separatist independence petition, saying the province failed its duty to consult First Nations. Regulation & Public Safety: Florida signed a bill to tighten rules on data centers, and a Michigan judge got jail and probation after a drunken-driving case. Legal Profession: A Florida lawyer says scammers used her bar number to register for prison mail and send narcotics.

ICC Defense Shake-Up: Philippines VP Sara Duterte says she hasn’t met new ICC lead counsel Peter Haynes yet, as Haynes is set to replace Nicholas Kaufman in Rodrigo Duterte’s crimes-against-humanity case. Federal Court Procedure: Malaysia’s Federal Court adjourned the bid by former Felda chair Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad to review a corruption conviction after allowing access to court recordings and transcripts. Local Public Safety Tech: Suffolk County, New York lawmakers consider a bill requiring many businesses to hand over security footage to police within 24 hours after serious incidents. Gig Economy Rights: A California drivers group sued Uber over alleged lack of a fair appeals process for deactivated accounts. Health Admissions Crisis: India’s FAIMA asked the Supreme Court to overhaul NEET-UG after the 2026 exam was cancelled over a paper-leak probe. International Justice & War: Israel passed a law creating a special military tribunal for October 7 suspects, with potential death-penalty outcomes. Courts & Speech: A Texas federal judge ordered reinstatement with pay for a professor fired over an out-of-state Israel-Palestine talk.

Redistricting Shockwave: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared Alabama to use its 2023 congressional map for the 2026 cycle, vacating a court-ordered map and reopening the fight over how far states can redraw after the Voting Rights Act was weakened in Louisiana v. Callais—Alabama is even scheduling a special primary to reset some districts. AI in the Legal Profession: A new survey finds nearly all legal professionals use AI, but most organizations say they’re not ready for the compliance and risk that come next. Criminal Courts, Fast Moving: A federal judge is set to decide whether Shane Meehan is competent to stand trial in the killing of Terre Haute Detective Greg Ferency, while in Indiana a judge ordered a social-media survey tied to a judge-shooting case to be suspended. Tech + Testimony: In Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI, Sam Altman faced pointed questions about whether he lied to advance business interests. Immigration Detention: A federal appeals court upheld a ruling that ICE can’t detain people long-term without access to bond hearings.

Abortion Access: The U.S. Supreme Court kept women’s access to the abortion pill mifepristone unchanged for now, blocking new limits from taking effect while it weighs whether restrictions can proceed. Philippines Impeachment: Philippine law deans warned senators that refusing to convene as an impeachment court for Vice President Sara Duterte could trigger administrative—and even criminal—liability. ICC Fallout: In the Philippines, police said they’re awaiting a court order after the ICC confirmed an arrest warrant for Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, with Duterte arguing foreign warrants must first be presented to Philippine courts. Israel Tribunal: Israel’s Knesset passed a law creating a special military tribunal for October 7 attackers, including authority to impose death sentences. Korea Martial Law Cases: South Korea’s Supreme Court upheld a two-year prison term for former Defense Intelligence chief Noh Sang-won, and an appeals court increased former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min’s sentence to nine years. Tech & Media: Texas sued Netflix over claims it secretly collected user data for targeted ads, and the EU’s top court backed Italy’s regulator in a Meta publishers compensation fight.

Redistricting Showdown (U.S.): Virginia Democrats rushed an emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to revive a voter-approved congressional map after the state’s top court blocked it over alleged constitutional-process problems—arguing voters and candidates are being forced into “wrong” districts for the 2026 elections. Abortion Access (U.S.): The Supreme Court kept mifepristone available by mail and pharmacy access for now, extending a pause on restrictions at least through Thursday while it weighs whether to let a lower-court ruling take effect. Trade Fight (U.S.): A federal trade court dealt a narrow blow to Trump’s 10% tariffs under an older trade law, stopping them for two companies and Washington state while the broader tariff plan stays in place as appeals loom. Criminal Courts (Global): In Bolivia, a court declared former President Evo Morales in contempt and ordered arrest steps after he skipped a human-trafficking trial; in Nigeria, courts kept moving through high-profile corruption and money-laundering matters, including bail rulings and added exhibits in the naira redesign case. Legal Ethics & Safety (U.S.): A federal arraignment opened for a man accused of attacking the White House Correspondents’ dinner, with defense lawyers seeking DOJ officials’ recusal over possible conflicts.