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PBA: Rey Nambatac makes Blackwater debut, leads win over Meralco | Jonas Terrado | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 19:50:06 PST | Rey Nambatac makes his debut for Blackwater Bossing in the PBA Philippine Cup.–PBA IMAGES
Rey Nambatac makes his debut for Blackwater Bossing in the PBA Philippine Cup.–PBA IMAGES
ANTIPOLO CITY—Rey Nambatac put up a splendid debut for his new team as Blackwater escaped with a 96-93 victory over Meralco to tip off the PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday at Ynares Center here.
Nambatac shook off early struggles to finish with 27 points and a career-high 10 assists as the Bossing got the All-Filipino tournament off to a good start, with hopes of avoiding what transpired in the previous conference.
Coach Jeffrey Cariaso won his maiden game for Blackwater in the Commissioner’s Cup, only to lose 10 straight to suffer an early exit.
But with new players like Nambatac, who two weeks ago was traded from Rain or Shine, Blackwater will look to turn a different page this time.
James Yap also suited up for the first time in a Blackwater uniform, coming off the bench to score five points in almost 13 minutes.
But Nambatac and Yap’s first appearance with the Bossing was almost spoiled when the Bolts trimmed an 86-69 lead behind Allein Maliksi’s hot shooting.
Maliksi’s last triple put Meralco behind 94-93 with less than a minute to go. The Bolts on the next play, however, fouled Nambatac, who hit both charities to make it a three-point game before Maliksi missed a chance to tie it with a three.
READ: PBA: Jeff Cariaso gushes about Rey Nambatac’s addition
The last attempt turned out to be only miss from downtown for Maliksi, who ended up with 27 points.
Chris Newsome, fresh from representing Gilas Pilipinas in the two games of the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers window, had 16 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals for the Bolts.
Blackwater pulled ahead in the third as Nambatac was finally hitting his shots, particularly from beyond the arc. The Bossing drained five threes in that period to hike a 43-41 halftime lead to double figures.
BLACKWATER 96—Nambatac 27, Rosario 15, Suerte 11, Hill 10, DiGregorio 9, David 7, Escoto 6, Guinto 5, Yap 5, Jopia 1, Ilagan 0, Kwekuteye 0, Sena 0.
MERALCO 93—Maliksi 27, Newsome 16, Jose 10, Mendoza 10, Black 10, Hodge 6, Banchero 5, Quinto 3, Bates 3, Torres 3, Caram 0, Pasaol 0, Pascual 0.
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Quarters: 18-26, 43-41, 72-62, 96-93.
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Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano is Senate’s top absentee | Marlon Ramos | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 05:30:00 PST | Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)
Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)
Senate records show that Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who once skewered President Marcos for his absence in the second vice presidential debate during the 2016 election campaign, is the chamber’s top absentee.
According to records from the Senate Legislative Journal Service, Cayetano, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, attended only 36 of the upper chamber’s 54 regular plenary sessions from July 24, 2023, to Feb. 21 this year.
On the days he was present, he came in late 16 times to their thrice-a-week proceedings, which usually start at 3 p.m. He was also absent four times as he was on an official trip abroad on those occasions.
READ: 12 senators maintain ‘perfect attendance’ from July 2023
In 2017, Cayetano had the most number of absences in the Senate, having only attended 31 session days from July 25, 2016, to May 31, 2017. He was also on official trips for more than half of the time.
When he did show up at the Senate, he arrived late or after the roll call over 10 times.
Former lawmaker and boxing champion Manny Pacquiao had also been cited as a leading absentee both in the House of Representatives as Sarangani representative and in the Senate.
Cayetano’s sister and colleague, Sen. Pia Cayetano, also turned up late 16 times in the Monday to Wednesday sessions. But she was absent only once during the second regular session of the 19th Congress.
The Inquirer sought the Cayetano siblings for comment, but both had yet to respond at press time.
Sen. Nancy Binay, chair of the Senate ethics committee, placed second to Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano with six absences, while Senators Francis Escudero and Juan Edgardo Angara both missed the plenary sessions five times.
Angara had to skip the session days thrice as the head of the Senate panel to the bicameral conference committee on the 2024 national budget.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri had perfect attendance, while two of his deputies, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda and Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, and nine other colleagues were also present in all 54 session days.
“In my long years as a public servant, I have learned this one important thing: True leadership starts by showing up for the important work for the people. And here in the Senate, we take that to heart,” Zubiri said in a statement.
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, who also had perfect attendance, said, “Our presence during plenary sessions is essential when expressing views, raising concerns and proposing amendments to bills and measures.”
Also having perfect attendance were Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Sherwin Gatchalian, Christopher “Bong” Go, Risa Hontiveros, Robinhood Padilla, Ramon Revilla Jr., Raffy Tulfo and Cynthia Villar.
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Rounding up the attendance list were Senators JV Ejercito (52), Imee Marcos (52), Mark Villar (52), Lito Lapid (51), Grace Poe (51), Aquilino Pimentel III (51) and Francis Tolentino (47), who skipped six session days because of official functions abroad. —WITH A REPORT FROM INQUIRER RESEARCH INQ
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Salceda questions Singapore’s exclusivity of Taylor Swift’s concert | Gabriel Pabico Lalu | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 17:47:56 PST | MANILA, Philippines — Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda has asked the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to ask the Singaporean ambassador to the Philippines about claims of exclusivity in hosting the only Taylor Swift concert in Southeast Asia.
Salceda requested this to the DFA on Wednesday amid rumors that the grant given by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to company AEG Presents, the producer of Swift’s concert, included a provision that prevents AEG from staging concerts in other Southeast Asian countries.
Such a practice, Salceda said, is not “what good neighbors do.”
“Some 3 million USD in grants were allegedly given by the Singapore government to AEG to host the concert in Singapore. The catch was that they do not host it elsewhere in the region,” Salceda, who chairs the House committee on ways and means which discusses tax policy proposals, said in a statement.
“I give it to them that the policy worked. Regional demand for Singaporean hotels and airlines was up 30 percent over the period. I estimate that the exclusivity term caused an increase in industry revenues by USD 60 million. So, the grant produced 30 times more in economic activity,” he added.
According to Salceda, the allegation was made public by Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who said that the Singaporean government’s grant was offered on the condition that there be no other stops in Taylor Swift’s Southeast Asian leg.
READ: Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour allegedly omits PH, other regions after closing exclusive deal with SG
Filipino fans were disappointed upon hearing the news that Taylor Swift would not be holding a concert in the country, leading “Swifties” to fly off to other locations like Japan and Singapore just to see the artist live.
READ: Filipinos laugh-cry to news of Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras Tour’ Asian leg skipping the Philippines
“But it was at the expense of neighboring countries, which could not attract their own foreign concertgoers, and whose fans had to go to Singapore. I doubt the exclusivity terms were on the grant contract itself,” Salceda said.
“But I don’t think we should just let things like this pass. We should still officially register our opposition. It also runs contrary to the principle of consensus-based relations and solidarity on which the ASEAN was founded,” he added.
READ: Singapore lures Taylor Swift with grant for sold-out March concerts
Such a policy by Singapore should be enough reason for DFA to send a note verbale to the Singaporean envoy according to Salceda.
Salceda, an economist by profession, however, admitted that the Philippines really needs to improve its approach and step up its game so that it can attract revenue-generating events.
“So, I think the DFA should send a note verbale to our counterparts in Singapore. Our countries are good friends. That’s why actions like that hurt I think it’s also one example of the evolving nature of trade in services that we need to discuss with our neighbors, perhaps as enhancements to the ASEAN Trade in Services Agreement,” he said.
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“In the long run though, we need to up our game. That is what agencies like the Tourism Promotions Board were made for,” he added.
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Most Filipinos see no change economy in 2024 – SWS survey | Adrian Parungao | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 20:23:31 PST | P
INQUIRER file photo/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
INQUIRER file photo/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
MANILA, Philippines — A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed that majority of adult Filipinos think that the Philippine economy will stay the same in the next 12 months.
The survey was conducted from Dec. 8 to 11, 2023.
According to the SWS survey, 44 percent said that the economy will stay the same, while 40 percent of respondents, termed “economic optimists”, 10 percent, or the so-called “economic pessimists” said that it will worsen,while five percent did not give an answer.
The current Net Economic Optimism Score is +30, which is classified as “very high,” but is five points below the September 2023 Net Economic Optimism Score, the SWS said.
It added that Net Economic Optimism Score rose in Metro Manila, where it was highest at +36, and in Visayas at +25.
In contrast, the Net Economic Optimism Score fell in Mindanao at +32, and in Balance Luzon, or outside Metro Manila, at +30.
The SWS likewise reported that Net Economic Optimism was highest for those who graduated tertiary studies and beyond, followed by those who had or finished secondary education, those who had or finished elementary education, and finally, lowest for those who did not have formal education.
It said that Net Economic Optimism was higher for adults who belong to families who did not consider themselves to be poor, followed by those whose families considered themselves poor, and lastly, those whose families considered themselves to be borderline poor.
The SWS said that 1,200 adults were surveyed for the study, while error margins were marked at ±2.8 percent for national percentages, and ±5.7 percent each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
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BIZ BUZZ: Davao grabs Head balls | Philippine Daily Inquirer | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 02:05:00 PST | The biggest tennis ball production hub in the world will soon rise at Anflo Industrial Estates in Panabo City, Davao del Norte.
In three months, Austrian-American sports equipment and apparel manufacturer Head Sports, which controls 40 percent of the global tennis ball market, will complete its factory.
Through Head Sport Philippines Inc., a Philippine Economic Zone Authority-registered company, the group had acquired with local partners 50,679 square meters of land to build on its new hub, where it will consolidate operations.
“What’s interesting is that right now, their main facility is in China. Once this is operational, they will slowly phase in everything here,” said Ricardo “Cary” Florendo Lagdameo, president of Damosa Land, developer of the industrial park.
With this big-ticket investment, Head will become the single biggest locator at Anflo Industrial Estates, the first fully operational industrial park in Davao.
While Head has pretty much maximized the area that it purchased, Lagdameo said it was already looking at the adjacent property for future expansion.
Head had long wanted to set up a production hub specifically in Mindanao, because of the proximity of rubber suppliers. Damosa Land, which started talking with the foreign firm in 2018, likewise had the advantage of having Davao International Container Terminal close by. When it came to the toss-up between Cagayan de Oro and Davao del Norte, the latter prevailed.
Once operational, Head Sports factory will create new jobs for about 800 people in Davao.
Lagdameo added that the popularity of padel, another type of racket sport that uses similar balls, has also contributed to the surge in the global business of Head Sports. —Doris Dumlao-Abadilla
When PLDT Inc. and ABS-CBN Corp. decided to abort the P6.75-billion Sky Cable deal, the parties did not specify the reason why, leaving market observers both surprised and clueless. It was a year in the making, after all.
Biz Buzz, however, reported that PLDT allegedly wanted to reduce the P6.75-billion offer to Sky Cable purchase and include new conditions to the transaction. All signs point to parties not agreeing to any changes even after the Philippine Competition Commission gave its go-ahead.
The telco giant finally made an official statement on Tuesday in response to the report about the cancelled multi-billion peso deal but was still mum on the specifics.
PLDT said they did not proceed “due to the non-fulfillment of certain closing conditions, which compelled parties to revisit the commercial terms of the proposed transaction.”
It must be noted that the company did not directly confirm nor deny the details in the Biz Buzz report.
“We trust that the foregoing explanation clarifies matters,” PLDT added. But did it? The parties have yet to disclose these “certain closing conditions” to really inform the market what went down.
Now, the question is: Will the parties eventually explain everything moving forward? Let’s see! — Tyrone Jasper C. Piad
Asialink Finance Corp., a leading local lender to small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs), has reason to bring out the champagne after getting a P4-billion investment from Malaysian private equity firm Creador.
This investment gives Creador an 18-percent stake in the lending firm, which will in turn use the funds to expand its lending capacity and support the growth of SMEs.
Aside from funding its lending expansion, Asialink said in a statement that Creador will help improve the lender’s operational efficiency, and offer its expertise in business innovation and automation.
“With Creador, Asialink is primed for further growth to help the largely unbanked part of the business community. This partnership is envisioned to strengthen the SMEs and make them a major contributor to economic growth just like in other developed economies”, said Robert Jordan Jr., CEO of Asialink.
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Paulton & Company acted as Asialink’s financial advisor for this transaction. —Tina Arceo-Dumlao INQ
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4 die, 8 injured in Cebu City fire | Nestle Semilla | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 12:19:25 PST | Cebu. INQUIRER FILES
Cebu. INQUIRER FILES
CEBU CITY — A couple and their two teenage sons died while eight others were injured when a fire engulfed a residential area in Sitio Lucia, Barangay Tinago here past 1 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27.
Fire investigators believed that Parulito and Rosita Otadoy, 60 and 54 respectively; along with their sons Joseph, 14; and Jeffrey, 12; were in deep sleep when the fire broke out.
Based on the data of Cebu City Fire Office (CCFO), at least 13 houses were destroyed while three were damaged in the fire.
READ: Elderly woman dead in Rizal town blaze
Investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire that lasted for three hours.
Damage was pegged at P7 million.
Thirty families, composed of 90 individuals, were affected by the fire and are currently housed in the Tinago gym.
SFO2 Wemdell Villanueva, spokesperson of CCFO, said that it is possible that the Otadoy couple and their children were sleeping and did not notice.
“Perhaps, when they woke up, the fire was already too big and they could no longer escape,” he said.
Monaliza Otadoy, daughter of the Otadoy couple, survived the fire. She said her parents and younger siblings were sleeping on the third floor of their house while she and other members of the family were sleeping on the lower floors.
When she noticed the fire, Monaliza said she immediately rescued those near her.
She said she later noticed that her parents and other two siblings were not able to get out of their house.
The other members of the Otadoy family who were injured were Sean Roby, Rose Ann, Jemar, Emarie, Keira Marie, Neil John, Christopher, and Dylan.
READ: BFP: Fire hits Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City
It has yet to be established how many children the Otadoy couple have and their relationship with those who were injured.
Villanueva said around 57 fire trucks responded to the fire in Tinago.
The firefighters received the fire alarm at 1:43 a.m. and were put out at 5 a.m.
Villanueva admitted they had many challenges during the operation.
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“The place was a residential area and the way towards the incident was too narrow. Also, many houses were made of light materials. Those were among the obstacles encountered,” he said.
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13 senators sign panel report endorsing medical marijuana bill | Maila Ager | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 10:09:01 PST | Senate Bill No 2573 states that the use of cannabis for medical purposes will be permitted “to treat or alleviate a qualified patient’s debilitating medical condition or symptoms.” (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)
Senate Bill No 2573 states that the use of cannabis for medical purposes will be permitted “to treat or alleviate a qualified patient’s debilitating medical condition or symptoms.” (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)
Updated on February 28, 2024, at 3:26 p.m.
MANILA, Philippines — A bill that seeks to legalize the medical use of cannabis or marijuana has reached the Senate floor.
Senate Bill No. 2573 was contained in Committee Report No. 210 signed by 13 senators.
The report, which was calendared for ordinary business on Tuesday, was jointly prepared and submitted by Senate committees on health and demography, public order and dangerous drugs, and finance.
Those who signed the panel report are Padilla, Senators Christopher “Bong” Go, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Sonny Angara, JV Ejercito, Jinggoy Estrada, Mark Villar, Lito Lapid, Raffy Tulfo, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Grace Poe, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel Jr. and Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva.
Go, Villar, and Revilla, though, signed with reservations while Estrada, Pimentel, and Villanueva indicated that they would interpellate or make proper amendments when the bill is reported on the Senate floor.
“The state shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. Pursuant thereto, the state shall legalize and regulate the medical use of cannabis, which has been confirmed to have beneficial 9and therapeutic uses for known debilitating medical conditions,” the bill reads.
Under the proposal, the use of cannabis for medical purposes will be permitted “to treat or alleviate a qualified patient’s debilitating medical condition or symptoms.”
“The medicalization of cannabis includes its acquisition, possession, transportation, delivery, dispensing, administration, cultivation, or manufacturing by private individuals or entities only for medical and research purposes,” the bill said.
A Philippine Medical Cannabis Authority or PMCA will be created under the Department of Health (DOH), which shall be the principal regulatory agency in the access and use of medical cannabis and the implementation of the measure.
Upon the recommendation of the DOH Secretary, the President will appoint a director to lead the PMCA as proposed in the measure.
Importation of medical cannabis “from countries with stringent regulatory agencies or countries with established medical cannabis regimes or countries already using the same medical cannabis products in the last five years, will be allowed under the bill.
It, however, prohibits the importation of medical cannabis products “from countries not using their own products.”
Other prohibited acts were also enumerated in the bill.
A qualified patient, for instance, is prohibited from doing the following:
Meanwhile, any physician is prohibited from doing the following:
A counterpart measure was also approved by a joint panel in the House of Representatives early this month.
This proposal, however, was met with opposition from medical doctors and various sectors of society. They fear that this would open the “floodgates for the legalization of recreational marijuana.”
“We want to educate the public [about the dangers of marijuana]. We want to stop [our lawmakers from their proposed law to legalize medical marijuana]. Our lawmakers have a moral and legal responsibility to safeguard [the well-being of the public],” health advocate Dr. Tony Leachon was earlier quoted as saying.
Leachon warned the Philippines might end up like “the Colombia of Southeast Asia,” referring to the Latin American country known for being the world’s top producer of cocaine.
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“We will be the ones exporting these (marijuana). It will lead to the tainting of the good image of our country,” he said.
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Iloilo City school to cease operations after 52 years | Joey Marzan | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 13:58:02 PST | Iloilo. INQUIRER FILES
Iloilo. INQUIRER FILES
ILOILO CITY — One of the city’s oldest basic education schools will be closing down by the end of the current academic year due to financial losses and a continued drop in enrollment.
In a letter to stakeholders, parents, teachers, learners, and alumni dated Feb. 15, Maria Lourdes Josefina Garcia, owner of St. Joseph School Iloilo, announced the institution’s permanent closure by the end of school year 2023-2024.
Garcia cited “insurmountable financial losses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent continuing decrease in enrollments as the reasons” behind the decision to cease operations.
READ: 2 private schools in Bacolod permanently cease operations
The 52-year-old private school is located along Diversion Road in Barangay San Rafael Mandurriao district.
Garcia and her husband Roberto started the St. Joseph Kinder School in 1972.
It had 40 students, three teachers, and one office staff member.
The school eventually expanded as it opened its elementary education in 1986 and high school in 2002.
It was envisioned as a non-profit institution and “a center for holistic learning” by Garcia.
READ: In Western Visayas, 76 schools stop operations
Garcia said that her three children had reservations of having to continue the school’s operation in the future.
But as an educator, she went on to run the school.
The St. Joseph School Iloilo was known for its students who had been representing the country in international academic competitions.
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Last year, one of its students, Gihun Yoo, won Bronze in the Heat Round of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Mathematical Olympiad 2023.
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Augustinians support Cebu on return of historic church pulpit panels | Adrian Parungao | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 21:41:31 PST | FROM OLD PULPIT The National Museum of the Philippines received a series of early 19th-century panels depicting the founder of the Augustinian Order as a gift from private collectors on Feb. 13. The panels came from the pulpit of the Patrocinio de Maria Santisima Parish Church in Boljoon, Cebu. Leaders of the Archdiocese of Cebu and the provincial government, however, are asking the National Museum to return the panels, said to be stolen and lost for four decades, to the church.—NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES
FROM OLD PULPIT The National Museum of the Philippines received a series of early 19th-century panels depicting the founder of the Augustinian Order as a gift from private collectors on Feb. 13. The panels came from the pulpit of the Patrocinio de Maria Santisima Parish Church in Boljoon, Cebu. Leaders of the Archdiocese of Cebu and the provincial government, however, are asking the National Museum to return the panels, said to be stolen and lost for four decades, to the church.—NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES
MANILA, Philippines — The Augustinian Province of Santo Niño de Cebu has expressed solidarity with the Archdiocese of Cebu in its request to the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) to return the four pulpit panels in the Archdiocesan Shrine of Patrocinio de Maria Santissima in Boljoon, Cebu.
In its statement on Monday, the religious group said that the objects are of “Catholic Cebuano heritage” and “Augustinian legacy.”
READ: National Museum open to share donated historical pulpit panels with Cebu
“The friars of the Augustinian Province of Santo Niño de Cebu-Philippines, in oneness with the Archdiocese of Cebu, are immensely thankful that the missing pulpit panels have resurfaced and definitively ascertained their provenance. These valuable objects are considered important artifacts of Catholic Cebuano heritage but bespeak as well of Augustinian legacy,” the statement said.
“In consideration of the foregoing, we express our full support to the Archdiocese of Cebu on its declaration of ownership of the four pulpit panels and the demand for their immediate return to the rightful owner and sanctuary, the Boljoon Parish Church and Shrine,” it added.
On Feb. 13, the NMP received the four panels depicting Saint Augustine from private collectors.
READ: Archdiocese of Cebu calls on National Museum to return pulpit panels
This was followed by separate petitions from Cebu Archbishop Most Rev. Jose Palma and Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to return the panels on account that they are treasures of the city, and that they are still sacred in nature.
The NMP also said that it is open to dialogue on the sharing of the panels.
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Sandiganbayan clears 2 NGO execs in P5-M pork barrel scam case | Philippine Daily Inquirer | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 05:05:00 PST | INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA
INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA
The Sandiganbayan acquitted on Tuesday the officials of a nongovernment organization who were accused of misappropriating P5 million of former Malabon-Navotas Rep. Alvin Sandoval’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for a nonexistent project in 2008.
In a 108-page decision, the antigraft court’s Fourth Division cleared Pangkabuhayan Foundation, Inc. (PFI) president Petronila Balmaceda and PFI secretary Fernando Balmaceda of graft and malversation of public funds charges, saying that prosecutors failed to present evidence to prove them guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The court, however, found the pair civilly liable for the “improper implementation” of a ghost livelihood project and ordered them to pay back “jointly and severally” with their coaccused the losses incurred by the government due to the irregular release of public funds totaling P4.5 million.
READ: Court denies Napoles’ plea to reverse conviction over pork barrel scam
The figure is equivalent to the PDAF allocation, excluding the 10 percent in management and service fees charged by the defunct Technology Resource Center (TRC), the supposed implementing agency of the nonexistent project.
In a 2015 resolution, the Office of the Ombudsman found probable cause that Sandoval’s PDAF was unlawfully channeled to bogus foundations, including PFI, using the TRC as an implementing agency.
This was based on the Ombudsman’s findings that the projects supposedly funded by the lawmaker’s pork barrel fund were nonexistent.
In absolving the PFI officers, the Sandiganbayan pointed to the acquittal nearly five years ago of Sandoval and former TRC officials, the PFI executives coaccused in the case.
The Malabon-Navotas lawmaker, along with TRC group manager Maria Rosalinda Lacsamana, chief accountant Marivic Jover and budget officer Consuelo Espiritu, were cleared of graft and malversation charges in September 2019.
“Regardless of the undue injury suffered by the government, particularly the constituents of Sandoval, the acquittal of their co-accused public officers contradicts the guilt of Petronila and Fernando, especially so when there is no proof that they themselves acted with manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence,” the court said.
It also noted that proof of conspiracy was not established among the respondents. —KATHLEEN DE VILLA INQ
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STI Education Systems to buy PSBA | Miguel R. Camus | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 16:10:27 PST | MANILA, Philippines —Education and ports tycoon Eusebio Tanco is buying the 61-year old Philippine School of Business Administration, which has local campuses in Manila and Quezon City, in a bid to expand his school network.
Tanco-led STI Education Systems Holdings announced on Wednesday that its board had approved the signing and execution of a term sheet to acquire PSBA Manila and PSBA Quezon City.
“The term sheet covers the takeover by the company of the operations of PSBA as well as the acquisition of licenses, trademarks, trade names and school-related assets owned by PSBA,” said STI, which is listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange.
READ: PSBA QC campus closes in October
“The term sheet and the implementation of the transaction are subject to several conditions including the execution of mutually acceptable definitive agreements, the fulfillment of conditions precedent, the approval of the stockholders of PSBA and regulatory approvals,” it added.
Other details, including the purchase price, were not included. Established over six decades ago, PSBA now offers high school, business college courses and advanced management degrees.
It also has partnerships with other schools in Indonesia and Pakistan where it provides technical assistance in designing academic programs in business education and in providing administrative advisory services and qualified Filipino professors and instructors, the school’s website showed.
READ: Higher enrollments lift STI income by 132%
STI is one of the biggest private school chains in the country with enrollees in the current school year reaching almost 120,000 students
Net income during the six-month period ending Dec. 31 last year surged 132 percent to P517.8 million, STI said in a previous stock exchange filing.
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Caraga and Davao Region to have scattered rain showers, thunderstorms | Zeus Legaspi | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 07:55:34 PST | MANILA, Philippines — State meteorologists advised residents in Caraga and Davao Region to prepare for possible flash floods and landslides as the two regions are expected to have scattered rain showers and thunderstorms on Wednesday.
According to the 4 a.m. advisory from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), these weather conditions in Caraga and Davao Region are due to the trough or extension of a low pressure area (LPA) currently affecting parts of eastern Mindanao.
READ: Pagasa: Davao Region, parts of Soccskargen to have scattered rains
However, the LPA has not yet entered the Philippine area of responsibility, and no weather disturbance is projected to enter the country until the end of February, the state weather bureau noted.
In a flood advisory issued at 6 a.m., Pagasa said that light to moderate rains and thunderstorms may affect watercourses in Davao Oriental, Davao De Oro, and Davao Occidental in the next 12 hours.
“Extra caution is advised in these areas, particularly in Caraga and Davao, as the rains may cause flooding and landslides,” Pagasa specialist Obet Badrina said in Filipino during a morning report.
The rest of Mindanao, Badrina mentioned, will have isolated rain showers and thunderstorms brought by localized thunderstorms.
READ: Pagasa: February tropical cyclone chance low for PH
In the same 4 a.m. advisory, Pagasa reported that the northeast monsoon, locally known as amihan, is still affecting Luzon, bringing overcast skies and light rains over Cagayan Valley and Aurora.
Also affected by the northeast monsoon is the rest of Luzon, including Metro Manila, and Visayas, which may have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains due to the weather system, the advisory continued.
No gale warning was raised over the country’s seaboards on Wednesday, but Badrina cautioned that waves as high as 3.1 meters may occur in Luzon, Visayas, and the northern and eastern sections of Mindanao.
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120,000 garment workers at risk over pay hike | Alden M. Monzon | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 05:00:00 PST | INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
A local group of garment exporters warned on Tuesday that a new wage hike would devastate their industry, with data pointing to over 120,000 jobs getting wiped out in a sector already on a downward spiral due to softening global demand.
Confederation of Wearable Exporters of the Philippines (Conwep) executive director Maritess Jocson-Agoncillo said that as much as two-thirds of the 182,600 currently employed by the industry could end up losing their jobs should a legislated salary increase push through.
“Maybe [around] 20 to 30 percent of 160,000 would stay,” Jocson-Agoncillo told reporters.
“We are already suffering a bad 2024 projection of losing another 22,000 workers without the legislated minimum wage,” she added.
The group employs around 65 percent of the local garments industry’s over 180,000 employees who work in factories that make clothes for international brands.
Aside from the job losses this year, Jocson-Agoncillo also presented data showing that their export revenues for apparel, leather goods and footwear were also expected to decline by 11 percent.
The export revenues for these goods were pegged at $1.35 billion in 2023, with the business group projecting it to settle at $1.20 billion for 2024.
These commodity groups have seen a 34-percent decline in export revenues after the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020. The figure hit $1.79 billion in 2019.
Conwep has already asked President Marcos to reconsider a wage hike through a letter, where it also explained the reasons behind the decline in export revenues.
READ: P350 wage hike to hit biz sector hard–employers
“Falling consumer purchasing power and rising price cuts leave retail stores with higher inventory, and buyers migrate their orders to more affordable options such as Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia due to preferential trade agreements or competitive sourcing costs and faster deliveries,” it said.
In the same letter, the group told Mr. Marcos that a major client in the United States had already warned Conwep on Feb. 22 that its orders would be diverted to Indonesia and Cambodia should a new wage increase be implemented.
According to Conwep, garment factories in Regions 3, 4A, 4B and 7 would be impacted by this loss.
Citing these problems, the group said it suggested, in its letter to Mr. Marcos, to enforce a two-year monthly government inflation subsidy of P1,000 for minimum salary earners instead of another pay increase.
“We understand the predicament of the approximately 4.2 million registered minimum wage earners adversely affected by inflation and rotational job loss. The [Department of Labor and Employment’s] Adjustment Measure Program can be mobilized and funded rather than legislating a P100 minimum wage increase or any amount,” Conwep said.
It added that a two-year inflation subsidy would allow the industry to recover, saying that it expected global demand for apparel exports to remain soft until March 2026.
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“Other countries such as Vietnam, China and Cambodia have implemented support programs similar to those of their apparel export sectors in previous years,” it noted. A second suggestion from the group was for the President to mobilize government agencies to improve the country’s business climate and promote the Philippines as a preferred investment choice. INQ
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Bongbong Marcos leaves for Australia for 2-day official visit | Jean Mangaluz | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 08:37:26 PST | FILE PHOTO: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. INQUIRER.net / Ryan Leagogo
FILE PHOTO: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. INQUIRER.net / Ryan Leagogo
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. left for Canberra, Australia on Wednesday morning.
Marcos will address the Australian Parliament during his two-day visit to Australia. He will return to the country on Thursday.
“As part of this visit, I will have the opportunity to address the Parliament of Australia and provide greater detail on the commitments that we place in this partnership and our vision for the future of the Philippines,” said Marcos in his departure speech.
“I will make sure to acknowledge the ever-growing relations on defense and security with one of our only two Status of Visiting Forces partners, as highlighted last year by the success of Exercise Alon and the Maritime Cooperative Activity,” he said.
In 2023, Australia and the Philippines held joint sea and air patrols in the South China Sea as part of their commitment to regional peace.
South China Sea issue part of Marcos’ agenda in Australia visits – DFA\
“I anticipate an enhancement of the mutual understanding between the Philippines and Australia as we share a common vision not just for our bilateral relations, but for the peace and security of the region as well,” said Marcos.
Marcos also said he expected large investment opportunities in Australia.
According to the Palace, Marcos will be the first Filipino leader to make such an address to Australian lawmakers.
The President will return to Australia next Monday for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – Australia Summit.
“The President’s visit and official activities in Canberra shall further strengthen existing bonds of cooperation and shall enable discussions for new avenues of collaboration, as both the Philippines and Australia look forward to celebrating the 78th anniversary of diplomatic relations later this year,” Department of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said in a press briefing.
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SM Investments reported P77-B profit haul in 2023 | Miguel R. Camus | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 16:39:52 PST | MANILA, Philippines —The Sy family’s SM Investments Corp., the country’s biggest conglomerate by market value, saw 2023 net income surge 25 percent to P77 billion, with nearly half of the earnings coming from record profits at its banking units.
During the past year, total revenues reached P616.3 million, a gain of 11 percent, buoyed by robust growth in both the property sector and its consumer-focused retail and malls portfolio.
“A key success driver was the healthy spending patterns of Filipino consumers in both essential and discretionary purchases, particularly in fashion, dining and entertainment,” SM Investments CEO Frederic C. DyBuncio said in a statement on Wednesday.
The conglomerate also underscored the 6-percent growth of its emerging investment portfolio, which accounted for nearly 10 percent of earnings last year.
These businesses include renewable energy firm Philippine Geothermal Production Co., 2GO Group Inc., Goldilocks Bakeshop and the leisure and casino arm of Belle Corp.
“Our portfolio companies continue to present solid potential as we invest in emerging sectors that positively impact the economy,’’ DyBuncio said.
Another major earnings driver was the company’s retail segment, which has a nationwide presence of supermarkets and grocery stores.
SM Retail Inc. saw net income climb 11 percent to P19.9 billion while revenues increased 10 percent to P415 billion in 2023.
READ: SM Group makes major push into grocery delivery services
Nearly half of its revenues came from SM Markets, WalterMart and Alfamart while net income at the division increased 21 percent.
The SM Store sales also increased 16 percent while specialty retail revenues grew 11 percent amid robust spending on “fashion, health and beauty, pets, toys and other discretionary items”.
“This sustained growth is reflective of the spending power of Filipinos. Through our diverse range of brands, we cater to the many needs and wants of our consuming public,” DyBuncio said.
The group’s retail footprint increased to 3,853 retail outlets at the end of 2023, with more store openings focused on provincial areas, the conglomerate said.
SM Prime Holdings, the second-biggest contributor (25 percent) to the parent firm, saw profits in the past year surge 33 percent to P40 billion.
The company’s mall businesses, which accounted for more than half of total property revenues, saw a 30 percent increase to P71.9 billion.
SM Development Corp. led the residential business to an 8 percent increase in revenues to P43.1 billion, with reservation sales hit P102 billion, equivalent to over 21,000 units sold.
SM Prime’s other segments including offices, hotels, and convention centers enjoyed a 26 percent revenue jump to P13.1 billion.
READ: BDO shatters PH income records
A few days ago, BDO Unibank announced its largest profit yet at P73.4 billion in 2023 while China Banking Corp. recorded P22 billion in net income, which was also a record figure.
BDO’s net interest income surged to P186.4 billion, supported by a 9 percent expansion in gross customer loans to P2.85 trillion.
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Chinabank’s net interest income expanded by 17 percent to P53.5 billion as loans grew by 10 percent to P791 billion.
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SMC makes best power supply offer to Meralco | Meg J. Adonis | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 02:06:00 PST | MANILA, Philippines -A subsidiary of conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) gave the best offer for the 400-megawatt (MW) baseload capacity requirement of distributor Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) that must be available until February 2025 to help meet growing demand.
Meralco on Tuesday said Limay Power Inc. (LPI) offered a rate of P6.2708 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for the entire baseload requirement. This already includes value-added tax and line rental, according to Meralco.
Baseload refers to capacity and supply that is deployed throughout the business day.
Masinloc Power Co. Ltd., another San Miguel company, offered the next best bid at P6.2957 per kWh for 195 MW.
READ: Meralco calls for more power supply as warm months near
The bids and awards committee of Meralco is set to conduct a postqualification evaluation prior to the issuance of a notice of award.
The power supply agreement will only be implemented upon the approval of the Energy Regulatory Commission.
LPI currently operates a 600-MW coal-fired power plant in Bataan province. The facility started commercial operations in 2017.
The power utility giant sought suppliers for the baseload requirement in January to meet high demand and ensure ample supply for its customers, especially at the onset of the El Niño climate pattern.
READ: Meralco bares best bids for new supply deals
Another 260-MW peaking interim power supply agreement was also up for bidding. However, the only two companies that initially expressed their interest to join had withdrawn, resulting in a failed bidding, Meralco head of regulatory management Jose Ronald Valles said on Monday.
Valles did not disclose why the companies backed out, but noted that they would apply for a second round of bidding with the Department of Energy. INQ
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LOOK: PAF continues heli bucket operations vs Benguet forest fire | John Eric Mendoza | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 18:31:49 PST | Photos from the Philippine Air Force
Photos from the Philippine Air Force
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Wednesday said it continued its heli bucket operations in Benguet to suppress the forest fire in the province.
PAF’s Bell-205 helicopter conducted two heli bucket operations on Feb. 27 (Tuesday) in the municipalities of Sajatan and Bokod.
On Feb. 25, the same helicopter also performed two sorties of heli bucket operations in Bokod, dropping a total of 11 buckets of water across Barangays Karao and Banao.
The same aircraft, on Feb. 26, conducted three sorties over Itogon, Benguet, dropping 15 buckets of water on Mt. Lusod.
Each heli bucket only contains 800 liters of water, which is not enough to suppress the fire in the woods, according to PAF spokesperson Col. Maria Consuelo Castillo.
To address this, Castillo said they will conduct cloud seeding operations in Benguet this week.
At least 200 hectares of forested areas in the Cordillera region have been ravaged by fires since Jan. 2024, according to authorities.
READ: AI use in fighting wildfires increases as their threat rises
In Feb. 2019, five men were killed while helping put out a fire that razed a 60-hectare forest area in Benguet.
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Philippine Navy test-fires weapons of anti-submarine choppers in WPS | John Eric Mendoza | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 12:14:31 PST | A .50-caliber machine gun is lodged at AW-159 antisubmarine helicopter for a firing exercise at Marine Base Gregorio Lim firing range in Ternate, Cavite on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. (Photo from the Philippine Navy)
A .50-caliber machine gun is lodged at AW-159 antisubmarine helicopter for a firing exercise at Marine Base Gregorio Lim firing range in Ternate, Cavite on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. (Photo from the Philippine Navy)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy test-fired the weapon systems fitted in two of its AW-159 anti-submarine helicopters, Cmdr. John Percie Alcos, the newly designated Navy spokesperson, told reporters in a phone interview on Wednesday.
Alcos said that two .50-caliber machine guns — one for each of the AW-159 — were test-fired at Marine Base Gregorio Lim firing range in Ternate, Cavite on Monday, Feb. 26.
“The inclusion of the .50-caliber heavy machine gun further enhances the aircraft’s mission capabilities, providing the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] with a potent weapon system to combat potential threats in the maritime domain,” Alcos also said.
The heavy machine gun is a secondary weapon of the AW-159, with the Blueshark torpedoes being its primary weapon.
The two United Kingdom-made AW159 Wildcat Helicopters are an integral part of the Jose Rizal Class anti-submarine frigate’s firepower.
In June 2023, the AW-159s were deployed in the West Philippine Sea for the first time to ensure effective maritime presence there, according to the AFP Western Command.
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2 suspected drug pushers yield P523,000 shabu in Lucena City bust | Delfin T. Mallari Jr. | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 12:34:21 PST | INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
LUCENA CITY – Police arrested a suspected drug trafficker and his associate in a buy-bust operation here early Wednesday, Feb. 28, and seized over P523,00 worth of shabu (crystal meth).
Lucena City police reported that members of the local drug enforcement unit busted “Jeff”, 41, and “Nelson”, 42, at 1:35 a.m. after they allegedly sold shabu to an undercover cop in Barangay (village) Bocohan.
READ: Over P2M shabu seized in Camarines Sur buy-busts
Authorities confiscated from the suspects two plastics containing meth weighing 25.66 grams with an estimated Dangerous Drugs Board value of P174,488.
The seized shabu is worth P523,464 in the street market at the prevailing price of P20,400 per gram, police said.
Authorities are investigating the source of the drugs.
Police tagged “Jeff” as included on the police drug watch list as an “HVI” or high-value individual on the local drug scene while “Nelson” was classified as a street-level drug pusher on the police list.
They were detained and are facing charges of violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
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Elderly woman dead in Rizal town blaze | Delfin T. Mallari Jr. | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 11:43:12 PST | Rizal map. INQUIRER FILES
Rizal map. INQUIRER FILES
LUCENA CITY — A 75-year-old woman died on Tuesday, Feb. 27, when a fire of still unknown origin gutted her house in Taytay town in Rizal province.
The Police Regional Office (PRO 4A) in a report Wednesday, Feb. 28, identified the victim as Catalina Edrial.
The report added that Edrial was trapped inside her house in a subdivision in Barangay (village) San Juan when it caught fire at 5:56 p.m.
READ: BFP: Fire hits Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City
The local fire department responded and declared the blaze under control 21 minutes later.
The body of the victim was recovered by firemen inside her room during the clearing operation.
The report did not provide information on the whereabouts of the victim’s family when the fire broke out.
The cause of the fire, which started in the stockroom and library of the house, is still under investigation.
Authorities estimated the cost of damage to P2.7 million.
Police said the family of the victim waived the conduct of an autopsy of her remains.
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MMC passes resolution banning e-bikes on major roads | Luisa Cabato | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 14:45:15 PST | A motorist (R) speeds past a woman riding an electric bike along a street in Manila on November 24, 2023. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)
A motorist (R) speeds past a woman riding an electric bike along a street in Manila on November 24, 2023. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — The Metro Manila Council (MMC) on Wednesday passed a resolution banning electric bikes / trikes on national roads under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
The MMC is one of the governing boards and policymakers of the MMDA, along with the president of the Metro Manila Vice Mayors League and the president of the Metro Manila Councilors League.
MMDA acting chairman Romando Artes said that the resolution will be effective by April since the guidelines are still being drafted prior to publication.
Below is the list of national roads where e-bikes / trikes will be prohibited:
Each local government unit in Metro Manila will also craft their respective ordinances on the ban on e-bikes / trikes.
Violators will be fined P2,500, Artes said.
Their units will also be impounded if they are not able to present a driver’s license upon apprehension, he added.
According to Artes, there were 554 e-vehicle-related accidents and two deaths logged last year.
“Dumarami ‘yung gumagamit [ng e-vehicle] at parami nang parami ‘yung masasabi nating reckless driver,” he said.
(The users of e-vehicles are increasing, and we’re seeing more and more of what we can call reckless drivers.)
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On February 15, MMDA and other government agencies also conducted a meeting to discuss the creation of a unified regulation for e-vehicles.
Among the concerns raised during the meeting were minors driving e-vehicles on national roads, driving without helmets or protective gear, and driving in the middle of highways.
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Proposed 2024 climate change budget slashed | Jean Mangaluz | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 18:37:15 PST | A view of Baguio City, considered the most vulnerable to climate change among four cities outside the National Capital Region due to its vulnerability to extreme weather events, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines, which did a study years ago. (INQUIRER FILES)
A view of Baguio City, considered the most vulnerable to climate change among four cities outside the National Capital Region due to its vulnerability to extreme weather events, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines, which did a study years ago. (INQUIRER FILES)
MANILA, Philippines — A total of P86 billion was trimmed from the proposed 2024 budget for climate change, with a portion reallocated to unprogrammed funds, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said on Wednesday.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday declared that the government has allotted P457.41 billion pesos for climate change in the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA), which is the final budget that Congress deliberated and passed.
The DBM, however, proposed around P543 billion for climate change in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) 2024. This is a P86 billion slash during Congressional hearings.
INQUIRER.net learned that a portion of the P86 billion became unprogrammed funds.
“This is to confirm that the amount of P543.4 billion was allocated for climate change projects, programs and activities under the NEP, while P457.41 billion was allocated for the same under the [Fiscal Year] 2024 GAA,” the DBM told INQUIRER.net in a message.
“Our concerned budget bureau explained that a portion of the P543.4 billion were reclassified to unprogrammed appropriation under the FY 2024 GAA,” the DBM added.
This is a mere P4 billion increase from the 2023 climate change budget, which was P453.11 billion.
INQUIRER.net has reached out to both chambers of Congress for a comment.
The 2024 GAA has a sizable P449.5-billion unprogrammed funds, which raised concerns from a number of lawmakers.
In January, Albay First District Representative Edcel Lagman questioned the legality of the unprogrammed funds, as they were inserted by Congress and exceeded the budget that the Executive asked for.
“This year’s GAA, which took effect on [Jan. 1, 2024], suffers a constitutional infirmity insofar as the bicameral conference committee inserted P449.5 billion in excess of the unprogrammed appropriations of P281.9 billion recommended by the President in the national budget or the NEP (national expenditure program),” Lagman said in a prior statement.
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However, the DBM previously explained that the unprogrammed appropriations are merely standby funds.
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Crab fest in Zamboanga seen to revive ‘dying’ industry | Julie Alipala | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 04:35:00 PST | ABOUT CRABS In this photo taken on Feb. 23, students in Zamboanga City’s Barangay Vitali, through a street dance, depict the life of residents whose income depend on aquaculture. Crabs andother crustaceans are the main source of income in Vitali. —JULIE ALIPALA
ABOUT CRABS In this photo taken on Feb. 23, students in Zamboanga City’s Barangay Vitali, through a street dance, depict the life of residents whose income depend on aquaculture. Crabs andother crustaceans are the main source of income in Vitali. —JULIE ALIPALA
ZAMBOANGA CITY—For half a century, Barangay Vitali, about 70 kilometers from the city proper here, has been known as a source of first class cultured king crabs, prawns and other shelled products.
Dr. Kier Dela Calzada, administrator of the Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University (ZPPSU)-Vitali Extension, recalled how the stretch of national highway in the village used to thrive with small stores selling crabs, prawns and milkfish.
“A fresh catch in the morning easily sold out before the day ended,” he said.
But in the early part of 2010, the vibrant image of seafood covering the highway as one passed through this village drastically changed when the villagers observed colorful spots on their crabs and prawns. The spots were caused by a crustacean’s disease that badly hit all crab and prawn raisers here, recalled Mike Alavar, a former city councilor whose family owned the famous Alavar Seafoods House here.
Now, villagers felt the pressing need to revive the dying aquaculture industry before Vitali could easily end up buying king crabs from neighboring provinces.
On Feb. 23, the village celebrated its first Cangrejo (crab) Festival intended to revive the dying industry and draw attention to Vitali as the source of first class crabs, said Dela Calzada, who organized the event.
He wanted to make the festival bigger in the succeeding years so it would included in the city’s calendar during the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival, also known as Fiesta Pilar in honor of the city’s patron saint Nuestra Señora del Pilar, celebrated every Oct. 12.
READ: World street food festival: Try ’em all
“We support the city’s active involvement in promoting sardines, but (the industry) all come from big investors. We have our own crabs, prawns, talaba (oysters) and milkfish, our industry that is dying to be known and promoted too,” he said.
With a population of 10,716 based on the 2020 census, Vitali used to be Zamboanga city’s pride, harvesting almost five tons of crabs and crustaceans a month. Most of the harvest used to go to the markets in the National Capital Region, supplying five star hotels and restaurants in Metro Manila and other big cities.
But harvests drastically dropped from five tons a month to only four tons in a year when the crustacean’s disease struck in 2010, with most aquafarmers unable to recover from their losses
Edward Falcasantos, who was a financier of fishpond operators, lamented the lack of support from the local governments and the increasing ravages brought about by climate change.
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“We used to have more 1,000 fish pond operators and tank owners here, now there are only about a hundred, so the harvest have gone down drastically,” said Falcasantos, who also used to operate a fish pond that got hit by the disease. “Our business that I ran for more than 30 years was gone and now I ended up as a buyer-seller of prawns,” Falcasantos said. INQ
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Hacked PCG Facebook page sharing, uploading movie clips | Zeus Legaspi | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 15:00:16 PST | A screenshot of the official PCG Facebook page at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 28.
A screenshot of the official PCG Facebook page at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 28.
MANILA, Philippines — Netizens are now watching clips of free movies online through an unexpected source – the hacked Facebook page of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
On Wednesday, the PCG’s social media page started uploading and sharing clips of various movies.
In a span of almost 48 hours, since the PCG announced that its page had been hacked on Monday, the page has posted 12 movie clips, each lasting anywhere between three to 13 minutes.
READ: Coast Guard’s FB page hacked in third cyberattack this year
The clips were taken from foreign movies and television series, including CBS’ The Flash.
The page uploaded some of the video clips while the other video snippets were shared from another Facebook page, Salsa Socca Gigante.
A quick search of the page shows that it is a “gaming video creator” from Colombia and has uploaded the same content as those shown on the PCG’s page.
Some Filipino Facebook users quickly made fun of the incident, with one user commenting on one of the videos, “Watching full movies with family.”
Other netizens commented that clips from movies are better than sharing explicit content, which is known to happen among other hacked official social media accounts.
On Monday evening, the PCG announced that an “unknown entity has gained access” to its Facebook page.
This is the third time that the agency has sustained cyberattacks this year. Just two weeks earlier, hackers gained access to its official X (formerly Twitter) account.
READ: PCG retakes X page control after hack
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The PCG previously fell victim to a series of cyberattacks that followed after the agency released videos and photos of Chinese ships at the contested Scarborough Shoal and within the Philippine exclusive economic zone.
As of posting time, the PCG has yet to regain control of its Facebook page.
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Mindanao solon to Quiboloy: Show up in hearings if you’ve nothing to hide | Gabriel Pabico Lalu | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 20:28:16 PST | Apollo Quiboloy
Apollo Quiboloy
MANILA, Philippines — A House lawmaker from Mindanao has called on Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) founder and leader Apollo Quiboloy to attend hearings conducted by congressional panels if he has nothing to hide from the public.
During the press briefing on Wednesday, Davao Oriental 2nd District Rep. Cheeno Miguel Almario said that while he is not a member of the House committee on legislative franchises, he understands why the panel issued a subpoena against Quiboloy.
Quiboloy is being asked to attend the said panel’s hearing this March 12, to answer questions regarding his alleged involvement in Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) ownership structure.
“I’m not a member of the committee, but looking at it at least from my perspective personally, there is a process to everything. And although we here, and it is also greatly recognized from the words of our former President to Pastor Quibuloy there are things that we also have to consider in terms of at least how we go through the process,” Almario told reporters at the House complex.
“Now we cannot deny that there is an ongoing subpoena, that there are ideas being bounced off, but the thing is you know, quite frankly speaking, if you have nothing to hide, then you have nothing to fear,” he added.
According to Almario, there is a logic behind a House panel’s decision to summon resource persons — it is also meant to give people a chance to air their side and defend themselves.
“And we just really want to present also — well not we, but I guess in the nature of our jobs, when we issue subpoenas, when we try to call also guest speakers, resource persons, we also want to hear from their side, so that we can have a better understanding on how to move forward with the things that we are trying to achieve, or we are trying to understand,” he said.
“So I guess, to put it simply, for this to be smooth sailing, there should be a transparent submission of information, at least one that is required by the Senate in this case, or in any matter,” he added.
Mandaluyong City Rep. Neptali Gonzales II meanwhile clarified that a subpoena is only an invite. However, the lawmaker also noted that the committee is entitled to act in accordance with the actions taken by the invited resource person.
“You know, a subpoena is just an invitation. It’s akin to filing a complaint to the fiscal, you will be subpoenaed to give you an opportunity to answer. If the subpoena is received and you don’t want to answer, it doesn’t mean that the fiscal has no right to make a resolution, you are just given an opportunity to answer […] If the legislative franchise issued a subpoena to him to appear, it’s an invitation,” Gonzales said.
“If he wants to attend, he can attend to air his side. If he doesn’t want to attend, then the committee is not without authority to decide the issue even without his testimony,” he added.
The House committee issued a subpoena against Quiboloy last February 19, for him to clear the ownership issue, as he has continuously evaded the hearings. SMNI has been linked to Quiboloy, although company officials have denied accusations that the pastor is involved in the network’s operations.
READ: House summons Quiboloy to panel hearing on SMNI franchise
Originally, the panel conducted hearings about SMNI after Laban Kasama ng Bayan host Jeffrey Celiz made false claims about Romualdez’ travel expenses on air. However, the hearings led to the discovery of possible franchise violations.
According to Surigao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel, they are looking at three possible violations of SMNI’s franchise:
READ: Surigao lawmaker wants SMNI franchise revoked amid violations
It was also Pimentel who moved that a subpoena be issued against Quiboloy, after Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas complained that the KJC leader has been absent for several times.
Brosas asked SMNI legal counsel Mark Tolentino as to why Quiboloy was getting preferential treatment from SMNI hosts if the pastor was not part of the network’s day-to-day operations.
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Tolentino said thanking Quiboloy was the prerogative of the hosts and was part of their free speech.
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Philippine Navy to commission 2 more missile-mountable gunboats | John Eric Mendoza | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 18:59:46 PST | Photo from Philippine Navy/FACEBOOK
Photo from Philippine Navy/FACEBOOK
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy will commission two additional Israeli-made gunboats designed to mount missiles in March, according to its spokesperson.
“The Philippine Navy is scheduled to commission two more fast attack interdiction craft missiles this coming March,” said Navy Spokesperson Commander John Percie Alcos in a regular briefing in Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday.
Capable of delivering precision strikes thanks to its remote stabilized weapons and short-range missiles, the 32-meter long FAIC platforms are still in the East Commodore Posadas Wharf in Cavite City for mandatory enhancement and maintenance.
Alcos said the acquisition of FAICs “is geared towards further developing the Navy’s capability to support the range of missions that different unified commands are mandated to undertake.”
The Navy’s fifth and sixth gunboats are expected to be commissioned under hull numbers PG906 and PG907, joining the other four which are under the Philippine Fleet’s Littoral Combat Force.
The Acero-class patrol vessels were also named under Medal of Valor awardees, and the newest patrol vessels could also follow the pattern of being named after the recipients of the highest military honor.
In total, the government acquired nine FAIC platforms from Israel, with the remaining three still being manufactured.
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LIVE UPDATES: UAAP Season 86 volleyball February 28 | INQUIRER.net | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 12:42:15 PST | 10am– NU Bulldogs vs Adamson Falcons (men’s)
12nn– Ateneo Blue Eagles vs UP Fighting Maroons (men’s)
2pm–NU Lady Bulldogs vs Adamson Lady Falcons (women’s)
4pm–Ateneo Blue Eagles vs UP Fighting Maroon (women’s)
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Alyssa Solomon and the NU Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Alyssa Solomon is happy her team is rediscovering its touch after the NU Lady Bulldogs strung two straight victories in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament despite their slow starts.FEATURED STORIES
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After losing to UST and being forced to a five-setter by the rebuilding Ateneo last week, the Lady Bulldogs showed flashes of their lethal form in sweeping Adamson Lady Falcons, 25-17, 25-20, 25-20, on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Lyann De Guzman and the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines —With her former coach on the other side of the court, Lyann De Guzman stayed focused on leading Ateneo past Oliver Almadro and University of the Philippines on Wednesday.
De Guzman dropped a career-high 24 points, 18 excellent receptions, and 11 digs to lift the Blue Eagles to a come-from-behind 22-25, 20-25, 25-22, 25-17, 15-9 against Almadro and the Fighting Maroons.
Lyann De Guzman and the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Ateneo pulled off the biggest comeback of the season so far by reversing University of the Philippines, 22-25, 20-25, 25-22, 25-17,15-9, on Wednesday night at the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball.
On the brink of another meltdown, the Blue Eagles snatched their first victory from the jaws of defeat after riding on the heroics of Lyann De Guzman and Sophia Buena in the last three sets.
WATCH: Ateneo coach Sergio Veloso, Lyann De Guzman, and Sobe Buena on getting their first win. #UAAPSeason86 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/Ky0220sptp
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— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 28, 2024
FINAL: The Ateneo Blue Eagles (1-2) complete a come-from-behind win over their former coach Oliver Almadro and the UP Fighting Maroons (0-3). #UAAPSeason86 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/glOBhgy90i
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 28, 2024
Ateneo earns its first win! #UAAPSeason86 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/PInupY0J5q
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 28, 2024
END OF SET 4: Ateneo 25, UP 17
The Blue Eagles force a decider. #UAAPSeason86 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/WzaNSRgIOX
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 28, 2024
END OF SET 3: Ateneo 25, UP 22
Lyann De Guzman with a clutch kill to extend the match for Ateneo. #UAAPSeason86 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/aC2kzTXVhp
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 28, 2024
END OF SET 2: UP 25, Ateneo 20
The Fighting Maroons inch closer to their first win with a two-set advantage. #UAAPSeason86 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/1wsH1L0jvM
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 28, 2024
END OF SET 1: UP 25, Ateneo 22#UAAPSeason86 @inquirerdotnet
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 28, 2024
NU Lady Bulldogs (2-1) beats Adamson Lady Falcons (1-2), 25-17, 25-20, 25-20, to earn its second straight victory in UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball. Photos: Marlo Cueto | INQUIRER.net
#UAAPSeason86
Posted by Inquirer Sports on Wednesday, February 28, 2024
NU Lady Bulldogs’ Sheena Toring in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Sheena Toring made sure she’s a student first and an athlete second.
Amid National University’s redemption tour in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament, Toring has also been focused on completing her thesis.
Alyssa Solomon and the NU Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–The National University Lady Bulldogs felt their egos got deflated despite clipping the Ateneo Blue Eagles’ wings in a five-setter.
The Lady Bulldogs wasted no time redeeming themselves four days later by devouring the Adamson Lady Falcons, 25-17, 25-20, 25-20, in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.
Alyssa Solomon pummeled the other side of the floor without mercy with 14 attacks out of her game-high 17 points while Bella Belen was just as superb in imposing herself with 15 kills as NU registered a second straight win in three games.
NU coach Norman Miguel, Alyssa Solomon, and Sheena Toring on their second straight win. #UAAPSeason86 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/uT38kzCPeu
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 28, 2024
Sheena Toring on playing at the Big Dome after her injury last year.
Alyssa Solomon on addressing their slow start. #UAAPSeason86 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/QV1tBt3O8J
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 28, 2024
Bella Belen with a match-clinching hit. #UAAPSeason86 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/ot0tlrLk9u
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 28, 2024
FINAL: NU (2-1) beats Adamson (1-2), 25-17, 25-20, 25-20, to earn its second straight victory. #UAAPSeason86 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/Yoga2Q2fEE
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 28, 2024
END OF SET 2: NU 25, Adamson 20
Bella Belen gives the Lady Bulldogs a commanding 2-0 lead. #UAAPSeason86 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/XTVq8bLpn9
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 28, 2024
END OF SET 1: NU 25, Adamson 17#UAAPSeason86 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/tupHD5ZaT8
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 28, 2024
NU Bulldogs.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Defending champion National University needed to recover from a second set loss before taking down Adamson, 25-19, 25-27, 25-21, 25-18, to earn its second straight win in the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Bulldogs leaned on the versatile showing of Nico Almendras and Jade Disquitado with the graduating spiker leading the way with 23 points and 19 excellent receptions while the rookie delivered 21 points and 11 receptions.
After losing to the University of Santo Tomas last week, NU forced a four-way tie in the second place with the former, La Salle, and Ateneo, which swept the University of the Philippines, 25-19, 25-16, 25-23, in the second game.
Ateneo coach Timmy Sto. Tomas and Jan Mangulabnan on their second win. #UAAPSeason86 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/sGYnlGMZvS
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 28, 2024
FINAL: Ateneo (2-1) sweeps UP (0-3), 25-19, 25-16, 25-23, in the #UAAPSeason86 men’s volleyball tournament. | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/OBwrBVlj6w
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 28, 2024
NU coach Dante Alinsunurin and Joshua Retamar after their second win in the #UAAPSeason86 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/pgVwsDRXcZ
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 28, 2024
FINAL: Defending champion NU (2-1) beats Adamson (1-2), 25-19, 25-27, 25-21, 25-18, for its second straight win in the #UAAPSeason86 men’s volleyball tournament. | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/seu7dSGHoc
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 28, 2024
NU Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
National University (NU) coach Norman Miguel has watched his team lose in an upset to University of Santo Tomas (UST) and struggle to get a win against a rebuilding Ateneo
He didn’t bother getting too technical about what needs to be done against Adamson. “Work twice as hard [with our] blocking, passing and floor defense,” he said.
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Investors await fresh catalysts | Miguel R. Camus | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 02:02:00 PST | MANILA, Philippines -The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) lingered below the 6,900 level as investors waited for further market catalysts while regional markets were mixed.
The PSEi slipped 1.45 percent, or 30.82 points, to 6,860.67 while the broader All Shares Index was down 0.48 percent, or 17.4 points, to 3,583.09.
READ: Asian shares mixed after Wall Street edges back from recent highs
A total of 577.04 million shares valued at P5.66 billion changed hands while foreigners were net buyers to the tune of P77.08 million, data from the stock exchange showed. Meanwhile, most PSE subsectors slumped, led by mining and oil (1.92 percent), property (-1.28 percent), financials (-1.16 percent) and holding firms (-0.49 percent).
Services and industrial added 1.12 percent and 0.05 percent, respectively.
BDO Unibank, the most actively traded stock, shed 3.81 percent to P143.80 per share. It earlier reported a 2023 profit of P73.4 billion—the highest ever by the bank and by a Philippine corporation to date. INQ
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Negros Occidental bans entry of pigs, pork products from areas with ASF | Carla Gomez | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 12:24:38 PST | INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has issued an executive order that bans the entry into Negros Occidental all pigs, boar semen and pork products from areas with reported cases of African swine fever (ASF).
The order is meant to protect and enable the hog industry in the province to recover.
The directive was released on Monday, February 26.
It prohibits the identified items from Bacolod city, Negros Oriental, Luzon, Mindanao, Eastern Visayas, Panay Island, Guimaras Island, Cebu province, Camotes Island and Bantayan Island.
The entry of the same commodities is also banned if they come from countries affected by ASF, as declared by Department of Agriculture (DA).
Exempted from the order are processed pork products that are fully cooked.
Samples are hams, sausages, hotdogs, canned goods, pork chicharon and pork-based seasonings.
The exempted items must be sourced from meat establishments with Certificates of Compliance to the ASF Public-Private Audit.
According to National Meat Inspection Service, ASF is a highly contagious viral disease that affects pigs, warthogs and boars.
It causes pigs to have high fever and lose their appetite, and results in hemorrhages in skin and internal organs.
Pigs die in a span of two to 10 days upon affliction.
There is no known vaccine against ASF yet.
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Health officials reiterated ASF does not pose any threats to humans and that other pork products from infected areas are safe to eat.
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Ayala Land’s Cresendo: North’s gateway to growth comes to life | Philippine Daily Inquirer | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 06:00:16 PST | Written by: Amy R. Remo
Excitement builds for this emerging estate in the north as it unveiled new developments that will, this early, cement its position as a premier destination for contemporary urban living.
Cresendo, Ayala Land’s expansive 290-hectare masterplanned estate in Tarlac, is cementing its position as a premier destination for contemporary urban living
Cresendo, Ayala Land’s expansive 290-hectare masterplanned estate in Tarlac, is rapidly gaining momentum as it continues to attract strong interest from businesses and investors amid the ongoing turnover of its commercial and industrial lots, the debut of its inaugural locator, the successful hosting of various community events, and the introduction of fresh offerings. Each milestone reached came with the promise of potential, foretelling a vibrant future for those who will soon be part of this burgeoning estate.
Significant milestones
Last year, in particular, saw several significant milestones being achieved in Cresendo.
For one, AyalaLand Estates completed the fully sold out 32-ha Cresendo Industrial Park, enabling it to commence the turnover of lots to locators as early as June. Hosting light to medium industrial locators, this park is expected to generate about 2,000 jobs at full build.
Phase 1 of the 47-ha Cresendo Downtown, the community’s commercial core, was completed in December last year. This prompted turnover of lots to commercial investors.
AyalaLand Estates brought to life its shophouse concept with the completion of Cresendo’s shophouse model unit.
Ayala Land is skillfully integrating the traditional shophouse, considered a heritage architectural icon in Southeast Asian cities, in Cresendo. Given the flexibility in use, strong investment potential, and community integration, shophouses are cost-efficient, and offer a practical approach to the live and work concept. It highlights business inclusivity as it allows smaller industries to be part of the Cresendo development.
These commercial and shophouse lots have drawn such strong interest that AyalaLand Estates offered in September fresh inventory under Phase 3, valued at P4.4 billion.
Retail, amenity selections
Complementing Cresendo’s shophouse lot offering are 2,000 sqm of leasable retail spaces for various uses such as offices, dormitory, and the “one-stop-shop” of the city government of Tarlac. Already completed are the flower farm and the 2-ha multipurpose ground that now serves as a civic space within the estate.
In December, Cresendo saw the opening of its first locator, McDonald’s, with its flagship “Green and Good” store. Its design integrates environment-friendly building features, systems and practices.
Cresendo will have an operational MerryMart, a full-sized supermarket carrying a full line of grocery, pharmacy, personal care and other essential products
By the second quarter this year, Cresendo will have an operational MerryMart, a full-sized supermarket carrying a full line of grocery, pharmacy, personal care and other essential products.
Soon, more businesses are set to find a home in Cresendo, all poised to provide fresh retail and dining concepts in Tarlac while generating jobs and helping accelerate growth in the city.
The opening of pioneer locators has spurred strong interest in retail. AyalaLand Estates is currently negotiating with other potential locators including national players.
For the coming school year 2024-2025, Don Bosco, one of the country’s premier educational institutions, will start accepting 800 senior high school students who will occupy the first school building completed within this estate.
Nurturing community bonds
As Cresendo continues to take shape, AyalaLand Estates is also hosting an array of community gatherings and diverse activities that can cultivate social ties and strengthen community bonds.
Don Bosco and MerryMart Grocery are set to start operations this year
Last month, Cresendo hosted TakboJuan, a fun run event for the Don Bosco and Salesian Community, which gathered about 2,500 students, parents, faculty and Salesians. A Christian Mass, zumba, a tree planting activity, as well as the blessing of Don Bosco’s Senior High School building also took place.
Ayala Land is skillfully integrating the traditional shophouse in Cresendo
This 2024, AyalaLand Estates will be holding even more onground events catering to diverse hobbies, interests and passions. The public can thus look forward to an outdoor movie night, a football meet, concerts, trade fairs, a banchetto or food bazaar, a car meet and even a Flores de Mayo. Come Christmastime, Cresendo will have a Belenismo and Simbang Gabi.
To further support this growth, Ayala Land has commenced planning of the transport terminal in Cresendo to ensure ease of access and connectivity.
Indeed, all these developments underscore the many exciting prospects on the horizon, signaling a tremendous potential fueled by businesses and investors who have embraced the vision of such a promising estate that is Cresendo.
ADVT.
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Eumir Marcial slated to fight Thai amid Olympic preparations | June Navarro | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 04:15:00 PST | Filipino boxer Eumir Marcial during the 2023 Asian Games send off ceremony. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Filipino boxer Eumir Marcial during the 2023 Asian Games send off ceremony. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Eumir Marcial gets to show off his flair and power in front of fellow Filipinos before turning his focus on the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
On Tuesday, MP Promotions confirmed Marcial’s upcoming brawl with Thailand’s Thoedsak Sinam on March 23 at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
“Just like the rest of Filipinos around the country, I’m very excited to spearhead a fight for Eumir here in the Philippines, so everybody will get a chance to see him before the Paris Olympics,” said Manny Pacquiao.
The owner of MP Promotions and former eight-division world champion spearheaded the effort in making the fight a reality as Marcial aims to finally seize the gold medal in what could possibly be his last Olympics.
The 28-year-old slugger from Zamboanga City claimed a bronze medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as a middleweight.
Since his weight class has been scrubbed off the Paris program, Marcial will be wearing his gloves as a light heavyweight.
MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons said the fight will set the tone for Marcial heading to the Olympics set in July.
“Everybody wants to see their fellow [Filipino] Eumir, a big boxer fighting for them for free. This fight will serve as a good fitting send-off heading to his Olympic campaign. Everybody will be there too,” said Gibbons. “This is for the people.”
According to Gibbons, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chair Richard Bachmann, PSC Commissioners Walter Torres, Fritz Gaston, Olivia “Bong” Coo and Edward Hayco and PSC executive director Paulo Tatad have been invited to witness the fight.
“We are so thankful to these people for making this fight possible and for helping not only Marcial, but also the rest of the other Filipino athletes to achieve their dreams,” said Gibbons. “The POC and the PSC salute to them for helping the athletes like Eumir.”
Marcial is deep in training with sparring sessions in Las Vegas under coach Kay Koroma, who molded several amateur boxers who saw action in the Olympics since the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Games.
Sinam is sporting a 23-13 record with 19 knockouts while Marcial remains undefeated after four fights, two of them by knockouts.
After the fight, Marcial will return to the US to continue preparing for Paris.
“He has a great time training and sparring in the US with coach Kay. We have to remember that we’re not going to send him to war just yet, but to showcase his skills for the people,” said Gibbons.
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Marcial clinched his ticket to the French capital after claiming a silver medal in the light heavy division at the 19th Hangzhou Asian Games last year. INQ
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Fire hits Tandang Sora in Quezon City | Zeus Legaspi | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 12:16:46 PST | INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Fire hit a residential area in Barangay Tandang Sora, Quezon City, on Wednesday morning.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the blaze at Janet Extension Corner M. Aquino Street reached the 1st alarm at 11:06 a.m.
A few minutes later, at 11:31 a.m., the fire was raised to 2nd alarm until it eventually reached the third alarm at 11:34 a.m.
Meanwhile, Volunteer group Txtfire Philippines said the situation was declared under control at 12:09 p.m.
“Fire out” was determined at 1:23 p.m.
No injuries or fatalities occurred as a result of the blaze.
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Over 12,000 students are ineligible DepEd voucher grantees — PEAC | Zacarian Sarao | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 13:36:57 PST | MANILA, Philippines — A total of 12,675 students have been found to be ineligible grantees in the Department of Education’s (DepEd) voucher program as of school year 2022 to 2023, said the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC) on Wednesday.
PEAC executive director Rhodora Ferrer bared the data after Senator Raffy Tulfo inquired about “ghost” beneficiaries of the DepEd’s voucher program during a Senate committee on basic education and committee on finance joint hearing.
According to Ferrer, aside from the 12,675 students recorded to have had issues in DepEd’s voucher program from 2021 to 2023, 588 students also had issues in DepEd’s Educational Service Contracting (ESC).
“’Yung mga eskwelahan na may issues from SY 2020-2021 to 2022-2023 so this covers three school years — sa voucher program, 12,675. Sa ESC, 588,” said Ferrer during the hearing.
(The schools facing issues from the school year 2020-2021 to 2022-2023, covering three school years, amount to 12,675 in the voucher program and 588 in the ESC.)
When Tulfo asked for clarification on whether Ferrer was referring to the number of students, Ferrer responded with a yes.
The DepEd’s voucher program or the Senior High School Voucher Program allows the department to shoulder the costs of schooling for senior high students by providing subsidies in the form of vouchers to qualified learners in participating SHS.
DepEd implemented the program in an effort to allow increased access to SHS education, especially for the marginalized.
READ: DepEd opens voucher program for senior high school students
But Ferrer noted that some of these cases are mere “clerical issues,” which result in schools giving back the funding to DepEd due to ineligible beneficiary students.
“‘Yung ibang issues dito clerical, because this is spread over several schools. Merong mga eskwelahan na high performing,” explained Ferrer.
(Some issues here are clerical, as they are spread across multiple schools. Some schools are high-performing.)
Such clerical issues pertain to students being declared voucher recipients even if they did not apply for the grant.
“Isa sa pinakamalaking naging concern natin is ‘yung mga ALS (Alternative Learning System) completers na nagiging voucher recipients, dahil dinedeklara silang voucher-eligible … ngunit hindi sila pumasok sa voucher application which ‘yung tamang guideline,” said Ferrer.
(One of our major concerns is the ALS completers who become voucher recipients because they were declared voucher-eligible but did not participate in the voucher application as per the correct guidelines.)
“In other words, kung ALS completer ka, hindi ka automatically eligible, dapat nag-apply ka. Kaso hindi sila nag-apply,” she added.
(In other words, being an ALS completer doesn’t automatically make you eligible; you must apply. However, they did not apply.)
However, if there were over 10 students with such instances in a specific school, Ferrer explained that it would be deemed intentional and beyond a mere clerical matter.
“Kung mahigit sampu ‘yan per school (if it exceeds ten for each school), we move towards suspension,” said Ferrer.
When asked by Tulfo how much has been refunded so far by the schools to the DepEd due to the said issues, Ferrer responded that P239 million of around P300 million remain unrefunded from SY 2022 to 2023.
On the other hand, 32 voucher-participating schools so far are recommended for termination from the program, with DepEd and PEAC vowing to complete the refunds and investigations before the opening of classes for SY 2024 to 2025.
READ: A puzzler in DepEd’s voucher program
Tulfo then pointed out the sluggish progress in addressing the problem.
“Kung titignan natin ang figure sa P300 million na original amount, at ang collected ay P239, medyo mabagal po ata ang collection?” said Tulfo.
(If we look at the figures, with the original amount at P300 million and the collected amount at P239 million, it seems that the collection process may be somewhat slow.)
“Ang gusto natin dito ay mapabilis po ‘yung pagtapos ng investigation at para [makuha] na ‘yung pera na napunta sa eskwelahan na hindi dapat,” he added.
(We aim to expedite the investigation’s completion and retrieve the funds that shouldn’t have gone to schools, hastening the resolution.)
For her part, Ferrer committed to accelerating the process of collecting the funds.
The official said that to avoid such cases from happening again, PEAC started requiring schools to submit documents accepting their billing request for the program for DepEd to validate the list of students before releasing the program funds.
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Drought may hit 30 areas in March due to El Niño – Pagasa | Faith Argosino | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 21:22:31 PST | File photo of a fair warm weather
File photo of a fair warm weather
MANILA, Philippines — Drought may strike thirty areas nationwide by the end of March due to El Niño phenomenon, according to an official of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
During the House committee on agriculture’s hearing on Wednesday, Pagasa’s Climatology and Agrometeorology Division Officer-in-Charge Ana Liza Solis reported that 25 areas in Luzon and five in Visayas may experience drought by the end of March.
Based on her presentation, drought is forecast in the following areas since they have experienced way below normal rainfall conditions over the past months (October 2023 to February 2024).
Drought is experienced in areas with three consecutive months of below normal rainfall condition or greater than 60 percent reduction from average rainfall.
Metro Manila is among the areas she mentioned that may have drought in Luzon, as well as Abra, Apayao, Aurora, Bataan, Benguet, Cagayan, Cavite, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Kalinga, La Union, Laguna, Mountain Province, Nueva Ecija, Vizcaya, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Pangasinan, Quirino, Rizal and Zambales.
In the Visayas, drought may hit Antique, Guimaras, Iloilo, Leyte, and Negros Occidentaal, Solid added.
Aside from drought, she added that “dry condition,” or two consecutive months of below-average rainfall conditions, may prevail in 16 provinces and areas nationwide, while a “dry spell,” or three consecutive months below regular rainfall occurrences, is expected in 24 areas across the country.
The areas and provinces that would likely experience “dry condition” and “dry spell” by the end of March are as follows:
Luzon
Visayas
Mindanao
Luzon
Visayas
Mindanao
Solis, however, explained that this forecast may change by the end of February with more areas possibly joining the original list.
According to the Department of Agriculture (DA) latest bulletin, the dry spell’s damage to the crop sector has spiked from P151.3 million to P357.4 million as of February 24.
It added that the El Niño phenomenon affected 7,668 farmers inthe Ilocos, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan), Western Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula regions.
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Marcos: Conclusion on PhilHealth contribution hike coming ‘very soon’ | Jean Mangaluz | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 09:31:46 PST | President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. answers questions in an ambush interview at Villamor Airbase in Pasay City on February 28, 2024. (Photo by JEAN MANGALUZ / INQUIRER.net)
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. answers questions in an ambush interview at Villamor Airbase in Pasay City on February 28, 2024. (Photo by JEAN MANGALUZ / INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said that the review of the increased PhilHealth contribution is still ongoing but a conclusion is coming soon.
PhilHealth contributions have increased from 4 percent to 5 percent of the employee’s monthly salary in 2024. Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa has asked Marcos to suspend the hike, as Philhealth had enough money to give benefits.
READ: Marcos wants PhilHealth to prove bigger contributions mean more benefits
“If there are any benefits, if we can justify the increase. Then we’ll do it, but if not, we won’t. It is that simple. It’s just a very straightforward cause-benefit analysis. We’re still under study, but we’ll conclude very, very soon,” Marcos said, speaking partly in Filipino, in an ambush interview before leaving for Australia.
PhilHealth chief Emmanuel Ledesma previously stated that the Palace has no objections to the impending increase.
READ: Palace didn’t object to hike in premium, says PhilHealth chief
However, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil noted that the review for a possible suspension is ongoing.
Marcos has repeatedly stated that if PhilHealth could justify its increase through its services, there is no reason to suspend it.
“PhilHealth has been expanding its services and trying to reach more people, trying to engage more people,” Marcos said.
READ: Herbosa: PhilHealth has enough money, premium hike delay won’t hurt
Herbosa said that he saw nothing wrong with delaying the contribution hike further.
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“My position is I think PhilHealth has enough money to actually continue to give benefits. It will not be hurt by delaying the increase in premium,” Herbosa said.
PhilHealth contribution hikes are meant to increase yearly from 2019 until they reach 5 percent under the Universal Health Care Law. The increases were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the hikes have now begun in 2024.
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Adiong vows no repeat of Marawi siege as gov’t pursues Maute remnants | Gabriel Pabico Lalu | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 00:39:01 PST | CITY IN RUINS In this photo taken on Oct. 8, 2017, soldiers patrol a section of the city center of Marawi as government forces continue to battle members of Islamic State-linked groups that laid siege to the provincial capital of Lanao del Sur. —JEOFFREY MAITEM
CITY IN RUINS In this photo taken on Oct. 8, 2017, soldiers patrol a section of the city center of Marawi as government forces continue to battle members of Islamic State-linked groups that laid siege to the provincial capital of Lanao del Sur. —JEOFFREY MAITEM
MANILA, Philippines — Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong has assured the public that there would be no repeat of the Marawi siege despite an incident between Maute group remnants and the military, saying that government forces and local governments are actively pursuing the terrorists.
Adiong in a briefing on Tuesday explained that the support of local government units (LGUs) is crucial to law enforcement agencies and military institutions tracking down Maute Group fighters involved in the recent clash with the military.
Six Scout Rangers and three alleged fighters of the Daulah Islamiyah-Maute Group (DI-MG) were killed in an encounter in Lanao del Norte’s Munai town last February 25, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said.
READ: 6 soldiers killed in clash with terrorists in Lanao
“With the support of the LGUs, we’ve seen how we were able to liberate Marawi City. And I don’t see any reason why the same problem again may pop up in the future,” Adiong, who chairs the Ad Hoc Committee on Marawi Rehabilitation and Victims Compensation, told reporters at the House complex.
The lawmaker also said that the best way to deter public fear about the incident is to show that the government is in control of the situation — which happened as Brawner himself visited the area.
“I saw that after what happened in Lanao del Norte, the chief-of-staff himself went there to condole bereaved families. And then there are additional deployments in the area to secure it. Because the military and the police, they already have an idea as to where the remnants would run towards,” Adiong said.
“That’s why it’s important, based on our experience, is the engagement of our security sector with the LGUs down to the barangays. We need to have a stronger presence there and the intelligence gathering is of prime importance. Because if we have a good intelligence gathering and we get correct intel, resources are not wasted,” he added.
Reports from the Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry Division (1ID) stated that troops of the scout platoon of the 44th Infantry Battalion were on a military operation when they encountered DI-MG
After a two-hour gunfight, the terrorists withdrew toward the direction of Lanao del Sur province. Five soldiers were left wounded.
READ: Six soldiers, three Maute fighters killed in Lanao del Norte clash
The Maute Group is the same organization that laid Marawi City — a vibrant Islamic City which is the capital of Lanao del Sur — to siege. Intense fighting between military forces and Maute members lasted for five months, but left a large-scale humanitarian crisis with over 300,000 residents displaced.
READ: 4 years after siege, Marawi folk desperate to trek back home
Despite the affiliation with Maute, Adiong said the recent clash between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the DI-MG might be an isolated incident.
“If you go anywhere in Mindanao, all areas in Mindanao, okay naman…relatively peaceful,” he expressed. “And there’s an ongoing military operation against the remnants. Remember, ISIS, it’s not a homegrown terrorist organization. This is an imported ideology.”
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“That’s why we can see even if the 2017 Marawi siege is finished they are still there. Because they’ve been, you know, I don’t know how the military is handling this but I’m pretty sure they know exactly how the funds are coming in,” he added. With reports from Barbara Gutierrez, INQUIRER.net intern
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BOC: P76-M marijuana from Thailand seized | Gabriel Pabico Lalu | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 15:49:01 PST | (Bureau of Customs – Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service)
(Bureau of Customs – Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service)
MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) intercepted an estimated P76 million worth of dried marijuana leaves inside “balikbayan” boxes from Thailand.
“Based on the information we received, the alert order was issued against this shipment because of the suspected presence of illegal drugs. We found around 12 kilos of marijuana per balikbayan box during the inspection,” BOC-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service Director Verne Enciso said in a statement.
According to BOC, the shipment was consigned to Marcelo D. Laylo Cargo Forwarders, and was sent to an individual from Cavite.
It was originally declared as consolidated balikbayan boxes/personal effects from Thailand.
The boxes and the containers were examined by the assigned Customs examiner and witnessed by the CIIS, BOC’s Enforcement and Security Service, Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force, the Philippine Coast Guard, Environmental Protection and Compliance Division, Office of the District Collector, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Juvymax Uy said the BOC is now in the process of preparing supporting documents to track the individuals involved in the shipment.
“We are preparing the necessary documents to start looking into these individuals. Stopping the entry of these shipments into the country is one thing, but the bigger part of the operation is making sure someone is held accountable for such activity,” Uy said.
“The successful interdiction of illegal narcotics from entering our borders was possible because our officers continue to exhibit their experiences combined with the technology we now have. This operation shows our commitment to keeping illegal drugs off our communities because protecting the people is our duty,” BOC Commissioner Bien Rubio said.
BOC said the consignees, senders, and recipients of the balikbayan boxes will possibly face charges for violating Section 118 (Prohibited Importation and Exportation) and Section 1400 (Misdeclaration) in relation to Section 1113 of Republic Act No. 10863 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and other provisions of Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002). (With reports from Barbara Gutierrez, INQUIRER.net intern)
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Teves on Interpol red notice, target of global manhunt — DOJ | Tetch Torres-Tupas | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 20:04:10 PST | MANILA, Philippines – Former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. is currently the target of an international manhunt following his inclusion in the red notice system of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL).
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday confirmed that Teves is already included in Interpol’s Red Notice System.
An INTERPOL Red Notice is a global alert to locate and provisionally detain a person awaiting extradition or similar legal acNtion based on a valid arrest warrant from the requesting country.
“With more than 190 member countries, INTERPOL ensures the broad distribution of these notices, which are also accessible to international entities like the United Nations and International Criminal Court for arresting fugitives and conducting investigations,” the Department of Justice said in a statement.
Teves is accused of masterminding the killing of then Governor Roel Degamo and nine others in Pamplona, Negros Oriental, on March 4, 2023, which also resulted in numerous injuries.
Teves is also facing cases related to the death of three individuals from March to June 2019 in Negros Oriental, violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and violations of the Law on Explosives following the discovery of high-caliber weapons and ammunition in his family’s compound.
On July 26, 2023, the ATC designated Teves Jr. and his affiliated armed group as a terrorist organization, identifying both the group and its members as terrorist entities.
Remulla also announced that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) had officially canceled Teves’ passport.
However, the DOJ admitted that they remain uncertain when the government would be able to bring Teves back to the country.
“We have to be patient. We will just have to wait. It’s difficult to give an estimate as to when…We’ll go through the process. We won’t stop working here. We will continue our work, so just give us more time,” Remulla said.
Remulla said officials of the justice department and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) are now studying the possibility of sending a team to Timor Leste to implement the arrest warrant issued by a local court against Teves through Interpol’s red notice.
Remulla said Teves is in Timor Leste.
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Asian stocks lower after Wall Street holds steady near record highs | Associated Press | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 17:06:59 PST | Currency traders work at the foreign exchange dealing room of the KEB Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024. Asian markets were mostly lower on Wednesday after U.S. stocks held near their record levels in a quiet day of trading.(AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Currency traders work at the foreign exchange dealing room of the KEB Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024. Asian markets were mostly lower on Wednesday after U.S. stocks held near their record levels in a quiet day of trading.(AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
HONG KONG —Asian markets were mostly lower on Wednesday after U.S. stocks held near their record levels in a quiet day of trading.
U.S. futures and oil prices fell.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 edged 0.3 percent lower to 39,173.50.
Shares in Hong Kong and Shanghai sank after the territory’s financial chief announced a budget aimed at boosting tourism and the property industry. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong slipped 1.4 percent to 16,562.96, while the Shanghai Composite sank 1.9 percent to 2,957.85.
China’s largest private property developer, Country Garden, said Wednesday that it is facing a liquidation petition after failing to repay a term loan facility worth 1.6 billion Hong Kong dollars ($204.5 million). The first hearing in the case is scheduled for May 17.
The move comes after China Evergrande, the world’s most heavily indebted real estate developer, was ordered to undergo liquidation following a failed effort to restructure $300 billion in late January.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was little changed at 7,660.40 after the Australian Bureau of Statistics said Wednesday the country’s inflation rate held at a two-year low in January, triggering hopes that the Reserve Bank may cut its benchmark interest rate.
South Korea’s Kospi gained 1 percent to 2,652.29, while Thailand’s SET was down 0.6 percent.
On Tuesday, the S&P 500 added 0.2 percent, to 5,078.18 and was just off its all-time high set last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.2 percent, to 38,972.41, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.4 percent to 16,035.30.
Macy’s climbed 3.4 percent after reporting better results for the latest quarter than feared. It also announced a sweeping reorganization as it tries to kickstart growth in revenue.
READ: Macy’s mulls closing San Francisco flagship
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings steamed 19.8 percent higher for the biggest gain in the S&P 500 after saying it’s seeing healthy demand from customers.
AutoZone revved 6.7 percent higher after reporting a stronger profit than expected. Much of its growth last quarter came from its stores in Mexico and Brazil.
Zoom Video Communications climbed after topping analysts’ forecasts for profit last quarter. It also announced a program to buy back up to $1.5 billion of its stock, which would send cash directly to shareholders.
Those winners helped offset a 1.5-percent drop for Chevron, one of the main reasons for the Dow Jones Industrial Average’s slide. The company warned that its pending takeover of Hess may be under threat.
Cryptocurrency prices have also been running higher. Bitcoin rose above $57,000 before edging back below the threshold and is up by roughly a third so far this year already.
READ: Bitcoin breaks $57,000 as big buyers circle
New exchange-traded funds that hold bitcoin have made investing in the cryptocurrency easier, while also driving business for Coinbase and others who safeguard those ETFs’ bitcoins. Coinbase rose 2.7 percent Tuesday to bring its gain for the year so far to 14.5 percent.
Earnings reporting season is winding down for the big companies in the S&P 500, and the hope is that a remarkably solid U.S. economy will help profits grow through this year.
A report in Tuesday morning showed orders for long-lasting manufactured goods were weaker last month than economists expected, but they were better than forecast after ignoring airplanes and other transportation items.
A separate report said that confidence among U.S. consumers unexpectedly slipped. Confidence had been on the upswing, and it’s a closely followed figure on Wall Street because spending by consumers makes up the bulk of the U.S. economy.
On the upside for investors, the report also showed that expectations for inflation among U.S. consumers ticked down a bit.
In other trading, U.S. benchmark crude oil lost 36 cents to $78.51 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude, the international standard, shed 35 cents to $82.31 per barrel.
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The U.S. dollar rose to 150.73 Japanese yen from 150.51 Japanese yen. The euro fell to $1.0821 from $1.0843.
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P125 per week discount for seniors’ grocery items takes effect in March | Gabriel Pabico Lalu | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 10:14:16 PST | Senior citizens wait for their turn to get their second booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine at a mall on May 20, 2022. (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ GRIG MONTEGRANDE)
Senior citizens wait for their turn to get their second booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine at a mall on May 20, 2022. (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ GRIG MONTEGRANDE)
MANILA, Philippines — The proposed increase in the discounts given to grocery purchases of senior citizens and persons with disability (PWDs) will take effect before March ends.
House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez gave the timeframe in a statement on Wednesday.
The Speaker has met with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) officials, including Undersecretary Carolina Sanchez.
Sanchez informed the House leader that DTI is amenable to requests for additional discounts for seniors and PWDs.
Currently, senior citizens and PWDs get a weekly grocery discount capped at P65.
The amount is based on the computation of a 5 percent discount for the maximum allowable purchase of P1,300.
Romualdez and other lawmakers have suggested that the maximum discountable amount should be increased to P2,500 for a P125 per week discount, or P500 per month.
“I am delighted to welcome the imminent implementation of increased discounts for our senior citizens and PWDs,” he said.
“This initiative to provide additional discounts for senior citizens and PWDs demonstrates the commitment of President Marcos to promoting inclusivity and social justice,” he added.
Meanwhile, while the consultation process is still ongoing, an inter-agency circular will be issued within March.
“We’re working so that the usual P65 per week discount for senior citizens and PWDs may be increased to P125,” Sanchez said.
“It’s a joint issuance between the DA (Department of Agriculture), DTI and the DOE (Department of Energy).”
On February 07, Romualdez said a technical working group was formed to study proposals to increase the discount hike.
The move comes after concerns were brought up during a House committee hearing on ways and means.
Zamboanga Sibugay 1st District Representative Wilter Palma relayed to the committee that while he and his wife were buying groceries in a mall near Fairview, Quezon City, he was surprised to learn that despite the massive cost of their purchases, the discount was capped at only P65.
It was then revealed that according to the Joint DTI-DA Administrative Order No. 10-02 series of 2010, seniors can avail of a special discount of 5 percent for their groceries, provided that the “total amount of said purchase shall not exceed the amount of P1,300 per calendar week.”
Committee chairperson and Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda suggested increasing the discounts.
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He said the maximum discountable amount per week of P1,300 set 20 years ago is already outdated.
Salceda said the P1,300 is now worth P2,526 — and 5 percent of P2,526 is P126.31.
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3 provinces challenge BARMM governance code | Edwin O. Fernandez | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 04:40:00 PST | Bai Mariam Mangudadatu Mamintal Adiong Jr. Abdusakur Tan —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
Bai Mariam Mangudadatu Mamintal Adiong Jr. Abdusakur Tan —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
COTABATO CITY—Three provincial governments in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have petitioned the Supreme Court to declare as “unconstitutional and invalid” the Bangsamoro Local Governance Code (BLGC), a landmark measure that attempts, among others, to curb political dynasties.
According to a news release of the BARMM Governors’ Caucus, the provincial governments of Sulu, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Sur filed the petition on Monday, in accordance with resolutions of their respective provincial legislatures.
Sulu was represented in the petition by Gov. Abdusakur Tan, Lanao del Sur by Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr., and Maguindanao del Sur by Gov. Bai Mariam Mangudadatu.
Joining them were the leagues of municipal mayors, councilors and barangay governments of the three provinces, represented in the suit by each bodies’ president.
READ: Opening up of BARMM to investments cheered
Tan, Adiong and Mangudadatu are convenors of the BARMM Governors’ Caucus that has evolved to be a counterforce to the current political dominance of the alliance of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in the interim regional government.
The MNLF and MILF have signed peace pacts with the government, in 1996 and 2014, respectively. The peace deal with the MILF led to the creation of BARMM in 2019.
Their petition claims that the BLGC is riddled with provisions that violate the Constitution, the country’s Local Government Code and the Bangsamoro Organic Law, including the laws on disciplining elected officials.
They argued that any provision in the BLGC that diminishes the rights and privileges of local governments under the Local Government Code and other national laws, is invalid.
Adiong was cited in the news release as saying that the petition seeks “to clarify the boundaries of power of the national, regional and local governments in the region.”
The BLGC is contained in the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 49 which was passed in September last year. It was signed into law by BARMM Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim and became effective upon publication on Dec. 26, 2023.
Hence, the petitioners asked the high court “for the immediate issuance of a status quo ante order, temporary restraining order and/or writ of preliminary injunction to stop the implementation of the BLGC.”
Mainly, the BLGC defines the relations between the regional government and its constituent local government units, giving the Chief Minister disciplining authority over local executives.
The petitioners questioned the disciplining authority of the BARMM chief minister, arguing that only the President is vested with the power of supervision over local governments.
Also, the petitioners questioned the power granted to the Chief Minister to appoint holders of vacant elective positions in the local governments, arguing that such authority also rests with the Philippine President.
The petitioners also took issue with the antidynasty provisions of the BLGC saying it is only the Congress that can do so. They argued that the BLGC is only “a subordinate law to the Local Government Code” hence cannot amend the latter’s provisions setting the qualifications of local elective officials.
The BLGC ensures a gradual devolution of authority to ensure a deliberate transfer of power as well as technical and financial capability at the local government level, mandating the Bangsamoro government to provide support to raise the capacity of local governments to make the necessary services available to the people.
To support this devolution of powers, the BLGC mandates sharing the regional government’s fiscal resources with local governments. Under the Code, constituent local government units shall receive 40 percent of the share of the Bangsamoro government in the national taxes, fees and charges collected in the Bangsamoro territorial jurisdiction.
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Also, 70 percent of the share of the Bangsamoro government in revenues from exploration, development and utilization of natural resources shall be apportioned to its constituent local government units, giving premium to the host locality. INQ
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Global rich keep luxury property prices rising as Manila, Dubai soar | Reuters | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 08:48:53 PST | A general view of Dubai’s cityscape September 25, 2013. A stampede by competing apartment buyers in Dubai this week may have obscured signs that Dubai’s latest real estate boom is more restrained than the last one, which pushed the government close to default. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Tags: REAL ESTATE BUSINESS CITYSCAPE)
A general view of Dubai’s cityscape September 25, 2013. A stampede by competing apartment buyers in Dubai this week may have obscured signs that Dubai’s latest real estate boom is more restrained than the last one, which pushed the government close to default. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Tags: REAL ESTATE BUSINESS CITYSCAPE)
LONDON — Luxury residential property bucked the trend of falling prices in 2023 and rose 3.1%, as double-digit gains in the likes of Manila and Dubai offset falls in New York and London, Knight Frank said on Wednesday.
A jump in borrowing costs, inflation and economic uncertainty hit property markets last year, causing a significant drop in transaction volumes.
That helped support prices of luxury properties, along with a rise in the portfolios of the rich as stock markets rebounded, according to property agents Knight Frank.
READ: OFWs seen keeping local property market hot despite steep loan rates
The Philippine capital, Manila, topped the list of 100 markets Knight Frank tracks, with prices jumping 26%, followed by Dubai at 15% and the Bahamas at 15%. Luxury prices in New York and London declined 2% in 2023 and are now 8% and 17% lower than their most recent peaks respectively, Knight Frank said in its flagship The Wealth Report.
“As wealth portfolios recovered in 2023, affluent buyers targeted residential property in the world’s luxury markets,” Liam Bailey, global head of research at Knight Frank, said in a statement.
Kate Everett-Allen, head of international residential and country research, noted that while “the pandemic-fuelled property boom was set to end in tears as borrowing costs hit 15-year highs”, there had been “a much softer landing” for prices.
READ: Navigating the future of Philippine real estate
Unlike residential markets, commercial real estate is having a tougher downturn, as the working from home trend pushes up vacancy rates and high borrowing costs hit the value of office blocks.
Global commercial real estate investment tumbled 46% in 2023 to $698 billion, driven by a pullback from U.S. investors, Knight Frank found.
Industrial and logistics beat offices to become the most invested sector for the first time on record, winning a share of a quarter of all global investment while the office market shrunk to a 22% share from 25% in 2022, Knight Frank said.
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Private real estate investors, the most active buyers in 2023, look set to increase their buying activity in 2024 as they seek to take advantage of “dislocation” in the market, the London-based agents said.
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No Chinese Navy ship seen in Scarborough Shoal’s territorial seas | John Eric Mendoza | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 15:56:39 PST | The side of the Scarborough Shoal as seen using a drone. Mother boats are anchored at the deeper part of the shoal while small boats can go across the coral reefs to catch fish inside. FILE PHOTO BY REM ZAMORA
The side of the Scarborough Shoal as seen using a drone. Mother boats are anchored at the deeper part of the shoal while small boats can go across the coral reefs to catch fish inside. FILE PHOTO BY REM ZAMORA
MANILA, Philippines — No Chinese Navy ship has been spotted inside the territorial sea of Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea as of Tuesday, according to a Philippine Navy official.
Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said no People’s Liberation Army-Navy ship was seen inside twelve nautical miles of the low-tide elevation also known as Bajo de Masinloc and Panatag Shoal.
“As of yesterday (Tuesday), that is the latest, there are no [PLA ships inside the 12 nautical miles],” Trinidad told reporters in a phone interview.
READ: Chinese aircraft spotted over Scarborough Shoal – Coast Guard
Trinidad made the statement after Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, noted the presence of three PLA-Navy warships within the vicinity of the Scarborough Shoal as observed by Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ BRP Datu Sanday when it was deployed in the area last Feb. 21.
However, Tarriela pointed out that these warships have maintained a distance of “more than 20 nautical miles away.”
READ: BFAR verifying Chinese fishers’ alleged cyanide use in Scarborough
“What we are concerned about is if the gray ship is now inside the 12 nautical miles,” Trinidad said, referring to Scarborough Shoal’s territorial seas.
While it never deployed its naval ships inside the 12 nautical miles of Scarborough Shoal, China seized control of its lagoon in 2012 following its Chinese coast guard’s standoff with Philippine vessels.
China asserts ownership in almost the entire South China Sea, which includes most of the West Philippine Sea.
READ: 2023: A look back at rising tension in West PH Sea
In 2013, the Philippines lodged a case against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands. Manila challenged China’s nine-dash line at the time and won a favorable ruling that invalidated Beijing’s claims in July 2016.
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The landmark decision also covered Scarborough Shoal, which it declared a traditional fishing ground that should be shared among neighboring countries.
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PBA: TNT slips past Rain or Shine in coach Chot Reyes’ return | Jonas Terrado | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 22:23:27 PST | TNT coach Chot Reyes in the PBA Philippine Cup. –PBA IMAGES
TNT coach Chot Reyes in the PBA Philippine Cup. –PBA IMAGES
ANTIPOLO CITY—TNT got a pair of clutch baskets from Calvin Oftana to bring down Rain or Shine, 108-107, in coach Chot Reyes’ return for a winning start to its PBA Philippine Cup campaign Wednesday at Ynares Center here.
Oftana, who finished with 23 points and 14 rebounds, hit a go-ahead three and converted a left-handed layup inside the final two minutes as the Tropang Giga weathered the Elasto Painters’ determined stand to come away with a hard-fought victory.
His five straight points gave TNT a 108-104 lead after trailing by a high of 10 in the third quarter.
SCHEDULE: 2024 PBA Philippine Cup
RR Pogoy added 22 points and rookie Kim Aurin came off the bench for a season-high 21 for the Tropang Giga.
New acquisition Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser came up with 15 points and 14 rebounds, two days after being acquired from NLEX in a three-team trade aimed at shoring up TNT’s lineup for the PBA All-Filipino tournament.
TNT Tropang Giga’s Calvin Oftana in the PBA Philippine Cup. –PBA IMAGES
Reyes was back in charge after handing the reins to team manager Jojo Lastimosa in the last two conferences to focus on his previous role as coach of Gilas Pilipinas.
READ: PBA: Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser stoked over TNT transfer
Rookie Adrian Nocum finished with 20 points but suffered from cramps during the fourth quarter and didn’t return. Santi Santillan also had 20 points and 11 rebounds for Rain or Shine.
Nocum and Santillan were responsible for putting Rain or Shine up 61-51 in the third, before TNT inched its way back in the contest.
TNT 108—Oftana 23, Pogoy 22, Aurin 21, Ganuelas-Rosser B. 15, Castro 14, Galinato 4, Khobuntin 4, Ganuelas-Rosser M. 3, Montalbo 2, Williams 0, Ebona 0, Reyes 0, Heruela 0, Ponferrada 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 107—Nocum 20, Santillan 20, Caracut 15, Ildefonso 11, Belga 10, Datu 8, Demusis 6, Clarito 6, Mamuyac 5, Borboran 4, Norwood 2, Concepcion 0.
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Quarters: 26-26, 51-52, 83-88, 108-107.
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China expresses concern over PH activities in West Philippine Sea | Charie Abarca | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 23:21:16 PST | EYE IN THE SKY Two FA-50PH aircraft of the Philippine Air Force (first two from left) fly alongsideUS fighter jets in a joint patrol over the West Philippine Sea on Nov. 21, as seen from anotherUS military aircraft. Philippine and US navy ships are also taking part in the patrol.—PHOTO FROM 5TH FIGHTERWING AND 353RD SPECIAL OPERATIONS WING/US AIR FORCE
EYE IN THE SKY Two FA-50PH aircraft of the Philippine Air Force (first two from left) fly alongsideUS fighter jets in a joint patrol over the West Philippine Sea on Nov. 21, as seen from anotherUS military aircraft. Philippine and US navy ships are also taking part in the patrol.—PHOTO FROM 5TH FIGHTERWING AND 353RD SPECIAL OPERATIONS WING/US AIR FORCE
MANILA, Philippines — Following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s remark about the “worrisome” presence of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea, China in return expressed “grave concern” over the Philippines’ “activities” in the disputed waters.
“China’s position on the South China Sea is consistent and clear,” said China Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning in a press conference on Wednesday after she was asked what her comment was on Marcos’ remark about Chinese vessels in Philippine waters.
Marcos earlier noted the “changing situation” in the West Philippine Sea, emphasizing that Filipino fishers should be allowed to fish in their traditional fishing grounds which belong in the maritime territory of the Philippines.
“We express grave concern over the Philippines’ recent activities in the South China Sea that infringe on China’s sovereignty and will continue to take necessary measures to firmly safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and keep the South China Sea peaceful and stable,” she added.
Mao did not categorically state what “recent activities” are being conducted by the Philippines against China.
To note, China’s sweeping claim over most of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, has long been dismissed by an arbitral tribunal in a landmark ruling.
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For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.
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Ex-president Duterte says he never called Marcos a drug addict | Zacarian Sarao | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 18:21:46 PST | Former President Rodrigo Duterte (left) and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS)
Former President Rodrigo Duterte (left) and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS)
MANILA, Philippines — Former president Rodrigo Duterte denied calling his successor, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. a drug addict.
“Wala akong sinabi na ganoon, even if you kill me a thousand times, wala akong sinabing ganoon,” said Duterte in a press conference late Tuesday night.
(I did not say that; even if you kill me a thousand times, I did not say such a thing.)
“Make it ‘taking a drug,’ pero kung sabihin mong ‘addict,’ wala akong sinabing ganiyan. Patayin ako ni Marcos niyan. Maawa ka naman sa’kin, matanda na ko,” he added.
(Make it ‘taking a drug,’ but if you say ‘addict,’ I did not say that. Marcos might kill me for that. Have mercy on me; I’m already old.)
The former president even claimed that Marcos was on the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s (PDEA) drug watch list.
The PDEA denied that Marcos was included in its watchlist, as well as Duterte’s own narco-list during his administration.
Meanwhile, Marcos previously brushed off Duterte’s allegations, attributing it to his predecessor’s alleged fentanyl-use.
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Marcos presses Quiboloy to face House, Senate over allegations | Jean Mangaluz | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 08:26:31 PST | Apollo Quiboloy (left) and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PHOTO: Official Facebook page of Bongbong Marcos/INQUIRER FILES)
Apollo Quiboloy (left) and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PHOTO: Official Facebook page of Bongbong Marcos/INQUIRER FILES)
Updated on February 28, 2024 at 12:24 p.m.
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday urged controversial pastor Apollo Quiboloy to address the various allegations against him in Congress and Senate.
In an ambush interview before his flight to Australia, Marcos urged Quiboloy that he should attend the hearings and present his side of the story.
READ: Quiboloy claims slay plot in anti-US, Marcos rant
“He has an opportunity in the hearings both in the House and in the Senate to say his side of the story. Kaya po sinasabi niya, ‘hindi totoo lahat ‘yan, hindi totoo’, walang nangyaring ganiyan, ‘di sabihin niya,” said Marcos in an ambush interview.
(He has an opportunity in the hearings both in the House and in the Senate to say his side of the story. If he says, ‘all of that is not true, it is not true,’ nothing will happen there, then he should say it.)
In the Senate, the self-proclaimed son of God faces allegations of sexual abuse from former members of his religious organization, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. In the House of Representatives, the Quiboloy-led Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) is being probed for allegedly violating its franchise by disseminating false information.
Quiboloy faces summons from both chambers of Congress. Senator Risa Hontiveros subpoenaed Quiboloy after he failed to show up to multiple hearings on his alleged sexual crimes.
READ: Hontiveros says Quiboloy not above the law: ‘We are waiting for you’
In the House of Representatives, lawmakers are tackling a bill revoking the franchise of Quiboloy’s SMNI due to its violations. House Speaker Martin Romualdez has also subpoenaed Quiboloy.
The self-proclaimed son of God has ignored these summons.
“Pag hindi siya sumipot baka ma-contempt siya, oh tapos, tuloy-tuloy. Ay, naku. Eh mas malaking gulo. Kung makapunta siya, sagutin niya lahat ng tanong, ‘di tapos na. That’s why my advice for him is to just face the questioning in the House and in the Senate,” said Marcos.
(If he does not show up, he might be held in contempt. Then, it will just go on. Oh my. That is a bigger problem. If he gets to come, answer all the questions, and it is done. That’s why I advise him to face the questioning in the House and Senate.)
“We’re trying to be fair here and allowing him the opportunity and fora to make his case,” said Marcos.
Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, said that Quiboloy is not above the law.
READ: Romualdez dismisses Quiboloy’s claim on connivance with foreigners
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“His constitutional rights, like all witnesses, are respected. But he is not higher than the president, the Senate, and the law,” Hontiveros said
Romualdez has also told Quiboloy to face the music.
“We encourage Pastor Quiboloy to address his legal challenges through the proper legal channels and respect the legal processes in place,” said Romualdez.
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Charter Day bonus for Cebu City gov’t employees ‘still pending’ | ppiquero | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 13:03:05 PST | JULY 16, 2023: A glimpse at the facade of the Cebu City Hall. CDN Digital photo | Brian J. Ochoa
JULY 16, 2023: A glimpse at the facade of the Cebu City Hall. CDN Digital photo | Brian J. Ochoa
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Charter Day bonus for Cebu City government employees is still subject to deliberation, meaning there is no definite final date yet as to when it will be given.
Councilor Noel Wenceslao, chairman of the Committee on Budget and Finance, has confirmed that Supplemental Budget 1, which includes allocations for the Palarong Pambansa and Charter Bonus, has been signed.
However, he further said that they were currently awaiting its submission for deliberation during the council’s upcoming regular session on March 6.
READ: Cebu City employees ‘may not’ receive Charter Day bonus on Feb 24
Wenceslao explained that the cutoff for all agenda, including proposals, is every Thursday of the week, with the agenda being addressed in the following week’s regular session, held every Wednesday.
“So mao na (that is) they have to submit it tomorrow…the proposal. So once they’ve submitted it, maapil nana siya sa (It will be included in the) agenda then in next Wednesday,” Wenceslao said.
Meanwhile, Mayor Michael Rama said that he had already signed the supplemental budget 1 and hoped that the Local Finance Committee (LFC) would submit the proposal to the Sangguniang Panlungsod for deliberation.
“I have already signed it. The Local Finance (Committee, LFC) must have already submitted the documents to the Sangguniang Panlungsod,” he said in Ingna’ng Mayor program over Sugboanon Channel from Manila via Zoom on February 27.
SB1 will encompass the necessary funds for the city’s transitional housing project, infrastructure requirements for the Palarong Pambansa in July, and other expenditures not included in the approved 2024 Budget.
READ: Charter Day bonus for gov’t employees may be more than P25k
Previously, Vice Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia said the reason behind the delay of the submission of the proposal for the Charter Day bonus.
He said that it was because the proposal would be submitted through a supplemental budget which would also include other expenditures apart from that of the bonus.
“What I also know, it will be a supplemental budget that will also include other items not only the Charter Day. Mao bitaw nadugay na kay taas man gud ang (That is why it had taken a long time because it will take a long) process,” Garcia said.
He also added that the exact amount of the bonus for the employees could not be confirmed as it had “not been tackled” yet by the council.
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Marcos to Tesda: Fix job-skills mismatch of SHS graduates | Melvin Gascon | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 05:20:00 PST | TRAINING In this 2018 photo, students train under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s Cookery National Certificate Level II Course to hone their knowledge and skills in preparing cold meals such as canapes and an open sandwich served as an appetizer. —LYN RILLON
TRAINING In this 2018 photo, students train under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s Cookery National Certificate Level II Course to hone their knowledge and skills in preparing cold meals such as canapes and an open sandwich served as an appetizer. —LYN RILLON
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday directed the country’s educational agencies to fix the current school programs to match the country’s current job demands with the skills given to senior high school (SHS) graduates.
In his sectoral meeting in Malacañang, the President directed the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) to “upskill and reskill” the graduates to meet the jobs required by the country’s industries, amid recent data that only 20 percent of SHS graduates were able to land jobs.
“We need the involvement of the industry as they tell us what kind of workers they need and what kind of training [our schools] need to give. This, in turn, will lead us to put additional learning tracks,” he said.
The President met with officials of the education sector led by Education Secretary Sara Duterte and Tesda Administrator Suharto Mangudadatu to discuss proposals to improve the country’s technical-vocational education and training (TVET) program.
READ: Senator: Tesda ‘misaligned’ programs
He lamented that the government has been offering livelihood programs and skills training such as dressmaking and cosmetology, which were no longer adapted to the present times.
“We truly need this assessment of the labor market and the involvement of the industry. We need to have a close linkage with the industry so that even if our graduates are not hired outright, jobs are available and are waiting for them,” he said.
He likewise said that Tesda’s training programs should be better designed for students in lower-class towns.
“So, we really have to study that more, we can no longer rely on that shotgun effect—no one cares who gets hit,” the President noted.
Recalibrated training program
Tesda responded that it was proposing to embed its training programs in the various tracks of the SHS program that would allow graduates to obtain a national certification normally required of applicants in blue-collar jobs.
Following consultations with the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) and private stakeholders, Tesda said it had identified 84 training regulations that could be inserted into the existing SHS curriculum.
The President then directed Tesda, DepEd, Dole and the Commission on Higher Education to form a technical working group to study Tesda’s project.
At a briefing, Tesda Deputy Director General Rosanna Urdaneta cited a study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies showing that only 20 percent of SHS graduates landed jobs.
“That is what we want to improve because that 20 percent who get employed even involve menial jobs, such as cleaning or clerical tasks. If one has the skills, employers will value their competency and not assign them to roles like preparing coffee or running errands,” she said.
“Aside from a high school diploma, they will also get a national certificate, which will come in handy once they encounter financial difficulties in pursuing college education and [are] compelled to work,” she said.
She also dismissed fears that Tesda’s proposal to embed its training in the SHS program would entail an added financial burden on parents.
“This will [also] not lead to a disruption of [students’] time for studies; the real burden would be on the teacher-trainers because their skills need to be improved,” she said.
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According to Urdaneta, Tesda estimated that it would have to train 4,000 DepEd teachers for a period of 15 days for its “recalibrated” TVET program. INQ
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Iloilo City government to re-assess boarding houses after fire | Joey Marzan, Ruchelle Denice Demaisip | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 13:22:36 PST | Iloilo. INQUIRER FILES
Iloilo. INQUIRER FILES
ILOILO CITY — The Iloilo City government will reinspect boarding houses in La Paz district’s Barangay San Nicolas following a fire that hit seven boarding houses and killed two persons on Feb. 18.
Mayor Jerry Treñas ordered the city government’s Boarding House Commission to check existing boarding houses in the barangay, which is close to big schools in the city such as the Western Institute of Technology, St. Therese-MTC Colleges, West Visayas State University and Iloilo Science and Technology University.
“That area, San Nicolas, is mostly filled with boarding houses when you go there. In terms of voting population, [it] is small, but in terms of [the current residents], there are many people there,” Treñas said.
“We’ve been ordering the closure of several boarding houses because of violations. We’re not being remiss. It’s very sad but we have to go back, and that means we have to do more,” he added.
READ: 4 die, 8 injured in Cebu City fire
Treñas said the licenses and business permits of boarding houses would be revoked if they found it not up to standard.
Under City Regulation Ordinance No. 00-01 boarding houses must be made of strong materials and must have a fire extinguisher, fire alarm, and a dedicated fire exit, among other facility requirements.
Investment Services, Business Permits and Licensing Division (ISBPLD) head Norman Tabud said that out of the seven boarding houses affected by the fire, three had no permits while two had not yet been renewed.
READ: Elderly woman dead in Rizal town blaze
Two people were killed the fire that engulfed one of the boarding houses without a permit. They were 21-year-old Renz David Aguilar of Concepcion town and 26-year-old Lyn Rose Sobretido of Pototan town who were staying in a boarding house owned by Rocky Gordon.
Aside from the fatalities, 173 people were displaced in the fire that destroyed five houses and damaged two others. The Bureau of Fire Protection-Iloilo City estimated the damage at P2.1 million. The cause and the origin of the fire had yet to be determined.
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DBM confirms 6.6% budget increase for health facilities enhancement in PH | Zeus Legaspi | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 09:24:46 PST | INSIDE THE COVID WARD PGH / JUNE 19, 2021 Head Chaplain Father Marlito Ocon SJ and Assistant Chaplain Father Henry Ponce SJ of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital Chapel and The Chaplaincy prepare to go inside the Covid Ward 3 to conduct sacrament of the anointing of the sick for the patients. INQUIRER PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES
INSIDE THE COVID WARD PGH / JUNE 19, 2021 Head Chaplain Father Marlito Ocon SJ and Assistant Chaplain Father Henry Ponce SJ of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital Chapel and The Chaplaincy prepare to go inside the Covid Ward 3 to conduct sacrament of the anointing of the sick for the patients. INQUIRER PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES
MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos may expect more improvements among public health facilities nationwide as the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Wednesday confirmed an increase in the budget allocation for a program that seeks to upgrade the country’s health facilities.
The DBM confirmed that P28.58 billion has been allocated for implementing the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) in this year’s General Appropriations Act – 6.6 percent higher than 2023’s figure of P26.81 billion.
READ: DBM: 4Ps cash aid budget for 2024 is P106.3 billion
“This is just proof that our government is really serious about improving health services in the country. As the President said in his last SONA [State of the Nation Address], we are increasing our public health facilities both in number and in capability. And so, we will ensure that this program will get a much-needed support,” DBM Chief Amenah Pangandaman said of the increased budget allocation for the program.
“We understand that many Filipinos rely on public hospitals and clinics, that’s why it’s important that our health facilities are prepared and equipped to cater to the needs of our countrymen,” her statement continued in Filipino.
The DBM said that the Department of Health-implemented program budget will be used for the construction, rehabilitation, and upgrade or expansion of government healthcare facilities nationwide.
The department added that it will also allow the purchase of hospital equipment and medical transport vehicles.
The budget department further said that the HFEP prioritizes Universal Health Care sites and far-flung or Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged areas (GIDAS).
GIDAS refers to communities with marginalized populations physically and socio-economically separated from mainstream society, the Department of Social Welfare and Development said on its website.
READ: DBM allots 20.9% of ICT budget for cybersecurity
Meanwhile, a page on the National Economic and Development Authority’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) website said that the HFEP plays an important role in achieving the country’s health-related SDGs by providing affordable, quality, and specialized treatment to Filipinos.
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PNP in ‘constant communication’ with main suspect in Camilon case | Faith Argosino | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 14:40:35 PST | Beauty queen Catherine Camilon. (File photo from the Facebook account of Miss Grand Philippines)
Beauty queen Catherine Camilon. (File photo from the Facebook account of Miss Grand Philippines)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has been keeping in touch with dismissed Police Maj. Allan De Castro, the primary suspect in the disappearance of beauty queen Catherine Camilon, according to Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas, chief of the Calabarzon Police Regional Office (PRO 4A).
“In relation to the ongoing investigation, there is a constant communication between PNP and Major De Castro. So if we ever need to summon him, he’s just there. He is not hiding,” Lucas said in a phone interview.
“Actually, he is willing to attend the Senate hearing. Unfortunately, the night before, he rushed his eight-month pregnant wife to the hospital. But he promised to attend the next one.”
READ: Senate panel summons suspects in Catherine Camilon’s disappearance
According to previous reports, De Castro was discharged last January 16 after being found guilty of conduct unbecoming of a police officer. The decision came as a result of a series of investigations conducted by the Calabarzon Regional Internal Affairs Service, uncovering evidence of an extramarital affair between DeCastro and Camilon.
He is currently facing kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges with his driver, Jeffrey Magpantay, and two other “John Does.”
De Castro was the supposed friend Camilon was about to meet when she disappeared on October 12 last year. Magpantay was one of the three men that witnesses allegedly saw transferring the beauty queen’s body from her car to another vehicle.
The case was filed against them after the members of the PRO 4-A Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) recovered an abandoned car similar to the witnesses’ description in a vacant lot at the corner of Dumuclay Road and Star Tollway in Barangay Pallocan East on November 9.
Police said the car, which had no license plate, was taken to Camp General Miguel C. Malvar in Batangas City for forensic examination. Results later showed that the DNA of the hair strands recovered in the red Honda CRV matched Camilon’s parents’ DNA.
Meanwhile, the deputy chief of PRO 4-A CIDG, Maj. Nilo Morallos, also revealed that Camilon might already be dead based on the accounts of their witnesses.
On Tuesday, the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs began its investigation on the case, which stemmed from the proposed Senate Resolution Nos. 913 and 767, both filed by Sen. Raffy Tulfo.
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However, De Castro skipped the probe to tend to his pregnant wife. As a result, the Senate panel issued a subpoena to him and Magpantay, who, according to his legal counsel, was “sick.”
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FDA reminds drugstores of 20% senior citizen’s discount | Luisa Cabato | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 21:13:31 PST | Tablets and capsules of medicines. Contributed photo
Tablets and capsules of medicines. Contributed photo
MANILA, Philippines — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday reminded all drugstores and hospitals to grant a 20 percent discount on medicines purchased by senior citizens.
In FDA advisory 2024-0429 dated February 28, the agency also reminded senior citizens or their representatives to present any of the following identification documents upon purchase of medicines:
The FDA also cited Section IV.2 of Administrative Order No. 2012-0007 entitled “Guidelines on the Grant of 20% Discount to Senior Citizens on Health-Related Goods and for Other Purposes,” which defined medicines as “prescription and nonprescription/over-the-counter drugs, both generic and branded.”
These include vitamin and mineral supplements medically prescribed by attending physicians and approved by the health department and the FDA for use in diagnosis, care, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease.
READ: Reminder to seniors: Discounts total 32%
The FDA noted that food, devices or their components, parts, and accessories are not included in the items that can be discounted.
Senior citizens were likewise reminded to always bring their purchase slip booklet when buying medicines.
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Flowers for Lolas: Remembering the 1945 Rape of Manila | dsingson | Wed, 28 Feb 2024 06:30:22 PST | This is the “Memorare Manila 1945 Monument” that can be found in Plaza de Sta. Isabel at the corner of General Luna and Anda Streets Intramuros, Manila.
This is the “Memorare Manila 1945 Monument” that can be found in Plaza de Sta. Isabel at the corner of General Luna and Anda Streets Intramuros, Manila.
“The non-combatant victims of that tragic battle will remain forever in the hearts and minds of the Filipino people”.
This is part of the inscription penned by Nick Joaquin, National Artist for Literature, on the “Memorare Manila 1945 Monument” that can be found in Plaza de Sta. Isabel at the corner of General Luna and Anda Streets Intramuros, Manila, which is a short walk from Manila Cathedral and San Augustine Church.
Made by sculptor Peter de Guzman, the monument serves as a “gravestone” reminder of the dark years of Manila that commemorates the lives lost during the battle for the liberation of Manila, waged by Filipino and American forces against Imperial Japanese troops from February 3 to March 3, 1945.
ALSO READ: ‘No to Cha Cha’ in UP Fair and Oblation Run
The monument was unveiled on February 18, 1995 with its main feature of the figure of a hooded woman slumped on the ground in great despair for the lifeless child she cradles in her arm along with six suffering figures surrounding her.
The inscription states: “This monument is erected in memory of the more than 100,000 defenseless civilians who were killed during the Battle for the Liberation of Manila between February 3 and March 3,1945. They were mainly victims of heinous acts perpetrated by the Japanese Imperial Forces and the casualties of the heavy artillery barrage by the American Forces. The Battle for Manila at the end of World War II was one of the most brutal episode in the history of Asia and the Pacific. The non-combatant victims of that tragic battle will remain forever in the hearts and minds of the Filipino people”
Subjected to incessant pounding and facing certain death or capture, the beleaguered Japanese troops took out their anger and frustration on the civilians caught in the crossfire, committing multiple acts of severe brutality.
The Japanese forced Filipino women and children to be used as human shields into the front lines to protect Japanese positions. Those who survived were then murdered by the Japanese.
The bodies of people, even babies — beheaded, mutilated, bayoneted and shot — littered the streets, schools, public buildings, even places of worship.
ALSO READ: Mythical Chinese dragons and bakunawa
Also known as the Rape of Manila, the city became one of the most devastated Allied capital cities during the entire war, alongside Berlin and Warsaw as Japanese resistance and American artillery destroyed much of Manila’s architectural and cultural heritage dating back to the city’s founding.
“In a war, everybody is a loser. Nobody is a winner. But we should also look at how we used our wisdom as a people to help liberate ourselves from the Japanese and see that the triumphant Filipino can overcome even the worst tragedies,” historian Xiao Chua said.
After the simple commemoration rites last February 17, 2024, a forum was held at the nearby Bahay Tsinoy Museum entitled “RECOLLECTIONS.” Survivors shared memories and experiences during wartime Manila which ”sadly, hardly anyone remembers.”
Teresita Ang See of Flowers for Lolas noted that victims of atrocities under the Japanese occupation include the Filipina comfort women.
About 200,000 women from Korea, China, Burma, New Guinea, and the Philippines were held in captivity and many thousands more were raped as part of one of the largest operations of sexual violence in modern history.
The girls were abducted, trafficked, or brought to the Japanese military camps. The victims spent their lives in misery, having endured physical injuries, pain and disability, as well as mental and emotional suffering.
According to testimony at the Yamashita war crimes trial, the Bayview Hotel was used as a designated “rape center”.
ALSO READ: Ukuleles, bamboo instruments and kudyapi reverberate in CCP Pasinaya 2024
Some 400 women and girls were rounded up from Manila’s wealthy Ermita district, and submitted to a selection board that picked out the 25 women who were considered most beautiful. They were then taken to the hotel where Japanese enlisted men and officers took turns raping them.
A four-meter Lola statue, wearing a traditional Filipino dress, blindfolded, with hands clutched to her chest, was installed along Roxas Boulevard on December 8, 2017.
However, the statue was dismantled on April 27, 2018 by the DPWH, allegedly for a drainage improvement project, but it was seen as a submission to protests from Japan. It was later declared missing when its artist, Jonas Roces, failed to turn over the statue during its scheduled reinstallation on August 25, 2019.
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) released on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2023, a decision on the complaint by the Malaya Lolas, which found that the “Philippines violated the rights of victims of sexual slavery perpetrated by the Imperial Japanese Army during the Second World War by failing to provide reparation, social support and recognition commensurate with the harm suffered.”
The Rape of Manila must be linked with the hashtag #neverforget.
(Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, please email [email protected], or call 09175025808 or 09088665786)
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Aguirre, PCSO chief deny plotting to kill ‘Atong’ Ang | ['Jomar Canlas'] | 2017-04-28 20:12:54+00:00 | Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre 2nd and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Chairman Jose Jorge Copuz on Friday separately denied having any knowledge on a supposed threat on the life of gambling operator Charlie “Atong” Ang.Corpuz described as baseless claims made by Ang on the supposed plan to have him killed because he is a competition of the Small Town Lottery (STL) run by the PCSO.“I categorically deny all the accusations of Atong Ang for being complete fabrications,” Aguirre said.Corpus said he had expected such allegations to be thrown at the PCSO because of its commitment to expand the STL and eliminate illegal numbers games in the country.He added that the PCSO would stay focused on its objective to generate more revenues through the expansion of STL to ensure that more funds will be available for the various health projects and programs of the government.Corpus said it is very unlikely that Aguirre, as well as National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., would be behind the supposed slay plot to eliminate Ang, who is reportedly the operator of the Meridien Vista Gaming Corp. (MVGC).The MVGC is reportedly involved in illegal numbers games operation using its jai-alai game as front.Corpuz said selection of STL authorized agent corporations or AACs involves a stringent process to make sure that only those qualified would be allowed to operate the STL.He made the clarification to belie Ang’s claim that STL operations are being controlled by certain personality.“That is impossible since monitoring and control are in place within the PCSO for the STL,” Corpus said.The PCSO assured the public that all its games are conducted in a transparent and professional manner wherein the integrity and truthfulness of every game can be expected.The charity office said it is in full control of all its gaming operations, including the STL to generate Serbisyo, Trabaho at Laro for Filipinos nationwide.PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan earlier said the agency is evaluating the application of 35 new agent corporations that want to operate under the expanded STL in various areas in the country.Balutan said the approval of 35 new AACs is expected to further boost the state-run charitable institution’s revenue collection to be used in providing medical assistance to poor Filipinos.Ang on Thursday told reporters that he wants protection from President Rodrigo Duterte because his life is in danger.He accused Aguirre, Esperon and members of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1982 of wanting to liquidate him to weaken virtual jai alai operations operated by MVGC of which he is general manager in Northern Luzon.Ang was a convicted criminal, having been sentenced by the Sandiganbayan in connection with a plunder case against then-President Joseph Estrada.He entered into a plea bargaining agreement for a lesser offense and was charged only with corruption of public officials.Ang said he made the announcement on the death threats against him in public so the people would know should anything happen to him.The known gambling operator threatened that he will divulge more names in a legislative inquiry, including that of a congressman who allegedly serves as Aguirre’s “bagman.”He said Aguirre was taking part in STL operations through his brother, Ogie Aguirre.National Bureau of Investigation agents want to “neutralize” him, as supposedly revealed to him by several of the bureau’s agents.Esperon and members of PMA Class of 1982, Ang claimed, are protectors of the STL in Northern Luzon and are demanding cuts from the operations.“I am ready to face any kind of investigation that might be conducted, be it legislative, criminal or administrative. I am not afraid as I have nothing to hide. My conscience is clear,” Aguirre said. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/aguirre-pcso-chief-deny-plotting-kill-atong-ang-2/324556/ |
Group warns BFAR on law enforcement fund | ['Neil Alcober'] | 2017-08-12 19:54:48+00:00 | THE militant fisher folk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Saturday called for the scrapping of the 2018 budget of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) allocated for the Fisheries Regulatory and Law Enforcement Program worth P697.7 million.The amount forms part of the bureau’s P5.9-billion proposed budget in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for 2018.The group said the law enforcement program will expand BFAR’s arming of small fishermen assigned as bantay dagat or sea patrol whose task is to go after other fishermen who will be charged for illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing, or violating the amended Fisheries Code.The group claimed the campaign against illegal fishing results in vigilantism and abuse of authority.Pamalakaya recalled the harassment by deputized sea patrol personnel in Barangay Papaya, Nasugbu, Batangas last July 17 where they beat and forced five fishermen to jump off the water, resulting in a one fisherman dying. Four other fishermen were reportedly wounded.“Arming the fishermen and tasking them to become sea enforcers are alarming and disturbing. Instead of fishing nets, doing the usual fishing activities, fisher folk who are assigned as sea patrols are loaded with arms, aiming toward other fishermen only to comply with BFAR’s mandate of curbing illegal fishing activities,” Fernando Hicap, the group’s chairman, said in a statement.Pamalakaya instead called for the rechanneling of the budget to calamity and disaster resiliency so the bureau can quickly provide economic aid and rehabilitation to fisher folk affected by future natural disasters like typhoons, earthquakes, storm surges and other ecosystem disturbances such as red tide, fish kills, among others. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/group-warns-bfar-law-enforcement-fund/344010/ |
Casinos must soon report transactions of any amount | ['Llanesca T. Panti'] | 2016-11-01 20:44:31+00:00 | A bill mandating casinos to report all suspicious transactions to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) regardless of the amount involved has been proposed in the House of Representatives.Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr. made the pitch under his House Bill 14 or the Casino Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Financing of Terrorism Act, which will require casinos (including Internet-based casinos and ship-based) regulated and supervised by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority or any other appropriate supervising authority to report suspicious and covered transactions to the AMLC.Money laundering is defined as “a crime whereby the proceeds of an unlawful activity are transacted, thereby making them appear to have originated from legitimate sources.”Belmonte’s bill states that regardless of the amount involved, a suspicious transaction exists when a casino operator or any of its employees knows, suspects, has reason to suspect, or should have known by due diligence that the transaction: a) involves funds from an unlawful activity or money laundering offense; b) is designed to evade any of the requirements under the Anti-Money Laundering Law; c) has no business or apparent lawful purpose or is not sort in which the particular customer would normally be expected to engage and the casino operator or any of its employees knows of no reasonable explanation for the transaction after examining facts and background of possible purpose of transaction; and d) involves the use of casinos to facilitate unlawful activity money laundering and terrorist financing.Covered transaction, on the other hand, is defined as a single transaction undertaken by any individual per day with the casino exceeding P4 million.A covered and suspicious transaction will be considered a suspicious transaction, while covered transactions do not include check-out transactions to the extent the currency is won in a money play and is the same currency the customer wagered in the money play; and check-in transaction to the extent the currency is the same currency the customer previously wagered in a money play on the same table game without leaving the table and as well as jackpot winnings from slot machines.“The significance of including the casino sector under the coverage of the Anti-Money Laundering Law was underscored by the Bangladesh Bank heist. The funds entered the Philippine banking system and made their way to local casinos and junket operators, where the money was reportedly laundered and transferred overseas,” Belmonte said in his Explanatory Note.The former Speaker was referring to the $81-million worth of dirty money wired to RCBC Branch on Jupiter Street in Makati City (Metro Manila) last March.The amount was stolen from the Bangladesh Bank account deposited in the Federal Reserve of New York.“Attempts to trace and recover the money encountered several setbacks, as casinos are excluded from the coverage of the country’s present AMLA laws. This bill will address this deficiency by putting the necessary amendments to discourage the use of the casinos as avenues of illicit activity,” Belmonte said.House Bill 14 also grants the AMLC the power to conduct on-site inspection of casino records and documents, as well as examine any particular account and related accounts with any casino operator that is deemed related to any unlawful activity or money laundering or financing of terrorism offense.Related accounts refers to accounts, the funds and sources of which originated from and/or materially linked to the accounts subject of a freeze order(s) issued by a competent authority or subject of an inquiry.“This will help ensure the integrity of financial and banking institutions in the country, and is a crucial step in making the Philippines compliant with international standards,” Belmonte said.His bill, however, sets limits to disclosure by providing that casino operators and its employees cannot be compelled by any body or any court to disclose a Suspicious Transaction Report, disclose the fact that an STR was filed or is about to be filed and disclose any information on the STR without prejudice to government authorities’ power to regulate.In addition, reports of covered and suspicious transactions to the AMLC, casino operators and their officers and employees are confidential and cannot be released to any person, including members of the media.Otherwise, the one who will be found violating the confidentiality rule will be held criminally liable. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/casinos-must-soon-report-transactions-amount/294228/ |
Hospitals blame PhilHealth anew | ['Catherine A. Modesto'] | 2018-06-30 00:04:34+00:00 | PRIVATE hospitals blamed the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) anew for their financial problems,citing the state firm’s inability to pay the insurance claims of healthcare providers on time.In a letter President Rodrigo Duterte, Rustico Jimenez, Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc.(Phapi) president, said affected hospitals were close to declaring bankruptcy, in debt or unable to sustain their operating expenses because PhilHealth has been late in paying the hospitals’ insurance claims.This was in spite of their continuing dialogue with PhilHealth and two Senate hearings on May 22 and 28, Jimenez said.“If the situation is not immediately addressed, private hospitals will be compelled to either stand down in their operation resulting to mass layouts, or bill the patients out of their pocket,” he added.Jimenez claimed that many patients entitled to PhilHealth benefits remained unattended because of this “anomalous” situation, which “defeats the purpose of universal healthcare coverage.” | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/hospitals-blame-philhealth-anew/414153/ |
MMDA suspends ‘truck ban’ for Asean | ['Rj Carbonell'] | 2017-11-12 00:57:36+00:00 | ~By RJ CARBONELLTHE Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) suspended the implementation of truck ban ordinances by local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila during the duration of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit. “[MMDA] has issued various traffic advisories relating to ‘lockdown areas/rerouting’ and ‘truck ban,’ among others, to be effective from November 11 to 15,” the resolution dated November 6 stated. It said there is an urgent need for LGUs of the National Capital Region to suspend the truck ban to ensure the “timely delivery of goods and services” in the metropolis. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/mmda-suspends-truck-ban-asean/362212/ |
Grave locator, live streaming features at Manila North, South cemeteries up | ['Napolion Pillas'] | 26/10/2016 0:00 | The usual problem of locating tombs in the two sprawling cemeteries maintained by the city of Manila on All Saints’ and Souls’ Days prompted the local government unit to launch grave-locator and live streaming features on the websites of Manila North and South Cemeteries.With this, more convenient visits to the two city-run public cemeteries are expected.“Every year, we encounter various problems and inconveniences, given the millions of people who visit the cemeteries. We are assuring the Manileños that we will continue to improve our services,” Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada said.Through the cemeteries’ official websites’ the cemetery-goers can plan their trips to the cemeteries ahead to avoid the perennial hassles they encounter during this time of the year.Daniel Tan, director of the Manila North and South Cemeteries, advised cemetery-goers to plan their visits first by logging on to the cemeteries’ websites (http://www.manilasouthcemetery.com.ph and http://manilanorthcemetery.com/).According to Tan, the grave locator is a new search box where anyone could accurately determine the exact location of the tomb of their loved ones.The websites also have maps of both cemeteries, complete with street names and plot numbers of the graves.“High-tech ‘to (This is high-technology). You’ll just type in the name of the deceased and it will point you to the exact location of the tomb,” Tan stressed, stating that this feature will address the perennial problem of cemetery-goers who have forgotten the location of the tombs they plan to visit.Moreover, Tan said they will also offer live streaming from October 29 to November 2 that will show real-time footages in the main gates of the two cemeteries, enabling cemetery-goers to see the situation in both areas.In both cemeteries, additional closed circuit television cameras (CCTVs) were also installed for security purposes. There are now 16 CCTV units at the South Cemetery and 32 at the North, he added. | Manila Bulletin | https://news.mb.com.ph/2016/10/26/grave-locator-live-streaming-features-at-manila-north-south-cemeteries-up/ |
Trapo after all? | ['June Fulgado', 'Melissa Salazar'] | 18/01/2017 0:00 | Is President Duterte turning out to be a trapo (traditional politician) after all?His budget secretary has indicted, so to speak, his boss as just another promising politician, one who makes promises that cannot be fulfilled once elected.Mr. Duterte got much flak for vacillating over a P2,000-a-month raise he promised SSS pensioners. Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said what “candidate Duterte” promised and what President Duterte can do are two different things.That’s saying that one, Duterte didn’t know what he was talking about when he made the promise. Or two, he’s just another traditional politician who promises the moon to get elected.During the presidential debates, he bragged about getting on a jet-ski and going to the Spratlys to plant the Philippine flag in defiance of China’s intrusive activities there.He boasted about subduing the Abu Sayyaf in one week. He belittled the strength and staying power of the Maute Group in Davao.He promised to destroy Sen. Leila de Lima, calling her an immoral woman and intimately involved with drug lords and in the illegal drug trade. And yet, despite assurances of his talkative justice secretary that they have airtight cases against the senator, they haven’t filed any credible cases against her.And now his curious appointments. First, Martin Dino as chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, which was patently a political payback for Dino giving way to Duterte to run for president last May.And then Mocha Uson, a sexy dancer and sex blogger (who likes to call Duterte-bashers “mga bugok”), to be a board member of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board. Which is like appointing Kerwin Espinoza as the drug czar.I’ve not criticized the President’s appointments before. It’s because I’m not particularly concerned about who gets appointed as long they’re capable of doing their jobs and that they’re people of integrity.(I’m not even concerned about nepotism, the practice of appointing family members or close friends. My personal joke about nepotism is that it’s okay as long as you keep it within the family.)What I’m pointing out here is that obvious payback appointments make the appointing power just another old-style politician who pays back political favors with appointments.I don’t care who gets appointed. But if they mess up, then they should answer for their mistakes.In the end, the appointing power is responsible for his or her appointments. If and when they fail to perform according to expectations and the law, then the appointing power must be taken to task for the failures.It seems Mr. Duterte doesn’t bother about vetting some of his appointments. Incoming presidents usually have a vetting or selection committee to pour over prospective appointees’ resumes. And during a president’s incumbency it’s the function of the presidential management staff to check out candidates for positions in the executive branch.The bottom line is that it’s the prerogative of the president to appoint anyone he likes. The Roman emperor Caligula made his horse Incitatus a senator and promised to appoint him a consul.A leader’s appointments define not only his administration but also his own character and ability to detect talent and abilities. If we go by those standards, executive appointments aren’t simple sinecures to be dispensed whimsically to pay back past favors.Or maybe they are, if you’re a trapo.***Tantrum Ergo. Why do our TV newscasters yell at us, the audience, when they deliver the news? When they do that, they sound like fishmongers at the wet market. Or jeepney barkers enticing passengers. | Manila Bulletin | https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/01/18/trapo-after-all/ |
Cebu bettor bags P29.7M lotto pot | ['The Manila Times'] | 2017-12-03 19:45:39+00:00 | A lone bettor from Cebu bagged the P29.7 million Grandlotto 6/55 jackpot of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) .Alexander Balutan, general manager of the PCSO, said the bettor correctly guessed the six-number winning combination 37-35-45-11-24-22 during Saturday night’s draw.The winning ticket was bought from a lotto outlet in Gaisano Capital Mall in Danao City, Cebu.Apart from the lone jackpot winner, nine other bettors will receive P81,680 each for getting right five of the six-number combination. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/cebu-bettor-bags-p29-7m-lotto-pot/366511/ |
Uber to resume service soon after hefty fine | ['Bernadette E. Tamayo'] | 2017-08-26 20:38:11+00:00 | Uber said on Saturday it expects to resume operations in the Philippines “soon” after regulators agreed to lift a ban slapped against the American ride-sharing giant in exchange for a fine.The government meted Uber a one-month suspension on August 14 following a tussle over driver permits, sparking public outrage as some 66,000 vehicles were forced off the streets.Hundreds of thousands of Manila commuters find Uber and its ride-sharing rivals welcome alternatives to the country’s notoriously poor and overcrowded buses and trains, run-down taxis and irascible cab drivers.But late on Friday, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it would lift the ban following an Uber appeal. It ordered the US firm to pay a fine of P190 million and give its drivers financial aid for lost earnings.“The online ride-sharing services of the respondent USI [Uber] will be restored when it has paid the amount of fine and the said financial assistance remitted,” an LTFRB resolution said.Uber said it would comply with the ruling, which also requires it to pay about $391,000 (about P20.07 million) a day in financial assistance – split between its Philippine drivers – until the company restores its operations.“We’re working hard to meet the conditions for the lifting of the suspension and hope to resume operations as soon as possible,” it said in a statement that did not give a timetable.The LTFRB last year imposed a moratorium on the processing of new applications for ride-sharing services as it studied how to regulate a growing industry.Officials said while Southeast Asian rival Grab eventually followed the directive, Uber defied it, while other transport groups accused Uber of acting above the law.Uber said this month it was accepting new applications for vehicles but was not processing them pending its discussions with regulators.It also urged the government to simplify the accreditation process, with a representative telling a congressional enquiry: “We cannot impose 1900s regulations on today’s technological innovations.”Poe supports LTFRB fine on UberSen. Grace Poe on Saturday said the “hefty” P190 million fine imposed on Uber before it can resume operation should serve as a lesson to the ride-sharing firm to follow government regulations.She said the payment of the penalty as a pre-condition before it can resume operations “should be enough to make Uber rethink its actions and reevaluate its strategy in testing the extent of government regulations.”Poe supports the decision of the LTFRB to penalize Uber with a fine instead of having it serve the remainder of its 30-day suspension.The LTFRB said it arrived at the amount “by taking into consideration the number of days that respondent should be suspended in relation to the daily average income.”The board suspended Uber for violating its directive not to accept new drivers into its system. Uber later appealed the suspension order and asked to be fined instead. Uber was suspended since August15 and has its suspension has 19 remaining days.Uber reportedly earns around P10 million daily. The LTFRB multiplied this amount to the 19 remaining days or suspension period and arrived at P190 million. The money goes to the National Treasury.“Likewise, I welcome the P20 million financial assistance Uber has to pay its drivers daily, which also serves as a form of penalty,” she said.However, she deplored that the LTFRB issued the decision late on Friday afternoon, “effectively taking out any opportunity for Uber to pay the penalties.”“It is frustrating to think that we have a long weekend ahead of us and people will have to suffer the inconvenience of having limited transportation choices in going around the Metro with their families,” she said.“How will Uber be able to immediately comply with the LTFRB decision given that banks are closed during the weekend?” said Poe, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services.with AFP | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/uber-resume-service-soon-hefty-fine/346885/ |
Go consoles Manila fire victims | ['The Manila Times'] | 2018-09-10 00:08:00+00:00 | After a gruelling week-long trip to Israel and Jordan, Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go went to Sta. Cruz in Manila shortly after his arrival to deliver aid to around 50 families hit by fire on Wednesday.“Nandirito po ako para magdala ng kaunting tulong mula sa gobyerno at mula sa mga kaibigan ko po na gustong tumulong. Kaunting tulong naman po, mga goods mula sa DOH rin naman po. May mga hygiene kit, may mga pagkain mula sa pribado, kaunting cash assistance ((I’m here to bring some assistance from the government and from my friends who are willing to help. There are some goods from the Department of Health like hygiene kits. There is food from the private sector and some cash assistance),” Go said in a media interview.Go learned of the Manila fire while he was out of the country. Authorities said the eight-hour fire started in a three-storey house in Mabolo Street. The fire started at 9:17 a.m. on September 5 and was declared under control at 5:26 p.m. the same day.Go said the fire victims can be relocated with the help of the National Housing Authority.The President’s top aide said he is willing to provide uniforms and food for students and employees who were affected by the fire.“Sa mga estudyante na kailangan ng uniporme papabilhan ko kaagad bukas. Pati iyong mga nagtratrabaho po nang hindi na sila mahirapan mag adjust (For the students who need uniforms, I will have them purchased tomorrow. Even for those who are working, so they won’t have a hard time adjusting),” Go said.From Sta. Cruz, Go went to Tangos, Navotas to visit 15 families who also lost their homes to a blaze that hit their neighborhood on September 5.He also brought assistance from the DoH, NHA, and the private group Friends of Bong Go.He told the fire victims that they can apply with the NHA for free housing.Go urged the Bureau of Fire Protection to strengthen its information campaign on fire prevention.He urged parents not to allow their children wo play with matches, candles or lighters since these could start a fire. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/go-consoles-manila-fire-victims/439956/ |
Bus in Mindoro crash bought from junkshop | ['Mary Gleefer F. Jalea'] | 2018-04-19 00:02:50+00:00 | The owner of Dimple Star Transport bus firm on Wednesday revealed that the bus involved in a recent deadly crash in Mindoro Occidental had been bought from a junkshop.Aileen Lizada, a board member of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), said they were shocked to hear from owner Hilbert Napat during a hearing that most parts of the bus were only replaced to make the vehicle look like new.“Napat admitted that the unit was reassembled, the engine was reconditioned and the whole vehicle was painted after it was bought from a junkshop to look like a bran- new unit,” Lizada added.The LTFRB had issued a 30-day suspension against the entire fleet of Dimple Star after the bus (TY 708) fell into a ravine along the national highway in Sitio Yapang, Barangay Batong Buhay in Sablayan, Mindoro Occidental, on the night of March 20.The accident left 19 people dead and 21 injured.According to LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra, “such incidents are the very reason why we are pushing through with the modernization of public utility vehicles” so that no old and dilapidated units will bring trouble to commuters on the road.The suspension of Dimple Star will remain until the bus firm complies with all regulations set by the board, including road safety seminars and compulsory drug testing among its drivers, conductors and operators.President Rodrigo Duterte previously ordered the cancelation of Dimple Star’s franchise after inspecting the crash site in Sablayan town and visited the victims involved.Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista had also served a closure order to the bus firm’s terminal and ticketing office in Cubao in Quezon City on March 26 over lack of business permit and “failure to meet the standards of providing quality service to its passengers.”The LTFRB ordered another scheduled hearing on May 30 to further discuss Dimple Star’s case. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/bus-in-mindoro-crash-bought-from-junkshop/393421/ |
SC staff among new judges in Metro | ['Jomar Canlas'] | 2018-09-15 00:03:00+00:00 | President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed 17 new judges to the Metropolitan Trial Courts (MeTC) of the cities of Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasay and Pasig.The list of appointees was contained in a transmittal letter of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to then-Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno dated January 5, 2018, but was transmitted only on September 11, 2018 to the office of current Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro.Topping the list of appointees were Judge Karla Funtila-Abugan of MeTC Branch 17 of Manila and Judge Catherine Manzano who was appointed MeTC Judge of Makati City Branch 126.Abugan and Manzano are the current chiefs of staff of SC associate justices Lucas Bersamin and Marvic Leonen, respectively.Also appointed to the Manila Court were Jose Cordero Jr. under Branch 11; Richelle Lou Boling Sanchez, Branch 29; and Grace Maria Theresa Bambi delos Reyes-Jurado, Branch 30.Appointed to the Makati Court were Judges Melinda Cielo Mendoza under MeTC Branch 125; Clemente M. Clemente, Branch 127; Maureen Rubio-Marquez, Branch 128; Alexius Tang, Branch 129; Lorelei Balansay-Tapia, Branch 130.In Mandaluyong City MeTC, appointed were judges Karyn Lee-Tribaco under Branch 100 and Earl Warren Castillo under Branch 101.In Pasig City MeTC, appointed were judges Fredelyne Addug-Sanchez, Branch 68; Jesusa Lapuz-Gaudiano, Branch 153; Emilio Gonzales 3rd, Branch 154; and Theresa Dizon, Branch 155.In Pasay City, the lone appointee was MeTC Branch 46 Judge Rechie Ramos-Malabanan.The appointees were nominated by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), which is constitutionally mandated to screen and vet nominees to the President for vacant posts in the judiciary and the Offices of the Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsman.The JBC is chaired by de Castro, with ex-officio members, Sen. Richard Gordon, and Oriental Mindoro Rep. Salvador Leachon and Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/sc-staff-among-new-judges-in-metro/441608/ |
Poe files bill on road safety | ['Jefferson Antiporda'] | 2016-11-27 20:47:56+00:00 | Senator Grace Poe is pushing for the integration in the school curriculum driver’s education to effectively reduce road casualties and stop road accidents from replacing heart disease as the leading cause of death in the Philippines.Poe, who heads the public services committee in the Senate, recently filed Senate Bill 1231 or the proposed Road Safety and Comprehensive Driver’s Education Act which seeks the mandatory integration of basic road safety and comprehensive driver’s education in the enhanced basic education curriculum.The senator believes that inculcating good road safety habits and driver’s discipline among youths could help reduce accidents and road casualties.Under the measure, basic road safety shall be taught in the elementary level while comprehensive driver’s education shall be made part of the junior and senior high school and higher education curricula.In the explanatory note of her bill, Poe noted that from 2008 to 2013, road accidents is the fifth highest cause of mortality, accounting for 36,000 deaths for every 100,000 population.In 2012, road mishaps were the fourth leading cause of mortality in the Philippines. Health officials predict that road accidents could become the leading cause of deaths in the country by 2020, surpassing diseases of the heart and vascular system, malignant neoplasms, and pneumonia.“The statistics are extremely frustrating. Road accidents are the most preventable of all the causes of mortality as such are man-made and are within our control and prevention,” Poe said.The senator added that road accidents can be addressed simply by enforcing the law and promoting greater awareness on road safety.If enacted, SB 1231 will direct the Department of Education (DepEd), the chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education, Department of Transportation, Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and Metro Manila Development Authority to formulate and implement a basic road safety and comprehensive driver’s education subject for students in basic and higher education.The funds needed for the measure will be sourced from the budget of the DepEd under the General Appropriations Act.Jefferson Antiporda | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/poe-files-bill-road-safety/298740/ |
52 NPA rebels surrendered in Sept– military | ['The Manila Times'] | 2017-10-01 20:20:59+00:00 | Fifty-two members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to government forces in September, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Sunday.The latest to surrender, according to the military’s Western Command (WesCom), were four rebels based in Palawan.The four surrenderers were identified by WesCom spokeswoman Capt. Cheryl Tindog as Jeffrey Orit Sampaca alias Ka Ruban/Dante, 25; Henry Poyang Minduk alias Ka Daniel, 18; Germalyn Batuan Pitogo alias Gengen, 16; and Analy Pitogo Ambuan alias Ansa, 19.They brought with them 12 firearms.Earlier, on September 27, Col. Edgard Arevalo, AFP public affairs chief, said seven NPA members surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade in Barangay Sanito, Ipil town, in Zamboanga Sibugay in southern Mindanao.Arevalo said the communist fighters turned over two AK47 rifles and a caliber .45 Remington.In Sultan Kudarat, also in Mindanao, nine NPA fighters who surrendered to the 33rd Infantry Battalion brought along with them six improvised explosive devices.“It is apparent through the statement of those who surrendered that their comrades are now experiencing hardships within their organization, and they are willing to avail of the opportunities being offered by the government to former NPA rebels,” Arevalo said in a statement.He added that the military is expecting more NPA guerrillas to surrender in the coming days.Arevalo said the surrender of the 52 rebels are “indicative of the dwindling” of the NPA organization.He added that the government will be offering immediate financial and livelihood assistance to the former NPA members under the Comprehensive Local Integration Program.The military has assured that the former communist fighters will be given seed capital for their livelihood “to help them go back to mainstream communities.”Despite the surrender of the 52 NPA rebels, Arevalo said, military operations against the NPA across the country will continue.There have been 566 communist rebels “neutralized” since the cancelation of peace talks between the communists and the government on February 4. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/52-npa-rebels-surrendered-sept-military/354008/ |
SC to study petitions vs martial law decree | ['Jomar Canlas'] | 2017-06-07 21:29:03+00:00 | Another petition was filed before the Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday pleading to order Congress to convene in joint session to review President Rodrigo Duterte’s Proclamation 216 declaring martial law in southern Mindanao and suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus.Palace spokesman Ernesto Abella, however, deemed as “irrelevant” this and two other petitions before the tribunal as both Houses of Congress had voted to support the declaration in the conflict-torn region.“Perhaps, it is really irrelevant,” Abella told reporters also on Wednesday during a news conference.But he added, “It’s a democratic process. They can go ahead and do so.”The third petition, which was filed by former senator Wigberto Tañada, Bishop Emeritus Deogracias Iniguez, Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Bishop Antonio Tobias, Adelaida Ygrubay, Shamah Bulangis and Cassandra Deluria, said a joint session to review the declaration is “mandatory” under the 1987 Constitution.“[T]he physical convening of a joint session contemplates a physical convening… jurisprudence holds that the power to declare martial law or suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, while vested in the President, is shared with Congress; in order for Congress to exercise its power, it necessarily must convene jointly,” the petition read, saying the legislative review is a “safeguard” against executive overreach.Petitioners said failure to hold a joint session “deprives lawmakers of a deliberative and interrogatory process to review martial law” and also deprives the public of transparent proceedings necessary for a clear understanding of the factual bases of the declaration.“Given previous experiences with martial law, where proceedings were fraught with secrecy, a public, transparent and deliberative process is necessary to quell the people’s fears against executive overreach.“Petitioners Tañada and Ygrubay are survivors of Presidential Decree 1081 under Ferdinand Marcos and have experienced first-hand the mischief and danger of the gross use of executive powers under the mantle of martial law. These fears are not speculative; they are grounded on collective and documented experience,” the petition also read.The two petitions before the High Court also assailed martial law and the SC is set to hear oral arguments on them on June 13-15.The first petition was filed by opposition lawmakers led by Edcel Lagman, Tomasito Villarin, Gary Alejano, Emmanuel Billones and Teddy Brawner Baguilat Jr.These lawmakers said contrary to claims of Malacañang, there is no invasion or rebellion endangering public safety that can justify President Duterte’s declaration of Proclamation 216, which also suspended the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, effectively allowing warrantless arrests of persons suspected of commission of the two offenses.The second petition was filed by former senator Rene Saguisag, former Commission on Elections chief Christian Monsod, former Commission on Human Rights head Loretta Ann Rosales, PhilHealth president Alexander Padilla, Sen. Leila de Lima and lawyer Rene Gorospe.According to well-placed sources in the High Court, SC Justice Mariano del Castillo will be designated to make a thorough review of the case and shall make his recommendations and draft decision on the matter.Del Castillo will be the ponente of the case.Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said the petitioners in the Supreme Court “apparently have misread the provision of the Constitution.”“The Constitution cannot be clearer. Congress is only required to convene and vote jointly on the proclamation of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus if it intends to revoke such proclamation and suspension,” Panelo added in a statement.“It might be unknown to the petitioners, but the majority of both Houses of Congress [had] already publicly expressed their support [for] the President’s swift and decisive initiative to address the then deteriorating situation in Mindanao,” he said.Since Congress voted to support the declaration of martial law, Panelo pointed out, “there is therefore no reason for it to convene to vote to support or revoke Proclamation 216.”Congress, however, may still jointly convene and vote on the extension of the effectivity of the proclamation, he said.“Pursuant to the Constitution, Proclamation 216 shall be effective only for a period of 60 days. However, upon the initiative of the President, Congress may extend [it] if the rebellion persists and public safety requires it,” the President’s lawyer added.CATHERINE S. VALENTE | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/sc-study-petitions-vs-martial-law-decree-2/331478/ |
Labor groups eye work-from-home scheme scheme | ['William Depasupil'] | 2018-06-19 00:11:59+00:00 | ORGANIZED labor sees the “work from home” bill that was passed by congress as a viable cost-saving measure that will help workers cope with rising cost of goods and services.“The work from home bill is going to be a big help for workers once it becomes a law because it would free them from stress induced by the worsening conditions caused by problematic and unsafe public mass transport system, traffic congestion, pollution and rising criminality by using the reliability of internet connection and smart mobile phones,” said Associated Labor Unions (ALU) spokesman Alan Tanjusay on Monday.Tanjusay said workers would also save money if they are allowed to work at home.“As long as this is not compulsory and there is no diminution in wages and benefits, we are looking forward to the approval of the measure,” he added.Tanjusay said the continuing rise of the dollar is alarming.“This is a grave concern particularly to workers who will bear the consequences of the extraordinary rise of prices of all basic commodities and costs of services,” he added.He said the timing of the depreciation of the peso is bad because June, July and August are “lean months.”On May 22, the Senate unanimously approved on final reading Senate Bill 1363 or the Telecommuting Act of 2017, authored by Senators Joel Villanueva and Cynthia Villar.A week after, the House of Representatives passed its counterpart measure, House Bill 7402, via a vote of 239-0.Both measures seek to allow workers in the private sector to work at home instead of commuting to the office.Under the House measure, the Department of Labor and Employment would establish and maintain a pilot “work from home” program in select industries, which shall last for a period of not more than three years.DOLE would then submit a report to Congress on its findings at the end of the program implementation. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/labor-groups-eye-work-from-home-scheme-scheme/409994/ |
PH reelected to int’l maritime council | ['Reicelene Joy Ignacio'] | 2017-12-04 21:39:40+00:00 | The Philippines has been re-elected to the council of the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization in charge of maritime safety, security and environment protection, the Department of Transportation said on Monday.The Philippines obtained 124 out of 160 votes on December 1 under Category C, placing 13th among 20 elected IMO member-states under the said category.Category A are states with the largest interest in providing international shipping services while Category B are those with the largest interest in international seaborne trade. Category C meanwhile are states not elected under A or B, which have special interests in maritime transport or navigation and whose election to the Council will ensure the representation of all major geographic areas of the world.Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Administrator Al Amaro said the Philippines’ obtaining a higher position is attributed to the “strong and progressive image of the Philippines under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte and the good reputation of Filipino seafarers to worldwide maritime operations.”“The Philippines winning a slot in this prestigious international maritime Council is not only a victory for the DOTr, but a victory for Filipino seafarers, the entire Philippines, and for all of us Filipinos,” Amaro said.The Philippines ranked 18 in IMO Category C in 2015.According to government data, Filipino seafarers comprise over 25 percent of the 1.5-million mariners worldwide. They provide $5.575 billion to the Philippine economy through remittances. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/ph-reelected-intl-maritime-council/366660/ |
Smuggled cars to be destroyed | ['Ralph Villanueva'] | 2018-02-03 00:03:37+00:00 | PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has put his foot down on the smuggling of luxury cars and vowed to destroy them this coming Tuesday.In a forum on indigenous people in Davao City on Thursday night, Duterte said the smugglers should “watch their money burn” because he will arrange a tractor to run over the smuggled luxury cars.“I will bulldoze them this Tuesday. I’ve instructed [Bureau of Customs] Commissioner Isidro Lapeña to not] sell them because the situation will remain the same. [The smugglers] will still be the only ones who will benefit from [the sale] and they will be the only ones who will wait for the next auctions. It is legal and it is cheap because it is auctioned,” he added.According to Duterte, the “style” of the smugglers is to import the luxury cars and send them to a fake consignee.“Fake news, fake name, fake address. And because no one owns [the smuggled cars], then no one is there to pay for the tax,” he said.“So, your style is you just wait. Then after a year, six months, the ones responsible for arranging the selling of [the cars] will have them auctioned. And you’ll still be the only ones who will buy them because you’re the only ones who’ve been informed that there is an auction,” Duterte added.The President said even if the smugglers kept on importing cars, he would bulldoze the vehicles every day.“You want luxury cars? Have them imported and pay for them in advance because you like them so much. But don’t fool with us because you’ve always been, you’re fooling the government. I don’t care about what you’ll say about me. I don’t care as long as I am doing my job,” Duterte added.Also on Thursday, Malacañang spokesman Harry Roque said the destruction of luxury vehicles will be a stern warning to smugglers in the country.“The government is serious in its fight to curb smuggling and corruption and hope to make the Bureau of Customs as a showcase in our good governance drive,” Roque added in a news briefing in Baguio City.“It is common knowledge that many apprehended luxury vehicles ultimately end up in the market where they can easily win in auction,” he said.The Customs bureau seized millions worth of used McLaren, Lamborghini and Ferrari sports cars at the Manila International Container Port last November. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/smuggled-cars-destroyed/377860/ |
Dream on | ['Maynila Dyaryo'] | 24/07/2017 0:00 | Every president who is called upon to deliver a State-of-the-Nation Address is essentially painting a dream and asking his or her people to work and help achieve that dream. After six SONAs of each and every president, what do we remember of their speeches but a few punchy lines, one or two quotable quotes, the rest being a fog of words and sentences?Like rating a fortune-teller after his forecast of the New Year’s foreseeable gains and losses, only the most dedicated pundit and oppositionist would bother to record what was reported in the latest SONA and later, at an appropriate time, to bring it up as a set of pluses and minuses, mostly the latter, against the speaker. Under circumstances the other presidential candidates in 2016 might not have foreseen, this President is now forced to be the fightingest Chief Executive and Commander-in-Chief. After Marawi, he has promised to end the NPA’s attacks on government forces and civilians; the dream comes at a high cost.Now, more than ever, the flag’s symbols must be understood and defended with more vigor by the young and ablebodied, every citizen who professes to love their country not only because it’s the only one they’ve got but because it’s their homeland and cradle of their dreams. (During the presidential campaign, only the candidate from Davao posed with the flag, conspicuously, for his propaganda materials.)A few days ago, balladeer Anthony Castelo announced at a party that his best friend, Freddie Aguilar, is now the presidential assistant for culture and the arts. Freddie, father of the universal song hit “Anak,” almost won an appointment as head of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts, until critics who have never written a song or lyric or performed in an arts festival shouted it down. Today, Freddie’s dream, one I happen to share, is to change the last line, a defeatist one, of the national anthem, “Ang mamatay nang dahil sa iyo” (To die for you, beloved country).Freddie knows the power of words – have you heard the lyrics of Anak? – and he believes that that line should revert to the old version, “Lupa ay langit sa piling mo” (My country in heaven’s embrace). Now, that’s a dream young and old, high and low, can own. | Manila Bulletin | https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/07/24/dream-on/ |
INC rallies faithful around 2017 'sharing' theme | ['Jing Villamente'] | 2016-11-10 21:27:17+00:00 | INC rallies faithful around 2017 ‘sharing’ themeBy home/News/Nation/INC rallies faithful around 2017 ‘sharing’ themeThe Iglesia ni Cristo (INC or Church of Christ) will mark the 61st birthday of Executive Minister Eduardo V.Manalo on Sunday with the launch of its 2017 theme, “Ikinararangal ko na ako ay Iglesia Ni Cristo” (I am proud to be a member of the INC), rallying its millions of members around a call that seeks to highlight the progress the church had made since its humble beginnings in Santa Ana, Manila.INC General Auditor Glicerio Santos Jr. said the new theme is in line with the church’s aggressive expansion programs that aim to inspire its members to reach out and share their faith with non-members of the INC.“The INC has witnessed unprecedented growth under Ka Eduardo—1,642 chapels, and 74 of these are located outside the country. We now have a presence in every continent in the world,” Santos added.“More and more people have embraced the faith and the church, which has grown by leaps and bounds since Brother Felix Manalo founded the church in 1914. We believe that this has become possible through His guiding hand, the leadership of Ka Eduardo and the example being made by our membership and our communities, and this is something everyone in the INC should be proud of,” he said.The INC has congregations in 130 countries and territories in six continents.Established in 1914 by its first Executive Minister, Brother Felix Y. Manalo, the INC has become one of the biggest and fastest-growing churches in the country and the world.“To put the growth of the church in perspective, we have to remember that the church’s membership was still growing in the Philippines before Ka Eduardo was born,” Santos said.“In Brother Eduardo V. Manalo’s administration, the church’s numbers have grown significantly. That is something all INC members can take credit for, since all of them have, in their own ways, contributed to this unparalleled growth,” he added. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/inc-rallies-faithful-around-2017-sharing-theme/295873/ |
Palace denies Duterte linked ‘drug lord’ to Chinese envoy | ['The Manila Times'] | 2018-10-06 00:04:43+00:00 | MALACAÑANG on Friday clarified that President Rodrigo Duterte did not link a suspected drug pusher to Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua.Duterte, during his meeting with alumni of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) on Thursday, said a certain Michael Yang, a businessman, was close with Zhao.Duterte even said Yang joined the entourage of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang when he visited the country.Palace spokesman Harry Roque, Jr. in a press briefing, said the statement of Duterte was taken out of context and that the President actually defended Yang, a Davao-based businessman.“I think it’s very clear that what the President meant to say was: number one, he cannot believe that Michael Yang is involved in the drug trade; and number two, because he was saying he could not believe that Michael Yang is involved in the drug trade, the report that the President linked the Chinese Ambassador to a drug lord is obviously false,” Roque said.Roque slammed the articles written by numerous online news outlets and singled out online news site Rappler, whose reporter, Pia Ranada-Robles, was banned in February from covering presidential events.“That report by Rappler is wrong, false; even malicious. It is also very dangerous, because it could possibly endanger the bilateral relations between the Philippines and China,” Roque said.He added that Rappler should be “responsible” and “give the profession of journalism a favor by issuing the corresponding errata and to correct its story.”Rappler and all other news sites corrected their articles an hour before the briefing.“The story is based on a speech which we had just seen, their interpretation of what the President meant, of course, lacks absolutely — has absolutely no basis; and it is only but proper if they have any sense of responsible journalism that they correct their story,” Roque said.“It’s important that they correct their story, because their story in turn, [has] been cited by international wire agencies, and obviously because it has gone international, it would have dire consequences for the diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China,” he added.Ranada-Robles sent a question to Roque later in the briefing, but this was shunned by the presidential spokesperson who said he was “not in the mood” to answer her query. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/palace-denies-duterte-linked-drug-lord-to-chinese-envoy/448909/ |
Piston to strike vs PUJ phaseout | ['Mary Gleefer F. Jalea'] | 2018-03-16 00:03:13+00:00 | Transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytors Nationwide (Piston) has announced that it will stage another strike on Monday to protest the government’s plan to phase out public utility jeepneys (PUJs).“We are warning commuters who might be affected by another strike that we will [hold] on Monday starting at 6:00 a.m. up to 4:00 p.m.,” Piston chief George San Mateo said in an interview on Tuesday.According to San Mateo, Piston and the No to Jeepney Phaseout Coalition expect to get a 90-percent participation rate or about 59,000 out of 65,000 jeepney drivers in Metro Manila alone.He said Alabang (Muntinlupa City), Novaliches (Quezon City), Monumento (Caloocan City), Manila and Cubao (also in Quezon City) will serve as rally centers on Monday.Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna and Batangas will most likely hold a nationally coordinated protest action too, San Mateo added.“The Department of Transportatn (DoTr) admitted that it could only provide 170,000 units for the 180,000 old jeepneys that they plan to phase out. We will not be able to fully upgrade. Even the rehabilitation period that we proposed will only be valid until 2020,” he said.Under the government’s modernization program for public utility vehicles, a new jeepney will cost P1.6 million to P1.8 million.Operators and drivers, however, have been saying that only 200 drivers will be able to avail of the P80,000 subsidy offered to them for purchase of a jeepney.“Even the lawmakers said in past hearings [in Congress] that this [modernization] program is raw,” San Mateo said.The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Finance (DoF) earlier said P2.2 billion will be provided for 28,000 jeepney drivers in 2018.This amount will be on top of another P1 billion loan program offered by the Land Bank of the Philippines.The DBM and the DoF are yet to come up with guidelines on the subsidy and other forms of financial assistance to beneficiaries. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/piston-to-strike-vs-puj-phaseout/386421/ |
I did not receive money – Bello | ['William Depasupil'] | 2018-07-25 00:05:17+00:00 | Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd on Tuesday maintained his innocence amid allegations of corruption, saying he did not receive any money from recruitment agencies.He admitted that there were attempts to bribe him but he returned the money.“I did not receive any money. There were those who tried but I have them returned and told them not to do it,” Bello said in Filipino in a radio interview.The Labor chief said he treasures his friendship with President Rodrigo Duterte and would not do anything to destroy it.In his State of the Nation Address, Duterte warned his friends in government not to give him reasons to sack them.“I value friendship, make no mistake about it. But it has its limits,” the President said.“This is a lonely place I am hemmed in. Do not make it lonelier by forcing me to end our friendship because you gave me the reason to end it. It pains me to end — the loss of friendships. And that is why I appeal to you to help me in my cause so that our friendship will endure.”Bello is facing two graft complaints before the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission. In both cases, Bello and former Labor undersecretary Dominador Say were accused of extortion. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/i-did-not-receive-money-bello/422998/ |
Estrada had asthma, not pneumonia – son | ['Jefferson Antiporda'] | 2016-12-26 21:55:56+00:00 | FORMER senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada on Monday dismissed reports that his father, former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, had pneumonia.“Contrary to what had been said and reported in the media, my father has no pneumonia,” Jinggoy said in a prepared statement.According to the former senator, his father suffered an asthma attack caused by fatigue and the weather.Jinggoy made the clarification after news reports came out that said the Manila mayor had been confined for three days at Cardinal Santos Medical Center because of pneumonia.The reports quoted Jinggoy’s younger brother, Sen. Joseph Victor Ejecito, in a radio interview on December 23.According to Ejercito, his father contracted pneumonia likely because of fatigue.“My father is now well, and is resting after he was discharged from the hospital,” Jinggoy said.The Estrada family thanked the public who prayed for the immediate recovery of the former president.Ejercito was recently absolved by the Sandiganbayan of charges of graft in relation to the purchase of P2.1 million in firearms for the police in San Juan City (Metro Manila) when he was still the mayor there. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/estrada-asthma-not-pneumonia-son/303819/ |
Senator seeks ban on plastic straws | ['Jefferson Antiporda'] | 2018-07-06 00:02:00+00:00 | IN a bid to reduce the country’s contribution to marine plastic pollution, Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Thursday filed a bill that seeks to ban single-use plastic straws and stirrers in all establishments serving beverages.She filed Senate Bill 1866 otherwise known as “The Plastic Straw and Stirrer Ban of 2018.”SB 1866 prohibits food service establishments that serve beverages from using any single-use beverage straw and stirrer made of plastic or any other non-biodegradable material.“Through this bill, we hope to start a national conversation on the need to reduce plastic pollution in our landfills and the oceans by discouraging people from using single-use plastic materials,” Hontiveros said in a statement.The measure also mandates food service establishments and other service providers occupying fixed spaces, such as sari-sari stores, to prominently display signs informing their customers of their “no plastic straw and stirrer” policy.Violators will be fined P50,000 for the first offense, P80,000 for the second offense and P150,000 plus suspension of business permits for a period of one year for the third offense.Hontiveros noted that based on a recent waste audit, the Philippines was found to be the third biggest contributor of plastic wastes to the world’s oceans, behind China and Indonesia.She said trash is of such magnitude that it has created six garbage patches in the world’s oceans, with the Great Pacific Garbage Patch as the largest containing about 79,000 tons of plastic debris that spans 1.6 million square kilometers, twice the size of France.Among the most common plastic products found in oceans are beverage straws and stirrers.“If we can persuade the people of the positive effects of not using plastic straws and stirrers, we can also encourage them not to use other single-use plastics such as bags and bottles,” Hontiveros said. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/senator-seeks-ban-on-plastic-straws/416329/ |
SC clips Congress power on detention | ['Jomar Canlas'] | 2018-08-15 00:05:18+00:00 | The Supreme Court (SC) has clipped the power of Congress to detain persons cited in contempt during legislative inquiries.The high court set a precedent when it ruled against the Senate in connection with the case of Aegis Juris fraternity leader Arvin Balag, who was detained at the Senate on October 18, 2017 during the legislative inquiry on the hazing death of University of Santo Tomas (UST) law freshman Horacio “Atio” Castillo 3rd.Balag was cited in contempt for refusing to answer questions about the hazing in September 2017. He filed a petition asking the high court to order his release, arguing among others that the investigation was not in aid of legislation but “in aid of prosecution.”The SC ordered his release in December 2017.In a 21-page en banc decision penned by Associate Justice Alexander Gesmundo, the tribunal said the period of imprisonment under the inherent power of contempt of the Senate should end at the conclusion of the legislative inquiry.“As long as there is a legitimate legislative inquiry, then the inherent power of contempt by the Senate may be properly exercised. Conversely, once the said legislative inquiry concludes, the exercise of the inherent power of contempt ceases and there is no more genuine necessity to penalize the detained witness,” the court said.It added that the indefinite detention of persons cited in contempt impairs their constitutional right to liberty.The 15-man court opined that legislative inquiry in aid of legislation shall end upon the approval or disapproval of the committee report or upon the term expiration of Congress.Without a limit to the period of detention, the court said there would be a possibility of life detention against witnesses since the Senate is a continuing body.However, the SC did not order the Senate to set up a period of detention. Instead, it advised Congress to enact a law or amend the existing law for such matter if it wants to supplement its power of contempt by extending the period of imprisonment beyond the conduct of its legislative inquiry. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/sc-clips-congress-power-on-detention/430431/ |
Wheelchair attendant returns P102,457 | ['Benjie Vergara'] | 2016-11-04 21:05:20+00:00 | An airport worker was commended by a Nueva Ecija congresswoman for returning a lost plastic pouch containing more than a hundred-thousand-peso cash and bank cards.The pouch found by Valiente Namion was left unattended on a pushcart at the Arrival Conveyor Area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.Namion, a wheelchair attendant of the Integrated Workers Services Cooperative, immediately turned over his find to the Lost and Found Section of the Intelligence and Investigation Division.During inventory, the pouch yielded 102 pieces of one thousand peso bills, four pieces of one hundred peso bills, 1 piece of twenty-peso bill, three pieces of five centavo coins, 21 pieces of one peso coins, six pieces of 25 centavo coins and two pieces of ten centavo coins with a total amount of P102,457.70.The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) Media Affairs Division said around 9: 20 a.m., a certain Wendell Tagapulot from the office of Nueva Ecija Rep. Magnolia Antonino-Nadres claimed that the congresswoman owned the pouch, which had been unintentionally left on the pushcart when she met her granddaughter at NAIA Terminal 1.General Manager Ed Monreal of the Manila International Airport Authority and NAIA Terminal 1 Manager Dante Basanta lauded Namion for his honesty.BENJIE L. VERGARA | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/wheelchair-attendant-returns-p102457/294838/ |
Boracay locals say algal bloom just a natural phenomenon | ['I Dont Care', '_O', 'Boracay Eco Watch'] | 15/03/2017 0:00 | Locals are defending the presence of the algal bloom in the shorelines of this world-renowned island.Septuagenarian Mila Yap-Sumndad said there is nothing to be alarmed about in the occurrence of green algae in the shores of the white sand beaches in the island.Sumndad said the green algae normally appear in January, and peaks in the summer months.She believed that the algal bloom was not caused by the increasing tourist population in the island.“It is there every year and usually becomes thick starting from March until May,” she said.Barangay Captain Lilibeth Sacapaño of Balabag said the algae have been present even before the development in the islands started.The 51-year-old Boracay local said the algae were even believed as the source of the island’s white sandy beaches.“We even used to play with these algae during our younger years. They are already here decades ago,” she stressed.Sangguniang Bayan Member Datu Yap-Sumndad likewise stressed that Boracay’s water is not polluted, contrary to reports aired by a television network.The SB member stressed that algae formation is not only present in Boracay but even in nearby non-touristy beaches.He said that algae are also present in some beaches in Buruanga town and Hambil or Carabao Island in Romblon, which are not frequented by tourists.The councilor said the local government unit of Malay is also working together with other organizations in the island to mitigate the impact of tourism on the environment.The councilor urged the public to disregard the false information on the algal bloom in Boracay.“We should work together to protect the image of Boracay,” he said, noting that Boracay could also “primarily impact the tourism industry of the country as well.” | Manila Bulletin | https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/03/15/boracay-locals-say-algal-bloom-just-a-natural-phenomenon/ |
‘NFA rice may end up with rice traders again’ | ['Jefferson Antiporda'] | 2018-06-15 23:22:58+00:00 | OPPOSITION Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino 4th on Friday expressed concern about the possibility of the imported rice procured by the National Food Authority (NFA) ending up in the hands of rice traders again, leaving the buffer stock of the grains agency depleted.Aquino raised such possibility since the corruption allegation surrounding NFA Administrator Jason Aquino has not been acted upon by Malacañang.“The government should look into allegations against Aquino rather than entrust him with the task of importing thousands of metric tons of rice,” the opposition senator said.The NFA administrator was blamed for the depletion of NFA buffer stock early this year, which led to the sudden spike on the prices of commercial rice in the market.“It was his blunder that caused the rice price increase and added to the burden of Filipino families,” Sen. Aqiuno pointed out.The initial shipments of the 250,000 metric tons of imported rice approved by the NFA council last February arrived in the country early this month in Subic and Surigao.The 16,000 tons of rice were distributed in provinces surrounding Subic and Surigao to stabilize rice prices in the area. The supply for Metro Manila and other regions in the country are expected to arrive in succeeding trenches.“What happened to the allegations against the NFA leadership? Now the imported rice has started to arrive, we should make sure that things would not happen again wherein the NFA rice and its buffer stock would just end up in hands of rice traders,” Aquino added.During a Senate hearing on the rice issue, the NFA admitted it failed to comply with the required 15-day buffer stock since last year because of natural and man-made calamities experienced by the country in 2017, including the five-month Marawi siege.The NFA head claimed that the agency anticipated the rice shortage and submitted a request for rice importation as early as October 2017 to the NFA Council, but its request to import 250,000 metric tons (MT) of rice in January was denied due to the stable price in commercial rice and the good local rice production forecast.But some resource persons who attended the hearing alleged that while the NFA is only allowed to sell rice to retailers, the agency allowed its stocks to be sold to favored rice traders through dummy rice retailers.Allegations were also made that the NFA rice was illegally sold to traders who then re-bagged and sold it as commercial rice at P42 to P45, or about 55 to 66 percent higher than the NFA selling price of P27 to P32.Mayor Teresa Alegado of Cebu during the hearing noted that the practice was so blatant that traders were selling the NFA rice without even bothering to re-bag this.Rice watchdog Bantay Bigas also pointed out that smugglers are taking advantage of the entry of the rice imported by the NFA fromVietnam and Thailand as it coincides with the scheduled arrival of the rice imports.“Rice importation only breeds rice smuggling,” Bantay Bigas spokesperson Cathy Estavillo said in reaction to the interception Thursday of shipment of 100,000 sacks of Thailand rice worth P187 million by the Bureau of Customs (BoC) at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).Based on BoC’s assessment, the shipments came from Vietnam and consigned to Sta. Rosa Farm Products Corporation.The current rice importation policy is causing the increasing number of smuggling cases in the country as it only gives opportunity for illegal rice imports from private traders to enter the Philippines, Bantay Bigas said.Experience tells us that rice importation permits sold to private traders were used to create an opportunity for illegally imported rice to enter the country,” Estavillo said.According to her, the proposed rice tariffication would even worsen rice smuggling as the government welcomes any private trader who can afford to import rice.Despite the NFA controversies President Rodrigo Duterte has retained Aquino as NFA head but returned the agency under the control of the Department of Agriculture.The president also ordered the removal of the powers of NFA Council chairman and Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr., a move which Sen. Aquino said was unnecessary and leaves the NFA even more prone to corruption and impunity.Evasco was pushing for a government-to-private mode of procurement to make the process more transparent while Aquino wanted a government-to-government mode, which is prone to corruption.WITH EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/nfa-rice-may-end-up-with-rice-traders-again/408549/ |
Palace disputes HRW drug findings | ['Catherine S. Valente'] | 2017-06-29 21:04:17+00:00 | Malacañang on Friday slammed a report recently released by an international human rights group, which said President Rodrigo Duterte triggered a “human rights calamity” as he waged a bloody war on drugs during his first year in power.In a news conference, Presidential Communications Secretary Ana Maria Paz Banaag said the government’s war against illegal drugs cannot be considered a human rights calamity as it seeks to protect the people.“We don’t feel good about the comments of the Human Rights Watch [HRW] report but we also have to be firm that and we have to realize that the President stood and won on a platform of genuine change. He wanted a better life for the Filipino people, of course,” Banaag told reporters.She said the HRW should acknowledge the number of drug dependents that had surrendered to authorities and subject themselves to a rehabilitation program.“Human Rights Watch should not brush aside all the programs especially the enforcement side. How many operations had been conducted by the enforcement agencies and anti-drug agencies? It is not a joke to enforce 62,000 anti-drug operations. That’s so much sacrifice and of course also we have around 1.3 million drug surrenderers. These things, the government is doing something about this through the inter-agency committee against illegal drugs,” Banaag added.She assured the public that the Duterte administration was working to address alleged extrajudicial killings in the country.“The government is not sitting down, watching lives being wasted just this way. So with this one, of course, we say that the President had only wanted so much for his countrymen,” Banaag said.The New York-based Human Rights Watch, in a statement, said Duterte has “unleashed a human rights calamity on the Philippines in his first year in office.”“President Duterte took office promising to protect human rights but has instead spent his first year in office as a boisterous instigator for an unlawful killing campaign,” Phelim Kine, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said.“Duterte has supported and incited ‘drug war’ killings while retaliating against those fearless enough to challenge his assault on human rights,” Kine added.Human Rights Watch cited its field research in March, which found that “government claims that the deaths of suspected drug users and dealers were lawful were blatant falsehoods. Interviews with witnesses and victims’ relatives and analysis of police records expose a pattern of unlawful police conduct designed to paint a veneer of legality over extrajudicial executions that may amount to crimes against humanity.”Official data from the Philippine National Police (PNP) pegged the total number of homicide cases at 9,432 from July 2016 to March 2017.Of this number, 1,847 deaths were said to be drug-related, while 1,894 were not.The remaining 5,691 cases, approximately 60 percent of the total figure, were still under investigation.Duterte’s anti-narcotics drive has also resulted in a 26.45 percent drop in the estimated total drug market and 28.57 percent reduction in index crime, according to the PNP data. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/palace-disputes-hrw-drug-findings/335629/ |
Spy funds ‘reward’ for rogue police | ['Bernadette E. Tamayo'] | 2017-06-23 20:53:05+00:00 | THOUGH he admits that it still needs validation, Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th has claimed that Malacañang’s intelligence funds were being used as “reward money” for rogue policemen involved in extrajudicial killings of drug suspects.Trillanes made the allegation on Thursday as he also claimed that a certain “Supt. Leonardo,” who belongs to Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Class of 1996, oversees the operation of the “Philippine Death Squad” under President Rodrigo Duterte.He said Leonardo, supposedly close to Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, serves as the President’s “point person” or “disbursement officer” for the reward money for his alleged death squads nationwide.When asked what was the source of the reward money, Trillanes replied, “There were many theories being given. We don’t have anything official yet. But as of now, they have intelligence funds which they get from Malacañang.”He said, “I have yet to validate that formally. But they have funding sources and the one who disburses [these funds] is Leonardo.”Trillanes added that Leonardo is the “Sonny Buenaventura” of Duterte’s “Philippine Death Squad.”A self-confessed hired killer, retired police officer Arthur Lascañas, has testified at the Senate that he was involved in the assassination plot of broadcaster Jun Pala in 2003.Lascañas also claimed that Buenaventura, a trusted aide and driver of then-Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, paid him P3 million for the job.“I have to validate this information, Leonardo is a close friend of Paolo Duterte. Leonardo has classmates at PNPA who contacted some rouge cops. They will then secure assignments within the PNP [Philippine National Police] and this Marcos had been assigned to Region 8. So, they already have a designated target,” Trillanes said.Marcos is Supt. Marvin Marcos, who is facing homicide charges along with 18 other police officers involved in the killing in November 2016 of Albuera (Leyte) Mayor Rolando Espinosa and another inmate, Raul Yap, inside their cell at the Baybay (Leyte) sub-provincial jail.Trillanes said he believes that the President had a hand in the move of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre 2nd to downgrade to homicide the murder charges filed against the Marcos group.“I believe that this is the order of President Duterte because if we recall during the testimony here of PNP chief [Ronald de la Rosa] he said that he relieved Marcos and his group because they are not qualified to be with CIDG [Criminal Investigation and Detection Group],” the senator added.But de la Rosa said that days later, the President called him, through his special assistant Bong Go, and ordered him to reinstate Marcos and his group.“One month later, Mayor Espinosa was killed. So, they really had a mission,” Trillanes said.The senator pointed out that from the very start, the President had said he will help his policemen who will face criminal charges for implementing his war on drugs.Marcos, chief of CIDG-Region 8, had been accused of killing Espinosa.He and his co-accused police officers are out on bail as a result of the Department of Justice downgrading to homicide the murder charges filed against them. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/spy-funds-reward-rogue-police/334512/ |
Senate: Expand 20% student fare discount | ['Jefferson Antiporda'] | 2017-10-27 22:39:49+00:00 | THE decision of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to allow students to avail of their 20-percent fare discount even during weekends and holidays was a laudable move but lawmakers said they want to further expand it and cover air, sea and rail transport.Senate Bill 1597 or the Student Fare Act is pending on second reading after it was sponsored by Senators Juan Edgardo Angara and Francis Escudero.If enacted, all students enrolled in basic and tertiary schools, including technical-vocational institutions, will be entitled to a 20-percent discount on regular domestic travel fares upon presentation of their duly-issued school ID or current validated enrollment forms.Angara said students taking up post-graduate studies such as medicine, law, masteral and doctoral degrees and short-term courses will not be qualified to avail of the discount.“Students need not wait for promo fares for them to save some cash when going back to their province and the family can then use the savings from the fare discount for other school fees,” according to the senator, the vice chairman of the education committee.The bill exempts Filipino students who will travel abroad for education, training and competition from payment of travel tax upon proper showing of proof or documentation of intended purpose.In order to protect public transport operators and companies from individuals who might take advantage of the discounts, the measure prohibits the availment of double discounts or combination of the student fare discount with other discount programs.Also, individuals who avail or attempt to avail of the privileges under the student fare law bill through the use of falsified identification documents, fraud or any form of misrepresentation will be subjected to civil and penal liabilities.Meanwhile, land, water, air and rail transportation utilities that refuse to grant student discount will be penalized with a fine ranging from P5,000 to P200,000.The LTFRB, starting today, will implement a memorandum that entitles students to a 20- percent fare discount all-year round including weekends, summer breaks and holidays.“We commend the LTFRB for recognizing the needs of our students. We have long been pushing for the passage of such measure,” Angara said. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/senate-expand-20-student-fare-discount/359045/ |
Wanted: 200 new immigration officers | ['William Depasupil'] | 2017-06-13 22:10:46+00:00 | The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is hiring more than 200 new immigration officers to help address perennial queues at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) immigration counters brought about by manpower shortage and abolition of payment of overtime fees of its employees from the Express Lane Fund (ELF).“We have started the process of selecting these new personnel by administering written tests and interviewing thousands of applicants who hail from different places, including the Visayas and Mindanao,” Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said on Tuesday.Morente pointed out though that the hiring of the new immigration officers would only provide relief to passenger congestion at the premier airport but would not totally address the problem.He said only the enactment of a new immigration law can provide a feasible and lasting solution to the decades-old problem of lack of manpower in the BI and the low salary of its workers.Morente added that several lawmakers have assured the bureau that a new Philippine immigration law will be passed during the current Congress.The BI recently deployed 37 newly-hired immigration officers to augment the bureau’s workforce at the NAIA Terminals I, II and III after completing their training on immigration laws, rules and procedures.Passenger queues at the NAIA’s immigration counter became a subject of controversy in recent months as some immigration officers resigned or went on indefinite leave as a result of the discontinuance of their overtime pay from the Express Lane Fund.This had forced the BI management to reassign to the NAIA immigration employees stationed at its main office in Manila and other field offices in the provinces.According to Morente, the queues lessened in recent days as fewer immigration officers have been skipping work since the Palace assured that steps will be undertaken to upgrade the take-home pay of BI employees.Effective last month, the bureau cut down its office hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily instead of 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. as a result of the discontinuance of the payment of overtime fees of its employees from the ELF.Express lane charges are additional cost being paid by foreigners who want to fast-track processing of their documents.They are the source of funding to pay for the services of the bureau’s confidential agents, contractual employees and other job orders and for overtime fees.President Rodrigo Duterte, however, vetoed the use of the ELF even as the Department of Budget and Management provided P235 million for the overtime pay of BI employees in the General Appropriations Act or national budget. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/wanted-200-new-immigration-officers-2/332557/ |
Two Catholic bishops pass away on same day | ['William Depasupil'] | 2017-06-18 19:32:47+00:00 | THE 131-member Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has lost two of its members on the same day to cancer.Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines (MOP) and San Fernando City (La Union) Bishop Rodolfo Beltran both passed away on Saturday.Tumulak,72, died of pancreatic cancer at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in Mandaluyong City at 1:26 p.m., while Bautista, 68, expired six hours later of prostrate cancer at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital in Manila.The MOP is a personal diocese for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Coast Guard.At the time of his death, Tumulak was also chairman of the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care.He also served as the first chairman of the bishops’ Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church from 1996 to 2005.In 2000, Pope John Paul II appointed him as a Consultor to the Vatican’s Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church, a position he held until 2005.A native of Santander town in Cebu province, Tumulak was ordained priest in March 1971.In January 1987, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu and served at the post for five years until 1992 when he was named the bishop of Tagbilaran City (Bohol).Beltran was serving his fourth year as bishop of San Fernando at the time of his death.He was born on November 13, 1948 in Gattaran, Cagayan and was ordained priest on March 25, 1976.Beltran served as parish priest of Saint Anne Parish, Buguey, Cagayan (1997-1999) and of Saint Peter Cathedral, Tuguegarao City (also in Cagayan) from 1999 to 2005.On March 18, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Vicar Apostolic of Bontoc-Lagawe.On October 30, 2012, he was appointed as the bishop of San Fernando City, La Union.Pope Francis is expected to name the two bishops’ replacements in accordance with the Vatican’s rules on succession.The Supreme Pontiff or the Pope has the ultimate decision whom to choose based on a list of candidates forwarded by the Philippine Apostolic Nuncio to the Congregation for Bishops in Rome.WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/two-catholic-bishops-pass-away-day/333518/ |
Angara urges jobs for Marawi residents | ['Bernadette E. Tamayo'] | 2017-08-19 20:51:55+00:00 | SENATOR Juan Edgardo Angara on Saturday urged the public employment service offices (PESOs) in neighboring areas of Marawi City to provide jobs to displaced workers due to the ongoing conflict between government forces and the Maute extremist group.He said that until the Marawi residents are not allowed to go back to their place of work in the city, due to security concerns, they will remain jobless.“The PESOs in the region should be active in providing employment assistance to the displaced workers so that they will be able to provide for their families,” said Angara, vice chairman of the Senate labor committee.Since violence erupted on May 23, around 400,000 people have been displaced, with many living in host communities or in evacuation centers across Mindanao.Most of the displaced families took refuge in neighboring communities in Lanao Del Norte, Iligan and Cagayan De Oro.Angara has worked for the passage of Republic Act 10691 that strengthens the PESO Act to ensure that all provinces, municipalities, cities and other strategic areas throughout the country will have their respective public employment service offices.He lauded the Department of Labor and Employment for allocating P30 million for its Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced (TUPAD) workers program, which now provides emergency employment assistance to nearly 2,300 displaced workers | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/angara-urges-jobs-marawi-residents/345500/ |
New BOC deputy chief takes oath | ['The Manila Times'] | 2016-12-19 22:31:56+00:00 | Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd has sworn into office Edward James Dy Buco as deputy commissioner of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) replacing Peter Manzano.Buco was a private lawyer prior to his appointment as Customs deputy commissioner but had served at the bureau’s provincial districts in various capacities for almost 12 years starting in 2002.He had served as Deputy Collector for Operations of the BOC’s Davao district from November 2012 to January 2014.Buco was also named officer-in-charge of the Davao district from April to June of 2013 and was chief of staff of the same district from November 2011 up to November 2012.Prior to his Davao assignment, he was assigned in Cebu City, where he was Deputy Collector for Administration at the Cebu Port and chief of its Auction and Cargo Disposal Committee. He was also the chief of the port’s legal division and accounting head of its bonds section.Buco was a managing partner of the Mosquera Dy Buco Law Office based in General Santos City and legal practitioner at the Dy Buco Law Office in San Jose, Antique.He was once a provincial board member representing the North District of Antique and had taught law at the Mindanao State University College of Law in General Santos City.Buco completed his law degree at the Ateneo de Manila University and his bachelor of arts degree at the West Visayas State College in Iloilo City. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/new-boc-deputy-chief-takes-oath-2/302672/ |
PH, US set talks on ‘reduced’ war games | ['Fernan Marasigan'] | 2016-11-08 20:32:41+00:00 | SECURITY officials are set to discuss before the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) a “reduced” number of joint exercises between the Philippines and the US that was recently approved by President Rodrigo Duterte, a Defense official disclosed on Tuesday.Arsenio Andolong, director of the Public Affairs Service of the Department of National Defense (DND), said Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has recommended the reduction of war games to fewer than 10.Before, according to Andolong, there had been about 28 exercises every year but the previous administration had reduced it to about 13.“So now with the new administration, it will come down to about half of that, so it would be half a dozen, There is no definite figure yet because it is still being discussed,” he said.Technically, Andolong added, there were more exercises terminated during the time of then-president Benigno Aquino 3rd than under the Duterte administration.A source said this was not disclosed because the Aquino administration was hiding it from the “enemy.”Lorenzana said on Monday that the President approved his Cabinet’s recommendations to continue implementation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and some joint exercises between the Philippines and the US.Among others that would be terminated are naval exercises called Philippines Amphibious Landing Exercise (Phiblex) and Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (Carat).The Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder), a signature element of the Philippine-US alliance, and others will continue but they will be refocused on non-traditional operations such as Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) and counter-terrorism, Andolong said.There will also be some aspects of anti-narcotics operation, he added.MDB-SEB is a series of defense and security-related meetings held each year between the Philippines and the United States.The meetings foster strong relationships between the Philippines and the US military and improve their abilities to work together on mutual defense and security that includes HADR, cyber-security and anti-terrorism.When asked if the US is insisting on retaining Phiblex and Carat, Andolong said, “We will have to tell them that that is not the direction that we want to take because the President has already specified what he wants and Ithink that he was very vocal about that. If they want to be treated as allies, they should listen to what our needs are and what they also require.” | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/ph-us-set-talks-reduced-war-games-2/295474/ |
Rescuers race to find landslide survivors | ['Dexter A. See'] | 2018-11-02 00:10:09+00:00 | Natonin, Mountain Province: Hundreds of rescuers on Thursday raced to save 22 persons buried alive when an avalanche of rocks and mud swamped a four-storey building of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) at Hacrang, Banauel on Tuesday.Mayor Mateo Chiyawan said 300 rescuers from the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police and Bureau of Fire Protection were working round the clock searching for survivors and retrieving victims of the landslide triggered by Typhoon Rosita.“We need all the support from concerned government agencies but our major concern now is our town remains isolated because of the numerous landslides along national roads leading to the locality. We have sufficient supply of food but we fear that it will not be sufficient if roads leading to our place will remain closed for a number of days,” Chiyawan said.“The landslide is much bigger compared to the landslide that recently happened in Itogon. Rescuers are having a difficult time conducting manual search and rescue operation because of the volume of rocks and mud that buried the structure and the houses of people living near the said office,” he added.Authorities on Thursday said the death toll rose to 22 as more bodies were found in Natonin, Mountain Province.Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said 10 bodies have been recovered from the DPWH building.On Wednesday, the Mountain Province Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Managament Council said eight cadavers were recovered from the collapsed building.It reported that 14 persons survived the landslide.Help arrivesA caravan of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) arrived in Natonin on Thursday after travelling for more than a day.“After going through 40 landslides and waist-deep mud, our Red Cross caravan has finally arrived in Mt. Province. After assessing the site, they now start with the search, retrieval and clearing operations. Praying for everyone’s safety,” Sen. Richard Gordon, PRC chairman, said.The caravan, composed of two ambulances, payloaders, one tractor, a truck loaded with three portable generators and vans full of hot meals and bottled water, left Mandaluyong City at 2 a.m. on October 31.Hours earlier, 20 Red Cross volunteers from the Bontoc, Mt. Province armed with shovels showed up at the landslide area to help search for survivors.WITH ED VELASCO | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/rescuers-race-to-find-landslide-survivors/460889/ |
China invites PHilippine firms to export fish | ['Jaime Pilapil'] | 2017-04-26 20:11:01+00:00 | FUZHOU, Fujian, China: The Chinese government is inviting Philippine companies to export fish to the mainland that will be processed by China Asean Marine Product Exchange (Campe), which transacts online, delivers offline and settles cross-border trade.AManila-based company, Sinocom, is already exporting milkfish (bangus), according to Campe official Jian Zhou.“We import milkfish from Philippines and one of these companies is Sinocom,” Jian said, adding that the Chinese love the Philippine fish.He said the annual trade volume is about 2,000,000 metric tons and annual value of trade is pegged at not less than 30 billion yuan.The marine products, according to Jian, are mostly shipped to various areas in China to help feed the country’s more than 1 billion people.“But we want Philippine companies to start exporting their products to us,” he said.Current Chinese President Xi Jinping was once secretary of Fuzhou Municipal Party before he became Fujian governor.Campe was started only in 2013 but now handles about fifty percent of marine trading in the world.Together with the establishment of Campe, a huge storage called Mandy Group handles cold chain logistics from ice-making, warehousing, processing, testing and processing of aquatic products.Ten journalists from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines were invited by the Fujian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to tour them to various companies in the province, especially those directly related to the Maritime Silk Route.The Silk Route was established during the early dynasties in China wherein spices from around the world were brought into the country in exchange for vintage Chinese porcelain, among others.Fujian, with a 38.74 million population, is the starting point of the ancient Maritime Silk Route more than 1,000 years ago.More than 60,000 seafarers come from this province.Fujian is on the southeast coast of the Chinese mainland or about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Hong Kong.In 2016, its gross domestic product (GDP) totaled RMB 73,617 and government revenue was RMB 414.3 billion.Foreign trade volume reached RMB 1.04 billion.Well-known Filipinos like Henry Sy, Lucio Tan, the Cojuangco family and even national hero Jose Rizal trace their roots to Fujian.“So, the Philippines and China are actually brothers. We have so much in common and we have dealing [with each other] since time immemorial. We have people to people connections ever since,” said Li Lin, deputy director general of the Foreign Affairs Office of Fujian Provincial People’s Government.JAIME R. PILAPIL | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/china-invites-philippine-firms-export-fish/324209/ |
OFWs seek lifting of Kuwait ban | ['William Depasupil'] | 2018-02-25 22:29:46+00:00 | CITING economic reasons, hundreds of skilled overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the total deployment ban to Kuwait have appealed to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd to exempt them from the ban and allow them to leave immediately so as not to lose their jobs.In a dialogue over the weekend at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) office in Manila, the affected workers, which included first time workers and returning old timers who signed contracts with different employers, said that they were not household service workers (HSWS) or domestic helpers (DH) but company workers, and were amply protected by Kuwait labor laws.The workers appealed to Bello to limit the ban to HSWS or DHs, the most abused workers not only in Kuwait but in other Middle East countries as well.Administrative Order (AO) N0.54A, which sets the guidelines on the implementation of total deployment to Kuwait, covers all types of workers being deployed for the first time for overseas employment in Kuwait, without distinction as to skill, profession, or type of work.Exempted are Balik-Manggagawa or the OFWs who are vacationing in the Philippines and will be returning to the same employer to finish their contacts, at the end of his/her vacation; and OFWs who are returning to Kuwait on a new contract with the same employer.Also exempted are seafarers who will be transiting through or boarding in Kuwait to join their principals.Some of the workers claimed that they were already knee-deep in debts while the others have already sold their properties, adding that they need to leave before their visas expire or their employers would replace them with workers from other countries.These skilled workers are oil and gas engineers, IT professionals, nurses, medical and laboratory technicians, store mangers, sales personnel, communication technicians, maintenance personnel electricians, plumbers, and carpenters who have been issued visas and are just awaiting their plane tickers from their employers.But Bello has remained steadfast and instead appealed for understanding, saying that it is his responsibility to ensure the safety and interest of Filipino workers, regardless of whether they are HSWs or skilled workers.“We are appealing for your understanding. We need to ensure first the safety of all Filipino workers through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will give added protection to Filipino workers,” he added.According to Bello, the Kuwait government is very receptive to the MOU and have signified its willingness to sign it by next month after the Philippines and Kuwait panels discussed the merits of the proposed labor policy, which will prohibit the confiscation of the passports and mobile phones of Filipino workers.President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the deployment ban more than two weeks ago following the discovery of the body of Joanna Demafelis, a Filipina domestic helper, inside a freezer in an unoccupied apartment unit in Kuwait.Prior to that, the DOLE also ordered the probe on the cause of death of seven other Filipino household workers who died in Kuwait. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/ofws-seek-lifting-kuwait-ban/382672/ |
Macalintal confirms Senate run | ['Mary Gleefer F. Jalea'] | 2018-10-05 00:10:31+00:00 | Romulo Macalintal, the legal counsel of Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, confirmed that he would seek a Senate seat in next year’s elections.Macalintal, a veteran election lawyer, said he would run as an independent candidate and as guest candidate of Robredo’s opposition coalition.He vowed to represent senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs).“Maraming pangangailangan ang ating mga kapatid na senior citizens at persons with disabilities. Mula sa kanilang kalusugan, kabuhayan, pati na rin kapakanan (Senior citizens and persons with disabilities have plenty of needs ranging from their health, livelihood, to their individual rights),” he said.“Kaya sa 2019 elections, save your last vote for me para sa ating mga kapatid na senior citizen at PWDs (so in the 2019 elections, save your last vote for me for the senior citizens and PWDs),” he said.Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan also confirmed Macalintal’s Senate run.“Atty. Mac, being the lawyer of the vice president, has been consistent in his position on the case of the vice president and other related matters,” Pangilinan said.Macalintal earlier said that he was “considering entering politics.”“I had been assisting politicians winning the elections, perhaps I could try if I apply it to myself,” he said in a news briefing last week.Aside from Macalintal, the Liberal Party will also be fielding Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino 4th, former House Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tañada 3rd, and human rights lawyer Jose Manuel Diokno. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/macalintal-confirms-senate-run/448397/ |
SC warned vs usurping Comelec authority | ['Llanesca T. Panti'] | 2018-06-02 00:04:16+00:00 | THE Supreme Court will be usurping the authority of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) if it won’t follow a Comelec Resolution setting a 25-percent threshold for the manual counting of votes for the 2016 Vice Presidential race, according to a group led by former solicitor general Florin Hilbay.“Manindigan Na” issued the statement in connection with a pending appeal by Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo to the Supreme Court, sitting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), to set the valid vote threshold at 25 percent based on Comelec’s September 2016 Resolution for manual counting and for Vote Counting Machines in the 2016 automated polls.The manual recount in Camarines Sur, Negros Oriental and Iloilo stemmed from former Sen. Ferdinand“Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s protest against Robredo who defeated him by over 200,000 votes.“The Comelec’s September 2016 Resolution set the minimum threshold at 25 percent. There is no logical reason for the PET to use a different threshold. By insisting on their own rules, the PET is subverting the will of the voters and usurping the constitutional mandate of the Comelec,” the Hilbay-led group said.The group was referring to PET’s 50-percent threshold for a valid vote, which was set in the 2010 automated polls.“We find this move a manipulation to take away votes that were rightly cast for the duly-elected Vice President,” Hilbay said.Marcos accused Robredo of winning based on fraud, which Robredo denied. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/sc-warned-vs-usurping-comelec-authority/403261/ |
Japan vows support vs piracy, terrorism | ['Fernan Marasigan'] | 2017-02-14 20:44:46+00:00 | JAPAN has expressed readiness to contribute to cooperation among the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia in addressing piracy and terrorism, the Department of National Defense (DND) disclosed on Tuesday.According to the DND, Japanese Vice Minister for International Affairs Ro Manabe made the assurance during the Philippines-Japan ministerial meeting on February 10 in Tokyo.Undersecretary for Defense Policy Ricardo David Jr. and Manabe headed their respective delegations during the meeting that was convened for the fifth time.Joining them were Defense Assistant Secretary for Assessments and International Affairs Raymund Quilop and Philippine Navy commander Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado.Manabe also assured the Philippines of Japan’s support for Manila’s Chairmanship of Asean this year even as he reiterated Tokyo’s intention to promote defense cooperation with Asean member-states.Japan is ready to pursue deeper defense cooperation with the Philippines through exchanges and defense equipment transfer, according to the vice minister.Manabe has requested the Philippines to convey how Japan could best assist in curbing piracy and kidnapping in the three countries’ shared maritime areas.David acknowledged Japan’s contribution to the capability upgrade of Philippine defense forces specifically the lease of 5 TC-90 aircraft for maritime surveillance, the first two to be delivered in late March.Japan also provides capacity-building assistance particularly on humanitarian assistance and disaster response.David cited the need for the two countries to conclude a visiting forces pact as Japan has expressed interested to hold exercises with the Philippines.Prior to the meeting, the Japanese side had briefed the Philippine delegation on the latest developments in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea], which Japan has monitored, assuring Manila that Tokyo will continue to share with the Philippines timely information specifically violations of the rule of law, in reference to the decision on a sea row between China and the Philippines issued by Permanent Court of Arbitration in July last year. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/japan-vows-support-vs-piracy-terrorism/312218/ |
Number of out-of-school Pinoys down – survey | ['Mayvelin U. Caraballo'] | 2017-06-14 22:09:38+00:00 | ONE in every 10 Filipinos aged 6 to 24 is an out of school child and youth (OSCY), a government survey showed.Results of the 2016 Annual Poverty Indicators Survey (APIS) released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that 9.8 percent or 3.81 million of the estimated 38.97 million Filipinos 6 to 24 years old were not enrolled in schools.The number of OSCY is 68 percent lower than the 12.2 million reported in 2014.“In this report, OSCY refers to family members 6 to 14 years old who are not attending formal school; and family members 15 to 24 years old who are currently out of school, not gainfully employed, and have not finished college or post-secondary course,” the PSA explained.Based on the survey, 1.5 percent of children aged 6 to 11 were OSCYs.Of the 3.81 million OSCYs, 87.3 percent were 16 to 24 years old, 7.7 percent were 12 to 15 years old and 5 percent were 6 to 11 years old.A majority, or 42.3 percent, said marriage or family problems prevented them from going to school, while 20.2 percent cited the high cost of education.The survey also said there were more female OSCYs than males.The APIS is a nationwide survey conducted by the PSA. Around 11,000 sample households are covered in the survey nationwide. The survey is designed to provide non-income indicators related to poverty at the national level. It aims to gather data on the socio-economic profile of families and other information related to their living condition.Policy recommendation“The results of the 2016 APIS show the impact of the government’s thrust to improve education in the country,” said Land Bank of the Philippines market economist Guian Angelo Dumalagan.Comparing the latest survey to the 2014 APIS, Dumalagan noted that the number of OSCYs declined to 3.8 million in 2016 from 12.2 million two years ago “consistent with the country’s improving enrollment rates.”He said there was also a drop in the proportion of OSCY’s who cited “financial concern” as the key reason for not attending school. In 2014, 22.9 percent of OSCYs were not able to attend school because of high educational cost.“This ratio fell to 20.2 percent in 2016, suggesting an improvement in the relative affordability of education,” Dumalagan said.However, the LandBank economist said despite recent gains in the country’s educational system, some areas of improvement remain, particularly on the amount of encouragement or support families give to their children.In 2016, the proportion of OSCYs who cited “lack of personal interest” and “marriage/ family matters” as key reasons for not attending school increased to 19.7 percent (from 14.2 percent in 2014) and 42.3 percent (from 18.7 percent in 2014), respectively, he explained.Dumalagan said the rising share of these two reasons for not attending school suggests that there may be a need to initiate programs that would urge families to encourage their children to complete their education“These programs might be directed to lower income households, as this segment of the population is more prone to leave school due to family reasons or lack of interest,” he added. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/number-school-pinoys-survey-2/332746/ |
Maranaos favor AFP camp in Marawi | ['Ralph Villanueva'] | 2018-04-21 00:02:52+00:00 | The people of Marawi are in favor of a plan of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to build a military camp in the city, a member of the task force overseeing the rehabilitation of Marawi said on Friday.In a Task Force Bangon Marawi news briefing in Malacañang, Toby Purisima, Office of Civil Defense assistant secretary, said feedback on the plan from consultations with the people of Marawi was generally favorable.“We have to remember, security measures are needed in the most affected area because of what happened in the past, the incident that resulted in the destruction of the most affected area [in Marawi],” Purisima added, referring to the siege of the city by the Maute terrorist group from May to October last year.“We really need security measures in the area. And based on our feedback during our consultations, the residents of the most affected area are in favor of the camp here,” he said.Purisima reiterated that the people of Marawi are not being bypassed on any step of the rehabilitation.On January 30, President Rodrigo Duterte led groundbreaking for the new military camp in Marawi.The 10-hectare camp will cost P400 million and will be developed in Barangay Kapataran.The AFP earlier said the military camp would deter another siege by terrorist groups.The Manila Times reported on February 26 that terrorists from Marawi are regrouping and that they may be gearing up for another attack elsewhere.Earlier this year, civilian group Ranaw Multi-Sectoral Movement opposed the government’s plan to build the camp, saying they are being ignored by the task force.The group said the rehabilitation of Marawi did not consider the presence of the residents who had been there for so long.“Plans have been made without our participation. Plans that neither bear the stamp of our will nor reflect our culture. Plans whose mechanics and implementation are not clear to us,” it said in a statement.According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, 353,921 individuals, or 77,179 families, were displaced from Marawi City and neighboring municipalities because of the five-month war.Duterte initially signed Proclamation 216, which declared martial law and suspended the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao for 60 days on May 23, 2017, in order to stabilize the situation in Marawi.On July 22, martial law was then extended until the end of the year.On December 13, 2017, the last day of Congress, military rule was again extended for the whole of 2018 to speed up the rehabilitation and to stunt the regrouping of the terrorists. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/maranaos-favor-afp-camp-in-marawi/393755/ |
US donates anti-terror equipment to PH Marines | ['Fernan Marasigan'] | 2016-10-14 21:25:10+00:00 | DESPITE President Rodrigo Duterte’s continued attacks against the United States, even threatening to revoke an agreement that allows American forces to conduct activities in agreed locations inside Philippine military bases, the country’s long-time ally recently donated counter-terrorism equipment to the Philippine Marines.Three days before the conclusion of the 33rd joint military drill Philippines Amphibious Landing Exercise (Phiblex) on Tuesday, representatives from the US Embassy in the Philippines’ Joint US Military Assistance Group (Jusmag) delivered 24 pallets of new military equipment to the Philippine Marine Special Operations Group (Marsog) at Clark Air Base, Pampanga.The military equipment was turned over by US Army Maj. Anthony Nelson of Jusmag as part of a US government grant program aimed at assisting security forces conducting counter-terrorism operations.The equipment, for use in counter-terrorism and fast-boat operations, included tactical Harris radios, ballistic helmets and diving gear.“This equipment will help enhance the communications, situational awareness and protection of Philippine security forces actively engaged in counter-terrorism operations in southern Philippines. The Philippine Marines will also receive radio training as a part of the US grant program,” a statement from the US Embassy said.Besides the Marsog, the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force also received six pallets of the new communications equipment from the US government.Duterte had warned that Phiblex 33 would be the last in his six-year term even as he threatened to scrap the Philippines-US Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement or EDCA that was implemented by his predecessor.On Wednesday, the President stood firm on his decision to end the annual joint war games between the Philippines and the United States.In his speech during the 115th anniversary of the Philippine Coast Guard, he said he had told Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana “not to prepare anymore” for next year’s military exercises with the US.A major drill between the two long-standing allies is the “Balikatan” (shoulder-to-shoulder), which has been the cornerstone of Philippine-US military relations since the US bases in the Philippines were shut down more than two decades ago.Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said only the US can stop China’s grip on the disputed South China Sea (West Philippine Sea).During the closing ceremony for Phiblex 33, Carpio said the Philippines should continue joint patrols with the US to protect its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as mandated by the 1987 Constitution.“There is only one power on earth that can stop the Chinese from poaching in our EEZ. That is the US,” he added.Sen. Panfilo Lacson said the country would not be able to survive external threats without the US, disputing a statement made by Lorenzana that the country could do without Washington’s military support. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/us-donates-anti-terror-equipment-ph-marines/291298/ |
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