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PNP: No ‘state-sponsored killings’ | ['Roy Narra'] | 2018-04-13 00:08:08+00:00 | The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday denied that “state-sponsored killings” attend the government’s war on drugs as a recent resolution issued by the Supreme Court (SC) seemed to conclude.Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, PNP spokesman, said in a statement that the crackdown is “constitutional, legal and implemented in the interest of public safety.”“All allegations [on summary executions believed to be perpetrated by the police] are part of the healthy democracy that the country has,” he added.Bulalacao said the “presumption of regularity” in the conduct of the campaign against illegal drugs will be upheld unless proven otherwise in the courts.“Presumption of regularity means that policemen should not be questioned on their decision to kill a suspect because it is presumed that they do it on duty, [which response] was previously critici[zed],” he explained.Bulalacao said the Supreme Court should focus more on the millions of surrenderers, thousands of arrested drug suspects and policemen who died in drug operations rather than the almost 4,000 deaths in the campaign.According to him, there were 1.3 million who had surrendered and more than 120,000 who had been arrested.“If the claims on EJKs [extrajudicial killings] are true, then these surrenderers and arrested suspects should not be alive as well,” Bulalacao said.The SC resolution released on April 10 said the “government’s inclusion of these deaths among its other accomplishments may lead to the inference that these are state-sponsored killings.”It questioned the high number of deaths in the operations.The Supreme Court ordered the PNP on April 4 to submit data on the drug war covering July 1, 2016-November 27, 2017.It rejected Solicitor General Jose Calida’s motion for reconsideration of the order, saying it might affect national security.The PNP was visible in the drug campaign that was carried out through two programs: Oplan: Tokhang and Oplan: Double Barrel.It maintained that Oplan: Tokhang is a “bloodless program” that saw policemen pleading with drug suspects to surrender to authorities instead of fighting it out with the latter.On the other other hand, the PNP said Oplan: Double Barrel cannot be “bloodless” since there will be drug suspects who are likely to engage policemen in a gunfight. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/pnp-no-state-sponsored-killings/392173/ |
Burger King ordered to regularize workers | ['William Depasupil'] | 2018-03-29 00:01:04+00:00 | AT least 44 store-branches in Metro Manila of one of the leading hamburgers chains in the country have been found violating the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DoLE) guidelines on work contracting and were meted out corresponding compensatory penalties.Based on the findings of the DoLE’s labor laws compliance officers (LLOs), Burger King or Perf Restaurants Inc. and its five contractors were found engaged in prohibited labor-only contracting activities, in violation of labor laws and occupational safety and health standards.The findings prompted the DoLE-National Capital Region (Metro Manila) office to immediately issue a compliance order, directing Burger King and its five contractors to regularize the affected 704 workers, who have been performing activities that are directly related to the main business and operation of the food chain.Burger King and its contractors were also told by the DoLE to immediately issue appointment letters and payroll reflecting the entitlements of the affected workers as regular employees.In a report submitted to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd, one of the company’s contractors — Fusion Integrated Service Cooperative — provides employment contracts to workers with probationary status without specifying the duration of their employment, a scheme that circumvents the right of workers to security of tenure.The principal and its four other contractors, meanwhile, have deployed workers, who are performing activities that are directly related to the main business operation of the food chain.The contractors also do not have substantial capital as the employees use the principal’s equipment and tools in the performance of their outsourced services.Non-compliance with the occupational safety and health standards was also noted with the principal and contactors found to be lacking trained safety personnel and certified first aider.Burger King was the second hamburger chain found engaged in labor-only contracting activities.Earlier, Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) and its contractors in nine branches in Miraropa were similarly penalized for the same violations, prompting the DoLE-Region 4B office to issue a compliance order directing the food company and its three contractors to regularize a total of 468 employees.The findings also prompted the DoLE-Region 4B office to immediately issue a compliance order, directing the JFC and its three contractors to regularize a total of 468 employees, who have been performing activities that are directly related to the main business operation of the food chain.The principal also exercises full authority in the performance of work of the outsourced employees.DoLE Department Order (DO) 174, or the Rules Implementing Articles 106-109 of the Labor Code, prohibits the following: labor-only contracting; farming out of work through “cabo”; contracting out of job or work through an in-house agency; contracting out of job or work through an in-house cooperative, which merely supplies workers to the principal; contracting out of a job or work by reason of a strike or lockout, whether actual or imminent; and contracting out of a job or work being performed by union members and such will interfere with, restrain or coerce employees in the exercise of their rights to self-organization as provided in Article 259 of the Labor Code, as amended.It also prohibits contractors and sub-contractors to require their employees to perform functions which are currently being performed by the regular employees of the principal; sign, as a precondition to employment or continued employment, an antedated resignation letter; a blank payroll; a waiver of labor standards including minimum wages and social or welfare benefits; or a quit claim releasing the principal or contractor from liability as to payment of future claims; or requirement for the employee to become a member of a cooperative; and repeated hiring of employees under an employment contract of short duration. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/burger-king-ordered-to-regularize-workers/389133/ |
Alvarez named Datu by IPs in Tagum City | ['Zaldy Tan'] | 17/10/2017 0:00 | Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has been adopted as a Datu by an indigenous community in Tagum City, according to the city’s information office.Alvarez was named ‘Dagkuan Datu, Dagkuan Punuan’ in a blessing ceremony held last week during the Kaimunan festival.The festival is the city’s IP thanksgiving celebration.Alvarez was named Datu in a blessing conducted by IPs in the city.“Nasayod ko nga kini nga posisyon pagka Datu, dili lang ni siya tawagon ka ug Datu. Naa ni’y mga kaakibat na responsibilidad ug obligasyon para sa tribu, para sa mga IPs (I’m aware that this position as Datu is not merely a title. This carries responsibility and obligation to our indigenous people),” a tribal leader said. | Manila Bulletin | https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/10/17/alvarez-named-datu-by-ips-in-tagum-city/ |
‘Barometer’ on renewed talks with Reds bared | ['Ralph Villanueva'] | 2018-03-02 00:02:04+00:00 | DEATH and surrender are the only two options under which peace negotiations with communist rebels can be revived, according to President Rodrigo Duterte.In an interview with reporters after groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Christine Villas housing project at Barangay Maria Cristina in Balo-i, Lanao del Norte, Duterte on Wednesday said that as of now, resumption of the peace talks is still out of reach.“The barometer is if they give up or [if] they are all dead. I do not have any choice. They are fighting the government. They’re killing the soldiers and policemen, so my order is also to kill them.”“What else can I do? My forces are already being killed,” Duterte said.The fight, however, may be over soon, according to the President.“If they all surrender tomorrow, [the conflict] is over. What could be the use of [force]? But as I see, they are still fighting. There are a lot left. But I know that they are already having a hard time because [their members] are already old and sick,” Duterte said.“Their leaders, their higher echelons, they are done. They are old. Their minds do not work like it used to before. But their members, they still are big in number,” he added.The President said the time is still not ripe for the resumption of the peace talks.“Not at this time. Maybe. Alongside with the mass surrenders is also the ferocity of those fighting,” Duterte noted.He said he ordered the military to reinvent the doctrine on detachments in highways.“My soldiers who are standing in the detachments just die so we are reconfiguring the movement of the forces. I told my soldiers to modify the detachments, except in population centers. In highways, I do not want [the current set-up] because they [communist forces] know how to [use their] snipers,” Duterte added.He said he is still not satisfied with the number of surrenderers, since there are a lot more left.Duterte “formally terminated” the peace talks with the communist rebels last November after signing Proclamation 360, after they “failed to show sincerity and commitment in pursuing genuine and meaningful peace negotiations as [they] engaged in acts of violence and hostilities.”Since then, he has flipped-flopped on his stand.Most recently, he got into a word war with Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison, who earlier said he can command his troops to kill one soldier a day until the government revives the peace talks.Duterte then replied that he will order his soldiers to kill five NPA rebels for every soldier killed. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/barometer-renewed-talks-reds-bared/383438/ |
Patricia Bautista accepted in WPP | ['Jomar Canlas'] | 2017-08-18 22:55:54+00:00 | The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday gave security and protection to Patricia Paz Bautista, estranged wife of Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Andres Bautista.In a press conference, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre 2nd, told the media that they have accepted Bautista under provisional coverage of the Witness Protection Program (WPP).In Patricia’s 10-page affidavit, she accused her husband of having ill-gotten wealth because he declared only P176.3-million in his 2016 Statement of Assets Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) even if he has assets worth P1-billion. She is also pushing for the division of their assets following their separation.Andres Bautista is now being investigated by the National Bureau of Investigation; the Presidential Commission on Good Government, which he headed and is facing impeachment raps.Under the WPP, Patricia is entitled to stay in a safe house, monthly allowance, security protection, hospitalization and medicines, and other privileges.“The provisional admission of Cruz-Bautista into the WPP was made in consideration of her safety and security as a potential witness,” Aguirre said.At present, Aguirre said that they are evaluating whether Patricia will soon be given full WPP coverage.“We wish to stress that before being provided with actual protection, security and/or benefits under the WPP, Cruz-Bautista must execute a Memorandum of Agreement stating that she came to the DOJ freely and voluntarily, with her lawyers, to seek her admission to the WPP,” the DOJ chief said.Aguirre did not mention the details of the death threats against Patricia. He also said that her children are not prohibited from seeking protection under the WPP in case they ask for the same.Patricia refused to answer questions from media as to the substance of the death threats she allegedly received and issues of morality hurled against her and whether or not Andres has gender problems. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/patricia-bautista-accepted-wpp/345364/ |
Customs seizes Taiwan-bound softshell turtles | ['Benjie Vergara'] | 2017-11-12 00:51:07+00:00 | The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Saturday seized Taiwan bound Chinese softshell turtles at a cargo warehouse in Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).The cargo, loaded with 123 live turtles mixed with live eels, was scheduled to leave Manila on Friday at 5p.m. when it was intercepted by Customs officials.BOC District III Collector Ramon Anquilan said the Customs Export Division personnel led by Rey Gatchalian discovered the contents of the cargo when it went through manual examination.Customs officials said the shipment was consigned to Jan Birt Co. Ltd. with address at 1F-1, No. 178. Sec. 1 Zhengxiao E. Rd. Zhongsheng District, Taipei City, and shipped by 3H enterprises Limited Inc. of 97 Panginay, Guiguinto, Bulacan.The turtles that reportedly originated from Pampanga have no Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) permits, which is a requirement prior to exportation.“These turtles aside from being endemic to China and Taiwan can also be farmed. They are usually harvested for food and folk remedy tonics. However, the continuous consumption and exploitation may cause its extinction,” Anquilan told reporters.The Chinese softshell turtles can also be found in the rice fields of Bulacan and Pampanga preying on rats, snakes, insects and other living things. The turtle species is considered an endangered species. Rice plants and other plant life are also included to the reptiles’ diet.The Chinese softshell turtles, according to BOC Commissioner Isidro Lapeña who went to NAIA after arriving from Davao, is one of the delicacies in Taiwan and China.The market price of the turtle ranges from $39 to $40 each.On October 26, Customs official seized a package bound for Sweden declared as sweet pastries but was found to contain a pit viper, four Philippine Cobras and 10 sailfin lizards.Also, seven pit vipers bound for China were intercepted after it went through x-ray examination.The pit vipers, Philippine Cobra and the sailfin lizards are considered endangered species.All wildlife specimens were properly turned over to the DENR, except the live eels which have DENR permit and were later allowed to be flown to Taiwan, Customs officials said.Lapeña said the BOC is also “committed to keeping our environmental resources by protecting our borders from all forms of smuggling and illegal activities.” | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/customs-seizes-taiwan-bound-softshell-turtles-2/362241/ |
Justice chief 'fooling' public on death penalty | ['The Manila Times'] | 2016-11-21 22:40:49+00:00 | The House senior deputy minority leader has accused Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre 2nd of “misleading” the public in order to drum up support for death penalty.“Secretary Aguirre’s claim that death sentences are needed to implant fear in the hearts of hardened criminals has long been discredited by extensive social science research,” Lito Atienza Atienza, also Buhay party-list group representative, said in a statement on Monday.“Ample studies have demonstrated that people commit crimes largely in the heat of passion, such as in cases of road rage, or because they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or because they are mentally ill. These would-be criminals give little or no forethought to their actions, and won’t be discouraged by any fear of death,” Atienza added.He said the people who actually contemplate their crimes beforehand, such as professional killers, as well as syndicated drug traffickers, robbers, kidnappers and carjackers, intend and expect to avoid capture and punishment.Thus, the lawmaker said the best way to quash crime would be to guarantee the swift apprehension and imprisonment of felons, especially those hoping to get away.Aguirre earlier said the death penalty has to be restored to send a chilling message to criminals.“If the death penalty will be strictly enforced, there is no iota of doubt that this will instill the fear of death in the minds of would-be criminals. In this way, people with criminal minds would think twice before they commit offenses, especially heinous ones,” he added.Atienza, however, said the death penalty runs counter to the faith of most Filipinos.“More than 86 percent of Filipinos are Catholic, and our faith teaches us that every human being has the right to life, which is absolutely sacred,” he noted.Atienza warned that the country would be openly violating international treaties once Congress returns capital punishment.“We must stress that we are party to international agreements that expressly forbid executions and any form of cruel, inhumane and degrading punishment,” he said.The lawmaker said government would achieve far more in suppressing crime if it purged the justice system of crooked police officers, prosecutors, judges and prison officials.“Right now, police officers for instance are fighting crime with one hand practically tied behind their back, because many of their colleagues are either engaged in all sorts of criminal activities, or giving protection to felons, from drug traffickers to street snatchers,” Atienza added.He cited the latest case of five police officers involved in a brazen kidnapping and carjacking in Cagayan de Oro City (Misamis Oriental).The officers were caught on closed-circuit TV abducting a man who remains missing up to now.“Every day, we have reports of corrupt officers getting caught up in criminality. Thus, if we simply apprehended and put behind bars all the rotten officers, we would have fewer heinous crimes everywhere,” he pointed out.Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez earlier said he expects the House to pass the bill reviving the death penalty for heinous crimes before the Christmas recess.Alvarez himself authored the bill that seeks to mete out death sentences to offenders convicted of drug felonies, murder, rape, robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, bribery, plunder, parricide, infanticide, destructive arson, piracy and treason.Atienza, however, prefers that the same offenses be punished with imprisonment for 40 years, or until the convict reaches 70 years old, without the benefit of possible early release.Congress abolished capital punishment in 2006 as a result of mounting flaws, including belated discovery of the wrongful execution of Leo Echegaray. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/justice-chief-fooling-public-death-penalty/297716/ |
Japan feels lagging behind in digitization | ['Jaime Pilapil'] | 2017-02-24 20:51:25+00:00 | TOKYO: Japan–a country that uses robots or electronic machines in factories, houses and offices–still considers itself lagging behind Germany, Singapore and even Estonia in digitization.According to Prof. Atsushi Sunami, special adviser to the Cabinet on Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is implementing reforms like equal pay for equal work, improvement of child care and nursing care environment, empowerment of women, accelerated infrastructure developments and establishment of national strategic economic zones.“Germany has its Industry 4.0, while us in Japan has Society 5.0 which is geared toward empowering our citizens and preparing them for the future where digitalization is a key component,” Sunami told 18 journalists gathered by Asia Productivity Organization (APO) here.He said digitization is now happening in Estonia, a former Soviet state, where young children even before reaching school age are being introduced to simple computer programming, the so-called Smart Nation of Singapore and even the Industrial Internet in the United States.In a bid to post 600 trillion yen ($5.316) in gross domestic product, Japan aims to boost productivity, drive innovation and trade and energize corporate activities.“To attain these, there is a need to increase the wages and income of Japanese people, initiate rise in consumption, create new demands, increase capital investment and improve corporate performance,” Sunami said.During the five-day study mission of journalists from Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Mongolia and the Philippines, the participants were toured to small and medium enterprises that are not just top performers in sales but also recognized as world class and are now pursuing programs to go global by establishing outlets in different parts of the world.Take for example Suntory Yamazeki, a Kyoto-based liquor maker that produces the No.1 whisky on earth.It has blended not just mixtures of components of alcohol but blended new technologies to produce the “best” whisky in the world, defeating the premium whiskey of Scotland.Another is a plant factory in Kyoto that produces lettuce that grows on water alone.The company is the top supplier of lettuce here but next year it will open a new plant that will be fully mechanized and run by robots.It is also studying putting plants abroad, saying all they need is water.Sunami said Japan despite being one of the top trading countries is aiming to establish a ‘Smart Society’ where problems like aging population, pollution and natural disasters are anticipated and not just only to reduce but to get rid of the threats.In Japan, companies are being helped not only for them to thrive but go abroad so other societies could savor their excellent products and services.But all these changes are seen possible only through super smart information technology, a body of information that will deliver the message to its citizens and to the world, a task APO is helping initiate.APO is regarded as the leading international organization on productivity enhancement, enabling economies to be more productive and competitive by 2020.JAIME R. PILAPIL | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/japan-feels-lagging-behind-digitization-2/314022/ |
P5, 000 earners to get cash transfers | ['Mayvelin U. Caraballo'] | 2016-11-13 18:30:19+00:00 | The Department of Finance (DOF) said the poorest 50 percent of households each earning P5,000 or less a month will get unconditional cash transfers of up to P6,000 a year each in the initial phase of its tax reform program submitted in September to Congress.In a statement over the weekend, Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua said highly targeted social protection programs to vulnerable sectors, rather than providing outright tax exemptions to both rich and poor, would better shield them from the impact of the reforms in tax policy and administration that the DOF is pushing under its proposed Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act.“We propose to do a highly-targeted subsidy reform program wherein… the poorest 50 percent of households will be fully protected through a highly-targeted unconditional cash transfer in the initial year, and that means around P200 to P500 per month or up to P6,000 over a year, and this is calibrated based on the possible increase in inflation and the impact of the higher oil [tax increase] on their lives,” Chua added.The DOF said these are just some of the expanded benefits that it is now finetuning with other government agencies to cushion the country’s vulnerable sectors against the impact of proposed fuel excise tax adjustments and removal of certain exemptions to the value-added tax (VAT), which form part of Package One of the proposed Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act.Such measures, along with improvements in tax administration, will help offset revenue loss from reductions in the personal income tax rate that the DOF is proposing under Package One.Chua, also the DOF’s chief economist, said minimum-wage earners and other members of the working class identified as those earning more than P5,000 but not over P12,000 a month would be protected from effects of the excise tax adjustments on petroleum products by providing drivers and operators of public utility vehicles with cash cards similar to the Pantawid Pasada Program to ensure that their pass-through costs would only be around 50 centavos.“Also, complementary to the measure, we should address the other problems of traffic, of improving their engines to make these more efficient; if we address the corruption on the streets, which we hear some authorities collect bribes from jeepney drivers, [then we probably do not need to see any increase,]” he added.The DOF official said even the middle class would still be protected because they can use the savings that they will get from paying lower personal income taxes to cancel out the effects of the fuel excise tax adjustment.According to him, entry-level workers earning more than the daily minimum wage would effectively enjoy significant increases in their take-home pay because they will pay lower taxes under the DOF-proposed tax reform program.For instance, “entry-level employees with a monthly salary of P13,378 and no declared dependents would see an increase in their take-home pay by P12,673 per year,” he said.The amount of P12,673 is the personal income tax that they pay under the current system, which would be reduced to zero under the DOF tax reform plan.The DOF has said that some 3 million taxpayers earning above the minimum wage but not over P250,000 per year would automatically increase their take- home because they would be exempted from paying taxes.The country’s 1.7 million minimum-wage earners (MWEs) are already exempted from paying income taxes.With the current daily minimum wage at P491 in the National Capital Region (Metro Manila), the MWEs earn P12,488 a month or a total gross income of P218,832 per annum–comprising a basic salary of P149,856 plus 13th month and other benefits totalling P34,976 and minus P34,000 in mandatory contributions like those for the Social Security System (SSS) and Pag-IBIG.Entry-level workers paid above the minimum wage, like those in the Clerk III category, are also exempted from paying income taxes because they each get a monthly income of P13,378 or an annual gross income of P231,292–comprising a basic salary of P160,536 plus 13th month pay and other benefits totalling P36,765, and minus mandatory contributions of P34,000.Right now, these entry-level workers are supposed to each pay an annual income tax of P12,673.This means that a total of 4.7 million taxpayers, which make up 83 percent of the tax base for individuals, would be exempted from paying incometaxes under the DOF-proposed tax reform plan, Chua said.Another half-million plus taxpayers earning between P250,000 and P400,000 will pay taxes equivalent to only 20 percent of their incomes in excess of P250,000 by 2018, the first year of implementation of the DOF-proposed tax plan.From 2019 and onward, they would have to pay a personal income tax of only 15 percent of the amount in excess of P250,000.Taxpayers earning P400,000 to 800,00 will pay P30,000 in tax plus 25 percent of their annual gross income in excess of P400,000.Those earning P800,000 to P2 million per year would pay a tax of P130,000 plus 30 percent in excess of P800,000. In 2019 and onward, the rate would be reduced to P102,500 plus 25 percent in excess of P800,000.Some 28,000 individuals earning P2 million to P5 million or 1 percent of the tax base would be taxed P490,000 plus 32 percent of their annual gross income in excess of P2 million.The last bracket of ultra-rich taxpayers comprising less than 6,000 individuals earning over P5 million would have to pay a tax of P1.45 million plus 35 percent in excess of P5 million. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/p5-000-earners-get-cash-transfers/296345/ |
PET rejects Marcos bid to annul Leni’s proclamation | ['Jun Go'] | 5/9/2017 0:00 | The Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) has dismissed former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s challenge on the authenticity of the 2016 election results that were used as bases for the proclamation of Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo as it opted to concentrate on the actual revision of ballots in 36,465 clustered precincts he contested in his protest.In a resolution, the PET, composed of all the 15 justices of the Supreme Court (SC), also decided on concentrate on Marcos’ bid to annul the results of the election for vice president in Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, and Basilan on the grounds of “terrorism, intimidation and harassment of voters….”The PET said its decision “dispenses with the need to determine if the other nationally and locally elected officials who won in the 2016 elections would need to be impleaded as indispensable parties” in the protest and counter protest between Marcos and Robredo, respectively.The ruling also dispenses with the need to implead the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as a party to the cases.Leni: Foot the billMeanwhile, the camp of Robredo on Tuesday asked the SC to direct Marcos to pay R2 billion for the vote counting machines on account of his election protest.Robredo, through her lawyers Romulo Macalintal and Maria Bernadette Sardillo, filed a 13-page manifestation with urgent ex-parte motion to resolve the omnibus motion before the SC, sitting as the PET.The Vice President earlier sought for clarification from the PET on who will be liable for the amount that represents the cost of the VCMs leased and used in last year’s May elections. (With a report from Raymund F. Antonio) | Manila Bulletin | https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/09/05/pet-rejects-marcos-bid-to-annul-lenis-proclamation/ |
Gas, diesel prices up by P1.40 per liter | ['Aberon Voltaire Palaña'] | 2016-12-12 21:58:11+00:00 | In separate advisories on Monday, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum, Caltex, Phoenix Petroleum, PTT Philippines and Flying V said they will increase gasoline and diesel prices both by P1.40 per liter on Tuesday morning.Shell, Caltex and Flying V will raise kerosene prices by P1.45 per liter, according to the advisories.Pilipinas Shell Petroleum, Phoenix Petroleum and PTT Philippines said they will implement the price changes at 6 a.m. on Tuesday.Flying V said its price adjustments will take effect at 12:01 a.m., also on Tuesday.This week’s oil price increases were caused by last Saturday’s non-OPEC meeting.The meeting was another victory for OPEC (Organization of Petroleum-Exporting Countries) as the cartel struck a deal with non-OPEC oil-producing countries to limit output.The current deal combined with the previous one will limit output by a total of nearly 2 percent of the global oil supply.The agreement removes 558,000 barrels a day of crude oil in addition to the 1.2 million barrels agreed on in the OPEC meeting last November 30.Department of Energy oil monitoring for Metro Manila as of November 29 showed that diesel prices ranged from P26.15 to P30.85 with a common price of P27.95; gasoline from P34.60 to P45.60 with a common price of P43.68; and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) in P11-kilogram (kg) cylinder from P424.50 to P655.50.This caused a corresponding net increase of P5.64 per liter for gasoline and P7.18 per liter for diesel.LPG posted a net decrease of P1.15 per kg.The latest price changes resulted from average price movements for the previous five trading days in the global market. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/gas-diesel-prices-p1-40-per-liter/301388/ |
Reforms to ensure high inclusive growth – DOF | ['The Manila Times'] | 2016-11-24 22:20:51+00:00 | The Duterte administration’s ongoing administrative and structural reforms will efficiently mobilize public resources to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth, the Department of Finance (DOF) said.In the latest DOF Economic Bulletin, Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran said the government could sustain the country’s robust economic growth and make it inclusive through higher investments in physical infrastructure and social services.Based on Beltran’s report submitted to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd, the economy, which expanded by 7.1 percent during President Rodrigo Duterte’s first three-months in office, continued to be supported by strong macroeconomic fundamentals.The Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) grew at its fastest pace in three years in July-September, beating market expectations and that of other major Asian economies like China’s 6.7 percent and Vietnam’s 6.4 percent.“Amid uncertainties in the global economy, the Philippine economic growth is the fastest in the region,” Beltran, also the DOF’s chief economist, said in a statement.The third-quarter growth brought year-to-date economic expansion at 7.0 percent, which is at the high-end of government’s 2016 target range of 6.0 percent to 7.0 percent.“Both administrative and structural reforms would eventually result in a more efficient resource mobilization of public resources,” Beltran said. “These would catalyze greater investments in both physical infrastructure and social services.”“Higher public investments, in turn, will translate into sustainable and inclusive development,” the Finance official added.To raise funds for higher public spending, Beltran said the Duterte administration needs the comprehensive tax reform to be passed into law.Meanwhile, he noted in the third-quarter Philippine economic performance report that consumption remained strong at 7.3 percent, owing to robust overseas Filipino remittances and stable prices.“What is more noteworthy is the sustained double-digit rise in investments for four quarters in a row, which telegraphs robust economic growth ahead. This is welcome news as policy-makers steer the country to a more investment-led economy,” Beltran said.He added that the narrowing trade deficit after exports recovered during the quarter that contributed to growth and the 20.1 percent rise in government construction.From the supply side, Beltran said the growth was largely driven by the industrial sector, which expanded by 8.6 percent in the third quarter amid strong manufacturing, construction and utilities.In the first nine months of the year, the Philippine industrial sector maintained its steady domestic upward trajectory at 8.2 percent, significantly higher than 5.9 percent in the same period of last year.The local agriculture sector also recovered during the quarter, finally reversing five quarters of continuous decline at 3.9 percent.The services sector also posted robust growth rate of 6.9 percent.“Domestic consumption and investment continue to grow due to robust internal demand backed up by higher employment and rising real wages,” Beltran said.Along with consumption and investment, he noted, strong balance sheet of banks, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ sizable reserves and the country’s lower exposure to foreign debt fostered macroeconomic stability.“They will continue to provide the country more cushions to withstand external headwinds,” Beltran said.“Government also has ample fiscal policy space to increase spending specifically for much needed infrastructure investments.” | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/reforms-ensure-high-inclusive-growth-dof/298257/ |
‘Draft charter tackles socioeconomic issues’ | ['Bernadette E. Tamayo'] | 2018-07-24 00:09:28+00:00 | ~THE draft federal constitution crafted by the Consultative Committee (ConCom) provides solutions to the socio-economic problems presented by President Rodrigo Duterte during his third State of the Nation Address on Monday, the committee’s spokesman, Ding Generoso, said on Tuesday.“The priority agenda of the President is covered by the draft constitution. If we look at 10 of the 15 or so priority items in the SONA, 10 of these are being addressed by the proposed constitution crafted by ConCom,” he said in a briefing.“If you look at the rice cartel and the telecommunications industry these are addressed by the fair market and anti-monopoly provisions in the proposed constitution, plus the elevation of the competition commission into an independent constitutional commission,” he said. “So if the President wants a strong body to go after the rice cartel and bring the prices of rice down, the answer is in the draft constitution by empowering the federal competition commission.”Environmental protection and disaster management are provided for in the Bill of Rights which provides “stronger rights of citizens not only to clean, air, water, soil and environment but also the right to stop activities that are harmful to the environment,” Generoso explained.The protection of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) is tackled under the Article on Labor and Social Justice. “There is an entirely new section there providing protection to OFWs including granting free legal assistance to those who are facing legal problems abroad,” he said.“Universal health care, again that is provided for under the Bill of Rights, the right to comprehensive universal health care,” Generoso said.The anti-corruption campaign of the President is covered by the provision creating a stronger Ombudsman Commission and the extra powers given to the Commission on Audit.“The power to conduct not only post audit but pre audit as well as performance audit to stem graft and corruption. When it comes to strengthening our claim in the West Philippine Sea, that’s under (the article on) territory,” he said.He said that the President’s desire for Congress to pass a Land Use Act is under the economic provisions requiring Congress to pass a Land Use Act. It also gives the federated regions the power to define uses for their land.“Then, we have the Bangsamoro Organic Law. There is of course a number of sections in the proposed draft constitution providing for the recognition among others of the Bangsamoro Organic Law as it may be passed by Congress,” Generoso said.“So, all of these are part of the proposed constitution,” he added. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/draft-charter-tackles-socioeconomic-issues/423008/ |
Manila bishop: President promoting violence | ['Ashley Jose'] | 2018-02-14 00:03:58+00:00 | Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo has accused President Rodrigo Duterte of promoting “cultural violence’’ when he offered P20,000 to indigenous peoples (IPs) for every member of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) that they kill.“It’s life, we should have a process. We have a process. You cannot just kill, whether he is a criminal or not,” Pabillo said.On Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to offer the lumad (non-Muslim indigenous peoples) P20,000 for each NPA they kill.Duterte made the promise after the death of a tribal leader and his son, which killing the President blamed on the NPA.“The way he talks, he spreads fear and it somehow promotes a series of cultural violence. That’s what we don’t like, to have a culture of violence,” Pabillo said.The president of Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas, Ma. Julietta Wasan, said she is offended by the President’s remark that he is ordering troops to shoot female NPA members in the vagina.“Let us respect women, it is scary to hear that the President is ordering troops to shoot females in private parts of their body. I’m pleading, do not. We need justice, not violence,” she noted.Pabillo also urged the government to focus on the faulty justice system.“This is why we have courts, this why we conduct trials. If the process is slow and faulty? Then fix it!” he said.Several groups including Gabriella and Pasaka Confederation, the umbrella organization of 39 lumad groups, have rallied against the President’s use of the lumad against rebels. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/manila-bishop-president-promoting-violence/379997/ |
Atienza lauds Duterte for boosting ties with China | ['The Manila Times'] | 2018-04-04 00:05:23+00:00 | BUHAY party-list Rep. Lito Atienza hailed President Rodrigo Duterte for promoting closer ties between the Philippines and China.“We are elated that President Duterte has been actively strengthening the relationship between Manila and Beijing through his administration’s policies on business, trade and even the opening of job opportunities in China for thousands of Filipino workers. We commend the President for his political will, sharp economic sense and wisdom, which has brought the Philippines closer to China, an economic superpower. His efforts are now bearing fruit for Filipinos everywhere. We have just met with Chinese businessmen who have expressed their renewed confidence in investing in the Philippines now due to the closer relations between our two countries,” Atienza said.It was during Atienza’s third term as mayor of Manila when Beijing initiated the fostering of warmer relations and closer economic and cultural ties through the signing of a Sister-City Agreement in 2005 with then-Mayor Wang Qishan.Qishan was recently elected as China’s vice president.“Relations between the Philippines and China had gone cold during the previous administration. It took someone like President Duterte to revive Manila’s close relations with our superpower neighbor. Not only has China been providing military assistance to the Philippines, but it has now opened some 300,000 jobs for teachers, musicians, nurses, cooks, household service workers, and caregivers,” Atienza said.“Judging from the optimism and interest of Chinese businessmen to invest anew in the Philippines, we can be sure that the best is yet to come. Through President Duterte’s sheer political will and foresight, the country is now starting to benefit from the fruits of these warmer and more productive ties between Manila and Beijing,” he added. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/atienza-lauds-duterte-for-boosting-ties-with-china/390281/ |
Congress, High Court must assert their independence – Senate minority | ['Jefferson Antiporda'] | 2017-06-12 21:00:39+00:00 | SENATORS belonging to the minority bloc on Monday called on various institutions of democracy to continuously serve and protect the interest of the people amid a “complicated and divisive political environment” by asserting their independence.According to the senators, institutions like Congress and the Supreme Court (SC) will not be able to effectively protect and serve the people if they would allow their independence undermined by others.“Now, more than ever, it is important for our democratic institutions to show their independence amid the complicated and divisive political environment that we have today,” they said in a statement.The Senate minority bloc is composed of Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Francis Pangilinan, Benigno Paulo Aquino 4th and Leila de Lima (who is detained), all belonging to the Liberal Party (LP); and Senators Antonio Trillanes 4th; and Risa Hontiveros.“Let us not allow others to dishonor and disrespect our institutions, because doing so is an insult to the memory of the brave and selfless Filipinos who fought for our freedom as a nation,” Drilon said.The minority senators said the only way to protect and serve the people is for the institutions of democracy to preserve their independence.The minority bloc, however, did not cite any specific incident that would indicate efforts to undermine the independence of Congress or the Supreme Court but there have been statements and actions coming from allies of the administration that seem to show disrespect to the minority.Just last week, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez vowed to disregard any ruling from the High Trubunal compelling Congress to convene in a joint session to review the martial law declaration in Mindanao of President Rodrigo Duterte.Alvarez, a lawyer, even threatened to tear the order ordering them to convene in a joint session.The SC is set to conduct oral arguments today on a petition filed by former senator Rene Saguisag, former Commission on Elections chairman and constitutional commission member Christian Monsod, de Lima, former congresswoman Loretta Ann Rosales, former Philippine Health Insurance Corp. director Alexander Padilla and law professor Rene Gorospe.The petition is seeking issuance of a mandamus to compel Congress to convene to review the declaration.“As we celebrate our Independence today, let us breathe life to the liberties that were fought for us by our forerunners by defending the independence of our institutions and by keeping dissent alive in the face of tyranny,” Trillanes said.Pangilinan and Aquino said the people should continue to guard democracy in light of proliferation of “fake news” and misinformation.They added that everyone must do his part in freeing the people from fake news and lies that are rampant in the country.“We fought for independence from foreign rule. We fought for freedom from a ruthless dictator. Now, we fight terrorism, encroachment on our territory and our freedom to dissent. In an era of fake news, rabid online persecution and weak political institutions, we need to fight for our democracy now more than ever,” Aquino said. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/congress-high-court-must-assert-independence-senate-minority/332378/ |
Court revives CHEd chief’s graft case | ['Neil Alcober'] | 2017-10-21 22:21:44+00:00 | THE Court of Appeals (CA) has ordered the reinstatement of a graft case filed against Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) Chairwoman Patricia Licuanan in so far as the administrative aspect is concerned, reversing its initial decision declaring itself without jurisdiction to review the finding of the Office of the Ombudsman dropping graft charges.In 2014, the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (Paascu) filed a joint criminal and administrative complaint before the Ombudsman against Licuanan over an alleged anomalous deal with a private company involving the allocation of P10 million for the creation of a new accrediting agency.“While we are happy that CA has ordered the reinstatement of the administrative aspect of Chairperson Licuanan’s graft case, we believe that she should also be made liable criminally. We are therefore asking the Supreme Court to reinstate not only the administrative aspect of Chairperson Licuanan’s graft case but also the criminal aspect, which we believe is very strong given the COA [Commission on Audit] report,” Atty. Joseph Noel Estrada, PAASCU’s legal counsel, told The Manila Times over the weekend.On Wednesday (October 18), Lawyers Joseph Noel Estrada and Diana Tuazon assisted Paascu in the filing of its petition for review on certiorari before the Supreme Court.Estrada noted that the accrediting association, headed by Fr. Joel Tabora S.J.—also the president of Ateneo de Davao University and Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (Cocopea)—is determined to pursue the case against Licuanan including its criminal aspect.It may be recalled that Paascu filed a joint criminal and administrative complaint in 2014 against Licuanan and Mr. Leo Querubin, President of Philippine Computer Society (PCS), for entering into a Memorandum of Agreement where CHEd allegedly allocated P10 million for the organization’s mobilization assistance. Based on the COA report, the selection of PCS by CHEd lacks competitiveness and transparency. Paascu alleged that the memorandum of agreement did not undergo bidding process, lacked transparency, and was grossly disadvantageous to the government, thus in violation of RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/court-revives-ched-chiefs-graft-case/357852/ |
Dengue cases up in first half of year | ['Kimberly Malait'] | 2018-07-12 00:05:05+00:00 | DENGUE cases in Metro Manila and other parts of the country rose by 25 percent in the first half of the year, the Department of Health (DoH) said on Wednesday.Heath Undersecretary Rolando Enrique Domingo said in a radio interview that 7,200 cases of dengue were recorded from January 1 to July 7, higher than the 5,800 cases reported in the same period in 2017.The highest increase was reported in the Ilocos region, where dengue cases went up by 80 percent. It was followed by Cagayan Valley, which recorded a 66-percent increase.Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas and Northern Mindanao regions also had higher incidence of dengue, Domingo said.The official warned that the figure could go up since the peak season is just starting. During the rainy season, there are plenty of damp areas where mosquitoes breed, he explained.Dengue is a tropical disease caused by a family of viruses transmitted by mosquitoes. Symptoms include high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and skin rash.Domingo assured the public that hospitals were prepared to treat patients should there be a surge in dengue cases. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/dengue-cases-up-in-first-half-of-year/418487/ |
New BoC chief vows to stamp out corruption | ['William Depasupil'] | 2017-08-30 20:00:23+00:00 | NEW Bureau of Customs (BoC) Commissioner Isidro Lapeña on Wednesday vowed to put a stop to the culture of corruption in the graft-ridden bureau to generate more revenues for the government.“Stop corruption and increase revenue earnings. This was the marching order I received from [President Rodrigo Duterte] when I reported to him and [he] formally informed me that I will be heading the Bureau of Customs,” Lapeña said.By stopping corruption, he explained, collection would consequently also improved.He said major changes will be implemented to regain public trust and confidence in the bureau, a hotbed of corruption, even as he assured all Customs officers and men that he would give them a chance to start with a clean slate.Lapeña announced that he would abolish the controversial Command Center (ComCen) established by former Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, saying “it is not in the law,” and would return the “alert power” to deputy commissioners and other concerned Customs officials.ComCen is headed by Deputy Commissioner Garardo Gambala.It was created by virtue of Customs Special Order (CSO) No. 45-2016 and is the sole unit that can issue alert orders, among other powers.ComCen also acts as the coordinating facility of the Operations Group in the proper collection of duties and taxes, enforcement of tariff and Customs laws and prevention and suppression of all forms of Customs fraud and other economic frauds in all ports of entry.It supervises and monitor as well the movement of imports, exports, foreign mails and the clearance of vessels and aircraft in all ports of entry.“I am not here to pass judgment but I’m here to institute changes. I’ll start with a clean slate for everybody. I will work with the organization and I will utilize officers and personnel who are already knowledgeable and experienced in the Customs processes,” Lapeña said.He gave his assurance that those who remain steadfast in performing their duties and responsibilities with commitment, competence and integrity would be aptly rewarded but warn those who continue with their corrupt practices to stop it now.“I expect this to deter corrupt practices. We will send out a 24/7 feedback mechanism to report and facilitate actions from concerns or complaints regarding unlawful activities of Customs officials and employees and informants who provide positive information will be given rewards,” Lapeña said.“I need everyone to be onboard, everyone to be onboard with me. Either you are with me or you are against me. If you are not with me, give way or else I will take you out,” he added.“Let us start anew so we can move forward, just do your work, prove your worth and I will back you up,” Lapeña said.According to him, he would implement a “one-strike” policy to boost internal cleansing, which shall be supported by intensified counter-intelligence efforts within and outside the bureau.He said his top priority is to do away with the culture of “pasalubong [welcome gift]” and tara (grease money) and strictly enforce the “no-gift and no-take policy.”Lapena urged everyone to arrest or report unscrupulous individuals who will use his name to collect money or ask favors to circumvent laws and regulations and “you will receive a reward accordingly from me.”“I am also appealing to all stakeholders, especially the importers, to support and cooperate with us by adhering only to legitimate procedures. Part of our job is trade facilitation. Do not give us reasons to hold your shipment and I assure you that under my term as Customs commissioner, we will collect what is legally proper and correct dues. No more tara. Do not be duped into becoming instruments that contribute to breeding corruption in the bureau,” he said.Lapeña added that a bureau-wide computerization of system and processes to reduce red tape would provide a level playing field to all stakeholders and ensure trade facilitation, contributing to increased revenues.Faeldon, in his farewell speech, called on all officers and employees of the bureau to support Lapena, whom he described as a better officer than him.He was forced to submit his resignation to the President amid a controversy and public uproar over a P6.4-billion shabu shipment that slipped past the Customs zone without a hitch.At the height of a congressional probe, Surigao Rep. Ace Barbers and members of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs called on Faeldon to step down but he refused, saying that as a soldier he treats his job as a mission, “and a soldier does not quit from his mission.”Subsequent investigations by the Senate and the House of Representatives, however, prompted Faeldon to submit his resignation, which the President eventually accepted. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/new-boc-chief-vows-stamp-corruption/347693/ |
Shipment to Visayas, South of fowl from Luzon banned | ['The Manila Times'] | 2017-08-15 20:14:26+00:00 | THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has temporarily suspended the shipment of live domestic and wild birds and their products, including poultry meat, day-old chick, eggs, semen and manure from Luzon to the Visayas and Mindanao in a bid to contain further spread of avian influenza from a town in Pampanga province.Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol on Tuesday said the government is exerting all efforts to contain the spread of the avian flu from the town of San Luis, Pampanga, which was placed under immediate quarantine issued by the DA last Thursday, August 10, when the disease was confirmed.Piñol added that the ban on the shipment of poultry meat and poultry products from Luzon to the rest of the country is an aggressive step to contain the spread of the avian influenza to other parts of the Philippines.Appealing for understanding and support of the public, including poultry farm owners and workers, he said the ban will be temporary and will be lifted as soon as experts conclude that the risk of spreading the virus has been eliminated.The temporary ban on the shipment of chicken and other fowl from Luzon to Visayas and Mindanao is contained in Memorandum Circular 09, Series of 2017, signed by Dr. Enrico Garzon Jr., Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Livestock and Director of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).“In view of the avian influenza outbreak in the province of Pampanga and to prevent further spread of the disease in other parts of Luzon and to Visayas and Mindanao … No movement of LIVE domestic and wild birds including poultry meat, day-old chick, eggs, semen and manure shall be allowed from Luzon [mainland Luzon and island provinces of Luzon] to Visayas and Mindanao,” Memorandum Circular 09 stated.Garzon noted that “[s]ince Visayas and Mindanao remain free from avian influenza, the movement of live poultry, poultry mat, day-old chicks, eggs, semen manure and other products from Visayas and Mindanao to Luzon will be allowed.”Shipment of poultry meat and poultry products from Luzon to any point in Luzon, the DA secretary said, will be allowed “provided this is outside of the 7-kilometer radius control area of Pampanga.”Piñol added that Luzon-to-Luzon shipment of poultry meat and poultry products will be allowed under the following conditions:Shipping permitLive domestic and wild birds, including but not limited to chickens, duck, geese, quails, doves and pigeons shall be accompanied by a shipping permit and a veterinary health certificate issued by a government sector veterinarian that these products were sourced from farms with no incidence of avian influenza for the past 21 days prior to shipment.Poultry meat, including but not limited to fresh, frozen meat, uncooked poultry products, shall be accompanied by a shipping permit and a meat inspection certificate.Piñol said the temporary ban will be lifted when there are no new cases reported after the stamping out activity, including the disinfection of all affected areas and surveillance.Meanwhile, Department of Health (DoH) Assistant Secretary Enrique Tayag also on Tuesday said they are monitoring two suspect cases among those exposed to chickens affected by avian flu in San Luis.In a news briefing, Tayag added that he was given a preliminary report on those interviewed by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) and found two suspect cases with flu symptoms.“I was given a preliminary report where they interviewed 20 people from different farms and found two of them with [flu] symptoms. One with cough and one with fever. Influenza [symptoms] are fever, cough and sore throat,” he said.He added they will release the results on Wednesday to confirm whether they are infected with the avian flu virus.“However, due to them having symptoms, they are called suspect cases. Tomorrow we will release the results to know if this is due to bird flu,” Tayag said.Suspect cases are those who had direct contact with the affected poultry and with flu-like symptoms.The two suspect cases were taken to a hospital where they are being isolated and monitored by the RITM for 48 hours before confirming if they carry the virus or not.Tayag said cross-infection of chicken to human is rare while human to human infection is “with great difficulty” as studies on the disease show that among a million exposed in other countries, only 200 were infected by avian flu.He added that those who take human influenza vaccine will not be protected from bird flu infection because the vaccine only prevents mutation of the virus.“It [influenza vaccine] does not protect you. Human influenza [vaccine] will protect you from human influenza. This is bird flu virus,” Tayag said.No cause for alarm“There is an important effect if you are vaccinated. Example, you work at the [affected] farm and you are vaccinated from influenza, so you are preventing mutation of the influenza virus,” he added.Tayag explained that if a person who has human influenza gets infected by the bird flu virus, the two strains of influenza virus will mutate.The DoH has reiterated that there is no cause for alarm because this is an animal health virus, not a public health problem.A person infected with avian flu shows some of these symptoms: mild conjunctivitis or swelling of the eyes and severe pneumonia.Left untreated, bird flu can be fatal.The Health department urges farmers in Pampanga who have flu-like symptoms to report to their local government unit so they could be brought to regional hospitals for isolation and monitoring.According to RITM Director Celia Carlos, the avian flu strains that have been known to jump to humans are the H5N1 and H5N7 sub-types.Tayag said they have stockpiled around 8,000 capsules of Oseltamivir, an anti-viral medication that blocks the actions of influenza virus types A and B in the body.The medicine is used to treat influenza in people who have had flu symptoms for 2 days or less.The Health department is yet to receive a report from the DA on what strain affected the chickens in Pampanga.NEIL A. ALCOBER, KENNETH HERNANDEZ AND BENJIE L. VERGARA | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/shipment-visayas-south-fowl-luzon-banned/344654/ |
Next strike may be longer, warns big transport group | ['Mary Gleefer F. Jalea'] | 2017-10-17 23:21:45+00:00 | After calling its second day of strike “successful,” transport group Piston on Tuesday warned of a longer protest if President Rodrigo Duterte does not talk to them and hear their pleas along with other groups condemning the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program.“Kung kinakailangan ngang gawing isang linggo, gagawin namin ‘wag lang nilang ituloy ang phaseout [We will go on strike for one week if the government proceeds with the plan],”Antonio Simangan, Jr., president of the Pinagkaisahang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston-Cubao), told The Manila Times.“Si Presidente, matigas ‘yan, pero ayaw niyan sa welga. Sinabihan niya kami noong July na magwelga muna kami. Ngayon nasa kanya na ang bola at hihintayin namin ‘yung pagdinig niya sa amin [The President, he is tough, but he does not like strikes. He told us in July to go on strike. Now the ball is in his court and we will wait for him to hear us out]” George San Mateo, Piston president, also told The Manila Times.“We, jeepney drivers, operators and commuters strongly condemn Malacañang’s announcement that the government will push through with its anti-poor phaseout scheme amid the strong objection of the transport sector, as proven by the 90 percent participation in our two-day nationwide transport strike. This only forces us to hold more strikes in the next months until the government’s phaseout scheme is junked,” labor movement Kilusang Mayo Uno said in a statement also on Tuesday.But after affirming that the final day of the strike was 90-percent successful, San Mateo said this is not his group’s measurement of success but the government’s reactions to the strike.He referred to Malacañang’s suspension of classes and work in government offices.Mateo also, pointed out that because of their protest, a hearing will be set at the House of Representatives to hear the strikers’ grievances on October 19.Police authorities stationed in Cubao, Quezon City, among them Chief Insp. Mario Manipin, deputy station commander of the Quezon City Police District’s Station 7 (Cubao), said the second day of the two-day strike was “more peaceful” than the first day.They put at 60 the number of the strikers in the afternoon.The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it was grateful for the “generally peaceful” and “orderly outcome” of the two-day transport strike staged by different transport organizations that ended on Tuesday.According to PNP spokesman and Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos, even though there were mass actions and public assemblies all over Metro Manila, the police, together with road marshalls, were able to handle the strike peacefully.Carlos said nationwide suspension of classes and work in government offices prevented unwanted effects of “lack of public transportation” as a result of the strike.“Overall, however, there was no general paralysis of public transportation services reported anywhere,” he added.The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), however, said the strike still had a “minimal effect” on Tuesday, with the number of affected passengers in Metro Manila barely reaching one percent.“As of this afternoon, the number of vehicles that we have deployed only assisted around 580 passengers,” the LTFRB said.The board noted that the paralyzation rate in different regions only reached a maximum of 20 percent, particularly in Angeles City and San Fernando, Pampanga, and zero percent for the rest of the regions.WITH REPORT FROM RJ CARBONELL | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/next-strike-may-longer-warns-big-transport-group/357068/ |
Comelec assures pay for election workers | ['William Depasupil'] | 2018-04-29 20:41:00+00:00 | THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has assured poll workers who will render service in the 2018 barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK or Youth Council) elections that they will be fully compensated under a new law, which renders election services non-compulsory for public school teachers.Comelec spokesman James Jimenez over the weekend said the honoraria of workers would be paid in full after their election duties either in cash or through the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) cash card as advised by the Comelec’s Finance Services department.Under Republic Act (RA) 10756 or the Election Service Reform Act, the following poll workers are entitled to the corresponding honoraria: Chairmen of Electoral Boards, P6,000; Members of Electoral Boards, P5,000; Department of Education Supervisor Official (DESO), P4,000; and Support Staff, P 2,000.Additionally, they are entitled to a travel allowance of P1,000 each.Pursuant to Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Ruling No. 003-08 dated April 14, 2018, honoraria and travel allowances are subject to 5 perecent withholding tax.RA 10756, enacted into law in April 2016, renders election services non-compulsory for public school teachers starting with the barangay and SK elections and succeeding elections.It allows the Comelec to tap private school teachers, national government employees (excluding military officers), members of Comelec-accredited citizens’ arms and any voter with integrity and competence and without political affiliations as election officers.The Comelec was supposed to implement the law in the 2016 village and SK elections but, because of their postponements, the law will be implemented in the coming May 14 polls.Qualified to vote for the SK polls are duly registered Filipino citizens who are at least 15 but not more than 30 years of age on the day of the elections; a resident in the barangay for at least six months on election day; and not otherwise disqualified by law.For the barangay elections, one should be at least 18 years of age on or before the day of the elections; must be a resident of the Philippines for at least one year and living in the barangay where he/she intends to vote, for at least six months immediately preceding the elections; and not otherwise disqualified by law.A voter may vote two times if he or she is qualified to vote in the village and SK elections. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/comelec-assures-pay-for-election-workers/395802/ |
Senate panels: Reset Oct. 2017 elections | ['The Manila Times'] | 2017-09-12 23:59:29+00:00 | THE Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation and the Senate Committee on Finance have proposed the postponement of the October 2017 barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK or Youth Council) elections to the fourth Monday of October 2018.The two panels submitted jointly on Monday Committee Report No. 163 recommending the approval of Senate Bill 1584 postponing the October 2017 barangay and SK elections, amending for the purpose Republic Act 9164, as amended by RA 9340, RA 10656 and RA 10656.“Subsequent synchronized barangay and SK elections should be held on the second Monday of May 2020 and every 3 years thereafter,” Sen. Richard Gordon, vice chairman of the Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation, said.Gordon is set to sponsor this week at the plenary the committee report.The House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading the proposed postponement of the village and SK elections.Gordon said until their successors have been duly elected or until President Rodrigo Duterte appoints officers-in-charge for the barangay, all incumbent village officials should remain in office “unless sooner removed or suspended for a cause.”“In addition to the other causes under existing laws, inclusion of the name of an incumbent barangay official in the duly confirmed and validated drug list provided to and in possession of the President shall constitute sufficient cause for the appointment of officers-in-charge for the barangay,” Gordon said.He added that village officials who are ex-officio members of the Sangguniang Bayan (Town Council),Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) or Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Council), should continue to serve as such members in the sanggunian concerned until the next village election.“Given the events occurring, such as the armed conflict in Marawi City, the proclamation and extension of martial law in Mindanao and the prevalence of illegal drugs, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to postpone the October 2017 barangay and SK elections to October 2018 to provide ample time for the government to maintain peace and order and protect the general welfare of the people,” Gordon said.Eleven out of the 19 combined members of the electoral reforms and finance committees signed Committee Report 163.Seven of them expressed intention to interpellate Gordon and amend SB 1584. They were Senators Juan Edgardo Angara, Joseph Victor Ejercito, Francis Escudero, Panfilo Lacson, Grace Poe, Joel Villanueva and Cynthia Villar. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/senate-panels-reset-oct-2017-elections/350351/ |
Pilgrims told: Secure passport only from DFA | ['The Manila Times'] | 2017-06-06 22:29:32+00:00 | THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday reminded Filipino Muslim pilgrims participating in the hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) to refrain from getting the services of individuals or organizations promising to facilitate their passport processing in exchange for a fee.In an advisory, the DFA said only holders of Philippine passports would be accepted for hajj processing by Saudi authorities.Hajj participants, according to the Foreign Affairs department, may apply for regular passport at any consular office of the DFA after securing a valid online appointment and completion of documentary requirements.“It is generally advised that hajj participants apply for regular passport at least one year before the pilgrimage to ensure that the travel document is ready and on hand at the time of travel,” the DFA said in a statement.In August 2016, immigration officers were able to prevent 177 Indonesian pilgrims bound for Saudi Arabia to participate in the hajj.The pilgrims were carrying authentic Philippine passports but were later discovered by authorities that they were not Filipinos because they cannot speak or understand Filipino or any Filipino dialect.Further investigation revealed that they paid unscrupulous travel agencies that promised them to facilitate their travel requirements including passports.Some of them paid as much as 131 million Indonesian rupiah or around P460,000.They were released later that month upon request of the Indonesian ambassador to the Philippines.It was also learned that the passports were reportedly issued by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, which facilitates the hajj pilgrimage of Filipino Muslims.The Philippines rarely fills its quota and it could be the reason why some unscrupulous individuals were able to use the slots for their scheme.The DFA warned organizations and individuals involved in illegal activities that it would not hesitate to take the necessary lawful action against them.“The DFA has taken swift administrative investigations on the heels of passport validations in the past and is more determined to ensure that those responsible shall be held accountable for their ill actions,” it said.The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam.It is the annual pilgrimage to the Holy City of Mecca, which each Muslim must undertake at least once in his lifetime. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/pilgrims-told-secure-passport-dfa/331305/ |
LTFRB starts mass distribution of fuel cards | ['The Manila Times'] | 2018-08-29 00:11:06+00:00 | The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has launched the synchronized distribution of the Pantawid Pasada fuel cards that grants jeepney drivers and operators P5,000 fuel subsidy in a year.LTFRB Information System Management Division Chief Nida Quibic said the agency and the Land Bank of the Philippines would monitor how drivers will use their fuel cards.“The P5,000 subsidy shall only be allotted to fuel; the Land Bank monitors whether the funds are used for fuel or not,” Quibic said.Five beneficiaries who misused their fuel money have already been reported but the LTFRB has yet to decide on sanctions.“Members of Pantawid Pasada signed a contract stating that they will be blocked from the program if they use the fund on things other than fuel,” she said.The fuel subsidy program was rolled out in July to mitigate the impact of higher excise taxes due to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law. It covers 179,852 units or 100 percent of public utility vehicles with LTFRB franchise.The government allotted P977 million for the program.JOVE MOYA | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/ltfrb-starts-mass-distribution-of-fuel-cards/435646/ |
Legarda: PH must seek ‘climate justice’ | ['Bernadette E. Tamayo'] | 2017-12-09 22:29:24+00:00 | THE Philippines, as one of the highly vulnerable countries to climate change, must “pursue justice” in the international arena for the millions of Filipinos whose basic human rights are curtailed because of the effects of severe weather changes.Sen. Loren Legarda noted that “compared to industrialized countries, the Philippines barely contributes to global warming, and yet we bear its brunt.”She said the Philippines must demand for commitments from developed countries to have access to the Green Climate Fund and Adaptation Fund in anticipation of the full implementation of the Paris Agreement by 2020.“We always need to contextualize the discussion on climate change with the issue of human rights,” said Legarda, chairman of the Senate committees on Climate Change, Finance and Foreign Relations.“We cannot truly address climate change if we do not recognize the fact that climate change impinges on our very basic human rights, such as access to food, water, shelter, livelihood, and the right to life itself,” she added.Every year, millions of families get displaced, thousands of lives and livelihoods are lost and billions worth of agriculture and infrastructure are damaged because of climate change, Legarda said.“It is time that we seek justice for these tragedies. Climate justice is to demand for what is right and just for the Filipinos who everyday fall victim to climate change,” she added.“It is to improve our capacity to adapt and mitigate. It is to commit to upholding the right of every Filipino to a better life,” the senator said.She cited a report of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) that states that disasters cost the Philippine economy P206 billion annually, cutting the country’s gross domestic product by 0.3 to 0.4 percent.Between 2011 and 2015 alone, the agriculture sector in the Philippines suffered production losses of P163.6 billion because of climate change.Legarda said the Philippines also “experiences increases in school dropout rates, mental and psychological issues, outbreak of communicable diseases and malnutrition, among others, due to climate change impacts on the health and education sectors.”She also cited the global climate deal Paris Agreement, which acknowledges climate change as “a common concern of humankind, [and that] Parties should, when taking action to address climate change, respect, promote and consider their respective obligations on human rights, the right to health, the rights of indigenous peoples, local communities, migrants, children, persons with disabilities and people in vulnerable situations and the right to development, as well as gender equality, empowerment of women and intergenerational equity.”“The Paris Agreement charters a new path for the fate of humanity—one that protects our rights, safeguards our environment and secures the future for our children,” Legarda said.“We must ensure commitment from all countries and foster global solidarity in order to realize this goal,” she added.Legarda called on the Duterte administration to promote climate justice by advancing climate change adaptation and mitigation at the national and local levels.She described the Senate version of the proposed 2018 P3.76 trillion budget as a “climate budget for institutionalizing adaptation measures, as well as including special and general provisions that will ensure ecological integrity, clean and healthy environment, risk-sensitive investments, and disaster preparedness.” | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/legarda-ph-must-seek-climate-justice/367745/ |
Duterte no longer wants emergency powers | ['Ralph Villanueva'] | 2018-09-12 00:04:24+00:00 | PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte no longer want to be given emergency powers to address the traffic problem in Metro Manila.In his tete-a-tete with Presidential Chief Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo on Tuesday, Duterte said he’s rather leave EDSA “as it is” than being granted emergency powers.“The [traffic] in Edsa, right at the beginning, we raised the possibility of being granted emergency powers. But you cannot improve on things without money nowadays. Everything you do, there will be money,” the President said.“Now, you want me to install some measures there, mitigate it at least. If they call me or they would have a dialogue, what I will hear is, ‘This is big, this is prone to corruption,’ so I said, then do not [give it to me],” he added.“We will not borrow anymore. Just leave Edsa as it is. What will I use [to fix the traffic] my saliva?” he said. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/duterte-no-longer-wants-emergency-powers/440465/ |
Coalition opposes PUV modernization | ['Reicelene Joy Ignacio'] | 2017-06-25 21:16:38+00:00 | Transport group Stop & Go Coalition over the weekend said it disagrees with the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines (OFG) signed last week by Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade to carry out the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program.“We are not in favor. We did not make any move in the past few weeks because we respected the dialogue between us and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board [LTFRB],” according to Stop & Go president Jun Magno.Earlier, Magno said the LTFRB assured his group in a dialogue last March 31 that there will be no phase-out of PUVs and the government would accept the rehabilitation of jeepneys instead.But the signed OFG requires a shift to modern PUVs that comply with the emission standards of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and a three-year transition period for all existing, updated and valid franchises.The modern PUVs should have a Euro4 emission or better, friendly to PWD (persons with disability) and senior citizens and are equipped with safety and comfort features such as CCTV, GPS, automatic fare collection system, Wi-fi, speed limiters, and dashboard cameras, according to the Department of Transportation (DoTr).“We just waited for the copy of the OFG. Now, we already have a basis to make a move,” Magno said,According to him, Stop & Go will still have a meeting with its members on what moves they would make and when they would do so.The LTFRB, meanwhile, said that it is open for a dialogue with Stop & Go.Another transport group, Piston, held a rally against the PUV modernization program last June 19, the same day that Tugade signed the OFG.REICELENE JOY N.IGNACIO | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/coalition-opposes-puv-modernization/334841/ |
Slovaks hold rally for Pinoy beaten to death | ['Agence France-Presse'] | 2018-06-09 23:40:30+00:00 | BRATISLAVA: Thousands of Slovaks rallied in the capital Bratislava on Friday to pay tribute to a Filipino expat beaten to death by a man believed to be a neo-Nazi.Henry Acorda, 36, was assaulted in the heart of the capital on May 26 by 28-year-old Juraj H., whose surname has been withheld pending trial.Five days later, Acorda died in hospital from injuries he sustained in the attack.Organizers told the local Dennik N daily that around 3,000 protesters, mostly in their twenties, turned out for the memorial rally that began with a violinist playing a mournful tune.Some carried banners reading “Justice for Henry” and “Nazi brain burn in hell.” Others laid flowers and lit candles at an improvised memorial where the attack occurred.CCTV footage made available to the media showed that Juraj H. hit Acorda, who then fell and became unconscious.The attacker continued to kick Acorda in the head and used a mobile phone to photograph him laying in the street.Prosecutors have charged Juraj H. with manslaughter and placed him in pre-trial detention. If found guilty, he could face up to 12 years behind bars.Police have neither confirmed nor denied that the attack was racially motivated.Juraj H. said he “will be sorry for what happened for the rest of my life. But I don’t remember anything,” while being escorted from court on Monday.The Friday rally was organized on Facebook by four anti-fascist groups.“The information that we have about Juraj H. makes it clear that he is inclined to support the far right,” they wrote. “Let’s make sure this brutal murder does not go without consequences for him.”AFP | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/slovaks-hold-rally-for-pinoy-beaten-to-death/406549/ |
Farmers, fishermen earn P2M in a day | ['Eireene Jairee Gomez'] | 2018-10-01 00:02:19+00:00 | FARMERS and fishermen who brought their produce to the Department of Agriculture’s TienDA “Malasakit” food outlets in Manila and Quezon City earned about P2 million in a one-day sale on Friday, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said.Citing data from the department’s Agribusiness and Marketing Office, Piñol said total sales from outlets in the Bureau of Plant Industry Compound in Manila and the Central Office in Quezon amounted to P2,069,912 on September 28.In San Andres, Manila, gross sales totaled P1,224,552. Sales in the Central Office were placed at P725,360 while sales from National Food Authority (NFA) rice totaled P120,000.Piñol said the “Malasakit’ food outlets, which were first opened on September 21 in Manila and last Friday in Quezon City, were filled “with huge crowds enjoying fresh vegetables, fish, fruits, chicken and rice at farm gate prices.”The agriculture chief earlier said DA was looking at expanding the scope of its food outlets in other areas in Metro Manila and every barangay or village in coordination with local government units.“Next week, the third TienDA Farmers and Fishermen’s Outlet will be opened in Alabang, Muntinlupa to serve consumers in the southern part of Metro Manila,” Piñol said in a Facebook post dated September 29.“On October 13, the TienDA Malasakit Store will be opened in Taguig City with the support of Mayor Lani Cayetano,” he added.A TienDA Malasakit Store will also be opened in Bulakan in the second week of October, said Piñol.The opening food outlets is intended to to bring down the high prices of basic goods in Metro Manila. The TienDA Malasakit Food Outlets will be open every Friday and Saturday until market prices for basic goods stabilize, the Cabinet official said.The vegetables being sold, per kilogram, include: okra (P45), tomato (P50), eggplant (P55), sitaw or legumes (P55), chayote (P40-P60), ampalaya or bitter gourd (P60), potato (P75), carrots (P120), cabbage (P80), radish (P60), Baguio cabbage (P120) and bell pepper (P120).Also sold per kilo are: mangosteen (P100), lanzones (P100), rambutan (P60), sweet corn (P35), cardava bananas (P25), papaya (P15) and cassava (P15).The red chili pepper or siling labuyo, which reached P1,000 per kilo price in previous weeks, is being sold at the ‘Malasakit’ Food Outlet for P400 per kilo or P5 for 2 pieces.The agricultural commodities were sourced from farmers in Mindanao, particularly Bukidnon and Davao. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/farmers-fishermen-earn-p2m-in-a-day/447071/ |
SC allows holding of Masses in courts | ['Jomar Canlas'] | 2017-04-06 21:35:09+00:00 | THE Supreme Court has given its nod to holding of Masses and religious practices in all courts in the Philippines, despite the lone opposition of SC Justice Marvic Leonen.The permission came after the SC en banc junked a petition of a litigant asking the tribunal to prohibit the holding of religious rituals in the Quezon City Hall of Justice and in all halls of justice in the country.In a full-court ruling, the SC directed the executive judges of QC to regulate and closely monitor the holding of Masses and religious practices within the Quezon City Hall of Justice by ensuring, among others that “it does not disturb or interrupt court proceedings; and (b) it does not adversely affect and interrupt the delivery of public service and it does not unduly inconvenience the public.”The ruling was penned by SC Justice Jose Catral Mendoza.“In no case shall a particular part of a public building be a permanent place for worship for the benefit of any and all religious groups. There shall also be no permanent display of religious icons in all halls of justice in the country,” the SC said.The case originated from a series of letters written by one Tony Q. Valenciano and addressed to then-Chief Justice Reynato Puno.Valenciano reported that the basement of the Hall of Justice of QC had been converted into a Roman Catholic chapel, complete with offertory table, images of Catholic religious icons, a canopy, an electric organ and a projector.He believed that such practice violated the constitutional provision on the separation of Church and State and the constitutional prohibition against the appropriation of public money or property for the benefit of a sect, church, denomination or any other system of religion.Valenciano said the holding of Masses at the basement of the QC Hall of Justice showed that it tended to favor Catholic litigants, among others, that rehearsals of the choir caused great disturbance to other employees and that the public could no longer use the basement as resting place; and that the employees and litigants of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), Branches 82 and 83 of the Regional Trial Court (RTC), Legal Library, Philippine Mediation Center and Records Section of the Office of the Clerk of Court (OCC) could not attend to their personal necessities such as going to the lavatories because the “chapel” gets in the way.But in its decision, majority of the justices held that “to disallow the holding of religious rituals within [the] halls of justice would set a dangerous precedent and commence a domino effect.”“Strict separation, rather than benevolent neutrality/accommodation, would be the norm. Thus, the establishment of Shari’a courts, the National Commission for Muslim Filipinos and the exception of Muslims from the provisions of the RPC [Revised Penal Code] relative to the crime of bigamy would all be rendered nugatory because of strict separation,” the decision held.“The exception of members of Iglesia ni Cristo from joining a union or the non-compulsion recognized in favor of members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses from doing certain gestures during the flag ceremony will all go down the drain simply because we insist on strict separation. That the holding of Masses at the basement of the QC Hall of Justice may offend non-Catholics is no reason to proscribe it. Our Constitution ensures and mandates an unconditional tolerance, without regard to whether those who seek to profess their faith belong to the majority or to the minority.”In case of religious rituals, the High Court said “religious icons and images may be displayed but their presentation is limited only during the celebration of such activities so as not to offend the sensibilities of members of other religious denominations or the non-religious public.”After any religious affair, the SC ordered that “the icons and images shall be hidden or concealed from public view. The disposition in this administrative matter shall apply to all halls of justice in the country.”“Other churches, religious denominations or sects are entitled to the same rights, privileges and practices in every hall of justice. In other buildings not owned or controlled by the judiciary, the executive judges should coordinate and seek approval of the building owners/administrators accommodating their courts.” | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/sc-allows-holding-masses-courts-2/321400/ |
Senators: Get killers of university president | ['The Manila Times'] | 2017-12-03 19:46:40+00:00 | SENATORS from both the majority and minority blocs on Sunday condemned the killing of the president of the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (Pasuc) as they urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to immediately arrest the perpetrators.Senate President Aquilino Pimentel 3rd and Sen. Francis Escudero at the same time expressed alarm over the killing of Ricardo Rotoras, also the president of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines.“I am alarmed and outraged by this latest attack on our law-abiding and dedicated public servants. I urge the police to work double time to arrest the killers and unmask the mastermind,” Pimentel said in a statement.Escudero said the incident was unacceptable and enraging considering that the attack was done against a member of the academic community.“His untimely passing is a great loss not only to his family, friends and colleagues but to the whole higher education sector as well,“ according to Escudero, chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture.Rotoras was shot dead by unidentified assailants early Saturday morning outside his house at Golden Glow North Subdivision in Barangay Carmen in Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental.According to police, the 48-year-old victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was brought to the JR Borja General Hospital where he was declared dead.Liberal Party (LP) senators Francis Pangilinan and Paolo Benigno Aquino 4th also condemned the killing of Rotoras, who, according to them, has contributed to passage of the Quality Tertiary Education Act.The senators said the Senate worked closely with Rotoras in crafting the law providing free tuition for students of 112 state universities and colleges.“His untimely death is a great loss to the country’s push for quality education for every Filipino,” the LP senators added.They called on the PNP and all law enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned to ensure that those behind the killing be brought to justice and punished for their deplorable act. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/senators-get-killers-university-president/366512/ |
Duterte gives aid to bus crash victims’ kin | ['Catherine S. Valente'] | 2017-04-23 00:38:53+00:00 | President Rodrigo Duterte has extended cash assistance to families of the victims of the bus crash in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija that left at least 32 people dead.Duterte handed the assistance through Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairman Martin Delgra, LTFRB spokesman Aileen Lizada said in a statement sent to Palace reporters on Saturday.Lizada said the families of those who died in the accident each received P20,000 in cash assistance, while the injured passengers got P10,000 each.An Abra-bound Leomarick bus on Tuesday plunged 80 feet into a ravine in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija province.The bus was traveling from Isabela province to Candon City in Ilocos Sur when its brakes failed along a winding road.Malacañang earlier conveyed its condolences to the families of the victims and promised to hold accountable those responsible for the tragedy.Road accidents are common in the Philippines, where old, badly maintained buses ply poorly lit and maintained roads. Poor driving habits and drivers working long hours also contribute to frequent mishaps. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/duterte-gives-aid-bus-crash-victims-kin/323630/ |
‘Indiscriminate firing’ to cost police chiefs in regions | ['Rj Carbonell'] | 2017-12-02 20:42:30+00:00 | The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said police chiefs in the regions who fail to solve cases of “indiscriminate firing” during the holiday season will be removed from their posts.Senior Supt. Rudolph Dimas, Directorate for Operations (DO) Public Safety Division chief, read a memorandum dated November 7 stating that the police chiefs have 24 hours to clear or solve stray-bullet incidents.In a press briefing, Dimas revealed that the memorandum would apply to all police chiefs, especially those in the lower units.“The one-strike policy on death or injury from indiscriminate firing on Christmas and New Year will be [enforced against] all police commanders and chiefs,” he said.Dimas added that the police chiefs “should be on guard so that indiscriminate firing will not happen again. They should have maximum deployment from their stations.”He said the police need the help of barangay (village) officials to apprehend suspects violating the memorandum.Village authorities, according to him, know more about residents who may be inclined to fire their guns during the holiday season.“Of course we need the help of barangay officials because they are the ones helping us [on this] matter. They know the residents who are stubborn enough to do this thing [indiscriminate firing]. That’s why coordination with the village authorities is good,” Dimas said.According to him, the directorate asked police regional offices for reports and data on stray-bullet incidents especially from last year but only Regions 1 and 2 have submitted reports so far.Dimas reminded policemen that they should report to their units from 5 p.m. of December 24 to 5 a.m. of December 25 and 5 a.m. of December 31 to 5 p. m. of January 1 for deployment to areas where there would be indiscriminate firing.Citing directorate data, he said there were 22 cases of stray-bullet incidents from December 16, 2016 to January 4, 2017. One death was reportedly recorded.The PNP reported that the stray-bullet incidents on New Year’s Day in 2017 were 89.47 percent lower during New Year’s Day in 2016.The police said there were only “four” cases recorded in 2017 compared to the “38” cases of 2016. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/indiscriminate-firing-cost-police-chiefs-regions/366228/ |
Food firm’s complaint vs DAR officials junked | ['Ma. Reina Leanne Tolentino'] | 2017-06-10 00:24:50+00:00 | The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed a graft complaint filed by the Lapanday Foods Corporation (LFC) against Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Rafael Mariano and Undersecretary Luis Pañgulayan.LFC had also accused the two DAR officials of grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and oppression/grave abuse of authority in the complaint that it filed last month.According to a Notice of Dismissal addressed to the firm, the Office of the Ombudsman said in part, “A resolution on the allegations of the complaint cannot be done by the office without passing upon the issues concerning the validity of the issuances and the writ’s implementation. Stated differently, complainant is indirectly assailing in this complaint the legality of the issuances and the writ’s implementation, which the Office cannot take cognizance of since these issues should be addressed to the proper forum.”“Clearly, complainant is presently seeking reliefs from the Regional Trial Court [RTC] of Davao City through its pending petition for indirect contempt and from the Court of Appeals (8th Division) in its pending petition for certiorari. These are adequate remedies that are available to complainant and which it is indeed currently availing of in the regular courts,” it added.The Office of the Ombudsman thus dismissed the complaint outright “for want of palpable merit and complainant has an adequate remedy in another forum.”LFC alleged in its complaint that Mariano committed graft when he issued a cease and desist order last December which, according to LFC, prohibited it from evicting the members of the Madaum Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association Inc. [Marbai] from their “occupied” areas.The order “gave a stamp of approval to the forcible taking by MarbaiI members of the Sanid area” and “emboldened the Marbai members to chop the bananas of HEARBCO-1, and to destroy the facilities of LFC in the banana plantation,” the firm also alleged.HEARBCO-1 is the Hijo Employees Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative-1.LFC also alleged that Pañgulayan committed graft when he supposedly “publicly announced to the Marbai members on December 19, 2016 that by virtue of the cease and desist order, the Marbai members could already harvest the bananas in the Sanid area and sell them to third parties despite knowing that LFC has the exclusive right to manage the Sanid area and to purchase the Cavendish bananas of HEARBCO-1, pursuant to a final and executory Order of the RTC of Davao City, and that the DAR has no authority to annul a final and executory order of the regular courts.”The firm was referring to a meeting called last December 19 by the Office of the City Mayor of Tagum City between LFC, HEARBCO-1, and Marbai to discuss a possible win-win solution.The 157.5-hectare Sanid area refers to areas in HEARBCO-1’s banana plantation that had suffered deterioration and that were turned over to LFC management for rehabilitation and operation.According to the complaint, LFC is the exclusive buyer of Cavendish bananas produced from the banana plantation.A disease outbreak in 2004 spoiled the bananas in the farm and caused production to drop, which led to the deterioration of the plantation.According to the complaint, the “No Group” members who organized themselves as Marbai in 2012 did not want to honor a compromise agreement between HEARBCO-1 and LFC that was signed in 2011.“In the compromise agreement, the areas of HEARBCO-1’s banana plantation which suffered deterioration were denominated as ‘Poor Areas’ while those which remained in good condition were termed as ‘Good Areas.’The poor areas consisting of 157.5 hectares were turned over to the management of LFC for rehabilitation and operation. This area is called the Sanid Area. LFC likewise advanced the operational requirements of the farm in order to ensure that the farm receives adequate farm inputs and technical support,” LFC said. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/food-firms-complaint-vs-dar-officials-junked/331934/ |
HK okays safety clause for domestic helpers | ['Michael Joe T. Delizo'] | 2017-02-11 23:29:47+00:00 | THE Hong Kong government has finally agreed to add a safety clause in the job contracts of foreign domestic helpers.After a month-long consultation with consulates of labor-sending countries, including the Philippines, the Hong Kong Labor and Welfare Bureau was convinced that there is a need to amend the Standard Employment Contract (SEC).“The HK government agreed to add in the SEC a provision on the cleaning of windows. Both parties believed safety in the workplace must be ensured, and every life, protected,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.In cleaning outward-facing windows, the provision in the new SEC sets conditions that the window being cleaned is fitted with a grille that is locked or secured in a manner that prevents the grille from being opened; and no part of the helper’s body extends beyond the window ledge except the arms.Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong Bernardita Catalla spearheaded the efforts, according to the DFA.“To fast-track the negotiations on the proposed additional safety provision, the Philippine consul general and the commissioner for labor, worked vigorously on a series of consultations that resulted in the incorporation of an additional safety clause in the new SEC,” it said.There are about 330,000 foreign domestic helpers in the city of skyscrapers – 188,000 from the Philippines.Last year, a shocking photograph of a domestic helper cleaning windows while balancing precariously on a ledge of a high-rise building in the affluent MacDonnell Road in Mid-Levels district stirred protests on the exploitation being faced by migrant workers.More so, at least three domestic helpers, including a 35-year-old Filipina, have died falling from windows in 2016. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/hk-okays-safety-clause-domestic-helpers/311680/ |
DOLE studying wage hike for ‘kasambahay’ | ['Paul Parenas', 'Real Eyes'] | 23/04/2017 0:00 | The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said it is conducting an ongoing survey as part of its review of the minimum wage rate of household service workers (HSW) in Metro Manila.Based on the initial results of the survey, DOLE-National Capital Region (DOLE-NCR) Director Johnson Cañete disclosed many “kasambahay’ or HSWs in the Metro Manila get a pay bigger than the amount prescribed in Republic Act (RA) 10361 (The Kasambahay Law).“Many (employers in NCR) are paying their kasambahay with more than P3,000,” Cañete said in an interview.Cañete said they are targeting to complete the survey by next month, in preparation for the possible releasing of a new wage advisory for HSWs in Metro Manila on June.Depending on the result of the survey, the labor official said they may raise or retain the prevailing minimum wage rate for HSWs in the NCR.Previously, NCR has the highest minimum wage rate for HSWs at P2,500. Other regions paid their HSWs ranging from P1,500 to P2,000. | Manila Bulletin | https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/04/23/dole-studying-wage-hike-for-kasambahay/ |
8,000 Philippine Army slots opened | ['Dempsey Reyes'] | 2018-02-09 23:54:08+00:00 | About 8,000 slots have been opened for those who are aspiring to join the Philippine Army in wake of activation of additional battalions to be deployed to different areas in the country.Lt. Col. Louie Villanueva, Army spokesman, said in a statement on Friday that the number of slots opened was higher compared to the regular 3,600 annual quota replacement in the Army.The increased quota, according to Villanueva cited the ongoing activation of 10 additional Infantry Battalions for the increase quota, which aims to further strengthen the Philippine Army’s capability, to be more responsive in addressing various threats, particularly terrorism, that beset the country.In 2017, he said, the Army was able to meet its recruitment quota of about 350 new officers with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant and about 13,000 new enlisted personnel.Of the 13,000 personnel, 8,892 soldiers will be for the special quota as approved by the President; 1,069 soldiers will be for the newly-organized 54th Engineering Brigade; and 3,600 soldiers will represent the annual quota replacement in the Army.A total of 1,000 slots were given to Indigenous Peoples (IPs) last year with about 400 integrated into the Army and deployed mostly to the Eastern Mindanao area while 348 are still undergoing training.According to Villanueva, the 1,000 quota set last year for the IPs was not met by the Army but the same qualifications for recruits will be applied this year.“For now, nothing specific was mentioned if the same 1,000 quota for the IPs will be mentioned. As long as the recruitment is open, as long as the IPs meet the requirements laid down by the Army, we will accept them,” he said in a phone interview with The Manila Times.Villanueva added that even former members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) will be “gladly accepted” by the Army, reiterating that they do not have restrictions in admitting aspiring soldiers.Most of the recruits will be designated to Army infantry, cavalry and artillery units while some recruits will fill up the engineer, communication, logistics and other administrative functions in the Army.The Philippine Army has set up recruitment centers in Cagayan de Oro City, Cebu City and in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, the headquarters of the 75,000-strong Army. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/8000-philippine-army-slots-opened/379283/ |
Palparan transferred to Bilibid Wednesday | ['Catherine S. Valente'] | 2018-10-03 00:04:02+00:00 | Convicted military general Jovito Palparan Jr. will be transferred to the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City on Wednesday (October 3) to serve his sentence, a Palace official said.Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. told reporters that Armed Forces chief Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. confirmed to him the transfer date of Palparan.“Sir, accordingly this coming Wednesday,” Roque said, quoting Galvez.Palparan and two others were sentenced last month to life imprisonment for the 2006 kidnapping and disappearance of University of the Philippines students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño.After handing down the sentence, Malolos Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 15 Judge Alexander Tamayo issued a commitment order for the transfer of Palparan, and Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado Jr. and Staff Sgt. Edgardo Osorio to NBP.Army spokesman Louie Villanueva earlier confirmed that Palparan is still in their custody.“Gen. Palparan is still under the custody of Army Custodial Center since the army is still waiting for the decision of the court (regarding) his disposition,” Villanueva said.He said Palparan has a pending case with another court, which issued a separate commitment order stating that the retired army major general should remain in the custody of the military.Palparan was charged before Bulacan RTC Branch 19 for the disappearances of brothers Raymond and Reynaldo Manalo. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/palparan-transferred-to-bilibid-wednesday/447772/ |
DOH: Lift TRO on contraceptives | ['Micah Yvana M. Vardeleon'] | 2016-11-21 22:41:21+00:00 | The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday joined calls for lifting a temporary restraining order (TRO) on contraceptives during the first Family Planning Conference in Quezon City.The DOH, together with the Commission on Population (Popcom) and the Forum for Family Planning and Development Inc., hopes to collect one million signatures as an initiative against the TRO that is considered anti-women and anti-poor.The TRO issued by the Supreme Court (SC) prohibits promotion, distribution and marketing of contraceptives.The order is seen preventing a third of women in a relationship in the country to practice family planning through using contraceptives, Juan Antonio Perez 3rd, executive director of Popcom, said.The National Demographic and Health Survey in 2013 showed 81 percent of women of reproductive age want to delay their pregnancies or prevent getting pregnant, yet 18 percent of them are not using contraceptives.Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial said in a message read by Dr. Francia Laxamana, DOH assistant secretary, that the SC needs to understand that the health of Filipinos especially women is the focus of the provisions of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RPRH) Law.Former President Fidel Ramos shared his insights about family planning and his experience during his presidency.President Rodrigo Duterte also showed his support through a message, saying he hopes the conference attendees will ‘”gain deeper understanding of the importance and advantages of family planning so that they, too, may help formulate viable actions to accelerate progress in our agenda of reform including population control and poverty reduction.” | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/doh-lift-tro-contraceptives/297720/ |
'Ballots for October polls good for next year' | ['William Depasupil'] | 2017-09-18 20:43:54+00:00 | ‘Ballots for October polls good for next year’home/News/Nation/‘Ballots for October polls good for next year’THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) can still use the ballots intended for the barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataang (SK) polls next month if Congress decides to postpone it, Chairman Juan Andres Bautista said.Commissioner Rowena Guanzon disputed this, saying the ballots can no longer be used.Bautista pointed out that it has already been done in the past, and the Comelec may come out with a resolution stating that even if the ballots are for the October 23, 2017 barangay and SK elections, these can still be used at a later date.He explained that the village and youth polls would be done manually and are not as complicated as the automated elections.Bautista admitted that storing the ballots would be a challenge because these should be kept in a secure place to prevent tampering.“We can come out with a resolution for the purpose or we can ‘snowpake’ the ballots to change the date but it will entail a lot of expenses,” he said.But Guanzon said using “snowpake” to change the date on the ballots will affect the credibility of the elections.“The law requires the date to be printed on the ballot, Imagine a situation where Comelec personnel will snowpake the date one by one. Snowpake remedy will risk the credibility of the elections,” she added.Election lawyers George Garcia and Manuelito Luna agreed that the Comelec can legally use the ballots.Garcia noted that the law is specific on the date of elections on the ballot but he also pointed out that “the law gives Comelec greater latitude of discretion.”Luna said that since the barangay and SK elections will be done manually, the poll body can use the ballots at a later date so as not to waste government resources. “Legally, it is feasible for Comelec to do that,” he added.Some P6 billion has been allotted for the twin polls, including the printing of ballots and other paraphernalia and procurement of election materials.On August 14, the House of Representatives’ Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms approved a bill postponing the October 23 barangay and youth elections to May 2018.The Senate has yet to approve its version. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/ballots-october-polls-good-next-year/351381/ |
Duterte appoints new Sandiganbayan justice | ['Jomar Canlas'] | 2017-05-23 22:34:20+00:00 | President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed a new magistrate to the anti-graft court.A transmittal letter from Malacañang through Deputy Executive Secretary Meynard Gueverra to Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno said the President has appointed Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 65 Judge Edgardo Caldona.A graduate of Ateneo de Manila University, Caldona had served as a lawyer in the Sandiganbayan under the Office of Justice Sabino de Leon.He later on worked as court attorney of the Supreme Court under then-Chief Justice Renato Corona.Caldona became an RTC judge of Pangasinan prior to his appointment as judge of Makati RTC.Like Corona, he is also a member of the Utopia fraternity.The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) shortlisted in December 2016 five RTC judges, including Caldona, and an Ombudsman director for the position of Associate Justice of the Sandiganbayan that was vacated by Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Jose Hernandez, who retired on November 16, 2016.Makati RTC Judges Maryann Corpus-Manalac and Honorio Guanlao Jr. also contested the job.Also on the shortlist is Aparri, Cagayan RTC Judge Oscar Zaldivar and Bayani Jacinto, a director from the Office of the Ombudsman.There are now seven divisions of the Sandiganbayan, which is composed of a Presiding Justice and 20 Associate Justices.The seven-man 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, is headed by Sereno, with ex-officio members Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre 2nd, Sen. Richard Gordon and Mindoro Oriental Rep. Reynaldo Umali. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/duterte-appoints-new-sandiganbayan-justice-2/328831/ |
Stay away from drugs, Bong Go urges youth | ['The Manila Times'] | 2018-11-12 00:03:44+00:00 | Former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go urged the youth to avoid illegal drugs, saying drug use ruins lives and families.He lauded members of Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo (KKDAT) for their active participation in nation-building.“Ang programang KKDAT ang magbibigay daan na mas mapakinggan ang boses ninyo upang mas epektibong matugunan natin ang mga problemang kasalukuyang hinaharap ng bansa. Sa totoo lang, napahanga niyo ako dahil sa kagustuhan niyong maging bahagi ng laban para sa pagbabago (The KKDAT program will allow you to be heard and will enable officials to better address the problems faced by the nation. Your desire to institute change is commendable),” Go said when he graced the KKDAT program in Davao City on Saturday.KKDAT is a program where young Filipinos engage in dialogues that help them gain more understanding about the effects of terrorism, violent extremism, and the abuse of illegal substance.Upon arrival in Manila on the same day, Go also reminded members of the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) in Navotas to stay away from illegal drugs.“Isipin ninyo, ‘yung pinagpaguran ninyo sa buong araw, masasayang lang at mapupunta sa wala sa paggamit ninyo ng droga. Sayang lang. Wala pang magandang naidudulot ‘yan,” Go said when he visited fire victims in Tangos North, Navotas.A TODA member approached Go and thanked him and President Rodrigo Duterte for their help. He admitted that he used to be a drug addict but he changed because of Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs.Go said Filipinos should stay away from illegal drugs because it could tear families apart.“Nakakasira ng utak, nakakasira pa ng buhay ng pamilya (It can mess with your head, and ruin your family),” he warned.After his visit to Navotas, Go attended the Libreng Concert Para sa Kabataan ng Mandaluyong at the Rizal Techonological University. In his speech, he also encouraged the youth to focus on sports instead of illegal drugs.“Isa po ito sa aking adbokasiya – itong sports lalong-lalo na po ang basketball, in support of the President’s campaign laban sa droga, corruption at kriminalidad… isang paraan ang sports para malayo ang kabataan sa masamang bisyo (This is one of my advocacies, sports, especially basketball, in support of the President’s campaign against drugs, corruption and criminality. This is one way of keeping the youth away from drugs),” Go said.The former Palace official earlier said that if he wins in his Senate bid, he would review existing legislative measures with the aim of strengthening the fight against the illegal drug trade.This includes the possibility of amending the controversial Juvenile Justice Act, which the President has repeatedly said is being abused by drug syndicates to recruit minors into their ranks. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/stay-away-from-drugs-bong-go-urges-youth/466136/ |
Customs seizure of P1-B vessel in smuggling contested | ['Luzvisminda Filipinas'] | 29/04/2017 0:00 | The seizure by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) of a P1-billion cargo ship allegedly used in smuggling at the Port of Limay is being contested before the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA), it was learned yesterday.The Seaworld Management and Trading, Inc. (SMTI) has filed a petition for review before the CTA over the Customs’ forfeiture of “M/T Alpine” last December 17 due to its involvement in the alleged unlawful discharge and transfer of fuel oil to “M/T Malolos” without paying taxes.The BOC said that SMTI questioned the legality of the seizure and forfeiture by the BOC-Port of Limay and appealed to the CTA to release the vessel.But BOC District Collector Julius Premediles, head of the BOC-Port of Limay, disputed SMTI’s claim, saying: “The non-payment of duties and taxes on the subject shipment which was discharged via loop loading from their vessel to MT Malolos qualifies the importation as contrary to law thus subject to seizure and forfeiture.”Premediles added that SMTI should have exhausted all administrative remedies before bringing the case to the CTA. | Manila Bulletin | https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/04/29/customs-seizure-of-p1-b-vessel-in-smuggling-contested/ |
Pilots advised on China rocket launch | ['Benjie Vergara'] | 2016-11-03 20:57:42+00:00 | The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Thursday notified all aircraft going to Hong Kong and Taipei as well as Japan to take extra precautions over China’s rocket launch.The CAAP issued a Notice to Airmen (Notam), citing space flight activity “by China effective 5:30 p.m. to 9:50 p.m. today, November 3, 2016.”The Notam B4060/16 covers Manila-Fukuoka-Manila flights and Notam B4061/16 covers flights from Taipei to Manila and flights from Hong Kong and Manila.The CAAP also advised pilots flying near the area to take necessary precautions and to follow reference point for safety reasons.In June this year, several flights to and from China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan were affected also by a China rocket launch.BENJIE L. VERGARA | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/pilots-advised-china-rocket-launch/294657/ |
Duterte promises equal share of national budget for Mindanao | ['Grin Olsson', 'John Appleseed'] | 2/7/2017 0:00 | President Duterte has reiterated his promise to Mindanao that he would give an equal share of the national budget to the island.In a speech in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, Duterte said he has not forgotten his promise.“Rest assured that the government remains committed in fulfilling its promise in giving an equal share of the national wealth to Mindanao, including Davao del Norte,” Duterte assured.“Use the money to uplift the lives of your people and realize your great potential,” he added.The President expressed hope that the money will be put to good use in uplifting the lives of the people in Mindanao, particularly in Davao del Norte, and in realizing the island’s great potential.“I believe that Davao del Norte will continue to become one of the fastest-growing provinces in Mindanao,” the President said.“With its vast resources and strong, resilient and vibrant people, the province will be able to achieve greater development at par with the rest of the nation,” he added.The President said he reminded Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez to divide the national budget equally.Duterte said he would be willing to give money for worthy and clean infrastructure projects that would benefit the Filipino people and warned that he would not patronize nor entertain politicians who communicate with him through phone calls.“I have never talked about any project over the phone or any particular patronage. Totoo ‘yan. Wala akong cellphone. Hindi ako tumatanggap ng tawag (That’s the truth. I don’t have a cellphone. I don’t accept calls),” Duterte said.“We can talk of anything else and make compromises maybe, but not when the interest of my country is at stake. That is not negotiable,” he said.“Do not come to me talking about drugs and terrorism. Mag-away lang tayo (We will just fight),” he added. | Manila Bulletin | https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/07/02/duterte-promises-equal-share-of-national-budget-for-mindanao-2/ |
‘Pandan Festival’ posts winning return in Pangasinan’s battle of festivals | ['Spam Me'] | 9/4/2017 0:00 | ‘Street dancers representing the “Pandan Festival” of Mapandan town won the “Parada na Luyag” contest of the 437th Pangasinan Day celebration and took home the hefty prize of P100,000.“Parada na Luyag” is the convergence of all street dancing champions of Pangasinan’s various local festivals. “This is like the battle of champions of festivals,” said Provincial Tourism Officer Malu Elduayan.For the “Tribu Pandan,” it was a victorious comeback in the competition as it topped 15 street dancing contingents after a seven-year absence.Taking second place in the competition was the “Talong Festival” streetdancers of Villasis town, known as the “Vegetable Bowl of Pangasinan,” taking home the P75,000 cash prize.The town of Mabini came in third place. They danced illustrating the deep faith of their town folks to their patron Señor Sto. Niño amidst the difficulties and misfortunes they experienced.Completing the winner’s circle in this year’s competition were Lingayen’s “Bagoong” Festival, Balungao’s “Goat Festival” and Bayambang’s “Malangsi Festival.” | Manila Bulletin | https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/04/09/pandan-festival-posts-winning-return-in-pangasinans-battle-of-festivals/ |
Lawyers’ group: War on drugs won’t work | ['Mary Gleefer F. Jalea'] | 2017-11-30 00:04:25+00:00 | The crackdown on drugs in the Philippines is bound to fail, according to a lawyers’ group.“We learned that the war on drugs doesn’t work. It never has. It didn’t work for other countries and it will not work for us,” the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) said in a statement on Wednesday.The statement was made during the launch by FLAG’s Anti-Death Penalty Task Force of a book based on a policy forum that tackled the Philippine drug issue earlier held with human rights advocates.The task force collaborated with other groups including Coalition Against Death Penalty, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care, Commission on Human Rights and No Box Transitions Foundation in the book project.The two-day forum that was held in May was attended by over 200 delegates, local leaders and professionals from abroad.Agnes Callamard, UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, was one of the forum’s keynote speakers.“In April 2016, the General Assembly of the UN recognized explicitly that the ‘war on drugs’ does not work, be it community-based, national or global,” she said.Neuropsychopharmacologist Dr. Carl Hart also spoke in the forum about myths surrounding drug use leading to brain disease.“Viewing addiction as a brain disease promotes social injustice. The view of drug use and drug addiction as a brain disease serves to perpetuate unrealistic, costly and discriminatory drug policies,” Hart said.The book cited Dr. John Collins of the International Drug Policy Project who talked about the economics of the war on drugs.“Consistently, research shows that there is no correlation with the severity of policies and the scale of use. The more severe the drug control regime a country has does not mean lower rates of consumption,” he said.Collins reiterated that there is a correlation between aggressive policing and violence.“It only destroys the relationship of the community with the police,” he said.“The drug war will soon be reverted to the Philippine National Police [PNP] so we can expect more blood to appear on the streets,” FLAG secretary general Ma. Soccoro Diokno said.Diokno urged the government to engage in better discourse and review state policies involving drugs.The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency now leads the government’s war on drugs, a job previously performed by the PNP. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/lawyers-group-war-drugs-wont-work/365683/ |
Duterte okays creation of OFW bank – Labor secretary | ['The Manila Times'] | 2016-11-20 21:51:09+00:00 | PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has given his approval to the creation of an Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Bank, which was one of his three promises to migrant Filipino workers during the last presidential campaign.Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd over the weekend disclosed that he already gave the President a memorandum about the proposal for an OFW Bank.The OFW Bank, Bello explained, is meant to cater to remittances and other banking needs of Filipino migrant workers all over the world, saying the workers would also become part owners of the bank through shares of stocks and have their own credit facilities.Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) figures show that the number of OFWs who worked abroad at any time from April to September 2015 was estimated at 2.4 million.Overseas Contract Workers (OCWs) or those with existing work contracts comprised 97.1 percent of the total OFWs during the same period, while the rest (2.9 percent) worked overseas without contracts.Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) statistics, on the other hand, show that from January to September this year, personal remittances from overseas Filipinos reached $22.108 billion, while cash remittances coursed through banks amounted to $20.025 billion.In 2015, personal remittances amounted to $28.308 billion while cash remittances totalled $25.607 billion.According to the BSP, personal remittances are computed as the sum of employees’ net compensation like gross earnings of OFWs with work contracts of less than a year, including all sea-based workers, less taxes, social contributions and transportation and travel expenditures in their host countries, personal transfer and capital transfers between households without anything of economic value being supplied in return.More than three-fourths of these cash remittances came from the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Japan, Qatar and Kuwait.The steady demand for OFWs remained a key driver to the growth of remittance inflows.A preliminary report from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) indicated that total processed contracts reached 2.3 million in 2015, of which 1.2 million were for workers deployed in the same year.Further, a total of 585,688 contracts were processed in the first quarter of 2016, of which 452,722 were for land-based workers.The OFW Bank was first conceptualized in 2006 during the administration of then- president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo but it never materialized.In 2010, then-Vice President Jejomar Binay revived the proposal in a formal letter to then-President Benigno Aquino 3rd but the BSP and the Department of Finance also shot it down, citing issues of cost, redundancy, administrative and regulatory unwieldiness and signals that discourage private-sector competition.Aside from the OFW Bank, President Duterte also promised the creation of a Department of OFW and to make it mandatory for consuls general to keep track of all Filipinos abroad and provide free airfare to abused overseas workers who want to go home.WILLIAM B. DEPASUPILBello, however, said creating a separate department for OFWs may not be practical at all because there are already existing agencies under the DOLE, like the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) that specifically cater to overseas workers. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/duterte-okays-creation-ofw-bank-labor-secretary/297520/ |
Aquino rejects ID system for Muslims only | ['Bernadette E. Tamayo'] | 2017-07-08 22:56:08+00:00 | SENATOR Paolo Benigno Aquino 4th on Saturday stressed that any national ID (identification) system should be used for government services and promote safety, but not to encourage discrimination.He stressed this point following reports that some police officials and local government units (LGUs) in Central Luzon want to issue IDs “only to Muslims.”Aquino also deplored the statement of Philippine National Police chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa “encouraging” the moves of some local officials to issue identification cards to Muslims in their areas to help them identify individuals linked to terrorist groups.“Singling Muslims out, giving them an ID and branding them as a potential threat will not make our communities safer. It will only sow animosity,” the Senator said.He said the ID system should pave the way to more effective ways of delivering government services such as anti-poverty programs and other social services.“Let’s not allow it to be used as a tool for discrimination,” said Aquino, who reiterated the need for Congress to pass a law implementing a national ID system.He earlier filed Senate Bill 917 or the Filipino Identification System Act, which seeks to establish a unified identification system that will be used as sole required identification card in any government transaction. The ID system will be implemented by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).Aquino also filed the Anti-Discrimination Act or Senate Bill 683 to prohibit and penalize discrimination on the basis of religion or belief, ethnicity, race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, civil status and HIV (human immuno virus) status. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/aquino-rejects-id-system-muslims/337312/ |
Make CA voting transparent – Robredo | ['Llanesca T. Panti'] | 2017-08-17 22:59:59+00:00 | Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo has pitched for a transparent process in the Commission on Appointments in light of the CA’s rejection of the appointment of Secretary Judy Taguiwalo of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).Robredo made the call at the sidelines of Freedom Cycle: Pedal Like Jesse event in her hometown of Naga City, Camarines Sur, which celebrates the good leadership qualities of her late husband, former Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) chief Jesse Robredo.The appointment of Jesse Robredo as DILG secretary by then-President Benigno Aquino 3rd was also bypassed (meaning the CA did not act on it) multiple times. Until Robredo died in a plane crash in August 2012, he did not get confirmation from the Commission on Appointments.Taguiwalo’s appointment was deemed rejected after 13 or majority of the 25-strong CA members from the House and the Senate rejected her appointment in a secret balloting, meaning those who rejected Taguiwalo’s appointment, as well as the reasons why her appointment was rejected, were not disclosed to the public.“We prefer a more transparent process wherein we would know why an appointee is being rejected. The frustration comes from that fact that we don’t know the reasons for rejection,” Robredo said.She however, conceded that such transparency is a long shot given that it is within CA rules to vet the appointees of the President and engage in secret balloting.“This will happen again and again because it is part of democracy, part of the process, wherein the CA screens the appointees of the President. It is part of the process,” Robredo said.“That’s why it is important for us to express our opposition to this practice so that those in power won’t abuse the mandate given to them,” she added.Taguiwalo had a run-in with lawmakers in September 2016 after she issued Memorandum Circular 9 titled Supplemental Guidelines on the Implementation of Protective Services Program (PSP), which tasks the DSWD as the sole authority that will determine the beneficiaries of the government programs pursuant to existing guidelines.The same memorandum states: “Referral letters from individuals, groups of individuals or organization, including public officials whether national or local executives, legislators, members of the judiciary or constitutional commission are not integral to the implementation of the PSP.”The lawmakers took offense at the memorandum and accused Taguiwalo of turning down their constituents who are seeking government help thru a referral by their respective representatives.National Youth Commission Chairman Cariza “Aiza” Seguerra also expressed her disgust over the rejection of Taguiwalo’s appointment.“It is and will always be about politics. If you are a good public servant, you will be at risk [of being kicked out],” Seguerra posted on Twitter.“CA members showed that they are not after the common good of our people. Show us who voted for her rejection,” she said. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/make-ca-voting-transparent-robredo/345108/ |
Bill bans irrigable lands’ conversion | ['The Manila Times'] | 2018-01-07 19:08:56+00:00 | THE HOUSE Committee on Agrarian Reform has approved a substitute bill prohibiting the conversion of irrigated and irrigable lands for non-agricultural purposes.The still-unnumbered bill amends the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL) or Republic Act 6657, which was enacted to promote social justice, push rural development and industrialization and encourage land owners to cultivate economic-size farms as the basis of Philippine agriculture.The amendment is necessary to address threats to food security in the country, the bill states.While CARP provides farmers the opportunity to own land which they can tilt to improve their lot and provide adequate food for the country, it adds, it also allows the reclassification or conversion of agricultural land and its disposition if the land ceases to be economically feasible or fit for agricultural purposes after the lapse of five years from the time of award.The same happens if the area becomes more urbanized and thus more economically viable for residential, commercial or industrial purposes.According to the bill, it also aims to “curb corruption in the lower levels” by recognizing that elements within the government bureaucracy may contribute to unchecked conversions.The bill then lodges the exclusive power of land conversion to Congress itself.It also states that changes in the CARL will enhance the ability of relevant government agencies to review and assess the status of agricultural scale, as well as providing enhanced opportunity to fine-tune policies on agrarian reform and food security.Imprisonment of six year and one day to 12 years or prison mayor, as well as a fine of P200,000 to P1 million will be meted to the violators of the Act.RALPH U. VILLANUEVA | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/bill-bans-irrigable-lands-conversion/372865/ |
Preparing for Metro holiday traffic | ['Myca Delos Santos', 'Sam Nicolas', 'Michael Timbreza', 'Trisha Hipolito'] | 23/10/2017 0:00 | remains unfinished, bogged down in disputes over right of way.Education refers to getting the motoring public to do its part, to faithfully comply with traffic rules, and most of all to behave with utmost road courtesy, with due consideration to the rights of others on the road, both motorists and pedestrians. It has been observed that in places like Clark, motorists conscientiously stop for red lights and stick to their lanes, but swerving, blocking intersections, and beating traffic lights are rather common in Metro Manila.This is what makes enforcement critical in the Metro area and so as the Christmas holiday season nears, the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT) has come up with a new group it has called Task Force Alamid to concentrate on roads leading to and out of airports, seaports, and other transportation centers in the city.A hundred personnel have been assigned to the task force from the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Highway Patrol Group (HPG), the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).They will concentrate their efforts on traffic around airports and seaports in anticipation of the arrival of millions of balikbayans and tourists as well as the departure of Metro Manila residents for their home provinces in the annual holiday migration that has become part of Filipino tradition and culture.It is good that this project is beginning early. It will receive its first test later this month when various foreign delegations arrive for the ASEAN Summit on October 23-24 and the ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings on November 10-14.At the same time, other moves can be taken by our traffic authorities , such as ending the operation of colorum buses and other vehicles, banning parking on streets needed to absorb traffic along main routes such as EDSA, and increasing the capacities of the Metro Rail Transit and Light Rail Transit.The combined effect of all these moves should be felt by the time the Christmas holiday season is in full swing. We will further build on this holiday success in the succeeding months of the new year, while we wait for the ultimate engineering relief to be provided by the new roads and railways of Metro Manila. | Manila Bulletin | https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/10/23/preparing-for-metro-holiday-traffic/ |
Army sacks 103rd Brigade commander | ['Dempsey Reyes'] | 2017-06-02 23:56:48+00:00 | THE Philippine Army (PA) on Friday announced the removal of the 103rd Infantry Brigade commander.In an interview, Lt. Col. Ray Tiongson, Army spokesman, said the sacking of Brig. Gen. Nixon Fortes does not have anything to do with ongoing military operations in Marawi City.Col. Generoso Ponio is set to head the 103rd Infantry Brigade as acting chief.Fortes has been designated as assistant division commander of the 1st Infantry Division.Ponio is the former deputy commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, according to Tiongson.|“This [Fortes’ removal] is integral to and part of the dynamism of the service,” Tiongson told reporters.He said the change of command will take effect on Monday. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/army-sacks-103rd-brigade-commander-2/330632/ |
Senate poised to pass bill on fare discount | ['Neil Jayson Servallos'] | 2018-09-30 00:08:46+00:00 | The Senate bill that seeks to grant over 20 million Filipino students a 20-percent fare discount is set to be approved on third and final reading next week.Senate Bill 1597 or the “Student Fare Discount Act” authored by Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara, aims to expand the coverage of student fare discount to include land, air, water and transport all year round.“Even with the free tuition, we need to help families with daily school expenses. What is saved from the deductions in fare would help in other expenses and needs of students,” Angara, vice chairman of the Senate education committee, said.The bill covers all elementary, high school, college and technical-vocational students, excluding those enrolled in dancing and driving schools, short-term courses of seminar type, and post-graduate studies such as those taking up medicine, law, masteral and doctoral degrees.Under the bill, students are entitled to a 20 percent discount on regular domestic travel fares, including jeepneys, tricycles, buses, UV Express vehicles, cabs and transport network vehicle services like Grab. Excluded are school transport service providers such as school buses.It also includes fare discount from train lines, passenger ships and ferries, and airplanes, upon presentation of school identification card or any valid enrolment forms.The discount will be effective throughout the year including weekends, summer breaks and holidays.Also, Filipino students who will travel abroad for education, training and competition will be exempt from payment of travel tax.The bill, however, prohibits the availing of double discounts or combination of the student fare discount with other discount programs.“We need a law to ensure that the 20-percent discount for students would be sustained even in the event of changing of leadership,” Angara said.Student discounts are currently based on a circular issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTRFB), which can always be subject to change.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. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/senate-poised-to-pass-bill-on-fare-discount/446691/ |
Poe, Pimentel oppose arming prosecutors | ['Bernadette E. Tamayo'] | 2018-06-10 22:03:57+00:00 | SENATORS Grace Poe and Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel were lukewarm to the proposal to allow public prosecutors to carry firearms to protect them from criminals or hired killers.Poe recently sought an inquiry into the killings of public prosecutors nationwide to determine if there is a need to improve the protection of the members of the State’s prosecutorial arm.“While I condemn the killings of our prosecutors, I have reservations in the suggested solution of arming them,” she said.“I have always maintained that increasing the capabilities of our law enforcement institutions in terms of detection, investigation and prosecution remains to be the better option in addressing the rising criminality incidence,” she added. “We cannot possibly propose to arm every sector that has become the target of criminals as our way forward.”Pimentel noted that the proliferation of loose firearms is one of the problems being faced by law enforcers nationwide.“We have too many firearms already, legal or illegal. Dadagdagan pa natin ngayon (And yet we still intend to add more),” he said in a radio interview.Poe filed Resolution 737 on May 17 urging the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs and the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights to conduct an inquiry into the matter.She noted that public prosecutors under the Department of Justice’s National Prosecution Service are mandated to assist the DoJ secretary in the investigation and prosecution of criminal offenses.“Our public prosecutors, thus, play a crucial role as they determine who the State should prosecute. They are given a broad discretion to determine whether probable cause exists and to charge those whom they believe to have committed a crime as defined by law and thus should be held for trial,” Poe said.“Obviously, due to the nature of their sworn duty and mandate, our public prosecutors are clearly constantly within the crosshairs of the most notorious, dangerous and evil-minded personalities in the country who they ought to ptosecute,” she said.Last year, at least six public prosecutors were gunned down: Quezon Assitant Provincial Prosecutor Reymund Luna (September 29), Mati City Prosecutor Rolando Acido (October 26), Quezon City Prosecutor Johanne Noel Mingao (January 11), Caloocan Asst. City Prosecutor Diosdado Azarcon (May 22), Rizal Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Maria Ronatay (July 18), and Mandaluyong City Prosecutor Pablito Gahol (September 3).On May 11, 2018, three unidentified armed men shot dead Quezon City Assistant Prosecutor Rogelio Velasco.“Due to the above-mentioned killings of our public prosecutors whose lives are constantly in danger from the devious acts of the very criminals they prosecute, the State ought to flex its muscle ore to show our countrymen that it can and it will protect the lives of those working for the government,” Poe said. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/poe-pimentel-oppose-arming-prosecutors/406785/ |
Shielding youth from drugs part of dev’t agenda – Locsin | ['The Manila Times'] | 2018-10-22 00:03:28+00:00 | THE GLOBAL development agenda should include the protection of young people from the evils of drug abuse, Foreign Affairs Secretary-designate Teodoro Locsin Jr. said, pointing to the Philippines’ youthful population.Addressing the Asia-Europe Meeting in Brussels, Belgium last week, Locsin noted that the Philippines was experiencing a “demographic sweet pot.”“Here supposedly is a vast store of potential energy and innovation. But it won’t be realized without right policies and programs,” he said.“The demographic dividend doesn’t come with ingrained business plans and specific job skills. It is a raw energy but with a moral dimension for being valuable in itself as composed of people,” Locsin added.Thus, countries have a social and political obligation to realize the “youth’s socially useful and at the same time self-satisfying development.”“Their development is not merely instrumental, even for those greater purposes to which totalitarian states are partial. Youth development is in and for them,” he said.“They must be educated for the times, kept healthy in present and improving conditions, and protected against the worst scourge of mankind: drugs and human trafficking which directly attack the meaning of what it is to be human,” Locsin said.He acknowledged the importance of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals as the “framework” of Philippine development plans.“We stress the urgency of reducing extreme poverty which is a drag in progress. It frustrates the moral imperative of universal action: so act that whatever you do is applied to you; summed up as all or none—no one advances at another’s expense,” Locsin said.The Philippines is committed to developing timely, comprehensive and disaggregated data to better grasp the situation of every citizen, especially the most marginalized, he added.Locsin noted that the Philippines lies inside a circle of fire and in the path of typhoons of increasing ferocity because of climate change.“We are continuously engaged in initiatives to address the varying challenges and threats; and to develop cooperation at all levels to reduce the human cost of natural disasters. Nature’s fury cannot be avoided but its worst can be managed,” he said. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/shielding-youth-from-drugs-part-of-devt-agenda-locsin/455293/ |
President Duterte makes gov’t housing free for typhoons Yolanda, Pablo survivors | ['Fred Tinio'] | 8/2/2017 0:00 | Exactly three months after visiting the typhoon Yolanda-ravaged areas in Tacloban City, President Rodrigo Duterte announced on Wednesday, February 8 that beneficiaries of the government housing for Yolanda and typhoon Pablo need not to pay monthly amortization.”Your housing, after a few years, you have to pay Php200,000 both the (typhoons) Yolanda and Pablo. For as long as I am the president, it will be free,” President Duterte said during the National Housing Summit in Quezon City.The announcement of the President drew loud cheers and clapping from the beneficiaries of the government housing projects particularly for typhoons Yolanda and Pablo survivors.President Duterte did not elaborate his announcement but NHA General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr. told the media that NHA board has recently approved a recommendation to President Duterte to give free the government housing for the two typhoons’ survivors.Escalada said a total of 205,000 survivors will benefit from the house and lot package cost almost P290,000 each.The NHA official said P50 billion has been allotted for the housing grants.During his visit to Tacloban City in November last year, President Duterte said he is not satisfied with the housing projects for Yolanda survivors.Yolanda, one of the strongest typhoons to hit the land, devastated the Visayas areas, leaving over 6,300 people dead and P89.5 billion worth of damage property.On the other hand, typhoon Pablo ravaged Mindanao areas in 2012, particularly Campostela Valley. | Manila Bulletin | https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/02/08/president-duterte-makes-govt-housing-free-for-typhoons-yolanda-pablo-survivors/ |
Former VP Binay leaves for Taiwan, Hong Kong | ['Benjie Vergara'] | 2017-10-09 22:51:55+00:00 | Armed with authorization to travel issued by the Sandiganbayan 3rd Division, former Vice President Jejomar Binay left the country on Monday after the court allowed him to travel to Taiwan and Hong Kong.His trip from October 9 to 17, 2017, includes official business as well as for vacation.Binay traveled with former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay and former Manila Economic and Cultural Office board member and director for corporate planning Jose Tanso.Tanso said the former government officials were invited by the Prospect Foundation of Taiwan to be the keynote speakers as Taiwan celebrates its national day on October 10 to October 12.Binay will be the morning speaker on October 11, Guingona will deliver his speech in the evening while Yasay will give his speech on October 12, he added.Tanso said the trip will help improve relations of the Philippines with its neighbors like Taiwan.Binay is facing four graft cases, one count of malversation of public funds and nine counts of falsification for the allegedly anomalous construction of the Makati City Hall parking building. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/former-vp-binay-leaves-taiwan-hong-kong/355481/ |
Taiwan extends visa-free privilege for Filipinos | ['Jefferson Antiporda'] | 2018-07-13 00:01:44+00:00 | THE visa-free policy granted by Taiwan to Filipinos has been extended to July 2019, a move intended to enhance the two countries’ bilateral relations, people-to-people exchange and cooperation.Ambassador Michael Peiyung Hsu, Taiwan’s representative to the Philippines, made the announcement prior to the end of the trial period on July 31.“This visa-free privilege is a reflection of Taiwan’s goodwill and friendship towards all Filipinos under the ‘New Southbound Policy’ which aims to build stronger bilateral relations and closer people-to-people connectivity between Taiwan and the Philippines,” Hsu said in a statement issued by the Taiwan Economic Cultural Office (Teco) on Thursday.The Philippines, Taiwan’s closest neighbor, is an important partner for the country’s New Southbound Policy, which aims to enhance cooperation and exchanges between Taipei and 18 countries in Southeast Asia, Hsu said.Hsu urged the Philippine government and Manila Economic and Cultural Office to also grant visa-free privilege to the people of Taiwan to attract Taiwanese tourists and businessmen.Taiwan started the trial period for the visa-free program on November 1, 2017. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/taiwan-extends-visa-free-privilege-for-filipinos/418808/ |
PH, China sign drug rehab pact | ['Mayvelin U. Caraballo'] | 2017-04-25 20:13:26+00:00 | The Department of Finance (DoF) on Tuesday said it has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Health (DoH) on the construction of drug rehabilitation facilities to be funded by a 50-million yuan grant from China.In a statement, the DoF explained that the 50-million yuan aid, equivalent to $7.5 million, is half of the 100-million yuan grant that China has pledged to the Philippines during President Rodrigo Duterte’s state visit to Beijing in October last year, through an Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation signed by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd and China Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng.The Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation states that “in accordance with the needs of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, the Government of the People’s Republic of China agrees to provide the Government of the Philippines with a grant of RMB Yuan 100,000,000 [one hundred million Renminbi Yuan only], which shall be disbursed to implement the projects for illegal drugs and law enforcement security cooperation.”According to Dominguez, the other half of the grant will be used to procure law-enforcement-related equipment to be divided among the Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Presidential Security Group.The DoF said the agreement with the DoH, the Finance department is tasked to coordinate with the Chinese government all concerns that will ensure the “successful and smooth implementation of the sub-grant to the DoH.”Finance Assistant Secretary Maria Edita Tan said the agreement also states that the DoF shall “coordinate with and/or secure the approval of the DoH” on all matters relating to the design and specifications of the sub-grant” and the “supply, delivery, implementation and acceptance arrangements” related to it.In turn, the DoH will be responsible for, among others, identifying and providing the sites for the proposed drug rehabilitation facilities and securing the necessary clearances, approvals and permits for their construction, Tan said.The DoH is also responsible for providing the necessary information and assistance to the Chinese government or its designated consultants to enable the latter to facilitate the supply and delivery and installation or construction of the drug rehabilitation facilities, according to the agreement.Under the agreement, counterpart funding for the construction, installation and maintenance of utilities necessary for the smooth operation and implementation of the sub-grant shall be provided by the DoH, either through its own budget, assistance from the private sector or, if allowable, the Chinese government.MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/ph-china-sign-drug-rehab-pact/324049/ |
QC COUNCILORS NAMED CARETAKERS | ['Dempsey Reyes'] | 2017-01-21 23:39:47+00:00 | Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista signed Office Order No. 6-2017 designating Councilors Precious Hipolito-Castelo of District 2 and Jose Visayas of District 5 as acting mayor and vice mayor of the city, respectively, effective from January 17 to 27. They will supervise all operational and administrative matters under their jurisdictions, except those which are policy-determining in nature, including the power to appoint, suspend or dismiss city hall employees. Bautista is in Rome for the third round of peace negotiations between the government and the National Democratic Front. Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Ma. Josefina Belmonte is in the United States to represent the QC government in the conference for “Federalism and Good Governance: Best Practice Learning from Change.” | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/qc-councilors-named-caretakers/308079/ |
No ‘humanitarian crisis’ in Marawi | ['Catherine S. Valente'] | 2017-07-01 00:25:39+00:00 | Malacañang on Friday denied there is a “humanitarian crisis” in Marawi City after President Rodrigo Duterte sought allies’ help in rebuilding the conflict-torn city.In a news conference, Palace spokesman Ernesto Abella said Duterte welcoming aid from the country’s international partners is just “normal for friends” to help each other especially in times of crisis.“The President’s invitation for international partners to aid in rebuilding Marawi is not synonymous to humanitarian crisis. We have said in numerous occasions that we welcome foreign assistance in the Marawi situation, especially in the rehab and reconstruction and recovery phase, especially now that the troops are about to liberate the city from lawless elements,” Abella told reporters.“It is normal for friends and allies to support each other [when they] need a helping hand. And after all, we have our shared commitment with other countries to combat terrorism and attain sustainable peace,” he said.When asked how long the rehabilitation in Marawi would last, Abella replied that the government was not setting a specific date.“As to when the recovery and rehabilitation would last, the Bangon Marawi Plan has a short-term and a long-term timeline depending on the activities involved. So we are not giving any specific dates but there is a timeline, we have a short- and a medium-term—a short and medium and long-term timelines,” he said.Duterte, in a speech in Pampanga on Wednesday, invited allies of the Philippines to help in the rebuilding of Marawi City.“As our troops wrap up our operations against the remaining terrorists in Marawi, I also welcome our international partners into looking forward to rebuilding the city. This invitation extends to our allies who share with us the principles of goodwill and non-interference in our domestic affairs,” the President said.The United States, China and Australia have extended assistance to the Philippines through intelligence-sharing or monetary aid as government forces continue to battle Islamic State-inspired extremists in Marawi.In pursuing an “independent” foreign policy, Duterte has said the Philippines will reject foreign help if they come with strings attached.Amid the Marawi conflict, the Duterte administration has vowed to channel a P20-billion fund for the rehabilitation and recovery program for the war-torn city.On Friday, Abella reported that the number of civilians killed in Marawi is 44, following the recovery of 17 decomposing cadavers.He said 303 terrorists were killed while 82 government troops died in the fighting.A total of 1,713 civilians were rescued, while 382 firearms were recovered, the Palace official added.‘Generally peaceful’During the same news conference, Brig. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, deputy commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command, said the military had “effectively shielded Eastern Mindanao” from further terrorist attacks.“So after 38 days of martial law, [the] Eastern Mindanao Command, under the leadership of Lt. Gen. Guerrero, who is also the martial law implementor in Eastern Mindanao, has continuously prevented the spillover or spread of the Marawi crisis in our area of responsibility,” Gapay added.“We have effectively shielded Eastern Mindanao from terrorist attacks and deterred any diversionary, retaliatory or sympathetic attacks by the local terrorist groups here in Eastern Mindanao,” he said.The military official added, “Eastern Mindanao remains generally peaceful, safe and secure,” which he attributed to tightened security measures being implemented by the command.“We have also denied terrorists from making our area a safe haven, as their safe havens, sanctuaries, and even as transit points. This is largely attributed to the tightened security measures being implemented by the command,” Gapay said.As of Friday, he reported that a total of 17,494 checkpoint operations had been conducted, both fixed and mobile checkpoints.“We have apprehended 31 violators in these checkpoints. We have also confiscated 15 firearms and even confiscated illegal drugs during these checkpoint operations. So somehow, they also helped in law enforcement,” Gapay said.He added that the military has intensified intelligence coverage of the various threat groups and enhanced intelligence fusion among all government agencies.“We activated martial law special action groups to run after and apprehend, track, apprehend those terrorists and supporters included in the arrest order issued by the martial law administrator,” Gapay said.“And to complement this, we have established more than 5,900 barangay intelligence nets or community information collection networks to help us track these terrorists in our area of responsibility,” he added.Gapay reported that some 17,224 internally displaced persons and evacuees were accommodated in various cities and key areas in Eastern Mindanao.“We would like to thank the general public for your continued support and cooperation for the successful implementation of martial law here in our area,” he said.“Your continued vigilance and alertness are instrumental in this success. So let us continue working together to maintain the peace and preserve law and order here in Eastern Mindanao,” Gapay added. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/no-humanitarian-crisis-marawi/335828/ |
BIR finds ‘no anomaly’ in Sereno’s tax returns | ['Llanesca T. Panti'] | 2018-02-08 00:10:45+00:00 | The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is yet to find an anomaly in Income Tax Returns (ITRs) of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.BIR Deputy Commissioner Arnel Guballa made the pronouncement on Wednesday, the same day that the BIR submitted the ITRs of Sereno from 2004 to 2009 after previous impeachment hearings revealed that she failed to file her SALN 17 times from 1986 to 2006 or during her tenure as professor at the state-run University of the Philippines (College of Law).One of the charges in the impeachment complaint lodged against Sereno by lawyer Larry Gadon is betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution for her supposed failure to fdeclare P37 million in income as government counsel in the state’s case against the Philippine International Air Terminals Company Inc. (Piatco) involving the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.“Taxpayers are being evaluated to determine if they will be mandated for investigation. We can’t tell an anomaly regarding the income of the Chief Justice [with what we have so far],” Guballa said.Under the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards, all public officials and employees, except those who serve in an honorary capacity, laborers and casual or temporary workers are mandated to file under oath their SALN and disclose business interests and financial connections of their spouses and unmarried children under 18 years of age living in their households.The same law provides that any public official or employee, regardless of whether he holds office or employment in a casual, temporary, holdover, permanent or regular capacity, who failed to file SALN will be punished with a fine of salary suspension spanning six months to one year or removal from post depending on gravity of the offense after due notice and hearing by the appropriate body or agency.“We have learned that the Chief Justice did not file her SALN for several years. Our part is on tax consequences, meaning finding out if the Chief Justice paid the corresponding tax. If there is a violation on the SALN, I believe we do not have jurisdiction,” Guballa said.Rep. Eugene de Vera of ABS party-list has pressed the BIR to launch an inquiry into Sereno’s SALN, considering that existing laws provide that failure to file and truthfully disclose SALN is tantamount to keeping ill-gotten wealth.“If government officials are not filing their SALN, then they are hiding their assets and as such, must be investigated,” de Vera said.Guballa agreed, saying, “There is no formal investigation yet on the ITRs of the Chief Justice, but we can do that.”He and the rest of the BIR officials were subsequently excused from the impeachment hearing so they can start their work on investigating Sereno. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/bir-finds-no-anomaly-serenos-tax-returns/378818/ |
VAT break ‘favors’ rich and middle-class | ['Jefferson Antiporda'] | 2016-10-26 22:32:47+00:00 | Claiming that most of those benefitting from the Value-Added Tax (VAT) exemption for senior citizens are the rich and the middle-class, the Department of Finance (DOF) has proposed to limit the tax break to medicines.At a hearing of the Senate ways and means committee headed by Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara on Wednesday, DOF Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua said they are looking at lifting VAT exemption of senior citizens on non-essentials, which only the rich and middle-class senior citizens can afford to buy.A proposed tax reform package of the DOF presented during the hearing seeks to remove VAT exemption of senior citizens and people with disabilities (PWDs) on other purchases aside from medicines.Chua told that committee that by removing the VAT exemption, the government could generate P3 to P6 billion.He said the current VAT leakage is between P6 billion and P10 billion.“For senior citizens, we are proposing to retain the exemptions on medicine in our new proposal. We, however, find that the expenses in restaurants, travel air fare, for instance, mostly are [within reach only] by the rich who can afford to pay and go to these restaurants. So we’re proposing to remove the exemption,” Chua told the committee.The money to be generated from removing the VAT exemption of senior citizens and PWDs he said, could be used to directly benefit the poor and vulnerable among them.Angara said the DOF should not view the issue as only a “mathematical” issue because thousands of senior citizens are expected to be affected by the proposal.“It’s an emotionally charged issue, not a purely mathematical issue. Seniors feel it is something they have earned having served for so long. You might not want to spend your political capital there,” he also told the DOF official.Chua pointed out that they are fighting more for the principle of equity.“There is also the principle of compassion. One of the reasons [that enabled the President [to come to] power was that people saw other candidates as not as compassionate. He wanted to have more working people have more money in their pockets,” Angara said.In an interview after the hearing, the senator said there is a need to study the matter thoroughly and hear the position of senior citizens’ groups.“We will not support something that the sector [senior citizens] do not want to support,” he added.The proposed law granting VAT exemption to PWDs was signed by then-President Benigno Aquino 3rd last March but it is yet to be implemented because of absence of Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).Under Republic Act 10754 (Magna Carta for Disabled Persons), the Department of Social Welfare and Development, along with the DOF, Department of Health and the National Council on Disability Affairs, shall promulgate the IRR. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/vat-break-favors-rich-middle-class/293275/ |
Senate eyes stiffer penalty for overloading of passengers | ['Javier J. Ismael'] | 2018-11-04 00:04:55+00:00 | THE Senate Committee on Public Services is pushing for the immediate approval of a measure that seeks to increase the penalty for overloading of passengers in public utility vehicles.Sen. Grace Poe, chairman of the panel, said the committee recommended the approval of Senate Bill (SB) 2038 in substitution of SB 1446 introduced by Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito titled “An Act Increasing the Penalty of Overloading of Passengers in Public Utility Vehicles and Certain Types of Vehicles,” and SB 1551 introduced by Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao titled “An Act Increasing the Penalty for Overloading of Passengers and/or Freight or Cargo in Common Carriers Beyond the Registered Carrying Capacity.”Under the measure, covered vehicle refers to any motor vehicle considered as a public transport conveyance or common carrier duly registered with the LandTransportation Office (LTO) and granted a franchise by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).The proposed law bars owners, operators, drivers, conductors and other persons responsible for the operation of vehicles to load above their registered carrying capacity as determined by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).In determining the registered carrying capacity, the DOTr shall consider the measured weight of a motor vehicle plus the maximum allowable carrying capacity. The registered carrying capacity shall reflect the seating and standing capacity of the motor vehicle.A fine of P50,000 and suspension of the franchise and driver’s license of the driver will be slapped against violators for the first offense, a fine of P250,000 and suspension of the franchise and driver’s license of the driver for the second offense, and P1 million fine and revocation of the franchise and driver’s license of the driver for the third offense.If the overloading shall result in the death of a passenger, the penalty of prision correccional or an imprisonment of two years and 1 day to six years shall be imposed. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/senate-eyes-stiffer-penalty-for-overloading-of-passengers/461840/ |
Bato: No replacing the term ‘tokhang’ | ['Roy Narra'] | 2018-01-16 20:36:25+00:00 | Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa has rejected the idea of replacing the term tokhang in their anti-drug operation despite its negative connotation.The Cebuano term, which was derived from tokhang-hangyo, means knocking on an alleged drug user’s door and plead to them to surrender to authorities.De la Rosa defended the term, saying it is “bloodless” in its essence.“I don’t care kung anong gusto nila [what they want]. Basta ako [As for myself], I stick with ‘tokhang,’” he told reporters.This was in response to Dangerous Drugs Board chairman Catalino Cuy’s proposal of changing the term once the operation is revived.Cuy said the term tokhang should be replaced because of its negative impact on people.Last week, National Capital Region (Metro Manila) Police Office chief Oscar Albayalde said the anti-drug operation should stick to its name because it had greater effect.President Rodrigo Duterte previously removed the PNP from Operation Tokhang and tapped the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to lead the anti-drug campaign.In December last year, the President ordered the PNP to support PDEA in the operation. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/bato-no-replacing-term-tokhang/374650/ |
Quimbo challenges Suarez minority leadership at SC | ['The Manila Times'] | 2018-10-06 00:05:06+00:00 | Marikina Rep. Romero “Miro” Quimbo has filed on Friday a petition before the Supreme Court, asserting his group’s claim as the legitimate House minority bloc and challenging the leadership of Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez.The petition for certiorari, prohibition, and mandamus seeks to assail the recognition of Suarez as minority leader, which he said was contrary to the rules of the House of Representatives and the ruling of the court in the Baguilat versus Alvarez case, Quimbo said.In 2016, Ifugao Rep. Teodoro “Teddy” Brawner Baguilat Jr. filed a petition for mandamus, insisting that he should be recognized as minority leader in light of the “long-standing tradition in the House that the candidate who garnered the second highest number of votes for Speakership should become the minority leader, and challenging Suarez who was elected to the position.Then speaker Pantaleon Alvarez won with 251 votes, Baguilat got 8, and Suarez got 7 for voting for Alvarez.The decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Baguilat v. Alvarez in 2017 affirmed that those who vote for losing candidates for speaker and those who abstain from voting constitute the Minority.“Judging from the previous case of Baguilat v. Alvarez which also dealt with the issue of House Minority leadership, it is likely this case will take months to resolve, possibly close to the end of our current terms. Nonetheless, we are committed to pursuing this if only to ensure that our institutions remain bound by law and logic,” Quimbo added.Quimbo said that his camp was confident that they have “an airtight case.”“It was very clear to any impartial observer that it took a monumental feat of mental gymnastics to justify the recognition of Rep. Suarez as minority leader despite simple and unambiguous House Rules,” Quimbo said.After Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was elected as House speaker last July 23, the struggle for the minority leadership ensued between the group of Quimbo and of Suarez, after the latter maintained his position as minority leader despite voting for Arroyo.From the initial 15 House members who abstained and voted “no” during the election of Arroyo, membership in the “People’s minority” has since swelled to 26.These members include Liberal Party (LP) representatives Baguilat, Francis Gerald Abaya, Vincent Alcala, Isagani Amatong, Kaka Bag-ao, Jorge “Bolet” Banal, Jose Christopher “Kit” Belmonte, Emmanuel Billiones, Gabriel Bordado Jr., Raul Daza, Edgar Erice, Edcel Lagman, Jocelyn Sy Limkaichong, Romero “Miro” Quimbo, and Josephine “Nene” Ramirez-Sato.Also included were Makabayan bloc representatives Arlene Brosas, Ariel “Ka Ayik” Casilao, France Castro, Emmi de Jesus, Sarah Jane Elago, Antonio Tinio, and Carlos Isagani Zarate; Akbayan Representative Tomasito Villarin; Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano; and Anak Mindanao representatives Amihilda Sangcopan and Makmod Mending Jr.Suarez’ bloc, on the other hand, now has 45 members “with more members seeking to join them even before the case was filed,” his camp said.Aside from the group of Quimbo, former House majority leader Rodolfo Fariñas and his allies also challenged the leadership of Suarez by filing a petition before the SC last August 30 and asking for the recognition of ABS Party-list Rep. Eugene de Vera as the minority leader instead. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/quimbo-challenges-suarez-minority-leadership-at-sc/448911/ |
‘Hero’ Henry is finally home | ['The Manila Times'] | 2018-06-20 00:10:08+00:00 | The remains of Henry John Acorda, the overseas Filipino worker beaten to death while defending a fellow Filipino in Slovakia, was flown home on Tuesday.Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration head Hans Leo Cacdac, and other officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) joined Acorda’s family and friends in welcoming the “hero.”Acorda, 36, who worked as a financial analyst, was mauled by a Slovak on May 26 and died on May 31 in a hospital.The 28-year-old suspect Juraj Hossu, a weightlifter believed to be a Neo-Nazi, is under police custody and facing a charge of manslaughter.Cayetano said the remains of Acorda will be brought to Heritage Park and will be laid to rest on Saturday. He said the city of Taguig is planning to set up an OFW center in honor of Acorda.“Although it was a tragic incident, we will not let his death be in vain,” Cayetano told reporters.The family of the victim would receive P220,000 from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in death and burial benefits while the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) would provide additional financial assistance for the expenses incurred by the family. AND BENJIE VERGARA | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/hero-henry-is-finally-home/410317/ |
Stronger protection of OFWs from abuses, slavery sought | ['Mary Gleefer F. Jalea'] | 2018-02-18 21:22:25+00:00 | The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has sought stricter monitoring of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) against abuses and slavery after news broke out last week about a Filipino housemaid whose lifeless body was discovered inside her employers’ freezer in an apartment in Kuwait.In a statement, CHR Commissioner Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana reiterated that the government should assure that OFWs are to be deployed only to countries where their rights as migrant workers are respected and protected, as stated in Republic Act 10022 or the Migrant Workers’ Act.“The law is very clear. For it to be properly implemented, we need stronger and sustainable partnerships between and among the government and the private sector as well as civil society and OFW groups to ensure that migrant workers’ rights are being monitored,” Gana said.The rights commission also extended its sympathies to the family of OFW Joanna Demafelis, the Filipino maid whose body was brought home to the country on Friday.Demafelis, who worked as a housemaid in Kuwait, died a year ago.Her body was found in the freezer in the apartment rented by a Lebanese and Syrian couple.The two, who used to be Demafelis’ employers, remain at large.“That her employers subjected her to physical torture prior to freezing and abandoning her body for more than a year reveal the kind of risks that our OFWs, particularly domestic workers overseas, are confronted with. We must always remember Joanna and other victims like her so that our resolve to undertake reforms remains strong and unwavering,” Gana said.She noted that distressed workers “who may be suffering from mental and emotional anguish” after they were repatriated from Kuwait should seek psychosocial services and medical attention. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/stronger-protection-ofws-abuses-slavery-sought/381167/ |
Bongbong warned against advising Imee | ['Mike Ponce'] | 28/06/2017 0:00 | Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel has warned former senator Bongbong Marcos Jr. he could get in trouble for telling his sister, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, not to attend a House hearing looking into the possible misuse of tobacco excise tax funds.Governor Marcos has become the central figure in the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability’s inquiry that began in May.Pimentel, who chairs the committee, has approved the issuance of a subpoena against the governor after she failed to attend past panel hearings. The next hearing is on July 25, the day after the start of the second regular session of the 17th Congress.During a press conference last June 23, she announced she will not attend next month’s hearing on the recommendation of her younger brother.Bongbong and Imee are the children of former strongman president Ferdinand Marcos.Reacting to the looming no-show of the governor, Pimentel pointed to the case of Ronnie Dayan, a witness in the investigation of drug trafficking inside the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP), and the detained Senator Leila de Lima.“Remember Ronnie Dayan? Anong sabi ni Ronnie Dayan, tinext-an ang anak ko na huwag mag-appear. Eh di na-involve tuloy si De Lima (Ronnie Dayan said his daughter was texted telling him not to appear. De Lima was involved as a result),” Pimentel said.After Dayan repeatedly snubbed the summons of the House committee, the House leadership issued an arrest warrant against him.Pimentel said the same thing could happen to Imee Marcos if she continues to disregard the House subpoena against her.“I appeal to Governor Marcos that if she is really innocent then she should appear and answer the question,” he said.“[This hearing is being conducted] because of [the] highly anomalous, highly irregular purchase transaction done by the province of Ilocos Norte. Huwag natin tingnan ang personality, tingnan natin ang nangyaring transkasyon (Let’s not look at the personality, let’s look at the transaction that occurred),” he said.Pimentel’s committee has been looking into the provincial government’s alleged misappropriation of P66.45 million representing Ilocos Norte’s share of excise tax collections from locally manufactured Virginia type cigarettes.The money on the approval of the governor, was used to buy 144 land vehicles. The mode of the purchase meant that no public bidding took place. | Manila Bulletin | https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/06/28/bongbong-warned-against-advising-imee/ |
Airbus makes emergency landing | ['Benjie Vergara'] | 2017-06-15 21:39:52+00:00 | An Airbus A320 of Air Asia made an emergency landing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) after its right engine malfunctioned, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said on Thursday. Flight Z2-612 with 159 passengers and six crew on board, was flying from Davao City when its pilot, Captain Allan Roque, requested clearance for emergency landing while approaching NAIA. It was not known if the plane already had engine failure when it took off from Davao. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/airbus-makes-emergency-landing/332910/ |
Senate bill seeks licensure exam for microbiologists | ['Bernadette E. Tamayo'] | 2017-12-26 20:19:59+00:00 | If a proposed measure of Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri becomes a law, future microbiologists will have to take and pass a licensure examination to practice their professionZubiri on December 6 filed Senate Bill (SB) 1630 regulating the practice of microbiology in the country since the handling of microorganisms requires special skills and knowledge.SB 1630 states that every applicant seeking to be registered and licensed as a microbiologist must “undergo and pass a written technical examination” to be given by the Board of Microbiology at least once a year.The Board of Microbiology, to be created under SB 1630, is mandated to issue to successful examinees a Certificate of Registration, which is renewable every three years.“The practice of microbiology as a profession started more than five decades ago [50 years ago],” Zubiri noted.“Inevitably, due to differences in philosophy, facilities and resources, the content and emphasis of the curriculum and training modules in various institutions differ,” he said.Given the important role of microbiologists, it is imperative that the profession of microbiology be regulated, according to the senator.SB 1630, however, exempts doctors of medicine, doctors of veterinary medicine and medical technologists from taking the licensure examinatio although microbiology is an essential component of their profession.Zubiri said special skills and knowledge are essential in the quality control of processed foods and manufactured goods, in managing environmental pollution, in remediating degraded soils, preventing epidemics in human, animal and crop populations and in producing microbial-based goods and services.Society benefits from microorganisms in various ways, the senator added.“These microorganisms are employed in the production of foods and condiments such as bread, cheese, beer, soy sauce and pharmaceuticals such as antibiotics, vaccines and hormones like insulin and vitamins,” he said.They are also employed in environmental clean-up and in the production of biogas and bioethanol, according to Zubiri.Life on earth is preserved with the action of microorganisms in the cycling of major elements such as carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorous and sulfur both in terrestial and aquatic ecosystems.Furthermore, microorganisms are the source of nutrients at the base of ecological food chains and food webs.Microoeganisms are employed in scientific research and technology.The principles of microbiology form the foundation of modern biotechnology such as genetic engineering and cell and tissue culture. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/senate-bill-seeks-licensure-exam-microbiologists/370719/ |
Pangasinan protected area eyed for ecotourism efforts | ['Samuel Deguzman'] | 21/12/2016 0:00 | Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Regina Paz “Gina” L. Lopez is optimistic on agro-economic tourism potential of the 1,935 hectares protected landscape, here saying that it could open opportunities to boost the provincial tourism industry in Pangasinan.During her first visit to the protected area on December 16 in Brgy. Malabobo, Mangatarem, Lopez suggested for the creation of a joint-management venture of the Manleluag Spring Protected Landscape (MSPL).Do it in joint venture. Do it multisectoral. The private sector, DENR, the (provincial and municipal) government. Everyone benefits,” Lopez said.She also observed that the local leaders are “makakalikasan” (nature advocates).In her visit she was welcomed by Governor Amado I. Espino III, Congressman Amado T. Espino Jr. of the fifth district, Cong. Leopoldo Bataoil of the second district and Board Member Raul Sison, also from the second district.For his part, Espino assured support in safekeeping and improvement of this area.”He even recalled in his speech that when he was still the provincial police director in 1993-1994, he planted trees at the site together with then-Senator Robert Jaworski at the site.“We have long been fighting for the preservation and protection of this area,” he said.Meanwhile, Bataoil shared his vision of developing MSPL as a “world-class attraction.” | Manila Bulletin | https://news.mb.com.ph/2016/12/21/pangasinan-protected-area-eyed-for-ecotourism-efforts/ |
Arthur Yap’s arraignment for graft moved to Jan | ['Ma. Reina Leanne Tolentino'] | 2017-11-18 23:58:06+00:00 | The Sandiganbayan’s Third Division deferred the arraignment of former Agriculture secretary Arthur Yap on two counts of graft, one count of malversation through falsification, and one count of malversation.The court reset his arraignment to January 19 next year because Yap has a pending motion for reconsideration on the court’s finding of basis to try the cases, as well as a pending motion to quash.Earlier, the Office of the Ombudsman filed at the Sandiganbayan charges of graft, malversation through falsification, and malversation against former Misamis Occidental Rep. Marina Clarete and several other individuals over alleged misappropriation of PDAF or pork barrel allocation totaling P62.63 million between 2007 and 2009.Yap, then the Agriculture secretary at the time material to the cases, was named respondent in two of the 18 counts of graft, in one of the 11 counts of malversation through falsification, and in one of the seven counts of malversation filed against Clarete.The Sandiganbayan’s Third Division later found basis to try the cases.In filing the cases earlier, the Ombudsman alleged Clarete chose and endorsed Aaron Foundation Philippines Inc., Kabuhayan at Kalusugang Alay sa Masa Foundation Inc. (KKAMFI), and Kasangga sa Magandang Bukas Foundation Inc. as project partners in implementing PDAF-funded livelihood projects that allegedly “turned out to be non existent.”Yap allegedly entered into a memorandum of agreement with the National Agribusiness Corporation (Nabcor) on project implementation, in the cases involving KKAMFI.Numerous people chargedThe others charged with graft along with Clarete were: Alan Javellana (13 counts), Rhodora Mendoza (13 counts), Encarnita Munsod (four counts), Ma. Julie Villaralvo-Johnson (five counts), Romulo Relevo (two counts), Maria Ninez Guañizo (two counts), and Victor Roman Cacal (two counts) who were formerly with Nabcor; Gondelina Amata (eight counts), Emmanuel Alexis Sevidal (eight counts), Evelyn Sucgang (three counts), Gregoria Buenaventura (eight counts), Ofelia Ordoñez (seven counts), Sofia Cruz (four counts), Chita Jalandoni (five counts), and Filipina Rodriguez (one count) who were with the National Livelihood Development Corp.; Antonio Ortiz (two counts), Dennis Cunanan (one count), Maria Rosalinda Lacsamana (two counts), Francisco Figura (two counts), Consuelo Lilian Espiritu (two counts), Marivic Jover (one count) who were formerly with the Technology Resource Center; and Marilou Antonio (14 counts), Marilou Ferrer (two counts), Allen Calma (two counts), Rodrigo Doria (six counts), Pio Ronquillo (two counts), Flerida Alberto (10 counts), Maria Paz Vega (seven counts), Ma. Nerizan Gador (one count), and Godofredo Roque (one count).The others charged with malversation through falsification along with Clarete were Javellana (four counts), Mendoza (four counts), Munsod (two counts), Johnson (three counts), Antonio (nine counts), Ferrer (two counts), Relevo (one count), Calma (two counts), Cacal (one count), Guañizo (one count), Alberto (seven counts), Vega (five counts), Amata (six counts), Sevidal (six counts), Sucgang (two counts), Buenaventura (six counts), Ordoñez (five counts), Doria (six counts), Cruz (two counts), Jalandoni (four counts), Rodriguez (one count) Gador (one count), Roque (one count), Ortiz (one count), Lacsamana (one count), Figura (one count), Jover (one count), Espiritu (one count), and Ronquillo (one count).The others charged with malversation along with Clarete were Javellana (four counts), Mendoza (four counts), Munsod (two counts), Antonio (five counts), Relevo (one count), Johnson (two counts), Amata (two counts), Sevidal (two counts), Sucgang (one count), Buenaventura (two counts), Ordoñez (two counts), Cruz (two counts), Alberto (three counts), Ortiz (one count), Cunanan (one count), Lacsamana (one count), Figura (one count), Espiritu (one count), Ronquillo (one count), Cacal (one count), Guañizo (one count), Vega (two counts), and Jalandoni (one count).Clarete and some of the other accused are at large. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/arthur-yaps-arraignment-graft-moved-jan/363680/ |
Only P1.4B of P8-B fund for free tuition program used – CoA | ['Ma. Reina Leanne Tolentino'] | 2018-08-19 00:04:20+00:00 | THE Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) disbursed merely 18.11 percent or about P1.449 billion of the P8 billion allotted by the government in 2017 for the free tuition program.In its 2017 audit report, the Commission on Audit (CoA) said CHEd spent P1,448,780,722.03 for the implementation of the free college program which “only pertains to the 1st semester requirement of the 114 SUCs (state universities and colleges) in the country.”The CoA said that fund use for at least three programs of CHEd “was low” because of the supposed delayed or late submission by SUCs of billing statements.These are the Higher Education Support Program (free tuition), the K-to-12 Transition Program, and the five-year program implementation of the Philippine California Advanced Research Institutes (PCARI).“The national government appropriated a total of P12.3 billion to CHEd under the General Appropriations Act for 2017 for the said programs’ implementation. However, since the other half of the allocation or P3,894,993,500 is intended for the 2nd Semester requirement of the SUCs which normally starts in October to December in other SUCs and January to others, the Audit Team made use of the 50 percent of the allocation as the ideal amount that has to be disbursed by the end of CY 2017, resulting in a 37 percent disbursement rate which is still far below the full realization rate of the CHEd,” it said.As to the K-to-12 transition program, CHEd spent only 44.55 percent or about P1.516 billion of the P3.402 billion allotted for its implementation.On the other hand, of the almost P5.043 billion allocated for PCARI, only 55.64 percent or over P2.806 billion was used because of the “rigorous process in evaluating/screening of project proposals.”The audit agency raised the need to revisit CHEd policies regarding the payment of claims of SUCs for tuition fees of enrolled tertiary education students, scholarship privileges of faculty scholars for K to 12 transition program and funds for research under the PCARI. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/only-p1-4b-of-p8-b-fund-for-free-tuition-program-used-coa/432123/ |
Death-penalty proposal still alive in the Senate | ['Jefferson Antiporda'] | 2017-05-11 21:41:10+00:00 | THE proposed reimposition of the death penalty is still very much alive in the Senate, contrary to earlier claims of some senators in the minority bloc that it is already dead, Sen. Francis Escudero said on Thursday.Escudero, who opposes the planned restoration of capital punishment, added that he was able to get the respective positions of senators on the matter two months ago and they are different from a statement earlier made by Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon.Drilon recently said in a news forum that the bill seeking to restore the death penalty in the country was already dead in the Senate with at least 13 senators likely to reject it.“I don’t believe that the death penalty is dead in the Senate and I hope he [Drilon] will not assume that and be complacent,” Escudero said, as he maintained his position against capital punishment.According to him, there is a chance that the death penalty will gain the Senate’s nod.Five death penalty bills are pending before the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights headed by Sen. Richard Gordon.Escudero said that there was a proposal to limit the imposition of the death penalty to high-level drug trafficking and there is a big possibility that the move could convince more senators into supporting the proposal.“What is clear is that the version of the House of Representatives which involves firing squad and hanging won’t have a chance of passing in the Senate,” he added.Sen. Richard Gordon, in a separate interview, said the fate of the death penalty is still too close to call, adding that his position against it would not change.Gordon reiterated that instead of imposing capital punishment, the government should work on improving the prison system and adopting a stricter policy on life imprisonment.“We have to really make sure that when we do impose life imprisonment, it should really be in prison, where prisoners are seen undergoing hard labor and far from their families,” he said. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/death-penalty-proposal-still-alive-senate/326671/ |
Living to be 100 | ['Parasa Bayan', 'Maka Pili', 'Liwanag Para Sa Bayan', 'Berdugo Katapang', 'Jeffrey B'] | 17/10/2017 0:00 | Former Vice PresidentLongevity and health experts now agree that 70 is the new 50. My generation, referred to as baby boomers, are living longer and still mentally and physically active at our age. Paul McCartney of the Beatles will embark this year on a concert tour of the United States. Not bad for a 75-year-old.Then you have the late Washington Sycip, who until his death last week at 96, kept a work schedule that put younger people to shame. He had seen the country rise from the ashes of war, and personally witnessed the rise and fall of companies, governments and presidents. Wash Sycip not only had a front seat to Philippine history but lived it and made it.So if 70 is the new 50, then 100 may be called the new 80. In Makati, we have 20 centenarians as of this year, and some of them continue to live happy, productive lives.In 2012, the Makati city government initiated another first in a long list of benefits and recognitions to the elderly: It began giving P100,000 cash gift for centenarians.Since the program began, 42 centenarians have been honored by the city. For this year, P326.2 million has been allocated by the city government for its yearly cash gifts to seniors and centenarians.Four years after the Makati program began, in July, 2016, a national law granting a P100,000 cash incentive and additional benefits and privileges to Filipino centenarians was signed.Republic Act 10868 grants Filipinos who reach the age of 100 a P100,000 cash gift and a congratulatory letter from the President of the Philippines.They will also be awarded a plaque of recognition and additional cash gift from their respective city or municipal governments. The law sets September 25 of every year as National Respect for Centenarians Day.An estimated 3,500 Filipinos aged 100 and older are expected to benefit from the Centenarian Act. The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) were signed earlier this month.Again, Makati is thankful that one of its exclusive benefits for the elderly are now being extended to senior citizens nationwide.For centuries, man has searched for the secret to longevity. It has become a cottage-industry of sorts, with all these books, fad diets, vitamins and supplements being peddled to people above 60 years old. For some, longevity has turned into an obsession, fuelled by a longing to continue living their years of easy-going youth while trying to defy the physical toll that ageing takes on their bodies. This reminds me of the words of actor and comedian Woody Allen: “You can live to be 100 if you give up all the things that make you want to live to be 100.”An online article written by Tony Dearing for NJ.Com cited recent research that shows “a significant number of older adults continue to enjoy good health and quality of life well into their 80s and beyond.”“Some decline occurs as we age; that’s inevitable. But research is showing that the decline can be less acute than previously thought, less tied to chronological age, and well within the ability of all of us to slow down the decline, based on the lifestyle choices we make,” the article said.It quoted Dr. Thomas Cavalieri, a founder of the New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging at Rowan University, as saying: “People can age well… People can live into their 80s and 90s and beyond and be active and functional.”But is there a secret to long life? Has the mythical fountain of youth been found? If you listen to Makati centenarians, there is nothing magical or mystical behind their longevity. Just plain and simple habits. They are examples of “succesful aging,” elderly people who remain mentally sharp and physically active even at their advanced age. And here are some of their secrets:Margarita Ugarte, who will turn 102 in November, said she has maintained a healthy lifestyle all throughout her life by eating a well-balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, and fish. On special occasions, she enjoys a glass of wine.Romarico Vitug attributes his long life to having an active mind and healthy body. A lawyer and accountant, Vitug keeps his mind alert by computing the taxes of all his family members up to this day. He is also an avid reader and solves crossword puzzles.Avelina Gil, who turned 100 last May, said she continues to write daily. During the prime of her life, she was an educator, a writer, and an author.Other Makati centenarians attribute their longevity to daily exercise like walking, having a positive outlook and cheerful disposition, and living a vice-free life.With these simple habits, added with advances in science and medicine, expect the number of centenarians to increase in the coming years.And Makati will continue providing them the pampering they deserve. As I have said in my previous column, we make no excuses for pampering our elderly. They deserve it, especially our centenarians who were there when Makati was still a sleepy, small riverside town. They have seen Makati grow from a “worthless swampland” to the country’s financial center extending to its citizens the benefits and services they deserve as taxpayers. And during their youth, they have been part of this growth as taxpayers and citizens.Why live to be 100, you may ask? If you are a citizen of Makati, why [email protected] | Manila Bulletin | https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/10/17/living-to-be-100/ |
Duterte sits on village narco list | ['Catherine S. Valente'] | 2018-04-14 00:04:10+00:00 | As elections near, President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday said he was considering to release the names of barangay (village) officials suspected of having links to the illegal drug trade in the country.Speaking to reporters in Davao City after his arrival from a four-day visit to China and Hong Kong, Duterte reiterated that he has “zero tolerance” for illegal drugs.“I will sleep on that issue. I’ll give it a thought. I’ll sleep on it maybe sometime. Because I have to make sure that it does not affect the freedom of the people to elect their own leaders because this is democracy. So I have to think about this crucial issue,” he said during a news conference.“The choice of the people but then again letting them know that you might just elect the wrong guy. And then we go back into this rigmarole again of denials and everything, and even mayors getting killed along the way. [But I really have] zero tolerance [for illegal drugs]. There is no middle ground here… no quarters given, no quarters asked,” the President added.Duterte made the statement amid the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s (PDEA) call for the public not to reelect village officials tagged in the illegal drug trade when the Barangay (Village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK or Youth Council) elections are held on May 14.Earlier, the PDEA disclosed that there were 289 barangay officials, composed of 143 chairmen and 146 councilors, included in the narco list of the President.The village elections, originally scheduled for October 31, 2016, were first moved to October 23, 2017, and then to May 14, 2018.Duterte earlier sought to suspend the barangay elections as he wanted to wipe out incumbent village officials linked to narcotics sale.At the time, he said he was considering declaring all barangay positions vacant and appoint “honest” village officials over reports that 40 percent were involved in illegal drugs.As a result, the three-year terms of village officials who were elected in 2013 were effectively extended as they were retained in a holdover capacity. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/duterte-sits-on-village-narco-list/392403/ |
Manila, Moscow in talks on energy, tourism deals | ['Michael Joe T. Delizo'] | 2017-01-30 21:45:43+00:00 | THE Philippines and Russia are discussing potential cooperation in the energy and tourism sectors.Philippine Ambassador to the Russian Federation Carlos Sorreta recently met with Russian officials as the Duterte administration aims to pursue closer ties with Moscow.In energy, the Philippines and Russia wanted to have an exchange of information, experts and technology.Sorreta suggested developing of business-to-business (B2B) linkages between Russian energy companies and their Philippine counterparts.“Russia is a global leader when it comes to energy and had recently invested more time and focus in developing its technological edge in the area of alternative and sustainable sources of energy,” he said.Roman Marshavin, director for international cooperation of Russia’s Ministry of Energy, expressed interest in increasing current oil sales to the Philippines, given the country’s increasing energy needs.Both officials agreed that cooperation in the area of energy will be greatly enhanced through an agreed framework.They hoped that such framework could be ready in time for President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to Russia, slated in the first half of 2017.Sorreta and Oleg Petrovich Safonov, head of the Russian Federal Agency for Tourism, discussed the possibility of adopting a roadmap on tourism cooperation that would identify specific areas and actions to implement the Agreement on Tourism Cooperation, which was signed in March 2006.Safonov said the Russian Tourism department was open to having a roadmap and that, since the last agreement was signed 11 years ago, it was time to adopt a new kind of cooperation on paper.“Tourism helps our peoples understand each other better, which in turn can contribute to building closer relations between our countries,” Sorreta said. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/manila-moscow-talks-energy-tourism-deals-2/309726/ |
Congress lauded for supporting STL | ['The Manila Times'] | 2017-08-03 19:32:24+00:00 | STATE gaming agency Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Thursday lauded the support expressed by lawmakers to its efforts to expand Small Town Lottery (STL) operations as a means to eradicate illegal numbers games in the country.“There might be illegal activities on the ground but with our efforts to strengthen and expand STL, lawmakers can be assured that we are gaining ground against illegal gambling and numbers operations, which deprive the government of its much-needed revenue,” PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan said.“We appreciate the efforts and the inputs provided by the House Committee on Appropriations for us to further improve our operations, particularly in STL, which is instrumental in killing jueteng and other forms of illegal numbers game in the country,” Balutan added.During a hearing conducted by the House appropriations committee on the proposed P3.7-trillion national budget for 2018, PCSO Chairman Jose Jorge Corpuz told lawmakers that the expansion of STL operations was intended to turn gambling lords into “gaming lords.”The government expects P18.32 billion in 2017 in revenues from 92 STL operators, or 183 percent higher from P6.46 billion last year.Among those discussed by PCSO officials with lawmakers for the STL’s further improvement include placing restrictions to stop the operations of other illegal numbers games, reviewing the law mandating PCSO to provide for contributions under at least 27 Republic Acts and centralizing and computerizing STL operations.Balutan said for the agency to fully realize its responsibility to eradicate all forms of illegal numbers games in the country, law enforcement agencies should also do their part in protecting STL operations and its Authorized Agent Corporations (AACs) based on a memorandum of agreement with the PCSO.From the previous figure of 18, the PCSO has now accredited 92 STL operators to help in its revenue generation efforts, which have led to the projected 183-percent increase of STL proceeds to P18.32 billion in 2017, from P6.46 billion last year.The PCSO’s total retail receipts are projected to increase by 31 percent or P51.88 billion in 2017 from the P39.56 billion in 2016. The projected net receipt for 2018 is P60.9 billion.Based on its budget presentation, the PCSO said lotto continues to account for the bulk of PCSO revenues.Lotto’s contribution, however, decreased by 1 percent to P28.59 billion in 2017, from P28.77 billion in 2016.But for 2018, it is projected to increase by 8 percent to P30.9 billion.Another PCSO game is Keno, which is expected to earn P4.95 billion in 2017 and P5.6 billion for 2018.The PCSO’s sweepstakes’ revenue is expected at P17.5 million this year and P1 billion next year.The PCSO Charter provides that 55 percent of net receipts shall be allocated to the payment of prizes, 30 percent to charity and social programs and 15 percent of operating expenses and capital expenditure.NEIL A. ALCOBER | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/congress-lauded-supporting-stl/342241/ |
More power for DoH to deal with hospital bed lack urged | ['Jefferson Antiporda'] | 2018-03-06 00:03:10+00:00 | The Department of Health (DoH) should be granted additional authority to quickly address the hospital bed shortage in government hospitals all over the country.The proposal was made on Monday by Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara, who noted that the DoH, under the present set-up, can only increase the bed capacity of the government hospitals and upgrade their capability through legislation.Currently, there are 70 DoH-retained public hospitals, of which 53 are general hospitals, 14 specialty hospitals, two infirmaries and one psychiatric facility that complement the devolved district, provincial and private hospitals in providing health care services.Angara, however, said majority of these hospitals had bed occupancy higher than the authorized bed capacity.In a recent hearing, the Senate Committee on Health and Demography headed by Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito learned that of the 17 regions, only Metro Manila and Northern Mindanao have met the ideal number of population to hospital bed ratio of 1/800.Ejercito said the current bed to population ratio is 1:1,121 and the gap will widen by 2022 when the population is expected to hit 115 million.Angara said waiting for Congress to come up with legislation that would allow the Health department to upgrade its capability clearly limits public access to medical and health services provided under the Constitution.To remove the limitation, he has filed Senate Bill (SB) 1682 that will give the DoH the authority to increase the bed capacity of all public hospitals without waiting for Congress’ approval.The bill, according to the senator, will authorize the Health department to administratively determine and approve the bed capacity and service capability of all DoH hospitals as necessary.He said it is just proper for the department to be given the authority since it is the one that has the capacity and expertise to assess gaps in service delivery.“The mismatch in bed occupancy, compounded by insufficient manpower, will not be able to sustain the growing health needs of the populace,” Angara added in a statement.He said putting these government hospitals under the jurisdiction of the DoH, which manages these hospitals in the first place, could effectively increase efficiency in the delivery of health services to sustain increasing demands of patients. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/power-doh-deal-hospital-bed-lack-urged/384199/ |
Govt urged: Free overserving cons | ['The Manila Times'] | 2016-12-21 21:41:29+00:00 | In the spirit of the Christmas season, Buhay party-list group Rep. and Senior Deputy Minority Leader Lito Atienza has urged President Rodrigo Duterte to direct the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology to immediately conduct an inventory of inmates and release those who may have already overserved their sentences.“Many inmates have already served their sentences but continue to languish in jails all over the country, owing to the slow pace of our justice system, and with no lawyers keeping an eye on their cases,” Atienza said in a statement on Wednesday.“This is one of the reasons why we are absolutely against the death penalty. Because of our defective and disjointed criminal justice system, only the poor who cannot afford lawyers will be sentenced to death. While the moneyed criminals buy their way through the corruption network and go scot-free,” he added.Atienza also reminded government to focus not only on political detainees but more so on prisoners who are suffering from sub-human conditions inside jails.He invoked Article III, Section 19 of the 1987 Constitution, which provides, “The employment of physical, psychological or degrading punishment against any prisoner or detainee or the use of sub-standard or inadequate penal facilities under sub-human conditions shall be dealt with by law.”The lawmaker also cited Article I of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, which provides, “All persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.”Atienza pointed out that the slow pace of the justice system has been depriving thousands of inmates of a speedy trial, as provided for under Article III, Section 16 of the Constitution, which states, “All persons shall have the right to a speedy disposition of their cases before all judicial, quasi-judicial or administrative bodies.”“Many inmates who were supposed to serve short sentences end up being imprisoned for extended periods.This is contrary to what our Constitution guarantees. This is a classic case of justice delayed is justice denied,” he said. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/govt-urged-free-overserving-cons/303048/ |
Marcos asks SC to junk Robredo supporters’ plea | ['Jomar Canlas'] | 2017-09-29 21:29:51+00:00 | Former senator Ferdinand Marcos’ camp has pleaded before the Supreme Court (SC) to stand by its ruling that junked a prayer of the supporters of Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo that they be allowed to pay the balance of her counter-protest fee.Marcos is contesting results of the race for Vice President in the May 2016 elections, which he lost to Robredo by more than 200,000 votes.In the pleading before the SC, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, Marcos said intervention of the Piso Para kay Leni Movement is against the 2010 rules of the electoral tribunal.The Marcos camp said the poll protest is clearly a contest between the defeated and the winning candidates and allowing the petitioners to intervene by granting their plea would be “highly unprocedural” and has no legal or factual basis.“It appears that the only purpose of the movants in intervening in the case is to provide financial assistance to the protestee in defraying the cash deposit required for the counter-protest,” Marcos stated through his legal counsel George Erwin Garcia.The group of Robredo led by Museo Pambata chairman Cristina Lim-Yuson has asked the Presidential Electoral Tribunal to allow them to pay the rest of Robredo’s counter-protest fee amounting to P7.4 million.The SC earlier ordered Robredo to pay the amount of P15.4 million.Other intervenors in the case are former social welfare secretary Corazon Soliman, former human rights commissioner Paulynn Sicam, former Bases Conversion and Development Authority board director Zorayda Amelia Alonzo, singer Celeste Legaspi-Gallardo and Ateneo de Manila University Press director Karina Bolasco.“This is a necessary exercise of the right of suffrage considering that VP [Vice President] Leni will be deprived of her victory, we will be deprived of her victory because she is financially disadvantaged,” they said.The intervenors added that they have already raised P7,442. 859.34 from more than 20,000 people as of August 30.In his protest, Marcos assailed election results in 39,221 clustered precincts—36,465 of which he pays for the conduct of manual count and judicial revisionBased on Commission on Elections data, the 39,221 clustered precincts are composed of 132,446 precincts.Marcos, who lost to Robredo by 263,473 votes, accused her of “massive electoral fraud, anomalies and irregularities” such as pre-shading of ballots, pre-loaded Secure Digital cards, misreading of ballots, malfunctioning VCMs (vote counting machines) and an “abnormally high” unaccounted votes/undervotes for the position of Vice President.The electoral tribunal has ordered retrieval of all ballot boxes and election paraphernalia in the three pilot provinces of Camarines Sur, Iloilo and Negros Oriental. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/marcos-asks-sc-junk-robredo-supporters-plea/353569/ |
Customs executives face lifestyle checks | ['Mayvelin U. Caraballo'] | 2016-11-15 22:22:10+00:00 | Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd has ordered a lifestyle check on Bureau of Customs (BOC) officials and a forensic analysis of data, including possible opening of bank accounts linked to fraudulent or corrupt activities.In a statement on Monday, the Department of Finance (DOF) said Dominguez’s order is part of the Duterte administration’s ongoing efforts to rid the agency of graft and corruption.“I think it has to start at the top, good example at the top that people do not accept bribes or are clean. I think the leadership factor is important, [that’s] number one,” he replied when asked how he would direct Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon to achieve zero corruption at the bureau.“Number two, we have to be smart about catching corrupt people. You cannot always catch them like, you know, playing cops and robbers. We have to catch them by … checking their lifestyle, checking their bank accounts, checking how many cars they own,” Dominguez said.On top of conducting a lifestyle check on Customs officials, according to the Finance chief, the DOF and its attached agencies would be doing a forensic analysis of data to expose corrupt officials, tax evaders and others involved in financial crimes.“That’s why part of our legislative agenda is to make sure that the privacy laws on bank accounts will allow the government to look into the bank accounts of people that have very strong evidence of corruption or tax evasion,” he said.“If we do not do that, we can hardly catch them. So we are going to ask the legislature to please … allow the government to look into the bank accounts of people suspected of corruption, tax evasion and crimes like that,” Dominguez added.The Finance department said relaxing the country’s bank secrecy law is a way to flush out corrupt government officials as well as tax dodgers in the private sector.It is one of the proposals that the agency plans to submit to Congress.The DOF has also asked the Congress to pass new legislation that will relax bank secrecy laws for tax-fraud cases and include tax evasion as a predicate crime for money laundering. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/customs-executives-face-lifestyle-checks-3/296703/ |
Probe sought over PNP’s use of ‘sonic weapon’ vs protesters | ['Ralph Villanueva'] | 2017-11-14 22:59:55+00:00 | MEMBERS of a leftist party-list group on Tuesday said they will file a resolution in the House of Representatives next week seeking an investigation of the deployment by the Philippine National Police (PNP) of a “sonic weapon” during a rally on Monday protesting the visit of US President Donald Trump.Trump was in the country for the Association of Southeast Nations (Asean) Summit, which began on Monday and ends today.As he left on Tuesday afternoon, militant groups Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Anakpawis, Kabataan, Anakbayan, Katribo and Kadamay once again staged a protest, this time on Mendiola Street in Manila but were kept at bay by the police at Mendiola Bridge near Malacañang.On Monday, they tried to march to the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City where the summit is being held but they were stopped by the police.In the Tuesday mass action, hundreds of protesters from other militant groups–Sanlakas, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, Partido Lakas ng Masa and Philippine Movement for Climate Justice–converged at Vito Cruz Street, a few meters away from the summit venue where they cried out to denounce alleged US intervention in Philippine affairs.They attempted to breach security barricades but were stopped right in front of the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Vito Cruz.Four trucks and 300 anti-riot police were deployed on United Nations Avenue and Taft Avenue to prevent the protesters from getting near the US Embassy–their target location–on Roxas Boulevard.In a statement, Emmi de Jesus and Arlene Brosas of Gabriela party-list group slammed the use of the Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), saying it constitutes a new level of state violence under the Duterte administration.“The latest anti-people weapon of the PNP must be probed and opposed. Hindi pwedeng paglaruan lang nila ito kada may mobilisasyon para pagtakpan ang galit ng mamamayan. Hindi biro ang epekto nito sa pandinig at kalusugan ng mga nasa pagkilos at maging sa kapulisan mismo [It is not okay for the police to just play with it every time there is a mobilization in order to cover the wrath of the citizens. The effect on the hearing and health of the protesters and the police alike is not a joke],” de Jesus and Brosas said in the statement.Brosas cited several health reports that indicate that the sonic weapon can have varied effects on the human body, including hearing trauma, permanent hearing loss and lingering headaches.“Magkano ang pinambili ng PNP para rito? At ilan pang LRAD ang nakatabi sa arsenal ng kapulisan? Dapat na ilantad ito sa publiko [How much did the PNP pay for these devices? And how many LRADs do they have in their arsenal? This should be bared],” she said.Brosas noted that patients of the nearby Philippine General Hospital (PGH) where the mass action was held might also be affected.De Jesus said the use of sound cannon to a “democratic” protest shows the “desperation” of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte in handling the frustration of Filipinos in his administration.She added that the use of the sonic weapon brings a new level of violence under the administration.At least 56 protesters were reported injured, four of whom were brought to the hospital after a violent dispersal of the rally along Taft Avenue in Manila.Police also used water cannons several times against the protesters.with ASHLEY JOSE | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/probe-sought-pnps-use-sonic-weapon-vs-protesters/362822/ |
Palace: Bong Go will clear himself | ['Catherine S. Valente'] | 2018-02-17 00:02:57+00:00 | Malacañang is confident that Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go can prove his innocence in next week’s Senate inquiry into the controversial deal to acquire frigates for the Philippine Navy.“I’m sure,” Palace spokesman Harry Roque said in a text message to The Manila Times.Go has been accused of intervening in the military procurement contract, particularly in the selection of the supplier of the combat management system of the ships.But Go, President Rodrigo Duterte’s top aide, has denied the allegation and expressed readiness to appear before the congressional probe to clear his name.Roque insisted that Go could not have meddled in the contract, which was competed during the previous administration.“[The] Senate investigation is a welcome move to determine if the Aquino government committed any anomalies in the bidding,” he said, referring to the administration of then-President Benigno Aquino 3rd.The President, according to Roque, would likely watch Go testify in the Senate inquiry.He said the President is interested to know developments in the congressional hearing.“I would think so. He would be very curious as to what will happen [in] that hearing. I’m sure it will be televised,” Roque replied, when asked if the President will watch the Senate’s proceedings on Monday.To show support for a fellow public servant, the Palace spokesman said he would accompany Go to the Senate next week. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/palace-bong-go-will-clear/380704/ |
PH gets 2nd donation of China arms, ammo | ['Dempsey Reyes'] | 2017-10-04 20:58:49+00:00 | Beijing will be turning over firearms to Manila that would be used in different parts of the Philippines, the military announced on Wednesday.Col. Edgard Arevalo, public affairs chief of the Armed Forces of the Philipines (AFP), said the weapons will include M4 rifles, three million rounds of assorted ammunition and 30 sniper scopes.Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jinhua will hand over the donation to AFP chief Gen. Eduardo Año and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City today.Arevalo said the weapons and ammunition would be of help in increasing the “firepower” of the Philippine military in battling terrorist groups including the Abu Sayyaf and the Islamic State-linked Maute Group, who are in Marawi City, Lanao del Norte.“Well, this will not just help of course the war in Marawi but in other areas of the country where our operations are undergoing,” he told reporters in a news conference in Camp Aguinaldo, general headquarters of the AFP.Last June 28, President Rodrigo Duterte himself received more than P370 million or 50 million yuan worth of firearms and ammunition from China.During the turnover, Duterte pledged a friendlier relationship with China despite the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) dispute between the two countries.According to Arevalo, the firearms and ammunition donated earlier by China have been distributed to the military’s operating units in Marawi City and other areas. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/ph-gets-2nd-donation-china-arms-ammo/354541/ |
Youth body official seeks all-out condom distribution | ['Llanesca T. Panti'] | 2017-08-15 20:15:25+00:00 | Chairman Cariza “Aiza” Seguerra of the National Youth Commission has called for unrestricted distribution of condoms across the country in light of the record-breaking new human immunodeficiency virus cases, which reached 1,098 in May alone.Seguerra, a former child actress and a professional singer, made the call on Tuesday, citing the HIV and AIDS Registry of the Philippines Report (HARP), which showed that the 1,098 new HIV cases is the highest recorded number of HIV cases in the Philippines since 1984.HARP said the May 2017 cases represent a 48-percent increase compared with the 741 recorded in May 2016.“We need the help of everybody here, the government, the private sector, in fixing this. This [rise in HIV virus cases] already happened in Thailand, and they resorted to condom distribution. From college [level] down to pre-schools, students were taught about reproductive health so that they won’t be awkward when condoms are raised in a conversation,” Seguerra said.The Reproductive Health (RH) Law enacted in 2013 allows the government to provide free contraceptives such as condoms and intrauterine devices.The RH Law does not contain the word condom but its implementing rules and regulation provide that dispensing of health products such as condoms; natural family planning charts and digital thermometers; standard days method beads; injectables and oral contraceptive pills; and immunization and micronutrient supplementation should only be done by appropriately trained and skilled health professionals.“In Thailand, you get a whole box of condoms every time you go to the gas station and avail of a full tank. We can’t do that here. If we can’t change that, these cases of HIV will continue to rise, no matter how often we conduct seminars,” Seguerra said.She urged families and parents of the youth to help combat the deadly virus.“We really need everybody’s help. This is not just about HIV, but teenaged pregnancy as well. The Philippines already tops Southeast Asia in teenaged pregnancies. That is not a good place to be in,” Seguerra said.“We can’t deny the situation that is happening. We can’t always invoke cultural sensitivity here because, otherwise, we will be helpless. If we will be proactive, we will have a chance to defeat this,” she added. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/youth-body-official-seeks-condom-distribution/344656/ |
Taiwan extends visa exemption for Filipinos | ['William Depasupil'] | 2018-08-18 00:15:57+00:00 | TAIWAN has extended its visa-exemption program for Filipinos by another year, according to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO).“The trial period will continue until July 31, 2019, and will be reviewed for further extension,” TECO said in a statement.Taiwan’s representative to the Philippines, Micheal Peiyung Hsu, urged the Philippine government and the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) to reciprocate Taiwan’s gesture by granting the same privilege to the Taiwanese people, to attract more business and tourists from Taiwan.A visa-free Filipino visitor is required to have a passport with a validity period of at least six months from the date of entry; a return ticket or a ticket for the traveler’s next destination, and a visa for that destination if required; no criminal records or other records of misconduct in Taiwan; and proof of accommodation booking or host or sponsor’s contact information.Those who intend to stay in Taiwan for more than 14 days or for study, work or religious mission are still required to obtain appropriate visas before entering Taiwan.Hsu said the visa-free privilege is a reflection of Taiwan’s goodwill and friendship toward all Filipinos under the“New Southbound Policy,” which aims to build stronger bilateral relations and closer people-to-people connectivity between Taiwan and the Philippines.Hsu said the Philippines is an important partner under Taiwan’s new policy.In 2017, Filipino travelers going to Taiwan reached 290,784, while Taiwanese visitors to the Philippines reached 236,777.“This mutual relaxation of visa restrictions is indeed an important factor in improving bilateral overall relations and enhancing people-to-people exchange and cooperation between the two countries,” Hsu said.The New Southbound Policy is an initiative of Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen, to enhance cooperation and exchanges between Taiwan and 18 neighboring countries. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/taiwan-extends-visa-exemption-for-filipinos/431583/ |
JBC shortlists Sandigan, CA justice nominees | ['Jomar Canlas'] | 2017-03-31 21:53:17+00:00 | The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) on Friday shortlisted names of possible magistrates for vacancies in the Court of Appeals (CA) and the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan.The shortlisting came after Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Roland Jurado retired on February 1.CA Associate Justice Francisco Acosta is set for mandatory retirement on April 2.Five nominees to Sandiganbayan vacancies were shortlisted.Retirement ceremonies for Acosta, a classmate of President Rodrigo Duterte, were held at the CA en banc session hall on Friday.Vvying for his post are Zamboanga Regional Trial Court Judge Gregorio dela Pena 3rd, lawyer Walter Ong, Las Pinas RTC Judge Joselito de Jesus Vibandor and Manila RTC Judge Merianthe Pacita Zuraek, who each got five votes.Cagayan de Oro RTC Judge Jeoffre Acebido, Iligan RTC Judge Anisah Amanodin-Umpa and Quezon City RTC Judge Tita Marilyn Payoyo-Villordon each got four votes.For the Sandiganbayan posts, shortlisted were Muntinlupa RTC Judge Philip Aguinaldo, Makati RTC Judge Maryann Corpus-Manalac, Pasig RTC Judge Danilo Cruz, Ombudsman Director Bayani Jacinto and Quezon City RTC Judge Rosanna Fe Romero-Maglaya, who each got four votes.Under Article VIII, Section 9 of the 1987 Constitution, vacancies in the Court of Appeals and the Sandiganbayan shall be filled within 90 days from official submission by the JBC to the Office of the President of the list of nominees for the vacancies concerned.The names are then transmitted to the President for his approval.The seven-man council, 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, is headed by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, with ex-officio members Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre 2nd, Sen. Richard Gordon and Mindoro Oriental Rep. Reynaldo Umali.Retired Supreme Court Justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez is the head of the executive committee, with lawyer Jose Mejia representing the academe, Milagros Fernan-Cayosa representing the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and retired Judge Toribio Ilao representing the private sector as the other regular members of the JBC.JOMAR CANLAS | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/jbc-shortlists-sandigan-ca-justice-nominees-2/320302/ |
House okays push for judges-at-large | ['Ralph Villanueva'] | 2017-10-31 22:22:50+00:00 | THE HOUSE Committee on Appropriations has approved a substitute bill seeking the creation of positions for judges-at-large.Judges-at-large are deployable judges who do not have permanent salas, which means that they will be deployed by the Supreme Court (SC) to any court in the country, depending on need.Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, committee chairman, said in a statement on Tuesday that the passing of the bill will move to address the huge backlog hounding the country’s lower courts.“The criminal justice system in the Philippines is perceived to be slow given the sheer volume of docketed cases. Human rights lawyer Jose Manuel Diokno once said that a trial in the country usually lasts six to 10 years. This measure presents a solution that aims to decongest court dockets in an efficient manner,” Nograles noted.He said the substitute bill amends Batas Pambansa (BP) 129 and will create 50 Regional Trial Judges-at-Large and another 50 Municipal Trial Judges-At-Large.The salary level of the 100 judges-at-large will be equal to the salaries of Regional Trial Judges, Metropolitan Trial Judges, Municipal Circuit Trial Judges and Intermediate Appellate Justices.The judges-at-large will receive displacement allowances as well, to cover housing, food, transportation and other necessary fees incurred during the detail to courts that are outside their places of residence.The allowances will be determined by the SC, upon the recommendation of the Court Administrator and the Plantilla Committee, according to the bill.Nograles said the measure is timely because of the Duterte administration’s “no-nonsense” anti-illegal drug campaign, which led to the arrest and deaths of thousands of suspected drug offenders.He cited a report by the Agence France-Presse in September, which bared more or less 96,700 drug suspects have been jailed since President Rodrigo Duterte took his seat as the President of the country.“Delaying the resolution of these cases is unfair to the defendant as well as the lawmen who risked their lives in the conduct of anti-drug operations. That’s why the speedy delivery of justice is so important—nobody has a monopoly over it,” Nograles said. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/house-okays-push-judges-large/359866/ |
LTO chief: Curbing corruption a failure | ['Nelson Badilla'] | 2017-01-18 22:28:51+00:00 | The chief of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Wednesday virtually admitted that he had failed to curb corruption in the agency since he took over it.Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante’s admission came after he linked a group of manufacturers of fake license plates who were arrested on Tuesday to an allegedly corrupt official inside the LTO.Chief Supt. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, director of the Quezon City District Police (QCPD), said 15 persons from the group were arrested by his men at a house on Mapagmahal Street in Barangay Pinyahan in the city.Eleazar said his men also confiscated several PVC cards, fake licenses official receipts, car registrations, stickers and other paraphernalia used in license-making.The raided house was believed to be the manufacturing area for plates and documents by the 15 suspects.Galvante has ordered an internal investigation to find out who the “corrupt” LTO official is.A retired police official, he was assigned by President Rodrigo Duterte to the LTO to rid the agency of corruption.The LTO has been described by the President as one of the most corrupt government agencies in the bureaucracy. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/lto-chief-curbing-corruption-failure/307585/ |
DOJ probes use of minor in police raid | ['Jomar Canlas'] | 2017-09-18 20:44:45+00:00 | The Department of Justice (DoJ) ordered the investigation of 13 members of the Caloocan City Police who brought along a minor on September 7 when they raided a house without a search warrant.Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre 2nd said he ordered the DoJ Task Force on Child Protection to “thoroughly investigate the raid and file the necessary charges against the responsible persons who have committed any act which is tantamount to child abuse.”“Evidently, any act which inflicts physical or psychological injury, cruelty to or the neglect, sexual abuse of, or which exploits, a child is child abuse. Cases of child abuse should be punished to the full extent of the law,” he said.The raid was conducted on the house of a 51-year-old policewoman who was suspected of being involved in the illegal drug trade.A CCTV footage showed that police officers used a bolt cutter to enter the house with the minor. Then they took a watch and a cell phone. The minor was later seen holding up the items to another police officer and pocketing them as the officer held up a finger to his lips as a sign for the child to keep quiet.With the use of the CCTV footage, the family discovered the theft of a cell phone, a wallet, and two watches with a total value of P30,000.National Capital Region Police Office Director Oscar Albayalde ordered the relief of the entire 1,200-strong Caloocan City police force because of the incident. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/doj-probes-use-minor-police-raid/351382/ |
Govt urged to look into price surge in chicken | ['Francis Earl Cueto'] | 2018-04-19 00:03:11+00:00 | A GROUP of poultry raisers on Wednesday called on the government to investigate a sudden surge in the price of chicken being sold in the market, after reports said several stalls in Metro Manila have jacked up their prices by as much as P20 per kilo.Increased prices from P10-20 per kilo affected choice cuts such as wings, breasts and thighs.In Marikina City, the price is now P125 per kilo from the previous P105.Reports said in Pritil market in Manila’s Tondo district, chicken sells for P160 per kilo from the previous P150.According to Elias Jose Inciong, president of the United Broilers Raisers Association, they are wondering why there is a sudden increase in prices, when the farmgate prices of chicken or that coming from the poultry farms remain the same.The prices range from P70 to P82 per kilo for the farmgate chicken for last month, compared to P89 per kilo last March 16.Inciong said they will call for a meeting with Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol over the matter. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/govt-urged-to-look-into-price-surge-in-chicken/393422/ |
Govt to double budget for employment program | ['Mayvelin U. Caraballo'] | 2018-10-03 00:03:14+00:00 | The allocation for the Labor department’s emergency employment program will be more than doubled next year to allow government to give assistance to more Filipinos, the Department of Budget and Management said on Tuesday.The department said a budget of P3.3 billion has been allocated for Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged (Tupad), 106 percent higher than this year’s allocation of P1.6 billion.“With a target of 289,602 beneficiaries in 2019, Tupad aims to provide assistance and emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed, and seasonal workers,” the Budget department said in a statement.It said priority beneficiaries are indigent families under the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction; informal sector families; and those under the next lower poverty level as determined by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.Tupad is also being tapped by the the Department of Labor and Employment to provide emergency employment to workers affected by Typhoon “Ompong.”This year, about P44 million has been set aside for the provision of salaries and benefits to workers affected by the typhoon in Region 2, broken down as follows: Batanes (P4.002 million) for 1,160 workers, Isabela (P20,.003 million) for 5,798 workers, Cagayan (P15 million) for 4,348 workers, Nueva Vizcaya (P1.035 million) for 300 workers, Quirino (P2.001 million) for 580 workers, and Tuguegarao City (P2.001 million) for 580 workers, it added. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/govt-to-double-budget-for-employment-program/447766/ |
2 Manila policemen nabbed for ‘extortion’ | ['The Manila Times'] | 2018-07-20 00:03:54+00:00 | TWO Manila policemen were arrested for allegedly extorting P50,000 from eight individuals whom they caught on accusations of human smuggling.Members of the Counter Intelligence Task Force (CITF), Philippine National Police Intelligence Group (PNP-IG) and the Manila Police District who raided the Manila Police District Special Operations Unit (MPD-DSOU) Thursday made the arrest based on the complaint filed by one of the relatives of those arrested.The policemen were identified as Police Officers 1 MJ Cerilla and Erdie Bautista. They refused to make comments to media.The complainant said her husband and seven others were arrested in Sta. Mesa on July 18 for alleged human trafficking.The police officers demanded P100,000 in exchange for their freedom, but the complainant bargained to lower the demand and they settled at P50,000.The CITF operatives rescued the arrested individuals and found that there was no official blotter entry on their arrest. No spot report was also submitted to the Tactical Operations Center.The four other police officers who were allegedly involved in the extortion – PO3 Michael Chavez, PO3 Dindo Encina, PO1 Arcadio Orbis, and PO1 Martinico Mario – remain at large.The arrested officers were detained at the CITF headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City but will be transferred to the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) headquarters in Bicutan, Taguig City.NCRPO director Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar ordered the relief of the six police officers.KIMBERLY MALAIT, FRANCIS EARL A. CUETO AND ROY D.R. NARRA | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/2-manila-policemen-nabbed-for-extortion/421387/ |
MILF, military turn over members of drug ring | ['Neil Alcober'] | 2016-10-15 22:03:48+00:00 | Members of the military’s 602nd Infantry Brigade and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Central Mindanao Front turned over more than a dozen henchmen of Samad Masgal alias Commander Madrox, a notorious leader of an armed group involved in the illegal drug trade and operating in North Cotabato province.The men were arrested during operations conducted from October 5 to 11 2016 in Nabalawag, Kapinpilan, and Kadingilan in Midsayap, North Cotabato. The joint Government of the Philippines (GPH)-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) as well as the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) were tapped to help coordinate the operation since it was conducted in areas with strong MILF presence.“We’ve seen in the last six days the determination of the MILF and the government forces to enforce the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to launch an all-out campaign against illegal drugs and criminality,” Director Carlos Sol Jr. of the combined secretariat of the GPH-CCCH and the AHJAG said.The CCCH and AHJAG are composed of members from the GPH and the MILF with the International Monitoring Team as the third party.“We can see now people responsible for the criminality and the proliferation of illegal drugs, especially methamphetamine in the areas of operation,” Sol said.The arrested men were turned over the Philippine National Police (PNP).An operation conducted in August by the military and the MILF against the group of Commander Madrox resulted in the death of four of his followers. Three soldiers also died in the operation.“[T]he fight against illegal drugs transcends all affiliations and it even unites people with diverse backgrounds. We are very delighted that the coming together of the PNP, the AFP, and the addition of the MILF among our allies against illegal drugs is becoming a reality,” PDEA-12 Regional Director Lyndon Aspacio said.“[W]e all have a personal stake in this fight and I hope that in the coming days we will be seeing more of this operation,” he added.“Everything is clear with mutual trust and cooperation. We are here because of this. We are here to participate in the government’s campaign against illegal drugs. Our cooperation has brought about one of our objectives and that is to stop the proliferation of illegal drugs,” PNP North Cotabato Provincial Director Supt. Emmanuel Peralta said.On July 12, 2016, the government and MILF panels signed an agreement to stop the proliferation of illegal drugs in areas controlled by the MILF.The agreement allows for “information exchange/sharing which includes, but not limited to the submission of the MILF of a list of drug personalities identified in its area subject to validation of the law enforcement agencies” as well as to allow the MILF to “conduct information drive on the ill-effects of illegal drugs in the MILF affected areas as part of its demand reduction activities” among others.“When President Duterte came into power, the MILF formalized an agreement with the government that will allow it to lead the anti-illegal drug campaign in MILF controlled areas… This pursuit operation has resulted into better and peaceful lives for our stakeholders as well as stronger confidence between GPH and MILF forces,” MILF Central Mindanao Front Commander Gordon Sayfulah said.“I would like to commend this new administration for its strong commitment to end illegal drugs in our country. I would also like to express my gratitude to those who have been part of the operation which includes the operating troops and coordinating body,” the MILF leader added. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/milf-military-turn-members-drug-ring/291419/ |
Ex-Comelec commissioner sweeps voting for top CA post | ['Jomar Canlas'] | 2017-11-17 22:02:55+00:00 | A former commissioner of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has topped the voting for the premier post at the Court of Appeals (CA) conducted by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC).Remedios Salazar-Fernando, also the acting presiding justice of the appellate court, got all seven votes from the seven-member JBC.The CA top post became vacant after Presiding Justice Andres Reyes Jr. was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to the Supreme Court on July 12.Coming in second was Justice Romeo Barza with 5 votes and third was Marlene Gonzales-Sison with 4 votes, both of whom are also with the CA.Barza is a founding member of the now disbanded Carpio Villaraza Cruz law office and Sison is the wife of Manila City Councilor Cassy Sison.The seven-man council, 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, is headed by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, with ex-officio members Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre 2nd, Sen. Richard Gordon and Mindoro Oriental Rep. Reynaldo Umali. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/ex-comelec-commissioner-sweeps-voting-top-ca-post/363420/ |
Tagle reinforces Church stand vs death penalty | ['William Depasupil'] | 2017-02-02 21:50:29+00:00 | THE usually quiet Archbishop of Manila, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, on Thursday broke his silence on moves by Congress to reimpose the death penalty for heinous crimes.Tagle issued Circular No.12017-05, entitled “An Invitation to Reflect, Pray and Act” addressed to the Catholic faithful in the Archdiocese of Manila, explaining the reasons why the Church opposes the death penalty.According to him, studies worldwide show that the threat of punishment by death has not reduced criminality. The best approach, he added, is to address the roots of crime.Offenders, he said, were victims of circumstances brought about by the loss of moral values, injustice, inequality, poverty, lack of access to food, education, jobs and housing, proliferation of weapons, drugs, pornography, and loss of respect for sexuality, among others.“To help solve these roots of criminality, the Church and the state need to protect and strengthen the basic unit of society, which is the family,” Tagle said.He added that death penalty may legitimize the use of violence to deal with every wrongdoing or may be applied to an innocent person.The prelate noted that what is needed is an honest and upright judicial and penal system.“We need to reform institutions so they would safeguard justice while preventing the spread of a culture of violence. Penalties are not imposed for vengeance but for the correction of offenders and the good of society,” Tagle said“A culture of violence dehumanizes. A culture of justice, integrity, and hope heals,” he added.Tagle stressed that life is sacred because it’s God’s gift to humanity, and thus nobody has the right to take it away.“This is the reason why an ethic of life, a culture of life, is inconsistent with abortion, euthanasia, human trafficking, mutilation, and violence against innocent and vulnerable persons,” he said. “Before God the source of life, we are humble. We cannot pretend to be gods.”Also on Thursday, the Church-run Radio Veritas also launched an online petition against death penalty.“Life must be respected. Only God has the full authority to take one’s life,” said Radio Veritas president Fr. Anton C.T. Pascual.The station aims to get one million signatures to express the public’s opposition against the restoration of death penalty. Supporters can access the petition at www.veritas846.ph/chooselife/.Last year, the House justice committee passed the bill seeking to reimpose the death penalty via a 12-6 vote, sending the measure to the plenary for second and third reading.The proposed “Death Penalty Law” covers 21 “heinous” offenses such as treason, qualified piracy, qualified bribery, parricide, murder, infanticide, rape, kidnapping and serious illegal detention, robbery with violence, destructive arson, plunder, and dangerous drug importation. Executions may be carried out by hanging, firing squad or lethal injection.The death penalty was abolished in 1986 but was restored in 1994 by former President Fidel Ramos with the enactment of Republic Act 7659 or the Death Penalty Law.It was again abolished in 2006 by former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.According to the International Commission of Catholic Prison Pastoral Care, 124 out of 194 countries had abolished the death penalty. | Manila Times | https://www.manilatimes.net/tagle-reinforces-church-stand-vs-death-penalty-2/310269/ |
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