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Seafarers thank Duterte for dismissing Marina chief
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['The Manila Times']
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2018-01-07 19:07:30+00:00
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The United Filipino Seafarers (UFS) has expressed its gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte for saving the maritime industry from a “junketeer” of an administrator.“Thank you Mr. President. On behalf of the [UFS] with its 52,600 members, we recognize you for firing an inutile top government official who had been lavishly spending the people’s money for his 24 travels around the globe in a span of more than one year.” Nelson Ramirez, UFS president, said recently in a statement.The recognition came after the sacking of Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Administrator Marcial Amaro 3rd, which removal was announced by Malacañang spokesman Harry Roque on January 4 in a televised news briefing in Davao City.“The people in the maritime industry believe that you made the right decision in firing him for being an absentee administrator. You are true to your words that you do not hesitate to fire any of your men, even if he is a very close friend or even a member of your family. You made a definite move again, Mr. President.” Ramirez, a marine engineer, said.Amaro appeared over ANC Headstart a day after he was sacked by Duterte, saying he is “disappointed that he would not be able to implement the programs he lined up for 2018, but had accepted [the President’s] decision.”After watching Amaro’s interview, Ramirez immediately contradicted Amaro’s claims that he (Amaro) “has a ten year plan” that he expects to realize during his tenure as Marina administrator, including the modernization program for the domestic fleet.No names were given yet by Malacañang to replace the vacated post but, Amaro said, he heard Capt. Jaime Quiñones and Arturo Valdez are being considered.Quiñones is the then-head of the Marina-Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.Valdez was previously undersecretary of the then-Department of Transportation and Communications for Water Cluster, and also a former undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources during the stint of then-Environment Secretary Gina Lopez.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/seafarers-thank-duterte-dismissing-marina-chief/372862/
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Manila police, village officials ordered to help missing children
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['Raadee S. Sausa']
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2018-03-04 21:32:46+00:00
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MANILA Mayor Joseph Estrada ordered the Manila Police District (MPD) and Manila Barangay Bureau (MBB) to help missing children and abandoned senior citizens and report them to the Manila Department of Social Welfare (MDSW) for intervention. “The city has a sustainable social and health program for them. In our temporary shelter, they will be fed, clothed and will be given medical care for their sicknesses,” Estrada said. Under the MDSW, rescued individuals can get livelihood and educational assistance from the city. Estrada said he ordered the department heads to form their own teams and have an assigned area to monitor the presence of street dwellers. He also ordered the MDSW to meet with representatives from the police and barangay (village) officials to draft plans on how to deal with the homeless, missing children and street dwellers. Estrada said there is a need for an updated profiling of street dwellers to determine what intervention the city can undertake.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/manila-police-village-officials-ordered-help-missing-children/384089/
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DOE chief’s China trip seen lifting energy ties
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-01-16 21:09:28+00:00
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Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi will travel to China on a five-day official trip on January 21-25 to enhance energy cooperation between China and the Philippines.Cusi, in a statement, said the trip is borne out of a “gracious” invitation from the Chinese Ambassador to Manila Zhao Jianhua.The Department of Energy (DOE), he said, is “fortunate to have the opportunity to touch base with our counterparts in China’s own Ministry of Energy.”“The purpose of the meeting is exclusively to improve our overall energy development efforts, gain knowledge from their best practices and hopefully attract investments in our local energy projects,” Cusi added.This meeting is a “clear” indication that President Rodrigo Duterte’s state visit to China late last year was indeed successful, and is now yielding “tangible” benefits for the Philippines, according to the DOE chief.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/doe-chiefs-china-trip-seen-lifting-energy-ties/307242/
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LGUs urged to utilize anti-drug web system
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-08-27 20:03:39+00:00
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The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has urged local government units (LGUs) to utilize a web-based system that will monitor implementation of drug policies and programs of the government and concerned sectors.The Integrated Drug Monitoring and Reporting System (IDMRS) collects, manages and analyzes data and information on drug-abuse prevention initiated by LGUs and partner groups and organizations and various government agencies.The system was developed by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) to help the agency in analyzing and evaluating data for “evidence-based” decision-making and appropriate government policies and strategies against illegal drugs.“In this era when information technology is integral in everyone’s life, complementing our strategy in combating illegal drugs with technological innovation is the way to go, and the IDMRS is one means of doing just that,” DILG Acting Secretary Catalino Cuy said in a statement.A DILG directive has urged all LGUs to use the system and send their respective anti-illegal drug abuse council members to participate in the IDMRS end-users training kicked off by the DDB in 13 regions of the country from August until December this year.The 13 regions are Central Luzon, Cagayan Valley, Western Visayas, Caraga, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Visayas, Bicol, Ilocos Region, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) and Davao Region.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/lgus-urged-utilize-anti-drug-web-system/347114/
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BI arrests ‘member’ of ‘Korean mafia’
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['William Depasupil']
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2017-03-23 22:27:27+00:00
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THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has arrested an alleged member of the “Korean mafia” who was linked to the celebrated Jee Ick Joo kidnap-slay case.Arrested on orders of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre 2nd was South Korean businessman Kang Tae Sik, who earlier was cleared of any link to the supposed Korean underground group.But the Korean Business and Community Association on Thursday said Aguirre’s arrest order was unwarranted.The group said it was stunned by the decision of Aguirre to reverse the “final and executory decision of his predecessor now Supreme Court Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguiao” clearing Kang of any wrongdoing.Redentor Viaje, lawyer for Kang, also on Thursday disclosed that Immigration authorities arrested the South Korean businessman the other day in Makati City (Metro Manila) based on an order issued by Aguirre dated March 7, 2017.“It was not clear what was the offense committed by Kang who has been living in the Philippines for almost 40 years,” Viaje said.He deplored the manner of the government agents in arresting Kang in his office in Makati whom he said looked at private files and documents of Kang.Viaje said last year, then Justice Secretary Alfredo Benjamin Caguiao, issued a decision granting Kang’s appeal regarding a BI resolution ordering his deportation.“In his decision, Caguiao pointed out, “It would, indeed, be the height of injustice if we condone the deportation of an upright individual, who has made this country his home for the last 38 years absent any legal ground and merely on the basis of a complaint instituted by appellant’s own former lawyers.”Citing the Supreme Court decision in the case of Lao Gi et al vs. BID, he said “it is only the Bureau of Immigration [the former Bureau of Immigration and Deportation] which can file a motion for reconsideration and prohibits the participation of private complainant in prosecuting the case.”The BI did not file a motion for reconsideration with the Department of Justice (DOJ), thus making the decision final and executory in February 2016, or more than a year ago, clearing Kang of any immigration case.Viaje said he suspects that the case was revived because a motion for reconsideration had been filed by an Alex Tan, supposedly a former lawyer for Kang who later allegedly tried to take over the importation business of Kang.Kang was also mistakenly linked to Jee Ick Joo kidnap-slay case but the Korean Embassy in the Philippines challenged Aguirre to substantiate his remarks with concrete evidence.“Kang was a victim of the so-called Korean-Filipino Mafia,” Viaje said, adding that Tan, with a South Korean identified only as “Kevin Lee,” initiated a hoax deportation case against Kang.Tan’s group allegedly demanded P50 million to abandon his multimillion Korean wine importation business in the Philippines.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/bi-arrests-member-korean-mafia-2/318839/
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DOH warns anew vs tobacco, ‘vape’
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['Kenneth Hare Hernandez']
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2017-06-14 22:08:26+00:00
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In observance of June as “National No Smoking Month,” the Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday urged students of Felipe G. Calderon High School in Tondo to stay away from tobacco-related products and even “vaping” that might lead to long-term addiction.Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial said there was no more compelling argument in favor of tobacco use given the harmful effects of smoking on adolescents.She cited the Global Youth Survey that found a significant increase in the number of those who started smoking at ages 13 to 15 between 2011 and 2015.“Studies have shown that most young people who smoke regularly continue to smoke throughout adulthood and fall prey to being replacement smokers of the tobacco industry,” Ubial said.“This creates a vicious cycle of young tobacco users and unhealthy future adult population,” she added.Ubial however said she was confident the youth knows how and when to not give in to pressure from peers.“We know our youth are in control. A single puff may hook you for the rest of your life and chain you to various diseases,” she said.“By the time you reach adulthood, tobacco will take its toll on you – stroke, heart diseases, lung diseases and cancer in almost anywhere in your body. Those are risks you would not be happy taking,” she added.‘Vape is still tobacco’The Health secretary also discouraged the use of electronic cigarettes or “vapes,” saying they contain almost the same chemicals used in cigarettes. She also said vaping leads to more serious addiction to tobacco.“We released an advisory from the Food and Drug Administration that the products and components used in vape are still tobacco. So it still contains the 7,000 dangerous chemicals that are found in cigarettes,” she said.“They say that [electronic cigarettes] are a safer alternative but we in the health sector say there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke. So even if it has a small amount of tobacco, it is still not safe,” she added.Ubial, citing Executive Order (EO) 26 by President Rodrigo Duterte, reiterated that smoking in public places and public conveyances – schools workplaces, sidewalks, and public vehicles are prohibited. The sale of tobacco products to minors is also banned.The DOH is set to release the implementing rules of EO 26 in July.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/doh-warns-anew-vs-tobacco-vape/332745/
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Supreme Court junks contempt raps vs Armed Forces brass
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2017-03-24 21:39:45+00:00
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The Supreme Court (SC) has dismissed a petition to cite for indirect contempt filed by lawyer Herminio Harry Roque Jr. against former Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang (retired), former Camp Aguinaldo Camp Commander Brig. Gen. Arthur Ang (retired) and former AFP Public Affairs Office chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc.Roque lodged the case against the three military officials, who stopped the family of transgender Jennifer Laude, who was killed by a US Marine–Private Joseph Scott Pemberton–from barging into Camp Aguinaldo, the AFP’s general headquarters in Quezon City.In a 26-page decision penned by Justice Marvic Leonen, promulgated on February 15, 2017, the High Court’s 2nd Division ruled that citing the respondent AFP officials in contempt, as prayed for by Roque, “would be an unreasonable exercise of this court’s contempt power.”“When a lawyer chooses to conduct his cases in as public a manner as in this case, it would be an abuse of our contempt power to stifle the subject of his attention. A lawyer who uses the public fora as his battleground cannot expect to be protected from public scrutiny.”On October 29, 2014, the respondent AFP officials released a press statement that they were considering filing disbarment proceedings against Roque after the latter and his clients, the family of the slain Laude, together with German citizen Marc Sueselbeck forced their way inside the premises of Camp Aguinaldo to demand to see the suspect Pemberton.The AFP said Roque fomented disorder by inciting his clients to scale the perimeter fence to see the US Marine.After a disbarment complaint against him was filed on November 4, 2014, Roque filed a petition to cite the respondents for indirect contempt, arguing that their acts put to question his professional and personal reputation and violated Section 18, Rule 139-B of the Rules of Court, which provides that “proceedings against attorneys shall be private and confidential.”The SC said while the general rule on confidentiality is that publicly disclosing disbarment proceedings may be punished with contempt so as to prevent the use of disbarment proceedings as a tool to damage a lawyer’s reputation in the public sphere, such confidentiality rule is not absolute.“The confidentiality rule requires only that ‘proceedings against attorneys’ be kept private and confidential… However, the rule does not extend so far that it covers the mere existence or pendency of disciplinary actions,” it added.According to the High Court, “[A] lawyer who regularly seeks attention and readily welcomes, if not invites, media coverage, cannot expect to be totally sheltered from public interest himself.”Also, the SC ruled that the press statement of the respondents regarding the disbarment complaint against Roque did not, in itself, violate the confidentiality rule given that it did not discuss the disbarment complaint itself nor did it divulge acts or character traits on the part of Roque that would have damaged his personal and professional reputation.It said it was unlikely that Roque’s reputation could be further damaged by a factual report that a complaint had been actually filed, adding that Roque himself made it even more public by filing the instant case against the entire AFP instead of targeting only the individuals who participated in the disclosure.JOMAR CANLAS
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/supreme-court-junks-contempt-raps-vs-armed-forces-brass/319029/
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SC urged to come up with rules on probing killings
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2017-04-27 21:14:00+00:00
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The Supreme Court (SC) was asked by a human rights group on Thursday to issue guidelines and rules on prevention and investigation of reported extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.In a 14-page letter-petition, the Center for International Law (CenterLaw) asked the SC for issuance of the new “writ contra homo sacer,” which shall respond to reported deaths of thousands of drug suspects.“We write to implore the [Supreme Court] to promulgate additional rules on criminal procedure to help prevent the disturbing emergence of a class of people who – harking back to ancient Roman times – are no more than homo sacer, or beings reduced to mere biological existence, denied of all rights, marked for execution anytime and anywhere,” the document stated.The petitioners pointed out that the SC has its rule-making powers for protection and enforcement of constitutional rights.It can also promulgate rules on preliminary investigation that “necessarily carries with it the power to supplement and revise” them, they said.The SC was also asked that a new mandatory inquest procedure be instituted to investigate drug-related killings.The Rules of Court promulgated by the High Court serve as guidelines on procedure during prosecution and court litigations.“Many of these documentary requirements, while already provided under existing rules of the Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), are often ignored by authorities,” CenterLaw said.It added that police and prosecutors “have been unable or unwilling to go beyond their traditional roles” of receiving evidence until complaints have been filed by victims or interested parties.The petitioners argued that the guidelines can be incorporated or included in the amendment to the Rules of Criminal Procedure.Under Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code, they said policemen have the duty to deliver to proper judicial authorities a detained person within prescribed periods of law, and that any failure to perform that duty will amount to a crime.“The reason behind Article 125 is to have the grounds of arrest and the imputation of crime made by police officers reviewed independently by judicial officers. This is a fundamental safeguard for citizens against abuses of police officers who may become accusers, prosecutors, judges and executioners rolled into one,” CenterLaw said.“The obligation of police officers to turn over records, documents and all evidence in connection with the commission of a crime as they themselves allege must be required all the more if the suspect ends up dead, either at the hands of police officers or unknown assailants,” the letter-petition read.CenterLaw asked the Supreme Court to adopt international standards laid down by the United Nations Minnesota Protocol on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-Legal Killings, Arbitrary and Summary Executions, Enforced Disappearances and Torture in crafting the new writ.“Our proposals can either be adopted as amendments to existing procedures or regulations or they can be transformed into such class of writs as the amparo to compel investigation and prosecution on the part of the police and the prosecutors, respectively, such that the perpetrators will be made to answer for their violation of the law and, ironically, brought within the protection of the law with the commencement of judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings,” the letter-petition read.“For this reason, impartial and effective investigation is needed to address these vigilante killings, to remove all suspicions about the government’s involvement in the deaths from shootouts between police and drug suspects and to bring the killers to the bars of justice,” it said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/sc-urged-come-rules-probing-killings-2/324414/
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Ex-senator: Firecracker mentality worsens climate change
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['The Manila Times']
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2016-12-29 19:45:47+00:00
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Before you light up that “five star,” kwitis or “super lolo,” you better think twice as studies show that carbon dioxide emission (CO2) from firecracker explosions during New Year celebrations in urban areas increase to as much as 2,000 percent.Former senator and secretary of the Climate Change Commission Heherson Alvarez, who had also served as Environment chief, on Thursday reminded the public that when they welcome 2017 with a bang in the expected traditional New Year firecracker fiesta, the clear loser is the environment.“Our Oriental firecracker mentality, supposedly to ward off evil spirits, shows our disregard for the adverse environmental, public safety and health impacts of firecracker explosions that essentially add greenhouse gas emissions that heat the Earth, caused by flash gunpowder explosions and colorful toxic chemical stars,” he noted.As DENR secretary in 2001, Alvarez said the agency recorded a 2,000-percent increase in CO2 emissions as a result of firecracker explosions.He added it would be no surprise after 15 years that another such 2,000 percent greenhouse emissions hike is a real possibility.At the United Nations COP22 in Marrakech last month, the former senator, also Earthsavers founder who was part of the Philippine delegation, said the pressure for decarbonization is even more crucial for small islands and archipelagic states that call for climate justice so as not to breach 1.5°C for survivalA science report estimated that a continued fossil-intensive emissions scenario will frighteningly double the 2 percent estimated global heating tipping point to a 4 percent heating by 2060 because of carbon-cycle feedbacks by the overheated oceans of the world, Alvarez added.He said a five gigaton (billion tons) gap in COP-Cancun’s committed 48 gigaton carbon emissions reduction by 2020, which is equivalent to one year’s global emissions in the transportation sector, however, remains unsolved.“By 2060, if man’s folly would have altered the world’s temperature by four degrees from pre-Industrial Revolution levels, the overheating would certainly accelerate the melting of the massive ice sheets in the Arctic and in Greenland,” Alvarez warned.This sea-level rise will cause intense flooding in low-lying areas like Metro Manila, Malabon City (Metro Manila), Guimaras and Cebu.In 2060, more than 60 percent of the country’s low-lying islands and urban coastal areas will be permanently submerged.“Part of the political and public mindset change sorely needed is that firecracker mentality, which aggravates global warming. In the firecracker fiesta mode, the most vulnerable members of society, our children, end up paying the price of limbs, lives and livelihood loss including homes razed to the ground through firecracker- generated fires,” Alvarez said.But, he added, far more ruinous is the impact of global warming and climate change: the destruction of whole communities, human institutions and infrastructure.A national ban on pyrotechnics and firecrackers is advocated by President Rodrigo Duterte, which Alvarez said is devoutly to be wished amid the lobby of manufacturers and importers.The joint campaign of the Department of Health and the Philippine National Police to execute “IWAS Paputok” should be fully supported by the public , according to him.“The solution remains with city governments that have their priorities right. Davao has a total ban. Mandaue and Cebu regulate sales. Makati (Metro Manila) declared pipeline oil-polluted Barangay Bangkal as a ‘no-firecracker zone’ while [the cities of] Taguig and Pasay [both in Metro Manila] have centralized firecracker show sites,” Alvarez said.He added, “In order to preempt the four degree Centigrade heating by 2060, the pressure ‘deep and early carbon cuts,’ which the Philippines pioneered at COP-14 in Poznan is now made possible by the global deal forged in COP 21 in Paris. But the grave danger remains that our own ‘firecracker mentality’ only adds senselessly to that dangerous gigaton carbon gap by 2020.”In 2008, Sydney, Australia made the decision to make its New Year’s celebrations carbon-neutral.Despite having 5000 kilograms of explosive devices and spending $5 million on the celebrations, Sydney made a concerted attempt to make sure the environmental damage was mitigated.It measured emissions from fireworks, fuels, electricity consumption and waste during the event and then purchased power and carbon credits.“Of course, this is a cost-intensive remedy, so our solution may be to reduce our official fireworks and firecracker output. Filipinos are ingenious; tin cans, drums, trumpets, horns and other materials could be used to ring in the New Year,” Alvarez said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ex-senator-firecracker-mentality-worsens-climate-change/304263/
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Senate passes energy ‘One Stop Shop’ bill
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2017-11-27 21:37:55+00:00
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THE Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading the Energy Virtual One Stop Shop (EVOSS) Act that aims to eliminate “red tape” in the approval of energy generating projects.Voting 13-1-1, the senators passed Senate Bill 1439 or the EVOSS Act of 2017.Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy, said the bill “seeks to streamline the permitting process of new energy generation projects, thus cutting the length of the permitting process in half.”EVOSS is an online system that “allows single submission and synchronous processing of required data and information and provides a single decision making portal for the evaluation of new power generation projects.”Gatchalian said developers of run-of-river hydro plants in the country have to secure 359 signatures from 74 regulatory agencies and attached bureaus in a permitting process that takes around 1,340 days–or three and a half years–to complete.“Based on my conversations with industry analysts and our own internal research, cutting down red tape could reduce consumer electricity prices by as much as P1 per kilowatt per hour (kWh),” he said. This would translate to a total consumer savings of P55.2 billion a year, or annual savings of P2,400 for ordinary families in the metropolis.Under the bill, specified government agencies are given timeframes to release actions on applications. For example, the Department of Energy and all its attached agencies and offices would be given 60 days to release actions on applications.On the other hand, the Department of Agrarian Reform and its attached agencies would be given 90 days while the Department of Environment and Natural Resources would have 75 days to act on applications. Applications will be deemed approved if these agencies fail to act within the specified timeframes.Government officers or employees who fail to comply with the set timeframes would be subjected to administrative penalties ranging from a 30-day suspension without pay to dismissal and perpetual disqualification from public service.EVOSS would ensure the “secure, accessible and paperless” processing of documentary requirements, assessment and payment of charges and fees, status updates and progress monitoring, not only for applicants, but also for national and local government offices and entities involved in the permitting process of energy generation projects.“The platform effectively eliminates repetitive form submission, the need to physically transport documents from one agency to another, and existing constraints that prevent multiple agencies from simultaneously processing applications,” Gatchalian said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/senate-passes-energy-one-stop-shop-bill/365349/
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Keep graduation rites simple, schools told
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['Neil Alcober']
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2017-03-13 21:07:58+00:00
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THE Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday reminded all public elementary and high schools nationwide to keep their graduation or completion rites simple.“Graduation rites should be simple but meaningful [to] encourage civil rights, a sense of community and personal responsibility,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.“While these rites mark a milestone in the life of the learners, these should be conducted without excessive spending, extravagant attire or extraordinary venue,” the DepEd chief added.For this school year, the Education department requires holding of year-end school rites:• graduation ceremony for Grade 6 learners who completed elementary education (graduates are each entitled to a certificate); moving up or completion for Grade 10 learners who completed Junior High School (Junior High school certificate); and graduation ceremony for Grade 12 learners from schools with DepEd-approved K-to-12 transition plan, or from schools with permit to operate Senior High School 2014, or from International schools with K-to-12 program (high school diploma).The closing ceremonies, or Moving Up, should be simple involving only the learners, the parents and the school, according to the department.It said non-academic projects such as field trips, film presentations, junior-senior promenades and other school events should not be imposed as requirements for graduation or completion.Anchored on this year’s graduation theme, “Sabay-sabay na Hakbang Tungo sa Maunlad na Kinabukasan,” the DepEd pointed out the importance of collaborative efforts of stakeholders and learners in achieving the shared vision of quality, accessible, relevant and liberating basic education for all.“[The theme] emphasizes the significance of unity in forging a better and progressive future for the Filipino youth,” Briones said.The graduation rites should be held on or before April 7, 2017, the department said.For school divisions with an extended school year, however, the schools should be guided by their revised school calendar.The DepEd also reminded all public schools that expenses for graduation activities should be charged to the school maintenance and operating expenses or MOOE under their 2017 budget.Briones said no DepEd personnel should be allowed to collect any graduation fees or any kind of contribution.Parents and Teachers Associations, however, may give donations in cash or in kind. Moreover, contribution for the school yearbook will be on voluntary basis only.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/keep-graduation-rites-simple-schools-told-3/317045/
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Robredo: Popularity only secondary
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2017-01-12 20:03:21+00:00
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Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo seems to be not thinking twice about being an opposition leader in spite of a seven-point drop in her trust rating.Robredo made the apparent resolve on Thursday when she also called on the Office of the President to respect her office in the aftermath of the Palace’s move of disinviting her to the annual reception for the diplomatic corps, vin d’honneur, after initially sending her an invitation last December 28.The invitation, according to Robredo’s spokesperson Georgina Hernandez, was recalled on January 4.“Popularity is only secondary. I prefer to look at the numbers as a basis of what am I doing right or wrong. My opposition against extra-judicial killings, death penalty, is worth a gamble rather than just keeping quiet because I don’t want my popularity to suffer,” Robredo told reporters during a visit to Tondo’s Project Pearls Activity Center, Helping Land Community, an organization that feeds malnourished children.From 65 percent in September 2016, Robredo’s trust rating in a Pulse Asia survey stood at 58 percent in December 2016 or after she resigned from her post as the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council chief and after President Rodrigo Duterte banned her from attending Cabinet meetings.“I don’t see the [survey numbers] holding me back [from opposing some policies of the Duterte administration]. My opposition is based on what I believe in because as a public official, you need to do work that is not popular but still, it is something that you need to do,” Robredo, a lawyer, argued.President Duterte’s trust rating tops the field at 83 percent.“We know that the President is very popular and that anything that I say contrary to his views would cost me my popularity. But it doesn’t mean that I won’t express my opposing views anymore because it is my obligation to say my sentiments on public interest issues whether the President is in favor of it or otherwise,” Robredo said.The Vice President admitted that she was offended by the last-minute cancelation of her vin d’honneur invitation because it was outrightly disrespectful.“It’s not a big deal if I was invited or not. What is distasteful is the way it was done. Kasi kung galit sa akin, galit sa akin. Pero sana bigyan naman nang kaunting respeto ang opisina [If they are mad at me, then so be it. But they should give the Office of the Vice President a little respect],” Robredo said.“It’s okay if I am not invited because it is they [in the Palace] who determines who should be there or not. My point is not about the invitation, but the manner it was done. Para sabihing binabawi ang imbitasyon dahil wala ng upuan parang nakakatawa [To say that the invitation is being recalled because there are no seats available is just laughable],” she added.Duterte has accused Robredo of joining street protests calling for his ouster.During the President’s first five months in office, the Vice President supposedly has never joined a street protest and there also supposedly has never been a street protest calling for Duterte’s ouster.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/robredo-popularity-secondary/306559/
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PNR hikes fares starting July 1
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['Reicelene Joy Ignacio']
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2017-06-18 19:33:24+00:00
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The Department of Transportation (DoTr) has announced that the state-run Philippine National Railways will raise fares starting July 1, the first increase in 20 years.The existing minimum fare of P10 will go up to P15, according to the DoTr. Fare structure will be adjusted from P0.71 per kilometer to P1.07 per kilometer.“We are only implementing a fare increase that has been long delayed for more than 20 years,” PNR General Manager Junn Magno said in a text message sent to reporters over the weekend.“The fare increase now is expected to raise additional revenue for the maintenance of [the state agency’s] existing rolling stock, tracks and operating stations,” according to PNR.The decision was based on a December 2014 PNR board resolution stating that there has to be a fare hike as the PNR, the oldest existing train system in the Philippines, has already “become financially uncompetitive compared to bus, jeepney and LRT [Light Tail Transit] fares, per kilometer.”The PNR currently connects Tutuban station in Manila to Mamatid station in Laguna province, south of Manila.REICELENE JOY N. IGNACIO
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/pnr-hikes-fares-starting-july-1/333520/
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Chief Justice slammed over illegal appointments
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2017-09-03 20:25:00+00:00
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Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro seemed to have strengthened the impeachment complaint filed against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno before the House of Representatives.De Castro accused Sereno of making appointments without consulting the SC en banc that she said was illegal.In January 2013, she called the Chief Justice a “congenital liar” for issuing an allegedly fake resolution, without concurrence of the en banc, on the creation of the Regional Court Administration Office in Cebu or RCAO Region 7.Sereno is facing impeachment raps filed by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, Vanguards of the Constitution and lawyer Lorenzo Gadon.The complainants alleged , among others, that she lied in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) and that she bought a luxury bullet-proof vehicle without the SC en banc’s approval.De Castro took to task Sereno for the allegedly illegal appointment of lawyer Brenda Jay Angeles-Mendoza as chief of the Philippine Mediation Center Office (PMCO).In a six-page internal memorandum of de Castro to Sereno, dated August 25, 2017, and obtained by The Manila Times, she asked her fellow justices to move against the schemes and practices of Sereno and stop the weakening of the powers of the SC en banc as a result of interference from the Chief Justice.She said it is about time that the court en banc avert the continuing diminution of its constitutionally vested powers by setting clear guidelines on the appointment of ranking officials.De Castro asked the SC en banc to “revoke” and “recall” the appointment of Mendoza as PMCO chief.Mendoza’s appointment, she said, was made by Sereno without the approval of the SC en banc as a collegial body.De Castro pointed out that Mendoza is the “first and only regular” PMCO chief appointed without a resolution from the Philippine Justice Association’s Board of Trustees and without the en banc’s approval in disregard of requirements of SC Administrative Order 33-2008.She said the 1987 Constitution vested the SC en banc, not the Chief Justice alone, powers to appoint judicial officials.The SC en banc is composed of the Chief Justice and its 14 associate justices.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/chief-justice-slammed-illegal-appointments/348467/
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9 BIFF, 1 soldier killed in Maguindanao clash
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['Dempsey Reyes']
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2018-01-07 19:09:22+00:00
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Nine members of the Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and a member of the Philippine military died on Saturday night in a gunfight at Barangay Maitumaig, Datu Unsay, Maguindanao, the Philippine Army reported on Sunday.Capt. Arvin Encinas, spokesman for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, cited body count for the five BIFF deaths and intelligence reports for the other four.Encinas said a soldier was killed and another wounded in the clash.He added that the BIFF terrorists whom the 64th Division Reconnaissance Company encountered and who numbered at least 50 were under the leadership of Imam Karialan.The firefight happened at about 7:23 p.m. and lasted until midnight.Philippine military units launched air strikes during the clash.“We cannot determine if Karialan was there during the encounter but he released a statement confirming that his men were the ones who engaged in a firefight with our troops,” Encinas said.“We have an ongoing pursuit operations in the area of the encounter,” he added.The BIFF bandits were believed to be planning to harass an Armed Forces detachment in the area.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/9-biff-1-soldier-killed-in-maguindanao-clash/372866/
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Japanese PM’s wife Akie to visit Davao’s ‘Little Tokyo’
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['Victorino Villaflor']
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12/1/2017 0:00
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Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s wife, Akie Abe, is scheduled to visit a memorial marker at the Japanese Cemetery in Barangay Mintal, here, today to represent her husband.The Japanese delegation was expected to arrive at around 10 last night at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport.According to organizers from Malacañang, the Japanese delegation will be welcomed to the region by the Governors Jayvee Tyron Uy (Compostela Valley), Anthony del Rosario (Davao del Norte), Douglas Cagas (Davao del Sur), Claude Bautista (Davao Occidental), and Davao City’s representative from the city government.Barangay Mintal, known as “Little Tokyo” and a 40-minute drive from Davao City’s downtown area, was known as an abaca plantation of Japanese farmers and their descendants, along with neighboring Bago Oshiro, a barangay partly named after a Japanese national.Mintal village chief Ramon Bargamento said that of the estimated 15,000 Japanese settlers in Mindanao, around 65 percent to 70 percent lived in the barangay.Due to the number of Japanese living in the area, the Japanese community sought in 2013 the assistance of then-mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte for the establishment of a formal Japanese Cemetery for Japanese retirees based in the city.Currently, Mintal, which was formally recognized by the city council as a historical site, is considered an educational and tourism site. Rapid development has started in the village with the entry of residential properties along the Davao-Bukidnon Road.Developments in the barangay, in partnership with the Japanese community, have also started.Among these is the recent approval of a Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) project in with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency.The multi-million project aims to recreate, among other projects, a hospital that was used in the past, at the current site of the public market here.The Japanese Consul also actively participates in the city’s activities.It is also rumored that in some parts of the barangay there were buried Japanese gold bars.It was learned that as early as the 1900s, Japanese settlers moved to the historic Mintal to establish various infrastructure projects, including facilities for abaca farming and irrigation canals that watered the vast hectares of the abaca farms.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/01/12/japanese-pms-wife-akie-to-visit-davaos-little-tokyo/
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LTFRB asked to explain cap on Uber, Grab units
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['Reicelene Joy Ignacio']
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2018-01-22 22:17:57+00:00
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SEN. Grace Poe called on the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to “explain the science” behind its decision to put a cap on the number of transport network vehicles (TNVs) to 45,000 in Metro Manila, 500 in Metro Cebu and 200 in Pampanga.“What’s the math used in this decision? What were the parameters used, like demand and supply?” Poe said in a statement on Monday.“In this age of algorithms, LTFRB should make public the factual basis of its decision. They should release the minutes of meetings and consultations they have held so the public may know,” Poe added.The memorandum circular the LTFRB published on January 19 on the common supply base of the transport network vehicle service (TNVS), stated that the board would review the policy every three months after it becomes effective 15 days upon publication.LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra 3rd said that “the ceiling of 45,000 units was determined from the relevant data given by the leading (transport network companies) TNCs taking into consideration churning rate, percentage of full-time and part-time TNVs, peak and off-peak hours and average daily bookings, among others.”“The idea of a common supply base came from the current practice of TNV operators and/or drivers who are accredited by more than one TNC and thus have become what they call ‘dual citizens,’” Delgra said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ltfrb-asked-explain-cap-uber-grab-units/375903/
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Senator seeks Palace support for SIM registration bill
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2017-07-15 21:56:57+00:00
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A senator on Saturday urged the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to convince Malacañang to support a measure mandating the registration of subscriber identity module (SIM) cards.Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian stressed the need for the measure, highlighting that 110 million prepaid SIM cards are active in the country.“If you look at statistics, there are about 110 million active and outstanding prepaid SIM cards in the whole country,” Gatchalian said.He added, “If our population is 100 million, it appears that even babies have prepaid SIM card. It just goes to say that some people own two, three, four SIM cards.”The lawmaker noted that criminal groups have been using prepaid SIM cards in their illegal activities.“And that’s becoming a source of harassment and criminality. So, it’s about time to have that registration of prepaid SIM cards. We’re the only country in Asia that does not register prepaid SIM cards,” Gatchalian said.Gatchalian has authored Senate Bill 203, or the “SIM Card Registration Act,” which requires all prospective buyers of prepaid SIM cards to present a valid identification cards bearing their photographs before being allowed to purchase one.Old SIM cards, on the other hand, will be required to be registered within 180 days from the effectivity of the proposed measure, he cited.“We’re calling on DICT Secretary Rodolfo Salalima to push for the approval of this proposal,” said the lawmaker who is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs.“I remember that during his confirmation hearings, Secretary Salalima assured members of the Commission on Appointments that he would support this bill. Let’s see what will be his action on this,” the lawmaker noted.Gatchalian said he was confident that Salalima would “faithfully exercise his duties as DICT secretary despite his close ties to telecom (telecommunications) insiders.”Prior to his appointment to head the DICT, Salalima served as chief legal counsel and senior vice president for corporate and regulatory affairs of Globe Telecom.Gatchalian recalled that as Globe’s legal counsel, Salalima objected to the mandatory registration of SIM cards as he cited how the measure would reduce the sales of prepaid SIM cards and affect income of telecommunication companies (telcos).Gatchalian, meanwhile, lamented that intense lobbying from telcos has made it difficult to muster majority support for the proposed measure in Congress.“Telecom industry players have been the biggest stumbling block to the approval of this proposed scheme. With Secretary Salalima now at the helm of the DICT, I hope he would succeed where legislators have so far failed—to change the minds of telecoms honchos and make them agree with the proposal,” he said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/senator-seeks-palace-support-sim-registration-bill/338557/
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‘No pardon for Palparan’
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['Catherine S. Valente']
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2018-09-20 00:08:12+00:00
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President Rodrigo Duterte will not grant pardon to retired major general Jovito Palparan Jr. who was convicted of kidnapping and illegal detention, Malacañang assured the public on Wednesday.Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. allayed fears that Palparan, who was meted life imprisonment on Monday for the disappearance of Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño in 2006, would be granted presidential pardon.“Ang nagpakulong po kay Palparan ay gobyerno at ang gobyerno rin ang magsisiguro na mabigyan ng katarungan iyong mga biktima (The government went after Palparan and the government will ensure that the victims will be given justice),” Roque said in an interview with dzRH radio.The two students were abducted by Palparan’s men during the height of then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s anti-communist insurgency drive “Oplan Bantay Laya.”Empeño’s mother, Concepcion, earlier voiced her fear that Palparan might be pardoned especially now that Arroyo is the speaker of the House of Representatives.Palparan was found guilty on Monday by Malolos Regional Trial Court Judge Alexander Tamayo for the abduction of Cadapan and Empeño. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and committed to the National Bilibid Prison.However, the retired major general will remain in the custody of the Philippine Army until the Malolos court issues an order for his transfer to the NBP, Lt. Col. Louie Villanueva, Army spokesman, said.“We are still waiting for the order from the court regarding General Palparan’s transfer. As of now, he will be retained here at our custody pending the order from the Malolos court,” Villanueva said.With a report from
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/no-pardon-for-palparan/443134/
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Pay rules out for non-working days during Asean Summit
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['William Depasupil']
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2017-11-10 22:55:28+00:00
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THE Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) has come up with the correct pay rules for next week’s special non-working days to give way to the Philippines’ hosting of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit.The November 13-15 non-working days will cover the National Capital Region (NCR or Metro Manila) and the provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga pursuant to Proclamation 33 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte on October 23, 2017.“Proper observance of the pay rules on regular holidays and special non-working days will lead to more productive and competent employees. Voluntary compliance with labor laws, including payment of correct wages on holidays, is good for business,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd said on Friday.Under Labor Advisory No.14-17, the “no work, no pay” rule will apply if the employee did not report for work unless covered by existing company policy or collective bargaining agreement granting payment on a special day.For work done during a special day, an employee shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his/her daily rate on the first eight hours of work [(daily rate x 130 percent) plus COLA or cost of living allowance].For overtime work or services rendered over eight hours, the employee is entitled to an additional 30 percent of his/her hourly rate on said day [hourly rate of the basic daily wage x 130 percent x number of hours worked].For work done on special day that falls on his/her rest day, an additional 50 percent shall be paid on the daily rate of the employee on the first eight hours of work [(daily rate x 150 percent) plus COLA].For work done in excess of eight hours that falls on his/her rest day, the employee shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his/her hourly rate on said day (hourly rate of the basic daily wage x 150 percent x 130 percent x number of hours worked).
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/pay-rules-non-working-days-asean-summit/361864/
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CA affirms Ivler’s sentence in road rage killing
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-12-17 21:54:52+00:00
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The Court of Appeals (CA) has affirmed the sentence meted by a trial court against Jason Ivler for the murder of Renato Ebarle, Jr. in a road rage incident in 2009In a 32-page decision dated November 28, 2017 penned by Associate Justice Ramon Cruz, the CA’s 14th Division junked Ivler’s appeal which sought to reverse the decision of Branch 84 of the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City which found him guilty of murder.“Wherefore, premises considered, the appeal is hereby dismissed, and the Decision dated November 24, 2015 of the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City, Branch 84 in Criminal Case No. Q-09162215 is Affirmed,” the ruling reads.Aside from affirming the penalty of reclusion perpetua (imprisonment of 20 years and one day to 40 years) meted by the trial court against Ivler, the CA also increased the amount of civil damages awarded by the lower court to Ebarle’s family.The ruling was concurred in by Justices Ricardo Rosario and Pablito Perez.The case stemmed from Ivler’s shooting of Ebarle in a traffic altercation in 2009 along Santolan Road in Quezon City. Ebarle was shot in the chest and both arms, leading to his immediate death.Ivler went into hiding as her mother, Marlene Aguilar, sister of folk singer Freddie Aguilar, hid Ivler inside their house until authorities launched a brief siege that led to his arrest and capture.The CA found that Ivler’s shooting was attended by treachery, a circumstance which qualified Ivler’s act as murder.“Renato Ebarle Jr. was totally unaware that he would treacherously shot in the comfort of his own car while waiting for the stoplight before him to turn green. He was unarmed and was not given any opportunity to defend himself or to escape from the deadly assault. The deadly successive shots of the accused-appellant deprived the helpless victim of any opportunity to put up a decent defense. The attack was executed by the accused appellant so viciously that a defense was virtually impossible,” the CA explained.It further explained, “Clearly the supposed altercation between the victim and the accused-appellant immediately before the shooting did not necessarily negate the presence of treachery.”The appellate court also rejected Ivler’s alibi in the face of testimonies by witnesses who positively identified him as the assailant.“…when Ivler’s alibi is juxtaposed with the testimonies of the prosecution eyewitnesses positively identifying him as the shooter, his defense of alibi must necessarily fail, especially when no ill motive on the part of the eyewitnesses was shown that could have made them falsely implicate Ivler in such a serious crime,” the CA maintained.JOMAR CANLAS
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ca-affirms-ivlers-sentence-road-rage-killing/369260/
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‘Boost fight vs counterfeiting’
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['Ralph Villanueva']
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2018-05-10 00:01:46+00:00
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PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday called on the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to rev up the fight against counterfeiting.“I call on the BSP to stop illegal activities that impede our efforts in promoting the integrity of our currency.Intensify your [programs] against counterfeiting and conduct more campaign [drives] in order to protect our citizens from confusion and deceit,” Duterte said during the presentation of new generation currency banknotes and coins in Malacañang.Duterte also ordered the central bank to be vigilant in ensuring price and financial stability by the institution of banking reforms and sharpening strategies. He commended the bank for creating stronger and safer financial systems, and for safeguarding the integrity of the Philippine peso.In February 2016, unidentified hackers stole $81 billion, or around P4.2 billion, from Bangladesh’s central bank.The money was then sent to accounts at the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) Jupiter Street branch in Makati City.The BSP imposed a P1 billion fine on RCBC in August 2016.Casino junket operator Kim Wong, one of the individuals supposedly involved in the heist, returned $4.63 million and P488 million in cash to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).This represents the entire amount that Wong and his company, Eastern Hawaii Leisure Ltd., received from the $81 million in laundered funds.In February this year, Bangladesh Bank warned that it will file a lawsuit against RCBC.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/boost-fight-vs-counterfeiting/397821/
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Retired govt solicitors’ plea rejected
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2016-11-25 20:57:51+00:00
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The Court of Appeals (CA) has junked a petition filed by officials of the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) led by Senior State Solicitor Ismael Miaral and several others seeking retirement benefits under Republic Act (RA) 910.The petition was also represented by then Solicitor General Jose Anselmo Cadiz and Assistant Solicitor and now Sandiganbayan Justice Karl Miranda.In its decision, the CA dismissed the petition as it affirmed the assailed resolutions dated June 5, 2015 and August 11, 2015 of the Office of the Secretary, Department of Justice (DOJ).Miaral retired from government service as a Senior State Solicitor in April 2009, with the rank, prerogatives, salaries and privileges of a Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge pursuant to Section 3 of RA 9417.In a letter to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) dated May 7, 2009, he, along with several other retired OSG officials, requested release of a Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) and its corresponding Notice of Cash Allotment (NCA) in the total amount of more than P3.5 million, which covers the terminal leave and retirement gratuity benefits of petitioner Miaral under RA 910, as amended, on the basis of RA 9417.JOMAR CANLAS
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/retired-govt-solicitors-plea-rejected/298432/
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Gov’t to push jeepney modernization plan despite massive protests
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['Franky Breva', 'Goodluck Jonathan']
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17/07/2017 0:00
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The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will implement the government’s jeepney modernization plan despite the massive protests by members of the transport group.LTFRB chief Martin Delgra accused the public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers and operators of pushing only for their interest insisting that the government’s priority is the safety and welfare of the riding public.With the public interest as its priority, Delgra said the government, the LTFRB in particular, will persist in engaging the jeepney operators to constant interaction to enable them to understand the benefits of the phase-out program.Thousands of transport group members mounted yesterday a protest caravan against the proposed jeepney phaseout as the government plans to institute its jeepney modernization program.Members of the No-to-Jeepney Phaseout Coalition gathered early on Elliptical Road in Quezon City as they rejected the program citing that thousands of jeepney drivers and operators would be unemployed once the plan is enforced.Among those who joined the coalition were members of the Pinagkaisahang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON).No to “Jeepney Phaseout Coalition’’ convenor George San Mateo stressed that the plan would definitely put the financial burden to the lowly drivers insisting that they don’t have the resources to comply with the program which he viewed as the handing over the transport services sector to big companies.Roughly about 600,000 drivers and 300,000 jeepney operators would lose their jobs as a result of the modernization plan, they said.Under the plan, old jeepneys and other public utility vehicles would be phased out.Earlier, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said many of the jeepneys are no longer road-worthy and environment-friendly.The modernization plan would set routes and a travel time per route and drivers would undergo training to meet these.Drivers urged President Duterte to just rehabilitate their jeepneys instead of being phased out.Monday’s transport caravan has prompted the suspension of classes in Malolos and San Jose del Monte in Bulacan while it caused inconvenience to the commuters in many areas.The transport groups vowed to conduct a more massive rally when the president delivers his state of the nation address (SONA) on July 24 if their call remains unheeded.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/07/17/govt-to-push-jeepney-modernization-plan-despite-massive-protests/
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3rd person of interest in family massacre slain
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['James O Sullivan']
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8/7/2017 0:00
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A third man linked to the Carlos family massacre in San Jose del Monte City (SJDM), this province last June 27 was found dead on the roadside in Barangay Pacalag, here, yesterday morning, police said.Superintendent Isagani Enriquez, San Miguel Municipal Police Station (MPS) chief of police, said Anthony Garcia, alias “Tony,” succumbed to bullet wounds in the head, body, and arm.His body was found on the roadside in Barangay Pacalag with his head wrapped in masking tape and a tag beside him that read: “Adik at rapist ako, huwag tularan (I’m an addict and rapist, don’t be like me).”Relatives, who had reported earlier to the SJDM City Police Station that Garcia was abducted by unidentified armed men before dawn Friday, came to identify his body.Supt. Fitz A. Macariola, SJDM police chief, said he sent out his men to investigate Garcia’s abduction last Friday, but probers returned empty-handed.Macariola also confirmed that Garcia was the third “person of interest” investigated by his men over the rape-slaying of Estrella Carlos and her mother Auring Dizon and the fatal stabbing of Carlos’ children, aged 11, 7, and 1, at their house in North Ridge Royal Subdivison, Barangay Sto. Cristo, SJDM City last June 27.He said Garcia’s name was given to probers by principal suspect in the crime, Carmelino Ibañez, alias “Miling,” who had initially owned up to the family massacre and then later recanted his confession.Garcia’s relatives said he was invited for questioning by police a day after the gruesome crime, but was released due to lack of evidence to link him to the killing.They denied that Garcia was into illegal drugs because his mother, who works in Kuwait, has always told him to stay away from vices.Earlier this week, two other “persons of interest” in the Carlos family massacre case have ended up dead. Rolando Pacinos, alias “Inggo,” was found dead under a tree in Palmera Homes, SJDM, with a piece of cardboard that had the same message written on the tag left on Garcia’s body.Another person of interest in the case, Rosevelt Merano Sorema, alias “Ponga,” was gunned down by two men wearing a bonnet and a helmet who barged into his house.Macariola said that apart from Ibañez, there is another person of interest linked to the case – Alvin Mabesa, who was abducted by gunmen and dragged into a van a few days ago.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/07/08/3rd-person-of-interest-in-family-massacre-slain/
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‘Deals’ ruled out in ERC director’s death
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['Aberon Voltaire Palaña']
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2016-11-23 21:29:42+00:00
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Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman and CEO Jose Vicente Salazar said on Wednesday that there is an apparent attempt by some unscrupulous parties to piggyback on the unfortunate and untimely demise of ERC Director Francisco Villa Jr.“This attempt is evident in the insinuation that the death of Director Villa may have also been precipitated by ‘midnight deals’ allegedly inked between a large distribution utility and several power generation companies,” according to a statement.“This smacks of opportunism and a blatant attempt to ride on the death of our colleague to advance a parochial agenda,” the statement added.“For the record, Director Villa was not and has never been involved in the evaluation of applications for permits and approvals of power supply agreements (PSAs) between distribution utilities/ electric cooperatives and generation companies.“That was never Director Villa’s job. That is the responsibility of our Market Operations Service (MOS) and our Regulatory Operations Service (ROS), of which Director Villa has no connection,” Salazar said.“I appointed Director Villa as chairman of a bidding committee, the function of which is to procure goods and services, not to evaluate the requirements of power firms. The erroneous insinuation merely proves that there are parties who are more than willing to use his death to suit their own agenda,” he added.“May I appeal to these parties to refrain from capitalizing on the death of our colleague,” the ERC chairman said.“I have instructed the officials of the ERC to restrain themselves from making any defense in the wake of the many allegations now facing the ERC in the aftermath of Director Villa’s death. I have issued this strict instruction based on the principle that we are not to defend our reputation at the expense of the memory of a dear colleague who served our organization well,” he added.“We have left that task totally in the hands of independent third-party investigators,” Salazar said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/deals-ruled-erc-directors-death/298014/
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New typhoon to enter PH Sunday
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['Jove Moya']
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2018-09-23 00:07:32+00:00
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The low pressure area (LPA) spotted outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility has developed into a tropical depression and may enter Philippine territory on Sunday, the weather bureau said.The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the low pressure area was last seen 2,100 kilometers (km) east of Southern Luzon, moving north northwest at 20 kilometers per hour (kph) with maximum sustained winds 55 kph and gusts up to 65 kph.The tropical depression will be named “Paeng” once it enters the country.The weather disturbance will affect extreme Northern Luzon.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/new-typhoon-to-enter-ph-sunday/444324/
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P1K SSS pension hike out before Feb 15
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['Nelson Badilla']
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2017-02-01 22:12:24+00:00
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THE long wait of Social Security System (SSS) pensioners for an increase in their monthly benefits will end in two weeks.Dean Amado Valdez, SSS chairman, said P1,000 of the planned P2,000 increase will be released before February 15.The increase was supposed to be released last month, but was suspended because of a technicality: it needed an executive order or memorandum of approval. President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to issue the order soon.The P2,000 pension increase was approved in December by Duterte despite strong opposition from his economic managers.Former president Benigno Aquino 3rd had rejected the proposed P2,000 pension increase as it would drastically reduce the SSS fund life.Valdez said the SSS would have to work on how to extend the lifespan of the fund.Pensioners who have 20 years of SSS membership will get a minimum of P3,400, while those who have 10 years of membership will get at least P2,200.The second P1,000 hike will be given before 2022 or earlier, Valdez said.Valdez said the SSS was looking at investing in profitable infrastructure projects like tollways.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/p1k-sss-pension-hike-feb-15-2/310094/
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POEA announces vacancies in Saudi Arabia, Germany, Taiwan, Japan
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['Philippines News Agency']
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2017-05-06 23:44:04+00:00
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The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has announced there are closed to 2,000 job vacancies in Saudi Arabia, Germany, Japan, and Taiwan.Marietta Bellotindos, POEA regional director for the Zamboanga region, said that no placement fee is required since the hiring of employees is government-to-government.Bellotindos said the job vacancies are as follows: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, two male dentists, 10 physical therapists, 500 female specialist nurses and 50 female factory machine operators.For Taiwan, 54 factory workers, while Germany is eyeing to hire 400 nurses. Japan, on the other hand, has job opportunities for 150 nurses and 600 care workers.She advised those interested and qualified to register online at www.poea.gov.ph. and prepare all the necessary documentary requirements to be submitted to the POEA.Bellotindos urged qualified individuals to avail of the opportunity to be employed in the four countries.PNA
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/poea-announces-vacancies-saudi-arabia-germany-taiwan-japan/325890/
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NAPOLCOM opens online sched for october exams
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['Jing Villamente']
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2018-07-14 00:02:37+00:00
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THE National Police Commission (Napolcom) announced the activation of the online Examination Application Scheduling System (Oleass) on the websites www.napolcom.gov.ph or www.napolcom-oleass.com for the nationwide conduct of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Entrance and Promotional Examinations on October 21. The is from July 30 to August 3 for PNP entrance exam; August 6 to 10 police officer (PO) exam; and August 13 to17 for senior police officer, inspector and superintendent exams. Napolcom Vice Chairman and Executive Officer Rogelio Casurao said that the Oleass will be opened from 12 noon onwards on July 30 for the entrance exam, August 6 for the PO exam and August 13 for the SPO, inspector and superintendent exams. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and, upon due notice, may be stopped even ahead of the deadline. Applicants with confirmed schedules will be sent an auto-generated email informing them to access the on-link and enter all the required information in the application form.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/napolcom-opens-online-sched-for-october-exams/419121/
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6 QC barangay to have no water from Oct 3 to 5
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['Mary Gleefer F. Jalea']
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2017-10-03 22:11:21+00:00
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SIX areas in Quezon City will experience temporary service interruption from October 3 to October 5.In an advisory, Manila Water said Barangays Laging Handa, Paligsahan, Roxas District, Obrero and Kamuning will have no water on those dates because the company’s service crew will repair a leaking pipe in Scout Tuazon St. cor. Scout De Guia St. starting at 10 p.m. on October 3.Barangay West Triangle on the other hand will have no water also because of a leak repair service on Examiner St. from 10 p.m. on October 4 to 5 a.m. on October 5.Manila Water advised the affected residents to store enough water supply.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/6-qc-barangay-no-water-oct-3-5/354340/
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Offloaded passenger safe after jumping off NAIA3
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['Benjie Vergara']
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2017-03-04 21:25:13+00:00
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A departing Chinese tourist jumped from the third level of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminal 3 shortly after he was offloaded from his flight to Shanghai on Saturday. Airport police reported that Dong Chongying, 24, landed on the roof deck of the taxi located at the queuing area of NAIA 3’s arrival area but was luckily unscathed. Chongying was reportedly prevented from boarding Cebu Pacific Air flight 5J678 but authorities did not elaborate. Reports said he came out from the terminal and proceeded to the outer lane road of the departure level and jumped. He was brought to the NAIA medical clinic by airport personnel and, after being cleared of any injury, was turned over to the airport police for investigation. He was later fetched by fellow nationals who learned about his suicide attempt.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/offloaded-passenger-safe-jumping-off-naia3/315386/
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Aquino govt spared other pork scammers – Lacson
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2017-05-10 22:02:20+00:00
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SENATOR Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday disclosed that there were political personalities involved in the multibillion-peso Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel scam who were not included in the cases filed by the Aquino administration.Lacson said he was one of those who was given by the camp of Janet Lim-Napoles a list of government officials and other individuals linked to the pork barrel scam in 2014.The senator received a draft of the affidavit of Mrs. Napoles from her husband Jimmy Napoles during a meeting when Lacson was the Aquino administration’s Presidential Adviser on Rehabilitation and Reconstruction.He said Napoles provided a list of names of legislators and other officials who had dealings with her and her foundations over the years.“The list was shared to me through the husband and the son and the same list I think was submitted to Sen. Guingona 3rd at the time,” Lacson added, referring to former Sen. Teofisto Guingona, who was then the chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee investigating the PDAF scam.He said there were those on the list who were not included in the plunder and graft cases filed by the Department of Justice.Lacson, meanwhile, declined to comment on a supposed plan to make Janet Lim-Napoles a state witness when the government reinvestigates the PDAF controversy.The senator noted that it is not up to prosecutors to determine if Napoles, who was tagged the as the architect of the pork barrel scam, is qualified to be state witness.Lacson said it is the court that would determine if Napoles could be discharged as state witness.“My only concern is that when Mrs. Napoles starts pointing fingers, we could be conducting roll call in Camp Crame not in the Senate or in the House of Representatives,” Lacson quipped, referring to the general headquarters of the Philippine National Police in Quezon City.He clarified that not because the name of a certain political personality is included in the list makes him or her a party to the scam and should be charged.“It should be based on evidence. There are several names on the list but what evidence Mrs. Napoles could present to back her claims?” Lacson said.He declined to disclose the identities of the politicians reportedly on the list.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/aquino-govt-spared-pork-scammers-lacson/326501/
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Duterte-Trump bilateral meeting set next month
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-10-19 20:20:26+00:00
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President Rodrigo Duterte and US President Donald Trump are set to hold a bilateral meeting in November, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano.Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of President Duterte’s visit to Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, Cayetano on Wednesday said the bilateral meeting would push through because the two presidents “like each other.”“It [bilateral meeting] is being discussed. Definitely, we want it, they want it,” Cayetano told reporters.But he said organizers are still coordinating whether to hold the meeting on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) conference in Manila or on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Vietnam.“The schedule of President Trump was just finalized recently. I was in Washington when certain consultations were done and decisions and he did decide to go to both the APEC and Asean [meetings]. So, he finalized that just a few days ago or a week ago. So, having said all of that, there are now coordination kung saan sila magkikita, saan mag-uusap [on where they would meet], whether it’s in Vietnam or here,” Cayetano added.“The schedules are still all very complicated because of the related meetings [that will be attended by] other nations and everyone… But I’m sure they’ll be able to speak because our relationship [with the US] is really important. And President Trump and President Duterte like each other,” he said.Trump and Duterte have confirmed their attendance in the APEC forum in Da Nang, Vietnam, from November 10 to 11.The White House has also announced Trump’s visit to Manila from November 12 to 13 to participate in the Asean meetings that will be hosted by Duterte, this year’s chairman of the regional bloc.Cayetano said the Philippine government’s crackdown on the narcotics trade and the purported police abuse might be among the issues that would be tackled during the meeting between Duterte and Trump.“They are real issues, like the drugs, the type of drugs, and the possible police abuse, how do we address the abuse of the police. So, on the bilaterals, it will be included in the agenda,” he added.“It’s very important to us because we’re responsible members of the world community. So, it’s very important that they understand what’s happening here,” according to Cayetano.Trump is expected to arrive in Manila on November 12 to attend the special gala celebration dinner for the 50th anniversary of the Asean.He will also attend the 40th anniversary of US-Asean relations during the US-Asean Summit on November 13.The US president will also travel to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and Hawaii.“The President’s travel will underscore his commitment to longstanding United States alliances and partnership, and reaffirm United States leadership in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” the White House said in a statement.CATHERINE S. VALENTE
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/duterte-trump-bilateral-meeting-set-next-month/357551/
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SC cites ‘safeguards’ to rein in martial law
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-06-13 22:13:26+00:00
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The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday gave assurances that there is nothing to fear about the declaration of martial law in Mindanao by President Rodrigo Duterte.“So with all the safeguards, I don’t know why we are so worried,” SC Justice Mariano del Castillo said during the first day of oral arguments on a petition against the imposition of military rule in the region.Del Castillo added that the 1987 Constitution is an “anti-martial law Constitution” that would “ensure that there is no repeat of abuses” committed by former President Ferdinand Marcos when he also declared martial law in 1972.Rep. Edcel Lagman of Albay, a petitioner, expressed fear that violations of human rights and civil liberties reminiscent of Marcos’ military rule would not be stopped by the High Court.“The repetition of such excesses is ominous in the wake of President Duterte’s statement that the martial law of Marcos was ‘very good’ and he would replicate it with equal harshness,” Lagman said.During the oral arguments, del Castillo asked Lagman if he had been to Marawi City since the crisis erupted in the capital of Lanao del Sur, to which Lagman answered in the negative.He said the petitioners cannot say martial law is not needed if they have not seen and experienced it.“So it would be too difficult to say that the situation there does not amount to rebellion. You’ve not been there, you’re not on the ground, you don’t know the situation there. How can you dispute now the findings of sufficiency of factual bases for the declaration?” del Castillo added.According to Lagman, the petitioners need not be in Marawi City before, during or after the declaration. The assessment whether there is sufficient factual bases for the proclamation is the presidential declaration itself and his report to Congress.Del Castillo, however, said, “The President’s factual bases in placing the entire southern Philippine region under martial law and suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus may have been brought about by his access to information not privy to everyone, not even to members of Congress.”Lagman countered that “the [Armed Forces of the Philippines] has the capability to suppress this terrorism in Marawi City without the President imposing martial law” in Mindanao.He said confronting and defeating terrorists does not need the imposition of military rule because there is no actual invasion or rebellion when the public safety requires such imposition or suspension.He slammed Duterte’s report to Congress, which Lagman said contains lies and falsities.Also during the first day of oral arguments, SC Justice Antonio Carpio asked Lagman if there is actual rebellion in other areas in Mindanao, to which the lawmaker answered also in the negative.Carpio pointed out that the 1987 Constitution clearly states there must be an actual rebellion for martial law to be declared.SC Justices Lucas Bersamin and Estela Perlas-Bernabe said the declaration of martial law in Mindanao can be given the presumption of validity since the President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.After the oral arguments, Solicitor General Jose Calida told reporters that “[all] the elements of rebellion are present (in Marawi City)–public uprising, allegiance to IS (of members of the Maute Group)],” referring to the Islamic State.Calida said this “IS-inspired local rebel group has taken up arms against the Philippine government for the purpose of removing Mindanao… and depriving the Chief Executive of his prerogatives…as Commander-in-Chief.”The oral arguments will continue on Wednesday and end on Thursday.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/sc-cites-safeguards-rein-martial-law/332559/
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Warrant of arrest issued vs Matobato
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2017-03-28 22:02:23+00:00
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An arrest warrant without bail was issued by a lower court against Edgard Matobato, the whistleblower against extrajudicial killings tagging President Rodrigo Duterte as mastermind.The warrant was issued by Presiding Judge Dorothy Montejo Gonzaga of the Panabo, Davao del Norte Regional Trial Court.This is in connection with the information for kidnapping filed against Matobato in the December 22, 2016 resolution of City Prosecutor Joseph Apao of the Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del NorteAlso issued an arrest warrant was Matobato’s alleged co-conspirator Sonny Custodio.The Office of the City Prosecutor of the Island Garden City of Samal found probable cause for kidnapping against Matobato.He was the Senate witness in the chamber’s investigation of the extrajudicial killing by Custodio of Salih Muck Doom on November 9, 2000.The complaint filed by Mirasol Marquez, live-in partner of Salih Muck Doom, was docketed as NPS No. XI-07-INV-16J-00197.The resolution finding probable cause was signed by Apao on December 22, 2016.Subsequently, the information against Matobato and Custodio was filed as Criminal Case No. CRC 41-2017 in the Regional Trial Court of Panabo City.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/warrant-arrest-issued-vs-matobato/319657/
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New curriculum to push through in 2018
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['Neil Alcober']
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2017-03-04 21:29:30+00:00
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THE revised general education curriculum (GEC) will push through next academic year, despite the temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court against the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) memorandum order that removes Filipino as a subject in college, according to CHED Chairperson Patricia Licuanan.“I think so [that it will push through], it cannot be changed. The only thing that is lightly contentious is the Filipino subject. The rest [of the general education subjects] are not debated anymore,” Licuanan told The Manila Times in an interview at the sidelines of the first Academic Book Fair at the UP Bahay Ng Alumni in the University of the Philippines Diliman campus in Quezon City (Metro Manila) over the weekend.“We’re waiting. But that’s in the Supreme Court. We will wait for that, but in the meantime the rest of the general education subjects are okay,” the CHED chief added.The new general education curriculum, which will also shorten some college courses by a year, will take effect in 2018, the year when the first batch of senior high school (Grade 12) students graduate.“This will be implemented in 2018, so those who will graduate in the senior high school will be the first to take the new general education curriculum,” Licuanan said.“Our new general education curriculum really was planned in senior high school that many of the things that used to be . . . the general education curriculum has been brought down in the senior high school, so the required courses in college now, general education curriculum is multi-disciplinary and it was not anymore 60 units or 30 units,” the CHED chief explained.General education includes subjects such as English, Filipino and Natural Science, which will be transferred to the high school phase of basic education.The revised general education curriculum, part of the K-to-12 program, aims to expose college students to various domains of knowledge and ways of comprehending social and natural realities, developing in the process intellectual competencies and civic capacities.Under the K-to-12 program, Filipino students will have to go through kindergarten, six years of elementary, four years of junior high school (Grade 7-10) and two years of senior high school (Grade 11-12).
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/new-curriculum-push-2018/315405/
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Marquez, CA justices vie for High Court post
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2018-09-05 00:02:01+00:00
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Court (SC) Administrator Jose Midas Marquez, several Court of Appeals (CA) justices and some judges are vying for the position of Associate Justice of the high court.With the promotion of Teresita Leonardo-de Castro as Chief Justice and the appointment of Associate Justice Samuel Martires as Ombudsman, the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) formally opened the application for theposition of Associate Justice of the high court.Marquez was previously endorsed by retired chief justice and head of the Consultative Committee Reynato Puno; Ma. Cristina Roco-Corona, widow of former chief justice Renato Corona; and the Philippine Judges Association.Also in the race are CA Associate Justices Oscar Badelles, Manuel Barrios, Apolinario Bruselas Jr., Rosmari Carandang, Stephen Cruz, Japar Dimaampao, Amy Lazaro-Javier, Ramon Garcia, Edgardo Delos Santos, Ramon Paul Hernando and Mario Lopez.Sandiganbayan Justice Alexander Quiroz, Centro Escolar University Law School Associate Dean Rita Linda Ventura-Jimeno, and Tagum City Branch 1 Judge Virginia Tejano-Ang are also gunning for the post.The deadline for applications and submission of documentary requirements is on September 11.Under the 1987 Constitution, candidates must be natural-born citizens of the Philippines and should possess “proven competence, integrity, probity and independence.”The JBC is constitutionally mandated to screen and vet nominees for vacant posts in the judiciary and the Offices of the Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsman. It is chaired by the chief justice.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/marquez-ca-justices-vie-for-high-court-post/438129/
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PCSO operations aboveboard – Balutan
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['The Manila Times']
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2018-07-17 00:04:08+00:00
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THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) gave assurances on Monday that it is not violating any law in response to a report of the Commission on Audit (CoA) regarding the possible depletion of funds due to its online Keno operations“We welcome COA audit report regarding our transactions, but we would like to assure you that we are not violating any law and we are cognizant of our obligations and responsibilities,” said PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan.The CoA earlier warned the agency over its “questionable” transactions worth more than P10.17 billion intended for charity and programs and medical assistance as well as a possible fund depletion because of the online Keno gaming operations.The Keno gaming operation incurred a P4.2 billion deficit in its prize fund from 2006 to 2017.From January to June this year, the overall PCSO revenue hit the P25 billion mark, 27.25 percent higher than the income earned in the same period last year, where Lotto and digit games were at the forefront with P12.5 billion sales; followed by Instant Sweepstakes with P727 million sales.“Keno had P2.3 billion sales, an increase of 10.36 percent in five months alone,” Balutan said in an earlier statement.Arnel Casas, Officer in Charge-Assistant General Manager for gaming sector, said the PCSO is addressing the “perceived” deficit in the prize fund of the Keno game, adding that an approved prize payout structure was supposed to be implemented last year.Casas explained that the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) law required a substantial amount of 20 percent Documentary Stamp Tax (DST) to be imposed on the total sales of the Keno, which greatly affected the implementation of the approved fund allocation.“It gave a smaller percentage to fund allocations particularly to the prize payout structure of the Keno game. As a result of the new scheme, the game became less attractive to the gaming patrons and players,” he said.“The same also delayed the scheduled implementation, as the PCSO needs to go back to the drawing board to further study and analyze its effect,” he added.A new revenue allocation with the inclusion of the DST and new prize payout structure will be implemented for the Keno game. This will require system and gaming software change which under normal process will take around three to six months to complete.Once implemented, depending on the support and response of the gaming public to the new prize structure and the amount of sales realized, the PCSO shall decide on whether to continue or discontinue the game.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/pcso-operations-aboveboard-balutan/420089/
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PACC chief to name names
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['Jove Moya']
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2018-10-03 00:10:33+00:00
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Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Chairman Dante Jimenez will identify government officials involved in anomalies in his “Ulat sa Bayan” (Report to the Nation) on October 4, Thursday.“We only have 48 hours until Ulat sa Bayan. I cannot say the names and the processes just yet, but I can tell you that we have a lot,” Jimenez told reporters on Tuesday.He did not say if the commission would seek the filing of charges against those who would be named on Thursday.Jimenez said graft and cases of injustice were so rampant.“With all the corruption and injustices I see around the government, I can assure you that the media will be seeing more of me,” he told The Manila Times.Jimenez will deliver his “Ulat sa Bayan” at the Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros, Manila.The PACC and the Commission on Audit (CoA) on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Agreement to ensure fast, effective, and credible investigation of graft cases.Meanwhile, PACC Executive Director Eduardo Bringas said the commission has prepared a complaint against Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th in connection with a lamppost project that was not implemented.“Inaayos lang namin, and then siguro one of these days baka mag-file na kami sa Ombudsman (We’re just finalizing it. One of these days we will file a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman),” Bringas said.Bringas said the PACC would refer graft cases to the proper agency such as the Office of the Ombudsman.With a reports from MA. REINA LEANNE C. TOLENTINO
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/pacc-chief-to-name-names/447778/
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Prosecution to oppose Jinggoy’s travel plea
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-11-03 20:28:54+00:00
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The prosecution will oppose former senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada’s plea for the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division to let him accompany his father, former president and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, to Singapore from November 11 to 20 for Mayor Estrada’s medical procedure.The court gave the prosecution five days from Friday (November 3) within which to file its opposition.Estrada, who is out on bail, is facing a P183-million plunder case and 11 counts of graft before the court along with other individuals in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel scam.The court issued hold departure orders in 2014 barring the respondents from leaving the country without its prior permission.“For his medical procedure at Singapore—accused-movant’s father is requesting the Honorable Court that he be accompanied by accused-movant Jinggoy Estrada during the duration of examination and possible surgery scheduled November 12 to 19 of this year,” the former senator’s camp said in part in a motion filed earlier.“The earlier date is requested for any advance preparations to be made while the November 20 return is requested for any extended recuperation period of the mayor,” the defense said.Mayor Estrada’s letter dated October 26, 2017 was attached to the motion.In the letter, he sought the court’s “kind indulgence to allow my son, former senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, to accompany me to Singapore on 12 to 20 November 2017.”“I would greatly need the support of my family on this and Jinggoy has always been constant companion and one of the few persons whom I trust to look after my health and welfare,” the mayor said in part.Jinggoy was released from detention in September after the Sandiganbayan’s Special Fifth Division, voting 3-2, allowed him to post bail over the plunder case filed against him and several others.He is one of three former senators—the other two were Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Juan Ponce Enrile—and other individuals including Janet Lim-Napoles whom the Office of the Ombudsman charged before the Sandiganbayan in 2014 in connection with the PDAF scam.The Ombudsman filed in 2014 a P224-million plunder case and 16 counts of graft against Revilla, and a P172-million plunder case and 15 counts of graft against Enrile.Revilla is detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame in Quezon City, while Enrile is out on bail after the Supreme Court granted his bail petition on humanitarian grounds.Napoles is detained at a Bureau of Jail Management and Penology facility in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.REINA TOLENTINO
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/prosecution-oppose-jinggoys-travel-plea/360554/
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PNP, military prepare poll security measures
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['The Manila Times']
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2018-10-17 00:05:24+00:00
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The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the military have started preparing security measures to prevent rebel groups and other armed groups from mounting attacks during the election period.PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde said police teams had started conducting simulations to respond to attempts to take over police stations or sow chaos during the campaign period.“We have given directives to regional directors down to the station level to strengthen their defense plan in order to avoid [any groups] overrunning small police stations nationwide. We did not lack in reminders,” he said.Armed Forces chief Carlito Galvez said the Army and the police have taken steps to combat political armed groups who may cause trouble during the elections.“We see that political armed groups and gun-for-hire (can be hired) to eliminate opposition. That is why we allow security to some candidates,” he said.Galvez said some candidates in Abra and other provinces in Mindanao also need additional security because of the heated electoral contests and election-related violent incidents in the past.Albayalde earlier said Abra, Masbate, Lanao provinces, and Zamboanga provinces are possible election hotspots because these are “perennial” areas of trouble during elections.The police will release a validated list of election hotspots within the week.Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines is expected to control situations in conflict areas like Mindanao.Vote-buyingAside from preventing attacks from armed groups, the police will also help in the campaign to stop vote-buying.However, Albayalde said it is difficult to arrest people buying votes because for a case to prosper, suspects should be caught in the act of giving and receiving money.“In vote-buying, there should be the giver and the receiver of money and they also need to testify in order to know who was originally giving the money. It’s really hard sometimes,” Albayalde said. “If you gave money, that’s not necessarily vote buying. They can say that they just have a loan to pay and they’re just paying them.”Under the Omnibus Election Code, candidates proven guilty of vote-buying will be removed from their post if they win.Also on Tuesday, the police and the military reminded their personnel to avoid showing partisanship to any candidate.Albayalde said men in uniform should remain apolitical.Galvez agreed with the PNP chief, saying he already ordered soldiers and military personnel not to support any candidate.“We have a strong directive that they should not make any move that would really tend to support any candidate. In the military, we have established distance with the difference officials,” he said.To prevent policemen from being influenced by politicians, the PNP reshuffle some police officers.Any police officer who has a relative involved with a running politician will be reassigne.“We initiated a reshuffle, a lot of police officers were already reshuffled from station to provincial level,” Albayalde said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/pnp-military-prepare-poll-security-measures/452862/
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Villar worried over domestic helpers abroad
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2017-09-30 21:57:05+00:00
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SENATOR Cynthia Villar is dismayed over the steady increase in the number of Filipinos being deployed overseas as domestic workers since 2014.According to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), the country in 2016 deployed 275,073 first-time househelpers compared to 194,835 in 2015 and 183,101 in 2014.“Why are we sending more domestic workers now than ever before? Last year, the records of the POEA showed that we have almost breached the 300,000-mark in terms of newly hired migrant domestic workers,” Villar said on Friday.“We should focus our attention more in offering women workers decent local jobs rather than facilitating their deployment to foreign households under slave-like conditions,” she said.For the first semester of 2017, the POEA has processed the contracts of 124,969 first-time migrant domestic workers.“This means we may be sending 300,00 new-hires as overseas domestic workers by the end of the year,” she said.“I find this quite alarming because the intention of our President [Rodrigo Duterte] has always been to find better and safer means of local employment especially for our women,” Villar said.“Are we sending out more domestic workers than we can protect? We cannot afford to see more ‘Joramies’ stripped of dignity by foreign employers who think of our women as their slaves,” she said.The senator was referring to overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Joramie Garcia Torres who was scalded with boiling oil and beaten up by her Malaysian employer.She intends to seek an inquiry into the rising number of migrant domestic workers and instances of abuse and maltreatment concerning OFWs like Torres on a “per country basis.”“Indonesia has stopped sending domestic workers to the Middle East despite pressures from other governments,” Villar said.“What exactly is the Philippine policy in relation to the deployment of overseas domestic workers? This is something that needs to be discussed because right now, the figures are quite alarming,” she said.More welfare protectionVillar urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) to enhance welfare protection for OFWs.She urged the DFA to extend legal and humanitarian assistance to Torres as she attends court hearings and pursues a criminal case against her employer in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.“We all should be proud and supportive of Joramie because she is intent on seeking justice under Malaysian law. While she cooperates with the Malaysian government, I hope that the DFA and DoLE can also assist her indigent family,” Villar said.She noted that Torres was a grade school teacher prior to applying to work abroad as a domestic worker in Malaysia.Torres is now under the care of the Malaysian government while charges against her employer are pending in court. The Malaysian employer was arrested but was able to post bail.Villar hopes that the P1-billion in Assistance-to-Nationals Fund of the DFA can be used to protect and help OFWs especially hundreds of thousands of domestic workers living and working under vulnerable conditions worldwide.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/villar-worried-domestic-helpers-abroad/353854/
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BIR owes 600K workers P9,000 each in tax case
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['William Depasupil']
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2017-04-03 20:04:50+00:00
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THE country’s biggest labor federation has called on the Supreme Court (SC) to hasten the issuance of Implementing Rules and Regulations that would lay down the mechanism for the refund of the estimated P5.4 billion in taxes that was illegally collected from workers by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).Labor group Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) on Monday said the BIR owes 600,000 minimum wage workers nationwide an estimated P9,000 “blood money” each from the tax they collected for six months in 2008 amid a law exempting minimum wage workers from withholding tax.In a decision released last month, the High Tribunal ruled that minimum wage earners (MWEs) should not be taxed because they are exempted from doing so by Republic Act 9502, the law giving exemption to minimum wage workers from monthly salary tax deductions.The law became effective on June 17, 2008.The BIR, however, issued Revenue Regulation 10-2008 and only exempted MWEs six months later.The TUCP filed a contesting petition before the SC nullifying the regulation as contrary to the law.It is estimated the BIR collected an average of P792 a month for six months from each MWE at the time.The bureau should be charged 12 percent legal interest fees for nine years, according to Alan Tanjusay, ALU-TUCP spokesman.“This is a subtle form of injustice done by the BIR for minimum wage workers who depended on their daily pay to make both ends meet. The amount of money the BIR collected is ‘blood money’ that could have been spent to buy food, pay for tuition and purchase medicines,” Tanjusay said.“We suggest the cash refund should be coursed through the employers if the employers are still existing. If the company has shut down, we suggest the refund should be disbursed through BIR regional offices,” he added.Tanjusay pointed out that refund by means of tax credit is more problematic because most of the minimum wage earners may have become unemployed or remained at the same minimum wage level and so they are still tax-exempt.WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/bir-owes-600k-workers-p9000-tax-case-2/320780/
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Contenders for next ph Navy chief named
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['Fernan Marasigan']
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2016-11-02 21:52:38+00:00
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A RESHUFFLE in the Philippine Navy looms as its commander, Vice Admiral Caesar Taccad, bows out of office on November 13 when he will have reached the mandatory retirement age of 56.Although the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is yet to formally announce his replacement, a turnover of command has been set on November 12, or a day before Taccad’s retirement.Among the contenders for the post are Vice Admiral Joseph Mercado, commander of the AFP Western Command; Rear Admiral Rafael Mariano, Vice Commander of the Navy; Rear Admiral Bayani Gaerlan, commander of the Philippine Fleet; and Rear Admiral Narciso Bengson, commander of the Navy’ education and training.“Whoever becomes the next flag officer-in-command among those on this list of very senior and competent flag officers of the Philippine Navy will surely serve our purpose well. They are all seasoned commanders and managers, they have gone through all the billets in the Philippine Navy from junior command at sea to their respective designations as staff and then other management positions as they rose from the ranks of the Philippine Navy,” Col. Edgard Arevalo, chief of the AFP Public Affairs Office, said.“So whoever will become the next flag officer-in-command will surely bring our Navy to the next horizon, as we face the challenge and harness change,” he added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/contenders-next-ph-navy-chief-named-2/294442/
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Boracay voted among Top 10 destinations
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['Jaime Pilapil']
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2017-03-07 22:44:31+00:00
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Boracay was voted into the CTrip Top 10 Islands Destination Awards 2016 alongside Phuket, Malaysia, Maldives, Tahiti, Mauritius, Guam, Bali, Saipan and Okinawa.The awarding ceremony took place at the newly opened 7-star Wanda Reign Hotel at the Bund in Shanghai.Now on its second year, the CTrip Travel Awards aims to recognize top destinations and travel service providers in Asia Pacific.CTrip is a Chinese travel service provider based in Shanghai.Vice Consul André Peter Estanislao of the Philippine Consulate General in Shanghai received the award on behalf of the country.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/boracay-voted-among-top-10-destinations-2/315996/
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Congress urged to revise immigration law
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['William Depasupil']
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2017-09-01 22:04:23+00:00
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AFTER three failed tries, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has appealed again to Congress to pass a new immigration law that will replace the “antiquated” Immigration Act of 1940 to make it attuned to realities and changing times.“The enactment of a new Philippine Immigration Act is long overdue. We appeal to Congress to give this proposed law priority,” Immigration Commissioner Morente said in a statement on Friday.According to the BI chief, a new immigration law should be crafted to address the ever-growing threat of international trafficking and the scourge of human trafficking that has victimized many Filipinos.He said the same law should plug loopholes in the BI’s systems and practices that are prone to corrupt practices.Morente added that corruption can be curbed if the law upgrades the salaries of BI employees that he described as very low compared to the take-home pay of their counterparts in other Asian countries.The first attempt to amend the law was made during the time of former Immigration commissioner Rufus Rodriguez, which did not reach even first base.The bill was refiled during the watch of former Immigration Commissioner and now Pagcor Chairman Andrea Domingo and of former Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan but in both instances also failed.It was on September 3, 1940 that then-US President Franklin Roosevelt signed into law Commonwealth Act 613 or the Philippine Immigration Act, which created the BI under the supervision of the Office of the President.Afterward, it was attached to the Department of Justice and again to the Office of the President and later the Department of Labor and Employment.It was in 1948 that the BI reverted to the supervision of the Justice department where it remains up to the present.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/congress-urged-revise-immigration-law/348035/
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Palace lawyer to LP coalition: Try and fail
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['Ralph Villanueva']
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2018-03-29 00:02:23+00:00
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Malacañang chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo on Wednesday downplayed a planned creation by the Liberal Party (LP) of a “resistance coalition,” saying the opposition can always try and fail to counter the Duterte administration.“There is nothing new there. They’ve been resisting this administration. They can always try. They can always fail. They will always try to repeat what they have failed [in]. They are welcome. We welcome [the development]. It’s a free society,” Panelo said in an interview with reporters.On Tuesday, LP president and Sen. Francis Pangilinan said in a statement that the political party is eyeing the creation of the “resistance coalition” to resist the “slide to authoritarianism and anti-democratic rule.”On Monday, Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino 4th said while there have been informal talks with members of the “The Force” in the Senate, he was more interested to see a “genuine opposition slate of individuals willing to help each other oppose government policies detrimental to the people.”“The Force” is reportedly a group of reelectionist senators from different political parties who are also a part of the Senate majority bloc.Panelo said he believes that thumbs-up of President Rodrigo Duterte would boost campaigns of senatorial candidates of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP–Laban).“Oh yes. The President’s endorsement would vastly help in the winning of the senatorial candidates,” he added.Panelo said inclusion of the reelectionists from other parties will “help a lot,” as long as they are endorsed by Duterte.While top aide Christopher “Bong” Go, according to him, repeatedly said that it is too early to talk politics, he believes that the time is already ripe for Go to run.When earlier asked if he is willing to run for a Senate seat, Go said he will only run if Duterte wants him to do so.Panelo said he would support Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr.’s run for the Senate.“Well, I think he also desires to be a member of the Senate. And that is a legitimate ambition. We’ll support him. I will support him,” he added.Last year, House Speaker and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, the secretary-general of PDP-Laban, bared a number of possible candidates of the party for the 2019 mid-term elections.In a speech in Cebu last November, Alvarez named Roque, Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Margaux Uson, Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman, Negros Occidental Alfredo Benitez and political adviser Francis Tolentino as potential candidates.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/palace-lawyer-to-lp-coalition-try-and-fail/389134/
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Cimatu to tighten mining regulations
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['Eireene Jairee Gomez']
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2018-09-21 00:02:44+00:00
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Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu has vowed to continue holding discussions with the mining industry even as he promised to tighten regulations for small-scale mining.During the Mining Philippines 2018 International Conference and Exhibition held on September 18-20, 2018,Cimatu said he intends to continuously consult with mining companies amid the issues currently hounding the sector.“I will meet with you again and discuss things,” Cimatu told the mining companies. “I want to see how the mining sector will look like in the future.”The mining industry was recently put in a bad light when a landslide incident in Itogon, Benguet killed dozens of illegal small-scale miners.“We now have a problem because of small scale mining. Stop the mining [and] there would be no more problem but the livelihood [of Itogon community] will suffer,” Cimatu said.He added that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is looking at relocating miners and providing them alternative livelihood.The environment chief promised to be stricter in regulating small-scale mining and ensuring compliance with regulations on human and environmental safety, such as health and sanitation, prohibition on the use of mercury, and containment of tailings.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/cimatu-to-tighten-mining-regulations/443417/
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Senate eyes benefits for former presidents
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2018-02-27 00:04:11+00:00
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THE Senate wants a law granting benefits and privileges to former presidents and vice presidents to “honor them” and allow them to perform duties and functions often required of former top two officials of the land.Senators Antonio Trillanes 4th, Juan Edgardo Angara, and Loren Legarda jointly filed Senate Bill 1683 under Committee Report 240 prepared by the Senate Committees Civil Service, Ways and Means, as well as Finance which they head respectively.However, there are some requirements for a former president and vice president to be eligible for the benefits and privileges under the proposed measure.SB 1683 states that he or she “was not removed from office through impeachment; has not been convicted by final judgment of any crime involving corruption or moral turpitude; and has not accepted any appointive employment and/or had not ran for any elective position in the government after his or her term of office as president or vice president.”The country currently has four former presidents: Fidel Ramos (1992 to 1998), Joseph “Erap” Estrada (1998 to 2001), Gloria Arroyo (2001 to 2010), and Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino (2010 to 2016).There are presently three former vice presidents: Estrada (1992 to 1998), Arroyo (1998 to 2001), Noli de Castro (2004 to 2010), and Jejomar Binay (2010 to 2016). The late former senator Teofisto Guingona Jr. was vice president from 2001 to 2004.Under SB 1683, each former president and vice president should be entitled to the following benefits and privileges for the remainder of his or her life:• tax-free retirement pension equivalent to the salary of an incumbent president and incumbent vice president for the former president and vice president respectively;• adequate personal security and protection detail of at least three personnel to be provided by the Presidential Security Group (PSG), to be augmented by the Philippine National Police (PNP);• all mail matters of the former president and vice president addressed for delivery within the Philippines shouldbe received, transmitted, and delivered free of charge if the envelop or wrapper of such mail matter bears on the left hand corner the name of said former president and vice president; and• 50-percent discount on all public transportation and foreign travel for him or her and an aide or accompanying person.Ramos served as Duterte administration’s special envoy to China in July 2016 but resigned from his post in November 2016. Estrada is now Manila Mayor. Arroyo is currently representative of Pampanga’s second district while Aquino is leading a private life.De Castro went back to broadcast industry while Binay is reportedly teaching.Committee Report 240, signed by 19 senators, also extends benefits and privileges to the surviving spouses of former presidents and vice presidents. However, the widow or widower would lose the benefits if he or she remarries.The Department of Budget and Management is mandated under SB 1683 to allocate funds to implement the proposed “Former Presidents and Vice Presidents’ Benefits Act of 2018.”
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/senate-eyes-benefits-former-presidents/382936/
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‘10,000 teachers to lose jobs’
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['Francis Earl Cueto']
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2018-11-14 00:10:37+00:00
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THE Supreme Court ruling upholding the legality of the K-to-12 program will leave about 10,000 teachers without jobs, a group warned on Tuesday.The group Tanggol Wika said some 10,000 Filipino and Panitikan teachers and professors stand to lose their jobs because of the high court’s decision.The group added that it plans to file an appeal before the tribunal.“Maraming mga bagay na mataas na antas ng diskurso na mas sa college mas matatalakay. Kagaya ng pagtalakay ng mga isyu sa lipunan, pagre-research sa sariling wika. Sampung libong guro ngFilipino at panitikan sa kolehiyo ang posibleng mawalan ng trabaho dahil sa naging desisyon ng korte (There are issues and topics that are better discussed in college. These include issues on society, research on the Filipino language. About 10,000 literature and Filipino teachers will possibly lose their jobs because of the court’s decision),” David Michael San Juan, convenor of Tanggol Wika, said.Education Secretary Leonor Briones was quick to take up the cudgels for the teachers, saying they can teach senior high school students.“The door is always open. They can apply,” Briones said.In a ruling promulgated on Oct. 9, 2018, the high court dismissed the consolidated petitions filed by various schools, teachers, professors and legislators questioning the constitutionality of Republic Act 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013.The ruling paved the way for the implementation of CHEd (Commission on Higher Education) Memorandum 20, which removes Filipino and Panitikan as part of the core subjects in college.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/10000-teachers-to-lose-jobs/467123/
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Gas price up by 6o centavos per liter
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['Aberon Voltaire Palaña']
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2017-01-23 20:47:40+00:00
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In a separate advisories on Monday, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum, Caltex, Eastern Petroleum, Seaoil and Phoenix Petroluem announced they would raise the price of gasoline by P0.60 centavos per liter effective today.The five oil companies said they would implement the price changes at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, January 24.Department of Energy monitoring for Metro Manila as of January 17 showed that diesel prices ranged from P27.60 to P33.55 per liter with a common price of P30.65 per liter; gasoline from P36.34 to P48.44 with a common price of P46.16 per liter; and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in P11-kilogram cylinders from P471 to P690.Year-to-date adjustments are net increase of P1.04 per liter in gasoline and P0.35 per liter in diesel.LPG price increased this month by P4.15 per kilogram.The latest price changes resulted from average price movements for the previous five trading days in the global market.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/gas-price-6o-centavos-per-liter-2/308401/
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Ex-PNP chief faces perjury charges
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['Ma. Reina Leanne Tolentino']
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2018-02-28 00:04:02+00:00
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Former Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Alan Purisima is facing perjury cases before the Sandiganbayan over alleged failure to state and declare pieces of property in several Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).The Office of the Ombudsman, which filed the cases on February 23, recommended a total of P48,000 bail for the accused.In the first and second charge sheets, the Ombudsman alleged that Purisima “ma[d]e a willful and deliberate assertion of falsehood upon a material matter by failing to state and declare in his” 2006 and 2007 SALN his wife’s property covered by CLOA CA-25916.CLOA is certificate of land ownership award.In the third charge sheet, it alleged that he “ma[d]e a willful and deliberate assertion of falsehood upon a material matter by failing to state and declare in his 2008 SALN… the property acquired by his wife… through Deed of Donation dated May 12, 2008; and… her properties covered by CLOA CA-25916 and CLOA VOS-28452…”In the fourth charge sheet, it alleged that he “ma[d]e a willful and deliberate assertion of falsehood upon a material matter by failing to state and declare in his 2009 SALN, (1) the property acquired by his wife… through Deed of Donation dated May 12, 2008; (2) the properties under her name covered by CLOA CA-25916 and CLOA VOS-28452; and (3) his property covered by CLOA VOS-28012…”In the fifth charge sheet, it alleged that he “ma[d]e a willful and deliberate assertion of falsehood upon a material matter by failing to state and declare in his 2011 SALN, (1) the property acquired by his wife… through Deed of Donation dated May 12, 2008; (2) her properties covered by CLOA CA-25916 and CLOA VOS-28452; (3) and property covered by CLOA VOS-28012; (4) his firearms, a HPRFL BMSTR 223 and Pistol STI 40…”There are three other charge sheets Perjury is punishable under Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ex-pnp-chief-faces-perjury-charges/383050/
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Mule’s plea to testify vs recruiters rejected
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2018-01-06 01:08:38+00:00
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The Court of Appeals (CA) on Friday set aside a ruling of a lower court in Nueva Ecjja that granted a plea of convicted drug mule Mary Jane Veloso to testify in a criminal case against her recruiters from her detention cell in Indonesia.In an 18-page ruling, dated December 13, the CA’s 11th Division gave its nod to a petition for certiorari and prohibition filed by Veloso’s alleged recruiters, Ma. Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao to junk the ruling of the Nueva Ecija Regional Trial Court (RTC).The decision was written by Associate Justice Associate Justice Ramon Bato Jr. and concurred in by Associate Justices Manuel Barrios and Renato Francisco.The appellate court has just issued a temporary restraining order and then an injunction order, which halted the taking of Veloso’s deposition.With the latest ruling, the injunction order is now made permanent by the CA.“Wherefore, the petition for certiorari and prohibition is granted. The resolutions dated 16 August 2016 and 3 November 2016 issued by Presiding Judge Anarica J. Castillo-Reyes [Branch 88] Regional Trial Court Santo Domingo, Nueva Ecija)… are reversed and set aside [the writ of preliminary injunction earlier issued is thus made permanent]”, the ruling stated.Veloso is on death row in Indonesia for illegal drugs but her death sentence was held in abeyance upon the decision of Indonesian President Joko Widodo.The CA ruled that while they “commiserate with the plight of Mary Jane and recognize the prosecution’s need to take and perpetuate her testimony, unless and until the aforementioned constitutional and statutory provisions are revised, modified or amended, we have no other option but to apply the same.”“We are not unmindful of the gravity of the offenses charged against the petitioners. Likewise, we are not oblivious of the sad and unfortunate fate that befell Mary Jane. However, the circumstances in this case call for the application of Rule 119, which categorically states that the conditional examination of a prosecution witness shall be made before the court where the case is pending in light of the constitutionality enshrined right of the petitioners to meet the witnesses face-to-face or the right of confrontation and cross-examination. Especially since the cross-examination of a witness is an absolute right, not a mere privilege, of the party against whom he is called,” it said.The CA has affirmatively acted on a petition filed by the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), led by lawyer Persida Acosta, in behalf of the accused Sergio and Lacanilao.The deposition is meant to be used as evidence against the two recruiters who have been charged with qualified trafficking in persons filed by the family of Veloso.The PAO had argued that the taking of deposition by written interrogatories of Veloso is in violation of the constitutional right of the petitioners to confront the witnesses against them face to face.It believed that such proceedings are only allowed under Rule 23 of the Rules of Court in civil cases, not in criminal cases.The supposed deposition will be administered by Philippine consular officials in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, where Veloso is imprisoned and to be personally observed by the respondent judge.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/mules-plea-testify-vs-recruiters-rejected/372512/
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‘Bong’ seeks furlough to visit ailing dad
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['Ma. Reina Leanne Tolentino']
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2016-12-28 21:59:28+00:00
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Detained former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. is asking the Sandiganbayan’s First Division for a six-hour furlough spread over three days to visit his father at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City (Metro Manila).Earlier, on December 14, the court granted his plea for a furlough so that he could visit former Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr. at the medical center after the latter was brought there.Revilla Sr. was discharged but was again brought to the hospital and admitted on December 22, according to an urgent motion filed by the defense on December 28.The motion said, “Distraught and deeply concerned about this another unfortunate development, [former] Senator Revilla [Jr.] again respectfully implores this Honorable Court’s kind consideration and compassion that he be allowed to visit and be with his ailing and weak father.”Revilla Jr. is detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame in Quezon City over plunder and graft charges filed against him and several others in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel scam.He “feels it is his obligation to come to the aid of his father, who is very close to him, even by his mere presence, and cannot disregard a son’s natural urge and desire to visit and be with his ailing and weak father, and spend a few moments together, to provide former Senator Revilla Sr. the needed assurance and support,” the urgent motion said.The defense then asked the court to let him visit his father “as soon as possible, (a) preferably on 28 or 29 December 2016, from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; and (b) on 31 December 2016 and 1 January 2017, both at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., on such terms and conditions which this Honorable Court may impose.”Revilla Sr. “is currently being treated and closely monitored” at the hospital and is expected to be confined until January 3, according to the urgent motion.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/bong-seeks-furlough-visit-ailing-dad/304087/
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ADB to tackle impact of technology on growth
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['The Manila Times']
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2018-04-12 00:03:29+00:00
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This year’s meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will tackle global and regional challenges brought by rapid technological progress, climate change, aging populations, urbanization and infrastructure gaps in fulfilling the institution’s vision of a “resilient, inclusive, sustainable and prosperous” Asia-Pacific region.Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd, who heads the ADB board this year, said they will focus on how to “make progress more evenly felt throughout the entire membership of the ADB.”ADB Secretary Woochong Um said their 51st annual meeting in Manila on May 3-6 will also take up impact of globalization, job creation in Asia and expansion of opportunities for women entrepreneurs in the context of forging a vision and strategy for the region’s future.The third leg of the press launch of the Philippines’ hosting of the annual meeting will be held at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga on April 13. The previous ones were held in the cities of Manila and Davao.“There’s that old phrase, ‘No one left behind.’ So this is I think one of the key topics that we will be looking at,” Dominguez said.Um said the ADB sees “an increasingly complex development landscape emerging, [featuring] rapid technological progress offering opportunities and challenges, climate change and environmental pressures, aging populations, urbanization and infrastructure gaps.”“These are exciting times” for this year’s host, the Philippines, which has maintained its steady pace of economic growth, with the ADB projecting its GDP to accelerate to 6.8 percent in 2018 “driven by increased investment,” he added.“‘Build Build Build’ and the comprehensive tax reforms are excellent initiatives in continuing the country’s strong economic performance,” Um said.The ADB, according to him, is contributing to the Philippine government’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth by “helping improve infrastructure, regional development, public service delivery, youth employment and education, and also minimizing disaster risks and expanding financial inclusion.”Um pointed out that last year, loans provided by the ADB to the Philippines reached a record-high $1.08 billion, with majority of the assistance going to infrastructure-related activities, especially in Mindanao.Based in Manila since its inception in 1966, the ADB is dedicated to reducing poverty in the Asia-Pacific region through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth and regional integration.Some 3,000 delegates are expected to fly to Manila for the 51st ADB Annual Meeting. They include the finance ministers and central bank governors of the ADB member-countries, bankers, representatives from the private sector, civil society, academe, multilateral institutions and the media.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/adb-to-tackle-impact-of-technology-on-growth/392001/
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PCG wants fishing boats in Mindanao to bear plates
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['Just Me']
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14/01/2017 0:00
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The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is backing the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) plan to put plate numbers on fishing boats in Mindanao to counter sea piracy.According to PCG spokesman Commander Armand Balilo, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade was appreciative of the proposal made by PCG OIC Commodore Joel Garcia in the agency’s bid to curb piracy.“‘Yung special environmental numbering system, sabi ni Secretary Tugade maganda at i-implement daw kaagad. Pero ang gusto niya i-coordinate muna with MARINA (Maritime Industry Authority) and BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) (Sec. Tugade wants the special environmental numbering system be implemented immediately. But he wants that we coordinate first with the MARINA and BFAR),” he said.Under this system, Balilo said PCG would place small metal plate numbers on vessels below three gross tons since these are the kinds usually used by pirates.“Numbering system lang ito. Para malaman namin lahat ng mga bangka na kung umalis at walang plate na nilagay ng PCG, suspect na kaagad siya (This is just a numbering system. So we will know the boats without plate numbers and if they sail they will be suspected),” he said.Balilo said the PCG will shoulder the expenses for the plate numbers, but added that DOTr will help with the expenses.PCG will coordinate with the local government units (LGUs) when putting the plate numbers. They are looking into launching the system in Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.Balilo said Tugade was also in favor of deploying sea marshals and acquiring more floating assets to counter sea piracy.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/01/14/pcg-wants-fishing-boats-in-mindanao-to-bear-plates/
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5-year driver’s cards out by August
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['Reicelene Joy Ignacio']
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2017-04-02 21:52:54+00:00
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New driver’s license cards with five years’ duration will be delivered starting August this year, according to the Land Transportation Office (LTO).“We’re about to deliver the license cards in August. [We will start with] Metro Manila,” LTO chief Ed Galvante told reporters last Friday.According to the LTO chief, probably in April, the notice of award for the successful bidder will be issued.A shortage of license began in 2013 when the Commission on Audit decided to disallow payments to former license supplier, Amalgated Motor Philippines Inc., because of absence of proper contract.The decision resulted in a three-million backlog in driver’s license cards.Meanwhile, Galvante said the LTO is eyeing the Public-Private Partnership Program for funding future purchase of Motor Vehicle Inspection Systems.Sen. Grace Poe, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Works and Services, earlier reprimanded the government for the lack of the inspection systems after a bus accident in Tanay, Rizal, that killed more than a dozen students.Galvante, during a Senate hearing on the Tanay bus accident, said the Philippines has only nine inspection systems.REICELENE JOY IGNACIO
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/5-year-drivers-cards-august/320575/
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Deploy legal attaches, lawmaker urges govt
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['Ma. Reina Leanne Tolentino']
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2018-05-08 00:06:06+00:00
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Valenzuela City first district Rep. Wes Gatchalian renewed his call for the immediate deployment of legal attaches in countries hosting huge numbers of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).He renewed the call after the controversial rescue of distressed Filipino workers in Kuwait that prompted the Kuwaiti government to expel the Philippine ambassador.“Protecting our OFWs in foreign countries is primarily a legal problem. As much as we want to protect our citizens, we have to do so in a manner that is mindful of the sovereign rights and prerogatives of our foreign partners,” Gatchalian said.“Our actions should therefore always be adherent with their domestic laws as well as our treaty obligations. It is in this context that I am renewing my call for the immediate deployment of legal attaches to provide expert and competent legal advice not only to our OFWs but also to our officials abroad,” he said.Gatchalian said he is “very pleased” that Filipino workers in Kuwait were saved from further harm.“But I am concerned over the reports that our diplomatic officials committed unlawful acts in doing so. This is something which I believe we should and could avoid for otherwise our good intentions are immediately tainted and we lose our ground with our foreign partners to demand that our citizens be given better treatment,” thelawmaker said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/deploy-legal-attaches-lawmaker-urges-govt/397365/
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Bicolano farmers pledge P20-M rice as Christmas gift to Duterte
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['Victorino Villaflor']
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8/10/2017 0:00
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Bicolano farmers in support of President Duterte’s administration could not have expressed their sentiments better than pledging to give him R20 million worth of rice as a Christmas gift.Silvestre Bonto, president of the National Confederation of Irrigators Association (NCIA), said the idea of giving the President the gift came up during the recent NCIA conference held here last month.Bonto said the gift of rice is a gesture of thanks and support for the President who promised free irrigation to farmers in the Bicol Region.At present, the NCIA has already started collecting rice from the irrigators association in the Bicol Region and before their general assembly the millions worth of rice will be handed over to the President, he said.Bonto said it will be up to the President what he pleases to do with the R20 million worth of rice and may opt to redistribute it as assistance to the needy.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/10/08/bicolano-farmers-pledge-p20-m-rice-as-christmas-gift-to-duterte/
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Two bettors share P16-M lotto jackpot
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2016-11-07 21:01:36+00:00
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BETTORS from Manila and Cavite will share the P16-million lotto 6/49 jackpot prize of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).According to PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan, the two lucky winners correctly guessed the winning combination 11-24-21-28-07-14 during the November 6 draw.Balutan said the winner from Manila bought the ticket from a lotto outlet on Palanca Street in Quiapo district while the Cavite winner placed his bet at an outlet in Imus town.Aside from the jackpot winners, 77 other lotto bettors won the second prize of P9,600 after correctly guessing five numbers of the six-number winning combination.There are also 2,476 individuals who will get P230 each as third prize winners.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/two-bettors-share-p16-m-lotto-jackpot-2/295297/
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Tesda chief asks NBI to probe fake FB account
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['Neil Alcober']
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2017-02-04 01:07:32+00:00
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TECHNICAL Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) Director General Guiling Mamondiong asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into the fake Facebook account that uses his name and disseminates misleading information about the agency. “I would like to inform and warn the public about a bogus Facebook account under my name ‘Gene Mamondiong’ which recently surfaced. The said bogus account likewise uses my profile picture and proliferate untruthful news, banners and headlines thereby creating a false impression that they are mine. I categorically state that said fake Facebook account is not mine and while I do have my own legitimate Facebook account under the name “Guiling Gene Mamondiong”, the same is rather inactive and no official message have been posted thereon,” he said. Mamondiong also warned the public against transacting with the bogus account, saying the agency does not negotiate with anybody on social media.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/tesda-chief-asks-nbi-probe-fake-fb-account/310395/
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BOL case goes to Leonen
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2018-11-08 00:07:51+00:00
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Supreme Court Associate Justice Mario Victor “Marvic” Leonen will be the ponente in the petition assailing the legality and constitutionality of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), but is expected to inhibit himself from the case.Leonen was the chairman of the Government Negotiating Panel that sealed the Framework Agreement for the Bangsamoro (FAB) with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 2012 under the leadership of then-President Benigno Aquino 3rd.As ponente, Leonen will study the case and submit his recommendations.Leonen, however, is likely to inhibit himself from the case as he had done previously.In 2015, the high court released a statement that Leonen would voluntary inhibit himself from all pending and future cases related to the Framework and Comprehensive Agreements on the Bangsamoro and the BOL.The Province of Sulu, duly represented by its governor Abdusakur Tan 2nd, filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition on Oct. 11, 2018 questioning the legality of Republic Act 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).BOL provides for the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BAR) to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).Named respondents to the case were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives,Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza, members of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, and the MILF.Tan, represented by former Commission on Elections chairman Sixto Brillantes, argued that Congress committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction in passing the BOL.The governor pointed out that BBL violates Sections 18 and 19 of Article X of the 1987 Constitution, which authorize the enactment of only one Organic Act to establish ARMM.The petition also urged the high court to stop the Comelec from conducting the plebiscite scheduled on Jan. 21, 2019 to ratify BOL.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/bol-case-goes-to-leonen/464184/
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PH, Kuwait agree to sign labor pact
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['The Manila Times']
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2018-05-10 00:10:32+00:00
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The Philippines and Kuwait have agreed to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on the protection of Filipinoworkers in the Gulf state, Malacañang said on Wednesday.This was after the high-level Philippine delegation led by Palace Spokesman Harry Roque and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd met with the officials of the Kuwaiti Interior Ministry in the Gulf State, where both countries “look forward to the normalization of ties.”“Kuwait, on its part, has expressed the value of Filipinos in Kuwait. A Memorandum of Agreement is expected to be signed and agreed upon after the meeting,” the Palace said in a statement.“Also, Kuwait agreed to create a Special Unit within the Police that the Philippine Embassy can liaison with regarding complaints of Filipino workers which will be available 24 hours and a Special Number that Filipino workers can call for assistance [also available 24 Hours],” it added.The Palace said the meeting of officials between the two countries “saw the release of four drivers” who were arrested after the Philippine Embassy rescued allegedly abused Filipino maids from their employers’ homes.“It guaranteed that all remaining undocumented Filipinos [under 600], except for those with pending cases, will be allowed to go home – at least 150 of them will be joining the Philippine officials in returning to the Philippines,” it said.Roque and other officials left for Kuwait on Tuesday night upon the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte.The meeting came after Kuwait formally protested the violations of diplomatic protocols and expelled Ambassador Renato Pedro Villa for allowing the rescue.The rescue mission, a video of which was uploaded on the internet, angered Kuwait.Duterte stopped the deployment of Filipinos to Kuwait after the discovery of the body of domestic worker Joana Demafelis inside a freezer.The President had said that Filipino workers’ passports must not be confiscated by Kuwaiti employers. Workers must be guaranteed adequate sleep, have a day off and allowed to cook their own food.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ph-kuwait-agree-to-sign-labor-pact/397824/
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Benguet bettor wins P6-M lotto jackpot
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2016-12-02 20:46:53+00:00
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A lone bettor from Benguet province became the country’s newest millionaire after hitting the P6-million lotto 6/42 jackpot of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Thursday night.PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan said the winner bought the ticket with the winning combination of 23-33-26-32-12-05 from a lotto outlet on Session Road, La Bria, Benguet using “standard bet.”Meanwhile, 14 winning bettors who guessed correctly five of the six number combination will get P25,000 each as second prize.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/benguet-bettor-wins-p6-m-lotto-jackpot/299666/
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BoC seizes ship, P215-M goods
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['William Depasupil']
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2017-09-27 21:34:30+00:00
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A ship and a total of P215 million in smuggled goods were seized recently on different occasions by intelligence operatives of the Bureau of Customs (BoC) in the Port of Cagayan de Oro.Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña on Wednesday disclosed that the confiscated goods were either prohibited or misdeclared importations or lacking in necessary import permits and other required documents.He said the M/V Jake Vincent Seis was seized for alleged non-payment of import duties and taxes amounting to P35 million.Lapeña added that investigation is ongoing to determine if the ship’s owner purposely evaded paying the corresponding import duties and taxes.M/V Jake Vincent Seis was plying the BIMP-EAGA when its operations were only limited to domestic routes in the Philippines.BIMP-EAGA refers to Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines-East Asian Growth Area.Alvin Enciso, officer-in-charge of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Cagayan de Oro, said the ship was filled with 1,450 metric tons of copra, when held by Customs operatives last September 8, adding that supporting documents were falsified to make it appear that its cargo came from Indonesia.According to Enciso, the ship passed itself off as a general cargo vessel plying the BIMP-EAGA route but a verification with the Maritime Industry Authority revealed that its permit to operate in the area was fake.Also seized by Enciso’s team were more than P5 million worth of used clothing from Japan.Importation of ukay-ukay or used clothing is considered a health hazard and strictly prohibited under Republic Act 4653.It was consigned to Kornet Express Inc.In another operation, Customs agents also uncovered a 20-foot container of steel ethylene cylinders from China.The shipment valued at P1.5 million was declared as aluminum ethylene cylinders and consigned to Linde Philippines (South) Inc.Two used cargo trucks found dismantled inside two 40-foot containers were also seized.The shipments, estimated to be worth P3 million, came from Japan and consigned to Ghulam Traders International Corp.The Cagayan de Oro port also confiscated P5 million worth of red onions from China.The cargo, which was consigned to Govgen Agri Products International, had no import permit from the Department of Agricuture.Meanwhile, District Collector Jamail Marohomsalic reported that the Cagayan de Oro port was able to post a revenue surplus of P1,553,511,484 in their collection target covering January to August.It collected P8,951,856,484 against its target collection of P7,398,345,000.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/boc-seizes-ship-p215-m-goods/353170/
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P6,000 subsidy for poor families pushed
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2018-06-25 00:05:59+00:00
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Rep. Michael Romero on Sunday pushed for a P6,000 yearly subsidy for 10 million poor families to cushion the impact of the Tax Reform for Inclusion and Acceleration (Train) law that hiked taxes on fuel and sugar-sweetened beverages.Romero, the representative of 1-Pacman party-list that is allied with the ruling coalition in Congress, made the proposal under his House Bill 7773.The bill seeks to grant poor families P500 per month instead of P200 for the first year implementation of the Train law’s Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) program.“Given the new developments since the Train law, it should be amended [by passing my proposal]. My proposal is to increase it to P500 [per month] because that figure will be enough to withstand the effects of a four to five percent inflation rate, peso depreciation against the US dollar of 10 percent and elevated world crude oil prices,” Romero said in a statement.“This increase [in subsidy] is needed so these families can have enough to spend for three meals a day. The amount required here is not even one percent of the P3.6 trillion [budget for 2018],” he added.The lawmaker said funding for the program can be sourced from the revenues generated by the Train law.Since the Train law took effect in January this year, the P2,400 annual subsidy for the current year has only been distributed to 3.5 million poorest households out of the targeted 10 million beneficiaries in the country.Also, the grant of other subsidies under the Train law to indigent families has also been delayed.More than five months after the Train law was passed, there is still no definite timeframe for the distribution of the Social Benefit Cards to unemployed, minimum wage earners and the poorest 50 percent of the population to allow them to avail of discounts on transportation and rice, and undergo free skills training.A number of lawmakers have called for the suspension of the Train law due to unabated oil price increases, but the Finance department has opposed this, arguing that oil price hikes only account for 0.4 percent of the increasing inflation rate, pegged at 4.6 percent last May, at which the prices of goods and services escalate.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/p6000-subsidy-for-poor-families-pushed/412149/
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Sister Fox ‘not yet off the hook’ – Palace
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['The Manila Times']
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2018-06-20 00:11:46+00:00
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Australian nun Patricia Fox is “not yet off the hook” even if the Department of Justice had voided the Bureau of Immigration’s order to forfeit her missionary visa.Palace spokesman Harry Roque said Fox was still facing deportation proceedings.“Well lilinawin ko lang po (I would like to clarify), Sister Fox is not yet off the hook. Ang napawalang bisa lang po ng DoJ (What the DoJ voided) is the decision of the Commission on Immigration and Deportation which nullified her missionary visa,” Roque told reporters.He said Fox could still be deported if it was proven that she engaged in political activities.“Kaya malinaw po sa desisyon ni Justice Secretary Guevarra, this is without prejudice po sa desisyon ng CID sa deporation proceedings. At ang issue po sa deportation proceedings eh namulitika ba talaga si Sister Fox (It’s clear in Justice Secretary Guevarra’s decision that this is without prejudice to the decision to be made by the CID on the deportation proceedings. And the issue in the deportation proceedings is, did Sister Fox engage in politics?” Roque said.“So uulitin ko po (I repeat), she’s not off the hook. Ongoing po ang deportation proceedings. Antayin po natin ang desisyon ng CID on the issue on whether or not sumapi sa pulitika itong si Sister Fox (The deportation proceedings are ongoing. Let’s wait for the decision of CID on the issue on whether or not Sister Fox was engaged in politics),” he added.On Monday, the DoJ granted Fox’s motion for reconsideration, saying the forfeiture of her visa was “without legal basis.”President Rodrigo Duterte has publicly criticized Fox, who he said had no right to “insult” the Philippine government.“You come here and insult us, you trample with our sovereignty. That will never happen,” Duterte said at an event in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City in April.The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said the DoJ decision was “wise” and “kind.”“We appreciate the decision of our government authorities to keep the missionary visa of Sister Patricia Fox,” Archbishop Romulo Valles, CBCP president, said.Yesterday, Fox attended a mass celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo and the ecumenical and candle-lighting protest for the three slain priests at Quiapo Church in Manila.“I will still continue to express my message which is in consonance with the message of the Church,” Fox said.CATHERINE VALENTE AND CATHERINE A. MODESTO
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/sister-fox-not-yet-off-the-hook-palace/410319/
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Pacquiao is new head of Senate ethics panel
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2018-09-19 00:03:42+00:00
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SEN. Manny Pacquiao has been appointed as the new chairman of the Senate ethics committee which was previously headed by Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd.The ethics panel is composed of Senators Panfilo Lacson, Gregorio Honasan 2nd, Sherwin Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros, and Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino 4th.Pacquiao also heads the committees on public works and sports.Pending before the ethics committee are the complaint filed by Sen. Richard Gordon against Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th and the latter’s counter ethics complaint against the former.Gordon’s complaint against Trillanes arose from the latter’s remark on August 31, 2017 that the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has become a “clearing committee” during the Senate investigation on the shabu smuggling at the Bureau of Customs (BoC).The ethics panel in February dismissed the three complaints filed against detained Sen. Leila de Lima for lack of jurisdiction.De Lima lauded her Senate colleagues for allowing a “high sense of fairness and objectivity” to finally triumph in handling the preposterous ethics complaints filed against her.Sotto, who was then the Senate majority leader, dismissed the ethics complaints filed against de Lima for lack of jurisdiction.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/pacquiao-is-new-head-of-senate-ethics-panel/442907/
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House panel OKs excise tax on cars, gasoline, soft drinks
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['J Delacruz']
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3/5/2017 0:00
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criticized tax reform bill was passed yesterday by the House Committee on Ways and Means which decided to further raise more revenues for the government by providing for excise tax on soft drinks and other sugar-sweetened beverages.Voting 17 for and three against, the House panel swiftly approved the technical working group (TWG) report after the bill, which will also impose excise tax on refined petroleum products and automobiles, was submitted to the body.Three congressmen – Reps. Lynda Bolilia (LP, Batangas); Jose Enrique Garcia (NUP, Bataan) and Noel Villanueva (NUP, Tarlac) – abstained.Bolilia is a vice chairperson of the House panel. Negros Oriental Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong, also a panel vice chairperson, voted against the bill’s approval.Negros Oriental Rep. Arnulfo Teves assailed the committee decision, saying the measure, particularly the new provision on sugar-sweetened beverages, has not been fully discussed by the body.In approving House Bill (HB) 4774 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (Train), the House panel ignored appeals made by oppositors for the deletion of provisions of the bill that would affect the poor.Instead, the TWG report included a new provision imposing taxes that will raise prices of soft drinks and other sugar-sweetened products.Provisions imposing new taxes on gasoline and other consumer products are aimed at raising government funds that would cover foregone revenues as a result of the TRAIN provision that would broaden the number of income taxpayers who will be exempted from paying, or have reduced taxes.Deputy Speaker Miro Quimbo assailed the TRAIN, which could adversely affect more Filipinos than it would have benefited.Quimbo said the tax collection provision will raise P198 billion on the first year of implementation of the measure alone, yet government will lose only P148 billion annually due to the income tax reduction.Quimbo said TRAIN is actually a tax collection measure cloaked as a tax reform proposal.“It’s not a tax reform program really, it is a tax collection measure and unfortunately, it will hit the poorest of the poor,” said Quimbo, a Liberal Party member who represents the lone district of Marikina City.H.B 4774 proposes to exempt middle-wage earners from tax payment and make the government lose at least R148 billion in foregone revenues, in the process.To recover the unrealized tax collection, the DOF integrated in the bill provisions that would impose excise taxes on fuel, lift value-added tax (VAT) exemptions and increase taxes on motor vehicles, among others.TRAIN also provides for an eight percent tax for self-employed individuals.These provisions will give government an estimated R198 billion on the first year of implementation alone.The bill also lifts the VAT exemptions of cooperatives, among other provisions restricting VAT privileges for goods and services.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/05/03/house-panel-oks-excise-tax-on-cars-gasoline-soft-drinks/
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DFA to help 10,000 Pinoys facing deportation from US
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2017-09-06 21:44:40+00:00
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AN estimated 10,000 Filipinos may end up getting deported as a result of Washington’s decision to cancel a program that allowed undocumented children to stay legally in the United States, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Wednesday.The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which was introduced during the term of former US President Barack Obama, protects children brought to the US illegally from being deported to their respective countries.The program does not lead to US citizenship but it is renewable every two years.On Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced he is revoking the DACA program and gave the US Congress until March 5, 2018 to come up with a law that would prevent the deportation of about 800,000 individuals covered by the program.In a statement, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano assured those who would be affected by the move of US government assistance, including legal help in their immigration-related cases.“We will authorize with certain limitations the use of the Assistance to Nationals [ATN] fund and the Legal Assistance Fund to assist immigration-related cases such as those arising from the decision of President Trump to revoke the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals,” Cayetano said.For this year, the DFA has P400 million for its ATN and P100 million in legal assistance fund intended for overseas Filipino workers in trouble with the law in their respective host countries.Cayetano advised those who would be affected by the changes to prepare for the worse while exploring other possible legal options.“In any event, we are ready to welcome and assist our kababayan [countrymen] in whatever way we can if they are returned to the Philippines,” the DFA secretary said.Chargé d’Affaires Patrick Chuasoto of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., said of the 3.4 million Filipinos in the US around 310,000 are undocumented.The DACA program provides temporary legal status that allows qualified undocumented immigrant children from other countries to stay, study and work in the US.Apart from the DACA cancelation, there is also a US immigration policy that disallows Filipinos and others who have obtained US citizenship from petitioning their parents or relatives to become US citizens.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/dfa-help-10000-pinoys-facing-deportation-us/349049/
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BOC to get tougher on misdeclared imports
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['William Depasupil']
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2016-12-09 23:03:48+00:00
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THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) will implement early next year a modern system that will detect misdeclaration or undervaluation of imports that pass through various ports of entry across the country.Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon on Friday said the bureau is working on a Value Reference Information System (VRIS), an electronic platform that sets the value threshold or standard for every imported commodity based on historical value of previous importations and prevailing market values and statistical studies.Faeldon added that the system can monitor on a daily basis importers declaring importations below the reference value, which is a form of technical smuggling,“If there will be issues on the transaction value declared by importers, they will be asked to submit any document that will verify the declared value of commodity,” he said.“The Bureau of Customs will push through with its implementation to avoid undervaluation of imports. This will protect legitimate importers and stakeholders from smugglers and corrupt stakeholders,” Faeldon added.The new system will be implemented as soon as it is completed early next year.Faeldon announced the use of the system after the bureau recovered an estimated P1.7 million worth of duties and taxes from undervalued steel imports at the Port of Subic.He reported that Mannage Resources Trading Corp. (MRTC) initially declared the transaction value of a shipment of 5,000 metric tons of deformed steel bars to be $2 per metric ton, equivalent to P41,600,662.00 worth of duties and taxes.But after a careful review of the documents submitted, it was found that the importation was undervalued, hence an adjustment was made on the freight charges in the amount of $16.50 per metric ton.This resulted in total duties and taxes of P43,330,838.00, or an increase of P1,730,176.00 against the declared duties and taxes of P41,600,662.00, 4 percent higher compared to the declaration.Under Section 1400 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, the bureau cannot compel MRTC to pay surcharges since “no surcharge shall be imposed when the discrepancy in duty is less than ten percent.”MRTC voluntarily corrected the undervaluation and paid the additional duties and taxes.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/boc-get-tougher-misdeclared-imports/300918/
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Angara pushes bill protecting teachers
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2018-09-05 00:03:29+00:00
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SEN. Juan Edgardo Angara on Tuesday pressed for the passage of the Teacher Protection Bill that aims to improve the working conditions of public school teachers.“We must ensure a nurturing and safe school environment not only for our children, but for our educators as well,” Angara said.Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian also raised the need to safeguard the mental health of teachers, especially those who often work extended hours.“I am truly in awe of our teachers and amazed at their dedication, especially those who work beyond their required hours, often for very meager pay. It is no secret our teachers are often overworked,” he said. “I can only imagine the stress caused by their job — preparing lessons, teaching, and then grading papers, not to mention other non-teaching functions that they are assigned to do.”With the death of a teacher in Leyte and in Cavite in just two months supposedly because of their heavy workload, teachers groups have urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to look into the mental health issues of public school teachers.According to Angara, the incidents raised the need to put in place the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the Mental Health Law or Republic Act 11036 so that psychiatric and psychosocial services can be accessible to public school teachers especially in rural areas where there are larger class sizes.“It is not enough that we assist them in terms of raising their salaries and providing trainings to strengthen their skills. Caring for their mental health is equally important,” Angara said.He filed Senate Bill 1870 or the Teacher Protection Act that seeks to formulate policies and establish support mechanisms for teachers in matters of student discipline and classroom management.Under SB 1870, the DepEd must ensure that there are enough guidance counsellors who would serve as support personnel to teachers in matters of student discipline.“With the increasing burden on teachers due to large class sizes, multiple shifts each day, and heavier tasks, there is an urgent need to provide protection to our teachers, who are already deemed overworked and underpaid,” Angara said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/angara-pushes-bill-protecting-teachers/438141/
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Benham Rise development body proposed
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-03-27 22:22:06+00:00
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House Bill (HB) 5360, which seeks to create a technical government agency that would protect and manage Benham Rise in the South China Sea, has been filed by Buhay party-list representative and Senior Deputy Minority Leader Lito Atienza.“Our bill seeks to create the Benham Rise Protection and Development Authority, which will protect and manage this vast area and to ensure that all natural resources that are rightfully ours would not be exploited and abused by other countries claiming it to be their own. It has been established that this area contains very essential natural gases and other minerals, as well as diverse marine life, including endangered species of fish,” Atienza said on Monday.As then-Environment secretary, Atienza was instrumental in the inclusion of Benham Rise in the Philippines’ extended continental shelf.The inclusion was presented to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf in 2009 and was subsequently approved on April 12, 2012.This gave the Philippines exclusive control over the area, together with utilization of any and all natural resources within.“Our country has sovereign rights over this protected economic development area. It is our duty and mandate today to defend this resource-rich territory, not just for us but for future generations of Filipinos,” Atienza said.Under HB 5360, the Benham Rise Protection and Development Authority will be headed by the Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority as Chairman of the Board, an Administrator as Vice Chairman, together with eleven other board members composed of the secretaries of the Environment, Energy, Agriculture, Science and Technology, Finance, Tourism, Public Works and Defense departments.Three representatives from the private sector will also be appointed to the board.Atienza reminded President Rodrigo Duterte that aside from addressing the drug problem, there is an equally pressing need to defend not only Panatag Shoal also in the South China Sea but especially Benham Rise from any foreign incursion.“It is wrong to say [that we cannot do anything]. The whole nation is behind him in defending our territorial interests. Mr. President, every Filipino will fight with you to repel any and all attempts at foreign domination. While we agree with government’s policy to be friends with the world’s superpowers, we should not be subservient to anyone,” he said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/benham-rise-development-body-proposed/319536/
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Local governments assured of continued PCSO support
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2017-03-16 21:38:35+00:00
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The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has assured local officials that the agency would continue provide projects to local government units (LGUs) that would benefit their localities aside from the shares they are getting from the operation of Small Town Lottery (STL).PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan recently made the assurance as he reminded local officials that Authorized Agent Corporations (AACs) of the STL need not secure business permits from the LGUs where they are operating.Although the LGUs can no longer issue permits and licenses to STL operators, according to Balutan, they still can receive higher shares from the expanded STL operation in their area.Local chief executives, during the 2017 assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines held at the Manila Hotel last Tuesday, proposed that the AACs that want to operate the STL in their respective localities be required to secure a business permit from the municipal government first.The mayors argued that in as much as the PCSO wants to generate revenue through the Small Town Lottery, they too also want to earn additional revenues from the STL operations in their areas.PCSO Chairman Jose Jorge Corpuz, however, explained to them that the authorization that the PCSO gave to STL agents is enough for them to operate.In fact, he said, all permits that would be issued by the LGUs to other numbers game operators would be considered illegal because the STL is the only legal numbers game in the country.Under the law, PCSO lottery ticket sellers are not required to secure business permits or licenses from the LGUs.“The PCSO is even exempt from taxes, fees or charges on lotto outlets,” Balutan said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/local-governments-assured-continued-pcso-support/317581/
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16,000 OFWs avail of Saudi amnesty
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-12-17 21:55:18+00:00
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ABOUT 16,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) availed of amnesty at the end of the 90-day program of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for undocumented and stranded foreign nationals.Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd said over the weekend that figures from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) showed that of the 15,389 OFWs who took advantage of the amnesty, 10,011 have been repatriated to the Philippines.Those who availed of the amnesty, Bello added, were among the almost 1.2 million OFWs that OWWA has provided with repatriation and reintegration assistance.Covered by the Saudi Government 2017 Amnesty Program for illegal expatriates were those with expired umrah, hajj and visit visas, pilgrims without hajj permits, those who have crossed the border into the kingdom without permits, residents with expired residence ID cards (iqama), workers with work permits but with no iqama, and workers who have been declared absconding (huroob) by their employers/sponsors.From July to October 2017, the Department of Labor and Employment’s intensified reintegration programs have benefitted 54,470 OFW returnees and their families. Of this number, 28,256 have undergone skills training, while 26,214 OFWs were granted livelihood assistance.During the same period, OWWA repatriated 36,438 OFWs; 19,268 of them from the Middle East who were also provided with on-site assistance and P20,000 financial aid.Another 9,512 repatriated OFWs were also given P6,000 additional cash grants and 13,245 OFWs were given food and hygiene kits.Under OWWA’s Operation Bring-Them-Home n the Middle East, the DOLE released P514,412,350.21 to provide various assistance to OFWs such as food and hygiene kits, legal counseling and stress debriefing, medical and psycho-social services and training assistance.OWWA also provided post-repatriation services to 14,165 OFWs; 4,343 of whom have received welfare services, including medical, psycho-social counseling, stress debriefing, transport, and accommodation, while 1,630 have been listed for employment facilitation or training services and 2,625 were given livelihood assistance.DOLE also provided legal assistance to 4,829 OFWs while 354 OFWs were given reintegration assistance in the form of small and medium enterprise establishment in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry; and 384 were granted educational assistance through tBudget Management.WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/16000-ofws-avail-saudi-amnesty/369261/
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Sandigan resets again pretrial of graft case vs former PNP chief
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['Ma. Reina Leanne Tolentino']
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2017-04-18 22:16:09+00:00
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The Sandiganbayan’s Sixth Division on Tuesday deferred again a scheduled pretrial of the graft case filed against former Philippine National Police Director General Alan Purisima and several other individuals in connection with the allegedly anomalous courier deal entered into by the PNP with Werfast Documentation Agency Inc. (Werfast) in 2011.Last January 10, the court canceled the pretrial and reset it to April 18 as the parties, at the time, were yet to finish marking documentary evidence that they intend to present during trial.This time, the court reset the pretrial to June 6.Meanwhile, an additional preliminary conference is set on May 9 for stipulation of facts.A pretrial conference aims to consider matters for a fair and expeditious trial.Such matters include plea bargaining, stipulation of facts, marking for identification of evidence of the parties, waiver of objections to admissibility of evidence and modification of the order of trial if the accused admits the charge but interposes a lawful defense.The Office of the Ombudsman filed the case in May last year against Purisima, retired PNP official Gil Meneses and then-officials of the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office at the time material to the case, namely Napoleon Estilles, Allan Parreño, Melchor Reyes, Lenbell Fabia, Sonia Calixto, Eduardo Acierto, Raul Petrasanta, Nelson Bautista, Ricardo Zapata Jr. and Ford Tuazon.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/sandigan-resets-pretrial-graft-case-vs-former-pnp-chief/322868/
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6 Malaysians, 2 Filipinos arrested for terror links
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-09-03 20:23:57+00:00
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Six Malaysians and two Filipinos have been arrested by the Royal Malaysian Police in Taman Desa Baiduro, Cheras, in Kuala Lumpur for alleged involvement in terrorism, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed on Sunday.Col. Edgard Arevalo, AFP public affairs chief, said the eight suspects were nabbed by Malaysian authorities in August on the strength of reports from military sources.One of the arrested Filipinos, according to Arevalo, was identified as Hajar Abdul Mubin alias Mheraiz, who was revealed to be the right hand man of Abu Sayyaf Group sub-leader Furuji Indama based in Basilan province in southern Philippines.The other one was identified as Abraham Bin Ebong, whose affiliation and connections are still being determined by authorities, according to the AFP.The suspects are now jailed at an “undisclosed detention facility” in Kuala Lumpur.“The arrest and detention of these individuals is a significant development in the [Philippine] government’s security cooperation with Malaysia and other neighboring countries in Asia to curb terrorism, including attempts to recruit new members or entice individuals to support terrorism or violent extremism,” Arevalo said in a statement.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/6-malaysians-2-filipinos-arrested-terror-links/348465/
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HIV cases highest since 1984 – report
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['Kenneth Hare Hernandez']
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2017-07-25 22:32:53+00:00
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Newly-reported cases of Filipinos carrying human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reached more than a thousand in May, according to the HIV and AIDS Registry of the Philippines (HARP) report.Figures from the HARP report revealed that 1,098 people were found to be carrying the virus last May.“This is the highest recorded cases ever since 1984,” the report said.The May 2017 number is also higher by 48 percent compared to the data recorded in the same month last year, having it at 741.The report said 140 cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) were also reported last May, increasing the total number of confirmed cases to 4,181 since they started recording in 1984.Among the new HIV cases, 558 were infected through homosexual contact, 360 through bisexual contact, 150 by heterosexual contact and 27 by injecting drugs. Three infants were infected by their mothers.There were also 15 deaths from HIV/AIDS in May, bringing the death toll to 2,156.From January to May 2017, the Department of Health (DoH) reported a total of 4,388 new HIV cases, including 516 AIDS cases, and 187 deaths.The DoH said sexual contact remains to be the primary mode of transmission with 1,068 cases, while men having sex with men recorded 918 cases.Majority of the cases were recorded in Metro Manila with 404, followed by Calabarzon (155 cases), Central Luzon (108), Central Visayas (98 cases) and Davao Region (60 cases).Eighty-four overseas Filipino workers were found to have been carrying the virus, all transmitted through sexual contact.The previous highest monthly figure of HIV cases was recorded last March, tallying 968 cases.The DoH previously reported 629 new cases of HIV in April, out of which 84 progressed to acquired immune deficiency syndrome or AIDS.Seventeen AIDS-related deaths were recorded in the same month.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/hiv-cases-highest-since-1984-report/340600/
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Japanese officer killed during US-PH drill
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['Agence France-Presse']
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2018-10-08 00:04:34+00:00
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Japan’s military said Sunday one of its members was killed in a car crash in the Philippines during joint exercises with US and Filipino troops.Suguru Maehara, a 38-year-old sergeant of the Ground Self-Defense Forces, was involved in the accident on Tuesday last week, according to a GSDF spokesman who confirmed his death.“It is the first time a GSDF member has died during an overseas drill,” the spokesman said.Maehara was delivering food supplies to members participating in the drill when the accident happened.The exercise, codenamed Kamandag (Venom), marked the first time Japanese armored military vehicles were used on foreign soil since the country adopted a pacifist constitution after its 1945 defeat.But Japan is not involved in the combat component of the military exercises.Local media reported that Maehara was in a vehicle driven by a Filipino near the naval base.Another Japanese officer in his 40s who was in the same vehicle was injured with a broken rib. He was sent to a hospital with Maehara but was discharged on the same day, the GSDF spokesman said.A Philippine spokesman for the exercises declined to comment.AFP
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/japanese-officer-killed-during-us-ph-drill/449493/
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New DOF assistant secretary, 14 other officials sworn in
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['The Manila Times']
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2016-12-08 21:05:54+00:00
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Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd swore into office last week Department of Finance spokesman Paola Alvarez as Assistant Secretary, along with 14 other DOF officials.Also a spokesman for the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban) during the 2016 presidential elections, Alvarez obtained her Juris Doctor of Law degree from the Ateneo de Manila University in 2014.She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies from the De La Salle University.Fresh from completing her Juris Doctor degree, Alvarez joined the Del Rosario and Del Rosario Law Office as a junior associate.While completing her law studies, she worked at the Siguion Reyna, Montecillo and Ongsiako Law Office as an intern and at the P.D. Alvarez Law Office as legal researcher.Besides Alvarez, Ernesto Hiansen also took his oath of office as Executive Director of the DOF One-Stop Shop, along with the following with the rank of Director IV assigned either at the DOF or its attached agencies:Rommel Herrera, Alvin Diaz, Angelica Sarmiento, Shiela Castaloni, Juvy Danofrata and Elsa Agustin.Also sworn in with the rank of Director III were Richard Uy, Herminio Runas, Ma. Luisa Notario, Rowena Sta. Clara, Joanna Castillo, Michaelangelo Aguinaldo and Eleazar Cesista.Last September, Dominguez also administered the oaths of office to four undersecretaries and six other officials of the Finance department.They are Undersecretaries Gil Beltran, who heads the Corporate Affairs Group and Policy Development and Management Service Group, and is also the DOF’s chief economist and anti-red tape czar; Karen Singson, who heads the Privatization Group, and also named chief of staff; Bayani Agabin, who was named Legal Affairs head and in charge of the Domestic Finance Group; and Antonette Tionko, who heads the Revenue Operations Group.Dominguez also administered the oaths of office to four Assistant Secretaries–Soledad Emilia Cruz, Rosalia de Leon, Mark Dennis Joven and Maria Edita Tan.Danielle Marie Rieza Culangen, Director IV, and Ma. Lourdes Recente, Executive Director V of the Privatization and Management Office also took their oaths before Dominguez.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/new-dof-assistant-secretary-14-officials-sworn-2/300703/
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Mariano confirmation as DAR chief pushed
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['Neil Alcober']
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2017-08-25 22:16:52+00:00
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CAUSE-oriented groups and farmer organizations on Friday gathered outside the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) main office in Quezon City to show their full support for the confirmation of Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael “Paeng” Mariano.Since last week, the DAR Employees Association (DAREA) has led lunch break actions in front of DAR. Farmers’ organizations nationwide are also conducting massive actions in support of Mariano’s confirmation.“We have seen how Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy Taguiwalo was unjustly rejected by the Commission on Appointments (CA) despite strong public clamor for her confirmation. We were all enraged by Secretary Judy’s rejection. Ka Paeng could suffer the same fate. We must let our collective voices be heard and let the CA realize that Ka Paeng is needed at DAR,” Antonio Flores, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) secretary general, said.Mariano has made significant headway in terms of fulfilling DAR’s mandate which is to implement an agrarian reform program that would genuinely benefit farmers, Flores said.“This is the first and maybe the last time that a farmer, a peasant leader took the helm at DAR. Ka Paeng is more than qualified. His advocacies, thrust and policy directives at DAR are based on the actual needs and demands of farmers and rural people nationwide,” the KMP leader said.“Only big landowners and oligarchs will block the confirmation of Ka Paeng. Broad sectors of the poor and landless farmers want him confirmed. Should the CA reject Ka Paeng, we cannot accept another ex-general or former military official to replace him,” said Rogelio Montero, leader of Caraga farmers who camped-out in Mendiola.Farmers’ organizations in the Panay region, Eastern Visayas, Cebu, Ilocos, Southern Luzon and Mindanao are launching activities in support of Mariano.On August 29, Mariano’s supporters will lead a vigil at the Senate in preparation for the August 30 CA confirmation hearing.“We are inviting everyone who has faith in Ka Paeng to support him on the day of his confirmation hearing. August 30 is a red letter day. We will all wear red. Red is the color of progressive pro-people change,” Father Oliver Castor, spokesman for the broad alliance Pagkakaisa para sa Tunay na Reporma sa Lupa, said.The KMP called on the public to show their support to Mariano by appealing to the CA members, posting and sharing #CONFIRMKaPaeng on social media and online.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/mariano-confirmation-dar-chief-pushed/346728/
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11,000 communist rebels, terrorists neutralized since 2016 – Esperon
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['Dempsey Reyes']
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2018-07-19 00:06:52+00:00
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More than 11,000 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and Islamic State (IS)-linked terrorists have been neutralized by the military since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed power, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said on Wednesday.In his presentation during the pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) security meeting, Esperon said 8,700 communist rebels, 1,057 Islamic State-linked Dawlah Islamiya members, 671 Abu Sayyaf members, 355 Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) members and 920 Maute members were neutralized since 2016.He did not say how many of the rebels were killed or arrested. Dozens of Maute members were killed during the five-month siege in Marawi City last year.Esperon said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) conducted 6,165 operations against the communist rebels nationwide, leading to the confiscation of 2,246 firearms.It also executed 807 ground operations against the Dawlah Islamiya, resulting in the seizure of 911 firearms. Meanwhile, 1,366 operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group led to the surrender of 255 of its members and the confiscation of 343 firearms.To address terrorism, the Philippines enhanced its cooperation and coordination with neighboring countries including Indonesia and Malaysia, Esperon said.“As an added feature, joint maritime command centers were activated,” he added.Esperon said the Duterte administration will continue its commitment to attain “just, comprehensive and lasting peace for all.”He cited the peace agreements with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), saying the government has been working with these groups to push for the passage and ratification of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).As for the Communist Party of the Philippines and the NPA, Esperon said the government will continue its peace process with the communist rebels but it will be subject to conditions set by the President.“In the meantime, localized peace negotiations will be pursued,” he added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/11000-communist-rebels-terrorists-neutralized-since-2016-esperon/420924/
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PNP chief welcomes probe into Abu death
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['Dempsey Reyes']
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2017-05-13 23:27:47+00:00
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THE head of the Philippine National Police (PNP) has welcomed the Commission on Human Rights’ (CHR) plan to investigate the alleged suspicious death of an Abu Sayyaf Group member in Bohol.But PNP Chief Ronald de la Rosa urged the CHR to also form a fact-finding body on the beheadings and brutalities carried out by the extremist group.“Go then. We welcome the investigation. We are open [with it]…But tell the CHR to not just limit their investigation to our side,” de la Rosa stressed.Last week, the CHR Central Visayas announced that it would conduct an in-depth investigation into the death of Saad Samad Kiram, also known as Abu Saad, who escaped from the Bohol police’s watch after he was arrested on May 4.While hiding from law enforcers, an informant tipped off the police on his whereabouts, resulting in his sudden arrest. As he was being moved to the Bohol District Jail, the Abu Sayyaf bandit managed to escape, but was cornered by the police and was shot three times in the thigh, chest and forehead.The CHR in Central Visayas, headed by Director Arvin Odron, said it would coordinate with the National Bureau of Investigation and has begun gathering information that would confirm the death of Kiram.Bohol police earlier expressed their openness to the planned investigation “to better clear things out.” It also initiated its own probe into Kiram’s death.De la Rosa said it would also be fair if the CHR – which has repeatedly condemned the alleged extrajudicial killings committed by the PNP amid the administration’s war against narcotics – would also look into the killings committed by the notorious Abu Sayyaf.“I just hope that the CHR will not limit their investigation to our (PNP) side. I hope they will also look into the killings committed by the Abu Sayyaf,” he said.But CHR spokeswoman Jacqueline de Guia, said the body will only investigate the beheadings perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf only if the group had violated international humanitarian law (IHL).In a text message sent to The Manila Times, de Guia pointed out that terrorism and counterinsurgency operations are the responsibility of security forces including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the PNP.“Terrorism or counterinsurgency falls under the mandate of security forces such as the AFP and the PNP but if there are violations of IHL, the CHR conducts investigations as it did in [the] Mamasapano [massacre],” she explained.De Guia also hailed de la Rosa’s openness to the probe, which, she said, showed that law enforcement units do not tolerate wrongdoing.“We welcome it especially since the value of openness to an investigation depicts non-tolerance and acquiescence to probable wrongdoings and if proven otherwise just shows that the state is adhering to the rule of law,” she said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/pnp-chief-welcomes-probe-abu-death/327083/
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Trudeau raises EJK issue with Duterte
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['Just Me', 'Happy Folger', 'Simon Antonio', 'Parasa Bayan', 'Maka Pili']
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14/11/2017 0:00
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday that he brought up concerns over extra-judicial killings (EJKs) and human rights issues in the Philippines during a private conversation with President Duterte and was “frank” about it.“I actually had an opportunity to have a conversation with President Duterte just before our meeting earlier this morning in which I emphasized the people to people ties between Canada and the Philippines, the great connection there,” Trudeau told reporters covering the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit at the jam-packed international media center in Pasay City.“But I also mentioned human rights, the rule of law and specifically, extra-judicial killings as being an issue that Canada is concerned with,” he said.“Canada has earned a reputation of having strong and sometimes frank…always frank, sometimes firm discussion around rule of law and human rights with partners around the world,” noted the 45-year-old leader, who has a movie star-like following in the Philippines thanks to his good looks.The current ASEAN chairman, Duterte, came to power 17 months ago on the strength of a vow to eradicate what he described as deeply entrenched illegal drug problem in the archipelago.Since then, thousands have reportedly been killed, most of them drug suspects. That state agents were allegedly involved in these killings have made Duterte the subject of international criticism the past few months.Trudeau, who gave French translations to his answers to reporters, underscored the importance of raising these issues to the host president.“We know that talking about human rights is an essential part of a path forward, it must be done in an honest and frank way, but it has to be done. We have to talk about the high expectation we must have to protect life, to uphold the law and human rights,” he said.“Canada is a country that always brings up human rights issues ang strongly engages in line with our values anywhere in the world. Countries have accepted that and expect that even of Canada,” he added.Duterte ‘receptive’As for the tough-talking Duterte’s reaction to his statements, Trudeau said that the Filipino President “was receptive to my comments and it was throughout was a very cordial and positive exchange.”In the past, Duterte, a former prosecutor, has had scathing words for people or institutions that question the conduct of his all-out illegal drug war.“As I mentioned to President Duterte, we are concerned with human rights, we are concerned with extra-judicial killings, impressed upon him the need for respect to the rule of law and as always offered Canada’s support and help as a friend to help move forward on what is the real challenge,” Trudeau said.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/11/14/trudeau-raises-ejk-issue-with-duterte/
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Chinese foreign minister postpones Manila visit
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['Philippines News Agency']
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2018-09-16 00:24:12+00:00
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The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Saturday said the visit of Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi to the Philippines on Sunday was rescheduled to a later date.DFA Assistant Secretary Elmer Cato said the postponement was mutually agreed by both sides in deference to Filipinos directly affected by Typhoon Ompong. It would also allow the government to focus on rescue, recovery, and relief efforts.Wang Yi was slated to visit Manila on September 16 to 18 to discuss joint exploration between the Philippines and China.“At this time, the DFA is focused on coordinating offers of international humanitarian assistance through the Philippine Humanitarian Assistance Registry (PHAR) and in extending assistance to OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) stranded in ports around the country,” Cato said in a statement.“The Philippines and China will continue to work closely together to ensure the success of all future high-level engagements and the sustained advancement of our bilateral cooperation,” he added.PNA
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/chinese-foreign-minister-postpones-manila-visit/441973/
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Duterte: I avoided ‘awkward situation’ with Obama
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['Catherine S. Valente']
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2016-12-13 22:26:00+00:00
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President Rodrigo Duterte admitted that he intentionally skipped the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting and other key events in Lima, Peru because he wanted to avoid an “awkward situation” with outgoing US President Barack Obama.Speaking before members of the Wallace Business Forum in Malacañang on Monday night, the President said having a bum stomach was just an excuse for his absence in major events at his first APEC meeting.“There was this awful criticism about me. That I was not there. I asked [Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto] Yasay [Jr.] to stand in for me. I was there. I attended the meetings actually. Do not believe those idiots there outside. But you know, Obama was there. And because we had an exchange of words, I was just trying to avoid an awkward situation,” he said.Duterte said he feared that Obama would not accept his “gesture of handshake or his getting out of the way to avoid him.”“You can tell it by just looking at the body language of people. You would know. And because I did not want to create a scene, an awkward situation, I just stayed on the sidelines. That’s the truth. I was avoiding an awkward situation especially an international awkward behavior,” the President added.To avoid Obama, Duterte missed several important events including the gala dinner hosted by Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kucynzski, the Leaders’ Retreat and the traditional “family photo” of APEC leaders. In all these events, he was represented by Yasay.Duterte himself earlier confirmed the bum stomach excuse given by his spokesmen.On Monday, he told reporters not to believe the earlier excuse. “I did not have a bum stomach. Do not believe it. That was just an excuse but really I avoided it. I would not know how to react if he [Obama] would just push my hand [away] because we had a very hot exchange of words.”Duterte also previously admitted that he intentionally skipped the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)-US Summit in Laos last September as a “matter of principle.”Aside from skipping the Asean-US Summit, he was also unable to attend the Asean-United Nations Summit and the Asean-India Summit.The White House earlier called out possible human rights violations in Duterte’s violent drug war.Duterte responded by lashing out at Obama, telling him to “go to hell” and called him a “son of bitch.”
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/duterte-avoided-awkward-situation-obama/301581/
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Cigarette company to pay promised P3B
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2017-03-15 21:23:44+00:00
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The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday disclosed that controversial cigarette manufacturer Mighty Corp. is willing to heed President Rodrigo Duterte’s call to pay P3 billion to the government.This is in connection with a possible compromise deal on the company’s tax liabilities and deficiencies.According to Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre 2nd, Mighty called the President’s challenge last Sunday in order for them to resume their operations.The DOJ chief said the National Internal Revenue Code states that tax liabilities can be subject to compromise.But, he clarified, that the compromise deal comes with case or cases to be filed against Mighty Corp.Aguirre has tapped the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate the criminal liability of the cigarette company.In a statement, Mighty assured that it will fully cooperate with government authorities after Duterte ordered them to pay their tax deficiencies over accusations of use of counterfeit tax stamps in their packs of cigarettes.Last March 7, the owner and lawyer of Mighty Corp., Alexander Wong Chu King personally told Aguirre that the company has nothing to hide and has committed no wrong over such allegations.On March 8, the DOJ issued a Lookout Bulletin Order against Wong Chu King.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/cigarette-company-pay-promised-p3b/317407/
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Senate passes nat’l ID bill
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2018-03-20 00:10:24+00:00
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The Senate on Monday passed on third and final reading a measure seeking to harmonize “redundant” government identification cards (IDs) with a national identification system.Seventeen senators voted for the bill’s passage while two others — Senators Risa Hontiveros and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan – did not.Sen. Panfilo Lacson, sponsor of Senate Bill 1738 or the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) Act of 2018, said there are 33 different forms of “functional” identification cards issued by various government agencies.He said the measure would help the public to “easily” transact with government and private institutions. “The huge number of government-issued IDs may lead to ‘duplication’ of efforts, wastage of resources, and uncoordinated identity approaches,” the senator said.Lacson said the Phililippine Statistics Office (PSA) would need P25 billion in five years to fully implement the national ID system.“A newborn child will be given a ‘temporary’ ID. But the ID to be issued to us will be our ID until we die. We’ll bring it to our grave. No one will ever use that. The ID is unique,” he said in Filipino. “It will also help deter criminality,” he added.Lacson, chairman of the Senate Committee Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, said the establishment of a National Reference System could help law enforcers deter criminality and terrorism by facilitating the processes of apprehension and prosecution.The Senate and House of Representatives will harmonize, during the bicameral conference committee, conflicting provisions in their respective versions to come up with a measure that they can ratify.Lacson said the House wanted to make the ID “functional.”“In the Senate version, it’s a combination of foundational and functional. Foundational, meaning each and every Filipino and even resident aliens who are here for 180 days will be armed with a legal and valid identification or identity,” he explained.“There will be a problem if it is functional because we have 33 functional IDs: driver’s license, Post Office (ID or postal ID), GSIS (Government Service Insurance System ID), SSS (Social Security System ID), etc. Do we really want to incorporate them into one ID? We’re not yet ready for that. So, that would be part of the discussion in the bicam,” he added.Under the bill, the national ID system establishes the PhilSys number, PhilID and PhilSys Registry.The PhilSys Number is a randomly generated identification number for each individual, to be incorporated in all identification systems of government agencies.PhilID is a non-transferable card with the PSN, full name, facial image, date of birth, address, and fingerprints of the bearer.The Philippine Statistics Authority will act as the PhilSys Registry.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/senate-passes-natl-id-bill/387229/
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BoC runs after Philippine Arena contractor
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['William Depasupil']
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2017-04-26 20:10:25+00:00
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THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) is running after the contractor of the Philippine Arena, the world’s largest indoor arena owned by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC or Church of Christ), for failure to settle its tax obligations on construction materials that it imported from abroad.The BoC’s Legal Service on Wednesday disclosed that it already transmitted a copy of the formal complaint against New San Jose Builders Company (San Jose) to the Office of the Solicitor General, the government’s law officer and defender.Republic Act (RA) 9593, or the Tourism Act of 2009, ensures privileges to companies within the Tourism Enterprise Zone.Section 86 of RA 9593 provides that “subject to rules and regulations which properly define capital investments and equipment necessary for various kinds of tourism enterprises, registered enterprises shall be entitled to an exemption of 100 percent from all taxes and customs duties on importations of capital equipment.”San Jose availed itself of the privilege when it imported construction items from 2012 to 2103 to build the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, north of Manila.The developer was required to post bonds to cover duties and taxes for its shipments since it did not have certificates of exemption from the Department of Finance (DoF).It posted bonds amounting to P947, 292, 025.72 issued by Centennial Guarantee Assurance Corp. (CGAC), Intra Strata Assurance Corp. (ISAC) and Philippine Fire and Marine Insurance Corp. (PFMIC), the three surety companies mentioned in the complaint.Since the Finance department did not grant the exemption, San Jose was required to pay duties and taxes due on their importations.Demand letters were sent by the District Collector of the Port of Manila to San Jose, CGAC, ISAC and PFMIC in 2015.WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/boc-runs-philippine-arena-contractor/324223/
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Angara wants free education for disabled
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2018-01-15 21:40:49+00:00
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SEN. Juan Edgardo Angara on Monday pressed for the passage of a bill that provides free education to children and youth with disabilities and special needs in public schools.He filed Senate Bill 1331 that seeks to establish Inclusive Education Learning Resource Centers nationwide so that children and youth with special needs could be integrated in regular classes from kindergarten, elementary to high school.“While the right to education of our children and youth with special needs is guaranteed by several laws, studies have shown that many persons with disabilities do not complete any primary education at all due to cost and social barriers,” Angara said.“Their physical condition must not serve as a hindrance, including poverty, in going to school,” he added.“Parents, siblings, and caregivers should also be equipped with a working knowledge of special education, an understanding of the psychology of children with special needs, and the awareness of their crucial role as educators.”He deplored the report that only 620 out of 34,000 public elementary schools across the country either have a Special Education (SPED) center or offer a SPED program.Under SB 1331, children and youth with special needs refer to those who are gifted or talented, or with neuropsychological retardation, learning disabilities, autism, emotional or behavioral disorders, speech and language disorders, hearing and visual impairments, deaf-blindness, physical or health disabilities, and multiple handicapping conditions, and are in need of special education as well as services for rehabilitation.“These children should be provided with education in accordance with their needs to ensure that they fully develop their potentials toward self-sufficiency in preparation for adult living and to become participative members of society,” Angara said.SB 1331 also provides that marginalized or disadvantaged children and youth with special needs coming from indigenous communities will be given priority in the grant of assistance which may come in the form of scholarship grants; allowance for transportation, food, lodging, and books; student loan programs; artistic and cultural tours; training programs; subsidies for educational assessment and diagnosis; and, other incentives.Special equipment such as wheelchairs, crutches, special toilet and hygiene requirements, hearing aids, eyeglasses, learning devices, and other assistive devices required by students to optimize education and participation in the education process must also be provided for free or at discounted rates to deserving students.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/angara-wants-free-education-disabled/374527/
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Maynilad, Manila Water hit for ‘hidden rate hikes’
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['Glee Jalea']
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2018-11-16 00:03:20+00:00
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Water concessionaires Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Co. were slammed on Thursday over the alleged “hidden increases” in water rates implemented this month.“Consumers should take a closer look at their November water bills to see these changes. They will be in for a rude surprise,” Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said.Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes said the water rate increases of Maynilad and Manila Water approved by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) in October took effect in November despite a notice of dispute filed by Maynilad that sought a heftier increase.“The increases were the result of the rate rebasing exercise which takes place every five years. Maynilad was granted a P5.73 per cubic meter rate hike spread over five years while Manila Water was granted a P6.26 per cubic meter rate hike also spread over five years,” he said.The group said it would question the increases before the MWSS because the two concessionaires did not disclose to consumers through public hearings that percentages of the basic charge account for an increase in the environmental and sewerage charges as well.Reyes said the environmental charge is 20 percent of the combined basic charge and foreign currency adjustment. The sewerage charge, on the other hand, is 20 to 30 percent of the basic charge for commercial and industrial customers. Any increase in the basic charge results in an automatic increase in the environmental and sewerage charges.Environmental fees as a percentage of the basic rates have gone up from 10 percent to 20 percent over the past 20 years, according to the group. However, only 14 percent of the total service areas are covered by the sewerage services of Maynilad and Manila Water.“With the continuing increases in the environmental and sewerage charges, despite the low sewerage coverage in the service area, what are consumers actually paying for? How is this fund being actually used? Where does the money go?” Reyes asked.“It would appear that private water concessionaires were granted an automatic increase in the environmental and sewerage charges, without the benefit of public hearings to explain why concessionaires are entitled to such adjustments,” he added.Reyes called on government regulators to explain the “hidden increases.” He also urged Congress to investigate the matter.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/maynilad-manila-water-hit-for-hidden-rate-hikes/468198/
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Atienza hits condom distribution plan
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-01-21 23:42:21+00:00
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Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Rep. Lito Atienza of Buhay party-list has criticized the Department of Health’s (DOH) plan to distribute condoms in schools as part of its program to implement the Reproductive Health Law.“The funds to buy condoms can be used to buy medicines that are needed more by our poor countrymen, particularly for tuberculosis and maintenance medicines for diseases like diabetes and hypertension. The message for Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial is not to waste government funds on condoms,” Atienza said in Filipino.He was reacting to the statement of Ubial that the DOH will start distributing condoms in schools starting next year to address the rising number HIV/AIDS cases among the youth.“Instead of giving away condoms to students, we should urge parents that they should be the ones to educate their children on the subject of sex. This matter should not be intervened by the DOH Secretary. Good manners, right conduct and character building are what should be taught to the youth to be responsible,” Atienza added.He also welcomed the decision of Mayor Herbert Bautista of Quezon City not to allow the distribution of condoms in the city’s public schools.“Mayor Herbert Bautista is doing the right thing. We believe that many other mayors who were elected by the people will likewise do what is right for their constituents, especially the youth. There are elected mayors who will not allow the distribution of condoms, now here comes a lady who is appointed and presumes to know what is good for our youth. If the mayors don’t allow it, the DOH will not be able to do it,” Atienza said.He pointed out the distribution of condoms is all part of the bigger picture of population control.“It is a good thing there was no Secretary Ubial during the time of Dr. Jose Rizal who was the seventh among his siblings. If birth control was used by Jose Rizal’s parents, most likely we would not have him as our National Hero. Government should not interfere with God’s plan. Contrary to government’s perception, our growing population is our greatest asset as a nation. They should instead provide jobs and livelihood opportunities for every Filipino,” Atienza stressed.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/atienza-hits-condom-distribution-plan/308080/
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Palace condoles with California wildfire victims
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['Catherine S. Valente']
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2017-10-14 22:55:35+00:00
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Malacañang on Saturday expressed sympathy for the victims of wildfires that devastated Northern California’s wine country, leaving over 30 people dead and thousands others homeless.“We express our sympathies to the families of victims whose lives and properties were lost during the raging Northern California wildfires,” Palace spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a statement.“The wildfires, which began on October 8, have swept through California’s Wine Country, leaving more than 30 deaths and thousands of people homeless,” he added.Over 73,000 acres of land and 1,500 structures were destroyed, and an estimated 20,000 residents were evacuated, Abella said, quoting the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, which according to him, is closely monitoring the condition of all Filipinos there.He said there were no Filipino casualties after flames began fanning across Northern California’s wine country.“None of the almost 18,000 Filipinos in the Wine Country and surrounding counties have been reported as among the casualties,” Abella said.“Nonetheless, we continue to reach out to the Filipino communities in the affected areas, particularly in the Napa and Sonoma counties, to ascertain the condition of our kababayans [countrymen],” he added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/palace-condoles-california-wildfire-victims/356449/
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US Embassy Closed on Monday
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-08-18 22:44:07+00:00
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The Embassy of the United States in the Philippines and its affiliated offices will be closed to the public on Monday, August 21, in observance of Ninoy Aquino Day. The Embassy and its affiliated offices will resume regular services on Tuesday.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/us-embassy-closed-monday/345350/
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NAIA no longer on list of world’s worst airports
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['Reicelene Joy Ignacio']
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2017-10-18 23:14:37+00:00
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Officials of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) on Wednesday said reforms at the country’s premier Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have finally born fruit because it is no longer included in the top 20 worst airports in the world.The latest survey was released to travel website “The Guide To Sleeping In Airports” on October 15, 2017.It also posted the top 5 worst airports in Asia that did not include NAIA.MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal said among the reforms implemented under the Duterte administration were: restricting general aviation to make commercial flights a priority; reducing flight delays; constructing rapid exit taxiways to allow an aircraft to leave the runway at higher speed and increase flight movements; providing cleaner toilets, additional seats, free WiFi and well-wishers’ area; and allowing regular taxis (white taxis) to queue and pick up passengers at designated points in NAIA terminals to address shortage of taxi units servicing passengers.“We are happy to hear the recent development [delisting of NAIA]. However, the bigger challenge now is on how we can maintain or even surpass this achievement. We are only good as the last race. The task ahead is enormous, we are wishing to be part of the list of the best airports in the future,” Monreal said.NAIA had consistently made the list of the world’s worst airports where travelers rate airports based on their overall airport experience.Some of the traveler’s complaints were long queues, broken toilets and air-conditioning units, dishonest taxi pricing and limited public transport options, which earned the NAIA the “world’s worst airport” title from 2011 to 2013.In 2014, it landed in 4th place.It was not included in the top 10 worst airports in the world in 2015 but landed as the 8th worst airport in Asia.The NAIA landing 5th place on the list of the world’s worst airports in an October 2016 survey was attributed to the issue of laglag-bala or “bullet-planting,” which was among the complaints of travelers especially overseas Filipino workers.No single incident of a passenger missing a flight for possession of a bullet has been reported during the Duterte administration.Meanwhile, four Philippine airports again joined the list of the top 25 best airports in Asia for this year: Iloilo International Airport, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Clark International Airport and Davao International Airport.“While it is good that we are not listed among the worst, let us work even harder to be included among the best,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said in a statement.“We should be careful that we do not backslide. The show must go on and better,” Tugade added.with BENJIE L. VERGARA
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/naia-no-longer-list-worlds-worst-airports/357354/
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‘Return bribe money from Jack Lam’
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2016-12-21 21:46:59+00:00
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Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre 2nd of the Department of Justice on Wednesday ordered Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente to return P20 million of the P50 million in alleged bribe money from a business tycoon either to the DOJ or the National Bureau of Investigation for “safekeeping.”The P50 million, which came from gambling magnate Jack Lam, ended up in the hands of Immigration Associate Commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles, who have since been sacked over the alleged bribery.In a one-page memorandum, dated December 21, 2016, the DOJ chief cited Morente’s admission that the BI’s former Intelligence chief Charles Calima’s planned counter-intelligence operation against Argosino and Robles’ alleged extortion activities had Morente’s “guidance.”For fear that the P20 million will be used in some other activities, Aguirre sought to secure the bribe money.“In view of your express admission that you authorized Gen. Charles T. Calima, the former acting Intelligence chief of the BI, to conduct a counter-intelligence operation in connection [with] the alleged P50-million extortion purportedly committed by former Commissioners Al C. Argosino and Michael B. Robles, and in order to preserve the evidence of such extortion activity, you are hereby directed to turn over within twenty-four hours the remaining P20 million to this department for safekeeping or to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the agency conducting the investigation of the alleged extortion incident,” the memorandum read.Argosino and Robles were accused of receiving the P50-million payoff from the camp of Lam.A newspaper column on December 10 revealed that Argosino and Robles allegedly extorted money from Lam, through retired police chief superintendent Wally Sombero, in exchange for the release of 600 undocumented Chinese workers who were among those arrested at the Fontana Leisure Park and Casino Hotel in Pampanga.Argosino and Robles faced the press and admitted that they received P30 million from Sombero but said they received and kept the money to use it later as an evidence of corruption.They added that they also want to know more about supposed syndicates operating in the Immigration bureau that deploy undocumented foreigners to unlicensed gaming establishments inside the Fontana Resort.The bribe was meant to secure the release of 1,316 illegal Chinese workers at Lam’s Fontana Leisure Park and Casino Inc. in Clark.The arrested workers were allegedly involved in illegal online gambling operations.Aguirre also ordered Morente to submit all reports submitted by Calima pertaining to the supposed counter-intelligence operation prior to his sacking.He sacked Calima after Argosino and Robles claimed that he (Calima) collected P18 million of the P50-million bribe.Argosino and Robles said P2 million went to Sombero.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/return-bribe-money-jack-lam/303051/
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Psychiatrists to testify at last Sereno impeachment hearing
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2018-02-25 22:28:48+00:00
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The House Committee on Justice is set to wrap up its hearings on an impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Tuesday with three psychiatrists expected to testify on a psychological evaluation of the country’s top magistrate.Apart from the three psychiatrists–Dr. Rhodora Andrea Concepcion, president of the Philippine Psychiatric Association, Dr. Geraldine Tria and Dr. Genuina Ranoy–the other resource persons include Deputy Commissioner Arnel Guballa of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Judge Juanita Guerrero of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court, lawyer Renato Bermejo of the Land Registration Authority, Judicial and Bar council members Jojo Media and Milagros Cayosa and Supreme Court administrator Midas Marquez.Ranoy was one of the psychiatrists who evaluated the Chief Justice at the time that she was applying for the Chief Justice post in 2012.“As to the psychiatrists, the members are convinced that the actions of the Chief Justice have a pattern which tends to validate the findings of the psychiatrists that the Chief Justice fired [two psychiatrists] when she assumed her post. This is in congruent with the charges that the Chief Justice is being accused of and [with] the results of her psychiatric evaluation at the time that she was applying for the Chief Justice post,” Rep. Reynaldo Umali, committee chairman, said in a radio interview.Umali was referring to an 11-page psychiatric report on Sereno in which the Chief Justice got a rating of 4 out of 5, with 5 being the lowest.The results of the test, which The Manila Times reported as an exclusive story in August 2012, read, “Dramatic and emotional, she appears energetic and all smiles and agreeable, but with religious preoccupation in almost all significant aspects of her life. She projects a happy mood but has depressive markers too. There is a strong tendency to make decisions based on current mood thus, outcome is highly subjective and self-righteous.”
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/psychiatrists-testify-last-sereno-impeachment-hearing/382675/
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Passage of free college education bill vowed
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2016-10-31 20:40:26+00:00
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THE Senate committee on education, arts and culture has vowed to pass the bill that seeks to institutionalize government subsidy for the tuition of students enrolled in state universities and colleges (SUCs) this year or early next year.Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino 4th, chairman of the committee, said a number of senators are pushing for the proposed free college education and the only issue that needs to be settled is the methodology.Aquino said there are five other bills pushing for free college education in all SUCs pending in his committee.The measures were filed by Senators Juan Edgardo Angara, Joseph Victor Ejercito, Sherwin Gatchalian, Francis Pangilinan and Senate minority leader Ralph Recto.“We’re very, very confident that we can pass this (bill) this year. What we are trying to settle is the methodology, how we implement it,” Aquino said in an interview. He added that there are suggestions that the tuition subsidy should depend on the course of students, while another proposal is that it should be based on the capability of the students to pay.During the committee hearing last week, several groups also suggested different methods on how to implement the measure.Some groups want to focus on courses that students will take while others believe that it should be based on the student’s capacity to pay.Aquino noted that while some senators and other stakeholders differ on how the government should implement the free tuition measure, the important thing is that they all agree that all high school or Grade 12 graduates are entitled to enroll in college for free.“I think that very basic agreement here is that those who really want to pursue tertiary education who have no money to pay for college tuition fee will not be a hindrance to them,” the senator said.No budgetAquino however admitted that there is no allotment in the 2017 budget of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to implement the measure if it is enacted into law next year.He added that they have yet to determine the amount needed.“It’s not in the submitted budget of Congress. We’re really trying to push for this measure but have yet to finalize the amount,” he said“But it you look at the total collection of SUCs, it is about P9 billion a year but the amount could go higher or lower depending on the final version of the measure,” he explained.Aquino added that Congress may resort to budget insertion if the measure is passed.Aside from improving access to tertiary education, Aquino said he will also work to improve the quality of education in SUCs.“Just because we’re working on this bill doesn’t mean that we will disregard the quality of education college students will be getting. We have to ensure quality as well as access,” he said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/passage-free-college-education-bill-vowed/294051/
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Bongbong Marcos seeks return of OPSF
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['The Manila Times']
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2018-09-06 00:04:12+00:00
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Former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday proposed the return of the Oil Price Stabilization Fund (OPSF) which he believes will alleviate the effects of rising oil prices.In a radio interview, Marcos said as oil prices continue to rise, it would be a good idea to consider the return of the OPSF which was set up in 1984 by then President Ferdinand Marcos to help protect consumers from fluctuations in the prices of oil in the world market.The OPSF was scrapped during the time of former President Fidel Ramos.Marcos said under OPSF, the top three oil companies — Shell, Caltex, and Petron — contributed a portion of their sales to the fund.“Ang sistemang yan, yung big three na tinatawag, kapag nagbebenta sila ng petroleum products may binabayad sila na porsiyento na inilalagay diyan sa stabilization fund. Ano ngayon ang purpose ng stabilization fund? Kapag biglang tumataas o biglang nagpapalit ang presyo ng petroleum products sa mundo, dahil wala nga tayong control (Under that system, the big three oil companies pay a certain percentage for the stabilization fund. What is the purpose of the stabilization fund? [It is used] when the prices of petroleum product in the world market rises),” Marcos said.With a buffer fund, Marcos said Filipinos would be protected from the effects of rising oil prices because the fund would be used to cushion the increase.“Imbes na mabigla ang consumer na magbago lahat ng presyo kasi pag pinabayaan yan ganun na nga ang mangyayari. Kagaya ng nangyayari ngayon, pagka tumaas bigla, sinusuportahan ang presyo. May subsidy galing dun sa stabilization fund (Consumers will be spared from the shock of high oil prices. Just like what is happening now, if prices go up, there would be a subsidy from the stabilization fund),” he explained.The former senator said the OPSF would also be a cushion against inflation because when prices of oil are low, the prices of commodities are also low.Marcos said this would change the current set-up wherein the decrease of oil prices does not automatically translate to the lowering of goods. He noted that it is odd that when oil prices go down, the prices of basic commodities do not go down.“Yun lang napansin ko, kapag tumataas ang presyo ng langis sa mundo eh di tataas ang presyo ng iba’t-ibang bilihin. Ngunit kapag bumababa yung presyo ng langis, hindi naman sumasabay yung presyo ng bilihin. Tuluy-tuloy lang sa pagtaas. Yun ang hindi ko maintindihan (I noticed that when oil prices go up, the prices of other commodities also rise. But when oil prices go down, the prices of other goods do not go down, instead they continue to rise. That’s what I don’t understand),” he said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/bongbong-marcos-seeks-return-of-opsf/438545/
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