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Meralco rates slighty up in December
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['Aberon Voltaire Palaña']
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2016-12-07 22:24:05+00:00
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Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the country’s largest power distributor, announced on Wednesday that there will be a slight increase in the rate for a typical household this December of P0.1011 per kilowatthour after four straight months of reduction totalling P0.35, thereby bringing it to P8.36 per kWh.This translates to an increase of around P20 in the total electricity bill of a household with monthly consumption of 200 kWh. The increase this month is mainly a result of the upward movement in the generation charge.This month’s overall rate, however, is still lower by P0.25 per kWh compared to December 2015’s P8.61 per kWh.This December, there was an increase in the generation charge, which is P0.0915 per kWh higher than last month’s P3.8436 per kWh. At P3.9351 per kWh, the generation charge is P0.1948 per kWh lower compared to December 2015’s P4.1299 per kWh.The increase resulted mainly from a significant weakening of the peso against the US dollar. From a level of P46.580 per US dollar in August, the peso depreciated to P48.405 per US dollar in October, and further to P49.73 per US dollar in November.Partly because of this, the cost of power from the Independent Power Producers (IPPs), whose billings are around 96 percent dollar-denominated, increased by P0.2615 per kWh. The increase resulted from lower dispatch this month with the scheduled maintenance of Santa Rita Module 30 during the whole supply month.The share of the IPPs to Meralco’s total requirements for November was at 36.4 percent.Cost of power sourced from plants under the Power Supply Agreements (PSAs) also increased by P0.2214 per kWh mainly because of higher fuel cost and the weakening of the peso against the US dollar. PSA billings are also affected by peso depreciation as around two-thirds of their costs are dollar-denominated. The PSAs stood at 40.8 percent to power distributor.Overall charges from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) decreased by P0.3734 per kWh, which partly mitigated the higher charges from the IPPs and PSAs. Spot prices remained low in December because of lower demand and fewer outages compared to those of last month. The share of WESM purchases to Meralco’s total requirements went up from 20.1 to 22.5 percent.In terms of transmission charge, there was also an increase in rates for residential customers by P0.0031 per kWh, mainly because of slight increase in ancillary service charges.Taxes and other charges also increased by a combined amount of around P0.0065 per kWh.Meralco’s distribution, supply and metering charges, meanwhile, have remained unchanged for 17 months, after these registered reductions in July 2015.The distribution company reiterated that it does not earn from the pass-through charges, such as the generation and transmission charges. Payment for the generation charge goes to the power suppliers, while payment for the transmission charge goes to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).Meanwhile, in preparation for the coming holidays, Meralco encourages its customers to practice energy safety and efficiency this Christmas season, especially with Christmas lights.It gives a few useful tips that consumers can follow when buying or using Christmas lights this December.• When buying Christmas lights, test them first and ensure that all bulbs are functioning, and that the plug is not loose.• LED Christmas lights can save you up to P60 per month compared to incandescent bulbs.• Choose LED Christmas lights not only to save on energy but also to be safe from accidents.• If reusing old Christmas lights, check the bulbs and the plug, and ensure that these are still working properly.• Do not use indoor-type lights and décor for outdoor purposes and, when replacing light bulbs, care should be taken and be sure that the Christmas light set is unplugged.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/meralco-rates-slighty-december-2/300541/
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Estrada distributes wheelchairs to Manila senior citizens
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['Raadee S. Sausa']
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2018-03-25 19:43:33+00:00
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Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada distributed wheelchairs to senior citizens in select areas in District 3 recently. Estrada said the distribution of wheelchairs is an extra treat for the senior citizens to go around anywhere. “There will be more wheelchairs to come in the succeeding weeks,” he added. Earlier, six Manileños who reached their 100th birthday were honored and gifted with P100,000 each by Estrada at the San Andres Sports Complex. He said the cash handouts from the city government were a token of appreciation for the centenarians’ contributions to society during the prime of their lives. “You have sacrificed much so that the present generation now enjoys the fruits of your labors,” Estrada added. The recipients were Leonila de la Fuente Acacio and Asuncion Angque Angeles, both from District 4; Leandra de Paz Valles, District 5; and Celedonia Eugenio, Bonifacio Santos and Araceli Garcia Manuel, District 6. Estrada said senior citizens can avail themselves of free maintenance for hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, high cholesterol, cough, colds, influenza and other illnesses. Seniors can also avail themselves of free movies from all movie houses in the city every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/estrada-distributes-wheelchairs-to-manila-senior-citizens/388472/
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Gas up by 40 centavos per liter
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['Aberon Voltaire Palaña']
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2016-12-19 22:33:37+00:00
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Consumers will experience another hike in pump prices, effective December 20, Tuesday morning.In separate advisories on Monday, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum, Phoenix Petroleum, PTT Philippines, Flying V, Unioil and Total said they will raise gasoline prices by 40 centavos per liter and diesel by 70 centavos per liter.Kerosene prices will be increased by Shell, Caltex and Flying V by 65 centavos per liter.Pilipinas Shell Petroleum, Phoenix Petroleum and PTT Philippines said they will implement the price changes at 6 a.m. on Tuesday.Flying V said its price adjustments will take effect at 12:01 a.m. also on Tuesday.Department of Energy (DOE) oil monitoring for Metro Manila as of December 13 showed that diesel prices ranged from P27.55 to P32.25 with a common price of P29.35; gasoline from P36 to P47 with a common price of P45.08; and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) in P11-kilogram (kg) cylinder from P425 to P656.Price movements this week brought corresponding increase in the year-to-date adjustment in gasoline to P7.44 per liter and diesel to P9.28 per liter.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-40-centavos-per-liter/302673/
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De Lima in full support of Duterte on BBL passage
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2017-10-31 22:20:14+00:00
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OPPOSITION Sen. Leila de Lima on Tuesday backed President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for Congress to immediately act on the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).“I am in full support of the President’s call for the immediate passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law [BBL],” said de Lima, a fierce critic of the President.In a handwritten statement, she expressed no objection on the 2017 version of the draft BBL because it is basically similar to the version crafted during the term of then-President Benigno Aquino 3rd.“Based on the briefing which the former Presidential Adviser on Peace Process, Secretary Ging Deles, recently gave me and my staff, the current 2017 version of the draft BBL bears no radical departure from, as it is essentially the same, the original 2014 version crafted during [Aquino’s] term,” the senator said.Congress during the Aquino administration failed to pass the proposed BBL that seeks to create a new autonomous region in Mindanao replacing the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.Former Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who handled the hearings on the proposed BBL as chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government, even came up with a substitute bill replacing Malacañang’s version.According to Marcos, the Aquino version of the BBL was filled with unrealistic and improbable promises to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the reasons why it finds little traction in Congress.The proposal, he said, seeks to grant the Bangsamoro government powers normally reserved for the national government such as its own security force, Commission on Audit, Commission on Elections and trialDuterte in August submitted the draft copy of the new BBL to the Senate and the House of Representatives.The President before leaving for Japan this week had urged Congress to expedite the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro law or the country could face further trouble.“If we do not act on it [BBL] expeditiously, we are a headed for another trouble, so I hope Congress can fast-track it because they are getting impatient. We will comply with our side [of the peace agreement],” Duterte said.By “they,” the President was referring to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front.According to de Lima, the draft BBL represents a huge and monumental first step at addressing long-standing aspirations of Muslims in the Philippines.“In my view, only some tweaking or fine-tuning of a few provisions is needed so as to hurdle any constitutional challenge to this special piece of legislative measure,” she said.“Time is indeed running out. I don’t see any other option, except chaos and more sufferings for the people, Moros and Christians alike, in the region.”
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/de-lima-full-support-duterte-bbl-passage/359862/
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Military yet to confirm if ASG's Hapilon is dead
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['Fernan Marasigan']
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2017-04-04 20:11:37+00:00
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Military yet to confirm if ASG’s Hapilon is deadhome/News/Nation/Military yet to confirm if ASG’s Hapilon is deadTHE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is verifying if Isnilon Hapilon, the leader of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), is already dead, as President Rodrigo Duterte wanted when he ordered the bombing of the jihadist’s lair three months ago.On Monday, Duterte said he hopes that Hapilon was killed when the AFP conducted air strikes on his hideout.“The President said he believes Hapilon might be dead because the latter was seriously wounded and no word from him was heard since then. There are raw reports but we still have no confirmation that Hapilon is really dead. Operations against his group will continue in Lanao provinces and Basilan,” in southern Mindanao, said AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Año when asked on the pronouncement of the President.According to the AFP chief, the last report that he heard about the ASG leader was in February when he was reportedly seen being carried by four jihadists as they transfer from one temporary base to another in the hinterlands of Butig in Lanao del Sur.In late January, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana disclosed that Hapilon had moved to Central Mindanao on orders from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria or ISIS to find out if the region is conducive to the establishment of an ISIS group.Citing intelligence reports, the Defense chief bared that the ASG had communication with ISIS, which instructed the local terrorist group to look for a bigger place to establish an ISIS group because their current strongholds—ulu and Basilan—are too small and they could be easily crushed by security forces.Hapilon was monitored to have brought a small group of his men.The bulk of ASG members are still in Basilan, according to Lorenzana.Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr., AFP spokesman, said as of Tuesday, the military had no information on the fate of Hapilon after the January air strikes.“We will continue ongoing efforts to ascertain this,” he added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/military-yet-confirm-asgs-hapilon-dead/320979/
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Private domains ‘endanger’ OFWs’ data
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['William Depasupil']
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2017-12-13 23:55:14+00:00
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THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and an attached agency, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), are using privately-owned Internet domains to provide services to millions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), putting at risk the private data of workers and in violation of the government’s Internet domain policy, according to a public interest group.The Lilac Center for Public Interest (Lilac Center) on Wednesday called on the DoLE to be transparent by making public the individual/s under whose name/s the “bmonline.ph” and “idole.ph” are registered.The bmonline.ph is the Internet site of the Balik-Manggagawa Online Processing Center, which facilitates the issuance of overseas employment certificates (OECs) to returning OFWs, while the https.idole.ph is the Internet portal of the controversial OFW ID card. Both Internet portals collect, access, use, disclose or process private OFW data or information.DoLE Information and Publication Service Director Raul Francia said the labor department and the POEA would come up with a statement on the allegations of Lilac Center.“The matter has been forwarded to the attention of Undersecretary and concurrent POEA OIC Bernard Olalia and Undersecretary Dominador Say. We are still waiting for their explanations,” Francia told The Manila Times.Lilac Center president Nicon Fameronag pointed out that by their domain names, both Internet addresses show that they were for commercial use even as he warned OFWs that their privacy might be compromised when using the two portals.“By their domain names, .ph shows it is for commercial use and its registrar is a private businessman, hence, for profit, while the .gov.ph domain is solely for registration of Philippine government agencies,” he said.“The government’s Internet domain names policy requires subsidiaries, attached agencies and non-autonomouscomponents of top-level entities to register their domain names under .gov.ph. They are not eligible to register separately,” Fameronag said.The .gov.ph domain is delegated from the root authority to the Department of Science and Technology’s Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI).On the other hand, Fameronag noted, the .ph domain name is administered by dotPH Domains Inc., owned by businessman José Emmanuel “Joel” Disini, chief executive officer. This company also holds and maintains the database of domain names .com.ph, .net.ph, and .org.ph.This being the case, he said, whoever owns the domain names bmonline.ph and idole.ph could have access to valuable private data of five million or more OFWs.“Without us knowing who have access to sensitive OFW data and what security guarantees there are for their processing, OFWs face the very real danger of their personal information being stolen or worse, used for sinister purposes,” Fameronag explained.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/private-domains-endanger-ofws-data/368439/
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Ilocos S. mining ban sought
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['Rudy Lagasca']
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11/4/2017 0:00
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A pro-environment group has expressed yesterday its full support to the proposed mining ban in this province.The Ilocos Network for the Environment (DEFEND Ilocos) said it has written a letter to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP or Provincial Board) to seek the passage of a pending resolution for a blanket ban on mining in the province.“We would like to express our utmost support to the proposed resolution to declare the Province of Ilocos Sur as mine-free zone and commend the members of the provincial board for taking up the issue,” read the letter signed by Reverend Vermillion Tagalog, DEFEND Ilocos chairman.It will be recalled that Ilocos Sur Board Member Christopher Abraham Baterina, who chairs the Board’s committee on environment and natural resources, filed a resolution for the provincewide ban on mining.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/04/11/ilocos-s-mining-ban-sought/
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Dead dogs transporter jailed
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['Leander C. Domingo']
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2018-08-19 00:01:48+00:00
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SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela: A tricycle driver in Isabela province was jailed for transporting 22 slaughtered dogs in Santa Maria town. Jay-ar Mansibang Canceran, 24, of Barangay San Antonio, Santa Maria was intercepted in Barangay Naganacan with the dead animals on a “kulung-kulung” (modified tricycle) to be delivered to Baragay Liwan East in Rizal, Kalinga province. Police said Canceran would be charged for violation of Republic Act 10631 or the Animal Welfare Act.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/dead-dogs-transporter-jailed/432087/
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House eyes amnesty on estate tax collections
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['Philippines News Agency']
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2017-01-21 23:45:49+00:00
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The House of Representatives’ ways and means committee has passed a substitute bill that seeks to grant amnesty in the payment of estate taxes.Committee chairman, Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua of Quirino, spearheaded the passage of the unnumbered bill that substituted House Bill 1889 authored by Rep. Arthur Defensor Jr. of Iloilo (Third District) and HB 3010 by Deputy Speaker and Rep. Romero Quimbo of Marikina City (Second District), both titled “An Act Granting Amnesty in Estate Tax.”The substitute bill seeks to increase tax collection levels by granting amnesty in the payment of unsettled estate taxes and to promote the settlement of estates. The amnesty would free up properties of unsettled estates, with the goal of generating financial transactions and stimulating economic activity.The bill provides that the tax amnesty shall cover estate taxes for taxable year 2016 and for prior years that have remained unpaid as of December 31, 2016.It grants the following immunities and privileges to taxpayers who avail of the tax amnesty: Immunity from the payment of estate taxes, civil, criminal or administrative penalties; the taxpayer’s Estate Tax Amnesty Returns for 2016 and prior years shall not be admissible as evidence in all judicial, quasi-judicial or administrative proceedings; and the books of accounts and other records of the taxpayer for the years covered by the estate tax amnesty availed of shall not be examined.Defensor explained the tax amnesty is being sought because the collection of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on estate tax is insignificant, compared to the overall tax collection.He said the amnesty is an administrative clean-up measure because there are so many properties tied-up to unsettled estate tax, which can reach billions of pesos and which have become idle capital.“If these properties are sent back to commercial circulation and are made subject to transaction, such as sale, lease or joint venture, in the long run, they can generate more taxes,” said Defensor, the Deputy Majority Leader.Quimbo explained the bill seeks to ensure the “properties that are caught in a bind, not being utilized and arenot being part of the economy, because estate taxes have remained unpaid, are brought back to commercial circulation.”“The primary cause of the inability to settle estate tax is due to high estate tax rates and secondly, the inability to cope with the penalties that have accrued. In 95 percent of the cases, the penalties are even higher than the value of the properties,” said Quimbo.Besides Quimbo, Defensor and Cua, the other authors of the substitute bill are Reps. Arlene Arcillas (FirstDistrict, Laguna), Rose Marie “Baby” Arenas (Third District, Pangasinan), Lianda Bolilia (Fourth District, Batangas), Winston “Winnie” Castelo (Second District, Quezon City), Eugene Michael de Vera (ABS party-list), Jesulito Manalo (Angkla party-list), Xavier Jesus Romualdo (Camiguin), Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado (Bulacan) and Manuel Antonio Zubiri (Third District, Bukidnon).Relatedly, the committee during the same hearing approved a substitute bill proposing a single tax rate of 6 percent on estates based on the value of the net estate. This would be done by amending Section 84 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.Cua said the objective of the bill is to reduce the existing estate tax rate and ensure fair taxation.The bill substituted House Bills 458, 3311, 3528, 3794 and 4394 filed respectively by Reps. Manalo, Juliette Uy (Second District, Misamis Oriental), Angelina Tan (Fourth District, Quezon Tan), Rosenda Ann Ocampo (Sixth District, Manila), and Evelina Escudero (First District, Sorsogon).
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/house-eyes-amnesty-estate-tax-collections/308083/
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Divorce bill won’t cater to whims of warring pair
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2018-02-24 00:02:59+00:00
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The bill legalizing divorce in the country does not mean ending marriages based on whims of the couple, a veteran lawmaker said on Friday.Rep. Edcel Lagman of Albay, an author of the Divorce and Dissolution of Marriage bill, was responding to long-standing criticisms that the measure approved by the House Committee on Population and Family Development this week will destroy families.Lagman cited expanded grounds for divorce and affordability as compared with the existing annulment proceedings, which cost as much as P250,000 based on the public consultations conducted by the House panel.He said the bill mandates the Office of the Public Prosecutor to conduct investigations to determine whether there is collusion between spouses in a petition for absolute divorce.In addition, the office will be required to report its findings to the proper court within six months from filing of the petition.“The absolute divorce bill does not allow a drive-thru, no-contest or quick divorces. The bill unequivocally provides that no decree of absolute divorce shall be based on a stipulation of facts or confession of judgment which is a prohibition on a no-contest divorce,” Lagman said in a statement.He noted that the divorce bill imposes stiff penalties of five years’ imprisonment and P200,000 fine on a spouse who coerces the other into filing a petition for divorce as well as on colluding spouses.“Coerced petitions and convenient collusions are prohibited,” Lagman said.“The provisions stated above uphold the State’s commitment to protect marriage as a social institution. Divorce is an exception for irremediably broken and lost marriages, and the State has a continuing mandate to protect and preserve marriage as a social institution and foundation of the family,” the head of the Technical Working Group that consolidated all pending divorce bills added.Among the grounds for absolute divorce include: marital infidelity, which is committed by having a child with another person other than one’s spouse during the marriage, except when a child is born through in-vitro fertilization or similar procedure, or when the wife bears a child after being a victim of rape; physical abuse against the petitioner, a common child or child of the petitioner; physical violence to compel the petitioner to change religious or political affiliation; and attempt to induce the petitioner, a common child or child of the petitioner to prostitution.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/divorce-bill-wont-cater-whims-warring-pair/382165/
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Sotto deplores fake news on PH
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2017-07-02 00:28:58+00:00
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SENATOR Vicente Sotto 3rd deplored the alleged “fake news” aired by a television network in Australia that reported martial law in the Philippines was aimed to cripple the opposition.Sotto is currently in Brisbane, Australia, to watch the boxing match today between Filipino boxing hero, Sen. Manny Pacquiao and Jeff Horn of Australia.Apparently, Australia’s ABC News on Friday reported that President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law to “jail the political opposition.”“I was watching ABC News here. Their news about the Philippines is quite bad. Their mainstream media is the source of fake news and not Facebook,” Sotto said in a radio interview from Brisbane.“I was surprised by their report yesterday at 5:39 in the afternoon. An Indian-looking journalist reported that martial law was declared in the Philippines to jail the political opposition,” he said.Sotto added, “Then, they cited Senator Leila de Lima as example. I don’t know how to object to the report.”De Lima, a critic of the President and member of the Senate minority bloc, is detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City, on drug charges.Sotto called on Secretary Martin Andanar, head of the Presidential Communications Office, to address the issue and “correct” the ABC News’ report.“I don’t know where they get their report. That’s the reason why we have a bad image abroad. They gave erroneous report about the Philippines,” he said.Sotto said he will watch Pacquiao’s fight to reciprocate the support being given to him by the Filipino boxer in the performance of his duty as Senate majority leader.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/sotto-deplores-fake-news-ph/336061/
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Penology, fire bureaus now free of corruption – Interior secretary
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['Nelson Badilla']
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2017-02-26 21:34:36+00:00
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Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno has assured that there is no more corruption in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).Sueno over the weekend said he had directed officials of the BJMP and the BFP to end corruption right after he assumed the post of the secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) last year.Sueno’s marching order was in accordance with a directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to stop corruption in the government.His assurance that the two bureaus are now clean was confirmed by BJMP Director Serafin Barreto Jr. and BFP Director Bobby Baruelo, who both claimed that promotion of officers to the next higher rank in exchange for huge “goodwill money” has been decisively stopped.NELSON S. BADILLA
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/penology-fire-bureaus-now-free-corruption-interior-secretary/314312/
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PNP probes police behind killing of unarmed men
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2017-11-28 21:27:09+00:00
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The Philippine National Police (PNP) is investigating the policemen caught shooting three unarmed men dead—an act filmed in at least four closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in Tondo, Manila.Palace spokesman Harry Roque was referring to the Reuters report which showed at least 11 policemen—some in police uniform while majority were in shorts and slippers but all armed with guns—shooting the three men who were chatting while the rest of the community ate lunch in Barangay 19, Tondo, Manila.Based on the CCTV footage that Reuters obtained, it took the policemen 25 minutes to kill the three unarmed men, with even one of the policemen turning a CCTV camera away from the scene, unaware that there are other CCTV cameras in place that caught them on tape. The policemen were also seen carrying the dead bodies away from the crime scene.“The police is in the process of looking into this; authenticating the video. [Rest assured] the President will not tolerate the abuses committed by some personnel of the PNP. The administration does not tolerate police violence, police brutality or police killing,” Roque told reporters.He cited the President’s pronouncements that he will not treat murderous policemen with kid gloves, a stance the President made when three teenagers—Kian delos Santos, Carl Arnaiz and Reynaldo de Guzman—were killed separately in anti-drug operations the Caloocan City.The remains of 14-year-old de Guzman were found floating in a creek in Gapan, Nueva Ecija. It was later learned that de Guzman suffered 30 stab wounds, his head was wrapped in packaging tape and his mouth gagged.Arnaiz’s body, on the other hand, showed signs of torture.The police also alleged that Delos Santos was a drug trafficker, but a CCTV video in the crime scene showed Caloocan police dragging Delos Santos into a dark alley without resistance.The killings of teenagers prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to strip the PNP of its lead role in the anti-drug war, transferring such authority to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) instead.Roque, however, tried to shift the burden of proof to the victims by saying that those who were victimized by the abusive policemen or their counsels should file charges in the appropriate government instrumentalities such as the National Police Commission, the PNP’s Internal Affairs Service and the People’s Law Enforcement Board.“There are many reports [of abusive policemen], but I do not know how many complaints have been filed. I will have to find the data on that, and I urge the public that if you have fallen victim to these abusive policemen, please gather evidence and file the complaint,” Roque said.Human rights organizations based here and abroad have continuously raised the alarm on the spate of drug-related killings under the war on drugs. These human rights organizations have counted around 7,000 to as much as 13,000 drug suspects killed without charges or trial, including children and the teenagers mentioned above.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/pnp-probes-police-behind-killing-unarmed-men/365517/
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BIR sues energy firm over forgery, 2 companies for over tax evasion
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['The Manila Times']
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2018-02-17 20:40:01+00:00
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THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed a case before the Department of Justice against Mirae Asia Energy Corp. and its corporate officers Christopher Walter Lim, president; Craig Oliver Marsh and Sung Woo Yang, directors for alleged use of falsified provisional BIR Importer’s Clearance Certificate (ICC) in violation of the National Internal Revenue Code and falsification of documents under the Revised Penal Code (RPC). Mirae is engaged in the development and construction of electrical power plants utilizing renewable energy resources such as solar photovoltaic and hydro resources. Its last known address is at the 21F, 6789 Building, Ayala Avenue, Makati City. Sometime in 2014, Mirae submitted to the Bureau of Customs a provisional BIR ICC but found to be fake as it did not match with the database of the revenue office’s issued ICCs. Meanwhile, the BIR also filed separate complaints against two corporate taxpayers based in Makati for failure to pay taxes. Charged for violation of the Tax Code were SKI Construction Group. Inc., and its corporate officers Claudio Alcantara, Albert Altura and Cornelio Caedo, as well as Y.N. General Services, Inc. (YNGSI), and officers Ernesto Navo, Emerlita Navo and Eliza Eleonor Navo. SKI is engaged in specialized construction work, including nuclear, petrochemical, electronics, mass transit and other complex infrastructure projects with address is 17/F Philamlife Tower, Paseo de Roxas, Makati City. It was found to have a total tax liability of more than P206 million inclusive of increments from 2005 to 2010. On the other hand, YNGSI with address is at Annex 8, Betterliving Subdivision, Parañaque City, was found with about P15.2 million tax deficiency due in 2008.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/bir-sues-energy-firm-forgery-2-companies-tax-evasion/380885/
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Antibiotics face acid test
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['Micah Yvana M. Vardeleon']
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2016-11-16 01:10:21+00:00
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Antibiotics face a test from the rise of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, according to World Health Organization (WHO) country representative Gundo Weiler.“The ability to fight infections with drugs is one of the most important achievement[s] that we often take for granted but today we are at risk of losing this achievement because of Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR),” Weiler said on Tuesday during the celebration of Philippine Antibiotic Awareness Week at Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel.Weiler added that an estimated 700,000 deaths worldwide resulted from infections caused by AMR and it is predicted to increase to 10 million by 2050.He said he considers AMR as one of the biggest threats to global health, food security and development.It will also affect the economy worldwide with losses amounting to $100 trillion, Weiler added.Misuse of antibiotics is the leading cause of AMR, the ability of bacteria to be resistant to treatment using antibiotics.One reason is the confusion of the public that treats antibiotics as vitamins, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said.“Antibiotics should be used to treat bacterial infections only when prescribed by a certified health professional,” Weiler said.Monitoring and controlling the use of antibiotics is difficult because pharmacies and drugstores do not observe the law requiring a doctor’s prescription before antibiotics can be procured.Another misuse of antibiotics is shortening treatment using these substances.“The full course of treatment must be completed, not saved for the future,” Weiler said.Ubial cited a required period of intake for antibiotics.The Department of Health has partnered with the World Health Organization to combat the increasing instances of AMR through launching of three operational tools to guide health professionals in their prescription of antibiotics.These tools–AMS Manual of Procedures, National Antibiotic Guidelines and Anti-Microbial Consumption Methods Guide–signal the start of PAAW’s Anti-Microbial Stewardship (AMS) program to address the misuse of antibiotics.Ubial said the Health department is advocating a stop to medical missions, which cause AMR.Around 90 percent of those who benefit from medical missions pretend to be sick to get free drugs, she added.Instead, she encouraged the public to seek consultation when sick.“What we want to do is to strengthen the routine health care delivery system so that when people get sick they have the available drugs and the available professionals,” Ubial said.Meanwhile, surveillance conducted by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine continues to provide data that could serve as guide to health professionals on what antibiotics to prescribe, RITM’s Celia Carlos said.“Without those important surveillance data, we can never be sure what works and what does not work,” Carlos added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/antibiotics-face-acid-test/296808/
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US destroyer arrives in Subic Bay
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['Leander C. Domingo']
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2017-04-11 22:27:44+00:00
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A US guided-missile destroyer arrived on Tuesday in Subic Bay for a brief port call and some minor repairs.A destroyer is an armed escort warship.The Commander of Task Force (CTF) 70 Public Affairs said the brief port call of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG63) highlights the strong community and military connections between the Philippines and the United States.The CTF said the ship’s crew will use the brief stop to conduct some minor repairs with the assistance of Filipino companies.Like the USS Fitzgerald (DDG62), which had a brief stop at Subic Port last week, the USS Stethem is forward-deployed to the US 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.For the past 70 years, the United States and the Philippines continue to have partnership through defense cooperation, port visits and military training activities.On areas of mutual interest, both American and Philippine militaries have worked together on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counter-terrorism, cyber security and maritime security.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/us-destroyer-arrives-subic-bay/322151/
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PNP chief: Hard to know where police uniforms go
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['Roy Narra']
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2018-04-12 00:02:32+00:00
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Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa said it is hard for them to control the distribution of police uniforms since it is business for other people.“It’s been a long problem for us. Since it [making of police uniforms] was highly commercialized, businessmen will be angry at us if we become strict about it and accuse us of being too hard on them,” he added in Filipino on Tuesday.De la Rosa said there should be “political will” in order for them to control the distribu tion of police uniforms.A non-police civilian caught wearing a police uniform may face charges for usurpation of authority.Meanwhile, the PNP is reviewing its policy on the distribution and purchase of police uniforms to policemen in order to prevent their use in kidnapping and other crimes, according to a police official.“We are already reviewing our policy and look if it is possible for the PNP to control the distribution and sale of police uniforms,” Senior Supt. Glenn Dumlao, director of the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group, said also in Filipino on Wednesday.He added that they want to put serial numbers on police uniforms that the PNP will distribute to ensure that an individual wearing one is a genuine policeman.At present, policemen are given an individual clothing allowance to buy a police uniform from accredited suppliers.The review that was announced by Dumlao came after a shootout on Tuesday morning in San Pablo City, Laguna, south of Manila, where four alleged kidnappers who were killed were found wearing police uniforms.Based on their uniforms, the suspects were identified as “SPO2 Adalla,” “SPO3 Fernandez,” “PO3 Dizon” and “PO2 Rebadulla.”It was later revealed that they were Juan Vicinte Singabor, Jairo Olegario, Kent Lim and Marcelino Sican, respectively.One other kidnapper and a woman police officer were also killed in the firefight.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/pnp-chief-hard-to-know-where-police-uniforms-go/392000/
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500 BI officers up for promotion
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-11-26 19:54:25+00:00
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Promotion of more than 500 officers of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) will soon become a reality before mandatory retirement catches up with them.Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente disclosed over the weekend that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) last April created nearly 900 new plantilla positions for immigration officers.This move would pave the way for the promotion in the coming days of the agency’s more than 500 personnel assigned to various ports of entry around the country.“This is part of our efforts to uplift the morale of employees and facilitate the delivery of core efficient services to the traveling public. We are now fast-racking their appoitments to the next higher rank,” Morente said.According to the Immigration chief, most of those to be promoted are veteran immigration supervisors and immigration officers assigned to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), other aiports, sub-ports and field offices nationwide.Morente said he would recommend to Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre 2nd to give priority to those who are about to retire from the service.The BI is under the administrative control and supervision of the Department of Justice, thus its regular employees who are hired or promoted are all appointed by the Justice secretary.“Many of these career civil servants are seasoned immigration officers whose promotions are long overdue. They deserved to be rewarded for their long years of service and dedication to their job as border control officers of the country,” Morente said.He added that aside from veteran employees, immigration officers who are punctual and have good attendance record will also be promoted.BI chief personnel officer Grifton Medina disclosed that the would-be promoted employees will be appointed to occupy most of the 887 new immigration officer positions that the DBM created under the Port Operations Division (POD) headed by Marc Red Mariñas.Medina said once all the new plantilla positions are filled up, the BI-POD will have under its supervision most of the promoted immigration officers, who will be assigned to the NAIA and other international airports and seaports throughout the country.Mariñas welcomed Morente’s move to make a priority the promotion of long-serving BI employees, saying it will “surely bolster the morale of our immigration officers who are in the frontlines of our government’s campaign against human trafficking, international terrorism and illegal drugs.”WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/500-bi-officers-promotion/365194/
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2M SSS pensioners can now withdraw additional benefit
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['Mayvelin U. Caraballo']
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2017-03-02 21:15:46+00:00
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The state-run Social Security System (SSS) on Thursday said more than 2.04 million pensioners will be able to receive the additional P1,000 benefit today, Friday.In a statement, SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Dooc announced that the pension fund has already released some P2 billion to its pensioners for the month of January 2017 as part of the recently approved P1,000 additional benefit for its pensioners.“We are pleased to announce to our pensioners that the P1,000 additional benefit is now ready for withdrawal in their respective bank accounts while the remaining retroactive amount will be received in the next two Fridays of March [10 and 17],” Dooc said.“The SSS will continue to find ways to make our pension fund viable so it can continuously serve its current and future members in perpetuity,” he added.Based on the program rerun conducted by the pension fund’s Information and Systems Department, more than P2.04 billion was already deposited in the pensioners’ bank accounts and is ready for withdrawal on the announced date, the pension fund said.The P1,000 additional benefit for SSS pensioners was approved by President Rodrigo Duterte on January 10 while the order authorizing the release was signed on February 22.All retirees, survivors and pensioners with permanent disability will receive the P1,000 additional benefit, which also covers all future SSS pensioners.The SSS earlier estimated that around P6.9 billion is allotted for the release of the additional P1,000 benefit for the first quarter alone.This is on top of the P7.4 billion released per month since January 2017 for regular benefits.More than 2 million SSS pensioners are expected to receive the initial additional benefit.The number of pensioners is expected to increase by about 350,000 next year.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/2m-sss-pensioners-can-now-withdraw-additional-benefit-2/315073/
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‘Merry Christmas’ greeting banned
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['Benjie Vergara']
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2017-11-07 23:19:17+00:00
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Airport authorities have reiterated a previous memorandum banning employees from greeting air travelers “Merry Christmas.”Aside from airport employees, law enforcers such as Aviation Security Group personnel as well as Immigration and Customs personnel are covered by the ban.Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Eddie Monreal on Tuesday warned airport employees from asking gifts and favors from passengers this Christmas.“I have no problem with personnel greeting passengers a ‘Merry Christmas,’ as long as there is no intention to ask for gifts,” Monreal said.Jesus Martinez, MIAA Media Affairs Division chief, said the memo issued during the time of MIAA General Manager Alfonso Cusi is being circulated yearly at the four terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to remind employees of the policy against soliciting money from passengers.The memo was issued to discourage employees from greeting passengers, as this was observed to be their way of indirectly asking for tips.For those who will be found guilty of the act, Monreal also warned, “Definitely, there will be disciplinary action.”Meanwhile, the MIAA has started preparing measures to ensure safety and convenience of passengers in anticipation of the heavy volume of travelers this Christmas, as officials said arrivals may increase by roughly 10 percent based on past data.Travelers are reminded not to bring items to the airport and to stow all belongings in one’s carry-on baggage for faster processing at screening checkpoints.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/merry-christmas-greeting-banned/361369/
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Duterte wages war on online gambling
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['Ralph Villanueva']
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2018-10-26 01:05:56+00:00
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PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte again reiterated his desire to stop gambling, particularly illegal online gambling.In his speech during the conferment ceremony of the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan 2018, Philippine Heritage Award and National Artist Awards on Wednesday, Duterte said he wanted to stop online bingo.“The online bingo, it will be suppressed. No gambling,” Duterte said.He said gambling leads to severe crimes.“Look at the Okada; all the kidnappers, extortionists, police scalawags. They would kidnap someone from there in a room. They will call the family. If the family will not give ransom, they would kill the person,” Duterte said.Okada is a casino resort and hotel complex on the Entertainment City gaming strip in Parañaque City.“The casinos, they are still at it. They have a franchise and they have a contract. To hell with the contract. I told you I do not want gambling, period,” the President said.Malacañang on Thursday clarified that Duterte’s statement only applied to illegal gambling.“I think he refers only to the illegal gambling. Those who have been granted license, I don’t think that’s [included],” Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a press briefing.In August, Duterte said he would not allow the construction of more casinos in the country.“I hate gambling. I do not want it. There will be no casino outside of what are existing now,” he added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/duterte-wages-war-on-online-gambling/457334/
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POEA blacklists Kuwaiti blogger
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['The Manila Times']
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2018-07-24 00:04:07+00:00
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The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration on Monday included in its blacklist Kuwait social media influencer and celebrity make-up artist Sondos al-Qattan for her derogatory remarks against Filipino workers.Susan Ople, head of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center, urged the POEA to ban the blogger with 2.3 million Instagram followers and over 100,000 Twitter fans from hiring a Filipino domestic worker.She said al Qattan should be included in the POEA’s blacklist of abusive and undesirable foreign employers.“By her words, publicly uttered and shared through social media, her undesirability as a foreign employer, cannot be denied. She is not worthy to be even in the same room as our valiant and hardworking OFWs,” Ople said.POEA Administrator Bernard Olalia agreed to Ople’s request.“The bilateral labor agreement that the Philippines recently signed with Kuwait and the guidelines issued by the POEA very clearly states that the passport should be in the possession of the domestic worker and that she is entitled to a weekly day off. Kuwaiti employers who refuse to follow these provisions shall be immediately blacklisted,” Olalia said.The Ople Center represents the OFW sector in the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking.Olalia said the POEA has started to process contracts of domestic workers bound for Kuwait.In her Instagram video clip, al-Qattan said: “For her (the maid) to take a day off every week, that’s four days a month. Those are the days that she’ll be out. And we don’t know what she’ll be doing on those days, with her passport on her. How can you have a servant at home who keeps their own passport with them?” (Translation based on a cnn.com news report).In a report published by buzzfeednews.com, the Kuwaiti blogger was also quoted to have said: “Even worse is that they get a day off every single week! What’s left? Honestly, with this new contract, I just wouldn’t get a Filipino maid. She’d only work six days a week and get four days off a month.”The Blas F. Ople Policy Center urged other countries to also include al-Qattan in their list of undesirable employers.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/poea-blacklists-kuwaiti-blogger/422638/
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House leadership row case assigned to Reyes
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2018-09-19 00:02:35+00:00
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Supreme Court Associate Justice Jose Reyes, the newest magistrate of the high court, has been assigned to preside over the case of the minority leadership row in the House of Representatives between Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez and ABS party-list Rep. Eugene de Vera.De Vera, Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas and former House speaker Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvare, and their allies filed the case, assailing the leadership of Suarez as minority leader in August.Reyes was a former Court of Appeals justice before taking his oath as the newest associate justice of the high court on August 13. He was the fifth appointee of President Rodrigo Duterte in the high court.The case over the minority leadership row was originally raffled off to Associate Justice Alfredo BenjaminCaguioa, but it was unloaded to Reyes being the most junior member.During the deliberations of the SC en banc on Tuesday, the high court decided to call again the case for further study.This means that the case shall be up for comment by the respondents or be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. The SC may also issue a temporary restraining order as prayed for by the petitioners.In a 44-page petition for certiorari, prohibition and mandamus filed on August 30, the group of Fariñas asked theSC to compel the lower house led by Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to recognize de Vera as the minority floor leader.Named respondents to the case were Suarez, Arroyo and Majority Leader Rolando Andaya.The petitioners argued that under House Rule II Section 8, “members who vote for the winning candidate for Speaker shall constitute the Majority in the House and they shall elect from among themselves the Majority Leader.”The petitioners asked the high court to intervene and issue a status quo ante order “in order to preserve the last actual, peaceable and uncontested situation before the controversy” by recognizing de Vera as minority leader.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/house-leadership-row-case-assigned-to-reyes/442905/
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Court upholds arrest of Navyman’s ‘killers’
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2016-10-23 21:22:36+00:00
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The Court of Appeals (CA) has upheld an arrest order against eight of the 10 Philippine Navy personnel charged with the 1995 murder of Ensign Philip Pestaño, junking a motion for reconsideration filed by the accused for lack of merit.The ruling was penned by Associate Justice Nina Antonio-Valenzuela and concurred in by Associate Justices Manuel Barrios and Agnes Reyes-Carpio.The Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) had issued an arrest warrant against retired Navy Capt. Ricardo Ordoñez, retired Lt. Cmdr. Ruben Roque, Cmdr. Reynaldo Lopez, Lt. Cmdr. Luidegar Casis, Lt. Cmdr. Alfrederick Alba, Lt. Cmdr. Joselito Colico, Hospital Man 2 Welmeno Aquino, Machinery Repairman 1st Class Sandy Miranda, Police Officer 2 Leonor Igcasan and retired PO1 Carlito Amorsolo.In the current case, however, Igcasan and Roque were not named petitioners.The CA ruled that there was no grave abuse of discretion on the part of Manila RTC Judge Josefina Siscar when she found probable cause to order the arrest of the accused on July 23, 2013.It argued that in determining probable cause for issuance of a warrant of arrest, a judge is not yet mandated to review in detail the evidence submitted during preliminary investigation.Records of the case showed that BRP Bacolod City, a Philippine Navy cargo ship, left Tawi-Tawi province in southern Mindanao on September 20, 1995.The ship made a last stopover in Sangley Point in Cavite province and shortly departed for its final destination, the Navy headquarters in Manila.On September 27, 1995, the then -24-year-old Pestaño was found dead inside the cargo ship with a bullet wound in his head.Navy officials claimed that Pestaño committed suicide.Pestaño’s parents did not believe that their son killed himself and eventually pressed criminal charges against the officials.The Office of the Ombudsman ruled that Pestaño was murdered and that there was conspiracy to kill him.It said the wound sustained by Pestaño did not appear to be self-inflicted.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/court-upholds-arrest-navymans-killers/292753/
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Ex-senator Bong Revilla takes selfie; PNP confiscates mobile phone
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['Roy Narra']
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2018-06-23 00:03:53+00:00
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GUARDS at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center confiscated a mobile phone belonging to former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., in a surprise inspection Thursday evening.Senior Supt. Benigno Durana, PNP spokesman, told reporters the Headquarters Support Service (HSS), a unit that supervises the PNP Custodial Center, found the phone inside Revilla’s detention cell.The phone was confiscated the day after Revilla’s Facebook page posted a status update with his “selfie” to mark his fourth year in jail.He was arrested in 2014 on plunder and graft charges for his alleged involvement in the multibillion-peso Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam.Mobile phones inside the PNP Custodial Center are forbidden, based on the detention’s rules and regulations.“An investigation is being conducted by HSS to determine the circumstances surrounding that apparent breach of regulations despite at least twice a week of unannounced inspections of all the cell blocks,” Durana said.“The ax will fall where it should the moment an investigation clearly establishes the culpability of any personnel,” he added.The Facebook post is no longer available.Aside from Revilla, former senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada were also detained in the PNP Custodial Center in relation to the PDAF Scam.Enrile and Estrada were allowed to post bail in August 2015 and September 2017, respectively.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ex-senator-bong-revilla-takes-selfie-pnp-confiscates-mobile-phone/411285/
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Jimenez quits code panel over girl in bikini
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['William Depasupil']
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2018-10-16 00:05:58+00:00
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COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) spokesman James Jimenez on Monday resigned as chairman of a technical committee tasked to review a software program for the 2019 elections after an inappropriate image appeared on his computer during a presentation over the weekend in one of the universities in Manila.“I regret but I have to take responsibility. It was our committee that arranged that event and that sort of event should have been better handled,” Jimenez said.He said an image of a girl in a bikini appeared in between presentations during the kickoff ceremony on the presentation of the source code review at the De La Salle University in Manila.“As a consequence, I have this morning tendered my resignation as focal person for the local source code review because of that unfortunate incident,” Jimenez said.The source code is a voting software program customized for Philippine elections. It is an independent auditor to ensure that the system is running free from malware.The review covers the Election Management System, Vote Counting Machine, Consolidated Canvassing System, and other related systems.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/jimenez-quits-code-panel-over-girl-in-bikini/452484/
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‘No Duterte pressure to expel Trillanes from alumni group’
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['Dempsey Reyes']
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2018-04-05 00:02:48+00:00
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There was no pressure from President Rodrigo Duterte and some of his allies on a fraternal organization of the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Inc. (PMAAAI) to sign a document calling for the expulsion of Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th, a signatory said on Wednesday.Maj. Gen. Noel Clement, commander of the Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division (ID), explained that their group, the Eagle Fraternal Chapter, is composed of PMA alumni members who were assigned to the Davao area whether active or retired.On Tuesday, a full-page advertisement was published where it indicated several PMA alumni members were calling for the ouster of Trillanes from the PMAAAI, citing several “violations” that the latter had committed such as the inciting to sedition, supposed treasonous acts in 2012 and constant “annoying” actions, among others.Among the signatories, aside from Clement, are Philippine National Police chief Ronald de la Rosa; PNP spokesman John Bulalacao; Dangerous Drugs Board chairman Catalino Cuy; and PNP deputy director general for administration Ramon Apolinario.Clement denied that they were pressed by Duterte or anyone allied with the President to sign the manifesto against Trillanes, amid the latter’s vocal criticism of the country’s leader.“There was no [pressure], because the President is not even a member of the chapter. It is only between PMA graduates only,” he said.Clement justified why he signed the document, noting the accusations against Trillanes bared in the manifesto.“It’s only simple, his actions are already going against the values taught to us at the PMA. It’s basically the reason why we have to act on it,” he said.“His being a senator and, at the same time, [a PMA graduate], that is basically the reason why we called for his removal from the association,” Clement added.The Eagle Fraternal Chapter is an informal organization of PMA Alumni members or “PMAyers” who were assigned to Davao City–Duterte’s hometown–for them to keep in touch with each other, he said.“There are informal chapters, of course, that the PMAAAI recognizes but we can organize within specific areas to maintain interaction with every alumni member within the areas,” according to Clement.He said the Eagle Fraternal Chapter does not apply for recognition from the PMAAAI and every organization also has its own chapters in every major service of the Armed Forces including the Philippine Army, the Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Navy.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/no-duterte-pressure-to-expel-trillanes-from-alumni-group/390451/
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EDSA: Duterte-Marcos ties don’t count
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['Catherine S. Valente']
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2017-02-21 20:51:57+00:00
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Malacañang on Tuesday said the government is not toning down the commemoration of the EDSA “people power” revolt because of President Rodrigo Duterte’s close relations with the family of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos.In a news conference, Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra defended the Duterte administration’s move to transfer the venue of the anniversary rites to Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City from the People Power Monument, also in the city.“So I guess it does not indicate that the [Duterte] administration or the [committee designated to organize the commemorative rites] is giving any less significance to the celebration of the 31st [EDSA] anniversary… It is more of a time to reflect, that is why we are doing this as simple as possible,” Guevarra told reporters.“Just like any young lady who’s celebrating her 18th birthday, we normally celebrate it with pomp. But when she celebrates her 19th birthday, that doesn’t mean that if there’s no celebration similar to her debut that her birthday is given any less significance,” he said.Guevarra added that the “simpler” anniversary rites reflect the theme of this year’s commemoration, “A Day of Reflection.”“It’s a time to settle down, to quiet a bit and think of what has happened over the past 30 years. Do we still have that spirit of EDSA within our hearts? Have we done things that are supposed to guide us after that momentous event in our history?” he said.“So that’s why we want to quiet down a bit and do some reflection on this matter. But again, just to assure you, this simplicity does not mean in any way that we are giving any less significance to the 31st anniversary of the EDSA people power [revolt],” Guevarra added.Duterte has allowed the burial of Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery) last year.But he is yet to confirm if he will attend the EDSA anniversary celebration to be held at Camp Aguinaldo on February 25.Former president Fidel V. Ramos, a key personality in the EDSA uprising, will join the celebration.Former president Benigno Aquino 3rd, son of EDSA figures then-president Corazon Aquino and former senator Benigno Aquino Jr., is yet to reply to an invitation to attend this year’s anniversaryOne-million pesos has been allotted for this year’s “very simple affair.”Created through Executive Order 82 in 1999, the EDSA People Power Committee is the government agency tasked to organize and implement the annual commemoration of the 1986 Edsa revolt.Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo also on Tuesday said this year’s EDSA rites deserve more than a quiet celebration as the Palace wishes.Speaking before an Ateneo Forum on Social Justice and the 1987 Constitution, Robredo noted that the commemoration of taking a stand in a bloodless revolution should not be taken for granted because it gave birth to the 1987 Constitution and provided for social justice and human rights policies.“This anniversary is an event that to me deserves a more dignified treatment than a ‘quiet celebration’ in the guise of ‘moving on.’ I believe that the truth of our past will ensure clarity of direction in our future. Moving on and forgetting may leave us in danger of making the same mistakes all over again,” she pointed out.The Vice President argued that the true Filipino spirit does not revere crooks and thirst for blood but rather is courageous and made of passion, commitment, integrity and empathy.LLANESCA T. PANTI
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/edsa-duterte-marcos-ties-dont-count/313479/
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1,300 passengers, 200 vehicles stranded in NSamar
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-12-14 20:11:31+00:00
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Catarman, Northern Samar: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) based in Allen, Northern Samar, has reported that 1,292 passengers and a total of 204 vehicles (19 buses, 167 cargo trucks and 18 light cars) in three ports here were stranded as the entire Samar Island was placed under storm Signal No.1.The PCG prevented the vehicles carrying passengers and cargos from leaving the ports in Barangay Look and Barangay Jubasan in Allen town and in Barangay Alegria, San Isidro, on Thursday.The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) raised Signal No. 1 as Typhoon Urduja slightly accelerated while approaching the Eastern Samar and Northern Samar areas.Allen Mayor Laureana Suan and Mayor Ferdinand Avila of San Isidro said in interviews with The Manila Times that they already provided some basic needs to stranded passengers like food and temporary shelters.In Barangay Paya, Giporlos town of Eastern Samar, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the province reported that the road leading to Borongan City was totally blocked by a landslide, stranding a queue of vehicles.DPWH personnel have been deployed to repair the damaged road.The department said floods in Barangay Pinasuhan in Hernani town, also in Eastern Samar, rendered the road impassable, isolating the towns of McArthur, Quinapondan, Salcedo, Mercedes and Guian.The DPWH in Northern Samar and Western Samar reported that there were no landslides and flooding in all roads leading to Catarman to Allen; Catarman to Lapinig; Catarman to Catubig and Las Navas; Catarman to Calbayog City; Calbayog to Catbalogan City; and Catbalogan to Tacloban road sections.Gov. Jose Ong Jr. ordered the suspension of classes in both public and elementary schools on Thursday and Friday after a briefing by Felion Corona, Pagasa head in the province, during a Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Council emergency meeting.Pagasa expects moderate to heavy rainfall within a 400-kilometer diameter while scattered to widespread rains are expected over the Visayas and the regions of Bicol, Caraga and Northern Mindanao.The center of Urduja was estimated at 175 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, with sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour maximum and gustiness of up to 65 kph.ELADIO PERFECTO
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/1300-passengers-200-vehicles-stranded-nsamar/368661/
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NFA chief urged to resign his post
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2018-04-11 00:06:36+00:00
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The administrator of the National Food Authority should quit his job as soon as possible amid a shortage of affordable NFA rice in the country, House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez said on Tuesday.In making the suggestion to NFA Administrator Jason Aquino, Suarez cited an announcement made by the Grain Retailers Confederation of the Philippine that there is no more NFA rice supply in four regions namely Metro Manila (National Capital Region), Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon).The government apparently confirmed this announcement by admitting that the NFA has only 200,000 sacks of NFA rice left that are only good for less than a day–short of the 15-day requirement for the NFA rice buffer stock.“What is he [Aquino] waiting for? He should go [and] quit. He should not wait for the President to fire him. It is very obvious that somebody made money in hoarding the NFA rice. They created this scenario,” Suarez said to reporters in a news conference.“Consumers are suffering because of them [officials in the NFA],” he added.The NFA rice shortage has already prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to reconstitute the NFA Council because of policy disagreements between the NFA and the council composed of Aquino; Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco; Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr.; Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo; Development Bank of the Philippines Chairman Alberto Romulo; Director Teodoro Jumamil of the Development Bank of the Philippines; Land Bank of the Philippines President Alex Buenaventura; Land Bank of the Philippines Executive Vice President Julio Climaco Jr.; Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd; National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon; Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez; Trade and Industry Undersecretary Teodoro Pascua; Secretary Ernesto Pernia of the National Economic and Development Authority; Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea; and farmer sector representative Edwin Paraluman, among others.But before President Duterte decided to reconstitute the NFA Council and place it under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture alongside the National Irrigation Administration, the Philippine Coconut Authority and the Fertilizer and Pesticides Authority, The Manila Times had learned from an unimpeachable source in the Palace that the NFA has sold as much as one million sacks of NFA rice per month since November last year, causing the shortfall.Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez of Davao del Norte earlier questioned Aquino’s competence as NFA administrator but did not call for Aquino’s resignation.Under its food security and price stabilization mandate, the NFA needs to have a strategic rice reserve equivalent to 15 days’ national consumption and a higher 30-day buffet stock during the traditional lean months of July to September.The House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability has been investigating the NFA rice shortage stemming from a House resolution filed by Rep. Luis Raymond Villafuerte of Camarines Sur before Congress adjourned for a two-month break last March 21.The House panel, however, is yet to adopt recommendations as a result of the probe.Pending the committee report on the probe, Villafuerte called on the NFA to constitute a separate body to monitor the supply and prices of rice, much like how the Energy Regulatory Commission regulates power rates.“In the same way that there exists regulatory control on the cost of electricity, there should also be regulatory control on the price of rice to prevent the profiteering schemes of unscrupulous traders from upsetting the supply of the staple in the domestic market,” he said in a statement.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/nfa-chief-urged-to-resign-his-post/391729/
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Port of Manila breaks collection record
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['William Depasupil']
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2018-09-24 00:03:57+00:00
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~FOR the first time in almost a decade, the Bureau of Customs-Port of Manila (BoC-PoM) has registered five months of successive record-breaking revenue collection performances. Data from the BoC-Statistics Division showed that the PoM consistently reached its collection target for the past five months. Records also showed that the PoM, one of the biggest collection districts of the BoC, has never reached its target for more than four consecutive months, from April to August, since the implementation of the E2M in 2009. The PoM, under District Collector Erastrus Austria, collected P7.42 billion in April, 6.23 percent higher than the P6.98-billion target; P8.08 billion in May, up by 6.20 percent against the P7.6-billion target; P7.76 billion in June, which is 8.09 percent higher than the P7.18 billion goal; P7.68 billion in July, which is 2.12 percent higher than the P7.5-billion target; and P7.810 billion in August, up 5.1 percent or P382 million from the P7.4-billion target. The collection performance of the district jumped to P10.1 billion compared to the same period last year. Moreover, the port also registered its highest daily collection of P630 million in May 17, 2018, breaking the recorded highest daily collection in December last year. Earlier, the PoM was accused of diverting part of the collection of the Port of Batangas to meet its monthly collection target, in particular the duties and taxes of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., in order to meet its August 2018 collection target. But Austria denied the allegation, saying it was totally baseless as official records of the bureau also showed. Deputy Collector for Assessment Florante Ricarte said as early as August 30, the PoM was already assured of meeting its target considering the strong performance of its sub-ports–Harbor Center, Masinloc, Peza Laguna and Cavite. Data from the BoC-Financial Service showed too that the PoM collected P7,876,609,581 for the month of August as against the target of P7,428,000,000. Even without the collection from Pilipinas Shell of P448,609,585, it would still have a collection of P7,443,278,315 with a surplus of P5,278,315 or 0.21 percent. Ricarte explained that the shipment of Shell went through the standard clearance process in accordance with Sections 400 and 408 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), which allows the lodging of goods declaration at any designated Customs area. The Notice of Arrival and Inward Foreign Manifest of the shipment clearly indicates that the intended port of arrival is the PoM. Moreover, in accordance with Section 409 of the CMTA, advance lodging is allowed by the BoC prior to the actual arrival of the goods. “Thus, there is no truth to allegations that the shipment of Shell was processed ahead of time in order to meet the collection target notwithstanding that the shipment was due to arrive only in September,” according to Austria, also concurrent spokesman for the BoC. He said the allegation that Customs’ clearance of oil importation cannot be done in the absence of a Discharge Port Survey Report finds no merit, adding that Sections 403 and 426 of the CMTA allow tentative assessment and release of provisional goods declaration, provided that lodging contains the necessary information required by the BoC to ascertain rightful revenues due the government.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/port-of-manila-breaks-collection-record/444499/
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Robredo: Federalism poses more danger than remedy
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2017-02-23 22:23:22+00:00
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Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo is not in favor of the proposed shift to federal government, saying that it poses more danger than remedy to the country.Robredo on Thursday noted that the Duterte administration’s proposed shift to federalism has not been clear in its objectives.“If federalism is the answer, what is the question? What do we want to achieve by it? Is it devolution? Is it progress for Mindanao? Is it inclusive growth and reduction of poverty? There is no question that we need all three for sustainable and inclusive progress. But the tougher and more sensible questions are these: Is federalism the only way the Philippines can save itself?” she said.The Vice President argued that a successful federal government depends on certain factors, among them, local government units (LGUs) having the capacity and competence to handle so much authority and systems of patronage not dominating politics at the local level.“Practical experience tells us that we enjoy neither. Many of our LGUs are poorly positioned for greater responsibility. And patronage politics continues to hold sway, influencing the outcomes of elections, making public office the business of dynasties,” Robredo pointed out.The Duterte administration is envisioning a Philippines with 11 independent states capable of managing their respective resources and crafting tax laws.“”Our fear is that federalism might be too drastic a remedy for this particular problem. If we look at the dependence or independence, economic dependence or independence of our provinces, I think of our regions, only two have internally generated incomes,” Robredo said.While President Rodrigo Duterte is pushing for a French model, the Vice President said this model is not strictly under a federal set-up.“We’re not closing our doors, but we’re just saying that there is anxiety on what is being proposed. The system of government now, while we feel is not working in the way that we want it to work. It is still, as of now, the best option that we have,” she added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/robredo-federalism-poses-danger-remedy/313816/
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Negros sugar refinery to have biomass plant
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['Sid Abma']
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25/09/2017 0:00
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The country’s largest sugar refinery is expected to finish the construction of its 64-megawatt biomass plant this year.The Biomass Cogeneration Project of the Victorias Milling Company (VMC) in Victorias City, Negros Occidental will be finished this year. It is designed to produce power for the refinery and also export to the power grid, VMC Chief Operating Officer Minnie Chua said Saturday.The plant will be built in the 200-hectare VMC headquarters and will run mainly on bagasse, a byproduct of sugarcane after being processed to extract sugar.In an interview, Chua said the renewable energy plant is expected to run by October or November.Chua said around 25 MW of its generated power will be exported to the power grid, but since the grid is congested, it will have to be upgraded first by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.With the new source of power for the company, Chua said sugar could be milled year round.“Whole year operations are possible with this cogeneration project but we also need to do repairs on our milling equipment to ensure that no breakdowns will happen,” she said.VMC also opened milling operations last September 20 together with the other two sugar centrals in the province.Chua assured that their mills are running at maximum capacity, which is 15,000 to 16,000 tons of sugar a day.“We are doing everything and our best to support our sugar planters who are also our partners despite the current situation,” Chua said.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/09/25/negros-sugar-refinery-to-have-biomass-plant/
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Senate bids Angara farewell
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2018-05-17 00:16:39+00:00
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Senators and former leaders paid tribute to the late Sen. Edgardo Angara on Wednesday for being a great visionary, an exemplary public servant and a trailblazer when it comes to legislating laws that will be benefit generations of Filipinos.Angara was at the Senate on Wednesday for the last time, his home for almost 20 years. The ceremony was attended by his wife, Gloria, and children Alexandra Leia, Katerina Gloria, Anna Rosalyn and Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, relatives, colleagues from the law profession, and friends.Angara, 83, suffered from a heart attack on Sunday in his Tagaytay resthouse.Former presidents Joseph “Erap” Estrada, now the mayor of Manila, and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, now a representative of Pampanga, were among Angara’s former colleagues who delivered their eulogies.Estrada described Angara as “a tool to change lives.” The late senator was part of his Cabinet as agriculture secretary and executive secretary months before he was ousted.“We’ve lost a public servant of the highest integrity and a legislator with compassion, an intellectual with the heart for the poor, a champion for the cause of education,” Estrada said.“It was a great honor to be his friend. I have such high hopes when I chose him as my running mate in 1998 presidential elections. I knew that I can rely on his loyalty, intelligence and desire to uplift the Filipinos from poverty,” he added.Arroyo recalled that when Angara became a member of the 1971 Constitutional Convention, her father, former president Diosdado Macapagal, “identified him as one of the young turks destined to a bright political future.”“Indeed he went on to achieve so much for so many especially education, for the economy, the farmers, and the elderly. In 1992 when he was chairman of the Senate committee on finance, he sponsored the Mt. Pinatubo law, to provide P10 billion to rehabilitate my disaster-torn region,” she said.“Principle and strategic direction guided his legislation. His congressional commission on education led to his well thought out laws creating CHEd (Commission on Education) and TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority),” Arroyo added.Former Senate president Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr., as well as former Senators Rene Saguisag and Pia Cayetano also delivered their eulogies.In response to the accolades given to his late father, Sonny Angara said that the former “loved the Senate.”The late senator will be buried in his hometown in Baler, Aurora on Saturday, May 19.“He treasured the time he spent here. He called them the best years of his life and the relationships he formed and the bonds he formed with many of you here meant so much to him,” Sonny said.Sen. Franklin Drilon said Angara’s sterling accomplishments in the fields of politics, public service, law, and the academe cemented his niche in the nation’s life and history.“The impact of the laws he authored, such as the Free High School Act, the Senior Citizen’s Act, PhilHealth Act and many more, will be deeply felt and appreciated by generations of Filipinos,” he said.The Senate presented Resolution 105 to Angara’s family that highlighted his achievements in government service, including the landmark laws that he authored.Angara was the longest serving senator in the post-EDSA Senate. Except for a mandatory term break, he was elected to four consecutive terms of six years each.He started his political career when he was elected in Quezon province as one of the youngest delegates to the 1971 Constitutional Convention. A year later, he founded together with an enterprising group of law classmates what would become one of the country’s top law firms, the Accra Law Offices.Angara pushed for the passage of some of the country’s most memorable laws such as the Free High School Act, Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), Technical Education and Skill Development Authority (Tesda), the National Health Insurance Act (Philhealth), Senior Citizens Act, the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA), the Renewable Energy Act and the Procurement Reform Act.He also authored and sponsor of the laws creating the National Museum, the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Natatanging Manlilikha Award which bestows honor on the Filipino folk and traditional artists. He also authored the National Book Publishing Industry Development Act and the National Cultural Heritage Law.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/senate-bids-angara-farewell/399229/
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Pacquiao seeks probe of OFWs deaths
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2018-02-19 23:04:51+00:00
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SEN. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao wants the Senate to investigate the deaths of at least eight overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Kuwait since 2016 as well as the government’s labor and foreign policies in relation to the deployment of migrant workers.He filed Resolution 626 on February 13 urging the Senate committees on Labor and Foreign Relations to conduct the probe amid the repatriation of Filipino workers in Kuwait.President Rodrigo Duterte banned the deployment of OFWs to Kuwait following the death of Joanna Daniela Demafelis, 29, whose body was found inside a freezer in an abandoned apartment in the Al Shaab area.Authorities revealed that Demafelis’ remains may have been in the freezer for over a year and there was a possibility that she was tortured and strangled to death.President Rodrigo Duterte will travel to Sara town in Iloilo this week to visit the wake of Demafelis, Palace spokesman Harry Roque said on Monday.“(We have extended) death (and burial benefits), financial assistance to the family. And I am sure the President will announce other contributions,” Roque told reporters.The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) issued Administrative Order 54 on February 12 totally banning the deployment of OFWs to Kuwait.The department is also investigating the death of seven OFWs — Liezl Truz Hukdong, Vanessa Karissha Esguerra, Marie Fe Saliling Librada, Arlene Castillo Manzano, Devine Riche Encarnacion, Patrick Sunga, and Mira Luna Juntilla. They reportedly worked as household service workers in Kuwait.Sen. Nancy Binay, on the other hand, filed Resolution 627 on February 14 directing the proper committee to conduct an inquiry on the deployment ban to Kuwait “in the light of the tragic fate” of Demafelis.“The gruesome story of Joanna mirrors the narrative of million other Filipinos who have sacrificed their lives to feed their families and incidentally boost our country’s economy only to be at the receiving end of abuses and maltreatment of foreign employers,” Pacquiao said.“An inquiry and investigation must be conducted to ferret out the truth surrounding the deaths of our modern heroes, as well as reexamination of our current labor and foreign laws, with the end view of strengthening such policies and programs and establishing solid mechanisms for further protection of our OFWs rights, safety, and well-being,” he added.An estimated 250,000 Filipinos are working in Kuwait, 75 percent of whom are household service workers. Over 400 OFWs have been repatriated since February 12.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/pacquiao-seeks-probe-ofws-deaths/381384/
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NFA to flood market with imported rice
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['Eireene Jairee Gomez']
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2018-05-24 00:01:20+00:00
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The National Food Authority (NFA) will flood the market with cheaper rice once the 250,000 metric tons (MT) of rice from Thailand and Vietnam arrives at the end of the month, the National Food Authority (NFA) said.NFA spokesman Rex Estoperez said rice prices would go down once the agency starts distributing the imported grain.“We’re expecting the first tranche of importation under the G2G (government to government) mode of procurement at end of May,” Estoperez said.NFA rice is sold for P27 per kilogram.At present, the average wholesale price of well-milled rice is P41.14 per kilogram, while its average retail price is P43.86 per kg.Rice is the staple food of 85 percent of Filipinos. Poor families spend more than 60 percent of their budget on food, of which almost 20 percent is rice, according to the NFA.NFA administrator Jason Aquino, meanwhile, instructed the agency’s field officials to intensify market monitoring and enforcement to “ensure that rice for the poor reaches the poor.”“When the imported NFA rice arrives, it should go directly to its intended beneficiaries: the poor, the marginalized, the victims of calamities, the isolated island provinces, and those who truly need government assistance for their daily sustenance,” Aquino said.The agency allotted P6.1 billion to buy the 250,000 MT of rice. Thailand will provide 120,000 MT while Vietnam will fill the balance of 130,000 MT.The NFA said 75,000 MT will be distributed in Metro Manila, 25,000 MT each in Subic and Cebu; 20,000 MT in Tabaco; 19,000 MT in Batangas; 16,000 MT in Cagayan de Oro City; 15,000 MT in Davao City; 14,000 MT at Poro Point in La Union; 12,000 MT in Tacloban; 10,000 MT in General Santos City; 6,000 MT in Cagayan de Oro; 5,000 MT in Surigao City; and 4,000 MT each in Iloilo and Bacolod.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/nfa-to-flood-market-with-imported-rice/400671/
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‘I don’t need a bill to be named after me’
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['Mary Gleefer F. Jalea']
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2017-11-22 22:50:30+00:00
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A medical bill aiming to strengthen the emergency response in the country should have long been approved by the government, according to Charleanne “Charlie” Jandic, a post-graduate medical intern who helped a woman whose arm was severed in an accident last week at the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT 3) in Makati City.“Why do we need a bill for something that should have been there in the first place?” Jandic added.She has been receiving praises and acknowledgment since the incident. Kabayan paty-list Rep. Ron Salo even suggested that House Bill 4955 be titled as “The Dr. Charlie Jandic Emergency Medical Services System Act of 2017.”Jandic reiterated that she did not rescue Angeline Fernando out of any self-serving motive.“For me, it’s too much [really]. I don’t need a bill named after me. [I am not even familiar with the filed House bill] and I don’t want to speak on something I had no idea about. [The bill is fine as it is],” she said.“They sort of insisted [that the measure be named after me],” Jandic added, apparently referring to lawmakers.An intern at the Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center (CGHMC), she quickly responded to Fernando’s call for help when the train’s bogie rolled over the latter’s arm after she fell on the railroad tracks on the afternoon of November 14.Jandic recounted Fernando telling her that she had just alighted from the train when she felt dizzy and accidentally fell into the gap between the second and third coaches.She heard a commotion and ran to check on Fernando’s condition immediately.The medical intern quickly instructed the station guards to call for an ambulance while she tied a tourniquet to stop Fernando’s arm from bleeding.Police Officer 2 Danilo Agustin, who turned out to be a registered nurse, assisted Jandic during the incident.Thanks to their immediate response, Fernando’s arm was successfully reattached.Still, recognition for the heroic deed has not stopped pouring in.The CGHMC offered Jandic a one-year residency as an orthopedic surgeon and granted her own clinic inside the hospital.“We will also award her with a plaque of recognition and cash rewards for her brave act”, said chief executive officer Dr. James Dy, CEO of the hospital.Jandic, along with Agustin, also recently received the Kabayan Bayani Award from the party-list group and got cash incentives and plaques that cited them for their kindness and concern for others.Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara also acknowledged Jandic’s efforts when he authored Senate Bill 1573, which provides for establishment, supervision and regulation of emergency medical services.“We are thankful that there is a passenger with medical training who rendered help immediately. But we can never be sure that in incidents like this there would be someone like Dr. Jandic who could help. That’s why we are pushing for the passage of the Emergency Medical Services System Act,” he said.When The Manila Times asked her on how lapses in public transportation could be further addressed, Jandicexpressed her hope for the government to make a “long-term investment” in improving its performance so as to lessen accidents.“Prioritize the commuters’ safety because it goes both ways anyway. If the commuters feel safe with the particular service, they don’t have a reason to keep on complaining” she said.Since the freak accident, the MRT 3 has been in hot water for consecutive system glitches and allegedly “poor performance” in serving its passengers.“In reality, the riding public faces so many of the MRT 3’s structural and technical time bombs that put in serious doubt the Department of Transportation’s assurance that it is still safe to ride these trains,” Sen. Grace Poe said in an interview.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/dont-need-bill-named/364436/
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Floirendo insists on his innocence
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['Paul Parenas', 'Jackie Arboleda']
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26/09/2017 0:00
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Davao del Norte Second District Rep. Antonio “Tonyboy” Floirendo Jr. has maintained his innocence amid the indictment issued against him by the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with a complaint filed by friend-turned-foe, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.“I respect the processes of the courts and will abide by what is proper and appropriate in the instance. I have not violated any law nor have I used my public office for personal gains,” Floirendo said in a statement.“Given the circumstances on hand, I am optimistic the complaint will be resolved in my favor,” added Floriendo, the so-called “Banana King.”Floirendo’s family owns Tagum Agricultural Development Company, Inc. (TADECO), which has a controversial land lease deal with the government via the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).Alvarez, who represents Davao del Norte’s first district, claimed that the 25-year deal or joint venture agreement (JVA) cheats the government of as much as P106.167 million annually.In an Ombudsman resolution dated September 4, 2017, the anti-graft office, acting on the Alvarez complaint, declared that there was “sufficient evidence showing the respondent (Floirendo) probably committing a violation of Section 3(h) of RA 3019,” which is the law on anti-graft and corrupt practices.In a response dated May 10, 2017, Floirendo argued that the complaint had no basis because he “did not have any direct or indirect financial or pecuniary interested in the 2003 [BuCur-TADECO deal] that would fall within the ambit of the prohibition under Art. VI, Sec. 14 o the Constitution, or any other law.”He also claimed that the filing of a “conflict of interest” case under Section 14 of Article 6 of the 1987 Constitution “is a test case given that no such charge has yet been filed until now against public officials, many of whom hold high positions in three branches of government, with stocks in various private corporations.”Alvarez and Floirendo are both friends of fellow Mindanaoan President Rodrigo Duterte’s, although the two solons had a very high-profile falling out a few months back over a spat involving their partners.The JVA contract, while guaranteeing the BuCor a share of P26.5 billion per year for P5,308.36 hectares, actually prejudices the government by as much as P106.167 million per year since the prevailing price of lease contracts in that area is P25,000 per hectare per year, according to the Speaker.TADECO has an estimated sales of 30 million boxes per year, resulting to an annual revenue of P18 billion.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/09/26/floirendo-insists-on-his-innocence/
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Driver arrested for killing 3 along Cavite road
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['Jerremy Corpuz']
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26/01/2017 0:00
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An elderly couple in Barangay Panapaan IV and another sexagenarian pedestrian in Barangay Real II, both in this town, were killed when they were struck one after the other along Aguinaldo Highway by a speeding car driven by an accountant who allegedly came from a drinking binge last Wednesday.Police identified the fatalities as Benjamin Crisostomo Jacob, 65, his wife Eleonor Reyes Jacob, 61, residents of 391 Sulok Street, Barangay Panapaan III, Bacoor; and Renato Villanueva Juan Sr., 63, a businessman, of 364 Rosa Compound, Batangay Habay II, Bacoor.The Jacob couple and Villanueva died on the spot from body injuries.A responding police team arrested Paul Monte Babaw Verde, 29, driver of the Toyota Wigo (VB-7719) and resident of 1479 Castillo Park Subdivision, Barangay Almanza II, Las Piñas City, Metro Manila.PO2 Francis Mark C. Cortez, case investigator, said that Verde’s car only stopped after hitting and damaging the rear of a Mitsubishi Mirage car (with Conduction Sticker No. 4490) driven by one Lorena Arlanza Pateno.Verde was with two other companions on board the car when the series of road killings happened at 4:30 a.m. and 4:40 a.m. Wednesday. The driver and the two others were reportedly tipsy at the time of the accident. Initial reports said that they came from a bar in Las Piñas City.Cortez said that the car first hit the Jacob couple as they were crossing the highway fronting the Mini-Stop Convenience Store to get a ride.After hitting the couple, Verde’s car reportedly sped off and hit Juan who was also crossing the highway in Barangay Real II.After the second hit, the vehicle again sped off and hit the car driven by Pateno about 500 meters away. It was only then that Verde stopped.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/01/26/driver-arrested-for-killing-3-along-cavite-road/
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A point against poll postponement
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['Isang Lahi', 'Jaime Nuevas']
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18/08/2017 0:00
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The first time we cancelled the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in October, 2016, it was largely because of “election fatigue.” The nation had just been through the presidential election of May, 2016, which elected President Duterte. It was felt that it would be best to postpone the Barangay and SK elections at least one year to October 23, 2017.The year has passed but there is now a new move to postpone the elections anew. This time the reason, as stated by President Duterte, is that up to 40 percent of the nation’s barangay leaders today are involved in drugs. Drug money elected them and drug money may well reelect them. The President proposed that pending a new election, acting barangay chairmen be appointed.Last Monday, the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms approved a motion to postpone the elections to May, 2018. The committee, however, did not go along with the proposal for appointment of acting barangay leaders. It opted, instead, for letting sitting officials remain in a holdover capacity.The Constitution indeed includes barangay officials among “elective local officials,” thereby ruling out their appointment. But “holdover” officials are allowed and the House Committee on Suffrage thus proposed that sitting barangay and SK officials hold on to their positions pending the election of new officials in May.The House committee position now goes to the plenary session of the House of Representatives. What the House finally approves will have to be reconciled with what the Senate approves. Any disagreement will be settled by a Conference Committee.This early, however, it should be pointed out that the reason President Duterte called for postponement of elections was that many of the sitting officials won their positions because of their drug connections. If Congress approves the proposal for holdover barangay officials, that would mean drug-tainted officials remain in office for seven more months.During the House committee deliberations, Rep. Antonio Tinio of the party-list Act Teachers said that if many barangay officials are indeed into drugs, they should be charged. Postponing the elections is not the answer, he said. He thus called for the holding of the elections as scheduled.He has a point worth considering. With the ongoing vigorous anti-drugs campaign of the government and the great support the nation has shown for President Duterte, it is unlikely that any drug pusher or advocate among sitting barangay officials would win this October.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/08/18/a-point-against-poll-postponement/
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Felongco named NAPC head
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['Catherine S. Valente']
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2018-11-07 00:10:03+00:00
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PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed the new heads of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) and Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP), Malacañang announced on Tuesday.Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte signed on October 31 the appointment papers of Noel Felongco as NAPC lead convenor and Alvin Feliciano as PCUP chairman.Felongco, currently the PCUP head, will replace Liza Maza, who resigned as NAPC chief in August, citing the revival of the murder charges against her, the government’s cancellation of peace talks with the communist rebels, and the resurgence of the Arroyo and Marcos political families.A native of Davao City, Felongco was a former undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. He served as president of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Laban ng Bayan Central Visayas.On the other hand, Feliciano, currently deputy director-general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, will replace Felongco as PCUP head.Prior to his appointment to the NAPC, Felongco was named PCUP head to replace Terry Ridon, who was fired by the President over supposed unnecessary travels abroad.Meanwhile, Duterte appointed Charmalou Aldevera as assistant secretary at the Office of the President.Aldevera is the legal counsel of pastor Apollo Quiboloy, a close friend of the President.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/felongco-named-napc-head/463351/
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DOJ issues lookout bulletin against casino lord Okada
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2018-03-22 23:54:01+00:00
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The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday issued an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against Japanese casino lord Kazuo Okada who is facing criminal complaints before the Prosecutor’s Office in Parañaque and Makati. The order signed by Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre mandated Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente to instruct all immigration officers in the country’s airports and seaports to be on the lookout to prevent attempts of Okada to leave the Philippines. Tiger Resort Leisure and Entertainment Inc. (TRLEI), the management company of Okada Manila filed two complaints for multi-million dollar estafa before the Paranaque City Prosecutors’ Office and perjury before the Makati City Prosecutors’ Office against Okada. Okada is facing swindling and embezzlement of funds and breach of trust perpetrated on some companies under the umbrella of the Japanese listed company, Universal Entertainment Corp. (UEC) in several countries including the Philippines. The RLEI is a subsidiary of UEC.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/doj-issues-lookout-bulletin-against-casino-lord-okada/387908/
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SJDM’s lantern parade beats Guinness record
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['Cris Vacal']
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11/9/2017 0:00
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The Philippines has posted another Guinness World Record – Largest Lantern Parade – with at least 21,000 people bearing eco-friendly lanterns while marching through the streets of this city to celebrate the “2nd Tanglawan Festival” last weekend.The existing Guinness record for World’s Largest Lantern Parade was set in Singapore on Sept. 14, 2008 with 10,568 participants.Officials of the Guinness World Records gave The Manila Bulletin an unofficial count of at least 21,000 participants during the Tanglawan Festival’s lantern parade.Mayor Robes said the figure must be even higher. “We tried to beat it (Singapore’s Guinness record) with approximately 21,000 people, but surprisingly, more or less 30,000 San Joseños joined the lantern parade,” he said.The mayor said he was proud not only of the feat, but also of the prepared programs daily for the San Joseños as they celebrated their 17th Cityhood Anniversary.San Jose Representative Florida P. Robes also lauded city residents who came out to occupy SM City San Jose del Monte to witness various festivities and activities like the “Sayawan sa Tangalawan;” the performances of special guests like the OPM hitmen, Chad Borja, Renz Verano, Rannie Raymundo, and Richard Reynoso; and the Lantern Parade.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/09/11/sjdms-lantern-parade-beats-guinness-record/
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Rice prices down – Piñol
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['Eireene Jairee Gomez']
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2018-10-29 00:04:05+00:00
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Rice prices have dropped by as much as P10 per kilogram with the implementation of suggested retail prices (SRP), Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said on Sunday.“Imported premium rice which was sold for P65 to P70 per kilo a week ago is now sold at no more than P43 per kilo while fancy rice names like “Sinandomeng” and “Super Angelica” have disappeared in the market,” Piñol said in a post on Facebook.His statement came after the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the National Food Authority (NFA) launched reforms in the rice trading and retailing industry.Aside from bringing down the prices of rice, Piñol said these reforms aim to achieve “uniformity” in the market and stop profiteering.Under the SRP, imported well-milled rice will be sold at no more than P39 per kilo while imported premium rice will be priced no higher than P43 per kilo.On the other hand, Philippine rice classified as “regular-milled” will be priced P39 per kilo or less while “well-milled” will be sold for P44 per kilo. “Premium Rice” will be priced not higher than P47 per kilo.Meanwhile, there will be no SRP for special rice varieties. These include the Cordillera Heirloom Rice, Organic Brown, Red and Black Rice, Dinorado, Milagrosa, Jasponica, Dona Maria, Hinumay, Malido, Kamoros, Malagkit, and other indigenous rice varieties.Piñol said those violators of the SRP policy would be slapped with sanctions and penalties such as a jail term of up to four years and fines up to P1 million.He said rice prices would further decrease once the NFA has set SRP for rice in the provinces.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/rice-prices-down-pinol/458767/
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Gas prices up by 10 centavos
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['Aberon Voltaire Palaña']
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2016-11-21 22:40:08+00:00
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In separate advisories on Monday, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum, Phoenix Petroleum, PTT Philippines, Seaoil, Unioil and Flying V said they will raise gasoline prices by 10 centavos per liter effective November 22.There will be no price movement for diesel and kerosene, according to the advisories.Pilipinas Shell Petroleum, Phoenix Petroleum, PTT Philippines and Unioil said they will implement the price changes at 6 a.m. on Tuesday.Seaoil and Flying V said their price adjustments will take effect at 12:01 a.m. also on Tuesday.Department of Energy (DOE) oil monitoring for Metro Manila as of November 8 showed that diesel prices range from P25.75 to P29.32 with a common price of P26.65; gasoline from P35.40 to P44.10 with a common price of P42.08; and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) in P11-kilogram (kg) cylinder from P430 to P661.Also, the monitoring showed that gasoline had a net increase of P4.04 per liter for the year and diesel had a net hike of P5.98 per liter.The latest price changes resulted from average price movements for the previous five trading days in the global markets.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/gas-prices-10-centavos/297715/
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PH still open to foreign aid without ‘conditionalities’
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['Catherine S. Valente']
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2017-10-25 21:31:12+00:00
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Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano appeared to have backpedalled on his position that the country would reject all kinds of aid and grants from the 28-member European Union (EU).Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Cayetano said the Philippines would still welcome foreign aid, including those from the EU.President Rodrigo Duterte’s earlier verbally rejected new grants from the European Union, including those meant to help in the rehabilitation of Marawi City.Cayetano explained that it is now the country’s policy to decline foreign aid that comes with conditions.He, however, clarified that the decisions will be made based on individual aid packages, as the government will still accept aid from any country or organization so long as the package does not come with strings attached.“I already stated the policy, if there are no conditionalities and it will not affect our sovereignty, then everyone is free to help. If it will [have conditionalities], then we will not accept it but it will not hurt Marawi or the community because they are free to give it to international organizations or to the community directly,” Cayetano said during a chance interview.“So the question should now be addressed to the EU. Are they willing to give without conditionalities or if the conditionalities are there, are they willing to do it through international organizations?” he added.Cayetano earlier said the Philippines would no longer accept aid from the European bloc so it would stop meddling in Manila’s internal affairs.He noted that while the Philippines was being “treated as a sovereign nation,” the EU would supposedly use the aid package as an “excuse” to criticize Manila, particularly the conduct of Duterte’s deadly drug war.The President has repeatedly criticized the European Union in his speeches, saying its members do not understand the magnitude of Manila’s drug problem.He also accused the bloc of undue interference in the Philippines’ internal affairs.EU lawmakers who visited the Philippines in July criticized Duterte’s anti-narcotics war, citing the more than 3,000 deaths in anti-drug operations and alleged human rights violations in the country.Amid what the government believes is the EU’s interference in Manila’s affairs, EU Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen said refusing aid from the 28-member bloc would mean the loss of about €250 million or $278.73 million worth of grants.Duterte also earlier accused Europe of allegedly calling for the Philippines’ expulsion from the United Nations and told European diplomats here to leave in 24 hours.This came after the seven-member delegation of the International Delegates of the Progressive Alliance visited the Philippines.During the Wednesday meeting with the European Union officials, Cayetano said the bloc also clarified the delegation was not an EU mission as reported in the media.“We had a very frank and honest discussion with the representatives of EU, led by Ambassador Jessen. We affirmed to him that the ties are there, are strong, the things that bind the Philippines and Europe, those [go] a long way just like the US. Having said that, we take issue with certain statements in the environment that is trying to be put up by some European-led NGOs [non-government organizations], parliamentarians,” he added.“So the EU Ambassador clarified to us, that’s not an official stand of the EU, that’s not the EU themselves. But… the other day [there were reports [that came out], so we’re telling them we have to take the full picture into consideration,” Cayetano said.Meanwhile, he reiterated that Manila’s trade relationship with the European Union would not be affected by the Philippines’ move to turn down assistance from the bloc.“So having said that, the way forward is simple, there’s no problem in our trade [relations]… But in aid, we told them…, If you’re going to give us conditionalities that will affect our sovereignty to give you the right to interfere in our domestic affairs, we will not accept that donation,” Cayetano said.“We agreed on two things, one to keep talking, number two, to look for way forward. So hopefully [if talks go well] between the EU and President Duterte then it’ll be a giant step forward but there are real issues that have to be resolved,” he added.Senators have expressed no objection to the President rejecting conditional aid from the EU but said the country needs all the help it could get for the rehabilitation of Marawil City.Senators Gregorio Honasan and Francis Escudero both agreed that the decision not to accept EU help is a prerogative of the President because he has the sole discretion regarding foreign policy.According to Honasan, while the country really needs all the help it could get, it should not be at the expense of national pride and patrimony.He is also against the supposed meddling of the EU in the country’s domestic affairs.Mutual respect“We are not meddling in their affairs… Tinatakot at sinusuhulan pa tayo. Ang tawag dito [we are being threatened and bribed. That is what you call] mutual reciprocal relationship and respect,” Honasan said in a text message.Escudero said any aid would be welcomed as long there are no “strings attached.”He added that the President has the sole prerogative to accept or reject foreign help and he is convinced that Duterte has basis in rejecting it.Sen. Francis Pangilinan of the minority bloc also raised no objection to the rejection of conditional aid, saying also that it is the prerogative of the President being the chief architect of the country’s foreign policy.He, however, said that the government must make sure that the rehabilitation of Marawi City would proceed smoothly even without the assistance from the EU.The budget department initially allotted P5 billion for the rehabilitation of the war-torn city this year and would be allotting P10 billion for 2018.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ph-still-open-foreign-aid-without-conditionalities/358633/
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SPED students join 2017 Palarong Pambansa
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['Neil Alcober']
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2017-04-23 00:37:24+00:00
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Some 900 Special Education (SPED) athletes are expected to troop to San Jose de Buenavista, Antique to compete in the different categories of special games in this year’s Palarong Pambansa and prove that no physical barriers can restrict them from going for the gold.The special games, which was first included during the 2008 Palarong Pambansa held in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, will include events such as athletics, goalball, bocce and swimming.Student-athletes with intellectual disability, and who are visually impaired and orthopedically handicapped/amputee enrolled in SPED classes in the public and private schools for school year 2016-2017 will participate in the different special games events.Each region is allowed to field in a maximum of 55 delegates composing of athletes and coaches.The age categories are as follows: visually impaired (open category, but up to 25 years old only); intellectual disability (15 years old to 25 years old only); ortho/leg amputee (open category, but up to 25 years old only); and goalball/bocce/swimming (open category, but up to 25 years old only).The competition categories are the following: Visually Impaired – athletics (100 meters, standing long jump and shot put) and goalball; Intellectually Disabled – athletics (100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, 4 x 100 meters, running long jump and shot put), bocce (single, double, and team), and swimming (50-meter backstroke, freestyle and breaststroke); and Ortho/Amputee – athletics (shot put) and swimming (50-meter backstroke, freestyle and breaststroke).Besides awarding the top three finishers, medals will also be given to the fourth to eighth outstanding athletes per category.Dennis Esta, Tournament Manager for Para Games, reiterated that athletes with disabilities will be well-taken cared of.In a press conference in March, Education Secretary Leonor Briones shared a story about a blind runner who carried the torch in a regional Palaro.“I thought this is what democracy is all about. Inclusion is what it is all about. This is what we mean when we say no one is left behind,” she added.The venue for athletics and swimming will be at the Binirayan Sports Complex while goalball and bocce will be held at the Antique SPED Center.This year’s Palaro, with the theme “2017 Palarong Pambansa: Converges Youth Power, Builds Sustainable Future,” will be held from April 23 to 29.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/sped-students-join-2017-palarong-pambansa/323627/
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La Loma celebrates lechon festival
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['Jing Villamente']
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2018-05-20 00:02:47+00:00
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A gastronomic treat awaits foodies who will join the Lechon Festival in La Loma, Quezon City today.This year’s festivities will include a culinary competition where lechon is the main ingredient, a street dance competition, a lechon float parade, street boodle fight, Grand Procession of the Nuestra Senora de Salvacion, and a fireworks display.Quezon City Tourism Affairs Department head Divina Gracia Pascua said the La Loma Lechon Festival is open to the public.“Welcome ang lahat na magpunta sa La Loma Lechon Festival. Kahit ‘yung mga taga probinsya, pwede silang makisaya at makisalo dito sa Quezon City (Everybody is welcome. Even those who are in the provinces, they can come and join the festival)” Pascua said.La Loma is dubbed as the Philippines’ lechon capital because of the large number of establishments sellingroasted pig in the area.Lechon, a popular Filipino dish, is loved for its crisp skin and juicy meat.La Loma Lechoneros president William Chua of Ping-ping’s Lechon said the city government helped organize the festival.“We are happy that Quezon City supports our Lechon Festival. Through this initiative, nagiging mas masaya ang festival. Iniimbita namin ang lahat na mamasyal sa La Loma at tikman ang lechon ditto (We invite everyone to visit La Loma and sample our lechon),” Chua said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/la-loma-celebrates-lechon-festival/399851/
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DoLE, top networking site address job-skill mismatch
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['William Depasupil']
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2017-05-26 21:10:06+00:00
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THE Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) has tied up with LinkedIn, one of the top business and employment-oriented social networking sites worldwide, in addressing a mismatch between skills and the actual jobs available in the market.The mismatch is blamed as the prime driver of the country’s growing problem on underemployment.Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd on Friday said LinkedIns would provide windows of opportunity for employers to peek into the skills of its Filipino members.He added that the employment networking site has released its Philippine Skills Report, which shows the top skills of four million LinkedIn Filipino members, to help companies identify employees who fit its hiring criteria.“The Philippine Skills Report of LinkedIn bares the list of in-demand jobs and top skills of around four million of its Filipino members. It will help companies to fulfill their hiring needs and for the job seekers to find right opportunities fitted with their expertise,” Bello said.He added that the skills report will expand jobseekers’ career path decisions with increased job opportunities available in various industries, as the Philippines is currently considered as one of the Asia’s fastest-growing economies.“The Philippines is currently one of the Asia’s fastest-growing economies, but this can only be maintained if companies can find the right talent and skill to foster business growth. In support of the Philippine government’s effort, LinkedIn is helping to bridge this gap and support local business by effectively connecting talent and skill with the right opportunities,” Bello said.In the DoLE’s Labor Market Information (LMI) Report for 2013 to 2020, it identified key 275 occupations as in-demand and 102 occupations are listed as hard-to-fill from among key and emerging industries.In-demand occupations refer to active occupations/job vacancies posted or advertised recurrently. These occupations have high turnover/replacement rate and are essentials in the operations of a company.Organized labor has said that just this year, some 1.2 million college and vocational graduates find difficulty in getting a job because of a growing mismatch between their training and the job skills required by most employers.According to the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP), through spokesman Alan Tanjusay, the job-skill mismatch crisis in the country continues to grow, resulting in stiffer competition and prompting employers to put additional qualifications into the job descriptions for them to compete.LinkedIn cited the Top 10 industry where its Filipino members came from, with Information and Technology topping the list, followed by Outsourcing, Education, Banking and Financial Services, Telecommunications, Real Estate, Healthcare, Computer Software, Oil and Gas and Manufacturing.It also bared the most hired occupations on its site to guide possible Filipino members to sign up and look for in-demand job opportunities being offered by hiring companies.Some of the most hired occupations on LinkedIn are Sales Professional, Software Developer, Customer Service Specialist, Marketing Specialist, Operations Manager, Recruiter, IT Support Specialist, Human Resource Professional, IT Consultant and Accountant.“DoLE is working hand-in-hand with other partner agencies and organizations, including LinkedIn to address job-skill mismatch in our country. We need to bridge the gap between the skills and job opportunities for better career and economic gains,” Bello said.WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/dole-top-networking-site-address-job-skill-mismatch-2/329471/
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Casino coverage under AMLA nears
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2017-05-25 22:01:20+00:00
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A proposed measure that could spare the Philippines from being blacklisted by an international anti-money laundering task force moves a step closer to being enacted after the Senate approved it on second reading on Wednesday.Sponsored by Sen. Francis Escudero, Senate Bill (SB) 1468 seeks to put more teeth into the existing Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) by including the casino industry in the list of institutions covered by the law.The Senate is expected to pass SB 1468 on third and final reading next week, in order to have it enacted into law by June, to meet the deadline set by the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG).According to Escudero, failure to enact the required legislation within the given time frame would put the Philippines under monitoring of the International Corporation Review Group of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) that could eventually result in the blacklisting of the Philippines.The APG, in its report dated November 23, 2016 during the group’s High Level Visit in Manila on November 17-18, 2016, urged the Philippine government to include casinos under AMLA coverage before the next APG meeting in July 2017.Escudero said the blacklist tag would put the country under stringent international financial scrutiny, which might increase the cost of bank transactions abroad and affect remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).According to the senator the Philippines barely escaped the FATF blacklist after hackers broke into the Bangladesh Bank’s account with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and successfully stole $81 million.The money found its way to four fake bank accounts in a Makati City branch of Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) and transferred to Philrem Services Corporation and then delivered in cash tranches to casinos.The senator said the heist highlighted a vulnerable aspect in the country’s anti-money laundering efforts and underlined the FATF’s conditions with regard to casinos.Under SB 1468 casinos, with respect to their casino cash transactions related to their gaming operations, shall be considered as “covered persons.”A single casino cash transaction involving an amount in excess of P5 million or its equivalent in any other currency will be considered as a “covered transaction.”The bill also proposes a period of effectivity of a freeze order issued by the Court of Appeals and the processes involved, subject to other remedies available under the same law.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/casino-coverage-amla-nears/329197/
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Parañaque to allot P40M for Baclaran flea market
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['Nelson Badilla']
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2017-04-21 22:30:25+00:00
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Mayor Edwin Olivarez on Friday said the Parañaque City government is planning to set aside P40 million to build a flea market in a government-owned lot in Aseana compound to solve the illegal use of roads by Baclaran vendors.Olivarez made the disclosure after Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Tomas Orbos headed clearing operations in the area.He called for a decisive solution to end this old problem in Baclaran.The MMDA has conducted clearing operations in the area a number of times but the vendors return each time.Olivarez directed the Parañaque City police chief, Senior Supt. Jemar Modequillo, to arrest the leader and members of “Baclaran 7,” a syndicate that collects more than a million daily from the vendors.In a statement, he said “around 900 illegal vendors are under the protection of the syndicate led by ‘Eve,’ ‘Jojo’ and ‘Adam,’ who remain untouchable despite a crackdown on the syndicate last year.”“The illegal vendors are required to remit between P100 to P300 a day. The money is remitted to Jojo, a former employee of the Bureau of Immigration; Eve, who is believed to be a high-ranking city hall official; and Adam, who is reportedly connected to an official of the Southern Police District,” Olivarez added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/paranaque-allot-p40m-baclaran-flea-market/323364/
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Sara to succeed him? Duterte says it was a joke
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['Catherine S. Valente']
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2017-09-30 21:58:11+00:00
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President Rodrigo Duterte said he was only kidding when he said his daughter, Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte, was the most eligible person to succeed him in 2022.In an interview aired over state-run PTV4 on Friday night, Duterte recalled proposing the idea as a joke during a dinner with Davao-based reporters on September 22.“It started with a joke. Sabi nila, ‘Sinong papalit sa iyo sa ‘pagka-presidente’ [They said, ‘Who will replace you as president’]?” he said.Duterte said he made the suggestion after he was told that his successor should be like him.“Actually, senador ‘yang pina-plano ko. Sabi… Sabi… ‘Kailangan ‘yung disiplina di mawala’ [Actually, I was thinking of her as a senator. They said, ‘Discipline should remain’]. They are or they were or they are. They are talking about me and for somebody like me to replace me,” he said.“Sabi ko, ‘Gusto ninyo— Pero babae ‘to. Gusto ninyo… Pero manipa ‘to, manuntok ‘to, manampal’ [I said, ‘You want someone but she is a lady, she kicks, punches, and slaps faces],” the President added. “Gusto ninyo ng ganun? Si Inday. Eh nagtawanan.[Do you want someone like that? It’s Inday. Then they laughed].”The President, however, said his daughter has no interest in politics.“As I have said, ayaw ni Inday na sa politika [Inday does not like politics],” Duterte said, saying that she only agreed to run for mayor of Davao on condition he would seek the presidency in 2016.The President, during a media night held on September 22, was quoted as saying: “I couldn’t find any other better candidate than Sara to become the next president. And one thing about her is she is not a bigot.”Palace spokesman Ernesto Abella said Duterte simply acknowledged his daughter’s capability to serve the whole country.He said the President was merely underlining the need to preserve administration’s gains “by someone [whom] he actually trusts,” apparently referring to younger Duterte.“It was not an official statement, okay? That statement was made to one reporter. Second, I think, you’re making a breathtaking leap by assuming that he wants power when he says that his daughter is somebody that he trusts,” Abella said.He, however, said the Chief Executive should not be misconstrued that he wants “to perpetuate power.”“He saw the capacity, capability, sincerity, intention of Sara Duterte. I think you have to consider her as an independent personality and not just his daughter,” Abella said. “She is an effective person and mayor and politician who happen to be his daughter. So it’s not a question of wanting to perpetuate power.”
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/sara-succeed-duterte-says-joke/353855/
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Probe Jacinto, PACC urged
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['Catherine S. Valente']
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2018-11-07 00:03:34+00:00
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THE Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) headed by Dante Jimenez has been asked to investigate presidential adviser Ramon “RJ” Jacinto over his proposal to limit the number of registered common tower companies in the country to only two.In its complaint-letter filed before the PACC, the Filipino League of Advocates for Good Governance (FLAG) said Jacinto should be probed for his stand on the common tower policy and for conflict of interest.FLAG founder Edwin Cordevilla said Jacinto had been “illegally pushing for a duopoly” in the tower construction sector.Jacinto, presidential adviser for economic affairs and information technology communications, had proposed that there should only be two tower companies registered with the government.This was opposed by FLAG, which cited the need for 50,000 cell towers to serve 113 million subscribers in the country.The group said Jacinto’s proposal goes against the Philippine Competition Act as it will lessen competition. It added that pushing for a duopoly violates the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.The FLAG also asked the PACC to look into Jacinto’s past transactions with both private and state banks while working with the government that Cordevilla said might be considered business malpractices.Cordevilla was referring to the case filed by the Land Bank of the Philippines against Jacinto eight years ago for issuing checks amounting to P400 million that bounced.Jacinto served as presidential adviser on flagship projects between 1992 and 1998 when Fidel Ramos was the president.The group also said another controversial business transaction that Jacinto entered into was the multi-billion peso purchase of a Philippine National Bank (PNB) prime lot in Makati City.Based on the FLAG’s complaint, the deal with PNB went sour and a civil case was filed against Jacinto. The Supreme Court issued a decision in 2010 ordering him to return the property to the bank.“On the moral side, Jacinto can’t easily turn his back on the implication of his duopoly proposal because it is of public knowledge that his family is into steel manufacturing business and that tower construction is 100 percent a steel-based project,” Cordevilla said in the complaint.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/probe-jacinto-pacc-urged/463348/
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NPC seeks bigger role in media slays probe
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['Angelica Ballesteros']
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2016-10-15 22:02:45+00:00
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The National Press Club (NPC) on Saturday urged the government to give the media a concrete role in the task force recently formed to investigate the killings of journalists.NPC Vice President Benny Antiporda made the call following the signing by President Rodrigo Duterte of an Administrative Order creating the task force on media killings.Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said representatives from media organizations will be tapped by the task force as resource persons or observers.“Medyo mahirap po ito pero ang atin, mananawagan po tayo especially kay Secretary Martin Andanar na ireconsider ito at bigyan ng talagang konkretong responsibilidad ang ating mga kapatid sa media [This would be very hard, but we are appealing especially to Secretary Martin Andanar to reconsider this and give concrete functions to our fellow media workers],” Antiporda said in a news forum.“I’m happy to say that we’re also given a chance to be observers—the National Press Club was given a chance to be an observer in the task force, but sad to say that [we] are not members,” he said.Antiporda clarified that he is not underestimating the members of the task force from the government, but said that it should also be composed of people who have more impetus to focus on the subjects of the probes.“What we are trying to say here is it will be better if it is composed of people who are really concerned on the issue of media killings. So sino yan? Mga [So who are these people? The] media,” he said.“Alam naman natin kung sino ang binabatikos ng mga media. Ito ay ang mga government officials. So alam natin na medyo may lamat o sugat na iniiwan ang mga mamamahayag tuwing nababatikos ang mga opisyal lalo na kung hindi tama sa kanyang panlasa ang sinulat mo [We all know who are being criticized by the media. The government officials. As such, we know that journalists somehow leave wounds every time they criticize officials, especially if these officials don’t like what is written],” he added.“The NPC is [also] calling for all the members of the media—that it is about time that we police our own ranks. Na disiplinahin naman natin ang ating sarili [That we start to discipline ourselves]. What is really expected here is lahat magkakaroon ng trabaho dito, hindi bilang resource persons lamang [everyone must have their own functions, not just as resource persons],” he noted.Duterte signed on Tuesday Administrative Order no. 1 creating the “Presidential Task Force on Violations of the Right to Life, Liberty and Security of the Members of the Media.”“The task force is given the duty of ensuring a safe environment for media workers,” Andanar said, quoting the AO.The Presidential task force will be composed of Justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre 2nd as chairman, Andanar as co-chairman and the secretaries of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and Department of National Defense, the Solicitor General, Executive Director of the Presidential Human Rights Committee, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Director General of the Philippine National Police, and Director of the National Bureau of Investigation as members.The pool of media resource persons, meanwhile, will be comprised of leaders of the NPC, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas, Publishers Association of the Philippines, Incorporated and Philippine Press Institute.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/npc-seeks-bigger-role-media-slays-probe/291422/
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‘Diversionary terror attacks to replicate Marawi siege’
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['Dempsey Reyes']
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2017-10-06 21:13:10+00:00
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Reports of planned “diversionary attacks” by terrorists are being received by the military during its ongoing operations in Marawi City against the Islamic State (IS)-linked Maute Group, according to the newly-installed commanding general of the Philippine Army.In an interview with reporters on Thursday, Maj. Gen. Rolando Bautista said they have been receiving such reports since the start of the siege of the city by the Maute Group on May 23.“[As] part of the diversionary attacks, they will disrupt peaceful municipalities and replicate the Marawi siege,” Bautista told reporters at the sidelines of the 58th Change of Command ceremony for the new Philippine Army commander in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.Defense and security officials have been announcing deadlines for ending the siege of the capital city of Lanao del Sur in southern Mindanao but have failed to deliver on them.The most recent deadline set by the military was announced by Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., commander of the Armed Forces’ Western Mindanao Command.Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in September said the fighting would not last until the beginning of October but this deadline was unmet.For Bautista, the war would not last until November, when meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will be held in Clark, Pampanga.He said military operations would not stop in Marawi even if it was liberated from the Maute Group bandits.“Our operations in Marawi will not stop. As we liberate downtown Marawi, [the operations] will continue. We have consolidated reports [of the planned attacks],” according to Bautista.In the meantime, he said, it will be necessary to retain martial law in Mindanao to pursue the rehabilitation phase of Marawi City.“Martial law has been a big help for us. Imagine, we can accost suspected terrorists. If there is no martial law, we would be charged [if we did that],” Bautista added.President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in the whole of Mindanao shortly after the Marawi siege began.If he had his way, Bauti sta said, he would want to return to Marawi City to finish off the siege but that he would have to wait for instructions from Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Año.Bautista was the commander of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Marawi when he was named by President Rodrigo Duterte as the chief of the 87,000-strong Philippine Army, replacing Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda, who will retire on October 8.Aside from reports of the diversionary attacks, Bautista said they are also receiving reports that the two remaining terror leaders of the Maute Group were among the casualties of the siege in Marawi City.He added that ground commanders obtained reports that the Islamic State’s Southeast Asian “emir” Isnilon Hapilon and Omarkhayam Maute, one of the top Maute brothers, had been killed.“There were reports that they are already dead but then again those will be subject for validation, the deaths of Hapilon and the others,” Bautista said.In September, Año said Abdullah, Ottoh and Maddie Maute–the Maute brothers leading the terror group–were already dead.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/diversionary-terror-attacks-replicate-marawi-siege/354906/
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INC helps thousands in anti-poverty program
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['The Manila Times']
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2018-10-29 00:03:04+00:00
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The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) held simultaneous anti-poverty programs in Manila and Quezon City on Sunday, months after conducting successful outreach and livelihood campaigns in North America and Africa.INC General Auditor Glicerio Santos Jr. said the outreach activity dubbed as “Lingap ng Mamayan” (Lingap) provided medical and dental services and gave out a total of 100,000 goodie bags to residents of Tondo and Binondo in Manila.A similar program will be launched in Culiat, Quezon City on October 31 for the Muslim community. The religious group will distribute 5,000 bags of goodies and render medical and dental assistance.“Home is where the heart is, as they say, so Lingap returned to Metro Manila. As we did in previous instances, these Lingap projects are made possible by the INC’s Felix Y. Manalo Foundation, which works to realize an ever-growing effort to uplift the lives of people, both in the Philippines and abroad,” Santos said.He added that the Lingap activities this month are being held to mark the birthday of INC Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo, who turns 63 on October 31.The foundation conducted various “Aid to Humanity” programs in New York and Connecticut in the United States, and Toronto and Winnipeg in Canada in the last two months, providing around 2,000 and 4,000 “goodwill bags” that contained food and household items.The group also hosted outreach activities in Kiberia and Kawangware in Nairobi, Kenya last June after holding similar activities in Blantyre and Samama Vil. Mangochi in Malawi which catered to over 33,000 Lingap beneficiaries.Santos said Lingap would continue to expand and reach as many areas as possible upon the direction and instruction of Manalo.“Why do we do this at such a sustained and continuous pace? The proper question should be, why not? We have a religious and secular duty to help those in need, whether they are INC members or not. The Church has enough resources and volunteers to make our own small contribution, so we hold the Lingap regularly,” he explained.“It’s our own way of giving back and backing rhetoric with real, positive action.”Thousands lined up outside the INC Church in Binondo, Manila on Sunday to avail themselves of free food items and dental and medical services such as tooth extraction, electrocardiogram, ultrasound and x-ray, which were available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.Robert Delgado of Barrio Obrera in Tondo, Manila, lauded the INC’s anti-poverty initiatives.“This is not my first time to get free dental and medical services and bags of goods from INC and it has always been a big help not just to me but to others from other religions as well,” Delgado said in Filipino.GLEE JALEA AND CATHERINE MODESTO
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/inc-helps-thousands-in-anti-poverty-program/458783/
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Bello orders probe of foreign workers
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['William Depasupil']
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2018-09-29 00:04:11+00:00
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THE Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) has expressed alarm over reports that there are 400,000 foreigners working in the country, when only 115,000 were issued alien employment permit (AEP) by the department.“DoLE is bothered by the report of increasing number of foreign workers in the country. Whether it is true or not, the only thing we are certain of is that there are only around 115,000 foreign workers with Alien Employment Permit issued by DoLE regional directors,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd said in a press briefing.Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, in a recent hearing by the Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development, said there were around 400,000 foreigners working in Metro Manila.Of the said number, 150,000 were reportedly working in casinos in Parañaque’s Entertainment City.Bello delegated to the DoLE regional directors the authority to issue AEP on the condition that work permits should only be issued to foreigners whose line of job could not be done by a Filipino.The DoLE chief said he has ordered an investigation to determine if the 115,000 workers issued AEPs were qualified.“If the AEP is issued to a foreign national to do a job that Filipinos are also qualified to do, it’s a violation that will lead to the cancellation of the AEP,” Bello said.Under the country’s immigration and labor laws, foreigners intending to work here must first apply for a permit from the DoLE and a working visa from the Immigration bureau.This month, immigration authorities arrested at least 70 illegal foreign workers in Manila, Pasay and Parañaque cities and in Bulacan.Bello said other agencies also issue working permits to foreign workers.These include the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Professional Regulation Commission, the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Immigration.Based on the latest data of the Bureau of Local Employment, there are 115,652 foreign nationals issued with AEP. Of these 51,980 are Chinese, 12, 177 are Japanese and 11,780 are Koreans.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/bello-orders-probe-of-foreign-workers/446190/
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Ombudsman to get retirement benefit system
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['Ralph Villanueva']
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2017-11-25 21:22:39+00:00
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THE HOUSE of Representatives has approved on its third reading a bill last week establishing a retirement benefit system for the Office of the Ombudsman.A unanimous vote among 231 lawmakers approved the House Bill (HB) 6578, also known as “Establishing a Retirement System in the Office of the Ombudsman, Augmenting its Employee Benefits,” that was principally sponsored by Rep. Sherwin Tugna of Cibac Party-list and Rep. Ann Hofer of Zamboanga Sibugay.The bill aims to strengthen the Office of the Ombudsman as an institution in the fight against graft and corruption by enhancing and improving the welfare of its employees.The bill provides the Ombudsman, Deputies Ombudsman, special prosecutors and other officials and employees with a salary grade of 26 to 29 who are performing functions against corruption will enjoy the same retirement benefits as the judges of the regional trial courts, municipal trial courts in cities and municipal circuit trial courts with the same salary grades.Pension benefits will be simultaneously increased with the salary and allowances in the same position from which they retired.Upon the death of a retired or incumbent official or employee of the Office of the Ombudsman, the surviving legitimate spouse and dependent children will be entitled to the retirement benefits of the deceased on a monthly basis.A monthly hazard allowance of not exceeding 50 percent of their basic monthly salary will be given to the employees and officials covered by the act.The benefits will be given to those who retire within year prior to the effectivity of the Act. The bill, which substituted HBs 5134 and 63835, has been transmitted to the Senate on Wednesday.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ombudsman-get-retirement-benefit-system/364967/
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MoU on construction of Makati subway signed
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2018-06-29 00:03:23+00:00
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Hong Kong: The Philippines’ Aggregate Business Group and Hong Kong’s Kwan On Holdings, HPA International Limited on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to build a subway that will connect the Makati business district to Fort Bonifacio.Finance Undersecretary Grace Karen Singson, Assistant Secretary Paola Alvarez and Philippine Consul General Antonio Morales witnessed the signing of the MoU at the sidelines of the third Belt and Road Summit jointly organized by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the HKTDC.The event was attended by senior government officials, representatives of international institutions, business leaders and industry experts from countries along and beyond the Belt and Road route.“This project that was signed a while ago is with The Red Group and the Kwan Holdings. It’s about building of a subway that connects the Makati business district to Fort Bonifacio,” Morales told The Manila Times in a chance interview.“It’s a public-private partnership scheme. It’s a very comprehensive agreement signed today which was witnessed by Mr. Vincent Lo, chairman of the HKTDC (Hong Kong Trade Development Council) this morning, who opened the summit,” he said.Morales said the technical details of the project “are being studied.“It’s a very big project. It requires a lot of preparation,” he added.Lo said that since China’s President Xi Jinping introduced the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, “this game-changing global vision has gained increasing recognition from around the world.”The Belt and Road Initiative refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, a development strategy launched by the Chinese government to promote economic cooperation among countries along the proposed Belt and Road routes.“Looking at the world around us today – with an imminent trade war, unpredictable political winds and growing social issues – it is no wonder that the Belt and Road is regarded by many as a sensible solution to a volatile world,” he said in a media briefing.“In just four and a half years, the initiative has achieved significant progress. Over 80 countries have signed cooperation agreements with China on the Belt and Road, and new projects such as railways and roads, ports and power plants have begun in numerous countries around the world,” he said.Lo added, “At the same time, new opportunities are opening up, as the Initiative goes beyond infrastructure to technology, manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, tourism and many others. We all know there is tremendous potential in the Belt and Road. But there are challenges too.”“Managing risks and debt, raising funds, overseeing operations, ensuring benefits are shared. How we can realize this potential while tending to all these issues is therefore the most pressing question,” he said
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/mou-on-construction-of-makati-subway-signed/413711/
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Assistance for Filipina hurt in Barcelona
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2017-08-19 20:56:10+00:00
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FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano has instructed the Philippine Embassy in Madrid to extend help to a Filipina who was seriously injured in Thursday’s terrorist attack in Barcelona, Spain.Cayetano also directed Chargè d’Affaires Emmanuel Fernandez to help locate the missing 7-year-old son of the 43-year-old Filipina who is married to a British.He ordered Fernandez to proceed immediately to Barcelona to assist the unidentified Filipina who remains in serious condition at a hospital in Barcelona.The Filipina’s husband is on his way to Barcelona to help locate his son who got separated from his mother during the attack.She and her son were in Barcelona to attend the wedding of a cousin from the Philippines when the terror attack took place.“It saddens us to inform the public that a kababayan [fellow countryman] of ours from Australia and her 7-year-old son are among the victims of last Thursday’s terrorist attack in Barcelona,” Cayetano said.“I have directed our embassy in Madrid to proceed to Barcelona and extend all possible assistance to our injured kababayan and to exert all efforts to help find her son,” he said.Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Sarah Arriola said the Filipina has been based in Australia for the past three or four years.Arriola said Consul Jordi Puig Roches visited the victim in the hospital after he was notified by local authorities. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is in touch with her relatives in the Philippines.The attack, which involved a van that plowed through crowds gathered in Barcelona’s Las Ramblas tourist district, also resulted in injuries to members of an Irish family that was of Filipino descent.Arriola said Roches continues to monitor the condition of the father and his son. He also reported the success of the surgery performed on the 5-year-old boy who suffered a leg injury as a result of the attack.“We will continue to exert all efforts until we are sure that there are no other Filipinos among the victims of this dastardly act,” Arriola said.She said the embassy is working closely with members of the Filipino community in checking if there are other Filipinos who were among those who were killed or injured in the attack.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/assistance-filipina-hurt-barcelona/345503/
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Court orders promoter to pay Luisito Espinosa
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2017-02-19 19:51:10+00:00
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THE Court of Appeals (CA) has affirmed its own decision ordering the family of the late boxing promoter Rodolfo Nazario to pay former world featherweight champion Luisito Espinosa the remaining balance of his prize money.Nazario allegedly owed Espinosa, now based in the United States, at least P5.8 million plus interest that accrued from the time the case was filed in court several years ago after defending his World Boxing Council title in 1997 in South Cotabato.In a decision, the CA’s Special Fourth Division stood pat on its findings that no new arguments were presented to warrant the reversal of its earlier ruling.The appellate court denieda motion for reconsideration filed by surviving members of the Nazario family–Rodolfo’s wife, retired Supreme Court Justice Minita Chico-Nazario and children Roderick, Rommelius and Karen Patricia–who were impleaded in the case after the death of their patriarch.“However, we reiterate that the liability of the legal heirs of the deceased Rodolfo V. Nazario is limited to the value of inheritance which they received from the deceased,” the January 23, 2017 ruling that was released only recently said.The ruling was penned by Associate Justice Eduardo Peralta Jr. and concurred in by Associate Justices Sesinando Villon and Francisco Acosta.The CA had overturned the decision of the Manila Regional Trial Court dismissing Espinosa’s complaint that he filed against Nazario, as well as the other promoters of the fight, identified as former South Cotabato Governor Hilario de Pedro and Joselito Mondejar.Espinosa and his manager Joe Koizumi filed the case on May 26, 1998 against the promoters and organizers of the December 6 Koronadal fight where the “Golden Boy” successfully defended his title against Argentinean Carlos Rios.JOMAR CANLAS
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/court-orders-promoter-pay-luisito-espinosa/313112/
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PhilPost to issue NBI clearances
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['Kenneth Hare Hernandez']
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2017-04-03 20:03:10+00:00
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The Philippine Postal Corp. (PhilPost) will now issue National Bureau of Investigation clearances through the NBI’s new satellite office at the Manila Central Post Office Building in Intramuros, Manila.In a Memorandum of Agreement, PhilPost and the NBI established a partnership for the Post Office Building to serve as an NBI processing site.The PhilPost said the agreement marks an important step in government partnership on vital services and processes in obtaining clearances for employment, gun licensing and overseas travel.The partnership also coincides with the 25th anniversary of the postal service as a government-owned and -controlled corporation from 1992 to the present.The PhilPost will provide five counters dedicated to processing NBI clearances and will a charge a minimal “convenience fee” of P25 in addition to the processing fee.Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer Joel Otarra said the PhilPost will satisfy the demand of delivering public services and properly addressing the needs of the people.“To meet public demands, this agreement brings access to public services closer to the consumers through PhilPost’s existing network of post offices and postal stations in the country,” Ottara added.The service also seeks to provide services to rural areas not reached by electronic services such as the Internet and instant messaging and to become a virtual “one-stop shop” for government services.KENNETH HERNANDEZ
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/philpost-issue-nbi-clearances/320777/
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1,000 cops to secure Santo Niño feast
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['Jaime Pilapil']
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2017-01-14 21:00:20+00:00
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The Manila Police District (MPD) has deployed almost a thousand policemen for the Santo Niño Feast on Sunday.Station 2 commander Supt. Arnold Thomas Ibay said they have conducted anti-criminality operations days before the religious event.“We’re supported by private volunteer groups and NGOs, and, of course, the concerned barangays,” he said.MPD Station 10 also helped provide security especially in the Buling-Buling festival in Pandacan, Ibay added.Mayor Joseph Estrada has attributed to the Santo Niño (child Jesus) all the blessings that the city and its citizens have been receiving.The feast is celebrated on the third Sunday of January, although related activities are held as early as Saturday. The focus of the festivities is in Tondo and Pandacan.The celebration in Tondo is highlighted by the “Lakbayaw (Lakbay-Sayaw)” while that in Pandacan, by the “Buling-Buling” street dancing festival joined by participants in their best attires.Among those “blessings,” Estrada said, are the peaceful Black Nazarene procession last week where no one was seriously injured and the completion of multi-million-peso infrastructure projects in the city such as hospitas and the continuous economic progress of the city.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/1000-cops-secure-santo-nino-feast-2/306916/
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Tattoos, bank waivers must not derail drug probe
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['Inq Reeks Of Censorship', 'Pls Torture', 'Kill Duterte', 'Philippine Englishes']
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15/09/2017 0:00
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which is how 600,000 grams of shabu made it through customs at a time when the national government is waging a war on drugs.Thousands of drug pushers and addicts have been killed in this war, many cases involving just a few grams of shabu. We fear that many more will suffer because of thousands of grams of shabu that may have already passed through Customs and other points along our porous borders. The disputes over tattoos, bank waivers, and Senate “persecution” must not be allowed to derail the effort to stop the entry of shabu into the country, which is at the center of our drug problem.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/09/15/tattoos-bank-waivers-must-not-derail-drug-probe/
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Japanese government honors Drilon, Virata
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['The Manila Times']
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2016-11-03 20:52:19+00:00
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The Japanese government on Thursday announced the conferment of the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun on Franklin Drilon, Senate president pro-tempore, and Cesar Virata, former prime minister.It said Drilon is being recognized for promoting friendly relations and developing economic cooperation between Japan and the Philippines.Tokyo, in a statement, said the senator has dedicated himself to nurturing the Philippines-Japan Parliamentarians Association (PJPA) since 1999.In 2011, Drilon became PJPA president and contributed “significantly” to deepening the friendship between the PJPA and its counterpart, the Japan-Philippines Parliamentarians Friendship League.He is also being recognized for his “invaluable” role in enhancing economic relations by, among others, supporting the ratification of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement, which was signed by both governments in September 2006 and entered into force in December 2008.His efforts, Tokyo said, have contributed to Japan’s status as one of the largest trade and investment partners of the Philippines today.Virata is being honored also for promoting friendly relations and developing economic cooperation between the two countries.The former prime minister who had also served as Finance secretary, according to the Japanese government, contributed to the reinforcement of economic relations between Japan and the Philippines through the ratification of the Philippines-Japan Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation and the promotion of the Philippines-Japan Tax Treaty.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/japanese-government-honors-drilon-virata/294656/
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Drone ban near airports sought
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2018-03-30 00:03:37+00:00
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A law prohibiting the flying of drones over groups of people and near airports to ensure public safety is needed, according to Senate President Aquilino Pimentel 3rd.He recently filed Senate Bill (SB) 1723 regulating the use of drones by private persons whether used for hobby or commercial purposes.The prohibitions, however, are subject to exceptions to be made by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).Pimentel said the use of drones by the government is not covered by the proposed measure.“Over the last two decades, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles or drones has proliferated in various sectors of society,” he noted.Drones, Pimentel said, are used for amateur photography and to increase crop production and conduct surveillance for military and law enforcement agencies.“With the ubiquity comes the need for regulation,” the Senate chief added.“The same drones that are used for recreational and commercial purposes may be used to violate rights, exploited by terrorists or pose a hazard to aircraft,” he said.Under SB 1723, private owners must register their drones.Failure to do so would result in the confiscation of the drones.“Operating a drone for commercial purposes without a permit shall result in the confiscation of the drone and a fine of not less than P50,000 but not more than P100,000,” Pimentel said.SB 1723 authorizes the CAAP to prohibit the use of drones, whether hobbyist or commercial or both, in any part of the Philippines, whether permanently or for a designated period of time, subject to notice that must be published in at least two newspapers of national circulation.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/drone-ban-near-airports-sought/389325/
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Solon wants more female officers in PNP
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['Glee Jalea']
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2018-11-05 00:04:22+00:00
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A lawmaker said on Sunday there is a need to increase the percentage of female officers in the Philippine National Police (PNP) to give increased protection to women and minors.Rep. Johnny Pimentel of Surigao del Sur said the PNP’s annual recruitment, training and education quota for female officers should be increased from 10 percent to 20 percent so “immediate administrative reforms” can be made related to custodial handling of children and women who may or may not be in conflict with the law.This came after Eduardo Valencia was charged and dismissed from the police service for allegedly raping the 15-year-old daughter of suspected drug pushers in exchange for their freedom.Valencia’s case became controversial after he admitted to Director Guillermo Eleazar of the National Capital Regional Police Office that what happened was nothing new in police operations, and that officers like him were accustomed to having their way with suspected drug offenders and their family members.The girl’s mother reported the rape to the police, claiming that Valencia brought her daughter to a motel in Manila on October 26.“In other jurisdictions with strong child protection systems, whenever a young girl is taken in for any reason, male officers cannot just put her in a police car. They have to call for a female officer to accompany the child,” Pimentel said.He added that children and women who were visiting family members in police detention must be assisted by the station’s women and children protection desk.“There’s no reason why the PNP cannot do this now. We already have Women and Children Protection Desks headed by female officers in all police stations,” Pimentel said.Think tank Center for Women’s Resources (CRW) said that a total of 56 policemen have been involved in 33 cases of abuse against women under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.“Abuses against women continue because these scalawags are able to get away from their crimes,” CWR Executive Director Jojo Guan said.“We dare the PNP to release the list of cops who are involved in abuses against women and minors, and to reveal the statuses and results of the investigations conducted,” she added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/solon-wants-more-female-officers-in-pnp/462360/
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Road rage suspect is a poker player
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['Jing Villamente']
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2017-02-28 22:32:31+00:00
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The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Tuesday said the road rage suspect who gunned down a motorcyclist on Quezon Avenue and D. Tuazon Road Saturday last week is a poker player who apparently works for an alleged gambling lord.In a news conference at Camp Karingal, QCPD Director and Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar identified the suspect as Fredison Atienza a.k.a. Sonson who was driving a white Toyota Land Cruiser sports utility vehicle (SUV) when it nearly hit the motorcycle of Anthony Mendoza, an IT expert who was driving the bike with his brother Michael as passenger.Atienza and Anthony were apparently disputing who was at fault when Atienza suddenly drew his gun and fired at Anthony at close range and then sped away, leaving Michael in shock and Anthony dead with a bullet wound in the head.Eleazar said while a witness and others who saw the incident gave different recollections of the license plate (AHA 3454, for one) of the suspect’s vehicle, footage from street CCTVs of both the victim’s motorcycle and the suspect’s vehicle led them to establish the real license plate of Atienza’s SUV (AHA 3458).Verification made with the Land Transportation Office, according to the QCPD chief, led them to the owner of the vehicle as well as the identity of the suspect through Atienza’s Facebook posts.A photo of the gunman as well as an artist’s sketch matched, with the victim’s brother positively identifying Atienza when Eleazar presented to Michael the photo of his brother’s gunman during the news conference.An investigator who wished not to be named revealed that Atienza is a known poker player and is allegedly identified with Bong Pineda, an alleged gambling lord operating in Central Luzon.He said intelligence reports that they gathered indicated that the suspect is in Boracay, having been sent by Pineda to monitor construction of a casino that when completed would have Atienza as its manager.Eleazar, meanwhile, said investigation revealed that the suspect’s firearm used in the incident had an expired license.“He is an owner of a 45 caliber STI pistol whose license expired last May 20, 2013 and a Glock 9mm pistol whose license expired last May 20, 2010,” he added.The suspect is still armed and dangerous, according to Eleazar.Murder as well as illegal possession of firearms charges are being readied against the suspect, whom Eleazar encouraged to surrender peacefully.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/road-rage-suspect-poker-player/314652/
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‘2016 elections credible’
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['William Depasupil']
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2017-05-19 21:38:07+00:00
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THE automated 2016 synchronized national and local elections, despite some shortcomings, were by far most credible and peaceful, far better than the past two automated polls held in 2010 and 2013, according to an independent international and strategic research organization.But political analyst Ramon Casiple, chairman, Consortium on Electoral Reforms, pointed out on Friday that findings of Stratbase ADR Institute (Stratbasse) would not affect former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos’ protest against results of the vice presidential elections, now pending before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET).“While election stakeholders see the need to improve in some specific aspects of the election process such as the terms of the minimum system requirements stated in the Automated Election System (AES) Law, these do not detract from the credible and orderly conduct of the 2016 elections,” Dr. Franciso Magno said in a research paper he had written entitled “Technology, Democracy and Elections in the Philippines,” which he presented in a media briefing at the Tower Club of PhilAm Life Tower in Makati City.Magno is trustee and program convenor of the Governance Program of Stratbase ADR Institute.According to Casiple, the problem in the Marcos’ case is not actually the substance of the complaint but time, saying the “protest is following the same traditional process and ultimately the problem there is time.”“It has no material effect. I don’t think it will be introduced as evidence in the case,” he told reporters.Dropping of caseCasiple surmised that a recent petition of the Marcos camp to assign three commissioners to handle the case was part of its strategy to push the Presidential Electoral Tribunal to make the process faster even as he pointed out that historically it had never happened that the electoral tribunal decided on the matter on time.He expressed belief that the whole thing will possibly reach the 2019 senatorial elections.In such a scenario, Casiple said, Marcos will have to decide whether he will run for the Senate or continue with the protest because running for an elective position will basically have an impact on the case, which will ultimately lead to dropping of the case.“The [electoral tribunal] usually says it will be moot and academic. That the interest is not there anymore and they will just drop the case,” he added, citing as an example the protest of then-senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago against Fidel Ramos, who won the 1992 presidential elections.On the protest of former senator Manuel Roxas 2nd against then-Vice President Jejomar Binay, Casiple pointed out that it was decided late by the Presidential Electoral Tribunal when both parties had already filed their candidacy for the 2016 presidential elections.“That is a real risk that the Marcos camp will have to face. The tactic I think now is trying to push the [electoral tribunal] to make the process faster, that’s the reason behind the proposal of three simultaneous commissioners to handle the cases. But I don’t think it will lead to that,” he said.“So the possibility of Marcos being proclaimed, for example, is not due to the content or the substance of the protest, the more important element is time. Will it reach that point where they can end the whole process of recount?” according to Casiple.In giving a positive assessment of the results of the 2016 elections, Magno cited results of a random manual audit (RMA) of almost 700 clustered polling precincts that showed 99.9 percent accuracy.The RMA Committee is composed of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) and Philippine Statistics Authority.Magno said the Comelec is yet to tap several avenues to further improve the election system in the country.Youth participationAmong them, he added, is to explore ways to intensify current efforts and work alongside political parties and civil society organizations to fully utilize social media to reach the youth and encourage their participation in elections.Also, Magno said, the poll body should consider alternative registration procedures for indigenous peoples (IPs) and for person with disabilities (PWDs), and the appointment as well of a fourth polling official in busier precincts to mitigate potential bottlenecks in polling.RMA protocols, he also pointed out, should carefully distinguish between ballot marks not scanned in accordance with vote counting machine settings from outright failure of VCM scanning.It was proposed that the term “digital signature” should be placed in the law, and be defined as an amendment to the AES Law.The study suggested that the source code review should not be limited to only reading the codes but should also allow the use of software tools to test the system, and for the poll body to restore the national and local elections 2016 results on its website or on a separate one linked to its official website for enhanced transparency and public access.Comelec Chairman Juan Andres Bautista said they were very pleased with the conclusion of the Stratbasse study even as he assured that the poll body would continue to look for ways to make the election process better.On the Marcos protest, Bautista added, the Comelec is neutral.“That matter is now with the [Presidential Electoral Tribunal], which is our Supreme Court (SC). As I said, we are here to support and have the SC perform its constitutional duty to resolve the protest. We will provide whatever information they need. We have no participation at this point,” he said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/2016-elections-credible/328145/
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Arroyo seeks creation of teachers’ hospital
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2016-10-31 20:42:08+00:00
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Former President Gloria Arroyo, a deputy speaker at the House of Representatives, has filed a bill that seeks to establish a hospital for the country’s teachers and their dependents.House Bill 2967 proposes the creation of the Philippine Teachers Hospital and allots an initial budget of P300 million for the facility.“This hospital is in recognition of their [teachers’] invaluable contribution to educating the youth. In spite of the difficulties that confront their profession, they have remained steadfast in molding the values and character of our children. They are our unsung heroes,” Arroyo said in a statement.“As such, teachers should be provided with facilities that will cater to their health needs,” she added.The former President noted that teachers are exposed to work-related health risks like pharyngitis, hypertension, anemia and hyperacidity, among others.Arroyo’s bill also provides that the Philippine Teachers Hospital, to be constructed in Metro Manila, will be the primary medical facility for the hospitalization and medical care of teachers and members of their family.Teachers outside Metro Manila can go to regional hospitals because the measure mandates all regional hospitals to establish a teachers’ ward with an initial capacity of at least 50 beds.Those employed by public and private educational institutions as teachers, instructors, administrative support employees, physicians, dentists and nurses as well as officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED), graduates of education who have passed the government examination for teachers but are not actually employed as such, are also covered by the bill.The bill will cover teachers’ dependents such as their legitimate spouse, legitimate, illegitimate, or legally adopted children not older than 21, or children who are not married, not gainfully employed or incapacitated and incapable of self-support due to a mental or physical defect, and their parents dependent upon them for support.The Philippine Teachers’ Hospital will be administered by a Board of Directors to be headed by the Secretaries of Education and Health as ex-officio chairmen. The secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and chairman of the Commission on Higher Education will be the ex-officio members.Other members of the board will be representatives from the teachers sector from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao who will serve a term of three years without reappointment.“It is the hope of the author that such hospital can provide comprehensive health care services to all teachers and their dependents and complement the existing package of services under the National Health Insurance Program,” Arroyo said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/arroyo-seeks-creation-teachers-hospital/294053/
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Drilon wants budget amendments scrutinized
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-11-19 21:45:04+00:00
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SENATE Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon on Sunday expressed confidence his colleagues would support his proposal to require every amendment to the proposed 2018 national budget to be presented and scrutinized in open session.“We should discuss every amendment to the budget in open session,” Drilon said in an interview with DZBB on Sunday.Unlike past practices where amendments were submitted through the committee, Drilon explained that each senator, who wants to submit an amendment, would now have to present it on the floor for the chamber’s consideration.“We will discuss and scrutinize them item-for-item in the spirit transparency,” he said.According to Drilon, the budget, considered the most important piece of legislation that Congress makes every year, “should be discussed in an open and transparent manner.”“It is about time that we provide some light into the budget process,” Drilon said.His proposal, Drilon added, will ease fears about legislators trying to hide “pork barrel” in the budget.“Every year legislators are accused of hiding pork barrel elsewhere. We can easily disprove and bury that accusation by making the budget process more transparent,” Drilon said.Drilon said that he, too, would propose various amendments to the budget, including the re-alignment of about P1.4 billion in anti-illegal drug campaign budget to support the housing program for personnel of the Philippine National Police.The senator said there was no reason for legislators to be ashamed of proposing amendments in the open if it was for the best interest of the people.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/drilon-wants-budget-amendments-scrutinized/363881/
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Catanduanes journalist’s murder solved – task force
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['Jaime Pilapil']
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2017-05-01 18:21:48+00:00
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The head of Task Force on Media Security on Monday said his office has a breakthrough in the killing of Catanduanes journalist Larry Que and anytime today he will make an announcement.“Finally, after months of investigation, we have solved the murder of Que and it is a big accomplishment, sending a message to those who are after our friends in the media,” Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco told The Manila Times at the sideline of a forum in Manila.Que was shot dead on December 19 in Virac City, capital of Catanduanes, last year by unidentified gunmen after he blamed local authorities on the existence of a large shabu laboratory in the province, short of saying government officials were on the take from a drug syndicate.Egco, a practicing journalist who is on leave and was a former president of the National Press Club (NPC), refused to give details on the “breakthrough,” saying he is satisfied with the police probe and the coordination of some agencies and individuals working to solve the killing.Que, before his murder, was a columnist and publisher of hard-hitting Catanduanes News Now. He was critical of local government corruption, particularly patronage politics.At his request, Egco said, the police have extended security to family members of Que who have been experiencing harassments and intimidations since the fatal incident.Meanwhile, the former senior reporter of this paper, said a “Media Security Summit” will be held this year and he is just waiting for budget approval from the Office of the President.“We will invite all people concerned so we will discuss various problems of the journalists like salary and poor working conditions,” he added. “Administrative Order No. 1 [authorizes] the agency to look into these problems, aside from making sure that our media people are safe.”Egco revealed that his office is investigating 20 cases of harassment and at least five journalists in the provinces were given police security.“There is a marked improvement because we don’t enter the picture after the killing but even at an early stage where the reporters are being harassed or even cursed privately or publicly like through text messaging or social media messages.”“We are promoting safe practice of journalism because freedom of the press is the strongest pillar of democracy,” he said.Aside from NPC, other media organizations like the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) condemned the killing of Que.Other guests at Monday’s forum were Raymund Villanueva of NUJP, University of the Philippines Mass Communication Professor Danilo Arao, former Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines president Jason Gutierrez and Ariel Sebellino of the Philippine Press Institute.Villanueva batted for higher salary for journalists and regularization of long-time correspondents.Arao said the Philippines is No.4 in global impunity index after Iraq, Syria and Somalia. He urged media entities to stop trivialization and commercialization.Sebellino said journalists should have insurance, so their families are also protected.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/catanduanes-journalists-murder-solved-task-force-2/324962/
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Labor dept to appeal court ruling on PLDT case
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['William Depasupil']
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2018-08-23 00:05:50+00:00
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THE Department of Labor and Employment will ask the Court of Appeals (CA) to reconsider its order stopping the implementation of the department’s order to telco giant PLDT Inc. to regularize more than 7,000 workers and pay their corresponding monetary benefits amounting to P51.6 million.Director Benjo Benavidez, chief of the DoLE-Bureau of Employment, said on Wednesday that the Office of the Solicitor General would file a motion for reconsideration on behalf of the labor department.In a 47-page decision dated July 31, the CA voided DoLE’s order for the regularization of workers including janitors, messengers, clerks, and personnel in information technology support services, back office support and office operations, call centers and sales, among others.Benavidez said the DoLE would exhaust all legal remedies and would bring the case to the Supreme Court if needed.The CA’s 10th Division issued an injunction stopping Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd from implementing his order, saying that only workers of contractors performing installations, repairs, and maintenance services of the PLDT lines should be considered for regularization.The court said PLDT did not violate any law when it did not regularize the business processing outsourcing (BPO) and information technology (IT) support personnel. It added that contracting out services is not illegal per se.The DoLE claimed that more than 300,000 workers have been regularized since 2016 through the intensified labor enforcement system of the labor department.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/labor-dept-to-appeal-court-ruling-on-pldt-case/433486/
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Bello to accusers: See you in court
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['William Depasupil']
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2018-07-26 00:01:55+00:00
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Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd vowed on Wednesday to sue his detractors even as he challenged his accusers to charge him in court.“I am now consulting with my lawyers on who to sue, but definitely I will sue,” Bello said.He said he wanted to put an end to the issue and seek justice for the vicious lies and malicious attacks against him by people who were being “manipulated” by certain personalities in and out of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) interested in his position.Bello said there is a “deliberate and well-orchestrated smear campaign” against him.“Let me address you all, I am left with no recourse but do what is legal and proper under the circumstances,” he added.He reiterated his challenge to his detractors to go to court and file charges if they have the evidence.“If you have an iota of proof of my misdeed, why lodge the complaint with the PACC or with Arnold Clavio? They are not the courts!” Bello said.Two cases of corruption were filed against Bello at the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, accusing him of extortion.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/bello-to-accusers-see-you-in-court/423255/
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Go urges youth to get into sports
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['The Manila Times']
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2018-09-16 00:23:11+00:00
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Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go encouraged the youth to participate in sports activities, saying it teaches valuable lessons that can lead them and the country to prosperity.“Sports instills discipline, builds character, and fosters camaraderie among individuals from different backgrounds. It also teaches one to excel, to work hard in order to overcome all challenges and achieve success,” Go said in a speech at the opening of the 18th season of the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (NAASCU)’s basketball tournament.“These are characteristics that we need in order to build a strong and prosperous nation,” he added.Go said sports can be the key to glory.He added that he will be conducting a three-point shoot-out in NAASCU during its semi-finals. The three-point program is part of Go’s programs to save the youth from using illegal drugs.“In line of my 3-point program ng basketball, magpapa-3-point shoot out po ako dito sa semi-finals. Sabi ko lahat kasama. Kung ano pa equipment na kailangan ng eskwelahan nila para makatulong po sa mga athletes po ay willing po tumulong ang gobyerno (In line with my 3-point program in basketball, I will be conducting a 3-point shoot-out during the semi-finals. Everyone can join. Whatever equipment the schools need in order to help the athletes, the government is willing to help), ” Go said.He said sports can save the youth from illegal drugs.“It provides an outlet for the youth to spend their free time and relieve boredom, keeping them away from destructive vices, crime, and illegal drugs. Ang programa talaga ng gobyerno ni Pangulong Duterte ay ilayo sila sa droga (President Duterte’s anti-drug program aims to steer the youth away from drugs), so we encourage this type of tournament,” he said.Go lauded the NAASCU for believing in the potential of future athletes who can be champions of the masses.“Tinawag ko kanina ng Liga ng Masa. Ito ‘yung mga iba’t-ibang iskwelahan na hindi po nakasali sa UAAP at sa NCAA at nakakatuwa 16 teams po ang sumali at lumalakas po. Ito po ‘yung isa sa mga training ground o pagkukunan ng mga future athletes natin (I call this the basketball league for the masses. It is composed of various schools that were not able to participate in the UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines) and NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association). I am happy that 16 teams have joined and the league is getting stronger. This is one of the training grounds and the source of our future athletes),” he said.Go said he and President Duterte have faith in the ability of the youth.“Malaki ang paniniwala namin ni Pangulong Duterte sa kakayahan ninyong mga kabataan. Mayroon kayong angking talino at diskarte para paangatin ang inyong mga sarili at dalhin ang ating bayan tungo sa isang payapa, masagana at maunlad na bukas (President Duterte and I have the utmost trust in the ability of our youth. You have the innate intelligence and the perseverance to lift yourselves from poverty and lead our country to a peaceful and prosperous future),” he added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/go-urges-youth-to-get-into-sports/441968/
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PCSO revenue up 32% at P16 billion
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['Neil Alcober']
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2017-06-10 00:22:56+00:00
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THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Friday reported a revenue increase of 32 percent to P16 billion from January to April of this year compared to the same period last year.“From January to April, we generated more than P16 billion from our different game products, an increase of 32.29 percent compared with the same period last year,” PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan told reporters in a news briefing at Lancaster Hotel in Mandaluyong City.“The improved revenue performance of expanded Small Town Lottery [STL] resulted in the generation of more than P3.88 billion, 135.26 percent higher compared with the same period last year when the STL was not yet expanded. Recently, the board approved the 36 more authorized agent corporations to help us increase revenues even more. We now have 92 authorized agent corporations from the current 56,” Balutan added.The PCSO executive reported that the funds they generated have helped 117,954 beneficiaries under the individual medical assistance program, 42 from the medicine donation program and 4 recipients under the medical equipment donation program, while 760 beneficiaries received health services from the medical and dental mission activities of the agency.“A total of 182 ambulances were distributed to hospitals, health institutions, municipalities, provinces and city health offices in different priority areas nationwide,” Balutan said.“As much as the PCSO’s charity fund will permit, we plan to buy four-wheel drive multi-role ambulances worth P3 million each, similar to the ones used by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, to extend our services to our fellow Filipinos living in remote areas of the country,” he added.Balutan said the agency has allocated P239.29 million for local government units shares from lotto; and P187 million as STL shares for municipalities, cities, congressional districts, provinces and the Philippine National Police.The PCSO executive, meanwhile, warned illegal gambling lords who are using STL as a front to cover their illegal activities.“We will make sure that you will suffer the consequences of your action,” he said.“I urged the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement units to double your efforts and put these illegal operators behind bars. Do your job and put an end to illegal gambling, which is the major source of corruption,” Balutan added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/pcso-revenue-32-p16-billion/331932/
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PAL cancels, delays flights in September
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['Benjie Vergara']
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2018-08-28 00:04:51+00:00
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Due to the temporary closure of the Cebu-Mactan International Airport’s runway to pave the way for repair and rehabilitation, Philippine Airlines (PAL) delayed or cancelled several flights from September 1 to 21, 2018.The five-hour daily runway closure is from 1:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.“All other flights outside this window period shall remain operational,” PAL said in a statement said.The following PAL flights were cancelled:PR2682/PR2683 (September 1-21/Cebu-Busuanga-Cebu)PR2295/PR2296 (September 1-21/Cebu-Cagayan de Oro-Cebu)PR2867 (August 31/Manila-Cebu)PR1836 (September 1-21/Cebu-Manila)PAL flights re-timed:PR2380 (September 1-21/Cebu-Iloilo)PR2381 (September 1-21/Iloilo-Cebu)PR2285 (September 1-21/Cebu-Bacolod)PR2286 (September 1-21/Bacolod-Cebu)PR2236 (September 1-21/Cebu-Tacloban)PR2237 (September 1-21/Tacloban-Cebu)PR1841 (September 1-21/Manila-Cebu)The airline said that passengers of cancelled flights have been notified via email (trip notification) and/or call-out. The passengers of re-timed flights were also informed.Passengers who booked through travel agents were advised to check with them their new flight schedules.“We are seeking the understanding of our passengers as we make the necessary adjustments on our flight schedules to give way the much-needed runway repair work. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by these schedule changes,” PAL said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/pal-cancelsdelays-flights-in-september/435293/
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Contraband cigarettes seized in Visayas ports
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['William Depasupil']
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2017-03-08 21:55:19+00:00
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THREE container vans of contraband Mighty cigarette brand were seized by Bureau of Customs (BoC) intelligence operatives in separate operations in the cities of Cebu and Tacloban in the Visayas region.Customs Intelligence and Investigatio Director Anthony Neil Estrella on Wednesday disclosed that the cigarette shipments were intercepted on reports that they bear fake tax stamps.The first two containers were unloaded on Sunday from MV Don Alberto Sr., which docked at the Port of Cebu from Manila via Tacloban City, Leyte province.Another shipment was seized on Tuesday in Tacloban with Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon supervising the operation.Estrella inspected two containers and opened one box at the yard of Gothong Lines at Pier No. 4 in the Port of Cebu.Present during the BOC’s initial examination were representatives from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)and the consignee, Rolando Pocong, shipping lines, the Philippine Coast Guard and members of the media.Estrella said the boxes were believed to be part of several shipments of Mighty cigarettes bearing fake tax stamps.Last week, the BOC and the BIR confiscated 11,044 master cases of Mighty cigarettes worth P215 million in General Santos City and 62,200 master cases valued at P1.98 billion in San Simon, Pampanga.“The bureau has been receiving reports that some of the products that were not seized in Pampanga were sent to different warehouses in the country,” Estrella said.The identity of the consignee and the market value of the Cebu shipment are yet to be determined.The seized cargo will be turned over to the BIR-Cebu.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/contraband-cigarettes-seized-visayas-ports/316184/
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Continuity in advocacy
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['Parasa Bayan', 'Maka Pili', 'Sam Nicolas', 'Myca Delos Santos', 'Michael Timbreza', 'Trisha Hipolito', 'Rey David', 'Lucas Temoteo', 'Kwak Kwak Kwak']
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22/10/2017 0:00
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inefficient government bureaucracy, inadequate supply of infrastructure, corruption, tax rates, tax regulations, policy stability and restrictive labor regulations.It is clear that while the 10-point Duterte agenda addresses some of these areas, it can only succeed if all of the areas are acted upon. We are fortunate that we have JFC through Arangkada that will continuously monitor and sustain their advocacy for inclusive economic growth. One wishes all other advocates would ascribe to continuity and sustainability. Only then can real change occur.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/10/22/continuity-in-advocacy/
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Powerful typhoon barrels toward Luzon
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['Jove Moya']
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2018-10-26 01:05:19+00:00
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Typhoon “Yutu” maintained its strength as it neared the Philippine Area of Responsibility. It is expected to enter the country on Saturday, the weather bureau said.The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the typhoon was last spotted 2,380 kilometers east of Central Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of up to 210 kilometers per hour (kph), and gusts up to 260 kph. It was moving west northwest at 20 kph.Once it enters PAR, the typhoon will be named “Rosita.”Pagasa said a tropical cyclone warning signal may be raised over areas in Isabela and Cagayan as the typhoon might follow the track of typhoon “Ompong” that devastated Northern Luzon last month.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/powerful-typhoon-barrels-toward-luzon/457333/
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DoTr marks 5 stations of P255-B rail project
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['Catherine S. Valente']
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2017-06-26 21:25:21+00:00
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The Department of Transportation (DoTr) has marked five of the 17 stations of the P255-billion Manila-Clark Railway Project, which will connect Manila to Central Luzon, Malacañang announced on Monday.“Today, while the country is on a holiday [to observe Eid’l Fitr], the government—through the Department of Transportation–is still work-work-work in its Build-Build-Build infrastructure program,” Palace spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a statement.The 106-kilometer railway project that will run from Tutuban, Manila to Clark, Pampanga is among the proposed projects of the Duterte administration under the “Build Build Build” infrastructure program.Abella said the five of the 17 stations that the Tranportation department marked in the ceremony include Marilao and Meycauayan in Bulacan and Valenzuela City, Caloocan City and Tutuban (Manila) in Metro Manila.Apart from the marked stations, the 12 other stations are Solis, Bocaue, Balagtas, Guiguinto, Malolos, Calumpit, Apalit, San Fernando, Angeles, Clark, Clark International Airport and the proposed New Clark City in Pampanga.Abella said the rail project, which has 17 stations, aims to cut down the two-hour travel time from Manila to Clark to just 55 minutes.“It will start construction in the last quarter of 2017 and with the completion of the project expected by the last quarter of 2021,” Abella said.The rail system is expected to benefit 350,000 passengers daily on its first year of operations, he added.The P255-billion project will be funded through official development assistance from Japan.The whole line will have 13 train sets with eight cars or coaches per train set.Each train can reach a maximum speed of 120 kilometers per hour.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/dotr-marks-5-stations-p255-b-rail-project/335041/
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200 Boracay firms fined
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['Eireene Jairee Gomez']
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2018-10-30 00:25:55+00:00
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The Pollution Adjudication Board of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) fined 219 business establishments in Boracay, collecting a total of P43 million for violation of environmental laws.The PAB slapped the erring establishments with fines ranging from P10,000 to millions of pesos depending on the length of time and gravity of offenses.DENR Undersecretary Rodolfo Garcia, PAB’s presiding officer, said penalty notices had been sent to the business owners, who are under obligation to pay the fines.“We at the DENR believe that anyone who pollutes or destroys the environment must pay the cost for that destruction,” Garcia said.He said only those who settled the penalties would be allowed to process their permits to operate and discharge permits provided they have not committed other violations.“The DENR, together with other concerned government agencies, is firm in its resolve to clean not only the waters and air of Boracay and to manage its solid waste. It also wants to clear Boracay of irresponsible and greedy business people who have placed care for the environment their least priority,” Garcia said.He added that rehabilitation efforts will continue even after Boracay has reopened to tourists. “We will continue to monitor all establishments and impose the necessary penalties should they be found breaking laws,” Garcia said.The DENR said that of the total establishments fined, 110 were found to have violated Section 1, Rule 19 of Republic Act No. 8749 or Clean Air Act of the Philippines which requires permit to operate all sources of air pollution from the EMB. Their imposed fines totaled P1.5 million.Another 72 establishments were fined a total of P2 million for operating facilities that discharge regulated water pollutants without a valid discharge permit, which is required under Section 27(c) of RA 9275 or The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004, the agency added.Five establishments, furthermore, were fined a sum of P39 million for discharging untreated wastewater and exceedance of effluent standards under the clean water law.“For violating some provisions of both RAs 8749 and 9275, 22 establishments were fined a total of P900,000,” the DENR said.All erring establishments were issued notices of violation by the EMB Region 6 soon after Boracay was closed to tourists in April for a six-month rehabilitation from serious environmental damage.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/200-boracay-firms-fined/459448/
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Court affirms Ombudsman ruling on Vitangcol case
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2017-08-29 21:18:48+00:00
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THE Court of Appeals (CA) has affirmed a ruling of the Office of the Ombudsman that found former Metro Rail Transit Authority (MRTA) General Manager Al Vitangcol 3rd guilty of administrative charges for a multimillion peso extort try.In a 23-page ruling penned by Associate Justice Pedro Corales and concurred in by Associate Justices Celia Librea-Leagogo, the CA’s Eighth Division denied a petition for review filed by the camp of Vitangcol.It effectively affirmed the assailed February 12, 2016 decision and June 14, 2016 joint order of the Ombudsman in the case.The case stemmed from an allegation that Vitangcol attempted to extort $30 million from Czech company Inekon, which had supplied light rail vehicles (LRVs) to MRTA.According to the Ombudsman, investigation disclosed that payment in advance by Inekon of $30 million, later reduced to $2.5 million, and entering into a joint venture by Inekon with a group proposed by Vitangcol were imposed as pre-conditions by Vitangcol.It was allegedly made in conspiracy with Wilson de Vera, for the Czech firm to be awarded the contracts for the supply of additional LRVs and maintenance of the Metro Rail Transit 3 line in connection with the P3.7-billion MRT 3 expansion project in 2012.In addition, it was also revealed that Vitangcol insisted on the Czech company to enter into a joint venture with a group of people for the MRT 3 maintenance project.Besides graft raps, Vitangcol was also found administratively guilty of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and unlawful solicitation, which perpetually disqualified him from holding public office with forfeiture of retirement benefits and cancellation of eligibility.He sought reconsideration but to no avail, prompting him to seek redress before the appellate court.In its July 3, 2017 ruling that was released just recently, the CA held that the Ombudsman was right when it handed down its verdict against Vitangcol.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/court-affirms-ombudsman-ruling-vitangcol-case/347498/
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Comelec may defer filing of COCs
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['William Depasupil']
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2018-09-12 00:05:24+00:00
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THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) may defer the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) for the May 2019 mid-term elections in deference to the call of Congress to postpone it by a week, James Jimenez, the commission’s spokesman, said on Tuesday.Jimenez said the poll body is studying the proposal of lawmakers, contained in House Concurrent Resolution 20 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 13.Both resolutions urged the Comelec to move the filing of COCs from Oct. 1 to 5, 2018 to Oct. 11 to 17, 2018.Jimenez pointed out that if the Comelec moves the date of filing of COCs, it would also affect the poll body’s timetable, particularly the printing of ballots.He said that aside from the ongoing preparations for the May 2019 elections, the Comelec is also preparing for the plebiscite for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law scheduled on January 21, 2019.The Senate and the House of Representatives sought the postponement of the filing of COCs by a week to enable lawmakers to deliberate on the proposed national budget for next year and other urgent measures.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/comelec-may-defer-filing-of-cocs-2/440467/
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Intl delegates ‘not allowed’ to visit De Lima
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['Rj Carbonell']
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2017-11-12 01:09:12+00:00
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The Subommittee on Human Rights of the European Parliament (EP) was not permitted again on Saturday to visit Senator Leila de Lima in her cell at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City.This was the third time that international visitors were barred from visiting De Lima. On September 20, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Parliament for Human Rights (APHR) delegates were also not permitted to visit the senator.In July, Liberal International President Juli Minoves was also prevented from seeing De Lima.“We were ready to visit De Lima. We asked for permission. We didn’t get the permission. We were disappointed,” EP member Enrico Guerrero Salom from Spain said in a press briefing.The Global Progressive Forum (GPF) submitted a permission paper on October 26 to the office of PNP Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa to allow delegates from EP to visit De Lima. The custodial center requires visitors to submit permit papers more than 10 days before visits.The permission paper was submitted 16 days prior to the visit.EP has adamantly pressed the Philippine government to release De Lima and allow her to perform her Senate duties while she awaits trial for “trumped-up” illegal drug charges filed against her.“We’ll do everything to get De Lima free,” EP member from Germanay Norbert Hans Neuser said.Fhillip Sawali, chief of staff of De Lima, revealed that the security barring De Lima from visitors is getting stricter. He said prison staff are now asking for more requirements when visiting the senator.“There are a lot of restrictions like asking for itineraries and biographies of visitors. Even confidential documents are being confiscated. That is invasion of privacy,” Sawali said.Alex Padilla, De Lima’s lawyer, also shared the same sentiment. He said De Lima’s camp is planning to file administrative charges against the police. However, they are still thinking things through so as not to say the senator is “antagonizing” authorities.“We just have been with De Lima this morning. She’s in good health. But there’s a problem with her isolation and restrictions against her,” Padilla said.During their visit to the Philippines, the EP delegation met with Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello, and Foreign Secretary Allan Peter Cayetano. They also met with Senators Aquilino Pimentel 3rd and Risa Hontiveros.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/intl-delegates-not-allowed-visit-de-lima/362240/
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Implement free tuition policy – youth group
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2017-01-07 21:50:27+00:00
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A party-list allied with President Rodrigo Duterte maintained that all students in state universities and colleges (SUCs) should be covered by the free tuition law as it opposed the planned conditional implementation of the free tuition policy.Rep. Sarah Elago of Kabataan party-list was reacting to President Rodrigo Duterte’s veto message for the P3.35 trillion 2017 budget that the free tuition will be subjected to conditional implementation, meaning the government will give priority to financially disadvantaged students who excel academically.The President tasked the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to issue guidelines which shall include, among others, the standards and procedure for entitlement and availment of free tuition by students of SUCs as well as the mechanism for the SUCs to tap the Higher Education Support Fund.Elago argued that the government cannot limit the beneficiaries of the free tuition policy since the same 2017 budget law containing the veto message also states that “no tuition shall be collected from undergraduate students” because SUCs will be given an additional P8.3 billion budget to cover for the said fees.“The Duterte administration should swiftly implement the new free tuition policy in state universities and colleges and allow all students to benefit from it. The President’s message on conditional implementation might counter the essence of the provision which clearly qualifies all SUC students for free tuition,” the lawmaker said.“If we read the President’s message very carefully, he did not explicitly state that not all SUC students will be able to avail of free tuition. He only stressed that financially disadvantaged students should be prioritized. Yet, the intention of said message might indeed be to limit who will be covered,” Elago added.“If CHED and DBM releases such limiting guidelines, such guidelines will contravene what is stated in the law. Implementing guidelines can only be crafted within the bounds of the law. The provision for free tuition in the 2017 General Appropriations Act is clear – every SUC student should be covered by the free tuition policy. CHED and DBM cannot disallow the availing of free tuition in any SUC by any undergraduate student. To do so will be to contravene the law,” Elago stressed.The lawmaker vowed to clarify the matter with the President. She said her group will also submit to to CHED and DBM a draft implementing guidelines that will ensure that all SUC students will be covered by the free tuition policy.“We cannot allow this initial victory to be snatched from us. We are ready to seek legal action and go as far as seeking redress in the Supreme Court if and when CHED and DBM issue guidelines that will disqualify SUC students from availing free tuition,” she said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/implement-free-tuition-policy-youth-group/305704/
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16 charged in uncovered Catanduanes’ ‘shabu lab’
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['Alfredo N. Teocson']
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6/7/2017 0:00
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High-profile individuals were among the 16 people charged Wednesday in the “Amended Criminal Complaint” filed by the Police Regional Office (PRO5) before the Catanduanes Provincial Prosecution Office for alleged violation of Section 8 of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act), due to their alleged participation in the uncovered “shabu laboratory” here late last year.In the six-page charge sheet filed by lawyer Superintendent Edwin Engay, chief Legal Services of PRO-5, among the accused are National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Senior Agent Atty. Augusto Eric Isidoro and his wife Angelica B. Isidoro; another lawyer Ulpiano Sarmiento III; Raymond Lee; sons of former Catanduanes Gov. Araceli Wong – Jardin Brian, alias “Boboy Wong,” and Provincial Board Member Joseph Al Randie “Tip-tip” Wong;Constantino Huit Cordial, Jr., alias “Mayor Cordial;” Snooky Imperial, also known as “Mr Lee;” Allan Ang Hung, a.k.a. “Xian Xian Wang;” Pido Bonito, aliases “Ber” and “Noel Sampag;” Paulo Uy, a.k.a. Jayson Gonzales Uy or “Paulo Wee Palisoc;” Lorenzo Flores Piñera II, alias “Kidot;” Phung Yuan Estorco or “Shen Wang Tore;” Lorenzo Flores Piñera IV, alias “Bigik;” Roel Samonte, who also goes by the name “Dennis Samonte;” and one “John Doe.”One of the Wong brothers, Jardin Brian, run for the gubernatorial seat last year but lost the elections to present Governor Joseph “Buboy” Cua.Charged as accessories to the crime were Lorenzo Flores Piñera IV, Roel Samonte, and Cordial, a former mayor of Caramoan, Camarines Sur.The amended case linking the 16 accused to the shabu laboratory is anchored on the testimony of a witness presented by the Police Provincial Office (PPOP) to media the other day but identified only as “Isidoro’s Man.”The witness, presented by Sr. Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe in a facemask, claimed he had direct connection with the 16 accused and had personally brought the Chinese Nationals in the province to work for shabu laboratory somewhere in 2015.Shabu and politicsIn an interview, Jardin Wong told The Manila Bulletin that the case is a clear plot to derail his bid to run for governor in the next elections in 2019.He said he will have his official statement once he receives the copy of the case filed against him.The Isidoros told The Manila Bulletin that they are waiting for the copy of the filed case, then later will answer all the accusations against them.Meanwhile, the other accused could not be reached for comment as of press time yesterday afternoon.Que killingIsidoro’s Man also told media that Isidoro had once asked him to kill businessman Larry Que, also a publisher of a local newspaper in the province, but he declined.He said he was forced to hide after disobeying Isidoro’s order but later learned that Que was already killed.He added that millions were allegedly given by the operators of the shabu laboratory to those who ran for the gubernatorial post of Catanduanes in last year’s elections.Speaking to The Manila Bulletin, Gov. Cua said that he is hoping that the investigation of the shabu laboratory will be finished the soonest time possible, not only to clear his name but for the good of Catanduanes.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/07/06/16-charged-in-uncovered-catanduanes-shabu-lab/
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137,000 Filipinos receive PCSO medical assistance
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['Neil Alcober']
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2017-06-28 21:59:10+00:00
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PHILIPPINE Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Alexander Balutan on Wednesday said at least 137,768 indigent Filipinos nationwide have benefited from the agency’s medical assistance program in just half a year, spending P2.8 billion that the agency expects to increase in the months to come.“The increase of beneficiaries under the Individual Medical Assistance Program [IMAP] may be related to the people’s increased understanding of the role of Small Town Lottery (STL) in extending help to our countrymen,” Balutan added.Records of PCSO showed that from January to May, the agency generated P5.018 billion from the expanded STL, an increase of 173.38 percent from the P2.066 billion in the previous year, out of a total income of P20 billion from the sales of its various game products.The P20-billion revenue this year is a 33.21-percent growth of the more than P15-billion sales recorded in the same period last year.In 2016, the agency was able to help more than 300,000 indigent patients nationwide who seek medical assistance to the PCSO, an increase of 27.7 percent from the number of beneficiaries in 2015, which came up to 249,751.“The number of Filipinos receiving medical assistance from PCSO is significantly increasing day by day, and we expect more numbers of patients who will seek assistance from us,” Balutan said.He added that the PCSO will continue to expand the operations of STL to increase revenues from 92 AACs (authorized agent corporations) nationwide, which is also an increase from the initial 56 that was launched in January.Apart from IMAP assistance, medicine and medical supplies, the agency also has medical and dental missions with 1,768 beneficiaries from April to June 15.Records showed 2,868 outpatients were also registered as beneficiaries from April to June 15.“We are hoping that we can help more Filipinos in need of assistance this year. We are doing anything possible to increase our revenues by promoting our different responsible gaming products to the public, as 30 percent of its sales will go to charitable services of the agency, particularly medical assistance,” Balutan said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/137000-filipinos-receive-pcso-medical-assistance/335365/
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DOLE removes labor sub-contracting
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['William Depasupil']
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2016-12-21 21:48:47+00:00
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LABOR sub-contracting will be removed under the new guidelines of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on contractualization to protect workers from being victimized by fly-by-night contractors.DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd on Wednesday disclosed that the abolition of labor sub-contracting is one of the salient features of the new Department Order 30, which will replace the existing DO 18-A even as he said contractualization allowed by law will remain.Bello explained that even if they wanted to, the DOLE, on its own, could not implement or order a total ban on all forms of contractualization as demanded by the labor sector because only Congress can amend the law.“We will replace DO 18-A with DO 30, which [contains] the implementing guidelines of the law on contractualization. But we cannot impose a total ban because the law allows contractualziation. It needs legislation,” he said.The Labor department did not release the official copy of DO 30, saying it would be made public instead next week.DOLE Undersecretary Dominador Say also explained that DO 18-A allows contracting and sub-contracting, saying there would only be one contractor under the new DO.Say pointed out that pending cases for regularization of workers would be much easier to address because the determination would come either from the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) or from the DOLE regional director concerned.“Second, the process of addressing prayers for regularization would now be easy as the employees have a choice if they want to go the NLRC or the regional director will declare it as regular employment,” he said.It is a deviation, Say added, from the old system wherein the employees would first go to the NLRC and then all way to the Supreme Court if the parties will appeal before one can be declared a regular employee.“So there will only be one door, one step. We will shorten the process,” he said.According to Say, all accredited contractors would also be required to post a bond registration, which is equivalent to 50 percent of the basic monthly minimum wage of the total number of employees hired.The bond, he said, would serve as a safeguard if the contractor encountered problems on payment of salaries of workers.DO 30 also requires the principal, which is the firm or establishment, to look for alternate jobs for the employees within three months after termination of the services of the contractor.If no alternate job is provided after three months, the principal will have to give the employee separation pay.Say said another feature that would be possibly incorporated in DO 30 is the granting of three months’ bonus as financial assistance to unemployed workers who are waiting for their next job.“During the three months that an employee is out of job, he will be given a bonus financial assistance by his employer equivalent to half-month salary per month,” he added.The financial assistance, however, should be paid by the employee in installments once he got alternative employment.But organized labor maintained that they would still seek a total ban on all forms of contractualization either through amendments to the Labor Code or for President Rodrigo Duterte to certify as urgent a pending bill in Congress that prohibits all fixed-term work contracts and criminalizes violations.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/dole-removes-labor-sub-contracting-2/303053/
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Trillanes files libel case vs Thinking Pinoy
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2017-11-22 22:44:06+00:00
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SEN. Antonio Trillanes 4th on Wednesday filed cyber libel charges against pro-Duterte blogger Rey Joseph Nieto for calling him a “drug lord” in his Thinking Pinoy blog.In his seven-page complaint-affidavit filed before the Pasay City Prosecution Office, Trillanes said Nieto maligned him when he posted on his Facebook account an article entitled “Trump Calls Trillanes A Drug Lord.”The article stated, “US President Donald J. Trump reportedly called Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV a ‘Narco,’ a colloquial word for a ‘drug baron’ or a ‘drug lord.’” It appeared that Trump made the remark in an interview with a reporter.“Having posted in the Facebook account of Respondent Nieto in the internet, this malicious imputation was published far and wide and all over the world, including in Pasay City, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Office and the Regional Trial Court of Pasay City,” Trillanes said.“In fact, as of today, it has received 62,000 reactions and was shared 15,759 times from those who have seen it, to the grave and utter detriment and prejudice of herein complainant,” he added.The senator said Nieto’s post is considered “fake news” since he did not even cite the source or the news outfit, “as there was indeed none, that purportedly conducted the supposed interview where the President of the United States allegedly uttered those words.”Trillanes said that his name was not mentioned in the transcripts of the US President’s press engagements.“Considering the nature of this derogatory imputation, it is undeniable that malice attended the posting of the subject post,” he said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/trillanes-files-libel-case-vs-thinking-pinoy/364433/
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Oil companies raise diesel, kerosene prices
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['Jordeene Sheex Lagare']
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2017-11-27 21:34:16+00:00
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A week after implementing a rollback in the prices of petroleum products, oil companies jacked up the pump prices of diesel and kerosene but retained the price of gasoline this week.Flying V left the price of gasoline unchanged, but hiked the prices of diesel and kerosene by 35 centavos per liter and 25 centavos per liter, respectively, effective at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday.Eastern Petroleum, Phoenix Petroleum, Pilipinas Shell, PTT Philippines, and Seaoil retained the price of gasoline but increased the price of diesel by 35 centavos per liter, effective at 6 a.m.Pilipinas Shell and Seaoil raised the price of kerosene by 25 centavos per liter at 6 a.m. today.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/oil-companies-raise-diesel-kerosene-prices/365346/
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Lawmaker: Meralco affiliate overcharging
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2018-04-26 02:04:44+00:00
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An affiliate of Manila Electric Company (Meralco) is overcharging its customers by jacking up its generations cost by P.90 centavos per kilowatt hour (kWh), a lawmaker said on Wednesday.Representative Carlos Zarate of Bayan Muna party-list was referring to Panay Energy Development Corp. (PEDC), whose pending power supply agreement (PSA) with Meralco is waiting for approval of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).Zarate cited records from Meralco’s website that showed the generation cost of PEDC for Meralco’s captive customers averaged P5.3376 per kWh during the fourth quarter of 2017.This generation cost is P0.90 centavos more than the average generation cost for big customers in the competitive retail electricity market at P4.43 per kWh based on ERC records.“Lawyer William Pamintuan, Meralco first vice president, earlier said in the House investigation into ERC irregularities that the cost of electricity from these PSAs for captive customers is much lower than the prevailing price. But the data from the ERC itself belie his claim,” Zarate said in a statement.According to the congressman, 18 out of the 26 retail electricity suppliers listed by the ERC posted generation cost rates below P4.50 per kWh, and that two retail electricity suppliers namely Prism Energy Inc. and Premier Energy Resources Corp even sold electricity below P2 per kWh.Another electricity supplier, Masinloc Power Partners Co. Ltd., had a generation cost that amounted to a few centavos above P2 per kWh.“In its original PSA application, the PEDC also presented its generation cost at only P3.7207/kh, which is now turning out to be a deceptive rate designed presumably to fool the public into accepting the PSA,” Zarate said.Under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, contestable customers or big users consuming on average at least one megawatt of electricity a month enjoy the right to choose their own power suppliers from retail electricity suppliers.On the other hand, captive customers who consume on average less than one megawatt of electricity a month would have to source electricity from distribution utilities like Meralco.The PEDC is a subsidiary of Global Business Power Corp., which is partly owned by Meralco PowerGen.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/lawmaker-meralco-affiliate-overcharging/395028/
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NTA gives P210M aid to tobacco farmers
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['Eireene Jairee Gomez']
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2018-04-10 00:03:16+00:00
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The National Tobacco Administration (NTA) has provided P210 million worth of assistance for the Ilocos region to help tobacco farmers reach this crop year’s targeted national production volume of 45 million kilograms of cured tobacco.With the government aid, the farmers are expected to produce about 6.5 million kilograms or 14 percent of the targeted national production volume.The NTA distributed P115 million of the P210 million to farmers in the form of cash for land preparation, fertilizers, pesticides, and suckerides.In the current crop year, the government continues to adopt the market-oriented and technology-based production system through contract-growing arrangement between buyers and farmers, according to NTA Administrator Robert Seares.Seares said farmers under Tobacco Contract Growing System (TCGS) have been assured of ready access to new technologies, extension, training and information, credit assistance, and prompt payment of their harvest, among others.Under the TCGS, tobacco buyers provide the inputs required for the production and guarantee to buy all the tobacco contracted at the prevailing prices, but in no case shall be lower than the floor price per kilogram per grade of tobacco.In 2017 cropping season, around 8,331 tobacco farmers under TCGS were able to cultivate 5,143 hectares of tobacco farmlands recording a production of 43.39 million kilograms valued at P3.18 billion. The country earned an average of $344 million in export revenues from the tobacco output.In September last year, the NTA approved new floor prices for native, Virginia, and Burley tobacco for this year until 2019.For Virginia tobacco, which makes up almost 60 percent of the total tobacco production area in the country, the floor price per kilogram increased to P82 for Grade AA, P81 for A, P80 for B, P78 for C, P70 for D, P69 for E, P60 for F1, and P57 for F2.For Burley, the top-grade A rose by P2, bringing the price per kilo to P70. The floor prices for grades B, C, D, E, and F are now P67, P58, P47, P46, and P38, respectively, an increase of P2, except for Grade F that increased by P1, from the current price per kilo.The floor prices for native was increased: High-grade, from P70 to P71; Medium 1, from P58 to P60; and Medium 2, from P48 to P50.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/nta-gives-p210m-aid-to-tobacco-farmers/391555/
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Japan to help PH in war on drugs
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['Mayvelin U. Caraballo']
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2017-03-31 21:54:07+00:00
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The Japanese government has expressed interest to help the Duterte administration in its war against illegal drugs, according to the Department of Finance (DoF).In a statement, the agency said Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd had received an update on the assistance extended by Japan to the Philippines’ campaign against illegal drugs, support for Mindanao peace and development and ongoing efforts to strengthen maritime cooperation between the two countries.Providing the update is Katsuyuki Kawai, a senior adviser to Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was quoted to have said that Japan “would like to help set up model rehabilitation centers in the Philippines.”“Through many occasions of discussion with President [Rodrigo] Duterte, I have come to understand that the support for him by the people has been consolidated because of the [war] against illegal drugs, so we would like to continue the support for this field,” Kawai said.He cited the delivery on Monday at Sangley Point in Cavite of two TC-90 trainer aircraft that the Japanese had agreed to lease to the Philippines for its maritime patrols.“I hope this will help strengthen your maritime security,” Kawai said.“We reiterate that Prime Minister Abe hopes to achieve peace in the Philippines and the region, I myself would like to help the Philippines and be the ‘second ambassador’ of the Philippines here,” he added.A team of Cabinet-level officials led by Dominguez had met with high-ranking officials of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, Japan International Cooperation Agency and members of the Philippines-Japan Joint Committee on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation representing the Japanese government and led by Dr. Hiroto Izumi, Abe’s senior adviser, during its two-day mission in Tokyo.MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/japan-help-ph-war-drugs/320303/
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‘Maring’ leaves 13 dead
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['Dempsey Reyes']
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2017-09-13 21:25:19+00:00
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Thirteen persons were reported dead in Metro Manila and Calabarzon by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) as of Wednesday as tropical storm Maring left the country.Romina Marasigan, NDRRMC spokesman, said in a news conference that the fatalities included two teenagers who died in a landslide at Barangay Dolores in Taytay, Rizal; a three-month-old infant from Lucena, Quezon; a man who drowned in Paranaque City; and another from Silang, Cavite, who died while rescuing his children from a river.Citing a report from the Philippine Coast Guard, the NDRRMC said there were 488 passengers who remained stranded in ports in Batangas, Quezon, Romblon, Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte.Marasigan said Maring damaged nine houses in Silang.She added that six persons remained missing and another four were injured in Laguna.Some road sections in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) were still not passable: Quezon (3rd and 4th districts), Cavite (2nd District), Laguna (3rd District) and Rizal (1st District).The NDRRMC reported that the five persons who also remained missing in Barangay San Cristobal, Calamba City were identified as Eurika Monge, 5; Eufracio Monge, 1; Aries Mendoza, 2; Jhon Eduard Mendoza, 4; Francine Jade Monge, 3; and Eden Lacdao Mendoza, 28.A total of 169 areas were reported flooded in Metro Manila and Central Luzon.Flood waters in 30 of these areas have subsided but 139 of them remained flooded, according to the NDRRMC.It said a total of 2,103 families or 8,793 persons were affected in 109 barangay (villages) in Metro Manila and Calabarzon.Of this number, a total of 1,953 families or 7,938 persons were being served inside and outside evacuation centers.Marasigan said about 1,857 families or 7,549 persons were evacuated from Metro Manila and Calabarzon and brought to 116 evacuation centers.She added that power interruptions have been reported in some provinces.“While Maring was bringing rains, there were power interruptions but the power supply immediately resumed. We have not monitored any problems with the water of some communities,” Marasigan said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/maring-leaves-13-dead/350480/
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293 join PMA Class of 2021
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['Yael Zamora', 'Artemio Tipon']
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1/4/2017 0:00
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The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) officially welcomed yesterday the 293 male and female plebes at the Borromeo Fields, as they were about to undergo the “rite of passage,” as the military tradition dictates.Brigadier General Gener Del Rosario said: “This day marks the end of your civilian lives and will be the start of your military lives; and you will be learning to live regimented lives.”Del Rosario stressed that the new candidates to make up PMA Class of 2021 now have the responsibility to endure two months of introduction to the military discipline as plebes.“Inside this institution, you will learn and develop courage, strength, and integrity which will be your motto in your future lives,” Del Rosario said.Del Rosario reiterated to the parents attending the reception that their sons and daughters will be in good hands, “After a few months, they will no longer be boys and girls but will be turned into gentlemen and women with the best moral character,” he said.Lt. Col. Reynaldo Balido Jr. of the PMA Public Affairs Office said that the number of applicants who took the exam in August last year was 9,609. But while there were 1,046 successful examinees, only 300 were accepted by the PMA and only 293 actually showed up to be plebes.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/04/01/293-join-pma-class-of-2021/
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Pagcor firmly against any form of gambling addiction
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-06-05 21:51:30+00:00
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The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) has reiterated its stand against any form of gambling addiction on the heels of recent findings by the Philippine National Police that Jessie Carlos — the lone gunman in the Resorts World incident on June 2 — was not a member of any terrorist group but someone with gambling problems,The state-run gaming firm on Monday said it strictly implements the Code of Practice for Responsible Gaming in all Pagcor-operated gaming areas and licensed entities in authorized gaming establishments to prevent gambling addiction and minimize potential harm to individual players and the community.In fact, it said in a statement on Monday, to heighten awareness on responsible gaming, Pagcor has tapped the mainstream, Internet and social media to reach its target public about the hazards of gambling addiction.Pagcor has also set a 24/7 hotline and partnered with Help Centers in the country to assist those who wish to be rehabilitated from their gambling problems.Aside from player exclusion, which happened to Carlos — who was banned in all gaming establishments as his family had requested — the gaming firm also enforces stricter regulations for its electronic games and E-bingo sites.Among these are the banning of minors and of known addicted players and the strict enforcement of distance requirements for electronic gaming sites.As the government’s gaming regulator, Pagcor ensures that such strict measures on responsible gaming are implemented not only by Pagcor-operated gaming establishments but by all its licensees — from the integrated resorts to electronic gaming sites.It said it hopes that gaming in the country “will remain to be a form of entertainment, not a means to destroy individuals and families.”
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/pagcor-firmly-form-gambling-addiction/331131/
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A walk down memory lane
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['Lita Juniosa-Pujeda']
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27/03/2017 0:00
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When she was 3 how she contested a 5-year old Fidel… in high school when she would interrupt his basketball game with friends to have them listen to her play the piano. A high watermark was when she broke away from President Ferdinand Marcos and a TV interviewer asked if she had consulted her brother, who was Deputy of the Philippine Armed Forces and Chief of the Philippine Constabulary. Her reply, “I never consult my brother.” (FVR would also take his own route, in his own time.)On Delia’s mention of FVR as ex-future President, FVR said that if this pipe dream ever comes true, he would return Ambassador Rosalinda Tirona to her favorite dream post Bangkok. He went on and on with anecdotes before anecdotage.Carolina Constantino, our Foreign Service Staff Officer in charge of our passport extension office in North NCR, flattered me to say that my generation had some resonance. I reassured her that every generation comes unto its own. We all look up to titans before us, whom we see as larger than life. Yes, our batch produced a Secretary of Foreign Affairs (Delia Domingo Albert) and two Undersecretaries (Franklin Ebdalin and Rafael Seguis). Today’s millennials have the added advantage of high tech. But it is good to have role models like Ambassador/Senator Leticia Shahani as stars to steer by.The encomiums were followed by generous high tea (which speaks well of the present management?). There was the usual bon homie and exchange of stories which get better in the retelling.***Future is bright. I sneaked out of the reception to the adjoining Carlos P. Romulo library to witness the graduation of the XXIII Foreign Service Officers Cadetship Course (11 September 2016-1 March 2017). The new crop of 17 new Foreign Service Officers, (9 men and 8 women, men still made a slight majority).The certificates were conferred by Undersecretary Linglingay Lacanlale, assisted by Foreign Service Institute Director General Claro Cristobal. Usec Lacanlale enjoined graduates (who had passed one of the toughest civil service exams and completed the 7 month cadetship) to keep a sense of humility, and love, to go with their passion for work. (P.S.: With a prayer to go by.)Speaking for his group, the de facto valedictorian, Adrian Mira, said that his batch took some time to agree to its nomenclature. The 23rd FSO batch goes by the monicker “Silang,” which engenders a new dawn and stands for both man and woman (Diego and Gabriela Siang). He thanked the Foreign Service Institute and all mentors for the cadetship, and the program which gave the bonding to the crew and affirmed their commitment to the high ideals of the foreign service, including humility and love.***I missed my next engagement at the Alliance Française, since we were close to the 5:00 p.m. Friday flag retreat. But the ceremony was even delayed… because former President Fidel V. Ramos was of the mind that the flag retreat needed to be closer to the setting sun. We waited for sundown at 5:31 p.m. Everyone joined singing “Lupang Hirang” This was followed by a record playing of “Pilipinas kong mahal” FVR told the gathering about his generation who know of the “Inday” anthem; and he invited those who remember to sing the first bars of “Pilipinas kong mahal.” It was a Friday we shall long remember.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/03/27/a-walk-down-memory-lane/
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City-run school’s pharmacy grads exam perfect
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-09-08 22:40:44+00:00
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The city-run University of Makati (UMak) has achieved a 100-percent passing rate in the pharmacist licensure examination given by the Board of Pharmacy last August.In a report to Mayor Abby Binay, UMak president Tomas Lopez said all 10 pharmacy graduates under the UMak College of Allied Health Studies (COAHS) who took the test were among the 2,784 passers out of 5,079 examinees throughout the country.Binay congratulated the Umak passers: Abdel Rauff Baharan, Kristelle Kylah Cabuso, Cristina Ching, Jan Maverin Cruz, Madame Myrin Donato, KC Rolainne Gabriel, Rhea Mae Laolao, Mary Jane Miguel, Karen Mae Pascua and Jasmin Kae Sistoso.“We take pride in the achievements of our home-grown professionals. They do justice to the sizeable investments being made by the city government in the education of the youth,” she said.The mayor reiterated her challenge to the UMak officials and faculty to aim for a 100-percent passing rate in all related board examinations.“Our university has already produced board topnotchers and consistently maintained high passing rates over the years. Let us set the bar higher and aim for 100 percent,” Binay said.The 10 board passers comprised the second batch of graduates of the UMak Center of Pharmacy, the first of its kind in the country, which was opened in 2012 to address the growing demand for pharmacists.Last year, its first batch of graduates also posted a 100-percent passing rate.Last July, 29 UMak graduates also passed the Radiologic Technology Licensure Exam, achieving an 80.56 percent passing rate, which is higher than the national average passing rate of 46.36 percent.The newly-certified Radiologic Technologists from UMak were Mikaela Balagapo, Vername Bueno, Axl Calixto, Jose Paolo Cruz, Kimchille Diaz, Dessa Joy Dineros, Jillian Mae Dipalac, Roger Louise Gonzaga, Gerlie Gonzales, Paul Jacob Ibañez, Angela Grace Irlanda, Ivy Hope Labador, Nikee Marie Likiyan, Joshua Lennin Llorente, Maridel Mabanag.Sydny May Mapua, Karissa Mariano, Kim Darryl Olaya, Anna Palabyab, Zenilie Perez, Diosa Rasonable, Hannah Rivera, Jonadab Robledo, Clariza Jane Sanchez, Kris Zhel Solis, Kayla Marie Suyat, Rizza Mae Turingan, Andriana Angelika Umengan and Dave Jerome Villaraza.UMak is known for pioneering in course offerings that adhere to the “Think Global, Act Local” paradigm.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/city-run-schools-pharmacy-grads-exam-perfect/349478/
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Task force all set to rebuild Marawi
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['Dempsey Reyes']
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2017-07-31 23:43:28+00:00
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A task force created by President Rodrigo Duterte to rehabilitate, reconstruct and rebuild the besieged Marawi City is now in its post-assessment phase with concerned agencies and local government units (LGUs) and already organizing the next step after the war, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Monday.According to Lorenzana, overall head of Task Force Bangon Marawi, Cesar Yano, overall ground coordinator, isin Marawi City to confer with other government agencies and LGUs in the reconstruction phase.The priority, he noted, is to restore infrastructure destroyed by the ongoing armed conflict between government troops and Islamic State-insipired Maute Group terrorists in Marawi.“Once Marawi is cleared of terrorists, the evacuees will be able to return to their houses that were not damaged brought by the ongoing war,” Lorenzana said in a chance interview after a National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council awarding ceremonies in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.As part of the post-assessment phase, the Department of Trade and Industry will be initiating “rolling stores” where evacuees would be able to buy supplies.The Office of the Cabinet Secretary will be building temporary houses for residents affected by the conflict.“The residents will be staying [in the temporary shelters] while we are repairing the central business district and will look into the possibility of repairing their houses and if that’s not [possible], we will be building new houses for them,” Lorenzana said.The Armed Forces of the Philippines earlier deployed an engineering battalion to start the rebuilding phase of the war-torn city with the help of other concerned agencies including the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Education and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).According to Lorenzana, the DPWH will repair damaged roads once Marawi is cleared of Maute Group terrorists.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/task-force-all-set-to-rebuild-marawi/341721/
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