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We’re staying put – Kadamay
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['Dempsey Reyes']
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2017-03-24 21:40:49+00:00
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Members and leaders of an urban poor group on Friday said they will not vacate idle homes that they occupied on March 8 until the government distributes to them for free the houses built by the National Housing Authority (NHA) during the past administration.Earlier in the day, tension rose after militants from the group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) tried but failed to barge into the NHA central office in Quezon City.Kadamay and three other organizations supporting its supposed right to call the housing units in Bulacan province, north of Manila, as their own–Bayan Muna, Gabriela and Anakpawis–branded President Rodrigo Duterte as “King of Talk” for his “failure” to commit to his election campaign promise that he will give priority to urban poor Filipinos “who are in need of homes.”The four groups challenged the NHA to “face them to cancel the eviction notices served” to the occupied units in the town of Pandi, Bulacan.In an interview, Kadamay Chairman Bea Arellano noted in Filipino that March 24 marks the anniversary of Republic Act 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act, which her group “strongly condemns” because it “seeks to demolish all the urban poor Filipinos in the city.”“[We] will not leave those occupied housing units. This is [our] last chance… to have proper homes,” she said.Even if maximum force was used to evict them, according to Arellano, they would not budge but instead continue to fight for their rights because the houses in Pandi were built with taxpayers’ money.“We all know that these housing units came from our fellow Filipinos, not from the NHA, not from anyone else. [These houses] should be distributed most especially to the poor community,” she said.Kadamay Secretary General Carlito Badion agreed.“Let [us] stay in those housing units… which were funded by the people, not by the government, so let the occupants stay there,” he said.On March 8, throngs of Kadamay members and leaders occupied the empty housing units built for retired police and soldiers.Eviction notices had been served by the NHA but the notices were torn down by the group, saying they will not leave.At the NHA protest, officers and men of the Quezon City Police District put up a barricade to prevent the protesters from entering the premises of the agency.Younger members of the group vandalized the walls of NHA office and destroyed the agency’s logo.According to Arellano, they will bring “the fight” to the streets of Manila, particularly to Mendiola “so that Malacañang will be able to listen to their cries.”Mendiola Street, historically a protest site, is a stone’s throw away from Malacañang, the seat of power in the Philippines.Meanwhile, Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Judy Taguiwalo also on Friday described as “self-righteous” those who criticized her department’s distribution of food packs to Kadamay members and leaders.She said the DSWD’s mandate is to “serve the urban poor” without discrimination.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/staying-put-kadamay/319031/
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DoLE needs 36 labor compliance officers
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['William Depasupil']
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2017-06-20 22:08:23+00:00
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THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has given its go- signal to the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) to beef up the latter’s existing pool of labors laws compliance officers (LLCOs) as it steps up its campaign against illegal work contracting.Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd on Tuesday said 36 new LLCO positions will be filled up soon to complement the existing 525 compliance officers for assignment to key areas where non-compliance with labor laws and standards is high.According to Bello, the new positions, with a budget of P15 million, will be further boosted when the Labor department submits to Congress a request for additional 200 LLCO items to effectively perform assessment and inspection of around 937,554 small, medium and big business establishments in the country.“These new positions will augment our manpower in the assessment and inspection of business establishments in the country, particularly on their compliance with Department Order (DO) 174,” he said.DO 174 is the revised implementing rules on contracting and sub-contracting. It was signed by Bello last March, replacing DO 18-A.Under DO 174, workers are now regular employees with the labor contractors but the same workers have no relationship with principal employers who need the workers to produce certain products or render certain services.It prohibits, among others, labor-only contracting, when the principal farms out work to a “cabo,” contracting out of job through an in-house agency, contracting out by reason of a strike or lockout whether actual or imminent, contracting out a job being performed by union members, requiring the contractor/sub-contractor’s employees to perform functions which are currently being performed by the regular employees of the principal and repeated hiring by the contractor/sub-contractor of employees under an employment contract of short duration.Labor groups, however, said DO 174 does not serve its primary purpose of helping workers get backwages and benefits.Labor group Associated Labor Unions spokesman Alan Tanjusay cited how the officers and staff of DoLE Cavite Office in Trece Martires City ignored a complaint filed last April by the employees against their employer and manpower service providers for illegal dismissal.Despite working for 3 to 10 years in the company, Ronalyn de Castro, Emeliza Opulencia, Raffy Bangga, Juanito Tarroyo and Epifanio Matudan were all dismissed by end of March by their principal employer Eduardo Co, owner of Better Living Tile and Bath Center located in Silang, Cavite.The employees are handled by two manpower agencies–North Asia Manpower Service Inc. and Polystar General Services.In their complaint, the workers said they were fired without just cause, any reason, or notice.They were replaced by a new set of workers from other manpower agencies to fill up their vacant positions.The workers claimed that they went to the DoLE Cavite office to inquire about the illegaldismissal complaint but they were given the runaround.They discovered on June 16 last week that the complaint they filed was even booked or formally recorded by the staff for notice of formal hearing.“Without any protection, this is how contractualized employees are being treated by many abusive business owners. Employees are not important to principal employers. After utilizing their labor for many years, employees are disregarded and thrown away like a piece of used rag,” Tanjusay said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/dole-needs-36-labor-compliance-officers/333870/
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Blue Ribbon to decide Faeldon’s fate – Gordon
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2018-01-06 01:08:12+00:00
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SEN. Richard Gordon on Friday said he cannot decide alone on a requested “furlough” of detained former Customs chief Nicanor Faeldon since the blue ribbon committee is a collegial body.Gordon, chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee, justified his decision to turn down Faeldon’s request to attend Mass and join the Black Nazarene traslacion on January 9, take oath of office before Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana after being named deputy administrator of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and attend family celebrations.“An important reason why his request for a furlough could not be granted is [that Faeldon] is held for [his] contempt of the committee and thus of the Senate. The citation for contempt was, and still is, a collegial act which the [chairman], on his own, cannot reverse,” he said in a statement.Faeldon issued a statement to the media on Thursday, denouncing Gordon for being “cruel” after he denied his request to temporarily leave his detention room to attend to some personal matters, including seeing his newborn child.The former Marine captain was detained on September 12, 2017, after the Senate cited him in contempt for refusing to cooperate with investigation of reported corruption at the Bureau of Customs (BoC) that led to the smuggling of P6.4 billion worth of shabu from China.Faeldon said Gordon turned down his request “upon the orders of the cement-smuggler senator, who vowed vengeance against me for exposing his and his son’s cement-smuggling racket” referring to Sen. Panfilo Lacson.“I thought that Sen. Gordon was man enough to stand up to the cement-smuggler senator. I was wrong again. While I totally expected extreme cruelty from the likes of Lacson and [Sen. Antonio] Trillanes [4th], I never expected that from Sen. Gordon. What happened to you, Sen. Gordon?” he asked.Faeldon filed separate ethics complaints against Lacson and Trillanes on September 18, 2017, and September 25, 2017, respectively, for linking him to alleged corruption and smuggling at the BoC.Lacson on September 28, 2017, filed graft and economic sabotage charges against Faeldon.In reply to Faeldon’s allegation, he said, “No wonder Faeldon is in big trouble facing a non-bailable case of agricultural smuggling. He doesn’t have a clue about the customs and tariff code and the CMTA (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act).”“Why? There can’t be smuggling of cement simply because it is not subject to tariff. For quite a long time that he served as commissioner, he dedicated most of, if not all, his time counting tara [bribe] instead of learning the Customs Code,” Lacson said in a text message.“Capt. Faeldon in one letter dated this year wrote to the chairman seeking permission to hear Mass and have a check-up with his cardiologist supposedly in preparation for his attendance in the Black Nazarene’s traslacion,” Gordon said.The senator said Faeldon also sought permission to travel to the Department of National Defense headquarters in Quezon City to meet with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana regarding his recent appointment as assistant secretary at the OCD.He even requested permission to leave without being accompanied by members of the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA), Gordon said.“That request was not granted because one, his release without the company of the OSAA would have meant that he was being released from custody, without his having cleansed himself of his contumacious conduct, the very reason why he is detained,” he added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/blue-ribbon-decide-faeldons-fate-gordon/372517/
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Barangay Assembly Day ‘mandatory’ under the law
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['Nelson Badilla']
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2017-03-05 20:27:49+00:00
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The secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) over the weekend defended the holding of the Barangay Assembly Day, describing it as “mandatory” under the law.Ismael Sueno warned that barangay (village) officials who fail to mark the day will be slapped with administrative charges for violating Republic Act (RA) 7160.The Barangay Assembly Day is “mandatory as required in Section 397 of the Local Government Code or [RA 7160] to give residents the opportunity to hear and discuss with barangay officials the developments and concerns in their community,” Sueno said in a statement.He has issued a memorandum circular reminding the country’s 42,036 barangay officials that the Barangay Assembly Day should be held every last Saturday of March and every second Sunday of October.“A barangay assembly forms part of our democratic governance down to the [village] level by ensuring a venue for the governed sovereign Filipino masses and the barangay government to hear and discuss the semestral report of the [village] concerning its activities and finances as well as problems affecting the barangay,” Sueno said.According to the DILG secretary, he expects the village officials to ensure the success of the assembly so that their constituents could ventilate their concerns and complaints on various problems that affect them directly and indirectly, including those on illegal drugs, crime and corruption.Sueno said the theme of the Barangay Assembly Day for the first semester of 2017 is “Sulong Barangay Kontra Droga, Krimen at Katiwalian: Makialam! Makilahok! Makiisa!”This was also the theme of a big gathering of supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte last February 25 at Manila’s Rizal Park (Luneta).The gathering turned out to be a show of force by pro-Duterte groups against combined forces of the Liberal Party headed by former President Benigno Aquino 3rd and Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo and leftist groups that exposed Duterte’s supposed plan to impose dictatorial rule.NELSON S. BADILLA
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/315568-2/315568/
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La Mesa dam water level lowest in 5 years
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['Mary Gleefer F. Jalea']
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2018-05-11 00:02:32+00:00
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The water level at La Mesa dam dropped to its lowest in five years, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration warned Thursday.As of 6 a.m. yesterday, the water level was at 72.68 meters. The dam supplies the water needs of thousands of residents in Metro Manila.Pagasa hydrologist Gine Nievares confirmed that this has been the dam’s lowest water level and the most abrupt drop in five years.“This has been the fastest drop we have recorded. Usually, we would expect the water level to drop around May every year but this has also been the lowest level that the La Mesa Dam has reached,” she told The Manila Times.Manila Water corporate communications head Jeric Sevilla said the company was preparing its deep wells and reducing water pressure to augment water supply.“We do not want to wait for water interruptions to occur, hence, we are preparing deep wells which have not been used before on stand-by…we have also limited the water level entering the East La Mesa treatment plant,” he said in a radio interview.Sevilla noted that if La Mesa’s water level continues to drop and if consumers fail to conserve water, supply interruptions will hit customers in Marikina City, Montalban and San Mateo in Rizal province.Manila Water maintains a 78 or 79-meter water level to cater to its 6.8 million customers in Metro Manila’s east zone, Sevilla said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/la-mesa-dam-water-level-lowest-in-5-years/398067/
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CA rebuffs Ombudsman on ouster of councilor
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2016-12-12 21:48:39+00:00
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THE Court of Appeals (CA) has turned down a decision of the Office of the Ombudsman dismissing former actor and Quezon City councilor Roderick Mendenilla Paulate and several others.In a 17-page decision penned by Associate Justice Stephen Cruz and concurred in by Associate Justices Jose Reyes Jr. and Ramon Paul Hernando, the CA’s Fifth Division granted a petition for review filed by former councilors Paulate and Francisco Calalay Jr. and liaison officer Vicente Bajamunde.It effectively reversed and set aside the decision dated February 25, 2015 of the Ombudsman dismissing Calalay, Paulate and Bajamunde and Flordeliza Acuña Alvarez from the service for falsification of official documents, serious dishonesty, grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.Records of the case showed that in 2010, each office of the city councilor caused the hiring of approximately 120 non-plantilla personnel requiring technical or special skills on a job-order basis for local projects, which were at its sub-offices located outside the city hall premises, and paid for their services through its Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE).It was discovered, however, that the job contractors do not have birth records from the National Statistics Office (now Philippine Statistics Authority) or records from the National Bureau of Investigation.The job contractors were also found to be not registered voters at their given addresses.Further, the barangay (village) officials who have jurisdiction over the given places of residence, as well as the residents in the area, attested that either no such person resides there or no such address exists.The discovery led to the job contractors’ dismissal after the case was filed before the Ombudsman until the case reached the CA.In its November 11, 2016 ruling that was released just recently, the appellate court held that the Ombudsman failed “to adequately prove any link between petitioners and the alleged illegal transaction.”The CA pointed out that Paulate, et al. was able to prove that they had no hand in the commission of the alleged irregularities.“They may have signed and issued certifications in furtherance thereto. However, they merely relied in good faith on their subordinates. Further, there was no substantial evidence to prove that petitioners planned and conspired to defraud the government and benefit therefrom.”
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ca-rebuffs-ombudsman-ouster-councilor/301369/
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Duterte, labor to hold talks on job contracting
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['William Depasupil']
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2017-02-14 20:43:34+00:00
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TAKING the cudgels for the more than 30 million contractual workers, President Rodrigo Duterte has agreed to hold a dialogue with organized labor groups over the contentious issue of work contracting.Duterte had made a commitment during the campaign in last year’s elections to end contractualization within a few weeks of his assumption of office.In compliance with the President’s directive, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) drafted new guidelines on contractualization but was strongly opposed by workers’ groups for being anti-labor, which prompted Duterte to reject it.Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd on Tuesday disclosed that the dialogue would take place on February 27.Bello expressed confidence that the meeting will result in a compromise between workers and employers’ groups in ending illegal contractualization practices.Organized labor groups have been batting for a total ban on contractualization.Bello said the DOLE is one with the objective of the workers but pointed out that it must be done in accordancewith existing laws.He called on labor and employers to keep an open mind and consider the possibility of finding a middle ground that would be mutually beneficial to all concerned.Meanwhile, the DOLE chief also disclosed that the OFW Bank and ID system, both meant to benefit and ease the lives of overseas Filipino workers, will be operational this year.“They will be launched this year. The OFW identification card system will be put in place in March while the OFW Bank will be operational by November,” Bello said.The creation of OFW Bank is one of Duterte’s three promises to migrant Filipino workers during the presidential campaign.The other two were to create a Department of OFW and to make mandatory for consul generals to keep track of all the Filipinos abroad and provide free airfare to abused overseas workers who want to go home.The OFW Bank, according to Bello, is meant to cater to remittances and other banking needs of Filipino migrant workers all over the world.He said the OFWs, would also become part owners of the bank through shares of stocks and have their own credit facilities.The steady demand for OFWs workers remained a key driver to the growth of remittance inflows.The OFW Bank was first conceptualized in 2006 during the administration of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo but never materialized.In 2010, it was again brought up by then-Vice President Jejomar Binay in a formal letter to then-President Benigno Aquino 3rd but the central bank and the Department of Finance also shot it down, citing issues of cost, redundancy, administrative and regulatory unwieldiness and \signals that discourage current private-sector competition.On the other hand, the OFW ID system will lessen, if not eradicate, concerns on the authenticity of documents presented since the verification of the documents can be done online.According to Bello, it is a major component of the Integrated DOLE System (iDOLE), which links the databases of DOLE with the databases of other government agencies such as the Department of Foreign Affairs, Social Security System, Commission on Higher Education and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.The ID card will also serve as a debit card and an ATM card for OFW banks as well as a Beep card for train systems Light Rail Transit 1, LRT 2 and Metro Rail Transit 3.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/duterte-labor-hold-talks-job-contracting/312217/
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Gas, diesel cheaper by 65 centavos per liter
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['Aberon Voltaire Palaña']
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2016-11-15 22:19:08+00:00
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In separate advisories on Monday, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum, Eastern Petroleum, Phoenix Petroleum, PTT Philippines, Seaoil, Unioil, Flying , and Jetti said they will roll back prices of both gasoline and diesel by 65 centavos.Shell, Seaoil and Flying V will lower kerosene prices by 55 centavos per liter.Petron, Caltex and Total are expected to also adjust their pump prices.Pilipinas Shell Petroleum, Phoenix Petroleum, PTT Philippines, Eastern Petroluem, Unioil and Jetti 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 ranged from P26.40 to P29.97 with a common price of P27.30; gasoline from P36.05 to P44.75 with a common price of P42.73; and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) in P11-kilogram cylinder from P430 to P661.Also the monitoring showed that gasoline had a net increase of P4.69 per liter for the year and diesel had a net hike of P6.63 per liter.LPG had a net decrease of 65 centavos per kilogram, in wake of an increase of P3.79 per kg on November 1, 2016.The latest price changes resulted from average price movements for the previous five trading days in the globalmarkets.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/gas-diesel-cheaper-65-centavos-per-liter-2/296700/
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DILG warns vs impostor seeking funding
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['Jing Villamente']
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2016-11-11 20:49:29+00:00
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Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ismael Sueno has warned governors and mayors against a certain individual who is allegedly using the name of the department to collect letters of request from local government units (LGUs) for funding of local development projects.Sueno had received information from a Northern Luzon mayor and a DILG field officer that a certain Phia or Pia Alarcon is allegedly presenting herself as a DILG staff and asking LGUs to send her letter-requests for the funding of LGU projects.“I suggest that you coordinate directly with our DILG regional and provincial offices or our city and municipal local government operations officers stationed in LGUs if you want to learn how to secure funding for your local projects,” the DILG secretary told local chief executives.He pointed out that there are certain procedures that an LGU has to go through and requirements that have to be met to be able to access DILG projects such as Salintubig, Assistance to Disadvantaged Municipalities and Performance Challenge Fund.“A letter-request may be one of them, but there are a host of other requirements to be complied with. Bear in mind also that we do not require any payment for LGUs to be able to access DILG projects,” Sueno said.Earlier, Mayor Ramon Guico of Binalonan, Pangasinan informed the DILG that he has seen several letters from LGUs in Regions 1, 2 and 3, including Baguio City addressed to Alarcon, requesting financial support for local projects.Aside from Guico, DILG provincial director Anthony Ballug of Mountain Province reported about LGUs having fallen victim to someone presenting herself as Pia Alarcon.Sueno said based on official records, there is no Pia or Phia Alarcon currently connected with the DILG.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/dilg-warns-vs-impostor-seeking-funding/296071/
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Taiwan official hails mutually beneficial relations between Manila and Taipei
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['The Manila Times']
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2016-11-09 21:22:26+00:00
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Dr. Gary Song-Huann Lin, Representative of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the Philippines, recently said the long-standing and mutually beneficial close relations between Taiwan and the Philippines gained greater significance under President Tsai Ing-wen’s “New Southbound Policy” with a visit early this month by an 80-strong Philippine delegation led by Department of Tourism (DOT) Assistant Secretary Maria Lourdes Japson and 2015 Miss World-Philippines Hillarie Danielle Parungao.The delegation attended the opening ceremony of the 2016 Asia-Pacific Cultural Day (APCD) on November 5held at the Taipei Main Station.The APCD is mainly organized by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.The Philippine participation in the cultural day had been organized by the Manila Economic and Cultural Office or MECO in the Philippines and the DOT.In a speech, Lin said ties between Taiwan and the Philippines are “wide-ranging” in trade, investment, agriculture, fisheries, labor and tourism.“Taiwan is the top 6th visitor source for the Philippines and we do believe that tourism is indeed one of the best and effective means to forge stronger partnership and cooperation among our two peoples, ” he added.Lin said Taiwan and the Philippines were able to amend the 1996 air traffic agreement between them, paving the way for more flights and new routes between Taipei and Manila.There are now 255 flights being offered per month.Major airlines such as AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, Eva Air and Philippine Airlines have introduced new routes and increased passenger seat capacity.Taipei and Manila have also relaxed their respective visa measures, allowing easier access to tourism exchanges between them.Lin said he envisions that the timely visit to Taiwan by the Philippine delegation can create more opportunities of cooperation in business, investment, culture, education, labor and technology for a win-win situation for Taipei and Manila.The APCD, reputedly one of the biggest inter-cultural festivals in Taiwan, is running on its 5th year and being joined by 20 countries including Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan and the Philippines.It aims to illustrate the rich cultures and diversity of the participating countries by showcasing their cuisines and products.In time for the APCD, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office or TECO in the Philippines, in partnership with local travel operators, EVA Air and Philippine Airlines, offered a “Special Time to Visit Taiwan” promotional package for Filipino tourists who would like to participate in the event and tour Taiwan’s famous historical and tourists attractions.The promotional tour package attracted Filipino tourists and local travel operators, with almost 40 accredited operators joining the visit to Taiwan.Participants were able to visit some of Taiwan’s famous landmarks such as Taipei 101, Taipei Guest House and National Palace Museum; tour night markets and shopping districts; sample Taiwan’s best cuisines; and cruise world-renowned Sun Moon Lake.In an exclusive interview with Formosa Television, Miss World-Philippines Parungao said, “It is my first time to visit Taiwan and I am very fascinated to find out how Taiwan influenced our culture and vice-versa. Like for example, in terms of food and technology, we really do share a lot of commonalities.”According to her, she can encourage more Filipino tourists to visit Taiwan most especially because it is near the Philippines.“Taiwan is such a wonderful and a safe place, especially to young Filipinos. It ranks as the second safest country in the world. Transportation is also very convenient and, in terms of accommodation, there is a lot to choose from. Taiwan is really a perfect getaway for all sorts of travelers,” Parugao said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/taiwan-official-hails-mutually-beneficial-relations-manila-taipei/295656/
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Group cites Lopez’s ‘legacy’ of justice and equity
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-05-05 22:54:29+00:00
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The world’s “largest marine conservation non-profit” hailed Secretary Regina Lopez of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Thursday, a day after her posting at the department was rejected by the Commission on Appointments (CA).Oceana, in a statement, cited the “trail-blazing achievements of outgoing DENR Secretary Lopez in bravely pushing for policies to sustainably protect the country’s environmentally-critical areas, including protected seascapes and save them from destructive activities that threaten their ecological integrity.”The non-profit said Lopez has set “the highest standards for environmental stewardship and mainstreamed partnerships with civil society organizations, a feat that merits replication by her successor.”According to Oceana, her “commitment and sterling leadership in ensuring justice and equity especially to affected communities most dependent on a vibrant web of life is her most precious legacy for all of us.”It said it was “most grateful” for that legacy.After the powerful appointments commission thumbed down Lopez’s nomination to head the DENR, she lashed at the supposed mining lobby that fought hard to unseat her from the Duterte Cabinet.“It is very sad that in the Commission on Appointments, clearly business interests have run the day and I think that it needs to be reevaluated,” she told reporters.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/group-cites-lopezs-legacy-justice-equity-2/325719/
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Consumers hail TRO vs retail power deals
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['Neil Alcober']
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2017-03-03 20:27:10+00:00
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Major consumer groups and a non-government organization (NGO) on Friday hailed a recent temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court (SC) against mandatory power supply contracts.They said the TRO against a controversial policy of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) represented a victory for consumers.“This [decision] shows that there is multisectoral opposition to the ERC’s new policy. Faced with [this] unrealistic and anti-consumer policy, business groups, academic institutions, consumers and civil society must continue to rally together and have their voices heard,” Pet Climaco, secretary general of the NGO Bantay Kuryente (Electricity Watch), said.The Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) and San Beda College Alabang also expressed satisfaction and relief over the High Court’s recent ruling imposing the TRO on the ERC policy that they said affects retail competition and open access.In a joint statement, the two higher education institutions said they are encouraged that their joint petition has been declared by the tribunal as successfully establishing a clear, legal right to the TRO, as they seek to uphold the spirit of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, which protects the freedom and the rights of all power consumers.“The ADMU believes that our government and ruling bodies should ultimately seek to protect our basic, constitutional right to freedom of choice. And this right should extend to all electricity consumers. If we are allowed to choose the best supplier for our needs in a market that is allowed to work freely and for the common good, then such a scenario will be most beneficial to all consumers concerned, especially those smaller scale contestable customers like schools and universities that may have a difficult time searching for a new contract,” Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ., president of Ateneo de Manila University, said.“This recent temporary restraining order is an encouraging development toward preserving the right of every Filipino to choose freely, and we hope that this [TRO] paves the way to a more progressive power industry and a safer economic environment for the academe,” Villarin added.The academic community has raised concern regarding an originally proposed deadline by the ERC and the Department of Energy (DOE), and the additional premium that it has to pay if the deadline is not met.“Admittedly, it would be very difficult for academic establishments like San Beda College Alabang to meet the proposed deadline of the ERC and the DOE of February 26, 2017 forcing customers to enter into new retail supply contracts or otherwise suffer the consequence of being disconnected from the distribution utility or being made to pay a supplier of last resort a 10 percent premium between the higher contract cost and the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market,” Fr. Aelred Nilo, director for finance, administration and general services of San Beda College Alabang, said.In a forum last year, licensed suppliers that were handpicked by the ERC were being selective with their offers and would not even call customers if their load factors were deemed too low.University of Santo Tomas head of Electrical Engineering Oliver Gagarin said no retail electricity suppliers accredited by the regulatory commission approached them.“We have a very low load factor. [We are not] attractive to retail electricity suppliers,” Gagarin noted.NEIL A. ALCOBER
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/consumers-hail-tro-vs-retail-power-deals/315251/
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DENR lifts quarrying ban
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['Eireene Jairee Gomez']
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2018-09-29 00:09:26+00:00
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The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has lifted the quarrying ban it imposed shortly after a landslide buried houses in Naga, Cebu last week.Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said the order to suspend quarrying was lifted because the investigation conducted by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) showed that quarry operations pose no danger to communities.“Ninety percent of quarry sites nationwide will resume operations, provided that these areas are one kilometer away from the communities that can potentially be affected,” Cimatu said in a news briefing.He said the suspension order on the remaining 10 percent, which includes the operations of Apo Land Quarry Corp. in Naga City, remains until further assessment.With the ban lifted, the following mining firms are now allowed to resume operations: Holcim Mining and Development Corp., Northern Cement Corp., heirs of Elias Olegario and 19 holders of industrial sand and gravel (ISAG) permits in Ilocos; Holcim Mining and Development Corp., Republic Cement, Eagle Cement and six ISAG permit holders in Central Luzon; Republic Cement and Lafarge Holcim Aggregates Corp. in Calabarzon; Orophil Stonecraft Corp. in Bicol; Holcim Resources and Development Corp. in Northern Mindanao as well as Holcim Mining and Development Corp. in Davao.MGB Acting Director Wilfredo Moncano said the list of firms conducting quarrying operations with lifted suspension would be updated if the investigation of other quarrying sites merits the lifting of the suspension.Last week, the DENR suspended all quarrying operations after the landslide in Naga City in Cebu killed at least 65 people.Cimatu said MGB officials were still in the area to investigate the other mining companies’ geohazard zones and condition of quarry sites.“Given that some are on mountainous areas, I [directed the MGB] to use drones to help see the possible houses in the area. We have to double check everything,” he said.The environment chief said a study showed that most typhoon casualties were victims of landslides.“The most number of casualties during typhoons is due to landslides. So despite the thought that we have issued geohazard maps in the communities, they are still there and they ignore the danger of geohazards during typhoons,” Cimatu said.He said the DENR would continue to implement strict regulations in the mining industry to ensure sustainability of the environment and the safety of Filipinos.“It’s either the people will be relocated or the quarrying operations will be suspended,” he said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/denr-lifts-quarrying-ban/446192/
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14 killed in PNP’s renewed war on drugs
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['Nelson Badilla']
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2017-03-12 18:55:57+00:00
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A promise that the government’s renewed war on illegal drugs would be different from its forerunner appeared to be not true at all as 14 alleged drug dealers had been killed six days after the restart of the campaign.Aside from the 14 suspects, some 467 others were arrested from March 6 to March 12 based on data from the Philippine National Police (PNP).PNP Director General Ronald dela Rosa himself had told the media that the relaunch of the anti-illegal drugs campaign would be less bloody.The first drug drive assigned to the PNP and the National Bureau of Investigation was stopped by President Rodrigo Duterte after some police officers of the two agencies were linked to the abduction and killing of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo last October 18.Jee was killed inside Camp Crame, the PNP’s main headquarters, in Quezon City despite the kidnappers managing to get P5 million in ransom from Jee’s wife last October 31.The PNP leadership is yet to ascertain who got the P5 million.Duterte ordered the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency under Director General Isidro Lapena to lead the new drug war of the government.NELSON S. BADILLA
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/14-killed-pnps-renewed-war-drugs/316795/
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Youth group tells Duterte: ‘Expect more walkouts’
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['Mary Gleefer F. Jalea']
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2018-02-03 00:05:32+00:00
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A youth group has warned President Rodrigo Duterte to “expect more class walkouts” after he called the attention of students from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City, who had led a protest against his leadership on Thursday.“On February 23, Duterte should expect bigger protests, participated in by thousands of students, teachers and administrators and vendors, along with the entire UP community,” Stand Up, a political organization in state-run UP, said.The group announced that the walkout protests aimed at fighting Duterte’s “tyranny and dictatorship” will start at participating local colleges and will continue at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila for the rest of the day.The announcement was made after youth groups gathered on Thursday afternoon for the National Day of Walkout for Free Education, Freedom and Democracy that started in Diliman, then on to Katipunan Road in Quezon City with other groups from Ateneo de Manila University and Miriam College, among other schools.Kabataan Party-list Rep. Sarah Elago hit Duterte’s remark on kicking out UP students who walked out of classes and giving their slots to “deserving [students from the community of] lumad [indigenous people]” instead.“His statement exposes the true nature of his ‘free education’ scam; not all will benefit; instead of guaranteeing the right of every child to education, he dangles it around every time there is opposition to his fanatical dictatorship,” she said in a statement.“In UP… earlier, they walked out. [They] do not go to school anymore. I’d be happy to reconfigure the view there.. a lot of Filipinos want to have good education. That’s the people’s money after all,” Duterte said in his speech in Davao City on Thursday.Women’s group Gabriela Youth reiterated that UP students “have always fought side by side” with the lumad community.“The UP students… will not be cowed by [Duterte’s] threat to kick them out. The protests will continue not only in UP but in all universities and colleges nationwide,” the women’s group said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/youth-group-tells-duterte-expect-walkouts/377862/
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FDA fines Sanofi, cans Dengvaxia listing
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['Kenneth Hare Hernandez']
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2018-01-06 01:09:05+00:00
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has fined French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Pasteur P100,000 and has suspended the certificate of product registration of the company’s dengue vaccine Dengvaxia for a year.The FDA imposed the P100,000 (around $2,000) penalty on Sanofi after it was found that the pharmaceutical company did not comply with the regulatory agency’s post-marketing authorization issuance commitments.“Records and evidence clearly showed that respondent failed to comply with its post-marketing authorization issuance commitments, and that it has exhibited the propensity to not comply with this office’s regulatory requirements for its products, Dengvaxia and Dengvaxia MD,” it stated in a decision dated December 29, 2017.Sanofi did not comply with the regulation as it failed to submit documents to ensure its products safe to use after their release in the market.In an emailed statement, Sanofi Pasteur said they continue to evaluate the safety of their products and will be transparent with local regulatory bodies.“[The company] routinely conducts post-approval commitments to continuously evaluate the safety and effectiveness of our vaccines in the countries where they are in use, and we have done so in the Philippines with Dengvaxia,” the statement said.“Sanofi Pasteur will continue to cooperate in full transparency with the Philippines FDA and is committed to comply with the Philippines laws and regulations,” it added.Sanofi has been in hot water after admitting that the dengue vaccine, which has been inoculated to about 830,000 individuals over the years may cause a more severe case of dengue for first-time patients.The Department of Health last month suspended the dengue immunization program on an advisory of Sanofi.The FDA ordered the recall of the medicine the same month.The government spent P3.5 billion or around $70.2 million for the immunization program started during the time of former Health Secretary Janette Garin.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/fda-fines-sanofi-cans-dengvaxia-listing/372508/
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CPP calls Bohol clash a CIA job
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['Ros Feliciano', 'Paul Parenas']
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15/04/2017 0:00
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The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) is accusing the United States government of allegedly having a hand in the military operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Inabangan, Bohol last April 11.“The news stories regarding the supposed arrival and presence of members of the Abu Sayyaf criminal bandit group in Bohol island smacks of a US yarn. The Filipino people find most of the press statements released by the military, police and local government officials as highly suspect,” a statement issued by the CPP on April 14 said.Contrary to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) report that six ASG members were killed, along with a policeman and three soldiers, the CPP contends that two of the fatalities counted among the Abu Sayyaf were actually a civilian couple.The CPP said it turned out later that two among the so-called bandits were a 65-year-old couple identified by the barangay officials as Constancio and Crisente Petalco, residents of Barangay Napo.The CPP condemned the military operation in Bohol as “overkill,” claiming it endangered the lives of the residents and forced at least 1,200 local residents to flee their homes after the Philippines Air Force dropped nine bombs in Barangays Napo, Calenti and Banahao in Inabangan town.“The AFP media office, known for spinning fake news stories, has produced a highly dubious story of no less than 60 fully-armed men who traveled three hundred kilometers by boat from Sulu to Bohol, unhampered by the whole AFP establishment, then upstream to a place unknown to them with only a general plan to ‘target tourists,” it said.“This story is a typical of the tall tales spun by the US Central Intelligence Agency and their conspirators within the Philippine defense and security establishment,” it said.The CPP also questioned the timing of the travel advisory warning issued by the US Embassy prior to Bohol clash against travelling to Cebu and Bohol, “which the AFP and PNP (Philippine National Police) had no idea of.”The US Embassy issued on April 9 a travel advisory, which claimed it received “unsubstantiated yet credible information that terrorist groups may attempt to conduct kidnappings in Central Visayas, which included both Cebu and Bohol provinces. US citizens are advised to carefully consider this information as you make travel plans, and to review personal security plans, avoid large crowds and gatherings, and remain vigilant at all times.”The communists alleged the “tall tale of the presence of the Abu Sayyaf in Bohol likely forms part of a US plot to strengthen its foothold and increase the presence of its troops in the Central Visayas region.”It added this shows the interest of the US military to establish facilities at the Mactan airfield.“The US military also aims to establish itself more firmly in the Eastern Visayas region having established US facilities in Guian, Samar under the guise of post-Yolanda rescue operations. The annual Balikatan exercises are set to be carried out starting April 24 in Leyte, just north of Bohol,” it said.It accused the AFP and the US military of collaborating with the operators of the ASG.“Recall that the Abu Sayyaf was originally formed in the 1980s by a group of armed men recruited by the US military to join the Taliban group which waged a CIA-hatched ‘jihad’ against the then Soviet-supported Afghanistan government,” it said.It added the US and AFP have used the ASG as multi-tool to discredit the Moro people’s struggle for self-determination.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/04/15/cpp-calls-bohol-clash-a-cia-job/
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Romualdez reappointed as special envoy to US
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['Catherine S. Valente']
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2017-07-10 19:53:38+00:00
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President Rodrigo Duterte has reappointed media executive Jose Manuel Romualdez as special envoy to the United States, Malacañang said on Monday.“The Palace announces the re-appointment of Mr. Jose Manuel Romualdez as special envoy of the President to the United States. We are confident that the re-appointment of Mr. Romualdez will usher in better Philippines-US relations and promote stronger cooperation between the two countries,” Palace spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a statement.It was earlier reported that Romualdez turned down the post in December last year because of eye problems.The President initially tapped Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to replace former Ambassador Jose Cuisia, who retired in June last year. When Lorenzana declined the US posting, Duterte said he would name Malacañang’s protocol chief Marciano Paynor to the post but Paynor’s appointment did not push through.Ties between the Philippines and the US were strained during the administration of President Barack Obama, who expressed concern over Duterte’s drug war that had been accompanied by the deaths of thousands of drug suspects.But there are expectations that the relationship between the two countries would improve as Duterte earlier said he believed he would get along well with US President Donald Trump, who has expressed support for his anti-narcotics campaign.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/romualdez-reappointed-special-envoy-us-2/337651/
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PCSO: New STL to stamp out illegal numbers games
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2017-01-30 21:49:40+00:00
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THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) will introduce today (Tuesday) its new and improved Small Town Lottery (STL) that will not only provide more funds for charitable purposes but also help stamp out all kinds of illegal numbers games in the country.The launching signals the expansion of the STL operation in the country from the current 14 provinces and four cities in the country to at least 64 areas nationwide.The expansion is expected to generate more than P18-billion annual revenue for the government.The STL is the only legal numbers game authorized by the national government through Section 1 of Republic Act 1169, as amended.Authorized Agent Corporations (AACs) are engaged by PCSO to assist the agency in the implementation of the STL nationwide.As of January 11, 2017, the PCSO governing board has approved 56 new ACC and renewed the license of the existing 18 corporationsThe new operators were able to meet the requirement set by the PCSO board particularly the new presumptive monthly retail receipt (PMRR) that STL operators or ACCs must comply and remit.Other requirements include authorized capital stock of P50 million with a minimum paid-up capital of P15 million and must be 100-percent Filipino corporation or cooperative whose primary purpose is to conduct STL and must have the necessary personnel to efficiently carry out the operation.The PCSO introduced the STL to combat jueteng and other illegal numbers games in the country in 2006.But the game was not able to serve its purpose because gambling lords used the STL as legal front for their illegal gambling operations.PCSO Chairman Jose Jorge Corpuz in an earlier interview said gambling lords would not be able to use the new STL for their illegal activities because, apart from the serious anti-illegal gambling campaign of the government, the PCSO also introduced mechanisms that would prevent corruption.PCSO Chairman and General Manager Alexander Balutan will be leading the STL launch together with Philippine National Police chief General Ronald dela Rosa, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre 2nd, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Cesar Dulay, Commission on Audit Chairman Michael Aguinaldo and other government officials.The STL launching “Bawat Taya, Para sa Kawanggawa” will be held at Marquee tent, Shangrila Plaza Hotel in Mandaluyong City (Metro Manila) at 10 a.m.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/pcso-new-stl-stamp-illegal-numbers-games/309730/
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Alvarez: House will defy SC in the name of martial law
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2017-06-08 21:16:38+00:00
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Not even the Supreme Court (SC) can compel the House of Representatives and the Senate to convene in a joint session to discuss the merits or lack of them of martial law, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez of Davao del Norte said on Thursday.Alvarez was responding to a move of at least 300 lawyers, led by former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, who filed a petition asking the SC to tell Congress to hold a joint session on the declaration of martial law and the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao because of terrorist attacks led by Islamic State ally Maute Group.Under the 1987 Constitution, the President can declare martial law and suspend the writ of habeas corpus in case of invasion, rebellion or when public safety requires it.It also provides, “Congress, voting jointly, by a vote of at least a majority of all its members in regular or special session, may revoke such proclamation or suspension, which revocation shall not be set aside by the President” and that “Congress, if not in session, should, within twenty-four hours following such proclamation or suspension, convene in accordance with its rules without any need of a call.”“How can the Supreme Court dictate [on] Congress what to do when it is our co-equal body? If the Supreme Court issues a ruling telling Congress to convene in such joint session, I will just tear that up,” Alvarez told reporters.“We won’t comply with that [SC ruling]. That would be stupid. There will be a constitutional crisis, and it is not the fault of Congress. All we know is that we won’t follow what the Supreme Court says because they don’t have the right to dictate on what Congress should do,” he said.Alvarez disclosed that the House already submitted a position paper to the Office of the Solicitor General to defend its stance against the joint session.“My position is that the Supreme Court does not have a jurisdiction on this matter. Besides, I don’t see the logic in this. The Senate majority passed a resolution supporting the declaration of martial law. The House did the same thing. Why convene in a joint session when you already know the result?” he said.“I don’t know, really. Maybe these critics just want to do a grandstanding in a joint session,” Alvarez added.Aside from the Hilbay petition, opposition lawmakers led by Rep. Edcel Lagman also asked the Supreme Court to lift martial law in Mindanao.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/alvarez-house-will-defy-sc-name-martial-law/331637/
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AFP bats for enhanced ASEAN border security
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['Lucas Temoteo', 'Rey David', 'Kwak Kwak Kwak', 'Berdugo Katapang', 'Simon Antonio', 'Parasa Bayan', 'Maka Pili']
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5/11/2017 0:00
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Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero has called for the enhancement of regional border security agreement with neighboring countries in a bid to combat transnational crimes.In a statement, AFP Public Affairs Office Chief Marine Colonel Edgard Arevalo, said that Guerrero wants to increase coordinated patrols with the AFP’s counterparts from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members.“The Command Guidance outlines the Chief of Staff’s courses of action and orders for the line units and offices to follow to ensure that the AFP remains on track on its short- and long-term goals,” Arevalo said.For the active border cooperation, Guerrero hopes to enhance border security with Malaysia and Indonesia through the Trilateral Cooperation Arrangement inked in June, 2017 aimed at stopping kidnapping, trafficking, and transit of terror personalities in the Sulu Sea.“We will also increase the frequency of our coordinated patrols with our ASEAN counterparts in order to prevent the use of our common maritime borders for illegal activities,” Guerrero said.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/11/05/afp-bats-for-enhanced-asean-border-security/
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PHLPost launches 5th letter writing contest
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['Ashley Jose']
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2017-10-03 22:14:09+00:00
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The Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost) has invited students to join its 5th National Letter Writing Day to celebrate World Post Day. The event will be held at SM North Edsa in Quezon City and other SM branches on October 9.Letter-writing contests will also be held in the cities of Cabanatuan, Tarlac, San Pablo, Cebu, Iloilo, Davao and Cagayan de Oro.The grand winner will represent the Philippines in the international letter writing activity to be held at the Universal Postal Union (UPU) headquarters in Berne, Switzerland.The UPU’s 46th International Letter Writing Contest will revolve on the question: “Imagine you are an advisor to the new UN Secretary-General which world issue would you help him tackle first and how would you advise him to solve it?”The topic was chosen to celebrate the election of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.At least 150 countries will celebrate World Post Day on October 9 with letter writing activities and stamp collecting.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/phlpost-launches-5th-letter-writing-contest/354341/
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Solicitor general blocks Delfin Lee’s release
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2018-09-20 00:02:04+00:00
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The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) has asked the Supreme Court to reinstate the syndicated estafa charges against Globe Asiatique (GA) owner Delfin Lee and four others accused of using ghost borrowers for P6.6-billion worth of Pag-IBIG Fund loans in 2009.In a 47-page motion filed, Solicitor General Jose Calida, Assistant Solicitor General Hermes Ocampo and State Solicitor Neil Lorenzo asked the high court to reverse its July 31, 2018 ruling downgrading the charges against Lee to simple estafa, a bailable offense.Aside from Lee, named respondents to the case were his son and GA executive vice president, Dexter Lee; Christina Sagun, GA documentation department head; Alex Alvarez, Pag-IBIG Fund lawyer and head of its foreclosure department; and Christina Salagan, GA accounting/finance department head.The case originated from over P6.6-billion in questionable housing loans obtained by alleged “ghost borrowers” to purchase homes in GA’s Xevera housing project in Mabalacat, Pampanga.In its motion, the OSG said the Court of Appeals (CA) gravely abused its discretion in granting the petitions of the accused challenging the Department of Justice’s finding of probable cause as well as warrants issued for their arrest.On November 7, 2013, the CA ordered the Pampanga Regional Trial Court to terminate its trial against Lee and recall his arrest warrant following its ruling that junked the charges against Sagun and Alvarez, which no longer qualified the alleged offense as syndicated estafa.According to the appellate court, for syndicated estafa to rise “there must be at least 5 persons in conspiracy to commit the offense.”In July this year, the SC downgraded the charges against Lee from syndicated estafa to simple estafa and allowed him to post bail.However, the OSG insisted that “all the elements of syndicated estafa are present.”“Delfin, Dexter, Sagun, Salagan, and Atty. Alvarez organized themselves into a syndicate for purposes of carrying out their fraudulent scheme, to the damage and prejudice of [Pag-ibig Fund] and its member-contributors. Also, it may not be amiss to point out that nine members of the honorable court (SC) have opined that there is a syndicate in this case,” it added. The SC voted 7-5-2 to downgrade the syndicated estafa to simple estafa.The OSG maintained that Delfin and Dexter Lee did not file a motion for reconsideration before the lower court before they sought a CA reversal of the RTC ruling upholding their indictment and ordered their arrest.It added that Lee’s plea was filed beyond the reglementary period of 60 days from receipt of the assailed court order or ruling as the pleadings were filed with the CA more than six months after the same.Lee was nabbed on March 6, 2014 by elements of the Philippine National Police Task Force Tugis at the lobby of the Hyatt Hotel in Manila.He was detained in Pampanga provincial jail for over four years until the junking of their case.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/solicitor-general-blocks-delfin-lees-release/443093/
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Palace tells Rappler: If you want to earn, follow the law
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['Ralph Villanueva']
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2018-03-10 00:04:44+00:00
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MALACAÑANG again hit online news outlet Rappler, this time in connection with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filing a P133-million tax evasion case against the media player before the Department of Justice (DoJ) on Thursday.In an interview aired via the social media site Facebook on Friday, Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said if Rappler wants to continue operating and earning revenue, it should follow the laws of the land first.“For me, [Rappler] should pay what needs to be paid to the government. In whatever angle you may see it, taxes should be paid,” Roque added.In a statement, the BIR said Rappler Holdings Corp. (RHC) and Rappler Chief Operating Officer Maria Ressa and Treasurer James Bitanga were civilly liable for income, and value-added (VAT) deficiencies, all covering taxable year 2015, amounting to over P133.84 million.Roque said aside from chasing the truth, a journalist should also have an advocacy to follow the law and the Constitution.“It is unacceptable that you [journalists] are not following the Constitution and if you are caught red-handed and held liable because of your disobedience [to] the law, you will call for freedom of the press. This gives the freedom of the press a very bad name. It actually trivializes an important right,” he added.The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) also filed a cyber libel case against Rappler also on Thursday.Roque again denied the hand of President Rodrigo Duterte in the cases hounding Rappler, saying if Duterte indeed wanted to topple Rappler, the online outlet should already be closed “for a long time.”“Rappler is still operating, they are still not writing anything positive for the President. This is a proof that press freedom is still alive. However, we cannot control what Maria Ressa does to earn. For me, it is [their] right to earn, but if you earn, respect the law and the Constitution,” Roque said.“After the SEC decision [to revoke Rappler’s registration], the $1.5 million is a donation [given by the Omidyar Network], that they do not have any control on the money. If that is a donation, why did you not pay a donor’s and donee’s tax?” he added.SEC is the Securities and Exchanges Commission.On January 15, the SEC revoked Rappler’s certificate of incorporation for allegedly violating the Philippine Constitution and statutory foreign equity restrictions in mass media.The ruling came after Duterte accused Rappler of selling a controlling stake in the company to Omidyar Network.A month later, Rappler’s Malacañang reporter Pia Ranada-Robles was barred from entering the Palace and covering engagements of the President.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/palace-tells-rappler-if-you-want-to-earn-follow-the-law/385063/
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Go vows more govt help for flood victims
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['The Manila Times']
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2018-08-15 00:04:16+00:00
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Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said the government is ready to deliver relief goods to people affected by floods.Go gave assurances that President Rodrigo Duterte has been monitoring the situation and has ordered concerned agencies to help storm victims.He made the statement when he visited flood-hit areas in Quezon City, Marikina and Taytay, Rizal.Duterte was supposed to conduct an aerial survey of flooded areas on Monday but it was canceled because of poor visibility.He said the President directed Social Welfare and Development Acting Secretary Virginia Orogo, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Interior and Local Government Acting Secretary Eduardo Año, and Health Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd to check on the needs of the flood victims.“He made sure that relief goods from national government will be delivered immediately to the victims of storm Karding. The important thing is that no one got hurt and they are just waiting to go home,” Go said in Filipino.As this developed, Go’s friends and supporters heeded his call for donations and sent relief goods.“In my private capacity, I have friends who helped. We provided relief goods, food like lugaw, shoes, and tomorrow, we will be providing sleeping mats so that they could sleep better. Especially for the children, the floor is cold to sleep on,” Go said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/go-vows-more-govt-help-for-flood-victims/430428/
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DepEd, Comelec assure teachers of tax refund
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['Neil Alcober']
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2018-05-13 00:15:59+00:00
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THE Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) have committed to ensure that teacher-volunteers, with annual basic salary of P250,000 and below, will promptly receive their tax refunds after the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) decided to impose a 5-percent withholding tax on their honoraria and allowances for rendering services during the 2018 barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK or youth council) elections on May 14.“I believe that you are aware that the BIR has already issued a ruling… The Train (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion) Law specifies that those with annual income below P250,000 will be tax exempt. Computations were made; it will range from P300 to P350. In two weeks’ time, that [amount] will be returned once our teacher-volunteers submit and have their certification of salary grade verified,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.In April, the DepEd chief appealed to the Comelec for an increase and tax exemption on teachers’ poll honoraria and allowances.Assistant Secretary for Procurement Revsee Escobedo reiterated the assurance and detailed how the tax refund will be facilitated: “These will be our Teachers I and II. BIR requires our teachers to submit to the election officers a sworn declaration stating that they are employed as teacher with Salary Grade 11, depending on the step increment. They will submit these to the election officer who will validate, and if they are indeed exempted from tax, they will receive the balance within 15 days from May 14. The rate for the chairman of the electoral board will be subject to tax of P350 and for the members of the electoral board, P300, in compliance with the Tax Code and the recent Train Law.”Frances Aguindadao-Arabe, deputy director of the Comelec Education and Information Division, likewise assured teachers of the timely return of the deducted tax in cash, and encouraged teacher-volunteers to submit their sworn declaration along with their report on election day.She also clarified that the certification will be validated by the election officer and will not require notarization outside the polling precinct.Undersecretary for Administration and Election Task Force (ETF) Chairman Alain Pascua said that on top of Comelec’s ongoing orientation for teachers in schools nationwide and webinar on the dos and don’ts in the conduct of their poll services, DepEd will set up the ETF and Monitoring Center at the Central Office on May 13 to 15 to serve as a command center that will address problems encountered by teacher-volunteers.“That shows how prepared our teachers are… Aside from the central office, we are duplicating the Election Task Force in every region. We have encouraged every regional offices, even the division offices, to organize similar task forces to support the work of our teachers,” Pascua underscored.As regards the security of teachers, Pascua said: “Our advice to our teachers is always to remain neutral and non-partisan. In the event of whatever violence that will happen in the school, our law enforcers are always there.I think when it comes to violence in the polling places, the law enforcers are very ready to respond, and our teachers are advised to remain in their posts, in the classroom, and be very objective and fair.”
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/deped-comelec-assure-teachers-of-tax-refund/398436/
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DFA to issue passports valid for 10 years
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-10-26 20:32:36+00:00
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FILIPINOS beginning January 2018 will be issued passports that will be valid for 10 years under the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 10928 or An Act Extending the Validity of Philippine Passports.President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law in August RA 10928, which extends the period of validity of a Philippine passport from five to 10 years, except those of minors that would only have a five-year validity.Under the IRR, which was signed by Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the new passports with 10-year validity will be issued to those applying for the first time and those applying for replacement or renewal starting January 2018.No changes will be made on the current passport except for the ten-year validity period and the cost will also remain at P950 for “regular processing” or passport delivery within 15 working days and P1,200 for “express processing” within seven working days.Sen. Grace Poe earlier pushed for the inclusion of an “anti-passport price increase” provision in the proposed 2018 budget of the DFA in order to freeze the fee for the travel document even with the extension of validity.Poe, in introducing the provision, noted that there is a need to make sure that the new passport with longer validity period would not cost double.According to her, the 44-page current passport, 39 pages of which are stampable, would suffice for most Filipino travellers.“If the DFA will issue a passport that will have more pages, then the best recourse is to maintain the current price, or call for extensive hearings, especially among OFWs [overseas Filipino workers], if they plan to charge more,” Poe said.The DFA, however, cannot guarantee that there will be no increase in the cost of new passports, noting that additional fees may be imposed in the future.Increase in passport fee may be imposed as part of the DFA’s mandate to improve the passport processing system to make it convenient and pro-people, and to ensure that the production and security of passports are at par with technological advances and world standards.About three million Filipinos apply for new passports or renew theirs annually.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/dfa-issue-passports-valid-10-years/358911/
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Cooperation on OFW reintegration sought
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['William Depasupil']
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2017-09-01 22:00:22+00:00
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THE Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) has pushed for the productive reintegration of returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to reverse the country’s decades-old labor export policy.Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd called on all sectors to support the government’s continuing efforts to help the OFWs, especially those who lost their jobs, through better paying job opportunities to convince them to stay in the country for good.He pointed out that even with the country’s continued economic growth and improved domestic wages to encourage OFWs to return to the country, the number of returnees is increasing because of crises, disasters and wars overseas.Last year, the DoLE worked for the repatriation of more than 11,000 OFWs in Saudi Arabia who lost their jobs as a result of the economic crisis brought about by a drop in oil prices in the world market.Bello urged business to “open your windows for partnership with OFW groups” and asked families of OFWs to prepare for their reunification.“I call on the local governments to make each province, city and municipality a haven to go back to,” he said in his message at a recent summit on OFW reintegration held at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, adding that services of agencies must “nurture an environment conducive to OFW return.”The summit, the culminating activity of the Enhancing Reintegration Program for OFWs, will draw up a national master plan for the absorption of returning migrant workers into the local economy.It is spearheaded by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the National Reintegration Center for OFWs and the International Organization for Migration.“The task seems disconcerting because of the huge number of our returning OFWs… We need to keep the house in order,” Bello said.He added that there have to be sufficient jobs and businesses available, and infrastructure and peace and order because “this is everyone’s business.”
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/cooperation-ofw-reintegration-sought/348032/
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Oil firms face probe over climate change
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['Leander C. Domingo']
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2017-12-09 22:28:00+00:00
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ADVOCACY groups have all the reason to be jubilant as the world’s first-ever national inquiry into the responsibility of the fossil fuel industry for causing climate change will be held on Monday in Manila, or one day after Human Rights Day.Multinational companies in the oil industry including ExxonMobil, Shell, BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Suncor and Repsol are being asked to explain their role in making climate change worse and impacting human rights in the process.According to the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM), the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), the investigating body, sent notices in October requesting the companies to attend the December 11 meeting.The PRRM is an organization that provides support in the aftermath of disasters and one of the petitioners, Isagani Serrano, PRRM president, said the companies were invited to discuss and agree on how the investigation will be conducted, and how to present evidence and witnesses.He said the investigation will intensify in 2018 and has the potential to shift global understanding of corporate responsibility for climate change.“Many homes were destroyed during Typhoon Yolanda and people died, including some I knew,” Serrano said.He added that they hope chief executive officers of the oil companies “look deep within their hearts and see how their profit harms people and the planet.”Serrano said the day before the Manila meeting is a very important day for all of humanity.December 10 is International Human Rights Day and the start of the one-year lead-up to the 70th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.Greenpeace Southeast Asia (Philippines), Filipino typhoon survivors, other communities suffering the impacts of climate change and civil society organizations petitioned the CHR for the investigation in 2015.This was two years after super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) claimed the lives of more than 6,300 people and affected millions of others who are yet to recover.Yeb Saño, executive director of Greenpeace Southeast Asia, said International Human Rights Day should remind oil companies why it is important that they participate in the national inquiry.“Extreme weather fueled by climate change is making life worse for people on the frontlines of climate change. Their basic rights to food, water, shelter, health and even life are under threat,” he noted.Saño said people have rights, states have duties and companies have responsibilities to respect these rights.“No oil, gas, or coal company has a right to pollute the climate, and those that undermine, threaten and violate human rights must be held accountable,” he added.The Philippine national inquiry forms part of people-powered legal actions taking place around the world including Greenpeace Nordic and Nature and Youth in Norway, young people in the US, senior women in Switzerland, a Peruvian farmer in Germany, a law student in New Zealand and many others.Saño said they are all taking legal action to seek protection from climate change.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/oil-firms-face-probe-climate-change/367744/
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Duterte abolishes sugar agency
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['Ralph Villanueva']
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2018-10-30 00:22:39+00:00
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PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has abolished the Philippine Sugar Corporation (Philsucor), a government-owned and -controlled corporation (GOCC) created on Nov. 14, 1983.Duterte signed the directive on Oct. 25, 2018.The agency was created to provide financing in the acquisition, rehabilitation and expansion of sugar mills, refineries and other related facilities used in the manufacture, packing, storage, distribution and shipment of sugar and its by-products and derivatives.The President’s order said banking and financing institutions are already providing the financing needs of sugar mills.The Development Bank of the Philippines and the LandBank of the Philippines are also offering lending facilities, it added.The abolition was recommended by the Governance Commission for GOCC, which said “Philsucor’s functions or purposes duplicate or unnecessarily overlap with the functions, programs, activities or projects of the SRA (Sugar Regulatory Administration) and government financial institutions.”The assets and liabilities of the agency will be liquidated.Those who will be displaced will be given separation and retirement benefits.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/duterte-abolishes-sugar-agency/459438/
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Farm damage from 2 storms hit P565M
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['Eireene Jairee Gomez']
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2018-07-24 00:10:06+00:00
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The two tropical storms that soaked Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon damaged P565 million worth of crops, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Monday.The DA’s Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (DRRMC) said the rice sector incurred the heaviest damage at P428 million, followed by the fisheries sector, P136 million.Tropical storm “Henry” and severe tropical storm “Inday” also destroyed P1 million worth of corn crops.The areas that suffered losses were Regions 2’s Pangasinan; Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Occidental Mindoro, Negros Occidental and Aklan, Cordillera Administration Region, Region 2, and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon).Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the affected Regional Field Offices have prepositioned 114,596 bags of rice, corn and vegetable seeds to be distributed to the affected farmers.Piñol said affected fishermen will also receive assistance from the DA.The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said over 19,000 families were displaced by “Henry.”The Philippines endures around 20 typhoons and storms each year, many of them deadly, such as Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) that killed more than 6,000 people when it hit Visayas in 2013.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/farm-damage-from-2-storms-hit-p565m/422643/
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Help farmers, Duterte orders Landbank
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['Ralph Villanueva']
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2018-09-21 00:06:25+00:00
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PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte told Landbank officials to support farmers, especially those affected by typhoon “Ompong”.The President met with officials of Landbank and Development Bank of the Philippines on Wednesday.Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said Duterte wanted to cut the processes and requirements of Landbank for loan application.“What [the President] wanted is for [Landbank] to revert to its mandate and help our small farmers. It is not acceptable that a bank created by the government to help farmers cannot be approached by farmers because of a lot of requirements that cannot be complied by farmers,” Roque said.He said the President wanted the bank to go back to its “original mission and vision.”“They should return to their roots. Help the farmers, even if their requirements are lacking. Now, they want a feasibility study, these are needed [but] the farmers do not know how to comply with it,” Roque said.“It is important to remind the bank that you are there to provide instant credit for the farmers, those who want to farm and the victims of tragedies. That is what the President wanted to remind them, especially following Ompong. [Landbank] should give help immediately and not insist on a long list of requirements,” he added.On Wednesday, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) bared that it allocated P3.4 billion for its Subsidy 2 Credit program for farmers.“The S2C program will offer flexible, non-collateralized production loans, quick response post-disaster loans without interest and loans for the acquisition of farmer equipment and machinery, among others,” Diokno said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/help-farmers-duterte-orders-landbank/443423/
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ECOP to regularize 300,000 workers
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['William Depasupil']
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2018-08-14 00:02:56+00:00
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THE Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), the country’s biggest group of employers, has committed to match the goal of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) to regularize 300,000 contractual workers this year.“I am glad to inform you that ECOP is committing 300,000 regular workers from their members by the end of the year,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd said during a recent labor forum for HR managers and corporate officers organized by the Villaraza & Angangco Law at Bonifacio Global City.Bello said an agreement is in the works between ECOP and DoLE to effectively implement the plan, which would bring to at least 600,000 the number of contractual workers that would be given permanent status.“This is a significant number which demonstrates the employers’ cooperation with the government,” the Labor chief added.The DoLE estimated that 7 out of 10 workers or 21 million of the 43 million private sector workers are employed as contractuals. The Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines claimed that there are 30 million contractual workers.In his third State of the Nation Address, President Rodrigo Duterte said from August 2016 to date, 321,964 workers have been regularized.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ecop-to-regularize-300000-workers/429969/
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LPA, typhoon threaten Luzon
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['Mary Gleefer F. Jalea']
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2018-09-10 00:07:09+00:00
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A low pressure area (LPA) spotted off Basco, Batanes will intensify into a tropical depression in 24 hours, while a severe tropical storm may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Wednesday, the weather bureau said on Sunday.The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said in its 5 p.m. update that the LPA was 150 kilometers (km) northeast of Basco, Batanes.It will bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms over the Ilocos provinces, Apayao, Abra, Batanes, and Babuyan Group of Islands.It was forecast to intensify into a tropical depression within 24 to 36 hours and will be named “Neneng,” weather specialist Ariel Rojas said.Meanwhile, typhoon “Mangkhut” was spotted 3,075 km east of southern Luzon, still outside PAR.It packed winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of 145 kph as it moved west northwest at 35 kph.“Mangkhut” may enter Philippine territory on Wednesday and will be named “Ompong.” Weather forecasters said it has the potential of turning into a super typhoon.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/lpa-typhoon-threaten-luzon-2/439954/
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Evasco runs for Bohol governor
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['Ralph Villanueva']
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2018-10-17 00:03:32+00:00
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CABINET Secretary Leoncio “Jun” Evasco Jr. has resigned from his post to run for governor of Bohol in next year’s elections.In a phone interview with reporters, Evasco said he filed his certificate of candidacy on Tuesday “after a long, long (contemplation), [and]because I want to change Bohol and people really requested for change.”Evasco said he talked to President Rodrigo Duterte about his decision and that he was fine with it.“[He was] smiling. He told me that he will campaign for me,” he said.Evasco, a former leftist rebel, was mayor of Maribojoc town in Bohol for three terms.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/evasco-runs-for-bohol-governor/452858/
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Marawi’s son takes center stage at UP Diliman graduation rites
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['Winnie Zacharias', 'Aphetsky Lasa']
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23/06/2017 0:00
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Even after delivering his anticipated valedictory address to thousands of graduates on Sunday, summa cum laude Arman Ali Ghodsinia hopes to “continue the momentum” especially when it comes to addressing the ongoing crisis in Marawi City – his hometown.“I definitely want the momentum to continue even after I give my speech on Sunday,” said 22-year-old Ghodsinia in a phone interview with The Manila Bulletin. “We have a lot of stories of hopes and such so I hope it will not end here,” he said.A Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology candidate for graduation from the College of Science, Ghodsinia was chosen to speak on behalf of the 3,000-graduating class during the 106th General Commencement Exercises of University of the Philippines-Diliman tomorrow.Ghodsinia is leading the roster of 36 students who will also receive the highest honors during commencement exercises. He obtained a General Weighted Average (GWA) of 1.176.PRIDE OF MARAWIGhodisnia said that while many call him the “Pride of Marawi,” his mom, Mariam Alonto Ali, is the “real” pride of the Islamic City.“Most people call me the ‘pride of Marawi’ but really it’s my mom because without her, I wouldn’t be here, my mom’s the ‘real pride’ of Marawi,” Ghodsinia said, paying tribute to the roots of her mother.Having gone to Marawi just once – when he was still very young – Ghodsinia admitted that he doesn’t have much recollection of city. “But my mom, she remembers because she grew up there and spent most of her life there,” he shared.Ghodsinia’s mother grew up in Lanao del Sur province before marrying his dad who is Iranian but now a naturalized Filipino. He has two older siblings, a sister who is currently studying in UP’s College of Law and a brother who helps manage the family business that is in line with home decor.SPEECH AND ATTENTIONGhodsinia admits that he is not used to all the media attention he has been getting since UP announced that he will deliver this school year’s valedictory speech.“I was happy because to be given a chance to speak about such topic which was very humbling and I was really honored,” he added. “Right now, after gaining the attention of the media, it is definitely more than a speech – I want it to become some kind of hope,” he said.His speech before his fellow graduates will last for around five to 10 minutes, he said. “I will urge them not to forget our fellow Filipino people who subsidized our education,” Ghodsinia said.Despite better access to student mobility, Ghodsinia would like to remind his fellow graduates that “wherever we go, we should always remember to look back and come back here in the Philippines and help out.”YEARNING FOR PEACE, HOMEDespite the ongoing crisis in Marawi, Ghodsinia remains hopeful that the armed conflict will end soon especially having relatives who are affected by the siege. “My immediate relatives are safe because they are either based in Iligan and in Metro Manila but I still have many relatives who are affected as well,” he said.When the crisis has been resolved, Ghodsinia plans to go back to Marawi to further trace his roots. “I can’t live without going there knowing that it’s the place where my mom grew up in,” he added.Ghodsinia also plans to address the problems the country is encountering and put emphasis on the ongoing issue in Mindanao. “In my speech, I will ask the people there not to lose hope and that they are being remembered by the Philippines and by us – Iskolars ng Bayan,” he said.Aside from urging concerned stakeholders to resolve the Marawi crisis, Ghodsinia said that he will also push for the ultimate goal which is “not only an end to the war but for a long-term and sustainable development for the region.”
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/06/23/marawis-son-takes-center-stage-at-up-diliman-graduation-rites/
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Palace shrugs off plan to derail Train
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['The Manila Times']
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2018-01-04 20:27:21+00:00
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Malacañang on Thursday pooh-poohed a plan of opposition lawmakers to bring President Rodrigo Duterte’s Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) Law before the Supreme Court (SC).In a radio interview, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the new law would be beneficial to Filipinos, citing revenues from its implementation that would go back to the people in the form of social services.Andanar was reacting to Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate’s criticisms that the Train Law would increase prices of goods to the detriment of ordinary Filipinos.“Karapatan naman iyan ni Congressman Zarate, kasama naman sa procedure iyan, kasama sa sistema na puwedeng idulog sa Korte Suprema kung merong mga kuwestyun [That’s Congressman Zarate’s right, that’s part of the procedure, that’s part of the system that it could be brought before the Supreme Court if there are questions about it],” he said during an interview with dzBB radio.But Andanar, quoting Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd, added that the tax reform law may generate about P80 billion in revenues for the government.“Dito po huhugutin ang panggastos sa libreng edukasyon sa state universities and colleges; pati po doon sa Build, Build, Build; doon po sa health services [This is where we will get our budget for our free education in state universities and colleges, also for our Build, Build, Build project and our health services],” he said.Build, Build, Build is the Duterte administration’s huge infrastructure program.The President earlier approved the law lowering personal income taxes while raising duties on fuel, cars, coal and sugar-sweetened drinks.Revenues will help fund the President’s P8-trillion infrastructure program.On Wednesday, Zarate said the Makabayan bloc’s legal team is preparing a case asking the High Court to stop the implementation of the law, which they claimed would “hit 15.2 million poor families the hardest.”“Busisiin mo iyung provisions ng Train Law. Mayroon ngang binigay na mga benepisyo sa kaliwang kamay, pero talagang nawawala rin dahil kinakain ng pagtaas ng mga presyo ng bilihin, at pag-impose ng bagong taxes [Examine the provisions of the law. You have benefits, on one hand, but these are negated by the price hike in basic goods and the imposition of new taxes],” Zarate said also during an interview with dzMM radio.The Train Law is also “legally infirm” because the House of Representatives ratified it despite an alleged lack of a quorum and voting, he added.Under the new law, the first P250,000 in annual income will be exempt from tax.The tax exemption cap on the 13th month pay was also raised to P90,000 from P82,000.Meanwhile, an excise tax will be charged on diesel at P2.50 per liter next year.This will be raised to P4.50 the following year and P6 in 2020.LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) will be taxed P1 per kilo in 2018 and will be increased to P2 the following year and to P3 in 2020.The excise tax on regular and unleaded premium gasoline will be raised to P7 in 2018 from the current P4.35.This will be increased to P9 in 2019 and P10 in 2020.Drinks with caloric and non-caloric sweeteners will be taxed P6 per liter while those using high fructose corn syrup will be charged P12 per liter.For cars, the new rates will be 4 percent for vehicles whose manufacturer’s price is up to P600,000, 10 percent for cars worth P600,000 to P1 million, 20 percent for cars worth P1 million to P4 million and 50 percent for vehicles worth over P4 million.CATHERINE S. VALENTE
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/palace-shrugs-off-plan-derail-train/372252/
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Hontiveros seeks foreign policy ‘audit’
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2018-06-13 00:06:24+00:00
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SEN. Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday called for an “audit” of the Duterte administration’s foreign policy.The senator said a foreign policy audit would scrutinize the diplomatic actions taken by the Department of Foreign Affairs against China’s militarization in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).She wants to know “what diplomatic platforms and channels were used” to address Chinese incursions, as well as the reported harassment of Filipino fishermen by the Chinese Coast Guard in Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal, which is within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).Hontiveros said a foreign policy audit would determine if the foreign policy framework is in compliance with Manila’s international obligations, particularly the arbitral tribunal ruling on the WPS.“Amid the timidity, silence and opacity about how government carries its foreign policy work, we need a public, participatory and comprehensive assessment of its foreign policy directions and implementation,” she said. “It’s time to audit its foreign policy, especially the so-called 50-100 diplomatic protests and actions undertaken by the foreign affairs department vis-a-vis China.”Hontiveros was referring to the claim of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano that his department filed 50 to 100 diplomatic protests against China but opted not to publicize them.“In light of all these threats to and violations of our national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the public deserves to know if the government is really standing up for us,” Hontiveros said.She said President Rodrigo Duterte and the DFA have the “responsibility to inform the people about their foreign affairs strategy to respond to China’s aggressive actions in the region.”Other senators also on Tuesday expressed dismay over the government’s “defeatist” mindset amid the “serious threat” posed by China.“Not since World War 2 have we faced such a serious threat to our sovereignty, to the very definition of who weare, to our very existence and survival as a country,” Sen. Francis Pangilinan said.Pangilinan, who is also the president of the Liberal Party (LP), lamented that the country celebrated its 120th Independence Day amid reports of blatant violations to the country’s territory and resources.“We are the cradle of heroes, we swore not to allow oppressors, but why it seems our leaders are acting as slaves to China? Why are they disregarding the needs of Filipino fishermen? And what happened to their sworn duty to protect the rights of the Filipino people?” he asked.Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino 4th said it was difficult to accept that Filipino fishermen were still not able to fish freely within Philippine waters and were being bullied by the Chinese.“If the government continues its defeatist mentality, China will be more emboldened to commit more abuses to our territory and against the Filipino people,” he added.with
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/hontiveros-seeks-foreign-policy-audit/407421/
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IRRI urges govt to increase rice output
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['Neil Alcober']
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2017-11-18 23:56:51+00:00
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THE Los Banos-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has urged the Philippine government to increase the country’s rice production so prices of staple will go down.“The price of rice in the Philippines is slightly higher than [in] any other countries, so by increasing productivity we will be able to bring prices down,” Bruce Tolentino, deputy director general of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), told The Manila Times in an interview over the weekend.“So they [rice farmers] don’t get harm by increased production because that usually results in lower prices. They will be protected because there’s not only increased production, there’s also improved quality which will maintain the price difference,” he explained, referring to the need for farmers to also improve the quality of the palay or unmilled rice.The IRRI official also said the Philippine government must continue to invest in technological development so farmers have the tools to keep improving their rice production.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/irri-urges-govt-increase-rice-output/363734/
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Govt assures medical repatriation of OFWs
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2017-06-18 19:34:05+00:00
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To further protect the rights and promote the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has forged a Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) with five other government agencies harmonizing the policies and processes involving cases of medical repatriation.Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano in his speech during signing of the joint circular last Friday cited the need to work as a team to deliver more responsive, timely and well-coordinated assistance to OFWs who need to be repatriated for their critical medical conditions.“Through the instrument that we signed, we want to show that our faith in the OFWs, our faith in the government, our faith in the President and the President’s faith in us are not dead because we are doing good works,” Cayetano said in his keynote speech.The JMC on the “Integrated Policy Guidelines and Procedures in the Conduct of Medical Repatriation of Overseas Filipinos” delineates roles and responsibilities of the various agencies, from the identification of the patient to his repatriation to the Philippines and post-arrival stage.According to Cayetano, the JMC on medical repatriation is the standard operating procedure to be followed whenever such repatriation is facilitated by the Philippine government.Apart from DFA, the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE), Department of Health (DoH), Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Manila International Airport Authority are also part of the undertaking.Under the JMC, the referring agencies like the DFA-Office of Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs or DoLE-Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in consultation with the overseas post will be in charge of identifying assistance and services needed by the OFWsThis help includes airport assistance and initial medical evaluation, ambulance conduction, referral/endorsement to DoH hospitals or non-DoH facilities, appropriate financial assistance through the DSWD or DoH Medical Assistance Program, PhilHealth membership coverage, medical escort services and psychosocial counseling.The Joint Memorandum Circular also covers procedures for medical repatriation for undocumented overseas Filipinos.Based on the 2016 data of the Health department, among the common medical reasons for repatriation are cerebrovascular accidents or stroke, cardiovascular disease or heart attack, mental disorder, renal failure and cancer.The joint circular on medical repatriation, Cayetano said, is part of the joint manual of operation in providing assistance to migrant workers and other Filipinos overseas signed by DFA and other government agencies in 2015.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/govt-assures-medical-repatriation-ofws/333521/
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PH, US navies begin maritime exercise
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2017-06-19 21:53:54+00:00
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THE Philippine and United States navies kicked off on Monday the Maritime Training Activity focused on mutual security concerns affecting the Philippines, including maritime domain awareness and patrol.The week-long maritime exercise being held in Cebu province is designed to enhance the complexity and diversity of training opportunities, while strengthening the long-standing alliance between the Philippines and the US.Commodore Loumer Bernabe of the Philippine Navy said the joint maritime training dubbed as “Sama-Sama”(together) provides opportunities for both navies to learn and operate together at sea and foster professional dialogue between them.“Our training together will strengthen our relationships at the operator level and will also strengthen our alliance and partnership in maritime cooperation,” Bernabe added in a statement.The exercise will focus on mutual security concerns, including sea smuggling and piracy that have been affecting the Philippines.It would also help the Philippine Navy obtain a better picture of maritime domain through maritime domain awareness and patrol.The two navies will also carry out training activities involving humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness.Rear Adm. Don Gabrielson, commander of Task Force 73, said the training would offer opportunities to the US Navy to deepen its long-time maritime partnership with the Philippine Navy and in enhancing professional ties that benefit both nations.As US 7th Fleet’s executive agent for theater security cooperation in South Asia and Southeast Asia, TaskForce 73 conducts advanced planning, organizes resources and directly supports the execution of maritime exercises, such as Pacific Partnership, the Naval Engagement Activity with Vietnam and the multi-lateral Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training with Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.US assets participating in this year’s exercise include the littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4) and the expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Millinocket (T-EPF-3) along with a P-8 Poseidon aircraft.Marines assigned to the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force, Navy Seabees and staff from the commander of Task Force 73 and Destroyer Squadron 7 will also participate.The Philippine Navy would be deploying Del Pilar Class Frigate BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15), BRP Agta, an AW109 helicopter and a BN-2 Islander aircraft as well as a company of the Philippine Marines and other naval staff.The US and the Philippines had been involved in a number of initiatives and conduct regular personnel exchanges through routine participation in bilateral and multilateral exercises such as Balikatan, Southeast Asian Cooperation and Training, Rim of the Pacific exercise or Rimpac, Asian Defense Ministers’ Meeting and many other bilateral exchanges.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ph-us-navies-begin-maritime-exercise-2/333668/
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CABBIE, AIRPORT WORKER RETURN CASH, VALUABLES
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['Benjie Vergara']
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2017-01-21 23:35:21+00:00
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A wheelchair attendant assigned at the Cathay Pacific Airways area turned over to airport authorities a red sling bag containing US$11,075 and more than P11,000. Rizaldy Ocde found the bag at the foreign exchange counter near the check-in area at 12:30 a.m. on Saturday. Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Ed Monreal said aside from cash, the bag also contained the passport, a pack of cigarettes and a sim card of Mary Gane, a Filipina balikbayan who claimed the bag before her connecting flight to Iloilo City.Meanwhile, taxi driver Antonio Infanta, 71, was commended for returning P220,000 in cash his passenger left in his cab last January 19. Infanta was unaware that the bag contained cash and a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge owned by Benjamin Cantanero. MIAA authorities said Cantanero alighted from Infanta’s cab at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport departure area and only noticed that his bag was missing when he was about to enter Terminal 3. Cantanero sought the assistance of Airport Police personnel who called up his phone that was noticed by Infanta as it rang inside the bag. Infanta returned to the airport and turned over the bag to Cantanero in the presence of airport police.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/cabbie-airport-worker-return-cash-valuables/308078/
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Marcoses’ restricting access ‘injustice’
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2016-11-22 20:13:07+00:00
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The family of late former President Ferdinand Marcos is perpetuating injustice by subjecting access to the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LMNB)–a public property–to their whims, a lawmaker said on Tuesday.Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, whose brother Hermon was abducted during Marcos’ martial law regime and was never found again, was referring to the existing policy wherein the families of those buried at the LMNB or Heroes’ Cemetery were barred by the military guards from entering it.Marcos loyalists, on the other hand, were allowed to go inside since the former leader was buried there in a rush on Friday noon last November 18. It was later revealed that the military guards have to seek clearance from the Marcoses on who should enter the Hero’s Cemetery.“Is the Libingan now under the management of the Marcos family? The fact that you need to seek permission from the Marcos family before you can go inside the Libingan ng mga Bayani premises shows to us that they are continuing injustice,” Lagman said in a news conference.Marcos is survived by his wife and Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos, daughters Imee and Irene and son Ferdinand Jr.“Why are they barring the non-supporters [of Marcos] from entering the Libingan ng mga Bayani? The late dictator is a prisoner in an undeserved grave,” Lagman said.Deputy Speaker and Rep. Frednil Castro of Capiz, a member of the National Unity Party, shared Lagman’s sentiments.“I don’t think this is right. Restriction is not necessary because the LNMB is a public place. What should be done is to protect the place from being desecrated,” Castro said in a chance interview.Sectors that are against the Marcos burial have argued that the ex-leader does not deserve to be buried there because his martial law regime left at least 75,000 victims of torture and extrajudicial killings.“There should be no restrictions. If the kin of those who are buried there want to visit their dead, they should be free to do so. When they decided to bury President Marcos there, they allowed [burying him] in a public property. The military does not need to ask permission from the Marcos family,” Castro said.The LNMB, which is under the jurisdiction of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, was established in May 1947 as a final resting place for soldiers who perished in World War 2 and was later extended to accommodate departed Philippine Presidents, national heroes, patriots, National Artists and National Scientists.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/marcoses-restricting-access-injustice/297830/
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De Lima, Trillanes want high court to reconsider Sereno ruling
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['The Manila Times']
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2018-06-02 00:03:35+00:00
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OPPOSITION senators Leila de Lima and Antonio Trillanes 4th on Friday filed a motion for reconsideration before the Supreme Court (SC) seeking the dismissal of the quo warranto petition filed by the Office of the Solicitor General against ousted Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno for lack of jurisdiction.In a 25-page motion for reconsideration, the two senators maintained that under the Constitution, Sereno could only be removed through impeachment, a power exclusively vested on the Senate.The two asked the SC to reverse its May 11 ruling upholding the quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida that ousted Sereno from her post.At the very least, they added, the SC should hold in abeyance any final action pending impeachment proceedings.“Thus, the filing of the quo warranto petition seeking the removal of Chief Justice Sereno violates the legal interest and duty vested by the Constitution on the Senate, the which movant-intervenors (de Lima and Trillanes) are members, and is thus, repugnant to the Constitution and destructive of the system of checks and balances established therein,” the senators said.They also argued that the SC’s taking cognizance of the instant petition for quo warranto was a violation of the principle of separation of powers.“Asking the Supreme Court to oust one of their own, at the behest of the Executive Department, through a means that is no less stringent than the requirements and procedure set forth in the Constitution, is precisely the ‘politicization’ that the pertinent Constitutional provisions were designed to insulate impeachable officers and the Supreme Court from,” he added.In its May 11 decision, the high court, with a vote of 8-6, declared Sereno disqualified from holding the chief magistrate post for lack of integrity. Sereno did not submit a complete set of statements of assets and liabilities when she applied for chief justice.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/de-lima-trillanes-want-high-court-to-reconsider-sereno-ruling/403259/
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No-fly zone for drones, choppers over MOA
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['Benjie Vergara']
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2017-01-28 21:22:35+00:00
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~A no-fly zone for helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) or drones is being implemented starting today (January 29) until Monday at vicinity of the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City (Metro Manila). The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines issued the advisory through a notice-to-airmen for security reasons over the Miss Universe Pageant which is expected to attract thousands of local and foreign visitors. Earlier, Malacanang has announced that January 30, Miss Universe coronation day, remains a regular working day. The Philippines is hosting the 65th Miss Universe pageant with over 80 candidates from around the world.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/no-fly-zone-drones-choppers-moa/309388/
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Junking of seniors’ party list registration sought
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-01-04 22:53:33+00:00
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Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal has urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc to immediately act on a petition of his client, senior citizen Cecilia Lopez, to cancel the registration of the Coalition of Associations of Senior Citizens in the Philippines (CASCP), a duly registered party-list in the May 2016 elections for having two factions, making it impossible to determine the voters’ real intention.In a statement, Macalintal said Lopez filed a petition last December 16 seeking that she be allowed to intervene in two pending petitions at the poll body where two groups are both claiming to be the rightful CASCP representative.“It is of such urgency that Lopez’s petition be treated by the Comelec with utmost dispatch considering that said cases had been pending with the Comelec for almost a year now and had been causing too much confusion among us senior citizens,” he added.CASCP officers Francisco Datol and Godofredo Arquiza have filed separate Manifestations of Intent to Participate in the 2016 elections, the same problem they had in the 2013 elections, which caused the non-proclamation of winning CASCP representatives.“Since the CASCP has two factions, the Datol Wing and the Arquiza Wing, who both presented themselves to the electorate in the 2016 elections, then all votes cast for CASCP should be considered as stray votes or should not be counted since there is no way of determining the real intention of the voters, whether they voted for CASCP Datol Wing or CASCP Arquiza Wing,” Macalintal said.Macalintal added that “by analogy, Sections 1, 4 and 14 of the Omnibus Election Code could be applied in that when the votes do not sufficiently identify the candidate for whom they were intended, said votes shall be considered as stray votes, but the ballots are still valid for other positions properly voted for by the electorate.”Lopez also sought the cancelation of the CASCP registration on the ground that the acts of its officers Datol and Arquiza “had created confusion and continue to create confusion among the voters and the members of the senior citizens sectors thus preventing a faithful determination of the true will of the electorate as provided under Section 1(j), Rule 2 of Comelec Resolution No. 9366.”She said the cancelation of CASCP registration is also justified “because the disputes between the officers of CASCP denied the party-list seats in the 2010 and 2013 elections or it had not effectively won any seat for two consecutive elections as provided for under Section 6(7) of Republic Act 7941, the Party List Law.”Canceling the CASCP registration and treating votes cast for it as stray votes, according to Lopez, “will serve a lesson to party-list groups similarly situated wherein their officers and members continue to have disputes negating the very purpose and objectives of a party-list system that of unifying people belonging to same sectors of society.”She asked the Comelec to set her petition for hearing for further clarification.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/junking-seniors-party-list-registration-sought/305188/
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QC suspends real property tax hike
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['Jaime Pilapil']
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2018-10-27 00:05:58+00:00
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Without admitting the move was in “aid of election,” the Quezon City Council passed an ordinance suspending the 500-percent increase in fair market values of real property until the end of 2019.In a press conference, the majority floor leader, Councilor Franz Pumaren, who is one of the principal authors of the ordinance, clarified that the suspension was intended to “temper the effect of significant increases in the prices of prime commodities, especially on residents of Quezon City. It is not only proper but likewise imperative to suspend the collection based on the updated schedule of fair market values of lands and basic unit construction cost for buildings on which real property taxes are based.”“The implementation of Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) law which took effect this year significantly affects the prices of commodities due to a weak peso and increase of excise tax on petroleum products as shown by 6.4 percent inflation,” said Pumaren.He added that another reason that made councilors decide to suspend the real property tax hike was to follow the decision of the national government suspending the excise tax increase on oil.The midterm elections is scheduled in May next year.Quezon City’s 2018 budget is P19 billion and the expected increase in taxes collected would have netted at least P300 million, enough to fund more projects of the city.However, residents are complaining of poor services especially in health and education.“Service at Quezon City General Hospital is very poor. You have to pay for everything. You will enter alive and come out of there dead,” said a resident who asked not to be indentified.“Other cities have their own universities, but here in Quezon City we have a poorly funded university,” another resident added.Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte also attended the press conference but she opted not to comment or answer questions from media. Belmonte is running for mayor opposite District 1 Rep. Vincent “Bingbong” Crisologo.A group known as Alliance of Quezon City Homeoner’s Association Inc. opposed the hike in real property taxes and got a temporary restraining order, but the Supreme Court (SC) lifted it recently on technicalities.The high court ruled not on the merits of the petition but underscored the fact that the homeowners have no legal personality because they did not register the association with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board.When asked, Pumaren admitted that they have not read the SC ruling.“We still don’t have a copy of it,” said Pumaren.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/qc-suspends-real-property-tax-hike/457749/
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Bautista ‘not functioning’ as Comelec chairman
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['William Depasupil']
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2017-08-29 21:19:51+00:00
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EMBATTLED Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Juan Andres Bautista no longer functions as “full-time” head of the poll body, resulting in work backlogs that need his immediate attention.Commissioner Rowena Guanzon recently disclosed that documents needed to be signed by Bautista are filing up because he could no longer focus on his job as a result of a personal family problem and an impending impeachment trial over allegations by his estranged wife that he has amassed more than P1 billion in ill-gotten wealth while in government service.“Mabagal na ang galaw ng documents sa office niya dahil hindi naman siya full-time doon. Two en banc meetings absent siya [The movement of documents in his office has slow down because he is no longer full-time there. He was absent in two en banc meetings],” Guanzon told The Manila Times.She said aside from Bautista’s failure to sign a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with the National Printing Office (NPO) that led to the stoppage of the printing of ballots for the coming barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK or Youth Council) elections, there were many other important matters that remain pending because of the inaction of the poll chief.Those elections have been postponed by President Rodrigo Duterte.Among the important matters, Guanzon claimed, were pending resolved election cases that have not been signed to date and some election suppliers have not been paid.“Looks like he won’t resign. He said ‘stay and fight’ is an option for him. Pero hindi naman niya nagagampanan ang trabaho niya sa Comelec [But he no longer does his job in the Comelec],” she said.Bautista earlier said he wanted more time before coming up with a decision as he was still in the process of discerning things, and waiting for some signs from the Almighty.“All I’m asking is a little patience, a little time for me to decide after my discernment,” he added.Bautista gave his assurance that as long as he is chairman of the Comelec, he would continue to function and do his job well as expected of him.“What others are saying that I can’t perform my job anymore is not true. I was absent only for a day and I filed a leave of absence for that. The following day, I attended the House budget hearing, together with my six other commissioners, and we were successful,” the poll chief said.“I’ve always believe nobody is irreplaceable in any organization. I’m not clinging to my post. I’m getting a lot of advice and I’m weighing all of these, there is a lot of interests to consider and I’m discerning all of these,” Bautista added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/bautista-not-functioning-comelec-chairman/347499/
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Duterte committed to defend sovereignty over disputed seas
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['Jern Dion', 'Edward Silvia']
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6/6/2017 0:00
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President Duterte is committed to defend the country’s sovereignty without resorting to confrontation with China over the dispute in the South China Sea, Malacañang said yesterday.The President believes the government could pursue both the protection of the nation’s sovereignty as well as the creation of a “conflict-free” zone in the region, according to his spokesman Ernesto Abella.“Confrontation does not serve the interests of our country and that is why we are committed to a process of engagement and negotiation that will ensure that our rights are respected and protected well into the future,” Abella said.Abella issued the statement after Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio criticized Duterte’s lack of action to defend the country’s territory from China’s aggressive claims in the South China Sea. Carpio reportedly claimed that Duterte has kept friendly relations with China but has “not done anything yet” to protect defend the country’s territory and maritime entitlements.Abella, however, highlighted that the country’s friendly stance with China has actually yielded positive results.“Our current China policy has achieved substantive progress in talks with Beijing, reduced tensions, and economic cooperation,” he said. “Question is, is it really better to sue China?” he asked.He said the President respects Carpio’s position but dispelled his concerns on efforts to address the territorial dispute with China.“He can assure the Justice and the people of the Philippines that the policies of this administration are not only directed at protecting the sovereignty of the Republic, they are also directed at ensuring that our nation and our region remains conflict-free,” he said.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/06/06/duterte-committed-to-defend-sovereignty-over-disputed-seas/
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Roxas laughs off plunder case
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2017-11-22 22:41:17+00:00
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FORMER Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas 2nd on Wednesday described as “pathetic” the filing of plunder complaint against him and other cabinet officials of the previous administration over the allegedly anomalous Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 maintenance contract.Roxas, who is abroad, said the charges were filed by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) because of its failure to deliver what it promised to the Filipino people.“Pathetic. Dahil walang mapakitang accomplishment sa mga ipinangako, nag-imbento ng kasong walang laman, walang basehan sa katotohanan o sa batas para ipakitang may ginagawa sila (because they could not show any accomplishment, they invented cases that do not have substance, factual or legal basis to make it appear that they did something),” Roxas said in a statement.The DOTr on Tuesday filed a plunder complaint be fore the Office of the Ombudsman against Roxas, former Transportation secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, former Budget secretary Florencio Abad, former Finance chief Cesar Purisima, former Energy secretary Jericho Petilla, former Science and Technology chief Mario Montejo, former Defense secretary Voltaire Gazmin, former Public Works secretary Rogelio Singson, and Arsenio Balisacan, former chief of the National Economic and Development Authority over the multibillion-contract awarded to Busan Universal Rail Inc. in December 2015.“This is laughable on its face. I haven’t received a copy of the complaint and will withhold further comment until I do,” Roxas said.Sen. Francis Pangilinan also slammed the filing of the charges.“When change is promised, the line and the wait at the MRT should be shorter, not longer. And the primary consideration should be that commuters are safe, not having their arms cut off or the coaches decoupled,” Pangilinan, the president of the Liberal Party, said.He said he is confident that the Ombudsman will be fair and render impartial justice that would lead to the exoneration of the former officials accused of wrongdoing.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/roxas-laughs-off-plunder-case/364430/
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Philippines and Indonesia both hate illegal drugs
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['Daniel Cruz', 'Dungis Ma']
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28/07/2017 0:00
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Another day, another biased report from Western media. This time, the narrative being pushed by foreign news agencies is that Indonesian President Joko Widodo is copying Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s hardline position against illegal drugs. In other words, Duterte is such a “bad influence” on Widodo.Their jumping-off point is Widodo’s recent order to his law enforcement officers to shoot drug traffickers who resist arrest, which they said echoes Duterte’s “brutal” and “bloody” war against drug dealers and users.“I have told you, just be firm, especially with foreign drug dealers who enter the country and resist arrest. Gun them down. Give no mercy,” Widodo was quoted as saying. “We are indeed in an emergency situation in dealing with drug trafficking.”Sounds like Duterte? Sure, Duterte has said something similar about criminals although in a more colorful way. But the truth is that Widodo espoused a hardline stance against illegal drugs way before Duterte became president.In April, 2015, just six months after becoming president, Widodo affirmed the execution via firing squad of eight people convicted of drug offenses. They included two Australian citizens who were leaders of the Bali 9 drug smuggling ring.Despite intense international pressure, the Indonesian leader refused to pardon the drug traffickers sentenced to death by the court. Australia went so far as to offer a prisoner swap and, pathetically, it even tried to “guilt-trip” Indonesia by implying that the Asian nation owed it a favor because of the A$1 billion it donated for the 2004 tsunami.Widodo said he needed to protect his country from the menace of drugs, and that capital punishment is a justified approach to Indonesia’s “drug emergency.”Indonesia’s drug problem is as bad as ours. Data from its National Narcotics Agency (BNN) showed that there were 50 drug-related deaths every day, and that the total number of drug users in the country was 5 million. The BNN also identified 60 active illicit drug networks operating in Indonesia which, like the Philippines, is an archipelagic country with porous borders that drug smugglers have exploited.Drug users in both countries have increasingly turned to crystal methamphetamine as their drug of choice. Since this is a synthetic drug, unlike cocaine which is from the coca plant grown mostly in South America, crystal meth can be produced easily, even in homes of drug dealers. In Indonesia, the drug is called “shabu shabu.”In both countries, the majority of the citizens support their government’s hardline policy against illegal drugs. Both the Duterte and Widodo governments, too, are struggling with the high medical and rehabilitation costs of treating the millions of drug users.Despite similar problems and hardline stances against illegal drugs, it seems that it is the Philippines that is getting the short end of the stick. The United States and Europe cannot afford to antagonize Indonesia, seeing that it has become an economic power in Southeast Asia, with strong exports and manufacturing base, large oil and gas reserves, and a 260-million-strong, mostly Muslim population.Given such economic and political clout Indonesia has been invited to the G20 Summit in Germany, and we can expect the US and the European Union to support its bid to become a non-permanent member of United Nations Security Council beginning in 2019.The Philippines is considered an easier target since our body politic is still enamored with the Western agenda of globalization and free trade, and there is a clear negation of ideas on independence, nationalism, and self-reliance.With our American-style politics and free-wheeling media, we are easily distracted by international criticism. Reports by foreign wire agencies are taken as gospel truth, even though the government has information and data to the contrary.For instance, Western media uses the false numbers of 7,000, sometimes 10,000, of alleged deaths from the anti-drug campaign in order to sensationalize their stories and discredit the Philippines. The Philippine National Police has repeatedly stated that the deaths from drug operations since July, 2016, is much less at 3,200, with almost 87,000 drug personalities arrested and jailed.What is unfortunate is that even the local media uses the erroneous numbers just because it was mentioned by foreign agencies. Meantime, data from our own government institutions are treated with skepticism when they should be considered as the more authoritative source.When the Philippine economy hits its stride and sustains its growth in the next five years, we will likely see a big change in how the international media treats our country. A stronger economy means more political power. That’s just the way the world works.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/07/28/philippines-and-indonesia-both-hate-illegal-drugs/
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Supreme Court releases gag order on Marcos, Robredo
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2018-02-23 00:03:48+00:00
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The Supreme Court (SC) has formally issued a gag order to camps of former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo in connection with an electoral protest filed by Marcos against Robredo.In a resolution, the SC en banc, sitting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), ruled that since a revision of the electoral protest is about to start, strict compliance with the sub judice rule must be observed.“Considering that the revision process is about to commence, the tribunal directs both protestant and protestee to observe the sub judice rule,” it stated.The ruling was dated February 13, 2018 and was signed and promulgated by Felipa Anama, Clerk of the Supreme Court.The Manila Times earlier was able to publish the gag order that it had obtained from its sources in the High Court.Allegedly massive cheating committed during the May 2016 elections was bared by Marcos through evidence discovered to favor Robredo.According to Marcos counsel Vic Rodriguez, they already received a copy of the resolution of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal and they will comply.“Yes we have received our copy of the resolution. Essentially it is just a reminder from the [electoral] tribunal for the parties to observe the sub judice rule, which restricts litigants and their lawyers to make comments and/or disclosures on a pending judicial proceeding so that the case can be decided upon evidence presented before the court and the determination of such facts should be uninfluenced by bias, prejudice and sympathies. Fair and accurate reporting of what actually took place in open court are excluded from its coverage,” Rodriguez said.The electoral tribunal also ordered Marcos to comment on a motion filed by Robredo to “withdraw any and all pending motions which may delay recount proceedings.”“Based on the records of this case, the [electoral ] tribunal finds that there are no such pending motions from protestee. Accordingly, the tribunal resolves to note the motion and require the protestant to submit his comment thereon and inform the tribunal if he intends to file a similar motion as that filed by protestee within 10 days from notice hereof,” it also ruled.The PET is set to begin recount of votes from the May 2016 elections on March 19.The former senator, son of late former President Ferdinand Marcos, has shown “solid and incontrovertible evidence of cheating” that he said his team had uncovered while going through the printed ballot images from the decrypted Secure Digital (SD) cards.This include samples of questionable ballot images from two of his pilot provinces, Camarines Sur and Negros Oriental, which showed that votes for him were not counted and considered undervotes.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/supreme-court-releases-gag-order-marcos-robredo/381982/
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Bato: Arrest gun-toting ‘barangay’ watchmen
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['Dempsey Reyes']
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2018-01-02 23:01:37+00:00
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Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa on Tuesday instructed all policemen to arrest barangay tanod (village watchmen) illegally carrying firearms in their localities.The order came after an incident in December last year involving 10 policemen in Mandaluyong City who mistakenly fired at a vehicle, killing two persons.“First of all, these watchmen, they are not authorized to carry guns. Right now, I am giving instructions to all members of the PNP to arrest all armed village watchmen,” de la Rosa said in a news conference at Camp Crame in Quezon City.“Magalit na kung magalit ‘yung mga mayor diyan na bossing ng mga tanod na ‘yan, wala akong pakialam [The mayors who are the bosses of these watchmen can get mad, I don’t care],” he added.The PNP chief explained that if a watchman has a permit to carry firearms outside of residence (PTCFOR), it is legal for him to bear firearms.“But if [the watchmen] do not have that [PTCFOR] and they will only invoke that they are village watchmen… that’s illegal, so I am giving instructions to all chiefs of police to [arrest] these watchmen carrying firearms, it’s illegal,” de la Rosa said.The PNP chief added that the watchmen are only authorized to carry nightsticks while making rounds in their respective areas.He noted contributions made by the watchmen in maintaining peace and order but said if they will be the source of problems, it will not be tolerated, especially by the police.“If they will be able to obtain a PTCFOR, then they cannot be charged with illegal possession of firearms [but] they will be charged with homicide if they will be the first ones to shoot,” de la Rosa said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/bato-arrest-gun-toting-barangay-watchmen/371865/
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DoE urged to deploy 3,000 electric tricycles
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['Jordeene Sheex Lagare']
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2017-08-23 21:43:45+00:00
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Senators Loren Legarda and Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday urged the Department of Energy to deploy the 3,000 electric tricycles under the DoE’s custody.During the Senate finance committee’s hearing on the proposed P2.65-billion DoE budget, Legarda asked Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi to find a way to utilize these e-trikes since the units were already in the DoE’s care.She said the DoE could give these electric vehicles to whoever needs them most.Gatchalian prodded the Energy department to close the issue since it has been tackled in every budget hearing.Cusi said they are drafting a framework in order to not violate existing regulations and are considering donating these electric tricycles to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.He added that Energy Assistant Secretary Leonido Pulido 3rd, who spearheads the e-tricycle project, told him earlier that the DoE is about to ink an agreement with the Department of Finance on how to properly deploy the electric tricycles.After the budget deliberation, Pulido said, they are just two steps away from signing amendments to the agreement within a week.In November last year, Cusi canceled the loan in a letter to the Asian Development Bank because the project was not economically viable, noting the high cost.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/doe-urged-deploy-3000-electric-tricycles/346338/
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563 surrender on Day 1 of ‘Tokhang’
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['Roy Narra']
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2018-01-31 00:02:32+00:00
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A total of 563 individuals nationwide surrendered to police authorities on Monday, the first day of resumption of Operation Tokhang, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).In 430 separate “Tokhang” operations, the 563 individuals were the subjects listed on a validated drug list of the PNP Directorate for Intelligence.The PNP on Tuesday reported that 38 drug suspects on the list came from Metro Manila and were rounded up in 142 separate “Tokhang” operations.No casualty was reported on the first day of the resumed Operation Tokhang.PNP chief Ronald de la Rosa said the start of the reimplemented program was successful.“[We don’t see any problem… so I think everything is going on smoothly on the ground],” he noted.De la Rosa said orientation of “Tokhangers” or groups assigned to conduct operations is ongoing.In a news briefing on Monday, he warned that they will impose the “one-strike policy” on “Tokhangers” who will violate guidelines.On Operation Tokhang’s return, 52 persons were arrested in 36 separate anti-drug operations conducted in 11 regions across the country.Police authorities arrested 13 in Central Visayas, 12 in Central Luzon, 11 in Western Visayas, five in Northern Mindanao and three in Mimaropa (Mindoro provinces, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan).Two each in Southern Mindanao, Western Mindanao and Bicol Region and one each in Ilocos and Caraga regions were also arrested in the anti-drug operations.Operation Tokhang was brought back on January 29 after the PNP was removed from the war on drugs byPresident Rodrigo Duterte in November 2017 over the controversial deaths of three teenagers in Caloocan City.The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) was tapped to lead the campaign.But before 2017 ended, Duterte brought back the PNP to coordinate with the PDEA on the anti-drug drive.Operation Tokhang will only be conducted on weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., based on the supplemental guidelines.In Quezon City, police reported the voluntary surrender of 47 drug suspects to police stations in the city.Citing information from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), the highest number of surrenderers were in Batasan Police Station, reaching at least 13, after authorities visited houses of those on a watch list.Three suspects surrendered to Masambong Police Station, 2 to Talipapa, 5 to Novaliches, 4 to Fairview, 5 to Cubao, 2 to Project 4, 3 to Anonas, 5 to Kamuning and 5 to Galas Police Station.Guillermo Eleazar, Quezon City Police District director, also on Tuesday said residents will be oriented on a 15-module rehabilitation program to let them know that they have nothing to fear when they surrender to authorities.with GLEE JALEA
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/563-surrender-day-1-tokhang/377372/
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No grave, no justice for martial law victims
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2016-11-02 21:56:19+00:00
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For relatives of desaparecidos or victims of enforced disappearances during martial law imposed by then-President Ferdinand Marcos in 1972, mourning seemed not to turn easier because the remains of their dear departed have not been found.Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, whose brother Hermon is presumed to be a desaparecido, during a small All Souls’ Day ceremony on Wednesday at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City, said they could not even light a candle in Hermon’s memory because the Lagman family has no idea where the remains of his brother are.During the ceremony, an original composition titled “Bring me Home” was sung by a band and dedicated to the victims of disappearances.Lagman and the other victims’ relatives, as well as young children, later offered flowers beside their dead loved ones’ photos.“They [who were abducted and never found] are the real heroes. It’s the desaparecidos who should be exalted.But not even a makeshift cross can mark their graves, and it is saddening that the principal perpetrator ofmartial law atrocities has the possibility of being interred in the Libingan ng mga Bayani [Heroes Cemetery],” he said, referring to Marcos.“If Marcos will be buried there at the [Heroes Cemetery], then truth and justice will [also] be buried. You heard the song, ‘Bring Me Home.’ That is the anguish of the desaparecidos. Home is justice,” Lagman added.Lagman of the non-government Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance or FIND is one of five petitioners opposing a hero’s burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani for the former president.The Supreme Court is expected to issue its ruling on the Marcos hero’s burial issue on November 8 after postponing its decision twice.Marcos’ wrongful acts, according to Lagman, are deemed punishable under two laws.The Anti-Enforced Disappearance Law classifies enforced disappearance as a separate crime from murder, kidnapping, arson and physical injuries and condemns the human rights violations during Marcos’ rule, which lasted until early 1986.The Marcos compensation law provides financial and non-financial remunerations for around 75,000 human rights victims during military rule.It is the only Philippine legislation that deems the Marcoses liable for martial law crimes.“Based only on these laws, it is clear that Marcos should not be interred at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. That’s why we are fully confident of the reasons we cited on why Marcos should not be buried in the [Heroes Cemetery],” Lagman said.“Marcos has perpetuated injustice and inequality. That’s why we did this [commemoration] on All Souls’ Day. Their [desaparecidos] souls are still seeking justice. It is difficult, but hope springs eternal,” he added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/no-grave-no-justice-martial-law-victims/294444/
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‘Paris Climate Agreement not perfect, can be improved’
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['Elshamae Robles']
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2017-06-05 21:48:43+00:00
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In celebration of World Environment Day, Sen. Loren Legarda urged the government and the public to commit to the directives of Paris Climate Change Agreement at a forum held in Quezon City on Monday.“The Paris Agreement is not perfect but it can be improved,” she said.After US President Donald Trump confirmed withdrawal from the treaty, Legarda, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, Finance and Foreign Relations, said developed countries would be able to effectively reduce their carbon emissions through the agreement.Former senator Heherson Alvarez also on Monday said Trump is an “isolated negative force for destruction which does not represent the interest of the American people much less of humanity.”The US leader’s stand has not diminished the strength of the global movement to save the earth but has, in fact, solidified and clarified the direction of the movement, he added.Alvarez, chairman of the Climate Institute Advisory Board and founder of Earthsavers UNESCO Dream Center, said climate change can be managed.Despite the US pullout from the Paris Agreement, according to Legarda, other countries like the Philippines must continue to forge ahead and ignore those who “do not see the light.”“Our lives do not hinge on the decision of one unenlightened individual… let us forge ahead and do what’s good for our people,” she said.The United States is the world’s second biggest contributor of greenhouse emission.“If the whole USA does not join the agreement or completely withdraws, and they do not mitigate their carbon emissions, there will be an effect on our targets,” Legarda said.During the forum, the senator pointed out that adaptation and mitigation of carbon emission were the two most effective factors of caring for nature.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/paris-climate-agreement-not-perfect-can-improved/331128/
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Brazilian traders explore opportunities in Manila
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['Michael Joe T. Delizo']
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2016-12-17 23:33:54+00:00
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A BUSINESS delegation from Brazil seeks to explore investment and trade opportunities in the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.Foreign Trade Secretary William O’Dwyer of the state of Goias informed the Philippine Embassy in Brasília of the proposed visit of Brazilian businessmen to Manila from February 28 to March 3 next year, the DFA said in a statement.O’Dwyer the Philippines will be the last leg of the delegation’s business tour, which will include Hong Kong and Singapore.Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Jose D.R. Burgos welcomed the proposal and invited the businessmen to also participate in a Brasília-Manila Trade Fair and Cultural Festival in early February where Brazilian and Filipino companies could showcase their products and services.Burgos said that for the first and second quarters of 2016, the Philippine economy grew by 6.8 percent and 7 percent, respectively, outpacing China. In the third quarter, the economic growth of the Philippines was the fastest in Asia at 7.1 percent.Brazil’s economy was down in 2016 but signs of economic and political stability have created a more positive impression on how Brazil’s economy will fare in 2017.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/brazilian-traders-explore-opportunities-manila-3/302339/
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INC’s outreach program reaches Africa
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['Mary Gleefer F. Jalea']
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2018-06-28 00:02:58+00:00
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MORE than 33,000 people benefited from the outreach programs held over the weekend by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) in two African countries under its “Lingap sa Mamamayan” (Lingap) campaign.The INC held activities in Kibera and Kawangware in Nairobi, Kenya on June 23 and 24 after holding similar activities in Blantyre and Samama Vil. Mangochi in Malawi on June 19 and 20.The Lingap campaign aims to “concretely affect the lives of people in depressed and needy communities all over the world.”“We’re sweeping both Northern and Southern Africa as we reach out to INC members and non-members alike.We’ve always envisioned Lingap as a secular and non-partisan humanitarian campaign that benefits everyone,” INC General Auditor Glicerio Santos Jr. said.“These latest activities in Kenya and Malawi build on earlier Lingap projects in South Africa and Lesotho. The INC has an established presence in 16 countries in the continent, and we are now formulating ways to reach out to other African countries,” he added.The religious group conducted similar Lingap activities in the United States and Canada, Northern and Southern Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and key areas in the Middle East including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.Santos said the INC would likely conduct more Lingap projects in the coming months because of the funds raised from their Worldwide Walk Against Poverty, a charity walk held in May that drew over one million people in Manila alone.The Worldwide Walk was conducted simultaneously in 358 sites across 44 countries, breaking three Guinness world records: the largest charity walk in a single venue, the longest human sentence, and the largest picture mosaic which was formed by 9,000 INC members.The Lingap project has been one of the INC’s key programs since INC Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo took over the leadership of the church in 2009. It set world records in 2015 during the “Aid to Humanity” event in Tondo, where the INC gave away 17,000 new pairs of shoes and 200,000 clean pieces of used clothing.“We have been faithfully following the mandate given to us as a Church and the path laid out by INC Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo. We are very thankful for this unique opportunity to uplift the lives of people in our own small way,” Santos said.Eduard Manalo was appointed Special Envoy for Overseas Filipinos Concerns by President Rodrigo Duterte at the begining of the year.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/incs-outreach-program-reaches-africa/413236/
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DOLE extends labor attaches’ tour of duty
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['William Depasupil']
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2016-11-16 22:10:38+00:00
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THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has extended the tour of duty of labor attaches from three years to five years to make full use of their experience for the benefit of millions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in various parts of the world.At the same time, Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd on Wednesday disclosed that 15 new labor attaches or labor welfare officers would be deployed in countries where there are no Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) yet and in areas where there are high concentrations of OFWs.According to Bello, the hiring and deployment of labor attaches or POLO officials are very expensive because the position requires them to live for years, incuding their famiies, in their assigned overseas posts.He said labor attaches are like ambassadors or consuls and are paid in dollars, with free housing accommodation and assigned a local driver with a salary of at least $1,500 a month, among other perks.“The term of a labor attache is three years. So I came up with an order making it five years because a labor attache needs at least two years to get well versed in the environment. If he is recalled after three years, you can’t make full use of his experience, so I made it five years, all POLO officers,” Bello added.At present, there are around 50 POLO officers posted in various countries where there are Filipino migrant workers.The 15 newly-hired POLO officers will be posted in Washington D.C. in the United States, Toronto, Canada; Milan, Italy; and Madrid, Spain, among other countries.Administrative Order 509, signed by Bello on Monday, amended Section 77 of AO 168, series of 2013, or the manual of operations, policies and guidelines for the POLO.The amendment said, “The tour of duty of regular Labor Attaches shall be or a period five years, subject to performance evaluation, commencing on the date of his/her arrival at the post.”It added, “After their tour of duty, Labor Attaches shall serve in the Home Office for two years except when their early deployment is deemed necessary in the exigency of the service. The tour of duty of Welfare Officers shall be for five years, subject to performance evaluation, after which, they shall return to their respective units.”The order was effective immediately.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/dole-extends-labor-attaches-tour-duty/296874/
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Ombudsman sues former PhilPost chief
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['Ma. Reina Leanne Tolentino']
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2017-01-09 22:35:17+00:00
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The Office of the Ombudsman has filed charges before the Sandiganbayan against former Philippine Postal Corporation (PPC or PhilPost) Postmaster General Ma. Josefina dela Cruz and two others over their alleged failure to remit to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) the loan amortizations of a then-employee from October 2011 to December 2012.Named respondents along with dela Cruz in 15 counts of violation of Section 52(g) of Republic Act 8291 or the GSIS Act are former PhilPost Postal Area IX Director Bernardito Gonzales (now Eastern Mindanao area director) and then-Accountant V Arlene Bendanillo.In the charge sheets, Assistant Special Prosecutor II Joan Paulette Nuñez alleged that the respondents “fail[ed] to remit to the Government Service Insurance System the loan amortization collected/deducted from the salary of Santos Jose V. Pamatong Jr.” in the amount of P2,345.23 per month or a total of P35,178.45 for October 2011 to December 2012 “within thirty (30) days from the time it became due and demandable… to the damage and prejudice of Santos Jose V. Pamatong, Jr. and public interest.”The Ombudsman recommended a total of P360,000 bail each (P24,000 bail for each respondent in every count) for the respondents’ provisional liberty.Under Section 52(g) of the GSIS Act, heads and personnel of government offices who are involved in the collection of premium contributions, loan amortizations and other accounts due the GSIS who fail to remit the same within 30 days from the time these were due and demandable face imprisonment upon conviction by final judgment.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ombudsman-sues-former-philpost-chief/305998/
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PCSO helped 37,186 patients in May
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['The Manila Times']
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2018-06-21 00:02:56+00:00
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Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Alexander Balutan on Tuesday said 37,186 patients benefited from the agency’s Individual Medical Assistance Program (IMAP) in May this year.“This translates to P727.5 million in expenses for the month of May, based on the data provided to me by the Charity Assistance Department (CAD),” Balutan said.“The P727.5 million is 21.07 percent increase in spending and 26.14 percent increase in the beneficiaries compared with the same period last year,” he added.Larry Cedro, assistant general manager for Charity Sector, said 13,376 sought hospital confinement for P290.8 million; 12,132 were given medicines (P149.9 million); and 4,305 had chemotherapy for a cost of P179.2 million.“Compared with the same period last year, chemotherapy had the highest increase this month in terms of cases at 24.60 percent and amount spent at 30.35 percent; followed by request for medicines at 14.96 percent in cases and 15.63 percent in amount; and confinement at 15.71 percent in cases and 12.24 percent in amount,” Cedro said.Balutan said close to P4 billion has been spent for the IMAP, benefiting 190,000 indigent patients.More cancer casesThe Philippine Cancer Society said there were 11,000 new cancer cases in 2015. The most common were breast, lung, colorectal, liver, and cervical cancers.The top causes of deaths were lung, liver, and breast cancer.Breakthrough cancer treatments such as immunotherapy and targeted therapies are increasingly becoming cancer treatment options. However, immunotherapy is being offered only for certain diseases such as lung cancer, melanoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, bladder, head, and neck cancers.Balutan said the number of patients seeking the agency’s help has grown.“Nakakalungkot na taun-taon, lumalaki ang bilang ng mga taong nangangailangan ng tulong medikal at pinansyal (It is saddening that the number of people seeking medical help has increased). But we would like to assure you that we choose no one, whether rich or poor, as long as you are Filipino. That’s why we are encouraging the public to patronize our products,” Balutan said.He advised patients to submit complete documentary requirements such as letter to the PCSO Chairman or General Manager, original/certified true copy of medical abstract signed by the doctor with license number, final hospital billing, endorsement from the hospital to accept PCSO guarantee letter, and photocopies of patient’s ID and immediate relative who will process the documents.If a discharged patient has an unpaid hospital balance, a notarized promissory note is needed.Under PCSO’s charter, 55 percent of its revenues is allocated for prizes, 15 percent for operational expenses, and 30 percent for its “charity fund.”
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/pcso-helped-37186-patients-in-may/410566/
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Lacson ready to probe P1.8-B defective cars
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2018-07-06 00:06:29+00:00
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SEN. Panfilo Lacson is ready to lead the investigation into the procurement by the Philippine National Police (PNP) of patrol vehicles worth P1.8 billion that were found defective by the Commission on Audit (COA).Lacson, who heads the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, backed Sen. Grace Poe’s call for an investigation into the purchase of 2,054 Mahindra vehicles during the administration of former president Benigno Aquino 3rd.“I will second the call of Sen. Poe to call for an investigation. After all, P1.8 billion in people’s money was involved in this procurement,” said Lacson, who also served as PNP chief during the time of former president and now Manila City Mayor Joseph Estrada.Lacson said officials involved in the procurement of the vehicles should explain why they pushed through with the deal despite numerous issues.Lacson said there were a lot of questions involving the Mahindra brand, including lack of track record, after-sales service and durability.He said he received information that some of the Mahindra patrol vehicles distributed in different police stations started to break down in less than a year and remained unusable to date for lack of spare parts and service centers.Lacson said former Interior and Local Government secretary Manuel Roxas 2nd and ex-budget Secretary Florencio Abad should be summoned to the Senate inquiry to explain the controversial purchase.The CoA in its report cited several issues against the vehicles, including problems on high fuel consumption, difficulty in acceleration at higher speed, tough maneuverability due to the vehicle’s narrow body, low engine performance, heavy smoke emission, limited interior space, absence of service centers and lack of spare parts.Poe raised the same concerns when she was the chairman of the public order and dangerous drugs panel in 2014.Lacson said he would immediately call for an investigation once a resolution calling for such is referred to his committee.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/lacson-ready-to-probe-p1-8-b-defective-cars/416335/
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Palace respects Trump’s climate deal withdrawal
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['Catherine S. Valente']
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2017-06-03 21:38:46+00:00
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MalacaÑang on Saturday said it respects President Donald Trump’s decision to pull the United States out of the landmark Paris climate change agreement.In a statement, Palace spokesman Ernesto Abella said Trump’s announcement of America’s abandonment of the Paris climate deal is “a domestic matter on their part.”“We understand that this decision is part of the campaign promise of President Trump to the American people. So it is an issue that has to be resolved by them and its effect on the community of nations,” Abella told government-run dzRB radio.“We believe that if there will be an effect on the US pullout would be tested best in a later date,” the Palace official added.Trump announced on Thursday that he would abandon the agreement, saying it was his solemn duty to protect “America and its citizens.”He said the US would “withdraw from the Paris climate accord, but begin negotiations to re-enter the Paris accord or a new transaction on terms that are fair to the United States.”According to the rules of the 2016 Paris deal, stepping out of its provisions will be a lengthy process that could take up to four years.The US will join only Nicaragua and Syria as the countries to have not signed onto the agreement – Nicaragua declined to sign the deal in the first place, saying it was too weak.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/palace-respects-trumps-climate-deal-withdrawal/330785/
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PH to acquire submarines
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['Dempsey Reyes']
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2018-06-12 00:05:08+00:00
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The Philippines is set to acquire submarines in line with the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) modernization program, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Monday.“We are looking at [South] Korea and Russia and other countries [as source of the submarines],” Lorenzana told reporters after the flag raising ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.He explained that the production of the submarines would take five to eight years.“If we will order right now, it will be delivered on the third horizon or once the term of President [Rodrigo Duterte] ends,” Lorenzana pointed out.He said the Philippines needs submarines to secure its territories, adding that neighboring nations such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam have submarines.“We are the only ones that does not have it,” Lorenzana said.Under its modernization program, the military has acquired landing dock vessels for the Philippine Navy such as the BRP Tarlac (LD-601) and BRP Davao del Sur (LD-602) and three frigates.The Air Force meanwhile acquired 12 FA-50 fighter jets.Lorenzana said for the “second horizon” of the modernization program, the country will acquire navy ships, helicopters, planes and equipment for the Philippine Army.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ph-to-acquire-submarines/407093/
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11 dioceses nationwide vacant – CBCP
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-12-14 20:11:06+00:00
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The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has revealed that 11 dioceses in the country are vacant.The dioceses of Iba (Zambales) and Mati (Davao Oriental) were left vacant after Bishop Florentino Lavarias of Iba was appointed as archbishop of San Fernando (Pampanga) in 2014 and Bishop Patricio Alo of Mati retired, also in that year.Three more ecclesiastical jurisdictions were left vacant in 2016.These are the dioceses of Kabankalan in Negros Occidental, Bayombong in Nueva Vizcaya and the prelature of Isabela.The bishops of Negros Occidental and the prelature of Isabela were reassigned, while the bishop of Nueva Vizcaya, Bishop Ramon Villena, retired.Other vacancies were caused by sudden deaths of prelates: Bishops Leopoldo Tumulak of the Military Ordinariate, Rodolfo Beltran of San Fernando (La Union), Juan de Dios Pueblos of Butuan City (Agusan del Sur) and Elenito Galido of Iligan City (Lanao del Norte).The dioceses of Daet in Camarines Norte and Ilagan in Isabela have remained vacant after it Bishop Gilbert Garcera (Daet) and Bishop Joseph Nacua (Isabela) resigned for health reasons.ASHLEY JOSE
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/11-dioceses-nationwide-vacant-cbcp/368660/
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Calbayog police stop rampant gambling
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['Happy Folger']
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10/9/2017 0:00
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The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Eastern Visayas said it has put an end to rampant illegal gambling in Calbayog City in Samar that was reported in a local newspaper.New PNP Eastern Visayas Regional Director Chief Supt. Gilbert DC Cruz ordered the Calbayog police to stop the illegal gambling at the city bus terminal and arrest the persons behind it.Cruz identified those arrested as Mateo Balaguer, 42, a resident of Barangay Obrero, Calbayog.He said Balaguer was caught in the act.Criminal charges are being prepared against him, Cruz said.Cruz ordered the crackdown after the rampant illegal gambling at the bus terminal was reported to PNP Chief Director General Ronald M. dela Rosa who has warned he will go after police officials who tolerate illegal gambling.Last February, President Duterte directed Dela Rosa to launch a concerted campaign against all forms of illegal gambling.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/09/10/calbayog-police-stop-rampant-gambling/
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Meralco rates up slightly in Oct
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['Jordeene Sheex Lagare']
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2017-10-09 22:58:23+00:00
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The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) on Monday announced a rate increase of P0.0345 per kilowatt hour (kWh), which will be reflected in the billing this October.Meralco, in a statement, said the rate adjustment was caused by a P0.1777 per kWh hike in the generation charge.This means that typical households that consume 200 kWh would see a P6.91 increase in their October bill; for those who consume 300 kWh, P10.35; 400 kWh, P13.80; and 500 kWh, P17.25.The overall generation charge climbed to P4.7155 per kWh in October from P4.5378 per kWh in September after the listed company ended last month the P6.9-billion refund of over-recovery on pass-through charges.Charges from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), however, dropped by P0.4382 per kWh, as the four “yellow alerts” raised by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) in Luzon lowered the electricity demand during the September supply period.The power grid operator NGCP issued the second highest alert level in the country’s largest island region on September 9, September 16, September 22 and September 28.The generation charge also includes recuperation by the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) of certain incremental costs incurred by the National Power Corp. (Napocor).In its June 20 resolution, the Energy Regulatory Commission approved the collection of about P21.5 billion from customers of affected distribution utilities over 60 months.Such decision would translate to an additional 1.2 centavos per kWh in the generation charge, which would then be remitted to PSALM.Transmission charge decreased by P0.0593 per kWh, while taxes and other charges went down by P0.0839, partly because of the recently concluded refund.Power cost from power supply agreements (PSAs) and independent power producers (IPPS) slightly rose on higher fuel prices and lower average plant dispatch, respectively.Distribution, supply and metering charges have remained unchanged for 27 months since their recorded reduction in July 2015.Shares of IPPs, PSAs and WESM to Meralco’s total requiremets stood at 45 percent, 43 percent and 12 percent, respectively.The latest price change comes after Meralco raised September rates by P0.8642 per kWh.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/meralco-rates-slightly-oct/355485/
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Transport groups to hold another strike
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['Mary Gleefer F. Jalea']
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2017-11-28 21:25:48+00:00
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Public utility transport groups are set to launch another two-day nationwide strike next week to continue denouncing the government’s jeepney modernization program.The Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) and No to Jeepney Phaseout Coalition said on Tuesday that the transport strike will happen on December 4 and 5 in protest over the phaseout of old jeepney units starting January 1, 2018.“We see this as a justified response. We have no choice,” Piston president George San Mateo told The Manila Times on Tuesday.Piston staged a two-day strike early in October which caused Malacañang to call off classes and government work nationwide.The group added that they will mount their protest centers in Metro Manila including Monumento, Cubao, Novaliches, Litex, and other regions in the country.The same groups expected to participate in the next rally are the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Bayo Association Inc. (Bai), Rizal Alliance vs. PUJ Phase out, No to Jeepney Phaseout Coalition, Unified Transport Federation of Makati, Camanava Transport Alliance Against Jeepney Phaseout, Riles Laan sa Sambayanan Network, All Workers’ Unity, and Kilos ng Manggagawa.Piston also warned that the incoming rally may be bigger and longer than the first as they urged more operators and drivers to join.“If necessary, we will hold the strike for one week. We will do this so they will not implement the phaseout,” San Mateo said.Duterte had earlier called out the group for refusing to comply with the government’s order.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/transport-groups-hold-another-strike/365516/
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Marcos: Comelec should shoulder storage fees
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2017-08-25 22:29:21+00:00
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THE camp of former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has asked the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) to order the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to shoulder storage fees and other expenses it incurred in connection with the preservation and safekeeping of various election materials and paraphernalia used in the May 9, 2016 polls.In his comment, Marcos through his legal counsel, George Erwin Garcia, pointed out that “the Comelec is mandated by the Constitution to act as the primary guardian of the sanctity of the ballots and other paraphernalia in the exercise of its fundamental duty to enforce and administer all laws and regulations in the conduct of the elections.”Marcos’ appeal came in view of a letter sent by Maria Lea Alarkon, Director III, Office for Overseas Voting (OFOV) of the Comelec.Alarkon sought payment from Marcos of their expenses for safekeeping, among others, the ballots cast overseas.According to the former senator, he received the tribunal’s resolution requiring him to pay the same.But Marcos claimed that an election protest is a mere incident of the conduct of the elections.Hence, he said, it is the function of the Comelec to safeguard the integrity of the ballots and election materials.“This is precisely why the Precautionary Protection Order [PPO] issued by the honorable tribunal in this case was directed to the Comelec and its concerned officials and employees,” Marcos noted.“Consequently, all the costs and expenses necessary and incidental to the safekeeping of the ballot boxes and their contents and other election paraphernalia should be assumed by the Comelec.”In his protest, Marcos assailed the election results in 39,221 clustered precincts—36,465 of which he paid for the conduct of manual count and judicial revision, while in the remaining 2,756 he prays for the annulment of election results.Based on data, the 39,221 cluster precincts are composed of 132,446 precincts.The Supreme Court recently ordered the preservation of the “automated election equipment and records such as the Vote Counting Machines (VCM) , Consolidation and Canvass System (CCS) units, Secure Digital (SD) cards (main and back-up) and the other data storage devices in all of the ninety two thousand five hundred nine (92,509) clustered precincts used in the May 2016 elections, effective immediately and continuing until further orders from the tribunal.”Marcos, who lost to Maria Leonor Rodredo in the vice presidential race by 263,473 votes, accused her of “massive electoral fraud, anomalies and irregularities” such as pre-shading of ballots, pre-loaded Secure Digital cards, misreading of ballots, malfunctioning VCMs, and an “abnormally high” unaccounted votes/undervotes for the position of Vice President.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/marcos-comelec-shoulder-storage-fees/346731/
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Palace welcomes new US envoy
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['Catherine S. Valente']
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2016-11-05 21:31:52+00:00
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Malacañang has welcomed the appointment of Sung Y. Kim as the new US Ambassador to the Philippines.Kim, who was sworn in by US Secretary of State John Kerry in Washington D.C. on Thursday, will replace Philip Goldberg.Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said it is “very significant” that Kim, who was born in Korea, was chosen for the post.“I’m sure it’s some form of a signal that they want to be on a better cultural footing and understanding between Asians. That seems to be right now one of the most obvious, one of the major significant reasons why they chose a Korean also. So ang gusto po siguro nilang mas maintindihan tayo (Maybe they want to better understand us,” Abella said in a radio interview on Saturday.“Ang mahalaga lang po is that ‘yung mga terms of engagement natin with one another, ‘yung mas maging culturally sensitive (What is important is that our terms of engagement will be culturally sensitive),” he added.According to his profile on the US Department of State website, Kim was the special representative for North Korea Policy before he was assigned to Manila.He concurrently served as deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs at the US Department of State since 2014.Kim, who speaks English, Korean, and Japanese, studied at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and the Loyola University Law School in Los Angeles.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/palace-welcomes-new-us-envoy-2/294961/
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SSS files raps vs 34,000 delinquent employers
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['Nelson Badilla']
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2016-12-09 23:10:17+00:00
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Some 34,000 delinquent employers are subject of criminal and civil charges for their deliberate failure to implement the Social Security Law (SSL).The charges were readied against the employers on orders of Dean Amado Valdez, chairman of the Social Security Commission (SSC).Voltaire Agas, Social Security System (SSS) senior vice president and chief legal counsel, said if the 34,000 businessmen settled their SSS obligations, the agency would get around P1.4 billion.Agas added that a big number of the delinquent businessmen have been intentionally ignoring the SSL since 2010.He said the SSS “will not hesitate to go after and file cases against those discovered to be violators of the Social Security Act, such as non- and under-reporting of employees, as well as non- and under-remittance of contributions.”“For the past several years, the SSS has been actively going after delinquent employers, and we will continue to strengthen our campaign to ensure that companies obey the law,” according to Agas.The pension fund, he said, has won court cases against 41 employers since 2010.The 41 employers were convicted and were ordered by various courts to pay their financial obligations to their employees that reached P61.66 million.Agas said the SSS plans to further intensify its campaign to bring down employer delinquency, using the full strength of the law under the Duterte administration.Agas cited the need for the SSS to maximize the powers provided by the Social Security Law so that it can increase its collection to enable the fund to grant higher pensions and benefits.Under the law, employers who fail to report workers for SSS coverage and remit employees’ monthly contributions will be punished with a fine of P5,000 to P20,000, imprisonment of six years up to 12 years, or both based on the discretion of the court.Employers with delinquent employee contributions are also charged a monthly penalty of three percent until the overdue SSS premiums are fully paid.“Employers who deduct SSS payments from their workers’ salaries but fail to remit these to the SSS are likewise guilty of committing the crime of estafa, which is also punishable by imprisonment under the Revised Penal Code,” Agas said.Under the SSL, private companies are required to report new workers for SSS coverage within 30 days from the start of employment and remit the proper amount of contributions — including the employer and employee share — to SSS every month.“We will craft policies and improve our monitoring systems to ensure that employers faithfully comply with their SSS obligations. May this serve as a stern warning to all erring employers to start changing their ways and start doing things right,” Agas said.He urged the employees to take an active role in asserting their right to social security protection by reporting to any SSS branch their employers who neglect to report them for SSS coverage, underreport their salaries resulting in lower contribution payments or fail to remit their contributions on time.“Every private company, regardless of its size, should fully comply with the SSS obligations provided by the [SSL]. It is the mandate of the law and everybody has to follow,” Agas said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/sss-files-raps-vs-34000-delinquent-employers-2/300922/
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Lawmaker urges DOTr to push ‘build’ program
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['Ralph Villanueva']
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2017-11-04 20:54:13+00:00
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A LAWMAKER has asked the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to “work, work, work” on the Metro Manila Subway Project, now that Japan has provided the country financial support for the Build, Build, Build program of the Duterte administration.According to House Committee on Appropriations Chairman and Rep. Karlo Nograles of Davao City, President Rodrigo Duterte has secured around ¥1-trillion, or P456 billion, in economic assistance package from his visit to Japan last week.“The Philippines has proven to be a magnet for investments under the Duterte administration. But all of these won’t mean a thing if the concerned agencies fail to follow through with the implementation of projects that the foreign assistance was meant to bankroll,” Nograles said.Nograles said that a key portion of the financial package is the P47 billion to be used for the first phase of the Metro Manila Subway Project, one of the flagships of the “Build, Build, Build” program.He said DoTR’s work on the project, which is aimed at easing the traffic problem in the Metro, will be the best way to show the country’s appreciation for Japan’s generous gesture.“Now that we have the funding to jumpstart the Metro Manila Subway Project, all that we have to focus on doing is work, work, work,” Nograles said.“Unfortunately, the people view the DOTr as one of the most underperforming agencies under President Duterte’s watch, mostly due to the never-ending traffic jams and MRT [Metro Rail Transit] woes. In the end, [Duterte’s] alter-egos in the Cabinet, in this case [Transportation Secretary Arthur] Tugade, must deliver,” Nograles underscored.He warned if DOTr will not step up and the program is backlogged, Duterte’s plan of finishing his term as the “Golden Age of Infrastructure” may not be feasible.“We can no longer afford to work at this pace especially if we are to prove to Japan and our other benefactors that we are worth giving loans to,” Nograles said.The Mindanao Railway Project Phase 1, the Malolos-Clark Railway Project (PNR North 2), the Clark International Airport Expansion Project and the new LRT Line 1 North Extension Project are among the transportation projects approved under Build, Build, Build program.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/lawmaker-urges-dotr-push-build-program/360655/
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Long-delayed north RR project will finally begin
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['Cris Vacal']
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12/11/2017 0:00
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to Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Camarines Sur, Albay. There was a rail service to the north that went as far as Damortis, Pangasinan, where buses transported passengers up to Baguio City via Kennon Road.Over the years, rail transport gave way to road transport. Railroad links to various parts of Luzon were abandoned. But the idea of reviving the railroad network grew, especially during the Fidel Ramos administration in 1992-1998, driven by the need to decongest Metro Manila and develop the provinces around Metro Manila. Northrail was incorporated in 1995 as a subsidiary to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).An agreement was drawn up by Northrail with the China National Machinery Industry Corp. (Sinomach) during the Gloria Macapagal Arroyo administration (2001-2010) but the succeeding administration of Benigno S. Aquino III (2010-2016) terminated the contract over legal questions. Sinomach sued the Philippines, claiming over $100 million in damages and costs.Last Tuesday, Secretary Arthur Tugade of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced that the government and Sinomach had finally settled their dispute, saving the over $100-million claim for damages and hundreds of millions of pesos in legal fees and arbitration costs. The agreement was signed in the presence of Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano and Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jian Hua.The railway to the north will now proceed as Philippine National Railways (PNR) North 2 from Tutuban to Malolos and then to Clark at a cost of P150 billion. Work may begin as early as the end of 2017 or the first quarter of 2018, Secretary Tugade said. It will thus be the beginning project of the massive infrastructure program of the Duterte administration known as “Build, Build, Build.”
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/11/12/long-delayed-north-rr-project-will-finally-begin/
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US has right to ban Muslims – Palace
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2017-01-29 21:06:52+00:00
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THE United States has the right to ban people from entering the country, Malacañang said on Sunday in reaction to the implementation of an executive order signed by President Donald Trump restricting the entry of citizens of seven countries.“We respect the policy of the United States of America if they have prohibitions or they would be banning people from entering their country because that is their right. And they have the visa [requirement] right?” Assistant Secretary Ana Marie Banaag of the Presidential Communications Office said.Trump’s ban, which seeks to keep America safe, covers citizens from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.Several world leaders have condemned Trump’s order, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel who said “it is not justified to place people from a certain origin or belief under general suspicion.”A spokesman for British Prime Minister Theresa May, who is seeking to strike up a friendship with Trump, said US immigration policy was “a matter for the government of the United States… but we do not agree with this kind of approach.”Iran’s foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called Trump’s ban “a great gift to extremists.”But the Palace said it respects Trump’s decision.“They have regulations on who are qualified to go to their country. We would respect their regulations,” she told reporters.The US Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 states “whenever the President finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, he may by proclamation, and for such period as he shall deem necessary, suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants, or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem to be appropriate.”Llanesca T. Panti
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/us-right-ban-muslims-palace/309560/
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AFP sets 5% recruitment for Muslims
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['Dempsey Reyes']
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2017-04-16 00:34:26+00:00
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THE Armed Forces of the Philippines is set to allocate five percent of the total number of applicants for Filipino Muslims, an AFP official said on Saturday.Marine Colonel Edgard Arevalo, chief of the AFP Public Affairs, disclosed in a statement that it was Chief of Staff General Eduardo Año who ordered the maximum 5 percent allocation of the total number of aspirants in the military, whether officers, cadets or enlisted personnel, “for our Muslim brothers and sisters.”At present, recruitment quotas in the AFP are 10 percent for female soldiers and 5 percent indigenous people, reinstatement and special enlistment.The Philippine Army alone has a quota of 3,600 for regular enlistment, of which 360 are for female applicants while 180 for indigenous people this year.Arevalo said that if the new allocation will be implemented, another 180 slots in the military force will be for the applicants coming from the Muslim communities in the Philippines.On the other hand, the Philippine Air Force has a quota of 600 for enlisted personnel and 80 for military officers while the Philippine Navy has 1,660 for enlisted personnel and 140 for officers.“With the specific number of recruits to be sourced among Muslim applicants, we hope to be able to organize a battalion of Muslim soldiers,” Arevalo said.“[In] the long run, a brigade or division [will be] composed of Muslims. They will be appropriately deployed to areas where Islam is the predominant religion,” he added.Arevalo also stated that Muslim Filipinos who will be recruited as soldiers will “comprise the units best deployable to Muslim communities because of their being abreast” of their knowledge of Islamic culture and sensitivities of the Islam religion.“Most of our Muslim brothers and sisters perceive the deployment of almost [100 percent] Christian soldiers in their communities as invading or occupational forces. We hope to avoid this through the deployment of pure Muslim units in their communities,” he added.However, Año said a military force shall represent a cross-section of society and also assured that the focus will also be turned in empowering specific sectors.“We would like to ensure that as we modernize, we would not be focusing our attention only in armaments and equipment but in empowering specific sectors within the AFP like women, indigenous [people] and Muslims,” he said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/afp-sets-5-recruitment-muslims/322366/
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No ‘pork’ in 2019 budget — Palace
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['Catherine S. Valente']
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2018-08-17 00:02:09+00:00
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Malacañang on Thursday maintained that there was no “pork barrel” hidden in the proposed national budget for 2019 amid allegations of questionable allocations.Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. made the assurance after Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson claimed that there were “hundreds of billions of pesos” in the proposed budget that could be considered as “pork.”“The President [Rodrigo Duterte] is unrelenting in his campaign against graft and corruption and he does not condone pork barrel. We guarantee you it is pork-free,” Roque told reporters.“I leave it to Senator Lacson because he is a legislator. He knows what he talks about. My stint in Congress was too short to actually know what he is talking about but he has had three terms in Congress, he knows better,” he added.Lacson was reported to have confirmed the existence of pork barrel or the lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) in next year’s proposed budget.“If you think pork has left, no it hasn’t. It runs to hundreds of billions of pesos,” he was quoted as saying.The senator raised the alarm after Speaker Gloria Arroyo assured congressmen they would not have “zero budget” for their respective districts.In 2013, the Supreme Court declared PDAF unconstitutional.The court said these funds allowed lawmakers to identify projects after the national budget had been passed.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/no-pork-in-2019-budget-palace/431132/
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LTFRB, airport body gear up for ‘Undas’
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['Mary Gleefer F. Jalea']
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2017-10-25 21:27:58+00:00
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The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) have started bracing for the “Undas” season (All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day) in the country.All Saints’ Day is marked every November 1 and All Souls’ Day, every November 2.On those two days, Filipinos visit the graves of their dearly departed.LTFRB spokesman Aileen Lizada on Wednesday said the agency has already received 420 special permit applications from 1,043 buses for the “Undas” season from companies plying routes in Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.In a text message, Lizada said they will inspect bus terminals on Monday.During the inspection, she added, transportation units and terminal facilities will be checked to ensure that buses are safe and convenient for passengers.“Enforcers and employees will also be deployed to terminals in Pasay City, Cubao [in Quezon City] and Sampaloc [in Manila] to extend passenger support and hear their complaints and queries,” Lizada said.Coinciding with the inspection, the board said, is the launch of “Oplan Isnabero,” an annual campaign that urges to public to report complaints against taxi drivers who violate safety rules and refuse to transport passengers.A standee will be placed at taxi bays in malls where commuters can fill out forms containing reports against the taxi drivers.Lizada said the LTFRB will issue a show-cause order against non-compliant terminals and units.At the country’s premier Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) airport authorities and concerned agencies are also getting ready for implementation of “Oplan Undas” on Friday.Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal said help desks, additional police personnel, doctors and nurses and staff from the Public Affairs Division will assist passengers with their flight schedules and information especially domestic flights.He added that all terminal managers and assistant managers are expected to perform their regular functions even during the days declared as holidays.These managers are expected to address the needs of passengers, monitor possible traffic congestion and ensure the safety of the public, according to Monreal.To avoid such congestion, check-in counters for domestic flights will open two hours before departure and three hours for international flights because of an expected increased volume of passengers this week.with BENJIE L. VERGARA
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ltfrb-airport-body-gear-undas-2/358632/
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P500K to go to families of soldier, police casualties
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['Jing Villamente']
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2017-04-02 21:53:19+00:00
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The family of a soldier or a policeman killed or wounded in action stands to receive up to P500,000 in financial assistance under the government’s Comprehensive Social Benefits Program (CSBP).The CSBP has been rolled out by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Department of National Defense, in cooperation with the Office of the President and supporting agencies, for members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.DILG Secretary Ismael Sueno cited the timeliness and necessity of greater government efforts for military and police casualties given the dangers that security forces face in the Duterte administration’s campaign to stamp out illegal drugs, criminality and corruption and to foster peace and order in the country.Sueno called for soldiers and policemen to be brave in carrying out their duties from the barangay (village) level upward, stating, “As long as you follow the rule of law, and follow the oath of your office, I repeat what the President has said, ‘Huwag kayong matakot [Don’t be afraid], I will support you.’”The CSBP covers four levels of assistance.A Special Finance Assistance (SFA) of P500,000 will be granted in two tranches to beneficiaries of those killed in action; P250,000 to beneficiaries of those wounded in action with total permanent physical disability (TPPD); and P100,000 to beneficiaries of those with major and minor injuries.There will also be generous shelter assistance to families of those killed or wounded in action with TPPD worth P450,000; health care assistance through coverage of premiums from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) worth P2,400 a year and maintenance medicines provided by the Department of Health for qualified beneficiaries of those killed in action; and educational assistance in the provision of annual stipends for up to two children or other beneficiaries of those killed in action or wounded in action with TPPD.Aiding the implementation of the CSBP is the Killed in Action/Wounded in Action One Stop Assistance Program Management Office (PMO) based at the DILG-National Police Commission Center.In addition, Sueno said, President Rodrigo Duterte intends to start a trust fund for those killed or wounded in action, beginning at P1 billion and adding more to it each year.He enjoined the public to emulate the heart of the President for the country’s frontliners.The President “knows the risks they take and the sacrifices that they have given for us, so he wants to give back to the spouses and the children [of the soldiers and policemen],” Sueno said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/p500k-go-families-soldier-police-casualties/320576/
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Court of Appeals merges de Lima’s 2 petitions to stop drug probe
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2017-03-01 22:05:35+00:00
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The Court of Appeals (CA) has ordered the consolidation of the two petitions filed by embattled Sen. Leila de Lima questioning the Department of Justice (DOJ) preliminary investigation against her in connection with the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) illegal drug trade.In a four-page resolution of the CA 17th Division, penned by Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul Inting, the appellate court ordered the merger of the case with the CA 6th Division.This was concurred in by Associate Justices Marlene Gonzales-Sison and Ramon Cruz.The CA 6th Division handles the first petition filed by de Lima that carries the lowest docket number as compared with the second petition filed by the senator that is being handled by the CA 17th Division.“Accordingly, let CA-GR SP No. 149358 be consolidated with CA GR SP No. 149097, the latter case having the lower docket number, in accordance with Section 3, Rule III of the 2009 Internal Rules of the Court of Appeals, subject to the conformity of the ponente thereof and with right of replacement with a case of similar nature and status,” the resolution read.“The consolidation of two or more actions is authorized where the cases arise from the same act, event or transaction, involve the same or like issues, and depend largely or substantially on the same evidence, provided that the court has jurisdiction and that consolidation will not prejudice the substantial rights of any of the parties,” it said.De Lima elevated her case to the CA after questioning the jurisdiction of the DOJ to hear her cases, which she believes must be handled by the Office of the Ombudsman since the drug trafficking charges against her are in connection with her public office as then-Justice secretary.The ponente of the CA 6th Division is Justice Nina Antonio Valenzuela, who last February 10, 2017, refused to issue an injunctive relief for de Lima that would stop the probe and eventually the filing of criminal charges against her.Last Thursday, the DOJ indicted de Lima along with her co-accused in the three cases filed before the Muntinlupa City (Metro Manila) RTC.These include de Lima’s ex-boyfriend Ronnie Dayan, Jose Adrian Dera (alleged nephew and close-in security of the senator), Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) former staff Wilfredo Elly, Presidential Security Group member Joenel Sanchez (de Lima’s former security aide) and high-profile drug inmate Jaybee Sebastian.Her other co-accused charged with one count each are ex-BuCor Director Franklin Bucayu and former National Bureau of Investigation Deputy Director Rafael Ragos.Muntinlupa RTC Judge Juanita Guerrero last Friday issued non-bailable arrest warrants against de Lima, Ragos and Dayan.All of them are now in detention.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/court-appeals-merges-de-limas-2-petitions-stop-drug-probe/314884/
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House OKs P1.1B-Dengvaxia fund
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2018-05-31 00:10:45+00:00
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The House of Representatives has approved the P1.16 billion supplemental budget for the Dengvaxia Assistance Fund on third reading late Tuesday.The fund will be used to treat those who were injected with Dengvaxia.Before midnight on Tuesday, 231 lawmakers voted in favor of House Bill 7449 that was certified as urgent by President Rodrigo Duterte.The P1.16 billion will be broken down as follows: P148 million for profiling and navigation of vaccines, P945 million for admitted patients and outpatients and P67.5 million for the deployment of nurses, health education and promotion officers.The fund will cover all the 900,000 individuals inoculated with the anti-dengue vaccine who got sick or will fall sick, regardless if their illness is Dengvaxia-related or not.The P945 million accounts for 81 percent of the supplemental budget and could cover as much as 40,000 admitted patients and cover the cost for the outpatients.“The House has taken a huge concrete step in making things right. This will bring peace of mind closer to the parents of the thousands of schoolchildren vaccinated with Dengvaxia even as we all hope that the worst case scenario won’t happen to them,” Speaker Pantaleon Nograles, who filed the measure, said in a statement.Officials of Dengvaxia manufacturer Sanofi announced in November 2017 their discovery that the vaccine posed a risk to first-time victims of dengue, prompting government to suspend the anti-dengue vaccination program.Without admitting any wrongdoing, Sanofi returned P1.16 billion to the Department of Health for the unused doses of vaccine.Representatives Luis Raymund Villafuerte and Emerenciana de Jesus called on concerned agencies to ensure speedy access to the Dengvaxia aid.“If the Health department aims to reach as much as 900,000 beneficiaries, then their hotlines, including for text messages, should always work for those victims who would have queries on how to avail of the aid,” Villafuerte said in a statement.”We in Gabriela voted yes to this with the recognition that this measure was borne out of the active campaign for free health services and medical assistance to Dengvaxia vaccinees. But we will closely monitor how this huge fund will be utilized to ensure that it will really translate to free hospitalization and medical tests for all affected children. Funds should will be readily available to Dengvaxia vaccinees without the need for politicians’ endorsements,” de Jesus said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/house-oks-p1-1b-dengvaxia-fund/402689/
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ROTC cadets eyed for disaster relief
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['Philippines News Agency']
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2016-12-10 23:25:31+00:00
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The humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) capabilities of the Reserve Officers Training Corps were highlighted during the 2nd National ROTC Summit on Saturday.There is more to ROTC than military drills and formations under the scorching sun, Colonel Edgard Arevalo, Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs office chief, said, citing ROTC units can act as force multipliers during calamities and provide initial HADR efforts.The summit, held at the AFP parade grounds in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City (Metro Manila), is in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to re-institutionalize the ROTC program.Some 600 ROTC cadets and cadettes participated in Saturday’s activities.“The key initiative of the summit is to re-institutionalize the ROTC Program in response to President Duterte’s pronouncement and the military’s own desire to revive one of its sources of qualified, disciplined, and nation-loving leaders of the country,” Arevalo said.This year’s theme is “Paghubog sa Kabataang Pilipino Tungo sa Makatao, Makabayan at Makabansang Mamamayan,” he added.ROTC training was introduced to the Philippines in 1912, when the Philippine Constabulary commenced with military instruction at the University of the Philippines.It has been the main source of reservists in the Armed Forces. The number of ROTC enrollees, however, significantly declined in 2002-2003, following the implementation of Republic Act No. 9163 on the establishment the National Service Training Program, which made the ROTC optional as one of its components.“We aim to showcase the advantages of the ROTC program,” AFP chief Lt. General Eduardo Año said. “The program will develop the youth’s leadership skills, discipline and love for the country.”“The nation needs prepared citizen soldiers to defend and serve the country. We have to show the youth that the ROTC program is the best means to train them as they rise up to the occasion to serve and defend our country when needed,” he added.PNA
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/rotc-cadets-eyed-disaster-relief/301080/
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Oil companies again hike pump prices
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['Jordeene Sheex Lagare']
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2018-04-17 00:02:05+00:00
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Oil companies again increased the pump prices of petroleum products, a week after implementing a price rollback.Eastern Petroleum, Flying V, Phoenix Petroleum, Pilipinas Shell, PTT Philippines, Total and Seaoil raised the price of diesel by 55 centavos per liter effective 6 a.m. on Tuesday.The cost of gasoline went up by 35 centavos per liter while the price of kerosene was hiked by 80 centavos per liter.Unioil, meanwhile, raised the prices of diesel and kerosene by 55 centavos per liter and 35 centavos per liter, respectively.The oil price adjustments were announced as consumer group Laban Konsyumer Inc. (LKI) urged the Department of Energy (DoE) to release information on petroleum products and electricity prices.In a letter to Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi dated April 16, the group expressed the need to unbundle the retail prices of fuel products to provide consumers with the necessary information about the fair pricing of oil prices.“DOE will note that oil companies and the new players have practically uniform prices for diesel. This situation does not appear tenable since oil companies and new players procure their products differently,” the group said.LKI President Victor Dimagiba said the DoE has the authority to issue circular mandating the unbundling of retail fuel prices“Even under full deregulation, the DoE secretary is authorized to ensure fair pricing of the petroleum products for the benefit and information of the consumers,” Dimagiba, a former Trade undersecretary, said.On power rates, LKI said the Energy department should regularly publish maintenance schedules of power plants and energy suppliers for transparency and consumer empowerment.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/oil-companies-again-hike-pump-prices/393031/
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JBC opens applications for associate justices
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-09-17 17:45:34+00:00
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The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has opened to interested judges and lawyers applications for the positions of Sandiganbayan associate justice and Court of Appeals (CA) associate justice.The council opened the nominations in view of the promotion to the Supreme Court of former Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Alexander Gesmundo last August 14.Gesmundo is the fourth SC justice appointee of President Rodrigo Duterte.The JBC gave applicants up to November 2 to file their applications and submit the required documents.The vacancy in the CA resulted from the optional retirement Associate Justice Melchor Quirino Sadang last August 1.Vying for the seat but whose previous interviews remain valid are Justices Dinnah Aguila-Topacio, Evalyn Arrelano-Morales, Stephen Cruz, Gregorio de la Pena, Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga, Silvino Pampilo Jr. and Vernard Quijano.Also, the JBC announced that the public interview of applicants eyeing the post of CA presiding justice will be on September 25.The post became vacant after Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeals Andres Reyes Jr. was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to the SC last July 12.Among the applicants are CA Justices Romeo Barza, Marlene Gonzales-Sison, and Normandie Pizarro and Acting Presiding Justice Remedios Salazar-Fernando.Rowena De Juan-Quinagoran is also contesting the post.The seven-man JBC is constitutionally mandated to screen and vet nominees to the President for vacant posts in the judiciary and the Offices of the Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsman and is headed by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/jbc-opens-applications-associate-justices/351237/
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DepEd: Razor supplier failed to follow specs
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['Neil Alcober']
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2018-06-30 00:07:52+00:00
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THE Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday said the supplier of the alleged overpriced procurement of razors for senior high school students in Region 10 failed to meet the standards set by the Bureau of Learning Resources (BLR).DepEd Region 10 reported that the supplier delivered Gillette Razors to the recipient school instead of barbering razor/blade as clearly stated in the technical specifications.The barbering razors/blades “targeted for use of senior high school students taking up the technical-vocational and livelihood (TVL) track, with specialization on barbering and hairdressing for national certification” should have been made of “plastic and/or stainless steel with replaceable blade, and approximately 14cm by 2cm in size,” the DepEd said.The Gillete Razors, priced at P1,900 each, were not accepted and payment has not been made.|The DepEd said the fact-finding committee is set to analyze the documents to determine the appropriate price of the originally specified tool as the senior high school equipment and tools database used by the field offices as guide in the procurement of TVL specialization tools, equipment, and materials for school year 2016-2017 included only the technical specifications and picture report of the said razors.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/deped-razor-supplier-failed-to-follow-specs/414158/
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Seafarer group to file raps vs Marina head
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['Jing Villamente']
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2017-05-28 19:32:42+00:00
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The United Filipino Seafarers (UFS) is set to file a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman today against the administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) and its former officials and board members for their allegedly dubious approval of a memorandum circular.The UFS said the circular violates provisions of an executive order issued by then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that encourages investments in newly constructed ships or brand-new vessels in the domestic shipping industry by providing incentives to their owners.In a 12-page complaint affidavit with annexes given to The Manila Times ahead of the filing, UFS president Nelson Ramirez accused Marina Administrator Marcial Amaro; former Marina Administrator Dr. Maximo Mejia Jr.; Gloria Bañas, former Marina deputy administrator for operations; and former Marina Board Members Benel Lagua, Jonathan Tariman, Hector Miole, Rommel Antonio Cuenca, Emma Panopio, Dario Alampay and Roberto Umali of grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and violation of Section 3e of the Republic Act 3019 or Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, for their questionable approval of Marina Circular (MC) 2015-04, or the Rules and Regulations To Implement Executive Order (EO) 909 issued by Arroyo.EO 909 is premised on the Investment Priorities Plan of the Government for 2009, which identified the water transport sector as a preferred area of investment and an efficient and modernized water transport industry as key to growth of the national economy on a sustained basis.Ramirez said the respondents granted MC 2015-04 to three applicant domestic ship owners on September 7, 2015 or during the 236th regular meeting of Marina Board.“The awards were issued either by respondent Mejia or Amaro and initiated by respondent Bañas,” he added.Ramirez, in his complaint, prayed that the respondents must be preventively suspended or dismissed from government service after due notice and hearing.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/seafarer-group-file-raps-vs-marina-head/329760/
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Sereno seen manipulating clerk of court appointment
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2018-02-25 22:31:10+00:00
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Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Aranal-Sereno is reportedly scheming to appoint her choice for Supreme Court (SC) Clerk of Court for the en banc without passing through the 15-man court.According to unimpeachable sources of The Manila Times in the high tribunal, Sereno ordered to review the appointments of the previous en banc clerks of court to see if it is possible the next clerk of court can be appointed with going through the 15-man court.The source said Sereno is eyeing the possibility of the next en banc clerk of court being appointed by her alone or with three chairpersons of the SC Divisions signing the appointment.The Times learned Sereno disliked the most Senior among the candidates, SC 1st Division Clerk of Court Edgar Aricheta since he is allegedly close to the late Chief Justice Renato Corona being his fraternity brother in the Utopia Fraternity of the Ateneo College of Law.If the three chairpersons of the SC Divisions shall be allowed to sign the appointment, this means that it shall only be signed by Sereno as chairperson of the SC 1st Division, Associate Justice Antonio Carpio as chairman of the SC 2nd Division, and Justice Presbitero Velasco as chairperson of the SC 3rd Division.This is similar to alleged manipulations exposed in the impeachment complainant by lawyer Lorenzo Gadon, or the appointments of Brenda Jay Angeles Mendoza as Philippine Judicial Academy Chief of Office for the Philippine Mediation Center and IT Consultant Helen Perez-Macasaet, which were not passed through the SC en banc.Another instance when Sereno made a manipulation is when she ordered the appointment of Court of Appeals Justice Gabriel Ingles without passing through the en banc. Ingles’ appointment was signed only by the three SC division chairpersons.The source said Sereno has refused to include in the agenda the voting for the next SC en banc clerk of court.“Eto na naman siya, mamanipulahin na naman ni Sereno ang appointment ng next en banc clerk of court. Pero this time hindi na siya lulusot [Here she goes again, Sereno is manipulating the appointment of the next en banc clerk of court. But this time her scheming will not succeed],” the high tribunal source told The Times.SC En Banc Clerk of Court Felipa Borlongan-Anama retired on February 22, 2018. She was supposed to retire in August 2017 upon reaching the retirement age of 65 but her tenure was extended by the magistrates for six months.The appointment of Anama’s predecessor, Enriqueta Vidal, was voted upon and signed by the SC en banc and not just the three division chairpersons.Four lawyers of the high tribunal who are all under the three SC divisions are vying for the post. In the voting for Anama’s successor, the candidate who gets the highest number of votes from the 15 high tribunal justices notches the position.The said position is a vital post with a rank and salary of a Court of Appeals associate justice.The aspirants for the position are Aricheta, clerk of court of the SC 1st Division, the most senior; Lourdes Perfecto, clerk of court of the SC 2nd Division, who is set to retire next year; Wilfredo Lapitan, clerk of court of the SC 3rd Division; and Teresita Tuason, assistant clerk of court of the SC 2nd Division.The clerk of court of the en banc shall handle the most controversial cases in the high tribunal, including constitutional issues and cases, dismissal of justices, judges and lawyers, and cases of transcendental importance. Cases of writs of kalikasan, writs of amparo, and habeas data are handled by the clerk of court.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/sereno-seen-manipulating-clerk-court-appointment/382685/
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DoLE to repatriate 5,000 migrant workers
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['William Depasupil']
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2017-04-05 20:20:51+00:00
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THE Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) is taking advantage of a 90-day general amnesty given by the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to all undocumented and overstaying migrant workers for humanitarian reasons by repatriating at least 5,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).A DoLE team of senior officials has been created by Labor and Employment Silvestre Bello 3rd to fly to Saudi Arabia to facilitate the repatriation process to bring home the distressed OFWs, who, according to the group Migrante International, number more than 5,000.It is believed that the general amnesty is a prelude to a possible crackdown on overstaying and undocumented foreigners in line with the Kingdom’s so-called “Saudization” program and in compliance with an amended Saudi Labor Law.Bello has designated Undersecretary Dominador Say, concurrent officer-in-charge of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), to lead the repatriation mission.The 90-day amnesty will cover undocumented and overstaying foreign individuals of Umrah, Hajj and visit visa holders; OFWs with expired iqamas (residence permits), or have never been issued an iqama; huroob cases or those who escaped from their employers; and OFWs who were abandoned by their employers, including their dependents.The amnesty applications of OFWs with these cases will be processed free of penalties, and will be given exit permits and issued with exemption in acquiring certificate of no objection from their employers.They will also be exempted from the usual “deportee fingerprint system” and will be able to return to the kingdom legally.Undocumented OFWs who have police cases, traffic violations and bank obligations, however, are not entitled to amnesty.Aside from processing their travel documents and clearances, the government will be paying for the plane tickets of the stranded OFWs going back to the Philippines.WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/dole-repatriate-5000-migrant-workers-2/321203/
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PHILIPPINE ARMY RESHUFFLES OFFICERS
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['Fernan Marasigan']
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2016-12-11 21:29:10+00:00
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THE Philippine Army has designated new chiefs in the offices of logistics and plans and programs and the new secretary of the Army general staff, an Army official announced on Sunday.According to Col. Benjamin Hao, Army spokesman, Col. Glenn Cruz has been named Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics (G4), replacing Col. Pio Diñoso 3rd, who was designated as new commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade based in the Western Visayas.Cruz was the former deputy and executive officer of the Army logistics office prior to his new position.Col. Roberto Capulong was appointed as the new Army Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs (G5), replacing Col. Cornelio Valencia, who was moved up to the Armed Forces of the Philippines General Headquarters as the new Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs or AJ5.Capulong was the former secretary of the Army General Staff and was replaced by Lt. Col. Arvin Lagamon, a recently earned a master’s degree in National Security Administration at the National Defense College of the Philippines.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/philippine-army-reshuffles-officers/301185/
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NPC may support Imee, Bam in 2019 elections
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2018-08-24 00:01:55+00:00
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Ilocos Norte Gov. Maria Imelda Josefa “Imee” Marcos and Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino may be included in the list of senatorial candidates the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) will support in next year’s midterm elections, Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd said on Thursday.Sotto said some members of the party would like to include Marcos in the list while others batted for Aquino.“There is a possibility that if members of the NPC would all agree, they (Marcos, Aquino) would both be included on the list of candidates the party will be supporting,” Sotto said in an interview.Aquino on Thursday slammed Marcos for her statement calling on critics of her family to move on.“They have hurt and stolen from you and then even have the gall to tell you to move on,” Aquino said.The NPC has 15 names on its list which include re-electionist senators Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, Nancy Binay, Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel 3rd, Grace Poe and Cynthia Villar.Taguig Rep. Pilar Juliana “Pia” Cayetano and former Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada are also being considered in the line up.Sotto earlier mentioned Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go and former senator Lito Lapid as among those being considered, but the two have yet to express their intention to run for senator next year.“We’d rather come out with an official list that we will support, after the filing of certificates of candidacy,” he said.The Senate president clarified that NPC had no intention of coming up with its own senatorial ticket.“We are going to support a number of senatorial candidates. We will have a list of senator candidates that the NPC will support,” he said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/npc-may-support-imee-bam-in-2019-elections/433806/
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DILG steps up info drive on federalism
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['Jing Villamente']
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2016-11-05 21:32:50+00:00
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THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has stepped up its information campaign on federalism by deploying teams to various regions to educate the people about the proposed shift to federalism.DILG Secretary Ismael Sueno said the information campaign does not only cover local government officials but the “people on the ground.”He said educating the people on what federalism is all about is the key to getting public consensus on the proposed shift to a federal form of government.“At present there are four groups going around the country giving talks in schools, academe and civilians, explaining what federalism is all about. So that if there will be a voting, whether they accept it or not, they will understand what the federal system is,” Sueno said in his speech during the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Local Government Code (LGC) of 1991.Sueno and over 300 local officials gathered in Pasay City last week to mark the 25-year “journey” of the Local Government Code, decentralization and devolution.The DILG chief said he is pleased with the support shown by local chief executives to the proposed move to federalism.He said one of the benefits that local government units (LGUs) will reap from a federal form of government is fiscal autonomy.“They are really supportive sa federal system of government kasi mas malaki na ang authority nila dahil talagang autonomous na sila (because they will have expanded authority and they will be autonomous). At saka sa revenues malaki na ang pera na maiiwan sa kanila at saka may kumpetisyon na sa bawat isa sa kanila tulad sa US na may competition between and among states to attract investors. Ganun din sa China, ang mga provinces patuloy na lumalaki (They will have bigger funds and they can compete with other LGUs just like in the US where there is competition between states to attract investors. It’s also like that in China),” Sueno said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/dilg-steps-info-drive-federalism-2/294962/
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We’ll ‘win’ vs stolen wealth charges
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['Nelson Badilla']
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2018-01-18 18:25:33+00:00
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Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos on Thursday said the Marcos family is determined to put an end to all the ill-gotten wealth cases against them.After her speech at a meeting of the Rotary Club of Manila in Makati City, the governor said, “We want a closure on all the cases without exemptions pending in all courts” in the country.Marcos added that all Filipinos, including anti-Marcos groups, “must move on.”Ferdinand Marcos, her father, bowed out of Malacañang in February 1986 after he was booted out from the presidency by a popular uprising.A few months later, charges of ill-gotten wealth and human rights violations against him were filed in courts in the Philippines and the United States.Until today, the ill-gotten wealth cases have not been decisively resolved.When asked what she meant by closure of all cases against her family, the governor—who is reportedly eyeing a Senate seat in the 2019 elections—told reporters that the Marcos family “is determined to fight the cases in all courts in the country.”She said the Marcoses strongly believe that “by the end of the day, her family will win” because there are no sufficient proofs that her father robbed government coffers during his martial rule from 1972 to 1986.Ferdinand Marcos first became president in 1965 against President Diosdado Macapagal and he was reelected in 1969.He placed the entire country under martial law in 1972.His daughter Imee also told reporters that “the millennials do not know the truth” about her father’s presidency, thus “the country must move on.”
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/well-win-vs-stolen-wealth-charges/375104/
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DoH reports 171 more cases of ‘cracker injuries
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['Kenneth Hare Hernandez']
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2018-01-02 23:01:15+00:00
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The Department of Health (DoH)-Epidemiology Bureau has recorded an additional 171 firecracker-related injuries, bringing the total to 362 cases since the start of the surveillance period on December 21, 2017 to January 2.Out of the 362 cases recorded in sentinel hospitals, 201 came from Metro Manila.Of the 201, 97 cases came from Manila; 23 cases from Quezon City; 14 from Pasig City; Caloocan City and Marikina City with 12 each; Mandaluyong City with 11 cases; Las Piñas City, 6 cases; and other municipalities with 16.The Ilocos Region recorded 35 cases; Calabarzon, 34; Western Visayas, 27; Bicol Region, 15; and Central Visayas, 13.Calabarzon is made up of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.These cases under the surveillance period are 57 percent lower than the five-year average from 2012 to 2016.At press time, there have been no recorded deaths and fireworks ingestion.One stray-bullet case was recorded in Caloocan, according to the Philippine National Police.Majority or 79 percent of the cases of firecracker injuries were males with ages ranging from 11 months to 69 and with most of the cases involving boys of 13.Illegal firecracker “piccolo” remains as the top cause of the injuries, injuring 129.Other firecrackers used were “boga” and “five-star.”Majority or 300 of the cases involved blast injuries without need for amputation; 61 had eye injuries; and 12 were blast injuries with need for amputation.In June of last year, President Rodrigo Duterte issued Executive Order 28, which stipulates the use of firecrackers to be confined or limited only to community fireworks display areass to minimize risk of injuries and casualties.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/doh-reports-171-cases-cracker-injuries/371864/
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Programs to curb suicides launched
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['Micah Yvana M. Vardeleon']
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2016-11-12 21:40:24+00:00
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The Department of Health (DOH) has launched various programs in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Natasha Goulborn Foundation (NGF) to curb the number of suicides in the country.Among the programs launched by DOH in collaboration with NGF is the Hope Line project which established a call center that may be contacted by people contemplating suicide. The project was piloted in Cebu City.Jean Goulborn, founder of NGF, said responders would listen to callers for about ten to 25 minutes.Responders are trained to give advice depending on the gravity of their callers’ situation.People facing extreme situations are advised to seek consultation with specialists while those with mild cases are told to go to churches with counselors to seek advice.Guidance counselors from the University of Santo Tomas and the NGF have started to train youths from different dioceses in Metro Manila in peer counseling.The said youths will then train representatives from all schools in the country.Despite criticisms of the pilot project, Hope Line is set to be launched in other parts of the country.“There is no hundred percent or perfect program, yet [Hope Line] has helped many people,” Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial.“We will not back down because it is a very good program,” she added.Ubial also announced that the National Center for Mental Health, through its chief, Dr. Bernardino Vicente, has committed to the establishment of wellness center where activities promoting mental health could be hosted.Non-government organizations and the private sector can use the space for related exhibitions, including yoga and meditation demonstrations.The target launch for the center is three to four months, said Ubial.The initial capacity of the center is around 50 to 60 people a day, she said.In January, the DOH spearheaded a program in the Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan) region geared towards enhancing the emotional resilience of youths.Dubbed “Wellness Emotional Resilience for Filipino Youth,” the program involved an educational campaign that included topics on communication skills, interpersonal skills, family building, sexuality, building self-esteem, dealing with harassment and responsible usage of social media.A survey by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2010 among Filipino government workers in Metro Manila showed that ten percent were depressed or have experienced depression.Depression is the leading cause of suicides worldwide, taking around 800,000 lives every year.Vicente said females undergo more suicide attempts but males are more successful. He said only one of four suicide attempts of females is successful while males usually need just one attempt.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/programs-curb-suicides-launched/296189/
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Pinoys affected by Facebook attack
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['Catherine S. Valente']
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2018-09-30 00:15:55+00:00
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FILIPINOS were among the 50 million Facebook users affected by a massive hacking operation, the National Privacy Commission (NPC) said on Saturday.Privacy Commissioner Raymund Liboro however said it was not yet known how many Filipinos were affected by the data breach.“They have not determined yet how many Filipinos are affected and whether misuse of personal information had resulted from this breach,” he said.Liboro said the NPC has prescribed breach management procedures in place and expects Facebook to abide by these rules.“To protect themselves, all Facebook users must enable multi-factor authentication on all platforms, employ strong passwords, and practice good digital hygiene,” he said.“The NPC shall notify the public about developments and its actions on this matter,” the NPC official added.On Friday, Facebook said hackers stole digital login codes, allowing them to take over nearly 50 million user accounts in its worst security breach ever given the unprecedented level of potential accessThis prompted Facebook to reset the affected users’ access tokens and ask them to log back in to their accounts.Liboro said the NPC received informal notice from Facebook representatives about the incident “at 12:49 am off September 28.”“Facebook claims that the vulnerability affected around fifty million users, exposing personal data stored in their Facebook profiles,” he said.“The vulnerability was attributed to a combination of several programming errors in updates made in July 2017. As a result, malicious intruders were able to generate access tokens,” he added.The NPC official said the access tokens allowed the intruders to log into affected Facebook profiles as if they were the actual profile holders.“This means they had the ability to access data reserved for account holders even without having to enter the user’s password,” Liboro said.“This morning, the company has notified affected users of the incident. We have informed Facebook, however, that the notification it sent to individuals leaves much to be desired,” he said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/pinoys-affected-by-facebook-attack/446693/
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Diesel price up by 20 centavos
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['Aberon Voltaire Palaña']
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2017-02-13 22:25:05+00:00
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In separate advisories, Pilipinas Shell, Caltex, Eastern Petroleum, Seaoil, PTT Philippines, Phoenix Petroleum, Total, Unioil and Flying V on Monday announced that they will raise price of diesel by P0.20 per liter effective February 14, Tuesday.Pilipinas Shell, Caltex, Seaoil and Flying V will increase kerosene price by P0.10 per liter.The oil companies said they will implement the price changes at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, except Flying V that said it will effect the price adjustments earlier at 12 midnight.Department of Energy monitoring for Metro Manila as of January 31 showed that diesel prices ranged from P27.60 to P33.55 per liter with a common price of P30.65 per liter; gasoline from P38.80 to P48.90 with a common price of P47.08 per liter; and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in P11-kilogram cylinders from P471 to P690.Year-to-date adjustments are net increase of P1.54 per liter in gasoline and P1.10 per liter in diesel.LPG increased this month by P4.15 per kilogram.The latest price changes resulted from average price movements for the previous five trading days in the global market.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/diesel-price-20-centavos-2/312055/
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No more mayor’s, business permits for health clinics
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['Jing Villamente']
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2016-12-11 21:31:02+00:00
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A possible surge of business permit renewals and applications at the start of 2017 has prompted the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to remind local government units (LGUs) to observe the exemption of medical and dental clinics from mayor’s permit and business permit.In a memorandum circular, DILG Secretary Ismael Sueno advised all local chief executives (LCEs) that medical and dental practitioners are exempted from being subjected to any other national or local tax, license or fee, including the mayor’s permit or business permit, provided that concerned medical professionals pay the corresponding professional tax to the province or city where he/she practices his/her profession.He said the exemption of medical and dental professionals is in compliance with Section 139 (b) of the Local Government Code that provides, “Every person legally authorized to practice his profession shall pay the professional tax to the province where he practices his profession or where he maintains his principal office in case he practices his profession in several places: Provided, however, That such person who has paid the corresponding professional tax shall be entitled to practice his profession in any part of the Philippines without being subjected to any other national or local tax, license or fee for the practice of such profession.”In the same manner, an opinion from the Bureau of Local Government Finance states, “Medical clinics, as a direct consequence of the practice of such professions, cannot be imposed with a graduated tax on the premise that it is a business establishment offering to render professional service.”Sueno, however, pointed out that only those clinics that are used for the conduct of medical or dental check-ups are exempted, while those that have established shops for the purpose of generating income and are engaged in the sale of products may be required by LGUs to secure the mayor’s permit or business permit.Such products include medicines, in the case of medical clinics; glasses in the case of optometric clinics; and toothpaste, toothbrush or other products in the case of dental clinics.The DILG secretary also directed all provincial governors, city and municipal mayors, DILG regional directors and the regional director of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to cause the widest dissemination of the memorandum circular to all LGUs within their respective jurisdictions.He stated that non-compliance with the memorandum-circular shall be dealt with in accordance with pertinent laws, rules and regulations.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/no-mayors-business-permits-health-clinics/301198/
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PH Navy to help rescue 3 Filipinos abducted in Libya
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['Roy Narra']
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2018-08-05 00:01:06+00:00
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The Philippine Navy will assist the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in planning and mounting a mission to rescue three Filipinos kidnapped in Libya.Commander Jonathan Zata, spokesman of the Philippine Navy, said liaison officer Captain Donn Miraflor has been instructed to coordinate with Boy Melicor, the Charge d’Affaires in Tripoli, Libya.Three Filipinos and one South Korean, whose identities have not been confirmed, were abducted by an unidentified armed group at a water project in the southeastern part of Libya on July 6.“Pursuant to the directive of the Commander in Chief, President Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippine Navy composed of Fleet-Marine component is planning for the appropriate force package as response to the kidnapping of three Filipinos along with one South Korean national in Libya,” Zata said in a statement.Duterte on Friday said that he was considering sending two frigates to Libya. He made the statement days after South Korea deployed a warship to rescue the victims.The President said he would decide on the matter during a joint command conference on Tuesday.He also said once the ship located the kidnappers, he would bomb the abductors if the hostages would not be released.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ph-navy-to-help-rescue-3-filipinos-abducted-in-libya/426688/
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Briones commits to improving basic education
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['Neil Alcober']
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2016-12-26 21:54:01+00:00
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THE Department of Education (DepEd) under the watch of Secretary Leonor Briones on Monday said it is committed to improving the country’s basic education system, as it promised an active, transparent, consultative, collaborative and corruption-free leadership.The Education department is also committed to responding to reasonable economic demands of teachers and non-teaching personnel, Briones added.“We will also continue existing cooperation with the private sector and communities, as well as with bilateral and multilateral institutions toward the fulfillment of our vision and agenda,” she said in her keynote speech during the recently held education summit at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City (Metro Manila).According to the DepEd chief, she will expand Adopt-A-School project and other partnerships.“Thus, we will continue the efforts to get our school-age children to school, and to keep them in school up to completion of basic education. But for those who are not reached by the formal basic education system, the Department of Education under my term is determined to intensify and expand our Alternative Learning Systems [ALS] for out-of-school children, youth and adults whom we are unable to reintegrate to formal education,” Briones said.“We will do this through better targeting of beneficiaries, broader coverage and prioritization of these programs by implementing units, partnerships and modalities that fit the circumstances of target learners,” she added.Briones said the ALS program will be one of the major legacies of the Duterte administration.The Education department, under orders from President Rodrigo Duterte, has strengthened and enriched further curricular reforms in connection with the government’s war on illegal drugs, promotion of reproductive health and mitigation of disasters, Briones said.“Specifically, we are strengthening the drug education component in Science and Health by providing real-life lessons via alternative learning methods, starting in Grade 4,” she added.“We are strengthening gender and development component of school curricula especially in relation to sex education and teenage pregnancy. We are giving emphasis to environmental awareness, disaster preparedness and climate-change adaptation and mitigation,” the DepEd chief said.Briones promised to continue implementation of the K-to-12 [Kindergarten to Grade 12] basic education curriculum.“I have committed to pursue the full implementation of K-to-12. The program is not about simply adding school years to basic education to be at par with international norm but more about the content and the intended outcomes in terms of upgrading education quality,” she said.“The program involves the overhaul of our basic education curriculum to make every learner ready for higher education or for work anywhere, equipped with 21st century skills comprising learning and innovation skills; information, media and technology skills; effective communications skills; and life and career skills,” the DepEd chief added.Of the 25 million students in basic education, 21 million are in public schools, Briones said.“You can imagine the massive education inputs that we need to deliver on account of overhauling the curriculum and adding to the years of schooling, in terms of constructing new classrooms, hiring and training of teachers and providing textbooks, learning materials, laboratories and computer packages,” she added.Briones noted that the Duterte administration has allotted a bigger budget for the Education department for the next school year.“The administration has given its immediate response by proposing an unprecedented 31 percent increase in the DepEd budget for 2017, from P433.5 billion to P569 billion,” she said, adding that the proposed appropriation is now closer to the 4 to 6 of Gross Domestic Product ideal appropriation indicated by international standards.“This belies any notion that this government is by any measure abandoning public basic education in favor of privatization,” Briones, a former national treasurer, said.The DepEd chief noted that there was a drastic improvement in the department’s absorptive capacity.“As of June 30, 2016, of the P30.3 billion adjusted allotment, P17.6 billion remained unobligated. For the 2016 appropriations, of the P79.3 billion allotment for MOOE [maintenance and other operating expenses] and capital outlay, P63.9 billion remained unobligated,” she said.Breaking freeBriones added that she is committed to put in place financial management reforms to ensure availability and timely delivery of infrastructure and learning resources both for formal and non-formal education.“We are introducing greater leadership supervision and oversight over finance, administration and procurement. We are setting up an education program monitoring and delivery unit to monitor budget execution and coordinate timely interventions when bottlenecks arise,” she said.“We will develop and establish a financial management information system able to track the status of the department’s budget releases real time. We are now in the thick of planning our 2017 activities with the objectives of breaking free from the ‘catch up’ of budget execution that has so far characterized the department’s performance budget,” Briones added.She said she is open to experimenting with new ideas and pathways to innovation in teaching delivery and content that can maximize the full potential learners, noting that a liberating education should not overlook the development of soft skills.“Not all students can be doctors, scientists, engineers or lawyers. We need to find ways to understand the disposition and interests of our learners, including being artistically inclined, or wanting to take up sports, and be able to offer avenues and teaching support to make those interests flourish,” Briones added.“In the current context of work that requires problem solving, working with people and communities, working in teams and working in different cultural settings, we need teachers who are able to teach and train our learners to effectively communicate, collaborate and adapt,” the DepEd chief explained.Briones said she is seeking to strengthen ties with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) to fully address problems of deteriorating quality education in the country.“To be frank, we have had limited interaction with our attached agencies in the few months that we have been in office. Let this summit start to change that, and find among us greater mutual relevance and reason for common work,” she added.“I will conclude by emphasizing the need for us in the education sector, especially the three lead agencies of DepEd, CHED and Tesda to coordinate better. It is abundantly clear that we face common challenges in society, economy and environment. None of us can meet these challenges alone,” the DepEd chief added.“Be it in providing pre-service and in-service education and training of our teachers, undertaking research and development, linking with the national and global economy, forging stronger ties with industry or working for common qualifications standards, and all these require us to work together and in a coherent manner,” Briones said.This year’s summit aims to define the medium and long-term education vision and agenda for the trifocal education system—basic education, technical-vocational education and tertiary education.The summit also tackled other issues such as linkage of education and the economy; human resource and management issues in education; understanding the condition and needs of learners to guide intervention; digital education and use of technology in the knowledge and information age; higher education as a force of social and cultural transformation; and higher education as accelerator of innovation and inclusive economic prosperity.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/briones-commits-improving-basic-education/303817/
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Students hit mandatory drug testing in schools
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['Neil Alcober']
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2017-08-08 22:09:42+00:00
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A militant student group on Tuesday opposed the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHEd) approval and impending implementation of mandatory drug testing for college students.“Academic freedom should not be about incriminating students. Drug testing should be non-mandatory, and it should not be a requirement for admission in schools,” Mark Vincent Lim, national spokesman for the National Union of Students of the Philippines, said.“We cannot allow the Duterte administration’s Oplan Tokhang to take place in schools. It will make students possible targets of the bloody war on drugs which has claimed the lives of thousands of suspected drug users, both from police operations and vigilante-style killings,” Lim added.The student leader said the government should review how it sees drug addiction as a problem, noting that drug dependents should be regarded not as criminals but as citizens needing medical care and rehabilitation.“If Duterte is serious in addressing the problem of drug addiction, he should destroy the foundation of poverty by taking a step for pro-people socio-economic reforms such as providing free education, social services, jobs and living wages.,” Lim added.The CHEd has approved Memorandum Order 64, Series of 2017, which allows higher education institutions to conduct mandatory drug testing of college students as well as student applicants.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/students-hit-mandatory-drug-testing-schools/343190/
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