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Ex-DOTC chief Abaya, 6 others charged over MRT-3 troubles
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['Maynila Dyaryo', 'Victorino Villaflor', 'Louie Cauilan']
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5/5/2017 0:00
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An anti-graft group filed yesterday corruption charges against former Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya over the alleged acquisition of defective Metro Rail Transit -3 (MRT-3) train coaches from China during the previous administration.Included in the charge sheet were former the head and members of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) bids and awards committee (BAC), namely; Perpetuo Lotilla, chairman and members Rene Limcaoco, Julianito Bucayan, Catherine Jennifer Gonzales, Roman Buenafe and Deo Leo Manalo, present director for operations of MRT-3.In filing the criminal case, Anti-Trapo Movement (ATM) of the Philippines chairman Leon Peralta said the respondents were charged with violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, for entering into an alleged anomalous contract with Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Co. of China.He said the contract was grossly disadvantages to the government because the delivered train coaches were incomplete and non-functional as evidenced by the continued non-deployment of the said coaches.For one, Peralta said the coaches are not equipped with signalling module to prevent collissions.He said Dalian allegedly failed to deliver what was required in the contract, thereby causing undue injury to the Filipino people and the government.“The non-operational Dalian-made coaches likewise resulted in the lost farebox (beepcard) revenues amounting to million of pesos,” Peralta added.He added that the “acts committed by the respondents are clearly within the ambit of the corrupt practices of public officers which are penalized under the anti-graft law.”Joining the ATM in filing the complaint were the Liga Ng Explosibong Pagbabago and the United Filipino Consumers and Commuters.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/05/05/ex-dotc-chief-abaya-6-others-charged-over-mrt-3-troubles/
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PH has 2nd lowest obesity rate in Asean
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['Kenneth Hare Hernandez']
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2017-07-11 20:29:35+00:00
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The Asia Roundtable on Food Innovation for Improved Nutrition (ARoFIIN) on Tuesday reported that the Philippines has the second lowest obesity and overweight prevalence compared to its regional neighbors in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).In a study commissioned by ARoFIIN through The Economist Intelligence Unit, the Philippines in 2014 recorded an obesity prevalence of 5.1 percent, with 23.6 percent of Filipino adults being overweight and with 24 percent increase between 2010 and 2014.The study noted that the Philippines was the fourth-highest spender for obesity-related problems, amounting to between four and eight percent of its health care spending.This amount was said to have been the result of a spike in incidence of related non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases and stroke, as well as an increased rate of absenteeism from work arising from illness and poor health.Among all sampled countries, the Philippines has been affected the worst in terms of reduction in productive years among obese males with eight to 12 years lost.Obese females were least affected with only 0.3 to 5 years lost.While obesity is recognized as a health issue in the country, the Philippines is more focused on addressing the problem of malnutrition, with an estimated seven million children who still experience hunger and malnutrition.Bruno Kistner, ARoFIIN secretary, said the public and private sectors should confer and discuss solutions to the growing obesity epidemic in the country.“We have no golden bullet yet, we don’t know what exactly the solution in the Philippines is, but we say as ARoFIIN say is that the public and the private sector should sit together and say what can we do together in order to establish actions and activities that fight obesity in the Philippines,” Kistner added.“Well, for example, if you look at the food industry, the food industry is a competitive environment, so they need to move, be flexible and adjust. For example, a lot of food companies now produce no-sugar products, there’s a huge food company [that has] actually now managed to reduce the sugar content in chocolate by 40 percent. They reduced portion sizes, they reduced fat, there’s quite a lot happening,” he saidThe report suggested that local governments should identify specific problem areas in which they can step in with initiatives to increase the level of physical activity.ARoFIIN is a public-private partnership set up to tackle issues related to obesity, malnutrition and non-communicable diseases.KENNETH HERNANDEZ
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ph-2nd-lowest-obesity-rate-asean/337843/
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Senate coco levy bill ‘unacceptable’
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2018-04-14 00:02:24+00:00
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The Senate version of the Coconut Levy Trust Fund bill, which abolished a panel that allows the bill’s farmer beneficiaries to manage at least P71 billion worth of assets, would repeat the thievery done to the farmers during martial law declared by then-President Ferdinand Marcos.Authors of the measure issued the warning in light of its second-reading approval in the Senate that deleted a provision creating the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Trust Fund Committee.The committee would include nine representatives from coconut farmers organizations “who have considerable experience, substantial members and reputable track records” and Cabinet secretaries from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Finance, Department of Trade and Industry, National Economic and Development Authority and the Philippine Coconut Authority.As provided under the House version, it is mandated to approve any allowable disbursement out of the trust fund and facilitate access by coconut farmers and their organizations from the most poverty-afflicted areas of the country to the services, programs and benefits implemented under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan.The coconut levy fund came from taxes collected from coconut farmers during the Marcos administration.It was supposedly earmarked for construction of projects designed for the benefit of coconut farmers but was used to buy a large percentage of the United Coconut Planters Bank by Marcos’ crony and San Miguel Corp. chief Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr.“The Senate version is unacceptable as the trust fund committee is the mechanism where primary stakeholders and beneficiaries are represented. Left to the sole discretion of the government, the fund would end up similar to what Marcos and his cronies did to the levy,” Rep. Tomasito Villarin of Akbayan party-list said in an interview with The Manila Times.“Gigisahin na naman nila ang maliliit na magniniyog sa sariling mantika [This set-up will toast the small-time coconut farmers]. We will fight it out in the bicameral conference committee to retain such provision,” Villarin added.Congressmen Teddy Baguilat of Ifugao, Ariel Casilao of Anakpawis party-list and Carlos Zarate of Bayan Muna party-list agreed, saying the bill is not only about granting the farmers the money that belongs to them in the first place but also respecting the farmers’ right to self determination and their desire to be accountable.“We will insist on the House version. The Senate version usurps that power and leaves the farmers’ money in the hands of bureaucrats,” Baguilat said in a text message to the The Manila Times.“The Senate version betrays the very intention of the Supreme Court [SC] ruling and betrays the sacrifices and struggle of the coconut farmers. This is a very anti-coconut farmers bill that should be strongly opposed,” Casilao said.He was referring to the 2014 Supreme Court ruling, which stated that P71 billion worth of coconut levy fund—used to purchase San Miguel Corporation during the Marcos years—is government-owned and such, should be used solely for the benefit of coconut farmers and for the development of the coconut industry.“The Senate version is far from the demand of the farmers for their money to be given back to them,” Casilao, whose party-list represents farmers, said.“We opposed the Senate version because it did not fully recognize that the coco levy [fund was] forcibly collected from the farmers, and, for justice to be served, the entire amount must be returned to them. Now, even worse, the Senate version even removed the token act [of having farmers in the Trust Fund Committee] provided by the House version,” Zarate said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/senate-coco-levy-bill-unacceptable/392399/
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Regulators urged: Revisit meat permit issuance
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['William Depasupil']
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2016-12-11 21:30:18+00:00
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Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon has called on the Department of Agriculture (DA) and other regulatory offices of the government to revisit their process of issuing importation permits to effectively combat rampant meat smuggling in the country, saying the bureau cannot do it alone.For decades, the local market has been flooded with cheap smuggled pork and poultry and agricultural products months before the Christmas season, depriving the government of millions of pesos in duties and taxes and putting local farmers at a disadvantage.“The government should look at different factors that would help protect hog raisers of the country and help them compete fairly with the products of other countries,” Faeldon said over the weekend in a speech before members of the National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc., an umbrella organization of 48 hog farmers associations all over the country.He explained that the regulatory agencies are responsible for issuing import permits, and that the role of the Customs bureau is only to assess and check the completeness of all the requirements issued by the agencies.Faeldon pointed out that the regulators should review and simplify their processing of import permits, saying difficulties in acquiring one lead importers to engage in technical smuggling.“These regulatory offices must then simplify requirements of importers to help us combat possible smuggling of meat products and other goods,” he said.Faeldon recommended to the Tariff Commission to either abolish the issuance of import permits for offal, the internal organs of butchered animals, or increase tariff rate from 5 percent to 40 percent.Earlier, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol cited a United Nations report that said bulk of imported meat products that had entered the country was misdeclared as offal.Offal carry only a 5 percent tariff, as compared to the 40 percent tariff for meat — resulting in a high number of smuggled frozen meat through misdeclaration of meat imports.“One way of stopping that [smuggling] is for our regulatory offices to work together in endorsing the position that the tariff for offal should be equal to meat tariff at 40 percent. I will strongly support this position,” Faeldon said.Rampant port smuggling, particularly during the so-called “ber” months, is attributed to high domestic demand for meat products.Pork smugglers make a lot of money because they get their products very cheap from the source, making it hard for local producers to compete.According to Faeldon, there are 54 regulatory offices that facilitate trade.“Only 6 percent of the importation process is under the control of Customs, and the rest are controlled by other regulatory offices. Customs is only responsible for the assessment and collection of revenue, cargo inspection and clearance and border protection,” he said.BOC players said Faeldon’s claim is only partly true because unabated corruption in the bureau is still the crux of the whole problem.“We do not disagree with the Commissioner’s position. But it is an open secret in Customs that if an importer or broker will deal in a straightforward manner, Customs people can always find loopholes to delay one’s shipment.” a Customs broker, who requested anonymity, told The Manila Times.“Money-wise, it will be better if we strike a deal with them to avoid delays in the release of our shipments. Ask any importer or broker, and they will tell you the same story,” the source said.WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/regulators-urged-revisit-meat-permit-issuance/301197/
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SC affirms junking of case vs alleged Marcos dummy
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2017-02-26 21:35:04+00:00
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THE Supreme Court (SC) has upheld a ruling of the Sandiganbayan junking a case of the Philippine government seeking to pin down a nephew of then-Energy Minister Geronimo Velasco Jr. as his alleged dummy.In a January 31, 2017 decision that was released only recently, the SC through Associate Justice Alfred Benjamin Caguioa, the SC denied a Presidential Commission on Good Government petition asking to reverse an anti-graft court verdict holding that there was no sufficient evidence to prove that Alfred de Borja acted as Velasco’s dummy.It was alleged that Velasco got millions of dollars in freight commissions as then chief of the Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC).Velasco, one of the defendants in the civil case, was the president and chairman of the board of directors of the PNOC.The case sought to recover ill-gotten assets allegedly amassed by the individual respondents, singly or collectively, during the administration of then-President Ferdinand Marcos.In its resolution dated July 31, 2008, the Sandiganbayan found that the evidence presented was insufficient to support a claim for damages against de Borja, thereby granting his demurrer to evidence until the case reached the High Court.The SC held that the Sandiganbayan did not commit a reversible error in its ruling.“In the face of the foregoing testimony, the insinuations of petitioner Republic [of the Philippines] in the instant petition can best be described as speculative, conjectural and inconclusive at best…,” it said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/sc-affirms-junking-case-vs-alleged-marcos-dummy/314311/
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No MRT 3 March 28 to April 1
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['Mary Gleefer F. Jalea']
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2018-03-17 00:02:04+00:00
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The Metro Rail Transit Line (MRT) 3 on Friday announced that it will have no operations from March 28 to April 1 to give way to maintenance work during Holy Week.“From Holy Wednesday, March 28, to Easter Sunday, April 1, operations will be temporarily suspended to give way to maintenance activities,” the MRT 3 said in a statement.Its normal operations will only be until Holy Tuesday, March 27, and will then resume on April 2, Monday.Early Thursday, a south-bound train unloaded some 200 passengers at Quezon Avenue because of electrical failure, the second unloading recorded in March.Citing information from MRT 3 and the Department of Transportation, a total of 36 train glitches had been recorded in 2018–25 in January and 11 in February.These included 25 passenger unloading–21 in January and four in February–because of “technical problems”.In 2017, 504 glitches over 255 days were reported, or an average of two glitches a day.The MRT 3 management has given assurance that after the Holy Week break, the number of running trains will likely increase from 10 to 15.The MRT 3 runs from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City, serving an average of 463,000 passengers a day.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/no-mrt-3-march-28-to-april-1/386598/
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Court junks Revilla’s bid for plunder case dismissal
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['Ma. Reina Leanne Tolentino']
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2017-02-23 22:25:41+00:00
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The Sandiganbayan’s First Division has thumbed down former Senator Ramon Revilla Jr.’s plea for the court to throw out the P224-million plunder case filed against him and several others in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel scam.The defense earlier filed a motion to quash as it argued that the charge sheet does not adequately inform Revilla of the nature and cause of the accusation against him.But in a nine-page resolution promulgated on Thursday, the court said in part that “the prosecution is correct in its observation that accused Revilla was duly informed, and that he is fully aware, of the nature and cause of the accusation against him as shown by his filing of a motion for judicial determination of probable cause, which was denied by the court, by his filing of a petition for bail, his active participation at the hearing thereof, including the presentation of his own evidence during the said hearing. He was never heard to complain about being deprived of such right until the recent filing of his motion to quash.”It pointed out that during the arraignment, Revilla answered in the affirmative when it asked him if he understood the charge against him.In asking the court to dismiss the case, the defense also said earlier that the charge sheet alleges that Revilla amassed ill-gotten wealth in the amount of P224.5 million through his supposed endorsement of non-government organizations allegedly run by respondent Janet Lim-Napoles.“That endorsement, however, is not among the overt or criminal acts described in Section 1(d) of [Republic Act or RA] 7080 which, if in a ‘combination or series,’ is the ‘heart of the Plunder Law,’” it argued.But the court was not convinced.Overt actsIt said the overt criminal acts alleged in the Information (charge sheet) are among those enumerated under RA 7080, the law that defines and punishes plunder.“The accused’s contention that it was his endorsement that was the overt criminal act alluded to in the Information is misleading. It was clear from the Information that the endorsement was part of the whole process, or as described in the Information, it was ‘under the following circumstances,’ of how the kickbacks or commissions were allegedly repeatedly received by accused-movant from Napoles or her representatives,” the court added.The defense also argued earlier that the charge sheet, “bereft of the ‘details’ required in Enrile vs. People, supra, to be provided in a Bill of Particulars, does not allege ‘facts’ constituting the offense of ‘plunder’ under RA 7080.”It was referring to the case of former Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile — who is facing a P172-million plunder charge in connection with the PDAF scam — wherein the Supreme Court (SC) granted his plea for a Bill of Particulars that required the prosecution to disclose detailed information on the charge.But the Sandiganbayan’s First Division said Revilla’s reliance in the case “is misplaced as the latter involved a motion for a Bill of Particulars.”“Verily, in Enrile, the [Supreme] Court did not find the information therein as defective which shall merit its quashal. Rather, the court ruled that the information did not sufficiently allege certain material facts and hence, ordered the prosecution to submit a Bill of Particulars,” the Sandiganbayan’s First Division said in part, adding that Revilla “has lost the opportunity to file a motion for a Bill of Particulars.”The court said Revilla “was arraigned on June 26, 2014 and did not file said motion. This court is thus constrained to deny the present motion to quash, which is unmistakably an afterthought and a feeble attempt to make up for a lost remedy.”It thus denied his motion to quash for lack of merit.Motion deniedAssociate Justice Efren de la Cruz, who leads the Sandiganbayan’s First Division, penned the ruling which was concurred in by Associate Justices Geraldine Faith Econg and Bernelito Fernandez.Also on Thursday, the court reset the trial of the case to March 30 because of the denial of the motion to quash and because of defense lawyer Estelito Mendoza’s manifestation that Revilla will file a motion for reconsideration.The defense has until March 10 to file the motion.The scheduled trial on Thursday was canceled also because of issues stemming from the parties’ comments on the draft pre-trial order, which issues will be settled through preliminary conferences on March 2 and 9.A pre-trial order contains the list of the number of hearing dates and witnesses as well as what issues are to be resolved during trial.Associate Justice Geraldine Faith Econg, who will oversee the preliminary conferences, told the parties to “be prepared for overtime” so that this would be finished.In an interview after the session adjourned, Revilla told reporters, “Delay na naman tayo. We have to wait for another month para magsimula ‘yung trial “[Delay again. We have to wait for another month for the trial to start].”Revilla is one of three former senators namely, Enrile and Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, whom the Office of the Ombudsman charged along with Napoles and several others in 2014 in connection with the PDAF scam.Estrada, who is facing a P183-million plunder case in connection with the PDAF scam, and Revilla are detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame in Quezon City while Enrile is out on bail after the SC granted his bail petition on humanitarian grounds.Napoles is serving a life sentence at the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City (Metro Manila) after a Makati City (Metro Manila) court found her guilty in the serious illegal detention case filed against her by pork scam witness Benhur Luy.Revilla was charged along with his former aide Richard Cambe as well as Napoles, her then-employee John Raymund de Asis and her nephew Ronald John Lim.De Asis and Lim remain at large.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/court-junks-revillas-bid-plunder-case-dismissal-2/313821/
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PNP share of China arms, ammo to beef up drug war
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-10-05 20:04:55+00:00
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Some of the donated firearms and ammunition turned over by Beijing to Manila on Thursday will be used by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the Duterte administration’s war on illegal drugs, according to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.In a news conference after the ceremonial turnover in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Lorenzana said it was President Rodrigo Duterte who ordered the distribution of the weapons and ammunition to the PNP.“If you remember, the [PNP] tried to buy 26,000 firearms from [dealers] in the United States but it has taken them too long to deliver, so we are lucky that the Chinese government [has] provided [us] firearms,” he explained.In November 2016, the US government halted delivery of firearms to the PNP, arguing that it would only be used in the war on illegal drugs that the US has been criticizing.About 3,000 assault rifles, 90 sniper scopes and three million rounds of ammunition worth $3.3 million or P168 million were donated by China.“It will all go to the PNP except 100 [of the guns that] were retained by the Armed Forces but the [sniper] scopes will also be retained by the military to be used for counter-terrorism,” Lorenzana said.The assault rifles and the ammunition will be distributed to the PNP and, according to him, they may also be used by the police for counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism and maritime security.AFP chief Gen. Eduardo Año said the PNP is in need of additional and especially long firearms and noted that sharing the donation will help the police “do the job.”The sniper scopes will be used in sniper rifles that are being used by government troops against the terrorist Maute Group in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, according to Año.Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua, in the same news conference, said the handover of the guns and ammunition signifies that China is “committed to be friendly and cooperative [in its relations] with the Philippines.”“Today’s delivery, handover of firearms and ammunition, is another demonstration of the commitment we have… [the Philippine and Chinese presidents] are vigorously promoting cooperation in almost [all] areas. One of the highlights is the good relationship that we have resumed between our two militaries,” Zhao added.“We’re now fighting terrorism together but we need to work together to enhance, to trust so that we can build a good cooperation between our militaries that will contribute to peace and stability in this region,” he said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/pnp-share-china-arms-ammo-beef-drug-war/354789/
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DAR vows to complete all land acquisition
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['Neil Alcober']
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2017-10-29 00:51:09+00:00
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THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) vowed to complete all land acquisition and distribution (LADs) targets such as certificate of land ownership awards (CLOAs) consisting of 48,000 hectares and subdivision of collective CLOAs totaling to 42,943 hectares.“With concerted efforts and effective coordination, we will do and can do it,” Agrarian Reform Secretary Rosalina Secretary Bistoyong, who is rallying DAR field implementers to concrete actions, said.With renewed commitments and bolstered faith, Bistoyong believes the DAR will now be on its toes to fulfill its mandate to emancipate the farmers and empower them to become a new breed of small landowners capable of improving their welfare.Targets on support services consisting of [farm] organizational and continuing capacity development of beneficiaries, provision of capital through socialized credit and micro finance; and transfer of technology, farm inputs and farm equipment distribution will be on high gear to make agrarian reform beneficiaries more productive in cultivating awarded lands.Agrarian Justice on Wheels will start rolling at the community to declog and fast tract resolution of agrarian cases.All these are important undertakings meant to stir DAR to a responsive agency of government, converging side by side with other Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program implementing agencies such as Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Justice and National Housing Authority to bring the farmers to a higher level of development.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/dar-vows-complete-land-acquisition/359390/
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147 workers from KSA home after amnesty
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['Benjie Vergara']
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2017-05-18 21:07:37+00:00
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Some 147 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who availed of a 90-day amnesty program offered by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia last March arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport via Philippine Airlines on Thursday.The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration said the repatriation of the workers including 12 children was part of the “Sagip Sundo ng Pangulo.”The 147 returnees were among the 5,000 OFWs who took the opportunity to come home after their “iqama” expired on March 19 and immediately availed of the Saudi government’s amnesty program to avoid harsh penalty.One of the OFWs identified as Sophia Fessehason, 33, a native of Jolo, Sulu, has five children from his husband, a Yemeni. She met him in Saudi Arabia in 2005. Her husband was killed in a car bombing when he returned to Yemen for a visit in 2014.Since then, Sophia’s sister, who is also working in Saudi Arabia, helped her raise her children. Despite being an illegitimate worker, she was able to get help from the Philippine Embassy to include her in the amnesty program.Sophia has decided to bring her children to Jolo because she cannot raise them alone without the help of her relatives in the province.At least 4,000 OFWs have registered for repatriation and are due to arrive within the next few days, one batch after another, according to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/147-workers-ksa-home-amnesty/327886/
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Fee refund for students in state schools sought
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2018-03-08 00:03:20+00:00
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The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) should refund students who were charged miscellaneous fees in states universities and colleges (SUCs) during the second semester of school year 2017-2018.The demand was made by Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino 4th who said students enroled in SUCs need not pay tuition and miscellaneous fees under Republic Act (RA) 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act,Under RA 10931, students enrolled in state universities and colleges do not have to pay tuition and other school fees at the start of the second semester of academic year 2017-2018.According to Aquino, the law, which was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on August 3, 2017, is now in effect and has an approved budget to support its programs.The senator noted the CHED’s inaction on the Senate’s call to implement the law, saying the commission should immediately implement free education in public universities and colleges and reimburse students for miscellaneous fees charged during the second semester.He cited Senate Resolution 620, which was unanimously adopted by the chamber on February 15, recommending that the Senate immediate enforce the law.The Senate’s adoption of the resolution came after newly-appointed CHED officer-in-charge Prospero de Vera said they were eyeing to fully implement free college education starting June 2018 for academic year 2018-2019, as the commission “is still in the process of finalizing the law’s implementing rules and regulations.”
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/fee-refund-for-students-in-state-schools-sought/384652/
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Customs foils marijuana shipments worth P120M
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['Benjie Vergara']
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2018-06-23 00:02:48+00:00
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The Bureau of Customs (BoC) intercepted five different shipments of dried marijuana leaves estimated at P120 million in a span of three weeks at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)The shipments, which came mostly from the United States and were bound for New Zealand, were seized from May 26 to June 19, 2018. The marijuana was concealed in DVD players, furniture, cereals and baby carriers.According to District Collector Carmelita Talusan, Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña has continuously giving directives to all port chiefs to protect the Philippine border against incoming illegal drugs.Talusan said that the NAIA team of examiners, NAIA-Customs anti-drug task force, Xray scanning operatives and all enforcement groups “are devoted to their duty and are in full support of the agency’s drive to strengthen their vigilance towards curbing the entry of such anti-social and prohibited goods.Talusan added that the seized marijuna would be presented on Monday, June 25.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/customs-foils-marijuana-shipments-worth-p120m/411283/
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Valid vote threshold sought by Robredo erroneous – Marcos
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2018-04-20 00:05:14+00:00
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Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo invoking on Thursday the 25 percent threshold for valid votes is “erroneous,” according to the spokesman for former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr.Marcos is contesting results of the May 2016 elections for Vice President, which then-congresswoman Robredo won over the former senator by more than 200,000 votes.The spokesman, lawyer Vic Rodriguez, also on Thursday explained that an election case was filed by Marcos against Robredo in June 2016 and “since then jurisdiction of the case has been with the Supreme Court [sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal] and no other as provided by Article 8 of the Constitution.”“Since it is the Rules of the [electoral tribunal] that shall apply, her invocation of the 25 percent threshold rule is erroneous as it was made by the Comelec only on September 6, 2016, four months after the elections,” Rodriguez said in a statement, referring to the Commission on Elections.The move, he added, “is an obvious ploy on the part of the Comelec, then led by Chairman Andres Bautista, to favor Robredo once revision process starts” for votes from the May 2016 polls, which Marcos said was marred with fraud perpetrated by the Robredo camp.Rodriguez said the Vice President “should stop accusing the [Presidential Electoral Tribunal] of systematically reducing her votes and casting aspersions meant to debase [the tribunal’s] integrity.Robredo has personally asked the Supreme Court to immediately set the threshold of shaded ovals as valid votes at 25 percent, a limit that was set by the Comelec on Vote Counting Machines (VCMs) used in last year’s balloting.She made an urgent motion for reconsideration in response to a Supreme Court (SC) ruling junking her earlier motion to set the threshold for valid votes at 25 percent and instead keeping the 50 percent threshold used in the 2010 elections.In denying Robredo’s earlier motion, the SC said it was not aware of any Comelec resolution that the threshold should be 25 percent.The motion stemmed from an ongoing manual recount of the May 2016 votes from the provinces of Camarines Sur, Negros Oriental and Iloilo as sought by Marcos.Robredo argued that the SC was informed by the Comelec about such threshold because the poll body sent a September 2016 letter containing a Comelec resolution to then-Supreme Court Clerk of Court Felipa Anama.The resolution informed the SC that the 25 percent threshold will be used in the manual recount, specifically on shadings read by the VCMs.The Comelec’s letter was a response to a request made by the SC in August 2016 asking for guidelines of the poll body for such recount.“The Comelec’s September 2016 resolution on the use of 25 percent threshold gives the honorable tribunal the legal basis to impose a 25 percent threshold to determine whether the vote is valid. The [tribunal] was aware of the 25 percent threshold used by the Comelec during the 2016 elections,” Robredo’s appeal read.Among the Vice President’s supporters were former priest and Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio, a founder of Kaya Natin movement for good governance; running priest/activist Fr. Robert Reyes; former Chairman Etta Rosales of the Commission on Human Rights; Sister Mary John Mananzan; and Cristina Lim-Yuson, president and CEO of Museo Pambata.Robredo’s motion said using 50 percent as threshold for valid votes allows the head revisors or the people doing the manual recount to reject valid votes of the Vice President.Robredo vowed that she would fight Marcos’ protest.“Please join me in praying for the truth to come out. Let us pray that your voice, thru your votes, will be counted. Rest assured we will soldier on in this fight,” she said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/valid-vote-threshold-sought-by-robredo-erroneous-marcos/393589/
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VP urges comprehensive health program not just distribution of condoms
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['Lesjie Blue']
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18/01/2017 0:00
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Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo has taken the side of education and an informed choice on the issue of distributing condoms which can promote promiscuity among the youth.According to Robredo’s spokesperson, Georgina Hernandez, the Vice President believes that the distribution of condoms being pushed by the Department of Health (DOH) should be part of a “more comprehensive” health program.She reiterated that the health department’s plan to distribute condoms in public schools should be part of a bigger program in the implementation of the reproductive health law.“As she supports the administration’s family planning policy, she has long pushed for a holistic package, which includes education and informed choices,” said Hernandez.The DOH stood pat on its decision to distribute condoms to students despite criticisms from various groups, including the Catholic Church. It bared plans to give out condoms as part of its “business unusual” strategy amid the rising number of people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the country.Robredo noted that the accessibility to family planning methods is just one aspect.While she supports the administration’s family planning policy, the Vice President said the planned distribution of condoms to schools may do good, or not.“This can be good if it is part of a bigger program to educate people before these are given to them. But for me, if it is just for the sake of just giving out, that is dangerous,” Robredo said in an interview in Cebu City last weekend.The Vice President expressed concern that DOH’s condom distribution plan may promote the culture of promiscuity among the youth.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/01/18/vp-urges-comprehensive-health-program-not-just-distribution-of-condoms/
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Typhoon leaves 14 dead, 7 missing
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['Anthony Vargas']
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2016-10-21 21:46:10+00:00
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THE Philippine National Police-National Operation Center (PNP-NOC) on Friday reported at least 29 casualties from super Typhoon Lawin (international code name: Haima) that barreled through several provinces in Northern Luzon on Thursday.The PNP-NOC reports said that it has listed at least 14 persons killed by the typhoon said to be the strongest in the past three years, with seven missing and eight persons injured.The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Friday confirmed five additional deaths after the onslaught of super Typhoon Lawin (international code name: Haima).This will have brought to 13 the number of casualties since Lawin devastated several parts of Ilocos and Cagayan Valley regions, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and Central Luzon.The five reported deaths are from Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Abra and Isabela.The PNP–NOC report said that the Cordillera Region has the most number of deaths with eight recorded as of 7a.m. Friday followed by the Cagayan Valley Region with three deaths, while two people were killed in Central Luzon and one in the Ilocos Region.The PNP-NOC report said that at least six persons were reported missing in the Cordillera Region and one was missing in the Southern Tagalog Region due to the typhoon.It added that four persons were reported injured each in the Cordillera and Cagayan Valley Regions.The PNP-NOC reports also said that a total of 20, 746 families or 81,610 individuals were evacuated by the authorities due to the onslaught of Typhoon ‘Lawin’ with Cagayan Valley has the most number of evacuees recorded.The PNP-NOC Figures said that in Cagayan Valley a total of 11,536 families or a total of 47,299 individuals were evacuated, while in the Cordillera Region a total of 2,859 families or 11,160 individuals were evacuated.The PNP-NOC figures added that a total of 794 police personnel were deployed in which 405 of them are in the Cagayan Valley; 144 in the Ilocos Region; 216 in Central Luzon and 29 in the Cordillera.According to the NDRRMC, killed by landslides in the administrative region are Edgar Genese, 40; Jonie Borja, 35; John Carlos Hatap, 19; Joshua Hella, 19, Jessie Hella, 19; Jay-ar Chawagan, 15; and Jeramel Alfaro.Jefferson Soriano, mayor of Tuguegarao City (Cagayan), clarified also on Friday that there were only two injured persons in his area and there were no deaths as earlier reported.In a news briefing, Romina Marasigan, NDRRMC spokesman, said electric and telecommunication companies are restoring power and communication in affected areas.The biggest challenge, according to her, is in Cagayan, which was hardly hit by the typhoon but saw toppling of several power lines.The NDRRMC said a total of 13,297 families or 51,458 persons are being served inside and outside evacuation centers.At least 113 houses were damaged, of which six were destroyed, in Apayao, Mountain Province, Baguio City and Ifugao.As of Friday, a total of 65 barangay (villages) were reported flooded up to three feet in the provinces of Pangasinan and Pampanga.The NDRRMC said 42 road sections and four bridges in Ilocos and Cagayan Valley regions and CAR were reported not passable because of flooding and landslides.ANTHONY VARGAS AND
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/typhoon-leaves-14-dead-7-missing/292472/
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P300K shabu seized from teen in Tondo
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['Kimberly Malait']
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2018-08-29 00:03:11+00:00
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An estimated P300,000 worth shabu was confiscated from a 17-year-old suspect during a buy-bust conducted by the Manila Police District (MPD) in Tondo on Tuesday. The Raxabago-Tondo Police Station arrested the suspect, identified only as Kevin, along San Agustin Street in Tondo while he was handing over to a police poseur-buyer a pack of shabu. Chief Supt. Ronaldo Anduyan, MPD director, said an informer told the police that Kevin uses text messaging and online chatting applications in selling shabu. Kevin admitted to the police that he has been dealing illegal drugs since 2017 and gets his supplies from a person whose name is yet to be disclosed by the MPD. Seized from the suspect were 10 more large packs of shabu estimated at P300,000. A follow-up investigation was being conducted to arrest the supplier identified by Kevin while the police were confirming whether the arrested suspect was a member of a syndicate that uses minors as peddlers and couriers of illegal drugs across Manila.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/p300k-shabu-seized-from-teen-in-tondo/435601/
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Higher revenues, more charity services for PCSO
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-10-24 22:55:18+00:00
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The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has increased its revenue collections and widened its charity services to Filipinos especially those living in remote areas, General Manager Alexander Balutan said on Tuesday.“The PCSO is on the rise under the government of President Rodrigo Duterte because we have [improved] almost all aspects of our operations,” according to Balutan.“We have increased our revenues, [the number of] our branches, services and especially the number of beneficiaries since we assumed office under President Duterte,” he said.Balutan added that is the reason why officials and employees of the agency chose “PCSO on the Rise” as the theme of their anniversary celebration to be held at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City on October 26.“The PCSO is on the rise because our revenues are increasing, and so we were able to increase the allocation for our Individual Medical Assistance Program, which is the fund our branches use for the benefit of our countrymen,” he said.“We have also increased our number of branches to 60 so more Filipinos can benefit from our expanded gaming products, like the Small Town Lottery (STL),” the PCSO general manager added.He said the agency has also increased the number of its its assistance desks called “At-Source-ang-Processing” (ASAP) desks to 46 partner hospitals in several provinces to speed up the medical aid that the agency extends to patients.Under the Duterte administration, the PCSO increased its revenues after it expanded its STL operations to 92 Authorized Agent Corporations (80 are now operational) nationwide that now earn P1.5 billion a month.“The expansion of STL operations this year has helped us increase our revenues which benefit thousands of people seeking medical assistance from the PCSO,” Balutan noted.“The PCSO has proven its dedication in fulfilling its mandate of helping people who are in need,” he said.“We are able to raise our target revenues this year to P46.62 billion from P37 billion last year. We are hoping to reach that figure before the year ends,” Balutan added.“But we will not stop there,” PCSO Chairman Jose Jorge Corpuz said.“We will continue to make ways to improve our services even more and help more of our countrymen,” he added.Corpuz said he and other PCSO officials are looking forward to reporting the agency’s accomplishments during the advance anniversary celebration on Thursday.The celebration will begin with reading of anniversary messages from the PCSO top executives and will be followed by series of presentations.The anniversary program includes the recognition of this year PCSO employees awardees for Employees Service Award, including Top Performing Individual Lotto Agent Award, Top Performing Corporate Lotto Agent Award and Top Performing STL Authorized Agent Corporation Award.“There will be also testimonies from beneficiaries of PCSO’s medical services,” Balutan said.The PCSO has invited performers from the entertainment industry to sing and entertain the employees and guests during dinner.Invited were Michael Angelo Lobrin, Betong Sumaya and DJ Durano.Raffy Benavides, a songwriter and composer from Iloilo, will unveil the jingle that he composed for PCSO and for STL.Balutan said the Philippine Marine Combo will also be performing.A raffle will be held for employees and guests.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/higher-revenues-charity-services-pcso/358472/
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Go lauds PH athletes in Asian Games
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['The Manila Times']
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2018-09-01 00:02:52+00:00
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Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go welcomed some of the Philippine athletes who competed in the Asian Games as they arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), saying the country is proud of them.Go also assured the Philippine basketball team there was nothing to be ashamed of for failing in its bid to win a medal, as the team was only put together in one week.“I am very proud of them… We are very happy and, next week, they will probably go to Malacañang … to bewelcomed by the President [Rodrigo Duterte],” Go said in an interview on Tuesday at the NAIA.The top aide of the President said that medalists, including bronze winners would be welcome at the Palace.Team Philippines got four gold medals, one silver and 13 bronze medals. The gold medalists are Hidilyn Diaz for weightlifting, Margielyn Didal for skateboarding, Yuko Saso for golf, and Saso’s teammates Bianca Isabel Pagdangan and Lois Kaye Go for women’s golf-team event.The Philippines is also assured of another silver medal, this time in the Men’s Flyweight division as boxer Roger Ladon is scheduled to face Uzbekistani Jasurbek Latipov today.Go also congratulated the Philippine basketball team, saying, “We should be proud of our team because despite having been formed in a week’s time, they still gave their best. And I know our team has potential.”
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/go-lauds-ph-athletes-in-asian-games/436659/
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House hopeful budget impasse will be resolved
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2018-08-16 00:15:09+00:00
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AMID the resolute stance of the government’s economic managers to implement a cash-based budget system that the House of Representatives has opposed, the head of the Appropriations committee, Karlo Nograles, expressed hopes that the executive and lawmakers would find a solution to the budget impasse.Nograles said the House was keeping its “communication lines” open even if it stood pat on its position to revert to an obligations-based budget and “restore budget cuts” in critical social services.The lawmaker maintained that a cash-based budget system should not be implemented in 2019, an election year.“Maybe we can do this in 2020, but not 2019. Let the agencies first catch up with their spending,” he said.House Speaker Gloria Arroyo and Majority Leader Rolando Andaya, Jr. met with President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night to discuss the budget impasse.“A compromise has been reached with the DBM (Department of Budget and Management) so we can move forward. I can now suggest to the chairman [of the House Appropriations panel] that we continue the budget hearing,” Andaya said in a news conference on Wednesday.“We will move things around within the [proposed] budget. It (restored budget cuts) will be billions. The move was a gesture of cooperation,” he added.The DBM, he said, agreed that the obligated funds of agencies could be spent in one year and six months.“The President was receptive to the compromise. He had no objection,” Andaya said.The House postponed budget deliberations last week after lawmakers rejected the cash-based budget, which mandates agencies to spend all their obligated funds in a year or lose it.“There is light at the end of the tunnel. There is a need to institutionalize cash-based budgeting but at the same time, we will give meaning to the promises made by the President,” Andaya said. “We understand that a cash-based system is a step forward, but its speedy implementation takes time. We have to balance it. The budget should be demand-based, not supply based. We should fund what is demanded by the people.”CutsNograles and House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez of Quezon echoed Andaya’s position.“For example, the number of youth to be assisted by the Department of Labor has been slashed from 186,850 to 85,898; the number of college scholarships has been slashed from 433,466 to 315,228; the target number of classroom buildings has been slashed from 47,000 to 4,100; and the target number of sitios to be energized has been slashed from 1,817 to 775,” Nograles said in a television interview.He said that while lawmakers understood the logic behind adopting a cash-based budget, “it’s not yet time” to make the shift.“The budget is 95 pecent obligated; underutilization, not underspending, is the real issue,” he said, adding that it is too early to talk about a reenacted budget.“It is only August. When do we usually begin to talk about a reenacted budget? When it’s December. I’m still very hopeful that we can resolve this among us,” he said.Suarez meanwhile said it would be difficult to explain the budget cuts to the public.“How else would you explain that they imposed additional taxes on fuel and sugar sweetened beverages this year and yet we have less of vital social services next year? Who are the best people to know the situation on the ground? It is us local officials. Who bears the ire of the public if there is lack of social services? It is us elected officials. Not them Executive officials. The underspending of agencies is their problem, not us, regardless if there are elections or not,” Suarez said in a separate news conference.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/house-hopeful-budget-impasse-will-be-resolved/430860/
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Marawi delays visa-free entry to Taiwan
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2017-07-24 21:32:30+00:00
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Scheduled implementation of visa-free entry to Taiwan (Republic of China) in September might be postponed once again because of the Marawi crisis, among other reasons.In a statement, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines on Monday said it is addressing some administrative and inter-agency procedures and relevant mechanisms including the security check-list and would announce the actual date of the implementation once it completed the process.Taipei is “expected to announce in September the actual date for the implementation for the visa-free travel,” TECO added.It noted that the Marawi siege is a factors in the postponement.“We regard the Marawi siege as an isolated case and TECO has assured [Taiwanese] that the incident will not affect other areas, and that generally speaking, the Philippines is a safe and friendly country,” the office said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/marawi-delays-visa-free-entry-to-taiwan/340374/
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Show ‘delicadeza,’ quit now, ERC chief dared
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-08-08 00:41:02+00:00
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Suspended Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chairman Jose Vicente Salazar should show some delicadeza (sense of propriety) and resign his post already, Surigao del Sur (Second District) Rep. Johnny Pimentel said on Monday.“There’s no point in Mr. Salazar clinging like a leech to his post. He should get out pronto,” the chairman of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, added in a statement.“Mr. Salazar should save the ERC and himself from further embarrassment,” Pimentel said.Malacañang again suspended Salazar on August 3, this time for four months, after he was found guilty of insubordination.The disciplinary action came just as Salazar completed serving a prior 90-day preventive suspension from office.The Palace first temporarily barred Salazar from his post on May 2, to preclude him from influencing outcome of multiple administrative cases pending against him.Salazar was convicted of insubordination after he defied Malacañang’s designation of Commissioner Geronimo Santa Ana as officer-in-charge (OIC) of the energy watchdog.He designated his own OIC–Ronaldo Gomez–who was then chief of the ERC’s Mindanao Field Office.Amid allegations of corruption, Salazar went on a month-long leave in December last year, upon the advice of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.It was shortly before going on leave that Salazar named Gomez OIC.The ERC chairman is still facing administrative charges for alleged serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct, violations of the Government Procurement Act and violations of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.Salazar had been implicated in the allegedly anomalous ERC infomercial project that led to the November 9, 2016 suicide of lawyer Francisco Villa Jr., the former head of the commission’s Bids and Awards Committee.A previous inquiry by Pimentel’s committee uncovered two other alleged anomalies in Salazar’s office that involved the performance of crooked contracts in violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Government Procurement Act.The Pimentel panel established that Salazar, an appointee of then-President Benigno Aquino 3rd, also ordered the renovation of the ERC chairman’s conference room and obtained new pest control services for the commission, both without a competitive public bidding.Villa was ERC Director for Planning and Information Service when he shot himself in the head with his .38-caliber revolver inside his house in Parañaque City.He left three letters indicating he was under extreme duress from Salazar to endorse the rigged infomercial project contract with FatFree Inc.“My greatest fear in bids and awards committee is the AVP [audio-visual presentation] by Luis Morelos, which the chairman and CEO, Jose Vicente B. Salazar, chose through a rigged selection system. That will be a criminal act,” Villa wrote in one of his suicide notes.The ERC director, 54, is the son of late Ombudsman Francisco Villa Sr.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/show-delicadeza-quit-now-erc-chief-dared/343126/
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CSC conducts Civil Service Examination today
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['Mary Gleefer F. Jalea']
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2017-08-07 00:54:52+00:00
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~THE Civil Service Commission (CSC) will administer the Career Service Examination-Pen and Paper Test (PPT) to 242, 901 examinees this Monday in testing centers all over the country, with 208,757 (85.9 percent) taking the professional level and 34,144 or14.1 percent the sub-professional level. The CSC said the test conducted last March 12 resulted in an 11.42 percent passing rate with 25,090 out of 219,697 examinees nationwide hurdling the examination. The Civil Service Exam (CSE) is a general ability test that prepares the individual to enter government service and which does not cover the practice of profession under special laws. The sub-professional eligibles may be appointed to first level positions (clerical, trades, crafts and custodial service) while the professional eligibles may be appointed to second level positions (professional, technical and scientific up to division chief). The examination for both levels also includes general questions about the Philippine Constitution, Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, Peace and Human Rights Issues and Concepts and Environment Management and Protection. Passing rate for both test levels is 80 percent. Examinees who pass will be conferred career service eligibility, a basic requirement for appointment to professional and clerical government positions. Results will be released through the CSC website (www.csc.gov.ph) at least 41 days after the examination.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/csc-conducts-civil-service-examination-today/342894/
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Lawmakers want 50% discount on election ads
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['Ralph Villanueva']
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2017-12-22 21:12:04+00:00
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THE HOUSE of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill granting politicians 50 percent discount on advertisements during the election period.House Bill 6604, which replaced HB 4898 and HB 5922, will amend Section 11 of Republic Act 9006, or the Fair Election Act.“During the campaign period, media outlets shall provide registered political parties and bona fide candidates a discount of 50 percent for political propaganda on television, radio and print,” the bill read.The measure is authored by 24 lawmakers led by House Speaker and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez and the majority leader, Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas.According to the bill, the regulation of advertising rates will provide equal opportunity among qualified political candidates to avail of affordable political propaganda through the tri-media during the election period.Under the measure, it will be illegal for print, radio and television outlets to charge higher rates from registered parties and bona fide candidates, compared to regular advertisers.Before, politicians are entitled to 30 percent discount for television advertisements, 20 percent for radio advertisements and 10 percent for print advertisements over the average rates charged during the first three quarters of the calendar year preceding the elections.The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will be given the power to regulate rates of political propaganda and prevent media outlets from raising rates to more than the average rates charged to regular advertisers a year prior to the start of the campaign period.During the House Committee on Suffrage hearing on the matter, the lawmakers said some media outlets jack up their prices during the election period to make up for the losses in the discounts.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/lawmakers-want-50-discount-election-ads/370192/
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Robredo warns Duterte allies vs peddling lies, defying courts
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2017-06-13 22:12:23+00:00
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Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo has warned Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre 2nd and Congress against peddling falsehoods and defying courts, respectively, saying that it erodes public trust in government.Robredo made the warning in connection with Aguirre’s recent booboo wherein he falsely claimed that opposition lawmakers, namely Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino 4th, Antonio Trillanes 4th and Rep. Gary Alejano of Magdalo party-list were conspiring with the terrorist group Maute in attacking Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.“We have a Department of Justice who has said falsehoods. That is dangerous because the Department of Justice should be at the forefront of delivering justice. When he lies, people won’t trust government institutions,” Robredo told reporters in a chance interview in Batangas.Aguirre was apparently referring to a photo of Trillanes and Alejano in Iloilo International Airport in 2015.Aquino was in Marawi recently for a Go Negosyo event.“It is not his [Aguirre] credibility at stake. Its the credibility of the insitution,” Robredo said.Since then, Aguirre has apologized for his actions.The Vice President called on leaders of both the House of Representatives and the Senate not to take matters in their own hands by respecting the Constitution.“Our Constitution has enough provisions on separation of powers, checks and balances. But lately, there are a lot of instances when everybody challenges the power of somebody,” Robredo said.“We have heard a lot of people expressing defiance of the court,” she added.Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez of Davao del Norte and Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto 3rd earlier said they won’t comply with the Supreme Court if it orders Congress to convene in a joint session to discuss the merits or lack of them of President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law and suspension of the writ of habeas corpus (allowing warrantless arrests) in Mindanao because of terror attacks launched by the Maute Group in Marawi City.House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas of Ilocos Norte has said the House also won’t comply with the Court of Appeals ruling ordering the release of six Ilocos Norte officials accused by Fariñas of misusing P66 million in tobacco funds and giving evasive answers during a congressional inquiry.“If the government instrumentalities do not believe what is stated in the Constitution, that puts the country at risk because democracy is being challenged,” Robredo, a lawyer, said.“Given this situation, we need to have the resolve to work together in ensuring that democracy will be guarded and our institutions will stand up for protecting our rights,” she added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/robredo-warns-duterte-allies-vs-peddling-lies-defying-courts-2/332558/
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More filipinos deported from Malaysia
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['Dempsey Reyes']
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2017-03-09 22:18:29+00:00
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The number of Filipinos being deported from Sabah in Malaysia continues to rise, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Thursday.Social Welfare Attache to Malaysia Bernard Bonina said the Philippine government has been coordinating with different agencies and departments to assist the 7,000 Filipinos who had been deported from Malaysia.According to DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, the public and the government as well “should not ignore that the main reasons why Filipinos go to Sabah” are “economic in nature.”“There are many undocumented Filipinos in Sabah because they think that they are better off there than in the Philippines,” Taguiwalo said.“They believe that they have better livelihood opportunities in Sabah,” she added.The DSWD said many of the Filipinos deported have families in Sabah.Some of the deportees have a hard time finding employment in the Philippines because “they lack employable skills and have low educational attainment.”Besides, local government units (LGUs) in their area are unable to create community-based programs that would spell work for the deportees, according to the Social Welfare departrment.The DSWD said inability of Filipinos to come up with “most needed” documents such as birth certificates hinders their search for jobs.“Most deportees, too, do not have financial capacity to cover expenses to secure the documents they need to obtain a passport,” the department said.To assist the Filipino deportees, the DSWD has organized core teams of social workers for them.As of March 5, a total of 841 deportees had been served by the department.Government agencies, including the DSWD, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Health, Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine National Police, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, conduct orientations for the deportees upon their boarding of the ship bound for the Philippines.The DOH provides the deportees with medical services.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/filipinos-deported-malaysia/316361/
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Pinoys in Japan safe after strong quake
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['Michael Joe T. Delizo']
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2016-11-22 20:12:10+00:00
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NO Filipino was affected in a powerful earthquake off northeastern Japan near Fukushima prefecture on Tuesday morning, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.In a text message, Foreign Assistant Secretary and spokesman Charles Jose said Filipinos in Japan remain safe and the Philippine Embassy there continues to monitor the situation.“So far, there are no reports of any Filipino affected by the earthquake in Japan,” he added.Citing Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel Lopez, the spokesman said the Filipino who was earlier reported to be trapped under an automobile is unharmed and now safe.There are about 378,000 Filipinos working and living in Japan.The department has no estimate for Fukushima alone.The Japan Meteorological Agency put the quake at 7.4 magnitude, while the United States Geological Survey said it was 6.9 magnitude.The earthquake struck at a shallow depth of seven miles shortly before 6 a.m. (local time) in the Pacific off Fukushima.More than 100 aftershocks were recorded after the tremor.Residents were asked to evacuate and seek higher ground immediately, and some Filipinos may be among them, Jose said.In 2011, an earthquake and tsunami struck the same area, claiming over 18,000 human lives and destroying parts of the coastline, including a nuclear power plant whose subsequent meltdown contaminated its surroundings.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/pinoys-japan-safe-strong-quake/297829/
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‘Mocha can have alumni award, I can’t’
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['Aric John Sy Cua']
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2018-01-24 00:02:27+00:00
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Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin chose to return the government service award given to him by the University of Santo Tomas Alumni Association Inc. on Sunday, in protest of the association’s decision to give the same award to Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Esther Margaux “Mocha” Uson.Villarin and Uson, along with Sen. Joel Villanueva and Health Secretary Francisco Duque, were among 19 government officials awarded the Thomasian Award in Government Service during an alumni homecoming on Sunday.Uson supposedly was included in a last-minute decision by the alumni association.In a statement on Monday night, Villarin described it is “shameful and unpleasant” to accept an award when one’s actions go against UST’s values of “truth and charity.”“I am returning the Thomasian in Government Service Award given to me last January 21 by the UST Alumni Association because I refuse to buy into their recent justification for awarding Mocha Uson that one only needed to be a graduate of our Alma Mater, and be part of government,” he said in the statement.“If that were true, then all Thomasian civil servants should have also been given such an award,“ Villarin added.“Uson is a purveyor of fake news, an unrepentant violator of ethical standards in journalism and a free-flowing fountain of foul language and obscenity. Indeed, she has corrupted the values that Thomasians hold dear,” he said.Villarin joined the likes of former Health Secretary Carmencita Noriega-Reodica, who was awarded The Outstanding Thomasian Alumni by the University in 1997, and New York-based novelist Bino Realuyo, who was recognized by the UST High School during its 75th anniversary.The Akbayan representative initially accepted the award in good faith and was “humbled” by the gesture.“But awards should distinguish role models from the rest based on merit,” Villarin said. “Awards should stand for something but if they can’t mean anything, then they are nothing.”Reacting to the brouhaha, Uson on Monday night defended her Thomasian alumni award.On her Facebook page, she asked why people are deviating from other issues, such as the dengvaxia controversy and the funds coursed through the Disbursement Acceleration Program and allegedly given to Sen. Franklin Drilon by alleged pork barrel queen Janet Lim-Napoles.“[These people are already becoming laughable],” she wrote. “]They keep calling for press freedom but they are still free to express their thoughts and views. They even keep mentioning my award].”“[First of all, nothing was lost in the people’s purse for this award],” Uson later wrote.On Monday afternoon, Malacañang spokesman Harry Roque said they welcomed the award to Uson, adding that President Rodrigo Duterte made the right decision to appoint her to the government.UST journalism society president Patricia Lee Yanga hit back at Uson’s claims, saying she is very one-sidedThe UST Journalism Society issued a statement also on Monday, saying the award given to Uson was a “serious insult” to Thomasians in the government.“Uson, who has been using her blog to peddle inaccurate information, malign critics of the Duterte administration and discredit media practitioners who are performing their role as independent monitors of power, does not in any way represent the Thomasian core values of compassion, competence and commitment,” the statement read.The UST alumni association president on Tuesday said they will not take back the award given to Uson because “morality and uprightness” do not figure in the criteria for the award.In an interview over GMA7, Henry Tenedero said the association chooses its awardees based on two main criteria: a Thomasian graduate and in government service.Uson, Tenedero added, finished medical technology in 1998 in UST and entered the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery in 1999.In the TV interview, he said there was no political color in the award to Uson.Nevertheless, according to him, he is standing by their decision to give the award to Uson.He, however, said he is getting hurt form the bashing he has been receiving.WITH FRANCIS EARL A. CUETO
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/mocha-can-alumni-award-cant/376010/
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KEEP MAY 14 POLLS PEACEFUL – QC MAYOR
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['Jing Villamente']
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2018-05-13 00:05:43+00:00
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\SPEAKING during the inauguration of the four-story Ismael Mathay Sr. High School in Barangay Sangandaan, Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista urged the candidates from the city’s 142 barangays to commit to peaceful and orderly elections on May 14. “Set aside politics and bickering. “Lets unite for a peaceful election,” he said. Responding to the Mayor’s call, incumbent Sangandaan barangay chairman Rolando Quitorio and first kagawad Marivic Hefti joined hands as a gesture of their commitment for the orderly conduct of the elections. Earlier, barangay and SK candidates signed a peace covenant at QC Hall. Signatories to the covenant also included representatives from the QC Police District, Commission on Elections, Parish Pastoral Councilor for Responsible Voting, National Citizens Movement for Free Elections and the Department of Education-Quezon City.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/keep-may-14-polls-peaceful-qc-mayor/398432/
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Filipino envoy new dean of Hawaiian consular corps
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['Jaime Pilapil']
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2017-02-15 22:57:56+00:00
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A Filipino envoy was elected dean of the Consular Corps of Hawaii, the eighth Filipino to have been honored to serve the prestigious post.Philippine Consul General Gina Jamoralin took oath as the new Dean of the Consular Corps of Hawaii at the 46th Annual Consular Corps Inaugural Gala in front of more than 250 guests at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Honolulu on February 11.The event is considered as Honolulu’s most prestigious annual gala.Hawaii Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald and outgoing Corps Dean Admiral R.J. “Zap” Zlatoper, honorary consul of Slovenia, presided the inauguration ceremony for the corps’ officers for 2017.Other officers are Vice Dean Jan Rumi, Honorary Consul of Morocco and Bangladesh; Secretary Nina Hamre Fasi, Honorary Consul of Norway; Treasurer Annie Kaneshiro, Honorary Consular Agent of Tonga; Auditor Theres Ryf Desai, Honorary Consul of Switzerland; and Corps Historian Niklaus Schweizer, Dean Emeritus, Switzerland.Jamoralin said her installation as dean for 2017 is very timely and fitting, in view of the Philippines’ chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations this year.She expressed hope that during her one-year term, the Consular Corps of Hawaii could further promote people-to-people exchanges through business seminars and trade missions and enhanced cooperation between the corps and the local business chambers, advocate cultural exchanges and foster deeper relations among its members.Retired Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald Moon received the 2016 Distinguished Service Medal for his exemplary service to the corps and the State of Hawaii, as well as his contributions to international diplomacy. Honorary Consul and Vice Dean M. Jan Rumi received the 2016 Distinguished Service Award for his contributions in improving relations between nations.Hawaii’s cultural heritage was represented by bandmaster Clarke Bright and the Royal Hawaiian Band.The band played the national anthems of the United States, the Philippines and Slovenia, and provided cocktail hour musical entertainmentThe Consular Corps of Hawaii traces its history back to the 1824 meetings between American and British consular representatives.France became the third nation to have consular representation in 1837. Since its formal incorporation in 1952, seven Philippine consuls general have served as dean.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/filipino-envoy-new-dean-hawaiian-consular-corps/312475/
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LTFRB to accept applications of ride-sharers starting Feb 5
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['Reicelene Joy Ignacio']
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2018-01-20 00:04:35+00:00
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Acceptance of applications for franchise of transport network vehicle services (TNVS) will be opened on February 5, 2018, according to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.“With the memorandum circular we have already issued, it is effective February 3. It is a Saturday, so the start of acceptance of new TNVS applications will be on Monday, February 5,” LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra said in a news briefing held in the agency’s Main Office in Quezon City on Friday.Delgra added that through the circular, the moratorium suspending the acceptance for franchise applications of TNVS in 2016 is now “virtually lifted.”He said under the circular, the common base supply for TNVS in Metro Manila will be limited to 45,000, adding that this will not cause a shortage of TNVS on the roads.Currently there are around 30,113 applications recorded by the LTFRB starting January 2017 until January 24, 2018.Delgra said not all TNVS with franchises are always on the roads and the LTFRB wants to “push TNVS to stay on the roads longer.”The cap may also be lessened or increased in the future, according to him, and he explained that the LTFRB will conduct a review of the supply base every three months.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ltfrb-accept-applications-ride-sharers-starting-feb-5/376580/
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‘Sing’ for immunity, PNP tells drug lord
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['Anthony Vargas']
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2016-10-18 21:37:34+00:00
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THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said it wants to hear first what suspected drug lord Kerwin Espinosa has to say before entertaining proposals to grant him legal immunity so that he could testify against persons involved in the illegal drug trade.Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos, PNP spokesman, said in a news briefing that they have first to wait for recommendations from investigators or the PNP unit that is handling the case of Espinosa.Then, according to the spokesman, PNP chief and Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa will look into the recommendations.“[It is important to be able to get hold of the evidence against the suspect and weigh it],” Carlos said.Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre 2nd on Monday said he was open to giving legal immunity to Espinosa, son of detained Albuera (Leyte) Mayor Rolando Espinosa, under the Department of Justice’s Witness Protection Program depending on the quality of his testimony.The elder Espinosa earlier said his son has connections and even gave protection money to some government officials and police personnel.The mayor himself has been named by the PNP as a drug lord.Police also earlier filed complaints against Sen. Leila de Lima and a barangay kagawad (village councilman) before the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly receiving drug money from Kerwin, who was arrested in Abu Dhabi also on Monday.Carlos expressed hope that the younger Espinosa would finally disclose his connections in his illegal-drug operations.The PNP spokesman said Kerwin’s return might be delayed because the Ministry of Interior of the United Arab Emirates is still looking at his possible violations of the law there.Constancio Vingno Jr., Philippine ambassador to Abu Dhabi, said any violation of the law by the younger Espinosa would delay his deportation to the Philippines.Carlos said the PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Group and the ambassador are yet to talk with the suspected drug lord.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/sing-immunity-pnp-tells-drug-lord/291917/
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‘Draft charter addresses lack of foreign investments’
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2018-07-18 00:02:58+00:00
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THE draft federal constitution contains economic provisions that address lack of foreign investments especially in the regions, the Consultative Committee (ConCom) led by retired chief justice Reynato Puno said.The 22-man ConCom on July 9 transmitted to the Senate and the House of Representatives the proposed draft charter.The draft constitution allows Congress to “liberalize economic restrictions” in the following areas: lease of agricultural and reclaimed lands of the public domain; exploration, development and utilization of natural resources; operation of public utilities, subject to management control by Filipinos; educational institutions, subject to management control by Filipinos; and practice of professions, subject to reciprocity.“Ownership of land, however, remains exclusive to Filipino citizens,” said ConCom spokesman Ding Generoso.Under Section 13, Article 15 on national economy and patrimony provides that “no franchise, certificate, or any other form of authorization for the operation of a public utility shall be granted except to citizens of the Philippines or to corporations or associations organized under the laws of the Philippines, at least 60 percent of whose voting capital stocks are owned by such citizens; nor shall such franchise, certificate, or authorization be exclusive in character for a period longer than 25 years, renewable for another 25 years.”The participation of foreign investors in the governing body of any public utility enterprise shall be limited and proportionate to their voting capital.“Congress may, by law, change the voting capital requirement and period of the franchise under this section considering public welfare and national security, and for this purpose, such entities shall be managed by citizens of the Philip pines,” it added.Under Section 11, Article 15 of the proposed charter levels the business field by prohibiting monopolies and cartels, guarantees free and fair competition and prevents market manipulation, establishes the independent Competition Commission with broad and strong powers, and empowers the poor through assured representation in Congress and regional assemblies.The panel justified the need to shift to federalism, saying the unitary system has failed to address most of the nation’s problems due to overconcentration of powers in the national government.It said the 1987 charter failed to address the lack of development in most regions especially in Mindanao.The ConCom said the draft federal charter promotes “Bayanihan Federalism” where the federal government is strong to hold the nation together and where the regions are viable and sustainable.It adopts a federal-presidential system with a more representative legislature, strengthens constitutional commissions, establishes 16 federated regions and the Bangsamoro and Cordillera regions and ensures a permanent or indissoluble nation.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/draft-charter-addresses-lack-of-foreign-investments/420607/
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Most Chinese want Xi to be like Mao Zedong
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['Yolanda Santos']
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26/10/2016 0:00
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terminology that denotes the supremacy of a single leader.“General Secretary Xi Jinping’s special qualities as the leader of a great nation has won the heartfelt approval of a great majority of cadres,’’ the magazine wrote, adding that all sectors of society “greatly look forward’’ to Xi’s elevation.The report connected Xi to the legacies of Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping, China’s most powerful rulers of recent decades, who fundamentally changed the direction of the country.“It was Chairman Mao who made us stand up, otherwise we would have groped around longer in darkness,’’ it said, adding that Deng had made China rich.“Now China must ‘strengthen’, ordinary people see it clearly, and for this we must rely on Secretary Xi.’’The report came with 400 top party leaders convened in Beijing for a meeting known as the Sixth Plenum to discuss changes to party structure and discipline.Xi has sought to bend the party to his will since taking its helm in 2012, and has already taken control of more levers of power than any leader since Mao.Analysts have speculated that Xi could seek to stay in power beyond the traditional 10-year term. In Chinese politics the “core’’ denotes a degree of individual authority that is not constrained by term limits, Willy Lam, professor of politics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong told AFP.“The idea of a core would permit him to transcend retirement requirements,’’ said Lam. “This is of course a huge setback for political and institutional reform because this is very blatant building of a personality cult, a revival of the Maoist personality cult.’’Regional cadres began using the term “core’’ for Xi last December, but it then disappeared, suggesting it ran into opposition, he said. But now Xi’s allies are orchestrating a campaign to have the status conferred on him, Lam said.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2016/10/26/most-chinese-want-xi-to-be-like-mao-zedong/
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PMA holds entrance exam today
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-08-20 21:00:57+00:00
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THE Philippine Military Academy (PMA) administers its entrance examination for aspiring officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in 40 examination centers nationwide today.The PMA Entrance Exam (PMAEE) is the first stage in the selection process for cadetship in the country’s premier military school.Cadets enjoy a full government scholarship during their entire stay in the PMA.Upon earning a bachelor’s degree, they will be commissioned as second lieutenants and ensigns in the AFP.Today’s examination will measure applicants’ mental ability in Mathematics (Algebra and Geometry), English (Grammar and Reading Comprehension) and Abstract Reasoning (Verbal, Numerical Reasoning and Pattern Analysis).Pioneering batches of senior high school students under the K to 12 Basic Education Program who will have graduated before April 2018 are allowed to take the PMAEE.The academy particularly accepts Grade 12 and even college-level students who graduated from the 4th year High School of the old curriculum.Qualified applicants must be natural-born Filipino citizens, have a minimum height of 5 feet for both male and female, single and have never been married, physically fit and of good moral character, must have not committed any administrative or criminal case and should have been born between April 1, 1996 and April 1, 2001.Successful applicants would be officially received in the academy on April 1, 2018 and would be part of PMA Class of 2022.GLEE JALEA
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/pma-holds-entrance-exam-today/345745/
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BOC rid of erring brokers, importers
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['William Depasupil']
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2017-01-13 20:53:57+00:00
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THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) has started cleansing its list of more than 11,000 accredited importers and customs brokers of misfits and those who have repeatedly violated existing laws and the bureau’s policies and procedures as part of its continuing reform efforts.Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon on Friday ordered the suspension of the accreditation of about 100 Customs importers and brokers who are facing charges for violation of the Customs and Tariff Code of the Philippines, including misdeclaration and undervaluation, among other forms of technical smuggling for the July to December 2016 period.“This is just the beginning. We are still looking into the records of 11,000 others,” Faeldon said even as he assured erring brokers and importers of due process.According to him, those who were suspended have 30 days to appeal their cases and come out clean.All suspensions, revocations and cancellation of accreditation are under the jurisdiction of the Account Manageement Office (AMO), formerly known as the Interim Customs Accreditation Registration or I-CARE.Customs Administrative Order (CAO) No. 8-2007 and Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) 28-2007 state that the imported articles must be described in sufficient detail for proper valuation and tariff classification.Importers and brokers are responsible for enumerating details such as specific product description; make, model, variant and brand; and retail packaging or stock-keeping unit (SKU) in the import entries filed with the bureau.Section 3.5 of Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) 04-2014 states that “the existing accreditation of an importer or Customs broker may be suspended, revoked or cancelled” if there are violations of the ‘Sworn Undertaking’ to strictly abide with existing rules and regulations on the Statement of Full Description of Imported Articles covered by entry declarations.”Faeldon called on importers and brokers to strictly follow the bureau’s rules and policies, warning that he has zero tolerance for corruption and other shenanigans.“It’s either you help us in reforming the bureau or you stop transacting with the bureau,” the Customs chief said.Under CMO 04-2014, all importers and Customs brokers transacting with the BoC should apply for accreditation, except once-a-year importation; importation by parcel post or by informal entry; importation of the Philippine Government, its agencies and instrumentalities; and importation of foreign embassies, consulates, legations, agencies of other foreign governments and international organizations with diplomatic status and recognized by the government, like the Asian Development Bank and the World Health Organization.WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/boc-rid-erring-brokers-importers/306814/
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Sereno mum on car, impeachment issues
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2017-07-31 23:29:07+00:00
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Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno has kept silent on threats of impeachment against her and her acquisition of a bulletproof luxury car using taxpayers’ money.Theodore Te, chief of the Public Information Office of the Supreme Court (SC), on Monday said there is an appropriate time to comment on the two issues.“… there will be an appropriate time for comments on things like those. This is not that time,” Te told the media in a text message.He said “the media will be informed when it is the appropriate time.”It was discovered that Sereno had bought a P9-million bulletproof luxury vehicle and the cost was shouldered by the SC using the taxpayers’ money.Documents obtained by The Manila Times showed that as early as December 2016, Sereno asked theProcurement Planning Committee and the Bids and Awards Committee of the SC to provide her a bulletproof sports utility vehicle.The “Technical Specifications” and certificate of “Availability of Funds” of the documents also showed that the Chief Justice wanted a Toyota Land Cruiser.The Manila Times source said the vehicle has been delivered to Sereno and is used alternately with her Starex van (UIS 412).“Technical Specifications of the vehicle proposal for the official use of the Honorable Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno, Toyota Land Cruiser 200 4.5 L V8 A/T Premium [White Pearl],” the document read.|“Certificate of Availability of Funds dated November 25, 2016, in the amount of Five Million Two Hundred Sixty Three Thousand Eight Hundred Fifteen Pesos (P5,263,815) exclusive of vehicle bullet proofing,” it said.Procurement of the vehicle underwent a bidding process and it was bought only for P5,110,500.In her 2016 Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, she declared P24.249 million.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/sereno-mum-on-car-impeachment-issues-2/341718/
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Explain on plea to release psych test results, CJ told
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2017-09-19 22:22:08+00:00
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The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno to explain on a plea for the release of her psychiatric evaluation results.During Tuesday’s en banc deliberations, it gave Sereno five days to comment on the request filed by Lorenzo Gadon, a lawyer, for the release of such results.Gadon recently filed an impeachment complaint against the Chief Justice before the House of Representatives.His plea was denied by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), which is headed by Sereno.The JBC is constitutionally mandated to screen applicants for posts in the judiciary and those in the offices of the Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsman.It has also been ordered by the High Court to file its comment on the same request.Court sources said it was SC Justice Marvic Leonen who moved to give a chance to Sereno to file her comment on the issue and not to immediately release the results of her psychiatric tests.In a motion, Gadon said such tests were a mandatory requirement when Sereno in 2012 applied for Chief Justice, a post “imbued with great public interest” and must be declared a public record, contrary to the JBC’s position that results of the tests are confidential in nature.“Considering that the JBC is ‘under the supervision of the [SC],’ as expressly provided in Section 8 (1), Article VIII, of the 1987 Constitution, and the results of the psychological/psychiatric test[s] of Chief Justice Sereno are not covered by the confidentiality rule as they concern her very fitness to be and remain as Chief Justice, and thus imbued with great public interest, it is most respectfully prayed that this honorable court reverse or reconsider the disapproval by the JBC and order the immediate release of certified true copies of the results of the psychiatric tests of Chief Justice Sereno,” Gadon’s motion read.In an exclusive story of The Manila Times that was published on August 24, 2012–the very day that Sereno was appointed by then-President Benigno Aquino 3rd as Chief Justice, it was discovered that she got a “GRADE OF 4” in her psychiatric tests.Page 10 of the psychiatric report showed that Sereno had an IQ of “[109] Average.”“She projects a happy mood but has depressive markers too. There is a strong tendency to make decisions based on current mood, thus, outcome is highly subjective and self-righteous,” the report said.It added that Sereno “keeps a smiling face to project that she is happy” and that “she is dramatic and emotional, she appears energetic and all smiles and agreeable, but with religious preoccupation in almost all significant aspects of her life.”
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/explain-plea-release-psych-test-results-cj-told/351555/
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Oil firms cut diesel, gas prices
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['Jordeene Sheex Lagare']
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2018-07-24 00:02:49+00:00
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OIL companies reduced the prices of diesel and gasoline by P1 per liter and 70 centavos per liter, respectively.The cost of kerosene was cut by P1.25 per liter.Petro Gazz was the first to adjust its pump prices at 6 a.m. on Monday, followed by Eastern Petroleum at 12 noon.Seaoil implemented its price adjustment at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, followed by Caltex, Phoenix Petroleum, Pilipinas Shell, and PTT Philippines at 6 a.m.Last week, the price of diesel went down by 15 centavos per liter, but the price of gasoline increased by 30 centavos per liter. No adjustment was made in the price of kerosene.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/oil-firms-cut-diesel-gas-prices-2/422628/
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8 NABBED FOR robbing robin padilla’s aunt
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['Elshamae Robles']
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2017-07-01 00:21:32+00:00
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Police arrested eight suspects who allegedly took P3-M worth of cash and valuables on Tuesday from the house of Pilar Padilla Brooks in June St. Congressional Village, Barangay Bahay Toro, Quezon City. Brooks, 90, is the widowed aunt of actor Robin Padilla, Quezon City Police District Chief Supt. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar identified the suspects as Jenifer Palomo, 33; Judy Sedrome, 34; Noel Avila, 36; Paul Michael Restoso, 36; Lony Espenilla, Julie Ann Acienda, Jean Anthony Cabrera and Jay Marc Anthony Bantilan. The police report showed that the mastermind behind the theft was Jenifer Palomo who has been working as a housemaid to Brooks for three years. Authorities found out that while Brook was staying in the US last June 27, Palomo stole some of the victim’s belongings. She later told Brook that masked robbers broke into the house. But Senior Insp. Alan dela Cruz said that a cctv footage from one of the victim’s neighbor showed otherwise. The suspects are facing charges of robbery and qualified theft.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/8-nabbed-robbing-robin-padillas-aunt/335824/
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More than 1,000 posts remain vacant
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2018-08-22 00:08:12+00:00
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The Office of the Ombudsman needs more investigators to help prosecute crooks in government.Based on the briefer on the Office of the Ombudsman’s proposed P2.8-billion budget for 2019 prepared by the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department, 1,059 positions were unfilled in 2018, or 46.1 percent of the total authorized positions.“The same number is expected for 2019,” the briefer added.The Ombudsman and his or her deputies are mandated to act promptly on complaints “filed in any form or manner against officers or employees of the government, or of any subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, and enforce their administrative, civil and criminal liability in every case where the evidence warrants in order to promote efficient service by the government to the people.”The Ombudsman can also investigate and prosecute on its own or on complaint by any person, “any act or omission of any public officer or employee, office or agency, when such act or omission appears to be illegal, unjust, improper or inefficient.”Of the P2.8-billion proposed budget, 85.2 percent or P2.64 billion will be allotted for the salaries of employees.The Ombudsman’s budget for maintenance and other operating expenses is P426 million.Rep. Sherwin Tugna of Citizens Battle Against Corruption party-list said the recent signing by President Rodrigo Duterte of the Ombudsman Retirement Law that he authored should entice lawyers to join the Ombudsman.Under the new law, the Ombudsman will enjoy the same retirement and other benefits as those provided to the presiding justice of the Court of Appeals.The Ombudsman’s deputies and the special prosecutor will be entitled to the same benefits as those of an associate justice of the Court of Appeals. All other officials and employees of the Office of the Ombudsman will be eligible for the same retirement and other benefits as those of the judges in the lower courts with the same salary grades.The Ombudsman Retirement Law, however, bans an Ombudsman official or employee who assumes an elective position in government from receiving monthly pension or any of the allowances upon his or her assumption of office as an elected official.Likewise, the law will not cover Ombudsman officials or employee who will appear as counsel before any judicial or quasi-judicial agency in any civil case wherein the government or any agency is an adverse party, or in any criminal case wherein any government official or employee is accused of an offense related to their office, or in any administrative proceeding to maintain an interest adverse to the government.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/more-than-1000-posts-remain-vacant/433231/
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OFW ID to undergo 3-month pilot run
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['William Depasupil']
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2017-07-14 21:33:39+00:00
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THE new Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE)-issued overseas Filipino worker (OFW) ID card will first undergo a three-month pilot run before Filipino migrant workers can use it as an automated overseas employment certificate, among other benefits.Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd on Friday explained that the pilot test is necessary to ensure a hassle-free use by qualified OFWs as soon as the DoLE is able to come up with guidelines on how to avail of the ID card.The OFW ID card is a major component of the Integrated Department of Labor and Employment (iDOLE) system.It will spare the OFWs from the trouble of going to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to secure his or her OEC before leaving for abroad.Launched on Wednesday, Bello described the iDOLE ID card as the “best gift” that President Rodrigo Duterte is giving to millions of OFWs for easy transactions with government and private agencies concerning their overseas employment.After the pilot run, the ID card will serve as the Travel Exit Clearance of OFWs for two years from the date of issuance and it will entitle them to travel tax and terminal fee exemptions.With the OFW ID card, the OFWs can also access government records electronically without the need to go to concerned government offices and as debit and an ATM card for the OFW Bank and as well as beep card for light rail systems in Metro Manila.Bello said the ID card, which is equipped with a QR code as security feature will be printed by the government, run APO Printing Unit, a highly-sensitive security printing services that also prints Philippine passports.According to the Labor chief, once the guidelines are out, the POEA will upload names of the duly registered OFWs to the DoLE cloud, then downloaded for printing.“All the unique ID cards will be delivered to them, whether they are in the Philippines or overseas,” Bello said.Also, OFWs can later log in and create an account in the iDOLE.ph or the iDOLE One-Stop Online Facility/Portal, which is currently being upgraded, for the OFWs to access their government records electronically without the need to go to concerned government offices prior to their deployment.“We have printed these unique ID cards and provided one to an OFW who works as event manager in New Zealand during the soft launching with President Duterte,” Bello said.“With the OFW ID card, our Bagong Bayani will no longer need to fall in line in transacting with government and private agencies for their overseas employment as they can now access the services online,” he added.The iDOLE system is aimed at linking databases of DoLE offices and agencies with other government agencies for a more reliable, updated and complete Labor Market Information System for employment facilitation purposes.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ofw-id-undergo-3-month-pilot-run/338377/
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4 teachers among 10 outstanding Pinoys
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['Neil Alcober']
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2018-09-09 00:08:01+00:00
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Four teachers were among the 10 Outstanding Filipinos honored by the Metrobank Foundation this year.They are Mary Jane Ramo, Master Teacher II of Tonggo Elementary School in Tudela, Misamis Occidental; Alma Janagap, Ed.D., Master Teacher II of Pavia National High School in Pavia, Iloilo; Aimee Marie Gragasin, Ph.D., Special Science Teacher V, Philippine Science High School in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya; and Carla Dimalanta, Ph.D., Professor X, University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City.Known as Misamis Occidental’s culture and environment heroine, Ramo focused her life’s work on the promotion of indigenous peoples’ (IP) education. She was dubbed as an “honorary Subanen” after her efforts brought back the locals’ self-worth and adoration for their native culture. She is also an advocate of environmental protection in her community.“Nothing compares to the happiness and fulfillment I feel every time I see young Subanen learners perform Subanen dances, wear their Subanen attire, and be proud of their own culture,” Ramo said.Janagap, Iloilo’s literacy crusader, chose to remain a teacher instead of applying for administrative and supervisory positions. She fostered a culture of reading in school, and held reading sessions for students struggling with regular academic load. Her Reading Clinic, which she equipped with books and multimedia materials, served as her legacy, and was replicated in various schools in Iloilo.“I will not trade being a teacher for anything else. Knowing that my students lead empowered lives anchored on moral values gives me real pride and joy,” she said.Gragasin is known as Nueva Vizcaya’s science education innovator. She pioneered the annual Summer Internship Program which gives junior students a preview of the research field, and exposes them to the realities and intricacies of science application in the country. She also devised a series of year-roundeducational sessions for her co-faculty members.“I have started to propagate a culture of science in the school and the community. It would also mean so much to my family, sealing in a stamp to our legacy of being a family of teachers,” she said.Meanwhile, Dimalanta is the only female Exploration geophysicist with a doctoral degree in the country.Her work delves in intensive information and education campaign, promoting the appreciation of this highly technical branch of science. Her work on climate change and disaster risk reduction was integrated into UP’s General Education courses.The other awardees include three soldiers and three police officers.Each received a cash prize of P1 million, a gold medallion, and a trophy during the awarding ceremony on Sept. 7.The awards were given by Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara, Associate Justice Noel Tijam, Metrobank Foundation Inc. President Aniceto Sobrepeña, Metrobank and Metrobank Foundation Inc. Chairman Arthur Ty, and Metrobank Foundation Inc. Trustee Sergio Cao.Education Secretary Leonor Briones lauded the teachers.“The triumph of our four awardees is the triumph of the 700,000 other teachers from all over the country who selflessly embrace the noble mission to nurture and raise holistically developed and lifelong learners,” she said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/4-teachers-among-10-outstanding-pinoys/439678/
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Thunderstorm till weekend – Pagasa
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['Jing Villamente']
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2017-06-28 22:00:23+00:00
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State weathermen on Wednesday said localized thunderstorm is forecast for Metro Manila and some parts of the country until the weekend.Such thunderstorm, according to them, signals the start of the rainy season.They said there is no possibility of a typhoon entering the country till the end of this month.“There were LPAs [low pressure areas] spotted sometime this month. Thunderstorms are seldom but this period [localized thunderstorms] will happen almost every day, usually in mid-afternoon,” weather forecaster Geraldyn Nilo of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.She added that July will bring in some typhoons that could cause flooding in low-lying areas.“The rainy season had already started last week but typhoons are expected next month as signalled by these local thunderstorms in the absence of weather disturbance,” Nilo said.Pagasa on Wednesday issued a thunderstorm advisory covering the cities of Quezon City, Parañaque, San Juan, Pasay, Makati, Manila and Mandaluyong in Metro Manila; Cavite; and Batangas.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/thunderstorm-till-weekend-pagasa/335366/
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Confiscated lumber from Caraga to be used in reconstructing Marawi
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['Rey David', 'Lucas Temoteo', 'Kwak Kwak Kwak', 'Berdugo Katapang', 'Liwanag Para Sa Bayan', 'Simon Antonio', 'Parasa Bayan']
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22/10/2017 0:00
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Some 401,000 board feet of lumber from Caraga region will be transported to Marawi City to be used in the rehabilitation and reconstruction program of the newly liberated city.The lumber was part of those seized from illegal logging operators in various parts of Caraga region.The regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR 13) is only awaiting the “green light” from Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu for the dispatch.Various provincial and community environment and natural resources offices are ready to extend more donations to Marawi City, from the confiscated forest products in their illegal logging operations drive in their respective areas.“These lumbers are of good quality and a big number of Marawi City siege victims can benefit from these,” a DENR 13 official said.These initial forest products from various parts in Caraga region are now being transported by the DENR officials and personnel at the Nasipit International Seaport in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte for loading to a vessel that will sail to Marawi City.The DENR 13 is only waiting for the signature of the deed of donation and order of Sec. Cimatu.DENR 13 Regional Director Charlie Fabre is also awaiting orders from the DENR secretary for the disposition of other seized forest products now temporarily deposited in various designated depository areas in the region.During the first five months of 2017, the DENR Enforcement Division under Modesto Lagumbay Jr. has apprehended and confiscated 1,824,098.4 bd. ft. of illegal forest products in the five provinces of Caraga Region. The total value of these confiscated illegal forest products is P7,386,576.76.Agusan del Sur registered the most number of apprehended and seized illegal forest products with a total of 732,549 bd.ft. lumber products and 2,100 cubic meters (7,494 pieces) cut logs valued at P3,331,821.66.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/10/22/confiscated-lumber-from-caraga-to-be-used-in-reconstructing-marawi/
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Balangiga bells home soon
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2018-11-16 00:05:08+00:00
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AFTER 117 years, all three bells taken by American troops from Balangiga in Eastern Samar will soon be home, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Thursday.The United States government, through Defense Secretary James Mattis, announced the return of the historic bells during the Veterans Remembrance Ceremony at the Warren Air Force in Wyoming. Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez attended the event.“In returning the Bells of Balangiga to our ally and our friend – the Philippines – we pick up our generation’s responsibility to deepen the respect between our peoples,” Mattis said. “Ambassador [Romualdez], bear these bells home, back to their Catholic Church, confident that America’s ironclad alliance with the Philippines is stronger than ever.”“This is a great day for the US-Philippine relationship as friends, partners, and allies,” said US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim. “I can think of no clearer affirmation of the United States’ commitment to the Philippines than the return of the Balangiga Bells. To all those who have worked to make this day happen, thank you!”The Balangiga Bells have deep significance for many people in the US and the Philippines. On August 9, Mattis notified Congress that the Department of Defense intended to return the Balangiga Bells to the Philippines. The decision followed a long consultative process with associated veterans’ organizations and government officials to ensure appropriate steps are taken to preserve the history associated with the bells.Though no date has been set for the bells’ return, Mattis said the US is committed to returning the bells safely without unnecessary delay.Romualdez thanked Mattis and the US “for bringing this thing to a final close.”He said the bells will be brought to a facility in Philadelphia before being shipped to (South) Korea where the other bell is located.“Hopefully, before the end of the year, we should expect all three bells from Balangiga back in the Philippines,” Romualdez said.Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel said the return of the bells would continue the process of “historical and diplomatic healing between the Philippines and the US.”“The bells’ return is a timely and significant gesture that can only lead to the further mending and strengthening of relations between two traditional allies. This signifies a closure and a new beginning between our two countries,” he said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/balangiga-bells-home-soon/468201/
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House panel eyes Road Board abolition
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2018-05-13 21:19:53+00:00
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The House Good Government and Public Accountability panel is keen on abolishing the Road Board, claiming there was rampant misuse of its funding.Rep. Johnny Pimentel of Surigao del Sur, chairman of the House Good Government and Public Accountability panel, said in a statement on Sunday his committee would work double-time to pass House Bill 6236 filed by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez of Davao del Norte, which abolishes the Road Board by transferring its functions to the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Transportation.“Given these figures, I agree with the proposal for its abolition,” Pimentel said in a statement.Alvarez’s measure states that based on Commission on Audit records, P1.6 billion of Road Board funding was tainted with irregularities, and that there was a discrepancy of P1.495 billion in road users’ taxes collected from 2001 to 2010 based on tallies declared of the Land Transportation Office and the Bureau of the Treasury.Alvarez’s bill also cited Commission on Audit records showing that P90.72 billion of the Road Board Fund was illegally utilized.“The Road Board is just another layer of bureaucracy which has become an avenue for graft and corruption,” Alvarez said in his proposal.The Road Board was formed under Republic Act 8794. It imposes a motor vehicle users’ charge on owners of all types of motor vehicles.The board is tasked to ensure prudent and efficient management and use of the special funds known as the Road Users’ Tax (or Road Fund)—earmarked exclusively for road maintenance and improvement of road drainage, installation of efficient traffic lights and road safety devices, and reducing air pollution.Under the law, the road users’ tax should be remitted to the National Treasury and appropriated to the proper government departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Transportation—agencies in charge of implementing road safety measures and projects.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/house-panel-eyes-road-board-abolition/398616/
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Ph Navy to receive 2 aircraft from Japan
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['Fernan Marasigan']
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2017-03-21 21:40:24+00:00
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THE Philippine Navy will formally receive next week two Beechcraft TC90 training aircraft from the Japan Ministry of Defense (JMOD), a Navy official disclosed on Tuesday.Capt. Lued Lincuna, Navy spokesman, said officials will receive the aircraft during a transfer ceremony on March 27 at the headquarters of the Naval Air Group, Naval Base Heracleo Alano, Sangley Point, Cavite City.The TC90 aircraft, according to Luncuna, are leased from the JMOD.They are expected to enhance the Navy’s capability in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations, limited transport and Maritime Domain Awareness including Maritime Air Surveillance and Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance.The whole project involves five TC90s.The remaining three units are expected to arrive in mid-2018, Lincuna said.Last year, Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) started training Philippine naval pilots to fly the aircraft.It was the first time that MSDF aircraft were leased to another country as Japan signified its intention to help the Philippines bolster its maritime patrol capabilities.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ph-navy-receive-2-aircraft-japan-2/318423/
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China agrees to support talks on code of conduct in South China Sea
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['Someone Pls Kill Duterte Now.']
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11/11/2017 0:00
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China has agreed to support talks on crafting the proposed code of conduct in the South China Sea, and reaffirmed its respect for freedom of navigation in the vital maritime route.Chinese President Xi Jinping relayed this message to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in a bilateral meeting in Da Nang, Vietnam, which was described as “frank” by Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque.The two leaders held bilateral talks on bilateral cooperation and other concerns at the end of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.“Dalawang punto ang napag-usapan ano ang mangyayari sa code of conduct. Ang sinagot ni President Xi ay nagkasundo na sa framework of code of conduct at ipagpapatuloy ang usapin at inaasahan niyang matatapos na ito (Two points were discussed. First, what will happen to the code of conduct. President Xi said there has been an agreement on the framework on the code of conduct, and the talks will continue. He expects the talks will be completed soon),” Roque said after the meeting between the two leaders.Heads of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China earlier adopted the framework for further negotiations on the code of conduct in the disputed South China Sea. Leaders from these nations are expected to announce the actual start of the negations during a regional summit this week.Duterte earlier said he intended to ask Xi to finally agree to the code of conduct to avoid conflict and ease tension in the South China Sea. He also wanted to raise the regional bloc’s “wary and worry” over China’s growing militarization in the disputed territories.Xi also assured Duterte that China does not object to the principle of freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, according to Roque.“Ang sabi ni Xi ay walang banta sa freedom of navigation naririyan yan. Wala silang pipigilin (Xi said there is no threat to freedom of navigation. It’s still there. They will not stop anyone),” Roque said.On the tension in the Korean peninsula, Roque said Xi pushed for a peaceful dialogue among concerned parties to resolve the conflict. He said Xi assured China does not want any escalation of the conflict in the area.“They are encouraging na magusap ang US at ang North Korea. Responsablemg bayan ang Tsina, member ng UN sec council at ipapatupad ang mga security council resolution [They are encouraging a dialogue between United States and North Korea. China is a responsible country, a member of the Security Council and will implement the Security Council resolutions],” he said.Roque said Xi also affirmed China’s strong relations with the Philippines would continue. He said China promised to continue to provide assistance and support to the Philippines.“Because of the new and strong relationship between China and the Philippines, economic, military, cultural and other ties will be ever stronger,” Roque said.Xi also commended Duterte’s leadership in the region, citing the “excellent” relations between China and the ASEAN. The Philippines will host the regional summit next week.Roque said Duterte also invited Xi to visit the Philippines during their meeting. The Chinese leader reciprocated the gesture by inviting Duterte to visit China again.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/11/11/china-agrees-to-support-talks-on-code-of-conduct-in-south-china-sea/
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Cayetano vows to plug holes in passport deal
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['Jaime Pilapil']
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2017-05-23 22:14:45+00:00
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Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano has vowed to uncover supposedly legal loopholes in the passport printing sub-contract between APO Productions Inc. and a private firm as soon he arrives from Russia next week.Cayetano, who joined President Rodrigo Duterte’ entourage to Russia last Monday, wants to know if there is overpricing in passport charges.At present, a passport will cost an applicant P950, plus P250 for overtime charges.Some say the cost should not be more than P650: booklet, P200; microchip, P100; ink and bookbinding, P100; and P250, overtime charges.Presidential Legal Adviser Salvador Panelo was quoted to have said that the sub-contract of APO Productions, a government-owned corporation, with United Graphics Expressions Corp. (UGEC) is illegal and invalid.APO Productions is an office directly under the Presidential Communications Operations Office.“I will talk to some Cabinet members and consult the legal team of the DFA [Department of Foreign Affairs]. I want to listen to them first and get their recommendations before I reveal my legal opinion,” Cayetano told reporters early this week.Despite the opinion of Panelo, the DFA did nothing to stop the passport printing deal with UGEC.Cayetano, however, does not want to compromise the 17,000 Filipinos applying for passport issuance on a daily basis.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/cayetano-vows-plug-holes-passport-deal/328826/
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Govt agencies, Bestlink blamed for Tanay tragedy
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['Reicelene Joy Ignacio']
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2017-03-14 21:51:53+00:00
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Government transportation agencies and authorities of a private school were at fault over a fatal bus crash that killed more than a dozen college students last month, Sen. Grace Poe said on Tuesday.Poe, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Services, added that the accident can be blamed primarily on the “system” that makes it hard to determine how old buses really are because of “cheating” in registering the vehicles.Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairman Martin Delgra said the Panda bus involved in the incident in Tanay, Rizal, was already 29 years old.Delgra added that the bus was registered in 2004 and manufactured in 1988.Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Ed Galvante said their agency’s licensing examinations are not updated but that they are “in the process of amending them.”Galvante added that the LTO needs P100 million to improve their inspection systems.Poe pointed out that the school–Bestlink–also failed to assign a teacher to accompany the students to a field trip to Tanay in line with a supposed requirement under the National Service Training Program.The school earlier said it was not aware that Harana Tours, which they had contracted for the field trip, sub-contracted the Panda bus involved in the accident.Poe proposed a National Transportation Safety Board, an independent body under the Office of the President, that, among others “will focus on clear-cut investigations of transport-related accidents.”Delgra said the LTFRB in cooperation with the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority will launch a Drivers’ Training Academy in April or May for training of public transport drivers, which the senator lauded.Meanwhile, Poe said delayed implementation of the law mandating speed limiter for public utility vehicles is putting the public at risk.She had leaned that drafting of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for Republic Act (RA) 10916 is yet to be completed.“I think [the immediate issuance of the IRR] is crucial. If we have this in place, at least we can make sure that there are [fewer] careless drivers on the road,” Poe said during a committee hearing.RA 10916 or the Speed Limiter Act lapsed into law on July 16, 2016 but the Department of Transportation, the agency responsible for coming up with the IRR, has not yet completed it.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/govt-agencies-bestlink-blamed-tanay-tragedy-2/317211/
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Oil firms hike prices anew
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['Jordeene Sheex Lagare']
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2018-09-18 00:01:31+00:00
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OIL companies again adjusted their pump prices on Tuesday, raising the cost of diesel by 15 centavos per liter, gasoline by 50 centavos per liter, and kerosene by 20 centavos per liter.Caltex, Eastern Petroleum, Flying V, Jetti Petroleum, Petro Gazz, Pilipinas Shell, PTT Philippines, Seaoil, and Total adjusted their prices at 6 a.m.The latest price adjustment brought the common price of diesel to P46.75 per liter, gasoline by P57.65 per liter, and kerosene by P48.52 per liter.Global crude prices rose amid the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) projection that it could move past the $80 a barrel level in the coming months as the market is entering “a very crucial period.”
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/oil-firms-hike-prices-anew-3/442555/
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PH exports fish to China
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['Jaime Pilapil']
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2017-04-30 01:57:42+00:00
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FUZHOU, Fujian, China: Some Philippine companies are now exporting varieties of fish to China, according to a China Asean Marine Product Exchange (Campe) that transacts online, delivers offline and settles cross-border trade.“We import milk fish from Philippines and one of these companies is Sinocom which is based in Manila,” said Campe General Manager Jian Zhou.Besides coming from Southeast Asian nations like Vietnan, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, marine products are also sourced from all over the world like the Indian Ocean, Jian said. The annual trade volume is about two million metric tons and annual value of trade is pegged at not less than 30 billion yuan. He said the marine products are mostly shipped to various areas within China.Chinese President Xi Jinping was once secretary of Fuzhou Municipal Party before he became Fujian governor. Campe was started only in 2013 but now handles 50 percent of marine trading in the world.Together with the establishment of Campe, a huge storage called Mandy Group handles cold chain logistics from ice-making, warehousing, processing, testing and processing of aquatic products.Some nine journalists from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines were invited by the Fujian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to tour the various companies in the province, especially those directly related to the Maritime Silk Route.The Silk Route was established during the early dynasties in China wherein spices from around the world were brought in to Chinese people in exchange of the vintage Chinese porcelain, among others.Fujian, with a 38.74-million population, is the starting point of ancient Maritime Silk Route more than 2,000 years ago. More than 60,000 seafarers now active in maritime are coming from this province. Fujian is located at the southeast coast of the China and is about one hour and 15 minutes from Hong Kong.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ph-exports-fish-china/324731/
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DoJ forms panel to probe Mighty
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2017-04-05 20:19:55+00:00
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The Department of Justice (DoJ) on Wednesday formed a panel of prosecutors that will look into a P9.564-billion tax evasion complaint filed against beleaguered cigarette manufacturer Mighty Corp.The move came after Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre 2nd tapped three fiscals who will conduct a preliminary investigation of the case.They are Senior Assistant State Prosecutors Sebastian Caponong, Ma. Lourdes Uy and Mary Ann Parong.According to the DoJ chief, the prosecutors will set the hearing that will try to find probable cause in the tax evasion case against Mighty Corp. officials.The tobacco firm has been charged over the unlawful act of using fake stamps on cigarette packs and evading payment of the tobacco excise tax.Once probable cause is determined, the criminal charges will be filed in courts.The whopping P9.564-billion tax complaint was filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue against the respondents: its president, retired Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan, who used to be deputy chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; retired trial court Judge Oscar Barrientos, executive vice president; Alexander Wong Chu King, assistant corporate secretary; and Ernesto Victa, treasurer,The bureau argued that their officers conducted an on-the-spot surveillance operation on suspected untaxed cigarette products in four of its leased warehouses inside San Simon Industrial Park (SSIP) in San Isidro, Pampanga, and found that Mighty had put fake tax stamps on their products.“In the presence of Bureau of Customs personnel, Philippine National Police officers, Mighty Corp. representatives, and barangay [village] officials, Internal Revenue stamps affixed on the cigarette packs were tested using the Taggant reader, a BIR-registered equipment used to test the authenticity of stamps affixed on cigarette packs,” the BIR said.In the course of the probe, it was discovered that the seals and stamps were fake.“The tests conducted showed that the stamps are fake or not authentic. The master cases containing the cigarettes with fake stamps were marked ‘Tested Fake’ and confiscated,” the BIR said.It added that the inventory of all cigarette products that were confiscated in the warehouses “showed that Mighty Corp. stored 66,281 master cases containing 33,140,500 packs of cigarettes.”It was further shown that 87.5 percent of the packs bore fake Internal Revenue stamps.Mighty also failed to produce official delivery receipts for the subject warehouses, which meant that the products stored there did not come from its Tikay, Malolos City (Bulacan) manufacturing plant.“It should be noted that the warehouses in SSIP are not registered with the BIR as certified by the Excise Large Taxpayer Regulatory Division. Thus, Mighty Corp. cannot legally remove these pack of cigarettes from their only plant in Tikay, Bulacan for delivery to the said unregistered warehouses,” the BIR said.Mighty Corp. became controversial after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the arrest of its owner over allegations of attempted bribery of the President and the use of counterfeit tax stamps in its cigarette packs.It is the manufacturer of Mighty Menthol 100’s Hard Pack; Mighty Menthol 100’s; Mighty Full Flavor King Size (red); Marvel’s Menthol 100’s; Marvel’s Menthol Hard Pack; and Marvel Menthol 100’s (green).JOMAR CANLAS
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/doj-forms-panel-probe-mighty/321200/
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DFA opens 7 overseas voter registration centers
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-10-29 20:19:33+00:00
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THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has advised Filipino citizens who would be abroad during the 2019 mid-term elections to register as overseas voter for them to qualify to vote even if they are not in the Philippines.The announcement came as the DFA started the operation of seven overseas voter registration centers in Metro Manila.Among those who may register are overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), immigrants, seafarers and students who are about to leave for abroad, and who are not yet registered as overseas voters.“All Filipino citizens who expect to be abroad from 13 April-13 May 2019 during the overseas voting period for the 2019 elections, at least 18 years old on 13 May 2019, and not otherwise disqualified by law, may register as an overseas voter,” the DFA announcement said.Those who want to register can go to the DFA Satellite Offices at Robinson’s Galleria and SM Manila and Alabang Town Center; Commission on Filipinos Overseas, 1345 President Quirino Avenue and Osmeña Highway, Manila; OWWA Training Center, Victoria and Solana Streets, Intramuros, Manila; Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), EDSA and Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City; and Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), Parkview Plaza, Taft Avenue and T.M. Kalaw Street, Manila.The registration will last until September 30, 2018.During the 2016 national and local elections, the Commission on Elections recorded a total of 1,376,067 overseas Filipino voters, a number that almost doubled the 2013 figure of 737,759.Of the 2016 overseas voter figure, 1,326,728 were land-based voters and 49,339 were seafarers.Most of the registrants were from the Middle East and Africa with a total of 593,834; followed by the Asia-Pacific region with 344,857; North America and Latin America with 275,689; and Europe with 161,687.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/dfa-opens-7-overseas-voter-registration-centers/359507/
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UP stops collection of tuition
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['Elshamae Robles']
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2017-07-13 21:14:42+00:00
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The University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City, a state-run school , has temporarily suspended the collection of tuition from its students for the first semester of academic year 2017-2018.In a recent announcement, the Office of the University Registrar said the suspension stays until the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) issues clearer guidelines on the implementation of its 2017 no-tuition policy.UP Chancellor Michael Tan made the announcement after a protest rally at the university on Tuesday.“There will be no collection of tuition until [the] government is clear about their plan. They are not clear yet as to how much this subsidy will be, [whether] partial or complete and who will be eligible,” Tan said.“Until they clarify, we will not collect any amount from students,” he added.The university, however, is yet to release an official memorandum for the suspension.Tan said the decision was not yet final and the university may still collect fees from students later in the year, if the subsidy from the government does not suffice.The Duterte administration has allocated P8 billion from the 2017 budget for the implementation of the free-tuition policy, which gives priority to beneficiaries of government student financial assistance programs in the country.Based on a memorandum issued by the CHED and the Department of Budget and Management, the tuition-free policy will cover “all Filipino students enrolling in undergraduate course programs in state universities and colleges for the academic year 2017-2018, subject to the prioritization directive of the President and the availability of funds in the Higher Education Support Fund.”Active militant youth group Anakbayan asked the students to help prevent the retraction of the tuition-free policy, as most students from the university welcomed the announcement.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/stops-collection-tuition/338154/
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Khmer Rouge leaders’ jailing a warning to PH, others
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['Michael Joe T. Delizo']
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2016-11-24 22:18:31+00:00
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A UNITED Nations envoy named a number of countries, including the Philippines, where leaders should take note of the verdict meted out recently to two top cadres of the 1970s Khmer Rouge.A UN-backed court in Phnom Penh affirmed the lifetime jail sentences to Nuon Chea, 90, and Khieu Samphan, 85. They were found guilty of crimes against humanity, murder, persecution on political grounds and other inhumane acts.The two were senior leaders of the “Killing Fields” regime that caused the death of about two million Cambodians from starvation, torture, exhaustion or disease in labor camps and mass executions by bludgeoning in 1975-1979.“The long arm of international justice ultimately can prevail,” David Scheffer, the UN Secretary-General’s envoy to the tribunal, said.“Holding senior leaders accountable for the perpetration of atrocity crimes under their leadership does happen, it does ultimately occur,” he added.Apart from the Philippines, the envoy said the decision should serve as warning to leaders of South Sudan, Sudan, Central African Republic, Syria and North Korea.Scheffer also named the Islamic State group, which has committed widespread atrocities across swathes of Iraq and Syria.The Philippines seems to be getting a lot of attention worldwide for killings of drug suspects in connection with the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.Latest report from the Philippine National Police disclosed that the number of drug suspects killed in legitimate police operations alone has hit 1,941.The report did not include thousands of tortured people left on sidewalks with cardboard placards near their bodies that claim they are involved in illegal activities.Meanwhile, British Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad said the Duterte administration should address the complexity of the drug problem rather than merely using guns.Ahmad suggested that drug use and the drug trade can be stopped by choking the flow of money to finally eradicate syndicates behind them.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/khmer-rouge-leaders-jailing-warning-ph-others/298249/
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American gets 50 years for exploitation of Pinay teen
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['Michael Joe T. Delizo']
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2017-02-10 21:17:42+00:00
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AN American has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for inducing and enticing a 14-year-old girl from the Philippines to engage in and produce images of sexually explicit conduct via Facebook.Calvin Bernhardt, 54, of Tuttle, North Dakota, was found guilty after a nearly four-day trial in October 2016.He was convicted of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, attempted receipt of materials depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, counterfeit currency, tampering with witness or evidence and attempted travel with intent to engage in sexual acts with a minor.“This is a result of the joint effort by NBI, PDOJ, DSWD and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and it offers an example of what can be achieved through excellent cooperation between Philippine and US law enforcement organizations,” the United States Embassy in Manila said.NBI is the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation, PDOJ the Philippine Department of Justice and DSWD the Department of Social Welfare and Development.Evidence presented at the trial demonstrated that, from September 2015 to March 2016, Bernhardt persuaded the minor to send him sexually explicit or sadistic and masochistic images, according to a news release issued by the US Department of Justice.It said communications between Bernhardt and the victim further revealed that the American was attempting to arrange a meeting with the minor in a hotel in the Philippines with the intent of engaging in sexual acts with her.In March 2016, a federal search warrant was executed on Bernhardt’s property.He was released pending trial but was later rearrested after he contacted the girl’s mother and instructed her to destroy evidence and not cooperate with law enforcers.Joint efforts of authorities from the Philippines and the US located and rescued the victim in May 2016, and assisted her travel to Washington to personally testify at trial.“The courage of the victim, her willingness to testify, to tell the truth and not to be intimidated by the defendant was compelling. With this conviction, Bernhardt will not harm anyone anymore,” said Ransom Avilla, attaché for the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement HSI at the US Embassy.MICHAEL JOE T. DELIZO
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/american-gets-50-years-exploitation-pinay-teen/311564/
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RAM members seek amnesty, back pay
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['Catherine S. Valente']
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2017-08-18 22:54:22+00:00
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Members of the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM) led by Sen. Gregorio Honasan, sought amnesty and back pay during their meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, Malacañang said.During a press conference on Thursday, Palace spokesman Ernesto Abella said the RAM members “expressed support and offered help to the President.”“They likewise asked the President for amnesty so that they can receive their back pay as well as livelihood opportunities for the RAM members,” Abella told reporters.Asked if Duterte plans to grant their amnesty request, Abella said there is no final decision yet.“I believe the President viewed it positively. I don’t know the exact action he will take but the fact that he met with them shows he is quite open to their requests,” he said.During the Palace press briefing, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Restituto Padilla Jr. said that RAM members likely requested amnesty to get gratuities and benefits necessary due to their “advanced age.”“So being of advanced age, of course, many of them will have health requirements health and will need support for their medicines,” Padilla said.Aside from Honasan, present were RAM officers namely: retired captains Felix Turingan and Glen Agudo; retired Navy Commodore Rex Robles; retired colonels Marcelino Malajacan Jr., Hernando Caraig and James Joven; retired police director Victor Batac; and Jegie Pereda.Honasan was one of the “EDSA heroes” and leaders of RAM which broke away from the Marcos dictatorship. He also joined two failed coup attempts, in August 1987 and December 1989, against the Corazon Aquino administration that he helped to install.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ram-members-seek-amnesty-back-pay/345359/
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Child labor remains alarming – DOLE
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['William Depasupil']
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2016-11-07 21:04:03+00:00
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DESPITE significant progress in eliminating the worse forms of child labor in the country, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has admitted that the problem remains alarming and far from over as there are still more than 2 million child laborers in the Philippine workforce.Ahmma Charisma Satumba, DOLE Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns director, on Monday disclosed that 90 percent of child workers or around 1.8 million children were toiling under hazardous conditions.“Majority of them are working in the agriculture sector followed by the service sector, while at the bottom rung are those in the mining industry, representing 0.7 percent of the total number of child laborers around the country,” Satumba said at the weekly Kapihan sa Aristocrat media forum in Malate, Manila.DOLE records show that there are 2,096,672 children, ages 5 to 17, who remain victims of child labor.Majority of these children, with ages ranging from 15 to 17 years old, are in rural areas.Of the more than 2 million child workers, 1.4 million are boys.In the same forum, Intenational Labor Organization (ILO) coordinator Cesar Giovanni Soledad said child labor is a serious problem that should be looked into by the Duterte government.“This is a growing concern for us because despite the downward trend in statistics, the causes of prevalence of child labor should be addressed by the government and this is where it appears the Duterte administration has not really look into,” Soledad added.Alex Apit, Kamalayan Development Foundation chairman, said the problem on child labor is symptomatic a much bigger one that cannot be solved alone by the government.“This is where the government needs the cooperation and support of non-government organizations (NGOs), the barangay villages] and the whole community. There should be a strong commitment to education to cleanse every barangay of child laborers,” Apit pointed out.The DOLE Bureau of Working Conditions earlier came up with a checklist of indicators that would help public school officials and teachers determine if a student is at risk or already a child laborer.Among the indicators are tired and unhealthy appearance; symptoms of illness; cuts, wounds, bruises, burns or skin diseases; malnourished or undernourished; and untidy or dirty clothes.The behavioral indicators are absence of four days per month; habitual tardiness; tendency to sleep in the class; limited inter-action with classmates, teachers or school officials; limited participation in school activities; poor academic performance; and tendency to drop out of school.Other indicators in determining if a student is a victim of child labor are direct admission by the child that he/she is a child laborer and information from classmates, other students or members of the community.Child labor refers to the employment of children below 18 years of age. The practice deprives victims of their childhood, interferes with their ability to attend regular school and is also mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful.In 2013, the US Labor Department reported that the Philippine government has made a significant advancement in eliminating child labor through implantation of programs and enactment of laws against child labor.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/child-labor-remains-alarming-dole/295299/
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Class opening generally smooth, orderly – DepEd
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['Neil Alcober']
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2017-06-06 00:01:21+00:00
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THE opening of classes for school year 2017-2018 was generally smooth and orderly, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Monday.Education Secretary Leonor Briones said the opening of classes in most public schools went smoothly, except in the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro in southern Mindanao.Thousands of students have migrated to these cities because of ongoing clashes between government forces and the terrorist Maute Group.“While it is early to tell, the signals are already visible. The enrollment process is generally peaceful, and the turnout is, as hopefully as expected and our projections, are becoming reality because we have prepared for that,” Briones told reporters in a news briefing at the sidelines of school opening monitoring at Corazon C. Aquino High School in Baseco, Port Area, Manila.“Out teachers have prepared for this [school opening] very thoroughly . . . they had dry runs so the teachers were already practiced . . . they went on with the process. So during the pre-enrollment, they [teachers] already knew how many students will be coming in. They already knew in advance that there are students from Marawi City [capital of Lanao del Norte province] who will come in and will enroll in their schools,” the DepEd chief said.The Education department, however, admitted that overcrowding or lack of classrooms was the main problem in some public schools in Metro Manila.“What is happening is that there is no buildable space in the National Capital Region [NCR or Metro Manila]. There is really a serious lack of buildable space in the metropolitan areas,” Briones said.The DepEd chief added that her agency is considering building high-rise school buildings because of the increasing enrollment.“We cannot stop the inevitable rise in enrollment. We are thinking in terms of other alternatives because of lack of buildable space,” she said.According to DepEd-NCR Director Ponciano Menguito, some schools in Metro Manila are still implementing double shifts this school year but noted that majority of them are implementing single shift.“In fact, 21 percent of our elementary schools and 30 percent of our high schools in Metro Manila are already implementing single shift, while the rest are on double shifts,” Menguito said.The Education department said about 107,930 classrooms are being constructed.“As of today, around 55,608 classrooms were already constructed. About 59.1 percent of the classrooms were already completed and the ongoing number of classrooms being constructed is 38.1 percent, and 12 percent to be procured. This is the status for the school building,” DepEd Undersecretary for Administration Alain Pascua said.Pascua added that the total classroom shortage in Metro Manila is about 18,000.“This is computed based on ideal situation . . . our ideal situation is one shift. But this 18,000 classroom shortage at the moment if we utilize all the facilities that we have in Metro Manila like some of the classrooms are being divided into two classrooms, using blocking schedules or having two to three shifts, we have no shortage in Metro Manila because of these innovations done by our principals, but in reality there is 18,058 classroom shortage,” he explained.Meanwhile, the DepEd has postponed the opening of classes in Marawi City for two weeks because of ongoing conflict there.It said there was an influx of students in the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro and nearby areas, as a result of student migration over the ongoing clashes between government forces and the Maute Group in Marawi City.The department added that there was an apparent overcrowding in these cities but did not mention if there are students who attended classes under temporary learning spaces.It said late enrollees in the public schools would be accepted.“We will be accepting them until the end of this month,” Briones said.The Education department said that roughly 27 million public and private elementary and high school students nationwide are expected to enroll this school year.Of the 26.9 million students, 2.8 million are in senior high school (both Grade 11 and Grade 12), while the remaining 24.1 million are Kindergarten to Grade 10 learners, Briones said.Of that number, 22.8 million are in public schools while the remaining four million are in private schools.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/class-opening-generally-smooth-orderly-deped/331223/
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Saudi employer accused of torturing Pinay
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['Francis Earl Cueto']
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2018-09-22 00:03:21+00:00
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AN EMPLOYER in Saudi Arabia who forced his Filipino house helper to drink household bleach is facing torture charges, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) saidThe DFA identified the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) as Agnes Mancilla, a 35-year-old native of Infanta, Quezon.Mancilla sustained internal injuries from the incident and was placed under intensive care in April.She told authorities that her employer forced her to drink household bleach after she made a mistake in making tea.Her employer also allegedly made her work for about 20 hours a day and only gave her coffee for meals.When Consul General Edgar Badajos visited her at the hospital, Mancilla was skin and bones, and bore injuries in some parts of her body.The DFA said the case was expected to go on full trial and the employer might be sentenced to a prison term.The employer may also face lashing and financial compensation, if found guilty.Based on government estimates, more than 2 million Filipinos are working in the Middle East often as domestic helpers, construction workers, engineers and nurses.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/saudi-employer-accused-of-torturing-pinay/443762/
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Roque named as Duterte adviser on human rights
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['Catherine S. Valente']
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2017-11-22 22:48:44+00:00
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Amid allegations of rights abuses in his war on drugs, President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Palace spokesman Harry Roque as his adviser on human rights.Roque himself confirmed this to reporters on Wednesday, though Malacañang is yet to release a copy of his appointment papers.In a statement, he said he was “appointed recently as Presidential Adviser on Human Rights concurrent with my being the presidential spokesperson.”With this new post, Roque said he would help the Duterte administration improve its record in safeguarding human rights.“I will take steps to ensure that the Philippines discharge its obligations in protecting and promoting human rights, especially the right to life,” he added.Before serving in Duterte’s Cabinet, Roque was a Kabayan party-list lawmaker and a human rights lawyer.He has served as lawyer for relatives of journalists killed in the Maguindanao massacre and as counsel for the family of slain transgender woman Jennifer Laude in their case against US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/roque-named-duterte-adviser-human-rights-2/364435/
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Court issues travel ban vs Purisima, Napeñas
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2017-02-04 01:17:28+00:00
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The Sandiganbayan has barred former Philippine National Police Chief Alan Purisima and former Special Action Force (SAF) Chief Getulio Napeñas from leaving the country.The anti-graft court’s third division issued the order in connection with the usurpation of authority and graft charges filed against Purisma and Napeñas over their involvement in the Mamasapano tragedy in January 2015 which left 67 people dead, including 44 SAF troops.The Mamasapano operation, aimed at neutralizing high-profile terrorist target Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan, was led by Napeñas and Purisima without coordination from the Armed Forces of the Philippines forces on the ground.A combined force of the rebels and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front then gunned down the 44 SAF troops after government forces killed Marwan. The remaining 67 dead were either rebels or civilians.“The Bureau of Immigration is hereby directed to bar or prohibit the above mentioned accused from leaving the Philippines for any destination abroad, either by air or sea transportation, except by prior written permission duly secured from and granted by the court,” the Sandiganbayan’s order read.“Furnish copy of this resolution and the corresponding information to the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID) in order that the above named accused may be promptly included in the bureau’s hold departure rrder list,” it added.The BID is also obliged to report its compliance with the court order within 15 days from issuance of the notice.Purisima was allowed by then President Benigno Aquino, 3rd to get involved in the operations even if Purisima was already suspended by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio- Morales at that time over graft charges faced in connection with the allegedly anomalous deal between the PNP and courier company Werfast which was supposed to deliver firearms license cards.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/court-issues-travel-ban-vs-purisima-napenas/310401/
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‘Endo’ guidelines a ‘grand deception’
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['William Depasupil']
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2016-12-23 21:43:14+00:00
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DEPARTMENT Order 30 or DO 30, the new implementing guidelines crafted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on work contracting, is a “grand deception” to make President Rodrigo Duterte believe that it is compliant with his campaign promise that contractualization must be stopped, according to organized labor groups.The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), the country’s largest and one of oldest labor federations, pointed out on Friday that DO 30 will instead perpetuate contractualization and its related forms such as end of contract or “endo” and “555.”According to the new DO, all the necessary or directly related jobs or functions in a company’s business cannot be contracted out.It, however, allows seasonal and project employees to continue to be non-regular workers.“Instead of prohibiting contractualization, the DOLE has now created a scenario where our economy will be serviced by an army of seasonal and project employees. Instead of regular workers who become trained and who acquire expertise, who develop corporate loyalty and have institutional memory, our workforce will be populated by short-termers who can barely meet the barest needs of their dependents, let alone themselves” TUCP vice president Luis Corral said in a statement.The group said DO 30 is a crude attempt in making the President and the workers believe that it is the antidote to contractualization and “endo.”“Now the DOLE has the gall to invoke the President by naming the directive DO 30, when in truth and in fact, the DOLE has chosen to deliberately misread the President’s order to end contractualization,” it added.DO 30 is a play on the President’s surname just as DU 30 (rhymes with Duterte) is.“The DOLE has slanted the DO to defeat the call for decent work with security of tenure. No seasonal and project workers will be regular under this scenario. The employers and contractors are now merrily laughing at this grand deception on the way to the bank,” TUCP spokesman Vicente Camilon Jr. said.But Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd maintained that DO 30 is a product of a series of tripartite consultations that include representatives of the labor sector, saying that even before the crafting of the new DO, the DOLE has already reforms alongside the President’s directive to eliminate “illegal” contractualization and “endo.”“We are on track with our objective to eliminate ‘endo’ and other forms of illegal contracting arrangements,” he said, adding that many companies and establishments have already complied with the objective of the government to wipe out illegal contractualizaton by 2017.Bello said a total of 32,437 workers are now enjoying job security after their employers and contractors converted their employment to regular status.Of this figure, 28,772 workers were regularized after 186 consultations and meetings with 9,100 establishments.On Wednesday, Bello disclosed that among the salient features of DO 30 is the scrapping of sub-contracting, which is being used by fly-by-night contractors to circumvent the law against illegal contracting.It also raises the capitalization of accredited contractors to P5 million from P3 million to ensure that manpower providers were legitimate business operators.DO 30 requires accredited contractors to post a bond registration equivalent to 50 percent of the basic monthly minimum wage of its total number of employees, and requires as well the principal employer to look for alternate jobs for the employees within three months after the termination of the services of the contractors.Bello said the Labor department could not implement or order a total ban on all forms of contractualization as demanded by the labor sector because only Congress can amend the law, which allows certain forms of work contracting.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/endo-guidelines-grand-deception-2/303427/
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INC bags 3 Guinness records
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['Mary Gleefer F. Jalea']
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2018-05-08 00:03:17+00:00
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THE Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) bagged three Guinness World Records when it held its charity walk event at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Sunday.It bagged the record for largest human sentence with 23,235 participants who formed the sentence: “Proud to be a member of Iglesia Ni Cristo.” The religious group also broke the record for largest picture mosaic formed by people with 9,000 members forming the INC flag.It surpassed the previous record b1y Abeer medical group from Saudi Arabia where 4,500 participants formed a logo on diabetes awareness on November 14, 2017.The INC also bagged its third Guinness record on the same day for the largest charity walk in a single venue with 238,171 participants.1 The INC’s second annual charity walk was held simultaneously in 43 countries across 18 time zones.It was also held simultaneously in Davao Oriental, Abra, Bicol, Albay, Benguet, Aurora, Pangasinan, Calamian, Quezon province, and Iloilo.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/inc-bags-3-guinness-records/397363/
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House budget hearing derailed
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['Mary Gleefer F. Jalea']
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2018-09-18 00:10:32+00:00
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The House of Representatives failed to hold plenary debates on Monday on the proposed P3.757-trillion budget for 2019 amid heated arguments between lawmakers and swirling reports of a reorganization.Early on Monday, there were reports that Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles and Majority Leader Rolando Andaya had a shouting match allegedly over the insertion of P50 billion in the budget.The arguments reportedly happened during an executive meeting presided by Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and attended by Nograles, Andaya, and other members of the appropriations panel.Nograles questioned Andaya’s suggestion to remove the insertion, to which Arroyo agreed.The two lawmakers later denied that there was a shouting match.Andaya said he and Nograles had a “spirited debate.”Nograles refused to disclose anything about the executive meeting.“No comment, no comment. That’s internal, it was an executive meeting among all of the congressmen. So because it’s an executive meeting then it remains [among us only],” he said.Meanwhile, Andaya clarified that Arroyo “has no intention to reduce the amount of the presented budget.”“There is no slash to be talked about. The President’s budget in terms of aggregate amount is intact and the speaker has no intention to reduce that amount …we only want to align the budget based on the policies of the President,” he said.The House was supposed to hold the first plenary session on the budget yesterday. The session started at 10 a.m. but was immediately suspended and delayed for hours. The session was declared adjourned at 4:45 p.m.Nograles still appropriations panel chiefAndaya, who chairs the Committee on Rules, told reporters that despite the arguments, there would be no reorganization at the House.He said plenary deliberations on the proposed national budget would push through with Nograles sponsoring the measure as Appropriations committee chair.Minority Leader Danilo Suarez, who previously told some reporters that Nograles would be kicked out, admitted that the “status quo” would be maintained.Nograles said he was ready to relinquish his post.“If anybody wants to remove me as chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, then they can have the position, but they cannot be allowed to deprive millions of Filipinos of the programs and projects that our kababayans and my fellow probinsyanos need, by tinkering with the budget,” he said.With reports from REINA TOLENTINO
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/house-budget-hearing-derailed/442567/
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Allow entry of privately imported rice, NFA told
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['James Konstantin Galvez']
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2017-05-17 20:46:04+00:00
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The inter-agency National Food Authority Council on Wednesday ordered the management of the state-run grains agency to allow the entry of the remaining volume of rice under an earlier private sector-led importation to ensure enough buffer stocks ahead of the lean season.“We have already ordered the NFA management to sign the remaining import permits covering 54,000 metric tons from the 2016 minimum access volume [MAV] that are already in our domestic ports, and publish the extension until June for the remaining 20,000 MT to augment our industry stocks,” NFA Council Chairman Leoncio Evasco said in a statement.The NFA Council earlier approved to extend the MAV arrivals until March 31, from the original deadline of February 28.But NFA Administrator Jason Aquino rejected calls by traders to extend the deadline for the remaining volume of rice to be imported under MAV, saying the entry of the imported rice would significantly affect the farmgateprices of locally produced rice.A total of 211 farmer cooperatives and private businessmen applied for the importation of 692, 340 metric tons of rice under the MAV, a commitment under the provisions of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) of the World Trade Organization (WTO).Out of the approved MAV volume, a total of 433,699 metric tons arrived as of February 27, 2017.Instead of extending the arrival period for the remaining MAV volume, Aquino pushed for a government-to-government rice purchase agreement to restock state-owned warehouses.MAV refers to the minimum volume of farm produce such as rice allowed to enter the Philippines at reduced tariff of 35 percent, while shipments outside MAV pay higher rates of 50 percent and would need approval by the NFA.Manila allows the entry of some 805,000 MT under MAV, which usually are alloted for traders and importers.This year’s private sector importation under MAV, according to Evasco, may be the last of its kind, noting the expiration of the quantitative restriction (QR) on rice on June 30, 2017.He earlier said the Philippines will be operating under a tariff-based restriction to protect local palay (unhusked rice) farmers once the country’s quantitative restriction expires in July this year, adding that economic managers are bent on amending domestic laws governing tariffication of rice.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/allow-entry-privately-imported-rice-nfa-told/327670/
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NBI files plunder raps vs former govt officials
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['Raadee S. Sausa']
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2018-03-22 00:40:46+00:00
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THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed a plunder complaint against former government officials on Wednesday over a P255-million right-of-way scam.Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson and 33 other former and current DPWH officials face the plunder complaint, on top of a graft complaint.The current officials also face the administrative charge of grave misconduct.The plunder complaint is part of an alleged P8.7-billion scam that involved fake compensation claims on lands used for government projects.A state witness identified as Roberto Catapang Jr. came forward to say he used to work for a syndicate that works with DPWH officials in filing for bogus claims in right-of-way projects.Catapang said the syndicate was allegedly headed by a certain Wilma Mamburam, whose participation was to collect “just compensation” from the government by filing bogus claims before paying for pieces of private property that were allegedly affected by construction of national roads.The NBI said they were initially looking at 50 titles but as of now, only nine titles have been found to be spurious or fake.These titles amount to P255-million worth of compensation that has been released.According to Catapang, the documents and the claimants were fake.He said he joined the syndicate in 2009 but left the group.Since then, he added, the syndicate has collected P8.7 billion from around 300 bogus right-of-way claims in General Santos City, Sarangani, in connection with the construction of the Digos-Makar-Buayan national road.The NBI said the Office of the Register of Deeds of General Santos certified jon March 16 that the transfers of titles—which would lawfully transfer ownership to the government—of nine claims were not processed “and [they do] not exist in the record and the vault of the Registry of Deeds.”It has in its possession a letter from Singson to Florencio Abad, then- secretary of Department of Budget and Management, dated December 23, 2013, “requesting for [sic] the release of funds for the payment of the outstanding claims.”The letter involved the P255-million worth of claims.“Abad granted the above-mentioned fund requested by Singson. The said amount was used to fund the fourth payments of the nine claims being investigated. In March 2015, all nine claims were fully paid,” the NBI said.The NBI, however, said that before the government pays compensation to claimants, it should make sure the deed of sale had been registered with the Registry of Deeds and the transfers of title already made in favor of the government.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/nbi-files-plunder-raps-vs-former-govt-officials/387713/
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Group calls anew for Dominguez’s resignation
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['The Manila Times']
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2018-11-05 00:03:59+00:00
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An anti-corruption group has reiterated its call for the resignation of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd as it also refuted claims it was a bogus organization.In a statement on Sunday, the Coalition Against Corruption (CAC) urged Dominguez anew to resign. “If he has done nothing, CAC urged him to resign as he does not deserve such a lofty position in government,” it said.“We repeat: Secretary Dominguez, Sir, in the three years that you were Finance Secretary, what have you done to curb corruption at the BIR [Bureau of Internal Revenue] and BoC [Bureau of Customs]?,” CAC added.The organization also challenged the Finance chief on his ability to manage BIR and BoC, pleading that he should not disappoint President Rodrigo Duterte and the Filipino people.The group’s latest statement came after Dominguez snubbed their initial call for resignation, saying that CAC’s accusations are “very interesting.”Public apologyCAC is also demanding a public apology from a certain Jun Ledesma who it accused of maligning the organization by making fallacious and absurd statements.CAC said Ledesma, under the byline “Letters from Davao,” took to the defense of Dominguez, accusing CAC as being disowned by the Makati Business Club (MBC); that it is a bogus organization; and discrediting the Duterte administration.“Mr. Ledesma is wrong on all counts. We never claimed and do not wish to be associated with MBC. If only Mr. Ledesma did his homework like a diligent writer should and checked with the Securities and Exchange Commission, he would have known that CAC has no connection or affiliation whatsoever with MBC,” it added.The group said that its creation is in line with keeping the 10-point agenda presented to President Duterte during the 1st Anti-Corruption Summit held on November 26-27, 2017 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.CAC also emphasized that that it is far from being a bogus organization, as its incorporators are individuals who have consistently supported good governance and the President’s war on corruption.It said joining the CAC in their personal capacities were individuals from respectable organizations such as CAC Chairman Manuel Obedoza, also the chairman of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption and practicing lawyer; CAC president Lovensky Fernandez, president of Kilusang Pagbabago National Movement for Change and practicing lawyer; CAC Vice President and Treasurer Enunina Mangio, president and chairperson of various private corporations and chairman of the Philippine-Korea Economic Council under the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry; CAC Secretary Alice Vidal, national president of the Women Lawyers Association of the Philippines; and CAC Public Relations Officer John Raña, consultant on the Peace Process, the 1st Anti-Corruption Summit Director and member of Republic Defenders, an advocacy group for good governance.The group also mentioned that members of its board include Rosalina Bistoyong, former Agrarian Reform undersecretary and national president of the National Union of Career Service Officers; Gonzalo Catan Jr., owner of Mapecon and an elder of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals; Eddie Choa, businessman and vice president of Republic Defenders; Maria Teresa Moncupa, lead convenor of DU34s, a support group of President Duterte; and Monalie Dizon, secretary general of Kilusang Pagbabago National Movement.“Mr. Ledesma, we demand a public apology for the malicious statements you made against CAC and maligning our persons. If no such apology is made within a week of this publication, we will file appropriate charges against you in the relevant courts,” CAC added.MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/group-calls-anew-for-dominguez-s-resignation/462344/
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Marcoses willing to return ill-gotten wealth –Duterte
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2017-08-29 21:21:33+00:00
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President Rodrigo Duterte is seeking to abolish the Presidential Commission on Good Government, saying the family of the late former President Ferdinand Marcos is willing to return their ill-gotten wealth, the search for which was the reason behind the creation of the PCGG.The President made the call in a speech during a mass oath-taking of newly appointed officials on Tuesday held in Malacañang.The PCCG, created by Executive Order 1 and issued by then-President Corazon Aquino, is mandated to recover the ill-gotten wealth of Marcos and his family.As of last year, only $4 billion of the $10 billion Marcos stash has been recovered by the PCGG.“The Marcos family met with me… and I have yet to select a guy [to head the new agency]. But the Marcoses… I won’t name the spokesman… the family said they will open everything and hopefully return those found [by the PCGG that should be returned to the Philippine government],” Duterte said.Based on PCGG records as of 2011, the Marcoses has 56 pending ill-gotten cases before the Sandiganbayan and 75 cases of the same nature pending before the Supreme Court.The records also show that the government is still running after P174 billion in stolen riches by the Marcoses and their cronies as of December 2009.“They said, we are [willing] to open [the books] and bring it [ill-gotten wealth] back, including a few gold bars. Justa few [gold bars], but they will return it,” Duterte said.The late former President Marcos was only keeping the wealth to protect the economy in case of his ouster from power, according to Duterte.“I will accept the explanation, whether or not it is true. I am ready. How much? I will be giving an accounting,” he said.“I will create another office [for the purpose of recovering the ill-gotten wealth], maybe another anti-graft body. I am looking for three justices [to become the new anti-graft body’s members] and another lady not identified with me or the other group,” Duterte added.Marcos was ousted from the presidency on February 25, 1986 after three days of a bloodless uprising.His martial-law regime from 1972 to 1986 left at least 70,000 victims of torture, extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances based on government records.A Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Law was passed in 2012 that mandates the Philippine government to grant compensation to the victims of human rights violations during the regime.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/marcoses-willing-return-ill-gotten-wealth-duterte/347501/
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Four senators back ‘Sogie’ anti-discrimination bill
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2018-08-11 00:01:37+00:00
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FOUR senators have sought the immediate passage of a the bill that seeks to prohibit discrimination on the basis of a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or Sogie.Sen. Risa Hontiveros, sponsor of the Sogie bill, on Friday said that members of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community found allies in the Senate majority bloc last Wednesday when Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Sen. Loren Legarda expressed support for the Sogie bill.Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon also expressed support for the measure.Hontiveros said Senate Bill No. 1271 or the Anti-Discrimination Bill was filed on August 1, 2016 and has faced an “uphill battle” in the Senate, unlike in the House of Representatives that approved its version in September 2017.She noted that the Sogie measure has been under the period of interpellation for 602 calendar days, since her sponsorship in December 2016.“It would be a great legacy of this chamber if we are able to pass the anti-discrimination measure during our watch,” Legarda said during Wednesday’s session.Recto said, “And for the record, I also associate myself with the statements made by Senator Legarda.”Zubiri, pledged attention to the bill. “I commit to the good sponsors, Sen. Risa [Hontiveros] and Sen. Loren [Legarda] that we’ll place this on the calendar, the agenda, every day, so that we can tackle this anytime within the next few weeks.”The Senate session resumes on Monday and leaves three session days for the bill to get passed before the chamber’s adjournment on Wednesday, August 15.Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto 3rd and Sen. Joel Villanueva are scheduled to interpellate next week.Legarda said that there have been “exhaustive” debates on the Sogie bill for the past two years and it is about time that it is passed by the Senate.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/four-senators-back-sogie-anti-discrimination-bill/428809/
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Dela Rosa asks Church: Trust PNP
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['Fernan Marasigan']
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2017-03-07 22:45:32+00:00
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BEFORE criticizing the government’s war on drugs, members of the Catholic Church should join the renewed anti-narcotics drive to see for themselves what is really happening on the ground, the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief said on Tuesday.Director General Ronald dela Rosa made the challenge a day after Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo junked the PNP chief’s invitation for the religious sector to join “Oplan: Tokhang Part 2-Oplan: Double Barrel, Reloaded,” which was relaunched on Monday.Still, dela Rosa appealed to leaders of the Catholic Church to trust and have faith in the PNP and help the national police force in the campaign against illegal drugs.Pabillo described the invitation as propaganda and that the PNP would just use the religious sect to its advantage in its tokhang (knock and plead) operations.Dela Rosa told reporters at the sidelines of the turnover of 50 patrol cars to the PNP at Camp Karingal in Quezon City that the presence of priests, pastors or imam (Muslim religious leaders) would give more credence to such operations.He, however, said that one reason why the PNP wants to be accompanied by members of the Catholic Church is that drug suspects also believe in God.Since the Church has been criticizing the government and its war on drugs, according to dela Rosa, its members should join the drive to see for themselves how Oplan: Double Barrel, Reloaded will be carried out.He disclosed that he is planning make the rounds of dioceses to seek an audience with religious leaders to reiterate and explain to them the PNP’s invitation.“I will try to arrange for a meeting. I had been told that I should visit some dioceses. Although I am a Roman Catholic, I do not really know the organizational structure of the Catholic Church,” the PNP chief said.During introduction of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, through which the new operation plan would be implemented, dela Rosa promised “less bloody, if not bloodless” operations as every police sting should be coordinated not only with barangay (village) officials but also with the dioceses, which will represent the religious sector that has been complaining about allegedly rampant drug-related killings.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/dela-rosa-asks-church-trust-pnp-2/315998/
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Revival of PH-Singapore military exercises eyed
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['Fernan Marasigan']
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2017-01-28 21:29:10+00:00
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THE Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are seeking the revival of military exercises with Singaporean troops, which have been shelved for more than 20 years in the absence of a covenant.DND Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Filipino soldiers can learn a lot from Singaporeans who have a well-developed defense establishment even if their country is small.Dubbed the Anoa Singa, the bilateral exercises started in 1994 following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Philippines and Singapore.The program was stopped two years later because of the absence of an agreement similar to the Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and the United States.“We will look into the revival of that Anoa Singa. That’s good because we could also learn a lot from Singaporeans. You know Singapore is a very small country, six million people, an area of 675 square kilometers, very small, but they have also developed their defense industries,” Lorenzana said.He disclosed that his counterpart in Singapore broached the revival of the program after noting that Singapore has no bilateral exercises with the Philippines. Singapore has mounted military drills with Australia, Taiwan and other countries in Southeast Asia.“So the defense minister of Singapore and I talked about it, and he said we’ll talk some more about this. They would like to conduct exercises with us also,” Lorenzana added.If both countries can finish the discussion this year and draft a memorandum of agreement, the bilateral exercises could be carried out early next year.Meanwhile, the defense secretary is seeking an increase in the defense budget, lamenting that the department has been underfunded for the past 50 years.In recent meetings with lawmakers, Lorenzana said Singapore has been spending three percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) for defense while other countries in Southeast Asia were spending at least two percent. These are the reasons why these countries have more ships, aircraft, and equipment, Lorenzana explained.“I told them]we should increase our budget, we have been underfunded for the past 50 years that is why we cannot buy equipment,” he said.Lorenzana said if Congress will double the 1.2 percent of the GDP it was allocating to defense spending, Defense and military officials would be content.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/revival-ph-singapore-military-exercises-eyed/309396/
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Villar: Boracay closure won’t affect family-owned hotel
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2018-03-10 00:02:15+00:00
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SENATOR Cynthia Villar on Friday said the recommendation of not totally closing down the entire Boracay island was a consensus of senators and not in any way connected with her family owning a property at the world-famous tourist destination.Villar, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, earlier called for the closure of establishments in Boracay that allegedly violate environmental laws instead of shutting the island down for two-months to allow the businesses to comply with the law.“We reached a consensus that it is really not fair to close all the establishments in the area, but only those [that] violated the rules or did not comply with the law. They should be penalized and the compliant ones rewarded,” she said.The senator was responding to allegations of possible conflict of interest on the issue considering that her family owns a property in Boracay.Villar admitted to the ownership but insisted that it does not in any way affect her role in the Senate inquiry into Boracay.She was referring to the 50-room Boracay Sands Hotel in Station 3 that was bought by Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc. in 2016.The senator’s husband, former senator Manuel Villar, is the chairman of the company.“It was never a secret that we have a property in Boracay, even my fellow senators know about it. Being an elected official, I am not part of the management of our business,” she said.Closure or non-closure of Boracay, according to Villar, will not have an effect on Vista Land, which has projects in over 136 towns and cities all over the country.The senator said she was more concerned about the state of the wetlands on the island than her family’s business.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/villar-boracay-closure-wont-affect-family-owned-hotel/385061/
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Labor secretary: Peace talks stay
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2016-11-22 20:15:32+00:00
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Peace talks between the Duterte administration and the National Democratic Front/Communist Party of the Philippines/New Peoples Army (NDF/CPP/NPA) will not be derailed by the hero’s burial for former President Ferdinand Marcos, government chief negotiator and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd said on Tuesday.Bello noted that while the NDF is opposed to the recently concluded hero’s burial for Marcos, the release of political prisoners including couple Benito and Wilma Tiamzon is enough to build confidence between the two parties.“The release of the political prisoners showed the sincerity of the President. For the first time in history, the NDF is willing to agree to a ceasefire. In the past, they would never even discuss ceasefire because to them, it is as good as capitulation,” he pointed out.“The President showed sincerity and immediately expressed willingness to talk to them, so those are indeed confidence-building [initiatives]. I don’t think the burial of a strongman is enough to affect the peace process. It is of little significance,” Bello said.The NDF/CPP/NPA as well as President Duterte’s Makabayan bloc allies from Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Alliance of Concerned Teachers, Anakpawis and Kabataan party-list that support the peace process with communist rebels are opposed to the hero’s burial, citing Marcos’ martial law regime that left at least 75,000 victims of torture and extrajudicial killings, on top of ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses estimated at $10 billion.“This should not affect their long association. It is normal that they [from the communist side and their allies] would express their indignation, especially among the victims of human rights violations and enforced disappearances. We expected them to be emotional, but this should not distract us from the peace negotiation. We have a more noble and significant mandate for our country, a just and lasting peace,” Bello said.“We can’t block the flow of the peace process because of an incident like this which has been decided by the Supreme Court. Yes, the President said he is in favor of it, but the Supreme Court has decided and we have to follow it. The Supreme Court is supreme in the interpretation of the law, in the same vein that the President is supreme in the implementation of the law,” he added.Bello was referring to the Supreme Court decision junking the petitions against the hero’s burial for Marcos via a 9 to 5 vote.He, admitted that both parties are unlikely to sign a permanent ceasefire pact by the initial deadline of December 10 because the parties are yet to agree on conditions that constitute a hostile act.“We are yet to come up with conditions on what can be considered a hostile act. There are a lot of ramifications… like, for example, is their [communist rebels’] collection of the revolutionary tax a hostile act? Madugo ‘yan [It’s bloody],” he said.“We really wanted to have a consensus on a ceasefire by December 10, which is also International Human Rights Day, but we are not sure if we can beat that deadline. Still, we are not giving up on signing a joint and permanent ceasefire agreement that would lead to cessation of hostilities,” Bello added.He allayed fears that the military is not happy about the government’s engagement with the communist rebels.Bello said there are members of the military who are even part of various government negotiating panels on implementing human rights and international humanitarian law and ceasefire monitoring, among others.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/labor-secretary-peace-talks-stay/297832/
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Regional and global demands for Filipino CPAs on the rise
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['Catherine Talavera']
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2016-11-17 21:11:28+00:00
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The number of certified public accountants is seen to grow in the coming years as demand for Filipino accountants in the Asean region continues to grow, according to a top-ranking Australian CPA.Alex Malley, CPA Australia chief executive officer, told reporters on Tuesday that the number of CPAs in the Philippines is seen rising as there are many job opportunities for accounting professionals not only in thecountry but globally as well.“The thing about being a CPA is you don’t actually have to be in an accounting role,” Malley said.“You [as a CPA] are recognized as a strategic leader, so what you find is that [CPAs] work in many areas of management and leadership. And they have skills around governance, skills around business management, strategy development and people management, and all of these areas are in demand and having a CPA qualification gives you an opportunity,” he added.When asked if there is a shortage of CPAs in the Philippines, Malley said there is but not necessarily in the accounting business.“I think if it’s strictly within the profession, I think there are good numbers of CPAs, because CPAs work in all sectors,” he explained.Meanwhile, Joel Tan Torres, chairman of the Profesional Regulation Commission- Board of Accountancy, said there is a shortage of accountants as CPAs cater to a lot of different industries.“Filipino accountants are servicing the requirements of not only Filipino businesses, or the needs of the country, but also the needs of our neighbors in the world,” Torres added.“We have so many Filipino accountants who work in the Middle East, Singapore, the United States even. So definitely, there’s so much opportunities and demand for Filipino accountants,” he said.Malley said CPAs are able to work in any part of the world as accounting uses the same international language.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/regional-global-demands-filipino-cpas-rise-2/297067/
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Lawmaker seeks better benefits for forest rangers
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['The Manila Times']
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2016-12-31 17:24:03+00:00
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Rep. Lito Atienza of Buhay Party-list has filed a measure seeking to give the country’s forest rangers better benefits and protection.Under House Bill (HB) 4703 or the Magna Carta for Forest Rangers, forest rangers assume a critical role in the protection and preservation of the country’s forests.“Our country has been blessed with an abundance of natural resources, more than enough to provide for our needs, and even that of the world,” Atienza, a former secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, said.However, he added that “decades of neglect and abuse from unscrupulous groups have depleted most of these resources, foremost of which are our forests. On the frontlines of this fight to protect and preserve our environment and natural resources are our forest rangers.”The lawmaker lamented that despite the critical role played by forest rangers, “they lack the necessary employment protection commensurate to their contribution to the protection and development of this very important natural resource.”If passed into law, the measure will provide forest rangers long-overdue benefits and protection that they deserve.These include an entry level position of salary grade 18, security of tenure, hazard allowance, transportation, longevity and subsistence allowance, among others.HB 4703 also seeks to create a minimum number of forest ranger positions equivalent to the ratio of one forest ranger per five hundred hectares of lands classified as forest or timber lands.“To date, there are only a few thousands of them watching and protecting hundreds of thousands of hectares of forests all around the country– with an estimated ratio of one forest ranger per 5,000 to 6,000 hectares of forest or timber lands. Through the years, they have endured long hours of work, insufficient pay, and many have given up their lives in the performance of their duties,” Atienza said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/lawmaker-seeks-better-benefits-forest-rangers/304568/
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Don’t fly to banned countries — POEA
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['Ed Velasco']
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2018-10-13 00:03:34+00:00
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The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) reminded aspiring overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to avoid countries where there is a ban in deployment.POEA Administrator Bernard Olalia said foremost of 24 countries countries to be avoided was Libya.“We have a strict Libya ban deployment now at yung mga (and) not labor-compliant countries,” Olalia told the Manila Times in an interview.The 23 other countries where deployment is banned include Afghanistan, Burundi, Chad, Chechnya Republic, Cuba, Haiti, Iraq, Iraqi Kurdistan region, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, North Korea, Palau, Palestine, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Ukraine, Syria,Yemen and Zimbabwe.He advised those who are planning to go abroad to check the website of the POEA so that they would not fall prey to illegal recruiters who promise non-existing jobs in exchange for exorbitant placement fees.Olalia warned those who would recruit anybody going to any country, even if deployment in that country is not banned.“Illegal recruitment at human trafficking ang kasalanan nila,” the POEA administrator explained.There is an average of 12 million OFWs deployed in different countries sending an average of $32 billion per year to their families.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/dont-fly-to-banned-countries-poea/451466/
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BoC official breaks silence on P6.4-B shabu shipment
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['William Depasupil']
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2017-06-05 21:54:29+00:00
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THE embattled chief of the Bureau of Customs’ (BoC) Risk Management Office (RMO) broke his silence amid allegations that his office facilitated the entry of 605 kilos of the illegal drug shabu with a street value of P6.4 billion.Larribert Hilario, a lawyer and the acting chief of the RMO, explained on Monday that his office does not determine the parameters under which incoming shipment is to be granted immediate clearance (green), the importer is required to submit additional documents (yellow) or the shipment is subjected to complete inspection (red).“The present Asycuda (Automated System for Customs Data) system solely processes data without any human intervention and independently selects which shipment will be processed through green, yellow or red,” Hilario told The Manila Times in an exclusive interview.He said the Asycuda system is secured in an area maintained by the Management and Information on System Technology Group (MISTG).Hilario pointed out that the RMO’s function, among others, is to maintain database of information from BoC offices and profile of stakeholders.The super green lane (SGL), where the shabu shipment passed through, is for listed companies accredited by the SGL Committee and which belong to the top 1,000 corporations in terms of duties and taxes paid.Hilario sad the SGL is not just actually limited to top corporations or even if the shipment came from China.“While the subject importation may have originated from China, it is not, however, conclusive that this will be tagged Red for it to be coursed through manual or x-ray examination since the ‘operating system’ or computer program randomly selects which shipment will be processed through Red, Yellow, Green and Blue channels depending on the declarations made during entry lodgements in the e2m (electronic-to-mobile) system,” he added.Hilario noted that the current system limits to “not more than 20 percent” of the total entries filed for a given period the number of shipments to be coursed through Red channel in compliance with WCO (World Customs Organizations) guidelines and to avert port congestion and expedite releasing of cargos.In the case of the shabu shipment, he said, the consignee, EMT Trading, declared it as general merchandise and its content was certified by China’s Customs.As such, according to Hilario, “these articles were not imposable with Customs duties, as such do not fall under the “sensitive list” or “high risk” in the existing Asean-China Free Trade Agreement (ACTFA).The shabu shipment was seized by Customs operatives last week in two separate operations in Valenzuela City based on intelligence report provided by Zhang Xiaohui, director of International Enforcement Cooperation Division of Anti-Smuggling Bureau, General Administration of China Customs.The contraband was hidden in five one-inch thick metal cylinders, wrapped in another one-inch thick rubber, making it impossible for sniffing dogs to detect or for x-ray machines to penetrate.Eirene Mae Agustino Tatad was identified as the sole proprietor of EMT Trading with business address at Rm. 807 Dasma Corporate Bldg., 321 Dasmarinas Street, Barangay 291, Binondo.Tatad’s accreditation has been suspended by the BoC Account Management Office as a result of the discovery of the shabu.Also suspended was the accreditation of Teejay A. Marcellana as Customs broker, with registered address at Rm. 525A, 5/f, FEMII Building, Soriano Avenue, Barangay 656, Manila.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/boc-official-breaks-silence-p6-4-b-shabu-shipment/331133/
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MILF fighters to undergo basic literacy training
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['Neil Alcober']
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2017-06-12 20:59:27+00:00
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SOME members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will undergo basic literacy training, through the Alternative Learning System (ALS), a high-ranking official of the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Monday.G.H. Ambat, DepEd assistant secretary for public affairs service and the Alternative Learning System, noted that 45 decommissioned MILF combatants will be given educational assistance as part of socio-economic programs under the Normalization Annex of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) — a peace agreement signed by the government and the MILF after more than 17 years of negotiations.“It is part of the normalization process . . . there are 45 decommissioned MILF combatants. The government, through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, has assistance package for all of them.They can avail of livelihood, education, and have cash assistance as part of the normalization,” Ambat told this reporter in an earlier interview.“Twenty-six of them have been taught how to read and write for two weeks, and it’s nice to see them they already know how to read and write when I came back to Cotabato City in ARMM [Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao],” she said.The Education department, according to Ambat, will also provide education assistance to family members of MILF fighters who want to undergo ALS training in the next round of decommissioning.“We would be working with DepEd-ARRM and, of course, the [school] division of Cotabato City, to deliver education in that area because, as we know, the President who is also from Mindanao really understands the need of education there,” she said.“Let’s give them a fighting chance, teach them how to read and write and give them additional skills,” the DepEd official added.The alternative learning program is a parallel learning system that provides school dropouts with access to complete basic education in a mode that fits their distinct situations and needs.Under the program, students will be given brought to the regular school system or else they will take equivalency test and then they will be declared as elementary or high school graduates.The other part of the training is that they will be given skills training, and then will get jobs after graduation.The DepEd said it will give more allowances to ALS volunteer teachers starting next year to ensure that more out-of-school youth, particularly in far-flung areas, will be covered.Its data shows that around 517,000 ALS learners completed the program in 2015, increasing to 691,000 the succeeding year.For this year, the DepEd has allotted P637 million for the expansion of the ALS program.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/milf-fighters-undergo-basic-literacy-training/332377/
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City prosecutor gunned down
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2017-05-22 21:07:06+00:00
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Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre 2nd on Monday directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe the killing of a prosecutor who was gunned down around 8 a.m. on Monday by a motorcycle-riding man outside his home in Caloocan City.Aguirre also ordered the NBI to send a team of agents to the residence of Prosecutor Diosdado Azarcon on 9th Avenue and Galauran Street, Barangay 63, and check whether the motive for his killing was personal or related to his work as a fiscal.Initial investigation showed that Azarcon was walking to his car when the lone gunman wearing a jacket and a helmet approached the prosecutor and fired at him point-blank.Witnesses said the gunman fired two more shots at the victim before walking toward a waiting motorcycle driven by a cohort.Police reports said there were six persons involved in the killing who were all wearing masks and fled on board three motorcycles.Case investigator Senior Police Officer 1 Michael Anthony Ramirez said they recovered three empty shells from a caliber 45 pistol.Ramirez added they would look for any CCTV camera in the area that might have caught the incident to determine the identities of the suspects.Azarcon was the fourth fiscal killed since October 2016.On January 11, Quezon City prosecutor Noel Mingoa was shot at close range while outside a restaurant along Commonwealth Avenue. Surigao City prosecutor Manuel Tesioma was attacked in February. Mati City prosecutor Rolando Acido was shot dead outside the Mati City Hall of Justice on October 26, 2016.with
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/city-prosecutor-gunned/328626/
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Supplemental budget possible – Diokno
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['Ralph Villanueva']
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2018-08-30 00:10:20+00:00
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THE government could provide a supplemental budget for 2019 if Congress approves all tax reform packages this year, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said on Wednesday.“As you know, it is difficult to pass and initiate a supplemental budget, since it requires the Executive to identify the source of funding,” Diokno said in a news briefing. “If Congress agrees to pass all our tax measures, then there is a possibility. That is the requirement we need, the tax measures,” he added.He said the supplemental budget could be used to “offset” the budget cuts of numerous government agencies.There are five Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP) proposals pending in Congress. These are: Package 1B, which covers tax amnesty, bank secrecy laws, and Motor Vehicle Users Charge adjustments; Package 2, which calls for lower corporate income taxes and the streamlining of fiscal incentives; Package 2 Plus, which seeks to raise the excise tax on tobacco and alcohol products and increase the government’s share from mining; Package 3, which institutes reforms in property taxation to make the valuation system more equitable, efficient, and transparent; and Package 4, which proposes to rationalize capital income taxation to address multiple rates and different tax treatments and exemptions on capital income and other financial instruments.The Department of Finance hopes that these measures will be passed within the year.Diokno, however, said the supplemental budget was not a certainty.The Budget chief said he, House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya, House Committee on Appropriations Chairman Karlo Nograles and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd agreed on a “transitory cash-based program” on Tuesday.This means that for government projects, the payment may be made until the end of June 2019.The payments for personnel services or the salaries of government workers, maintenance and operations expenditures and procurement of equipment, on the other hand, should still be made within a year and three months.“Because next year is an election year, there will be an election ban, so we agreed that there will be some delay. So we agreed we will allow up to end of June for payment of projects,” Diokno said.Congress earlier opposed the cash-based budgeting system and suspended budget deliberations.In the past, the budget has always been obligation-based, meaning agencies can retain their obligated budget for projects at the end of the year even if the projects have yet to be finished.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/supplemental-budget-possible-diokno/435954/
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Duterte ally declares war vs ISIS sympathizer Maute
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2017-01-01 20:43:13+00:00
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An ally of President Rodrigo Duterte has backed the call of the Defense department to declare an all-out war against the Maute group.Rep. LRay Villafuerte of Camarines Sur was referring to the terrorist group based in Lanao del Sur that even hoisted the black emblem of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria or ISIS in their base in Butig, Lanao del Sur.The ISIS calls for establishment of an Islamic state and is notorious for beheading hostages and encouraging raping women.“The fact that they [Maute group] are using the ISIS emblem confirms their allegiance to the dreaded ISIS. We hope that the President will not relent in his campaign against the Maute gang. The options that should be made available to the Maute is either to surrender or perish,” Villafuerte said in a statement.Defense chief Delfin Lorenzana has also linked the Maute group, along with the Bangamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, to last week’s bomb attack in Leyte that injured at least 34 people.Villafuerte noted that Prof. Rommel Banlaoi, a security analyst who heads the board of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research, had described the Maute group as one of 10 terrorist organizations in the country that had declared loyalty to the ISIS.Banlaoi has also linked the Maute group to Jemaah Islamiyah, which is associated with the late Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda.“This group could become the biggest threat to the Duterte administration’s plan to finally transform Mindanao into a primary growth driver of the Philippine economy,” according to Villafuerte, vice chairman of the House Committee on National Defense and Security.“The Duterte administration should continue to pursue the peace process with Islamic groups in Mindanao but should never waver in its hardline stance against terrorist groups or transnational crime organizations,” he said.In December 2016, lawyer and Anak Mindanao party-list Rep. Makmod Mending warned that the Maute group is propagating views that non-believers of Islam will be killed.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/duterte-ally-declares-war-vs-isis-sympathizer-maute/304637/
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BI launches eGate system in airports
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['Benjie Vergara']
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2018-07-20 00:01:27+00:00
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The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Thursday launched the P328 million electronic gate system or e-Gate to hasten the clearing time of travelers and identification of persons of interest.BI officials said the e-Gate, an initiative introduced by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) called Fast Travel program, will simplify the clearing process, reduce human errors, and provide the agency with “accuracy on pinpointing citizens under watch list and/or persons of interest in immigration formalities.”The use of e-Gates aimed to enhance the agency’s security capability through additional security checks, facial recognition, biometric scanning, bar code reader, and smart card recognition all rolled into one system.Marc Red Marinas, the bureau’s Port Operations Division (POD) chief, said the P328 million project will initially be for Filipino citizens.There are 21 e-Gates installed at four international airports in the country: NAIA Terminal 1-5 e-Gates, NAIA Terminal 3-6 e-Gates, Mactan-Cebu International Airport-5, Clark International Airport-3, and Davao International Airport-2.BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the NAIA 3 e-Gate was launched on July 18 for arriving Filipinos with machine-readable passports.Marinas said the standard processing time for a passenger to be cleared at an immigration counter is 45 seconds, but this might take longer depending on the primary or secondary requirements of the individual passengers.For secondary inspections, duty supervisors and secondary officers are stationed nearby in attention for signals or red lights from the e-Gates.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/bi-launches-egate-system-in-airports/421382/
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Govt set to restore Boracay in 6 mths
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['Reicelene Joy Ignacio']
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2018-02-27 00:08:21+00:00
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The Duterte administration is bent on restoring Boracay within six months with the Department of Tourism (DOT) requiring tourism establishments now to connect to the islands centralized sewarage system, while theDepartment of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) starts demolishing of illegal structures in the world-famous tourist destination.“To prevent continued harmful disposal of wastewater into the seas surrounding the island’s three barangays [Balabag, Manoc-Manoc and Yapac], the DOT is imposing a six-month moratorium on accreditation during which resorts and other establishments must acquire and maintain individual water treatment facility, as well as connect to the centralized sewerage system,” the agency said in a statement.The DOT said it is coordinating with the DENR and the Department of Interior and Local Government to pressappropriate criminal and administrative charges against establishments/operators responsible for seawater contamination in Boracay.The Tourism department, however, clarified that it has no plan to shut down Boracay to visitors or to put it under a state of calamity.“The DOT shares the optimism of well-meaning and law-abiding stakeholder operators that Boracay Island will be completely restored in a six-month period,” it said.Earlier, the DENR ordered the closing of 51 establishments in Boracay after finding they have no proper drainage systems and dump their sewage into the sea.Dismantling illegal structuresThe DENR began on Saturday its demolition of illegal structures on Boracay Island after a major resort agreed to dismantle structures built on rock formations and those not covered by a lease agreement with the government.The controversial Boracay West Cove, the demolition work a day after Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu visited the area and told resort owner Crisostomo Aquino that the illrgal structures must be removed.Cimatu said the resort’s 120-square meter viewing deck built atop the rock formations was not covered by the Forest Land Use Agreement for Tourism Purposes (FLAg-T) it secured.He added the resort’s FLAg-T only covers 998 square meters in Sitio Diniwid in Barangay Balabag, and does not include the viewing deck.Aquino initially bargained for 30 days, but Cimatu said the demolition has to be done immediately.A demolition team from the DENR was scheduled to tear down the viewing deck on February 23, but Cimatu deferred it until Saturday in consideration of the resort guests.The Environment secretary instructed the resort owner to make sure that all debris are removed during the demolition.“I do not want the waters to become dirty during the demolition,” he said.Besides the violation of Boracay West Cove’s FLAgT, the resort was also ordered closed by the local government of Malay for operating without business and building permits.“The moment you do it, you will be admired all over the country. It will set an example for all resort owners here to follow the law,” Cimatu told Aquino.Besides Boracay West Cove, two other establishments have also voluntarily dismantled their illegal structures Cimatu said. He urged other resort violators to follow suit.“We are running out of time. We are only given six months by the President [Rodrigo Duterte],” said Cimatu.Prior to visiting the island, Cimatu met with the officials of the municipality of Malay, Aklan provincial government, Boracay Island Water Company, and Boracay Tubi System to discuss the sewerage problem on the island.with EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/govt-set-restore-boracay-6-mths/382938/
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Mayon spews ashes, residents evacuate
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['Dempsey Reyes']
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2018-01-14 00:42:37+00:00
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Thousands have evacuated from different towns in Albay after Mayon Volcano spewed ashes as it recorded at least three phreatic eruptions since late Saturday.A phreatic eruption, also called a phreatic explosion, ultravulcanian eruption or steam-blast eruption, occurs when magma hetas ground or surface water.The eruptions, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Sunday, prompted the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Albay to issue an evacuation order to residents living within the six to eight kilometer permanent danger zone.Affected barangay (villages) are Miisi, Banadero and Matnog in Daraga town; Anoling, Quirangay, Tumpa, Suha and Tinubran in Camalig town; Tandarora and Maninila in Guinobatan town; Balingag and Amti in Ligao City; Magapo and Buang in Tabaco City; and Canaway and Calbayog in Malilipot town.Chief Insp. Arthur Gomez, spokesman for the Albay Provincial Police Office, reported that 665 families or 2,287 persons have evacuated from Camalig and Guinobatan.Gomez said of the 665 families and 2,287 persons, 475 families or 1,576 persons were brought to Guinobatan Elementary Central School; 98 families or 343 persons to Cabangan Elementary School; and 92 families or 368 persons to Anoling Elementary School.Romina Marasigan, NDRRMC spokesman, said 919 families were moved to four schools in Camalig and Guinobatan.“What happened was mandatory evacuation… if you would remember, [the Albay local government] already has a contingency plan when it comes to Mayon, so they had conducted drills in case the volcano erupts,” Marasigan told reporters.“That is why there is no need for forced evacuation since there is already a threat [coming from Mayon]. The communities there were already reminded that when it comes to these activities, they should evacuate immediately,” she said.According to Marasigan, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the Albay Public Safety Office and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Bicol had issued the evacuation order.The evacuation process when it comes to volcanic eruptions is a “little longer” comparedto that enforced when it involves typhoons.Marasigan said the OCD Bicol regional director initiated a plan for sustaining the needs of evacuees in case their stays in their respective evacuation centers would be extended.“The Phivolcs cannot say how long the evacuees should stay in the evacuation centers because it might take weeks and it [decision] will always depend on the activity of Mayon Volcano,” she added.The latest NDRRMC update said no casualties have been recorded because of the phreatic eruptions of the volcano.Alert Level 2 remained in place as of Sunday, according to Phivolcs.It reported that at 10:50 a.m. a phreatic eruption occurred at 8:49 a.m., producing a grayish steam and ash plume and lasting for approximately five minutes.“A sulfurous odor was [also] detected and rumbling sounds were heard by residents of Barangay Anoling, Camalig,” Phivolcs said.“Alert Level 2 remains in effect over Mayon Volcano, which means that the current unrest is probably of magmatic origin, which could lead to more phreatic eruptions or eventually to hazardous magmatic eruptions,” it added.Mayon, an active volcano, was placed under “critical” alert when it last spewed white smoke on September 2014 and caused thousands to flee the area.WITH GLEE JALEA
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/mayon-spews-ashes-residents-evacuate/374281/
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P5-billion incentives given to ‘performing’ LGUs
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['Jing Villamente']
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2017-01-17 20:54:05+00:00
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Close to P5 billion in incentives have been given to 2,529 local government units (LGUs) for their good performance by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).DILG Secretary Ismael Sueno on Tuesday said the granting of financial incentives to deserving LGUs to support their local development initiatives since 2010 was made through the department’s Performance Challenge Fund (PCF), which seeks to recognize good performance as reflected particularly in transparency, accountability, participation and service delivery.“We are elated that as we move forward to 2017, we were able to grant more qualified LGUs the financial backing they need, through PCF, to further execute their projects toward the fulfillment of their mandate to their constituents,” Sueno added.He said through the PCF, the 2,529 LGUs implemented 2,689 local development projects across the country.Of these projects, 2,500 or 93 percent have been completed while the remaining projects are in different stages of implementation.Sueno said the 2,689 PCF projects comprise different categories–863 supported the achievement of Millennium Development Goals, 1,388 pushed for the Local Economic Development, 123 projects facilitated compliance with Ecological Solid Waste Management, 313 for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and two enhanced transparency and accountability, all subsidized with a total of P4.930 billion as of December 29, 2016.According to the DILG chief, the department never wavered in its commitment to reward LGUs with good performance through the PCF through the years.In 2010, 30 LGUs received a total of P30 million PCF; 397 got P490 million in 2011; 560 were granted P987 million in 2012; and 734 received P990 million in 2013.In 2014, 248 LGUs obtained a total of P470-million PCF, and 254 took home a total of P982 million in 2015.In 2016, the PCF was able to confer P981.4 million to 306 LGUs for their respective projects.The PCF is being managed by the Bureau of Local Government Development of the DILG under Director Anna Liza Bonagua.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/p5-billion-incentives-given-performing-lgus/307426/
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Alliance officials: DoJ files charges vs trader
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2017-12-13 23:56:39+00:00
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Criminal charges were filed by the Department of Justice (DoJ) against trader George Sycip, son of the late tycoon Washington Sycip, and officers and members of Alliance International Inc. (Alliance), a tuna canning firm, for violation of Sections 74 and 75, in relation to Section 144 of the Corporation Code of the Philippines.Alliance is a publicly listed company currently embroiled in a management conflict as a result of the acquisition of Strong Oak Inc. of the firm’s 430.286 million shares worth P563.674 million. The sale has caused dilution of the stake of the company’s foreign shareholders.The case was filed by Alliance’s foreign shareholders namely Harvest All Investment Limited, Victory Fund Limited and Bondeast Private Limited against Annsley Bangkas, Alliance’s Assistant Corporate Secretary; George Sycip, Chairman of the Board of Directors; and Alvin Dee, Jonathan Dee and Ibarra Malonzo, members of the Board of Directors.The complaints, initially filed before the Office of the City Prosecutor in Pasig City, stemmed from the alleged denial of the respondents of the complainants’ right to inspect the corporate books and records.Section 74 of the Corporation Code provides that “the records of all business transactions of the corporation and the minutes of any meetings shall be open to inspection by any director, trustee, stockholder or member of the corporation…” and that refusal to allow the records to be examined will be liable for damages and is punishable under Section 144 of the code.Section 144 states that violators of the code shall be punished by a fine of not less than P1,000 but not more than P10,000 or imprisonment of not less than 30 days but not more than five years.Section 75, meanwhile, underscores the right of any stockholder or member of his right to financial statements.In an eight-page resolution dated December 4, 2017, acting on a petition for review filed by the complainants, the DoJ found probable cause to indict the respondents for the violation of the Corporation Code.“Respondents denied the said right to inspect by employing a scheme to repeatedly refer the issue between the board and certain lawyers. Respondents, consisting of members of the board and Assistant Corporate Secretary, voted in favor of such actions and/or implemented the same. The scheme notably amounted to a delay of at least 72 days and yet even with opinions from lawyers, there is no resolution to allow the inspection.“This tactic, as shown by clear evidence, of continuously delaying any decision on the matter indicates an evasive scheme adopted by respondents to defeat the rights of complainants to inspect the corporate books and records of Alliance,” the resolution penned by DoJ Undersecretary Deo Marco said.The complainants pursued the case after Alliance had twice denied their request for inspection of the corporate books and records, with the respondents telling them that their request has been “deferred” pending instruction from the board.The first request was made on January 15, 2014 via the complainants’ representative Dr. Albert Hong Hin Kay, a stockholder and member of the Alliance’s board, while the second request was made via a final demand letter to Alliance on January 23, 2014.The request was prompted by the “substantial financial downturn” suffered by Alliance that has adversely impacted its share price in the market.In their counter-affidavits, the respondents denied the accusations, saying “there was no denial of the request to inspect the corporate books of Alliance but merely referred the matter to the board.”The DoJ, however, was convinced that the elements of the crime committed by the respondents are present in the case, saying there is indeed a denial of the rights of the complainants.“Complainants are stockholders of Alliance and thus have the right to inspect the corporate books and records.Complainants twice served Notices of Inspection to conduct the inspections on 22 and 27 January 2014 and identified their representatives. The inspections were to be conducted during reasonable hours and even at the office of Alliance and its corporate secretary. The inspections by complainants were denied by respondents on 22 and 27 January 2014,” the DoJ resolution stated.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/alliance-officials-doj-files-charges-vs-trader/368440/
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‘I will break your necks’
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['Anthony Vargas']
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2016-11-15 22:24:07+00:00
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General Ronald dela Rosa, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, on Monday warned police officers against taking advantage of the government’s crackdown on illegal drugs by extorting money from suspected “drug personalities.”“I will break your necks,” he told them.Dela Rosa made the warning after receiving reports that some policemen are using the Duterte administration’s war on drugs to also milk cash from innocent victims.The PNP chief, at the same time, sought the public’s help in cleansing the police force of “misfits and scalawags.”“I am appealing to the public, please help us police our ranks,” dela Rosa said at a news briefing after Monday’s flag-raising at Camp Crame in Quezon City.He admitted that there are still crooks in uniform using the campaign against illegal drugs to make money.At the news briefing, the PNP chief invited people, including “drug lords and pushers” who are being threatened and shaken down by these rogue police.Without elaborating, he cited cases of policemen approaching businessmen and telling them that their names are on a list of drug suspects and threatening them.Usually, dela Rosa said, the victims eventually offer the extortionists huge sums of money to have their names removed from the purported list of “drug personalities.”Addressing those involved in the narcotics trade, he urged them to report any extortion attempt to him and he would consider the errant policemen’s offense “times two,” or twice as serious as those of drug personalities, and “I will neutralize them.”“I promise… if I catch you, I will break your necks,” dela Rosa said as a warning to extortionist policemen.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/will-break-necks-2/296708/
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Bongbong has his eyes on presidency
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['Sam Nicolas', 'Michael Timbreza', 'Trisha Hipolito', 'Myca Delos Santos', 'Alas.Kador Nga']
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16/10/2017 0:00
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While Marcos hasn’t yet declared himself a candidate for the 2022 presidential election, he offered a range of policy positions in the interview. He wants to depoliticize the judiciary, military and police while also creating a civil service that functions effectively no matter who is president.He also suggested changes to the 1987 constitution, which weakened the power of the executive to prevent a repeat of the perceived excesses under his father.“Government needs to have more strength to be effective,” he said.Pointing to the surging economies of regional competitors like Vietnam, Marcos lamented three decades of lost opportunities. He said he’d like to remove red tape that hinders the government and business.On foreign policy, Marcos said that he broadly agrees with the pro-China stance initiated by Duterte, whom he has known since the mid-1990s and remains close to. Last year Duterte gave the late strongman a hero’s burial, giving closure to his family and supporters even while reopening wounds for families of the victims.‘Jaw Dropped’Still, Marcos said he was shocked when Duterte announced a “divorce from the U.S” in Beijing last October.“I remember watching it and my jaw dropped,” Marcos said. “I was sitting with the cabinet secretaries and we were all, did he just say that? Yes he did.”Marcos sees the U.S. relationship as special for the Philippines, noting that President Donald Trump is a friend of his mother dating back to the 1970s.“I’ve been with my mother when we had dinner with him,” Marcos said. “He’s exactly the same person I met when we had dinner.”In the Philippines, Marcos remains a celebrity. After speaking at a packed media event earlier this month, journalists queued to have their picture taken with him.“We never went away,” Marcos said of his family’s involvement in politics, adding that his motive is to serve the public. “It’s not some sinister plan to bring back the Marcoses.”
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/10/16/bongbong-has-his-eyes-on-presidency/
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‘Everyone wants a piece of STL’
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['The Manila Times']
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2018-05-01 00:03:30+00:00
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THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) will study proposals that villages should also have a share of the revenues collected from Small Town Lotter (STL), General Manager Alexander Balutan said.Under the law, cities and municipalities receive monthly three percent share from the STL net sales. Provinces get 0.75 percent, districts, 0.25 percent, and Philippine National Police (PNP), 2.5 percent.All these shares are culled from the 30 percent charity fund.“Itong Small Town Lottery (STL), maraming gustong kumurot dito, especially ngayon. I’ll tell you frankly that this coming election, gustong kumurot lahat. Pero hindi natin mapagbibigyan. Ang purpose natin dito is for charity, not gambling. Kung lahat tayo kukurot diyan, walang matitira sa charity natin (So many people want a share of STL.Everyone wants to have a pinch. But we cannot grant all requests. This fund is for charity. If all of us get a share, nothing will be left for charity” Balutan told reporters during a forum at the Sama-samang Talakayan at Linawan in Lipa City, Batangas over the weekend.“Napakarami po ang punong barangay. Pero pag-aaralan natin ang panukalang ‘yan (There are so many village heads. But we will study the proposal),” he added.In the first quarter of this year, the PCSO shared P446.6 million to local government units, districts, and the police.The agency’s first quarter earnings from Lotto, Keno, Sweepstakes, and STL hit P15.98 billion.The highest revenue increase was recorded by the STL with P6.1 billion, an increase of 114.09 percent compared to the revenue in the same quarter last year.STL revenue for the first quarter was equivalent to 38 percent of the entire revenue of the agency. Keno and Instant Sweepstakes contributed P1.4 billion (9 percent) and P663 million (4 percent), respectively.Lotto and other digit games earned P7.7 billion.“I want to be transparent to the Filipino people. That’s why we publish this [our accomplishments] in newspapers.You can challenge any data na pinublish namin kung mali ito. Remember, PCSO is not receiving anything, any single centavo from the taxes of the people. We get our revenues from the gaming public. Kaya alagaan natin ang gaming public (That’s why we should take care of the gaming public). If the betting public has no confidence [in us], the business is lost. There would be no charity fund, no medical upgrade program,” Balutan said.Balutan said he and former PCSO Chairman [Jorge] Corpuz worked to build the image of the agency.“We became transparent. Kung walang tiwala sa amin ang tao, hindi kami kikita ng ganyan. Now STL is earning P2 billion a month compared last year. Bakit? Maraming kababayan ang naniniwala sa ating adhikain. Figures don’t lie. You can challenge any data,” said Balutan.“We want to let the public know where their money goes. I would like to appeal to everyone to support PCSO and its products. With more revenues, more funds will be provided to the LGUs and to your constituents. Malaki ang tiwala ng President [Rodrigo Duterte] sa (The President trusts the leadership of the PCSO. We shall not fail him,” he said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/everyone-wants-a-piece-of-stl/396019/
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‘Bato’ confirms Senate run
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2018-09-13 00:05:28+00:00
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Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa on Wednesday officially took his oath as member of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban). He confirmed that he would be running for a Senate seat in 2019.Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel 3rd, president of the PDP-Laban, officiated the oath-taking.De la Rosa said he made the decision to run for senator during the mass oath-taking of the Davao City-based Hugpong ng Pagbabago held last month in Davao City. He added that President Rodrigo Duterte convinced him to run.The former national police chief admitted that raising money to fund his campaign would be a big challenge.“Even if I spend all my retirement pay it will still be not enough so I will leave it up to the Lord,” he added.A recent survey conducted by Pulse Asia showed de la Rosa among the top 12 senate bets, with Sen. Grace Poe leading the pack.Senators Cynthia Villar, Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, and Nancy Binay also made it in the Magic 12, along with former senators Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, Sergio “Serge” Osmeña and Lito Lapid, Rep. Pia Cayetano, and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.If he gets elected as senator, de la Rosa said he would work for the reinstatement of the death penalty.Apart from de la Rosa, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Deputy Administrator Nicanor Faeldon and actor Philip Salvador also took their oath as PDP-Laban members.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/bato-confirms-senate-run/440764/
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Benham Rise potential source of energy
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['Spam Me']
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28/03/2017 0:00
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The 24-million hectare Benham Rise undersea plateau east of Luzon has potential methane hydrates that could be a possible source of energy for the Philippines.This assessment was made yesterday by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate economic affairs committee, as he conducts this morning a hearing on a proposal by Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara to create a Benham Rise Development Authority (BRDA). It will be the committee’s second hearing since three weeks ago.Gatchalian said the Philippines has at present explorations and research partnerships with different countries.The undersea level of Benham Rise goes deeper as the continental shelf is measured eastward into the Pacific Ocean.“In fact, marami ang gusto makipag-partner sa atin para ma-explore at painamin ang research diyan sa Benham Rise sa nakitang methane hydrates,’’ he said. (There are many parties that want to go into joint explorations with us, particularly given the existence of methane hydrates; it will be good for research too.)Gatchalian had said creation of the BRDA would show to the world, including China, that Philippine activity and governance exist in the area.If these activities are not done at Benham Rise, China might be tempted to come in unmolested like what it had done in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) where China reclaimed parts of the Spratly island chain and built air and naval bases in the reclaimed land, the senator added.Some quarters had questioned the sudden presence of a Chinese vessel in the Benham Rise area and President Duterte’s announcement that he was not averse to China building observation structures at Scarborough Shoal (Panatag island).Gatchalian said he had invited the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to give clarity and enforce Philppine sovereignty over the Benham Rise.Because of alleged Chinese incursions into the area, Gatchalian said he also invited the Department of National Defense (DND) so that the DND could be given representation in the proposed BRDA.“Ang mahalaga din dito ay ‘yung makukuha natin ang long-term strategy, whether it is defense or in other aspects,’’ he stressed. (What is important here is the formation of a long-term strategy, whether it is defense or other aspects.)“The concept of the BRDA is holistic sustainable development. What this means is that future generations should benefit from what we could get from Benham Rise, whether food or energy, among others.’’ Gatchalian added.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/03/28/benham-rise-potential-source-of-energy/
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OFWs affected by Marawi violence to get OWWA aid
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['عبدالفتاح ابراهيم']
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26/05/2017 0:00
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Overseas Filipino workers (OFW), who were affected by the ongoing skirmish between the government forces and the Maute terror group in Marawi City will receive assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).OWWA administrator Hans Cacdac disclosed that the OWWA Board of Trustees has recently approved a resolution allocating P100 million to provide financial aid to the affected OFWs.“The calamity component involves cash assistance amounting to P3,000 for active members and P1,000 for inactive members,” Cacdac said.He said that OWWA Region 10 office is already assessing the number of beneficiaries, who will qualify for the cash assistance.“Our Region 10 director is on the ground in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro, determining the amount to be given to the beneficiaries. Distribution will happen in the coming week,” Cacdac said.For its part, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) earlier said it will provide livelihood aid to workers, who will be displaced because of the prevailing crisis.Some residents of Marawi City, including families of OFWs voluntarily evacuated their homes last week and went to nearby cities like Iligan and Cagayan de Oro after members of Maute terror group raided their hometown.In response to the attack, President Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao and ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to intensify counter offensives against the Islamic State-inspired group.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/05/26/ofws-affected-by-marawi-violence-to-get-owwa-aid/
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Bare Boracay action plan, DoT dares travel groups
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['Francis Earl Cueto']
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2018-03-04 00:01:14+00:00
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THE Department of Tourism (DoT) on Saturday challenged the travel agencies who are opposed to the planned implementation of a 60-day moratorium on the operation of establishments on the island of Boracay to present to the government their action plan to bring the country’s top tourist destination back to its pristine condition.Tourism Assistant Secretary Ricky Alegre said in an interview aired over radio station dzBB that they need to see the agencies’ respective positions papers on the government plan.The Philippine Travel Agencies Association of the Philippines had asked the government to put on hold the plan to close Boracay for 60 days to give time to the government to address the island’s environmental problems.Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo on Thursday said they plan to implement the moratorium during the rainy season when fewer tourists go to Boracay.Alegre said the travel agencies will present to the President during a Cabinet meeting on March 5 their recommendations on the moratorium.Duterte earlier threatened to close Boracay, which he described as a “cesspool,” because of the environmental problems hounding the resort island.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/bare-boracay-action-plan-dot-dares-travel-groups/383921/
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Lawmakers warned vs passing marijuana bill
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-12-05 21:28:29+00:00
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THE passage of proposed House Bill 6517 or the Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act would only weaken President Rodrigo Duterte’s ongoing war on drugs, according to a lawmaker.Joselito Atienza, Buhay party-list representative and senior deputy minority leader, on Tuesday warned his fellow congressmen, “… If we pass this into law, the President’s campaign will lose speed and credibility.”Atienza was a resource person at the “Truth About Marijuana” forum held recently at the University of the Philippines-Manila.In a statement, he reminded his colleagues not to commit the same mistake that the government made in the procurement of anti-dengue vaccines used in implementing its anti-dengue program.“Here we go again, we failed in the dengue vaccine, which has been found to cause more harm to the school children it was administered to. If we legalize the use of medical marijuana, a lot of people could be exposed to the severe dangers of this substance, which until now has not been proven to have medicinal value. If this bill is passed, no one can guarantee against the harmful effects it will have on its users, specially the youth as forewarned by medical practitioners in the Philippines and even abroad. Let us turn down this bill while there is still time. We should reject the marijuana bill… Who will undo what we are now legalizing? Marijuana is one of the most dangerous drugs, according to the Dangerous Drugs Act, and we cannot change that by legislation,” Atienza said.He pointed out that almost all medical associations in the Philippines and even those based abroad are vehemently against the marijuana bill.“Ironically, it’s the politicians who are pushing for its approval…,” Atienza said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/lawmakers-warned-vs-passing-marijuana-bill/366847/
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House okays 4-day workweek scheme
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['Ma. Reina Leanne Tolentino']
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2017-08-27 20:04:36+00:00
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The House of Representatives has approved on final reading a proposal to increase daily work hours under a compressed workweek scheme.If passed into law, the measure would amend Articles 83, 87 and 91 of the country’s Labor Code.The bill amends Article 83 to state that workers’ normal work hours “shall not exceed eight hours a day except in cases where the enterprise adopts a compressed workweek scheme, but shall not exceed 48 hours a week. This is without prejudice to firms whose normal workweek is five days, or a total of 40 hours based on the normal work day of eight hours.”It would also allow workers “to complete their working hours on a compressed workweek scheme whereby the normal workweek is reduced to less than six days but the total number of normal work hours per week shall remain at 48 hours.”Health personnel in towns and cities with populations of at least a million, or in hospitals and clinics which have a bed capacity of at least a hundred, shall hold eight-hour regular office hours daily for five days a week, exclusive of meal time, under the bill.Where their work requires six days or 48 hours, they shall be entitled to additional compensation (30 percent of regular wage on the sixth day).The bill also amends Article 87 to state that overtime work may be done provided that the worker is paid an additional compensation for it equivalent to regular wage plus 25 percent of the wage.If the worker does overtime work on a holiday or rest day under a compressed workweek scheme on a holiday or rest day, he shall be paid additional compensation “equivalent to the rate of the first eight hours or a number of hours under a compressed workweek scheme on a holiday or rest day plus 30 percent thereof.”The bill further amends Article 91 to state that it shall be the employers’ duty to provide workers rest periods of not less than 24 hours after six work days, and that “[i]n the case of a compressed work eek scheme, a rest period of not less than 48 hours but not more than 72 hours, as the case may be, shall be provided to the employees.”Under the bill, employers shall determine and set the workers’ weekly rest day subject to collective bargaining agreement and rules that may be provided by the Labor secretary but employers shall respect the workers’ preference regarding the weekly rest day when it is based on religious grounds.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/house-okays-4-day-workweek-scheme/347116/
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‘Hostages-turned-terrorists will be treated as Maute’
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['Dempsey Reyes']
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2017-10-02 21:18:09+00:00
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Hostages who have joined the Maute Group will be treated as terrorists like their adopted comrades, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) warned on Monday.But AFP public affairs chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said the military cannot identify with certainty who among the hostages in the siege of Marawi City have turned into gunmen of the Maute Group, which is affiliated with the Islamic State (IS).“If they will be the one shooting at us first, we have to continue our combat operations and then we have to also protect ourselves especially if we are the ones being shot at first [by the hostages forced to fight soldiers],” Arevalo told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo, the AFP’s general headquarters in Quezon City.“They will be treated as part of the local terrorist group especially if we do not have information if that person was an enemy or a real Maute-ISIS fighter or that person was forced to fight,” he said, using another acronym for the IS—Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.The latest tally from the military showed that 749 terrorists and 47 civilians had been killed in the four-month-old fighting in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.According to Arevalo, hostages forced to fight government troops and killed in combat would have to be counted as Maute casualties.Government forces are communicating with the hostages inside the main battle zone in order to determine whether any hostage has turned into a terrorist.Forty-three hostages remain inside the battle zone, according to Arevalo.He called for more patience from the public as the fighting had entered the month of October, citing challenges being faced by troops in the field.Last week, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the fighting could be over as the month of October approached but that deadline was not met as clashes continued on Sunday, October 1.Arevalo said the military would be needing “a few more days” to finish the war and in clearing strongholds of the Maute bandits.“We saw that there was a great reduction of strength and capability from the Maute to withstand the onslaught of our personnel but we also cannot belittle [them]. What we are saying is that we have the upper hand, we gained the momentum, the operational tempo is with us,” he added.“We are just as eager as you are in finishing this war, we are just as interested as everyone else to ensure that we would be able to finish this and to get into full swing the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Marawi,” Arevalo said.About eight to nine hectares of a highly-urbanized area with tall buildings remain as maneuvering ground of the Maute Group in Marawi, according to him.ConsequencesThe AFP public affairs chief said the military is confident that Omarkhayam Maute and Southeast Asian “emir” of the IS group Isnilon Hapilon are still within the main battle area, citing reports.He called on the two top Maute leaders to surrender to authorities, assuring them that they will be treated “humanely.”Hapilon and Omarkhayam, however, would have to face consequences of their actions in aiming to establish an independent Islamic state in Marawi City, Arevalo said.The military would also prefer to have Hapilon and Omarkhayam alive once they are found by the government within the area but Arevalo said the two terror leaders will not let themselves to be captured alive.“But, if we will be able to capture them alive, that will be good so that we can have our chance to ask them about other information that would come straight from them, but if in any case, they already see that they are on the losing end, that they should surrender now,” he added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/hostages-turned-terrorists-will-treated-maute/354145/
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House OKs magna carta for day care workers
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['Ralph Villanueva']
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2017-11-25 21:23:46+00:00
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THE HOUSE of Representatives has approved on its third and final reading a bill establishing a magna carta for day care workers.A total of 205 lawmakers unanimously voted on the affirmative for the passing of House Bill 6550, also known as the Magna Carta of Day Care Workers.The bill aims to ensure that children nationwide will receive quality early education and social development services in their early, formative years.The bill also aims to recognize the crucial role of day care workers in nation-building through their services, by the grant of benefits and privileges and the provision of training for their professional development.Through the bill, plantilla positions in all day care centers in the country will be created, which would allow day care workers to enjoy security of tenure and other benefits of permanent personnel provided in civil service rules.Qualifications and standards will be set and the establishment of personnel selection boards will be mandated to ensure systematic and merit-based screening, shortlisting and hiring of applicants to professionalize the ranks.Current day care workers will also be protected from disenfranchisement through transition measures that will help them comply with hiring requirements.Overtime pay, hazard allowance and subsistence allowance will be given to day care workers.Day care workers will also be given compensation, additional allowances and social security benefits from the Government Service Insurance System, Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.The Public Attorney’s Office will also be readily available to represent day care workers in cases filed against them in connection with their duties. Free annual medical examinations will be provided by government hospitals.Furthermore, the Department of Social Welfare and Development along with the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority will provide a system of continuing education and skills training and knowledge enhancement programs.Other entitlements such as same-area assignments for married couples, access to livelihood programs, and continuing education and skills training will be provided as well.The bill mandates the International Revenue Allotment (IRA) to provide the funding for the program along with the Special Education Fund of local government units, national government subsidy for poorer municipalities, and the contribution of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to the Early Childhood Care and Development Council.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/house-oks-magna-carta-day-care-workers/364968/
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POEA bans foreigners from recruiting maids
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['William Depasupil']
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2018-04-07 00:02:20+00:00
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THE Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has suspended the participation of foreign principals or representatives of foreign recruitment agencies (FRAs) with accredited or registered job orders in the recruitment of household service workers amid rampant incidents of abuses against HSWs or domestic helpers.“Given the increasing number of reported abuses to HSWs, the POEA shall not accept applications for LoA (Letter of Authority) of foreign principals/employers with accredited/registered job orders for HSWs. LoA shall not be issued to recruitment activities which will be conducted within and outside the address stated in the license or of branch offices,” POEA Administrator Bernardo Olali in Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 3 said.The MC effectively prohibits, among others, foreign principals or their representatives from interviewing applicants for HSWs.Olalia explained that concerned private recruitment agencies are now fully responsible for the conduct of recruitment activities for manpower requests for HSWs of their principals or employers.“Licensed recruitment agencies found violating the provisions of this circular or performing activities inconsistent herewith, shall be subjected to administrative sanctions in accordance with the schedule of penalties prescribed under existing POEA rules and regulations, without prejudice to any action which the Bureau of Immigration may take against the foreigner/principal under immigration laws and existing issuances,” the circular said.The recruitment sector said they would appeal Olalia’s order, saying MC 03 is a virtual ban on HSWs deployment.In a letter to Olalia, the Society of Hong Kong Association of Recruiters of the Philippines (Sharp) said preventing foreign principals or representatives from interviewing applicants for HSWs is a curtailment of the recruitment activities of licensed agencies.It pointed out that the main purpose of foreign principals in coming to Manila is to personally select applicants for HSW work for themselves so as to properly match the applicants with the clients of foreign recruitment agencies to prevent any mismatch, which may result in termination or repatriation of the applicants.The LoA issued by the POEA is requested by licensed agencies in lieu of the Special Working Permits (SWPs) issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI), and has been the practice since 2001.In the same letter, the group explained that if the objective of the circular is to reduce the number of workers applying for domestic work, such is unlikely to happen as the government cannot stop Filipinos from seeking greener pastures abroad.It said licensed agencies are partners of the government in combating illegal recruiters and human traffickers and imposing a ban on interviews or even a deployment ban on HSWs will only aggravate the trafficking of HSWs.The industry also requested that prior consultation with stakeholders should be the rule instead of the exception as this has been the previous practice of former POEA administrators to promote good and harmonious relations with the recruitment industry.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/poea-bans-foreigners-from-recruiting-maids/390868/
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