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Robredo slams Marcos’ request for hearing officers on poll protest
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2017-05-17 20:44:29+00:00
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Former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s request for deployment of three hearing officers for his poll protest against Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo is “improper,” a lawyer said on Tuesday.Romulo Macalintal made the statement in connection with Marcos’ motion asking the Supreme Court (SC) to designate three hearing officers consistent with the “summary nature and preferential status of election protest cases.”Macalintal said the motion is premature since the SC, serving as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, is yet to hold a preliminary conference on Marcos’ protest.“Without the preliminary conference, the motion to have three hearing officers is practically intended to condition the minds of the people, if not those of the members of the PET, of the issues Marcos seems to dictate upon the tribunal. We are not even sure whether the three causes of action raised by Marcos in his protest would be sustained by the PET,” he added in a statement.Macalintal said it would be impractical to have three hearing officers to hear the three causes of action since there is only one lead lawyer for the protestant and the protestee and thus, the lead lawyer has to be present in every stage of the hearing and cannot be in three places at the same time.“As such, it is improper for three hearing officers to resolve the said issues separately,” he added.Robredo beat Marcos by 263,473 votes for the vice presidency in the May 2016 polls.Marcos is contesting the results in 92,509 clustered precincts.Robredo, on the other hand, filed a counter protest questioning the results in 31,278 clustered precincts.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/robredo-slams-marcos-request-hearing-officers-poll-protest-2/327669/
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Tax experts welcome settlement of Pacquiao P3.2-billion tax debt
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['Anton Barrera']
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23/04/2017 0:00
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Tax experts favor the proposed amicable settlement of the P3.2 billion tax debt of boxing champion and Sarangani Congressman Manny Pacquiao.Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Caesar Dulay revealed that there are ongoing talks for an out-of-court settlement on Pacquiao’s case.Former BIR tax fraud chief Frederick Capitan said the proposed deal would be beneficial for the government as the latter will immediately get much needed cash, instead of spending time and effort for a protracted trial..Capitan even warned that the BIR might even lose the case before the Court of Tax Appeals, similar to what happened to many big-ticket cases.He also said the deal will be advantageous for Pacquiao as he can start again with a clean slate and even get huge discounts if he settles his tax debts. The Tax Code allows a taxpayer to pay only 40 percent of the basic tax payable if the assessment is of “doubtful validity.”The BIR commissioner may even further lower the assessment as provided in the Tax Code.Pacquiao was originally assessed as having owed the BIR P2.2 billion for his boxing prize winnings in 2008 and 2009.The amount, however, ballooned to more than P3.2 billion due to the 50-percent surcharge and 20-percent annual interest on the tax due.Pacquiao could have avoided the tax trouble if he had complied with the directive of then BIR Commissioner Kim Henares to present the original receipts of the withholding tax on his winnings that were remitted to the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS).Tax experts said the BIR could not have imposed the huge tax liabilities if Pacquiao presented the IRS papers because taxes paid in the US are creditable to his income tax return here as stipulated in the bilateral tax agreement between the two countries.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/04/23/tax-experts-welcome-settlement-of-pacquiao-p3-2-billion-tax-debts/
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‘Don’t kill my soldiers’– Duterte
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['Jose Rizal', 'Michael Swofford', 'Kim Kong']
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20/05/2017 0:00
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‘‘my’ because I’m the Commander-in-Chief – so my soldiers and my policemen,” he said during Friday’s opening of the four-day 25th Association of Firearms and Ammunition Dealers of the Philippines (AFAD) Defense and Sporting Arms Show at the SMX Convention Center here.The Chief Executive said he has to protect his soldiers because he is the commander-in-chief.He further noted that he was then friendly to the NPA but there have been irreconcilable differences when he became president.”Ngayon na-Presidente ako, siyempre iba na ang papel ko, ‘di away kami (Now that I am President, of course, I have a different role). So unless they really stop killing my soldiers and policemen, there will be no peace in this land,” the President said.He recalled that he was first to declare a unilateral ceasefire but they disrespected it and killed soldiers.President Duterte said he has been patient despite his sharp words.“I am a President for peace. I am not a wartime President. My job is to bring peace to my country,” he stressed.Meanwhile, a top AFP official has urged businessmen and rural-based private companies not to give in to alleged extortion demands of the NPA.“By doing so, the business community would be doing service to the government in putting an end to the force taxation and terroristic activities of the NPA,” said Maj. Gen. Benjamin R. Madrigal Jr., commanding general of the Army’s Northeastern and Northern Mindanao Fourth Infantry (Diamond) Division (4th ID).The region’s ranking AFP commander said the NPA has now resorted to extortion activities and banditry to raise money because the rebel group was already losing the support of the community.“It is very clear that the NPA is losing the support of the people and they are now resorting to extortion activities and this must be stopped,” Madrigal said.“The duo (father and son) decided to go back to the folds of law, citing difficulties because of the relentless military operations,” Uy said.To date, at least 50 ASG members have already surrendered to the military authorities since the military offensive began in January. (With a report from Mike U. Crismundo)
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/05/20/dont-kill-my-soldiers-duterte/
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Arroyo backs forest protection, restoration
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['Ma. Reina Leanne Tolentino']
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2018-09-23 00:10:22+00:00
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House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has expressed “strong support” for forest protection and restoration, saying caring for forests presents positive impacts to food security and tourism.“Kahit wala pa tayong mining dito, ang kayamanan natin ay ang kalikasan natin, yung mga food manufacturing natin, yung food security na maitutulong natin sa buong bansa, at yun na nga, responsible care of the forest (Even if we do not have mining activities here [in Pampanga], our treasure is the environment, our food manufacturing, the food security that we can contribute to the whole country, and responsible care of the forest),” Arroyo said when she attended the tree planting activity in Barangay Villa Maria in Porac, Pampanga. The activity was led by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) in celebration of its 118th anniversary dubbed “Lingkod Bayani: Kilos para sa Kalikasan.”Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda, CSC Chairman Alicia Bala, Porac Mayor Conrado de la Cruz, Vice Mayor Dexter Albert David, and Assistant Secretary Joselin Marcus Fragada of the Department of Environment and National Resources among others, attended the event.Arroyo said even if there had been no landslides in Pampanga, local officials have the responsibility to see to it that mountains in Porac remain safe for residents and to help realize the town’s potential.The former president said only responsible mining should be allowed in the province.“There should be a rehabilitation portion na magtatanim ulit ng mga puno (where trees should be planted). So if ever makaswerte tayo, makahanap tayo ng gold dito, bakit hindi? We can mine it, pero dapat mayroong mga rules (If we get lucky and discover gold here, we can mine it. But there must be rules),” Arroyo said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/arroyo-backs-forest-protection-restoration/444338/
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Red Cross inaugurates dialysis center
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['Catherine A. Modesto']
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2018-11-07 00:02:14+00:00
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Sen. Richard Gordon led the inauguration on Tuesday of the Philippine Red Cross’ (PRC) first dialysis center in Port Area, Manila.Chronic kidney failure is among the leading causes of death in the country, said Health Undersecretary Rolando Domingo.Gordon, who is also the chairman the PRC, said the dialysis center was put up “because we have a dialysis tsunami coming.”He noted that those with kidney failure have to undergo three hemodialysis treatment weekly, which costs about P4,000 per session.“Kidney problems are debilitating and putting a strain on the budget of the renal patients and their families. It affects both the poor and the rich,” he said.“The people going in dialysis centers end up getting poor. Those who are rich becomes poor because dialysis is costly. The indigent, on the other hand, choose not to get treated,” he added.For this reason, the PRC established the Dialysis Samaritan Program, allowing companies or patients to sponsor the hemodialysis treatments of indigent patients.“For those who really cannot afford, we will look for a donor. But even for indigents, others would pay for them because we want to maintain it (the facility),” Gordon said.The PRC Dialysis Center has 10 dialysis machines and two automated repressing machines, which could cater to about 60 to 90 patients.Gordon also acknowledged the PRC’s partners, including Takao Suzuki, chairman of the Tokushukai General Incorporated Association, who donated the hemodialysis machines.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/red-cross-inaugurates-dialysis-center/463345/
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‘ERC needs acting commissioners’
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2017-12-23 20:19:13+00:00
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SEN. Sherwin Gatchalian has urged Malacañang to appoint “acting” commissioners in the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) during the period of the suspension of four of its current officials to avoid disruption in the approval of pending energy projects.The Ombudsman suspended for one year without pay commissioners Gloria Victoria Yap-Taruc, Alfredo Non, Josefina Patricia Magpala-Asirit and Geronimo Sta. Ana after they were found guilty of not implementing the Competitive Selection Process (CSP), which unduly favored some electric utilities.“The vacuum of leadership in ERC could result to a standstill in the operations of the collegial body. This will in turn have an effect on our future power supply, resulting to the possibility of blackouts,” Gatchalian said.“In this light, I’m urging Malacanang to appoint acting commissioners to perform the duties of the suspended Commissioners as soon as possible,” said Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy.The suspension of the four commissioners stemmed from a complaint filed by members of Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas on November 2016 that questioned the deferment of CSPs in early 2016, and for granting seven Power Supply Agreements (PSA) of the Manila Electric Company, despite the period of suspension of the CSPs.The ERC is the electric power industry regulator composed of four commissioners and one chairperson.The senator said the ERC, as a collegial body, requires the presence of three members in order to issue orders, decisions and resolutions.In this situation, the absence of four of its members leaves the body “powerless in making decisions critical to the energy sector,” Gatchalian said.“Its chair Agnes Devanadera was appointed just this November and will serve the unexpired term of Jose Vicente Salazar until July 2022,” he added.He noted that Executive Order No. 292 or Administrative Code of 1987, grants the President the power to temporarily designate a competent person or any official currently in active government service to perform the functions of an official working in the Executive branch who is unable to perform his duties.In which case, President Rodrigo Duterte’s temporary designation should not exceed a period of one year, the senator said.Gatchalian also said the Supreme Court in a 2011 case, General vs Urro, ruled the President has the power to make acting or temporary appointments, as long as he is not prohibited by the Constitution or by the law in order to prevent a hiatus in the discharge of official functions.“We want to ensure that ERC would continue its service despite the suspension ordered on most of its Commissioners. At present, the total value of all pending applications for ERC approval is P1.5 trillion,” he added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/erc-needs-acting-commissioners/370294/
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Shorter sea route from PH to Indonesia soon to open
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['Reicelene Joy Ignacio']
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2017-01-15 21:10:09+00:00
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A shorter sea route from the Philippines to Indonesia will open on April 28, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).The new sea route will start from Davao City to General Santos then to Bitung, Indonesia, the DOTr said.“Having a shipping route such as this is crucial for any maritime region. Sea linkage will strengthen our economies and our partnerships in other areas of development. And it will also improve the quality of life of our people because local businessmen and traders will directly benefit from this,” DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said.The new sea route intends to make ferrying goods faster, compared to the current three to five weeks via the Manila-Bitung route.The DOTr said that it will be cheaper, with savings estimated at about $1,500 or P75,000 per twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU), which will create revenue for local businessmen and the government.An initial weekly shipping schedule with a vessel capacity of 100 TEU will be provided by the Asian Marine Transport Corp., while other vessel operators are foreseen to show interest in plying the route, according to the department.The Davao-General Santos Bitung route is one of the three Asean RORO priority routes, identified by the Japan International Cooperation Agency Feasibility Study on the Establishment of an Asean RORO Shipping Network, adopted by the 25th Asean Maritime Transport Working Group Meeting in 2013.The other two routes are the Dumai-Malacca route and the Belawan-Penang- Phuket route.The establishment of efficient and reliable shipping routes including the Asean RORO is one of the maritime initiatives in the roadmap toward an integrated and competitive maritime transport in Asean and maritime transport-related measures under the Asean Economic Community Blueprint, Master Plan on Asean Connectivity and Brunei Action Plan 2011-2015 and the Kuala Lumpur Transport Strategic Plan 2016-2025.President Rodrigo Duterte and Indonesian President Joko Widodo have been invited to the formal opening of the route.REICELENE JOY IGNACIO
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/shorter-sea-route-ph-indonesia-soon-open/307110/
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BoC destroys fake goods worth P3B
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['William Depasupil']
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2018-09-21 00:05:06+00:00
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THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has destroyed some P3 billion worth of various fake signature imported products and other goods for violation of the Intellectual Rights Property Law.Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña on Thursday said that the condemnation process was in line with the public interest and transparency on the disposition of seized and forfeited goods and to protect the public from health hazards from fake products.“Our crackdown against fake products is going well. However, the public must be made aware that continued patronage and exposure to counterfeit items pose health risks to the user. The items we destroyed today bears the same brand but the quality and the materials or chemicals used are different. These are substandard products and did not undergo quality control and safety inspection,” Lapeña said.He noted that fake products undermine the legitimate brand owners.“We are receiving reports from brand owners that are greatly affected by the proliferation of fake items. We must promote a healthy competition in the market,” he added.The fake goods were destroyed in an accredited condemnation facility located in San Pedro, Laguna owned by Tritek Reverse Logistics Corp.Based on the Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) report, the destroyed goods is approximately worth P3 billion.Lotions, perfume, shampoo, make-up, lipstick, and one labeling machine bearing the brand names of Gio Armani, Dior, Olay, Nivea, Cetaphil, and other well-known brands were crushed, poured, and shredded.The fake goods were among those intercepted during a warehouse raid in November 2017 at Unit 8-1, 10-A, 10-B, Vicente Tower, 1275 Dagupan St., Tondo, Manila by the agents of the ESS. The operation stemmed from the investigation conducted and surveillance made by customs operatives.The fake goods were seized in February this year.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/boc-destroys-fake-goods-worth-p3b/443421/
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Duterte: Marawi fighting ‘almost over’
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['Catherine S. Valente']
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2017-10-14 22:56:39+00:00
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The end is near for the conflict in Marawi City, President Rodrigo Duterte said, as the military makes its final push to liberate the strife-torn Islamic city.In an interview aired over state-run PTV4 on Friday night, Duterte claimed the Marawi conflict was “almost over” but added the government forces could not advance their offensives against the terrorists because they have to consider the lives of the remaining hostages.He said it could have been easier for the state forces to “drop a hundred bombs” in places where the extremists were still holed up, including the mosques, but he chose to end the battle “peacefully.”“It [Marawi crisis] is almost over. Almost is because of the lives of the hostages,” the President said.“We tried our very best to end this war peacefully. I never had the intention to destroy the holy shrines of the Islam faith. E madali mo lang pulpugin ‘yung mosque [It’s easy to destroy the mosques]. You just drop about a hundred bombs there and tapos lahat [it’s done], but you know, you have to be very careful about sensitivity of people,” he added.On Tuesday, the President said he hopes the crisis in Marawi would be resolved in one week.“We are also suffering from a severe case of terrorism. We’re coping up. We hope that it would be finished in about one week. We have suffered casualties, the biggest so far in my present year. And I am sad that terrorism has arrived in my land,” he said.Duterte earlier said that government planned to finish the battle with the Maute group last September but that did not materialize.In a chance interview on Wednesday, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said security forces are exhausting all means to end the armed conflict in Marawi City “within the next few days.”On Monday, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr. said government forces were still engaged in a firefight with around 40 to 50 Islamist fighters.On May 23, Maute fighters stormed Marawi City while the military was conducting a manhunt operation against Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon.It was believed that the Maute group and Hapilon, the purported emir of IS in Southeast Asia, were conniving to establish an enclave for fighters in Southeast Asia.Duterte, in a bid to thwart the Islamist extremists’ plan, placed Mindanao under martial law. The order stays until December 31.Since the Marawi crisis erupted up to Thursday, 813 terrorists, 160 security personnel and 47 civilians have been killed.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/duterte-marawi-fighting-almost/356450/
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‘CHR can’t probe police case folders’
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['Rj Carbonell']
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2017-09-08 22:39:47+00:00
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The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Friday said President Rodrigo Duterte would not allow the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to probe Philippine National Police (PNP) case folders.“Yes. It’s like that,” DILG Officer-In-Charge and Undersecretary Catalino Cuy said in a chance interview when asked if Duterte would let the commission take a look into the case folders.“We can find other ways to help the CHR,” he added.According to Cuy, CHR Chairman Chito Gascon was informed during a meeting of the PNP, the CHR and the DILG on August 29 that Duterte had given a standing order to not allow the rights commission access to the case folders.“I told [Gascon] that during the meeting. There was a [standing] instruction from the President [on the case folders],” he said.“We would continue with our meetings. I hope [the CHR] would understand our position,” Cuy added.He said the PNP cannot divulge the contents of its case folders to the CHR unless there is “clearance” from Duterte.The August 29 meeting at Camp Crame in Quezon City discussed cases of extrajudicial killings allegedly carried out by policemen.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/chr-cant-probe-police-case-folders/349475/
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3 CA justices inhibit from de Lima case
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2017-02-01 22:13:40+00:00
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LIKE a hot potato.Three justices of the Court of Appeals have inhibited themselves from handling a petition by Sen. Leila de Lima to halt the Department of Justice (DOJ) from pursuing drug trafficking cases against her.The case was first raffled off to Associate Justice Danton Bueser after it was filed last January 23.But Bueser, a representative of Laguna before joining the court in 2009, is a former member of the erstwhile ruling Liberal Party that drafted de Lima for the May 2016 senatorial election.The case then went to Associate Justice Jose Reyes last January 30, who also turned it down. The following day, it went to Associate Justice Aurora Jane Lantion, who inhibited herself because she is a relative of one of the lawyers in the case.The case is now with Associate Justice Nina Antonio Valenzuela of the court’s Sixth Division, headed by Associate Justice Fernanda Lampas-Peralta.De Lima had filed a 46-page petition for prohibition and certiorari, arguing that the DOJ has no jurisdiction over her cases and that only the Office of the Ombudsman has sole jurisdiction over offenses committed by public officials.De Lima is facing drug trafficking charges before the DOJ in connection with her alleged involvement in the proliferation of illegal drugs inside the New Bilibid Prison.She was charged before the DOJ in October 2016 by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption and former National Bureau of Investigation deputy directors Reynaldo Esmeralda and Ruel Lasala.De Lima noted that Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre 2nd himself had admitted that the cases would still be forwarded to the Ombudsman. De Lima wants the court to issue a temporary restraining order or writ of preliminary injunction to stop the proceedings before the DOJ.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/3-ca-justices-inhibit-de-lima-case-2/310095/
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10k fishers gain from lifting of blockade
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['Nelson Badilla']
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2016-11-15 22:20:16+00:00
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Some 10,000 fishermen and fish port workers from the cities of Navotas and Malabon in Metro Manila have benefited from the Chinese government’s lifting of its blockade at the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), according to a labor federation.In a statement, Associated Labor Unions (ALU) welfare officer Angelo Tolentino on Monday said since last month, small- and medium-scale fishermen have been able to catch more than 1,000 kilograms of fish every two days that they later sold at the Malabon and Navotas Fish Port Complex for around P120,000.Tolentino said the 10,000 fishermen and fish workers belong to the ALU.Gerard Seno, ALU executive vice president, said “the fishing industry plays a major role in the Philippines’ economic progress as it provides direct and indirect employment to millions of people.”“[The] profit alone is not enough to uplift the lives of our fisherfolk,” Seno added.He explained that workers in the fishing industry must also be empowered, acquire basic social protection and must secure decent working conditions.Since 2012, Tolentino said, Chinese ships have seized control of contested areas in the South China Sea.“During the blockade, our fishermen have no other choice but to fish in some other parts of the open sea, catching fewer fishes. The dilemma caused by the territorial dispute between by two countries [China and the Philippines] affected the lives of both municipal and commercial fisherfolk, considering that most of them derive their livelihood from the open waters of the West Philippine Sea,” he added.President Rodrigo Duterte has convinced the Chinese government to let peace reign between the two countries by, for one, allowing Filipino fishermen back at the South China, particularly Scarborough Shoal, also called Panatag Shoal and Bajo de Masinloc.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/10k-fishers-gain-lifting-blockade-2/296701/
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Customs seizes over P1B in illegal drugs
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['Catherine S. Valente']
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2016-11-25 20:58:50+00:00
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The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized more than P1 billion in illegal drugs since President Rodrigo Duterte took office on June 30.Speaking to reporters in Malacañang on Friday, Neil Anthony Estrella, Customs acting spokesman for enforcement and intelligence operations, said the confiscated illegal drugs include P927 million worth of shabu obtained in 11 major operations, P17 million worth of ecstasy obtained in follow-up operations and P227.7 million worth of cocaine obtained in eight operations for a total of P1.173 billion.Estrella added that the biggest catch was in July in Claveria, Cagayan where 180 plastic bags of shabu worth P900 million were confiscated.“Commissioner [Nicanor] Faeldon stresses the bureau will continue to support President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs by strictly guarding our seaports and airports,” he said during a news conference.The BOC, according to Estrella, seized in July in Subic, Zambales a Chinese fishing vessel found to be manufacturing and transporting illegal drugs to the country.“Four Chinese who were also considered high-value targets were arrested during that operation…[They] are now in the custody of our authorities,” he said.Estrella added that the BOC has also impounded counterfeit products in Pasay City (Metro Manila), Bulacan and Pangasinan areas, totaling about P775 million.“The BOC will remain tough against smuggling. As we improve our maritime capability, we will pursue them to the farthest border of the country,” he said, quoting Faeldon.Estrella added that the BOC’s anti-smuggling operations contribute to its revenue collection, which increased for the month of October to P33.365 billion.The amount, he said, is P39 million higher compared to the amount collected for the month of September.“For the first 15 days only of November, the BOC has already reached 52 percent of its P36.495 billion assessed target. The bureau has so far collected P18.9 billion and is confident that the assessed collection target for November will be exceeded given these indicators,” Estrella added.Meanwhile, he announced the release of a total of 400 balikbayan boxes from the United States sitting undelivered at the Manila International Container Port since March.“The winning bidder, Pherica International, heeded the request of the Bureau of Customs that the boxes be released to their rightful recipients in time for the Christmas season. The good news is Pherica International just gave us its yes that they will give these 400 balikbayan boxes for free,” he said.Estrella assured that all district collectors will follow the bureau’s no-opening policy on such boxes and expedite the release and handling of these boxes.“The commissioner highlights the importance of balikbayan boxes, which symbolize the hardship of overseas Filipino workers and the love of Filipinos abroad for their families here in our country,” he said.CATHERINE S. VALENTE
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/customs-seizes-p1b-illegal-drugs/298425/
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House OKs bill creating new housing department
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2018-02-15 00:05:20+00:00
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The House of Representatives has approved a bill that seeks to create a Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development that will be responsible for providing adequate housing.The House, through a 193-6 vote, approved House Bill 6775 that will merge the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board to form the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.The Human Settlements and Urban Development department will implement a rational, well-balanced, orderly and efficient redevelopment of urban communities and the development of new settlements in rural and non-farm areas to assure dwellers of decent and affordable housing, job and livelihood communities, efficient mass transit, public safety, health care, educational opportunities and clean environment.It will also establish Socialized Housing One-Stop Processing Centers in the regions tasked to centralize the processing and issuance of all required housing-related permits, clearances, and licenses.The bill defines socialized housing as housing programs and projects covering houses and lots or home lots only or residential condominium units undertaken by the government or the private sector for the underprivileged and homeless citizens—including sites and services development and long term financing.“This will establish an efficient, effective, comprehensive and integrated national and local housing development program,” the Committee Report on the measure read.“Likewise, the bill will rationalize and coordinate the functions and powers of the National Home Mortgage Corporation, Home Guaranty Corporation (HGC), Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) and National Housing Authority, (NHA),” it added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/house-oks-bill-creating-new-housing-department/380267/
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PH-China agree on P24.5-B Davao expressway project
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['Bonga Go', 'Yolanda Santos']
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23/03/2017 0:00
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Finance secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III and Chinese Vice Minister Fu Ziying, who is also China’s International Trade Representative recently forged an agreement for the conduct of preliminary feasibility studies for the proposed P24.5-billion Davao City Expressway and the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridges Project that will help decongest the city’s downtown areas.Davao City Investment Promotions Center (DCIPC) head Ivan Cortez said the 23.3-km expressway project will be constructed above ground and will be implemented in three phases.The first phase will cover Carlos P. Garcia National Highway, Maa, Talomo, and Sta. Ana Wharf; the second phase will include Carlos P. Garcia National Highway, Maa, Talomo, Panacan; and the third phase will be from Carlos P. Garcia National Highway, Maa, Talomo, Bangkal.He said the objective of this latest infrastructure project is to improve and decongest traffic within Davao City by connecting its port to the outer part of the city.He added it will also “complement on-going, committed, and proposed projects for further enhancement and improvement of access that will encourage an increase in economic activities and productivity along its influence areas.”“It will shorten the travel time of people, if their usual travel route plan is between north and south of the city,” he said.National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) director general Ernesto Pernia and Fu Ziying signed the six-year development program that aims to “steer and promote stable and orderly development of economic cooperation, enlarge the scope and enhance the level of cooperation, and drive sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development in both countries.’Vice Minister Fu and Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang were in Davao City for a four-day visit and met with some of the cabinet officials of President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Friday, among them, Finance secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Budget secretary Benjamin Diokno, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, and Pernia.In that meeting, the officials from China and the country’s economics managers discussed the recent economic developments in the country, particularly the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017 to 2022, and updates on bilateral cooperation in areas of infrastructure, trade, investments, agriculture, fishery, tourism, and financing cooperation between Philippines and China.Also, China gave the Philippines $91 million worth of grants, which includes a $1-million donation for the earthquake-hit province of Surigao; a $75-million grant for the construction of the Binondo-Intramuros and the Estrella-Pantaleon bridges across the Pasig River; and the on-going $15-million financing provided under the anti-illegal drugs and law enforcement security cooperation agreement signed last year between the two countries during the state visit of President Rodrigo R. Duterte in China in October, 2016.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/03/23/ph-china-agree-on-p24-5-b-davao-expressway-project/
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Senate ratifies cybercrime, tax treaties
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2018-02-19 21:09:08+00:00
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The Senate on Monday passed on third and final reading five resolutions concurring the ratification of five treaties, including the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime which would prevent syndicates from making the Philippines a “haven” for their illegal activities.Senators also unanimously ratified four treaties covering the Philippines’ Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAA) with Mexico, Thailand and Sri Lanka, and the Agreement on the Asean+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO).Sen. Loren Legarda, chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime aims to address the threats posed by cybercrime and facilitates multilateral cooperation and enhanced collective capability to suppress cybercrime.“Since cybercrime is borderless, simultaneous and persistent, cooperation, coordination, and collaboration with other countries is therefore vital,” Legarda said.“This treaty is very important to protect our people from cybercrime especially since the country is the number one haven for those committing child pornography,” she said.According to the Unicef (United Nations Children’s Fund), the Philippines is the number one global source of child pornography and a hub for the live-stream sexual-abuse trade.“Eight out of every 10 Filipino children are at risk of online sexual abuse or bullying,” the senator said.Meanwhile, the DTAAs aim to eliminate double taxation between the Philippines and Thailand, Sri Lanka and Mexico.“These Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements are intended to promote international trade and investment in several ways, the most important of which is by allocating taxing jurisdiction between the Contracting States so as to eliminate or mitigate double taxation of income,” Legarda said.The Agreement Establishing the Asean+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) will constitute AMRO as an international organization with full legal personality.The AMRO, initially established as a company limited by guarantee in Singapore, aims to help secure economic and financial stability in the region through the conduct of regional economic surveillance and by supporting the implementation of the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization (CMIM), a multilateral currency swap arrangement among Asean+3 members.“This will provide greater macroeconomic surveillance capability for the institution, and consequently benefit the Philippines as one of its clients together with other Asean+3 Members,” Legarda said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/senate-ratifies-cybercrime-tax-treaties/381319/
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LPA, storm brew near PH
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-09-10 19:54:44+00:00
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The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Sunday that it is monitoring two weather disturbances–a low pressure area (LPA) and a tropical storm approaching the country.At 3 a.m., the new low pressure area was located at 745 kilometers north east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar.Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Talim which is still outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) is expected to intensify and will be given the local name of Lannie once it enters the country.It is likely to enter the PAR and hit extreme northern Luzon today.The tropical storm was located at 1,885 km east of Luzon with maximum sustained winds of up to 65 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 80 kph.It is moving west northwest at 25 kph.Visayas, Palawan, Bicol Region, Northern Mindanao and Caraga will experience cloudy skies with moderate rains with thunderstorms along with lightning, occasional heavy rains and strong winds because of the trough of LPA.Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies apart from isolated rainshowers because of localized thunderstorms. Light to moderate winds heading northeast to east with slight to moderate coastal waters will prevail in Northern Luzon and Central Luzon.In Southern Luzon and Visayas, light to moderate winds heading northeast to northwest will prevail with slight to moderate coastal waters.Light to moderate winds bound for south to southwest direction will also occur in Mindanao and the coastal waters will be slight to moderate, Pagasa said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/lpa-storm-brew-near-ph/349889/
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Andanar takes over govt news agency
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2017-08-14 22:00:09+00:00
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Palace communications chief Martin Andanar will take over as the editor-in-chief of the Philippine News Agency (PNA) amid a series faux pax of the state-run news agency.Andanar’s assumption of the post would happen just days after the PNA published a story on the Department of Labor of Employment (DoLE) that used the logo of Dole Philippines, one of the largest producers and sellers of fruits, mainly pineapple.The DoLE incident came after the PNA published a story culled from Chinese government-run Xinhua news agency calling the July 2016 United Nations court ruling, which outlawed China’s aggression against Filipino fishermen and reclamation projects in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), as ill-founded.Aside from Andanar, the other members of the PNA Editorial Board would now include: Joel Sy Egco, former editor and chief of reporters of The Manila Times; Assistant Secretary Joseph Lawrence Garcia; current PNA chief Virginia Arcilla-Agtay; consultant Albert Gamboa; and PNA Acting Executive Editor Louie Morente.“We will do what is necessary to improve our services. The people expect proficiency, nothing less,” Andanar said in a statement.He earlier proposed that erring PNA personnel be sent to Basilan or Sulu.Terrorist groups operate in the two provinces in southern Mindanao.President Rodrigo Duterte earlier drew flak by proposing to send police officials involved in the illegal drug trade and other forms of corruption to war-torn Marawi City in Lanao del Sur, which has been under siege by the terrorist Maute Group since May 23.This proposal drew sharp criticisms even among the ranks of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and lawmakers allied with the President.But on Monday, Andanar did not mention about reassigning erring PNA people to Mindanao and instead assured the public that the PNA personnel concerned for the erroneous posting of the Dole Philippines logo and the Xinhua news faux pas were summoned to explain their recent failures.“The public expects the highest standards of professionalism from them. Due diligence and propriety are a must at all times for the news organization,” he said.Andanar disclosed that he has directed his legal officers to determine the culpability of the PNA officials concerned.In a separate news conference, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella clarified that the Duterte administration holds Mindanao in high esteem.“The President has deep and great respect for Mindanao and its people,” Abella said.“If at all there seems to be any implication about hardship, then it’s not about Mindanao or Mindanaoans, it is simply about… it is simply about certain difficulties in the region at this stage,” he added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/andanar-takes-govt-news-agency/344435/
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Duterte to meet with labor, management
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['William Depasupil']
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2017-04-19 22:09:31+00:00
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PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is meeting with representatives of labor and employers groups to thresh out problems between workers and management, including the recent implementation of the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DoLE) new guidelines on work contracting and sub-contracting that organized labor is strongly opposing.Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd on Wednesday disclosed that a dialogue between the President, the workers and management will take place on the eve of the celebration of Labor Day on May 1.“This shows that our President is a listening President, which is very important to a leader,” Bello said.“It is not only during Labor Day, the President has committed to talk quarterly with labor,” he added.Where Department Order (DO) 174 is concerned, Bello said the department has done its best in addressing the needs of the workers but noted that “our powers are not limitless.”He reiterated that even as the DoLE would like to accommodate the demand of the workers for a total ban on contractualization, the government’s hands are tied because the law allows some forms of contractual relations.According to Bello, some 46,605 workers have already been regularized as of the first quarter of the year, saying majority have been voluntarily regularized while the rest were regularized through regular assessment.He pointed out that with the issuance of DO 174, “we expect more workers to be regularized.”“I believe that more workers under illegal contracting arrangements will become regular workers as we strictly enforce the new department order,” Bello said.He added that he has authorized Undersecretary Joel Maglungsod to supervise a team composed of labor compliance officers and representatives from labor and employers that will inspect more than 90,000 establishments to assure their compliance with labor standards and existing labor laws.Meanwhile, the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippiines (ALU-TUCP), the biggest labor group in the country, said they will participate in the Labor Day gathering with the President.“But we wish Mr. Duterte will have something significant to give or share as a gift to the working class as government’s appreciation of workers who helped build the growing Philippine economy on their labor toil,” ALU-TUCP spokesman Alan Tanjusay said.“We hope Mr. Duterte will make economic growth inclusive for workers by gifting them with the banning of contractual work arrangements and announcing a significant wage hike for all workers nationwide,” he added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/duterte-meet-labor-management-2/323033/
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PH, Czech Republic ink military agreement
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['Jaime Pilapil']
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2017-06-01 21:26:18+00:00
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The Philippines and the Czech Republic signed the bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreement on May 29 at the Ministry of Defense in Prague.Representing the Philippines was National Defense Undersecretary Ricardo David Jr. and for the Czech Republic, Deputy Minister Jakub Landovksy, head of Defense Policy and Strategy Division.The agreement between the Department of National Defense and Ministry of Defense paves the way for cooperation in defense and military matters and establishment of a Joint Defense Committee to organize concrete cooperation activities.The agreement spells out areas of cooperation such as defense and security policy, procurement policy, defense logistics, peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, compliance with international treaties of defense, security and arms control, personnel management, military training and education and other activities that may be agreed upon by both parties.The Philippines has been shopping for armaments in a bid to strengthen the capabilities of its Armed Forces.The Defense department will soon purchase missiles from Russia.President Rodrigo Duterte visited Moscow last week of May but had to cut it short because of a terrorist attack on Marawi City, Lanao del Sur in southern Mindanao.Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ph-czech-republic-ink-military-agreement/330430/
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Tropical storm to enter PH
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['Mary Gleefer F. Jalea']
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2017-10-25 21:15:58+00:00
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An approaching tropical storm with the international name Saola is about to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and will be named Quedan, according to the state-run weather bureau.At 10 a.m. on Wednesday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Saola was located at 1,200 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, and is expected to enter the country in the afternoon or on Thursday morning.It is packing maximum sustained winds of up to 80 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 95 kph.The storm is forecast to move northwest at 21 kph.It has no ‘direct effects” yet on any part of the country, weather specialist Chris Perez said.The tropical storm’s trough, however, is causing cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms in Eastern Visayas.Meanwhile, an intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) is bringing similar weather conditions in Palawan and Mindanao that could lead to flooding or landslides.Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon and the Visayas will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains because of localized thunderstorms.Pagasa urged the public to continue monitoring further weather advisories within the day.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/tropical-storm-enter-ph/358629/
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House suspends budget hearings indefinitely
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['Ma. Reina Leanne Tolentino']
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2018-08-12 00:04:28+00:00
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The House of Representatives has suspended hearings on the proposed P3.757-trillion national budget for 2019, Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles said on Saturday.Nograles said the House decided to suspend budget briefings “[t]o be consistent with the position of the House to oppose cash-based budgeting.”“And since we will revert to obligation-based budgeting, we will give time to DBCC (Development Budget Coordination Committee) to make the necessary changes,” Nograles, who leads the House Committee on Appropriations, added.Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. on Wednesday said that the House rejected the proposed cash-based national budget over concerns that the cash-based system would result in fund deprivation in congressional districts.Under a cash-based system, agencies are required to spend their obligated budgets within the year or lose them.On Thursday, Nograles said lawmakers agreed to withdraw support for the budget reform bill and to ask the Senate to return the bill to them so that the House could study the measure again.Nograles on Friday said the House would resort to obligations-based budget, noting that Cabinet members were also opposed to the cash-based budget.Nograles said under the cash-based budget, the allocation of the Department of Health was decreased by P35 billion; the Department of Education by P77 billion; and the Department of Public Works and Highways by P95 billion. There was also a P5-billion reduction in the budgets for the Social Welfare department and the Commission on Elections.ACT Teachers Rep. Antinio Tinio criticized the slashing of the DepEd budget.“The DepEd proposed P116 billion for the construction of school buildings but the DBM (Department of Budget and Management) only approved P10.2 billion. This budget for construction of school buildings is 83.29 percent less than the budget in 2018,” Tinio said.“DepEd also proposed 5,487 additional positions for non-teaching personnel but DBM only approved 455 positions. Items under Learning Tools and Equipment and Textbooks and other instructional materials were also slashed by P3.68 billion and P1.19 billion respectively. The budget of state universities and colleges will also be slashed by 55.15 percent while the Commission on Higher Education will have budget cuts in their different scholarship programs. The Higher Education Development Fund will be slashed by 15.5 percent, Scholarship Grant for Dependents of Sugar Industry Workers will be cut by 17 percent, the K-to-12 transition program will be slashed by 16.33 percent and the CHEd Grants to Medical students will not be funded in the proposed 2019 budget,” he said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/house-suspends-budget-hearings-indefinitely/429312/
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Govt eyes new raps vs Roxas, Abaya
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['Catherine S. Valente']
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2018-03-07 00:03:33+00:00
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The government is considering filing new cases against former officials of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) in connection with the alleged anomalous Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) contract, Malacañang said on Tuesday.Palace spokesman Harry Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte, during the Cabinet meeting on Monday, asked Solicitor General Jose Calida to look further into the accountability of former government officials.“There was a decision that cases will be pursued for those behind the miserable performance of MRT 3. There are pending complaints for plunder against officials of the previous administrations, specifically for awarding the maintenance contract to a company with absolutely no track record,” Roque told reporters.“There could be other new ones. Because apparently, the problem lies not just with BURI (Busan Universal Rail Inc.), the problem also lies with the current owners of MRT3,” he added.Roque said that the new cases would be separate from the charges filed by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in November 2017.A plunder complaint was filed against former Cabinet members in the Aquino administration, including former Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas 2nd and former Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya.The transportation department alleged that Roxas and Abaya were the main conspirators in the scheme that involved awarding the P3.8 million MRT maintenance contract to BURI.Roque said former transport officials are liable for the MRT-3 mess.“I think we know already that it includes the former Transportation Secretary, that includes even Mr. Mar Roxas, it includes Budget Secretary (Florentino) Butch Abad This is for the award of the contract to a company with absolutely no track record; a company that was obligated to repair 26 coaches and they only delivered two; and they even supplied the wrong signaling system,” he said.Roque also identified measures to address the train line’s underlying problems.“The short term is to purchase all necessary spare parts. The medium term is to enter into a maintenance contractor with the original maintenance contractor Sumitomo (Corp.),” he said.The long-term solution, he added, was to change the ownership of the MRT 3 Corp. “which appears to have contributed to problem of MRT 3.”“The ownership of MRT 3 is a private corporation. So, they are thinking of changing the owners, because we have had many problems with the current owners. There were timetables presented to the Cabinet, there are unsolicited proposals and there will be an award to be made soon,” Roque said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/govt-eyes-new-raps-vs-roxas-abaya/384496/
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Isko Moreno appointed to DSWD
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['Catherine S. Valente']
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2018-05-10 00:03:37+00:00
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PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed former Manila City vice mayor Isko Moreno as undersecretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).The appointment papers of Moreno, whose real name is Francisco Moreno Domagoso, was signed on May 8 but Malacañang released it on Wednesday.In July 2017, the President appointed Moreno to the North Luzon Railways Corp. (Northrail) but he resigned in October 2017 citing “personal reasons.” Moreno, a former actor, ran for senator under the ticket of Sen. Grace Poe but lost. He was vice mayor of Manila from 2007 to 2016.Duterte also appointed Gerald Camiña as member of the Board of Directors of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Sherwin Rigor as undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Resources and Antonio Joselito Lambino 2nd as assistant secretary of the Department of Finance.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/isko-moreno-appointed-to-dswd/397822/
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Grab, Uber get reprieve on ‘colorum’ vehicles
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['Reicelene Joy Ignacio']
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2017-07-20 20:28:30+00:00
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The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on late Wednesday said it is open to receive a motion for reconsideration (MR) from both Grab and Uber to defer apprehension of colorum vehicles that the two transport network companies (TNCs) could be operating.Colorum vehicles run without LTFRB franchises.“If both transport network companies fail to submit their respective MR, the July 11, 2017 order stays,” LTFRB spokesman Aileen Lizada said in a text message to reporters.Last July 11, the franchising board said Grab and Uber drivers behind the wheel of colorum vehicles will be slapped a fine of P120,000 and the vehicles will be impounded for three months by July 26.Uber and Grab said they were set to file their respective motions of reconsideration on Thursday to resolve issues against their supposedly colorum drivers.The LTFRB said it had instructed both companies to stop activating apps of drivers without certificates for public conveyance.On Tuesday, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, amid an impending crackdown on Grab and Uber drivers, said the government wants to have a share from the income of the TNCs.Acording to him. less than 10 percent of 56,000 vehicles operating under Grab and Uber are registered with the franchising board.The Transportation department, he said, also wants to establish a cap in the number of Grab and Uber vehicles plying the roads once it has established compliance of the TNCs with getting permits to operate from the LTFRB.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/grab-uber-get-reprieve-colorum-vehicles/339568/
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Abu Sayyaf history by June – AFP chief
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['Fernan Marasigan']
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2017-04-09 19:09:15+00:00
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THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Sunday said it is confident that it can meet a timetable of six months to decimate the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).The promise came after Gen. Eduardo Año, AFP chief of staff, visited government troops of the Joint Task Force Sulu in Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista in Sulu province in southern Mindanao.He ordered soldiers to speed up the campaign to strategically eliminate the ASG within the specified time frame, or up to June 30, 2017.“They [the ASG terrorists] are no match to us,” said the AFP chief who directed the troops to “operate at full speed, double or increase the operational tempo some more.”“We have actually perfected the art of combined and joint operations. We saw the inter-play among major services, and the inter-play of ground troops to deliver in different lines of operation, the maneuvers, the fire support and the combat leadership,” Año added.During his visit, he awarded new Glock pistols to military officers who led successful operations against the ASG that resulted in recovery of 77 high-powered firearms, including a .50 caliber machinegun, M-16 rifles, M-14 rifles, Garand rifles and carbines, and ammunition.The military said it is the biggest haul so far in less than two months.“I congratulate everyone, especially with these firearms recovered, that are laid in front of us, in just less than two months,” Año said.Midway through the AFP’s campaign against terrorism, he said he is confident that the six-month deadline will be met.Since January 2017, the military has killed 47 ASG members in fierce firefights.This tally, according to Año, does not include reports of wounded terrorists who eventually died based on intelligence reports.The AFP rescued 12 kidnap victims since the start of the year, including five Malaysians and two Filipinos recovered by troops under JTF-Sulu in March.“We are confident that we shall be able to complete the first phase of our six-month campaign with positive results. We shall continue with our momentum and finish our mission to defeat and incapacitate the terrorist Abu Sayyaf to finally pave the way for further development and progress here in Mindanao,” Año said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/abu-sayyaf-history-june-afp-chief/321845/
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Substantial wage hike unlikely, labor admits
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['William Depasupil']
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2018-10-23 00:10:56+00:00
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LABOR groups sought President Rodrigo Duterte’s intervention for a “substantial” wage increase for some 4 million wage earners in Metro Manila, after a consultation on Monday with the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-National Capital Region (RTWPB-NCR).Representatives of the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) submitted during the meeting a supplementary position paper amending its original P320 daily wage hike petition filed in June 2018 to P334 a day.ALU-TUCP Vice President Louie Corral admitted that the petition for a substantial wage increase was unlikely to be granted, saying that “the NCR regional wage boards were just being polite, perfunctory and routine and just wanted to get over it.”“It looks like the NCR wage board is not sure about its full mandate. These are times of economic hardship and difficulty for workers in a supposedly growing economy. We fear that what we encountered today are wage board members who don’t want to take real responsibility and make the hard decisions for fairness and decency,” Corral said.Amid rising prices of goods and cost of services, the President should intervene in the wage issue, he said, adding it might be mishandled and result in a backlash against the Duterte government.“We therefore call on the President to lead from the front on the wage petition issue. Workers are already barely surviving on their daily minimum wages,” Corral said.Corral claimed that economic managers were pre-empting the wage board deliberations and misleading the President by saying that a substantial wage increase would be inflationary.Inflation, however, was caused by profiteers and cartels in electricity, petroleum and rice, as well as the excise tax and value-added tax on power and oil, he said.Metro Manila workers recieve P512 minimum wage a day. The real value or purchasing power of the minimum wage, however, has fallen to P340 a day, the group said.The last wage increase, amounting to P21 per day, was granted to minimum-wage earners in Metro Manila on Oct. 5, 2017, out of the original petition of P184 per day.It brought the daily minimum wage rate in the private sector to P512 from P491.ALU-TUCP has also sought from the government a P500 monthly grocery subsidy for minimum-wage earners to help them cope with rising inflation and eroding wages.Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd said he had recommended a P200 subsidy to the President, subject to the approval of the Departments of Finance and of Budget and Management.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/substantial-wage-hike-unlikely-labor-admits/455709/
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Privacy body summons Uber over data breach
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['Reicelene Joy Ignacio']
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2017-12-16 01:50:55+00:00
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The National Privacy Commission (NPC) on Friday summoned transport network company Uber in connection with the company’s disclosure that around 170,000 Filipino passengers and drivers were affected by a data breach in 2016.“We were informed that around 170,000 Filipino citizens consisting of drivers and passengers were affected by the breach. We understand this to be based on the mobile phone numbers included in the registry,” NPC Commissioner Raymund Liboro said in a statement.Liboro added that the exposure was limited to registered names, email addresses and phone numbers.“In line with this, we have summoned them to appear before the commission to further explain their data processing operations particularly the organizational, technical and physical security measures that Uber Philippines is implementing to protect Filipino drivers and riders,” he said.Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber chief executive officer, earlier said Uber is changing its way of doing its business to earn the trust of its customers.“I recently learned that in late 2016, we became aware that two individuals outside the company had inappropriately accessed user data stored on a third-party cloud-based service that we use,” according to Khosrowshahi.He said Uber has already implemented security measures to restrict access and strengthen the company’s control of its cloud-based storage accounts.“While I can’t erase the past, I can commit on behalf of every Uber employee that we will learn from our mistakes. We are changing the way we do business, putting integrity at the core of every decision we make and working hard to earn the trust of our customers,” Khosrowshahi added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/privacy-body-summons-uber-data-breach/368938/
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Finally, a statement from Kris Aquino’s former business partner
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['Iza Iglesias']
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2018-11-15 20:10:07+00:00
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~HOURS before multi-media mogul Kris Aquino appeared before the Mandaluyong Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday afternoon to verify the 44 counts of qualified theft she filed against former business partner, Nicardo “Nicko” Falcis 2nd, his brother Jesus Nicardo Falcis 3rd finally issued the very first statement coming from the side of the accused.In a video posted by Entertainment portal Pep.ph’s Arniel Serato, the younger Falcis denied Aquino’s allegations and expressed that his brother has been forced to remain abroad for fear of his personal safety.“Yesterday, November 14, Kris Aquino already identified my brother explicitly and personally as the one who allegedly stole money from her. On November 18, this Sunday, my family will be celebrating my deceased father’s birthday in my home. But my brother, Nicko Falcis will not be here in the Philippines to celebrate with us,” Jesus began his five-minute video statement.“Contrary to the claims of Ms. Aquino and her lawyers, my brother’s staying abroad is not an indication of guilt. She took away my brother from our family and my brother is forced to stay abroad because of serious threats to his person and safety. I know for a fact and I heard it personally. Ms. Aquino threatened my brother. She said, “You f—–g a—–e Nicko, wag kang tatapak dito sa Pilipinas (don’t step in the Philippines). Dare to step in this country and you will be dead.”According to Jesus, Aquino claimed she has in possession a list of Nicko’s flight records, which to the Falcis’ family comes across as a threat that she can monitor Nicko’s whereabouts and ultimately that she has powerful friends.“Grave threats coming from the daughter and sister of former presidents, we do not take lightly. I have nightmares about it; I can hear it now vividly as I recount it. The reality is, I would never imagine I would hear someone I just used to watch on television and the daughter of Ninoy (the late senator Benigno Aquino Jr.) and Cory (the late president Corazon) Aquino to say those things,” Jesus said.“That is the reason why my brother is not here–will not be here– during the preliminary investigation later, and will not be here on my dad’s birthday on Sunday. A complete family is important but my brother’s life and safety is more important.”Ridiculous chargesGoing into specifics, Jesus said, “Ms. Aquino has also defamed my brother’s reputation over the past few months on social media and the mainstream media. She would say tens of millions of pesos were stolen from her. And suddenly all she ever filed were cases of qualified theft for the total amount of P1.2 million? The charges are bases and totally ridiculous!“The truth will eventually come out. If any of the media will go to the prosecutor’s [office] and get a copy of her complaint, then they will see that these are all ridiculous.“Credit card charges [as] qualified theft? For a lawyer like me, kailangan may physical taking para masabing nakaw. How can you steal a credit card charge? And all of the credit card charges were all authorized. They have an agreement as to this,” he continued.Jesus guaranteed the public through his video message that further questions about regarding Aquino’s claims can best answered by his brother once the family can be sure to protect his safety and he can come home.At the moment, Jesus said there was still no need for his brother to present himself to the prosecutor as they still have to confirm the cases filed.Nicko turns down KrisUnable to control his emotions, Jesus went on to reveal that the conflict between his brother and Aquino began when he refused to continue working full time for her.“Nicko has many other commitments that Ms. Aquino was aware of—well aware of—and had agreed [for him] to [accept] before. This [reaction to his refusal], my brother did not foresee; that it would be a reason for such a tumultuous falling out with a former close friend, but who obviously abhors rejection and absolute worship,” he related.“We have been silent for the past few months and have been negotiating with Ms. Aquino in good faith sincerely for settlement because she has always reached out [to us] personally. It’s not true that my family have not been serious or sincere. It was Ms. Aquino who filed the cases while the negotiations were ongoing. And she was saying no cases will be filed.“To reiterate my brother, Nicardo Falcis 2nd did not commit 44 counts of Qualified Theft under Article 310 in relation to Articles 308 and 309 of the Revised Penal Code, whether for P1.2 million or any amount. All of the details of these cases will be itemized in our legal answers when we file our counter affidavit soon enough, which the media can obtain from the prosecutor’s after we file.“My brother is innocent. We may not come from a political family or [have] powerful friends at our behest but we have the truth on our side.”Aquino’s son, Bimby, with ex-husband and cager James Yap accompanied her to the Mandaluyong Prosecutor’s Office where the erstwhile “Queen of All Media” verified the same complaints she also filed against Falcis in San Juan, Taguig, Pasig, Makati, Manila and Quezon City in October.According to the actress’ criminal complaint, Falcis “exploited his position of trust and confidence” when he allegedly used a credit card she issued for the operations of her company Kristina C. Aquino Productions (KCAP) for his personal expenses.Identifying Falcis as her project manager since 2016, Aquino said stated in her complaints, “In all, respondent had charged P1,270,980.31 to the KCAP Card for personal expenses without my consent. Prior to my discovery of these expenses and demand for their payment, respondent neither informed me about them nor undertook or made arrangements to settle them.”Aquino explained that the credit card had a ₱2-million limit, which she set aside for advertisements of brand partners. However, she discovered such purchases like 95 cups of coffee and cosmetic products from Mac worth ₱99,200 when the bills were delivered to her house.According to her sworn statement, she discovered that Falcis “misappropriated KCAP funds in July 2018.”Word war beginsIn a statement, Aquino’s lawyer Sigfrid Fortun, claimed that Falcis fled the country because of the case and that his lawyers are seeking the inhibition of the “entire San Juan Prosecutor’s office from hearing and resolving her complaint.”Fortun said Falcis argued the actress was “charming her way to get the prosecutor to rule in [her] favor and secure an indictment.”Meanwhile, when asked to react on the statement of Falcis’ brother, Aquino told members of the press, “I never met you. I also checked kasi baka may mga sabihin tungkol sa kapatid ko. He has never met my brother [former president Noynoy Aquino]. Even Nicko has never met my brother. Hindi ito away pamilya. This is something that is unfortunate but I will repeat this: Kasi ang last statement is that we were open to an amicable settlement. We tried six times. What changed?”“Let me just say this. Nicko, I owe you and I have loved you. Sana nga tama ang sinasabi niyo na gusto niyong makipag-ayos,” Aquino ended.Earlier reports said the actress-host engaged the services of Falcis as managing director of her digital media company, KCAP, and was responsible for landing her the “Crazy Rich Asians” cameo in Hollywood.ABS-CBN’s digital entertainment arm Push.com quoted sources as far back as December 31, 2017 that Falcis was in fact the reason why Aquino left the management team of her good friend and network host Boy Abunda.The same article further reported, “Nicko Falcis is Kris’ new manager. He was responsible for making her earnings from digital media nearly exceed those from traditional TV by February 2018.” WITH A REPORT FROM ED VELASCO
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/finally-a-statement-from-kris-aquinos-former-business-partner/468172/
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Marina: Filipino seafarers must be computer savvy
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['Jaime Pilapil']
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2017-06-10 21:58:43+00:00
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To be competitive, Filipino seafarers must be highly skilled and computer savvy, according to the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).Marina Administrator Marcial Quirico Amaro 3rd stated this during the launching of the 10-year Maritime Industry Development Program (MIDP) Program at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City last week. Amaro said the country needs to produce more computer literate seafarers and port workers because of changing technology in ship management.“We want to be able to produce doable and sustainable programs coming from all stakeholders in the industry to be able to produce highly qualified seafarers. We also want to create a robust shipbuilding industry, a dynamic shipping hub and sustainable fishing sector to make the Philippines a major maritime country not just in Asia but the world,” Amaro said during the event that was held in partnership with the SM Global Pinoy.He said it was the first time in decades that the Department of Transportation through Marina is formulating a 10-year development plan for the entire maritime industry, which includes manpower training and development, regulations, shipyard, local and overseas shipping and fishing.The Marina head pointed out that while the Philippines is an archipelagic country, it has not maximized itsstrategic location in Asia to become a major maritime and seafaring nation. He pointed out that there are many challenges in the maritime industry, especially with respect to development of seafarers and port workers.He said there is a need to retool seamen on the latest technology to keep their competitiveness in the world market. “We are still among the leading providers of seafarers in the world but many countries are studying to be equally competitive if not more competitive and are ready to take our place if we fail to cope with the changing times. They are just waiting to lose our competitiveness,” Marcial added.Filipino seafarers contribute around P270 billion a year to the Philippine economy. Currently there is a shortage of 16,500 merchant marine officers . The figure is expected to increase to 92,000 in 2020 and balloon to 147,000 in 2025 from increasing demand.In order to address the need for more highly qualified workers for shipboard assignments and shore-based jobs, Amaro said Marina is set to take over the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP), the government’s training center for the maritime industry located in Tacloban City, Leyte.He said NMP, currently under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), should not be competing with the private sector in training maritime workers but should instead be a tool to make existing workers more competitive for the local and international market.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/marina-filipino-seafarers-must-computer-savvy/332032/
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Duterte restoring death penalty to speed up OFW executions
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2017-01-26 21:31:10+00:00
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The Duterte administration’s push for death penalty puts more overseas Filipino workers (OFW) on death row at risk of getting executed sooner than later, opposition lawmakers said on Thursday.Rep. Jose Atienza of Buhay party-list and Rep. Teddy Baguilat of Ifugao issued the warning in light of the death of 44-year-old OFW Jakatia Pawa who was put to death by the Kuwait government on Wednesday afternoon for the murder of her employer’s 22-year-old daughter.“One of the many repercussions of the return of the death penalty is that the Philippine government would be deprived of the moral high ground when it comes to our official appeals for clemency to foreign governments to spare the lives of our citizens who are facing execution. It would be highly problematic for us to plead with other governments for compassion if we ourselves are killing our own citizens here,” Atienza said in a statement.“Once Congress reinstates death sentences here [and] President Rodrigo Duterte makes good on his threat to execute five to six malefactors every day, a greater number of Filipino citizens on death row abroad are bound to be executed by foreign governments. We would have more Jakatia Pawas,” he added.Pawa, who worked as a household service worker in Kuwait, is survived by her two children.In 2012, she lost her husband, who was shot to death in their home province in Mindanao.“We cannot implore foreign governments to uphold universally recognized human rights, including the right to life, if we ourselves do not respect the sanctity of every human life,” Atienza argued.Baguilat, who is also against the pending death penalty bill, which is a priority legislation of the Duterte administration, shared Atienza’s sentiments.“Of course, our government loses its moral ascendancy and credibility to ask for clemency when it sees nothing wrong in exacting justice through the death penalty,” Baguilat said.According to government records, at least 87 Filipinos are facing the death penalty abroad, mostly in Malaysia and China.These 87 include Mary Jane Veloso, the 31-year-old Filipino woman who was supposed to be executed by firing squad in Indonesia last year but obtained a last-minute reprieve on the appeal of then-Philippine President Benigno Aquino 3rd and the arrest of Veloso’s illegal recruiters in Manila.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/duterte-restoring-death-penalty-speed-ofw-executions/308917/
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2 transport groups to hold strike on Monday
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['Elshamae Robles']
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2017-06-17 23:29:32+00:00
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Transport groups Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Piston) and No to Jeepney Phase-out Coalition on Saturday asked the public to join them on Monday to protest the government’s plan to phase out aging public utility vehicles (PUVs).The two groups said they will hold a candlelight vigil at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board central office in Quezon City and a transport strike on Monday.Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade will sign the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines next week that will govern the issuance of public transportation franchises.The transport modernization program of the Department of Transportation, which includes a plan to phase out old jeepneys, intends to make public transport safe and convenient for commuters. It also aims to reduce air pollution as well as to eliminate from the streets vehicles that are not authorized to transport commuters.Piston argued that the government’s plan to junk old jeepneys to replace them with modern versions like electric-powered units will displace drivers who are currently using old units.Earlier this month, George San Mateo, Piston president, said the phase out of old units will result in higher fares because the cost of replacing jeepneys with cleaner and more fuel-efficient units —Euro 4 compliant engines or electric engines — is extremely high.He added an operator of an electric jeepney fleet should have 20 units and a capitalization of at least P7 million under the modernization program.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/2-transport-groups-hold-strike-monday/333372/
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Police ready raps vs Resorts World
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['Jaime Pilapil']
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2017-07-03 21:15:57+00:00
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Metro Manila Police Director Oscar Albayalde on Monday said police are now ready to file criminal charges against Resorts World management and its security agency for the death of 13 employees and 24 guests during a rampage of an armed man who ran amuck on June 2 at the casino and entertainment complex.“The Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies will finalize and submit today or tomorrow their findings, which means they are ready to file charges of negligence resulting in multiple homicides,” Albayalde told a forum in Manila.He added that only three of the relatives of the victims have signified their willingness to file the criminal charges but he clarified that the police can file the case as a nominal complainant.Albayalde described the case as strong because Resorts World security forces had admitted to investigators that they abandoned a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera of the casino and entertainment complex the whole time that Jessie Carlos was wreaking havoc on the property before shooting himself dead.The 37 victims died from suffocation after Carlos torched the tables and carpet of the VIP room located on the second floor of the casino area.“Security lapse could be blamed for everything probably. [A] security person admitted that he left the CCTV [camera room] immediately. He could have seen people on the second floor at the VIP room and they could have been saved [if he did not leave the room]. All the 37 died because of suffocation,” Albayalde said.“When the police and firemen arrived, they said they were able to evacuate the 12,000 people present at the time in the casino without knowing that all the 37 people were trapped inside the VIP room,” he added.Another major lapse, according to Albayalde, was that Resorts World security personnel could see the suspect through the CCTV camera but could not pinpoint where he was.The security people informed the police only when Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald de la Rosa arrived at 3 a.m. that they had another CCTV camera room at Remington Hotel nearby.Albayalde said respondents to the complaint are Travellers International Hotel Group Ins., operator of Resorts World Manila located across Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, and N.C. Lanting Security Specialist.Resorts World has given P1 million each to families of the 37 victims, including paying for the hospitalization or treatment of some 67 injured individuals.Meanwhile, Public Attorney’s Office head Persida Acosta, in a radio interview also on Monday over dzMM, said a class suit is being prepared against the management of Resorts World.“We have prepared the computation of damages, using the American life expectancy computation. But the offer was so small, not even one-half of our computation. According to ACCRA [Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices] lawyers, they are telling Resorts World to settle,” Acosta disclosed.She said her lawyers are also waiting for reports of the PNP and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) that they will use in filing the civil case.Albayalde, when sought for comment on the reopening of Resorts World as ordered by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) last week, said he could understand the reasons both from the government and the business side.“Maybe they considered the 12,000 employees and the income of the government through tax,” he added.Also on Monday, Resorts World was urged to secure a fire safety certificate from the BFP.Rep. Rufino Biazon of Muntinlupa City made the call five days after Pagcor lifted the suspension of the casino and entertainment complex over the June 2 incident.The BFP issues a fire safety certificate if “the building premises comply with the fire safety requirements and fire protective and/or warning systems such as fire sprinkler systems, automatic extinguishing systems and if fire alarms are properly installed.”Pagcor restored Resorts World’s license to operate after it doubled the number of armed guards and metal detectors; reviewed safety and security protocols for various emergency scenarios; and obtained Fire and Safety Inspection Certificates (FSICs) for building and structural integrity from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), which oversees Resorts World.During an earlier congressional probe of the incident, Resorts World management admitted that the casino and entertainment complex was not inspected by the BFP because it is under PEZA jurisdiction.PEZA also admitted during the congressional inquiry that casinos are not covered by its supposed authority to issue FSICs under the PEZA law.As such, RWM did not have FSICs at the time of Carlos’ attack.Biazon said there should be no confusion about the agencies’ respective authorities because the Fire Code mandates the BFP to issue FSICs.“Why would Pagcor allow casinos under PEZA to operate when they don’t have FSICs to begin with? PEZA is overextending its authority by saying that they have the authority to issue the FSICs when such is not provided by law,” he pointed out.“Really, we don’t need a new law here. We already have the Fire Code. PEZA is insisting that the Fire Code does not cover them and that argument is against the law,” Biazon said.LLANESCA T. PANTI
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/police-ready-raps-vs-resorts-world/336386/
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Mighty Corp. import accreditation suspended
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['William Depasupil']
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2017-03-15 21:25:34+00:00
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The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has suspended the accreditation of embattled cigarette manufacturer Mighty Corp., effectively stopping the firm from importing or sourcing out its raw materials abroad that it uses for production.Alvin Ebreo, Legal Service director and Bureau’s Action Team Against Smugglers executive director, issued the directive against Mighty for alleged violation of Customs regulations.In a two-page directive, Ebreo said the suspension is a purely administrative matter that is within the bureau’s power and jurisdiction.“The initiative will provide the government an unhampered venue for investigation, and free it from any collateral issues and concerns,” he added.Among other raw materials, the company is importing tobacco leaf, rolling paper and acetate tow, which is used in production of cigarette filters.According to Ebreo, this is not the first time that the BOC has penalized Mighty Corp., saying a preventive suspension order had been issued against the company by then-Commissioner John Sevilla in 2014 for infraction of Customs bonded warehouse privileges.The Fiscal Intelligence Unit of the Department of Finance reported that there was an undervaluation of the importation of cigarette-manufacturing materials amounting to P163,117,995.In order to withdraw raw materials for local consumption, their correct value must be determined first for the payment of correct duties and taxes.Apart from previous violations of Mighty Corp., the BOC cited recent raids on warehouses in various parts of the country that yielded more than P2 billion worth of counterfeit cigarettes.Earlier, Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 1 Presiding Judge Tita Bughao Alisuag issued a temporary restraining order (TRO), preventing the BOC from conducting raids on or inspections of warehouses of Mighty Corp. for 20 days or from March 3 to 23, 2017.Prior to the issuance of the TRO, the BOC and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) conducted a series of raids that resulted in the seizure of thousands of cases of cigarettes with fake tax stamps amounting to more than a billion pesos.BIR operatives confirmed that the seized tax stamps were fake after subjecting them to authenticity tests.Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon said Customs operatives will remain on guard at Mighty warehouses to ensure that the confiscated cigarettes will not be tampered with or swapped with legitimate products.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/mighty-corp-import-accreditation-suspended-2/317411/
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Fisherman lost at sea for 3 days rescued
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['Roy Narra']
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2018-03-24 23:14:03+00:00
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A fisherman who was stranded in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) for three days without food and water was rescued on Friday by the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Command (WesCom).In a statement, the WesCom said it spotted Albert Carcuevas, a 20-year-old fisherman from Rizal, Palawan, in his boat at the vicinity of Dalagang Bukid Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.Cuevas was said to be fishing on March 20 when his boat engine failed, causing his banca to drift.He supposedly endured three days at sea without food and water until a Navy boat rescued him.Carcuevas is in stable condition and currently aboard the boat in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.The WesCom has already informed Carcuevas’ family on what happened to him and they ensured his safe return to them.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/fisherman-lost-at-sea-for-3-days-rescued/388336/
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Sacked Navy chief won’t be reassigned
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-12-22 21:11:41+00:00
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Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Friday expressed doubts that Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado, the Philippine Navy flag officer in command who had been sacked, will be given another high military position.Lorenzana cited the looming retirement of Mercado, who was removed over an P18-billion frigate deal.“I doubt [that he will be given a new position] because his time [in his job] is too short already,” he said in a chance interview at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.“His [Mercado] status here at the Office of Chief of Staff is that he will stay here until March unless he will be reassigned,” Lorenzana added.Mercado, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Matikas” Class of 1983, is set to retire in March 2018.He was replaced by one of his underclassman, Rear Admiral Robert Empedrad of the PMA “Sinagtala” Class of 1986, with whom he allegedly had a rift arising from the frigate deal.Turnover of command from Mercado to Empedrad was held closed-door at Camp Aguinaldo, the general headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), on Tuesday.The Defense chief accused Mercado of “insubordination” for insisting that another private company will provide the weapons system for the frigates set to be procured, which firm was not indicated in the contract with the Hyundai Heavy Industries from South Korea.Lorenzana said the Department of National Defense had to comply with the contract with Hyundai, the company that won the bid for the frigate program of the Philippine Navy.“We cannot deviate from what is in the contract because if we will [do so]… the proponent will go to court and what he [Mercado] did is that he delayed this project,” he added.AFP chief Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero said Mercado is “actively” transferring his leadership of the Philippine Navy to Empedrad, who will serve in an acting capacity.“You have to understand the circumstances behind his reassignment so we will take it as it is,” Guerrero said in an interview.It was Guerrero who presided at the turnover of command.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/sacked-navy-chief-wont-reassigned/370191/
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Yule mall deliveries restricted
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['Raadee S. Sausa']
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2016-11-06 22:16:53+00:00
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DELIVERIES of merchandise to shopping malls during the Christmas season will only be allowed from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. as the government seeks to address traffic problems that tend to escalate during Yuletide.The new circular takes effect November 1 to December 31.Thomas Orbos, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) officer-in-charge and general manager, issued Memorandum Circular 16 series of 2016 (MC 16-2016) dated October 27 directing shopping mall operators to conduct deliveries only from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.Perishable goods such as food and ice cream are exempted from the delivery rule.MC 16-2016 noted the need “to implement effective and sustainable measures to effectively address the expected traffic problems during the Christmas season for the convenience of the public.”Mall operators are also instructed to submit traffic management plans to the MMDA for mall sales and promotional events two weeks before the scheduled event.Starting November 1, mall-wide sales during weekdays are prohibited but sales at certain department stores and store outlets inside the malls may be allowed “but it must not be without announcement, advertisement or tarpaulin.”Shopping malls must also adjust their operating hours to between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. starting November 1, an hour later than the regular open hours of 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.Besides the regulation of mall deliveries and operating hours, the no-window hour policy under the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program, or the number coding scheme, takes effect on November 2.Coding hours will run from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and cover more areas, which include all radial roads (R1 to R10) and circumferential roads (C1 to C6) in Metro Manila, as well as Alabang-Zapote Road in Muntinlupa City and Samson Road and A. Mabini Street in Caloocan City.The move is in line with MMDA Resolution 16-12-A approved on October 17.RAADEE S. SAUSA
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/yule-mall-deliveries-restricted/295141/
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US Special Forces joining PH troops in symbolic ‘Bataan Death March’
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['Jorge D Cool Cat']
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8/4/2017 0:00
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In a display of solidarity in honoring wartime troops, the United States Special Forces will join Filipino soldiers and police officers in a commemorative march to mark the 75th anniversary of the Bataan Death March today.Starting off at Kilometer Zero of this town, the symbolic march will traverse the Zigzag Road in Bataan, parts of Pampanga enroute to Capas, Tarlac – a distance of 145 kilometers.Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) Information Officer Carissa Caraig said this is the exact same distance traveled on foot by thousands of Filipino and American freedom fighters, many of whom died along the way due to starvation and fatigue.Caraig said the march has been dubbed the “Freedom Trail” and is open to the public to join or witness.Tsaris Salgado, president of Think Tank Global, one of the organizers, said the BDM was set to start at midnight today.“US Special Forces together with our own military, will march together the 145-km route of BDM, not just to reenact the tragic day in history, but most importantly, in honor of our World War II heroes,” said Salgado.“They will pass through five historical stops from Mariveles, Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga before they reach Capas, Tarlac by 7 a.m. of April 11,” said Salgado.Mariveles Mayor AJ Concepcion will deliver welcome remarks, together with General Resty Aguilar of the Philippine Veterans Administration Office (PVAO), at the start of the march which is fully supported by Governor Abet S. Garcia.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/04/08/us-special-forces-joining-ph-troops-in-symbolic-bataan-death-march/
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NFA ‘misused’ food funds – CoA
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['Ma. Reina Leanne Tolentino']
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2018-08-12 00:10:34+00:00
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The National Food Authority (NFA) used a P5.1-billion government subsidy fund to pay its maturing loans instead of using the money to boost food security, a report from the Commission on Audit (COA) said.The audit report on the NFA for 2017 said the P5.1 billion was released to stabilize the price and supply of rice and corn. But since the money was used to pay the agency’s debts, state auditors warned that the “intended purpose of the funds to implement the Food Security Program of the Agency might not be fully realized.”The CoA found that P2.09 billion was deposited to the NFA’s Rice Collection Savings Account instead of the Cereal Procurement Fund (CPF) Account with the Land Bank of the Philippines.Thus, it said, there was “a potential risk that the money might be utilized other than its intended purpose.”“The subsidy from the National Government for CY 2017 was intended for NFA’s Food Security Program and should have been deposited to the Cereal Procurement Fund account to ensure that cash is readily available in time that there is procurement of palay in the Regional Offices (ROs) and field operating units (FOUs). However, the payment of NFA’s maturing loans was given precedence, thereby affecting the Agency’s programs and target accomplishments for CY 2017,” the CoA it said.The agency said the NFA posted a procurement shortfall of 124,969 metric tons of palay in 2017, which “might be” partly caused by fund unavailability.“NFA could have used the subsidy for additional incentives to farmers to level up and/or compete with local traders in order to attain its objective of providing market for farmers’ produce with fair return on their investment in production cost so as to encourage farmers to sell their produce to the Agency. Had the NFA attained its target procurement, it would not have only added to the mandatory buffer stock requirement, but would have likewise encouraged farmers to produce more and minimize the need to import rice which utilizes foreign exchange reserve that eventually result in foreign or domestic borrowings for NFA,” CoA said.“Also, the procurement shortfall affected other programs of NFA, such as rice distribution and buffer stocking resulting in higher price of rice, unavailability of NFA rice in the market and lower inventory of rice in various NFA warehouses,” it added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/nfa-misused-food-funds-coa/429317/
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DFA to get bigger fund for assistance to OFWs
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2017-08-22 20:39:20+00:00
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Philippine embassies and consulates in the Middle East are expected to be able to respond to the needs of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in distress with President Rodrigo Duterte’s approval of P1 billion in additional funding for their respective Assistance to Nationals (ATN) programs, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said on Tuesday.The additional funding, according to Cayetano, will allow Filipino diplomats particularly in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to better serve distressed Filipinos working in these countries.Distressed nationals are defined under Republic Act 8042 as those who have valid medical, psychological or legal assistance problems requiring treatment, hospitalization, counseling, legal representation or any other kind of intervention with authorities in the country where they are found.Together with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Office of the Labor Attache, the ATN Section of the Philippine Embassy assists Filipinos in resolution of their cases and, if applicable, in their repatriation to the Philippines.“Our diplomats cannot be expected to quickly respond to any request for assistance from our kababayan [countrymen] in the Middle East and in other parts of the world if they cannot be provided with the resources they need to be able to do so,” Cayetano said in a statement.Sarah Lou Arriola, Foreign Affairs undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs, has informed Cayetano that the DFA has already spent almost 60 percent of the P400 million allocated by Congress to support ATN operations abroad for this year.In her consultation with some foreign service posts in the Middle East, she was told that they could not effectively respond to ATN cases because of budget constraints.Cayetano said the additional funding could address limitations being faced by ambassadors and consul generals as they would be provided more resources to serve Filipinos in their respective areas.“I would like to assure them that they will have all the support they would need to let them accomplish the instructions of the President for them to better serve and protect our kababayan there,” he added.Arriola said the increase in ATN funding would enable the DFA to fund not just the usual rescues and repatriations but also to open new shelters, hire more translators, interpreters and other personnel and purchase equipment needed by various Philippine posts.“Our ATN budget will be utilized to the fullest to allow our posts to respond more quickly and more effectively,” she added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/dfa-get-bigger-fund-assistance-ofws/346110/
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Marawi courts to hold temporary office in Iligan
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2017-06-01 21:27:23+00:00
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The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday ordered judges and court personnel in Marawi City to hold temporary office in nearby Iligan City, Lanao del Norte.The order of the High Court came as armed clashes continued between government troops and members of the Maute Group affiliated with the Islamic State or IS in the predominantly Muslim capital of Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.This was contained in a memorandum from Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez to Wenida Papandayan, executive judge of Marawi City Regional Trial Court (RTC).Marquez said in view of the armed conflict in Marawi City, court trials must continue but shall be done by a skeletal force in Iligan City and other safe areas.The SC Administrator pointed out that the “the perilous situation” in Marawi is no reason for suspending the courts’ operations in the city.The Constitution provides that martial law does not suspend such operations.Military rule was imposed on Marawi City and the rest of Mindanao on May 23 as a result of a terrorist attack on the city on the same date.Marquez said the Marawi courts should maintain a skeletal force at the Iligan City Hall of Justice and conduct court matters there.“You are hereby directed to hold temporary office with [a skeletal] force at the Iligan City Hall of Justice and conduct the courts’ usual business as practicable,” he added.Marquez told Papandayan to coordinate with Iligan City RTC Executive Judge Anisah Umpa regarding the temporary arrangement.Iligan is roughly an hour-long drive from Marawi.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/marawi-courts-hold-temporary-office-iligan-2/330431/
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Low pressure area approaching PH – Pagasa
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['Mary Gleefer F. Jalea']
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2018-04-15 23:21:08+00:00
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~The trough of a low pressure area (LPA) bringing cloudy skies with light rains to the eastern part of the country has low chances of becoming a typhoon, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said. The LPA was spotted at 1,465 kilometers east of Mindanao at 5 p.m. on Sunda, and “may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility [PAR] but has high chances of dissipating,” weather specialist Samuel Duran said. Caraga and Davao regions may experience flooding with light to moderate rains caused by the trough of the LPA. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers brought about by localized thunderstorms. Easterlies or warm winds from the Pacific will also continue to prevail in the country as the hot season starts, Pagasa said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/low-pressure-area-approaching-ph-pagasa/392815/
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Bad weather causes travel cancelations
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['The Manila Times']
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2018-01-02 23:00:25+00:00
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Flights and bus and sea trips were canceled on Tuesday because of bad weather, according to transportation authorities.As of 3:30 p.m., the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) announced several flight cancelations.PAL Express: 2P2203/2P2204 (Manila-Roxas-Manila), 2P5203/2P5204 (Manila-Roxas-Manila), 2P2921/2P2922 (Manila-Legazpi-Manila) and 2P5903/2P5904 (Manila-Roxas-Manila).Cebu Pacific: 5J895/5J896 (Manila-Caticlan-Manila), 5J325/5J326 (Manila-Legazpi-Manila), 5J647/5J648 (Manila-Puerto Princesa-Manila), 5J639/5J640 (Manila-Puerto Princesa-Manila) and 5J229/5J230 (Cebu-Puerto Princesa-Cebu).Cebgo: DG6073/DG6074 (Manila-Tablas-Manila) and DG6177/DG6178 (Manila-Mabate-Manila).Cebu Pacific will mount additional flights today to accommodate affected passengers of Tuesday’s canceled flights because of the bad weather brought by Agaton.It said the passengers will be notified regarding their new flight schedules.“We continue to monitor Agaton to assess whether the storm’s path will necessitate additional flight cancelations. We are also coordinating with the authorities,” according to a CEB advisory.Meanwhile, The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (Pagasa) said tropical depression Agaton is expected to make landfall in the Visayas region, bringing with it heavy rains and strong winds.The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said 2,308 passengers in Visayas and Mindanao ports, 34 vessels and 66 rolling cargos were stranded.The PCG has declared cancelation of sea trips in the cities of Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Ozamiz; and in Siargao and Surigao.The spokesman for the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said they and the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) advised buses to return to their terminals to avoid stranding passengers.“We have advised our regional director as well as the bus operators not to allow their buses to proceed to the ports of Northern Luzon, Eastern seaboards of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon and the western and eastern seaboards of the Visayas,” according to Aileen Lizada.“We have coordinated with the TRB Executive Director Abe Sales for all buses that have left their terminals not to allow them to exit in their respective toll exits and to return to their last terminals to avoid stranded passengers in the said ports,” Lizada said.REICELENE N. IGNACIO AND BENJIE L. VERGARA
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/bad-weather-causes-travel-cancelations/371863/
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Duterte not against same-sex union – Palace
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['Ralph Villanueva']
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2018-07-03 00:04:11+00:00
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PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is opposed to same-sex marriage but he is not against same-sex unions, Malacañang clarified on Monday.It issued the statement a day after a Social Weather Stations survey showed that three out of five Filipinos oppose same-sex marriage.“If same-sex marriage is being talked about, the President is against that. But if it is union, the President is favoring that,” Palace spokesman Harry Roque, Jr. said in a press briefing in Maasin, Southern Leyte.The President had changed his stand several times on the issue.In a speech before members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in Davao City in December last year, Duterte said he “wants” gay marriage.“I want gay marriage. The problem is we have to change the law, but we can change the law,” he said.“I am for (same-) sex marriage if that is the trend of the modern times. If that will add to your happiness, I am for it. You know, whatever makes the person happy, I will give it. Why should I hold it back?” the President added.During the campaign period, Duterte said he will help legalize same-sex marriage even if he is against it.Months after, Duterte said the country could not legalize same-sex marriage since the Civil Code states that marriage is only between a man and a woman.In June, Roque said the country “is not yet ready” for same-sex marriage.“I personally believe that the Supreme Court and the country is not yet ready for the proposal of same-sex marriage,” Roque said.The Supreme Court had started hearing oral arguments on same-sex marriage as it tackled the petition of lawyer Jesus Falcis 3rd, which challenged the provisions of the Family Code of the Philippines.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/duterte-not-against-same-sex-union-palace/415264/
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Federalism a ‘leap of faith’
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['Michael Joe T. Delizo']
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2016-11-30 21:56:32+00:00
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The 16 million votes that catapulted Rodrigo Duterte to Malacanang in May 2016 are seen representing three challenges he has to face–criminality, illegal drugs, traffic congestion, red tape and corruption; peace in Muslim Mindanao and with the National Democratic Front (NDF); and development.These challenges, according to Christian Monsod, a lawyer and regarded as an expert in government, politics and economics, cannot be hurdled through federalism alone.“I believe that the shift to a federal system is a leap of faith, that it will somehow work. That means that we will be taking a big risk [in] that federalism will strengthen the political dynasties, landed elites and warlords and will result in the removal or weakening of the provisions on social justice and human development,” Monsod, a framer of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, said during a recent forum at the Far Eastern University-Makati campus that was organized by the university’s Public Policy Center.“Federalism is a slippery slope and is virtually irreversible,” he added.With federalism, Duterte has said, would facilitate better delivery of public funds and services to the people in a way not disproportionately biased toward the capital city of Manila.The federal government is also envisioned to address long-standing ethno-religious conflicts in southern Mindanao.Through it, Duterte plans to privatize tax collection and abolish Congress to make way for a unicameral legislature.Monsod, a former chairman of the Commission on Elections, said everyday concerns of Filipinos can be handled under the 1987 Constitution by the central government through a strong leader with the political will to get the job done.He added that federalism is not necessary in passing a new Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and forging a peace agreement with the NDF.“The Constitution already provides for the creation of ARMM [Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao] and the NDF has not taken a hard line on Charter change. The President has said that the BBL takes precedence to federalism and should be a model for others. Since the President is familiar with the political terrain on the ground, personally knows the key figures both in Bangsamoro and the NDF, and he has a super majority in the Congress, he will likely succeed in achieving peace on both fronts,” Monsod explained.He said, development–sustained high growth rate plus equitable distribution–was not achieved by previous administrations not because of the Constitution but because of poor implementation of provisions on social justice and local autonomy.“The Constitution is not the problem, it is part of the solution. The choice is not between federalism and continued mass poverty and inequality. This is a false dilemma,” Monsod added.“We are, in fact, told that a number of factors account for our laggardness, but foremost are flawed policies and weak institutions that are rooted in a feudalistic system that has been impervious to change for generations and, of course, corruption,” he said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/federalism-leap-faith-2/299229/
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Floirendo pleads not guilty to graft
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['Ma. Reina Leanne Tolentino']
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2018-05-27 00:03:26+00:00
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Davao del Norte second district Rep. Antonio Floirendo Jr. pleaded not guilty to the graft charge he is facing for allegedly having a financial interest in the 2003 agreement between Tagum Agricultural Development Company, Inc. (Tadeco) and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).Floirendo, who is out on bail, was arraigned on Friday afternoon before the Sandiganbayan’s Sixth Division.Also on Friday, he was granted permission, in open court, to travel to South Korea from June 1 to 7 as part of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) business delegation accompanying President Rodrigo Duterte.But Floirendo was told to submit to the court his contact number while abroad and a travel authority from House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, who initiated the case.The Office of the Ombudsman filed, before the Sandiganbayan in February, the case which stemmed from the complaint filed before it in March 2017 by Alvarez against Floirendo over the renewed agreement for the lease to Tadeco of land located in the Davao Penal Colony.The Ombudsman accused Floirendo of violating Section 3(h) of Republic Act (RA) 3019 (the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), alleging that he had “direct and/or indirect financial interest in the 21 May 2003 Agreement between” BuCor and Tadeco, “in which company he then” supposedly “owned” 75,000 “shares of stocks worth” P7,500,000.”Floirendo earlier argued that the 1987 Constitution, taken together with RA 6713 (the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees), only prohibits members of Congress from being substantial stockholders of private firms having contracts with the government.Article VI, Section 14 of the 1987 Constitution prohibits lawmakers from having financial interest in contracts or franchises or special privileges granted by the government or any of its agencies during their term of office.“Not being a substantial stockholder of Tadeco at the time it entered into a contract with BuCor, respondent-movant maintains that he did not breach the constitutional provision and thus there is no probable cause to indict him for Sec. 3(h) of RA 3019,” according to the Ombudsman’s order dated December 28, 2017.But the Ombudsman said in its order that [t]he two provisions were entirely independent of each other and should both be complied with by” members of the House of Representatives.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/floirendo-pleads-not-guilty-to-graft/401370/
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Chinese jumps to death in Mandaluyong
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['Neil Alcober']
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2017-05-27 23:27:42+00:00
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~Mandaluyong City Police reported that a Chinese Ge Zhang, 37, jumped to his death from the 9th floor of Tower A, BSA Twin Tower, Bank Drive, Barangay Wack-Wack. After initial investigation, police ruled that it was likely a suicide. Zhang died instantaneously after suffering multiple fractures and dislocated knees. His body was recovered by a gondola operator at around 5:35 a.m. He checked in at the building over the weekend but when a room attendant went to remind him of the check out time, he was nowhere to be found. The attendant later saw Zhang’s body at the building’s garden basement. Investigators said he must have jumped through the window. Police are trying to determine the possible motive for Zhang’s action but have not discounted the possibility of foul play.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/chinese-jumps-death-mandaluyong/329604/
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Malacañang: PNP will obey court’s ‘Tokhang’ resolution
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['Ralph Villanueva']
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2018-04-05 00:04:50+00:00
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MALACAÑANG on Wednesday voiced confidence that the Philippine National Police (PNP) will comply with a resolution of the Supreme Court (SC) requiring it to submit a report on the 4,000 documented individuals who had been killed in the Duterte administration’s anti-drug war.In a news briefing, Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra said there is no need for the Palace to direct the PNP to follow the High Court’s order.“Yes of course [they will follow], if that’s the final order of the SC all agencies of the government bound by that order are supposed to comply and follow,” Guevarra added.“The Office of the Solicitor General has argued that there are certain security concerns that need to be addressed in connection with this matter but since the Supreme Court itself has apparently made a final order for the production of these particular documents by this law enforcement agency of the government, I guess we have no other alternative except to comply,” he said.The resolution, according to Guevarra, will not affect the implementation of the anti-drug campaign.“We cannot see any effect [on Oplan Tokhang] because our law enforcement agencies are not hiding anything behind these documents, except for the security of possible witnesses and so on and so forth,” he said.The PNP was removed from the drug war in October 2017 over thousands of alleged extrajudicial killings, which were causing local and international uproar from human rights advocates and concerned citizens.The deaths of teenagers Kian Lloyd de los Santos, Carl Angelo Arnaiz and Reynaldo de Guzman, who were accused of being drug peddlers, became the final straw for the PNP’s removal from the crackdown.The PNP was brought back to Oplan Tokhang by President Rodrigo Duterte two months later but only as a support for the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said in a news briefing on January 29 that Malacañang expects the PNP to have a less controversial role in implementing the anti-drug war.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/malacanang-pnp-will-obey-courts-tokhang-resolution/390458/
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Metrobank awards 10 Filipinos
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-09-09 21:31:18+00:00
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Metrobank Foundation recently held the awarding of its 10 Outstanding Filipinos for those who rendered service above and beyond their call of duty — three soldiers, three policemen and four educators.Each of the awardee was given P1 million cash and a trophy.Lt. Colonel Elmer Suderio, one of the 10 Outstanding Filipinos awardees, opened his acceptance speech with a story of a young boy from the province. “Allow me to tell you a story of a young boy from the province of Iloilo, who used to harvest in a farmland that they do not own. He had been used to working for hours just to contribute to the family provisions of having at most two good meals a day—one that he wished would be more,” he said.Suderio said the young boy always looked forward to the day that he would make something more than he was.“This young boy was me,” he revealed.Tagged as Basilan’s “Soldier Trailblazer,” Suderio has showed that being a true soldier is not about combat; a true soldier must also perform tasks for the progress of the community.In combat, he led a series of successful operations as commander of the Third Scout Ranger Battalion against the Abu Sayyaf Group from 2015 to 2017 in the strife-torn island of Basilan. By using unconventional combat methods, he was able to neutralize notorious terrorists. At the same time, he sought to improve the peace and order conditions in the communities inside the warzone.Suderio, who embraces human rights, is also known for commanding his soldiers to treat captured terrorists humanely and with respect. This effort led to the recognition of his teams as the best Scout Ranger Battalion in 2016. He was also was cited for establishing a subject on unit administration at the Philippine Military Academy.Soldiers as awardeesAlongside Suderio, Staff Sergeant Narding Pascual and Lieutenant Colonel Ricky Bunayog were among the Outstanding Filipinos awarded by Metrobank Foundation.Pascual—a meek Lumad and a proud native of the Banwaon tribe—leads the group of indigenous Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Units in their struggle toward peace and sustainable development in their community. He also did the groundwork for the rural electrification project in Sitio Km. 24 in Mahagsay, San Luis. Because of his persistent engagement with the municipal government and the villagers, powerlines were built connecting 60 households.Pascual also organized a livelihood project for indigenous people communities through a falcata tree plantation project covering four hectares in Mahagsay.Meanwhile, Bunayog has a sentiment that his mission to serve as a warrior should be balanced with his duty as a peacemaker. He was recognized for his non-combat strategies to resolve blood feuds, or the settlement of ridos—a long standing feuds in the province. The ridos he settled stemmed from the land conflcts and religious clashes in the five municilpalities of Sultan Kudarat and 10 municipalities of Maguindanao through his close coordination with the provincial governors, ten mayors and local leaders. He also facilitated the construction of two Madrasah buildings and the repair of school facilities in Maguindanao, providing Muslim children better schooling.The educatorsFour Filipinos from the education sector were also awarded by the Metrobank Foundation: Jennifer Rojo, Edgar Elago, Esperanza Cabrera and Alonzo Gabriel.Rojo is currently Master Teacher II at the Neogan Elementary School—a humble barrio school with 300 students in Tagaytay City. Rojo was acknowledged for her part in developing different learning strategies like worksheets in the form of puzzles and games. She desires to make Science as enjoyable as it is informative, as shown in the various beyond-the-textbook initiatives she has developed.Because of the absence of a Science laboratory in the school, she developed the Mobile Sci-Hub Lab. The hub is foldable and has wheels, making it suitable for schools without lab rooms or prone to floods.Elago, a Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health and Araling Panlipunan teacher, was cited for his research on cultural awareness and scholarship efforts. He also established an art shop, a social enterprise that rents Filipino costumes that he himself designs. Part of the earnings of the art shop goes to the fund for his college scholarship program. His efforts have helped 60 scholars so far.Cabrera was recognized for her achievement in the field of microbiology, including the establishment of facilities for aspiring and practicing microbiologists. A pillar at the De La Salle University in Manila, Cabrera led the institution of the BS biology program and the development of well-equipped facilities in microbiology and molecular science in the university. Her researches have been published in various local and international ISI Thomson-Reuters-indexed and Scopus Elsevier-indexed scientific journals.Meanwhile, Gabriel was cited for his initiatives to establish the country’s only laboratory for food microbiology and hygiene. As a food science and technology professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, he led the only lab at UP’s College of Home Economics.Outstanding policemenThree policemen – PO3 Shiela May Pansoy, Chief Inspector Rosalino Ibay Jr. and Sr. Supt. Joel Doria – were also among the 2017 awardees of the Metrobank Foundation.Pansoy was acknowledged for initiating a quick response program for abused children and women. She was instrumental in the implementation of “Aksyon Agad”—a program that entails the rescue and assistance of victims toward recovery, and filing of cases against abusers. She also assures children are given the opportunity to live in abuse-free foster homes for shelter. Pansoy’s heart for service shows not only on how she champions advocacies dear to her, because she also makes herself accessible to the citizens she serves.Ibay was known for his efforts in launching a digital platform for stolen vehicles and the founding of a non-government organization doing humanitarian projects. Since the use of his “Manila CRAV” Facebook page, information on stolen vehicles has become widespread. It has reached bigger number of people within the confines of Manila but also nationwide. Under his leadership in the Manila Police District’s Anti-Carnapping and Hijacking Unit, Manila’s reputation as the carnapping capital of the Philippines was eventually reversed.On the other hand, Doria was credited for his anti-criminality crusade through a program called POKEMON or Pakigbatukan Og sumpoon and Krien ug ang Epekto sa ilegal nga Makadaut Og makaguba sa Nasud/Fight and Eradicate Crime and Illegal Activities that are Detrimental to the Nation. What sets POKEMON apart from other anti-illegal drugs initiatives is its commitment to tackle criminality without losing respect for morality; one year has passed since its implementation, and there has not been any single reported violation nor complaint against the program.Touching ending statementSuderio the soldier, ended his speech with words from Martin Luther King Jr.: “An individual has not started living, until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”“Ladies and gentlemen, there is more to be done for our people. Individually and as a collective, let us all contribute using our own respective capacities, to address the broader concerns of all humanity,” he added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/metrobank-awards-10-filipinos/349702/
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‘Public’s cooperation key to environmental security’
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['Herbert Halm']
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5/6/2017 0:00
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Senator Loren Legarda reminded the public to go back to basics and adhere to the environmental laws.As the world marked World Environment Day yesterday, Legarda encouraged Filipinos to ensure that “we all enjoy the benefits of having environmental security.”“All our environmental laws are in place. All we need is compliance,” Legarda said.EARTH-FRIENDLY PRACTICESShe pointed out simple things that each Filipino can contribute for the protection of the environment, from using solar panels to unplugging unused appliances to reducing energy consumption, as well as converting to energy-efficient LED lights and using minimal lighting when not in use, and considering wind and sun direction when constructing houses or buildings.She also urged Filipinos to properly segregate biodegradable non-biodegradable waste products.Furthermore, she recommended the establishment of rainwater catchment to harvest rainwater that can be used for flushing toilets, watering plants or washing cars.ECO LAWS AND COMMON SENSE“Our compliance to environmental laws is just common sense,” Legarda said.“Our bad habits of not following environmental laws exacerbate the adverse impact of climate change,” she added.TRUMP’S WITHDRAWALShe urged stronger cooperation among nations and individuals to address environmental concerns, stressing that greater challenges are expected especially with United States President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.“By this withdrawal, the United States has turned its back on the future. It puts a spotlight on a belligerent leadership that refuses to heed the voices of the people, including his own, who are gravely threatened by the perils of climate change and global warming,” she said.‘CLIMATE CHANGE IS HERE’The Senator said it is appalling that there are still climate deniers even with the evident effects of climate change already happening all over the world.In the Philippines, at risk are 64 coastal provinces, 822 coastal municipalities, 25 major coastal cities and approximately 13.6 million Filipinos who need to be relocated away from danger zones.Legarda said that ocean acidification is causing irreversible damage to coral reefs.With global warming of up to 2 degrees Celsius, 98 percent of coral reefs are expected to die by 2050.KEEP ON“There is no stopping climate change compliance in the United States and in the world,” Legarda said.“With the commitment of local government, business, and industry leaders, and enlightened individuals and institutions in the United States, the withdrawal of President Trump from the Accord, which will still undergo a process, is almost to naught because local government leaders, even some of his party mates have also committed to the Paris Accord,” she pointed out.“As one of the countries facing the gravest risks posed by climate change and global warming, the Philippines will continue to stand by its courageous partners from the international community in delivering our commitments and speeding up action to combat climate change,” she said.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/06/05/publics-cooperation-key-to-environmental-security/
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President, jeep groups meet on phaseout
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['Catherine S. Valente']
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2017-03-01 22:07:34+00:00
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MalacaÑang on Wednesday said President Rodrigo Duterte is willing to meet with jeepney groups that staged a transport strike on Monday over a government plan to phase out their vehicles.In a news conference, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said Duterte intends to listen to concerns of jeepney operators and drivers on the planned phaseout of aging jeepneys 15 years and older.This came after the President met with various labor groups in Malacañang on Monday to discuss the issue of labor contractualization.“The President also assured the workers group that he would be holding a separate meeting with the jeepney strikers who held a national strike on the controversial plan to phase out old jeepneys,” Abella told reporters.“It was an assurance that he would also listen to them, to their concerns,” he said.The Palace official, however, added that Duterte’s meeting with transport groups is yet to be scheduled.“There’s no definite date but it will be held, yes,” Abella said.A nationwide transport strike was staged last Monday, in response to government’s failure to listen to transport groups’ plea to scrap the proposed phaseout of old jeepneys in the country.The jeepney groups are opposing the order of the Department of Transportation to prohibit jeepney models that are 15 years old and older from plying their routes.Transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Piston) said the proposed phaseout of jeepneys will affect 600,000 drivers and 200,000 operators nationwide.Under the draft of the department order, which shall take effect on August 16, 2017, the minimum capitalization of a jeepney operator will be raised to P7 million.Operators will need to have at least 10 jeepney units to have a franchise to operate.Drivers and operators have expressed their opposition to the plan, saying this will affect small-time operators and thousands of drivers who will lose their means of livelihood.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/president-jeep-groups-meet-phaseout/314886/
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Court asked to suspend inordinate delay doctrine
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['Ma. Reina Leanne Tolentino']
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2017-04-01 23:55:48+00:00
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The Office of the Ombudsman has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to order the Sandiganbayan to suspend the application of the inordinate delay doctrine that the anti-graft court had used in junking several graft complaints.“The core issue presented in the instant petition is how the legal concept of ‘inordinate delay’ should be operationalized vis-à-vis the constitutional admonition that ‘[a]ll persons shall have the right to a speedy disposition of their cases before all judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies.’ While it is well-established in jurisprudence that criminal cases may be dismissed on the ground of denial of the accused’s right to speedy trial, the concept of ‘inordinate delay’ that amounts to a violation of the said right has eluded exact definition,” the Ombudsman said.“Apart from the fact that the resolution of this issue will have implications on matters of transcendental public importance and the orderly administration of justice, it will also necessitate a review, re-examination, or even modification and reversal of relevant existing jurisprudence,” it said.The Ombudsman wants the high court en banc to rule on the case because of its implications on jurisprudence.It argued that the Sandiganbayan’s dismissal of cases on the ground of inordinate delay “has progressively been premised on overly strict and almost unrealistic standards.”The Ombudsman attributed the delay in the filing of cases or submission of petitions at the Sandiganbayan to “enormous workloads, chronic understaffing, voluminous evidence to be examined and unavailability of witnesses and records.”The anti-graft court’s refusal to acknowledge the office’s limitations “is bordering on the unfair and unjust,” it added, thus the intervention of the SC en banc “is needed to correct this imbalance and preserve the orderly administration of justice.”“The far-reaching consequences of public respondent Sandiganbayan’s interpretation of ‘inordinate delay’ makes the instant Petition the perfect vehicle for the Honorable Supreme Court to clearly spell out the contours, extent and delimitations of this confusing concept,” the Ombudsman said.The anti-graft court recently dismissed the graft case filed in 2015 against former Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) President Winston Garcia and several others because the Office of the Ombudsman sat on the case for 10 years.The case stemmed from the allegedly anomalous award of the GSIS eCard project to a bank in 2004.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/court-asked-suspend-inordinate-delay-doctrine-2/320382/
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PH telcos investments among world’s highest – Ericson
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['Jing Villamente']
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2017-03-22 21:44:18+00:00
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Philippine telecoms firms have spent about 25 percent of their revenues on capital expenditures in the past few years. Global ICT firm Ericsson said this figure is higher than the investments in other members of the Association of Southeast Asean Nations (Asean) and is way above the global average of 16 percent.In a report at the recent Philippine Telecoms Summit of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Ericsson Philippines and Pacific Islands President and Country Manager Sean Gowran said that from 2012 to 2015, local telecom services providers invested in network infrastructure at a level significantly higher than the global average in terms of Capex/revenue.Asean countries such as Thailand and Myanmar put back 20 percent of their revenues into Capex over the same period, while Vietnam’s ratio was at 17 percent. Singapore and Malaysia were even lower, with a Capex level of less than 15 percent. Only Indonesia spent more than the Philippines at 27 percent.Both PLDT and Globe increased their Capex to revenue ratio even further in 2016, as they spent 30 percent of their total revenues on network improvements and expansion.Gowran said that the significant investments in PH networks are a result of the enormous growth in data traffic, which is driven in large part by video demand and the increased adoption of smartphones.“Migration to newer technologies such as LTE is the key to providing an efficient network and better customer experience to subscribers, said Gowran, adding that “service providers must also capitalize on various business industries’ digitalization revenue opportunities.”Despite the struggle to overcome the increasing demand for data, Gowran noted that the Philippines’ network performance in terms of Median DL Throughput and Median Latency is actually at par with most Asean countries.Recognizing the need for government support in expanding the network infrastructure, President Rodrigo Duterte recently approved the creation of a national broadband network to deliver fast internet service to far-flung areas. The program will establish a National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan, as well as accelerate the deployment of fiber optic cables and wireless technologies.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ph-telcos-investments-among-worlds-highest-ericson/318596/
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150 volunteers join Cebu clean-up drive
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['James Parker', 'Sungahid Eli', 'Prince Mar', 'Grace Garbo']
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26/11/2017 0:00
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it’s about making residents conscious about littering to eliminate the problem at its root, she said.“We are aware of what’s happening in the world right now. We are experiencing climate change. We are doing this to at least mitigate the effects of climate change,” added Fernandez.In three hours, the participants filled 150 sacks with used plastic bottles, diapers, styrofoam pieces, package wrappers, food containers, and aluminum cans.One volunteer, Alexes Villanueva, said that instead of just staying at home, he chose to spend his Sunday picking up litter on sidewalks and removing posters from walls and poles.The 19-year-old student said he wanted to show other teenagers that even with simple acts of keeping the surroundings clean and green, he has highlighted the importance of giving back to the Mother Nature.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/11/26/150-volunteers-join-cebu-clean-up-drive/
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PCSO pays tribute to late board member
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['Neil Alcober']
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2017-07-12 19:50:52+00:00
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THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has expressed its deepest gratitude to the services given by its esteemed member of the PCSO Board of Directors, Loreto Ata, a lawyer who died from cardiac arrest onJuly 7. He was 66.PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan said Ata’s death is a big loss to the agency and the PCSO family.“We extend our sincere condolences to the family of Director Ata. He is a great loss to the agency,” Balutan added.Ata, who has been battling lung cancer for more than two years, assumed office as a member of the PCSO Board of Directors on September 13, 2016 and was the chairman of the PCSO’s risk management committee and member of the governance committee and the nomination and remuneration/compensation committee.He earned his Political Science (valedictorian) and Law (magna cum laude) degrees at the Far Eastern University in 1972 and 1976, respectively.Ata was a senior partner in the Medialdea Ata Bello Guevarra & Suarez Law Firm from 2007 until his passing.He served as a member of the transition team of then-Davao City mayor and now President Rodrigo Duterte.Ata’s remains lie at the Loyola Memorial Chapels and Crematorium in Makati City.NEIL A. ALCOBER
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/pcso-pays-tribute-late-board-member/338029/
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‘Postpone ‘barangay’ elections’
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2018-02-09 23:54:30+00:00
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~A key ally of President Rodrigo Duterte from PDP-Laban wants to postpone the May barangay (village) elections to October so that Congress can have an undivided attention in drafting a new Constitution.Rep. Reynaldo Umali of Oriental Mindoro, chairman of the House Committee on Justice, broached the proposal after the recent oath-taking of new PDP-Laban members in Agusan del Sur.“I am really for no elections this May. Why? The timeline is too tight, and we need to finish our draft of the Constitution in time for the plebiscite,” Umali said, referring to the constitutional requirement that a new Constitution drafted by Congress in a Constituent Assembly should be subjected to a referendum.Under a federal form of government being proposed by the Duterte administration, the country will be divided into 11 regions or federal states, with each region retaining 80 to 85 percent of its locally generated income while the remaining 15 to 20 percent will be subsidized by the national government thru Internal Revenue Allotment.“How can we finish the new Constitution in two months? How can we do our job on Charter Change if we are thinking about elections? We won’t be able to pull it off,” Umali said.House suffrage and electoral reforms panel Chairman Sherwin Tugna of Citizens Battle Against Corruption party-list agreed, saying lawmakers can be preoccupied with the village polls too since their endorsements are also sought by the candidates in the barangay level.“If the incumbent barangay officials are allies with the sitting lawmakers, chances are the sitting lawmakers want to keep it that way and campaign for their allies. That would mean election fatigue,” Tugna said in a phone interview with The Manila Times.Rep. Johnny Pimentel of Surigao del Sur already filed House 7072, which seeks to postpone the village elections from May to October this year.Pimentel’s proposal provides for retention of incumbent barangay officials in a holdover capacity.Tugna and Umali expressed confidence that postponement is a possibility even if there are two months left before the polls are set.“As far as I am concerned, there is a huge possibility that it will be postponed. Of course, we still have to talk to the Senate, but I am confident that they will understand because we are convening the Constitutional Assembly [to draft a new Constitution],” Umali said.The Duterte administration has sought the postponement of the barangay elections for two consecutive years to supposedly clean the villages of politicians with drug links–an initiative widely supported by Congress.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/postpone-barangay-elections/379279/
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ODA big source of P8.4T for govt infra showcase
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2017-10-03 22:28:55+00:00
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Eighty-three percent of the P8.4 trillion needed for implementing the government’s massive infrastructure program will come from foreign borrowings, not from the proposed Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train), according to Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara.Angara had dismissed as “exaggerated” the claims of some officials from the executive department who were quoted in media as saying that the “Build, Build, Build” program of the Duterte administration would be severely affected if the Senate failed to pass a tax reform measure closer to the House-approved Train version.He made the clarification on Monday when Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino 4th interpellated him on reports equating revenue target for the Train with the P8.4-trillion funding requirement for the infrastructure program.“No. That is the target for infrastructure development but not all will be sourced from the Train,” Angara, chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, said.The author of the Senate version of the Train added that the P8.4-trillion budget for Build, Build, Build includes borrowings.He said only one-third of the required fund for the infrastructure program would be funded by the Train.“That’s around P2.7 trillion over five years and that would include five packages that are going to be proposed by the Department of Finance (DoF),” Angara added.“We are now dealing with Package 1. The rest would be for ODA [overseas development assistance], as well as PPPs [public-private partnerships] that would total around P5.6 trillion,” he said.Angara expressed surprise at the “new” revenue estimates released by the DoF regarding revenue gain from the Senate version of the comprehensive tax reform measure.The Finance department said the Senate’s Train will only yield P59.9 billion.“We are surprised with the DoF’s new revenue estimates. It seems that [its] figures are changing,” Angara said.“Even the revenue impact of House Bill 5636 was reduced to P119 billion from earlier estimates of P133.8 billion.The DoF supplied all the figures that the Senate ways and means committee used for its version,” he added.“And, as far as the committee’s computation right before filing its report is concerned, the revenue impact is almost the same as [that in] the House version,” Angara said.He added that the committee sought to come up with a version that would provide tax relief to 99 percent of individual taxpayers and, at the same time, meet the revenue target so as not to impair the government’s capability to finance its programs and projects.“We have asked the DoF to provide final and detailed estimates to guide the committee’s work especially on the lifting of VAT [value-added tax] exemptions,” the senator said.Previously discussed exemptions had “little revenue impact… but are now presented as sizable revenue items,” he added.“This will change the committee’s consideration of certain items going forward. There is still room for compromise on the lifting of other VAT exemptions,” Angara said.He added that the filing of the committee report is just the first step for the Train to proceed in the Senate.“The committee can adjust accordingly to meet the needed revenue,” according to the senator.“Our colleagues have already signified, together with their signatures on the report, that they will interpellate and introduce amendments to the bill. The committee is open to amendments that our colleagues will propose to enhance Train’s benefits to the people,” Angara said.The bicameral conference committee will reconcile the House and Senate versions, before sending the final version to the President for his signature.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/oda-big-source-p8-4t-govt-infra-showcase/354345/
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Senate to work on 24 priority bills
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2018-05-15 00:10:53+00:00
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THE Senate vowed to give priority to at least 24 bills, including the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), during the remaining eight days of the second regular session of congress.Congress will resume its session today.Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto 3rd said leading the list of priority measures is Senate Bill 1717 that seeks to establish the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Interpellations are being held on second reading.The House of Representatives’ version of the measure has been endorsed by a joint House committee.Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, who heads the Sub-Committee on the BBL, earlier said he would try to have the bill passed before the anniversary of the siege in Marawi City on May 23 and have it signed by President Rodrigo Duterte before the end of the 17th congress in 2019.Senate President Aquilino Pimentel 3rd had asked the President to certify the BBL bill as urgent.The upper chamber will also prioritize the Prevention of Terrorism Act of 2017 (SB 1715), which seeks to amend the Human Security Act and impose tougher penalties for individuals who commit acts of terror.The Senate will also work on the Charter change bill and the shift to a federal form of government, which is being discussed by members of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments, Revision of Codes and Laws.The committee headed by Sen. Francis Pangilinan has completed the series of consultative hearings on charter change conducted in different parts of the country. The senator said most of the resource persons who participated were against the move.The Senate will also tackle bills on economic reforms and consumer rights such as the proposed amendments to the Corporation Code of the Philippines (SBN 1280), amendments to the Agricultural Tariffication Act, amendments to the Government Procurement Act, Budget Reform Act, the proposed Innovative Startup Act (SBN 1532) and the Philippine Fare Discount Act (SBN 1597).To help streamline the bureaucracy further and improve government processes, the chamber will also work on the proposed Open Access in Data Transmission Act (SBN 1763), Philippine Energy Research and Policy Institute Act of 2017 (SBN 1574), the National Museum Act (SBN 1529), the Retirement Law of the Office of the Ombudsman (SBN 1762), amendments to the Fair Elections Act, and the bills creating the Department of Disaster Response and Preparedness, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.Included in the list are bills on pro-justice reforms such as the Anti-Discriminate Act of 2017 (SBN 1619), proposed Criminal Investigation Act, the proposed Community Service in lieu of Imprisonment Act, pro-health and social service reforms such as the proposed Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act (SBN 1390), Enhanced Universal Healthcare Act, the One Town: One Doctor Act of 2016 (SBN 930), and the amendments to the Social Security Act.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/senate-to-work-on-24-priority-bills/398885/
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NPC employees must wait for P60-B award
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2018-02-21 00:04:45+00:00
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The Supreme Court (SC) has granted a prayer of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM) Corp. to lift and quash a demand for immediate payment of P62 billion issued against it and the National Power Corp. in connection with a class-action suit filed by dismissed NPC employees.A full-court decision penned by Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro denied petitioners’ request to immediately execute the judgment award as it directed them “to file a claim against the government before the Commission on Audit [CoA], pursuant to its rules, which shall be resolved in accordance with the guidelines herein set forth.”The petitioners include NPC Drivers and Mechanics Association, represented by its president Roger San Juan Sr.; and NPC Employees and Workers Union-Northern Luzon, Regional Center, represented by its president Jimmy Salman.The SC ruling came in the wake of motions filed subsequent to the entry in the Book of Entries of the Judgment of the Court’s decision in the case–the NPC’s manifestation and motion dated August 22, 2014; Psalm’s omnibus motion dated August 22, 2015; petitioners’ motion to expunge dated September 1, 2014; and Meralco’s special appearance with urgent motion for clarification dated September 4, 2014.The ruling held that the NPC had illegally terminated its employees on January 31, 2003 when the government-owned power firm was transferred to PSALM.As the successor company and receiver of Napocor’s assets and liabilities, PSALM was also impleaded in the class suit.Because of the illegal dismissal, as a general rule, the SC said, “the petitioners are entitled to reinstatement.However, reinstatement has become impossible because NPC was still able to proceed with its reorganization prior to the promulgation of the decision dated September 26, 2006.”Thus, it added, the petitioners are entitled to separation pay in lieu of reinstatement, based on a validly approved separation program of the NPC and back wages together with wage adjustments and all other benefits that they would have received had it not been for the illegal dismissal, computed from January 31, 2003 until actual reinstatement or payment of separation pay.The High Court, however, said any amount of separation benefits already received by the petitioners under NPB Resolutions 2002-124 and 2002-125 shall be deducted from their total entitlement.The SC deferred the computation of the actual amounts due the petitioners and the enforcement of payment thereof by execution to the proper forum, as it is not a trier of facts.It also held that it is not equipped to receive evidence and determine the truth of the factual allegations of the parties on the matter.In its November 21, 2017 ruling that was released just recently, the SC reiterated that the terminations pursuant to its resolutions were illegal dismissals.The SC ordered that the interest on the judgment award shall be computed as follows: (1) 12 percent per annum from October 8, 2008, 113 until June 30, 2013 and (2) 60 per annum from July l, 2013 onward.The court said “petitioners who were neither rehired by the NPC or absorbed by PSALM or Transco pursuant to the 2003 reorganization and subsequently employed in the private sector shall be entitled to full back wages.”
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/npc-employees-must-wait-p60-b-award/381563/
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Robin Padilla granted absolute pardon by Duterte
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['Karmen Ina', 'Marian Iloga', 'Domingo S.', 'Justin Tumunong', 'Roger Page', 'Jack Korner']
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15/11/2016 0:00
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Christmas came early for actor Robin Padilla not just for being a father anew; he was granted absolute pardon by President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, November 15.The absolute pardon reinstates the actor’s full civil and political rights, which means he may now exercise his right to vote and also run or appointed for public office.The actor, born Robinhood Ferdinand Cariño Padilla, paid a courtesy call to the president in Malacañang, accompanied by his sister, Rema Padilla-Ohno.It was during his meeting with Duterte at the study room of the palace that Padilla was handed his executive clemency papers.“I just granted a pardon in favor of Robin Padilla kasi iyong original pardon niya hindi sinali iyong full restoration of political and civil rights, therefore he could not travel, he could not get a permit, whatever it is to possess a gun again,” Duterte told reporters.“I really do not know the dimensions of what is meant by the deprivation of political and civil rights. But one thing is that he could not vote, he cannot travel because he could not be issued a passport.”Padilla was unable to travel to the United States, where his wife Mariel Rodriguez gave birth to the couple’s first daughter Isabella on November 14. He had to make do with a video call with Mariel.Read more: Robin welcomes first child with Mariel through video callThe actor expressed his gratitude to Duterte, who in turn expressed his appreciation on the gesture of respect shown by the actor.The granting of the clemency to the actor was based on the recommendation of the Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP) under the Department of Justice (DoJ).Padilla was convicted by the Angeles City regional trial court in 1994 for illegal possession of high-powered firearms. He was meted up to 21 years in jail.After serving three years of his sentence at the national penitentiary in Muntinlupa City, then President Fidel Ramos in 1997 gave him conditional pardon that expired in 2003.The actor was one of 87 convicts whose cases were reviewed by the BPP for the possible grant of executive clemency by Duterte.Article VII Section 19 of the Constitution says that “Except in cases of impeachment, or as otherwise provided in this Constitution, the President may grant reprieves, commutations, and pardons, and remit fines and forfeitures, after conviction by final judgment.”
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2016/11/15/robin-padilla-granted-absolute-pardon-by-duterte/
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‘Death penalty draws line between rich, poor’
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['Dempsey Reyes']
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2017-02-19 19:52:18+00:00
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Passing the death penalty bill is like drawing a line between the rich and the poor, a lawmaker said on Sunday.In a statement, Rep. Lito Atienza of Buhay party-list noted that the House majority members have “clearly drawn” the line between rich and poor offenders.“[With] moneyed defendants likely to receive mere prison terms, if at all get convicted, destitute ones are bound to draw death sentences,” Atienza said in a statement.“Death for the poor, lavish lives in prison for the rich. This is apparently what our colleagues in the majority want,” he added.Atienza, a deputy minority leader, was responding to a “last-minute” decision of the so-called super majority in the House of Representatives to abandon mandatory executions.“[My response to the decision is for the House majority] in favor of giving trial judges the leeway to hand out either the lighter sentence of reclusion perpetua, or the heavier punishment of death, to those found guilty of heinous crimes,” he said.The death penalty is a “travesty” where only indigent citizens “inadequately represented at trial will receive it” and those who are living with a lavish life, are able to retain the best lawyers that will keep them from such convictions, Atienza also noted.“If their expensive lawyers are not enough, the rich will simply buy their way out of death sentences, or even out of prison, by bribing corrupt prosecutors and judges,” according to the lawmaker.In the statement, Atienza said House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas of Ilocos Norte has called for a caucus on Monday to discuss possible early voting on the death penalty bill or House Bill 4727.“The House is set to advance the voting on the controversial bill reviving the death penalty,” he added.Atienza, however, said he and his colleagues who oppose the passage of capital punishment for heinous crimes “have been trying to stall the passage of the bill,” with them repeatedly asking for a quorum during sessions.On February 9, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said he is aiming for the passage of the bill by mid-March or before the House takes a 6-week break starting March 18.Alvarez threatened other leaders in the Congress that their House committee leadership is at stake if they will not support the passage of the death penalty bill.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/death-penalty-draws-line-rich-poor/313114/
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Former OFW, mom die in Caloocan fire
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['Jing Villamente']
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2018-04-11 00:02:08+00:00
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A former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) and his mother were killed after they were trapped inside their burning house on Monday night in Caloocan City. Supt. Gary Alto, Caloocan City fire marshal, identified the victims as Banjo Carbonell, 51, and his mother Herminda, 74, who were both burned beyond recognition when recovered from the basement of their house at 434 Pader Hopsteerod Street, Concepcion, Barangay 188 Tala. Arson investigators said Herminda’s eldest son Pepito was not around when the fire broke out around 10 p.m. and quickly spread to an adjacent bakery and beauty parlor, prompting the Bureau of Fire Protection to raise the fire to third alarm before it was finally put out around 11:27 p.m. Pepito told theinvestigators that his brother was suffering from mental disorder after working in Kuwait for three months. Earlier, Banjo went wild, forcing his brother to seek assistance from village officials in pulling him him inside their house and tying him up to prevent him from other possible violent acts. The probers ,are still trying to determine the cause of fire which destroyed an estimated P500,000 in property.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/former-ofw-mom-die-in-caloocan-fire/391771/
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Poor diet delays pregnancy, curbs fertility - study
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['Agence France-Presse']
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2018-05-06 00:01:49+00:00
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Poor diet delays pregnancy, curbs fertility – studyhome/News/Nation/Poor diet delays pregnancy, curbs fertility – studyPARIS: Women who shun fruit or eat lots of fast food take longer to get pregnant and are less likely to conceive within a year, according to a recent study.A nearly no-fruit diet compared to one loaded with three or more pieces per day added about two weeks, on average, to the time of conception, researchers reported in the peer-reviewed journal Human Reproduction.And women who consumed fast foods such as burgers, pizza and deep-fried chicken four or more times a week compared to those who never or rarely touched the stuff took an extra month to become pregnant.“These findings show that eating a good quality diet that includes fruits and minimizing fast food consumption improves fertility and reduces the time it takes to get pregnant,” said lead researcher Claire Robers, a professor at the University of Adelaide in Australia.Earlier research on food and pregnancy has focused mostly on the diet of women diagnosed with, or receiving treatment for, infertility. The impact of maternal diet before conception among women more generally has received scant scientific attention.To help fill that gap, Roberts and a dozen colleagues in Australia, Britain and New Zealand combed through data gathered through questionnaires by midwives between 2004 and 2011 in all three countries for the Screening for Pregnancy Endpoints (SCOPE) survey.Detailed answers given by nearly 5,600 women in the early phase of pregnancy focused on what they ate in the months preceeding conception.All of the women were first-time mothers, and only a relative handful — 340 — had received any kind of fertility treatment before becoming pregnant.The results showed a clear link between the avoidance of fruits or a fondness for fast-food fare, on the one hand, and a longer “time-to-pregnancy” or higher risk of infertility, on the other.At the extremes, for example, lots of fast food as opposed to none at all increased the risk of not becoming pregnant by 41 percent.“We recommend that women who want to become pregnant should align their dietary intakes toward national dietary recommendations for pregnancy,” said lead author Jessica Grieger, a researchers at the University of Adelaide.AFP
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/poor-diet-delays-pregnancy-curbs-fertility-study/397094/
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PLDT, PAL: We will comply with labor laws
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['William Depasupil']
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2017-04-20 22:05:28+00:00
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CORPORATE giants Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) and Philippine Airlines (PAL) and sister company PAL Express (Palex) on Thursday assured the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) of full compliance with existing labor laws and regulations in light of results of investigation that they were among the top violators of labor laws.The firms made the assurance in reaction to a story published also on Thursday in The Manila Times entitled “PLDT, PAL biggest ‘violators’ of labor laws.”But the PLDT, through Corporate Secretary Ma. Lourdes Rausa-Chan, clarified that it has not received any order from the DoLE, other than document requests in relation to an ongoing audit by the DoLE of PLDT’s compliance with labor standards, occupational health and safety and engagement of third-party service contractors.“The company and its contractors continue to submit documents requested by the DoLE as part of this ongoing audit. PLDT will continue to fully cooperate with the DoLE in connection with the ongoing audit process. PLDT is committed to fully comply with all existing labor laws and regulations,” Chan said.PAL, on the other hand, made the following clarification: “The Department of Labor and Employment has sent Philippine Airlines the results of its initial Special Assessment Visit of Establishments or SAVE covering four stations – Bacolod, Dumaguete, Davao and Zamboanga, citing so-called violations of labor standards [underpayment of wages, overtime pay and underpayment of service incentive leave]. These findings were sent to PAL only last April 17 after DoLE conducted station audits from April 7 to 11, 2017.“Philippine Airlines would like to clarify that these ‘noted’ infractions/violations were in reference to alleged acts committed by service providers of PAL and PAL Express stations. PAL Group Management and Palex shall exhaust all means to ensure compliance [with] general labor standards, labor laws and industry standardpractices. Such adherence to labor guidelines will ensure work quality, productivity and high service levels.Management is currently carrying out a verification process on the labor-related allegations committed by some service providers and has instructed all relevant Domestic Station Operations heads to validate these DoLE findings. If and when these infractions are validated, PAL will require said service-providers to comply within a specified period as provided by DOoLE rules and require submission of respective proof of compliance. As we strive to sustain safety and service as the cornerstone of PAL operations, we welcome the conduct of such SAVE assessments from the Labor department as these ensure a check and balance mechanism, which will ultimately redound to the benefit of PAL and its passengers.”Earlier, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd disclosed that PLDT, PAL and Palex were among the big companies that have been subjected to SAVE, DOLE’s mechanism to assess, validate and verify compliance with labor laws and their contractors/sub-contractors.According to Bello, the corporate giants were found violating the law against illegal work contracting and sub-contracting,Bello said violations were found on PLDT, mostly among its sub-contractors and majority of which are not even registered or with expired registration.“I will order the regularization of close to 10,000 workers under contracting and sub-contracting arrangements but are performing jobs that are directly related to PLDT’s business,” he told a news briefing, warning that if PLDT fails to comply “we will close them.”“Imagine PLDT, one of the biggest companies in our country contracting out with unregistered service providers,” Bello said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/pldt-pal-will-comply-labor-laws-2/323167/
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500% combat pay hike seen irking gov’t workers
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2016-10-17 21:36:47+00:00
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The Duterte administration increasing compensation of soldiers and policemen could spark protests from teachers, nurses and other government workers, a leader of the House of Representatives warned on Monday.Deputy Speaker and Rep. Rolando Andaya of Camarines Sur gave the warning in connection with Executive Order (EO) 3, which increases combat duty pay of uniformed personnel from P500 to 3,000 a month (500 percent hike) and raises that of police forces from P340 to P3,000 monthly (782.35 percent hike).EO 3 also pads the security forces’ combat incentive pay from P150 to P1,500 monthly to P300.00 to P3,000 monthly (100 percent increase).The budget needed for such increases is P12 billion.“There’s this increase [for combat pay] of the police and the military, but there’s no bigger package that concerns everyone. Teachers are now gearing for a protest because the lowest ranked teacher at Teacher 1 would only have a P500 increase on their base salary,” Andaya said.“The base salary of their counterpart in the police [Police Officer 1] is way higher than them. They are just looking at the basic pay, excluding the allowances. Bottomline, if there is an increase in one sector, it should be the case for all. When the tide rises, the ships rise. We don’t know how long will civil servants accept this kind of bias [for the police and soldiers],” he added.Andaya noted that EO 3 involving P12 billion was issued by President Rodrigo Duterte way after the proposed P3.3-trillion budget for 2017 was submitted to Congress, thus catching Congress off guard on what item in the budget will be used to fund the order.As a result, he said, Congress would now have to allocate almost the whole of the Miscellaneous and Personnel Benefits Fund (MPBF) to fund the fattened combat pay.“In terms of the relationship of Congress with the administration, the line of the communication was apparently cut. The President made an announcement about a big amount of money. There should have been automatic communication with Congress [ahead of the EO issuance]. This EO is not in the budget, although it will eventually become funded,” Andaya, a former Budget secretary, pointed out.“It can’t go on that way. If it involves a small amount, it could pass. But that is not the case. It’s P12 billion. It could still be funded but it will eat up the MPBF,” he said.Opposition lawmaker Edcel Lagman earlier raised the same concern, describing the combat pay increase as inordinately excessive, to the point of being hyperbolic, and clearly disadvantageous and discriminatory to other government workers.“If the increases are inordinately huge, then this can be akin to buying the loyalty of uniformed officers and personnel of the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] and PNP [Philippine National Police] for ulterior reasons,” Lagman said in a statement.While soldiers and police officers who risk their lives to ensure the safety of citizens deserve an increase in their allowances, he added, just as important are the tireless efforts of government doctors and nurses, social workers, public school teachers and barangay (village) health workers, as well as garbage collectors, street sweepers and city sewer cleaners who do the dirty job and are at great danger from traffic accidents and contamination.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/500-combat-pay-hike-seen-irking-govt-workers/291745/
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Palace stands by police: No extrajudicial killings in PH
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2017-10-08 18:57:47+00:00
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Malacañang has affirmed a claim of the Philippine National Police that there are no extrajudicial killings under the Duterte administration even if at least 3,800 people were killed in the PNP’s anti-drug operations.Its spokesman Ernesto Abella over the weekend said the PNP’s claim was consistent with the definition of extrajudicial killings under Administrative Order (AO) 35 of April 2013.Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Sunday disputed this claim, saying in a radio interview over dzBB, “Ginagago tayo nitong mga pulis, nitong spokesman na ito. Kala ba nila naniniwala ang taumbayan [We are being fooled by these policemen, this spokesman of theirs. Do they really believe that the people will believe them]?”Drilon was referring to PNP spokesman and Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlo who on Friday said there has been no case of extrajudicial killing under the Duterte administration.Under AO 35, extra-judicial killings are killings where “the victim was a member of or affiliated with an organization, to include political, environmental, agrarian, labor or similar causes; or an advocate of above-named causes; or a media practitioner or person[s] apparently mistaken or identified to be so.”Abella said AO 35 also states that extrajudicial killings are cases wherein “the victim was targeted and killed because of [his] actual or perceived membership, advocacy or profession; or the person/s responsible for the killing is a state agent or non-state agent; and the method and circumstances of attack reveal a deliberate intent to kill.”“The PNP’s statement that there is no case of extrajudicial killing under the Duterte administration is based on the operational guidelines of Administrative Order 35. AO 35 has not been repealed or revoked; thus, the definition of extrajudicial killings remains the same,” he added in a statement.In an interview with al-Jazeera over the weekend, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano also claimed that the 3,800 people who were killed in the police’s anti-drug operations are drug dealers.Al-Jazeera and British journalist Mehdi Hasan, who was interviewing Cayetano, rebuffed the country’s top diplomat, saying the 3,800 people who were killed were shot on sight without any of them facing charges or trial.Abella conceded that the war on drugs has resulted in deaths, which he said are being addressed.Accountability“We need to emphasize that one death is one too many. Regardless of this definition, these deaths are being addressed to ensure the accountability of perpetrators, even as it calls upon witnesses and individuals who can provide valuable evidence that will lead to speedy resolution of cases,” according to Abella.Based on accounts of human rights groups, at least 7,000 to 13,000 suspected drug suspects had died in the past year amid the government’s brutal war on drugsThese deaths include those of 54 children and three teenagers–Kian de los Santos, Carl Arnaiz and Reynaldo de los Santos–who died last August.The teenaged boys were all allegedly killed in anti-drug operations conducted by the Caloocan City police.Drilon, in taking to task the PNP spokesman, said Carlo’s statements reminded him of Adolf Hitler’s propagandist Joseph Goebbels, who had said that if one keeps on repeating a lie, people will eventually come to believe it.Goebbels served as minister of propaganda for the German Third Reich under Adolf Hitler.Drilon said the PNP and other propagandists “would keep spreading misinformation and lies in the hope that people would eventually accept them as facts.”He cited the deaths of de los Santos and Arnaiz as clear cases of extra-judicial killings.Another minorty senator, Paolo Benigno Aquino 4th, also dismissed the PNP claim and urged the PNP to focus instead on investigating the cases.He said the government should not hide behind the definition of extrajudicial killings, adding that even granting that the cases were not considered as such they were murders and authorities should investigate them.Analyst Ramon Casiple said the statement of the PNP only raised suspicion about extrajudicial killings.Casiple, executive director of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform, said the government should use the international definition of extrajudicial killing–killing done by a state agent.“The Philippine government cannot make [its] own definition. Hiding [information] on PNP cases only raises suspicion [about extrajudicial killings],” he said.WITH REPORT FROM
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/palace-stands-police-no-extrajudicial-killings-ph/355336/
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Ex-lawmaker, 9 others charged over misuse of P36.9M ‘pork’
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['Ralph Villanueva']
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2017-11-19 21:47:03+00:00
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A FORMER lawmaker is facing graft charges before the Sandiganbayan for the alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel estimated at P36.9 million from 2007 to 2008.Eight cases of graft, four for malversation of public funds and property, and four for malversation through falsification of public documents were filed against ex-Bukidnon Rep. Candido Pancrudo, Jr. in violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.Charged with Pancrudo were: Project Consultant Jesus Esmeralda, Technology Resource Center (TRC) Director General Antonio Ortiz, Deputy Director General Dennis Cunanan, Group Manager Maria Rosalinda Lacsamana, Chief Accountant Marivic Jover, Budget Officer Consuelo Espiritu, Group Manager Francisco Figura and representatives of the Farmer Business Development Corp. (FDC) Johanne Labay and Victorino UjanoPancrudo was accused of choosing and endorsing the FDC as a “project partner” to implement eight livelihood programs for his constituents without undergoing public bidding and in the absence of any appropriation law or ordinance, which could have allowed a negotiated procurement with the non-government organization (NGO).Based on the graft charges that were filed against him, Pancrudo failed to monitor the implementation of the livelihood projects by the FDC.Eight Disbursement Vouchers (DVs) allegedly signed by Ortiz, Cunanan, Jover, Espiritu and Figura facilitated the release P36.9 million from Pancrudo’s PDAF to the FDC whose projects turned out to be bogus.The officials of the TRC are also accused of issuing Land Bank checks corresponding to the vouchers without carefully examining and verifying the accreditation and qualification of FDC and the supporting documents of its programs.The bail for each accused is set at P30,000 for each case.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ex-lawmaker-9-others-charged-misuse-p36-9m-pork/363883/
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Retired military personnel assured of higher pension
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['Ralph Villanueva']
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2017-12-28 19:57:21+00:00
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A lawmaker has assured that retired military and uniformed personnel (MUP) will receive pension calibrated at par with the pay hike to be received by their active counterparts by 2019.According to a statement by House Committee on Appropriations chairman and Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, the indexation of pensions is expected to benefit over 200,000 retirees and will cost the government around P38 billion.“The commitment of Malacañang, which is the guiding policy of the House of Representatives that possesses the power of the purse, is to adjust the pension of retirees in the MUP sector by 2019,” Nograles said.He added that the indexation is a “natural consequence” of the salary increase, which will give a Police Officer 1 in the Philippine National Police, a Private in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and its equivalent ranks in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Public Safety College, Philippine Coast Guard and National Mapping and Resource Information Authority double their current monthly base pay.Higher ranks will also be given calibrated base salary increases.Nograles said the one-year suspension of the indexation of pensions will give government some time to make adjustments in the national budget and that the House will “surely” find funds for the pension adjustment under the 2019 national budget.“It will be a challenge but it will not be impossible,” he added, citing the P40 billion set aside to be used for the free higher education program in the 2018 budget.Last week, House Speaker and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez confirmed that the infrastructurebudgets of several House members–both members of the opposition and the “super majority”–were cut and that they were used to fund the increase in pay of the MUP and the free higher education program.“We’ve been preparing for the pension indexation as early as this year, so we definitely do not intend to disappoint our retirees in 2019,” Nograles said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/retired-military-personnel-assured-higher-pension/371011/
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BIR to help process housing tax exemptions
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-03-09 22:15:31+00:00
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The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Socialized Housing Finance Corp. (SHFC) to facilitate processing and issuance of capital gains tax certificate of tax exemption (CTE) for transfer of raw lands from landowner to community or homeowners association intended for national government socialized housing projects under the Community Mortgage Program (CMP) of Republic Act (RA) 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992.The SFHC is a subsidiary of the National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. (NHMFC).The MOA was signed on Thursday in Quezon City by BIR Commissioner Caesar Dulay and SHFC President Ma. Ana Oliveros.The signing was witnessed by SHFC Executive Vice President Eduardo Monicio and Assistant Commissioner Marissa Cabreros, among others.Under the agreement, the BIR agreed to provide guidelines in the processing and issuance of the bureau’s CTE for transfer of raw land from the landowner to the community or homeowners association to SHFC intended for socialized housing projects under the Community Mortgage Program.It also agreed to provide the corresponding assessment for the documentary stamp tax for its CMP projects.The SHFC, on the other hand, will endorse the community or the homeowners’ association’s CTE application for projects of the Community Mortgage Program to the BIR and assist in evaluation, verification and certification of documentary requirements through its authorized officers.Oliveros thanked Dulay for being a partner of SHFC in looking for solutions to streamline the housing process.He called the signing of the agreement as “timely” because it was signed in March, when the world marks International Women’s Day and the Philippines celebrates Women’s and Urban Development Housing Act Month.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/bir-help-process-housing-tax-exemptions-2/316358/
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Business execs air warning on federalism
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['The Manila Times']
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2018-08-23 00:02:52+00:00
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Officials of the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands (CCPI), the oldest business institution in the country, urged Charter change advocates to stop pushing for federalism to avoid the possible fragmentation of the country into independent dynasties.“With many islands already separating the country, federalism will add political and economic, as well as geographic physical separation dismembering the country and creating independent dynasties,” Jose Luis Yulo Jr., president of CCPI, said.The draft federal constitution crafted by the Constitutional Commission (Concom) and submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte on July 9 seeks to establish 18 federated regions that will be headed by a regional legislature, executive and judiciary. Every federated region will also have a regional governor and a regional vice governor.“Such situation will eventually cause the breakup of the Philippines into smaller separate homelands,” Yulo warned.He said it would be difficult to do business in the Philippines if each federal state passed different laws governing business.The CCPI president also warned that without a stronger central government corruption could worsen and there would be potential acts of despotism.Former Chamber chairman and president Melito Salazar Jr., current chairman of the committee on Philippine Government, also expressed concern on behalf of the business sector.Salazar said as a former undersecretary of trade and industry, he had urged local government units “to avoid introducing local laws and ordinances which would make it difficult for businesses to operate.”“My fear is that under federalism, business and industry may be seen as the goose that lays the golden egg and will be exploited by the state,” he said.Salazar appealed to the ConCom to spend at least one year engaging the youth, academe, government and nongovernment organizations, civic groups, business sectors and labor for a better appreciation and understanding of the draft charter.Meanwhile, CCPI Chairman Emeritus Ramon Pedrosa said federalism could work if it was “properly organized.”“Federalism may lead to the rediscovery of local initiative, the development of new business opportunities all over, the emergence and strengthening of a solid middle class liberated from the strange hold of the big one,” Pedrosa said.“Unless firm monetary and fiscal policy is reserved at the center, the new-found independent economic policies at the local federated level may create a situation where the buying power of the peso may deteriorate into runaway inflation,” he added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/business-execs-air-warning-on-federalism/433479/
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Go: Fight vs crime, illegal drugs to continue
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['The Manila Times']
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2018-06-10 22:07:29+00:00
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President Rodrigo Duterte’s special assistant Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said the government will continue to push sports as part of the three-point campaign against crime, illegal drugs, and criminality.Go, who attended the 2018 Filipino-Chinese Friendship Games held at Chiang Kai Shek College in Manila on Saturday, said stopping crime, corruption and illegal drugs would not only help improve the economy but ensure the safety of traders.He lauded members of the Filipino-Chinese community for their help in nation-building.Go led the ceremonial tip-off by joining a basketball game that pitted the Philippine Sports Commission team against the team of the Chinese Embassy and Chinese community.The 17th Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day marked the 43rd anniversary of the Philippines’ diplomatic relations with China.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/go-fight-vs-crime-illegal-drugs-to-continue/406788/
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Filipinos ready to help Marawi victims – SWS
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['Catherine S. Valente']
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2017-11-21 22:06:14+00:00
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More Filipinos are ready to help those affected by the months-long armed conflict in Marawi City, according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.The poll, conducted from September 23 to 27, showed that 60 percent of respondents said they are either “very ready” or “somewhat ready” to help victims of the crisis.The same survey showed that 70 percent of residents in Mindanao are willing to assist victims of the siege. The readiness to help was 68 percent in Metro Manila, 57 percent in Visayas and 54 percent in the rest of Luzon.Readiness to help was higher among the upper classes, as class 66 percent of class ABC said they were prepared to help, followed by 61 percent among the class D, and 53 percent among the class E.Meanwhile, 61 percent of women said they were ready to help, while only 59 percent of men answered the same.Asked what kind of help they were willing to provide, the respondents said prayers (54 percent), followed by donating relief goods (51 percent) and donating clothes (49 percent).The survey was done using face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults nationwide — 600 in balance Luzon, and 300 each in Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/filipinos-ready-help-marawi-victims-sws-2/364210/
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Russia to help upgrade PH military
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['Michael Joe T. Delizo']
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2016-12-07 22:25:15+00:00
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RUSSIA has expressed readiness to help the Philippines upgrade its ill-equipped military, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).In a statement issued on Wednesday, the DFA said Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Alexander Fomin, director of the Federal Service for Military Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) of the Russian Federation, met in Moscow on Monday.The FSMTC is the executive body that regulates the export of Russian defense equipment and dual-use products.It reports directly to the Russian president but is linked to the Ministry of Defense.Lorenzana, the DFA said, explored prospects for military and technical cooperation between Manila and Moscow on the instructions of President Rodrigo Duterte.This is the first-ever visit of a Philippine secretary of National Defense to Russia since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1976.Lorenzana was warmly welcomed by Formin, noting that the visit was a good follow-up to a fruitful meetingbetween Duterte and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Lima, Peru last month at the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.“[Fomin] emphasized that Russia is ready to cooperate and supply the Philippines with whatever it needs,” the DFA said.It added that Fomin boasted of a wide of range of quality and reasonably priced defense products that Russia can offer the Philippines.Citing Moscow’s successful operations in Syria, Fomin was quoted as saying that Russia is a flexible and a responsible arms seller and that its equipment, such as attack helicopters and anti-aircraft missile systems, are of high quality.“The two officials agreed to continue inter-agency discussions to move the cooperation forward,” the DFA said.The Philippines is upgrading its modest defense capability and is keen on engaging Russia in military logistics, including possible procurement of defense equipment, training and technology transfer.Duterte earlier disclosed that Russia has agreed to give the Philippines a 25-year soft loan to buy military equipment.The military deal will allow Russia to finally have a foothold in the Philippines arms market after decades.Russia sells military equipment and military-related equipment to a host of nations.The Pentagon has bought a large number of Russian helicopters for use in Afghanistan.South Korea has also purchased Russian helicopters for use in different roles.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/russia-help-upgrade-ph-military-2/300543/
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Russian ships arriving for Manila goodwill visit
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['Fernan Marasigan']
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2016-12-30 19:36:30+00:00
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Russian Navy ships will arrive in Manila on Monday, January 2, 2017, for a five-day goodwill visit and enhance understanding and cooperation with the Philippine Navy, an official announced on Friday.Admiral Tributs, a large anti-submarine ship, and Boris Butoma, a Chilikin-class fleet replenishment oiler, will be welcomed by top Navy officials when they arrive at Pier 15, South Harbor, Manila, according to Capt. Lued Lincuna, Navy spokesman.The ships forming part of the Russian Navy Pacific Fleet are headed by its deputy commander, Rear Adm. Eduard Mikhailov.Lincuna said PS11 BRP Rajah Humabon, a former destroyer escort of the United States Navy and now a frigate of the Philippine Navy, has been designated as the receiving ship during the welcome rites.There will also be courtesy calls, tours of historical places within Manila and Cavite, capability demonstration, goodwill games, wreath- laying, shipboard tours and send-off ceremony, among other activities.There will also be an open house for Russian Navy vessels for civilians on January 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pier 15.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/russian-ships-arriving-manila-goodwill-visit-2/304426/
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NBI had no search warrant to ‘inspect’ Mabilog house
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['Melenggay Laranery', 'Manny Santos', 'Pls Torture', 'Kill Duterte']
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1/9/2017 0:00
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The camp of Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) inspected his house without a search warrant.Last Thursday, four NBI agents went to Mabilog’s house, saying they were ordered to inspect the premises.President Duterte had ordered a lifestyle check on Mabilog, whom he had repeatedly tagged as a drug protector.Mark Piad, Mabilog’s spokesman, said the NBI agents could not show any court order when they checked the mayor’s residence.At first, the agents were not allowed inside the house. Ariel Castañeda, Mabilog’s executive assistant, later allowed them inside the compound.The agents took photos of the house façade as well as the ancestral house of the Mabilog family.They did not actually enter the mayor’s house and were allowed only to check the spacious garage and terrace.“The inspection was only limited to plain view,” Piad noted.The three-story house overlooking the Iloilo River was described by Duterte as a “palace.” But Mabilog, said “it is not as big as pictures would make it appear.”In an earlier statement, Mabilog insisted the house was not built from ill-gotten wealth.He said he was engaged in business in Manila before entering politics in 2004. His wife, Marivic, worked as a comptroller and accountant for a geodetic engineering firm in Canada for 21 years before moving back to the Philippines last year.Mabilog was not at his house during the NBI inspection. He is in Japan to speak at a disaster-risk reduction forum. He is scheduled to return to Iloilo City next week.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/09/01/nbi-had-no-search-warrant-to-inspect-mabilog-house/
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Sexual, emotional attacks top forms of child abuse in PH
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['Nelson Badilla']
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2016-12-06 22:24:25+00:00
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SEXUAL and emotional harassments are the two leading forms of child abuse in the country, according to a study made by a non-government organization (NGO) last year.The study of the National Baseline Study on Violence Against Children showed that sexual abuse (11.8 percent) and emotional harassment (11.8 percent) were the principal forms of attacks on children.Second was physical abuse with 10.1 percent, it said.Dr. Bernadette Madrid, executive director of Child Protection Network Foundation, noted that the study said combined intervention of the government and the NGOs does not stop child abuse in the country.In fact, child abuse remains “highly prevalent” in the Philippines despite the government’s recognition of the problem.The study said even the children who are the victims of different forms of abuse do not report the crime to government authorities.It added that Philippine National Police and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) personnel are the ones who refer the matter to the Child Protection Units or CPUs at the barangay (village) level.And those being referred to village authorities are fewer than 1 percent of the total number of child abuse cases that were gathered during the study, Madrid said.DSWD Undersecretary Vilma Cabrera called on stakeholders to “intensify our advocacy for children’s rights and welfare, while also strengthening the support systems needed for the recovery and rehabilitation of abused children and those who experienced trauma.”
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/sexual-emotional-attacks-top-forms-child-abuse-ph/300320/
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Trillanes to quit PMAAAI if classmates seek ouster
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2018-04-04 00:03:19+00:00
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SEN. Antonio Trillanes 4th is willing to quit the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Inc. (PMAAAI) if his classmates at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) would call for his ouster.Trillanes, a member of PMA Marilag class of 1995, issued the statement in response to a full-page ad containing a manifesto signed by members of the PMAAAI Eagle Fraternal chapter based in Mindanao recommending his ouster from the organization.The PMAAAI members said the actions and behavior of Trillanes were contrary to the motto of the PMA of courage, integrity and loyalty thereby seriously damaging the honor and prestige of the institution.They cited several reasons why the senator should be expelled from the association — inciting to sedition, proposing to commit coup d’etat; committing graft and corruption; engaging in propaganda activities; disrespectful and arrogant behavior towards senior officers and the President; and propagating blatant lies.The PMAAAI members said Trillanes’ pattern of behavior was an obvious display of conduct unbecoming of a public official and questionable mental health.The senator, the manifesto said, was also fond of creating discord and divisiveness instead of focusing on his duties to create policies to establish a well-ordered society.Trillanes was unfazed.“As to those who signed the manifesto, they are clearly just Duterte loyalists, which is a shame given that theAcademy has taught us exactly not to emulate somebody like Duterte,” the senator said in a statement.He dismissed claims that he was indicted for graft at the Sandiganbayan.“There are 215 members of PMA Class ‘95, if most of my classmates start calling for my ouster from PMAAAI, then I would do so voluntarily,” he added.The manifesto dated October 23, 2017 was signed by 88 members of the association including Philippine National Police chief Ronald de la Rosa and other ranking police officials.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/trillanes-to-quit-pmaaai-if-classmates-seek-ouster/390280/
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‘Juana Change’ in trouble for wearing Army uniform
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-07-27 18:33:18+00:00
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The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday said satirist Mae Paner or “Juana Change” might face an “appropriate” action for wearing a battle uniform of the Philippine Army in a public rally even if she is not in the military service.Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, spokesman for the AFP, said Paner “disrespected” the military, saying the comedienne is neither connected with any attached agency of the AFP nor a member of the reservist corps.Paner’s act serves as a violation of Republic Act (RA) 943 or an act prohibiting the use of insignias, decorations, badges and patches prescribed for the AFP.“We will take the necessary legal action to hold Miss Paner accountable,” Padilla said.But Padilla, a member of the Air Force, said everytime the comedienne will wear the Army uniform will be counted “as one more violation” as provided under RA 943.“What we are saying is that [Paner] needs to respect our uniform that is why we will lobby the appropriate office here in the Armed Forces to take a better look and ask Juana and others using our uniforms [without them being part of the military],” he said.Paner will not be facing any criminal liability, Padilla added, but pointed out that there are appropriate regulations and laws on unauthorized wearing of any military uniform in public.On Monday, while President Rodrigo Duterte was delivering his second State of the Nation Address in Batasang Pambansa, Paner joined a rally outside wearing an Army uniform.Paner apparently was objecting to Duterte’s recent declaration of martial law and the Congress’ decision to extend it until the end of this year.Under RA 943, signed in the 1950s, it is unlawful for any person or any association not in the service of the military or even the Philippine Constabulary (Philippine National Police at present) to wear such uniform without being authorized.The law specifies that those who can only wear a battle gear suit are veterans of any war recognized by the Philippine or United States government; commissioned officers and personnel, retired or in active duty; commissioned and enlisted reservists including recognized guerrilla officers or those of inactive status; and military trainees.In her recent posts on her social media account, Paner justified that some members of the movie industry are also wearing uniforms either from the Philippine National Police or any of the AFP services whenever on air for acting in television or big-screen purposes.She gave her salutations to the soldiers “who have an unconditional love and sacrifice for the mother nation.”Padilla, however, said Paner “must first read” the laws prohibiting the wearing of any AFP uniforms “in order to understand why she is being held liable.”“The malicious intent also betrays her motive,” he added.Lt. Col. Ray Tiongson, Philippine Army spokesman, said a military uniform is “a symbol of authority” that must be used “properly and with dignity.”“Lawless elements have often worn military uniforms to carry out atrocious activities or impersonating soldiers for other criminal purposes,” he added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/juana-change-in-trouble-for-wearing-army-uniform/340995/
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Robredo is successor under draft charter
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['The Manila Times']
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2018-11-13 00:03:44+00:00
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The House committee on constitutional amendments has reinstated Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo as the first successor during the transition period to the planned federal government.Rep. Vicente Veloso, head of the panel, confirmed to The Manila Times that the amendment to the Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 15 has been approved.Article 17, Section 4 of the Transitory Provisions of RBH 15 previously named the Senate President as the successor.The amended measure now reads as follows: “In case a vacancy arises by reason of removal, resignation, permanent incapacity or death of the incumbent President, the incumbent Vice President shall act as President until a President shall have been chosen and qualified.”Section 8, Article 7 of the 1987 Constitution recognizes the Vice President as the first in line in the Philippine presidential succession, followed by the Senate President and the House Speaker.Glee Jalea
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/robredo-is-successor-under-draft-charter/466645/
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Road Board bill passage rescinded
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['Mary Gleefer F. Jalea']
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2018-09-14 00:02:28+00:00
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The House of Representatives has recalled on final reading the approval of House Bill 4736 or the abolition of the Road Board.House Bill 4736 was passed in May.The bill seeks to abolish the Road Board and transfer its functions to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr).“Relative to HB 4736 which we have previously approved on 3rd reading, with leave of the House, I move that we rescind approval of the said bill and that we will no longer pursue its passage,” House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. said during the session.Deputy Speaker Frederick Abueg, the presiding officer, approved the motion.Alvarez previously said he filed the bill to prevent the misuse of billions of pesos of the Road User’s Tax collected by the government.Under Republic Act 8794, the Road Board has the mandate to oversee the funds from the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge (MVUC) exclusively for road maintenance, road drainage improvement, installation of traffic lights and road safety devices, and air pollution control.In July 2018, the Commission on Audit (CoA) flagged the agency after it found that the National Road Lighting Program which had a budget of P3.9 billion from 2013 to 2016, was not efficiently implemented.In 2017, state auditors also found delays in the implementation of 391 MVUC-funded projects worth P10.21 billion from the Road Board’s engineering and administrative overhead expenses.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/road-board-bill-passage-rescinded/441161/
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Senate ratifies free college education bill
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2017-05-30 21:40:53+00:00
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THE Senate on Tuesday ratified a bicameral conference committee report that grants free education in state universities and colleges (SUCs), which would provide equal opportunity for quality tertiary education.The bill guarantees tuition subsidy to all Filipino citizens currently enrolled at SUCs and other covered institutions, as well as those who will enroll in the future for a bachelor’s degree, certificate degree or any comparable undergraduate degree.College students can avail of the tuition assistance provided that they meet the admission requirements of their chosen SUC.The bill, however, will not cover individuals who had attained a bachelor’s degree or any equivalent degree, as well as people who had been discharged from any higher education institution, or those who “failed to complete their degree or non-degree within a year after the prescribed period in their program.”“This bill is truly a huge step in ensuring that all Filipinos are provided with equal opportunity to quality tertiary education, whether in public or private institutions. Poverty will not be a hindrance for student to finish college,” said Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara, an author of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.Once ratified by both Houses of Congress, the bill will be transmitted to Malacanang for the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte.The subsidy will not only cover tuition but also other fees: library, computer, laboratory, ID, athletic, admission, guidance, handbook, entrance, registration and medical and dental.To support the cost, a Tertiary Education Subsidy will be established that may also cover the tuition and other school fees of poor students enrolled in private colleges and universities, equivalent to the tuition and other school fees of the nearest SUC in the area.This subsidy may cover allowance for books, supplies, transportation and miscellaneous personal expenses and allowance for room and board costs.The amount necessary to fund the Tertiary Education Subsidy will be included in the budgets of theCommission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and will be administered by the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) Board.Senator Sherwin Gatchalan, hailed the swift passage of the bill by Congress which seeks to establish universal access to college and post-secondary technical-vocational education for all Filipinos.“As long as they maintain good academic standing, no student pursuing their first degree at any public tertiary or post-secondary institution of learning will ever have to pay a single centavo for tuition and other school fees,” Gatchalian said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/senate-ratifies-free-college-education-bill/330115/
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Robredo rejects joint exploration with China
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2018-06-22 00:01:15+00:00
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Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo has rejected President Rodrigo Duterte’s proposal to jointly explore the West Philippine Sea (WPS) with China.In a television interview with veteran journalist Tina Monzon Palma on Wednesday night, Robredo explained that the country cannot engage in any joint initiative with China since Chinese authorities have allegedly disrespected the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).She said this was done when China refused to adhere to the July 2016 Hague ruling, which junked China’s nine-dash line claim over the South China Sea and declared that the Spratly Islands (which include Mischief Reef), Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and Recto (Reed) Bank are within the Philippines’ EEZ.“Why would we engage in a joint exploration when they cannot even recognize that we own it? The ruling of the UN Tribunal is clear. We have sovereign rights in our EEZ. What is ours is ours,” Robredo said.“As for Panatag Shoal, our fishermen have rights to fish there as much as everyone else,” she added, alluding to repeated incidents of Chinese coastguard forcibly taking the catch of Filipino fishermen.Robredo called on the administration to use The Hague ruling to establish alliances with other claimant-countries in the South China Sea to prevent China’s unabated reclamation activities and militarization in the area.Aerial photos showed installations of anti-ship and anti-aircraft missile batteries in Fiery Cross and Mischief and Subi Reef and even nuclear warheads in Paracel islands.The Fiery Cross and Mischief and Subi Reefs are within the Philippines’ EEZ, while Paracel islands lie within Vietnam’s EEZ.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/robredo-rejects-joint-exploration-with-china/411027/
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Paras to sue Villarin for damages
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['William Depasupil']
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2018-06-02 00:02:49+00:00
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LABOR Undersecretary Jacinto “Jing” Paras has threatened to sue Akbayan partylist Rep. Tom Villarin for accusing him of mobile phone theft.Paras, who had served as representative of Negros Oriental for three terms, also said on Friday that Villarin should be the one to banned from the House of Representatives. Villarin had called on the House to bar all labor officials from the chamber.“He should be the one that should be barred from entering Congress because he does not think like a congressman, but an obnoxious street kid pretending to be smart,” Paras said in n a text message to The Manila Times.Villarin had filed charges against Paras before the Quezon City prosecutor’s office for allegedly stealing his IPhone X cellphone. The incident happened two months ago during a committee hearing at the House.Paras denied stealing Villarin’s phone even as he admitted that he had inadvertently picked up someone’s else phone but later left it in another room, where it was found by the guard and returned to its rightful owner.“How can he say that I stole his cellphone when the cellphone is now in his possession? Utak ipis (He has a brain of a cockroach),” Paras added.Paras said he was ready to face Villarin in court.Paras said he was looking at filing a case for damages against Villarin for destroying his name.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/paras-to-sue-villarin-for-damages/403257/
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Bautista snubs Senate probe
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2017-12-06 21:51:44+00:00
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FOR his failure to explain why he snubbed Wednesday’s inquiry into his alleged unexplained wealth, former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Andres Bautista would be issued a subpoena by the Senate to compel him to attend the next public hearing in January 2018.Sen. Francis Escudero, chairman of the Senate Committee on Banks, said the panel would request Senate President Aquilino Pimentel 3rd to issue the subpoena to Bautista.Escudero resumed the public hearing on the reported ill-gotten Wealth of Bautista after Malacañang officially accepted the latter’s resignation and the House of Representatives terminated impeachment proceedings against him.He began on August 23 the investigation of Bautista’s possible violation of the Anti-Money Laundering Act after his estranged wife, Patricia, claimed that the resigned poll chief had amassed around P1 billion in hidden wealth that includes condominium units and cash deposits with the Luzon Development Bank (LDB).Escudero said Bautista, during his chairmanship of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) during the previous Aquino administration, violated Department of Finance’s regulations when he allegedly transferred some PCGG-sequestered assets to the LDB.He would ask the PCGG to issue a waiver to allow the Senate panel probing Bautista’s alleged hidden wealth to scrutinize these sequestered assets deposited with the LDB.Escudero noted that the LDB is not an authorized government depository bank.“It is a big question why Chairman Bautista transferred the accounts of sequestered corporations to a private bank despite regulations which mandate that these must be placed in government depository bank such as the Land Bank [of the Philippines] and DBP [Development Bank of the Philippines].”Escudero said his committee cannot force the LDB to reveal Bautista’s alleged peso and foreign currency accounts there without violating the Bank Secrecy Law.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/bautista-snubs-senate-probe/367107/
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SUSPECTS IN QUIAPO SKELETON STOCKPILE HUNTED
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['Jaime Pilapil']
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2017-01-21 23:34:32+00:00
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Manila Police District director, Chief Supt. Joel Coronel, said his men are now hunting two suspects in the murder of at least seven people whose skeletons were found on January 10 in a cemented stockpile inside an abandoned house in the Islamic Center in Quiapo. He said the suspects, whose identities he declined to reveal in the meantime, must have left Quaipo after the death of Barangay 648 chairman Faiz Macabato during an anti-drug operation last October 7. Seven other suspected drug pushers were killed during the raid. Coronel they have requested the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory to conduct forensic examinations.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/suspects-quiapo-skeleton-stockpile-hunted/308077/
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Cars to cost P500K more with tax reform
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2016-10-17 21:34:39+00:00
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A new car would cost around P500,000 more if the proposed tax reform of the Duterte administration was passed into law, Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya warned on Monday.Andaya, one of the House Deputy Speakers, was referring to a provision of the tax reform program that imposes an excise tax of 40 percent of the net manufacturing importation price for cars priced over P1.1 million to P2.1 million–up from the existing excise tax rate of P112,00 plus the value in excess of P1.1 million for the bracket.“A [Toyota] Innova would cost P400,000 more, while a [Mitsubishi] Montero would cost P600,000 more. For a Pajero, you could pay P1 million more. So if you can purchase a car now before this [tax measure] is passed, the better,” he told reporters.The proposed tax measure also imposes a five percent of the net manufacturing/importation price as excise tax on cars priced P600,000 and below–a few notches more than the existing two percent.This would mean that a compact car worth P590,000 based on net manufacturing/importation price will be worth P619,000 or up from its old price of P601,800 (including the two percent of the net manufacturing/importation excise tax).Cars priced over P600,000 to P1.1 million, on the other hand, will incur a 20 percent excise tax instead of an existing income tax rate of P12,000 plus excess of P600,000 net price.Those priced over P2.1 million will have a 60 percent excise tax instead of the rate of P512,000 at present plus the value in excess of P2.1 million.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/cars-cost-p500k-tax-reform/291744/
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PH not ready for gay marriage – Palace
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['Ralph Villanueva']
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2018-06-22 00:02:36+00:00
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MALACAÑANG on Thursday said the country is not yet ready for same-sex marriage.Palace spokesman Harry Roque, Jr. made the statement two days after the Supreme Court heard arguments for the legalization of same-sex marriage.“There is always a time for all issues. I personally believe that the Supreme Court and the country is not yet ready for the proposal of same-sex marriage,” Roque said.Roque said some lawmakers, including Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman, are pushing for the passage of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (Sogie) bill in Congress.Roman, the country’s first transgender lawmaker, is the author of House Bill 4982, or the Sogie Equality Act.“They know that the [same-sex marriage] is too revolutionary to be accepted by the society and even the President has actually changed his mind on it. There was a time he said he is for it, so this is fluid. And me, if I were asked as a public interest litigator, I would have waited,” Roque said.Roque’s statement came a day after the international group Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a statement that it hopes the Philippines will recognize same-sex marriage.“If the Supreme Court rules that the provisions of the Family Code are unconstitutional and permits same-sex marriage, or the national legislature enacts a law allowing same-sex marriage, the Philippines will join Taiwan at the forefront of Asian countries with marriage equality,” the HRW said.The Supreme Court on Tuesday held oral arguments on the petition of Jesus Falcis 3rd, who challenged the provisions of the Family Code.Falcis asked the High Court to declare as unconstitutional the provision that only marriages between men and women are valid.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ph-not-ready-for-gay-marriage-palace/411029/
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Sydney OFW calls senator PH ‘destroyer’
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2017-03-26 19:01:09+00:00
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SOME overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Sydney, Australia are not pleased with how politicians and groups not allied with the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte try to project the image of the Philippines to the international community and they made sure minority Sen. Risa Hontiveros got the message.In her recent meeting with the Filipino community held at the Philippine Consulate Office in Sydney, which was posted on the Internet, Hontiveros was asked by an OFW on how they can help improve the image of the Philippines when there are people including the senator who keep on trying to malign the country before the world.The OFW, who identified herself as Luwalhati, particularly cited Hontivero’s recent demand on Duterte for him to allow the United Nations to come to the Philippines and investigate reported unexplained killings in the country.She was referring to a recent statement of Hontiveros urging the Duterte administration to invite representatives of the UN and the European Union to verify allegations of extrajudicial killings in the country.“Where is the honor in that? How can we be honorable when we malign our own community, our own people and suggesting that there are crimes going on done by the government against its own people?” Luwalhati asked Hontiveros.She said it is unfair for OFWs all over the world who are doing their best to help change the image of Filipinos and the Philippines before the international community and yet there are elected officials like her who continuously try to bring the country down.“We are the ones who are directly affected. We are in the frontline and we have to put up with that,” Luwalhati added.“You’re a senator so people will listen to you whether we like it or not, so how can we change the image [of the Philippines] if there are people who keep on destroying it,” she said.Hontiveros reacted by saying she only urged the government to invite representatives from the United Nations to visit the country and investigate, not demand they they be allowed to enter the Philipines.She added that figures on drug-related deaths were based on data of the Philippine National Police wherein 60 percent of deaths were from legitimate police operations while 40 percent were considered deaths under investigation (DUI).Hontiveros, part of the Senate minority bloc, explained that she made the call for the government to invite the UN representatives because of earlier claims of the Duterte administration that the international community had been misled on the real score in the war on drugs.“So that was the spirit of my statement urging government [to issue an invitation] and with all due respect also I’m not maligning [the government], it’s an attempt as a legislator to call the attention of the executive,” she pointed out.She said as a member of a separate and co-equal branch of the government, it is her duty to point out things that may need correction or gap that may need filling by the executive.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/sydney-ofw-calls-senator-ph-destroyer/319314/
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Costlier canned goods hit poor
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2018-04-01 00:01:38+00:00
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The Senate should look into the effects of the increase in the prices of canned goods on minimum wage earners to help the government come up with measures on how to provide affected families with financial aid or “non-monetary succor.”This has been proposed by Sen. Grace Poe in her March 12 Resolution 679 urging three Senate committees–trade, economic affairs and labor–to conduct the inquiry to help ordinary workers with their household expenditures.The minimum wage in Metro Manila is pegged at P512 while it is set at P310 in Region 1, P285 in Region 8 and P265 in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).“It is clear that among the primary duties of the government is to maintain price stability of basic commodities and ensure the protection of Filipino consumers from unscrupulous trade practices,” Poe said.She noted that in January, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez had assured the public that there will only be minimal price increase on basic goods and commodities once the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) Law takes effect.Lopez said instant noodles, regular canned sardines, a 25-gram sachet of instant coffee, a can of meat loaf and detergent soap will increase by three to four centavos under the Train Law.On March 3, canned sardines manufacturers asked the Department of Trade and Industry to allow them to increase the price of a can of sardines from P1 to P2, citing the new law.“Spikes in the prices of imported raw materials, petroleum products and electricity due to the Train Law are said to be the reasons behind the price hike petition of the manufacturers,” Poe said.A regular can of sardines, the poor man’s food, costs between P13 and P14.The senator said the “inflation experienced by the bottom 30 percent of households surged to 4.80 percent in January this year, from 3.60 percent in December 2017.”“Rising food prices have devastating impacts on the bottom 30 percent of Filipino households who spend as much as 70 percent of their income on food,” she added.“There is a need to act urgently to ensure the welfare of the 23 million Filipino households over the coming months,” Poe said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/costlier-canned-goods-hit-poor/389822/
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Church heritage book launched
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['Dempsey Reyes']
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2017-04-16 22:15:36+00:00
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THE Quezon City government has launched a Church heritage book, a part of a series of books that Mayor Herbert Bautista had planned to unveil during the city’s 75th founding anniversary in 2015.The book is titled “Facets of Faith: Discovering the Church Heritage of Quezon City” and it was written by Billy Ray Malacura and edited by Professor Felicidad Galang-Pereña.A guidebook on 75 churches and their development over time in Quezon City, it also serves as an inventory of significant cultural assets pursuant to Republic Act (RA) 10066 or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009.RA 10066 defines the role of national agencies and their affiliated cultural offices in protecting and conserving the country’s cultural patrimony.According to Bautista, the book aims to increase awareness on different religions and encourage respect among individuals.Copies of “Facets of Faith: Discovering the Church Heritage of Quezon City” are available at the Quezon City Public Library at the QC Hall Compound.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/church-heritage-book-launched/322492/
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US envoy: We HAVE BEEN HELPING PH lick illegal drugs humanely
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['Michael Joe T. Delizo']
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2016-10-19 21:46:39+00:00
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THE United States has been supporting anti-drug campaigns in the Philippines but in a “humane way,” the US ambassador to Manila said on Wednesday.Philip Goldberg added that Washington has sent American agents to train with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and share best practices with them on combating illegal drugs.He said the US worked with Philippine authorities in “big seizures” of illegal drugs at the premier Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).“We support the efforts to eradicate drugs but in a humane way,” Goldberg said in a radio interview. “We cooperate a lot… We are not new to this.”The US, along with the European Union and the United Nations, had been the subject of expletive-laden rants of tough-talking President Rodrigo Duterte for supposedly criticizing his so-called “war on drugs” that has killed thousands of drug suspects.According to the Philippine President, the US criticizes him instead of helping him address the widespread problem on illegal drugs.“Mr. [Barack] Obama, you can go to hell,” he said in an extemporaneous speeches. “I have lost respect for the US.”Goldberg, who was once also insulted by Duterte, insisted that he was not taking the President’s remarks personally.“I’m not in the Philippines as an individual. I am a diplomat representing my country. I have to be ready for anything,” he said, adding that Obama was also “taking everything in stride” because “he’s a very civil man, a dignified President.”Still, the ambassador, who is winding up his three-year tour of duty, maintained that Filipinos are among the warmest people he has met.“I’ve been here for three years. My government is now calling me,” he said. “It’s been a great experience. We have done a lot of things in our bilateral relations.”He expressed hope that the “very good, historic” relations between the two countries would remain strong and unbreakable despite the controversies.“The alliance should continue but we can’t control everything,” Goldberg said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/us-envoy-helping-ph-lick-illegal-drugs-humanely/292104/
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PNP buys P6.4B in new equipment
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['Roy Narra']
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2018-02-02 00:05:57+00:00
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The Philippine National Police (PNP) has procured 45,457 pieces of equipment worth P6.4 billion to improve its operations against terrorism, illegal drugs and criminality.Among the items procured were brand-new transport vehicles, light machineguns, anti-riot shields, body armors, helmets and undershirt vests.PNP chied Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa on Thursday said some of the equipment were already distributed to police districts nationwide while some are undergoing tests and evaluations.“We expect [the policemen] to do their job properly, be more efficient in providing services and we expect them to observe the rule of law in carrying their mandates,” de la Rosa added.Meanwhile, he cited Islamic State-inspired threats to the country as his defense for making a priority the purchase of bomb-sniffing dogs over body cameras.Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto previously criticized the PNP for buying 48 bomb-sniffing dogs costing P511,600 each instead of the body cameras.“Can you prevent a bomb [threat] with a body-worn camera? But you can prevent that with a bomb-sniffing dog,” de la Rosa said in a news conference in Taguig City.“Siguro sa mga kritiko, priority nila ang body-worn cameras. Naghahanap talaga sila ng butas sa aming operations, pero sa amin priority namin ang aso kasi ang threats ng IS [Islamic State] at threat ng terrorism, maraming buhay ang mawawala doon [Maybe with the critics, body-worn cameras are their priority. They are really looking into holes in our operations, but we make dogs a priority because the Islamic terrorist threats can spell loss of many lives],” he noted.The PNP chief explained that at the time they were preparing their budget for 2017, the threats of terrorism were felt more than the problems in the government’s anti-drug campaign.But, he said, with the controversy over “Tokhang” anti-drug operations and the death of teenagers in Caloocan City in their drug crackdown, they felt “the heat.”De la Rosa, however, revealed that they had allotted a budget of P334 million for the procurement of the body cameras.“[The critics are also stakeholders, so we listened to them, and thus we are also procuring such cameras that would be delivered by June this year],” he said.According to supplemental guidelines of Operation “Tokhang,” the “Tokhangers” or a group of police assigned to conduct “Tokhang” operations are required to wear body cameras during the operations.De la Rosa clarified that once the body cameras are purchased, they will order all “Tokhangers” to wear one during their operations.Operation “Tokhang” was reimplemented on January 29.Jose Victor Ramos, chief of the PNP directorate for logistics, said the PNP is still short of bomb-sniffing dogs.Ramos added that they have 208 bomb-sniffing dogs at present, which is short of the 620 needed nationwide.Forty-eight of the dogs that had been purchased are in Alfonso, Cavite, where they would undergo training.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/pnp-buys-p6-4b-new-equipment/377653/
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SC to govt units: Ensure compliance with Clean Water Act
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-04-30 20:49:11+00:00
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THE Supreme Court (SC) has acted on petitions filed by Maynilad Water Services (Maynilad) and Manila Water Company Inc. in connection with compliance of concerned government agencies with Republic Act (RA) 9275 or the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004.In a four-page resolution, the SC en banc required the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to inform the court of the status of the compliance with Rule 7.1.1 and 8.2 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 9275, as well as Sections 14 and 19 of the act.It also ordered DENR to inform the SC on its list of categories of the industry sector, its obligation relative to water quality standards, if any, and its plan with respect to solid waste disposal, and to copy furnish the parties, as well as all government agencies directed in its resolution with its manifestation, all within 15 days from notice.Besides the DENR, the SC also ordered several government agencies to act on water concessionaires’ concerns that include the Department of Health, Department of Public Works and Highways, National Sewerage and Septage Management Program Office in the DPWH, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Local Water Utilities Administration and Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA).The SC also required the DILG to furnish the court with a complete list of Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs) in the Philippines.It directed all the local government units of HUCs to submit to it, among others, a report on the status of their compliance with Sec. 8 of RA 9275, and furnish the court with a summary of these reports within 15 days from notice.The court asked LLDA to furnish the court a list of industries comprising the management area under its administration.In its resolution promulgated by clerk of court Felipa Anama last April 4 that was released only recently, the SC also required Maynila and Manila Water to each submit an updated list of the respective service areas under their concession agreements with the MetropolitanWaterworks and Sewerage System, as well as their updated report on the status of their compliance with the same provision of the law. JOMAR CANLAS“All parties to these cases and all government agencies directed in this resolution may traverse any or all of the manifestations submitted within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the last manifestation required by this resolution,” the court said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/sc-govt-units-ensure-compliance-clean-water-act/324842/
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Cite ‘The Times’ for contempt – Chief Justice
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2017-03-19 20:04:35+00:00
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Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno has asked the Supreme Court en banc to order The Manila Times to “show cause” why the broadsheet should not be cited for contempt for leaking “information” particularly on the case of Sen. Leila de Lima.According to unimpeachable sources of the newspaper inside the tribunal, the issue of leakages was raised by SC Justice Marvic Leonen during deliberations last March 14, with participation of the two new SC justices–Samuel Martires and Noel Tijam.The deliberations were held in connection with an internal memorandum of Leonen pushing for amendment to a substantive issue involving a petition of de Lima that supposedly had favored her claim that she can be charged with direct bribery, not over illegal drugs.The memorandum was sent to SC Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr.Leonen admitted before the en banc that The Manila Times was trying to get his side on the internal memorandum that he had sent to Velasco.He explained the associate justice was the ponente of the de Lima case, which was brought before the High Court.“So as not to confine the case to a particular crime, may I suggest that in the first substantive issue, ‘violation of RA [Republic Act] 9165 be amended to read ‘offense.’ Petitioner [de Lima)]alleges that the acts [she was] charged [with] correspond to direct bribery,” Leonen said in the memorandum sent to Velasco.At the time, the SC was tackling another “show cause” order whose subject was also the broadsheet over an article published on March 8, 2016 with the headline “Justices offered P50-million bribe to disqualify Poe.”Poe referred to Sen. Grace Poe, then a candidate for President in the May 2016 elections.Sereno supposedly butted in and asked if SC Justice Antonio Carpio wanted to add to it the “show cause order” regarding the alleged de Lima leaks .Leonen objected to the suggestion of Sereno, saying he sees no reason for another “show cause” order to The Manila Times.Several SC justices, according to the same sources, believe that there is nothing contemptuous about the stories of the newspaper for they fall within the constitutionally guaranteed “freedom of the press. “Another source of The Manila Times said Sereno got irked with the broadsheet after it published the article “Sereno holds ‘hostage’ Duterte’s first SC pick” last March 10.The story was about Sereno’s refusal to release the appointment papers of outgoing Sandiganbayan justice and now SC Justice Martires.According to several SC Justices who talked to the newspaper on condition of anonymity, Sereno was “forcing” Martires to take his oath of office before her.The appointment papers of Martires were released by Sereno belatedly after she learned that Martires wanted to be sworn in by President Rodrigo Duterte.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/cite-times-contempt-chief-justice/318063/
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Duterte urged: Ax ‘corrupt’ officials of race regulator
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['Dempsey Reyes']
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2017-03-19 20:03:34+00:00
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AN ANTI-GRAFT group has urged President Rodrigo Duterte over the weekend to remove top officials of the Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom), alleging that the agency had committed graft and corruption that caused the government losses of hundreds of millions of pesos.In a letter sent to the President, the Anti-Trapo Movement (ATM) said the Philracom officials must be “fired and replaced immediately” for allowing the proliferation of online sabong (cockfight) in some of the off-track betting (OTB) stations in the country.According to ATM founder Leon Peralta, the incumbent Philracom officials “willfully ignored and betrayed the best interests of the entire horseracing industry, causing serious harm to stakeholders and the government.”The letter sent by the group was already received by the Office of the President and the letter’s content was disclosed during a news conference in Quezon City.“We write this letter to make an urgent plea for action to stop the ongoing anomalies in the [Philracom] that are causing enormous revenue losses to the government,” Peralta said in his letter to the President.“[N]ot to mention, the [Philracom] commissioners’ blatant disregard for your [Duterte] war against graft and corruption,” he added.Earlier this month, the ATM filed charges before the Office of the Ombudsman against top Philracom officials led by Chairman Andrew Sanchez over the commission’s “inaction” to put a stop to online cockfights in the OTBs, which are supposedly exclusive only for horserace betting.“Mr. President, we at the ATM firmly believe that it is high time to fire Philracom Chairman Andrew Sanchez as well as his commissioners and executive director,” the letter read.“[We ask you] to replace them with persons of integrity and competence to save the horseracing industry and the billions of pesos in amusement tax revenues it generates for the government,” it said.They added that they suspect that the Philracom officials collaborate with some parties allowing the operation of online cockfights in the OTBs and for not doing anything despite the dangers of the activity to the very survival of the racing industry.“The government earns billions in amusement tax revenues from horseracing, but virtually nothing from online [cockfights],” Peralta said.He added that the Philracom, as a regulator, “can do something to protect” the horse-racing industry, but alleged that the commission “has not lifted a finger for reasons known only to the commissioners.”“The negative impact of online cockfights is very clear since horseracing betting revenues have significantly gone down since online cockfights started operations in December 2015,” the group founder explained.Online cockfights have generated more than P1 billion in 2016 alone because they are being held at the same time as the horse races, according to Peralta.He said their research showed more than 90 percent of horseracing revenues are being generated by the OTBs.But such charges filed against the commission would be a “waste of precious time,” according to Philracom’s legal counsel Pilita Venturanza.Venturanza said Philracom has no jurisdiction of performing such act and is “dumbfounded” being forced to perform acts that have nothing to do with them.Presidential Decree 420, amended by PD 1095, “expressly excluded” from its jurisdiction functions related to the supervision and regulation of horserace betting and has conferred the same to the Games and Amusements Board, Venturanza said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/duterte-urged-ax-corrupt-officials-race-regulator/318062/
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INC readies biggest outreach program
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-10-26 20:33:04+00:00
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In celebration of the 62nd birthday of Iglesia Ni Cristo Executive Minister Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo on October 31, the INC will conduct its largest and widest-reaching Lingap sa Mamamayan socio-civic program in the history of the church.The simultaneous holding of free medical and dental services and the distribution of bags of goods, which include home essentials, medicines and basic items, will be held on October 29 at two sites in Metro Manila as well as in 104 other areas all over the country and several locations abroad.INC’s Lingap sa Mamamayan initiative aims to provide livelihood and assistance programs to needy communities.The first site in Metro Manila will be Barangay Maharlika in Taguig City, and will include at least 30 doctors and 15 dentists ready to treat an estimated 5,000 patients. More than 100,000 bags of goods are expected to be distributed.The second Metro Manila location will be Barangay Culiat in Quezon City, with at least 10 doctors and 8 dentists on standby for about 1,500 patients, in addition to 5,000 bags of goods that are ready for distribution.Aside from food and medicines, entertainment shall also be provided.The 104 areas nationwide will include 65 in Luzon, 17 in Visayas and 22 in Mindanao. Overall, approximately 400,000 bags of goods have been prepared for this historic outreach activity.Overseas Lingap activities are to be held in several parts of the US and Canada, northern and southern Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, Cambodia and various areas in the Middle East including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.INC General Auditor Bro. Glicerio Santos Jr. said Manalo had directed church officials to intensify their anti-poverty projects, particularly the Lingap sa Mamamayan program under the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation.Santos noted that under the executive minister’s leadership, “much emphasis has been placed on the church’s socio-civic and outreach activities, which seek to benefit not just INC members, but also less fortunate communities around the country and all over the world who need help.”Early this year, the INC distributed relief goods including food, clothing, medicines and hygiene items to an estimated 100,000 people affected by the Marawi City siege.“These continuing projects are being undertaken consistent with our firm belief that God has given us the responsibility to take care of our fellow man, especially the less fortunate and those who are in dire need of assistance,” Santos said.“As long as we have people who grapple with poverty, the INC will do what it can to provide means to uplift their welfare, irrespective of religious or political beliefs,” he added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/inc-readies-biggest-outreach-program/358912/
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House committee approves Church-decreed annulment
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['Ralph Villanueva']
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2017-12-17 21:55:55+00:00
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A PANEL of the House of Representatives has approved a substitute bill legalizing “church-decreed” annulment.The Committee on Population and Family Relations under Laguna Rep. Sol Aragones has approved the unnumbered Church-decreed annulment bill, which is a substitute for Deputy Speaker and Cebu Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia’s House Bill 1629 and Leyte Rep. Yedda Romualdez’s House Bill 3705.Under the Aragones-sponsored bill, marriages solemnized by the leader of any recognized church or religious sect in the country which are annulled or dissolved in a final judgment or decree in accordance with their canons or precepts, will be deemed to have the same effect as a court-issued decree of annulment or dissolution.The measure also provides that the final judgment or decree of annulment or dissolution issued by the proper church or religious sect should be recorded in the appropriate civil registry within 30 days.Couples whose marriages have been annulled thus, may also marry again as long as the requirements stated in Article 52 of the Family Code are met. Otherwise, the new marriage will be deemed null and void.Upon securing a marriage license for the remarriage, the spouse should present a certified true copy of the final judgment or declaration of nullity, annulment or dissolution of marriage registered with the appropriate civil registry branch.Currently, the process of annulling a church marriage is under an administrative decree, which states that the couples file for the annulment of their church marriage and submits their case history.Canon lawyers would then evaluate the couple’s case history and if they find merit in the petition for annulment, they submit it to the archbishop stating their finding that there are grounds to annul the marriage.Once the archbishop signs the petition, the church marriage is annulled.Fr. Jerome Secillano of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said that a church annulment is no longer a strictly judicial process but can be an administrative decree, citing such a decree that Pope Francis signed three years ago.“If marriages so solemnized are recognized by the State, it is only proper that the very church [that] rendered a marriage null, [shall have] its effects binding on the State. This is also [the] same with all other established churches and religions,” Romualdez said.Garcia said that while marriage is an institution that the State has interest in, it is still a religious act.“If the marriage, insofar as the contracting parties are concerned, is validated by the laws of the church, then it necessarily follows that by the same laws, such marriage can also be invalidated or annulled,” Garcia said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/house-committee-approves-church-decreed-annulment/369262/
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PDP-Laban to hold talks with NKorea Workers’ Party
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['The Manila Times']
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2018-07-17 00:02:49+00:00
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A four-man delegation from the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) will fly to North Korea today, July 17, for a series of meetings with the Workers’ Party of Korea.Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel 3rd, PDP-Laban National President, described the three-day mission as “the historic starting point of a new dynamic relationship with the Workers’ Party of Korea.”The Philippines was among the first country in the Association of Southeast Nations (Asean) to establish diplomatic ties with North Korea when it was still ruled by Kim Jong-il, the father of North Korean Leader and WPK Chairman Kim Jong-un.The delegation is composed of former Eastern Samar Gov. Lutgardo Barbo, PDP-Laban Vice President for Visayas; Ronwald Munsayac, chairman of the PDP-Laban Public Information Committee; Raymundo Roquero, vice chairman of the Public Information Committee; and Evan Rebadulla.The trip was arranged last year following months of correspondence between WPK Vice Chairman and head of the International Department Ri Su Yong and Raul Lambino, PDP-Laban Vice President for International Affairs.Lambino said PDP-Laban “is elated by the enthusiasm shown by the Workers’ Party of Korea to our visit.”“This is strictly a party-to-party diplomacy. The invitation was extended to us months ago, and we feel that this visit could not have come at a better time,” he added.The highlight of the visit would be the signing of a memorandum of understanding “affirming their friendship and promoting greater understanding and more meaningful party-to-party talks in the future.”
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/pdp-laban-to-hold-talks-with-nkorea-workers-party/420085/
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Meralco rates up in November
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['Jordeene Sheex Lagare']
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2018-11-08 00:04:28+00:00
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The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) will increase its rates by P0.1135 per kilowatt-hour in November because of higher Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) charges.This means an upward adjustment of P10.0901 per kWh this month from P9.9766 per kWh last month, the power distributor said in a statement on Wednesday.Households that consume 200 kWh will see an increase of P22.7 in their November bill. Those who consume 300 kWh will pay P34.05 more; 400 kWh, P45.40; and 500 kWh, P56.75.Generation charge for the month rose by P0.0817 per kWh to P5.2725 per kWh from last month’s P5.1908 per kWh.WESM rates went up because of higher power demand in Luzon.But the cost of electricity from independent power producers (IPPs) and power supply agreements (PSAs) dropped by P0.1450 per kWh and P0.5611 per kWh, respectively.Transmission charge of residential customers went up by P0.0021 per kWh because of an increase in the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines’ (NGCP) ancillary service charges.Taxes and other charges also climbed by PhP0.0297 per kWh for this period.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/meralco-rates-up-in-november/464162/
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Oil companies hike pump prices
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['Jordeene Sheex Lagare']
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2017-12-18 21:28:05+00:00
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Oil companies will increase the prices of gasoline, diesel and kerosene on Tuesday, reversing the price cut they implemented a aweek ago.Flying V was the first to adjust pump prices, raising the price of diesel by 50 centavos per liter, gasoline by 30 centavos per liter, and kerosene by 45 centavos per liter, effective at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday.Eastern Petroleum, Phoenix Petroleum, Pilipinas Shell, PTT Philippines, and Seaoil hiked the price of diesel and gasoline by 50 centavos per liter and 30 centavos per liter at 6 a.m.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/oil-companies-hike-pump-prices-2/369386/
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