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Only 60,000 contractuals regularized – official
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['Jaime Pilapil']
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2017-07-11 20:30:51+00:00
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A year after President Rodrigo Duterte promised to stamp out end-of-contract or endo employment, only 60,000 of the more than 2,000,000 contractual employees were regularized, according to an official of the Labor department.Undersecretary for Labor Relations Joel Maglunsod, a former representative of Anakpawis party-list, on Tuesday said the process to regularization is tedious and slow, adding that there are 630,000 contracting agencies but only 230 labor inspectors.Under, endo, an employee is hired for five months and if he or she wants to continue working, he or she has to sign a new contract for another five months.“For example, at PLDT [Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.] last week, we finally regularized 9,120 contractual employees. That is out of 64,000 contractual workers,” Maglunsod told a forum in Manila, as he cited also the owners of Alaska Milk, which finally agreed to regularize 800 employees.There are 937,000 business establishments in the country and they employ two million contractual workers.“As of now, we have a total of 536 labor inspectors which is not enough. We asked the Department of Budget and Management for an additional 200, but it will take time also to have it approved. For the meantime, 36 were approved,” Maglunsod said.“We are pushing for the accreditation of labor union workers as deputized labor inspectors to fast-track the regularization process,” he added.When asked if contractual workers in malls have been given attention, Maglunsod said malls, fast-food chains, factories and manufacturing companies will be next in their target.The Labor official added that there are companies that practice “in-house” contractualization like PAL (Philippine Airlines) Express, MicroAsia and Skylogistics, among others, which is against Department Order 174.“We sent labor inspectors to investigate, we hope to resolve the issue as soon as possible,” he said.President Rodrigo Duterte promised to stop contratualization during the campaign period in 2016.After he was declared winner, he again reiterated it at his first State of the Nation Address (SONA).This July 24, in his second SONA, he will brandish 60,000 contractual workers as his achievement.“It is sad because mall owners became billionaires at the expense of these contractual workers. We promise to end this endo thing,” Maglunsod said.According to him, the achievements of the Duterte administration after one year are: removal of contractualization; mobilization of labor inspectors; issuance of iDOLE an identification system for overseas Filipino workers; one-stop-shop documentary processing for OFWs; repatriation of thousands of OFWs; livelihood; and resolution of decades-old labor disputes like the case against Rubberworld where 1,000 employees finally got their money claims.Maglunsod said the Labor department is supporting the move of some militant labor groups to hike the minimum wage to P750, which is lower than P1,098, the accepted living wage computation.At present, the minimum wage for private employees in Metro Manila is pegged at P481 plus P10 cost of living allowance.JAIME R. PILAPIL
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/60000-contractuals-regularized-official/337844/
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Tan retained as UP Diliman chancellor
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['Dempsey Reyes']
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2017-01-29 21:06:13+00:00
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ANTHROPOLOGIST and writer Michael Tan has been reappointed chancellor of the Diliman campus of the University of the Philippines (UP), a post he has held since March 2014.On Thursday, the UP System’s Board of Regents affirmed that Tan, 64, would serve for another three-year term.In a statement, the former dean of the UP College of Social Sciences and Philosophy thanked the UP community for “the power of unity and holding of the high moral ground.”“With your support, we will accelerate meaningful change while continuing to emphasize consultative processes and careful, even if slow, deliberation in the service of UP and of the nation,” said Tan.The deliberations for the post of Diliman chancellor took place at Quezon Hall of the UP campus in Quezon City.Other nominees were Aura Matias of the College of Engineering and Roland Tolentino of the College of Mass Communication.Tolentino, was recently appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as board member of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/tan-retained-diliman-chancellor/309559/
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Postpone issuance of new P5 silver coins–senator
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2017-12-28 00:01:09+00:00
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Addressing concerns that the new P5 silver coins are “similar in size” to the P1 coins, Sen. Nancy Binay on Wednesday asked the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to postpone the issuance of the new generation coins that it plans to release in January 2018.She said the new P5 coins, which the BSP rolled out this December, have already created confusion, specifically those in the public transport and among owners of sari-sari (variety) stores and carinderias (small restaurants) who give out loose change.“It is best to keep an eye on those new five-peso coins,” according to Binay.She said she hopes that the BSP conducted an information drive first before releasing the new P5 silver coins.Consumers, Binay added, have expressed surprise at being handed the recently released P5 coins, which are closely similar in shape and in size to the P1 coins.The new silver P5 coins feature Andres Bonifacio, replacing Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, who is featured in the old and pale gold P5 coin still in circulation.The new generation coins (NGC), however, are clearly smaller than their counterparts in the old BSP series.“As a matter of fact, the silver five-peso Bonifacio coin closely resembles the one-peso coin featuring Dr. Jose Rizal,” Binay said.“We welcome the new and fresh designs of the NGC. But did the Numismatic Committee ever consider the behavioral change it will create, and the possibility of confusion between merchants and the public?” she added.Binay said majority of the public who commute and even those in the transport sector are the ones to be “inconvenienced by the circulation of the NGC series.”“We welcome the change if it’s an issue of security but the problem lies in the circulation where the new coins will co-exist with the P1, P5 and P10 coins that are now more widely used by the public,” she added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/postpone-issuance-new-p5-silver-coins-senator/370878/
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Arrest Bautista – Escudero
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2018-02-13 00:07:45+00:00
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SEN. Francis Escudero on Monday asked the Senate to issue an arrest order against former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Andres Bautista, who again failed to attend the investigation on his alleged hidden wealth.Escudero, chairman of the Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies, asked Senate President Aquilino Pimentel 3rd to issue a warrant of arrest, saying Bautista “has clearly shown his attempt to stifle the proceedings.”“I have requested the Senate to issue a warrant for (former) chairman Bautista so he can be arrested anytime when he arrives in the country,” Escudero said. “The committee is compelled to do this after his obvious defiance of the Senate orders. Unless he expunges himself, and the only way he can is if he issues a waiver on bank secrecy together with his siblings who are his co-depositors.”Bautista is reportedly in the United States.Asked whether he would sign the warrant of arrest for Bautista, Pimentel said, “I’ll talk to Chiz (Escudero) about what happened. It’s not automatic that if you issue a subpoena and then he defies, [you issue a warrant].”“If that is the recommendation of the committee, we’ll discuss that. I’ll just talk to the chairman if that is still needed because I think he is out of the country so it’s useless. And we have no one to send to the US to arrest him,” he said in an interview.Pimentel admitted that an uncooperative resource person can be arrested by the Senate for defiance.“What I read was it was his (Bautista’s) fourth time [in not attending the hearing]. I need to ask him (Escudero) what are those four times. It’s judgment call. I’ll just talk to the chairman,” the Senate chief said.When told that Bautista sent a letter asking the committee to send him the questions that senators want to ask and he would just send his reply “in writing,” Pimentel said, “kung ayaw nga ni chairman (Bautista), p’wede nga ‘yung warrant of arrest. (Well, if chairman Bautista is really defiant, then issuing a warrant of arrest is possible).”The panel issued a subpoena to Bautista last week after his failure to attend the probe on his possible violation of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA).The former Comelec chief wrote to the committee saying he did not receive any invitation because he had been out of the country since November 21, 2017.“I understand from news reports that a subpoena has been issued because of my non-appearance in the hearing. In this regard, I respectfully ask that the subpoena be recalled since I never received the invitation,” Bautista said in his letter to Pimentel and Escudero dated January 31.Bautista told the committee that he “will be pleased to answer in writing any appropriate questions that the Honorable Committee may have regarding the referenced topic.”This was rejected by Escudero.“That letter for me is a ruse. There is no good faith in it,” the senator said.“At the very least, he should have given us a forwarding address where we can communicate with him but so far he has not done that. That is the very opposite of what he had said in the past that he will squarely face any and all allegations lodged against him in any forum,” he said.Bautista’s siblings, Susan Afan and Martin Bautista, were also invited by the committee but they did not show up.Escudero said that if Bautista cannot personally attend the probe, “he can talk to his siblings for all of them to execute a waiver and we will continue the proceedings without them.”
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/arrest-bautista-escudero/379744/
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PCSO to seek help of BIR experts
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2018-02-19 23:03:35+00:00
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THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) will ask the help of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in justifying the imposition of 20 percent tax on all sweepstakes prizes.PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan said the agency will invite tax experts from the BIR to defend the newly imposed tax on the prizes brought by the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law (Train) in January.The Train law or Republic Act 10963 imposed higher excise tax on fuel, sugar sweetened beverage and tobacco.The tax reform law on the other hand exempts individual taxpayers with an annual income of P250,000 from paying income taxes.But under the TRAIN law, PCSO and lotto winnings exceeding P10,000 will also be subject to 20 percent tax.“Nung una nga 10 percent. Hindi pa namin napag-uusapan ng husto ‘yung tax nito. (Originally, it was 10 percent and we have not discussed this new tax rate.) We are inviting experts from the BIR on how we will justify the taxes,” Balutan said.The 20 percent tax is now imposed on all sweepstakes prizes including the P331.9 million Ultra lotto 5/58 jackpot that was won by two bettors during the February 16 draw.With the new taxes instead of getting at least P165 million each, the two lucky winners would be splitting P265 million instead of P331 million, if the 20 percent tax will be imposed.“Wala na tayong magawa, batas na ‘yan. Ang problema lang ma-dissuade ang betting public na hindi na tumaya. (We cannot do anything about it anymore because that is the law. The problem now is how we can dissuade the betting public from not betting,” Balutan added.The PCSO chief expressed optimism that the new law would not affect the interest of the public since they could still win huge prizes even with the tax imposition.Balutan noted that the taxes would automatically go to the charity fund and that can be used to help the poor. He said with the renewed confidence of the betting public on the leadership of the PCSO, revenues of the charity institution would continue to increase.Balutan cited the January sales of the expanded Small Town Lottery (STL) that reached P1.87 billion, which is higher than the P1.7 billion earning in December 2017.The January 2018 revenue, Balutan said, was 103 percent higher compared to the sales from the same period in 2017.“The people are continuously patronizing PCSO games such as Lotto, Keno, Suertes, and STL. Of course we are happy because it would mean that the PCSO could provide medical assistance to more Filipinos,” he said.Balutan on Monday received recognition from the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) for the agency’s contributions during the Marawi siege.“The recognition given is not just necessarily to me, but the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office by the Philippine Marine Corps. This is very timely considering PCSO is in a controversial period,” he said.The charity agency has provided assistance to victims disasters from its annual calamity fund amounting to P100 million.The PCOS recently released P5 million to Palawan for the victims of typhoon “Vinta” and P35 million for thousands of Mayon evacuees.Last year, the agency donated P6 million to Biliran Province for the victims of typhoon Urduja; P2.5 million to Davao City; P1 million to Davao del Norte; P500,000 to Tagum City; P200,000 to Davao Occidental; P600,000 to Davao Oriental; and P600,000 to Compostela Valley for typhoon Vinta victims, and P5 million for the victims of the sige in Marawi City.Jefferson Antiporda
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/PCSO+to+seek+help+of+BIR+experts
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Bersamin takes over division left by de Castro
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['The Manila Times']
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2018-10-21 01:07:02+00:00
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Supreme Court Justice Lucas Bersamin now sits as acting chairman and signatory of the court’s First Division, temporarily taking over the position vacated by retired chief justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro.|Under Special Order 2606 dated October 10 and signed by Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, Bersamin was “designated as Acting Chairperson of the First Division, effective October 10, 2018, until further orders.”Carpio likewise issued Special Order 2608, which tapped Bersamin as acting signatory for the division.Bersamin was the working chairman of the First Division during the stint of de Castro, who retired on October 9.Carpio also issued Special Order 2607, which designated Justice Alexander Gesmundo as acting member of the First Division, joining regular members Justices Mariano del Castillo, Francis Jardeleza and Noel Tijam.With the retirement of de Castro and the ouster of Maria Lourdes Sereno as chief justice, there are only 13 justices remaining in the 15-member high court to fill in the membership of five justices for each of the three divisions.The Second Division will still be headed by Carpio with Associate Justices Estela Perlas Bernabe, Benjamin Alfredo Caguioa and Andres Reyes Jr., as members. Jose Reyes Jr. will be the acting member for the Second Division to complete the membership of five justices.The Third Division will be chaired by Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta with Associate Justices Marvic Mario Victor Leonen, Gesmundo, Reyes and the newly appointed Ramon Paul Hernando as members.Bersamin, who turned 69 on Thursday, is the third most senior justice of the high court and is vying for the position of chief justice, along with Carpio, Peralta, Perlas-Bernabe and Andres Reyes Jr.Bersamin is the most senior magistrate in terms of stay in the judiciary — from 1986 up to present. He started his career in the Quezon City Regional Trial Court 32 years ago. JOMAR CANLAS
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/bersamin-takes-over-division-left-by-de-castro/454947/
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PCSO rues restraining order vs lotto system
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-07-28 22:07:40+00:00
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The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Board of Directors, officials and employees are disheartened by a temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by a Makati City court against the agency’s bidding for the five-year lease of the National Online Lottery System (NOLS) with an Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) amounting to P10.906 billion.Seventeen bidders properly secured bid documents for the NOLS, including the Philippine Gaming Management Corporation (PGMC), which filed for the TRO before the Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 143 with Maximo de Leon as presiding judge.“We are deeply saddened and a bit frustrated by the TRO filed by the PGMC against PCSO’s bidding for the lottery system, a major government project. Revenues generated by the games of PCSO sustain financial assistance for the poor needing hospitalization and medical attention. The bidding for our lottery system promises entertaining games and wider market share that will guarantee government funds. We need to have a new state-of-the-art and better lottery system that costs cheaper than our current lottery lease system,” according to PCSO Chairman Jose Jorge Corpuz.“As far as PCSO is concerned, the NOLS was carefully and tediously studied to ensure that the government and the people are protected,” Corpuz said.The PCSO said it wants the court to strike a balance and consider the agency’s indigent clients who are dependent on PCSO’s charity services, which are sustained by PCSO games, including the lotteries.It, however, stated that they respect the wisdom of the judge in issuing the TRO and they shall comply with the court decision.PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan said since the start of the PCSO lotto games more than 30 years ago, this is the first time that it opened for public bidding supply and delivery of PCSO’s Online Lottery System.Balutan added that the PCSO is doing this in order to be transparent in its operations and transactions.He said projected revenues from the NOLS will fund the health and medical programs of both PCSO and the government and will ultimately benefit millions of Filipinos.For the PCSO, Balutan added, the bidding for the NOLS pursuant to Republic Act 9184 is an opportune time to open the agency’s lottery system extending equal opportunity to all eligible private entities and encourage competitive bidding.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/pcso-rues-restraining-order-vs-lotto-system/341111/
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Dingdong Dantes to run for Congress
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['Jing Villamente']
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2018-04-08 00:02:45+00:00
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Movie and television actor Dingdong Dantes has expressed his desire to join the congressional race in Quezon City’s District 2 in the 2019 elections.On Saturday, The Manila Times Entertainment tried to confirm whether Dantes is indeed considering running for a government post.Both the actor and his manager Perry Lansingan, however, are currently in New York, along with other GMA Network talents, for a series of shows in the US and Canada.As of press time, neither has responded to the Entertainment staff’s text messenges.Dantes recently surprised residents of Barangay Commonwealth in the city when he visited local officials, with Manuel Co, the barangay (village) chairman, announcing the actor’s congressional candidacy in front of village councilors, purok (district) leaders and presidents of homeowners’ associations.He made a thumbs-up sign when Co announced the actor’s political bid as residents and the latter’s’ fans were surprised by Dantes’ arrival.The actor told the crowd he dropped by “to raise the awareness of the people about the government agencies’ hotlines.”Dantes would be running against former child actress and broadcast journalist Precious Hipolito-Castelo, wife of three-term Rep. Winston Castelo, and Councilor Ranulfo Ludovica in District 2 that is composed of seven villages, including Payatas, Batasan and Commonwealth.The Quezon City mayoralty race, on the other end, will be contested by District 1 Rep. Vincent “Bingbong” Crisologo and Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, who both have been attending graduation rites and telling parents and teachers they would be gunning for the top post.Crisologo is eyeing Rep. Winnie Castelo (District 2), who had finished his nine-year term, as his running mate.Outgoing Mayor Herbert Bautista will be seeking a congressional seat at his bailiwick in District 3 against outgoing Councilor Allan Benedict Reyes.with TESSA MAURICIO ARRIOLA
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/dingdong-dantes-to-run-for-congress/391175/
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Army needs 14,000 new troops for 2017
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['Fernan Marasigan']
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2017-03-01 22:14:42+00:00
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THE Philippine Army needs a total of 13,910 new troops for 2017 to fill up various Army units throughout the country, a military official announced on Wednesday.Col. Benjamin Hao, Army spokesman, said the Army will be recruiting at least 349 officers (2nd Lieutenants); 8,892 soldiers for the special quota as approved by the President; 1,069 soldiers for the newly organized 54th Engineer Brigade; and 3,600 soldiers representing the annual quota replacement in the Army.“Most number of new recruits will fill up the Army infantry, cavalry and artillery units. There are also recruits who will fill up the engineer, communication, logistics and other administrative functions of the Army,” he added.According to the official, out of the total number of recruits, 10 percent are allocated for female recruits and five percent for indigenous peoples.Once a candidate soldier is recruited and he becomes a trainee, he will receive a gross income of P16,852.00.If enlisted, the new private will receive a starting gross income of P23,204.00, plus allowances and benefits.Hao said the Army will give priority to graduates of Military Science 43 and Advance Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), college graduates or those with 72 units and up in college; and high school graduates but possess technical and vocational skills needed by the Army.An applicant, the Army spokesman added, must be a natural-born Filipino citizen, at least 18 to 23 years old on the date of appointment as candidate soldier; at least 5’0” or 60 inches in height; single and without children; of good moral character; must pass the Philippine Army Aptitude Test Battery/Armed Forces of the Philippines Service Aptitude Test; must pass pre-qualifying physical fitness test and physical medical examination; and must be physically and mentally fit for military training.All interested applicants are advised to visit Army recruitment centers in Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila; Camp Lapu-Lapu, Cebu City; and Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City.Applicants are advised to bring with them identification cards, National Bureau of Investigation clearance and other documents.They may also visit the Army website at www.army.mil.ph for further details.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/army-needs-14000-new-troops-2017/314888/
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Oil firms impose hefty price hike
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['Jordeene Sheex Lagare']
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2018-09-04 00:02:16+00:00
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OIL companies again imposed a hefty price increase – jacking up the price of diesel by P1.20 per liter, and the cost of gasoline and kerosene by 95 centavos per liter, respectively.Caltex, Eastern Petroleum, Flying V, Petro Gazz, Phoenix Petroleum, Pilipinas Shell, PTT Philippines, Seaoil, and Total adjusted their prices at 6 a.m. Tuesday.Last week, oil firms increased the price of diesel by 60 centavos per liter, gasoline by 10 centavos per liter, and kerosene by 45 centavos per liter.Meanwhile, Petron increased the price of its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) products by P1.95 per kilogram and auto LPG by P1.10 per liter effective Saturday.Solane raised its LPG prices by P1.79 per kilogram, while Eastern Petroleum jacked up its price by P1.80 per kilo or P19.80 for an 11-kilo tank on Sunday.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/oil-firms-impose-hefty-price-hike-2/437801/
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PH students top 13th international math contest
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['Nelson Badilla']
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2017-08-28 21:26:39+00:00
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The Philippines topped the 13th International Mathematics Contest recently held in Singapore by bagging 245 medals and 111 merit awards.Seventeen students from Sen. Renato Compañero Cayetano Memorial Science and Technology High School (SRCCMSTHS) and Signal Village National High School (SVNHS) of Taguig City won 33 gold medals, 66 silver medals and 146 bronze medals in the contest held from August 4 to 7.They also received 111 merit awards, which made the country the number one in the competition, dislodging 14 others including China and Thailand.China ended up second and Thailand was third.During the competition, all participants were given 90 minutes to answer the 18-item Math examination that was equivalent to a total of 100 points.Maricel Masalay, SRCCMSTHS Mathematics Department head, and TSHS Mathematics coordinator Rhonna dela Cruz expressed happiness for what they described as “more-than-satisfying results” that the 17 high school studentscame up with in the international competition.Masalay and dela Cruz said the entire SRCCMSTHS and TSHS communities are extremely proud of the 17 students.Mayor Ma. Laarni Cayetano said Taguig City “is very proud of these students for showcasing to the world that Taguig is filled with bright and talented minds.”
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ph-students-top-13th-international-math-contest/347288/
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Court orders rearrest of CPP’s Tiamzons
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['Raadee S. Sausa']
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2018-01-17 19:43:26+00:00
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THE Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) has issued a warrant of arrest against Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon.A January 11 decision of Presiding Judge Thelma Bunyi-Medina of the Manila RTC Branch 32 and released to the public on Wednesday ordered the arrest of the Tiamzons as it granted the Department of Justice’s motion for recommitment and cancelation of bail.“In light of President Rodrigo Duterte’s express and categorical declaration, with the issuance of Proclamation 360, formally terminating the peace talks with the CPP/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front [NDF], which issuance said accused does not dispute, the court finds no reason to further allow their temporary liberty,” the court said.CPP is the Communist Party of the Philippines.Reacting to the RTC decision, a lawyer for the Tiamzons also on Wednesday said filing a motion for reconsideration, “even if seemingly a long shot under the present circumstances, remains a legal option.”Edre Olalia, also a legal consultant to the NDF negotiating panel, in a statement, maintained that the “peace negotiations have not yet been terminated properly and in accordance with the solemn and binding protocol mutually agreed upon by the parties [the NDF and the Duterte administration].”According to Olalia, “a unilateral declaration by one side without the proper written notice duly receipted by the other, no matter how categorical yet at the same time unjustified, does not make the grade and does not bind the latter.”“Parenthetically, it is quite curious that the judge in the GRP [Government of the Republic of the Philippines] court order for the recommitment and cancelation of [the] bail of our clients supposedly due to the cancelation of peace talks used the following disposition: ‘Having judiciously evaluated the contentions of the parties, THEY find that the recommitment and cancellation of the respective bail bonds… are warranted.’ May we ask, who is really issuing the order here? “ he said.Police readyThe Philippine National Police (PNP) also on Wednesday said it would comply if the court ordered it to rearrest the Tiamzons.PNP spokesman Dionardo Carlos said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and all police units expect to receive a copy of the arrest warrant against the couple.The Tiamzons were released after posting bail of P100,000 in August 2016 in time for the resumption of the peace talks between the government and the NDF.On January 10, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said, “We are monitoring them [Tiamzon couple]. We will wait for the order of the President. If he orders their arrest, then we are going to arrest them.”The President called off peace talks last year after the CPP ordered communist guerillas under the New People’s Army to intensify their attacks on government troops.Talks unlikelyLorenzana also on Wednesday downplayed the possibility of the resumption of peace talks between the government and the NDF.The President over the weekend proposed to CPP founding chairman Jose Maria “Joma” Sison for them to have “one-on-one” talks.Sison had expressed his openness over the proposal and said it might be his first time to see Philippines after being on self-exile in The Netherlands with his wife for decades.In a text message to reporters, Lorenzana said Sison’s openness was the latter’s “only way he can show to his poor NPA [New People’s Army] terrorists that he is still relevant.”“But I dont think the peace process will be resumed even after the President and he talk. Because let us always bear in mind that the communists go to peace talks not to pursue peace but to gain strategic and tactical advantage,” the Defense chief added.“Peace to them is when they have totally won their so-called revolutionary war to institute a communist government,” he said.Meanwhile, Sison said he was “glad” with Malacañang spokesman Harry Roque’s statement clarifying that Duterte “made himself clear” that there was no intention at all of meeting him halfway, “one-on-one.”“I am glad that Duterte, through his parrot [Roque], has made himself clear that he never had the intention of meeting me and was lying when he told Mindanews that he wished to meet me in particular and converse one-on-one with me in a room,” he added.“Nevertheless, in the interest of the Filipino people and in my sincere wish to find a way for the resumption of the GRP-NDF peace negotiations, I preferred to give importance to Duterte’s public offer of a private conversation and I agreed to meet him in a country near the Philippines,” Sison said.He added that his comrades and lawyers had reminded him of the “treacherous character” of Duterte, citing recent threats against him made by the President in recent public speeches.“I have therefore suggested a neutral venue abroad for the one-on-one conversation with Duterte. I cannot submit myself to the disposition of anyone that boasts of himself as a murderer with impunity at the age of sixteen and as an instigator of mass murders that have already offended the Filipino people and other peoples of the world,” Sison said.WITH AND
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/court-orders-rearrest-cpps-tiamzons/374906/
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Fertilizer fund scam case to proceed
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['Ma. Reina Leanne Tolentino']
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2018-08-18 00:02:34+00:00
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The Sandiganbayan has junked the petitions of former Agriculture secretary Luis Lorenzo Jr., former National Food Authority (NFA) administrator Arthur Yap, and Tomas Guibani to dismiss the five graft charges filed against them in connection with the alleged questionable purchase of P46.4million fertilizers in 2003.In a 15-page resolution promulgated on August 9, the court’s Sixth Division said “the material averments in the informations [or charge sheets], assuming them to be true, sufficiently allege all the elements constitutive of violation of Section 3(e) of RA 3019, as amended,” the court said.Republic Act (RA) 3019 is the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.According to the resolution, Lorenzo said that the procurement was aboveboard, but the court agreed with the prosecution that this “is evidentiary in nature and is a matter of defense that may be passed upon after a full-blown trial on the merits.”The court also disagreed with Yap’s assertion that his “instructions to allow suppliers with depots outside the region were only for Region II” and that the “Ombudsman admitted that no damage was caused to the government.”The Office of the Ombudsman filed the cases before the Sandiganbayan on April 20, 2018, alleging that Lorenzo and Yap conspired with Guibani, the former representative of the Philippine Phosphate Fertilizer Corp. (Philphos) to give unwarranted benefits to the fertilizer company.The Ombudsman said Lorenzo and Yap directed the Regional Bids and Awards Committees of NFA Regions 1 to 5 and the National Capital Region (NCR) to conduct procurement of their fertilizer requirements through the negotiated mode in violation of the general rule on competitive bidding prescribed under Section 10 of Republic Act 9184.The officials were also accused of issuing a guideline that the opening of bids for the Luzon-wide procurement of fertilizers shall be simultaneously done at the NFA Central Office in Manila; and amending the original guideline allowing only those suppliers with depots within and/or adjacent to the procuring NFA region to participate as bidders; which issuances and directives were” allegedly “issued to ensure the award to Manila-based Philphos of the procurement contracts for the supply of fertilizers to NFA-NCR, NFA-Region 2, NFA-Region 3, NFA-Region 4, and NFA-Region 5.The Ombudsman’s Field Investigation Office filed a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman on November 11, 2013 against Lorenzo, Yap, Guibani, and other individuals.“Contrary to the stance of accused Lorenzo, Yap, and Guibani, the delay adverted to in the cases under consideration does not measure up to the unreasonableness of the delay of disposition in Tatad vs Sandiganbayan, and other allied cases,” the court said.Yap, who is now the congressional representative of Bohol’s third district, said in April that the “NFA procurement followed the law and resulted in savings for the Government.”“It is very odd that the Ombudsman did not touch on the fact that we saved the Republic millions of pesos as can be determined from the Fertilizers and Pesticides Authority official surveyed prices of fertilizers. The FPA survey showed that we procured at lower prices than market so how did we damage the Republic?”
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/fertilizer-fund-scam-case-to-proceed/431575/
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Execution mode to 'ruin' death bill
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['Ma. Reina Leanne Tolentino']
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2017-03-11 20:57:27+00:00
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Execution mode to ‘ruin’ death billhome/News/Nation/Execution mode to ‘ruin’ death billThe restoration of the death penalty is a waste of time and the Senate should just throw the death penalty bill out, according to House Senior Deputy Minority leader and Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza.“The method of execution is bound to ruin the death penalty,” Atienza said in a statement on Saturday.Voting 127-54 on Tuesday, the House of Representatives passed the bill on final reading.The methods of execution provided under the proposed measure are hanging, firing squad or lethal injection.But according to Atienza, the methods left are hanging by the neck or by fusillading because lethal injection drugs are no longer available.“In fact, in America, in the few states that still subscribe to the death penalty, executions are now in total disarray due to the lack of sodium thiopental, the first of the three-drug cocktail used in lethal injections,” he said.The lawmaker also said that several states in America with pending executions have tried to use alternative drugs, such as those used to euthanize horses, but were blocked by lawsuits.“Assuming Malacañang puts pressure on the Senate, and the [death penalty] bill is finally enacted, we could see the first death row inmate running to the Supreme Court later on, and arguing that he or she could not possibly be executed by hanging or shooting, because these constitute cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment that is expressly banned by the Constitution,” Atienza added.He said hanging and firing squad have never been tested against the Bill of Rights of the 1987 Constitution, which forbids the imposition of excessive fines and the infliction of “cruel, degrading or inhuman punishment.”“This is why the restoration of the death penalty is an utter waste of time. The Senate should just throw out the [death penalty] bill. The best criminologists have long established that executions do not serve any purpose that is not already being served by prolonged imprisonment,” Atienza said.“We should just focus on suppressing crime by stamping out rampant corruption, which is really the problem besetting law enforcement, the prosecution service, the judiciary, and our prisons,” he said.“We need wide-ranging criminal justice system reforms to ensure that every felon is apprehended, prosecuted, convicted and locked up. This is our best strategy to fight crime—to discourage other would-be offenders,” Atienza, a former three-term mayor of Manila, added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/execution-mode-ruin-death-bill/316650/
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SSS chief summoned over P74-M NPO deal
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['Francis Earl Cueto']
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2017-04-27 21:12:49+00:00
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THE NATIONAL Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has summoned Social Security System (SSS) Chairman Dean Amado Valdez to shed light on an alleged P74-million scam in printing of “document forms” in the National Printing Office (NPO).The NBI clarified that Valdez is not a suspect in the alleged irregularity but considered as a resource person to get his opinion on the alleged double contract awarded to four security printers.Irvin Garcia Anti-Fraud Division (Afrad) chief, issued a subpoena for the SSS chairman and other personalities who could give information on the alleged NPO anomaly.Reports said the NPO already had a P74-million contract with Western Visayas Printing Corp. (WVPC) but it still granted work orders to three printers–Best Forms Security Printer owned by Benjamin Yam, Tri-Print Work of Ramil Tamayo and Metro Color of Celso Viray.In the wake of the reported transactions, NPO Bids and Awards Committee chief Sherwin Prose Castañeda quit his post, along with 10 other BAC officials.The Presidential Communications Operations Office, through Communications Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Enrique Tandan, has found “sufficient basis” to refer the matter to the NBI for further investigation.“The [PCOO] investigation uncovered several irregularities and violations of the Government Procurement Reform Act (Republic Act 9184) and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019), among others,” Tandan said.The NBI had also summoned current and former officials of the NPO.NPO Deputy Director Sherwin Castaneda had denied irregularities in the contract.Ruben Dancel, former chief of Production Planning and Control Division, confirmed that he was asked by Castañeda to cancel the contract awarded to WVPC and award it to the three other printers.The NBI said they are still waiting for Dancel’s affidavit and will investigate if the NPO had given due process for the cancelation of the WVPC contract.Investigators are also probing information that Castañeda was appointed to his post on August 18, 2016 but received compensation from July 1 to August 31, 2016.FRANCIS EARL CUETO
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/sss-chief-summoned-p74-m-npo-deal/324411/
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‘Safe trip mo sagot ko’ ready for all saints’ day
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['Lisbet K. Esmael']
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2018-10-24 00:04:40+00:00
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THE Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) stepped-up the service capacity of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (Sctex) and Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) for the convenience of over 350,000 motorists who will use the expressways on All Saints’ Day. This is in line with MPTC’s launch this year of “Undas 2018 Safe Trip Mo Sagot Ko” (SMSK) on Tuesday. MPTC President and CEO Rodrigo Franco said the motorists, through the SMSK-Motorist Assistance Program, could be assured of a comfortable and safe travel in all these expressways. On its ninth year, SMSK also enhanced its toll collection services. In the Undas season from October 26 to November 5, the NLEX-Sctex traffic management teams will extend working hours to closely monitor and manage the expected high volume of vehicles in Balintawak, Mindanao Ave., Bocaue, Santa Ines, Tarlac and Tipo toll plazas. Additional patrol and incident response teams will also be deployed in critical areas to immediately assist motorists, Franco added.With a reports from FREDERICK SILVERIO
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/safe-trip-mo-sagot-ko-ready-for-all-saints-day/456038/
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Senate to review spending of govt agencies
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2018-08-17 00:01:49+00:00
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THE Senate will scrutinize how government agencies spent their 2018 budget to determine those that deserve budget cuts for underspending, Sen. Loren Legarda said on Thursday.The chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance said the panel would not only scrutinize the proposed P3.757 trillion national budget for 2019 but would also review the performance of agencies, especially those with infrastructure programs that have registered “low obligation or disbursement rate throughout the years.”“The proposed 2019 national budget is now cash-based as a way to ensure efficient spending of public funds and implementation of projects. But as we look into the 2019 budget of agencies, we will also exercise strong oversight and review how the 2018 budget was spent and implemented,” Legarda said.Among the programs of government that registered low obligation and disbursement rate were the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) under the Department of Health (DoH), Farm-to-Market Roads (FMR) projects under the Department of Agriculture , and the Basic Educational Facilities Fund (BEFF) under the Department of Education.Legarda said from 2008 to 2018, the HFEP had total appropriations worth P138 billion but only P73 billion were obligated. Only P13 billion or less than 10 percent of the total funds were actually disbursed.This prompted the Department of Budget and Management to allot only P50 million for HFEP in the 2019 budget. The amount will be used for the monitoring of previous years’ implementation of the program. The HFEP is the upgrading of health facilities through investments in infrastructure and medical equipment.For the BEFF, DepEd’s school building program, its allocation for 2019 was reduced to P35 billion, lower than its 2018 budget of P105 billion.In 2015, BEFF had a budget of P54 billion, but only P39 billion was obligated and P7 billion was disbursed. It received P82 billion budget in 2016, of which P59 billion was obligated and only P16 billion was disbursed. In 2017, it was granted P119 billion but only P7 billion was disbursed.For next year, P10 was allotted for the FMR projects. The DA’s disbursement rate for FMR in 2014 was very low at 5.9 percent or only P708 million of the P12 billion appropriations. While disbursement rate improved in 2015 at 42.8 percent, it went down again to 39.1 percent in 2016, and to 38.1 percent in 2017.“Under this system, all agencies must not only obligate funds but also ensure the actual completion of projects and delivery of goods and services within the fiscal year. All these unspent funds mean missed opportunities and promises unmet,” Legarda said.“This is why the Senate supports the cash-based budget, because we should only fund what we can implement on time. This system will not only help discipline the bureaucracy but also ensure a more effective and efficient government,” she said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/senate-to-review-spending-of-govt-agencies/431130/
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China to ask PH approval in visiting Benham Rise
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['Jaime Pilapil']
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2017-04-04 20:13:15+00:00
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China respects the Philippines’ sovereign rights over the Benham Rise off the country’s eastern Luzon, according to acting Secretary Enrique Manalo of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).In fact, Manalo said on Tuesday, Beijing will ask Manila’s permission every time it visits the multimillion-hectare area east of Aurora and Isabela provinces that is believed to be rich in minerals and natural gas.Manalo, who was interviewed at Diamond Hotel in Manila, told reporters that China had asked permission to sail to Benham Rise several times but was denied after the Chinese did not agree to have a Filipino scientists board their ships as observer.He said Chinese scientists may be allowed to conduct research at Benham Rise provided they comply with the requirements such as allowing Filipino scientists accompany them.The Chinese can pass through Benham Rise but only in exercise of the right of innocent passage.President Rodrigo Duterte, in earlier interviews, said Chinese officials asked from him permission to visit Benham Rise.Manalo said the Philippines could demand that any country that intends to sail to Benham Rise after the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) recognize the sovereignty of Manila over the area by seeking first authorization from the Philippines.In various instances, he added, China has recognized the Philippines’ sovereignty over Benham Rise.This gesture, Manalo said, is enough for Manila not to worry about China’s invasion of waters off eastern Luzon.It could also be a Chinese move to explore how Manila and Beijing could help each other pursue cooperation, the acting DFA secretary added.This cooperation, Manalo said, is a fruit of the visit of President Rodrigo Duterte to China last year during which he met with Chinese officials, including President Xi Jinping.He noted that the President has strict orders to the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine military to guard Benham Rise.Meanwhile, Manalo said Manila and Beijing are exploring ways on how to resolve peacefully their conflict in the South China Sea.“Our bilateral cooperation talks include the South China Sea. We are communicating. That’s the intention. We have several mechanisms and we are exploring all of them,” he added.Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are invited to a meeting by Chinese officials sometime in May to discuss South China Sea issues, including a Code of Conduct that is expected to finally stop Beijing’s reclamation of reefs in the disputed area.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/china-ask-ph-approval-visiting-benham-rise/320982/
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Senators want law banning plastic
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2018-06-08 00:07:30+00:00
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SENATORS Juan Miguel Zubiri and Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel on Thursday sought a law banning the use of single-use plastic amid reports that the Philippines is the third worst plastic polluter of oceans.Sen. Cynthia Villar, chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment, recently said that the Philippines ranked third next to China and Indonesia in terms of estimated volume of mismanaged plastic wastes that could end up in seas and oceans.According to the Ocean Conservancy, the Philippines is one of the top sources of plastic trash dumped into the sea with 2.7 million metric tons of plastic waste and 500,000 metric tons of plastic waste leakage per year.Zubiri on Thursday said it was “about time” that the Senate pass a law banning the use of single use plastics such as shampoo sachets and straw.“I will wholeheartedly support a bill on the banning of this single-use plastic. What we have right now are (city and municipal) ordinances,” the Senate majority leader said.“We will support legislation banning single use plastic. If the committee report is out I guarantee you as majority leader I will calendar this everyday. We will push for it,” Zubiri said in a media forum.Pimentel also asked Filipinos to do away with single-use plastic bags. He suggested that disposable plastics should be biodegradable.“I understand the convenience and economics of plastic use. However, we should never let short-term benefits doom us in the long term,” said Pimentel, chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce.“Our economy’s strong performance has increased production and consumption. Unfortunately, it also increased the plastic waste we generate in the course of our daily activities. It’s time we consider how we can use plastic in a less destructive way,” he said.Sen. Loren Legarda, chairman of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, agreed.“We’ve been too abusive of our ocean, and our marine ecosystem has been taking all the burden resulting from the misuse of resources,” Legarda said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/senators-want-law-banning-plastic/405691/
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DepEd implements ‘flexi-time’ scheme
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['Neil Alcober']
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2018-06-13 22:37:35+00:00
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THE Department of Education (DepEd) is now implementing a flexible work time system for its non-teaching personnel nationwide to help ease traffic in Metro Manila and other highly urbanized cities.The DepEd recently issued Department Order 23, s. 2018 or Implementation of the Flexible Working Hours for the Non-Teaching Personnel wherein non-teaching personnel from the central office and regional offices may choose their shift or time of work.Under the flexible time schedule, employees are allowed to report to the office anytime between 7 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.“We thank the DepEd management for considering the full-gliding or flexible time schedule for our non-teaching personnel. Of course, they have to complete the 8 hours everyday,” Domingo Alidon, national president of the 40,000-strong Department of Education National Employees Union (DepEd-NEU), said in an interview.The education department has considered implementing a flexible work time system not just to help ease traffic woes but also to give ample time to non-teaching staff who nursed their children before going to work, Alidon said.“We are so grateful to our dear Secretary [Leonor Briones]. She really understands the plight of the workers. One of the things that she considered is to give our nursing mothers time to spend with their children before reporting to office,” he said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/deped-implements-flexi-time-scheme/407850/
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Manila village head survives ambush
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['Jaime Pilapil']
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2017-06-22 22:18:11+00:00
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A village chairman in Port Area, Manila who had just attended an event hosted by Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada was ambushed by four men on two motorcycles Wednesday night at the corner of Roxas Blvd. and Quirino Avenue.Kristo Hispano, 37, sustained five gunshot wounds but survived.Two police officers — Anthony Abobo and Napjoh Velasco of the Regional Public Safety Batallion-National Capital Region Police Office – witnessed the ambush.Hispano, who was attacked at 9:45 p.m., managed to drive himself to the Pasay Police Station at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Police officers brought him to San Juan de Dios Hospital.The victim was transferred to Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center where he is under tight watch.Hispano had just attended an event at the Manila Hotel where Estrada recognized village chiefs who did well in the war against illegal drugs.Malate Police Station 9 commander Supt. Rogelio Ramos said investigators are trying to determine if the ambush was connected to the June 20 attack on retired Philippine Marines Master Sergeant Jugie Lim Umandac, 59.“Our police probers are considering that angle. We are investigating the incident carefully,” Ramos said.After Umandac was killed, Hispano, chairman of Barangay 649 Zone 88 and resident of Block 17 A No.01 Bagong Lupa, Baseco, Port Area, Manila, became a suspect because the former had declared that he would challenge the latter in the barangay polls in October.Umandac was ambushed on June 20 along Bonifacio Drive in Intramuros, Manila. He sustained four gunshot wounds.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/manila-village-head-survives-ambush/334329/
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‘A horrible day for democracy’
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['Prison Planet', 'Perfecto Yasay Jr', 'Paul Parenas', 'Franky Breva']
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8/11/2016 0:00
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“This is a horrible day for democracy.”Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, acting president of the Liberal Party (LP), stressed this yesterday upon learning of the Supreme Court (SC) decision allowing the burial of the late former President Ferdinand E. Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) in Taguig City.“Thanks to the Supreme Court the Philippines, we will be a laughing stock of the world. We kicked out a reviled dictator and now we are honoring him by burying him in our national heroes’ cemetery. No less than our Supreme Court wants our citizens, our children to honor a plunderer and tyrant. This is shameful and deplorable,” he said.“Now the Supreme Court wants Mr. Marcos, who it previously called a ‘dictator … who caused 20 years of political, economic, and social havoc in the country,’ buried alongside our heroes,” he added.To bury Marcos in the heroes cemetery would “keep the wounds of the past unhealed,” said Vice President Leni Robredo, who was saddened by the SC decision.“Our nation’s healing begins with the acknowledgement of the truth and resolution of the past,” she added.She has been a staunch critic of the Marcos burial at the Libingan ngmga Bayani because of the abuses committed during the dictatorship.Pangilinan said the Supreme Court has reopened old wounds rather than effect closure as the final arbiter of all disputes.“This decision will never lead to a healing. It will just exacerbate the wounded feelings as well as the gross injustice suffered by the victims of human rights atrocities during martial law,” Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman, one of the petitioners, said.TRAGIC DAY“Today, is a tragic day for justice, truth, and history,” said former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, one of the petitioners to stop the burial.“Today is a horrible ending to the darkest days of our history,” Colmenares added.“Nanginginig ako.Napakahirap tang-gapin pero pagpapatuloy namin ang laban[I am shaking. It is difficult to accept (the decisionof the Supreme Court) but we will continue the fight],”Florentino said.“Uubusin namin ang natitira naming buhay upang makamit ang katarungan [We will use the rest of our lives in trying to attain justice], Florentino added.AN INSULT TO FILIPINOSThe Vice President called the refusal of the Marcos family to take responsibility for the martial law abuses as an “insult” to the Filipinos.“We have consistently opposed the burial of the Martial Law dictator in the heroes’ sacred ground. Their family’s refusal to take responsibility for atrocities of the regime is an insult to the Filipino people,” she said.“It might pass the bar of legal technicality, but can never be consistent with morality and the spirit of the Filipino people power revolution,” she added.“If the Supreme Court thinks it has the final say on the matter, then they are terribly mistaken. Burying Marcos in the Libingan has created a huge divide that will haunt the nation for days and years to come,”Pangilinan added.Pangilinan stressed that the law creating the Libingan ng mga Bayani, Republic Act 289, reserved its sacred grounds for heroes to be emulated by “this generation and of generations still unborn.”He maintains that Marcos is not a hero.“His burial at the Libingan ngmga Bayani desecrates our democracy and the memory of those who fought for freedom and justice in our country,” he said.IRONYLagman could not hide his dismay as he grappled with the SC decision.He noted the irony of the decision in the eyes of the so-called “desaparecidos,” or victims of enforced disappearances during the Marcos regime.“In the case of the desaparecidos, not even a makeshift cross would mark their unknown grave. It’s really ironic that their very tormentor and violator…will be buried in the LNMB if the SC decision will not be reversed,” Lagman said in an impromptu press conference at the House of Representatives.There are 878 documented desaparecidos from 1971, the year before Marcos declared Martial Law in the Philippines, to 1986, the year that he was deposed via the first EDSA People Power Revolution.“It’s a slap in the face of human rights victims during the Marcos regime,”said Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Public Affairs Committee.He lamented the decision, saying it totally disregarded the moral, ethical, and emotional violations committed against the people.“It’s a legal decision and legalities sometimes have a complete disregard for the moral, ethical, and emotional violations committed against the people,” said Secillano.“If Marcos is allowed to be interred in the Libingan ng mga Bayani he will long be remembered while his victims will solely be forgotten. That is a horrible and tragic ending to one of the darkest chapters in the Philippine history that is Martial Law,”Colmenares said.Lagman said that they will challenge the SC ruling even if they have yet to see a copy of it.“Motions for reconsideration are in order to reverse the majority decision of theSupreme Court…We will have to await a copy of decision so that we could dissect the arguments and reasons of the majority.”This moved was backed by another Magnificent Seven member in Akbayan party-list Rep. Tom Villarin.“We’re saddened by SC decision but fight continues. Body may be buried but not the truth. We will not allow Marcoses to revise history. We will not forget the sacrifices of those who resisted and fought for the freedoms we have today.“We, the Magnificent 7, will file an MR with the SC and hope a status quo ante order will again be issued,”Villarin said.Konsyensya Dabaw convenor MagsMaglana said that the group will push for the SC’s reconsideration. (With reports from Leslie Ann G. Aquino and Yas D. Ocampo)
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2016/11/08/a-horrible-day-for-democracy/
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Honors readied for war veterans
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['The Manila Times']
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2016-11-07 21:02:32+00:00
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American and Filipino veterans will be honored at the annual Veterans Day ceremony to be held November 11 at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Taguig City, Metro Manila.Veterans of both nations will participate in the event, along with representatives from the US Embassy, the Philippine government and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.Scheduled events include presentation of ceremonial Philippine-US color guard, remarks from American and Philippine officials, a wreath-laying and a ceremonial three-volley salute.The Veterans Day ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. to commemorate the time that major hostilities of World War I formally ended with the signing of the armistice at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.This event is open to the public.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/honors-readied-war-veterans/295298/
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Power supply for new Marawi shelter secured
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['Jordeene Sheex Lagare']
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2017-12-28 00:03:10+00:00
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People residing in a settlement area in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, now have access to power supply seven months after the city was besieged by terrorists, a Cabinet official reported on Wednesday.Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the Department of Energy (DoE) has already energized the newly built Sagonsongan Transitional Shelter Site, “creating a symbol of hope for our kababayan [countrymen] who have been heavily affected by the armed conflict in the area.”The DoE, through the Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative (Lasureco) and other stakeholders, fast-tracked the installation of power facilities and streetlights in the transitional shelter for displaced households in Marawi City after the battle between government troops and members of the Maute bandit group ended in October.It said the Lasureco, with the help of other electric cooperatives (ECs) in Mindanao, Manila Electric Co., National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) and National Power Corp. (Napocor), accelerated the energization of distribution lines and streetlights under Task Force Bangon Marawi.On October 17, President Rodrigo Duterte declared the liberation of Marawi after the deaths of top two Islamic State-linked terrorist leaders who attacked the city: Isnilon Hapilon, leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group who is on the United States’ most wanted list of terrorists, and Omarkhayam Maute.Then, on October 23, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced the termination of combat operations in the war-torn city.Cusi said the DoE would extend all necessary support to the people of Marawi so they can recover faster, as well as help them build better lives after the war.Meanwhile, the Energy department is scrambling to restore the energy supply in areas affected by Typhoon Vinta (international code name: Tembin) after the completion of the power restoration in areas struck by Typhoon Urduja (international code name: Kai-tak).Cusi said the DoE “personnel and staff will continue working during the Christmas break to rehabilitate affected energy facilities, and to coordinate, monitor and report the developments for easy and fast mobilization of assets in places that need assistance.”Based on a consolidated report of the department and its attached agencies, Napocor said there was no damage to all of its energy power plants/lines in areas affected by Vinta.The NGCP reported all damaged transmission facilities were already restored on December 24, while the National Electrification Administration said nine ECs were severely affected by Vinta, resulting in power interruptions in some towns in their franchise areas.The DoE is targeting to compete the restoration work on the affected power facilities within the week.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/power-supply-new-marawi-shelter-secured/370881/
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Senate awaits DoJ’s word on death penalty
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2017-05-22 21:10:28+00:00
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THE Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights will resume its hearings on a proposal to revive death penalty in the country only after the Department of Justice (DoJ) submits its legal opinion on the matter.Senator Richard Gordon, committee chairman, suspended last Friday’s hearing on the death penalty bill after the issue of ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) was raised there.In raising the issue, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon noted that the Philippines would renege on its treaty obligations if Congress approved the death penalty bill.The ICCPR compels the Philippines and other signatory states to respect and observe fundamental freedoms, among them, freedom from arbitrary deprivation of life and freedom from cruel, inhumane or degrading punishment.The Philippines is also a party to the Second Optional Protocol on September 20, 2006 and its Annex was ratified on November 20, 2007.This protocol explicitly forbids the signatory states, including the Philippines, from conducting executions within their respective jurisdictions.Gordon moved to suspend the hearing until such time that the DoJ comes out with its position on the matter.According to him, the hands of Congress are tied where the death penalty is concerned because of obligations of the country under international treaties against capital punishment.At present, Gordon said, his committee has not received a response from the Justice department that would enable the committee to proceed with the hearings.But apart from the DoJ opinion, he said he wants to give proponents of the bill the opportunity to participate in committee discussions, particularly Sen. Emmanuel Pacquiao, who filed a number of proposed measures on the restoration of the capital punishment.Gordon added that Pacquiao, also a professional boxer, would not be able to participate in the committee hearings because he is busy training for his fight in July.In order to give all the parties concerned time, he said, it would be better if the committee scheduled the resumption of hearings on the death penalty upon Congress’ resumption of its second regular session in July.Gordon is one of at least 13 senators who are against the revival of the death penalty in the country.He said he is not sure if they have the numbers to reject the bill.Sen. Francis Escudero, who is also against capital punishment, recently said the position of every senator could still change especially with the proposal to just limit the death penalty to drug trafficking.Meanwhile, Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino 4th challenged anti-death penalty advocates to work hard in persuading 60 percent of pro-death penalty Filipinos to change their stand.“We have a lot of work to do to convince our fellow countrymen that its [death penalty] revival will not solve the country’s pressing problems and will only lead to injustice to the poor,” Aquino said during the “Lakbay Buhay Laban sa Death Penalty” program at the University of Santo Tomas on Sunday.A recent Social Weather Stations survey showed that 60 percent of Filipinos support the government’s move to revive the death penalty as deterrent to crime.Aquino contradicted the view and insisted that only the poor will suffer from injustice because they lack capability to defend themselves in court.He said there is enough time for those against the death penalty to conduct more marches and activities to educate Filipinos about the truth on the capital punishment.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/senate-awaits-dojs-word-death-penalty-2/328629/
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Black Friday protesters warned vs violence
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['Jaime Pilapil']
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2016-11-23 21:34:37+00:00
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Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada has said he is allowing the so-called Black Friday protest this week of anti-Marcos forces.He, however, warned them not to resort to violence.Led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan or Bayan, the protesters are composed of individuals and groups who are against the burial of former president Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) in Taguig City (Metro Manila).Meanwhile, Senior Supt. Joel Coronel, Manila Police District (MPD) head, said 300 policemen will be deployed to help ensure a peaceful and orderly gathering.While saying it is the constitutional right of all Filipinos to assemble and express their grievances, Estrada said as the city mayor it is his duty to protect the safety and interests of everyone, whether they are pro- or anti-Marcos or just plain observers.“We will allow the protest actions provided the rallyists will not resort to violence or destruction of property. Also, they should not cause inconvenience to other people, particularly motorists and commuters,” Estrada added.The mayor ordered Coronel to exercise maximum tolerance but see to it that there will not be a repeat of the incident at the US Embassy on October 19 where a number of protesters and policemen were hurt during a violent dispersal.Coronel said the 300 police personnel will come from the Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) Office and they will be deployed early in the afternoon for the 4 p.m. rally at the Quirino Grandstand of Manila’s Rizal Park (Luneta).“At present, we’re still on full alert, we still have CDM deployment at the Supreme Court, a hundred personnel, until such time this issue of Marcos’ burial is resolved,” he added, referring to pocket rallies being staged by militant groups in the past days.“And on Friday, depending on the projected strength of the rallyists, we will be deploying a minimum of 200 up to 300 CDM personnel at the Quirino Grandstand, and also traffic policemen,” Coronel said.“So far, as announced by President Duterte himself, he will allow the protest rallies as long as they will be peaceful and no violent actions or destruction of property will be undertaken by the rallyists… so we will allow them to assemble and express their grievances,” the MPD chief added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/black-friday-protesters-warned-vs-violence-2/298016/
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Sue me, Bello dares accusers
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['William Depasupil']
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2018-07-17 00:10:17+00:00
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Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd is unfazed by allegations of corruption hurled against him, saying his conscience is clear.“If they have the evidence, they can go ahead and sue me,” Bello said.He was reacting to allegations of corruption filed against him and former Labor Undersecretary Dominador Say before the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC). The PACC is investigating Say who was reportedly sacked by President Rodrigo Duterte for having committed graft and corruption.Monalie U. Dizon, who claimed to be the secretary-general of the Kilusang Pagbabago National Movement for Change, filed the complaint against Bello and Say.“Information passed to me by reliable sources and documentary evidence suggests that the two officials are in cahoots and connived to commit graft and corruption within the [labor] department,” said Dizon in her 15-page complaint-affidavit.Dizon claimed that her “whistleblower” – Azizza Salim, owner of recruitment agency Azizza International – shelled out P6.8 million “in exchange for Say’s reversal of the cancellation order made by Philippine Overseas Employment Administration on the recruitment license of Azizza Salim.”Salim claimed that Say received the money through Vanessa “Ness” Josue. She did not elaborate.According to Dizon, Azizza presented evidence, including her sworn statement, allegedly showing Bello’s participation in the extortion case.“I realized that I can no longer bear the crackdown and harassment on us by Usec Say and definitely with the connivance of Secretary Bello, hence, it is about time that I should heed the call of President Duterte to report corruption in government. I believe that the administration of Secretary Bello is the most corrupt administration in the history of DOLE,” Salim said in her statement.Salim claimed that Bello knew from the start what Say was doing because he allowed the latter to sign in his behalf. During his stint as labor undersecretary, Say was also the acting POEA administrator.Dizon said Bello’s participation in extortion activities was evident in his issuance of Administrative Order 241 which informed POEA officials that applications and renewal of licenses for land based or sea based recruitment agencies must only be approved by the office of the labor secretary.“Bello, in issuing AO 241, has effectively encroached upon the functions of the legislature and transferred the functions of the POEA to him by virtue of mere administrative order. Bello’s administrative order effectively amended the POEA law which vested to the latter to exclusive power to process, approve or deny license applications,” Dizon added.“The modus operandi of Say and Bello is to have Say designated as the Cluster Head to oversee affairs of POEA. Armed with that power, all documents coming from POEA including appealed cases, renewal of licenses and new applications for licenses will now all pass through Say’s office,” she added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/sue-me-bello-dares-accusers/420095/
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DBM asked to fund buying of damaged rice
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2016-10-21 21:43:21+00:00
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THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) should release a supplemental budget that will enable the National Food Authority (NFA) to buy typhoon-damaged rice from farmers affected by super Typhoon Lawin (international code name: Haima), Sen. Francis Pangilinan said on Friday.Pangilinan made the proposal after receiving information that rice farmers were forced to sell storm-damaged rice at P10.00 per kilo, or below the production cost of P12.00 per kilo.The chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture said the NFA could help affected farmers by buying the damaged rice, adding that the agency could only do it with the help of the DBM.The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has estimated damage to agriculture in the Cordillera Autonomous Region at P26.16 million, broken down into P17.192 million (rice), P2.16 million (corn) and P6.809 million (high-value crops).Kalinga suffered most at P10.8 million, mostly in rice, followed by Benguet at P5.5 million in high-value crops and Abra at P5.34 million in rice.Pangilinan said the immediate release of supplemental budget from the DBM could somehow help cushion the impact of the devastation left by typhoon Lawin in their areas and enable farmers to recover fast.Pangilinan also called on the Department of Agriculture to immediately distribute palay seeds to affected farmers for them to start planting and harvesting by January or February next year.The National Irrigation Authority, he said, could also tap affected farmers in repairing damaged irrigation systems under the cash-for-work scheme.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/dbm-asked-fund-buying-damaged-rice/292469/
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Growing Mindanao will lift the country, and despite martial law, business here is upbeat
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['God Please Kill Duterte']
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10/7/2017 0:00
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Marawi’s coming reconstruction brings a heightened focus on Mindanao’s economy.Specifically, many in Manila ask me how the island’s economy as a whole is faring. It’s doing fine, I say, with the usual bumps, but generally, hopes are up.For far too long, many assume that the Mindanao economy is broken and war- torn like the images in Marawi.They often ask whether we have fastfood restaurants and malls like they do in the “cities” of Metro Manila. Politely, we often reply that yes, we do.Other more thoughtful and cosmopolitan souls speak of a lost, losing, or ripe potential for Mindanao to grow and make many things that the country needs.They understand how generations of conflict have stifled the potential that drew thousands of families to migrate into it in the early part of the last century.Sadly, some Manila- based journalists often are tempted to often portray Mindanao as a synonym of hopeless, complicated conflict.Perhaps, these complicated stories get more readers and viewers to consume such negative stories.Thus, stories once considered “out of character” for Mindanao are accounts of successful peace initiatives, new condominiums and malls launching, or a new airport linking it to global destinations.Other such stories worth sharing include the coming Davao Kadayawan festival said to be the best yet, or the Davao Investment conference on July 21 attracting an international business leader to speak, and the Mindanao Business Conference in Cagayan de Oro drawing in increased interest from Metro Manila traders.Worth noting is how government is now pushing regional strategies to drive local growth.The Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) held its recent Mindanao roadshow to gather its clients and potential customers to its new financial products.No less than its chairman, the eminent Alberto Romulo, gave an inspired keynote greeting. The conmitment of the DBP and other state lenders show that they are upbeat about the island’s potentials.Moreover, regional development summits like that engaged by NEDA last July 7 in Davao point to the future where development planning will no longer be a Manila-driven process alone, but gain a better focus at the grassroots.Here, potentials are given better attention and can be harnessed by local leaders and policy makers allowing the chance to drive this growth further through partnerships between the public and private sectors.At the moment, our high growth rates are still a Greater Manila game, with 60% still driven by regions near Metro Manila.But as other regions, especially Mindanao, grow to complement this, expect over all national GDP to rise, meeting or exceeding forecasts.These all come as Moodys investor service says that the martial law declaration had a minimal effect on growth prospects (http://business.mb.com.ph/2017/06/01/moodys-sees-limited-impact-of-martial-law-on-ph-growth-outlook/), and recent gdp forecasts by rating agencies and donors see the country performing steadily over the next two years.This adds potential to its typhoon-free lands, cheap and abundant power (by next year a bigger surplus due to the recent launch of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market or WESM), and ASEAN linkage through the recently launched Davao-Bitung shipping link that now encourage investment.Thus, despite the often persistent negative news about Mindanao, recent developments and future events bring a positive future.After all, it is the first time we are seeing such ironic outcomes breaking through.We just have to admit that Mindanao’s economic potential is strengthened as the current Marawi conflict yields to a strong and decisive effort by the state, and old conflicts with the MNLF, MILF, and NDF hope to be resolved within the next few years.The hope that the lasting peace that holds the key to unlocking this potential is stronger.For reactions: facebook.com/johntriapage
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/07/10/growing-mindanao-will-lift-the-country-and-despite-martial-law-business-here-is-upbeat/
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PH drops in economic freedom poll
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['Mayvelin U. Caraballo']
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2018-02-04 23:59:44+00:00
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The Philippines dropped three notches in a worldwide poll of economic freedom on account of lower scores for government integrity, monetary freedom and property rights, US-based think tank Heritage Foundation said in its latest annual survey.In the 2018 Index of Economic Freedom (IEF), which covers 180 countries, the Philippines plunged to the 61st spot from 58th in the 2017 survey.The country’s economic freedom score was 65, easing by 0.6 points from the previous year’s score. The score was higher than the world average of 61.1 and the Asia-Pacific region average of 61.The IEF measures economic freedom based on 12 quantitative and qualitative factors, grouped into four broad categories, or pillars, of economic freedom.The report said a rapid decline in President Rodrigo Duterte’s popularity caused investor confidence to wane by the end of 2017.It added that the country’s judicial system remains weak and vulnerable to political influence.Judicial independence, the report said, is strong but the courts are plagued by inefficiency, low pay, intimidation, delays and long case backlogs.“Corruption and cronyism are pervasive, and the country is a regional money-laundering hub. The President’s strong-arm tactics reinforce a culture of impunity,” the report said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ph-drops-economic-freedom-poll/378258/
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DBM okays hiring of 1,000 BI personnel
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['Benjie Vergara']
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2017-06-28 22:02:55+00:00
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The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has approved the hiring of at least 1,000 personnel for deployment to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and other airports in the country amid overtime-pay and salary issues.In a radio interview on Wednesday, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Benjamin Diokno said successful applicants will be trained as Immigration Officer 1 with a monthly gross pay of P19,000.According to Marc Red Mariñas, BI Port Operations chief, the government is willing to upgrade the Immigration Officer 1 salary from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 16, which has a gross pay ranging from P28,000 to P30,000.The salary upgrade would surely attract possible applicants, Mariñas said.He added that some 40 newly hired personnel are attending immigration basic crash course and will be sent by the first week of July to the NAIA.Mariñas said another 60 will soon start their training next week and could be deployed at the end of July to the country’s premier airport.Last week, the bureau conducted examinations and interviews in Davao and Cebu.Marinas said they will dispatch 50 personnel to Kalibo, 50 to Cebu-Mactan, 50 to Clark International Airport and 50 to Davao.There are some 867 BI personnel holding positions at different airports nationwide including the 628 officers at NAIA.At least 123 BI personnel are needed for NAIA.Mariñas said before the overtime-pay issue erupted, the number of immigration officers had dwindled and 40 employees had resigned.According to him, a new Immigration Act could resolve the overtime-pay and salary issues.Since January this year, operations at the NAIA were affected by a “mass leave” of hundreds of BI personnel assigned to the premier airport over unpaid overtime pay and reduced take-home pay.President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the suspension of overtime pay, saying the overtime pay of BI employees at the airports is bigger than their basic salary.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/dbm-okays-hiring-1000-bi-personnel/335368/
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Duterte backs PH hosting bid for 2023 FIBA World Cup
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['Catherine S. Valente']
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2017-10-22 22:12:40+00:00
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Malacañang on Saturday said President Rodrigo Duterte supports the Philippines’ bid to co-host the 2023 Fédération Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) World Cup.The Philippines, which failed to claim the hosting rights for the 2019 staging of the World Cup, teamed up with Japan and Indonesia for the 2023 edition.In a statement, Palace spokesman Ernesto Abella said the Philippines would get another boost in tourism should it be able to secure the co-hosting rights in 2023.“President Duterte backs the FIBA World Cup to support the initiative of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas chairman emeritus Manuel V. Pangilinan and SBP president Al Panlilio,” Abella added.“This hosting is very rare and it will unify the country and will have positive impact on basketball and tourism,” he said.On Thursday, the three-man FIBA Evaluation Commission inspected facilities in the Philippines that can be used for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.The final nod would be given by the FIBA Central Board in December.China will host the 2019 FIBA World Cup across eight cities.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/duterte-backs-ph-hosting-bid-2023-fiba-world-cup/358103/
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Indonesian ‘terrorist’ now under BI custody
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['Dempsey Reyes']
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2018-03-16 00:02:37+00:00
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An alleged Indonesian terrorist was arrested by police at Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat, in southern Mindanao and has been taken into custody by the Bureau of Immigration (BI).Supt. Aldrin Gonzales, spokesman for the Soccsksargen police, identified the suspect as Mushalah Somina Rasim, alias Abu Omar, 32, who was first sighted at Colube village in the same town before he was nabbed.Soccsksargen refers to South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City.Gonzales said Rasim was arrested on March 10.He added that police authorities have been receiving information on “remnants” and supporters of Ansar Khilafah Philippines allegedly led by Abu Maher and engaging Rasim in activities of the terrorist group.Police also accused Rasim’s group of “recruiting” individuals in the villages of Akol and Datu Maguiles in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat, and in Kiayap village in Maitum, Sarangani, despite an extended martial law in Mindanao.Seized from Rasim were an ATM card and thousands of rupiah bills.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/indonesian-terrorist-now-under-bi-custody/386420/
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DFA vows justice for Pinoy killed in Slovakia
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2018-06-04 00:39:29+00:00
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The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday vowed to give justice to an overseas Filipino worker in Slovakia who died a few days after he was mauled by two unidentified men in the capital Bratislava.The Philippine embassy in Vienna reported that Henry John Acorda died on Thursday at the University Hospital Ruźjnov of injuries he sustained after he was attacked on May 26.“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of our countryman Henry John Acorda,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said. “We mourn the loss of another of our own who by all accounts is a hero who came to the rescue of the defenseless in a land that is not even his.”Local media reports said that Acorda was attacked by two men for trying to defend the two women they were harassing.Authorities have in their custody a 28-year-old local man in connection with the incident and has been charged with manslaughter.Cayetano assured the family of Acorda that the DFA would do everything to make sure that those responsible for his death are brought to justice.The Embassy said its Assistance to Nationals Section and the Philippine Consulate in Bratislava are assisting Acorda’s mother and his siblings who flew to Slovakia to look after him.Assistance will also be provided to the family in preparing for the repatriation of the victims’ remains.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/dfa-vows-justice-for-pinoy-killed-in-slovakia/404264/
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Supreme human love
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['Victorino Villaflor']
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17/06/2017 0:00
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-An Ode to Soldiers in Mindanao-They say “Love is in the air”I’d say love is everywhere-It can be found in land, sky and waterAs love has a malleable character.But love is of different kindsDepending on whose heart it emanates fromAnd its object recipientsIt is dissimilar in expressionsand is of varying degrees.Puppy love sprouts in schoolsWhere teens for the first time feel a strong attractionTo classmates of the opposite genderAs their hearts in rhythm pulsate faster.It can spark in bars at first sightWhen a pair meets one random nightOr in airports and terminalsWhich echo permanent and temporary goodbyesBut it is the kind that soon fades.Or in the workplaceWhere workmates bound by the same idealsJoin hearts in the pursuit of a common callMaking lovers and partners of themselves, forming a type of mature love.Romantic kind abounds in churches of all faithsWhere vows are exchangedAnd promises are made of faithfulness and foreverTo one’s lifetime lover and partner.Or filial type in homesWhere spouses’ wedded bliss is sharedAmong children and grandchildrenAnd even trickles down to indoor plants and pets.Also in hospitals, where its purest form is feltAt deathbeds where the dying’s last heartbeat aches for the beloved,Or at their nursery sections Where mothers in their most tender embraceNurse their newborns in their bosom.All these kinds of love are mutual and satisfyingThey bring joy and thrillTo both parties’ endsRegardless of the disproportionate levels, and sad endings for some.But the rarest and supreme kind is minedIn the hearts of soldiersnow in MindanaoFighting the monsters and the beasts and liberating peopleSaving lives, and giving up their own.The Marine and Army soldiers in Marawi’s combat zonesFacing the rampage and bearing all the blowsThe Coastguard on round-the-clock watchGuarding Mindanao seas and the entire archipelago from escapees.These foot soldiers valiantly fight where bombs and grenades are thrownThe coastguardsmen and navy sleep notWatching Mindanao coasts in the dead of the nightTired, but still doing their duty with all their might.Most unappreciated and underpaidTorn away from their families for long periods of their existenceServing the state neither for recognition, nor money, or fame.Forsaking one’s self, placing all loved ones second only to duty.If this highest form of sacrificeIs not supreme of all human loveThen what better name should it be called?When their breed kills and dies for unrequited loveIt is nothing but supreme love – of Motherland.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/06/17/supreme-human-love/
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CHR to police: Stop arresting ‘tambays’
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['Mary Gleefer F. Jalea']
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2018-06-21 00:10:36+00:00
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The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Wednesday urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to suspend its anti-tambay (loiterer) campaign until grounds for the arrests are explained to the public.CHR Commissioner Gwen Pimentel said the police should explain who are considered “tambays” or loiterers.“What is the extent of this crackdown? If we call it crackdown, or this arresting of tambays, what is the meaning of tambays? So that people will also know,” CHR Pimentel said.“Am I being a loiterer if I do this? If I go to a sari-sari store at night, do I fear that I’m just going to be nabbed by a policeman because I’m a loiterer?” she added.PNP chief Oscar Albayalde on Monday said guidelines would be released to help the police identify loiterers on the streets.Pimentel said the PNP must consider the jurisdiction of local ordinances that it will collate for the basis of its arrest before it continues the campaign.“Even in collating these local ordinances, you have to realize that the effectivity of such ordinance is only within the town or city. So in doing so, you have to have the basis of the ordinances they have issued to be a foundation of your action,” she said.The CHR said in a statement that loiterers cannot be arrested just because they are seen as “potential threat to the public,” citing President Rodrigo Duterte’s speech on June 13.Duterte advised loiterers to “go home” and not stir any trouble.But the CHR reiterated that it is not right to consider loiterers criminals since doing so would be “a form of discrimination that can cause unnecessary stigma.”Data from the National Capital Region Police Office indicated that 7,291 loiterers have been arrested in Metro Manila since June 13 for violations such as smoking and drinking in public, roaming around half-naked, and breach of peace among others.Rights group Karapatan criticized the order and said it was reminiscent of Martial Law “when curfews were enforced by his (former president Ferdinand Marcos) brutal state forces.”However, Malacañang denied this and said that the President has “no reason yet” to declare martial law nationwide.Sen. Grace Poe on Wednesday also asked the PNP leadership to orient the policemen on how to properly implement the anti-tambay operation to avoid violating human rights.“We recognize the objectives of the ‘anti-tambay operations.’ However, implementing it requires clear guidelines and safeguards against violation of human rights,” Poe said.Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said vagrancy is not a crime: “I do not know on what basis the arrests are being made.”“There must be a crime committed. The PNP should know that and they can be liable for arbitrary arrest if they violate the law,” he said in an interview.Sen. Panfilo Lacson said the campaign may reduce criminality but the police “must find a specific law that they could stand on before they continue with this new anti crime drive.”Sen. Leila de Lima said the President and the PNP “cannot just make up a law out of thin air.”“Hanging out has never been a crime. It is not even vagrancy, an act that was decriminalized precisely because of the law’s discriminatory and senseless objective,” she said.with BERNADETTE TAMAYO
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/chr-to-police-stop-arresting-tambays/410570/
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VP Leni in Thailand for food security meet
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['Rey David', 'Lucas Temoteo', 'Trisha Hipolito', 'Michael Timbreza']
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9/11/2017 0:00
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Vice President Leni Robredo on Thursday left for Thailand to join Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Yim Chhay Ly and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn at the Asia-Pacific Summit that will “discuss practical and evidence-based steps for food security and nutrition.”Robredo was among the foreign leaders invited by the United Nations to speak today, November 10, before the regional symposium on “Sustainable Food Systems for Healthy Diets and Improved Nutrition.”According to the Office of the Vice President, the UNFAO organized the event, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the World Bank.Sirindhorn is the UN Food and Agricultural Organization Special Ambassador for Zero Hunger in Asia and the Pacific.The symposium will be attended by parliamentarians, policy-makers, academicians, representatives from UN agencies, development partners, and other stakeholders from 30 countries within the region.The gathering aims to “help the region achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture,” said OVP.The country’s second highest official departed for her two-day working visit to Thailand onboard a Philippine Airlines flight.Before Robredo’s speaking engagement, she was set to meet members of the Filipino community in Bangkok Thursday night.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/11/09/vp-leni-in-thailand-for-food-security-meet/
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Alcala in graft raps over garlic ‘cartel’
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['Ma. Reina Leanne Tolentino']
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2018-04-25 00:10:28+00:00
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The Office of the Ombudsman has found basis to charge former Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Proceso Alcala and other individuals with graft before the Sandiganbayan over an alleged garlic cartel.Also facing indictment were former Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) Director Clarito Barron, then-BPI division chiefs Merle Palacpac and Luben Marasigan and then-garlic traders Lilia “Lea” Cruz, Edmond Caguinguin, Rolan Galvez, Rochelle Diaz, Ma. Jackilou Ilagan, Jon Dino de Vera, Napoleon Baldueza, Jose Ollegue, Laila Matabang, Angelita Flores, Gaudioso Diato, Denia Matabang, Jose Angulo Jr., Raffy Torres, Mary Grace Sebastian, Renato Francisco, Rolando Manangan, Orestes Salon, Prudencio Ruedas and Shiela Marry dela Cruz.According to a statement issued by the Ombudsman on Tuesday, it was found on investigation that Alcala, Barron, Palacpac and Marasigan allegedly issued and allegedly approved 8,810 import permits (IPs) from 2010 to 2014.Then-importers and then-affiliates of the Vendors Association of the Philippines Inc. (Vieva), which was supposedly then-headed by Cruz allegedly “cornered” 5,022 (IPs) out of the 8,810 IPs.The Office of the Ombudsman said records show that Alcala allegedly designated Cruz on July 24, 2013 as chairman of the National Garlic Action Team (NGAT), which served “as the DA’s consultative body on policies and concerns of the garlic production and supply program.”It added that “[a]t the same time, Cruz” allegedly “acted as representative of the garlic importers, assisting them in the processing of applications and issuance of IPs.”Investigators also found that Alcala et al. allegedly approved the IPs despite an order that suspended the issuance of IPs, according to the statement.The statement said the NGAT issued a resolution on August 22, 2013 “recommending the non-issuance of garlic IPs finding that the supply was sufficient to last until the next harvest season of March 2014.”On November 5, 2013, the NGAT issued a resolution “declaring an insufficiency in the country’s garlic supply as of 25 October 2013 and recommended the importation of 58,240 metric tons of garlic through the issuance of IPs to be allocated to farmer cooperatives (70 percent) and legitimate garlic importers (30 percent).”The Ombudsman alleged in its resolution of April 20, 2018 that “NGAT’s resolution that 70 percent of the IPs would be allocated to farmer cooperatives was actually a scheme designated for Cruz to control the garlic importation.After Cruz established Vieva, she allegedly caused the affiliation of farmer cooperatives and associations under its umbrella on the pretext of helping them financially.By adopting the scheme, she was alleged to have practically controlled a big chunk of the 100 percent of the IPs for imported garlic.The 30 percent of the IPs supposedly allocated to legitimate garlic importers were given mostly to Vieva and its affiliated importers.On the other hand, the 70 percent of IP allocation for the farmer cooperatives were alleged to have been mainly captured by Cruz through Vieva-affiliated farmer groups.The Ombudsman’s office also alleged in its resolution that the supposed scheme enabled Vieva to monopolize the garlic supply, allowing it to dictate its market prices.[From] January to July 2014, the extraordinary and alarming spike in the prices of imported and locally produced (native) garlic was strongly felt by the public especially in the month of June 2014.The price of imported garlic soared, ranging from P260.00 to P400.00 per kilogram from its average price of P165.00-P170.00 per kg. in calendar year 2010-2013; while the price of native garlic varied from P250.00- P400.00 per kg. in April to June 2014.Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act prohibits public officers from causing undue injury to any party, or giving a private party unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of their official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence.Meanwhile, the Ombudsman found Barron, Palacpac and Marasigan administratively liable for grave misconduct.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/alcala-in-graft-raps-over-garlic-cartel/394652/
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‘Ex-mayor made City Hall a job agency’
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-01-19 21:33:36+00:00
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Former acting Makati Mayor Romulo Peña Jr. had padded the number of city employees by over 1,300 during his term, among them his relatives and relatives of his political allies, according to a city official.The Peña administration also did not open to public bidding some half a billion pesos in contracts and merely ex-tended them, Michael Camiña, lawyer and city legal officer, said on Thursday.“Contrary to the posturings of good governance, the Peña administration treated the city government as an employment agency for relatives and allies. As a result, the city payroll was bloated and it was at the expense of tax-payers,” Camina added.From July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016, the Peña administration hired a total of 1,218 additional casuals, 22 contractuals and 78 consultants, swelling the ranks of city government personnel, he said.Camiña disclosed that a personnel review and audit they conducted immediately upon assumption into office re-vealed that relatives and acquaintances of Peña and known political allies were among those hired.The assessment, he said, also showed that most of the new employees had no clear function or responsibility, and had dubious qualifications.“The hirings made by Peña were not based on merit, skill or necessity. These were hirings for political purposes,” the city legal officer added.“Merit and competence apparently took a backseat to political connections and blood relations in the hiring, pro-motion and regularization of employees,” he said.According to the city official, the audit also uncovered cases of double compensation, with the appointees receiving salaries and benefits from the Office of the Mayor and the barangay (village).Cases of “ghost employees” who collected salaries and benefits without ever reporting for work were also documented, Camina said.“For the first two months, we also reviewed and evaluated all programs and services and uncovered contracts amounting to a total of P568,873,353 that were simply extended by the previous administration, without benefit of bidding. This is contrary to their public posturings,” he added.The city official said extending contracts was their template for Ospital ng Makati, which they found in dismal conditions last July.“We found our hospital, a recipient of an ISO certification, lacking in the most basic needs. There was a shortage in laboratory and medical supplies. Major diagnostic equipment and a non-functioning air-conditioning system were left unserviced,” he added.Camiña assured the people of Makati that the current administration has done away with the old practice.“We have opened these services and programs to public bidding in compliance with procurement laws,” he said.The extended contracts included the supply of medicines and other medical supplies, P33.3 million (2016) and P98.9 million (2015); security services for City Hall buildings, public schools, health centers, police headquarters, fire station, parks, Makati Coliseum and other city-owned public facilities, P102.5 million (2016) and P125.6 million (2015); janitorial services for various facilities, P66.2 million (2016) and P92.7 million (2015); solid waste management services, P38.3 million (2016); and building maintenance services, P8.6 million (2016) and P2.8 million (2015).Under the Government Procurement Reform Act or Republic Act 9184 and its implementing rules and regulations, the procurement of goods and services must strictly follow mandated procedures and requirements, including the holding of pre-procurement conference, advertisement or publication of invitation to bid, conduct of pre-bid conference, receipt and opening of bids, bid evaluation, post-qualification and award of contract to the winning bidder.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ex-mayor-made-city-hall-job-agency/307756/
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PhilHealth coverage reaches 97 million Filipinos as of 2017
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['Mary Gleefer F. Jalea']
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2018-07-14 00:04:02+00:00
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Around 97 million Filipinos are now being covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) since the end of 2017, the agency said on Friday.This is equivalent to 93 percent of 104 million Filipinos in the country, PhilHealth chief Roy Ferrer said in a statement.“The war on population coverage is already won, judging by the way health care is now accessed especially by the poor,” he added.PhilHealth also partnered with the Department of Health (DoH), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCor) in putting up “Malasakit Centers” in government hospitals.Ferrer said that under the agency’s point-of-service program, everyone who entered a hospital will get treatment and be duly paid by the health insurance.These centers may cater to indigent patients by providing financial assistance for direct medical costs and also transportation expenses, the PhilHealth chief said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/philhealth-coverage-reaches-97-million-filipinos-as-of-2017/419125/
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SSS denies increase in contribution rates
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['Mary Gleefer F. Jalea']
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2018-01-10 22:05:02+00:00
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The Social Security System (SSS) on Wednesday denied that it already increased its member contribution rates effective January this year contrary to some reports.The agency said its member contribution rates remain at 11 percent and no changes have been made.According to Social Security Commission Chairman Amado Valdez, the SSS management makes the development of its optimal assets a priority to ensure recurring income for the state-run pension fund in the coming years.“While there is a need for the increase in the rates of contribution, the necessity for such is geared toward meaningful benefits for SSS members and pensioners,” Valdez said in a statement.Aside from the increase in contributions, part of the agency’s reform agenda is an adjustment in the maximum salary credit from P16,000 to P20,000.“These reforms are responses to its members’ clamor for increased benefits and higher pension in the future,” Valdez said.In October last year, he added, the agency was considering selling some pieces of property to help fund an increase in pension.This was after the fund life of the SSS became shorter that resulted from a P1,000 pension hike early in 2017 and the additional P1,000-pension increase in 2022.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/sss-denies-increase-contribution-rates/373448/
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Seven candidates shortlisted for SC
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2017-06-23 20:52:32+00:00
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The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) on Friday shortlisted six Court of Appeals (CA) magistrates and a law professor for Supreme Court (SC) posts.Presiding Justice Andres Reyes Jr. of the Court of Appeals garnered seven votes from the JBC followed by CA Justices Rosmari Carandang and Jose Reyes Jr. with 6 votes each.CA Justices Japar Dimaampao, Apolinario Bruselas and Amy Lazaro-Javier and Centro Escolar University Vice Dean Rita Linda Jimeno got 5 votes each.The 1987 Constitution says President Rodrigo Duterte has 90 days from the time of vacancy in the Supreme Court to make his third appointment in the SC.Duterte’s two appointees in the SC are Associate Justices Noel Tijam and Samuel Martires.One of the vacancies will result from the retirement of SC Justice Bienvenido Reyes on July 6, 2017.The seven-man council, which is constitutionally mandated to screen and vet nominees to the President for vacant posts in the judiciary and the Offices of the Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsman, is headed by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, with ex-officio members Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre 2nd, Sen. Richard Gordon and Mindoro Oriental Rep. Reynaldo Umali.Retired SC Justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez, head of the Executive Committee, lawyer Jose Mejia representing the academe, Milagros Fernan-Cayosa the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and retired judge Toribio Ilao the private sector are the other regular members of the JBC.JOMAR CANLAS
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/seven-candidates-shortlisted-sc/334511/
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BINAY PRESSES FOR ONE JAIL FACILITY FOR METRO MANILA
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-05-10 21:59:26+00:00
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Former Vice President Jejomar Binay is pressing for the creation of an integrated jail facility for Metro Manila to address the worsening problem of congestion in local jails.In a letter to acting Secretary Catalino Cuy of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Binay said the DILG should consider reviving a proposal made in 2005 to set up a facility to house all Metro Manila detainees.“Congestion in local jail facilities in Metro Manila has been a long-standing concern for both the local and national authorities. Sadly, no concrete action has been taken and the problem has worsened over the years,” he added in a statement.The former Vice President said as early as 2005, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) proposed the establishment of an integrated jail facility for Metro Manila “precisely to address the issue of congestion in the local jails.”“Said proposal was sent to the mayors of Metro Manila for their comment and as mayor of Makati City at the time, I expressed my support,” he added.Binay said in the wake of reports of worsening jail congestion, the BJMP proposal “remains relevant and concrete action to implement it more urgent.”“May I recommend that the DILG revisit the said proposal,” he added.The BJMP had proposed the creation of an integrated facility to house Metro Manila’s 21 jails, all BJMP offices as well as housing for jail personnel.A 96-hectare property in San Mateo, Rizal was identified as the site, with P300 million estimated as initial allocation for its construction.The site would also have a hospital, school, lodging facilities for visitors, livelihood centers and a farm.Binay recalled that the BJMP had already prepared blueprints for the facility.There were bills filed in both the Senate and the House of Representatives supporting the creation of a jail facility for Metro Manila.At the time, the BJMP had raised the issue of congestion in Metro Manila’s jails, saying the facilities can only house 5,300 inmates but the population stood at over 20,000.As of October 2016, DILG Undersecretary Jesus Hinlo said in an interview that jail congestion was estimated at 507 percent.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/binay-presses-one-jail-facility-metro-manila/326498/
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P3.5B in local govt support funds released
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['Jing Villamente']
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2017-01-23 20:48:40+00:00
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A total of P3.5 billion in funds for local government projects that were set aside by the 2016 General Appropriations Act (GAA) but were not released during the Aquino administration has been finally released.Secretary Ismael Sueno of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday thanked President Rodrigo Duterte and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for approving the release of the funds.The funds will hasten local development,” Sueno said.The P3.5 billion will be used for construction of roads, provision of water supply and building of evacuation centers, schools and health facilities that had been identified by local government units and civil society organizations.Sueno requested the funds after concerned cities and municipalities had complied with requirements for the release of the P3.5 billion: good financial housekeeping, public financial management and physical implementation of the previous year’s Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) projects.The requirements were pursuant to the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 7, series of 2015, of the DBM, DILG, Department of Social Welfare and Development and National Anti-Poverty Commission.Of the P3.5 billion, P2.2 billion was released directly to 273 compliant municipalities while the remaining P1.3 billion was released thru the concerned provincial governments.In a letter, Sueno reminded 42 concerned governors that the released funds will be spent for projects proposed by the 153 cities and municipalities that did not qualify for LGSF release.Among the provinces that will managed project implementation in cities and municipalities are Abra, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, Isabela, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Romblon, Zamboanga del Norte and del Sur, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Bohol, Cebu, Samar, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Leyte, Surigao del Norte, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/p3-5b-local-govt-support-funds-released-2/308404/
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Ex-CHeD official pleads not guilty to graft charge
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['Ma. Reina Leanne Tolentino']
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2017-11-17 22:04:13+00:00
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Then-Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) Executive Director IV Julito Vitriolo pleaded not guilty to the graft charge he is facing for allegedly allowing the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) to issue transcripts of record to graduates of a supposedly suspended education program in 2010.Vitriolo, who is out on bail, was arraigned before the Sandiganbayan’s First Division on Friday morning.In a charge sheet filed before the Sandiganbayan in August, the Office of the Ombudsman accused him of violating Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.The Ombudsman alleged in the charge sheet that Vitriolo “permit[ted] verbally the” PLM “to issue transcripts of record to its graduates, which the PLM and its officials implemented as in fact it issued transcripts of record and diplomas to said graduates even as the accused had prior knowledge… that as early as September 2008 the [then-]President of the PLM had suspended the Memorandum of Agreement between PLM and the National College of Physical Education [NCPE] that offered programs of Bachelor of Science and Masteral degrees in Physical Education…”Vitriolo also allegedly knew “that, as of 2009, the NCPE, which changed its name to Integrated College of Physical Education and Sports [ICPES], was no longer on the list of the CHED as among the institutions of higher learning in the National Capital Region [Metro Manila]…”Thereby, according to the charge sheet, he allegedly gave “unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference to the PLM and the NCPE/ICPES, as well as some graduates of the said programs, and caus[ed] undue injury to the government and damage to the quality of tertiary education.”Section 3(e) of the anti-graft law prohibits public officers from causing undue injury to any party, or giving a private party unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of their official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence.In August, the Ombudsman filed two graft cases before the Sandiganbayan against Vitriolo.The Ombudsman accused him of violating Section 3(e) of the anti-graft law in Criminal Case No. SB-17-CRM-1568, and accused him of violating Section 3(a) of the same law in Criminal Case No. SB-17-CRM-1569.In October, the Sandiganbayan’s First Division partly granted a motion earlier filed by Vitriolo who sought the dismissal of the cases.The court droppeed Criminal Case No. SB-17-CRM-1569 because of the absence of an essential element of the offense charged.“In this case, there is no proof of any consideration in the use of the influence. It is not alleged in the Information. There is no testimonial or documentary evidence to indicate or even conclude that accused Vitriolo received any renumeration or consideration. There is no showing that his act of allegedly persuading, inducing and/or influencing the PLM and its officials was for or in view of a consideration,” the court said in part.Section 3(a) of the anti-graft law prohibits public officers are prohibited from persuading, inducing or influencing another public officer to perform an act constituting a violation of rules an regulations duly promulgated by competent authority.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ex-ched-official-pleads-not-guilty-graft-charge/363421/
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Ethics committee junks complaints vs 3 senators
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2018-02-21 00:05:25+00:00
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THE Senate Committee on Ethics dismissed several complaints filed against three members of the chamber during its meeting on Tuesday.The ethics panel, headed by Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto 3rd, unanimously backed a motion to junk the ethics complaints filed by former Bureau of Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon against Senators Panfilo Lacson and Antonio Trillanes 4th.The committee also dismissed the three ethics complaints filed against detained Sen. Leila de Lima by officials of the House of Representatives, Malacañang spokesman Harry Roque and a lawyer.It was Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon who moved to dismiss the Faeldon complaints.The motion was seconded by Sen. Gregorio Honasan.“There is a motion to dismiss the case of Capt. Faeldon versus Ping [Lacson] and Trillanes, duly seconded and I hear no objection, so the motion is carried and cases number 9 and number 10 are hereby dismissed,” Sotto said during the committee meeting.Faeldon filed an ethics complaint against Lacson in connection with the latter’s privilege speech linking the former Customs chief to alleged corruption at the Bureau of Customs (BoC).Lacson, in his privilege speech entitled “Kita, Kita,” accused Faeldon of receiving regular tara (payoff) and a P100-millon “welcome gift” from brokers and “players” operating at the BoC.Faeldon, in his complaint, said Lacson’s public and malicious imputations were all lies and he should be expelled from office or suspended at the very least.During the panel meeting, Drilon pointed out that Lacson’s privilege speech is a subject of an investigation by the blue ribbon committee and determination of whether the allegations were true remains to be tackled in the committee report of the committee.“This [complaint] is clearly forum shopping,” he said.Faledon filed a case against Trillanes for claiming that the former was “at the heart” of the controversy involving a P6.4-billion shipment of shabu from China.He said Trillanes should be expelled for serious misconduct and abuse of his rights and privileges.Drilon, in moving for the junking of the complaint against Trillanes, said Faeldon has also abused his right and has made “very malicious” statements against some senators.“If anyone has abused his right to criticize public officials, Faeldon is as guilty as anybody,” he added.The ethics committee also dismissed the three ethics cases filed against de Lima for lack of jurisdiction.Among the cases that were dismissed was a complaint filed by House Committee on Justice chairman Rep. Reynaldo Umali, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas in connection with de Lima’s repeated refusal to appear before the House justice committee hearing on alleged proliferation of illegal drugs inside the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) and another complaint filed by Roque.Roque, in his complaint, said de Lima allegedly conspired with Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo for her to carry out her illegal activities inside the NBP.Drilon, in pushing for the dismissal of the complaint against de Lima, cited a pending court case against the latter that is similar to the ethics case.He explained that if de Lima gets acquitted in the Metropolitan Trial Court for that, there is no reason for the ethics committee to hear the pending case, which is similar to the court case.Drilon cited the pending case in courts also lodged against de Lima and the committee’s lack of jurisdiction over the alleged violations she had committed.When sought for comment, Roque agreed with the Senate’s move to dismiss the complaints against de Lima for lack of jurisdiction.“I think it’s because of lack of jurisdiction. The acts attributed were acts committed before her assumption into the office of a senator of the Republic,” he said during a news conference.With the dismissal of the five ethics complaints, the committee is now left with four complaints against Senators Risa Hontiveros filed by Justice Secretary Vitalliano Aguirre 2nd, Richard Gordon filed by Trillanes and two cases against Trillanes filed by Gordon and lawyer Abelardo de Jesus.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ethics-committee-junks-complaints-vs-3-senators/381564/
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Voters registration to start in July
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['William Depasupil']
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2018-06-25 00:02:53+00:00
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THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has set the ball rolling for the resumption of the system of continuing registration of voters and the filing of petitions for registration of political parties and coalition of political parties.The commission en banc approved over the weekend Comelec Resolutions 10392 and 10395 in preparation for the May 13, 2019 national and local elections.Under CR 10392, voters can start filing their application for registration on July 2. Registration of voters will end on September 29. From July 2 to Sept. 29, Comelec offices around the country will also accept applications for transfer/transfer with reactivation, reactivation, change/correction of entries/and including/reinstatement of records in the list of voters.Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the commission wants to give qualified Filipinos the opportunity to register and exercise their right to vote.Meanwhile, CR 10395 fixes July 1, 2018 as the last day of filing petitions for registration of political parties and August 31, 2018 for coalition of political parties.Comelec Commissioner Luie Tito Guia earlier said an early deadline is necessary to give the poll body ample time to review the petitions.On March 20, the Comelec promulgated Resoluton 10273 delisting 24 party-list organizations for not participating in the last two elections or failing to obtain seat/s in the two previous polls.Under Republic Act 7941 or the Party-list System Law, the Comelec may remove or cancel the registration of a party-list group if it fails to participate in the last two preceding elections or fails to obtain at least two percentum of the votes cast under the party-list system in the two preceding elections for the constituency in which it has registered.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/voters-registration-to-start-in-july/412146/
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House okays bill giving PWD additional benefits
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['Ralph Villanueva']
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2017-12-08 22:14:26+00:00
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A HOUSE panel has approved an unnumbered substitute bill providing for additional privileges to persons with disability (PWD).The House Committee on Social Services approved the bill seeking to amend Sections 5 and 32 of Republic Act (RA) 7277 or the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability.Under the bill, at least two percent of all positions in government agencies, offices or corporations will be filled up with qualified PWD, while the private corporations will be mandated to reserve at least one percent of all positions for PWD.Five-hundred pesos will be given to marginalized PWD as monthly stipend to augment their daily subsistence, medical and other needs upon review by the Joint Congressional Committees on Appropriations and Social Services, in consultation with the National Council on Disability Affairs and other concerned agencies.The bill seeks to provide free assistive technology services, including the evaluation of the needs and the functional capacity of PWD in the customary environment or place of employment, as well as the designing, maintaining, repairing or replacing of assistive technology devices.Training or technical assistance and sign language, interpreting and job coaching will also be provided to the PWD.Technical aids, prosthetics and other orthotic devices that will restore the PWD’s social functioning and participation in community affairs will also be given.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/house-okays-bill-giving-pwd-additional-benefits/367465/
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BOY FACING ROBBERY CHARGES SHOT
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['Jing Villamente']
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2017-06-10 00:19:29+00:00
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A 16-year old boy who is facing charges of robbery and drug pushing was shot and wounded by his peer when he tried to bully another minor Thursday evening in Malabon City. Roger (not his real name) of 19 P. Concepcion, Brgy. Tugatog was rushed to the Caloocan City Medical Center (CCMC) for treatment of a bullet wound in the shoulder while the suspect, identified only as alias “JR” escaped after the incident. Prior to this, police from Malabon PCP 4 were dispatched to the address at around 7:30 p.m. to serve a warrant of arrest against a certain “Jaco” who is facing charges of robbery and violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002. Upon arrival, the cops were informed by residents of the shooting so they proceeded to CCMC where they discovered that the victim was the subject of the arrest warrant they were going to serve. Police said, Roger was previously detained in Bahay Sandigan in Langaray Street, Malabon sometime in October 2016 after he was accused of robbery.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/boy-facing-robbery-charges-shot/331928/
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Nurse tops PMA Class of 2018
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['Dempsey Reyes']
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2018-03-15 00:03:14+00:00
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An Ilonggo registered nurse is the valedictorian of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Alab-Tala” (Alagad ng Lahing Binigkis ng Tapang) Class of 2018 and will receive various honors in graduation rites on Sunday.Jaywardene Hontoria, 25, is set to join the Philippine Marine Corps under the Philippine Navy, according to a profile provided by Lt. Col. Reynaldo Balido, PMA spokesman.Balido said it was the third year that an incoming Navy lieutenant topped the graduating class.Before entering the country’s premier military academy, Hontoria, a son of a farmer in Iloilo, took up nursing at the West Visayas State University in La Paz, Iloilo City.He held three positions in the PMA cadet corps–brigade company commander, cadet-in-charge of the Archery Corps Squad and the Honors Committee.Various awards will be conferred on Hontoria on the day of the commencement exercises such as the Presidential Saber, Chief of Staff Saber and Philippine Navy Saber.In an interview with CNN Philippines, he said he will get married on graduation day.“Right after my graduation this Sunday, it is also my wedding with my special someone,” Hontoria added.He did not identify his future wife.Three others in the Top 10 are also sons of farmers–First Class Cadets Ricardo Liwaden, Jun-Jay Castro and Jessie Laranang.Rounding up the group are Leonore Andrea Japitan, Mark Jantzen Dacillo, Jezaira Buenaventura, Paolo Briones, Jayson Cimatu and Micah Reynaldo.Based also on profiles sent out by Balido, Liwaden will be receiving the Vice Presidential and Philippine Army Sabers, which traditionally are turned over by the sitting Vice President and Army commanding general.Castro will be given the saber of the Secretary of National Defense while the Philippine Air Force Saber will be handed to Laranang and the Aguinaldo Saber, to Buenaventura.A total of 282 PMA cadets will be graduating this year, based on a statistical profile from the PMA’s Office of the Registrar that Balido also sent to reporters.Of the 282, 207 are male while 75 are female, with most set to join the Philippine Army (143).The Philippine Air Force will be getting 71 and the Philippine Navy, 68.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/nurse-tops-pma-class-of-2018-2/386214/
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Office of Cabinet Secretary revamped
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['Catherine S. Valente']
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2018-11-02 00:06:26+00:00
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President Rodrigo Duterte has revamped the Office of the Cabinet Secretary (OCS) and removed its supervision of eight government agencies.Duterte signed on October 31 Executive Order (EO) 67 that renamed the OCS to the Office of Cabinet Secretariat.The President transferred to other departments the supervision of eight agencies that had been under the OCS during the stint of former Cabinet secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. whoquit his post two weeks ago. Evasco will run for governor of Bohol province in 2019.Evasco used to supervise 12 agencies but Duterte transferred the jurisdiction of the National Food Authority and the Philippine Coconut Authority to the Department of Agriculture in September.EO 67 transferred the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Cooperative Development Authority to the Department of Trade and Industry. Also, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, Philippine Commission on Women, and the National Youth were placed under the supervision of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.Duterte also directed the Department of Social Welfare and Development to oversee the National Anti-Poverty Commission, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and the Presidential Commission on the Urban Poor.The executive office would also now have control and supervision over the Strategic Action and Response (STAR) Office and all its constituent offices.The STAR, established through EO 9 signed in 2016, is composed of the Presidential Complaint Center, Public Concerns Office, Quick Response Center, and the 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center.EO 67 also abolished the Office of Participatory Governance and the Performance and Projects Management Office.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/office-of-cabinet-secretary-revamped/460886/
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International Human Rights Day: Palace lambasts HRW
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-12-10 18:52:02+00:00
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Malacañang on Sunday, International Human Rights Day, lambasted the Human Rights Watch (HRW) for accusing the Duterte administration of not making “genuine efforts” to make accountable those responsible for alleged abuses in the government’s brutal war against illegal drugs.In a statement, Palace spokesman Harry Roque said the HRW has “refused” to acknowledge the efforts of the Philippine government to take responsibility over the questionable deaths amid the anti-drug operations of the Philippine National Police (PNP).“The HRW has a penchant for playing blind, deaf and dumb, refusing to acknowledge the efforts of the administration in addressing alleged abuses of scalawag policemen,” Roque added.“Perhaps this HRW must be reminded that an entire police force in Caloocan [City] was relieved because of alleged abuses, and the PDEA was designated to be the lead agency in the government anti-drug operation,” he said.Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte brought back the PNP to the anti-illegal drug campaign in which the PDEA would only play a supporting role.Roque was responding to a statement made by the HRW, through its International Justice Program Associate Director Param Preet-Singh, saying the Philippine government failed to prosecute or convict any policeman carrying out the brutal crackdown against drug traders.Singh last week issued a statement, noting that Duterte even committed to reinstate or pardon police officers involved in the killings of thousands of alleged drug suspects during illegal-drug operations.Roque, a former human rights lawyer, branded the HRW’s claims as “off-track.”
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/international-human-rights-day-palace-lambasts-hrw/367878/
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‘World’s largest Acacia canopies’ in danger in Puerto Princesa
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['Richard Ochotorena']
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16/08/2017 0:00
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‘A signature campaign has been launched to save a long row of Acacia trees here, which could be obliterated with the planned P30-billion road widening project of the Palawan provincial government.Presented as “Please save Palawan’s Acacia Tunnel,” the online petition that was posted at Change.org three days ago, now only needs 131 signatures to reach the 1,200-target.It was addressed to provincial government officials of Palawan, national government officials, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), and officials of Puerto Princesa City.The row of age-old angiosperms has become a popular attraction for travelers, extending from Barangay Irawan to Barangay Inagawan in this city, as it looks like an underground passage.In fact, its popularity among visitors of the city and province has earned it the appellation “Acacia Tunnel.”According to the online signature petition, the superhighway project “has been approved to boost the economy of Palawan,” and that the DPWH has allocated P30 billion for its implementation.With the looming realization of the superhighway project to speed up traveling time from southern to northern Palawan, the petitioner, Medy Beroy, said the Acacia trees are worth saving because it might be one of the “largest Acacia canopies in the world.”“Local and foreign tourists, as well as commuters, who pass through the Acacia tunnel are in awe of its breathtaking beauty. The pure, clean air of oxygen in an aircon-like atmosphere is priceless,” the petition claimed.To prevent their destruction, the petitioner suggested that the area where they are found be turned into Acacia Tunnel National Park.The petition further maintained that in other countries, beautiful areas like Acacia Tunnel are set aside as a natural parks, and are actually income generating projects that could provide government revenues while tourists flock, take pictures and enjoy the beautiful scenery.“There are various ways on how to protect the Acacia Tunnel, not just for us but for our future generations,” the petition said.It also suggested that the proponent of the superhighway create a tunnel or build a high bridge similar to the mass transport systems in large cities to avoid the Acacia trees.“Destroying millions and millions of trees in Acacia Tunnel would cause deforestation that adds to global warming and climate change. We already have enough trouble due to pollution. Growing trees and vegetation is the only way to remove carbon dioxide in the atmosphere,” it added.The online petition also said destruction of the said trees would mean removing the habitat of wildlife in the area, and warmer and drier climate that could annihilate plants in the area.Earlier, the Palawan NGO Network Incorporated (PNNI) already expressed opposition to the road expansion.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/08/16/worlds-largest-acacia-canopies-in-danger-in-puerto-princesa/
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CA gives nod to Abas as Comelec chairman
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2018-05-24 00:03:08+00:00
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THE Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday approved the nomination of Commissioner Sheriff Abas as chairman of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the youngest and the first Muslim to head the poll body.Abas was appointed Comelec commissioner in 2015 at the age of 35. He replaced Andres Bautista who resigned as poll chief on October 11, 2017. Abas’ term will expire on February 2, 2022.Sen. Cynthia Villar, chairman of the Committee on Constitutional Commissions and Offices, sponsored the approval of Abas’ appointment.She said Abas was a member of the Bangsamoro lawyers network.Villar said Abas played a significant role in the success of the national and local elections.“Notably the 2016 national and local election was regarded as one of the most transparent, efficient, credible election in the country with 96% percent of precint results already known within12 hours, a record in Philippine history,” she said.The senator said Abas also paved the way for the creation of a collective negotiation agreement between the poll body and the Comelec Employees Union, a “first of its kind in the commission.”“Despite being the youngest member of the Commission en banc, he was able to stand firm on his principles earning the respect of his highly competent fellow commissioners,” Villar said.“He aims to use his extensive experience from the frontlines of public service to advance equality and exclusiveness among all Filipinos regardless of gender, religion and culture,” she said.She noted Abas, who has been in government service for 11 years, has always maintained a low-key persona. “Yet, he has undeniably exuded his competence and integrity guided by his values and principles in his work as a government official.”“These qualities led for him to be nominated in the position of chairman of Comelec three times by no less than by his excellency, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, an affirmation of the strong trust and confidence that thePresident has on Abas to lead the Comelec in safeguarding the sovereign will of the Filipino people.”Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri seconded Abas’ nomination as poll chief.The senator noted that Abas is the “first Muslim election chief, the youngest head of the poll body, and the first Comelec commissioner to become Comelec chair.”“At a time when we are witnessing remarkable progress in our efforts in bringing just, dignified and lasting peace in Mindanao we are presented yet again with another opportunity to welcome our brother Muslim to the top post of one of the only 3 constitutional bodies,” Zubiri said.Abas said the poll body will try its best to conduct a “credible” 2019 mid-term elections.“It is difficult to hold elections. We hope to assure the public that we will conduct a credible 2019 elections in the best of our abilities.”
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ca-gives-nod-to-abas-as-comelec-chairman/400673/
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Lone bettor bags P29.7-M lotto jackpot
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2017-11-12 23:02:48+00:00
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A lone bettor from Negros Occidental won the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Grand Lotto 6/55 jackpot worth P29.7 million during Saturday night’s draw.According to PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan, the lucky winner correctly guessed the winning combination 11-19-35-41-10-05 with a total jackpot prize of P29,700,000.The bettor bought the winning ticket from a lotto outlet in Escalante, Negros Occidental, using standard bet or own pick.Two bettors from Rizal province and Quezon City will split the P5.9 million PCSO Lotto 6/42 jackpot after getting the six-number combination 23-30-03-06-09-25 right.The winners bought the tickets from lotto outlets in Pililia, Rizal, and Sikatuna Village in Quezon City using standard bets.The lucky bettors will each be getting P2,970,000.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/lone-bettor-bags-p29-7-m-lotto-jackpot/362367/
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Palace confirms Trump’s visit to PH in November
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['Catherine S. Valente']
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2017-09-30 22:00:37+00:00
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Malacañang on Saturday confirmed that United States President Donald Trump will visit the Philippines in November this year.“We confirm US President Donald Trump’s visit to the Philippines this November,” Palace spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a statement.For his part, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said on Saturday, said Trump’s visit to the Philippines underscores the improving relations between the country and the US.Abella said Trump’s visit “underscores the improving ties” between the US and the Philippines.“President Duterte is looking forward to welcoming the US President in Manila,” he said.According to Abella, Trump will join other world leaders who will attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)-East Asian Summit in the Philippines.“As host country, we hope to make the event productive and pleasant to our foreign guests,” the Palace official said.“We will let them experience our world-famous Filipino hospitality to make sure they would have good memories of their stay in the Philippines,” he added.It would be Trump’s first trip to the Philippines as US President.Tillerson confirms strong tiesCayetano said no less than US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had told him that the relations between Manila and Washington is “on an upward vector.”He said the Philippine government welcomed the White House announcement on Trump’s visit to Manila in November, saying this affirms the strong partnership between the two allies.“President Trump will definitely receive a very warm welcome in Manila,” Cayetano said after the White House confirmed on Friday the Trump’s participation in the East Asian Summit.“President [Rodrigo] Duterte is looking forward to welcoming President Trump in Manila. Our people are excited to see the first face-to-face meeting between our two leaders,” Cayetano said.The White House said Trump’s visit to the Philippines will be part of a 12-day trip, from November 3 to November14, that will also take him to Japan, South Korea, China, and Vietnam.The Department of Foreign Affairs chief also described the relations between the Philippines and the US as “strong and irreversible” in his interview by National Public Radio (NPR) in Washington on Thursday.“The American-Filipino relationship is so resilient that it bounces back right always regardless of personalities and issues,” Cayetano told NPR anchor Mary Louise Kelly.with BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/palace-confirms-trumps-visit-ph-november/353857/
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Palace Communications office tapped to enforce FOI
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['Catherine S. Valente']
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2017-01-04 22:54:54+00:00
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Malacañang has assigned the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) to oversee implementation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill in the executive branch.Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea signed Memorandum Order No. 10 on December 29, mandating the PCOO “as the lead agency in the implementation of Executive Order No. 2” that President Rodrigo Duterte signed on July 23, 2016.“All departments, agencies, bureaus, officers or instrumentalities of the government, including government-owned and -controlled corporations, are directed to render full assistance and cooperation to the PCOO as may be required to carry out its functions pursuant to this order,” the memorandum read.The PCOO, headed by Secretary Martin Andanar, is in charge of monitoring compliance and developing programs and mechanisms to enhance the capability of agencies in complying with FOI programs.It was also directed to conduct and facilitate capacity and institutional building programs for government agencies.The Executive Order on the FOI bill, which took effect late November last year, provides for full disclosure of government records and transactions.It covers departments and line agencies under the executive branch, including government-owned and -controlled corporations and state universities.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/palace-communications-office-tapped-enforce-foi/305190/
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Marine troopers in SKorea for assault vehicle training
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['Dempsey Reyes']
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2018-11-05 00:05:30+00:00
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The Philippine Navy on Sunday said troops from the Philippine Marine Corps are in South Korea for amphibious assault vehicle training.Commander Jonathan Zata, Navy spokesman, made the confirmation after receiving information from the training officer of the Philippine Marines that several troops were currently in South Korea to undergo training for the arrival of eight amphibious assault vehicles from the same country later this year or early 2019.Zata stressed that the Marines is an amphibious – ready force and its troops are trained to assault from landing dock vessels using amphibious assault vehicles. The Navy has two landing dock vessels: BRP Tarlac and BRP Davao del Sur.“Among our doctrines there is to have the limited sea basing wherein a battalion from the Marines, at any one time, are embarking from the landing dock, in case of any exigencies that would require it,” he told reporters.“They can do the amphibious landings with the amphibious assault vehicles. That is the general concept of the landing dock ship, not to mention, the embarked Philippine Marine Corps troopers,” Zata added.South Korea-based Hanwha Techwin, formerly Samsung Techwin, was awarded by the Philippines a P2.42-billion contract in April 2016 to supply the assault vehicles to the Marines.The company was the sole bidder to supply amphibious assault vehicles to the Marines.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/marine-troopers-in-skorea-for-assault-vehicle-training/462335/
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DoLE orders Japanese firms: Regularize workers
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['William Depasupil']
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2017-11-24 21:33:05+00:00
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THE Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) has ordered two Laguna-based Japanese firms to give regular employment status to their over 1,000 workers after they were found to be engaged in the illegal labor-only contracting activities.In a report submitted on Friday to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd, DoLE Regional IV-A Director Zenaida Angara-Campita identified the erring companies as Terumo Philippines Corporation (Terumo) and Toyo Seat Philippines Corporation (Toyo), both based in Santa Rosa City, Laguna.In a compliance order issued by DoLE Region IV-A, Terumo and its three contractors were directed to regularize 1,048 workers as its contractors do not have substantial capital and the employees use the principal’s equipment and tools in the performance of their outsourced services.Other findings include non-compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Standards, with the contactors lacking trained safety personnel.The principal also does not have the permit to operate heavy equipment, including crane, internal combustion engines, pressure vessel and power piping.Terumo is a global company engaged in the manufacture of medical supplies and equipment.Toyo Corp. and its 14 contractors were ordered to regularize 284 of their workers after being barred from engaging in labor-only contracting and sub-contracting activities.The Labor department has also ordered the cancelation of the Certificates of Registration of seven of its contractors and removal from the rosters of legitimate contractors.Toyo Corp., formerly Automotive Interiors Corp., is in automotive interior parts related business, employing thousands of Filipino workers.Earlier, the Labor department also ordered telecommunications giant Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) Inc. and its 45 contractors to regularize 8,720 employees who are under contracting and sub-contracting arrangements but are performing jobs that are directly related to PLDT’s business.The compliance order, which was based on findings of the Special Assessment or Visit of Establishment (SAVE), also directed the PLDT and its 47 contractors to pay monetary claims including overtime pay, holiday pay, 13th month pay, service incentive leave pay and unauthorized deductions amounting to P77.5 million from 2,500 contractors’ employees.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/dole-orders-japanese-firms-regularize-workers/364767/
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Duterte receives ‘pro-poor’ draft charter
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['Catherine S. Valente']
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2018-07-10 00:09:32+00:00
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President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday received the proposed federal constitution drafted by the Consultative Committee (Concom) as part of efforts to “build a permanent and indissoluble nation.”Former chief justice Reynato Puno, head of the ConCom, said the “pro-poor” federal government being proposed was “strong enough” to hold together the various federated regions that are “socially, politically, and economically sustainable.”“In drafting this proposed Constitution, we were guided by one directive which you gave: Do what is best for the people… And we assure you that the consultative committee did its work with complete independence and unbiased by any partisan politics or by any elite interest,” Puno said in his speech.He added that the draft charter protects the poor.“For the first time in our history, the socio-economic rights of the poor to adequate food, comprehensive health care, complete education, adequate and decent housing and livelihood and employment opportunities are included in the Bill of Rights as rights demandable against the government. The poor are also guaranteed political representation in the legislatures of the Federal Government and Federated Regions,” he explained.The draft federal constitution will establish various federated regions, including the Bangsamoro and the federation region of the Cordillera, that will be headed by a regional legislature, a regional executive and a regional judiciary.Puno said the proposed federal charter disallowed political dynasties up to the second degree, succession and holding of more than one position, and party switching.“The Draft Constitution established a permanent and indissoluble nation, because it recognized the ethnicity, culture, religion, customs, traditions, language and distinct identities of our brothers and sisters in the Cordillera and Bangsamoro,” Puno added.The Concom head said the proposed charter levelled the political and economic playing fields by prohibiting monopolies and oligopolies. Under the charter, a Competition Commission will be set up.Puno said that the draft federal charter would strengthen the institutions of government to fight graft and corruption.RevisePalace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said the President asked the ConCom to revise the provision designating him to head the transition commission.Duterte’s critics have raised fears that the proposed federal set up would allow him to hold office beyond 2022.To end such speculations, Roque said Duterte directed the ConCom to elect a new leader during the transition to federal government.“I instructed Consultative Committee to elect a transitional President. I am willing to cut my term to be coterminous with start of transition period. Committee agreed. It’s to remove all suspicions and I am tired. Ready to give it to somebody else,” Roque quoted Duterte as saying.He said the President would make a “special request” to Congress to insert a provision in the proposed federal system that would prevent him from seeking reelection under the new charter.Duterte,73, is expected to turn over the draft federal charter to Congress on July 23, during his State of the Nation Address.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/duterte-receives-pro-poor-draft-charter/417760/
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Drug awareness program pushed
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['The Manila Times']
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2018-06-24 00:01:48+00:00
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SEN. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara pushed for the passage of a bill creating a nationwide education and awareness program on illegal drugs to prevent drug addiction among the youth.The senator made the call after the Department of Education (DepEd) opposed the plan of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to conduct mandatory drug testing for Grade 4 students.The DepEd said the move is against the Dangerous Drugs Act that authorizes random drug testing only for high school and college students.Teachers also blasted the PDEA proposal, saying the government’s drug war has no place in schools.“The Duterte regime’s bloody drug war has gone beyond insane to intimate that any 9-year-old kid could be a drug suspect. We should not permit this to happen. Schools are no playground for Tokhang,” Raymond Basilio, Alliance of Concerned Teachers secretary general, said.Basilio said the drug testing will sow terror in schools and destroy the sanctity of schools as safe places for learning.Education Secretary Leonor Briones said President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive was to enhance the curriculum on preventive drug education for children.“We support the administration’s drive to suppress widespread use of illegal drugs through our education system,” Angara said. “If students have sufficient knowledge about the negative effects of drugs, there is a big chance for us to save them from drug addiction.”Angara filed Senate Bill 311 on July 4, 2016 but it remained pending before the Committees on Public Order, Local Government, and Finance.SB 311 mandates the DepEd to create a nationwide education and awareness program on illegal drugs that will either be included in the K-to-12 curriculum or instituted as a regular activity in all public elementary and high schools.It also requires the establishment of a “national helpline” for drug abuse which would refer drug users to rehabilitation centers, or in emergency cases, provide immediate paramedic response.“Aside from jailing the pusher, the anti-drug campaign should also have a ‘save the user’ component. We should help addicts turn over a new leaf. They need help,” Angara said.“Without intervention, there’s a strong chance they’ll backslide to their old ways. If that happens, then we’re back to square one.”“For young drug users who have dropped out of school and who are in rehabilitation centers, we should offer them Alternative Learning System (ALS) programs,” he added.BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO AND NEIL ALCOBER
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/drug-awareness-program-pushed/411826/
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Bangsamoro draft less legally ‘objectionable’
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2017-07-12 19:51:20+00:00
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THE new leadership of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) is confident that its version of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) will get Congress’ approval since it already addressed the “objectionable features” of the first draft crafted during the Aquino administration.Senate President Aquilino Pimentel 3rd made the remark on Tuesday when asked about the prospects of the new BBL draft getting the approval of the 17th Congress.The 16th Congress was not able to pass it because of many constitutional issues.“I have talked with a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission who is a lawyer and he told me that they addressed all those objectionable features of the first draft,” Pimentel told reporters.He, however, did not identify the BTC official he talked to.The BTC, composed of representatives of the government, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front, is set to submit the BBL draft to President Rodrigo Duterte on July 17 in Malacañang.Pimentel said he believes that Duterte will certify it as urgent to prompt Congress to expedite its passage.“The person I talked to who is confident that this time, this version is less constitutionally objectionable. Let’s see because I haven’t seen the draft yet. It will be submitted to the President on the 17th. I want to be there when it is submitted,” he added.Some concerned quarters claim that the BBL submitted to the 16th Congress will create a “separate State.”The opt-in provision was also a reasons why it was not approved.Failed reconciliationIt states that barangay (villages), contiguous to the proposed core Bangsamoro territories, can join the Bangsamoro government through a plebiscite.The late Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, then head of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments, Revision of Codes and Laws, conducted public hearings on the BBL.She released her panel report in May 2015 that stated, among others, that the amendments that the House of Representatives’ ad hoc committee introduced in its version of the draft BBL “failed to reconcile” it with the Constitution, specifically on issues of sovereignty, autonomy, creation of a sub-state and territorial integrity.Santiago noted this point in her 27-page report on the legality of the measure, which is also aimed at abolishing the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.She questioned the enumeration of powers in the House’s BBL draft.The House panel retained three types: reserved powers reside only with the national government; concurrent powers are shared; and exclusive powers rest solely with the Bangsamoro government.The concept of “concurrent powers” and “exclusive powers” tear asunder the supreme authority possessed by the sovereignty of the people because these will make the Bangsamoro government co-equal with the national government, and thus a sub-state, Santiagosaid.Santiago particularly opposed the extensive taxing and revenue-raising powers that the BBL would give the Bangsamoro government.Effectively, the Bangsamoro government will have seceded from, yet remain financially supported by, the Philippine government, she said.The provision granting the Bangsamoro exclusive powers and use of natural resources found in the area also drew Santiago’s criticism.In constitutional language, nothing of value may be exclusively allocated to any territorial part of the Philippine archipelago, she said.Santiago argued that although the BBL purports to be an exercise in local autonomy, “it bursts its bounds and turns into a part-sovereign state or a sub-state.”The term “Bangsamoro territory” implies that although it is under the jurisdiction of the Philippines, it is a separate part, she said.Santiago claimed that the Bangsamoro territory is highly similar to the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE), or the associative state, which the Supreme Court struck down in 2008 for posing the threat of territorial dismemberment.She urged BBL proponents to heed the Supreme Court, which found that the BJE “meets the criteria of a state laid down by the Montevideo Convention, namely, a permanent population, a defined territory, a government and a capacity to enter into relations with other states.”Former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., then chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government, the primary panel tasked to tackle the BBL, also conducted public hearings on the BBL to give concerned stakeholders a chance to express their views on the proposed measure creating a Bangsamoro government in southern Philippines.BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/bangsamoro-draft-less-legally-objectionable/338030/
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DSWD responders alerted on Typhoon ‘Nina’
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['Nelson Badilla']
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2016-12-25 22:47:07+00:00
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Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo over the weekend ordered the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Quick Response Teams (QRTs) to be on alert and to position their forces in areas that could be affected by Typhoon Nina.The job of the QRTs is to help government rescuers bring families to relocation areas from their houses and give relief goods to the victims, Taguiwalo said.Typhoon Signal No. 4 has been raised in Bicol and other areas.The DSWD on Christmas Eve started to bring relief goods to some areas, starting with 15,000 family foodpacks (FFPs) bound for Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, in Northern Luzon.It stores a total of 39,801 FFPs at its National Resource Operations Center.Taguiwalo called on the public to be vigilant and help families that could be affected by the typhoon.“We need to continue to be vigilant, especially now that Nina has intensified. We continue to ask the public to heed all warnings that will be issued and to coordinate with local disaster agencies,” she said.“We need to remain alert and even in the midst of our merry-making not forget that many of our fellow Filipinos are experiencing an emergency situation because of Typhoon Nina,” Taguiwalo added.“We are now calling for volunteers to help pack relief boxes in our warehouse in Pasay City [Metro Manila],” she said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/dswd-responders-alerted-typhoon-nina/303644/
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Court denies Pichay’s plea to junk graft case
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['Ma. Reina Leanne Tolentino']
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2018-10-24 00:03:53+00:00
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The Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division denied the plea of House Deputy Speaker and Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr. to dismiss the breach of conduct case he is facing in connection with the P1.5-million financial sponsorship requested by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.The defense earlier filed a demurrer to evidence asking the court to dismiss the case for insufficiency of evidence against Pichay, former acting chairman of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) board of trustees.A demurrer to evidence is a motion to dismiss filed by the accused after the prosecution has finished presenting its evidence. If a demurrer filed with the court’s permission is denied, the trial will continue with the defense taking its turn to present evidence.The court ruled that there was “more than prima facie evidence of Pichay’s conflict of interest” prohibited under Republic Act (RA) 6713, Section 7(a) as he was the NCFP president and at the same time, acting chairman of LWUA during the period of sponsorship, Aug. 20 to 27, 2010.RA 6713 is the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.“In the interim that he was the Acting Chairperson of LWUA Board of Trustees, approved and released P1,500,000.00 as post-event-sponsorship for the subject sports event. The sponsored tournament was labeled ‘ChairmanProspero A. Pichay Jr. Cup International Chess Championship,’” the court said in a resolution promulgated on October 17.“Notably, the sponsored chess tournament was held in his name and honor from which he would logically derive a personal advantage or benefit, gain or lose, materially or otherwise,” the court said.“Pichay’s argument that NCFP is a national sports association and not a business undertaking for profit owned by him from which he did not stand to gain or lose is rather evidentiary,” the court said.In the same resolution, the court stood pat on its denial of the plea of Pichay, Wilfredo Feleo, and Emmanuel Malicdem for permission to file a demurrer in a related graft case.Associate Justice Maryann Corpus-Mañalac penned the resolution, which was concurred in by Associate Justice Rafael Lagos who leads the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division, and by Associate Justice Maria Theresa Mendoza-Arcega.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/court-denies-pichays-plea-to-junk-graft-case-2/456066/
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Senator seeks passage of bill creating rural jobs
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2017-05-01 18:21:02+00:00
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THE unemployment problem in rural areas in the country may soon be addressed if the Senate immediately acts on the Rural Employment Assistance Program bill still pending at the committee level.Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, the author of Senate Bill (SB) 947, or “An Act Providing for Rural Employment Assistance Program and Appropriating Funds thereof,” or REAP, is calling on his fellow senators to cross party lines and support the measure.Angara’s bill has remained pending at the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development headed by Sen. Nancy Binay since August 2016 and not a single committee hearing has been conducted.SB 947, according to the senator, will provide employment to jobless workers in rural areas that could also help spur economic growth.Under Section 3 of SB 947, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, in coordination with local government units, shall establish REAP to create employment, for a minimum of 45 days, or a maximum of 90 days in every calendar year.Jobs will be opened for qualified family heads or unmarried single adult members of qualified poor households in rural areas who volunteer to do unskilled manual work.As defined in the bill, a “rural area” refers to a barangay (village), which has a population of fewer than 2,500 and which does not have any business establishment with 25 or more employees, or 5 or more establishments with a minimum of 10 employees, or five facilities within a two-kilometer radius from the barangay hall.Qualified individuals will be employed in projects that include development, rebuilding and rehabilitation of agri-business livelihood assets destroyed or lost because of natural disasters.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/senator-seeks-passage-bill-creating-rural-jobs-2/324961/
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Taiwan warns PH vs ‘economic criminal’
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2017-08-26 20:26:09+00:00
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TAIWAN has warned the Philippine government against doing business with Xianglu Dragon Group in China which is owned by Taiwan’s most wanted “economic criminal” You Hao Chen.The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) issued the warning following reports that Chen’s company has proposed a $360-billion investment to develop a 3,000-hectare mixed-use special economic zone in Pangasinan and another P12-billion to build an 85-story building along Roxas Boulevard in Manila.“On behalf of the government of the Republic of China [Taiwan], the TECO, acting in good faith, wishes to state that Chen is an out-and-out economic criminal which has nothing to do with politics,” Teco said in a statement.According to TECO Chen was prosecuted by the Taiwan Taipei District Prosecutors Office forNTD800-million (about P1.32 billion) fraud, unlawful embezzlement and other serious economic crimes.TECO said Chen has been officially indicted and wanted by the Taiwan Taipei District Court since January 14, 2014.Chen however managed to flee to Xiamen taking with him earnings from his fraudulent operations in Taiwan where he founded Xianglu Dragon Group and invested RMB3.88 billion for PX Chemical Zone in Fujian Province of China.Chen, Teco said, owed Taiwan government at least NTD415 million (P684.75 million) in tax arrears and defrauded Taiwanese banks and investors over NTD70 billion (P115.50 billion).His new Group invested RMB3.88 billion for PX Chemical Zone in Fujian Province of China with the said proceeds of crimes from Taiwan.TECO said because of poor management and a series of horrible petrochemical industrial explosions and serious pollution in the PX Chemical Zone in April, 2015, Cheng’s company has incurred a deficit reaching RMB2 billion.It said that Chen needs to look for another place or country to do his “criminal business model” in order for him to find a financing source for him to pay his multi-billion-RMB debt and prevent bankruptcy, and the Philippines is his new target.Teco said while Chen’s huge investment projects seem beneficial to the Philippine people and its economy at first glance, it would have negative impact on the county’s good image and foreign direct investment.There is also a high probability that Taiwanese and even Chinese creditors, tax authorities, investors and banks may file as series of lawsuits against Chen and his investment projects in the Philippines.TECO said it already filed a formal request to call on the relevant Philippine authorities to be vigilant and reject Chen’s highly risky investment projects.It also urged the Bureau of Immigration to arrest Chen immediately and deport him back to Taiwan to face justice.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/taiwan-warns-ph-vs-economic-criminal/346882/
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CHEd releases rules under free education law
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['Neil Alcober']
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2018-03-15 00:02:58+00:00
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THE Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has released the Enhanced Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act or Republic Act 10931, a landmark legislation that seeks to provide free tuition to college students enrolled in public higher education institutions.The free higher education law was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on August 3, 2017, with a P40-billion allocation in the 2018 General Appropriations Act by Congress.“All Filipimo college undergraduates enrolled in state universities and colleges [SUCs] and CHED-recognized Local Universities and Colleges [LUCs] shall no longer pay tuition and other school fees, subject to admission and retention policies of institutions and future qualification policies mandated by the UniFAST Board,” CHED officer-in-charge Chairman Prospero de Vera said at a news briefing on Wednesday.Starting academic year 2018-2019, the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act will provide free tuition, miscellaneous and other similar or related fees defined by the IRR for students enrolled in SUCs and CHED-recognized LUCs.Miscellaneous fees include library, computer, laboratory, school ID, athletic, admission, development, guidance, handbook, entrance, registration, medical, dental and cultural fees.“The law also provides a tertiary education subsidy or grants-in-aid, free technical-vocational education and training for those enrolled in state-run technical vocational institutions, and a national Student Loan Program,” de Vera said.All SUCs, LUCs and technical vocational institutions shall formulate and implement affirmative action programs to be able to extend additional benefits to disadvantaged students, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and students from depressed areas.These action programs shall be approved by the respective governing boards and submitted to CHED within one year after the approval of the IRR.The Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) is the agency created under RA 10687 mandated to implement all the identified programs stated in RA 10931.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/ched-releases-rules-under-free-education-law/386213/
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2 drug den maintainers fall, 17 arrested in QC
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['Jing Villamente']
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2017-03-04 21:24:28+00:00
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OPERATIVES of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) raided a house doubling as a drug den and arrested 19 suspects, including two of its alleged owners, in Barangay San Martin de Porres, Cubao, Quezon City over the weekend. PDEA Director General Isidro Lapeña said PDEA Regional Office-National Capital Region under Director Wilkins Villanueva also arrested suspected drug den owners – Jasmine Sandico and Edwin Vicente, alias Bingo – who are both in the drug list and alleged members of Bethsaida Drug Group operating in Quezon City. Also nabbed in the operation were Gene Rey, Alfredo Punongbayan Jr., Roderico Polintan, Jordan Simbulan, Al Steven Simbulan, Joshua Samson, Ryan Villaluman, Alfredo Alut Ernesto Carduna, Joel Jabol, Victorio Raquina, Cloyd Uycajote, Ramon Gomba, Joana Marie Buna, Nicole Buna, Nerrisa Jabol and Jeanete Cajote. Three minors were rescued during the raid and will be turned over to the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Confiscated during the operation were a total of 25 plastic sachets of shabu estimated at P200,000 and assorted drug paraphernalia.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/2-drug-den-maintainers-fall-17-arrested-qc/315394/
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WMD proliferation top concern in bilateral talks
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-07-03 21:14:16+00:00
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The Philippines and the United States recently met in Manila and discussed ways to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), their delivery systems and related materials in the first bilateral Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI).The US Department of Defense and the Philippines’ Anti-Terrorism Council-Program Management Center led representatives from nearly 20 entities from the Philippine government and four from the US government in the discussions.Participants sought to examine national and international legal authorities that enable WMD interdictions; exercise government decision-making processes; discuss challenges in countering WMD proliferation when only limited or ambiguous information is available; demonstrate benefits of cooperation within the PSI context; and consider mutual roles in implementing relevant UN Security Council resolutions.“The challenges in preventing WMD proliferation are not getting any easier, with bad actors seeking to acquire dual-use materials to advance their WMD or missile programs, disguising the transactions and using front companies to hide the end users. We are pleased that the government of the Philippines partnered with us to explore these issues and to demonstrate their continued commitment to PSI’s Statement of Interdiction Principles,” Andrea Yaffe, the US leader for the event, said.“PSI is an area of increased cooperative engagement, not only between the US and Philippine governments but also with other PSI partner countries as we perform our international obligations under the UN Security Council mandates,” retired major general Danilo Servando, head of the Philippine delegation, said in his opening statement.The PSI is an international cooperative effort endorsed by 105 countries to stop trafficking in WMD, their delivery systems and related materials to and from state and non-state actors of proliferation concern.It is designed to counter the threat posed by WMD proliferation through international cooperation and information sharing and, when necessary, coordinated action.The PSI is an activity, not an organization, and participation is voluntary: Each participating state decides whether and how to engage in PSI activities on a case-by-case basis.Participating countries demonstrate their commitment to the PSI Statement of Interdiction Principles by undertaking actions consistent with their national legal authorities and relevant international law and legal frameworks.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/wmd-proliferation-top-concern-bilateral-talks-2/336389/
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New jeepney prototype out by September – LTFRB
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['Reicelene Joy Ignacio']
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2017-07-04 22:23:30+00:00
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THE final prototype of the new jeepney under the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program will be released in the first week of September, according to the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB).“What DTI approves will be the basic design of the jeepney,” LTFRB Board Member Aileen Lizada said in a radio interview on Tuesday.According to Lizada, the government and various stakeholders are conducting consultations to come up with the final prototype.“Consultations with government agencies, jeepney builders and car manufacturers are continuously being conducted, after which consultations with the jeepney operators will be done before the specifications will be adopted as a Philippine National Standard for customized local road vehicle by August,” Lizada earlier told reporters in a text message.“There will be a number of jobs in this jeepney modernization. TESDA is there for those who want to be a mechanic,” Lizada said.“Local manufacturers will be responsible for the repair and maintenance of the new jeepney,” she said.About 28,346 units to be subsidized by P80,000 each will be available in 2018, Lizada added.The three pilot areas to benefit from the subsidy are the Senate-PICC; Taguig-Pasig; and the Pateros-Fort Bonifacio routes.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/new-jeepney-prototype-september-ltfrb/336497/
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7,700 policemen to secure ADB meeting
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['Roy Narra']
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2018-04-27 22:39:23+00:00
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The Philippine National Police (PNP) has fielded a total of 7,700 police personnel ahead of the 51st Asian Developlment Bank (ADB) Board of Governors’ Annual Meeting 2018 in Mandaluyong City next week.The PNP sent off the policemen on Friday morning from its headquarters in Camp Crame in Quezon City.The ADB Board of Governors’ Annual Meeting will take place from May 3 to May 6.Chief Supt. William Macavinta, commander of the Red Team, said they are expecting around 3,000 delegates and 67 finance and economic ministers from different countries.They are also expecting the presence of international media and other private business visitors in the meeting, who are expected to arrive in the Philippines on May 1.“We always maintain that whenever there’s a hosting of major events, there’s going to be zero incidents… We re on full force today. We just had our rehearsals and we are prepared as it shows,” Macavinta told reporters in Filipino.He said their billeting areas include hotels in the cities of Pasig, Makati and Taguig because this is where most delegates will stay for the duration of the meeting.Chief Supt. Alfredo Valdez, chief of the National Operations Center, said there have been no specific security threats yet.“But we are considering that on May 1, Labor Day, there are labor groups who will converge and conduct rallies and that is the only concern that we see so far that may take place within ADB meetings,” he added.Deputy Director General Fernando Mendez, PNP deputy chief for operations, said in his speech that he is trusting the deployed police personnel to secure peace and order during the gathering of ADB officials and dignitaries.“This is another opportunity for us to replicate our successful conduct of security coverages in previous big events held in the country particularly the papal visit in 2015, [Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation] summit in the same year and the [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] Summit in 2017,” he pointed out.The ADB meeting will take place at the bank’s headquarters in Mandaluyong City.This is the fifth time that the Philippines will host the annual business meeting.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/7700-policemen-to-secure-adb-meeting/395435/
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Probe P59-M mess--Lacson
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2018-04-19 00:04:34+00:00
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Probe P59-M mess–Lacsonhome/News/Nation/Probe P59-M mess–LacsonSEN. Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday sought an inquiry into the alleged non-release of daily subsistence allowance intended for Special Action Force (SAF) troops of the Philippine National Police (PNP) amounting to P58.849 million.He filed Senate Resolution 712 directing the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs to conduct the probe, in aid of legislation, on the allegedly illegal withholding of the release of the daily allowance and the explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) hazardous pay of the PNP’s elite team.Lacson noted that the non-release of such allowance, if true, threatens to demoralize members of the SAF who are the country’s frontliners in fighting terrorism and criminality.The resolution was filed a day after the PNP leadership announced the removal of Police Director Benjamin Lusad, former SAF chief, as the head of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations-Southern Luzon.Also sacked were former SAF budget and fiscal officer Senior Supt. Andre Dizon and Senior Police Officer 2 Maila Bustamante and SPO 1 James Irica of the budget office.Lusad and the other SAF officials allegedly failed to release the allowance of the SAF troops worth P58.849 million.It was learned that allowance was withheld when members of the SAF were battling the Maute terrorist group that occupied Marawi City, capital of Lanao del Sur province, in southern Mindanao.Lacson in filing the resolution cited the need to revisit existing laws and their implementation, to make sure that police officers receive the benefits due them and to punish erring parties concerned.“We cannot allow, yet again, another injustice to be committed against our heroes in uniform who are in the forefront of our fight against the ills of terrorism and criminality, lest we risk demoralization within their ranks. Thus the need to probe the allegations,” he said.Lacson, who served as chief of the PNP from 1999 to 2001, disclosed that SAF members had approached him to air their grievances on the matter and even furnished his office a copy of their complaint affidavit and annexes filed before the Office of the Ombudsman.Meanwhile, Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara is pushing for immediate passage of a bill that seeks to strengthen existing rights and raise benefits and allowances of SAF members.Angara also on Wednesday said Senate Bill 138 or the Magna Carta for the PNP would help provide bigger allowances and benefits to both uniformed and non-uniformed police personnel.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/probe-p59-m-mess-lacson/393423/
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Lawmaker in PDAF raps: Clip Ombudsman powers
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['Llanesca T. Panti']
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2017-03-31 21:54:35+00:00
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A lawmaker in hot water for malversation charges for allegedly diverting her husband’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to her own foundation is seeking to delay the Ombudsman’s investigation against them.Toward that end, Rep. Florida Robes of San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan filed House Bill 2188 or Act Providing Additional Requisite for Filing of Complaints Against Members of Congress in Relation to Their Office, which prevents the public from filing graft, malversation, plunder and other related charges against members of Congress before the Office of the Ombudsman and also bans the Ombudsman’s office from filing the same charges against public officials before the Sandiganbayan unless the culpability of the alleged erring official has been determined by the respective Ethics Committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate.Congresswoman Robes and her husband, former congressman and now San Jose del Monte City Mayor Arthur Robes are facing malversation complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman.Lawyer Levi Baligod, who filed the complaint in September 2015, as well as Robes’ former staff Bernadette Ricalde, is accusing the Robes couple of funneling then- congressman Robes’ P3 million worth of PDAF to non-government organizations WorkPhil and Sagip-Buhay, which are run by Mrs. Robes and her other staff.The Robes couple has denied the allegation.“The conclusive finding of the [House] Committee on Ethics, evidenced by a resolution adopted for the purpose, will be deemed a condition sine qua non for elevating the case to the proper courts. Absence of which will be a ground for the dismissal of the complaint,” Mrs. Robes’ bill read.Also her bill repeals all laws, ordinances, rules and regulations and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with her proposal to clip the powers of the Ombudsman.Congresswoman Robes argued that many members of Congress are immediately “persecuted” when cases related to the conduct of their office are filed and brought to the Ombudsman or the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan.“Without due process, they are presumed guilty notwithstanding the fact that such cases could have been maliciously filed to discredit them or are political machinations employed by their opponents. They become victims of trial by publicity,” Mrs. Robes said in her explanatory note.Congresswoman Robes argued that while the Office of the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan dismiss cases for lack of merit, the public has already passed on the verdict of guilty.Under existing laws, a citizen can file complaints against erring public officials before the Office of the Ombudsman.The Ombudsman’s office will then launch an investigation to determine if the complaint is meritorious enough.If the Ombudsman’s office finds the complaint meritorious, it will then file charges against the erring public official before the Sandiganbayan.“Even the order of dismissal is used, the harm has already been done. It would be difficult for a legislator to rectify his or her name and tarnished reputation,” Congresswoman Robes said.The rules of the House and the Senate, however, provide that the House’s and the Senate’s respective Ethics panels can only take jurisdiction on actions committed by the lawmaker during his tenure as an incumbent member of Congress.This means that under existing laws and House rules, the House Ethics Committee has no jurisdiction on the pending malversation charges filed against Mr. and Mrs. Robes since the alleged offense happened before Mrs. Robes was elected as a member of the House.Congresswoman Robes, however, argues that her proposal is in consonance with existing laws providing for exhaustion of possible means and remedies to address a grievance against a public official, including members of Congress.“This does not aim to circumvent or cover up issues or salvage a member who has obviously violated oath of office. It is initiated in the name of justice and fair play,” Congresswoman Robes said.LLANESCA T. PANTI
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/lawmaker-pdaf-raps-clip-ombudsman-powers/320305/
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Block the shabu supply
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['Melenggay Laranery', 'Wilfred Parrocha']
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4/8/2017 0:00
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its supply was initially curtailed when local laboratories were discovered and shut down in the early months of the anti-drugs campaign. But the main supply, it is believed, comes from outside the country and is smuggled quite easily through the country’s porous borders.Last week, a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee opened an inquiry on a report that 600 kilos of shabu valued at P6.4 billion had been seized by customs agents in Valenzuela City last May. At the hearing, Customs Commissioner Faeldon testified that with its present X-ray equipment, the bureau can handle only 16 percent of all shipments at the Manila International Container Port.The consignee of the shipments from China, the Senate found, had long been moving its cargo through the Bureau of Customs “green lane,” introduced in 2013 to speed up the release of shipments. These shipments no longer need to undergo inspection or document verification. Of the company’s 534 shipments from March 21 to May 29, 2017, 484 went through the green lane.Despite the intensifying anti-drug operations in the last few months, the supply of shabu in the country seems to have continued undiminished. The Senate probe may have exposed a major reason for this and this channel should now be quickly blocked, as the hunt for other possible sources of shabu supply continues.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/08/04/block-the-shabu-supply/
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SC post goes to Duterte appointee
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['Jomar Canlas']
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2016-12-14 20:30:43+00:00
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A Supreme Court (SC) seat that shall be occupied by the first appointee of President Rodrigo Duterte has been officially declared vacant.The vacancy came about as SC Associate Justice Jose Portugal Perez on Thursday stepped down from his post after 45 years of service.The High Court held its special en banc session on Tuesday morning to honor Perez, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 70 on December 14.The Judicial and Bar Council has already screened and shortlisted five magistrates to vie for the Perez vacancy.These are Court of Appeals Justice Jose Reyes with 7 votes; CA Justices Japar Dimaampao, Apolinario Bruselas and Sandiganbayan Justice Samuel Martires with 5 votes each; and CA Presiding Justice Andres Reyes with 4.Perez was appointed as the 167th Associate Justice on December 26, 2009, replacing Associate Justice Leonardo Quisumbing.Perez joined the Supreme Court on December 1, 1971 as a technical assistant right after graduating from the University of the Philippines College of Law and taking the Bar examinations.In his speech, he noted that he had served 15 chief justices throughout his career, starting with the country’s 10th Chief Justice, Roberto Concepcion, and leading up to Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, the 24th Chief Justice and the first woman to hold the top post.Perez started his career as a legal assistant in the Office of the Reporter in 1972, a confidential attorney in the Office of Chief Justice Fred Ruiz Castro in 1977, a supervising attorney in the Office of the Chief Attorney in 1980 and a Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief of the Office of the Reporter in 1987.Later on, the magistrate joined the newly reorganized Office of the Court Administrator as Assistant Court Administrator in 1996, and steadily got promoted as a Deputy Court Administrator in 2001, and a Court Administrator in 2008 until his appointment as Associate Justice.“I asked for the holding of the special en banc. It has been awhile and I thought the forgetting has started,” Perez said.“I wanted it done not for me and my family but for the rest serving the court. Maybe one among them, from where they are now, may also reach where I am now, standing before you as the honored person. It takes some time. It can be done,” he told court employees in his message.Perez hails from Batangas City, Batangas where he graduated salutatorian in elementary school at St. Bridget College in 1959, and valedictorian in Batangas City High School in 1963.He took up political science at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City where he graduated among the Top 10.Perez also finished among the Top 10 when he graduated from the UP College of Law.Supreme Court justices, headed by Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, participated in the program.The Associate Justices presented tokens to Perez, with Justice Diosdado Peralta leading the ceremony.Senior Associate Justice Carpio read the plaque of recognition for Perez.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/sc-post-goes-duterte-appointee/301714/
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US to allocate $6M more for Marawi folk
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2018-01-09 20:43:28+00:00
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The United States ambassador to the Philippines on Tuesday said an additional $6 million through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) would be allocated to assist the most vulnerable members of the population in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.Sung Kim said the fund would be used to help the children and the elderly who have been greatly affected by the five-month Marawi conflict that ended in October 2017.|He added that it would help in coming up with projects and plans that would really focus on the needs of the children and the elderly such as vocational training and other educational programs.The $6 million is on top of the more than $14 million earlier set aside by the US to help with the immediate needs in Marawi and also for longer term rehabilitation efforts.Of the $14 million or about P704 million, more than P150 million went to humanitarian assistance through the USAID’s Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance including the delivery of critical relief supplies such as safe drinking water, hygiene kits, shelter materials for evacuation centers and for programs to protect displaced women and children.Over P500 million was allotted for early recovery, stabilization and rehabilitation of Marawi and surrounding areas.“So we are already up to $20 million or over P1 billion and we are hoping to do more,” Kim said in a national television interview.Meanwhile, Taiwan has allocated at least P600 million as part of its humanitarian assistance to Marawi City.The amount will be divided in two parts, the first for construction of temporary shelters for affected families and the second for rice.Gary Song-Huann Lin, Taiwan’s Representative to the Philippines, said P60 million of the amount would be for construction of 400 transitional housing units while the remaining amount would be for three-year rice donation.The first donation was 1,680 metric tons of rice in 2017, and it will be followed by 4,400 MT in 2018 and 4,400 MT in 2019.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/us-allocate-6m-marawi-folk/373275/
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PhilHealth chief’s trips, allowances defended
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['Mary Gleefer F. Jalea']
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2018-05-05 00:01:37+00:00
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TRAVELS made by the top official of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) were not irregular and were all authorized, a spokesman of the agency said on Friday.“The interim president is allowed to get reimbursable expenses. I would like to clarify that all her travel [expenses] are covered by authority,” acting Senior Vice President Israel Pargas said in a television interview.This came after the Commission on Audit (CoA) issued a report questioning PhilHealth officer in charge Celestina Ma. Jude de la Serna’s travel expenses, which reached P627,000 amid the agency’s P9-billion loss in 2017.In its Audit Observation Memorandum (AOM) dated April 18, CoA said the amount covered de la Serna’s trips to and from Tagbilaran City to Manila, including hotel accommodations and terminal fees.“Irregular expenditures are incurred if funds are disbursed without conforming with prescribed usages and rules of disciplines. There is no observance of an established pattern course, mode of action, behavior or conduct in the incurrence of irregular expenditure,” the AOM read.“Her authority to travel to perform her duty was signed by the chairperson of the PhilHealth board. She was originally designated in Bohol and it was her hometown as well,” Pargas said.In response to the P9-billion loss in the agency, Pargas said the amount was based on an “unaudited financial statement.”“This is an unaudited financial statement right now. There appears to be a double entry. We are in the process of reconciliation and hopefully the audited financial statement will be released anytime soon to clear out the issue,” he said.He reiterated that de la Serna’s presence through video calls in board meetings “still count as an authorized attendance.”The CoA report revealed that de la Serna had also received a per diem rate amounting to P152,000 even for videoconference and teleconference meetings and told her to “submit legal basis for the receipt of the allowances.”De la Serna’s appointment as interim president was approved by the PhilHealth board on April 10, 2017.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/philhealth-chiefs-trips-allowances-defended/396859/
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Senator links govt housing brass to NPA
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2017-04-23 22:42:19+00:00
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THE forced occupation of more than 5,000 government housing units in Pandi in Bulacan province by members of urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) does not only set a bad precedent but could also have national security implications, Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th said on Sunday.Trillanes viewed Kadamay illegally occupying the housing units intended for police and military personnel as a national security concern as he cited intelligence reports showing that the organization is a front of communist groups.“Aside from setting a bad and dangerous precedent, the decision to allow the members of Kadamay to occupy an entire community has national security implications since intelligence reports suggest that Kadamay is a front organization of the communist groups,” he said.The senator claimed receiving information that some members of the Duterte Cabinet involved in administering government housing units allegedly have links to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).|Trillanes named the Secretary to the Cabinet and chairman of Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, Leoncio Evasco Jr., who was reportedly elected as CPP Central Committee member in the 8th Central Committee Plenum (1981) in Mount Susung Dalaga in the Bicol Region.National Housing Authority General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr. was reportedly a full member of the CPP while Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor chief James Mark Terry Ridon was elected as CPP Central Committee member in the 13th Central Committee Plenum (2012) in Quezon City.“If said reports are true, the wholesale takeover of several communities by Kadamay may mean the creation of sanctuaries for communist groups in Bulacan, which is strategically located near the National Capital Region [NCR or Metro Manila],” Trillanes said.In light of the information, he filed Senate Resolution 345, which seeks an inquiry into the forced occupation of housing units by Kadamay, including the national security implications of the takeover.Trillanes raised the need to enact a remedial legislation to ensure that use of force and violence would not be duplicated in the future by groups seeking housing assistance from the government.The Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement Committee has started investigating the issue and is scheduled to inspect the housing project in Pandi on Tuesday.The inspection will include a brief presentation by the National Housing Authority’s Central Luzon representatives and a meeting between Pandi local government officials and leaders of Pandi Homeowners Association.The committee had learned that of the total 66,184 housing units constructed by the government for military and police personnel in 2013, only 8,240 had been occupied, leaving 55,124 units idle.This is because most of the beneficiaries found the housing units, built by the government without first consulting them, not liveable.The housing sites also do not have access to basic utilities like electricity and potable water and to schools and health centers.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/senator-links-govt-housing-brass-npa/323683/
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‘Narco’ officials’ list out this week
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['Roy Narra']
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2018-04-26 02:09:35+00:00
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The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will release the names of all 211 alleged barangay (village) narco officials who are on its drugs watchlist.In a news conference on Wednesday, PDEA Director Aaron Aquino said President Rodrigo Duterte had ordered him to release the names of the village officials who are allegedly involved in drugs.He added that the list is still being completed and will be released this week.“I am now finalizing the list and within the week I will call for another [news] conference, and I will publish finally these 216 village kagawad [councilmen] and village chairmen who are involved in drugs,” Aquino said.The number was later reduced to 211.Aquino assured the credibility of the list, saying it went through a thorough validating process.“We did not guess the names of village officials who are involved with illegal drugs on the list. There are four agencies that validated it,” he said.Aquino asked the Department of the Interior and Local Government in assisting them in releasing the list.He previously said he wanted to release the list so that the voters will be informed on who to vote for in the village and youth elections on May 14.The Commission on Elections has announced that more than one million aspiring village officials filed their certificates of candidacy for next month’s elections.More than 40,000 villages nationwide will have their elections with the exception of those in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/narco-officials-list-out-this-week/395033/
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Protest rally set vs PUV modernization
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['Reicelene Joy Ignacio']
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2017-07-16 18:26:07+00:00
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PISTON and No To Jeepney Phaseout Coalition transport groups said they will hold today a protest against the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program of the government.The protest, which will start in front of the National Housing Authority in Quezon City at 7 a.m. and end at Mendiola in Manila, hopes to get the attention of President Rodrigo Duterte, according to Piston president and NTJPC convenor George San Mateo.“Let us tell President Duterte to act quickly to stop the implementation of the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines [OFG] of the Department of Transportation,” San Mateo urged jeepney drivers and operators.Operators in Zambales, Bataan and Pampanga are also expected to conduct a transport strike in their respective areas, according to San Mateo.The OFG, which was signed by Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade last June 19, requires a shift to modern PUVs that comply with the emission standards of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and a three-year transition period for all existing, updated and valid franchises.The modern PUVs should have a Euro4 emission or better, friendly to persons with disability and senior citizens and are equipped with safety and comfort features such as CCTV, GPS, automatic fare collection system, wi-fi, speed limiters and dashboard cameras, according to the Transportation department.REICELENE JOY N. IGNACIO
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/protest-rally-set-vs-puv-modernization/338741/
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Drivers leaving kids alone in cars face license revocation
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-12-01 21:13:11+00:00
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THE House of Representatives has approved a bill prohibiting children under eight years old from being left unattended inside a motor vehicle.House Bill 6570, principally authored by Divina Yu (Zamboanga del Sur), Strike Revilla (Cavite) and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (Pampanga), was approved unanimously by lawmakers.The bill states that no child younger than eight years old should be left unsupervised inside a vehicle by a person at least 18 years old.According to the bill, this will be under circumstances where there are conditions that present a significant risk to the child’s health or safety.This will also be applied when the engine of the motor vehicle is running or the key to the motor vehicle is anywhere inside the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.The Land Transportation Office (LTO) will be mandated to carry out nationwide public awareness campaigns on the prohibition and the dangers of leaving children unattended inside motor vehicles.The LTO is also mandated to implement the act and implement the Rules and Regulations within 60 days from its effectivity, in consultation with the member-agencies of the Council for the Welfare of Children.A penalty of P5,000 will be imposed for the first offense, P10,000 for the second offense and P50,000 for the third offense, along with confiscation of the driver’s license.Succeeding offenses will lead to revocation of the driver’s license.Ralph Edwin U. Villanueva
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/drivers-leaving-kids-alone-cars-face-license-revocation/366153/
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Teachers to receive bonuses this month
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['Neil Alcober']
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2016-11-11 20:53:08+00:00
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Public school teachers nationwide will receive their year-end and performance-based bonuses this month, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones said on Friday.Next month, the teachers each stand to get P5,000 in productivity enhancement incentive (PEI).The year-end bonus equivalent to one month’s salary, which is mandated by Republic Act 6686 and RA 8441, has been padded by Executive Order (EO) 201.EO 201 sets an annual additional cash gift worth P5,000.The performance-based bonus (PBB) was supposed to be released in October but was moved to November for thorough checking by an inter-agency task force through the Department of Budget and Management.“The value of the PBB ranges from P5,000 to P35,000, depending on the teacher’s ranking, performance or contribution to the accomplishments of the department’s overall targets,” Briones said in a statement.The PEI, according to the Education secretary, will be given for the first time in December in line with Section 6 of EO 201 not only to teachers but also all qualified government employees.The non-government Teachers’ Dignity Coalition earlier appealed to the DepEd to release the PBB in October based on a department timeline.The PBB is part of the productivity based-incentive system or PBIS under the Salary Standardization Law 3 enacted in 2009 but has only been implemented since 2012 under EO 80 signed by then-President Benigno Aquino 3rd.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/teachers-receive-bonuses-month-2/296074/
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Reports on filing suspension cases vs importers a ‘hoax’
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-02-21 20:51:33+00:00
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The spokesman for the Bureau of Customs (BOC) has debunked news reports that circulated last week that the bureau already filed cases against a local cigarette manufacturer and 101 other importers by calling the reports a “hoax.”The news reports, according to Col. Neil Anthony Estrella, claimed that the BOC will file a temporary suspension of the accreditation of 101 importers and brokers because of questionable shipments and that Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon had ordered Mighty Corporation and other companies to provide proof that their shipments were unintentionally misdeclared.Estrella said they are still reviewing the matter, adding that the BOC did not release any statement that cases have been officially filed against the importers.He added that the agency is not ruling out possibility of filing a case and suspending accreditation of any company if proven guilty during investigation.The bureau earlier announced that it was probing various importers of oil, luxury vehicles and cigarettes but Estrella clarified the investigation is ongoing to take legal actions against errant importers.Estrella said the BOC has officially suspended only six out of the 101 importers transacting at the bureau’s two major ports – Port of Manila (POM) and Manila International Container Port (MICP).Based on a report from Mary Grace Malabed, Account Management Office head, the BOC has identified six consignees as part of the first batch of suspended importers.The consignees were Holdhigh Trading, Coco Corporation Technologies, Manhattan Chemical Corporation, Trikis Enterprises, Harbinger International Trading and Richco Marketing.“The importers mentioned were suspended for violating Customs importation laws, rules and regulations such as misdeclaration, failure to declare shipment and failure to submit necessary import permits from regulating government agencies,” Estrella said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/reports-filing-suspension-cases-vs-importers-hoax-2/313484/
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Proven vaccines for kids are safe– Gordon
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['Jefferson Antiporda']
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2018-02-22 00:03:42+00:00
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THE head of the Senate blue ribbon committee on Wednesday appealed to parents not to lose trust in the immunization program of the government amid the fear and anxiety brought by the anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia.At the resumption of the Senate investigation of the P3.5-billion Dengvaxia controversy, Sen. Richard Gordon said there are still other vaccines that have been proven effective in protecting children from various diseases.He added that parents should not allow the Dengvaxia scare affect their views on other vaccines that have been given to children for several decades.“The public needs to understand that immunization is not bad especially those that have been there for so many years. I am pro-immunization,” the blue ribbon chairman said.He added that parents should still submit their children to immunization especially against measles, polio and others with proven safe vaccines.“We have to trust the DoH [Department of Health] because there is no other government agency in charge of looking after the health of the people,” Gordon said.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/proven-vaccines-kids-safe-gordon/381786/
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Drilon bucks creation of disaster dept
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2018-07-29 00:10:12+00:00
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SEN. Franklin Drilon is not too keen on the proposal to create a Department of Disaster Management, saying it contradicts the move of some senators to streamline the bureaucracy.President Rodrigo Duterte had earlier urged Congress to pass a law creating a disaster management department.Drilon said there are Senate bills aimed at “rightsizing” the national government to speed up the delivery of public services.Senators Loren Legarda and Vicente Sotto 3rd in November 2016 filed Senate Bills 1162 and 1167, respectively, seeking to streamline government operations to eliminate “excess” agencies and further improve public service delivery.These bills have been consolidated into one.“The premise of this bill is that we have a bloated bureaucracy. There is a need to rightsize the government,” Drilon said.“This (Department of Disaster Management) is the third department that they are proposing aside from the Department of Housing and Department of Culture,” he said.“Is this consistent with the rightsizing bill? I don’t think so. What we can do is strengthen the Office of the Civil Defense rather than having a new department.”“The general feeling is, if we push the rightsizing of the bureaucracy, the policy, then, is to reduce the size of the bureaucracy. This is not consistent with creating at least three departments. It will be a disaster,” Drilon added.Sotto said that the Philippine bureaucracy comprising of 186 government agencies has over 1.5 million workers as of August 2016.“These figures have tremendously increased over the years without properly managing its proper size in the workforce that led to duplications in functions and redundancy in the position,” he said.Sotto noted that almost 30 percent of the yearly national budget goes to salaries and benefits of government employees.He said SB 1167 gives the President the “authority to abolish, create and transfer offices within the national government.”“The concept of rightsizing, as coined in this measure, is in line with the battlecry of the Duterte administration to operate the national government with optional cost and efficient human resources,” he added.Legarda agreed.“Structural reviews conducted on the Philippine bureaucracy demonstrate that a major source of the government’s inefficiency is the ‘wanton’ creation of agencies, resulting in overlapping, redundancy, and sometimes unclear delineation in the functions of the government workforce,” she said.Legarda’s SB 1162 seeks to rightsize the organizational structures of the government, covering all national government agencies, including departments, bureaus, offices, commissions, boards, councils, and all other entities attached to or under their administrative supervision, to simplify systems and processes, and to attain expediency in frontline services.Sotto’s SB 1167 calls for the creation of a Committee on Rightsizing the National Government to be chaired by the Executive Secretary with the Secretary of Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Director General of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Chairman of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), and head of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) as members.SB 1167 provides that while there might be eventual changes in the organizational structure and staffing in the affected offices, affected personnel, whether hired on a permanent or contractual basis “shall be entitled to retirement benefits and separation incentives.”
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/drilon-bucks-creation-of-disaster-dept-2/424488/
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Palace: No better arena than PH for solving ‘extrajudicial killings’
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['The Manila Times']
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2017-12-03 19:46:10+00:00
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Human rights group Karapatan should have lodged its concerns over the alleged 25 cases of extrajudicial killings before local institutions instead of going to United Nations special rapporteurs Agnes Callamard and Michael Forst, Malacañang said on Sunday.The move made by Karapatan to take the Duterte administration to the UN, according to Palace spokesman Harry Roque, was “useless” and was only done for “propaganda purposes.”“It’s useless to go to the UN without filing cases before the [local] fiscal’s office. Filing directly with the UN is only for propaganda purposes because there are institutions in the Philippines that could address it,” Roque, a former human rights lawyer, told reporters in an interview.Karapatan, he said, should have brought the cases first to the Supreme Court for a writ of amparo “if they are concerned about upholding the right to life.”On Saturday, the militant human rights group, through its Secretary General Cristina Palabay, submitted a letter to Callamard and Forst citing cases of alleged extrajudicial killings resulting from the government’s counter-insurgency drive.In the letter, Palabay said perpetrators of extrajudicial killings of peasants, indigenous peoples, Moro, workers, women and the youth were from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.She urged Callamard and Forst to take immediate actions on such killings allegedly committed by the Philippine military.Last May, Callamard visited the country to attend a forum at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City and her allegedly clandestine visit earned the ire of Malacañang.She is a UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions while Forst is a Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders.Palabay said she had initially informed the two UN officials in April of 47 alleged extrajudicial killings cases.Roque said he has not seen the Karapatan letter and conceded that he does not have any idea whether the group has lodged its concerns before local courts.Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana refused to comment on the matter.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/palace-no-better-arena-ph-solving-extrajudicial-killings/366513/
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‘New ISAFP chief fit for the job’
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['Dempsey Reyes']
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2017-08-23 21:45:43+00:00
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If there is one description for the incoming intelligence chief of the military, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) can only say Brig. Gen. Macairog Alberto is the “man fit for the job.”Col. Edgard Arevalo, AFP public affairs chief, made the statement on Wednesday since Alberto, the former commander of the Army’s 1001st Infantry Brigade, will be taking over the position as chief of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP).The reshuffle of command came after Maj. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. assumed his leadership of the AFP’s Southern Luzon Command.He was formerly the commander of the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division.Madrigal will be replaced by outgoing ISAFP chief Maj. Gen. Ronald Villanueva.Alberto is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Sinagtala” Class of 1986.Madrigal and Villanueva are members of the PMA “Sandiwa” Class of 1985.“He is the man fit for the job. He is expected to deliver especially at this time [the AFP] is faced with challenges when it comes to violent extremism. In fact, our President had said that after [the conflict in] Marawi, he will be focusing on counter-insurgency,” Arevalo said of Alberto during an interview with reporters also on Wednesday.Alberto obtained his master’s degree in Public Management from the Development Academy of the Philippines.He is a recipient of various medals and awards including the Distinguished Service Star, Gold Cross Medal and Bronze Cross Medal.Alberto will be assuming the top military intelligence post on Friday at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City with Villanueva turning over his command.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/new-isafp-chief-fit-job/346340/
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Local surfing ‘star’nabbed on drug raps
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['Cest Moi Toujour']
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6/7/2017 0:00
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Considered a “surfing superstar” in the beaches of this province, Filemon D. Dines, 40, president of the La Union Surfing Club (LUSC) was arrested by anti-narcotics agents and police last Wednesday for allegedly peddling drugs in the province.Dines was ordered arrested by Judge Caroline Rojas-Jaucian of the Regional Trial Court Branch 26 in San Fernando City, this province, for violation of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 1 (PDEA-1) agents and police served the warrant for his arrest in Urbiztondo.Listed as one of the illegal drug pushers/users who surrendered to authorities during the implementation of Oplan Tokhang in this town, Dines was previously arrested in a buy-bust operation last month.He yielded three sachets of shabu and the P500 marked money used in the sting operation.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/07/06/local-surfing-starnabbed-on-drug-raps/
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New US president assumes office today amid protests
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['Debra Myers', 'Duterte Trump Card']
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19/01/2017 0:00
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George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Carter. The process of authority passing on to the next set of leaders must continue unimpeded.The world will be watching this continuing process of American democracy. Many may share the concerns of the protesters but we expect the inaugural rites to proceed as scheduled. We hope President Trump will also listen to what the protesters are saying. He may learn something from them.
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Manila Bulletin
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https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/01/19/new-us-president-assumes-office-today-amid-protests/
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DepEd backs executive order on smoking ban
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['Neil Alcober']
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2017-05-27 23:32:41+00:00
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THE Department of Education (DepEd) on Saturday lauded the signing of Executive Order (EO) No. 26, which provides for the establishment of smoke-free environments in public and enclosed places.“The Executive Order will sustain the gains of DepEd in its implementation of its own comprehensive tobacco control policy, which has been in place even before the EO was signed,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said in a statement.Last year, the Education department issued DepEd Order No. 48, Series of 2016, or the Policy and Guidelines on Comprehensive Tobacco Control, which put together the series of issuances on tobacco use and related concerns that the agency has released for over a period of more than two decades.Though it is indicated in the Executive Order 26 that nothing in the order shall compel persons-in-charge to establish designated smoking areas nor prevent them from instituting more stringent measures in their buildings to better ensure a smoke-free environment in their premises, DepEd, through Department Order 48, prohibits the establishment of designated smoking areas not only in schools, as mandated by the law, but in all DepEd offices.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/deped-backs-executive-order-smoking-ban/329625/
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ConCom seeks creation of competition commission
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2018-05-08 21:40:49+00:00
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THE Consultative Committee (ConCom) tasked to review the 1987 Constitution has proposed the creation of a federal competition commission to guard against monopolies and cartels, a “prerequisite” to liberalize the economy under the proposed federal form of government.Businessman Arthur Aguilar, chairman of the subcommittee on economic reforms, said the body intends to include the said provision as part of the economic reforms to be enshrined in the draft new Charter.“We want to ensure free competition, dismantle or regulate monopolies and encourage diversified ownership of large businesses,” Aguilar said in a briefing.“There is a need to strengthen the provisions against monopolies and unfair and inefficient market structures as a prerequisite to economic liberalization,” he said.“If we liberalize the economy, we have to make sure that there will be fair and healthy competition and no players would allowed to dominate any industry or market.”He noted that the Philippines was the last in the region to have a National Competition Authority.“The PCA, which is currently under the Executive department, will eventually evolve into a national competition authority, a constitutional body with more powers, once the country shifts to federalism,” said Ding Generoso, ConCom spokesman.Aguilar said the proposed commission will level the playing field and provide transparency and promote market efficiency “based on competency of producers, service providers and enhance consumer welfare.”“So what is clear is that there will only be one competition policy and we want a competition authority which will be at the federal level,” Aguilar said.“The competition authority shall have the mandate, functions national in scope. This means the federated regions cannot formulate their own competition policy or create their own competition authority,” he stressed.“We want to deliver a message to the investors that in the future what we are envisioning is an economy that will ensure that there is always a free market competition,” Aguilar said.“We want to make sure that the exclusive power of the national competition authority will be under the federal government and the federated regions who will have some exclusive and shared powers would not be able to enact any law that would impede competition,” he added.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/concom-seeks-creation-of-competition-commission/397614/
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Sandiganbayan puts Imelda Marcos under its temporary custody
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['The Manila Times']
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2018-11-16 09:58:01+00:00
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ILOCOS Norte Rep. Imelda R. Marcos was placed under the temporary custody of the Sandiganbayan pending its resolution of her motion seeking legal remedies, including posting bail, following her graft conviction.The former first lady arrived at the anti-graft court under threat of arrest after she failed to attend her promulgation early this week.Mrs. Marcos was found guilty in the seven of 10 graft cases that were filed against her when she was an official under the administration of her husband, the late president Ferdinand Marcos. REINA TOLENTINO
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/sandiganbayan-puts-imelda-marcos-under-its-temporary-custody/468549/
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Millennials seek more active lifestyle – study
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['Micah Yvana M. Vardeleon']
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2016-10-30 18:32:42+00:00
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Seven out of 10 millennials want an active lifestyle but are prevented from having one by their workplace environments, according to Herbalife Nutrition’s “Millennials At Work Survey” conducted in the Asia Pacific region.Millennials are people born from 1980 to 2000.The survey pointed out that six to 13 hours of desk work causes 64 percent of millennials to spend half an hour less on physical activities like standing, stretching, and walking on an average work day.Despite this, more and more millennials strive to have an active lifestyle even if “they face real obstacles at work in doing so,” said Rosalio Valenzuela, Herbalife Philippines General Manager.About 51 percent of Filipino millennials engaged themselves in physical activities at least twice a week.Unfortunately, majority had a hard time maintaining active lifestyles.Survey results showed that about 83 percent of Filipino millennials, or eight in every 10, wanted their companies’ workplace to adopt a healthy, active lifestyle.Of the top five health concerns that beset more than half of millennials, gaining weight had the highest percentage at 84 percent. It is followed by high stress levels at 67 percent, having less energy, 65 percent, poor digestive health, 54 percent, and joint problems, 53 percent.Addressing these concerns is important because by 2020, around half of the global workforce will be composed of millennials.In the Philippines, around 35 million or about one third of the population are millennials.Dr. Julian Alvarez Garcia, a member of the Herbalife Nutrition advisory board, urged Filipino millennials to allot time for exercise.He said the schedule depends on them as long as they make sure they exercise.“Just do,” he said.Herbalife Nutrition is a global company that manufactures products for weight management, energy and fitness, and personal care.MICAH YVANA M. VARDELEON
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/millennials-seek-active-lifestyle-study/293916/
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No shortage of vaccine for Japanese encephalitis
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['Kenneth Hare Hernandez']
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2017-09-13 21:23:07+00:00
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The public should not panic over Japanese encephalitis (JE) amid reports of shortage of the vaccine for the disease in hospitals and clinics in the country.“There is no need to panic because, in fact, physicians have actually been giving this vaccine at least in private practice because it’s recommended in our immunization schedule already since 2016,” Salvacion Gatchalian, vice chairman of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines, said in a news briefing on Wednesday at Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City.She warned online purchasers of the vaccine to be careful and verify if the medicine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration.“In the Philippines, there is only one [vaccine] duly licensed by the Philippine FDA, and this is the live attenuated recombinant chimeric vaccine,” Gatchalian said.In the same forum, Sanofi Pasteur Philippines country regulatory affairs head Jervin Papelleras said their company is the duly licensed manufacturer of the only registered vaccine for Japanese encephalitis in the Philippines.Papelleras added that there is no scarcity of the vaccine and they are working on meeting increased public demand for it.“The company is now exerting all efforts to meet this unexpected increasing demand in line with its purpose in ensuring that the public is provided protection against this deadly disease,” he said.Along with the FDA, Papelleras added that they have released health advisories to the general public on the Japanese encephalitis vaccine.In an advisory dated September 6, the FDA also warned the public against the purchase of the vaccine from online sellers and other unauthorized distributors or retailers.The vaccine’s price ranges from P2,000 to P4,000 and is available in authorized clinics and hospitals, according to Papellares.It is a viral disease passed on to humans through the bite of the Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquito, a species of mosquito that is active during day and night.It is characterized by inflammation of the brain and most persons who get infected have no obvious signs and symptoms five to 15 days after being bitten by a mosquito.Children are commonly infected by the disease.Signs and symptoms include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, confusion and in severe cases, neck stiffness, seizures, paralysis and coma that may lead to death.The Department of Health is planning on including the JE vaccine in its free immunization program next year.A recent report said that from January 1 to August 26, the Health department recorded seven deaths in Central Luzon–four in Pampanga, two in Zambales and one in Nueva Ecija.Pangasinan in Northern Luzon and Laguna in Calabarzon recorded one death each.There are 133 laboratory-confirmed cases this year with cases mostly coming from Central Luzon.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/no-shortage-vaccine-japanese-encephalitis/350478/
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Sandigan acquits senator of technical malversation
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['Bernadette E. Tamayo']
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2017-08-11 22:27:03+00:00
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The Sandiganbayan’s Second Division, “on the ground of reasonable doubt,” has acquitted Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito and several others in a technical malversation case filed against them in connection with the allegedly anomalous procurement of firearms in 2008 when he was San Juan City mayor.The court granted the respective demurrers to evidence of and acquitted Ejercito; former San Juan Vice Mayor and now City Councilor Leonardo Celles; City Councilor Vincent Pacheco; former City Councilor and now Public Information Officer Grace Pardines and; former City Councilors Andoni Carballo, Dante Santiago, Francis Peralta, Edgardo Soriano, Jannah Ejercito-Surla, Joseph Torralba, Angelino Mendoza, Rolando Bernardo, Francisco Zamora, Domingo Sese (deceased) and Ramon Nakpil (deceased).“After a careful assessment of the documentary and testimonial evidence of the prosecution, the court finds that the said evidence failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the fund used in the procurement and payment of the subject high-powered firearms or part thereof was sourced from the San Juan City 2008 Calamity Fund,” it said in part in a 23-page decision.A demurrer to evidence is a motion to dismiss that submits the case for judgment based only on the prosecution’s evidence, on the ground that the evidence does not warrant conviction.If a demurrer to evidence is denied, the defense would have to take its turn to present its evidence.Ejercito on Friday said his acquittal by the Sandiganbayan of the technical malversation charges against him has reaffirmed his faith in the judicial system.“I thank the good justices of the Sandiganbayan for remaining true to their duty of upholding justice and fairness,” he added.with REINA TOLENTINO
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/sandigan-acquits-senator-technical-malversation/343814/
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For this teacher, a classroom can be a chapel or cemetery
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['Neil Alcober']
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2018-09-23 00:09:25+00:00
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For Ednalyn Estrella Fajardo, teaching is not just a profession. As a teacher under the government’s Alternative Learning System (ALS), her students are varied — out-of-school youth, inmates, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and workers.Fondly called Teacher Eds, the 52-year-old educator is not content with teaching from Mondays to Fridays. So she travels all over the province of Pampanga on weekends to seek out-of-school youths and adult groups and encourage them to enroll in ALS.Mayor Dante Datu Torres of Guagua noticed her efforts and lent her his own service vehicle so she could expand the reach of her advocacy.A Master Teacher II at Pulungmasle Elementary School and the ALS Coordinator of Guagua West District, Teacher Eds holds classes inside chapels, in barangay (village) halls, under bridges, and even in cemeteries. Since 2003, she has helped 527 learners pass the Accreditation & Equivalency (A&E) Test, while a total of 6,947 had been under her tutelage in informal education (InfEd).Teacher Eds’ father was a taho vendor, and she herself has worked as a housekeeper and babysitter. She also served as a canteen helper and a messenger while she was studying, and this did not deter her from finishing her two Bachelor of Science degrees in elementary and secondary education. She is also a Master of Arts graduate.Her humble beginnings molded her to become the devoted, caring and selfless teacher adored by her students. This is also why she goes out of her way to perform speakership, trainer and assessor duties at the various trainings spearheaded by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. These include massage therapy, food and beverage services, housekeeping, and carpentry, so that the out-of-school youth and adults — even the reformists in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Guagua and in Central Luzon Rehabilitation Center — can acquire the skills and competencies that can help improve their lives.With 34 years in service, Teacher Eds said that ALS has a special place in her heart. She embraced the program, as well as the many faces, stories, and struggles of her learners.Her hard work paid off. She was showered with all sorts of titles and accolades, including being the Regional Outstanding ALS Coordinator in 2008; a national semi-finalist in the Search for Most Outstanding District ALS Coordinator in 2010; the District Most Outstanding Teacher in 2011 and 2015; the Division Most Outstanding InfEd Trainer for the Youth in 2012; regional finalist in the Metrobank Foundation Search for Outstanding Teachers in 2014; Division and Regional Most Outstanding ALS Teacher in 2015; Most Outstanding Kapampangan Awardee for Youth Service in 2016; regional awardee of the Civil Service Lingkod Bayan (group category); and recently, a National Awardee in the Antonio L. Cabangon Chua Gintong Parangal Para sa Edukasyon — Guro 2018.Teacher Eds is likewise engaged in co-curricular endeavors. She served as a coaching staff for the Pampanga Little League Softball Youth which represented the Philippines in Michigan some years back, where the team won a silver medal.She is also musically inclined, and composed the official hymn of ALS Pampanga. She teaches her students how to play drums and lyre, and performs Ati-Atihan numbers for extra income.Not surprisingly, she has already been invited to share her best practices in teaching in various places including Bulacan, Davao and Cebu.Teacher Eds believes in Mia Hamm, a retired American professional soccer player, who stated: “Celebrate what you’ve accomplished, but raise the bar a little higher each time you succeed.”
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/for-this-teacher-a-classroom-can-be-a-chapel-or-cemetery/444334/
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‘Fourth graders too young to undergo drug testing’
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['Neil Alcober']
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2018-06-23 00:05:11+00:00
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SENATE President Vicente “Tito” Sotto 3rd on Friday said the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) might no longer push for mandatory drug testing for fourth grade students in public and private elementary schools after public criticism of the plan.“I think I was able to convince them to follow the DARE drug abuse resistance education program for preventive which focuses on Grade 6 and up,” Sotto said in a text message to reporters. He was guest speaker at the PDEA Personnel and Counterparts Awarding Ceremony yesterday.The Senate chief said the drug testing would be a “combination” of random and mandatory.Several lawmakers, including Senators Francis Pangilinan, Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito and Aquilino “Koko”Pimentel 3rd, and party-list representatives Antonio Tinio and France Castro of Alliance of Concerned Teachers, and Gary Alejano of Magdalo party-list, have rejected PDEA’s proposal to conduct mandatory drug testing to students from fourth grade and older, arguing that such policy will be costly and do more harm to children.Ejercito and the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) also said fourth-grade pupils, the grade level of 10-year old students, are too young to undergo drug test.The Department of Education (DepEd) in a statement said the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 authorizes drug testing for secondary and tertiary level students only.Pangilinan in a text message said the proposal is “pointless” and “will become a money making scheme for test centers.Ejercito said, “Just imagine how many billions is needed if kids from grade 4 onwards are required to have drug test,”DepEd said,“The population of students from Grade to Grade 12 total at least 14 million. At P200 per student for the testing fee alone, the budget will already amount to P2.8 billion.”“That’s why drug testing is optional. Why make drug testing mandatory and test those who don’t even use drugs? “ Pimentel asked.Tinio said in a statement that the policy “would lead only to more Kians, Carls and Reynaldos,” referring to three youths who were killed in the government’s anti-drug war campaign.“The PDEA, the police, this administration should back off and take their hands off our students and their teachers,” Tinio said.“This may cause fear and trauma on the children. Are we creating an atmosphere of fear among them now?”Alejano, a father of five, added in a separate statement.Alejano said authorities should go after big-time drug dealers instead: “We are yet to nail the culprits behind the P6.4 billion worth of shabu (illegal drugs) smuggled via the Bureau of Customs’ express land. That alone translates to as much as two million shabu sachets that could have spread across the country.”Castro argued that PDEA has failed to present empirical data to show there is a significant number of students, pupils or even teachers that are into drugs.Benjo Bajas, TDC national chairperson and a Caloocan City high school teacher, said they would ask the DepEd not to allow the proposed drug testing in elementary schools, and testing of teachers should be done in a proper manner and with utmost confidentiality.WITH BERNADETTE TAMAYO AND Llanesca Panti
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/fourth-graders-too-young-to-undergo-drug-testing/411287/
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New US ambassador arrives December 1
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['The Manila Times']
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2016-11-29 21:08:24+00:00
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Sung Kim, the new US Ambassador to the Philippines, will be arriving in Manila on December 1.Kim, who was sworn in on November 3, 2016, will replace US Ambassador Philip Goldberg who has been in his post since November 21, 2013.Previously, Kim served as Special Representative for North Korea Policy and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Korea and Japan.He was the US Ambassador to the Republic of Korea from November 2011. Kim also served in a variety of positions in the East Asia Pacific region, including overseas assignments in Seoul, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong.In Washington, he was director of the Office of Korean Affairs, desk officer in the Office of Chinese Affairs, and Staff Assistant in the Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, he worked as a public prosecutor in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.Kim was born in Seoul, Korea, and grew up in Los Angeles where he attended middle school and high school.He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and completed a degree in law from Loyola University. He also holds a Master of Laws degree from the London School of Economics and an honorary doctorate from the Catholic University of Korea.He is married to Jae Eun Chung, and they have two daughters.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/new-us-ambassador-arrives-december-1/299051/
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GOVERNOR SEEKS PROTECTION FOR ONION FARMERS
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['Jing Villamente']
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2016-11-20 21:50:00+00:00
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~By Nueva Ecija Gov. Czarina Cherry Umali on Sunday called on the national government to always ensure that onion farmers are protected and should not be at the mercy of traders and of erratic movement of supply and demand in the market. Umali was reacting to reports that a shortage of onions has been observed leading to influx of imported onions in the market. Nueva Ecija is the top onion-producing province in the Philippines. A total of 19 municipalities and cities plant onion whole year round on about 1,577 hectares of land. “The interest of farmers should always come first. They must be protected. Their crops should be protected. Their produce must get a fair share of the market. Politicians with bad intent should stop manipulating the farmers and prop up superfluous issues to confuse the public. That is not good politics,” Umali told The Manila Times in a chance interview in Quezon City. She said that even Serafin Santos, the chief of the Office of Provincial Agriculture, reported that there was no crisis in the supply of onions but some unscrupulous traders are hoarding their stocks to earn more. Santos reported that last August, farmers already harvested their fully grown onions and are planting for their next crop harvest. He said as early as September 2016, they received an advice from the Bureau of Plant Industry of the Department of Agriculture to conduct an inventory of current onion stock over a lingering fear that supply may fall short because of the damage done by army worms during the last cropping.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/governor-seeks-protection-onion-farmers/297517/
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Labor seeks P334 minimum-wage hike
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['William Depasupil']
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2018-10-22 00:04:36+00:00
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ORGANIZED labor will submit a supplementary position paper amending its P320 daily wage hike petition filed in June 2018 to P334 a day, even as the Regional Tripartite Productivity and Wages Board-National Capital Region is yet to decide on a wage increase for minimum-wage workers across Metro Manila’s 17 cities and municipalities.At the same time, the group called on employers to pay it forward by raising the salary of their workers.The Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP), the country’s biggest federation of workers, on Sunday said the revision was a reflection of the 6.2-percent third-quarter inflation rate in their bid for a substantial wage increase for some four million workers in Metro Manila.ALU-TUCP spokesman Alan Tanjusay said the P320 wage hike petition filed in June this year only reflected the prevailing conditions of first-quarter inflation of 5.2 percent.“Prices of food and costs of services continue to rise since June. So we are crunching the numbers to faithfully reflect the needs of workers and their families to cope with the current 6.2 percent inflation rate. The might amend our first wage hike petition so that the wage board would have a real-time appreciation of realities surrounding the challenges facing workers,” Tanjusay added.The Metro Manila wage board is set to meet at 9 a.m. today, Monday, October 22, to hold the first of three sectoral consultations and public hearings in determining the amount of wage increase for workers in the region.Tanjusay said his group would submit during the meeting its supplementary position paper.Metro Manila workers are receiving P512 a day minimum wage. Because of high inflation, the real value or purchasing power of this wage has fallen to P340 a day, the labor group said.“Government officials and employers groups have been saying that a substantial wage increase may be inflationary, with businesses passing on the wage increase in the prices of their goods and services. We urge businesses and employers not to transfer the burden to consumers but rather invest in workers by raising the wages of their employees,” Tanjusay said.“We expect that by the end of the month, we will be able to know how much is the wage hike,” he added.Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd earlier disclosed that a minimum of P20 was expected to be added to the daily take-home pay of Metro Manila workers this month after the one-year prohibition on minimum wage fixing lapses.The last wage increase amounting to P21 per day was granted to minimum wage earners in Metro Manila on October 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.Bello said he had recommended a P200 subsidy to the President, subject to the approval of the Finance and Budget departments.
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Manila Times
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https://www.manilatimes.net/labor-seeks-p334-minimum-wage-hike/455294/
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