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Funeral benefits for workers raised to P30,000

With funeral costs becoming prohibitive, President Rodrigo Duterte has signed an order increasing the funeral benefits of private and public employees.On July 17, Mr. Duterte signed Executive Order No. 33 raising the funeral benefits under the Employees Compensation Program (ECP) from P20,000 to P30,000.“The current Employees Compensation (EC) Funeral Benefit for both the private and public sectors is no longer sufficient to cover ordinary funeral costs,” the President said.“Therefore… the amount of the EC Funeral Benefit is hereby increased from P20,000 to P30,000 effective immediately,” he added.The ECP is a social insurance program of the government designed to provide private and public sector workers and/or their beneficiaries with benefits in the event of work-related sickness, injury, or death.“There is a need to continually improve benefits under the ECP to make them more responsive to the welfare and development needs of occupationally disabled workers,” the President said.He noted that the Employees Compensation Commission (ECC) had issued two resolutions in May and July approving the increase in funeral benefits.“The ECC has the mandate to upgrade the benefits for permanent disability or death, subject to the approval of the President, provided that the actuarial stability of the State Insurance Fund (SIF) shall be guaranteed and that such increases in benefits shall not require any increase in contributions,” Mr. Duterte said.The President ordered the ECC, Social Security System (SSS), and Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to release the funds needed for the increase that he ordered “from the reserves of the relevant SIF that the SSS and GSIS administer… under the ECP.”He said results of actuarial studies by the SSS and the GSIS “show that the SIF can finance the increase in funeral benefits without affecting the the stability of the SIF and without requiring additional contributions.”

['Philippine Daily Inquirer']

2016-11-03 20:57:42+00:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/915419/funeral-benefits-for-workers-raised-to-p30000

Inquirer

Joma, Digong set meeting in Europe

Exiled Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison is looking forward to meet Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte in Europe before he assumes the presidency.On his Facebook (FB) page on Wednesday, Sison also urged Duterte to order the arrest of President Aquino and Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad for plunder in connection with the alleged misuse of the congressional Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).He said the President and Secretary Abad were “responsible for looting and unprecedented corruption” in the allocation of the PDAF, or pork barrel, which the Supreme Court has declared unconstitutional.“It is the hope that we can meet before his oath-taking as he promised during my Skype conference with him on April 25. He said he would come soon after [he is elected President],” Sison said in an online interview with the Inquirer on Wednesday on his anticipated meeting with Duterte.Sison said representatives of the CPP and Duterte were holding preparatory talks for the visit, the date of which he did not disclose.“I expect to meet President Duterte soon in Europe, whether the meeting is preceded by, concurrent with or followed by preliminary meetings of the GPH (Government of the Philippines) and NDFP (National Democratic Front of the Philippines) negotiating panels,” Sison said.The CPP leader hopes that the meeting would be held before Duterte’s oath-taking on June 30.Video recordingSison sent a video recording of his Skype conversation with Duterte, where the Davao mayor mentioned his plan to visit the CPP leader based in Utrecht, The Netherlands.Duterte, in the video recording, said his meeting with Sison was aimed at preparing the agenda for the resumption of peace talks and threshing out related issues.Sison, in the Inquirer interview, also welcomed the declaration of Duterte’s spokesperson, Peter Laviña, that the incoming President may release jailed communist rebels.In an interview with Agence France-Presse on Tuesday, Laviña also disclosed that Duterte would allow Sison and other exiled communist leaders to return to the country for the resumption of the peace talks and to review the status of political prisoners.“Of course, I am hoping for the release of all political prisoners,” Sison said.“They have long been unjustly detained on false charges of common crimes by the Arroyo and Aquino regimes,” he added.Their release, Sison said, “will be conducive to an immediate mutual ceasefire and cooperation and the accelerated negotiation of the comprehensive agreements on social, economic and political reforms.”He said the release of political prisoners had been done during the administrations of Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos.Sison said communist rebels were open to the crafting of a new democratic Constitution and to Duterte’s proposal to study federalism as a form of government for the country.Political willIn a previous interview, Sison said “political will,” for the sake of peace, is key to end the more than 40 years of armed conflict between the government and the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the CPP.Also earlier, Luis Jalandoni, chair of the NDFP peace panel, said the return to the peace table would depend on the release of political prisoners and “peace consultants.”Among the 528 political prisoners and 17 NDFP consultants are spouses Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, whom the government tagged as top officials of the CPP-NPA. The two were arrested in Cebu province in March 2014.

['Delfin T. Mallari Jr.']

2016-11-03 20:57:42+00:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/785188/joma-digong-set-meeting-in-europe

Inquirer

Typhoon and dwindling NFA stocks spell disaster – Nograles

The country faces a man-made disaster if the National Food Authority (NFA) fails to ensure a stable supply of rice as Typhoon “Ompong” threatens to ravage rice-producing areas in northern Luzon, Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles warned on Thursday.Nograles, chair of the appropriations committee in the House of Representatives, chided anew the NFA and its governing body, the NFA Council, for failing to comply with the required 15-day buffer stock for rice, resulting in the shortage of affordable rice in many parts of the country.“We will have a problem because Ompong is [already] here. It will cross northern Luzon, which is our rice granary. It might wipe out our crops,” Nograles said at the Meet Inquirer Multimedia forum.He noted that rice stocks were running thin. “If the typhoon devastates northern Luzon, what’s gonna happen? The price of rice will shoot up.”The Davao lawmaker also called on the 18-member NFA Council to convene at once to deal with the situation by raising the purchasing price of palay (unhusked rice) from P17 to P22 per kilogram.He said the NFA should also start talking with the local rice farmers in Mindanao to buy their produce.“I am proposing that the NFA Council immediately call an emergency meeting and just this once, now that we’re facing a crisis, raise the buying price of palay for P22 per kilogram,” he said.Citing latest data from the agency, Nograles said the supply of NFA rice—usually sold at almost half the price of commercial rice—plummeted during the first seven months of 2018.AlarmingHe said the figures were quite alarming.“So where’s the problem? It’s the rice buffer stocking of the NFA. That’s [the reason] why we have this problem. If you go by the regions, you will know that there’s a problem in the supply of NFA rice,” he said.According to the NFA, it provided a total of 2.47 million metric tons of rice to the public from January to August in 2017.In the same period this year, the supply of the cheaper variety of grain dropped to 383,700 metric tons, a reduction of 84 percent from last year’s allocation.In June alone, the agency distributed only 2,100 metric tons of rice to accredited retailers, a measly 10 percent of 204,200 MT of the staple it supplied in June 2017.Only 7-day bufferNograles noted that the NFA currently had in its warehouses some 4.6 million tons of rice, enough to maintain a buffer stock for only seven days.“The [Duterte administration’s] economic cluster has already ordered the NFA to distribute its stocks to all its outlets to bring down prices of rice,” he said.Nograles said the problem was that the public would still have to wait until the end of September for the arrival of imported rice.The depleted rice supply, also blamed for the surge in prices of basic commodities, was mainly due to the incompetence of officials of the NFA and its council.“If there’s no NFA rice in the markets, the price of commercial rice will increase because there’s no competition,” Nograles said.Budget misusedHe pointed out anew how the NFA arbitrarily spent nearly P6.1 billion of its 2018 budget for purchasing palay from local rice farmers to pay loans from two state-owned banks.In addition, Nograles said President Duterte’s decision to let go of NFA Administrator Jason Aquino, whom the President claimed had asked to be relieved, was proof of Aquino’s “bad performance.”“The problem of the lack of procurement [of NFA rice] is catching up with him (Aquino),” the lawmaker said.An executive order is being drafted to facilitate the entry of imported rice in Zambasulta (Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi). The region recently suffered a severe shortage of NFA rice.

['Marlon Ramos']

2016-11-03 20:57:42+00:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1032055/typhoon-and-dwindling-nfa-stocks-spell-disaster-nograles

Inquirer

PNP board of inquiry going to Mamasapano

With its work more than halfway done, the Philippine National Police board of inquiry (BOI) is set to go to Mamasapano, Maguindanao, on Tuesday for an ocular investigation of the site where 44 Special Action Force commandos were slaughtered on Jan. 25.Director Benjamin Magalong, the BOI chair, said they hope to talk to people in the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) during the trip to Maguindanao province.“We asked the MILF if we can interview some personalities who have personal knowledge of what happened,” said Magalong. “We have all the time to talk to them.”The visit to Mamasapano will enable the BOI to have a complete picture of what happened on the day the SAF mounted a raid that killed its main target, Malaysian bomb-maker Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan.”During the withdrawal, the commandos encountered forces of the MILF, its breakaway group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and other armed groups in a daylong firefight that left 44 of them dead.Report 70% doneWith nine days to go before the BOI’s one-month deadline ends, the investigation being conducted by its operational audit team had reached at least 70-percent completion, said Magalong.“After finishing our mission in Mamasapano, we will return to Manila to write the report. We are doing our best to beat the one-month deadline,” he said.The board, more or less, knows what happened from the mission planning, execution to the termination of the operation, Magalong said.Amid finger-pointing that has strained relations between the police and the military, Magalong appealed to the public not to engage in speculation and wait for the results of the inquiry, one of several being undertaken, including initiatives in the Senate and the House of Representatives.He said there would be no whitewash and that the board would not be influenced by outside forces.The board has yet to get statements of three Philippine Military Academy mistah on the incident—Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, the PNP officer in charge, resigned PNP Director General Alan Purisima and Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., the Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff.Confidence-buildingPurisima, who said he merely gave “advice” to the operation while he was under suspension on corruption charges, has promised to submit a statement to the board.“He knows of the deadline and we continue to communicate,” said Magalong.The board has given guide questions to Espina and Catapang. Espina is scheduled for an interview on Friday.Asked if the BOI would also get a statement from President Aquino, Magalong said the BOI was discussing if this was needed. The PNP inquiry is purely fact-finding, he said, the prosecutorial aspect will be with the Department of Justice (DOJ).“The significance of this is that it is a confidence-building measure for the peace process … Our intention is to come up with a very truthful report. We want to be able to answer the families’ questions about what happened,” he added.Hold back sensitive portionsThe BOI’s final report will be released to the public, except for sensitive portions which may endanger national security.“We are working closely with the DOJ, as well as with our Internal Affairs Service for the administrative cases against the police officials, if any. We are also cooperating with the Ombudsman and the Commission on Human Rights,” Magalong said.RELATED STORIESPNP board of inquiry head vows justice for SAF44Belmonte: House to put off Mamasapano inquiry, wait for PNP findingsLawmaker fears whitewash in Mamasapano clash probe

['Philippine Daily Inquirer']

2016-11-03 20:57:42+00:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/674135/pnp-board-of-inquiry-going-to-mamasapano

Inquirer

Pilots advised on China rocket launch

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Thursday notified all aircraft going to Hong Kong and Taipei as well as Japan to take extra precautions over China’s rocket launch.The CAAP issued a Notice to Airmen (Notam), citing space flight activity “by China effective 5:30 p.m. to 9:50 p.m. today, November 3, 2016.”The Notam B4060/16 covers Manila-Fukuoka-Manila flights and Notam B4061/16 covers flights from Taipei to Manila and flights from Hong Kong and Manila.The CAAP also advised pilots flying near the area to take necessary precautions and to follow reference point for safety reasons.In June this year, several flights to and from China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan were affected also by a China rocket launch.BENJIE L. VERGARA

['Benjie Vergara']

2016-11-03 20:57:42+00:00

https://www.manilatimes.net/pilots-advised-china-rocket-launch/294657/

Manila Times

Turkish Navy ship arrives for 4-day goodwill visit

A Turkish Navy ship docked in Manila for the first time on Monday for a four-day goodwill visit aimed at boosting bilateral relations as well as fostering the ties of the two armed forces.TCG Gediz is in Manila as part of its 125th anniversary of the commemoration of the voyage of Ottoman Frigate Ertugrul to Japan, the Turkish Embassy said in a statement.The ship with a crew of 230 is headed by Commander Yusuf Kocaman. It will be in Manila from June 15 to 18.The Ertugrul frigate was sent to Japan 125 years ago as a display of friendship to reciprocate the visit of the Japanese royal family to Istanbul in 1887. It left Istanbul on July 15, 1889 and arrived at the Yokohama port in June 1890, visiting several Asian ports along the way.On its way home, the ship was caught in a typhoon and sank on Sept. 16, 1890 near the port of Kushimoto in Japan. Only 69 of the crew of 600 survived.For this year’s mission, the ship was deployed last April 1 from the Port of Aksaz in Turkey and by the time it is completed, TCG Gediz will have visited 18 ports in 14 countries covering 20,300 nautical miles for 122 days.The Turkish Navy ship was met by the BRP Silang Patrol Gunboat (PG14) near Corregidor and escorted it to the port area in Manila.“A meeting procedure is a customary Navy event observed internationally where the host’s ship meets with the visiting ship and escorts it to their port of call,” said Navy public affairs office chief Commander Lued Lincuna.A port briefing aboard the Turkish vessel on security, safety and health was given by Philippine Navy personnel after the ship’s arrival.The commanders of the ship will meet senior officials of the Philippine Navy and other top level military officers. There will also be tours, goodwill games, receptions and other professional exchanges as part of the port visit.

['Frances Mangosing']

27/08/2017 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/698605/turkish-navy-ship-arrives-for-4-day-goodwill-visit

Inquirer

Chainsaw massacre of Palawan forest probed

For newly appointed Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, his first field work here was both a job orientation and a decision-making moment.A military career officer all his life, Cimatu was on unfamiliar territory but did not hesitate to ask the most basic questions, whose answers he would have been expected to know as the country’s top environmental officer.“Please explain to me what MPSA (mineral production sharing agreement) is, and why this company has possession of this land,” he asked his staff on Friday at a dialogue between officials of a mining company and the local government deep in the mountains here.Cimatu was in Palawan to investigate claims that the company, Ipilan Nickel Corp. (INC), had illegally cut thousands of old-growth trees. Days earlier, hundreds of Brooke’s Point residents, led by Mayor Mary Jean Feliciano, had stormed the INC compound to stop the tree-cutting.By then, company workers had cleared over 20 hectares of natural forest in Palawan, a province considered as the Philippines’ last frontier in ecological conservation.WarningIn response to Cimatu’s question, Roland de Jesus, Mining and Geosciences Bureau director, explained the government’s long-established system of entering into agreements with mining companies to exploit public lands for minerals extraction and sharing the proceeds with them. He also discussed the regulations that oversee the whole process.Easing into his role, Cimatu upheld the cancellation of the company’s tree-cutting permit and issued a warning to irresponsible miners about “going around the law.” He added: “You should be man enough to face the consequences if you make a mistake.”During the dialogue, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) found that the company had conducted tree-cutting activities despite repeated notices from the DENR canceling its permit.Cimatu’s predecessor, Gina Lopez, had already withdrawn INC’s permit but the company proceeded with the tree-cutting anyway, claiming that an appeal it had filed allowed them to continue operations.“We will allow mining so long as they follow the law,” Cimatu said later, unaware that his predecessor had taken the same stance.Environment Undersecretary Marlon Mendoza, De Jesus, and Regional Environment Director Natividad Bernardino, who were with Cimatu, took turns grilling the INC officials.As the government convoy tried to reach the area where most of the tree-cutting took place, it found the road blocked by trees that were deliberately felled to slow down the DENR party.Aside from the company’s brazen defiance, Cimatu learned that INC had refused his representative, Bernardino, access to the mine site.Business outlook“I’ve seen enough from the air,” the DENR secretary told reporters. “I saw the area, there really are no more trees. It was very unfortunate that this happened,” he added.INC was one of three mining companies in Palawan that had been sanctioned by Lopez during her short term. With its MPSA expiring next year, the company needs to convince the government to renew its agreement for another 25 years.Regulatory officials said they expect INC to lobby hard for the renewal of its MPSA next year as it was recently bought by major mining conglomerate, Global Ferronickel Holdings, a publicly listed company and the country’s third largest exporter of nickel ore.The INC concession covers close to 3,000 hectares and sits atop the town’s main watershed and rice production farms. Company officials said mining operations would not affect the local water supply.“I’m confident the DENR secretary will listen to our voice, (and our position) that we don’t need this mining company in our town,” Feliciano said.

['Redempto D. Anda']

27/08/2017 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/898068/chainsaw-massacre-of-palawan-forest-probed

Inquirer

LP expulsion plotted in Pacquiao mansion

The decision to let Sen. Manny Pacquiao deliver the knockout punch was made over dinner at his luxurious Forbes Park mansion in Makati City on Sunday.There, 15 senators agreed to expel the four Liberal Party (LP) senators from the majority bloc and end persistent wrangling in the Senate.By Monday a resolution had been signed by 16 senators expressing the sense of the majority that Senate President Pro Tempore Franklin Drilon, as well as Senators Francis Pangilinan, Bam Aquino and Risa Hontiveros, were not supportive of President Duterte’s legislative agenda.Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto and minority member Sen. Francis Escudero were not invited to the event, but were later told about the plan to oust the recalcitrant four.Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III showed the resolution to Drilon as a matter of courtesy, according to Senate Majority Leader VicenteSotto III.In the afternoon, Pacquiao took the floor and began the expulsion process.The “people’s champ” first declared Drilon’s position vacant; he was replaced by Recto.Pangilinan, Hontiveros and Aquino tumbled next. The agriculture, health and education committee chairmanships went to Senators Cynthia Villar, JV Ejercito and Francis Escudero, respectively.“Most of us are not pro-Duterte or anti-Duterte. We do not want to be subservient but we also do not want to be hostile to the administration,” Sotto explained.Awkward situationSen. Panfilo Lacson told reporters that he, Sotto, Senators Gregorio Honasan II and Loren Legarda pushed for the meeting on Sunday, concerned about the “awkward” situation in the chamber.Lacson said that in many instances, the LP bloc voted at the behest of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, Mr. Duterte’s gadfly.For example, Lacson said, the LP members had voted against the majority to have the P50-million bribery scandal in the Bureau of Immigration be investigated by the Senate blue ribbon committee. Instead, they voted to refer it to Trillanes’ committee.The blue ribbon committee chaired by Sen. Richard Gordon eventually took over the inquiry, which will have a fourth hearing next week.Lacson said that whenever there were issues tackled on the floor, Trillanes “would always go to (the LP bloc) and consult, instead of consulting the members of the minority.”“So this was not a one-shot deal, or decided overnight. This was based on observations of the other members, including myself,” he said.Lacson said some senators had reservations about the surgical move. “We already decided on this, we voted on this, it was unanimous. What’s the reason for postponing the action? Chances are it might leak and something else might happen,” he said.Voicing out some of the senators’ sentiment, Sotto said they did not want the chamber to be a “Senate Bureau of Investigation,” referring to a series of Senate inquiries launched since last year.No pressureSotto was asked whether the recent Senate vote to recall confessed hit man Arturo Lascañas and allow him to recant a previous testimony and implicate Mr. Duterte in the Davao Death Squad assassinations when he was mayor was the last straw.He said it was just a “sidelight” but it was really the wrangling between the majority and the LP bloc on several other issues.“It’s like every week there was always an issue,” Villar said. What she said she did not like was that the majority bloc then had to vote to get a consensus on an issue.“We’re supposed to be together,” Villar told reporters. “At least now, we know that the (LP senators) are now the minority.”

['Christine O. Avendaño']

27/08/2017 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/876423/lp-expulsion-plotted-in-pacquiao-mansion

Inquirer

Myanmar security forces fire on fleeing Rohingya

from the Muslim minority as well as local Buddhists and Hindus.Rakhine State has become a crucible of religious hatred focused on the stateless Rohingya Muslim minority, who are reviled and perceived as illegal immigrants in Buddhist-majority Myanmar.Violence has left at least 92 dead since Friday, according to an official toll, and forced thousands of Rohingya to flee towards Bangladesh.But authorities there have refused to let most of them in, with thousands of people, mainly women and children, stranded along the ”zero line” border zone.On Saturday an AFP reporter at Bangladesh’s Ghumdhum border post counted over a dozen mortar shells and countless machine gun rounds fired by Myanmar security forces in nearby hills onto a large group of Rohingya desperately trying to cross.It was not immediately clear if any were hit, but civilians scattered to evade the barrage.”They have fired on civilians, mostly women and children, hiding in the hills near the zero line,” Border Guard Bangladesh’s (BGB) station chief Manzurul Hassan Khan confirmed.”They fired machine guns and mortar shells suddenly, targeting the civilians. They have not consulted with the BGB,” he added.Unwanted by Myanmar, the Rohingya are unwelcome in Bangladesh, which already hosts tens of thousands of refugees from the Muslim minority who live in squalid conditions in the Cox’s Bazar area.In desperate scenes, many of the Rohingya displaced on Friday have been left without shelter in no-man’s land between the two countries, or forced to return to villages enveloped by clashes between militants and security forces.

[]

27/08/2017 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/08/27/myanmar-security-forces-fire-on-fleeing-rohingya/

Manila Bulletin

2 drug dealers killed in Laguna

SAN PEDRO CITY, Laguna- Two suspected drug dealers were killed by police in an anti-narcotics operation that turned into gunbattle early Monday midnight along Landayan Access Road at Barangay Landayan here.Laguna Police Provincial Office (LPPO) director Sr. Supt. Kirby John B. Kraft identified the suspects were Ranier Alcantara and Jhemar Ballenas, both residents of Palentino Street, Purok 1, Barangay Pansol in Calamba City, Laguna.Reports said the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit and San Pedro City police led by Supt. Giovanni Martinez carried out the drug bust.The suspects noted the presence of lawmen which they opened fire, reports said.Police returned fire and the brief exchange killed Alcantara and Ballenas.Recovered from the suspects were 16 sachets of shabu with an approximate street value of P50, 000, a revolver, and a hand grenade, the reports said.

[]

31/07/2018 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/07/31/2-drug-dealers-killed-in-laguna/

Manila Bulletin

Aguirre: Int’l rights suit vs Duterte? No way, ‘criminals are not humanity’

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II sees no possibility of President Rodrigo Duterte being charged with crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague over the killings of hundreds of drug suspects in the Philippines.“Criminals are not humanity. Crimes against illegal drugs, [maybe],” Aguirre said in a text message to the Inquirer, commenting on calls from rights groups to stop the vigilante-style killings of drug suspects, and the possibility of filing charges against Mr. Duterte in the ICC.Rome StatuteThe Philippines signed the 1998 Rome Statute of the ICC that punishes heads of states found guilty of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.The Philippine Coalition for the ICC (PC-ICC) said the extrajudicial killing of drug suspects could constitute crimes against humanity.“Crimes against humanity are committed even without armed conflict. It has to be proven that there is widespread or systematic use of force against the civilian population,” said Rebecca Lozada, national coordinator of PC-ICC.Kabayan Rep. Harry Roque said it may be too soon to push for charges against President Duterte in the ICC for the spate of drug killings.He said crimes against humanity should be widespread and systematic, and targeting civilians.“Under the elements of widespread and systematic in relation to President Duterte’s war on drugs, it is too difficult to prove and you need at least one year to prove it,” Roque said in a phone interview.Earlier, Ruben Carranza, senior associate at New York-based International Center for Transitional Justice, said “extrajudicial killings are crimes against humanity” under the Rome Statute.“Presidents have no immunity there,” Carranza said. TVJRELATED STORIESFULL TEXT: Sen. Leila de Lima privilege speech on drugs, killingsLook into extrajudicial killings under Duterte, Congress pressed

['Estrella Torres']

17/05/2017 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/803509/aguirre-intl-rights-suit-vs-duterte-no-way-criminals-are-not-humanity

Inquirer

Naval Intelligence, PNP conduct briefings on anti-terror

The Philippine Navy’s intelligence group and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Negros Oriental are conducting a joint series of lectures to educate stakeholders, especially in the coastal areas, on the terror threat posed by the Abu Sayyaf and other similar extremist groups.Acting provincial police director Sr. Supt. Henry Biñas said Wednesday that the PNP’s task was to gather a crowd of stakeholders in a specific area while naval intelligence personnel handle the briefing and lecture, such as on how to spot a potential terrorist.Invited to the lecture series are barangay officials, local government executives, security guards and other stakeholders identified as “frontliners” in the fight against terrorism, said Biñas.This is part of the Joint Task Group Deter’s operational plan to ensure that Negros Oriental remains safe amid terror threat reports in the Visayas region, said Sr. Supt. Biñas.Just last week, barangay officials and other stakeholders in the municipality of Siaton attended the intelligence briefing, which also includes lectures on information gathering and reporting procedures, among others, he said.The police director said Dauin, where majority of the beach resorts visited by tourists were located, had also previously conducted a similar briefing, while Dumaguete and Sibulan were up next.Sr. Supt. Biñas explained this would be a regular activity in areas potentially vulnerable to the terror threat.Apo Island, famous worldwide as a dive destination, is among these vulnerable areas but Biñas reiterated that it is safe for local and foreign tourists.Meanwhile, Sr. Supt. Biñas reiterated that the government security forces remain on full alert level despite Bohol being cleared recently of the Abu Sayyaf threat following the deaths of the last two remaining bandits there.Joint patrols on land and at sea by the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines continue without let-up even as Sr. Supt. Biñas reassured that Negros Oriental was safe from the terror threat.There is nothing to worry about, he said, despite the travel advisory of the United Kingdom against going to Badian and Dalaguete in nearby Cebu because of the Abu Sayyaf threat, he added.

[]

17/05/2017 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/05/17/naval-intelligence-pnp-conduct-briefings-on-anti-terror/

Manila Bulletin

Love triangle: Spurned by Duterte, Marcos goes back to Santiago

The Santiago-Marcos tandem in 2016 is still on.Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday defended his reported attempts to partner with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte despite Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s earlier announcement that Marcos was her vice presidential running mate.“By her (Santiago) definition, we are in a loose coalition. I think that is a product of the way politics here has evolved,” Marcos said in an interview with Cavite Rep. Boying Remulla and Teddy Locsin on dzRH radio.For Marcos, the son and namesake of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, joining more than one political coalition is justifiable given the nature of Philippine politics.“We have very unique elections. Party machinery no longer works as much as before,” said Marcos, whose ultimate goal, many believe, is to return his family to Malacañang.According to Marcos, he has observed on his provincial sorties that local officials will never give their support to an entire party.“They make their own choices. Nobody follows the party line,” he said, describing the Filipino penchant for cherry-picking names or personalities rather than a single party to vote for during elections.“That is why senatorial candidates can easily cross over to another party,” Marcos said.“You look at the senatorial lineups of the parties, no senator is going exclusive to one party. All parties have guest candidates,” he said.Duterte apparently turned down Marcos’ last-ditch effort to become his running mate.READ: Duterte rebuffs Marcos Jr.

['Niña P. Calleja']

30/06/2017 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/743386/love-triangle-spurned-by-duterte-marcos-goes-back-to-santiago

Inquirer

P4.5 B allocated for Imus hospital, roads

The national government has allotted a P4.5-billion fund for various infrastructure projects in this historical capital city of Cavite, it was announced at yesterday’s fifth cityhood anniversary celebration here.Mayor Emmanuel Leonard Maliksi and Representative Alex “AA” Advincula said the first public hospital project in Barangay Bucandala, here, and Community Action Center in Barangay Malagasang are set to be opened in December this year.Maliksi and Advincula announced the fund allocation as one of the highlights of their speeches before the crowd at the jam-packed City Hall Area Sports Complex.The event dubbed as “Kongreso ng Lungsod Para sa Pagbabago” (Congress of the City for Reform) was also graced by Vice Mayor Arnel “Ony” Cantimbuhan and majority of the district councilors.In his two-hour State of City Address (SOCA), Maliksi cited the performance and accomplishments of his administration since Imus became a city on June 30, 2012 and revealed what he intends to do in the next two years in terms of peace and order, education, health, business, employment, sports, tourism and welfare for their constituents.Thousands of department and unit heads and employees, school teachers, and representatives from different sectors, non-governmental organizations and barangay (village) leaders attended the event, where Advincula also revealed national government

[]

30/06/2017 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/06/30/p4-5-b-allocated-for-imus-hospital-roads/

Manila Bulletin

Kim reminds Pia: You still have to pay taxes

Unless a law is passed, the queen still has to pay her taxes after all.Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach is still not exempt from paying taxes in the Philippines unless she gets the approval of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, according to Commissioner Kim Henares of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).“If you want to exempt somebody, you have to pass a law and a law requires the vote of the House and the Senate. And if you read the Constitution, a law exempting anyone requires three-fourths vote of both the House and the Senate,” Henares said in a press conference Thursday.Last week, the House approved on committee level House Bill No. 6367, which exempts the Filipino beauty queen from paying taxes. A similar bill is pending in the Senate.In any case, Wurtzbach would be paying only a small amount to the Philippines, as the bulk of her taxes will go to the United States, where she is currently earning her income, said Henares.“If there will be any tax payment in the Philippines, it will probably be just 1 or 2 percent, or not even,” said the BIR head.Salary, sponsorshipsAmong Wurtzbach’s winnings are a salary as Miss Universe during her yearlong reign, living allowance, a scholarship at the New York Film Academy, and a host of other sponsorships for travels, personal care and representation.Wurtzbach, an actress before becoming a beauty queen, earlier said she never missed making her tax payments. But she said she could not be taxed for her $300,000 gem-encrusted crown as, technically, it does not belong to her.Henares said the beauty queen only needed to declare her tax payment in the United States upon filing her income tax return in the Philippines.“She just has to declare her income overseas along with her income here, because most probably she will have an income here. Then compute how much she has to pay and deduct what she has already paid overseas,” Henares said.“You should have proof—papers, documents—that show you declared this and paid this tax overseas in a certified true copy that was consularized,” she said.Social mediaJokes about Henares running after Wurtzbach were rife on social media after the latter’s Miss Universe victory, given the BIR chief’s known record of demanding prompt payment from taxpayers, including celebrities.But it’s not as if Henares immediately goes after those with prize winnings that may be taxable, as social media posts and memes portrayed her to be.“I’d like to clarify [the reports]. The truth is, when someone wins (a prize), it’s not like I immediately think about taxing him or her. By reputation, if the media ask me a question, I answer,” Henares said.“Unfortunately, I have no control of what people think, what people feel. All I have control of is my own action. For as long as I’m doing what is right. You can never make everybody happy,” she added.Henares has not seen the posts herself but said, “Perhaps, I’m happy to contribute to the conversation.”“I don’t do social media. So as far as I’m concerned, it does not affect me because I don’t even know what’s going on. Everyone of us, more so when you’re in government, we should recognize that all our actions will not make everyone happy,” Henares told reporters.She said her action was based on what was correct and what was right.“Otherwise, we will be in a paralysis and that’s even worse. If I wait for everyone’s approval, then there is nothing I will be able to accomplish,” she said.

['Tarra Quismundo']

25/10/2017 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/761719/kim-reminds-pia-you-still-have-to-pay-taxes

Inquirer

Duterte promises equal share of national budget for Mindanao

President Duterte has reiterated his promise to Mindanao that he would give an equal share of the national budget to the island.In a speech in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, Duterte said he has not forgotten his promise.“Rest assured that the government remains committed in fulfilling its promise in giving an equal share of the national wealth to Mindanao, including Davao del Norte,” Duterte assured.“Use the money to uplift the lives of your people and realize your great potential,” he added.The President expressed hope that the money will be put to good use in uplifting the lives of the people in Mindanao, particularly in Davao del Norte, and in realizing the island’s great potential.“I believe that Davao del Norte will continue to become one of the fastest-growing provinces in Mindanao,” the President said.“With its vast resources and strong, resilient and vibrant people, the province will be able to achieve greater development at par with the rest of the nation,” he added.The President said he reminded Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez to divide the national budget equally.Duterte said he would be willing to give money for worthy and clean infrastructure projects that would benefit the Filipino people and warned that he would not patronize nor entertain politicians who communicate with him through phone calls.“I have never talked about any project over the phone or any particular patronage. Totoo ‘yan. Wala akong cellphone. Hindi ako tumatanggap ng tawag (That’s the truth. I don’t have a cellphone. I don’t accept calls),” Duterte said.“We can talk of anything else and make compromises maybe, but not when the interest of my country is at stake. That is not negotiable,” he said.“Do not come to me talking about drugs and terrorism. Mag-away lang tayo (We will just fight),” he added.

['Grin Olsson', 'John Appleseed']

02/07/2017 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/07/02/duterte-promises-equal-share-of-national-budget-for-mindanao-2/

Manila Bulletin

4Love of Country: Inquirer Read-Along’s Valentine session

Love on Valentine’s Day can be translated into love for country, and can be shown in the little things that we do everyday.This was the lesson learned by schoolchildren who joined the Inquirer’s Read-Along session on Saturday, whose theme was #ReadAlong4LoveofCountry.Love of country is seen in how you live your daily life, actress Agot Isidro told the children.“You have to practice it in the smallest of ways … From following traffic signs, crossing the streets in designated areas, helping in household chores. All these things will manifest later on into bigger things as you grow older,” she said.Love for others, meanwhile, became the dominant theme in the tales of selflessness and humility that storytellers Isidro, TV personality Gabby Padilla and veteran storyteller Ann Abacan, principal of Sophia School in Meycauayan City, Bulacan, told some 100 children during the event.The session also included a simple turnover of Philippine flags led by Ayala Foundation president Ruel Maranan to over 30 schools in Metro Manila and Bulacan province as part of its “Maging Magiting” campaign.Isidro read Rene Villanueva’s “Ang Alamat ng Papaya,” about the kindhearted Reyna Lingap and her loyal Pya-a followers who protected her from pirates.‘Symbiotic’“The Pya-a people, who were once oppressed, became the courageous ones who fought for their leader and their country. They were empowered because of the goodness of their leader. It’s very symbiotic,” Isidro said of her favorite part of the story.As for her, Isidro said she showed love for country by excelling in her craft, hoping that this would have a ripple effect.“If you do good in your work, then you get recognized. And the community around you will see you as an example,” the actress added.Padilla, meanwhile, read another Villanueva story, “Ang Dalawang Haring Siga,” which tells of two rival chieftains who eventually settle their differences after their grandchildren become best friends.Abacan read “Si Diwayen, Noong Bago Dumating ang mga Espanyol” by Augie Rivera. The story tells how Diwayen, a young slave, earns her freedom after saving a young princess from danger in the woods.“Most of the time, wisdom comes from older people. But once in a while, the younger generation know what they’re talking about. They are the voice of the future,” Padilla said.Flag recipientsAbacan, who is also an officer of Meycauayan City Private Schools Association, received the flags for Sophia School and in behalf of 30 public schools in the city.The other flag recipients were Romelyn Cabugsa of Centex Manila, Ma. Lourdes and Reynaldo Chua of Good Shepherd Montessori School, and Mary Grace Sumalinog of San Antonio Elementary School.Maranan said they would distribute thousands of Philippine flags in schools nationwide as it was important for children to be aware of what the national flag symbolized.“Every time you see our flag, may it inspire you not just to get high grades in school and make your parents proud, or even strive hard to be the person you want to be, but most importantly, to serve our country,” he added.The flag donation project promotes love of country by highlighting the hero in every Filipino.For Niobe, 12, the story that Isidro read taught her to be kind. “We should not do things just because we want to [have our way]. We should be friends with everyone,” he said.Grade 4 student Timothy, 9, said the legend of Papaya taught him to be loyal by being respectful and generous.Teacher Eufronia Natanauan from Good Shepherd Montessori School, meanwhile, expressed appreciation for the read-along session.“Reading is very important because it actually helps students learn even outside the classroom … At the same time, they’re able to apply in their daily life situations all the learning experiences they gain from the stories that they have read,” Natanauan said.Saturday’s session, hosted by Junior Inquirer editor Ruth Navarra-Mayo, was held in cooperation with Cel Amores, senior director for corporate communications of Ayala Foundation.

['Inquirer Read-Along Team']

2017-08-30 08:19:45+00:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/967802/4love-of-country-inquirer-read-alongs-valentine-session

Inquirer

PCSO chair agrees to meet Bato on ‘anemic’ PNP drive vs gambling

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) chair Jose Jorge Corpuz said he and other officials were willing to meet with Philippine National Police chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa anytime soon to “clear gray areas” in their fight against illegal gambling.The statement came after PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan criticized the PNP’s antigambling efforts as “anemic” and threatened to cut the PNP’s share in PCSO revenues with other law enforcement agencies.He said the agency might also give a share to the National Bureau of Investigation and Armed Forces of the Philippines.“Let us lay all our cards on the table and not hide any card. If [the arrests of illegal gamblers] were anemic, we have to double our efforts,” Dela Rosa was quoted as saying in an interview.In response, Corpuz agreed to meet with Dela Rosa as soon as possible.“Sitting down with PCSO is an opportunity for both parties to clarify issues for the smooth implementation of STL (Small Town Lottery)” and “clear gray areas between the legal STL and the illegal numbers game,” Balutan said.Corpuz said police assistance in the STL expansion program of PCSO was “very indispensable and critical” but the NBI and the AFP also deserved a share in STL revenues for the medical and hospital needs of its personnel, Corpuz added.PCSO gave the PNP P180 million in 2016 and around P154 million during the first quarter of 2017 as its share from the revenue of the PCSO.The funds are part of the 2.5-percent share the PNP gets from PCSO for medical and health programs and not for PNP operations, Corpuz clarified.

['Jodee A. Agoncillo']

13/09/2017 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/916280/pcso-chair-agrees-to-meet-bato-on-anemic-pnp-drive-vs-gambling

Inquirer

Budget slash for rehab centers hit

Senate Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto underscored the need to allocate a bigger budget for government-run drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation centers, and lashed at the Department of Health (DOH) for slashing the allocation for the centers by more than P2 billion.Recto said the allocation for the rehab centers will be cut by P2.31-billion under the 2018 national budget.A P164.8-billion budget was proposed for the DOH, up by 9 percent from this year’s P151.3 billion. The department appropriated P759.6 million to manage the operations of state-run rehabilitation facilities, 75 percent less than the P3.08 billion allocation for this year.“If a drug addiction is a disease, is this budgetary prescription from our health officials the right one?” Recto said.Recto said DOH’s reason for the budget cut was “that private donations will make up for the difference.”“If that is the case, DOH should submit a listing of where the replacement funds would come from because that is too big a vacuum to fill,” he said.The DOH said the reduced budget sought for 2018 will be used to run 14 drug abuse treatment centers, and to support the operation of the “mega rehab center” a Chinese tycoon built in Nueva Ecija.

[]

13/09/2017 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/09/13/budget-slash-for-rehab-centers-hit/

Manila Bulletin

Luzon newsbits for February 17, 2017

A Filipina teenager from this town was recognized as the best presenter at the recent United Nations Youth Assembly in New York for her paper on the sustainable cacao project. Eighteen-year-old Louisse Mabulo, a freshman at the UP College of Entrepreneurship, was chosen as the best among five presenters from around the world. Mabulo left the judges in awe after letting them realize how cacao affects the food industry and how the cacao global deficit could be prevented. (Ruel Saldico)

[]

16/02/2017 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/02/16/luzon-newsbits-for-february-17-2017/

Manila Bulletin

De Lima says Jaybee was her asset

Sen. Leila de Lima on Thursday said Jaybee Sebastian, a convicted car thief and a powerful gang leader, was her “asset” who provided information on the illegal drug trade at New Bilibid Prison (NBP) that as justice secretary in the Aquino administration she had attempted to crush.But, De Lima, at a news conference called to deny allegations she received protection money from NBP drug lords to fund her senatorial campaign in May, declined to elaborate.“The reason I’m saying he’s an asset is to dispel speculations, malicious insinuations that the reason why he was not transferred like the Bilibid 19 because he was favored, protected and the insinuation that he collects money for me,” De Lima said of Sebastian.The Bilibid 19 referred to the 19 drug lords transferred to the National Bureau of Investigation jail after a raid on the national penitentiary she led in December 2014.Some inmates who testified at the hearing conducted by the justice committee of the House of Representatives claimed that they did not directly give to De Lima money but they either deposited cash or asked their referrals to make deposits to bank accounts controlled by her lieutenants, including Sebastian, who emerged as the “king of drug lords” after centralizing drug operations at NBP following the 2014 raid.De Lima said that if Sebastian would testify in the House inquiry, he could address that matter but noted she would not also be surprised if he would testify against her.The senator said Sebastian was not immediately transferred to the NBI jail because he was giving the department information on the NBP drug trade.But she said she eventually ordered Sebastian to be transferred to the NBI jail when Rainier Cruz became the chief of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).Gathering infoShe also urged the House to invite former BuCor Chief Franklin Bucayu to share operational details of the 2014 raid.De Lima also said she was gathering information on the witnesses who testified against her because the initial information was they did not want to do so.She said she was getting information on how they were convinced to testify against her.Psychological tortureShe reiterated that some of the witnesses could have been pressured to do so, some had “an ax to grind against her,” some had “skeletons in the closet” and were blackmailed or paid.De Lima said she knew that one inmate was taken to Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and was “psychologically tortured” to force him to speak against her.She said a former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) official, Lt. Col. Ferdinand Marcelino, was being pressured by some groups to speak against her after Marcelino was reported on Wednesday to be facing illegal drug charges after the Department of Justice (DOJ) had reversed its earlier dismissal order.A July 19 text had Marcelino revealing that some groups were “trying to convince me to speak against (De Lima).” But he assured the person he was texting he would not be used and he “never doubted her integrity.”A second text, on Sept. 9, said Marcelino had complained of “mounting” pressures and that his drug case would be reopened.Aquino not involved“But rest assured that I will never give in to them mistah. Pls tell Sen L to keep faith and be strong,” Marcelino said in his text message, which De Lima shared to reporters.Responding to Director Benjamin Magalong’s claim that the Philippine National Police was excluded in the December 2014 raid on NBP, De Lima explained that it was the DOJ that was on top of the operations but that they also used PNP units in the raid.De Lima said Magalong, the deputy PNP chief for operations and former Criminal Investigation and Detection Group head, could have been “frustrated” when he made those statements.She said Magalong admitted in the House inquiry that his office and the PDEA did not like what happened.“I have no problem with Magalong. I perceive him to be a professional official,” she said.De Lima took offense to statements that there was an official higher than she who was also linked to illegal drugs.She said “the only one higher than me” was President Aquino himself.“So are they saying my President is also a beneficiary of these things? Of course not, you know P-Noy,” she said adding these statements were “outlandish, very outrageous.”

['Christine O. Avendaño']

24/11/2016 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/818169/de-lima-says-jaybee-was-her-asset

Inquirer

Maguindanao ‘lumad’ take up arms to fight IS-inspired BIFF gunmen

Saying they have had enough of the atrocities of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), some members of the Teduray communities on Mt. Firis, which straddles three inner towns here, have started taking up arms.They know that their indigenous weapons, such as spears, machetes, bows and arrows are no match to the powerful automatic rifles of the pro-Islamic State (IS) militants but Teduray men in Datu Hoffer, Datu Unsay and Datu Saudi Ampatuan towns say they need to protect themselves and their families.“Just to get even, when they (BIFF) harass us again, we have armed ourselves. This is the only way to defend our ancestral lands,” said Roel Ingan, a 50-year-old corn farmer, in Filipino.BIFF gunmen have been attacking Teduray communities on Mt. Firis since Christmas, killing a number of Teduray men and forcing some 2,000 people to flee.Unsafe for civiliansSome of the evacuees, including Ingan, have left the evacuation centers only to relocate to other areas as their communities remain unsafe for civilians.“I cannot understand why the BIFF wanted to take Mt. Firis from us, we have not done anything wrong against them. They should spare us, we are living here peacefully,” said Ingan, who has since resettled his family at Sitio Bagong in Barangay Maitumaig in Datu Unsay town.Ingan said he and 61 other neighbors from Sitio Macon in Barangay Limpogo had started to rebuild their lives.“We go to Macon during the day to farm and harvest some of our produce and then go back to Bagong before sundown,” he said.Rogelio Daingan, 53, a village councilor of Barangay Limpogo in Datu Hoffer town, said they decided to put up a defense—even if they only used indigenous weapons—because they had nowhere to go.“This is our land, we have nowhere to go if we are driven away from here,” Daingan said.Danilo Samson, 48, also from Macon, said they were thankful to their Maguindanaoan friends because they had been alerting them about the movements of the BIFF.He said when the first warning of the gunmen’s presence came on Dec. 24, they immediately gathered their families and brought them to safety.But like his neighbors, Samson said this was not the time to run again. He said they would now fight to defend their communities.“We would rather die here than allow anyone to take it from us,” Daingan said.Building foxholesTo protect their families in the event of another attack, Daingan said every new shanty they built had foxholes.“If we hear gun bursts, our children know where to go,” Daingan said, pointing to a 2-meter by 2-meter foxhole under his makeshift home in Bagong.Ingan said they had already approached the military so they could be recruited as militiamen but they had not received word from them.Maguindanao Gov. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu earlier said he had also sought the help of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to protect the Teduray communities on Mt. Firis.Mangudadatu said he believed that the MILF, through the joint ceasefire committees, could help protect the Tedurays from BIFF atrocities.Sacred sanctuary“During the last few weeks, we have witnessed what have happened in Mt. Firis. I really feel pity on those who are affected, our brothers and sisters ‘lumad,’” the governor said.“That area really belongs to them (Teduray). That is their most sacred sanctuary … Let us give them importance,” he added.Mangudadatu said he had also asked the mayors of Datu Hoffer, Datu Unsay and Datu Saudi Ampatuan to attend to the needs of the Teduray people.“It is such a small place and yet we have failed to give them much-needed help,” he said.In a recent meeting, the governor also urged local officials of Datu Hoffer, Datu Unsay and Datu Saudi to help convince BIFF gunmen to stop attacking the Teduray.He told the officials in a recent meeting: “I don’t believe that you (mayors) don’t know them. You know the BIFF commanders. Commander Bungos and the other commanders have been there for the longest time … Why did we allow them to grow bigger?”

['Edwin O. Fernandez']

24/11/2016 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/961951/maguindanao-lumad-take-up-arms-to-fight-is-inspired-biff-gunmen

Inquirer

Hi-tech digital classroom unveiled in CamSur

A hi-tech digital classroom for junior and senior high school students was unveiled recently at the Rodriguez High School in Pili, Camarines Sur.The ultra-modern classroom has 40 desks fitted with computers connected to a super server.The said classroom will initially be used for Advance Information Technology and Data Processing and Website Production classes.The classroom project was funded by the provincial government headed by Governor Migz Villafuerte in a bid to make public school students more competitive.Villfauerte said it is his priority to have projects for the youth especially those related to technology and quality education in public schools.Each student entering the digital classroom will have to use barcodes to gain access.In their individual accounts, daily updates on their learning process, assignments and modules will be posted.These accounts can be accessed anywhere and can be monitored by the parents.All desks are programmed not to have access to social media sites to allow students to focus on academic pursuits.

[]

24/11/2016 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2016/11/24/hi-tech-digital-classroom-unveiled-in-camsur/

Manila Bulletin

Health workers find baby patient in a coffin

Health workers kept their appointment on Thursday to be at the house of the Laride family here supposedly to administer a vaccine shot to 5-month-old Rex June Laride and conduct prenatal checkup on his mother, Virginia.But it was not to deliver health service but instead attend the wake for the entire Laride family, who were killed during a police antidrug operation on Sept. 11.One of the health workers, Lovely Alandroque, stood before Rex June’s coffin, trying to prevent herself from crying.“Today he was supposed to get his vaccine shot,” Alandroque said. “It’s a pity. He was a healthy child,” she said.She said Virginia, Rex June’s mother, was also scheduled to have her first prenatal checkup on Thursday.Rex Jude and Virginia, 35, and pregnant, were killed in a police operation in the village of Taguranao here that supposedly targeted Rex Jude’s father, Bevino, 32.A report of the town police said the operation was for the arrest of Bevino for frustrated murder.Case already dismissedSenior Insp. Roland Donor, acting Tubod police chief, said instead of peacefully yielding, Bevino allegedly shot the arresting officers and wounded one police officer.The arresting team returned fire and killed Bevino, along with his wife and baby.But it turned out that the frustrated murder case against Bevino had already been dismissed in August.When this was pointed out by reporters to the police, Senior Supt. Leopoldo Cabanag, Lanao del Norte provincial police director, said the arresting team was actually after Junel Laride, a brother of Bevino.Junel also faces frustrated murder charges, he said.“He is reported to frequent that house and during the particular operation, he was said to be there,” Cabanag added.Asked why Bevino’s baby and wife were also killed in the raid, Cabanag said he was sorry.“It was not intentional. Our operation was legitimate,” he said.The Tubod police also insisted that Bevino fired a gun. A Carbine rifle was supposedly recovered in the Laride house after the gunfight.Reporters who checked the Laride house saw dozens of bullet holes.Cabanag said police were only acting in self-defense.“It was not brutal,” he said of the entire family’s killing.But Jocelyn Laride, Bevino’s elder sister, said her brother suffered 37 gunshot wounds, citing forensic test results. Virginia suffered 12 bullet wounds. Rex Jude was shot in the butt with the bullet exiting the baby’s penis.‘They killed them all’“It was really painful they ended up like this,” Jocelyn said as tears rolled down her cheeks.She said the family was asking President Duterte to help them find justice. “They killed them all. No one was left of my brother’s family,” Jocelyn said.Cabanag, the Lanao del Norte police chief, said the case was being investigated although the operation was presumed to be legitimate.Eight members of the Tubod police force, including its acting chief Donor, are now in restrictive custody, said Cabanag.“I am publicly apologizing for what happened but I believe it was not the intention. I hope the public understands it,” Cabanag added.

['Philippine Daily Inquirer']

08/08/2017 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/931146/laride-family-rex-june-laride-virginia-laride-bevino-laride

Inquirer

Secrecy in CA sacred to members

A ranking member of the Commission on Appointments thumbed down proposals to review the body’s secrecy rule after the panel rejected the appointment of Gina Lopez as environment secretary.“Executive sessions are used among others, in order to allow free and uninhibited exchanges of opinions and in order to make decisions free from an atmosphere not conducive to good decision-making,” Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III, the CA’s majority floor leader, said.In the case of Lopez, Albano noted that she is a scion of the family that controls the ABS-CBN television network.“In this case, the nominee is a member of a highly powerful media and business family [and] was mounting an intense media campaign [for her confirmation]. It was only prudent for the Commission to adopt those rules,” he told the Inquirer.“On the one hand, those against her can be vilified in media while those who support her can also be suspected of currying favor [with] her family,” he said.Albano was reacting to the statements of Senators Francis Pangilinan and Vicente Sotto III who both proposed to revisit the commission’s secrecy rules after Lopez’s rejection.The rules have long been in effect but came under public attention after confusion marred the results of the vote on Lopez, who was eventually rejected 16-8.However, the result did not tally with what some commission members announced in media and the secrecy rule made it impossible to verify how they really voted.But Albano said confidentiality is also important “when a public discussion can be un-beneficial to an intelligent decision” or “when playing to the crowd can disrupt the orderly flow of the proceedings.”“Also for this reason it is unparliamentary to discuss or impute motives on a legislators action,” he said.Some senators, however, openly admitted how they voted and even explained their their position.Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, for one, admitted he voted to reject Lopez because of acts that he deemed illegal and would have embarassed President Duterte.In a statement from Geneva, Switzerland where he is attending a United Nations meeting, he scored Lopez for going “so low as to cast aspersions on why I voted the way I did and even accuse me of being in the pockets of the mining industry.”He said he previously did not feel the need to explain his vote because that would have rubbed salt in Lopez’s wound.“Because I would have to enumerate all the reasons why she is not fit to be DENR secretary. I felt it would be cruel to reject [her] then put her down,” Cayetano said.Cayetano said he believes in responsible mining and wants the strictest and highest standards for industries that affect the environment.He even supported Lopez when she closed down mining sites “not compliant with the highest standards.”

['Dj Yap', 'Jeannette I. Andrade']

08/08/2017 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/894884/secrecy-in-ca-sacred-to-members

Inquirer

2 quakes rock Rizal

RuizTwo strong tremors hit Rizal province and some parts of Metro Manila early yesterday, officials said.The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded the first earthquake measuring 3.9-magnitude at 12:31 a.m.Its epicenter was traced at 4 kilometers (km) southeast of Pililla, Rizal.The shaking was “moderately strong” at Intensity 4 in Pililla and Antipolo, Rizal.Angono, Rizal felt the earthquake at Intensity 3, as a “weak tremor.”Meanwhile, Tanay in Rizal, Manila, and Pasig City felt the tremor at Intensity 2, as a “slight” shaking.It was “scarcely perceptible” at Intensity 1 in Quezon City.The second quake occurred at 1:28 a.m. with a magnitude of 4.0. It was traced at 5 km southwest of Pililla.Intensity 4 was felt in Pililla, Rizal; Intensity 3 in San Mateo and Montalban in Rizal; and Intensity 1 in Quezon City.Phivolcs geologist Rob Lim said the earthquakes were likely generated by a “deep-seated” underground fault but clarified that the tremors were “not attributed to the West Valley Fault System.”

[]

08/08/2017 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/08/08/2-quakes-rock-rizal/

Manila Bulletin

Health groups condemn docs’ killing

Health groups condemned the murder of another doctor in Dinagat Island last week, the fifth such killing so far for this year.The Philippine Medical Association and the Health Alliance for Democracy slammed the death of Dr. Vicente Soco, who was shot dead on Thursday evening.Initial reports showed that the doctor was gunned down by a man on a motorcycle while the victim was at his family’s gasoline station.“The PMA, once again, laments the killing of another doctor, Dr. Soco of Butuan who was shot two days ago by unknown assailants,” said PMA president Irineo Bernardo III.The PMA chief also expressed alarm that “the government has not issued a statement on these crimes against our members with impunity.”Soco is the fifth doctor to be killed this year, following the deaths of doctors Dreyfus Perlas in March; Sajid Sinolinding in April; Geroge Repique and Romeo Gadot Subiate, both in July.Perlas was the municipal health officer of Sapad in Lanao del Norte while Sajid Sinolinding was the brother of Dr. Kadil Sinolinding, Jr. of the Department of Health.On the other hand, Dr. George Repique served as the provincial health officer of Cavite while Romeo Gadot Subiate served in Tarlac City.For his part, HEAD secretary general Joseph Carabeo urged the government to take action amid the culture of impunity in the country.“This is still the effect of the culture of impunity that reigns. Human rights, human lives, seem to be of little value under the Duterte regime,” Carabeo said.He also called on the Department of Health to make “a firm and unequivocal stand for the protection of all health workers, especially those working at the frontlines.”“The DOH has yet to set up mechanisms to assist frontline health workers experiencing harassment. They have no clear position as to whether they will protect and seek justice for them,” he added.

['Julie M. Aurelio']

09/04/2017 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/931149/vicente-soco-philippine-medical-association-slain-doctors-health-alliance-for-democracy-irineo-bernardo-iii

Inquirer

De Lima suspects Jack Lam used ‘bribe’ money

Sen. Leila de Lima on Thursday said she suspected that part of the alleged bribe money given to immigration officials by casino operator Jack Lam on Nov. 27, 2016, in exchange for the release of more than 1,000 Chinese workers arrested for illegally working for him was used but returned.This after De Lima pointed out some of the money that was taken supposedly from the Lam casino—and supposedly untouched—suddenly seemed to have been withdrawn from a bank when it was surrendered by the two immigration officials on Dec. 13, 2016.De Lima also wondered why Deputy Commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles decided to consolidate some of the bribe money at a birthday party attended by Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II and fellow fraternity brothers at their San Beda law school last Nov. 27.The senator raised these points during the third hearing of the Senate blue ribbon committee investigating the alleged bribery of Argosino and Robles by Lam middleman Wally Sombero last year.De Lima told reporters after the hearing: “This is not a conclusive assessment yet, but if Argosino cannot explain and Sombero says the money came from the casino … then it means the money has been used and who used it, we do not know.”“This is just suspicion until proven otherwise,” De Lima said. She underscored the importance for Sombero, who skipped the Senate inquiry for the third time on Thursday, to face the blue ribbon committee.De Lima, in a slide presentation, showed pictures of the Dec. 13, 2016, press conference of Argosino and Robles in which they presented the P29,999,000 bribe money they allegedly got from Lam through Sombero.The two officials claimed that they accepted P48 million from Sombero and that Sombero took P2 million for himself, as a case buildup against Lam.The two also claimed they gave P18 million to former immigration intelligence chief Charlie Calima who was allegedly extorting money from them.Both Calima and Sombero, on the other hand, have said Argosino and Robles extorted the money in exchange for the release of Chinese employees arrested working illegally in Lam’s hotel and casino in Clark, Pampanga.At the hearing, De Lima said the pictures showed that some of the money were in bundles.Sen. Richard Gordon, the committee chair, agreed, noting that some of the money was bundled and tied with rubber bands while some, wrapped with BDO markings.De Lima said some of the money presented by Argosino and Robles was unlike theP18 million that Calima surrendered to the Philippine National Police on Dec. 20, 2016, because it was “clean.”Before she presented the pictures, De Lima was able to elicit from Argosino that the P30 million cash that was in his possession was “untouched” since Robles turned over the other half of the money last Nov. 27.“How in heaven’s name that the money came from BDO when it was turned over to you both—there is no bank on (weekends

['Christine O. Avendaño']

09/04/2017 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/870128/de-lima-suspects-jack-lam-used-bribe-money

Inquirer

4 cops charged with Kian’s killing

Public attorneys filed murder and torture charges against four policemen on Friday over the killing of 17-year-old Kian Loyd delos Santos in Caloocan City last Aug. 16.The filing of the charges, which have yet to be approved by prosecutors, spurred Palace officials to warn lawmen that President Duterte’s war on drugs cannot be used as an excuse to break the law.Starting the processAt the same time, the Philippine National Police reminded the public that the four policemen have the right to be “presumed innocent” of killing the teenager.Delos Santos’ parents, Saldy and Lorenza, filed the charges at the Department of Justice (DOJ) with the assistance of Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) Chief Persida Rueda-Acosta.Charged were Caloocan City Station 7 head, Chief Insp. Amor Cerillo, PO3 Arnel Oares, PO1 Jeremiah Pereda and PO1 Jerwin Cruz and several John Does.“The wheels of justice will turn now,” Acosta said, adding the complaint included the depositions of at least five witnesses as well as the official findings of an autopsy by PAO coroners.“We hope this will be resolved expeditiously by the DOJ not more than 60 days from today,” she said, referring to the legal time frame prosecutors have to file the appropriate charges in court.Sent on an errandAccording to the complaint, Kian’s father said he asked his son to clean their sari-sari store around 7 p.m. of Aug. 16 because he had to go out to buy supplies for their store.When the father returned an hour later, a fruit vendor told him that his son had been taken by the police.“I immediately went to Police Community Precinct 7 [at] Sta. Quiteria, Caloocan City. When I arrived at the police station, I asked if they arrested a Kian Loyd delos Santos, a minor.“They told me that they [had] not arrested a person by that name,” Saldy said.But when he returned home, he said several people were waiting at his house to tell him Kian had been found dead.8 witnesses, 5 depositionsAcosta said the depositions were executed by five witnesses who claimed to have seen Kian being dragged, choked and punched by the policemen.The five witnesses exclude the three others who were sequestered by Sen. Risa Hontiveros after a Senate probe of the incident on Thursday.Acosta said the three witnesses could prove problematic because two of them are minors whose mother complained they were taken without her parental consent.Acosta said she can dispense with the depositions of the three since the five other witnesses corroborate claims that Kian was intentionally killed.Unintentional killingPolice, who claimed they were in search of another drug suspect, said they unintentionally killed Kian because he fired a gun at the lawmen.Delos Santos was found dead in an alley with a gun in his left hand and the police presented a supposed drug dealer who claimed he had a transaction with the teenager on the day of the killing.But the Delos Santos family said he had no weapon, was right-handed and security cameras showed policemen dragging a man matching delos Santos’ description toward the area where he was killed.The three policemen admit they were the people shown in the video, but maintained they were escorting another suspect, not Delos Santos.PAO and police pathologists, who did separate autopsies, agreed during the Senate hearing that Delos Santos was shot at close range while he was on the ground.“It was cold-blooded murder,” Acosta said. “He was shot while kneeling down.”Palace pivotWhile opinion surveys showed public support for the government’s war on drugs, the killing of Delos Santos has boosted skepticism of the controversial antinarcotics campaign.Even Malacañang toned down its frequent defense of the campaign and said “Kian’s case is a wake-up call for the need to reform government institutions, even law enforcement agencies.”Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said Mr. Duterte had already voiced the need to reform government at the start of his campaign for the presidency.“The President has clearly stated that the war against drugs is not a license to break the law,” he said.“We hope this serves as a reminder to the PNP personnel to follow the established PNP policies and operational procedures; that their personnel are properly guided in the conduct of police operations, particularly in the adherence to the rule of law and due process,” he added.Presumption of innocenceThe PNP, however, asked the public to accord the accused Caloocan City policemen their right to be presumed innocent.“The PNP welcomes the filing of criminal charges so that the police personnel involved can have their day in court and present their defense,” he said.“Police personnel are still innocent unless proven otherwise by the court. Let us accord them their rights,” Carlos added.“The Kian case does not represent the entire drug campaign of the PNP. The PNP will continue to support personnel who continue to be true to their mandate but will not tolerate any wrongdoing or illegal act by erring members,” he said.

['Jeannette I. Andrade', 'Leila B. Salaverria', 'Tetch Torres-Tupas']

09/04/2017 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/925710/4-cops-charged-with-kians-killing

Inquirer

‘Pandan Festival’ posts winning return in Pangasinan’s battle of festivals

‘Street dancers representing the “Pandan Festival” of Mapandan town won the “Parada na Luyag” contest of the 437th Pangasinan Day celebration and took home the hefty prize of P100,000.“Parada na Luyag” is the convergence of all street dancing champions of Pangasinan’s various local festivals. “This is like the battle of champions of festivals,” said Provincial Tourism Officer Malu Elduayan.For the “Tribu Pandan,” it was a victorious comeback in the competition as it topped 15 street dancing contingents after a seven-year absence.Taking second place in the competition was the “Talong Festival” streetdancers of Villasis town, known as the “Vegetable Bowl of Pangasinan,” taking home the P75,000 cash prize.The town of Mabini came in third place. They danced illustrating the deep faith of their town folks to their patron Señor Sto. Niño amidst the difficulties and misfortunes they experienced.Completing the winner’s circle in this year’s competition were Lingayen’s “Bagoong” Festival, Balungao’s “Goat Festival” and Bayambang’s “Malangsi Festival.”

['Spam Me']

09/04/2017 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/04/09/pandan-festival-posts-winning-return-in-pangasinans-battle-of-festivals/

Manila Bulletin

3 CA justices cleared of ‘delay’ rap

The Supreme Court has cleared three Court of Appeals justices accused of inordinate delay in the resolution of a petition for review that the litigants had filed in a property dispute.Voting 14-0, the high court, in a resolution released April 14, said that Justices Celia Librea-Leagogo, Elihu Ybañez and Amy Lazaro-Javier of the Court of Appeals Special 16th Division had no administrative liability as they satisfactorily explained the reasons for the delay.Litigants Wenefredo Parreño, Ronnie Cuevas and Joseph Denamarca said their case was submitted for resolution in the Court of Appeals on June 26, 2012. But at the time they filed their complaint in the Supreme Court on Feb. 8 last year, the three justices assigned to the case had yet to render a decision.The complainants said the delay violated Section 15(1), Article VIII of the Constitution, which provides that all cases submitted to lower collegiate courts, such as the Court of Appeals, must be resolved within 12 months from the date of submission.The three earlier filed a protest in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-National Capital Region against the issuance of a transfer certificate of title for two lots in Taguig City.The agency, the DENR and the Office of the President consecutively dismissed the case, leading the three litigants to elevate the matter to the Court of Appeals.Asked to comment on the administrative complaint, Leagogo denied liability for any undue delay because of her short stint as division chair. She said she served as chair of the division from June 4 to July 5, 2012.Older cases prioritizedLeagogo also said that Ybañez, the ponente or assigned writer of the decision in the case, remained so when he was transferred to other divisions twice, before finally promulgating the decision on Feb. 28, 2014.Ybañez, for his part, said he had given “utmost priority” to the case, which he had assigned to a member of his legal staff. However, the staff member fell seriously ill and due to a lack of personnel and a heavy caseload, he hired a contractual lawyer who later resigned.The justice said he was not remiss in his duty to promptly administer justice and that he prioritized disposing of the older cases assigned to him.Javier said her participation in the case was limited to the adoption of a resolution submitting the case for decision. She said she was only a substitute of the division’s then regular member, Justice Victoria Isabel Paredes.The Supreme Court found the explanations of the justices acceptable and dismissed the administrative complaint for lack of merit.The high court said both Leagogo and Javier were exculpated due to the reorganizations in the appeals court that led to their reassignments.“The delay could not be said to have been incurred by Justice Ybañez with malice or deliberate attempt to impede the dispensation of justice. His explanation, being entirely plausible, is accepted,” said the high court in the ruling written by Justice Lucas Bersamin.

['Jerome Aning']

21/03/2016 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/686529/3-ca-justices-cleared-of-delay-rap

Inquirer

‘Kuryente’ not going to join ‘Sexy,’ ‘Pogi’ in Camp Crame

“Kuryente” isn’t going to join “Sexy” and “Pogi” anytime soon.The Sandiganbayan on Monday ordered the detention of former Apec Rep. Edgar Valdez to a regular jail facility in Bicutan, Taguig City, a week after he surrendered following his indictment in the P10-billion pork barrel racket.However, Valdez got a reprieve after the antigraft court’s Fifth Division said its order would be held in abeyance until his physical condition has improved.In a three-page resolution, the court ordered officials of Philippine National Police General Hospital in Camp Crame, where the former lawmaker had been admitted shortly after his surrender on Feb. 25, to report on his condition in the next two days.“Once his condition improves, the order of commitment shall take effect,” it added.The court rejected for lack of merit Valdez’s plea to be detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame due to his medical condition. Instead, the court sent Valdez to the jail facility at Camp Bagong Diwa.Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla are detained at the Camp Crame facility, also for their alleged role in the multibillion-peso fund scam allegedly drawn up by businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles.Whistle-blowers had claimed that Valdez, whose group represented electric cooperatives in the House of Representatives, was known as “Kuryente” (electricity) in Napoles’ records while Estrada was identified as “Sexy” and Revilla was codenamed “Pogi” (handsome).The court noted that the medical certificate that Valdez attached to his petition was issued in July 2013 and did not bear the signature of his supposed personal physician, Dr. Remo Tito Aguilar.Valdez told the court that he was suffering from diabetes and lumbosacral spondylosis which required him to be under the care of medical personnel.“The fact stated therein cannot… be simply taken as true. While it has been stated that the accused was diagnosed with lumbosacral spondylosis, there is no clear indication that his purported medical condition may be aggravated or become life threatening,” the court ruled.It said Valdez’s claim that he was afflicted with diabetes “cannot be likewise be believed as the medical certificate attached to his motion did not specify that he is suffering from such.”Valdez, who is in his 60s, turned himself in to the police on Feb. 25 after the court ordered his arrest. But he was immediately taken to the PNP hospital after his blood pressure went up.The Office of the Ombudsman recommended his indictment for graft and plunder for allegedly pocketing P57.8 million of his Priority Development Assistance Fund, or pork barrel, from 2004 to 2010.

['Marlon Ramos']

21/03/2016 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/676427/kuryente-not-going-to-join-sexy-pogi-in-camp-crame

Inquirer

Faces of the News: Cadet First Class Rovi Mairel Martinez

Her father dreamed of becoming a soldier when he was young. He went to several military camps to enlist, but he didn’t make the grade.Years later, she’s now fulfilling his dream—and a lot more. Rovi Mairel is graduating at the top of the Philippine Military Academy Salaknib Class of 2017 today.The fourth female cadet to top her class in the PMA, she will receive 11 awards, including the Presidential Saber and the Philippine Navy Saber.She’s not alone; seven other female cadets are in the top 10.Out of 167 members of the class, 63 are female.As a yearling, she nearly called it quits in the face of the challenges that all plebes have to undergo at the academy. But she stood fast.Not bad, not bad at all for the daughter of a frustrated soldier.

['Philippine Daily Inquirer']

21/03/2016 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/879875/faces-of-the-news-cadet-first-class-rovi-mairel-martinez

Inquirer

Faces of the News: Eduard Folayang

Eduard Folayang gave Filipino fight fans a reason to celebrate as he displayed masterful striking to defeat challenger E.V. “E.T.” Ting of Malaysia to retain his ONE Lightweight World Championship.The former wushu national athlete was simply peerless on the ring as he used a mix of lightning attacks and spinning charges to pepper Ting with side kicks and timed punches.Folayang actually stayed on the outside a lot, looking to counter whatever the Malaysian brought to the fight, but Ting could not find his range.All three judges saw the match in favor of Folayang.Making the night even sweeter for Folayang was when eight-division world champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao congratulated him inside the cage after the bout.Folayang even tore a page out of the Pacman’s script when he paid tribute to his foe for helping put up a good fight for the fans.Folayang was hardly in trouble during the five-round match, finding an answer to every Ting attack.

['Philippine Daily Inquirer']

21/03/2016 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/891179/faces-of-the-news-eduard-folayang

Inquirer

Thousands to demand ouster of Korean president

Tens, and possibly hundreds, of thousands of South Koreans were expected to rally in Seoul on Saturday demanding the ouster of President Park Geun-hye in what would be one of the biggest protests in the country since its democratization about 30 years ago.Police anticipate about 170,000 people to turn out near City Hall and an old palace gate, while the protest organizers estimate as much as a million participants.It will be the latest of a wave of massive rallies against Park, whose presidency has been shaken by suspicion that she let a shadowy longtime confidante to manipulate power from behind the scenes.Park’s friend, Choi Soon-sil, the daughter of a late cult leader who emerged as Park’s mentor in the 1970s, is also suspected of exploiting her presidential ties to bully companies into donating tens of millions of dollars to foundations she controlled.Despite rising public anger, opposition parties have yet to seriously push for Park’s resignation or impeachment over fears of negatively impacting next year’s presidential race. However, they have threatened to campaign for resignation if she doesn’t distance herself from state affairs.The protest on Saturday was expected to be the largest in the capital since June 10, 2008, when police said 80,000 people took part in a candlelight vigil denouncing the government’s decision to resume U.S. beef imports amid persisting mad cow fears. Organizers then estimated the crowd at 700,000.In the summer of 1987, millions of South Koreans rallied in Seoul and other cities for weeks before the then-military government caved in to demands for free presidential elections.In an attempt to stabilize the situation, Park on Tuesday said she would let the opposition-controlled parliament choose her prime minister. But opposition parties say her words are meaningless without specific promises about transferring much of her presidential powers to a new No. 2.

[]

12/11/2016 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2016/11/12/thousands-to-demand-ouster-of-korean-president/

Manila Bulletin

Lawyers’ group: War on drugs won’t work

The crackdown on drugs in the Philippines is bound to fail, according to a lawyers’ group.“We learned that the war on drugs doesn’t work. It never has. It didn’t work for other countries and it will not work for us,” the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) said in a statement on Wednesday.The statement was made during the launch by FLAG’s Anti-Death Penalty Task Force of a book based on a policy forum that tackled the Philippine drug issue earlier held with human rights advocates.The task force collaborated with other groups including Coalition Against Death Penalty, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care, Commission on Human Rights and No Box Transitions Foundation in the book project.The two-day forum that was held in May was attended by over 200 delegates, local leaders and professionals from abroad.Agnes Callamard, UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, was one of the forum’s keynote speakers.“In April 2016, the General Assembly of the UN recognized explicitly that the ‘war on drugs’ does not work, be it community-based, national or global,” she said.Neuropsychopharmacologist Dr. Carl Hart also spoke in the forum about myths surrounding drug use leading to brain disease.“Viewing addiction as a brain disease promotes social injustice. The view of drug use and drug addiction as a brain disease serves to perpetuate unrealistic, costly and discriminatory drug policies,” Hart said.The book cited Dr. John Collins of the International Drug Policy Project who talked about the economics of the war on drugs.“Consistently, research shows that there is no correlation with the severity of policies and the scale of use. The more severe the drug control regime a country has does not mean lower rates of consumption,” he said.Collins reiterated that there is a correlation between aggressive policing and violence.“It only destroys the relationship of the community with the police,” he said.“The drug war will soon be reverted to the Philippine National Police [PNP] so we can expect more blood to appear on the streets,” FLAG secretary general Ma. Soccoro Diokno said.Diokno urged the government to engage in better discourse and review state policies involving drugs.The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency now leads the government’s war on drugs, a job previously performed by the PNP.

['Mary Gleefer F. Jalea']

2017-11-30 00:04:25+00:00

https://www.manilatimes.net/lawyers-group-war-drugs-wont-work/365683/

Manila Times

Be strong, Roxas tells Poe on UNA attack

“Be strong.”That was Interior Secretary Mar Roxas’ advice on Thursday to Sen. Grace Poe following the attack of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) on her qualifications and citizenship on Tuesday.Roxas, who calls Poe a “friend,” brushed off the questions raised by UNA against the senator as “technicalities” that had little bearing on her capability to fight corruption and those “enriching themselves by questionable means and deceiving the people

['Mar S. Arguelles']

02/06/2017 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/696306/be-strong-roxas-tells-poe-on-una-attack

Inquirer

Ex-INC member’s killing under probe

Police have started the investigation of the May 24 ambush-slaying of former Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) member, Jose Norilito de Luna Fruto, on the Cavite Expressway (Cavitex), this municipality.Chief Inspector Dhefry Adaya Punzalan, Kawit police chief, said that there was no suspect yet in the killing of Fruto, who was shot inside his black Mazda car by a gunman on board a sports utility vehicle (SUV) around 1:30 a.m.The victim, who suffered bullet wounds in the head and body, died on the spot.A report said that Fruto was an INC member who got expelled when controversies beset the INC hierarchy in 2015.His family and friends have sought justice for Fruto’s violent death.In an interview, Punzalan said his investigators still have no established motive in the attack.“Wala pa kaming suspect at motive, under investigation pa ang insidente” Punzalan told this reporter. (We still don’t have a suspect and motive, the incident is still under investigation)” he said.Punzalan said that he and his officers are looking into the Cavitex closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage and testimonies of witnesses who may help solve Fruto’s case.

[]

02/06/2017 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/06/02/ex-inc-members-killing-under-probe/

Manila Bulletin

Bato, Guerrero assume new posts at BuCor, Marina

The country’s former top cop is now officially in charge of watching over the country’s jailbirds.President Duterte has appointed retired Philippine National Police Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa as director general of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).Dela Rosa’s designation was among several appointments announced by Malacañang on Thursday.Also appointed to a new post was retired Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, the former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, who is now the administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).The appointment of Dela Rosa and Guerrero came two weeks after they retired from the police and military services.PMA classesDela Rosa is a member of the 1986 Sinagtala class of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), while Guerrero belongs to the 1984 Maharlika class.President Duterte had said as early as December last year that he wanted Dela Rosa to head the BuCor, an agency under the Department of Justice (DOJ).Dela Rosa earlier said he would ask imprisoned drug lords to swear by the Bible that they would cease their illegal activities.Guerrero served for six months as AFP chief before retiring on April 18.He will lead the Marina, an agency under the Department of Transportation, until his term expires on July 11, 2022.Also appointed to the BuCor as its deputy director was Valfrie Tabian, who had served as its officer in charge since September last year.Dela Rosa’s ‘mistah’Tabian is Dela Rosa’s “mistah” (classmate) at the PMA, and was a retired police chief superintendent who previously served as director for Calabarzon.The President also named six prosecutors under the National Prosecution Service of the DOJ.These are: Roderick Aquino, associate city prosecutor of San Fernando City, La Union; Wallad Abdani Padate, assistant regional prosecutor of Soccsksargen; Jennifer Angeles Balboa-Cahig, deputy city prosecutor of Baybay City;Nikki Rose Esperanza, deputy city prosecutor of Bacoor City; Edgar Ambagan, city prosecutor of Tagaytay City; and Ma. Victoria Cabrera, city prosecutor of Dagupan City.

['Philippine Daily Inquirer']

2016-10-13 17:23:36+08:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/987530/bato-guerrero-assume-new-posts-at-bucor-marina

Inquirer

Gov’t to close co-op in Marcos ‘legacy’ racket

The government is set to shut down the operations of a group that has promised people shares of supposed “quintillions” of pesos in Marcos wealth.The group, One Social Family Credit Cooperative, has been found to hold office in a hut no bigger than a toilet in Trece Martires City in Cavite province.A specialist of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) in Southern Tagalog said the CDA was set to issue a cease-and-desist order against One Social Family Credit Cooperative, which organized the assembly on the campus of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) in Laguna province on Sept. 23 that drew thousands from neighboring provinces.Sole agencyThe CDA is the sole agency mandated to register all types of cooperatives. It is under the Office of the President.Those who came to the UPLB gathering paid P30 for a pamphlet with a picture of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos. They were promised up to P1 million from the so-called Marcos wealth. They also paid P10 each in registration fee.“We are just waiting for the order from the central office,” Nelson Labio said in a phone interview on Thursday from the CDA extension office in Calamba City.Newly registeredChris Marvida of the CDA regional supervision unit said One Social Family was registered about two months ago as a credit cooperative, initially with 48 members.Sitting on the credit cooperative’s board is Emmanuel Destura Jr., who during the Sept. 23 event introduced himself as the chair. Destura is referred to by members as “Red Dragon.”According to the CDA, a credit cooperative should promote and undertake savings and lending services by generating a common pool of funds.“Their objective and purposes did not (state) anything that has to do with Marcos wealth,” Marvida said.On Monday, CDA personnel visited the credit cooperative’s office at a residential compound in Trece Martires.On the issuance of the cease-and-desist order, Labio said what One Social Family did at UPLB was “beyond” its supposed function as a credit cooperative.Former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., son of the late dictator accused of amassing ill-gotten wealth, called the event at UPLB a “scam, pure and simple.”‘Surprised’In an interview on Wednesday, Chancellor Fernando Sanchez Jr. said UPLB would create a committee to review its processes in hosting events on the campus.“There’s some sort of overlap of functions [in the approval of the permit]. That one’s clear,” Sanchez said.A certain Jeffrey S. Fortuna, who claimed to be the head of the credit cooperative’s national inspectorate or cooperative secretariat, wrote to UPLB requesting the use of the school’s field, according to the university.“We were surprised by the sheer [number] of people that came in,” Sanchez said.An employees’ union at UPLB took to task university officials for allowing One Social Family to use the campus for a “scam” and “pro-Marcos propaganda” event.‘Deceitfully packaged’“Deceitfully packaged as a cooperative general assembly, the event turned out to be a public platform for pro-Marcos propaganda,” the union said in a statement on Monday.It said the event simply exploited the poverty of those who came.“Even worthier of indignation is the organizers’ dissemination of historical lies about the dictatorship as part of this ruse,” the union said.Among those who showed up at the assembly were tricycle drivers, vegetable vendors, public school teachers and village officials.In an interview after the program, the organizers’ “paymaster,” who wanted to be referred to only as “Pink Diamond,” said his group chose UPLB as a venue primarily because of its “large space.”She said the date of the assembly was planned way ahead and it was just a “coincidence” that it fell in the same week after a massive antimartial law rally at Rizal Park in Manila.“But as they say, there’s no such thing as coincidence,” Pink Diamond told the Inquirer.

['Kimmy Baraoidan', 'Maricar Cinco']

2016-11-20 21:51:09+00:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/934172/govt-to-close-co-op-in-marcos-legacy-racket

Inquirer

History not done yet with Marcoses–Imee

Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos on Friday echoed the statement made by her father, the dictator Ferdinand Marcos, that “history was not done yet” with her family, 31 years after they were ousted from power.Opening a forum here on the legacies of Marcos, whose 100th birthday on Sept. 11 had been declared by Malacañang as public holiday in Ilocos Norte province, Imee referred to her late father’s comment when they landed at the Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu after their ouster following the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution.“We were all in tears and everyone said, ‘The end is nigh, it is finished, we are dead and doomed,’” Imee narrated.“My father said, ‘No, children. To my family and to everyone, history is not done with me yet,’” she said at the opening of the two-day Marcos 100 Forum at the Mariano Marcos State University here.The dictator died in 1989 in Hawaii but his body was flown back to the country only in 1993 when then President Fidel Ramos allowed the Marcos family to return.In November last year, President Duterte allowed the family to bury Marcos at Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City despite a public outrage.“Why is it that this debate, this argument of who our President Marcos was, continues to burn unabated, a hundred years after his birth? Indeed, if the north remembers, winter has not come yet for the legacy of Ferdinand Marcos,” she said.Imee said some people had described the Marcos 100 Forum as “very disappointing because it is very simple.” But the family organized a “humble celebration for an extremely austere and simple almost monkish man like my father,” she said.She said: “There will be no parade, like what my mother [former first lady and now Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos] wants. No concert, like what [former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.] wants, and there will be no shows and dancing, like what I want.”Instead, the family and the Ilocos Norte government organized debates, storytelling sessions, and a lecture series “that will define Marcos 100 in this very reflective effort, the Marcos legacy,” she said.The forum began with a lecture by Antonio Contreras, a political science professor of the De La Salle University, on nationalism and how that played a role in Marcos’ 23-year rule of the country.Contreras said Marcos was the “most intellectual president the country ever had.” He said he had made this assertion for so long that his colleagues had branded him as a “Marcos loyalist.”Marcos was elected in 1965 and reelected in 1969. He declared martial law in 1972 and ruled until his ouster in 1986.Activist lawmakers reacted with revulsion to the plan of Marcos’ widow Imelda and her kin to celebrate the late dictator’s 100th birth anniversary at Libingan ng mga Bayani on Monday.Activists invitedSome of the anti-Marcos congressmen even got an invitation to the party.“Yes, I did get an invite and puked on it!” said Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin, who had opposed the burial of Marcos at the heroes’ cemetery in Taguig City.In a message thread, the “Magnificent Seven” member showed reporters a copy of his invitation sent out by Imelda Marcos, now an Ilocos Norte representative.According to the invitation, a Mass will be held at 9:30 in the morning of Sept. 11, to be followed by a short program and lunch.“With President Duterte’s blessings and absolution of their sins, including his push for their immunity from prosecution, the Marcoses are enjoying their heyday since they were booted out by people power,” he said.Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, another Marcos critic who received an invitation to the event, said the planned “party” at Libingan would defile the memory of all the heroes buried in that cemetery.“This planned party celebrating the centennial of his birth defiles the memory of all the legitimate heroes buried in Libingan ng mga Bayani even as it rubs salt on the still-bleeding wounds of the thousands of victims of the Marcoses’ brutalities, atrocities and unparalleled greed and plunder of the national coffers,” he said.Gabriela Rep. Emmi de Jesus, another anti-Marcos activist, said it would be an “irony of ironies” if the Makabayan bloc also got an invite.On Monday, Mr. Duterte issued a proclamation declaring Sept. 11 a holiday in Marcos’ home province of Ilocos Norte to mark his birth anniversary.Holiday treatThis is not the first time Sept. 11 was declared a holiday in Ilocos Norte. In 1999 and 2000, it was declared a special day in the province by former President Joseph Estrada. In 2000, then Ilocos Norte Gov. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. declared it a holiday in the province. In 2008, it was declared a special nonworking day in the province by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.Mr. Duterte has maintained a warm relationship with the Marcos family.He recently revealed that the Marcoses had offered to return part of their hidden wealth, but that it would have to be done in exchange for immunity.A staff of Vice President Leni Robredo said she did not get an invitation to the Marcos party.Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella could not say if Mr. Duterte has been invited to the event, but in any case, the President will not be in Metro Manila on Sept. 11.“He will be in Davao,” Abella said.And “unless he bilocates,” Mr. Duterte was not expected to show up at the heroes’ cemetery, Abella said.Asked if Malacañang would be sending a representative to the event, he said “it is not an official activity as far as the Office of the President is concerned.”Abella said the nonworking day proclamation for Ilocos Norte was a “one-off” event in consideration of the centenary.

['Dj Yap', 'Gabriel Cardinoza', 'Leila B. Salaverria']

2016-11-20 21:51:09+00:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/929100/philippine-news-updates-ferdinand-marcos-marcos-wealth-imee-marcos

Inquirer

Duterte okays creation of OFW bank – Labor secretary

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has given his approval to the creation of an Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Bank, which was one of his three promises to migrant Filipino workers during the last presidential campaign.Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd over the weekend disclosed that he already gave the President a memorandum about the proposal for an OFW Bank.The OFW Bank, Bello explained, is meant to cater to remittances and other banking needs of Filipino migrant workers all over the world, saying the workers would also become part owners of the bank through shares of stocks and have their own credit facilities.Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) figures show that the number of OFWs who worked abroad at any time from April to September 2015 was estimated at 2.4 million.Overseas Contract Workers (OCWs) or those with existing work contracts comprised 97.1 percent of the total OFWs during the same period, while the rest (2.9 percent) worked overseas without contracts.Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) statistics, on the other hand, show that from January to September this year, personal remittances from overseas Filipinos reached $22.108 billion, while cash remittances coursed through banks amounted to $20.025 billion.In 2015, personal remittances amounted to $28.308 billion while cash remittances totalled $25.607 billion.According to the BSP, personal remittances are computed as the sum of employees’ net compensation like gross earnings of OFWs with work contracts of less than a year, including all sea-based workers, less taxes, social contributions and transportation and travel expenditures in their host countries, personal transfer and capital transfers between households without anything of economic value being supplied in return.More than three-fourths of these cash remittances came from the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Japan, Qatar and Kuwait.The steady demand for OFWs remained a key driver to the growth of remittance inflows.A preliminary report from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) indicated that total processed contracts reached 2.3 million in 2015, of which 1.2 million were for workers deployed in the same year.Further, a total of 585,688 contracts were processed in the first quarter of 2016, of which 452,722 were for land-based workers.The OFW Bank was first conceptualized in 2006 during the administration of then- president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo but it never materialized.In 2010, then-Vice President Jejomar Binay revived the proposal in a formal letter to then-President Benigno Aquino 3rd but the BSP and the Department of Finance also shot it down, citing issues of cost, redundancy, administrative and regulatory unwieldiness and signals that discourage private-sector competition.Aside from the OFW Bank, President Duterte also promised the creation of a Department of OFW and to make it mandatory for consuls general to keep track of all Filipinos abroad and provide free airfare to abused overseas workers who want to go home.WILLIAM B. DEPASUPILBello, however, said creating a separate department for OFWs may not be practical at all because there are already existing agencies under the DOLE, like the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) that specifically cater to overseas workers.

['The Manila Times']

2016-11-20 21:51:09+00:00

https://www.manilatimes.net/duterte-okays-creation-ofw-bank-labor-secretary/297520/

Manila Times

Aquino rejects ID system for Muslims only

SENATOR Paolo Benigno Aquino 4th on Saturday stressed that any national ID (identification) system should be used for government services and promote safety, but not to encourage discrimination.He stressed this point following reports that some police officials and local government units (LGUs) in Central Luzon want to issue IDs “only to Muslims.”Aquino also deplored the statement of Philippine National Police chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa “encouraging” the moves of some local officials to issue identification cards to Muslims in their areas to help them identify individuals linked to terrorist groups.“Singling Muslims out, giving them an ID and branding them as a potential threat will not make our communities safer. It will only sow animosity,” the Senator said.He said the ID system should pave the way to more effective ways of delivering government services such as anti-poverty programs and other social services.“Let’s not allow it to be used as a tool for discrimination,” said Aquino, who reiterated the need for Congress to pass a law implementing a national ID system.He earlier filed Senate Bill 917 or the Filipino Identification System Act, which seeks to establish a unified identification system that will be used as sole required identification card in any government transaction. The ID system will be implemented by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).Aquino also filed the Anti-Discrimination Act or Senate Bill 683 to prohibit and penalize discrimination on the basis of religion or belief, ethnicity, race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, civil status and HIV (human immuno virus) status.

['Bernadette E. Tamayo']

2017-07-08 22:56:08+00:00

https://www.manilatimes.net/aquino-rejects-id-system-muslims/337312/

Manila Times

Trillanes: Intelligence men casing my house

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV said on Saturday that suspicious-looking men have been casing his house as he continued to hole up at the Senate to avoid arrest after President Rodrigo Duterte revoked his amnesty for two failed mutinies.Trillanes said his camp listed the license plate numbers of vehicles seen around his house, but these turned out to be unregistered, leading him to conclude that these were from the government’s intelligence units.“We are making the necessary security arrangements,” Trillanes, one of the President’s most vocal critics, said over radio station dwIZ.Used to harassmentIn the radio interview, the former mutineer and ex-Navy lieutenant said this was not the first time his family was thrust into this kind of situation.So even if he doesn’t want his family to go through this, they were prepared “psychologically and emotionally,” he said.He also slammed what he said were attempts to draw him out of the Senate through pronouncements from Mr. Duterte and other officials that he would not be arrested without a warrant from the court.Road arrestAside from members of the military informing him that he would still be seized if he went out, it was also shown that the statements were a bluff by the incident on Thursday when his vehicle was followed when it went out of the Senate compound.This took place after he said earlier the same day that he would leave the Senate after the Department of Justice (DOJ) failed to get an arrest warrant for him from the Makati regional trial court.He said he surmised that he would have been intercepted and arrested on the road had he gone out and this would render moot his court case contesting the President’s move to revoke his amnesty.

['Leila B. Salaverria']

2017-08-17 22:59:59+00:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1032855/trillanes-intelligence-men-casing-my-house

Inquirer

Make CA voting transparent – Robredo

Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo has pitched for a transparent process in the Commission on Appointments in light of the CA’s rejection of the appointment of Secretary Judy Taguiwalo of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).Robredo made the call at the sidelines of Freedom Cycle: Pedal Like Jesse event in her hometown of Naga City, Camarines Sur, which celebrates the good leadership qualities of her late husband, former Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) chief Jesse Robredo.The appointment of Jesse Robredo as DILG secretary by then-President Benigno Aquino 3rd was also bypassed (meaning the CA did not act on it) multiple times. Until Robredo died in a plane crash in August 2012, he did not get confirmation from the Commission on Appointments.Taguiwalo’s appointment was deemed rejected after 13 or majority of the 25-strong CA members from the House and the Senate rejected her appointment in a secret balloting, meaning those who rejected Taguiwalo’s appointment, as well as the reasons why her appointment was rejected, were not disclosed to the public.“We prefer a more transparent process wherein we would know why an appointee is being rejected. The frustration comes from that fact that we don’t know the reasons for rejection,” Robredo said.She however, conceded that such transparency is a long shot given that it is within CA rules to vet the appointees of the President and engage in secret balloting.“This will happen again and again because it is part of democracy, part of the process, wherein the CA screens the appointees of the President. It is part of the process,” Robredo said.“That’s why it is important for us to express our opposition to this practice so that those in power won’t abuse the mandate given to them,” she added.Taguiwalo had a run-in with lawmakers in September 2016 after she issued Memorandum Circular 9 titled Supplemental Guidelines on the Implementation of Protective Services Program (PSP), which tasks the DSWD as the sole authority that will determine the beneficiaries of the government programs pursuant to existing guidelines.The same memorandum states: “Referral letters from individuals, groups of individuals or organization, including public officials whether national or local executives, legislators, members of the judiciary or constitutional commission are not integral to the implementation of the PSP.”The lawmakers took offense at the memorandum and accused Taguiwalo of turning down their constituents who are seeking government help thru a referral by their respective representatives.National Youth Commission Chairman Cariza “Aiza” Seguerra also expressed her disgust over the rejection of Taguiwalo’s appointment.“It is and will always be about politics. If you are a good public servant, you will be at risk [of being kicked out],” Seguerra posted on Twitter.“CA members showed that they are not after the common good of our people. Show us who voted for her rejection,” she said.

['Llanesca T. Panti']

2017-08-17 22:59:59+00:00

https://www.manilatimes.net/make-ca-voting-transparent-robredo/345108/

Manila Times

P50-K bounty for broadcaster’s attackers

A group of local farmers here called on the government, particularly the newly created Presidential Task Force on Violations of the Right to Life, Liberty and Security of the Members of the Media to investigate the attempt on the life of broadcaster Virgilio Maganes last week.Maganes, survived the attack after he pretended to be dead.The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura or SINAG yesterday offered a P50,000 reward for any information that would lead to the arrest of individuals directly involved in Maganes’ attack.Farmers from different parts of Pangasinan helped raise the reward money in order to help authorities investigate the case.“Isang linggo na, wala pa ring linaw sa kaso (It has been one week, and there is no development regarding the case),” said Rosendo So, SINAG chairperson.“We want those responsible apprehended and charged accordingly, we are very alarmed that non-drug personalities like Maganes, would have simply been reduced as a statistic in the current war on drugs, had he not survived the attempt on his life, added So.Maganes cheated death by pretending to be dead inside the tricycle he was riding.According to SINAG, the real motive for the brazen attempt to kill Maganes was to silence journalists like him who, for years, reverberate the daily struggles of marginalized sectors, especially farmers.

[]

16/11/2016 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2016/11/16/p50-k-bounty-for-broadcasters-attackers/

Manila Bulletin

Teacher, 4 others nabbed in drug ops in Surigao, Butuan

A public high school teacher and another drug suspect were arrested Tuesday in a buy-bust operation conducted by combined members of Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) of Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office (PPO), Surigao del Norte Police Public Safety Company (PPSC) and Surigao City Police Station (SCPS) in Parrucho St., Barangay Washington, Surigao City.Chief Supt. Rolando B. Felix, regional director of Northeastern Police Regional Office 13 (PRO13), identified the suspects as Necasio A. Rapisora, 37, a social studies teacher of Barangay Taft National High School in Surigao City and Mark Z. Conde, 23, jobless, both of Barangay Taft, Surigao City.The region’s police chief said the suspects were arrested at 3:38 p.m. on Tuesday in a buy-bust operation conducted by the combined elements of DEU that resulted in the confiscation of five sachets of suspected shabu with an estimated weight of five grams with street value of P59,000, the R500-marked money, and other drug paraphernalia.He said Rapisora and Conde are now in the custody of Surigao del Norte PPO.Felix also said three other drug suspects, identified as Terry Tasil, 42, Victor Dagcuta, 32, and Jik Peter Paul Esperanza, 34, were arrested in separate anti-illegal drug operations on the same day in Barangay Ong Yiu, Butuan City.Confiscated from the suspects were suspected shabu weighing 13 grams with street value of P153,400, he said.Meanwhile, the intensified “Manhunt Charlie” operation by the various police units in the region also result in the arrest of seven fugitives also last Tuesday.Felix confirmed the arrest of Jovanie Avila, Reynaldo Esacanilla, Ritchie Mondejar, Helen Belsonda, Edcil Floren , Paul Joseph Teves, and Maxima Navarro for various pending criminal charges.

[]

26/07/2017 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/07/26/teacher-4-others-nabbed-in-drug-ops-in-surigao-butuan/

Manila Bulletin

Trump takes on Google in complaints about social media

President Donald Trump promised Tuesday to address what he says is the “very serious situation” of social media companies “suppressing” conservative voices and “hiding information” and good news.Trump recently has made similar complaints about the issue, which has been making the rounds in conservative media. But on Tuesday he targeted Google.Asked whether Trump thinks Google should be subject to some regulation, Larry Kudlow, the president’s top economic adviser, told reporters only that “we’re taking a look. We’ll let you know.”The president said in a pre-dawn tweet that included a typo that a search for “Trump News” on Google “shows only the viewing/reporting of Fake New Media. In other words, they have it RIGGED, for me & others, so that almost all stories & news is BAD.”He added: “Republican/Conservative & Fair Media is shut out. Illegal?”Google, based in Mountain View, California, had no immediate comment.Trump began complaining about the issue earlier this month as social media companies moved to ban right-wing “Infowars” conspiracy theorist Alex Jones from their platforms.Apple, YouTube and Spotify have permanently removed some of Jones’ content, Facebook has suspended him for 30 days and removed some of his pages, while Twitter gave Jones a weeklong timeout and was mulling deeper changes to try to limit the spread of fake news, misinformation and hate speech.Trump has not named Jones in any tweets on the issue. He once praised Jones’ “amazing” reputation.The president also claimed on Tuesday without evidence that 96 percent of the “Trump News” search results on Google are from “National Left-Wing Media.” He said this “very serious situation-will be addressed!”The issue is also of concern on Capitol Hill.The House Energy and Commerce Committee, chaired by Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., recently announced that Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey will testify before the panel on Sept. 5 about the platform’s algorithms and content monitoring.

[]

28/08/2018 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/08/28/trump-takes-on-google-in-complaints-about-social-media/

Manila Bulletin

Past ‘Hitler’ talk dogs Duterte’s Israel trip

When President Duterte makes the first visit to Israel by a Philippine President next week, officials on both sides will try to play down his record of jarring invective while promoting commercial and military ties.Israel sees the four-day tour by Mr. Duterte and his top ministers as a chance to thank Manila for taking in Jews during the Holocaust and backing the Israeli independence campaign that followed.Defense, labor and tourism deals are also on the agenda, cementing relationships between the Asian power and booming Israel, both historical US allies.Yet Israel’s Government Press Office has said most of the visit will be closed to the media, an apparent precaution against faux pas by a President whose two-fisted crime-fighting tactics and rhetoric have raised hackles at home and abroad.Nazi referenceSome Israeli pundits have recoiled at his planned attendance at Holocaust commemorations.Mr. Duterte is set to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and attend an event of the Filipino community in Israel during his four-day visit that begins on Sunday.“We assign great importance to this visit, which symbolizes the strong, warm ties between our two peoples, as well as the enormous potential for developing and strengthening the relations. Cooperation between the two countries is thriving,” Israel’s foreign ministry said in a statement.‘Happy to slaughter’In 2016, in a bungled reference to an opponent’s remark that his rise could be like that of Adolf Hitler, Mr. Duterte said he himself would be “happy to slaughter” drug addicts on the scale of the Nazi leader’s Jewish genocide.While Mr. Duterte apologized for that, he has been dogged by accusations from activists that thousands of killings in his ongoing war on drugs were executions, which he rejects, and is rebuked by women’s groups for remarks that make light of rape.Mr. Duterte has lashed out repeatedly at the Catholic Church, deeming it hypocritical. His visit will include sightseeing in Jerusalem’s walled Old City, which houses major Christian, Jewish and Muslim shrines.Aides say Mr. Duterte hopes to regulate labor relations with Israel, where between 24,000 and 28,000 Filipinos work, mostly as caregivers, and to promote Holy Land tourism from the predominantly Catholic Asian country, which has been growing by 30 percent to 50 percent annually in recent years.Security cooperationEstablishing a direct air connection between Israel and the Philippines is in discussion.Mr. Duterte also wants to improve security cooperation with Israel, which has sold the Philippines three radar systems and upgraded 100 armored vehicles, and which Manila is now eyeing for an aircraft deal.Mr. Duterte makes no secret of his personal disdain for Washington and its foreign policy. He has pivoted the Philippines away from its former colonial master, the United States, and toward warmer diplomatic and business ties with China and Russia.Still, he shares Netanyahu’s rapport with US President Donald Trump. That has stirred modest hope in Israel that the maverick Asian leader might use his visit to announce recognition of Jerusalem as the country’s capital, as Trump did last December, outraging the Palestinians.Hardware dealsThe United States and Canada have both had military hardware deals fall apart with the Philippines due to concerns over Mr. Duterte’s drug war. But so far sales with Israel have gone smoothly.“[The visit] is for President Duterte to look for an alternative market for … weapons for our Armed Forces as well as for the police,” Henelito Sevilla, an international relations expert at the University of the Philippines, told Agence France-Presse (AFP).Israel is among the world’s top arms dealers, with nearly 60 percent of its defense exports going to the Asia-Pacific region, according to Israeli defense ministry data.Accompanied by an entourage including retiring military and police officials, Mr. Duterte is set to leave Manila at 1 p.m. on Sunday. From Israel, he heads to Jordan on Sept. 5, where he is expected to meet with King Abdullah II.

['Philippine Daily Inquirer']

2018-01-07 19:08:56+00:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1027229/past-hitler-talk-dogs-dutertes-israel-trip

Inquirer

Bill bans irrigable lands’ conversion

THE HOUSE Committee on Agrarian Reform has approved a substitute bill prohibiting the conversion of irrigated and irrigable lands for non-agricultural purposes.The still-unnumbered bill amends the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL) or Republic Act 6657, which was enacted to promote social justice, push rural development and industrialization and encourage land owners to cultivate economic-size farms as the basis of Philippine agriculture.The amendment is necessary to address threats to food security in the country, the bill states.While CARP provides farmers the opportunity to own land which they can tilt to improve their lot and provide adequate food for the country, it adds, it also allows the reclassification or conversion of agricultural land and its disposition if the land ceases to be economically feasible or fit for agricultural purposes after the lapse of five years from the time of award.The same happens if the area becomes more urbanized and thus more economically viable for residential, commercial or industrial purposes.According to the bill, it also aims to “curb corruption in the lower levels” by recognizing that elements within the government bureaucracy may contribute to unchecked conversions.The bill then lodges the exclusive power of land conversion to Congress itself.It also states that changes in the CARL will enhance the ability of relevant government agencies to review and assess the status of agricultural scale, as well as providing enhanced opportunity to fine-tune policies on agrarian reform and food security.Imprisonment of six year and one day to 12 years or prison mayor, as well as a fine of P200,000 to P1 million will be meted to the violators of the Act.RALPH U. VILLANUEVA

['The Manila Times']

2018-01-07 19:08:56+00:00

https://www.manilatimes.net/bill-bans-irrigable-lands-conversion/372865/

Manila Times

Salceda to join Duterte’s economic team, if asked

Outgoing Albay Gov. Joey Salceda is willing to join Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s Cabinet if the incoming President offers him a job.“I would love to join the economic team of Duterte,” said Salceda, the newly elected representative of Albay’s second district.In one of his campaign sorties in Albay, Duterte announced he wanted Salceda, an economist, to head the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).“If he asks me again to be the secretary of Neda, I will grab it,” Salceda said.Two weeks before the elections, the Albay governor, a former leader of the Liberal Party (LP) in the province, bolted the administration party to support Sen. Grace Poe, an independent presidential candidate, instead of LP standard-bearer Mar Roxas.Both Roxas and Poe had conceded defeat to Duterte and asked their respective supporters to unite behind the country’s new leader.Salceda said he would give Duterte his full support so he can help the incoming President boost the country’s economy.He is also open to working with Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo of the LP should she be proclaimed winner in the race for Vice President. Salceda had endorsed the vice presidential candidacy of Poe’s running mate, Sen. Francis Escudero.Salceda said Duterte was his second choice for President.Shift to federalism“I will support [Duterte] and make sure that he will succeed in his ambitious plan for the country. [We can clearly see that] he has [committed himself to] an ambitious plan for us, starting with the shift to federal parliamentary system and [his promise to eliminate or lessen the impact of] criminality, corruption and drugs in three to six months,” he said.Salceda said he would push for the construction of the Bicol International Airport at Barangay Alobo in Daraga town.Priority billsAmong his priority bills in the incoming Congress are the conversion of Daraga town into a city and the improvement of the local transport system and the regional hospital in Albay.Rep. Fernando Gonzalez, an LP member, also promised to support Duterte’s leadership, believing he is the right leader to push countryside development.“I think [Duterte] knows the real problem of the countryside … the dire need to develop our rural [areas], where poverty comes from, [and the need] to develop our agriculture. Having firsthand experience [on these problems], perhaps he’ll be able to get this done,” Gonzalez said. Michael B. Jaucian, Inquirer Southern Luzon

['Philippine Daily Inquirer']

20/02/2016 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/785192/salceda-to-join-dutertes-economic-team-if-asked

Inquirer

Preparing for Metro holiday traffic

remains unfinished, bogged down in disputes over right of way.Education refers to getting the motoring public to do its part, to faithfully comply with traffic rules, and most of all to behave with utmost road courtesy, with due consideration to the rights of others on the road, both motorists and pedestrians. It has been observed that in places like Clark, motorists conscientiously stop for red lights and stick to their lanes, but swerving, blocking intersections, and beating traffic lights are rather common in Metro Manila.This is what makes enforcement critical in the Metro area and so as the Christmas holiday season nears, the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT) has come up with a new group it has called Task Force Alamid to concentrate on roads leading to and out of airports, seaports, and other transportation centers in the city.A hundred personnel have been assigned to the task force from the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Highway Patrol Group (HPG), the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).They will concentrate their efforts on traffic around airports and seaports in anticipation of the arrival of millions of balikbayans and tourists as well as the departure of Metro Manila residents for their home provinces in the annual holiday migration that has become part of Filipino tradition and culture.It is good that this project is beginning early. It will receive its first test later this month when various foreign delegations arrive for the ASEAN Summit on October 23-24 and the ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings on November 10-14.At the same time, other moves can be taken by our traffic authorities , such as ending the operation of colorum buses and other vehicles, banning parking on streets needed to absorb traffic along main routes such as EDSA, and increasing the capacities of the Metro Rail Transit and Light Rail Transit.The combined effect of all these moves should be felt by the time the Christmas holiday season is in full swing. We will further build on this holiday success in the succeeding months of the new year, while we wait for the ultimate engineering relief to be provided by the new roads and railways of Metro Manila.

['Myca Delos Santos', 'Sam Nicolas', 'Michael Timbreza', 'Trisha Hipolito']

23/10/2017 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/10/23/preparing-for-metro-holiday-traffic/

Manila Bulletin

Army sacks 103rd Brigade commander

THE Philippine Army (PA) on Friday announced the removal of the 103rd Infantry Brigade commander.In an interview, Lt. Col. Ray Tiongson, Army spokesman, said the sacking of Brig. Gen. Nixon Fortes does not have anything to do with ongoing military operations in Marawi City.Col. Generoso Ponio is set to head the 103rd Infantry Brigade as acting chief.Fortes has been designated as assistant division commander of the 1st Infantry Division.Ponio is the former deputy commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, according to Tiongson.|“This [Fortes’ removal] is integral to and part of the dynamism of the service,” Tiongson told reporters.He said the change of command will take effect on Monday.

['Dempsey Reyes']

2017-06-02 23:56:48+00:00

https://www.manilatimes.net/army-sacks-103rd-brigade-commander-2/330632/

Manila Times

Farm school to rise in Region IV-B to help farmers, fishers

A farm school will be established soon in Region IV-B to help local farmers and fishers to be more competitive, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) said.TESDA Director Guiling Mamondiong said that they have teamed up with the Department of Agriculture (DA) to establish an Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) farm school in the provinces of Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan or MIMAROPA.Mamondiong said aside from helping the local farmers and fishers, the program is also aimed at increasing the public’s awareness on fishing and farming so that more students will be enticed to enroll in agri-fishery courses.“The concept of the farm schools is based on the Farm Field Schools (FFS) developed by the UN Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) to help farmers become competitive and seize advantage of the opportunities in the market by operating their farms efficiently and profitably,” Mamondiong said.With this, Mamondiong has ordered all regional and provincial directors to promote the farm school in their respective areas so that the number of enrollees engaged in green education would also increase.Senator Cynthia Villar, chairperson of the Senate committee on agriculture and food, led the recent groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting ceremonies of the ATI dormitory, research laboratory and ATI Center for Agriculture and Fishery Extension (CAFÉ) Hall in Barangay Barcenaga, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.Villar said that food security is one of the major issues in the country which needs to be addressed, and working with TESDA and other government agencies in promoting training institutions for farmers and fishers is one way to solve it.“Our farmers are not workers, they are entrepreneurs. Through farm schools, we train our farmers not only how to produce more using different techniques but also how to manage their farms’ affairs more effectively. They will need to learn how to grow more rice at a lower cost,” Villar said.TESDA also presented the first batch of agriculture graduates from Gelacio I. Yason Foundation and recognized outstanding farm schools in the region.Furthermore, the agency signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among several state universities and colleges (SUCs) in the region to provide agri-fishery courses and assessment centers to them.They also conducted a Request for Tender (RFT) signing for those who want to avail of scholarship programs in the 14 farm schools in the region.

[]

24/06/2017 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/06/24/farm-school-to-rise-in-region-iv-b-to-help-farmers-fishers/

Manila Bulletin

California canine blood bank disputes PETA abuse claims

said its allegations were based on reports from an undisclosed eyewitness.“She doesn’t put them up for adoption until she is done bleeding them and that is outrageous,” said Lisa Lang, PETA’s senior vice president, referring to Dodds. “They are living, breathing dogs who deserve to live in loving homes like any other.”PETA provided photos and video showing the dogs in cages and wearing muzzles. The group said they obtained the footage from the witness.Upon a request for an interview, Hemopet immediately agreed to allow an Associated Press reporter to tour its facility in Garden Grove. Some dogs were kept in crates and cages while others were housed in longer pens in pairs. Most had blankets and toys and took turns in larger cement yards for recreation. They had a sandy strip for running and a grassy area where volunteer visitors walked them. One dog had a neck bandage from where blood had been drawn. None of the dogs seen by an AP reporter showed any visible signs of distress.Manager Karen Stalk said dogs in crates are walked five times a day by staff and more by visitors.Jay Van Rein, a spokesman for California’s Department of Food and Agriculture, said the complaint was received and the agency will investigate. He said the facility is inspected by the state every year.Jim Gartland, executive director of the National Greyhound Association, said his organization can bar members from sending dogs to facilities that don’t meet its standards, which occurred in a case in Texas, but so far they have heard only positive things about Hemopet.He said they have no problem with sending greyhounds to blood banks so long as they are treated properly and adopted out to homes after their service.Veterinarians consulted by PETA, however, called the conditions “unacceptable” and “cruel.”Dr. Sean Owens, medical director of University of California, Davis’ veterinary blood bank, said controlled settings such as Hemopet allow for clean blood but modern veterinary science has progressed so that it can be obtained from “community” banks.“There is enough evidence out there, both in the human and veterinary literature, to suggest it can be done very safely in an open colony,” he said.

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12/10/2018 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/10/12/california-canine-blood-bank-disputes-peta-abuse-claims/

Manila Bulletin

Pro-life march in Pampanga launched today

Thousands of Campampangan Catholics will mark today’s 31st EDSA People Power Revolution anniversary by taking to the streets in opposition to the state’s plan to revive the death penalty.The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Fernando announced yesterday that the activity dubbed “Pampanga Walks for Life” will call on the government to quash its plan to bring back death penalty.The mass action is also aimed at condemning alleged rampant extrajudicial killings (EJK) in country, widely blamed on the government’s relentless campaign against illegal drugs.The Archdiocese said the walk will commence in different towns and parishes of the Archdiocese of Pampanga leading to the Capitol Grounds in this city, and converge later in the Metropolitan Cathedral located on Consunji Street, Sto. Rosario for the celebration of a Holy Mass.

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24/02/2017 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/02/24/pro-life-march-in-pampanga-launched-today/

Manila Bulletin

Senate poised to pass bill on fare discount

The Senate bill that seeks to grant over 20 million Filipino students a 20-percent fare discount is set to be approved on third and final reading next week.Senate Bill 1597 or the “Student Fare Discount Act” authored by Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara, aims to expand the coverage of student fare discount to include land, air, water and transport all year round.“Even with the free tuition, we need to help families with daily school expenses. What is saved from the deductions in fare would help in other expenses and needs of students,” Angara, vice chairman of the Senate education committee, said.The bill covers all elementary, high school, college and technical-vocational students, excluding those enrolled in dancing and driving schools, short-term courses of seminar type, and post-graduate studies such as those taking up medicine, law, masteral and doctoral degrees.Under the bill, students are entitled to a 20 percent discount on regular domestic travel fares, including jeepneys, tricycles, buses, UV Express vehicles, cabs and transport network vehicle services like Grab. Excluded are school transport service providers such as school buses.It also includes fare discount from train lines, passenger ships and ferries, and airplanes, upon presentation of school identification card or any valid enrolment forms.The discount will be effective throughout the year including weekends, summer breaks and holidays.Also, Filipino students who will travel abroad for education, training and competition will be exempt from payment of travel tax.The bill, however, prohibits the availing of double discounts or combination of the student fare discount with other discount programs.“We need a law to ensure that the 20-percent discount for students would be sustained even in the event of changing of leadership,” Angara said.Student discounts are currently based on a circular issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTRFB), which can always be subject to change.Land, water, air and rail transportation utilities that refuse to grant student discount will be penalized with a fine ranging from P5,000 to P200,000.

['Neil Jayson Servallos']

2018-09-30 00:08:46+00:00

https://www.manilatimes.net/senate-poised-to-pass-bill-on-fare-discount/446691/

Manila Times

Poe, Pimentel oppose arming prosecutors

SENATORS Grace Poe and Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel were lukewarm to the proposal to allow public prosecutors to carry firearms to protect them from criminals or hired killers.Poe recently sought an inquiry into the killings of public prosecutors nationwide to determine if there is a need to improve the protection of the members of the State’s prosecutorial arm.“While I condemn the killings of our prosecutors, I have reservations in the suggested solution of arming them,” she said.“I have always maintained that increasing the capabilities of our law enforcement institutions in terms of detection, investigation and prosecution remains to be the better option in addressing the rising criminality incidence,” she added. “We cannot possibly propose to arm every sector that has become the target of criminals as our way forward.”Pimentel noted that the proliferation of loose firearms is one of the problems being faced by law enforcers nationwide.“We have too many firearms already, legal or illegal. Dadagdagan pa natin ngayon (And yet we still intend to add more),” he said in a radio interview.Poe filed Resolution 737 on May 17 urging the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs and the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights to conduct an inquiry into the matter.She noted that public prosecutors under the Department of Justice’s National Prosecution Service are mandated to assist the DoJ secretary in the investigation and prosecution of criminal offenses.“Our public prosecutors, thus, play a crucial role as they determine who the State should prosecute. They are given a broad discretion to determine whether probable cause exists and to charge those whom they believe to have committed a crime as defined by law and thus should be held for trial,” Poe said.“Obviously, due to the nature of their sworn duty and mandate, our public prosecutors are clearly constantly within the crosshairs of the most notorious, dangerous and evil-minded personalities in the country who they ought to ptosecute,” she said.Last year, at least six public prosecutors were gunned down: Quezon Assitant Provincial Prosecutor Reymund Luna (September 29), Mati City Prosecutor Rolando Acido (October 26), Quezon City Prosecutor Johanne Noel Mingao (January 11), Caloocan Asst. City Prosecutor Diosdado Azarcon (May 22), Rizal Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Maria Ronatay (July 18), and Mandaluyong City Prosecutor Pablito Gahol (September 3).On May 11, 2018, three unidentified armed men shot dead Quezon City Assistant Prosecutor Rogelio Velasco.“Due to the above-mentioned killings of our public prosecutors whose lives are constantly in danger from the devious acts of the very criminals they prosecute, the State ought to flex its muscle ore to show our countrymen that it can and it will protect the lives of those working for the government,” Poe said.

['Bernadette E. Tamayo']

2018-06-10 22:03:57+00:00

https://www.manilatimes.net/poe-pimentel-oppose-arming-prosecutors/406785/

Manila Times

Palace on Mamasapano controversy: Just wait for President’s speech

Malacañang has remained mum on accusations that the clash in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao, which left 44 policemen dead, was directed by President Benigno Aquino III and the United States.“[The] President will deliver [his] message tonight” was Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.’s reply to INQUIRER.net when asked about the controversy.Aquino is set to address the nation at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Coloma confirmed that the speech will be about the “Maguindanao incident” and the ongoing peace process.INQUIRER.net will host the livestream on the homepage of its website. In the past, the President has delivered televised speeches pertaining to controversial topics such as the pork barrel scam.Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) harped on earlier reports that the operation was ordered by Aquino, who allegedly asked suspended Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Alan Purisima to direct almost 400 members of the Special Action Force (SAF) to serve warrants of arrest to international terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir or “Commander Marwan” and Basit Usman. Both Marwan and Usman are connected to the breakaway group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).The SAF group supposedly figured in a misencounter with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s 105th Base Command.The PNP command has denied knowledge of the operation, prompting a board of inquiry to look into the matter.Since the deadly clash on Sunday, SAF commander Getulio Napenas was sacked and recalled to Manila while PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor was relieved from his post.Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes Jr. challenged Aquino to answer the fresh allegations.“It is hard to believe that 392 elite PNP SAF were being mobilized for an operation against a so-called high-value target and yet our top officials claim they were not aware. Aquino has a lot of explaining to do. If he knew of and approved the Mamasapano operation, upon the directive of the United States, then the President is also accountable,” he said.The Executive on Tuesday asked lawmakers not to withdraw their support from the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) despite the MILF’s involvement in the clash. The BBL is among the gains of the negotiations with the MILF after a final peace agreement was signed last year.Asked about Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada’s comment on the issue, Coloma told Palace reporters that people should give peace a chance.Estrada, who declared an all-out-war against the MILF in 2000, referred to a Filipino saying, “Kung hindi makuha sa santong dasalan, eh di daanin sa santong paspasan (If you cannot get it through a saintly prayer, then get it by whatever means that is fast and effective).”The MILF and the BIFF, a splinter group of the former, denied that they coordinated in the attack. The MILF said it will not do anything to violate the peace agreement between their group and the Philippine government.RELATED STORIESMILF dared to turn over SAF killers to prove sincerity in peace processMILF-SAF clash sets back talks on Bangsamoro bill

['Kristine Angeli Sabillo']

03/09/2018 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/668502/palace-on-mamasapano-controversy-just-wait-for-presidents-speech

Inquirer

Agusan Norte cracks down on misuse of 4Ps cash card IDs

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Agusan del Norte on Wednesday approved Ordinance No. 435-2017 which will penalize Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries who pawn their 4Ps cash card IDs.Under the ordinance, pawning of 4Ps cash card IDs or any agreement with government officials and employees, private individuals/groups and local business establishments is now prohibited in the province of Agusan del Norte.First time violators will receive counseling from the Municipal Link and a written warning from the Provincial Link. A second offense will entail another counseling session with the Provincial Link and a written warning from the Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Caraga Region. In addition, the concerned household’s grant shall be suspended and shall not be released for one payment period.A beneficiary will be delisted from the program on the third offense.This ordinance was authored by SP Member Elizabeth Marie R. Calo.The new law is aimed at addressing the misuse of 4Ps cash card IDs, penalize 4Ps beneficiaries in the province who pawn their 4Ps cash card IDs to informal lenders or lending agencies and penalize government officials/employees, private individuals/groups and local businesses or corporations who are accepting 4Ps cash cards as loan collateral.

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02/02/2017 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/02/02/agusan-norte-cracks-down-on-misuse-of-4ps-cash-card-ids/

Manila Bulletin

Shielding youth from drugs part of dev’t agenda – Locsin

THE GLOBAL development agenda should include the protection of young people from the evils of drug abuse, Foreign Affairs Secretary-designate Teodoro Locsin Jr. said, pointing to the Philippines’ youthful population.Addressing the Asia-Europe Meeting in Brussels, Belgium last week, Locsin noted that the Philippines was experiencing a “demographic sweet pot.”“Here supposedly is a vast store of potential energy and innovation. But it won’t be realized without right policies and programs,” he said.“The demographic dividend doesn’t come with ingrained business plans and specific job skills. It is a raw energy but with a moral dimension for being valuable in itself as composed of people,” Locsin added.Thus, countries have a social and political obligation to realize the “youth’s socially useful and at the same time self-satisfying development.”“Their development is not merely instrumental, even for those greater purposes to which totalitarian states are partial. Youth development is in and for them,” he said.“They must be educated for the times, kept healthy in present and improving conditions, and protected against the worst scourge of mankind: drugs and human trafficking which directly attack the meaning of what it is to be human,” Locsin said.He acknowledged the importance of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals as the “framework” of Philippine development plans.“We stress the urgency of reducing extreme poverty which is a drag in progress. It frustrates the moral imperative of universal action: so act that whatever you do is applied to you; summed up as all or none—no one advances at another’s expense,” Locsin said.The Philippines is committed to developing timely, comprehensive and disaggregated data to better grasp the situation of every citizen, especially the most marginalized, he added.Locsin noted that the Philippines lies inside a circle of fire and in the path of typhoons of increasing ferocity because of climate change.“We are continuously engaged in initiatives to address the varying challenges and threats; and to develop cooperation at all levels to reduce the human cost of natural disasters. Nature’s fury cannot be avoided but its worst can be managed,” he said.

['The Manila Times']

2018-10-22 00:03:28+00:00

https://www.manilatimes.net/shielding-youth-from-drugs-part-of-devt-agenda-locsin/455293/

Manila Times

Fire razes homes of 1,000 families

At least 1,000 families were rendered homeless on Wednesday when a five-hour fire, believed caused by children playing with matches, razed some 600 houses in Barangay Maliksi III, a coastal village of this town.Luckily, no one was hurt or killed in the big fire that started at 3 p.m. and was put out at 8:05 p.m., said Superintendent Christopher F. Olazo, Bacoor City chief of police.Superintendent Robert M. Pacis, local fire marshal, said the fire spread quickly since the houses gutted down were mostly made of light materials.Pacis said at least 30 fire trucks responded to the scene, but found difficulty in reaching the central area of the fire due to the narrow alleys.He said the fire, which reached the 5th alarm, started at the house occupied by one Raffy Ola, where children were seen playing with matches in the vicinity.Olazo said at least 475 families or 2,153 individuals were taken to the nearby Maliksi Elementary School, where Mayor Lani Mercado-Revilla sent a team to assist them and offer basic necessities like water, food, toiletries, and blankets.Pacis said the cost of damage has yet to me determined.

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06/04/2017 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/04/06/fire-razes-homes-of-1000-families/

Manila Bulletin

Pampanga reflects on lost rivers

(First of two parts)Ernesto Ocampo feels a big sense of loss, while provinces in the shadow of Mt. Pinatubo prepare to celebrate the resiliency of more than 8 million survivors of the volcano’s major eruption 25 years ago.The 65-year-old farmer is thankful that he survived the volcanic eruption, the world’s second largest in the 20th century, as well as the lingering disaster that followed due to a rampage of lahar (volcanic debris washed down by rains from the slopes).But Ocampo says he has yet to imbibe the celebratory mood because he has not been able to return to his village, Mesalipit, which has remained a no man’s land.Like its name, Mesalipit is trapped in a triangle formed by the San Fernando-Santo Tomas-Minalin Tail Dike, Gugu Dike and a new dike being built connecting the two older dikes.Sediments flowing from the erstwhile Gugu Creek have accumulated in the village, raising its level. Gugu is now a river that drains the original channel of the Pasig-Potrero River. But during dry months, it is a wide field of sturdy grass, turning back into a big pool of water when the monsoon returns.Ocampo says a tributary called Gulut Kubu is gone. “That’s where we used to get fish and water for planting rice,” he said.He abandoned the Madapdap resettlement in Mabacalat City in 2013, opting to live and farm beside the tail dike where, at its base, a new river formed during the rainy months.This new river drains San Fernando River in the Pampanga capital to the Pasac River at the mouth of Manila Bay.San Fernando River takes in water from Sacobia and Abacan rivers in Tarlac province and Angeles City via Mexico town in Pampanga. Pasac River drains out all tributaries from the south eastern side of the volcano.To date, there has been no inventory of smaller rivers that have been erased or formed in the landscapes of Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales provinces after the June 15, 1991, eruption and the subsequent lahar flows.Trapping laharNeither has there been a study by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on the biological health of eight major rivers draining from Mt. Pinatubo that have been the focus of engineering interventions to trap lahar or ease flooding.These are the Crow Valley-O’Donnell and Sacobia-Bamban rivers in Tarlac; the Abacan, Pasig-Potrero and Porac-Gumain rivers in Pampanga; and the Marella-Sto. Tomas, Maloma and Balin Baquero-Bucao rivers in Zambales.These rivers became biologically dead “only immediately after being covered [by volcanic debris] because of the chemicals,” said Edgardo Gomez, a national scientist for marine biology.But Gomez said organisms would recolonize these waterways in time.The eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, which lasted for nine hours, deposited 6.7 billion cubic meters of pyroclastic materials on the slopes of the volcano.Some 4.7 billion cubic meters (or 70 percent) of these volcanic debris were deposited in areas around the Bucao, Maloma and Santo Tomas rivers, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said in a 2003 study.QuarryingKelvin Rodolfo, a geologist, said “continuing heavy quarrying [on former riverbeds] can’t do anything but harm the flora and fauna.”In the provinces of Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales, sand is extracted to supply the construction industry.It has taken longer for eight rivers linked to the watersheds of Mt. Pinatubo to come back to life and feed their pre-1991 eruption tributaries.These waterways are dredged or diked or their channels diverted to increase their capacity to hold lahar or reduce floods, according to the DPWH. Siltation is a recurring problem as rains erode lahar.Renato Solidum, chief of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), said fish could not thrive in rivers that were frequently dredged.Some fishermen have observed that mild saline water have not been coming inland during dry months to support fish that can grow in rivers.Several farmers inside the FVR Megadike believe that the original channel of Pasig-Potrero River has shifted to the west and is blocked by 6-meter-high lahar on the side of Guagua and Santa Rita towns.Filled with rainwater, the channel has thrived with “kangkong” (water spinach) and fishes, evident in the many elevated sheds used by fishermen.Birds of all sorts come to feed there. (To be continued Tuesday)

['Tonette Orejas']

2017-08-28 04:59:54+00:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/790355/pampanga-reflects-on-lost-rivers

Inquirer

Jaraula’s trial over fertilizer fund scam to proceed

The Sandiganbayan will proceed with the trial of former Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Constantino Jaraula for graft and malversation in connection with the alleged misuse of P3 million in fertilizer funds four years ago.In a resolution issued on Nov. 5, the court’s Second Division denied Jaraula’s motion to quash the charges over the inordinate delay in the Ombudsman’s investigation.The court found the three-year delay—from the filing of the complaint on Aug. 4, 2014, to the Ombudsman’s approval of the order to indict Jaraula on July 31, 2017—to be “necessary and unavoidable.”It cited the “complexity and voluminous records” involved in the case, as well as the fact that 16 respondents were named in the complaint.‘Unmistakably inimical’The court also found that the allegations in the charge sheet were sufficient enough to send the case to trial.Jaraula was accused of entering into an agreement with Philippine Social Development Foundation Inc. (PSDFI), a nongovernment organization (NGO), despite the terms being “unmistakably inimical” to the government.Prosecutors alleged that PSDFI did not comply with the requirements under Commission on Audit Circular No. 96-003, as donations and membership fees formed the sole sources of its funding. The NGO also failed to prove its track record.Despite the lack of proof that the farmer-beneficiaries received the purchased fertilizers, the Department of Agriculture still released the payments.

['Philippine Daily Inquirer']

06/07/2018 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1052022/jaraulas-trial-over-fertilizer-fund-scam-to-proceed

Inquirer

UK police race to find source of new nerve agent poisoning

is enough to kill a person within minutes. But finding residue before it poisons unwitting victims is the problem.Police in special protective gear and breathing apparatus are conducting an extensive search at the John Baker House in Salisbury, where Sturgess was living before the poisoning.It is listed by the Homeless Link charity as a supported living situation for “single homeless people and those in a vulnerable housing situation.”Its residents have been placed in other housing while the search continues.Scientists say there’s no easy way to use technology to locate the container thought to be the source of the Novichok. Instead, there will have to be a laborious physical search of suspected sites.Alastair Hay, Professor Emeritus of Environmental Toxicology at the University of Leeds, said there is “no specific method for the detection of Novichoks in the environment” because the use of the nerve agent was not considered likely when monitors were designed.That means authorities will have to take soil and vegetation samples from sites where it’s possible the nerve agent was present and painstakingly test the samples to see if there is any contamination.A number of sites are being searched in the town of Amesbury, where the couple fell ill, and the nearby city of Salisbury, where the Skripals were poisoned. Forensic searches were due to be carried out at the Amesbury home where Sturgess and Rowley collapsed, and other sites the couple visited before they were sickened.British Home Secretary Sajid Javid told Parliament on Thursday that it’s time for Russia to explain “exactly what has gone on.”“It is completely unacceptable for our people to be either deliberate or accidental targets, or for our streets, our parks, our towns to be dumping grounds for poison,” Javid said.

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06/07/2018 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/07/06/uk-police-race-to-find-source-of-new-nerve-agent-poisoning/

Manila Bulletin

Bicol River revetment project funded by Robredo collapses

Following the collapse of a portion of a revetment project along the Bicol River last weekend, authorities are now pointing fingers as to who should explain or be held accountable for the estimated P50-million wreck which was part of a project initiated by Vice President Leni Robredo when she was still a congresswoman.The revetment project is a portion of the P650-million rehabilitation project along the Bicol River funded from the community development fund (CDF) of Robredo when she was Camarines Sur representative in the past administration.Robredo graced the inauguration of the Bicol River Reventment Project just last September 9.But due to heavy and continuous rains for four days in this city, almost 50 meters of the project near a private cemetery collapsed last Friday afternoon. The revetment is only two meters away from the tombs at the cemetery.The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said the 100-meter concrete fence built on top of the revetment by the owner of the private cemetery is one of the reasons investigated as the cause of the collapse.It turns out that no consent nor permit either from the barangay administration or the city government was secured before the said fence was constructed.Irene Mariano, owner of the Santo Niño Memorial Park, admitted there was no permit sought from the City Engineering Office to construct a fence on the revetment, but denied allegations that it is had caused the collapse.Mariano suggested the government investigate the structural integrity of the revetment project.She claimed that for the purpose of the project, the government had cut 6.5 meters on the easement mandatory property line, but the cemetery management did not complain.Even the City Engineering Office believes the fence had caused the river revetment’s collapse. But it also sees the possibility that the revetment project had a weak foundation allegedly due to sub-standard quality of work.Mayor John Bongat of this city said they will deny the turnover of the said project until it has been properly completed. Bongat also ordered a start to a special investigation into the incident.It was learned that the project is under contract with Bicol Goldrock Constructions (BGCC), which claimed it has been working on the structure for almost a year now but has not been paid a single cent.According to the contractor, it will reconstruct the revetment in accordance with the DPWH suggestions.As of yesterday, the Office of the Vice President remained mum on the incident.

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08/11/2016 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2016/11/08/bicol-river-revetment-project-funded-by-robredo-collapses/

Manila Bulletin

Comelec’s Bautista should resign now, not later

amid the charges of hidden wealth brought by the ultimate insider, his wife Patricia. But he had a last-minute gambit that he probably thought would work.Bautista released a letter of resignation on Wednesday but this was effective only in December, 2017. The letter was an obvious sham, a delaying tactic weakly hinged on a hope that political winds would change between now and December.Unsurprisingly, the House leadership saw through the farce and on the same day, moved quickly to overturn the justice committee decision to drop the impeachment complaint against Bautista. The House plenary voted 137-75 to impeach Bautista, the first time a sitting Comelec chairman has been impeached.Following this historic move by the House, the Articles of Impeachment will now be prepared by the justice committee, and then sent to the Senate which will convene as an impeachment court. If found guilty of the charges Bautista will be removed from office.We can expect a long drawn-out trial that would make for high political theater. All manner of unsavory details will be discussed, and if Bautista truly loves his children and family, he should spare them from witnessing his ignominious fall by immediately resigning his post.But this is the Philippines. Many here have hides thicker than a carabao’s, and shame is just the anti-virtue in the same league as hypocrisy. Is the Comelec post that important to Bautista (or to the opposition party) that he would hold on to it for dear life?“If he had tendered an irrevocable resignation there would be no impeachment trial,” House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said. He added that no one is stopping Bautista from stepping down “today, tonight, tomorrow.”Other lawmakers were more incensed at the “game” that Bautista was attempting to play. Rep. Harry Roque, one of the endorsers of the impeachment complaint, let it rip against the Comelec chairman:“Bautista is taking me for a fool if he says he is promising to resign because the committee dismissed the complaint. That isn’t sure. First, he prayed for discernment. Then he said that he would not resign. Then he files a resignation letter effective December. If the ‘yes’ vote won then the complaint is dismissed, and the resignation is pulled back, and he will not be impeached for a year.”Bautista is accused of betrayal of public trust and violation of the Constitution, for failing to disclose his peso and foreign currency bank holdings; condominium units in Bonifacio Global City and in California; and foreign investments in reported tax havens, in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.Bautista is alleged to be holding about P1.2 billion in cash and assets, and his wife Patricia has issued an affidavit affirming this, and has turned over all relevant financial documents and other evidence to the investigating agencies. Mrs. Bautista has also expressed willingness to testify in any impeachment trial.Despite his brother Martin flying into town to try and claim the money as his, Bautista has not properly explained how he was able to acquire these assets that are disproportionate to his salary as a public official. “Besides, his non-reporting of the same in his SALN further lends credence to the allegations that they are ill-gotten,” the impeachment complaint read.The most damning charge against Bautista are those involving graft and corruption as he allegedly received commissions from the Divina Law Office, which is also the legal counsel of Smartmatic. The Venezuelan firm was the Comelec’s biggest contractor, the supplier of the controversial vote-counting machines used in the May 2016 elections.“What is very fatal here is he admitted that he took money from Smartmatic through Divina Law office,” said former Rep. Jacinto Paras, who filed the impeachment complaint against Bautista in August. The complaint said that accepting referral fees from Smartmatic was “tantamount to indirect bribery” based on the Revised Penal Code.The complaint also took note of “Comeleak” and Bautista’s alleged failure to fulfill his duty in implementing the Data Privacy Act following the hacking of the Comelec before the 2016 elections. The personal data of millions of voters were reportedly breached by this hacking, the complaint said, and Bautista allegedly failed to act on this serious privacy violations.The voting public also want to know if their votes were in any way tampered with during the last elections. The Comelec chief was charged with allowing a change in the “script” in the transparency server just as the vote count was ongoing.A Smartmatic official was allowed access to the server allegedly to “tweak” the script but the camp of vice presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos said this was done to give Vice President Leni Robredo a slight victory of just 200,000 votes.Bautista has a lot of explaining to do in the next few months. But we hope he would just resign and spare everyone from seeing his final diminishment.

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13/10/2017 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/10/13/comelecs-bautista-should-resign-now-not-later/

Manila Bulletin

Police count puts number of drug deaths at 103

Since the stepped-up campaign against drug abuse on May 3, at least 103 people had been killed in encounters with authorities, according to the Philippine National Police.Another 5,845 people have been arrested, Senior Supt. Jonardo Carlos told reporters.The number of people killed in the campaign in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Eastern Visayas only refers to those who resisted arrest, and excludes those who were found dead or reportedly salvaged, the PNP spokesperson said.DiscrepancyAsked about the discrepancy between the police and the media reports, Carlos said the PNP was continuously updating, validating and correcting the reported deaths and arrests.Carlos said the death toll did not include a policeman who died in one of the encounters.For instance from May 3, the police monitoring data showed that only six were killed in the National Capital Region.The increased number of arrests, Carlos said, signified the trend that more people were surrendering because of the current anticriminality drive in the country.Carlos added there were more “street-level” drug suspects arrested since there were more policemen operating and going after the suspects in the streets.Force multipliersTo ensure that rights of the women and the family of the victims are not violated, Carlos said barangay personnel served as force multipliers in the operations.Carlos, who claimed to be not the proper person to talk about “illegitimate killings,” said the only legitimate operations were those conducted and coordinated with the PNP.Complaints welcomeThe illegitimate killings, including those committed by vigilantes, will all be investigated, he added.“We are presuming there is a regularity in the conduct of the arrests,” Carlos said, adding that they welcome complaints against “erring” policemen.RELATED VIDEOS

['Jodee A. Agoncillo']

2016-09-26 00:17:11+08:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/794943/police-count-puts-number-of-drug-deaths-at-103

Inquirer

Alphaland: Binay didn’t get P651M kickback

Alphaland Corp. executives on Wednesday defended its agreement with the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) to develop a one-hectare property in Makati City, belying the allegation that a 5-percent portion of the deal went to the BSP president, Vice President Jejomar Binay.At the resumption of the hearing of the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee on irregularities in Makati, including the BSP deal, when Binay was mayor, former Makati Vice Ernesto Mercado claimed the Vice President had received kickbacks from the Alphaland Makati Place deal that could reach as much as P651 million.Mercado, a former ally of Binay, alleged that 5 percent of the deal was given to Binay through Silvertown Property Development Corp. shares transferred to the firm Noble Care of Mario Oreta, now Alphaland Corp. president. The Silvertown shares were later exchanged with Alphaland shares.Oreta, president of Alphaland Corp., said the 5-percent of the deal that went to Noble Care was part of his compensation for crafting the deal with the BSP.NonsenseAlphaland CEO Roberto Ongpin said Mercado’s assumption that the 5 percent given to Oreta was delivered to the Vice President was “complete nonsense.”In his testimony last month, Mercado said Silvertown and the BSP entered into a joint-venture agreement in June 2008 to develop the property on Ayala Avenue Extension and Malugay Street in which the developer would acquire rights, title and interest in 85 percent of the gross floor area, and the BSP, as landowner, 15 percent.Mercado, then BSP senior vice president, said he opposed the sharing, and pushed for a 20-percent share for the BSP, but was overruled by Binay.Quoting Binay’s aide Gerardo Limlingan, the former vice mayor said 5 percent, a fourth of the 20 percent, represented Binay’s share to fund his election campaign, and for which the latter got an initial P189 million.To escape responsibility, Binay asked his then vice mayor, Mercado, to sign the agreement, opposite Oreta, Mercado said.So Binay could collect his share in August 2008, Alphaland granted Noble Care a 5.88-percent stake in Alphaland/Silvertown, equivalent to 2,031 shares at P10 each, or P20,310, he added. It also granted Noble Care a P100.4-million loan.After two years, Alphaland bought back Noble Care’s shares for P88.973 million, and wrote off its P100.4-million loan, or a total of P189 million.The deal makerMercado claimed this amount became Binay’s “initial kickback.” All these transactions were carried out during Binay’s birthday on Nov. 11, 2010.On June 2, 2011, the agreement was amended after Alphaland acquired Silvertown. On the same day, the BSP executed a deed of absolute sale of the property in favor of Alphaland.At the Senate hearing on Wednesday, Oreta said Noble Care’s assets, including the 5 percent carried interest in the Makati Place project, were all owned by him and his two partners.“To emphasize, your honors, Vice President Jejomar Binay or any other person aside from the three (Oreta and his partners) of us has no interest whatsoever in Noble Care or in its assets,” he said.“We own the assets and the company 100 percent,” Oreta said of Noble Care.Oreta said the 5 percent formed part of his compensation and he was not just a mere salaried employee in Alphaland, but a deal maker.When he joined the company, there was an agreement that he would get carried interest if he packaged a deal for Alphaland.Tax evasion or kickback?But Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano said Oreta could be liable for tax evasion when he failed to pay income tax for the shares he got as compensation.“The question is, ‘Is that the Vice President’s kickback or did you commit tax evasion?’” Cayetano asked.By Cayetano’s estimate, income tax liability for Oreta’s shares amounted to P550 million to P600 million, including surcharges. He said that if one was paid compensation, one had to pay a 30-percent income tax.He said that the tax on shares would be based on the price on the stock exchange, not on the par value for which it was bought.According to him, the 2,031 Silvertown shares were valued at P20 each when Oreta received these, when these were actually worth P12,000 per share.When Alphaland bought back Noble Care’s shares in Silvertown, it issued 8.9 million Alphaland shares to Noble Care at a par value P10 per share. But at that point, the actual price was an average of P60 per share, he said.Mercado on Wednesday said that with the price of the Alphaland shares, Binay’s kickback could amount to P133 million to P551 million, depending on when these were sold.If Noble Care’s P100 million condoned loan from Alphaland is factored in, the alleged kickback could be P233 million to P651 million, Mercado said.Shares not soldOreta said he did not commit tax evasion. He said he had a tax clearance and paid P18 million capital gains tax for shares valued at P189 million. He also believed he did not need to pay income tax because he had not sold the shares.“How can I pay income tax? There was no income,” Oreta said.Ongpin said Noble Care had reported capital gains and paid the corresponding tax. It was required to pay only the capital gains tax. Ongpin also said Noble Care continued to own the Alphaland shares of stock and Oreta had not sold these.“When and if he does sell those shares, he pays the final tax,” Ongpin said.Cayetano said that if the money really went to Oreta, this could be traced. He asked if Oreta was willing to waive the bank secrecy of Noble Care to show where it went.But Oreta said he was not ready to do that.Neither confirm nor denyCayetano then asked if it was true that P100 million was withdrawn in one day. “I neither confirm nor deny,” Oreta replied.Cayetano also alleged that between October and December 2012, the Alphaland shares in Noble Care disappeared, but Ongpin disputed this. Ongpin said Oreta could produce the shares.The Alphaland CEO also said the BSP got more than what it shelled out when it entered into the joint-venture agreement with Alphaland to develop the prime property, adding that Mercado negotiated a “fabulous” deal.Ongpin said he could not understand why Mercado was claiming the BSP got the short end of the stick, when its P600-million share now amounted to more than P3 billion.“The Boy Scouts had no risk. They contributed P600 million. We funded everything and their investment is worth five times P600 million. That’s a 26-percent return on investment. Any way you look at it, that’s a great return,” he said.“And therefore I feel Mr. Mercado should be congratulated for having negotiated such a fabulous deal for the Boy Scouts,” he added.Ongpin said BSP’s contribution to the deal to develop the 1-hectare property into a mixed-use facility, which has a total construction cost of P5 billion, amounted to 12 percent of the project.The BSP owned part of the property and this area was valued at P600 billion. Under the agreement, Alphaland would provide the total construction cost for the Makati Place project.But Ongpin said that during negotiations, Alphaland agreed to increase BSP’s share to 15 percent. The sharing scheme has been retained even if the project cost has gone up to P8 billion, he said.“To explain, had the sharing been adjusted in view of the new project cost, the contribution of the Boy Scouts amounting to P600 million would only be entitled to 7.5 percent,” he added.Not only was the deal a good one in which “both Alphaland and Boy Scouts will make a lot of money,” it was also not tainted with irregularities, Ongpin said.Some senators did not appear convinced that it was a good deal.

['Leila B. Salaverria']

2016-09-26 00:17:11+08:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/673875/alphaland-binay-didnt-get-p651m-kickback

Inquirer

Ombudsman seeks stop to Bong Revilla tactics

Ombudsman prosecutors have asked the Sandiganbayan to stop entertaining the “tactics” employed by former Sen. Bong Revilla’s camp to delay his plunder trial.The prosecution said defense lawyer Estelito Mendoza was stalling the trial because of “the absence of any competent and credible evidence available to him.”

['Philippine Daily Inquirer']

24/09/2017 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1001016/ombudsman-seeks-stop-to-bong-revilla-tactics

Inquirer

P20-M agri package grants given to 30 Quezon farmers’ groups

More than P20 million worth of agricultural inputs, livestock and farm machinery were released to the 30 organized farmers in Bondoc Peninsula district of Quezon in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture-CALABARZON regional office, House of Representatives, and the provincial government, here.The distribution of the agricultural package was led by House Minority Floor Leader and Quezon 3rd District Rep. Danilo Suarez, DA Regional Executive Director Arnel De Mesa, and Quezon Governor David C. Suarez.The 30 organized farmer association received the packages based on their necessity like farm tractors, screen house and nursery establishment, pump and engine, shredder machine, multi tiller-machine, corn mill, cassava pulverizer, granulator and grater, composting facility for biodegradable waste, rice reaper, hand tractor and small-scale composting facility, 16 tons of purple yam, fertilizer and 12 carabao and cows.De Mesa said Quezon is one of the provinces in CALABARZON receiving huge allocation particularly on the program of DA’s Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) under President Duterte’s agriculture development with DA Sec. Manny Piñol’s priority projects in the provinces.It was once envisioned that Quezon will be the food basket in the region, said Suarez the governor. Now, he believes that with the existing support and collaboration with the national government, Quezon would be aiming to be the food basket of the country.

[]

24/10/2017 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/10/24/p20-m-agri-package-grants-given-to-30-quezon-farmers-groups/

Manila Bulletin

IN THE KNOW: NFA created in January 1981

The National Food Authority (NFA), created through Presidential Decree No. 1770 in January 1981, is mandated to promote the integrated growth and development of the grains industry and to provide food security and stability of supply and prices of grains.In 1987, the NFA was detached from the Office of the President (OP) and was realigned under the Department of Agriculture to respond to policy changes with emphasis on private sector participation.It was returned to OP supervision in 2014 and was reassigned to the Office of the Cabinet Secretary in 2016.Since 1997, the agency has undertaken the procurement of sugar when necessary, and in 1998 its scope expanded to marketing operation of other basic food items.It received a subsidy of P4.25 billion from the national government in 2015 and 2016, according to the Commission on Audit report.The NFA has 15 regional offices and 86 provincial offices. Of its authorized 4,436 plantilla positions, 4,124 were filled as of December 2016.

[]

08/02/2018 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1025178/in-the-know-nfa-created-in-january-1981

Inquirer

NBI rescues 34 victims of human trafficking

Lured by a P5,000 monthly pay, a 15-year-old boy left his home here to join other male neighbors to work in a province in Luzon to help his family.As it turned out, work was hell on a fish farm in Pangasinan province, which was operated by Chinese nationals who could hardly speak Filipino.Fifteen-year-old Yohan (not his real name) did not get the pay he was promised, and he was made to work from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m., without breaks and leaves.He and his fellow workers were thrown into sleeping quarters that looked like pigsties and were given foul-smelling food.A recruiter, identified as Eduard Moreno, went to Barangay 96 in Tacloban, where the workers lived, to recruit young men to work on the Pangasinan fish farm owned by the Chinese nationals in Sual.They were to receive P5,000 a month to feed the fish, he told them.The pay and supposedly light work prompted Yohan to pack up his bags and join his neighbors on July 12 on a trip to Sual.Media logoThey boarded vans that displayed the logo of a broadcast network to prevent law enforcers from flagging them down.When they arrived in Sual, the group realized that they had been deceived.They were told that they would get only P3,500 a month. At least P200 was also deducted from their pay for each absence.“We could not afford to get sick because P200 would be deducted from our already measly compensation,” said Eladio Velasco, 20, one of the recruits.The Chinese nationals who owned the fish farm knew only rudimentary Filipino and their limited vocabulary included cuss words that they hurled at workers.Work started at 4 a.m. requiring the recruits to haul bags of feed from a warehouse to feed the fish in cages.No restThe workers were not allowed to rest, even for a few minutes, from the backbreaking toil under the heat of the sun or heavy rain.Bedtime was set at 10 p.m., but their sleeping quarters looked like pigpens, Yohan said.Velasco said the Chinese bosses were cruel to the workers and would often curse them for no reason at all.Food consisted mostly of fish and vegetables that smelled bad.Monitored by armed menThey could not escape because they were being monitored by men armed with rifles.Yohan, along with 33 others, could now heave a sigh of relief.They were rescued on July 19 when agents of the National Bureau of Investigation in Pangasinan raided the farm.Mom’s pleaThe raid stemmed from a plea for help by Yohan’s mother, who went to the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) to report that her son had not contacted her since he left home on July 12.Carmela Bastes, social worker at the CSWDO, immediately informed the regional office in Tacloban City which, in turn, contacted officials in Pangasinan on July 13.The NBI and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Pangasinan raided the fish farm at around 10 p.m. on July 19.Claire Banzuela, social welfare officer of Pangasinan, said the Chinese owners did not resist during the operation. Their identities were not provided.Human traffickingShe said the NBI would file human trafficking charges against the Chinese nationals and recruiters of the victims based on the recruits’ statements.Banzuela said the victims had been escorted back to their homes in Tacloban. They were presented to the media by the city government.Yohan said he would like to continue his studies. He did not enroll in Grade 5 this year because he wanted to help his family.The Barangay 96 chair, Jocelyn Rosales, said the authorities were looking for the recruiter, Moreno, who lived in the village.Moreno’s contact in luring the victims to work in Sual was his brother, Dick, who is said to be residing in the Pangasinan town.

['Joey A. Gabieta']

08/02/2018 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1015647/nbi-rescues-34-victims-of-human-trafficking

Inquirer

Leni hails artists and tales of hope

Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo paid tribute to the country’s artists for their contributions to society through their abilities to “weave stories of hope.”Speaking at the first National Visual Arts Conference, Robredo encouraged artists to continue serving as an inspiration to Filipinos through their artworks.“As artists, you have the ability to weave stories of hope. Art is the highest form of hope. So I encourage you to never give up on your craft and to never be afraid of dreaming and doing the impossible,” she said.“May you never tire of inspiring us through your work because if there is anything that our world truly needs, it is you and your art,” the Vice President added.Robredo spoke about the importance of art in promoting and preserving a nation’s identity during the conference held Wednesday at San Beda College in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.“We, as a nation, have neglected art and culture, treated them as mere appendages to the promotion of tourism or entertainment. No wonder perhaps that we lack an appreciation for our national identity. That innate validation of what makes us uniquely Filipino,” she said.

[]

08/02/2018 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/02/08/leni-hails-artists-and-tales-of-hope/

Manila Bulletin

Changes in BBL would not be arbitrary, says Marcos

Changes in the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) would not be arbitrary and would serve to strengthen it, according to Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who also called on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to be “open-minded” and “a little flexible” regarding the matter.Marcos, who had chaired the Senate hearings on the BBL, said there were ambiguous or constitutionally infirm provisions in the measure that have to be changed. There are also areas in the bill that were “left open” for Congress to complete.Congress must make sure any bill it approves is legal, constitutional and enforceable, he said.“We are not out to make changes in the BBL just because we like to do so. We would be making changes, amendments, add, or delete provisions because in our view, that is the best way to make a more robust and effective law,” he said in a statement on Thursday.“Let’s not forget that the ultimate goal of BBL is peace in Muslim Mindanao. And we will strive to pass the best BBL possible so that we would achieve a true and lasting peace in Muslim Mindanao,” he added.The passage of the BBL, which would create a new Bangsamoro region in Mindanao, is a key component of the government’s comprehensive peace agreement with the MILF.Deliberations suspendedCongress has suspended its deliberations on the bill pending the complete investigation of the bloody police operation in Mamasapano town, Maguindanao province, to arrest a Malaysian bomb expert.The police Special Action Force (SAF) personnel clashed with members of the MILF and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters as they were leaving the area. A total of 44 SAF members, 18 MILF members and five civilians were killed.Marcos said among the provisions in the draft BBL that have to be changed were those that would allow the Bangsamoro region to have its own Commission on Audit, Commission on Elections and Civil Service Commission.These are constitutional agencies and their functions and scope could not be reduced, he said.The Office of the Ombudsman has submitted a position paper saying the Bangsamoro could not have its own Ombudsman since the office is also a constitutional body, he pointed out.Marcos also said he wanted a clarification on the administration of local government units that would join the Bangsamoro but were not contiguous with the region’s core territory.The questions arising from this matter are where they would get their internal revenue allotment, and who would be their mother municipality or province. These are still up for discussion, he added.Also needing clarification are the procedures for joining or leaving the Bangsamoro, he said.Sen. Vicente Sotto III said the government and the MILF should continue talking, while at the same time observing the ceasefire. They should also not be pressured by deadlines, said Sotto.“Otherwise, [the BBL] might just be declared unconstitutional,” he said in a text message, and cited a Filipino proverb about those who walk fast being prone to deep injuries.‘Not peace of memorial park’“This is a 400-year problem. We should not be rash,” he added.One thing that must be considered is whether all Muslim groups are happy with the arrangement, he said.“Are the 44 lives the last sacrifice or the first set of deaths in a new era of unnecessary deaths among brothers with different religions?” he asked.The kind of peace that must be crafted should be one that addresses all issues and not one that just silences voices, Sotto said.“Peace with honor and justice for living people. Not the peace of a memorial park!” he said.RELATED STORIESBBL now ‘demolished’; time to look for alternatives—MarcosMarcos: BBL stalls until there’s ‘complete picture’ of Mamasapano incidentBBL is in ‘coma,’ says Marcos

['Leila B. Salaverria']

2017-06-18 01:11:33+08:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/674137/changes-in-bbl-would-not-be-arbitrary-says-marcos

Inquirer

Slight drop in hunger means poverty alleviation programs working, says gov’t

The administration’s poverty alleviation programs appear to be working, Malacañang said on Wednesday in explaining the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) poll that showed a slight drop in the number of Filipinos who have experienced hunger.The SWS survey conducted from March 25 to 28 showed that 11.9 percent or some 2.7 million households did not have enough food to get on by at least once, a two-point drop from the 13.9 percent who said the same thing in the last quarter of 2016.“The latest finding, conducted last March 25 to 28, affirms the positive impact of the Duterte administration’s poverty alleviation efforts on the lowest rung of society,” presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.Abella also said that while the government offers programs to alleviate poverty, its ultimate goal is to improve their lives by providing them with jobs or capital to start small businesses.“The government’s long-term goal, however, is to improve the lives of Filipinos across sectors, through effective delivery of goods and services, like increased spending in infrastructure projects and the promotion of easy access microfinancing system,” he said.He said the government’s current poverty alleviation programs for the marginalized and neglected sectors include conditional cash transfer program, higher pension for seniors, free medicine for indigent patients, added incentive and combat pay duty for police and soldiers, gratuity pay for job order and contract workers in the government, and regularization of thousands of employees.Earlier, the palace said the administration would step up efforts to address poverty and inform poor citizens of government programs that were available for them in the wake of an SWS survey showing that the number of Filipinos who consider themselves poor increased.The SWS survey showed that 50 percent of 1,200 respondents rated themselves as poor.The figure represented 11.5 million families. It was up from 44 percent or 10 million families who rated themselves as poor in December last year.The latest figure in the SWS survey was down from the 13.9 percent, or an estimated 3.1 million families, last December.The first quarter overall hunger figure is also lower than last year’s annual average of 13.3 percent and the 13.7 percent during the same period last year.The SWS survey, first published in BusinessWorld, used face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adult respondents nationwide and a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points for national percentages

['Leila B. Salaverria']

2017-06-18 01:11:33+08:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/894156/slight-drop-in-hunger-means-poverty-alleviation-programs-working-says-govt

Inquirer

Sereno to House: Don’t even hold impeachment hearings

Why should the House of Representatives even hold hearings on an impeachment complaint already shown to be insufficient?This was the argument of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, who said lawyer Lorenzo Gadon failed to debunk her rebuttals last week and to shore up the allegations in his impeachment complaint.Sereno filed on Monday her rejoinder to Gadon’s Sept. 28 reply that tackled her Sept. 25 answer to the impeachment complaint now pending with the House justice committee.“The reply, with its countless inane personal attacks on the incumbent head of the judiciary, has done nothing to help complainant’s cause,” she said.Sereno pointed out that Gadon himself said his assertions “will be verified later” in the impeachment proceedings.Using Gadon’s own statements against him, the Chief Justice said he virtually admitted that the records now would not be enough to form “sufficient grounds for impeachment.” This, she said, “is a legal precondition for the conduct of a hearing.”“A hearing is not the means to achieve that sufficiency. Complainant clearly wants to put the cart before the horse and get away with it,” she said. “The people’s money should never fund a fishing expedition.”Gadon’s admissionsThe rejoinder noted the following admissions by Gadon that would show the insufficiency of his case:On her acquisition of a Toyota Land Cruiser, he said the Chief Justice was “allowed by some existing rules to purchase and use a luxury vehicle.”On her business-class trips, Gadon conceded the issue was “not its legality, but its propriety.”On the clustered short lists to the Sandiganbayan’s six simultaneous vacancies, he admitted that former President Benigno Aquino III ignored it anyway, which meant Sereno as a member of the Judicial and Bar Council did not “impair” his presidential power.Gadon admitted that mental condition is not a ground for impeachment.Contradicted by his evidenceSereno said the complainant failed to prove that she did not disclose the P37 million in attorney’s fees she allegedly earned from 2003 to 2008 in her statements of assets, liabilities and net worth beginning 2010, as if it was still intact by the time she joined the Supreme Court.She said Gadon should have included the corresponding evidence of undisclosed assets in his complaint or even the reply.She also lambasted his claim that she must prove that she paid the correct taxes on the attorney’s fees she earned from winning the government’s case against Philippine International Air Terminals Co.The complainant has the burden of proving first his allegations and that she was presumed to be “innocent of a crime or wrong,” Sereno said.Sereno also noted that some of the grounds Gadon presented conflicted with his very own evidence.While he claimed the P5.11-million Land Cruiser purchase was “extravagant,” he attached Commission on Audit Circular No. 2012-003, which made an exception for vehicles used for “security” reasons by the Chief Justice and other high-ranking officials.Sereno said Gadon’s own evidence substantiated her explanation that her allegedly unauthorized hiring of information and communications technology consultant Helen Perez-Macasaet was actually approved by the Supreme Court through its chief administrative officer.‘Guilty of perjury’Sereno accused the lawyer of perjury for signing the verifications page of the complaint stating that his allegations were based on “personal knowledge” or “authentic records and public documents.”Such allegations include Sereno’s supposed call to Associate Justice Noel Tijam to manipulate the transfer of the Maute cases, her order not to issue warrants of arrest against Sen. Leila de Lima, her instruction to the Court of Appeals to disobey House processes in the “Ilocos 6” detention case and her instruction for appellate court justices not to go on a courtesy call with President Duterte.“Not a single shred of evidence supports these four accusations … Without evidence now, these charges cannot constitute ‘sufficient’ grounds for impeachment,” the rejoinder read.

['Vince F. Nonato']

10/09/2018 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/935089/sereno-to-house-dont-even-hold-impeachment-hearings

Inquirer

Serbian president’s praise of Milosevic triggers outrage

The Serbian president’s praise of Slobodan Milosevic as a “great” leader has triggered outrage in neighboring states where his nationalist policies in the 1990s caused bloodshed and destruction.Aleksandar Vucic said in his keynote speech while visiting Kosovo’s Serbs on Sunday that former Serbian president Milosevic “was a great Serbian leader” whose “aims were certainly the best.”Milosevic, who died in 2006 while on trial at a U.N. war crimes tribunal, is widely considered the most responsible for the bloody breakup of the former Yugoslavia and the death of at least 120,000 people in Bosnia, Croatia and Kosovo.Kosovo President Hashim Thaci said Monday that praising Milosevic was “a provocation.”Vucic, an ultranationalist during the wars in the Balkans, was Milosevic’s information minister in 1999.

[]

10/09/2018 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/09/10/serbian-presidents-praise-of-milosevic-triggers-outrage/

Manila Bulletin

War vets get P4.7B in benefits

SURVIVING World War II veterans and their dependents have a billion reasons to smile.President Duterte on Monday ordered the release of P4.7 billion in unpaid benefits to war veterans and widows of soldiers who died defending the country from Japanese imperial forces.It was a fitting tribute to the war veterans as the nation marked the annual National Heroes’ Day.The distribution of the cash benefits was earlier approved by then President Benigno Aquino III, but it was put on hold because of the election ban, according to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.Mr. Duterte said part of the amount would be given to retired soldiers who were at least 80 years old. “It will be released as soon as possible,” he said in a speech at a ceremony at Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.He said P3.5 billion of the fund for the Total Administrative Liability (TAD) would be distributed to the veterans and widows while the remaining P1.2 billion would be intended for retired military officers.“Be careful. If you are not loyal to your wife, she might be joining the widows (who will get) P3.5 billion. And if I were the wife, I would think again now. There’s (money) waiting for me,” Mr. Duterte said in jest.The distribution of the cash benefits was stipulated under Republic Act No. 7696, which amended the law standardizing and upgrading the benefits for military veterans and their families.Mr. Duterte, the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, thanked Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno and Lorenzana for signing the joint implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the distribution of the funds.“I think he (Diokno) is the best ever budget secretary. And so publicly, I would like to thank you sir for accepting my offer to join the Cabinet. I really appreciate it very much,” he said of Diokno.As mandated by law, each beneficiary should receive P1,700 in monthly allowance upon reaching the age of 70 starting April 9, 1994.However, many of the veterans had died before they were able to collect their TAD allowances.In the joint IRR, all beneficiaries should receive the entire amount due them.The Philippine Veterans’ Affairs Office and the AFP were directed to process and facilitate the immediate distribution of the amount to all beneficiaries.As of September 2015, there were 16,237 surviving spouses entitled to the TAD pension.

['Marlon Ramos']

22/11/2016 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/810935/war-vets-get-p4-7b-in-benefits

Inquirer

Aquino: He’s no longer the Jejomar Binay I knew

He is no longer the Jejomar Binay that he knew.Exactly one month before Election Day, President Benigno Aquino III on Friday delivered his most scathing diatribe yet against Vice President Jejomar Binay, an erstwhile ally and family friend, in Makati City, the latter’s stronghold for the past three decades.President Aquino said that the Binay he knew was one who was selfless and stood up against martial law.The President said that Binay earned his admiration 30 years ago, when as the Edsa People Power Revolution unfolded, Binay accompanied him back to his sisters who were at home on Times Street even when his own life was in danger.“And that time, I really became close to him because he put our welfare first before his. That was 30 years ago. It was clear to him that it was others first before himself,” Mr. Aquino said.Then addressing Binay directly, the President said:“It is true that we counted on each other. We were against the dictatorship and we were ready to sacrifice our lives for our fellow men. That was how we had a deep relationship.”“It was very clear during those days who Jejomar Binay was. Today, my question is: “Where has the Jejomar Binay I knew before gone?” Mr. Aquino asked.Some 3,000 Makati City residents that also included beneficiaries of the government’s conditional cash transfer program and the lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual community and people with disabilities filled Makati Coliseum on Friday, cheering as the President delivered solid punches against Binay.Although obviously still under the weather, President Aquino was in fighting form.Binay was the only candidate that President Aquino has named in a stump speech since the campaign began.“Your former mayor here called me incompetent and callous. But my question to him is, how has someone who is incompetent and callous turned a former ‘sick man of Asia’ into ‘Asia’s rising tiger?’ Can an incompetent person lead the modernization of the Armed Forces, the police and even the fire bureau? Is it callousness and incompetence if one is able to bring health services to the poorest 40 percent of our population and bring the conditional cash transfer program to almost 4.6 million households?” Mr. Aquino said in Filipino.The President said his concern for the people went beyond giving them cake, referring to the practice of the Binay city administration of giving birthday cakes to residents who are senior citizens.“He has been facing corruption allegations since 2014. Am I the only one who is waiting for a clear answer from this person who is among those wanting to be President of the Philippines?” Mr. Aquino asked.Binay cut ties with President Aquino in June last year at the height of the Senate investigation of his alleged graft-laden deals when he was still mayor of Makati City.Binay declared himself the leader of the opposition and has since been critical of Mr. Aquino and his administration.RELATED STORIESBinay hits Aquino over Mamasapano in proclamation speechAquino on Binay: I saved him from being spare tireBinay: Aquino government ‘palpak’

['Nikko Dizon']

22/11/2016 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/778483/aquino-hes-no-longer-the-jejomar-binay-i-knew

Inquirer

Bloody Friday in Davao

President Duterte declared a nationwide “state of lawless violence” on Saturday hours after suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits detonated a bomb at a night market in his hometown, killing 14 people and wounding 68 others.Mr. Duterte, who called the attack an act of “terrorism,” said his declaration did not amount to an imposition of martial law.He said the declaration would allow the deployment of troops in urban centers to back up the police in setting up checkpoints and increasing patrols.“I’m declaring now a state of lawlessness. It is not martial law. It has nothing to do with the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus,” Mr. Duterte told reporters before dawn, after inspecting the site of the explosion at the night market on Roxas Avenue here.The site near the Jesuit-run Ateneo de Davao University and a five-star hotel was littered with debris from the explosion and the ground splattered with the blood of 10 people who were killed outright when the bomb went off after 10 p.m. on Friday.Mr. Duterte said the state of lawlessness would remain until he decided all citizens were safe.“I have a duty to protect this country and to keep the integrity of the nation intact,” the President said.Military, police to run PH“I am inviting now the armed forces, the military and the police, to run the country in accordance with my specifications,” he said.Mr. Duterte said there would be “many checkpoints,” but curfew would not be imposed.“Any punitive or any action at all taken by the security forces will be in furtherance to stop terrorism,” he said.“And I am including drugs because of so many killings unfairly attributed to the police,” he added.There was confusion earlier on Saturday about the scope of Mr. Duterte’s declaration—whether it was limited to Davao City or covered the whole country.Malacañang officials at first said it covered only Davao, but later said the declaration covered the entire country.Authorities were investigating the possible involvement of the Abu Sayyaf bandit group in the explosion.Mr. Duterte last month ordered the military to destroy the Abu Sayyaf after the bandits beheaded an 18-year-old male captive whose family failed to pay them P1 million in ransom.Nearly 9,000 troops are battling the Abu Sayyaf on Jolo Island, Sulu province, and 15 soldiers and about 30 bandits have been killed in clashes since fighting intensified late last month.Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Abu Sayyaf had struck back after suffering heavy losses.“We have predicted this and warned our troops accordingly, but the enemy is also adept at using the democratic space granted by our Constitution to move around freely and unimpeded to sow terror,” Lorenzana said in a statement.Earlier on Saturday, the Abu Sayyaf, through spokesperson Muammar Askali, alias Abu Ramie, claimed responsibility for the explosion.Abus disown blastLater, however, Askali denied Al Harakatul Al Islamiya, the Abu Sayyaf’s official name, was behind the attack.In a phone call to the Inquirer, Askali said the Abu Sayyaf’s ally Daulat Ul Islamiya carried out the bombing.“They are doing this to sympathize [with] our group and we are sending a message to President Rodrigo Duterte that all the Daulat throughout the country is not afraid of him,” Askali said.Askali is the son-in-law of Mohammad Said, an influential Abu Sayyaf commander who used the nom de guerre Amah Maas and who was killed in the military’s offensive in Sulu.He said Friday night’s explosion was only the start of attacks that would continue as long as the military kept up pressure on the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu.Askali said the attacks would stop only if Mr. Duterte made “hadith” his laws and converted to Islam.The hadith is a collection of the sayings of Prophet Muhammad, with accounts of his daily practices.Sunni Muslims use the hadith to emulate the Prophet.There was no comment from Mr. Duterte, who told reporters at site of the blast that investigators were also looking at other possible suspects, including drug syndicates, which he has targeted in a brutal crackdown.“These are extraordinary times and I suppose that I’m authorized to allow the security forces of this country to do searches,” the President said, asking the public to cooperate and be vigilant.“We’re trying to cope with a crisis now. There is a crisis in this country involving drugs, extrajudicial killings and there seems to be an environment of lawless violence,” he said.‘Disgruntled vendors’Chief Supt. Manuel Gaerlan, the Southern Mindanao police director who is leading the investigation of the blast, said police were also looking at the possible involvement of “disgruntled vendors” in the explosion.“There were some disgruntled vendors in the awarding of stalls at the night market. This is one of the [angles] we are looking [at],” Gaerlan said.He said any group could claim responsibility for the attack. “That is normal,” he said. “They can use it to boost their popularity, but as I said, we are still investigating.”Gaerlan said investigators had not yet confirmed that the explosion was caused by a bomb.“We are still collecting evidence,” he said.President Duterte’s communications secretary, Martin Andanar, said the explosive device appeared to have been made from a mortar round, and doctors reported many of the victims had shrapnel wounds.But Chief Insp. Andrea de la Cerna, spokesperson for the Southern Mindanao Police, said that although shrapnel had been found on the dead and wounded, it remained unclear whether what had gone off at the site was an explosive device.Davao on lockdownGaerlan said police were reviewing video from security cameras of several establishments on Roxas Avenue.He declined to comment on reports that at least two suspects had been taken into police custody.Mr. Duterte said he had put Davao City under lockdown.The Philippine National Police explained that the lockdown would enable security forces to restrict the movements of the perpetrators.PNP Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa also placed all police units across the country on full alert to prevent the perpetrators from carrying out attacks in other parts of the country.“We will not be cowed by this single act of terrorism. These people don’t deserve an inch of space in a civilized society,” Dela Rosa said.In Cagayan de Oro City, Chief Supt. Noel Constantino, Northern Mindanao police chief, put all police units on full alert and called on the public to watch out for suspicious persons and packages.Mr. Duterte said Davao City remained safe.“Of course, Davao is safe,” said the President, a former mayor of Davao who takes pride in keeping peace and order in the city by ruling it with an iron fist.The city is now governed by his children. Daughter Sara is mayor and son Paolo is vice mayor.Safe placeOn Friday, Mr. Duterte told reporters that his city was a safe place.He said he would resign if anyone were mugged or robbed in the city.On Saturday, he said the blast could not be blamed on failure of intelligence, as there had been warnings about a possible attack in Davao because of the military’s offensive against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu.Security and intelligence officials had been in the city, he noted.The Department of Justice formed a group to investigate the attack.The panel is composed of justice officials, National Bureau of Investigation agents, and prosecutors, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said.Mr. Duterte rejected the idea of involving foreign experts in investigating the blast.“I do not want any foreign investigators in the city. The police in the Republic of the Philippines and the military, the armed forces of the country, are capable of doing the investigation,” he said.Mr. Duterte was in Davao City when the explosion occurred. Shortly after the blast, he went to the vicinity to preside over a security meeting with officials.Past 4 a.m., he strode out of the Marco Polo Hotel and walked toward nearby Roxas Avenue to inspect the blast site.His visit came about an hour after explosives experts and forensic investigators had finished combing through the scene, where bloodied bags and slippers were left on the ground, not far from an empty, pink baby stroller.The night market features stalls selling food and offering massage services right on the roadside. There are also rows of used-clothes stalls.At least three of the victims were wearing the uniform of massage therapists, said Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte.Hospital visitsAside from inspecting the blast site, Mr. Duterte also visited the injured at hospitals.He also went to the morgue where the bodies of the people who perished in the blast had been taken.A photograph released by Malacañang showed the President condoling with the families of the fatalities.Later on Saturday, the city honored the dead with a memorial Mass celebrated by Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles.Mayor Sara Duterte and other city officials, including the city police chief, Senior Supt. Michael John Dubria, attended the Mass.In his homily, Valles called for calm among the city residents, but rallied them to stand up to terror and other forms of violence.After the Mass, residents, some carrying placards proclaiming that Davao City would never vow to terror, offered flowers and lit candles at the blast site. With reports from Cynthia D. Balana and Vince F. Nonato in Manila; Allan Nawal, Julie S. Alipala, Judy Quiros and Jigger Jerusalem, Inquirer Mindanao; AP and AFP

['Leila B. Salaverria']

22/11/2016 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/812610/bloody-friday-in-davao

Inquirer

MWSS chief cites Maynilad for enhanced services

Stressing that providing sustainable water and efficient services to Metro Manila residents is a shared responsibility among stakeholders, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) administrator Reynaldo Velasco cited Maynilad Water Services Inc. for its remarkable turnaround after 10 years of reprivatization.Citing a report from Maynilad president Ramoncito Fernandez at the 1st Korea Water International Water Week, the MWSS chief said the overall service and efficiency levels of Maynilad had dramatically improved.“Our customer base grew by 94 percent from about 678,000 in 2006 to over 1.3 million in 2016, covering 94 percent of our service area,” Fernandez said.“From 32 percent, our customers with 24-hour water supply increased to 98 percent. Those who receive their supply at an average pressure of 7 psi (pounds per square inch) also increased from 45 percent to 100 percent. We have also brought down our average NRW (nonrevenue water) level from 68 percent in 2006 to 29.9 percent by the end of last year,” he said.Fernandez said managing the West concession in Metro Manila had been a challenge, notably from 1997 to 2006 when Maynilad was in bad shape.When the concession was reprivatized in 2007, the new Maynilad owners faced the task of reviving a financially crippled company.“That was 10 years ago. Since then, Maynilad was able to swiftly get out of rehabilitation and implement a massive capex program of P65.2 billion, or approximately $1.5 billion, at historical exchange rates,” Fernandez noted.

['Philippine Daily Inquirer']

22/11/2016 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/937790/philippine-news-updates-maynilad-water-services-inc-metropolitan-waterworks-and-sewerage-system-reprivatization

Inquirer

Suspension of mayor and dad met by protest

The serving of the 60-day preventive suspension against Mayor Roque Versoza and Councilor Arthur Chua, both in Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, was welcomed by the protest rally of their supporters in front of the municipal hall here last Thursday.Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Luis V. Singson has approved the 60-day preventive suspension order upon the recommendation of the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) through Resolution No. 16 Series of 2016 to give way for the impartial investigation to the complaint.The preventive suspension order of the two town officials stems from the administrative complaint filed by Noreen Sibayan, Gemma Tiu, Joel Pastores, permitting officer, and Reymund Sinay, the Ilocos Sur’s Environment and Natural Resources Officer (ENRO) to the Provincial Board.The complaint cites grave misconduct, gross insubordination, abuse of authority and conduct unbecoming of public officials of Mayor Versoza and Councilor Chua on July 1, 2016, after the respondents refused to honor the legality of quarrying permits issued by the provincial government and DENR to commercial sand and gravel permit holders.

[]

22/11/2016 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2016/11/22/suspension-of-mayor-and-dad-met-by-protest/

Manila Bulletin

Palace hopes Left won’t sever alliance

Malacañang is still hoping the Makabayan bloc would maintain its alliance with the Duterte administration even after their two Cabinet nominees were rejected by the Commission on Appointments (CA).“We do hope the Makabayan bloc will stay with the administration and the House majority,” said presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella.“However, if they do decide to go, we wish them well and we hope that they will remain open to working together with others on issues of shared interest,” he said.Abella had earlier described as “complicated” the relationship between the administration and the Left and this was made more evident when the CA rejected the nominations of Judy Taguiwalo and Rafael Mariano.Aside from the rejection of Taguiwalo and Mariano, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said recent events, including Mr. Duterte’s war on drugs and the stalled peace talks with communist rebels, “torpedoed the alliance.”But Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said the split actually occurred months ago.“When we raised the banner of fighting and opposing the ‘US-Duterte regime’ during the last (State of the Nation Address), that was it. The ‘relationship’ with Duterte had already been defined,” Reyes said.“What Makabayan will be deciding is its membership with the House majority. As far as the [status of our] relations with Duterte is concerned, that is already a settled matter,” Reyes said.The Makabayan bloc is composed of the seven representatives of the Bayan Muna, Gabriela, ACT Teachers, Anakpawis and Kabataan partylist groups.On Thursday, Makabayan bloc lawmakers said they would be meeting next week to reassess the alliance and decide whether they would stay in the Duterte-controlled “supermajority” in the House.But Reyes said the Left’s alliance with Mr. Duterte had already been settled even before Mariano and Taguiwalo were rejected by the CA.“Even when there were leftists in the Cabinet, not a week went by when the Left was not on the streets fighting the antipeople policies of the Duterte regime,” he said.Reyes recalled that during Mr. Duterte’s second Sona last July, some 40,000 Bayan members marched against him.“When he went up on stage, he was met with chants of protest, until he walked out. We have always known where we stood: with the people and their just struggles,” he said.

['Dj Yap', 'Leila B. Salaverria']

08/02/2017 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/929073/palace-hopes-left-wont-sever-alliance

Inquirer

President Duterte makes gov’t housing free for typhoons Yolanda, Pablo survivors

Exactly three months after visiting the typhoon Yolanda-ravaged areas in Tacloban City, President Rodrigo Duterte announced on Wednesday, February 8 that beneficiaries of the government housing for Yolanda and typhoon Pablo need not to pay monthly amortization.”Your housing, after a few years, you have to pay Php200,000 both the (typhoons) Yolanda and Pablo. For as long as I am the president, it will be free,” President Duterte said during the National Housing Summit in Quezon City.The announcement of the President drew loud cheers and clapping from the beneficiaries of the government housing projects particularly for typhoons Yolanda and Pablo survivors.President Duterte did not elaborate his announcement but NHA General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr. told the media that NHA board has recently approved a recommendation to President Duterte to give free the government housing for the two typhoons’ survivors.Escalada said a total of 205,000 survivors will benefit from the house and lot package cost almost P290,000 each.The NHA official said P50 billion has been allotted for the housing grants.During his visit to Tacloban City in November last year, President Duterte said he is not satisfied with the housing projects for Yolanda survivors.Yolanda, one of the strongest typhoons to hit the land, devastated the Visayas areas, leaving over 6,300 people dead and P89.5 billion worth of damage property.On the other hand, typhoon Pablo ravaged Mindanao areas in 2012, particularly Campostela Valley.

['Fred Tinio']

08/02/2017 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/02/08/president-duterte-makes-govt-housing-free-for-typhoons-yolanda-pablo-survivors/

Manila Bulletin

Former VP Binay leaves for Taiwan, Hong Kong

Armed with authorization to travel issued by the Sandiganbayan 3rd Division, former Vice President Jejomar Binay left the country on Monday after the court allowed him to travel to Taiwan and Hong Kong.His trip from October 9 to 17, 2017, includes official business as well as for vacation.Binay traveled with former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay and former Manila Economic and Cultural Office board member and director for corporate planning Jose Tanso.Tanso said the former government officials were invited by the Prospect Foundation of Taiwan to be the keynote speakers as Taiwan celebrates its national day on October 10 to October 12.Binay will be the morning speaker on October 11, Guingona will deliver his speech in the evening while Yasay will give his speech on October 12, he added.Tanso said the trip will help improve relations of the Philippines with its neighbors like Taiwan.Binay is facing four graft cases, one count of malversation of public funds and nine counts of falsification for the allegedly anomalous construction of the Makati City Hall parking building.

['Benjie Vergara']

2017-10-09 22:51:55+00:00

https://www.manilatimes.net/former-vp-binay-leaves-taiwan-hong-kong/355481/

Manila Times

Taiwan extends visa-free privilege for Filipinos

THE visa-free policy granted by Taiwan to Filipinos has been extended to July 2019, a move intended to enhance the two countries’ bilateral relations, people-to-people exchange and cooperation.Ambassador Michael Peiyung Hsu, Taiwan’s representative to the Philippines, made the announcement prior to the end of the trial period on July 31.“This visa-free privilege is a reflection of Taiwan’s goodwill and friendship towards all Filipinos under the ‘New Southbound Policy’ which aims to build stronger bilateral relations and closer people-to-people connectivity between Taiwan and the Philippines,” Hsu said in a statement issued by the Taiwan Economic Cultural Office (Teco) on Thursday.The Philippines, Taiwan’s closest neighbor, is an important partner for the country’s New Southbound Policy, which aims to enhance cooperation and exchanges between Taipei and 18 countries in Southeast Asia, Hsu said.Hsu urged the Philippine government and Manila Economic and Cultural Office to also grant visa-free privilege to the people of Taiwan to attract Taiwanese tourists and businessmen.Taiwan started the trial period for the visa-free program on November 1, 2017.

['Jefferson Antiporda']

2018-07-13 00:01:44+00:00

https://www.manilatimes.net/taiwan-extends-visa-free-privilege-for-filipinos/418808/

Manila Times

Broker accuses BOC execs of accepting bribes

Cloaked with legislative immunity, customs broker Mark Taguba on Monday accused five major officials of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) of taking bribes to facilitate his shipments.Taguba said the officials were Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Teddy Raval, Manila International Container Port (MICP) District Collector Vincent Philip Maronilla, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Director Neil Estrella, MICP-CIIS District Intelligence Officer Teodoro Sagaral and Import Assessment Service (IAS) Director Milo Maestrecampo.He also cited several people whose full names he did not know: a deceased Major Gutierrez, a certain Jason of the X-ray Division, a certain Maita of the Formal Entry Division as well as Jojo, Jake, Gerry, Teddy, Alex, Sandra and Alfred.‘Shabu’ smugglingHe provided the cell phone numbers of Gerry, Jake, Jojo and Teddy, but Deputy Speaker Gwendolyn Garcia said the numbers could not be reached when she dialed them.Taguba was forced to identify the officials after Deputy Speaker Fredenil Castro pressed him to approach them during the House dangerous drugs committee’s inquiry into the smuggling of P6.4 billion worth of “shabu” (crystal meth) into the country in May.The officials strongly denied taking bribes, either directly or through others.Maestrecampo was especially upset by the hit to his reputation.“When I go back to BOC, I will step down from my appointed post. I will submit anything to the investigation,” said Maestrecampo, who, together with now-Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon and other junior military officers, mutineed against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on July 27, 2003.“I may probably be a rebel but I’m not a thief,” he said.During the continuation of the dangerous drugs committee’s investigation on Monday, Taguba said customs brokers paid as much as P34,500 in “tara

['Vince F. Nonato']

31/05/2017 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/921110/broker-accuses-boc-execs-of-accepting-bribes

Inquirer

‘Bakwit’ community yearns for peace in Marawi

‘his youngest is only eight months old and his eldest, who is married, 22.Despite losing their home to bombing and fire, Jimmy, a carpenter, hopes peace will reign again in Marawi so he can put up a home for his family again.Before the conflict erupted, Jimmy said they heard stories about an upcoming conflict emanating from Abubakar and Basak Malutlut villages.Jimmy said they thought the conflict will be confined to where the Maute Group was staying which is some two kilometers away from them, and will not spread to other areas in Marawi.“Ang amoang gisuot, mao lang among nadala (The clothes in our body when we moved out were all that we have),” he said.Apart from the food provision, pail, kitchen utensils, plates, etc., the Bantilan family said they hope to have some cash for other things, especially for their children.Mubarak Mindalano once lived peacefully in Bubunga, Marawi. It is their 8th day today, June 1st, in the evacuation center.A public utility driver, Mubarak brought the 10 members of his family to an evacuation center in Iligan, using the multi-cab that he failed to return to the owner due to the conflict.“Dati pa, mga 25 days sa wala pa magsugod ang gubot, me putukan sa Lilod (previously, 25 days ago, when the fighting has not yet started), we would be going to “Isis” at a time when Ramadan is nearing,” he said. Isis, strangely, is a community with a school.The fare from Lilod is only P6 fare. He also thought that the gun battle will not escalate only to find out the following day, “every corner has armed men.”In fact, he said, jeepneys plying that area flash the signboard “Isis”.They never thought a group will get inspiration from that community.Mubarak said not only because their house was razed to the ground that they will no longer go back, it is because he believes the war in Marawi will recur.“Makikipagsapalaran na lang ako sa Iligan,” Mubarak, 30 years old, with four kids, said.Mesug Macapundag raised his family in West Marinaut, some 500 meters from the back of city jail.It was between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. when the Maute Group attacked the city jail and freed the prisoners.Three days after, the Macapundag family was forced to leave their home.“Bakbakan na kasi at nasa higit kumulang 500 meters lang ang layo ng bahay namin sa conflict area.“Nung mga 7:30 a.m. nung Friday, lahat kami pinapa-evacuate na. Naglakad kami kasama mga kapitbahay namin ng mga 3 km. patungo sa bagong bridge sa Makapandi-Malilong,” he narrated.“Walang ibang pumasok sa isipan ko kundi ang kaligtasan ng aking pamilya,” he said. We just walked and walked and walked until we reached safer ground,” he said.The displaced families still observe fasting while in the evacuation center, and asked for clothing donations, including underwear.Some others remained in the designated evacuation center inside the Lanao del Norte Provincial Capitol.The Tohomis couple, meanwhile, is searching for two of their five children who were separated from them when they hurriedly evacuated this city. The two were also separated for a time and were reunited in Iligan City later. They were assured that their two kids are with the military and are safe in Marawi.Conditions in the different evacuation centers vary. Some are better off than the others.Eddie Morales, a member of the Nurse Deployment Project of the Department of Health (DOH), identified the common illnesses at the Maria Cristina evacuation center as cough and colds, hitting both young and old.The top five diseases were urinary tract infections (UTI), skin disease, hypertension, diabetes and pneumonia, said Morales.Morales said apart from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, private groups and local government units donate food and things, as well.As of Wednesday, there were 1,283 individuals staying at the Maria Cristina evacuation center while 1,546 others have been seeking temporary shelter at the Buruun evacuation center.Some of them want to go back to Marawi, some others refused.For Jimmy, who stayed for 23 years in Marawi before the conflict, nothing will change his outlook for the community he once lived in Marawi and the Muslims despite the conflict. “Mau ra man gihapon, akong mga amigo sa Basak puro Muslim. Mao ra gihapon. Walay kausaban (Things will remain unchanged. Most of my friends in Basak were Muslims. Nothing will change. It will be the same),” he said.

[]

31/05/2017 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/05/31/bakwit-community-yearns-for-peace-in-marawi/

Manila Bulletin

Duterte to send off Filipino scientists to Philippine Rise

President Rodrigo Duterte is sending off an all-Filipino team of scientists to Philippine Rise on Tuesday to begin the country’s first scientific research in the vast undersea plateau off Aurora province.The send-off program commemorates the 2012 United Nations declaration that the submerged plateau, then known as Benham Rise, is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and extended continental shelf.The President’s trip is also symbolic, as it falls on the eve of the first anniversary of his renaming the 13-million-hectare seamount Philippine Rise.Accompanying the President in sending off the 50-strong scientific team are Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and some members of Congress, including Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon said on Monday.Esperon said the government had stopped processing foreign applications for scientific research in Philippine Rise, and was encouraging Filipino scientists to carry out studies of the resource-rich seamount.On June 12 last year, the military’s Northern Luzon Command planted a metallic Philippine flag on the seamount.The command also placed a marker 21 meters below the surface to assert that the plateau is part of the Philippines’ territory.

['Christine O. Avendaño', 'Tonette Orejas']

2017-04-25 20:13:26+00:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/990712/duterte-to-send-off-filipino-scientists-to-philippine-rise

Inquirer

Congress nixes Marcos plea

As Congress formally began the canvassing of votes for President and Vice President, its joint committee promptly shot down a motion from the camp of Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to canvass the votes for the two positions separately.The count proceeded, and the canvassing committee ending its first session after opening 48 certificates of canvass (COCs) and canvassing 45 of them.As of 9:30 last night, the running total in the tight vice presidential race showed Liberal Party candidate Leni Robredo in the lead with 3,576,643 votes.Marcos was a close second, with 3,281,151.Earlier, before the panel could open any COC, lawyer Didagen Dilangalen from the Marcos camp asked for the separate canvassing of the votes for President so that Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte could be proclaimed ahead of time, pointing out that his rivals had already conceded.Dilangalen, a former member of the House of Representatives, also noted that the race for the vice presidency was “hotly contested.”“Separate canvassing of the presidential and vice presidential votes is not only prudent and appropriate, it is likewise perfectly legal,” he said.Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, stopping the Marcos lawyer in the middle of his speech, informed him that the joint committee would proceed on a per COC basis, adding that he would just treat Dilangalen’s manifestation as an opening statement.Dilangalen then made a motion to ask for the separate canvass.But Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II, the head of the canvassing panel for the House, said that only members of the canvassing committee could raise a motion. Thus, Dilangalen’s request could not be recognized.“We are just following what is provided for by the Constitution and under our rules that we should canvass what is asked us by the rules,” Gonzales said.Canvassing rulesThe rules state that the joint committee will canvass, in the order they were received, the electronically transmitted COCs and the manually counted and physically delivered COCs.Gonzales also said Dilangalen would be recognized if he had an objection to or observation on a particular COC. The panel could also not act on the request for the separate canvassing without going through the respective COCs, he said.He then asked Dilangalen to take his seat.“This is not the proper time for you to make the manifestation,” he added.The panel then proceeded with the opening of the COCs, with Davao del Sur votes first up for the count.For the Davao del Sur votes, the panel found that five COCs were electronically transmitted, with four of the COCs bearing the same figures, which were the same as the ones in the physically delivered COCs.The panel decided to canvass the votes in the COC that matched with the hard copy, but asked the Commission on Elections to submit an explanation on why there was a Davao del Sur COC with different numbers.Dilangalen asked the panel what were the secret markings of the COCs from Davao del Sur that would be used to determine their authenticity.He asked how the panel could be sure that the electronically transmitted and manually delivered COCs were authentic. He said it was not enough that the figures in the two documents matched.But Pimentel said nobody from the committee questioned the authenticity of the Davao del Sur COC or asked that its canvassing be deferred.Romulo Macalintal, lawyer for Marcos’ rival Leni Robredo, also said counsels of the candidates could only object to the COCs or ask for their inclusion in the canvassing.Macalintal said if Dilangalen believed the secret markings were not contained in the COCs, he should object to the inclusion of the COCs.But Dilangalen did not ask for the exclusion of the Davao del Sur COC.Marcos got more votes than Robredo in Davao del Sur, although it was Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano who topped the race for the vice presidency in the province.Cebu City COCAnother Marcos lawyer, George Garcia, sought the deferment of the COC for Cebu City, saying there was a difference in the number of clustered precincts in the canvass report and in the COC for the city.Garcia wondered why the consolidation and canvassing system would print a canvass report ahead of the printing of the COC. He said there should be an explanation from the Commission on Elections (Comelec).But Pimentel said he found the grounds cited by Garcia to defer the canvassing of the Cebu City COCs to be “not so substantial.”“You actually don’t have another authentic copy of the city COC. You have a partial election report of the city COC in Cebu. We are not comparing the orange to the apple,” he said.Gonzales said the task of the canvassing committee was to make sure the statement of votes in the electronically transmitted COC was the same as the one in the manually transmitted COC.In the case of Cebu City, there was no variance between the two, Gonzales pointed out.Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga also said that given the absence of discrepancy between the transmitted COCs, the panel was duty-bound to continue with the canvass.DiscrepanciesThe panel suspended the canvassing of the COC for Laguna province after finding discrepancies between the COC generated by the canvassing and consolidation system and the amended COC sent by the provincial board of canvassers (PBOC).Also suspended was the canvassing of the COC from Ilocos Sur province, a known Marcos bailiwick.Senator-elect Leila de Lima and Garcia agreed on the suspension of the Ilocos Sur COC canvassing.Garcia said this showed that a province could print the COC even if not all of the municipalities under it had submitted results.“It would appear that the original COC was printed absent a particular municipality,” Garcia said.He also noted that the amended COC later submitted by the PBOC was manually prepared and printed from an ordinary computer instead of the consolidation and canvassing system (CCS).But Macalintal said this issue was explained during the canvassing of senators’ votes by the Comelec.He said that instead of the results from Rizal province, what was included was the results from the preelection test of the machine there. The CCS thought all the votes from the municipalities were in and thus printed the COC.When the board reconvened to amend the COC, all parties were notified and nobody objected, Macalintal said.But the congressional panel decided to call the PBOC members to appear before it and explain the discrepancies.

['Leila B. Salaverria']

2017-04-25 20:13:26+00:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/787539/congress-nixes-marcos-plea

Inquirer

Foreigner Yasay secretary no more

Lawmakers on Wednesday rejected the nomination of Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. after ruling that he lied to them about his American citizenship.By rejecting his nomination, the Commission on Appointments (CA) effectively fired Yasay, throwing the Philippines’ diplomatic leadership into turmoil at an important time for the country, which holds the rotating chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).Sen. Panfilo Lacson, chair of the CA’s foreign relations committee, said President Duterte could not reappoint Yasay.Acting secretary to be namedMalacañang said Mr. Duterte would name an acting foreign secretary.Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the Office of the Executive Secretary would communicate with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) by 8 a.m. Thursday.“Announcement will be forthwith,” Abella said.The DFA spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Charles Jose, said the department would wait for Mr. Duterte’s appointment of an acting secretary.It was unclear on Wednesday what steps the government would take against Yasay for concealing his US citizenship as he served as associate commissioner at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from 1993 to 1995 and as chair of the body from 1995 to 2000.Yasay also unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the Senate in 2001 and 2004, and for Vice President in 2010.He was the first Duterte nominee to be rejected by the CA.In an extremely rare move, the CA unanimously voted to reject Yasay’s nomination following tense confirmation hearings in which he admitted to misleading the lawmakers.“He was not telling the truth. He was not being forthright in the question-and-answer portion of the (confirmation) hearings,” Lacson said.Yasay, appointed by Mr. Duterte at the start of his administration eight months ago, told the initial hearing on Feb. 22 that he had never been an American citizen and that he had never held a US passport.But the Inquirer, citing documents that contradicted Yasay’s declaration, reported on Feb. 27 that Yasay was granted American citizenship in 1986.The documents also showed that Yasay formally renounced his American citizenship at the US Embassy in Manila on June 28 last year, just two days before Mr. Duterte appointed him to head the DFA.Apology and admissionIn a television interview on Monday, Yasay admitted he once carried a US passport, but said he had returned it along with his naturalization certificate.He said he renounced his US citizenship in 1993 and that the document he filed in Manila last year was only for confirmation and reiteration of his renunciation.On Wednesday, Yasay faced the CA again and was grilled over the documents that showed he was granted US citizenship in 1986.He insisted that he never lied about his citizenship but apologized for “inadvertently misleading” the commission.His last stand collapsed when Mindoro Rep. Josephine Ramirez-Sato asked him to answer categorically yes or no whether he once became an American citizen.“I wish I could answer that question with a yes or no, but as directly as I could in answering that question, I have always admitted that I was granted US citizenship. That’s my answer,” Yasay said.“I was granted US citizenship [on] Nov. 26, 1986, but it’s my position that that grant of US citizenship at that time was void,” he added.Yasay held that he was “ineligible and disqualified” to become a US citizen because he had no intention to reside in the United States, a view that he stated in an affidavit that he handed to Sato after the initial hearing on Feb. 22.On Wednesday, he told the lawmakers that his US citizenship was void because the US Immigration and Nationality Act “provides that anyone who has preconceived intent to abandon his residency at the time of application is disqualified to that grant.”“Am I to believe you can lose [your] American citizenship by your own personal preconceived intention that you will not permanently reside in the US?” Sato asked Yasay, reminding him that he swore allegiance to the United States when he took his oath as a US citizen.“For lack of a better term, you fooled the USA when you applied for citizenship with a preconceived intention not to reside permanently in the US and abandon your citizenship in that country. Were you truthful in your oath [to] that country?” Sato asked.Replying, Yasay admitted there was a “misrepresentation on my part for not divulging that.”Vote to rejectSan Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora moved to end the questioning of Yasay, and the 15 committee members withdrew behind closed doors to vote whether to reject or confirm his nomination.Later, on the floor, Lacson announced the body’s unanimous decision to reject Yasay’s nomination.“Let this be a reminder to everyone present in this hall, that by definition, an oath is a solemn declaration, accompanied by a swearing to God or a revered person or thing, that one’s statement is true or that one will be bound to a promise,” Lacson said.“The person making the oath invites punishment if the statement is untrue or the promise is broken. The legal effect of an oath is to subject the person to penalties for perjury if the testimony is false,” he said.

['Christine O. Avendaño']

2017-04-25 20:13:26+00:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/878931/foreigner-yasay-secretary-no-more

Inquirer

PH, China sign drug rehab pact

The Department of Finance (DoF) on Tuesday said it has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Health (DoH) on the construction of drug rehabilitation facilities to be funded by a 50-million yuan grant from China.In a statement, the DoF explained that the 50-million yuan aid, equivalent to $7.5 million, is half of the 100-million yuan grant that China has pledged to the Philippines during President Rodrigo Duterte’s state visit to Beijing in October last year, through an Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation signed by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd and China Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng.The Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation states that “in accordance with the needs of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, the Government of the People’s Republic of China agrees to provide the Government of the Philippines with a grant of RMB Yuan 100,000,000 [one hundred million Renminbi Yuan only], which shall be disbursed to implement the projects for illegal drugs and law enforcement security cooperation.”According to Dominguez, the other half of the grant will be used to procure law-enforcement-related equipment to be divided among the Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Presidential Security Group.The DoF said the agreement with the DoH, the Finance department is tasked to coordinate with the Chinese government all concerns that will ensure the “successful and smooth implementation of the sub-grant to the DoH.”Finance Assistant Secretary Maria Edita Tan said the agreement also states that the DoF shall “coordinate with and/or secure the approval of the DoH” on all matters relating to the design and specifications of the sub-grant” and the “supply, delivery, implementation and acceptance arrangements” related to it.In turn, the DoH will be responsible for, among others, identifying and providing the sites for the proposed drug rehabilitation facilities and securing the necessary clearances, approvals and permits for their construction, Tan said.The DoH is also responsible for providing the necessary information and assistance to the Chinese government or its designated consultants to enable the latter to facilitate the supply and delivery and installation or construction of the drug rehabilitation facilities, according to the agreement.Under the agreement, counterpart funding for the construction, installation and maintenance of utilities necessary for the smooth operation and implementation of the sub-grant shall be provided by the DoH, either through its own budget, assistance from the private sector or, if allowable, the Chinese government.MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

['Mayvelin U. Caraballo']

2017-04-25 20:13:26+00:00

https://www.manilatimes.net/ph-china-sign-drug-rehab-pact/324049/

Manila Times

No takers for Caloocan job among Davao cops – for now

Not a single Davao policeman heeded the call of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa for volunteers who would want to replace relieved members of the Caloocan City police.But Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) Director Manuel Gaerlan said his men may have just been “ashamed to raise their hands” when PNP Chief issued them this request during the 116th Police Service Anniversary at the PRO 11 Office, Monday, in Camp Catitipan.Gaerlan said he has yet to talk to the officers and men under him, but, this early, he clarified that not all the 1,000 vacancies in Caloocan will come from Davao.“This will be a big displacement for Davao if all will come from Davao,” he told reporters Tuesday.If there are no volunteers, Gaerlan said he has instructions from Dela Rosa to pick the police officers.Gaerlan is eyeing commissioned and non-commissioned officers for possible re-assignment to Caloocan. “I have to talk to the police officers,” he said.According to him, the PNP chief’s desire to get Davao cops was anchored on Dela Rosa’s trust in them. He added that he was also looking at the Regional Public Safety Battalion for possible volunteers to Caloocan.“It is just a matter of explaining to them that it is just a short period of time…maybe three to six months,” he stressed.Gaerlan assured that the benefits received by police in Davao was the same in other cities.Gaerlan said that Davao cops who will be assigned to Caloocan, can be replaced from other units. He added there was also continuing recruitment in the PNP.Gaerlan will also be glad to welcome Caloocan police if they will be transferred here.During his speech at an event here, Dela Rosa cited the discipline of the Davao police officers and their dedication to work that proves that they are “the best policemen in the nation.”“We have seen the standard of discipline in Davao,” Dela Rosa said.For Davao City police, Dela Rosa said he will still seek the permission of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio if there are those who will be assigned to Caloocan.

[]

20/09/2017 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/09/20/no-takers-for-caloocan-job-among-davao-cops-for-now/

Manila Bulletin

Pagasa: ‘Maria’ to enhance ‘habagat’ rains

Tropical typhoon “Maria” is not expected to make landfall in the country, but will bring rains in the next two days, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.At 3 p.m. on Friday, the center of the typhoon was estimated at 2,060 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas.Weather specialist Samuel Duran said Maria was carrying winds of up to 185 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 225 kph.While the typhoon has no direct effect on any part of the country, it continues to enhance the southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” Duran said.

['Philippine Daily Inquirer']

29/07/2018 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1007833/pagasa-maria-to-enhance-habagat-rains

Inquirer

What went before: Napoles, brother found guilty of illegal detention

On April 14, 2015, a Makati Regional Trial Court found Janet Lim-Napoles and her brother Reynald “Jojo” Lim guilty of illegally detaining Benhur Luy, her finance officer, for three months.On March 8, 2013, couple Arturo and Gertrudes Luy submitted a joint sworn statement to the National Bureau of Investigation alleging that their son, Benhur, was being illegally detained by Napoles and Lim since Dec. 20.Luy’s parents said Lim had warned them not to go to the authorities for assistance, telling them, “We control the government.”Acting on the complaint, the NBI Special Task Force raided Napoles’ posh apartment in Taguig City on the night of March 22, 2013, and rescued Luy.Luy’s illegal detention brought to light the P10-billion racket involving the diversion of funds from the congressional Priority Development Assistance Fund, a pork barrel, to ghost projects and bogus nonprofits owned by Napoles.The Inquirer broke the pork barrel scam story in a six-part series starting July 12, 2013.Benhur Luy said that prior to his detention, Napoles had gotten wind of his plan to break away from her group.He said he was taken to Bahay ni San Jose, a Catholic retreat house in Magallanes Village, Makati City, where he was prohibited from using any means of communication and was allowed to see his family only twice under strict supervision.The Makati court issued warrant of arrest for Napoles. A manhunt ensued but Napoles surrendered to then President Benigno Aquino III in Malacañang on Aug. 28, 2013, after a P10-million bounty for her arrest was announced.Aquino escorted Napoles to the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.Napoles claimed that Luy had volunteered to go on a three-month spiritual retreat and that he was not detained against his will.In his decision to convict Napoles and Lim, Makati RTC Branch 150 Judge Elmo Alameda said Luy’s narration of events before and during his detention from Dec. 19, 2012, to March 22, 2013, when he was rescued by NBI agents, was “credible and cohesive.”Napoles and Lim were sentenced to life imprisonment.The court also ordered Napoles to pay P50,000 in civil damages to Luy, who “suffered anxiety and fright as a result of his detention,” and another P50,000 in moral damages.Napoles is serving her sentence in the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City.She is also facing plunder charges as coaccused in cases against former Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla in connection with the pork barrel scam.

[]

29/07/2018 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/872444/what-went-before-napoles-brother-found-guilty-of-illegal-detention

Inquirer

Loving the unlovable

something I’ll never forget. Jesus has a challenge for those “who are willing to listen… love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you” (Luke 6:27-28). How, He emphasized, are His follow­ers different from anyone else if we only love those who love us, if we only do good to those who do good to us? (Luke 6:32-33).It’s not easy to obey God when He commands us to walk in the difficult way of loving our enemies. But through the power of Christ’s Spirit we can grow spiritually as His children and learn to walk in ever-deeper obedience to Him (Galatians 5:16-17). In this way we will show that we are “children of the Most High” (Luke 6:35).In God’s strength, let us “do to others as [we] would like them to do to [us],” a reflection of our heav­enly Father’s compassion for us (Luke 6:31, 36).Our Daily Journey ©2018 ODB Ministries, 3000, Kraft Ave., SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49555-0001, USA. Used by permission. For this and other materials contact ODB Ministries at 322 P. Guevarra, San Juan City (Phils.); Tel.: 722-2010.

[]

29/07/2018 0:00

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/07/29/loving-the-unlovable/

Manila Bulletin

QC COUNCILORS NAMED CARETAKERS

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista signed Office Order No. 6-2017 designating Councilors Precious Hipolito-Castelo of District 2 and Jose Visayas of District 5 as acting mayor and vice mayor of the city, respectively, effective from January 17 to 27. They will supervise all operational and administrative matters under their jurisdictions, except those which are policy-determining in nature, including the power to appoint, suspend or dismiss city hall employees. Bautista is in Rome for the third round of peace negotiations between the government and the National Democratic Front. Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Ma. Josefina Belmonte is in the United States to represent the QC government in the conference for “Federalism and Good Governance: Best Practice Learning from Change.”

['Dempsey Reyes']

2017-01-21 23:39:47+00:00

https://www.manilatimes.net/qc-councilors-named-caretakers/308079/

Manila Times

Aguirre on SSS post: ‘Malacañang told me that’

Rumors are spreading that former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II may be appointed chair of the state-run pension fund Social Security System (SSS), which Aguirre said he heard, too, from Malacañang but which he said was so far just that—a rumor.The rumor started after Aguirre resigned from the Department of Justice over the controversial dropping of cases against drug lords and other scandals.“Malacañang told me that,” Aguirre said in a chance interview on Thursday, referring to the rumor about him being appointed to SSS.“There’s no information yet,” he said. “I don’t know how it came out,” he added.The post had been vacated by the resignation of lawyer Amado Valdez as SSS chair.

['Philippine Daily Inquirer']

18/12/2017 0:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1001012/aguirre-on-sss-post-malacanang-told-me-that

Inquirer

Artists, filmmakers rage against AFP ‘slander’

Hands off our films!Some 700 members of the broad community of filmmakers and media workers on Friday called out the Armed Forces of the Philippines for saying that movies about martial law were being used to recruit students to the communist New People’s Army (NPA).In a statement issued during a press briefing at the University of the Philippines Diliman, the group described the AFP’s allegations as “slander of the worst kind,” and said the military’s claims could endanger them and their audience while also impinging on the filmmakers’ right to freedom of expression.“We wonder why the AFP slanders us. Have they now become active defenders of the Marcoses and the criminals behind martial law?” the group asked.NPA ‘recruitment’ hubsThe AFP has been drawing flak from several groups following the claims of the assistant deputy chief of staff for operations, Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., that at least 18 Metro Manila schools were being used as recruitment hubs by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).In particular, Parlade claimed that movies about human rights abuses under the Marcos dictatorship were being shown “to incite students to rebel against the government … while projecting President Duterte as the new Marcos.”Contrary to the AFP’s claims, the signatories said, their screenings provide “invaluable service” to the youth by educating them on the atrocities committed under martial law during the regime of then President Ferdinand Marcos.“The screenings hope to provide them with knowledge and insight into that dark chapter in our history, especially since many of the actual perpetrators and beneficiaries of that fascist dictatorship have fully rehabilitated themselves back into mainstream politics and into positions of power,” their statement said.FB page trolledKip Oebanda, director of the independent film “Liway,” said that since the military released its unverified report, the Facebook page of his movie tackling martial law had been flooded with accusations that they were part of the so-called Red October ouster plot against Mr. Duterte.“This is not brainwashing, but a challenge to students to respond to films, whether they agree with them or not,” said visual artist and filmmaker Kiri Dalena.Ping, Chiz weigh inAlso on Friday, two senators criticized the AFP for lacking “common sense” and trying to “curtail freedom of speech and expression as well as academic freedom,” with its unvalidated intelligence report on the “recruitment” activities of communist rebels in schools.Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, a former Philippine National Police chief, said it did not make sense to preemptively identify the schools since “[a]nnouncing targets of intelligence efforts effectively renders the mission accomplishment extremely difficult if not impossible. It is common sense.”Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero said the list should never have been released to the public, “as they curtail freedom of speech and expression and academic freedom.”The Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses to Malacañang (Carmma) said the government’s attempt to equate protests against the Duterte administration with communism was a “desperate effort” to discredit the people’s movement and intimidate those who supported it.“These protests are legitimate and were built on the basis of widespread repression and oppression perpetrated by the Duterte government,” said Carmma lead convenor and former Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo.Joma: What teleconference?CPP founding chair Jose Maria Sison described as “a psywar (psychological warfare) lie” the military allegations that he had held teleconference calls with several students. “That’s not true … Where are the recordings?” Sison said in an online message sent to reporters.Even if it were true, there was nothing malicious about it, Sison said, since “students and all people have the right to speak freely and teleconference about the terrible conditions in the Philipines under the brutal, corrupt and mendacious Duterte regime.”

['Jhesset O. Enano', 'Melvin Gascon']

2017-10-13 11:47:19+08:00

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1039711/artists-filmmakers-rage-against-afp-slander

Inquirer