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Women shaping Philippine monetary policy
Women have made significant strides as leaders in the Philippine financial services industry even as challenges continue to persist. At the helm are two distinguished female members of the Monetary Board (MB) – the policy-setting body of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) –both of whom are breaking the bias for women in finance......»»
Heads should roll over Chinese recruitment in PCG – lawmaker
Whether in good faith or not, recruiting Chinese nationals into the Philippine Coast Guard should make the concerned government officials “accountable” even if the foreigners were just members of an auxiliary group, a lawmaker said yesterday......»»
Pork’s different strokes
Efforts have begun in the House of Representatives to raise the Motor Vehicle Road Users Charge or the Road Users Tax after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. identified the levy as a main source of precious funds. The eagerness of the members of the House to comply with the proposal to hike the tax makes people wary. Proceeds from the tax are the favorite source of legislative pork. Albay Rep. Joey Salceda’s bill indicates the MVUC which ranges from P120 to P4,000 will be raised to between P2,080 and P10,400 for cars, depending on their gross weight. Under the proposal, the MVUC will be increased by a fixed rate yearly until 2025, and by 5 percent from 2026 onwards. Salceda is looking at collecting P151 billion more in revenue from 2024 to 2027 through the higher MVUC. The higher collections should be earmarked for road improvements which is under the Department of Public Works and Highways after President Rodrigo Duterte signed a law abolishing the graft-tainted Road Board. The disposition of the MVUC sparked the feud between House members and the Department of Budget and Management during the initial years of the Duterte term after then Budget Secretary Ben Diokno refused to release the MUVC proceeds until the Road Board was dissolved. Moreover, the late former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III exploited the RUT funds using them as leverage to get House members to impeach former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez and to obtain the legislators’ approval for his political agenda, such as a measure seeking to postpone the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao election to allow Noynoy to place his appointees in the Muslim region. The Road Board had an unusual collection setup that practically freed its state audit, making it a perfect “cash cow” as termed by some senators. Gutierrez was impeached overwhelmingly in the House after Noynoy first dangled the pork barrel, saying through his House allies that those who would vote against the impeachment would not receive their pork barrel while those who signed the measure would get a P20-million bonus taken from the Road Board.Later, Gutierrez, knowing that she was in a losing situation, resigned from her post despite her having a guaranteed term. She was replaced by Noynoy’s favorite associate justice, Conchita Carpio-Morales, who carried out the yellow brand of selective justice. Gutierrez had displeased Noynoy when she dismissed the case against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in connection with the P729-million fertilizer fund scam. Former Chief Justice Renato Corona Jr. was also ousted through impeachment and the leverage used, in turn, were the DAP funds. It was ironic that Noynoy’s allies vowed to abolish the Road Board, which under the law that created it, had full discretion on its use. Its disposition was beyond the scope of the Commission on Audit since the RUT was not part of the budget. Former Sen. Franklin Drilon, for instance, said the body would be abolished by the Senate despite the House allies of former President Arroyo’s withdrawal and eventual rescinding of the bill that sought to terminate the anomalous 2001 creation. Congressmen turned the RUT proceeds into a source of fast money through collusion with Road Board officials. Since the DPWH is now the custodian of the funds, attention must also be directed at the agency in the proper disposition of the MUVC proceeds. Increasing the audit-free funds plus the recently discovered P215 billion in insertions in the budget through the generic flood mitigation projects exposed maneuvers to pilfer public funds. The post Pork’s different strokes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
New PNR norm: Electric trains
When the Philippine National Railways resumes operations after a five-year hibernation, Filipinos will discover an entirely modern railway that will use an all-electric system. By that time, the diesel-powered engines would all be relegated to the train museum. In his speech before the Transport Logistics Forum held at the World Trade Center on 17 August, PNR Chairman Michael Ted Macapagal said the agency is hard at work to complete the North-South Commuter Railway or NSCR, which will run from Clark Air Base in Pampanga to Calamba City in Laguna, a distance of 147 kilometers, for P873.62 billion. The forum was sponsored by the Italian, German, French, and Spanish Chambers of Commerce. Macapagal said that once the project is completed, five years hence, all trains running on diesel fuel will be replaced with a fleet of 60 electric multiple units, “which are at par with world standards in terms of safety and comfort.” Macapagal said PNR is thus rebuilding the country’s railway system from the ground up. “The NSCR is long overdue, while other countries transport people and goods by train, the Philippines depends on cars and trucks to achieve that purpose, which is why we have these daily traffic snarl-ups that cost us, according to studies, the equivalent of $25 billion a year,” according to the PNR chief. The refurbished rail line will be able to transport 800,000 passengers every day. Travel time from one end of the line to the other will be cut in half, from eight to four hours. He said the trip will be even shorter for express train passengers. The PNR is undergoing reconstruction after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said his administration will give priority to the development of more efficient railways for public transport. The NSCR is only the start, revealed Macapagal. “Having set the project in motion, President Marcos now wants to begin construction of the North Long Haul, the South Long Haul, the Panay Railway, North Mindanao Railway, and San Mateo Railway, all spanning a total of 1,024 kilometers,” he indicated. NSCR connects to Ilocandia Of the five projects, the North Long Haul is the most ambitious. It will connect NSCR to the Poro Point Free Port Zone, Laoag International Airport in Ilocos Norte, and Port Irene and Lal-lo International Airport in Cagayan. The chairman said President Marcos regards the railway projects as the country’s framework for economic development. To give way to the construction project, PNR has stopped train operations from Alabang to Laguna. It is set to suspend all operations in Metro Manila also. “That’s why the LTFRB, prodded by PNR, is expeditiously approving franchise applications for additional buses in affected areas,” Macapagal related. As PNR chairman, Macapagal identifies priority projects with the help of the board, which falls under the authority of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista. “If we are a basketball team,” Macapagal said in his address, “Secretary Bautista is the MVP. Of course, President Marcos is the head coach. I’d like to think I am the point guard.” The PNR station in Ligao City, Albay recently reopened after six years of hiatus. Every day, the first PNR trip from Ligao to Naga leaves at 5:30 a.m. and is followed by a second trip at 5:30 p.m. from Naga to Ligao. The cheapest fare is P15 for the first station and goes up to P105 for the entire stretch of the train system. The post New PNR norm: Electric trains appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pursuing sustainable dev’t, food security
Asia is the world's largest rice consumer, accounting for 90 percent of global rice consumption. According to a business website that made use of data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service, the Philippines is among the top 20 countries with the highest rice consumption per capita. Data shows that the country's almost 113 million population consumes around 16.50 million metric tons of rice every year. The affordability and availability of rice have been cited as the primary reasons for Filipinos' penchant for eating rice. Thus, the proliferation of restaurants in the country serving "unlimited rice" has always been a fool-proof marketing strategy to entice customers. India's announcement in July that it would restrict the export of non-basmati rice has jolted not just the country but the global rice market. India is the world's largest rice exporter, accounting for over 40 percent of the global rice trade. It is on this note that I am calling for stronger government interventions in the agricultural sector. Unfortunately, India's decision comes at a time when the country is grappling with flooded rice fields as a result of recent calamities. But we cannot blame India for its decision to prioritize its domestic market. We have to be prepared as this could trigger a rice crisis affecting millions of Filipinos who consider rice a staple food. It is high time that we provide our local farmers with much-needed support to boost domestic rice production by offering them drought-resistant rice seeds, more fertilizers, additional irrigation, increased training, and easy access to credit facilities with low-interest rates. Our government must focus on short-term remedies such as exploring alternative sources like Vietnam and Thailand. But more importantly, we must implement long-term interventions that will lead to sustainable rice production. I have always been an advocate of sustainability and self-sufficiency to achieve food security which is a top priority of the current administration. Meanwhile, I have remained committed to visiting various parts of the country, not only to provide assistance but also to address the concerns of our people. On 5 August, we attended the blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony of the two-storey Malasakit Center Building at Cotabato Regional and Medical Center in Cotabato City. We aided 647 patients and 2,535 medical frontliners including security guards, utilities, and other hospital staff. Meanwhile, qualified beneficiaries were given financial assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Joining us were CRMC Chief of the Hospital, Dr. Ishmael Dimaren, Maguindanao del Norte Rep. Bai Dimple Mastura, Matnog Mayor Zohria Bansel-Guro, Sultan Kudarat Mayor Tucao Mastura, and Vice Mayor Shameem Mastura. We also participated in the inauguration of the new Super Health Center (SHC) in the town of Libungan, where we assisted 1,000 indigent beneficiaries together with Vice Governor Efren Piñol, former vice governor Shirlyn Macasarte, Mayor Angel Rose Cuan and Vice Mayor Jims Fullecido. At the invitation of Mayor Angel Rose Cuan, we attended the town's Inter-Barangay Basketball Championship as part of its 62nd Founding Anniversary and 8th Katambolit Festival. We then headed to Midsayap to attend the groundbreaking of the SHC and assist 1,000 struggling residents together with Rep. Samantha Santos, Vice Gov. Efren Piñol, Mayor Rolando Sacdalan, and Vice Mayor Vivencio Deomampo Jr. On 4 August, we witnessed the groundbreaking of the SHC to be built in Monkayo, Davao de Oro. We visited the construction and renovation of the public market funded through our efforts. We also distributed assistance to 1,000 indigents in the area accompanied by Congresswoman Maria Carmen Zamora, Vice Governor Jayvee Uy, and Board Member Herv Apsay, among others. On 3 August, we were in Batangas to witness the groundbreaking of the Batangas Provincial Medical Center (New Provincial Hospital) in the municipality of Tuy. We also led the distribution of aid to 1,700 residents, with the support of Governor Dodo Mandanas. We were joined by Vice Gov. Mark Leviste, Congressmen Eric Buhain and Ray Reyes, Tuy Mayor Jose Jecerell Cerrado, San Luis Mayor Oscar Lito Hernandez, Vice Mayor Maan de Gracia, Lian Vice Mayor Ronin Leviste, and other local officials. We then went to Davao City to attend the 1st General Assembly of the Philippine Councilors League-Occidental Mindoro. On 2 August, we visited Caloocan City and witnessed the groundbreaking of the SHC, along with Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, Congresswoman Mitch Cajayon-Uy, Congressman Oca Malapitan, Mayor Along Malapitan, and Vice Mayor Karina Teh. We distributed aid to 980 impoverished residents in collaboration with the offices of Cong. Cajayon-Uy, Councilor Ed Aruelo, and Councilor Wewel De Leon. For those affected by Typhoon Egay, we distributed food packs and assisted 5,000 beneficiaries in Minalin, Arayat, and various towns in Pampanga; 500 in Bauang, La Union; 700 in Calumpit, and 1,700 residents from Hagonoy, Guiguinto, and San Miguel in Bulacan; 900 in Dagupan City, San Fabian, and Calasiao in Pangasinan; 200 in Binangonan, Rizal; and 200 in San Antonio, Zambales. We also assisted 89 fire victims in various barangays in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. We also provided help to 1,200 impoverished residents of Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija; 1,049 in San Pedro City, Laguna; 800 in Tabaco City, Albay; and 67 more in Pulupandan, Negros Occidental. We also helped people in Bulacan, including 66 in Santa Maria, 66 in Paombong, 66 in Baliwag, 66 in Bustos, 66 in Obando, and 66 in Norzagaray. In Batangas, we also assisted 500 beneficiaries from Calaca, 400 in Tanauan City, and 57 more in Batangas City. The post Pursuing sustainable dev’t, food security appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Go bares 629 funded SHCs, cautions tapping nursing grads
Congress has set funding for the construction of more than 600 Super Health Centers nationwide in 2022 and this year, according to Senator Christopher “Bong” Go. The chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography also expressed support for tapping nursing graduates to bolster the country’s dwindling number of hospital workers but advised the Department of Health to proceed with caution to avoid compromising the quality of healthcare service. “With the help of lawmakers, 307 Super Health Centers are funded for year 2022 and another 322 for 2023 in the entire Philippines,” Go said in a video message during his team’s relief distribution mission in Obando, Bulacan on Friday, 23 June. In the province, the cities of San Jose del Monte, Meycauayan and Baliuag; and the towns of Balagtas, Bulakan, San Miguel, Guiguinto and Pandi will have such facilities catering to residents of remote communities under the 2022 national budget, he said. The 2023 budget covers the building of SHCs in Baliuag City and in the towns of Angat, Marilao, Paombong, Plaridel, San Ildefonso and San Rafael, Go added. On 21 June, Go visited San Rafael for the groundbreaking of the town’s SHC and led a relief operation for indigents there. On top of traditional services, SHCs will provide diagnostics; pharmacy, ambulatory surgery; eye, ear, nose, and throat; oncology; physical therapy and rehabilitation and telemedicine services. Go also encouraged Bulakeños to go to Malasakit Centers for their health concerns as there is one such counter at the Bulacan Medical Center in Malolos City, Rogaciano M. Mercado Memorial Hospital in Sta. Maria, and Ospital ng Lungsod ng San Jose del Monte in San Jose del Monte City. The Malasakit Centers, a brainchild of Go, helps patient get help from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office in paying for their medical bills. ‘Uphold professional standards’ Meanwhile, Go urged the DoH to thoroughly study the proposed hiring of unlicensed nurse as there are existing laws and regulations meant to uphold professional standards and protect lives. “They (nursing graduates) must pass the standard,” Go reiterated in an ambush interview after personally aiding victims of the Mount Mayon unrest in Tabaco City, Albay on Thursday, 22 June. “We cannot compromise the standard here because we have to prioritize the life and health of every Filipino.” Earlier, DoH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa proposed that nursing graduates who scored 70 to 74 percent in licensure test be employed as supplementary workforce in the healthcare system but assigned with restricted responsibilities. ‘Nursing graduates who did not pass the board exam cannot be granted temporary or special licenses.’ Herbosa mentioned that Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma is open to the proposal and intends to hold discussions with the Professional Regulation Commission regarding the issuance of temporary licenses for such graduates. The PRC has clarified that nursing graduates who did not pass the board exam cannot be granted temporary or special licenses to work in public hospitals in the absence of a law allowing such. He pointed out that Republic Act 9173 solely provides special or temporary permits for licensed foreign nurses. However, PRC Commissioner Jose Cueto Jr. said that in exceptional circumstances like epidemics or national emergencies, the health secretary may provide limited authorization to medical graduates. Go said he remains open to amending existing laws to strengthen the health workforce while still being compliant with standards. However, the senator emphasized that the goal must be to continue improving medical education in the country to produce enough number of qualified healthcare professionals. Go has filed the Advanced Nursing Education bill that offers leadership roles, specialization and recognition to professional nurses. The measure also integrates community immersion in the nursing curriculum to encourage community service and introduce masteral and doctoral degrees in nursing. The post Go bares 629 funded SHCs, cautions tapping nursing grads appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Prioritize the poor, bring gov’t services closer to needy
For many of our fellow Filipinos who can barely afford their daily expenses, getting treated in a hospital is oftentimes a burdensome choice that they resort to only if it is a matter of life and death. Usually, our struggling kababayans choose to endure their illness for fear of falling deeper into debt due to huge hospital bills, medicines and other expenses. And by this time, an ordinary disease has already become a serious medical condition. Their plight is what inspired us to initiate the Malasakit Centers program in 2018 which provides one-stop shops where our indigent patients may more conveniently access medical assistance from the government. By bringing together programs of various government agencies under one roof, such as the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, the centers streamline the process of availing medical assistance. I have been appealing to officials and workers in the health sector to prioritize the needs of the poor, especially in public health facilities since these patients have nowhere else to turn to but to seek the help of their government. I also appeal to all hospital staff to be patient and compassionate in guiding Filipinos, particularly the poor, so that they can properly have access to the services offered by our public hospitals and from the medical assistance programs available in any of our 158 Malasakit Centers nationwide. That is why as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and as the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, I make time to personally check on the operations of our Malasakit Centers across the country, in addition to attending the groundbreaking of Super Health Centers and leading our usual relief distributions for Filipinos in need. On 16 June, I conducted a monitoring visit to two Malasakit Centers in Leyte, where I was honored to be declared as an adopted son of the province through Resolution 2020-337 passed on 24 April 2020 and formally granted on 16 June by the provincial government. During the visit, I recognized the efforts of Governor Carlos Jericho “Icot” Petilla, Baybay City Mayor Jose Carlos “Boying” Cari and Vice Mayor Ernesto Butawan, Vice Governor Sandy Javier, Cong. Carl Cari, Cong. Karen Javier, Board Member Carlo Loreto, and other officials for their commitment to bringing government services closer to their constituents. I also visited the Malasakit Center at Baybay City Immaculate Conception Hospital where we assisted 30 out-patients, 140 in-patients, and 192 front liners, while the DSWD extended financial aid to qualified in-patients. We likewise inspected the Super Health Center and the new boardwalk in the city which I supported to help the community. I then checked on the operations of the Malasakit Center at Ormoc District Hospital in Ormoc City. We also assisted 283 patients and 211 front liners in the hospital, while 133 qualified inpatients received additional assistance from the DSWD. Following this, I led a relief operation for 1,065 struggling residents in the city and attended the ribbon-cutting of the newly constructed pentathlon facility with a dedicated fencing hall, among others — a project I supported as Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance and as Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, together with the local government led by Cong. Richard Gomez and Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez. Earlier that week, I was in Davao del Norte to participate in the celebration of the first anniversary of an insurgency-free Davao del Norte led by Gov. Edwin Jubahib, held in Tagum City on 13 June. I also personally spearheaded a relief operation for 1,500 struggling residents in the city. Simultaneously, we provided more support to the community in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment which held an orientation for temporary employment to 721 individuals. Following this, I visited the town of Carmen with Mayor Leony Bahague to witness the groundbreaking of its Super Health Center and provide aid to 1,666 more indigents. On 15 June, I was in Quezon City with my team to witness the inauguration of two multipurpose buildings in Barangays Commonwealth and Payatas which I also supported for funding together with Councilor Mikey Belmonte. We likewise aided a thousand indigents in the city with Mayor Joy Belmonte. We then headed to Marikina City to assist 3,000 more struggling residents from Marikina City and the towns of San Mateo and Rodriguez, Rizal, together with Congresswoman Maan Teodoro and Mayor Marcy Teodoro; as well as the local officials from both towns in Rizal, such as Rodriguez Mayor Ronnie Evangelista and San Mateo Mayor Bartolome “Omie” Rivera Jr., among others. We also visited North Cotabato on 17 June, where we celebrated the 54th Araw ng Alamada led by Mayor Jesus Sacdalan and Cong. Joel Sacdalan and helped 840 farmers and 1,500 struggling residents in the town before going to Matalam to witness aspiring athletes in the Serbisyong Totoo Basketball Sports Clinic and to lead another distribution activity for 1,318 more residents from various sectors together with Gov. Lala Taliño-Mendoza. Across the country, my team aided indigent families and various sectors, including 136 in Samal, 33 in Balanga, and 82 in Limay, Bataan; 990 in Tagudin, Ilocos Sur; 150 in Damulog, Bukidnon; 350 in Iligan City; 100 in Tubod, Lanao del Norte; 550 in Malinao and Sto. Domingo, Albay; and two fire-hit households in Carcar City, Cebu. My team also attended the groundbreaking of the Super Health Center in Tiguma, Pagadian City. It is the fundamental right of every Filipino to receive proper medical care and social assistance from our government. I hope that with compassion for our struggling kababayans and the persistence to help uplift their lives, we can collectively ensure that the poor and most needy are not neglected as we continue our pursuit for progress and development. The post Prioritize the poor, bring gov’t services closer to needy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Herbosa pushes healthcare reforms
Dr. Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa took his oath on Tuesday as secretary of the Department of Health, a position that had been vacant since June last year. He was sworn into office by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Malacañang. Herbosa pledged to fully implement the Universal Health Care Law, or UHCL, by sustaining its gains, strengthening health sector strategy interventions and introducing healthcare reforms. The UHCL, or Republic Act 11223, was enacted in 2019 to provide universal health coverage for all Filipinos, regardless of their income or employment status. “The DoH family welcomes this development, as this is crucial to the department’s operations. With this transition, the DoH ensures that healthcare services will remain unhampered,” the agency said. Marcos named Herbosa Health secretary Monday night, putting him at the helm of the department vice Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire, who had led the agency since July of last year. Vergeire assured the public that DoH will provide “all-out support” and a smooth transition for Herbosa. “Secretary Ted can be assured of our sincere support from the whole DoH family,” she said. Before his appointment, Herbosa served as an undersecretary at the DoH from 2010 to 2015, contributing to various initiatives such as the establishment of the Hospital Accreditation Commission, modernizing the Philippine Orthopedics Center, and promoting public-private partnerships in health. He is also a former undersecretary and concurrent regional director at the DoH-National Capital Regional Office. From October 2017 to April 2021, Herbosa served as executive vice president of the University of the Philippines System, contributing to its development and growth. He has held various key positions, including chief of the Division of Trauma at the Department of Surgery, Philippine General Hospital; chairman of the board of Physicians for Peace Philippines, and third vice president of the UP Alumni Association. He has likewise served as a professor in the Emergency Department at Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and at the National University of Malaysia. Herbosa has been involved in numerous international roles and collaborations, including serving on the board of directors of the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine. He is a former medical consultant and adviser for the Australasian Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians in Melbourne, Australia, and Regional Education Coordinator for the HOPE (Hospital Preparedness and Emergencies) Program at Johns Hopkins University Center for International Emergencies, Disasters and Refugee Studies in Maryland, USA. Amid the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Herbosa served as a Special Adviser to the National Task Force Against Covid-19, offering guidance and contributing to the formulation of strategies to mitigate the impact of the virus. He also served as an international consultant in several countries, including Palau, Maldives, Malaysia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Vietnam, Tunisia and Thailand, making notable contributions to emergency medicine and trauma care. Dr. Herbosa’s involvement in the development of the STOP DEATH Program and his membership in the Safe Surgery Saves Lives Global Task Force, which developed the WHO safe surgery checklist, demonstrated his dedication to improving healthcare systems. ‘Interestingly, Gibo is a trained pilot. And he knows that our defense requirements are evolving from mainly insurgency-based to more territorial protection — and that requires air superiority in our own airspace.’ Herbosa also held a prominent position as a professor at the College of Medicine at the University of the Philippines Manila. Aside from Herbosa, Marcos named Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. as secretary of the Department of National Defense. Meanwhile, senators expressed their support for the appointments of Teodoro and Herbosa as Defense and Health chiefs, respectively. “Secretary Teodoro is a tried and tested public servant and we trust that he will head the Department of Defense most capably, particularly amid this atmosphere of brewing tensions in our waters,” Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said in a statement. “And we are happy to see the Department of Health helmed by an experienced public health expert. Secretary Herbosa’s appointment comes at an opportune time, with our Regional Specialty Centers Act having just gotten bicameral approval, and we are hopeful that he will spearhead a truly whole-of-nation approach in the improvement of our public health services,” he added. He said with the appointments of Teodoro and Herbosa, the President has “just addressed the two most pressing challenges of our time — territorial integrity and our full recovery from the pandemic.” “Their appointments should give a big boost to our fight to have a secure and stronger nation supported by a healthy population,” he said. Likewise, Senator Grace Poe welcomed the appointments of the new department heads. “We trust that their expertise and experience in their respective fields will help them carry out the gargantuan tasks that lie ahead,” she said in a separate statement. Poe said the new secretaries are “crucial in deciding and implementing strategies in addressing the various health issues we are facing and in upholding the country’s territorial integrity against various threats.” “Focus and commitment on the job coupled with straight and true service will fortify our health and defense sectors and deliver the services our people deserve,” she added. Senator JV Ejercito urged Teodoro to ensure the successful modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. “We need to expedite these efforts to put up a robust defense posture and reinforce our coastal defenses amid the growing tensions in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea,” he said. Meanwhile, former Health secretary, now Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin, wished Herbosa all the luck and the perseverance to deliver accessible healthcare to Filipinos. According to Garin, the DoH needs a manager who can oversee the prompt delivery of services to the public. She added Herbosa also needs to tackle the so-called infodemics or the proliferation of fake medical news. Speaker Martin Romualdez and Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said the President made the right choices in Teodoro and Herbosa. “Interestingly, Gibo is a trained pilot. And he knows that our defense requirements are evolving from mainly insurgency-based to more territorial protection — and that requires air superiority in our own airspace,” said Salceda. The post Herbosa pushes healthcare reforms appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Comelec to adhere SC’s status quo order on Rosal
The Commission on Elections on Thursday said that it will comply with the Supreme Court’s Status Quo Ante Order decision that effectively reinstates Carmen Rosal as mayor of Legazpi City, Albay a day after the poll body certified her disqualification as “final and executory.” “The Commission on Elections, through the Clerk of the Commission, received from the Supreme Court its Status Quo Ante Order in the Carmen Rosal Disqualification Case. As we have consistently committed, the Commission on Elections will abide by and comply with any order, ruling or directive of the Highest Court of our Land,” Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said. Comelec’s statements come as the Supreme Court acted on the two petitions for certiorari under Rule 65 in relation to Rule 64 of the Rules of Court assailing the Comelec resolutions that disqualified Rosal as candidate for mayor of Legazpi City, Albay in the 2022 polls. The assailed resolutions — dated 4 October 2022 and 4 May 2023 in SPA 22-032 (DC) — directed the Special City Board of Canvassers of Legazpi City to proclaim second placer Alfredo A. Garbin Jr. as the duly-elected mayor of Legazpi City. The SC en banc — in its Status Quo Ante Order dated 11 May 2023 given by authority of Acting Chief Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, upon the written recommendation of the Member-in-Charge — deemed it necessary and proper to consolidate the two petitions docketed as G.R. 266775 (Oscar Robert H. Cristobal v. Comelec, Alfredo A. Garbin, Jr., Joseph San Agustin Armogila, and Carmen Geraldine Rosal) and G.R. 266796 (Carmen Geraldine Rosal v. Comelec, Joseph San Agustin Armogila, Alfredo A. Garbin Jr. and Oscar Robert H. Cristobal); require respondents Comelec, Garbin, Armogila, Rosal, and Cristobal to file a consolidated comment within 10 days from notice; and issue a status quo ante order requiring the parties to observe the status quo prevailing before the issuance of the Comelec resolutions. Armogila and Rosal were candidates for councilor and mayor of Legazpi, respectively, in the 2022 national and local elections. Armogila filed a petition for disqualification against Rosal before the Comelec on the grounds of vote buying under Section 68(a) of the Omnibus Election Code and violation of the prohibition on release, disbursement, and expenditure of public funds under Section 261(v) of the same law. A ’status quo ante order’ calls for a return to previous affairs, which effectively sets aside the poll body’s decision to disqualify Rosal over violation of Section 68(a) of the Omnibus Election Code, or on ‘giving money to influence, induce and corrupt the voters.’ Rosal announced on Wednesday that he filed a petition before the Supreme Court to stop the poll body’s execution of their decision to disqualify her. In a press conference, she questioned Comelec on their ruling which said that she violated a provision on the Omnibus Election Code on ‘calling the decision ‘arbitrary.’ Her husband, disqualified Albay Governor Noel Rosal, insisted that the act in question – the cash assistance payout to tricycle drivers – was not vote buying as it was part of the ‘ayuda’ mandated in Bayanihan 1. The post Comelec to adhere SC’s status quo order on Rosal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Rosal disqualification final, says Comelec
The Commission on Elections on Wednesday certified their 4 May decision to disqualify Carmen Rosal as mayor of Legazpi City, Albay over ‘giving money to influence, induce or corrupt the voters’ as ‘final and executory.’” This comes as no temporary restraining orders were issued by the Supreme Court in the last five days, which would have directed the stoppage of the implementation of the disqualification. The certification was issued by the poll body despite Rosal’s declaration that she filed a petition for the Supreme Court to issue a TRO on the said ruling earlier in the day. In the same document, Comelec ordered the six members of the special board of canvassers in Legazpi City, Albay to declare ex-Ako Bicol representative Alfredo Garbin Jr. as the city’s new mayor ‘within ten days’ after the certification of the decision as final. To recall, Garbin was behind Rosal in last year’s mayoral race in Legazpi City with a slim margin of only 550 votes between the two candidates. In a message to Daily Tribune, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said that certification will still push through as no TROs were issued. “Per our conversation with the Clerk, there were no TRO issuances and we haven’t received any from the Supreme Court. It’s not automatic that the SC will issue a TRO after filing. It’s SC’s full discretion and authority whether or not they’ll issue a TRO,” Laudiangco said. He also cited an election provision which states that such decisions ‘shall become final and executory after the lapse of five days from their promulgation, unless restrained by the Supreme Court. In a Viber message, Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia said that the writ of execution will be issued on Thursday. Meantime, Rosal led a press conference at the Manila Yacht Club before noon on Wednesday where she announced that she filed a petition for the issuance of a TRO before the High Court. She argued that the decision to declare her election offense as Section 68(a) of the Omnibus Election Code was arbitrary. Previously, a decision by the Comelec Second Division October last year stated that she violated Section 261(v) of the OEC, referring to violation of public spending during the election period, with the act in question being the two-day cash assistance payout for tricycle drivers. However, in a Commission En Banc decision on 4 May which affirmed the previous decision to disqualify her, the poll body said that Rosal is not liable under Section 261(v) as she was not a public official at the time. “I reiterate, how can I be disqualified by the Comelec En Banc for vote buying when this was dismissed by the Comelec Division and such issue was not brought up to the Commission En Banc?” Rosal said. Rosal filed the petition before the SC through Attorney Romulo Macalintal. Also present during the press conference was Carmen’s husband, disqualified former Albay governor Noel Rosal, whose situation was similar to hers when he was slapped with a decision to relinquish his position over the same financial aid distribution to tricycle drivers. The petitions filed against Carmen and Noel Rosal, in this case, were both filed by Joseph Armogila. Former governor Rosal insisted that the cash payout for tricycle drivers were part of the country’s then economic assistance program amid the Covid-19 Pandemic dubbed “Bayanihan 1.” Speaking to Daily Tribune, the former governor suspected someone else behind the petitions that led to their disqualifications. “It’s not Armogila. Someone’s behind it. If it’s just him, the case would have been dismissed earlier,” Noel Rosal said. The post Rosal disqualification final, says Comelec appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fill gov’t positions, new lawyers urged
A lawmaker on Saturday urged the country’s new lawyers to fill plantilla positions in several government agencies, particularly the Bureau of Internal Revenue, where up to 10,000 plantilla positions remain unfilled. Albay Rep. Joey Salceda made the call following the results of the 2022 Bar examinations released by the Supreme Court on Friday, in which 3,992 out of 9,183 examinees passed. “I call on the 3,992 new lawyers to consider working for the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board, the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel, and other agencies of fiscal and economic affairs where legal expertise is needed,” said the economist-lawmaker. Luigi Nico Reyes, who clinched the 7th spot, told the Daily Tribune that while taxation is not his strong suit, he is open to new opportunities and that working with the BIR and other state-run agencies will remain high on his priority list. “I’m not closing the door to anything just yet so this is something I will consider. Government service is a priority of mine,” Reyes said. Aside from eyeing the government job proposal, Reyes said he is also weighing an offer of the position of executive secretary in the Court of Appeals, which he finds compelling. According to Salceda, efforts are being made to raise the minimum salary level for lawyers in the BIR from Salary Grade 18 to something more in line with their level of education. Mark David Vergara, who came in ninth place, welcomed the career opportunity but said he is unable to take it because he now works in a private law firm in the metro. Reforms are also underway in the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel to entice a pool of competent lawyers to counsel a sector that accounts for P11 trillion in government assets, according to Salceda. “Our government agencies need new blood and new perspectives as they seek to modernize. I am confident that this crop of new lawyers — forced to rapidly adapt to more digital and crisis conditions — will be a valuable addition to the civil service,” he said. The post Fill gov’t positions, new lawyers urged appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Plane wreckage near Mayon Volcano missing RP-C2080: CAAP
MANILA - The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) confirmed on Tuesday that the wreckage found near Mayon Volcano is the RP-C2080 plane that has been reported missing in Albay province since Feb. 18. CAAP's Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board (AAI.....»»
1st LD: 6-seater Cessna plane missing in Philippines
MANILA, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- A six-seater Cessna 340 plane was reported missing shortly after taking off Saturday morning in the Philippines' Albay province, southeast of Manila, said the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). The CAAP said the aircraft, with four people on board, including the pilot, a crew member, and two passengers, took off at 6:43 a.m. local time at Bicol International Airport......»»
1st LD: 6-seater Cessna plane missing in Philippines
MANILA, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- A six-seater Cessna 340 plane was reported missing shortly after taking off Saturday morning in the Philippines' Albay province, southeast of Manila, said the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). The CAAP said the aircraft, with four people on board, including the pilot, a crew member, and two passengers, took off at 6:43 a.m. local time at Bicol International Airport......»»
DOLE intervention sought on contracting workers complaints
MANILA - A lawmaker on Friday requested the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to intervene on complaints of workers under the Land Transportation Regulatory and Franchising Board (LTFRB) Service Contracting Program regarding delayed payments and other labor law violations.Albay Rep......»»
PCG to investigate alleged hacking of Facebook account anew
The Philippine Coast Guard announced its plan to investigate the reported breach of its social media account......»»
ED attaches asset worth Rs 70 lakh in bank fraud implicating Hyderabad-based Jasleen Enterprises
New Delhi [India], March 28 (ANI): The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has attached an immovable property valued at Rs 70 lakh in a bank fraud case involving Jasleen Enterprises headquartered in Hyderabad. The Hyderabad division of the ED attached the fixed asset in accordance with the stipulations outlined in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) of 2002. ED initiated investigation on the basis of First Informati.....»»
CV wage board sets public hearing for kasambahay pay
CV wage board sets public hearing for kasambahay pay.....»»
Danica Sotto reacts to alleged affair between husband Marc Pingris, Kim Rodriguez
Actress Danica Sotto responded to cheating allegations involving her husband Marc Pingris and actress Kim Rodriguez......»»
REAAA members inspect New Clark City facilities
REAAA members inspect New Clark City facilities.....»»