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SC upholds decision granting Napoles bail in one PDAF case
Pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles and former Masbate Rep. Rizalina Seachon-Lanete have been allowed to post bail after the Supreme Court dismissed a case related to the Priority Development Assistance Fund......»»
Stock markets dip as US inflation comes into view
Stock markets drifted lower on Monday as investors eyed the release this week of key US inflation data that could guide Federal Reserve plans for interest rates going into the new year. Oil prices fell nearly two percent before bouncing higher and then sliding back lower as dealers awaited a delayed meeting of OPEC and its allies to decide over output levels. With Wall Street seeing little action at the back of last week owing to the Thanksgiving break, traders had few catalysts to drive action, though analysts were upbeat about the end of the year. "Although there isn't much buying interest at the moment, it's more notable that there still isn't much selling interest," said Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare. The retreat in equities comes after a recent run-up across world stock markets fuelled by bets the US central bank has finished lifting interest rates as inflation comes down and the jobs market comes off the boil. Expectations that the Federal Reserve is done with hiking rates continued to weigh on the dollar Monday. The main focus this week is the release Thursday of the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, the Fed's preferred gauge of inflation. "These numbers will be closely scrutinized for insights into inflation trends and their potential implications for monetary policy decisions," said SPI Asset Management's Stephen Innes. "While the current backdrop does not signify 'mission accomplished' in terms of addressing inflation, policymakers must now focus on planning for the next phase of the economic battle." Still, observers were upbeat about the outlook, with the latest weakness blamed on traders taking a breather after a strong month. Tony Sycamore, at IG Group, said early December could see some selling as investors "rebuild energy and (look) to set up for the end-of-year fireworks". Others said a drop in Wall Street's VIX "fear gauge" -- a measure of equity volatility -- to its lowest since January 2020 suggested investors were getting their mojo back. Eyes are also on developments at OPEC after the group and its allies, notably Russia, delayed a meeting aimed at agreeing production quotas, with some African countries said to be baulking at Saudi Arabian calls for more cuts. The group is thought to be close to reaching an agreement that could see the Saudis and Russia extend output reductions into the new year. OANDA analyst Craig Erlam said the OPEC+ group has shown in the past it usually can get a deal done, even if Saudi Arabia and Russia need shoulder bigger cuts. "But the question is how far they'll push it, given the recent trend in oil prices and increasing concerns around global growth next year," said Erlam. Crude prices have fallen in recent weeks as demand is seen coming down owing to slowing economies, particularly China's, and the Middle East conflict appears to not have expanded to include other countries in the region. Key figures around 1630 GMT New York - DOW: DOWN 0.2 percent at 35,338.58 points London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.4 percent at 7,460.70 (close) Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 0.4 percent at 7,265.49 (close) Frankfurt - DAX: DOWN 0.4 percent at 15,966.37 (close) EURO STOXX 50: DOWN 0.4 percent at 4,354.41 (close) Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.5 percent at 33,447.67 (close) Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.2 percent at 17,525.06 (close) Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.3 percent at 3,031.70 (close) Euro/dollar: UP at $1.0935 from $1.0922 Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2611 from $1.2585 Euro/pound: DOWN at 86.70 pence from 86.79 pence Dollar/yen: DOWN at 148.94 from 149.56 yen West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.1 percent at $75.44 per barrel Brent North Sea crude: DOWN 0.3 percent at $80.36 per barrel .....»»
Who’s destabilizing who?
Allies of Speaker Martin Romualdez have been busy explaining why Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Davao Congressman Isidro Ungab were stripped of their deputy speaker positions......»»
LGUs’ classification, revenue basis codified
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed into law a bill classifying local government units based on their revenues to establish a basis for their separate financial allocations and other forms of assistance. Republic Act 11964 seeks to institutionalize the automatic income classification of LGUs as a “more responsive approach” to support the local economy and “enable LGUs to realize their full economic potential.” “In line with this, the State recognizes the need to determine the financial capability and fiscal position of local government units,” the new law read in a statement released on Friday. The government determines the level of administrative and statutory help, financial grants, and other forms of support to be given to an LGU on the LGU revenue classification system. Likewise, the revenue categorization of LGUs is used to ascertain its financial capacity to carry out projects and programs, as well as how it would carry out administrative orders on allowances and salary regulations. The first general income reclassification would take place six months after RA 11964 goes into force, and afterward, every three years, Malacañang said. According to the law, municipalities are divided into five classes based on their annual average regular income for three fiscal years before the LGU’s general income is reclassified. The classifications of municipality based on annual average income are as follows: first class: P200,000,000; second class: P160,000,000 to P200,000,00; third class: P130,000,000 to P160,000,00; fourth class: P90,000,000 to P130,000,000; and fifth class: less than P90,000,000. This will determine the “LGU capability to undertake development programs and projects” and the overall yearly supplemental appropriation for personal services for all units. Compensation adjustments for LGU employees will also be predicated on classification following the “Salary Standardization Law of 2019.” The classification also includes the following: Minimum wages for domestic workers, bases for the creation of new local government units (LGUs), the number of elective members in Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Sangguniang Bayan, free patent titles for residential land, government service insurance system coverage for LGU properties, and the maximum percentage of agricultural land area that can be reclassified and used. On January 1st of the year following the Finance Secretary’s release of the income classification table, the provinces, cities, and municipalities will undergo their first income reclassification. Within three months of the law’s enactment, the Department of Finance will draft the rules and regulations that will carry out its provisions in collaboration with the Department of Budget and Management and after consulting with the local government leagues. The post LGUs’ classification, revenue basis codified appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Solon lambasts ‘conflict of interest’ as private firms leading ASF vaccine trials
A lawmaker on Wednesday grilled the Bureau of Animal Industry for allowing private suppliers to lead vaccine trials on African Swine Fever. In a Senate hearing on Wednesday, BAI Director Paul Limson admitted that they are just “monitoring” the field trials. Limson's remarks came after Senator Cynthia Villar mentioned that the BAI should be leading the trials to make more independent assessments of the vaccines. “Justify niyo nga sa akin bakit ninyo ginagawa, kasi ako nasho-shock (Can you justify it to me why are you not doing it because its shcoking me). You don't think there is a conflict of interest?" Villar, who chairs the Senate panel on agriculture, asked Limson. Limson cited the Food and Drug Administration guidelines stating that "the initiation, management, and or financing of clinical trials" is the responsibility of sponsors—these could be individuals, companies, institutions, or organizations. the FDA guidelines also allow sponsors to tap Contract Research Organizations to conduct the trials. Meanwhile, Villar also criticized the private suppliers of vaccines for apparently hastening the process even if there are no approved vaccines for ASF yet. She then suggested that the budget should be realigned first in the indemnification of hog raisers affected by the disease while waiting for the approval of ASF vaccines. The Department of Agriculture-BAI has earlier asked the Food and Drug Administration to certify a Vietnam-made ASF vaccine for its immediate distribution in the country. It was followed by the bureau’s endorsement to the FDA for the issuance of a Certificate of Product Registration—which will allow the commercial release of the vaccine in the country. On June 2, BAI Assistant Director Arlyn Vytiaco said they have recommended the AVAC doses—which have been proven "effective" - following the completion of safety and efficacy trials in at least six areas in Luzon. Vytiaco noted that 100 percent of the hogs who were vaccinated during the trials produced antibodies, and showed "no ill or side effects.” However, the BAI was still requesting the FDA for the CPR of the vaccine. The first ASF case was detected in the Philippines in 2019. Villar lamented that “lack of vaccine or effective treatment has made the control of the disease very challenging.” The post Solon lambasts ‘conflict of interest’ as private firms leading ASF vaccine trials appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fuel subsidy easing eyed
An immediate release of government assistance to public utility vehicles will be achieved by shortening the trigger period from three months to one and simplifying the requirements, the Department of Energy said yesterday. The proposal, nonetheless, may need the amendment of the law for releasing fuel subsidies to the transport sector. In a press briefing, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said this was one of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s proposed solutions to the oil price shock that is expected to worsen amid the spreading Middle East conflict. $80 per barrel long breached Under the current law, fuel subsidies are released to the transport sector whenever the Dubai crude oil price exceeds $80 per barrel for three consecutive months. Lotilla said shortening the trigger period will allow the government to release the subsidies faster to the transport sector, one of the sectors most affected by rising fuel prices. “With this simplification or shortening of the period, we will be able to release the subsidies in a shorter period,” Lotilla said. “Since Congress is now considering the General Appropriations Act, it will be included in that process. The amendment will take effect in 2024 immediately upon Congress’s approval of the GAA,” he added. The DoE chief also said the government will simplify the requirements for the release of the fuel subsidies. The release of the subsidies requires the approval of the DoE, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Budget and Management. Lotilla said that under the new proposal, the release of the subsidies will only require the approval of the DBM, DoTr and the DoE. He said the DoTr will finalize the list of beneficiaries for those with franchises, the Department of the Interior and Local Government for tricycle drivers, and the Department of Trade and Industry for delivery service drivers. Even though there’s an effort to expedite assistance, Lotilla said the fuel subsidy in the 2024 national budget was decreased to P2.5 billion from P3 billion this year. The energy chief, however, believes that even with the reduced budget, the required funding will be met. “That’s based on the experience of the previous year. We don’t know what will be the final amount,” the official said. Other measures on table Lotilla added the government will implement a voluntary 20-percent ethanol blend for gasoline, which is targeted for approval by the end of 2023. He said the ethanol blend will help mitigate the rising fuel prices, as ethanol is cheaper than gasoline. Lotilla said the President also instructed him to continue the transport sector’s electrification, particularly for mass transport and light cargo vehicles. He said the government will put in place charging stations and ensure that the benefits to the transport sector, particularly the drivers, will be there. Lotilla said the President also emphasized the need to prepare the economy for the eventual manufacture of electric vehicles and to link this with the local mining sector that will produce the minerals needed to manufacture batteries and other components of electric vehicles. Rules out soon The DoE is also releasing the guidelines for the implementation of the long-delayed higher biofuels blend before the year ends. Lotilla said the current 10-percent ethanol blend, also known as E10, in gasoline would be increased to 20 percent or E20, although it would be a voluntary option for motorists. Lotilla added that the current two percent or B2 coco methyl ester or CME blend on diesel will be adjusted to three percent or B3. Based on the DoE calculation, implementing the E20 blend could slash gasoline prices by around P1.28 to P1.50 per liter. While ethanol is generally cheaper than gasoline, Lotilla noted that local ethanol at P79.49 a liter is still more expensive than the imported supply at P41.84 per liter. Lotilla said DoE will bank on the coconut industry, whose production reaches up to 15 billion nuts annually, to complement the B3 shift. “An additional 1 percent blend only needs 2.6 billion nuts. The increase in the blend can also drive down the cost of CME because there will be a bigger market for it. Right now, we expect pure diesel to be at parity with the per liter price of CME,” Lotilla explained. With Maria Romero The post Fuel subsidy easing eyed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Govt to shorten trigger period for fuel subsidies
The government will shorten the trigger period for releasing fuel subsidies to the transport sector from three months to one month, and simplify the requirements for its release, the Department of Energy said on Tuesday. In a Malacañang Press Briefing, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said this was one of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s decisions during the latest sectoral meeting. Under the current law, fuel subsidies are released to the transport sector whenever the Dubai crude oil price exceeds $80 per barrel for three consecutive months. Lotilla said the shortening of the trigger period will allow the government to release the subsidies faster to the transport sector, which is one of the sectors most affected by the rising fuel prices. "With this simplification or shortening of the period, we will be able to release the subsidies in a shorter period of time," Lotilla said. "Since Congress is right now considering the General Appropriations Act, it will be included in that process. The amendment will take effect in 2024 immediately upon Congress's approval of the GAA," he added. The DOE chief also said the government will simplify the requirements for the release of the fuel subsidies. The release of the subsidies requires the approval of the DOE, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Budget and Management. Lotilla said that under the new proposal, the release of the subsidies will only require the approval of the DBM, the DOTr, and the DOE. He said the DOTr will finalize the list of beneficiaries of the fuel subsidies for those with franchises, the Department of Interior and Local Government for tricycle drivers, and the Department of Trade and Industry for delivery service drivers. Even though there's an effort to expedite assistance distribution, Lotilla mentioned that the fuel subsidy allocation in the 2024 national budget was decreased from P3 billion this year to P2.5 billion. However, he believes that the reduced budget will still be adequate to meet the required funding. "That’s based on the experience on the previous year. We don't know what will be the final amount,” the official said. Other measures Lotilla also said that the government will implement a voluntary 20 percent ethanol blend for gasoline, which is targeted for approval by the end of 2023. He said the ethanol blend will help mitigate the rising fuel prices, as ethanol is cheaper than gasoline. Lotilla said the President also instructed to continue the transport sector's electrification, particularly mass transport and light cargo vehicles. He said the government will put in place charging stations and ensure that the benefits to the transport sector, particularly the drivers, will be there. Lotilla said the President also emphasized the need to prepare the economy for the eventual manufacture of electric vehicles in the country, and linking this up with the local mining sector that will produce the minerals needed to produce batteries and other components of electric vehicles......»»
Chinese sci-fi steps into the spotlight
Once effectively banned, Chinese science fiction has exploded into the mainstream, embraced by the government and public alike –- inviting scrutiny of a genre that has become known for its expanding diversity and relative freedom. Its new status was epitomized by this week's Worldcon, the world's oldest and most influential sci-fi gathering, which closed Sunday after taking place in China for the first time. Held in the gleaming new Chengdu Science Fiction Museum, the event's star was Liu Cixin, author of the international phenomenon "Three-Body" series and inspiration for the domestic blockbuster "Wandering Earth". But the wider science fiction fandom has become a rare space where diverse voices have flourished and a vast array of issues -- social, environmental, even sometimes political -- can be explored. "In its nature, part of sci-fi is talking about the present," award-winning author Chen Qiufan told AFP. "It takes advantage of talking about outer space, or being set in different times, but reflects the human condition right now." Chen's own novel "The Waste Tide" is set in a dystopian future in China, where migrant e-waste workers toil in hazardous conditions, exploited by corrupt conglomerates. He grew up near Guiyu, once one of the largest e-waste dumps in the world. Ecological destruction, urbanization, social inequality, gender, and corruption, to name just a few –- "these issues are intersectional and intertwined with each other", said Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University's Liu Xi. Together, they "allow everyone to understand Chinese writers' exploration of Chinese society", she said. That can be rare to find in today's China, where the space for political and artistic expression has shrunk drastically over the last decade under President Xi Jinping. Spiritual pollution Historically, science fiction has had a turbulent relationship with Chinese authorities -– it effectively disappeared during the Cultural Revolution and then was banned as "spiritual pollution" in the 1980s. Though it returned, it remained relatively obscure. Writer Regina Kanyu Wang said it was only at university that she met other fans -- together they formed one of the smaller clubs on campus. Sci-fi was not taken seriously, and seen as something for children and young adults, Chen said. That had its advantages. "There was a lot of freedom... because nobody was reading science fiction, (authors) could just do whatever they wanted," the University of Zurich's Jessica Imbach told AFP. The global success of the "Three-Body" series changed everything, catapulting its epic themes of technological prowess and the fate of humanity into the public consciousness. "Whether you like science fiction or not, the social reality we are facing is becoming more and more like science fiction," said Yu Xuying from Hong Kong Metropolitan University. "We live in a high-tech era. And then your daily life is completely technological," she said. The pace of digital change in China, already fast, was accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Cash has all but disappeared, and stringent health regulations further enhanced the state's significant surveillance capacity. The international interest spike in Chinese sci-fi is also related to real-world concerns, Chen believes. "I think there are different layers of reasons for the phenomenon," he said. "But a major one is the rising economic and technological power of China on the world stage." A good vehicle China's government has been happy to capitalize on all this. "At a national level, science fiction is a good vehicle for conveying the country's discourse on its science and technology strength," said Yu. It can also help "highlight the relationship between the Chinese dream (a Xi-era aspirational slogan) and science", she said. Authorities have put their money where their mouth is. The nebula-shaped Chengdu Science Fiction Museum, designed by the renowned Zaha Hadid Architects, was built at lightspeed in just a year to coincide with Worldcon. The event, historically fan-led and funded, this year was a "capitalistic initiative, coming top-down from the Chinese government", said Chen. "They want sci-fi to be the name card of the city, showing China's openness and inclusiveness to the world," he said. Government attention comes with potential risk. "The Three-Body Problem" has a different structure in English, with the narrative beginning with a violent Cultural Revolution scene. In the original Chinese, it was buried halfway through the book to make it less conspicuous, the translator Ken Liu was told. Liu told the New York Times in 2019 that increasingly, "it's gotten much harder for me to talk about the work of Chinese authors without... causing them trouble". Some works he has translated into English, deemed too sensitive, have never been published in Chinese at all. "If you're very marginal if you have low print numbers in China, then it's OK, you have more leeway. If you're doing a mega big-budget movie... it's much more complicated," said Imbach. "That's what's now also happening with science fiction," she said. "As it's becoming more mainstream, there is increased scrutiny." The post Chinese sci-fi steps into the spotlight appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Update on Magna Carta for Public Schools Teachers sought
Senator Win Gatchalian on Thursday bared his plan to file a measure that will update the current provisions of the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, in time for the observance of World Teachers’ Day. In updating Republic Act 4670, Gatchalian revealed that he plans to push for the granting of a special hardship allowance to mobile teachers, including those involved in the Alternative Learning System jobs. The senator also seeks to “protect teachers from out-of-pocket expenses and non-teaching tasks.” He is likewise pushing provisions for teachers’ basic rights and longevity pay. Gatchalian emphasized the need to ensure full implementation of the law, which primarily aimed at improving the living and working conditions of public school teachers. He pointed out that it has been 57 years since RA 4670 was passed, yet some of its provisions have not been fully realized, citing Section 22 of the law, which entitles public school teachers to a free annual physical examination. Gatchalian lamented that while the Department of Education has provided teachers with monetary medical assistance since 2019, he pressed that “there is still no program for the annual check-up of teachers” as mandated by the Magna Carta. In Section 26 of the RA 4670, a retiring teacher should be promoted one rank higher, and the salary of that rank should be the basis for calculating retirement benefits. However, Gatchalian noticed that the current method of computation, being used by the Government Service Insurance System, relies on the average monthly compensation that the employee received during the last 36 months of service prior to retirement. While Section 31 of the Magna Carta requires the DepEd Secretary to submit the annual budgetary requirements to implement the Magna Carta, Gatchalian observed that the agency only submits an omnibus budget request to Congress for its annual needs. “Napapanahon na upang tiyakin nating tumutugon ang Magna Carta sa mga pangangailangan at hamong kinakaharap ng ating mga guro,”Gatchalian said as he bared to reporters his plans as the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education. The post Update on Magna Carta for Public Schools Teachers sought appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
S. Korean migrant’s tale to open Asia’s biggest film festival
The world premiere of Jang Kun-jae's "Because I Hate Korea" will open Asia's largest film festival Wednesday night as it looks to rally from a year marked by scandal and budget cutbacks. The South Korean director's tale of a disillusioned young woman who relocates to New Zealand is among 209 official entries from 69 countries set to unspool at the Busan International Film Festival, which runs until 13 October. Eighty will be making their world premieres in the southern port city. This year's edition comes as organizers grapple with the fallout from former festival director Huh Moon-yung's resignation in May amid accusations of sexual misconduct. The scandal saw BIFF's 2023 budget reduced by about 10 percent as sponsors withdrew in the wake of the allegations, according to organizers. Kang Seung-ah, now serving as acting deputy director, acknowledged they had endured a "difficult phase" before assembling a lineup she said was "more substantial than ever before". Opening night director Jang, who noted he'd attended BIFF far more as an audience member than a filmmaker, told a late afternoon news conference he had sought to address serious questions with his film. "I believe it's necessary to pay attention to the fact that many young people are finding it difficult to navigate through Korean society. I started questioning whether our society is providing a fair and equitable foundation for young people to pursue their dreams," he told reporters after a preview screening. Based on the best-selling Chang Kang-myoung novel, "Because I Hate Korea" received support from BIFF's Asia Project Market back in 2016. South Korea has transformed itself into a cultural powerhouse since then thanks to the explosive success of the Oscar-winning "Parasite" and the Netflix series "Squid Game". "Many people are now showing great interest in Korean content such as K-pop, K-movies, and K-dramas. Living in such an era, they might develop a certain fantasy about South Korea, I think," Nam Dong-chul, the festival's acting interim director, told reporters. But "I thought it might be good to consider these views from the perspective of people living in Korea and especially the youth in South Korea", he said of the opening night choice. "They might have different thoughts and experiences." Frequent Bong Joon-ho collaborator Go Ah-sung, who delivered a memorable performance as the protagonist of "Because I Hate Korea", was unable to attend the festival due to a back injury. 'Dear Jinri' Despite Go's absence, the festival will still feature serious star power, with acclaimed Hong Kong actor Chow Yun Fat scheduled to receive the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award. Three of Chow's films -- "A Better Tomorrow" (1986), "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (2000) and 2023's "One More Chance" -- will be screened in his honour. Other highly anticipated screenings include "Dear Jinri", a documentary that features late K-pop star Sulli's last and incomplete project. Sulli, born Choi Jin-ri, took her own life in 2019 after a long struggle with online bullying. The film includes her final media interview, which has not been disclosed previously. Korea's filmmaking diaspora will also be showcased with a special series of screenings that includes "Searching" (2018), starring John Cho, and director Celine Song's Sundance favorite "Past Lives". Netflix's highly anticipated "Yellow Door: 90s Lo-fi Film Club" will also have its world premiere at BIFF. The documentary spotlights South Korea's renowned cinephile generation of the 1990s, acclaimed "Parasite" director Bong among them. "The Movie Emperor", director Ning Hao's satirical take on the Chinese film industry starring Hong Kong actor Andy Lau, is set to close the festival. Ning's comedy "deftly captures the fine line between the film industries in Hong Kong and mainland China", as well as the "delicate relationship between Western film festivals and Asian filmmakers", according to the program notes. The post S. Korean migrant’s tale to open Asia’s biggest film festival appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go aids fire victims in General Santos City
Senator Bong Go provided assistance to 13 fire-hit households in General Santos City on Friday, September 29. The affected families received financial assistance, grocery packs, snacks, shirts, and balls for basketball from the senator’s office. “Huwag po kayong mawalan ng pag-asa, ang importante ay buhay kayo. Ang gamit po ay napapalitan, ang pera ay kikitain pero ang pera ay hindi nabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Kaya pangalagaan natin ang buhay na binigay sa atin ng Panginoon,” Go said in a video message. Go then highlighted Republic Act No. 11589, also known as the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2021. The said law, which was authored and co-sponsored by Go, mandates the BFP to undergo a ten-year modernization program that will improve the capabilities of the agency by implementing a ten-year modernization program, which includes recruiting more firefighters, acquiring new fire equipment, and developing specialized training, among others. The senator, who heads the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, also offered to help those in need of medical care. He encouraged them to visit the Malasakit Centers at Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital in the city or South Cotabato Provincial Hospital in nearby Koronadal City. Under the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which was principally authored and sponsored by Go, a Malasakit Center shall provide convenient access to medical programs offered by concerned agencies, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. To date, there are 159 Malasakit Centers that have already assisted seven million Filipinos nationwide, according to DOH. The senator also shared that he continues to push for the establishment of more Super Health Centers nationwide. Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, the budget was allocated for the construction of some 307 Super Health Centers across the country in 2022 and another 322 in 2023. DOH, as the lead implementing agency, identifies the strategic locations where such centers shall be established. In General Santos City, two Super Health Centers have been funded to be established. To help create more opportunities for the province amid difficult situations, Go, who also serves as vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, has supported the construction of roads in Banga, Lake Sebu, Norala, Tantangan, and Surallah; acquisition of a dump truck for the local government of Norala; construction of riverbank protection in Koronadal City and T’boli; installation of street lights in Koronadal City, Norala and Tupi; and the construction of a slaughterhouse in T’boli. “Basta, ‘wag kayong mag-atubiling lumapit sa amin. Huwag din kayong magpasalamat sa amin dahil trabaho naman namin ito sa gobyerno. Kami ang nagpapasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan niyo kami ng pagkakataon para makapagserbisyo sa taumbayan. Ibabalik namin sa inyo ang serbisyong dapat sa inyo,” pledged Go. The post Bong Go aids fire victims in General Santos City appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Go pushes for increased Cancer Fund
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go emphasized the importance of allocating sufficient funds for specific healthcare programs, such as those addressing cancer, tuberculosis, and mental health disorders, during the Committee on Finance hearing for the Department of Health’s budget on Thursday, 28 September. “We must also give enough focus and ensure funding for our programs to address other diseases such as cancer, tuberculosis, and mental health disorders,” Go said. He pointed out that the Cancer Assistance Fund for this year was set at P500 million through the collective efforts of lawmakers last year. Go proposed for this to be doubled to P1 billion for the next year. However, he expressed concern over the current reported underutilization of the fund. Drawing from his previous advocacy, Go has been a consistent voice for increased funding for the CAF. “Dapat patuloy na pataasin ang budget para sa cancer assistance fund,” he said in an earlier interview. The senator’s call for increased funding aligns with the National Integrated Cancer Control Act, under Republic Act 11215, signed by former president Rodrigo Duterte in 2019. Within NICCA, CAF plays a pivotal role in offering financial support to cancer patients across the nation. He also emphasized the need to bridge the gap between the high cost of cancer treatment and the financial means of those who need it most. “It is for this reason that we continus to advocate for a larger allocation for the CAF and recognizes that every peso invested in cancer assistance is an investment in the health and well-being of countless individuals and their families,” he said. Furthermore, Go expressed his support for a proposed cancer fund intended to aid Overseas Filipino Workers, a project championed by the late Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople of the Department of Migrant Workers. “This initiative highlights the urgent requirement to offer aid and compassion to the modern-day heroes who are confronting cancer while working far away from their homes,” he concluded. The post Go pushes for increased Cancer Fund appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go extends assistance to indigents in Lupao, Nueva Ecija
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, an adopted son of Nueva Ecija, sent his team to provide assistance to indigent families in Lupao, Nueva Ecija, on Friday, 29 September. Go’s team assisted residents who gathered at the Brgy. Gymnasium of San Antonio Este. The team distributed masks and shirts to the identified beneficiaries, as well as shoes, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select recipients. The beneficiaries also qualified for financial assistance from the national government through the initiative of GP Partylist Rep. Jose Padiernos. “Huwag ho kayong magpasalamat sa amin. Sa totoo lang po kami po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan n’yo po kami ng pagkakataon na magserbisyo sa inyo. Magta-trabaho po ako para sa Pilipino. Iyan po ang pwede kong i-alay sa inyo, ang kasipagan ko sa trabaho,” Go said in a video message. “Utusan n’yo lang po ako, parang kapitbahay lang tayo bilang isang adopted son ng inyong probinsya. Ayaw kong ituring nyo ako na ibang tao,” he added. Go stressed the significance of extending aid to impoverished individuals, and said government should prioritize the needs of the poor who were most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and other crises. As principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, Go vowed to monitor the continuous operations of the Malasakit Centers, which has helped more than seven million Filipinos, according to the Department of Health (DOH). There are 159 Malasakit Centers nationwide so far. Indigent patients in Nueva Ecija can seek the services of the Malasakit Centers located at Eduardo L. Joson Memorial Hospital and Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center (PJGMRMC), both in Cabanatuan City; and in Talavera General Hospital in Talavera town. “Ang Malasakit Center po ay batas na. Isinulong ko noon, nu’ng naging senador po ako nung 2019. Pinirmahan ni dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. It’s a one stop shop. Nasa loob na po ng ospital ang apat na ahensya ng gobyerno – PhilHealth, PCSO, DOH, DSWD na handang tumulong po sa ating mga kababayan. Para po ‘yan sa mga poor and indigent patients. Lapitan n’yo lang po ang pinakamalapit na Malasakit Center sa inyong lugar,” Go said. The senator also highlighted that Super Health Centers will be established in Cabanatuan City, San Leonardo, Aliga, Bongabon, Llanera, Science City of Muñoz, Zaragoza, Sto. Domingo and Rizal — the last two of which he personally inspected in February. The Super Health Centers are improved versions of polyclinics that offer basic health services, including database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray and ultrasound), pharmacy and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation center and telemedicine. Through the concerted efforts of DOH and fellow lawmakers, adequate funding has been allocated in the national budget for the establishment of 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 more in 2023. Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, has supported several infrastructure projects in the province to help boost the local economy. Among these are the construction of the Talavera National High School Amphitheater; the rehabilitation of roads in Cabiao, General Tinio, Pantabangan, Zaragoza and Cabanatuan City; the construction of flood mitigation structures in General Tinio, Quezon, San Antonio and Zaragoza; the construction of multipurpose buildings in Gabaldon, Sta. Rosa and Cabanatuan City; the completion of the Dr. PJGMRMC in Cabanatuan City; the reconstruction of the Llanera public market; the rehabilitation of the Baloc public market; and the installation of streetlights in Zaragoza. The post Bong Go extends assistance to indigents in Lupao, Nueva Ecija appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sara Duterte’s P2.7B confidential expenses as Davao mayor should be probed—Castro
Davao City’s confidential expenses that ballooned to P2.697 billion during Vice President Sara Duterte’s stint as mayor should be probed by the Commission on Audit, a lawmaker said Monday. The call for investigation was prompted by the 2022 report of the CoA, which found that Davao City spent P2.697 billion on confidential expenses between 2016 to 2022, or an average of PP385.3 million per year over the preceding six years. Duterte served as the Davao City mayor from 2016 to 2022 before she assumed the VP post in July of last year. Based on CoA findings, Davao City incurred P144 million of confidential expenses in 2016, which was more than doubled to P293 million in 2017 and further climbed to P420 million in 2018. The city’s confidential fund expenses further grew to P460 million in 2019 and were maintained consistently for the subsequent years of 2020, 2021, and 2022. In an interview on Monday, ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro, who sought the CoA probe, stressed that the P2.697 billion totality of confidential expenses of Davao City in the previous six years “could have been utilized more effectively to benefit the education sector, specifically by providing much-needed support to teachers.” “We were shocked also [by] the report of the CoA. With this controversy of confidential funds, we are thinking of asking the CoA to investigate,” she said. “The CoA should file an audit observation memo and then ask them to explain maybe the misuse of funds and then file necessary legal action.” She added, “Imagine more than a million a day spent for the confidential funds in a city. I just wonder how it was spent and where it was spent. So, we want the CoA to review if the city government of Davao City led by Vice President Sara Duterte by then really followed the guidelines or the joint circular 2015-01.” The said joint circular outlined by CoA with the Departments of Budget and Management, National Defense, and of the Interior and Local Government, and Governance Commission for GOCCs, contains guidelines on the entitlement, release, use, reporting, and audit of confidential and intelligence funds that are in the General Appropriations Act. Daily Tribune has been asking for Duterte’s comment, but she remained mum on the issue. While Castro admitted that the local government units are entitled to confidential funds for peace and order maintenance, it was “ironic” that Duterte sought allocation of such funds given that she claimed Davao City was “very peaceful, disciplined, and well” during her tenure. "So why is it necessary to have an increasingly confidential fund?" the lawmaker stressed, noting such a fund should be used for other fruitful endeavors. "I remember the time the teachers of Davao City were asking for city allowance, but she did not grant it. Instead, she refused and even got mad with ACT (Alliance of Concerned Teachers) during that time," Castro pointed out. While none in the law limits the amount of confidential funds, the militant lawmaker pointed out that it should be rationalized. A proposed law aimed at imposing a cap and limit on confidential funds, streamlining the allocation of such that would promote transparency and accountability, is currently being crafted, according to Castro. It will be filed in Congress when the session resumes in November. The post Sara Duterte’s P2.7B confidential expenses as Davao mayor should be probed—Castro appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go pushes for increased Cancer Assistance Fund
Senator Christopher "Bong Go" emphasized the importance of allocating sufficient funds for specific healthcare programs, such as those addressing cancer, tuberculosis, and mental health disorders, during the Committee on Finance hearing for the Department of Health's (DOH) budget on Thursday, 28 September. "We must also give enough focus and ensure funding for our programs to address other diseases such as cancer, tuberculosis, and mental health disorders," Go said. He pointed out that the Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF) for this year was set at P500 million through the collective efforts of lawmakers last year. Go proposed for this to be doubled to P1 billion for the next year. However, he expressed concern over the current reported underutilization of the fund. "Pakisilip po ninyo ito. Sa dami ng cancer patients na nangangailangan ng tulong, sigurado naman pong mauubos yan at hindi katanggap-tanggap na hindi ninyo magastos ang pondo sa pagtulong sa kanila," he added. Drawing from his previous advocacy, Go has been a consistent voice for increased funding for the CAF. "Dapat patuloy na pataasin ang budget para sa cancer assistance fund," he said in an earlier interview. He also stressed the financial burden that cancer places on families, stating, "Talagang pipilayan ang pamilya tuwing nagkakanser ka, pilay na po ang inyong pamilya, halos hindi na po nakakatrabaho 'yan, nakafocus na po sa pagpapagamot." The senator's call for increased funding aligns with the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA), under Republic Act No. 11215, signed by former president Rodrigo Duterte in 2019. Within NICCA, CAF plays a pivotal role in offering financial support to cancer patients across the nation. "The more na dapat po ay dagdagan natin ang pondo para sa cancer assistance fund, the more we should invest sa ating healthcare system," Go urged. He also emphasized the need to bridge the gap between the high cost of cancer treatment and the financial means of those who need it most. "It is for this reason that he continues to advocate for a larger allocation for the CAF and recognizes that every peso invested in cancer assistance is an investment in the health and well-being of countless individuals and their families," he said. Furthermore, Go expressed his support for a proposed cancer fund intended to aid Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), a project championed by the late Secretary Susan "Toots" Ople of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). "This initiative highlights the urgent requirement to offer aid and compassion to the modern-day heroes who are confronting cancer while working far away from their homes," he concluded. The post Bong Go pushes for increased Cancer Assistance Fund appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go bats for health budget increase
In a Committee on Finance hearing on Thursday, 28 September, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go called for an increase in the proposed 2024 budget for the Department of Health in order to ensure proper implementation of the recently enacted Regional Specialty Centers Act, as well as the establishment of more Super Health Centers, and continuing operations of Malasakit Centers nationwide — all aimed at bringing medical services closer to Filipinos in need. Go highlighted the importance of Republic Act No. 11959, known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act. He principally sponsored and is one of the authors of the measure, which was signed into law by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on 24 August. "Masaya po ako na priority din ito ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos," he said, noting that the act garnered a unanimous 24-0 vote in the Senate. "Lahat ay sumuporta dito dahil na-explain natin ng mabuti na makakatulong talaga ito sa mga kababayan nating mahihirap," he elaborated. This legislation aims to decentralize specialized medical services, making them accessible across all regions. "Nabanggit ko parati na tulad yung mga taga-Zamboanga ay pwede na po sila… may paglalagyan na doon ng Heart Center," he said, emphasizing the hardship people from remote areas face when seeking specialized healthcare in Manila. "Alam naman natin napakahirap pong pumunta dito sa Maynila. Wala silang pamasahe — ‘yung mga pasyente," he continued. On the budgetary front, Go stressed the need for adequate funding to establish the specialty centers under the law. He pointed out that while a more substantial fund is expected for 2025, thanks to other sources such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) support, the budget for next year must be made sufficient to ensure proper initial implementation of the law. On the other hand, Go continues to advocate for more Super Health Centers which are designed to focus on primary care, consultation, and early detection, further strengthening the healthcare sector in the country, especially in grassroots communities. Free consultations would be handled by municipal health offices, local government units, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) through its Konsulta program. ”Ito pong Super Health Centers makaka-complement po ito sa programa ng PhilHealth, sa Konsulta package ninyo," he said. Services offered in Super Health Centers include database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray and ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation centers, and telemedicine. The senator also addressed the need for a comprehensive assessment to ensure there are no personnel shortages and that the Super Health Centers operate effectively. "Tama yung sinabi ni Senator Loren (Legarda) kanina, importante po ay ma-assess nang mabuti para masiguro na hindi magiging... magkakaroon ng kakulangan sa personnel, baka hindi po kayanin ng LGUs," he cautioned. Finally, Go also emphasized the vital role of Malasakit Centers in providing medical financial aid to indigent patients all over the country. "Marami sa mga mahihirap nating kababayan ang umaasa po sa tulong ng gobyerno kapag sila ay na-oospital," he said, urging for the centers' continued efficient operation to benefit the nation's impoverished citizens. Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, DOH, PhilHealth, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. These one-stop shops aim to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount. Go is the principal author and sponsor of RA 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. As of now, 159 Malasakit Centers are operational across the country, poised to assist with patients' medical expenses. The most recent center was inaugurated at Bislig District Hospital in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, an event Go attended on 15 September. The DOH reported that the Malasakit Center program has already provided assistance to more than seven million Filipinos so far. The post Bong Go bats for health budget increase appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Not a fan of Donald
With a parting shot at his former boss Donald Trump, General Mark Milley resigned as the top US military official on Friday. He said that no soldier had ever taken an oath to serve a “wannabe dictator.” On his final day as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Milley delivered a shocking reprimand that perfectly exemplified how the US military has been drawn into the increasingly combustible political landscape since the Trump administration. Milley did not specifically mention Trump during a lavish military ceremony for his leaving, but it was clear who he was criticizing. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and President Joe Biden were both present. Milley remarked of American soldiers “We don’t take an oath to a king, or queen, or a tyrant, or a dictator.” And we don’t swear an oath to a would-be autocrat. Air Force General Charles “CQ” Brown, the second African American to hold the position of chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will take Milley’s place. Milley, a barrel-chested army veteran with four decades of service, has held numerous high-level leadership positions and numerous foreign deployments. But he had his most difficult task when Trump gave him the career apex position of senior military advisor to the president in 2019. Milley oversaw the daunting withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, special operations in Syria, and a sizable program to support Ukraine in its valiant struggle against Russian invasion during a four-year term that will continue under Biden starting in 2021. Crisis after crisis Milley told AFP last month that during his tenure as chairman, “it was one crisis after another.” However, under Milley’s tenure at the head, the military became embroiled in an unusually high number of politicized incidents. Senior Republicans have regularly attacked what they allege are “woke” leftist practices inside the ranks, even as the Biden administration has pushed for measures such as renaming bases named after Confederate generals in the Civil War. And even that was not as dangerous as the delicate predicament Milley was in before and after the 2020 presidential election, when Trump, in a first-ever political nightmare for the United States, refused to concede loss. According to the book “Peril” by Bob Woodward, at the height of the crisis following the invasion of the US Capitol by Trump supporters on 6 January 2021, Milley discreetly called his Chinese counterpart to reassure Beijing that the US was “stable” and had no intention of attacking China. With AFP The post Not a fan of Donald appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Increased subsidy sought for jeepney drivers affected by PUV modernization
Senator Win Gatchalian urged the government to increase the subsidy provided under the modernization program for public utility vehicles. During the recent Senate deliberation on the 2024 proposed budget of the Department of Transportation, Gatchalian said the program is pushing jeepney drivers to save a portion of income to pay for the modern vehicle. The senator also lamented program was introduced at a time when fuel costs ranged from $20 to $30 per barrel. Fuel prices have since increased to a range of $80 to $90 per barrel due to the Russian-Ukraine conflict, he stressed. Meanwhile, Gatchalian said the DoTR should make sure all jeepney engines are at least Euro-4 and Philippine National Standards-compliant under the PUV modernization program. "From the briefers that I read, the compliance rate right now is only at 60 percent and the allocation for the modernization for 2024 is zero. In other words, we compel them to modernize but we don't have any support to give them in the next few years," he said. Gatchalian said increasing the subsidy should form part of the DOTr's strategy to achieve at least 100 percent modernization of the country's PUVs. The DoTr earlier said one unit of modernized PUV costs P2.4 million to 2.8 million. At the hearing, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista told the committee panel that the DoTr will continue giving equity subsidies to all PUV drivers and operators to help them replace the old units that they currently operate. Bautista said they have already requested at least P1.6 billion fund for the program for next year. Gatchalian cited the deadline for the modernization program was earlier suspended to allow individual jeepney operators to consolidate themselves into a cooperative. The deadline for consolidation has been set for December 31 this year. "It's a step towards the right direction that we are modernizing through the cooperatives," Gatchalian said. DoTr earlier said that certain private sector groups are interested in venturing into manufacturing modernized PUVs “which could keep the cost in the lower end of the range.” The post Increased subsidy sought for jeepney drivers affected by PUV modernization appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Go reiterates call for increased health fund
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, emphasized in an interview on Tuesday, 26 September, the urgent need to bolster the Department of Health’s budget as the country movestowards pandemic recovery even amid several existing and emerging public health concerns. He recalled the budget deliberations in December 2019 when there were attempts to cut the budget of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine for year 2020. “In the 2019 budget deliberations, I defended the RITM budget which was on the brink of being slashed. We even added more funds,” he narrated. This decision turned out to be crucial then, as RITM later played a vital role in Covid-19 testing when the pandemic started in 2020. Go noted that the restoration of RITM’s budget underscored the importance of adequately funding healthcare institutions, especially in unpredictable times. Go’s recollection came at a critical time when DoH is facing a P10-billion budget cut for 2024. The proposed budget cut would bring DoH’s overall budget down to P199.45 billion from P209.62 billion under the General Appropriations Act of 2023. With this, Go argued that the healthcare system needs more, not less, financial support. He then underscored the urgency for increased investment in the public healthcare system. Meanwhile, Go continued to push for the Department of Disaster Resilience and Mandatory Evacuation Center bills. Go’s office, in coordination with Mayor Clark Ngaya, distributed grocery packs to 500 typhoon “Egay” victims at the municipal hall in Barlig, Mountain Province last Monday, 25 September. The post Go reiterates call for increased health fund appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go renews call for increased health budget
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, emphasized in an interview on Tuesday, 26 September, the urgent need to bolster the Department of Health's budget as the country navigates toward pandemic recovery even amid several existing and emerging public health concerns. "Gaya ng sinabi ko noon, full support ako sa DOH kung ano ang makakatulong sa ating healthcare system," said Go. He recalled the budget deliberations in December 2019 when there were attempts to cut the budget of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) for the year 2020. "Nag-budget hearing noong December 2019, tinapyasan ang proposed budget sa RITM at DOH, di po ako pumayag noon. Dinagdagan pa natin at ibinalik natin ang pondo," he narrated. This decision turned out to be crucial then, as RITM later played a vital role in COVID-19 testing when the pandemic started in 2020. Go noted that the restoration of RITM's budget underscored the importance of adequately funding healthcare institutions, especially in unpredictable times. Go's recollection came at a critical time when the DOH was facing a P10-billion budget cut for 2024. The proposed budget cut would bring DOH's overall budget down to P199.45 billion from P209.62 billion under the General Appropriations Act of 2023. With this, Go argued that the healthcare system needs more, not less, financial support. He then underscored the urgency for increased investment in the public healthcare system. "The more we should invest sa ating healthcare system, dagdagan ang pondo," Go reiterated. "Para sa akin po, dapat suportahan natin na dagdagan ang pondo ng DOH. 'Wag pong bawasan, dagdagan pa po," he stated further. He emphasized that the funds should be used wisely to benefit patients particularly the less fortunate. "Makinabang dapat ang mga pasyente, makinabang po ang mahihirap nating kababayan na walang ibang matakbuhan kundi tayo pong nasa gobyerno," he said. Go said that those who are wealthy have the option to seek medical care in private hospitals, while the less fortunate are left with no other choice but to rely on public healthcare facilities that rely on government funding. "Ito pong mga helpless, mga hopeless nating kababayan, sila ang unahin natin. 'Yung mayayaman naman po, di pupunta sa public hospitals 'yan," he said. During the Commission on Appointments hearing on the ad interim appointment of Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa which Go presided on early that day, the senator also appealed to DOH to ensure that poor and indigent patients are given utmost attention in public hospitals. Go cited a recent department memorandum signed by Herbosa instructing medical center chiefs to ensure that all patients must be accorded with the available services in Malasakit Centers. The Malasakit Center serves as a one-stop shop aimed at helping particularly poor and indigent patients minimize their medical expenses to the lowest amount possible by collaborating with various agencies offering medical assistance programs. This initiative was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, a law principally authored and sponsored by Go in the Senate. Presently, there are 159 Malasakit Centers spread across the country, and they have collectively provided support to more than seven million Filipinos, as reported by DOH. Moreover, echoing President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.’s priority of bringing specialized medical services closer to other parts of the country, Go highlighted that he has principally sponsored and is one of the authors of the Regional Specialty Centers Act which was recently enacted into law. The law mandates the establishment of regional specialty centers within existing DOH regional hospitals. Given this, Go reminded the DOH that sufficient funding must be allocated in the coming years for the proper implementation of the law. Moreover, Go also emphasized the need to continue bringing basic health services closer to the grassroots through the establishment of more Super Health Centers nationwide which he had advocated for since the time of former president Rodrigo Duterte. “Ipagpatuloy natin na ilapit ang serbisyong medikal mula gobyerno sa ating mga kababayang mahihirap na walang ibang matakbuhan. The more we should support their health needs, the more na mag-invest po tayo sa ating healthcare system,” Go said. “Huwag po natin silang pahirapan. Marami po sa mga kababayan natin sa iba’t ibang sulok ng Pilipinas na wala silang sariling health facility. Kaya importante na mailapit natin ang serbisyong medikal mula gobyerno sa mga taong nangangailangan nito,” he stressed. The post Bong Go renews call for increased health budget appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»