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Man on a mission
He has been to hell and back since entering the country’s premier military school, the Philippine Military Academy, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1982, to seeing action as a police officer, and lately to waltzing into the ring of fire by entering politics. Much has been written about the exploits of former police general Benjamin “Benjie” Magalong, Baguio City Mayor, since 2019, with the positive usually outweighing the negative. Love him, hate him, but believe me, Magalong is no lone ranger. He can sustain the hard yards of fighting criminality and corruption that one wonders where he gets all the energy and focus in addressing the challenges that come his way. Last month, Magalong and a few local chief executives launched “Mayors for Good Governance,” a campaign for responsible leadership and anti-corruption in local governments. They signed A2, a manifesto committing local executives to transparency and the rule of law. The movement has already received support from more than 150 city and municipal mayors nationwide, a testament to how much rests on his stewardship. Corruption is like a “communicable” disease that can easily transmit the evils that go with it from the lowest strata to the highest echelon of society. It has many forms and strains — from petty graft to large-scale kickbacks — and affects people from all walks of life, generations, and races. People get used to it until it becomes a way of life, and in the process, they lose their independence of thought because their eyes are shut. Pope Francis described it best: “Some people behave in relation to corruption as they would with drugs. They think they can take it and leave it as they please. They start with something minor: a kickback here, a bribe there. And between this and that, they gradually lose their freedom.” Fighting corruption is like fighting drugs; it is never one-sided. There are hits and misses along the way. Anything is fair game when you put a face into a noble cause. I was a field operative of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency assigned in Region 8 when Magalong was director of PDEA’s Special Enforcement Service, which was responsible for dismantling numerous drug laboratories and causing the dismissal of several police scalawags. Magalong is one straight arrow. He never compromises his name when it comes to fighting drugs and crime. However, he is also a caring leader who always looks after his men like he would his children. He never tolerates shenanigans but lavishes praise and support for a well-done job. That’s why it did not come as a surprise when he was made chairman of the Mamasapano Board of Inquiry in 2015, which investigated the carnage of 44 Special Action Forces in Maguindanao. I have seen firsthand Magalong’s sincerity when it comes to public service. A public servant who goes beyond his comfort zone to give timely and proper assistance to the public, Magalong has the integrity and bravery to stand by his ideals to the detriment of his career because he wants the country to succeed. Like Magalong, I also had my share of fighting the tentacles of corruption in PDEA and later at the Bureau of Customs, once touted as the most corrupt government agency, during my seven-month stint as a commissioner despite the brickbats and the Sword of Damocles hanging above me. It was a lonely battle indeed, especially since I came to the bureau all alone. Tormentors coming from opposite directions were having a field day — from the not-so-harmless Marites (Mare, ano ang latest?) and Mariposa (Mare, post mo na) to greedy politicians and industry shenanigans. I have no moral qualms regarding Magalong’s mission — to take the arduous and lifelong task of making a difference in people’s lives, especially the poor, who are most hurt by corruption. Taking the high road is never easy, and I am sure that knowing Magalong, he could surmount all the hurdles, including the legal ones, that come in the end. The post Man on a mission appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
4 ranking PNP officials to face drug raps
Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. on Monday disclosed that four ranking police officials have been recommended to be removed from the Philippine National Police and will undergo pre-charge proceedings at the National Police Commission. Abalos also said that they would only make public the names of the police officials once charges are filed against them and if Malacañang communications will already be forwarded to his office or to the Napolcom that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved the four officials’ resignation. The four police officials — two generals and two police colonels — were all members of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group implicated in the 990 kilos of shabu haul in 2022, according to Napolcom vice chairman Atty. Alberto Bernardo. PNP chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr, on the other hand, said that the four police officials “are on administrative holdings” and are already not “holding any key position.” Abalos said after the five-member advisory panel headed by former PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. recommended the acceptance of the courtesy resignations of the third-level officials, including two one-star generals and two colonels, the panel endorsed the filing of administrative charges against the officials before the Napolcom for violation of the PNP’s rules and regulations against illegal drugs. The four were among the 953 third-level officers evaluated by the panel after they submitted their courtesy resignations. Of the total, the panel cleared 917 of them. Aside from Azurin, the other members of the panel are Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, ex-Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro, retired police general Isagani Nerez and former Court of Appeals associate justice Melchor Sadang. Meantime, the 32 officers who were recommended with “further investigation” will have to be reviewed by the Napolcom. Acorda assured the public that after these proceedings and all the gray areas on what really happened to the 990 kilos of shabu, the police force will be renewed. Meantime, Abalos revealed that it will conduct a yearly local anti-drug abuse council performance audit to ensure that they are aligned with the government’s policy against illegal drugs. “The war on drugs is everyone’s business. This is not only the fight of the DILG, PNP and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. This is all our fight that is why we have to ensure that the local government units are with us in this campaign,” said Abalos. He added that the DILG will oversee the performance audit to the 81 provincial ADACs, 146 city ADACs and 1,488 municipal ADACs in the whole country, stressing that the agency will check the LGUs’ adherence to the illegal drug campaign based the criteria of organized local ADAC; conduct of quarterly meetings; allocation of funds for the implementation of anti-drug activities indicated in the Peace and Order and Public Safety Plan; implementation of ADAC plans and programs; support for ADACs in component local government units and innovation. The DILG chief also emphasized the importance of ADAC’s role in the ‘whole-of-nation approach’ that the department enforces in its illegal drug campaign through the Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan program. The post 4 ranking PNP officials to face drug raps appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
D.C.Plinado Campaign pushed
DAVAO City Councilor Bai Hundra Cassandra Dominique N. Advincula urged Dabawenyos to continue embodying the "culture of discipline", as a legacy, and to be conscious of turning it into the key for the city's growth......»»
Pia binasag nga ba si Heart sa ‘worth ng kababaihan’ campaign?
MAY “silent war” nga ba sina 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach at Kapuso international fashion icon na si Heart Evangelista? Yan ang nakakaintrigang tanong ng mga netizens nang mapansin nilang tila sinagot ni Pia ang lumang Instagram post ni Heart noong January, 2024. Usap-usapan ngayon ng mga Marites ang matapang na statement ni Pia para.....»»
Bela pasok na rin sa ‘Pamilya Sagrado’, ka-loveteam din si Piolo?
KASAMA pala si Bela Padilla sa bagong seryeng “Pamilya Sagrado” mula sa Dreamscape Entertainment na nagsu-shoot ngayon sa Baguio City. Nag-post kasi ng video ang aktres sa kanyang Instagram na binubuhat siya ng lead star ng serye na si Piolo Pascual sa iba’t ibang anggulo na ikinatuwa naman ni Bela. Ang caption ng aktres sa.....»»
Gathering of champions
The stars descended on the Okada Grand Ballroom last Sunday as former world boxing champions gathered to celebrate the launch of the 1st Pacquiao-Elorde Awards Night with WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman as guest of honor and speaker......»»
Greenwich Inspires Filipinos to Create More Authentic Meaningful Connections, Launches ‘Sarap to Feel G’ Campaign
Greenwich, one of the country’s leading homegrown pizza and pasta makers, is embarking on a massive campaign this year to inspire millions of Filipinos to create more genuine, meaningful connections with each other. The campaign is anchored on having more experiences inspired by authenticity and real “feel-good” togetherness made possible by incredible, great-tasting food. This […].....»»
Drug killings 95 percent lower than in previous admin
The number of deaths recorded under the Marcos administration’s war on drugs has decreased by over 95 percent, in contrast to the bloody anti-drug campaign of his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte......»»
DOH orders 5 million measles vaccine doses
The Department of Health has procured five million doses of measles vaccine as part of its renewed and intensified campaign against increasing cases of measles in the country......»»
Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand's concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. "The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New Zealand and the United Ki.....»»
New Zealand accuses China of hacking parliament, condemns activity
The revelations that information was accessed through malicious cyber activity targeting New Zealand’s parliamentarian entities comes as Britain and the US accuse China of a wide-sweeping cyber espionage campaign.....»»
Second graft case filed vs Magalong
Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong is facing another graft case before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the allegedly anomalous improvement and rehabilitation of a P50-million multipurpose building in Barangay Irisan......»»
Stop motorcycle taxi expansion, Marcos urged
Various transport groups yesterday appealed to President Marcos to stop the expansion of motorcycle taxis in Metro Manila amid the impending decision of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board o authorize several companies as players in the pilot study......»»
Illegal road works?: Alarm raised over road development within watershed areas in Barangay Carmen
A DAVAO City Councilor has raised concerns regarding road construction within the watershed areas of Barangay Carmen, Baguio District......»»
Golden Haven launches international campaign for OFWs
Golden Haven, the country’s leading memorial park developer, has launched its GO! International campaign, a groundbreaking initiative that aims to help overseas Filipino workers secure their financial future......»»
Acciona advocates water conservation
Acciona, a global sustainable infrastructure company, recently launched its water conservation campaign to raise awareness among young children and empower them to become stewards of the vital resource......»»
Low subsidy forces LRTA to cut budget for train rehab
The Light Rail Transit Authority is cutting its budget for the restoration of trains to make the most of the lower subsidy given to the agency this year......»»
Think again before buying bunnies as Easter gifts
SAN DIEGO – With Easter just a week away, animal rescue groups in Southern California are urging people not to buy rabbits as holiday gifts for children. They said that what begins as a well-meaning gesture often leads to abandoned animals when the novelty wears off and families realize they’re not equipped to properly care.....»»
New Toyota Tamaraw to launch in Q4
The iconic Toyota Tamaraw is all set to make its return this year, with Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) planning to launch the next generation model in the fourth quarter......»»
Business groups laud passage of Salt Industry Development Act
Business groups Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) welcomed the approval of a law that aims to revive the salt industry which is seen to support economic growth and help create jobs......»»