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COMELEC reports second shooting incident of BSKE candidate
Commission on Elections chairman George Erwin Garcia announced on Friday that a candidate has been shot in Quezon Province. Garcia said they have monitored an ambush in General Luna, Quezon. “We have monitored an ambush in Quezon recently, the barangay chairman was taken in the hospital,” Garcia said. According to the report of the Quezon Police Provincial Office, the identified victim was Ruben Ilagan Pasia, 63, a resident of Barangay Malaya, General Luna, Quezon, and a running candidate for barangay chairman. This is the second BSKE candidate who has been shot in October. The first victim was running for barangay councilor in Bucay, Abra. “It’s sad because the election is almost two days away. Therefore, the increasing number of violence may not be election-related, other criminals are actually on it. We could not distinguish if it was election-related. What is important is for the police to be alert,” Garcia said. As of 26 October, the COMELEC Anti-Epal Task Force issued 272 show cause orders for illegal campaigning and filed petitions for disqualification against 10 candidates in violation of premature campaigning and three candidates against illegal campaigning. The post COMELEC reports second shooting incident of BSKE candidate appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Barangay chairman hopeful killed in Lanao Sur ambush
Gunmen killed in an ambush a candidate for chairman of an interior barangay in Kapatagan, Lanao del Sur on Wednesday morning, an attack that left his spouse and their son badly wounded......»»
Bucay town poll violence spills in metro
BAGUIO CITY — Hours before the shooting of a barangay kagawad candidate took place in Bucay town, Abra province, the wife of a candidate for village chief in the same town was confirmed abducted by unknown suspects in Parañaque City. Reports from the Parañaque City Police Station disclosed that the victim — identified as Bliss Progreso Loy, a teacher of Col. E de Leon Elementary School in Barangay Moonwalk, Parañaque City — was abducted in the morning of 18 October 2023. Initial investigations revealed that the teacher, together with her siblings, were on board a motorcycle at Matthew Street, Barangay Moonwalk, Parañaque City when two male persons on board a motorcycle blocked their way. The suspects grabbed the teacher and forced her inside a black van with plate number ABR-5730. The alleged kidnap victim is the wife of Benjamin Loy, a candidate for captain of Barangay Abang in Bucay town, Abra. Days before the alleged abduction, their house in the said barangay was ransacked by unknown assailants. The police are reviewing the CCTV footages to identify the suspects and the direction where the black van headed. At past 7 a.m. on 18 October, a candidate for barangay kagawad was shot two times by unidentified gunmen at Sitio Nagpasinan, Barangay Bangbangcag, Bucay, Abra. The victim was identified as Catalino Turalba Sr., a resident of Barangay Bangbangcag. Police reported that Turalba was on board his motorcycle with his son and was said to be heading to Barangay Palaquio of the same town. On their way, a riding on tandem followed him and one of the suspects shot him two times with a pistol of unidentified caliber. The victim was rushed to the St. Therese Hospital in Talogtog, Dolores, Abra by personnel of the 1504th Regional Mobile Force Battalion. He was later transferred to the Abra Provincial Hospital in Bangued where he expired. On 9 October 2023, an encounter ensued between the Bucay police and armed men where one of the suspects died. Series of events which led to the latest incident involving Turalba have brought “fear” among the people in the province and a sense of “helplessness” as reports of armed men continue to roam around. Abra officials appealed for the deployment of more government troops in the province especially in Bucay because of the election-related violence happening in the area. While the sight of uniformed personnel helps, a number of Abrenios clamor for further intervention of various groups and stakeholders to call out presence of violence in the province. The post Bucay town poll violence spills in metro appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
5 vote buying DQ cases filed by Comelec, warns LGU of prohibitions
The Commission on Elections has begun filing petitions against the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections candidates allegedly involved in vote buying on 6 October. Out of the 40 complaints being investigated, the Comelec poll board submitted five disqualification petitions, according to Comelec Deputy Executive for Operations Rafael Olano. He added that the Committee on Vote Buying has received complaints from the public on various platforms, including Facebook and messages which contained screenshots or images. "All of these complaints came from voters. We verified and evaluated them for possible filing of disqualification cases “he said. Olano confirmed that one of the five candidates under investigation for disqualification is involved in a BSK bet showing up at a local government unit aid distribution, which he claimed to be qualified as vote buying. “There were local government officials, mayors distributing relief but the BSKE candidate was present and was allowed to speak," he said. After the official filing of candidacy, it was claimed that another BSK candidate distributed financial aid out of his pocket. Prior to the election, the poll body warned candidates of its strict measures which prohibit the distribution of ballers, t-shirts, caps, and anything else of worth under the suspicion of vote buying and selling. Comelec Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda Jr. reminded LGU officials to be aware of such prohibitions during a separate briefing. "If they conduct assistance programs, they should not let BSKE candidates join them, lest they be disqualified,” he said. Maceda added that the Comelec would consider potential reinforcing techniques if similar incidents persist as the campaign period drew closer. “We will study how to reprimand them or take appropriate actions,” he said. In the end, Maceda stressed that the poll body is “dead serious” about its exclusion warning in order to assure not just the validity and honesty of the BSK polls but also to raise the bar for campaigning standards across the nation and the importance of each BSK candidate’s character. As of Friday, the Task Force Anti-Epal had filed an additional 10 disqualification petitions against candidates who were allegedly involved in premature campaigning while the Committee on Kontra Bigay had filed five disqualification cases for vote buying. Overall, there are 82 petitions for premature campaigning, 5,169 show cause orders, and 1,132 responses from the BSK bets. The post 5 vote buying DQ cases filed by Comelec, warns LGU of prohibitions appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Maguindanao Norte ambush kills soldier
General Santos City — A manhunt operation has been launched following the death of a soldier who was ambushed by still unidentified suspects at Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao del Norte recently. The victim, identified as Staff Sergeant Darwin Alaba, was declared dead on arrival in a hospital while his companion identified as Private First Class Edwin Villa is still in critical condition. Initial reports disclosed that the two were gunned down upon reaching Sitio Sandakan, Barangay Dalumangcob, Sultan Kudarat last Saturday afternoon. It also revealed that the two victims just came from the 1st Brigade Combat Team Headquarters on board a motorcycle when the unidentified suspects ambushed them. The post Maguindanao Norte ambush kills soldier appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
U.S. must step up too
American analysts have been exploring the possible ways the West Philippine Sea conflict will play out primarily with the so-called “gray zone” maneuvers by China in the disputed waters in which non-military activities are employed for coercion. The United States Institute of Peace, or USIP, a federal body tasked with promoting conflict resolution and prevention worldwide, is reviewing ways that Washington can play a role in de-escalating the tension in the region. The review was sparked by an act of aggression last week when a Chinese Coast Guard vessel deployed a water cannon to redirect an unarmed Philippine Navy supply boat. China blamed the incident on the Philippine government’s continued defiance of an earlier understanding to ban the delivery of construction materials to the beached BRP Sierra Madre navy vessel at Ayungin Shoal. Tensions have been on the rise since last year on China’s perception that Manila was moving closer to Washington, prompting a more aggressive assertion of its claim over most of the West Philippine Sea. “Given that Washington and Manila have a mutual defense treaty, there is credible concern that an incident like this could trigger a wider US-China conflict,” according to the USIP. Under a new Philippine administration, the formerly conciliatory approach the country had taken in its dispute with China has shifted. Instead, Brian Harding, USIP senior expert for Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands, said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has highlighted China’s efforts to swarm and intimidate fishing and coast guard vessels to take the bold move of deepening defense ties with the United States, bringing China-Philippines ties to a new low. Ayungin Shoal, the USIP expert said, has long been a likely candidate for the first showdown between the Philippines and China since Beijing took control of Scarborough Shoal in 2012. Former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio also identified the shoal, in a speech the other day, as one of five possible flashpoints that may lead to a deeper maritime conflict. In 1999, the Philippines intentionally beached a World War II naval vessel on a submerged reef, located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, and has since maintained a small contingent of Marines on board in extremely austere conditions. As a practical matter, in recent years China has turned a blind eye to the Philippines replenishing supplies for the Marines but has blocked the delivery of materials that could be used to repair the ship. USIP’s Andrew Scobell, a China expert, said the recent aggressive actions of a large China Coast Guard vessel on a tiny Filipino Navy supply boat was merely the latest episode in a decades-long campaign of intimidation and coercion by Beijing. Based on its insisted-on nine-dash line boundaries, Beijing claims the right to restrict access to ships from other countries to the South China Sea. “Many of (China’s) white-hulled ships are far larger, much better equipped, and more intimidating than the gray hull naval vessels possessed by most Southeast Asian states,” USIP said. China has persisted in its well-orchestrated campaign of low-intensity conflict, what is widely called “gray zone” actions, to forcefully advance its claims and aggressively push back against rivals. Carla Freeman, a senior USIP expert on China, said that beyond the effort to persuade and deter China, the US should engage in diplomacy to encourage allies and partners in the region to make clear to Beijing their own concerns about the risks to peace posed by confrontation. Regional allies have already issued statements criticizing China’s behavior, with Tokyo using unusually strong language to condemn China’s conduct, the USIP said. Like the Philippines’ position, the USIP said that Washington’s efforts in support of a binding code of conduct, or CoC, would be key to preventing conflict. The USIP, nonetheless, sees as a major obstacle toward progress in the United States itself since it is limited in its diplomatic capabilities after it failed to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Taking the high road in the simmering conflict, thus, would need both the US and China to review their positions of leadership to keep the stability in the region. The post U.S. must step up too appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Amnesty for rebels
The grant of amnesty is a core component of any peace process. Rebels silenced their guns in the hope of attaining the political values they laid their lives on the line for. In exchange, the government offers a package of enticement, including forgiving their misadventure in pursuit of their political aspirations through a mechanism called amnesty. We see this scenario played out when the government negotiated peace with rebel groups. Presidential proclamations were issued defining the protocol to be followed and the parameters of the grant. This was, of course, with the imprimatur of Congress as required by the Constitution. Subsequently, a National Amnesty Commission was created for processing applications for the grant. Several years have passed since a peace pact was signed between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the government, still, the former’s rebel fighters have not been granted amnesty that will restore their political rights and reintegrate them into society. This is now being brought to the fore because the deadline set by the proclamation for submission of applications has expired and the processing is, according to applicants, snail-paced. The processing of applications for amnesty rests on the shoulders of the local Amnesty Board where it is first filed and decided by the National Amnesty Commission. The commission as it is constituted is composed of members who are ex-officio representing various government departments and presidential appointees. The latter are all lawyers who are familiar with the secessionist movements in the South. This column knows them to be lawyers of note and equipped with the dedication and integrity required of their office. They are cognizant of the crucial role that their work plays in putting out the fire of rebellion, especially its amiable but principled chairperson, Ms. Leah Tanodra Armamento, who has had a brilliant storied career in government. They will be confronted with several issues which they will be hard put to resolve given the social and political milieu, not to mention the pressures that will come their way. They will have to face the issue of rebel applicants who have been found guilty by final judgment of crimes that they will claim were political and in pursuit of their revolutionary campaign. Yes, the law is clear about the specific crimes that are covered by the amnesty proclamation but there is more to it than meets the eye. There is a fine line that separates which crimes are private or personal and which are political. The nuance is hazy. A smart defense litigator can always claim that a crime like arson, for instance, was committed for a political purpose. It will be hard put balancing the interest of the rebel returnees and the families of their victims. These and many other similar challenges will face them. There are rebel leaders also who have been found guilty by the courts of crimes and who would want to run for office in the coming elections. The MILF has registered its political party, Bangsamoro Justice Party, with the Commission on Elections to shift its political struggle from the jungle to the electoral environ. They will slug it out with the politicians in the polls. The law, however, disqualifies them from running for office. The Omnibus Election Code says: “Those sentenced by final judgment of subversion, insurrection, rebellion or any offense for which he has been sentenced to a penalty of more than 18 months imprisonment” is disqualified to be a candidate for public office. The phrase “or any offense” is fertile ground for legal hermeneutics. The Local Government Code has a similar provision. The rationale for this prohibition is simple: Why allow those fighting against the government to run for public office to serve the same government they wanted to topple? These are just tidbits of worries that will confront the Commission. There will be other meaty issues they will have to address, not the least, is the pressure that will be exerted on its decision-making process. Meantime, the Commission should motu proprio take immediate steps to extend the period for the filing of amnesty applications. *** amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com The post Amnesty for rebels 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......»»
BSP keeps rates unchanged
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas decided to keep interest rates unchanged at 6.25 percent for the second time this year, as it waits for the effects of its previous rate hikes to take hold and slow down inflation. The BSP's Monetary Board made the decision on Thursday, saying that it wanted to see how the recent rate hikes would impact the economy before making any further changes. Most economists polled by Daily Tribune had expected the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to leave its benchmark overnight borrowing rate unchanged at Thursday's meeting as inflation had slowed for a fourth successive month in May. To recall, the BSP has raised interest rates six times since last September in an effort to cool inflation, which has been running above target for most of the year. In a press briefing, Governor Felipe Medalla highlighted the positive trends in inflation and domestic growth, while acknowledging the lingering risks and the need for continued vigilance. "The BSP’s latest baseline projections continue to suggest a gradual return of inflation to the target band of 2-4 percent over the policy horizon,” Medalla said. "Both headline and core inflation decelerated further in May due mainly to slower increases in the prices of food and energy-related items, affirming expectations of a return to the target range by year’s end,” he added. While the positive trends in inflation are promising, Medalla emphasized the potential risks to the outlook. These risks include the potential impact of additional transport fare increases and minimum wage adjustments, persistent supply constraints of key food items, El Niño weather conditions and possible knock-on effects of higher toll rates on agricultural prices. Medalla also highlighted the downside risk of a weaker-than-expected global economic recovery. “Given these considerations, the Monetary Board deems it appropriate to maintain current monetary policy settings to allow the BSP to further assess how inflation and domestic demand have responded to tighter monetary conditions,” he said. ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Antionio Mapa expects some flexibility on the BSP’s part. “Despite the pause, BSP will likely remain open to hiking if data developments warrant a response,” he said in a Viber message. The pause is the BSP’s “best option” right now as “hiking in the dark” at this stage, without much data, could lead to costly outcomes, he added “Data-dependent central banks will always choose to see data before making adjustments to policy,” The latest BSP decision to keep interest rates unchanged could be the last policy move for Medalla, whose term ends on 3 July. President Ferdinand Marcos has yet to reveal whether he will reappoint Medalla or choose another candidate. Economists said the decision of who will be the next BSP governor will likely affect the central bank's policy stance. “Marcos’ choice for governor will likely inform our outlook for BSP’s policy stance, but should Medalla be reappointed, we expect BSP to be on hold for at least two more policy meetings before possibly cutting rates once inflation settles back within target,” Mapa said in a separate interview. The post BSP keeps rates unchanged appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BoI-approved investments total over P.5T as of May
Approved investments of the Board of Investments as of May 2023 are now more than half a trillion pesos, proving that the investment promotion agency is upbeat in bringing in investors to tame economic headwinds being faced by the country. Based on BoI records, the total value for 106 approved investments come to P532.268 billion as of 23 May 2023. The figure is more than 100 percent higher compared to the P205.734 billion BoI posted during the same period in 2022. Broken down, the BoI said P403.86 billion of the total approved investments are from foreign investors, while P128.41 billion are local investments. Mostly in renewable energy BoI said the approved investments are mostly in renewable energy; total approved investments are expected to provide more than 18,000 jobs for the Filipino workforce. “It (total investments approved) was driven by investments in renewable energy because of the shift in policy. You can see that, and it’s very clear when the President instructed and then the (Department of Energy) removed the ceiling for foreign equity participation in renewable energy,” BoI managing head, Assistant Secretary Ceferino Rodolfo said in an ambush interview. Pursuit of RE transition Earlier, Trade Secretary Fred Pascual maintained that the Philippine government is already in pursuit of the renewable energy transition. “The Philippines stands at the threshold of a significant transformation. Our geographical position puts us in an enviable position to harness the power of renewable energy. Renewable energy isn’t merely an option for us but a necessity. Thus, our government is ardently promoting using and developing renewable energy sources,” Pascual said during the Offshore Wind Conference on Thursday in Taguig City. The conference was organized by the China Energy Engineering Group Guangdong Electric Power Design Institute Co., Ltd., which gathered various government agencies and Philippine and Chinese companies to discuss the country’s plan and policies for developing renewable energy. The DTI Secretary emphasized that the Philippines’ abundant natural resources together with its long coastline and excellent wind resources are significant in the country’s pursuit of sustainable power generation. Priority As the energy demand in the country continues to rise, he said renewable energy remains one of the priority sectors of the Marcos Jr. administration. During President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent trip to Beijing, he encouraged Chinese and other foreign firms to invest in renewable energy projects in the Philippines. Last 21 May 2023, the President signed Executive Order 21, mandating the creation of a policy and administrative framework for the optimal development of offshore wind resources in the country. This includes the integration into the Energy Virtual One Stop Shop System of applicable permits required by relevant Permitting Agencies for offshore wind activities. The DoE also issued a circular allowing 100 percent foreign equity in renewable energy projects in the Philippines, which the trade chief considers a significant stride in the efforts to attract more investments in renewable energy. Chinese investors Pascual noted, “Chinese investors and businesses can rely on the country’s roadmap in offshore wind development. Launched in April 2022 and initiated by The World Bank Group in partnership with the DoE, the roadmap identified the country’s offshore wind potential, opportunities, and challenges, among others.” As of December 2022, the country has already awarded 190 onshore and offshore Wind Energy Service Contracts — with offshore contracts mainly in Luzon alongside Panay and Guimaras Strait. The post BoI-approved investments total over P.5T as of May appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bohol, primus inter pares among tourism gems
This country’s stunning natural wonders never fail to amaze with Bohol, at this juncture, getting the world to beam a spotlight on us after the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization designated the island province the Philippines’ first UNESCO Global Geopark. Created in 2015, the UNESCO Global Geopark label recognizes the geological heritage of international significance. Seventeen other new sites, other than Bohol, were likewise declared global geoparks by UNESCO during its 216th Executive Board Session in Paris, France on 24 May. These are Cacapava and Quarta Colonia in Brazil; Lavreotiki in Greece; Ijen, Maros Pangkep, Merangin Jambi, and Raja Ampat in Indonesia; Aras and Tabas in Iran; Hakusan Tedorigawa in Japan; Kinabalu in Malaysia; Waitaki Whitestone in New Zealand; Sunnhordland in Norway; Jeonbuk West Coast in South Korean; Cabo Ortegal in Spain; Khorat in Thailand; and Mourne Gullion Strangford in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Altogether, the 18 new sites bring the total number of UNESCO Global Geoparks to 195 in 48 countries. What qualifies an area to become a UNESCO Global Geopark? Basically, there must exist in the area discernibly significant geological heritage of international value, as determined by an independent evaluation team of scientific professionals. UNESCO took note of Bohol’s growing fame as a “prime eco-cultural destination with its pristine beaches, diving spots, magnificent geological formations, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage.” Bohol’s Global Geopark journey started in 2013 with the arrival of a research team from the UP — School of Urban and Regional Planning in the province. The researchers were going around the country looking for an area with a range of geological heritage significant enough to be submitted for UNESCO’s consideration as a Global Geopark candidate. Partnering with the Bohol provincial government and guided by the Philippine National Commission for UNESCO, the UP-SURP researchers conducted extensive studies and investigations, and, in 2015, the island was deemed possessed with the best possible qualifications as a global geopark, for UNESCO’s consideration. Eight years later, UNESCO included Bohol in its new list of sites labeled a Global Geopark. Predictably cited by UNESCO were Bohol’s Chocolate Hills, that is, conical karst hills made of grass-covered limestone formed ages ago by the uplift of coral deposits, and Danajon Bank or Double Barrier Reef. Consisting of three large sets of offshore coral reefs stretching across 130 kilometers, it is the only double barrier reef in the Philippines, one of only three such sites in the Indo-Pacific region, and one of only six documented barrier reefs on Earth. Also highlighted by UNESCO is the highest waterfall in Bohol, the stunning 60-meter three-tiered Can-umantad waterfalls, as well as the otherworldly phenomenal Loon Coastal Geomorphic Conservation Park. Covering 417 hectares, the area’s shoreline areas were raised during the catastrophic 7.2-magnitude earthquake that devastated Bohol in 2013. Locals now refer to it as Coral Gardens; when the 2013 quake struck, the former inter-tidal zone where the tide submerges or exposes the land was heaved up 1.5 meters, even as the shoreline shifted 50 meters towards the sea. Today, the entire area is an uplifted marine terrace completely on dry land, teeming with sea purslane, that is, creeping succulent seagrass whose color is red and orange on sunlit days, and changes to green when it rains. Other amazing natural features in Bohol are blue-water cave pools, including the Cabagnow cave pool in Anda which is the deepest — some 25 feet — among cave pools in the province and are similar to Central America’s cenotes, which are natural pits of sinkholes connected to the sea. Visitors to Bohol have invariably been bowled over by its pristine clear waters and its lush, breathtaking landscapes — a manifestation of its geologic history as evidenced by its varied, unique landforms and structural features. Divers worldwide know of Bohol’s famed dazzling dive spots such as the one off Pamilacan island, teeming with marine life, including dolphins and pilot whales, and the crystal clear waters off Balicasag, with its spectacular marine sanctuary brimming with diverse coral and pelagic species, its vertical coral walls plunging deep into the depths. The waters surrounding Panglao Island contain more marine biodiversity than Japan and the Mediterranean Sea combined. Bohol, replete as it is with marine and geologic gems, is a class apart from all other tourist draws this country has to offer; its natural wonders are more than enough to seal its reputation many times over as among the most stunning spots on this planet to travel to and see before one breaths his (or her) last. It is totally easy to see and understand how and why Bohol was recognized by UNESCO as a Global Geopark. The question is, what took the UN agency so long? The post Bohol, primus inter pares among tourism gems 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......»»
Florida extends, expands LGBTQ lessons ban
A controversial ban on lessons related to gender identity and sexual orientation to all Florida school grades has been extended and expanded. The US state’s Board of Education on Wednesday also approved an expansion of the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” policy to grades four through 12. It was initially limited to kindergarten through third grade. The Department of Education, which like the BoE is led by appointees of Republican governor and likely presidential candidate Ron DeSantis, had already approved the DSG policy’s expansion which does not need legislative approval to take effect. The new rule stipulates that teachers “shall not intentionally provide classroom instruction to students in grades 4 through 12 on sexual orientation or gender identity unless such instruction is... expressly required by state academic standards.” It also allows for an exemption if the lesson is “part of a reproductive health course or health lesson for which a student’s parent has the option to have his or her student not attend.” Teachers who violate the policy could have their licenses suspended or revoked, according to the text. Equality Florida, an LGBTQ rights group, expressed outrage at the move. “Shame on the DeSantis Administration for putting a target on the backs of LGBTQ Floridians,” the group said in a statement. The post Florida extends, expands LGBTQ lessons ban appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ex-Otso Diretso senatorial candidate Samira Gutoc joins Aksyon Demokratiko
Samira Gutoc, who mounted a failed senatorial bid under the opposition slate Otso Diretso in 2019, has joined the national executive board of Aksyon Demokratiko......»»
Espino ambush: Ex-Pangasinan board member tagged as brains
Former Pangasinan board member Raul Sison, who died of COVID-19 in March last year, is the mastermind in the ambush of former governor Amado Espino Jr. in 2019, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Debold Sinas said yesterday......»»
3 soldiers, motorcycle driver killed in ambush in Lanao del Norte
CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews / 15 January) — Three soldiers and a civilian on board a hired motorcycle were killed in an ambush by suspected Dawla Islamiyah fighters in Lanao del Norte on Thursday morning, police said. A family on board a Toytota Hilux pick-up was caught in the crossfire, one of them injured. Police […].....»»
Andrew Yang files paperwork to run for Mayor of New York City – NBC New York
Businessman and former presidential candidate Andrew Yang has filed paperwork to run for mayor of New York City, the city’s campaign finance board confirmed........»»
8 motorcycle riders killed in ambush in Kabacan
KABACAN, North Cotabato (MindaNews / 29 August) – Eight motorcycle riders were killed in an ambush by still unidentified suspects on board a white pickup truck in Barangay Aringay, Kabacan, at around 12:10 p.m., on Saturday, Major Peter Pinalgan, Kabacan police chief said. Pinalgan said the victims, who have yet to be identified, were on […].....»»
Hontiveros bats for unifying candidate
To repair further disharmony brought by a botched proposal to amend its constitution, the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) must work toward coming up with just one candidate for its next president in November and unify the factions in the board. That suggestion comes from incumbent POC chair Steve Hontiveros, who was one of those who […] The post Hontiveros bats for unifying candidate appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Teresa, Rizal mayor survives ambush; 2 others wounded
MAYOR Raul Palino of Teresa, Rizal survived an ambush by unidentified men on Monday afternoon, police said. Paulino’s driver, Joel Balajadia, 38; and another companion, Ruel Santos, 44, however, were wounded during the attack along E. Rodriguez Avenue in Barangay Poblacion at 5:05 p.m. The victims were on board a Toyota Hi-Ace. The wounded were […].....»»