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5-day forecast: Fair weather expected in Cebu
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The weather in Metro Cebu and the rest of the province is forecast to be generally fair and pleasant over the next five days, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said. The Pagasa Visayas Regional Services Division has forecast that the Visayas, including the whole of Cebu, will.....»»
LTO chief eyes deadline to speed up license plate distribution
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II aims to set a clear timeframe for dealers to hand over motor vehicle and motorcycle plates to owners after receiving them. He expressed this plan during a meeting with stakeholders in Cebu on March 6, where LTO-7 Director Glen.....»»
Suroy-Suroy Sugbo N. Escapade a success; Gwen to give P1M bonus to 15 LGUs
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Suroy-Suroy Sugbo Northern Escapade 2024, the biggest yet, organized by Cebu Provincial Tourism, has officially drawn to a close on January 25. The three-day guided tour, held from January 23 to 25, covered 15 local government units (LGUs), showcasing the breathtaking lush green landscapes and crystal-clear coastal towns of northern.....»»
IN PHOTOS: The beauty that is Bantayan Island
SANTA FE, CEBU, Philippines – Nestled like a hidden gem in the crystal clear waters of the Tañon Strait and the Visayan Sea, Bantayan Island stands as an enchanting reminder of the natural beauty of the Cebu Province. Renowned for its pristine white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant local culture, Bantayan Island is a.....»»
Mandaue City plans to remove fish pens and desilt wetland to prevent flooding
MANDAUE CITY, Philippines – Mandaue City will be distributing notices to vacate to the owners of the fish pens at the city’s wetland in barangays Banilad and Cabancalan to start desilting the wetland to prevent flooding. Lawyer John Eddu Ibañez, City Legal Officer and head of the city’s Task Force APAS (Atoang Problema, Atoang Sulbaron), said that they are currently in communication with the owners. READ: Mandaue launches Task Force APAS to help solve flooding concerns Ibañez said that Mayor Jonas Cortes also asked to prepare the financial assistance to be given to the affected families whose livelihood lies in selling aquarium fish and other kinds of fish, like tilapia. The City Legal Officer said that they are determining the number of beneficiaries. “Paghinabi ta sa fish pens owners atoa sad timbang-timbangon kay panginabuhian man sad nila pero welfare manggud sa kadaghanan atoa gitan-aw,” said Ibañez. The city wants to clear the fish pens to dredge the silted wetland in hopes of helping solve the city’s flooding problem. READ: Cortes, Rama sign pact for rehab of 2 rivers The wetland with an area of 146,270 square meters, functions as a catch basin, that holds rain and run-off water coming from Mandaue City’s neighbors such as Cebu City. But because it was already silted and with the presence of water lilies, the water tended to backflow to Sto. Niño Village which is located at the back of the wetland. The area is being monitored by the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office and Housing Urban and Development Office, he said. “Dili mataro’ng og limpyo ang wetland area tungod sa mga fish pens,” said Ibañez. It can be recalled that the village which serves as a boundary between Mandaue and Cebu City experienced massive flooding last September 13 after the retaining wall of the fish pond collapsed. Drainage Clean-Up Aside from clearing the fish pond, other initiatives were also undertaken to address the flooding problem. Currently, the Task Force APAS continues to conduct the desilting and declogging of drainages and manholes choked with garbage. When there is heavy rain, they immediately position submersible pumps, to help drain the flood. READ: Girl, playing in the rain, dies after she fell into a canal, got swept inside a culvert in Mandaue The task force is also monitoring other problem areas such as Lopez Jaena St., A.S Fortuna St., Rolling Hills, and A.C Cortes Avenue.....»»
Sky-high irony
Gokongwei-owned Cebu Pacific, a budget airline that always manages to raise eyebrows, has once again blessed us with a seat sale. Oh, how lucky can we be? The airline has hyped up anew its marketing mantra that “Every Juan flies,” only weeks after being forced during a congressional hearing to confront 3,000 complaints of irate customers over its endearing practice of overbooking flights and offloading passengers. To be obstinately hooked on the jingle of cash registers while ignoring the suffering of your paying customers takes a unique kind of expertise, of being able to remain deadpan and sleep at night through the turmoil of your aggravated passengers. For many of those who attended the hearings, Cebu Pacific only cares about the cold ca-ching of its cash registers. No doubt, the seat sale it resurrected last week would result in more passengers being kicked off flights. Overbooking and the accompanying forced passenger dumping, in Cebu Pacific’s vision of reality, well, there’s just a “slight chance” of that. That’s a joke, right? But no one’s laughing, as the joke is on us, the public. Let the sentence hang there for a while. “Slight chance,” they say in an entry on airlineratings.com, as though they’re talking about the prospect of seeing a rare unicorn galloping around the departure gate. But no, this is not about fantastical creatures; rather, it is about reservations piling up on a shaky table like a house of cards. It involves accepting the idea of reserved seating as merely a suggestion, a fun idea to play around with. That is if your idea of fun is being forced to reprise the role of Tom Hanks in the movie, The Terminal. Speaking of whimsical, have you ever heard of their brilliant response to situations in which appeals to “volunteers not to travel on their booked flights” fall on deaf ears? Cebu Pacific has your inconvenience covered, so do not be alarmed. They’ve cleverly reserved the power to refuse boarding to travelers “involuntarily,” or against their will, if involuntarily is not clear enough. This translates to passengers gnashing their teeth, pulling their hair, and tearing up their shirts all they want at CebuPac’s check-in counters, without any chance of boarding a flight for which they’d been sold “reserved” seats. However, let’s not limit our discussion to Cebu Pacific’s poetic handling of passenger interactions. Let’s explore the drama that occurred during the probe of the Senate Committee on Tourism. Senators turned their attention to the airline’s fervent devotion to overbooking as the cause of this comedy of errors, becoming unimpressed by the inventive justifications offered by the company for canceled flights and interminable delays. One senator related tales of suffering and annoyance from her own staff as well as from other passengers. Inevitably, as the hours passed, the hearing evolved into a “grief-sharing session.” People stepped up, spilling stories of delayed flights and canceled hopes. If you will, picture a traveler hoping to leave Tokyo but being compelled to crash on the chilly, hard floor of Narita International Airport. Her offense? Having faith in Cebu Pacific to deliver even the most basic amenities. Then there was the dentistry board exam that was almost missed. How about the flight to Cebu from Manila that was diverted to Busuanga and the haggling that followed to force Cebu Pacific to honor its “Passenger Rights” guarantee of free hotel accommodations? The cherry on top? While those who had been put through the wringer were left wondering how the airline’s priorities seemed to be joyously dancing in the skies, the examinee’s lucky aunt, all the way from Australia, managed to score a ticket for a lovely fee. The spokespersons of Cebu Pacific did, however, exhibit some artistic talent. Lightning strikes, bird crashes, and even runway debris were included in the gallery of “freak incidents” they presented as the causes of their errors. During the sleeper hearing, the way Cebu Pacific’s flight operations unfolded resembled an elaborate opera, complete with loud fights and dramatic exits, as if the cosmos had conspired to make it happen. But what was the highlight of Cebu Pacific’s ludicrous theater? Respect for the “Air Passenger Bill of Rights.” To pledge loyalty to rights that seem to exist only in the world of press releases is a truly great gesture. Amid this flying fiasco, passengers may wonder if they are only pawns in a much bigger game when the airline offers its earnest apologies, makes a few promises, and reveals plans for standby aircraft as if they were doing magic. So here we are, seeing the re-erection of Cebu Pacific’s circus tent of antics. Seat sale? Rubbish. The post Sky-high irony appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Unclaimed plates deadline not for vehicle owners
The Land Transportation Office on Thursday clarified that the 60-day deadline for unclaimed license plates is not intended for motor vehicle owners but for agency officials and motor vehicle dealers. LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza II issued the clarification amid questions from the agency’s clients if they would be penalized should they fail to claim their license plates. “In order to set the record straight, the 60-day deadline to get the unclaimed license plates is not for the motor vehicle owners. It is actually a directive to all our regional directors, district chiefs, offices and Extension Offices to find the best ways to properly and efficiently distribute the unclaimed license plates within 60 days,” Mendoza said. “The same order covers car dealers and motorcycle dealers because we also received reports that there are a number of unclaimed license plates in their custody,” he added. He said the clarification is made to clear the confusion on the part of the motor vehicle owners who thought that the 60-day deadline is intended for them. “The order is not intended for the motor vehicle owners because it’s the LTO’s mandate to issue plates,” Mendoza said. Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista earlier directed LTO Chief Mendoza to start the distribution of the license plates in order for motor vehicle owners to finally claim their license plates after the long delays. In compliance with the DoTR Secretary’s instruction, Mendoza said that the LTO is now expediting the process of distribution, adding that the agency is targeting to finish the distribution of the unclaimed license plates by September this year. On Tuesday, 1 August, Mendoza went to Cebu to inspect the thousands of unclaimed licensed plates. He also directed local LTO officials to expedite the process of distribution. The post Unclaimed plates deadline not for vehicle owners appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
A flying fiasco
Gokongwei-owned Cebu Pacific Air has proven time and again that it is more interested in counting its profits than upholding its duty to the public. As irate passengers lined up to air their grievances during congressional investigations, it has become evident that Cebu Pacific’s approach to customer service is nothing short of a disaster. The tales of woe begin with the grim reality of overbooking, a practice that seems to have become the signature move of the budget behemoth. Countless passengers have found themselves heartlessly cast aside, denied the right to board their flights, while Cebu Pacific’s rapacity for more revenue reached obscene heights. As these passengers shared their nightmarish experiences, Cebu Pacific’s customer service had been exposed as a mere façade, masking the truth of their disdain for the people they are meant to serve. “Everyone should fly,” Cebu Pacific says. Yes, everyone should fly away from an airline that is a veritable circus of excuses for delays and cancellations. The airline’s explanations for rebooked flights are nothing short of outrageous insults to the intelligence of their customers, each excuse more pathetic than the last. Lightning strikes and bird collisions may be acts of nature, but Cebu Pacific’s callous disregard for its passengers’ well-being is an act of corporate mischief. And the airline’s people at its check-in counters have apparently been coached to lie. A group of journalists hustling back to Manila from a provincial coverage to catch and cover President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address discovered this for themselves. All were supposed to board a 5:30 p.m. flight, but one photographer was rebooked for the next day, while another was told to board the 10:30 p.m. flight. Explaining at the airline’s check-in counter that they could not afford to be offloaded, the journalists were told that a smaller plane than the one they were booked on was dispatched. Allegedly, the bigger plane encountered mechanical problems and did not leave Manila. Then the check-in staff started playing the guilt-laying game, saying: “We cannot sacrifice the safety of the other passengers by accommodating more people than the smaller plane’s carrying capacity.” “But who told you to sacrifice anyone?” one of the journalists retorted. “What we want to know is how on earth Cebu Pacific chose us to be the ones to be off-loaded. And why are we being told only now, just a couple of hours away from our scheduled flight?” Cebu Pacific’s check-in staffer then mouthed what we presume to be the routine argument-ender they’d been given as a tired script — that they could do nothing about the problem except to find other flights for the off-loaded who may then file a complaint with their customer care department. To the chagrin of the photographer and reporter, they were told by their colleagues who were lucky enough not to be taken off the 5:30 p.m. flight that, yes, the original plane that was supposed to fly them back to Manila was the very same plane they boarded. What happened to the smaller plane? Lies, lies, lies. The question that looms larger than an Airbus A380 is this: How can an airline that rakes in billions in revenue conveniently blame external factors for its failures? “Freak incidents” do not occur with such alarming regularity, and when they do, a responsible and reputable airline has contingencies in place to mitigate their impact on passengers. Cebu Pacific booked a net income of P1.08 billion in the first quarter of this year, tripling its revenue to P20.88 billion from P6.71 billion in the same period last year, during which it recorded a net loss of P7.6 billion. But the carrier’s return to profitability, alas, has been at the expense of customers forced to book hotel rooms at their own expense or sleep on airport floors. To add insult to injury, the Civil Aeronautics Board and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines have failed miserably in their oversight of Cebu Pacific and other erring airlines. Their inaction amounts to a dereliction of duty, leaving passengers vulnerable to the whims and caprices of a budget carrier that cares only for its bottom line. It is high time for Congress to wield its power and act decisively to protect the rights of the flying public. Rep. Rufus Rodriguez’s call for the suspension of Cebu Pacific’s legislative franchise echoes the sentiments of millions who have suffered at the hands of this budget airline. A suspension will send a clear message that reckless indifference and incompetence will not be tolerated, and the privilege of serving the public will be revoked if the airline fails to meet its obligations. We will not be saddled with Cebu Pacific’s flying fiasco. The post A flying fiasco appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Angeles residents evacuated amid ‘Egay’
Angeles City, Pampanga — The local government here on Tuesday ordered the preemptive evacuation of residents living near riverbanks and creeks as part of its preparations for the coming super typhoon “Egay.” Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. said that he instructed Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer chief Rudy Simeon and City Engineer Donato Dizon to lead the evacuation, stressing that it is better to be alert and prepared before any disaster happens. He also assured that in the event of an emergency, the city government — through the ACDRRMO and CEO — is ready to respond to any rescue, evacuation and clearing operations. According to Simeon, the ACDRRMO is closely monitoring the major river channels in Angeles City, the Abacan River and Sapang Balen Creek and as of the moment, no incident of overflowing and soil erosion on both sides of the riverbanks and creeks were reported. Waterflows in Sapang Balen creek and Abacan River, on the other hand, are still under normal condition. The ACDRRMO is in continuous coordination with the 33 Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils for any alerts in case of typhoon “Egay’s” onslaught. Meanwhile, Dizon said that his roving teams are ready to clear roads from any obstructions. Lazatin, meantime, wants to ensure everyone’s safety in the event of emergencies like strong winds toppling down certain obstructions. In other developments, at least 480 passengers are stranded in two ports of Western Visayas following the cancellation of trips due to super typhoon “Egay” and the southwest monsoon on Tuesday. Data from the Coast Guard District Western Visayas showed that 165 passengers bound for Tabuelan, Cebu were stranded at the Barcelona port in Escalante, Negros Occidental while 315 others bound for Mindoro, Romblon, and Batangas were stuck at the Caticlan Jetty port in Malay, Aklan. Canceled trips included those from ports of Estancia, Iloilo going to Sicogon/Gigantes Island; Concepcion to Tambaliza, Igbon, and Malangabang; Bancal in Carles to Gigantes Island, all in Iloilo and Ajuy port going to EB Magalona in Negros Occidental. Trips from the port of San Carlos City in Negros Occidental going to Toledo, Cebu were also suspended. The Montenegro Shipping Lines canceled its trips from Lapuz wharf going to Guimaras. Trips from Iloilo City to Bacolod City via Ocean Jet and Weesam Express were canceled except for the latter’s 11:30 a.m. schedule. The post Angeles residents evacuated amid ‘Egay’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Binay lauds CebuPac’s ditching expiration of travel funds, extended vouchers validity
While recognizing Cebu Pacific’s decision to remove expiration in its customers’ travel funds and extended the validity of travel vouchers, Senator Nancy Binay hopes that the airline company would also resolve the issues on its hotlines and customer service operations. "We thank Cebu Pacific for heeding the call of airline passengers. One of the discussed topics during the Senate hearing was travel funds and travel vouchers. This is just the first step,” Binay said Saturday. The senator acknowledged the airline’s clear compensation guidelines on flight disruptions. "I believe this is a step in the right direction to earn back the trust of the public and solve the problems experienced by our passengers," she said. The latest airline policy allows passengers who have experienced disruptions in flight operations to avail of two-way travel vouchers for flights canceled within 72 hours, and one-way travel vouchers for flights delayed for four to six hours. "The safety and convenience of passengers should always be our top priority. Good thing that the airline addressed the matter regarding the flight disruptions. I hope na they can also resolve their hotlines and customer service,” Binay said. The airline’s new policy on travel funds and travel vouchers stemmed after Binay led the joint investigation of the Senate Committee on Tourism and the Senate Committee on public services on passenger complaints against airlines last month. The hearing was prompted by a resolution filed by Binay on complaints against Cebu Pacific about overbooking, offloading, and glitches in booking flights. During the hearing, the airlines admitted lapses in their operations and vowed to work with all stakeholders to improve their services. The post Binay lauds CebuPac’s ditching expiration of travel funds, extended vouchers validity appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Quick Take: Cebu Pacific is under the microscope and 2 more market updates
It’s not clear how big of a risk these hearings pose to CEB’s business model........»»
Rockwell sets sight on 3 provinces
Rockwell Land Corporation plans to expand in almost 200 hectares of development in Cebu, Bulacan and Batangas that it announced at its annual stockholders’ meeting on 14 June. The company is set to launch the IPI Center by Rockwell, its third project in Cebu this year. It is a 2.85-hectare mixed-use community featuring Rockwell Workspaces and a unique retail concept. “We are looking forward to our newest Cebu project with the Wong and Castillo families of International Pharmaceuticals Inc., which is in the heart of the city.” “We’ll first offer residential units through Lincoln, inspired by the well-received Proscenium tower in Makati, and will soon be complemented by a retail area that we envision will excite the market,” Rockwell Land chairperson and CEO Nestor Padilla said. Rockwell reported an increase in its net income after tax to parent of 40 percent in 2022 compared to the previous year, and expects to reach pre-pandemic NIAT levels by year’s end. Bulacan project slated Making its mark in a new thriving city, Rockwell will develop a new horizontal neighborhood in San Jose, Bulacan. The 100-hectare project in Bulacan will be designed to build a hillside escape and wellness retreat for its future residents. The company will also develop a future project in Lian, Batangas poised to be its first premium horizontal beach community in the area. “We are excited about our new vast 85-hectare beach property. It has 700 meters of coastline and clear waters, spread across 2 natural coves,” adds Padilla. In 2024, Rockwell expects to launch its first phase of residential lots. The company remains committed to expanding with strong leadership. After the appointment of CEO Nestor Padilla as chairperson in February 2023, it also announced the appointment of its new president and chief pperating Officer, Valerie Soliven. Padilla and Soliven, both pioneers of Rockwell, are expected to lead the company to double digit growth in the next few years. The post Rockwell sets sight on 3 provinces appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Job abandonment
Dear Atty. Kathy, Our company recently changed management and I did not get along with my new department head. I got sick and even during my sick leave, my new head was bothering me with work. I could not take the harassment anymore, so when my sick leave ended, I filed a case for constructive dismissal. When my assistant was looking for me for the clients’ accounts that we were handling, I told her I am not going back to work anymore. A week after that, I received a memo from management directing me to explain my absence without leave and negligence of my job. I told HR that I will not reply to the memo since I already filed a labor case, but the HR Officer said they have not received a copy of my complaint. A relative advised me to answer the memo otherwise the company will think I just abandoned my job. Is my relative correct? Ariella Dear Ariella, According to the Supreme Court, abandonment, as a just and valid cause for termination of employment, is defined as the deliberate and unjustified refusal of an employee to resume employment, and constitutes neglect of duty under the Labor Code. To constitute abandonment, however, there must be a clear and deliberate intent to discontinue one’s employment without any intention of returning. In this regard, two elements must concur: (1) failure to report for work or absence without valid or justifiable reason, and (2) a clear intention to sever the employer-employee relationship, with the second element as the more determinative factor and being manifested by some overt acts. Otherwise stated, absence must be accompanied by overt acts unerringly pointing to the fact that the employee simply does not want to work anymore. Based on your narration, after your sick leave ended, you were absent without official leave, and the company sent you a memo to explain your absence and failure to do your job. However, you did not respond to the memo, and you have told your subordinate that you are not going back to work anymore. Your failure to respond to the directive in the company memo, taken together with your absence from work and communication to your subordinate that you are not going back to work anymore, may point to the conclusion that you abandoned your employment. Although your filing of a complaint for constructive dismissal has been repeatedly held by the Supreme Court to be inconsistent with a charge of abandonment (especially when such complaint is accompanied with a prayer for reinstatement), the act of filing does not foreclose the possibility of abandonment, as this is not the sole indicator in determining the employee’s intent. Thus, if you indeed failed to report to work without any sufficient justification, you may be deemed as having voluntarily abandoned your employment. (Alma C. Lugawe versus Pacific Cebu Resort International Inc., G.R. 236161, 25 January 2023.) Atty. Kathy Larios The post Job abandonment appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Beauty takes shape
Let Catriona Gray tell you a thing or two about shape-shifting. The elasticity of her career is the ultimate framework: from being a Filipino-Scottish model hailing from Australia, to Miss World Philippines 2016, to singer with a degree in Music Theory, to a black-belted Choi Kwang Do martial artist, to Miss Universe 2018, it’s clear […] The post Beauty takes shape appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Bad trip by Jerusalem
It’s been more than a week but Filipino promoter JC Mananquil was still hurting from Melvin Jerusalem’s heartbreaking loss of his world title. Speaking from Los Angeles where he has been staying since the third week of May, Mananquil thought Jerusalem was doing just fine until the roof began to cave in starting the fourth round of his clash with mandatory challenger Oscar Collazo of Puerto Rico in Indio, California. “It was really weird because of how he was doing (in the first three rounds) and it suddenly changed,” Mananquil said. Jerusalem was actually in the thick of the fight during the first nine minutes of action then began to slide starting the fourth frame until he was forced to quit on his stool going into the eighth round. “The change of culture could be one thing and the short time (he was in the US),” he added. Jerusalem set foot on American soil ten days before the 27 May showdown with the undefeated Collazo. The Bukidnon-born fighter set up a training camp in Cebu for a month and transferred to Japan where he stayed for four weeks before returning to Cebu. ‘The change of culture could be one thing and the short time (he was in the US).’ Originally, Jerusalem was planning to fly to Los Angeles in the first few days of May but his visa could only be delivered sometime mid-May. His trainer Michael Domingo said Jerusalem couldn’t sleep well and was still jet-lagged by the time he fought at the Fantasy Springs Casino and Resort. No wonder, there is ample reason why Manny Pacquiao travels to the US way, way ahead of a scheduled fight. Aside from the lack of time to get used to the new time zone, Jerusalem seemed to be super happy to be in the US that he lost focus. Well, there have been some fighters who came to the US on short notice but still performed and won their fights. But it doesn’t work that way often. Jerusalem’s one clear example. The post Bad trip by Jerusalem appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PCSO to suspended STL operator in Cebu, Southern Leyte: Stop unauthorized operations
Determined to stamp out illegal gambling and instill full compliance among its accredited Small Town Lottery operators, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office on Tuesday clamped down on the unauthorized operations of an erring STL operator in Cebu City and Southern Leyte. PCSO General Manager Mel Robles explained that all operations of Saturn Gaming N' Amusement Corporation in the said provinces are already deemed illegal, after the termination of its authority to operate last 8 March 2023. Robles pointed out the PCSO’s order is effective and must be fully enforced in the said areas except in Metro Cebu and Mandaue City. The PCSO made the announcement Tuesday on its official website, stating, among others, that the authority to operate of Saturn Gaming was revoked effective 8 March 2023 by virtue of PCSO Board Resolution No. 55 Series of 2023, even as the revocation order subsequently took effect on 6 April this year. The bulletin said: “Ipinababatid ng PCSO na ang Saturn Gaming N’ Amusement Corporation ay hindi Authorized Agent Corporation (AAC) ng Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office para sa Southern Leyte at Cebu simula ika-6 ng Abril 2023. Ang Authority to Operate (ATO) ng Saturn Gaming N’ Amusement Corporation ay binawi at tinanggal sa ilalim ng PCSO Board Resolution No. 55, Series of 2023 na inilabas noong ika-8 ng Marso 2023”. It added that any attempts by Saturn Gaming to defy the lawful order is in clear violation of Presidential Decree No. 1602 (Prescribing Stiffer Penalties On Illegal Gambling) and Republic Act No. 9287 (An Act Increasing the Penalties for Illegal Numbers Games, Amending Certain Provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1602, and For Other Purposes). Robles said they decided to terminate the authority to operate after they discovered that Saturn Gaming had committed and was continuing to commit numerous violations of the terms and conditions stipulated on the Authorized Agent Corporation Agreement. Robles said Saturn Gaming’s closure should serve as warning to other STL operators, reiterating that the PCSO will not hesitate to impose sanctions or revoke their authority to operate if they are found violating the Authorized Agent Corporation Agreement. “Magsilbing babala sana ito sa ating mga STL operator na sana ay sundin nila ang nakasaad sa kasunduan na kanilang pinirmahan. Dahil hindi kami magdadalawang-isip na ipasara sila kapag napatunayan namin na lumalabag sila sa mga probisyon ng nasabing agreement,” he said. The PCSO and the Philippine National Police earlier vowed to unite in waging war against illegal gambling operations in the country. PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. in a recent meeting with Robles, said he would strictly enforce the one-strike policy against police commanders who fail to stop illegal gambling activities in their respective areas of responsibility. The PCSO said it has already informed Acorda and P/Brig. Gen. Anthony A. Aberin, PNP Regional Director in Cebu City, regarding the agency’s position that Saturn Gaming is now an illegal operation. Robles is adamant that illegal gambling operations in the country must be stopped, noting that they greatly affect the PCSO's ability to generate higher revenues as the greater portion of their earnings end up in the hands of illegal gambling operators. "In turn, those losses deprive poor Filipino citizens of the health care and other benefits the PCSO provides," he said. Saturn Gaming, for its part, said it was able to secure a Writ of Preliminary Injunction from Regional Trial Court-Mandaluyong Branch 213 against the PCSO order. Robles, however, clarified that no such writ has been issued by the court in favor of Saturn Gaming. The post PCSO to suspended STL operator in Cebu, Southern Leyte: Stop unauthorized operations appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PCSO suspends STL operator in Cebu, Southern Leyte
DETERMINED to stamp out illegal gambling and instill full compliance among its accredited Small Town Lottery operators, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office on Tuesday clamped down on the unauthorized operations of an erring STL operator in Cebu City and Southern Leyte. PCSO General Manager Mel Robles explained that all operations of Saturn Gaming N' Amusement Corporation in the said provinces are already deemed illegal, after the termination of its authority to operate on 19 January 2023. GM Robles pointed out the PCSO’s order is effective and must be fully enforced in the said areas except in Metro Cebu and Mandaue City. The PCSO made the announcement Tuesday on its official website stating among others that the authority to operate of Saturn Gaming was revoked effective 19 2023 by virtue of PCSO Board Resolution No. 55 Series of 2023, even as the revocation order subsequently took effect on April 6 this year. The bulletin said: “Ipinababatid ng PCSO na ang Saturn Gaming N’ Amusement Corporation ay hindi Authorized Agent Corporation (AAC) ng Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office para sa Southern Leyte at Cebu simula ika-6 ng Abril 2023. Ang Authority to Operate (ATO) ng Saturn Gaming N’ Amusement Corporation ay binawi at tinanggal sa ilalim ng PCSO Board Resolution No. 55, Series of 2023 na inilabas noong ikaw-8 ng Marso 2023”. It added that any attempts by Saturn Gaming to defy the lawful order is in clear violation of Presidential Decree No. 1602 (Prescribing Stiffer Penalties On Illegal Gambling) and Republic Act No. 9287 (An Act Increasing the Penalties for Illegal Numbers Games, Amending Certain Provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1602, and For Other Purposes). GM Robles said they decided to terminate the authority to operate after they discovered that Saturn Gaming has committed and is continuing to commit numerous violations of the terms and conditions stipulated on the Authorized Agent Corporation (AAC) Agreement. This developed as GM Robles said that Saturn Gaming’s closure should serve as warning to other STL operators who might want to follow its footsteps, stating that they will not hesitate to impose sanctions or revoke their authority to operate if they are found violating the Authorized Agent Corporation (AAC) Agreement. “Magsilbing babala sana ito sa ating mga STL operator na sana ay sundin nila ang nakasaad sa kasunduan na kanilang pinirmahan. Dahil hindi kami magdadalawang-isip na ipasara sila kapag napatunayan namin na lumalabag sila sa mga probisyon ng nasabing agreement,” he said. To recall, the PCSO and the Philippine National Police earlier vowed to unite as they wage war against illegal gambling operations in the country. PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. in a recent meeting with GM Robles, assured that he would strictly enforce the one-strike policy against police commanders who would fail to stop illegal gambling activities in their respective areas of responsibility. Relative to the latest development, the PCSO said it already informed Gen. Acorda Jr. and P/Brig. Gen. Anthony A. Aberin, PNP Regional Director in Cebu City, regarding the agency’s position that Saturn Gaming operations remain unsanctioned and therefore, illegal. GM Robles is adamant that illegal gambling operations in the country must be stopped, noting that they greatly affect their agency's ability to generate higher revenues as the greater portion of their earnings end up in the hands of illegal gambling operators. "In turn, those losses deprive poor Filipino citizens of the health care and other benefits the PCSO provides," Robles was previously quoted as saying. Saturn Gaming for its part is claiming that it was able to secure a Writ of Preliminary Injunction from Regional Trial Court-Mandaluyong Branch 213 against the PCSO order. GM Robles, however, clarified that the court has not issued any writ of preliminary injunction in favor of Saturn Gaming. The post PCSO suspends STL operator in Cebu, Southern Leyte appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘The Little Mermaid’ makes a splash on SM Cinema screens
The much-awaited live-action reimagination of Disney’s classic, "The Little Mermaid," is currently showing at SM Cinemas nationwide. Dive into a world of underwater adventure, finding love and realizing dreams with Ariel, portrayed by American singer-songwriter, Halle Bailey. Swim with the young mermaid as she trades her voice for legs so she can discover the world above water. [caption id="attachment_138530" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Young moviegoers dress as underwater characters while they pose with Ariel and her friends at SM Cinema. (Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios.)[/caption] At SM Cinemas, movie screens are equipped with cutting-edge technology that offers the highest quality of pictures and sounds. Be a part of Ariel’s world through the SM IMAX experience of crystal-clear scenes, with a wider view of life under the sea. Watch films on a state-of-the-art screen that is twice the size of a regular cinema where one can feel the crashing waves through a cinematic surround sound system. The comfort and convenience of moviegoers have always been a top priority. The plush seating, spacious theaters and efficient ticketing systems ensure that the movie-watching experience is hassle-free and fully immersive. [caption id="attachment_138531" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Moviegoers can enjoy plush seating and spacious theaters for a comfortable and immersive cinema experience at SM Cinema.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_138532" align="aligncenter" width="1008"] ‘The Little Mermaid’ fans dress up in underwater costumes for the film showing at the SM Mall of Asia’s Director’s Club.[/caption] SM Supermalls is committed to creating a welcoming atmosphere for families. It is the go-to place to celebrate important milestones or to simply bond and have a great time with loved ones. SM has been and is always being true to its mission to provide family-friendly and fun entertainment memories that make every day better for all. [caption id="attachment_138534" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Moviegoers and their kids play with their underwater friends at the premiere of The Little Mermaid in SM City Cebu.[/caption] Special offers and promotions Keep an eye out for special discounts and deals that make cinema experiences even more meaningful. Book movie tickets with SM IMAX 3D as well as 2D cinemas available at 74 SM Cinemas nationwide. To know more about SM Cinemas’ promos, deals, and exciting activities, visit www.smcinema.com or visit @SMCinema on social media. The post ‘The Little Mermaid’ makes a splash on SM Cinema screens appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Disaster resiliency must be prioritized
Typhoons occur very often in our country. Located along the typhoon belt in the Pacific, the Philippines is visited by 20 typhoons on average yearly. Some have been more devastating than most — ravaging lands, destroying properties, and claiming the lives of our affected Filipinos. And because of climate change, in addition to our geographical location in the Pacific, the Philippines is exposed to natural calamities that are getting more often and more severe. While we can’t prevent the entry of typhoons, we could very well stay one step ahead to minimize the damage brought by these natural disasters and hopefully save more lives through a more prepared and proactive approach, better coordination among concerned government agencies, and stronger cooperation from the public. As super typhoon “Betty” entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday, I pray for the safety of all our affected kababayans and hope for an efficient restoration of normalcy once the typhoon passes. I commend our frontline government agencies and local authorities who, days before the typhoon’s entry, so far have reportedly already made necessary preparations to deal with this and its aftermath. These preparations and more go a long way in securing the lives and property of our affected Filipinos. Nevertheless, considering our country’s vulnerability to natural calamities, we must continue instituting measures that will ensure more proactive and effective disaster preparedness and response. Thus, I continue advocating for several disaster resilience measures, including the establishment of the Department of Disaster Resilience through my proposed Senate Bill No. 188. If the bill is enacted into law, the DDR shall serve as an empowered and highly-specialized cabinet level-department with a clear unity of command, responsible for ensuring safe, adaptive, and disaster-resilient communities. It shall lead the crafting and implementation of programs and activities to reduce the risk of all types of natural hazards and effects of climate change and manage the impact of disasters. I have also filed SBN 193, or the proposed Mandatory Evacuation Centers Act, which seeks to require the establishment of evacuation centers in every province, city, and municipality throughout the country that shall provide basic needs and assistance to all evacuees. Also, I have introduced SBN 192, also known as the Rental Housing Subsidy Act, in a bid to provide disaster victims better and more affordable access to the formal housing market through the provision of rental subsidies by the government. Finally, SBN 1709 proposes to amend the provisions of the “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010” to mandate the grant of hazard pay to the personnel of respective Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices and Barangay Risk Reduction and Management Committees, as well as all accredited community disaster volunteers enlisted to their respective territorial jurisdictions during the State of Calamity declared by the President. Under the proposed measure, all personnel of the LDRRMOs in all provinces, cities, and municipalities and all accredited community disaster volunteers, regardless of their employment status, shall be granted a hazard pay of P3,000 every month if it is enacted into law. This is in recognition of their invaluable sacrifices and contributions in looking after the safety of our people in the face of disasters and even at the risk of their own lives. Similarly, our dedication to public service never ceases. From Monday to Sunday, our work inside and outside the hallowed halls of the Senate continues. On top of our Senate sessions, I led the distribution of aid to 1,663 indigents from Gapan City, municipalities of Cabiao and Peñaranda in Nueva Ecija; 1,000 in Pasig City, as well as 1,201 fire victims in Sta. Cruz, Manila last week. On 25 May, I also visited Davao de Oro for the groundbreaking of the Super Health Center, inspect a two-story multi-purpose building, and led a relief activity for 1,000 residents in Maco town. We attended the groundbreaking of Super Health Centers in Libertad town and Barangay Balubal, Cagayan de Oro City, and spearheaded three relief operations for 1,000 indigents in Libertad, and 2,000 in Barangay Balubal, and another 300 in the city on 26 May. Apart from the groundbreaking of the Escalante City Super Health Center in Negros Occidental on 27 May, I aided 2,000 residents of the city composed of fisherfolks, tricycle drivers, solo parents, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens. I joined the 25th Manlambus Festival where I was able to watch a carabao race and provided aid to 200 carabao owners. On 28 May, I inspected the Sariaya Super Health Center in Quezon province and helped 1,000 indigents in the town. In Lucena City, 1,500 residents received aid. I also joined the Pasayahan Festival and inspected the Lucena City Promenade, whose funding I supported. My outreach teams extended aid to 400 barangay health workers and nutritionists in Macalelon, Quezon; 373 Technical Education and Skills Development Authority graduates in Argao, Cebu; and 1,200 tricycle drivers in San Luis, Pampanga. Indigents, including 81 in Llanera, Nueva Ecija; 500 in Binuangan, Misamis Oriental; 250 in Dipaculao and 233 in San Luis, Aurora. Also, our office joined the dental and medical mission of 150 indigents in Pandan, Antique. In the face of inevitable natural hazards, we all must exert efforts to build a more disaster-resilient nation. Through effective measures, preparations, proper coordination, and widespread cooperation, we can all save lives, help each other recover, and rise again even stronger. The post Disaster resiliency must be prioritized appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Immigration sounds trafficking alarm
The Bureau of Immigration on Saturday warned traffickers not to exploit international events to exploit trafficking victims. BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said that events such as sports and gaming competitions, as well as musical concerts may be used by traffickers to attempt to circumvent strict departure formalities. Tansingco added that in the past, the bureau has recorded victims who claimed they were set to join beauty pageants and shows, only to find out that they were being trafficked abroad. This reminder comes after a letter from the Department of Justice to the Philippine Sports Commission requesting that the latter provide adequate warning to athletes, supporters, and attendees of the Southeast Asian games of the risks of trafficking in Cambodia. The DoJ likewise requested that the PSC issue official endorsements that would aid immigration officers in establishing spectators’ declared purpose of travel and in identifying potentially trafficked or illegally recruited persons. The SEA Games are currently being held in Cambodia from 5 to 17 May. It can be recalled that the BI sounded the alarm on the increase of trafficked Filipinos in Cambodia due to a cryptocurrency and call center scam targeting young urban professionals. The BI chief assured the DoJ that they would continuously monitor all departing passengers and that those who would be traveling for legitimate purposes had no need to worry. They are sending a warning to illegal recruiters not to abuse international events, as the Bureau remains on the lookout to prevent victims from being trafficked. Meanwhile, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, 10 female sex workers were rescued from trafficking abroad. According to the report of BI officials at NAIA Terminal 3, the 10 Filipinos were rescued when they attempted to depart illegally for Singapore as sex workers. Commissioner Tansingco shared that the 10 females, all aged 20 to early 30s, were intercepted on Friday afternoon (5 May) after attempting to board their flight via Cebu Pacific bound for Singapore. Tansingco said that earlier this month, they received information from the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking that these women were being trafficked abroad and were recruited as entertainers but would end up as sex workers. Upon receiving the information, he immediately ordered them to include the said group in their monitoring records to be able to intercept them. The BI chief added that after including the information from IACAT on their records, his office also received information from the Office of Senator Risa Hontiveros on the women, further validating their doubts about their actual purpose of travel. During the secondary inspection, the intercepted women claimed that they were traveling as tourists with friends. However, closer inspection of their records revealed valid working permits as entertainers in Singapore. According to the 10 victims, they were allegedly recruited separately online through Facebook Messenger to work at a pub in Singapore. They were offered a salary of P40,000 per month, with deductions for their travel expenses for six months. Tansingco also said that this is a clear example of debt bondage, a tactic in trafficking wherein victims are made to pay the expenses for the recruitment. These expenses pile up, and they end up being forced to work to pay their debt. The Bureau then hailed the role of coordination among different government agencies in the interception. A multi-agency approach is needed in the fight against trafficking. Coordination with government agencies in gathering information and intercepting trafficking victims is necessary for us to be able to stop this illegal activity. All 10 victims were turned over to the IACAT for assistance in filing cases against their recruiters. The post Immigration sounds trafficking alarm appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»