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House moves closer to Cha-cha goal after 6 hearings
The House of Representatives, meeting as a whole committee, took a significant step towards Charter change (Cha-cha) by approving Resolution of Both Houses No. 7 (RBH 7) on Wednesday. This step is similar to endorsing a committee report. House leaders anticipate the next stage, the approval on second reading, to occur next Wednesday or before.....»»
Why 4 lawmakers voted against RBH7, the economic charter change proposal
House lawmakers, convening as a committee of the whole, adopts the proposal on economic charter change just two weeks after deliberations started at the committee level.....»»
House committee of the whole approves RBH7
The House of Representatives – acting as a committee of the whole – approved overwhelmingly yesterday Resolution of Both Houses No. 7, containing three proposed amendments to perceived restrictive economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution......»»
Charter Day bonus for Cebu City gov’t employees ‘still pending’
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Charter Day bonus for Cebu City government employees is still subject to deliberation, meaning there is no definite final date yet as to when it will be given. Councilor Noel Wenceslao, chairman of the Committee on Budget and Finance, has confirmed that Supplemental Budget 1, which includes allocations for the.....»»
CCS approves Rs 19,000 cr mega Indian Navy deal for BrahMos missiles
By Ajit DubeyNew Delhi [India], February 22 (ANI): In a mega boost for the Indian Navy, the Cabinet Committee on Security has cleared the acquisition of over 200 BrahMos extended-range supersonic cruise missiles for deployment on its warships. The deal worth around Rs 19,000 crore was cleared in a meeting held on Wednesday evening, top government sources told ANI. The contract is set to be signed in the first week of Marc.....»»
CCS approves Rs 19,000 cr mega Indian Navy deal for BrahMos missiles
By Ajit DubeyNew Delhi [India], February 22 (ANI): In a mega boost for the Indian Navy, the Cabinet Committee on Security has cleared the acquisition of over 200 BrahMos extended-range supersonic cruise missiles for deployment on its warships. The deal worth around Rs 19,000 crore was cleared in a meeting held on Wednesday evening, top government sources told ANI. The contract is set to be signed in the first week of Marc.....»»
Senate maritime committee approves archipelagic sealanes bill
Sen. Francis Tolentino formed a technical working group to fine tune the consolidated bills designating archipelagic sea lanes in the Philippines......»»
Charter Day bonus for gov’t employees may be more than P25k
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Casual and regular employees of the Cebu City government may receive a Charter Day bonus exceeding P25,000. This was revealed by Cebu City Councilor Noel Wenceslao, who chairs the committee on budget and finance. In an interview over a Teleradyo program earlier this week, Wenceslao mentioned the possibility of city hall.....»»
House committee approves measure seeking to ban Pogo in PH
House committee approves measure seeking to ban Pogo in PH.....»»
The mystical, mysterious PI
The Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes and its newly created Senate sub-committee kick off their own legislative process to tackle the highly contentious Charter change (Cha-cha) bills......»»
Makabayan bloc seeks probe into funding of charter change initiatives
In a resolution Reps. France Castro (ACT Teachers Party-list), Arlene Brosas (Gabriela Women’s Party) and Raoul Manuel (Kabataan Party-list) called for a probe by the House’s committee on public accounts, stressing the public deserves to know the source of funding for the renewed attempt to change the Constitution. .....»»
‘Shame on int’l media’
As the conflict between the state of Israel and the Hamas terror organization intensifies, international media coverage has thus far been described as dismal and heavily slanted against the Jewish nation. Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss cited as an example the Hamas missile attack on the Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon, which was hit directly a few days after the 7 October attack by a rocket fired from Gaza, resulting in Israeli deaths and injuries. In contrast, an explosion on 17 October at the al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City that resulted in a massive number of fatalities and injuries was splashed all over broadcast and print media and was immediately blamed on an Israeli air strike, a narrative peddled by Hamas. Investigations by Israel and the United States proved that a missile launched by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a Gaza-based terror group more radical than Hamas, had misfired and landed on the hospital grounds. “Nobody in the media reported that an Israeli hospital was bombed in Ashkelon, which had so many patients injured and killed. The rockets were shot at the hospital. No media picked it up and condemned nobody,” Fluss lamented during an interview with Daily Tribune editors. “So, for me, this incident is a shame on the international media. These news (outfits) and (media) people sort of still live with this image that it is the ratings that must (dictate the news coverage),” Fluss said. New York Times sorry US publication The New York Times issued on Monday an unprecedented admission that it had “relied too heavily on claims by Hamas” in its reporting of an explosion at a Gaza hospital. The newspaper issued the statement five days after running a headline on its front page, above the fold, reading: “Israeli Strike Kills Hundreds in Hospital, Palestinians Say.” “The Times’ initial accounts attributed the claim of Israeli responsibility to Palestinian officials and noted that the Israeli military said it was investigating the blast,” according to NYT’s editor’s note. “However, the early versions of the coverage — and the prominence it received in a headline, news alert, and social media channels — relied too heavily on claims by Hamas and did not make clear that those claims could not immediately be verified,” the NYT continued. NYT editors also acknowledged that “the report left readers with an incorrect impression about what was known and how credible the account was.” The note said Times reporters quickly edited the story on the website, as Israeli officials denied striking the hospital. Nonetheless, it added, “Given the sensitive nature of the news during a widening conflict and the prominent promotion it received, Times editors should have taken more care with the initial presentation and been more explicit about what information could be verified.” Islamic Jihad missile Israeli officials have vehemently denied responsibility for the explosion at the Al-Ahli Hospital and have released audio files of Hamas officials admitting that the blast was caused by a Palestinian Islamic Jihad projectile that fell onto Gaza. Also provided were images showing that the parking lot where the blast occurred did not have a crater in the ground, and there was no structural damage to nearby buildings, both of which typically would have been left by an Israeli Defense Forces strike. Recurring phenomena Media bias, as Fluss indicated, is a persistent issue. Terror groups like Hamas know this and take full advantage to sway public opinion. “As a result, coverage is often selective, stories get framed misleadingly, or certain perspectives go missing,” according to the American Jewish Committee, or AJC, which is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. “Instead of focusing on Hamas’ massacre of Israeli civilians, Israel’s efforts to thwart terrorists, destroy terrorist headquarters and weapons sites, and prevent more civilian deaths, some major media outlets characterize Israel’s targeted response as attacks on innocent and beleaguered Palestinians — feeding an unequivocally false narrative,” the AJC said. It added that Western media outlets often use the term “militant” to describe Hamas and other terrorist groups. For example, in the New York Times coverage of Hamas’ unprovoked attack on Israel on 7 October, the word “terrorists” was nowhere to be found on the front page of its website. The AJC said, “Hamas is not a militant group. It is a terrorist organization internationally designated as such by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Israel, Japan, and others that has fired thousands of rockets and slaughtered Israeli civilians in cold blood.” Hamas has set two long-term goals articulated in its charter: The end of the Jewish state and the creation of an Islamic state from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. In the current conflict, Hamas has murdered over 300 Israelis and wounded nearly 2,000. “Using the term ‘militant’ to describe Hamas diminishes the true threat that the terror group poses. Media outlets need to call a terrorist a terrorist,” the AJC added. No occupation Some media accounts on the Gaza Strip often blame Israel’s “occupation” as the root cause of the conflict. Fluss pointed out, however, that Israel does not occupy the Gaza Strip and has had no presence in the coastal enclave for nearly two decades. From 1948 to 1967, the Gaza Strip was occupied by Egypt, which took control of the territory during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, also known as Israel’s War of Independence. After the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel took control of the Gaza Strip from Egypt. In 2005, Israel, facing huge political pushback, withdrew from the Gaza Strip, and dismantled its settlements and military forces in the name of peace and in hopes of creating a better future. However, those hopes were shattered after Hamas came to power through elections and, with it, violence and rocket attacks on Israeli civilian population centers. Since 2007, when Hamas violently ousted Fatah from the Gaza Strip, it began launching tens of thousands of rockets from Gaza into Israel. Hamas terrorists also infiltrated Israel through land, sea, and air incursions from Gaza to murder and abduct Israeli civilians. Over 600 Israelis were murdered on the 7 October large-scale infiltration into Israeli territory from Gaza. The post ‘Shame on int’l media’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Better sports facilities pushed
As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, I am saddened by the dilapidated state of the country’s iconic sports facilities. The Philippine Institute of Sports Multi-Purpose Arena, popularly known as PhilSports Arena, has come a long way from the time it was built in 1985 to house the Philippine Basketball Association until the league moved out in 1993 due to the lack of maintenance of the venue. The last time it was renovated was in 2019, when the country hosted the 30th Southeast Asian Games. Among PhilSports Arena’s main facilities are the Multi-purpose Arena, Swimming Center, and Football and Athletic Stadium. While the arena was greatly enjoyed as a sports facility, it also served as a temporary shelter for evacuees after Tropical Storm Ondoy and Typhoon Pepeng struck the Philippines in 2009, adding to the facility's wear and tear. A quick look at the PhilSports Arena and the other sports facilities nationwide should make us realize that we should invest more in rehabilitating our iconic sports facilities. As I have suggested during the budget deliberations in the Senate, prioritizing funding for sports facilities would have been better than putting flood control projects in areas with little to no population. This concern about the support we are providing our athletes has motivated me to author and co-sponsor Republic Act No. 11470, which established the National Academy of Sports at New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac. In collaboration with the Philippine Sports Commission and the Department of Education, NAS now offers a specialized secondary education program focused on sports where students can study and train simultaneously. I have also filed the Philippine National Games bill, which aims to provide a structure for a more comprehensive national sports program, linking grassroots sports promotion to national sports development by having a mini Olympics regularly. Providing opportunities to our youth will help develop their potential in sports but will also help keep them away from vices such as illegal drugs. I continue to support establishing sports-related programs and infrastructure to divert the youth from the lure of addiction and criminality. This is also part of my three-pronged approach to combat illegal drugs in the Philippines – law enforcement, rehabilitation, and prevention. Yesterday, I witnessed the Philippine ROTC Games 2023 Luzon Qualifying Leg opening ceremony held at Cavite State University – Indang Campus in Indang, Cavite. With Sen. Francis Tolentino, I encouraged our young cadets who participated in various competitions to get into sports and stay away from drugs. I have also remained faithful to my promise to visit and help our fellow Filipinos in most parts of the country. On 16 September, we attended the groundbreaking of a Super Health Center in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. We also visited the town of Damulog, where I inspected projects I have supported, such as a public market, road concreting project, evacuation center, solar street lights, and a multipurpose building. Later that day, we also attended the 25th Anniversary of Public Safety Basic Recruit Course Class 1998-Alpha at Acacia Hotel in Davao City. On 15 September, we attended a meeting of state universities and colleges leaders held in Davao City and hosted by Commission on Higher Education Chair Prospero de Vera. The night before, we also joined leaders from the CHEd, the University of the Philippines System, and various SUCs to honor the appointment of Atty. Angelo Jimenez, a fellow Mindanaoan, as the 22nd President of the University of the Philippines. We took the opportunity to voice our commitment to elevating the standard of education nationwide. This is also the reason why Republic Act No. 10931, or the Universal Access To Quality Tertiary Education Act, was enacted into law during the time of former president Rodrigo Duterte. Today, we continue to pursue this further as I co-authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 1360, which aims to widen the reach of the law further. We visited Bislig City in Surigao del Sur to participate in its 23rd Charter Day festivities. We handed out grocery packages to 32 newlywed couples during a community wedding and inaugurated the country’s 159th Malasakit Center at the Bislig District Hospital. This is the seventh Malasakit Center in the Caraga region and the 40th in Mindanao. Our team also provided direct aid, including grocery packs, to 129 patients and 191 front liners, including security guards, utilities, and hospital staff. On 15 September, my office also attended the groundbreaking of Super Health Centers in New Washington and Malay in the province of Aklan. Meanwhile, we continue to support livelihood programs, especially those that can help people experiencing poverty overcome crises. Through our support, the Department of Trade and Industry provides livelihood kits to qualified beneficiaries affected by calamities and teaches them how to grow their businesses for the benefit of their families. Among those we have helped are 20 from Dipaculao, Aurora; 57 from Sanchez Mira and Abulog, Cagayan; 100 affected by the earthquake in Montevista and New Bataan, and 50 in Nabunturan in Davao de Oro; 196 in Malalag and Sulop, Davao del Sur; 20 in Mangatarem, Pangasinan; 21 victims of Typhoon Egay in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato; 132 shear line victims in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental; and 36 beneficiaries from Lutayan and Columbio, Sultan Kudarat, and General Santos City. We also continue to support the National Housing Authority’s distribution of emergency housing assistance to disaster victims so they can purchase roofing, nails, and other home repair materials. We assisted beneficiaries, including 85 fire victims in Imus City, Cavite. Meanwhile, my office helped the 65 fire victims in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. We also provided assistance to 75 TESDA graduates in Victorias City, Negros Occidental. We also distributed additional support to workers who lost their jobs, beneficiaries of the TUPAD program of the Department of Labor and Employment, including 413 in Talibon, Bohol, and 150 in Plaridel, Bulacan. We also aided 333 poor residents in Paluan, Occidental Mindoro; and 234 in Antipolo City, Rizal. Together, let us continue bringing government services closer to Filipinos in need – from better sports facilities more accessible healthcare services, and implementing various programs to help uplift communities affected by crises. 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Senate approves bill on school-based mental health program
The Senate on Monday approved on the third and final reading a bill institutionalizing the promotion of mental health and well-being in basic education. The Senate Bill 2200 or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, was approved with 22 affirmatives, zero negative votes, and zero abstentions during the chamber’s plenary session. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chairperson of the chamber’s committee on basic education, said the school-based mental health program will cover out-of-school children in special cases that include learners with disabilities or conditions, indigenous peoples, children in conflict with the law, learners in emergency situations, and other marginalized sectors. SB 220 mandates the Department of Education to establish and maintain care centers in every public basic education institution. “Care Centers will be mandated to equip learners with skills and information for prevention, identification, and proper response and referral for their own and others’ mental health needs,” said Gatchalian, who also sponsored and authored the bill. Gatchalian said the bill also provides for the creation of the new plantilla positions of Mental Health Associates I to V, and Mental Health Specialists I to V “to address the need for sufficient personnel” running the School-Based Mental Health Program. The bill also seeks the conversion of existing plantilla positions of Guidance Counselors and Psychologists in the DepEd to Mental Health Specialists, he added. There were only 1,192 filled positions for both guidance counselors and coordinators within the DepEd as of July 2022. For School Year 2023-2024, the DepEd said that more than 26 million learners are enrolled, with 404 learners from public schools having died due to suicide for School Year 2021-2022. In a manifestation, Senator Risa Hontiveros said the newly approved bill would further strengthen Republic Act 11036 or the Mental Health Act. Hontiveros said accelerating the mainstreaming of a school-based mental health program would contribute not only to ensuring the physical but also the psychological safety of the learning environment. “I do hope that our education authorities will be up to the challenge of institutionalizing and sustaining mental health programs in our schools,” she said. The post Senate approves bill on school-based mental health program appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MTRCB suspends ‘It’s Showtime’ for 12 airing days — but no mention of Vice-Ion
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board issued today, 4 September, its decision to suspend the noontime program It’s Showtime for 12 airing days. In a statement released to the media, the government agency said it has received “multiple complaints” from viewers concerning the show’s episode last 25 July, in which unspecified hosts “allegedly acted in an indecent manner” during the “Isip Bata” segment. Based on those complaints, the MTRCB made a case against It’s Showtime. The case was referred to its Hearing and Adjudication Committee, which then summoned the people behind the show as respondents as part of the procedural process. The respondents may file one Motion of Reconsideration within 15 days after receipt of the decision, in accordance with the Presidential Decree No. 1986 (MTRCB Charter). If the MR gets an unfavorable decision from the agency’s Board, the show may appeal to the Office of the President within 15 days from the receipt of the decision on the MR. “Isip Bata” is a game played with 20 adult contestants guessing the recorded answers of 50 kids to a particular question, until only one remains to advance to the jackpot round for a chance to win P50,000. At one point during the 25 July episode, host Ion Perez playfully swiped icing off a cake he was holding. His cohost and spouse Vice Ganda (they were married in the U.S. city of Las Vegas in 2022) played along, swiping some icing off Ion’s finger then licking it. That act triggered complaints against the show filed at the MTRCB. But the MTRCB neither specified that incident nor mentioned any names in its statement announcing It’s Showtime’s suspension. However, it described two other cases that it said elicited additional warnings for the noontime show. The first case involved hosts Jhong Hilario and Vince Ganda’s “inappropriate utterance” of the word “G Spot” in the 24 January 2023 episode, deemed in violation of Section 2 (B), Chapter IV of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Presidential Decree No. 1986. The second case referred to host Vhong Navarro’s “inappropriate utterance” of the word “Tinggil” in the 3 June 2023 episode, also deemed in violation of Section 2 (B), Chapter IV of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of P.D. No. 1986. Both cases are now under review by the agency’s Board. Prior to this suspension, the MTRCB pointed out in its statement that it had imposed back in 2010 a 20-day preventive suspension on ABS-CBN’s noontime show then called Showtime. Here is MTRCB’s full statement: The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) issued today, 04 September 2023, its decision to suspend the live noontime program “It’s Showtime!” for twelve (12) airing days. Viewers have lodged multiple complaints before the MTRCB concerning the show’s 25 July 2023 episode wherein the program’s hosts allegedly acted in an indecent manner during one of its segments, “Isip Bata.” The said case was referred to the MTRCB’s Hearing and Adjudication Committee which heard the case and required the respondents to submit their position papers, following a procedural process. In accordance with the Presidential Decree (P.D.) No. 1986 (MTRCB Charter), the respondents may file one Motion for Reconsideration (MR) within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the decision. Should the Board’s Decision be adverse to the respondent’s MR, they may appeal to the Office of the President within fifteen (15) days from the receipt of the decision on the MR. This is not the first time that a preventive suspension order was imposed on It’s Showtime. In 2010, the MTRCB imposed a 20-day preventive suspension on ABS-CBN’s daily variety program then called “Showtime.” In 2023 alone, the MTRCB has received multiple complaints which the Board has given due course. Most recently, the Board issued two (2) additional warnings to the noontime show concerning the following cases: Case no. 1: Inappropriate utterance of the word “G Spot” by hosts Jhong Hilario and Vice Ganda, during the 24 January 2023 episode of “It’s Showtime!” in violation of Section 2 (B), Chapter IV of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Presidential Decree (P.D.) No. 1986. Decision: The Board found the Respondents (ABS-CBN Corporation Broadcasting Network [ABS-CBN], ZOE Broadcasting Network, Inc. [ZBNI] and TV 5 Network, Inc.) remiss in the performance of their respective functions and duties required under the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of P.D. No. 1986, specifically Section 2 (B) Chapter IV thereof, and are admonished to refrain from making any utterances of similar nature for the same will be dealt more severely. Case no. 2: Inappropriate utterance of the word “Tinggil” by host Vhong Navarro, during the 03 June 2023 episode of “It’s Showtime!” in violation of Section 2 (B), Chapter IV of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of P.D. No. 1986. Decision: Derelict in the performance of their respective functions and duties under the IRR of P.D. No. 1986, Respondents (ABS-CBN and ZBNI) were sternly warned by the Board that a similar utterance will be dealt with more severely. At present, the noontime show has duly submitted their MRs for the above-mentioned cases which are currently pending with the MTRCB’s Adjudication Committee. Prior Warnings It may also be recalled that the noontime show received prior warnings from the Board in relation to the utterance of the word “Pek Pek Shorts” in the 09 January 2023 episode of the show and the indecent attire and performance of Kim Duenas in the “Girl on Fire” segment aired on 14 February 2023, in both cases, the Respondents were admonished that similar violations shall be dealt with more severely. Dismissed Complaints over lack of Merit Apart from these, the MTRCB has received multiple complaints regarding the noontime show, which the Board dismissed in the spirit of fairness and equity, such as (1) Complaints regarding the “Rampanalo” segment money game where hosts were paired together to catch play money using their lips; (2) Complaints regarding the allegedly suggestive “macho” dancing in one of the show’s segments; (3) Complaints regarding the wardrobe malfunctions or “nip slips” of one of the performers, to which MTRCB issued a memorandum urging stakeholders to exercise prudence in securing their talents’ clothing during performances; and (4) Complaints of alleged inappropriate wearing of the Barong Tagalog of one of the Hosts, to name a few. The MTRCB only adjudicates cases which, to the Board’s judgment, have basis in law and its mandate, P.D. No. 1986. 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Senate panel approves OVP’s proposed P2.3B budget for 2024
The Senate Committee on Finance on Monday approved the proposed P2.385 billion budget of the Office of the Vice President, including the proposed P500 million budget for its confidential and intelligence funds. Vice President Sara Duterte, who leads the OVP, physically attended the deliberation on the proposed budget for her office. The deliberation lasted for about an hour and a half, which is longer compared to the 20-minute approval made by the House Committee on Appropriations for the OVP's budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year. Citing parliamentary courtesy, Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. made a motion to terminate the budget discussion for the OVP’s proposed budget. “Traditionally, with due respect and courtesy to the second highest official of the country. When [it comes to] the budget of OVP, deliberations are terminated after a few pleasantries,” Revilla said. “In view of tradition, I hereby express my support to the OVP and move for the approval of its budget for 2024,” he added. Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, seconded Revilla’s motion. The post Senate panel approves OVP’s proposed P2.3B budget for 2024 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl cinema in the first year of BBM
Here, we look back at the state of the Philippine film industry since he took the seat of power 13 months ago. When President Marcos Jr. became the 17th leader of the nation, the country was on the brink of the “new normal.” The campaign elections even saw multitudes of crowds in the streets, the Filipinos’ political passion overpowering the fear of a Covid-19 infection. Covid-pandemic viewing By May 2022, the month of the presidential campaigns, the Department of Health said the country was at “minimal-risk case classification” with an average of only 159 cases per day. By June 2022, when the President took his oath, 69.4 million Filipinos had been fully vaccinated. Along with the country, the Philippine film industry started healing. On the same month, the country went under Covid-19 Alert Level 2, with 50-percent allowed capacity in indoor cinemas. Live film festivals The Marcos administration saw the return of Filipino film festivals in theaters. On Marcos’ fifth month as president, the QCinema International Film Festival, with the theme “in10City,” held hybdrid screenings — in-person and online. The Metro Manila Film Festival in December 2022, six months into the new presidency, went full force in cinemas for the second time during the pandemic. Earlier, in 2020, during the Duterte administration, the festival was held online for the first time, and the following year, in December 2021, after level alert measures in the Philippines were relaxed, the MMFF finally went back to the cinemas. However, only around 300 cinemas (down from the usual 900) were allowed to screen the MMFF entries. Meanwhile, the 18th edition of the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival was held from 5 August to 31 October 2022 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, in select mall cinemas and online. But what made a mark during the Marcos administration’s first year was the inaugural edition of the 2023 Summer Metro Manila Film Festival. The SMMFF was held in Metro Manila and throughout the Philippines. Organized by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority in partnership with the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines, the first MMFF was supposed to be held in 2020, but was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2023, held from 8 to 18 April 2023 with the theme “Tuloy-tuloy ang Saya,” the summer festival featured eight entries and, like its December counterpart, even held a Parade of Stars. About Us But Not About Us by Jun Lana, produced by The IdeaFirst Company, Octobertrain Films and Quantum Films, emerged as the first Best Picture of the summer festival. [caption id="attachment_161372" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] About Us But Not About Us by Jun Lana[/caption] The Film Development Council of the Philippines’ sixth edition of its own mini-film festival, held during the Marcos administration’s third month, headed back to cinemas, offering free access to award-winning classic films of the new National Artists for Film and Broadcast Arts at TriNoma Cinema in Quezon City and in all Cinematheque centers nationwide (Manila, Iloilo, Negros, Davao and Nabunturan). CCP closes for renovations On 1 September 2022, CCP president Margarita Moran-Floirendo announced during a hearing of the Senate committee on cultural communities, that The Cultural Center of the Philippines — home to the Cinemalaya festival — will close its doors starting January 2023 for renovation and structural retrofitting works, and will reopen in March 2025. This marks the first time that Cinemalaya, on its 19th year, which has the theme “ilumiNasyon,” will be held at various venues inside the adjacent Philippine International Convention Center, from 4 to 13 August 2023. The rise of political films With the country deeply driven by polarized political views, the Marcos administration saw a war between political commercial films. [caption id="attachment_161370" align="aligncenter" width="1800"] ‘MAID in Malacanang’ stars Cristine Reyes, Diego Loyzaga and Ella Cruz. | Photograph courtesy of viva[/caption] On 29 July 2022, Darryl Yap’s period drama Maid in Malacañang, touted as “the most controversial film of the year,” was released to packed cinemas. The movie, about the Marcos family’s last three days in Malacañang Palace before they were forced into exile, premiered at SM North EDSA and was released nationwide on 3 August 2022. Yap, who passionately campaigned for Marcos, became a controversial filmmaker with the release of his Marcos film. Leni Robredo supporters tried to boycott the film, with some Filipino movie critics exposing themselves as heavily political and non-neutral with their reviews, accusing the film of propaganda and historical revisionism. The attempt to quash the movie’s release failed and it became a box-office hit, with producer Viva Films releasing a statement that it earned a whopping P21 million on its opening day and P63 million three days after its release. It was the first time in Philippine cinema history that local theaters nationwide saw a deluge of moviegoers lining up to watch a movie on the big screen, mostly driven by political affiliation. Another unsuccessful political attempt to diminish the film’s release was Vince Tañada’s re-release of his Martial Law film Katips to counter Maid in Malacañang. Tañada’s film eventually won Best Picture at the Famas Awards. MIM actress Ella Cruz’s remark during a press conference, that “history is like tsismis,” further fanned the flames of political debate online. Eight months later, in March 2022, Viva released Yap’s second installment in his Marcos trilogy, Martyr or Murderer, which now focused on Ferdinand Marcos and the assassination of Ninoy Aquino. Two anti-Marcos movies rose to combat the film — Joel Lamangan’s Oras de Peligro, released on the same day, and Tañada’s movie adaptation of his musical play Ako Si Ninoy, released one week earlier. Movie buffs, political analysts, film critics, the press and social media influencers dove into feverish commentaries on the three films, and Philippine cinemas were ignited and, for a while, became alive with social discourse. New FDCP head On 21 July 2022, Tirso S. Cruz III officially assumed his position as the head of the country’s national film agency, the Film Development Council of the Philippines. He replaced Liza Diño, who was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as FDCP chairperson on 12 August 2016. [caption id="attachment_161368" align="aligncenter" width="736"] FDCP chair Tirso Cruz III. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF FDCP[/caption] Cruz, a veteran actor, said that the target of the FDCP under the Marcos administration was to support local films, not just in Metro Manila, but also from regional filmmakers. He also professed support for film students and highlighted archiving as part of the FDCP’s agenda, with 42,000 materials in its archives to be salvaged. MTRCB In September 2022, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board released a statement addressing the controversy about its proposal to expand its jurisdiction to online streaming services like Netflix, Vivamax, Amazon Prime and other streaming platforms. The MTRCB said it was responding to multitudes of complaints from parents and other concerned groups demanding that the agency regulate movie and TV online platforms to protect children from harmful viewing. The Marcos administration has seen a continuous boom in streamers, which began during the pandemic, with Vivamax becoming one of the leading local streamers due to the popularity of Filipino sexploitation films. On 23 February 2023, MTRCB chairperson Lala Sotto-Antonio expressed her gratitude to Senators Francis “Tol” Tolentino, Grace Poe and Sherwin Gatchalian for the separate bills they filed that would amend and expand the board’s mandate. “We welcome the move to amend the charter of the MTRCB as it will allow the agency to adequately adapt to changes in technology and the ever-evolving needs of the viewing public and our other stakeholders,” Sotto-Antonio said before the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media chaired by Senator Robinhood C. Padilla. Eddie Garcia Act In January 2023, the chamber passed through voice voting House Bill 1270, or the proposed Eddie Garcia Act, at the House plenary session. [caption id="attachment_161367" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] HOUSE Bill 1270 has been proposed in honor of the late actor Eddie Garcia. | Photograph courtesy of gma-7[/caption] Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte authored the bill, which aims to provide workers in the movie, television and radio entertainment industry opportunities for well-paid employment and protect them from economic exploitation, abuse and harassment, as well as hazardous working conditions. The bill was named after the late veteran actor Eddie Garcia, who died in 2019 after suffering a neck injury while shooting the television series Rosang Agimat, produced by GMA Network. According to Villafuerte, productions would go from 16 to 24 continuous work hours per set and would rush productions to save costs. The proposed law mandates that normal work hours of the worker or talent shall be eight hours a day; overtime work should not exceed more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period; and the total number of work hours shall not exceed 60 hours in a week. Paul Soriano Relatively unknown to most Pinoy moviegoers, filmmaker Paul Soriano was put on the limelight as the man behind the President’s advertisements — way back from campaigns since Marcos started out as vice governor, and then, governor of Ilocos Norte, up until his senatorial campaign, and eventually his campaign for the vice presidency and presidency. [caption id="attachment_161371" align="aligncenter" width="781"] PRESIDENTIAL Adviser on Creative Communications Paul Soriano. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF ig/PAUL SORIANO[/caption] Of course, the opposition in the film industry predictably canceled Soriano, the blood nephew of First Lady Liza Cacho Araneta-Marcos. Dolly de Leon It was also during the BBM era that Filipina actress Dolly de Leon gained international fame for her performance in the 2022 Cannes Palme d’Or winner Triangle of Sadness. [caption id="attachment_161366" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Dolly de Leon gained international fame for her performance in the 2022 Cannes Palme d’Or winner ‘Triangle of Sadness.’ | Photograph courtesy ofig/dolly de leon[/caption] The 54-year old film, television and theater actress made history by becoming the first Filipino actor to be nominated at the British Academy Film Awards and Golden Globe Awards. Filipino movie fans and critics, having been exposed to global content since the rise of the streamers, plus the proliferation of self-published movie reviews, are generally still disappointed with the output and system of the Philippine film industry, but filled with hope that, with full support from the government, Philippine cinema will finally become truly internationally competitive, sustainable and recognized. The post Phl cinema in the first year of BBM appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Singapore state investor Temasek reports portfolio value drop
Singapore state investor Temasek said Tuesday its net portfolio value fell 5.2 percent in the last financial year due to volatility in global markets, and that it would be adopting a more cautious strategy. The company, whose global footprint extends well beyond the city-state, said its net holdings in the year ending in March were at Sg$382 billion ($287 billion), down from a record high Sg$403 billion in the previous year. Its one-year total shareholder return came in at negative 5.07 percent, weighed by higher interest rates resulting from tighter monetary policies to fight inflation. Its three-year total shareholder return, however, stood at 8.0 percent, while its 10-year return was at 6.0 percent and 20-year return at 9.0 percent. "We maintain a cautious investment stance and expect to invest at a moderated pace this financial year, given the challenging macroeconomic environment," said Temasek chief investment officer Rohit Sipahimalani. Temasek is ranked among the world's top 10 investors, with stakes in companies like Singapore Airlines and the city-state's biggest lender DBS Group. The company is mainly anchored in Asia, which accounts for 63 percent of its holdings, mostly in Singapore and China. Its portfolio ranges from transportation to financial services, telecommunications, real estate and life sciences. On Tuesday, Temasek also defended not taking tougher action against the team responsible for a failed investment in collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX. Temasek said in May it had slashed compensation for the team and senior management responsible for investing in FTX, which together with its sister trading house Alameda Research went bankrupt in November. FTX's implosion dissolved a virtual trading business that at one point had been valued at $32 billion, resulting in Temasek writing down its $275 million investment and launching an internal review. While the review found no misconduct, the investment team and senior management "took collective accountability and had their compensation reduced", Temasek said at that time. Temasek chief executive Dilhan Pillay said Tuesday the action taken by the firm was enough. "If we were to start to punish people beyond what we've done, who would want to be an investor?" he said. "When you do invest, you take risks. You take calculated, calibrated risks, and as long as you've done the work required to make the investment, the committee approves it and it goes forward," he added. "FTX was, I would say, an aberration." The post Singapore state investor Temasek reports portfolio value drop appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
For steadier, sturdier ship
The 1997 Asian Financial Crisis wiped out the jobs and savings of millions of working Filipinos, 3.96 million of whom were driven into poverty. I felt that my experience in the financial sector made it my duty to help guide the hands that steer the ship of State, to whomever those hands might belong. So, I launched my political career. A steadier, sturdier ship of State has been my life’s work. In 2001, with the looming financial collapse in the power sector, I helped craft the Energy and Power Industry Reform Act or EPIRA. That reduced the sector’s liabilities from P1.23 trillion in 2003 to P346 billion last year. In 2004, with imminent fiscal disaster, I crafted President Gloria Arroyo’s administration’s “Roadmap to Fiscal Rehabilitation,” P166 billion in reforms preventing widespread government austerity. That paid for the economic stimulus program I proposed in 2007-2009, putting us ahead of the curve with positive growth in 2008 and 2009 while the rest of the world retreated. For nine years between terms in Congress, I served as governor of Albay after the most traumatic event in its recent history: Supertyphoon “Reming.” Here are the numbers for Albay: We reduced the poverty rate from 32 percent in 2006 to 24 percent in 2015 (when the national figures were from 25 to 21 percent over the same period). We went from No. 177 in the National Achievement Test to No. 19; from 18,000 to 172,000 covered by PhilHealth; from 8,700 foreign tourists in 2006 to 374,000 in 2015, with total tourists from 123,000 to 1.4 million; from 74 percent rice self-sufficiency to 104 percent; from 6,300 hectares of forests in 2003 to 26,000 in 2006 to 53,000 in 2015. With 88,444 college scholars, we crafted the basis for the Free College Tuition Law, which I principally authored later. We established the Zero-Casualty Doctrine and pioneered local climate change adaptation, gaining us global acclaim and helping elect me co-chair of the United Nations Green Climate Fund. Under President Rodrigo Duterte, I shepherded the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program and the economic liberalization reforms. Continuing my chairmanship of the House Ways and Means Committee under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., I led structural reforms, including the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, the Public-Private Partnership Act, and the Center for Disease Control Charter — all set to become law soon. In time, I hope they will prove their value. For now, the work of nation-building continues. The post For steadier, sturdier ship appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go joins Baybay City’s 16th Charter Day celebration
On a momentous occasion during the 16th Charter Day Celebration of Baybay City, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go was officially declared as the adopted son of Leyte through Resolution No. 2020-337 passed on 24 April 2020, and formally granted on Friday, 16 June. The resolution recognizes Go's deep friendship, unwavering support, and invaluable contributions to the province and its people. In his speech, Go expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the warm welcome extended by the city. The senator commended the city for its beauty, highlighting its scenic charm and allure. “Maraming salamat sa inyong oras! Happy 16th Charter Day o Anniversary sa inyong siyudad. Napakaganda ng Baybay City,” he said. He emphasized his willingness to continue contributing to the city's progress by exploring projects that would further enhance the city's development. “Ako, kung ano ang makakatulong dito, amin bisitahin ang inyong boardwalk. Kung anong proyekto ang makakatulong sa inyong syudad, masaya rin ako na maging parte sa pag-unlad ng inyong siyudad,” he said. Expressing his joy at being a part of Baybay City’s journey towards advancement, Go also praised the ongoing projects in the city for their positive impact on the citizens. He then emphasized that it is not the people who should express gratitude to him, but rather, he who should be grateful for the opportunity to serve the people. Through the resolution, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan recognized his steadfast commitment to public service, noting that real progress and recovery have always been the outcomes of his dedicated endeavors. The resolution also highlights Go's exceptional efforts in assisting Leyte. Notably, his instrumental role in establishing a medical laboratory to handle COVID-19 cases and the establishment of Malasakit Centers at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center and the Ormoc District Hospital were emphasized. These centers serve as a one-stop shop for core agencies providing medical and financial assistance to indigent and financially incapacitated patients. Meanwhile, Go remains resolute in his commitment to improving the accessibility of healthcare services and expanding the construction of more public health facilities throughout the country. During his visit to Baybay City, he visited the ongoing construction of the highly anticipated Super Health Center in the city, which is 90% complete. Go also took the opportunity to inspect the Baybay City boardwalk, a project in which he played an instrumental role as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance. Go has also been instrumental in supporting other projects in the province. To further improve the health services in the province, Go also sponsored and successfully pushed for the passage of Republic Act No. 11567, increasing the bed capacity of EVRMC. Furthermore, he was instrumental in the enactment of RA 11566, converting the Schistosomiasis Control and Research Hospital into the GBTRGHSC. Go likewise supported the construction of multipurpose buildings in Alangalang, Babatngon, Carigara, Dagami, Isabel, Jaro, La Paz, Leyte, and Tolosa; construction of the Merida Community Hospital; construction of flood control structures in Alangalang, Javier, Tanauan, and Tolosa; and acquisition of dump trucks for the local governments of Isabel and Villaba, among others. After his visit to Baybay City, Go proceeded to Ormoc City. There, he extended assistance to various sectoral groups, including those affected by a fire incident. Additionally, he conducted a monitoring visit to the Malasakit Center at the Ormoc District Hospital, ensuring its effective operation. Furthermore, in collaboration with Leyte 4th District Representative Richard Gomes and Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomes, Go conducted an inspection of various funded sports facilities in the city. One of the notable projects Go inspected was a Pentathlon facility, which included a fencing hall. During his visit, Go participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the official opening of the fencing hall. The post Bong Go joins Baybay City’s 16th Charter Day celebration appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»