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Withdraw case, LTO chief asks losing bidder
Land Transportation Office chief Vigor Mendoza II yesterday appealed to the losing plastic card bidder to withdraw the case it filed after a Quezon City court stopped the delivery of plastic driver’s licenses......»»
‘In what world do you live?’ Israeli FM asks UN chief after Gaza criticism
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen on Tuesday denounced UN chief Antonio Guterres over his criticism of Israel's Gaza campaign, as Cohen recounted graphic details of Hamas attacks on civilians. "Mr. Secretary-General, in what world do you live?" Cohen told Guterres at a Security Council session on the crisis. Cohen later told reporters that he had canceled a meeting with Guterres. The United Nations leader earlier had alleged "clear violations" of international law as Israel pounds Gaza in response to the October 7 assault by Hamas and called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. Guterres also said that the Hamas attacks did not occur "in a vacuum," pointing to "56 years of suffocating occupation" endured by the Palestinians. "How you can agree to a ceasefire with someone who swore to kill and destroy your own existence?" Cohen said in English. Rejecting tying the violence to the occupation, Cohen said Israel gave Gaza to the Palestinians "to the last millimeter" with its withdrawal in 2005. Israel shortly afterward imposed a blockade of the impoverished territory, in place ever since, after Hamas took power, and it still occupies the West Bank. Israel's outspoken ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, called on Guterres to resign -- writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the UN chief has "expressed an understanding for terrorism and murder." A spokesman for Guterres said the secretary-general would go ahead with a meeting Tuesday with representatives of families held captive by Hamas in Gaza. He will attend in the presence of an Israeli mission representative but not Cohen, the UN spokesman said. The post ‘In what world do you live?’ Israeli FM asks UN chief after Gaza criticism appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PhilHealth’s Statement: Update on Temporary System Downtime
PhilHealth issued an official statement on temporary system downtime. Here's the full statement: OFFICIAL STATEMENT UPDATE ON TEMPORARY SYSTEM DOWNTIME September 23, 2023, as of 8:00 PM In view of the information security incident that we detected early morning of September 22, 2023, please be apprised that access to all systems including the website, HCI and Member Portal, and e-Claims were disabled or unplugged immediately as part of the information security containment measures being implemented by PhilHealth. Affected systems shall be restored at the soonest possible time after the completion of the needed configuration and reinforcement of existing information security measures. We are working to restore these systems on Monday, September 25, 2023. PhilHealth’s Management assures the public that the incident is under control and that no personal information and medical information has been compromised or leaked. We have already coordinated with the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), National Privacy Commission (NPC), Cybercrime Units of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to conduct forensic investigation and assessment. In the meantime, the following procedures shall be observed in the interim until the affected systems are restored: Members and their qualified dependents shall continually be entitled to the benefits of the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) with the submission to accredited healthcare providers a photocopy of the member’s PhilHealth Identification Card (PIC) or Member Data Record (MDR) or any identified acceptable supporting documents. Self-earning individuals and professionals paying their premium contributions may pay directly to PhilHealth’s existing Accredited Collecting Agents with over-the-counter payments. Accredited healthcare facilities are advised to continue deducting PhilHealth benefits and devise temporary arrangements with patients who are for discharge for them to avail of their benefits. Note: The rule on the filing of claims is covered by the previous Advisory on PhilHealth System Optimization wherein the filing period is extended to another 60 days for claims covering June 01, 2023 to September 30, 2023. Employers may submit their reports once the Electronic Premium Remittance System (EPRS) has been restored Meanwhile, PhilHealth continues its operations and processes transactions that can be done manually while configurations are ongoing. PhilHealth asks for the public’s understanding regarding this untoward incident. Further inquiries may be coursed through the PhilHealth Callback Channel at 0917-8987442, the PhilHealth Official Facebook Page @PhilHealthOfficial, or at any PhilHealth Regional and Local Health Insurance Offices. (Sgd.) EMMANUEL R. LEDESMA, JR. President and Chief Executive Officer The post PhilHealth’s Statement: Update on Temporary System Downtime appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Commuters’ group asks Makati Business Club to mind own business
A commuters' group on Sunday said business groups should mind their own business, instead of dipping their hands into the exclusive affairs of the Office of the Ombudsman. Atty. Ariel Inton, who heads the Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection, particularly chided the Makati Business Club (MBC) for criticizing the dismissal order by the Ombudsman leveled against officials of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA). "The Makati Business Club has no personality to the case," Inton, a former official of the LTFRB, said. Inton was reacting to the MBC statement urging Ombudsman Samuel Martires to reconsider the dismissal of MIAA acting general manager Cesar Chiong and acting assistant general manager Irene Montalbo, who were accused of grave abuse of authority. The Office of the Ombudsman earlier this month ordered the two officials dismissed after ruling that they were guilty of grave misconduct and abuse of authority in ordering the reassignments of nearly 300 MIAA employees. Inton said it is Chiong and Montalbo who should be appealing to the Ombudsman by filing a motion for reconsideration on its decision, "rather than the MBC do the talking." Inton also rebuked Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista on how the latter handles the transport system (air, land, and sea) like "hinalong kalamay (mixed rice cake)", adding that the transport chief should have an "iron fist" for his subordinates to focus on their jobs. "As transport commuter advocates, we feel the pressure of his job. He (Bautista) should look to his subordinates to focus on their jobs," Inton said referring to how Bautista should run the DOTr. Critics find Bautista "too soft" in running the DOTr making the NAIA one of the worst airports in Asia, based on passengers' queueing experiences, according to data obtained by property management and hospitality company Casago. The DOTr, they said, should be run by those coming from the land transportation system, not like Bautista who came from the private sector. Inton's group recommended Thomas "Tim" Orbos who was once the general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure of the Department of Transportation under the Duterte administration; former Party-list Congressman Jonathan A. Dela Cruz and Jess Manalo (Angkla Party-list) as Bautista's possible replacements. Meanwhile, Presidential Adviser on Poverty Alleviation Secretary Larry Gadon said he stands by the decision of Martires in his ruling to dismiss former airport GM Chiong and former Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) head Lloyd Christopher Lao from service with perpetual disqualification from holding public office. "I know that OMB Martires is apolitical as his decisions are based on the merits, facts, and evidence and beyond personal biases," Gadon said. He emphasized that it should be noted that decisions on removing public officials are not based solely on criminal intent or the consequences of a criminal act. "It may be based also on incompetence or acts of omission the effect of which resulted in irreparable damage to the public and the government. So even if the official is not criminally charged nor proven guilty as yet, the official may still be removed for utter lack of competence or lack of responsibility and due diligence in performing his functions. More so if the acts or omissions have inflicted great damage to the public," the Malacañang official explained. "OMB Martires does not look at personalities but more on the issues and acts that are proven by mere preponderance of evidence," Gadon added. The post Commuters’ group asks Makati Business Club to mind own business appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Leave Agriculture, solon asks Marcos anew
Minority leader Marcelino Libanan renewed his call for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to leave the Department of Agriculture, which he concurrently heads, as he aims to help the country attain food security and sufficiency and address the deepening woes in the farming industry. In his counter SoNA delivered yesterday before House members, Libanan, who heads the Minority Bloc, said Marcos should appoint a full-time DA chief and focus on the business on the executive as it needs “undivided attention.” “The President’s mind needs to be freed from the nitty-gritty of a department-level affair,” the 4Ps solon contended during his speech. He continued by saying, “The whole bureaucracy — nay, the whole country — needs his undivided attention at the helm of the ship of the state. The Chief Executive should leave the agriculture portfolio to someone in his bosom confidence. The lawmaker further questioned why Marcos could not place a permanent DA chief just like he did in the Department of National Defense, now headed by Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, after months of being shepherded by caretakers. “Why can’t this administration find the same intelligence, the same gravitas for the full-time stewardship of the Agriculture department?” he asked. Libanan first aired a similar question during a probe into the sugar fiasco (Sugar Order 4) in the House of Representatives last year, which the Malacañang refused to comment. Libanan pointed out that while food security is a pressing concern, it is, however, subsumed in the far larger concern of national security. “The former can be delegated to a subaltern, but the grander national security should be handled by no less than the Chief Executive himself,” Libanan continued. Marcos maintaining his position in the Agriculture portfolio drew mixed reactions from several lawmakers, with others agreeing he should stay in the post. Last June, Mr. Marcos announced that he would remain in the position as the Agriculture chief in light of the deepening woes hounding the industry of agriculture. He also expressed confidence that he can push reforms in the sector since he is in a position where stakeholders “cannot say no” to him as the President. The post Leave Agriculture, solon asks Marcos anew appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DTI chief asks EU: Upgrade GSP deal
It is high time for the government to initiate free trade agreement talks with the European Union, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said on Tuesday. Pascual said this during the Malacañang press briefing after reporters asked the Trade chief on the updates of the free trade agreement and the Generalized System of Preference Plus or GSP+ trade with the bloc. “I’ll be going to Brussels towards the end of June to follow-up on the EU GSP+ and also potentially the free trade agreement with the EU,” Pascual said. “We need to start negotiating a free trade agreement, so that’s what we’re discussing and we’ll see. We have support from businesses in Europe that are operating in the Philippines and some members of the European Parliament,” he added. Price of development However, Pascual said the Philippines will no longer be eligible for the GSP+ benefits once it transitions to an upper-middle income country. “This was mentioned to me by the parliamentarians who visited my office. I said we need to initiate the negotiations on a free trade agreement,” Pascual added. Last year, National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said that the Philippines had the potential to attain the status of an upper-middle-income country by 2024. As per the World Bank’s classification, an upper-middle-income country refers to a nation with a gross national income (GNI) per capita ranging between $4,096 and $12,695. The economic officials from the previous administration believed that this achievement could have been accomplished earlier if it weren’t for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the Philippines has actively pursued the establishment of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU). President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr held a meeting with Ursula Von der Leyen, the President of the European Council, during the ASEAN-EU summit in Belgium last year. The post DTI chief asks EU: Upgrade GSP deal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CIDG-7 asks public to report selling of vaccination slots and cards
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The top official of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG-7) is reminding the public to not hesitate in reporting the selling of vaccination slots and cards to the agency. Police Colonel Ireneo Dalogdog, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG-7), said this following reports they received about personnel […] The post CIDG-7 asks public to report selling of vaccination slots and cards appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
PSC asks AFP to allow athletes, coaches to train for SEA Games
By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is requesting the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the renewal of detailed service (DS) to military athletes and coaches who served as frontliners since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic broke out last year. In a letter to AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Cirilito E. Sobejana […].....»»
Ex-Enrile aide asks SC: Speed up plunder trial
Detained lawyer Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes, who worked as chief of staff of former Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile, has asked the Supreme Court to act on her six-year detention on plunder charges in relation to her alleged involvement in the P10-billion pork barrel scam......»»
Enrile staff asks for release
The former chief of staff of former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile has asked the Supreme Court for help for her possible release from detention on the ground the Sandiganbayan violated her right to due process and for “a speedy, impartial and public trial.”.....»»
PNP asks Facebook to disable 3 poser accounts linked to scam
CALOOCAN CITY, Oct. 13 (PIA) -- Upon request of the Philippine National Police, Facebook has disabled three (3) poser accounts that illegally assumed the identity of PNP Chief, Police General Camil.....»»
As Cebu tourism reopens, police asks public to follow health protocols
CEBU CITY, Philippines –As Cebu gets ready to reopen its tourism industry, the police in the province is also gearing up to watch over tourist sites and make sure health protocols will be followed at all times. This is what Police Colonel Roderick Mariano, chief of the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO), said as the […] The post As Cebu tourism reopens, police asks public to follow health protocols appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Pentagon chief reaffirms support after latest China aggression in WPS
Austin emphasized US support for the Philippines in defending its sovereign rights and jurisdiction in a phone call with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on Wednesday. .....»»
New DCPO chief pledges technology-driven approach
THE new director of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) underscored the utilization of technology to streamline their operations......»»
Victims of Baltimore bridge collapse include those from Mexico, Guatemala
Maryland [US], March 27 (ANI): Among those reported missing following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore in the US are Mexican nationals, CNN reported, citing Rafael Laveaga, Chief of the Consular Section of Mexico's Embassy in Washington. Laveaga refrained from specifying the exact number of missing Mexican nationals when he addressed reporters near the scene on Tuesday. A reporter asked Laveaga: ".....»»
Ministry helping improve BARMM’s business climate names 10 new officials
The Bangsamoro chief minister has filled out ten regional positions in one of the ministries under him to boost its operation as requested by business blocs enticing foreign investors to venture into viable businesses in the region......»»
Russian Spy Chief Makes Bizarre Claim of US, UK, and Ukraine Involvement in Moscow Attack
In a recent development, the director of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has made startling accusations against Ukraine, the US, and the UK, claiming they.....»»
New DCPO chief to focus on personnel morale, asset optimization
THE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) bid farewell to PCol. Alberto Lupaz and welcomed its new City Director, PCol. Richard Bad-ang, in a turn-over ceremony at the Camp Captain Domingo E. Leonor on March 22......»»
Philippines declares 'strategic defeat' of NPA rebels
MANILA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines declared on Tuesday a "strategic defeat" of the New People's Army (NPA) rebels, who have been fighting against the government since the 1960s, saying there is no more active guerilla fronts in the country. Eduardo Ano, National Security Adviser and former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said "thousands" of NPA insurgents have decided to return t.....»»
Rice imports as of mid-March 886,963 MT
The country’s rice imports as of mid-March have surpassed the total volume recorded in the entire first quarter of last year by a double-digit rate, to over 880,000 metric tons, government data showed......»»