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Police major na suspek sa pagkawala ni Catherine Camilon lumantad na, umaming may ‘affair’ sila ng beauty queen
LUMANTAD na ang police major na itinuturing na prime suspect sa pagkawala ng beauty queen na si Catherine Camilon. Diretsahang inamin ni Major Allan de Castro na may “illicit relationship” sila ni Catherine na isang grade school teacher at naging kandidata sa Miss Grand Philippines 2023. Humarap si De Castro kay chief PNP General Benjamin.....»»
Prosecutors reject Trump claim of ‘absolute immunity’
Federal prosecutors on Thursday rejected Donald Trump's attempt to have election conspiracy charges dismissed on the grounds that he enjoys immunity for actions he took while in the White House. "No one in this country, not even the president, is above the law," special counsel Jack Smith's team wrote in a 54-page motion filed with the judge presiding over the landmark case. Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, is to go on trial in Washington in March of next year for allegedly conspiring to subvert the results of the November 2020 election won by Democrat Joe Biden. The former president's lawyers, in a motion two weeks ago to US District Judge Tanya Chutkan, argued that the charges should be thrown out because Trump is "absolutely immune from criminal prosecution." Prosecutors in the special counsel's office dismissed that argument and urged Chutkan to deny Trump's request. "He is subject to the federal criminal laws like more than 330 million other Americans," they said. "No court has ever alluded to the existence of absolute criminal immunity for former presidents. "The implications of the defendant's unbounded immunity theory are startling," they added. "It would grant absolute immunity from criminal prosecution to a president who accepts a bribe in exchange for a lucrative government contract for a family member," they said, or "a president who sells nuclear secrets to a foreign adversary." Trump's bid to invoke the presidential immunity defense is seen as a long shot by legal observers but it could result in a delay to the start of the trial as the argument potentially winds its way up to the conservative-dominated Supreme Court. Trump's attempts to use the "absolute immunity" defense in other cases have been rebuffed by judges, but the nation's highest court has never ruled directly on whether a former chief executive is immune from criminal prosecution. Trump is the first former US president to face criminal charges. 'Unsettled question' Trump's attorneys, citing a Supreme Court case involving former president Richard Nixon, said the law provides "absolute immunity" to the president "for acts within the 'outer perimeter' of his official responsibility." As chief executive, they argued, Trump had a responsibility to "ensure election integrity" and was within his rights to challenge the results of the 2020 vote. "As President Trump is absolutely immune from criminal prosecution for such acts, the Court should dismiss the indictment," they said. While making the argument that Trump cannot be prosecuted, his lawyers acknowledged the Nixon case they cited involved the civil liability of a former president and not alleged criminal conduct. "The question remains a 'serious and unsettled question' of law," they said. The case before Chutkan accuses Trump of conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding -- the January 6, 2021 joint session of Congress that was attacked by a mob of Trump supporters. Other criminal cases against Trump include racketeering charges in Georgia for allegedly conspiring to upend the election results in the southern state and a trial in Florida in May 2024 on charges of mishandling top-secret government documents. Trump and his two eldest sons are also currently involved in a civil fraud trial in New York for allegedly inflating the value of their real estate assets to receive more favorable bank loans and insurance terms. The post Prosecutors reject Trump claim of ‘absolute immunity’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Israeli Security Chief Accepts Responsibility for Misreading Hamas Attack – The Daily Guardian
Title: Shin Bet Chief Acknowledges Failures in Preventing Devastating Hamas Attack In an unprecedented move, the Head of Israel’s Shin Bet security service, Ronen Bar,.....»»
Brawner denies 2 activists tortured
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief, General Romeo Brawner Jr., on Wednesday denied the allegations of torture by the two young activists who claimed they were abducted by soldiers in Bataan province. Brawner clarified that environmentalists Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano have undergone the military’s standard operating procedure for the rebel returnees. “We applied everything that is stipulated in our SOP when someone surrenders. We let them undergo medical examination the very first hour that they were brought to our custody when they surrendered,” Brawner said during the Senate deliberation on the proposed 2024 national budget of the Department of National Defense and its attached agencies. Brawner stood firm that Castro and Tamano “voluntarily surrendered” to the Philippine Army’s 70th Infantry Battalion in Plaridel, Bulacan, after going missing on 2 September. “When they surrendered. The first hour, we called for a doctor to do a physical examination on them. That’s why their statements that they were tied up with their other allegations of torture — are not true,” he said. In a government-sponsored press conference last week, Tamano and Castro made a surprising statement that they were “coerced to surrender” and “threatened” by the military. Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said Brawner’s assertion about the surrendering of Tamano and Castro could be backed by the statement of Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Rueda-Acosta. “Everything that they said was properly debunked by PAO chief Acosta. In that alone, their claims were already destroyed,” Dela Rosa said. Perjury raps Meanwhile, Defense Chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the government is preparing perjury charges against the two activists after they recanted their earlier statements, which were put through a “handwritten affidavit.” “There is a case preparation now, multi-agency case preparation for the filing of perjury charges against them. The sworn statements of the witnesses are being reviewed,” Teodoro said. The post Brawner denies 2 activists tortured appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Brawner denies military torture vs activists Tamano, Castro
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Romeo Brawner Jr. on Wednesday denied the allegations of torture by the two young activists who claimed they were abducted by the soldiers in Bataan province. Brawner clarified that environmentalists, Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano, have undergone the military’s standard operating procedure for the rebel returnees. “We applied everything that nandoon po sa ating SOP kapag meron pong nagsu-surrender In fact, ang ginawa po natin pina-medical examination po natin the first hour na nadala po sa ating custody when they surrendered (We applied everything that is stipulated in our SOP when someone surrenders. In fact, what we did was we let them undergo medical examination the very first hour that they were brought to our custody when they surrendered),” Brawner said during the deliberation of the Senate Committee on Finance on the proposed 2024 national budget of the Department of National Defense and its attached agencies. Brawner stood firm that Castro and Tamano had “voluntarily surrendered” to the Philippine Army’s Philippine Army’s 70th Infantry Battalion in Plaridel, Bulacan after going missing for weeks. “When they surrendered. The first hour, we called for a doctor to do a physical examination on them. That’s why, their statements that they were tied up with their other allegations of torture—are not really true,” the AFP chief stressed. In a government-sponsored press conference last week, Tamano and Castro said they were “coerced to surrender” and “threatened” by the military. Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said Brawner’s assertion about the surrendering of Tamano and Castro could be backed by the statement of Public Attorney's Office chief Persida Rueda-Acosta. “Everything that they said was properly debunked by PAO chief Acosta. Wala talaga, sirang-sira sila doon (In that alone, their claims were already destroyed),” said Dela Rosa. Meanwhile, Defense Chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr. noted that the government is preparing perjury charges against the two activists after they recanted their earlier statements which were put through a “handwritten affidavit.” "There is a case preparation now, multi-agency case preparation for the filing of perjury charges against them. The sworn statements of the witnesses are being reviewed,” said Teodoro. The post Brawner denies military torture vs activists Tamano, Castro appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Perjury raps vs 2 activists underway
Perjury charges are now being prepared against the two environmentalists who recanted their “handwritten affidavit” stating they have “voluntarily surrendered” to the military and declared that soldiers abducted them after they went missing. During the deliberation of the Senate Committee on Finance on 2024 proposed P229.9-billion budget of the Department of National Defense and its attached agencies, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa asked on the case update of Jhed Tamano and Jonila Castro who earlier retracted what they said in their affidavit. “May case preparation ngayon, inter-agency case preparation for the filing of perjury charges sa kanila. Nire-review lang ang mga sworn statements ng mga testigo (There is a case preparation now, multi-agency case preparation for the filing of perjury charges against them. The sworn statements of the witnesses are being reviewed),” Teodoro told Dela Rosa. In a previous press conference organized by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, Tamano and Castor denied that they surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 70th Infantry Battalion. Philippine Army chief LtGen. Roy Galido earlier admitted that the two young activists had tricked the military, contrary to their earlier statements sworn before the Public Attorney's Office. "We felt betrayed that's why we will file the necessary case, to use our laws, just like when you are also betrayed when your clients are betrayed, they file a case against you, so we just have to follow the rule of law in our country," Galido said. Meanwhile, Dela Rosa urged the DND to push through with the filing of perjury charges against Tamano and Castro. "We should do that. I am encouraging you. Grabe 'yung maka-kaliwa, grabe maka-jump sa bandwagon nung epekto na 'yun. Talagang all-out sila. Dapat tayo rin, sumagot din tayo. Parang lumalabas na para bang inaamin na lang natin na totoo ang sinasabi nila (The leftists are really jumping on the bandwagon following their retraction. They are really all-out. We must answer that. It seems like we are just admitting that what they are saying is true),” said Dela Rosa. The senator said the security forces should be aggressive in their actions against propaganda of the communist-leaning parties. Teodoro noted that the intelligence information on the two activists is liable. “Your honor, talagang sigurado po ako sa ebidensya dito (I’m really sure about the evidences),” said Teodoro, noting that the recantation of the two activists is just part of the dramas being perpetrated by the left-leaning organizations. ‘Lesson learned: Be wary’ Dela Rosa also warned the Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. to be wary of entertaining communist surrenderers. “Lessons learned, General Brawner. Ingat kayo kasi pwede kayong saksakin sa likuran niyan (Just be careful because they can stab your back),” he said. "Masyado tayong mabait, masyado na tayong gentleman. Masyado tayong mapagbigay to the point na 'yun pala, nilalason na pala tayo sa sarili nating tubig (We are too kind, we are too gentlemanly. We are too generous to the point that we are being poisoned in our own waters),” Dela Rosa added. On the other hand, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri emphasized the need to provide sufficient funds for the NTF-ELCAC, to augment the military’s efforts on its Balik-Loob program. “We should help in their budget, we should continue providing funds for NTF-ELCAC, especially in barangay projects because that’s what winning hearts and minds. It has been very successful in Bukidnon and any other provinces,” he said. Dela Rosa supported Zubiri’s suggestion. However, the funds of the anti-insurgency task force are being lodged in the expenditure program of the National Security Council. The post Perjury raps vs 2 activists underway appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
2 ‘missing environmentalists’ not abducted — NSC
The National Security Council on Friday broke the narratives of left-leaning organizations that the missing students tagged as environmentalists, Jhed Tamano and Jonila Castro, who were allegedly abducted by government forces, were instead "safe and sound" in a safehouse as they turned themselves to the police for fear that their lives might be in danger after leaving the leftists' movement. "They left the movement. Hindi totoo na abducted itong dalawa. They left the movement on their (own) free will," NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan E. Malaya told the media at the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict press briefing held at the National Press Club in Manila. "Second. They are not environmentalists, they were organizers ng kaliwa," Malaya added referring to local communists' front organizations like Kabataan and Karapatan. Since 1 September 2023, the two young girls, according to Malaya, were "planning to leave the movement" as narrated by Tamano and Castro in their sworn statements now forwarded to the Department of Justice to prepare charges against individuals and groups that took advantage of the conditions and experiences by the two students. Their sworn statements, Malaya said, were done "not in front" of soldiers or police, but with lawyers from the Public Attorney's Office and Commission on Human Rights representatives. "This is also a scam, may mga kumakalap ng pera (through G-Cash or Pay Maya) calling for donations (to find the two girls)," Malaya said. He challenged the communist front organizations to turn back the money collected or give it to Tamano and Castro or to their parents who suffered more from false narratives. Malaya said the DOJ will file cases against these groups and individuals. P/Capt. Carlito l Buco Jr., chief public information officer of the Bataan Provincial Police Office, on the other hand, said the case brought also some fears to parents of students in the province, as youngsters are targeted by the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People's Army, and National Democratic Front, for recruitment. "We call on the students, maging matalino (be smart) kayo at isaalang-alang (think of your love ones) ang mahal ninyo sa buhay," the police official said. He added while the two reportedly missing students are now safe and sound, their sworn statements would attest to their experiences inside the Communist movement, which make them fearful for their security. The post 2 ‘missing environmentalists’ not abducted — NSC appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BP chief Bernard Looney resigns ‘with immediate effect’
British energy giant BP said Tuesday that its chief executive Bernard Looney has resigned "with immediate effect", after admitting that he had not been "fully transparent" about historical relationships with colleagues. "Bernard Looney has notified the company that he has resigned as chief executive officer with immediate effect," the company said in a statement, adding that finance chief Murray Auchincloss would act as interim CEO. Looney, 53, is leaving the energy firm after less than four years in the role. BP said that in May last year, its board received and reviewed allegations from an anonymous source relating to Looney's conduct "in respect of personal relationships with company colleagues". Looney disclosed "a small number of historical relationships with colleagues prior to becoming CEO" during the review, it added while noting that no breach of the company's code of conduct was found. However, the board was given his assurances over his disclosures of past personal relationships, as well as his future behavior, according to BP. "Further allegations of a similar nature were received recently, and the company immediately began investigating with the support of external legal counsel," it said, adding that the process was continuing. "Mr Looney has today informed the company that he now accepts that he was not fully transparent in his previous disclosures," BP added. "He did not provide details of all relationships and accepts he was obligated to make more complete disclosure." BP said the board expects all staff to behave in accordance with the company's values. "All leaders in particular are expected to act as role models and to exercise good judgment in a way that earns the trust of others," the company said. Looney has been at BP since joining the British energy behemoth in 1991 and was appointed chief executive in 2020. The company said no decisions had yet been made regarding any remuneration payments. Looney had vowed to reposition BP as a leader in clean energy technologies, and gradually cut oil and gas production to reduce carbon emissions, but environmentalists have criticized the firm for inaction in that regard during his tenure. Like many of its rivals, BP earlier this year unveiled record annual profits for 2022, thanks to soaring oil and gas prices following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, earnings have fallen somewhat from those heights so far this year, as energy prices retreated for much of 2023. Nonetheless, BP said in August it was hiking its dividend and returning $1.5 billion to shareholders by repurchasing stock. The post BP chief Bernard Looney resigns ‘with immediate effect’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
House mulls bigger CoA budget
House lawmakers on Thursday rallied to grant the Commission on Audit a bigger chunk of next year’s P5.768 trillion proposed national budget to strengthen its power to uphold accountability and transparency within the national government. The proposed allocation for the audit body in 2024 is only P13.36 trillion, way lower than its current funding of P13.8 trillion. From the 2023 General Appropriations Act, CoA received a budget cut of P42,494,000 to the 2023 National Expenditure Program of the Department of Budget and Management. Citing the crucial role of the CoA against mismanagement of public funds, Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raoul Manuel said the CoA must get and be entitled to receive a bigger share of the national budget, especially when there is huge funding for confidential and intelligence funds for various agencies Manuel lobbied the proposal to the House Committee on Appropriations, which is looking into the CoA’s budget for 2024. CoA’s mission is to ensure accountability for public resources, promote transparency, and help improve government operations in partnership with stakeholders to benefit the public. Its mandate includes examining, auditing and settling all accounts about the revenue and receipts of, and expenditures or uses of funds and property owned or held, or pertaining to, the government. The rookie lawmaker noted that while there has been a downward trend in CoA’s budget since 2022, the confidential and intelligence funds that he believes the CoA should be examining more, are surging. “This is despite the fact that for 2024, we have a proposed increase of 9.5 percent in the total national budget. So, the pie will grow, but the budget of CoA will decrease,” he said. Mismanagement of funds While several agencies sought bulk of confidential and intelligence funds, CoA chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba said they also requested the same at P10 million being utilized for their operations to assist the prosecution in cases involving mismanagement of funds revealed in audit reports. “Our auditors often become witnesses in the cases filed in the Ombudsman and Sandiganbayan. We help the security of our witnesses when needed,” Cardoba told lawmakers. “When someone complains about our personnel, we hire third-party investigators to help us,” the CoA chief explained. Next year’s proposed national spending plan is P5 million or 9.5 percent higher than 2023’s P5.268 trillion spending program, which the House had approved in barely six weeks under the General Appropriations Bill. Regardless, according to Manuel, given that there are still many items to be audited in the last year and the current national budget, CoA should be getting a bigger budget allocation. Echoing Manuel, ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro said CoA has been assisting Congress, whose role is the power of the purse, in determining if funds given to the government agencies and their attached offices are properly used. “If there is an agency that is a plus for me, it is CoA because I can really see its performance. It releases performance audits and observations that help Congress,” she said. In a similar vein to the minority members, Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo, senior vice chairperson of the appropriations panel, also underscored that CoA’s role stands as a cornerstone of fiscal integrity “in a landscape where financial prudence and transparency are indispensable.” “Scrutinizing the use of public funds and resources not only ensures accountability but also fosters an environment of trust. Every peso spent with integrity, every transaction examined thoroughly, contributes to the overarching goal of economic growth,” the economist-lawmaker said. The CoA, according to Quimbo, is not merely an auditing agency, but a custodian of the nation’s financial health. The post House mulls bigger CoA budget appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
P23-B add’l budget needed for new jails, PDLs subsidy
Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla yesterday said the Department of Justice has requested P23 billion for new jail facilities and additional subsidy for persons deprived of liberty as these were not funded in the proposed 2024 national budget. Remulla made the statement when asked to explain by House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro why the daily food and medicine allowance for PDLs remained at P85 for 2024, the same amount provided under the 2023 budget. “We asked for P100 (daily subsistence of PDLs) for food and P30 for medicine, but it was not given to us by the Department of Budget and Management. Actually, we need important things at the DoJ which were not granted by DBM,” Remulla said. He said prison congestion is at 383 percent, thus they asked for an allocation to fix the problem. “We asked for P23 billion in order to construct new jails to decongest the facilities, but the funds were not given to us,” he said. The DoJ’s proposed budget for 2024 is P34.5 billion. DBM’s reply Mary Ann dela Vega of DBM said increasing the daily subsidy for food and medicine of PDLs under the Bureau of Corrections would entail an increase in the daily subsistence of PDLs under the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. Dela Vega said they have maintained a rate of P70 for food and P15 for medicine for PDLs of Bucor and BJMP because the cost of an increase will amount to P3 billion, thus the decision to maintain the present levels. She said that in maintaining the amount of subsidy for food and medicine for PDLs, they also considered that the daily subsistence for the military and uniformed personnel is only P150 per day. During the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, the MUP’s monthly salary was doubled. Meanwhile, BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. has complied with the request of the House Committee on Justice by submitting an additional budget proposal in the amount of almost P1.5 billion to safely secure and strengthen the country’s correction service. “We have submitted a letter addressed to the Committee on Appropriations technical staff chief, Ms. Jocelyn G. Lim, for at least P1.5 billion in additional funding to do what must be done in various prison and penal farms nationwide in support of and to solidify the Philippine justice system and ensure public safety,” Catapang said. The BuCor’s priority projects that are unfunded in the proposed national budget but are badly needed in its day-to-day operations include: The acquisition of K9 dogs in the amount of P10 million. K9 dogs can reduce use-of-force incidents and contraband smuggling while serving as a deterrent to unwanted behavior in prison facilities; Acquisition of an advanced body-worn camera system worth P320.4 million; Acquisition of scanner machines in the amount of P812 million; Additional increase in funds for a CCTV surveillance system in the amount of P154.6 million for intelligence gathering, the prevention of crime, the protection of a process, person, group, or project, or the investigation of crime; and Construction of a mess hall for PDLs amounting to P169.1 million; “Our lawmakers have seen with their own eyes the status of the New Bilibid Prison and the plight of our PDLs, not to mention the inadequacies and flaws that need to be fixed in BuCor,” he said. The post P23-B add’l budget needed for new jails, PDLs subsidy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MORE Power reports 8th rate drop despite NGCP charge hikes
Iloilo City — MORE Power continues to work towards consumer relief as it announces yet another significant reduction in the effective total residential electricity rate for August 2023. Despite increased power delivery and ancillary service charges imposed by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, MORE Power has succeeded in lowering its valued customers’ cost burden for the eighth time this year. “We are pleased to announce that electricity rates in Iloilo City have decreased for the eighth consecutive month this year. Our commitment in providing affordable electricity remains steadfast. Despite challenges, we persist in delivering tangible benefits to our customers,” said Roel Castro, president and chief executive officer of MORE Power. Testament “This achievement stands as a testament to the dedication and patience of our Energy Sourcing team, as it consistently seeks cost-efficient power generation supply, incorporate renewable energy, and leverage favorable market conditions,” he added. MORE Power has achieved an effective residential electricity rate of P10.9840/kWh for its August billing, lower by P0.4333/kWh compared to the previous month’s rate of P11.4173/kWh. The increased delivery and ancillary service charge of P0.0659/kWh was counterbalanced by a substantial reduction in the generation charge by P0.3939/kWh. This feat was primarily attributed to a reduction in fuel costs associated with purchased electricity, particularly from power suppliers such as KEPCO SPC, constituting a 19.06% share in energy procurement, and Sem Calaca Power with a 30.90% share. Further decreased system loss charge Continuing its trajectory of efficiency, MORE Power has further decreased System Loss charge by P0.0237/kWh, attributing it to a reduction in actual system loss. The current 12-month average system loss as of July 2023 remains at 5.85 percent. The post MORE Power reports 8th rate drop despite NGCP charge hikes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MORE Power announces 8th monthly rate drop amid NGCP charge increase
MORE Power continues to work towards consumer relief as it announces yet another significant reduction in the effective total residential electricity rate for August 2023. This marks the eighth time this year that MORE Power has succeeded in lowering the cost burden on its valued customers, despite the increased power delivery and ancillary service charges imposed by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines. "We are pleased to announce that electricity rates in Iloilo City have decreased for the eighth consecutive month this year. Our commitment to providing affordable electricity remains steadfast. Despite challenges, we persist in delivering tangible benefits to our customers. This achievement stands as a testament to the dedication and patience of our Energy Sourcing team, as they consistently seek cost-efficient power generation supply, incorporate renewable energy and leverage favorable market conditions," said Roel Z. Castro, president and chief executive officer of MORE Power. MORE Power has achieved an effective residential electricity rate of P10.9840/kWh for August billing, lower by P0.4333/kWh compared to the previous month's rate of P11.4173/kWh. The increased delivery and ancillary service charge of P0.0659/kWh was counterbalanced by a substantial reduction in the generation charge by P0.3939/kWh. This feat was primarily attributed to a reduction in fuel costs associated with purchased electricity, particularly from power suppliers such as KEPCO SPC, constituting a 19.06 percent share in energy procurement, and Sem Calaca Power with a 30.90 percent share. Continuing its trajectory of efficiency, MORE Power has further decreased the System Loss charge by P0.0237/kWh, attributing it to a reduction in actual system loss. The current 12-month average system loss as of July 2023 remains at 5.85 percent. In alignment with the company's dynamic strategy, lifeline subsidies have undergone adjustment due to the automatic exclusion of residents in subdivisions, condominiums, and villages. Furthering this fiscal prudence, the Universal Charge for Missionary Electrification has been reduced following the successful culmination of the 12-month NPC true-up adjustment, which was entirely billed in the preceding month. The collective impact of these strategic measures has inevitably led to a concurrent decrease in VAT and other taxes, providing consumers with relief from financial strain. The results of these changes will be reflected in the billing statements of consumers, effective from 18 August to 14 September 2023. MORE Power kindly reminds valued consumers of the importance of timely bill payment. Consistent on-time payment for 36 months qualifies customers for a refund of their bill deposits paid to MORE Power. MORE Power has already started refunding bill deposits since May 2023 for those eligible customers. The post MORE Power announces 8th monthly rate drop amid NGCP charge increase appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl must prepare should WPS tension escalate — analyst
The Philippines must prepare actions incorporated into the national security strategy should the ongoing tension in the West Philippine Sea will further escalate, according to a political analyst on Saturday. Expressing his views on the recent developments in the WPS during a news forum, De La Salle University Professor Renato de Castro said the government has to further build up the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard while ensuring that the country could still sustain a stable economy, industries, and power generation capacity. “We have to tell the Filipino nation that the challenge would be long. It will be primarily maritime in nature, and our goal is to ensure that the Philippines develops a powerful maritime capability,” he said. Castro warned against China’s future moves “as it seeks to take control” of the West Philippine Sea or the water within the first island chain. “Kaya dapat paghandaan natin ito (We need to prepare for that), we have to come out with a blueprint on how we can prepare the whole nation, it’s a whole-of-nation approach. We have to build up,” he said. AFP Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. earlier said the military is further improving its military presence in the West Philippine Sea by deploying additional assets. The AFP is also planning to increase the number of sea defenders by tapping fisherfolk to become military reservists. “When you say reserve force its not just land based forces so we are also trying to develop our reservist who will be able to operate in the sea. So parte and then of course, ang gusto natin ‘yung mga fisher folks natin ay gawin din nating mga reservists at tuturuan natin sila kung paano sila makakatulong sa padepensa ng ating bansa (We want to use our fisherfolk as reservists. We are going to teach them how to help us defend our country),” Brawner said. The post Phl must prepare should WPS tension escalate — analyst appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Anthropologists excavate NBP septic tank
Forensic experts yesterday started their excavation of septic tank 1 inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) maximum security compound in Muntinlupa City to examine the bones collected. Those who arrived yesterday at the NBP are Richard Jonathan Taduran, an anthropologist from the University of the Philippines, and Nestor Castro, an anthropologist from the University of the Cordillera and Lyceum-Davao, to collect residue and examine hard objects found inside the septic tank 1. According to Taduran, they separated hard sediments for further examination to determine whether those they collected are indeed bones and to identify if it is human bones or bones of animals. He said their findings on the excavated bones and sediments at the septic tank will be out within two days to one week. To recall, the Bureau of Corrections was asked to coordinate with forensic experts from the University of the Philippines in the excavation of the septic tank at the NBP, per the request of Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director-General Gregorio Catapang Jr. Catapang said he was instructed by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla to coordinate with UP Forensics. Last week, Remulla said a decapitated body was found inside a septic tank at the NBP. According to Catapang, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was the lead agency that handled the case of the decapitated body found inside the first septic tank at the NBP. He said he cannot confirm if there is only one body that was apparently buried inside the septic tank. “If we find more bones inside the septic tank, I will be forced to review the reports of missing PDLs or PDLs who reportedly escaped from prison,” said Catapang. The BuCor chief said he wants to put an end to this “culture” within his term. Catapang was quoted as saying, “I wanted to end this issue of burying bodies inside the septic tank. Once and for all, we will open all the septic tanks and at the same time, we will clean them because the wastes are already overflowing." Catapang said it is the first time that he encountered such since he was appointed to the post nine months ago. The post Anthropologists excavate NBP septic tank appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Proposed P5.768T 2024 budget 9.8% higher than 2023
The Philippines would be "one step closer" to realizing the government's "transformative vision" for the country once Congress accepts the proposed National Budget for 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said. The Chief Executive made the remarks in his Budget Message on Wednesday as the Department of Budget and Management turned over the Marcos administration’s proposed 2024 budget or National Expenditure Program worth P5.768 trillion to Congress. In his message, Marcos explained that the proposed budget aims to provide the resources required for government operations and the ongoing pursuit of economic reform. Initial information from the DBM showed that the proposed budget is 9.8 percent higher than the P5.268 trillion General Appropriations Act or the enacted budget for 2023. "With the Congress's approval of the proposed (Fiscal Year) 2024 National Budget, we will be one step closer to achieving our transformative vision for the country, the Agenda of Prosperity," Marcos said. "Our journey has just begun. We will march on — one nation, one people building a better future together," he added. The President said that the proposed budget for 2024 was a key part of the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028, which aims to strengthen the country's capabilities, protect the buying power of Filipinos, and improve output sectors to create more good jobs and products that can compete globally. "In turn, these strategies are to be supported by an enabling environment characterized by macroeconomic stability, infrastructure development, bureaucratic efficiency, strong rule of law and effective climate action," Marcos said. The President also highlighted the "strong headwinds" the country had to deal with last year as it tried to get its economy back on track. He pointed out that his economic managers made the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework, which is now the "bedrock" of the plan to change the economy, to deal with these problems. The Chief Executive said that the Philippines' gross domestic product grew by 7.6 percent for the whole year of 2022, the biggest since 1976. Marcos said that the country's growth "set the stage" for continued growth in 2023, mentioning that the country's economy expanded by 6.4 percent for the first quarter of 2023, surpassing its Asian peers such as Indonesia, China and Vietnam. The World Bank, he also said, declared that the country could reach above-middle-income status within two years. "Likewise expressing confidence in our country's economic growth, the International Monetary Fund said that it was 'highest among the ASEAN-5', noting its resilience to global pressures," the Filipino leader added. Marcos Jr. likewise cited the country's good credit quality standing, improved revenue performance and high employment rate. "Our immediate economic recovery was the result of the collective effort of the Filipinos. Unity was what made it happen," Marcos said. "For the next five years, we must do more, building on all the gains that we have made – through the same whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. We need this not only to be effective but to be transformative," he concluded. The post Proposed P5.768T 2024 budget 9.8% higher than 2023 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Conman duped PAGCOR worth P75M
An official of a private corporation engaged in e-sabong was shocked to learn that the performance bond he posted on behalf of the corporation worth millions of pesos is now gone after it was released by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to an unauthorized individual. Joaquin P. Sy, Chairman of the Board, and Chief Finance Officer of Kamura Highlands Gaming and Holdings Inc., told the Daily Tribune that in his meeting with PAGCOR's AVP for Fund Management Lolita Gonzales last week, he was able to confirm that a check worth 75 million pesos was issued in the name of one Jewel Castro and was immediately encashed thereafter last year. Sy said that he personally posted the performance bond on 4 April 2022 with the PAGCOR Office in Malate, Manila on behalf of Kamura Highlands Gaming and Holdings Inc., through two manager’s checks payable to PAGCOR and drawn against his personal bank accounts. In return, PAGCOR issued official receipts and other documents proving the bond had been posted. Sy said the original copies of receipts and documents are still in his possession. As per the strict requirements of PAGCOR, the original copy of the receipts must be surrendered before the withdrawal of the bond is allowed. It is also mandatory that checks must be payable in the name of the corporation which posted the bond. It was learned that just a few months after the posting of the said performance bond, President Duterte ordered Pagcor to stop the operation of E-Sabong. Sy in May 2022 submitted a letter request to then Pagcor Chairman Andrea Domingo thru Dianne Erica Jogno—then VP for e-sabong licensing department— for the withdrawal of the said bond but to no avail. Several attempts to follow it up were also proved futile, Sy claimed. In 10 July 2023 Sy filed a letter request addressed to Mr. Alejandro Tengco, newly appointed PAGCOR Chairman and CEO. Sy was able to gain access to PAGCOR’s Finance Department only and was told of the anomaly. According to Sy, Gonzales told him the release of P75 million check to a certain Jewel Camura is an exceptional case. She, however, refused to elaborate nor provide him with the details and documents regarding the anomalous release of his money. Records show that Sy acquired majority shareholdings of Kamuraand in 2021, and on February 2022 an election of corporate officers was held where he became the treasurer and chairman of the board while his brother and his nominee Bernard Parocha were elected as the corporate secretary and vice president respectively. The post Conman duped PAGCOR worth P75M appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marcos accepts resignation of 18 PNP Third-Level Officers
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday accepted the resignation of eighteen Third-Level Officers of the Philippine National Police allegedly involved in illegal drug activities. Marcos made the move after he said in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday at the Batasang Pambansa, where he said he would be accepting the resignation of “unscrupulous law enforcers and others involved in the highly nefarious drug trade.” In a letter to the President, PNP Chief Benjamin Acorda Jr. told Marcos that the Ad Hoc Advisory Group thoroughly investigated the alleged involvement of 953 Third Level Officers in illegal drug activities. The said officers have tendered their courtesy resignation pending the investigation. Of the 953, the Group recommended the non-acceptance of 935 courtesy resignations and the acceptance of the resignation of the following eighteen (18) officers: 1. PBGEN Remus Balingasa Medina O-10038 2. PBGEN Randy Quines Peralta O-05124 3. PBGEN Pablo Gacayan Labra II O-03734 4. PCOL Rogarth Bulalacao Campo O-08477 5. PCOL Rommel Javier Ochave O-08085 6. PCOL Rommel Allaga Velasco O-08084 7. PCOL Robin King Sarmiento O-03552 8. PCOL Fernando Reyes Ortega O-07478 9. PCOL Rex Ordoño Derilo O-10549 10. PCOL Julian Tesorero Olonan O-12395 11. PCOL Rolando Tapon Portera O-07520 12. PCOL Lawrence Bonifacio Cajipe O-12905 13. PCOL Dario Milagrosa Menor O-07757 14. PCOL Joel Kagayed Tampis O-08180 15. PCOL Michael Arcillas David O-07686 16. PCOL Igmedio Belonio Bernaldez O-12544 17. PCOL Rodolfo Calope Albotra Jr O-08061 18. PCOL Marvin Barba Sanchez O-08043 According to the PNP Chief, the officials are continuously being monitored. He also said that the necessary “orders for their relief from their present positions will be immediately issued and the (resigned) officers will be assigned to the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit, DPRM (Directorate for Personnel and Records Management) to preclude them from exerting further influence and/or performing illegal activities using their positions.” At the start of his administration, President Marcos vowed “to clean up the ranks of the PNP, saying that the drug problem would not exist without the involvement of police officials.” In his SONA, the President also said that he would thereafter appoint individuals with unquestionable integrity to lead the government’s campaign against illegal drugs as he emphasized that his administration is putting “a new face” to the campaign. "In their stead, we will install individuals with unquestionable integrity, who will be effective and trustworthy in handling the task of eliminating thi The post Marcos accepts resignation of 18 PNP Third-Level Officers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Power firm invests P1.5B to modernize
After it obtained a franchise from Congress, a power firm poured in P1.5 billion for projects that will ensure efficient electric service in Iloilo City. This was what MORE Electric and Power Corp., the distribution utility in Iloilo City, has done to address the electricity shortage and high electricity bill in Iloilo City within three years. The move of the power firm got the attention of Senator Grace Poe during the continuation of the joint investigation of the Senate Committee on Energy and Committee on Public Services in relation to the frequent brownout in different parts of the country. She expressed the belief, during a recent proceeding, that the entry of private players like MORE Power is the key to improving the power services and preventing frequent brownouts. In 2020, the power firm started its operation and within three years, its five-year development plan was almost completed. Modernization gets priority According to MORE power president and chief executive officer Roel Castro, since the company took over the power supply in Iloilo City from Panay Electric Company, it has invested P1.5 billion dedicated to the modernization of the power distribution facilities. The investment led to the replacement of old and dilapidated electric meters and wooden electric poles and upgraded the transformers, rehabilitated substations, and constructed of new transmission and switching stations. As a result of modernization, power interruptions have been reduced by 90 percent, overloading and illegal connections have been avoided which has resulted in a decrease in system loss that is passed on to consumers, and the response time to consumer complaints has also been addressed immediately and the electricity bill was reduced. Due to the modernization of distribution facilities, the electricity bill in Iloilo City is one of the lowest in the entire country. Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas also commended MORE Power for providing consumer-friendly services. The post Power firm invests P1.5B to modernize appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
More power refunds bill deposits
ILOILO CITY — Electric distribution utility More Electric and Power Corp. disclosed that it will refund at least P5 million in bill deposits to its consumers who religiously paid their dues in the past 36 months. For June, at least 20 eligible consumers were identified but only 15 have submitted their refund applications and 12 received their deposits, ranging from P2,500 to P8,000, during a simple ceremony at the firm’s office in Iloilo City recently. “Since we started until now, we have almost 30,000 new accounts. So that will accumulate in time,” MORE Power president and chief executive officer Roel Z. Castro said. The first refund was done last month for three qualified consumers and Castro said it served as a benchmark for other distribution utilities in the country. The Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers allows consumers to apply for a refund in two instances – when they pay their dues without fail within the past 36 months and when their contract is terminated. Distribution utilities require a bill deposit of new or additional services equivalent to one month of billing as a payment guarantee. The post More power refunds bill deposits appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Nation-builders cited for sustainability efforts
For their contributions to nation-building and their love for the country, a new batch of extraordinary Filipinos was recognized in the recently concluded Nation Builders and Mosliv Awards last 30 June at the Okada Manila Grand Ballroom. Leaders from both the government and private sectors, businesses, youth groups, philanthropists and sustainability leaders, who have pitched in to nation-building through their programs, advocacies and projects, were praised by the country’s leading Sustainability Awards Festival as it steers towards sustainable and inclusive progress in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. “The Nation Builders and Mosliv Awards celebrates the people and groups who accomplish great things in the name of sustainability. And as we recognize what they have done, this is also a reminder that we are all stewards of the planet and it is our responsibility to ensure that we leave it in better condition than we found it,” said Nation Builders and Mosliv Awards president and chief executive officer Kenneth Rocete. Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte echoed NBMA’s initiatives in working together as one for the future not only of the nation, but the planet as a whole. “I urge the Most Sustainable and Liveable Communities to actively innovate and develop networking and communication platforms to enhance the effectiveness of our entrepreneurs, organization leaders and government officials. We need nation builders to respond to the global trend of sustainability and the urgent need for climate action and compassing climate change mitigation and adaptation measures, land use planning, reducing carbon emissions and disaster risk reduction and response. Let us collaborate to build sustainable and climate-resilient communities and cities across the Philippines and around the world,” VP Duterte said in a statement. Guest of honors Senators Francis Tolentino and Win Gatchalian graced the event as guest of honors while Public Attorneys Office chief Dr. Persida Acosta, Department of Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Serafin P. Baretto Jr. and MMDA Task Force Special Operations chief Edison Nebrija as guest speakers. Philippine National Police Chief PGen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., together with Dr. Acosta and Nebrija, headlined this year’s roster of awardees as winners of “Public Servants of the Year - Excellence in Government” award. For elected officials, Rep. Michael Romero of 1-PACMAN Party-List, Rep. Jolo Revilla of 1st District of Cavite, Rep. Ernix Dionisio of Manila 1st District, Deputy Majority Leader Rep. Wilter Palma of Zamboanga Sibugay 1st District, Deputy Majority Leader Rep. Jam Baronda of Iloilo City Lone District, Rep. Rida Robes of City of San Jose Del Monte Lone District, Rep. Maan Teodoro of Marikina City 1st District and Rep. Shernee Tan Tambut of Kusug Tausug Party List topbilled the “Awarded Congressmen and Congresswomen of the Year.” Meanwhile, governors of Davao del Norte and Capiz Edwin Jubahib and Fredenil Castro, respectively, also received recognition while city and municipal Mayors Arturo Robes (San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan), Michael Marcos Keon (Laoag City), Marjorie Perales (Toledo City), John Dalipe (Zamboanga City), and Agatha Cruz (Guiguinto, Bulacan), likewise took home awards for their competence and leadership. Davao Del Norte is this year’s “Most Sustainable and Liveable Province in the Philippines” as the cities of Tayabas, Kidapawan, Toledo and Calapan were recognized as “Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable Cities in the Philippines.” Miss World Philippines Organization was recognized as “Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable Organization” as IAM Worldwide was recognized as “Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable Company in the Philippines.” Also part of the gathering was the launching and presentation of the Nation Builders and Mosliv Awards Volume IV publication which features this year’s awardees and their accomplishments and programs towards nation-building and sustainable and inclusive development. Visit www.sustainability-standards.org or facebook.com/NationBuildersAndMoslivAwards. The post Nation-builders cited for sustainability efforts appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»