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Brawner backs call to tap gun owners as reservists
PALAWAN, Philippines — General Romeo Brawner Jr., the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), has endorsed the idea of enlisting gun owners as reservists and highlighted the need for more reservists in the country. Brawner made the remark in reaction to Senators Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Mark Villar’s call.....»»
EU Council backs Philippines GSP+ extension, says DTI chief
The European Union and the European Council is supportive of a four-year extension on the eligibility of the Philippines in the Generalized Scheme of Preferences trade mechanism, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual said on Wednesday......»»
Danish envoy backs Phl’s push for rules-based order amid WPS conflict
An envoy from Denmark has expressed its support to the Philippines in promoting a rules-based order and international rule of law in light of the recent collision incident involving Beijing and Manila vessels, in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. In a statement on Wednesday, Department of National Defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said Denmark's ambassador to the Philippines, Michael Skjold Mellbin, met with Defense chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr. to tackle the ongoing defense cooperation between the Philippines and Denmark. Among the discussed topics was the recent incident in Ayungin shoal wherein Mellbin stressed that such events have “put the lives of Filipino sailors at risk” and “undermines regional security." Further, Mellbin has invited the the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard for a study visit in Copenhagen, Denmark to avail of the “exchange of insights on the law of the sea.” He said asked the PN and PCG to provide inputs on Denmark’s naval, coastal, and marine defenses, technologies, and doctrines. Teodoro welcomed the invitation and described it as a” good opportunity in light of current defense realities” in the WPS. Andolong said the possible cooperation between the Philippines and Denmark on cyber defense and information technology was also discussed during their meeting. Also, Teodoro and Mellbin agreed to put a premium on countering disinformation and proactively addressing threats in the information ecosystem. “The Danish ambassador acknowledged the Philippines’ support in upholding the rules-based international order, in relation to the ongoing war in Ukraine,” Andolong said. “Both sides looked forward to concretizing Philippines-Denmark cooperation as global security challenges persist and become more unpredictable and volatile,” he added. The post Danish envoy backs Phl’s push for rules-based order amid WPS conflict appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pascual backs pass-thru fees suspension
Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual has expressed support to an executive order suspending the collection by local government units of pass-through fees on cargo movers. “The Department (of Trade and Industry) is supportive of the implementation of Executive Order 41 which prohibits the collection of pass-through fees as these fees are often passed on to consumers,” Pascual said in a press conference on Wednesday at the Board of Investments office in Makati City. “This is also aligned with the DTI’s aim of facilitating a sound trade environment for businesses while protecting consumers’ interests,” he said. “President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 41 to reduce food logistics costs that will ensure the welfare of the Filipino people by easing the burden of the rising prices of goods and commodities in the country. This EO is also another step forward in realizing one of the pillars of Marcos Jr.’s 8-point socio-economic agenda of reducing transport and logistics costs,” Pascual added. The DTI chief said EO 41 is fully supported by external stakeholders, particularly manufacturers, transport agencies and consumers as it is aimed at lowering the inflation rate in the country. Moreover, he said the EO also ensures the efficient movement of goods across regions as laid out under the Philippine Development Plan 2023 to 2028. “We recognize the challenges faced by the private sectors, particularly in the transportation and logistics sector. This EO should help alleviate truckers and manufacturers from the high cost of logistics. We commit to further reduce such costs in order to make prices more affordable for Filipino consumers,” Pascual said. Aligned with the Three-Year Food Logistics Action Agenda presented by the DTI, Secretary Pascual said that EO 41 aims to address a long-standing problem raised by the private sector. The EO emphasized that building a robust and collaborative partnership between the national government and LGUs is essential in effectively addressing the impacts of inflation and promoting economic prosperity across all regions. To ensure the effective implementation of EO 41 across all parts of the country, the DTI together with the Departments of Interior and Local Government, Transportation, Public Works and Highways, Finance, and the Anti-Red Tape Authority are currently formulating the implementing rules and regulations of the order. The IRR will be issued within 30 days from the EO’s effectivity. The post Pascual backs pass-thru fees suspension appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DBP backs NG’s logistics action plan
State-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) is prepared to extend the needed technical and financial assistance to strategic initiatives that would ensure the successful implementation of the Marcos administration’s three-year logistics master plan aimed at reducing the cost of commodities particularly food, a top official said. DBP President and Chief Executive Officer Michael O. De Jesus said the bank would work closely with the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agriculture, and other government agencies and key stakeholders to modernize the food distribution system and storage and to address prevailing supply chain gaps. “DBP is one with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s goal of ensuring reliable food supply at reasonable prices for all Filipinos,” De Jesus said. “DBP will leverage on its experience and financial capability to support key programs to support this goal.” DBP is the eighth largest bank in the country in terms of assets and provides strategic financing support to critical economic sectors such as infrastructure and logistics, micro, small and medium enterprises, social services, and the environment. In August this year, President Marcos, Jr. approved the country’s three-year food logistics action agenda aimed at promoting food availability, accessibility, and affordability through strategies that would modernize the country’s food distribution system, increase investments in logistics infrastructure, and address other supply chain gaps. De Jesus said that as of the end of the first half of 2023, DBP has allocated P281.6 billion for projects under the infrastructure and logistics sector, representing 55.5 percent of its total loan to borrowers amounting to P506.9-billion. He said total loan releases to the sector have reached P45.5 billion while deals in the pipeline are around P18.5 billion for the period covering January to June this year. "As of July this year, DBP has approved a total of P25.55-billion in loans for 189 borrowers nationwide under the auspices of the Bank’s Connecting Rural Urban Intermodal Systems Efficiently (CRUISE) program, which serves as our flagship facility for transport infrastructure and logistics sector,” De Jesus said. The post DBP backs NG’s logistics action plan appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NEDA chief backs recommendations on POGO ban
The National Economic and Development Authority has expressed support for the recommendation of senators to ban Philippine offshore gaming operators in the country, citing the “high” social costs that cannot be outweighed by the revenues obtained from the gambling entities......»»
LTO Chief backs Senate inquiry on road rage incident
Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief, Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II welcomed the scheduled Senate inquiry into the viral road rage incident involving retired policeman Wilfredo Gonzales and a cyclist in Quezon City. Mendoza said the Senate’s investigation into the incident would also highlight the importance of responsible road sharing as well as the safety of motorists and cyclists. “The Senate inquiry is a testament that road rage incidents certainly involve and relate with public order and safety. Ang ganitong mga klase ng insidente ay hindi basta-basta dapat pinapalampas dahil kaligtasan ng mga motorista at ng mga mananakay ang nakasalalay dito,” Mendoza said. “Kahit gumugulong na ang imbestigasyon ng ibang ahensya sa insidente, mahalaga pa rin ang magiging ambag ng pagtalakay na gagawin sa Senado upang ating malaman kung ano-ano ang mga bagay na dapat nating i-improve sa sektor ng transportasyon,” he added. Mendoza said the Senate hearing could also be a tool for the public to realize that each and everyone has equal access to public roads. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Pia Cayetano have filed a resolution seeking to investigate the road rage incident that went viral on social media over the weekend. In the video that circulated, Gonzales was seen pulling out a gun during the altercation after the cyclist's bicycle hit the former policeman's vehicle. The LTO took swift action on the incident as it immediately issued a show cause order against Gonzales and it also temporarily suspended his driver’s license pending probe on the matter. The post LTO Chief backs Senate inquiry on road rage incident appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Brawner backs NTF-ELCAC, says no let-up in anti-insurgency campaign
The Armed Forces of the Philippines will continue its efforts to achieve total annihilation of the insurgency problem in the country. This was the commitment of Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. during the Commission on Appointments panel’s deliberation of his promotion as the AFP chief of staff with the rank of four-star general and other AFP officers on Wednesday. During the deliberations, Rep. Johnny Pimentel, CA assistant Minority floor leader, backed Brawner’s endeavor to continue supporting the program of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, lamenting that the insurgency has been halting community development in the country. “Gen. Brawner, the biggest challenge that you will be facing is not the problem on the West Philippine Sea, but rather how to end the communist insurgency which has been with us for more than 50 years, I believe,” he said. Pimentel said the insurgency problem may not be felt in Metro Manila but “insurgency problems in rural areas are real.” He then asked about Brawner’s plans to end insurgency in the country. “I’ve always been saying that the best thing to our counter-insurgency efforts is the NTF-ELCAC,” said Brawner, noting that the whole-of-nation approach was able to address not just the armed component but also the root causes of the problem.” Brawner also recognized the local government chief executives and barangay officials who have been playing a “big role” in the pursuit of the anti-insurgency convergence under the ambit of Executive Order 70 or NTF-ELCAC. “So ipagpapatuloy po natin iyon. Dahil po dun sa NTF-ELCAC natutugunan natin 'yung basic needs nung ating mga kababayan especially in geographic isolated areas, at habang ginagawa po natin iyan with the local government leading and andun po 'yung government agencies also supporting, ‘yung inyong armed forces are capable now of focusing on the armed element,” he said. Brawner said the inter-agency efforts through NTF-ELCAC are making the AFP’s efforts “very effective” in reducing the number of the armed component of the CPP-NPA-NDF. “We have so many accomplishments on these because of our better relations with communities; they are the ones leading us to the armed groups,” he added. Brawner said the AFP has been successful in inviting rebels to come down and surrender through the NTF-ELCAC’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program. “So we will continue all of this. We gave our units an ultimatum again, but it looks like very achievable, and right now we don’t monitor any active guerilla front,” he said. “What we have is a weakened guerilla front and we also have a few vertical units—a group of remnants gathered together. Wala no ho silang halos suporta mula sa komunidad and the only ones supporting them, right now, are their relatives,” he added. “That is why we are reaching out to their relatives to convince their family members to go down.” Meanwhile, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri cited the AFP for a “job well done” in improving the security situation in Budkidnon province. “They did not totally eradicate the communist insurgency there but brought it down drastically,” he said. The post Brawner backs NTF-ELCAC, says no let-up in anti-insurgency campaign appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl tourism backs IP
The Department of Tourism and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples forged a formal agreement in a bid to create a strategic partnership between the two government bodies to support and implement the Katutubo-Kapwa project. The Katutubo-Kapwa project is a nationwide initiative that will enjoin support for the indigenous cultural communities/indigenous peoples in tourism development, covering destinations and IP communities in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. “We subscribe to the belief that, in honoring the origins of the Philippines and the Filipino people, we strengthen the Filipino brand, we enrich the Filipino identity, and we give our fellow Filipinos a necessary and timely reminder that there is, indeed, so much to love about the Philippines, and that starts with ourselves, the Filipino people, including our indigenous peoples. We wish to manifest our firm commitment to honoring our indigenous peoples and giving them opportunities for economic advancement through tourism,” Frasco said. “This is a happy and historic day for both the Department of Tourism and NCIP as we have formalized our commitment to support the good work that the NCIP has done to ensure the preservation and promotion of the indigenous peoples of the Philippines,” she added. The project also targets to address the gaps and needs of each destination such as the lack of tourism skills and competencies among IPs involved in tourism activities, and essential infrastructure, among others. This is in line with the current administration’s thrust to diversify and equalize tourism product development, introduce multidimensional tourism, strengthen tourism governance through close collaboration with stakeholders, and improve the overall tourist experience. A Technical Working Group will also be created composed of representatives from DOT and NCIP to monitor and oversee its implementation. The tourism chief, likewise, emphasized that the partnership is part of the current administration’s thrust toward reintroducing the Philippines to the world, with the ICCs/IPs as the starting point. “Our indigenous communities are the vanguards of the Filipino identity. In their heritage, their history, and their living cultural traditions, we are reminded of that which we all know to be true — we all love our country. There is so much to love about the country, foremost of which is our identity as a Filipino people,” she said. The post Phl tourism backs IP appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
House backs hike in DND spending
The House of Representatives is keen on giving the Department of National Defense a big chunk of the proposed P5.768-trillion 2024 budget amid the ongoing escalation of geopolitical dispute in the West Philippine Sea. While the deliberations on 2024 have yet to start, Speaker Martin Romualdez vowed on Tuesday that the House would surely back the DND’s increased spending for next year to further bolster the agency’s capabilities in protecting and upholding Philippine sovereignty. Under the proposed 2024 budget, the allocation for the defense sector is P282.7 billion, or 21.6 percent more compared to the P203.4 billion funding under this year’s budget. “Our commitment to safeguarding our territorial integrity and ensuring the safety of our citizens remains unwavering,” Romualdez said. “As a nation, we must take proactive measures to enhance our defense capabilities and ensure that we have the necessary resources to effectively protect our sovereign rights,” he added. The House chief’s remark was an offshoot of China’s most-recent harassment against Philippine vessels in which the Chinese Coast Guard fired water cannon at a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. The continued encroachment of China in the country’s maritime territory warrants a bigger budget for the defense sector, which the House will back. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in his budget message to Congress, disclosed that the P282.7 billion of the Executive Department’s allocation for DND would support the Land, Air, and Naval Forces Defense Programs, totaling P188.5 billion, as well as the UN Peacekeeping Mission, among others, to ensure domestic security. “This allocation demonstrates our dedication to maintaining a strong and credible defense posture, one that sends a clear message that we will not compromise when it comes to safeguarding our national interests,” Romualdez echoed. A robust defense, he said, is not merely a tool for confrontation but a means to uphold peace, stability, and the rule of law. “By prioritizing our defense sector in the budget, we are making a commitment to our people, to our allies, and to the international community that reflects our unwavering resolve to protect our sovereignty and promote regional stability,” the Speaker added. With Beijing’s constant encroachment, a resolution, which would “effectively shrink” the Philippines’ ties with Beijing, is set to be filed at the House of Representatives, according to lawyer-lawmaker Rufus Rodriguez. The post House backs hike in DND spending appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Guess who?
It is amusing, if not vexing, to see some high officials and members of the deliberative body competing with each other to call attention to themselves. They blabber inane remarks to the exasperation and vexation of the public. A few of them boxed in into any controversy that catches national intention and inflicts us with what obviously appears to be nonsensical, unthinking, and intelligent narratives, forgetting that they look ridiculous and comical in the process. A few others sponsor resolutions on matters not within their turf and expertise. They express their opinions without studying the subject matter and foist theories and ideas exposing their intellectual barrenness. They inject their unstudied take on foreign policy. They try very hard to upstage the Chief Executive in matters of foreign policy, particularly on the issue of our foreign relations with China and the United States. They also have the gumption to teach the President what to do about the enforcement of the arbitral ruling in favor of the Philippines rendered by the Permanent Arbitration Court vis-a-vis the conflicting claims in the West Philippine Sea, by giving him options on what to undertake either to enforce the favorable ruling or to rally the other countries to support the Philippines in putting to a halt the Chinese unlawful incursions to the former’s territory. They also input their pretended nationalism on the issue of human rights violations and the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court. At least two of them contradict the President on many occasions in the matter of the ICC jurisdiction. Despite being called out on the nitwittery of their action they foolishly cling to it. Others initiate and pursue investigations on almost anything that fancies them or that will give them the opportunity to put them in the limelight for a free media mileage. A few numbers eyeing re-election in 2025 have started campaigning by advertising themselves in media outlets under the guise of asking the public to support a particular government program, introducing themselves completely with an accompanying campaign jingle heralding their names. Others use different tact, they shamelessly use their offices and positions and travel around the country using taxpayers’ money under the guise of official work but actually have slowly established a network of local government officials, for a shot at high national positions. Still others, do it brazenly, committing treasonous acts by plunging the dagger at the backs of their unsuspecting potential rivals for power. There are those, of course, who always make it a point to be on the side of the President in every official and social event that the latter attends, to make it appear they are close to him. They are always in praise of the principal in whatever he does, making themselves more popish than the Pope. Those whose exposure to the fourth estate brought them to where they are now, bring their pomposity and grandstanding in their official activities, acting as if they are still in their talk and public service shows. They browbeat and insult invited guests during inquiries believing their antics appeal to the peanut galleries. They strain themselves showing that they are smart and even scold cerebral academicians only to retreat and hide behind a growl while shifting to another topic in an attempt to camouflage their ignorance. There are also former government men who, in their desire to return to power and influence, the source of their ill-gotten wealth, ingratiate themselves to the present dispensation by publicly siding with the official pronouncements coming from the side of the Pasig River, always praising their bogus credentials. Finally, those who have managed to shockingly get appointments, delude themselves into believing that they were placed there because they deserved to be there, when in reality, it’s a political accommodation to pay off for their asinine pretended loyalty, using gutter language and indecency to get the support of the political followers of the presidential candidate. They have been unmasked as undeserving of the professions they used to belong to. Yes, you guess it right, they are the people being referred to in this article. The post Guess who? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
AMID CA ‘OVERREACH’ ERC ready for battle
The Energy Regulatory Commission is ready to contest before the Supreme Court the decision of the Court of Appeals voiding the regulator’s rejection of the rate increase petitions of two San Miguel Corporation power generation firms. Legal pundits said the CA usurped the ERC’s authority in its ruling setting aside the regulator’s late 2022 decisions to dismiss the petitions of South Premiere Power Corp. and San Miguel Energy Corp. to increase prices. Others called the CA decision an “overreach.” The two San Miguel subsidiaries cited a “change in circumstances” for turning their backs on their fixed-priced contracts with Manila Electric Company. San Miguel disclosed on Wednesday to the Philippine Stock Exchange the favorable decision it had received from the CA’s 13th Division composed of Associate Justice Victoria Isabel Paredes, as chairperson; and Associate Justices Mary Charlene Hernandez-Azura and Florencio Mamauag Jr., as members. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, ERC chairperson lawyer Monalisa Dimalanta clarified that the CA’s decision was not yet final since, under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, only the Supreme Court can issue a permanent injunction on rate hikes. “There is no computation yet of the rate hikes. The decision is not yet final, and we will still file a motion for reconsideration. If granted, that’s another discussion. If denied, we will go all the way to the Supreme Court. I have not yet foreseen any rate impact,” Dimalanta said. Dimalanta added that the ERC, through the Office of the Solicitor General, will need to confirm if the CA is legally allowed to issue a final decision on rate hikes. “The CA can review any factual matter related to any rate hike petition, but we still want to clarify if the CA can decide with finality because it will change everything in the (power) industry. Under the EPIRA, only the SC can issue a permanent injunction,” Dimalanta explained. Unfortunate ruling According to Dimalanta, the CA’s decision was “unfortunate and disconcerting,” but the ERC will continue to uphold the law to “protect consumers.” “The ERC hopes the CA will revisit the records of the case as well as the arguments of the parties and uphold the commission’s ruling,” the ERC chief said. Consumers will not yet feel any adverse impact from the CA’s reversal of the ERC’s rejection of the temporary rate hike petitions, Dimalanta added. However, for San Miguel Global Power or SMGP, the holding firm for SMC’s power ventures, the CA’s decision “upholds the constitutional mandate of due process that guarantees the right to be treated fairly and effectively by quasi-judicial bodies like the ERC.” “It is regrettable that the ERC’s unfair decision early on to reject our joint petition with Meralco for a temporary rate hike — despite proving to be the least cost option at the time for power consumers — resulted in consumers shouldering the burden of much higher electricity rates,” SMGP said in a separate statement on Thursday. Nonetheless, the company said it still looks to “forge even stronger partnerships with the government, consumers, and other key stakeholders to help shape a more resilient and sustainable energy landscape for all.” Meanwhile, Meralco Head of Regulatory Management Jose Ronald Valles said the company will reach out to the CA to clarify some matters regarding the decision. “There are some matters in the decision that we feel need to be clarified. We are consulting with our lawyers on the legal remedies available to us, including an appeal to the Supreme Court,” Valles said. The 13th Division of the CA reversed the order of the ERC that rejected the temporary power rate hike petition filed by San Miguel Energy Corp. or SMEC and South Premiere Power Corp. or SPPC and Meralco. The CA decision granted the consolidated petitions for certiorari filed by SMEC and SPPC. It also favored the joint motion of SPPC and SMEC for a price adjustment with provisional authority and/or interim relief in ERC Case No. 2019-081 and ERC Case No. 2019-083. Likewise, the appellate court made permanent the preliminary injunction issued in favor of SPPC. The rate hike petition stemmed from SMGP’s report that its Sual Coal and Ilijan Natural Gas power facilities logged combined losses of P15 billion from 2021 to date due to high prices. As such, it sought temporary and partial cost recovery relief only for the losses it incurred from January to May, through a power rate increase on its contract capacity under the power supply agreement with Meralco to be amortized for six months. CA gets flak Consumer group Power for People Coalition criticized the CA magistrates for favoring the Ramon Ang-led San Miguel Corporation. “The Court of Appeals is supposed to uphold the interests of justice and the people, but it failed to do both in its decision granting SMC’s petitions in its cases before the ERC,” Gerry Arances, convener of the Power for People Coalition, said in a statement on Thursday. In its PSE disclosure, SMC said the CA annulled and set aside the ERC order dated 29 September 2022 in ERC Cases 2019-081 and 2019-083 due to a “grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction.” The CA’s joint decision dated 27 June 2023, received by SMC through the Poblador Bautista Reyes Law Offices, granted the consolidated petitions for certiorari filed by SMEC and SPPC. Arances said the CA effectively released SMC from any consequences of breaking a contract “simply because it is not earning enough from a commitment it has made voluntarily.” “We hope that the court will reevaluate, and we will file a motion for reconsideration to give the justices another chance to live up to their name,” Arances said. It can be recalled that the two power companies, along with Meralco, appealed for a temporary rate hike under their 2019 power supply agreement to help them recover from the unprecedented hike in coal prices. The CA denied the petition of SMEC for a temporary restraining order, but it allowed a TRO and later a writ of preliminary injunction or WPI on the ERC decision to deny an increase in SPPC’s power supply agreement or PSA with Meralco. The CA then consolidated the two rate increase cases under the division that granted the WPI. In its report to the bourse, SMC bared that the CA also favored the SPPC and SMEC’s joint motion for price adjustments without prejudice to any further requests for price adjustments. The further request for adjustments would be for June 2022 onwards for SPPC, from June 2022 to 25 January 2023 or the date of writ of preliminary injunction; and for SMEC, from June 2022 to the date of the finality of the joint decision. The post AMID CA ‘OVERREACH’ ERC ready for battle appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Remulla backs SC rejection of PAO petition
Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has expressed his support for the Supreme Court’s decision rejecting the request made by Public Attorney’s Office chief Atty. Persida Acosta to remove Section 22, Canon III of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability. The said section imposes limitations on the PAO’s ability to invoke the rule on conflict of interest. Remulla on Wednesday emphasized that the PAO should be considered a “legal service” rather than a “law office” and stressed that the Constitution guarantees every individual the right to counsel, and the existence of the PAO ensures that this right is upheld for every Filipino. “I believe in the court’s intentions to hold everyone accountable and to defend every person’s right to have legal representation,” said Remulla, adding that the PAO’s interpretation of conflict of interest has led to problems and delays in certain cases. The SC en banc resolution emphasized the primary duty of the PAO, which is to provide free legal assistance to indigent individuals in various legal cases, including criminal, civil, labor, administrative and quasi-judicial matters. The high court stated that refusing indigent litigants access to the services of PAO lawyers nationwide based on alleged conflict of interest would contradict the primary responsibility of the PAO and leave numerous financially disadvantaged litigants without legal representation they cannot afford otherwise. The SC also took note of Acosta’s ongoing public criticism of Canon III, Section 22 of the CPRA through social and mainstream media. To recall, Acosta has labeled the adoption of the CPRA as unconstitutional, considering it an unjustified intervention by the SC in the operations of the PAO. The SC instructed Acosta to justify her actions and explain why she should not be held in indirect contempt for her social media posts and newspaper publications. “The Court thus directed Atty. Acosta to show cause why she should not be cited in indirect contempt for her social media posts and newspaper publications which tended, directly or indirectly, to impede, obstruct, or degrade the administration of justice,” said the SC. The post Remulla backs SC rejection of PAO petition appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PNP chief backs digitalization push
Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. is backing President Marcos’ push for digitalization of transactions in government to minimize corruption......»»
Diokno backs resumption of Phl-EU FTA negotiations
Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno expressed his support behind President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s push to resume the free trade agreement negotiations between the Philippines and the European Union. The Finance chief made his remarks on Friday after Marcos had said earlier this week that now is the right time to resume the negotiations for an FTA which will facilitate a freer flow of goods between the Philippines and the EU. “Geo-economic fragmentation and trade protectionism will only burden an already struggling global economy. That said, now is the time for us to resume the Philippines-European Union Free Trade Agreement negotiations,” Diokno said. Ideal platform “The FTA will be an ideal platform to optimize the benefits of the large EU market and a permanent mechanism to fuel our economic relations,” Diokno added. The initial meetings between Manila and the EU to explore the FTA began in 2013. These meetings involved discussions on the goals, fundamental principles, and scope of the FTA negotiations. Eventually, the trade ministers met in Brussels in October 2015 and finalized the objectives and scope of the talks. Three months later, both parties publicly announced the start of the FTA negotiations. The first round of negotiations took place in May in Brussels, Belgium, followed by the second round in February 2017 in Cebu. Increased market access However, even without the FTA, the Philippines has already experienced increased market access to the EU. This improvement was facilitated by their successful application to the Generalized Scheme of Preferences-Plus (GSP+) in 2014. Under the EU GSP+, import duties on products from vulnerable developing countries are eliminated, allowing easier access to the EU market. The GSP+ is designed to promote sustainable development and good governance. The post Diokno backs resumption of Phl-EU FTA negotiations appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pascual backs SIM registration extension
Micro, small, and medium enterprises using numerous subscriber identity module or SIM cards have yet to register them all, which may result to huge displacements when these are deactivated by the 26 April deadline., Trade Secretary Fred Pascual said. He said that small firms are largely dependent on their smartphones in transacting with customers In a press briefing in Malacañang, Pascual said the Department of Information and Communications Technology should consider extending the deadline for SIM card registration as it will help in the country’s shift to digital payments. “Digital payments are what we need to happen to further promote and develop our MSMEs because that’s how they can facilitate accessing the market and being able to sell online,” he said. The Trade chief stressed that strictly implementing the deadline will be a “major concern.” Telco giant Globe Telecom backed the call of Pascual so customers can obtain valid IDs — a key requirement for SIM registration that many SIM users lack, preventing them from completing registration. Globe, nonetheless, urged its subscribers to complete the registration process immediately, with 33.067 million of its 86.5 million customer base compliant with the law as of 20 April. “We encourage all our subscribers to register their SIMs as soon as possible to maintain uninterrupted access to mobile and broadband services. Pending response to our appeal for the government to extend the deadline, we call on all Globe SIM users to comply with the law,” said Globe Group President and CEO Ernest Cu. Extension must be considered “If we really need registration, we need to be able to accommodate (adjustment of the deadline). Personally, I will go for it, but I do not know the official position of the concerned department,” the Trade chief noted. Moreover, he said the SIM registration “must be done and make sure that registration happens. It’s like voter’s registration.” On Wednesday, the DICT said the deadline for the SIM card registration period remains, amid clamors from major telecommunications giants Globe, Smart and DITO Telecommunications to extend the registration period. “With the 26 April 2023 registration deadline drawing near, we encourage everyone to register to promote the responsible use of SIMs and provide law enforcement agencies the necessary tools to crack down on perpetrators who use SIMs for their crimes, consistent with the declared policy of the law,” the DICT statement read. The DICT, headed by Secretary Ivan Uy, has the sole prerogative to extend the deadline for another 120 days, stipulated on the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 11934 or SIM Registration Law. According to the National Telecommunications Commission, as of April 18, about 5,399,998 or 36.08 percent have registered for DITO; 32,224,277 or 37.15 percent for Globe; and 36,558,127 or 55.14 percent for Smart for a total of 74,182,402. Further, the NTC said registered users make up 44.15 percent of these active mobile subscribers. The post Pascual backs SIM registration extension appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Eleazar backs Duterte’s call to arm anti-crime volunteers ‘for their protection’
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Guillermo Eleazar on Sunday backed the call of President Rodrigo Duterte to arm anti-crime volunteers, stressing the move is for “ensuring their own protection.” Duterte floated the idea during the launch of the Global Coalition of Lingkod Bayan Advocacy Support Groups and Force Multipliers in Camp Crame […] The post Eleazar backs Duterte’s call to arm anti-crime volunteers ‘for their protection’ appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
PNP chief backs Duterte s proposal to arm civilian volunteers vs crime
“There is no reason not to follow these policies on civilian gun ownership even with our efforts to enhance our relations with the community in fighting crime, insurgency, and illegal drugs, among others," he said. .....»»
Rody backs off from debate
President Rodrigo Duterte backed down from his own challenge to debate retired Supreme Court associate justice Antonio Carpio on the West Philippine Sea after the former magistrate called his bluff and said he was ready to face the Chief Executive anytime of the day......»»
Calapan mayor backs Sinas
Calapan City Mayor Arnan Panaligan has clarified that Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Debold Sinas met all travel requirements and his supposed violation of Covid-19 health protocols has yet to be established. The mayor said that only online registration and confirmation from the LGU are required for those who want to travel to the […] The post Calapan mayor backs Sinas appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»