We are sorry, the requested page does not exist
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.....»»
PSA-7: Report to us if PhilSys ID not accepted
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Statistics Authority in Central Visayas (PSA-7) urged Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) ID holders to report to the agency if some entities do not accept their IDs. PSA-7 chief administrative officer of Edwina Carriaga told CDN Digital in a phone interview that the agency is urging PhilSys ID (National ID).....»»
Philippine wrestling chief confident of return to Olympics
Wrestling of the Philippines (WAP) president Alvin Aguilar has expressed confidence that the reforms implemented in the association will result in unwavering success for Pinoy wrestlers, including a return to the Olympics......»»
Senior citizens, disabled among mujahideen to get allowance from BARMM
COTABATO CITY (MindaNews / 27 February)— An initial P500-million fund coming from the office of the chief minister will finance allowances for former Moro combatants who are already senior citizens or permanently disabled. This was after the Bangsamoro Parliament approved a measure to establish an office that will provide financial aid to Moro Islamic Liberation […].....»»
Sara assures poll teachers’safety
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte has assured the safety of teachers serving in the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections. This after the Department of Education, the Commission on Elections, and the Public Attorney’s Office signed a memorandum of agreement Monday afternoon. “We hope that teachers who will serve in the elections will be protected from harassment, intimidation, and other forms of threats to their lives,” Duterte said. The agreement will provide a system to ensure teachers serving as members of the Electoral Board and other DepEd personnel involved in the electoral process will receive legal assistance. Anchored on the desire to fully implement the provisions of Republic Act 10756 or the Election Service Reform Act, the memorandum of agreement was signed by Duterte, Comelec chair George Erwin Garcia, and PAO chief Persida Acosta at the Comelec office in Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros. Teachers tasked to serve during the elections expose themselves and their families to the dangers of being intimidated, harassed, or even killed, as violence often flares up between warring politicians. Despite these, teachers continue to serve in the elections out of their commitment, courage, and love of the country, Duterte said. “This is purely because of their love of country,” she said. The Vice President emphasized the important role of teachers in the successful conduct of the elections, calling them the frontline government representatives who will ensure the smooth flow of the election process. “We owe them our gratitude, assistance, protection, and legal support,” she said. Duterte also called on the Comelec to release the allowances of teachers serving in the elections on time. Duterte was grateful to the Comelec and PAO for the initiative that showed their concern for the safety and welfare of teachers. The post Sara assures poll teachers’safety appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ex-AFP comptroller Carlos Garcia released from NBP
Retired Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia, the former military comptroller from 1993 until 2004 who was convicted of charges arising from illegal wealth, is now a free man after he was ordered released from the New Bilibid Prison. Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang carried out the order after Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla approved the release of Garcia, whose sentence has been fully served upon computation, including the 3,288 GCTA under RA 10592 or the law granting good conduct time allowance for persons deprived of liberty. Garcia was sentenced by the Sandiganbayan Second Division for four up to eight years in prison for direct bribery under Article 210 of the Revised Penal Code; and another four to six years in jail for facilitating money laundering under Section 4 (b) of Republic Act 9160 (Anti-Money Laundering Law). He was also sentenced for a minimum of one year and eight months to maximum of two years and four months for perjury by the anti-graft’s court and maximum of two years for violation of 96th and 97th Article of War by the General Court Martial of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Based on record, Garcia was sentenced to a definite prison term of 18 years and four months, but whose time served with time allowances have already exceeded his maximum sentence, computed based on Republic Act No. 10592. Records also showed that Garcia was received by the NBP on 16 September 2011 but his actual detention started in June 2005. Thus, he has actually served 17 years, five months and eight days in prison. Catapang said there is no longer any legal ground for Garcia to be detained at the NBP after having served his maximum sentence. According to prosecutors, while serving as AFP deputy chief of staff for comptrollership, Garcia acquired funds, real estate and other assets "by receiving commissions, gifts, shares, percentages, kickbacks, or other forms of pecuniary benefits, like shopping money or gratitude money" while handling government contracts. The post Ex-AFP comptroller Carlos Garcia released from NBP appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bacoor City safe for plebiscite, says PNP
The Philippine National Police on Wednesday said that the city of Bacoor in the province of Cavite is assessed to be peaceful for the looming plebiscite on 29 July 2023. Bacoor deputy police chief P/Maj. Renalyn Lim said during the joint security command conference held Tuesday that the city is under Category Green Areas of Concern, which means the place is generally peaceful and orderly. Though the evaluation of Lim of the area is safe, they will still deploy support units and forces at the borders of the city during the plebiscite period. “The PNP personnel of the station will not be complacent and will provide airtight security and assistance,” Lim said. The Plebesito Para sa Bacooreño 2023 is a proposal to merge 44 barangays into 18 and rename five barangays. Bacoor is home to 114,416 voters and has 223 clustered precincts. According to Commission on Elections chairman Erwin Garcia, the conduct of the plebiscite in the area will be shouldered by the local government of Bacoor since they are the ones who requested it. He added that P30 million is the total amount for the conduct of the plebiscite which will be used for polling precincts personnel, ballots, allowances or honoraria, paraphernalia and other expenses. The 22 polling precincts was already inspected and as per the assessment of the police there are no threat, no criminal groups monitored but authorities said there is no room for complacency during the plebiscite. Garcia also stressed the importance of voter’s education and encouraged the active participation from the public to ensure the success and integrity of the plebiscite. Meantime, Bacoor Mayor Strike B. Revilla expressed his gratitude to all the participants and emphasized the commitment of the local government to holding a fair and successful plebiscite. He also highlighted the importance of the plebiscite for the city’s future and the need for unity and cooperation among all stakeholders. with CARL REYES The post Bacoor City safe for plebiscite, says PNP appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Solon: P40 wage hike ‘inadequate’
A lawmaker on Friday lamented that the approved P40 increase in the minimum daily wage in the National Capital Region for non-agriculture workers is “woefully inadequate.” “The rising prices of basic goods, commodities, and petroleum products have hit the poor the hardest, including families who earn minimum wage,” Senator Grace Poe said. “We hope employers capable of going the extra mile will do so through additional allowances or non-monetary benefits.” “Our workers deserve wages that will help their families live decently,” she added. Likewise, Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, who is pushing for legislation of a bill that will provide a P150 across-the-board daily minimum wage hike, said the wage increase is “not enough.” He added that the tripartite wage board’s decision was as “near to objectivity” as possible because all sectors were well represented in the group. “That’s a wonderful development for our workers. Although it’s not enough,” Zubiri told reporters in a Viber message. Last March, the Senate chief filed Senate Bill 2002, or the Across-the-Board Wage Increase Act of 2023, which seeks to raise wages in the private sector across all regions by P150. With the P40 increase in NCR, the minimum wage rate in the region now stands at P610 per day. Meantime, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines stressed that the P40 wage hike is seen to be balanced both for employees and employers. Based on the formulas used to determine the wage increase including the inflation rate last May, Ortiz-Luis Jr. said the increase should have been between P31 and P37, but that the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-National Capital Region rounded it off to P40. He added that the tripartite wage board’s decision was as “near to objectivity” as possible because all sectors were well represented in the group. To recall, the Department of Labor and Employment said the RTWPB-NCR greenlighted the daily wage adjustment through Wage Order NCR-24 issued on 26 June 2023. The pay increase, which took into consideration the various wage determination criteria provided under Republic Act 6727 or the Wage Rationalization Act, was granted following several petitions filed by various labor groups in response to the escalating prices of basic commodities. The new rates, which translate to a 7 percent increase from the prevailing daily minimum wage rates in the region, remain above the regional poverty threshold of P452 per day for a family of five. These likewise result in a comparable 7 percent increase in wage-related benefits covering 13th month pay, service incentive leave, and social security benefits such as Social Security System, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Pag-IBIG. The post Solon: P40 wage hike ‘inadequate’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PNP conducts bonus probe
The Philippine National Police will start the probe on the release of service recognition incentives to police officers for the fiscal year 2022 after reports that some received less than the agreed amount. PNP chief Gen.Benjamin Acorda Jr. said that they will be coordinating with Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and other offices to look into it because if there is a complaint, there are things that should investigate. “We are constantly coordinating with the SILG. We are looking into this because if there is a complaint, it seems that there are things that should be looked into we are investigating and we are now coordinating with other offices that have something to do with this and I am asking them, we will be sitting down with them to hear for myself together with my command group and we might be inviting also from the other officers of the DILG to see to it and hear together what this explanation is and from there we can see what our next move,” Acorda told reporters after officiating in the oath-taking, donning and pinning of rank 606 insignia for the Newly Appointed Police Commissioned Officers on Monday afternoon held at Camp Crame. Earlier, Abalos said he would also seek guidance from the Department of Budget and Management regarding the policies on the payout of the incentive. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., through Administrative Order 1, authorized in December last year the release of a one-time SRI for employees in the executive branch in recognition of the collective and invaluable contribution to the government’s continuing efforts to ensure the responsive delivery of services, especially in the midst of the public health emergency due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and other socio-economic challenges. The AO authorizes the grant of a one-time SRI at a uniform rate not exceeding P20,000 for those working under the executive department. Meanwhile, Acorda urged all the police commissioned officers to continue learning and growing as professionals, always striving to be the best they can be as he reminds them of their responsibility to serve the people and encourages them to seek guidance from the Lord. “Let us embody the spirit of ‘Serbisyong Nagkakaisa’ as we serve and protect our fellow Filipinos. Remember to serve well and in harmony with your fellow police officers, to other government agencies, and to the community that relies on our service and protection,” Acorda said. Acorda emphasized the significance of their roles, stating, “As newly appointed police commissioned officers, you have already proven your capabilities in your respective fields, and now it is time to channel that expertise into the law enforcement arena. You will be entrusted to lead while upholding justice, protecting the innocent, and ensuring the safety and security of our nation. This is a sacred duty that requires integrity, courage, and compassion.” Among the appointees were 91 Technical Officers, and 515 Line Officers, all chosen under the PNP Lateral Entry Program CY 2022 for Line and Technical Officers. Under the program, 29 lawyers, four priests, two pastor, and seven doctors were appointed to the initial rank of Police Captain, entitling them to a basic monthly salary of P56,582.00. The remaining 564 newly appointed PNP officers, which include dentists, psychologists, architects, engineer, chemists, IT, and line officers were appointed to the initial rank of Police Lieutenant, with a basic monthly salary of P49,528.00, along with allowances and various cash and non-cash benefits. The successful candidates of the Lateral Program have undergone a stringent selection process, demonstrating their commitment to excellence, professionalism, and the core values of the PNP. The post PNP conducts bonus probe appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kuya Bong pushes stronger judiciary fiscal autonomy
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go recently introduced Senate Bill 2111 which seeks to define the scope and extent of the fiscal autonomy of the Judicial Branch of government and ensure that it has the necessary independence and resources to effectively perform its functions, which are critical in upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for all. “The Judiciary plays a crucial role in upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for all. It is only fitting that we provide them with the necessary resources and independence to effectively perform their duties,” said Go. The proposed bill — “The Fiscal Autonomy Act of Judicial Branch of Government” — seeks to affirm and strengthen the constitutional mandate and powers of the Judiciary as a co-equal branch of government. It cited that the Judiciary’s fiscal autonomy as mandated under Section 3, Article VIII of the Constitution, which means that appropriations for the Judiciary may not be reduced below the amount appropriated for the previous year, and the releases of the appropriations shall not be conditioned on the submission of any work and financial plan nor any financial report, whatsoever. The proposed bill also mandates that the budget proposal prepared by the Supreme Court shall be incorporated in the draft national budget without any revision. If passed into law, the Department of Budget and Management can suggest revisions to the budget proposal, but it must first consult with the Supreme Court or the Chief Justice in writing regarding their comments and suggestions. The DBM is also mandated to automatically release to the Supreme Court, without need for any request, the monthly cash requirements of the Judiciary. “Fiscal autonomy is important for the Judiciary to ensure its impartiality and independence from other branches of government. This bill is a step towards empowering the Judiciary to fulfill its constitutional mandate,” said the lawmaker. If enacted, the proposed measure shall also create a trust fund called the “Judiciary Trust Fund”, which shall be dedicated to the use of the Judiciary. All the funds collected for or accruing to the Judiciary may be deposited and kept in the said trust fund and from which funds needed for its operation shall be drawn. The Judiciary can still collect legal fees, but the percentage used for cost-of-living allowances and office equipment and facilities will change. All legal fees prescribed in Rule 141 of the Rules of Court will now be part of the Judicial Trust Fund. GM It will also allow the Supreme Court to create new offices and reorganize its administrative structure at the national and regional levels, within the limit of its available resources. This is to help carry out the goals of the bill and enable the Judiciary to take on additional functions and responsibilities. The Supreme Court can decide how many court personnel are needed to keep the Judiciary running smoothly, within the limits of the approved budget and hiring policies. The Supreme Court will also ensure that personnel receive sufficient and competitive compensation to ensure the continuity of service and sustainability, as well as support career development programs. “By guaranteeing the fiscal autonomy of the Judiciary, we are not only upholding the Constitution, but we are also showing our commitment to a fair and just legal system,” said Go. The post Kuya Bong pushes stronger judiciary fiscal autonomy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bachmann: Focus on AG, Olympics
Chairperson Richard Bachmann had an epiphany while doing the rounds of Philippine Sports Commission-owned facilities around the country recently. “We should focus on the Asian Games and the Olympics,” Bachmann said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on Tuesday. “That should be the goal.” Bachmann expressed the belief as he was discussing the PSC’s preparations for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games taking place in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, next month. While Bachmann is not belittling the SEA Games, the PSC chief made it clear that it is high time for everyone to change their mind-set. “I am not putting it (SEA Games) down. The SEA Games is a given. We can win it.” Bachmann had just been to Cebu and Zamboanga and these trips have made him realize that a drastic change has to take place. “That (Asian Games and Olympics) should be our goal,” Bachman said, stressing that most of the pictures and memorabilia he had seen during his four months as PSC leader showed mainly triumphs in the lowly SEA Games. Still, Bachmann swears “it won’t happen overnight.” “It’s not going to be easy changing that mind-set,” he added. Meanwhile, Bachmann bared that national sports associations wishing to cash in on the PSC’s coffers have to come up with stellar showings in the SEA Games and other major meets. “If an NSA wants more money, they have to win,” said Bachmann, who will be watching the 800-plus Philippine delegation attempt to better its fourth-place finish in Hanoi during the 5 to 17 May edition in the Cambodian capital. “You perform, you get money for next year,” he said. To gauge an NSA’s performance, the PSC has created a matrix which will be the basis of its grading system. With a little over two weeks left, the PSC said all the athletes’ needs have already been taken care of, including their allowances. “The PSC is just trying to take care of the athletes,” he said, refusing to issue a forecast on Team Philippines' final placing. “If I go the Alaska way, we have to improve. If we were fourth last year, we should improve this time,” Bachmann, a former Alaska mainstay and executive, said. “If you look at some of the sports, a lot of their athletes are abroad (training and competing) and I hope they get the confidence and perform well.” The post Bachmann: Focus on AG, Olympics appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
P245 M allocated for Judges-at-Large Act; Angara sees faster resolution of cases
Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara assured the Judiciary Sunday it would be able to expedite the adjudication of several pending court cases with the funds Congress provided for the appointment of judges-at-large under the 2021 national budget. Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara (Senator Sonny Angara Official Facebook Page / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) Angara, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, said a total of P244.988 million was included in the budget of the Judiciary for the implementation of Republic Act 11459 or the Judges-at-Large Act.Enacted on Aug. 13, 2019, the law mandates the creation of judges-at-large posts for the regional and municipal trial courts in order to decongest the courts of its dockets.These judges-at-large would have no permanent salas and may be assigned by the Supreme Court as acting or assisting judges to any Regional Trial Court (RTC) or Municipal Trial Court (MTC) in order to decongest the courts of its dockets.“For 2020, the first year of implementation of the law, we provided funding to cover for the creation of 50 judges-at-large posts,” Angara said in a statement.“For 2021, we will double the number of posts to 100 as requested by our Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta,” Angara said.The senator also said these judges-at-large are entitled to salaries, privileges, allowances, emoluments, benefits, rank, and title of regular RTC and MTC judges.Angara also said the Judiciary’s budget for 2021 also includes a P50-million augmentation to cover for the deployment of Judiciary marshals to secure the justices, judges, and other court officials.He said the inclusion of this funding was prompted by the appeals of the Judiciary for the creation of a judicial marshal service as the threats and attacks against judges and other court officials continue to take place in the country. The Senate is set to approve Senate Bill No. 1947 or the proposed Judiciary Marshals Act, of which Angara is one of the authors. Once approved, an office of the Judiciary marshals would be established under the Supreme Court and its continued funding will be ensured as part of the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).“We want to sustain the implementation of the Judges-at-Large Act to help ensure the delivery of speedy justice in the country,” the lawmaker said.“With the appointment of more judges, we can expect to see the resolution of more cases and eventually free up the courts of its backlog,” Angara added. .....»»
Congress promises PSC funding for Tokyo Olympics
Lawmakers promised to heed the Philippine Sports Commission’s call for financial support for the Tokyo Olympics next year. Congressmen who are members of the Committee on Youth and Sports Development gave a positive response when the government’s sports arm lobbied for Tokyo 2021 budget in the House of Representatives. "Rest assured that we will do our part to get the funding for this Olympics. All hands are in. Dapat lahat tayo dito. This is the best chance we have," said committee head Rep. Eric Martinez. He added that they would discuss the matter with the Department of Budget and Management and schedule it the soonest time possible because the athletes "need that budget for the Olympics." PSC Chairman William 'Butch' Ramirez during the regular committee meeting on Wednesday bared the sports agency's need for its slashed funds to continue supporting the training and competitions of Tokyo Olympic Games qualifiers and hopefuls vying for slots. "We were one of those government offices who also contributed to the Bayanihan Act. The DBM deducted from us. Para sa amin malaking bagay 'yun kasi kasama doon 'yung Olympic budget namin. Hanggang ngayon po bakante 'yan. It's an opportunity for us to ask, we need your help," expressed Ramirez. After presenting the Olympic budget request of more than P182 Million for Tokyo-bound athletes and hopefuls made by Chef de Mission (CDM) Mariano Araneta to the PSC, the sports agency chief highlighted the push Congress can give to the country's Olympic dream. "Rep. Bambol Tolentino has initially supported ‘yung P180 million na allowances ng atleta which was approved by the bicam, and to be approved by the President. Thank you sa lahat ng congressman na sumuporta. Pero 'yung Olympic budget namin, we are hoping again for your support," said Ramirez. The PSC chief informed the body that "the Philippine Sports Commission is operating on the savings coming from PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation)" and that "when we talk about the elite athletes of the national team, the budget being used is the NSDF (National Sports Development Fund)” prompting PSC to lessen grassroots sports program related to local government units. "Dito kami naka-focus sa elite athletes. We still have some budget just enough for us to reach December," admitted Ramirez in his response to Committee Vice-Chair Jericho Nograles' inquiry on the PSC's funds. To aid in the government’s effort to address the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, P596 million from the National Sports Development Fund and another P773 million from the General Appropriations Act by the DBM was slashed from the PSC’s budget. Gymnast Caloy Yulo, pole vaulter EJ Obiena and boxers Irish Magno and Eumir Marcial already qualified for the Summer Games. Eighty-two more hopefuls are training to earn spots in the Tokyo Olympics. .....»»
POC chief tacks P 180-M aid to Bayanihan Act
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino inserted a P180-million item to the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act 2 for the benefit of athletes and coaches from the national team. In his capacity as congressman of Cavite’s fifth district, Tolentino lobbied for the members of the national squad to receive their monthly allowances […] The post POC chief tacks P 180-M aid to Bayanihan Act appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
POC chief wants athletes& rsquo; allowances restored in full
The House of Representatives will do its best to restore the full cash allowances given to national athletes and coaches......»»
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: ".....»»
Pacatiw tries to buck cage rust in ONE Championship return
More than a year since his last ONE Championship bout, Jeremy Pacatiw acknowledged that he has a lot to work on before his comeback fight......»»
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......»»