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Malta hosts fresh round of Ukraine-backed peace talks
A third round of Ukrainian-backed peace talks opened in Malta Saturday with representatives from more than 60 countries but without Moscow, which denounced it as a "blatantly anti-Russian event". Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the first of two days of closed-door talks among national security and policy advisors, which he hopes will drum up support for his 10-point plan to end the war. In a statement on social media afterward, he said 66 countries had taken part in the talks, proof that his plan "has gradually become global". It follows similar meetings in Jeddah and Copenhagen this summer, with the Ukrainians hoping to eventually hold a summit at the level of heads of state. "The meeting confirmed the broad interest and increasing support for the key elements of Ukraine's Peace Formula," an EU official said Saturday. Against the backdrop of the Hamas-Israel war, it also showed "that restoration of just peace is important beyond Ukraine -- it is about a global plea for respect of international law". Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova however has dismissed the Malta talks as a "blatantly anti-Russian event". They had "nothing to do with the search for a peaceful resolution", she said on Thursday. "Obviously such gatherings have absolutely no perspective, they are simply counterproductive." China absent Participants in Malta included the United States, the EU, and Britain, staunch supporters of Kyiv following Russia's February 2022 invasion. Turkey, which has offered itself as a mediator between Ukraine and Russia, was also represented, according to a list seen by AFP before the talks opened. So too were South Africa, Brazil, and India -- all members of the influential BRICS bloc, which also includes Russia. South Africa and India have not condemned Russia's invasion, while Brazil has refused to join Western nations in sending arms to Ukraine or imposing sanctions on Moscow. China, which insists it is neutral and refuses to criticize the invasion, did not attend, despite being present in Jeddah in August, according to the EU official. Organizers were hoping for a joint statement from the Malta summit after both previous meetings ended without a final declaration. Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine's presidential office, said on Telegram that the discussions on Saturday were "lively" and focused on five key areas, notably the issue of Ukraine's territorial integrity. Zelensky's peace plan calls for Russia to withdraw all its troops from Ukraine's internationally recognized borders, including from the territory of Crimea, which it annexed in 2014. Russia, which claimed last year to have annexed the four Ukrainian regions of Lugansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, has rejected any settlement that would involve giving up land. The Malta talks are also looking at nuclear security, notably the need to ensure the safety of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and how to protect Ukraine's energy infrastructure as winter approaches. The issue of food security was also on the agenda, as Russia blocks grain exports from Ukraine; and humanitarian issues, including the release of prisoners and the return of Ukrainian children to taken to Russia. "Russia will have to give in to the international community. It will have to accept our common conditions," Yermak said. Both Russia and Ukraine are preparing for a grueling winter ahead, with Ukraine warning of renewed strikes on its energy infrastructure and Russia pushing back against Kyiv's counteroffensive. The post Malta hosts fresh round of Ukraine-backed peace talks appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ombudsman fails to pin Napoles for plunder
The Sandiganbayan yesterday convicted Janet Lim Napoles of nine counts of corruption of a public official, but acquitted her of plunder over the so-called “pork barrel fund scandal.” Likewise found guilty of nine counts of direct bribery by the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division was former Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives Partylist Rep. Edgar Valdez. The convictions were in relation to the misuse of lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Fund or PDAF. Napoles and Valdez were each sentenced to imprisonment of two years and four months up to six years and one day, and were each meted out a fine of P26,996,700. The cases stemmed from the charges of plunder filed by the National Bureau of Investigation and the Office of the Ombudsman, which alleged that five lawmakers, including Valdez, channeled their PDAFs to Napoles’ fake non-government organizations in exchange for kickbacks. According to the information filed by the Ombudsman, Valdez received P56 million in kickbacks from Napoles. The amount was over the P50-million threshold for the crime of plunder. Lacking evidence Former senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada, as well as former representative Rizalina Seachon-Lanete, were among the other lawmakers accused of plunder in connection with the pork barrel scam. Revilla was acquitted in 2018 but the cases against the others are still pending before the Sandiganbayan. Enrile, Estrada and Seachon-Lanete were granted bail. The dispositive portion of the Sandiganbayan’s ruling said the evidence to prove plunder against Napoles and Valdez was lacking. “The Court finds accused Edgar de Leon Valdez and Janet Lim Napoles not guilty of plunder due to insufficient evidence proving that they had, through conspiracy, amassed, accumulated, and or acquired at least 50 million pesos of PDAF funds through kickbacks and/or commissions,” the decision read in part. Valdez was allowed to post bail in 2016 after the Fifth Division said the prosecution was only able to prove that Valdez received P2.6 million, and not P56 million, in kickbacks from a foundation belonging to Napoles, who was dubbed the “pork barrel queen.” The division rejected Napoles’ request for the court to accept her belatedly filed memorandum that cited whistleblower Benhur Luy’s testimony in a different graft case, where he allegedly acknowledged that the funds in this case were not from PDAF. The 108-page Sandiganbayan decision was per curiam, meaning, not one justice from the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division penned the ruling. The per curiam decision was signed by Associate Justice and Division Chairperson Rafael Lagos, and Associate Justices Maria Theresa Mendoza-Arcega and Maryann Corpus-Mañalac. Previous acquittals Napoles attended through videoconference, while Valdez was physically present in court on Monday morning. Napoles is currently serving prior convictions. Last May, the Sandiganbayan First Division acquitted Napoles of graft in 16 PDAF cases. Napoles and Revilla were charged with the crimes in 2014. In 2018, the court ruled in favor of Napoles and against Revilla in the plunder case. In 2021, after filing a demurrer to evidence in both graft instances, Revilla was exonerated. The court ruled that the liability of the accused could no longer be determined because they were included in the plunder case for which they were already prosecuted. The charges of plunder against Revilla, his former political officer Atty. Richard Cambe, and Napoles also constituted graft because they were based on “predicate acts,” the court said. The resolution was written by Associate Justice Geraldine Faith Econg and adopted by Division chairperson Efren dela Cruz and Associate Justice Arthur Malabaguio. Same proof “This fact became even more apparent after the presentation of the same testimonial and documentary evidence in both cases,” the resolution read. Those acquitted in that case were Gondelina Amata, Ofelia Ordoez, Sofia Cruz, Evelyn Sucgang, Francisco Figura, Ma. Rosalinda Lacsamana, Marivic Jover, Consuelo Lilian Espiritu, Victor Roman Cacal and Maria Ninez Guanizo. Dennis Cunanan, Gregoria Buenaventura, Rhodora Mendoza, Evelyn de Leon, Laarni Uy and Jocelyn Piorato were found guilty and sentenced to prison terms ranging from 6 to 8 years, and were permanently barred from holding public office. Cambe, Eulogio Rodriguez and Emmanuel Alexis Sevidal had their cases dropped after they passed away. Still another case Napoles was found guilty of two charges of graft and two counts of malversation in another batch of PDAF proceedings involving the late Davao del Sur representative Douglas Cagas. The Sandiganbayan 2nd Division observed in a ruling released on 19 May 2023, that the Anti-Money Laundering Council report corroborated the evidence of whistleblower Luy, who claimed that Napoles owned and controlled the NGOs implicated in the PDAF scam. The post Ombudsman fails to pin Napoles for plunder appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Opening Pandora’s box
Exposing the recruitment racket where Filipinos are brought to Italy using bogus work permits, Daily Tribune’s show Usapang OFW may have opened a can of worms in the country’s skewed policy of relentlessly exporting labor. In most countries, being a migrant worker is a career move, not a forced one to have a decent human existence. The diaspora now consists of more than 10 million Filipinos who are promised by their elected leaders every time they are visited that the time is coming when opportunities at home will allow them to return. Policies, however, continue to lean toward promoting overseas employment mainly due to the lure of $3 billion in remittances that shower the country like manna from heaven monthly. Filipinos are preferred first-class workers due to their proficiency in English and their famed work ethic, resilience, and cheerful nature. The demand for Filipino workers is exploited by those seeking a fast buck by recruiting them. Those seeking jobs abroad are sucked dry before they can get a contract and then squeezed of their hard-earned money again at every opportunity by vultures, including the government. Tales like the emergency repatriation fund being misused to buy overpriced sanitary napkins and similar kickback rackets abound. Some 400 workers recounted to the online program how a Filipino employment consultancy firm based in Italy, Alpha Assistenza SRL, headed by Filipino co-CEOs Krizelle Respicio and Frederick Dutaro, victimized them through a “serial scamming” where they paid substantial sums only to be issued fake Nulla Ostas or work permits. The labor trafficking the Filipino firm had been engaged in was revealed after several individuals surfaced to narrate the ordeal they experienced at the hands of Alpha Assistenza. Senator Risa Hontiveros has filed a resolution to investigate the likely scam operation, but the probe’s focus should be on the officials who are complicit with the crooks. The victims recounted how the sting of bringing Filipinos to Italy with fake work permits could only be possible through the collusion of officials in the foreign diplomatic outposts. An immediate impact of the revelations of massive human trafficking may squander the country’s recently won Tier-1 ranking in the Global Trafficking in Persons report of the US State Department. As a Tier-1 country, the Philippines is considered to have fully met the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking. The government was applauded for its continued demonstration of “serious and sustained efforts” to fight human smuggling and illegal labor deployment. “These efforts included investigating more trafficking crimes, convicting more traffickers, amending its anti-trafficking law, increasing funding to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, and sentencing nearly all traffickers to significant prison terms,” the US State Department said. Being dropped from Tier-1 would have the effect of foreign governments tightening entry procedures for Filipino workers and the issuance of tighter rules on labor recruitment conducted by local agencies. “Corruption and official complicity in trafficking crimes remain significant concerns, inhibiting law enforcement action during the year,” the US report said. The report continued: “Some officials in law enforcement, immigration agencies, and other government entities are allegedly complicit in trafficking or allow traffickers to operate with impunity. Some corrupt officials allegedly accept bribes to facilitate illegal departures for overseas workers, operate sex trafficking establishments, facilitate the production of fraudulent identity documents, or overlook illegal labor recruiters.” Italy could just be the tip of the iceberg of a possibly colossal syndicate tapping into the tens of millions of job-seeking Filipinos for a lucrative illegal recruitment ring. The post Opening Pandora’s box appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PHAPi: Cyber-attack on PhilHealth to further delay unpaid claims reimbursement
The Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. on Wednesday said it is expecting further delays in the reimbursement of arrears of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to private hospitals due to the cyber-attack on the agency’s online system. According to PHAPi president Dr. Rene de Grano, the cyber-attack on the state-run health insurer’s online system is expected to cause further delay in its promise to settle its outstanding debts to hospitals amounting to P27 billion. “During the past hearing, PhilHealth president [Emmanuel] Mandy Ledesma promised to pay by December the P27 billion-worth of supposed arrears of PhilHealth to different hospitals,” De Grano told reporters in a chance interview. “Of course, we are hoping that it will be pushed through. But then this problem (cyber-attack) came, which made PhilHealth’s entire system down, then of course, we will be expecting more delays,” he added. Over the weekend, PhilHealth confirmed reports that there was an “information security incident” on its online system. The Department of Information and Communications Technology previously stated that the agency’s system was attacked by Medusa ransomware. As defined by Trend Micro, a multinational cyber security software company, ransomware is a type of malware that prevents or limits users from accessing their system, either by locking the system’s screen or by locking the users’ files until a ransom is paid. In the state-run health insurer’s case, the Medusa ransomware group was said to be demanding $300,000 in exchange for access to its system. The group threatened to leak the personal information of PhilHealth members if it did not pay the ransom. Worst case scenario Earlier this month, Ledesma made a commitment before lawmakers in the budget deliberation of the House Committee on Appropriations on the proposed P199 billion budget of the Department of Health for next year that the state-run health insurer would settle “a bulk or majority” of its P27 billion unpaid claims to various hospitals in the country. Of the P27 billion worth of unpaid claims by PhilHealth to various hospitals, P10 to P15 billion are estimated to be from private hospitals. Unlike big private hospitals that have “buffer funds,” De Grano said that further delays in payment would cripple the operations of smaller private hospitals. “Most of the small private hospitals rely on or are very dependent on patients who are NBB, charity patients, or no balance billing,” he said. “If there would be further delay in payments, smaller private hospitals will run out of money to the point that it will affect their cash flow. It will affect their operations.” If the non-payment of PhilHealth continues, he warned that smaller private hospitals would require their patients to pay their bills from their pockets. “The worst that will happen, initially, perhaps smaller private hospitals would no longer accept [PhilHealth] beneficiaries. They would ask patients to pay their bills out of their pockets,” he said. “Because, otherwise, we can no longer provide these services. Private hospitals are paying for their nurses, medicines, and supplies. If PhilHealth won’t pay them, it would empty their funds,” he added. Delayed HEA Meanwhile, De Grano also expressed his support for the complaint filed by a group of private healthcare workers against several DOH regional offices before the Anti-Red Tape Authority over the long overdue distribution of their health emergency allowances or HEA. “They prioritized the government facilities. The private [hospitals] were left,” he said. “They should tell the truth. They must tell if there are no longer funds available.” Earlier this week, the United Private Hospital Unions of the Philippines, whose members are part of at least 26 private hospitals in the country, filed a complaint against DOH regional offices over its failure to distribute P5.8 billion worth of HEA. Under Republic Act No. 11494, also known as the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, healthcare workers who were at the frontline of the government's fight against COVID-19 are mandated to receive HEA and other benefits. The post PHAPi: Cyber-attack on PhilHealth to further delay unpaid claims reimbursement appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
An inane idea
The conflict in the disputed waters in the West Philippine Sea has birthed unnecessary and unpalatable narratives plus inane proposals to dramatize the country’s condemnation of the provocative and aggressive navigational acts coming from some government functionaries, apart from escalating the tension between claimants China and the Philippines. The repeated infuriating bullying by the Chinese Coast Guard on our own Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine vessels has been relentless. China has been oblivious to our countless diplomatic protests and calls for it to stop its incursions on our territorial waters, respect our sovereign rights and accept the arbitrary ruling handed by the Permanent Arbitration Court. It has turned deaf ears to our protestations. It has been unmoved by the collective expression of condemnation of its acts of aggression against the Philippines from countries consisting of the European Union, Japan, Australia Canada, and the United States. Not even the threat by the latter to use counter-offensive and defensive measures by way of enforcing the Mutual Defense Treaty between it and our country could soften China’s provocative and aggressive stance. It stubbornly refuses to recognize the arbitral ruling of the Permanent Arbitration Court that has rejected its nine-dash expansionist claim over a large part of the South China Sea while validating the Philippines’ claim over Ayungin Shoal as within its exclusive economic zone. China’s emergence from an underdeveloped and weak country to a superpower like the United States and Russia made it easy for it to adopt the maxim that might is right. Truly, from a sleeping giant, it has become a mighty dragon spewing fire. China’s unacceptable and outrageous assaults on our territorial waters, which must be stopped, is, however, not an excuse to call for a boycott of its products. It’s a stupid idea. The proponents have not considered the repercussions if we enforce such an inane thought. We cannot be hostage to that vexing conflict with China and throw to the winds the benefits derived from our trade relations with it. China, being the largest supplier of manufactured goods, is known as the “ world’s factory.“ Every imaginable household use, clothes, shoes, textiles, construction materials, kitchen and toilet fixtures, beauty equipment, electronic gadgets, toys, outdoor and interior decors, tiles, air conditioning units, electric fans, engineered floors, kitchen utensils, heavy machinery and equipment, engineered wood floors, and a thousand other items. Compared to US and European-made, Chinese-manufactured goods are much cheaper. No wonder, they are much preferred now by the average Filipino because of the affordable prices of these products. Quality-wise, they can give Western merchandise a run for their money. A government policy of boycotting goods coming from China will deprive millions of ordinary Filipinos to have them. This is an anti-poor program. The propagates of this boycott idea seem to be either ignorant or oblivious to the fact that China is the biggest trade partner of the Philippines. Philippines exports to China have reached a whopping $10.97 billion in 2022 while imports from China rose to $28.2 billion per the latest data. If we enforce a boycott policy of Chinese products, those figures will be jeopardized. Do those propagators of such foolish advocacy realize the monstrosity of that monumentally folly? (To be continued) The post An inane idea appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
How to nurse a cold naturally
When the season of rain comes, there is one health challenge we all accept as a realistic outcome — the common cold and with it, the cough. Here is a list of natural remedies you might consider in order to feel just a little bit better. 1. Hydration. In order to speed up detoxification, you need to increase your water intake. Water keeps the blood flowing more efficiently, so drink up! Normally, a state of illness can turn the body acidic, so you may want to consider taking alkaline water. But if you are taking any kind of medication, drink it with acidic or neutral pH water (for better absorption). Take 10-15 glasses daily. 2. Vitamin C. Go for vitamin C IV drip if you do not like swallowing pills. Or buy the effervescent tablets and drink up on this immune-boosting vitamin. Orally, you may take anywhere from 1,000-5,000 mg of vitamin C after a meal. It is best to take vitamins with meals for longer absorption. Intravenous drips can range from 5,000 to 10,000 mg under the supervision of a doctor. 3. Hot soup. There is nothing like old-fashioned chicken soup. Yes, it does hit the spot. Go for organic or free-range chicken if your budget permits. 4. Ginger tea. This soothing tea can be brewed at home. You can boil it for five minutes or grate the fresh ginger and mix it with boiling water. Make sure you remove the fiber as it can tickle the throat and cause you to cough. If you feel chilly, the best way to warm up the body is with a cup of hot ginger tea. No sugar added. [caption id="attachment_166633" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Ginger Tea[/caption] 5.Honey. This is high in anti-bacterial properties. One teaspoon of wild, raw honey is calming for the throat. If you are looking for powerful immune-boosting honey, try Manuka Honey. Its anti-bacterial capacity is based on its MGO or methylglyoxal. [caption id="attachment_166632" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Honey[/caption] Note: The higher the MGO rating, the stronger its anti-bacterial properties. Guide: 250-700 MGO is best. Look for the UMF stamp which states it is a Unique Manuka Factor as certified by New Zealand authority. 6. Humidifier. This releases steam. It may alleviate congestion, symptoms of allergies/ rhinitis/sinusitis. It will increase the humidity in the air. It may help loosen mucus and alleviate a dry, unproductive cough. 7. Supplements. A) Echinacea. This herb may shorten the duration of the common cold and reduce symptoms of sore throat and cough. It helps boost the immune system. B) Quercetin. This compound comes from onions. It may reduce inflammation, ease allergies and lower blood pressure. Health experts believe it has powerful anti-cancer, anti-heart disease properties. (Recommendation: Not to be taken longer than 12 weeks.) 8. Herb power. Basil, Rosemary, Thyme, Garlic, Horseradish, Ginger, Red Clover, Lemongrass and Licorice Root. These come in capsule form or tea. Go to a health food store. Note: Check with your doctor for any drug interactions if you are on medication. 9. Essential Oils. The essence of plants is in their essential oils. Just one drop goes a long way towards the relief you are seeking. Doterra is a widely renowned brand respected for its high-quality essential oils. Tri-Ease blend, a powerful combination of lemon and peppermint, was designed to deliver relief from a cold or chronic rhinitis. Other powerful blends include the immune-boosting On Guard with frankincense. For free lifestyle consultation, contact Espie Pasigan at 0939-1228780. 10. Movement. Don’t keep still for too long. Your lymphatic system needs to do its job. The lymph can only move through the body every time you are active. So, move! Affirmation: “I invoke perfect healing and optimum health.” Love and light! The post How to nurse a cold naturally appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DoTr chief’s CLA endorsement questioned
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista could face graft charges for endorsing a foreign-owned container monitoring system without undergoing the usual bidding process or a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) from the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA). Industry insiders who asked not to be named noted the unusual decision by Bautista to endorse the Container Ledger Account (CLA) as an alternative to the controversial container deposit imposed by international shipping lines on importers and brokers for the use of their containers. The (DoTr order) violates Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. In essence, the DoTr endorses container deposits and favors a foreign private entity to collect them. The Transportation chief wrote a letter to all shipping lines about the order, contradicting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s instructions during a Cabinet meeting. In his 12 July letter to Joseph Collantes, operations manager of RCL Feeder Pte. Ltd., and Jesus Sedano, owner’s representative of RCL Feeder, Bautista said: “The delay in refund of container deposits and unreturned deposits in millions of pesos continue to burden and create financial difficulties for many importers that has become an industry problem. Various stakeholders have raised this matter for government intervention in the transport and logistics services sector.” The DoTr secretary added: “The Department of Transportation urges Shipping Lines/Shipping Agents/NVOCCs to accept the following alternative for container deposit practice in the Philippines.” He continued, “Discontinue container deposit practice or continue to collect container deposits contingent upon the ability to refund within 14 days, and subscribe to container deposits from Container Ledger Account subscribers or other providers that offer equivalent services.” But industry insiders questioned Bautista’s order saying the CLA still needs to undergo an RIA from the ARTA. “They are pushing for the CLA, but it did not undergo an RIA. Since 2021, it has been vended by the Association of International Shipping Lines. Then let us read between the lines,” the source told Daily Tribune. Further, the source revealed that during a Cabinet meeting, Bautista endorsed the CLA to President Marcos, apart from reporting that the Trusted Operator Program-Container Registry and Monitoring System or TOP-CRMS will be reviewed by ARTA. Still, the President aired contentions to the CLA. “The President said ‘baka ma-pingpong yan (CLA) [it might by bounced around].’” Bautista told the President, “No, because ARTA is currently reviewing it.” “Then why did the Secretary endorse it to international shipping lines without ARTA releasing the RIA?” the source asked. Only an option ARTA Director General Ernesto Perez was quick to admit the CLA had not undergone an RIA because it was not implemented by way of a regulation by a particular government agency. “No, it has not. To my knowledge, probably because it is not being imposed by way of a regulation by a government agency. But if a stakeholder can show that (the regulation) is being imposed by a government agency-DoTr, then we can ask that it be subjected to an RIA. Otherwise, if it is only an option and the shipping lines are not required to use CLA, then there is no regulation by DoTr to be subjected to an RIA,” Perez explained. ARTA is doing an RIA of all Administrative Orders issued by various government agencies to ensure that regulations are subjected to proper consultations and evidence-based analyses before issuance. The RIA is being done to help government agencies, local government units, and other government instrumentalities enact sound and effective regulations that benefit citizens and stakeholders without causing any undue burden or cost. ARTA on CLA Based on the Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) of ARTA to CLA obtained by Daily Tribune, the source said the CLA is not workable, as it requires the voluntary participation by the CLA principals or subscribers. “Being voluntary, the CLA cannot ensure the issue of the delay in the refund of container deposits. Moreover, CLA also does not address the issue of deductions from the container deposit or amounts associated with alleged damage to containers,” the ARTA RIS on the CLA said. Further, the ARTA RIS stated that considering that the refund of the container deposit is dependent on the approval of the Shipping Line/Shipping Agent/NVOCC (Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier), it seems the same issue as the current system, described under Option 1-Status Quo or Do Nothing, remained. The post DoTr chief’s CLA endorsement questioned appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Wrong wood puts PNR officials in jail
Seven former officials of the Philippine National Railways, or PNR, failed to convince the Sandiganbayan to overturn their conviction for graft over the procurement of P47.13 million worth of substandard rails in 2013. In a resolution dated 26 July, the anti-graft court’s Seventh Division turned down the separate motions for reconsideration of PNR former division manager Abdul Pangandaman, department managers Estelito Nierva and Ruben Besmonte, legal counsel Neofito Perilla, assistant department manager Divina Dantes and principal engineers Cesar Bocanog and Marlo Arias for lack of merit. The seven accused were found guilty of two counts of graft and were sentenced to up to 20 years in jail. Imports from China Filed by the Ombudsman in 2017, the case stemmed from the procurement of the PNR officials of P47.13 million worth of larch wood from China through Nikka Trading despite knowing that the board resolutions and bidding documents specified that the ties be made of yakal, a Philippine hardwood species. The PNR intended to use the ties for the rehabilitation of the Bicol Express tracks. Nikka Trading, based at Cityland Herrera Tower in Bel-Air, Makati, received the payment in two tranches, the first amounting to P37.7 million and P9.39 million for the second payment. The sum was for the purchase of 10,490 pieces of bridge ties, 942 pieces of joint ties, and 41 sets of switch ties, all made of larch, a kind of softwood imported from China. The previous decision stated that the respondents provided unwarranted benefits, preferences, and undue advantages to Nikka Trading by continuing to accept the items, even if they did not meet the product criteria, to the damage and injury of the PNR or the government. The post Wrong wood puts PNR officials in jail appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Treatment first
Dear Atty. Chris Liquigan, My sister was rushed to the ER due to dehydration. She needed the dextrose because she was really, really pale. The nurse told us we need to pay first before giving treatment to my sister. Is this right? Help me Atty. Vil Dear Vil, To answer your question directly, no, it is not right to demand any deposit. According to the Republic Act 10932, otherwise known as “An Act Strengthening the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law,” succinctly, Section 1 of the law dictates that it is unlawful for any proprietor, president, director, manager or any other officer and/or medical practitioner or employee of a hospital or medical clinic to request, solicit, demand or accept any deposit or any other form of advance payment as a prerequisite for administering basic emergency care to any patient, confinement or medical treatment of a patient in such hospital, viz: “Sec. 1. In emergency or serious cases, it shall be unlawful for any proprietor, president, director, manager or any other officer and/or medical practitioner or employee of a hospital or medical clinic to request, solicit, demand or accept any deposit or any other form of advance payment as a prerequisite for administering basic emergency care to any patient, confinement or medical treatment of a patient in such hospital or medical clinic or to refuse to administer medical treatment and support as dictated by good practice of medicine to prevent death, or permanent disability, or in the case of a pregnant woman, permanent injury or loss of her unborn child, or non-institutional delivery: Provided, That by reason of inadequacy of the medical capabilities of the hospital or medical clinic, the attending physician may transfer the patient to a facility where the appropriate care can be given, after the patient or his next of kin consents to said transfer and after the receiving hospital or medical clinic agrees to the transfer: Provided, however, That when the patient is unconscious, incapable of giving consent and/or unaccompanied, the physician can transfer the patient even without his consent: Provided, further, That such transfer shall be done only after necessary emergency treatment and support have been administered to stabilize the patient and after it has been established that such transfer entails less risks than the patient’s continued confinement: Provided, furthermore, That no hospital or clinic, after being informed of the medical indications for such transfer, shall refuse to receive the patient nor demand from the patient or his next of kin any deposit or advance payment: Provided, finally, That strict compliance with the foregoing procedure on transfer shall not be construed as a refusal made punishable by this Act.” (Emphasis and underscoring supplied) In this connection, Article 2 of the cited law defines basic emergency medical care as follows: “(i) ‘Basic emergency care’ — the response to a situation where there is urgently required medical care and attention, and shall include procedures required for initial diagnosis, use of equipment and supplies in sufficiently addressing the emergency situation, considering the welfare of the patient. It also includes the necessary medical procedures and treatment administered to a woman in active labor to ensure the safe delivery of the newborn.” Consistent with the prohibition against actually adding further features to the Act, Section 5 provides for death, disability or serious injury resulting from the refusal to provide basic emergency medical care on the basis of the policy advance payment or bond. It provides for the presumption of liability in the event of serious medical injury. In summary, Section 5 says: “Sec. 5. Presumption of Liability. — In the event of death, permanent disability, serious impairment of the health condition of the patient-complainant, or in the case of a pregnant woman, permanent injury or loss of her unborn child, proceeding from the denial of his or her admission to a health facility pursuant to a policy or practice of demanding deposits or advance payments for confinement or treatment, a presumption of liability shall arise against the hospital, medical clinic, and the official, medical practitioner, or employee involved.” Therefore, applying the above law, it is already known that advance deposits or payments are required in various practices of hospitals, except where appointment of transfer due to incompetence of the hospital or clinic is impermissible and punishable. Hope this helps. Atty. Chris Liquigan The post Treatment first appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BATO DARES ICC ‘I am here, arrest me!’
By: Ann JEnireene Gomez and Alvin Murcia With GLEN JACOB JOSE, Tiziana Celine Piatos AND JOM GARNER, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa warned of “big trouble” if the International Criminal Court comes to the Philippines to arrest him or anyone else. “I already expected that, their insistence on meddling in our domestic affairs. Let them, let them do what they want,” Dela Rosa said in Filipino in an interview with Frontline Tonight. “I’ll be here, I am not hiding. If they have a warrant of arrest, let them serve the warrant,” Dela Rosa said, with one caveat — that he’ll only allow himself to be arrested by Philippine authorities and not by any foreigner ordered to do so by the ICC. Dela Rosa was responding to a statement of Senate President Miguel Zubiri that the government will have no choice but to turn over anyone to the ICC if the arrest warrant will be coursed through local courts and will be served by local authorities. “We are still a sovereign country, and they (accused) are still citizens of this country. They do that with many other countries. However, the danger there is if Senator Bato dela Rosa goes to a country that is friendly to the ICC, then they will arrest him. Here in the Philippines, the process is they must coordinate with the local courts,” Zubiri said. The ICC’s Appeals Chamber voted 3-2 on Tuesday to deny the Philippines’ appeal to stop the ICC Office of the Prosecutor from resuming its investigation. “There’s no problem if the Philippine government would be the one to arrest me, but not the foreigners,” he said. “If it’s the government of the Philippines that would decide to arrest me, what can I do? But if they (ICC) would come here to take me, our government would have none of that.” “There’s going to be big trouble if they would insist on coming here against our government’s expressed will. That would be too blatant an interference and they would be treating us like fools,” he added. Chill Meanwhile, Senator Francis Tolentino, who offered to stand as legal counsel for a fellow lawmaker in the ICC probe, advised Dela Rosa to “Just chill”. “I accept the proposal of Sen. Dela Rosa to a lawyer for him. I am now speaking as the counsel for Senator Dela Rosa,” said Tolentino, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, in an online press conference yesterday. He said nothing has changed in the Philippines’ position on the dismissal of the ICC Pre-Chamber in the country’s appeal regarding the probe of the “war on drugs.” The ICC, he added, has no jurisdiction in the Philippines. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday advised former president Rodrigo Duterte and Dela Rosa to stay away from countries where the ICC has influence. Dela Rosa is accused of implementing the alleged iron-fist policy of Duterte as a Davao regional police official and later as Duterte’s first Philippine National Police chief in 2016. “They are citizens of the republic who also need our protection,” Remulla said, adding that Duterte and Dela Rosa should refrain from going to countries in Europe. Why Sara? But even before Remulla came out with his advice, Dela Rosa had already said he would not deliver himself to the ICC. “I will make sure not to go to those countries that are friendly with the ICC,” he said. He also brushed aside efforts to involve Vice President Sara Duterte in the ICC probe, calling the move politically motivated against one who could become the country’s next president. He reiterated that the Vice President’s name was never mentioned in proceedings that looked into the alleged activities of the so-called Davao Death Squad. On Wednesday, the Department of Justice maintained that the ICC has no jurisdiction to investigate the extrajudicial killings allegedly committed during the Duterte administration’s so-called war on drugs. The DoJ expressed deep disappointment and strong disagreement with the denial by the ICC of the Office of the Solicitor General’s appeal to stop the probe on account of the Philippines having withdrawn from the ICC, and its having a fully functioning justice system. It said the rejection of the appeal was based on the ICC’s flawed interpretation of its jurisdiction as a court of last resort — that it could only assume jurisdiction when a member country showed it was not capable of investigating and prosecuting crimes within its borders. The DoJ pointed out that the principle of complementarity, enshrined in the Rome Statute that created the ICC, recognizes the jurisdiction of local courts to try crimes within their respective countries. “The dissenting opinions of two esteemed justices out of the five-judge panel highlight the grave errors in the majority decision,” the DoJ said in a statement. “These dissenting justices rightly recognized the Philippines’ commitment to upholding the rule of law and maintaining an independent and effective legal system.” “Their dissenting opinions underscore the existence of a legitimate difference of legal interpretation, casting doubt on the majority’s ruling,” it added. Remulla had lambasted the ICC for meddling in Philippine affairs and said the government would not honor any arrest warrant issued by the ICC. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his predecessor, Duterte, had been firm in saying the ICC had no jurisdiction over events that transpired in the Philippines. PNP no ICC lackey Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police said it would not be dictated to by the ICC as it recognizes the stance of the government that the international tribunal has no jurisdiction over the conduct of the drug war probe. “The PNP is under the executive department and we will follow the lead of the national government that there is a question with respect to sovereignty and jurisdiction of the ICC,” PNP spokesperson P/Col. Jean Fajardo said. Duterte, as Davao City mayor from 2011 to 2016 and as the country’s president from 2016 to 2022, is seen as the ICC prosecutor’s primary target, along with his former police chief, Dela Rosa. Government data showed that about 6,200 people died in “legitimate” anti-drug operations during the Duterte presidency, including law enforcement officers killed in action. Government critics claim as many as 15,000 to 30,000 were killed. Meanwhile, Vice President Duterte appeared to have been included in the complaints filed with the ICC prosecutor, along with her father’s long-time aide, the now Senator Christopher “Bong” Go. “No comment,” was the terse reply of the Vice President’s camp on her alleged inclusion in the ICC complaints. Go, on the other hand, said the ICC had no “business meddling in our internal affairs, where our courts remain fully functional and free from political interference.” “Probes into the war on drugs are presently being conducted by the competent authorities. Filipinos should be judged by fellow Filipinos before Philippine courts operating under Philippine laws,” Go said. With the ICC ruling, the DoJ vowed to continue to defend the sovereignty and integrity of the nation’s legal system and strongly urged the ICC to reconsider its decision and recognize the Philippines’ unwavering commitment to the rule of law and the pursuit of justice. “Furthermore, we would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our commitment to the well-being and support of all victims affected by the drug war,” Remulla’s department said. “The DoJ, in collaboration with other relevant agencies, is willing and able to assist those who had suffered harm or loss during this challenging period. We encourage all individuals with evidence and witnesses to come forward and share their testimonies with us,” it added. Former president Duterte, through his former spokesperson Harry Roque, shrugged off the ICC decision. In a Facebook post, Roque said Duterte has always maintained that as an independent and sovereign state, only Philippine courts can try any crime committed in Philippine territory. “He has time and again said that because of this, he will face all his accusers anytime but before Philippine courts and before Filipino judges only,” Roque said. In a television interview, Zubiri said the upper chamber would “not give up” Dela Rosa should the ICC issue a warrant of arrest against the latter. “Without the local warrant of arrest issued by the courts, then as far as I’m concerned, he is still a working member of the Senate and accorded of course that respect, similar to Senator De Lima and Senator [Antonio] Trillanes,” he said. “Only when the warrant of arrest was issued, then we allowed or we agreed that he may be taken in custody,” he added. The post BATO DARES ICC ‘I am here, arrest me!’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
N. Korea leader’s sister warns of ‘overwhelming nuclear deterrence’
The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned on Friday of "overwhelming nuclear deterrence" unless the United States drops what she called its "hostile policy" against Pyongyang, state media reported. Kim Yo Jong also defended North Korea's latest intercontinental ballistic missile launch as an act of self-defense. The nuclear-armed state on Wednesday test-fired a solid-fuel missile that flew 1,001 kilometers (622 miles) at a maximum altitude of 6,648 km, before splashing into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan. Its trajectory suggested it was capable of reaching the mainland United States, analysts said. "Under the premise that the United States doesn't accept dropping its anti-North Korea policy... We will strive hard to establish the most overwhelming nuclear deterrence," Kim Yo Jong said in a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency. The launch was an "exercise of self-defense... to protect the Korean peninsula from falling into a nuclear warfare", she said, adding that no one could blame Pyongyang in the face of Washington's "hostile policy". She went on to rail against the United Nations Security Council for its response to the launch. In a joint statement, 10 of the Security Council's 15 members including South Korea condemned the latest test and noted that the North's 20 launches of ballistic missiles in 2023 were "all blatant violations of multiple Security Council resolutions". Kim Yo Jong slammed the statement, saying it was "unfair and biased". Earlier this week she accused US military surveillance jets of breaching North Korean airspace, warning that they could be shot down. In response to the North's string of missile launches this year, Seoul and Washington have ramped up security cooperation, vowing that Pyongyang would face a nuclear response were it to ever use its nuclear weapons against the allies. The post N. Korea leader’s sister warns of ‘overwhelming nuclear deterrence’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PULSO kiosks survey port users’ satisfaction
The Philippine Ports Authority on Tuesday unveiled its new Port Users and Locators Satisfaction Outlook or PULSO that will collate feedback from port customers and users. "This PULSO is a modern, real-time and efficient customer feedback system. The set of questions used in the system is based on the PPA's compliance with the Anti-Red Tape Authority. Through the system, the public can rate the PPA port services, service providers and shipping lines," PPA general manager Atty. Jay Daniel Santiago told reporters during the celebration of PPA's 49th anniversary at its head office in Manila. "It features five languages to include English, Tagalog, Ilocano, Bisaya, and Pangasinense. Other languages can also be added as the need arises. A QR code is also provided for those who opt to answer the feedback form through the use of their mobile phones," he added. Santiago said the PULSO project is worth P87.350 million, with two years service contract under its software provider Cosmotech Philippines Inc. Santiago said 128 PULSO kiosks are already installed in all ports nationwide. The first kiosks were deployed at the Port of Abra de Ilog in Mindoro, Terminal Management Office in Capiz, and TMO Camarines in the first week of June 2023. As of 11 July 2023, all kiosks were already properly installed. Cruise terminals Meanwhile, Santiago said the PPA is finishing construction of world-class cruise ship terminals in Coron, Palawan; Currimao, Ilocos Norte; and Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte. All three terminals are scheduled for completion this year or in the first quarter of 2024. "Similar to the airports, we want to build exclusively dedicated cruise terminals with the focus being to accept foreign tourists. It will have the best facilities, as well as customs and immigration personnel, excursion and tour operators, and kiosks that sell local products that would serve tourists, like a one-stop shop," the PPA chief said. The cruise terminals match the specifications of cruise vessels which are larger than cargo ships. According to the Department of Tourism, there are 139 cruise vessels scheduled to make their maiden port of call in the Philippines for 2023 and are set to tour around 36 tourist sites. He said the PPA has completed 30 infrastructure projects during the first term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Out of the 30 seaport infrastructure projects, 11 projects were completed in 2022, while projects were completed earlier this 2023, and 13 projects are ongoing this year. The post PULSO kiosks survey port users’ satisfaction appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
7 PNR officials convicted of graft
The Sandiganbayan convicted seven ex-officials of the Philippine National Railways of graft in connection with the anomalous procurement of P47.13 million worth of substandard railroad ties made of the wrong wood in 2013. All seven defendants, namely, former division manager Abdul Pangandaman, department managers Estelito Nierva and Ruben Besmonte, legal counsel Neofito Perilla, assistant department manager Divina Dantes and principal engineers Cesar Bocanog and Mario Arias, were found guilty of two counts of graft by the Sandiganbayan Seventh Division and sentenced to up to 20 years of jail time. They were also barred from future government employment through perpetual disqualification. The PNR’s erstwhile chief Junio Ragragario and division manager Rosendo Calleja, meanwhile, were acquitted by the anti-graft court due to the prosecution’s failure to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The case was filed by the Ombudsman in 2017 after it was discovered that PNR officials had spent P47,134,980 on substandard larch wood imported from China from Nikka Trading, despite knowing that the board resolutions and bidding documents specified that the ties be made of yakal, a Philippine hardwood species. Nikka Trading, based at Cityland Herrera Tower in Bel-Air, Makati, received the payment in two tranches: the first amounts to P37,747,832 and P9,387,148 for the second. The sum was the purchase of 10,490 pieces of bridge ties, 942 pieces of joint ties and 41 sets of switch ties, all made of larch, a kind of soft wood, imported from China. According to state prosecutors, the respondents provided unwarranted benefits, preferences and undue advantages to Nikka Trading by continuing to accept the items even if they did not meet the product criteria, to the damage and injury of the PNP or the government. The PNR intended to use the purchased wood ties for the rehabilitation of the Bicol Express tracks. The anti-graft court’s decision to convict the officials included an inquiry about why the PNR planned to acquire such a large quantity of yakal notwithstanding the issuance of E.O. 23, which imposed a log ban. “This is not to insist that Yakal should have been procured, considering the existence of E.O. 23 imposing a log ban,” the Sandiganbayan stated in its 69-page decision. “On the contrary, this court is perplexed why the PNR, after having been made aware of such ban, still intended to procure vast amounts of Yakal, and later on, in Invitations to Bid which were sent out specifying Yakal as the wood specie, all at the cost of violating a total log ban on Yakal.” According to the Sandiganbayan, the mad dash to procure wood for the rehabilitation of the PNR railways by the accused officials has not only stripped the government of precious resources but also put public safety on the line. The post 7 PNR officials convicted of graft appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pay now, help later
Dear Atty. Chris, My sister was rushed to the ER due to dehydration. She needed the dextrose because she was really pale and needed it. The nurse told us we need to pay first before providing treatment to my sister. Is this right? Help me Atty. Vil ***** Dear Vil, To answer your question directly, no, it is not right to demand any deposit. According to the Republic Act 10932, otherwise known as “An Act Strengthening the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law.” Succinctly, Section 1 of the law dictates that it is unlawful for any proprietor, president, director, manager or any other officer and/or medical practitioner or employee of a hospital or medical clinic to request, solicit, demand or accept any deposit or any other form of advance payment as a prerequisite for administering basic emergency care to any patient, confinement or medical treatment of a patient in such hospital, viz: “Sec. 1. In emergency or serious cases, it shall be unlawful for any proprietor, president, director, manager or any other officer and/or medical practitioner or employee of a hospital or medical clinic to request, solicit, demand or accept any deposit or any other form of advance payment as a prerequisite for administering basic emergency care to any patient, confinement or medical treatment of a patient in such hospital or medical clinic or to refuse to administer medical treatment and support as dictated by good practice of medicine to prevent death, or permanent disability, or in the case of a pregnant woman, permanent injury or loss of her unborn child, or non-institutional delivery: Provided, That by reason of inadequacy of the medical capabilities of the hospital or medical clinic, the attending physician may transfer the patient to a facility where the appropriate care can be given, after the patient or his next of kin consents to said transfer and after the receiving hospital or medical clinic agrees to the transfer: Provided, however, That when the patient is unconscious, incapable of giving consent and/or unaccompanied, the physician can transfer the patient even without his consent: Provided, further, That such transfer shall be done only after necessary emergency treatment and support have been administered to stabilize the patient and after it has been established that such transfer entails less risks than the patient’s continued confinement: Provided, furthermore, That no hospital or clinic, after being informed of the medical indications for such transfer, shall refuse to receive the patient nor demand from the patient or his next of kin any deposit or advance payment: Provided, finally, That strict compliance with the foregoing procedure on transfer shall not be construed as a refusal made punishable by this Act.” (Emphasis and underscoring supplied) In this connection, Article 2 of the cited law defines basic emergency medical care as follows: “(i) ‘Basic emergency care’ — the response to a situation where there is urgently required medical care and attention, and shall include procedures required for initial diagnosis, use of equipment and supplies in sufficiently addressing the emergency situation, considering the welfare of the patient. It also includes the necessary medical procedures and treatment administered to a woman in active labor to ensure the safe delivery of the newborn.” Consistent with the prohibition against actually adding further features to the Act, Section 5 provides for death, disability or serious injury resulting from the refusal to provide basic emergency medical care on the basis of the policy advance payment or bond. It provides for the presumption of liability in the event of serious medical injury. In summary, Section 5 says: “Sec. 5. Presumption of Liability. — In the event of death, permanent disability, serious impairment of the health condition of the patient-complainant, or in the case of a pregnant woman, permanent injury or loss of her unborn child, proceeding from the denial of his or her admission to a health facility pursuant to a policy or practice of demanding deposits or advance payments for confinement or treatment, a presumption of liability shall arise against the hospital, medical clinic, and the official, medical practitioner, or employee involved.” Therefore, applying the above law, it is already known that advance deposits or payments are required in various practices of hospitals, except where appointment of transfer due to incompetence of the hospital or clinic is impermissible and punishable. Hope this helps. Atty. Chris Liquigan The post Pay now, help later appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Rody okay with PDP-Laban merger
Former President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday revealed that he has no qualms over the looming merger of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan party to other political parties in the country. The former President also stressed that he is “slowly” removing himself from politics. “I leave it to the entire membership of the PDP-Laban, whatever they want. I may be the chairman but there’s a different President. I’d like to remove myself slowly from the politics,” Duterte said. He also gave assurance that he would “simply agree” if the entire membership of the Party will opt to merge with a stronger political Party as approved by the majority. “If that the majority wants. So it’s always a numbers game. Whatever is the prevailing sentiment in the Party,” Duterte said. Earlier this week, the PDP-Laban along with the National Unity Party, Nacionalista Party, Nationalist People’s Coalition, Partido Navoteño, Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines, and the Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc. signed an agreement to reaffirm their political alliance with the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats or Lakas-CMD. But for former Presidential Legal Counsel Atty. Salvador Panelo, he sees that Duterte — as the chairperson of the Party — has no idea about the merging issues. “It’s seems like PDP-Laban’s dedication to Lakas, it looks like he didn’t know about it or he just let it go. It’s like what I heard from him -- if that’s what the majority wants, the fine,” Panelo said. Meantime, the former President also cited the “uncontrollable character” of her daughter, incumbent Vice President, and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, saying she only has a straightforward commitment to public service. “Among my children, only this one [Sara] has a character… You can’t really control Inday… She will just do what is right,” Duterte said, referring to young Duterte’s strong personality and passion in terms of public service. In other developments, Panelo has backed the former President’s decision to reject the call for him to become the country’s anti-drug czar under this administration, saying it would be a demotion on the part of the previous President. “Knowing the former President, he will not accept that. First of all, it would be a demotion for him. He put the country in order for six years,” Panelo said, adding that “it is out of character” of Duterte. Panelo said the anti-illegal drug campaign can be continued by the current administration. “We need in this one, will be like Duterte. That’s how simple things are,” said Panelo. The post Rody okay with PDP-Laban merger appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
IDAHOBIT observation highlights diversity and unity
On 17 May, the LGBTQ+ community, their allies and many agencies observed International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia and Transphobia or IDAHOBIT, which is meant to raise awareness on the discrimination, marginalization and violence experienced by the LGBTQ+ community. This year’s commemoration carried the worldwide theme “Together Always: United in Diversity.” For the Philippine LGBT Chamber of Commerce, the theme “reminds us of the importance of solidarity towards battling discrimination.” “[W]e encourage business owners, leaders and influential individuals to raise our flag with pride, in their respective businesses and communities, in signaling allyship and respect for the LGBTQIA+ people. Let us promote an environment where people come together against stereotyping and discrimination, and where they are introduced to organizational values that effectively advocate a diverse workspace that includes everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics,” they said. For the Southeast Asian network ASEAN SOGIE Caucus, the day “aims to celebrate and appreciate the accomplishments of our LGBTQIA+ community, but the day is also the commemoration of our collective struggles.” IDAHOBIT “marks one of the most momentous turning points in the struggle for gender equality — the declassification of homosexuality as a disorder by the World Health Organization. A breakthrough in the recognition of the natural diversity in society and a step forward to materializing a just and equal world,” according to UP (University of the Philippines) Babaylan. “However, in this modern reality, it cannot be denied that our systems are plagued with the constant threats of impunity, indifference and violence. In the Philippines alone, many names have been victims to the rampant narratives of discrimination... the need to hold the line and ensure rights for all remains an arduous endeavor. From the margins to the center, every identity is met with oppression and challenged by circumstances,” the campus-based LGBTQ+ explained. “To this day, we remember each story and utter every name as a promise that the struggle lives on so that nobody might be next and that justice be served to those that came before us.” They further said: “As such, the movement finds itself emboldened with the pride and power of the collective. We recognize that there is no greater system than that of the people in pursuit of a shared goal: respect for human rights, reclamation of identities and acceptance of diversity.” UP Babaylan held a week-long celebration for IDAHOBIT called Here for Queers. From 17 to 19 May, the group organized the Intergalactic Expo Bazaar at the Rainbow Crosswalk, in front of the West Wing of Palma Hall, featuring queer-owned businesses. Aside from booths selling food and clothes, there is also a booth offering free HIV testing in partnership with HASH. [caption id="attachment_137956" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF UP BABAYLAN | UP Babaylan’s Intergalactic Expo Bazaar at the UP Diliman campus.[/caption] On 19 May, the Multidimensional FSL Workshop was held, where speakers Erika Allosa and Abraham Bagasin from Pinoy Deaf Rainbow taught the basics of Filipino Sign Language as well as sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and sex characteristics or SOGIESC. Here for Queers culminated with Benefit Concert: An Interstellar Night on 20 May at the Sky Bistro Ever with drag queens Mrs. Tan, Myx Chanel, Maria Christina, Inah Demons, Aries Night and Korona Dvil, and other performers Stef Aranas, Pixie Lanrador, Pointyyy, Lance Reblando taking center stage. Profits will be donated to Pinoy Deaf Rainbow. On IDAHOBIT, Pride PH intensified its call on schools to recognize and accept transgender at non-binary students. The group continues to help students with their schools that refuses to be inclusive. Aside from LGBTQ+ groups, foreign embassies also joined in celebrating IDAHOBIT. The German Embassy Manila has partnered with Zamboanga City-based Mujer LGBT Organization for the Human Rights Caravan to engage with local government units in Mindanao by providing gender and sexual orientation sensitivity training and teaching the importance of anti-discrimination policies especially when providing services to their LGBTQ+ constituents. The Caravan has been to Dipolog City, Isabela, Pagadian City, Tawi-Tawi and Zamboanga City. According to the embassy, “As co-chair of the Equal Rights Coalition, Germany is working to promote respect, acceptance and equality for all sexual orientations and gender identities. We encourage societies to reflect on the impact of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia and take action to combat these forms of discrimination.” The United States Embassy in the Philippines said that “the United States reaffirms our commitment to end discrimination and violence so that all of our LGBTQI+ friends, colleagues, neighbors and family may live freely with dignity and equal respect for their human rights.” “Countries are stronger when the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex persons are protected and respected,” they emphasized. The post IDAHOBIT observation highlights diversity and unity appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Contradictors fear losing ‘earnings’ —Santiago
Contradictors of the Philippine Ports Authority’s efforts to lower port cost through technological innovations are earning money from the manual system, according to PPA general manager Jay Daniel Santiago. “There are certain aspects of operations that we are trying to digitize which we believe that there is resistance because some players on certain operations directly benefit from the non-digitalization or from the manual system. Definitely, these contradictors are earning money from the manual system,” Santiago said in his interview with the Daily Tribune’s digital show Straight Talk. “The moment you diminish fees, it is certain na may nawalan ng kita dyan (that someone loses income),” he added. Santiago said there are still stakeholders who are challenging their efforts to fully digitalize transactions in all PPA-governed ports, including the postponed Trusted Operator Program-Container Registry and Monitoring System project. The TOP-CRMS aims to address high unregulated charges in logistics costs such as container deposit and missing empty containers by requiring only P980 for container deposit insurance and monitoring fee and P3,408 empty container handling service fee to be paid by importers compared to almost P30,000 container deposit in the current existing system. It has already gone through rigorous scrutiny from various government agencies, including the Commission on Audit and the Anti-Red Tape Authority. ARTA gave the PPA’s regulatory impact statement on the TOP-CRMS a rating of 36, meaning the project is a Good Practice RIS. There are still stakeholders who are challenging their efforts to fully digitalize transactions. The RIS earned a good rating for addressing all concerns raised by stakeholders, he said. “The TOP-CRMS could have garnered a perfect score of 38 to 40 if it is implemented already, sadly it was not yet implemented because it was deferred,” Santiago said. The PPA manager believes contradictors are firm in blocking the project and apparently are eager not to move forward, despite PPA’s noble intentions to really make port operations efficient. “The TOP-CRMS was deferred because of the apparent opposition of some stakeholders. But in recognition of those incongruities, the PPA Board decided not to implement the system, a petty reason that is hard to accept, even though there are some groups that are backing the project,” Santiago said. Political will The previous PPA Board during the term of former Transportation Secretary Art Tugade unanimously approved the administrative order, policy and procurement of TOP-CRMS in 2022. But its implementing guidelines were not yet approved by the current PPA Board, headed by its chairperson, Transportation Secretary Jimmy Bautista. He said for these digitalization efforts to be realized, heads of regulators in the government should have a strong political will. “Most of these decision-makers are reactive and do not understand the problems on the ground, but only on papers presented to them. What is on paper is not the real situation. And if they already realize the problems on the ground, then they must have the political will to do the right thing for the benefit of the majority, which are the end users and the public,” Santiago said. He urged decision-makers to rely on the expertise of the operating agencies under them “as the heads of these agencies are installed there because they are the ones who understand what is happening to implement whatever should be executed.” The post Contradictors fear losing ‘earnings’ —Santiago appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cebu City welcomes ARTA office
The Anti-Red Tape Authority has opened in Cebu City a regional office which aims to assist businesses on complaints of government red tape or bureaucracy. ARTA director general Secretary Ernesto V. Perez believes that opening the regional office will encourage more businesses to open, thus creating more jobs and boosting the local economy. “When people know that it is easier to deal business, the economy will grow even better,” said Perez, during the inauguration of the new office located at the National Food Authority compound in Barangay Banilad, Cebu City. Its jurisdiction will cover Central and Eastern Visayas regions. Perez also vowed a seamless government service and simplified way of starting a business across Central and Eastern Visayas regions as the new field office will monitor how well the Central and Eastern Visayas government entities are adhering to the regulations for carrying out both business and non-business activities by putting the Ease of Doing Business Law into practice. One of the key efforts of the law is that each local government unit should carry out is the Electronic Business One-Stop Shop or e-BOSS which digitalizes business permitting and licensing systems, allowing LGUs to issue tax bills, order of payments, permits, licenses and clearances and accept applications and payments online. “Once the LGUs are able to set up and operationalize, an end-to-end process from the filing of application, submission of requirements, the processing, the payment, and printing of mayor’s permit should be done online,” Perez said. The post Cebu City welcomes ARTA office appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
From ‘seamless’ to ‘seems less’
Seacraft trip delays, long passenger lines, and overcrowding at the Batangas City port should be a thing of the past, but they are not. A jump-off point for travelers who wish to visit nearby islands like Mindoro and Marinduque, the port of Batangas has two terminals — one for passengers and the other for cargo and shipping. The 150-hectare port is an alternate seaport to the Port of Manila. Batangas Port, however, has never failed to earn the ire of travelers. The latest incident on Labor Day involved 21 officemates who endured long queues for about five hours just to buy tickets to go to Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro. Fixers were seen transacting inside the Batangas Port, asking passengers, in public view, to pay an additional P200 if they wanted to be prioritized on the next trip to Puerto Galera. They could not believe that employees of a shipping line, instead of discouraging “fixing,” were themselves the fixers. Although it was the only shipping line with a direct voyage to Puerto Galera, my co-workers decided to bear the long wait rather than pay P4,200 and tolerate the untouchable crooks. The normal 2-hour ferry ride to Puerto Galera ended up being 10 hours of a psychologically excruciating trip. The ordeal had a sequel on their way back to Batangas when they had to bear with the slow turnaround of only two ferries of the same shipping line. Three questions: One, where are the preparations for seamless travel promised by the Department of Transportation during peak seasons? Two, why was the online ticketing system initiated by shipping lines since the Holy Week suspended? Three, why was the unified electronic ticketing system contract of the Philippine Ports Authority canceled in July 2022 when the new administration assumed office? The third item was supposed to be the solution to the decades-long problems of port congestion and long passenger queues during peak travel seasons. One of the 21 hapless travelers had this to say: “In the online ticketing system, the price of the tickets is fixed. In the absence of an online ticketing system, the shipping lines can increase the ticket price.” Picking up from the admission of PPA general manager, Atty. Jay Daniel Santiago, that domestic vessels can scarcely service the ballooning number of passengers, especially during peak season, who do ordinary Filipinos expect would solve the port congestion problems? Do we just get used to the oft-repeated advice of government officials to the public that the latter plan their travels early to avoid all inconveniences during long holidays? Do we just co-exist with port fixers so we can have the special treatment we as passengers deserve? Do we just have to accept the fact that the travel experience in the Philippines is uncomfortable, worse, miserable? Do we just learn to live with how the public transport system works and say goodbye to the returns of the taxes that we pay? It simply doesn’t work that way though. Not in the seaports, airports, or bus terminals! Because the taxes we honestly pay our government deserve efficient services. To combat corruption at passenger ports, it is important to establish strong anti-corruption measures and enforce them rigorously. We hope problems at our seaports aren’t time bombs waiting to explode like the New Year and Labor Day fiascos at our airports. The post From ‘seamless’ to ‘seems less’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Family’s frustration 30 years after racist murder rocked Britain
Thirty years after the murder of their son in a racist attack, Stephen Lawrence's parents are tired of broken promises. They have heard Britain's biggest police force talk about reform many times since a gang of white youths stabbed the black 18-year-old to death. The brutal killing shocked Britain and sparked calls for an overhaul of policing. It led to a damning official review in 1999, which found the force carried out a flawed murder investigation marred by "institutional racism" and recommended a series of changes. But last month, a new review following a spate of fresh police scandals, found racism still rife in the force, along with misogyny and homophobia. "I don't see any change," Neville Lawrence told AFP after giving a talk in central London to mark the anniversary of his son's murder. He said black people still fear the force will not protect them, and vowed to make life safer for his young relatives so they can "walk the streets and not worry about getting stabbed". Stephen had wanted to be an architect, and his father described being "robbed" of the chance to see him grow up and fulfil his ambitions. Battle for justice On the night of his death, 22 April 1993, Stephen was waiting for a bus with his friend Duwayne Brooks in south London. The gang shouted racist abuse before they attacked. Brooks remembers Stephen running fatally wounded from the scene, asking: "What's happened to me?" The suspects were well known in the area, but the mishandled initial murder investigation meant it took the family years of tireless campaigning before two members of the gang were jailed in 2012 after new forensic evidence came to light. Three others were never prosecuted. In recent years, Metropolitan Police officers have faced outrage over their treatment of black Londoners -- from routinely using disproportionate force to strip-searching schoolchildren. Stephen's mother Doreen Lawrence -- now a member of the UK's upper house of parliament -- said this week that the police force had not changed and officers could still be "as brutal as they want" without being held accountable. "I don't know how many more inquiries and how many reviews you need to have to say the same thing -- and still no changes, and still denials," she told the BBC. Over-policed, under protected Suresh Grover, founder of The Monitoring Group anti-racism charity, has been involved in the Lawrence family's campaign for justice since the outset. He said the family was promised "a proper attempt at addressing institutional racism" -- but the latest review showed the force had failed. "What little trust people had is gone -- it's got worse", he said. In Britain, April 22 is officially recognized as "Stephen Lawrence Day". The family will hold a memorial service in a church near Trafalgar Square, which the mayor of London and opposition party leader Keir Starmer are set to attend. On the eve of the anniversary, the head of the Metropolitan Police admitted the force had failed black communities in the three decades following Stephen's death, saying they had been left feeling "over-policed and under-protected". Mark Rowley paid tribute to the family's long battle for justice, acknowledged "systemic biases" in the force, and pledged to "finally" make it anti-racist. But he did not use the term "institutional racism", and his refusal to do so since the latest report's publication has been seen as a key sticking point in efforts to reform the service. "Until they can accept it, they can't fix it", Neville Lawrence said. The post Family’s frustration 30 years after racist murder rocked Britain appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»