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Mga bagong opisyal ng SPEEd nanumpa kay Mayor Joy Belmonte
PORMAL nang nanumpa sa kanilang tungkulin ang mga bagong-halal na opisyal at miyembro ng Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd) kahapon, Marso 21. Ito’y pinangunahan ng bagong Pangulo ng grupo na si Salve Asis, entertainment editor ng Pilipino Star Ngayon at Pang Masa. Nagsilbing inducting officer sa oath-taking ceremony ng SPEEd si Quezon City Mayor.....»»
Marcos appoints Teodoro’s wife as UNICEF envoy
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr.’s wife has been appointed as special envoy to the United Nations Children’s Fund by President Marcos, the Presidential Communications Office announced in a Facebook post on Monday. Monica Louise Prieto-Teodoro held the same position under the Duterte administration from 2017 to 2018......»»
Teacher stirs outrage for asking students to slap Muslim classmate
A viral video of a private school teacher in India telling students to slap their Muslim classmate has stoke outrage on social media. Police superintendent Satyanarayan Prajapat also vowed to act against the teacher while the Muslim boy’s father filed a case with police in Muzaffarnagar district, where the incident took place on Thursday, the magistrate said in a separate video statement. In the video, the teacher in Uttar Pradesh state is heard telling students, “Why are you hitting him so lightly? Hit him hard,” as the seven-year-old boy stands crying. “Start hitting him on the waist... His face is turning red, hit him on the waist instead,” she added, ostensibly because he got his multiplication tables wrong. The graphic footage provoked widespread dismay online, with opposition leader Rahul Gandhi blaming the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party for stoking religious intolerance in the Hindu-majority country. “Sowing the poison of discrimination in the minds of innocent children, turning a holy place like school into a marketplace of hatred,” Gandhi posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “There’s nothing worse a teacher can do for the country,” he added. “This is the same kerosene spread by the BJP that has set every corner of India on fire.” Uttar Pradesh has been governed by the BJP since 2017 when it appointed Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a saffron-robed Hindu monk seen as a potential successor to Modi. WITH AFP The post Teacher stirs outrage for asking students to slap Muslim classmate appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Grumbling mounts
There continues to be discontent among certain sectors regarding the proposed policy on military pensions, and now there is another idea floated to scrap the free college education. Just like a low rumbling sound of thunder, affected sectors are grumbling over Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno’s statement that the free access to state university education is “unsustainable” — which is indicative of a potential effort to repeal a landmark legislation enacted during the administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, who appointed Diokno as Budget and Management secretary and then Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governor. For six years as a member of Duterte’s economic team, we were oblivious to Secretary Diokno’s opposition to Republic Act 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act of 2017. Straight from the horse’s mouth during a forum organized by the University of the Philippines School of Economics on 19 August, he said the law is anti-poor since “there are more poor people who do not attend college.” To say that subsidizing college education really “consumes a lot of funds” is irresponsible, anti-Filipino and anti-development. RA 10931 was embraced by Filipinos during a period when the financial situation of the government appeared stable. The blame for becoming indebted to finance the efforts to control the pandemic falls neither on the people nor on the national government. Fast forward to post-pandemic, there is no convenient excuse for sacrificing human investment through debt for education to support lavish government expenditures in the wake of the national government pronouncements that the gross national product increased to P5.643 billion in the second quarter of 2023 from P5.592 billion in the first quarter of 2023. Truth be told, 2.46 million students were beneficiaries of a free college education during the academic year 2021-2022. It is not only they who are reaping the rewards of one of the “most long-lasting” legacies of former president Duterte’s administration, but their families, communities, and the country. Jade Baguna, a Tertiary Education Subsidy or TES program graduate in Social Work, cannot help but share the positive impact of the policy on his life and his family. Despite facing challenges like long walks to and from school and a meager weekly allowance during high school, the program enabled him to complete his degree, achieve the eighth position in the board examination, and become a Social Work instructor. The Finance Secretary may have lost his train of thought that investing in free college education has long-term economic benefits. A well-educated workforce is crucial to driving innovation, technological advancements, and economic growth. By providing access to higher education, the country can nurture a pool of skilled professionals who will contribute to various industries, drive entrepreneurship and attract investments. At a time when the need to rejuvenate an economy is paramount, scrapping free college education may limit the availability of qualified workers, hinder economic development and reduce global competitiveness. One of the most compelling arguments for a free college education is that it promotes equal opportunity and social mobility. By removing financial barriers, individuals from all socioeconomic backgrounds can pursue higher education based on merit and potential rather than financial means. This ensures that talented and motivated students, regardless of their background, have a fair chance to improve their lives and contribute to society. Sec. Diokno’s sustainability concerns sparked a debate. Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Prospero de Vera said there is nothing better than for a country to invest in its young people and produce highly skilled manpower. “It’s the best anti-poverty strategy. You educate an individual, you make him employable, and you make sure the poverty stops with him or with her,” he said. For Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez, taking out the scholarship program is synonymous with seeing a decay of education in our country. “Education is the great emancipator of people from the bondage of poverty. With education you are able to move forward with your family,” he said. Senator Francis Tolentino has this to say: “Perhaps the lack of money of the national government should not be the reason why they cannot be given the opportunity to study. Education is a basic human right. We need to provide our youth with the necessary basic tertiary education.” Higher education provides a holistic learning experience and fosters personal growth and critical thinking. It promotes civic engagement, social responsibility, and the development of well-rounded citizens. By scrapping free college education, we risk limiting these benefits and creating a society that is less educated, less informed, and less equipped to tackle complex societal challenges. Time and again, it pays to revisit Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Access to education should not be seen as a privilege but as a fundamental right. In other words, recognizing education as a human right implies that every individual is entitled to receive an education, without any form of discrimination, as it is legally protected. The post Grumbling mounts appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US Justice Dept names special counsel to probe Biden’s son
The US Justice Department on Friday escalated its investigation into President Joe Biden's son Hunter, naming a special counsel amid allegations he engaged in illicit business deals overseas. Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Delaware federal prosecutor David Weiss, who recently investigated Hunter Biden on tax and gun charges in a case that remains open. Weiss, who opened his probe in 2019, recently revealed that he was investigating Biden along other lines, and Garland said Weiss had requested special counsel status to be able to pursue his probe more widely. "Upon considering his request, as well as the extraordinary circumstances relating to this matter, I have concluded that it is in the public interest to appoint him as special counsel," Garland said. Deals in China, Ukraine Hunter Biden has come under investigation in Congress over business deals he did in China, Ukraine, and elsewhere during and after his father's 2009-2017 term as vice president. A former business associate told Congress recently that Hunter had gotten his father involved in telephone calls with his foreign partners several times. Republicans allege Joe Biden used his political position to help his son -- a claim the president denies. The move comes as Joe Biden is running for reelection, possibly in a rematch with former president Donald Trump, himself accused of felony crimes in the investigation by another Justice Department special counsel, Jack Smith. Garland gave no hint on the subject matter of Weiss' expanded probe, saying his elevation to the special counsel "reaffirms" the independence and authority of his investigation. Last month, the 53-year-old Hunter aborted a plea deal with Weiss over gun and tax charges after a judge pointed out inconsistencies in the agreement. The deal would have seen Biden avoid prison: he would have been sentenced to probation on two tax avoidance counts, and be forced into a counseling and rehabilitation program for the firearms charge. But the deal fell apart after Judge Maryellen Noreika queried why the gun charge was included in a tax case, and whether the agreement protected Biden from charges that might arise from a wider investigation of his business dealings. Biden then entered a not-guilty plea, and the two sides were expected to work out a new agreement. But in a filing in Delaware court on Friday, Weiss said those talks had reached an impasse and withdrew the offer of a plea deal. Instead, he indicated that the tax charges could be expanded to other venues. Republicans say DOJ protecting Biden There was no comment from the White House on Weiss's elevation to special counsel. In a social media post, a Trump spokesperson alleged that the Biden family had been "protected by the Justice Department for decades." "There is overwhelming evidence and credible testimony detailing their wrongdoing of lying to the American people and selling out the country to foreign enemies for the Biden Cartel's own financial gain," the spokesperson said, without offering evidence. Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy indicated that the Congressional probe of Hunter Biden will continue. "This action by Biden's DOJ cannot be used to obstruct congressional investigations or whitewash the Biden family corruption," he said on social media. The post US Justice Dept names special counsel to probe Biden’s son appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Momentary freeze sparks health concerns over US senator McConnell
Top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell sparked health concerns Wednesday when he appeared to physically seize up at a press conference in Congress. McConnell, 81, froze in mid-sentence and stood motionless at a microphone for about 20 seconds before aides and fellow senators walked him away. But the veteran Kentucky politician returned several minutes later and told reporters "I'm fine" before taking questions on various political issues. McConnell has been the top Republican in the US Senate since 2007, and wielded unflinching power as Senate majority leader from 2015 to 2021. In that role he stifled policies of the Democratic administration of president Barack Obama and bolstered Republican president Donald Trump when he took office in January 2017. He most notably helped engineer conservatives taking a majority on the Supreme Court by stalling a hearing for Obama's progressive appointed nominee in 2016. He also ensured that Trump was not convicted at trial after his unprecedented two impeachments, though he was critical of Trump's behavior. In March McConnell was hospitalized after he tripped and fell during a private dinner. He suffered a concussion and a fractured rib, and spent six weeks away from the Senate, undergoing physical therapy. The incident Wednesday highlighted the challenge of the aging leadership in the US Congress. Three other senators are older than McConnell, including Republican Chuck Grassley, 89, and Democrat Dianne Feinstein, who is 90. Another two-dozen senators are 70 or older. Age is also a central issue in the looming 2024 presidential battle: incumbent Joe Biden is 80 while Republican front-runner Donald Trump is 77. pmh/tjj © Agence France-Presse The post Momentary freeze sparks health concerns over US senator McConnell appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Biden’s son pleads not guilty on tax charges as deal derails
US President Joe Biden's son Hunter pleaded not guilty to minor tax offenses Wednesday as a deal with federal prosecutors derailed in a Delaware court. The surprise move came after Judge Maryellen Noreika raised questions over the original deal -- under which Biden had agreed to enter a guilty plea and admit to illegal gun possession -- and effectively placed it on hold. Biden, 53, whose legal troubles have cast a shadow over his father's reelection campaign, had reached an agreement with prosecutors that he would be sentenced to probation on two tax avoidance counts. The deal also specified that the firearms charge would eventually be erased if he adhered to a counseling-and-rehabilitation program. But the deal fell apart after Noreika queried why the gun charge was included in a tax case, and whether the plea agreement protected Biden from charges that might arise from a wider ongoing investigation of his business dealings, according to US media. When prosecutors could not resolve her questions, Noreika said she could not accept the deal, and Biden then entered a not guilty plea to close the session. That was expected to send the deal back to negotiations, which could become more complex. Prosecutor David Weiss confirmed to the court that his office is still examining other possible crimes by Biden. Weiss did not detail those possible crimes, but one issue mentioned in the court was possible violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, relating to his business deals in China, Ukraine and other countries dating back to the early 2010s, when his father was vice president. Political attacks Republicans have accused Weiss of giving Biden a "sweetheart deal" with the plea agreement announced on 20 June. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Wednesday that Hunter Biden was "a private citizen. This was a personal matter." The case was "handled independently by the Justice Department under the leadership of a prosecutor appointed by President Trump," she added. The plea deal was to end a five-year investigation that Republicans have sought to use to politically harm his father Joe. According to the charges, Hunter, a Yale-trained lawyer and lobbyist, failed to file his tax returns on time on earnings of more than $1.5 million for 2017 and 2018. He was facing up to 12 months in prison for each tax charge and a possible maximum 10 years on a charge that, as a known drug user, he had illegally possessed a handgun in 2018. But prosecutors recommended probation on the tax charges after Biden paid the taxes and penalties, according to his attorney. In addition, the gun charge was to be suspended and then eliminated if Biden completed "pretrial diversion," which often involves counseling or rehabilitation. That would require Biden to remain sober as the charges arise from a long period when he says he struggled with addiction to alcohol, crack cocaine and other drugs. "The president, the first lady, they love their son and they support him as he continues to rebuild his life," Jean-Pierre said. The post Biden’s son pleads not guilty on tax charges as deal derails appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Brawner Jr. is next AFP chief — Palace
Malacañang on Wednesday announced that Philippine Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., will serve as the next Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines replacing General Andres Centino who will be appointed Presidential Adviser on the West Philippine Sea. “Lieutenant General Romeo Brawner will be the next Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and will take the place of General Andres Centino who was re-appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the said post earlier this year,” the Palace said an announcement made through the Presidential Communications Office. It was not known though when Brawner will assume the top AFP post. Brawner was appointed Commanding General of the Philippine Army on 20 December 2021. He graduated in the Top 2 in the Philippine Military Academy “Makatao” Class of 1989 and has been serving the military organization in various capacities for 34 years. He served as company commander of the 6th Special Forces Company; battalion commander of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion; operations officer of the Special Forces Regiment (Airborne); chief of staff of the 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division; chief of public affairs of the Philippine Army; spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; and commander of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment. Brawner is also a former brigade commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade in the aftermath of the Marawi Siege in 2017. He once served as Commandant of Cadets at the Philippine Military Academy, where he played an important role in the total eradication of hazing and maltreatment in the Cadet Corps. Brawner later served as the first deputy chief of staff for Financial Management, J10, of the AFP. He is also the former commander of the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division, where he supervised the unit’s combat operations that resulted in the decisive neutralization of Jorge Madlos or “Ka Oris,” the notorious commander of the National Operations Command of the New People’s Army. Malacañang said that Brawner has exemplified the highest levels of excellence in his military schooling, a top notcher in his classes in the Special Forces Operations Course, Intelligence Officer Course, and the AFP Comptrollership Course. Brawner acquired three Master’s degrees in Information Management from the Ateneo de Manila University; Business Administration from the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand and from the European School of Management, Oxford, United Kingdom; and a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College. Brawner also received numerous awards and recognitions, including The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers or TOPS in 2013 from the Metrobank Foundation and Rotary Club of Makati; and the Lapu-Lapu Award from President Rodrigo Duterte, for his valuable contributions to the neutralization of Abu Dar, the last of the original leaders of the Maute-ISIS faction. In March this year, Brawner was inducted into the US Army War College or UASWC International Fellows Hall of Fame in recognition of his service in the highest command position in the Philippine Army. The post Brawner Jr. is next AFP chief — Palace appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Janella Salvador stars with Thai actor Win Metawin in new movie
Filipina actress Janella Salvador and Thai Actor Win Metawin are joining forces for the upcoming film Under Parallel Skies. In an announcement video posted by production company 28 Squared Studios on 18 July, Salvador and Win confirmed details about their collaboration. “We are so excited to announce to you guys that we will be teaming up for the upcoming movie Under Parallel Skies,” Win said in the announcement video. The production company also released sneak peek photos of Salvador and Win while filming. More details about the movie and its premiere date are yet to be announced. The film, to be shot in Hong Kong, will be directed by Sigrid Bernardo, the director of the 2017 romantic-comedy Kita Kita, the highest-grossing Philippine indie film. Salvador, an award-winning Filipina actress-singer, debuted in the hit morning drama Be Careful with My Heart (2012-2014), eventually bagging lead roles in Oh My G! (2015), Born for You (2016) and The Killer Bride (2019 - 2020). She further cemented her place in the Philippine entertainment scene when she played the supervillain Valentina in ABS-CBN’s latest production of “Mars Ravelo’s Darna.” Meanwhile, Win Metawin rose to fame in 2020 with his acting debut 2gether: The Series alongside Bright Vachirawit. He then joined the main cast of F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers. The Thai star has also made a mark in the fashion industry. He has deals with multiple lifestyle brands and has graced numerous prestigious fashion magazines. He was also appointed Prada’s global brand ambassador. Win has met his Pinoy fans. In November 2022, the actor came to the Philippines for the first time with the cast of F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers for a fan meet. Last June, Metawin returned for a solo fan meet at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City. The post Janella Salvador stars with Thai actor Win Metawin in new movie appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
New jail chief to follow ‘BJMP Plan 2040’
The incoming 10th Chief of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology on Tuesday said he will continue working on the BJMP’s J.A.I.L. Plan 2040, the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s “Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan” Program, and the Marcos administration’s Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. BJMP J.A.I.L. Plan 2040 stands for Journey for Advancement Innovation and Long-term Development Plan 2040. Jail director Ruel Rivera was appointed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Monday evening. In his new role as BJMP chief, Rivera said he is committed to the BJMP’s mandate of providing secure, reformation-oriented, and well-managed jail facilities across the country. Rivera said he will work closely with BJMP personnel, stakeholders, and partners to uphold the BJMP commitment to professionalism, integrity and service excellence. Rivera will be leading the BJMP’s 20,813 personnel in taking care of 126,606 persons deprived of liberty confined in 479 jails and with a nationwide congestion rate of 365 percent. A member of PATNUBAY Class of 1995, Rivera received his degree in Public Safety from the Philippine National Police Academy. He pursued a Master’s in Public Administration at Batangas State University and acquired Doctorate units in Philosophy on Educational Management at the University of Rizal System. The Daily Tribune learned that throughout Rivera’s career, the new BJMP chief has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of the complexities and challenges faced by the Jail Bureau. He played a vital role in implementing innovative programs and initiatives aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the BJMP’s operations and the rehabilitation of PDL. In his 28 years in public service, Jail Director Rivera brings a distinguished career in jail management to this position. With his years of experience in various capacities within the BJMP, he displayed exemplary dedication and commitment to the bureau’s mission of ensuring safe and humane custody of PDL. He never shied away from being deployed to various regional offices as a staff officer, Regional Chief of Directorial Staff and Assistant Regional Director, until his eventual ascent to the seat of the Regional Director of BJMP-MIMAROPA from 2013 to 2014. Rivera also became the NHQ’s Chief of the Finance Service Office, Director for Investigation and Prosecution, Director for Logistics, and Director for Comptrollership, before joining the BJMP’s Command Group, the decision-making body of the Jail Bureau, serving as the Chief of Directorial Staff in 2017, Deputy Chief for Operations in 2018, Deputy Chief for Administration in July 2019, and Acting Chief, BJMP on March 27, 2023. Rivera replaced General Allan Iral who optionally retired from the service at the age of 54 after reaching the maximum tour of duty of four years as BJMP chief last June 23, 2023. The post New jail chief to follow ‘BJMP Plan 2040’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Garland denies Hunter Biden probe being interfered with
US Attorney General Merrick Garland on Friday denied allegations that the Justice Department interfered with an investigation of President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter. Prosecutors announced earlier this week that Hunter Biden had reached a plea deal on minor tax and gun charges with the US Attorney in his home state of Delaware. Hunter Biden is due to appear in court on 26 July after agreeing to plead guilty to two federal tax charges and admitting to illegally possessing a gun despite having a history of drug use. A whistleblower from the Internal Revenue Service alleged in testimony before the Republican-led House Ways and Means Committee released this week that the Justice Department headed by Garland had slowed the probe into Hunter Biden. Garland, in remarks to reporters on Friday, noted that the US Attorney in Delaware, David Weiss, had been appointed by former President Donald Trump, a Republican. Garland said he personally had given Weiss the authority to continue his investigation into Hunter Biden and “prosecute any way in which he wanted to.” Joe Biden’s son is also facing one count of illegal possession of a firearm. “I don’t know how it would be possible for anybody to block him from bringing a prosecution given that he has this authority,” the attorney general said. “He was given complete authority to make all decisions on his own.” Hunter Biden, 53, is the only surviving child of Joe Biden’s first marriage, which tragically ended in 1972 when his wife and baby daughter were killed in a car accident. Hunter Biden’s business dealings, especially during the time his father was vice president, have been a major target of Joe Biden’s political opponents, and continue to be probed by congressional Republicans. Hunter Biden became a regular focus of Trump’s attacks ahead of the November 2020 presidential election for his work in Ukraine and China. In his memoir, “Beautiful Things,” Hunter Biden insisted he has never done anything unethical and dismissed allegations that he displayed a lack of judgment by accepting a lucrative position on the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma while his father was Barack Obama’s vice president. Under the plea agreement, Hunter Biden is unlikely to face prison time but will be sentenced to probation. According to the charges, Hunter Biden, a Yale-trained lawyer and lobbyist, failed to file his tax returns on time on earnings of more than $1.5 million for 2017 and 2018. In both years, he owed more than $100,000 in taxes on those earnings. Hunter Biden is also facing one count of “possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.” Hunter Biden has admitted having drug problems in the past and detailed his struggles with crack cocaine in his 2021 memoir, released months after his father took office. Hunter Biden and his wife attended a state dinner at the White House on Thursday for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Asked about his attendance at the event, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said “it is not uncommon for family members to attend events at the White House.” The post Garland denies Hunter Biden probe being interfered with appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Give LPE a chance
Newly appointed Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro made a deeply rooted statement about the peace talks between the Philippine government and communist rebels that have dragged on for several decades, with intermittent periods of very little progress and setbacks. Without mincing words, Teodoro said he had always been against entering into peace negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army. This is equally consistent with his position that communist rebels are welcome to return to the government fold given an existing program that offers “to help them, rehabilitate them and give them a new life.” Why is this so? For Teodoro, why engage in peace talks when there is Task Force Balik-Loob — a central coordinating body created by Administrative Order No. 10 dated 3 April 2018 that supervises the government’s reintegration efforts for members of the CPP-NPA-NDF, including their immediate family members. The task force is composed of representatives from the DND, DILG, OPAPRU, and other partner government agencies. I couldn’t agree with the Defense Secretary more. In a recent television interview, he said he was never convinced that the Philippine insurgency — the longest-running in Asia — was ideological. His explanation was clear. “This is all about taking power or whatever. The reason, even in other countries, the sole authority of the Communist Party in other countries is a dictatorship in itself. They call it the dictatorship of the proletariat.” We have in front of us a duplicity of the communist agenda — a pro-people advocacy on one hand, and the overthrow of the government on the other. The history of the peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front, CPP’s political wing, is long and complex spanning several decades. When Corazon C. Aquino assumed the presidency after the People Power Revolution in 1986, peace talks were initiated and detained top communist leaders, including Jose Maria Sison and Bernabe Buscayno, were released. Since then, there have been several attempts at peace negotiations between the government and the Reds, facilitated by third-party mediators, including the Catholic Church, various civil society groups, and foreign governments. The most recent attempt at peace talks was in 2016 during the first year in office of then-President Rodrigo Duterte. It, however, broke down in 2017 after both sides accused the other of violating the ceasefire agreement. Duterte, exasperated by the insincerity, formally terminated the peace negotiations with the CPP-NPA in 2018 through Proclamation 360. Despite this, there have been sporadic calls for the resumption of the peace talks, particularly from civil society groups and the international community. More than 40 rounds of peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF since 1986 proved futile, marred by spoilers who used violence to attack the peace process. Or were these attempts aimed at forcing their way into negotiations, and alter a process so that their demands would be included in a settlement? Opinions vary, often dependent on political, social, and ideological perspectives. While some people argue that pursuing peace talks is the best way to end the decades-long armed insurgency, others are skeptical about the prospects as evidenced by the little willingness to negotiate in good faith, human rights violations, coupled with unreasonable and unrealistic demands. Peace is a priority for more than 110 million Filipinos who hope to see an end to the decades-long insurgency in the country. If top-level negotiated settlements fail, there is the Localized Peace Engagement or LPE — a viable alternative solution to the armed conflict. Introduced by the national government in 2017 after the breakdown of the peace negotiations with the Reds, let us give this community-based approach to peacebuilding a chance. After all, who wouldn’t want to address the underlying social, economic, and political grievances that fuel armed conflicts? The post Give LPE a chance appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bum deal brings pain
A contract inherited from the previous Land Transportation Office regime is now a major cause of headaches for the leadership of the agency and, in effect, the entire nation as it caused the delay in the release of driver’s licenses. German firm-led joint venture Dermalog introduced the Land Transportation Management System or LTMS which is a P3.4-billion project awarded in 2018. The dispute over the contract is the crux of the stalled distribution of the cards. The company has been disqualified from the contract to produce the plastic licenses, which it assumed from Allcard which failed to perform its obligations. Worse, in 2020, according to documents filed with the Ombudsman, Dermalog “interfered in and controlled the LTO’s printing system of driver’s license cards.” LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Jose Arturo “Jay Art” Tugade inherited the problem after he was appointed in November 2022. With the actions it took, Dermalog was considered by LTO officials a “threat to national security.” Post-qualification of Dermalog for the contract was based on the ground of its failure “to fully comply with its obligations under its 2017 contract with LTO.” A 2021 report of the Commission on Audit flagged LTO’s payment of P3.15 billion to Dermalog despite several defects that delayed and disrupted the system. LTO is conducting an extensive probe which may lead to the possible scrapping of the Dermalog contract. Congress is ready to probe the alleged “illegal payment” despite the “incomplete turnover of deliverables.” The circumstances proved that the contract was in clear violation of procurement and auditing rules, warranting an extensive probe. The German-led venture had reneged on the deal more than four years after the December 2018 delivery date as the system is still not fully functional and fully rolled out. The Dermalog system was incompatible with the LTO processes that needed to be adjusted to accommodate the new system’s functions. The Ombudsman in denying Dermalog’s petition to cite bidding committee officials for graft said: “Respondents (members of LTO bidding body) did not commit any irregularity when they objected to the post-qualification of the complainant (Dermalog) in the 2021 procurement.” “It also took Dermalog until 2 July 2021 to agree to turn over all “source codes,” in escrow, create an upload facility and include it in the Inventory Management System, thereby removing LTO’s dependency on it; and grant to LTO the exclusive right to use the watermark or hologram delivered to it, “recognizing in the process the need of the LTO to be independent of the vendor as a lesson from the past.” “Its avowed intention to turn over in escrow only means that it has not indeed fully complied with its obligations under the 2017 procurement,” according to the Ombudsman’s resolution. The Ombudsman said it was not inclined “to indict respondents (LTO bidding officials) for violation of Section 3 of Republic Act 3019 for delay under RA 9184 when the facts, as they are in this case, showed that Dermalog has not been candid in its business dealings with LTO and has, by itself, caused the delay it complains about.” The dispute over the contract has held hostage the LTO, the Department of Transportation, and Filipino motorists to Dermalog’s demand that the government pay it in full despite its shortcomings. Eventually, the deficiency from the deal reflects on the image of the administration since it has been quite a while since inefficiency has been a distinctive complaint against frontline service providers. The post Bum deal brings pain appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
San Sebastian recruits ‘reliable ball handler’
San Sebastian College landed a gem of a recruit as it secured the commitment of former Batang Gilas team captain Migs Pascual in the National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament. Newly-appointed Stags coach John Kallos confirmed the development to Daily Tribune, saying that the move is part of their rebuilding program in a bid to reclaim the title they last tasted in 2009. Kallos, who also handles Sarangani in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, took over as head coach of the Stags, replacing Egay Macaraya following a fruitless stint in Season 98 last year. Although Pascual, a deadshot guard who last saw action playing for University of the East in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, will sit out for a year in compliance with the league’s residency rule, Kallos believes that having the former NCAA juniors champion will ensure the Stags of a dependable ball handler in Season 100. “My point guard is graduating so it’s perfect timing for us to get a reliable ball handler as back up for next season and Migs Pascual will fill that spot,” Kallos said in a telephone conversation. Pascual played for Batang Gilas in the Southeast Asian Basketball Association 2017 Under-16 Championship where the Philippines won the gold medal and the FIBA 2018 Under-17 Championship in Argentina alongside Kai Sotto, now a member of the Gilas Pilipinas men’s team, who is now playing in Japan B. League for the Hiroshima Dragonflies. Kallos said he is impressed with what he saw with Pascual during the workouts. “The kid has talent. He is a good point guard and has a good range,” Kallos said. “But I want him to be more aggressive. I understand that he wants to get his teammates involved and that’s a mark of a good point guard, but I also want to see how he shoots the basketball because he can hit those outside shots.” “Overall, I like what I’m seeing from Migs and that’s the reason why I included him in the lineup in some of the preseason leagues we’re joining in.” Aside from playing for Batang Gilas, Pascual was also a key figure in San Beda’s NCAA junior champion squad in 2019 that made him one of the promising high school players in the country. The post San Sebastian recruits ‘reliable ball handler’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Does LTO really want to modernize?
Since the creation of the Department of Transportation in 2017, Secretary Arthur Tugade, the first to be appointed to head the agency, has been very vocal about modernizing the transport sector in the Philippines, both public and private......»»
RJ goes to the Cabinet
(The Philippine Star) – December 4, 2020 – 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has appointed businessman Ramon “RJ” Jacinto to a Cabinet position as presidential adviser for telecoms with full secretary rank. RJ was previously appointed as presidential adviser for economic affairs and IT communications in 2017 and took charge of drafting the common […].....»»
SEA GAMES: The silver that glittered like gold
When the editorial staff of ABS-CBN Sports was tasked to come up with our most memorable coverage, it didn’t take long for this writer to respond. The Philippine men’s volleyball team’s Southeast Asian Games semifinal match was the first thing that came to mind. Pesonally, that game against the highly-fancied Thailand squad topped all the countless volleyball matches that I’ve covered in my career. I’m at a loss for words on how to describe the emotions I felt that chilly night of December 8, 2019. Around 6,700 fans filled the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City not knowing that what they were about to witness was something historic. A magical night that would take away the frustrations they felt the day before when the more popular women’s team finished the preliminary round winless. For us sportswriters covering that assignment, we knew the Filipinos were up for a tough ride. Thailand ruled the last four editions of the event. On the other hand, the Philippines’ last significant outing in the biennial meet was a bronze medal finish back in 1991 – or when the current national team’s oldest member, setter Jessie Lopez was just five-years old. Did we doubt our own team? Let’s just say we prayed to the high heavens to give us something positive to write about. But don’t get us wrong. Those who followed the formation and preparation of the squad knew it would yield results come the SEA Games. After all, in all three batches of the Nationals that participated in the regional sports meet since 2015, this particular team had the longest time to prepare – around eight months to be exact. The team’s composition itself looked really promising. For the first time, two of country’s best hitters in Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas, who both have experience playing in the Japan V. League, donned the tricolors together. Espejo returned after skipping the 2017 edition so did his teammates in the 2015 squad Rex Intal and setter Ish Polvorosa. Bagunas was on his second tour of duty along with team captain John Vic De Guzman, Mark Alfafara, RanRan Abdilla and libero Jack Kalingking. Head coach Dante Alinsunurin, who was appointed to handle the team after Oliver Almadro and Sammy Acaylar in 2015 and 2017, respectively, tapped an old hand in Lopez and injected young bloods in playmaker Owa Retamar, Jau Umandal, Kim Malabunga, Ricky Marcos and Francis Saura. As part of their buildup the Nationals joined the Thailand Open Sealect Tuna Championship July last year. The Filipinos achieved a great feat when they won bronze. Fans were able to witness the Nationals’ campaign via YouTube streaming while we volleyball writers, got to file our full stories through the help of De Guzman and Bagunas (God bless their beautiful hearts) who supplied us with game stats and granted postgame interviews. It’s just a shame I never got to cover the team’s training in Japan when the Nationals’ preparation went on full throttle. (Note: A little confusion in the training camp coverage assignments had me flying to Japan with the women’s squad and Lance Agcaoili of Spin.ph joining the men’s team. But it was a great experience, nonetheless, and I’m grateful for Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. for the opportunity.) I was as confused as the other sportswriters present during the draw for the group stage a couple of months before the SEA Games when Alinsunurin chose to join the four-team bracket with Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia. Those three teams are considered contenders every SEA Games edition. And earning a semifinal spot would be harder compared to the other group composed of Thailand, Myanmar and Singapore. Fortunately, the gamble was worth it. Espejo and Bagunas were superb offensively, Malabunga and Retamar made their presence felt and the Nationals’ blocking shocked Cambodia and Vietnam as the Filipinos swept them both to secure a semis seat. Then came the steamrolling Indonesians. Honestly, I thought the Nationals would sweep their way to the group’s top seeding. That way the PHI’s would've avoided a semis clash with Thailand. Forced to take on the defending champions, the Filipinos found themselves down in the first set. They got back in the second frame before yielding the third. And when the Thais came to match point, 24-21, in the fourth we all thought it was over. Fans were slowly emptying the bleachers not wanting to see the impending defeat. I was already waiting for the final score. Ready break the result. Then a miracle happened. The Nationals nibbled on the Thais' lead to force a deuce. After another deadlock, the Filipinos stole the set. The fifth frame was classic story of ‘who wants it more will win.’ An extended set made it even more dramatic. I vividly remember that sequence when Bagunas hammered the game-clinching kill off a lob from Lopez. After that all that I can recall was me pumping my fist up in the air and slapping the hardest high-fives I ever did with those inside the press room while howling like a madman. The national team assured itself of a silver after 42 years. A silver after four freaking decades. They did it. Of course, the Indonesians bullied their way to winning the gold medal in a sweep of the inexperienced Filipinos. But who cares, the host team exceeded its podium expectations. That silver that glittered like gold made that coverage truly memorable. But it never crossed my mind that it would be the last important volleyball event that I will get to report. (Note: It would’ve been the UAAP if not for the health crisis that put all sporting events to a halt. Sad.) And that’s why I ended up writing these last few paragraphs. A farewell from this section. From my first article for this website back on December 1, 2014 – a post-mortem of Petron’s breakthrough title in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix – to my last published story, these were all written with only one thing in mind: in the service of the Filipino sports fan worldwide. Our run may have not been perfect, of course, we had our flaws. We had our fair share of criticisms from fans, athletes, sports personalities and sometimes even from our partner leagues and properties. We accepted our shortcomings. We tried to be better. But we are proud of what we did. We take pride with how we delivered sports stories through various digital executions that showcased sports beyond the confines of competition. On midnight of September 1 while most of you lay sound asleep, deep in slumber, hopefully, having a good dream and hours away from waking up looking forward to a better day, this website will be snapped out of existence. More than half a decade of sharing stories to the Filipino sports fan will be seeing its last presence online on Monday – a holiday to celebrate the nation’s heroes. This website will then hear its final buzzer, its final whistle. Thousands of articles – written with passion, dedication and love – will be taken down as this website goes offline together with majority of ABS-CBN Sports’ social media accounts. But soon, hopefully, it will once again see the light of day. We do hope that you will remember us, for we will remember all of you who made us your Kapamilya. -- 30 -- --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @fromtheriles Mark Escarlote has served as a sub-section editor for ABS-CBN Sports' website since 2014. He is among thousands of ABS-CBN employees who will be retrenched on August 31, 2020. .....»»
SEA GAMES: The silver that glittered like gold
When the editorial staff of ABS-CBN Sports was tasked to come up with our most memorable coverage, it didn’t take long for this writer to respond. The Philippine men’s volleyball team’s Southeast Asian Games semifinal match was the first thing that came to mind. Pesonally, that game against the highly-fancied Thailand squad topped all the countless volleyball matches that I’ve covered in my career. I’m at a loss for words on how to describe the emotions I felt that chilly night of December 8, 2019. Around 6,700 fans filled the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City not knowing that what they were about to witness was something historic. A magical night that would take away the frustrations they felt the day before when the more popular women’s team finished the preliminary round winless. For us sportswriters covering that assignment, we knew the Filipinos were up for a tough ride. Thailand ruled the last four editions of the event. On the other hand, the Philippines’ last significant outing in the biennial meet was a bronze medal finish back in 1991 – or when the current national team’s oldest member, setter Jessie Lopez was just five-years old. Did we doubt our own team? Let’s just say we prayed to the high heavens to give us something positive to write about. But don’t get us wrong. Those who followed the formation and preparation of the squad knew it would yield results come the SEA Games. After all, in all three batches of the Nationals that participated in the regional sports meet since 2015, this particular team had the longest time to prepare – around eight months to be exact. The team’s composition itself looked really promising. For the first time, two of country’s best hitters in Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas, who both have experience playing in the Japan V. League, donned the tricolors together. Espejo returned after skipping the 2017 edition so did his teammates in the 2015 squad Rex Intal and setter Ish Polvorosa. Bagunas was on his second tour of duty along with team captain John Vic De Guzman, Mark Alfafara, RanRan Abdilla and libero Jack Kalingking. Head coach Dante Alinsunurin, who was appointed to handle the team after Oliver Almadro and Sammy Acaylar in 2015 and 2017, respectively, tapped an old hand in Lopez and injected young bloods in playmaker Owa Retamar, Jau Umandal, Kim Malabunga, Ricky Marcos and Francis Saura. As part of their buildup the Nationals joined the Thailand Open Sealect Tuna Championship July last year. The Filipinos achieved a great feat when they won bronze. Fans were able to witness the Nationals’ campaign via YouTube streaming while we volleyball writers, got to file our full stories through the help of De Guzman and Bagunas (God bless their beautiful hearts) who supplied us with game stats and granted postgame interviews. It’s just a shame I never got to cover the team’s training in Japan when the Nationals’ preparation went on full throttle. (Note: A little confusion in the training camp coverage assignments had me flying to Japan with the women’s squad and Lance Agcaoili of Spin.ph joining the men’s team. But it was a great experience, nonetheless, and I’m grateful for Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. for the opportunity.) I was as confused as the other sportswriters present during the draw for the group stage a couple of months before the SEA Games when Alinsunurin chose to join the four-team bracket with Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia. Those three teams are considered contenders every SEA Games edition. And earning a semifinal spot would be harder compared to the other group composed of Thailand, Myanmar and Singapore. Fortunately, the gamble was worth it. Espejo and Bagunas were superb offensively, Malabunga and Retamar made their presence felt and the Nationals’ blocking shocked Cambodia and Vietnam as the Filipinos swept them both to secure a semis seat. Then came the steamrolling Indonesians. Honestly, I thought the Nationals would sweep their way to the group’s top seeding. That way the PHI’s would've avoided a semis clash with Thailand. Forced to take on the defending champions, the Filipinos found themselves down in the first set. They got back in the second frame before yielding the third. And when the Thais came to match point, 24-21, in the fourth we all thought it was over. Fans were slowly emptying the bleachers not wanting to see the impending defeat. I was already waiting for the final score. Ready break the result. Then a miracle happened. The Nationals nibbled on the Thais' lead to force a deuce. After another deadlock, the Filipinos stole the set. The fifth frame was classic story of ‘who wants it more will win.’ An extended set made it even more dramatic. I vividly remember that sequence when Bagunas hammered the game-clinching kill off a lob from Lopez. After that all that I can recall was me pumping my fist up in the air and slapping the hardest high-fives I ever did with those inside the press room while howling like a madman. The national team assured itself of a silver after 42 years. A silver after four freaking decades. They did it. Of course, the Indonesians bullied their way to winning the gold medal in a sweep of the inexperienced Filipinos. But who cares, the host team exceeded its podium expectations. That silver that glittered like gold made that coverage truly memorable. But it never crossed my mind that it would be the last important volleyball event that I will get to report. (Note: It would’ve been the UAAP if not for the health crisis that put all sporting events to a halt. Sad.) And that’s why I ended up writing these last few paragraphs. A farewell from this section. From my first article for this website back on December 1, 2014 – a post-mortem of Petron’s breakthrough title in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix – to my last published story, these were all written with only one thing in mind: in the service of the Filipino sports fan worldwide. Our run may have not been perfect, of course, we had our flaws. We had our fair share of criticisms from fans, athletes, sports personalities and sometimes even from our partner leagues and properties. We accepted our shortcomings. We tried to be better. But we are proud of what we did. We take pride with how we delivered sports stories through various digital executions that showcased sports beyond the confines of competition. On midnight of September 1 while most of you lay sound asleep, deep in slumber, hopefully, having a good dream and hours away from waking up looking forward to a better day, this website will be snapped out of existence. More than half a decade of sharing stories to the Filipino sports fan will be seeing its last presence online on Monday – a holiday to celebrate the nation’s heroes. This website will then hear its final buzzer, its final whistle. Thousands of articles – written with passion, dedication and love – will be taken down as this website goes offline together with majority of ABS-CBN Sports’ social media accounts. But soon, hopefully, it will once again see the light of day. We do hope that you will remember us, for we will remember all of you who made us your Kapamilya. -- 30 -- --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @fromtheriles Mark Escarlote has served as a sub-section editor for ABS-CBN Sports' website since 2014. He is among thousands of ABS-CBN employees who will be retrenched on August 31, 2020. .....»»
Roque bares Duterte, China agreement to respect status quo in WPS
Roque bares Duterte, China agreement to respect status quo in WPS.....»»
7 nanlaban drug suspects dead after Baste Duterte declares drug war
Less than a week after Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte declared a "war on drugs" in the city, at least seven drug suspects were killed during a buy-bust operation in the city — violence that highlights the seriousness of the mayor's recent threat of outright killing persons caught using illegal drugs......»»