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Murder case vs. ex-PSG commander, 5 soldiers still under general martial court
Former Presidential Security Group commander Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III and five other soldiers are still undergoing general court-martial proceedings by the military, Philippine Army chief Lt.Gen. Roy Galido said Thursday. “He is given the due process. We are doing the law enforcement in accordance with laws of the military,” Galido told reporters in a press conference at the Philippine Army’s headquarters in Fort Bonifacio Taguig City. Asked as to when the results of proceedings will come out, Galido said: “We just have to follow the due process. The court martial has convened several times already.” Galido noted that there are also military processes that need to be followed and that the court martial proceeding takes time. Unlike the civilian court proceedings, he added, the military law shall prevail over the case of Durante and his cohorts. Durante and his supposed accomplice, Col. Michael Licyayo, were tagged in the murder of model and businesswoman Yvonette Chua Plaza. Among other soldiers who faced court martial are Staff Sgt. Gilbert Plaza, Sgt. Delfin Sialsa Jr., Cpl. Adrian Cachero, and Pfc. Rolly Cabal. Previously, Army Provost Marshal Col. Randy Ramonte said the Office of the Army Provost Marshal, has already completed its investigation report and has submitted it to the Office of the Army Judge Advocate for legal review, as of 14 February this year. Following the completion of the said legal review, the report will be forwarded, through official channels to the Commanding General of the Philippine Army, “for his information and decision.” The Violations of Articles of War 96 and 97—refer to “conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman and conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline, respectively, are actually grave offenses in the military that may merit separation from the service and other penalties, including a jail sentence, depending on the decision of the general court-martial.” Meanwhile, Galindo said the retooling of the soldiers amid the involvement of discharged military personnel in “heinous crimes” is now being implemented. He said the army is always investing in the discipline of the soldiers. “It is reinforcing. We are implementing and we are really bent on implementing discipline [among our ranks],” he stressed. The post Murder case vs. ex-PSG commander, 5 soldiers still under general martial court appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Guardians of the seas
The Philippine Navy formally added two fast boats to its Alvarez-class patrol vessels. The former Cyclone-class patrol ships of the US Navy are now in service of the Philippine Fleet’s Littoral Combat Force as BRP Valentin Diaz-PS177 and BRP Ladislao Diwa (PS178) in honor of two Filipino patriots who were among the founding members of the Katipunan, which ignited the Philippine Revolution against Spain in the 19th century. Paoay, Ilocos Norte-native Valentin Diaz was also a signatory in the Pact of Biak-na-Bato while Ladislao Diwa from San Roque, Cavite was instrumental in affecting the surrender of the Spanish forces in the province. Department of National Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro underscored that the acquisition of these vessels was a welcome and timely addition “because the sooner we can complete our littoral defenses the sooner we can pursue a more robust position in defending our sovereign rights in the 200-nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone and under jurisdictions of the Republic of the Philippines.” In March 2023 at Manama in Bahrain, the Philippines formally accepted the former USS Monsoon (PC4) and USS Chinook (PC9) following their decommissioning from the US Navy in accordance with the Excess Defense Articles program. As Secretary Teodoro described this acquisition as a symbol of the continuing cooperation and collaboration between the Philippine and the United States. US Embassy in the Philippines Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson reaffirmed US support “as the Philippines continues its courageous stand to uphold the international order and defend its rights in the West Philippine Sea.” The Philippine Navy eyes the deployment of these vessels in “the soonest possible time” upon the completion of reactivation activities and specialized training of the crews “to ensure the optimal and efficient use of these vessels, its machinery, sensors and weapon systems.” “We can expect that soon, BRP Valentin Diaz and BRP Ladislao Diwa will inherit the critical roles played by their predecessor, BRP General Mariano Alvarez-PS38, currently deployed at Naval Forces Western Mindanao,” he added. These formidable platforms will complement the navy’s fast-attack interdiction crafts and multipurpose attack crafts in carrying out various naval, support to law enforcement, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations within the littoral waters of the country’s porous borders and vast maritime environment. The post Guardians of the seas appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Princess Diana’s ‘Black Sheep’ sweater sells at auction for $1.1 mn
An iconic red sweater worn by Princess Diana shortly after her engagement to then-Prince Charles, featuring rows of fluffy little sheep, sold at auction for more than $1.1 million following a frenetic bout of final bidding, Sotheby's announced Thursday. The 19-year-old sported the knit garment -- which includes one black sheep amid dozens of otherwise white wooly creatures -- at a June 1981 polo match during her whirlwind days as a shy royal-in-the-making. The playfully patterned "Black Sheep" sweater became one of the most emblematic articles of clothing worn by Diana, which in hindsight seems to foretell her troubled journey as a member of the British royal family. The garment nabbed $1.1 million -- which includes fees and commission -- after a fierce battle by internet bidders. The total was over ten times more than Sotheby's initial estimate of between $50,000 to $80,000. Due to an avalanche of bids, the auction house extended the sale by several minutes, with the price leaping from $190,000 to $1.1 million in the final 15 minutes. According to Sotheby's, it is the highest price ever paid at auction for a garment belonging to Princess Diana -- eclipsing her Infanta-style ball gown sold in January for $604,000 -- as well as the most valuable sweater ever sold at auction. The sweater was created by then-little-known designers Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne and their knitting company Warm and Wonderful, which was subsequently catapulted to fame. Weeks after Diana was photographed in the top, the designers received a letter explaining that one of the sweater's sleeves had suffered damage, and asking if it could be repaired or replaced. The designers sent her a new one and had assumed the original was repaired and sent to a customer, but in March 2023 Osborne found the sweater in a small box in her attic. In addition to the sweater, the auction included the letter requesting repair, as well as a thank you note from Diana's private secretary, Oliver Everett. The sweater was so iconic that it even appeared (via replica) in the fourth season of Netflix drama "The Crown," chronicling the House of Windsor's recent history. The post Princess Diana’s ‘Black Sheep’ sweater sells at auction for $1.1 mn appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Global protection for local designs
It’s interesting to see that in today’s aesthetic-driven consumer age, the success of a product can be influenced by its appearance or design. Think of that flashy pair of rubber shoes in a shop window or the familiar lines of a sports car cruising down the street that caught your eye. If you need some more examples of how design can make an impact, consider the iconic designs of the Volkswagen Beetle, the Coca-Cola bottle, and Apple iMac that are instantly recognizable. The importance of design has even generated not one but two presidential proclamations to remind us of its significance. One was in 1974 when the third week of September of every year was designated Design Consciousness Week (Proclamation 1259, s. 1974). Another was in 2011 when the third week of both March and October of every year were declared Design Week Philippines (Proclamation 277, s. 2011). With this in mind, it’s not surprising that industrial design, or ID, should be considered a valuable intellectual property, or IP, asset that business owners and designers need to protect if they want their products to stand out among their competitors. In the Philippines, ID is protected under the IP Code. Specifically, this protection gives designers and owners of a registered ID the right “to prevent third parties from making, selling or importing articles bearing or embodying a design which is a copy, or substantially a copy, of the protected design, when such acts are undertaken for commercial purposes.” But how do designers protect their designs once they step onto the global stage? Fortunately, there is now an easy way to do this. The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, or IPOPHL, held public consultations last August on The Hague System for International Registration of Industrial Designs as part of the preparations for the Philippines’ accession to The Hague Agreement by 2024. Under The Hague System, local designers can take advantage by registering and protecting their designs internationally in a simple and cost-effective way. Through an online mechanism for securing and managing design rights in multiple jurisdictions — including over 90 contracting parties — they only need to utilize a single application with minimal paper work in order to register their designs globally. This system will prove particularly advantageous for our small and medium enterprises who want to avail of the services of The Hague System and enjoy the benefits of reduced cost in filing fees. Aside from protecting our local designs, the Philippines’ accession to The Hague Agreement will also be beneficial to our economy as foreign applicants and designers can take advantage of The Hague System to facilitate technology transfers and commercialization of their designs in our country, which is considered one of the fastest growing economies in Asia. As the Philippines takes the next steps towards acceding to The Hague Agreement, the most important thing that our Filipino designers need to consider is that they should be aware that their designs can be protected separately from their businesses’ processes and brands. As such, they should go and register their designs. On the part of IPOPHL, we will be conducting an information campaign to spread the word about The Hague System at the ground level to inform the public. And of course, we held our consultation last month to ensure that IP stakeholders’ opinions are taken into consideration in forming the Philippines’ position in acceding to the treaty. We hope all of these efforts will lead to even greater breakthroughs for our Filipino designers in global markets, as well as sustain the development and promotion of the Philippines’ design capability. The post Global protection for local designs appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
The singing toilet
My friend Peter McIntyre, now comfortably retired in Ireland, periodically sends me articles to which I am very grateful. He gave me a fascinating one recently......»»
BPI, Robinsons Bank revise merger plan
Ayala-led Bank of the Philippine Islands and Gokongwei-owned Robinsons Bank Corp. have executed a new plan and articles of merger to take into consideration the comments of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas......»»
Meta, Google balk as Canada spells out new online news law
Ottawa on Friday spelled out how a new law requiring digital giants to pay publishers for news content will work in practice, including how much it could cost Meta and Google. The bill aims to support a struggling Canadian news sector that has seen a flight of advertising dollars and hundreds of publications closed in the last decade. Effectively it targets only Google and Meta -- which control about 80 percent of all online advertising revenues in Canada. The government estimated it could cost the two companies a combined Can$230 million (US$170 million) by requiring them to make fair commercial deals with Canadian outlets for the news and information that is shared on their platforms or face binding arbitration. According to the draft regulations published on Friday, the measures would apply to companies with global annual revenues in excess of Can$1 billion, operating a search engine or social media platform actively used by at least 20 million Canadians and that distributes news. Meta reacted by calling the bill "fundamentally flawed" and vowed to continue blocking access in Canada to news articles on its Facebook and Instagram platforms. It started doing this on August 1. Google, which has also voiced opposition to the Online News Act, said it would "carefully study the proposed regulations to assess whether they address (its) major structural challenges." Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge noted that Canadians have come to rely on digital platforms for news and information. "These tech platforms have to act responsibly and support the news sharing they and Canadians both benefit from," she said. "Tech giants can and must contribute their fair share —- nothing more." The post Meta, Google balk as Canada spells out new online news law appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Canada accuses Meta of endangerment
MONTREAL, Canada (AFP) — Meta is being accused of endangering lives by blocking news links in Canada at a crucial moment, when thousands have fled their homes and are desperate for wildfire updates that once would have been shared widely on Facebook. The situation “is dangerous,” said Kelsey Worth, 35, one of nearly 20,000 residents of Yellowknife and thousands more in small towns ordered to evacuate the Northwest Territories as wildfires advanced. She described to AFP how “insanely difficult” it has been for herself and other evacuees to find verifiable information about the fires blazing across the near-Arctic territory and other parts of Canada. “Nobody’s able to know what’s true or not,” she said. “And when you’re in an emergency situation, time is of the essence,” she added, explaining that many Canadians until now have relied on social media for news. Meta on 1 August started blocking the distribution of news links and articles on its Facebook and Instagram platforms in response to a recent law requiring digital giants to pay publishers for news content. The company has been in a virtual showdown with Ottawa over the bill passed in June, but which only takes effect next year. Building on similar legislation introduced in Australia, the bill aims to support a struggling Canadian news sector that has seen a flight of advertising dollars and hundreds of publications closed in the last decade. It requires companies like Meta and Google to make fair commercial deals with Canadian outlets for the news and information — estimated in a report to parliament to be worth Canadian $330 million (US$250 million) per year — that is shared on their platforms, or face binding arbitration. But Meta has said the bill is flawed and insisted that news outlets share content on its Facebook and Instagram platforms to attract readers, benefiting them and not the Silicon Valley firm. Trudeau irked Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week assailed Meta, telling reporters it was “inconceivable that a company like Facebook is choosing to put corporate profits ahead of (safety)... and keeping Canadians informed about things like wildfires.” Almost 80 percent of all online advertising revenues in Canada go to Meta and Google, which has expressed its own reservations about the new law. Ollie Williams, director of Cabin Radio in the far north, called Meta’s move to block news sharing “stupid and dangerous.” He suggested in an interview with AFP that “Meta could lift the ban temporarily in the interests of preservation of life and suffer no financial penalty because the legislation has not taken effect yet.” Nicolas Servel, over at Radio Taiga, a French-language station in Yellowknife, noted that some had found ways of circumventing Meta’s block. They “found other ways to share” information, he said, such as taking screen shots of news articles and sharing them from personal — rather than corporate — social media accounts. Several large newspapers in Canada such as The Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star have launched campaigns to try to attract readers directly to their sites. But for many smaller news outlets, workarounds have proven challenging as social media platforms have become entrenched. Reverse course Public broadcaster CBC in a letter this week pressed Meta to reverse course. “Time is of the essence,” wrote CBC president Catherine Tait. “I urge you to consider taking the much-needed humanitarian action and immediately lift your ban on vital Canadian news and information to communities dealing with this wildfire emergency.” Meta — which did not respond to AFP requests for comment — rejected CBC’s suggestion. Instead, it urged Canadians to use the “Safety Check” function on Facebook to let others know if they are safe or not. The post Canada accuses Meta of endangerment appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sandigan absolves Alcala in graft raps
The Sandiganbayan has absolved ex-Department of Agriculture secretary Proceso Alcala of a graft charge involving P13.5 million of government funds illegally given to an ineligible farmers’ foundation. In a 40-page decision, the anti-graft court’s Sixth Division cleared Alcala of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019) purely on reasonable doubt. His co-accused, Laureano Mañalac, however, then-DA head executive assistant, was found guilty of violating the same provision of the law. He was meted up to 10 years behind bars and was permanently barred from holding public office. On top of the conviction, the court ordered him to pay P13.5 million, representing the sum paid to Isa Akong Magsasaka Foundation Inc. or IAMFI. Filed by the Ombudsman in 2018, the case stemmed from the irregular accreditation of IAMFI as a DA development partner for the construction of the Quezon Corn Trading and Processing Center at P13.5 million in 2012. Investigation revealed that IAMFI, which was an ineligible foundation but applied to become a development partner of the DA in May 2011, was controlled by Mañalac. Alcala was accused of conniving with Mañalac to release P13.5 million to IAMFI’s former president, Bautista Ella. State prosecutors said the DA’s erstwhile officials gave the IAMFI unwarranted benefit, advantage, or preference. On 17 July 2019, the Sandiganbayan dismissed the case against Ella owing to his passing. Authenticated document The prosecution’s investigation further revealed that IAMFI submitted together with its application for accreditation an authenticated articles of incorporation, concealing that Mañalac is an incorporator, which was in violation of the Commission on Audit Circular 2007-001, and was “highly irregular.” According to the prosecutors, the DA fell short when it failed to investigate its unlawful grant of P13.5 million in funding to the IAMFI, to which it is not entitled to. “The government suffered undue injury in the amount of P13,500,000, which was illegally given to the IAMFI due to the acts of Manalac. Instead of giving the funds to a qualified foundation, it was given to one ineligible being controlled by Mañalac,” the Sandiganbayan said, brushing off the accused claim that the sum was legally awarded to the foundation. In acquitting Alcala, the anti-graft court ruled that despite the prosecution’s serious efforts, it failed to prove that the ex-DA secretary violated RA 3019. “The court, however, is compelled on reasonable doubts grounds to acquit Alcala of the crime as he claims to have relied on multiple layers of review by his subordinates.” Further, it ruled that “no evident bad faith” could be attributed to Alcala in accrediting and signing the memorandum of agreement with IAMFI; instead, it found that all the offense elements have been proven beyond reasonable doubt in the case of Mañalac. According to the Sandiganbayan, it was “very clear that Mañalac was involved in the processing of the proposal of IAMFI.” Mañalac, who resigned from the DA on 30 September 2012, was “immaterial” and “will not serve to exculpate him,” the court said. “Even with Mañalac’s departure from the DA, the proposal would continue to go through the application process in view of the PMO’s positive preliminary recommendation,” it added. The post Sandigan absolves Alcala in graft raps appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Meta faces backlash over Canada news block as wildfires rage
Meta is being accused of endangering lives by blocking news links in Canada at a crucial moment when thousands have fled their homes and are desperate for wildfire updates that once would have been shared widely on Facebook. The situation "is dangerous," said Kelsey Worth, 35, of one nearly 20,000 residents of Yellowkife and thousands more in small towns ordered to evacuate the Northwest Territories as wildfires advanced. She described to AFP how "insanely difficult" it has been for herself and other evacuees to find verifiable information about the fires blazing across the near-Arctic territory and other parts of Canada. "Nobody's able to know what's true or not," she said. "And when you're in an emergency situation, time is of the essence," she said, explaining that many Canadians until now have relied on social media for news. Meta on August 1 started blocking the distribution of news links and articles on its Facebook and Instagram platforms in response to a recent law requiring digital giants to pay publishers for news content. The company has been in a virtual showdown with Ottawa over the bill passed in June which only takes effect next year. Building on similar legislation introduced in Australia, the bill aims to support a struggling Canadian news sector that has seen a flight of advertising dollars and hundreds of publications closed in the last decade. It requires companies like Meta and Google to make fair commercial deals with Canadian outlets for the news and information -- estimated in a report to parliament to be worth Can$330 million (US$250 million) per year -- that is shared on their platforms, or face-binding arbitration. But Meta has said the bill is flawed and insisted that news outlets share content on its Facebook and Instagram platforms to attract readers, benefiting them and not the Silicon Valley firm. Profits over safety Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week assailed Meta, telling reporters it was "inconceivable that a company like Facebook is choosing to put corporate profits ahead of (safety)... and keeping Canadians informed about things like wildfires." Almost 80 percent of all online advertising revenues in Canada go to Meta and Google, which has expressed its own reservations about the new law. Ollie Williams, director of Cabin Radio in the far north, called Meta's move to block news sharing "stupid and dangerous." He suggested in an interview with AFP that "Meta could lift the ban temporarily in the interests of preservation of life and suffer no financial penalty because the legislation has not taken effect yet." Nicolas Servel, over at Radio Taiga, a French-language station in Yellowknife, noted that some had found ways of circumventing Meta's block. They "found other ways to share" information, he said, such as taking screenshots of news articles and sharing them from personal -- rather than corporate -- social media accounts. Life and death Several large newspapers in Canada such as the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star have launched campaigns to try to attract readers directly to their sites. But for many smaller news outlets workarounds have proven challenging as social media platforms have become entrenched. Public broadcaster CBC in a letter this week pressed Meta to reverse course. "Time is of the essence," wrote CBC president Catherine Tait. "I urge you to consider taking the much-needed humanitarian action and immediately lift your ban on vital Canadian news and information to communities dealing with this wildfire emergency." As more than 1,000 wildfires burn across Canada, she said, "The need for reliable, trusted, and up-to-date information can literally be the difference between life and death." Meta -- which did not respond to AFP requests for comment -- rejected CBC's suggestion. Instead it urged Canadians to use the "Safety Check" function on Facebook to let others know if they are safe or not. Patrick White, a professor at the University of Quebec in Montreal, said Meta has shown itself to be a "bad corporate citizen." "It's a matter of public safety," he said, adding that he remains optimistic Ottawa will eventually reach a deal with Meta and other digital giants that addresses their concerns. The post Meta faces backlash over Canada news block as wildfires rage appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pinoy’s got talent
“That’s cool, Attorney,” said Mr. Arico “Acoy” Matibay, a fictional client of mine from the Philippines. He was sitting in my office along with his long-time sweetheart, Ms. Dinah Sia Maasim, seeking legal advice about their chances of getting a green card in the US. “So, if we have special talents or skills that are way above what ordinary people have, we can apply for a green card?” interjected Ms. Maasim, who could not mask the excitement on her face. “Yes,” I replied. “But there are a number of requirements that need to be met in order to qualify for this type of visa. Number one is that exceptional talent or ability should pertain to the arts, sciences, or business. Number two is there should be an employer willing to sponsor the person.” I explained further that this type of sponsorship was relatively faster because it belonged to the EB-2 immigrant visa category with only a one-to-two-year waiting period for a green card. Also, the application could bypass the labor certification process and be filed directly with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services if accompanied with proof that the person had international acclaim or recognition in his/her field of specialty, that he/she performed or possessed the special skills within the past year, and that the exceptional ability would be put to use in the US immediately. “To prove these things,” I continued, “you can submit evidence of awards or prizes, certificates of membership in international associations, published materials about the work or talent, authorship of scientific or scholarly articles, proof of participation as a judge or panel member, etc.” “In addition,” I went on, “at least three of the following types of documentary evidence must be submitted: an academic record of diploma, award, or certificate, letters showing at least 10 years’ full-time experience in the specialty field, license or certification to practice the profession or occupation, proof of high salary commensurate with the exceptional skill, proof of membership in professional associations, or evidence of special recognition from industry peers or governmental organizations.” After I finished talking, the couple exchanged excited glances and smiled at each other, their faces beaming with satisfaction. Mr. Matibay spoke first: “Thank you for the explanation, Attorney. I think we can meet most of the requirements.” “Our special talents have made us somewhat popular in Asia,” added Ms. Maasim, smiling. “We’ve also received awards from the industry, plus we’ve been very active in performing our special skills this past year. We also intend to use our exceptional talent here in the US. In fact, there’s an employer/producer who’s very much willing to put us to work as soon as possible.” “Not only that,” continued Mr. Matibay, “we’re also members of a professional film group that sometimes act as panel judges for amateur movie contests. We’ve been doing this gig for 15 years now and we’re among the top five percent of high-earners.” “That’s quite impressive,” I said. “May I ask what is it that you guys both do?” “We’re acrobatic porn artists, Attorney,” replied Mr. Matibay proudly. “We do triple-X movies and live shows. Our most popular segments are the Torture Chamber and Banana Split. We also do Jose and the Pussycats. Last year, we did a Covid special called Strep Throat. We actually have a demo tape with us, Attorney. It’s called The Magic of Johnson and Larry’s Bird.” My head started spinning and it took me a while to find the courage to tell them that the US did not consider porn acrobatic talent as a skill of exceptional caliber for EB-2 sponsorship purposes. Sexceptional ability maybe, but exceptional ability certainly wasn’t. I advised them to try their luck in Russia instead. The post Pinoy’s got talent appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Leadership row resurges over Maguindanao Norte
The conundrum continues. As one sage claims: put five lawyers in a room to interpret a legal riddle and you will have five differing answers. Legal hermeneutics is cerebral calisthenics lawyers are trained for. We see this in the on-and-off legal and political maneuverings for the governorship of the newly created Maguindanao del Norte province. Some wise observers compare it to the Game of Thrones, especially the first major story, “The Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros,” which describes the “web of political conflicts among the noble families... to claim the throne.” We thought the exercise by the President of his inherent power of appointment, as this column suggested in previous articles, to fill the lacuna of leadership had written finis to the controversy. We thought wrong. The province is plunged again into a political crisis. As a caveat, the following is an off-the-cuff commentary substantially based on reports published in tri- and social media. We haven’t read the text of the decision. We had to observe caution because the case is still pending and therefore covered by the sub judice rule which prohibits public discussion of the merits of a pending case under pain of contempt of court. The recent imbroglio springs from a report of an alleged decision by a Division of the Supreme Court litigating an issue (a Mandamus not a Quo Warranto petition) regarding the appointment by then Acting Vice Governor Aimee Sinsuat of the Provincial Treasurer of the newly created province of Maguindanao del Norte. The decision includes a statement that the appointment made by Sinsuat was “valid.” Then-elected Vice Governor Aimee Sinsuat of the mother province of Maguindanao assumed the office of Acting Governor by virtue of the transitory provision of the law which called for a plebiscite for the splitting of Maguindanao into del Sur and Norte. The assumption by Sinsuat was questioned, inter alia, for the alleged inapplicability of the law because the plebiscite was conducted after the 2023 national and local elections (the law was premised on the plebiscite being conducted before the elections). The BARMM Ministry of Local Government debunked the claim of Vice Governor Sinsuat to the office. The BARMMN leadership then recommended Senior Minister Abdul Raof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua for Acting Governor to prevent paralysis of the government service. This was approved by the President who issued an appointment designating Macacua as Acting Governor and Bai Sinsuat as Acting Vice Governor, with the latter accepting it without a whimper of protest. This calmed the stormy political waters, grumbling, and maneuvering for the province’s Governorship until a Division of the Supreme Court came out with a decision upholding the appointment made by then Acting Governor Sinsuat. This has resurrected hope in the camp of Sinsuat that their interpretation of the law was correct, ergo, she should be the Acting Governor and not Macacua. This has ruffled political feathers and created confusion among Maguindanaons. Who is the legal Acting Governor of the province? Speculations on the effect of the decision flew thick and fast prompting Interim Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim Murad to appeal to the public not to spread rumors that tend to create political instability. There are valid questions that beg answers. Was the Supreme Court aware of the appointment by the President of Macacua as Acting Governor and Sinsuat as Vice Governor? If yes, will this not lead to a constitutional crisis with the judiciary questioning the exercise of a presidential prerogative absent abuse or irregularity in the process? Was the acceptance by Sinsuat of her appointment by the President as Vice Governor without reservation made her estopped from questioning the legitimacy of the appointment of Macacua? Does the dispositive part of the decision about the legality of the appointment made by then Acting Governor Sinsuat constitute the fallo of the case or was it a mere obiter dictum? Meantime, the decision has not yet acquired finality. The BARMM will definitely file a Motion for Reconsideration. There’s still a long way to go. This column echoes the appeal of the Interim Chief Minister for the public to refrain from making any unnecessary comments that will add fuel to the controversy. *** amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com The post Leadership row resurges over Maguindanao Norte appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
The World Cup and our national pride
Barely a few weeks after our women’s football team, the Filipinas, electrified the Philippine sporting world with a first-ever appearance in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, a first-ever goal and even more unbelievable, a first-ever win stunningly scored no less than against the host country, New Zealand, for the next two weeks, a much bigger world audience will have their eyes focused on the Philippines. Never mind that 90 percent of the Filipinas were composed of recruits from all over the world with some traces of Filipino blood flowing in their veins. Never mind that the biggest stars of the Filipinas, golden girl Sarina Bolden and goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel, and in the case of our Men’s Basketball team, NBA Utah Jazz shooting guard sensation Jordan Clarkson of Gilas, are as American as McDonald’s. Our hearts ever so slightly would start to beat a lot faster whenever these heaven-sent athletes would do what they do best on the pitch or the hardcourt. Surely just watching the replay of Sarina heading in the goal against the Kiwis and sprinting across the field with arms spread-eagled like the Philippine Eagle, you can’t help but scream out loud “Yes!,” get goosebumps, be misty-eyed, and jump with joy all at the same time recalling that single moment of a wondrous feat that boosted Filipino pride in an instant. Why is this so? How can a single goal cause so much adulation for the Filipinas and breast-beating pride in a nation forgetting for a moment all our gargantuan problems, and social and political differences? Apparently, this phenomenon is nothing new. A quick look in Google reveals various articles that conclusively demonstrate that sporting success and national pride are clearly intertwined. For instance, in various surveys of the International Social Survey Program conducted by Social Weather Stations in 1995, 2003 and 2013, from number 2 in 1995, sports moved up to number 1 in 2013 as the main source of national pride, edging out our national history from the top spot. From an 80 percent mark in 1995 representing the number of Filipinos proud of our sports achievement, this moved up to 87 percent in 2013. Not surprisingly, these were the years that Manny Pacquiao became an international sensation putting the Philippines in the world limelight for his achievements as a boxing great. What’s happening in the next two weeks? Well, unless you have been completely zonked out of your senses, the FIBA World Cup, the world’s biggest basketball spectacular, will be happening right here in our backyard. Millions of Filipinos, including yours truly, will have their eyes glued to television, streamed games on their smart gadgets, or for some lucky thousands who can shell out some hard-earned pesos, watch the games live at Araneta, MOA, and Philippine Arena. To be realistic though, the odds of Gilas sweeping our Group A games against Angola, Dominican Republic, and Italy to move on to the knockout stage are next to impossible. I think that at best what we could hope for is a close win against Angola and if NBA Minnesota Timberwolves star center Karl Anthony Towns can somehow be neutralized by wide-bodied but undersized Junemar Fajardo and our guards like Scottie Thompson or Kiefer Ravena can match up against their bulkier but fleet-footed guards, then a miracle for our country might be in the offing. Unfortunately, our game against Italy will be more of a question of limiting the certain Italian win to single digits to keep our national pride from getting trampled on too badly. But in all these games, the fans will be feverishly anticipating the explosions of Jordan Clarkson, our one and only Filipino NBA pride, and perhaps maybe Kai Sotto, and why not AJ Edu and Dwight Ramos, finally getting their much-needed exposure in the international limelight to showcase their talents and demonstrate that they are good enough to make the NBA. Nevertheless, win or lose, I believe what is important is that as a host nation, we put our best foot forward, take a momentary pause and suspend the endless carping on social media and the news, to present to the world just what basketball crazy but hospitable people we are. Go Gilas! Until next week… OBF! *** For comments, email bing_matoto@yahoo.com. The post The World Cup and our national pride appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Food as human right
A recent Social Weather Stations survey showed that around 2.7 million Filipino families experienced hunger during the first quarter of 2023. A nationwide survey conducted among 1,200 adults found that 9.8 percent of Filipino families experienced “involuntary hunger” or hunger due to lack of food at least once in the past three months. Worldwide hunger is on the rise, affecting nearly 10 percent of the global population. The Food and Agriculture Organization estimates approximately 811 million people worldwide suffered from chronic hunger between 2020 and 2022. In a world where hunger and malnutrition continue to afflict millions — a crisis driven largely by conflict, climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic, and most of all, greed — we look back to a UN declaration that catalyzes action urging governments to prioritize policies and allocate resources to eradicate hunger and malnutrition. It emphasizes the need to adopt sustainable agricultural practices, promote equitable food distribution systems, and invest in rural development to enhance food security, which remains a pressing global issue. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1948, indirectly addresses the right to food under various articles. However, the explicit articulation of the right by the UN came later. In 1976, the United Nations General Assembly formally recognized the right to adequate food as a human right through the adoption of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights — one of the key international human rights treaties that make up the International Bill of Human Rights. Article 11 of the ICESCR specifically acknowledges “the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living, including adequate food” and underscores the essential nature of the right to food. As of today, the covenant has been signed and ratified by 170 countries, including the Philippines. Hence, the right to food is a legal obligation of all State Parties, anchored on international law. There is more to hunger than just the mere lack of food. Ending the hunger crisis will take understanding its nature and the reasons why it exists in a world abundant in resources like our country, where the rich-poor divide is among the widest in East Asia and the Pacific region. Food as a human right knows no socio-economic status, ethnicity, or geographical location. Therefore, reinforcing the declaration’s principles of dignity, equality, and social justice is a responsibility placed on the governments and organizations to ensure the fulfillment of this right. Policymakers, enablers, and implementors should tackle the root causes of food insecurity. The triggers of food insufficiency — socio-economic disparities, unequal access to resources, and systemic injustices — are not to be left as a PowerPoint presentation file. It calls for comprehensive strategies that will balance economic development with sustainable food systems devoid of self-serving interests. Importantly, the entitlement to nourishment does not suggest that it is the responsibility of the government or any other organization to constantly supply food to every Filipino. Rather, it signifies that governments are obligated to establish circumstances and implement policies that guarantee accessibility to food, foster sustainable farming practices, and tackle concerns such as poverty, inequality, and food insecurity. We cannot feed hungry people with greed, nor break the cycle of poverty and ensure the long-term availability of food resources for future generations. The post Food as human right appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SSS ‘RACE’ tags delinquent employers
The Social Security System on Sunday announced that it has conducted its Run After Contributing and Evaders campaign in Makati and Taguig over the weekend. In Makati, SSS issued Notices of Violations against eight delinquent employers from the Makati Central Business District. The erring employers incurred P6.64 million in delinquencies, which consist of P4.69 million in unpaid contributions and P1.95 million in penalties. These delinquencies affected 152 employees. The SSS said that among the violators in Makati flagged were in the management consultancy, store of household items and articles, wholesaler of miscellaneous consumer goods and business support services items. Among the eight delinquent employers, the Management Consultancy establishment incurred the highest contribution delinquency of P2.9 million. This includes P1.46 million in unpaid workers’ contributions. Based on SSS records, the establishment failed to remit security contributions of six employees from July 2011 to April 2023. In Taguig, SSS issued Notices of Violations against 10 delinquent employers. These employers incurred P5.37 million worth of unpaid contributions and P3.93 million of penalties. These delinquencies affected 136 employees. The SSS RACE campaign is being conducted to ensure that employers are complying with their obligation to remit the mandatory contributions of their employees. The SSS is urging all employers to remit their contributions on time and in full to avoid penalties. The post SSS ‘RACE’ tags delinquent employers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Market Indexes and index investing
In line with SharePHIL’s advocacy of investor education, we publish relevant articles in this column and also organize seminars on topics of interest to our stakeholders. While indices may seem complex and too technical for the ordinary layman like me, there are practical reasons why investors should have an understanding of these measures which I will attempt to share in this article......»»
Idolizing Danny Dolor (The man I might have been if I had at least P500 million)
Here’s sharing with you Cyber Proust’s (now Proust Redux) winning piece when he joined the 2010 Philippine Star Lifestyle Journalism Contest sponsored by Rustan Commercial Corporation and the Stores Specialists, Inc. The announcement called for feature articles, as many as one could submit, about heroes, dead or alive. Cyber Proust submitted three — one about his mother; another about a blogger who tells stories about his clan and people like them, making for a good read for people interested in Philippine upper class but not necessarily high society; and this one, about Danny Dolor, Cyber Proust’s patron and benefactor when Cyber Proust had not yet declared himself rich. Here goes: My hero, my icon, the man I’d rather be When people are asked who they want to be if they ever get the chance to live their lives all over again, they almost always say they want to be the same person. If you ask me the same question, I’d have the same answer, only because I want to keep the same set of parents. But if I could keep my Dad and Mom, and still be someone else, I’d look at you straight in the eye, and declare, I want to be Danny Dolor. I can think of a hackneyed thousand and one reasons why I prefer to breathe and eat and live like Sir Danny, but let me stick to the quintessential five. First, he is rich which we all want to be. He is an art lover which I profess to be. He is a trailblazer even if he is a Libran who prefers balance, while I am an Arian who always wants to be the first. He was a good son who took care of his mother in her old age, which every good son should do especially if he were single. I am single, but I was always away from home, too busy changing and finding writing jobs. The closest I got to emulating Sir Danny was spending endless nights conversing with my mother whenever I was home during Christmas breaks. Sir Danny, on the other hand, never travelled abroad because he wanted to be by his mother’s side every night of the year. When he visited Lipa, their hometown, he would pick up his mobile phone to check on his mother and sister Fe in their Makati home, rattling off his orders to their yaya — check their temperature, don’t forget the medicine after their merienda, and so on. Finally, Danny Dolor is a good Catholic who hears Sunday Mass, fingers his beads when in the car, and joins the procession on Good Friday beside his own Mater Dolorosa. How I wish I could give away lands on which to build churches, donate thousands of portfolio bags for priests attending their annual convention, and build a museum in honor of a townsman, Alfredo Maria Obviar, who may yet be the first Filipino bishop to be beatified and, in God’s time, canonized. First conversation I am lucky to have an icon whom I have seen up close. I have seen Danny Dolor when he goes into a trance as he describes his first conversation with National Artist Atang de la Rama, to whom he became a friend and confidante, or fits of laughter as he recalls the usually funny repartee between his friends Sylvia La Torre and Oscar Obligacion when the latter was still alive. For all the secrets and fun times we have shared, I stick to calling him Sir as I did the first time I interviewed him in his thickly-carpeted, air-conditioned and perfume-smelling den. I had known about the man before I ever met him. I knew about his Tribung Pinoy which concertized all over the country in the late 1970s all the way to the mid 1980’s. I never saw them perform in person, but I read about Danny Dolor and his gang of sopranos, tenors and baritones who rendered their harana, danza, balitaw and, of course, kundiman, in schools and churches, and quixotic venues like the Culion Leper Colony in Palawan, the mental hospital and the women’s correctional where the patients and inmates cried, sang, danced and thanked him because no one ever came to sing for them. The path-breaking Danny Dolor also produced the first ever concert at the Cultural Center of the Philippines featuring an all-Filipino-traditional-music repertoire. Danny Dolor’s house, at that time when I interviewed him, was along Tamarind corner Banaba in uppity Forbes Park. In the den, paintings, sculptures, plaques, and trophies vied for the attention of first-time guests. I immediately liked a Zalameda portrait of a basketball player, but what impressed me was a plaque with Latin inscriptions which, my host explained to me, was his papal award. He next brought me to the lanai, thrice as large as the den, where beside the lacquered opium bed stood a gigantic St. Joseph. He showed me a life-size oil portrait of Charito Solis, Ramon Valera ternos worn by Gloria Romero and his sister Fe, and original drawings of Darna by Mars Ravelo. The man, who knows his art, takes pride in his penchant for everything Filipino. It is an interest that goes a long way back to his childhood during the Japanese occupation. In the family hacienda where they evacuated, he listened to the farmers sing native songs. In grade one a year or two later, the young Danny sang Bayan Ko before his classmates, to the shock of the teacher who probably expected Jack and Jill. When Sir Danny was in grade school, he watched Filipino films in the movie houses along Rizal Avenue. As a high school student, he listened to the Mabuhay singers over the radio. In college, he watched Tawag ng Tanghalan on television. Is it any wonder that he should mount a best-selling exhibit of movie ads from the golden years of Philippine cinema? Or that he has maintained, for more than ten years, a column in the Philippine Star, “Remember When?” featuring the movie stars and great musical talents of yesteryears? Danny Dolor is unique in that he straddles the worlds of show business and high society, which many find incompatible. Not with him who has produced movies, including Indie films, and concert tributes honoring luminaries of the silver screen like Director Hermogenes Ilagan and movie queen Carmen Rosales. His involvement in the upper strata, on the other hand, is never without a good reason. For example, he collaborated with the socialite businesswoman Nedy Tantoco in organizing the best-selling Ramon Valera retrospective exhibit. If he is chummy with the grand dame Imelda Cojuangco that’s because he is a loyal and trusted officer the Cofradia de la Inmaculada Concepcion, of which she is the chair. Every year, come Feast of the Immaculate Conception, they gather hundreds of children from depressed areas to receive their first holy communion. Imagine the mix For all of these, he takes a break from his duties as chairman of various companies that include a hospital, hotel, educational institution, bank and subdivisions. Imagine the mix — movies, music, church, business and high society. And he dances the Rigodon too. How can one not desire such completeness? There’s something though he’d rather not be said about him. In my times of need, he does not hide under his canopied bed, and in the milestones of my life, he gives me a thick red envelope. Once I ran out of cash to pay my rent, I called him up and told him that if only I could touch the tip of his pants, I was sure to have what I needed. Scolding me first for being such a cheap copy of the woman in the bible, he said Yes to my pleadings, while reminding me to help him prepare another souvenir program for yet another concert tribute for another forgotten gem of Philippine music. The man does not believe in outright charity. Not to me, anyway. And while he is patient with me, he insists that I “fix” my life for “all these things you delight in will soon come to pass” and “if you do not take care of yourself, who will?” and so on. From his mother, he passes on a classic gem, “Never do anything that people will notice from afar,” a rough translation of “Huwag kang gagawa ng kahit anong matatanaw mula sa malayo.” In short, don’t be a show-off. My hero and icon, Danny Dolor, is not only a model for living the successful and well-lived life that I dream about. He is also a saviour, a mentor and an angel who, despite the “professional distance” we keep between us as a “client” and as a “talent,” if the relationship must breed results, has come closest to being my “Tito” and best friend. Sir Danny will not be pleased with this article. He will think that I need to borrow money from him again. The post Idolizing Danny Dolor (The man I might have been if I had at least P500 million) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Chef Valery Anthony’s secrets: Time and Intention
Valery Jane Anthony grew up watching shows on the Food Network, which was ultimately noticed by her nurturing and caring mom, an amazing cook herself. “As she noted that I grew fond of watching the ongoings in the kitchen, she bought me cookbooks which I would continuously read day in and day out,” she shared. “And I presume that’s where my love for food and cooking started. Besides, I would feel myself the most when I’m in the kitchen,” she admitted. [caption id="attachment_168047" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Valery Anthony (rightmost, standing) at her college graduation[/caption] Chef Valery, 24, was raised within an encouraging family. “I believe that’s one big factor as to why I kept persevering through my career. They’ve always been so supportive on whatever I did. And whenever I did make mistakes, they also pointed it out and helped me fix it so I could be better.” Prior to graduation from the Culinary Arts program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, she was the sole Philippine delegate to the Young Chefs Olympiad in India, one of the largest culinary gatherings worldwide, where she clinched fifth place. She likewise garnered silver at the lauded Philippine Culinary Cup. [gallery size="full" columns="2" ids="168049,168057"] During her internship at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners in d’Asti and in the Michelin-star restaurant Il Picolo Principe in Luca, Tuscany, both in Italy, her main takeaways were organization, ingredients, techniques and, most importantly, resilience. “My highlight would definitely be the traveling and the food most especially. There’s really a certain charm when you get to experience another country’s food and culture. I would say it’s a core memory and a lifelong memory of mine,” she imparted. With a culinary degree in hand, her first foray into the professional world was at the award-winning Italian pizzeria a mano Restaurant, where she worked her way up to become a chef de partie. Today, she has joined the ranks of sterling chef Margarita Fores’ Sostanza Corporation as a chef de partie and menu planner. When asked on her favorite ingredient, she approached the question with the intangible — time and intention. “Excellent food may still be done quickly even on a rush. But as with a lot of great dishes, it requires time and patience. Cooking and creating food has to be intentional. It makes it more personal and honestly affects the overall product,” she revealed. [gallery size="full" ids="168081,168080,168079"] Meanwhile, her sharp and trusty knife is her favorite kitchen tool. “Sometimes that’s all a chef needs in a busy kitchen.” When pressured, she tends to remain calm and laugh it out after service. “However, I recalled I started as a really terrible crybaby,” chef Valery divulged. “During my first job, I would cry over the smallest matters. But I eventually learned to manage my thoughts and emotions better under pressure by taking it positively and not to dwell over it.” During her free time, she loves to read and write, being a bookworm back in high school. “Now I enjoy reading articles about food, fashion and art. In addition, I relish going on self-dates! I’m quite comfortable in my own company and I love going to malls, cafes and restaurants by myself. It’s a way for me to unwind and destress.” Looking into the future, she wishes to continue with research and development in the food industry and hopes to be included in more collaborations — fingers crossed, she said. One day someday, she prays for a project she can call her own. [gallery size="full" ids="168078,168077,168076"] We had a chat with chef Valery as she shared her thoughts on values, words of inspiration and working with chef Margarita Fores: On modesty “One lesson that I always carry, even until now, is to keep my feet on the ground and my head held high. College and competitions have humbled me in a lot of ways through mistakes and failures. I emerged as a stronger and wiser person. Keep on pushing! I don’t believe in giving up. I advocate perhaps to take a break, step back. But never give up.” Hardest to master recipe “This is actually quite funny! A little backstory, I am in love with chocolate chip cookies. And I’ve been trying to make my own version since God knows when — I’ve always been left unsatisfied. Only until recently, I made a batch that I was genuinely happy with! I’m not the best with baking, but I do have the patience with testing recipes here and there, every now and then.” Working with Chef Margarita Fores “It still feels so surreal! I’ve been a huge fan since I was in high school. Even before she won Asia’s Best Female Chef, I’ve already had a big admiration for her. She’s extremely kind and fun to be with. She has also opened up a lot of doors for me and I must say that she is one of the catalysts in my career.” Latest projects “I’m currently handling menu planning and research and development in chef Margarita’s catering company. I recently also did a collaboration in Singapore with chef Margarita, chef Miko Calo and chef Johanne Sy. I used to only dream of these. I’m extremely grateful I get to have my passion as my job!” Culinary motto “Never stop learning. I’ve always believed that it is an everyday experience. We always have the chance to gain new knowledge and improve ourselves, through small or big ways. And wherever we go, there will always be those who will have our weaknesses as their strengths and vice versa. So keep on learning.” Advice to aspiring chefs “Take notes of everything, even if you think you won’t need it. One day you will. Always initiate to help. Because that’s one step to learning.” The post Chef Valery Anthony’s secrets: Time and Intention appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Bilibid’ decongestion continues, says BuCor
Bureau of Corrections director general Gregorio Catapang Jr. on Sunday revealed that the agency is transferring more persons deprived of liberty from the New Bilibid Prison once the construction of facilities in Iwahig, Davao and Leyte Prison and Penal Farms are completed. In a statement, the BuCor chief said that at least 500 PDLs have already been transferred to Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm even as the agency continues its implementation of the “Bilis Laya” Program. The program has seen the release of more than 4,000 PDLs from various prison and penal farms after serving their sentence, acquitted of the charges against them, paroled and those who qualified for the good conduct time allowance or GCTA. Catapang said that aside from congestion problem due to lack of facilities for PDLs at the NBP, he admitted that BuCor personnel are not prepared when the bureau was restructured from civilian to uniformed. Recently, Catapang addressed the members of the Committee on Public Order and Safety at the House of Representatives during the recent hearing and said that Republic Act 10575, otherwise known as the Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013 which provides for the modernization, professionalization and restructuring of the bureau, was signed into law on 24 May 2013 by former President Benigno Aquino Jr. while its implementing rules and regulations was promulgated in 2016, three years after the passage of the law. “They were converted into uniformed personnel without training, to wear the uniform. When you say wear the uniform, they should be disciplined, they should follow orders and they should not commit corruption,” Catapang explained. Citing his experience as the Armed Forces Chief of Staff or even when he was a Battalion Commander or Company Commander, Catapang said he can outright dismiss a soldier using articles of war and if a soldier committed an infringement, he can easily be dismissed from the service. “It cannot be done in the BuCor because there are process that you have to follow like the Civil Service Commission rules and regulations and the Department of Justice. You cannot just terminate them immediately even if they committed corruption,” Catapang said. At the moment, the bureau is hiring young corrections officers as Catapang intends to promote all qualified uniformed BuCor personnel to next higher rank to weed out all scalawags in the bureau. The BuCor already hired 1,000 COs last year and currently hiring another 1,000 this year and the Department of Budget approved for the hiring of another 1,000 next year, Catapang told the committee. The post ‘Bilibid’ decongestion continues, says BuCor appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BuCor personnel not prepared to ‘wear uniform’ — Catapang
Aside from the congestion problem due to the lack of facilities for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), Bureau of Corrections Director-General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. admitted that BuCor personnel are not prepared when the bureau was restructured from civilian to uniformed. Catapang addressing the members of the Committee on Public Order and Safety at the House of Representatives during the recent hearing disclosed that Republic Act No. 10575, otherwise known as the Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013, which provides for the modernization, professionalization, and restructuring of the bureau was signed into law on 24 May 2013 by former President Benigno Aquino Jr. while it’s implementing rules and regulations were promulgated in 2016, three years after the passage of the law. “They were converted into uniformed personnel without training, to wear the uniform. When you say wear the uniform, they should be disciplined, they should follow orders and they should not commit corruption,” Catapang explained. Citing his experience as the Armed Forces Chief of Staff or even when he was a battalion commander or company commander, Catapang said he can outrightly dismiss a soldier using articles of war and if a soldier committed an infringement, he can easily be dismissed from the service. “It cannot be done in the BuCor because there are process (sic) that you have to follow like the Civil Service Commission rules and regulations and the Department of Justice. You cannot just terminate them immediately even if they committed corruption,” Catapang lamented. Right now, the bureau is hiring young blood of corrections officers (COs) and Catapang intends to promote all qualified uniformed BuCor personnel to the next higher rank to weed out all scalwags in the bureau. The BuCor already hired 1,000 COs last year and currently hiring another 1,000 this year and the Department of Budget approved the hiring of another 1,000 next year, Catapang told the committee “They will constitute the new blood of BuCor who will regain the trust and confidence of the Filipino people. We will therefore have a total of 3,000 new correction officers by end of 2024 who will represent the beginning of a reformed BuCor,” Catapang said. "We will ingrain to them integrity, dedication to service, and the courage to refuse corruption," he added. At present, the BuCor is continuously retooling and organizing seminars and training to promote values formation to all its personnel. “We need to do this because some of our personnel have been in the bureau for so long at dahil yung mga ninuno nila ay nagtrabaho din sa bureau, they felt entitled kaya talagang mahaba habang proseso para sila madisiplina,” Catapang explained. With regards to congestion, Catapang said that he will continue to transfer more PDLs from NBP once the construction of facilities in Iwahig, Davao, and Leyte Prison and Penal Farms are completed. So far, 500 PDLs have already been transferred to Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm and they have been implementing the “Bills Laya” Program wherein more than 4,000 PDLs have been released from various prison and penal farms after serving their sentence, acquitted of the charges against them, paroled and those who qualified for the good conduct time allowance or GCTA. The post BuCor personnel not prepared to ‘wear uniform’ — Catapang appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»