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House leaves Quiboloy’s fate to Senate
The House of Representatives will no longer pursue and implement the warrant of arrest it issued against pastor Apollo Quiboloy after it approved on final reading the bill revoking the franchise of the evangelist’s alleged TV network......»»
Catriona Gray naka-focus sa kalusugan, may struggle sa scoliosis
NAGING bukas si Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray sa kanyang pinagdaraanang challenges dahil sa sakit niyang scoliosis. Sa kanyang panayam sa ABS-CBN News, ibinahagi nito na mas nararamdaman na raw niya ngayon ang epekto ng sakit. “‘I’m getting older, magthi-thirty na ako, sorry older in my context. I’m starting to really feel the effects of.....»»
Senate concurrence needed to revoke SMNI franchise’
The revocation of the legislative franchise of Sonshine Media Network Inc. by the House of Representatives would have to be approved by the Senate first before it can take effect – in accordance with the usual legislative route, lawmakers said yesterday......»»
Crown Prince ‘sorry’ over strained Kuwait-Phl ties
Kuwait’s Crown Prince, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, went the extra mile to iron out the diplomatic irritants between his country and the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Saturday. Marcos said the Kuwaiti royal approached him on the sidelines of the first Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Riyadh for a brief meeting. “He said,” Marcos told reporters, quoting the Crown Prince, “‘Can we have a quick chat for just three to five minutes?’ He assured me it wouldn’t take long, and we readily agreed” to discuss the labor-related discord between our two countries.” The President said that following the Kuwaiti side’s initiative, he was all-in for resolving the problem. In their discussion, the Crown Prince expressed his dissatisfaction over the actions taken by his own people, and said he disapproved of the strained relations between his country and the Philippines. “The words that he used were, ‘Do not listen to them. These words come from small people. I do not agree with what they have been doing,’” the Crown Prince told him Marcos said. Marcos said Crown Prince Mishal also “absolved” the Philippines of any need to apologize for trying to protect its citizens working in Kuwait who had been abused. “There is no reason for you to apologize to us. In fact, I will apologize to you,” Marcos quoted the Crown Prince, who cited the enduring support for Kuwait by the President’s late father, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. “We will fix it, and we will make it right because we love the Philippines,” the Crown Prince said, according to Marcos. In 2018, the Philippines imposed a temporary ban on the deployment of new workers to Kuwait after the body of a Filipino domestic worker, Joanna Demafelis, was found in a freezer in her employer’s home. The ban was lifted in 2020 after the two countries signed a bilateral labor agreement that included provisions for increased protection for Filipino workers. However, tensions between the two countries flared up again in 2023 after the body of another Filipino domestic worker, Jullebee Ranara, was found in the Kuwaiti desert. The Philippine government accused the Kuwaiti government of failing to protect its workers and suspended the deployment of new workers to Kuwait. Kuwait responded by suspending the issuance of all visas to Filipinos, including tourist visas. The post Crown Prince ‘sorry’ over strained Kuwait-Phl ties appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM eager to resolve diplomatic tensions with Kuwait
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants to successfully resolve the diplomatic tensions between Kuwait and the Philippines following a brief meeting with Kuwait's Crown Prince, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. In a roundtable interview with the reporters on Saturday morning (Manila time), Marcos said Kuwait's Crown Prince approached him at the sidelines of the first Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Riyadh. According to Marcos, Kuwait's Crown Prince requested a brief meeting to address the ongoing discord between the two nations. "He said, 'Can we have a quick chat for just 3 to 5 minutes?' He assured me it wouldn't take long, and we readily agreed," Marcos told the reporters, describing how the impromptu meeting started. In the discussion, the Crown Prince expressed his dissatisfaction with the actions of his people and disapproved of the strained relations between Kuwait and the Philippines. "The words that he used are 'Do not listen to them. These words come from small people. I do not agree with what they have been doing'," Marcos said. He added that the Crown Prince absolved the Philippines of any need to apologize. According to the Chief Executive, the Crown Prince told him: "There is no reason for you to apologize to us. In fact, I will apologize to you." He cited the enduring support of President Marcos's father for Kuwait, emphasizing the historical ties between the nations. "We will fix it, and we will make it right because we love the Philippines," the Crown Prince affirmed, promising resolution and reconciliation between the two countries. Earlier this year, Kuwait told the Philippines to honor the Gulf state's sovereignty after the Middle Eastern country halted issuing new entry visas to citizens of the Southeast Asian country due to a labor agreement dispute. Kuwait has announced that it will extend the temporary prohibition on all types of visas for Filipino workers. However, they have also confirmed that they will renew visas for those who hold valid residence permits and wish to continue their employment in Kuwait. In 2018, the Philippines and Kuwait entered into a labor agreement aimed at regulating domestic workers. This agreement came about following a dispute between the two nations, which resulted in a ban on Filipino workers after a domestic worker was tragically murdered. This year, another distressing incident occurred when a 35-year-old Filipina maid was killed by a Kuwaiti teenager, prompting the Philippines to reevaluate its labor agreement with Kuwait. This incident occurred nearly five years after the murder of Joanna Daniela Demafelis, a Filipina domestic worker whose body was discovered in a freezer after being killed by her employers. These events caused a diplomatic strain and led the then-president, Rodrigo Duterte, to temporarily ban Filipinos seeking employment in the Gulf country. The post PBBM eager to resolve diplomatic tensions with Kuwait appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Beauty takes the spotlight
Beauty enthusiasts were drawn to a “new light” on the night of 7 September as Rustan’s The Beauty Source, the Philippines' foremost destination for opulent beauty, proudly introduced its annual Beauty Addict event. “See Beauty in a new light” came the invitation, and the retail hub renowned for curating the world’s most prestigious beauty brands in makeup, skincare, fragrance and personal care products, welcomed guests to its revamped Beauty Hall. The transformed space boasts of world-class interiors and cutting-edge retail architecture, providing the perfect backdrop for the most coveted and luxurious beauty brands. The occasion raised the bar for luxury retail and reaffirmed Rustan’s dedication to only choose the best products for its affluent customers. Excitement meets elegance The big day welcomed luxury beauty brands, such as CHANEL, Clarins, La Prairie, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Tom Ford, MAC, La Mer, Clé de Peau Beauté, Shiseido, Hermes, Diptyque, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, L’Occitane, Grown Alchemist, Malin+Goetz, L:a Bruket and many more. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was graced by Rustan’s chief executive officer Zenaida Tantoco, president Donnie Tantoco and executive vice president Anton Huang, accompanied by the radiant Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray. The evening was further elevated with captivating performances by the Halili Dance Group and the Manila String Machine Orchestra, with Bea Tantoco. As the night unfolded, guests reveled in a special afterparty with live music from Renee Dominique and renowned local DJs. The open dancefloor beckoned, while the champagne bar, sponsored by the Philippine Wine Merchants, and delectable hors d’oeuvres by Margarite Forés ensured a night to remember. Exclusive beauty gifts and selfie contest For the early birds, a prized two-sided Beauty LED Compact Mirror was given away to the first 100 visitors at Rustan’s Beauty Hall. With LED lights that mimic sunlight, this attractive mirror has both conventional and magnifying mirrors. Sharing event selfies on social media accounts qualified the selfie-savvy participants for the competition, which gave the chance to win the prized “Best Selfie Award,” which came with a hefty P10,000 Rustan’s The Beauty Source shopping spree. Glamour all the way to November From 8 to 17 September, Rustan’s offered a one-week promotion with exclusive discounts and rewards to keep its customers happy. With the Beauty Addict Holiday Gift with Purchase promotion, which is active until 30 November, Rustan’s continued the celebration throughout the holiday season. A Kate Spade New York Make It Pop Floral Jewelry Box was given out to Beauty Addict members with a minimum purchase. Rustan’s introduced the Beauty Addict Holiday Raffle, with the big prize being a three-night vacation for two in the romantic city of love — Paris, France — to heighten the anticipation. The winner will also receive KrisFlyer miles from Singapore Airlines to use on a Business Class Saver Award ticket to Paris, France. Every P2,500 spent at Rustan’s Beauty Source rewarded Beauty Addict members one entry into an electronic drawing. Every Metrobank card transaction give cardholders two entries. Promo ends 30 November. The post Beauty takes the spotlight appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Five groups target NAIA takeover
Five companies have signified their intention to take over the operations and management of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport or NAIA a few weeks after the Department of Transportation or DoTr opened the bidding for the P170.6-billion project. In a text message to the Daily Tribune on Wednesday, the DoTr confirmed that five potential bidders have bought bid documents for the project. As of 13 September, the interested companies include San Miguel Corp. or SMC, Spark 888 Management Inc., and Asian Airport Consortium. Two others who submitted bids — Manila International Airport Consortium or MIAC and GMR Group — have previously vied for the NAIA rehabilitation. MIAC is composed of Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corporation, Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corporation, Alliance Global — Infracorp Development Inc., Filinvest Development Corporation, and JG Summit Infrastructure Holdings Corporation along with Global Infrastructure Partners. Super consortium in running In 2018, the government awarded the Original Proponent Status for the NAIA rehabilitation to a “super-consortium” formed by seven of the country’s biggest conglomerates: Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc.; AC Infrastructure Holdings Corporation; Alliance Global Group Inc.; Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corporation; Filinvest Development Corporation; and JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp. It was, however, terminated. Thus, Megawide Construction Corp. and partner GMR Infrastructure Ltd. also submitted an unsolicited proposal to upgrade and rehabilitate the highly congested NAIA. Despite the substantial progress, the much-needed NAIA rehabilitation was back to square one after the previous administration also rejected the proposal. According to the MIAA, the Megawide consortium failed to convince the government of its financial ability to support the project. Meanwhile, the SMC., an Asian conglomerate led by businessman Ramon S. Ang, is currently taking on the P740-billion New Manila International Airport in Bulacan. Award out by December Previously, the DoTr conveyed that the contract may be awarded to the winning bidder as early as December if the government stays on schedule. The National Economic and Development Authority or NEDA, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., approved the solicited bid to privatize the operations of NAIA. NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the project will help address the long-standing issues at the country’s main air hub such as congestion and limited aircraft movements that usually cause inconvenience to passengers. The DoTr and the Manila International Airport Authority submitted a joint proposal to the NEDA Board to privatize the operations and management of NAIA within 15 years. The project is expected to improve the overall passenger experience and increase the current annual passenger capacity of NAIA to at least 62 million from the current 32 million. Previously, Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista floated the possibility of closing down the airport — only if nearby airports become operational. Bautista explained that the government can have the option to close NAIA if airports in adjacent provinces like Cavite and Bulacan are ready to accommodate the travel-hungry tourists in the country — both local and international. “If there will be new airports, then the government can decide to close the Manila International Airport or MIA because it can be a valuable government asset. On the other hand, it is possible to continue its operations because of its prime location in the Metro,” Bautista told reporters. “So yes, it is possible to close, it is also possible not to close MIA,” he added. Bautista also assured that in case the airport continues its operations, SMC’s Bulacan Airport can still drive up profits despite the competition. The post Five groups target NAIA takeover appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Colombia deadliest country for green activists in 2022
Environmental activist murders doubled in Colombia last year, making it the most dangerous country in the world for those trying to protect the planet, a watchdog said Tuesday. In its annual review, Global Witness named 177 land and environmental defenders who had been killed in 2022 -- from the Amazon to the Philippines and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Latin America again bore the brunt of the murders, including 39 killings across the vast Amazon rainforest, a vital carbon sink facing widespread destruction at a time when the world is grappling to curb climate change. The number of those killed has progressively decreased since a record 227 in 2020, however, "this does not mean that the situation has significantly improved," said Global Witness. "The worsening climate crisis and the ever-increasing demand for agricultural commodities, fuel, and minerals will only intensify the pressure on the environment -– and those who risk their lives to defend it," warned the London-based watchdog. While in 2021 most killings took place in Mexico, Colombia last year surged ahead with 60 deaths -- more than a third of all the murders globally. "This is almost double the number of killings compared to 2021 when 33 defenders lost their lives," said the report. Many of those targeted were Indigenous people, members of Afro-descendant communities, small-scale farmers, and environmental activists. At least five children, three of them Indigenous, were among the global tally. "Yet there is hope," said the NGO, praising efforts under new leftist President Gustavo Petro to boost protection for defenders -- a first in the country. Colombian sociologist and activist Nadia Umana, 35, fled her northern home after the murders of four colleagues, all of whom had been fighting for the return of rural lands taken over by paramilitaries. "Knowing that a colleague of yours was murdered is an indescribable pain," Umana told AFP in Bogota. Even the country's vice-president, Francia Marquez -- the 2018 winner of the prestigious Goldman environmental prize -- has faced multiple threats. In 2019, she survived an attack by gunmen who tried to kill her over her work defending her home region's water resources against mining companies. Mining, logging, farming According to Global Witness, almost 2,000 land and environmental defenders have been murdered over the past decade -- some 70 percent of them in Latin America. In Brazil, where British journalist Dom Philips and Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira were killed last year in the Amazon, a total of 34 land defenders were killed. Mexico, Honduras, and the Philippines also had high numbers. Global Witness said that while it was "difficult to identify" the exact drivers for the killings, 10 were found to be linked to agribusiness, eight to mining, and four to the logging industry. Aside from activists, state officials, demonstrators, park rangers, lawyers, and journalists are also among those who lost their lives. "All of them shared a commitment to defend their rights and keep the planet healthy. All of them paid for their courage and commitment with their lives," said the report. The post Colombia deadliest country for green activists in 2022 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
COVID’s back: Here’s what you need to know
As colder weather sets in, COVID rates are once more rising across the Northern Hemisphere, with several new variants on the scene. Here's what you need to know. Covid versus seasonal nasties? The COVID pandemic extracted a terrible toll, with nearly seven million deaths worldwide. But thanks to vaccines, prior immunity, and better treatments, the virus is now far more manageable. In the United States, excess deaths -- the total number of people dying for any given cause -- has been normal since spring. "If you asked me to choose between getting flu and COVID, I would pick COVID because each individual case of flu is more dangerous," said Ashish Jha, a former White House COVID coordinator and dean of public health at Brown University. But while COVID is now less deadly to individuals, "it also seems to have higher rates of long-term complications." COVID is also less seasonal than the flu, more contagious, and over the last three US winters peaked from December to January, while flu peaks later. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease specialist at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, placed COVID "on par" with flu and RSV, but stressed it was more severe than the common cold. To boost or not to boost? Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax have developed new vaccines that more closely target current variants, all offshoots of Omicron which became dominant in late 2021. There is broad consensus that annual boosters will benefit the most vulnerable. But whether they bring added value to everyone is debated. Nearly everyone has already been infected, studies show. And prior infections combined with vaccines have trained immune systems to stop severe outcomes even when they can't ward off infection. One-size-fits-all recommendations no longer make sense, and could decrease trust in public health, said Monica Gandhi, author of "Endemic: A Post-Pandemic Playbook." For example, the mRNA vaccines of Pfizer and Moderna carry small risks of heart inflammation in younger men. European nations advise annual shots only for higher-risk groups, but some experts don't see downsides in wider recommendations. "People at low risk still derive benefit from boosters," said Ziyad Al-Aly, an epidemiologist at Washington University in St. Louis. The United States recommends that nearly everyone get annual COVID shots. Are masks still useful? Experts diverge on this subject, one of the most controversial of the pandemic. A review of clinical trial data by the respected nonprofit Cochrane on whether promoting mask-wearing helped slow respiratory viruses found inconclusive results. Whether broad mandates have a significant effect, therefore, hasn't been proven. What researchers do know -- thanks to lab experiments -- is that well-fitted, high-caliber masks such as N-95s protect individuals. "Individuals can therefore choose to wear well-fitted and filtered masks indoors to provide personal protection from respiratory pathogens," said Gandhi, a professor at the University of California, San Francisco -- though she believes in vaccines to prevent severe disease, including among the high-risk. Test, or go to work? Experts agree that it makes sense for people at risk -- the elderly and those with conditions such as cancer, obesity, and diabetes -- to test when they have symptoms. That's because these groups "would benefit from antiviral therapy within the five-day window," said Adaja. The most prominent treatment is Paxlovid, which has been shown to reduce the risk of severe disease and death among high-risk people. Some health systems have decided testing at-risk people is all that's needed. "Most people no longer need to take a coronavirus test. To prevent the spread of infection, you should try to stay at home if you're unwell," says the UK's National Health System. What about long COVID? Research around long COVID -- symptoms that linger for weeks or months -- remains nebulous and hampered by a lack of standardized definitions for a condition that has multiple causes, said Adalja. Al-Aly estimates prevalence at between 4 to 7 percent, or 65 million people worldwide. "Unfortunately, we have not made progress on treating long Covid. This should be an urgent priority for research," he said. It does appear that prior vaccination reduces the risk of long COVID and that the condition is correlated with the severity of infection. The US government has funded several trials into the condition, with one recent study finding a diabetes drug called metformin reduced the risk of ongoing symptoms by 40 percent. Jha said he was hopeful of more data on treatments in the coming months. The post COVID’s back: Here’s what you need to know appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hong Kong flooded by heaviest rainfall in 140 years
Hong Kong was flooded by the heaviest rainfall in nearly 140 years on Friday, leaving the city's streets and some subway stations under water and forcing its schools to close. Just across the border, authorities in China's tech hub Shenzhen recorded the heaviest rains since records began in 1952. Climate change has increased the intensity of tropical storms, experts say, with more rain and stronger gusts leading to flash floods and coastal damage. The heavy rains in Hong Kong started on Thursday and in the hour leading up to midnight, the city's weather observatory recorded hourly rainfall of 158.1 millimeters at its headquarters, the highest since records began in 1884. On Friday afternoon, the Hospital Authority said at least 110 people were hospitalized due to injuries, with four in serious condition. A man was found unconscious off the shore of western Hong Kong Island and declared dead at the hospital, though authorities were still investigating if the death was flood-related. The city's highest rainstorm warning level, "black", was hoisted for a record-breaking 16 hours before being lowered at 3:40 pm Friday, with rainfall mostly easing by late afternoon. "It's absolutely shocking," said Jacky, 52, who lives in the Wong Tai Sin district with his elderly parents. "I don't remember floods ever being this bad in our district." "The bottom floor of the mall is completely flooded, the water level is higher than the storefronts... it's turned our day into chaos," he added. Authorities issued flash flood warnings, with emergency services conducting rescue operations in parts of the territory. "Residents living in close proximity to rivers should stay alert to weather conditions and should consider evacuation" if their homes are flooded, the observatory said. It also warned of potential landslips, telling motorists to "keep away from steep slopes or retaining walls". Hong Kong's stock exchange cancelled all trading sessions on Friday. 'Once in a century' Hong Kong Chief Secretary Eric Chan described the deluge as "a once-in-a-century heavy rainstorm", adding that extreme conditions would continue until midnight local time (1600 GMT). "It's like putting four bathtubs of water into one bathtub... it will spill," Chan said at a press conference, when asked if the government had done enough to prevent flooding. The Hong Kong Observatory said it recorded more than 600 millimeters of rainfall at its headquarters over 24 hours -- roughly a quarter of the city's annual average. Earlier in the day, taxis struggled through flooded roads as commuters attempted to make their way to work, with some cars stranded in the deluge. "It felt like the whole neighborhood was isolated by the floodwater. One of the underground car parks is totally under water," Olivia Lam, who lives on the eastern side of Hong Kong Island, told AFP. "The water was almost waist-deep outside my building, and that's not the worst (case) in the neighborhood." An AFP reporter saw boulders and mud from a landslide block off a two-lane road in the Shau Kei Wan district, with mud also spilling over into a nearby basketball court. Residents of a public housing block just 30 meters from the landslide lined up with buckets to collect fresh water after the building's supply was disrupted. Roads were also flooded on the island of Lantau, where rivers swelled over their banks. Southern China was hit the previous weekend by two typhoons in quick succession -- Saola and Haikui -- though Hong Kong avoided a feared direct hit. Tens of millions of people in the densely populated coastal areas of southern China had sheltered indoors ahead of those storms. Hong Kong's weather observatory said the latest torrential rain was brought by the "trough of low pressure associated with (the) remnant of Haikui". Authorities suspended schools and cargo clearance services on the city's border with Shenzhen were paused. The border disruption came hours after Hong Kong authorities announced that Shenzhen was preparing to discharge water from its reservoir, which they said could lead to flooding in northern parts of the city. Hong Kong's subway operator said there was a service disruption on one of its lines after a station in the Wong Tai Sin district was flooded. A handful of other stations were also affected by the rain. Footage posted on social media showed a subway train not stopping at Wong Tai Sin station, which had floodwater on its platform. The flooding could cost Hong Kong at least $100 million, according to a Bloomberg Intelligence estimate, compared to $470 million in damage when the city was hit by typhoon Mangkhut in 2018. The post Hong Kong flooded by heaviest rainfall in 140 years appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DBM flags PNP’s P27-B ‘overdraft’
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has been spending a whopping P26.7 billion annually for “unauthorized” excess positions in the organization, covering ranks from Lieutenant Generals and below, according to a Department of Budget and Management (DBM) document, In a letter dated 12 October 2022 addressed to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos Jr., Mary Anne Z. Dela Vega, Director of the Budget Department’s Budget and Management Bureau, submitted a matrix of PNP rank distribution approved by the DBM covering the 226,410 members of the police force. The DBM-approved rank distribution did not match the actual strength and distribution of ranks implemented by the PNP leadership, contrary to existing laws and regulations. The following excess positions were noted in the following ranks: Lieutenant General, 5; Major General, 6; Brigadier General, 24; Colonel, 232; Lieutenant Colonel, 910; Major, 1,410; Captain, 1,835; Staff Sergeant, 31,729; and Corporal, 30,052. The total excess positions stand at 66,203 with a combined annual base pay of P26.707 billion. DILG sources said these excess positions, which go beyond the DBM-authorized number of personnel, are considered “illegal." On the other hand, DBM and DILG data showed that there are 77,190 unfilled positions in the PNP hierarchy, with the rank of Patrolman/Patrolwoman suffering the biggest discrepancy with 66,958 unfilled posts. The DBM-authorized positions for Patrolman stands at 129,926 but the actual strength per PNP record as of 30 June 2023 stood at only 62,968. These unfilled positions have a combined budget of P23.838 billion that was not spent on the recruitment of more Patrolmen and women. “This explains why we severely lack police visibility in our communities. And this has an adverse effect on the overall campaign to preserve peace and order and protect the people from crimes,” said a DILG insider, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Other PNP ranks that remain unfilled include Lieutenant, 1,066; Executive Master Sergeant, 2,382; Chief Master Sergeant, 3,878; Senior Master Sergeant, 463; and Master Sergeant, 2,443. For star rank positions, the DBM allows only three for Lieutenant Generals but there are presently eight officials having that rank. For Major General, the DBM allows only 11 but 17 are now occupying the position while for Brig. General, only 86 are allowed but 110 were appointed to the rank. For non-star ranks, there are only 624 colonels allowed by the DBM but the PNP has 856. The DBM authorized 2,000 for Lt. Cols. but the actual number of officers with that rank stands at 2,910. “… we wish to reiterate that any changes in the PNP’s organizational structure should be supported by a study and recommendation of NAPOLCOM (National Police Commission), to include its impact on the hierarchy and leadership structure of the organization, and subsequently, the same shall be subject to the President’s approval,” the DBM letter said. Napolcom Commissioner Alberto Bernardo, who is also Vice Chairperson of the body, was furnished a copy of the said letter but could not be reached for comment. An earlier letter to the DILG dated 19 July 2018 and signed by then Secretary Benjamin Diokno warned that except for such offices created by the Constitution, the creation of public offices is primarily a legislative function. Therefore, these excess positions in the PNP not otherwise authorized by the DBM are contrary to law and may only be considered ad hoc or temporary positions. Likewise, the realignment of PNP funds to these excess positions was a power reserved only to the President and the use of savings to augment items in the general appropriations law for the executive branch is his sole prerogative and not any police official in the case of the PNP. Executive Order No. 292 or the Administrative Code of 1987, specifically states that; “the General Appropriations Act shall not contain any itemization of personal services, which shall be prepared by the Secretary after enactment of the (GAA), for consideration and approval of the President.” The twin acts of creating excess positions and using realigned savings to fund these posts by the PNP leadership are prohibited by law. “While the Napolcom is duty-bound to advise the president on all matters relating to police functions and administration, it cannot recommend to the President the promotion of Third Level PNP officers to excess and prohibited positions,” the DILG source further explained. The post DBM flags PNP’s P27-B ‘overdraft’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Forbes Asia fetes start-up enabler
Packworks, a local startup that provides a business-to-business open platform to sari-sari stores was included in Forbes Asia’s 100 to Watch List 2023. The list recognizes companies and startups that are “targeting underserved markets or applying new technologies.” Packworks is one of only nine companies from the Philippines that have made it to the list and one of the nine listed companies from the e-commerce and retail industry. According to Forbes Asia, the final 100 were selected from over 550 submissions and nominations from accelerators, incubators, SME advocacy organizations, universities, and venture capitalists across the region. “We are honored to be recognized by Forbes Asia and included in their ‘100 to Watch List’ for 2023. At Packworks, our mission has always been to empower sari-sari stores through our open platform, and this recognition underscores our commitment to driving innovation in the e-commerce and retail industry,” Packworks co-founder and CEO Bing Tan said. “To every sari-sari store owner, partner, and dedicated team member who has believed in and journeyed with us — this recognition is as much yours as it is ours,” he added. To qualify for the list, companies must have an annual revenue not exceeding $50 million, and have received no more than $100 million in total funding as of 7 August 2023. Tough criteria Metrics such as a positive impact on the region or industry, a track record of strong revenue growth or ability to attract funding, promising business models or markets, and a persuasive story were among the considerations. Packworks will represent the Philippines at the Startup World Cup 2023 in Silicon Valley, USA, in December. It won Ignite 2022’s Startup World Cup x Wildfire Pitch competition in October last year. Packworks was established in 2018 out of a passion project by Tan alongside co-founders Ibba Bernardo and Hubert Yap. The trio started as motorbike buddies before forming a company delivering solar panels to provinces and far-flung places across the country. During their excursions, they saw firsthand the challenges brought by limited access for sari-sari store owners and embarked on developing an application for small store businesses to have a one-app stop for all their needs. Launched as a solution for multinational companies with only a handful of sari-sari store partners, Packworks has rapidly expanded as a platform to ease the supply chain ecosystem, from small sari-sari store owners to wholesalers, distributors, and renowned companies and brands. With about 75 percent of sari-sari stores owned by women, Packworks also works to empower female entrepreneurs. The company raised $2 million in seed funds in August last year and is backed by ADB Ventures, Arise, CVC Capital Partners — Fast Group, IdeaSpace Foundation and Techstars. The post Forbes Asia fetes start-up enabler appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marcos, Malaysia agree to deprioritize Sabah issue
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Monday that the issue of the Sabah dispute was discussed during one of his meetings with Malaysian officials, and that both countries agreed to find a way to work together despite their disagreement on the issue. In an interview with reporters, Marcos said that while the Philippines has an outstanding claim to Sabah, it is clear that the two countries will need to have a more in-depth discussion on the issue before any progress can be made. Marcos said the two countries agreed to focus on other areas of cooperation, such as trade, health, and the development of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and "tacitly agreed" not to discuss the Sabah dispute until both countries have found a mutually agreeable solution. "I'm sure it will come up again," Marcos said. "But for now, we're just going to focus on the things that we can actually do." Marcos said that the two countries have agreed to define their relationship and reached a "passive agreement" not to let the Sabah dispute derail their cooperation on other issues. "When the time comes, perhaps we can come back to the issue," he said. "I'm sure it will come back." The President said that they had talked about other issues. "We talked about trade; we talked about the help that Malaysia has been providing, the development of farms; we talked about the style of our relationship," he said. The Sabah dispute dates back to the agreement signed in 1878 between Sulu Sultan Mohammed Jamalul Alam and two European colonists for "exploiting" the resources in the territories in northern Borneo and the southernmost part of the Philippines. Several reports mentioned that Malaysia took over the arrangement after gaining independence from the United Kingdom, paying an annual token sum of around $1,000 to the Filipino heirs. The payments then allegedly stopped in 2013 after a man who claimed to be the sultan of Sulu launched a surprise incursion on Northern Borneo. However, the Paris Court of Appeal's judgment last June 2023 found that the arbitral tribunal that heard the petition filed by the Filipino heirs of the last sultan of Sulu – a region of northern Borneo in present-day Malaysia – did not have jurisdiction over the case. The post Marcos, Malaysia agree to deprioritize Sabah issue appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Law graduates told: Inspire justice
Supreme court associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando is urging the new law graduates of the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law to “live justice, breathe justice, do justice and inspire justice, at all times.” Hernando — who was also the 2023 Bar Exams chairperson — was the guest speaker at the 77th Annual Commencement Exercises of the held at Areté Ateneo’s Hyundai Hall on 23 July 2023. The SC associate justice previously taught at the AdMU School of Law from 2015 until 2018, when he was appointed to the High Court. “Wholeheartedly push yourselves successfully through the Bar Examinations and prepare yourselves for what is inevitably ahead, which is your life role, as lawyers,” said Hernando to the graduates. “If someday, somehow, you get lost, confused, or tempted, please allow yourselves to be guided by your moral compass,” he added. Emphasizing that “lawyering is a profession of compassion,” Hernando told the graduates that when written law falls short of compassion, “you, as soon-to-be members of the Bar, shall fill that void in the law with overt acts of compassion, in whatever capacity that you will find yourselves in, whether in the public or private sector. After all, compassion establishes trust.” Hernando urged the Ateneo Law graduates to approach people “of different standings in life, grips on power, and levels of principle” without prejudice, stressing that they should strive to be lawyers of equity just as courts of law are also courts of equity. They were reminded to be lawyers with empathy and to put emotional quotient over intelligence quotient. “You may have a great level of legal knowledge, but without a greater level of emotional intelligence, you will never be able to forge that trust with the people that you will serve,” Hernando said. Furthermore, he urged them to not stop at the logical bounds of the statute, especially when the realities are obviously and unreasonably unfair. “Do not falter in choosing to do the right thing, even if you are alone in doing so. Remember that silence and inaction in the face of unfairness makes you complicit and accessory to such unfairness,” Hernando said. The post Law graduates told: Inspire justice appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ICC greenlights Phl drug probe
The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court has dismissed the Philippine government’s appeal to stop the ICC investigation into the extrajudicial killings and other crimes allegedly committed during the Duterte administration’s campaign against illegal drugs. ICC Presiding Judge Marc Perrin de Brichambaut announced the chamber’s decision during an open court hearing in the Netherlands. Also covered by the greenlighted probe are alleged drug-related killings in Davao City from 2011 to 2016 during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s incumbency there as mayor. Reacting to the decision, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, who represents the country before the ICC, said the Philippines cannot file any more appeals to stop the ICC Office of the Prosecutor from probing the alleged crimes. Guevarra said the ICC could indict certain individuals over the drug war killings if there is sufficient evidence. Won’t comply Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, however, said the Philippine government will not comply with any arrest warrants the ICC may issue against personalities within its borders. “We are hospitable but if they (ICC) will meddle, we will not allow it. We have our own justice system that they cannot impede or ignore. They should not try to interfere here,” Remulla had said on Monday. The ICC Appeals Chamber said it rejected Guevarra’s appeal “in the absence of persuasive reasons.” The ICC has no police powers. It can only rely on the cooperation of countries to arrest and turn over wanted persons to its jurisdiction. Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stressed that as the country does not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction, the government will not cooperate with its probe or other proceedings. The Philippines officially withdrew from the ICC in 2018, but the court said it still had jurisdiction over crimes committed while the country was still a state party to the Rome Statute from 1 November 2011 up to 16 March 2019, when its withdrawal from the treaty that established the ICC took effect. The government has pointed out that it has been investigating the alleged crimes and that jail terms had been meted out on those found guilty. As a sovereign nation, the Philippines asserted that the ICC could not just inject itself into alleged cases committed in the country. Official government data showed that about 6,200 people died in the course of the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign, but its critics claimed that as many as 12,000 to 30,000 were killed. Guevarra said the Philippines must agree to the ICC probe. Still, even without government cooperation, he had earlier said that the ICC could proceed with its investigation. The ICC opened its probe in 2019 but suspended it in November 2021 after the Philippine government said it was re-examining the complaints. ICC prosecutor Karim Khan had asked to restart the inquiry, saying the Philippine government had not provided evidence it was carrying out thorough inquiries. The ICC authorized the reopening of the inquiry in January 2023. The post ICC greenlights Phl drug probe appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Six feared dead in torrential Japan rain
Six people are feared dead in torrential rains that hit southwest Japan this week, the country's government said Tuesday, as search and rescue operations continued on the ground. A heavy band of precipitation dumped record-breaking amounts of rain in some parts of the Kyushu area through Monday, causing rivers to overflow and sodden earth to collapse in landslides. At least three people are confirmed to have died in the rains, government spokesman Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters on Tuesday, adding officials were investigating whether another three deaths were linked to the disaster. Three people remain missing and two have been reported lightly injured, he added. "We express our condolences to those who died, and our heartfelt sympathy towards those who were affected by the disaster," Matsuno said. Some remote communities remain effectively cut off by flooding and other damage, but the safety of residents there has been confirmed. Transport remained disrupted as of early Tuesday, with some train services stopped and highways blocked, and 1,400 homes were without power. In Saga region's Karatsu, members of Japan's military were digging through the soil and debris left by a deadly landslide that engulfed homes. The downpours, which forecasters had warned risked being the region's "heaviest rain experienced", prompted evacuation notices for hundreds of thousands of people. Japan is currently in its annual rainy season, which often brings heavy downpours, and sometimes results in flooding and landslides as well as casualties. Scientists say climate change is intensifying the risk of heavy rain in Japan and elsewhere because a warmer atmosphere holds more water. The weather agency said it had already been raining for more than a week in the region before the heavy downpours that arrived Sunday night. And while the sun was shining in many areas on Tuesday, officials have warned of more rain in the forecast, which could loosen already sodden ground. Landslides are a particular risk in Japan during heavy rains because homes are often built on plains at the bottom of hillsides in the mountainous country. In 2021, rain triggered a devastating landslide in the central resort town of Atami that killed 27 people. And in 2018, floods and landslides killed more than 200 people in western Japan during the rainy season. The post Six feared dead in torrential Japan rain appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
One dead as Japan warns of ‘heaviest rain ever’ in southwest
One person was killed and hundreds of thousands were urged to evacuate their homes in southwestern Japan on Monday, as forecasters warned of the "heaviest rain ever" in the region. Torrential downpours after a week of steady rain have caused rivers to burst their banks and sodden earth to collapse in deadly landslides, including one that killed a 77-year-old woman. The woman's home was engulfed overnight in Saga region, the local fire department told AFP. Her husband was recovered conscious and taken to hospital. A second woman was feared dead after last being seen clinging to a car in rising floodwaters in neighboring Oita region, officials there said. At least nine other people were missing in landslides in Fukuoka and Oita regions, where more than 420,000 people were under a top-level evacuation warning stating: "Your life is in danger, you need to take action immediately." Nearly two million more in Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Saga, Yamaguchi and Oita were under a lower-level warning, urging them to evacuate if they were in hazardous areas. Japan has five levels of evacuation orders, but people cannot be compelled to leave their homes. "Rain and wind gusts were very, very strong. There was lightning. It was so horrible," Takashi Onizuka, 62, of Tachiarai town near Kurume in Fukuoka told AFP. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said the heavy downpours risked flooding and landslides across Fukuoka and Oita. "This is the heaviest rain ever experienced" by the region, Satoshi Sugimoto of JMA's forecast division told reporters. "The situation is such that lives are in danger and safety must be secured," he added. 'People's lives first' Footage on national broadcaster NHK showed a gash in the hillside above a home in Karatsu City that had partly collapsed into a river, with many of its traditional roof tiles smashed or sliding off. Images from elsewhere showed surging rivers washing over bridges that normally sit well above the waterline, and floodwater turning local streets into streams. The prime minister's office said a task force had been established to coordinate a response to the rains. "We have received reports that several rivers have flooded... and that landslides have occurred in various parts" of the country, top government spokesman Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters. "The government is doing its best to get a complete picture of the damage and taking measures under a policy of 'people's lives first'," he added. He warned torrential rain was forecast across much of the country on Tuesday. "If you feel your life is in danger, even just a little, don't hesitate to act," he said. In Fukuoka's Asakura City, officials said the rain was believed to have peaked but there were still fears about flooding. "Water levels in rivers are rising so we're vigilant against the possibility of overflowing," local official Takaaki Harano told AFP. Japan is currently in its annual rainy season, which often brings heavy downpours, and sometimes results in flooding and landslides, as well as casualties. Scientists say climate change is intensifying the risk of heavy rain in Japan and elsewhere, because a warmer atmosphere holds more water. The weather agency said it had already been raining for more than a week in the region. "The area is very wet due to intermittent rainfall for over a week," Yoshiyuki Toyoguchi, land ministry official in charge of rivers, told reporters. "Even with a little rain, river levels tend to rise quickly, which will increase risk of flooding." Landslides are a particular risk in Japan during heavy rains because homes are often built on plains at the bottom of hillsides in the mountainous country. In 2021, rain triggered a devastating landslide in the central resort town of Atami that killed 27 people. And in 2018, floods and landslides killed more than 200 people in western Japan during the rainy season. The post One dead as Japan warns of ‘heaviest rain ever’ in southwest appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pag-IBIG Fund earns COA’s highest audit rating for record 11th straight year
Pag-IBIG Fund has earned the Commission on Audit’s highest audit rating on the presentation of its financial statements for the 11th consecutive year, top officials announced on Monday, 3 July. State auditors, in a letter dated June 22, informed Pag-IBIG Fund that it has rendered an unmodified opinion on the fairness of the presentation of its financial statements for the years 2021 and 2022. In the same letter, COA upgraded its prior issued modified opinion on the agency’s books for the year 2021, after Pag-IBIG Fund enhanced its data migration system following the state auditors’ recommendations. These developments have enabled the agency to maintain its streak of garnering COA’s highest audit rating for the 11th straight year. “This is truly a significant milestone in Pag-IBIG Fund’s history. Earning the highest opinion from COA for the 11th consecutive year is yet another proof that Pag-IBIG Fund has been, and continues to be, managed properly. This is a testament to how Pag-IBIG Fund upholds excellence and integrity in managing their funds, in the fulfillment of our mandates and in line with the directive of President Marcos of providing Filipinos with more stable and more prosperous lives,” said Secretary Jose Rizalino L. Acuzar, who heads the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and the 11-member Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees. COA rendered unqualified opinions on Pag-IBIG Fund’s financial statements from 2012 to 2017 and unmodified opinions for the years 2018 to 2022. Auditors use both unqualified and unmodified opinions, which are the highest opinions that COA can give to a government agency or corporation, to mean that the financial statements of a company or agency are presented, in all material respects, in accordance with applicable financial reporting frameworks. Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Marilene C. Acosta, meanwhile, emphasized the value of the state auditor’s findings citing that these fittingly complete the agency’s best performing year of 2022. “The year 2022 stands out as our best performing year yet, as we posted our highest ever annual net income of P44.50 billion. We also posted record-highs in home loan takeout worth P117.85 billion which benefitted 105,212 members who now have new or better homes, membership savings collections amounting to P79.90 billion and loan payment collections worth P127.42 billion. We also extended P53.76 billion in short-term loans to aid a record-high 2,612,491 members with their financial needs. In the same year, we also launched service innovations such as the Virtual Pag-IBIG Mobile App and the Lingkod Pag-IBIG On Wheels, which now provide our members better access to our services and benefits.” Acosta said. “With our 2022 performance capped by this unmodified opinion from COA, this shows that we have achieved our best performance ever while maintaining the highest standards of financial integrity. This is what our members and stakeholders can expect from us, that we shall remain transparent in our operations and serve them with excellence and integrity,” Acosta added. The post Pag-IBIG Fund earns COA’s highest audit rating for record 11th straight year appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Culture wars put American companies on the defensive
Boycotting a beer, attacking products celebrating the LGBTQ community, and criticizing shareholders for promoting diversity: In the face of growing criticism from conservatives, American companies are backtracking on progressive corporate initiatives. For Bud Light beer, it was a partnership with a transgender influencer that triggered the ire of right-wing consumers, and calls for a boycott. Typically, such a protest has little impact, but this time in-store sales have seen a slump, with Bud Light even losing its position as the best-selling beer in the United States to Modelo Especial in recent weeks, according to Bump Williams Consulting. Anheuser-Busch InBev, Bud Light's parent company, quickly launched a marketing counteroffensive with a more typically patriotic ad featuring American landscapes, followed on Wednesday by a campaign highlighting its employees. The Target discount retailer, for its part, chose to withdraw certain items marketed for Pride Month due to threats against employees. And at annual shareholder meetings, the number of resolutions opposing companies' inclusion of environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria -- particularly on diversity -- has more than doubled in the past three years, according to the Sustainable Investment Institute (SII). - Reaction to Trump - While such resolutions usually garner very few votes, they are nevertheless having an impact. Larry Fink, the head of asset manager BlackRock, which has promoted sustainable investments in recent years, recently told a conference in Colorado that he has stopped using the term "ESG" because it has become too politicized. This new vigilance extends to the world of sport: after some players voiced reluctance over wearing rainbow symbols, the National Hockey League decided that teams should no longer wear special jerseys supporting LGBTQ rights because they had become a "distraction." "The tension of navigating between groups of people that think very, very differently has always been there," said Alison Taylor, a specialist in corporate ethics at New York University. But the situation has changed as political life has become increasingly polarized, she added. Corporations "got involved in controversial questions in 2017-2018, when there was a lot of organized resistance to Trump -- this seemed like a really good way to attract young people and generate shareholder value," she said. While the prospect of affecting real change on issues like abortion and gun control no longer seems possible in the political arena, young people have come to believe they can bring pressure to bear via business, according to Taylor. - Lobbyists at work - Unlike their elders, for whom political involvement boils down to the ballot box or party donations, younger people "are more inclined to bring their politics into how you invest, into how you shop, even into your office," said David Webber, a specialist in investor activism at Boston University. The sharp reactions to some company initiatives have been amplified by political leaders including Florida governor and 2024 presidential candidate Ron DeSantis, who targeted Disney over some of its progressive positions. And DeSantis is not alone. "Conservative organizations," financed in part by companies in the oil and gas sector, "started a campaign to pass legislation in different states to target ESG practices," Webber said. So far, the results have been mixed. "Some companies may, at least, back away from some of the rhetoric on ESG. But we've seen very little serious reallocation of assets," he said. Driven by customers, shareholders and employees, companies have no choice "but to be involved in some political issues," Daniel Korschun, a marketing specialist at Drexel University, told AFP. However, "people really start to react negatively when they feel like they're being pushed too far," as was the case in the Bud Light controversy, he added. "There's a very delicate balance between advocating and pushing too hard," he said. In response, "many managers are pulling back for the moment until they can figure out this new terrain that they're in," he added. jum-da/nro/tjj © Agence France-Presse The post Culture wars put American companies on the defensive 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......»»