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Indonesia’s three-way presidential race set as deadline nears
The candidates for next year's Indonesian presidential election were set Wednesday, with septuagenarian former special forces general Prabowo Subianto and his running mate, the president's son, seen as the frontrunners. Nearly 205 million eligible voters can cast their ballot on 14 February, with the winner set to succeed President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, after he completes the maximum two terms ruling Southeast Asia's biggest economy. Three candidates -- defence minister Subianto, former Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo and former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan -- confirmed their run for the presidency before Wednesday's midnight deadline. Subianto and Widodo's son Gibran Rakabuming Raka were joined by supporters and a marching band in their journey to the election commission on Wednesday, both dressed in baby blue shirts after attending a concert by tens of thousands at a central Jakarta arena. "We... ask for the blessing from all Indonesians. We are now facing a very important point in the history of Indonesia," said Subianto. "We are at a point where we can rise and become an Indonesia that is great... and an Indonesia where the natural resources are utilised optimally for all." The presence of Jokowi's son on the ticket has fuelled criticism that the president is trying to create a political dynasty in the world's third-largest democracy, an allegation he denies. Just before the registration deadline, the constitutional court -- led by Widodo's brother-in-law -- controversially ruled that candidates under 40 years old can run for office if they have served in a regional position. Thirty-six-year-old Raka, who is mayor of Surakarta city, would otherwise have been ineligible to contest the vice presidency. Several polls have put Subianto, 72, marginally ahead of his nearest rival Pranowo. This is his third run at the top office after losing to Widodo in the previous two elections. The incumbent defence chief, a former son-in-law of Indonesia's late dictator Suharto, remains dogged by allegations of his role in human rights abuses in Jakarta, restive province Papua and breakaway nation East Timor, but has never been charged. Widodo's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle has chosen Pranowo as its candidate. He is viewed as a figure from a humble background and was initially touted as the favourite, but his popularity fell after he opposed Israel's participation in this year's U20 World Cup, with FIFA subsequently stripping Indonesia's hosting rights. He has announced chief security minister Mahfud MD as his running mate. The third challenger Baswedan is favoured by conservative Muslims in the Muslim-majority country and chose the chairman of the Islamist National Awakening Party (PKB), Muhaimin Iskandar, as his running mate. The next president will be sworn in next October, the elections commission said. The post Indonesia’s three-way presidential race set as deadline nears appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Confidential funds: Case for transparency
The allocation of confidential funds in the national budget has been a long-standing practice aimed at providing the government with the flexibility to address unforeseen circumstances and sensitive issues. However, recent controversies in Congress have ignited a debate on whether these confidential funds should be scrutinized and possibly scrapped in the pursuit of greater transparency and accountability. Confidential funds have historical roots in the need for the government to respond swiftly to emergencies and delicate situations without compromising national security. These funds are often earmarked for intelligence activities, diplomatic initiatives, and crisis response. The inherent secrecy surrounding these allocations has traditionally been justified as essential for the effective functioning of government in critical times. The recent controversies in Congress, however, have cast a spotlight on potential abuses of confidential funds. Allegations of misappropriation, lack of oversight, and misuse of these funds have fueled calls for their elimination. In fact, militant groups have called on the government to stop what they termed a confidential fund spree that it fears has become a tradition in the Philippine budget system that deprived Filipinos of better living conditions. Critics argue that the secrecy surrounding these allocations fosters an environment ripe for corruption and undermines the principles of transparency and accountability. The confidential nature of these funds makes it challenging to establish a robust system of checks and balances. Without adequate oversight, there is a risk that these funds could be misused or diverted for purposes other than that originally intended, leading to a lack of accountability. The lack of transparency can create an environment conducive to corruption. The clandestine nature of confidential funds may tempt individuals to exploit these resources for personal gain, away from the scrutiny of auditors and oversight mechanisms. As recent controversies have demonstrated, public trust in government institutions can be severely eroded when mismanagement or corruption occurs. The perception that public funds are being used inappropriately can damage the relationship between citizens and their government. In weighing the advantages and disadvantages of retaining or scrapping confidential funds in the national budget, a delicate balance must be struck. Now that Congress is mulling realigning the confidential funds of multiple government agencies toward national security, lawmakers should ensure that the confidential funds of agencies that have nothing to do with national security would be realigned to public services. While the need for flexibility in crisis response and the imperative to safeguard national security remain compelling arguments in favor of maintaining confidential funds, the recent controversies in Congress highlight the risks associated with their lack of transparency and accountability. Rather than an outright elimination, a more prudent approach may involve instituting reforms to enhance oversight mechanisms and ensure the responsible use of confidential funds. Implementing robust auditing processes, increasing transparency in reporting, and involving independent bodies in overseeing these allocations could help strike a balance between the need for confidentiality and the imperative of public accountability. Ultimately, the debate over confidential funds should be approached with the recognition that the challenges faced by the government are dynamic and multifaceted. Striking the right balance between secrecy and accountability is crucial to ensuring that confidential funds serve their intended purposes without compromising the principles of good governance and public trust. As societies evolve, so too should the mechanisms in place to ensure that the allocation and utilization of public funds align with the values of transparency, accountability, and the common good. The post Confidential funds: Case for transparency appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Dela Rosa lambasts Socorro Bayanihan for preventing children to study
Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa was irked after child witnesses said they were not allowed to study in schools while staying under the custody of Socorro Bayanihan Services Incorporated. During Thursday’s investigation of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs on the alleged abuse and illegal activities of the SBSI, Dela Rosa expressed disappointment over “Why can’t they go to school? That I cannot forgive. I will never allow it,” Dela Rosa asked SBSI President Jey Rence Quilario and Vice-President Mamerto Galanida, who is also the eldest member of the group. Quilario denied the allegations. Galanida, who was a former mayor and the town’s ex-education superintendent, maintained he was not aware that children in Sitio Kapihan are not allowed to be educated. Dela Rosa dismissed Galanida’s answer. The latter, then, blamed the parents saying: “They chose not to let their children go to schools.” “How can you say that parents won’t allow their children to study?”, Dela Rosa said. “ I don’t believe that parents would not allow their children. I don’t buy your explanation.” The Commission on Human Rights said it has already initiated an initial investigation on the allegations of human rights violations and infringement of the right to education of children. The CHR confirmed that violations of human rights, movements, and rights to education were clearly drawn in the initial probe. Meanwhile, Lawyer Richard Dano, legal consultant of Socorro Task Force Kapihan, said the “culture of fear” has prevented more than 1,000 other child victims from testifying against the human rights abuses perpetrated SBSI group. The post Dela Rosa lambasts Socorro Bayanihan for preventing children to study appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gov’t looking for ways to address child sexual abuse
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the government is actively engaged in discussions on how to address the pervasive issue of child sexual abuse. He said the government is, at present, exploring all possible avenues, including seeking advice and guidance from the Supreme Court. Remulla said the issue of child sexual abuse is one of the problems the country is facing at the moment, which is why the government is exploring ways to address it and give importance to how to combat it and hopefully eradicate the problem. The DOJ chief has expressed deep concern over the rampant issue of child sexual exploitation in the Philippines, referring to it as an “epidemic” that has silently persisted over the years. Remulla’s remarks were prompted by the disturbing reports of alleged sexual abuses linked to a “doomsday cult” in Surigao del Norte. He said the charges against the Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI) are not isolated incidents; rather, they exemplify a distressing pattern that extends to other regions. Remulla revealed that a similar pattern of sexual predation had recently emerged on an island in Zamboanga, an incident that had gone unreported. “They are saying a cult in Surigao del Norte is not new. Only recently, two or three weeks ago, there was an incident reported in an isle in Zamboanga. This is an epidemic in the whole country wherein the children are the victims of sexual abuse and many of those are incestuous rape, which is really a problem,” said Remulla. The allegations against SBSI, made by Senator Risa Hontiveros, are deeply troubling. The cult is accused of sexually abusing and coercing over 1,000 children in Socorro town over the years. The senator brought these grave allegations to light and called for the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality to conduct an investigation in aid of legislation. In Senate Resolution No. 797, dated 18 September, Hontiveros stressed the urgent need for action in response to “alarming” reports of rape, sexual abuse, forced labor, and forced marriages involving minors within SBSI. The post Gov’t looking for ways to address child sexual abuse appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Saudi border guards killed hundreds of Ethiopian migrants — HRW
Saudi border guards fired "like rain" on Ethiopian migrants trying to cross into the Gulf kingdom from Yemen, killing hundreds since last year, Human Rights Watch said in a report Monday. The allegations, described as "unfounded" by a Saudi government source, point to a significant escalation of abuses along the perilous route from the Horn of Africa to Saudi Arabia, where hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians live and work. One 20-year-old woman from Ethiopia's Oromia region, interviewed by HRW, said Saudi border guards opened fire on a group of migrants they had just released from custody. "They fired on us like rain. When I remember, I cry," she said. "I saw a guy calling for help, he lost both his legs. He was screaming; he was saying, 'Are you leaving me here? Please don't leave me'. We couldn't help him because we were running for our lives." HRW researcher Nadia Hardman said, "Saudi officials are killing hundreds of migrants and asylum seekers in this remote border area out of view of the rest of the world," according to a statement. "Spending billions buying up professional golf, football clubs, and major entertainment events to improve the Saudi image should not deflect attention from these horrendous crimes," she said. Longtime Saudi ally the United States urged "a thorough and transparent investigation". "We have raised our concerns about these allegations with the Saudi government," a State Department spokesperson said. "We urge the Saudi authorities... to meet their obligations under international law," the spokesperson added. A Saudi government source told AFP that the allegations were unreliable. "The allegations included in the Human Rights Watch report about Saudi border guards shooting Ethiopians while they were crossing the Saudi-Yemeni border are unfounded and not based on reliable sources," said the source, who requested anonymity. 'Concerning allegations' The New York-based group has documented abuses against Ethiopian migrants in Saudi Arabia and Yemen for nearly a decade, but the latest killings appear to be "widespread and systematic" and may amount to crimes against humanity, it said. Last year, United Nations experts reported "concerning allegations" that "cross-border artillery shelling and small-arms fire by Saudi Arabia security forces killed approximately 430 migrants" in southern Saudi Arabia and northern Yemen during the first four months of 2022. In March of that year, the repatriation of Ethiopians from Saudi Arabia began under an agreement between the two countries. Ethiopia's foreign ministry said about 100,000 of its citizens were expected to be sent home over several months. The HRW report said there was no response to letters it sent to Saudi officials. But the Huthi rebels who control northern Yemen alleged "deliberate killings of immigrants and Yemenis" by border guards, in response to a letter from HRW. According to the rights group, migrants said Huthi forces worked with people smugglers and would "extort" them or keep them in detention centers where they were "abused" until they could pay an "exit fee". The Huthis denied working with people smugglers, describing them as "criminals". In 2015, Saudi officials mobilized a military coalition in an effort to stop the advance of the Iran-backed Huthis, who had seized the Yemeni capital Sanaa from the internationally recognized government the previous year. Yemen's war has created what the UN describes as one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with millions dependent on aid. Mortar fire Many of the abuses described by HRW would have occurred during a truce that took effect in April 2022 and has largely held despite officially expiring last October. The HRW report draws from interviews with 38 Ethiopian migrants who tried to cross into Saudi Arabia from Yemen, as well as from satellite imagery, videos, and photos posted to social media "or gathered from other sources". Interviewees described 28 "explosive weapons incidents" including attacks by mortar projectiles, the report said. Some survivors described attacks at close range, with Saudi border guards asking Ethiopians "in which limb of their body they would prefer to be shot", the report said. "All interviewees described scenes of horror: women, men, and children strewn across the mountainous landscape severely injured, dismembered, or already dead," it said. Other accounts described forced rape and beatings with rocks and iron bars. HRW called on Riyadh to end any policy of using lethal force on migrants and asylum seekers and urged the UN to investigate the alleged killings. The post Saudi border guards killed hundreds of Ethiopian migrants — HRW appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ralph Lauren probed in Canada over Uyghur forced labor claims
Canada's corporate watchdog on Tuesday launched an investigation of Ralph Lauren's Canadian unit over allegations the fashion giant used forced labor from China's Uyghur minority. The announcement follows similar probes of Nike Canada and Canadian mining firm Dynasty Gold, which the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE) began last month. A coalition of 28 civil society organizations last year filed a complaint with the watchdog alleging "Ralph Lauren Canada has supply relationships with Chinese companies that use or benefit from the use of Uyghur forced labor." "I have decided that the Ralph Lauren complaint warrants an investigation," ombudsperson Sheri Meyerhoffer said in a statement. The brand's US parent company, she noted, has disputed Canadian jurisdiction over the matter, arguing that its subsidiary "is not responsible for decision-making" and all of its operations are overseen by the company's US headquarters. Rights groups say more than one million Uyghurs and other mostly Muslim minorities have been held in re-education camps in China's western Xinjiang region, with a slew of abuses that include forced labor. Lawmakers in Western nations, including Canada, have called the crackdown in Xinjiang a "genocide," and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has referred to the treatment of Uyghurs as crimes against humanity. Beijing denies the accusations, describing the facilities as vocational centers designed to curb extremism. The post Ralph Lauren probed in Canada over Uyghur forced labor claims appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Swedish retailer H& M sues Chinese rival Shein in Hong Kong court
Retail giant Hennes & Mauritz has sued its fast-growing rival Shein in a Hong Kong court for copyright infringement, the Swedish fashion juggernaut said Tuesday. Shein, founded in China in 2008, has swiftly claimed a top place in the global fast-fashion marketplace, offering low-priced collections attractive to young social media-savvy customers. H&M confirmed on Tuesday it had opened a lawsuit against Shein and Zoetop Business, a Hong Kong-based company affiliated with the online retailer. "We have an ongoing copyright infringement lawsuit towards Shein filed in Hong Kong," a H&M spokesperson said. "We believe that Shein in multiple cases has infringed on our designs." According to a Hong Kong court document, H&M had pointed to "the striking resemblance between the products showing they must have been copied" and the "sheer scale of (Shein's) unauthorized substantial reproduction of the copyright works". A representative for Shein, which is now based in Singapore, said by email the company does not comment on pending litigation. Copyright infringement lawsuits are common in the fast-fashion world but it is often smaller, independent designers lodging complaints against giant retailers, making H&M's suit against Shein unusual. The Swedish high-street brand is among the world's most recognizable and has for years jousted with Spain's Inditex -- Zara's owner -- for the top spot. But Shein's rapid rise from a brand favored by TikTok influencers to a global household name for Gen-Z -- with a reported growth of $16 billion in 2021 -- has tipped the scales, placing it on H&M's heels. Its cut-price merchandise and relentless expansion have also brought allegations from critics of forced labor and human rights abuses. Three independent designers in the United States filed lawsuits against Shein this month, alleging that it has "grown rich by committing individual infringements... as part of a long and continuous pattern of racketeering". Shein has also not commented on those accusations. dhc/pbt © Agence France-Presse The post Swedish retailer H&M sues Chinese rival Shein in Hong Kong court appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PNP body cameras sent to border checkpoint personnel
"These body-worn cameras will serve as the constant reminder for them to be courteous at all times and at the same time, their protection against claims and allegations of abuses.".....»»
New PNP Chief: There’s no such thing as extrajudicial killing
As far as the Philippine National Police (PNP) is concerned, there is no such thing as extrajudicial killings or abuses connected to the government’s campaign against illegal drugs. Thus, newly appointed PNP chief Gen. Camilo Cascolan’s remark following the continued allegations that law enforcers carry state-sponsored executions related to the Duterte administration’s war on narcotics. […] The post New PNP Chief: There’s no such thing as extrajudicial killing appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
House panel to probe PhilHealth anomalies Wednesday
The House Committee on Public Accounts is investigating the alleged irregularities and “systemic” corruption in the State-owned Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) on Wednesday. (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Anakalusugan partylist Rep. MIchael “Mike” Defensor, chairman of the panel, said the investigation was initially scheduled on Monday but they decided to reschedule it to Wednesday to ensure that invitations have been sent out to resource persons. “Sa Wednesday tayo (We will conduct the hearing on Wednesday), kasi dapat nga bukas talaga itong hearing (the hearing was initially scheduled tomorrow) pero (but) nakiusap sila (they appealed) na Wednesday na isagawa (that it be conducted on Wednesday) dahil sa kailangan ng oras sa imbitasyon (because more time is needed to send out invitations),” Defensor said. He said among those who are expected to attend the hearing are PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Ricardo Morales and former PhilHealth anti-fraud legal officer Thorrsson Keith who claimed that top agency officials are involved in the corruption. In a statement, Defensor said they are expecting Keith to shed light more on his allegations that millions of overseas Filipino workers should not be burdened to pay for the “spillages” of the agency as stated in his resignation letter. “Mr. Keith should explain what these spillages are, what are the instances of corruption in the State health insurance firm, and who are the officials and personnel involved,” he said. Keith’s resignation letter was circulated on social media. In that letter, he stated that his salary has not been given on time since he started investigating PhilHealth officers allegedly involved in the corruption. “It should be noted that the PhilHealth has had its share of corruption issues in the past,” Defensor said He recalled that in June this year, Malacañang called out the PhilHealth for its supposed inaction to look into the missing P154-billion funds within the agency through “fraudulent schemes.” The House leader cited that in August 2019, the Commission on Audit (CoA) also called out PhilHealth for the surge in the number of cases and reimbursement claims of members, particularly those from Rizal and Metro Manila for pneumonia, urinary tract infection, acute gastroenteritis, sepsis, and other diseases. He attributed that tens of billion in “overpayments” to the prevailing all-case rates (ACR) payment mechanism. “The case-rate system, under which there is a fixed cost for the treatment of certain diseases and for procedures, is really a loophole that is resulting in billions of losses on the part of PhilHealth. It is not surprising that it maybe a source of corruption,” he said. According to him, under the ACR payment mechanism, PhilHealth pays the hospital the “case rate even if the cost incurred by a member is much, much less.” “For instance, the case package for mild pneumonia is about P44,000. A hospital could declare that it treated a PhilHealth member for pneumonia even if he had only colds and fever,” he said. He laments that in some instances, a simple eye procedure was claimed as a cataract operation. Defensor said the PhilHealth should bill the actual cost of treatment or procedure, and that the case rates be declared as cost limits. He asked the PhilHealth officials to look into numerous claims for payment or reimbursement for the same or similar diseases or procedures, and involving the same doctors, clinics, or hospitals. “This has happened with pneumonia, eye problems, and dialysis and kidney ailments. They should have learned their lesson. It cannot continue to happen, unless some officials and personnel are involved in corruption,” he said. Defensor had filed House Resolution No. 1069 seeking motu proprio investigation on the corruption issues hounding PhilHealth that led to the resignation of several personalities. “When there seems to be a pattern of alleged abuses where loopholes can be taken advantage of by the unscrupulous, a systemic change needs to be done to overhaul the present set up,” he said......»»
Danica Sotto reacts to alleged affair between husband Marc Pingris, Kim Rodriguez
Actress Danica Sotto responded to cheating allegations involving her husband Marc Pingris and actress Kim Rodriguez......»»
DMK criticises Election Commission for being biassed in allocating symbols to political parties
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], March 28 (ANI): The Deputy Secretary of the Student Wing of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Ka Amutharasan, has accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of having a biassed attitude towards opposition parties by allocating election symbols as per their wishes. "ECI has allocated the symbols for the Tamil Manila Congress and Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhgam that those parties wished for. Th.....»»
Revisiting Uniteam (Last of 2 parts)
THE Uniteam coalition of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, described by many political analysts as the "dream team", had come a long way since sweeping the 2022 elections......»»
Victims of Baltimore bridge collapse include those from Mexico, Guatemala
Maryland [US], March 27 (ANI): Among those reported missing following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore in the US are Mexican nationals, CNN reported, citing Rafael Laveaga, Chief of the Consular Section of Mexico's Embassy in Washington. Laveaga refrained from specifying the exact number of missing Mexican nationals when he addressed reporters near the scene on Tuesday. A reporter asked Laveaga: ".....»»
DSWD-Davao to aid disaster victims in recovery, rehab amid regionwide ECT payouts
THE Department of Social Welfare and Development-Davao Region (DSWD-Davao) reaffirmed its commitment to aid all victims of recent disasters in the Davao Region on their journey towards recovery and rehabilitation......»»
Ex-councilor mum on allegations that he took pics under lawyer’s skirt
Ex-councilor mum on allegations that he took pics under lawyer’s skirt.....»»
Billboards as lawful election propaganda eyed
Static or LED billboards should be allowed as lawful election propaganda, according to Sen. Imee Marcos......»»
Shohei Ohtani to address theft allegations against interpreter in investigatio
Shohei Ohtani Denies Involvement in Gambling Scandal In a shocking turn of events, baseball star Shohei Ohtani has found himself caught up in a gambling.....»»
Southeast Asian Police, Prosecutors Join Forces to Fight Scamdemic
Bangkok - Police and prosecutors across Southeast Asia are forging new ways of working together to thwart and pursue the sprawling criminal networks behind the online scam centers that have quickly taken root in the region, experts involved in the effort have told VOA.In a few short years, scamming hubs bilking billions of dollars out of victims across the globe have set up shop in Cambodia, Laos, the Philippine.....»»
Speaking up for survivors of human trafficking: Victoria Nyanjura s story
The UN Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking (UNVTF) provides humanitarian, legal and financial aid to victims of trafficking in persons through the awarding of grants to civil society organizations. Victoria Nyanjura was recently elected as Chair of the UNVTF and is the first-ever survivor of human traffi.....»»