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Google’s new phone to run AI on-device
Google on Wednesday said its latest premium-priced Pixel phone would have powerful generative AI models running independently on the device, as the search engine giant seeks to lure buyers away from the latest iPhone. The announcement by Google caps the autumn release season for big tech hardware that saw Apple unveil the iPhone 15 series and Meta officially launch its latest VR headset. Running on a powerful chip, Google's Pixel 8 Pro would carry out certain AI functions on the device itself instead of relying on transfers from cloud data centers that require heavy bandwidth. At a launch event in New York, Rick Osterloh, SVP of devices and services at Google, said that the company's AI teams had figured out how to "distill" AI models "into a version efficient enough to run on our flagship Pixel." This would greatly enhance existing AI tools on Pixel phones, such as removing blemishes or unwanted intrusions in photographs. Later this on-device ability would expand to other AI features, Osterloh said. Pixel phones would also begin testing an AI-amped assistant that would bring many of the abilities of Google's ChatGPT-style Bard onto the phone. In time, the company said the AI assistant would provide real-time help such as choosing the best path for a hike, sifting through emails or planning a birthday party. This would be handled through either spoken word, on-screen prompts or by using images, in a similar way that the more powerful chatbots work already. "Assistant with Bard combines personalized help with reasoning and genitive capabilities," said Monika Gupta, vice president of product management at Google. Big tech's hardware release season has featured many promises of AI enhancements, including Amazon teasing an upgrade of its Alexa voice assistant to function in a more human-like and "smart" fashion. As with the other announcements, Google said that many of these AI powers were at an early phase and would be enhanced gradually. Google caught some by surprise with news that the Pixel 8 Pro would also come equipped with a temperature reader, with approval pending from US regulators to use it for measuring body temperature. The post Google’s new phone to run AI on-device appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Survey drop, disinformation, or portent?
The political whirlwind that swept the Marcos-Duterte tandem to a smashing victory in the May elections of 2016 and the air of euphoria following it appears to have gradually dissipated one year and three months following their assumption to office as President and Vice President, respectively. There has been almost a whispery voice of discontent among those in the populating bearing the brunt of the escalating prices of basic commodities and a crescendo of pessimism felt by those who have been used to responsive and aggressive governance. What could have produced the huge fall in the approval and trust ratings of the redeeming and resurrected Marcos scion and the redoubtable charming yet feisty daughter of the controversial but beloved former President? Could it be the systematic and relentless barrage of negative propaganda against the current administration unleashed by the vociferous left inside and outside Congress helped, unsurprisingly, by the ominous silence of the political allies of the two, who obviously are following the baton of the one who wields and disburses the funds and largesse they need for their districts and their own evolution? The conductor’s body language speaks volumes of the obsession to be the heir apparent of the leader of the present dispensation. The fall in the trust and approval ratings of PBBM is not his own doing. The spiraling of prices of almost all commodities, including oil and gasoline, is global. The Russia-Ukraine war, the China-Taiwan friction, the US-Russia cold war, the China-US increasing bilateral tension, and other conflicts involving other countries have affected the trade and commerce of the world, putting a monkey wrench on the best-laid plans and programs of those who run the business of the world. They contribute to the present dislocation in the world’s economy. While PBBM has envisioned a program of government that — as he puts it in his first State of the Nation Address — would bring to fruition the dream of the Filipino people to live comfortable lives under a regime of peace and orderly society, he cannot, however, do this alone. He needs competent, dynamic, creative, selfless, and honest co-government workers who will implement the plans he has laid down. Unfortunately, while there are members of his Cabinet and allies in Congress who are doing well in their respective domains quietly and efficiently, there are, however, not a few of them who either have lackluster performance or are dead woods whose incompetence and grandstanding derail his visions and frustrate the expectations of the people. PBBM has been dragged down by these dead weights, triggering this fall in the surveys. Vice President and Secretary of Education Inday Sara Duterte’s fall on the surveys presents a different dimension. Her competent handling of her department has brought dramatic changes in the public educational system. Not only has she quelled the irregular, inefficient, and corrupt practices in the education sector, but she has even initiated and launched activities protecting the safety and health of the students and public school teachers, even as she improves the quality of education. Her enormous popularity, however, has become a magnet for orchestrated and systematic false disinformation and untruthful narratives about her and her office. This early — those eyeing the presidency five years from now have sent demolition forces to tarnish her popular image and taint her unblemished reputation. Those who are gullible among those respondents in the surveys apparently have been misled or hoodwinked into believing the falsities thrown at her. On the other side of the coin, could this abrupt and sizable decrease in the approval and trust survey be a portent? Could it be a foreshadow of an oncoming political upheaval? Could it be a handwriting on the wall? Could it be a wake-up call? The post Survey drop, disinformation, or portent? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DOH budget for 2024 hurdles Senate Finance panel without Herbosa
The Senate Committee on Finance on Thursday approved the proposed P311.3 billion budget of the Department of Health for the upcoming fiscal year without the attendance of Health Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa. Herbosa skipped the DOH’s budget deliberation, normally led by the agency’s head, days after he failed to secure the approval of the Commission on Appointment. During the budget deliberation, DOH senior officials led by Undersecretary Lilibeth David, former Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario-Vergeire, and Undersecretary Gloria Balboa, presented the agency’s proposed budget. Senator Francis Tolentino specifically questioned Herbosa’s absence in the budget deliberation, fearing that the agency is now in an “auto-pilot mode”. Senator Pia Cayetano, who presided over the agency’s budget deliberation, quickly clarified that the DOH is not “headless”. “Actually, all of the senior members of the team approached me a while ago and they acknowledged that of course, it is a bit of an awkward situation,” Cayetano said. “But as you all know, Usec Dr. Vergeire was the OIC for many years and was very actively exercising her leadership not just in the past year, but even during the time of President Duterte. Dr. Usec. David is the most senior undersecretary. So I’m quite confident in the presentation today that they can answer,” she added. Tolentino explained that he is asking for Herbosa’s presence because “budget presentations would require answers concerning accountability.” “And perhaps the head of the department should be the one doing that. Otherwise, it would be in an auto-pilot mode,” he said. For her part, Senator Loren Legarda also expressed her confidence in the senior officials of the DOH. “Let me just say that I’m certain that our very competent Usecs. and Asecs. down the line would be able to communicate the policies of the secretary who still has to be confirmed,” Legarda said. “I don't think that the DoH body institution system comprised of career people who -- it may be a headless agency this is insofar other secretaries concerned -- but all the systems are covered by the Usecs. and Asecs,” she added. She continued: “I am very confident that they will be able to answer our questions. I do not think that they would divert from any policy of the secretary or say anything that would be against his policies.” Cyber-attack on PhilHealth Senators also touched on the recent cyber-attack on the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or PhilHealth. Legarda quizzed PhilHealth officials about the effect of the cyber-attack on the state-run health insurer’s operation, as well as the steps being taken by the agency to prevent encountering a similar case in the future. Responding to the lawmaker’s query, Atty. Eli Dino D. Santos, PhilHealth’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, said that the agency has yet to return its online system. “All systems now are all transactions are offline and we resume operations meaning membership, employer submission, and payment over the counter,” Santos said. “Our benefits availment continues. We have already informed our partner providers that while the system is turned off, they can still submit claims or prepare the submission of claims,” he added. He continued: “At present, to confirm the statement of our President, we are set to turn on our systems today, but we are still completing the preventive measures before we turn it on. We are targeting to turn on our PhilHealth website, member portal, as well as the e-claims.” Over the weekend, PhilHealth confirmed reports that there was an “information security incident” on its online system, which prompted them to turn it off as part of its “containment measures”. The Department of Information and Communications Technology previously stated that the agency’s system was attacked by Medusa ransomware. A multinational cyber security software company, Trend Micro defined “ransomware” as a type of malware that prevents or limits users from accessing their system, either by locking the system’s screen or by locking the users’ files until a ransom is paid. The Medusa ransomware group was demanding $300,000 from PhilHealth in exchange for access to its system. The group threatened to leak the personal information of PhilHealth members if it did not pay the ransom. The state-run health insurer previously stated that it would not give in to the group’s demand. The post DOH budget for 2024 hurdles Senate Finance panel without Herbosa appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CA bypasses Herbosa
Health Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa on Tuesday failed to get the approval of the powerful Commission on Appointments. Due to the lack of material time, the Constitutional body’s deliberation for Herbosa’s ad interim appointment as secretary of the Department of Health was suspended. The suspension came after Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. LRay Villafuerte moved to suspend the deliberation on Herbosa’s ad interim appointment. “I move that for lack of material time, we suspend the deliberation of the ad interim appointment of Mr. Teodoro Javier Herbosa as secretary of Health,” Villafuerte said. Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, who presided over the CA’s panel on Health and Demography, approved the motion. Congress is scheduled to go on a break on 30 September and will resume on 6 November. During the Congressional break, Herbosa would need to secure reappointment from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Under Section 17 of Chapter V of the CA rules, nominations or appointments submitted by the President which are not finally acted upon or bypassed at the close of the session of Congress shall be returned to the President and, unless new nominations or appointments are made, shall not again be considered by the Commission. Herbosa was tapped by Marcos to lead the Health department last June. The post CA bypasses Herbosa appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PNP tags 246 ‘areas of concern’ ahead of BSKE
Some 246 "areas of grave concern" are initially being monitored for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on 30 October, the Philippine National Police said Monday. In a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said these areas are classified under the red category of the election hotspot list and are mostly from Bicol, Eastern Visayas, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. These would be put under the control of the Commission on Election. “The poll body has the authority to augment security forces in these areas,” she added. The PNP also categorized other hotspot areas under green, yellow, and orange lists. Green refers to areas that do not have security concerns and are generally peaceful and orderly. Fajardo said there are 1,100 villages under the yellow list which are “areas of concern” due to having a history of election-related incidents in the last elections, possible employment of partisan armed groups, occurrence of politically motivated election-related cases, and having been previously declared under Comelec control. The PNP also listed 1,248 villages under the orange list refers to “areas of immediate concern” where there is a serious armed threat. Fajardo said the PNP and the military will soon convene the National Joint Security Control Center to reconcile their records regarding the election hotspot list. The recommendation on the hotspot list would be then submitted to the Comelec en banc for final approval. The post PNP tags 246 ‘areas of concern’ ahead of BSKE 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......»»
Pork’s different strokes
Efforts have begun in the House of Representatives to raise the Motor Vehicle Road Users Charge or the Road Users Tax after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. identified the levy as a main source of precious funds. The eagerness of the members of the House to comply with the proposal to hike the tax makes people wary. Proceeds from the tax are the favorite source of legislative pork. Albay Rep. Joey Salceda’s bill indicates the MVUC which ranges from P120 to P4,000 will be raised to between P2,080 and P10,400 for cars, depending on their gross weight. Under the proposal, the MVUC will be increased by a fixed rate yearly until 2025, and by 5 percent from 2026 onwards. Salceda is looking at collecting P151 billion more in revenue from 2024 to 2027 through the higher MVUC. The higher collections should be earmarked for road improvements which is under the Department of Public Works and Highways after President Rodrigo Duterte signed a law abolishing the graft-tainted Road Board. The disposition of the MVUC sparked the feud between House members and the Department of Budget and Management during the initial years of the Duterte term after then Budget Secretary Ben Diokno refused to release the MUVC proceeds until the Road Board was dissolved. Moreover, the late former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III exploited the RUT funds using them as leverage to get House members to impeach former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez and to obtain the legislators’ approval for his political agenda, such as a measure seeking to postpone the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao election to allow Noynoy to place his appointees in the Muslim region. The Road Board had an unusual collection setup that practically freed its state audit, making it a perfect “cash cow” as termed by some senators. Gutierrez was impeached overwhelmingly in the House after Noynoy first dangled the pork barrel, saying through his House allies that those who would vote against the impeachment would not receive their pork barrel while those who signed the measure would get a P20-million bonus taken from the Road Board.Later, Gutierrez, knowing that she was in a losing situation, resigned from her post despite her having a guaranteed term. She was replaced by Noynoy’s favorite associate justice, Conchita Carpio-Morales, who carried out the yellow brand of selective justice. Gutierrez had displeased Noynoy when she dismissed the case against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in connection with the P729-million fertilizer fund scam. Former Chief Justice Renato Corona Jr. was also ousted through impeachment and the leverage used, in turn, were the DAP funds. It was ironic that Noynoy’s allies vowed to abolish the Road Board, which under the law that created it, had full discretion on its use. Its disposition was beyond the scope of the Commission on Audit since the RUT was not part of the budget. Former Sen. Franklin Drilon, for instance, said the body would be abolished by the Senate despite the House allies of former President Arroyo’s withdrawal and eventual rescinding of the bill that sought to terminate the anomalous 2001 creation. Congressmen turned the RUT proceeds into a source of fast money through collusion with Road Board officials. Since the DPWH is now the custodian of the funds, attention must also be directed at the agency in the proper disposition of the MUVC proceeds. Increasing the audit-free funds plus the recently discovered P215 billion in insertions in the budget through the generic flood mitigation projects exposed maneuvers to pilfer public funds. The post Pork’s different strokes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mga UNGA(s)
The United Nations General Assembly, or UNGA, is the “chief deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations,” according to the UN’s official website. And says the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs, our country’s representative to the UNGA is a diplomat of ambassadorial rank appointed by the President. This is as it should be, for it is a doctrine beyond cavil that the President is the main architect of our country’s foreign policy, hence, the country’s delegate to the UNGA must act under the direction of our Chief Executive. Anyone who has gone through high school civics class and/or can use an internet browser would know that. In other words, while the Legislature has not been locked out of certain foreign policy considerations (such as the approval of treaties and the confirmation of ambassadors), its main function is to make laws. If memory serves, it’s called the separation of powers. But then, some members of our Senate — which Ferdinand Marcos Sr. wisely did away with in 1972 — specifically Senate President Zubiri and Senator Hontiveros, thought it would be politically expedient to pander to the growing throng of Filipinos constantly angered by the Chinese harassment of our fishermen. Thus, in aid of election (he to the vice presidency, she to the presidency, if the grapevine is to be believed), the two strange bedfellows shepherded through the chamber Senate Resolution 718, which practically dictated to the Department of Foreign Affairs, through a so-called five-pronged approach, how it should deal with the West Philippine Sea problem. Now, it, of course, shouldn’t be a problem for individual legislators to express their opinions as to how the WPS question should be handled by our government. After all, the members of Congress, even as citizens — and more so as elected representatives — have as much right as anyone to do so. But for the Senate, as an institution, to practically boss around the DFA on what to do, especially with regard to our actions in the UNGA, leaves a bad taste in the mouth, to be charitable about it. Chief Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile was more blunt. He called it “stupid.” A Senate Resolution, although not law, expresses the sense of that body on a particular issue. It can be made to cut for good when the Senate throws its institutional weight behind a subject of national interest. But the mandate at large of the senators does not justify trenching upon the prerogatives of the President when it comes to conducting international policy. When that happens, the Senate’s sense, in that sense, becomes nonsense. There is a reason why the President is the one mandated by the fundamental law to lay down our foreign policy. By virtue of his being commander-in-chief of all the armed forces of the Philippines, as well as the head of government, he is privy to top secret information that all others — senators included — have no access to. And as head of state, he receives information from other heads of state — formally and through backchanneling, that aid him in determining the best strategy to adopt in our relations with other nations. Resolution No. 718 thus not only preempts the Chief Executive, it tries to embarrass him by publicly suggesting steps that he is “strongly urged” to take. Worse, it presumptuously gives the subtext that the Senate knows better than the President in matters of foreign policy. Not good. It was right for the DFA to diplomatically call out the Senate on its resolution by saying that the option of bringing the WPS brouhaha to a vote in the UNGA should be seriously studied. Knowing China’s diplomatic clout in view of its trade partnership with so many nations, if the WPS topic dies on the floor of the UNGA, then the Senate will look like a bunch of “mga ungas” (stupid or ignorant people). The post Mga UNGA(s) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Singapore cabinet minister arrested in rare top-level graft probe
Singapore's transport minister has been arrested in connection with a rare top-level corruption probe that has also ensnared a billionaire hotel tycoon, the country's anti-graft body has said. Transport Minister S. Iswaran was "arrested on 11 July 2023" and "subsequently released on bail", the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said in an emailed statement late Friday, confirming the arrest for the first time. Hotel tycoon Ong Beng Seng, one of Singapore's richest people, was also arrested on the same day and released on bail in connection with the probe, the bureau said. The bureau has not disclosed details of the investigation that has gripped the city-state, a global financial hub reputed to be among the least corrupt countries in the world. Cabinet ministers are paid salaries comparable to the top earners in the private sector to deter corruption. The investigation of the transport chief by the powerful anti-graft bureau widened after it was disclosed that Ong was included in the probe. Ong is the managing director of Hotel Properties Limited (HPL), which owns a string of high-end hotels and resorts in locations around Asia and the Pacific. In a filing with the Singapore Exchange on Friday, the company said that Ong was given a "notice of arrest" by the CPIB and had posted bail. While the passports of those under arrest are generally impounded, Ong was granted permission to leave Singapore on Friday, with the CPIB noting it considers requests for travel overseas "on a case-by-case basis". The CPIB said it had "acceded to Ong's request to travel overseas", but increased his bail to Sg$100,000 ($76,000). "Upon his return, Ong is required to report to CPIB and surrender his passport to the bureau," the CPIB added. Ong, a Malaysian who is a Singapore permanent resident, is credited with helping bring the Formula One Grand Prix to Singapore in 2008. His private company Singapore GP and the Singapore Tourism Board last year renewed the contract to host the F1 race until 2028. Iswaran, meanwhile, had been ordered to go on leave earlier in the week by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong after the CPIB said the minister was "currently assisting" an ongoing investigation. Lee said the anti-graft body had sought his approval for a formal investigation that would involve interviewing Iswaran, among other people. The post Singapore cabinet minister arrested in rare top-level graft probe appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Monetary Board approves government’s $2.73-B borrowings
The Monetary Board, the policy-making body of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, approved the government's borrowing in the second quarter to fund various railway projects across the country. In a statement on Friday, the BSP said it approved the government's borrowing of $2.73 billion in the second quarter, which is 23 percent lower than the borrowing amount during the same period in 2022, which was $3.54 billion. “These are all borrowings by the Republic of the Philippines consisting of three project loans from the Japan International Cooperation Agency. These borrowings will fund various railway projects of the NG (national government),” the BSP explained. For comparison, the BSP in April reported $5.56 billion in public sector foreign borrowings in the first quarter, up 16 percent from last year's $4.8 billion. Public sector borrowings comprise a combination of project loans and program loans. These borrowings also involve the issuance of sovereign bonds to fulfill the national government's general financing needs, which include addressing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and funding infrastructure-related projects. Most of the country's borrowings primarily originate from domestic creditors to protect the national government from the unpredictable fluctuations of exchange rates and other factors. Foreign loans necessitate the approval of the BSP through its Monetary Board before the national government can guarantee them. According to data from the BSP, the country's foreign debt reached a record high of $118.81 billion in the first quarter. To ensure that the level of foreign debt remains within manageable limits, the BSP is responsible for reviewing and approving all public sector or government foreign borrowings following Section 20, Article VII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. The BSP has emphasized its commitment to promoting the prudent utilization of resources and ensuring that the country's external debt requirements are maintained at manageable levels to support external debt sustainability. The post Monetary Board approves government’s $2.73-B borrowings appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Singapore’s transport minister under corruption probe
Singapore’s reputation as among the least corrupt countries in the world is facing a tough test with the investigation of its transport minister for alleged corruption. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Wednesday he had ordered Transport Minister S. Iswaran to go on leave after the city-state’s powerful anti-graft body launched a corruption probe. Lee said the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau had briefed him about a case it had uncovered and sought his approval for a formal investigation that would involve interviewing Iswaran, among other people. “I have instructed Minister Iswaran to take leave of absence until these investigations are completed,” Lee said in a Facebook post. The CPIB said Iswaran “is currently assisting” with its investigation of a case it had uncovered. It said it could not disclose details as the investigation was still underway. The CPIB said it will investigate this case thoroughly with strong resolve to establish the facts and the truth, and to uphold the rule of law. “CPIB investigates all cases without fear or favor and will not hesitate to take action against any parties involved in corrupt activities,” the anti-graft body said in a statement. The post Singapore’s transport minister under corruption probe appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
De Lima co-accused ordered transferred to Munti jail
The Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court on Wednesday disclosed that it has ordered the transfer of Jose Adrian “Jad” Tamson Dera — a co-accused of former Senator Leila de Lima in a drug case — from the National Bureau of Investigation detention cell in Manila to the Muntinlupa City jail. Judge Abraham Joseph B. Alcantara of the Muntinlupa RTC issued the order on a petition filed by the NBI as he also granted the motion of the NBI for Dera to attend the 5 July 2023 hearing of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights “on the alleged unauthorized trips of said accused outside the NBI Detention Facility.” “Accordingly, the Chief of the Security Management Section, the NBI, is directed to turn over the body of the living person of accused Jose Adrian Dera y Tamson to the Muntinlupa City Jail Male Dormitory, Tunasan, Muntinlupa City who is ordered to take custody of said accused during the pendency of the case and until further orders from the Court,” the RTC’s order stated. The court also ordered to bring accused Dera to the Senate hearing of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights with security escorts and upon proper coordination with the appropriate office of the said committee. To recall, Dera and six security personnel are facing a criminal complaint before the Department of Justice. They were arrested last 21 June while returning to the NBI detention facility in Manila after having gone out. Charges were filed against them for bribery, corruption of public official, infidelity in the custody of prisoner, and graft and corruption. The complaint though has yet to be resolved by the DOJ panel of prosecutors. Meantime, Dera on Wednesday admitted to senators that he was able to leave the NBI facility several times during the Senate justice and human rights investigation. According to Dera, he was able to leave the NBI’s detention facility on 20 January 2022 to have himself checked in a hospital in Manila. This was authorized by a court order dated 10 December 2021. He added that he was able to leave the detention facility for the second time to go to another hospital and have his heart checked, but this time he had no approval from the court. The third time that he was able to leave the NBI was on Father’s Day this year and the fourth time was on 20 June, reportedly for a date, where he and five NBI jail guards were nabbed. But during Senator Francis Tolentino’s interpellation, Dera also confirmed claims that he was also able to Calatagan, Batangas but he said he cannot recall the exact date. He also admitted going to Tagaytay City with other NBI officers. Dera, however, denied going to Subic contrary to some reports. WITH LADE JEAN KABAGANI The post De Lima co-accused ordered transferred to Munti jail appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM: Help most needy
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told the government agencies engaged in providing social services on Friday to help the most needy in the country to employ the whole-of-government approach to address poverty. Marcos gave the instruction during the first en banc meeting of the National Anti-Poverty Commission at Malacañan Palace as he underscored the importance of coordination among the government agencies and local government units to combat the long-standing problem of poverty. Marcos said each government entity should know its functions and responsibilities to maximize the resources poured into helping indigents in communities. "I think it all comes down to the same thing... we have many organizations, like the NAPC, that are dedicated agencies tasked with examining instances of poverty and determining what actions can be taken," Marcos said. "Now, we have to differentiate the role of NAPC and the role of the rest of the government because we will ask, will NAPC be the one to step up? For example, in crisis situations, the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) deploys assistance. So, we need to coordinate that. And when it comes to jobs, the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) is doing a lot. Even the DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) is doing a lot. We need to bring them together, and that's why we have to start at a baseline," Marcos said. The President said it is also essential for NAPC to continue to engage residents of depressed communities to determine what is needed in those areas. Earlier during the meeting, NAPC lead convenor Lope Santos III told the President of the plans and activities of the Commission conducted in the past months. "When we assumed office (in) February this year, we immediately conducted consultations with all members of NAPC, the leagues of LGUs, the national government agencies, and the basic sectors, and we immediately defined the urgent tasks at hand following the mandate of NAPC which is a coordinating and advisory body of the agency," Santos said. "We anchor this in the target defined in the Philippine Development Plan: to reduce poverty from 18.1 percent to 8.8 to 9 percent. So, our urgent task, Mr. President, is to align all development plans (with the) Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, which constitutes the formulation and adoption of the National Anti-Poverty Action Agenda, and we expect to complete this, Mr. President, by September this year," he added. Santos said adopting and formulating the National Poverty Reduction Plan following the Magna Carta of the Poor will be completed by October this year. Santos also said they have come up with the National Anti-Poverty Action Agenda, which would be called N3A. "Since February this year, we conducted a series of consultations and workshops to formulate this plan involving all NGAs (national government agencies), leagues of LGUs, and the basic sector. The NAPC secretariat is currently integrating all inputs, and the draft shall be presented for approval in the next en banc," he said. Santos said N3A shall be aligned with the PDP 2023-2028 and focus on the strategic direction and flagship programs to address multidimensional poverty concerns, social, economic, ecological, and governance. The post PBBM: Help most needy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Water body hikes Manila allocation
The National Water Resources Board extended the 52 cubic meters per second or cms water allocation for Metro Manila and nearby areas for the last two weeks of June to avoid water service interruptions. Thus, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System will continue to receive a higher water share until 30 June. Angat supply guaranteed “We are thankful to NWRB on this approval; the same commitment that we promised to NWRB that there will be no interruption in the areas being supplied by the Angat Dam,” Engineer Patrick Dizon, a division manager at the MWSS site operations management, said. “We have presented to NWRB the impact if ever they did not extend the 52 cms allocation, which will be water interruption on 632,000 water service connections,” he added. In April, the NWRB increased the water allocation of the MWSS to 52 cms from the earlier approved 50 cms. The same allocation was also conditionally approved in May. Normally, the Water Board only allots 48 cms for the MWSS. As of Thursday, 15 June, the water level at Angat Dam remains normal at 187.18 meters. Its spilling level is 217 meters. In Ipo Dam, the water level is at 99.16 meters, and 77.67 meters in La Mesa Dam. The post Water body hikes Manila allocation appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Go wants safeguards enforced in MIF bill
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has reminded the executive branch of government to follow and enforce safeguards in the Maharlika Investment Fund bill as it gets Senate approval. “To the executive, we will hold you to your commitment that safeguards will be followed and fully enforced. Hindi dapat masasayang ang pondo ng bayan. Pangalagaan at siguruhin na walang mawawala sa korapsyon o misuse of funds,” he said. Senate Bill No. 2020 creating the Maharlika Investment Fund was approved by the Senate on its third and final reading in the early morning of Wednesday, 31 May. In the explanation of his vote which was inserted into the records after the Senate voted on the measure, Go, vice chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, stressed that the legislative branch will sternly monitor the implementation of the measure should it be enacted into law, highlighting Congress’ oversight to ensure that public funds used and the welfare of the people, in general, are protected and upheld. “Babantayan po namin ito. And just a reminder that any law can be amended or repealed when necessary. We will exercise to the fullest extent our oversight to ensure that the welfare and future of Filipinos are upheld and protected,” he said. While recognizing the need to explore investment opportunities for the national government to generate additional resources to fund the post-COVID-19 economic recovery, Go asserts that the government must be prudent and careful in utilizing limited resources. “The intention of the proposed measure, that is to ensure that our country will attain economic transformation, growth, and sustainability, is noble. Lahat naman po tayo gustong tuluyang maka-recover ang ekonomiya,” he said. “However, government resources are limited, lalo na ngayon bawat piso, bawat sentimo ay napakahalaga. That is why I commend the good sponsor for ensuring that safeguards are in place to protect the funds of the Filipino people,” he said, commending Sen. Mark Villar who sponsored the measure. Go gave his support to the measure, cognizant of the capability of the Executive to fully implement the law as intended. He also reminded that Congress is giving its trust to the Executive but will not shy away from its oversight powers just to safeguard the interest of the Filipino people. “Given this, I give my conditional support to this measure knowing that this went through scrutiny by the collective wisdom of the whole legislative body and with utmost trust and respect in the capability of the executive to implement this as intended,” he said. The bill was approved after an 11-hour session a few days after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. certified it as urgent, thereby allowing Senate to pass the same measure on second and third reading at the same day. The House of Representatives passed its own version in December of last year. A bicameral conference was held on Wednesday, 31 May, to reconcile the two versions. Upon adoption, the bill can be transmitted to the President for his approval. In previous interviews, Go asserted the need to have credible, competent, and trustworthy fund managers. “Kailangan competent, trustworthy, at saka talagang maaasahan mo na walang pondong masayang dito… Unahin natin palagi ang interes ng bansa at kung ano makakabuti sa mga Pilipino, lalo na sa mga mahihirap,” he stressed earlier. The post Go wants safeguards enforced in MIF bill appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Musk’s Neuralink says cleared for human test of brain implants
Elon Musk's start-up Neuralink on Thursday said it has gotten approval from US regulators to test its brain implants in people. Neuralink said clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its first-in-human clinical study is "an important first step" for its technology, which is intended to let brains interface directly with computers. "We are excited to share that we have received the FDA's approval to launch our first-in-human clinical study," Neuralink said in a post on Musk-run Twitter. "This is the result of incredible work by the Neuralink team in close collaboration with the FDA." Recruitment for a clinical trial is not yet open, according to Neuralink. The aim of Neuralink implants is to enable human brains to communicate directly with computers, Musk said during a presentation by the start-up in December. "We've been working hard to be ready for our first human (implant), and obviously we want to be extremely careful and certain that it will work well before putting a device in a human," he said at the time. Musk -- who bought Twitter late last year and also owns SpaceX, Tesla and several other companies -- has been known to make ambitious predictions about his companies, with several such forecasts ultimately failing to pan out. In July 2019, he vowed that Neuralink would be able to perform its first tests on humans in 2020. Product prototypes, which are the size of a coin, have been implanted in the skulls of monkeys, demonstrations by the startup showed. At the Neuralink presentation, the company showed several monkeys "playing" basic video games or moving a cursor on a screen through their Neuralink implant. Musk said the company would try to use the implants to restore vision and mobility in humans who had lost such abilities. "We would initially enable someone who has almost no ability to operate their muscles... and enable them to operate their phone faster than someone who has working hands," he said. "As miraculous as it may sound, we are confident that it is possible to restore full body functionality to someone who has a severed spinal cord," he said. Beyond the potential to treat neurological diseases, Musk's ultimate goal is to ensure that humans are not intellectually overwhelmed by artificial intelligence, he said. Other companies working on similar systems include Synchron, which announced in July that it had implanted the first brain-machine interface in the United States. The post Musk’s Neuralink says cleared for human test of brain implants appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Internet voting’ could reduce spending – Comelec
The Commission on Elections on Thursday said that they are eyeing reduced spending on logistical costs of overseas voting with the recent approval of overseas Internet voting for the upcoming midterm elections in 2025. In a radio interview, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said the internet voting scheme for overseas Filipino voters could allow a higher voter turnout while reducing the costs of conducting such elections overseas. Referencing last year’s polls, Laudiangco said that 39 percent of the 1.7 million registered overseas voters cast their votes, despite spending P411 million to ensure that all voters could have one ballot to fill up. Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia, in a Viber message to reporters, called the said 39-percent turnout ‘dismal’ that needed another mode. “We think that — and because all our ballots are intended for one voter — the problem is that some of them may be far from their post offices or that they may be too lazy to return it. We saw this as a more convenient option as OFWs tend to connect to the internet to call to their families,” Laudiangco said. The Commission En Banc approved the proposal on Wednesday, citing Republic Act Number 9189 or The Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003, amended in Republic Act Number 10590, which allows the poll body to explore other means to conduct voting procedures overseas. Comelec has already been pushing for a newer automated election system through Fully Automated System with Transparency Audit and Count or FASTrAC which, among other things, is eyeing a multiple voter transmission to city and municipal canvassers, central servers, majority and minority party servers, media servers and citizens’ arm servers. However, unlike the local AES which proposes newer ‘automated counting machines’ or ACMs, internet voting could require the use of a software where registered voters could log in using their accounts. “Our voters will be using their cellphones or any other gadgets and will be given a separate account that cannot be imitated. You will be given a distinct and independent log-in quote and you’ll set your password. Registered voters will be given that account. Of course, they should have access to the internet,” Laudiangco said. Laudiangco added that they are working on proposing the needed budget for such measures before the Congress, including protective measures such as a strong firewall, secured anti-hacking mechanisms and protected encryption. “COMELEC should have a strong firewall. Seven million overseas Filipino voters can make or break an election, can sway the votes so there should be a strong firewall, as well as anti-hacking and high-level encryption,” he said. The post ‘Internet voting’ could reduce spending – Comelec appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SC to decide on NTC legal battle vs. Newsnet
National Telecommunications Commission is taking its legal battle against News and Entertainment Network Corp. to the Supreme Court after the appellate court decided to favor the petition of the network to reinstate its nationwide operations. Responding to reports that the Court of Appeal’s Former Eighth Division junked its Motion for Reconsideration, the NTC reiterated Wednesday that since the decision is not final, it will elevate the case to SC. The NTC said it has yet to receive a copy of the CA resolution but it maintained that the mandamus could no longer be enforced after the Anti-Red Tape Authority reversed its 12 February 2022 decision. It directed the Commission to automatically approve Newsnet’s application to install, operate and maintain a local multipoint distribution system or LMDS. LMDS will enable Newsnet to deliver interactive pay television and multimedia services nationwide in the 25.35GHz-26.35GHz frequency range. The ARTA, in a resolution dated 17 June 2022 recalled its previous decision favoring Newsnet, a move that was eventually upheld by the Office of the President. “The ARTA has already reversed itself so there is no ARTA Decision that can be subject to mandamus. On 31 March 2023, the Office of the President affirmed ARTA’s action, saying that "Thus, ARTA’s vacating of its orders were like executing of or complying with the DOJ ruling that it did not possess the power to issue its 12 February 2020,” the NTC said. “For having been issued more than its powers, the 12 February 2020 Order never became final and was properly vacated,” it added. The OP dismissed Newsnet’s appeal to reverse ARTA’s order nullifying its earlier ruling on the “automatic approval” of Newsnet’s application. The OP held that ARTA had no jurisdiction over the assignment of frequencies, the recall of ARTA’s 12 February 2020 order was only proper having been rendered without jurisdiction, and the expiration of Newsnet’s franchise rendered its application moot. Meanwhile, the NTC insisted that Newsnet could no longer be allowed to operate and be assigned a radio frequency after its legislative franchise expired in August 2021. “The Supreme Court, in a long line of decisions, which includes Divinagracia v. Consolidated Broadcasting System & People’s Broadcasting Service, Inc. and Associated Communications and Wireless Services United Broadcasting Networks v. NTC, has put to rest the ‘no franchise, no operations’ doctrine for broadcast companies, which include Newsnet which will use radio frequencies in its LMDS operations,” the NTC pointed out. “The latest SC decision in point is ABS-CBN Corporation v. National Telecommunications Commission,” it added. The regulatory body, in a decision dated 18 May 2022 in NTC Case 2021-175, already made permanent the cease and desist order against Newsnet. In the same ruling, the NTC had already recalled all of Newsnet’s frequencies for lack of a valid congressional franchise. The post SC to decide on NTC legal battle vs. Newsnet appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cebu City dad bats for FOI measure approval before term ends
CEBU CITY - Cebu City Councilor and South District Rep.-elect Eduardo Rama on Thursday vowed to work for the passage of the "Freedom of Information (FOI) Ordinance" before their term as members of the local legislative body ends on June 30."Wa man tay problema (We don't have a probl.....»»
Volleyball body sorting out Philippine team hopeful Kalei Mau s papers
The Hawaii-based Mau was not able to suit up for the Nationals in the 2019 SEA Games because of failure to secure approval from the country of her origin — the United States......»»