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Belmonte, Binay call for climate action funding from development banks
The C40 coalition of cities, a network of nearly 100 mayors, asked MDBs to increase urban climate investment, integrate urban climate action into their strategies, and implement tailored programs to support city projects. .....»»
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......»»
Consider alliances with Netherlands, Norway, DFA urged
The Department of Foreign Affairs should consider alliances with non-defense allies like Norway, the Netherlands and other countries for maritime exploration, research and development amid conflict with China over the West Philippines Sea (WPS), Sen. Francis Tolentino said yesterday......»»
Business groups laud passage of Salt Industry Development Act
Business groups Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) welcomed the approval of a law that aims to revive the salt industry which is seen to support economic growth and help create jobs......»»
DOT seeks inclusion in protected areas board amid Chocolate Hills issue
Department of Tourism Sec. Christina Frasco —INQUIRER.net file photo / Ryan Leagogo After the recent controversy surrounding a resort development near Chocolate Hills in Sagbayan town, Bohol, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced plans to advocate for its inclusion in the national government’s Protected Area Management Board (PAMB). Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco stated during a.....»»
Balamban site is for road project, not Capitol bldg – Gwen
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The cleared site in Barangay Cambuhawe, Balamban, in western Cebu, is not for the new Capitol building, but for nationally funded road projects. Cebu Provincial Governor Gwen Garcia made this clarification after photos of a deforested mountain in Balamban, initially thought to be the site development of the new Capitol building,.....»»
National Cybersecurity Plan seen as vital defense for digital economy
A consumer advocacy group has lauded the President’s approval of the National Cybersecurity Plan 2024-2029 amid the rising incidence of cyber attacks targeting the government and private sector......»»
Marcos Oks rice subsidies for cops, soldiers
Amid rumors of destabilization, President Marcos yesterday reaffirmed his commitment to promote the welfare of uniformed personnel and their families and announced the approval of funding for rice and health care benefits......»»
Fuel subsidy easing eyed
An immediate release of government assistance to public utility vehicles will be achieved by shortening the trigger period from three months to one and simplifying the requirements, the Department of Energy said yesterday. The proposal, nonetheless, may need the amendment of the law for releasing fuel subsidies to the transport sector. In a press briefing, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said this was one of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s proposed solutions to the oil price shock that is expected to worsen amid the spreading Middle East conflict. $80 per barrel long breached Under the current law, fuel subsidies are released to the transport sector whenever the Dubai crude oil price exceeds $80 per barrel for three consecutive months. Lotilla said shortening the trigger period will allow the government to release the subsidies faster to the transport sector, one of the sectors most affected by rising fuel prices. “With this simplification or shortening of the period, we will be able to release the subsidies in a shorter period,” Lotilla said. “Since Congress is now considering the General Appropriations Act, it will be included in that process. The amendment will take effect in 2024 immediately upon Congress’s approval of the GAA,” he added. The DoE chief also said the government will simplify the requirements for the release of the fuel subsidies. The release of the subsidies requires the approval of the DoE, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Budget and Management. Lotilla said that under the new proposal, the release of the subsidies will only require the approval of the DBM, DoTr and the DoE. He said the DoTr will finalize the list of beneficiaries for those with franchises, the Department of the Interior and Local Government for tricycle drivers, and the Department of Trade and Industry for delivery service drivers. Even though there’s an effort to expedite assistance, Lotilla said the fuel subsidy in the 2024 national budget was decreased to P2.5 billion from P3 billion this year. The energy chief, however, believes that even with the reduced budget, the required funding will be met. “That’s based on the experience of the previous year. We don’t know what will be the final amount,” the official said. Other measures on table Lotilla added the government will implement a voluntary 20-percent ethanol blend for gasoline, which is targeted for approval by the end of 2023. He said the ethanol blend will help mitigate the rising fuel prices, as ethanol is cheaper than gasoline. Lotilla said the President also instructed him to continue the transport sector’s electrification, particularly for mass transport and light cargo vehicles. He said the government will put in place charging stations and ensure that the benefits to the transport sector, particularly the drivers, will be there. Lotilla said the President also emphasized the need to prepare the economy for the eventual manufacture of electric vehicles and to link this with the local mining sector that will produce the minerals needed to manufacture batteries and other components of electric vehicles. Rules out soon The DoE is also releasing the guidelines for the implementation of the long-delayed higher biofuels blend before the year ends. Lotilla said the current 10-percent ethanol blend, also known as E10, in gasoline would be increased to 20 percent or E20, although it would be a voluntary option for motorists. Lotilla added that the current two percent or B2 coco methyl ester or CME blend on diesel will be adjusted to three percent or B3. Based on the DoE calculation, implementing the E20 blend could slash gasoline prices by around P1.28 to P1.50 per liter. While ethanol is generally cheaper than gasoline, Lotilla noted that local ethanol at P79.49 a liter is still more expensive than the imported supply at P41.84 per liter. Lotilla said DoE will bank on the coconut industry, whose production reaches up to 15 billion nuts annually, to complement the B3 shift. “An additional 1 percent blend only needs 2.6 billion nuts. The increase in the blend can also drive down the cost of CME because there will be a bigger market for it. Right now, we expect pure diesel to be at parity with the per liter price of CME,” Lotilla explained. With Maria Romero The post Fuel subsidy easing eyed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
No new chief yet — Agri exec
Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban on Tuesday said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not discuss the appointment of a new Agriculture Secretary during their latest sectoral meeting. In a Malacañang Press Briefing, Panganiban said that he could not confirm the reports on appointing a new Agriculture Secretary and that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is doing an “excellent job” leading the department. Panganiban’s statement comes amid reports that President Marcos is considering appointing fishing tycoon Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. as the new Agriculture Secretary. Laurel is the chairman of the Federation of Philippine Industries and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “With (Marcos) at the helm, everything is integrated, and all government efforts are coordinated. We can no longer say to the Department of Agriculture, ‘This is your job, not ours.’ We are all collaborating now, and we are even talking to you in the media to work together because, once again, food security is not the responsibility of one agency alone but of all of us,” Panganiban said. “I think that’s what sets him apart from his predecessors,” he added. Panganiban also said that he could not comment on whether the rice price cap affected the Pulse Asia Survey results, which showed President Marcos’s approval rating declined in September. “I cannot comment on that one,” he said. “What I can say is that our President is truly committed to serving everyone. I believe he is the President for all, not just for the farmers but also for the consumers.” Panganiban also praised Marcos for his engagement with the public, saying that the President is the first one to really meet with the people and participate in rice distribution. “So, I think people can sense our President and his plans and programs. Hopefully, we can reciprocate that. Even for the media, I hope you can help us promote the good news, not just our problems but also what we are doing for our fellow countrymen,” he added. The post No new chief yet — Agri exec appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BBM, Sara approval ratings fall
The approval ratings of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte plummeted in September amid rising commodity prices, China’s incursions in the West Philippine Sea, and concerns about confidential and intelligence funds in the proposed 2024 national budget. The latest Pulse Asia survey on Monday showed that Marcos’ approval rating fell 15 basis points from 80 percent in June to 65 percent in September. Meanwhile, Duterte’s approval rating fell 11 basis points from 84 percent to 73 percent over the same period. Still, the Vice President, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, outperformed Marcos. “Although the President and the Vice President continue to enjoy majority approval scores at the national level and across geographic areas and socio-economic classes, both experienced significant erosions in their respective approval ratings during the period June 2023 to September 2023,” the pollster said. Marcos and Duterte still enjoy majority trust ratings at 71 percent and 75 percent, although these also slid from 85 percent and 87 percent, respectively, in June. Meanwhile, only half of adult Filipinos had an upbeat assessment of the work being done by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, from 56 percent in June. House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s approval rating also fell from 52 percent to 41 percent. Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo’s approval rating slid further from 44 percent to 34 percent in the same period. Pulse Asia conducted the survey using face-to-face interviews from 10 to 14 September. It was based on a sample of 1,200 representative adults 18 years old and above. It had a plus-minus 2.8 percent error margin at the 95 percent confidence level. The post BBM, Sara approval ratings fall appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marcos, VP Duterte’s approval scores decline – Pulse Asia
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte's approval ratings plummeted in September amid West Philippine Sea developments, rising commodity prices, and concerns about proposed confidential funds. Latest survey from opinion polling firm Pulse Asia on Monday showed that Marcos' approval rating fell 15 basis points from 80 percent in June to 65 percent in September. Meanwhile, Duterte's approval rating fell 11 basis points from 84 percent in June to 73 percent in September. Still, the Vice President, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, outperformed Marcos. "Although the President and the Vice-President continue to enjoy majority approval scores at the national level and across geographic areas and socio-economic classes, both experience significant erosions in their respective approval ratings during the period June 2023 to September 2023," the pollster said. Marcos and Duterte still enjoy majority trust ratings at 71 percent and 75 percent trust scores, respectively. Meanwhile, half of adult Filipinos had an upbeat assessment of the work done by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri. Half of the respondents could not say if they approved or disapproved of the performance of Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo. Pulse Asia conducted the survey using face-to-face interviews from 10 to 14 September 2023. This nationwide survey is based on a sample of 1,200 representative adults 18 years old and above. It has a ± 2.8 percent error margin at the 95 percent confidence level. The post Marcos, VP Duterte’s approval scores decline – Pulse Asia appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senate assures higher DND budget
The Senate on Wednesday assured the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines that it will push for the allocation of more funds for next year to further strengthen the country’s defense operations. After extensive deliberation, the Senate Committee on Finance has approved the 2024 proposed budget of the DND and its attached, including the revised AFP Modernization Program, “subject to possible budgetary adjustments.” The DND’s proposed budget will then be again submitted to the Senate plenary for deliberation and approval. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri expressed full support for the defense sector’s efforts to defend the country amid the increasing tension in the West Philippine Sea. With this, Zubiri committed to increasing the DND and AFP’s budget for next year for more heightened defense initiatives. “But you know my dear friends, courage can only take us so far. And that is why, if we really want to truly defend our country and our seas, we must support their budget. Not only the budget that they have now… We’re going to support, through the efforts of the Senate, an increase in their budget, especially in the defense spending,” he said. In his presentation, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the DND is seeking a total of P229.9 billion in funding under the 2024 National Expenditure Program. Teodoro presented a 12 percent increase compared to the P204.5-billion DND budget allocated under its 2023 General Appropriation Act. Major service units Of the budget, the AFP will get P221.6 billion, which will be divided among its major service units including the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, and Philippine Navy, as well as the general AFP headquarters and AFP-wide service support units. The DND will get P1.2 billion while the remaining P7 billion will go to civilian bureaus, like the Government Arsenal, Office of Civil Defense, National Defense College of the Philippines, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office and Veterans Memorial Medical Center. The post Senate assures higher DND budget appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senate eyes increase of DND’s 2024 budget
The Senate on Wednesday assured the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines that it will push for the allocation of more funds for next year to further strengthen the country’s defense operations. After extensive deliberation, the Senate Committee on Finance has approved the 2024 proposed budget of the DND and its attached, including the revised AFP Modernization Program, “subject to possible budgetary adjustments.” The DND’s proposed budget will then be again submitted to the Senate plenary for deliberation and approval. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri expressed full support for the defense sector’s efforts to defend the country amid the increasing tension in the West Philippine Sea. With this, Zubiri committed to increasing the DND and AFP’s budget for next year for more heightened defense initiatives. “But you know my dear friends, courage can only take us so far. And that is why, if we really want to truly defend our country and our seas, we must support their budget. Not only the budget that they have now… We’re going to support, through the efforts of the Senate, an increase in their budget, especially in the defense spending,” he said. In his presentation, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the DND is seeking a total of P229.9 billion in funding under the 2024 National Expenditure Program. Teodoro presented a 12 percent increase compared to the P204.5 billion DND budget allocated under its 2023 General Appropriation Act. Of the budget, the AFP will get P221.6 billion, which will be divided among its major service units including the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, and Philippine Navy, as well as the general AFP headquarters and AFP-wide service support units. The DND will get P1.2 billion while the remaining P7 billion will go to civilian bureaus, like the Government Arsenal, Office of Civil Defense, National Defense College of the Philippines, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, and Veterans Memorial Medical Center. Teodoro said the DND initially requested P115.1 billion for the AFP Modernization Program but was only granted P50 billion. Meanwhile, Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Estrada stressed the need to fast-track equipping the AFP with modern assets to protect the country’s territorial integrity, given the current situation in the West Philippine Sea. Hence then asked Teodoro about the ongoing military modernization: “We are supposed to be in Horizon 3 of the AFP modernization program in 2023. I think we are still in Horizon 2 or Horizon 1. Where are we now?” In response, Teodoro said about 10 percent of the project remains to be accomplished in Horizon 1 while 51 out of 97 projects were already finished in Horizon 2 with some projects will be carried over under Horizon 3. “That’s why we really have to re-strategize it because the paradigms for Horizon 2 may not be valid anymore,” Teodoro said. The military modernization program's Horizon 3 is slated for 2023 up to 2028 while Horizon 2 is from 2018 to 2022 and Horizon 1 is from 2013 to 2018. All these horizons are geared toward acquiring equipment and weapon platforms that would equip the AFP to perform its external defense mandate. An executive session was conducted with the DND after the Senate panel’s approval of its proposal to discuss some adjustments to the funding, particularly those allocated for defending the WPS. Zubiri stressed that he will not allow the Philippines to be bullied. “Hindi tayo pumayag na ma-bully tayo ng ating kapitbahay sa Norte (we didn’t allow our neighbor in the North to bully us). Because of that, we hear you loud and clear. We need more defense spending in our modernization project… We’re here to support you. You’ll see a drastic difference in your budget come this December,” Zubiri said. Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa likewise rallied for the increase of both DND and AFP’s intelligence funds for surveillance and reconnaissance assets. In 2022, DND got P2.3 billion worth of confidential intelligence funds. The agency requested only P1.8 billion in 2023. “With this new defense strategic direction, refocused on archipelagic defense and protection, will there be a corresponding shift, change, or retrofitting of our forces because right now our organization is heavy on the land-based army?” Dela Rosa asked. Teodoro said no changes are needed at the moment as the country needs to sustain internal security. However, he noted the need to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities to cope with the “challenges of time.” The post Senate eyes increase of DND’s 2024 budget appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ombudsman vindicates (3)
It was the incendiary Independent Auditor’s Report on the Department of Health’s accounts and financial operations, crafted by a state auditor, a colleague of Heidi Mendoza’s, and released prematurely that roused strife between former CoA chairpersons allied with the senators of the Republic against President Rodrigo Duterte and Health Secretary Francisco Duque. On CoA’s and the senators’ side were Grace Pulido Tan, Heidi Mendoza and Michael Aguinaldo allied with Senators Richard Gordon, Franklin Drilon, Leila de Lima, Risa Hontiveros and Kiko Pangilinan. Words and deeds are enough to establish culpability for conspiracy by the former CoA chiefs and the senators of the Republic to destabilize the Duterte administration, to say the least, and to incite the people to sedition, at most. Immediately, this column issued commentaries informing the people that the report released by CoA on the alleged irregularities in DoH funds for Covid-19 was not an annual audit report but mere Audit Observation Memorandums, or AOMs, that were released prematurely. Almost instantaneously, Mendoza came from nowhere to declare that the release of the CoA findings on the P67.32 billion in DoH funds was not premature. The writings and voices of the former CoA chairpersons were loud, clear and eloquent in defense of an annual audit report that never was. “Today I weep for my colleague, a CoA-UN auditor, who just died of a heart attack. He was the auditor behind the DoH report. Stress can kill. Please let us offer a minute of prayer,” Mendoza said. Mendoza was referring to lawyer Jake Cimafranca who wrote the Independent Auditor’s Report on DoH’s accounts. Both Mendoza and Grace Pulido Tan were quick to say that the CoA annual audit report on DoH’s accounts and financial operations was regular and went through the process of review and approval before its release. The release was not premature, both said. The premature release put CoA under fire from President Duterte and administration officials like DoH Secretary Francisco Duque and allies for the screaming headlines in local newspapers and internet news flashes in capital cities around the world that said P67.32 billion intended to protect the people from Covid-19 was being lost to corruption. During the House hearing on CoA’s audit of the DoH, then CoA Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo announced that CoA would continue making and publishing audit reports on government agencies despite criticism from Duterte and Duque. Citing the huge misstatements and deficiencies contained in the Independent Auditor’s Report, Senator Leila M. De Lima submitted P.S. Res. No. 859 ( Resolution directing the appropriate Senate committee to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation on the findings of the Commission on Audit report on the DoH on the reported unspent funds, misstatements, irregularities and deficiencies, with the end in view of addressing recurrent issues that plagued its services, as well as the persistent faults and lapses that gave rise to wastage even amid times of scarcity and shortages, and holding accountable, identifying and holding accountable those responsible for the same). The Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations (Blue Ribbon) headed by Senator Richard J. Gordon submitted its partial committee report to the Senate, preluded by a poem entitled “Pity the Nation” by Lawrence Ferlinghetti (After Khalil Gibran) 2007. “Pity the nation whose people are sheep And whose shepherds mislead them Pity the nation whose leaders are liars Whose sages are silenced And whose bigots haunt the airwaves Pity the nation that raises not its voice Except to praise conquerors And acclaim the bully as hero.” (To be continued) The post Ombudsman vindicates (3) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ombudsman vindicates
Ombudsman Samuel Martires has found probable cause to file graft charges against former Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management, or PS-DBM, officials and Pharmally executives over Covid-19 purchases. Graft buster Martires, thus, is seeking reforms to the procurement law amid the PS-DBM controversy. The move of the Ombudsman vindicated the eight-part series of this column entitled: “PS-DBM is a catastrophe.” The Office of the Ombudsman has found probable cause to file graft charges against former PS-DBM undersecretary Lloyd Cristopher Lao, former PS-DBM procurement group director and now Overall Deputy Ombudsman Warren Rex Liong, and other officials for their involvement in the irregular procurement of Covid-19 test kits from Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation. The 14 August 2023 decision signed by Martires called for the filing of three graft charges against Lao, Liong, and PS-DBM Procurement Management Officer Paul Jasper de Guzman and Pharmally executives Mohit Dargani, Lincoln Ong, Huang Tsu Yen and Justin Garado. Martires wants the PS-DBM abolished for, according to him, corrupt practices. The PS-DBM was created during the time of President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. to solve the problem of supplies but this was abused, Martires noted. Now do not mistake an audit observation memorandum for an annual audit report. An AOM contains observations that auditors want a particular government agency to explain, justify and substantiate with documents within 60 to 90 days. Hence, it is preliminary and tentative finding that may be explained in the course of an audit. It is when the AOM is not satisfactorily explained or justified that the Commission on Audit considers it a finding and it would be put in the annual audit report, which is published and posted on the CoA website that is accessible to the public. Martires made his unsolicited suggestion not to publish AOMs during a House hearing on his office’s budget, saying that it would prevent the public from prejudging those involved. A regular provision in the yearly General Appropriations Act requires government agencies and state corporations to submit audited financial statements, annual audit reports and reports on the utilization of their funds to the Department of Budget and Management and Congress or to post these on their websites. The AOM came to public and global prominence when a compilation of audit observation memoranda, including the findings on the P67-billion DoH funds for Covid-19, was released as the annual audit report on the accounts and financial operations of the Department of Health for calendar year ending 31 December 2020. This drew an immediate public statement from former CoA commissioner Heidi Mendoza — from her exalted post as Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations for Internal Control Oversight — saying that the CoA audit report had gone through the formal process of review and approval. This was reported by local media on 18 August 2021. The report, “Heidi Mendoza: Release of CoA findings on P67-billion DoH funds not premature,” brought her to global prominence, showing indeed that she was a “glorified incompetent.” The assertion globally by Mendoza that the release of AOMs as audit reports was not premature did not sit well with the rank and file of the CoA. Retired and senior auditors of the commission opined that the sudden emergence of Heidi Mendoza, Grace Pulido Tan and Michael Aguinaldo, who refused to obey the president, and Senators Risa Hontiveros, Franklin Drilon, Richard Gordon and Kiko Pangilinan who were the discordant choral voices against the government was part of a grand conspiracy to embarrass President Duterte before the president of the United States and the whole world and to destabilize his administration. There are many other valid reasons why AOMs should not be published. (To be continued) The post Ombudsman vindicates appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Teodoro gets CA nod
The Commission on Appointments on Wednesday approved the ad interim appointment of Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. as secretary of the Department of National Defense. Prior to his confirmation, the 12-member House contingent of the powerful CA spared Teodoro from questioning as a “courtesy” to the Defense chief who previously worked as Tarlac's 1st district representative. “The 12-member House of Representatives contingent will no longer ask questions regarding the nominee being a former member of Congress for three consecutive terms in the 11th, 12th, and 13th Congress,” said Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. LRay Villafuerte, the majority leader of the CA. Villafuerte added that the House contingent “has no doubt regarding the fitness and integrity of the nominee”. He appealed to their counterpart, the Senate to accord the same courtesy to Teodoro. From the 12-member Senate contingent, only Senator Risa Hontiveros asked questions to Teodoro. Hontiveros questioned Teodoro about his plans for the DND, now under his watch for the second time. He held the same position under the administration of then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the age of 43, the youngest ever appointee to the agency. Responding to the lawmaker’s query, Teodoro admitted that there has been a “shift in the evolution” from his first stint in the DND. He noted that he is now focusing on “straddling the balance between maintaining internal security and with an emphasis definitely given what is happening to the outside environment.” “We are strengthening our defense posture. We are gradually enhancing the capabilities of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines),” he said. The Defense chief said he is also working on “leveraging” the country’s alliance with other nations to strengthen the country’s capability to protect itself from external threats. By doing so, he noted that he would try to introduce “management solutions to managerial problems, and not military solutions to managerial problems.” “That is the transformation that we are trying to make. We are also deeply restrategizing what we intend to do at least in the next five years in order not only to make the defense department more responsive to the outside and internal environments but also to make more efficient our use of resources, and to use information technology to the highest extent possible,” he added. Teodoro also underscored the importance of strengthening the country’s capability to respond to external strength and not just rely on diplomacy. “[T]he intensity of the need to focus on protecting our sovereignty, our sovereign rights, in the exclusive economic zone and other jurisdictions of the country become more paramount now, as the whole world is in a raise for resources,” he said. “We could not afford to be laidback here. We should be cognizant of it because we can and principally use diplomacy, however, if diplomacy is not backed up by a strong spinal cord, then we will just be stymied by a greater force,” he added. He made the remarks amid the increasing tension between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea. China claims the vast South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. On 12 July 2016, the Philippines won its arbitral case against China in the Permanent Court of Arbitration – a landmark decision that China continues to reject. Teodoro said the Defense Department wishes the concentrate on not only guarding the islands of the archipelago and its internal waters but also on securing “peaceful, unimpeded, and unobstructed exploitation, and exploration of our sovereign rights over the 200 nautical mile EEZ of the republic and in all areas of the Philippines, to secure our baselines.” Last June, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced Teodoro’s appointment as the new DND secretary, replacing Carlito Galvez Jr. who led the agency for five months. Aside from Teodoro, the CA also approved the promotion of 11 generals and senior officers of the AFP. Jose Jesus Luntok, Ramon Flores, Dennis Pacis, Nasser Lidasan, Benedict Balaba, Steve Crespillo, Arvin Lagamon, Ivan Papera, Lloyd Cabacuñgan, and Fernando Ventura secured CA’s approval for their rank of Brigadier General. Peter Jempsun de Guzman’s rank of Commodore was also approved. The post Teodoro gets CA nod appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US lawmaker promises ‘resolute reaction’ if Taiwan attacked
Any unprovoked attack on Taiwan will result in a "resolute reaction" from Washington, US Congressman Rob Wittman said Friday during a visit to Taipei. China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its territory to be taken one day, by force if necessary, and it has ramped up pressure in recent years with near-daily air incursions and frequent military drills around the island. Wittman, a Republican, is vice chair of the House Armed Services Committee, which oversees funding for the US military, and is leading a delegation on a three-day visit to Taiwan. "President Tsai (Ing-wen), know that any, any hostile, unprovoked attack on Taiwan will result in a resolute reaction from the United States," he said during a speech Friday. Wittman said peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region is built on "a foundation of strength". "We know strength is the best deterrence to anyone that may think there is an opportunity to act badly in this region." While the United States officially recognizes Beijing over Taipei, it is Taiwan's key ally, providing weapons and aid to boost its defenses against an increasingly aggressive China. Wittman also promised Friday to help resolve the delivery backlog of weapons purchased by Taiwan. This week, US President Joe Biden's administration approved direct military aid to Taiwan for the first time under a financing program for foreign governments. But the State Department insisted this move did not imply any recognition of Taiwanese sovereignty -- a red line for Beijing. This followed the approval in July of $345 million in military aid to Taiwan from leftover US stockpiles. The post US lawmaker promises ‘resolute reaction’ if Taiwan attacked appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
TVJ’s trademark cancellation case remains—IPOPHL
The trademark cancellation case that original Eat Bulaga hosts, former Senator Vicente Tito Sotto, his brother Vic and Joey De Leon, filed against Television and Production Exponents, or TAPE Inc., has no bearing with the recently awarded renewal of TAPE Inc.’s trademark for 10 years, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines clarified on Monday. In an earlier interview by the DAILY TRIBUNE, IPOPHL director general Atty. Rowel Barba disclosed that the 10-year trademark registration renewal of TAPE Inc.’s “Eat Bulaga” “is purely ministerial and has no opposition period.” “On queries from various quarters about the renewal of the Eat Bulaga trademark of Television and Production Exponents, Inc., IPOPHL confirms the approval on 14 June 2023 of the request to extend the term of registration over EAT BULAGA AND EB covered by TM Reg. No. 42011005951, for Nice Classes 16, 18, 21 and 25 for another 10 years,” the IPHOPHL statement on Monday said. Further, the IPOPHL said the renewal process strictly observes an ex-parte nature prescribed by Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code. “Under the law, requests for renewal should be granted primarily if the registrant can prove the actual and continuous use of the mark,” the statement added. On the other hand, the IPOPHL maintained that “as the renewal requests and other pending applications at the Bureau of Trademark are separate from the trademark cancellation case at the Bureau of Legal Affairs, they do not affect the BLA’s disposition of the merits of the trademark cancellation case.” The IPOPHL earlier said that a separate agency office is hearing TVJ’s original hosts’ complaint for cancellation of Tape’s trademark registration. TAPE Inc. was then mandated to answer TVJ's complaint within 30 days. On 31 May, TVJ ended its 44 years of partnership with TAPE Inc. Amid the fracas, TVJ moved on and transferred to TV 5 operated by Manny Pangilinan, and started its new program, E.A.T. last 1 July, while TAPE Inc. retained its program title “Eat Bulaga” in GMA 7 with a new set of hosts. The post TVJ’s trademark cancellation case remains—IPOPHL appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Binay to DFA: Require personal appearances in E-visa application
Senator Nancy Binay on Tuesday urged the Department of Foreign Affairs to make “personal appearances at consular offices” as a “non-negotiable requirement” for some categories applying for electronic-visa or e-visa to ensure national security is still in place. Binay welcomed the pilot implementation of the country’s first-ever e-visa services on 24 August but stressed that DFA and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency should come up with “better security policies” to prevent possible non-technical loopholes. She added the authorities should ensure that the “probability” of organized syndicates exploiting tour groups and junkets will be lessened, including human trafficking. “We welcome the implementation of e-visas not only to positively boost tourism but also as our commitment to facilitate ease of travel. In the same vein, we urge the DFA and NICA to refine national security policies to deter undesirable travelers from extra-legally bypassing immigration laws,” Binay said. The senator likewise urged the DoF and NICA to review the existing exemption system to avoid any misuse and abuse by some foreign nationals of the Philippine e-visa. Binay cited the country’s digital version of the standard visa allows foreign travelers to enter a certain country for a specific period or purpose. In lieu of physical holographic stamps or stickers on the passport, applicants instead receive an e-visa approval code—which is linked to the passports. Binay urged authorities to make sure that national security would not be compromised amid plans to improve the digitalization of government processes. “Though the e-visa system temporarily gives us an opportunity to recover and jumpstart Philippine tourism, kailangan natin magkaroon ng (there’s a need to have) serious strategic decision on embracing the system as a modern travel solution,” she said. “Every visa decision has a national security dimension. Certain parameters on security should be in place, and apply a multi-layered safety plug plus a face-to-face interview to a narrow category of travelers para talagang salang-sala ang mga pumapasok sa bansa,” she added. Binay said vetting on transnational organizational criminals or TOC-related grounds and extensive security screening should be the prime considerations in approving visa applications. "Mas laganap ngayon ang transnational crimes lalo na ang human trafficking and prostitution na mula Mainland China. Gaano ba kasigurado tayo na ang nabibigyan natin ng e-visa eh talagang mga lehitimong turista? As a matter of national interest, I share the DFA's position to require face-to-face interviews with tourist visa applicants whose profiles fall in marked categories," she said. Hence, Binay advised the DFA to proceed with caution saying that the Bureau of Immigration “should also have a system to check on foreign nationals overstaying in the country.” Considering that the Philippines is the only ASEAN country with a Tier 1 status under the US State Department’s annual human trafficking report, Binay said the DFA cannot turn a blind eye on media reports involving the alleged trafficking of Chinese workers to the country. “Lalo pa ngayong unti-unti nang nanunumbalik ang turismo (now that tourism is reviving)—we also cannot ignore that China is a big market. I share the opinion that we have to take advantage of the global 'revenge tourism' phenomenon, but targeting visitor quotas need not dilute national security interests. At the end of the day, safety nets in homeland security should be in place,” she said. Binay noted that visa applicants must demonstrate their eligibility for e-visa acquisition, whether they are applying for tourism, business, or emergency purposes. The policy must apply to all foreign nationals, and we always have to be on the side of caution and prudence, she added. The DFA is set to pilot the e-visa in China and India beginning on 24 August. It will later allow foreign travelers to enter the country for tourism and business to apply for temporary visas online. The post Binay to DFA: Require personal appearances in E-visa application appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»