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CA junks telco’s frequency plea, mandamus case vs. NTC
The Court of Appeals junked the petition for mandamus filed by NOW Telecom Company Inc. against the National Telecommunications Commission or NTC over the company's provisional authority or PA application to operate a cellular mobile telephone service within specific frequency ranges. In a 16-page decision, the appellate court's Special Ninth Division said "the court is powerless" to grant NOW Telecom's plea, especially since the company failed to show a clear legal right to the frequencies it sought. The CA said the decision, penned by Associate Justice Tita Marilyn B. Payoyo-Villordon and concurred in by Associate Justices Myra V. Garcia-Fernandez and Walter S. Ong, followed a careful examination of the case. The case began from NOW Telecom's request for NTC's automatic approval issued by the Anti-Red Tape Authority or ARTA. NOW Telecom had filed a petition for mandamus under Rule 65 of the Revised Rules of Court to compel the NTC and former Commissioner Gamaliel Asis Cordoba to stick to ARTA's resolution and OAA both dated 1 March 2021. These ARTA documents stated that NOW Telecom's application for a PA to operate in the frequency range 1970 Mhz-1980 Mhz paired with 2160 Mhz to 2170 Mhz and 3.6 GHz to 3.8 GHz frequency ranges was automatically approved by operation of law. It followed Republic Act 11032, otherwise known as the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018. However, an ARTA resolution dated 17 June 2022 reversed the previous decisions and formally recommended NOW Telecom's application for frequency assignment to the NTC. NOW Telecom's mandamus petition was notably based on its claim for the rights to specific frequency ranges, alleging that the NTC had unjustly neglected its duty to assign them. Yet, court records showed that as early as December 2005, NTC already found NOW Telecom to be non-compliant and was disqualified from the assignment of 3G frequency bands due to unpaid supervision and regulation fees or SRF and spectrum user fees or SUF amounting to P2.6 billion. NOW Telecom has a pending petition filed before the Supreme Court for this penalty imposed by the NTC. NOW Telecom received its PA in January 2006, but it was not specific to 3G and under the condition of paying its outstanding SRF and SUF obligations. In December 2017, NOW Telecom was designated the 20MHz contiguous bandwidth, 3520 to 3540 MHz, under the 3.5 GHz on the same condition that it resolved its outstanding SUF and SRF fines. NOW Telecom's Provisional Authority was extended until September 2020, but the NTC reiterated that the company failed to fulfill the conditions regarding SUF and SRF. Despite the issues hounding the company, NOW Corp. CEO Mel Velarde said he hopes the "Marcos administration" will aid the immediate settlement of its cases as a way of maintaining a "level playing field." _ The post CA junks telco’s frequency plea, mandamus case vs. NTC appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CA junks hazing accused’s inhibition plea
The Court of Appeals has denied the plea of one of the accused in the fatal hazing of University of Santo Tomas freshman law student Horacio Castillo III seeking to compel Regional Trial Court of Manila City Branch 20 acting presiding judge Shirley Magsipoc- Pagalilauan to inhibit from the case. In a 75-page decision promulgated on 22 September 2023 and written by Associate Justice Rafael Antonio Santos, the appellate court’s First Division held that the claim of Ralph Trangia that the judge acted with grave abuse of discretion in refusing to inhibit has no basis. The CA also did not give weight to Trangia’s claim the alleged failure of the judge to address the issues he raised in his demurrer to evidence shows that she would not be able to decide with utmost partiality. It added that after a careful review of the record of the case and the applicable laws and jurisprudence, it finds that petitioner failed to prove his allegation that the court committed grave abuse of discretion when it denied his motion for inhibition. “Rather it is evident that petitioner’s claim of bias and partiality is merely based on the denial of his Demurrer to Evidence, which in itself is not sufficient to prove that the court a quo acted with bias, bad faith, malice, or corrupt purpose,” said the CA’s decision. “For these reasons, the Court rules that petitioner miserably failed establish that the court a quo acted with manifest impartiality in issuing the assailed Orders,” it added. In denying Trangia’s demurrer, the Manila RTC in an order dated 4 February 2022 held that the evidence presented by the prosecution established all the elements of the offense of hazing as well as the presence and participation of all accused, including petitioner, during the hazing of Castillo by members of the Aegis Juris Fraternity. To recall, Trangia — one of the accused in the death of Castillo — has sought the inhibition of Pagalilauan at the CA on the ground of alleged partiality in denying his motion for demurrer evidence last 24 February 2022, which seeks the immediate dismissal of the case on the ground of insufficiency of evidence. On 10 March 2022, the respondent judge issued an order denying Trangia’s motion prompting the latter to move for the reconsideration of the said order but the same was denied on 28 March 2022. This prompted Trangia to elevate his plea before the CA arguing that Pagalilauan committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction in denying his motion for inhibition and the subsequent motion for reconsideration considering that she showed partiality in denying his demurrer to evidence despite clear showing that the prosecution failed to prove its case against him. The post CA junks hazing accused’s inhibition plea appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DoJ prosecutors told: Probe Pinoy-Indian case delay
The Philippine National Police on Thursday appealed to the Department of Justice’s Office of the Regional Prosecutor in Southern Tagalog to intervene in the immediate filing in court of the amendments in the charge of illegal possession of firearm against a Filipino-Indian businessman. In a two-page letter dated 27 September 2023 addressed to Assistant Regional Prosecutor Rogelio D. Radoc Jr. and signed by P/Lt. Col. Stefano Andrenicus A. Rabino, chief of the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Southern Metro Manila District Field Unit, it stressed that the Office of the City Prosecutor of of Dasmariñas in Cavite has yet to act on the 8 September resolution signed by Radoc himself. “Given the mandate to practice close coordination between the Prosecution and Law Enforcement, we ask for the immediate intercession of your Honorable Office to remind and compel the OCP Dasmariñas to comply, without delay, with the Resolution dated 8 September 2023 and file the necessary charges against the respondent,” said Rabino in his letter. To recall, the Dasmariñas OCP was ordered in the resolution to amend the charges it filed in court against Filipino-Indian businessman Amith Chandiramani. The OCP, aside from only the charge of illegal possession of a 9mm handgun, has been ordered to amend the criminal charge sheet to include illegal possession of M4 carbine and M26 fragmentation grenade with casing. Rabino said they were informed that the OCP have yet to officially received the copy of the resolution but said they find the claim as incredulous and as a ploy to delay. The post DoJ prosecutors told: Probe Pinoy-Indian case delay appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Another graft case slaps against QC honorary councilor
The Quezon City Barangay Kaligayahan chairman, who is an honorary councilor for being the League of Barangay Chairmen President, is in for more trouble. One of his former employees slapped him, along with the barangay (village) treasurer and a kagawad (councilor), with charges of violations of the Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and falsification of public documents before the Office of the Ombudsman, late afternoon Monday. Arjean Abe, of Tawid Sapa 2, Greenfields, Barangay Kaligayahan, charged Brgy. Kaligayahan Chairman and Quezon City Councilor Alfredo "Freddie" Roxas, his treasurer Hesiree Santiago, and Kagawad Arnel Gabito, chairman of the appropriation committee, with charges for violations of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Revised Penal Code for faking her signature to appear that she is still a barangay employee. Abe in her complaint, obtained by Daily Tribune, said she was hired as a teacher aide on 1 March 2022, receiving a monthly salary of P6,000, and was detailed at the barangay daycare center. She was later transferred as a clerk taking care of the issuance of barangay clearance because of the pandemic and classes on face-to-face were suspended. Abe said on 31 January 2023, she resigned from work with her letter of resignation received by Santiago. However, she found out that her name still appeared in the barangay payroll list, one of which was submitted by her as evidence against the three officials. The payroll was for 1 to 31 May 2023 where her name and signature still appeared and projected that she is still an employee receiving P6,000. The payroll list, Abe presented as "Annex A", also has the signatures of Roxas, Santiago, and Gabito. These documents, Abe said, are submitted to the Quezon City government for funding. She also submitted a copy of her identification card as "Annex B", bearing her true signature for the Ombudsman for vetting against the signature on the payroll list. Abe said the acts of the three officials also constituted falsification of documents which is a violation of Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code as she prayed that the Ombudsman would act on her complaint and compel Roxas and the two other Barangay Kaligayahan officials to answer to her charges and be jailed and eventually barred from holding public offices. The graft charges were the second to be slapped against Roxas as a barangay tanod (village watchman). She filed the same charges last month, accusing Roxas, Barangay Kaligayahan Secretary Maripha de Jesus, and Santiago of also making her their "ghost employee." Roxas also faced Graft and Corrupt Practices Act violations filed by one of their kagawads (village councilors), Allan Francisco Jr., who sued Roxas and other barangay kagawads Jim Mahusay, Alexander Rivera, former singer-actress Perla Adea, Arnel Gabito, Dionisio Gascon, Sofronio Grimaldo, and barangay secretary Josephine Penaranda for the approval of a barangay council resolution “interposing no objection to the application of M.M. Ledesma Laboratories Corp.” along Zabarte Road extension on 15 April, the barangay assembly day, which is not a regular barangay council session day. The post Another graft case slaps against QC honorary councilor appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Maguindanao del Norte impasse (2)
By reason of such refusal of the BLGF Region XII to designate the Provincial Treasurer of Maguindanao del Norte, Governor Sinsuat filed before the Supreme Court a Petition for Mandamus with a prayer for the issuance of a writ of preliminary mandatory injunction to compel the aforesaid office to designate the provincial treasurer of Maguindanao del Norte. While the case was pending in the Supreme Court, the President appointed officials and Abdulraof Abdul Macacua as Officer-in-Charge at the Office of the Governor of Maguindanao del Norte. As stated earlier, the appointment must have been made based on the opinion of the government lawyers on the legality of such appointment. They opined that Section 50 of RA 11550 is not applicable as regards who will assume the governorship and the vice-governorship upon the creation of the province because the plebiscite was held not before the 2022 national elections as directed by law but was held subsequent thereto. On 5 April 2023, Governor Sinsuat formally wrote PBBM her respectful but vigorous objection to the appointment of Macacua as OIC as having no legal basis. On 26 June 2023, the Supreme Court promulgated a decision granting the petition for mandamus filed by Gov. Sinsuat, to wit: “ACCORDINGLY, the Petition for Mandamus is GRANTED. Respondent Bureau of Local Government Finance, Regional Office No. XII is ORDERED to process the appointment of Badorie M. Alonzo or any qualified person designated by petitioner Province of Maguindanao del Norte, through Acting Governor Fatima Ainee L. Sinauat, as Provincial Treasurer of the Province of Maguindanao del Norte with utmost dispatch. The writ of preliminary mandatory injunction issued earlier is made permanent.” In granting the petition for mandamus, the Supreme Court stated that Governor Sinsuat validly assumed the office of Acting Governor hence he is entitled to the mandamus petition. Said the Supreme Court in that case: “xxxx Sinsuat, as duly elected Vice-Governor of the Province of Maguindanao, and Mastura, as next ranking member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the province of Maguindanao, validly assumed office as governor and vice governor, respectively, of the Province of Maguindanao del Norte, but only in acting capacities until elections for the permanent officials to the said positions shall have been held.” (xxxx Albeit the plebiscite was conducted only after the May 2022 National and Local Elections, this does not invalidate Section 50. As one of the Transitory Provisions, Section 50 is intended to operate upon the effectivity of the law. indeed, it would be in keeping with the spirit and intention of the law to give life to its transitory provisions for we cannot simply allow the already existing Provinces of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur to be without a set of officials or without any funds for their operations. xxxx” (PROVINCE OF MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE, represented by its Governor Fatima Ainee Limbona Sinsuat versus BUREAU OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE REGIONAL OFFICE NO. XII, represented by its Acting Regional Director June Ann C. Abella, et.al. G.R. No. 265373). (To be continued) The post Maguindanao del Norte impasse (2) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Decision reversal on amparo against NTF-ELCAC sought
The Supreme Court was asked by the Cordillera People’s Alliance on Monday to reverse the Court of Appeals decision denying its plea for the issuance of a writ of amparo against the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and other law enforcement agencies. The CPA — through some of its officers and members — repeated the call for the issuance of a temporary restraining order enjoining NTF-ELCAC and other respondents from linking the group and its affiliate organizations with communist-terrorist group New People’s Army in their social media posts and other forms of publication. They also asked the SC to compel the respondents to take down all existing social media posts and forms of publicity which tag the group and its officers and members as communist-terrorists. A writ of amparo is a remedy available to any person whose right to life, liberty and security has been violated or under threat through various acts of the respondents. It include the relentless red-tagging and vilification by “state forces” and unknown entities in public place and social media posts such as Facebook and community meetings. It also includes the issuance of Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee Resolution paving the way for the conduct of house visitations of individuals identified as associated or members of communist front organizations and visitations, stalking, surveillance, and harassment allegedly perpetrated by officers of the respondents NTF-ELCAC, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, Philippine Army and the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Cordillera Administrative Region, who are named respondents in the case. Also, the petitioners assailed the encampment by the AFP in indigenous villages, residential houses and use of civilian facilities or structures and the alleged filing of baseless charges against some of the petitioners that were eventually dismissed. The CA’s former Seventeenth Division in a decision issued last April, through Associate Justice Angeline Mary Quimpo-Sale affirmed with finality its October 2022 decision denying CPA’s petition for a writ of amparo. It held that the CPA failed to present sufficient evidence that would warrant the issuance of a writ of amparo and it did not give merit to CPA’s claim that it set the bar “too high for any aggrieved citizen to seek succor from the courts in times of threats to his life and liberty” when it denied their petition for a writ of amparo. The Appellate court also noted that the “sheer volume” of screenshot attached to their affidavits “does not automatically amount to substantial evidence proving that the Facebook posts were made by or under the direction of the respondents.” The CPA is a corporation registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, with the primary purpose of upholding the collective rights and welfare of indigenous peoples of the Cordillera. The post Decision reversal on amparo against NTF-ELCAC sought appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Comelec: No extension to SoCE turnovers
The Commission on Elections on Thursday stressed that there should be no extensions in the filing of Statements of Contribution and Expenditures, which is a detailed document of all the contributions and expenditures made by certain candidates during the election campaign. This comes after the Supreme Court ruled against the poll body’s 2016 resolution that stretched the deadline on the filing of SoCEs from 8 to 30 June 2016, right after the 2016 national and local elections, saying that the poll body has committed grave abuse of discretion over the said resolution. “No extensions now on all our deadlines except in highly meritorious circumstances,” Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia said. Under Section 14 of the Republic Act 7166 — which was approved back in 1991 — candidates and treasurers of political parties must file their SoCEs “within 30 days after the day of the election.” The said provision barred elected officials and political parties of winning candidates to assume positions without the filing of SoCE, with penalties on the first offense between P1,000 to P30,000 and on the second offense between P2,000 to P60,000, as well as prohibition in assuming public office. The resolution in question — Resolution 10147 — said that the extension of the deadline was due to, among other things, “several requests,” as well as previous rulings that compel the poll body to extend the deadline on the filing of SoCEs both after the 2010 and 2013 elections. Comelec also argued that the extension would help in their probes on possible election overspending. “The simple expediency of not accepting the SoCE if filed beyond the deadline and just imposing a fine is in effect throwing away the evidence of any infraction of the campaign finance rules and unwittingly assisting in hiding the evidence,” the poll body said. However, the Supreme Court argued that such actions “effectively condoned erring candidates and political parties from administrative liabilities, even if the law does not provide any exempting circumstance.” Meantime, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan expressed its gratitude to the Supreme Court for taking the party’s position that the Comelec committed grave abuse of authority in granting extensions on the filing of SoCEs. PDP Laban president and Palawan Representative Jose Alvarez said that the High Court’s decision vindicates the party’s decision in June 2016 to challenge Comelec resolution which granted the extension on the filing of SoCE that favored the Liberal Party and its candidates. The Comelec has recognized in a final and executory decision the PDP Laban led by Party chairman Rodrigo Duterte and Party president and Representative Alvarez as the true and legitimate PDP Laban. “We thank the Supreme Court En Banc for taking PDP Laban’s position in this landmark case and we also welcome the statement of the Comelec that it will no longer grant extensions on the filings of SoCEs in compliance with the SC’s decision,” said Alvarez. “The Supreme Court decision voiding Comelec Resolution 10147 affirms the provisions of RA 7166 that states that the Comelec is not authorized to extend the deadline for the filing of SoCE or not beyond 30 days after the polls conclude,” he added. “This decision should serve as a warning to all candidates that they should just comply with laws like RA 7166 and not seek exemptions from the Comelec. Based on the law, candidates who fail to file their SoCEs on or before the deadline cannot assume the elected position that they won,” the lawmaker said. The post Comelec: No extension to SoCE turnovers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
P1.8-B tax case filed vs cigar traders
At least 69 cases of tax evasion amounting to P1.8 billion was filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue yesterday before the Department of Justice against illicit cigarette traders who were caught selling untaxed, fake and smuggled cigarettes during the agency’s first simultaneous raids conducted last January 2023 in different parts of the country. According to BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui, who led the filing yesterday, the government is losing around P50 billion to P100 billion due to the illegal activity which was supposed to fund health services and various government projects. “The total exposure we have filed today, including the penalties and fines, amounts to P1.8 billion based on the result of our nationwide raids that we conducted last January 25 against illegal cigarette (traders). Again, it was the first ever nationwide operation in the BI history,” Lumagui pointed out. The BIR chief issued a stern warning the agency would continue its campaign against illegal cigarette traders by conducting more raids and filing of cases. He added that BIR would focus on Zamboanga City and Pampanga as the two provinces are considered “hotspots” for smuggling of cigarettes. The BIR’s nationwide raids last January covered 378 stores in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Lumagui said all the revenue regions of the BIR participate in the nationwide raid since the illicit cigarettes are considered a nationwide concern of the BIR. “After the first BIR nationwide raid of illicit cigarette stores and warehouses last January 2023, we are now filing 69 criminal cases against the possessors and owners for tax evasion. This is a warning against all illicit traders. The BIR will not only raid your stores and warehouse, we will also file criminal cases against you. This will not be the last,” he added. The BIR is looking into the sources of the cigarettes being sold illegally across the country, noting that a big syndicate may be the one supplying these sellers. Lumagui said they are also determining the locations of factories where the counterfeit cigarettes are being smuggled. “The BIR protects the Philippine economy by leveling the playing field. Everybody has to pay taxes. Traders of cigarettes, vape, petroleum, and other goods subject to taxes have to register with the BIR and pay their taxes,” Lumagui reminded taxpayers. “Failure to do so would force us to raid your stores and file criminal cases against you. We are in constant surveillance of your businesses. Not only will you have to pay your taxes with penalties and surcharges, but you will also lose your freedom,” he added. The post P1.8-B tax case filed vs cigar traders appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Teves hand in retraction ‘possible,’ says Clavano
A Department of Justice official did not discount the possibility the camp of Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. had something to do with suspects in the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo recanting their statements. “It’s very possible. We’re looking at many angles here, that’s why we need to be very careful with our witnesses,” DoJ Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano said. Clavano cited the alleged attempt of a former DoJ undersecretary to talk to the witnesses at the National Bureau of Investigation. Levito Baligod, the counsel of the Degamo family, disclosed that the former official tried to bribe detained suspects to clam up. Clavano said they are eyeing the transfer of the suspects to the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City. He said there is no current official of the DoJ involved in the alleged manipulation of suspects in the slaying of Degamo and nine others on 4 March. The DoJ official also denied the allegation of Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo that “someone at the agency” may be manipulating the suspects into recanting their extra-judicial confessions in connection with the killing of her husband. In an interview with reporters via Zoom, Clavano assured that the police officers and agents of the NBI assigned in the case build-up are among “the best of the best.” “I think the statement of Mayor Degamo was out of emotion and we hope that the credibility of the DoJ is preserved in this case and for the country,” Clavano said. On Monday, Osmundo Rivero, one of the suspects in the Degamo slay case, recanted his affidavits tagging Teves Jr. and his former bodyguard Marvin Miranda as the masterminds. Rivero claimed that police investigators tortured and coerced him into admitting his participation in the crime. Through his counsel, Danny Villanueva, Rivero also filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus before the Regional Trial Court of Manila seeking to compel Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, and NBI director Medardo de Lemos to present his wife Queenie Rivero, his two-year-old son Jophiel and 15-year-old stepson Christian. Rivero said he received information that his wife and two sons were taken from their house by a team of soldiers from the Philippine Army together with members of the Municipal Police Station of Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur. He claimed his family was taken to the Office of the Provincial Police in Camp Aberlon, Pagadian City before they were turned over to the NBI. But the DoJ said Rivero’s family has been placed under the Witness Protection Program after he initially agreed to cooperate with authorities. Villanueva, on the other hand, said three more suspects identified as Rommel Pattaguan, Rogelio Antipolo Jr., and Dahniel Lora have recanted their previous statements linking Teves to the gruesome crime. Clavano denied the torture claims made by the suspects. “As far as our intelligence goes, no such thing happened. We are very careful in handling these suspects because we believe they are also victims in this case,” he said. The post Teves hand in retraction ‘possible,’ says Clavano appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Transport group blasts LTMS
The National Public Transport Coalition on Sunday slammed the new foreign-made information technology platform of the Land Transportation Office — the Land Transportation Management System — for allegedly charging “enormous service fees” to the motoring public transacting with the agency. In a media interview, NPTC national convenor Ariel Lim revealed that the LTO charges drivers, vehicle owners, auto dealers and operators a minimum of P75 per transaction when paying through the LTMS and the service fees are allocated for the online portal’s accredited payment gateway, Paynamics. Instead of providing convenience, Lim lamented that the LTMS became an added financial burden to the motoring public, especially to the low-income public utility vehicle drivers, adding that since the government already owns the LTMS, the public should not be charged these additional fees. He also alleged that with the move, the system is being used by some as a “money-making” scheme and a vehicle for corruption. Lim also questioned the selection process of the payment gateway partner as to whether it underwent proper bidding and accreditation, and the basis of such a price for a service fee as it is higher than the usual rate of P25 to P45. He disclosed that aside from the P75 service charge, some motorists resort to paying P100 to P200 to “fixers” just to open an LTMS account. To recall, the NPTC revived its call to the Senate and Congress to investigate the alleged system glitches and irregularities of the LTMS project due to the failure of LTO’s foreign IT provider – Dermalog -- to deliver its output on time despite receiving full payment amounting to P3.19 billion. Based on reports of the Commission on Audit, the LTMS project has been extended at least 14 times, and yet the government did not impose any penalties. Previously, the NPTC and other local transport groups in Davao filed a case against the Department of Transportation and LTO officials for the continued operations of Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Centers which they alleged as unconstitutional. The Davao Oriental Regional Trial Court is expected to act on the groups’ call for a temporary restraining order soon. Meanwhile, during a hearing of the House Committee on Transportation held on 11 May, committee chairman and Antipolo 2nd District Representative Romeo Acop questioned the capability of Dermalog to deliver the IT needs of the LTO, since in a letter dated 29 March 2023, LTO chief Assistant Secretary Jose Arturo Tugade asked its long-time IT provider – Stradcom -- to continue its operations until the LTMS is fully operational. It is also unclear if this presumably requires another contract extension for LTMS. The LTO chief explained that he only requested Stradcom to stay until the migration of data from the old system to LTMS has been completed. He has earlier committed that the LTO will be fully utilizing the LTMS by 31 August 2023, despite the reported glitches and incomplete system functionalities. The LTO revealed it is already working closely with the Office of the Solicitor General to compel Dermalog to fulfill its contractual obligations. The post Transport group blasts LTMS appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Babies have rights
#ASKGOYO Atty. Gregorio Larrazabal Quoted below is the statement of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines: “The tragic death of 3-month-old Baby River highlights the need to do MORE, BETTER, FASTER in the justice sector quoted below is the statement of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines: “Baby River was born at the Fabella Medical Center on July 1, 2020. Her mother, urban poor organizer Reina Mae Nasino, 23 years old, is a detainee at the Manila City Jail Female Dormitory who was arrested on November 5, 2019 at the Tondo office of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan. The police raids that resulted in the arrests of over 60 activists in Metro Manila and Bacolod were by virtue of various warrants issued by the RTC Branch 89 in Quezon City. Reina Mae and two others were charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives, a non-bailable offense. “Despite questions raised against the validity of the raids and arrests as well as petitions for the release of Reina Mae on health and humanitarian grounds or for continued breast-feeding, the frail and underweight Baby River was separated from her mother barely a month after birth. “The case went through RTC Manila Branch 20, the Supreme Court, back to RTC Branch 20, then RTC branch 42 and RTC Branch 37, and the Court of Appeals, until Baby River died on Oct. 12, 2020. “Manila RTC Branch 47 finally allowed Reina Mae furlough – this time to visit her dead daughter. Despite many fully armed BJMP escorts, police and military personnel monitoring and accompanying Reina Mae, she remained hand-cuffed while at the wake. “The heartbreaking and brief life-story of Baby River compel us to raise these questions: “1. Why can’t our justice system safeguard the needs and rights of an innocent child to breastfeeding and a better chance to survive? “2. Why don’t our jails have adequate facilities to address the needs and rights of children and women detainees duly recognized by domestic and international law? “3. Why does it take so long to respect, protect, and fulfill human rights? “4. Isn’t there double standard when “bigger” detainees are allowed similar or even greater privileges? “5. Can we not have justice with compassion? “Let our concern, dismay, or rage and the tears that we may shed for Baby River Nasino fuel our collective determination and action to improve our justice system. Let not our innocent children fall under the cracks. Babies have rights and we have duties to nurture them. Let our humanity rise above our personal comforts or the privileges of power.” DOMINGO EGON CAYOSA National President & Chairman of the Board of Governors *** We can talk about the law legal processes, and I’m sure many will. But at the crux of all this should be:“What is it to be human?” Have we sunk so low that we’ve lost our humanity? Have we forgotten what it is that separates us from animals? Have we been numb to peoples’ suffering and death? Have we been stripped of our sense of morality and compassion that we have lost our appreciation of what is right and wrong? People have discussed the trampled rights of the mother of the infant. But what about the rights of the baby? Stripping the legalese of the tragedy, we have to ask: What about the basic needs of the baby, as emphasized by the statement of the IBP? There is no justification to being deprived of the love and care his mother, and the warmth of her embrace. The soothing voice to say she’s going to get better, and she’s loved… Have we regressed to a point that we’ve been stripped of our empathy? More than the legality of this. After the furor will have died down, and it surely will, I think we have to ask ourselves, “Where are we now?” How low have we sunk and how to we get back up and regain some sense of decency? My heart broke when I saw pictures of Reina Mae Nasino covered in PPE, in handcuffs, unable to even hug her dead baby one last time. I still cannot understand the inhumanity towards not only the mother, but the baby, who had done no one wrong, yet was treated with so much hate, disrespect, contempt, and derision for her to be born in this world, yet stripped and deprived of human love and affection. I can never hate anyone that much to treat him or her so badly. I think we need to dig deep within ourselves and search our soul. To find the humanity which has clearly been missing. We need to find our moral compass, before we all lose our soul and drown in the abyss. Stay Safe. Pray for Baby River. Pray for OUR country......»»
Ex-envoy: Case vs. Xi before ICC to proceed
The case filed by former Philippine government officials against Chinese President Xi Jinping and other Chinese officials before the International Criminal Court may now proceed after new evidence was submitted that could compel the ICC to reconsider their complaint, months after it was rejected......»»
ED attaches asset worth Rs 70 lakh in bank fraud implicating Hyderabad-based Jasleen Enterprises
New Delhi [India], March 28 (ANI): The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has attached an immovable property valued at Rs 70 lakh in a bank fraud case involving Jasleen Enterprises headquartered in Hyderabad. The Hyderabad division of the ED attached the fixed asset in accordance with the stipulations outlined in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) of 2002. ED initiated investigation on the basis of First Informati.....»»
Emergency protocols in case of bridge collapse sought
Emergency protocols in case of bridge collapse sought.....»»
DOJ charges 2 alleged NPA financiers with terrorism financing
According to the DOJ, the case stemmed after reports that Dumlao and Tolentino possessed firearms and ammunition without a clear source of income or apparent purpose......»»
Philippine scientists harassed by China helicopter
Another case of harassment at sea by the Chinese has been reported – this time near Pag-Asa Island last Saturday – involving a helicopter, which hovered dangerously close to a group of Filipino scientists doing research work on a sand bar called Sandy Cay, causing minor injuries......»»
Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar on overseas deployment to ASEAN, arrives im Phillipines
Manila [Philippines], March 25 (ANI): India Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar, a specialized Pollution Control Vessel, reached Manila, Philippines on Monday, marking the commencement of its (overseas deployment) OSD mission to Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. ASEAN countries includes Brunei Darussalam, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, " acc.....»»
Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar on overseas deployment to ASEAN nations, arrives in Philippines
Manila [Philippines], March 25 (ANI): India Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar, a specialized Pollution Control Vessel, reached Manila, Philippines on Monday, marking the commencement of its (overseas deployment) OSD mission to Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries. ASEAN countries includes Brunei Darussalam, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, " acc.....»»
Philippine scientists harassed by China helicoper
Another case of harassment at sea by the Chinese has been reported – this time near Pag-Asa Island last Saturday – involving a helicopter, which hovered dangerously close to a group of Filipino scientists doing research work on a sand bar called Sandy Cay, causing minor injuries......»»
Second graft case filed vs Magalong
Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong is facing another graft case before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the allegedly anomalous improvement and rehabilitation of a P50-million multipurpose building in Barangay Irisan......»»