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Benitez to call attention of Libertad Public Market supervisor
Benitez to call attention of Libertad Public Market supervisor.....»»
Government calls for Earth Hour switch-off tonight
Government agencies are calling on the public to join the Earth Hour today by switching off non-essential lights from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m......»»
PPP Code IRR out; 20 projects up for approval
Around 20 solicited projects that are part of the government’s infrastructure flagship program are expected to be submitted to the National Economic and Development Authority Investment Coordination Committee for approval this year, the Public-Private Partnership Center said, following the signing of the implementing rules and regulations of the PPP Code......»»
MTRCB Chair Lala Sotto pinuri ang Batang Quiapo, It’s Showtime
SHOWBIZ KONEKni Maricris Valdez Nicasio PINURI ni Movie and Television Review and Classification (MTRCB) Chair Lala Sotto ang paggiging cooperative ng Batang Quiapo at It’s Showtime kapag may mga reklamo at ipinatatawag ang mga ito. Sa courtesy call ng Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd) noong Enero 30, naibahagi ni Chair Lala ang ilan sa mga TV show na nagkaroon ng problema at kung paano ….....»»
Tech titan Amazon sees profit climb as cloud promises boon
Online retail colossus Amazon on Thursday said profit surged in the recently ended quarter on growing sales and more efficient deliveries, with its cloud business promising even better days ahead. The e-commerce colossus said it made a profit of $9.9 billion on sales that tallied $143.1 billion in the recently ended quarter, with more than half its operating income made from Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud unit. Google parent Alphabet and computing colossus Microsoft this week reported rising quarterly profits, playing up demand for cloud computing enhanced with artificial intelligence. Investors, though, had hoped for better performance from Google Cloud causing the company's shares to slip. While Amazon Web Services (AWS) grew 12 percent when compared to the same quarter a year earlier, the unit's growth lagged that of rival cloud businesses operated by Microsoft and Google. "I remain very optimistic about AWS," Amazon chief executive Andy Jassy said on an earnings call. "There's a lot more there for us; then you look at the very substantial, gigantic new generative AI opportunity, which I believe will be tens of billions of dollars in revenue for AWS over the next several years." Amazon just weeks ago said it would invest up to $4 billion in AI firm Anthropic. The success of OpenAI's ChatGPT, a chatbot released last year that can generate poems, essays, and other works with just a short prompt, has led to billions being invested in the field. Anthropic agreed to use Amazon's chips to develop its next models and to use AWS for "mission-critical workloads." Amazon has already announced it aimed to soup up its Alexa voice assistant with generative AI, which the firm said would allow users to have smoother conversations. Retail rebound Amazon earnings "soared past expectations" in the quarter, according to Insider Intelligence analyst Zak Stambor. "We had a strong third quarter as our cost to serve and speed of delivery in our stores business took another step forward," Jassy said, adding its ad business grew "robustly" and AWS cloud computing business "continued to stabilize." "The retail giant's slowdown last year appears to be in the rearview mirror as it has embarked on significant cost-cutting throughout this year and sharpened its focus on key growth areas, such as its high-margin online marketplace and advertising," Stambor said. A top US antitrust regulator sued Amazon in September, accusing the online retail behemoth of running an illegal monopoly by strong-arming sellers and stifling potential rivals. "Our complaint lays out how Amazon has used a set of punitive and coercive tactics to unlawfully maintain its monopolies," said Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan. Robots and drones Amazon said Thursday it will hire 250,000 full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees in the United States to handle shopping demand in the months ahead. Amazon said last week that it will expand drone delivery of certain purchases to a third US state as well as to Britain and Italy by the end of 2024. The US firm has installed a new robotics system in one of its Texas logistics centers, featuring technology like automated vehicles, mechanical arms, and computer vision technology. Amazon already uses 750,000 robots in its warehouses to speed up deliveries. "The better they get at delivery, the more it continues to grow the e-commerce market overall and Amazon's place within that market," said Insider Intelligence analyst Andrew Lipsman. But increased productivity via robots won't fix underlying Amazon worker issues, critics say. Amazon early this year eliminated some 27,000 jobs in a move it said at the time was necessary, after years of sustained hiring. Ads shine Advertising continues to be "a major bright spot" for Amazon and it has started using generative artificial intelligence to help sellers create "eye-catching" ads in its online marketplace, analyst Stambor said. Insider Intelligence expects Amazon's US advertising business to bring in nearly $34 billion this year a major leap from before the COVID-19 pandemic. The post Tech titan Amazon sees profit climb as cloud promises boon appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go appeals for immediate action to protect OFWs caught in Israel-Gaza Conflict
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has issued an urgent appeal to various government agencies, including the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), to conduct immediate action to account Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) affected by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, Go emphasized the need for a swift and comprehensive inventory of affected OFWs, particularly those who may have been victims of violence. There is also a need to plan for their immediate repatriation when necessary. "The safety of our kababayans is paramount. I urge the DMW, DFA, and POEA to act swiftly and ensure that every Filipino worker is accounted for," said Go. The senator also appealed to OFWs to ensure their safety by coordinating with the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv. "I understand that many of you have built lives abroad, but your safety should always come first. Please coordinate with our embassy and avail yourselves of the government's assistance," Go advised. According to a recent report by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), around 200 OFWs based in the Gaza Strip are currently being monitored due to the conflict. The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) has also released a statement on President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directive to DMW and OWWA to locate and account for all OFWs and their families in Israel. The government is also closely coordinating with the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv and the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Israel to ensure their safety and welfare. Meanwhile, DMW has opened a hotline, as well as several mobile numbers, to accept calls and queries from OFWs and the Filipino community who are in need of government assistance. Go urged OFWs to make use of these channels to protect fellow Filipinos. The senator is a long-time advocate of OFW welfare. He was one of the authors and co-sponsors of Republic Act No. 11641, which created the DMW. "The DMW Act was designed to protect our OFWs. Now, more than ever, it's time to put this law into action to protect our kababayans," Go emphasized. As the Israel-Gaza conflict continues to escalate, Go said that the Philippine government should take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and well-being of OFWs caught in the crossfire. "I call upon all relevant agencies to work hand in hand in this endeavor. Let us set aside bureaucracy and focus on immediate action. Lives are at stake here,” he urged. “Proteksyunan natin ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino nasaan man sila sa mundo lalo na ang mga itinuturing nating modern-day heroes na OFWs na nagtatrabaho para mayroong maitustos sa pamilya nilang naiwan,” he added,” Go concluded. The post Bong Go appeals for immediate action to protect OFWs caught in Israel-Gaza Conflict appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Trio wins physics Nobel for illuminating electrons
France's Pierre Agostini, Hungarian-Austrian Ferenc Krausz, and Franco-Swede Anne L'Huillier won the Nobel prize in physics on Tuesday for research using ultra-quick light flashes that enable the study of electrons inside atoms and molecules. Their technique employs pulses measured in attoseconds, a unit so short that there are as many in one second as there have been seconds since the universe's birth over 13 billion years ago, the jury said. The laureates' research has made it possible to examine moves or changes so rapidly that they were previously impossible to follow, with potential applications in both electronics and medical diagnostics. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences likened the process to how the flapping wings of a hummingbird turn into a blur for the human eye but can be slowed and examined using high-speed photography. "We can now open the door to the world of electrons. Attosecond physics gives us the opportunity to understand mechanisms that are governed by electrons," Eva Olsson, chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics, said in a statement. 'Not so many women' In 1987, L'Huillier "discovered that many different overtones of light arose when she transmitted infrared laser light through a noble gas," the Nobel Committee noted, adding that her exploration of the phenomenon laid "the ground for subsequent breakthroughs". In the early 2000s, Agostini and Krausz worked on how to isolate light pulses that lasted only a few hundred attoseconds. Agostini is a professor at Ohio State University in the United States, while Krausz is a director at the Max Planck Institute in Germany. "It was just atomic physics interacting with lasers," Agostini said of his early work, in an interview released by his university. "We were not really aware it would go that far, but a lot of people were interested both in the method and the result." L'Huillier, only the fifth woman to be awarded the Physics Prize since 1901, is a professor at Lund University in Sweden. She told reporters she was in the middle of teaching a class when she received the call from the Academy, making it "difficult" to finish the class, to whom she did not reveal the news. "I am very touched ... There are not so many women that get this prize so it's very, very special," she said. Before L'Huillier, Marie Curie (1903), Maria Goeppert Mayer (1963), Donna Strickland (2018), and Andrea Ghez (2020) were the only women to have won the award. Speaking later at a press conference, she encouraged young women interested in science to "go for it" and said it was possible to combine a research career with an "ordinary life, with a family and children." French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated the trio. "What a source of pride for our nation!" Macron said in a post to X, formerly known as Twitter. L'Huillier and Krausz had been seen as contenders for the honor, having been awarded the prestigious Wolf Prize last year together with Canadian physicist Paul Corkum. Fellow Hungarian However, Krausz said he had not been expecting a call. "I was not sure whether I was dreaming or whether it was reality," he told the Nobel Foundation in an interview. The physics award is the second Nobel of the season after the Medicine Prize on Monday, awarded to messenger RNA researchers Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman for their groundbreaking technology that paved the way for mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Krausz said he had actually been listening to an interview with Kariko when he received the call, adding he was especially impressed with her determination as she toiled away at her research despite struggling to achieve recognition and secure funding for it. "That's what I would like to convey to future generations," Krausz said. The Physics Prize will be followed by the Chemistry Prize on Wednesday, with the highly watched Literature and Peace Prizes to be announced on Thursday and Friday. The Economics Prize -- created in 1968 and the only Nobel not included in the 1895 will of Swedish inventor and philanthropist Alfred Nobel, which founded the awards -- closes out the 2023 Nobel season on Monday. The post Trio wins physics Nobel for illuminating electrons appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Trio wins physics Nobel for illuminating electrons
France's Pierre Agostini, Hungarian-Austrian Ferenc Krausz and Franco-Swede Anne L'Huillier won the Nobel prize in physics on Tuesday for research using ultra quick light flashes that enable the study of electrons inside atoms and molecules. Their technique employs pulses measured in attoseconds, a unit so short that there are as many in one second as there have been seconds since the universe's birth over 13 billion years ago, the jury said. The laureates' research has made it possible to examine moves or changes so rapid that they were previously impossible to follow, with potential applications in both electronics and medical diagnostics. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences likened the process to how the flapping wings of a humming bird turn into a blur for the human eye, but can be slowed and examined using high-speed photography. "We can now open the door to the world of electrons. Attosecond physics gives us the opportunity to understand mechanisms that are governed by electrons," Eva Olsson, chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics, said in a statement. 'Not so many women' In 1987, L'Huillier "discovered that many different overtones of light arose when she transmitted infrared laser light through a noble gas," the Nobel Committee noted, adding that she has continued to explore this phenomenon, "laying the ground for subsequent breakthroughs". In the early 2000s, Agostini and Krausz worked on experiments that made it possible to isolate light pulses that lasted only a few hundred attoseconds. Agostini is a professor at Ohio State University in the United States, while Krausz is a director at the Max Planck Institute in Germany. L'Huillier, only the fifth woman to be awarded the Physics Prize since 1901, is a professor at Lund University in Sweden. L'Huillier told reporters she was in the middle of teaching a class when she received the call from the Academy, making it "difficult" to finish the class, to whom she told nothing. "I am very touched ... There are not so many women that get this prize so it's very, very special," she said. Before L'Huillier, Marie Curie (1903), Maria Goeppert Mayer (1963), Donna Strickland (2018) and Andrea Ghez (2020) are the only women to have won the award. Speaking later at a press conference, she encouraged young women interested in a career in science to "go for it". The laureate, who is married and has two sons, stressed it was possible to combine a research career with an "ordinary life, with a family and children." French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated the trio, noting that "two of our brilliant French researchers" had been honoured. "What a source of pride for our nation!" Macron said in a post to X, formerly known as Twitter. L'Huillier and Krausz had been seen as contenders for the honour, having been awarded the prestigious Wolf Prize last year together with Canadian physicist Paul Corkum. Fellow Hungarian However, Krausz said he had not been expecting a call. "I was not sure whether I was dreaming or whether it was reality," he told the Nobel Foundation in an interview. Speaking at a press conference a few hours later, he said: "There are signs that it could be reality". The physics award is the second Nobel of the season after the Medicine Prize on Monday, awarded to messenger RNA researchers Katalin Kariko, a Hungarian like Krausz, and Drew Weissman for their groundbreaking technology that paved the way for mRNA Covid-19 vaccines. Krausz said he had actually been listening to an interview with his compatriot when he received the call, adding he was especially impressed with Kariko's determination as she toiled away at her research despite struggling to achieve recognition and even secure funding for it. "That's the most important lesson for me, that's what I would like to convey to future generations, that if you believe in something and are convinced it's the right thing to do ... the important thing is to keep believing in it," Krausz said. The Physics Prize will be followed by the Chemistry Prize on Wednesday, with the highly watched Literature and Peace Prizes to be announced on Thursday and Friday. The Economics Prize -- created in 1968 and the only Nobel not included in the 1895 will of Swedish inventor and philanthropist Alfred Nobel, which founded the awards -- closes out the 2023 Nobel season on Monday. The post Trio wins physics Nobel for illuminating electrons appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Prioritizing inclusive healthcare for Filipinos
Providing inclusive healthcare for all Filipinos should always remain a priority. As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, my legislative agenda is to ensure that those with less in life are given more benefits and attention from the government, especially regarding healthcare. My constant appeal to health officials is to ensure all Filipinos in need get medical care regardless of their geographic and economic situation. This is precisely the sentiment I wanted to impart when the Commission on Appointments took up the appointment of Department of Health Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa. The health department has my full support, so I am happy to note that Secretary Herbosa committed his support for the continuing implementation of the Malasakit Centers program and other key public health initiatives. As principal sponsor and author of Republic Act 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, it is fulfilling to know that the program is instrumental in providing medical assistance to over seven million indigent Filipinos through the 159 currently operational Malasakit Centers nationwide. Prioritizing the establishment of Super Health Centers in strategic areas in the country will also help make healthcare more inclusive for Filipinos. With the support of my colleagues in both houses of Congress, we are looking at more than 600 Super Health Centers to be built nationwide. These centers will provide primary healthcare and medical consultations, and help promote early detection of illnesses, which will decongest hospitals in the long term. My advocacy for inclusive healthcare has been strengthened with the enactment of RA 11959, or the Regional Specialty Centers Act. This newly enacted law, which I principally sponsored as one of the authors, will establish specialized medical centers within existing DoH regional hospitals. It will help bring specialized medical services closer to every region and will, in effect, make the health department’s services more inclusive. Sufficient funds must be allocated for the Regional Specialty Centers for its effective implementation in the coming years. While we are doing everything to make healthcare more accessible to Filipinos, let us not forget our healthcare workers. I am appealing to DoH and our finance managers to make sure that the benefits due to our healthcare workers in accordance with prevailing laws are released efficiently and without further delays. Moreover, my regular engagement with communities in need continues to be part of my advocacy to promote inclusivity so that those with less can still get the best public services they need and deserve. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, I call upon every Filipino to rally behind our athletes competing in the Hangzhou Asian Games from 23 September to 8 October. Our athletes have trained tirelessly, sacrificing time, effort, and personal comforts to represent our nation on this grand stage. They carry not just their personal ambitions but the pride and hopes of an entire country. Let us show them that they are not alone in this journey. As your public servant, I assure fellow Filipinos that I will continue to push for inclusive public service delivery, particularly in healthcare and especially for the poor, to the best of my abilities in pursuit of social justice and development for all. The post Prioritizing inclusive healthcare for Filipinos appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Quimbo: OVP’s P125-M confidential funds spent in 11 days, not 19
Vice President Sara Duterte's office spent P125 million in confidential funds in 2022 in merely 11 days— not 19 days--- as initially claimed by some opposition lawmakers. The revelation came during the sponsorship debate of CoA's P13.36 billion budget for 2024, during which Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo, the agency's budget sponsor, told lawmakers that the multimillion-peso CF granted to the OVP by the Office of the President had been spent in just 11 days. The P125 million CF was part of the P221.42 million contingent fund of the OP transferred to the OVP in 2022. "Madam Speaker, the truth is that I was also surprised when I read the news that it was spent within 19 days and I asked about the CoA and I looked at the various reports, but it was not spent within 19 days but 11 days, Madam Speaker," Quimbo said. Confidential funds are used for discreet costs associated with surveillance operations carried out by civilian government agencies in support of their mandate or operations. The OVP submitted its liquidation report in January 2023 and was issued an audit observation memorandum or AOM on 18 September 2023 by state auditors, said Quimbo, citing the CoA. Government agencies have only 15 days to respond to an AOM. The CoA, meanwhile, pledged that Congress will be furnished a copy of the full report on 15 November 2023 as the audit is still ongoing. OVP spokesperson Reynold Munsayac, however, brushed off the claim and told reporters that the agency has yet to receive the AOM from COA. Gabriela Partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas, who has been an opponent and critic of the CF, appeared surprised by Quimbo's revelation, questioning how the OVP managed to spend that massive fund in less than two weeks. "It's hard to imagine spending that in 11 days because if it's for surveillance, how many reward payments will reach P11 million per day?" Brosas stressed. Quimbo, meanwhile, responded, "I hope you will support me in my call for this creation of a special oversight committee," that she said will look into how CIFs are used properly and judiciously. Under the current system, only the President, the Senate President and the House Speaker have access to information pertaining to CIFs. The multi-million fund shift of OP to OVP has sparked intense debate in Congress, with opposition claiming it was unconstitutional since there was no line item in the OVP's 2022 budget on confidential funds in the 2022 General Appropriations Act. Then Vice President Leni Robredo, who prepared the 2022 budget of the OVP, said there was no line item for confidential funds in the budget they crafted. The Department of Budget and Management defended the legality of such transfer in a letter sent to Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co, chair of the House committee on appropriations, last week. Co has yet to provide a copy of the letter to House reporters. The post Quimbo: OVP’s P125-M confidential funds spent in 11 days, not 19 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ombudsman vindicates (2)
The Ombudsman was correct in his unsolicited recommendation that Audit Observation Memorandum or AOMs should not be published to prevent prejudging those involved. But AOMs with biased, political undertones and color, if released within a conspired time frame and raising issues as critical as huge Department of Health or DoH money intended to combat Covid-19 being stolen, can cause a rebellion. More than ever, these justify graft buster Martires’ anger over the publication of AOMs. Amazingly, this scenario reappeared with an almost repeat performance by the same personalities like the lady who poured out her tears over the plea bargaining agreement, Heidi Mendoza, who suddenly appeared from nowhere crying again and asking everyone to pray for the soul of her colleague, UN Auditor, Atty. Jake Cimafranca, who worked hard on the DoH report, died of a heart attack. She posted about it in time for Cimafranca’s burial. Also suddenly appearing was Grace Pulido Tan of the “kahindik-hindik (hideous)” PDAF audit report, echoing the same statement of her tandem Heidi that the release of the DoH audit report was regular and not premature. Astonishing everyone, including CoA state auditors, was the rebuff by no less than CoA Chair Michael Aguinaldo of the directive of President Duterte telling him to audit the Philippine National Red Cross. He said the CoA needed more authority to audit the PNRC. State auditors were shocked by the answer of their chief to a presidential order. Something must be cooking. And there emerged the resounding call for an immediate investigation by the senators of the Republic on the DoH’s P67.32- billion fund intended to fight Covid-19. Soon, the call for an inquiry sounded worldwide. The internet showed news flashes in the world’s capital cities of allegedly massive Department of Health funds of the Philippines intended to protect the people of the archipelago from the onslaught of Covid-19 being stolen. But former fiscal and President Rodrigo Duterte could not be intimidated. “Pure bullshit”: Duterte says CoA-flagged DoH funds not stolen. Duterte tells Cabinet secretaries to ignore CoA reports: “Nothing will happen there.” All probes against DoH “can continue,” Palace says after Duterte scores CoA. In effect, Fiscal Digong was saying, you can go on with your investigation. Catch the crooks, but do not hinder government efforts to provide our people with the supplies they need to protect them from Covid-19. Here is how it all started. The annual audit report on the accounts and financial operations of the Department of Health for the calendar year ending 31 December 2020 disclosed, among other things, the following most significant observations contained in one of the collections of AOM released as an annual audit report on 11 August 2021: “1. Various deficiencies involving some P67,323,186,570.57 worth of public funds and intended for national efforts of combatting the unprecedented scale of the Covid-19 crisis were noted. These deficiencies contributed to the challenges encountered and mixed opportunities by the DoH during the state of calamity and national emergency and cast doubts on the regularity of related transactions. “We requested that the SoH (Secretary of Health) implement the recommendations contained in the Consolidated Management Letter on the audit of Covid-19 funds for the year ending 31 December 2020 and submit a status report on the actions taken on the audit recommendations stated therein.” On 11 August 2021, the preceding observation was reported by a local stream media as a blazing headline: “CoA finds DoH lacking in managing P67.32-B Covid funds.” “The Commission on Audit found deficiencies in how the Department of Health managed the P67.32 billion fund to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, adding that it contributed to challenges that the country faced during the crisis. “CoA’s annual audit report for DoH in 2020 revealed that the deficiencies are caused by non-compliance with pertinent laws and regulations, which led to missed opportunities for the department primarily tasked with managing the pandemic.” (To be continued) The post Ombudsman vindicates (2) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Many barangay posts in BARMM uncontested
As the October barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections draw near, we wrote about the apprehension of the authorities over the conduct of the elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or BARMM. The Philippine National Police has statistics on several towns flagged as possible election “hot spots.” In fact, they have asked for a postponement of the elections in those areas, but the Commission denied this despite documented incidents of election-related violence. But just as there are conflict areas, there are an almost equal number of barangays where peace is expected to prevail. There will be no contest in those barangays as the candidates will run unopposed. While this could taint the democratic process as the right of citizens to choose their leaders will be somehow restricted, it is still a welcome development. How does this work? This needs the intervention of the patriarchs of families, the elders of the village, and city or town executives. What is essential is to resort to what local tribes (among Maranaws) call “musawarah,” which is Arabic in origin, and “musyawarah,” which is the Malay word for consultation or dialogue. Contending candidates engage in dialogue to find common ground for agreement to avoid a socially, financially, and politically costly election. In the case of a barangay where one family numerically dominates, they choose by rotation from among the siblings or family leaders who will be the Punong Barangay. The other positions, like barangay councilor or kagawad, secretary, treasurer, etc., are equally divided among themselves. And there is an equitable distribution of the salaries and whatever largesse the barangay will receive from the government and local projects. In contested barangays, the town mayor offers a hefty sum to the party running against his chosen candidate and promises a monthly allowance and other assistance. By buying off the different bets, the mayor gets the full support of the barangay, with the Punong Barangay acting as his political operator when the mayoral elections come around. Experience tells us that the mayor, supported by most Punong Barangays, gets to perpetuate his dynastic family in power. This is also one way of settling “rido” or family feuds that are a side issue during elections. Through back channeling and having a common candidate and slate, families that for years were involved in “rido” are open to reconciliation. A Rappler report said about “149 barangays in Maguindanao del Sur’s 24 towns have unopposed bets for barangay chair.” And local leaders are still negotiating to have more unopposed candidates in more barangays. According to local leaders, this scheme is resorted to not necessarily for partisan considerations but for peace because election rivalries are the common cause of “rido.” This is happening also in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur and many other BARMM barangays. Through the efforts of provincial governors and city and town mayors, several barangays have candidates running unchallenged in October. Democrats might find this an assault on the freedom of the people to choose their leaders. They will claim that politicians manipulate the people to surrender their fundamental rights as citizens to perpetuate themselves in power and protect their dynasties. But what good is democracy if we have conflict and instability in the villages and one cannot sleep at night for fear of violence? In weighing which interest is preponderant — peace or freedom — pacifists will go for the former. This column supports the work of local leaders in BARMM to have familiar candidates for the coming elections so that lives will not be unnecessarily sacrificed on the altar of politics. amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com The post Many barangay posts in BARMM uncontested appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
House panel mulls Ombudsman proposal on CoA reports
The House Committee on Appropriations, whose primary jurisdiction includes appropriating expenditure for the national government and its agencies, is open to keeping findings of the Commission on Audit off the record in view of Ombudsman Samuel Martires’ proposal to call a halt to the publication of Annual Audit Report or AAR. Contrary to the senior vice chair, Marikina Rep. Stella Qumbo’s earlier pronouncement that the panel will retain the CoA’s regular publication of initial audit observation memorandum or AOM, Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co, the committee chairperson, said Saturday he is open consider Martires's suggestion of removing the publication of AAR from the general provision of the General Appropriations Act or annual budget, which the ombudsman deemed “causes confusion” to the public. According to Co, his panel “will carefully evaluate the impact and implications” of the disposal of the AAR. “I understand the concern about preventing premature judgments and confusion among the public when reading audit reports. The impact of such publications on government officials' reputations is an important consideration,” Co said. In the deliberation of the Ombudsman’s P4.98-billion proposed budget for 2024 last week, Martires called to remove the publication requirement of the CoA’s initial AOM for each government agency to stave off premature corruption judgment against government officials. “When a case is filed and the case is dismissed, the problem is it creates an innuendo that the ombudsman earned,” Martires said. “I appeal to Congress to take a second look at this.” While Co’s commitment came late, still, he still vowed that Martires’ proposal would be “discussed thoroughly, and we will engage in a comprehensive review to determine the best course of action in line with our commitment to transparency and accountability in government.” Martires’ proposal drew backlash from the public and lawmakers, including ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro, who strongly opposed the granting of confidential funds to various government agencies. Martires made headlines right after his pronouncement. Days after, he, however, assured the public that the Ombudsman “is not protecting erring and corrupt government officials and employees with its firm belief that only the Final Audit Report ought to be published and shared with the public since the Annual Audit Report could still be taken up on appeal before the COA en banc and the Court.” Quimbo had previously disclosed that the panel will proceed with the CoA reports publication, and that the 2024 proposed P5.7 trillion national budget has only undergone two adjustments, including eliminating the necessity that Congress submit reports to the executive department. The post House panel mulls Ombudsman proposal on CoA reports appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
UPD Dept of BroadComm calls for MTRCB Chief Lala Sotto to resign
The Department of Broadcast Communication of the University of the Philippines Diliman has condemned the actions of the Movie, Television, Review and Classification Board in light of its suspension of the noontime program "It's Showtime". In a strongly worded statement, the department said it wasn't about any particular show, but the questioning of MTRCB's relevance in present society as a whole. Part of the statement reads: "We...are appalled by the consistent failure of the MTRCB to be responsive to the times, as reflected by its unnecessary interventions ...its pointlessness in today's media environment. ...a clear demonstration of the point about the agency's lack of wisdom and discernment.The measure is regressive and only illustrates the board's proclivity for censorship and high-handedness. We append our collective voices...for its [MTRCB's] abolition, or if at all, transformation into an information and media literacy agency, that advances critical, intelligent, liberating, and sensible media production and audienceship, much needed in this milieu of orchestrated ignorance and disinformation. We also call for the resignation of MTCB Chair Diorella Maria "Lala" Sotto, whose pronouncements on national TV evidently compromised her position and objectivity as a public official." The post UPD Dept of BroadComm calls for MTRCB Chief Lala Sotto to resign appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM reiterates commitment to ASEAN integrated economy
JAKARTA, Indonesia – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday underscored the strength of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a regional organization and its commitment to regional integration. In his intervention at the 43rd ASEAN Summit and related summits here, Marcos Jr. said that ASEAN is poised to improve its macroeconomic fundamentals in the face of a prolonged geopolitical and socio-economic challenge. "With a projected growth rate of 4.9 percent next year and a steady rise in intra-ASEAN trade and foreign direct investment inflows, ASEAN is well-positioned to weather the storm," he said. Marcos Jr. also reiterated the Philippines' commitment to maintaining ASEAN as a competitive and integrated regional economy. He told the leaders that his administration's integration efforts include facilitating a rules-based multilateral trading system that is "open, free, and fair." Marcos Jr. also called for more concerted efforts to address the impact of climate change, which he said is the most urgent threat to ASEAN's progress. "At the upcoming UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), ASEAN must call on developed countries to heighten the implementation of their commitments," he said. "Their commitments that include climate finance, technology development and transfer, and capacity building, in order to drive ASEAN's capabilities to prevent, mitigate, manage, and adapt to the impacts of climate change," he added. The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly referred to as COP28, will be the 28th United Nations Climate Change conference from November 30 until December 12, 2023, at the Expo City, Dubai. Marcos Jr. also announced that the Philippines is ready to take the helm and chair ASEAN in 2026. "We will fortify the foundations of our Community-building and navigate ASEAN as it embarks on a new chapter," he said. "We will count on the support of fellow Member States and continue to work with our partners to strengthen ASEAN Centrality, and to promote peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the region," he added. During the 43rd ASEAN Summit opening remarks earlier, Indonesian President Joko Widodo said that the regional bloc must work harder, become more solid, bolder, and more agile in order to achieve its goal of becoming an "epicentrum of growth." He also called for the development of a long-term technical plan that is relevant and in line with the hopes of the people, not only for the next five years but for the next 20 years until 2045. Widodo also stressed the importance of ASEAN centrality, saying that the bloc must be the "primary driving force" in shaping the region's external relations. He said that ASEAN must work with other partners in the Indo-Pacific region to promote peace, stability, and prosperity. "ASEAN is a large ship, and we have a major responsibility towards the hundreds of millions of people who are sailing together on it," Widodo said. "Despite having to sail through a storm, we as ASEAN leaders must ensure that this ship can continue to sail." In addition to the ASEAN leaders, the summit will also be attended by representatives from dialogue partners, including the United States, China, Japan, India, and Australia. The post PBBM reiterates commitment to ASEAN integrated economy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senate to continue IACAT probe despite suspension of travel guidelines
The Senate wil continue its scheduled investigation into the departure formalities for international-bound Filipino passengers imposed by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking despite the suspension of the guidelines' implementation. In a press conference at the Senate, Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said while the suspension of the “stricter” guidelines is a welcome development, the upper chamber is still keen to know the basis behind such guidelines. “First of all, we thank them for the suspension because they’re supposed to implement it on 3 September, Sunday. So they will suspend it but at the same time, they have to explain to us how did they come up with the guidelines,” Zubiri said. He noted that the IACAT must explain the basis for requiring international-bound Filipino travelers to provide various documents such as original copies of birth certificates and affidavits of consular service for the traveler’s destination, among others. “There is no law that requires us to do so. So, in the absence of a law, we want to ask them their basis for these added requirements for Filipinos to travel abroad,” he added. He issued the remarks after the Department of Justice on Thursday suspended the implementation of the IACAT’s revised guidelines on departure formalities. On Wednesday, the upper chamber approved an unnumbered resolution seeking to stop the implementation of the revised guidelines on 3 September. It was followed by a separate unnumbered resolution that aimed to challenge the constitutionality of the travel guidelines before the Supreme Court. Zubiri lauded Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, for suspending the implementation of the “stricter” travel guidelines, which has earned criticism from Filipino travelers ahead of the order's scheduled implementation on the weekend. “This proves that government agencies and the DOJ secretary are listening and sensitive to the pulse of the public,” he said. Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva expressed his gratitude to the IACAT for “heeding our call to suspend the implementation of the revised IACAT travel guidelines.” “This is indeed a testament that our government listens. But our work does not stop here. We look forward to a dialogue with Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and the IACAT council to resolve the issues and find better solutions to combat human trafficking,” Villanueva said in a separate statement. “Our position remains. The revised IACAT travel guidelines are unreasonable, prone to abuse, and misplaced. The government should not put the burden on our kababayans but instead strengthen their programs against trafficking,” he added. Senator Grace Poe, chair of the Senate panel on Public Services, likewise welcomed the suspension of the new travel guidelines. “It averted what could have been a chaotic situation at our airports with the possible flight misses and boarding delays due to the cumbersome requirements,” Poe said. “We are one in our goal to give ease and security to legitimate travelers while making it hard for wrongdoers to victimize the public,” she added. The post Senate to continue IACAT probe despite suspension of travel guidelines appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kuya Bong pushes more DoH budget
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go reiterated his call for prioritizing the health of underprivileged Filipinos and underscored the significance of preparedness in the face of potential health crises. In an interview after his visit to Parañaque City last Monday, the senator stressed the need to allocate more resources to the Department of Health as he emphasized the importance of ensuring that even the most economically disadvantaged individuals in the country have access to quality healthcare services. Go — who also chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography and Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance — pointed out the concern generated by the proposed P10-billion reduction in DoH’s 2024 budget, particularly given ongoing efforts toward pandemic recovery and the need for a more resilient healthcare system. The post Kuya Bong pushes more DoH budget appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
India-administered Kashmir to host Miss World contest
The Miss World beauty contest will be held in the disputed territory of Indian-administered Kashmir as part of a month-long series of events across India, organizers have said. Control of the Muslim-majority territory is split between India and Pakistan, both of whom claim it in full but administer separate portions, divided by the Line of Control. For decades, an insurgency seeking independence or a merger with Pakistan -- and military operations to crush that movement -- have seen tens of thousands of civilians, soldiers and rebels killed. But India is now promoting tourism in the region -- home to spectacular mountain scenery -- and more than a million Indian citizens visited last year. Miss World Organization chair Julia Morley said that India will host a month-long series of events for the annual international beauty pageant from November to December, with part of the schedule to be held in Kashmir. "This is a blessed place for tourism," Morley told reporters while on a visit to Srinagar on Monday, the region's main city. Competitors will take part in "talent showcases, sports challenges, and charitable initiatives" to shortlist participants before the grand finale in December, the organization said. Miss World organizers say the contest "celebrates the beauty, intellect, and humanitarian efforts of women". The pageant has in the past sparked protests from critics who say it perpetuates the objectification of women and contributes to a beauty industry that pressures women to appear a certain way. In May, India hosted a G20 tourism meeting in Srinagar under tight security in a bid to show that what officials call "normalcy and peace" were returning after a massive crackdown following New Delhi's revocation of the region's limited autonomy in 2019. Dissent has been criminalized, media freedoms curbed and public protests limited in what critics say is a drastic curtailment of civil liberties by Indian authorities. Miss World 2022 Karolina Bielawska said she was stunned by Kashmir's scenery. "I cannot wait to welcome 140 nations, and all my friends and family, to bring them here to India and to show them places like Kashmir, like Delhi, Mumbai... you have so many beautiful places", the Polish model said Monday. The post India-administered Kashmir to host Miss World contest appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Education, synergy needed for winning communities: SPD
Southern Police District Director Brig. Gen. Roderick Mariano urged his men to the value of education and the essential synergy between the community and the police. The SPD covers the cities of Parañaque, Pasay, Makati, Taguig, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa and the Municipality of Pateros. In a statement on Monday, Mariano inspired all SPD personnel to make the most of their current positions, embracing challenges, persisting through obstacles, and drawing inspiration from the successes of others. He applauded the dedication of the SPD personnel and extended congratulations to the district for holding the rank of the best police district for nine consecutive months. “After all, it is the trust rating of the community that matters. If the community will trust our people then we will become effective to them,” Mariano said in his speech during the 122nd Police Service Anniversary held at the SPD Grandstand, Lawton Ave., Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, with the theme “Nagkakaisang Pulisya at Pamayanan Tungo sa Mapayapa at Maunlad na Bansa.” His speech highlighted the critical role of knowledge, skills and attitude, underscoring that the trust of the community holds the utmost significance. He then stated the importance of leaving a lasting legacy through selfless service and good deeds. “We are born with closed hands and we are going to die with open hands,” he reminded the audience, emphasizing the value of generosity and community impact and affirming “unselfish service,” Mariano said. The SPD’s 122nd Police Service Anniversary celebration was a testament to the commitment, dedication and unity of the police force and the community, reinforcing their collective endeavor towards a peaceful and prosperous nation. Meanwhile, Mariano also initiated the comprehensive Lecture on Parliamentary Procedure for the SPD Command Group, together with the junior officers of SPD and its police stations held at the Hinirang Multi-Purpose Hall, Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan Taguig City with guest lecturer, Hon. Santiago B. Cane Jr., Provincial Governor of Agusan del Sur last 9 August. Mariano said the lecture encompassed crucial topics, such as parliamentary rules, quorum establishment, efficient management of quorum minutes, the role of the presiding chair, secretary’s responsibilities, Internal Rules comprehension, initiating a “call to order,” and navigating table rules along with motion precedence, all with the overarching aim of fostering rapid, effective and productive meetings. The post Education, synergy needed for winning communities: SPD appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Filipino LGBT Europe launches European forum on LGBTQ+ rights and health
The first Filipino-European LGBTQIA+ Advocates Forum opened at the Amsterdam Mayor’s Residence in the capital city of The Netherlands on 2 August. The three-day forum, which coincided with the celebration of Amsterdam Pride Week, aimed to shed light on the fight for equal rights for the Filipino LGBTQ+ sectors in both the Philippines and the Filipino communities in Europe. The opening ceremony was graced by Alexander Scholtes, deputy mayor of Amsterdam; Katharina Kacerovsky-Strobl, organizer of Vienna Pride, EuroPride Vienna and Stonewall GmBH; and Jarie Osias; charge d’affaires of the Philippine Embassy in The Hauge. In his welcoming remarks, Chris Santa Brigida Kopp, chair of Filipino LGBT Europe, reiterated his call for worldwide solidarity in the Filipino LGBTQ+ community. He stated that those who have experienced being in places where equal rights are guaranteed must not forget that the same cannot be said for queer siblings in the Philippines. He noted that despite the distance the forum demonstrated sympathy and love for everyone in the community. [caption id="attachment_173978" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Guests at the opening of the first Filipino-European LGBTQIA+ Advocates Forum. | PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF FILIPINO LGBT EUROPE[/caption] Osias noted that in pre-Hispanic Philippine society, equality between all genders was said to be more pronounced than at the present time. He expressed hope that such becomes once again standard in the Philippines. He highlighted the steps that the Philippine government has taken toward that goal including the institutionalization of LGBTQ+ Pride Month by the Supreme Court, the rising number of local legislations that respect equality regardless of sexual orientation, identity and gender expression, and the ongoing formation of a special advisory body for LGBTQ+ issues in the Office of the President. He ended his speech by saying, “We are all human beings. We are all the same. We are equal. We should be equal in the eyes of the law.” This same sentiment was echoed by the Philippine ambassador to The Netherlands, Jose Eduardo Malaya III. He stressed that “when rights are protected, society flourishes.” The presence of guests from different parts of Europe joining hand-in-hand with the Amsterdam-based Filipino LGBT Europe was accentuated by Scholtes in his special address. He noted that the fervor of those that came was a show of the solidarity to the Filipino LGBTQIA+ community in Europe and how they are one with their queer siblings in the Philippines. He reiterated that Amsterdam Pride Week is one in spirit with such endeavor, stating that Pride is an event of celebration, protest and community building. He added that with the first Filipino-European LGBTQIA+ Advocates Forum, Amsterdam Pride Week also became a time to learn. As someone in a position of power, he stated that such an opportunity is valuable to demonstrate that things can still be better. He ended his speech by likening the Amsterdam Filipino LGBTQIA+ community to the tulip, which originated in Asia but bloomed beautifully in the Netherlands. Kacerovsky-Strobl emphasized that the battle for equality is not over yet and that Pride must continue as long as intolerance, fear, and hate exist. Evidence of the strengthening ties between the LGBTQ+ communities in Europe, Vienna will host the second Filipino-European LGBTQIA+ Advocates Forum. Kacerovksy-Strobl stressed that “inclusion is the future.” The opening ceremony of the forum ended with a show of appreciation to Filipino-Dutch couple, Godwin and Wimmo Yosalina-Bouman, who opened their doors to the Filipino LGBTQ+ community in the Netherlands and created a safe space. BAYOTA Community Center, which is now three years old, is a place to share culture, food and companionship. The post Filipino LGBT Europe launches European forum on LGBTQ+ rights and health appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»