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Analysts: Vietnam s Island Expansion Aims to Counter China
Vietnam is dredging and filling out the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, a move that appears to be aimed at countering China's assertive behavior in the disputed waters, analysts said.Recent Vietnamese expansion work in the Spratly Islands, which began in 2021, was most noticeable at Barque Canada Reef, according to a report last week by the Washington-based Center for Strategic International Studies' Asi.....»»
Rob Gomez and Paolo Gumabao debunk myths about men’s behavior
I recently had a fascinating conversation with Rob Gomez and Paolo Gumabao whose perspectives on matters concerning men were both interesting and entertaining......»»
3 ‘rude’ Malaysian tourists barred from Philippines
Three Malaysian tourists were denied entry upon arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Friday for exhibiting rude and disrespectful behavior, the Bureau of Immigration reported yesterday......»»
DOT chief apologizes over attached agency exec’s behavior
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco yesterday apologized to senators over the inappropriate behavior of an official who texted the senators to ask for VIP treatment for the Department of Tourism in the budget deliberations......»»
Biden meets Chinese FM, urges cooperation on ‘global challenges’
US President Joe Biden met China's foreign minister for talks on Friday as the two countries seek to smooth ties ahead of a possible visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Biden told top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi that Washington and Beijing must "manage competition in the relationship responsibly and maintain open lines of communication," the White House said. With the Israel-Hamas conflict raging in the Middle East, Biden also "underscored that the United States and China must work together to address global challenges," it added in a statement. Biden has invited Xi to San Francisco next month for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, but he has also stood firm on China in the run-up, keeping up a stream of sanctions and backing US allies in disputes with Beijing. Wang Yi has been on a two-day visit to Washington during which he also met US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. The Chinese foreign minister had been expected to meet Biden too after Blinken met Chinese president Xi in Beijing in June, but it had not previously been confirmed. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby had said on Thursday that this week's talks were a "milestone in that effort to keep the lines of communication open with the PRC (People's Republic of China)." Sullivan was going to raise "areas of concern" including China's behavior in the South China Sea, where it has been forcefully asserting its maritime boundaries. Stabilize Wang said after meeting Blinken on Thursday that he wanted to "stabilize US-China relations" and "reduce misunderstanding" after years of tensions. Acknowledging that differences will still come up, Wang said China would respond "calmly, because we are of the view that what is right and what is wrong is not determined by who has the stronger arm or the louder voice." Biden and Xi have had no contact since a meeting in Bali in November 2022. Relations have been tense for years between world's top two economies as they vie for influence in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, and as Beijing boosts cooperation with Russia in a bid to reduce US dominance. Tensions have been particularly high over Taiwan, the self-ruling democracy claimed by Beijing that over the past year has launched major military exercises in response to actions by US lawmakers. The United States and China have also traded barbs over the conflict in the Middle East, where Biden has been Israel's foremost ally. US officials have repeatedly spoken of creating "guardrails" with China to prevent worst-case scenarios and have sought, without success, to restore contact between the two militaries. Biden on Wednesday warned China of US treaty obligations to the Philippines, which said that Chinese vessels deliberately hit Manila's boats in dispute-rife waters -- an account contested by Beijing. Speaking alongside Australia's prime minister, a key Asia-Pacific ally, Biden vowed to compete with China "every way according to the international rules -- economically, politically, in other ways. But I'm not looking for conflict." The post Biden meets Chinese FM, urges cooperation on ‘global challenges’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Generals, flag officers: China harassment disregards sea rules
China has clearly disregarded the international conventions on the Safety of Life at Sea and International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea following its Coast Guard’s latest aggressive actions against Philippine resupply boats in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippines, according to the Association of General and Flag Officers. AGFO strongly denounced the “dangerous maneuvers” of the Chinese Coast Guard and the Chinese maritime militia boats that collided with the Armed Forces of the Philippines-contracted resupply boat and Philippine Coast Guard escort vessel during the country’s re-provisioning mission to the BRP Sierra Madre, grounded in the Ayungin Shoal. “The latest harassments clearly reflect China's disregard of international conventions on Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS 1974) and International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS 1972),” the AGFO statement read. AGFO believes China's intrusion in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone “aims to subvert the sovereign rights of the Filipino people, by unrestricted fishing, willful destruction of corals, and continued illegal presence.” As a signatory of the 1982 UNCLOS and a "party" to the 2016 Arbitral Ruling, China is “fully aware of maritime rights of coastal states” — that includes exploration and exploitation of marine and seabed resources and the preservation of the marine environment. But it continues to propagate contrary narratives, said the group. “From its actions and narratives, China has maintained its strategy in South China -- ignoring the 2016 Arbitral Ruling, employing its seagoing forces, reinforcing its artificially-built island bases, and wearing off other claimants -- to exercise undisputed control over the waterway,” AGFO underscored. “This strategy clearly reflects China's hegemonic behavior that intimidates weak nations, threatens the freedom of navigation therein and deprives the other claimants of their patrimony,” it added. AGFO expressed support to the Philippine government in considering crafting and implementing all necessary initiatives to preserve the country’s maritime entitlements in the West Philippine Sea. The post Generals, flag officers: China harassment disregards sea rules appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Biden prodded on joint WPS patrols
Members of the United States House of Representatives’ Foreign Affairs Committee condemned China’s “unlawful” actions in the West Philippine Sea that led to collisions of a Philippine resupply boat and its Philippine Coast Guard escort ship. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul and Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), along with Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific Chairwoman Young Kim (R-CA) and Ranking Member Ami Bera (D-CA), issued a joint statement to express their support for the Philippines. “We unequivocally support the Philippines and condemn the unlawful actions by the Chinese Coast Guard in the South China Sea,” the US lawmakers said. “The Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels intentionally hit PCG ships over the weekend and continue to violate international law, endanger Filipino crew members, and obstruct Philippine vessels’ access to their own exclusive economic zone,” they added. The 22 October incident was “part of a larger pattern of the People’s Liberation Army Navy, its maritime militia, and the Chinese Coast Guard’s aggressive and provocative behavior in the South China Sea, where it actively intrudes in other states’ exclusive economic zones,” they said. Over the weekend, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea accused the CCG of performing “dangerous blocking maneuvers” that resulted in a collision with the Unaiza May 2, an indigenous boat contracted by the AFP for its routine resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre. During the mission, a Chinese maritime militia vessel “bumped” the PCG ship, BRP Cabra, on its port side. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the PCG to investigate the incident. The American legislators also backed US President Joe Biden’s announcement of increased joint patrols with the Philippines and other partners in the South China Sea and his administration’s reaffirmation to uphold its commitment under the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty. Earlier this week, the White House said US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan assured Philippine National Security Advisor Eduardo Año of US support in safeguarding its sovereign rights in the WPS under the two nations’ MDT. Signed in 1951, the Philippines and the US agreed under the MDT that an armed attack on either of the parties would be considered an attack on the other, thus, joint actions may be taken by the US and the Philippines to protect each other. Meanwhile, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the collisions would convince more countries to undertake freedom of navigation sorties with the Philippines in the WPS. “I believe it will invite more countries that have an interest in freedom of navigation to participate not only in joint patrols but in other security engagements with the Philippines,” Teodoro said. Teodoro said the Philippine government is considering many options to address China’s increasing aggression in the WPS. The post Biden prodded on joint WPS patrols appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Work in progress : Baron Geisler thanks manager for clarifying his rumored exit from Senior High
Baron Geisler and his manager Arnold Vegafria put to rest the rumors and reports that the actor has been axed from the popular teen thriller "Senior High" for his alleged "delinquent behavior." .....»»
Geopolitical tensions could hit global economy: US Fed
The US Federal Reserve warned Friday that the recent attack on Israel and the ongoing Ukraine conflict could cause harm to the world economy and boost global inflation. Israel has been conducting extensive air strikes on the Gaza Strip since October 7, when more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians, were killed by Hamas militants during an armed attack on the south of the country. Israel's retaliatory bombing campaign has left more than 4,100 people dead, many of them also civilians, according to the Hamas-run health authorities in Gaza. Ongoing exchanges of fire with Hezbollah militants along Israel's northern border with Lebanon have raised fears that the conflict could spread to other countries in the region. "The attack on Israel, in conjunction with Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, has ratcheted up geopolitical tensions," the Fed said in its semi-annual report on financial stability. "Escalation of these conflicts or a worsening in other geopolitical tensions could reduce economic activity and boost inflation worldwide," it added. Mitigating banking stress In its report, the Fed also said that policy interventions earlier this year in light of the rapid collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) had "played a key role in mitigating the stresses in the banking system that emerged in March." SVB failed following a bank run by investors concerned by its exposure to interest rate risk in light of the Fed's aggressive campaign of rate hikes. A number of other US banks collapsed in the turmoil that followed, which also led to the merger, under pressure, of the Swiss banking giant Credit Suisse with regional rival UBS. "Since March, volatility has abated and deposit outflows have largely stabilized," for affected banks, the Fed said. "But these banks nonetheless continued to face challenges navigating changes in depositor behavior, higher funding costs, and reduced market values for investment securities," it added. The post Geopolitical tensions could hit global economy: US Fed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Citing extensive testing, Obiena camp insists pole vault star is clean amid doping accusation
The camp of Olympic pole vaulter EJ Obiena reiterated on Thursday that he has never doped, and that he has polygraph and even eye behavior-related lie detector test results to prove it......»»
Cesafi to players, fans: Rough play, heckling below the belt won’t be tolerated.
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Lawyer Boyet Velez, Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (Cesafi) deputy commissioner, has given a stern warning to the players and fans that they will impose sanctions and even ban those who have harmful intensions in actions or words during the games. Velez told CDN Digital that their technical committee has been stringent in reviewing the Cesafi basketball games to see if there are any other players who intentionally caused physical harm on-court. READ: Keaton Taburnal of CRMC Mustangs suspended for two games by Cesafi Taburnal suspension It was in light of the two-game suspension of Cebu Roosevelt Memorial Colleges (CRMC) Mustangs’ Keaton Clyde Taburnal, who was caught on tape hitting University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters’ John Herben Linares in the abdomen during their October 14 game at the Cebu Coliseum — a game which was won by UC, 84-68. Aside from the two-game suspension, Taburnal had to pay a fine of P10,000, and do four hours of community service. Although Taburnal already publicly apologized from the incident, Velez wants to remain vigilant because this kind of acts can tarnish Cesafi’s reputation. READ: CRMC Mustangs coach on Taburnal’s suspension: This will be a learning experience Serious business “In Cesafi, we mean serious business, we instill discipline to our players, we impose the rules and regulations of Cesafi. So, to the fans and to the players, especially to the players, this is a good example of what we did,” said Velez. “Even if you’re not caught during the game, but we have the technical committee to do the review, on what transpired during the game. Under our rules, if you inflict bodily harm, we can impose sanction to the player, similar to what happened to Taburnal, even though he wasn’t caught and there was no whistle during the game, however, right after the incident, we reviewed the video, we found out he intentionally harmed Linares,” he said. READ: Gun-shy Patrick Yu pulls trigger late to anchor NU victory over La Salle Heckling fans Velez also warned the fans that they would get banned from watching the games at the Cebu Coliseum if they would be caught heckling. He said they would do this after the Cesafi officials received several complaints about the unruly behavior of some fans. “Before the start of the game, we addressed the fans, asking them to cheer and jeer, but not to heckle.....»»
Musk’s X strips headlines from news links
Elon Musk's social media platform X has stripped headlines from news articles shared by users, in a move likely to further worsen relations with media groups. The tycoon has long railed against the "legacy media" and claims X, formerly Twitter, is a better source of information. However, he said the latest change was for "aesthetic" reasons -- news and other links now appear only as pictures with no accompanying text. Musk took over Twitter last year in a $44 billion deal and has since renamed it X, sacked thousands of staff and drawn criticism for allowing banned conspiracy theorists and extremists back on the platform, sending advertisers fleeing. He has also banned -- and reinstated -- various journalists with mainstream outlets including the Washington Post and CNN, as well as appearing to delay posts from accounts including the New York Times. "I almost never read legacy news anymore," Musk posted on Tuesday. "What's the point of reading 1,000 words about something that was already posted on X several days ago?" Souring relations Some media groups have stopped posting to X altogether because of the rise in hate speech and the behavior of Musk. AFP and other French news outlets launched a legal case in early August accusing X of copyright breaches. When the changes to links were first mooted in August, Musk posted: "This is coming from me directly. Will greatly improve the esthetics." The changes appear to have been introduced gradually this week. Instead of seeing a headline along with a picture, users now see only a picture with a small watermark. The changes brought a good deal of criticism, journalist Tom Warren of The Verge website posting on X: "It's the latest in a long line of dumb changes on this platform." Some users have already commented that it is now difficult to distinguish between news and other kinds of information, which is likely to raise questions about the trustworthiness of the site. In September, the European Commission said X had a higher ratio of misinformation and disinformation than any other social media. The souring relationship between media and tech companies is not limited to X. Both Google and Meta have pushed back against laws forcing them to pay media companies to show stories. The changes are having a real-world effect, with Axios news site reporting on Tuesday that referrals to media websites from X and Meta's Facebook had collapsed in the past three years. Ads 'decimated' Musk said in July the platform had lost roughly half its advertising revenue, though a month earlier he had claimed that almost all advertisers had returned and that 90 percent of bots had been removed. According to a Media Matters report released Wednesday, most of the top 100 advertisers at Twitter in the weeks prior to Musk's takeover are spending dramatically less at the platform. "Media Matters found that the company's ad revenue is still decimated," the report stated. Since Musk purchased the company, it has earned 42 percent less ad revenue than before his tenure, according to Media Matters. Market tracker Insider Intelligence estimates that X's share of the worldwide digital ad market has fallen nearly 28 percent to about a half a percent in the past year. Musk has suggested charging all users of X, which would be the biggest shake-up since he took over the site, but experts say he might struggle to get most users on board. The post Musk’s X strips headlines from news links appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
LandBank named best for financial inclusion
The Land Bank of the Philippines, or LandBank, was recognized by Kantar Philippines as one of 2023’s Best Philippine Brands under the “Banking” category for providing convenient, accessible and innovative banking services to unbanked and underserved Filipinos nationwide. Kantar conferred the award to LandBank for its strong brand of service, decades of empowering the underserved, and for advancing financial inclusion in the country through the accessibility of its integrated physical and digital banking services. The market research firm also highlighted the Bank’s efficient delivery of cash grants to beneficiaries of the National Government’s social amelioration programs, particularly the digital disbursement of financial assistance under the Conditional Cash Transfer Program. “This recognition is a testament to LandBank’s unwavering pursuit to reach and serve more Filipinos nationwide. We are continuously working towards the strategic expansion of our physical touchpoints and the enhancement of our digital channels to deliver exceptional and accessible banking service,” said president and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. In support of the National Government’s financial inclusion drive, LandBank has also onboarded 8.35 million Philippine Identification System, or PhilSys, registrants for their own transaction accounts, under the Bank’s co-location strategy with the Philippine Statistics Authority. The partnership aims to bank previously unbanked PhilSys registrants and grant them formal access to basic banking and other financial services. LandBank likewise has 1,111 agent banking partners, or ABPs, nationwide offering services such as cash out, cash in, fund transfer, bills payment, and opening and issuance of LandBank Agent Banking Cards in unbanked and underserved communities. The bank also offers individuals who have no capacity for operationalizing a regular deposit savings account to open a LandBank “Perang Inimpok Savings Option” or PISO account with only P1 as minimum initial deposit and up to a maximum of P50,000 account balance. As of end-August 2023, LandBank has opened 52,406 PISO accounts for unbanked and underserved Filipinos including students, public utility vehicle drivers, vendors, farmers and fishers. Kantar BrandZ report LandBank was recognized for its strong brand image in the Kantar BrandZ Philippine Report, which was based on a comprehensive survey conducted in 2022 covering 44 local brands across four categories — banks, communication providers, general retailers and beverages. Kantar is a global marketing and data analytics company that specializes in analyzing, understanding, and interpreting consumer behavior and trends. The 2023 Philippines Brand Awards is the first edition held by Kantar Philippines in the country to honor the top brands that bring value to the lives of Filipino consumers. The post LandBank named best for financial inclusion appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Taliban: Evicting Afghan migrants ‘unacceptable’
Pakistan’s plan to evict hundreds of thousands of Afghan migrants is “unacceptable,” Taliban authorities said Wednesday, denying allegations by Islamabad its citizens were responsible for a string of suicide attacks there. Around 1.3 million Afghans are registered refugees in Pakistan and 880,000 more have legal status to remain, according to the latest United Nations figures. But caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti said Tuesday a further 1.7 million Afghans were in Pakistan illegally, giving a 1 November deadline to return home or face deportation. The order comes as Pakistan grapples with a rise in attacks the government blames on militants operating from Afghanistan, a charge Kabul routinely denies. “The behavior of Pakistan against Afghan refugees is unacceptable,” Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid wrote on social media site X. “Afghan refugees are not involved in Pakistan’s security problems. As long as they leave Pakistan voluntarily, that country should tolerate them.” Bugti claimed Afghan nationals were responsible for 14 of 24 suicide attacks in Pakistan since January. “We deny all these claims because Afghans have migrated to other countries for their safety, their security,” Abdul Mutalib Haqqani, spokesperson for the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, said. “It’s natural when someone migrates to another country for his safety, he would never want insecurity there,” he told Agence France-Presse. Legions of Afghans have migrated to neighbouring Pakistan over decades of conflict during the Soviet invasion, the following civil war and the United States-led occupation. And 600,000 have arrived since the Taliban seized power in Kabul in August 2021 and imposed their austere version of Islamic law. The post Taliban: Evicting Afghan migrants ‘unacceptable’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Road rage incidents a security threat — expert
Road rage incidents last year was 12 percent higher than the previous years and should be taken as a security threat, a psychology expert from the Quezon City Rehabilitation Center said Tuesday. At the Quezon City Journalist Forum, Dra. Ana Victoria Faltado said there were 15 recorded deaths and 222 injuries “because of aggressive driving” that led to road rage incidents. “It (aggressive driving) has become the common cause of traffic altercation,” Faltado said noting that incidents are higher in Metro Manila because of urbanization. “Eight out of 10 (drivers) exhibit aggressive behavior, while nine out of 10 tends to be aggressive,” she added. “It is now a security threat. Socially it’s a psycho-cultural problem. There is a need for stricter traffic laws implementation,” Faltado explained. 2nd District Councilor Rannie Ludovica, on the other hand, who headed the Council Committee on Public Order and Safety said he had already filed an “anti-road rage” measure to prevent it from happening around the city’s jurisdiction. Ludovica said the ordinance carries a penalty of P5,000 to both the “aggressor” and the “victim.” “Once na nagtalo sa kalye, obstruction na sa traffic ang result. We leave the imprisonment clause to the discretion of the court, as there are other charges to be slapped against them, we have LTO rules that they also violated for sure,” Ludovica explained, adding that the measure however will still have to go into process like calling for a public consultations first of all sectors concerned. “What we have arrived first are the factors behind it (road rage). Economic, cause everything now has become expensive. Most common is under the influence of liquor and drugs. But the biggest factor is that the driver or would be road rager has a love problem,” Ludovica explained. For Dra. Fataldo, to prevent irritation on the road, the driver should have to “take a deep breathe” and “turn your radio to listen to a good music.” The post Road rage incidents a security threat — expert appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
How secret are CIFs?
Confidential and intelligence funds have been the buzzword since the budget season started in late August. It snowballed after Vice President Sara Z. Duterte was pressed to explain how the Office of the Vice President spent the P125-million Confidential and Intelligence Fund (transferred from the Office of the President contingent fund). As it became a highly debated topic — legislators like Senator Risa Hontiveros and Makabayan bloc members in the Lower House sought disclosure on the use of confidential funds to the public. Close to wrapping up the budget deliberations last week, the OVP and the Department of Education may lose their CIF requests in the 2024 budget as several solons agreed to realign them to the security operations of agencies that need them most. In a nutshell, arguments were in favor of transparency and against it. The decision will ultimately depend on the specific circumstances and the policies in practice. CIFs typically refer to discretionary funds allocated for specific purposes within an organization or government agency. Usually intended for confidential or sensitive activities requiring secrecy or discretion, the purpose of secret funds varies widely depending on the organization. Still, some common examples include intelligence gathering, covert operations, paying confidential informants, and other clandestine activities. Regarding national security, using CIFs may be related to sensitive national security matters. Disclosing details about these activities could compromise ongoing operations or endanger the individuals involved. Former National Security Advisor Hermogenes Esperon Jr.’s explanation of where CIFs are used is clear enough. CIFs are not exclusive to the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police. Civilian agencies also use them for counter-intelligence — protection of personal documents and communications; and intelligence operations — use of human intelligence, technical intelligence, and other ways of collecting information. The CIFs, the former AFP chief said, are significant in maintaining the people’s allegiance to the government and safeguarding against potential espionage and threats from within the state. Equally appalling as the laxity of some government agencies in recruiting people who are supposed to be fit for the job, whose loyalty is to the people and not to overthrow the government, is the recruitment of young students and out-of-school youth to the communist cause. It, therefore, coheres that teachers’ loyalty to the Department of Education and their commitment to enhancing learning capabilities and development of the youth should be beyond doubt. Who needs teachers who lead in recruiting young minds to be radicalized? Imposing a mandatory disclosure on the use of CIFs is synonymous with informing enemies of the state of the government’s plans against them, which could potentially impede the efficacy of specific operations. It pays to understand that some security endeavors necessitate a certain degree of secrecy to accomplish goals. As long as the allocation, management, and purposes of CIFs are subject to specific laws, regulations, and internal policies, there should be no fear of misuse, corruption, or unethical behavior by those entrusted with managing the funds. The last time we checked, the dictionary had not made revisions to the definition of confidential. It still is an adjective that means “intended to be kept secret or restricted to the use of a particular person, group, or class.” The post How secret are CIFs? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
New face of drug war
The recalibration of the drug war reflects a welcome and significant shift in perspective. This new approach acknowledges that a more nuanced understanding of the drug problem is necessary, one that views drug use not merely as a criminal act but also as a health concern. The decision to target drug syndicates rather than drug users signals a shift from punitive measures to a more rehabilitative stance. In the past, focusing on users often resulted in a revolving door scenario, with the same individuals repeatedly caught in the cycle of arrest, release, and re-arrest. Targeting the syndicates disrupts the supply chain, making drugs less accessible and thus potentially reducing drug use. Moreover, acknowledging drug use as an addiction rather than a simple matter of criminality is crucial in addressing this problem more effectively. The World Health Organization defines addiction as a complex, multifactorial health disorder characterized by chronic and relapsing behavior. Recognizing drug users as victims of addiction, rather than criminals paves the way for more compassionate and health-centered interventions. This perspective aligns with global best practices in handling the drug problem. Many countries, such as Portugal, have seen significant success by treating drug use as a public health issue rather than a criminal one. Drug users are offered rehabilitation and harm reduction services rather than jail time. Such an approach has resulted in lower drug use rates, fewer drug-related deaths, and reduced transmission of drug-related infectious diseases. The new drug war in the Philippines could mean increased funding for rehabilitation centers and more robust community-based rehabilitation programs. It could also lead to the implementation of harm reduction strategies, such as needle exchange programs, which have been shown to reduce the spread of HIV and other infectious diseases among drug users. However, this new direction also requires a more holistic approach that addresses the root causes of drug addiction, such as poverty, lack of education, and social inequality. This means that the drug war should not be fought in isolation but as part of a broader effort to improve social conditions and create opportunities for all Filipinos. Furthermore, going after the syndicates necessitates strengthening the country’s law enforcement capabilities. This includes providing necessary training, resources, and support to ensure that they can effectively dismantle these syndicates. In conclusion, the new direction of the Philippine government under President Marcos Jr. to recalibrate the drug war represents a more humane and potentially more effective approach to addressing the drug problem. By focusing on the syndicates and recognizing drug users as victims of addiction, we are moving towards a more comprehensive, compassionate, and sustainable solution to this complex issue. The post New face of drug war appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Viva La Virgen Part 2
The impact of religious activities and devotion on the behavior of the citizens is significant. If the influence of religious personalities and religious activities on the people is substantial, it greatly affects how people interact with one another. We salute the dedication and vocation of religious individuals because they provide hope to those in times […].....»»
Aboitiz Group bags triple Golden Arrow Awards
With a distinguished legacy spanning five generations, the Aboitiz Group remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering positive change in shaping the future as it adheres to the standards and requirements outlined in the ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard. This year, following the 2022 compliance period of the ACGS, Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. received a 4-arrow recognition after scoring 111.68 points, AEV’s highest ACGS score since the Institute of Corporate Directors inaugurated the Golden Arrow Awards in 2018. Aboitiz Power Corporation and Union Bank of the Philippines both received a 3-arrow recognition for scoring between 100 and 109 points. AEV and AboitizPower have consistently been recognized as top performers in corporate governance, both here in the country and in the ASEAN region since 2013-2017 at the PSE Bell Awards. “This distinction is the result of the Aboitiz Group’s work to transform a legacy business into a hyper-innovative, diversified conglomerate that puts corporate governance and citizenship at the core of its operations. We have always believed that transparency and accountability are essential in building trust amongst our stakeholders and forging strong partnerships in order to drive change,” said Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, Aboitiz Group’s chief reputation and sustainability officer. AEV, the portfolio management company of the Aboitiz Group, leads investments in diverse sectors including power, banking and financial services, food, infrastructure, land and cutting-edge fields such as data science and artificial intelligence. The Group is presently undergoing a profound transformation to establish itself as the Philippines' first "techglomerate." This innovative growth strategy, fueled by technology and a renewed entrepreneurial mindset, empowers Aboitiz to drive transformative change, shaping the future of its businesses, host communities and the nation. The Golden Arrow Recognition serves as a testament to Aboitiz Group's unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of corporate governance. Aboitiz has excelled in several key areas such as compliance, sustainability, and innovation – positioning it as a frontrunner in the realm of corporate governance. This honor reflects the Group's ongoing commitment to creating value for its shareholders, stakeholders, and the broader Filipino community. Aboitiz Group’s robust policies and procedures across every level of the organization form the bedrock of its commitment to excellence in corporate governance. Furthermore, the company's board of directors is characterized by its independence and diversity, playing a pivotal role in providing oversight and making strategic decisions aligned with the best interests of shareholders and stakeholders. Aboitiz places great emphasis on transparency, providing clear and comprehensive information regarding its financial performance, operations, and decision-making processes to ensure that shareholders and the public remain well-informed. In terms of regulatory compliance, Aboitiz is dedicated to adhering to all relevant laws, regulations, and standards related to corporate governance. The company continuously updates its policies to ensure alignment with evolving requirements. When it comes to ethical business practices, the Group's commitment to ethical conduct and integrity remains unwavering. The company adheres to a stringent code of conduct that guides the behavior of its employees, fostering an environment of trust and integrity. “This award reaffirms the team’s adherence to the shared responsibility of sustainably managing the organization. This further motivates us to champion the highest corporate governance and ethical standards as we continue to grow the business,” said AboitizPower president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Rubio. “Likewise, we also exert as much effort and diligence in upholding environmental preservation and the societal good within the areas we have the privilege to serve.” “We humbly accept this recognition as a reinforcement of the principles that guide the Bank. Our corporate governance practices reinforce the requirements of a constantly evolving business landscape. We ensure that they comply with new regulations and are ready to adopt best practices,” said UnionBank lead independent director Roberto Manabat. Aboitiz is deeply committed to sustainability and corporate social responsibility initiatives. The company actively pursues environmental and social responsibility, demonstrating its dedication to creating a positive impact on society and the environment. The post Aboitiz Group bags triple Golden Arrow Awards appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Former OTS chief lambasts cultural decay at airports
The former Office for Transportation Security chief lambasted the cultural decay in the airport security teams that allows negligent screeners to continue working there, this before he could begin an internal purge. Ma. O Ranada Aplasca, who resigned from his post over the airport screener caught on closed-circuit television swallowing $300 bills taken from an outbound Chinese national, said the problem with airport security is “more than systemic, it is cultural.” “There was the problem with ‘tanim-bala.’ Maybe the problems were not highlighted in the past because no one was caught. Based on our records, for the past several years, no one was dismissed in the OTS for violations of our disciplinary policies,” he said. Aplasca said when he was the director of the PNP Aviation Security Group, his initial task was to clear the country’s airports of the “tanim-bala” scheme, in which airport inspectors hid bullets in travelers’ luggage to extort money. “That tanim-bala was the first marching order to me by former President Duterte, and that’s where I felt his 100-percent support; that’s why, in less than one month, we were able to solve the problem,” he said. Aplasca said that before his resignation Tuesday, the OTS had initiated 68 cases against erring personnel, with at least 11 people dismissed. Found guilty Meanwhile, DoTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said the female Security Screening Officer and three other OTS screeners involved in the cash swallowing incident last 8 September were “found guilty of stealing.” Bautista said the guilty verdict was included in the investigation report handed to him by the OTS group of investigators, which included the CCTV footage that showed the lady scanner stuffing the money into her mouth at Terminal 1’s final security checkpoint at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The four SSO screeners face administrative and criminal cases. “The investigation showed that she was guilty and swallowed the money. However, what she said in an affidavit was that it was chocolates. But the investigators saw that she was guilty,” Bautista said in Filipino in an interview with the media after a Senate hearing on Tuesday. The CCTV footage showed that at around 8:20 p.m. on 8 September, a Chinese passenger, identified only as Mr. Cai, placed his shoulder bag on the inspection tray at the final security checkpoint. After trying to promote the gateway to potential foreign investors who may want to operate the NAIA, Bautista expressed frustration and dismay at the incident. He authorized the imposition of the maximum penalty on those found guilty to demonstrate the Department of Transportation’s determined push to rid the NAIA and attached agencies of scalawags. Aplasca submitted his courtesy resignation last Tuesday, 26 September, to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. through DoTr Secretary Bautista after House Speaker Martin Romualdez told him to resign or the Speaker would personally block the budgets of the DoTr and OTS. Not enough Meanwhile, Senator Grace Poe said Wednesday the resignation of Aplasca would not be enough to stop the criminal activities at the country’s airports. “A resignation at the top does not clean up the ranks,” said Poe, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Services. “More than ever, the Office of Transportation Security needs steady leadership to implement much-needed reforms,” she said. “There should be zero tolerance for criminal acts and unprofessional behavior,” she added. “While a witch hunt might put a syndicate on pause, the OTS urgently needs to review and tighten its security program,” she said. She continued: “Our airports should improve the physical layout of the security screening stations and provide proactive measures to prevent further incidents.” She also noted that the challenge now is to appoint someone with “immense political will to overhaul the agency and stop these incidents once and for all.” The senator stressed that the OTS must improve its hiring system and enforce ethics training. “Employees must undergo extensive background checks,” she said. “In the long-term, we should also look into providing better compensation and benefits to these employees so they would not be enticed to do this nonsense,” she added. The post Former OTS chief lambasts cultural decay at airports appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»