We are sorry, the requested page does not exist
EDITORIAL — Next, speedy justice
After a year of being on the run, Arnolfo Teves Jr. is finally being brought back to the country to face multiple indictments for serious offenses. Teves was arrested Thursday in East Timor’s capital Dili by local police. He had been hiding in plain sight in Timor-Leste, occasionally posting videos taunting Philippine authorities who wanted him for multiple murder cases......»»
Mga bagong opisyal ng SPEEd nanumpa kay Mayor Joy Belmonte
PORMAL nang nanumpa sa kanilang tungkulin ang mga bagong-halal na opisyal at miyembro ng Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd) kahapon, Marso 21. Ito’y pinangunahan ng bagong Pangulo ng grupo na si Salve Asis, entertainment editor ng Pilipino Star Ngayon at Pang Masa. Nagsilbing inducting officer sa oath-taking ceremony ng SPEEd si Quezon City Mayor.....»»
Free leptospirosis meds, anti-tetanus vaccines for flood-affected residents
Summary: The Davao City Health Office (CHO) is providing free medicines for leptospirosis and anti-tetanus shots to residents affected by floods. Dr. Tomas Miguel Ababon, CHO Officer-In-Charge, announced the availability of these medications during a media forum, emphasizing their dispatch during emergencies. He highlighted the proactive response of health district staff, ensuring that evacuation centers are equipped with prophylaxis for leptospirosis. Additionally, tetanus toxoid, dressings, and antibiotics are available for flood-related injuries. Ababon emphasized that these services and medications are provided free of charge. He advised seeking a doctor's guidance for the dosage of prophylaxis medicine, as well as the administration of antibiotics due to potential allergies. Despite recording 17 cases of leptospirosis in the first two weeks of the month, no related deaths were reported. This initiative aims to safeguard the health of flood-affected residents in Davao City......»»
53% drop in Davao City’s road accidents: DCPO-TEU
The Davao City Police Office-Traffic Enforcement Unit (DCPO-TEU) has reported a significant 53% decrease in road accidents during the first 16 days of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Deputy Chief Pcpt. Raymundo B. Bacera Jr. revealed these statistics during the ISpeak media forum, citing 213 recorded incidents in 2023, compared to only 102 in 2024. He noted a reduction in the number of vehicles involved, from 120 to 51. Human error was identified as the primary cause of accidents, accounting for 97% of cases, while vehicle defects and road defects contributed to 2% and 1% of incidents, respectively. Private vehicles were involved in 40% of the accidents, with common human errors including texting/calling while driving, overtaking, and speeding. The peak hours for accidents were identified as between 2 pm to 4 pm. Despite the implementation of the New Speed Limit Ordinance, which came into effect on January 11, 2024, Dionisio Abude, head of the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO), emphasized that the ordinance cannot guarantee the absence of road incidents, highlighting the critical role of driver behavior and driving habits. Since the ordinance's enforcement, CTTMO and DCPO-TEU have issued citations to 730 violators, with private vehicles constituting 49% of the total, followed by motorcycles, taxis, trucks, public utility jeepneys, buses, and public utility vans......»»
Binay: Taguig should create more courts
Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano should ask the city’s lawmakers to file an urgent bill that would create additional courts to handle the cases from the enlisted men’s barrios or “embo” that are now under its jurisdiction, Makati Mayor Abby Binay said yesterday......»»
VAWC cases in Davao City rise
The number of reported Violence Against Women and their Children (VAWC) cases in Davao City has increased in 2022 compared to the previous year, according to Lorna Mandin, head of the City Mayor's Office-Integrated Gender and Development Division (CMO-IGDD). Mandin revealed that the cases have risen to approximately 2,000, attributing the previous reduction during the pandemic to limited access and fear of going out. Most cases are from Talomo District, with victims aged 18 to 35 and 36 to 64. The increase in reported cases can be linked to more people reporting incidents compared to 2020 and 2021 when fear of Covid-19 deterred reporting. The IGDD handles cases falling under Republic Act 9262, involving perpetrators with an intimate relationship, not necessarily married. About 20 to 25 percent of these cases opt for psychological intervention. From January to December 2022, CMO-IGDD served approximately 1,206 clients, with 1,191 being women and 15 children. The department provides legal assistance, representation, and follow-up on cases, especially for those in remote areas. The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Davao Region (DWSD-Davao.....»»
Trafficker mom offers own kids for online sexual exploitation
A 32-year-old woman from Talomo District, Davao City has been sentenced to four life imprisonments and ordered to pay a total of P6 million for multiple violations, including the violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act. The woman was arrested after offering to sexually abuse her six-year-old son and one-year-old daughter in exchange for money or other considerations. The presiding judge found her guilty of qualified trafficking, child abuse, and offering child sexual abuse material through a computer system. In addition to the life sentences, she was also sentenced to an additional 14 years in prison and ordered to pay fines and damages. The arrest and rescue operation were carried out by law enforcement agencies in collaboration with social workers. The conviction is seen as a testament to the government's efforts to combat trafficking and online sexual abuse and exploitation of children. The International Justice Mission-Philippines estimates that nearly half a million Filipino children were victims of this crime in 2022 alone. Convictions like this are crucial in deterring such crimes and the community's vigilance in reporting cases is essential. To report information about child abuse, contact the Davao City Hotline or the Philippine.....»»
Makati cries foul over Taguig’s ‘rejection’
The local government of Makati City on Sunday lamented the local government of Taguig’s alleged “unreasonable” rejection of Makati proposals which impedes the smooth transfer of city-owned health facilities and services. Makati City Administrator Claro Certeza said that the Makati local government proposed memorandums of agreement pertain to eight barangay health centers and the health data of their patients, and Ospital ng Makati. However, it was allegedly rejected by the local government of Taguig. “We have initiated a series of correspondence and memorandum of agreement proposals to the City of Taguig aimed to facilitate the smooth transfer of Makati-owned health facilities to its jurisdiction. However, these have been rejected outright, without valid reason. Unfortunately, Taguig seems adamant about taking over our hospital and health centers without acknowledging our ownership rights,” Certeza said. In a letter to Mayor Lani Cayetano, a MoA was proposed by Mayor Abby Binay for Ospital ng Makati, which contains an offer extending a substantial credit line to Taguig. The credit line is intended to ensure that affected residents can continue to access the essential health care services at the city-owned and managed hospital. Certeza said that as stated in the draft MoA, the credit line will “function as a financial safety net, enabling Taguig City to provide essential health care services to its residents without immediate upfront payments, particularly in cases where beneficiaries may not have the means to cover their medical costs themselves.” “Makati is even willing to allocate millions in funding for this credit line to Taguig to avoid any disruption in health care services. Yet, Mayor Cayetano refused to even consider the proposal, opting to put off any discussions regarding OsMak, purportedly in deference to the wishes of the Health secretary,” Certeza said. To recall, the Taguig City mayor said in her letter that Department of Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa himself would take the lead in any discussions regarding Ospital ng Makati, and that both cities must defer to his wishes. In another letter to Cayetano, Binay also offered Taguig the option to lease or to purchase the land and improvement of eight health centers, subject to the appraisal of the Commission on Audit. However, Cayetano has allegedly declined the offer, again citing a supposed directive from the Health Secretary to “exclude the issue of ownership in the transition process.” “Makati is willing to let Taguig use its properties without asking them for immediate payment. We are, in fact, deferring to CoA to determine the reasonable amount to be charged,” Certeza said. The post Makati cries foul over Taguig’s ‘rejection’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Binay: Focus on modern info tech instead of burdening Filipino travelers
Senator Nancy Binay on Tuesday said the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking should focus more on maximizing modern technology and profiling improvement to fight human trafficking in the country instead of burdening Filipino travelers with strict document requirements. Binay, who chairs the Senate Committee on Tourism, said that the revised departure guidelines set by the IACAT are very restrictive to Filipino travelers “yet inconclusive in stopping human trafficking. Hence, the senator said the IACAT and other related agencies should also be mindful of improving their profiling of travelers as she finds the policy of providing additional travel documents "coercive, restrictive and redundant." Binay said the presence of technology is there to make it convenient for passengers and make them feel secure. Technology also plays a huge role in curbing human trafficking, she added. "Kung kaduda-duda talaga ang background ng byahero at kasamang biktima (If a traveler's background is indeed suspicious including the victim)—that's the time immigration people should do their jobs of cross-checking the info they have in their database and compare it to the claims of the person in question,” Binay further stressed. She then appealed: ”Let's maximize the use of information technology to correctly profile travelers.” Binay lamented that immigration officials should use a combination of methods and criteria to determine travelers who may pose a security risk. “We all know that visa applications are all scrutinized for accuracy and consistency. Kapag medyo kaduda-duda ang impormasyong nakalagay, expect an outright rejection of your application. Ang dapat sigurong higpitan yung mga babyahe papunta sa countries na walang visa at mataas ang human trafficking cases—in this case, cross referencing is necessary to check the background of a particular traveler,” she said. The Department of Justice and Bureau of Immigration, she said, must deploy officers who are well-trained to interpret data contextually and make informed decisions based on the info at hand. Of course, human judgment is prone to mistakes that's why oversight is essential. Kaya dapat trained professional ang nasa frontlines to treat every traveler with respect and sensitivity, at magkaroon tayo ng mechanisms to address false positives to protect an individual's rights," Binay further stressed. The IACAT recently announced the imposition of the revised guidelines for Filipinos leaving the country beginning on 3 September. Under the revised guidelines, outbound passengers should present the basic travel documents consisting of a passport with at least six months validity from the date of departure; an appropriate valid visa whenever required; a confirmed return or roundtrip ticket, if necessary; and a boarding pass. For tourists, immigration officials may also ask for proof of hotel booking/accommodation, financial capacity or source of income; passenger’s declared purpose of travel, proof of employment, and other similar documents. Immigration officials may also ask outbound travelers for a copy of their original Philippine Statistics Authority-issued birth certificate or report of birth or marriage certificate/report of marriage, copies of documents of sponsor, valid work visa or permit, residency permit, or any equivalent document, overseas employment certificate, e-receipt, or OFW clearance for OFW sponsors. If traveling through a relative’s sponsorship, an original affidavit of support and guarantee duly notarized by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate/Honorary Consulate must be presented. The post Binay: Focus on modern info tech instead of burdening Filipino travelers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Giving the best?
A Philippine government advertisement on a London bus featuring May Parsons, a Filipina-British nurse, launched during King Charles III’s coronation last week, stirred controversy. In the ad on a double-decker bus, Parsons was holding up a syringe and described as the nurse who gave the world’s first Covid-19 vaccine, with the tagline “A Filipina. We Give the World Our Best. The Philippines.” It did not sit well, though with Senate Committee on Tourism chairman, Sen. Nancy Binay who said, “There seems to be a disconnect in the messaging. It’s bothersome because when you see the ad, it seems that we are offering the world our nurses — which is a bit off since we’re already running low on health workers here.” “We don’t want to commodify our people, and we don’t want to be labeled as a country that exports labor,” she went on to say. “What is the connection of a nurse, syringe, and vaccine to the tourist destinations we’re promoting.” Office of the Presidential Adviser on Creative Communications Secretary Paul Soriano was quick to clarify that the ad was part of a “country branding campaign” to raise the spirits of Filipinos who are doing well in other countries. “We Give the World Our Best — The Philippines” is meant to promote and focus on the Filipino achievers abroad,” he said. “PACC wants to clear the confusion and clarify that it was not meant, in any way, to promote the country’s tourist destinations.” While Binay recognized that the results of such an advertisement have yet to be seen, Binay said the ad’s messaging is not aligned with the country’s goals for tourism. Tourism ad or not, Binay’s comments make sense. The government should not be focused on labor export but instead, prevent brain drain by providing decent-paying jobs, and promoting the country’s tourist destinations. The government’s neglect of our healthcare workers pushes them to seek good fortune in other countries, while those who choose to stay have to make do with meager pay. It should stop acting as a recruitment agency rather than giving its citizens a living wage. The life of an overseas Filipino worker is not a movie material that the government can produce to influence others to leave their families and homeland. We should walk the talk when we praise our local healthcare workers for their heroism during the Covid-19 pandemic by providing them their due protection through adequate support and benefits. A case in point is the unpaid Health Emergency Allowance during the pandemic. Although sending workers abroad can sometimes be related to tourism, it is not necessarily a core aspect of the tourism industry. In some cases, workers may be sent abroad to work in tourism-related jobs, such as hotel staff, tour guides, or restaurant workers who may play an important role in facilitating tourism experiences for visitors. Exporting labor can be related to other industries such as construction, healthcare, or technology, and not necessarily related to tourism. Clear as day, the tourism industry consists of many components, such as transportation, attractions, events, and activities that do not involve sending workers abroad. The role of health workers in tourism is usually focused on ensuring the health and safety of tourists, rather than promoting tourism itself — typically viewed as a public health and safety issue, rather than a component of tourism promotion. Campaign branding abroad can wait. Why not improve country marketing first which will drive tourist traffic to the Philippines and define the overall tourist experience? Start with the country’s gateways — airports and seaports. It is an overdue plan announced in August 2022. There is so much to be done to bring improvements to the country’s air and seaports that will encapsulate the “Filipino Brand” and give tourists a good first and last impression when they visit the Philippines. Pick up the lessons learned from the NAIA fiasco and horrific seaports. For now, the best tagline should be “We Give Tourists Our Best. The Philippines.” The post Giving the best? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ashley Tisdale buntis sa 2nd baby: ‘We can’t wait to meet you!’
MAY exciting news ang Hollywood actress at “High School Musical” star na si Ashley Tisdale sa madlang pipol! Ayon sa kanya, ipinagbubuntis niya ang second baby nila ng mister na si Christopher French. Sa Instagram, ibinandera ni Ashley ang kanyang baby bump at ang caption niya: “We can’t wait to meet you [emoji].” Baka Bet.....»»
Leren proud kay Ricci: From your Nanay, Tita and Ate all in one
SUPER proud ang beauty queen-politician na si Leren Mae Bautista sa panibagong achievement na nakamit ng kanyang dyowang si Ricci Rivero. Nitong Martes, March 26, ibinandera ng Laguna councilor ang kanilang larawan pati na rin ang video ni Ricci habang naglalaro ito sa kanyang kauna-unahang PBA All-Star Game bilang rookie. Sa kabila ng sobrang pagka-proud.....»»
Cavite nagdeklara ng ‘state of calamity’ dahil sa ‘pertussis outbreak’
NASA ilalim na ng “state of calamity” ang probinsya ng Cavite. Ito ay dahil dumadami na ang mga nahahawa ng pertussis o whooping cough sa probinsya. Ayon sa provincial government, nakapagtala na sila ng 26 confirmed cases at kabaling na riyan ang anim na namatay dahil sa nasabing sakit. Narito ang datos ng Cavite kaugnay.....»»
Belmonte, Binay call for climate action funding from development banks
The C40 coalition of cities, a network of nearly 100 mayors, asked MDBs to increase urban climate investment, integrate urban climate action into their strategies, and implement tailored programs to support city projects. .....»»
Philippines logs 40 pertussis deaths this year
MANILA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Forty children have died of whopping cough, a respiratory infection also called pertussis, since this year, the Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) has reported. The DOH said in a statement on Wednesday that cases have continued to increase since the start of this year, recording 568 cases from Jan. 1 to March 16. "The total number of cases for the same period in 2023 was.....»»
MLB season begins
Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers take center stage on Thursday as Major League Baseball’s new season gets under way on US soil against the backdrop of a gambling scandal that has engulfed its brightest star......»»
ANZ raises Philippine inflation forecast to 3.8% this year
ANZ Research hiked its inflation forecast for the Philippines to 3.8 percent this year, from 3.5 percent previously, as risks may drive inflation up to above the central bank’s two to four percent target in the coming months......»»
Oplan Harabas yields 3 drivers positive for drugs
FOLLOWING the surprise drug test conducted by the Land Transportation Office (LTO)-Davao and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on public utility vehicles (PUVs) last March 26, 2024, two taxi drivers in Davao City were found to be positive for drugs......»»
D.C.Plinado Campaign pushed
DAVAO City Councilor Bai Hundra Cassandra Dominique N. Advincula urged Dabawenyos to continue embodying the "culture of discipline", as a legacy, and to be conscious of turning it into the key for the city's growth......»»
Dela Rosa considers war with China but admits: ‘Hindi naman natin kaya’
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is already fed up with China’s persistent harassments in the West Philippine Sea, prompting thoughts of engaging in war with Beijing. But he knows, war is not an option. “Naubos na ang sasabihin ko dapat dyan. Short of declaring war na tayo dyan against sa kanila e,.....»»