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‘Senate rules on Cha-cha on the right track’
The Senate rules on amending the 1987 Constitution are “on the right track” and ready even before the sub-committee wraps up its discourse on the Resolution of Both Houses 6 pushing Charter change, a senator said......»»
House panel set to complete CIF review
The “small committee” created by the House of Representatives to review the realignment of confidential and intelligence funds in the proposed national budget for 2024 is expected to complete its task next week......»»
PhilHealth hospital payment on track
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation on Monday expressed confidence that it would be able to settle its outstanding debts to hospitals amounting to P27 billion ahead of its self-imposed deadline in December. In a press briefing, PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. said that at least 76 percent of the P27 billion unpaid claims have been paid. “It’s been roughly 30 days since we made the announcement and already 76 percent have been paid,” Ledesma said. “Clearly, we are on track. We will probably be able to complete it ahead of time,” he added. Earlier this month, Ledesma made a commitment before lawmakers that the state-run health insurer would settle “a bulk or majority” of its P27 billion unpaid claims to various hospitals in the country within 90 days. He said it during the budget deliberation of the House Committee on Appropriations on the proposed P199 billion budget of the Department of Health for the upcoming fiscal year. According to the state-run health insurer’s top official, the Debit-Credit Payment Method would also be used to accelerate the payment for unpaid hospital claims. “It will make the reconciliation faster,” he said. Under the paying scheme, PhilHealth will only pay at least 80 percent of the total unpaid claims of the hospitals. The remaining unpaid claims will be settled after the completion of processing requirements. The post PhilHealth hospital payment on track appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PhilHealth ‘on track’ to pay P27-B outstanding debt to hospitals
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation on Monday expressed confidence that it would be able to settle its outstanding debts to hospitals amounting to P27 billion ahead of its self-imposed deadline in December. In a press briefing, PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. said that at least 76 percent of the P27 billion unpaid claims have been paid. “It’s been roughly 30 days since we made the announcement and already 76 percent have been paid,” Ledesma said. “Clearly, we are on track. We will probably be able to complete it ahead of time,” he added. Earlier this month, Ledesma made a commitment before lawmakers that the state-run health insurer would settle “a bulk or majority” of its P27 billion unpaid claims to various hospitals in the country within 90 days. He said it during the budget deliberation of the House Committee on Appropriations on the proposed P199 billion budget of the Department of Health for the upcoming fiscal year. According to the state-run health insurer's top official, the Debit-Credit Payment Method would also be used to accelerate the payment for unpaid hospital claims. “It will make the reconciliation faster,” he said. Under the paying scheme, PhilHealth will only pay at least 80 percent of the total unpaid claims of the hospitals. The remaining unpaid claims will be settled after the completion of processing requirements. The post PhilHealth ‘on track’ to pay P27-B outstanding debt to hospitals appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Batangas offshore wind port eyed
As part of its drive to become a strategic power industry player, state-run Philippine National Oil Company or PNOC targets to convert its 19-hectare Batangas port into an Offshore Wind or OSW Power Integration Port. At a recent budget hearing of the Senate sub-finance committee last week, PNOC president Oliver Butalid said the company is currently looking for a potential partner from the private sector to complete the proposed venture. "We are exploring going into a joint venture with a port developer, and we are discussing now with the Public-Private Partnership Center. This is going to be a dedicated integration port for OSW. I think it is responding to the need rather than perceived to be changing direction," Butalid said. He noted that PNOC has also tapped the University of the Philippines National Engineering Center to "help us because the decision not to award the contract for the commercial port expansion and shift to an offshore integration port was only last month." Meanwhile, Senator Sherwin Gatchalia, vice-chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy, said that PNOC should ensure that the project would be feasible to justify using taxpayers' money for the undertaking. "I respect your corporate decision, but then I will be looking at what you have achieved after one year (because I )am accountable to our constituents on the money that is being spent on all these projects," the senator said. PNOC's proposed corporate budget for 2024 stands at P1.96 billion, 86 percent higher than this year's allocation, and 60 percent of which will be earmarked for the port project. Last year, PNOC remitted close to P1.7 billion pesos in dividends and about P1.2 billion in taxes to the government. Since 2010, the company has remitted a total of P21.12 billion to the national coffers. For PNOC, significantly investing in the Batangas facility will bankroll its conversion into becoming a dedicated OSW integration port from being just a general commercial port. The Department of Energy or DoE has been pushing for the development of OSW to ramp up local indigenous supply amid growing demand. As such, it vowed to enhance the policies on the development of offshore wind, taking into account the streamlining and stricter timeframe outlined in the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop law on the processing and issuance of licenses and permits by the concerned national and local government entities. The Philippines OSW Roadmap launched last year showcases the country's potential OSW resources estimated at 178 GW. As of 22 June, the DOE has awarded 66 OSW Contracts with a total potential capacity of 53.85 gigawatts — enough to supply the country's future electricity demand. The post Batangas offshore wind port eyed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Women’s tennis returns to China after Peng Shuai boycott
Professional women's tennis tournaments return to China on Monday, less than two years after the WTA vowed to boycott the country out of concern for player Peng Shuai and risks to its players and staff. The WTA tournament opening Monday in the southern metropolis of Guangzhou will be the first in mainland China since 2019 -- and while no top-20 stars are expected to attend, it is set to attract plenty of attention. The WTA suspended activities in China in December 2021, when former world doubles number one Peng briefly disappeared after making -- and then withdrawing -- accusations of sexual assault against a senior Chinese leader. Saying the issue was "bigger than business", the tennis body insisted it would not hold events in China until Beijing guaranteed the safety of Peng. "Given the current state of affairs, I am also greatly concerned about the risks that all of our players and staff could face if we were to hold events in China," WTA chief Steve Simon said at the time. Peng published a long social media post in November 2021 saying she had been "forced" into sex during a years-long, on-and-off relationship with Zhang Gaoli, a married ex-vice premier of China 39 years her senior. She has since denied she accused anyone of sexual assault and described the situation as a "huge misunderstanding". Peng has not been seen outside China since the allegations were made. In April this year though, the WTA announced the resumption of tournaments, admitting its "principled stand... a powerful message to the world" had not been able "to bring about change". "It was, in my opinion, a complete capitulation, because it was pretty obvious to anyone who knows anything about China that China wasn't going to offer a free or fair investigation into the sexual assault claims," China-based sports expert Mark Dreyer told AFP. "I really do feel they've undone all that good will that they had gained by taking a principled stance." Dreyer added that the suspension had been largely symbolic as most international sporting events were put on hold during the pandemic under China's strict zero-Covid policy. - An economic choice - China is a crucial market for the WTA, given the quality of local infrastructure and investment as well as TV rights and sponsorship deals with mainland partners. "The choice to return is an economic one," Lionel Maltese, a former member of the executive committee of the French Tennis Federation, told AFP. "The income generated in China has a strong impact on the financing and income of all players." Before the pandemic, the WTA organized 10 tournaments in China each year -- with a total of $30 million in prize money -- out of more than 60 tournaments globally. These included the WTA Finals in Shenzhen, which in 2019 offered the largest tennis prize in history: $4.4 million. China is also home to five players on the world's top 100 list. They include 20-year-old Zheng Qinwen, world number 22 and recent quarter-finalist at the US Open, and 21-year-old Wang Xinyu, this year's French Open women's doubles winner. These stars have boosted the popularity of tennis in China, along with the market's economic potential. "If you have enough big names, the money will come, the tournaments will come," Dreyer told AFP. - 'Convictions' - The headliners in Guangzhou are likely to be world number 24 Magda Linette from Poland and Romania's Sorana Cirstea, currently world number 26. It is unclear if any players will be vocal about Peng, with Maltese saying there was "no leadership among players on ethical issues". "Very few athletes are taking a stand," he said. But France's Alize Cornet, ranked 99th globally, announced this week she would skip the tournament. "Staying true to my convictions and careful about my health, I decided that I will not be playing in China this year," she wrote on social media. Peng herself could make an appearance. After her initial disappearance from public view, she has made what appeared to be orchestrated appearances at multiple sporting events, including the Beijing Winter Olympics in February 2022. ehl-tjx/reb/qan © Agence France-Presse The post Women’s tennis returns to China after Peng Shuai boycott appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marawi City siege victims seek P17.4B
People adversely affected by the 2017 Marawi siege have filed a total of P17,456,836,830 in claims from 4 July to 31 August this year, the Marawi Compensation Board told lawmakers on Monday. But the board said the 4,762 claimants represented only 19 percent of the estimated 23,489 individuals directly affected by the five-month armed conflict between government forces and the combined Maute and Abu Sayyaf terror groups. The siege ended on 23 October 2017 with the surrender or killing of the remaining militants. The conflict left over 1,100 people dead, including 44 government troopers. It displaced over 350,000 people. MCB chairperson Maisara Dandamun Latiph told a hearing of the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Act of 2022 that the claimants included those whose properties were destroyed in the fighting. Other claimants had relatives who were killed or who were wounded during the siege which prompted then President Rodrigo Duterte to declare martial law in Mindanao, Latiph said. “These (figures) are based on verified application claim forms that were filed under oath,” she said, adding that the filing was just the first step in a process that includes multi-layered evaluation by lawyers and engineers. So far, only 220 applications had been assessed, while 120 claims totaling P395 million had been processed, the MCB official said. Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said the MCB needs at least P89 billion to compensate all the war victims. The government initially allocated only P1 billion for compensation under Republic Act 11696, or the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Law. The law tasked MCB to oversee the process of application and payment of compensation to qualified claimants. Compensation rates are based on the implementing rules and regulations of RA 11696. Under the guidelines, a damaged structure would be compensated P12,000 per square meter if it was made of concrete, P9,000 per sqm if made of wood and concrete, and P6,000 if made of light materials. 5-year process Owners of destroyed properties are to be paid P18,000 per sqm. (concrete), P13,500 (concrete and wood), and P9,000 for those made of light materials, mainly wood. Compensation of P350,000 will be paid to the kin or heirs of each victim who died in the siege. Latiph said the board eyes to complete the compensation process within five years. She said they are targeting to accommodate 200 claims daily, 150 recommendations a week, and 600 decisions a month. Data from Task Force Bangon Marawi showed there were more than 17,000 households in the 24 barangays in Marawi City that were most affected by the conflict. The Marawi siege was the deadliest conflict in the Philippines since the Moro rebellion in the 1970s. It was also the first time that the Islamic State was able to establish a stronghold in Southeast Asia. The post Marawi City siege victims seek P17.4B appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
P17.5B worth of claims filed by Marawi siege victims
A total of P17,456,836,830 worth of claims have been filed by the victims of the 2017 Marawi siege, according to the chairperson of the Marawi Compensation Board. During the hearing of the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Act of 2022 on Monday, MCB chairperson Maisara Dandamun Latiph said the applications for compensation were filed by 4,762 claimants from 4 July to 31 August. The number represents only 19 percent of the estimated 23,489 individuals affected by the conflict. "These are people or individuals who claim that they have structure na nasira (that were destroyed) or they have a death claim. That 4,762 are claims filed. These are based on verified claims application forms (VCAF) that were filed by the claimants. VCAF means that they have filed a claim under oath," she added. Dandamun-Latiph said the filing of VCAF is just part of the step 1 process. Step 2 includes the second layer of evaluation by the lawyers and engineers. “Ibig sabihin, dadaan na naman siya sa second layer of verification which is yung (It means the claim still has to undergo a second layer of verification which is the) legal and technical evaluation," she said. So far, only 220 have been assessed while 120 claims worth P395 million have already been processed. Citing data from his office, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who chairs the panel, said the MCB needs to process at least P89 billion to compensate all the war victims. The government had initially earmarked only P1 billion for the compensation, which is being lodged under the MCB budget. Created under Republic Act 11696 or the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Law, MCB was tasked to oversee the process of application and payment of compensation to qualified claimants. Meanwhile, compensation rates are provided based on the implementing rules and regulations of MCB. A damaged structure will be compensated P12,000 per square meter (sqm) if it is concrete; P9,000 if mixed concrete and wood; and PP6,000 if made of light materials. Individuals with destroyed properties are to be paid P18,000 per square meter if structures were made of concrete; P13,500 per sqm if mixed concrete and wood; and P9,000 if made of light materials or mainly wood. A compensation of P350,000 will be given to kin or heirs of victims who died from the siege. Latiph said the Board is eyeing to complete the compensation process within five years. She said they are targeting to accommodate 200 claims daily, 150 recommendations a week, and 600 decisions a month. Dela Rosa said the MCB should make sure that the payments for siege victims will not put into corruption." As early as now, nakikita na namin dito kung gaano ka-importante yung role ninyo talaga diyan sa Marawi Compensation Board dahil nandiyan kayo sa gitna eh (we can see how important your role there in the Marawi Compensation Board because you are in the middle). You have to make sure that you are operating within the budget and fiscal capability ng ating gobyerno (of our government)," Dela Rosa said. "At the same time, you have to ensure duly and justly compensated lahat ng victims di ba? Ambigat ng papel niyo (all of the victims, right? Your role is very important). So, good luck. We are here to support you," he added. The data of the Task Force Bangon Marawi showed there are more than 17,000 households residing within the 24 most affected barangays in Marawi City, excluding businesses and other establishments. The five-month armed conflict in Marawi started on 23 May 2017 when members of the local Daesh-inspired Maute rebel group attacked the city. The government forces declared the war-torn city liberated on 17 October of the same year. But, the conflict left over 1,100 people dead and the center of Marawi City in shambles. The post P17.5B worth of claims filed by Marawi siege victims appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go gives support to MSMEs in Lemery, Iloilo
Senator Bong Go reaffirmed, through a video message during his team’s visit to Lemery, Iloilo on Wednesday, 30 August, his efforts to improve the lives of Filipinos by providing more livelihood opportunities especially to those adversely affected by various crises. One of his significant accomplishments in this pursuit is the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Act, Republic Act No. 11960, legislation aimed at fostering the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises across the nation. The OTOP Philippines Program, authored and co-sponsored by Go, is a government initiative in which each town or city in the country can harness its unique product or service that reflects its identity, culture, and tradition. By maximizing local resources, the program not only stimulates economic activity but also promotes cultural preservation, underlined Go. Go has also been an advocate for the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) Program which he pursued during the Duterte administration and continues to support its implementation until now. It is for this reason that Go’s team, in support of DTI, joined in the provision of livelihood kits for 15 small-scale entrepreneurs at the municipal gymnasium in Lemery. The qualified beneficiaries are recovering typhoon victims who were assisted by Go through his earlier relief efforts. Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography has also taken proactive steps to extend additional support to individuals grappling with health-related challenges. He has encouraged beneficiaries and their families to take advantage of the Malasakit Centers situated within the province to access medical assistance. The Malasakit Centers can be conveniently found at various locations in the province: the Don Jose S. Monfort Medical Center Extension Hospital in Barotac Nuevo, the Western Visayas Sanitarium and General Hospital in Santa Barbara, as well as the West Visayas State University Medical Center and the Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City. Go also supported the construction of Super Health Centers in the province including one in Lemery. DOH has identified other areas where to establish more Super Health Centers including Iloilo City and the towns of Anilao, Concepcion, Estancia, Carles, Dingle, Guimbal, Janiuay, Igbaras, Lambunao, Maasin, Miag-ao, Oton, Pavia, Pototan, Santa Barbara, Tigbauan, San Joaquin, Sara, and Barotac Viejo — the last one’s groundbreaking was attended by Go last June. As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has also supported various infrastructure initiatives to help improve the delivery of basic services in the province, such as the construction of multipurpose buildings in Barotac Viejo, completion of various barangay health stations throughout Iloilo City and the construction of a multipurpose building in the Iloilo City Public Market. Other major initiatives he supported include the concreting or construction of roads in Badiangan, Banate, Carles, Dumangas, Lemery, Miag-ao, and Sara; completion of the barangay health stations in Leon; construction of a flood control system in Balasan; construction of a seawall in Banate; construction of the legislative building complete with facilities in San Dionisio; and improvement of the public parks in Duenas. Go also sponsored a law that increased the bed capacity and converted Western Visayas Sanitarium to what is now known as WVSGH, and another to upgrade the Don Jose D. Monfort Medical Center Extension Hospital in Barotac Nuevo into a tertiary hospital known as the Don Jose S. Monfort Medical Center. On 14 August, struggling residents in Janiuay received assistance from Go’s office. The post Bong Go gives support to MSMEs in Lemery, Iloilo appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DBM, DepEd respect Ombudsman’s suspension order
The Department of Budget and Management on Saturday said it will adhere to the Office of the Ombudsman’s suspension order against officials involved in the purchase of alleged overpriced laptops for public school teachers in 2021. “The Department of Budget and Management, under the leadership of Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, assures the public of its utmost compliance with the decision set by the Office of the Ombudsman against former Procurement Service and DBM officials due to their alleged involvement in the purchase of reportedly overpriced laptops for the Department of Education,” it said in a statement. It added that Pangandaman has already directed concerned officials to implement the suspension order against former and present PS-DBM officials and employees involved in the controversial procurement deal of DepEd laptops. In a resolution, Ombudsman Samuel Martires issued a six-month preventive suspension without pay against education and budget officials, pending the investigation into the P2.4-billion laptop procurement for the DepEd Computerization Program. Citing reports from the Commission on Audit, the Ombudsman found sufficient grounds to preventively suspend the officials for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and gross neglect of duty. The DBM has already requested an independent investigation from the National Bureau of Investigation in August 2022. The DepEd also assured that the suspension of its officials won’t affect the education services of the department, especially the preparations for the opening of School Year 2023-2024. “DepEd adheres to due process and shall abide by the said Order. Meanwhile, the Department reassures the public of its unhampered services as we prepare for a safe and orderly opening of School Year 2023-2024,” DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa said. Among the education officials ordered to be placed under six-month suspensions are former PS-DBM officers-in-charge Lloyd Christopher Lao and Jasonmer Uayan; and procurement management officers Ulysses Mora, Marwin Amil, and Paul Armand Estrada as well as Alec Ladanga, former Executive Assistant IV of the Office of Usec. Sevilla; Marcelo Bragado, Director IV of DepEd’s Procurement Management Service; and Selwyn Briones, DepEd’s Supervising Administrative Officer. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Saturday urged the Ombudsman to go after the contractors involved in the alleged overpriced laptop procurement deals. Pimentel said the anti-corruption body should undertake “vigorous efforts” in reclaiming public funds used in the anomalous purchasing deals. “The Ombudsman’s decision to impose preventive suspension sends a strong signal that any alleged wrongdoing will be treated seriously. It is equally vital to thoroughly examine the role of the contractor in this anomalous transaction, from its background to how it secured the contract,” he said. It is imperative for the Ombudsman “to regain taxpayers’ money, expended on items that did not align with the government’s actual needs.” The PS-DBM awarded the contract to Sunwest Construction and Development Corp., LDLA Marketing and Trading Inc. and VST ECS Philippines Inc. Pimentel earlier authored the Senate Resolution 120, which called for a comprehensive investigation into the laptop procurement carried out by DepEd through PS-DBM. In previous hearings, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee found out that the joint-venture companies failed to meet the technical specifications required for the laptops, rendering them unsuitable for the teachers’ needs. The companies were also unable to complete the delivery within the agreed target dates outlined in the procurement contract. “Our citizens deserve to know the exact circumstances that led to the selection of the joint venture comprising Sunwest Construction and Development Corp., LDLA Marketing and Trading Inc. and VST ECS Philippines Inc. for this significant procurement,” Pimentel said. He criticized the PS-DBM over its failure to promptly blacklist the suppliers involved in the anomalous laptop deals by the recommendation of the Commission on Audit. The Blue Ribbon Committee, he said, will continue to perform its duty and help in seeking out the truth behind the alleged overpriced laptop deal. The post DBM, DepEd respect Ombudsman’s suspension order appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pimentel to Ombudsman: Go after contractors of alleged overpriced laptop deal
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III on Saturday urged the Ombudsman to go after the contractors involved in the alleged overpriced laptop procurement deals. Pimentel said the anti-corruption body should undertake “vigorous efforts” in reclaiming public funds used in the anomalous purchasing deals. This comes after the Office of the Ombudsman issued a six-month preventive suspension without pay against 12 officials of the Department of Education and Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management due to the controversial procurement of "outdated and overpriced" laptops for teachers. In an 11-page resolution, Ombudsman Samuel Martires said sufficient grounds were found to preventively suspend for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, and gross neglect of duty on the DepEd and DBM officials involved. "The Ombudsman's decision to impose preventive suspension sends a strong signal that any alleged wrongdoing will be treated seriously. It is equally vital to thoroughly examine the role of the contractor in this anomalous transaction, from its background to how it secured the contract,” he added. Pimentel said it is imperative for the Ombudsman “to regain taxpayers' money, expended on items that did not align with the government's actual needs.” The PS-DBM awarded the contract to Sunwest Construction and Development Corp., LDLA Marketing and Trading Inc., and VST ECS Philippines Inc. Pimentel earlier authored Senate Resolution No. 120, which called for a comprehensive investigation into the laptop procurement carried out by DepEd through PS-DBM. In previous hearings, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee found out that the joint-venture companies failed to meet the technical specifications required for the laptops, rendering them unsuitable for the teachers' needs. According to Pimentel, these companies were unable to complete the delivery within the agreed target dates outlined in the procurement contract. "Our citizens deserve to know the exact circumstances that led to the selection of the joint venture comprising Sunwest Construction and Development Corp., LDLA Marketing and Trading Inc., and VST ECS Philippines Inc. for this significant procurement," Pimentel stressed. "We must delve into the specifics of how these companies managed to secure the contract. Were there any irregularities in the bidding process? We must uncover the truth behind this contentious procurement to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future," he added. The senator also criticized the PS-DBM over its failure to promptly blacklist the suppliers involved in the anomalous laptop deals in accordance with the recommendation of the Commission on Audit. "Where's the hesitation coming from? We cannot help but question whether PS-DBM is in collusion with these suppliers, leading to such reluctance," he added. The post Pimentel to Ombudsman: Go after contractors of alleged overpriced laptop deal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Irony of corruption
Corruption has become so pervasive and brazen. Masusuka ka na (you would puke),” moaned the mayor of Dumaguete City, Felipe Remollo, at the convening Thursday of a coalition of over a hundred chiefs of local government units calling for good governance and an end to corruption at all levels of government starting within their own turfs. The coalition was sparked by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, a former Philippine National Police official who, in a virtual speech delivered during a PNP flag-raising ceremony last July, said he was “shocked” by the gargantuan increase in the country’s national debt to nearly P14 trillion. Said Magalong: “When President Duterte started his administration, our national debt was at P5.7 trillion, accumulated over the past decades. In just seven years, our national debt increased by 142 percent; we’re now at P13.86 trillion (actually P14.10 trillion, as reported by the Bureau of the Treasury in May 2023).” He quoted then-NEDA Secretary Karl Chua as saying that the country’s ability to pay the national debt is dependent on “‘our ability to manage financial leakages.’ And so I ask, ano ba yung financial leakages (what are financial leakages)? And Sec. Chua replied, ‘ang financial leakage na sinasabi ko (that I’m telling you), a big chunk of that is attributed to corruption.’” Beyond shock, he said he was also alarmed that none of the members of Congress then and now seemed to be concerned enough to “raise hell” about the country’s tremendously rising national debt. Interviewed over local television, he said he had spoken with contractors whom he asked, “Assuming I take cuts from infrastructure projects, how much will my take be? Their answer? From 10 percent to as much as 20, 25 percent — it’s up to the mayors and lawmakers to decide how much.” Bids and awards committee members, among others, also receive commissions, thus only about 45-50 percent is left for the contractor to do the project, he learned. If the project is worth, say P100, they’ll settle for from P42.50 to P55, including their profit, so they’ll have no choice but to make sub-standard projects. Having spent 38 years of exemplary service in the Philippine National Police, retired in 2016 as Deputy Chief of Operations with a total of 166 medals to his name, including the Distinguished Conduct Star, Distinguished Service Star, and PNP Gold Cross for combat and law enforcement achievements, he said: “We in the uniformed service are willing to give up a reasonable percentage of our pension to help the national government address this huge deficit, to address this big national debt; but we have yet to hear from our legislators that they too are willing to give up their pork barrel. Let’s wait and see what our brave legislators have to say.” In the interest of objectivity, it should be said here that Baguio, in two instances, was the subject of a Commission on Audit flag-down. One instance involved Magalong’s admission that rules were eased by City Hall in the purchase of food for city residents and disinfectant at the height of the Luzon lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021. He said, however, that all the lockdown expenses were properly accounted for. CoA likewise flagged the city government on allegations that it had diversified funds to complete an infrastructure project. City Administrator Bonifacio Dela Peña maintained that the local government used the DPWH fund for its intended purpose, explaining that city hall only had a P341-million budget for a Convergence Center and it needed P50 million more to complete the project. “The word ‘misuse’ is not true. The fund was well-audited and it went to where it was allotted,” said Dela Peña. It is heartening to see that a cry in the wilderness sparks action among mayors. Theirs is a cause worthy of support by all sectors, including business and the citizenry, and we wish them all the luck in what is certain to be “an uphill climb” of sincerity and political will. The post Irony of corruption appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DAR fast-tracks land distribution in first year of PBBM admin
Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III on Sunday reported that the DAR had already distributed a total of 71,360 titles covering 85,853 hectares to 68,427 farmer-beneficiaries. Of these, Estrella said some 49, 484 titles covering 43, 623 hectares were distributed to 43, 623 farmer-beneficiaries from January to July 2023. From January to December 2022, under the previous DAR administration, only 2,343 titles covering 2,159 hectares were distributed to 3,393 farmers. Under the present administration, within a comparable period, from July to December 2022, the numbers soared to 6,736 titles covering 8,991 hectares distributed to 6,945 beneficiaries. The DAR secretary specifically cited the record-breaking performance on the distribution of e-titles under the project Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) which parcelized lands under collective certificates of land ownership awards (CCLOAs) to have specific areas titled to individual farmers. A whopping 1,6275 percent increase was noted from January to July 2023 with a total of 33,654 e-titles covering 46, 241 hectares given to 29,320 ARBs compared to only 2,343 titles covering 3, 393 hectares distributed to 2, 159 beneficiaries from March 2021 to June 2022 under the previous administration. Estrella said that the SPLIT land distribution performance for the first 7 months of 2023 is outstanding compared to the cumulative 22 months of overall land distribution accomplishments from March 2021 to December 2022. “The DAR is bent on distributing the remaining target of at least 30,000 titles more for this year to complete its target for 2023 to distribute a total of at least 80,000 titles to our ARBs nationwide,” Estrella said. At the House Committee on Appropriations budget hearing on 17 August 2022, Estrella also cited his same report that lawmakers lauded the performance of the DAR and expressed support for the move to increase the 2024 budget of the DAR which only amounted to P9.392-billion from P16 billion in 2023. The solons noted that the proposed 2024 budget is insufficient to finance its three major program thrusts in 2024 namely accelerated land distribution, swifter agrarian justice delivery, and strategic provision of broader support services to farmers. The DAR’s P9.392.29-billion proposed budget is 40.74 percent or P6.457.241-billion lower than its 2023 appropriation of P15.850.2-billion. Estrella also cited the major performance milestones of the DAR in the first year of this administration which include the signing of Republic Act No. 11953 or the New Agrarian Reform Emancipation Act which condones all the unpaid amortizations of the agrarian debt, including interest and surcharges, if any. Under the said law, the government also assumes the obligation of 10,201 ARBs tilling 11, 531.24 hectares of land to pay the remaining balance of the direct compensation due the concerned landowners under the Voluntary Land Transfer (VLT) or the Direct Payment Scheme (DPS) amounting to P 206,247,776.41 million. The post DAR fast-tracks land distribution in first year of PBBM admin appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Makati Mayor Binay welcomes VP Sara’s takeover of 14 EMBO schools
Makati City Mayor Abby Binay welcomed the decision of Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte to take over the management and supervision of the 14 schools affected by the boundary dispute between Makati and Taguig City. “We look forward to working wholeheartedly with the transition team created by the Vice President. This decision will greatly ease the worries and concerns of our students, parents and teachers. Kaisa kami ni Vice President Sara sa kanyang layunin. Unahin natin ang kapakanan ng ating mga guro, mga kabataan at kanilang mga magulang,” Binay said. Duterte issued DepEd Order No. 023 dated 26 August 2023 titled “Assumption of authority of the Department of Education over the 14 public schools affected by the Supreme Court decision in G.R. No. 235316.” The order stated that the DepEd is mandated to promote every Filipino’s right to accessible, equitable, and quality education which is consistent with its mandate to provide a safe and enabling environment for learners, teachers, and personnel. Duterte in her order said that relative to the SC’s final and executory decision in the case titled Municipality of Makati vs. Municipality of Taguig (G.R. No. 235316), the Department of is cognizant of the increasing tension present in the 14 schools affected by the ruling, that caused uncertainty as to the peaceful and orderly reopening of schools on 29 August 2023. It further stated that in the pursuit of protecting the best interest and welfare of the learners, teachers and non-teaching personnel, “the Office of the Secretary shall directly supervise the management and administration of all 14 schools, pending a transition plan, effective immediately." The transition committee created by Duterte is composed of the regional director (assigned outside of the National Capital Region); DepEd Schools Division Superintendent of Taguig-Pateros; DepEd Schools Superintendent of Makati City; City Legal Officer of Makati and City Legal Officer of Taguig. Sara said the transition committee shall undertake the preparation of a physical inventory of all properties involved: collate transition documents including, but not limited to, a complete list of existing contracts involving operations of the subject schools and create a final transition plan. During the transition period, all activities to be conducted within the premises of and/or in relation to the public schools, that involve the local government units of Makati and Taguig, shall require prior approval from the office of the Secretary. The schools head was also ordered to directly report and defer to the OSec on matter pertaining to the daily operations of the subject public schools. Duterte likewise stated that the Philippine National Police will strictly implement the order and all existing orders, memoranda, and other issuances are repealed rescinded or modified. Binay has since stood her ground that all 14 public schools are titled to Makati City and therefore Taguig City has no jurisdiction over it, though Mayor Lani Cayetano refuted the claim saying it was included in the SC order that is final and executory. The Duterte order somewhat quelled the animosity among the residents of the EMBO schools since many people has arrived which are unknown to the neighbourhood that creates uneasiness. The post Makati Mayor Binay welcomes VP Sara’s takeover of 14 EMBO schools appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Junk’ investment grade if pension reform ignored
Amid a perceived stirred-up hornet’s nest by introducing reforms in the military and uniformed personnel’s pension plan, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno on Wednesday warned that the next administration will face a huge problem if the planned changes to the MUP pension system are not enacted into law. “The rating agencies are looking at that. If we continue to ignore the military pension system, our current investment grade with the rating agencies might turn into junk,” Diokno said in a briefing on the projected 2024 National Expenditure Program for the Development Budget Coordination Committee. He told the lawmakers that the Philippines may lose its investment grade rating if it doesn’t change its “unsustainable” MUP pension system since reducing debt and deficit will be more difficult. The sovereign bonds of the Philippines are rated BBB by Fitch Ratings, with a stable outlook; similarly, they are rated Baa2 by Moody’s Investors Services and BBB+ by S&P Global Ratings. The Philippines could see its investment-grade rating, which it has held for a decade, relegated to “junk” territory if “we continue to ignore” the need to reform the MUP system, Diokno said. “The pension system is not a real pension system in the following sense — there are no contributors. A pension system is where the beneficiaries of the pension system contribute and there’s a government counterpart,” he added. Diokno said a pension system is one in which the government matches the contributions made by the pension system’s beneficiaries. However, he underscored that the beneficiaries “do not contribute” to the pension, and the money is only appropriated once a year. The current setup, Diokno added, was “unsustainable” because it would become a “huge component of the national budget.” “I think if you let this through, continue I think the next administration will be faced with a huge problem. The current situation is that the amount we allocate for the military pension is much higher than the current operating budget of the military,” Diokno said. He admitted that the government is recommending P164 billion for the MUP pension under the 2024 NEP, representing a 3.5 percent increase over the financing for benefits this year. The government pays for this in full without funds coming directly from the MUPs, Diokno added. Liablilities Although the country’s gross domestic product is anticipated to be approximately P20 trillion, he said the liabilities of the pension system, which does not receive payments from MUPs, have already been calculated at P9 trillion. The debt payment level, he said, had already risen to 61 percent of the GDP after the Covid-19 pandemic when the government had to accrue trillions of pesos in debt. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has prioritized revamping the service personnel retirement system as part of his government’s efforts to streamline its budget and free up funds for much-needed infrastructure. Meanwhile, a House of Representatives special committee approved yesterday a substitute bill on pension reforms for MUP — it includes provisions for a special assistance fund for retired MUPs in need and establishes uniform rates for lump sum benefits. The bill also proposes that MUPs contribute a percentage of their basic pay based on their years of service, with the government also contributing to complete the 21 percent pension contribution. It was found acceptable by all stakeholders, was agreed upon by the committee members, and was supported by both the military and uniformed services as well as the economic managers. The MUP pension system was established during the administration of former President Fidel Ramos. It includes retirees from the Philippine Public Safety College, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and the Bureau of Corrections. The proposal to redesign the current MUP pension system to contribute 5 percent of their basic pay for the first three years, 7 percent for the next three years, and 9 percent after that for those in active service, while new entrants would contribute 9 percent of their base pay. However, several uniformed personnel on active duty oppose the requirement that they make pension system contributions. The PMA Class of 1971 questioned Diokno on why he singled out the military and uniformed personnel pension system. The post ‘Junk’ investment grade if pension reform ignored appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SALN corrections allowed by SC
The Supreme Court has issued a new ruling on the submission of Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, or SALNs, that allows public officials and employees to correct errors, omissions, and non-submissions in their SALNs. In a 14-page decision dated 18 April but only made public recently, the SC overturned a lower court’s judgment that had dismissed a tax specialist from the Department of Finance, Jessie Javier Carlos, for dishonesty. Carlos was accused of concealing real estate, motor vehicles, business interests, and loans worth millions of pesos in his SALNs. The SC found that the DoF failed to comply with Section 10 of Republic Act 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, which requires a review and compliance committee to check if SALNs are submitted on time, are complete, and are in proper form. Under the SC ruling, if SALNs are not filed on time, are incomplete, or are not in proper form, the head of an office has five days to inform the public official or employee to correct the deficiency within 30 days. If the public official or employee fails to comply, then they can be disciplined. “Unless the review and compliance procedures are followed, the violation does not arise. Consequently, if there is no violation, there is no liability,” the SC said. The SC ruling is a significant change from previous rulings that public officials and employees can be disciplined for errors, omissions, and non-submissions of SALNs, even if they were not allowed to correct them. The post SALN corrections allowed by SC appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sky-high irony
Gokongwei-owned Cebu Pacific, a budget airline that always manages to raise eyebrows, has once again blessed us with a seat sale. Oh, how lucky can we be? The airline has hyped up anew its marketing mantra that “Every Juan flies,” only weeks after being forced during a congressional hearing to confront 3,000 complaints of irate customers over its endearing practice of overbooking flights and offloading passengers. To be obstinately hooked on the jingle of cash registers while ignoring the suffering of your paying customers takes a unique kind of expertise, of being able to remain deadpan and sleep at night through the turmoil of your aggravated passengers. For many of those who attended the hearings, Cebu Pacific only cares about the cold ca-ching of its cash registers. No doubt, the seat sale it resurrected last week would result in more passengers being kicked off flights. Overbooking and the accompanying forced passenger dumping, in Cebu Pacific’s vision of reality, well, there’s just a “slight chance” of that. That’s a joke, right? But no one’s laughing, as the joke is on us, the public. Let the sentence hang there for a while. “Slight chance,” they say in an entry on airlineratings.com, as though they’re talking about the prospect of seeing a rare unicorn galloping around the departure gate. But no, this is not about fantastical creatures; rather, it is about reservations piling up on a shaky table like a house of cards. It involves accepting the idea of reserved seating as merely a suggestion, a fun idea to play around with. That is if your idea of fun is being forced to reprise the role of Tom Hanks in the movie, The Terminal. Speaking of whimsical, have you ever heard of their brilliant response to situations in which appeals to “volunteers not to travel on their booked flights” fall on deaf ears? Cebu Pacific has your inconvenience covered, so do not be alarmed. They’ve cleverly reserved the power to refuse boarding to travelers “involuntarily,” or against their will, if involuntarily is not clear enough. This translates to passengers gnashing their teeth, pulling their hair, and tearing up their shirts all they want at CebuPac’s check-in counters, without any chance of boarding a flight for which they’d been sold “reserved” seats. However, let’s not limit our discussion to Cebu Pacific’s poetic handling of passenger interactions. Let’s explore the drama that occurred during the probe of the Senate Committee on Tourism. Senators turned their attention to the airline’s fervent devotion to overbooking as the cause of this comedy of errors, becoming unimpressed by the inventive justifications offered by the company for canceled flights and interminable delays. One senator related tales of suffering and annoyance from her own staff as well as from other passengers. Inevitably, as the hours passed, the hearing evolved into a “grief-sharing session.” People stepped up, spilling stories of delayed flights and canceled hopes. If you will, picture a traveler hoping to leave Tokyo but being compelled to crash on the chilly, hard floor of Narita International Airport. Her offense? Having faith in Cebu Pacific to deliver even the most basic amenities. Then there was the dentistry board exam that was almost missed. How about the flight to Cebu from Manila that was diverted to Busuanga and the haggling that followed to force Cebu Pacific to honor its “Passenger Rights” guarantee of free hotel accommodations? The cherry on top? While those who had been put through the wringer were left wondering how the airline’s priorities seemed to be joyously dancing in the skies, the examinee’s lucky aunt, all the way from Australia, managed to score a ticket for a lovely fee. The spokespersons of Cebu Pacific did, however, exhibit some artistic talent. Lightning strikes, bird crashes, and even runway debris were included in the gallery of “freak incidents” they presented as the causes of their errors. During the sleeper hearing, the way Cebu Pacific’s flight operations unfolded resembled an elaborate opera, complete with loud fights and dramatic exits, as if the cosmos had conspired to make it happen. But what was the highlight of Cebu Pacific’s ludicrous theater? Respect for the “Air Passenger Bill of Rights.” To pledge loyalty to rights that seem to exist only in the world of press releases is a truly great gesture. Amid this flying fiasco, passengers may wonder if they are only pawns in a much bigger game when the airline offers its earnest apologies, makes a few promises, and reveals plans for standby aircraft as if they were doing magic. So here we are, seeing the re-erection of Cebu Pacific’s circus tent of antics. Seat sale? Rubbish. The post Sky-high irony appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
E.O launched expediting strategic investments
In order to speed up strategic investments in the country and to further transform the country into a strategic investment haven, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. together with Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Fred Pascual led the official launch of Executive Order No. 18 signed by the President last 23 February 2023. The EO aims to establish Green Lanes within national government agencies, Local Government Units, Government-owned or -controlled corporations, and other government instrumentalities involved in the issuance of permits, licenses, and certifications. According to Trade Secretary Pascual, also the chairperson of the Board of Investments and the Inter-agency Investment Promotion Coordination Committee the E.O. complements their efforts to sustain the country’s strong economic growth by attracting more strategic investments into the country and ensuring faster realization thereof. “The green lanes that we have set up will address the barriers across multiple regulatory agencies that hamper the entry and delay the realization of foreign direct investments. By further easing and fast-tracking the processes for doing business in the Philippines, we will raise the competitiveness of the country in attracting strategic investments by global enterprises,” Pascual said in his speech during the launch at Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Pasay City. E.O. 18 is a government-wide response to enhance the ease of doing business in the country by expediting, streamlining, and automating government processes for strategic investments. Its outstanding feature is the provision for simultaneous processing of applications whereby National Government Agencies and Local Government Units that receive applications for permits and licenses are mandated to process the same with the presumption that the relevant documents from other agencies have already been issued and where the applicant firm shall execute an affidavit of undertaking that it has secured the relevant documents from specific NGAs or LGUs and that it shall submit the complete documentary requirements within 30 working days. This special feature will significantly cut down the processing time for documents needed to start a business in the country. Further, under E.O. 18, DTI-BOI shall establish a One-Stop-Action-Center for Strategic Investments, which shall serve as the single point of entry for all projects qualified as Strategic Investments. OSAC-SI is mandated to identify and designate an investment as Strategic Investment and endorse the same to concerned NGAs, LGUs, and/or quasi-judicial bodies for processing of permits and licenses. The post E.O launched expediting strategic investments appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
P73-B land title brouhaha perennial, PPA chief says
The P73.548-billion land issue that was recently flagged by the Commission on Audit has been a perennial issue of the Philippine Ports Authority, and they are addressing it, general manager Atty. Jay Santiago said. The P73.548-billion land issue that was recently flagged by the Commission on Audit has been a perennial issue of the Philippine Ports Authority, and they are addressing it, general manager Atty. Jay Santiago said. “It has been our problem since 1974. And since then, we have been addressing that,” said Santiago in a press conference on Tuesday. The CoA report stated that the PPA has more than 3.925 million square meters of land in its books amounting to P73.548 billion that were not supported by original certificates of title. State auditors said a government agency should present a certificate of title when purchasing property under the Government Auditing Code of the Philippines. “When I was seated as PPA general manager, we had been addressing that. There are many processes before we can complete that. That’s been since 1974. We are still surveying those lands. Mind you, the titling entity is the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, so what do you expect,” Santiago said in English and Filipino. He added that there were lands that were already titled, while some were not, but they are addressing the issue. “In 2017, during my time, we had constituted a titling committee composed of members of the PPA board, namely, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Public Works and Highways, and Office of the Government Corporate Counsel. And to be fair, this has been an issue long before our administration. And it was in my administration that we initiated steps to rectify this issue,” Santiago said. He said the flagging happened in 2022, but the current PPA management has already taken the initiative to at least heed and address the CoA findings. “The reason why the CoA report came out is because of my request. It was on the PPA’s initiative that the lands would be titled,” he said, pertaining to the 3.925-million square meters of parcels of land being questioned by CoA. CoA flagging Santiago said a CoA flagging does not mean an agency is corrupt, but that issues must be addressed. “When you are flagged by CoA, would that mean that you are already corrupt? No,” Santiago told reporters. The 3.925 million square meters of land valued at P73.548 billion are not yet covered by the original certificate of title to show proof of ownership of the original or reclaimed land in the name of the PPA. “Ownership of the land is uncertain,” CoA said. The post P73-B land title brouhaha perennial, PPA chief says appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
First four official entries to 49th MMFF announced
The Metro Manila Film Festival yesterday announced the first four official entries for its 49th edition in December: • "A Mother and Son's Story" by Cineko Productions, Inc., starring Sharon Cuneta and Alden Richards, directed by Nuel Naval; • "(K)ampon" by Quantum Films, starring Beauty Gonzales and Derek Ramsay and directed by King Palisoc; • "Penduko" by Sari Sari Network, starring Cristine Reyes and Matteo Guidicelli and written/directed by Jason Paul Laxamana; and • "Rewind" by ABS-CBN Film Productions Inc., starring Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes and directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar. The members of the MMFF Selection Committee, led by producer and industry stalwart Jesse Ejercito, chose the entries from the script submissions. "I thank the members of the MMFF Selection Committee for dedicating their time and effort in the thorough deliberation and selection process to choosing the initial set of quality films that moviegoers will surely love," said MMDA Acting Chairman and MMFF Concurrent Chairman Atty. Don Artes. The remaining four official entries to complete the MMFF 2023 will come from finished film submissions. The deadline for the finished film submission is on 29 September. The MMFF is set to run in December 2023 until January 2024. The post First four official entries to 49th MMFF announced appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»