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Bong Go honors educators as modern-day heroes on Teachers’ Day
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, a member of the Senate Committee on Basic Education and adopted son of the CALABARZON region, personally attended the celebration of Teachers’ Day at the Ynares Sports Complex in Antipolo City, Rizal on Thursday, 5 October. “Alam n’yo ang dapat po nating pasalamatan ngayong araw na ito at bigyan po ng pagpupugay ay ang atin pong mga teachers. Alam n’yo bakit? Kayo po ang isa sa mga hero po ng pandemya. Noong panahon ng pandemya, panahon po iyon na nag-a-adjust po kayo sa distance learning hanggang pabalik sa face-to-face learning,” Go said as he emphasized the pivotal role of teachers in shaping the nation's future. “Napakalaki po ng challenges na pinagdaanan n’yo. Palakpakan po natin ang ating mga guro. Hindi po natin mararating ito kung hindi po dahil rin po sa inyong sakripisyo. Alam ko ‘yan. Sa tatlong taon po na nilabanan natin ‘yung pandemya, kami ni (dating) pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte, nandiriyan po kayo,” he continued. The event was also attended by Governor Nina Ricci Ynares, Mayor Casimiro “Jun” Ynares, and Vice Mayor Josefina Gatlabayan, among others. Mayor Ynares expressed his gratitude for Go’s continuous efforts to uplift the lives of Filipinos. “Sa araw din po na ito, I will make a confession. There is one thing that my teachers taught me which I occasionally do not follow at ito po yun: no copying. Natutunan ko later in public service na kapag may test, magandang mangopya. When one faces difficult tests in life, we can copy. Today, ipapakilala ko po ang isang fellow public servant na hindi niya alam na, quote and quote, kinokopyahan ko. Kinokopya ko po siya for two reasons: first, he has gone through many difficult tests in life; second, he is the kind of person who stands by others, who go through difficult tests in life. Sa mga pinagdaanan niya sa pagsubok ng buhay, dalawang mahahalagang qualities ang lagi kong nakikita at sinisikap na makopya. Una po ay commitment, pangalawa, compassion,” Mayor Ynares said, pertaining to Go. Furthermore, Mayor Ynares commended Go for his steadfast dedication, which serves as an inspiration for public servants and a reminder of the positive impact one can make when motivated by a genuine commitment to the public good. “Hindi po madali ang pinagdaanan ng ating panauhin. Sa panahon na siya ang umaalalay sa isa sa mga naging pangulo ng ating bansa, mula pa nang maging punong-lungsod ang taong pinaglingkuran niya sa Davao (City), hanggang ito ay maging presidente ng ating bansang Pilipinas, humarap sila sa mga panganib, sa mga batikos, sa malalaking suliranin. Sa kabila po nito, laging andun ang ating panauhin… Andun siya para umalalay, para pangalagaan at para ayusin ang landas na dadaanan ng taong pinaglilingkuran niya,” Mayor Ynares further shared. “Nakita ko rin na ang kanyang commitment ay hindi lang sa presidenteng pinaglingkuran niya. He extended his commitment to our countrymen. As he did so, the quality of commitment became the quality of compassion. Tayo pong mga Antipoleño at Rizaleño, pati na ang kapwa nating Pilipino ay naging benepisyaryo ng malasakit na yon,” he added. During the event, Go provided gift packs to 5,902 educators and non-teaching staff. He also extended shirts, bicycles, mobile phones, shoes, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select recipients. “Sa ating mga guro, Happy Teachers month, Happy Teachers’ Day. Lubos po ang aking saludo sa ating mga guro sa araw na ito at sila po’y mga heroes rin po natin sa panahon ng pandemya,” said Go in an interview after the event. “Hindi biro maging isang guro. Dapat talaga mahaba ang iyong pasensya sa pagtuturo. At hindi po natin mararating ito, itong kinatatayuan natin ngayon. Ako mismo hindi po ako magiging senador kung hindi po dahil sa ating mga guro dahil diyan tayo nag-umpisa… Sila po ang nagturo sa atin ng mga tamang kaalaman at gabay kaya po tayo naririto na atin rin namang isini-share po sa ating mga kababayan sa ngayon,” he shared. In the Senate, Go co-authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 1964, also known as the "Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act," which seeks to establish a system for providing teaching allowances to public school teachers. The proposed measure was approved on the third and final reading last May. In 2019, Go also authored and co-sponsored RA 11466, otherwise known as the Salary Standardization Law 5, which gives civilian government employees, including public school teachers, another round of salary increases broken down in tranches. Go likewise expressed his support for the proposed Salary Standardization Law 6, saying, “As co-sponsor and author of Salary Standardization Law 5 during the 18th Congress, sana po ay magkaroon pa ng bagong Salary Standardization Law 6. I’m one with the government in seeking to provide another increase in salaries for those working in the public sector.” Earlier, the senator also filed SBN 1190, which proposes expanding the use of the Special Education Fund, if enacted into law, to cover the operation and maintenance of public schools, payment of salaries and benefits for teaching and non-teaching personnel, and competency training for teaching personnel, among others. On the same day, Go provided assistance to indigents and inspected the San Isidro Super Health Center and the Antipolo City Hall of Justice which he supported in the past years. The post Bong Go honors educators as modern-day heroes on Teachers’ Day appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tulfo seeks Senate probe on Italian jobs scam, illegal recruitment
Senator Raffy Tulfo is urging his fellow legislators to conduct an investigation into the reported illegal recruitment of more than 200 Filipinos who were each supposed to be paid P120,000 (€2,500) up to P347,140 (€5,780) for "non-existent jobs" in Italy. Tulfo, chairs Senate committee on migrant workers, filed Senate Resolution No. 816 earlier this week, following reports that “hundreds of victims were charged by exorbitant placement and consultancy fees for jobs that turned out to be non-existent.” In a statement on Thursday, Tulfo said Alpha Assistenza SRL, the immigration consultancy firm allegedly victimizing Filipinos, is headed by Filipino chief executive officers Krizelle Respicio and Frederick Dutaro. He then cited the testimonies of the victimized overseas Filipino workers who bared that they were lured by a promise of higher-paying jobs. “Alpha Assistenza SRL had no legal personality whatsoever to process the work visa applications of Filipinos seeking jobs in Italy,” he said. Tulfo said about 68 complainants have already filed formal complaints before the Department of Justice in Manila. He added that the Philippine embassy in Italy has likewise alerted the Public Prosecutors Office in Rome, the SUI, the Questura, and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the alleged “large-scale fraud.” The allegations of victims on the supposed “non-action” by the Philippine consulate in Milan over the concern “should also be investigated,” said Tulfo. In filing SR 816, Tulfo stressed the need to “review existing laws and policies on illegal recruitment and adopt other legislative measures to curb the proliferation of such vicious acts.” The post Tulfo seeks Senate probe on Italian jobs scam, illegal recruitment appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hubby joins wife as Senate detainees
First the wife, now the husband. The Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights has cited in contempt Pablo Ruiz, the husband of France Ruiz, who had been cited earlier. Both are now detained in the Senate premises. The couple had been summoned by the Senate for allegedly abusing their household help, Elvie Vergara. During Monday’s fourth marathon hearing by the Senate panel investigating the alleged abuse, Senator Raffy Tulfo cited the family patriarch in contempt. Tulfo made the motion to cite Pablo for allegedly lying to lawmakers when he denied new testimony that further implicated the couple in the physical abuse case. Senator Jinggoy Estrada seconded Tulfo’s motion. Pablo was detained in the Senate premises along with his wife, France, who was cited in contempt last week for the same reason. Meanwhile, three more witnesses, namely, Melinda Magno, Richard Pinto, and one alias Paopao,” said they will corroborate Vergara’s claim that she was abused by the couple. Senator Francis Tolentino, who chairs the Senate panel, ensured the safety of the new witnesses. “Let us make sure that while we are conducting hearings, and even after, no harm will come to them. They came here to reveal the truth,” Tolentino said. To recall, Jay-ar Suarez Dimerez, alias “Dodong,” the star witness in the case, was attacked by unknown gunmen at his residence after he came out to accuse the Ruiz couple of abusing Vergara. The post Hubby joins wife as Senate detainees appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senate panel cites in contempt husband of alleged abusive employer of Elvie Vergara
First the wife, now the husband. The Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights has cited in contempt Pablo Ruiz, the husband of France Ruiz, the couple who allegedly abused their domestic helper, Elvie Vergara. During Monday’s fourth marathon hearing of the Senate panel’s investigation into the alleged abuse of the couple to Vergara, lawmakers once again cited another member of the Ruiz family, this time their patriarch. Senator Raffy Tulfo made the motion to cite Pablo in contempt for allegedly lying to lawmakers. Tulfor made the motion after Pablo denied a new testimony that implicates them in the case. His motion was seconded by Senator Jinggoy Estrada. Pablo is detained inside the Senate premises along with his wife, France, who was cited in contempt last week for the exact reason. ‘New witnesses’ Meanwhile, three more witnesses namely Melinda Magno, ‘Alias Paopao,’ and Richard Pinto, floated to support Vergara’s claims that she was abused by the couple. Senator Francis Tolentino, who chairs the Senate panel, ensured the safety of the new witnesses. “Let us make sure that while we are conducting hearings and even after, no harm will happen to them. They came here to reveal the truth,” Tolentino said. To recall, Jay-ar Suarez Dimerez, or ‘Alias Dodong,’ star witness of the case, was attacked by unknown gunmen in his residence. The post Senate panel cites in contempt husband of alleged abusive employer of Elvie Vergara appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gov’t looking for ways to address child sexual abuse
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the government is actively engaged in discussions on how to address the pervasive issue of child sexual abuse. He said the government is, at present, exploring all possible avenues, including seeking advice and guidance from the Supreme Court. Remulla said the issue of child sexual abuse is one of the problems the country is facing at the moment, which is why the government is exploring ways to address it and give importance to how to combat it and hopefully eradicate the problem. The DOJ chief has expressed deep concern over the rampant issue of child sexual exploitation in the Philippines, referring to it as an “epidemic” that has silently persisted over the years. Remulla’s remarks were prompted by the disturbing reports of alleged sexual abuses linked to a “doomsday cult” in Surigao del Norte. He said the charges against the Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI) are not isolated incidents; rather, they exemplify a distressing pattern that extends to other regions. Remulla revealed that a similar pattern of sexual predation had recently emerged on an island in Zamboanga, an incident that had gone unreported. “They are saying a cult in Surigao del Norte is not new. Only recently, two or three weeks ago, there was an incident reported in an isle in Zamboanga. This is an epidemic in the whole country wherein the children are the victims of sexual abuse and many of those are incestuous rape, which is really a problem,” said Remulla. The allegations against SBSI, made by Senator Risa Hontiveros, are deeply troubling. The cult is accused of sexually abusing and coercing over 1,000 children in Socorro town over the years. The senator brought these grave allegations to light and called for the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality to conduct an investigation in aid of legislation. In Senate Resolution No. 797, dated 18 September, Hontiveros stressed the urgent need for action in response to “alarming” reports of rape, sexual abuse, forced labor, and forced marriages involving minors within SBSI. The post Gov’t looking for ways to address child sexual abuse appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senate panel cites in contempt alleged abusive employer of Elvie Vergara
The Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights on Tuesday cited in contempt France Ruiz, one of the alleged abusive employers of domestic helper Elvie Vergara. During the Senate panel’s third investigation into the alleged maltreatment of the couple France and Gerry Ruiz to Vergara, senators ordered the detainment of the latter after provided “inconsistent answers” to senators. Senator Francis Tolentino, chair of the Senate panel, declared the detention of the female Ruiz “for continuously evading the questions propounded by the members of this Committee as well as falsely testifying under direct examination by Committee members.” Senator Jinggoy Estrada originally made a motion to detain France at the Pasay City Jail but withdrew it upon consultation with other members of the committee. France is detained inside the Senate jail while the Committee will be conducting parallel investigations on the case to finalize charges. Prior to her detainment, France stood by her claims that denied that her family did not take part in Vergara’s loss of sight, as well as the deformation of her nose. She attributed the domestic helper’s loss of sight to the latter’s previous fights with her fellow domestic helpers. Vergara accused her previous employers of physically assaulting her such as ramming her head in the comfort room’s wall and sink and hitting her with solid materials like belts and clothes hangers. The post Senate panel cites in contempt alleged abusive employer of Elvie Vergara appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Beijing going on an island-building binge?
The harvesting of corals on Rozul Reef could be part of China’s preparations for new reclamation in the West Philippine Sea, senators warned Monday. Citing China’s “playbook,” Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri suspected the destruction of the shoal’s seabed could be in preparation for reclamation activities in the area. “It’s possible. That has been their guidebook and playbook since the beginning where they destroy an area first and then reclaim it. That’s why we have to remain vigilant,” Zubiri said. The warning came on the same day that Japan’s ambassador to the Philippines, Kazuhiko Koshikawa, revealed in a social media post that his country had also been a victim of coral poaching in the past. “In the territorial waters and EEZ (exclusive economic zone) around Japan’s Ogasawara Islands, the large-scale poaching of precious corals by foreign vessels occurred 10 years ago, causing marine environmental and economic damage to Japan, leading to [a] diplomatic issue and strict JCG (Japan Coast Guard) controls,” Koshikawa tweeted on X. The envoy, however, did not name the country responsible for the pillaging of corals off Ogasawara Islands. Over the weekend, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command reported that there was massive coral harvesting at Rozul Reef. The report of missing and destroyed corals came following the sightings of Chinese maritime militia vessels in the area. The report was confirmed by the Philippine Coast Guard, which observed the same coral inundation in the seabed of Escoda Reef (Sabina Shoal), also in the West Philippine Sea. Airstrips Senator Francis Tolentino, who chairs the Senate Special Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zones, echoed the Senate chief’s observation that China may be planning to build manmade structures at Rozul Reef like it did in the Spratlys group of islands, also in the WPS. China built artificial islands in the Spratlys — at the Fiery Cross, Subi, Mischief, Johnson South, Cuarteron, Gave and Hughes reefs — where it constructed airstrips, radar stations and missile sites. “There might be a different plan for that, not only the harvesting of corals and the destruction of it. Because killing the corals is a prelude to one thing — when you kill it you can now do reclamation,” Tolentino said in a television interview. He noted that China’s actions in the reefs that are all within the Philippines’ EEZ violated the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. “If we are to file a claim for damages, it should be in the tribunal recognized by UNCLOS and the United Nations,” he said. He noted that the Philippine government may file cases against China before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, the International Court of Justice, or the Permanent Court of Arbitration. Meanwhile, Senator Risa Hontiveros said the recent developments in the West Philippine Sea called for a Senate inquiry. “It’s ripe for a Senate resolution and investigation because it would not be the first time that China caused environmental degradation in our sea,” Hontiveros said. “They also dredged our seafloor to invent their artificial islands, militarize them, within the West Philippine Sea and our exclusive economic zone, to claim it as their territory,” she pointed out. The lawmaker expressed gratitude to the Armed Forces of the Philippines for its discovery of the damaged seabed at Rozul and Escoda Reefs. WITH LADE JEAN KABAGANI The post Beijing going on an island-building binge? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Coral harvesting in WPS might be a prelude to reclamation—Tolentino
China is possibly preparing to reclaim more areas in the West Philippine Sea, particularly the Rozul Reef or Iroquois Reef, Senator Francis Tolentino warned Monday. In a television interview, Tolentino, who chairs the Senate Special Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zones, said the harvesting of corals along Rozul Reef could be part of the possible reclamation in the area. “There might be a different plan for that – not only the harvesting of corals and the destruction of it. Because killing the corals is a prelude to one thing: when you kill it, you can now do reclamation,” he said. Over the weekend, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command reported that there was massive coral harvesting in Rozul Reef. The report of missing and destroyed corals came following the sightings of Chinese maritime militia vessels in the area. The report was confirmed by the Philippine Coast Guard, which found similar observations in the seabed of Escoda Reef (Sabina Shoal), also in the West Philippine Sea. According to Tolentino, China's actions in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone violate the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. “If we are to file for a claim for damages, it should be in the tribunal recognized by UNCLOS and the United Nations,” he said. He noted that the Philippine government may file cases against China before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, the International Court of Justice, or the Permanent Court of Arbitration. Senate investigation In a separate interview, Senator Risa Hontiveros said the recent developments in the West Philippine Sea called for a Senate inquiry. “It’s ripe for a Senate resolution and investigation because it would not be the first time that China caused environmental degradation in our sea,” Hontiveros said. “They also dredged our seafloor to invent their artificial islands, militarize them, within the West Philippine Sea and our exclusive economic zone to claim it as their territory,” she added. The lawmaker expressed gratitude to the Armed Forces of the Philippines for its discovery of the damaged seabed of Rozul and Escoda Reefs. “Thanks to the Armed Forces of the Philippines for revealing it, I think it deserves an investigation. We should add it to the long list of China’s debt to our country,” she said. The Daily Tribune has sought comments from the Department of Foreign Affairs about the developments in the West Philippine Sea, but it has yet to respond as of press time. The post Coral harvesting in WPS might be a prelude to reclamation—Tolentino appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Witness in helper Elvie Vergara’s abuse case survives slay attempt
The primary witness to the alleged maltreatment of helper, Elvie Vergara, in Oriental Mindoro, has survived an alleged killing attempt. According to Senator Francis Tolentino, alias “Dodong” was reportedly attacked by two unidentified gunmen, wearing bonnets. Tolentino said the suspects forcibly entered Dodong’s residence in Paluan around 9 p.m. on Tuesday. Based on the police report, the unidentified suspects fired shots at the victim’s house. He said Dodong was luckily left unharmed after the transpired shooting incident. The senator chairs the senate panel in charge of investigating Vergara's maltreatment case. He then expressed concern over the apparent attempt to murder the witness. Meanwhile, Tolentino also bared that armed men allegedly visited Vergara’s residence in Batangas City on early Wednesday. Hence, Tolentino said he already coordinated with Police regional director Gen. Joel Doria to secure the safety of Vergara and the witness, noting that it is paramount in the quest for justice in the helper’s case. In August, the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights began conducting a probe on the alleged severe maltreatment of Vergara by her former employers in Occidental Mindoro from 2020 to 2023. Vergara reportedly experienced physical, verbal, and emotional abuse that also led to her blindness as a result of heavy injuries. In a press conference, Tolentino said Dodong, who is set to witness in the next committee hearing, is already safe and now under the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police in Calapan, Mindoro Oriental. “Elvie herself was allegedly attacked by unarmed men but it is not yet verified,” he said. He added that he would be recommending Vergara to be included in the witness protection program of the Department of Justice as authorities noticed that armed men steadily roamed around the helper's house. Also, the senator disclosed that another witness to Vergara’s case has come out. “We have another witness. We will try to protect this person. I cannot disclose more details but this witness is not just a witness to Elvie’s sufferings from maltreatment with her former employers, he also experienced maltreatment from them,” Tolentino said. The post Witness in helper Elvie Vergara’s abuse case survives slay attempt appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CHR to cooperate with ICC on drug probe
The Commission on Human Rights maintained a steadfast stance in its commitment to work with the International Criminal Court to probe the country's war on drugs on the watch of then-President Rodrigo Duterte. In the deliberations for the department's budget for 2024 before the House Committee on Appropriations, CHR Chairperson Richard Palpal-latoc assured lawmakers the agency would cooperate with the ICC by furnishing evidence it gathered in its past investigation. "As you may recall, the CHR has investigated extra-judicial killings in relation to the drug war before. And out of that investigation, the CHR has generated a report on EJK in relation to the drug war," Palpal-latoc said. The confirmation came following a question by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman about the extent of cooperation the human rights watchdog intends to grant to the ICC as it previously declared that they are "willing to cooperate" into the drug war probe, which has resulted "in thousands of extra-judicial killings, particularly the impoverished and marginalized drug suspects." About 7,000 people were killed under Duterte's drug war, based on the government's data, the majority of whom were from low-income families. However, local and international human rights organizations estimate it exceeded 30,000. According to Palpal-latoc, they are willing to supply the ICC evidence that the CHR already gathered in the previous investigation. However, he stressed that since the agency has yet to learn the details of the case filed in the ICC, the parameters of their cooperation are unknown. This, however, did not sit well with Lagman, asserting that the CHR should have been aware of this matter, taking into account the accusation made openly and publicly. According to the veteran lawmaker, CHR's pronouncement of cooperation without initiating communication with the ICC was merely a "soundbite" and a "press release" for the media. "Why don't you know? It's an open and public accusation before the ICC against the culprits in this war on drugs. Do you have a copy of the accusation brought before the ICC by some affected victims and advocates?" Lagman said. "You are fully aware that the official position of the national government is not to cooperate with the ICC and that bold statement is, in fact, a challenge to that position," he added. Palpal-latoc, on the other hand, countered that the CHR is "not a party" to the ICC investigation. Nonetheless, the CHR chief said that they are willing to provide legal assistance to the victims of human rights violations as well as witness protection pursuant to their mandate. Calls were made to cease the ICC's probe into Duterte's "war on drugs" that claimed thousands of lives during his six years of power that started in 2016. Justice Secretary Boying Remulla maintained a firm stance that the country would not engage in the ICC, claiming that the Philippine government would not let the court interfere in the country's business. Senator Bato de la Rosa, who led Duterte's anti-drug campaign, locally known as "Oplan Tokhang" previously said that he is ready in case a warrant of arrest has been served, but only by Philippine authorities and not by any foreigner directed by the ICC. The former PNP chief and Vice President Sara Duterte were the Philippine officials mentioned in the ICC prosecutor's report on the killings. The post CHR to cooperate with ICC on drug probe appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Elvie Vergara continued to suffer violence under employer’s daughter
Elvie Vergara, a domestic helper from Occidental Mindoro who lost her sight as a result of years of torture at the hands of her employers, continued to experience violence at the hands of her employer's daughter. Senator Francis Tolentino revealed this during the resumption of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights’ investigation into Vergara’s case on Tuesday. According to Tolentino, Vergara, who was already blind, continued to experience maltreatment after she was transferred to Danica Gerlyn Ruiz’s residence in Batangas City, the daughter of her alleged abusive employers France and Gerry Ruiz. “When Elvie Vergara was transferred, apparently, for medical assistance to a place in Batangas city, to another member of the household of the Ruiz family, she was also asked to do the same work,” he said. Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Fadullon Jr. supported Tolentino’s presumption, stressing that the nature of the offense to Vergara was continued since she was only transferred to the younger Ruiz. Maria Fe Guillermo Villar, the domestic helper of the younger Ruiz in Batangas City, also validated the claim in her sworn statement. Meanwhile, Danica’s parents, France and Gerry denied Vergara’s claims that they maltreated her for several years which led to her blindness. According to France, Vergara’s wounds were self-inflicted. “She got her wounds because she was too lazy to take baths sometimes. Sometimes, it would take her four to five days before took a bath. She got wounds because she was scratching herself,” she said. France also denied that they took part in Vergara’s loss of sight, as well as the deformation of her nose, attributing it to the latter’s fights with her fellow domestic helpers. “That was caused by her fights with her fellow domestic helpers at the back [of the house]. I only learned about it recently,” she said. For her part, Vergara stood by her claims that she was physically abused by the Ruizes. During the hearing, opthalmologist Dr. Airene Oloroso said fractures in Vergara’s skull, as seen in her computerized tomography or CT scan, could possibly attributed to the latter’s blindness. “If the fracture is severe, it can affect one’s [eye] globe,” Oloroso said. She also noted that Vergara’s left eye, which had already shrunk, may be due to previous injury or trauma. Vergara accused her previous employers of physically assaulting her such as ramming her head in the comfort room’s wall and sink and hitting her with solid materials like belts and clothes hangers. The post Elvie Vergara continued to suffer violence under employer’s daughter 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......»»
Tolentino wants stiffer punishment vs. abusive domestic help employers
Senator Francis Tolentino on Thursday said he would craft a new law to amend Republic Act 10361, or the ‘Batas Kasambahay’ to constitute stiffer penalties against abusive employers. In a television interview, Tolentino, who chairs the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, said the penalty for any violations of the provisions of the law is “too small.” “The Kasambahay Law is good but I think it has to be amended. Even the fine is just P10,000 for the violations being done by the employers,” he said. “So, I would look at strengthening the law further and making it not just a turf of the Department of Labor and Employment but also include the Department of the Interior and Local Government because barangay captains should have their own databases,” he added. The Senate panel on Justice and Human Rights on Wednesday conducted an investigation into the alleged physical and mental abuse of Elvie Vergara, a domestic helper from Occidental Mindoro. Vergara went blind after long years of serving the family of Jerry and France Ruiz, who allegedly tortured her. “Perhaps, if we really made focus on our OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) working abroad, domestic helpers, there should be a local bureau or agency in charge of domestic helpers. Not just for the purposes of hotlines but for purposes of really educating, not only the domestic helpers themselves but also the employers on their responsibilities,” he said. Tolentino also proposed the creation of a “special court” that would handle cases involving domestic helpers. “I would suggest that… this is not too much since I sit in the Judicial Bar Council, that there should likewise be a special court to handle cases involving domestic helpers,” he said. According to the lawmaker, who is also a lawyer, the Supreme Court could assign a special court per region to hear cases of domestic helpers. “It will draw more inspiration, perhaps awareness, greater awareness on the part of domestic helpers as well as inform the employers that indeed the law can reach them wherever they are,” he said. The post Tolentino wants stiffer punishment vs. abusive domestic help employers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Boredom made this PDL escape Munti
The escaped person deprived of liberty who was re-arrested recently yesterday told a Senate panel that he escaped the New Bilibid Prison maximum security compound in July out of boredom due mainly to a lack of visitors. Michael Cataroja admitted this during the hearing of the Senate committee on justice and human rights chaired by Senator Francis Tolentino, who asked the inmate why he escaped. Cataroja said he was so bored because no one was visiting him at the NBP. Cataroja, 25, who had been detained at the NBP for less than two years due to violation of the Anti-Fencing Law, said he evaded authorities on the morning of 7 July via a garbage truck. After the garbage truck reached C-6 Road, he took off and then walked to Antipolo City. Cataroja said at that time he was helping carry the garbage to the truck and when an L300 van passed by he went under the truck and hid. His disappearance was announced by BuCor on 17 August and was rearrested by Angono police in Sitio Minahan Bato, Barangay San Isidro after a tip from a concerned citizen. The Senate committee held Tuesday’s hearing at the BuCor where Cataroja is expected to demonstrate in front of the lawmakers and other authorities how he was able to get out of the state penitentiary in Muntinlupa City. On Sunday, BuCor released a video of Cataroja reenacting how he clung under a garbage truck to escape NBP. Senator Robin Padilla, who claimed that he was a representative of PDLs, said that it was “unfair” to have thousands of PDLs suffer the consequences of the mistake made by one. The post Boredom made this PDL escape Munti appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Victory for ordinary consumers
The Energy Regulatory Commission, on 8 August 2023, made the correct decision in suspending Resolution No. 07, S. 2011, which unfairly allowed the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, or NGCP, to pass on its three-percent franchise tax to energy consumers. The suspension order was triggered by the Senate Energy Committee hearing in July where Senator Raffy Tulfo, chairman, moved to raise a review of the franchise tax of NGCP amid delays in the completion of 37 transmission projects. He pointed out the NGCP projects were delayed by 820 days or 2 years and 3 months. Adding insult to injury, Senator Tulfo said, the NGCP has been passing on its franchise tax to consumers since 2011. “Perhaps it’s time for ERC to revisit its Resolution No. 7, series of 2011. And since we’re at it, maybe it’s about time to revisit the franchise tax of NGCP and impose a regular income tax on them instead,” declared the good senator. Senator Win Gatchalian, vice chairman of the committee, said the ERC should not allow NGCP to pass on its franchise tax to consumers because there is a 2002 Supreme Court ruling that the income tax, which is not an operating expense, cannot be passed on by a utility to its consumers. In the case of NGCP, the franchise tax is not an operating expense. Moreover, the franchise tax, according to the NGCP franchise, is in lieu of income tax. As such, NGCP should not be allowed to pass on its franchise tax to consumers. You see, the government in granting NGCP a franchise to operate the power transmission system in the country, exempted the company from all kinds of taxes, including the 30 percent corporate income tax, except for a 3 percent franchise tax based on its annual gross receipts. However, in 2011, the ERC granted the NGCP’s application to allow the franchise tax to be part of the transmission costs included in the electricity bills of consumers. In RP vs Meralco (G.R. No 141314, 15 November 2002), the Supreme Court ruled that a public utility cannot charge its income tax to consumers by including it in its operating expenses that form part of the electricity bill since no benefit is derived from it by the consumers. The Supreme Court said that to charge consumers for expenses incurred by a public utility that is not related to the service or benefit derived by the consumers is unjustified and inequitable. Quoting from the case of Smyth v. Ames, 169 U.S. 466, 545 (1898), the Supreme Court declared: “[T]he public cannot properly be subjected to unreasonable rates in order simply that stockholders may earn dividends… If a corporation cannot maintain such a [facility] and earn dividends for stockholders, it is a misfortune for it and them which the Constitution does not require to be remedied by imposing unjust burdens on the public.” This 2002 ruling was recently reiterated in the May 2023 Supreme Court decision barring Maynilad and Manila Water from passing on to consumers their corporate income taxes as operating expenses. In a 102-page decision penned by Justice Marvic Leonen, the SC ruled that in operating the waterworks and sewerage system, Maynilad and Manila Water are public utilities that are expressly prohibited from passing on to consumers their corporate income taxes as operating expenses. Indeed, the act of NGCP of passing on its franchise tax to consumers is simply repulsive when the corporation has been given all the special privileges to operate the monopoly business of transmitting electricity and is exempted from all other taxes. The franchise tax is the single obligation imposed on NGCP, yet its handful of billionaire owners deigned to pass it on to the ordinary consumers, who do not enjoy the same privilege of tax exemption of the wealthy corporation. Passing on the NGCP’s franchise tax obligation to the consumers only furthers an economic system that makes the poor poorer and the rich richer. The post Victory for ordinary consumers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Congress terminates BuCor probe, Catapang says will not resign
The investigation being conducted at the House of Representatives by the joint Committees on Justice and Public Order and Safety on the disappearance of a person deprived of liberty inside the New Bilibid Prison has been terminated. Both committees were informed by Bureau of Corrections Director Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. that another angle is being pursued by BuCor investigators: that Michael Cataroja, the PDL under investigation, might still be alive. He was reported missing on 15 July 2023. Catapang said bureau operatives visited and talked to Cataroja’s mother, Florence, residing at Sitio Manahan Bato, Brgy. San Isidro, Angono, Rizal, on 5 August. Florence told the investigating officer that the last conversation she had with her son was sometime in June when Cataroja asked her to send him P200. If her son will contact her again, she will surrender him to Senator Raffy Tulfo to secure his safety, said Cataroja's mother. Another BuCor operative also obtained information from a female informant that she saw Cataroja roaming around the area in the latter part of July, while another male informant claimed to have seen Cataroja in the vicinity around 22 July. The BuCor has also coordinated with the Angono Municipal Police as well as barangay police and tanod in Angono, Rizal to arrest Cataroja or alert them should Cataroja reappear in the area. In terminating the hearing, Rep. Dan Fernandez, chairman of the Committee on Public Order and Safety, said the objective of the committee is to have different agencies such as the Bureau of Corrections, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the National Bureau of Investigation strengthen their coordination efforts. Fernandez urged the BuCor to renew its coordination with PDEA by forging a memorandum of agreement and provide them with an office inside the BuCor to assist them in their fight to eliminate the drug problem inside the NBP. Responding to the challenge by Rep. Bienvenido Abante of the 6th District of Manila for him to resign if he fails to reform and solve corruption in the bureau, Catapang said he serves “at the pleasure of the Filipino people, the President, and the Secretary, but right now I will not resign. Just give me more time because sinalo ko lahat ng problemang ito.” The post Congress terminates BuCor probe, Catapang says will not resign appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senate-approved bill seeks to protect taxpayers
Senator Win Gatchalian on Tuesday said the upper chamber’s approval of the Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights and Obligations is a step toward empowering and protecting the interests of the taxpayers and will also bolster the government’s revenue collection. Senate Bill 1806, also known as the Taxpayers' Bill of Rights and Obligations Act, was approved on the third and final reading in a plenary session on Monday, receiving 22 affirmative and zero negative votes. The measure pushes for creating an independent office to "protect the rights of taxpayers." According to Gatchalian, the bill ensures that taxpayers will be adequately informed in cases of any deficiencies or violations. He added the measure encompasses various fundamental rights for taxpayers, including the right to receive clear and simplified guidance on complying with laws, rules and regulations implemented by revenue authorities. “In the process of empowering taxpayers, the measure will hope to enhance tax compliance on expectations that taxpayers will be more inclined in fulfilling their obligations if their rights and privileges are clear to them,” Gatchalian, who chairs the Committee on Ways and Means, said. The bill mandates the creation of the Office of the National Taxpayer Advocate, which will represent low-income taxpayers, assist the public with their tax concerns and issue opinions. The ONTA will serve as an independent and autonomous office attached to the Department of Justice. Senators Lito Lapid, Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., Cynthia Villar, Majority Leader Joel Villanueva and Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri also co-authored the SB 1806. The post Senate-approved bill seeks to protect taxpayers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Poe wants thorough investigation into Rizal boat mishap
Senator Grace Poe on Sunday said that those responsible for the motorboat which capsized and left at least 27 persons dead off the coast of Binangonan, Rizal must be brought to justice. “It is really infuriating and saddening that this incident happened. Losing a high number of people just because of negligence or maybe corruption of others is no joke, hence, an investigation must be done,” Poe said in a statement. She issued the statement even as she announced that the Senate Committee on Public Services, which she heads, is prepared to open its own probe on the incident. “Those who are responsible for this tragedy must be held accountable,” she added. The senator said the investigation must shed light on crucial questions such as why the Philippine Coast Guard allowed the motorboat to sail despite the strong winds and heavy rains. Poe said the boat's owner and the PCG should also explain why there were more passengers on the motor banca Aya Express than its allowed capacity. She also pointed out reports that the passengers had no life vests. “Life vest per passenger is a requirement before they can sail. This is necessary to provide them a chance to save themselves when it is needed,” she stressed. The lawmaker said the probe should determine liability and mete out punishment for those to blame. “Relieving or sacking those who are responsible from their posts is not enough, they should face charges,” she said. Likewise, she noted that the investigation may also include the victims of past sea tragedies to determine the outcome of their case and whether their families have been properly compensated. Senator Raffy Tulfo on Saturday lambasted PCG and the Maritime Industry Authority for the incident, stressing that the two agencies should be held accountable. “Twenty-seven lives were lost because of the sinking of the Princess Aya. This happened because authorities, such as the PCG and MARINA, were lax. Like in other sea tragedies, the boat was allowed to sail despite the bad weather, and it was overloaded and there were not enough life vests,” Tulfo said. The post Poe wants thorough investigation into Rizal boat mishap appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Revision of auditing code, procurement law pushed
Senator Francis Escudero on Wednesday emphasized the need to pass a new procurement law and auditing code after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. tackled the matter in his recent State of the Nation Address. Escudero said amending the existing law on procurement and the auditing code should be prioritized so it could prepare the local government units as envisioned under Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code as well as the Supreme Court ruling on the Mandanas-Garcia petitions. Citing his previous experience in the provincial government, Escudero lamented how “tedious” the processes were and that most of the time they “really impede the local governance and hamper delivery of social services. “Amending our old laws on government procurement and audit process is very timely as LGUs prepare for full devolution,” he said. In his SoNA, Marcos mentioned the passage of the two proposed measures that would make the government procurement and auditing “more attuned to these changing times.” Once enacted, Marcos said it would prepare for the “decentralization and full devolution to LGUs as mandated by the Supreme Court ruling on the Mandanas-Garcia petitions.” “We will give effect to the mandate of the Constitution and the Local Government Code, as clarified by the Supreme Court very soon. Almost all the required Devolution Transition Plans of the LGUs are done. To fully prepare them for optimal devolution, the necessary technical and financial assistance is being extended to our local governments,” Marcos had said. The High Court decision gives LGUs a just share of all national taxes collected, and not only from the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and fully transfers or devolves the delivery of basic services to LGUs. The Government Auditing Code of the Philippines, or Presidential Decree 1445, was put in place on 11 June 1978, while the Government Procurement Reform Act, or Republic Act 9184, was approved on 10 January 2003. “[I] will support the other legislative measures pushed by President Marcos if these will have a greater impact on the lives of ordinary Filipinos and hasten the country’s recovery from the effects of the Covid-19 health crisis,” Escudero said. Escudero said he is willing to work again with his colleagues “to secure the passage of many important legislations under the Legislative-Executive Common Legislative Agenda or CLA, as well as push for the bills under the Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education that he chaired in the Upper Chamber. The senator earlier filed Senate Bill 291, which proposes amendments to the country’s 83-year-old law — which is still pending before the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights — since the bill’s first reading in August 2022. Under SB 291, Escudero proposes the creation of the Commission on Immigration (CI) and phasing out the Bureau of Immigration to modernize the country’s immigration processes. The post Revision of auditing code, procurement law pushed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BATO DARES ICC ‘I am here, arrest me!’
By: Ann JEnireene Gomez and Alvin Murcia With GLEN JACOB JOSE, Tiziana Celine Piatos AND JOM GARNER, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa warned of “big trouble” if the International Criminal Court comes to the Philippines to arrest him or anyone else. “I already expected that, their insistence on meddling in our domestic affairs. Let them, let them do what they want,” Dela Rosa said in Filipino in an interview with Frontline Tonight. “I’ll be here, I am not hiding. If they have a warrant of arrest, let them serve the warrant,” Dela Rosa said, with one caveat — that he’ll only allow himself to be arrested by Philippine authorities and not by any foreigner ordered to do so by the ICC. Dela Rosa was responding to a statement of Senate President Miguel Zubiri that the government will have no choice but to turn over anyone to the ICC if the arrest warrant will be coursed through local courts and will be served by local authorities. “We are still a sovereign country, and they (accused) are still citizens of this country. They do that with many other countries. However, the danger there is if Senator Bato dela Rosa goes to a country that is friendly to the ICC, then they will arrest him. Here in the Philippines, the process is they must coordinate with the local courts,” Zubiri said. The ICC’s Appeals Chamber voted 3-2 on Tuesday to deny the Philippines’ appeal to stop the ICC Office of the Prosecutor from resuming its investigation. “There’s no problem if the Philippine government would be the one to arrest me, but not the foreigners,” he said. “If it’s the government of the Philippines that would decide to arrest me, what can I do? But if they (ICC) would come here to take me, our government would have none of that.” “There’s going to be big trouble if they would insist on coming here against our government’s expressed will. That would be too blatant an interference and they would be treating us like fools,” he added. Chill Meanwhile, Senator Francis Tolentino, who offered to stand as legal counsel for a fellow lawmaker in the ICC probe, advised Dela Rosa to “Just chill”. “I accept the proposal of Sen. Dela Rosa to a lawyer for him. I am now speaking as the counsel for Senator Dela Rosa,” said Tolentino, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, in an online press conference yesterday. He said nothing has changed in the Philippines’ position on the dismissal of the ICC Pre-Chamber in the country’s appeal regarding the probe of the “war on drugs.” The ICC, he added, has no jurisdiction in the Philippines. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday advised former president Rodrigo Duterte and Dela Rosa to stay away from countries where the ICC has influence. Dela Rosa is accused of implementing the alleged iron-fist policy of Duterte as a Davao regional police official and later as Duterte’s first Philippine National Police chief in 2016. “They are citizens of the republic who also need our protection,” Remulla said, adding that Duterte and Dela Rosa should refrain from going to countries in Europe. Why Sara? But even before Remulla came out with his advice, Dela Rosa had already said he would not deliver himself to the ICC. “I will make sure not to go to those countries that are friendly with the ICC,” he said. He also brushed aside efforts to involve Vice President Sara Duterte in the ICC probe, calling the move politically motivated against one who could become the country’s next president. He reiterated that the Vice President’s name was never mentioned in proceedings that looked into the alleged activities of the so-called Davao Death Squad. On Wednesday, the Department of Justice maintained that the ICC has no jurisdiction to investigate the extrajudicial killings allegedly committed during the Duterte administration’s so-called war on drugs. The DoJ expressed deep disappointment and strong disagreement with the denial by the ICC of the Office of the Solicitor General’s appeal to stop the probe on account of the Philippines having withdrawn from the ICC, and its having a fully functioning justice system. It said the rejection of the appeal was based on the ICC’s flawed interpretation of its jurisdiction as a court of last resort — that it could only assume jurisdiction when a member country showed it was not capable of investigating and prosecuting crimes within its borders. The DoJ pointed out that the principle of complementarity, enshrined in the Rome Statute that created the ICC, recognizes the jurisdiction of local courts to try crimes within their respective countries. “The dissenting opinions of two esteemed justices out of the five-judge panel highlight the grave errors in the majority decision,” the DoJ said in a statement. “These dissenting justices rightly recognized the Philippines’ commitment to upholding the rule of law and maintaining an independent and effective legal system.” “Their dissenting opinions underscore the existence of a legitimate difference of legal interpretation, casting doubt on the majority’s ruling,” it added. Remulla had lambasted the ICC for meddling in Philippine affairs and said the government would not honor any arrest warrant issued by the ICC. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his predecessor, Duterte, had been firm in saying the ICC had no jurisdiction over events that transpired in the Philippines. PNP no ICC lackey Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police said it would not be dictated to by the ICC as it recognizes the stance of the government that the international tribunal has no jurisdiction over the conduct of the drug war probe. “The PNP is under the executive department and we will follow the lead of the national government that there is a question with respect to sovereignty and jurisdiction of the ICC,” PNP spokesperson P/Col. Jean Fajardo said. Duterte, as Davao City mayor from 2011 to 2016 and as the country’s president from 2016 to 2022, is seen as the ICC prosecutor’s primary target, along with his former police chief, Dela Rosa. Government data showed that about 6,200 people died in “legitimate” anti-drug operations during the Duterte presidency, including law enforcement officers killed in action. Government critics claim as many as 15,000 to 30,000 were killed. Meanwhile, Vice President Duterte appeared to have been included in the complaints filed with the ICC prosecutor, along with her father’s long-time aide, the now Senator Christopher “Bong” Go. “No comment,” was the terse reply of the Vice President’s camp on her alleged inclusion in the ICC complaints. Go, on the other hand, said the ICC had no “business meddling in our internal affairs, where our courts remain fully functional and free from political interference.” “Probes into the war on drugs are presently being conducted by the competent authorities. Filipinos should be judged by fellow Filipinos before Philippine courts operating under Philippine laws,” Go said. With the ICC ruling, the DoJ vowed to continue to defend the sovereignty and integrity of the nation’s legal system and strongly urged the ICC to reconsider its decision and recognize the Philippines’ unwavering commitment to the rule of law and the pursuit of justice. “Furthermore, we would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our commitment to the well-being and support of all victims affected by the drug war,” Remulla’s department said. “The DoJ, in collaboration with other relevant agencies, is willing and able to assist those who had suffered harm or loss during this challenging period. We encourage all individuals with evidence and witnesses to come forward and share their testimonies with us,” it added. Former president Duterte, through his former spokesperson Harry Roque, shrugged off the ICC decision. In a Facebook post, Roque said Duterte has always maintained that as an independent and sovereign state, only Philippine courts can try any crime committed in Philippine territory. “He has time and again said that because of this, he will face all his accusers anytime but before Philippine courts and before Filipino judges only,” Roque said. In a television interview, Zubiri said the upper chamber would “not give up” Dela Rosa should the ICC issue a warrant of arrest against the latter. “Without the local warrant of arrest issued by the courts, then as far as I’m concerned, he is still a working member of the Senate and accorded of course that respect, similar to Senator De Lima and Senator [Antonio] Trillanes,” he said. “Only when the warrant of arrest was issued, then we allowed or we agreed that he may be taken in custody,” he added. The post BATO DARES ICC ‘I am here, arrest me!’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»