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No Pinoy hurt in Baltimore bridge collapse
The Philippine embassy in Washington has not received any report of Filipinos hurt in the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland on Tuesday......»»
Let’s not forget about sexual reproductive health and rights
I once read that in the ’80s, NASA wanted to send astronaut Sally Ride – the first American woman in space – on a space mission with 100 tampons. Her trip was six days. They could have spared that embarrassment by simply talking about it......»»
Victims of Baltimore bridge collapse include those from Mexico, Guatemala
Maryland [US], March 27 (ANI): Among those reported missing following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore in the US are Mexican nationals, CNN reported, citing Rafael Laveaga, Chief of the Consular Section of Mexico's Embassy in Washington. Laveaga refrained from specifying the exact number of missing Mexican nationals when he addressed reporters near the scene on Tuesday. A reporter asked Laveaga: ".....»»
Reflecting on Your Business Setbacks
Challenges are an inevitable part of any endeavor, especially a business one. From unforeseen economic shifts to internal operational hurdles, every business owner will inevitably face obstacles that test their resolve. As we live in a fast-paced world, we sometimes forget about looking back, and what better time to do it than the Holy Week? […].....»»
Singaporean embassy in India extends Holi wishes, shares images of celebrations in Barsana
New Delhi [India], March 24 (ANI): As Indians across the world geared up to ring in the festival of colours, the Singaporean embassy in the national capital extended its greetings for Holi, wishing that the festival would bring peace and joy to all. It also shared mesmerising pictures of Holi celebrations in one of India's oldest and most popular pilgrimage sites, Barsana, in Uttar Pradesh. A post on the official X handle.....»»
DFA summons Chinese envoy over latest sea confrontation
The DFA said in a statement that the agency summoned the chargé d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy to protest “aggressive actions” by the China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese maritime militia against a civilian boat supplying troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. .....»»
President Marcos: Spread kindness, selflessness this Holy Week
President Marcos joined Filipino Catholics in marking the beginning of the Holy Week on Palm Sunday, reminding the faithful not to forget the essence of the religious occasion by spreading kindness and selflessness......»»
Singaporean embassy in India extends Holi wishes, shares images of celebrations in Barsana
New Delhi [India], March 24 (ANI): As Indians across the world geared up to ring in the festival of colours, the Singaporean embassy in the national capital extended its greetings for Holi, wishing that the festival would bring peace and joy to all. It also shared mesmerising pictures of Holi celebrations in one of India's oldest and most popular pilgrimage sites, Barsana, in Uttar Pradesh. A post on the official X handle.....»»
Gaza genocide may trigger nuke war
The genocide by Israel in Gaza is ongoing: 1. An Israeli ground assault that would duplicate and surpass the viciousness of the Hamas ground assault in terms of the number of casualties, a ten-eyes-for-an-eye biblical vendetta; 2. Intensifying random airstrikes killing civilians and 3. The deadliest — a food, water, and electricity blockade leading to genocide — if not stopped. Only about 700,000 have evacuated Gaza. The rest of the 400,000 have nowhere to go. They will be the victims of genocide by slow starvation. Sending two aircraft carriers with troops to the war region and promising total support during his recent visit to Israel, U.S. President Biden failed to stop Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from continuing the genocide. In the eyes of the entire Arab and Persian worlds, both conservatives and radicals, this was tantamount to the U.S. being part of the crime. Instantly, the Arabs unilaterally boycotted a scheduled U.S.-Arab summit. Biden was left talking only to the Israelis in his Middle East tour. The U.S. is now geopolitically isolated in the entire Middle East. Rocket attacks on U.S. bases immediately ensued — two in Saudi Arabia and one in Syria. Also, Iran and Saudi Arabia, historically arch enemies, are now talking to each other. The genocide may unite all Islamic splinters into one scary solid mass. Now, the U.S. is as much a target of Islamic anger as the Israelis. It was a knee-jerk diplomatic blunder by Biden, who could have played more of a referee by openly warning Israel to stop the genocide. Now, the U.S. is part of that genocide, the critical ingredient to a possible nuclear war. As the reality of genocide emerges, it is inevitable for Iran and the Arabs to make a vicious response. There are protests in Israel against Netanyahu’s war moves, but the peacemakers are overwhelmed by the screams of the bloodthirsty. The genocide is virtually unstoppable. The Arab-Iran response may trigger a nuclear war if Israel is “cornered.” The U.S. will use its carriers to attack Iran. These carriers can quickly be taken out by a massive rain of Iranian hypersonic missiles from underground silos if these missiles are long-range enough to reach the carriers, which they will not hesitate to use in the name of survival. Existential survival is the catalyst to a nuclear holocaust. Once Iran is “cornered” by a U.S. counter-response, Russia will come into the picture, completing the elements for a full-blown proxy war beyond imagination. Russia will never permit Iran to fall into the hands of the U.S. The fall of Iran will mean the fall of Russia. The Russian response may be nuclear. China may now take the opportunity to launch the Taiwan war to weaken the U.S. in a “war on two fronts.” Many may think this scenario is an exaggeration. But this may be a valid warning if you put it side by side with the prophecies of Fatima, Medjugorje, and the Book of Revelation. There is total fear of a nuclear holocaust among the big powers — U.S.-NATO, Russia, China, and even lesser nuclear-capable nations such as Iran and India — which has been a deterrent to a nuclear war. But these prophecies may become a reality once fear evolves into anger or survival. There are violent street protests worldwide, especially in EU and U.S. cities, for and against Israel. Nations are uniting for or against Israel, a seeming new biblical event. This ongoing rapid intensifying polarization is the preview to World War III, as it was for World Wars I and II. But this new one is ten-fold in size. The Lord saved the Chosen People from their enemies in Old Testament accounts. But He punished them for turning away from Him, as in the Babylonian exile. Now, we do not know what the Lord has in store for Israel — salvation or punishment. If it is punishment, Israel may bring the entire human race down with it. Pope Francis is in a panic, launching global prayer campaigns, because he has an insight into the looming hand of God in the expanding war in the Middle East. His move in telling humanity to pray, pray, pray, and return to the Lord’s fold may be the only option. It may take the Hand of God to bring peace if prayers and a change of heart somehow appease His wrath. eastwindreplyctr@gmail.com The post Gaza genocide may trigger nuke war appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PCO corrects blunder
The Presidential Communications Office, or PCO, on Saturday, retracted a false claim that it had been four decades “since the last time a sitting President of the Philippines” visited Saudi Arabia. “Forty years since former President Ferdinand E. Marcos (Sr.) visited Saudi Arabia, the last time a sitting President of the Philippines traveled to the country, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited the Filipino community in Riyadh to personally express his gratitude for their significant contributions,” part of the PCO’s deleted Facebook claimed. A few hours later, Malacañang issued an erratum in a new Facebook post. “In a previous version of this caption, we erroneously stated that President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.’s visit to Saudi Arabia in 1982 was the last visit by a sitting Philippine president,” PCO said in another post. “We wish to clarify that both President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and President Rodrigo Duterte in [sic] also visited Saudi Arabia in 2009 and 2017 respectively.” Noticeable was the misplaced “in” in the erratum of the PCO, an office tasked with combating fake news on matters about the government, particularly the Office of the President. The post PCO corrects blunder appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Rose petals heal cancer patient
(Author’s Note: This story is based on the book “Mary Mediatrix of All Grace” by the late Rene C. de Jesus, published circa December 2015, now out of circulation.) Mrs. Julie Hughes-Sikora, born of an American father and a Filipino mother from Ormoc, Leyte, migrated to the US in 1941. In 1948, she returned to the Philippines for a visit. Curious about the many stories about the miraculous “shower of rose petals” in Lipa, Batangas, she went there on a pilgrimage. During a Sunday mass, a strong wind suddenly encircled the pilgrims. A shower of rose petals from the sky followed. Julie picked up two petals — fresh, light red, and almost translucent. Returning to Manila, she examined the petals and found nothing unusual. She inserted them in the pages of her prayer book. Later, she discovered that one of the petals had an image of Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace and the other of Our Lady of Sorrows. She promised the Blessed Mother that when she returned to the US, she would promote the Marian devotion through the petals and a two-foot Mediatrix statue given to her by the Carmelite Sisters. In the summer of 1950, she spoke to the high school students of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Chicago. The Catholic Women’s League president forbade her to talk of the apparitions and the rose petals. Knowing that the petals were not a hoax, she knelt in tears and prayed, “Blessed Mother, please help me. You must convince the people that these are rose petals from heaven.” Her prayer was answered immediately. A Felician sister borrowed the petals for a sick sister, Sr. Mary Angela, who was dying of bladder cancer. In fact, Sr. Mary Angela had her coffin made. She later recounted that a smiling lady in white came out of the rose petals and floated on a cloud. Sr. Mary Angela fainted from the extreme pain of the cancer. Her surgery scars were gone when she woke up, and she was completely healed. Her urologist, Dr. Dooley, a non-Catholic, was shocked to discover that she was instantly cancer-free. He gave her a copy of her medical records as evidence of a miracle. Sr. Mary Angela lived for another 12 years. The news of her miraculous healing spread like wildfire across the world, silencing the many “doubting Thomases.” Many years later, Julie returned to Lipa to return the rose petals to the Carmelite sisters, who regarded them as Marian relics. Julie signed an affidavit of her testimony before the sala of Judge Harriet Demetriou on 5 October 1999. The Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith or CDF, tasked to investigate the Mediatrix apparitions, regarded them as a hoax and ordered the rose petals burned, the very evidence that proved the apparition. If the CDF had done a proper investigation, they would have seen the evidence of the miracles. But they decided “with finality” that the Mediatrix apparitions were a hoax based on a Pius XII decree, which was discovered recently to be INVALID and NON-EXISTENT because it was not registered in the Vatican’s Acta Apostolicae Sedis, which is required by Canon Law to make it binding and effective. So, the Vatican committed the blunder of all blunders by suppressing the Mediatrix apparition for 70 long years based on a non-existent Papal decree. They manipulated the results of the first investigation in 1951 by ordering six Filipino bishops to change their findings to “not of supernatural origin” under threat and intimidation. This was discovered only when one bishop, on his deathbed, admitted that he was forced to change their original decision of authentic apparition to a hoax. The rest of the other bishops followed. They have all passed away. The Vatican kept the non-existent decree secret, blaming instead Filipino Bishop Mariano Gaviola and Archbishop Emeritus Ramon Arguelles for “violating” Vatican orders. In fairness, some cardinals did not know about the invalid decree, believing all the while that the apparitions were really a hoax. We are now asking Pope Francis to rectify the errors of the Vatican and restore the Filipino clergy and Marian devotees in the name of the Virgin. The more it is suppressed, the more Marian miracles there are, increasing the fold of Marian devotees despite Vatican suppression. The Virgin prevails over the Vatican. eastwindreplyctr@gmail.com The post Rose petals heal cancer patient appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
QCPD gets new chief after road rage fiasco
Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. has accepted the resignation of Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III and appointed his successor, following the blunder of the police in handling the road rage case between a dismissed gun-toting cop and a cyclist last month. In an order dated Aug. The post QCPD gets new chief after road rage fiasco appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Magician Efren
Author’s Note. Back in my high school days, it was normal for us students to skip classes to play billiards at the “Pink House” along Katipunan Ave. across the Ateneo campus. Our dean of discipline, Mr. Vergara, whom we dubbed Garaver, would raid the Pink House regularly to round us back to the corral. So, I can rightfully say that I speak with authority on the subject of billiards. Efren can make billiards magic because he shoots with his mind, not his hands. In truth, billiards is more of a cerebral rather than a physical game, an intellectual game rather than plain geometry and angles. That is why Efren, the Magician is revered by everyone, especially global billiard pros and commentators. He would ponder silently while chalking his cue stick and his mind would be racing through complex possibilities with lightning speed before finally making his move without hesitation. Billiards is the merging of the physics of motion and momentum and the metaphysics of “feel” and psychic power. Especially in eight-ball, it requires analysis and strategy as to where to place the cue ball for the next shot, what Filipinos call “preparacion” — a Spanish word. This is the expertise of Efren the Magician, or Efren “Bata” (The Kid) Reyes, rightfully the greatest pool player in the world today, according to pool commentators and pros. He makes his “preparacion” with ease. This has made him the first non-American to win the US Open Pool Championship. TV anchors would normally predict how Efren would play his “preparacion,” but many times they would be wrong because Efren thinks out of the box. He would go for a complex three-rail bank shot with ease instead of the more obvious straight shot. Indeed, Filipino pool players, led by Efren, are noted worldwide for the unique way they play, and how they are changing the way pool is played on the global level. The great champions from Europe and America have started adopting the unorthodox way Filipinos play. There is today a radical Filipino pool culture respected in the global arena. Efren is especially noted for casually shifting from his right hand to his left to shoot, which is a unique Filipino playing style. He is an expert in masse, giving the cue ball enough of a spin to curve around or jump over an obstructing ball by hitting the cue ball at a steep angle using a shorter cue stick. Another expertise of Efren is the “safety shot,” hiding the cue ball from the target ball, if he has no open shot to make. Rather than risk a dangerous shot to pocket the ball, this defensive strategy often leaves the opponent with an impossible shot. Efren can maneuver and hide the cue ball from the target ball with ease. Efren’s charisma abroad is phenomenal. They all love the way he scratches his head when he makes a blunder. You would not know if he made a mistake or played his magic, because, either way, he has on this sheepish smile. He would giggle if he did a “tsamba,” a lucky accident of sinking a ball in an unintended pocket. He brims with humility even in his greatness. Filipinos are good at billiards partly perhaps because it is a poor man’s game, as Efren was as a kid. One can spend hours in the billiard hall. Time just melts away. It is called making “istambay,” a corruption of the English word “stand by.” Just hanging around the pool hall all day and learning lessons from the experts, like Efren did as a kid. In contrast, sports like basketball and swimming are essentially more expensive to go into. Billiards is an “easy” and “cheap” sport because it is essentially entertainment, but at the same time cerebral. It can be expensive only if you gamble. Efren is known as the richest pool player of all time. He has earned about $2 million or P100 million as of February 2023. He is in the Guinness World Records. He and Francisco Bustamante hold the records for the greatest number of victories in pool in 2006 and 2009, respectively; followed by Li Hewen and Fu Jianbo of China in 2007 and 2010, respectively. (Source: guinnessworldrecords.com) At the age of 68, Efren still has not retired. Unlike in boxing or basketball where great athletes retire early, in pool, which requires little physical effort, there are a few rare great pros who are septuagenarians. Wikipedia lists Efren’s titles and achievements at a phenomenal 137, as of this writing. The post Magician Efren appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kai’s last chance
Up to now, Kai Sotto’s stint in the FIBA Basketball World Cup remains unclear. Sure, he has been in the country for over two weeks and has been attending some Gilas Pilipinas events, but the fact that he has yet to actually train with his teammates is making Chot Reyes anxious. Sotto is tipped to play a crucial role in the Gilas squad. His 7-foot-3 frame, athleticism and feathery shooting touch from the perimeter will be needed when the Filipinos battle the best players in the world in the prestigious basketball spectacle from 25 August to 10 September. But it will be impossible for Reyes to involve Sotto in his game plan if he has yet to actually see him banging bodies with his fellow big men like World Cup veterans June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar, as well as rising star AJ Edu. It is no secret that Sotto’s dream is to make it to the National Basketball Association. He was still a gangly kid when he started joining the Junior NBA program before moving to Ateneo de Manila University and eventually donning the national colors in various age-group events — the biggest and most prestigious was the 2019 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in Greece. A lot of offers came his way, including a chance to play for prestigious European clubs like Alba Berlin, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Baskonia, but Sotto, then 17, decided to bring his talent to the United States — not to enter play at the collegiate level — but to make a daring leap straight into the NBA. After training at The Skill Factory, he joined Team Ignite, a developmental team in the NBA G League that aims to prepare athletes for the NBA. At Team Ignite, Sotto showed some promise as he played for former Los Angeles Lakers coach Brian Shaw together with future NBA players Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Daishen Nix, and Isiah Todd. But when Team Ignite was about to start its season and enter the G League bubble in Orlando, Sotto shockingly flew home and joined Gilas in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. Ignite eventually dropped Sotto, prompting him to look for other ways to realize his dream of becoming the first full-blooded Filipino to make it to the NBA. He found one in Australia. He played for the Adelaide 36ers in the National Basketball League and had some measure of success. In fact, he was able to gauge his prowess when the 36ers played against Chris Paul, Devin Booker, DeAndre Ayton and the Phoenix Suns in an NBA preseason match. After a couple of seasons in Australia, he moved to Japan to play for the Hiroshima Dragonflies in the B League. He had some impressive games, but it wasn’t enough to earn the attention of NBA coaches, scouts, and talent evaluators. Still, he joined the NBA Summer League. Playing against veteran free agents, journeymen, and incoming rookies looking to earn spots on the opening-day rosters of NBA teams, Sotto rode the Orlando Magic bench in their first three games before making his debut against the Portland Trail Blazers, recording six points, four rebounds and three blocks in their 71-88 loss. Sotto tried to play in his fifth game, but he was slowed down by a back injury. His return to Manila was surrounded by controversy as he failed to join the Gilas squad that was set to go to China for the final leg of its preparations for the World Cup. He opted to stay home to “rest and recover” from his back injury. Until when? It’s something that only Sotto and his American handlers know. But Sotto should realize that the doors of the NBA are slowly closing on him. He already made a bad decision by snubbing the invitations of top European clubs as well as prestigious American collegiate programs like Kentucky, Georgia Tech and Auburn that could have helped him develop his game and gain confidence while playing against kids his age. Instead of staying patient and working on his game away from the prying eyes of NBA scouts, he rushed the process by signing up with Team Ignite before committing another massive blunder of flying back to Manila just before the G League season tipped off. Now he has only one chance — the FIBA Basketball World Cup. A lot of Filipinos ranging from Johnny Abarrientos to Aguilar, Kiefer Ravena and Ray Parks all tried — and failed — to make it to the NBA. On the contrary, Sotto is being presented with a rare opportunity to display his talent and carry the torch in a world-class event. Sadly, despite repeatedly saying that he is ready, his body language suggests that he is reluctant to step up to serve as the hero of this basketball-crazy nation. The clock is ticking for Sotto. The doors of the NBA are slowly closing right before his very eyes. He has to lace his sneakers, grab that Gilas jersey, and play his heart out for the country in the FIBA Basketball World Cup before he becomes another “what if” in the history of Philippine basketball. The post Kai’s last chance appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Wise up, China and Russia
Dear Editor “The map is not the territory.” — Alfred Korzybski China and Russia can have and keep their respective maps with all their might. In the case of China, it is its map of the entire South China Sea, but not the sea itself because no Philippine territory (West Philippine Sea to be specific) is owned by any foreign country. In China’s nine-dash line map, Chinese officials are free to commit all the aggressions and bullying they want to do and no nation will protest, not even the Philippines. They can build as many illegal structures there as they want and our government will not file for sure a single note verbale because Filipinos respect China’s dignity. Furthermore, there is no need for the Philippine government (in such an instance) to assert the ruling of the Arbitral Court that found there is no more need for the Armed Forces of the Philippines to prepare for the defense of our maritime territory against China. And what about the Philippines continually expecting the promised support/backing of big, developed nations like the United States, Australia, Japan, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, the entire European Union and many other thinking nations for any eventuality — in defense of what belongs to Filipinos in the disputed sea? By the way, China’s nine-dash line is stranger than fiction, according to world experts. Are you willing/ready and capable to going to war with the world, dear China? German Chancellor/dictator Adolf Hitler invaded Poland in 1939, which triggered World War 2, yet Hitler was the one who ended up invaded by hell as he ultimately committed suicide in 1945, out of frustration and desperation, or guilt. Aside from many other lesser crimes against humanity that evil Hitler committed, he massacred over six million Jews at the altar of his selfish and narcissistic ambition. Unforgivable. Pray that Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin would take a cue from Hitler’s colossal blunder — vis-a-vis the West Philippine Sea, Ukraine and Taiwan. I read somewhere two years ago that a Western superpower has advanced scientifically and technologically in ways unprecedented and unparalleled in the matter of military might. I was led to ask: What nation could be more powerful than this nation which has the knack/capability, an unseen weaponry or “mechanism” in space to detect and redirect at the same time any kind of nuclear bomb launched against it — back to its point of origin? Watch out and wise up, China, Russia (and North Korea)! Learn from world history before it’s too late. Wouldn’t you behave and allow sanity, civility, reason and peace to prevail? What seems to be so difficult about the act when it won’t even cost you a dime or a single, precious human life to do it? Remember, good always triumphs over bad. Reni M. Valenzuela renivalenzuelaletters@yahoo.com The post Wise up, China and Russia appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
House probe of tourism video blunder sought
The three-member Makabayan bloc is seeking an inquiry into the Department of Tourism (DOT)’s recent blunder in its “Love the Philippines” campaign......»»
Love the Philippines!
The so-called tourism fiasco emanating from the ad agency DDB Philippines’ booboo on its audio-visual presentation to promote the slogan “Love the Philippines”, is being blown into exaggerated if not laughable proportions. One lawmaker wants to discard the slogan because the controversy allegedly created a “negative impact” and “The DoT’s enhanced campaign has lost the “persuasion game, its redeeming value and has become unsalvageable.” Such declaration lacks depth in understanding the reality and short lifetime of news. While it may have reached some or many parts of the world because of the wonders of electronic media, it is highly doubtful if the same received a negative reaction that would impact the tourism programs of the DoT. For one, the video ad does not show appropriate world-renowned tourist attractions like ours, rather they are mere look-alike of the originals that really exist. The truth of the matter is that even this writer did not notice — as others would have not known the inauthenticity of those depictions — until it was pointed out. They really look like the real McCoy which we are used to seeing. For another, breaking news on the international scene vis-a-vis the Russia-Ukraine war, the current hostilities between superpowers, and other earth-shaking events come in succession that will get the world’s attention and certainly not the lazy work done by an ad agency in the Philippines. It’s the height of naïveté to think that people of the world will spend precious time on an insignificant flaw committed by an advertising firm and uselessly dwell on it. It’s not as if the advertisement pictures the country as a dangerous territory or an unattractively dreary place. While the subject video showed illustrated graphics of other countries, they however do not destructively depart from the original, which by themselves are attractive and eye-catching. The incident could even be a blessing in disguise as it may interest those who have not heard of the Philippines or who have yet to visit it, make research it, and in the process discovers the magnificent and splendid sights that our country has to offer and prod them to come over. There is another self-projecting suggestion for a congressional investigation on the matter. What is there to investigate? There has been an admission of fault. DDB Philippines owned the wrongful act, and the DoT Secretary immediately acted on the blunder and presently rectifying it. As this writer articulated in the immediately preceding column, this bloated brouhaha cannot diminish the grandiose plans and well thought projects crafted by Secretary Cristina Garcia-Frasco intended to greatly enhance the tourism industry and generate titillating interest in foreigners to saturate our country with their visits. So far the number of tourists has increased in numbers. With the DoT’s well-laid-out plans to give our best to them, it will not be surprising if we surpass the pre-pandemic number of tourist arrivals in the coming months. As to the incorrigible destructive critics who keep on bashing Secretary Cristina, this writer suggests they move forward for the latter has already swiftly and decisively rescinded the contract with DDB, and most likely will be sued for breach and damages. Moreover, the error can easily be remedied by doing another audio visual that will showcase the wondrous reasons why all globetrotting nationals of all races will — and why we — love the Philippines. So one more time, let’s all gloriously and enticingly scream “Love the Philippines!” The post Love the Philippines! appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DoT firing of DDB backed
Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. on Tuesday said the Department of Tourism’s termination of its advertising contract with DDB Philippines was the “correct” move. In a Viber message to reporters, Revilla lamented that DDB Philippines’ shortcomings in the launch of the new tourism slogan, “Love the Philippines,” had brought humiliation to the country. “The Department of Tourism is more than justified in terminating its agreement with DDB Philippines. DDB’s admitted ‘oversight’ has caused the country embarrassment,” he said. “We are one with the Filipino people in the indignation expressed towards the shortcomings of DDB.” The DoT canceled DDB Philippines’ contract said to be worth P49 million — or P250 million according to other reports — after it was discovered it had used stock videos shot in other countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Thailand and Switzerland that were made to appear that these were Philippine scenes. DDB apologized Sunday for the blunder it blamed on an “oversight.” Senator Nancy Binay said Tuesday the country should have learned from its previous mistakes on the originality of its logo, slogan, design and video clips. “We are supposed to show authenticity. These kinds of promotional anomalies directly affect travelers’ decisions and, at the same time, portray a negative image of how we promote our destinations,” Binay said. “The paramount task is to ensure that there will be no pause in promoting our destinations despite the snag. Maybe we can bring back ‘Fun’ because ‘Love’ seems to have a problem now,” she added, referring to the DoT’s previous “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” drive. Amid the criticism over the “Love the Philippines” campaign, One Cebu lawmakers, city and municipal mayors, and councilors expressed “full and unwavering” support for the DoT and its chief, Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco. The post DoT firing of DDB backed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Rep. Salceda not calling for Frasco resignation
Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, one of the first who lambasted Tourism Secretary Cristina Frasco over the non-inclusion of Albay's iconic Mayon Volcano in the DoT's latest promotional ad campaign, said on Tuesday that he would not join calls for the latter's resignation. Instead, he said, his province Albay would help the DoT chief to lure foreign tourists into the country in the midst of the backlash over the blunder. "Albay will help her. I offer to her my personal experience as former Governor of Albay, when we grew foreign tourist arrivals by 4,700 percent, and became the country's rising tourism star," Salceda said, noting that prior to the pandemic, Albay had 1.32 tourists per resident, which was higher than the national average of 0.57. The economist-lawmaker, who appeared to be less irate, bared that Frasco followed her recommendation to terminate the consultant, correct mistakes and investigate internally, and be more inclusive with destinations featured. "When we resume session in Congress, we will seek facts. She is open. We can disagree without malice," the lawmaker said. "I will criticize openly, as needed. That's my job as a legislator and a representative of my people. But after heated discussions, we must remain focus on solving problems." To recall, Salceda went ballistic by the DoT's failure to include Mayon in its latest campaign video, "Love the Philippines," saying Frasco, whom she called her friend, had failed Albay and that Mayon deserved better treatment. Salceda argued that it would not have cost much to include just a scene of Mayon, where Albayanos relay their bread and butter. "Love the Philippines," which is now pulled out in the social media of the DoT following the DBB's revelation of using stock footage of other countries, cost P49 million, according to Frasco. The post Rep. Salceda not calling for Frasco resignation appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Lawyers seek De Lemos head for NBI blunder
A group of lawyers who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal blamed the recent significant mistakes of the National Bureau of Investigation on overstaying Director Medardo de Lemos and called for his immediate resignation. The Department of Justice confirmed that Jose Adrian “Jad” Dera, a co-accused of former senator Leila de Lima in her remaining drug case, was arrested by authorities on Wednesday, 21 June, after he allegedly went out from and came back to the NBI Detention Center. Dera’s lawyer says his medical condition necessitates his leaving the NBI premises, even as the NBI has its medical doctor. DoJ Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano said that “firearms, cash, and other contraband” were confiscated from Dera. Six NBI security personnel were arrested together with Dera. Dera is also implicated in the slaying of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo last 4 March 2023. Lawyer Levito Baligod, legal counsel for the Degamo family, said that aside from Jad Dera, alleged co-mastermind Marvin Miranda also enjoys furlough from corrupt NBI officials, leaving the NBI Detention Center as he pleases. A reliable source inside the bureau revealed that the Degamo witnesses’ recantation started with the arrest of Marvin Miranda, the alleged recruiter of the killers of Gov. Degamo. The same source said that he is an asset/informant of a newly-appointed Chief of a District Office of a province near Metro Manila, promoted by the NBI Director De Lemos himself. The same source said that unknown to the public, it was kept from the Department of Justice officials’ knowledge that Miranda is an asset/informant of a newly-installed Chief of a District Office of a province near Metro Manila. The same Chief of the District Office is married to a lady agent who also was a newly-installed Bureau Chief. The same person is rumored to be the paramour of the NBI Director. She was reported to have been with the latter during a foreign trip. “Miranda is a Trojan horse who has a connection with the top officials of the Bureau. And this is just one of the many things that are eroding the morale of the career officers and personnel of the NBI,” the source said in dismay. The widow of Governor Degamo, Pamplona, Negros Oriental Mayor Janice Degamo, in her Facebook post, said; “I have lost my trust in the NBI… It is in this facility that all gunmen recanted (their testimonies). Paano nangyari yun?” She added that “as if the Bureau has no IDEA at all how things like this could happen. Tapos nangyari ito na nahuli si Dera??? Tapos wala itong kinalaman sa recantation? Hanggang saan sa NBI umabot ang P25 million?” “We would request another agency of the government to handle the Degamo case, wag na sa NBI (expletive),” Mayor Janice emphatically said. An NBI source said the recantation of testimonies of all 10 gunmen in the Degamo case is a first in the history of the Bureau. The same group of lawyers said De Lemos might as well resign. He should have retired weeks ago as he reached the age of compulsory retirement last 8 June having reached the age of 65. “The compulsory retirement age of the NBI Director is sixty-five (65). Said position cannot be reappointed because the position is technical and not confidential,” as stated in the description of the position of the NBI Director. Extended term A copy of a memorandum from the Office of the President circulated on social media dated 9 June 2023, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin to Secretary of Justice Crispin Remulla, states “… Mr. De Lemos, who holds a coterminous appointment as Director (Director VI) of the NBI, is considered automatically extended in the service upon reaching the compulsory retirement age of 65 years on 8 June 2023, until the expiry date of his appointment which is until the end of the term of the President, unless his services are earlier terminated”. Executive Order 136 series of 1999 or the law Requiring Presidential Approval of Requests for Extension of Services of Presidential Appointees Beyond the Compulsory Retirement Age, however, states: “That Officials or employees who have reached the compulsory retirement age of 65 years shall not be retained in the service, except for exemplary meritorious reasons.” “The blunders at the NBI is surely not a meritorious reason for De Lemos to be extended in office,” one of the lawyers said. Also cited was a memorandum from Executive Secretary Salvador Madialdea, under then-President Rodrigo Duterte, dated 18 February 2021, and addressed to the heads of departments, agencies, offices, and instrumentalities of government, including Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations or GOCCs. “To ensure the effective and efficient delivery of service, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has instructed the strict adherence of all concerned to Republic Act 8921, otherwise known as the Government Service Insurance System Act 1997, which provides that the compulsory retirement age of government employees is sixty-five (65) years. As such, the extension of service of government officials and employees who have reached the compulsory retirement age will no longer be allowed,” the memorandum read. The post Lawyers seek De Lemos head for NBI blunder appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»