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PNP recalls police escorts as part of barangay, SK election preps
The Police Security and Protection Group of the Philippine National Police on Tuesday announced it has launched a comprehensive recall of its protective security personnel stationed throughout the country as part of the preparation for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections scheduled for 30 October 2023, Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco, acting Director for Operations, led the presentation of recalled personnel at the PNP Transformation Oval, Camp BGen Rafael T Crame, Quezon City. Regional offices across the nation will also conduct their recall activities, which will be witnessed through online platforms. “This recall serves as a reminder of our duty to the people and the nation. As you return to your units, let your actions reflect the ideals of a just and democratic society”, PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda said in a statement on Tuesday. “Additionally, this recall serves as a proactive measure to prevent any undue influence, conflicts of interest, or perceptions of impropriety during the electoral process. Our priority is to uphold the principles of democracy and ensure that every citizen's voice is heard,” he added. Of the total 920 protective security personnel stationed nationwide, 679 PSPG personnel are subject to recall. Among these, 495 are responsible for safeguarding 285 government officials, while 425 are entrusted with the security of 309 private individuals. Those recalled will undergo refresher and specialization courses while awaiting redeployment after the election period. The initiative is in accordance with Comelec Resolution 10918, which outlines the Rules and Regulations on the Ban on the Bearing, Carrying or Transporting of Firearms or Other Deadly Weapons, as well as the Employment, Availment or Engagement of the Services of Security Personnel or Bodyguards during the Election Period. The election period starting on 28 August marks the period of prohibition that extends until 29 November 2023. During this time, Comelec regulations dictate the suspension of activities involving the carrying of firearms or other deadly weapons and the employment of security personnel or bodyguards by incumbent public officials, whether elected or appointed, as well as private individuals. To facilitate the application for the issuance of a Certificate of Authority for Security Detail, eligible individuals, including incumbent public officials and private citizens, are encouraged to submit their requests online through the Comelec website. The electronic filing system has been operational since 5 June 2023, and will remain open until 15 November 2023. As of 24 August 2023, a total of 295 applications have been received for CA-SD, with 49 having already received approval. The Comelec is expecting around 2 million aspiring candidates for the BSKE. In total, 672,432 positions need to be filled. These account for 42,027 positions for Punong Barangay and another 42,027 positions for SK Chairpersons. Around 294,189 seats should also be filled for each Sangguniang Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan group. The post PNP recalls police escorts as part of barangay, SK election preps appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Secure amnesty before fines hiked
Corporations and associations who have been delinquent in filing their annual reports should avail of the amnesty program before higher penalties kick in starting in October. “We reiterate our reminder to all corporations that starting a business does not end with registration with the SEC. This is just the first step — they must faithfully comply with reportorial requirements thereafter to ensure their continuity and sustainability,” Securities and Exchange Commission Chairperson Emilio Aquino said over the weekend. Last 15 March, the SEC issued SEC Memorandum Circular 2, Series of 2023, or the grant for non-filing and late filing of the General Information Sheet or GIS and Annual Financial Statements or AFS, and non-compliance with Memorandum Circular 28, Series of 2020 or MC 28. The amnesty, which comes in the form of a waiver or reduction of fees, is part of the Commission’s efforts to encourage its regulated entities to comply with their reportorial requirements under Republic Act 11232 or the Revised Corporation Code. Around 40,000 corporations have since completed their amnesty application with the SEC, allowing them to reclaim their good standing or corporate registration with the SEC. “The SEC Amnesty Program is a chance for corporations and associations to get a fresh start in their compliance with reportorial requirements, so they continue to enjoy the benefits and privileges of being a registered corporation,” Aquino said. Condonation streamlined To make the process simpler, the SEC streamlined the amnesty application process to encourage more corporations to avail of the program. Corporations now need only answer a web-based form available on their Electronic Filing and Submission Tool or eFAST accounts, replacing the submission of the notarized Expression of Interest Form and Amnesty Application Form. Likewise, corporations no longer need to file an undertaking to submit the latest due AFS within 90 days from the amnesty application. The post Secure amnesty before fines hiked appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Local amnesty boards pivotal in rebel amnesty program
At the Laging Handa press briefing on Monday, National Amnesty Commission Executive Director Atty. Maria Victoria Cardona said the commission is engaged in the careful evaluation of the granting of amnesty to former rebels to ensure the effectiveness of the program in the context of broader peace initiatives. "Our main mandate is to receive and process applications, ensuring that all applicants granted amnesty by our President are qualified under the law," Cardona said. She added that the Commission's role is pivotal in implementing the government's amnesty program, particularly in tandem with the issuance of amnesty proclamations by the President. Elaborating on the process through which amnesty is sought and granted, Cardona said the procedure involves the establishment of Local Amnesty Boards, which serve as the initial point of contact for applications. These boards are responsible for conducting preliminary verification, ensuring the applicants' identity, affiliation and the nature of their crimes. The applications are subsequently forwarded for thorough verification to various entities, including the Department of Justice, the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the National Bureau of Investigation. Emphasizing the significance of the Local Amnesty Boards, Cardona said, "They screen and confer, thoroughly examining all applications to ensure that they are qualified, that the applicants possess no disqualifications and that the crimes committed fall under those enumerated and none of the excluded crimes." Following this comprehensive assessment, the Local Amnesty Boards make recommendations on whether to grant or deny the applications, which are then submitted to the National Amnesty Commission. The Commission further evaluates the applications before making its own recommendations to the Office of the President. This two-step process ensures that amnesty decisions are thorough and well-founded. While the Office of the President has the power to grant amnesty with the concurrence of Congress, Cardona said the actual processing of amnesty applications has been temporarily suspended due to the expiration of the application period. "We are currently waiting for a new issuance to extend the application period. We are hopeful that with the pronouncement of our President during the SONA, a proclamation will be issued soon so the commission can fulfill its main mandate," Cardona said. The post Local amnesty boards pivotal in rebel amnesty program appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bogus DoTr liaison entrapped
The police reported yesterday the arrest of a 37-year-old man in Muntinlupa City for allegedly posing as a liaison coordinator for the Department of Transportation to dupe a businessman. Identified as Peejay Giganto Durano, the suspect was arrested by elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in a sting operation last 31 July. Durano allegedly introduced himself to complainant Rholand Dindo Sioson, a businessman from Valenzuela City, as a liaison Officer from the Office of the President with a special letter of endorsement bearing what turned out to be the forged signature of DoTr Secretary Jaime Bautista. The suspect reportedly convinced Sioson that he could facilitate the processing of the latter’s application for a franchising business, specifically the licensing and registration of motor vehicles with the LTO. With the fake credentials, Durano was able to get from Sioson a total of P405,000 supposedly as the required processing fee, which the latter sent to him through a bank transfer. Durano asked for an additional P100,000 from Sioson which he said was for the release of a department order for the latter’s LTO franchise. Acting on Sioson’s formal complaint, the CIDG-NCR set up an entrapment and gave Sioson marked money to hand to Durano. The exchange took place in Alabang, where Durano was arrested. Durano is now facing charges of violating Article 315 (Large-scale Estafa) in relation to Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act, specifically Article 177, on “Usurpation of Authority or Official Function,” and Article 172, on the “Falsification by Private Individual and Use of Falsified Document” of the Revised Penal Code. Sioson presented his case to the Chief Prosecutor of Mandaluyong City, assisted by CIDG investigators Patrolmen Roberto Felipe and Jodar Capati. Four PNP officers based in Camp Crame — P/MSg. Arcadio Manganas Jr. of the Forensic Group; and P/SSg. Jeck Ryan Olarte, P/SSg. Jerome Vicente, and Patrolman Jericho Dela Cruz of the CIDG-NCR Regional Field Unit — handled the booking documentation and disposition of the case. DoTr Secretary Jaime Bautista urged the public not to fall prey to scams using his name because his administration does not condone any illegal activities. The post Bogus DoTr liaison entrapped appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DOTr liaison poser nabbed for usurpation, estafa
Police nabbed a 37-year-old man who posed as liaison coordinator for the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and duped a businessman who wanted to have a franchise for motor vehicle registration with the Land Transportation Office (LTO). Elements of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group - National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) pounced on Peejay Giganto Durano of Muntinlupa City at a sting operation on 31 July in Susana Heights. CIDG-NCR Chief P/Col. Hansel Marantan said on 22 May of this year, Durano introduced himself to complainant Rholand Dindo Sioson, a businessman from Valenzuela City, as a liaison officer from the Office of the President with a special letter of endorsement bearing the forged signature of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista. Marantan said Durano convinced Sioson that he can facilitate the processing of the latter’s application for a franchising business, specifically the licensing and registration of motor vehicles with the LTO. The CIDG-NCR chief said, with fake credentials, Durano was able to get from Sioson a total of P405,000 supposedly as the required processing fee, which the latter sent to him through a bank transfer. Durano even asked for an additional P100,000 from Sioson which he said was for the release of a department order for the latter’s LTO franchise. Acting on Sioson’s formal complaint, Marantan and his men set up an entrapment and gave Sioson marked money to hand to Durano on Alabang, where the exchange was to take place in Alabang where they netted Durano. According to Marantan, Durano is now facing charges of violating Article 315 (“Large-scale Estafa”) in relation to Republic Act 10175 (“Cybercrime Prevention Act”), Article 177 (“Usurpation of Authority or Official Function”), and Article 172 (“Falsification by Private Individual and Use of Falsified Document”) of the Revised Penal Code (RPC). Sioson presented his case to the chief prosecutor of Mandaluyong City, assisted by CIDG investigators Patrolmen Roberto Felipe and Jodar Capati. Four PNP officers based in Camp Crame – P/MSg Arcadio Manganas Jr. of the Forensic Group; and P/SSg Jeck Ryan Olarte, P/SSg Jerome Vicente, and Patrolman Jericho Dela Cruz of the CIDG-NCR Regional Field Unit (RFU) – handled the booking documentation and disposition of the case. CIDG, the primary investigation arm of the PNP, is tasked with investigating and prosecuting all crimes involving economic sabotage and other large-scale crimes that may be committed by highly placed or professional criminal syndicates or organizations. Bautista, on the other hand, issued a stern warning to everyone not to fall prey to scams like this because his administration does not condone any illegal activities. The post DOTr liaison poser nabbed for usurpation, estafa appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
No security threat yet on SoNA — PNP
The Philippine National Police on Monday said it has yet to detect security threats in President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address on 24 July. “As of yesterday, we have not received anything yet or any credible and serious threat,” PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said in a press briefing held at Camp Crame. She added that a week before the SoNA, the Quezon City Police District has also yet to receive any application from groups who will hold any protest actions but they anticipate the presence of different groups. “The QCPD hasn’t received anything yet or any application or information coming from the city if there are those who will apply for a permit for protests,” Fajardo said. The PNP spokesperson urged groups to hold their actions at the QC Memorial Circle, the designated freedom park in the city. The post No security threat yet on SoNA — PNP appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Zubiri: 22 measures ready for signing
As the first regular session of Congress ended Wednesday, a total of 22 proposed measures moved a signature of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. away from becoming laws. Of the 22 approved bills, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri boasted that eight were approved by the Senate. “The Senate produced a total of six measures enacted into law — four of national application and two local laws,” Zubiri said in a statement on Thursday. “Twenty-two bills are now also up for the President’s signature — seven of them national, 15 local. Two national bills are pending in the bicameral conference committee, and six more national bills have been approved on third reading,” he added. Zubiri said eight measures approved by the Senate are priority measures of the administration. Three of these measures had passed into law, namely, the SIM Registration Act, the Act Postponing the Barangay Elections and the AFP Fixed Term Law. Meanwhile, the Condonation of Unpaid Amortization and Interest on Loans of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Act, the Regional Specialty Centers Act, the Extension of the Estate Tax Amnesty Act, and the Maharlika Investment Fund Act are awaiting the signature of the President. The Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act was approved by the Senate on the third reading and needs only its House counterpart before it can move forward. The Maharlika Investment Fund bill was one of the last measures approved by the chamber after a 12-hour marathon session that ended at 2:32 in the morning of Wednesday. Zubiri stressed that the Senate in the first regular session of the 19th Congress had stood up to its mandate by making sure that the bills approved by the chamber were “quality” measures. “While this scoreboard shows the quantity of our output, it does not describe the quality of each of these measures,” he said. “True to our tradition, we do not agree to proposals without discussion, nor embrace ideas without debate. We improve before we approve. We do not trade scrutiny for speed,” he said. He credited the performance of the Senate to his colleagues. “All of the senators across the majority and the minority have toiled very hard, from the committee hearings to the rigorous debates and interpellations in plenary,” he said. “If the Senate has had an excellent performance thus far, it is all thanks to them,” he added. He also highlighted various local measures taken up by his fellow senators, which he said would “infuse much-needed funding into local governments and schools.” The post Zubiri: 22 measures ready for signing appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
UnionBank recognized for IP Awareness and Protection
At the culminating activity of National Intellectual Property Month, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines recognized the UnionBank of the Philippines for its support for intellectual property awareness and protection. The 2023 Gawad Yamang Isip Awards and Fashion Night, themed “Women and IP: Accelerating Innovation and Creativity,” was held at The Manila Hotel last 26 April 2023. It highlighted the IP protection of Filipino textiles and fabrics through a fashion showcase. UnionBank was presented with a plaque of recognition for its partnership with (IPOPHL) in championing the protection of digital innovation technology intellectual properties. UnionBank’s senior vice president and head of Blockchain and API Business Group, Metaverse Center of Excellence and Government Projects, Catherine Anne Bautista-Casas, accepted the citation for the bank. “One thing we always talk about at the UnionBank Innovation Camp is that, for us, IP patents aren’t just legalities or papers on the wall… it represents the creative ideas of our employees and the values that we had established as a bank when we decided not just to digitize, but innovate,” Casas said. “When we innovate, we don’t just create something for our customers. We promote our society’s development, give people opportunities to create new things, and inspire other companies to do the same.” “As a digital innovator, IP protection is important to us, naturally, because of the numerous patents we file for our solutions and products. But more than that, IP protection safeguards employees’ ideas, who work hard to develop solutions that greatly benefit our customers,” Casas shared. “Whether in technology, science, engineering, or the arts…IP protection gives creators the credit they deserve for their societal contributions.” The 2023 Gawad Yamang Isip Awards and Fashion Night, attended by other distinguished guests, including Sen. Maria Imelda Josefa Remedios “Imee” Romualdez Marcos and Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual, was meant to underscore the importance of IP protection in the creative industry and emphasize the significance of IP about the country’s social, cultural, economic and technological development. UnionBank is known for its digital banking innovations. It was the first to introduce numerous industry solutions like selfie banking, an open-source application programming interface platform, and the country’s first-ever fully digital and paperless banking branch, The Ark. UnionBank has consistently been introducing innovative solutions that continue redefining how Filipinos view banking. With the bank’s expertise in a wide range of emerging technologies, including data science, artificial intelligence and machine learning, blockchain, cloud computing, and extended reality, UnionBank is on the way to building a digital banking dynasty as it has collected numerous awards including a 6-time Best Digital Bank recognition from The Asset among others. The post UnionBank recognized for IP Awareness and Protection appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SEC extends deadline for amnesty application
The amnesty program is part of the Commission’s efforts to encourage its supervised entities to comply with their reportorial requirements under Republic Act No. 11232, or the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines......»»
Dela Rosa hopes De Lima’s acquittal ‘devoid of politics’
Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said he hopes the acquittal of former Senator Leila De Lima in one of two drug-related cases against her is “devoid of politics.” “Well, if that decision — I hope — is devoid of anything or any consideration [but] if it's based purely on the merits of the case, then I am glad if justice be served in that case,” Dela Rosa said in a radio interview on Friday. Dela Rosa emphasized that all court decisions “should be devoid of politics.” “But if that has consideration of something or under the influence of what or there’s questionable — questions behind that, ay ibang usapan yan (that another topic). Justice must be served properly sa mga ganitong kaso regardless kung sino siya. Ganun dapat ang mangyari (in cases like this regardless of who the person is. That's how it should happen),” he said. Meanwhile, Amnesty International’s interim Deputy Regional Director for Research Montse Ferrer said De Lima’s acquittal was long overdue. “We urge the authorities to also quash the remaining drug case and to ensure that her application for temporary freedom in this pending case is processed speedily and fairly,” she said. Ferrer called on the Marcos administration to make “those responsible for De Lima’s arbitrary detention” accountable. “Beyond Leila de Lima’s long-overdue release, the Marcos administration must work towards holding accountable those responsible for her arbitrary detention, which clearly violated her rights to liberty, presumption of innocence, and other fair trial guarantees, ” she added. The post Dela Rosa hopes De Lima’s acquittal ‘devoid of politics’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tax Amnesty Act extension now moving
A proposed law that seeks to extend the deadline of application for estate tax amnesty for another two years has moved forward in the House of Representatives. The House committee on ways and means, chaired by Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, adjourned its deliberations on Tuesday with the approval of House Bill 7409 after garnering 31 pro-votes from its members. The measure, filed on 2 March, seeks to extend the Tax Amnesty Act, or Republic Act 11213, from 15 June this year to 14 June 2025 to provide taxpayers with economic relief and the opportunity to settle estate tax obligations, which procedure was hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic’s multiple lockdowns. Speaker Martin Romualdez and his nephew, Senior Deputy Speaker Sandro Marcos of Ilocos Norte, are among the bill’s proponents, with three other House leaders. Salceda, during the deliberation, stressed the significance of the bill’s passage, explaining that the provision of additional time is necessary as many families have not yet settled the estates of their deceased relatives. “An estate tax is a tax on the right of the deceased person to transmit the estate to lawful heirs and beneficiaries. RA 11213 was passed to provide taxpayers immunity from the payment of estate taxes until 15 June 2021. However, the pandemic hampered the settlement of estates, which to begin with, is inherently challenged by family sensitivities,” said the chairman. “To give people more time to settle estates, we extended the estate tax amnesty from 15 June 2021, to 14 June 2023, by enacting RA 11569 last Congress. We also streamlined the procedure by removing the requirement of proof of settlement in the payment of the estate tax under the same law. Now that the extended deadline — 14 June 2023 — is upon us, we are informed that this tax amnesty is yet to be optimized.” RA 11213, signed on 14 February 2019 by then-President Rodrigo Duterte, provides taxpayers with a one-time opportunity to settle their tax obligations through an estate amnesty program that offers reasonable tax relief to estates with outstanding estate tax liabilities. On 30 June, he signed RA 11569, which amended Section 6 of RA 11213, extending the estate tax amnesty until 14 June 2023. However, proponents of the bill are advocating for a two-year extension to account for those still struggling to meet the documentary requirements due to the pandemic rage. Meanwhile, during the proceeding, Nueva Ecija Rep. Ria Vergara motioned that a provision stating that heirs who received a donated estate worth P1 million or less no longer have to pay the 6 percent donor’s tax to be included in the proposal, which Salceda later approved. People seeking amnesty under the current system are expected to pay tax at a rate of 6% based on the decedent’s total net estate (or net undeclared estate if a previously filed estate tax return) at the time of death. HB 7842, filed by AGRI Rep. Wilbert Lee on 11 April, also pushes for a two-year extension of the estate tax amnesty period, but it has yet to be referred to Salceda’s panel for deliberation. Last week, Deputy Speaker Ralph Recto urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to certify the bill as urgent, claiming this move will make people “save billions” while the government will “earn billions.” The post Tax Amnesty Act extension now moving appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Jack Animam excited to spring back to action in Taiwan
The National U and Gilas Pilipinas standout committed to play as an import for Shih Hsin University and is expecting to complete her visa application next week to finally join her team’s training camp. .....»»
FOCAP condemns Chinese embassy’s claims on ‘manipulated’ West Philippine Sea videos
The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines strongly rejected and condemned yesterday China’s “false and baseless” claims that journalists manipulate videosthey recorded in the South China Sea to present the Philippines as a victim......»»
New DCPO chief to focus on personnel morale, asset optimization
THE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) bid farewell to PCol. Alberto Lupaz and welcomed its new City Director, PCol. Richard Bad-ang, in a turn-over ceremony at the Camp Captain Domingo E. Leonor on March 22......»»
Año urges rebels to surrender, avail themselves of amnesty program
Año urges rebels to surrender, avail themselves of amnesty program.....»»
Sarangani Writers League welcomes 11 new members, all women
ALABEL, Sarangani (MindaNews / 24 March) – The Sarangani Writers League (SWL) recently welcomed its new members, all of them women, for helping develop the literary community in the province of Sarangani. The new members successfully navigated the application process, fulfilled all requirements, and surpassed the evaluation criteria: Catherine R. Discorson, Mariele M. Gallego, and Eva […].....»»
Austria leads Grumpy Joe to CJHGC Corporate Cup triumph
Jonar Austria recorded a consecutive 54 points to anchor Grumpy Joe to victory in Group 1 at the close of the 18th Corporate Cup at Camp John Hay Golf Club here Friday......»»
King Charles, leaders offer support to Princess of Wales after cancer announcement
LONDON — Britain’s King Charles, political leaders, and the US White House offered support to Kate, Princess of Wales, after she said tests following abdominal surgery showed cancer had been present and she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy. Buckingham Palace, on behalf of Britain’s King Charles “His Majesty (HM) is ‘so proud of Catherine for her.....»»
UN Security Council fails to pass US resolution calling for Gaza ceasefire
In a recent session at the United Nations Security Council, Russia and China vetoed a US draft resolution calling for a ceasefire in Israel’s ongoing.....»»
PSE approves listing of GSIS-owned Alternergy preferred shares
Alternergy disclosed that the PSE has approved its application to list the 100 million preferred shares that it sold to the Government Service Insurance System at a price of P14.50/share......»»