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DFA confirms Azurin’s awry Canada issues
The Department of Foreign Affairs shed light on reports that retired Philippine National Police chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. had encountered issues with Canadian immigration. During the House 2024 budget deliberations Wednesday, House Minority Leader Rep. Marcelino Libanan asked Nueva Ecija Rep. Joseph Violago, DFA budget sponsor, if the reports were accurate. Violago confirmed that Azurin encountered issues but added that the Canadian government regretted the “misunderstanding and miscommunication.” Azurin voluntarily returned to the country after traveling to Canada. The DFA was unable to assist him since it was a personal trip. Due to confidentiality issues, the Canadian government has yet to submit an official report to the Philippine government on the incident. “This incident happened a few days ago. General Azurin voluntarily went to Canada and he suddenly returned to the country,” Violago said during the budget debates. Azurin denied he was deported and blamed his former colleague, PNP Deputy Chief for Administration, P/Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia for spreading disinformation. In a statement Tuesday, he said Sermonia was the source of the disinformation. “Sermonia had been spreading lies about my alleged deportation. Maybe he knows something that everyone in our country does not know. Maybe it was him who tipped off Canadian Immigration by concocting half-truths and many lies and was hoping that I would be deported. He had been sending messages about my deportation,” Azurin said. He said the truth will come out in due time. He urged current PNP chief, Gen. Benjamin Acorda, to investigate Sermonia’s alleged participation in the defamation campaign. Sermonia’s denial Meanwhile, Sermonia denied Azurin’s claim. In a press briefing at Camp Crame Wednesday, Sermonia said he had no idea why his name was being dragged into the controversy regarding the supposed deportation of Azurin. “Former Chief PNP Azurin may have been fed false stories again to drag my name into the unverified reports of his alleged deportation. There is no reason for me to do what I am being accused of,” said Sermonia, whose wife is the sister of Azurin’s wife. He added: “I’d rather not dignify the accusations with a reply that may be construed negatively. My advice is to directly ask the Canadian Embassy what the reason for the questioning was, which made Azurin decide to return to the country as he stated, and not deported.” He said Canada has its own rules and regulations on border control. “So, it is best to secure the report from them. The truth will speak for me,” he added. Sermonia said he plans to discuss the issue with their entire family. Azurin and Sermonia are members of Philippine Military Academy Class 1989. The post DFA confirms Azurin’s awry Canada issues appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Super Typhoon Saola sweeps towards southern China megacities
Tens of millions of people across southern China hunkered down Friday as Super Typhoon Saola swept toward the megacities of Hong Kong and Shenzhen, forcing the cancellations of hundreds of flights, shutting businesses, and closing schools. Packing sustained wind speeds at 210 kilometers (130 miles) per hour as it moved toward Hong Kong, Saola could be one of the most powerful typhoons to hit Guangdong if it makes landfall in the province. By 11 am (0300 GMT), it was 180 km east-southeast of Hong Kong, where the stock market canceled trading because of the T8 signal -- the city's third-highest typhoon warning level. By late morning, neighboring Shenzhen in Guangdong announced the suspension of work, businesses, and market activity from 4 p.m., while transportation will be halted in the evening. "Apart from emergency response personnel and livelihood protection personnel, people are advised not to go out," said the emergency response department of Shenzhen, a city of 17.7 million. "The city will open all shelters for the public to take refuge." Authorities had already issued the highest typhoon warning for the storm, which Chinese state media said would make landfall "in the coastal areas stretching from Huilai to Hong Kong" on Friday afternoon or evening. Across the mainland border in Hong Kong, the city's weather observatory warned that Saola could skirt within 100 kilometers south of the territory, causing a storm surge around Victoria Harbour. "There may be serious flooding," it said, adding that the eastern coastal areas could see water levels reach the heights of 2018 when Typhoon Mangkhut hit Hong Kong and injured more than 300 people. Streets were deserted as a drizzle blanketed Hong Kong Island, with wind and rain expected to pick up later. Businesses and homes around Hong Kong duct-taped glass displays and windows, while office buildings near the harbor barricaded their entrances to prevent water damage. Surfers took advantage of the high winds -- expected to reach 63 kilometers per hour -- and tackled the huge waves generated by the coming typhoon at a Hong Kong beach. Flights mostly normal A direct hit on Hong Kong is rare, but the observatory said it would "assess the need to issue higher tropical cyclone warning signals" in the evening -- with the possibility of raising the threat level to the highest "T10". Hong Kong's airport authority said the morning departing flights were "mostly normal" but from 2 pm, arriving and departing flights have "basically been canceled". "As of now, we have had 366 flights canceled and 40 flights delayed... Thanks to the support of airlines and our various service providers, we could ensure that 600 flights today operated normally," Wing Yeung, general manager of Airport Authority terminal operations, told reporters. Hong Kong's flagship airline Cathay Pacific had already canceled all flights in and out of Hong Kong between 0600 GMT Friday and 0200 GMT Saturday. Its subsidiary, budget airline HK Express, announced it was canceling 70 Friday and Saturday flights in and out of Hong Kong. Saola displaced thousands earlier this week as it passed the northern Philippines, but no direct casualties have been reported so far. Southern China is frequently hit in summer and autumn by typhoons that form in the warm oceans east of the Philippines and then travel west. While they can cause temporary disruption to cities like Hong Kong and Macau, fatalities have become much less common thanks to stronger building codes and better flood management systems. The post Super Typhoon Saola sweeps towards southern China megacities appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Respect the budget
A fair reminder should be issued to the caretakers of public finances and leaders in government that the Supreme Court had ruled that lump sum items such as the Priority Development Assistance Fund and the reallocation of funds in the budget such as in the Disbursement Acceleration Program scheme are unconstitutional. A 2013 decision of the high tribunal was very specific about the pork barrel as invalid, along with similar efforts in the legislature to accumulate discretionary funds. In 2014, the SC also thumbed down the Presidential pork barrel raised through the DAP. In the 2024 National Expenditure Program which is the Executive’s proposed budget submitted to Congress, P215 billion worth of flood mitigation projects were found to use methods that are suspiciously similar to the outlawed PDAF scheme. Based on SC’s landmark decision such budget items are also illegal. The SC ruling not only struck down the PDAF but also “various Congressional insertions” and other similar practices that allow legislators to “intervene, assume or participate” in any of the various post-enactment stages of the budget execution. The difference in the current maneuver is that the insertions are done in the NEP to skirt the “post-enactment stages” of the budget process as specified in the SC ruling. The spirit or substance of the decision was, however, all about removing the discretionary powers of Congress over, what the SC decision stated, as a Constitutional violation: “Such as but not limited to the areas of project identification, modification and revision of project identification, fund release and/or fund realignment, unrelated to the power of Congressional oversight.” The ruling basically disallowed the practice of insertions and realignment since it sought to re-establish check and balance between the legislature and the Palace as the pork barrel scheme is the Executive’s leverage to get members of the legislature to enact its priority laws. After the SC ruling, efforts to create new sources of legislative pork have been a yearly ritual in Congress that even resulted in friction between House leaders and the Department of Budget and Management during the early years of President Rodrigo Duterte. The DAP was created apparently to fill the vacuum created by the PDAF’s removal. Under the Palace scheme under the Aquino administration, savings were centralized under the DAP which was then used as a slush fund for legislators. DAP funds were used in the campaign to oust the late Chief Justice Renato Corona. The SC decision disallowed the following: * The withdrawal of unobligated allotments from the implementing agencies and the declaration of the withdrawn unobligated allotments and unreleased appropriations as savings before the end of the fiscal year and without complying with the statutory definition of savings contained in the General Appropriations Act; * Cross-border transfers of savings of the executive department to offices outside the executive department; and * Funding of projects, activities, and programs not covered by appropriations in the General Appropriations Act. The court also declared void the use of unprogrammed funds despite the absence of a certification by the National Treasurer that the revenue collections exceeded the revenue targets or non-compliance with the conditions provided in the relevant General Appropriations Act. Some P150 billion in public funds, from 2011 to 2013, were channeled to the DAP, which was done through the first two schemes that the SC declared as unconstitutional. The SC made a statement in junking the DAP and PDAF which was to outlaw the use of discretionary or lump sum funds in the budget that usually end up in the pockets of public officials. The P24 billion annual PDAF was a mere part of the huge Special Purpose Funds which in turn is just one of the many lump sums that make up as much as a third of the yearly budget. The ruling was consistent with the public clamor for the removal of all types of lump-sum items in the national budget. Undertaking budget maneuvers such as spending a ridiculous P215 billion for flood control has the obvious aim of providing legislators their pork allocation that contravenes the SC ruling on PDAF and public sentiment on the proper use of the budget. The post Respect the budget appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
First border inspection facility for agri to rise in Bulacan
The Department of Agriculture over the weekend said it had partnered with Pacific Roadlink Logistics Inc. (PRLI) for the construction of the country’s first border inspection facility on its property at General Alejo Santos Highway in Angat, Bulacan. On July 20, the DA and PRLI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the establishment of the Cold Examination Facility in Agriculture (CEFA), which will house state-of-the-art testing laboratories for the examination of all imported animal, fish, plant, and other agricultural commodities. The MOU signing was led by DA Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban, Senate Committee on Agriculture Chairperson Senator Cynthia A. Villar, House Committee on Agriculture Mark Enverga, and PRLI President Edgar Dominic Milla. “We must continuously assert our vigilance in protecting the industry from pests and diseases that pose serious threats to agricultural productivity in the country. This partnership is a testament to our commitment,” Panganiban said. The Department allotted P2.3-billion in its 2023 budget for the construction of the said facility, which would include hubs in Cebu and Davao. The CEFA aims to strengthen the country’s capability to conduct first border inspections and improve its examination of containerized agricultural commodities. It also seeks to prevent the proliferation of agricultural smuggling. Under the MOU, the PRLI allows the government to use for a maximum of 25 years, its 10-hectare land for the CEFA, which will include a laboratory, incinerator, container yard, and truck parking, among others. The facility will be operated by the DA’s Food Safety and Regulatory Agencies (FSRA): Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS). “Consistent with the President’s vision of a prosperous Philippine agricultural sector, we will continue to work to ensure the completion of this project so that we could protect our industry and the many people who depend on it, including the health of our consumers, as the project is deemed to warrant the food safety for the general populace,” Assistant Secretary James Layug said. Meanwhile, BAI and CEFA Project Director Paul Limson said the construction is expected to be finished within 6 to 8 months. The facility will initially function as a 24-hour Off-Dock Custom Facility to handle agricultural importations from the country’s two main ports: Port of Manila and Manila International Container Port. Apart from protecting livelihood and ensuring quality and safe food for Filipinos, the said facility is anticipated to create jobs and bring about economic transformation to the province of Bulacan. Once operational, the facility is expected to employ about 1,500-2,000 unskilled workers in the province. In her message, Senator Villar announced that the national government will set aside budget for the construction of CEFA to other areas particularly in Southern Luzon. The post First border inspection facility for agri to rise in Bulacan appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US averts first-ever default with 11th-hour debt deal
US senators voted to suspend the federal debt limit Thursday, capping weeks of fraught negotiations to eliminate the threat of a disastrous credit default just four days ahead of the deadline set by the Treasury. Economists had warned the country could run out of money to pay its bills by Monday -- leaving almost no room for delays in enacting the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which extends the government's borrowing authority through 2024 while trimming federal spending. Hammered out between Democratic President Joe Biden and the Republicans, the measure passed the Senate with a comfortable majority of 63 votes to 36 a day after it had sailed through the House of Representatives. "No one gets everything they want in a negotiation, but make no mistake: this bipartisan agreement is a big win for our economy and the American people," Biden said in a statement posted to social media. He said he would sign the bill "as soon as possible" and address the nation Friday. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer added that the nation could "breathe a sigh of relief" after avoiding a "catastrophic" economic collapse. "But, for all the ups and downs and twists and turns it took to get here, it is so good for this country that both parties have come together at last to avoid default," he said. The bill -- which now heads to Biden's desk to be signed into law -- ended a day of intense back-and-forth between party leaders and rank-and-file members who had threatened the bill's quick passage with last-minute gripes about the details. Democratic leaders had spent months underlining the havoc that a first default in history would have wrought, including the loss of millions of jobs and $15 trillion in household wealth, as well as increased costs for mortgages and other borrowings. 'Behind the eight ball' The late evening drama came after a series of failed ballots on amendments sought mainly by Republicans who were threatening at one point to hold up the process, dragging it deep into the weekend. Senators elected to offer 11 tweaks to the 99-page text, many objecting to funding levels for their pet projects -- from border control and Chinese trade to taxation and the environment -- and each requiring a vote. Defense hawks upset at Pentagon spending being capped at Biden's budget request of $886 billion threatened at one point to derail the bill's passage entirely. In the end, they fell in line after being offered a commitment to a separate bill providing cash for Ukraine's defense against the Russian invasion, and promoting US national security interests in the Middle East and in the face of Chinese aggression against Taiwan. "As currently written, this bill puts our military behind the eight ball... The first and most important dollars we allocate each year in the budget are those to protect and defend the United States and our interests," said South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham. America spends more money than it collects through taxation, so it borrows money via the issuing of government bonds, seen as among the world's most reliable investments. Around 80 years ago, lawmakers introduced a limit on how much federal debt could be accrued. Politically toxic The ceiling has been raised more than 100 times since to allow the government to meet its spending commitments -- usually without drama and with the support of Democrats and Republicans -- and stands at around $31.5 trillion. Both parties see raising the debt limit as politically toxic, although they acknowledge that failure to do so would plunge the US economy into a depression and roil world markets as the government missed debt repayments. Republicans hoped to weaponize the extension to campaign against what they see as Democratic overspending ahead of the 2024 presidential election, although hikes in the debt ceiling only cover commitments already made by both parties. Kevin McCarthy, the top lawmaker in the Republican-led House, had touted the bill he spent weeks negotiating as a big victory for conservatives, although he faced a backlash from hardliners on the right who said he made too many concessions on spending cuts. He fell one short of the 150 votes -- two-thirds of his caucus -- he had promised to deliver in the lower chamber as he fought to quell a right-wing rebellion, and needed Democratic help to advance the bill to the Senate. On the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, the vote was being touted as a major victory for Biden, who managed to protect almost all of his domestic priorities from deep cuts threatened by Republicans. "This legislation protects the full faith and credit of the United States and preserves our financial leadership, which is critical to our economic growth and stability," said US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. The post US averts first-ever default with 11th-hour debt deal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Government upgrades exports targets
The Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee has upgraded its exports outlook for this year and next, pinning its hopes on a rebound in global trade as economies are lifting border restrictions......»»
PH to conduct study on antigen test for border screening
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) will conduct a study in a selected city to ascertain whether or not antigen tests can be used for border screening for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire revealed during the DOH’s 2021 budget briefing before the House Appropriations Committee. “There would be […] The post PH to conduct study on antigen test for border screening appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
DMW sets April 15 deadline for kin of deceased Saudi OFW wage claimants
DMW sets April 15 deadline for kin of deceased Saudi OFW wage claimants.....»»
Numerous Individuals and Businesses Profit from Trump Media Stock
Former President Donald J. Trump’s social media company, Truth Social, had a successful first official trading session on the Nasdaq, with shares surging and approaching.....»»
Trending tickers: Trump Media, Tesla, Bitcoin and DS Smith
Former US president Donald Trump’s media firm, Trump Media & Technology Group, had a successful stock market debut in New York, with shares soaring past.....»»
NBI nabs 8 bogus DBM officials
Eight people allegedly posing as officials of the Department of Budget and Management were apprehended by the National Bureau of Investigation in Mandaluyong on Tuesday......»»
P1.1 billion released to restore heritage school buildings
The Department of Budget and Management has released P1.1 billion to conserve and restore heritage school buildings in the country......»»
2 Best Ways to Save Up for Something
Sometimes, you find yourself unable to afford something you desire. While resorting to debt might seem convenient, it’s far from ideal. Saving money is a superior alternative, albeit challenging. Often, the struggle lies in maintaining savings, as funds intended for one purpose end up diverted elsewhere. We’re all familiar with the difficulty of saving money. […].....»»
NEWS BRIEFS | 26 March 2024
P101-M sea wall to rise in Surigao Sur town A P101.3 million sea wall will be constructed in Marihatag, Surigao del Sur to protect lives and properties from storm surges there. Rep. Romeo Momo (1st District, Surigao del Sur) led the ground breaking of the Marihatag Seawall Project last Sunday, March 24. “The project is a […].....»»
Trump to face jurors in April before facing US voters in November
Republican strategists say voters have grown accustomed to Donald Trump's norm-shattering behavior, but a guilty verdict could hurt his ability to win over swing voters who decide elections.....»»
Low subsidy forces LRTA to cut budget for train rehab
The Light Rail Transit Authority is cutting its budget for the restoration of trains to make the most of the lower subsidy given to the agency this year......»»
SEC formally asks NTC to block Binance
In a letter to the NTC, SEC Chairperson Emilio Aquino says Binance 'poses a threat to the security of the funds of investing Filipinos'.....»»
Rama wants state of calamity declared in Cebu City due to El Niño
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Mayor Michael Rama wants to place Cebu City under a state of calamity or a state of emergency due to the effects of the El Niño phenomenon. The declaration will allow City Hall to use government funds to assist those who are badly affected by the worsening El Niño, especially the.....»»
Lebanon s displaced celebrate Ramadan amid fears that border conflict might become the new normal
Lebanon s displaced celebrate Ramadan amid fears that border conflict might become the new normal.....»»
Executioner
Earlier this week, Trump adviser Peter Navarro finally stepped into jail......»»