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2 activists kidnapped in Pangasinan
The Commission on Human Rights has called for a search for two environmental rights defenders and church workers who were reportedly kidnapped in Pangasinan last weekend......»»
CHR probes Davao drug war deaths
The Commission on Human Rights yesterday expressed grave concern over Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte’s recent declaration of a war on drugs in the city......»»
2 Pangasinan-based environmental defenders abducted
by DOMINIC GUTOMAN Bulatlat.com MANILA – Two Pangasinan-based environmental defenders and organizers were violently mauled and dragged into an SUV at about 8 p.m. on March 24 in Barangay Polo, San Carlos, Pangasinan, according to human rights group Karapatan-Central Luzon Karapatan – Central Luzon said the abduction of Francisco “Eco” Dangla III and Axielle “Jak”… The post 2 Pangasinan-based environmental defenders abducted appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Abduction by state agents: An isolated incident or a growing pattern?
By: CMFR StaffPosted on: March 18, 2024, 3:52 pm JEERS TO the media for reporting the abduction in Batangas of Jose Marie Estiller on February 20 as an isolated incident and for not providing the necessary background of past cases of abductions and enforced disappearances by state agents in the country. The lack of context ignores the continuing reality of human rights violations against activists.....»»
Abduction by state agents: An isolated incident or a growing pattern
JEERS TO the media for reporting the abduction in Batangas of Jose Marie Estiller on February 20 as an isolated incident and for not providing the necessary background of past cases of abductions and enforced disappearances by state agents in the country. The lack of context ignores the continuing reality of human rights violations against activists and critics during the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.Media.....»»
Marcos Jr to boost Philippines sports anti-dope body
To strengthen the country’s compliance with international rules against the use of drugs in sports, President Marcos is amenable to increasing the manpower of the Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization – the accredited anti-doping organization under the Philippine Sports Commission or PSC......»»
PSC turns to Marcos on compliance issue with world anti-doping body
The Philippine Sports Commission will seek no less than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. help when it contests the non-compliance accusation of the World Anti-Doping Agency that has now been elevated to the Court of Arbitration for Sport for resolution......»»
MTRCB awarded with FOI certificate of compliance
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) received a Freedom of Information Certificate of Compliance for 2022 which, according to chair Lala Sotto-Antonio, signifies that the regulatory body is “treading the correct path” to serve the public. “In recognition of the commitment of the MTRCB to transparency and accountability, the Presidential Communications Office-Freedom.....»»
WADA warns of ‘consequences’ over North Korean flag at Asian Games
The World Anti-Doping Agency warned the Olympic Council of Asia of "consequences" on Friday for allowing the North Korean flag to be repeatedly flown at the Asian Games, saying they were treating it "extremely seriously". WADA declared North Korea's national anti-doping body "non-compliant" in 2021 and imposed sanctions that remain today. They include not being able to fly its flag at any regional, continental, or world sports event, excluding the Olympics and Paralympics. Despite this North Korea carried the flag at the Asian Games opening ceremony and it has been routinely hoisted in Hangzhou when their athletes won medals. OCA chief Raja Randhir Singh last week defended allowing the North Korean flag to be flown, saying the governing body of the sport in Asia had written to WADA "explaining their position". In a statement to AFP, WADA said the OCA had breached its obligations as a signatory to its anti-doping code. "WADA takes this matter extremely seriously and has written to the OCA on several occasions before and after the opening ceremony of the Games, explaining in clear terms the possible consequences that could arise for the OCA if this matter is ignored," it said. "WADA is disappointed that the OCA has to date not taken steps to comply with the terms of the DPRK's non-compliance," it added, using an acronym for North Korea. "WADA will follow due process to ensure that the appropriate consequences are imposed for the OCA's refusal to meet its signatory obligations." There are a range of punishments WADA could impose on the Kuwait-based OCA. They include having International Olympic Committee (IOC) funding withdrawn, OCA events losing their status as qualifying events for the Olympic or Paralympic Games, and the imposition of fines. OCA declined to comment when approached by AFP. 'Protecting athletes' The Montreal-based WADA sanctioned North Korea while its already tight borders were shut following the outbreak of COVID-19, which prevented international testing authorities from being able to enter. North Korea recently began slowly reopening and WADA said it had started to allow them back in to collect samples. "However, the broader political status of the country means verification and quality control activities are not straightforward," it added. "WADA will continue to work to strengthen the anti-doping system in DPRK in order to protect all athletes." Despite its years-long isolation from the global sporting arena, North Korea has produced some eye-opening results on its return, notably in weightlifting, where its competitors have smashed six world records. Several rival lifters said they were "shocked" or "surprised" at the results. No North Korean weightlifters will participate in next year's Paris Olympics because they failed to take part in mandatory qualifying events earlier this year. The International Weightlifting Federation said all athletes in the sport had been tested at least once at the Hangzhou Games. While the IWF does not hold jurisdiction over the Asian Games, it does have responsibility for verifying athlete whereabouts submissions under anti-doping rules. That rule required information to be provided for a minimum of three months before any competition. Two North Koreans failed to comply and were barred, the IWF said. The post WADA warns of ‘consequences’ over North Korean flag at Asian Games appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Japan will continue transparency about ALPS treated water release
The Daily Tribune recently published the opinion entitled “Releasing Fukushima water amid protests?” by Mr. Bernie V. Lopez, which worsens the misperception of Japan’s discharge plan. Therefore, I would like to provide explanations based on scientific evidence and facts as well as Japan’s efforts to take the measure in the most accountable and transparent manner. First of all, the water to be discharged is NOT “nuclear wastewater”.” It is “ALPS (advanced liquid processing system) treated water,” which has been sufficiently purified until the concentration of radioactive materials other than tritium is below the regulatory standard and then is further diluted before it is discharged. Tritium is a radioactive material that exists in nature, and can be found in rainwater and also in our bodies, but does not accumulate in the body. The reason for the discharge of ALPS-treated water is not a fear of the dangers of storing large amounts of nuclear wastewater but to restore life in Fukushima and achieve reconstruction. The Subcommittee on Handling ALPS Treated Water considered five options: geosphere injection, discharge into the sea, vapor release, hydrogen release, and underground burial. Of those methods, discharge into the sea was determined to be the best from a risk management perspective, because it has a proven track record in domestic and international nuclear facilities and is easy to monitor. Discharge of ALPS-treated water is an issue that cannot be postponed to construct new facilities to safely proceed with the decommissioning work, which will be more fully underway in the future. On 4 July 2023, The International Atomic Energy Agency or IAEA, the world’s authority on nuclear-related issues, published the Comprehensive Report on the Safety Review of the ALPS Treated Water at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, which presents the findings of a nearly two-year review conducted by the IAEA and independent international experts based on scientific evidence. The report states that Japan’s plans to discharge the ALPS-treated water into the sea and associated activities are consistent with relevant international safety standards, and the discharge will have a negligible radiological impact on people and the environment. On 24 August 2023, the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, or FDNPS, initiated the discharge of ALPS-treated water to promote the reconstruction of Fukushima. Since the start of the discharge, it has been confirmed that the concentration of nuclides including tritium in seawater and marine products is far below the standards, which indicates that the discharge is safe as planned. Specifically, Japan is implementing three types of monitoring (monitoring of treated water in tanks, real-time monitoring of a wide range of nuclides, mainly tritium) with the involvement of the IAEA. If a problem is detected during this monitoring process such as detecting radioactivity levels exceeding standards, appropriate measures will be taken, including immediate suspension of the discharge. In more detail, we will manage the annual discharge volume of tritium so it will not exceed 22 trillion Bq, which is equivalent to the target discharge management value for the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station before the accident. It is worth noting that other countries also discharge tritium into the sea in compliance with their domestic laws and regulations; for instance, according to the China Nuclear Energy Association website, China, discharging 112 trillion Bequerel, or Bq, from Yangjiang Nuclear Power Plant , 102 trillion Bq from Ningde NPP, 90 trillion Bq from Hongyanhe NPP in 2021. The amount of tritium in the ALPS-treated water is far smaller than the amount of tritium discharged from many nuclear power plants and other facilities in other countries. Consultations with stakeholders Furthermore, the aforementioned article states that “Japan planned the release unilaterally — no transparency, no consensus. They never made an effort for international awareness and inspection.” However, the fact is that Japan has provided information and has engaged in consultations with the interested parties including both international and domestic ones in a transparent manner based on scientific evidence, with an emphasis on providing sufficient data. In addition, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has emphasized that every possible measure would be taken to ensure the safety of discharge and that any emission that would harm the health of citizens or the marine environment would not occur. He also explained Japan’s efforts regarding the discharge of ALPS-treated water at ASEAN-related Summit Meetings in Jakarta on September 6 and 7 and the G20 New Delhi Summit on September 9 and 10, which led to a wider and deeper understanding of our approach. The positive recognition and support in the international community for Japan’s efforts and its commitments are currently spreading. Many countries including the U.S., Australia, and NZ officially welcomed the IAEA’s Comprehensive Report, and also Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) acknowledged Japan’s efforts. Recently, on the margin of the Japan-ASEAN Summit Meetings, H.E. Mr. Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia expressed his understanding of Japan’s position. In addition, on the margin of the G20 New Delhi Summit, H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN, President of the Republic of Türkiye said that he is aware of Japan’s sincere efforts, and H.E. Mr. Mark RUTTE, Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands expressed his full support to Japan’s approach. Therefore, the author’s claim that Japan had “no transparency, no consensus” is inaccurate. As the author correctly stated, “Secrecy will be Japan’s enemy” and Japan has been and will prioritize our transparency. At the end of the day, all the questions should be left to scientists and experts on nuclear issues, to draw a conclusion that can stand the test of scientific evidence and facts. Having gone through unprecedented hardships since the Great East Japan Earthquake, we remain committed to facing the most difficult challenges with complete transparency in close collaboration with the IAEA. After the start of discharge into the sea, Japan will continue to conduct three types of monitoring in a multilayered manner with the involvement of the IAEA. We hope to gain the understanding and support of the international community. The government of Japan will continue to provide the necessary information transparently based on the conclusion of the comprehensive report and will continue efforts to gain further understanding from the international community, while scientifically refuting politically motivated opinions. The post Japan will continue transparency about ALPS treated water release appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Iloilo International Airport receives ISO Certification
The Iloilo International Airport received an official certification for its Environmental Management System (ISO 14001) awarded by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines together with the Local Government Unit of Iloilo, the European Aviation Safety Agency, and a certification body from Bureau Veritas. The awarding ceremony was held at the airport’s departure area and was attended by CAAP officials and representatives from the Iloilo LGU, EASA and Bureau Veritas. According to the “Plan, Do, Check, and Act” method of environmental regulation compliance, ISO 14001 outlines the requirements for an Environmental Management System. It lays out a framework that a business or organization may use. In addition to these benefits, it aids businesses in increasing resource efficiency and reducing waste, giving them a competitive edge and the confidence of stakeholders. Iloilo International Airport received the accreditation on 31 May 2023, and it is a mark of distinction given to organizations that have guaranteed that their environmental impact is being measured and improved. On 7 July 2020, the airport’s journey towards accreditation started, and an Environmental Management Team was established to concentrate on this objective. Several EMS efforts were carried out to raise awareness and disseminate information among the partner agencies, stakeholders, and workers of the airport to get ready for the assessment of ISO 14001 compliance. These initiatives were intended to guarantee that the community around the Iloilo International Airport had a thorough awareness of EMS. The airport went through two audit stages on 6 January and 2-3 February, respectively, to achieve the “recommended” status for certification. CAAP-Iloilo International Airport finally obtained the certification, which is slated to expire on 31 May 2026, thanks to their tenacious efforts and the backing of CAAP management to assure the maintenance of established standards and compliance with ISO 14001. CAAP, the organization managing and running Iloilo International Airport, welcomed the accomplishment with great pride. CAAP is confident that this will be an example for other CAAP-operated airports to pursue EMS certification and offer the Filipino people a top-tier, environmentally sound air transportation industry. CAAP Director General Captain Manuel Antonio Tamayo said that being eco-friendly in its operations has always been an aspiration of the global aviation community. This achievement is a testament to CAAP’s commitment to creating a greener environment and future for the benefit of its stakeholders and the whole airport community. The post Iloilo International Airport receives ISO Certification appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gatchalian: Laws needed to boost halal food industry in Phl
Senator Win Gatchalian on Wednesday said there is a need to create laws that would strengthen the country's halal industry, noting that it will enable local producers to tap into the global halal market Gatchalian said such measures will contribute a lot to the Philippine economy and will potentially boost small to medium enterprises in the country. Halal is an Islamic concept that connotes that a product or service is free of impurities and can be consumed by Muslims. An airtight legislation on halal, he said, would also provide assurance that domestic halal products are compliant with the dietary requirement and Islamic lifestyle required by local Muslim communities. It would also protect halal consumers from buying fake food and non-food halal products, he added. To date, Republic Act No. 10817, or the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Program Act of 2016 covers the certification of halal products, but the said law does not carry penalties against enterprises that falsely claim they offer halal products or services. “Nanghihinayang ako sa halal industry natin at sa potensyal nito (I regret our halal industry and its potential). It seems to me that it is very fragmented and the regulation is not so clear. Without penalties, regulations are just prescriptive and will be ineffective,” he lamented. Hence, Gatchalian pressed the need to address gaps in existing laws hampering the full development of the local halal industry. “I see the need to create an extensive law on halal not only to regulate but also to promote and put clarity on what agencies will do, what responsibilities they should perform, and what penalties are involved if stakeholders don’t follow,” he said. Gatchalian also urged private and local companies to be proactive enough in promoting compliance with the requirements prescribed by the halal industry in the absence of a regulatory body or a strong regulatory law. The post Gatchalian: Laws needed to boost halal food industry in Phl appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
France orders Apple iPhone 12 sales halted over radiation
French regulators on Tuesday ordered Apple to halt sales of the iPhone 12 for emitting too much electromagnetic radiation and to fix existing handsets. The French agency that regulates radio frequencies, the ANFR, said testing found that the model emits more electromagnetic waves susceptible to be absorbed by the body than permitted. The ANFR said it "ordered Apple to remove the iPhone 12 from the French market from September 12 due to the model exceeding the limit" for electromagnetic absorption by the body. It said accredited labs had found absorption of electromagnetic energy by the body at 5.74 watts per kilogram during tests simulating when the phone was being held in the hand or kept in a pocket. The European standard is a specific absorption rate of 4.0 watts per kilogram in such tests. "Concerning phones already sold, Apple must in the briefest of delays take corrective measures to bring the affected phones into compliance," said the ANFR in a statement on its website. "Otherwise, Apple will have to recall them." ANFR noted that tests that measure the electromagnetic radiation absorbed at a distance of five centimeters was in compliance with the limit of 2.0 watts per kilogram. ANFR said its agents would verify beginning Wednesday that iPhone 12 models were no longer being offered for sale in France. When contacted by AFP, Apple insisted in a statement that it is compliant with exposure limits and would continue to engage with the French regulator to demonstrate that. Regulators in a number of countries have limits on the amount of electromagnetic radiation mobile phones may emit to prevent adverse health effects. The World Health Organization states on its website that following a large number of studies "no adverse health effects have been established as being caused by mobile phone use". The post France orders Apple iPhone 12 sales halted over radiation appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gov’t, businesses told to adopt AI boom
The government and private sector need to collaboratively launch a nationwide effort to push for the adoption of science-backed artificial intelligence or AI to help communities and businesses keep up with the rapid technological advancement. In an interview with reporters last Friday, Dr. Sanjay Sarma, CEO, president, and dean of the Asia School of Business or ASB, reiterated that AI is developing at an unprecedented pace and will be everywhere soon. “AI can potentially replace jobs so let’s accept that. The Philippines should become the country that leads the world in how to use AI, in call centers, for instance,” Sarma told reporters. “Here in the Philippines, it has to be a national effort. The government needs to be cognizant that this is an epic moment. It's like, you know, climate change is going to damage the environment, it will hurt a lot of people. This is technology change is just like climate change,” he said. Unlike other technologies such as automated teller machines or ATMs, which took about 15 years to be widely accepted, AI is a development that needs urgent adoption. Like ATMs, which previously raised concerns about replacing the job of bank tellers, AI will help industries develop further. “Bank tellers did not lose their jobs. Bank tellers did something more advanced, which is selling mortgages and things like that. The job changed because of technology,” he explained. Thus, in blending in with the changes brought about by AI, Sarma proposed that local industries like the business process outsourcing sector should upgrade more into becoming a technology space. “At this level, you have to go up because the attack comes from below. It's like a tiger, you know, it's chasing you, You climb a tree, and the tiger learns to climb the first 10 feet, well, you have to climb higher. So you have to go higher up in the cognitive stock to go higher,” he said. To complement the benefits of AI, Sarma noted that the local service industry workers, for instance, have to do the things that technology cannot. “For example, this Chat GPT cannot negotiate with you, can't do any planning, can't do dispute resolution. It can't calm an angry customer. So you have to figure out what the technology can do and what humans can do, that the technology can't. And you're to develop human capital in those directions.” Sarma is a professor of mechanical engineering and the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a leading authority in AI, the Internet of Things, and Education. ASB, established in 2015 by Bank Negara Malaysia in collaboration with MIT Sloan School of Management, aims to be a premier business school that develops transformative and principled leaders who will contribute to the advancement of the emerging world, particularly in Asia. Last July, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers asked the Congress and Palace to consider creating an agency that will oversee responsible AI use in the country. Barbers cited that at least 520,000 employees across different industries may be affected by the integration of AI. In March, he filed a bill eyeing to create the Artificial Intelligence Development Authority, which will serve as an AI monitoring body tasked to supervise the “development and deployment of AI technologies.” Primarily, it will ensure compliance with AI ethics principles and guidelines and protect the “rights and welfare of individuals and communities affected by AI technologies.” The post Gov’t, businesses told to adopt AI boom appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DBM, DepEd respect Ombudsman’s suspension order
The Department of Budget and Management on Saturday said it will adhere to the Office of the Ombudsman’s suspension order against officials involved in the purchase of alleged overpriced laptops for public school teachers in 2021. “The Department of Budget and Management, under the leadership of Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, assures the public of its utmost compliance with the decision set by the Office of the Ombudsman against former Procurement Service and DBM officials due to their alleged involvement in the purchase of reportedly overpriced laptops for the Department of Education,” it said in a statement. It added that Pangandaman has already directed concerned officials to implement the suspension order against former and present PS-DBM officials and employees involved in the controversial procurement deal of DepEd laptops. In a resolution, Ombudsman Samuel Martires issued a six-month preventive suspension without pay against education and budget officials, pending the investigation into the P2.4-billion laptop procurement for the DepEd Computerization Program. Citing reports from the Commission on Audit, the Ombudsman found sufficient grounds to preventively suspend the officials for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and gross neglect of duty. The DBM has already requested an independent investigation from the National Bureau of Investigation in August 2022. The DepEd also assured that the suspension of its officials won’t affect the education services of the department, especially the preparations for the opening of School Year 2023-2024. “DepEd adheres to due process and shall abide by the said Order. Meanwhile, the Department reassures the public of its unhampered services as we prepare for a safe and orderly opening of School Year 2023-2024,” DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa said. Among the education officials ordered to be placed under six-month suspensions are former PS-DBM officers-in-charge Lloyd Christopher Lao and Jasonmer Uayan; and procurement management officers Ulysses Mora, Marwin Amil, and Paul Armand Estrada as well as Alec Ladanga, former Executive Assistant IV of the Office of Usec. Sevilla; Marcelo Bragado, Director IV of DepEd’s Procurement Management Service; and Selwyn Briones, DepEd’s Supervising Administrative Officer. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Saturday urged the Ombudsman to go after the contractors involved in the alleged overpriced laptop procurement deals. Pimentel said the anti-corruption body should undertake “vigorous efforts” in reclaiming public funds used in the anomalous purchasing deals. “The Ombudsman’s decision to impose preventive suspension sends a strong signal that any alleged wrongdoing will be treated seriously. It is equally vital to thoroughly examine the role of the contractor in this anomalous transaction, from its background to how it secured the contract,” he said. It is imperative for the Ombudsman “to regain taxpayers’ money, expended on items that did not align with the government’s actual needs.” The PS-DBM awarded the contract to Sunwest Construction and Development Corp., LDLA Marketing and Trading Inc. and VST ECS Philippines Inc. Pimentel earlier authored the Senate Resolution 120, which called for a comprehensive investigation into the laptop procurement carried out by DepEd through PS-DBM. In previous hearings, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee found out that the joint-venture companies failed to meet the technical specifications required for the laptops, rendering them unsuitable for the teachers’ needs. The companies were also unable to complete the delivery within the agreed target dates outlined in the procurement contract. “Our citizens deserve to know the exact circumstances that led to the selection of the joint venture comprising Sunwest Construction and Development Corp., LDLA Marketing and Trading Inc. and VST ECS Philippines Inc. for this significant procurement,” Pimentel said. He criticized the PS-DBM over its failure to promptly blacklist the suppliers involved in the anomalous laptop deals by the recommendation of the Commission on Audit. The Blue Ribbon Committee, he said, will continue to perform its duty and help in seeking out the truth behind the alleged overpriced laptop deal. The post DBM, DepEd respect Ombudsman’s suspension order appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Dela Rosa wants Program of Instructions reevaluated after death of Navotas teen
Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said there is a need to review and reevaluate the Program of Instructions in the Public Safety Basic Recruit Course of both the Philippine National Police and Police National Training Institute following the death of 17-year-old Jerhode 'Jemboy' Baltazar due to mistaken identity by the police force. “The suspects should be charged criminally and administratively and the PNP and PNTI should again reevaluate their Program of Instructions in the Public Safety Basic Recruit Course if the Police Operational Procedures are being taught properly to the new recruits, otherwise, the same incident will happen again in the future,” Dela Rosa told reporters on Friday. Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros earlier denounced the killing of Baltazar and at the same time, commended PNP's immediate action against police officers who were involved in the incident. Nevertheless, Hontiveros expressed her discontent on the "reckless imprudence resulting in homicide" case filed against them instead of the proper charge of “homicide." "Di hamak na mas maliit ang parusa sa reckless imprudence resulting in homicide [imprisonment of up to 4 years and 2 months] kumpara sa homicide [imprisonment of up to 20 years]," she said hoping the justice for Baltazar's death will be served. Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights on Friday said they are already conducting an independent motu proprio investigation into the incident. The human rights body also urged urge the PNP “to remind their officers on the appropriate use of force” as comprehensively discussed in the police’s own manual of operations. “The provision on the force continuum, in particular, reminds police officers to apply reasonable responses commensurate to the level of suspect/law offender’s resistance to effect compliance, arrest, and other law enforcement actions,” the CHR said. Amid the incident, the CHR hopes that the PNP will continue to live up to its motto "to serve and protect" as a duty-bearer for the rights of the people, especially the "weak, vulnerable, and marginalized members of society." The post Dela Rosa wants Program of Instructions reevaluated after death of Navotas teen appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Comelec: No extension to SoCE turnovers
The Commission on Elections on Thursday stressed that there should be no extensions in the filing of Statements of Contribution and Expenditures, which is a detailed document of all the contributions and expenditures made by certain candidates during the election campaign. This comes after the Supreme Court ruled against the poll body’s 2016 resolution that stretched the deadline on the filing of SoCEs from 8 to 30 June 2016, right after the 2016 national and local elections, saying that the poll body has committed grave abuse of discretion over the said resolution. “No extensions now on all our deadlines except in highly meritorious circumstances,” Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia said. Under Section 14 of the Republic Act 7166 — which was approved back in 1991 — candidates and treasurers of political parties must file their SoCEs “within 30 days after the day of the election.” The said provision barred elected officials and political parties of winning candidates to assume positions without the filing of SoCE, with penalties on the first offense between P1,000 to P30,000 and on the second offense between P2,000 to P60,000, as well as prohibition in assuming public office. The resolution in question — Resolution 10147 — said that the extension of the deadline was due to, among other things, “several requests,” as well as previous rulings that compel the poll body to extend the deadline on the filing of SoCEs both after the 2010 and 2013 elections. Comelec also argued that the extension would help in their probes on possible election overspending. “The simple expediency of not accepting the SoCE if filed beyond the deadline and just imposing a fine is in effect throwing away the evidence of any infraction of the campaign finance rules and unwittingly assisting in hiding the evidence,” the poll body said. However, the Supreme Court argued that such actions “effectively condoned erring candidates and political parties from administrative liabilities, even if the law does not provide any exempting circumstance.” Meantime, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan expressed its gratitude to the Supreme Court for taking the party’s position that the Comelec committed grave abuse of authority in granting extensions on the filing of SoCEs. PDP Laban president and Palawan Representative Jose Alvarez said that the High Court’s decision vindicates the party’s decision in June 2016 to challenge Comelec resolution which granted the extension on the filing of SoCE that favored the Liberal Party and its candidates. The Comelec has recognized in a final and executory decision the PDP Laban led by Party chairman Rodrigo Duterte and Party president and Representative Alvarez as the true and legitimate PDP Laban. “We thank the Supreme Court En Banc for taking PDP Laban’s position in this landmark case and we also welcome the statement of the Comelec that it will no longer grant extensions on the filings of SoCEs in compliance with the SC’s decision,” said Alvarez. “The Supreme Court decision voiding Comelec Resolution 10147 affirms the provisions of RA 7166 that states that the Comelec is not authorized to extend the deadline for the filing of SoCE or not beyond 30 days after the polls conclude,” he added. “This decision should serve as a warning to all candidates that they should just comply with laws like RA 7166 and not seek exemptions from the Comelec. Based on the law, candidates who fail to file their SoCEs on or before the deadline cannot assume the elected position that they won,” the lawmaker said. The post Comelec: No extension to SoCE turnovers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Palace mansions’ upkeep assured
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has issued Executive Order 26 establishing an advisory board and management body responsible for maintaining and preserving the Malacañang Heritage Mansions. The board has the responsibility of creating policies, projects, and programs aimed at effectively managing the Malacañang Heritage Mansions, according to EO 26. Malacañang Heritage Mansions include the Kalayaan Hall, which houses the Presidential Museum and Library, and “such other properties as may be identified by the Advisory Board.” The board would be composed of three representatives from the Office of the President, who will serve in an ex-officio capacity, and three representatives from the private sector to be appointed by the president. “The supervision of the Kalayaan Museum is hereby transferred from the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for General Administration to the Social Secretary’s Office,” it added. Marcos also established the Malacañang Heritage Mansions Management Center to provide “technical and administrative support” to the advisory group. Meanwhile, the Social Secretary’s Office will submit the operational structure and staffing pattern of MHMMC to the Department of Budget and Management. According to the executive order, the Malacañang Heritage Mansions “may be opened to the public as [a] venue for special events, programs and temporary exhibitions, and could collect fees.” Proceeds will go to a revolving fund, which will be used for the “maintenance, operation, preservation, restoration, and beautification of properties covered by this Order.” The Malacañang Heritage Mansions may be opened to the public for special events, programs, and temporary exhibitions, and the collection of fees will follow the existing laws, rules, and regulations. The earnings from the operation of the mansions will be deposited into a revolving fund that the ODESFA will create in collaboration with the DBM and the Bureau of Treasury, and in compliance with the government’s budgeting, accounting, and auditing policies. The post Palace mansions’ upkeep assured appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
A guide to cybersecurity competency framework
There are mandated laws, compliance regulations, and penalties when the leadership and management fail to provide cybersecurity measures to its organization. To help protect and to effectively navigate your organization in the digital age, the Center for Global Best Practices invites you to attend an online training entitled, Cybersecurity Competency Framework for the Enterprise Governing Body and Management to be held from 1:30 to 4:45 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 26 via Zoom......»»
PNP assures compliance to body cam rules
The National Police has issued a memorandum containing protocols for using body-worn cameras (BWC) or alternative recording devices (ARD) in serving search and arrest warrants, as well as making warrantless arrests. The post PNP assures compliance to body cam rules appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»