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Hidilyn in final push for Paris
Hidilyn Diaz has a chance to become only the second athlete from the Philippines to participate in five Olympics but it will take a major lift to clinch a ticket to Paris in the final qualifying event at the World Cup in Phuket on March 31-April 11......»»
Hong Kong leader starts push for new security laws, says city ‘can’t afford to wait’
Chief Executive John Lee says the Hong Kong government will attempt to pass the laws 'as soon as possible' but did not give a precise timetable for them to be approved by the city's legislature.....»»
Half cup of rice? | New agri chief told to address high cost of rice production
“Many Filipinos cannot afford to eat rice for every meal. No more wasted rice on the tables of farmers and workers?" The post Half cup of rice? | New agri chief told to address high cost of rice production appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
DOJ to help 400 Filipino job-seekers duped in Italy
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla yesterday assured the 400 Filipinos allegedly victimized by an Italy-based immigration consultancy firm that the Department of Justice will take the necessary steps to help them. “Affidavits will be taken so they can properly complain and put together a case. Whatever it is, we will help them draw out the truth,” said Remulla, adding that he has assigned Chief State Counsel Dennis Chan "to come up with a few draft affidavits so we can assist these people para di na sila maghahanap ng abogado.” Earlier, some 400 Filipinos who said they were duped into shelling out large sums of money in exchange for employment opportunities in Italy found an ally in Senator Risa Hontiveros who filed a resolution Wednesday calling for an investigation into the alleged recruitment scam. The Daily Tribune has run a series on the alleged scam by Alpha Assistenza SRL, an Italy-based immigration consultancy firm. In Senate Resolution 814, Hontiveros detailed the alleged fraudulent scheme of the immigration consultancy firm that preyed on Filipinos dreaming of working in the European country. “It is alleged that Alpha Assistenza SRL provided over 400 Filipino 'victims' with falsified Nulla Osta, a document issued by Italian immigration authorities authorizing a non-European Union national to apply for a work visa at an Italian embassy or consulate,” the resolution read. “The falsified Nulla Osta resulted in the rejection of the victims’ applications when the said documents were presented to the Italy Visa Application Center (VIA PIASI Center),” it added. The senator said the Filipino applicants were met at the VIA PIASI Center located in Makati City by a Philippine agent designated in electronic messages by Krizelle Respicio, Alpha Assistenza SRL’s chief executive officer and immigration consultant. She said the State is mandated by the Constitution to afford full protection to laborers, both local and overseas, organized and unorganized, and to promote full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all. Hontiveros added: “Because of the principle of territoriality, our statutes are generally only effective within Philippine territory; and there is thus an urgent need to protect Filipinos from possible recruitment perpetuated by companies based overseas.” In an interview on Daily Tribune's digital show "Usapang OFW" last week, several complainants, namely Vanessa Antonio, Enrique Catilo and Apple Cabasis, said Alpha Assistenza SRL headed by Filipino co-CEOs Krizelle Respicio and Frederick Dutaro may have duped more than 400 Filipinos. They also accused Consul General Elmer Cato of ignoring their grievances against Alpha Assistenza SRL. The post DOJ to help 400 Filipino job-seekers duped in Italy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Alleged recruitment scam in Italy reaches Senate
The alleged recruitment scam, facilitated by the Italy-based immigration consultancy firm, Alpha Assistenza SRL, has already reached the Senate. In filing proposed Senate Resolution No. 814, Senator Risa Hontiveros called for an investigation, in aid of legislation, into the alleged recruitment activities conducted by the Alpha Assistenza SRL. In her resolution, Hontiveros detailed the alleged fraudulent scheme of the immigration consultancy firm which has preyed on Filipinos who are dreaming of working in Italy, which was first exposed by the Daily Tribune. “It is alleged that Alpha Assistenza SRL provided over 400 Filipino “victims” with falsified Nulla Osta, a document issued by Italian immigration authorities authorizing a non-European Union national to apply for a work visa at an Italian embassy or consulate,” the resolution read. “The falsified Nulla Osta resulted in the rejection of the victims’ applications when the said documents were presented to the Italy Visa Application Center (VIA PIASI Center),” it added. She continued: “The Filipino applicants were met at the VIA PIASI Center located in Makati City by a Philippine agent designated in electronic messages by Krizelle Respicio, Alpha Assistenza SRL’s Chief Executive Officer and Immigration Consultant.” Hontiveros also said that the “complainants alleged that they had paid the company ‘large sums of money’ to facilitate their relatives’ travel to Italy for work.” “The State is mandated by the Constitution to afford full protection to laborers, both local and overseas, organized and unorganized, and to promote full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all,” she said. “Because of the principle of territoriality, our statutes are generally only effective within Philippine territory; and there is thus an urgent need to protect Filipinos from possible recruitment perpetuated by companies based overseas,” she added. ‘Aware’ Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs said it is aware of the alleged recruitment scam that victimized at least 400 Filipinos both from the Philippines and Italy. In an interview with Daily Tribune, DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza denied the alleged non-action of the Philippine Consulate General in Milan in the victim’s complaints against the supposed scam. “The DFA is aware of the reports,” Daza said. “The Philippine Consulate General in Milan is acting on the complaints.” Victims, who reached out to the Daily Tribune’s digital program, “Usapang OFW,” accused Consul General Elmer Cato of sitting on their complaints against Alpha Assistenza SRL. Daza said the number of victims of the alleged recruitment scam may be higher or lower than the previously reported 400 Filipinos. “The numbers are still being verified,” she said. In a recent interview over the Usapang OFW, the complainants, namely, Vanessa Antonio, Enrique Catilo, and Apple Cabasis, said that the Alpha Assistenza, headed by its Filipino co-CEOs Krizelle Respicio and Frederick Dutaro, may have duped more than 400 Filipinos. DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Eduardo de Vega also denied allegations that Cato had sat on the Filipino communities’ complaints. De Vega said the Philippine Consulate General in Milan received a report on 31 August, and an investigation into the matter is ongoing. “They were interviewing victims and working on cases,” he said in a separate interview. Asked if the DFA is considering making Cato inhibited due to the accusations of the victims, De Vega said: “We are meeting him personally.” The DFA official also noted that they are coordinating with the Department of Migrant Workers and the Migrant Workers Office in Milan on how to proceed with the case. “The complaint is really to be filed with Italian authorities but our Consulate in Milan should assist them,” he said. The Daily Tribune has sought comments from the Italian Embassy in Manila but they had yet to respond as of press time. The post Alleged recruitment scam in Italy reaches Senate appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hontiveros comes to aid of Alpha 400
The more or less 400 Filipinos duped into shelling out large sums of money in exchange for employment opportunities in Italy, found an ally in Senator Risa Hontiveros who filed a resolution Wednesday calling for an investigation into the alleged recruitment scam. Less than a week into a series ran by the DAILY TRIBUNE on the reported scam of Alpha Assistenza SRL, an Italy-based immigration consultancy firm, Hontiveros filed Senate Resolution 814 detailing the alleged fraudulent scheme of the immigration consultancy firm that preyed on Filipinos who dream of working in the European country. “It is alleged that Alpha Assistenza SRL provided over 400 Filipino “victims” with falsified Nulla Osta, a document issued by Italian immigration authorities authorizing a non-European Union national to apply for a work visa at an Italian embassy or consulate,” the resolution read. “The falsified Nulla Osta resulted in the rejection of the victims’ applications when the said documents were presented to the Italy Visa Application Center (VIA PIASI Center),” it added. According to Hontiveros, the Filipino applicants were met at the VIA PIASI Center located in Makati City by a Philippine agent designated in electronic messages by Krizelle Respicio, Alpha Assistenza SRL’s Chief Executive Officer and Immigration Consultant. “The State is mandated by the Constitution to afford full protection to laborers, both local and overseas, organized and unorganized, and to promote full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all,” she said. She added: “Because of the principle of territoriality, our statutes are generally only effective within Philippine territory; and there is thus an urgent need to protect Filipinos from possible recruitment perpetuated by companies based overseas.” ‘Aware’ Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday said it is aware of the alleged recruitment scam that victimized at least 400 Filipinos from the Philippines and Italy. In an interview, DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza said the number of victims of the alleged recruitment scam may be higher or lower than the previously reported 400 Filipinos. “The numbers are still being verified,” she said, denying alleged non-action against the supposed scam. For the hundreds of victims it does not help to hear the same tune and prompt action is the only way to address their hopelessness. It was the snail-paced efforts of the Philippine Consulate in Milan, Italy, that they sought Italian police assistance after the Consulate’s inaction to their complaints submitted in May 2023. Several victims, who reached out to the Daily Tribune’s digital program, “Usapang OFW,” accused Consul General Elmer Cato of sitting on their complaints against Alpha Assistenza SRL, an Italy-based immigration consultancy firm that allegedly preyed on Filipinos who are dreaming of working in Italy. In an interview over the Usapang OFW last week, several complainants, namely, Vanessa Antonio, Enrique Catilo, and Apple Cabasis, said the Alpha Assistenza SRL, headed by Filipino co-CEOs Krizelle Respicio and Frederick Dutaro, may have duped more than 400 Filipinos. They accused Consul General Elmer Cato of neglecting their grievances against Alpha Assistenza SRL. And Allan Hernandez The post Hontiveros comes to aid of Alpha 400 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fools in suits
When a ranking Department of Agriculture official was asked in a recent Congress hearing what steps the agency had taken to break the rice cartel, he replied that he did not believe that a “mafia” existed. Coming from a high DA official, the statement revealed that nothing was being done to stop the syndicate that everyone in the industry knows about since, to the authorities, it does not exist. In the reenacted Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and forming cartels for agricultural and fishery products are considered economic sabotage and are non-bailable offenses for which a long jail term could be meted out. The strengthened law, however, lacks strong teeth against government officials who are in cahoots or protect the syndicates. Contained in the proposed bill is a provision indicating that any government officer or employee found to be an accomplice in the commission of the crime will “suffer the additional penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, exercising the right to vote, from participating in any public election, and forfeiture of employment monetary and financial benefits.” The bill is pending in both houses of Congress. With the slow grind of justice in the country, a public official looking for a fast buck will not hesitate to risk his job in exchange for a huge payback. The recent series of events showed the markets are being manipulated by the big players in the sugar, vegetable and rice businesses. These syndicates are known to be deeply entrenched due to their connections with government bigwigs who facilitate their domination of the markets either through edicts or the use of public resources. In the most ridiculous situation, the recent spike in onion prices was found to be artificial since farmers were even throwing away their harvests because of low farmgate prices, thus there was no reason for prices to surge. Later, it was exposed in a congressional hearing that a cartel had succeeded in manipulating the onion market to create a condition that would require its importation, from which its members would make a killing. The warehouse and storage facilities are controlled by the mafia which makes it easy to create artificial conditions to which the market reacts by raising retail prices. The ultimate goal is to coax the government to allow importation from suppliers in overseas markets that are also flooded with the commodity, The cartel rakes in profits from both the high markup and the kickbacks from the overseas suppliers desperate to sell their surplus. The woeful victims are the Filipino farmers whom the cartel boxes out of the market. In extreme cases, these farmers just throw away their harvest since they cannot afford to transport their products without the middlemen who are also in the pocket of the cartel. The same goes for the rice industry, where the market was manipulated for a different reason, which was to kill the rice tariffication law that kicked the National Food Authority out of the import business. Rice prices then surged to as high as P56 a kilo, which pushed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to impose price ceilings. The NFA used to have a monopoly on importation, but that resulted in acrimonious confrontations at the apex of government. The tariffication law, in turn, opened importation to all grain traders and relegated the NFA to buying rice from local farmers. Under the new anti-smuggling bill which has the endorsement of Mr. Marcos, an Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council headed by the President or his designated permanent representative will be formed. The proposed body will have the power to investigate and file charges, as well as freeze violators’ funds, properties, bank deposits, placements, trust accounts, assets and records. The creation of the body looks good on paper but in the real world, it might just add another layer of bureaucracy and source of corruption unless the cartel, which DA officials claim does not exist, is dismantled. Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile has a simple solution for breaking the cartel, which is for the government to confiscate all the rice overstock and let the owners of the warehouses prove that their huge inventory is legitimate. Such a move would prompt the traders to release more rice into the market to avoid confiscation. The imposition of the price cap on rice indicated that the prices are artificial since the markets are now selling at lower than the manipulated prices despite conditions being constant. An expected bumper harvest is also prompting the prices to go back to normal, after the attempt of the cartel to create a price shock to support their effort to return to the old ways. To know the real situation, President Marcos goes out of his way to see what is on the ground. His underlings, particularly at the Department of Agriculture, should do better. The post Fools in suits appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Teodoro gets CA nod
The Commission on Appointments on Wednesday approved the ad interim appointment of Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. as secretary of the Department of National Defense. Prior to his confirmation, the 12-member House contingent of the powerful CA spared Teodoro from questioning as a “courtesy” to the Defense chief who previously worked as Tarlac's 1st district representative. “The 12-member House of Representatives contingent will no longer ask questions regarding the nominee being a former member of Congress for three consecutive terms in the 11th, 12th, and 13th Congress,” said Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. LRay Villafuerte, the majority leader of the CA. Villafuerte added that the House contingent “has no doubt regarding the fitness and integrity of the nominee”. He appealed to their counterpart, the Senate to accord the same courtesy to Teodoro. From the 12-member Senate contingent, only Senator Risa Hontiveros asked questions to Teodoro. Hontiveros questioned Teodoro about his plans for the DND, now under his watch for the second time. He held the same position under the administration of then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the age of 43, the youngest ever appointee to the agency. Responding to the lawmaker’s query, Teodoro admitted that there has been a “shift in the evolution” from his first stint in the DND. He noted that he is now focusing on “straddling the balance between maintaining internal security and with an emphasis definitely given what is happening to the outside environment.” “We are strengthening our defense posture. We are gradually enhancing the capabilities of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines),” he said. The Defense chief said he is also working on “leveraging” the country’s alliance with other nations to strengthen the country’s capability to protect itself from external threats. By doing so, he noted that he would try to introduce “management solutions to managerial problems, and not military solutions to managerial problems.” “That is the transformation that we are trying to make. We are also deeply restrategizing what we intend to do at least in the next five years in order not only to make the defense department more responsive to the outside and internal environments but also to make more efficient our use of resources, and to use information technology to the highest extent possible,” he added. Teodoro also underscored the importance of strengthening the country’s capability to respond to external strength and not just rely on diplomacy. “[T]he intensity of the need to focus on protecting our sovereignty, our sovereign rights, in the exclusive economic zone and other jurisdictions of the country become more paramount now, as the whole world is in a raise for resources,” he said. “We could not afford to be laidback here. We should be cognizant of it because we can and principally use diplomacy, however, if diplomacy is not backed up by a strong spinal cord, then we will just be stymied by a greater force,” he added. He made the remarks amid the increasing tension between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea. China claims the vast South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. On 12 July 2016, the Philippines won its arbitral case against China in the Permanent Court of Arbitration – a landmark decision that China continues to reject. Teodoro said the Defense Department wishes the concentrate on not only guarding the islands of the archipelago and its internal waters but also on securing “peaceful, unimpeded, and unobstructed exploitation, and exploration of our sovereign rights over the 200 nautical mile EEZ of the republic and in all areas of the Philippines, to secure our baselines.” Last June, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced Teodoro’s appointment as the new DND secretary, replacing Carlito Galvez Jr. who led the agency for five months. Aside from Teodoro, the CA also approved the promotion of 11 generals and senior officers of the AFP. Jose Jesus Luntok, Ramon Flores, Dennis Pacis, Nasser Lidasan, Benedict Balaba, Steve Crespillo, Arvin Lagamon, Ivan Papera, Lloyd Cabacuñgan, and Fernando Ventura secured CA’s approval for their rank of Brigadier General. Peter Jempsun de Guzman’s rank of Commodore was also approved. The post Teodoro gets CA nod appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Duterte giveth, Diokno taketh
Since his call in 2017 to veto Republic Act 10931, the law granting free higher education, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno has been singing the same dissonant melody. A similar theme can be heard in his most recent attempt to cast doubt on the program’s long-term viability, which is frequently praised as one of the Duterte administration’s legacies. However, as Diokno continues to bang his well-worn drum, it becomes increasingly obvious that his arguments are out of tune and lacking in both substance and harmony. The frequently repeated assertion by Diokno that the free college program is “anti-poor” because of its supposed bias toward wealthy students doesn’t ring true with logic or facts. His claim that wealthy students have supplanted their less advantaged peers in the competition for openings at state universities and colleges lacks supporting data. He tries to play the fiscal unsustainability card by asserting that the program is an exorbitant financial burden for the government. This perspective is myopic because education spending continues to be one of the most effective ways to boost the economy and create jobs. In fact, a World Bank report has said that every dollar spent on education generates ten times as much in economic benefits, thus emphasizing the real worth of such expenditures under RA 10931. Additionally, Diokno ignores the reality that the program has been in force since 2018 after President Duterte rebuffed his veto campaign. After six years of effective implementation, for Diokno to suddenly pronounce it untenable sounds more like pessimism than a valid criticism. Diokno also veers away from the upbeat chorus that is led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his predecessor, former President Duterte, as he continues to play his dirge. His persistent pessimism has turned him into a maestro of despair rather than a conductor of progress. The Finance chief certainly needs a lot of the can-do attitude of both Marcos and Duterte, the latter with the bravado and tenacity he showed in guiding the country through the turbulent waters of the Covid-19 pandemic. Diokno should learn to instill confidence in the hearts of the populace, or he should just hand the job to someone who would tackle it with more vigor. Diokno claims that wealthy kids who can afford review lessons and other incidental costs are disproportionately benefited by RA 10931. This claim is again without basis as a lot of impoverished students have gained access to higher education without having to pay tuition thanks to this law. A thorough assessment by the Commission on Higher Education showed that the free college program has dramatically increased enrollment rates among students from low-income families. This should lay bare the falsity of Diokno’s claims. If we may add, the CHEd study also resonated with people by emphasizing its contribution to closing the achievement gap between the affluent and the less fortunate. Probably most befuddling of all was Diokno’s unsettling claim that the program benefits students who live close to public universities and colleges. This conflicts with what we see on the ground, of students renting bed space or living with their relatives so they can be near their schools, wherever they may be located. Additionally, the value of an educated citizenry transcends geographical boundaries in the grand scheme of nation-building. It’s ironic that for a Finance chief, the needed comprehension of the complexity of not only our economy and the numbers but also how they relate to society and people seems absent from Diokno’s spiel opposing free higher education. His quest to repeal RA 10931 has fallen short of capturing the long-term benefits of investing in education to improve the lives of underprivileged youngsters. Diokno’s desire to take away what Duterte and Congress have given would be a step backward and an assult in the minds of millions of Filipino students. While undermining President Duterte’s legacy, Diokno’s dissonant song poses a threat to muffle the dreams of numerous Filipino students, one that is intended to deprive them of the opportunity to pursue higher education and the prospect of a better future. The post Duterte giveth, Diokno taketh appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tzu Chi gifts PDLs with restored vision
Forty aging persons deprived of liberty will see the world again in all its glory when they step out of prison as reformed members of society. This as an eye mission facilitated by the Tzu Chi Eye Center, the Bureau of Corrections and Daily Tribune yesterday in Sta. Mesa, Manila began helping PDLs with age-related vision issues, ranging from cataracts to glaucoma. Some of the detainees will get corrective glasses and eyedrops, while others will undergo surgery, said Tzu Chi medical director Dr. Bernardita Navarro. The non-government organization’s services are rendered at no cost to the beneficiaries. “We thank Tzu Chi Foundation a great deal for extending to our PDLs high-quality medical eye care we simply can’t afford,” said Bucor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. Since 2007, the Tzu Chi Eye Center has been conducting thousands of eye surgical missions that have benefited some 115,000 patients from underprivileged communities. Founded by Dharma Master Cheng Yen in 1966, the Tzu Chi Foundation has been at the forefront of community volunteerism, environmental protection, the promotion of human values, and the undertaking of charity, medical and educational missions. Catapang told the PDLs their cases will be reviewed and those who could be freed would be allowed to rejoin mainstream society. “Maybe this will help them to be good while inside, knowing that on this date they will be released to their families,” Catapang said. During the PDLs visit to the mission, Navarro joked that the BuCor chief’s family name may be “Catapang,” which means bravery, but his middle name should be “Mamon” for his having a heart that is soft like the popular Filipino bread. With ALVIN MURCIA @tribunephl_alvi The post Tzu Chi gifts PDLs with restored vision appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gadon to focus on generating jobs
Controversial lawyer, now Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation, Secretary Lorenzo “Larry” Gadon will focus on generating jobs for those families that live below the poverty line to reduce the number of poor in the country. “My number one concern really is how to generate more jobs and how to increase the purchasing power of the people. That’s where the problem is. It is because 56 percent of our workforce, which is about 75 million Filipinos, belongs to the services sector. They are those casual and temporary employees or those who have seasonal jobs. So, after working for three or six months, after that they end up with nothing,” Gadon said in an interview on Daily Tribune’s digital show “Straight Talk” on Wednesday. Gadon said families that are considered on the poverty line are those earning under P12,500 per month, who do not have the capacity to buy enough decent food, and medicines, and who cannot afford a good education for their children. “We will focus our attention on them, particularly those that belong to the informal sector, the likes of tricycle and jeepney drivers. It is because their income is unstable. Their situation was even worsened by the pandemic,” Gadon said. He said poverty is the fourth top concern the Marcos Administration should face, although President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is firm about addressing the issue. Based on the latest report of the Asian Development Bank, in the Philippines, 18.1 percent of the population lived below the national poverty line in 2021, while the proportion of the employed population earning less than the $1.90 (P100) purchasing power parity per day in 2022 was 2.2 percent. Rechanneling of jobs Gadon added that another factor that contributes to the continuous poverty experienced by most families is that only 28 percent of Filipino workers are in the industrial sector, while 18 percent are in the agricultural sector. “It is surprising that we consider ourselves as an agricultural country and yet only 18 percent work in the agriculture sector. My solution to that is to re-channel the Filipino workforce to the more stable and more resilient jobs which are in the industrial and agricultural sectors,” Gadon said. The Philippine Statistics Authority reported on 7 July that the country’s employment rate as of May 2023 rose to 95.7 percent, or 48.26 million Filipinos, compared to 82.4 percent in April 2023, which showed a 13.3 percent increase. During the President’s State of the Nation Address on Monday, he said more had to be done to provide jobs for the remaining workforce and the underemployed Filipinos looking for better career options. “But even with our current high rate of employment, we must do more. We will generate additional jobs for the remaining 4.3 percent of our workforce, as well as for the 11.7 percent underemployed Filipinos seeking better employment opportunities,” the Chief Executive said. Being the Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation, Gadon plays a pivotal role in advising the President on strategies and policies aimed at combating poverty and improving the lives of the most vulnerable sectors of society. He will work closely with government agencies, non-government organizations, and other stakeholders to design and implement comprehensive programs to address the root causes of poverty. His wealth of experience as a corporate executive and legal counsel in diverse sectors, including manufacturing, information technology, realty development, healthcare, resorts and hotels, construction and trading, will contribute to the formulation of innovative and sustainable poverty alleviation strategies. The post Gadon to focus on generating jobs appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Food and the Chief Executive Hail to the ‘Chef’
What is served during the State of the Nation Address and other official banquets is a statement about the kind of signal an administration wants to send to the public. Usually, it’s along the lines of “We want to showcase our culinary identity.” For President Bongbong Marcos’ SONA last year, the menu was sago’t gulaman, bam-i guisado, grilled pandesal, palitaw, bibingka and puto bumbong, which seemed as much to virtue signal themselves away from the ostentation associated with their name… supposedly, but what leaders eat in private is a different matter altogether. There are certain food (and wine, ahem) we’ve come to associate with certain presidents, some more well-known than others. If you say Erap, the chorus of Petruses will be faster than you can shake a stick at. It was what he was known for, as was the quality of the food at meetings afternoons or, indeed, midnights. According to veteran journalist and foodie Teddy Montelibano, Erap had a black book for food. “It was just the best of everything…the best lechon….etc.” [caption id="attachment_161364" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] Chateau Petrus, said to be former president Joseph Estrada’s favorite wine.[/caption] Fewer presidents were known for their cooking, if at all, and President Cory Aquino is famous for her mastery of a very difficult dish, the Peking Duck. President Noynoy Aquino, too, was a hearty eater and very fond of good Chinese food, according to Montelibano. When PBBM won last year, a slew of features regarding his cooking skills and favorites have been well-documented. Bongbong is reportedly an avid cook listing sinigang, pinakbet, osso buco as some of his specialties. Among his listed favorite things to eat, on the other hand, the kanduli sinigang sa miso often mentioned as something he looked forward to coming home to. He prefers a light breakfast of muesli, honey and yogurt. His spirit of choice is cognac. In an interview with culinary personality Reggie Aspiras, who is also a cousin of the current President, it was revealed that he had gone to El Bulli in Barcelona, Spain, which in the 2000s was known as the greatest restaurant in the world — and predictably the hardest to get into. El Bulli is much acclaimed for its modernist and cutting-edge cuisine, a brainchild of the godfather of molecular gastronomy, chef Ferran Adria. Adria decided to shut the doors on El Bulli in 2011, still very much at the top of his game, and it had been rumored that the restaurant still had a wait list of over 30,000 people. As for President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the usual Ilocano fare like pinakbet is often mentioned. “I don’t think Marcos Sr. was a foodie,” said Montelibano. “I mean he’s Ilocano, you know,” Marcos Sr. did have a fish preference, an expensive one that’s nearly extinct. Agence France Press in 2010 reported that Marcos Sr.’s favorite fish, the lobed river mullet, known as ludong or banak, was facing extinction. Its identity had been so tied to Marcos Sr. that it’s still referred to as “president’s fish.” It is a rare fish that is only found in a handful of countries, and even in the Philippines. It only swims in a few rivers in the north. Thirteen years later, the state of ludong has not improved; it is still near extinction despite the fisheries bureau calling for a five-year ban on catching it. “It is a threatened species and we have to do something about it before it goes extinct. If we don’t stop the indiscriminate catching, in a short while, it could vanish,” the AFP quoted Jovita Ayson, then a regional director of the fisheries bureau. Back then, it sold for P5,000 ($114) a kilogram, “which only the wealthiest can afford, making it the most expensive fish in the Philippines.” To date, it is still the most expensive fish in the country. The post Food and the Chief Executive Hail to the ‘Chef’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PAO Chief vows to follow SC ruling
An office order was issued by Public Attorney's Office chief Persida Rueda Acosta directing all regional office heads and divisions to strictly follow Section. 22, Canon lll of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA) of the Supreme Court pertaining to conflict of interest. The office order signed by the officials of the PAO stated, "We will hereby comply to the same (SC ruling). We hereby give discretion and disposition as a lawyer to individual resident public attorneys assigned in specific courts to comply with the said rule in relation to Section 13 and 18 of Canon lll thereof." Acosta also stated in her office order that resident public attorneys are advised to reconcile it with the provisions of Article 209 of the Revised Penal Code approved on 29 August 2017 to avoid criminal responsibility and imprisonment, considering that said penal provision requires the consent of the first client. "PAO lawyers are advised to adopt precautionary measures in handling conflict of interest cases to protect their life and limb as well as to avoid criminal and administrative liability," the order signed by Acosta stated. To recall, the SC has denied the plea of Acosta to delete Section 22, Canon III of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA) which allows PAO lawyers to represent opposing parties in court cases. PAO’s request to delete Section 22, Canon III of the CPRA was docketed as an administrative matter and was decided by the Court en banc during its regular session last 11 July 2023. Magistrates, during their deliberations, also decided to compel Acosta to show cause why she should not be cited in indirect contempt for her unabated public tirades against the said provision. The Court noted Acosta’s social media posts and newspaper publications branding the adoption of the CPRA as unconstitutional, and an undue interference and intrusion by the SC into PAO’s operations. The SC said Acosta’s tirades tend to directly or indirectly “impede, obstruct, or degrade the administration of justice” and can be considered “a threat to the independence of the judiciary.” In defending the assailed provision of the CPRA, the SC reminded the PAO chief of its primordial mandate which is to “[extend] free legal assistance to indigent persons in criminal, civil, labor, administrative and other quasi-judicial cases.” “To turn away indigent litigants and bar them from availing of the services of all PAO lawyers nationwide due to alleged conflict of interest would be to contravene PAO’s principal duty and leave hundreds of poor litigants unassisted by legal counsel they cannot otherwise afford,” it added. The SC maintained that CPRA was promulgated in the exercise of its exclusive rule-making power under the Constitution. Likewise, the High Tribunal said the CPRA was adopted as part of its authority to supervise the practice of law and to provide free legal assistance to the underprivileged. The CPRA took effect on 30 May 2023, 15 days after its publication. In her letter to Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, Acosta sought the indefinite suspension of the implementation of CPRA pending review by the members of the Court. The post PAO Chief vows to follow SC ruling appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Remulla backs SC rejection of PAO petition
Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has expressed his support for the Supreme Court’s decision rejecting the request made by Public Attorney’s Office chief Atty. Persida Acosta to remove Section 22, Canon III of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability. The said section imposes limitations on the PAO’s ability to invoke the rule on conflict of interest. Remulla on Wednesday emphasized that the PAO should be considered a “legal service” rather than a “law office” and stressed that the Constitution guarantees every individual the right to counsel, and the existence of the PAO ensures that this right is upheld for every Filipino. “I believe in the court’s intentions to hold everyone accountable and to defend every person’s right to have legal representation,” said Remulla, adding that the PAO’s interpretation of conflict of interest has led to problems and delays in certain cases. The SC en banc resolution emphasized the primary duty of the PAO, which is to provide free legal assistance to indigent individuals in various legal cases, including criminal, civil, labor, administrative and quasi-judicial matters. The high court stated that refusing indigent litigants access to the services of PAO lawyers nationwide based on alleged conflict of interest would contradict the primary responsibility of the PAO and leave numerous financially disadvantaged litigants without legal representation they cannot afford otherwise. The SC also took note of Acosta’s ongoing public criticism of Canon III, Section 22 of the CPRA through social and mainstream media. To recall, Acosta has labeled the adoption of the CPRA as unconstitutional, considering it an unjustified intervention by the SC in the operations of the PAO. The SC instructed Acosta to justify her actions and explain why she should not be held in indirect contempt for her social media posts and newspaper publications. “The Court thus directed Atty. Acosta to show cause why she should not be cited in indirect contempt for her social media posts and newspaper publications which tended, directly or indirectly, to impede, obstruct, or degrade the administration of justice,” said the SC. The post Remulla backs SC rejection of PAO petition appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SC threatens contempt on Acosta for ‘tirades’ vs new lawyers’ code
The Supreme Court has denied the request of Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Rueda-Acosta to delete a provision in the judiciary’s new Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability relating to conflict of interest. Acosta was asked by the SC to explain why she should not be cited in contempt and disciplined as a member of the bar for her “unabated public tirades” on mainstream and social media branding the adoption of the CPRA as unconstitutional. “The Court also noted Atty. Acosta’s unabated public tirades against Canon III, Section 22 of the CPRA through social and mainstream media, branding the adoption of the CPRA as unconstitutional, and an undue interference and intrusion by the Supreme Court into PAO’s operations,” the court said. “The Court thus directed Atty. Acosta to show cause why she should not be cited in indirect contempt for her social media posts and newspaper publications which tended, directly or indirectly, to impede, obstruct, or degrade the administration of justice,” it added. “Furthermore, the Court characterized Atty. Acosta’s resort to social and print media to air her unfounded grievances against the Court as a threat to the independence of the judiciary. The Court thus ordered Atty. Acosta to show cause why she should not be disciplined as a Member of the Bar,” it said. Sought for comment, Acosta said her office will wait for the ruling. Acosta had sought to delete Section 22, Canon III of the CPRA, which limits the invocation by the PAO of the rule on conflict of interest. “The Court reminded the PAO of its primordial mandate to ‘[extend] free legal assistance to indigent persons in criminal, civil, labor, administrative and other quasi-judicial cases,’” it said. “To turn away indigent litigants and bar them from availing of the services of all PAO lawyers nationwide due to alleged conflict of interest would be to contravene PAO’s principal duty and leave hundreds of poor litigants unassisted by legal counsel they cannot otherwise afford,” the court said. Meanwhile, former Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teddy Casiño, the principal author of the PAO Law (RA NO. 9406) at the House of Representatives, said in a tweet: "I respectfully disagree with the court, allowing the PAO to lawyer both for the accuser and accused puts it in a conflict of interest situation. It greatly diminishes the trust and confidence of their clients, with lawyers of the same agency serving as counsels of both sides. While I appreciate the concern of the SC in ensuring poor litigants their right to counsel, I don't agree that it's only the PAO that should shoulder this responsibility to the point that it will now lawyer for both parties to a case." "Precisely, even the SC recognizes the conflict of interest but limits it to the handling lawyer and his/her supervisor. Normally, it extends to the whole agency. It's only with PAO that conflict of interests is treated so cavalierly by the SC," Casiño added. The post SC threatens contempt on Acosta for ‘tirades’ vs new lawyers’ code appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Herbosa warns ‘nurseless’ Phl in 3-5 years
The continuous migration of licensed nurses abroad for higher compensation would leave the country to become “nurseless” by 2026 or 2028, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa warned on Tuesday. In a radio interview, Herbosa, who is pushing to tap the pool of nursing graduates who failed to pass the board exam, stressed that the problem needs an immediate solution. “That is why I am focusing on it as early as now because if we do not do anything, I can see that in a few more years, maybe three or five years, we will run out of nurses,” he said. “That is why I am finding a way to increase the number of nurses. I am happy that there are other government agencies that are helping me,” he added. To avert the impending lack of nurses in the country, the newly appointed Health chief is aiming to hire nursing graduates who scored 70 to 74 percent in the board exam to work for public hospitals. Herbosa said that those who will be hired will be given a temporary license from the Professional Regulation Commission and work in government hospitals under supervision. “They would not like – their work would be limited only. Only those that are simple and safe to avoid the endangerments of others,” he said. Likewise, the government would also provide scholarships for those who will be hired to pass the board exam after a certain period of time. Herbosa clarified that the government would require “return of service” from those who will pass the board exam, depending on the number of years they worked as temporary nurses. The Health Department previously said that there are a total of 4,500 vacant plantilla positions for nurses in 72 DoH-hospitals across the country. ‘Money not an issue’ Herbosa noted that low compensation is not the reason behind the declining numbers of nurses in the country. “Let me clarify it, the low compensation that nurses are complaining about is from the private sector. In our government sector, their salaries depend on their ranks, from anywhere from P35,000 a month for an entry-level to P75,000 a month for higher ranks,” he said. “So, money is not an issue. The problem is there are not enough nurses applying for the vacant position,” he added. He continued: “The low compensation [is] relative to the salary offered by other nations because they offer a higher salary.” He stressed that the issue is a “complex matter,” hence an in-depth study is needed to solve the problem. According to Filipino Nurses United, the average monthly salary for nurses in private hospitals is P12,000, significantly lower compared to compensation for nurses abroad. Meanwhile, the Private Hospital Association of the Philippines Inc. admitted that there is a huge discrepancy in terms of salary between public and private hospitals. PHAPi President Dr. Rene de Grano previously said that the salary of an entry-level nurse in private hospitals varies depending on the location of the hospitals. He said bigger hospitals in Metro Manila could afford to compensate an entry-level nurse as high as P1,000 per day, while smaller hospitals in the province could only pay their nurses P570 per day. The post Herbosa warns ‘nurseless’ Phl in 3-5 years appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Martin-Sara tension far from over?
Members of the House of Representatives were quick to come in defense of Speaker Martin Romualdez amid tensions with Vice President Sara Duterte, with whom he had shared the leadership of the ruling Lakas-CMD party. The strangely fueled statements of multiple congressmen professing full support for Romualdez came a day after Duterte made a forceful remark against the House chief, saying he had “absolutely nothing to do” with her VP bid in the May 2022 polls. Instead, the VP said, it was Senator Imee Marcos who convinced her to run for the post alongside President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the latter’s brother. Although not explicitly referring to Duterte, House Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe asserted on Thursday that the House has no time for “partisan distractions” since members of the lower chamber are busy and cannot afford to squander their time on “useless partisan bickering.” “The House of Representatives will not be slowed down by premature partisanship. All these political rumblings are unnecessary distractions that will only brake our momentum in ensuring the swift passage of President Marcos’ priority measures and those that were approved by LEDAC,” said Dalipe, member of the ruling party. Santa Rosa Rep. Dan Fernandez, chairman of the House public order panel and former deputy speaker, claimed that while both Duterte and his House colleagues fully support the President, such backing would be more robust if it were free of political squabbles. Fernandez also appealed to Duterte, “who ran and won on a platform espousing unity, to join the President in translating this call for unity into action.” “We can achieve these goals, which we all want for our people, if we do away with political bickerings. We should instead work together and keep a laser focus on what needs to be done to ensure a vibrant and prosperous future for all Filipinos,” he added. Tensions between Romualdez and Duterte flared again after the latter retaliated against Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga, saying he was “badly informed” or “made to believe a lie” that Romualdez had tremendously helped Duterte’s vice presidential candidacy. Duterte was eventually recruited to join Lakas-CMD, which she co-leads with Romualdez before she tendered her irrevocable resignation on 20 May. Her departure, however, was thought to be in retaliation to the demotion of Pampanga lawmaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from the position of the House’s second-highest official after she was accused of staging a coup against Romualdez. “The Speaker worked hard for then-Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s vice-presidential bid because he genuinely believed that she would make a difference. Their rift is sad news and I hope that it will be mended soon,” said Barzaga, former deputy speaker and a stalwart of National Unity Party. “There was no Speaker Romualdez in the picture,” Duterte said previously, responding to Barzaga. “To say that he ‘tremendously helped in pushing for’ my vice presidential bid is acutely inaccurate — an insult to thousands of groups and individuals who incessantly implored me to reconsider an earlier decision not to join national politics.” Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, secretary-general of the VP’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte’s party, the PDP Laban, pointed out that the conflict had been defused; hence there’s no need to exaggerate it. “As noted by the Vice President, political disagreements stand as part and parcel of the democratic process,” Pimentel added. “Let us leave it at that and focus instead on realizing our collective goal of providing a safe, comfortable life for every Filipino.” The NUP, the second biggest party in the House after Lakas-CMD, has also come out in support of Romualdez and has pushed for boosted cooperation between the legislative and executive branches. “Our nation’s leaders would break faith with this broad and deep public support for national unity were we to waste our time with vacuous political discord that could only break apart the super-majority coalition in both the House and the Senate—and wreak havoc on the ‘Agenda for Peace and Prosperity’ of President Marcos to improve the lives of all Filipinos,” said its president LRay Villafuerte on Wednesday. Villafuerte also cautioned that political squabbles might jeopardize the supermajority coalition in the legislature, which has allowed Mr. Marcos to push ahead in his first year in office on his vision for a prosperous and peaceful Philippines. The post Martin-Sara tension far from over? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Got time for that
Truly a bank that knows it’s Tyme to Go the extra mile—GoTyme Bank recently gathered members of its Facebook community to personally field suggestions on what features they’d like to see on the GoTyme Bank app as wise and helpful additions to maximize their accounts. Marking the bank’s recent milestone of reaching 500,000 GoTyme accounts, the question was raised by Nathaniel Clarke himself, none other than the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GoTyme Bank. Nate, as he’s fondly called by the GoTyme Bank team, recently posted on the GoTyme Bank community—a growing Facebook group of more than 13,000 clients—candidly sharing his scheduled leadership meeting with the GoTyme Team and expressed his enthusiasm to hear everyone’s suggestions on features they’d like to be prioritized. The post was well-received in the group, with over 700 likes and 300 comments within 24 hours, and continues to be an active forum where participants get direct responses from Nate himself. It’s not typical for a financial service organization in the country to be so in touch with its clientele—so much so that it becomes willing to hear its customers’ needs even before thinking of launching them. “That’s exactly what the market is looking for,” Nate says. “As the guardians of our clients’ well-earned savings, banking institutions, and financial apps simply cannot afford to disappoint the people that entrust their money to them. And what better way for GoTyme Bank to ensure that we’re in step with what our customers need than to ask them their needs and how we can make the GoTyme app even better.” That said, Nate promises that the rollout of the GoTyme app’s Bills Payment feature and QR payment feature is something clients won’t have to wait long for. “Now more than ever, people scan QR codes for everything and pay their bills and purchases from just about anywhere,” Nate explains. “At this crucial time where people are searching for an efficient and trustworthy Bills Payment and QR payment app that will not fail them, GoTyme Bank is poised to launch these crucial features sooner rather than later.” The post Got time for that appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Virtual bank plans SME loans, investments
GoTyme, the fully digital bank arm of the Gokongwei Group, plans to offer investments and consumer and small and medium enterprises loans this year, as it helps the government encourage more Filipinos to own bank accounts. “By the end of the year, we’ll enter into micro-investments, as well as lending,” Nathaniel Clarke, GoTyme’s president and chief executive officer, said during the recent AI Summit 2023. The forum was organized by Aboitiz Data Innovation and Union Bank of the Philippines to exchange insights on the uses, dangers and future of artificial intelligence. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas already approved six digital banks to operate in the country. However, McKinsey & Company recently said most of their services are “almost exclusively on payments and dominant players have yet to emerge outside the mobile-payments subsector.” Huge opportunities remain Clarke said the Philippines still has a big pool of borrowers to reach, but stressed GoTyme needs to collect data on consumers first to ensure sustainable lending service. “South Africa’s fifth largest bank is bigger than the entire Philippine banking system. So, there are still so many people to tap as the population is double here.” He added, “We’re going to that lending opportunity, but we want to do it responsibly for people who can afford loans. We need to build up a database and customer relationship.” Clarke said GoTyme aims to offer small loans initially this year to entrepreneurs, which might include sellers on social media platforms and other marketplaces for owners of small and medium enterprises. “We’re talking to a lot of small business aggregators. There are large digital players touching many small and medium enterprises.” Clarke said bigger loan amounts will be available in partnership with other banks. Currently, GoTyme offers savings and deposit accounts, e-payments and rewards for purchases from partner merchants, such as Cebu Pacific. BSP aims to increase the population of banked Filipinos to 70 percent this year from 56 percent last year. The post Virtual bank plans SME loans, investments appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM need to reform MUP pension system — Diokno
The Marcos administration has to reform the retirement and pension funds for military uniformed personnel (MUP) since keeping the current system could cause a significant increase in the national debt and expenditure in the coming years, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said. In a recent briefing, Diokno said the current formula for the MUP pension system, which started under the Ramos administration, is financially unsustainable. He mentioned that the military uniformed personnel "does not contribute" to the pension system, adding that government wholly finances their retirement benefits through yearly appropriations. Diokno stated that the current pension system is expected to cost the government approximately P848.39 billion per year for the next two decades. It is also estimated that the level of total unfunded pension liabilities is at P9.6 trillion, which is equivalent to nearly half of the country’s economy last year. Furthermore, he noted that the mounting pension obligations may lead to an up to 25 percent rise in public debt by 2030. "They (the MUP) have no contribution, yet they receive a huge amount. I think this really has to be discussed openly," Diokno said. "We can no longer afford to keep this around," the Finance Chief added. The country's outstanding debt could potentially increase by around P3.43 trillion, primarily due to the need to finance the pension system. This projection excludes any other government borrowings for various purposes over the next seven years. Diokno emphasized that meeting the financial requirements to cater to future pensioners and their dependents would be tough if the government would not immediately resolve the unfunded liabilities. Since this reform would require approval from Congress, Diokno expressed confidence that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has the necessary political influence to pursue such a measure. “He (Marcos) has signified that he is willing to spend his political capital for important reforms. We have no choice. We have to face this problem,” Diokno said. Diokno pointed out that Rep. Joey Salceda is one of the advocates who will introduce a bill to revamp the MUP pension system. The finance secretary is optimistic that MUP members will begin contributing to their pension system by January 2024. Diokno cited an instance, stating that a retired general is receiving a tax-free monthly pension of P131,000. He further mentioned that the current pension system could impact other government projects such as education and healthcare. The Department of Finance (DOF) plans to talk with other government agencies and the military to address this matter. Additionally, Diokno stated that "no military official had approached" him to oppose the proposition, necessitating soldiers to contribute 1 to 3 percent of their monthly income initially. “We can no longer afford to ignore this elephant in the room. Somebody has to really fix this formula, otherwise, we will be facing a fiscal crisis,” Diokno said. “If this continues, we are crowding out some important projects like education and health because we keep on prioritizing the military pension,” he said. Instead of incremental changes, Diokno suggested that the government should establish a unified separation, retirement, and pension system for the MUP. Diokno explained that the proposed solution should cover all members of the MUP agencies, including those who are still in active service or have recently joined. Currently, the monthly pension for retirees is automatically linked to the salary of the next-in-rank in the active service. Consequently, salary increases for active personnel result in an increased funding requirement for retired members. MUP members can choose to retire early after serving for at least 20 years, even before reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56. The post PBBM need to reform MUP pension system — Diokno appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»