1987 Constitution framer backs bloc voting for President, VP
MANILA, Philippines — While believing that the 1987 Constitution should not be blamed for the country’s problems, one of its framers expressed openness to some amendments: such as the implementation of bloc voting for the presidential and vice presidential posts. During the meeting of the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes on […] The post 1987 Constitution framer backs bloc voting for President, VP appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Most Filipinos reject Charter change, lifting foreign ownership restrictions
An overwhelming majority of Filipinos oppose changing the 1987 Constitution at this time, according to a new Pulse Asia Survey, with results showing Filipinos in all regions and all socio-economic classes did not support the lifting of foreign ownership restrictions in key industries......»»
‘Senate rules on Cha-cha on the right track’
The Senate rules on amending the 1987 Constitution are “on the right track” and ready even before the sub-committee wraps up its discourse on the Resolution of Both Houses 6 pushing Charter change, a senator said......»»
Cha-cha plebiscite and midterm polls in one event: A test of Comelec s independence
BOTH LEGISLATIVE chambers are now leading charter change discussions. Legislators have repeatedly said that amendments will be limited to economic measures in the 1987 Constitution.Meanwhile, the conduct of the plebiscite had Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair George Garcia describe the logistical preparations required for it. He argued that it should be held as a separate event from the 2025 midterm electi.....»»
Cha-cha plebiscite during mid-year elections: No media question on Comelec s apparent uncertainty
BOTH LEGISLATIVE chambers are on the forefront of ongoing charter change discussions. Legislators have repeatedly said that amendments will be limited to economic measures in the 1987 Constitution.Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections (Com.....»»
FEF backs Charter change to ease economic provisions
The Foundation for Economic Freedom is backing moves to amend the 1987 Constitution by lifting restrictive economic provisions to enable the country to attract foreign investments......»»
Magna carta for seafarers certified as urgent welcomed
Senators welcomed the move of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to certify as urgent a proposed measure crafting a Magna Carta for seafarers. Senator Raffy Tulfo, the sponsor of Senate Bill 2221 otherwise known as the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, said the passage of the proposed measure will promote the welfare and continuous employment of seafarers on board foreign-owned vessels. "I am very happy that we have passed the first phase of the period of amendments for the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers bill yesterday (25 Sept), which coincides with the celebration of the National Maritime Week,” he said. In a letter to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri dated 25 September, Marcos emphasized the need for the immediate enactment of SB 2221 to address "recurring deficiencies in our domestic laws pertaining to the training and accreditation of thousands of Filipino seafarers.” Tulfo expressed confidence that the bill will soon be passed into law. "Matapos ang unang stage ng period of amendment at ang suportang ito mula mismo kay Pangulong BBM, mas tiwala ako na mapapabilis ang pagsasabatas ng Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers bill," he said, as he rallied for the need to address shortcomings in the education and certification of Filipino mariners. Among other lawmakers who filed their versions of the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers include Senators Joel Villanueva, Risa Hontiveros, Bato dela Rosa, Jinggoy Estrada, Robinhood Padilla, Cynthia Villar, Sonny Angara, Grace Poe, Win Gatchalian, Bong Revilla, Christopher Bong Go, Mark Villar, Loren Legarda, and Zubiri. Go, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers earlier cited the significant role of Filipino seafarers in global trade and marine transportation. He noted the industry’s huge contribution of all overseas Filipino workers to the country's economy. Go said the Philippines has been the primary source of maritime labor and considered the manning capital of seafarers globally since 1987. Of the 1.5 million mariners worldwide, 25 percent are Filipino sea-based workers, making them the single biggest nationality bloc in the maritime industry, he added. Hence, the passage of a proposed Magna Carta for the Seafarer must be crucial “for protecting the rights and welfare of seafarers in situations where they are vulnerable or exploited, such as during emergencies, accidents, or conflicts,” said Go. The post Magna carta for seafarers certified as urgent welcomed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NYC activities above board — chairman
National Youth Commission chairman Ronald Cardema defended the agency's annual hosting of Sangguniang Kabataan summits and trainings which were flagged by the Commission on Audit, pointing to Kabataan Partylist Representative Raoul Manuel as the one besmirching his office. In an interview with the Daily Tribune at the NYC office in Quezon City, Cardema said newspaper reports (not in this paper) failed to mention that not a single "disallowance" was made. In its annual audit report on the NYC for 2022, the COA noted the agency’s “excessive payment of hotel room reservations,” as well as the local accounts of NYC showed that its training expenses amounted to P31.4 million while travel expenses reached P5.43 million. The COA said that the NYC’s local travel expenses jumped by 321 percent from P1.29 million in 2021 to P5.43 million in 2022. Training expenses, on the other hand, surged by 575 percent from P4.65 million to P31.4 million during the same period. "Of course, it would jump. From pandemic period which we are barred from holding such, it will surely ballooned because we never hold those trainings during that period," Cardema explained. He added that they are mandated to hold SK trainings, sometimes called "summit", to prepare the young officials for their positions. An annual budget of P50 million is allotted for this purpose, and according to Cardema, there are over 42,000 barangays around the country that have the same number of SK officials composed also of a chairman and seven kagawads (local councilors). "Di nga namin makumpletong bigyan lahat ng training sa dami (We can't even complete their entire number to train)," Cardema said, noting that some SK chairmen are also considered government officials for being the SK Federation president, heading the entire city or province's SK members and sit as a member of the city council or provincial boards. "Local officials na din ang turing sa kanila (They are considered local officials already). Sometimes they brought along with them a team (photographer, staff, and even families) and would not want to be booked at the hotel we contracted because of these factors. So they would instead pay for their own, in a much expensive hotel," the NYC official further explained. For this reason, Cardema added we're acceptable to COA. "That is why we have 'zero' disallowance (in that report)." He blamed Manuel for insinuating the NYC's alleged overspending, as he always hurled some criticism to the Makabayan Bloc in Congress which Kabataan Partylist is a member, for failing to condemn the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People's Army, and National Democratic Front. Training the SK officials, the NYC chairman said, is a hard thing to do, especially for a commission composed of only 150 personnel including him. "My travel allowance is only P500,000, that sometimes requires me to go to regions and provinces. One time I was made to attend an Asian youth forum, half of that travel allowance was spent already. How are the others, which I have to attend?," Cardema asked. The NYC is the government's sole policy-making body on youth affairs but also coordinates and implements programs designed to respond to and raise awareness on youth issues. Its mandate is enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, to wit: "The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism; and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs." The post NYC activities above board — chairman appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Singapore says ‘premature’ for ASEAN talks with Myanmar
Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said Friday that conditions were not yet right for ASEAN to open high-level talks with Myanmar on the country's political situation. "We believe it would be premature to re-engage with the junta at a summit level or even at a foreign minister level," Balakrishnan said when asked about a news report that Thailand had proposed talks. Speaking in a joint press conference in Washington with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Balakrishnan said the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations had recently reaffirmed their stance. "We condemned the coup, and the ongoing violence against civilians, the instability in the country, the setback to national reconciliation, and the enormous impact on the economy," he said of the 2021 military takeover in Myanmar. "Unfortunately, it's now more than two years. We haven't seen any signs of improvement." Balakrishnan did not reject all engagement with the Myanmar junta. "The key point is this. You do need everyone ultimately to sit down and negotiate," he said. "I don't know how long it will take. The last time it took 25 years for some form of democratic transition to occur in Myanmar. I hope it won't take that long." Blinken said the United States backs ASEAN's efforts to resolve the crisis. "It's very important that we continue, all of us, to sustain the appropriate pressure on the junta and look for ways of course to engage the opposition" in Myanmar, he said. Thailand has proposed to host an informal ministerial meeting of some ASEAN members with Myanmar on Sunday and Monday. "It is time for ASEAN to fully re-engage Myanmar at the leaders' level," according to a Thai government letter, seen by AFP. "In consideration of several pressing factors, the time for dialogues is sooner rather than later." A Myanmar junta spokesman did not respond to a request for comment on the proposal. A Southeast Asian official familiar with the matter told AFP on condition of anonymity that Malaysia would not attend the proposed meeting. But the Cambodian government said its foreign minister will attend the two-day informal discussions in Bangkok. The meeting will focus on advancing ASEAN's five-point peace plan agreed with Myanmar two years ago, Cambodia's foreign ministry said. ASEAN's last summit, held in May, ended without any significant progress on that peace plan, with Indonesian President Joko Widodo warning that the bloc risks becoming irrelevant. More than 6,000 civilians have been killed in Myanmar since the February 2021 coup, the Peace Research Institute of Oslo said in a report published Tuesday. The post Singapore says ‘premature’ for ASEAN talks with Myanmar appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pat Robertson, who made Christian right a political force, dead at 93
Pat Robertson, the soft-spoken televangelist who helped make America's Christians a powerful political force while demonizing liberals, feminists, and gays as sinners, died Thursday at the age of 93, his organization announced. The longtime host of "The 700 Club" on his huge Christian Broadcasting Network and one-time presidential candidate died at his home in Virginia Beach, according to a network statement. Robertson promoted "a worldview that believes in the inerrancy of the Bible," CBN said. "Today, his influence and legacy crisscross interests and industries that have broken barriers for countless Christian leaders and laypeople." Broadcasting "The 700 Club" daily since 1966, the avuncular Robertson promoted a literal belief in "end of times" prophecies of the Old Testament Book of Ezekiel that forecast the destruction of the world to become a Christian paradise. In practice, he advocated for an extremely conservative Christianity focused on "traditional" families and a country founded on the Bible, rejecting the longstanding US principle of separation of church and state. He defined the world as riven by an epochal fight between Islam and Christianity, and meanwhile spearheaded US Christian support for Israel as the land of the "chosen" Jewish people. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once called Robertson "a tremendous friend of Israel and a tremendous friend of mine." But he also drew loathing from progressives with his condemnations of feminism and LQBTQ culture as destroying America. His powerful support in 2016 for Donald Trump -- arguably helping seal Trump's presidential victory -- further widened the cultural chasm dividing the country. Marine, lawyer, minister Robertson was born on 22 March 1930 in Lexington, Virginia, the son of a conservative Democratic member of the US House of Representatives and then the Senate for 34 years. After graduating from Virginia's Washington and Lee University, in 1948 he joined the US Marines, serving in Korea. He then graduated from Yale Law School, was ordained a Baptist minister, and in short order launched in 1961 what became the massive CBN empire from a small television station in Tidewater Virginia. After CBN's early financial struggles, he named "The 700 Club" for an early core of 70 supporters who pledged $10 each month. The program mixed news, spiritual and lifestyle stories along with interviews of public figures, and became a hit, especially in rural communities across the country. That made it a mainstream stop for political candidates courting Christian voters: guests included Republican Ronald Reagan and Democrat Jimmy Carter. Robertson expanded into other media businesses, launching what became the popular, conservative "Family Channel" on cable television, and the influential Christian-based Regent University in Virginia Beach. Push into politics In 1987, he launched the Christian Coalition, seeking to bring together different Christian denominations as a force for the conservative values he espoused. Ever since, the organization has been at the forefront of the US culture wars, pressuring Congress and the White House on moral and religious issues such as abortion and the separation of church and state. In 1990, he launched the American Center for Law and Justice, a legal lobby to advance Christian religious rights against secularism in the courts. Robertson himself sought political office, running unsuccessfully in the Republican presidential primary in 1988. But what he built had a lasting impact: a conservative Christian voter bloc instrumental in bringing Trump to power and still exercising enormous influence over the Republican Party. "He shattered the stained glass window," TD Jakes, a Dallas pastor said in CBN's statement. "People of faith were taken seriously beyond the church house and into the White House." Controversies But there were controversies along the way. He courted Democratic Republic of the Congo dictator Mobutu Sese Seko and Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, hoping to convert their countries to Christian states where gay people were banned -- while investing in diamond mining in a deal with Mobutu. In 2001, as America reeled from the September 11 attacks, Robertson endorsed the view that tolerance for lesbians, gays, and doctors carrying out abortions had drawn God's wrath on the country. In 2005, he called for the United States to assassinate then-Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez. "It's a whole lot cheaper than starting a war," he quipped on "The 700 Club." And last year, he said Russian President Vladimir Putin was "compelled by God" to attack Ukraine because it was predicted in the Book of Ezekiel as a step toward the end of times. Washington's political establishment was remarkably quiet Thursday in response to Robertson's death. Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor, said Robertson "touched so many lives and changed so many hearts." "He stood for America -- and more importantly, for truth and faith," she said. But on the left, there was little sympathy. "Robertson's death doesn't mean we must overlook his long record of extremist rhetoric," wrote Rob Boston of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. "Robertson spent most of his time spreading hate, conspiracy theories, and lies," he said. The post Pat Robertson, who made Christian right a political force, dead at 93 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go pushes anew for Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers
Sen. Bong Go renewed his push for the passage of his filed Senate Bill No. 1191 which seeks to provide a Magna Carta for Seafarers. The senator, also Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, cited the significant role of Filipino seafarers in global trade and marine transportation as well as the huge contribution of all overseas Filipino workers to the country's economy. The bill, if passed into law, aims to cover a wide range of issues that usually affect seafarers. It shall help secure the right of the country's seafarers to decent and humane employment and set a guide for seafarers on training, overseas employment, and retirement. “I have been relentless in pursuing the interests and welfare of our overseas Filipino workers, including seafarers. Hanggang ngayon ay patuloy kong ipaglalaban ang kapakanan ng ating mga seafarers dahil hindi po biro ang kanilang trabaho na mapalayo sa kanilang mga pamilya para lang mabigyan sila ng mas magandang kinabukasan,” expressed Go. “The Philippines has been the primary source of maritime labor and considered the manning capital of seafarers globally since 1987. Of the 1.5 million mariners worldwide, 25% are Filipino sea-based workers, making them the single biggest nationality bloc in the maritime industry,” he cited previously. In an open letter of the United Filipino Seafarers Labor Federation to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and to senators, published recently, the group reiterated its support for the passage of House Bill No. 7325, also known as the Magna Carta for Seafarers. It also sought for better protection for seafarers, particularly regarding settlement of various employment-related claims. “Katulad ng pagsuporta natin sa mga OFWs hanggang sa naisabatas ang panukalang nagtatag sa Department of Migrant Workers, nais ko rin na mabigyan natin ng kaukulang suporta at proteksyon ang ating mga seafarers, kung merong Magna Carta para sa kanila, mas mabibigyan natin sila ng proteksyon at mas maraming suporta,” said Go. Meanwhile, Go thanked the European Commission (EC) after its decision to continue recognizing certificates issued by the Philippines that will allow Filipino seafarers to continue working on European Union (EU)-flagged ships. It can be recalled that in December 2021, EC informed the Philippine government that the recognition of its seafarer certificates would be withdrawn unless serious measures were taken, including compliance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for seafarers. “Nais ko rin pong pasalamatan ang European Commission sa inyong desisyon dahil ito po ay nakatulong sa halos 50,000 seafarers, ayon sa datos ng Department of Migrant Workers. Isa lamang itong patunay na ginagawa talaga ng gobyerno ang kanilang makakaya upang siguraduhin na mapangalagaan ang kapakanan ng ating mga manggagawa,” said Go. “Bilang dagdag na suporta sa seafarers, tulungan rin nating maiangat ang kanilang kapasidad sa kanilang trabaho para masigurong at par sa international standards ang kanilang kakayahan. Proteksyunan natin ang kanilang mga karapatan,” he added. The senator then underscored that the proposed Magna Carta for Seafarers is particularly crucial for protecting the rights and welfare of seafarers in situations where they are vulnerable or exploited, such as during emergencies, accidents, or conflicts. The Magna Carta seeks to systematize the rights of the seafarers into a single reference law, including their right to just terms and conditions of work, self-organization, educational advancement and training, information and consultation, fair treatment in the event of an accident, and against discrimination. It also aims to provide standard terms and conditions of employment for seafarers, including provisions related to wages, hours of work and rest, leaves, and social welfare benefits. If enacted, it shall likewise mandate ship owners to provide medical care, both on-board and ashore, as well as a financial security system to assist our seafarers in case of injuries. Believing that all Filipino migrant workers, including seafarers, should be given the necessary support and benefits that they rightfully deserve, Go was instrumental in the enactment of Republic Act No. 11641, creating the DMW. The Senate version of the Act, Senate Bill No. 2234, was co-authored and co-sponsored by Go. DMW serves as the lead agency for implementing policies, plans and programs that will ensure the protection, promotion of interests, timely resolution of problems, and effective reintegration of OFWs. “Regalo po natin ito sa ating mga OFWs po na nagsasakripisyo po. Malaking inaambag nila sa ating bayan, mga modern-day heroes natin, para po ito sa inyo, itong Department of Migrant Workers,” Go cited. “Bukod sa DMW, nandiyan na rin ang OFW hospital na naipatayo noong panahon ni dating pangulong Duterte. May Malasakit Center na rin doon para matulungan ang OFWs at kanilang mga pamilya sa pagpapagamot. Ito po ay pangarap lamang natin noon na naisakatuparan na ngayon. Patuloy po nating ipaglalaban ang kapakanan ng mga Pilipino nasaan man sila sa mundo,” he assured. The post Bong Go pushes anew for Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Seafarers Magna Carta pushed
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go maintains the crucial role of seafarers in the global economy as he continues to push for Senate Bill 1191, which seeks to provide a Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers in line with his commitment to promote their welfare and protect their rights before, during and after employment. The proposed measure aims to cover a wide range of issues that usually affect seafarers. If passed into law, it shall help secure the right of the country’s seafarers to decent and humane employment and set a guide for seafarers on training, overseas employment, and retirement. “The Philippines has been the primary source of maritime labor and considered the manning capital of seafarers globally since 1987. Of the 1.5 million mariners worldwide, 25 percent are Filipino sea-based workers, making them the single biggest nationality bloc in the maritime industry,” he cited previously. Meanwhile, Go thanked the European Commission after its decision to continue recognizing certificates issued by the Philippines that will allow Filipino seafarers to continue working on European Union-flagged ships. It can be recalled that in December 2021, EC informed the Philippine government that the recognition of its seafarer certificates would be withdrawn unless serious measures were taken, including compliance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for seafarers. The senator then underscored that the proposed Magna Carta for Seafarers is particularly crucial for protecting the rights and welfare of seafarers in situations where they are vulnerable or exploited, such as during emergencies, accidents, or conflicts. The Magna Carta seeks to systematize the rights of the seafarers into a single reference law, including their right to just terms and conditions of work, self-organization, educational advancement and training, information and consultation, fair treatment in the event of an accident, and against discrimination. In another development, Go last Wednesday responded to the needs of fire victims in Parañaque City as he personally led a relief operation for them in Barangay Don Galo. To ensure that all necessary support are given to the affected households, Go coordinated with the officials in the city, including Congressman Edwin Olivarez, Mayor Eric Olivarez, Vice Mayor Joan Villafuerte, Don Galo Punong Barangay Marilyn Burgos, and La Huerta Punong Barangay Peter Augustine “PA” Velasco, among others. The post Seafarers Magna Carta pushed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Lawmaker backs foreign media ownership under Cha-cha
An ally of President Marcos in the House of Representatives has expressed support for amending the 1987 Constitution, which he said should include “foreign investments in mass media” as long as management is left “exclusively” to Filipinos......»»
SC backs pullout from ICC
The President of the Philippines can unilaterally withdraw from international agreements that he or she determines to be contrary to the 1987 Constitution or laws, according to the Supreme Court......»»
Throwing the baby out with the bathwater
President Rodrigo Duterte wants to change the 1987 Constitution because he wants to scrap the provision on the party-list system as it has been infiltrated by alleged communists, particularly those belonging to the Makabayan bloc......»»
Salceda backs purely economic Cha-cha
Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda supports purely economic amendments to the 1987 Constitution, especially provisions designed to ease up the overly restrictive foreign ownership provisions of the 1987 Constitution to help pave the way for political and economic stability in the country......»»
Senate minority bloc backs call for De Lima release
The Senate minority bloc led by Sen. Franklin Drilon has welcomed the resolution adopted by the European Parliament calling for Sen. Leila de Lima’s release from detention. According to them, it is a “welcome addition” to the increasing number of respected persons and institutions that condemn the politically-motivated charges filed against their colleague. “We express […].....»»
Survey shows Cha-cha still unpopular with Filipinos — Senate leaders
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said that the findings of the survey by private pollster Pulse Asia, which was released on Wednesday, show that Charter change is an "unpopular move.".....»»
Numerous Individuals and Businesses Profit from Trump Media Stock
Former President Donald J. Trump’s social media company, Truth Social, had a successful first official trading session on the Nasdaq, with shares surging and approaching.....»»
Marcos tells Filipinos to serve others during Holy Week
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s message to Filipinos during Holy Week encourages tham to "serve others.".....»»
Revisiting Uniteam (Last of 2 parts)
THE Uniteam coalition of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, described by many political analysts as the "dream team", had come a long way since sweeping the 2022 elections......»»