3 Oponganons receive OWWA-7 scholarship
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Philippines – Three Oponganons were granted a scholarship grant from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)-7, under its Educational Assistance through Scholarship Emergencies (EASE) program. OWWA-7 officer-in-charge (OIC) regional director Mae Codilla and Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan handed the certificates to the three Oponganons, namely: Julisa Dejito, Mervin Garcia, and Vincent […] The post 3 Oponganons receive OWWA-7 scholarship appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
UA& P Introduces Pioneer PLM Scholars, Seeks More Applicants for 2024-2025
On August 1, the University of Asia and the Pacific held a welcome briefing for the first-ever recipients of the distinguished Placido L. Mapa, Jr. Scholarship Endowment (PLM Grant). The five UA&P freshmen who have been selected to receive the PLM Grant are the following: Melvin Jabez Gonzales Canoza (Valenzuela City School of Math and […].....»»
Cacdac to continue Ople’s projects
Newly appointed officer-in-charge of the Department of Migrant Workers, Hans Leo J. Cacdac, on Saturday said he will continue the programs that the late secretary Susan “Toots” Ople spearheaded in their department, and make sure that her vision for the DMW would be achieved. “Malaking gap… big shoes to fill ang kanyang iniwan,” Cacdac said in a radio interview. "She (Ople) set the direction that we will stand by and strengthen," Cacdac added. Cacdac was the department’s undersecretary for welfare and foreign employment before he was appointed DMW OIC. He also served as administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administrator (OWWA) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). Cacdac said the first task at hand is to defend the DMW’s proposed P15-billion budget at the Senate next week. He also plans to strengthen the P1.2-billion action fund for legal assistance to OFWs. “One of her (Ople) last public statements was that OFWs whose rights are violated will now be able to file cases and get justice," Cacdac said. Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople who died on 22 August 2023 also wanted a cancer fund established for migrant workers and for the digitalization within the agency to continue. In July, the DMW launched an app for OFW meant to streamline the processing of labor and overseas documents. Cacdac said the Saudi government has already formed a technical committee that would implement Saudi King Salman’s orders regarding OFWs with unpaid wages. The DMW has said that at least 10,000 OFWs who had worked for nine Saudi companies that declared bankruptcy following the economic crisis in 2015 would receive “full payment” of their pending wages. So far, Cacdac said, the Saudi government has assured them there is funding and resources for the payout. He added, though, that processing is still ongoing and that the Saudi government has not given a definite timeline on when the money will be released. “There is a challenge in determining who the claimants are and how the distribution will be done in coordination with the Philippine side,” he said. "Ople said last November that the Saudi government would “set aside two billion Riyals (or) about more than P30.2 billion to help our displaced workers,” Cacdac recalled. The funds will cover workers from Saudi OGer, MMG, the Bin Laden group, and other construction companies that declared bankruptcy in 2015 and in 2016, she said then. Ople, Cacdac said, wanted the DMW to feel like the home of overseas Filipino workers. The post Cacdac to continue Ople’s projects appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NHA to launch 1st People’s Caravan
The National Housing Authority over the weekend announced that it will launch its first-ever People’s Caravan on 15 September 2023 at the Villa de Adelaida Housing Project in Brgy. Halang, Naic, Cavite. The program is the NHA’s new and innovative method of delivering various government services effectively and directly to the beneficiaries. NHA General Manager Joeben Tai’s directed Assistant General Manager Alvin S. Feliciano to head the activity, in cooperation with Naic Municipality Mayor Ruperto C. Dualan and Vice Mayor Junio C. Dualan. It can be recalled that the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) had already expressed its willingness to provide free legal consultations on housing-related concerns and other legal services. This is to signify their support for the success of the NHA’s initiative in bringing its services closer to the beneficiaries. In ensuring the health and wellness of the beneficiaries, the Municipality of Naic, Cavite, together with the Department of Health (DOH) will conduct a medical mission. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) will give away free vitamins and medicine to residents who are in need, while the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will offer free medical check-ups and haircuts. The Department of Agriculture (DA) will offer affordable agricultural products that can be purchased at the NHA-DA KADIWA store of the Department of Agriculture (DA). For residents interested in expanding their agricultural expertise, the DA Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) will conduct skills training demonstrations. The participants of the said training will receive starter kits and planting materials. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on the other hand, will provide on-site internet services to help the beneficiaries with their online connectivity. For beneficiaries looking for work opportunities, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will hold a job fair together with the Public Employment Service Office. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will facilitate an intensive orientation on sustainable livelihood programs (SLP). The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is willing to teach business consultancy and literacy and orientation on business capital. Meanwhile, skills training demonstrations about food processing, food technology, and food packaging will be discussed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and DOST-Food and Nutrition Research Institute. The Land Transportation Office (LTO) will support the event through its LTO on Wheels by rendering renewal of motor vehicle registration, application for new/renewal of student permit, and renewal of Driver's License available. In addition, the Pag-IBIG Fund intends to register non-members and issue PAG-IBIG Loyalty Card Plus to NHA beneficiaries. The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will render services in Philhealth ID registration and issuance. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) will assist beneficiaries through the registration of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys), issuance of ePhilID, and application services of birth certificates, certificates of no marriage (CENOMAR), death certificates, and marriage certificates. Residents will also have the chance to accomplish their SSS membership enrollment and verification at the Social Security System booth. The People's Caravan is also in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in conducting free skills training demonstrations and training and orientation on the livelihood and scholarship programs and services. The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) will disseminate information on the programs and services of their agency. The Commission of Population and Development (CPD) will provide an orientation on their accessible services and programs and will distribute free population control kits. Meanwhile, the Province of Cavite will also provide essential services, and the Philippine National Police and AFP will ensure peace and safety during the conduct of the said caravan. In line with this, the NHA invites all Caviteños to join and support the very first People’s Caravan of the agency. To cater to more beneficiaries, four more People’s Caravans are expected to be launched in Luzon. The Authority is optimistic that future People’s Caravans in the country will gain more support and partnerships from other government agencies and the private sector. The post NHA to launch 1st People’s Caravan appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Grumbling mounts
There continues to be discontent among certain sectors regarding the proposed policy on military pensions, and now there is another idea floated to scrap the free college education. Just like a low rumbling sound of thunder, affected sectors are grumbling over Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno’s statement that the free access to state university education is “unsustainable” — which is indicative of a potential effort to repeal a landmark legislation enacted during the administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, who appointed Diokno as Budget and Management secretary and then Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governor. For six years as a member of Duterte’s economic team, we were oblivious to Secretary Diokno’s opposition to Republic Act 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act of 2017. Straight from the horse’s mouth during a forum organized by the University of the Philippines School of Economics on 19 August, he said the law is anti-poor since “there are more poor people who do not attend college.” To say that subsidizing college education really “consumes a lot of funds” is irresponsible, anti-Filipino and anti-development. RA 10931 was embraced by Filipinos during a period when the financial situation of the government appeared stable. The blame for becoming indebted to finance the efforts to control the pandemic falls neither on the people nor on the national government. Fast forward to post-pandemic, there is no convenient excuse for sacrificing human investment through debt for education to support lavish government expenditures in the wake of the national government pronouncements that the gross national product increased to P5.643 billion in the second quarter of 2023 from P5.592 billion in the first quarter of 2023. Truth be told, 2.46 million students were beneficiaries of a free college education during the academic year 2021-2022. It is not only they who are reaping the rewards of one of the “most long-lasting” legacies of former president Duterte’s administration, but their families, communities, and the country. Jade Baguna, a Tertiary Education Subsidy or TES program graduate in Social Work, cannot help but share the positive impact of the policy on his life and his family. Despite facing challenges like long walks to and from school and a meager weekly allowance during high school, the program enabled him to complete his degree, achieve the eighth position in the board examination, and become a Social Work instructor. The Finance Secretary may have lost his train of thought that investing in free college education has long-term economic benefits. A well-educated workforce is crucial to driving innovation, technological advancements, and economic growth. By providing access to higher education, the country can nurture a pool of skilled professionals who will contribute to various industries, drive entrepreneurship and attract investments. At a time when the need to rejuvenate an economy is paramount, scrapping free college education may limit the availability of qualified workers, hinder economic development and reduce global competitiveness. One of the most compelling arguments for a free college education is that it promotes equal opportunity and social mobility. By removing financial barriers, individuals from all socioeconomic backgrounds can pursue higher education based on merit and potential rather than financial means. This ensures that talented and motivated students, regardless of their background, have a fair chance to improve their lives and contribute to society. Sec. Diokno’s sustainability concerns sparked a debate. Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Prospero de Vera said there is nothing better than for a country to invest in its young people and produce highly skilled manpower. “It’s the best anti-poverty strategy. You educate an individual, you make him employable, and you make sure the poverty stops with him or with her,” he said. For Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez, taking out the scholarship program is synonymous with seeing a decay of education in our country. “Education is the great emancipator of people from the bondage of poverty. With education you are able to move forward with your family,” he said. Senator Francis Tolentino has this to say: “Perhaps the lack of money of the national government should not be the reason why they cannot be given the opportunity to study. Education is a basic human right. We need to provide our youth with the necessary basic tertiary education.” Higher education provides a holistic learning experience and fosters personal growth and critical thinking. It promotes civic engagement, social responsibility, and the development of well-rounded citizens. By scrapping free college education, we risk limiting these benefits and creating a society that is less educated, less informed, and less equipped to tackle complex societal challenges. Time and again, it pays to revisit Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Access to education should not be seen as a privilege but as a fundamental right. In other words, recognizing education as a human right implies that every individual is entitled to receive an education, without any form of discrimination, as it is legally protected. The post Grumbling mounts appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
4 MMSU freshmen students receive scholarship grant
ILOCOS NORTE - A memorandum of agreement signing ceremony held on Wednesday, 16 August, at the Mariano Marcos State University FEM Hall between MMSU and engineering corporation First Balfour Inc. sealed a deal of partnership to award scholarship grants to MMSU engineering students. University President Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, Hon. Vice Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, and First Balfour, Inc. President & COO Mr. Anthony L. Fernandez, spearheaded the said MOA signing ceremony. Dr. Jan Rich Guira said in his speech that this is a product of months of constant communication between Balfour and MMSU. Meanwhile, College of Engineering Student Affairs and Services Coordinator Engr. Marie Angeli Peñaflor remarked, "With this MOA signing, we set forth on a shared vision to empower, uplift, and transform lives through engineering education." For Israel Agarpao Edra, an incoming BS in Civil Engineering freshman and one of the four selected scholars, the scholarship is a great help and he is happy and thankful to First Balfour and the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte for providing them with this. The scholars will receive living, book, and transportation allowances as well as a first-of-its-kind dormitory allowance for those who will be living in the City of Batac. Aside from these benefits, the sponsor company also promised direct employment after graduation. The post 4 MMSU freshmen students receive scholarship grant appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Abby ‘pained’ losing 300K Makatizens
Makati Mayor Abby Binay yesterday expressed concern over the welfare of more than 300,000 residents to be affected by the recent Supreme Court ruling that their areas fall under the jurisdiction of Taguig City. In a video message aired on the city’s official Facebook page, Binay assured the residents that the Makati local government would work with the national government to address their plight. She stressed that Makati’s jurisdictional dispute with Taguig is not about the Bonifacio Global City, or politics, but the welfare of Makati residents in the 10 barangays covered by the SC decision. Binay said it is “painful” for her to be separated from the “over 300,000 Makatizens.” “I am worried for the future of thousands of youth and students who will not be able to graduate from our public elementary and high schools in Makati, and at the University of Makati,” Binay said. “They will no longer receive the unique benefits and incentives that only Makati is giving. What will happen to them now?” she lamented. Binay also expressed concern over senior citizens and the health benefits of those who would be affected. “It is them I am most concerned about. It feels like I have lost children, parents, and grandparents. I have nurtured and taken care of them from the very start,” she added. The mayor said that in 2022 alone, Makati set aside over P9 billion for the welfare of District 2 residents. “We do not regard these as costs. It is the right of every Makatizen, as taxpayers and residents of Makati, to share in the city’s progress,” the mayor said. The mayor also expressed disbelief over statements that Taguig is prepared to provide over 300,000 residents of the 10 barangays with the same services and benefits they are receiving from Makati. She cited Taguig’s announcement that graduating senior high school students from these barangays can now avail themselves of their scholarship program. Since most would not meet the basic requirement of a three-year residency in Taguig, Binay doubted the 3,000 Makati senior high school graduates would be able to immediately become Taguig scholars. “Is it not clearly just an empty promise?” she said, adding that Taguig’s local government has not been providing to its constituents the level of benefits enjoyed by Makati residents. The SC has ruled with finality that BGC and the Enlisted Men’s Barangays, or EMBOs, are part of the territory of Taguig City. The dispute between Makati and Taguig over the ownership of BGC had gone on for over two decades now. The post Abby ‘pained’ losing 300K Makatizens appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Lopez scholarship benefits 13 students
Lopez-led First Philippine Industrial Park or FPIP and FIRST Industrial Science and Technology College Inc. or FIRST College have opened a P1-million educational fund for poor yet bright students of two host cities in Batangas province. The scholarship fund, a pilot program for FPIP, will accept an initial batch of 13 indigent scholars. FPIP president Francis Giles Puno and FIRST College President Joaquin Quintos IV signed a memorandum of agreement recently to implement a holistic educational grant for eligible students. The program is open to all incoming Grades 11 and 12 students who are currently enrolled in FIRST College and residing either in Tanauan City or Santo Tomas City in Batangas. Scholars each enjoy a financial grant of P74,500 per year for tuition and matriculation fees, including P4,200 in monthly stipend and Internet allowance. As recipients under this holistic scholarship program, the eligible scholars will receive close guidance from, as well as kumustahan and counseling sessions with, FPIP and FIRST College. These interactions will help FPIP and FIRST College track the progress of the scholars and ensure their academic and personal development. First Philippine Holdings Corporation, a diversified conglomerate controlled by the Lopez family, established FPIP in 1996 with Sumitomo Corporation of Japan to create a world-class economic zone for global manufacturers and traders, as well as a platform for employing ordinary Filipinos and for generating government revenues. The 520-hectare ecozone, straddling Santo Tomas and Tanauan in Batangas, now provides employment for almost 80,000 Filipinos, aside from generating hundreds of millions of pesos in tax revenues for the host LGUs. FPH subsequently established FIRST College in 2018 with a vision to create a school that will deliver real-world, relevant, up-to-date, practical, technical training. Located right inside FPIP, FIRST College offers a unique curriculum and academic approach in close collaboration with industry partners, many of whom are FPIP locators themselves. This close collaboration allows students to gain extensive hands-on learning experience with industry professionals as their mentors. FPIP is a proud and consistent partner to its host communities in providing jobs and programs to link educational gaps for its network schools in Batangas. The post Lopez scholarship benefits 13 students appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
In Lapu-Lapu City, 855 TUPAD beneficiaries receive pay
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu – A total of 855 Oponganons benefitted from the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program of the Department of Labor and Employment in Central (DOLE)-7. Beneficiaries are set to received P4,350 each that they could claim from a partner remittance center using the cash cards that were distributed on Wednesday, […] The post In Lapu-Lapu City, 855 TUPAD beneficiaries receive pay appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
DOST: 9,776 qualify for STEM scholarships
The Department of Science and Technology has announced 9,776 passers of its national scholarship qualifying exam who will receive undergraduate scholarships to pursue Science and Technology, Engineering and Mathematics or STEM studies......»»
More Oponganons receive financial aid from AICS program
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu—A total of 2,023 Oponganons will receive P1,500 cash assistance from the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The said program was funded by Lapu-Lapu City lone district Representative Paz Radaza. Radaza said that beneficiaries of the program comes from the poorest […] The post More Oponganons receive financial aid from AICS program appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Oponganons receive financial assistance from DSWD-7
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu—A total of 5,000 residents here have received their financial assistance worth P1,500 each from the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Region 7 (DSWD-7). The distribution started last December 10 and 11, 2020 in the barangays on Olango Island, and followed on December 14 to 18, 2020 for the barangays in […] The post Oponganons receive financial assistance from DSWD-7 appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Kin of deceased OFWs receive livelihood assistance from OWWA-XI
DAVAO CITY- The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) - Regional Welfare office XI headed by its Regional Director, Ron Lionel Bartolome awarded a livelihood starter kit to the dependents.....»»
7-foot Fil-Am Sage Tolentino officially offered scholarship by Kansas
Another Filipino-American may very well be making the Philippines proud in the US NCAA sometime soon. Sage Tolentino, a talented teen born and bred in Hawaii to Filipino parents, has formally received a scholarship offer to study and suit up for the Kansas Jayhawks. "Blessed to receive an offer from Kansas," the 7-foot, 16-year-old posted in his Instagram. "Thanks to coach [Bill] Self for believing in me." View this post on Instagram Blessed to receive an offer from Kansas. Thanks to Coach Self and Coach Townsend for believing in me. All glory to God!???????? #jayhawks #dreams #blessed A post shared by Sage Tolentino ???????????? (@sagee23_) on Jul 23, 2020 at 1:06pm PDT Kansas is a three-time national champion in the US NCAA and had been home to NBA stars such as Joel Embiid and Andrew Wiggins. The Jayhawks also produced the likes of Wilt Chamberlain and Paul Pierce. Last year, Tolentino posted per game counts of 13.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks to stand as the pillar in Maryknoll High's back-to-back championships in the Hawaii High School Athletics Association. With that, he was mentioned as a probable piece in the future of Gilas Pilipinas......»»
PHAPi: Cyber-attack on PhilHealth to further delay unpaid claims reimbursement
The Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. on Wednesday said it is expecting further delays in the reimbursement of arrears of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to private hospitals due to the cyber-attack on the agency’s online system. According to PHAPi president Dr. Rene de Grano, the cyber-attack on the state-run health insurer’s online system is expected to cause further delay in its promise to settle its outstanding debts to hospitals amounting to P27 billion. “During the past hearing, PhilHealth president [Emmanuel] Mandy Ledesma promised to pay by December the P27 billion-worth of supposed arrears of PhilHealth to different hospitals,” De Grano told reporters in a chance interview. “Of course, we are hoping that it will be pushed through. But then this problem (cyber-attack) came, which made PhilHealth’s entire system down, then of course, we will be expecting more delays,” he added. Over the weekend, PhilHealth confirmed reports that there was an “information security incident” on its online system. The Department of Information and Communications Technology previously stated that the agency’s system was attacked by Medusa ransomware. As defined by Trend Micro, a multinational cyber security software company, ransomware is a type of malware that prevents or limits users from accessing their system, either by locking the system’s screen or by locking the users’ files until a ransom is paid. In the state-run health insurer’s case, the Medusa ransomware group was said to be demanding $300,000 in exchange for access to its system. The group threatened to leak the personal information of PhilHealth members if it did not pay the ransom. Worst case scenario Earlier this month, Ledesma made a commitment before lawmakers in the budget deliberation of the House Committee on Appropriations on the proposed P199 billion budget of the Department of Health for next year that the state-run health insurer would settle “a bulk or majority” of its P27 billion unpaid claims to various hospitals in the country. Of the P27 billion worth of unpaid claims by PhilHealth to various hospitals, P10 to P15 billion are estimated to be from private hospitals. Unlike big private hospitals that have “buffer funds,” De Grano said that further delays in payment would cripple the operations of smaller private hospitals. “Most of the small private hospitals rely on or are very dependent on patients who are NBB, charity patients, or no balance billing,” he said. “If there would be further delay in payments, smaller private hospitals will run out of money to the point that it will affect their cash flow. It will affect their operations.” If the non-payment of PhilHealth continues, he warned that smaller private hospitals would require their patients to pay their bills from their pockets. “The worst that will happen, initially, perhaps smaller private hospitals would no longer accept [PhilHealth] beneficiaries. They would ask patients to pay their bills out of their pockets,” he said. “Because, otherwise, we can no longer provide these services. Private hospitals are paying for their nurses, medicines, and supplies. If PhilHealth won’t pay them, it would empty their funds,” he added. Delayed HEA Meanwhile, De Grano also expressed his support for the complaint filed by a group of private healthcare workers against several DOH regional offices before the Anti-Red Tape Authority over the long overdue distribution of their health emergency allowances or HEA. “They prioritized the government facilities. The private [hospitals] were left,” he said. “They should tell the truth. They must tell if there are no longer funds available.” Earlier this week, the United Private Hospital Unions of the Philippines, whose members are part of at least 26 private hospitals in the country, filed a complaint against DOH regional offices over its failure to distribute P5.8 billion worth of HEA. Under Republic Act No. 11494, also known as the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, healthcare workers who were at the frontline of the government's fight against COVID-19 are mandated to receive HEA and other benefits. The post PHAPi: Cyber-attack on PhilHealth to further delay unpaid claims reimbursement appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ICTSI-Ecuador handles 135M tons cargo
International Container Terminal Services Inc.’s unit in Ecuador, Contecon Guayaquil S.A., marked a milestone in its 16-year operation at the Port of Guayaquil by handling 135 million tons of cargo. “The achievement is a testament not only to the Port of Guayaquil’s position as Ecuador’s main seaport but also to CGSA’s commitment to operational efficiency, innovation, safety, and sustainability “values that serve as the foundation of CGSA’s identity and role as a growth driver for Ecuador’s foreign trade,” ICTSI said in a statement issued on Wednesday. “With more than $360 million invested since the beginning of our operation, we have created a world-class terminal with vast infrastructure, technology and equipment, contributing to the economic development of the country and the generation of jobs. More than a port, we are the strategic partner that makes Ecuador go further,”€ according to Javier Lancha, CGSA chief executive officer. CGSA handles containerized, general and bulk cargo at the Libertador Simon Bolivar Container and Multipurpose Terminal in Ecuador. As the gateway to a substantial portion of the entire Ecuadorian market volume, CGSA is optimistic about 2023 and on pace to move more than 900,000 TEUs before the end of 2023, an increase of more than five percent compared to 2022. Neo-Panamax port CGSA is currently the only terminal in Ecuador capable of handling three neo-Panamax ships simultaneously because of its 1,300-meter quay. Recent dredging works at the foot of the pier have increased the depth to 13.5 meters, allowing the terminal to receive the largest vessels operating on the Pacific Coast of South America. Other recent developments at CGSA include the installation of scanners to enhance security, the implementation of private LTE network technology to support digital transformation, and the launch of the Port-to-Door platform that allows customers to track their cargo in real-time using the CGSA App. In March 2007, ICTSI was awarded by the port authority of Guayaquil or Autoridad Portuario de Guayaquil a 20-year operating concession for the Container and Multipurpose Terminals. Later in May, a contract was formally signed between APG and CGSA. The terminal handles containerized, general and bulk cargo. The post ICTSI-Ecuador handles 135M tons cargo appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ex-employee questions BI chief’s appointment
The job of Immigration Commissioner Norman Garcera Tansingco may be in limbo following the revelation by a former bureau employee that Tansingco has a pending case before the Office of the Ombudsman. Based on a document obtained by DAILY TRIBUNE, Tansingco is among the respondents in a human smuggling complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman by former Bureau of Immigration Intelligence Division employee Richard de Leon Cabochan Jr. on 21 April 2015. “One of the respondents in the complaint is Atty. Norman Garcera Tansingco. Based on my records, the last pleading I filed in the case was a supplemental affidavit dated 24 June 2015. In addition, I also filed two other cases with your honorable office docketed as OMB CASE NO. IC-OC-14-1351° and OMB CASE NO. IC-0C-14-4768,” Cabochan told DAILY TRIBUNE when sought for comment. Cabochan was prompted to question Tansingco’s appointment through a letter addressed to Ombudsman Samuel Martires dated 19 September 2022, after a clearance was released by Maria Agnes L. Forteza, Graft Investigation Officer I, dated 1 September 2022. An Ombudsman clearance is a requirement for a Presidential appointee. Cabochan, in his letter, said Tansingco is not fit to be installed as BI commissioner because of his pending case before the Ombudsman. “To my displeasure, I came to know that Atty. Tansingco, a respondent in the abovementioned case, was the newly appointed commissioner of the BI. The said event had me surprised because it is my understanding that to be a confirmed appointee of a head of a government agency, one must possess a clean record or background as evidenced by various clearances issued by concerned government offices of the Republic of the Philippines,” Cabochan’s letter to Martirez read. Cabochan said Tansingco was able to fool Malacañang’s steering committee — the Presidential Management Staff — by saying that he was not involved in any criminal or administrative cases. “An investigation of the matter showed that Atty. Tansingco obtained a ‘clearance’ stating that he had no pending criminal or administrative cases with your honorable office. To reiterate, the same was issued last 1 September 2022,” Cabochan said. “I was surprised about this development, considering that it is to my knowledge that the complaint for the alleged human smuggling that I had filed is still being heard by your honorable office and has yet to be resolved, considering that I have yet to receive any document of the results of the proceedings conducted,” Cabochan letter to Martirez read. “Despite such fact, it appears from the abovementioned document that the case I had filed was already resolved without me, the complainant, being duly informed of the same,” he added. Not notified He further asked Martirez why the Ombudsman did not notify him that Tansingco was given a clearance by the Ombudsman, a clear violation of his right to the due process of law. “It is my understanding that this runs counter to the established procedures in the resolution of filed complaints in your honorable office wherein the parties should be duly informed of the results of the proceedings. I further understand that this right to be informed of the results of the proceedings is part of the due process of law as it would allow the parties to seek relief from the decision by filing the appropriate action in case they disagree with the outcome of the proceedings,” the letter said. The post Ex-employee questions BI chief’s appointment appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
100 Cebu City structures up for demolition
The local government of Cebu City announced on Wednesday that it is set to demolish around 100 structures along F. Vestil Road in Barangay Mambaling in the south and Barangay Talamban in the north to give way in the construction of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit system. City Administrator Collin Rosell said the government will have to acquire 120 properties on both sides of F. Vestil Road and three properties in Talamban. About 100 families and property owners have to leave their homes but they were assured of compensation. The demolition plan was sent to the City Council as it should be endorsed for implementation. Rosell said the CBRT office will identify who among the property owners will be qualified to receive just compensation or housing relocation. Division for the Welfare of Urban Poor head Atty. Anthony Librando said areas affected are both commercial and residential. He added the affected owners have known that they must vacate their properties since public hearings were already conducted two years ago. Librando said the relocation site lot will be purchased by the city government while the National Housing Authority will build a medium-rise building for qualified affected residents. The proposed relocation site will be along Alviola Street, Barangay Tejero. The post 100 Cebu City structures up for demolition appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senate to reallocate CIFs to agencies engaged in WPS patrol too — Zubiri
The Senate on Wednesday mimicked the House of Representatives’ plan to reallocate confidential and intelligence funds to government agencies involved in protecting the country’s sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea such as the Philippine Coast Guard and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. According to Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, senators have agreed to follow the same path the lower chamber has taken regarding the controversial allocation of secret funds to non-security and defense agencies in the upcoming fiscal year. Zubiri said the “intelligence community” would also receive additional secret funds. “We have agreed in the Senate to do the same. We also will [be] reallocating funds that we feel are not necessary for the use of certain agencies and allocate them to our Intelligence Community as well as our Coast Guard and AFP,” he said in a Viber message sent to reporters. The decision came after various political party leaders in the lower chamber issued a joint statement to push the redirection of secret funds to agencies in charge of intelligence and security amid China’s latest actions in the West Philippine Sea. Citing China’s moves which include the installation of the floating barrier in Scarborough Shoal, political party leaders sought the allocation of more secret funds for the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, the National Security Council, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. “Recognizing the rising security threats in the West Philippine Sea and the need to secure top officials, these agencies are better positioned to counteract security threats, protect our territorial waters, and secure the rights and access of Filipino fishermen to traditional fishing grounds,” the joint statement read. "This decision also underscores the need to ensure that resource allocation aligns with national priorities and the urgent needs of the citizenry, reflecting our commitment to a budget that is balanced, equitable, and serves the true needs and aspirations of the Filipino people,” it added. The joint statement was signed by Rizal Rep. Michael John Duavit of the Nationalist Peoples Coalition, Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel of the PDP Laban, Agusan del Norte 1st District Rep. Jose Joboy Aquino of the Lakas CMD, BHW Party List Rep. Angelica Natasha Co of the Party List Coalition, Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona of the Nacionalista Party, and Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. LRay Villafuerte of the National Unity Party. How about OVP, DepEd? Zubiri was asked if the same thing would happen to the secret funds allocated to the offices headed by Vice President Sara Duterte. “We shall review all agencies,” he simply replied. Duterte, who heads the OVP and Department of Education, is requesting a total of P650 million worth of confidential funds for the two agencies, P500 million and P150 million, respectively. Under the proposed P.768-trillion National Expenditure Program for next year, a total of P9.2 billion was allocated for confidential and intelligence funds of government agencies and offices. The post Senate to reallocate CIFs to agencies engaged in WPS patrol too — Zubiri appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
OP pressed to give up CIF
The Office of the President is studying a proposal to realign for education, health, housing and social services the multi-billion-peso confidential and intelligence funds, or CIF, in the P5.768-trillion proposed 2024 national budget. This was revealed by ACT-CIS Partylist Rep. Erwin Tulfo, who stood as the sponsor of the OP budget during the debate in the House of Representatives on the P10.7-billion proposed budget for the Office of the President for next year. “This is being studied, Mr. Speaker, by the government,” Tulfo said in response to ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro’s statement that “it is high time to remove this CIF.” “Don’t give it to the civilian agency that has nothing to do with what we call confidential expenses, surveillance, and other things about intelligence,” Castro said. Tulfo, however, expressed reservations about totally removing the CIF from the budget as “it is used to gather information on national security and the internal and external threats to the country.” He said the Office of the President has allocated CIFs to seven agencies, amounting to P4.56 billion. The seven agencies are the Presidential Situation Room, National Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Coordinating Committee, National Cybersecurity Inter-Agency Committee, Presidential Anti–Organized Crime Commission, Philippine Center on Transnational Crimes, Anti-Terrorism Council Project Management Council, and National Coast Watch System, all created under various executive orders of previous administrations. Castro said the CIF has been prone to abuse. In the proposed P5.768-trillion national budget, P9.2 billion will go to CIFs across all agencies — P4.3 billion in confidential funds and P4.9 billion in intelligence funds. The OP stands to receive P4.5 billion in confidential funds. In contrast, the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, both under Vice President Sara Duterte, will receive P500 million and P150 million, respectively, or a total of P650 million. The post OP pressed to give up CIF appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers certified as urgent
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. certified as urgent the enactment of the proposed Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers to specify the rights and ensure the welfare of Filipino seafarers. In a letter dated 25 September to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Marcos underscored the need for the immediate passage of Senate Bill No. 2221, titled “An Act Providing for the Magna Carta of Filipinos Seafarers.” The enactment aims to address recurring deficiencies in the domestic laws on the training and accreditation of thousands of Filipino seafarers which endanger their employment in the European market in particular and the global maritime arena in general. “Pursuant to the provisions of the Article VI, Section 26 (2) of the 1987 Constitution, I hereby certify to the necessity of the immediate enactment of Senate Bill No. 2221,” Marcos' letter read. The bill, Marcos added, ensures that the Philippines will uphold its commitment to ensure that Filipino seafarers receive training, facilities, and equipment that are on par with international standards and those established by pertinent international conventions. The House of Representatives already passed the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers (House Bill No. 7325) on final reading on 6 March of this year with 304 votes in favor. The Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers is one of the 20 priority pieces of legislation that the President has requested Congress to approve by the end of the year, Zubiri said, who attended the third meeting of the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) last week in Malacañang. The post Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers certified as urgent appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»