Central Visayas logs 103 new cases, recovery rate hits 89%
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Central Visayas has logged 103 new cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Wednesday, October 14, 2020, a day after the active cases in the region dipped to below 1,000. In the October 14 case bulletin issued by the health department here, DOH-7 said the 103 new cases include 55 from […] The post Central Visayas logs 103 new cases, recovery rate hits 89% appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
No Nipah virus in PH, says health officials
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Officials from the Department of Health (DOH) said on Monday, October 2, that there are no confirmed cases of Nipah virus in the Philippines. Health Undersecretary Abdullah Dumama Jr. and DOH Central Visayas Director Jaime Bernadas issued the clarification following reports that students and faculty members of a school in Cagayan.....»»
Illegally detained Taiwanese nationals rescued
The National Bureau of Investigation on Sunday reported that its operatives from the NBI- Cebu District Office and NBI-Central Visayas Regional Office rescued eight Taiwanese nationals who were allegedly detained by their employer. NBI-CEBDO agent-in-charge Arnel Pura told DAILY TRIBUNE that the rescue operation was based on the complaint lodged by a certain Glendelle Grace Salvador Nerviol for illegal detention of Chong Yi Wei who sent pictures that he was physically harmed. Taiwanese national Dixon Zhang was identified as supervisor and one of the trusted men of their employer or “Boss,” reportedly a Taiwanese national, too. The rescued Taiwanese were identified Edison Lin; Yufeng Mountain; Wang Dongxin; Peter Wang; Zhang Ende, Wang Kai Cheng; Wan Tianhai and Chen Yee Chen. NBI-CEBDO Special Investigator IV Bienvenido Panican disclosed that the victims had been illegally detained since 5 September 2023, adding that the NBI received information from the live-in partner of one of the Taiwanese nationals who had been unlawfully held by his employer for over two weeks. Panican cited that NBI operatives conducted surveillance and finally rescued the detained Taiwanese nationals from a rented house at Paseo Eulala, Maria Luisa Park in Barangay Banilad, Cebu City. Reports disclosed that these individuals were involved in an online shopping scam, targeting victims in Taiwan and China. Cases for violation of Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code or serious illegal detention and violations of Republic Act 10591 or Illegal Possession of Firearms and Commission on Elections Resolution 10918 against Zhang and the Filipino driver-bodyguard identified as Ian Diabordo Naces. The post Illegally detained Taiwanese nationals rescued appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MIF Law nullification: Remote or certain?
In recent months, the Maharlika Investment Fund Law has stirred considerable controversy and debate in the Philippines. Enacted to promote economic development and address pressing issues in the country, this law has faced legal challenges and criticism from various quarters. The question that looms large is whether the Supreme Court will likely nullify this law. The Maharlika Investment Fund Law, also known as Republic Act 11954, was passed by the Philippine Congress and signed into law by the President on 18 July 2023. Its primary objective is establishing a government-managed investment fund to promote economic development, infrastructure projects, and poverty alleviation. The law outlines the creation of the Maharlika Investment Fund, or MIF, and its funding sources, including contributions from government agencies, public enterprises, and certain revenue streams. The MIF Law faced legal challenges from various individuals, groups, and organizations almost immediately after its enactment. Critics have argued that the law violates the Constitution on several grounds, including the separation of powers, the fiscal autonomy of local government units, and the due process clause. Let’s examine these legal arguments in more detail. Critics contend that the law violates the principle of separation of powers by allowing the executive branch to control and manage the funds allocated under the MIF. They argue that the legislature should have greater oversight and control over the allocation and disbursement of public funds. As the Constitution guarantees, local government units or LGUs in the Philippines enjoy fiscal autonomy. Opponents argue that the MIF law encroaches upon this autonomy by diverting funds that could otherwise be allocated to LGUs for their own development projects. Some critics also claim that the law’s provisions lack clarity and transparency, potentially leading to the arbitrary and unfair allocation of funds. They argue that this lack of due process could result in mismanagement and corruption. The Supreme Court’s decision on whether or not to nullify the Maharlika Investment Fund Law will depend on several factors, including legal arguments, political considerations, and the interpretation of the Constitution. The Court will carefully consider the legal arguments presented by both sides. It will assess whether the law indeed violates constitutional principles such as the separation of powers and fiscal autonomy. The strength and persuasiveness of these arguments will be pivotal. It may also examine previous decisions and legal precedents to guide its decision-making process. If there are past cases that bear similarities to the issues raised in the MIF law, these could influence the Court’s stance. While the Court is an independent institution, it operates within a political context. Public opinion and the perception of the law’s impact on society may indirectly influence the Court’s decision, as judges may be mindful of the broader implications of their ruling. The Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Constitution will play a central role. Justices may have differing views on interpreting constitutional provisions, which could lead to a split decision. Offhand, what are the chances then of the MIF Law being nullified? If the legal challenges successfully demonstrate that the law indeed violates fundamental constitutional principles, such as the separation of powers or the fiscal autonomy of LGUs, then the chances of nullification increase. However, if the Court finds that the law is consistent with the Constitution, it will likely be upheld. The political climate and public sentiment may also be influential factors. If there is widespread public support for the law and the government’s efforts to promote economic development, the Court may consider that when rendering its decision. Conversely, if there is strong opposition and concerns about the law’s impact on governance and fiscal management, the Court may be more inclined to scrutinize it closely. The prospects, therefore, of the Supreme Court nullifying the MIF Law are uncertain and will depend on a range of legal, political, and constitutional factors. Therefore, it is essential to remember that the Court’s decision should be based on thoroughly examining the law’s compliance with the Philippine Constitution, rather than political or public pressure. Ultimately, the judiciary’s role is to uphold the rule of law and protect the constitutionality of legislation, ensuring that justice prevails in the Philippines. The post MIF Law nullification: Remote or certain? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Floods wiped out quarter of Greek farm produce: experts
A quarter of Greece's annual agricultural production was wiped out in last week's deadly flash floods triggered by Storm Daniel, which drenched the central region of Thessaly, according to experts. The floods, which killed 15 people, have also left thousands of people in temporary shelters in hotels, schools or with relatives while 30 villages were inaccessible amid the threat of waterborne diseases. Officials were trying to determine if a body found on a beach in Pelion, central Greece, was that of an Austrian missing with his wife since last week. As government officials began the daunting task of mapping the damage dealt to the plain that feeds much of Greece, one pressing need was to dispose of tens of thousands of decomposing farm animals. Out of over 110,000 dead sheep, goats, pigs, cows and chickens reported lost by farmers, fewer than half have been buried or incinerated, officials said. Inspection crews were still unable to reach half the areas with reported dead livestock, the agriculture ministry said Wednesday. "The damage is difficult to fully assess at the moment, but according to the most optimistic scenario, 70 percent of the cotton crop and almost all of the clover has been damaged," said farmer Athanasios Karaiskos, president of the farm cooperative of the town of Farsala. Health hazard The region's apple and kiwi productions have also been hit, while warehouses storing large quantities of wheat were flooded. Some parts of Thessaly received "an astonishing 910 millimeters (three feet) of rain" more than a year's rainfall in normal conditions, said Katerina Kasimati, an agriculture engineer at the Agricultural University of Athens. "These floods caused nearly 25 percent of the year's crop production to be lost, amounting to losses in the hundreds of millions of euros," she told AFP. Commonly called 'the Plain' in Greece, Thessaly accounts for nearly a third of the country's arable land and over 18 percent of its crops. "Farmers and particularly livestock breeders are in a state of panic," said Christos Yannadakis, vice-president of the union of Greek farm cooperatives. In addition to knocking out power and flooding roads and infrastructure, the floodwater carries pesticides and waste from both farms and urban areas. The health ministry has reported dozens of cases of gastroenteritis, warning residents in several areas that tap water was still not suitable for drinking or showering. The fire department has rescued over 4,500 people from flooded areas. Seven villages are still stranded, the government said this week. Transport links hit The heavy rains and flooding followed devastating fires in Greece this summer that killed at least 26 people, most of them migrants trapped in a forest near the northeastern border with Turkey. In Strasbourg this week to discuss the issue with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Greece faced a "catastrophe of immense proportions". It was, he said, "beyond" the government's "scale of prediction and comprehension". The EU said Greece could access 2.25 billion euros in pending and additional funds for reconstruction. A part of the Athens-Thessaloniki national highway in central Greece is under water. Serious damage to the rail network will take months to repair, Panayiotis Terezakis, managing director of the Hellenic Railways Organisation, told Star TV. "The initial tally for all the damage dealt to the Thessaly rail network is 150-160 million euros," he said. Rail services from Athens to Thessaloniki in the north will likely be restored in a month, Terezakis said. For the national highway, Deputy Infrastructure Minister Nikos Tachiaos on Wednesday admitted: "There is nothing we can do. We cannot drain the waters and dump them on the plain because the water is coming from the plain... we have to wait for the natural flow," he told state TV ERT. Government under fire Mitsotakis' government, which comfortably won reelection in June, has come under fire for failing to adequately prepare after major flooding caused by a hurricane-like storm dubbed Ianos in 2020. "Millions of euros were spent on flood prevention after Ianos and three years later, Thessaly is again plunged in water and mud," the main opposition Syriza party said. The liberal Kathimerini daily over the weekend said the prime minister had put "lightweights" in key cabinet posts and urged him to "get serious". Mitsotakis is rumored to be planning a cabinet reshuffle, having already replaced two ministers since his re-election. A judicial investigation has been opened into possible failings by public officials in dealing with the storm. The post Floods wiped out quarter of Greek farm produce: experts appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Study reveals hundreds of sexual abuse victims in Swiss Catholic Church
A study into sexual abuse in the Swiss Catholic Church has identified almost a thousand victims and widespread efforts to cover up abuse, researchers at the University of Zurich said Tuesday, warning it was "just the tip of the iceberg". The year-long inquiry by historians, commissioned by Church authorities, identified 921 victims since 1950 and found that most cases either went unreported or documents containing information were destroyed. Researchers found that "Church leaders ignored, concealed or minimized most cases of sexual abuse analyzed until the 2000s". "When they were forced to act, they often did so not by focusing on the people concerned, but to protect the perpetrators, the institution or their position", the report said. The study, which will be completed by a further three-year research campaign, comes after similar efforts to uncover clerical abuse in other parts of the world. "It is without doubt just the tip of the iceberg", said Professor Marietta Meier, who led the study along with colleague Monika Dommann. According to the initial findings, 74 percent of victims were children, while a total of 510 people, almost all men, were found to have committed the abuse. More than half of the victims were male and almost 40 percent were female, the study found. The subject "has preoccupied us for a long time now and we are distressed and ashamed by it," Renata Asal-Steger, president of Switzerland's Roman Catholic Central Conference, told a press conference. "We have missed the point, we gave countless excuses and our actions fell short of what the victims are entitled to," she added. Asal-Steger emphasized that "it is an important day for the Roman Catholic Church in Switzerland". "Even though atrocious acts and countless failings within the ranks of the three national organizations of the Catholic Church will be brought to light today, we are grateful." Swiss bishops said Sunday that they had opened a preliminary inquiry into accusations of a cover-up of sexual assaults within the Church. It was set up following "allegations made against several emeritus and serving members of the Swiss Bishops' Conference as well as other clergy members in the handling of cases of sexual abuse", the group said in a statement. The post Study reveals hundreds of sexual abuse victims in Swiss Catholic Church appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Climate change supercharged this summer’s record heat: study
Record-shattering temperatures that impacted billions of people in the northern hemisphere this summer were given a massive boost by human-caused climate change, an analysis showed Thursday. The new paper by the nonprofit Climate Central group examined the period from June to August 2023, finding that greenhouse gas emissions pumped into the atmosphere since the start of the industrial era made the heat waves that baked Asia, Africa, Europe and North America far more likely. Nearly half of the global population -- more than 3.8 billion people -- were exposed to 30 or more days of extreme heat worsened by climate change, while at least 1.5 billion people lived through such temperatures every day over those three months. "Virtually no one on Earth escaped the influence of global warming during the past three months," said Andrew Pershing, Climate Central's vice president for science. "In every country we could analyze, including the southern hemisphere where this is the coolest time of year, we saw temperatures that would be difficult -- and in some cases nearly impossible -- without human-caused climate change. Carbon pollution is clearly responsible for this season's record-setting heat." The analysis relied on peer-reviewed methods to determine the likelihood of daily temperatures in each country of the world with and without today's levels of carbon pollution. A similar approach has allowed scientists to identify the climate influence, or "fingerprint," of extreme weather events, including recently the fire prone weather conditions that led to this year's wildfires in Quebec. Climate Central has developed a Climate Shift Index (CSI) that ranges from -5 to 5, with positive levels indicating temperatures that are becoming more likely due to climate change. A CSI of level 0 means climate change had no detectable influence, while level 3 indicates it made the odds of recording a specific temperature in a given time and place three times greater. According to the team's calculations, 48 percent of the world experienced 30 days during June-August with a CSI level of 3 or higher, while 1.5 billion people had such heat over the whole summer. "There really is this divide between the countries that have been the most responsible for climate change for the pollution that is driving the heat that we're experiencing right now," said Pershing. The world's least-developed nations and small island states, he said, are experiencing heat that is three to four times more climate-supercharged than G20 countries with the largest economies. Global exposure meanwhile peaked on August 16, 2023, when 4.2 billion people worldwide experienced climate-caused extreme heat. "A big part of what we're trying to do with this analysis, is to really come up with ways to try to localize that climate, that experience that individuals are having with climate change," said Pershing. The post Climate change supercharged this summer’s record heat: study appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
3 Popes: JP2, Benedict, Francis
Author’s Note. My perspective in this article is as a Catholic. Readers are warned that the Catholic Church is as human as it is divine. The human frailty and errors among Popes and Cardinals should not scandalize the faithful into leaving the Church, join the growing non-Catholic sects, led by the Born Again movement, and deepen the crisis. Rather, we should pray for the human Church to have the grace to reform itself. Note also that the term “Conservative” and “Liberal” are used as generic terms and do not necessarily apply to certain individuals. There is a vast rainbow of theological positions among Popes and Cardinals. St. Pope John Paul II or “JP2” (1978-2005) was a staunch Liberal. When Vatican journalists exposed the “Vatican mafia,” dominated by Conservatives, who embezzled Vatican Bank funds on a massive scale, JP2 shrewdly chose Conservative Cardinal Ratzinger (future Pope Benedict XVI) to contain his fellow Conservatives. Ratzinger partly succeeded, for which he was labeled the “German Shepherd,” but the Conservatives had been too big and powerful in the last few centuries to be easily extinguished totally. When JP2’s Parkinson’s disease worsened, Ratzinger advised him to resign. Instead, JP2 formed a commission to handle the Vatican mafia problem. The commission also gave him the same advice — resign. So it was a dead-end in the effort to weed out the mafia. When Ratzinger became Pope Benedict XVI (2005-2013), he still could not control his fellow Conservatives, especially the powerful Roman Curia, the central government of the Catholic Church. The corrupt Cardinals were the modern-day Pharisees who were causing a Church crisis, which was prophesied by Our Lady of Fatima. Benedict was forced to resign because he was helpless in handling the Vatican Bank scandals and the growing pedophile epidemic, two raging Church issues. In the latter, there were growing cases of pedophile prelates, from priests to cardinals, who were simply transferred to other dioceses to cover up their crimes, where they continued their evil ways. Thus, the pedophile epidemic spread even more. The cases were swept under the rug, until a massive avalanche of court cases, especially in Europe and America, was bleeding the Vatican coffers dry. Pope Benedict, before resigning, wanted the next Pope to solve the problems that he failed to solve. He chose Cardinal Bergoglio (future Pope Francis). But Bergoglio was a staunch Liberal and Benedict a staunch Conservative. Their theological perspectives were like oil and water. In spite of this, in despair, Benedict campaigned for Bergoglio, who became Pope Francis (2013-present). Benedict knew Bergoglio would easily win because he was a close runner-up in the last Papal conclave (election) where he was elected Pope. In spite of their differences, Benedict and the future Francis became intimate friends as they forged a strategy to contain the growing Church crisis. The movie “Two Popes” accurately featured the drama of their violent debates and gentle friendship. When the Liberal Bergoglio became Pope Francis, he was the first Jesuit Pope of history. The Jesuits have been the epitome of radical reforms ever since the days of the Counter Reformation (1517), a response to Luther’s Reformation, the largest splinter of the Church ever. The Jesuits led the era of counter-reforms to restore the Church. Upon ascending to St. Peter’s chair, the Liberal Pope Francis quickly suppressed the Conservatives in a deadly Blitzkrieg, especially in the Roman Curia, within six short months, shocking the Vatican media. Francis did it quickly but not totally, and he paid a dear price for it. The Conservatives exacted deep vengeance that led to the accusations of Papal “heresy” and “blasphemy’.” An eye for an eye. This was the “apostasy” (civil war) that Our Lady of Fatima also prophesied. That Satan works within the Vatican to cause havoc is a theological fact and a matter of history. Some Church historians point out that the Inquisition was the prime example of the work of the devil, where thousands were randomly beheaded without trial. Do not fret about the Church crisis. God is on top of that situation. We need only to pray for everyone, on both sides of the civil war, and God will take care of everything in His time in His way. Avoid joining the theological debates which tend to confuse. It is better to remain neutral in such complex theological issues. Let the Conservatives and Liberals fight it out. Faith has two aspects — the intellectual and the spiritual, the mind and the heart. On the mind level, it is easy to be confused (dogma, canon law, etc.). You have to prove or disprove. But on the heart level, everything becomes crystal clear, because it is simply a matter of faith. “Praise to you, Oh Father, for what you have hidden from the wise, you have revealed to little children” Luke 10:21. The post 3 Popes: JP2, Benedict, Francis appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DoH gears up vs leptospirosis surge
The Department of Health on Sunday assured that government hospitals nationwide have enough supplies of medicines as it braces for a possible surge of leptospirosis cases in flood-hit areas such as Bulacan and Pampanga. DoH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said they were expecting leptospirosis infections to rise as Filipinos dealt with massive floods triggered by monsoon rains and typhoons “Egay” and “Falcon.” “I expected a rise of leptospirosis infections. Flood waters are dirty. If you tend to wade in deep floods even if you don’t have to, you may get infected,” Herbosa said. He added that those with open wounds and waded in floods may have a higher chance of getting leptospirosis. Because of this, he advised those who may have symptoms like chills, body pain and headache to see a doctor right away. “If you have wounds on your feet, you should not be wading in the flood. See a doctor if you were forced to wade. Show your physician your wounds so he or she could prescribe you medicines,” said the DoH chief. In anticipation of possible leptospirosis cases, Herbosa said the DoH had sent antibiotics to Ilocos before typhoon “Egay” pounded the region. Central Luzon also has enough stocks of doxycycline, he added. Herbosa also stressed that leptospirosis symptoms often show one to two weeks after a massive flood hits any given place. The bacteria causing the disease usually comes from rat urine which may mix with flood water triggered by heavy rains. The post DoH gears up vs leptospirosis surge appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DOH expects increase in leptospirosis cases in coming weeks
Cases of leptospirosis in the country are expected to increase in the coming weeks as some areas in the country are still submerged in flood waters brought by Typhoon "Egay", the Department of Health said Sunday. At the Kapihan sa QC, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said the agency is prepared for the expected influx of leptospirosis cases, particularly in the Central Region, where most provinces are still submerged in floods. “I am expecting that the cases of leptospirosis will increase. Surely, many people will contract leptospirosis in the coming weeks,” Herbosa said. He noted that prior to the onslaught of Typhoon last month, the DoH had sent thousands of doses of antibiotics to the Ilocos region due to the expected influx of leptospirosis cases in the area. “Region 3 has many stockpiles. In fact, it is already prepared,” he stressed, after pointing out the floods in Bulacan and Pampanga. The Health chief reminded the public to avoid contacting flood waters, especially those who have open wounds. “Maybe we should tell the public that flood waters are dirty. If you stayed in flood waters even if you don’t have to, you are at risk,” he said. “If you have wounds on your feet, you should not submerge yourself in the flood,” he added. Herbosa urged those who have open wounds on their feet yet submerged themselves in flood waters to consult their doctors to get a prescription against leptospirosis. From 18 June to 1 July alone, the Health department recorded a total of 182 new cases of leptospirosis, a 42 percent increase from 128 cases reported two weeks prior. Central Luzon exhibited a continuous increase in cases in the recent six weeks reporting nine cases from 2 to 15 July. Meanwhile, nine regions, namely National Capital Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, and Caraga, showed an increase in cases in the last three to four weeks with seven to 53 new cases. Ilocos Norte and Bicol, however, had an increase in cases in the recent two weeks with nine and three cases reported, respectively. “Cases may still increase with late reports,” the agency said. In terms of fatality, a total of 225 died from 2,079 leptospirosis cases from 1 January to 15 July. The post DOH expects increase in leptospirosis cases in coming weeks appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US firms to dip fingers into MIF
An in-depth study by the Asian Central Journal or ACJ dated 20 July 2023 reveals that the Department of Finance forged a $1-million contract with a US PR firm, Weber Shandwick Philippines or WSP, that was signed in early January 2023, according to WSP sources. The ACJ study asks why the Maharlika Investment Fund or MIF bill was signed at the precise time Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri was in the US. “On 21 June, Senate President Zubiri reportedly signed an ‘enrolled’ copy of the MIF. Jose Manuel Romualdez, the Philippine ambassador to the US, was present for the signing. Ambassador Romualdez has long held the positions of chairman and CEO at WSP.” The ACJ study reports that, “The US was designated as the top campaign market in the PR strategy to draw US investment” and that “the MIF might be used by the US as a means of financial pressure on the (Philippines).” In other words, US funds for the MIF may be used as bait for the US to get major MIF projects in the future. The study says the WSP PR strategy aims (1) “to decrease misconceptions about the MIF, particularly those pertaining to abuse and corruption” (downplaying corruption helps fuel it); (2) “to raise awareness of it as an instrument for economic development” (sanctifying corruption as ‘economic development’); and (3) “MIF management and investment may be subject to US intervention. DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman stated on 19 April that several US corporate organizations and investors are eager to assist us in structuring the MIF.” This dangerous move towards achieving US corporate funds for the MIF will easily increase corruption tenfold, with the participation of US corporations. This was the strategy of US oil firms in Nigeria in partnership with a corrupt government to siphon the oil for the West. The US corporations turned a blind eye to the corruption. The strategy triggered the growth of terrorists in the Muslim-dominated deep north which did benefit from the “development” received by the Christian-dominated south. The ACJ report, citing the MIF, warns, “There looms a grave concern: the specter of corruption.” It cites two cases. “Norway’s sovereign wealth fund lost $174 billion (about P8.7 trillion) in the first half of 2022, while (the Singapore-based) Temasek Holdings, which is primarily regarded as a sovereign wealth fund, has seen a net loss of S$7.3 billion throughout the nearly 50 years since its founding.” If less corrupt-prone affluent nations like Norway and Singapore are unable to contain corruption in sovereign wealth funds, what more a Third World nation like the Philippines, which is noted for rampant unstoppable corruption? In its 2020-2022 survey, the Philippines ranked no. 116 out of 180 nations (the higher the ranking, the more corrupt) in the Corruption Perceptions Index published by Transparency International. Norway ranked No. 4 and Singapore No. 5 as least corrupt. (Source: Wikipedia). The MIF Act provides that a Maharlika Investment Corporation or MIC will be established to manage the MIF fund. The ACJ study is concerned that the MIC board of directors will consist of presidential appointees “based on favor rather than talent… in a nation where nepotism is rife.” (Ambassador Romualdez is the second cousin of Marcos Jr. It’s all in the family.) This will induce a “lack of transparency in regulation and a high risk of financial embezzlement.” The ACJ study argues that “the MIF could be a weapon for politicians to steal from the public coffers,” citing the case of Angola. In 2018, Jose Filomeno dos Santos, ex-sovereign fund chairman and son of ex-President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, was charged with the theft of $1.5 billion. In 2015, the Wall Street Journal reported that Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak transferred about $700 million from the 1Malaysia Development Berhad fund to his personal account. The ACJ study reports that Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised $6.5 billion in five years. In an investigation after the 1MDB scandal broke out, Goldman Sachs admitted stealing $1 billion from 1MDB “to bribe officials in Malaysia and other nations, including (payments) for the extravagant lifestyles of Malaysian officials and purchasing luxury yachts and hotels for them.” Goldman Sachs pocketed $4.6 billion in bribes and kickbacks. Ex-Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in the massive 1MDB heist. It will be easy for creative Filipino politicians to improve on this type of ‘Financial Terrorism’ with the help of equally corrupt Western corporations. They must be drooling in excitement. This evil partnership of government and multinationals is the biggest hindrance to the true development of Third World countries. Even as the MIF heist is yet to happen, the solons are cooking up a more sinister storm, the Overseas Filipino Workers Sovereign Wealth Fund, tapping the biggest dollar earner of the country. This is “stealing” the hard-earned money of our workers. The OFWs may rise in protest. *** eastwindreplyctr@gmail.com The post US firms to dip fingers into MIF appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Appeal of Civil Service Commission (1)
Does the Civil Service Commission or CSC have a legal standing to appeal to the Supreme Court a reversal or modification of its decision by the appellate court? The Supreme Court was once again confronted with this issue in the recent case of CSC vs. Fuentes (Fuentes) [G.R. 237322, 10 January 2023]. In laying down the guidelines as to when the CSC can appeal a reversal of its decisions, the Court found it necessary to revisit the mandate of the CSC and its powers and functions, and did a survey of jurisprudence which involved the same issue. The CSC’s role as the government’s central personnel agency is at the core of its mandate. From this overarching role stems all the others — the task to establish a career service; adopt measures to promote morale, efficiency, integrity, responsiveness, progressiveness, and courtesy in the civil service; strengthen the merit and rewards system; integrate all human resources development programs; institutionalize a management climate conducive to public accountability; and report to the President and the Congress. Section 12, Chapter 3, Subtitle A, Title I, Book V of Executive Order No 292, otherwise known as the Administrative Code of 1987, enumerates the CSC’s powers and functions, which include, among others, the following: SECTION 12. Powers and Functions. The Commission shall have the following powers and functions: (6) Appoint and discipline its officials and employees in accordance with law and exercise control and supervision over the activities of the Commission; *** (11) Hear and decide administrative cases instituted by or brought before it directly or on appeal, including contested appointments, and review decisions and actions of its offices and of the agencies attached to it. *** In the Fuentes case, the Court concluded that the CSC cannot thoroughly perform its constitutional mandate of being a central personnel agency without its power to discipline its officials and employees, and held that “the Commission’s role of being a central personnel agency would be unduly crippled without its disciplinary power.” The case of CSC vs Dacoycoy, G.R. No. 135805, 29 April 1999 (Dacoycoy): Dacoycoy categorically abandoned the Supreme Court’s earlier decision ruling that the civil service law “does not contemplate a review of decisions exonerating officers or employees from administrative charges,” firmly expanded the scope of an “aggrieved party” and declared that, as a party adversely affected by the ruling of the Court of Appeals exonerating the public official or employee, the CSC may appeal the Court of Appeals’ decision to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court elucidated that under such circumstances, the CSC becomes an aggrieved party — a party adversely affected by the ruling of the Court of Appeals, which will “seriously prejudice the civil service system.” The case of CSC vs Mathay Jr., G.R. 124374, 15 December 1999 (Mathay, Jr.): Seven months after the Court’s promulgation of Dacoycoy, it decided on Mathay Jr. In declaring that the CSC had no legal standing to bring an appeal before the Supreme Court, the latter drew a line between Mathay Jr. and Dacoycoy by ruling that, while Dacoycoy involved nepotism — an administrative case “whose deleterious effect on government cannot be overemphasized,” Mathay Jr. merely involved reinstatement, an issue that can hardly “impair the effectiveness of government.” For this reason, the Supreme Court held that its ruling in Dacoycoy did not apply to Mathay Jr. The reasoning of the Court behind Mathay Jr. stemmed from the fact that the CSC’s power to hear and decide administrative cases instituted by or brought before it directly or on appeal is judicial instead of adversarial. Hence, CSC is more of a judge than a litigant. The Court went on to explain that as a quasi-judicial body with the role of an adjudicator, the CSC should be impartial and detached; and concluded that the CSC would risk becoming an advocate if it would be allowed to appeal to the Supreme Court. (To be continued) The post Appeal of Civil Service Commission (1) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DoH monitors increasing leptospirosis, dengue cases
The Department of Health on Monday monitored an increase in the number of leptospirosis and dengue cases amid continuous rains and flash floods in the country. From 18 June to 1 July alone, the Health department recorded a total of 182 new cases of leptospirosis, a 42-percent increase from 128 cases reported two weeks prior. Central Luzon exhibited a continuous increase in cases in the recent six weeks, reporting nine cases from 2 to 15 July. Meanwhile, nine regions, namely National Capital Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region and Caraga, showed an increase in cases in the last three to four weeks with seven to 53 new cases. Ilocos Norte and Bicol, however, had an increase in cases in the recent two weeks with nine and three cases reported, respectively. “Cases may still increase with late reports,” the agency said. In terms of fatality, a total of 225 died from 2,079 leptospirosis cases from 1 January to 15 July. Dengue The agency also reported an increase in the number of dengue cases in the country. In the last three weeks, the country logged a total of 9,486 cases, a 16 percent increase compared to the previous two weeks. All regions except Cagayan Valley, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Caraga showed an increase in cases over the last three to four weeks. From 1 January to 15 July, 990 out of 80,318 cases were tagged as severe dengue. The agency recorded a total of 299 deaths in cases, of which 39 had dengue without warning signs. The DoH also warned that cases may still increase due to late reports. The post DoH monitors increasing leptospirosis, dengue cases appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Judge outlaws hotel housing for solo child asylum seekers
A British court has declared illegal the government’s long-term hotel accommodation for lone child asylum-seekers. Judge Martin Chamberlain said the hotel housing for child migrants should only be used for “very short periods in true emergency situations.” He noted it had become “systematic and routine” since December 2021 and that interior minister Suella Braverman had “exceeded the proper limits of her powers” in allowing it. “It cannot be used systematically or routinely in circumstances where it is intended, or functions in practice, as a substitute for local authority care,” the judge said. Earlier, the charity Every Child Protected Against Trafficking sued the interior ministry over the practice of housing unaccompanied youngsters in department-run hotels. ECPAT had sued the ministry over the practice of housing unaccompanied youngsters in department-run hotels, arguing that the arrangements are “not fit for purpose.” Under United Kingdom immigration law, central and local governments are required to provide accommodation to all asylum-seekers, who are not allowed to work while they await decisions on their cases. That includes thousands of children who have arrived unaccompanied across the Channel in small boats in recent years, with the government’s increasing use of interior ministry-run hotels widely reported. WITH AFP The post Judge outlaws hotel housing for solo child asylum seekers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Thousands flee Greek island fires as southern US swelters
Around 30,000 people were moved to safety on the Greek island of Rhodes where a wildfire burned on Saturday, while people in the southern United States struggled under a record-breaking heatwave. Tens of millions of people have been suffering through intense heat this summer and the world looks set for its hottest July on record. As temperature records tumble, experts have pointed to climate change driven by the burning of fossil fuels, arguing that global warming is playing a key role in the devastating heat. On the Mediterranean island of Rhodes, where a wildfire has been blazing for days, boats carried 2,000 people to safety from beaches in the east of the popular tourist island. Greek fire service spokesman Vassilis Varthakogiannis told Skai TV: "This is not a fire that will be over tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. It'll be troubling us for days." Three coastguard ships led more than 30 private vessels in the evacuation, while a Greek navy boat was heading to the area. Island officials arranged for dozens of buses to take people to safety, but where fires had cut off road access, others had to walk. Authorities have opened up gyms, schools and hotel conference centers to serve as makeshift accommodation, while firefighters battle the blaze. In Athens, the foreign ministry said it had activated its crisis management unit to facilitate the evacuation of foreign citizens due to the ongoing forest fires. Greece is fighting dozens of forest fires 11 days into a heatwave that has seen temperatures soaring above 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). Meteorologists have warned it could be the longest hot spell the country has ever seen. - 80 million Americans sweltering - Across the southern United States, about 80 million Americans will swelter in temperatures of 41C and above this weekend, the National Weather Service said. The southwestern city of Phoenix, Arizona hit 46C on Saturday, extending a record-breaking streak to 22 consecutive days of highs above 43C. Tourists have been flocking to Death Valley National Park, which straddles California and Nevada, to post selfies with a temperature display outside the visitor centre. Many are hoping to see it break a world record of 56.7C, which was set in July 1913 but was likely the result of a faulty measurement, according to several meteorologists. Further north, in Canada, which has been suffering wildfires that left Montreal blanketed in smog, torrential rain hit the eastern province of Nova Scotia, cutting off roads and threatening to burst a dam. Four people were reported missing, including two children who had been in a car engulfed by flood waters. Meanwhile, nearly 1,000 active wildfires were burning across Canada, with 11.3 million hectares scorched this season by the deadly blazes. Across the border in the US state of Washington, a wildfire burned more than 12,000 hectares (30,000 acres) in less than a day. - Hottest month - July 2023 is on track to be the hottest month -- not only since records began, but also in "hundreds, if not thousands, of years", said leading NASA climatologist Gavin Schmidt. The effects cannot be attributed solely to the El Nino weather pattern, which "has really only just emerged" and isn't expected to strengthen until later in the year, he added. El Nino is associated with the warming of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. Schmidt said the trend of extreme heat was expected to persist, "and the reason why we think that's going to continue, is because we continue to put greenhouse gases into the atmosphere". The exceptional temperatures in Greece also meant key tourist sites such as the Acropolis closed during the hottest part of the day. A 46-year-old man was reported to have succumbed to heatstroke on the central Greek island of Evia after being admitted to Chalkida hospital. Staff there said cardio-respiratory failure following exposure to high temperatures appeared to have been the cause. Emergency health officials told the state broadcaster they had admitted at least 38 heatstroke patients in the last three days, while hospitals were also seeing cases of fainting and other heat-related conditions. Greece is just one of many countries battling a prolonged spell of extreme heat around the globe in recent days. burs/jj/acb © Agence France-Presse The post Thousands flee Greek island fires as southern US swelters appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
2 Cebu City barangays log high number of teenage pregnancy cases — POPCOM
CEBU CITY, Philippines — An officer from the Commission on Population and Development in Central Visayas (POPCOM-7) has identified the two barangays here that logged high number of teenage pregnancy cases. Barangay Inayawan and Barangay Mambaling have the highest number of teenage pregnancy cases in Cebu City as of 2022, according to Maria Lourdes Garillos, […] The post 2 Cebu City barangays log high number of teenage pregnancy cases — POPCOM appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
WHO warns Covid ‘has not gone away’
The World Health Organization's European office on Tuesday warned the risk of Covid-19 has not gone away, saying it was still responsible for nearly 1,000 deaths a week in the region. The global health body on 5 May announced that the Covid-19 pandemic was no longer deemed a "global health emergency." "Whilst it may not be a global public health emergency, however, Covid-19 has not gone away," WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge told reporters. The WHO's European region comprises 53 countries, including several in central Asia. "Close to 1,000 new Covid-19 deaths continue to occur across the region every week, and this is an underestimate due to a drop in countries regularly reporting Covid-19 deaths to WHO," Kluge added, and urged authorities to ensure vaccination coverage of at least 70 percent for vulnerable groups. Kluge also said estimates showed that one in 30, or some 36 million people, in the region had experienced so called "long Covid" in the last three years, which "remains a complex condition we still know very little about." "Unless we develop comprehensive diagnostics and treatment for long Covid, we will never truly recover from the pandemic," Kluge said, encouraging more research in the area which he called an under-recognized condition. The health body also urged vigilance in the face of a resurgence of mpox, having recorded 22 new cases across the region in May, and the health impact of heat waves. The post WHO warns Covid ‘has not gone away’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CBI court sentences ex-Syndicate bank manager to seven years of Rigorous Imprisonment in fraud case
New Delhi [India], June 20 (ANI): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court sentenced a former Syndicate bank manager to seven years of Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) in a bank fraud case. The Additional District Judge for CBI Cases sentenced former Syndicate bank manager Gunaseelan Bank to undergo seven years of Rigorous Imprisonment with a fine amounting to Rs 75,000 and three years of RI to fourteen others involved i.....»»
(Not) remembering things past
Many lamented the destruction of the iconic building housing the Manila Central Post Office when it was razed to the ground after a car battery exploded in one of its storage rooms a few weeks ago. The huge blaze was put out after 30 hours and the damage was estimated at P300 million. The incident also broke the hearts of countless employees who had worked most of their professional lives in the building. But after the usual outcry, the many columns, editorials, and a flurry of outrage on social media, the usual cries for “an investigation,” as in most cases, the issue appears to have died down, buried under an avalanche of political bickering, the brouhaha about quarrels between popular noontime television show hosts and their former partners, and the latest round of fuel and food price increases. So how serious really are we as a people in preserving our cultural heritage? The list of old landmarks and buildings that have been obliterated by way of wrecking balls, natural disasters, alleged acts of arson, sheer negligence, or lack of appreciation for history or the past continues to grow. In Manila alone, where the Post Office built in 1926 once stood, rising proudly after it was heavily damaged during the horrific Battle of Manila in World War II between American and Japanese forces, several buildings or homes that we often referenced as links to the past, or had evoked childhood memories and a fascination for nostalgia can no longer be found, restored, or visited. Think of the Paco Railway Station built in the first two decades of American rule, with its huge clock hands frozen in time; the Jai-Alai building on Taft Avenue where fortunes were found or lost; the cinema palaces with impressive lobbies on the Escolta and Rizal Avenue; the beautiful homes in Binondo and Tondo where once lived national heroes, freedom fighters, writers and poets before these were converted into dirty warehouses, crumbling apartments, and food stalls; the Manila Grand Opera House, site of the newly inaugurated 1907 first Philippine Assembly, and later a venue for stage shows and post-war musical extravaganzas. The list goes on and on. Why preserve these buildings in the first place? Because these old structures provide us with a link to the past, a sense of place and continuity, a connection with our cultural heritage, and a legacy for future generations. These are sources of pride and testimony as to how we evolved as a nation. Apart from being made of more durable (and often not readily obtained now, if not no longer available) materials crafted by artisans of exceptional workmanship, they made for visually attractive works of art that appealed not only to local but international visitors or they could have been easily transformed into adapted use venues for vintage markets and office spaces with an Old-World appeal. Although not all seems lost — look at the heritage cities and towns of Vigan, Ilocos Sur; Silay and Bacolod in Negros Occidental; Iloilo City’s and Taal’s carefully preserved homes of old — the few owners who do not demolish these old buildings or their new tenants would rather renovate than restore, perhaps thinking that new buildings are more attractive or better investments than old ones, thus effacing not only architectural integrity but one’s original roots, so to speak. We continue to forge on in this relentless path of destroying or not revering mementos or souvenirs of the past, choosing instead skyscrapers, huge malls, and fast food outlets, reclaiming what once was pristine and marine-rich waters and turning it into man-made land for more towering and not environmentally friendly structures. When will we ever learn? The post (Not) remembering things past appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Herbosa thumbs down revival of Dengvaxia vaccines
Newly sworn Health Secretary Ted Herbosa on Wednesday rejected the possibility of the reuse of the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine. In an ambush interview a day after he took his oath before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañang Palace, Herbosa simply said “no,” when asked if he is keen on the possibility of reusing the dengue vaccine. He issued the remarks amid the rising cases of dengue in the country, which are about to reach the 50,000 mark. Based on the latest Disease Surveillance Report of the Department of Health (DOH), there were 48,109 cases of dengue reported for the period of 1 January to 13 May, which is 38 percent higher compared to the 34,963 dengue cases reported during the same period last year. The majority of the dengue cases were recorded in the National Capital Region(6,395), Calabarzon (5,135), Davao Region (4,842) and Central Luzon (4,722). Meanwhile, comparing data from the same period last year, Mimaropa has recorded the greatest number of cases from 704 to 3,281, which is equivalent to 366 percent. In 2017, the Food and Drug Administration ordered the suspension of the sale, distribution, and marketing of the Dengvaxia vaccine and the withdrawal of the product from the market after Sanofi Pasteur announced that its vaccine could pose risks to those who have never had dengue but were vaccinated. Last July, then Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the Health department would review the use of dengue vaccines amid increasing dengue cases in the country. The post Herbosa thumbs down revival of Dengvaxia vaccines appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Wanted Korean intercepted at NAIA
The Bureau of Immigration at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport has arrested a Korean national wanted for a string of criminal cases in his country. In a report given to BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco, BI Intelligence Division chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. identified the arrested passenger as Kim SeonJeong, who was intercepted at NAIA Terminal 3 on 27 May. Manahan said that Kim had just arrived in the country via a Cebu Pacific flight from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, when he was accosted by elements of the BI Border Control and Intelligence Unit at the airport. BI supervisors alerted the BCIU agents after the immigration officer who processed Kim upon his arrival discovered that his name was included in the Interpol database. Tansingco immediately ordered the conduct of summary deportation proceedings against Kim to stand trial for his crimes. Information obtained from Interpol’s National Central Bureau in Manila revealed that Kim is a convicted felon and is wanted in Korea to serve his sentence for fraud, inflicting physical injuries and drunken driving. Korean authorities said that in October 2018, Kim defrauded a compatriot by enticing the victim to give him 30 million won, or nearly US$23,000, which he would pay in the amount of 100 million won within three months. Kim claimed that he would invest the funds in the casino business, but he reneged on his promise and instead pocketed the money that the victim had deposited in his bank account. It also reported that Kim presented a Korean passport, which was already reported as a stolen and lost travel document to the Interpol. The suspect is presently detained at the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, pending deportation proceedings. The post Wanted Korean intercepted at NAIA appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»