CHR: Village execs’ slays can affect barangay, SK polls
The Commission on Human Rights is urging the government to hasten the investigation on the killings of village officials, saying unabated local violence can affect the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in October......»»
Day 1 of campaign for Barangay and SK elections ‘successful and peaceful’ – CCPO
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The official start of the ten-day campaign for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Cebu City was “peaceful and successful.” Police Lieutenant Colonel Janette Rafter, deputy director for operations of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said they did not record any untoward incidents from the city’s 80 barangays on Thursday, October 19. She said there were gatherings of a huge crowd of supporters as the candidates and their followers became excited that they were finally able to start their campaign. “The first day of the ten-day campaign period was really very successful and peaceful. Although, as I’ve said, medyo naay mga barangay nga nabibo. Murag nabibo sila tungod sa paglaunch sa mga campaign strategy sa atong mga kanya-kanyang kandidato puhon sa BSKE 2023 karong October 30,” she said. Motorcades Rafter said that on Thursday, there were candidates who officially opened their campaign with a motorcade. But, the conduct of motorcades did not have much effect on vehicular traffic since most of these were done on barangay roads. There were also those who started to already post their campaign materials. “Naa silay mga gibuhat nga mga aktibidades sa ilang mga tagsa-tagsa ka mga barangay kung asa sila molunsad but it didn’t really affect in any way sa atong trapiko sa Sugbo,” she added. The campaign period is scheduled from October 19 to 28. Oplan Baklas Meanwhile, Rafter said they will also be coordinating with Commission on Elections (Comelec) on the dates for the implementation of “Oplan Baklas” here. CCPO will be joining “Oplan Baklas” to especially provide security. “Ang atong PNP, we are just on the security of the team nga mag-conduct og Oplen Baklas puhon,” she said. Police deployment On October 30, Rafter said a total of 947 uniformed police personnel will be deployed to secure the conduct of the BSKE in the 71 polling places here. “Out of the 1,221 nato nga mga personnel, uniformed personnel, there are 947 nga available for deployment,” she said. At least 80 of 947 personnel will be deployed to augment security parts of Cebu province. Rafter said that deployment will be based on the number of voters who are expected to crowd a particular voting area. “Naa tay standard nga number of personnel for each polling places. But we are also preparing because ang atong mad police places diri is dako kaayo og butante,” she said......»»
PNP logs suspected election-related incidents
The Philippine National Police on Tuesday announced that it has already logged eight suspected election-related incidents ahead of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections slated on 30 October. PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said that the cases — including shootings and stabbings — were recorded in the Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula and Soccskargen. She added that the incidents will be validated within 10 days by the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council using its parameters to determine if these can be considered as ERIs. “First, we have to determine whether the victim or the suspect is an incumbent official running in the BSKE. We also check whether these are Commission on Elections officers or family members of candidates or identified political supporters of a candidate. Another thing is we would check if these would affect the electoral process,” Fajardo said. “In the past, there were incidents that qualified as ERI because these happened during the election period. Another parameter is if the incident may somehow create a form of political tension that may eventually affect the electoral proceedings,” she added. Fajardo disclosed that out of the eight incidents, one has been validated which happened in Libon, Albay where the victim Alex Repato, reelectionist captain of Barangay San Jose, was shot dead by still unidentified assailants in his house during the first day filing of Certificate of Candidacy last 28 August 2023. Meanwhile, police are looking into another incident where a candidate was allegedly prevented from filing his CoC in Malabang, Lanao del Sur. “We have to understand this area under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. There are special geographic areas we also have to monitor the presence of some threat groups. These are some of the factors we are seriously considering studying to make sure that the deployment we are going to make is right,” Fajardo said. The post PNP logs suspected election-related incidents appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Crackdown vs text blasters up
The Department of Information and Communications Technology, or DICT, is cracking down on fraudsters who use cheap, China-made text-blasting machines to boost the electoral campaigns of their clients. DICT Undersecretary Alex Ramos said they will clamp down on the proliferation of scam and spam messages plaguing users despite the SIM Registration Act being in place. It will also be timely as the barangay and youth elections are near, he added. Ramos recalled that government authorities had previously confiscated text blast machines used to send messages en masse to multiple mobile numbers. “Those text machines were very popular during campaign periods and they are now very cheap. We [have] seized a lot of these machines,” he said. Despite having a SIM law, fraudsters are still able to find new ways to hack into phones and computers, this time using over-the-top or OTT media services such as chat apps, which are outside the scope of telco filters. The DICT official urged consumers to be more proactive and not fall for various online ruses by malevolent players capitalizing on the increasing shift by people to a digital lifestyle. Cybercriminals use the target’s full name and pretend to be messaging them about a missed connection or make various offers. They create a sense of familiarity and trust in an attempt to start a conversation. The SIM Registration Act was envisioned to address escalating cybercrime in the country, including the proliferation of smishing and other forms of scam and spam messaging. The law mandated all mobile phone and prepaid broadband users to register their SIMs by 25 July or face SIM deactivation. A deactivated SIM card can potentially affect several aspects of a person’s life. For instance, it will cut their access to online banking, e-commerce, transportation, healthcare, education, and entertainment, among other things. The post Crackdown vs text blasters up appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
EDITORIAL — Catching vote buyers
It’s good to hear Commission on Elections officials saying that people caught in the act of buying or selling votes during the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections can be arrested even without a court-issued warrant. Even civilians can affect such warrantless arrests, the Comelec said......»»
COMELEC asked to exempt DSWD, related agencies from election spending ban
The Commission on Elections has been asked to consider exempting the Department of Social Welfare and Development and other related agencies doing relief work in the province of Albay in light of the impending election spending ban. Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, who made the appeal on Saturday, sent a letter to the poll body, requesting that the DSWD and other government agencies involved in relief operations in Mayon Volcano be granted exemption from Omnibus Election Code amid the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls on 30 October. "Any minute, Mayon could erupt violently. This could also be a prolonged evacuation effort. Nobody knows for sure. But it's better to be safe and be ready with all the relief programs we need -– this could extend beyond the Barangay elections," the veteran lawmaker said. "Clarity is everything for us. We want to abide by the law. And we want to take care of our people. We want to do both. COMELEC has the means and the power to help us do both. That’s why we are making this request," Salceda added. Mayon's violent eruption, according to Salceda, might affect at least 103,181 people in eight cities and municipalities in Albay, accounting for 7.5% of the province's entire population. Meanwhile, 39,901 individuals are currently directly at risk under Alert Level 3. Since warnings of an imminent violent eruption have been known to come and go, Salceda believes that evacuation operations might take 45, 90, or 110 days. "Evacuation efforts must continue until volcanic activity clearly subsides or until a violent eruption actually occurs. Until then, evacuees will require food aid, training activities, cash-for-work programs, and other socioeconomic support to replace economic activities they are barred from doing due to the evacuation orders," Salceda added. Amid the restiveness of Albay's Mayon, the lawmaker averted that relief operations from various agencies would not end once the eruption. The economist-lawmaker said the eruption will displace agricultural, quarrying, ecotourism, and other economic activities in the danger zones, indirectly affecting Albay's economy as a whole. "Likewise, a violent eruption will also likely cause health issues, which will require immediate medical attention and corresponding support through the Medical Assistance Program." With this, Salceda asks Comelec, which had the power under the Omnibus Election Code, to allow such other expenditures especially forDSWD-like activities. Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code prohibits the release, disbursement, and expenditure of public funds 45 days before a regular election and thirty days before a special election, but emergency works due to a public calamity and maintenance of existing public works are exempted from the provision. The BSKE election, which was originally set for 5 December of this year, was moved to an earlier date, pursuant to Republic Act 11935, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos on 12 October last year. The coming grassroots poll this year will break the year-long postponement. Recall that BSKE has been postponed four times since 2016 through RAs 10923, 10952, 11462 and 11935. The post COMELEC asked to exempt DSWD, related agencies from election spending ban appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Puerto Princesa coastal dwellers relocation set
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — The local government here launched the “Save the Puerto Princesa Bays” project last Saturday which sets in motion a long-term objective of relocating around 5,500 families residing along the coast. According to Mayor Lucilo Bayron, the Barangay Mandaragat coastal-dwelling families bear significant responsibility for the degradation of the aquatic ecosystem in the area, and the situation was worsened by the untreated wastewater from 17 outfalls that directly discharge into the sea. Approximately 25,000 residents in Puerto Princesa Bay — accounting for average family sizes — contribute to daily pollution through improper waste disposal, including waste and urine excretion. Their activities, such as raising pigs, chickens, and dogs, also adversely affect the environment. “It’s critical to understand because human waste from these activities contains dangerous compounds that pollute the water. This pollution depletes oxygen levels and destroys the delicate ecological balance required for marine life to thrive in the bay,” Bayron said. In his address to the residents and barangay officials of Mandaragat during the early hours of the program’s launch on 15 July, Bayron stressed the importance of coastal dwellers refraining from polluting the Puerto Princesa Bay, the primary focus of the major conservation initiative, while they await their relocation. “The city government has already acquired two land properties in Irawan and San Jose barangays for their eventual move. These sizable land plots will be utilized for the construction of affordable and comfortable housing units,” Bayron said. He added that the program is in collaboration with the Pambansang Pabahay Program under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. The expansive Irawan property, covering 21 hectares, will feature residential or apartment buildings capable of accommodating 7,680 families. Additionally, the two-hectare San Jose property will also provide housing for 2,496 families currently residing in informal settlements. “We need two solutions — we need to relocate coastal dwelling families in the bay area and we need to properly address the flow of wastewater towards our ocean,” said Bayron, acknowledging that this will be a lengthy journey that cannot be accomplished within a span of two to three years. “What I see as a way to save that, the long-term solution is to relocate the coastal dwellers. Why? Because they are living in a danger zone. It’s not just a danger zone—it is an area that cannot truly belong to them because it is a salvage zone,” he added. The post Puerto Princesa coastal dwellers relocation set appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
WRMO expands save-water order
The Water Resources Management Office or WRMO of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has expanded the coverage of its water conservation directive to residents of the National Capital Region and adjacent provinces. In its Bulletin 2, the WRMO instructed all barangay officials and condominium and subdivision managers to advise residents to conserve water through the reduction of activities that consume a large amount of water, such as watering the lawn and washing vehicles. This is to avert massive water interruptions in the coming months, the WRMO said in its bulletin. Residents were also encouraged to promote rainwater collection for non-potable use of water and to reuse laundry and dishwashing wastewater for watering plants. The WRMO also directed all local government units in NCR to fast-track the approval of pipe repairs of water concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad. “As we prepare for even drier conditions due to El Niño, it is, more than ever, important to conserve water in order to prevent massive water interruptions later this year,” the WRMO said. The water level in Angat Dam, which supplies potable water to NCR and nearby provinces, has continued to drop amid an impending El Niño dry spell. The WRMO also directed all local government units in NCR to fast-track the approval of pipe repairs of water concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad. As of 8 July, the water level in Angat Dam was at 179.99 meters, which was below the 180-meter minimum operating level. When below operating levels, the allocation for irrigation will be reduced and supply for NCR and the provinces of Rizal, Cavite and Bulacan will be at the minimum volume. Meanwhile, Senator Grace Poe, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Services, urged state regulator Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System to take urgent action on the planned water service interruption on 12 July. “MWSS should not take this matter sitting down as these recurring service cuts will affect over half a million consumers,” Poe said in a statement. She noted that the frequent and longer hours of water service interruption which affects more people is “unacceptable.” Last week, Maynilad advised its customers of up to 9 hours of nightly water service interruptions starting 12 July due to the decreasing water level of Angat Dam. According to Poe, MWSS should determine whether water utilities are adhering to their obligations based on their franchise. The post WRMO expands save-water order appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bacoor imposes gun ban for 29 July plebiscite
Bacoor City Mayor Strike B. Revilla has announced the implementation of a gun ban in Bacoor starting 28 June, effective at 12:01 a.m. Revilla clarified that the gun ban is not related to the upcoming barangay elections but to the plebiscite set to take place on 29 July 2023. The passing of City Ordinance No. 275-2023 Series of 2023, mandating a plebiscite on the proposal to merge various barangays to improve service delivery and governance, was approved on 28 March 2023. The merging will affect 49 barangays in the city, reducing the current number of 73 barangays to 47. The move expected to bring positive changes since some barangays are not generating enough annual revenues to independently finance their day-to-day operations and meet the needs of their residents. Bacoor is the first city in Cavite to implement this resolution. Revilla said he hopes Bacoor's example will inspire other local government units to adopt similar measures, resulting in more productive and progressive communities. The gun ban, meant to ensure a peaceful and orderly plebiscite, will remain in effect until 5 August 2023. The Bacoor City Police Office will strictly enforce the ban, and individuals caught violating it will face appropriate legal action. The post Bacoor imposes gun ban for 29 July plebiscite appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Badian canyoneering activities suspended
Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia ordered the temporary suspension and closure of canyoneering in Matutinao, Badian, stressing that hazardous metallic spikes were found on the structures that were illegally built within the defined easement zones of Kawasan Falls. The governor issued Executive Order 14 following an ocular inspection conducted by the Badian Municipal Engineering Office, Philippine National Police-Badian Station, Badian Municipal Tourism Office, Badian Barangay Officials, Badian Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office and Badian Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office at the Kawasan Falls area. “To make matters worse, despite the findings of concerned government agencies, these illegal structures and dangerous ruins were just left disregarded for over a year, thereby remaining a continuing threat to the life and safety of the public,” said Garcia on the order. “Any injury or mishap resulting from the gross neglect of the possible dangers that these illegal structures and dangerous ruins may cause to the public would definitely adversely affect the tourism industry of Cebu,” she added. The governor also cited Section 16 of the Local Government Code which states that every local government unit shall exercise the powers expressly granted, those necessarily implied therefrom, as well as powers necessary, appropriate, or incidental for the efficient and effective governance, and those which are essential to the promotion of the general welfare. She added that every local government shall promote the health and safety of the people and enhance their right to a balanced and healthful ecology. Kawasan Falls is one of the tourism destinations in Badian that was hit by super typhoon “Odette” on 16 December 2021. The post Badian canyoneering activities suspended appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
TUCP: Employers’ stance against wage hike ‘overkill’
The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, whose representative in the Lower House has filed a bill proposing a P150 wage increase for workers, blasted the statement made by eight business groups last week against the wage hike, calling it an "overkill on the poor workers." “It is unfortunate that both employers and economic managers are now ganging up in an 'overkill' on the poor workers' calls to bring up measly real wages to at least be within the poverty threshold. These employers and economic managers are now fearmongering widespread closure of MSMEs and scenarios of spiking inflation should a wage increase be granted,” TUCP vice president Luis Corral said. The statement in question was signed by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc., Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines, Philippine Hotel Owners Association, Foreign Buyers Association of the Philippines and the United Portusers Confederation of the Philippines, Inc. They insisted that only 16 percent of the labor workforce will benefit from a wage hike, while the remaining number of Filipino workers -- all in informal labor -- will demand more "ayuda" or government’ aid, and that it will also affect many businesses, especially micro, small and medium enterprises. Corral called such statements a "scare-mongering" tactic, and urged them to join in providing the needed help for workers amid challenging economic conditions. “The call for wage increase months ago should have been a wake-up call to the economic managers to save the rapidly deteriorating situation of a majority of the working poor,” Corral said. “Contrary to the argument of resultant MSME closures, the Barangay Micro Business Enterprises and certain retail enterprises are exempt from the minimum wage law. The truth is this 'massive closure' argument is actually camouflage to benefit big employers as there is enough support available for MSMEs, including the increase in consumption that comes with wage increase,” he added. The TUCP has already filed House Bill No. 7871 or the Wage Recovery Act of 2023, which seeks a wage hike that would recover from what it said was the more than three decades of no significant wage increase since the passage of Republic Act Number 6727 or the "Wage Rationalization Act." A Senate counterpart of the measure is Senate Bill Number 2002, filed by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, which TUCP backed. The group also reiterated its other proposals such as having more Kadiwa outlets that would lessen food inflation, reducing the weighted average cost of capital in electricity sources by eight percent, and returning to the original return-on-rate-base in electricity value. The TUCP also proposed a P5,000 one-time government financial aid to minimum wage workers and the instatement of the emergency cost-of-living allowance. The post TUCP: Employers’ stance against wage hike ‘overkill’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Negros BSKE postponement being reviewed
The Commission on Elections on Thursday said that there needs to be a study on the proposed postponement of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections in Negros Oriental, citing “stringent requirements” on the implementation of such a measure. This as Senator Francis Tolentino on Wednesday proposed the rescheduling of the local polls in the province due to the violent situation following the assassination of former Governor Roel Degamo last 4 March. “It should be seriously and carefully studied by the Commission. Although admittedly, we have the power to postpone the election in an area, however, there are stringent requirements of the law,” Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia told reporters in a Viber message. Section 5 of the Omnibus Election Code gives Comelec the power to declare a postponement of the election due to “violence, terrorism, loss or destruction of election paraphernalia or records, force majeure, and other analogous causes of such a nature” that could adversely affect the conduct of the polls in an area. The same provision also states that rescheduling of the polls should be “reasonably close to the date of the election not held, suspended or which resulted in a failure to elect” but should not be beyond thirty days after the lapsing of the declaration of postponement. Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco added that another way to postpone the polls in Negros Oriental is by amending Republic Act 11935, which moved the polls from its previous schedule of 5 December last year. “If there will be a law amending RA 11935 (if any) for these purposes, the Comelec will comply and implement the same,” he said. Tolentino said that the current violent climate in Negros Oriental following Degamo’s death could add more chaos if the barangay and SK elections will proceed on 30 October. “If you could agree with me, with the concurrence of other colleagues and the Comelec, let’s postpone the Barangay and SK Elections in Negros Oriental. If we postpone it, there would be much intense momentum among our peacekeeping forces,” Tolentino said. The Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, whose chairman is Tolentino, is currently probing the death of Degamo and other violent cases in the province. The post Negros BSKE postponement being reviewed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Seafarers Magna Carta pushed
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go maintains the crucial role of seafarers in the global economy as he continues to push for Senate Bill 1191, which seeks to provide a Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers in line with his commitment to promote their welfare and protect their rights before, during and after employment. The proposed measure aims to cover a wide range of issues that usually affect seafarers. If passed into law, it shall help secure the right of the country’s seafarers to decent and humane employment and set a guide for seafarers on training, overseas employment, and retirement. “The Philippines has been the primary source of maritime labor and considered the manning capital of seafarers globally since 1987. Of the 1.5 million mariners worldwide, 25 percent are Filipino sea-based workers, making them the single biggest nationality bloc in the maritime industry,” he cited previously. Meanwhile, Go thanked the European Commission after its decision to continue recognizing certificates issued by the Philippines that will allow Filipino seafarers to continue working on European Union-flagged ships. It can be recalled that in December 2021, EC informed the Philippine government that the recognition of its seafarer certificates would be withdrawn unless serious measures were taken, including compliance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for seafarers. The senator then underscored that the proposed Magna Carta for Seafarers is particularly crucial for protecting the rights and welfare of seafarers in situations where they are vulnerable or exploited, such as during emergencies, accidents, or conflicts. The Magna Carta seeks to systematize the rights of the seafarers into a single reference law, including their right to just terms and conditions of work, self-organization, educational advancement and training, information and consultation, fair treatment in the event of an accident, and against discrimination. In another development, Go last Wednesday responded to the needs of fire victims in Parañaque City as he personally led a relief operation for them in Barangay Don Galo. To ensure that all necessary support are given to the affected households, Go coordinated with the officials in the city, including Congressman Edwin Olivarez, Mayor Eric Olivarez, Vice Mayor Joan Villafuerte, Don Galo Punong Barangay Marilyn Burgos, and La Huerta Punong Barangay Peter Augustine “PA” Velasco, among others. The post Seafarers Magna Carta pushed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CHR: Village execs’ slays can affect barangay, SK polls
The Commission on Human Rights is urging the government to hasten the investigation on the killings of village officials, saying unabated local violence can affect the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in October......»»
Environmental defenders found after reported abduction in Pangasinan
Reports said that Dangla and Tiong were “severely mauled and dragged” into a waiting vehicle on Sunday evening in Barangay Polo, San Carlos City......»»
2 nabbed for possession of shabu, explosives, guns in Zamboanga City
The police arrested two men after authorities discovered explosives, firearms and shabu from their hideout in Barangay Quiniput, Zamboanga City on Wednesday afternoon......»»
Money lending firm collector killed in Zamboanga del Sur ambush
Gunmen killed a collector of a local money lending firm in a daytime ambush in Barangay Lutlutan in Dimataling town, Zamboanga del Sur on Wednesday......»»
Comelec says systems can thwart foreign interference
The Commission on Elections is preparing to defend its servers from attempts to hack it in the 2025 midterm polls, its chairperson announced on Wednesday......»»
Security Council warns of foreign interference in 2025 polls
There may be foreign interference in next year’s midterm elections and the Department of Information and Communications Technology should prepare to counter cyberattacks, the National Security Councilwarned yesterday......»»
Danao City ‘gun maker’ nabbed in raid
CEBU CITY, Philippines – A 39-year-old man, who was accused of the illegal manufacture of guns, was arrested in a raid in his residence in Sitio Sapangdako, Barangay Matija, Danao City in northern Cebu, Tuesday dawn, March 26. In a report, the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) said that the raid was based on a.....»»
Mandaue drug bust: P476,000 ‘shabu’ seized from HVI
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Authorities seized suspected shabu worth at least P476,000 from a 45-year-old man described as a high-value individual during an anti-illegal drugs operation in Mandaue City early on Wednesday morning, March 27, 2024. The operation took place along Realty Road in the North Reclamation Area in Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City, Cebu. The.....»»