Coalition calls for passage of bill to extend BARMM
As the Third Regular Session of the 18th Congress officially started last Monday, a group urged lawmakers to pass the bill extending the Bangsamoro Transition Period based on the provisions of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), which they said was clearly ratified by the overwhelming majority of the Bangsamoro people......»»
Teachers welcome reconciled bill on allowance hike
Teachers groups Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) and Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) welcomed a reconciled bill by the Senate and the House of Representatives that would gradually increase the teaching allowance of public school teachers starting school year 2025-2026......»»
DOLE-Davao exec calls on Congress to carefully study uniform daily wage hike bill
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 11 March) – The legislative push for a nationwide P100 to P400 daily increase for minimum wage earners in the private sector “must be compatible with the socio-economic conditions and purchasing power of each region,” an official from the Department of Labor and Employment – Davao Region (DOLE-Davao) said. “If Congress […].....»»
Residents oppose BARMM bill splitting town into two
Hundreds of Muslim and Christian villagers in Wao, Lanao del Sur staged a rally on Thursday morning to show opposition to a proposal by a member of the Bangsamoro parliament to divide their municipality into two via a legislative measure that they knew nothing about......»»
Bill creating 32 single-member parliamentary districts in the BARMM passed
COTABATO CITY (MindaNews / 29 February) — The bill creating 32 single-member parliamentary districts in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was passed Wednesday night by a vote of 47 in favor, one against and three abstentions. Parliamentary Bill 267, introduced on December 18, 2023 by the Government of the Day and signed […].....»»
NEWS BRIEFS | 01 March 2024
Bill for IPs in Bangsamoro passes second reading at BARMM Parliament CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews / 01 March) – The Bangsamoro Parliament approved on second reading Parliament Bill No. 273, a measure that would recognize, develop and protect the rights of the indigenous peoples in the autonomous region. Deputy Floor Leader Mary Ann Arnado said […].....»»
Philippine calls for stronger action on climate change
Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual has called for stronger sustainable trade and development initiatives to address climate change during the second ministerial meeting of the Coalition of Trade Ministers on Climate on the sidelines of the 13th World Trade Organization ministerial conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates......»»
Ebrahim calls for unity as BARMM marks 5th anniversary
COTABATO CITY (MindaNews / 21 January) — The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) marked its fifth of the six-year transition government, which is led by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), on Sunday, January 21. Bangsamoro Interim Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim, also the MILF chair, banged the gong Sunday morning, symbolizing the […].....»»
EcoWaste Coalition Calls Out Quezon City Stores Selling Toxic Cosmetics with Mercury
21 January 2024, Quezon City. The toxics watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition criticized some beauty product stores in Quezon City for their flagrant violation of the ban on skin-lightening products containing mercury, a health-damaging chemical.Despite the citywide ban adopted in 2018 through Ordinance No. 2767 ahead of the 2020 phase-out deadline for mercury-added cosmetics under the Minamata Convention.....»»
BARMM consultations for creation of 32 districts gain ground
COTABATO CITY (MindaNews / 16 January) – The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) has started the public consultations for the creation of the proposed 32 districts in the region, with a senior official stressing the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary elections in 2025 won’t happen if the districts will not be established. Parliament Bill No. 267 or Parliamentary Districts […].....»»
Blinken on diplomatic push in Israel as it says Gaza war to continue through 2024
Israel must allow displaced Palestinian civilians to return to their homes in Gaza, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says in response to calls by right-wing members of Israel's ruling coalition for them to move elsewhere.....»»
Green group calls for a smoke- and litter-free traslacion
In a release Sunday, EcoWaste Coalition issued a call for strict adherence to Rizal Park’s “no smoking, no littering” policy. .....»»
BARMM’s Ebrahim calls for support for women in peacebuilding
COTABATO CITY (MindaNews / 13 December)—Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim called on the Bangsamoro people to support the efforts of women to build peace and resolve community conflict in the region during the WE RESOLVE Peace Summit held here on Monday. “With the summit today, let […].....»»
US announces $150 mn in new military aid for Ukraine
The United States on Thursday announced a new $150 million military assistance package for Ukraine that includes artillery and small-arms ammunition as well as anti-tank weapons. Washington is by far Kyiv's biggest donor of security aid, committing $43.9 billion since Russian forces invaded in February 2022. But opposition from hardline Republican lawmakers has put future assistance for Kyiv in doubt, and the US government is now relying on previously approved aid in the absence of new funding from Congress. The latest package "utilizes assistance previously authorized for Ukraine during prior fiscal years," the Pentagon said in a statement. "The Biden administration calls on Congress to meet its commitment to the people of Ukraine by passing additional funding to ensure Ukraine continues to have what it needs to defend itself against Russia's brutal war of choice," the statement said. The package also includes air defense missiles, night vision devices, demolition munitions, and cold weather gear. US officials have spearheaded the push for international support for Ukraine, quickly forging a coalition to back Kyiv after Russia invaded and coordinating aid from dozens of countries. The post US announces $150 mn in new military aid for Ukraine appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go calls on DSWD, concerned agencies to update list of indigent senior citizens
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go emphasized the need to update the list of indigent senior citizens, in accordance with Republic Act No. 11916. The said law also mandates an increase in the pension of indigent senior citizens -- from PHP500 to PHP1,000. RA 11916 or an Act Increasing the Social Pension of Indigent Senior Citizens amended RA 7432, the first Senior Citizens Act. The law was co-authored by Go in the Senate. “This amendment is a step forward in ensuring a better quality of life for our senior citizens. It's crucial that we provide them with the necessary support to live comfortably,” Go said. “Nandiyan na ang batas. Dapat maimplementa ito ng maayos para mapakinabangan ng taumbayan lalo na ng mga matatanda na sakop ng batas na ito. Ibigay dapat ang nararapat sa kanila at huwag patagalin pa,” he stressed. Go then cited Section 6 of RA 11916 which mandates the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), transitioning later to the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC), to annually update and validate the beneficiary list with the aid of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the local government units. Go expressed his concern regarding the need to urgently update the list of beneficiaries, as the number of indigent seniors may have increased over time. "It's imperative that we review and promptly update the list of beneficiaries to ensure that the aid reaches the senior citizens who are truly qualified to benefit from the law," Go remarked. Go also co-authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2028, which was principally sponsored by Senator Imee Marcos. The bill aims to provide additional support to individuals who have reached the age of 80 and 90 years old. This proposal amends the Centenarian Act of 2016, acknowledging that not everyone reaches the milestone of a century. He emphasized the cultural significance of caring for the elderly in the country and highlighted the importance of providing them with financial support while they can still benefit from and enjoy it. “Nasa kultura na nating mga Pilipino na alagaan ang ating mga nakakatanda. Dapat natin silang suportahan at bigyan ng pagkilala. Habang kaya pang pakinabangan at ma-enjoy ng senior citizen ang cash gift, ibigay na natin sa kanila,” said Go. Just recently, the Office of Senator Go, together with United Senior Citizens Partylist Rep. Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay, the Office of Senator Robin Padilla, and volunteer organizations, spearheaded an activity for senior citizens on Monday, October 16, during the United Senior Citizens Association-Quezon City (USCAQC) General Assembly held at White Twins Court, Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City. Around 1,000 attendees were provided with essential goods from Senator Go such as grocery packs, snacks, and shirts while a select recipient likewise received a cellular phone. The participants were also given various forms of assistance from the participating offices to promote the welfare of the elderly. Meanwhile, Go urged senior citizens to utilize the services of Malasakit Centers for medical assistance they might need. Initiated by Go in 2018, the Malasakit Centers program was institutionalized under the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which he principally authored and sponsored. There are now 159 Malasakit Centers nationwide that have helped more than seven million Filipinos. “Prioritizing the needs of the underprivileged, especially senior citizens, in public service delivery is paramount. Rest assured, I will continue to support programs aimed at improving the lives of the elderly,” concluded Go. The post Bong Go calls on DSWD, concerned agencies to update list of indigent senior citizens appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Lapid pushes early voting for seniors, PWDs
With the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections set next week, a senator renewed calls for the passage of a bill allowing over six million qualified senior citizens and persons with disabilities to vote early in local and national elections......»»
Rally outside UN calls for Hamas to release hostages
Hundreds of demonstrators rallied outside the United Nations on Sunday demanding the release of hostages seized by Hamas during the Islamist group's bloody attack on Israel. The protest on the square outside the UN's Palais des Nations headquarters in Geneva was organized by the Voice for Freedom coalition, bringing together several Christian Zionist organizing committees. The gathering therefore had a religious tone, with chants and slogans intermingled with prayers and psalms. The demonstration was the culmination of a visit to Geneva by the families of several of those missing since the Hamas attack. They met with Mirjana Spoljaric, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and UN human rights chief Volker Turk. Many demonstrators waved Israeli flags or wore them around their shoulders, or held posters featuring pictures of missing Israelis, including children. Some wore T-shirts that said "Set them free", and held placards reading: "Never again is NOW", "Innocent life is non-negotiable" and "Children aren't bargaining chips". Leon Meijer, president of Christians for Israel International, urged the UN Human Rights Council to "work for the release of the hostages", saying: "Save the lives of those who can still be saved". Multiple demonstrations Hamas militants stormed into Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7 and killed at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians who were shot, mutilated or burnt to death on the first day of the raid, according to Israeli officials. It was the worst attack on civilians in Israel's history. Israel says more than 200 hostages were abducted by the militants. More than 4,600 Palestinians, mainly civilians, have been killed across the Gaza Strip in relentless Israeli bombardments in retaliation for the attacks by the Palestinian Islamist militant group, according to the latest toll from the Hamas health ministry in Gaza. Several demonstrations have been held in Switzerland, some pro-Palestinian and others in solidarity with Israel. Three days after the Hamas attack, Zurich's Jewish community organized a demonstration in support of Israel, bringing together several hundred people. A demonstration in Lausanne brought together 4,500 to 5,000 people to demand an immediate end to Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip, while around 6,000 pro-Palestinian protesters rallied in Geneva last Saturday. Zurich has since decided to ban any gatherings relating to the Middle East, while Basel decided to ban all gatherings this weekend. The UN human rights office said Friday that blanket bans on peaceful assemblies were disproportionate. States "must not unduly restrict participation and debate, or critical commentary about the conflict, of expressions of solidarity with Israelis or Palestinians", spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told a media briefing in Geneva. "Any restrictions on the right to peaceful assembly must be based on law, and necessary for and proportionate to the risks, such as national security, public safety or public order," she said. The post Rally outside UN calls for Hamas to release hostages appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Budgetary leverage
By passing a financing bill at the last minute, the United States Congress avoided a federal government shutdown this week. However, the Biden administration’s top priorities, including defense financing for Ukraine, were left out of the final package. For countries like the Philippines, which has cozied up anew to Uncle Sam, this is cause for concern because America has practically left Ukraine high and dry without the full backing it needs to defend itself against Russia. Okay, so Biden said they “will not walk out of Ukraine.” Still, without funding, that’s just lip service. Having perfected the art of emotional suasion at one end of the pole and brinkmanship on the other, we would not be surprised if Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky would tell Biden: “Show us the money.” Sacrificing Ukraine casts doubt on America’s dependability as a coalition partner and ally, even as it stakes a claim to a long tradition of backing democracies in their fight for independence. The Philippines should take note. In the US, it’s clear that whatever the executive branch pledges, the US Congress can always override or, as made apparent again now, starve of funding. That’s the power of holding the purse string that could certainly affect America the mighty’s projection of power. From propping up South Vietnam with billions of dollars in war materiel only to leave Saigon in a huff — with choppers flying off the rooftop of the US Embassy in a hasty, humiliating retreat in 1975 — to giving substantial aid to Israel and Middle Eastern countries, the US has not stopped its posturing as the “policeman of the world.” As in Vietnam and Afghanistan, where in the latter it also abruptly pulled out its forces, thereby allowing the Taliban to retake the country in 2021, the US, for all its fire-and-brimstone statements at the start of the Ukraine-Russia war, may have turned its back on its legal and moral responsibility to aid Kyiv. As an adversarial state under madman Vladimir Putin, Russia has been destabilizing international norms, and Ukraine, by fighting back, has been sending the strong message that autocratic governments cannot make the globe their playground. By not including money for Ukraine’s defense in the 2024 spending bill, the US has lost the chance to demonstrate its dedication to the defense of democracy. But such are the vagaries of the budgeting process in the United States and, of course, the Philippines, with the latter’s form of government and jurisprudence loosely patterned after America’s. In the US, government shutdowns have happened before and will happen again when the legislature and the executive branches are unable to reach an agreement on priorities and lawmakers do not enact a budget in a timely manner. The budget can also be wielded as a political baton with which to make the executive branch more malleable. An example would be the 2013 shutdown in an attempt to defund the Affordable Care Act. Frequent disagreements on spending priorities between the two parties in the US Congress have led to stalemates, with neither side willing to pass the budget unless their demands were met. Budget delays had caused negative effects on the economy and public services. Some may argue that past shutdowns of the US federal government would show the Philippines has a more mature budgetary system in place, as a failure to pass the budget for a new fiscal year only results in a reenacted budget. But the problems associated with a reenacted budget abound. There’s the delayed implementation of new programs and projects. This, as a reenacted budget only allows for the funding of existing programs and projects. A reenacted budget also limits government flexibility to respond to changing needs. For example, if the economy experiences a downturn, the government may need to increase spending on social programs or infrastructure projects. However, this is not possible under a reenacted budget. But probably the biggest risk associated with a reenacted budget would be corruption, as it can give the executive branch more leeway or elbow room to fund projects while reallocating “savings” from projects that had been funded previously. In the shadow of budgetary bludgeoning and political brinkmanship, the recent passage of the US funding bill left Ukraine’s defense hanging by a thread, a stark reminder of the capriciousness of budgeting processes in both the United States and the Philippines, where legislative complexities often take precedence over strategic imperatives. The budget’s power to shape policy and dictate priorities, as seen in the Philippines with past reenacted budgets, illustrates the pitfalls of wielding fiscal levers as political weapons. In both nations, the budgeting process, while designed to reflect the will of the people, is susceptible to political posturing, causing disruptions and imperiling the very ideals of democracy it should be upholding. The post Budgetary leverage appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ukraine aid under threat
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky is facing a big headache as international aid to its military is under threat of getting cut by political developments in the United States and western neighbor Slovakia. The United States Congress passed a 45-day budget bill averting a government shutdown but it leaves out funding for Ukraine that President Joe Biden requested. In Slovakia, the populist party Smer-SD led by former prime minister Robert Fico won parliamentary election on Sunday. The Smer-SD party, which won 23.3 percent of votes and 42 seats in the 150-member legislature, campaigned to stop military aid to Ukraine. Reports say the Smer-SD may form a coalition government with like-minded parties like the leftwing Hlas-SD which won 27 seats and the nationalist Slovak National Party which won 10 parliamentary seats. Slovakia has been one of Europe’s biggest donors to Ukraine as a share of its gross domestic product. Analysts predict a Fico government could radically change Slovakia’s foreign policy to resemble that of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The post Ukraine aid under threat appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Adequate compensation for BARMM medical workers pushed
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Members of the Parliament of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao are pushing to enact measures aimed at constructing a new hospital and providing fair compensation for medical workers in the region. MPs Amilbahar Mawallil, Dr. Hashemi Dilangalen and Hamid Malik are at the forefront for the passage of Parliament Bill 237 or the “Bangsamoro Public Health Workers Compensation Act of 2023.” MPs Atty. Laisa Alamia, Engr. Baintan Ampatuan, Atty. Rasol Mitmug Jr., Engr. Don Mustapha Loong, Atty. Suharto Ambolodto, and Rasul Ismael are also pushing for the enactment of PB 237 as co-authors. Under the measure, it will mandate the BARMM to recognize the crucial roles played by medical doctors, nurses and other public health workers in the region as it also extends its coverage to all active and regularly performing public health workers employed within BARMM. This includes physicians, nurses, nursing assistants, midwives, laboratory and medical technicians, and pharmacists employed in various healthcare establishments owned and operated by the government or its political subdivisions with original charters. “This legislative bill aims to address the longstanding issue of inadequate compensation by enhancing the benefits and allowances of these professionals and providing forms of compensation to recognize the unique challenges they face,” Mawallil said. He added that once passed, the measure will provide a monthly honorarium of P3,000 to all actively and regularly performing public health workers. For his part, Loong — one of the co-authors of the bill — said that the giving of honoraria will be implemented through a phased salary enhancement program over three years. The selection of recipients will be based on a comprehensive evaluation of existing salary scales, market standards, and regional economic factors to establish fair and competitive compensation for all public health workers. Loong explained that it also includes various forms of compensation, including hazard, subsistence, and transportation allowances, as well as emergency assistance and death and burial benefits, which will be extended to eligible public health workers. The post Adequate compensation for BARMM medical workers pushed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NASA joins the still controversial search for UFOs
NASA on Thursday officially joined the search for UFOs -- but reflecting the stigma attached to the field, the US space agency wouldn't identify the director of the new program tasked with tracking mystery flying objects. The official's appointment is the result of a year-long NASA fact-finding report into what NASA calls "unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP)." "At NASA, it's in our DNA to explore -- and to ask why things are the way they are," NASA chief Bill Nelson said. An independent team of 16 researchers concluded in the report that the search for UAPs "demands a rigorous, evidence-based approach." NASA is well positioned to play a prominent role, thanks to its satellite capabilities and other technical assets. But the agency stressed in its report that any findings of possible extraterrestrial origin "must be the hypothesis of last resort -- the answer we turn to only after ruling out all other possibilities." "We want to shift the conversation about UAP from sensationalism to science," Nelson said. Even if NASA has long explored the heavens, hunting for the origin, identity, and purpose of a growing number of unexplained flying objects over planet Earth is bringing unprecedented challenges. Military and civilian pilots keep offering a multitude of reports on strange sightings. But decades of movies and sci-fi books about aliens mean the entire topic is mostly laughed off by the public as the territory of cranks. That atmosphere explained the unusual decision by NASA to decline to identify the lead UAP official's identity. "We need to ensure that the scientific process and methods are free," said Daniel Evans, who worked on the year-long NASA report leading to the announcement. "Some of the threats and the harassment have been beyond the pale quite frankly," Evans said. 800 events There have been more than 800 "events" collected over 27 years, of which two to five percent are thought to be possibly anomalous, the report's authors said during a May meeting. These are defined as "anything that is not readily understandable by the operator or the sensor," or "something that is doing something weird," said team member Nadia Drake. The US government has begun taking the issue of UAPs more seriously in recent years, in part due to concerns that they are related to foreign surveillance. One example of a still unexplained phenomenon was a flying metallic orb spotted by an MQ-9 drone at an undisclosed location in the Middle East, which was shown to Congress in April. NASA's work, which relies on unclassified material, is separate from a parallel Pentagon investigation, though the two are coordinating on matters of how to apply scientific tools and methods. In July, a former US intelligence officer made headlines when he told a congressional committee he "absolutely" believes the government is in possession of unidentified anomalous phenomena -- as well as remains of their alien operators. "My testimony is based on information I've been given by individuals with a longstanding track record of legitimacy and service to this country -- many of whom also shared compelling evidence in the form of photography, official documentation, and classified oral testimony," David Grusch told lawmakers. Earlier this week, the alleged bodies of two "non-human" beings were presented during a congressional hearing in Mexico, generating a mixture of surprise, disbelief, and ridicule on social media. The purported mummified remains, which had a grayish color and a human-like body form, were brought by Jaime Maussan, a controversial Mexican journalist and researcher who reported finding them in Peru in 2017. The post NASA joins the still controversial search for UFOs appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»