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China blocks use of Intel and AMD chips in government computers – report
The procurement guidance also seeks to sideline Microsoft Windows and foreign-made database software in favor of domestic options, a Financial Times report says.....»»
Bill seeks review of rules on reckless imprudence
The country’s road safety laws must be reviewed to address the liability of drivers in cases of traffic violations and accidents, a lawmaker from Bukidnon said yesterday, citing the high number of vehicular crashes in Metro Manila......»»
TikTok facing ban in America; penalized $384 million in Europe
The US House of Reps has passed a bill to ban TikTok unless it cuts ties to Communist China. Chinese parent ByteDance must sell TikTok to another nationality in six months or be shut down......»»
Safety nets in place for medical cannabis
A bill in the House of Representatives that allows marijuana or cannabis for medical purposes will incorporate safety nets to prevent aggravating the country’s problems on drug abuse......»»
4 life sentences for human trafficker
In the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 33 of Davao City, American national John F. Stanfield, also known as Bill Rush, has been found guilty on multiple counts of heinous crimes, including four counts of qualified trafficking in persons, five counts of rape through sexual assault, one count of attempted rape, and four counts of child abuse. His victims were four minor Filipino children, the youngest being just five years old at the time of the offenses. Stanfield has been sentenced to four life imprisonment terms, coupled with a maximum of 89 years in prison. In addition, he faces a substantial fine totaling P8,000,000 and has been ordered to pay the victim-survivors an aggregate of Php3,850,000 as civil damages......»»
House OKs bill imposing stiffer penalties on smuggling
The bill considers P2.5 million as the minimum threshold for hoarding, profiteering, cartelizing and other acts of market abuse involving agri-fishery products......»»
Bill seeks BPO agents’ protection
A Senate bill seeks to institutionalize “practicable and equitable arrangements” for the protection of Filipino workers employed in various Business Process Outsourcing companies. Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid, the bill’s author, said Senate Bill 2235, or an Act ensuring the welfare and protection of BPO workers, will serve as a recognition of the industry’s contributions to the Philippines’ gross domestic product. He added that the BPO industry has been bringing $30 billion to the economy every year, which corresponds to 9 percent of the country’s annual GDP. Lapid then cited the 10 to 15 percent share of the Philippines in the global BPO market. In 2019, the BPO sector provided employment opportunities to over 1.3 million Filipinos, and such figure continues to grow at an annual rate of 8 to 10 percent. Hence, Lapid said it is only timely that the government should acknowledge the huge contributions of the BPO workers to the country’s economy by legislating SB 2235. “We need to make sure that there will be proper standards for the BPO sector, including the humane treatment as well as ensuring that companies provide adequate benefits, privileges, and comfortable working conditions,” he emphasized. No abuse of workers Under the bill, BPO companies shall refrain from understaffing operations and overloading their employees’ tasks, as well as imposing a humane client quota. The bill also mandates BPO companies to provide their workers with access to relevant information, allowing them “to understand their rights, benefits, obligations, conditions, and realities attending their profession.” The post Bill seeks BPO agents’ protection 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......»»
House panel OKs bill penalizing use of corporal punishment against children
The House panel on the welfare of children has approved a bill banning the use of corporal punishment to discipline children — a measure that lawmakers and child rights advocates hope would deter incidents of child abuse within homes......»»
Escudero to TESDA: Offer ‘tailor-fit’ training to former drug dependents
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority should offer training and livelihood programs ‘solely’ for former drug dependents who have undergone rehabilitation, said Senator Francis Escudero on Tuesday. Escudero made the recommendation after a meeting with the members of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education and TESDA officials earlier the day. In a public hearing, the Senate panel discussed Senate Bill 2115 and its counterpart House Bill 7721—both proposed measures seeking to institutionalize technical-vocational education and training or TVET and livelihood programs for former drug dependents— an anti-drug campaign that reintegrates them into the mainstream society. The senator said that he was surprised to learn that TESDA does not have any exclusive livelihood and training program for rehabilitated drug users. "If we will institutionalize TESDA's training and livelihood programs for rehabilitated drug dependents, we might as well design something that will specifically cater to them,” Escudero said. During the discussion, TESDA representative Joyce Balong confirmed that the government only prioritizes former drug users in their existing livelihood and training programs. Hence, Escudero ordered the consolidation of the two bills and referred them to a technical working group or TWG so they can better specify the training or livelihood programs that fit exclusively for rehabilitated or former drug dependents. Escudero also instructed the TWG to consider the existing Memorandum of Understanding or Memorandum of Agreement of the Dangerous Drug Board in formulating the new ‘tailored-fit’ programs for the rehabilitated drug dependents, partnering with various government bodies including the Department of Labor and Employment, the Commission on Higher Education and TESDA. Escudero is also rallying for possible additional functions for CHED in the institutionalization of such programs in support of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. He said there’s a need to create sustainable programs for the treatment and rehabilitation of individuals who have fallen victim to drug abuse or dangerous drug dependence. The TESDA records showed almost 9,000 former drug dependents were awarded scholarships in 2021, with more than 8,000 of them successfully completing various courses initiated by the TVET program. Escudero agreed with Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, the author of Senate Bill 2115, to include the crafting of exclusive training and livelihood modules for the former drug dependents in the proposed measure. SB 2115 seeks the institutionalization of TESDA's programs as a vital component of the recovery journey of the former drug dependent. “This will allow them to find meaningful employment and rebuild their lives,” said Escudero. The post Escudero to TESDA: Offer ‘tailor-fit’ training to former drug dependents appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marcos: War on drugs to continue — but with ‘new face’
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said the country's fight against the illegal drug problem continues under his helm. "The campaign against illegal drugs continues—but it has taken on a new face. It is now geared towards community-based treatment, rehabilitation, education, and reintegration, to curb drug dependence among our affected citizenry," said Marcos during his second State of the Nation Address. Marcos mentioned that the government has effectively launched the "Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan" or BIDA Program, and established additional 102 Balay Silangan Reformation Centers nationwide. The government, he added, will relentlessly continue its fight against drug syndicates by "shutting down their illegal activities and dismantling their network of operations." "Unscrupulous law enforcers and others involved in the highly nefarious drug trade have been exposed. I will be accepting their resignations," the President said. Marcos vowed to install individuals with unquestionable integrity, and who will be effective and trustworthy in handling the task of eliminating the drug problem--which he described as a "dreaded and corrosive social curse." "We cannot tolerate corruption or incompetence in government," he added. Shortly before Marcos delivered his SONA, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa expressed hope that Marcos will pay attention to the illegal drug problem in the country during the remainder of his term. “Konting pansin lang. Sana mapansin lang ‘yung drug situation (Just a little attention. I hope the drug situation will be taken care of),” Dela Rosa said in an interview with reporters. Asked if the government is lacking the courage to fight the drug problem, Del Rosa said: “Iba talaga ‘yung manggaling sa pinaka-chief executive ‘yung pagpansin sa drug problem (It is really different if the chief executive himself will pay attention to the drug problem).” On the other hand, Dela Rosa said he believes Marcos will continue supporting the push for the mandatory revival of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps in the Philippines. “He already mentioned the ROTC [program] during his first SONA. The ROTC bill is still pending, but I will continue pushing for it,” he added. Newly installed Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff, Gen Romeo Brawner Jr. has expressed his full support for the revival of the mandatory ROTC. Brawner earlier vowed that ROTC will be implemented accordingly and professionally by well-trained military handlers should it becomes legally mandatory. The military chief said the AFP will make sure that the cases of hazing, as well as physical and verbal abuse and other malpractices related to the ROTC in the past, won’t happen again in the future. “The AFP is preparing for proper and relevant conduct of the program in the future,” said Brawner. The post Marcos: War on drugs to continue — but with ‘new face’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl cinema in the first year of BBM
Here, we look back at the state of the Philippine film industry since he took the seat of power 13 months ago. When President Marcos Jr. became the 17th leader of the nation, the country was on the brink of the “new normal.” The campaign elections even saw multitudes of crowds in the streets, the Filipinos’ political passion overpowering the fear of a Covid-19 infection. Covid-pandemic viewing By May 2022, the month of the presidential campaigns, the Department of Health said the country was at “minimal-risk case classification” with an average of only 159 cases per day. By June 2022, when the President took his oath, 69.4 million Filipinos had been fully vaccinated. Along with the country, the Philippine film industry started healing. On the same month, the country went under Covid-19 Alert Level 2, with 50-percent allowed capacity in indoor cinemas. Live film festivals The Marcos administration saw the return of Filipino film festivals in theaters. On Marcos’ fifth month as president, the QCinema International Film Festival, with the theme “in10City,” held hybdrid screenings — in-person and online. The Metro Manila Film Festival in December 2022, six months into the new presidency, went full force in cinemas for the second time during the pandemic. Earlier, in 2020, during the Duterte administration, the festival was held online for the first time, and the following year, in December 2021, after level alert measures in the Philippines were relaxed, the MMFF finally went back to the cinemas. However, only around 300 cinemas (down from the usual 900) were allowed to screen the MMFF entries. Meanwhile, the 18th edition of the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival was held from 5 August to 31 October 2022 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, in select mall cinemas and online. But what made a mark during the Marcos administration’s first year was the inaugural edition of the 2023 Summer Metro Manila Film Festival. The SMMFF was held in Metro Manila and throughout the Philippines. Organized by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority in partnership with the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines, the first MMFF was supposed to be held in 2020, but was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2023, held from 8 to 18 April 2023 with the theme “Tuloy-tuloy ang Saya,” the summer festival featured eight entries and, like its December counterpart, even held a Parade of Stars. About Us But Not About Us by Jun Lana, produced by The IdeaFirst Company, Octobertrain Films and Quantum Films, emerged as the first Best Picture of the summer festival. [caption id="attachment_161372" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] About Us But Not About Us by Jun Lana[/caption] The Film Development Council of the Philippines’ sixth edition of its own mini-film festival, held during the Marcos administration’s third month, headed back to cinemas, offering free access to award-winning classic films of the new National Artists for Film and Broadcast Arts at TriNoma Cinema in Quezon City and in all Cinematheque centers nationwide (Manila, Iloilo, Negros, Davao and Nabunturan). CCP closes for renovations On 1 September 2022, CCP president Margarita Moran-Floirendo announced during a hearing of the Senate committee on cultural communities, that The Cultural Center of the Philippines — home to the Cinemalaya festival — will close its doors starting January 2023 for renovation and structural retrofitting works, and will reopen in March 2025. This marks the first time that Cinemalaya, on its 19th year, which has the theme “ilumiNasyon,” will be held at various venues inside the adjacent Philippine International Convention Center, from 4 to 13 August 2023. The rise of political films With the country deeply driven by polarized political views, the Marcos administration saw a war between political commercial films. [caption id="attachment_161370" align="aligncenter" width="1800"] ‘MAID in Malacanang’ stars Cristine Reyes, Diego Loyzaga and Ella Cruz. | Photograph courtesy of viva[/caption] On 29 July 2022, Darryl Yap’s period drama Maid in Malacañang, touted as “the most controversial film of the year,” was released to packed cinemas. The movie, about the Marcos family’s last three days in Malacañang Palace before they were forced into exile, premiered at SM North EDSA and was released nationwide on 3 August 2022. Yap, who passionately campaigned for Marcos, became a controversial filmmaker with the release of his Marcos film. Leni Robredo supporters tried to boycott the film, with some Filipino movie critics exposing themselves as heavily political and non-neutral with their reviews, accusing the film of propaganda and historical revisionism. The attempt to quash the movie’s release failed and it became a box-office hit, with producer Viva Films releasing a statement that it earned a whopping P21 million on its opening day and P63 million three days after its release. It was the first time in Philippine cinema history that local theaters nationwide saw a deluge of moviegoers lining up to watch a movie on the big screen, mostly driven by political affiliation. Another unsuccessful political attempt to diminish the film’s release was Vince Tañada’s re-release of his Martial Law film Katips to counter Maid in Malacañang. Tañada’s film eventually won Best Picture at the Famas Awards. MIM actress Ella Cruz’s remark during a press conference, that “history is like tsismis,” further fanned the flames of political debate online. Eight months later, in March 2022, Viva released Yap’s second installment in his Marcos trilogy, Martyr or Murderer, which now focused on Ferdinand Marcos and the assassination of Ninoy Aquino. Two anti-Marcos movies rose to combat the film — Joel Lamangan’s Oras de Peligro, released on the same day, and Tañada’s movie adaptation of his musical play Ako Si Ninoy, released one week earlier. Movie buffs, political analysts, film critics, the press and social media influencers dove into feverish commentaries on the three films, and Philippine cinemas were ignited and, for a while, became alive with social discourse. New FDCP head On 21 July 2022, Tirso S. Cruz III officially assumed his position as the head of the country’s national film agency, the Film Development Council of the Philippines. He replaced Liza Diño, who was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as FDCP chairperson on 12 August 2016. [caption id="attachment_161368" align="aligncenter" width="736"] FDCP chair Tirso Cruz III. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF FDCP[/caption] Cruz, a veteran actor, said that the target of the FDCP under the Marcos administration was to support local films, not just in Metro Manila, but also from regional filmmakers. He also professed support for film students and highlighted archiving as part of the FDCP’s agenda, with 42,000 materials in its archives to be salvaged. MTRCB In September 2022, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board released a statement addressing the controversy about its proposal to expand its jurisdiction to online streaming services like Netflix, Vivamax, Amazon Prime and other streaming platforms. The MTRCB said it was responding to multitudes of complaints from parents and other concerned groups demanding that the agency regulate movie and TV online platforms to protect children from harmful viewing. The Marcos administration has seen a continuous boom in streamers, which began during the pandemic, with Vivamax becoming one of the leading local streamers due to the popularity of Filipino sexploitation films. On 23 February 2023, MTRCB chairperson Lala Sotto-Antonio expressed her gratitude to Senators Francis “Tol” Tolentino, Grace Poe and Sherwin Gatchalian for the separate bills they filed that would amend and expand the board’s mandate. “We welcome the move to amend the charter of the MTRCB as it will allow the agency to adequately adapt to changes in technology and the ever-evolving needs of the viewing public and our other stakeholders,” Sotto-Antonio said before the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media chaired by Senator Robinhood C. Padilla. Eddie Garcia Act In January 2023, the chamber passed through voice voting House Bill 1270, or the proposed Eddie Garcia Act, at the House plenary session. [caption id="attachment_161367" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] HOUSE Bill 1270 has been proposed in honor of the late actor Eddie Garcia. | Photograph courtesy of gma-7[/caption] Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte authored the bill, which aims to provide workers in the movie, television and radio entertainment industry opportunities for well-paid employment and protect them from economic exploitation, abuse and harassment, as well as hazardous working conditions. The bill was named after the late veteran actor Eddie Garcia, who died in 2019 after suffering a neck injury while shooting the television series Rosang Agimat, produced by GMA Network. According to Villafuerte, productions would go from 16 to 24 continuous work hours per set and would rush productions to save costs. The proposed law mandates that normal work hours of the worker or talent shall be eight hours a day; overtime work should not exceed more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period; and the total number of work hours shall not exceed 60 hours in a week. Paul Soriano Relatively unknown to most Pinoy moviegoers, filmmaker Paul Soriano was put on the limelight as the man behind the President’s advertisements — way back from campaigns since Marcos started out as vice governor, and then, governor of Ilocos Norte, up until his senatorial campaign, and eventually his campaign for the vice presidency and presidency. [caption id="attachment_161371" align="aligncenter" width="781"] PRESIDENTIAL Adviser on Creative Communications Paul Soriano. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF ig/PAUL SORIANO[/caption] Of course, the opposition in the film industry predictably canceled Soriano, the blood nephew of First Lady Liza Cacho Araneta-Marcos. Dolly de Leon It was also during the BBM era that Filipina actress Dolly de Leon gained international fame for her performance in the 2022 Cannes Palme d’Or winner Triangle of Sadness. [caption id="attachment_161366" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Dolly de Leon gained international fame for her performance in the 2022 Cannes Palme d’Or winner ‘Triangle of Sadness.’ | Photograph courtesy ofig/dolly de leon[/caption] The 54-year old film, television and theater actress made history by becoming the first Filipino actor to be nominated at the British Academy Film Awards and Golden Globe Awards. Filipino movie fans and critics, having been exposed to global content since the rise of the streamers, plus the proliferation of self-published movie reviews, are generally still disappointed with the output and system of the Philippine film industry, but filled with hope that, with full support from the government, Philippine cinema will finally become truly internationally competitive, sustainable and recognized. The post Phl cinema in the first year of BBM appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
AFP assures only well-trained professionals to handle mandatory ROTC
The Armed Forces of the Philippines will make sure that the Reserve Officers' Training Corps will be implemented accordingly and professionally by well-trained military handlers, especially should it becomes mandatory, newly-designated AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., said Friday. In a chance interview with reporters, Brawner cited the cases of hazing and physical and verbal abuse as well as other malpractices related to the ROTC in the past; hence, the AFP is preparing for proper and relevant conduct of the program in the future. “We are going to do away with that, by making sure that we have a professional core of soldiers and officers who will take care, take charge and manage the new program of the ROTC so ‘yun yung gusto nating gawin (that’s what we wanted to do), that is why right now, we are already training our core of professionals, officers, enlisted personnel who will handle the ROTC,” he said. “Ayaw na natin maulit ‘yung nangyari noong nakaraang programa ng ROTC (We don’t want the old practices to happen again in the ROTC program).” While the AFP is still waiting for the legislation of the ROTC bill, Brawner said there are ongoing preparations already in place. “The way that I understand it, it will not be the Department of National Defense who will be the lead agency rather it will be DepEd. So but the implementation will be done by the Department of National Defense, particularly the Armed Forces of the Philippines. So on our part, we are now preparing,” he noted. ‘ “Looking at the past experience that we have in ROTC, there are abuses in the past.” Expressing his full support for the revival of mandatory ROTC, Brawner said it will prepare every Filipino youth not only to become soldiers “but to become good citizens” that are ready to fight “any challenge or any threat —whether it is man-made or natural calamities.” ROTC in the Philippines is currently being taken optional by tertiary students, through the NSTP STP Act of 2001, following the death of the University of Santo Tomas sophomore cadet Mark Welson Chua, who had exposed corruption in the university’s ROTC program. The bill seeking mandatory ROTC is currently being discussed in the Senate plenary. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as well as vice-president and Education Secretary, Sara Duterte, earlier backed the revival of the program, making it mandatory for all Filipino students. The post AFP assures only well-trained professionals to handle mandatory ROTC appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go throws support to grassroots sports development programs
Championing grassroots sports development initiatives in various local communities, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go personally witnessed the opening of the inter-barangay basketball league in Cortes, Bohol on Monday, July 17. The basketball league is in partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission and the local government led by Mayor Lynn Iven Lim. Addressing the crowd gathered at the ampitheater, the chair of the Senate Committee on Sports underscored the significance of sports in promoting physical fitness and diverting the youth's attention away from illegal vices, including drug abuse. As an ardent supporter of grassroots sports development, Go recognized the pivotal role that athletics play in nurturing a healthier and more productive citizenry. “Sporting events, such as the basketball league in Cortes, not only provide an avenue for physical exercise but also encourage teamwork, discipline, and camaraderie among participants,” he said. Go emphasized the importance of promoting sports activities as a means to promote a drug-free community. He highlighted the prevalence of illegal drugs in various communities and expressed his commitment to combat this menace by promoting productive activities that inspire individuals, especially the youth, to stay away from harmful substances and become productive members of society. "Kaya ganun na lang po ang galit ni (dating) pangulong Duterte sa iligal na droga. Kapag pumasok po ang droga, papasok po ang kriminalidad, papasok po ang korapsyon. Mabibili po 'yan. 'Yan po ang kinatatakutan natin dito, kapag bumalik po ang iligal na droga, hindi na po magiging safe maglakad ang mga anak natin," said Go. “Kaya isa rin po sa pamamaraan na ine-engganyo ko po ang kabataan to get into sports, stay away from drugs. Ilayo po natin ang mga kabataan sa droga through sports. Get into sports, stay away from drugs,” he added. The event was also attended by Congressman Edgardo Chatto, Vice Governor Dionisio Victor Balite, Tagbiliran City Mayor Jane Yap, Dauis Vice Mayor Miriam Sumaylo, and Cortes Councilor Ira Lim, among others. "Senator, maraming salamat sa iyong panahon, alam ko kung gaano ka ka-busy.... On behalf ng mga mamamayan dito sa Cortes, maraming salamat mula sa aming puso sa lahat ng iyong tulong sa amin dito.... Ang game changer natin na makapagbigay ng maayos na pag-unlad, especially sa ating mga kababayan, andito ang biggest regional hospital at… ang tumulong sa pagpasa ng batas para maisakatuparan ito ay si Senator Bong Go," Mayor Lim said. Mayor Lim likewise thanked Go for the projects he supported in Cortes as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, including the acquisition of a multipurpose vehicle, the construction of a multipurpose building, and the improvement of the municipal public park and hall grounds. Go also underscored the importance of creating opportunities for young athletes, including scholarships, training programs, incentives and continuing investments in local sports facilities. It can be recalled that in 2021, Go visited Bataan and participated in the presentation and signing of the Deed of Donation for the land where the Philippine Sports Training Center (PSTC) was proposed to be constructed in Bagac. The creation of the PSTC aims to promote sports in the country and achieve excellence in international sports competitions. Meanwhile, Go authored and co-sponsored the measure that became Republic Act No. 11470, establishing the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in 2020. NAS is a government-run educational institution that offers quality secondary education with a special curriculum on sports for gifted young Filipinos who want to enhance their physical and mental capabilities in sports. Go also filed Senate Bill No. 423 or the proposed Philippine National Games (PNG) Act of 2022. The measure aims to institutionalize “a truly comprehensive national grassroots sports program, which will harness the vast potential of the citizenry in discovering and developing champion athletes who could excel in international sports competition, thus giving the country pride and international goodwill and addressing the long-standing problems of Philippine sports in general.” “As chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, I am one with President (Ferdinand) Marcos Jr. in highlighting the importance of sports in nation-building. I reiterate my firm commitment to always look after the welfare of our athletes and to push for long-term and grassroots sports development,” Go previously said. It can also be recalled that Go played a crucial role in pushing for additional funding for sports development in the country. He effectively advocated for a boost in the 2023 budget of the PSC, specifically designating an extra one billion pesos to aid athletes, both at the international level and in grassroots initiatives. On the same day, Go visited several infrastructure projects he supported the funding of as vice chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, including the ongoing construction of Governor Celestino Gallares Multi-specialty Medical Complex in Cortes, and the Cortes Municipal Park and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management building, both in Cortes town. He also led a distribution activity for athletes, coaches, and barangay workers in Cortes town. After Cortes, Go went to Tagbilaran City to inspect the city’s Super Health Center and the Malasakit Center at Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital. Lastly, the senator attended the 73rd Commencement Exercise of Bohol Institute of Technology International College System. The post Bong Go throws support to grassroots sports development programs appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Padilla eyes Israel as model for medical marijuana use in Philippines
Tel Aviv [Israel], July 13 (ANI/TPS): Sen. Robinhood Padilla on Thursday said he is considering Israel as model for allowing cannabis (marijuana) strictly for medical purposes, as well as in preventing its misuse and abuse, in the Philippines. Speaking during the hearing of the Senate Health Subcommittee tackling Senate Bill 230 (Medical Cannabis Compassionate Access Act), Padilla said he learned more of the use of medica.....»»
Who foots bill?
In the grant of certiorari, or in layman’s terms allowing the Court of Appeals to intervene in an Energy Regulatory Commission decision, the appellate court cited ERC’s “abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction.” Legal experts, nonetheless, said the situation could be the opposite with the CA undermining the mandate of a quasi-judicial agency in issuing its recent ruling. The CA made the writ of preliminary injunction permanent thus allowing business giant San Miguel Corporation to disregard ERC’s rejection of its price increase petitions that did not favor it. Moreover, the court’s 13th Division ruled to grant the price adjustment petitions of SMC units South Premiere Power Corp. and San Miguel Energy Corp., thus subverting the ERC which had ruled against the SMC appeals. The ERC, through Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, had previously criticized the CA 13th Division’s grant of a writ of preliminary injunction or WPI as having “the immediate effect of prejudging the disposition of the main petition.” Former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is a former Davao City prosecutor, had condemned the indiscriminate dispensation of the WPI and/or temporary restraining order or TRO, particularly on a purely business matter. In the ERC case, the CA was able to take over the functions of the regulator using the strength of the WPI. In essence, it assumed the mandate of the ERC while the WPI was in effect, which is now permanent based on the recent ruling. Such omnipotence of the court triggered Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile to coin the word “Presidential Injunction” which was his way of criticizing the frequent overreach by the court. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. had also urged the court to review the TRO, saying that it would result in higher electricity bills. Guevarra, in the ERC’s motion for the CA to reconsider the grant of the WPI, said the “settled principle is that an injunctive relief will not be issued if it will result to a premature disposition or a prejudgment of the case on its merits.” The SolGen said that consequently, courts are “cautioned” against issuing a WPI and/or TRO when the issuance thereof “would have the result of disposing of the main case without trial.” Set aside by the CA ruling was the ERC order of 29 September requiring the SMC energy arms to strictly adhere to the terms and conditions of their power supply agreements with Meralco. “Thus, by granting the petitioner’s application for the issuance of the WPI, the Honorable Court, in effect, affirmed the petitioner’s act of terminating the PSA,” Guevarra said. He added: “The grant of the WPI had the same effect as though the instant petition was already granted upon a finding of grave abuse of discretion on the part of the ERC.” The CA ruling stated what SolGen had warned about and gave relief to SMC through the permanent injunction. The ERC now has the option to appeal the CA ruling and thereafter elevate the case to the Supreme Court. The sum of it is that SMC escaped its obligation under its contract with Meralco “to the damage and prejudice of the public consumers,” according to Guevarra. The court gave SMC the option of still pursuing the PSAs with the adjustments in price despite the provision on straight pricing that did not allow the pass-on of costs to consumers. But why bother, when it can also unilaterally terminate the contract through the court order disregarding the ERC ruling? As such, SMC can exercise its will freely on how to collect from electricity users the P15 billion or so that it claimed to have lost from the Meralco contract that it had won through a fair bid. The crux of the ongoing legal tussle is that it would be the consumers who would have to bear the consequences of bad business decisions that SMC made in the supply contract. The post Who foots bill? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Escudero backs proposed air passenger rights
Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero stressed it’s about time to pass a law that would institutionalize the Air Passenger Bill of Rights and urged for stiffer penalties on violators amid the rising customer complaints against poor airline services. "Similar measures had been filed in previous Congress but nothing happened. It is about time that we in the 19th Congress should look into this seriously and hopefully pass the necessary legislation," Escudero said. The current Congress, according to Escudero, should look into legislating the Air Passenger Bill of Rights, a proposal that was backed by the Civil Aeronautics Board during Wednesday's hearing conducted jointly by the Committee on Tourism and the Committee on Public Services, chaired by Senators Nancy Binay and Grace Poe, respectively. During the hearing, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said he is mulling a measure that would institutionalize the Air Passenger Bill Rights in order to protect the public from any abuse by airline companies. Dela Rosa also asked CAB about its position in pushing the institutionalization of the Air Passenger Bill of Rights in order to protect the public from erring airline companies. "What is your position? Do you agree with the proposal to create a law that will institutionalize the Air Passenger Bill of Rights?" asked Dela Rosa. In response, Arcilla, said they have been very supportive of the proposal as she cited the violations and penalties provided in the 71-year-old Republic Act 776 or the "Civil Aeronautics Act of the Philippines" have not been revised and limits the fine to P5,000 for each violation. On the other hand, the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights was not legislated but contained in the Joint Administrative Order 1 of the then Department of Transportation and Communications and the Department of Trade and Industry in 2012. The Airline Passenger Bill of Rights specifically tries to resolve passengers’ complaints, including delayed or canceled flights without appropriate warning, lost luggage, and overbooking of flights. It also covers pre-flight issues, such as misleading fare advertisements. The post Escudero backs proposed air passenger rights appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Go: Prioritize health care, pro-poor schemes
With the National Expenditure Program still in the hands of the executive branch and set to be submitted to Congress in July, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, as vice chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, highlighted the importance of allocating sufficient funds to pro-poor initiatives. In an ambush interview after aiding poor residents in Silay City, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday, 7 June, Go particularly emphasized the significance of healthcare funding. The senator firmly believes that prioritizing healthcare is crucial, as it directly impacts the well-being of the people, especially the underprivileged. Recognizing the significant contributions of overseas Filipino workers to the nation, Go also underscored the necessity of providing a sufficient budget for the Department of Migrant Workers. The senator believes in supporting and protecting the welfare of OFWs, who play a vital role in the country’s economic growth. Believing that all Filipino migrant workers should be given the necessary support and benefits that they rightfully deserve, Go was instrumental in the enactment of Republic Act 11641, creating the DMW. The Senate version of the Act, Senate Bill 2234, was co-authored and co-sponsored by Go. Furthermore, Go, who is chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, emphasized the importance of investing in sports to engage the youth and deter them from drug abuse. He then assured the Filipino people that he will work diligently to ensure that these programs receive adequate funding and that people’s money will not go to waste. Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, led the inauguration of the 158th Malasakit Center inside Diosdado P. Macapagal Memorial Hospital in Guagua, Pampanga last Friday, 9 June. In his speech, He expressed gratitude to his fellow public servants, including Department of Health Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, Governor Dennis Pineda, and Vice Governor Nanay Lilia Pineda, for sharing the same advocacy in ensuring that no Filipino is left behind when it comes to medical care. Meanwhile, Vice Governor Pineda took the opportunity to commend Go for initiating the Malasakit Centers program that has helped more than seven million Filipinos, according to the DoH. She then highlighted the significance of Go’s efforts in transforming the healthcare landscape in Pampanga and beyond. The Vice Governor also emphasized that the Malasakit Centers have become instrumental in alleviating the financial burden of medical expenses, ensuring that no one is left behind in their pursuit of proper healthcare. The post Go: Prioritize health care, pro-poor schemes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ignore loose cannons
Filibusters, obstructionists, and rabble-rousers have indicated plans to gang up on the Maharlika Investment Fund bill once President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signs it into law by challenging the measure before the Supreme Court. A left-wing party list said it “will definitely” challenge it by questioning the constitutionality of the MIF bill, on the grounds that it was rushed. The sourgraping group will be joined by the discredited oppositionist in the Senate who was absent during the vote on the bill as he took a recess a day earlier than his colleagues. The group termed the urgent certification by Malacañang of the bill as an “abuse of presidential certification of emergency,” which is a product of their imagination since the President regularly endorses his pet bills. Instead of defending the work of the legislature, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said he will assist as a “source of some facts, information and arguments” in assailing the edict before the SC. Pimentel also ridiculously demanded that President Marcos veto the bill and return it to Congress. Knowing that it was a priority measure, Pimentel now wants the Chief Executive to make a fool of himself by rejecting the MIF and tossing it back to Congress. He argues that it will give lawmakers a “chance to take a second look at the measure to address the concerns raised by many sectors.” Had Pimentel not played truant, he would not need the second look that he is now demanding. Legal experts said the High Tribunal will not allow itself to become part of the farce of the detractors and will respect the separation of powers principle. Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, who voted against the MIF bill, ceded that an SC challenge will not prosper. Petitions challenging the bill’s constitutionality, once it becomes a law, have no issues that will require a Supreme Court review, he simply explained. “Congressional wisdom and expediency are not justiciable issues before the Supreme Court. Thus, I am dousing cold water on projected petitions to challenge the constitutionality of the MIF,” Lagman acknowledged. The legislator recalled the case of former Bataan Rep. Enrique Garcia v. the Executive Secretary in which the SC made clear that it will “not delve into the policy or wisdom of a statute.” Lagman’s view is that if there would be a need for changes in the law, the right step will be “to seek its amendment or repeal by the legislature itself.” The detractors’ rumblings are thus part of their frantic effort to gain relevance using the MIF as a springboard that in turn exposes their vested interest. The oppositors to the bill should consider that the SC is too busy with more important concerns to be bothered by their political play. Had they been doing their job, Pimentel and company would have introduced relevant provisions to the bill that should have tightened its safeguards against abuse. While the majority of the legislators had the good judgment to craft a law that would raise the interest of investors in the country, the slackers are trying to pull it down to salvage their names from obscurity. The MIF will benefit the nation — as the majority of the economic officials explain it — and the detractors of the bill have nothing to offer but hatred. The post Ignore loose cannons appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘We want to be free’: Filipinos demand right to divorce
Philippine mother-of-three Stella Sibonga is desperate to end a marriage she never wanted. But divorce in the Catholic-majority country is illegal, and a court annulment takes years. The Philippines is the only place outside the Vatican where divorce is outlawed, with the Catholic Church -- which holds great influence on Philippine society -- opposing the practice as against its teachings. Those in favor of legalizing divorce say the ban makes it difficult to escape violent or otherwise abusive spouses, or even for couples to amicably cut ties. People wanting to end their marriage can ask a court for an annulment or a declaration that the nuptials were invalid from the start, but the government can appeal against those decisions. The legal process is slow and expensive -- cases can cost as much as $10,000 or more in a country plagued by poverty -- with no guarantee of success, and some people seeking a faster result fall for online scams. "I don't understand why it has to be this difficult," said Sibonga, who has spent 11 years trying to get out of a marriage that her parents forced her into after she became pregnant. Sibonga's legal battle began in 2012, when she applied to a court to cancel her marriage on the basis of her husband's alleged "psychological incapacity", one of the grounds for terminating a matrimony. After five years and $3,500 in legal fees, a judge finally agreed. The former domestic worker's relief was, however, short-lived. The Office of the Solicitor General, which as the government's legal representative is tasked with protecting the institution of marriage, successfully appealed the decision in 2019. Sibonga said she requested the Court of Appeals to reverse its ruling, but is still waiting for an answer. "Why are we, the ones who experienced suffering, abandonment and abuse, being punished by the law?" said Sibonga, 45, who lives near Manila. "All we want is to be free." 'Dysfunctional marriages' The most powerful opponent to divorce in the Philippines is the Catholic Church, which is also against abortion and contraceptives. Around 78 percent of the country's 110 million people are Catholic, according to official census data, and many politicians are wary of contradicting the Church on sensitive social issues. But Congress has scored significant wins in recent years. A controversial birth control law was passed in 2012, despite strong opposition from the Church. And in 2018, majority and opposition parties in the House of Representatives approved a divorce bill that later stalled in the Senate. It was the first time such a proposal had got that far. Surveys conducted by polling company Social Weather Stations show a shift in Philippine attitudes towards divorce. In 2005, 43 percent of Filipinos supported legalizing divorce "for irreconcilably separated couples", while 45 percent disagreed. The same survey in 2017 showed 53 percent in favor, while only 32 percent disagreed. A group of lawmakers is now leading a fresh push to legalize divorce, with several bills filed in the House and the Senate. "We are not destroying any marriage," said Edcel Lagman, a congressman and author of one of the bills. Lagman said divorce was for "dysfunctional marriages beyond repair" and legalizing it would enable women and their children to escape "intolerant and abusive husbands". Before he was elected, President Ferdinand Marcos said the country should consider allowing divorce, but insisted it should not be easy. Annulment scams The burdensome process for getting a court order to end a marriage has spawned online scams offering to secure a quick ruling without time-consuming court appearances. AFP fact checkers found numerous Facebook posts spreading false information about the legal process for annulment in order to attract clients, underscoring a growing global trend of fraudsters profiting off disinformation. One victim told AFP she was charged the equivalent of $2,400 for an annulment service that turned out to be fake. She is now considering converting to Islam in the hope of securing a divorce under Muslim law. "I'm really trying every possible option just to be single again," she told AFP on the condition of anonymity. "Annulment takes so long, it's so expensive and it's not guaranteed, so I'm seeking a more convenient way." Family law specialist Katrina Legarda said the number of people falling for bogus services showed there was a "dire need" for new legislation. But Father Jerome Secillano, of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, said the nation should be "proud" to be the only country outside the Vatican "holding on to the traditional concept of marriage". "There will always be imperfections in a relationship," he said. Secillano said divorcing an abusive partner would "perpetuate the violence" because the perpetrator would go on to abuse their next partner. "You are not actually curing the disease itself," he said. 'I'm a sinner' Sibonga was raised a Catholic, but stopped attending church to avoid accusations of adultery. She has a long-term boyfriend, but cannot tie the knot with him until her first marriage is legally terminated. That her case has dragged on for so long is not unusual in the Philippines, where a creaky justice system can take years to resolve even minor issues. "People think that because I am still technically married, I'm a sinner," she said. "They really believe that what God has united cannot be separated. Really? Even if your husband is trying to kill you, even after everything he's done, divorce is still not allowed?" Sibonga said her relationship with her husband had been traumatic and had pushed her to attempt suicide twice. She does not want her children to marry until divorce is allowed. "I told them they can cohabitate and have as many children as they want, but I won't ever consent to them getting married," she said. "I just don't want them to end up like me." The post ‘We want to be free’: Filipinos demand right to divorce appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»