NBI-7 files additional charges against man nabbed for gun smuggling
Cebu City, Philippines—The man nabbed for alleged gun smuggling will be facing additional charges from the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7). Aside from Illegal Possession of Firearms, Jhefferson Higoy, who was arrested in Lapu-Lapu City last July 2, 2021, will also be charged for Falsification of Public Documents and Usurpation of Authority. […] The post NBI-7 files additional charges against man nabbed for gun smuggling appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Expect long port queues — PPA’s Santiago
The Philippine Ports Authority on Thursday advised vacationers to expect long queues at the ports during the upcoming long holiday weekend, as the number of vessels servicing passengers remains low. PPA general manager Jay Daniel Santiago said the agency expects 1.4 million passengers to flock to various ports in the country starting today, 27 October, until 5 November to participate in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections and to observe All Saints’ and All Souls’ days in their provinces. Santiago said the lack of vessels is the main reason for the expected passenger congestion. He called on the Marina Industry Authority, or Marina, to relax the scheduling of vessels at Matnog Port, Batangas Port and Calapan Port to help address the situation. Santiago also reminded passengers not to pay additional charges, such as travel insurance, to unscrupulous individuals outside the ports. He said the travel insurance for passengers is included in the standard carrier insurance that is paid for by shipping companies. In a separate statement, Marina said it has relaxed the authorized schedule of trips for shipping operators within its jurisdiction in anticipation of the surge in passengers and cargo during the long holiday weekend. The easing of schedules aims to ensure the safe, reliable, and convenient transportation of passengers and rolling cargo while accommodating the heightened demand. This is guided by the conditions outlined in Marina Advisory No. 2015-10, which provides “Guidelines during Emergency, Holiday Season and Special Occasion.” The post Expect long port queues — PPA’s Santiago appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BSP hikes rates6.5%, off-cycle
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on Thursday raised its policy rate on an off-cycle period to 6.5 percent from 6.25 percent to manage a likely inflation uptrend this year until July next year. The BSP has, thus far, raised its policy rate by 450 basis points after inflation peaked at 8.7 percent in January and re-accelerated again to 6.1 percent last month from 5.3 percent in August. The BSP move will increase borrowing costs, with new interest rates on the overnight deposit at 6 percent and lending facilities at 7 percent. BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said the country’s inflation rate might settle at 4.7 percent next year, higher than the central bank’s previous target range of 2 percent to 4 percent for this year and 4.3 percent in the next. He added inflation might quicken further above 4.7 percent from July to March next year. “The balance of risks to the inflation outlook still leans significantly toward the upside, due mainly to the potential impact of higher transport charges, electricity rates, international oil prices, and minimum wage adjustments in areas outside the National Capital Region,” he explained. Limit spending With the higher interest rates, Remolona said consumers will likely limit their spending which will discourage businesses from raising prices. “The BSP’s Monetary Board recognized the need for this urgent monetary action to prevent supply-side price pressures from inducing additional second-round effects and further dislodging inflation expectations,” the BSP chief said. Remolona added the slow global economic recovery and effects of the weather disturbances from El Niño on food supply might also restrain consumption toward a moderated inflation. “Meanwhile, the effect of a weaker-than-expected global recovery as well as government measures to mitigate the effects of El Niño weather conditions could temper inflationary impulses,” he said. The BSP Monetary Board will again announce to the public on 16 November whether to change its policy rate in compliance with its normal cycle period happening every six weeks. However, Remolona already cautioned the public of likely controlled consumer spending in the medium term as the BSP expects to maintain high interest rates in the near future. Tighter settings “Looking ahead, the Monetary Board deems it necessary to keep monetary policy settings tighter for longer until inflationary expectations are better anchored and a sustained downward trend in inflation becomes evident,” he said. “We will consider another rate hike if things are worse than we thought,” Remolona continued. The BSP has raised its policy rate by 425 basis points after inflation peaked at 8.7 percent in January and re-accelerated again to 6.1 percent last month from 5.3 percent in August. The Philippine Statistics Authority attributed this to persisting higher food and fuel prices partly driven by global food trade restrictions and oil trade disruptions from the Russia-Ukraine war. Falls a little behind “In my view, I think we fell a little behind that’s the reason for this effort to catch up. We didn’t look closely enough at expectations,” Remolona said as he reflected on the BSP’s unchanged rate at its September 21 meeting. “One of them that was very striking was our consumer expectations survey which said about 92 percent think that in the next 12 months inflation will be above 4 percent, similar to expectations by firms,” the BSP chief continued. The post BSP hikes rates6.5%, off-cycle appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Scarce vessels face vacationers this long weekend — PPA
The Philippine Ports Authority on Thursday advised vacationers for this upcoming long holiday not only to travel light but to bring tons of patience, as they will likely endure long queues in ports because the number of vessels servicing passengers remains scarce. “That is the concern that we always raise, that the reason why we are having passenger congestion is because we lack vessels. In fact, in my understanding, MARINA (Marina Industry Authority Authority) has already relaxed the scheduling of vessels at Matnog Port. I hope they can also do it here in Batangas Port, which is the second largest port in the country, as well as on the other side, the Calapan Port,” said Santiago during an inspection of Batangas Port on Thursday. He said that by relaxing the scheduling of vessels, turnaround time will be faster and vessels will no longer have to go through berth waiting time. Earlier, PPA general manager Jay Daniel Santiago said they expect 1.4 million passengers to flock to various ports in the country in the lead-up to the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections this 30 October. Travellers are also heading to the provinces for the observance of All Saints and All Souls Day on 1 and 2 November. Santiago reminded passengers not to pay additional charges such as travel insurance, which scrupulous individuals are soliciting outside ports. “Travel insurances for passengers are covered by the common carrier insurance that is being paid by shipping companies. Do not be fooled by these individuals,” he said. Starting Friday, 27 October up to the weekend, some 17,000 to 20,000 passengers are expected to head to Batangas Port, he added. Meanwhile, MARINA on Thursday said it has already advised shipping companies to make sure their online ticketing systems are up and running to ensure the smooth processing of passengers. Eased shipping schedules In a separate statement, MARINA said that in anticipation of the forthcoming "Synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election and Undas 2023," the MARINA Regional Office 4 has issued a directive to relax the authorized schedule of trips for shipping operators within its jurisdiction, in anticipation of the expected surge in passengers and cargo in the coming days. The directive aims to ensure the safe, reliable and convenient transportation of passengers and rolling cargo while accommodating the heightened demand. The relaxation of schedules is guided by the conditions outlined in MARINA Advisory No. 2015-10, which provides "Guidelines during Emergency, Holiday Season, and Special Occasion." Key provisions of the said directive include immediate departure when passenger and cargo capacities are met, prompt return to congested ports, increased sailing frequencies and a strict "First Come, First Served" policy for passengers and cargo. MARINA said that in cases where the measures taken to address congestion and meet demand prove insufficient, other shipping companies or operators may be authorized to deploy their vessels to ensure the swift recovery of affected areas from emergency situations, congestion or similar circumstances. “Changes or adjustments in ship schedules will be allowed with written confirmation from MARINA and are subject to modification, cancellation, or revocation for valid reasons. A copy of this order will be provided to concerned shipping lines and government agencies, with a particular focus on the PCG, its stations, PPA, and local government units,” the statement read. The directive is effective from 27 October 2023 to 6 November 2023, or until shipping operations on the affected routes return to normal, whichever occurs earlier. The post Scarce vessels face vacationers this long weekend — PPA appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Scammer slapped with charges
The National Bureau of Investigation announced on Sunday that it has file charges against an alleged scammer who promised an investor between 10 percent and 25 percent returns in her invested money. The charges of Estafa under Article 315, 2(a) of the Revised Penal Code for the alleged investment scam was filed before the Quezon City prosecutors office by the NBI shortly after the suspect was arrested in Quezon City recently. Investigation showed that the suspect had convinced one victim to invest P400,000 and promised it would earn interest ranging from 10 to 25 percent depending on the term/paid-out date. “Believing the representations of the suspect, the complainant invested a total amount of P400,000 paid on various dates starting from February to April 2023,” the NBI said. “However, (the suspect) failed to make good her promise to pay the complainant with the agreed pay-out of her investment despite numerous demands.” The unnamed complainant told investigators that the money she gave the suspect “was not really invested and that the suspect has no Securities and Exchange Commission registration.” When the suspect asked for P440,000 in additional investment, the complainant decided to file a complaint in the NBI, which promptly launched an entrapment operation. The post Scammer slapped with charges appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
From diaries to detention: Chilling story of Christopher Behn, international child sex offender
YANGON, Myanmar - Christopher Behn, 68, of Colchester, England, who is already serving a nine-year prison sentence for sexually abusing 11 children in Myanmar in 2016, has admitted to 21 additional counts of sexually abusing young boys while abroad. The new charges stemmed from abuse of boys aged six to eleven in Vietnam. Behn, a "committed and prolific transnational child sex offender," will be sentenced.....»»
Christopher Behn, 68, admits 21 new charges of international child abuse
YANGON, Myanmar - Christopher Behn, 68, of Colchester, England, who is already serving a nine-year prison sentence for sexually abusing 11 children in Myanmar in 2016, has admitted to 21 additional counts of sexually abusing young boys while abroad. The new charges stemmed from abuse of boys aged six to eleven in Vietnam. Behn, a "committed and prolific transnational child sex offender," will be sentenced.....»»
NOW Telecom appeals to SC over ‘erroneous’ NTC fine
NOW Telecom Inc. of businessman Mel Velarde has elevated its appeal to the Supreme Court or SC to settle the alleged P2.6 billion in spectrum regulatory fees or SRF and associated charges it allegedly owes the National Telecommunications Commission or NTC. The company, through a 22-page comment dated 1 September 2023 filed before the SC, pointed out that the regulatory fees and penalties imposed were "erroneous" and needed to be recomputed. NOW Telecom is disputing the NTC's calculation, which was based on the total capital stock of P13.57 billion instead of the subscribed and paid-up capital of P1.39 billion. The company pointed out that the additional paid-in capital of P12.17 billion should be excluded from the computation. Thus, it requested the High Court to order NTC to recompute the SRF and base it solely on its capital stock of P1.39 billion and set aside the regulator's letters assessments dated 5 July 2025, and 23 December 2005. Additionally, the company also asked the SC to delete the imposition of any penalty and interest. “We are confident that this SRF issue will be finally resolved. NOW Telecom continues to appeal to the Marcos administration to (maintain) a level playing field, for NOW to compete head-on with China Telecom/DITO and Huawei-equipped SMART and GLOBE,” Velarde said in a press statement on Tuesday. NOW Telecom also contended that the NTC's reference to a COA letter was flawed due to discrepancies. The COA letter claims over P3 billion in unresolved receivables that spanned 14 years. "The crucial COA Letter was conspicuously absent from NTC's official documents, replaced by correspondence with the Office of the Solicitor General, casting doubts on the authenticity of the claim," it added. NOW Telecom additionally said that "the staggering amount imposed by the NTC as penalties and interest does not align with the purpose of the law." "As the term itself implies, the amount of the SRF collected is supposed to be commensurate to, and is simply intended to reimburse the NTC for the costs it incurs in supervising and regulating the telecommunications industry," the company said, adding that the SRF is not a tax or a revenue-raising measure. Last June, it can be recalled that the Securities and Exchange Commission or SEC fined NOW Corp. and Velarde P1 million each for allegedly “misleading disclosures” about the P2.6-billion unpaid obligation of affiliate company NOW Telecom to the government. In a seven-page order dated 15 June 2023, the SEC affirmed that NOW Corp. and Velarde were administratively liable for violating the Securities Regulation Code or SRC for disclosing misleading information to the public. The disclosure in question was the one posted on 10 November 2021, which stated that NOW Corp. was unaware of the details surrounding the motions filed by the NTC with the SC. The SEC pointed out that as one of the concurrent key officials of both NOW Corp. and NOW Telecom, Velarde is “considered to have ipso facto participated in the transactions” relating to the unpaid SRF and SUF liability of NOW Telecom. The post NOW Telecom appeals to SC over ‘erroneous’ NTC fine appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fools in suits
When a ranking Department of Agriculture official was asked in a recent Congress hearing what steps the agency had taken to break the rice cartel, he replied that he did not believe that a “mafia” existed. Coming from a high DA official, the statement revealed that nothing was being done to stop the syndicate that everyone in the industry knows about since, to the authorities, it does not exist. In the reenacted Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and forming cartels for agricultural and fishery products are considered economic sabotage and are non-bailable offenses for which a long jail term could be meted out. The strengthened law, however, lacks strong teeth against government officials who are in cahoots or protect the syndicates. Contained in the proposed bill is a provision indicating that any government officer or employee found to be an accomplice in the commission of the crime will “suffer the additional penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, exercising the right to vote, from participating in any public election, and forfeiture of employment monetary and financial benefits.” The bill is pending in both houses of Congress. With the slow grind of justice in the country, a public official looking for a fast buck will not hesitate to risk his job in exchange for a huge payback. The recent series of events showed the markets are being manipulated by the big players in the sugar, vegetable and rice businesses. These syndicates are known to be deeply entrenched due to their connections with government bigwigs who facilitate their domination of the markets either through edicts or the use of public resources. In the most ridiculous situation, the recent spike in onion prices was found to be artificial since farmers were even throwing away their harvests because of low farmgate prices, thus there was no reason for prices to surge. Later, it was exposed in a congressional hearing that a cartel had succeeded in manipulating the onion market to create a condition that would require its importation, from which its members would make a killing. The warehouse and storage facilities are controlled by the mafia which makes it easy to create artificial conditions to which the market reacts by raising retail prices. The ultimate goal is to coax the government to allow importation from suppliers in overseas markets that are also flooded with the commodity, The cartel rakes in profits from both the high markup and the kickbacks from the overseas suppliers desperate to sell their surplus. The woeful victims are the Filipino farmers whom the cartel boxes out of the market. In extreme cases, these farmers just throw away their harvest since they cannot afford to transport their products without the middlemen who are also in the pocket of the cartel. The same goes for the rice industry, where the market was manipulated for a different reason, which was to kill the rice tariffication law that kicked the National Food Authority out of the import business. Rice prices then surged to as high as P56 a kilo, which pushed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to impose price ceilings. The NFA used to have a monopoly on importation, but that resulted in acrimonious confrontations at the apex of government. The tariffication law, in turn, opened importation to all grain traders and relegated the NFA to buying rice from local farmers. Under the new anti-smuggling bill which has the endorsement of Mr. Marcos, an Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council headed by the President or his designated permanent representative will be formed. The proposed body will have the power to investigate and file charges, as well as freeze violators’ funds, properties, bank deposits, placements, trust accounts, assets and records. The creation of the body looks good on paper but in the real world, it might just add another layer of bureaucracy and source of corruption unless the cartel, which DA officials claim does not exist, is dismantled. Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile has a simple solution for breaking the cartel, which is for the government to confiscate all the rice overstock and let the owners of the warehouses prove that their huge inventory is legitimate. Such a move would prompt the traders to release more rice into the market to avoid confiscation. The imposition of the price cap on rice indicated that the prices are artificial since the markets are now selling at lower than the manipulated prices despite conditions being constant. An expected bumper harvest is also prompting the prices to go back to normal, after the attempt of the cartel to create a price shock to support their effort to return to the old ways. To know the real situation, President Marcos goes out of his way to see what is on the ground. His underlings, particularly at the Department of Agriculture, should do better. The post Fools in suits appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
2 arrested drug pushers yield P102K worth of shabu, firearms
Quezon City police have arrested two drug pushers who yielded P102,000 worth of shabu and firearms in a buy-bust operation early morning yesterday. Quezon City Police District director, P/Brig.Gen. Redrico Maranan, said the suspects were collared by operatives of Novaliches Police Station (PS 4), led by P/Lt. Col. Jerry Castillo, who identified the suspects as Reymarc Calceta, 27 years old, and Maria Nicole Repollo, 24 years old, both residents of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. According to Castillo, the PS 4 operatives, in coordination with PDEA-QC, conducted a buy-bust operation at 5:00 a.m. and arrested the duo in front of Novavets Animal Clinic and Grooming Center along Susano Road in Brgy. San Agustin, Novaliches. The police officer said the arrest came after a concerned citizen reported the illegal drug activities of the suspects. A police officer acted as a poseur buyer and bought P7,500 worth of shabu from the suspects, and at the given pre-arranged signal, they were arrested. Seized from the suspects’ possessions were 15 grams of shabu worth P102,000; a black pouch; an identification card; a motorcycle; a cellular phone; and the buy-bust money. Likewise, one caliber .38 revolver and four pieces of .38 full metal ammunition were confiscated from suspect Calceta. The suspects will be charged with violation of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Additional charges for violation of RA 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and violation of the Omnibus Election Code in relation to the COMELEC Gun Ban will be filed against suspect Calceta before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office. Maranan commended the operatives for their prompt action which resulted in the arrest of the suspects and the confiscation of the pieces of evidence. "I commend the PS-4 personnel, headed by P/Lt. Col.Jerry Castillo, for their dedication and commitment to rid the streets from these illegal drugs menace. Gusto ko ding pasalamatan ang mga kababayan natin sa patuloy na pagbibigay ng impormasyon at pakikipagtulungan sa kapulisan, malaking tulong po ito para sa tagumpay ng bawat operasyon at sa pagpapanatili ng kaayusan sa ating mga nasasakupan," Maranan said. The post 2 arrested drug pushers yield P102K worth of shabu, firearms appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Barangay chair, 6 others slapped with graft raps
A Barangay Kaligayahan kagawad (village councilor) slapped his six colleagues and their chairman with graft and falsification charges before the Office of the Ombudsman Thursday, 24 August. Barangay Kaligayahan Kagawad Allan Butch Francisco Jr. in his complaint obtained by DAILY TRIBUNE, said barangay chairman Alfredo ‘Freddy’ Roxas, kagawad Jim Mahusay, kagawad Alexander Rivera, kagawad Perla Adea Mallari, kagawad Arnel Gabito, kagawad Dionisio Gascon, kagawad Sofronio Grimaldo, and barangay secretary Josephine Penarada violated Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Falsification of Public Documents, and Grave Misconduct for faking an approved resolution. Francisco claimed the said barangay officials made it appear that the Barangay Resolution No. 087 Series of 2023, “Interposing no objection to the application of M.M. Ledesma Laboratories Corp., located at Zabarte Ext.,” was approved on 15 April 2023. It was also certified by Penarada. However, Francisco explained that while they agreed to establish that regular session of their council shall be held every 1st and 2nd Saturdays of each month, 15 April fell on the 3rd Saturday, Roxas postponed it to give way for the Barangay Assembly Day held also on that day. “No session was actually conducted on that day,” Francisco said in his complaint referring to the date the said resolution was passed. He added that neither the supposed notice for the regular session was nor a notice for special session was issued by Roxas for the resolution to be passed. Roxas earlier was also charged of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act by Hernando Compendioa, barangay watchman, who suffered a stroke, and was told by the chieftain to stop working, but later learned that his name was still on the payroll list but not receiving a single centavo. Meanwhile, Graft and Falsification charges were also hurled against Barangay Pasong Tamo chairwoman Mae Tagle before the Office of the Ombudsman by three of her own village staff over a dozen “ghost employees.” Tagle had just been served with another six months suspension for leasing the space barangay pharmacy to private fish and meat vendor by the Special Investigation Committee of the City Council. Florence Andre Fabre, Ruvelinda dela Isla and Mary Lyne Casinos showed that Tagle hired them upon assuming her post on 1 July 2022. Tagle became the village chief because of rule of succession for being the number one kagawad (barangay councilor) when then barangay chairman Banjo Pilar won as a councilor in May 2022 polls. Fabre in their joint affidavit of complaint averred that he was a book keeper and assistant of barangay assistant treasurer Gloria Sareño who was in-charged of preparing payroll for the entire staff of their village. He said that from July to September 2022 nothing unusual happened in their payroll, until came October 2022, when there were 10 other names added to the list of their payroll, and was instructed by Tagle’s daughter Mary Jean, who acted as their admin aide IV, to also sign on behalf of the additional names on the list and be quiet about it. Fabre also found out that one of the names added was Tagle’s maid Melina Barcelo with a work item as “contact tracer” receiving a monthly salary of P6,500. To his estimate, about a million pesos has been pocketed by Tagle since that month until April 2023, as the names added in their payroll list were not really receiving their salary. Dela Isla, on the other hand, worked as an assistant trainer along with her daughter Florbhy who worked as a traffic enforcer from 1 July 2022 to 30 November, 2022. But the younger Dela Isla had resigned the following month. To her surprise, Dela Isla learned that the name of her daughter was still listed in their payroll when Tagle got her first suspension on June 2023, pocketing her daughter’s salary for six months. Casinos, on another end, who was also hired by Tagle as an Auxiliary member of the village watchmen team, also learned that even her husband’s name who was working at the nearby Himlayang Filipino was also listed as “ghost employee.” The three complainants also attached the affidavit of Daniel Tecson whose name was also listed as “ghost employees” who did not even received a single centavo from Tagle, when they filed the charges on 13 June 2023 for fear of being implicated in Tagle’s scheme. The post Barangay chair, 6 others slapped with graft raps appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Easier money transfers via PERA HUB mobile app, virtual card
PERA HUB, one of the country’s foremost consumer financial services providers, has launched a more enhanced and inclusive PERA HUB Mobile App with a new PERA HUB Virtual Card feature, which enables users to experience a fast and easy way to do remittances, cash and e-commerce transactions online without using any physical cards or having to go to a branch. With more Filipinos choosing digital-based solutions for their remittances and other cash-related services, PERA HUB aims to provide a broader range of channels and options for Filipinos to do their transactions anytime and anywhere. The PERA HUB Virtual Card serves as the main highlight of the new and improved mobile app. App features include sending or receiving Western Union domestic and international remittances; Interbank transfers to over 50 banks and e-wallets; Bills Payments with over 250 billers to choose from; Free PERA HUB to PERA HUB fund transfer; Cash-in via ECPay at over 15,000 partner locations nationwide; Cash-out at any of the 186 PERA HUB branches nationwide without additional charges; e-load and game credits; and affordable microinsurance. The enhanced PERA HUB Mobile App has a user-friendly interface where users can personalize their home dashboard and feature the services they always use and are interested in, so they can easily make transfers and keep track of their payments any time and receive or send money transfers instantly within minutes. Fast and easy It allows users to perform fast and easy PERA HUB to PERA HUB fund transfers by scanning their recipient’s unique PERA HUB Account QR code, saving contacts, and scheduling transfers for remittance and interbank transfers. The PERA HUB Virtual Card, powered by Visa, may also be used for Lazada, Shopee, Amazon and other local and international online shopping platforms. It is available for new and existing users with FREE registration for all via the app or via any of the 186 PERA HUB branches nationwide. “It has always been our priority to deliver innovative solutions for our customers. With the enhanced mobile app and the new PERA HUB Virtual Card feature, we want to create a digital experience that is inclusive for all so they always have access to convenient remittance and other financial services across different channels,” said PERA HUB president and chief executive officer Ian Ocampo. “There are Virtual Cards available in the market, but a challenger will always find a place, especially when it offers more relevant and customized solutions to address the remittance and other cash-related needs of the community it serves,” said assistant vice president for the PERA HUB Mobile App Mennie So. The post Easier money transfers via PERA HUB mobile app, virtual card appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
2 motorcycle thieves collared
Two suspects of motorcycle theft were arrested in separate operations by operatives of the Quezon City Police District conducted by the Fairview Police Station 5 and Batasan PS 6 over the weekend. In its first operation, the PS 5 under P/Lt. Col. Elizabeth Jasmin arrested a 17-year-old male at 10 a. m. of 20 August 2023 along Atherton Street, Phase 8, Barangay North Fairview, Quezon City. Based on the report, the PS 5 operatives conducted Law Enforcement Checkpoint at the area when they flagged down a male person riding a single motorcycle without helmet. The operatives asked for any pertinent document for his motorcycle, but failed to do so, which resulted in his arrest. Subsequently, it was found out that the said motorcycle was registered under the name of Richie Howell and reportedly stolen while parked last 19 August. The Honda Click motorcycle was recovered from the suspects’ possession. The second operation was conducted by PS 6 under P/Lt. Col. Paterno Domondon Jr. wherein suspect Jaime Bianes, 25 years old and a resident of No. 44 Saret Street, Barangay Batasan Hills, Quezon City was arrested. According to the report, at 9:30 p.m. of said date, victim Pinky Nardo parked her motorcycle unattended in front of their house located at No. 19C Alton Street, Barangay Batasan Hills, Quezon City. However, at 6 a.m. of the following day, she discovered that her motorcycle was missing. This prompted her to view the CCTV footage and saw the suspect who took her motorcycle. She sought assistance from PS 6 who immediately conducted a follow-up operation which resulted in the arrest of the suspect. Recovered from his possession was the Yamaha Mio Sporty 40C5. The suspects will be charged with violation of RA 10883 or the New Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016 while additional charges for violation of RA 10054 (Driving without Helmet) and RA 4136 (Driving Unregistered Vehicle and Driving without License) will be charged against the said minor at the Prosecutors’ Office Tuesday. The post 2 motorcycle thieves collared appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BuCor chief lobs kubol ultimatum
All inmates or whom the government prefers to call persons deprived of liberty, or PDLs must immediately dismantle their kubols, which are the private residences, inside the supposed maximum-security New Bilibid Prison. Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said the removal of the exclusive facilities will be immediate. The problem has been recurring since the term of the late President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III when a series of raids resulted in the removal of the amenities that high-profile detainees enjoy. Later on, during President Rodrigo Duterte’s term, it was found that the NBP was used as a transit point for the drug trade involving several detained drug lords. “This is part of the continued efforts of the Bureau of Corrections for the security of PDLs. Thus all structures in the seven Operating Prison and Penal Farms nationwide to voluntarily dismantle or the bureau will do it for them,” he said. Raps will be imposed Catapang said the Kubols are not the luxury huts seen in the past that were occupied only by moneyed PDLs but these are makeshift dividers made of plywood constructed for privacy and additional space. “Nevertheless, we ask them to demolish these for transparency,” he said. Yesterday, PDLs at the New Bilibid Prison voluntarily dismantled 60 makeshift rooms or kubols located at the security housing building 1 and 6 NBP North, SHB 9 NBP East Quadrant 4 and SHB 7 NBP West Quadrant 2 while the dismantling of kubols in Quadrant 3 Maximum security compound is still ongoing. Catapang warned that if there are still kubols installed inside the NBP by Monday, Bucor personnel from the Diversified Maintenance Unit will tear it down. “I have instructed newly appointed Deputy Director General for Operations, Gil Torralba to lead this operation including the Greyhound (Galugad) operation that will be conducted regularly at the national penitentiary,” Catapang said. Torralba for his part told Catapang “We will clean up BuCor, Sir.” “We need to do this so that we can confiscate contrabands still in possession of PDLs. They are fully aware that we have given them the chance to surrender all illegal items but if they still refuse and they are caught red-handed, I’m sorry to say that they will have to stay longer at NBP as we will not hesitate to file charges against them,” Catapang said. The post BuCor chief lobs kubol ultimatum appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
2 alleged Indian terrorists deported
On Monday, the Bureau of Immigration announced that it had successfully deported the two Indians who had been tagged as terrorists. According to BI Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan Jr., Manpreet Singh Gill and Mandeep Singh were successfully deported on 13 August via Thai Airways flight bound for New Delhi. Manahan said that the two were escorted by BI Intel officers along with Indian authorities. Manpreet was ordered deported for being an undesirable alien after the BI learned from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation that he is wanted in India for a number of offenses, including violation of the unlawful activities prevention act, and that he is a suspect in a murder there. The Indian government further informed the BI that Manpreet is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the Additional Chief Magistrate in Moga Punjab, for violating the country’s Arms Act. Mandeep was tagged as a fugitive and undesirable alien for violating the conditions of his stay. Manahan added that Manpreet and Mandeep were arrested with two others last March 7 in Iloilo City by the BI Fugitive Search Unit with the help of the anti-terrorism group, the Crime Investigation Coordinating Council, the Philippine National Police in Iloilo City, and government intelligence agencies. They were said to be involved in terrorist activities in Punjab, India. The two of their companions, Amrik Singh and Hayer Amritpal Singh, were already deported in May this year. Manpreet and Mandeep were deported after being cleared of local charges in the country. BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said that their deportation ensures that the country is safe from these undesirable aliens that pose a major threat to our people. Tansingco added that their close coordination with other governments would allow them to continuously hunt down and deport these fugitives. The post 2 alleged Indian terrorists deported appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bogus DoTr liaison entrapped
The police reported yesterday the arrest of a 37-year-old man in Muntinlupa City for allegedly posing as a liaison coordinator for the Department of Transportation to dupe a businessman. Identified as Peejay Giganto Durano, the suspect was arrested by elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in a sting operation last 31 July. Durano allegedly introduced himself to complainant Rholand Dindo Sioson, a businessman from Valenzuela City, as a liaison Officer from the Office of the President with a special letter of endorsement bearing what turned out to be the forged signature of DoTr Secretary Jaime Bautista. The suspect reportedly convinced Sioson that he could facilitate the processing of the latter’s application for a franchising business, specifically the licensing and registration of motor vehicles with the LTO. With the fake credentials, Durano was able to get from Sioson a total of P405,000 supposedly as the required processing fee, which the latter sent to him through a bank transfer. Durano asked for an additional P100,000 from Sioson which he said was for the release of a department order for the latter’s LTO franchise. Acting on Sioson’s formal complaint, the CIDG-NCR set up an entrapment and gave Sioson marked money to hand to Durano. The exchange took place in Alabang, where Durano was arrested. Durano is now facing charges of violating Article 315 (Large-scale Estafa) in relation to Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act, specifically Article 177, on “Usurpation of Authority or Official Function,” and Article 172, on the “Falsification by Private Individual and Use of Falsified Document” of the Revised Penal Code. Sioson presented his case to the Chief Prosecutor of Mandaluyong City, assisted by CIDG investigators Patrolmen Roberto Felipe and Jodar Capati. Four PNP officers based in Camp Crame — P/MSg. Arcadio Manganas Jr. of the Forensic Group; and P/SSg. Jeck Ryan Olarte, P/SSg. Jerome Vicente, and Patrolman Jericho Dela Cruz of the CIDG-NCR Regional Field Unit — handled the booking documentation and disposition of the case. DoTr Secretary Jaime Bautista urged the public not to fall prey to scams using his name because his administration does not condone any illegal activities. The post Bogus DoTr liaison entrapped appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DOTr liaison poser nabbed for usurpation, estafa
Police nabbed a 37-year-old man who posed as liaison coordinator for the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and duped a businessman who wanted to have a franchise for motor vehicle registration with the Land Transportation Office (LTO). Elements of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group - National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) pounced on Peejay Giganto Durano of Muntinlupa City at a sting operation on 31 July in Susana Heights. CIDG-NCR Chief P/Col. Hansel Marantan said on 22 May of this year, Durano introduced himself to complainant Rholand Dindo Sioson, a businessman from Valenzuela City, as a liaison officer from the Office of the President with a special letter of endorsement bearing the forged signature of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista. Marantan said Durano convinced Sioson that he can facilitate the processing of the latter’s application for a franchising business, specifically the licensing and registration of motor vehicles with the LTO. The CIDG-NCR chief said, with fake credentials, Durano was able to get from Sioson a total of P405,000 supposedly as the required processing fee, which the latter sent to him through a bank transfer. Durano even asked for an additional P100,000 from Sioson which he said was for the release of a department order for the latter’s LTO franchise. Acting on Sioson’s formal complaint, Marantan and his men set up an entrapment and gave Sioson marked money to hand to Durano on Alabang, where the exchange was to take place in Alabang where they netted Durano. According to Marantan, Durano is now facing charges of violating Article 315 (“Large-scale Estafa”) in relation to Republic Act 10175 (“Cybercrime Prevention Act”), Article 177 (“Usurpation of Authority or Official Function”), and Article 172 (“Falsification by Private Individual and Use of Falsified Document”) of the Revised Penal Code (RPC). Sioson presented his case to the chief prosecutor of Mandaluyong City, assisted by CIDG investigators Patrolmen Roberto Felipe and Jodar Capati. Four PNP officers based in Camp Crame – P/MSg Arcadio Manganas Jr. of the Forensic Group; and P/SSg Jeck Ryan Olarte, P/SSg Jerome Vicente, and Patrolman Jericho Dela Cruz of the CIDG-NCR Regional Field Unit (RFU) – handled the booking documentation and disposition of the case. CIDG, the primary investigation arm of the PNP, is tasked with investigating and prosecuting all crimes involving economic sabotage and other large-scale crimes that may be committed by highly placed or professional criminal syndicates or organizations. Bautista, on the other hand, issued a stern warning to everyone not to fall prey to scams like this because his administration does not condone any illegal activities. The post DOTr liaison poser nabbed for usurpation, estafa appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CoA calls out Bucor on delayed projects
The Commission on Audit has called out the Bureau of Corrections for failing to closely monitor the implementation of its prison facility projects worth P984.953 million. According to audit findings, the unfinished infrastructure projects were extra jail facilities at all operating prison and penal farms aimed at decongesting the national prisons by providing additional dormitories to accommodate the growing inmate population. The projects, forged in 2019, aimed to provide segregated facilities to reduce jail violence. The projects included building regional prison facilities at the Leyte Regional Prison, and the Iwahig and Davao Prison and Penal Farm. Renovations were also planned at the Correctional Institution for Women, while at the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm a one-story building was to be constructed. The projects all had a target deadline. On 25 November 2019, the BuCor received a P1-billion Special Allotment Release Order to construct and rehabilitate the prison facilities. However, an audit revealed that as of 31 December, four of the projects remained incomplete, notwithstanding that they had exceeded the extension of completion date. Primary concern Moreover, CoA noted that despite the non-completion of the projects within the agreed period of completion, liquidated damages equal to at least 1/10 of one percent of the cost of the unperformed portion of works for each day of delay were not imposed or deducted from the claims of the contractors, contrary to the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184). State auditors pointed out that failure to effectively oversee the infrastructure projects not only resulted in the delay in their completion but also a delay in providing relief for the congestion at BuCor’s prison facilities for persons deprived of liberty. In response, BuCor explained that the chief of the General Services Division constituted the Inspectorate Team for the Design and Build Project of the BuCor Facility — the team responsible for ensuring efficient and effective project monitoring and site assessment validation through ocular site inspections at the corresponding project sites. Now, the officers concerned, including ex-BuCor director general Gerald Bantag, will be held accountable for the variance in the actual site conditions and the approved project documents. The BuCor said a case has been filed with the Ombudsman for plunder, malversation of public funds and corresponding administrative charges against officials under the previous administration. The post CoA calls out Bucor on delayed projects appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ARTA backpedals, nixes TOP-CRMS
The Anti-Red Tape Authority, or ARTA, made a surprising move in backtracking on an earlier approval of a port digitalization plan, apparently bowing to pressures from several powerful groups. ARTA’s about-face effectively shot down what could be the Marcos administration’s most potent anti-smuggling weapon. ARTA issued a memorandum last 25 July signed by ARTA director general, Secretary Ernesto Perez, in which it said its reevaluation of the Trusted Operator Program-Container Registry and Monitoring System or TOP-CRMS regulatory impact statement, or RIS, convinced it that reducing the cost of container deposits from the scheme was not accurate based on the benefit-cost analysis. Perez said the decision is “final” and denied bowing to outside pressures. “That’s our final recommendation unless either party will submit to us additional relevant documents,” Perez indicated. Part of the ARTA report reads: “Port congestion may not be used by PPA or Philippine Port Authority as a justification for government intervention,” with the proposed TOP-CRMS. It added that the PPA “cannot use congestion as a justification or basis to establish the proposed... TOP-CRMS.” The PPA which is the main beneficiary of the digitalization scheme indicated that it is studying its options. “We’ll study our options. As far as we are concerned, ARTA already issued a Good Practice RIS with a 36/40 rating for the TOP-CRMS program. I don’t think they have retracted that or recalled the rating which they previously issued,” PPA general manager Jay Santiago said. “So I don’t know what was the purpose of that ARTA memo nor its value or its effect on the previously issued Good Practice RIS rating. We submitted all required documents to ARTA sometimes twice even and they even consulted all stakeholders including oppositors before they issued the Good Practice RIS. The situation has not changed so we don’t understand what happened,” Santiago added. Complete reversal The latest ARTA memorandum is a complete turnaround from its 2 February evaluation which greenlighted the TOP-CRMS implementation and allowed the PPA to resume its suspended modernization plan. ARTA gave the program a rating of 36, meaning a “Good Practice RIS.” ARTA said in a February statement after it assessed the program, “PPA has provided concise and satisfactory evidence on all RIA sections. Hence, the RIS was assessed as Good Practice.” ARTA stressed there should be more regulations to address the current issue, which is also the leading cause of the problem. The PPA’s TOP-CRMS also meets ARTA’s criteria for cost-saving mechanisms, including the fee on container deposits and port access roads, and has reduced the dwell time of empty container returns to less than 72 hours. Under Section 6 of Presidential Decree 857, PPA must supervise, control, regulate, construct, maintain, operate, and provide facilities or services belonging to the Authority. Thus, under this mandate, TOP-CRMS will provide efficient port services to the public. Santiago said then, “With the approval by ARTA, I believe the concern on ease of doing business has been sufficiently addressed.” “PPA will continue to fine-tune the program, and the implementation of PPA AO No. 04-2021 and its IOG will be constantly monitored, and the necessary adjustments to the IOG will be made as necessary. TOP-CRMS seeks to remove the payment of container deposits and efficiently manage the return of empty containers. There have been a series of public consultations, and we have adjusted based on the need of the stakeholders,” Santiago added. Anti-smuggling initiative Ironically, ARTA reversed its TOP-CRMS recommendation a day after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. warned in his State of the Nation Address that the days of smugglers and hoarders of agricultural products are numbered as he identified the proposed Amendment of the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act as a priority legislation. The Chief Executive said in Filipino, “One of the reasons behind the higher prices is that smugglers and hoarders manipulate the prices of agricultural products. We will run after them, and we will file charges against them. We will not let these practices continue. The days of the smugglers and hoarders are numbered.” The President is also the secretary of agriculture. The PPA’s TOP-CRMS is a government-owned container monitoring system providing a whole-of-government approach to tracking container movement and management by giving relevant government agencies access to information and even automating and streamlining their processes. The anti-smuggling feature of the TOP-CRMS preempts cargo diversion or diverting shipments to another warehouse with real-time container tracking. Law enforcers could quickly identify where the shipments are located, which port stakeholders said would eliminate “for hire consignees,” as all foreign-owned shipping containers, both laden and empty, are monitored. Similar to the tracking system now in use among private port operators, the technology makes it easy for investigators to identify and prosecute suspected smugglers. Pressure from smugglers Industry insiders suspect that a powerful group of smugglers is pressuring concerned government agencies and regulators to stop the implementation of the TOP-CRMS because it would have a profound negative impact on their illegal activities. More importantly, the TOP-CRMS can detect illegal contraband and prevent entry into the country’s ports. It can eliminate smuggled drugs from entering any country’s entry points, including illegal arms shipments and, God forbid, nuclear materials. The data collected by the system can be shared with concerned agencies in charge of tax collection, law enforcement, import permit authorization, trade department, anti-smuggling units, intelligence units, etc. The wealth of data from the system will provide the PNP, AFP, BOC, BIR, DTI, DA, DSWD, Intelligence Community, and other relevant agencies an efficient tool to deter all forms of smuggling activities. The post ARTA backpedals, nixes TOP-CRMS appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Loan dilemma
Dear Atty. Shalie, I am a small-scale entrepreneur, trying to sustain my business as hard as I could, even during the pandemic. In the course of my business operations, I needed additional capital to finance new products for intended for buy-and-sell purposes. Since it was difficult to obtain a loan from a bank, I resorted to going through another financing company, wherein I will not have to present a lot of documents and undergo complicated loan application processes. I submitted an application form and was asked to sign a promissory note by the said financing company. However, finding that the interests to the loans far exceed my capacity to pay, even after my profits, I decided to forego the loan and asked a friend, instead, for additional financing, with manageable interests. I received the loan proceeds from my friend and used the same for my business. A few months after, the financing institution came back to me, demanding payment for the supposed loan, interests thereon, plus additional charges and penalties for non-payment. It is forcing upon me to acknowledge the promissory note that I signed at the time of my loan application, and is threatening me with a case for collection of the sum of money and damages. Do they have a case against me, based on the promissory note, even when I did not receive any amount from the said financing company? Wendy Dear Wendy, Yours is a case of simple loan, which is a contract where one party delivers to another, either money or a consumable thing, on the condition that the same amount or the same kind and quality shall be paid. It is indispensable that the delivery of the proceeds of the loan by the lender to the borrower happens, to perfect the loan. When the loan proceeds have been delivered, the borrower is bound to pay the lender, the amount equal to that received. You allege that you took the loan from your friend instead and did not push through with the transactions with the financing institution and received no loan proceeds from the latter. Thus, there was no perfected contract of loan. As for the promissory notes, the same may be contradicted or disputed, and it is incumbent upon the financing institution to prove that the proceeds of the loans had been delivered and that you, as the borrower, received said proceeds and acknowledged such receipt. Absent this proof of delivery, receipt, and acknowledgment from a borrower, there is no loan transaction to speak of, and the case for collection is bound to fail. Atty. Shalimar P. Lazatin-Obinque The post Loan dilemma appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bills up amid P24-B recovery
Luzon customers may soon pay for additional charges in their monthly electricity bills as the Energy Regulatory Commission, or ERC, prepares to issue an order that will implement a high court-approved recovery of at least P24 billion in generation losses. In an interview with reporters last week, ERC chairperson lawyer Monalisa Dimalanta disclosed that the collection, which will likely be on a staggered basis within three years, takes effect next year. “We have calculated it, so the timing (of collection) is what we care about now. The cost is somehow hefty so we will spread the collection for three years,” Dimalanta said. ERC order According to her, the ERC will issue an order to allow the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines, or IEMOP, to start the Luzon-wide collection of generation charges. “It will be co-collected with the consumers, but not all generation companies have claims, there are others who will pay for it,” she noted. For Manila Electric Co., or Meralco alone, the development means that customers will collectively pay to recover as much as P22.64 billion in generation loss from way back in 2013. This is part of the Supreme Court, or SC, ruling released last year. SC voids ERC order It can be recalled that the SC — through a decision promulgated on 3 August 2021, a copy of which was only released online on 1 July 2022 — voided the ERC order that was supposed to regulate prices in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, or WESM for November to December 2013. The move, according to ERC, should have capped spot market prices for the period to cut rates and lessen the high prices impact on customers by more than a third, or to just P7 million from P24 billion. The SC pointed out that the ERC’s order cannot be implemented due to the possibility of market power abuse, which could affect electricity prices. Address abnormal spike However, in its order, the ERC argued that it only wanted to address the abnormal spike and unreasonable electricity costs imposed by generation companies, or gencos during the period. The regulatory body also investigated alleged collusion among gencos to manipulate prices of electricity in the spot market during the maintenance shutdown of the Malampaya gas facility for a similar period. Yet, the SC pointed out that the ERC failed to notify the affected parties about its probe, which violated the gencos’ right to due process. The post Bills up amid P24-B recovery appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»