New record high: 130,245 active COVID-19 cases
New record high: 130,245 active COVID-19 cases.....»»
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......»»
Knowing one’s IP right
Copyright registrations at the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines or IPOPhl reached record-high levels last year. And this, according to IPOPhl, signifies increased awareness of the importance of copyright registration......»»
GT Capital posts record high core earnings in 2023
GT Capital Holdings Inc., the listed conglomerate of the Ty Group finished 2023 with all-time high core earnings, buoyed by record-setting financial results from core businesses......»»
165 new Covid cases detected
The Philippines confirmed on Monday 165 new Covid-19 cases, increasing the country’s total cases since the outbreak’s inception to 4,118,885. According to the Department of Health’s Covid-19 tracker, active cases declined by 54 to 2,970, while recoveries increased by 558 cases to 4,049,192. The death toll has remained at 66,723 for the second day in a row. Metro Manila had the most new cases in the previous 14 days with 860, followed by CALABARZON with 397, Central Luzon with 205, Davao Region with 120, and Central Visayas with 97. Quezon City had the most new Covid-19 cases in the last 14 days with 231, followed by Cavite province (132), Rizal province (121), Laguna province (101), and Bulacan province (97). The Covid bed occupancy rate stood at 16.0 percent, with 3,196 beds occupied (including 1,932 in the ICU) and 16,736 unoccupied. The post 165 new Covid cases detected appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Davao students urged: Wear masks
DAVAO CITY — The local government’s City Health Office here recently issued an advisory in partnership with the Department of Education urging parents to let their children wear masks. In a letter to the local DepEd last week, CHO officer-in-charge Tomas Miguel Ababon also urged school personnel to wear masks and the non-admission to class students manifesting flu-like symptoms such as coughs and colds. He also requested the DepEd-Davao to remind everyone of the importance of proper hand hygiene and coughing or sneezing etiquette to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses. “We issued the advisory because schools are asking us what to do as some students have manifested cough, colds, and fever, so the most effective way for us is to find preventive measures that are applicable for all and are proven scientifically,” said Dr. Margie Roa-Rubio, the assistant City Health Officer for operations. Rubio added that masks also prevent the spread of seasonal flu, which has the same symptoms as Covid-19. “We already knew that based on our experience with Covid-19, wearing a mask is really effective against respiratory infection. Our office also advised that the memo on wearing masks could also be extended to tertiary schools,” Rubio said. Rubio disclosed that the City Epidemiologic and Surveillance Unit has coordinated with DepEd clinics for the conduct of active surveillance so that the number of active cases would be determined. “Those in workplaces and those using public transport are also encouraged to wear masks for protection voluntarily,” Rubio said. The post Davao students urged: Wear masks appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tulfo slams SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG over low coverage of domestic workers
Senator Raffy on Thursday slammed three government pension agencies for their “deficient” compliance in providing benefits coverage for domestic workers. Tulfo cited the 2019 joint survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Department of Labor and Employment that there are 1.4 million registered domestic workers with the Social Security System, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG. However, only 6 percent of this figure, or 84,190 kasambahays were enrolled by their employers in SSS, while only 5 percent or 74,858 e in PhilHealth and 3.4 percent or 51,579 in Pag-IBIG. “This is very low compliance,” said Tulfo, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor. “These agencies are not doing enough to ensure that employers in the country have registered and have been paying the SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG contributions of their kasambahays,” he added. Tulfo also expressed disappointment amid the failure of barangay officials to implement the registration system for domestic helpers. “Knowing that some employers are too busy to enroll their house help for said coverage or deliberately avoid doing so to avoid payments,” he said. The "Domestic Workers Act" or "Batas Kasambahay,” mandates every employer to register a house help under their employment in the barangay offices—where they are residing. The law also orders Punong Barangas to be responsible for the Registry of Kasambahay within their respective jurisdiction. “Why barangay officials managed to be very active on house-to-house campaigns during the elections period but were unable to go door-to-door to survey households with kasambahays and ensure implementation of Batas Kasambahay,” Tulfo questioned. Hence, he recommended the removal of “qualified theft punishment” for kasambahays. "Employers are using this to pin down house helps seeking better treatment or complaining about work-related benefits," Tulfo said. “In some cases, employers would get back at their kasambahays and avoid giving them proper treatment as mandated by the law by planting evidence pointing to a crime they did not commit, like stealing, employers would later report it to the police to send innocent and voiceless kasambahays to jail,” he added. The post Tulfo slams SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG over low coverage of domestic workers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Black bear captured after shutting down Disney World rides
An apparently hungry black bear forced a brief shutdown of some attractions at Disney World's Magic Kingdom in Florida until it was captured, officials said. Local television station Fox 35 said more than a dozen popular rides at the Orlando theme park were closed after the bear was sighted in a tree, including the "Haunted Mansion" and "Pirates of the Caribbean." "During the fall, bears are more active as they search for food to pack on fat reserves for the winter," Lisa Thompson, a spokeswoman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, said in a statement. "This particular bear was likely moving through the area searching for food." Thompson said that "in most cases, it is best for bears to be given space and to move along on their own. "But given this situation, staff have captured the animal and are relocating the bear out of the park to an area in or around the Ocala National Forest." Walt Disney World is one of the largest tourist attractions in the world, drawing tens of millions of visitors each year. The post Black bear captured after shutting down Disney World rides appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Setting the Bar high
The legal profession has always fascinated me. Studying the rudiments of law and how these affect people’s lives and liberty is not a walk in the park. It entails a lot of money, patience, risks, and sacrifices to complete a degree. Without the law, chaos will reign in society; there will be no peace and order day and night, no settlements of disputes, and accountability for criminals who will freely roam the streets with no law enforcement officers to stop them. Lawyers, like doctors, are arguably held in higher esteem and standards than other professions. They are feared for reasons only known to men. Their sartorial elegance and eloquence often hold us in shock and awe, delighting ordinary mortals. No wonder many children dream of becoming lawyers when they grow up, only to be checked by the realities of life. There is no gainsaying that attorneys, as court officers, are key players in the country’s growth; that is why every Bar examination is a significant occasion and a step forward in attaining a just and peaceful society. This year’s Bar examinations will be held on September 17, 20, and 24 in 14 local testing centers nationwide, covering six core subjects. The Supreme Court said there will be 10,816 examinees — 5,832 first-time Bar takers and 4,984 retakers. The Manila Police District is deploying around 500 security personnel to check the peace near the testing centers, with some announcing a suspension of classes and resorting to home study in anticipation of the heavy traffic. Corporations offer a much higher pay scale for lawyers. Win or lose, lawyers always get paid in court cases, as being one usually guarantees financial success unless one chooses to offer his expertise pro bono. Due to the high cost and stake of the law profession and maintaining the prestige and lifestyle that go with it, many people, except the moneyed ones, are “allergic” to lawyers because they charge exorbitant fees, and the fact that the wheels of justice in the Philippines grind exceedingly slow, the opposite of which is legal fees running faster than taxi meters. The legal profession is studded with both intellectuals and rotten eggs; sometimes, the good and the bad can be molded into one. Lawyers can uniquely present the truth in different sizes, forms, and shades. These lines in a movie aptly describe it: “Mayaman sila, kaya nilang kumuha ng mahusay na abogado. Kaya nilang baluktutin ang tuwid at ituwid ang baluktot (They are rich, they can afford a good lawyer. They can twist the truth and straighten the crooked).” Despite the high pay, respect, and other perks, the lawyers’ population has dwindled since the first Philippine Bar Examinations in 1901. The decline is alarming. Consider this: There are only 84,236 lawyers reflected in the Supreme Court of the Philippines’ Roll of Attorneys as of 30 November 2022 — a minuscule number in the country’s estimated population of 117,337,368 at mid-year. And what’s the catch? The number of non-practicing lawyers exceeds that of active lawyers. Which brings us to this fundamental question: Why do we need lawyers? Let me dwell on the bright side. We need lawyers to check the imbalances and inequalities in life. We need lawyers to help fix things when these go rough, regardless of the cost. We need lawyers to give people experiencing poverty a fighting chance to preserve life, liberty, and property instead of simply walking to jail. As then-President Ramon Magsaysay said, “Those who have less in life should have more in law.” I have no quarrels with lawyers. In fact, I admire them, and I have some of them as friends. There were lawyers every step of the way during my stint in government — some of them good, some not really good. Considering the clout they wield, lawyers can be good influencers in modern-day society by helping illuminate a dark and dreary world. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. I would still gamble on hiring a good lawyer to clear my path. As a parent, I wish all this year’s Bar examinees well. May the deserving, particularly the brave hearts, succeed. The post Setting the Bar high appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
AFP confirms massive coral harvesting along Rozul Reef in WPS
There were cases of massive coral harvesting along Rozul (Iroquois) Reef in the West Philippine Sea, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command confirmed on Saturday. In a news forum on Saturday, AFP-WesCom chief Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos said the military sent out its divers “to do an underwater survey” after Chinese military militia vessels left the swarmed area. “And nakita namin wala na ‘yung mga corals. Nasira na ‘yung mga corals and may debris,” Carlos said. (We saw that there were no more corals. The corals were damaged and there was debris). We are coordinating with scientists, and experts to do their assessment of the area,” Carlos said. The AFP WesCom earlier reported the “concerning resurgence” of a total of 30 Chinese fishing ships in the WPS, based on its aerial patrols conducted from 6 to 7 September. Some 23 vessels were monitored in Rozul Reef, there were five ships in Escoda (Sabina) Shoal and two in Baragatan (Nares) Bank. The Philippine Navy likewise spotted 33 Chinese fishing vessels in Rozul Reef during a routine air patrol on 24 August. However, Carlos clarified that they are yet to determine whether the Chinese vessels are responsible for massive coral harvesting in the Rozul Reef. “Suspetsa pa lang natin, we are not saying they [Chinese vessels] are harvesting our corals. We suspect that somebody is harvesting our corals and that means they are violating our sovereign rights,” he added. Carlos, nonetheless, said the presence of Chinese fishing vessels in the territorial waters of the Philippines “is already alarming because we have the sovereign rights in our Exclusive Economic Zone.” “It looks like somebody is exercising that right without our permission,” he noted. The WesCom lamented that the increased presence of Chinese fishing vessels has potential implications in the “Philippines’ maritime security, fisheries conservation, territorial integrity, and preservation of the marine environment” as well as becoming a “source of tension in the WPS and have contributed to instability in the region.” In the same forum, AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar stressed the massive coal harvesting "will be affecting the production of fish” and will later on pose a “threat to the food security” in the country. Aguilar added that the military forces and other concerned government agencies should “have to be active”. “It is also our responsibility that the environment is protected,” he pressed on. The post AFP confirms massive coral harvesting along Rozul Reef in WPS appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Padilla files bill to push stronger CHR functions
Senator Robinhood Padilla filed a bill that will effectively expand the structural, organizational, and functional independence of the Commission on Human Rights. On Wednesday, Padilla pushed the Senate Bill 2440 that guarantees full fiscal autonomy to the CHR "to ensure prompt, immediate, and unrestricted discharge of its functions.” “Regarded as a toothless tiger, the Commission has endured its limitations in rightfully carrying out its mandate within its jurisdiction,” Padilla said. He emphasized the need to further strengthen the CHR’s mandates, powers, and functions that are imperative to its “cardinal role in cultivating a culture of human rights culture in the country.” "A just and democratic country cannot be attained without a truly independent national human rights institution, said Padilla. “Today, more than ever, we need a more active CHR, one that is not strapped to the task of investigation or cannot recognize violations of human rights other than those involving civil and political rights.” SB 2440 provides the CHR with full authority to act on a complaint or motu proprio, in all cases of human rights violations; and vests it with the power to issue injunctive reliefs and legal measures. Padilla said the CHR’s independence “shall be respected and upheld, even as appropriations for it shall not be reduced and shall be automatically and regularly released.” “We need a CHR that can address the challenge of protecting and promoting the human rights of all, especially the vulnerable, the disadvantaged, and the marginalized sectors of society," he added. The measure will make CHR to be regarded as a national human rights institution, in accordance with the Principles Relating to the Status of National Institutions (Paris Principles) and other United Nations resolutions and instruments. Padilla said the SB 2440 will allow CHR to provide safety to witnesses and human rights defenders under threat as well as to implement and manage a witness protection service. Further, the CHR shall develop and implement a human rights information campaign program for the public; and establish a Human Rights Institute for the promotion and education of human rights and related fields. The HRI shall serve as a training institute for investigators, prosecutors, justices, judges, lawyers, and other human rights workers. Meanwhile, CHR is tasked to maintain a legal assistance program for underprivileged victims of human rights violations and prepare and make public an annual report on the findings of its monitoring activities. It shall also undertake measures for the protection and promotion of the human rights of Filipinos abroad, in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Migrant Workers, or deputized Philippine embassy or consulate officers. The post Padilla files bill to push stronger CHR functions appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Courting disaster (2)
“The judiciary,” once intoned Alexander Hamilton, “has no influence over either the sword or the purse; no direction either of the strength or of the wealth of society; and can take no active resolution whatever. It may truly be said to have neither force nor will, but merely judgment.” Thus, is the Judiciary said to be the “weakest” of the Three Great Branches of Government under the Constitution, as it, to paraphrase Hamilton, holds neither the purse (controlled by Congress) nor the sword (under the command of the Chief Executive)? Someone once joked that in the case, however, of then-Chief Justice Enrique Fernando, he holds the umbrella for Imelda Marcos, but that is something those born after the 1980s will not get. This is why the framers of our Constitution, in their infinite wisdom (and I use the phrase advisedly) had deemed it fit to elevate what had hitherto been merely ruling case law into a constitutional injunction. Section 3 of Article VIII reads: “The Judiciary shall enjoy fiscal autonomy. Appropriations for the Judiciary may not be reduced by the legislature below the amount appropriated for the previous year and, after approval, shall be automatically and regularly released.” Looks good. But in practice, it reduces judicial independence to a chimera. While the budget of the courts may not be reduced from that of the previous year, if a nasty Legislature wants to starve out a nonconformist Judiciary, it may simply opt to maintain its budget at the same level year after year after year. After a few years, with inflation, the courts will be reduced to tatters. And this happens every year, with the high officials of the Supreme Court practically reduced to bringing a begging bowl to Congress when budget deliberations come up in the agenda. This year, around P14 billion was arbitrarily lopped off the proposed budget for the Judicial branch. Now, the court administration is asking that some P6.7 billion be restored if only to upgrade the salaries of court personnel, the hazard pay for judges (who lately have been at the receiving end of gun barrels from disgruntled litigants) and costs for their security in the form of judicial marshals, the creation of more courts to serve a burgeoning caseload, and for the Judicial Integrity Board (who keeps erring judges in line). Methinks this is not too much to ask for, and as a lawyer and therefore an officer of the court, it pains me to see the Supreme Court looking like the poorer relations of Congress begging for alms. This is especially since Congress has notoriously been seen to have granted unto itself huge allocations for its members per district, the combined value of which is far and away higher than what the High Tribunal is asking for. The importance of a strong, independent Judiciary cannot be overestimated in a constitutional government such as ours. Aside from adjudicating private rights amongst competing parties, it is the final bulwark against governmental abuse. As former President Jose P. Laurel, when he was a Supreme Court magistrate, so emphatically articulated in the landmark case of Angara v. Electoral Commission, “(i)n cases of conflict, the judicial department is the only constitutional organ which can be called upon to determine the proper allocation of powers between the several departments of the government.” That is why I wish to make this call to our lawmakers to be not niggardly with the monetary allocation to our courts. It will not serve the ends of good governance well to be penny-wise and pound-foolish with the nation’s coffers. By the same token, kudos to Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Senate President Miguel Zubiri and neophyte Senator Raffy Tulfo, who have all filed bills seeking to strengthen the Judiciary’s fiscal autonomy. For to neglect the courts would necessarily be courting disaster. The post Courting disaster (2) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Southern Leyte swine fever infection confirmed
TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Agriculture in Eastern Visayas has confirmed the viral spread of African Swine Fever in Southern Leyte after laboratory tests found blood samples randomly taken from hogs in Padre Burgos town positive for the infection. The DA regional field office said reports of unusual deaths of hogs exhibiting ASF-like symptoms started the last week of June, prompting the Municipal Agriculture Office of Padre Burgos and Southern Leyte Provincial Veterinary Office to investigate. The DA regional office said the new ASF infection is an isolated case, as the overall trend of ASF cases in the region shows the infection is on the decline. The DA regional office is continuing to investigate the case to determine the extent of the viral spread, although initial information shows the infection seems limited to Barangay Tangkaan of the said municipality. “Based on the initial investigation, it is believed that possible transmission of the virus resulted from either the transport of infected live hogs from neighboring municipalities that still have active cases of ASF, swill feeding, and poor biosecurity,” the DA regional office said in a statement. The DA assured the public that a technical team has been deployed upon the confirmation of the cases, and continues to conduct proper preventive measures against the spread of the virus. The agency said it is closely monitoring the area and its neighboring communities for possible transmission. The DA advised the public not to be alarmed and to help stop the spread of the disease by observing the protocols so that the farmers and hog raisers will be able to continue with their livelihood. ASF is a highly contagious and fatal disease that affects pigs. There is no known cure for ASF, and the only way to prevent it is to implement strict biosecurity measures. The DA has urged the public to report any unusual deaths of hogs to the MAO or PVO. The post Southern Leyte swine fever infection confirmed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NSC condemns NPA land mine attack in Masbate
The National Security Council condemned on Monday the detonation of an improvised land mine by the New People's Army that wounded three people, including a barangay captain, by the roadside of Barangay Bonifacio in Uson, Masbate last week. In a virtual press briefing by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya read the statement of NSC chair and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año who said the incident in Masbate "is another violation" of the CPP-NPA-NDF committed against International Humanitarian Law. "NSC would like to emphasize that our fight against terorrist groups is unrelenting. CPP-NPA-NDF is the Number 1 violator of IHL by executing civilians, ambuscades, etc.," Malaya said. "Over the past decade, 373 people were killed by NPAs. [They] detonated 141 illegal landmines that killed 24 people. By 2010, 524 were recruited by them as child warriors. There are also 270 events of targeting civilians, forced disappearance, sexual assaults." The government has slapped 293 cases of violation of IHL and RA 9851 against the NPA, with 82 already in court, according to Malaya. The rebel amnesty program being offered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is "now being crafted and going through a process." However, the amnesty will only be for former rebels without court conviction or active court cases. "Those who have specific crimes , have probable cause, trials ongoing or facing cases" are not covered by the amnesty, said Malaya. He said the NSC and NTF-ELCAC' condemnation of CPP-NPA-NDF activity carries the conviction that "justice will be served" for the victims. Democrito Rivera, 62, chairman of Barangay Bonifacio; Romneck Lumabab, 32, and Alex Balayan, 39, were on a motorcycle when the land mine explosion occurred at around 1:30 p.m. on 8 August. Five men reportedly opened fire on the victims following the explosion. The gunmen escaped as state security forces and first aid responders arrived and brought the victims to the hospital for treatment. Noel Legaspi alias Ka Efren, a former CPP/NPA cadre, said the rebel groups' violations of IHL are "historical", citing the Plaza Miranda bombing in the early 70's and even their own purging campaign where thousands of NPA members suspected of conniving with the military were killed, including civilian supporters. The post NSC condemns NPA land mine attack in Masbate appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Munti active cases down to 1
The local government of Muntinlupa City on Tuesday revealed that total active cases of Covid-19 in the city is now down to one. According to the City Health Office, an active case was recorded from 1 to 7 August 2023 — a significant decrease compared to the total two cases logged from 25 to 31 July. Data from CHO showed that the only remaining active case is registered in Barangay Ayala Alabang while the other eight barangays in the city now have zero active cases. The local government said that there were 10 patients who recovered this week while no deaths were recorded. In the past two weeks, the CHO reported 34 deaths recorded including 12 in the past two weeks. The administration of bivalent Covid-19 vaccines was finished by the city government last 31 July to healthcare workers, senior citizens, adults with comorbidities, pregnant and overseas Filipino workers scheduled for deployment within the next four months. The post Munti active cases down to 1 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Wiping out private armies?
Our otherwise contented political class is definitely on edge with the terrorist branding of suspended Congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. While the innovative terrorist branding seemingly solely targets mainstream politician Mr. Teves, the branding is actually also a live political grenade thrown right onto the laps of the mainstream political class. Mr. Teves’s case is the first time an elected official is officially designated a terrorist by the nascent Anti-Terrorism Council or ATC. Previously, the ATC consistently tacked terrorist tags on red-tagged activist groups and armed extremist groups. But obviously, now it’s on the right side of the political spectrum. As a matter of course, Mr. Teves — the suspected mastermind in the March 4 assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo — is vehemently contesting the terrorist tag and is trying to reverse it. Anyway, we don’t see yet any telltale signs of mainstream politicians taking serious notice of the terrorist branding, much less starting to scamper for cover. But they will certainly have to. Without a doubt, the unfamiliar use of the anti-terror law complicates matters for politicians, particularly provincial-based pols who maintain private armed groups to ensure their political dominance. And, going by how it describes its intention, the ATC is clearly going after private armed groups. “The tragic incident on 4 March 2023, which claimed several lives and left many others injured, is a stark reminder of the threat posed by private armed groups within our country,” the ATC said in its resolution. ATC’s move also comes after Mr. Marcos Jr., in the wake of Degamo’s killing, ordered the dismantling of “private armies.” Mr. Marcos Jr.’s order shouldn’t be surprising. He actually has no choice but to interdict. Otherwise, he violates the Constitution. The 1987 Constitution provides in Article XVIII, Section 24 that “private armies and other armed groups not recognized by duly constituted authority shall be dismantled.” Private armed groups, of course, had long been an ugly blight on our electoral politics, not only on violence-prone Negros Island. In fact, because of private armies, politicians from North to South, both historically and at present, have been paying a deadly price, with probably 100 politicians killed every year. And in most cases, says a 2022 study, “the principals ordering the killings are not investigated, remain in the shadows and enjoy almost complete impunity. As a result, in the vast majority of cases, it cannot be proven who actually ordered the killings.” Such impunities have, of course, morphed into a violent “culture of fear” all over the country. A point ATC emphasizes in its Teves resolution: “The numerous killings and harassments in Negros Oriental which culminated in the assassination of Gov. Degamo must not be taken as isolated and random incidents of violence. A closer evaluation of these killings and harassments have an unmistakable pattern of a rather organized and orchestrated action. These killings and harassments are meticulously and deliberately planned and executed for the purpose of intimidating the residents of Negros Oriental as well as to create an atmosphere or spread a message of fear.” Despite these substantial political issues, no law — oddly enough despite repeated attempts — has been enacted to penalize private armies and other armed groups, which the Philippine National Police says numbered some 155 in 2021. Of that number, police say they consider almost half as “highly active.” Clearly, something sweeping needs to be done against private armed groups to dramatically change the political landscape. Inadvertently, the Teves camp decries the “weaponization” of the Anti-Terror Act, claiming that the government is using it “for the purpose for which it was not designed.” Yet, a private army is unquestionably designed for terror. This fact leaves us with one provocative question: If this government had accidentally found a powerful weapon, does this mean now this government is bold enough to totally wipe out all entrenched private armies? The post Wiping out private armies? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gov’t eyes 1.8K rebels availing of amnesty
The government is eyeing around 1,800 communist rebels who may avail of the government’s amnesty program, according to National Security Adviser Eduardo Año on Wednesday. Año said that the high-ranking officials of the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, New People’s Army may avail of the amnesty program should they decide to return to the folds of the law. “There are a lot of rebels in the mountains na you know [may] worries or agam agam dahil papano na yung kaso nila? (those who worry about their cases),” Año said in a chance interview shortly after the post-State of the Nation Address forum held in Pasay City. Año said the amnesty will provide a clean slate to former combatants who wish to renew their lives. However, Año said that senior NPA officials convicted of “heinous” crimes cannot avail of the amnesty. “Different siya. Pwede silang papasok sa pardon o 'yung sa parole o pardon, depende na 'yan sa Presidente (it would be a different case. They can avail of a pardon or parole, depending on the President’s decision),” he said. Th amnesty will be extended to those with pending cases but are not yet convicted. “Right now we are placing the strength of the CPP-NPA at 1,800. So more or less, that’s our target,” Año said, noting that former rebels who have availed of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP and Barangay Development Program can avail of the amnesty. Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar, earlier said only three guerrilla fronts of the CPP-NPA are active while the other 18 are already weakened, out of the remaining 21. Aguilar noted that the members of the CPP-NPA-NDF have been “tremendously reduced” to around 1,800 members—from a peak of 24,000 rebels in the mid-'80s. AFP units have already neutralized 9,818 NPA rebels, of which 358 served as key leaders, with 11,013 firearms recovered from the insurgents, according to the spokesperson. The post Gov’t eyes 1.8K rebels availing of amnesty appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gov’t eyes at least 1.8K CPP-NPA to avail of amnesty
The government is eyeing around 1,800 communist rebels who may avail of the government’s amnesty program, according to National Security Adviser Eduardo Año on Wednesday. Año said that the high-ranking officials of the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, New People’s Army, may avail of the amnesty program should they decide to return to the folds of the law. “There are a lot of rebels in the mountains na you know worries or agam agam dahil papano na yung kaso nila? (Or those who are slightly doubting about their cases),” Año said, in a chance interview shortly after the post-State of the Nation Address forum held in Pasay City. Año said the amnesty will provide a clean slate to former combatants who wished to renew their lives from being combatants to becoming normal citizens in mainstream society. However, Año said that senior NPA officials who had been convicted of “heinous” crimes “could not avail of the amnesty.” “Different siya no. Pwede silang papasok sa pardon o yun sa parole o pardon, depende na yan sa presidente (it would be a different case. They can avail of a pardon or parole, depending of the President’s decision),” he stressed. He further explained that the amnesty will be given to those with pending cases but are not yet convicted. “Right now we are placing the strength of the CPP-NPA at 1,800. So more or less, that’s our target,” Año said, noting that those former rebels who have availed of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP and Barangay Development Program can avail of the amnesty. A given period will be granted to those combatants that have lay low, he added. Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson, Col. Medel Aguilar, earlier said that only three guerrillas of the CPP-NPA are active while the other 18 are already weakened, out of the remaining 21. Aguilar noted that the members of the CPP-NPA-NDF have “tremendously reduced” to around 1,800 members—from a peak of 24,000 rebels in the mid-80s. The AFP units already neutralized 9,818 NPA rebels, of which 358 served as the group's key leaders, with 11,013 firearms have been recovered from the insurgents. The post Gov’t eyes at least 1.8K CPP-NPA to avail of amnesty appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Treatment first
Dear Atty. Chris Liquigan, My sister was rushed to the ER due to dehydration. She needed the dextrose because she was really, really pale. The nurse told us we need to pay first before giving treatment to my sister. Is this right? Help me Atty. Vil Dear Vil, To answer your question directly, no, it is not right to demand any deposit. According to the Republic Act 10932, otherwise known as “An Act Strengthening the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law,” succinctly, Section 1 of the law dictates that it is unlawful for any proprietor, president, director, manager or any other officer and/or medical practitioner or employee of a hospital or medical clinic to request, solicit, demand or accept any deposit or any other form of advance payment as a prerequisite for administering basic emergency care to any patient, confinement or medical treatment of a patient in such hospital, viz: “Sec. 1. In emergency or serious cases, it shall be unlawful for any proprietor, president, director, manager or any other officer and/or medical practitioner or employee of a hospital or medical clinic to request, solicit, demand or accept any deposit or any other form of advance payment as a prerequisite for administering basic emergency care to any patient, confinement or medical treatment of a patient in such hospital or medical clinic or to refuse to administer medical treatment and support as dictated by good practice of medicine to prevent death, or permanent disability, or in the case of a pregnant woman, permanent injury or loss of her unborn child, or non-institutional delivery: Provided, That by reason of inadequacy of the medical capabilities of the hospital or medical clinic, the attending physician may transfer the patient to a facility where the appropriate care can be given, after the patient or his next of kin consents to said transfer and after the receiving hospital or medical clinic agrees to the transfer: Provided, however, That when the patient is unconscious, incapable of giving consent and/or unaccompanied, the physician can transfer the patient even without his consent: Provided, further, That such transfer shall be done only after necessary emergency treatment and support have been administered to stabilize the patient and after it has been established that such transfer entails less risks than the patient’s continued confinement: Provided, furthermore, That no hospital or clinic, after being informed of the medical indications for such transfer, shall refuse to receive the patient nor demand from the patient or his next of kin any deposit or advance payment: Provided, finally, That strict compliance with the foregoing procedure on transfer shall not be construed as a refusal made punishable by this Act.” (Emphasis and underscoring supplied) In this connection, Article 2 of the cited law defines basic emergency medical care as follows: “(i) ‘Basic emergency care’ — the response to a situation where there is urgently required medical care and attention, and shall include procedures required for initial diagnosis, use of equipment and supplies in sufficiently addressing the emergency situation, considering the welfare of the patient. It also includes the necessary medical procedures and treatment administered to a woman in active labor to ensure the safe delivery of the newborn.” Consistent with the prohibition against actually adding further features to the Act, Section 5 provides for death, disability or serious injury resulting from the refusal to provide basic emergency medical care on the basis of the policy advance payment or bond. It provides for the presumption of liability in the event of serious medical injury. In summary, Section 5 says: “Sec. 5. Presumption of Liability. — In the event of death, permanent disability, serious impairment of the health condition of the patient-complainant, or in the case of a pregnant woman, permanent injury or loss of her unborn child, proceeding from the denial of his or her admission to a health facility pursuant to a policy or practice of demanding deposits or advance payments for confinement or treatment, a presumption of liability shall arise against the hospital, medical clinic, and the official, medical practitioner, or employee involved.” Therefore, applying the above law, it is already known that advance deposits or payments are required in various practices of hospitals, except where appointment of transfer due to incompetence of the hospital or clinic is impermissible and punishable. Hope this helps. Atty. Chris Liquigan The post Treatment first appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Thousands flee Greek island fires as southern US swelters
Around 30,000 people were moved to safety on the Greek island of Rhodes where a wildfire burned on Saturday, while people in the southern United States struggled under a record-breaking heatwave. Tens of millions of people have been suffering through intense heat this summer and the world looks set for its hottest July on record. As temperature records tumble, experts have pointed to climate change driven by the burning of fossil fuels, arguing that global warming is playing a key role in the devastating heat. On the Mediterranean island of Rhodes, where a wildfire has been blazing for days, boats carried 2,000 people to safety from beaches in the east of the popular tourist island. Greek fire service spokesman Vassilis Varthakogiannis told Skai TV: "This is not a fire that will be over tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. It'll be troubling us for days." Three coastguard ships led more than 30 private vessels in the evacuation, while a Greek navy boat was heading to the area. Island officials arranged for dozens of buses to take people to safety, but where fires had cut off road access, others had to walk. Authorities have opened up gyms, schools and hotel conference centers to serve as makeshift accommodation, while firefighters battle the blaze. In Athens, the foreign ministry said it had activated its crisis management unit to facilitate the evacuation of foreign citizens due to the ongoing forest fires. Greece is fighting dozens of forest fires 11 days into a heatwave that has seen temperatures soaring above 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). Meteorologists have warned it could be the longest hot spell the country has ever seen. - 80 million Americans sweltering - Across the southern United States, about 80 million Americans will swelter in temperatures of 41C and above this weekend, the National Weather Service said. The southwestern city of Phoenix, Arizona hit 46C on Saturday, extending a record-breaking streak to 22 consecutive days of highs above 43C. Tourists have been flocking to Death Valley National Park, which straddles California and Nevada, to post selfies with a temperature display outside the visitor centre. Many are hoping to see it break a world record of 56.7C, which was set in July 1913 but was likely the result of a faulty measurement, according to several meteorologists. Further north, in Canada, which has been suffering wildfires that left Montreal blanketed in smog, torrential rain hit the eastern province of Nova Scotia, cutting off roads and threatening to burst a dam. Four people were reported missing, including two children who had been in a car engulfed by flood waters. Meanwhile, nearly 1,000 active wildfires were burning across Canada, with 11.3 million hectares scorched this season by the deadly blazes. Across the border in the US state of Washington, a wildfire burned more than 12,000 hectares (30,000 acres) in less than a day. - Hottest month - July 2023 is on track to be the hottest month -- not only since records began, but also in "hundreds, if not thousands, of years", said leading NASA climatologist Gavin Schmidt. The effects cannot be attributed solely to the El Nino weather pattern, which "has really only just emerged" and isn't expected to strengthen until later in the year, he added. El Nino is associated with the warming of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. Schmidt said the trend of extreme heat was expected to persist, "and the reason why we think that's going to continue, is because we continue to put greenhouse gases into the atmosphere". The exceptional temperatures in Greece also meant key tourist sites such as the Acropolis closed during the hottest part of the day. A 46-year-old man was reported to have succumbed to heatstroke on the central Greek island of Evia after being admitted to Chalkida hospital. Staff there said cardio-respiratory failure following exposure to high temperatures appeared to have been the cause. Emergency health officials told the state broadcaster they had admitted at least 38 heatstroke patients in the last three days, while hospitals were also seeing cases of fainting and other heat-related conditions. Greece is just one of many countries battling a prolonged spell of extreme heat around the globe in recent days. burs/jj/acb © Agence France-Presse The post Thousands flee Greek island fires as southern US swelters appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pandemic era over
The vicious coronavirus-2019 is considered defeated in the country after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. issued Proclamation 297 lifting the “state of public health emergency.” Malacañang on Saturday said the President issued the proclamation on Friday but it was made public through a statement released by the Presidential Communications Office only on Saturday. The proclamation states that “all prior orders, memoranda, and issuances that were effective only during the State of Public Health Emergency shall be deemed withdrawn, revoked or canceled and shall no longer be in effect.” The directive provides that all emergency use authorizations or EUA issued by the Food and Drug Administration on vaccines shall remain valid for one year from the date of the lifting of the State of Public Health Emergency “for the sole purpose of exhausting the remaining supply of vaccines.” Go pleads for health workers For his part, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said: “We respect the President’s decision to lift the state of public health emergency. We trust that it was arrived at after careful consideration of the present health issue and the need to finally open up the economy.” Go, nonetheless, said he was appealing to the government to release the remaining arrears due to healthcare workers, including Covid-19-related allowances and unpaid death benefits. The senator said the obligations should be fulfilled “with or without the state of public health Emergency.” Align with new normal Marcos’ order also enjoined all agencies to ensure that their policies, rules, and regulations shall take into consideration the lifting of the state of public health emergency and to amend existing or to promulgate new issuances, as may be appropriate. Former president Rodrigo Duterte issued Proclamation 922 declaring a State of Public Health Emergency all over the country in March 2020. Proclamation 922 also stated that the public health emergency would remain in force until lifted or withdrawn by the president. WHO sees downtrend The International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization highlighted the decreasing trend in Covid-19 deaths last May. It also reported a decline in Covid-19-related hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions, as well as the high levels of population immunity to SARS-CoV-2. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus concurred with the advice of the committee that Covid-19 was now an established and ongoing health issue, which no longer constituted a public health emergency of international concern. The WHO likewise advised a transition to the long-term management of Covid-19. Stay vigilant For Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, the pronouncement is a “positive step forward,” and he agreed that the conditions no longer warrant the continuance of the public health emergency status. “It is crucial to recognize that while the state of public health emergency is lifted, we must remain vigilant and proactive in our approach to health and safety,” he said. Herbosa likewise stressed the importance of maintaining health awareness and adhering to health protocols to protect one from potential health risks. IATF to disband The Department of Health said the Inter-Agency Task Force would convene for a final meeting to formally conclude the public health emergency. Herbosa gave the IATF a pat on the back for its “exemplary performance” and “unwavering commitment,” and so too the medical front liners who demonstrated resilience and heroism throughout the challenging period. “Their dedication to safeguarding public health had been instrumental in reaching this critical milestone,” he said. “Let us embrace this positive development with gratitude and determination, knowing that by working together we shall prevail against any challenges that may lie ahead,” he added. Covid cases on Friday brought the total infection caseload to 4,171,063, with 234 new cases. Active cases, however, dropped to 5,278 from 5,431, the lowest since 29 April 2023, while seven new deaths and 380 new recoveries were logged. @tribunephl_Lade @tribunephl_eao The post Pandemic era over appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»