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Remembering the PNoy legacy
Last Thursday, Feb. 8 was the 64th birth anniversary of former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III......»»
PCG’s problematic dualism
There is a world of difference between the roles of a civilian agency and those of a military command. No civilian agency or military command should be doing the role of the other, lest they overlap, conflict, or render redundant their authority. The role of the Philippine Coast Guard is a good subject for legislative review — whether it fulfills a purely civilian function or a purely military one. The fact that it’s an attached agency of the Department of Transportation as much as an attached service of the Department of National Defense “confers” upon it a dualism that may be at cross purposes. While the PCG can fit either role, it shouldn’t. For in so doing, the line between maritime law enforcement and national defense is blurred. One may be led to think that, perforce, the PCG is unadulteratedly a military organization as it used to be part of the Philippine Navy, a major branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Something explains this duality, but it may require assessment as to whether it must continue to have this dual character. In principle, any individual or unit that performs a task or mandate that essentially belongs solely to the military must forthwith be under a military commander or military organization. Who can even begin to fathom what it means when the Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard reports directly to the Transportation Secretary in the enforcement of maritime law, but also reports to the Defense Secretary if not the President in wartime? If one should take a cursory look at those who served as commandants of the PCG since its founding in 1967 under different presidents, one would find, viz.: 1) During Rodrigo Duterte’s term, only three served for over a year, while four served for less than a year, and one for only 18 days; 2) Under Benigno Aquino, four barely completed a year, one just a year, and one more than two years; 3) Under Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, three served for barely a year, two served over two years or so; 4) Under Joseph Estrada, one served for two years; 5) In Fidel Ramos’ time, five served for less than a year, one for 32 days, and one for almost three years; 6) Under Corazon Aquino, two served for two years, one for three years, and two for a week or so; 7) Under Ferdinand Marcos Sr., four served for over a year, three served for 3, 4, 5 years, respectively. This tells us that commandants, as presidential appointees, must be the personal choices of the presidents they serve. With a change of the occupant in Malacañang, a change in the leadership of the PCG also takes place, good or bad. It’s said that the PCG’s “transformation into a non-military organization” and its “civilian character” allowed it “to receive offers of vessels, equipment, technology, services, cooperation and other needed assistance from other countries,” that otherwise would not have been feasible were it a military agency. President Fidel Ramos signed Executive Order 475 on 30 March 1998 to separate the PCG from the Philippine Navy, and Executive Order 477 to transfer it from the DND to the DoTC, a month thereafter. Thus, even FM Jr. has been heard saying, “Our friends from other countries will help strengthen the PCG’s capabilities.” Today, the President envisions the PCG as a “central actor” insofar as West Philippine Sea matters are concerned; thus, he ordered several 40-foot long patrol vessels to be built in Cebu to improve the PCG’s capabilities in maritime territorial disputes. In the face of China’s unprecedented coast guard expansion — the largest in the world — “civilianizing” the PCG makes little sense. It’s a Catch-22 on how to “reinvent” the PCG. Military strategists had miserably failed. The post PCG’s problematic dualism appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM administration eyes stiffer penalties for agricultural economic sabotage
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. asked the public to report agricultural commodity smuggling and hoarding to authorities as his administration eyes stiffer penalties for agricultural economic sabotage. As the Chief Executive led another round of rice distribution in Capiz, Marcos told the Filipinos not to be afraid of reporting the smugglers to authorities if they had information against those involved in these transactions. "If you know someone involved in these types of transactions, do not be afraid to report them to the authorities," Marcos said. "No matter how big their syndicate is, just like the smuggler we apprehended at the Zamboanga pier last August, they can't even compare to our united strength," he added. Marcos also asked the public to help the government safeguard the local market from smugglers and hoarders, who continue to manipulate the prices of agricultural goods. The chief executive also assured that his administration is already coordinating with legislators to amend the Republic Act No. 10845, or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, and impose severe sanctions on these perpetrators and their accomplices. "We are also coordinating with Congress to amend certain laws to officially classify agricultural economic sabotage as a crime and to increase the penalties for it," he said. Marcos meets Mar Roxas Meanwhile, former Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas joined Marcos as they distributed rice in Capiz. Marcos said Roxas, a relative of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, is his "long-time friend" despite sharing different ideas of the political spectrum. "Mar Roxas is here. You might not know this, but Mar and I have been friends for a long time, and even though we sometimes don't see eye to eye in politics, we spent a long time together in New York," Marcos said. "I haven't talked to him in a long time... we had the opportunity to speak here in Capiz," the President added. Roxas and Marcos had been at odds with each other in several instances in the past. When Marcos said he was running for President in 2016, he told Roxas – who was the Interior and Local Government secretary at that time – to quit his job. Roxas is the party mate of former Vice President Leni Robredo, who is running against Marcos for President in 2022, and the late President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, whose family is in competition with the Marcoses. The post PBBM administration eyes stiffer penalties for agricultural economic sabotage appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM administration eyes sniffer penalties for agricultural economic sabotage
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. asked the public to report agricultural commodity smuggling and hoarding to authorities as his administration eyes stiffer penalties for agricultural economic sabotage. As the Chief Executive led another round of rice distribution in Capiz, Marcos told the Filipinos not to be afraid of reporting the smugglers to authorities if they had information against those involved in these transactions. "If you know someone involved in these types of transactions, do not be afraid to report them to the authorities," Marcos said. "No matter how big their syndicate is, just like the smuggler we apprehended at the Zamboanga pier last August, they can't even compare to our united strength," he added. Marcos also asked the public to help the government safeguard the local market from smugglers and hoarders, who continue to manipulate the prices of agricultural goods. The chief executive also assured that his administration is already coordinating with legislators to amend the Republic Act No. 10845, or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, and impose severe sanctions on these perpetrators and their accomplices. "We are also coordinating with Congress to amend certain laws to officially classify agricultural economic sabotage as a crime and to increase the penalties for it," he said. Marcos meets Mar Roxas Meanwhile, former Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas joined Marcos as they distributed rice in Capiz. Marcos said Roxas, a relative of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, is his "long-time friend" despite sharing different ideas of the political spectrum. "Mar Roxas is here. You might not know this, but Mar and I have been friends for a long time, and even though we sometimes don't see eye to eye in politics, we spent a long time together in New York," Marcos said. "I haven't talked to him in a long time... we had the opportunity to speak here in Capiz," the President added. Roxas and Marcos had been at odds with each other in several instances in the past. When Marcos said he was running for President in 2016, he told Roxas – who was the Interior and Local Government secretary at that time – to quit his job. Roxas is the party mate of former Vice President Leni Robredo, who is running against Marcos for President in 2022, and the late President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, whose family is in competition with the Marcoses. The post PBBM administration eyes sniffer penalties for agricultural economic sabotage appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gibo orders ‘re-horizoning’ AFP’s modernization plan
The Department of National Defense is reviewing which projects should be prioritized under the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization program, which has now covered three different administrations. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Tuesday said the review is at a critical point because if it takes too long, the prices of equipment and platforms being sought by the AFP may go up. “We have to build up our capabilities as soon as possible, so this cannot be delayed,” Teodoro said. “We are working day and night to establish our own systems and whatever capabilities that we can get from our treaty partners and allies.” He said the AFP wants its assets to achieve interoperability, making them more effective for the tasks at hand. He said the review may be completed by the end of the year. Teodoro earlier ordered the AFP and his staff to start “re-horizoning” and the “re-strategization” of the AFP modernization program, clearly referring to the long-term Horizons Modernization Program. Horizon 1, covering 2013 to 2017 during the late Benigno Aquino III’s presidency, focused on acquiring essential equipment and weapons systems to improve the AFP’s minimum credible defense posture. Some of the key projects completed during this phase included the acquisition of new frigates, fighter jets and armored vehicles. Horizon 2, from 2018 to 2022, during the Duterte administration, acquired more advanced equipment and weapons systems like helicopters and air defense systems to enhance the AFP’s deterrence and response capabilities. Set for 2023 to 2028, Horizon 3 focused on acquiring next-generation equipment and weapons systems to ensure the capability of the AFP to defend the country against external aggression. With Teodoro’s “re-horizoning” statement, the Marcos government is being seen as detaching from the original Horizons plan that was partly implemented by both the Aquino and Duterte administrations. Teodoro said he wants the AFP to secure weapons systems and platforms capable of meeting all kinds of security threats. He conceded that acquiring the systems could be expensive, but they will at least be “synergistic” and capable of handling security challenges. “The Philippines is a potential vital contributor to the regional stability and security if we are a strong nation, with strong armed forces, and that is what we are working very hard to achieve,” he said. AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said the military is now working on a more strategic approach to meet security threats. The post Gibo orders ‘re-horizoning’ AFP’s modernization plan appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
On WPS conflict, ‘Trillanes cut deals’
Amid the guessing game started by China on who the unnamed President was who promised to remove the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile has pointed to a former senator as the culprit. “I haven’t heard from previous presidents that they promised to remove the Sierra Madre, but what I know is that the late President Benigno Aquino III did some backchanneling, and his backdoor agent was former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV,” Enrile said. He added: “Trillanes bypassed then Ambassador Sonia Brady in negotiating with China, and his only credential was he rode in a Philippine Navy boat when he was in the military service.” “The subject of the backchanneling was the Scarborough Shoal standoff, but Trillanes was deceived by the Chinese. The Philippine vessels withdrew from the area of the deadlock, but China stayed put,” he recalled. 2012 Senate skirmish Then-senator Enrile and Trillanes had a confrontation in September 2012 over the government’s covert negotiations with China that Aquino had assigned to Trillanes. In a face-off on the Senate floor, Enrile produced the so-called Brady notes, a report on the discussions between the ambassador and Trillanes on the backchanneling mission. During his several engagements with Chinese officials, Enrile quoted the Brady notes as saying that Trillanes indicated that Filipinos needed more interest in the conflicting claims in the region. Enrile said the Brady notes stated that Aquino was not made fully aware of the details of Trillanes’s actions, and there was a point when the President did not know the talks were suspended for two weeks and that Trillanes was acting on his own. “And for whom? Whose interest was he serving?” Enrile asked. While admitting that it was the prerogative of Aquino as Commander-in-Chief to resort to backchannel talks, designating Trillanes was a huge mistake, he said. “Trillanes should have been discreet, and he should have brought along an embassy representative to record the event. Trillanes thought he was James Bond. That should not have been allowed,” Enrile said. “A person entrusted by the President with a mission must first exercise discretion. When you go to a country to deal with a foreign power, you must notify the embassy,” he said. “Trillanes should have notified the embassy to alert them that he was there on a mission, and he should have brought along at least one responsible official,” he added. He continued: “Everybody should have known that international law already provided the way to settle the dispute, which was the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, but which China did not respect.” “China based its claims not on international law but on its might. We should have a counter-balancing force,” according to Enrile. “We should not rely solely on the assistance of other nations; we should keep building up our military assets.” “We should also be prepared, and one way to do that is to require all young Filipinos to undergo training to defend the country.” “Only Filipinos can fight for their country; nobody else can do the fighting for you,” Enrile stressed. False narrative Meanwhile, China was accused of using deception in its sea maneuvers when it tried to block a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal on 7 September. Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson, Col. Medel Aguilar, at the weekly Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, said the Philippine Navy offered to help a Chinese rubber boat in distress near Ayungin Shoal. “Our troops offered assistance, but the Chinese refused and another boat came to their rescue,” Aguilar said. He said one of the Chinese rigid hull inflatable boats had gotten entangled in a fishing line while it was tailing the Philippine vessels heading to Ayungin to resupply the troops there. Aguilar said that while the Chinese boat’s refusal to accept aid from Philippine forces was expected, what surprised the troops was Beijing’s radio call where they blamed the Filipinos for the incident. “They had the guts to challenge our radio message. ‘Philippine Coast Guard, because of your maneuvers, the Chinese Coast Guard vessel came into problem,’” he quoted the Chinese as saying. Aguilar said this was another narrative the Chinese would tell their people. “After this incident, they will come up with their narrative to tell their people about what happened,” Aguilar said. “We don’t want the truth to be drowned out by what really happened,” he added. Misplaced bullying Aguilar described the China Coast Guard’s behavior as “misplaced bullying” amid its continued aggression in Philippine territorial waters. “The CCG is a misplaced bully in the WPS,” Aguilar said. Meanwhile, Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson, said several CCG ships and maritime militia vessels tried to block the Philippine vessels and stop the resupply mission. “It is very important for the government, for us, to be more transparent about what is happening in the West Philippine Sea,” he said. “We face the media; we give them the true story. The media will play a very important role in curtailing this fake news that spreads every time the Chinese release their narratives.” He said China has been pushing the narrative that the Philippines is acting on behalf of the United States. Ayungin Shoal, which is part of the Kalayaan island group, is an integral part of the Philippines and is well within its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, over which the country has sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction. The BRP Sierra Madre has been grounded on Ayungin Shoal since 1999, where it stands as a symbol of Philippine sovereignty and on which a dozen Filipino Marines and sailors are holding the fort. The post On WPS conflict, ‘Trillanes cut deals’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pork’s different strokes
Efforts have begun in the House of Representatives to raise the Motor Vehicle Road Users Charge or the Road Users Tax after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. identified the levy as a main source of precious funds. The eagerness of the members of the House to comply with the proposal to hike the tax makes people wary. Proceeds from the tax are the favorite source of legislative pork. Albay Rep. Joey Salceda’s bill indicates the MVUC which ranges from P120 to P4,000 will be raised to between P2,080 and P10,400 for cars, depending on their gross weight. Under the proposal, the MVUC will be increased by a fixed rate yearly until 2025, and by 5 percent from 2026 onwards. Salceda is looking at collecting P151 billion more in revenue from 2024 to 2027 through the higher MVUC. The higher collections should be earmarked for road improvements which is under the Department of Public Works and Highways after President Rodrigo Duterte signed a law abolishing the graft-tainted Road Board. The disposition of the MVUC sparked the feud between House members and the Department of Budget and Management during the initial years of the Duterte term after then Budget Secretary Ben Diokno refused to release the MUVC proceeds until the Road Board was dissolved. Moreover, the late former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III exploited the RUT funds using them as leverage to get House members to impeach former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez and to obtain the legislators’ approval for his political agenda, such as a measure seeking to postpone the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao election to allow Noynoy to place his appointees in the Muslim region. The Road Board had an unusual collection setup that practically freed its state audit, making it a perfect “cash cow” as termed by some senators. Gutierrez was impeached overwhelmingly in the House after Noynoy first dangled the pork barrel, saying through his House allies that those who would vote against the impeachment would not receive their pork barrel while those who signed the measure would get a P20-million bonus taken from the Road Board.Later, Gutierrez, knowing that she was in a losing situation, resigned from her post despite her having a guaranteed term. She was replaced by Noynoy’s favorite associate justice, Conchita Carpio-Morales, who carried out the yellow brand of selective justice. Gutierrez had displeased Noynoy when she dismissed the case against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in connection with the P729-million fertilizer fund scam. Former Chief Justice Renato Corona Jr. was also ousted through impeachment and the leverage used, in turn, were the DAP funds. It was ironic that Noynoy’s allies vowed to abolish the Road Board, which under the law that created it, had full discretion on its use. Its disposition was beyond the scope of the Commission on Audit since the RUT was not part of the budget. Former Sen. Franklin Drilon, for instance, said the body would be abolished by the Senate despite the House allies of former President Arroyo’s withdrawal and eventual rescinding of the bill that sought to terminate the anomalous 2001 creation. Congressmen turned the RUT proceeds into a source of fast money through collusion with Road Board officials. Since the DPWH is now the custodian of the funds, attention must also be directed at the agency in the proper disposition of the MUVC proceeds. Increasing the audit-free funds plus the recently discovered P215 billion in insertions in the budget through the generic flood mitigation projects exposed maneuvers to pilfer public funds. The post Pork’s different strokes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Makati City scores anew
Six days after taking over the management and supervision of the 14 schools affected by the dragging boundary dispute between Makati and Taguig City, the Department of Education gave Makati City the go-signal to distribute school supplies to the affected students in 10 EMBO barangays the Supreme Court had ordered transferred to Taguig City. In a letter to Makati City Mayor Abby Binay dated 22 August, DepEd Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Michael Wesley Poa said Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte had approved the former’s request to distribute the school supplies, including the use of the school facilities. Binay earlier wrote to Vice President Duterte seeking permission to distribute school supplies in the 14 public schools to alleviate the financial burden on parents who would otherwise have to purchase new school supplies. “On behalf of the city government and all the intended beneficiaries in the 14 public schools, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte. We are thankful that she has the best interest of the students at heart in making a prudent and just decision,” Binay said, adding that the distribution would go on until 29 August when classes start. The 14 public schools are Fort Bonifacio Elementary School, Cembo Elementary School, South Cembo Elementary School, Pitogo Elementary School, East Rembo Elementary School, Rizal Elementary School, Comembo Elementary School, West Rembo Elementary School, Pembo Elementary School, Makati Science High School, Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino High School, Tibagan High School, Fort Bonifacio High School and Pitogo High School. Parents, school kids cheer Mayor Binay, accompanied by her husband, Makati 2nd District Rep. Luis Campos, distributed school supplies at Pembo Elementary School and Pitogo High School yesterday. School supplies will be given to all 45,000 students in the 14 public schools in 10 former barangays within Fort Bonifacio — Pembo, Comembo, Cembo, South Cembo, West Rembo, East Rembo, Pitogo, Rizal, Northside and Southside. Upon arriving at the Pembo Elementary School, Binay and her entourage were cheered by the parents and students who had been waiting for her since 10 a.m. Her arrival at 2 p.m. elicited applause and shouts of “Abby, Abby” from the crowd, many of whom were crying, including the children who rushed to hug the mayor. The parents were particularly ecstatic because they said the school supplies they received from Taguig were not comparable to what they received from Makati. Package contents Under the expanded Project FREE (Free Relevant and Excellent Education) of Makati, public school students from kindergarten to senior high school, including Special Education students in elementary and high school, receive school uniforms and supplies. Students in all levels each receive school uniforms, PE T-shirts and jogging pants. School bags, caps and anti-dengue kits are also given to kindergarten pupils. Elementary students each receive a pair of black leather shoes, three pairs of white socks, Randoseru bags (Grades 1 and 4), dengue kits, and school supplies consisting of 10 notebooks, five intermediate pads, and five ballpoint pens and pencils. Junior and senior high school students receive black shoes and socks, and the same school supplies package given to elementary students, with a Math graphing notebook added. Grades 11 and 12 students also get a jacket with hoodie. For SPED students in elementary and high school, the city provides a school supplies package, uniforms, leather shoes and three pairs of socks, and anti-dengue kits for elementary SPED. Schools to be rented out Asked what would happen to the 14 schools formerly under Makati City, Binay said they would be rented out to Taguig as the former held the titles to them. In a Facebook post, Binay said there was a “last-minute attempt” by the Taguig City government to halt the distribution even if Makati had written authorization to carry it out. Taguig City has also started distributing school packages to the students of the city, including those at the EMBO schools. Duterte issued DepEd Order No. 023 last week, titled “Assumption of authority of the Department of Education over the 14 public schools affected by the Supreme Court decision in G.R. No. 235316.” According to the order, DepEd is mandated to promote every Filipino’s right to accessible, equitable, and quality education which is consistent with its mandate to provide a safe and enabling environment for learners, teachers, and personnel. Duterte, in her order, said that relative to the SC’s final and executory decision in the case titled Municipality of Makati vs Municipality of Taguig (G.R. No. 235316), the Department of is cognizant of the increasing tension present in the 14 schools affected by the ruling, that caused uncertainty as to the peaceful and orderly reopening of schools on 29 August 2023. It further stated that in the pursuit of protecting the best interest and welfare of the learners, teachers, and non-teaching personnel, “the Office of the Secretary shall directly supervise the management and administration of all 14 schools, pending a transition plan, effective immediately.” Duterte created a transition committee composed of the regional director (assigned outside of the National Capital Region); DepEd Schools Division Superintendent of Taguig-Pateros; the DepEd Schools Superintendent of Makati City; City Legal Officer of Makati and City Legal Officer of Taguig. Binay has since stood her ground that all 14 public schools are titled to Makati City and therefore Taguig City has no jurisdiction over it, though Mayor Lani Cayetano refuted the claim saying it was included in the SC order that is final and executory. The post Makati City scores anew appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Transcendence
Considering the circumstances, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. handled the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr. pretty well......»»
Aquinos: Thank you for being one with us
The late senator Benigno Aquino Jr.’s eldest child is thankful to Filipinos who joined in remembering her father......»»
Marcos: Let’s transcend political barriers
President Marcos joined Filipinos in commemorating the 40th death anniversary of former senator Benigno Aquino Jr. yesterday, asking them to tear down political barriers that have rent the country for decades......»»
Let’s transcend politics, BBM says on Ninoy’s death
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday called on all Filipinos to unite in commemorating Ninoy Aquino Day, the 40th anniversary of the assassination of former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. In a statement, Marcos said that Aquino “became an example of relentlessness and resolve for many Filipinos” by standing for his beliefs and fighting for battles he deemed right. “In our resolute quest for a more united and prosperous Philippines, let us transcend political barriers that hamper us from securing the comprehensive welfare and advancement of our beloved people,” Marcos said. “Let us imbue ourselves with clarity of mind and unity in purpose so we can proceed towards a future that resonates with our hopes and dreams,” he said. Marcos said that when Filipinos love the nation, they foster an environment where empathy, compassion, and dialogue prevail. “Let us allow this compelling force to promote collaboration, celebrate diversity, and create a society teeming with vitality and inspiration,” he said. Marcos urged Filipinos to work together to make the Philippines “grounded in reason and fortitude,” where the welfare of all becomes the priority. “As we take measured yet realistic strides towards progress, let us allow our indomitable spirit to drive us to uplift every Filipino and build an inclusive and more progressive Philippines,” he said. Marcos wished everyone a meaningful and peaceful remembrance of Ninoy Aquino Day. Aquino was assassinated on 21 August 1983 upon his arrival in Manila from exile. His death sparked the People Power Revolution that led to the overthrow of the President’s father and namesake.ac The post Let’s transcend politics, BBM says on Ninoy’s death appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
On Ninoy Aquino Day, Marcos calls on Filipinos to ‘transcend political barriers’
Ninoy Aquino Day is commemorated annually in honor of the assassination of former Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., whose death 40 years ago triggered a series of mass demonstrations that ended the dictatorship of Marcos Jr.’s father, Ferdinand Marcos Sr......»»
Ninoy s death united broad anti-Marcos opposition — LP president
Liberal Party President Edcel Lagman recalled that the assassination of former Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr., a staunch critic of former President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., had united different factions of the broad anti-Marcos movement......»»
EDITORIAL — The road to democracy
Frustrations have been expressed as the nation marks today the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr......»»
Rites set for Ninoy’s 40th death anniversary
The nation is set to remember the sacrifice of former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., who opposed the authoritarian rule of then president Marcos Sr., on his 40th death anniversary on Aug. 21......»»
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......»»
EMBO schools ownership up to courts — DepEd
The Department of Education yesterday said the courts will be the ones to decide who owns the 14 schools at the Enlisted Men's Barrios (EMBOs) built by the city government of Makati and now under the territorial jurisdiction of Taguig City. This was clarified by DepEd spokesman Undersecretary Michael Wesley Poa, saying the department has ordered the formation of a committee to ensure a smooth transition of management of the said schools to Taguig, noting the transition plan will include details on utilities, existing contracts, and transfer of teachers. With the order issued by Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte, the schools were placed under the direct supervision of the Office of the Secretary of Education during the transition. The 14 public schools located in the affected barangays in District 2 and would be under the Office of the Secretary's supervision are Fort Bonifacio Elementary School, Cembo Elementary School, South Cembo Elementary School, Pitogo Elementary School, East Rembo Elementary School, Rizal Elementary School, Comembo Elementary School, West Rembo Elementary School, Pembo Elementary School, Makati Science High School, Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino High School, Tibagan High School, Fort Bonifacio High School, and Pitogo High School. Meanwhile, the DepEd official said the 29 August school opening will not be moved, adding that both local governments are in agreement about the issue. Poa said what remains in dispute, is the ownership of the 14 school buildings. "It is clear there is a Supreme Court decision. The contention is the ownership of the school buildings or structures. When it comes to ownership of the school buildings, DepEd is not involved in it. They can discuss it in the proper forum, whether it is a court or somewhere else," Poa said. "That is disputed actually. For DepEd, it would be inappropriate for us to give an opinion on that because that is a legal dispute between the cities. What happened is the school buildings were built during the time that Makati has territorial jurisdiction. But with the Supreme Court decision, it was transferred to Taguig," he added. Last Thursday, Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay welcomed the decision of Duterte to take over the management and supervision of the 14 schools. "We look forward to working wholeheartedly with the transition team created by the Vice President," she said in a statement. "This decision will greatly ease the worries and concerns of our students, parents, and teachers. Kaisa kami ni Vice President Sara sa kanyang layunin. Unahin natin ang kapakanan ng ating mga guro, mga kabataan at kanilang mga magulang," Binay added. The Supreme Court earlier ruled with finality that areas comprising the EMBOs and the entirety of Fort Andres Bonifacio belong to Taguig City. Binay, however, said the land and school buildings built in those areas were procured by the Makati City government. She noted the Supreme Court decision only tackled territorial jurisdiction and not the issue of ownership. "We procured those properties. It is by sale. How come that they will be the ones to own it by virtue of the Supreme Court decision? What they are saying is the whole of Fort Bonifacio is theirs. We're not talking about political jurisdiction, we are talking about ownership," Binay said in an earlier interview. Binay said that since ownership of the school buildings resides with the Makati City government, she is willing to allow Taguig to use the buildings with just compensation. For its part, the Taguig government has denied that it tried to forcibly take over public schools in its territory. Taguig City said the Department of Education issued a Memorandum Order 2023-735 that transferred the management and supervision of the affected schools from the DepEd Division of Makati to the Division of Taguig and Pateros. "Taking their cue from the DepEd order, the public school officials, teachers, parents, community leaders, and the City of Taguig have been conducting regular meetings in preparation for the Brigada Eskwela and the opening of the school year," the statement stated. "It is in this context that the DepEd Superintendent of Taguig and Pateros has requested assistance from the City of Taguig, including the deployment of security personnel to ensure the welfare of the students, teachers, and staff, and the peaceful and orderly conduct of the aforesaid activities," it added. The post EMBO schools ownership up to courts — DepEd appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
EMBO teachers worried over Makati-Taguig feud
While the cities of Makati and Taguig are engaged in a tug-of-war on who should exercise control and management of the 14 schools in the enlisted men’s barrio, teachers are wary about its effects on the learners. Raniel Enguancho Biala, a grade 10 teacher at the Benigno Aquino High School in Barangay Comembo, in an interview, said the opening of classes is just around the corner but the dispute between the two cities are affecting the preparation not only of the students but all the stakeholders including teaching personnel. He said there is an urgent need for the writ of execution to be released immediately because it will give them the guide. Biala is basing his observation in an interview with Mayor Abby Binay and he quote, “It is a written command authorizing the office of the said city to implement the decision that has become final and executory.” “So we are waiting for that order because it is a legal basis to the basic issue of who will manage the 14 public schools in the 10 barangays that have been the subject of the Supreme Court ruling,” said the teacher. While the WoE is yet to be issued by the court everything is hanging and the teachers are waiting for a meeting this week so they would know what will they do when the classes open on 29 August. Bial said at present the situation is somewhat hazy and as a teacher he is receiving messages from the parents about what will happen to their children if the school supplies are not given to their children. The free school supplies were rejected by Mayor Lani Cayetano, who proposed that it be given to the victims of calamities. The problem, according to the teacher, is what will be the benefits they (teachers) will get from Taguig City that include the students since in two weeks time the classes will open but they have yet to see some development. Even if there are the so-called meetings held by officials, the needs of the teachers for their teaching chores are not highlighted and what is being tackled are the needs of the students which are also vague. “It seems they are talking always about the needs of the students but the needs of the teachers are not mentioned. I think they need to consider it also because in the case of Makati City we are provided without basic needs that we can utilize in our teaching chores,” said the teacher. The teachers of the EMBO barangays are provided with laptops and other materials and also allowances. But now the teachers feel that they will go back to the basics of using cartolinas when they teach because it is possible that the laptops issued to them by Makati City will be taken away. The post EMBO teachers worried over Makati-Taguig feud appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MMDA, DepEd-Makati ink deal
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Department of Education Division of Makati City forged an agreement to partner in providing students in select schools in the city with lectures on anti-smoking and anti-vaping. The memorandum of understanding, signed during the Brigada Eskwela 2023 Division Kick-Off held in Makati High School, seeks to implement a smoke-free and healthy environment among public schools. MMDA acting chairman Atty. Don Artes said one of the keys towards a smoke-free and healthy environment in the school is to educate and capacitate the learners. “We will teach the students the importance of health and the dangers of smoking, vaping, as well as second-hand smoke, to our wellbeing through social media and/or video conferencing platforms,” said Artes during the MoU signing rites. The MMDA Health, Public Safety and Environmental Protection Office will facilitate the anti-smoking lectures on the dangers of smoking and vaping to one’s health. An orientation on anti-littering will also be provided aimed at informing students on the effects of throwing small litters that may cause clogging of waterways leading to flooding. Likewise, the students will undergo a course on Basic First Aid and Disaster Management for incidents of fire, flooding and earthquake. The agency will capacitate the students on training that will enhance their skills in using the website as a platform for educating young people on the effects of smoking and vaping to a person’s health. “The MMDA believes that one of the keys to a successful implementation and sustainability of an integrated health program is the active involvement and participation of partner organizations and school communities in identifying problems brought about by smoking and vaping, seeking for feasible solutions and tapping into existing resources,” Artes added. DepEd Makati, for its part, is responsible for securing the health and wellness of students, thus enjoining the MMDA to serve as a major partner in its campaign for a healthy and smoke-free environment. Schools to be given lectures are: Makati High School, San Isidro National High School, San Antonio National High School, Gen. Pio del Pilar National High School, Bangkal High School, Maximo Estrella Senior High School, Fort Bonifacio High School, Benigno Ninoy S. Aquino High School, Makati Science High School, Pitogo High School, Tibagan High School and Nemesio I. Yabut Senior High School. The discussions, which will be done either online or face-to-face, will have a maximum of 50 students per session, per school. It will be a mix of junior and senior high school students. The project will be a continuing program and is set to end in June 2025. Also present in the MOU signing are Makati Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo, officials from DepEd Makati, and their private partners such as China Bank Savings, and Young Men’s Christian Association. The post MMDA, DepEd-Makati ink deal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»