| DSWD takes custody of newborn baby shown in viral video being slapped by mother |
| Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph |
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The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is taking custody of the child shown on a viral video being slapped by his mother while confined at a hospital.
DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman has instructed the DSWD-National Capital Region to immediately check on the situation of the child at the hospital.
In a report to Sec. Soliman, the social worker assigned to handle the case said that the baby is now at the Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit while the mother is in a separate ward. Other mothers voluntarily breastfed the baby.
According to the resident doctors on duty, if the blood culture test of baby turns out okay, he can be discharged within two to three days.
Meanwhile, the mother will remain in the hospital since she still has to undergo blood transfusion and psychiatric check- up.
Upon discharge, the baby will be taken to a DSWD-managed center pending the identification of a relative who will eventually take care of the child, while the mental and psycho-social capability of the mother is being evaluated.
Sec. Soliman said that it is important to let the youth understand that if they enter into a relationship, they should first understand that parenthood is a great responsibility.
She said that the young mother may have difficulty adjusting to this new responsibility as a result of post-partum depression. |
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| DSWD assures enough relief for ‘Ineng’ |
| Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph |
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Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman assured local government units (LGUs) that there are enough relief supplies to augment their resources for families affected by Typhoon Ineng.
DSWD continues to preposition relief supplies in towns and provinces affected by the typhoon. Apart from the prepositioned goods at the local level, it also has 366,781 family food packs in all its Field Offices nationwide and at the National Resource Operations Center (NRCO) in Pasay City ready to augment LGU resources. At the same time, P47.47 million standby funds is also available for the purchase of emergency relief supplies, when needed.
Sec. Soliman further explained that while goods were prepositioned at the provincial and municipal levels, if these have been exhausted, the LGUs can request for additional resources which becomes the basis for the provision of the assistance.
In Region II where ‘Ineng’ continues to bring heavy rains, food packs are being delivered by DSWD to the following towns: Claveria, 500; Gonzaga, 300: Sta. Ana, 300; Sta. Teresita, 300; Abulog, 300; Aparii, 300; Ballesteros, 300; Calayan, 100; and, Calamaniugan, 300.
DSWD-Field Office II is continuously coordinating with LGUs for the provision of additional relief assistance.
In other ‘Ineng’-hit LGUs, close to P50,000 worth of relief assistance were also provided by DSWD, as of 10 am August 22, as initial resource augmentation to Abra and Kalinga in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
To date, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Response Pillar continues to be on red alert to monitor the extent of the disaster and to provide assistance. DSWD is head of the Food and Non-Food Cluster and the Camp Coordination and Camp Management Cluster of the Response Pillar.
As s of 10 am today, a total of 1,787 families with 7,776 persons are staying in 31 evacuation centers managed by LGUs.
In Region I, Ilocos Norte has 11 evacuation centers while Ilocos Sur has one providing temporary shelter to 165 families or 718 persons and 38 families or 133 persons, respectively.
In Region II, Cagayan has 12 evacuation centers serving 306 families or 1,147 persons.
In CAR, seven evacuation centers are open spread over Abra with two serving 26 families or 68 persons; Benguet with three providing temporary shelter to seven families or 27 persons; and Kalinga with two serving 111 families or 365 persons.
Some 163 damaged houses, of which 25 are totally and 138 are partially damaged in the three ‘Ineng’-hit regions, have been initially reported.
DSWD disaster teams continue to coordinate with their counterparts at the local level to determine other needs of the affected families. |
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| Embassy of Japan to host a job fair for returning JPEPA candidates |
| Source: http://www.poea.gov.ph |
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The Embassy of Japan will hold a job fair for returning Filipino nurses and caregivers on August 28, 2015 at Ascott Bonifacio Global City (tentative) in Taguig city.
Japan has been accepting Filipino nurses and caregivers based on the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA). Around 400 Filipino nurses and caregivers have already returned to the Philippines. This event will benefit the returnees who were not able to obtain the Japanese licensure or to some who have just opted to stay here in the Philippines after their job term in Japan. They have experience working in a hospital or caregiving facility in Japan under direct supervision of Japanese staff, and have learned superior knowledge and skills in this field. They have also been educated with basic Japanese through the Japanese language training provided by the Japanese government and living in Japan for 3 to 5 years.
The Embassy annually holds a job fair with Japanese companies and medical institutes to help the returning Filipino nurses and caregivers to further utilize their skills and experiences acquired in Japan and to also strengthen the relationship between Japan and the Philippines.
Last year, around 50 JPEPA returnees and 26 companies participated in the job fair. Many Japanese companies in some sectors like construction and service were in need of Japanese-speaking Filipino staff. As a result, some returnees were hired as company nurses, interpreters, and office staff. A lot of employer participants from Japanese companies and medical institutes and even more JPEPA returnees are expected this year.
The Embassy is accepting application for participants until August 14, 2015. For further information, please contact 551-5710 local 2117 or email ecosec@ma.mofa.go.jp. |
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| SMEs to go international need access to finance, technology, among other factors |
| Source: http:/www.pids.gov.ph |
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Continuing with the themed focus on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) hosted Dr. Ganeshan Wignaraja, an advisor to Asian Development Bank, to present on SME Internationalization and Finance in Asia at a PIDS Pulong Saliksikan. Picking up where Dr. Mario Lamberte and Ms. Ammielou Gaduena discussed SMEs and access to finance in a previous seminar, Wignaraja expounded on the state of SMEs across the Asian region. His presentation covered the SME policies in Asia, the role of SMEs in regional growth, and how the Philippines can help enhance the role of local SMEs in global value chains (GVCs).
Studies consider SMEs as a vehicle for inclusive growth both at the national regional levels. Based on the latest statistics compiled by the Department of Trade and Industry, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) made up 99.6 percent of the total enterprises in 2011. They accounted for more than 61 percent of total employment across the country. These contributions are, however, not reflected in trade in terms of direct exports, says Wignaraja.
But he noted that trade itself is no longer about direct exports. Nowadays, trade is about being involved in factories across the world. It means supply chain trade. Asian entry in GVCs accounts for the growth in Asia we see today. ASEAN share of world supply chain exports accounted for 9.3 percent of world supply chain trade. The big players in Asia are currently neighbors to the north, and if the countries comprising the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) want to keep up, the region must adjust and change to acquire the necessary models and criteria to ensure increased participation.
Wignaraja pointed to size, scale of production, access to technology, foreign equity, and access to credit as essential requisites. When it comes to size, being a big firm naturally begets advantages to expand due to larger scale of production, possibly better access to technology, and so forth. But Wignaraja said that being small can also work for an SME. By clubbing in clusters, SMEs can overcome some of the disadvantages of size and rely on the benefits of interdependence.
But its not just firms and whats inside of them. The environment of business support services around the firms also counts. The better the type of services firms have around, analyzed Wignaraja, the more chances theyll grow and capture more GVCs.
One issue of particular importance to SME growth is access to finance, discussed in the previous Pulong Saliksikan by Lamberte and Gaduena. Wignaraja revealed in his report that the lack of access to finance by SMEs is widespread in the region, although the credit gap seems greater in the Philippines.
In the resulting open forum, Lamberte reminded the audience the fact that banks dont lend to SMEs because all banks are not designed to lend to SMEs. They dont know how to evaluate projects and SME ventures.
They do a lot of consumer and big firm and corporate lending, but little SME lending, despite the laws requiring them to do so.
The idea is for them to think about innovations so they can introduce in their system ways of lending with SMEs, said Lamberte.
Some of these innovations may include relaxing the laws and using nontraditional collateral like nonfixed collateral. Wignaraja explained how changing collateral laws can prove important. In an SME cluster, for example, the use of peer pressure within a network of SMEs for a particular business to pay back its loans can help. It has already worked in Japan.
Lamberte added that banks often require business plans and financial plans. Many of the SMEs that really need credit dont have the capacity to prepare these plans. SMEs have the single entry accounting system; the banks expect to see something more complex. The solution comes down to educating and designing programs to educate SMEs and improve their capabilities to scale up.
More and more studies agree that SMEs are crucial to inclusive growth, but their growth and participation in GVCs remain limited. SMES that have joined GVCs owe their successes to models that relied on size, excellent human capital, access to credit, and foreign ownership. The rest of the SMEs continue rely on internal sources and nonbanks for their finances.
There is no panacea for the market failures, said Wignaraja. Theres a lot to be done: expand banking, making financial access more inclusive, invest in financial literacy and education early in schools, improve banking systems, and develop better linkages for SMEs. |
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| Cybercrime IRR Signed by DOJ, DILG, and DOST |
| Source: http://icto.dost.gov.ph |
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Manila, PH – High-ranking officials from the Department of Justice, Department of Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Science and Technology, signed the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the country’s Cybercrime Prevention Act at the New World Manila Bay Hotel last August 12, 2015. Among the signees were DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima, DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo, and DILG Undersecretary for Operations Edwin Enrile.
Also known as RA 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act aims to extend the reach of the law in the digital space. “The imperative of having a legal framework that penalizes cybercrime and its many evolving forms provides for strong international cooperation, given the transnational nature of cybercrime, and lays out an effective implementation strategy anchored on the regime of electronic evidence,” said Secretary Leila M. de Lima. “It is our mandate to ensure that all crimes ought not to go unpunished; that wherever cyber-criminals may be found, the full force of the law must apply.” she added.
Representing the outgoing DILG Secretary Mar Roxas was Atty. Edwin Enrile, Undersecretary for Operations who acknowledged the hard work of the composite Technical Working Group that conducted 4 public consultations involving more than 40 organizations and entities. He also assured netizens that their welfare is top priority in the creation of the IRR, “We would like to protect everyone against cybercrime offenses such as illegal access, computer-related forgery, identity theft and fraud, cybersex and online libel.” Undersecretary also expressed the DILG and PNP’s commitment and effective enforcement of the provisions of the Cybercrime Law and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.
DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo stated that as a shepherd of the country’s R&D agenda, the DOST also has the shared responsibility with the DILG and DOJ in keeping cyberspace safe for government, businesses, and the Filipino people may enjoy the benefits that ICT and Internet holds in store.
Beginning with the development of the seminal Cybercrime Prevention Act that took 14 years to pass into law, the IRR went through a series of government and public consultations that included stakeholders from business, academe, non-governmental organizations, legal profession, media, ICT groups and internet service providers over a period of 17 months. Secretary De Lima stated that the IRR is a concrete manifestation of perseverance to see that the rule of law extends to cyberspace, and that law enforcement catches up with the emerging changes in technology and those who abuse it.
ICTO Executive Director Undersecretary Louis Napoleon C. Casambre and DOJ Office of Cybercrime Head Assistant Secretary Geronimo L. Sy served as focal persons for the crafting and finalization of the IRR. |
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| DSWD preps relief in ‘Ineng’-hit LGUs |
| Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph |
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As Typhoon Ineng continues to hover in the Philippine Area of Responsibility, the Field Offices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in regions under storm signals have prepositioned relief goods to local government units.
In Region I, a total of 29,000 family food packs are available as stockpile whereas 24,000 food packs are prepositioned in its various satellite warehouses around the region. Volunteers continue to help in the repacking of goods at the Field Office.
In Region II which is being heavily battered by ‘Ineng’, the DSWD-Field Office has prepositioned a total of 43,990 food packs in the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, and Nueva Viscaya.
Prepositioned goods in Batanes, which is under signal number 2, are 340 sacks of NFA rice and 336 boxes of canned goods.
As of 12 noon today, a total of 135 families or 421 persons from three barangays in Batanes and five villages in Cagayan are staying in evacuation centers managed by LGUs.
In CAR, 6,591 food packs have been prepositioned in various provinces.
DSWD disaster teams continue to be on alert to provide resource augmentation and assistance in disaster operations, when necessary. |
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| Plans for ARMM employees during Bangsamoro transition ready |
| Source: http://www.opapp.gov.ph |
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Manila – The government gives utmost importance to the protection of rights and the welfare of civil servants in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and systems have been put in place to ensure these rights would be protected when the Bangsamoro is established, says the Coordination Team for the Transition (CT4T) from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to the Bangsamoro.
The CT4T issued the assurance following the release of a statement from Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr, chair of the Senate committee on local government, saying “[t]he new government under the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region should give preference to displaced workers of the [ARMM] in hiring new civil servants.”
In his statement, Senator Marcos said among those the new Bangsamoro should give priority are public school teachers who comprise majority of the 30,000 civil servants in ARMM.
In fact, the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) negotiating panels and ARMM executive officers activated the CT4T in November last year to facilitate the generation and sharing of necessary information related to the transition such as the inventory of personnel, programs, properties, assets, and receivables, said Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Undersecretary Luisito Montalbo, who sits in the CT4T.
The CT4T is the primary mechanism to facilitate a smooth transition leading to the installation of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), which will bridge the period between the plebiscite for the Bangsamoro and the elections for the Bangsamoro parliament.
“We ensure that the welfare of the ARMM employees will not be shelved during the transition period from ARMM to the Bangsamoro,” said Montalbo, who is joined in the CT4T by ARMM Executive Secretary Atty. Laisa Masuhud Alamia and one other OPAPP and ARMM representative each, and another five from the MILF.
“We are working on a blueprint on what will happen to our ARMM employees as early as now, and that includes plans for the thousands of public teachers in the autonomous region. This is being crafted by the CT4T with the help of other concerned agencies such as the ARMM, Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM),” Montalbo explained.
According to the original version of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), as well as to the House and Senate version known as the Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BLBAR), the BTA will be established upon the ratification of the law leading to the first Bangsamoro parliamentary election in May 2016.
“Proponents of the Bangsamoro peace process had the foresight to establish the CT4T because they understand that it is crucial for the Bangsamoro government to hit the ground running once it is established,” Usec. Montalbo said.
Moreover, everything will be done in accordance with the law in government reorganization, as far as benefits and processes for those who might be adversely affected, Montalbo added.
Members of the CT4T recognize the social, development and political cost of a massive displacement of existing ARMM employees once the Bangsamoro Government replaces the existing ARMM. "We need to ensure that there is as little disruption as possible in the delivery of basic services, especially education and health, during the transition period," Montalbo added. |
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| DPWH turns-over unserviceable equipment to TESDA |
| Source: http://www.dpwh.gov.ph |
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The Department of Public Works and Highways Leyte Fourth District Engineering Office transferred fifty seven (57) unserviceable Information Technology equipment to Technical Education and Skills Development Authority - Ormoc City as part of its commitment to community service and proper waste disposal initiatives.
Equipment donated are computer monitors, printers, CPU, power supply, and copier machines that are no longer of use to DPWH.
The disposal of unserviceable equipment and property of the Department are fully accounted as reflected in the inspection and verification report conducted by DPWH-Regional Office VIII Disposal Committee to ensure that the mode of disposal adheres to pertinent government issued guidelines.
Instead of merely disposing this equipment to waste facilities, they were given without cost to TESDA so that it could be utilized for computer repair training and other purposes.
TESDA targets to salvage the donated equipment for the study and practical workshops of students in their Electronics and IT program.
The turn-over of equipment was administered by DPWH District Engineer Lino Francisco C. Gonzalez and TESDA OIC-Center Administrator Mr. Jemuel S. Tauy and witnessed by a representative from Commission on Audit and the TESDA students.
The activity is part of DPWH’s globalized efforts to safeguard the environment through sustainable measures. |
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| DOLE to oversee PHL exporters association’s compliance to labor laws |
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph |
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As an offshoot of the partnership agreement between the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Foreign Buyers Association of the Philippines (FOBAP) to promote best practices and voluntary compliance with general labor standards and occupational safety and health standards, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz has formed the DOLE-FOBAP Technical Working Committee (TWC) to raise the bar of labor laws compliance of the Philippine’s export sector.
“The TWC will adopt measures and conduct activities to assure the implementation of DOLE-FOBAP agreement,” said Baldoz after issuing Administrative Order 216 S. 2015 through Undersecretary Ciriaco A. Lagunzad III.
The FOBAP and the DOLE signed last April an agreement to ensure that products exported by the Philippines are produced not only according to global quality standards but also in responsible and socially-compliant factories that meet the basic standards for human rights as required by major exporting countries.
The agreement spells out the mechanics of cooperation between the DOLE and the FOBAP in attaining their shared goals of increased awareness of the export sector on general labor standards and OSHS.
The FOBAP is the private sector association that serves as watchdog of local producers in terms of labor and social compliance.
Apart from implementing programs and projects that will increase awareness of the export sector on general labor standards, minimum wage and other wage-related benefits, and occupational safety and health standards, the newly created TWC will also work to build within the sector a culture of voluntary compliance with all labor laws to promote the safety and wellbeing of export sector workers.
Composing the TWC from DOLE are Bureau of Working Conditions Director Catherine Legados-Parado, Bureau of Labor Relations Director Benjo Santos M. Benavidez, Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns Director Ahmma Charisma L. Satumba, Bureau of Local Employment Director Dominique R. Tutay, International Labor Relations Bureau Director Saul T. De Vries, Occupational Safety and Health Center Executive Director Ma. Teresita S. Cucueco, National Wages and Productivity Commission Executive Director Maria Criselda R. Sy, Employees Compensation Commission Executive Director Stella Z. Banawis, and National Conciliation and Mediation Board Executive Director Reynaldo R. Ubaldo.
The FOBAP will be represented in the TWC by Director Gina Roxas, Compliance Manager Vicente Agaron, and HR Manager Francis Jesus Ramos.
“We have carried out one of the provisions in our agreement with the creation of the TWC,” said Baldoz, who added that the ultimate aim is to ensure that global quality products are manufactured in socially-compliant Philippine factories.
One of the work of the TWC is to apprise the DOLE Secretary and the FOBAP President about the progress of the joint undertaking with quarterly monitoring and reporting system.
In her statement during the signing of the agreement, Baldoz expressed optimism that the DOLE and FOBAP will bring forth responsible and socially-compliant manufacturing companies that produce internationally competitive products and nurture a labor-laws protected workforce.
“It is imperative that human rights is observed by the export sector, since major importing countries require upholding of workers’ welfare and fundamental human and labor rights. By fostering a culture of voluntary compliance, this partnership with FOBAP, which is a broad alliance of trade and business associations, will be a big help in accelerating the progress of LLCS implementation,” she said. |
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| In Cebu, DOLE-NRCO’s P500-K business competition stirs interest among seafarers |
| Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph |
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The National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment, has elicited enthusiastic response from seafarers in Cebu City with its enterprise competition, From Seafarers to Entrepreneurs: 2015 NRCO-ISP Business Plan Competition, which offers a grand prize of P500,000 to the winner.
“We generated a lot of interest in the contest and many more are inquiring about the mechanics so they could join,” said NRCO Executive Director Chona Mantilla who reported that the promotional forum and information drive the NRCO has conducted in Cebu for the contest had gathered many competition enthusiasts.
One of those who attended was Joe-An Rey E. Mati-Ong, 29, single, and a seafarer from Sinayawan, Valencia City, Bukidnon.
“This is a big encouragement for us, seafarers, who have plans to venture into business someday,” said Joe-An Rey, who took time to participate in the event while doing errands for his seafarer review in Cebu City.
“I have always been a farmer at heart even if I am a seafarer and it is my plan to try my luck in rice farming. I will join the contest,” he said.
An ordinary seaman for five years, Joe-An Rey stated that his vision is not only to get promoted, but also to become a successful businessman. “I don’t see myself being a seafarer, being away from my family forever,” he added.
Joe-An Rey is just one of the 240 or so like-minded seafarers, students, DOLE-NRCO’s social partners, and seafarer families who attended the event and expressed interest in NRCO business plan competition in partnership with the Integrated Seafarers of the Philippines, Incorporated (ISP).
The business plan competition, according to Mantilla, is an NRCO tool it sees useful to raise awareness, build capacity, and reach out to the public on the DOLE’s National Reintegration Program for OFWs.
“The business competition, bearing the theme, Harnessing Seafarers’ Capacities for Enterprise Development, aims to encourage and hand-hold seafarers intending to venture into social entrepreneurship and at the same time support the growth of jobs in their hometowns,” Mantilla said.
Mantilla further explained that the NRCO will provide assistance to seafarers and their families intending to setup their own businesses. “We will help them develop their business plans and ideas and turn them into business solutions to real social problems in their hometown or community,” she stated.
On his part, DOLE Regional Director Exequiel R. Sarcauga said he liked the business competition because seafarers could be social entrepreneurs, and they could invest using their talents, skills, and knowledge gained from working overseas.
According to Mantilla, the business competition will not end in the selection of the winners. “We will continue our assistance by providing the winners – and even non-winners – access to finance and other services required to put their business plans into practice; but also create database of business plans for future policy and research purposes,” she said.
Labor Attache Jalilo O. dela Torre, who is spearheading the conduct of the business competition, said it is open to all returning seafarers and seafarer-returnees interested to venture into entrepreneurship. “Participants may join the competition either solo, in pairs, or by groups of three members, the minimum,” she said.
The competition, he emphasized, is open only to agribusiness start-ups as business plan idea. Seafarers who wish to join the competition, but are unable to attend presentation and coordination activities related to the competition, including attendance to screening, mentoring/coaching activities, are advised to have at least one official representative who will handle the tasks and activities.
The top 10 shortlisted entries will be announced on November 2015 and the deadline of accepting entries will be on 30 September 2015. “A cash prize of P500,000, courtesy of ISP, grand cash prize will be awarded to The 2015 NRCO-ISP Business Plan of the Year on 4 December 2015,” he said.
“This is not only a national, but also a world-wide competition, since all qualified and interested seafarers all over the globe are encouraged to join,” said Atty. Dela Torre.
For more information on this report, you may contact Luchel S. Taniza- Regional Labor Communication Officer at telefax number (032) 266-2792 or you may send an email at dole_centralvisayas@yahoo.com |
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| Statement on the Situation on the Korean Peninsula |
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph |
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| The Philippines is closely monitoring the developing situation on the Korean Peninsula after the reported exchange of fire today between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Republic of Korea. The Philippines urges restraint on both sides and calls for the immediate de-escalation of tensions in order to maintain regional peace and stability. |
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| Fiesta In America Showcases PHL Products and Culture |
| Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph |
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20 August 2015 – Fiesta in America opened for the 17th year last August 15 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Seacaucus, New Jersey to once again highlight Filipino culture, products, trade and community fellowship in the US East Coast’s biggest indoor celebration of the Philippines for two days.
Philippine Consul General to New York Mario De Leon, Jr. acknowledged Fiesta in America’s growth and inclusiveness by welcoming Latino and other Asian communities to the expo for the past two years. He remarked, “This sense of multiculturalism only extends the influence and appeal of Fiesta in America to other ethnic communities here in the US. May this festive occasion only further our collaboration as ally immigrant communities in our second home, the US.”
Fiesta in America, which started as Philippine Fiesta in 1998, is a two-day trade and cultural exposition that aims to assist Filipino businesses in penetrating the mainstream US consumer market while showcasing the best of Philippine culture. |
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| The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Holds 2015 Awards Ceremony and Appreciation Lunch for Stakeholders in Region Vll |
| Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph |
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In celebration of its 22nd anniversary, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will hold the 2015 Awards Ceremony and Appreciation Lunch for BSP Stakeholders in Region Vll that have continuously supported its statistical initiatives, information requirements, and advocacy programs. The event will be held on Tuesday, 25 August 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Banking Hall, BSP Cebu Regional Office, Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City with the theme “12 Years and Beyond: Celebrating Strong Partnerships and Successful Collaborations.” Monetary Board Member Armando L. Suratos will lead in honoring this year’s awardees and stakeholders.
The BSP will give four awards for outstanding partners—two for the Business Expectations Survey (BES), one for Source of Information for the Report on Regional Economic Developments, and one for advocacy support for the Outstanding Credit Surety Fund (CSF).
The Outstanding Respondent among Large and Medium Firms and the Outstanding Respondent among Small Firms will be conferred to the BES respondents selected from among the country’s top corporations in Region Vll that have participated regularly in the survey by providing timely, complete, accurate and consistent responses. The Outstanding Partner for Source of Information for the Report on Regional Economic Developments will be awarded to the agencies or institutions that provided the BSP with information support for an effective environment scan of Region Vll. The Outstanding Credit Surety Fund (CSF) will be given to the established CSF to recognize its contribution in promoting the growth and sustainable development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) through greater collateral-free credit access to financial institutions.
This occasion is the fifth leg of the BSP’s regional stakeholders’ events which will be held from July to September 2015 in 12 areas outside the National Capital Region (AONCR) to honor stakeholders in various award categories. Stakeholders of the BSP in the National Capital Region were earlier recognized during the awards ceremony held last 14 July 2015 at the BSP Main Office.
This event is expected to further strengthen the partnerships between the BSP and its stakeholders, resulting in more efficient and effective means of information gathering and conduct of advocacy campaigns to achieve the BSP’s ultimate goal of safeguarding price stability and promoting a healthy financial system as well as ensuring an efficient payments and settlements system in the country. |
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| Philippine Life Insurance Industry 2nd in ASEAN Liberalisation Index |
| Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph |
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The Philippine life insurance industry ranks second out of the 10 ASEAN economies in the Liberalisation Index. The study conducted by Millman, a global provider of actuarial and related products and services, attempts to measure the openness of the life insurance regulatory regimes of the ASEAN economies with regard to their alignment with international standards.
Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima said, “We are pleased to find our life insurance industry’s placement in the ASEAN rankings. This affirms that our rapidly growing sectors are underpinned by sound regulatory regimes and enabling environments.”
The Millman ASEAN Liberalisation Index (MALI) is the outcome of the study, which reflects the stages of development of insurance markets in each member state. The MALI is published in a report entitled “Potential Implications of the ASEAN Economic Community for the Life Insurance Industry.”
Each ASEAN economy is assessed based on their relative stage of development of the life industry. 8 features are covered namely product, development, distribution, investment, sophistication of capital regime, policyholder protection, foreign ownership, new licenses, and talent mobility.
An economy with a high score signifies a perfectly liberal market while a low score indicates a more tightly controlled industry, with typically less exposure to foreign participation. The Philippines ranked second next to Singapore, with a score of 58 in terms of openness of life regulatory regimes in the region.
“This is a clear indication that our life insurance industry regulatory regime is robust and that the industry is very much capable to go head to head with other life industries in ASEAN. We are better prepared than most of our neighbors and ready to face the challenges of the approaching ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) integration,” said Insurance Commissioner Emmanuel Dooc.
Regulators in member economies are called to introduce minimum standards of operation for the life insurance industry in preparation for the AEC integration. The area of sales practices, key skills, and creating capital markets are aspects that could be further developed in achieving minimum standards for the life insurance industry, towards a smoother economic integration.
“Once greater cooperation is shown to be beneficial to member countries, and with the introduction of common minimum standards in key areas, it would then be easier for the AEC to target more ambitious goals in the future,” Millman said. |
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| Run for PH public servant heroes |
| Source: http://web.csc.gov.ph |
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The Civil Service Commission (CSC) is calling on runners from public and private sectors to join the 5th R.A.C.E. to Serve Fun Run and help the families of state workers who died in their line of duties. The fun run is slated on September 12 at the Quirino Grandstand as part of the 115th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary with the theme “Kayang kaya mo, Lingkod Bayani!”.
The fun run has 3K, 5K, and 10K distance categories for men and women. The following prizes await the winners: PHP10,000, PHP8,000, and PHP6,000 for the first, second, and third placers respectively in the 3K category; PHP20,000, PHP16,000, and PHP14,000 for the 5K category; and PHP30,000, PHP24,000, and PHP22,000 for the 10K category.
Registration period is until August 28, 2015. Proceeds of the activity will go to CSC’s Pamanang Lingkod Bayani (PLBi), a program that aims to recognize government employees who died while in the performance or the pursuit of their duties. Forms are available at any CSC-National Capital Region Field Office or at the CSC-NCR located at 25 Kaliraya Street, Quezon City. Interested participants may also call 740-8412 loc. 211 or 741-6097 and look for Ms. Cynthia D. Rapacon or Ms. Vilma N. Gordovez. |
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| DBM counters Lacson: Funds for gov't hospitals not DAP |
| Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph |
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The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) today stressed that reallocating Department of Health (DOH) funds for three government hospitals would be in line with the Constitution and with the provisions of the 2015 General Appropriations Act (GAA)—and not a sign of the continued existence of the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), as former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson claimed.
“In the first place, Mr. Lacson gets a crucial detail wrong: these appropriations have not even been released to DOH. Their request for the reprioritization of funds for health facilities is still awaiting the DBM’s approval. A simple call to our department for confirmation would have dispelled any uncertainty on the former Senator’s part.” Secretary Abad added.
The Budget chief also emphasized that the DBM continues to comply with the Supreme Court ruling on DAP.
“This isn’t the first time that Mr. Lacson has misjudged the National Budget. Contrary to his assertions, there is absolutely no trace of DAP in this year’s Budget. The DBM and the House of Representatives worked closely to ensure that every fund release in 2015 will be consistent with the law. The General Provisions of the GAA are perfectly clear on when agencies can reallocate funds,” Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said.
“Above all, we respect the High Court’s ruling on DAP, and both the 2015 and proposed 2016 budgets fully comply with that ruling,” he added.
Lacson claimed that the funds released to Bataan General Hospital (P30 million), Northern Mindanao General Hospital (P50 million), and Cagayan Valley Medical Center (P50 million) did not match their allotments in the 2015 GAA: P17 million and P360 million for Bataan General Hospital and Northern Mindanao General Hospital, respectively, and none for Cagayan Valley Medical Center He argued that these adjustments were transfers of appropriation, and therefore proof of DAP.
However, under the General Provisions of the 2015 GAA, heads of agencies are authorized to reallocate budget items, as long as they are within the same program, activity, or project (PAP), or allotment class—personnel services, maintenance and operating expenses, or capital outlays. This provision authorizes the DOH to request the reallocation of funds from one hospital to another under the same PAP, in this case the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP).
The Special Provisions of the DOH budget also allows the Secretary of Health to approve the modification of projects under the HFEP for policy considerations. Agency data shows that the reallocation request was made to allow provincial hospitals, given their larger capacity, to take the lead in procuring equipment for rural health units (RHUs) and barangay health stations (BHS), among others.
“We will of course act on the DOH proposal according to the laws and provisions that govern the use of public funds. We ask Mr. Lacson to contact us if he has any concerns about the budget so we can duly clarify these issues. We could spare the public all this misinformation if he only approaches us first,” Secretary Abad said. |
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| DOST-ICTO to launch Philippine Roadmap for Digital Startups at geeks on a Beach 3, eyes more startups by 2020 |
| Source: http://icto.dost.gov.ph |
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The Department of Science and Technology-Information and Communications Technology Office (DOST-ICT Office) is set to launch the Philippine Roadmap for Digital Startups on August 20 at Boracay Island, Aklan.
To be launched in conjunction with Geeks on a Beach, one of the biggest international startup events in the country, the roadmap provides a framework for developing the Philippine Startup ecosystem, which mainly consists of internet- related innovation.
While the startup ecosystem in the Philippines is still at its infancy stages, a nationwide interest in this sector is emerging, as affirmed by consecutive startups events and competitions all throughout the country. There are currently around 20 accelerators, incubators, and venture capitalists present here in the Philippines, and at least 100 operating tech startups.
In spite of the development and dynamism of the local startup scene, the government, together with the local movers and shakers of this sector realizes there are still lots of things to be developed and improved as the country prepares to be a global startup hub. Being a nation with one of the fastest growing economies in Asia and with a young and tech savvy population, the Philippines also has other competitive advantages – low operating costs, English language proficiency, and minimal business competition, which makes the country conducive for startup businesses.
“This roadmap aims to develop a coherent and consistent strategic plan for the country’s innovative ecosystem, engaging members of both public and private sectors. Ultimately, our goal is to generate startups that drive economic growth and provide solutions to our society’s most pervasive issues. This is a project for the startup community, and by the community itself,” said Monchito Ibrahim, eInnovation Deputy Executive Director of the DOST – ICT Office.
To date, no local startup has surpassed the $50 million in valuation. The country’s leading startups-turned-big-companies are Sulit.com.ph (now OLX.ph), Chikka, Airborne Access, Netbooster, Xurpas, iRemit, and Morphlabs. When it comes to the academe, digital entrepreneurship courses are yet to be introduced in colleges and universities, but a number of top universities have already taken steps forward by housing student startups.
“We have identified areas of the ecosystem that need improvement and the programs needed to address such areas. We need to ensure that each player of the ecosystem – academe, investors, and startups, among others – plays a role. It is imperative for all sectors to play their respective roles in the ecosystem to move forward,” added Deputy Executive Director Ibrahim.
By 2020, the roadmap targets to achieve at least 500 Philippine startups with a cumulative valuation of $2 billion, resulting to 8,500 high-skilled jobs created, 1,250 startup founders, 15,166,684 users acquired, and 719, 737 paying customers.
Commissioned by the ICT Office, the roadmap is a product of the collaboration of no less than the most experienced names in the country’s local tech industry. The Philippine Software Industry Association (PSIA), Philippine Development Foundation, Kickstart, Ideaspace, and TechTalks.ph highlight the list of roundtable contributors. Former entrepreneurs, foreign startup founders, investors, academicians, policymakers, and grassroots representatives were also part of the roadmap team.
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The Philippine Roadmap for Digital Startups is a project under the seedPH initiative of DOST-ICT Office, which aims to cultivate the Philippine Startup Ecosystem by conducting advocacy campaigns, capability development programs, and research initiatives.
Aside from the Philippine Roadmap for Digital Startups, the ICT Office is also the government agency leading the Free Wi-Fi Internet Access in Public Places project. This project aims to achieve 99% national connectivity by providing Internet connection to class 4, 5, and 6 municipalities in the country. Launched last July 24, the Office has started rolling out the Free Wi-Fi connection in various areas in Manila and Quezon City.
To know more about the government and startup community’s vision for the Philippine startup ecosystem, join the launch of the Philippine Roadmap for Digital Startup during Geeks on a Beach 3 (GeeksOnABeach.com).
For more information, feel free to contact:
ICT Office TechTalks.ph
Download the Philippine Roadmap for Digital Startups here.
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| Nigerian Gov’t donates for ‘Yolanda’ survivors |
| Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph |
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Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman shakes hand with His Excellency Buba T. Tekune, Charge D’ Affaires of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria, as a gesture of gratitude for the donation of the Nigerian Government for Typhoon Yolanda victims during a simple turn over ceremony yesterday at the DSWD-National Capital Region.
The Nigerian Government donated US$300,000 and housing materials.
Charge D’ Affaires Tekune conveyed the Nigerian government’s desire to help the Filipinos devastated by ‘Yolanda’ (Haiyan) with hope that these donations will alleviate the suffering of the survivors.
Sec. Soliman responded that these donations will boost the government’s rehabilitation efforts. In particular, the amount will fund the procurement of water tanks for families relocated to permanent sites |
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| DSWD readies relief for Ineng-affected LGUs |
| Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph |
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With Typhoon Ineng forecasted to affect Regions I, II, and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), the Field Offices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in these areas are now on alert to provide relief augmentation and assistance to the disaster relief operations of local government units (LGUs).
To date, these Field Offices have 47,918 family food packs ready to be distributed to the LGUs, and P7.58 million in standby funds to be used to purchase emergency relief supplies when needed.
As part of its strengthened disaster preparations, these field offices have already prepositioned goods to provinces, towns, and cities to ensure speedy distribution to affected families.
In Region II, where Ineng hovers, the DSWD-Field Office has made available one heavy duty generator and seven portable versions which can be used in evacuation centers in case of power outage.
DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman has once again urged residents of areas in danger zones to immediately follow their local authorities’ announcements for evacuation to ensure zero casualty.
DSWD disaster teams in the three regions continue to coordinate with the LGUs for provision of relief augmentation and technical assistance. |
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| DOJ Special Panel of Prosecutors resolved the Caramoan massacre cases |
| Source: http://www.doj.gov.ph |
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On 03 June 2015, the Special Panel of Prosecutors, created pursuant to Department Order No. 639, issued four separate Resolutions to the complaints filed relating to the Caramoan Massacre incident which transpired on 22 March 2014 at Sitio Campo, Brgy. Gata, Caramoan, Camarines Sur.
It may be recalled that victims Julio Labiano (JULIO), Rene Labiano (RENE), Salem Virtus (SALEM), and Jesse Brondia (JESSE) were purportedly killed by the members of the SagipKalikasan Task Force (SKTF).
Consequently, several complaints were filed in the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Camarines Sur. However, by virtue of aforesaid Department Order, the cases were assigned to a Special Panel of State Prosecutors which conducted preliminary investigation on the Caramoan Massacre and all other related cases.
Cyra Labiano, Rebecca Deliña, Sonny Virtus, Vicente Brundia, and Mercy Sueno filed a complaint for four counts of Murder under Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) against Respondents Joel Breso, a.k.a. "Bay" (BRESO), Angelo Refran (REFRAN), Luis Palaganas (PALAGANAS), Saetiel Pielago (PIELAGO), Jonah Bolima (BOLIMA), Servillano Espares, Jr. (ESPARES, JR.), Florencio Vargas (VARGAS), and Francisco Tria III (TRIA III).
Witness Elmer Labiano (ELMER) recounted that at around 9:00 in the evening of March 22, he was disturbed by a commotion outside his room. When he stood up, he saw and heard Breso and Espares, Jr. shouting at the victims. Successive gunshots ensued, and after a while, witness Elmer heard Breso saying he was shot. One person used the radio to report that Breso was wounded, and witness Elmer heard the person on the radio introducing himself as Tria. After the perpetrators were instructed to leave by Tria III, witness Elmer saw four of his companions dead.
Witness Panchito Labiano affirmed the narrations of witness Elmer, and averred that a group of about fifteen to twenty men, armed with .45 caliber guns, came to their hut and started shouting at them. He immediately ran outside the nipa hut and heard gunshots. After more or less than ten minutes, he crawled back into the nipa hut and saw three of the victims lifeless, while Rene was fighting for his life.
These narrations were also corroborated by Salvador De Leon and Agapito Labiano (AGAPITO). Witness Agapito added that he recognized the voice on the radio as Respondent Tria III's as the latter arrested him on 20 March 2014 for alleged illegal mining of gold.
Flordilito Senar also executed an Affidavit stating that Salvador Hufancia, a member of the SKTF, tried but failed to convince him to bring the SKTF members to Gota, Camarines Sur at around 4:30 in the morning of 23 March.
Mercy Sueno (SUENO), incumbent Barangay Captain of Brgy. Gata, Caramoan, Camarines Sur, stated in her Affidavit that as early as December 2013, there was already a brewing animosity between the local miners and the members of SKTF. Similarly, Maximino Breis, Jr. (BREIS, JR.), a Barangay Kagawad of Brgy. Gata, narrated in his Affidavit the abuses made by the members of the SKTF.
Witness Honorio Carino (CARINO) also executed an Affidavit averring that in the morning of 22 March 2014, he saw and heard Respondent Tria III, together with Noe Raygon, Benny Azures, and Miguel Raygon discussed killing Sueno, Breis, Jr., Rene, and Julio.
The Panel found that all elements of murder were established:
First, victims Julio, Rene, Salem, and Jesse were killed.
Second, Respondents Breso, Espares, Jr., Tria III, and eighteen other unidentified men, allegedly members of the SKTF, were responsible for the killings, as seen by witness Elmer and heard by witness Carino.
Third, the killings were attended by the qualifying circumstance of treachery as testified by witness Elmer. The victims, who were simply having dinner and drinking after work, were caught off guard when Respondents Breso, Espares, Jr., and eighteen other unidentified men shot the former point blank, leaving them no chance at all to evade the onslaught. The Panel observed that the method of inflicting harm by Respondents Breso, Espares, Jr, and the eighteen other unidentified men ensured that they would fatally kill the victims without risk to themselves.
The defense of alibi by Respondent Tria III was held to be unconvincing because he was positively identified by the eyewitnesses.
Finally, the killings were neither parricide nor infanticide.
The Panel, however, was constrained to dismiss the complaints against Respondents Refran, Palaganas, Pielago, Bolima, and Vargas for lack of sufficient evidence.
The Panel observed that the records are bereft of any showing that the aforementioned respondents directly participated in the killing of the victims. Neither could they be said to have acted in conspiracy with the other respondents since complainants failed to demonstrate how they concurred in or, in any way, participated towards the unified purpose of Respondents Tria III, Breso, and Espares of killing the victims.
Considering that the four Informations of Murder had already been filed in court against Respondents Breso and Espares, the Panel recommended the amendment of the Informations to include Tria III as an accused.
Complainants, who were implicated in the Caramoan massacre, filed separate complaints against Respondent P/SInsp. Chester Pomar (POMAR) for perjury. Complainants averred that the statements of Respondent Pomar in his Affidavit of Arrest were wilful and deliberate assertions of falsehood. They contend that they were not arrested in a hot pursuit operation; and that during their travel to the Caramoan Municipal Police Station (CMPS), they never met nor encountered Respondent Pomar, any police officer, or Elmer in Brgy. Ilawod.
The basis of the crime of perjury is the wilful assertion of a falsehood under oath upon a material matter. The term "material matter" under Article 183 of the RPC must be understood as referring to a fact which has an effect on the outcome of the proceeding for which the statement is being executed.
In the case of the affidavit of arrest executed by Respondent Pomar, the material matter thereof is the fact of arrest made by respondent upon complainants. Thus, the Panel ruled that whether complainants did not encounter respondent, police officers, or Elmer in Brgy. Ilawod when they went to the CMPS is irrelevant. Likewise, the allegation of the complainants regarding the hot pursuit operation deserves scant consideration.
The Panel considered the factual milieu that a team of policemen was sent to the scene of the crime to investigate; that at around 7:30 a.m. of 23 March 2014, Respondent Pomar formed a team with elements from the Philippine Army to pursue suspected criminals reported to be hiding in Brgy. Ilawod; that later, respondent was informed that the suspects are members of the SKTF; and that at around past noon, eyewitnesses identified complainants, among others, as the offenders.
The Panel resolved that from the foregoing, it can be inferred that Respondent Pomar had reasonable ground of suspicion to arrest complainants. Also, the arrest was done in good faith and presumed to have been done in the regular performance of his duty.
As to the timeliness of the arrest, the Panel ruled that despite the natural impediments - inclement weather at the time, environment, terrain of the locality, and the mobility of the parties - the arrest was effected within twenty hours after the commission of the offense. Thus, to the minds of the investigating prosecutors, the arrest was timely.
Nonetheless, assuming arguendo that the arrest was not in hot pursuit, Respondent Pomar still cannot be held liable for perjury. The Panel held that given , the facts obtaining in this case, his action of arresting complainants was pursuant to a hot pursuit operation. Hence, if Respondent Pomar's declaration of hot pursuit arrest was wrong, the same is an honest mistake. Such statement was not a wilful or corrupt assertion of a falsehood.
In support thereof, the Panel cited that a mere assertion of a false objective fact, a falsehood, is not enough. Perjury, being a felony by dolo, there must be malice on the part of the accused.
Complainant Fermin Mulleda Mabulo (MABULO) filed two complaints against Respondents Sueno and Breis, Jr. for violation of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7942 and R.A. No. 7076. Evidence for the complainant shows that in November 2013, Mabulo was informed by SKTF District Supervisor Tria III about the supposed illegal mining activity being conducted at Sitio Tila, Brgy. Gata, Caramoan, Camarines Sur. The same was reportedly operated by Respondents Sueno and Breis, Jr. without the necessary mining permit or license. In defense, Respondents Sueno and Breis, Jr. denied the charges and countered that the complaint is being used as leverage to the administrative charge which the respondents earlier filed against Complainant Mabulo before the Office of Ombudsman. Alternatively, the respondents took exception from the penal provisions of the law, the same being their customary right since the activity dates back in the 1930s.
The Panel unanimously believed that small-scale mining operation is being conducted at Brgy. Gata, as persuasively proven by numerous photographs depicting the activity of the people, the numerous pits and/or holes, the general appearance and condition of the place, and the various equipment, machineries, and paraphernalia being used in relation thereto. Parenthetically, testimonial and documentary evidence abound to substantiate the allusion that Respondents Sueno and Breis, Jr., more than mere protectors of the unlawful activity in their barangay, were themselves into illegal mining operation.
As regards Respondent Sueno, there were credible accounts that during a heated confrontation on 16 February 2014 with SKTF member Eli A. Bocacao, Jr., Respondent Sueno, together with her eight uniformed and armed barangay tanods, tried to regain possession of the confiscated generator set with attached submersible pump emphatically claiming the same as "her property" and that she "owns that machine". Her utterances and claim of ownership over the equipment were reflected in the Police Blotter of even date.
The Panel took note of the several declarations and Police blotters alleging that Respondent Sueno's husband, Ronnie, exclaimed that Espares, Jr. has no right to stop the operations of Ronnie's ball mill. Also, Ronnie threatened and confronted witness Bernardo Sedeno, Jr., accusing the latter as the one who reported the ball mill of Respondent Sueno. In the same vein, Jonah Bolima and Luis Palaganas, Jr. narrated that Respondents Sueno and Breis, Jr. tried to bribe them in exchange of letting them proceed with their small-scale mining operation.
These, and Respondent Sueno's own admissions as contained in her sworn affidavit attached to the administrative complaint filed before the Office of Ombudsman, and the fact that the ball mill was being operated right beside her residence convincingly prove that Respondent Sueno is indulged in the illegal activity.
Anent Respondent Breis. Jr., the Memorandum of Agreement executed between him and the owner-spouses of a parcel of mineral land located at Brgy. Gata, vesting him with authority to pan and 'sleuce' for gold, is concrete proof of his engagement in illegal mining. This lends further credence to his statement in the Police blotter that four armed persons took over and stopped the operation of his small scale gold mine.
Section 8 of R.A. No. 7076 renders mandatory the registration of small-scale miners before they can be allowed to venture into small-scale mining. In the case at bar, Respondents Sueno and Breis, Jr. failed to present any requisite authority or license to conduct mining operation.
Considering that the law violated is a special law, good faith is not a valid defense. The Panel noted that Respondents had been warned and were expressly advised to put on hold their activity pending the issuance of the necessary license to make their operation legitimate. Nonetheless, both respondents adamantly defied the law, rendering them in bad faith.
On the charge of violation of Section 103 (Theft of Minerals) of R.A. No. 7942, the Panel ruled that the respondents cannot be accused of simultaneous violations of R.A. Nos. 7076 and 7942 because their right against double jeopardy will be jeopardized.
This pertains to the complaint of Tria III against Respondent Ma. Ana Angie Belmonte-Noble, Municipal Councilor of Garchitorena, Camarines Sur, for crime against honor. Complainant Tria III alleged that while Espares, Jr. was detained at the BJMP District Jail, Tigaon, Camarines Sur in April 2014, Respondent Noble thrice visited and goaded Espares, Jr. to incriminate Complainant Tria III, Mabolo, and the Camarines Sur provincial government's SKTF as behind one alias "Bay", the alleged gunman and prime suspect in the massacre.
Respondent Noble denied attempt to sway Espares, Jr. into implicating Complainant Tria III to the massacre incident. She explained that her jail visit was upon request of Espares, Jr.’s mother, Rosemarie. It was Espares, Jr. himself who informed her about his difficulty and dread for his life while under detention, as well as his purported non-involvement in the killing while pointing at a certain "Bay" as the real culprit, upon the behest of Mabolo.
After judicious evaluation of the parties' pleadings and in light of all the evidence on records, the investigating prosecutors recommended the dismissal of the complaint for crime against honor. The Panel observed that although Complainant Tria III failed to mention the specific Article and/or crime alleged to have been violated or committed, his averments supposedly make out a case for violation of Article 363 of the RPC, or for incriminating innocent persons.
The Panel stressed that Article 363 does not contemplate the idea of malicious prosecution - someone prosecuting or instigating a criminal charge in court. Rather, it refers to the acts of planting evidence and the like, which do not in themselves constitute false prosecution but tend directly to cause false prosecutions. Lamentably, the alleged acts of Respondent Noble do not constitute incriminatory machination, particularly, because Article 363 punishing said crime expressly excludes perjury as a means of committing the same.
Further, the Panel ruled that a perusal of the complaint shows that it is bereft of any statement about malicious intent and/or malice aforethought, motive, or any unjustifiable cause for the attempt to implicate Complainant Tria III for purposes of smearing his honor or reputation, cause him embarrassment, humiliation, or expose him to public ridicule or contempt. |
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| PSA Media Advisory |
| Source: http://www.nscb.gov.ph |
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EVENT: PSA Press Conference on the 2015 Second Quarter
Performance of the Philippine Economy
SPEAKERS: Hon. Arsenio M. Balisacan, NEDA Director General
Hon. Lisa Grace S. Bersales, PSA National Statistician
DATE: 27 August 2015 (Thursday) at 10:00 a.m.
VENUE: Ground Floor PSA CVEA Bldg., East Avenue, Quezon City
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) announces the holding of a Press Conference on the 2015 Second Quarter Performance of the Philippine Economy on August 27, 2015 (Thursday) at 10:00 a.m. at the Ground Floor PSA CVEA Bldg., East Avenue, Quezon City.
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and National Economic and Development Authority Director General Arsenio M. Balisacan and PSA National Statistician Lisa Grace S. Bersales will be the resource persons for the event.
Highlights of the press conference will be tweeted live all throughout the duration of the press conference through the Twitter account @PSAgovph. The hashtag to be used is #PHGDP.
LISA GRACE S. BERSALES, Ph. D.
National Statistician
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| P60B road projects complements tourism program |
| Source: http://www.dpwh.gov.ph |
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About 1,549 kilometers of roads from the P60 Billion government allocation for Tourism Road Infrastructure to complement with the Philippines’ natural attractions and draw local and foreign tourists nationwide are completed to date.
Secretary Rogelio L. Singson said that the investment amount released over the period of five (5) years from FY 2011 to 2015 was utilized to finance 463 projects involving construction/upgrading/ rehabilitation and improvement of roads and bridges including slope protection works with a total length of 2,502 kilometers.
Funding for the 463 projects, 110 projects of which are completed with 316 on-going and 37 under detailed engineering and procurement stage were sourced from the Department of Tourism (DOT)-DPWH Convergence Program amounting P47.58 Billion while P12.91Billion was released from DPWH infra program for road upgrading, preventive maintenance and access to declared tourism.
An additional amount of P24 Billion for the completion of about 1,200 kilometers in critical/prioritized sections of on-going tourism road projects was submitted in the proposed 2016 Budget.
Among the major tourism road projects completed and on-going includes the 6 km with two (2) lane tunnel road known as Ternate-Nasugbu Road connecting the coastal towns of Ternate, Cavite and Nasugbu, Batangas; 5.6 kilometers access road to Puerto Princesa City Underground River also leading to mangrove forest, white sand beach, Sabang zipline and Ugong rock mountain in Palawan; 44.6 kilometers Taytay-El Nido Road, Palawan; 11 kilometers Ambangeg Junction National Road to Mount Pulag, known for its magnificent view of sunrise and sunset, in Benguet; 24 kilometers access roads to Donsol, Sorsogon famous for whale shark viewing locally known as Butanding; 41 kilometers Panglao Island Circumferential Road leading to location of Bohol’s beach resorts and dive spots; and 31 kilometers Island Garden City of Samal Circumferential Road which provides access to Pearl Farm Beach Resort and Samal Botanical Garden in Samal Island, Davao del Norte.
In Northern Luzon, DPWH Region 1 recently completed the four (4) kilometers construction/ improvement of Junction Ilocos Norte-Abra Road which serves as gateway to ecotourism spots of the mountainous municipality of Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte.
Tubeg Viewdeck, Imelda Park, Hercules Mines Access to Mt. Sicapo Camp Site is among the ecotourism spots in Nueva Era linked by the P91 Million worth road project. |
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| DPWH reiterates warning against impostor |
| Source: http://www.dpwh.gov.ph |
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About 1,549 kilometers of roads from the P60 Billion government allocation for Tourism Road Infrastructure to complement with the Philippines’ natural attractions and draw local and foreign tourists nationwide are completed to date.
Secretary Rogelio L. Singson said that the investment amount released over the period of five (5) years from FY 2011 to 2015 was utilized to finance 463 projects involving construction/upgrading/ rehabilitation and improvement of roads and bridges including slope protection works with a total length of 2,502 kilometers.
Funding for the 463 projects, 110 projects of which are completed with 316 on-going and 37 under detailed engineering and procurement stage were sourced from the Department of Tourism (DOT)-DPWH Convergence Program amounting P47.58 Billion while P12.91Billion was released from DPWH infra program for road upgrading, preventive maintenance and access to declared tourism.
An additional amount of P24 Billion for the completion of about 1,200 kilometers in critical/prioritized sections of on-going tourism road projects was submitted in the proposed 2016 Budget.
Among the major tourism road projects completed and on-going includes the 6 km with two (2) lane tunnel road known as Ternate-Nasugbu Road connecting the coastal towns of Ternate, Cavite and Nasugbu, Batangas; 5.6 kilometers access road to Puerto Princesa City Underground River also leading to mangrove forest, white sand beach, Sabang zipline and Ugong rock mountain in Palawan; 44.6 kilometers Taytay-El Nido Road, Palawan; 11 kilometers Ambangeg Junction National Road to Mount Pulag, known for its magnificent view of sunrise and sunset, in Benguet; 24 kilometers access roads to Donsol, Sorsogon famous for whale shark viewing locally known as Butanding; 41 kilometers Panglao Island Circumferential Road leading to location of Bohol’s beach resorts and dive spots; and 31 kilometers Island Garden City of Samal Circumferential Road which provides access to Pearl Farm Beach Resort and Samal Botanical Garden in Samal Island, Davao del Norte.
In Northern Luzon, DPWH Region 1 recently completed the four (4) kilometers construction/ improvement of Junction Ilocos Norte-Abra Road which serves as gateway to ecotourism spots of the mountainous municipality of Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte.
Tubeg Viewdeck, Imelda Park, Hercules Mines Access to Mt. Sicapo Camp Site is among the ecotourism spots in Nueva Era linked by the P91 Million worth road project. |
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| Roxas to local DILG officials: Tagumpay ninyong lahat ito |
| Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph |
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Secretary of Interior and Local Government Mar Roxas joined on Monday (August 17) the regional and provincial directors of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in the first leg of a two-day meeting held in Rembrandt Hotel, Quezon City.
With the theme “Pagpapalawak at pagpapatibay ng pagbabago tungo sa maayos at matinong pamamahala,” the meeting of DILG leaders was also attended by Local Government Academy (LGA) Executive Director Marivel Sacendoncillo and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Henares, who gave the welcome remarks and a speech on leadership for reforms, respectively.
The outgoing DILG Chief was greeted by an audio-visual presentation that highlighted the changes and improvements that happened in his two and a half years as Secretary.
Roxas, however, was quick to shift the praise back to the directors.
“Kayo, kayo, ang gumawa niyan,” he said.
“The responsibility of DILG and your responsibility to the success of our nation is really incalculable. Every single one of you contributes to the success of the LGU. And that LGU’s success contributes to the success of our entire country,” he added.
Roxas discussed the importance of leadership in nation-building and focused on the future.
“The future is something that we shape. The future is something that we plan on, that we work towards,” he said.
“We know what we are capable of and we as a nation know we have a bright future ahead. If we work together, we can make that happen,” he added.
Roxas also lauded the directors for the improvement that has happened under them.
“You are leaving your posts a better place than when you found it,” he said.
In his speech, Roxas bid the directors a fond farewell, saying, “If nothing happens to me after this, this will be my last posting."
"It has been my distinct honor and pleasure to serve with you,” Roxas ended. |
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| President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech at the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) 45th Anniversary |
| Reception Hall, Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City |
| 20 Aug 2015 |
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Secretary Julia Abad, Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Secretary Sonny Coloma, Undersecretary Third Bagro, Assistant Secretary Vivian Puno, Assistant Secretary Guillerma Flores, Assistant Secretary Wilfrido Oca, Assistant Secretary Marietta Tamondong, Attorney Nancy Quimpo-Fajardo, Appointments Secretary Rochelle Ahorro, Undersecretary Rey Marfil, Socials Secretary Susan Reyes, Assistant Secretary Lito Nadal, Ambassador Cookie Feria, General Hernando Iriberri, Lieutenant General Jeffrey Delgado, Lieutenant General Ed Año, Rear Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado, Commodore Raul Obando; other officials and staff of the Presidential Management Staff, fellow workers in government, honored guests, good afternoon.
Nawala ho ako sa tiyempo ko pagdating ko rito, tinitingnan ko lahat ng mukha ninyo, parang either napaka-serious, napakagalit o napaka-depressed. May natanong tuloy ako kay Julia: ‘Julia, ‘yung PEI ba ninyo na-release na?’ Mayroon pang pinag-uusapan si Butch na SSL-IV. Anniversary ninyo rito, lahat naka—talagang very somber ang dating e. Tinanong ko tuloy si SND: ‘Tol, ginagaya ka ba ng mga ito na parating napakamahal ng ngiti mo?’ Kita naman ninyo… Ngayon ko lang nalaman, Third, ikaw pala’y singer na, Italian singer pa. Mayroon pang ilaw ho dito sa gilid, mukhang maliwanag; mukhang may magsasayawan mamaya, magkakantahan. Balita ko ho hindi native talent ‘yung inyong banda, imported. Hindi lang sinabi sa akin imported from where.
Anyway po, panahon pa ng aking ina, kilala na po ang Presidential Management Staff. Kapag sinabing PMS, ang aasahan mo ay mabilis, epektibo, at episyenteng trabaho. Kapag may kailangang impormasyon ang aking ina, handa ang PMS na ibigay agad ang tama at napapanahong datos. Kapag may kailangang i-follow up na direktiba sa mga ahensya ng pamahalaan, PMS din ang kanyang maaasahan. PMS nga ang nagmistulang mata at tainga ng aking ina para malaman ang mga problema at matutukan ang implementasyon ng mga solusyon. Kitang-kita ko po talaga ang lawak ng suporta ng ahensyang ito sa kanyang liderato.
Sa pagpasok ko bilang Pangulo, ganito rin ang inaasahan nating serbisyo mula sa PMS. Kasabay nito, nakita ko rin kung paanong dahil sa siyam at kalahating taon ng maling pangangasiwa at pagpapabaya ng sinundan natin ay naapektuhan ang inyong kakayahan. Kukunin ko na ang pagkakataong ito upang humingi ng pang-unawa kung paminsan-minsan ay lumalabas ang frustration ko ‘nung mga unang panahong ‘yon. Ang turing ko naman kasi sa inyo direct action arm ko.
Aaminin ko, ganoon na nga lang ang pagtulak ko sa inyo at sa inyong pinakamamahal na Secretary dahil talagang itinutulak ko ang mismong sarili ko na pagbutihin pa ang trabaho bilang Pangulo. Kada taon naman, sa aking palagay, talagang tumataas ang kalidad ng inyong trabaho. Kaya nga ‘di na ako nagdalawang-isip na aprubahan ang inyong dagdag na milestone anniversary bonus… (‘Yon pala, kaya kayo serious kanina… May duda pa pala kayo na pipirmahan natin ‘yan.) Kako, hindi naman pwedeng kayo na doble-kayod sa paglilingkod-bayan ang kakaligtaan ng sinusuportahan ninyo.
Gayundin, kailangan kong idiin, ang lahat ng ginagawa natin nakatuon sa ating mga boss, ang taumbayan. ‘Di ba, may kasabihan ngang ‘the truth shall set us free.’ Bahagi ng ginagawa natin dito sa gobyerno ang pagsigurong hindi lang tayo nakakapagbigay ng maski anong sagot, kung hindi dapat parati ang tamang sagot. Kung kulang o ‘di angkop ang tugon, hindi na tayo nalalayo sa tinatawag ng mga mahilig sa computer na ‘garbage in and garbage out.’
Bilang Pangulo, kada araw kailangan kong gumawa ng tamang pasya; kailangan kong suyurin ang iba’t ibang usapin; kailangang bantayan ko ang buong ehekutibo. Para magawa ito, patuloy akong aasa sa tama at buong impormasyon mula sa PMS. Siyempre, kasabay ng hamon ko sa inyo ay ang pagtanaw ko sa lahat ng naiambag ninyo sa ngalan ng mabuting pamamahala.
Unang-una, salamat sa’yo, Julia. Nasa Senado pa lang tayo nakita ko na ang dedikasyon mo. Sa puyatan man, sa stress, sa samu’t saring pressure, hindi ka nauubusan ng enerhiya at lagi kang palaban. Kaya naman, sa gabing ito, cheers to you! Sa iyong deputy na si Third Bagro at Chief of Staff na si Nancy Quimpo-Fajardo, at maging kay Kat na nakita ko kanina ay nandito pa rin—kay Kat Manahan na dati mong head at executive assistant—at sa lahat ng unit na nasa ilalim nila, salamat dahil sinisiguro ninyong kumpleto ang aking mga briefer at handa ang lahat para sa ano mang pagpupulong o sitwasyon.
Sa mga namumuno at bumubuo sa ating policy and monitoring units na ‘di matatawaran ang sigasig sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga ahensya—special mention po rito sina Cedrik Forbes at Raf Ignacio. (Cedrik, ‘yung tila medyo kakulangan mo nang kaunti sa paglaki ay hindi naman tanda ng stress mo sa akin. Kay Raf naman na nasa America na, sana naman ‘di coping mechanism ‘yung nagging paglusot niya sa trabaho.)
Sa Office for Regional Concerns na laging ‘first one in’ at ‘last one out’ at sinisigurong talagang maayos ang mga opisyal na lakad natin sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa—partikular ko nang babanggitin sina James, Jhai, at Sheila —‘yung mga kantahan natin ang tulong ko sa inyo para mailabas ninyo ang stress. Nagpapasalamat ako sa inyong tatlo dahil kahit pagod na kayo, oras na makita ninyo ako, nakukuha pa rin ninyong ngumiti. (Kaya lang, Jhai, ngayon nakasimangot ka rin kanina.)
Sa nga nangangasiwa sa appointments at personnel, sa umaasikaso sa mga request, imbitasyon at speaking engagements, at sa mga naglilingkod sa mga secretariat ng iba’t ibang pagpupulong at aktibidad, banggitin ko na rin ang lahat ng tumutulong upang siguruhing tama, makatuwiran at makabuluhan ang paggugol sa ating Social Fund.
Alam niyo naman, sa bagong cottage industry ng mga kritiko ko, kapag agad akong nagpakita sa isang lugar na tinamaan ng sakuna o trahedya, epal daw po ako. Idiin ko na rin lang, ‘yung mga kritiko rin ang nagsasabi kung ano ang kahulugan ng ‘agad.’ Kapag ‘di naman ako agad nagpakita, kulang daw ang pag-aasikaso ko. Hindi naman po tayo tulad ng ilang pulitiko na mag-aabot lang ng ilang supot ng relief goods para magpa-photo op at pagkatapos ay ‘di na muling makikita.
Ang interes ko po—at palagay ko interes nating lahat—mag-‘build back better.’ Pigilang maulit ang ganoong uri ng trahedya at maabot ang mga kababayan natin na tunay na nangangailangan ng kalinga ng estado. Salamat sa inyo at talagang nagagawa po natin ito. Hindi ko na nga mababanggit ang lahat ng tanggapan at sangay ng PMS at maging ang lahat ng nagsilbi sa inyong ahensya sa loob ng ating administrasyon, pero ang malinaw naman, napakalaki at napakahalaga ng ginagampanan ninyo sa pagtiyak na kayang tugunan ng isang Pangulo ang lahat ng kanyang responsibilidad.
Nabanggit ko na nga ito noon: Sa trabaho ko po para kang nanonood ng 200 channels sa TV. Kailangan kong sundan nang sabay-sabay ang bawat pangyayari at kung may umusbong na problema ay kailangan natugunan na ito kahapon. Sa paggawa ko ng desisyon, talagang naging kabalikat ko kayong lahat. Kaya naman sa inyong anibersaryo tanggapin ninyo ang personal kong pasasalamat para sa propesyunalismo at matibay na suporta na tatak ng Presidential Management Staff.
Salamat na rin sa inaasahan kong uunlad pang serbisyo ninyo mula sa araw na ito at sa mga darating pang araw. Tiwala nga ako: Ang ipapamana nating PMS sa susunod na administrasyon ay magiging huwaran ng sipag, husay at integridad. Ang panawagan ko sa bawat isa sa inyo: Ipamalas ninyo ang mabuting prinsipyong ito, hindi lang sa loob ng inyong ahensya, kung hindi maging sa pakikipag-kapwa tao. Himukin pa ninyo ang iba na makiisa sa ating agenda ng epektibo, bukas at tuwid na paglilingkod.
Sa pag-uwi ninyo sa kanya-kanyang tahanan matapos ang isang mahabang araw ng pagbubuo ng mga briefer, paghahabol ng datos mula sa ahensya, at pagpaplano para sa mga gawain; sa pagharap ninyo sa salamin, hamunin po ninyo sa sarili: Hihigitan ko ang nagawa ko sa araw na ito. Gagawin ko pa rin ang tama.
Magtiwala naman po kayo, sa natitirang 315 araw sa ating panunungkulan, kahit papatapos na tayo, lalo ko lang kayong itutulak na pagandahin pa ang inyong outputs. Asahan ninyong dodoblehin ko rin ang sigasig para mas mapaarangkada pa ang ating bansa. At papalawakin at papagtibayin pa natin ang ating paninindigan na isulong ang mabuting pamamahala sa bawat aspekto ng lipunan.
Mga kasama, sa susunod na taon sa pagdiriwang ninyo ng inyong anibersaryo, baka bisita na lang po ako, kung saka-sakaling imbitahin ninyo ako (dahil sa simangot niyo nga hindi ko alam kung galit kayo sa akin…) [laughter] Bilang—ito po kailangan kong idiin—bilang binatang ama ng bayan, baka pwedeng mag-iwan ako ng palaisipan sa inyo at sa lahat ng nakikinig sa akin. Tandaan po ninyo ‘yung sinabi natin, lalo na ‘nung panahon ng kampanya ‘nung 2010, “kung walang corrupt walang mahirap.”
Dito ko nga naalala ‘yung ikinuwento sa akin ‘nung isang araw lang po ni Senator Bam. May pinuntahan daw po siyang lugar sa Bukidnon at ‘yung dinaanan nila ay hati o kalahati sementado at kalahati raw ay talagang rough road. ‘Yung ultimong SUV na gamit po nila pumutok daw ho ‘yung gulong sa pagka-rough ‘nung rough road. Pag-abot nila sa lugar na sinadya nila talagang punung-puno po ng pananim (na ang sabi sa akin ay cabbage) at nagmistula pong Baguio raw sa klima ‘yung pinuntahan na lugar sa Bukidnon.
May karatula po doon at ipinapangako na sa darating na Marso matatapos na ang hindi pa nasementadong kalsada. Alam po ninyo, ‘nung nakapanayam niya ‘yung mga tao doon, sabi po nila 50 taon na raw po ‘yung rough road nila, at ngayon nakikita na nilang magiging talagang sementadong kalsada na itong kanilang dadaanan, at halos para bang nadadama na nila kung ano ang magiging kabutihan sa kanilang buhay at sa kanilang hanapbuhay.
Siyempre, dahil magiging mas maayos na nga po ang pag-transport sa pananim nila, mabebenta nila ito nang mas maganda ang presyo dahil hindi na po nagmistulang ginawang basketball itong mga cabbage nila sa pagkalamog sa kalsadang ‘yon. Sa SONA po binanggit ko na ‘yung mga ganitong tipo ng proyektong kay tagal na pong hinihintay. Ang punto ko po rito, naging kabahagi kayo sa pagtukoy sa kung sino ang may pangangailangan, ano ang pangangailangan at kung paano talagang matutugunan ito.
Sa pagbabalik-tanaw natin, masasabi mong mahirap ‘yung pinasukan nating laban, lalo pa’t nag-umpisa tayong manhid na ang taumbayan sa kasinungalingan, pandaraya at pagnanakaw sa pamahalaan. Ang paniniwala ko po, ang katiwalian sa gobyerno, hindi ‘yan nakikita sa iisang tao lang. Laging mayroong kuntsabahan para magtagumpay. Ang kabaligtaran naman po niyan, kung may isa lang na tumanggi, mapapatid ang siklo ng korapsyon. ‘Yon nga ang kailangan sa bawat laban: May isang magsasabing may tuwid na paraan, hindi pwede ang ‘pwede na.’
Kung ihahambing nga natin ‘yang pinagmulan natin, para tayong nagtulak ng tumirik na truck; siyempre po, napakahirap ‘non. Pero hindi ho ba, dahil nagtulungan tayo, napaandar natin ang truck at para mapanatiling umaandar ay tila dumadali nang dumadali. ‘Di ba mas madali at mas mabilis na ang magiging biyahe natin dahil talagang tumatakbo na itong tumirik na sasakyan? Hindi ba napakalayo na ng atin pong narating? Sa patuloy nating pagtutulungan, naniniwala akong mas matatayog pang mga pangarap para sa bayan ang ating makakamit.
Hanggang dito na lang po ako, baka hingan pa ninyo ako ng kanta sa Spanish o sa French. Bahala na po si Asec. Delantar diyan. Kaya, ulit, isang Happy Anniversary sa inyong lahat at magandang gabi po. |
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INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA, JR.
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DZRB / Balita at Panayam by Alan Allanique
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20 Aug 2015
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ALAN: Secretary Coloma, sir, magandang umaga po.
SEC. COLOMA: Good morning, Alan.
ALAN: Yes, sir. Tayo po ay live nationwide sa Radyo ng Bayan. Sir, hingi po kami ng update dito po sa panukalang budget para sa 2016. We understand na kasama ho sa mga napag-uusapan dito at paglalaan dito ay ito isang merit-based na dagdag suweldo para sa mga government employees. Sir, bigyan n’yo kami ng mga updates sa usaping ito, Secretary Coloma, please.
SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga, Alan. Ayon sa Pangulo, sa kaniyang pahayag sa Naga City noong makalawa, ang prinsipyong dapat gumabay sa pagbibigay nang mas mataas na sahod sa mga kawani at opisyal sa gobyerno ay iyong husay sa pagganap ng tungkulin, iyong tinatawag na performance-based compensation. Of course, Alan, ang batayan niyan ay iyon equal pay for equal work at kinakailangang bigyan ng tamang pagkilala iyong kontribusyon ng bawat government employee.
Sa ibabaw naman noon, ang nais ng Pangulo ay iyong bigyan ng pagkilala iyong kahusayan ng mga masigasig, masisipag at mahuhusay na empleyado. Kaya nga’t sa ilalim ng kanyang pamumuno ay nagkaroon nitong Performance-Based Bonus at iyong Performance Enhancement Incentives. Iyan ang mga kasama sa konsiderasyon sa pagbubuo ng maaaring maging package ng susunod na pagtaas ng pasahod sa gobyerno.
ALAN: Meron din pong mga napag-uusapan, Secretary Coloma, sir, na nandiyan iyong Salary Standardization Law na parang kahalintulad ho ng mga nakaraang naipatupad na para sa lahat din ng government employees po?
SEC. COLOMA: Iyon nga, Alan, nais din makipag-ugnayan ng Ehekutibo sa ating mga mambabatas dahil lahat naman ng mga nakaraang ipinatupad na pagsasaayos ng pasuweldo ay sinakop ng isang Salary Standardization Law. Mainam na magkaroon ng batayan sa batas iyong pagsasaayos at pagpapabuti ng compensation system para sa ating mga government employees.
ALAN: Opo. Secretary Coloma, sir, sa ibang usapin naman po ano ho. Itong ating Philippine Eagle na si Pamana ay—naku, iyon hong Philippine Eagle ay tinuturing ho na talagang endangered species, pagkatapos ay meron namang napabalitang iyong ating Philippine Eagle na si Pamana ay namatay dahil sa mga tama ng bala mula sa mga hunters. Meron ho bang opisyal na pahayag o reaksiyon ang Malacañang sa pangyayaring ito, Sec, sir?
SEC. COLOMA: Batid natin, Alan, na iyong Mount Hamiguitan sa rehiyon ng Davao ay idineklarang isang heritage site dahil ito nga ay mainam na maging lugar para sa konserbasyon ng ating mga natural wealth, kasama na nga iyang flora and fauna. At itong Philippine Eagle ay isang mahalagang sagisag ng ating bansa kaya’t sinisikap ng pamahalaan na maparami pa itong lahi ng mga Philippine Eagles. Kaya kalungkut-lungkot iyong balita na natagpuang walang buhay itong si Pamana, at nangangahulugan lang niyan na dapat pang pag-ibayuhin ang pagsisikap ng pamahalaan at ng mga environment conservationists na kinakailangang pag-igihan pa iyong ating pagbibigay ng proteksyon sa ating mga endangered species.
ALAN: Opo, opo. Sec, sa House of Representatives, tungkol po naman dito sa update sa BBL ano ho. Meron pong statement na binitiwan si Speaker Sonny Belmonte, confident siya na kayang maipasa sa Kamara ito hong BBL probably by next month, sa susunod na buwan. Ano pong reaksiyon ng Malacañang tungkol dito, sir?
SEC. COLOMA: Patuloy po tayong nakikipag-ugnayan sa liderato ng Kongreso. At mainam po at positibo iyong signal na binibigay sa atin ni Speaker Belmonte dahil nasaksihan naman natin na tuluy-tuloy na iyong deliberasyon sa plenaryo, at kapag natapos ito ay puwede na nilang pagbotohan kung ano iyong version na kanilang ipapasa. At mainam din na nagaganap ito habang kasabay din iyong pagdinig sa ating pambansang budget dahil ito ngang dalawang batas na ito ang nasa taas ng prayoridad ng ating Lehislatura – iyong national budget at enactment ng Bangsamoro Basic Law.
ALAN: Opo. And meron ding, kumbaga, panawagan, Secretary Coloma, sir, itong British Ambassador to the Philippines, si Ambassador Asif Ahmad. At binabanggit niya na mahalaga ang quorum sa pagpapasa ng mga importanteng batas. Dahil binabanggit niya nga sa United Kingdom, sabi niya, either you agree or oppose something pero it is your duty as an elected official to debate and vote. Parang meron siyang panawagan sa mga mambabatas natin na in the light of news na nitong nagdaang ilang araw ay hindi makakuha ng quorum para sa kaukulang mga deliberasyon, Sec.
SEC. COLOMA: Ginagawa ng ating Speaker ang nararapat para bigyan ng pagkilala iyong kasipagan at pagiging maagap at mapagpunyagi ng mga mambabatas na dumadalo sa mga session. At ayon nga sa ating nabasa, ipapalathala niya iyong mga (unclear) ng mga ito para tularan at dumami din iyong kanilang hanay.
ALAN: Opo, okay. Sir, sa ibang usapin pa po. Lumilitaw ho ngayon ang mga possibilities na among others, itong Subic base, dating US Base diyan sa Subic na ngayon ay SBMA na ano ho, posibleng maging tahanan daw nitong mga fighter jets natin, Sec. Sonny, sir?
SEC. COLOMA: Iyan nga ang naging pahayag ng ating DND dahil hinihintay natin iyong pagdating ng mga FA-50 fighter jets na manggagaling sa South Korea. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, iyong unang unit nito ay darating na bago matapos ang taon. At kinakailangang magkaroon sila ng maayos na lugar, at iyon ngang Subic Bay na isa namang government property ay mainam para dito dahil meron naman silang sapat na pasilidad, katulad nga ng isang runway, may airport din doon. At kasama iyan sa plano ng ating Tanggulang Pambansa at ng Sandatahang Lakas na maging modern ang ating mga pasilidad para sa mas malakas at mas matatag na national security infrastructure, Alan.
ALAN: So kung sakali pong mag-materialize ito, ibig sabihin iyong ilang bahagi po ng Subic ay mqaaring ibalik bilang military facility para sa ating mga eroplano at iba pa, Sec?
SEC. COLOMA: Iyon nga ang naanunsyong plano, Alan.
ALAN: Okay. Well, Secretary Coloma, sir, muli, salamat po nang marami for the updates from the Palace, sir.
SEC. COLOMA: Maraming Salamat at magandang umaga, Alan |
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| SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data Processing Center |
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WESTERN
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