I have said enough. Let me just read for everybody. I hope that all government workers, officials are listening. This is my — a memorandum from me, the President, to Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra, Department of Justice. Ang subject is: “[Investigation] of allegations of corruption in the entire government.” Lahat.

Ito — “further to the directive issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ) thru memorandum from the President, dated 07August 2020, to organize a panel to investigate allegations of corruption in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.

“The DOJ is hereby directed to investigate allegations of corruption in the entire government.” Lahat na. Kuridas ito. “In pursuit of this directive, the DOJ shall have the authority to decide which allegation to investigate taking into consideration the gravity thereof and their impact on the delivery of government service.

“It may create as many panels as it deems necessary to adequate and may invite or direct other bodies and agencies of the government to assist or be a part of such panel. The DOJ shall prosecute and file the appropriate charges against all those involved in the anomalies investigated, whether against government or private person as may be warranted by the evidence gathered subject to applicable laws and rules.

“The power and authority of the DOJ under existing laws and previous directives to investigate the commission of crimes and prosecute violators shall not, in any way, be diminished by this directive. This directive shall remain in effect until June 30 of 2022,” pag-alis ko, “unless sooner lifted or revoked.”

Why should I revoke or lift this good order? “For immediate compliance.” Huwag kayong… You might have the — the notion na — well the Ombudsman is the ang pinaka number one. Ideally, you go to gover — ‘yung malalaki — ‘yung malaking pera diretso mo na sa Ombudsman if I were to have my say.

Ayon kay Malacañang Spokesperson, suporta si President Rodrigo Duterte na maipasa ang batas para sa same-sex civil union sa Pilipinas

“The President has said it again and again, pabor po siya sa isang batas na magre-recognize sa civil union sa mga parehong kasarian or same-sex,”

The recognition of civil union has always been supported by the President. Depende na lang yan sa prayoridad ng Kongreso. With no less than the Pope supporting it, I think even the most conservative of all Catholics in Congress should no longer have a basis…”

Nag-react ang Malacañang pagkatapos ng latest statement ni Pope Francis na sumusuporta sa same-sex couples, kabila ng stand ng Catholic Church sa isyu.

Ayon sa Malacañang, ang mga gustong magkaroon ng access sa SALN ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ay pwedeng sumulat sa kanyang opisina para mabigyan ng consent, alinsunod sa protocol ng Office of the Ombudsman.

“Well if that is what the Ombudsman said, I advise you to comply with it,” sabi ni Roque sa Palace press briefing nang tanungin tungkol sa release ng SALN ng Pangulo.

“We leave that to the Office of the Ombudsman which is a constitutional body tasked with implementation of our laws relating to public officers,” dagdag pa nito.

Ang Office of the Ombudsman ay kamakailan naghigpit sa mga rules na pinapatupad sa pagbibigay access sa SALN ng mga public officials, lalo na sa paglilimita ng release ng nasabing dokumento sa government investigators.

Pres. Duterte, gagawa ng task force para imbestigahan ang korapsyon sa DPWH

Ayon sa Malacanang, pwedeng gumawa si President Rodrigo Duterte ng independent task force para maimbestigahan ang hinihinalang corruption sa Department of Public Works an Highways (DPWH).

Ang Public Works Secretary na si Mark Villar ay gumawa ng task force na binubuo ng DPWH officials para imbestigahan ang hinihinalang mga anomalya ayon kay Pangulong Duterte sa loob ng DPWH.

Ayon kay Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, “good beginning: ang paggawa ng task force pero pinaghihinalaan kung magiging successful ang mangyayaring mga imbestigasyon sa kapwa nila DPWH officials.

“We would prefer an independent body, but let’s face it, in an organization, you need a mechanism for internal accountability. I can’t see any reason why the DPWH shouldn’t have one,”

“That’s why we say it’s a step toward the right direction. But this initial step is without prejudice to whatever the President may order in the near future. It is not inconceivable that another task force for the DPWH may be formed by the President in the same way he formed one for PhilHealth.”

Gumawa si President Duterte ng isang task force na pinangungunahan ng Department of Justice para maging isa pang taga-probe sa corruption claims laban sa DPWH na naisiwalat sa ilang congressional inquiries.

“Dito sa Marawi may nag-complain. You know, Marawi is not that easy. We started it and we are at it already because ‘yung — the clearing of explosives ang matagal. Then we have to contend with titles. Iyong mga titles ninyo diyan doble-doble. So there’s no one — there’s no title that is really very clean. As a matter of fact, the land itself belongs to the military, the whole of it, diyan banda. Ang tawag diyan Camp — Keithley, oo, Camp Keithley. Maliit pa kami nagpunta kami — bata pa kami, Camp Keithley.

So wine-waive na ng gobyerno niyan. There is the individual titles na nag-o-overlap and so many things that to solve locally and the problem is about Marawi community itself, hindi sa gobyerno.

Ngayon ang sa gobyerno sabi ninyo ang pera, ang pera nandiyan. Na sabi magastos na spending ganun, tagbi-billions. The money is there. Do not worry. And we will continue to spend until such time that Marawi is rebuilt to its former glory. It might take — you know, it’s not easy to do that but it might take some time before we can really reach the ideal place that you’d call home.

In the meantime, itong mga tao na nagrereklamo na ang sabi there is no liberation of Marawi yet. Look, government liberated Marawi not from the people of Marawi. We do not do that and we never did it. We liberated Marawi against the terrorist, Maute pati ‘yung ISIS.”

Secretary, ditong Red Cross huwag kang mag-alala mabayaran ‘to. We are just looking for a way to present the solution to sa COA pati sa Budget.

Do not worry. We will pay. It will take time but we will pay. We’ll look for the money. Hindi naman marami but ang priorities natin dito is really medical — medical at treatment, medical attention. Iyon ang ano natin. So alam ko na itong bayad na ito. Mabayaran ito in a short while. Do not worry.

Magre-report lang po ako sa mga iilang bagay. Iyong Red Cross kasi hindi nabayaran doon sa testing sa COVID. So ang problema nito Red Cross is threatening to, I do not know, but I do not think Senator Gordon would have in his mind to stop. They have — they would continue.

But what I’m really trying to say is we will pay. Sabihin ko kay Senator Gordon, because he heads the Red Cross, na babayaran ko ‘to. Money has always been a problem everywhere, lalo na mga gobyerno.

So dumaan tayo nang malaking gastos at we are trying to make both ends meet. Ika nga kung parang lastiko talagang ini — binabanat natin nang husto kung — ‘yung resources natin.

~ President Rodrigo Roa Duterte

President Duterte, handang magpakulong ng dahil sa kanyang war on drugs. “When you save your country from the perdition of the people like the NPAs and drugs, you are doing a sacred duty.”

“Kaya kung mamatay ka, kasi galit ako sa droga. Iyon ang sinasabi ko. Kung iyon ang sinasabi ko, dalhin ninyo ako sa korte para ikulong. Fine, wala akong problema. If I serve my country by going to jail, gladly.

Pero ayusin lang ninyo ang kaso ninyo because the love of country or the highest interest of the country, the health and the welfare of the people are really the paramount concern. Hindi ‘yan — hindi ‘yung masabi mong hindi.

Kaya kung may patayan diyan, sabi ko ako ang… Hold me — you can hold me responsible for anything, any death that has occurred in the execution of the drug war. Pero huwag ninyo akong bintangan diyan sa patayan na hindi mo alam kung sino ang pumatay.

Karamihan alam mo, ang pulis ‘pag nakapatay, nag-report ‘yan. Diyan kunin ninyo ang report. Pag-aralan ninyo bago ninyo — bago kayo magdaldal o bago kayo magdemanda.

Pero ‘yung random killings diyan, hindi ko alam kung rivals sila, o utang, o tinakbo ba ‘yung pera ng — hindi nag-remit sa pera ng droga, or it could be hatred and something else. It could be a fight over a woman.

So payag ako. Just charge with the correct indictment. Huwag ‘yung basta-basta lang kayo mag — magsabi na punta kayo ng — ‘yung crime against humanity. Kailan pa naging humanity itong p***** i**** mga drug na ito? L****.

Iyan ang sinisira na ano — humanity. And what are they doing? Aren’t they killing humanity also? At 1.6 destroyed — one million point six destroyed lives, anong… Who’s going to answer for it? Kayo?

Do you have a program? Do you have money to contribute to the rehabilitation of these poor people? Wala kayong… Tapos kung may mamatay na pulis, wala kayong sabihin. Ang I have lost so many policemen in connection with the implementation of the law against drugs.

When you save your country from the perdition of the people like the NPAs and drugs, you are doing a sacred duty.

Maraming salamat po.”

~ President Rodrigo Roa Duterte

Inamin ng bagon Speaker na ang suporta ng presidential daughter at Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte at ang partido nitong Hugpong ng Pagbabago ang isa sa mga nakatulong sa kanyang pagkapanalo sa kanilang alitan ni Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano.

Ayon kay Velasco, malaki ang impluwensya ni Sara Duterte, hindi lang sa House of Representatives pero sa labas rin nito.

“Definitely, I believe that Mayor Inday Sara really has a lot of influence not only in Congress but in a lot of areas also. With the party of HNP joining or endorsing my speakership, definitely I believe it was a tipping point,” sabi ni Velasco.

“Ito lang, itong mga contractor.  The first whiff, makaamoy ka lang na hinihingian ka… Dito sa DPWH malakas ‘yan diyan. Projects, ‘yung mga project engineers, iyan, iyan lahat, road right-of-way, grabe ang corruption diyan. Walang — walang construction na uumpisa dito na walang transaction. Mayroon ‘yan.

If Congress would want really to know, ang mga project ng DPWH mayroon talaga ‘yan para sa give. Hindi ko — hindi ko alam kung sino. There are so many officials lined up in the bureaucratic maze so hindi ko alam kung sino diyan, pati ‘yung sa medisina and all.” sabi ni President Rodrigo Duterte during the Talk to the People public briefing, October 14, 2020.

Ito naman ang sagot ni Secretary Mark Villar, sa hiwalay na panayam:

“‘Yung mga corrupt, siyempre kami po ay nakatutok at hahanapin namin kayo. Gagawin namin ang lahat para maging malinis ang government dahil ‘yon po ang layunin ng ating Pangulong Duterte.”

“We will be more aggressive in monitoring our projects and of course servicing complaints. Kaya kung mayroon pong [If there are] cases of corruption, we welcome any piece of evidence that might help us catch the perpetrators.”

Ayon kay Senator Panfilo Lacson nitong Huwebes, na ang paghingi ng “kickback” ng mga lawmakers at mga opisyal ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) mula sa contractors na nanalo ng projects mula sa ahensya ay naging isa nang “open secret.”

“Officials from the executive and legislative branches who ask for only 10 percent are mabait, maginoong kausap, and those who demand 20 to 30 percent are matakaw,” sabi niya.

“Those who demand advance payments and renege on their word are balasubas and mandurugas,” dagdag nito.

Sinita ni Lacson kamakailan ang paglaki ng pondo ng local projects sa ilalim ng 2021 budget proposal ng DPWH, kung saan nagpapanukalang gumastos ang ahensya ng P667 bilyon para sa contruction ng multi-purpose halls para sa COVID-19 pandemic.

“The mangled version [of the DPWH’s budget] alone – which contained a pattern of decreased budgets for national projects and increased budgets for local projects – is highly questionable.”

“It has become an open secret that commissions or kickbacks have become the rule rather than the exception in the implementation of public works projects involving not only some corrupt officials of the department but some legislators as well.”

“First is sa COVID. Sabi ni Secretary Duque kung talagang if we go by the rules, lahat-lahat na, it will be on April.

I just had a talk with the Ambassador of Russia, the outgoing, and we had a serious one-on-one talk and they said that Russia is coming in. Mayroon lang sigurong tinatapos and they would want to establish here. Gagawa sila ng planta — pharmaceutical, pharmaceutical lang naman, and ang vaccine papasok rin sila.

Para sa akin, it’s either China or Russia okay na ako. Wala akong… Sabi nila ang Pfizer, Moderna, ‘yung western, US. Okay rin ‘yan kasi may proseso nga eh. They are using the same protocol in arriving at a certain finding sa COVID using the same germ, using the same — so wala ng iba. So magsabi lusot ‘yung iba unless there is really a faulty procedure. Pero kung na-inject na sa mga tao at nabigyan naman ng protection, ang lalakas na ng loob eh kasi may ano na, puwede na.

But this I can assure you again na nakahanap na ako ng pera. I have the money already for the vaccine but hahanap pa ako ng maraming pera because you know there are now 113 million Filipinos.

And to me, ideally, all should have the vaccine without exception. Lahat, para mayroon kayong lifetime — whatever, but it can provide immunity. Panlaban ho ‘yung body, ‘yung armor mo, ‘yung sundalo mo sa katawan mo malabanan siya. And that is how the vaccine works.

Again, ang mauna ang mga mahirap na walang pera, hindi makabayad. Ang listahan ‘yung doon sa Pantawid iyon, we’re giving the — the help, the assistance, giving the help, the assistance of monetary sa mga tao. May listahan ‘yan, ‘yon ang sundin. Then pagkatapos to the public.

At — but para walang taguan, I want my soldiers pati ‘yung security forces ng bayan mauna rin kasabay ng first batch kasi kailangan ko ng mga sundalo at pulis na ready, healthy at walang COVID. And they are really vital to the security of the state for which reason they should be the first also.

Tayo, kaming mga civilian puwede tayong ma-last. Pero kung mag-offer… Ako nagahintay ako tawagin ako ng China or Russia. I’ll be glad to open up my sleeves and, “sige,” kasi may kumpyansa nga ako.

So those of you who are asking me kung safe ba itong China? Well, I can say that China is a modern country and it has all the wherewithal to make its country — whose integrity is fully protected by its achievement.”

~ President Rodrigo Duterte during Talk to the People on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) public briefing, October 14, 2020

Inungkat ni Cong. Rodante Marcoleta ang maanomalyang kalakalan sa loob ng LTO kung saan ang involved ang bago nitong IT provider na Dermalog Philippines.

Narito ang summary ng mga pangyayari sa hearing na ito:

Umano’y naging dahilan ng hindi pag-operate ng ilang PMVICs o Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Centers dahil raw sa kakulangan ng mga gamit at iba pang gadgets ayon sa IT provider ng LTO na Dermalog Philippines.

Ang kumpanya ay naglabas ng “gawa-gawa” na additional guidelines kung saan required umano ang bawat PMVIC na magkaroon ng apat na biometric scanner at sampung RFID units upang maging “compliant”.

Mula sa Microgenesis, ibinebenta ng Dermalog sa LTO ang bawat package na ito sa halagang P800,000 kung saan bawat inspection center ay mayroon nito.

Ayon sa “research” ni Cong. Marcoleta, sa ibang provider, ang presyo ng RFID ay naglalaro sa $175 na nasa 7,000 sa piso. Ang biometrics naman ay nasa P2000. Bilang isang package na 10 RFID at 4 biometrics, ang equipment na ito ay magkakahalaga lamang ng P78000.

Ikinagulat pa ni Cong. Marcoleta na kabila sa P800,000 na halaga ng package ay kailangan pa ng P258,000 per annum.

Ayon sa mga may-ari ng inspection centers, inakala ng mga ito na galing sa LTO ang nasabing guidelines kaya’t hindi sila makapag-operate kahit na functional at handa na ang mga centers.

Ipinaglaban ni Cong. Rodante Marcoleta sa budget hearing ng Department of Agrarian reforms ang mga lupang ipinamigay sa mga magsasaka noong panahon pa ni President Quezon ngunit ayaw bitawan ng mga humahawak sa lupa.

Narito ang kanyang sinabi:

“I have a a few clarificatory questions for the Department of Agrarian Reform.

… His representation pointed to a case in Lian, Batangas were a big trtack of land which is supposed to be the source of livelihood of so many farmers in that area, is not being farmed as it should be because of a dispute with several big businesses or big persons that claimed the property. historically, this piece of land was awarded to ther farmers sometime during the time of President Quezon.

I got from DAR’s document that at that time, President Quezon bought that property and was awarded to the farmers. For reasons that cannot be explained, some enterprising individual was able to title or put that property into their names. These are big businesses. I will mention some of their names

Mr. Menardo Jimenez, I think is one of the owners of GMA-7 in occupying 78.4 hectares. Raymund Moreno, 70 hectares Phil Estate and Mega World 156 hecatres Egie garcia 40 hectares Sta Lucia Realty 193 hectares

There is already a final and executory decision by the opffice of the President. In that decision it was ruled that the solicitor general should have those titles cancelled in order for the farmers to be installed. To the credit of the Department of Agrarian reform the pertinent records were already submitted to the office of the Soilicitor General

I was very happy to say the Sol-Gen committed to file the necessary action to cancel the titles.”

“Ang totoo nga po, kaya hindi makagalaw ang mga farmers sapagkat meron silang mga security guards na nakabantay sa lupain na iyon kaya pati po yung joint resolution na ginawa ng DAR, kasama na po ang PNP, kasama na po ang AFP, saka yung DILG ay parang hindi na nagkaroon ng bisa dahil parang mas malakas yung mga private security guards na ininstall ng mga malalaking tao na sila ngayon ang nag-ooccupy sila sa lupa na ‘yan.”

Ipinakita ni Cong. Janette Garin ang pakurbang kalsada na ginawa ng DSWD at hindi napigilan na pagalitan ang DPWH Region 6 sa kapalpakan na ginawa ng lokal na ahensya.

“Mr. Speaker, distinguished sponsor, ganito po ba ang highway na ginagawa ng Department of Public Works and Highways? Dahil sa tagal ko sa gobyerno biglang nagulat po ako.”

“Bakit po tila bulag ang DPWH Region VI sa ganitong mga project?”

“Mr. Sponsor, I agree that sometimes in a huge office, you cannot police everybody, but this is the output of non-coordination.”

Itinuloy ni Cong. Garin ang kanyang talumpati sa patuloy na pagtira nito sa DPWH. Umano’y hindi maituloy ang highway build sa kanyang distrito nang dahil sa isang typing error ng isang empleyado sa DPWH.

“Lahat tayo may pangangailangan, lahat tayo hindi kaya pondohan ng gobyerno.”

“I beg and I appeal the leadership of the Department of Public Works and Highways, equitable distribution is the name of the game.”

“Nalaman namin during the minority budget meeting that this project was not funded despite being listed in the GEE simply because somebody in the Department of Public Works and Highways made an error in typing. We find it unfair that up to this point in time, we don’t have an answer.”

Itinanggi ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) nitong Miyerkules na ang mga pag-ulan kamakailan ay nag-wash out sa durog na dolomite na itinapon sa tabi ng Manila Bay, na kung saan ang ilang mga kritiko ay dating pinintasan bilang pag-aaksaya ng mga pondo ng bayan.

Ngayong Miyerkules, ininspeksyon ng mga opisyal ng DENR at ng Supreme Court ang Manila Bay sa kabila ng pag-ulan para alamin ang mga naging pagbabago rito sunod sa mandate ng gobyerno na linisin at muling buhayin ang sikat na bay.

Ang mga alon ay nag-wash in ng mas madidilim na buhangin, lumilikha ng isang 2 hanggang 3-inch layer sa ibabaw ng artipisyal na puting buhangin na beach, ayon kay DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda.

“Puro kasinungalingan po iyong lumabas na nag-washout po yung white sand natin. Ang nangyari po talaga wash in, pumasok po iyong itim na buhangin at pumatong po sa puting dolomite,” sabi ng DENR USec sa Laging Handa public briefing.

“Kaya ho hindi pa talaga mini-maintain ngayon dahil this is still under the jurisdiction of the contractor,” dagdag ni Antiporda.

Siya ding kinontra ang recommendations ng marine biologists mula sa University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute na magtanim na lamang ng mangrove sa halip na magtambak ng artificial white sand, dahil daw masisira ang landscape ng Manila Bay.

“Hindi ho magandang tingnan and at the same time, hindi ho mabubuhay sa lugar na ito iyong mangrove,” sagot nito.

Arestado ang isang empleyado ng mataas na opisyal sa Kamara dahil sa ilegal na droga matapos ang isinagawang buy-bust operation sa Cainta, Rizal.

Nakilala ang suspek sa si Bernard V. Taboada, driver ng isang opisyal sa Kamara ayon sa mga nakuhang IDs nito.

Nakakumpiskahan ang suspek ng dalawang gramo ng shabu na tinatayang nagkakalahalaga ng P12,000.

Ayon sa Cainta, Rizal Philippine National Police, nahuli sa isang motel ang suspek nang subukan nitong bentahan ang isang pulis na nagpapanggap na buyer.

Nang mahuli sa buy bust operation, sinampahan ang suspek ng kaso paglabag sa Republic Act 9165 o Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Ang Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) ay nagbigay ng P291-milyong halaga ng hazard pay sa mga empleyado nito nang iligal, sinabi ng Commission on Audit (COA).

Sa taunang ulat ng pag-audit sa 2019 tungkol sa PhilHealth, sinabi ng mga auditor ng estado na ang halagang —P236 milyon para sa mga regular na empleyado at P55 milyon para sa mga kaswal na empleyado — ay naipamahagi mula 2016 hanggang 2019 kahit na lumalabag ito sa Republic Act 7305 o ang Magna Carta for Public Mga manggagawa sa kalusugan (PHW), bukod sa iba pang mga patakaran at regulasyon.

Sinabi ng COA na habang ang pagpasa ng batas sa Universal Health Care na inuri ang mga empleyado ng PhilHealth bilang mga manggagawa sa kalusugan, ang kanilang karapatan sa mga benepisyo at allowance — kasama na ang hazard pay na isinasaad sa ilalim ng magna carta — ay hindi ganap dahil napapailalim pa rin ito sa nauugnay na probisyon at regulasyon ng batas .

Partikular na binanggit ng mga auditor ng estado ang Seksyon 21 ng Magna Carta para sa PHW na nagsasaad na ang lahat ng mga manggagawa sa kalusugan ng publiko ay karapat-dapat makatanggap ng hazard pay kapag ang likas na katangian ng kanilang trabaho ay naglantad sa kanila sa mataas na peligro / mababang peligro na mga panganib para sa hindi bababa sa 50% ng kanilang mga oras ng pagtatrabaho bilang tinutukoy at naaprubahan ng Kalihim ng Kalusugan o ng kanyang mga kinatawan na pinahintulutan.

Inililista ng batas ang mga panganib bilang:

• difficult locations;
• strife-torn or embattled areas;
• distressed and isolated stations;
• prison camps;
• mental hospitals;
• radiation exposed clinics;
• laboratories and disease-infested areas;
• areas declared under a state of calamity or emergency for the duration when there is exposure to danger, contagious disease, radiation, volcanic activity or eruption, occupational risks; and
  perils to life as determined by the Secretary of Health or the head of the unit with the approval of the Secretary of Health

“It is clear that only public health workers working in establishments specifically mentioned in Section 21 are entitled to receive hazard pay benefits. As can be gleaned from the preceding provisions/requirements, PhilHealth employees, although considered as PHWs as contemplated under the UHC Law, should not be automatically entitled to receive hazard pay under RA No. 7305, as they fail to meet the primary condition on exposure to specific kinds of hazard,” sabi ng COA

“Also, PhilHealth failed to show that the existence of exposure to such hazards was determined by the Secretary of Health or by the head of agency with the former’s approval,” dagdag pa nito.

Sinabi din ng state auditors na ang PhilHealth ay “appears to be non-compliant” sa implementing rules and regulations ng Magna Carta for PHWs na nangangailangan ng submission ng listahan ng mga posisyon sa plantilla nito na may job description na nagpapaliwanag na ang mga ganitong posisyon ay exposed sa high or low risk hazard at i-review ang naturang listahan ng DOH technical committee.

Bilang tugon sa mga natuklasan ng COA, sinabi ng PhilHealth na ang mga opisyal at empleyado nito ay may karapatan sa hazard pay dahil sila ay classified bilang PHWs sa ilalim ng Universal Health Care law at nalantad sa mga panganib sa trabaho, panganib sa buhay, at pisikal na paghihirap mula sa mataas na ranggo ng mga opisyal hanggang sa mga low clerks.

Gayunpaman, tinanggihan ng COA ang pagbibigay-katwiran ng PhilHealth.

Since PhilHealth is not compliant with the relevant rules and regulations, payments of hazard pay from 2016 to 2019 in an aggregate amount of P291.932 million were deemed irregular and disallowable in audit,” sagot ng COA.

Sabi rin ng COA na ang PhilHealth ay hindi compliant sa additional guidelines sa pagbibigay ng hazard pay issued ng Budget and Health Department. “Despite the disallowance, PhilHealth has been continuously granting hazard pay since 2016.”

Ito ang recommendation ng COA sa PhilHealth:

• strictly adhere with the IRR of RA No. 7305 or the Magna Carta of PHWs and DBM-DOH JC No. 1, s. 2016, in the grant of hazard pay; and
• identify and determine the specific positions that are eligible to receive hazard pay with descriptions as to actual exposure to occupational risk/perils to life and submit the required list of personnel duly reviewed and approved by the Secretary of Health to the audit team for verification.

Tiniyak ng Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) nitong Martes na hindi magkakaroon ng pagdiskonekta ng supply ng kuryente sa mga sambahayan dahil sa hindi pagbabayad ng mga electric bills hanggang Disyembre 31, 2020.

Ang ERC chairperson na si Agnes Devanadera ay nagsabi sa mga senador na ang kanilang agency ay gumagawa ngayon ng isang advisory na magpapagaan sa disconnection policies ng mga power distribution utilities (DUs) at mga electric cooperatives hanggang sa katapusan ng taon.

Sa finance subcommittee hearing ng Senado tungkol sa ipinanukalang 2021 na badyet ng Kagawaran ng Enerhiya at mga kalakip na ahensya nito, tinanong ni Senador Risa Hontiveros ang tungkol sa huling araw ng Oktubre 31 na ibinigay ng Manila Electric Company (Meralco) sa mga kostumer nito upang maisaayos ang kanilang mga hindi nabayarang bayarin bago ang kanilang naputol ang kuryente.

“Nawalan na nga ng trabaho, baka maputulan pa ng kuryente ngayong Pasko. Paano ang Christmas lights na tradition ng Kristyanong pamilyang Pilipino? Bakit hindi pwedeng hanggang katapusan ng taon, katapusan ng Disyembre, para maging mas masaya naman ang Pasko, at mas puno ng pag-asa ang bisperas ng bagong taon ng lahat ng pamilyang Pilipino,” sabi ni Risa Hontiveros sa isang panayam.

“Pwede bang i-extend hangggang katapusan ng taon‘ yung pagputol ng kuryente?” tanong niya.

Sinabi ni Devanadera na ang Bayanihan to Recover as One Act o Bayanihan 2 ay nagpapahintulot sa ERC na palawigin pa ang leeway na ibinigay sa mga consumer na bayaran ang kanilang electric bills.

“We are issuing, your honors, the advisory and even before, we have issued advisories, we have always advocated for the relaxation of the disconnection policies of our distribution utilities,” aniya.

Sinabi ng opisyal ng ERC na ang mga DU at electric cooperatives ay sumusunod na sa ngayon at pinalawak ang kanilang mga deadline.

Pero kinilala niya: “You’re right, Madame Senator, hanggang October 31 po ang announcement ng Meralco, eh pero paano na rin ang ating Pasko, paano na rin ang bagong taon.”

“But we would like to thank Congress for the Bayanihan 2, because kasama na po sa i-issue ng ERC itong relaxation ng ating disconnection policy. So iyon po ‘yong aasahan.” she said.

Nang tanungin ni Hontiveros na linawin kung ang extension ay hanggang sa Disyembre 31, sumagot si Devandera: “Iyan po ‘yong nakalagay sa aming draft ngayon at sinusundan din po natin ang spirit ng, the letter of the laws.”

Ang batas ng Bayanihan 2 ay nagbibigay ng isang “minimum of 30-day grace period and staggered payment without interests, penalties, and other charges to all payments due within the period of community quarantine in the electric power value chain to include generation companies, transmission utility, and distribution utilities.”

Gayunman, sinabi ni Devanadera na ang paparating na advisory ng ERC ay darating kasama ang isang apela sa mga mamimili na bayaran ang kanilang bills kung kaya na nila.

“Panawagan na doon sa kayang magbayad, at merong nang mga pambayad, nakapagpadala na siguro ‘yong kanilang mga anak, ay magbayad na.”she said.

Sinabi niya na hindi dapat ipagpaliban pa ng mga government offices ang kanilang pagbabayad ng electric bills.

Sinabi din ni Devanadera na ang ERC ay nasa patuloy na koordinasyon sa Kongreso upang makatulong na mapadali ang pagbabayad ng mga bayarin para sa mga lifeliner, o mga customer na kumonsumo ng 200 kilowatt na oras ng kuryente at mas mababa.

Pinasalamatan ni Hontiveros ang ERC para sa kasiguruhan nito, na nagpapahayag ng pag-asa na ang mga kagamitan sa kuryente ay susunod sa paparating na payo ng ahensya.

Nagkaroon ng city wide brownout dahil sa isang sawa.

“Makikita sa video na nakapalupot ang isang 6 talampakang sawa sa isang poste ng kuryente na nagdulloot ng malawakang brownout sa Cotabato. Ayon sa Cotabato Electric COoperative, gumapang ang ahas paakyat sa isa sa mga poste at tumama sa linya ng kuryente. Nagpatay sindi ang kuryente anggang sa napilitan ang kumpanya na putulin muna ang supply ng kuryente. Namatay kalaunan ang ahas. Bumalik ang naman ang kuryente matapos ang isang oras.

Sa bayan ng Tulunan, Cotabato, sinubukang pasukin ng isang 12-feet balakon o king cobra ang kubo ng isang magsasaka. Tinangka ng magsasaka na patayin ang ahas gamit ang kanyang itak. Tumulong ang ilang residente hanggang sa mapatay ang makamandag na ahas. Posibleng target nito ang kanilang mga manok.

Isa namang 10 feet python ang nakita sa isang farm house sa Sagada, Mountain Province. Naalarma ang may-ari nang biglang mag-ingay ang kanyang mga alagang manok at baboy. Hinahabol na pala ang mga ito ng ahas. Pinukpok ng may-ari ang ahas hanggang mamatay kalaunan.”

Muling binalikan ni Marcoleta ang mga kapalpakan ng Civil Service Commission na lumutang sa hearing ng PhilHealth, sa pagbababa ng standard para maipasok na maging empleyado.

WATCH!

Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano verbally tendered his resignation in a Facebook live on Tuesday while the House of Representatives ratified Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco’s speakership.

Here is the full statement of Senate President Ralph Recto on the ouster of Alan Peter Cayetano, a former senator, as Speaker of the House of Representatives:

“This is just a pit stop in Alan’s long career. He will be back – I doubt if he’ll ever leave the political scene as a leading voice. It will be ages before we will come to read the requiem for this heavyweight. Not today.

His stint as House leader may be short, but it was spectacular. He passed all the bills the Palace requested, plus those which are products of the House’s policy ingenuity, which he harnessed in full.

While he had changed chambers, he was constantly in touch with his old colleagues in the Smaller but Smarter House. He is always welcome here, and the polls show that it will be a walk in the park for him. 

When he accepted the demotion from Senator to DFA Secretary, he made it a point to be always accessible, wherever he was in the world. I have referred many OFWs in distress and he made it a point to personally attend to all of them. 

I am writing this to thank him for his service to the nation as House leader. Old school it may sound, but in this age when the new is hailed and the old is forgotten, I believe that the courtesy of appreciating the good a person had done should continue as an honored tradition.”

Ito ang sabi ni Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano: “We’re okay, we will continue to help but right now, verbally, I am tendering my irrevocable resignation as the Speaker of the House of the Republic of the Philippines. At 3 o’clock, elect your new Speaker and pass the budget… You can elect at 3 o’clock. Walang maneuvers, walang political tactics na mangyayari diyan.”

“Ang pagkakaalam ko talaga, I was to handle the budget and I was told until matapos ‘yung budget para walang disruption and I invited Congressman Velasco to join me,”

“Mr. President, if I made a mistake, mali ang reading ko, misunderstood ko na gusto mong ituloy at tapusin ko ang budget, ako’y humihingi ng paumanhin. Hindi ko intention—never—na hindi ka sundin.”

“Dadalawa lang ang House ng Kongreso—Senado at Kongreso. Walang third house na tinatawag pong Celebrity Sports Club. Ang members noon ay members ng Sports Club, hindi members ng Kongreso,”

“All of that is under the bridge, let’s unite Congress. The institution is important, it is an institution of democracy. Tayo, we’re irrelevant, napapalitan tayo pero yung institution nandyan.”

“Congress is not only an institution, it’s a symbol. So pag binaboy natin ang Kongreso, binaboy din natin ang ating bansa.”

“Sinira ang mga pinto sa Kongreso, sinabihan ko ang Secretary General, ayokong may masaktan. Pabayaan mo sila kung gusto nila mag-takeover. Let them use the hall, walang masasaktan.”

Nasa 186 mambabatas ang bumotong umupo na bilang susunod na speaker si Velasco, na ginawang pormal ang kanyang pagkapanalo bilang House speaker sa mismong Batasang Pambansa.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” ~ Psalm 51 :10-12

Praise GOD For A New Day!

I thank the ALMIGHTY for giving me the Blessing of serving HIS people, and I pray that HE would allow me to continue serving in any way that I would be worthy.

From the start I have always said that I will abide by what the President, as leader of our coalition, will say. Today, given the untenable political situation that Congress has been placed, and the possible damage to the country if the 2021 budget is not passed on time – I take his admonition to put aside all politics and focus on the budget to heart, and with this, tender my irrevocable resignation as Speaker of the House of Representatives effective immediately. I go now with a clear conscience. I have done my best, I have given my all, I leave with no regrets, and I hold no rancor in my heart towards anyone.

I am thankful for the opportunity that my colleagues have given me to serve this chamber, and I will cherish the friendships I have made these past months. We are still faced with the daunting tasks of not just helping the country recover from this pandemic, but of also rebuilding the trust of the Filipino people in this, the House of their Representatives. With this act, I am hopeful that it will pave the way for the constitutional transition for the new leadership. I call on my colleagues – let us restore the dignity of Congress as an institution and as a symbol of democracy, and right the wrongs that have been made in the name of partisan politics.

For those who have stood by my side through all these – we have fought the good fight, but there must only be one victor – which must be the Filipino people. Words are not enough to express the debt of my, and my family’s gratitude for all you have done. I apologize for not being able to talk to each of you in person, but as I free you from your commitments to me, I stand by those I have made to you. I will fight for you with the same intensity that you have for me. And as I join you now in the trenches, I hope that you will welcome me as warmly as when I was Speaker now that I no longer am. It is a reality in politics, that sometimes knowing when to fold on a good hand is more important than winning the the whole pot.

To the Congressional employees and staff, thank you from the bottom of my heart. In the months that we have worked together – including the trying times of this pandemic – I have gained a new level of respect for all of you. Your love and dedication to your work is commendable, and it is as invaluable and indispensable as the work of the Members of this Chamber.

Finally, to my fellow citizens, I ask for your continued vigilance in ensuring that we – your public officers – live up to the oaths we have taken. Congress has recently made huge headways in pushing for greater transparency and accountability in the crafting of our laws, let us not allow this to be for nothing.

Maraming Salamat aking mga kababayan.

GOD Bless us all.

“Katawa-tawa. Mukhang sirkus po ang ginawa. Lawmakers kami [pero] lumalabas na law breakers sila… Niloloko nila ‘yung tao,” ~ Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte

“Sobrang kalokohan ang ginawa nila. They can give all the legislative, legal justification for what they did. But you know in your hearts that it’s simply wrong… May COVID ganon ang gagawin mo,”

“I will not allow you to burn this House down… marami na akong Goliath na kinalaban. You’re in for one hell of a fight.” ~ Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano

“Everything is fake, everything is illegal, everything is unconstitutional. Challenge ko sa kanila: Gawin niyo ‘yan sa plenaryo kung may numero kayo. Kung may numero kayo we will accept, kung wala let’s all work together to approve the budget. Iyan ang panawagan,”

Ang balita tungkol sa pagpapatalsik kay Cayetano ay kumalat Lunes ng umaga, matapos sabihin kay Albay Rep. Joey Salceda sa ANC na hindi bababa sa 167 mambabatas ang pumirma sa isang manifesto para kay Velasco.

Ang mga larawan ng isang pagtitipon sa Celebrity Sports Plaza sa Lungsod Quezon kasama ang kanilang version ng House mace, ang simbolo ng awtoridad ng silid na naroroon sa mga sesyon, ay inilabas sa media.

Sinabi ni House Sergeant at Arms Ramon Apolinario na ang official mace of the chamber ay nasa kanyang custody.

Nagpalabas ng statement si Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio na nagsasabing nais ng kanyang regional party na Hugpong ng Pagbabago na ipatupad ang term-sharing agreement sa pagitan nina Velasco at Cayetano.

Si Velasco ay nagpakita sa Celebrity Sports Plaza.

Nagdaos ng press briefing si Cayetano sa Batasan Pambansa.

Nagsisimula ang “Session” sa Celebrity Sports Plaza.

Ilang 186 na mambabatas sa Celebrity Sports Plaza ang nagdeklara na bakante ang House Speaker, na sinasabing higit ito sa hiniling sa 151.

Tumanggi si Cayetano na kilalanin ang session sa Plaza. “I will not allow you to burn this House down… marami na akong Goliath na kinalaban. You’re in for one hell of a fight.”

Ang mga lawmakers sa Plaza ay naghalal ng mga bagong officials ng Kamara kasama si Mao Aplasca bilang Sergeant-at-arms at Jocelia Bighani Sibin bilang Secretary General.

Nanumpa si Velasco at sa isang speech pinasasalamatan si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte at ang kanyang mga anak na sina Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio at si Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, kasama ang matagal nang aide ng Pangulo na si Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go.

Tinawag ng kaalyado ni Cayetano na si Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte ang boto sa Celebrity Sports Plaza na “katawa-tawa.”

Tinawag din ni Villafuerte na “illegal” ang hakbang ng kanyang mga kasamahan, na binanggit ang lokasyon ng session at kawalan ng isang official na House mace.

“Everything is fake, everything is illegal, everything is unconstitutional. Challenge ko sa kanila: Gawin niyo ‘yan sa plenaryo kung may numero kayo. Kung may numero kayo we will accept, kung wala let’s all work together to approve the budget. Iyan ang panawagan,”aniya.

Kalaunan ay pinaglaban ito ni Velasco at sinabi na may precedence para sa mga sesyon ng Kamara na gaganapin sa labas ng Batasan Pambansa. “Noong nagkaroon tayo ng pagsabog ng Taal Volcano, the whole House went to… Batangas to hold a House session. It’s the same. Under the rules, it is allowed. This wasn’t a sham session,” sabi ni Velasco.

Ipagpapatuloy ang pagdinig sa badyet Martes, Oktubre 13, kasunod ng panuto ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa House of Representatives na magsagawa ng isang espesyal na sesyon.

Tinitingnan ng Department of Science and Technology (DOST) ang lahat ng kailangang paghahanda at pag-iingat para masiguro ang kaligtasan ng mga kasali sa World Health Organization (WHO) Solidarity Trials para sa bakuna laban sa COVID-19.

“Masaya naming tinatanggap ang hamon na pabilisin ang paglabas ng vaccine laban sa COVID-19, ngunit hindi namin ikokompromiso ang bilis para sa kaligtasan ng ating mga mamamayan.  Upang mapangalagaan ng husto ang kalusugan at kapakanan ng mga sasali sa vaccine trials ay masusing nakikipag-ugnayan and DOST sa ibat-ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan kagaya ng DOH, DILG at FDA.”

“Ang DOST at ang DOH ay patuloy na nagbibigay ng pahayag ukol sa nakatakdang clinical trials na gaganapin sa bansa at palagi pa ring nagpapaalala na papayagan lamang isagawa ang mga clinical trials kapag aprubado na ito ng FDA.”

“Maraming balita din na kumakalat ukol sa vaccine trials na kailangang bigyan ng linaw. Tumutulong ang aming ahensya upang makagawa ng FAQs on Vaccine Trials kasama ang DOH. Ilalabas ito sa government website sa susunod na araw.”

“Muli’t muli ang DOST ay nagpapaalala sa publiko na wala pang aprubadong bakuna laban sa COVID-19. Hinihikayat namin ang publiko, para sa kaligtasan ng lahat, na ipaalam sa kinauukulan gaya ng Philippine FDA, Philippine National Police o National Bureau of Investigation kung may mapag-alamang impormasyon ukol sa mga napapabalitang kontrabandong bakuna na ipinagbibili.”

Prof. Fortunato T. Dela Pena
DOST Secretary

Sinabi ni Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) na si Ramon Lopez na nagpakita ng interes ang Russia na gumawa ng bakuna ng Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) sa Pilipinas matapos makipag-usap sa Russian Ambassador sa Pilipinas na si Igor Khovaev.

Malaki ang maitutulong nito sa Department of Science and Technology (DOST) dahil walang kakayahan ang bansa na gumawa ng sarili nitong bakuna.

Ayon kay Philippine Council for Health Research and Development Executive Director Dr. Jaime Montoya, kasalukuyang nilalayon ng gobyerno na magkaroon ng isang local pharmaceutical company na maaaring tumapos sa bakuna. Gayunpaman, tatagal ng humigit-kumulang 5 taon bago ito matapos.

Payag din ang Department of Health (DOH) sa pagbubukas ng isang produksyon at pamamahagi hub para sa bakunang Sputnik V sa bansa sa kondisyon na sasailalim ito sa wastong proseso ng regulasyon.

“This will provide us with that advantage hindi lang dito sa pandemyang ito, but in the coming years na magkakaroon po tayo uli ng mga pangangailangan na ganito,” sabi ni DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.

Kaugnay sa clinical trial ng Sputnik V, ipinaliwanag ni Vergeire na “in a regulatory process, para makapag-clinical trial ang isang manufacturer sa ating bansa, kailangan mayroon silang contract research organization dito sa Pilipinas para mag-manage ng clinical trial kasama nila. So ngayon, tinutulungan na natin ang Gamaleya Institute so that they can find an appropriate contract research organization dito sa atin, which is reputable (In a regulatory process, for a manufacturer to conduct its clinical trial in the country, it must have a contract research organization in the Philippines to manage the clinical trial with them. So now, we are helping Gamaleya Institute so that they can find an appropriate local contract research organization which is reputable.”

Bukod sa Gamaleya Institute, nagsubmit rin ang kanilang mga application para sa Phase 3 na clinical trial ang mga Jannsen Pharmaceuticals Company ng Johnson & Johnson at Sinovac. Inaasahan ng gobyerno na magsimula ng kahit isang clinical trial sa bansa sa Nobyembre.