President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is warmly welcomed by overseas Filipino workers at Fairmont Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia on Sunday (Sept. 4, 2022). On his first state visit, Marcos is expected to meet with Indonesian President Joko Widodo to discuss the bilateral relationship between the Philippines and Indonesia and the changing global geopolitical environment. (Photo courtesy of BBM Facebook page)
MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was “warmly” received by Filipinos in Indonesia, a Palace official said Monday.
In a Facebook live, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles shared how much fun the President had on Sunday during his meeting with around 500 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) at Fairmont Hotel in Jakarta.
Marcos was greeted with cheers and applause by the Filipino community in Indonesia, many of them wanting to approach him to shake his hand or take photos.
Some supporters even screamed, “We love you, BBM!”, while he was delivering his speech, which elicited laughter on the President’s part.
“Grabe ang init ng pagtanggap nila sa amin… Parang nakaka-miss talaga ang makipagkita at makipag-usap sa mga kapwa Pilipino na matagal nang ‘di nakauwi. So ang saya-saya kagabi (Their warm welcome was great… I really missed meeting and talking with fellow Filipinos who have not had a chance to come home for a long time. It was so much fun yesterday),” Cruz-Angeles said.
She also assured Filipinos of the Marcos administration’s commitment to make the Philippines more conducive for tourism and investment and create more jobs for the economy.
“Lahat ng ginagawa ng ating Pangulo ay tungo sa kanyang vision para buksan at muling maging masigla ang ating ekonomiya (Everything our President is doing is towards his vision to open and reenergize our economy),” she added.
Meanwhile, Cruz-Angeles reminded the public to continue adhering to minimum public health standards and complete their primary Covid-19 vaccine doses and booster shots.
“I hope everybody is well, mag-iingat po ang lahat. Huwag kakalimutan may Covid pa rin po. Huwag pong kakalimutan ang social distancing at kung maaari tapusin po natin ang buong cycle natin ng pagbabakuna at saka pag booster (Please be careful. Don’t forget Covid is still here. Don’t forget to observe social distancing and complete the cycle of vaccines and boosters),” she said.
Cruz-Angeles is among the members of the Marcos delegation currently in Indonesia for a three-day state visit upon the invitation of Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
Marcos is expected to meet with Widodo for the first time to discuss the bilateral relationship between the Philippines and Indonesia and the changing global geopolitical environment.
He will also be witnessing the signing of several agreements between the two countries covering important areas of cooperation such as defense and security, the creative economy and culture.
The Philippine government will “proceed with deliberation” on the case of Mary Jane Veloso, the Filipino worker who has been on death row for 12 years in Indonesia over drug-related charges.
Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles made the response when asked if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will visit Veloso, who remains in detention in Yogyakarta.
Marcos arrived in Indonesia on Sunday for a three-day state visit upon the invitation of President Joko Widodo.
“For matters of this sensitive nature, the President will have to…We cannot say more than that. We cannot even guess as to why. Because it is of a such sensitive nature, then we proceed with deliberation, if we proceed at all,” Cruz-Angeles said in a press briefing in Jakarta.
“I am not saying that we’re proceeding with anything. But the President is aware of the issue. Beyond that, we cannot discuss,” she added.
Cruz-Angeles said Veloso’s case may be tackled in meetings between Filipino and Indonesian officials but did not give further details.
“We can’t say officially. It’s always an issue. Perhaps it will be broached by one or both countries. We’ll have to see. Well, since a pending issue, it may be inescapable. But we will announce if it is taken up,” she said.
She also assured that the President is “aware” of the appeal made by Veloso’s parents to negotiate with Widodo for a clemency.
On Friday, Veloso’s father, Cesar, traveled from their home province Nueva Ecija to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in Mandaluyong City to personally deliver a letter of appeal addressed to Marcos.
“We have no information on whether or not it [the letter] has reached the President, but the President is aware of the issue,” Cruz-Angeles said.
She also expressed confidence that Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo will continuously push for efforts to strengthen migrant workers’ rights and protection.
“I have no doubt in my heart that he will do everything that is possible to discuss this case and also to look at other opportunities for collaboration in strengthening migrant workers’ rights and protection not only here in Indonesia but also in Singapore and throughout ASEAN,” she added.
DMW Secretary Susan Ople, who is part of the state visit, said she has transmitted the letter to the DFA, the lead agency in charge of Veloso’s case.
“The DMW will defer to the DFA and I am sure that Secretary Manalo will be, at the appropriate time, open to saying more about this case,” she said.
Ople enjoined Filipinos to pray for Veloso and her family.
“What’s important is that we just keep praying, kasi may (because there is a) diplomatic track, pero mayroon din (but there is also the) divine track. Iyong (The) divine track is that of prayers. So, let’s just continue to hope and pray with the family,” she said.
Veloso has repeatedly denied the drug charges, saying her recruiters tricked her by giving her a suitcase with illegal drugs concealed in the lining.
She was supposed to be executed by firing squad in April 2015, but was spared following the arrest of her recruiters in the Philippines. (PNA)
The resolution seeking for the abolition of the Procurement Service – Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) due to questionable contracts is gaining support but the Senate is still open to reforms in the agency.
In radio interviews on Sunday, Senator Francis Tolentino said all government agencies and local government units must use their own Bids and Awards Committees, instead of getting the services of the PS-DBM, while Senator Risa Hontiveros said the agency is a breeding ground for corruption.
“The PS-DBM was created to procure materials and things that are commonly used by government agencies but it seems the agency is now in control of all procurements,” Tolentino said.
Tolentino and Hontiveros said the PS-DBM is in danger of getting zero budget as abolishing it will take some time.
“I support my colleagues para buwagin ang PS-DBM pero dapat imbestigahan ang kanilang mga transaksyon dahil masyadong malaki. Isang paraan diyan ay ang pagbibigay ng zero budget pero sa ngayon ang prayoridad namn ay tukuyin ang mga personalidad dito para mabigyang hustisya ang taumbayan (I support my colleagues in abolishing the PS-DBM but we must investigate all transactions. One process is to give them zero budget but as of now, our priority is to identify the culprits and give justice to our countrymen),”Hontiveros said.
Last week, Senator Imee Marcos filed Senate Bill 1123 or An Act Abolishing the PS-DBM, saying “the series of procurement controversies that surfaced during the pandemic must end” and that it has outlived its usefulness.
“The PS-DBM acts as a procurement arm of other government agencies for the procurement of common-use supplies, equipment, and infrastructure projects,” Marcos explained. “However, the passage of the Government Procurement Reform Act undermines the mandate of the DBM-PS through the inclusion of relevant provisions that seek to strengthen the procurement service of national government agencies.”
The PS-DBM has been accused of overpricing in the procurement of PHP42 billion worth of medical equipment for the Department of Health last year and recently, PHP2.4 billion worth of teachers’ laptops for the Department of Education (DepEd).
However, the Senate may take into consideration the appeal of DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman to reform the agency.
“Please allow the new administration to reform and transform the agency and provide efficiency and economy in the acquisition of common-use supplies and equipment, which we intend to focus on as part of our mandate,” according to a DBM press statement on August 30.
Hontiveros said they may ask for a special audit on all pandemic-related procurement deals among PS-DBM and other agencies since March 2020.
The Commission on Audit previously reported at least 12 government agencies or department had transactions with PS-DBM.
Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Koko Pimentel have likewise suggested that government agencies stop dealing with the PS-DBM.
Meanwhile, Tolentino said the 17-member Blue Ribbon Committee will hold an executive session on Thursday to tackle the travel ban on Lloyd Christopher Lao, the former PS-DBM officer-in-charge.
Lao is no longer included in the DepEd laptop controversy but his signature was affixed in several other documents.
Lao had asked for a clearance and removal from the immigration lookout bulletin.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. graces the 100th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Nurses Association, Inc. (PNA) at The Manila Hotel in the City of Manila on September 1, 2022.
Founded in 1922 as Filipino Nurses Association, the PNA was established to promote professional growth towards the attainment of highest standard of nursing.
Carrying the theme, ‘PNA@100 and Beyond: Inspired by a Caring Legacy, Transformed to Lead’, the anniversary celebration coincides with the 65th Nurses’ Week Celebration and the PNA National Annual Convention 2022.
Speech by President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. at the 100th Anniversary Celebration of the Philippine Nurses Association, Inc.
Thank you very much for your introduction Secretary Cruz. [Please take your seats.]
The Philippine Nurses Association Chairperson Leticia Puguon; PNA National President Melvin Miranda — ‘yung five minutes lang namin na nakikinig sa inyo marami na kaming ginawang plano para sa ating mga nars [applause and cheers]; Programs and Development Vice President Alfon Guiller Daga; officials and members of the PNA; other distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen; and idadagdag ko my heroes, ang ating mga nars [applause] na hindi lamang tumulong sa mga naging pasyente ng COVID dito sa Pilipinas kundi rin pinaganda niyo pa ang pangalan ng Pilipinas dahil sa serbisyo ninyo sa buong mundo. [applause and cheers]
It is my honor to join — it really — naka-speech lang ito pero ito talagang totoo — it is my honor to join all of you today [applause] in celebrating this significant milestone, the 100th Anniversary of the Philippine Nurses Association and the 65th Nurses Week. It is in the context — in the situation that we are in right now, this is especially meaningful and it is a special occasion not only for the nurses but also for me. Because as you know — as what’s mentioned — my father 50 years ago joined you in celebrating this organization’s golden anniversary. [applause]
It is my pleasure then to stand before you today as my father did 50 years ago to celebrate this momentous occasion. Now more than ever, with all the challenges that you have hurdled during the pandemic, I see before me a strong and capable nursing force that is at the forefront of quality and excellent care, not only here in the country but around the world.
Indeed, I think I am correct when I say: no other country can boast of such strong and capable nurses who are known, not just for competence and dedication to this very noble calling of healthcare, but for their compassion and kindness. [applause] Diyan naiba talaga ang ating mga nurse. Marami namang magaling diyan, marami namang ano ngunit ang ating… Kahit ‘yung mga foreigner hinahanap nila, mas gusto nila na ang nag-aalaga sa kanila mga Pilipino na nurse. At hindi naman kataka-taka dahil kapag inalagaan ka ng Pilipino na nurse, gagaling ka talaga. [applause]
I know — and I speak from personal experience kasi natamaan ako ng COVID-19 at maaga akong tinamaan noong Marso pa ng 2020, wala pa tayong alam noon. Kaya’t medyo mabigat ‘yung naging epekto sa akin. At siguro kung nagkamali ‘yung treatment sa akin baka delikado ako.
But during my fight against COVID-19, I benefited from the able and healing hands of competent Filipino nurses. [applause and cheers] Because of you — and this I cannot stress more — because of you and the sacrifices that you made knowing that there was a risk involved but because of that sacrifice, because of that compassion, because of that professionalism, our nation has survived the most difficult moments of this pandemic.
Let me take this opportunity, along with the rest of our kababayans, not only for me but for all of those — ‘yung mga pasyente na gumaling, ‘yung mga pamilya ng mga pasyente na nakitang gumaling ang kanilang mga kamag-anak, ‘yung mga inalagaan ninyo. At kahit na alam natin very risky pa noon, hindi natin nga alam Alpha pa noon eh, hindi pa natin alam kung ano ba talaga ang mga dangers, sige lang ang mga nars natin, sige lang. At kahit na ‘yung mga ER nurse pumupunta sa COVID ward, kahit ‘yung mga nasa pediatric pumupunta sa COVID ward. Lahat kayo, everybody put in your sacrifices.
And because of that myself, as your President, and in the name of all our kababayans, I wish to thank you wholeheartedly [for] your sacrifices and your significant contributions to society. [applause]
So we can ensure that our people will always lean on and benefit from your exceptional care, your government will continue to pursue the programs and support the continuous development of Filipino nurses.
Among these is the Nursing Certification Program which strengthens and certifies our nurses’ competencies in various specialty areas.
We also have the Primary Care Workers’ Certification Program that provides eligibility requirements, standard competencies, training mechanisms, and certification processes that ensure competent and quality staffing for our healthcare system.
It is also this government’s position to support the leadership development courses for public health nurses which aims to capacitate nurses to provide quality health services and become skilled leaders and managers.
The government also offers the in-service post-graduate scholarship program to continually enhance our nurses’ competencies through formal education.
There is also the e-learning program which provides access to free continuing professional development, accredited courses in many, many disciplines of study.
Certainly, we will not stop with just providing programs that improve your capacity as nurses. We will continue to provide you with the benefits that you deserve as healthcare workers. [applause]
As of 19 August of this year, the government has disbursed a total of 25.82 billion pesos worth of benefits to our healthcare workers, especially our nurses. [applause] These include: hazard duty pay; COVID-19 sickness and death compensation; Meals, Accommodation, and Transportation Allowances; life insurance; Special Risk Allowance; and the One COVID-19 Allowance. [applause]
Please know… Sa palagay ko kulang pa ‘yan eh. [cheers and applause] Medyo hirap tayo sa pondo ngayon kaya’t sa ngayon ganyan lang muna. Pero palagay ko — binubuhay niyo ‘yung may sakit eh. Ibang usapan ‘yan. Walang — mahirap lagyan ng balor, ng dolyar, ng piso ‘yung trabahong ginagawa ninyo.
Dahil ‘yung sakripisyo ninyo hindi lamang kayo nag-aalaga ng mga pasyente, kung hindi noong panahon — noong kabigatan ng COVID noong 2020, 2021, eh kayo’y pumapasok pa rin kahit alam ninyo na high risk ang inyong trabaho, sige pa rin. [applause]
At marami sa inyo ay talagang tinamaan. Marami sa healthcare workers ay nawala dahil nga hindi — hindi na nga umuuwi sa bahay para hindi madala ‘yung sakit sa kanilang mga pamilya. [applause]
Please know that we understand this, that we know what you have done. We know the value of your work. And this is something that we know not only because of our personal experiences, but because of the experiences of everybody around the world, na kahit ‘yung mga prime minister, kahit ‘yung mga presidente ng mga ibang bansa ay pinupuri ang mga nurse na Pilipino na sinasabi “sila ang nagbuhay sa amin kahit dito sa aming bansa, hindi lamang sa Pilipinas.” [applause]
So the government recognizes and acknowledges your hard work and sacrifice, including risking your own health and lives to care for others. As your President, you may rest assured that my office is always open for meaningful dialogue to address the issues concerning our nurses and allied healthcare professionals. [applause]
In fact, I have taken special note of the clamor to address issues in the nursing profession by the passage of the new Philippine Nursing Practice Act. [applause and cheers]
This Executive department, together with Congress, will work with you to achieve these goals. As part of our goal to raise the profile and improve the working condition of nurses, we seek to address the disparity in salaries between nurses in government hospitals with those in the private sector. [applause]
Also, we must address the uneven distribution of nurses in different areas around the country. In order to do that, we have to address issues related to health facilities, benefits, and security of tenure. As we work hard to improve the state of our healthcare system at home, let us join hands to maintain our country’s position as the gold standard when it comes to providing healthcare workers to hospitals and health facilities globally.
We will open more slots for the deployment of nurses abroad while striving to improve opportunities domestically. With the PNA, boasting a 40,000-strong membership, I believe that together we have the ability, we have the strength to improve our nurses’ welfare and build on the Filipino distinction of excellence and competitiveness in the global health community.
As we look to the future with great hope and optimism, I call on you to join us in government and let us strive to build a stronger community of nurses. One that is not only inspired by the legacy of nurturing care that has been left us and that you have created, but is also forward-looking, dynamic, and ready to take on the challenges of the future and the challenges that the future will bring.
Muli, sa ating dakilang mga nars ng bayan, maraming, maraming salamat. [applause]
Parang pagka ako’y nagpapasalamat sa inyo, parang napakakulang ang salita, kaya’t maghahanap tayo ng maraming paraan para ipakita at iparamdam ang salamat sa inyo. [cheers and applause] Mabuhay kayong lahat! Mabuhay ang mga nurse ng Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang PNA! Maraming salamat po at magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat. [applause]
Sinimulan nitong Huwebes ni Sen. Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla ang pagtalakay sa mga posibleng pagbabago sa 1987 Constitution para paigtingin at pagbutihin at lalo pang isaayos ang ating Saligang Batas.
Ani Padilla, kinikilala niya ang tungkulin bilang tagapangulo ng Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes para rito.
“May isang katotohanang nanaig, nananaig, at mananaig – ito ay ang katotohanang tumutugon ang mga Pilipino sa mga pagkakataong tinatawag tayo upang paigtingin, pagbutihin o lalo pang isaayos ang ating Saligang Batas kung kinakailangan,” ani Padilla sa organizational meeting ng komite.
“Bukas ang ating isipan sa mga kaalaman, opinyon, at suhestyon patungkol sa mga panukalang naglalayong pagbutihin pa ang ating Saligang Batas,” dagdag nito.
Naging sentro ng malayang talakayan ang tatlong punto:
* Kinakailangan bang baguhin o rebisahin ang 1987 Constitution katulad ng mga nangyari sa mga dating Konstitusyon?
* Sa anong modality nararapat baguhin o amyendahan ang ating kasalukuyang Saligang Batas?
* Sa debate patungkol sa pagboto sa mga iminumungkahing susog o pagbabago ng Konstitusyon, ano ang posisyon sa isyu kung ang dalawang kapulungan – ang Senado at House of Representatives – at ang mga miyembro nito ay dapat bang bumoto jointly o separately?
Iginiit ni Padilla na noon pa man ay hindi maikakaila ang napakahalagang papel na ginagampanan ng Konstitusyon sa isang demokratikong bansa tulad ng Pilipinas. Mula noong 1898 hanggang 1987, nagkaroon ng mga pagbabago ang Saligang Batas.
“Napakaraming pangyayari at detalyeng pumalibot sa bawat mga kaganapan, tulad ng mga rebisyon at mga debate sa mga probisyong naging bahagi ng mga bersyon ng Konstitusyon sa mahigit isang siglo. Subalit kung aking iisa-isahin po ito, mahaba itong usapin,” ani Padilla.
“Gayunpaman, may isang katotohanang nanaig, nananaig, at mananaig – ito ay ang katotohanang tumutugon ang mga Pilipino sa mga pagkakataong tinatawag tayo upang paigtingin, pagbutihin o lalo pang isaayos ang ating Saligang Batas kung kinakailangan,” dagdag niya.
Buong pusong tinaggap ni Senator Idol Raffy Tulfo ang tungkulin bilang Chairman ng Committee on Migrant Workers na naglalayong maisulong ang karatan ng Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
Sa kanyang unang privilege speech sa Plenary Session ng Senado kahapon, Aug.17, sinabi ni Tulfo na bagama’t mayroong mga ginawang hakbang ang gobyerno para matigil ang pang-aabuso sa OFWS, sinabi niya na ito ay hindi sapat.
“I have fought against the abuses our OFWs have faced for my whole career of twenty years. I am proud that our OFWs have seen me as safe harbor whenever they were desperate to send their family members home. But, admittedly, my solutions were only symptomatic treatment to a systematic problem,” saad niya
“The birth of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is the rebirth of hope that we may yet fix the system and improve our means to be proactive in the defense of our OFWs and I am more than elated when I was given the honor to be the first chairman of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers,” dagdag ni Tulfo.
Nagpalabas si Tulfo ng ilang video clips na nagpapakita ng pang-aabuso sa mga OFWs ng kanilang banyagang employers.
“My dear colleagues, happiness in the life of an OFW is never guaranteed. The reality of the situation is that many of our countrymen are habitually abused by their foreign employers,” saad ni Tulfo.
“Hinding-hindi ko masikmura makakita ng anak na umiiyak sa kanyang nawalang nanay. Isang ama na napilitang mamalimos para mabayaran ang lamay ng kanyang anak.
“At hinding-hindi na natin pwede hayaan na mayroong mga kamag-anak na magugulat na lamang na ang nagpapadala sa kanila ng kanilang balikbayan box ay kanilang susunduin sa airport na nakakahon,” dagdag niya.
Ayon sa Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), ang bilang ng mga manggagawang Pilipino sa ibang bansa mula Abril hanggang Setyembre 2020 ay tinatayang nasa 1.77 milyon.
Sa pagbuo ng DMW ng Committee on Migrant Workers, iginiit ni Tulfo na tututukan nila ang paghahain ng batas na magbibigay-daan sa mga embahada sa ibang bansa na subaybayan ang mga OFWs nang matiyak na maiiwasan na agad ang pang-aabuso sa kanila bago pa man ito magsimula.
“We, standing as one, have the opportunity to pass laws that would authorize our embassies abroad to institute offices dedicated solely to the vetting of prospective employers and the enforcement of the laws that are meant to protect our OFWs,” saad niya.
“Magkakaroon po tayo ng paraan na mapigilan ang panghahalay sa unang pagkakataon na makita nating maaari itong mangyari. Magkakaroon po tayo ng paraan na mas mabilis masundo ang ating OFW na pinagbabantaan na saktan ng kanyang amo.
“At magkakaroon po tayo ng paraan para mabigyan ng nararapat na representasyon ang ating OFW na may kaso laban sa kanyang amo upang maramdaman niya ang suporta ng inang bayan kahit na sa lupa ng banyaga,” dagdag niya.
Senator Risa Hontiveros questioned the involvement of the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) regarding the ‘unauthorized’ sugar order.
In the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Tuesday, Hontiveros echoed the sentiments of netizens that there seems to be a “disconnect” between Malacanang’s claim that Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez had no prior knowledge of the Sugar Order No. 4 and subsequent news reports revealing otherwise.
“As early as August 5, 2022, a draft of the Sugar Order No. 4 was already submitted to former SRA administrator Leo Sebastian. In the afternoon of August 5, the DA OSec already wrote to the ES na inamin niya ngayon and sent him the said draft as well as a Memorandum for the President,” she said.
“Alam ni Sec Rodriguez na may umiikot na Draft Order. An order that received support from stakeholders of the sugar industry. Did he mention this at all to his principal? Di ba dapat ang ES prinoprotektahan ang pangulo? Di ba dapat ang ES gatekeeper?” Hontiveros added.
Hontiveros also found it ‘puzzling’ why the OES acted as if it was the first time they heard of such a memorandum when it was revealed that the office was in the loop. “Why suggest na first time mo nadinig na may Sugar Order No. 4, when you were informed and kept in the loop as early as August 5?”
“This could have been a simple policy debate on the sterile question of do we need more sugar. Pero bakit may packaging na niloloko ang Pangulo, bakit pinapalabas na may paglilinlang?” Hontiveros asked.
Rodriguez attended and made an opening statement at the BRC hearing but immediately excused himself afterwards. This prompted Hontiveros to file a motion to recall him in the next hearing as many questions remained unanswered.
“Dapat pa niyang sagutin ang ilang mga nakabinbin pang katanungan. I respectfully move to recall him to answer questions before this body,” she said. Such motion was carried and supported by her fellow senators.
Hontiveros then reiterated her call to immediately appoint a competent agriculture secretary who would focus on preventing a looming sugar supply crisis.
“This only drives home the point na kailangang-kailangan na talaga natin ng maayos na liderato sa DA. I hope this is not a portent of things to come: maglalabas ng order, iaatras ang order, idedeny na sangkot sa order,” she said.
“This was not about one man misinterpreting intent and acting outside powers. This is the fallout of a messy, haphazard bureaucracy. Wag na natin i-minimize ang damage na nagawa nito,” Hontiveros concluded.
Nabahala si Senator Idol Raffy Tulfo sa patuloy na pagdami ng mga pyramid schemes na nagpapanggap na mga lehitimong multi-level marketing (MLM) companies na bumibiktima sa mga consumers.
Sabi ni Tulfo, na Vice Chairperson ng Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship, ang Department of Trade Industry (DTI) ay dapat nakikipagugnayan sa kaukulang regulating agencies para magampanan ang resposibilidad nito na protektahan ang mga consumers.
“Nakakabahala na dumarami pa din itong so-called multilevel marketing companies who have been duping innocent Filipino people by promising them with big bucks and good future, and until now the issues remain unacted upon because DTI is saying that they don’t have jurisdiction over such concerns,” saad ni Idol.
“DTI should find a way to address these consumer concerns. Kapag mayroong nagreklamo sa kanila, hindi nila pwedeng sabihin na wala kaming magagawa because they have a duty to the Filipino consumers.
“The department can always coordinate with regulating agencies to ensure that consumer concerns are properly acted upon. If they need help with legislation since they have limited powers, the Congress is here as well to help them so they could fulfill their mandate,” dagdag niya.
Sa virtual organizational meeting ng Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship noong Lunes, Agosto 22, sinabi ni Tulfo na marami ng mga lumapit sa kanya para humingi ng tulong dahil nabiktima sila ng mga scammers na diumano’y parte ng MLM companies.
Kung kinakailangan, iginiit ni Tulfo na maaari ding makipag-ugnayan ang DTI sa awtoridad.
“Aside from the regulating agencies, andiyan din ang NBI at PNP. Siguro po pwede kayong makipagtulungan din sa kanila kung kinakailangan para mapigilan itong ginagawang pang-i-scam ng mga nagpapanggap na multilevel companies sa mga kawawang consumers,” aniya Tulfo.
Nabahala din ang Senador sa mga recidivists na nagtatayo ng bagong kumpanya matapos na maipasara dahil nangloko ng tao.
“Anong guarantee mayroon ang kababayan natin na itong recidivists o mga mandarambong na paulit-ulit na nangloloko using one name after another ay di na psila maloloko uli?” tanong niya.
“The Securities and Exchange Commission should intensify its efforts in filtering and crosschecking these companies by ensuring that proper mechanisms are in place,” dagdag ng Senador.
Q: Sir, Binanggit ninyo na dalawang senador, kasamahan ninyo, na same modus din po ‘yong nangyari, nagpakilala rin na local official at hinihingan din sila ng pera?
SP Zubiri: Yes, same modus. [Nag]panggap bilang gobernador, at humingi ng tulong para sa kanilang convention, at insistent talaga silang mabigyan ng pera. Grabeng pangungulit, ‘yong text ko nga eh, napakarami, na-screenshot ko na nga lahat para di ma-erase, for purposes of evidence.
No’ng tatawagang mo sila, hindi nila sasagutin, at magtetextback sayo. Sasabihin nila, ano sila, nasa malayong lugar, mahina signal, nasa coastal area. Iyon ang sagot nila, nasa coastal area, and talagang nakakaduda. Eh hindi naman tayo bobo, matalino naman – kaibigan naman natin lahat ng pulitiko, we can verify this.
Pero paano kung hindi po makapangyarihan ang tatawagan nila? Paano kung isang businessman o isang inosenteng indibidwal, syempre, madadali sila sa ganitong klaseng modus operandi, matatakot din sila. Kaya napakahalaga na mag-ingat po tayo.
And you know, this happened already. ‘Di ba ‘yong sa credit card scam ni Sen. Gatchalian, nawalan po siya ng P1 million. The last Congress, I was able to assist Senate President Sotto, together with Sen. Tolentino – and you can ask the staff of these two gentlemen, together with the former sergeant-at-arms of the Senate – dahil nireport po namin ito sa NBI at nahuli po ‘yong mamang nagpapanggap na governor of Guimaras.
Kinausap ako ni Sen. Tolentino and of course, SP Sotto at that time, kung kilala ko po ‘yong governor ng Guimaras dahil syempre, taga-Visayas, Mindanao po ako and, sabi ko, “Opo,” and tinanong niya, “Totoo ba ‘to, humingi ng pera sa akin para sa kanilang lakbay aral?”
So tinawagan ko po ‘yong office ng governor at sabi nila: “Hindi po, hindi po totoo ‘yan.” As a matter of fact ang dami nang may complaint galing sa iba’t ibang senador. One of which was Sen. Villar, dahil nilapitan using the name of that governor.
So halatang itong raket ay matagal nang nangyayari. It’s happened in several Congresses, and so we are warning those who are planning to do this type of estafa, extortion, pambobola, usurpation of authority, na mag-ingat po kayo. Kasi mahahanap po’t mahahanap kayo, at makukulong din po kayo. Makakasuhan [kayo]. This is not new, but we want to make sure that the pressure is on.
Pwede ko naman ‘tong pabayaan na lang, I could’ve just deleted it, blocked the number, pero inisip ko, noong nalaman ko kay Sen. Nancy at sa ibang senador na sila din po ay, well, there was an attempt to also extort from them and to dupe them, ay sabi ko: “Dapat siguro, hulihin na natin ‘to.” Kaya kinausap ko agad si Chief PNP at sabi niya sa ‘kin, “Hindi, hulihin natin Sen. Para at least turuan ng leksyon itong mga ito.”
That’s why we did what we have to do. Pero sabi ko nga, kung humingi lang ng tulong sa akin ‘yon, ‘di ba, eh maliit lang naman ang halaga. Kung humingi lang sa akin ng tulong ang mga tao, may pangangailangan, na emergency, tutulungan natin. Huwag na sana silang [mag]panggap bilang ibang tao at manloko.
Q: Can you help us understand what happened during the Commission on Appointments (CA) yesterday, because, well, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano was supposed to be part of the majority bloc and then suddenly he became the CA minority leader. What will happen to Senator Risa Hontiveros? From what we understand, isa lang ‘yong dapat na minority sa CA.
SP Zubiri: Actually, admittedly by Sen. Joel Villanueva nabanggit niya kasi ‘yong pangalan ni Sen. Cayetano as part of the majority on the floor. But Sen. Cayetano is not part of the majority, he is an independent member of the Senate. Let us correct this once and for all: he did not vote for me. Under the Rules of the House and of the Senate, those who do not vote for you, are usually part of the minority. Same goes through to the House, same goes through for the Senate. Hindi po siya bumoto sa akin, dalawampu lang po kami, ang members ng majority.
Technically, he’s part of the minority but he declares himself as an independent member which has precedent in the past with senators like, Sen. Serge Osmena, and others. Sen. Joker Arroyo at one point also, and Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago also declared themselves as independent members of the Senate. So, technically under the rules, he is part of the minority. Apat lang sila hindi bumoto sa akin. And so, in the declaration of the members of the CA, that’s why I corrected it. I spoke and put on record that he is actually an independent member of the Senate and should have been detailed in the letter as independent, not as a member of the majority.
The Commission on Appointments is an independent Constitutional Body. Hindi po ‘yan Kongreso o Senado. ‘Yan po ay independent Constitutional Body made out of the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Now, iba ‘yong composition diyan ng minority. Yan din ang explanation ko kay Risa. Sabi ko, ‘yong minority ng CA is different from the minority both of the House, and of the Senate. Ibang composition yan, so its not necessarily true that if you are member of the minority in the Senate, that you are automatically the minority leader of the CA.
It is the members of the minority in the CA that will decide on who will lead the CA minority leader contingent. It just so happened that by tradition, it is a Senator. Ano ‘yan eh, hatian. ‘Yong majority leader ng CA is a congressman and the minority leader is a senator because the CA is led by a Senator, which is myself, the Senate President and the co-chair, the vice-chair, is a Congressman.
So, in this case, may dalawang gustong lumaban as minority leader sa CA from the Senate. Hindi namin madesis’yonan eh, nag-caucus kami dito. Hindi madesis’yonan. Ayaw mag give-way ni Alan, ayaw din mag give-way ni Risa. Alan said: “Let’s just put it to a vote.” Of this, I said: “We in the majority cannot vote for you guys, kasi we are not within the realm of our responsibility to choose who are the members of the minority.
That’s not how it is,” ‘Yong mga member ng minority ang pipili kung sino ang mag-le-lead sa kanila. It so happened that the two members of the minority in the House – Cong. Johnny Pimentel and Cong. GP Padiernos chose Alan Cayetano to lead the minority bloc in the CA.
Wala na po kami magagawa diyan, that is not my responsibility that is not my watch. I have no say; I am just relaying to you what transpired yesterday.
Q: Sir, technically, how many seats should be allotted to the minority bloc, kasi it’s still a numbers game, ‘di ba?
SP Zubiri: I believe it’s still one minority leader and two assistant minority leaders, right? In this case, there is only one minority member in the CA kasi hatian yan e. ‘yong CA sa Senate – there are 24 Senators, there are 12 seats. The Supreme Court has already ruled: It is either political party distribution, ‘yong equitable distribution to political parties, or sa Senado pili ka ng partner at sa inyong dalawa, mag desisyon kayo kung sino uupo sa CA. That is the hatian ng CA, yan ‘yong bibigyan na allocations. That is of course, thoroughly discussed and has been decided upon by the Supreme Court.
Q: So, sa Senate, dalawa sila, isa lang dapat ‘yong matitira?
SP Zubiri: Ang nangyari diyan nagpili sina Sen. Koko Pimentel and Sen. Risa Hontiveros, dalawa po sila. So, meron po silang isang Senate seat. They had to decide amongst themselves which amongst themselves will sit in the CA contingent. Sabi ni Sen. Koko, it is Sen. Risa Hontiveros that will represent him in the Commission of Appointments. Senator Cayetano, dalawa din po sila. Magkapatid. Senators Pia and Alan Cayetano.
They decided that Sen. Alan Cayetano will sit as a member of the CA. That is why they are in the CA contingent. To clarify, I did not choose them, they chose themselves under the distribution allocation that is explained by the Supreme Court as it was valid and legal under the Constitution.
Q: Just to clarify lang, sir. Sen. Cayetano is not part of the Senate minority, representing the minority bloc in the CA.
SP Zubiri: No, Senator Cayetano is an independent member of the Senate in the CA but he considers himself part of the minority.
Q: As you mentioned, SP, he and Sen. Pia are part of the minority or hindi?
SP Zubiri: Technically, under the Rules, those who did not vote for me are part of the minority.
Q: Sir, would you advise Sen. Risa to, somehow, just accept —
SP Zubiri: That is not part of my powers to tell them what to do. Alam mo naman na consultative ako. We are Rules-based, naman. In fairness, we are Rules-based. We just follow the Rules. In this case, it was the minority elected Sen. Cayetano. Wala po kami pakialam doon. ‘Yong members of the majority, wala po kami pakialam.
Q: Sir, kailan po kayo nag-usap ni Sen. Risa, you said, ‘yong sinabihan niyo po siya na iba ‘yong sa CA?
SP Zubiri: Yeah, here we were in a caucus yesterday at 11 before the plenary kasi ‘yon nga, gusto niya maging minority leader. Sabi ko, gusto din ni Sen. Cayetano maging minority leader. So, tinawag ko po ang ating mga senador, nandito po kami lahat, and I had to explain to them that, ladies and gentlemen, this is a different organization, different body, it’s a Constitutional Body. This body now will decide who will become – it is automatic that the Senate President will head the Commission on Appointments, that’s under the Constitution. No question iyan. The heading of the majority leadership position, and the minority leadership position, that is the choice between the body to make.
In this case, tradition dictates that the majority leader is a member of the House. The minority leader is a member of the Senate and therefor there is an election for the majority leader. There is a nomination for Congressman LRay Villafuerte to head the majority bloc of the CA. No one objected. So, then he was elected to the post of majority leader. When the question came up on minority leader, Cong. GP Padiernos nominated Alan Cayetano. At the same time, supported by the two members of the House. The other member of the House minority in the CA which is Cong. Johnny Pimentel. So, the score is 3-1. So tumayo na si Sen. Risa.
Let me correct, there was no vote done on the floor, by acclamation lang po ito, but she, of course, gave her apprehensions and manifestation dahil gusto nga niya maging minority leader. But, at the end, we did not anymore decide to call a nominal vote. Hindi na lang po siya nag-nominal vote, so si Senator Cayetano ang naging minority leader via acclamation. There was no vote, just like what I was talking about.
Ang nangyari, obviously she saw that there was two other members of the minority voting for Sen. Cayetano and therefor she no longer had the vote and therefor it was by acclamation na lang. That is the business of the minority, we have nothing to do with that. Best that you interview na lang the two of them. Ako, I have nothing to do, I do not want to get involved with that problem.
MANILA, Philippines – Local government units play a hand in the shipment of illegal drugs in the country, said Senator Robin Padilla.
The neophyte lawmaker on Tuesday acknowledged the need for stronger campaigns against illegal drugs on the barangay level.
“Ako po ay naniniwala talaga na ang battleground, nasa local government. Doon po talaga ang banatan – sa barangay,” he said during the organizational meeting of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs.
But Padilla also pointed out that the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other government agencies in the country are responsible for investigating local government units’ role in facilitating drug shipments into the country’s ports.
“Isa pong masakit na katotohanan. Meron talagang involved na local governments. Iyon po ang malungkot. Hindi naman po kayo makaka-landing sa dagat kung walang go signal noong local government,” the senator added.
Padilla then went on to echo what the PNP said earlier about establishing rehabilitation programs for drug suspects.
“Kailangan ko lang po talagang itulak dito. Hindi naman po pwedeng walang rehabilitasyon. Kailangan po may rehabilitasyon sapagkat meron po talagang mga biktima rito. Iyong mga biktima po rito, kawawa naman po kung wala tayong programa,” he said.
Even before he topped the senatorial race in the 2022 election, Padilla had been a staunch supporter of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal war on drugs.
He argued that extrajudicial killings that marred the erstwhile administration’s war on drugs are part of the government’s efforts to combat criminality in the country.
Hindi turo ng Islam ang manakit ng mga kasambahay, kabilang na rito ang mga overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Iginiit ito ni Sen. Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla nitong Miyerkules, matapos ipalabas ni Sen. Raffy Tulfo bilang bahagi ng kanyang privilege speech ang mga video ng pananakit sa mga OFWs ng kanilang mga amo sa ibang bansa, kabilang ang mga nasa Gitnang Silangan.
Ani Padilla, nasaktan siya matapos mabanggit na ilan sa mga bansa kung saan nangyari ang pang-aabusong ito ay mga lugar kung saan ang Muslim ang karamihang naninirahan, tulad ng Kuwait, Saudi Arabia at United Arab Emirates.
“Meron lang po akong gustong linawin. Ang mga ganap na ito ay hindi po katuruan ng Muslim. Wala po ito sa katuruan namin. Katunayan, ang turo po sa amin ng Propetang Mohammad, kailanman kahit sinong tao dapat tratuhin mong pantay-pantay lalo na po ang tinatawag nating servants, kasambahay, katulong. Sila po ay pinoproteksyunan ng Islam,” wika ni Padilla.
“Kaya po sana hinihingi ko ang patawad ng aking mga kababayan sa ganap na ito sapagka’t ang mga gumagawa po nito ay matatawag nating mga Arabo. Huwag po natin tawagin na mga Muslim,” dagdag ng mambabatas na ang pangalang Muslim ay Abdul Aziz.
Humingi siya ng tulong kay Sen. Tulfo para mabigyan ang ating mga OFWs ng kahit na basic education sa lengwahe at kultura sa bayang pupuntahan.
Iginiit din ni Padilla na dapat parusahan ang mga napatunayan na nagpabaya sa mga OFW.
“Intindihin ninyo, patawarin nyo po kami sa kagagawan ng aming mga kapatid kung sila ay talagang karumal dumal po. Gusto ko ang linawin na wala itong kinalaman sa Islam. Yun lang po,” ani Padilla.
Buong pusong tinaggap ni Senator Idol Raffy Tulfo ang tungkulin bilang Chairman ng Committee on Migrant Workers na naglalayong maisulong ang karatan ng Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
Sa kanyang unang privilege speech sa Plenary Session ng Senado kahapon, Aug.17, sinabi ni Tulfo na bagama’t mayroong mga ginawang hakbang ang gobyerno para matigil ang pang-aabuso sa OFWS, sinabi niya na ito ay hindi sapat.
“I have fought against the abuses our OFWs have faced for my whole career of twenty years. I am proud that our OFWs have seen me as safe harbor whenever they were desperate to send their family members home. But, admittedly, my solutions were only symptomatic treatment to a systematic problem,” saad niya
“The birth of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is the rebirth of hope that we may yet fix the system and improve our means to be proactive in the defense of our OFWs and I am more than elated when I was given the honor to be the first chairman of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers,” dagdag ni Tulfo.
Nagpalabas si Tulfo ng ilang video clips na nagpapakita ng pang-aabuso sa mga OFWs ng kanilang banyagang employers.
“My dear colleagues, happiness in the life of an OFW is never guaranteed. The reality of the situation is that many of our countrymen are habitually abused by their foreign employers,” saad ni Tulfo.
“Hinding-hindi ko masikmura makakita ng anak na umiiyak sa kanyang nawalang nanay. Isang ama na napilitang mamalimos para mabayaran ang lamay ng kanyang anak.
“At hinding-hindi na natin pwede hayaan na mayroong mga kamag-anak na magugulat na lamang na ang nagpapadala sa kanila ng kanilang balikbayan box ay kanilang susunduin sa airport na nakakahon,” dagdag niya.
Ayon sa Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), ang bilang ng mga manggagawang Pilipino sa ibang bansa mula Abril hanggang Setyembre 2020 ay tinatayang nasa 1.77 milyon.
Sa pagbuo ng DMW ng Committee on Migrant Workers, iginiit ni Tulfo na tututukan nila ang paghahain ng batas na magbibigay-daan sa mga embahada sa ibang bansa na subaybayan ang mga OFWs nang matiyak na maiiwasan na agad ang pang-aabuso sa kanila bago pa man ito magsimula.
“We, standing as one, have the opportunity to pass laws that would authorize our embassies abroad to institute offices dedicated solely to the vetting of prospective employers and the enforcement of the laws that are meant to protect our OFWs,” saad niya.
“Magkakaroon po tayo ng paraan na mapigilan ang panghahalay sa unang pagkakataon na makita nating maaari itong mangyari. Magkakaroon po tayo ng paraan na mas mabilis masundo ang ating OFW na pinagbabantaan na saktan ng kanyang amo.
“At magkakaroon po tayo ng paraan para mabigyan ng nararapat na representasyon ang ating OFW na may kaso laban sa kanyang amo upang maramdaman niya ang suporta ng inang bayan kahit na sa lupa ng banyaga,” dagdag niya.
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri, in a privilege speech Monday, August 15, 2022, urges the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to investigate the recently exposed irregularities at the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) and asked its high ranking officials to resign.
“This recent fiasco has put a spotlight not only on the SRA’s blatant disregard for the local sugar industry, but also on its bald-faced attempts to usurp authority. Thus, I ask my colleagues in the Senate, particularly the Blue Ribbon Committee, to open an investigation and get to the bottom of this shameful incident, and see whether cases need to be filed against the persons involved. Let us investigate this, and let us find ways to build a better, more responsive, and more inclusive SRA,” Zubiri said.
“Marami sa ating workers ay mga rebel returnee. ‘Pag bumagsak ang industriya hindi malayong babalik sila sa kabundukan at sumapi sa dati nilang mga kasamahan,” Zubiri said.
Binatikos ni Senator Idol Raffy Tulfo ang Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) matapos siyang makatanggap ng reklamo mula sa isang vlogger at isang online seller na binisita umano sila sa kanilang mga tahanan ng mga tiga-BIR para magtanong tungkol sa kanilang buwis.
Binigyang-diin ni Idol na kung talagang gusto ng gobyerno na makakolekta ng sapat na pera mula sa buwis ng taumbayan, dapat nitong pagtuunan ng pansin ang mga big fish, tulad ng bigtime oil smugglers
“Bakit di nila unahing habulin ang mga bigtime oil smugglers na limpak-limpak na pera ang pwede nilang makolekta kumpara sa mga vloggers at individual online sellers na alam naman nilang barya-barya lamang ang makokolekta nila?” tanong ng Senador.
Bagama’t naniniwala siya na dapat magbayad ng kaukulang buwis ang mga Pilipino, sinabi ni Sen. Idol na dapat malaman ng gobyerno ang kanilang mga prayoridad kung gusto nilang i-maximize ang kita ng estado sa pamamagitan ng pagbubuwis.
Ipinunto ni Tulfo, Chairperson ng Senate Committee on Energy, na bilyon-bilyong piso taun-taon ang maaaring makolekta kung maayos lamang na ginagawa ng Bureau of Customs (BOC) ang kanilang tungkulin na labanan ang oil smuggling.
Upang labanan ang oil smuggling, pumasok ang gobyerno sa anim na taong kontrata sa Switzerland-based inspection services provider na Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS).
Duda si Tulfo kung epektibo nga ba ang ganitong teknolohiya dahil hindi naman nito napigilan ang oil smuggling.
“Justifiable ba yang contract kung laganap pa din ang oil smuggling sa bansa? The government should consider developing the same technology and training our people to properly operate it para makatipid tayo,” he suggested.
Sa kasulukuyang oil marking scheme naman, saad ni Tulfo: “Kahit mayroon ng marking scheme, marami pa ring mga nakakalusot at nai-smuggle na oil dahil may mga times na hindi nilalagyan ng oil marking itong mga barge from bigtime oil companies o di kaya ay hindi dine-declare lahat. Halimbawa, 1 out of 100 drums lang ang ide-declare at yung isa lamang ang malalagyan ng marking.
“Isa pang rampant ay itong tinatawag na ‘Paihi’ kung saan doon pa lamang sa laot ay tina-transfer na yung mga oil sa barko papunta sa mga barge at dine-deliver sa oil depot,” he added.
Sinabi ng Senador ang isyu ay dapat magtulak BIR at BOC na unahin ang paghabol sa mastermind ng oil smuggling sa halip na puntiryahin ang mga vlogger at online sellers na maliit ang kita.
“Bakit hindi na lang bisitahin ng mga taga BIR o BOC ang mga bahay at katukin ang mga pinto ng mga bigtime oil smugglers? Baka naman hindi nila ito kayang gawin dahil itong mga oil smugglers ang mismong kumakatok sa kanilang pinto every month to pay under the table,” aniya Tulfo.
Sa mga darating na linggo, sinabi ni Tulfo na maghahain siya ng Resolusyon para imbestigahan ang isyu.
The House Suffrage and Electoral Reforms committee has voted to postpone the December 5, 2022 barangay and youth council elections to December 4, 2023.
At least 12 members voted in favor of the measure even after the Commission on Elections informed the panel that postponing the December 2022 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections for at least year will entail an additional cost of P5 billion.
Only France Castro of Alliance of Concerned Teachers party-list and Raoul Manuel of Kabataan party-list voted against the postponement, saying this will rob the voters of their right to choose their public officials.
The House panel likewise carried the motion setting the tenure of those who will be elected in December 2023 and thereafter for three years.
Those elected during the December 2023 polls will start their term noontime of January 1, 2024.
The recent deal between ABS-CBN and TV5 “left a bad taste in the mouth”, said SAGIP Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, who still sounded very upset over the supposed misdeeds of the shuttered “Kapamilya” network.
“Last week, the merger between ABS-CBN and TV5 was announced. I think it was met by public skepticism based on the initial requests of TV stations and radio stations, requiring comment from this representation,” Marcoleta said in a privilege speech Monday afternoon, Aug. 15.
“To be honest, I think the merger left a bad taste in the mouth. It leaves much to be desired,” said the former deputy speaker.
He reminded him colleagues in the plenary that, in 2020, the House of Representatives “was able to establish several violations that justified the denial of that franchise” that was sought then by ABS-CBN.
Referring to the ABS-CBN-TV5 deal, Marcoleta claimed that there is a subsisting memorandum order from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), “that a franchise grantee should not enter into commercial agreements in which the NTC has jurisdiction”.
The veteran solon claimed that, aside from having a “list of violations”, ABS-CBN has, by his calculations, amassed a whopping P1.6 trillion in obligations. That’s around a third of the Philippines’ 2022 national budget.
“This representation calculated the administrative penalties that should be paid by ABS-CBN to the government, and my calculation totalled P1.6 trillion. If these can be considered as obligations to the national government then the NTC order, again, should be applied.”
Marcoleta continued his tirades against the television and radio giant.
“There were flagrant violations not only the rules and laws, but also the Constitution. I think even the Constitution was desecrated by ABS-CBN by violating the exclusive Filipino ownership and management of mass media by the issuance of what we call the Philippine depositary,” he said.
Marcoleta further claimed that the network had illegally terminated a handful of employees. “These cases were won in the Supreme Court, Mr. Speaker.”
And then there’s ABS-CBN’s alleged use of its subsidiary called Big Dipper “to operate like a tax shield in order to evade the payment of taxes, billions of taxes due to the government”.
Marcoleta lamented that the government agencies that should have taken action on the House’s findings against ABS-CBN “did not even bother the lacked the vigilance”.
Earlier, Marcoleta criticized the NTC, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) for supposedly being remiss either in the aftermath of House’s investigation on ABS-CBN, or the network’s deal with TV5.
Narito ang ilang pahayag ni Rep. Rodante Marcoleta ukol sa ginawang merger ng ABS-CBN at ng TV5: “TV 5 malaki yan, pagkatapos ABS-CBN, mamomonopolize ang industry dito. Wala bang say dito ang Philippine Competition Commission?”
“Hindi naman ganun, kaya nga tayo naglatag ng ganitong agency para tingnan ang lahat ng kapakanan ng mga apektadong sektor. Magiging monopoly ito kung tutuusin mo diba?”
Sa isang panayam naman kay Atty. Larry Gadon, maaaring maging sanhi ng revocation o denial ng anumang renewal ng kanilang prangkisa ang pakikipag-merge ng TV5 sa ABS-CBN.
May bahid na ng paglabag ang ABS-CBN hinggil sa foreign ownership and control ng kanilang network.
Kung sisilipin, nakasaad sa batas na dapat mga Pilipino lang ang magiging may-ari ng isang broadcasting network dito sa Pilipinas.
At dahil nga nag-merge na ang ABS-CBN at TV5, mababahiran na ang huli ng pera mula sa mga banyaga.
Sa naturang pakikipag-merge pa ng dalawa, nalabag na naman ang batas kaugnay sa pagkuha ng prangkisa lalong-lalo na ang ABS-CBN dahil hindi nito ginalang ang tamang proseso.
Iilan lang ito sa mga inisa-isa ni Gadon na mga nalabag sa kasalukuyan ng ABS-CBN at TV5.
Sa huli, sinabi ng law expert na hindi dapat makalimutan ang nauna nang violations ng ABS-CBN dahil marami pa itong hindi nabayaran na penalties.
Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – August 12, 2022
The influx of surrender of Abu Sayyaf Group members continues as another former violent extremist yielded to the joint elements of the AFP and PNP in Isabela City, Basilan on Thursday morning, August 11.
Salih Kiman Mustapha, a.k.a. Alih Kiman Mustafa handed over his M1 Carbine to the government forces at the Basilan Provincial Police Office (BPPO) based in Barangay Menzi, same city. He is a former member of the Basilan-based ASG under the late sub-leader Radzmil Jannatul.
Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, Commander of Joint Task Force Basilan said the joint elements of the PNP’s BPPO under Police Col. Pedro Martirez, Jr., 53rd and 54th Special Action Company of the 5th Special Action Battalion, and Regional Mobile Force Battalion BaSulTa, and; the AFP’s JTF Basilan and 101st Infantry Brigade facilitated the surrender of Mustapha.
Surrendered personality is now undergoing custodial debriefing at BPPO while his firearm was turned over to the Regional Forensic Unit of Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO BAR) for proper disposition. Mustapha is the third member of the ASG to surrender in Basilan within the week.
Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr., Commander of Western Mindanao Command said the influx of the ASG surrenders is a result of the intensified military operations and the strengthened collaboration between the AFP and PNP. “Our successes are also attributable to the good governance of our local chief executives and the programs initiated by the government.”
In the wake of the Land Transportation Office’s statement that it may go back to its previous IT provider, a lawmaker has urged Congress to probe the legality and ramifications of the plan.
In her privilege speech at the House session Tuesday afternoon, Rep. Bernadette Herrera (Bagong Henerasyon Party-list) questioned the need for such a change, pointing out what she said were the possible adverse results of the LTO’s “seemingly hasty” reaction.
Herrera said she would give the company the benefit of the doubt for the time being but claimed that this course of action may “set the agency backward by several steps”, and “ultimately result in increased costs and longer, more difficult transactions for the motoring public.”
“During my consultations with key stakeholders, they were very appreciative of the fact that the current IT provider of the LTO no longer charges interconnectivity fees for motor vehicle registration, driver’s license transactions, and law enforcement and traffic adjudication service transactions, unlike before,” Herrera emphasized.
“The LTO is claiming that the current system has glitches, but there are reports from the field which indicate that these glitches are actually due to human interventions and manual overrides done by agency personnel.”
Since 2018, the LTO’s IT systems provider has been Dermalog Identification Systems, a German company with a 27-year track record in biometrics and data security, with operations in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and India.
Dermalog replaced Stradcom Corporation, which held the billions-worth contract from 1998 to 2016.
The lawmaker went on to claim that her office had received reports that Dermalog tech representatives, data analysts, and systems engineers are not authorized to use basic working necessities, such as desks, tables, chairs, and “everyday office fixtures” when they visit LTO satellite offices.
This is because, she said, under the terms of their previous contract, Stradcom owns all IT-related hardware and equipment.
Herrera added that she had received reports that glitches were taking place because LTO personnel are manually over-riding the current IT system, and introducing person-to-person transactions in procedures.
“While these are just reports for now, I think the irony is not lost on my esteemed colleagues that an IT system designed to minimize human intervention is now being accused of glitches, because humans are over-riding it,” she said.
“If anything, it may give rise to public speculation on why the LTO appears to be in a rush to find a new IT supplier – or in this case, revert to a previous one – when they have a signed, active agreement with an existing corporation.”
Long lines at LTO offices
To recall, newly-minted LTO chief Teofilo Guadiz lambasted Dermalog’s services, blaming the information technology provider for the long lines of customers in need of service at the LTO’s offices.
Guadiz went on to say that for him, “the old IT system provides a better solution”, and that “Stradcom is welcome (to bid for their old contract).”
“An agency head that threatens to terminate a contract, and then publicly commends a possible bidder, may be considered a case of impropriety – but let’s give Asec. Guadiz the benefit of the doubt. Before anything else, however, we must examine if the commitments to Dermalog are being honored, and if that is the reason why their operations have encountered problems,” Herrera said in a statement sent to reporters.
Based on the stipulations of the LTO-Stradcom phase-out agreement last 2016, the LTO has full and complete rights of ownership of the database of motorists, thus Stradcom is required to turn over this information to the agency’s new IT contractor.
But Herrera claimed that according to unnamed sources from inside the LTO, Stradcom has yet to comply with this provision, despite the fact that the agency has paid them a total of P7.53 billion during the last four-year phase of their contract.
This absence of a database is allegedly one of the key reasons why Dermalog’s operations have experienced setbacks.
“Why suddenly go back to square one with another provider, especially since we are in the middle of improvements, and there are still considerable funds that the LTO has yet to spend to upgrade their current systems? There will surely be public skepticism about this, so we must ensure that such a drastic move can be fully justified,” Herrera said.
“Since this is an issue that will affect millions of our countrymen, it is first and foremost worthwhile to examine if the glitches happening at the LTO are indeed the fault of its current IT provider.”
Source: Philstar | Lawmaker calls for congressional inquiry into LTO’s IT system changes
Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian has resigned from his post at the Department of Agriculture (DA) following his role in the unauthorized signing of a sugar importation order, Malacañang announced Friday night.
Sebastian submitted his letter dated August 11, offering “to be relieved of my delegated authorities and the assignments and responsibilities in my capacity as Chief of Staff and Undersecretary.”
He admitted that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not give his authorization on the issuance of the order, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said.
“Nagbigay po ng letter of resignation si Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian,” she said in a Facebook live.
“Inaamin niya na nag-convene siya ng Sugar Regulatory Board at pumirma siya… Inaamin niyang walang pahintulot ito ng Pangulo,” Cruz-Angeles added.
Cruz-Angeles maintained that the meeting held for the issuance of the unauthorized resolution was “illegal” because it was not convened by Marcos, who concurrently chairs the Sugar Regulatory Board.
During the “Laging Handa” public briefing aired on state-run People’s Television Network Friday, Cruz-Angeles said “heads will roll” if there are sufficient findings against those involved in the unauthorized signing of a resolution that supposedly approved the importation of 300,000 metric tons (MT) of sugar.
Cruz-Angeles on Wednesday announced that Marcos rejected the Sugar Regulatory Administration’s (SRA) proposal to import 300,000 MT of sugar amid the high price of sugar in the market.
Prior to Cruz-Angeles’ announcement, the resolution which allegedly approved the sugar importation, was uploaded on the SRA website but later deleted.
Sebastian was a signatory in the resolution.
A copy of Sebastian’s resignation letter was made public by the Office of the Press Secretary.
Sebastian apologized to Marcos and assumed responsibility for the illegal issuance of the resolution.
“I sincerely offer my apologies, Your Excellency, for my having approved Sugar Order no. 4 on your behalf, and through the authority you had vested upon me. It has become clear that the same was not in keeping with your administration’s desired direction for the sugar industry. I take accountability and responsibility for its consequences,” he said.
Quizzed if there will be cases that will be slapped against Sebastian, Cruz-Angeles said “kapag administratiba ang kaso, ang pinakamataas na penalty ay dismissal. So, ‘pag napangunahan ng resignation, ‘yun na po ‘yun.”
“Ngayon, titignan natin ‘yung resulta ng imbestigasyon kung kinakailangan pa ng mas malalim na imbestigasyon that will require a law enforcement agency. Sa ngayon, ang nakikita natin ay the investigation is primarily administrative in nature,” she added.
Meantime, Cruz-Angeles clarified that Executive Secretary (ES) Victor Rodriguez has no role in the sugar importation order.
“He had nothing to do with this,” she said. “Wala pong kinalaman si ES sa importation resolution ng Sugar Regulatory Board. Hindi po siya ang nag-utos nang nag-convene nito,” she said.
Cruz-Angeles similarly refuted claims that Rodriguez has designated Sebastian as one of DA officials who may sign any document on behalf of the Executive Secretary and the President.
She made the clarification after she earlier noted that Rodriguez ordered the creation of an importation plan.
She said Rodriguez’ directive on the importation plan is “not illegal”.
“In fact, kailangan ang importation plan para makilatis ‘yung pinu-push nila na dapat mag-import daw ng asukal,” Cruz-Angeles said.
Several lawmakers have condemned the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) decision to delist some 1.3 million families from the government’s conditional cash transfer program, questioning its timing as poverty is believed to have worsened in recent years.
During Monday’s session at the House of Representatives, Northern Samar Rep. Paul Daza asked what was the basis of Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo announcement that the 1.3 million families have already graduated from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), or they were already out of the poverty threshold.
“I think we should all be concerned how this number of 1.3 million families came about. I would like to maybe get some data and information from the DSWD, how they came about in estimating or coming up with a number of 1.3 million families to be delisted,” the lawmaker, who is part of the House minority, said.
“I think we should all be worried that general statements are being said because it’s almost impossible that there are 30 percent of 4Ps families who are now beyond poverty, especially with the recent statistics that poverty incidence in the country rose by 2.6 percent during the pandemic. So mathematically, it doesn’t make sense,” he added.
“The President said during the SONA that the target for his administration is to bring down poverty to nine percent. The 4Ps program which is the flagship poverty alleviation program of the government — the policy should be reversed. We probably should be adding more families in 4Ps,” Daza noted.
“So I think there’s some inconsistencies with what we’ve heard from the executive branch, and this is something I think that the House of Representatives should look into,” he added.
Daza was referring to Press Secretary Trixie Cruz Angeles’ statement about Tulfo looking to delist 1.3 million families who have already graduated from poverty, which means they are no longer be eligible to receive cash dole-outs from the government.
Tulfo’s plan is expected to free up P15-billion worth of funds that would be allocated to new members of the program.
Rep. Jonathan Clement Abalos of the 4Ps party-list — the namesake of the program — meanwhile agreed with Daza’s take, stressing that only a small number of families have genuinely graduated from 4Ps prior to Tulfo’s plan, despite many being delisted.
According to Abalos, of the 1.2 million households who are no longer receiving benefits under 4Ps since the Aquino administration implemented it, 516,000 have pending issues to resolve but are still eligible, which means that they are not out of poverty.
Only 619,836 families have been deemed true graduates as their income rose above the poverty line, or are no longer eligible for the program.
“Based on DSWD official reports, the 4Ps has already served 5.5 million poor households nationwide since its inception. As of March 31, 2022, a total of 4.2 million households are still eligible to receive cash grants. This gives us a different of 1.2 million households — 516,000 of which are still eligible to receive grants but on hold pending data updates or resolution of grievance,” Abalos said.
“776,000 households are no longer eligible to receive grants […] are broken down as follows: 619,836 no more eligible members; 32,391, income above poverty threshold. From the foregoing, it can be deduced that only 652,227 households graduated from the 4Ps,” he added.
Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas and Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman also supported Diaz’s speech, with the latter noting that self-rated poverty, or the belief that one’s family is actually poor, being even higher than the government data on poverty.
However, lawmakers are not the first to oppose Tulfo’s move. Last July also, several former officials of DSWD said that the system where the government would give cash incentives to people who exposed unqualified 4Ps beneficiaries would make recipients turn against each other, similar to the “Makapili” during the Japanese occupation era.
The Makapili was a dreaded and loathed part of society, as they were Filipinos who sided with the Japanese in spying and exposing alleged guerrilla fighters. Senator Koko Pimentel, meanwhile, said that this system veers away from the goal of the 4Ps, which is to help poor families.
DSWD consulting with 4Ps beneficiaries in cleaning list
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Friday that it has touched base with community leaders to ensure that its plan to delist some 1.3 million households from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) will be based on merit.
“Ang ginawa po natin, nagpatawag po ako ng pulong ng lider po, iyong mga lider po nila – iyong tinatawag na Samahan ng mga 4Ps beneficiaries three days ago. At sa kanila ko kukunin [ang] listahan, kung sino ang mga nakakatayo na sa sarili nilang paa versus sa listahan namin na sinurvey po namin na ito ay graduating na sa 4Ps,” DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo said in a public briefing.
“So, para magtugma-tugma, kasi sila mismo ang may direktamenteng contact sa mga beneficiaries every week, or every two weeks. So alam po nila. At nangako sila na bibigyan po ako nila ng listahan kung sino sa mga miyembro nila na puwede nang bitawan or puwede nang grumadweyt para wala hong sisihan at saka tatama po kami,” he added.
Earlier, several lawmakers from the minority bloc of the House of Representatives said they will look into the DSWD’S plan to purge its 4Ps list. They expressed doubts that all of the 1.3 million families were no longer poor amid the pandemic which increased the unemployed.
The 4Ps program provides monthly cash grant to poorest of the poor households, provided they comply with conditions that promote human development goals such attending family development sessions, keeping their children in school, among others.
Tulfo also said the DSWD is working on simplifying the process of getting into the Pantawid program to make it more accessible to poor sectors such as single mothers, indigenous peoples and farmers.
“Itong 4Ps, as much possible, gusto kong makapasok—marami pong mga single moms ang nagtatanong, papaano sila makapasok. mga magsasaka,” he said.
Tulfo said that in a recent visit to Palawan, farmers and fisherfolk have complained that they are not in the 4Ps program even if they are only earning P6,000 a month.
“We are looking, in the next few months, to set certain days for the registration of these individuals once we clean up our list. We will be delisting households, so we will be having them replaced,” he said.
“These are the individuals who are yet to be surveyed by the National Housing Targeting Office,” he added.
Pinalalansag ni Senador Imee Marcos ang namamayagpag na sindikato ng mga kawatan sa Department of Agriculture matapos nilang gamitin ang Office of the President para palusutin ang binabalak na importasyon ng asukal.
Pinuri din ni Marcos si PBBM sa pagbasura sa planong importasyon ng 300,000 metriko toneladang asukal, kasabay ng hirit sa pangulo na magsagawa ng rigodon sa matataas na opisyal ng DA para buwagin na ang mga kriminal na sindikato sa gobyerno.
” ‘Wag ninyong niloloko ang ading ko!” banta ni senador Marcos.
Isinumbong sa opisina ni Marcos ng mga lokal na producer ng asukal na sumirit ang presyo ng asukal ng lampas sa P100 kada kilo dahil binabakuran ng mga switik na manufacturer ng sugared products ang mga imported na asukal kaya hindi na ito umaabot sa mga konsyumer.
Dagdag pa ng mga producer, may dalawang linggo nang inabanse ng mga sugar miller ang pag-proseso sa lokal na asukal na ilalagak sa mga retailers sa katapusan ng buwan.
Pinaiimbestigahan ni Marcos si DA Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian at iba pang mga opisyal ng ahensya kung bakit binawi ang pagharang sa importasyon ng mga processed animal protein (PAP) galing Italy at iba pang bansa na kontaminado ng African Swine Fever (ASF).
Binuko ni Marcos si Sebastian na sumang-ayon sa banta ng ASF sa pirmado nitong memo noong August 5 na magpapalusot sa pag-angkat ng PAP sa bansa.
Dagdag ng senador, may 1,000 na mga baboy ang pinatay sa Roma noong Hunyo para di na kumalat pa ang ASF doon.
Babala ni Marcos, mamemerwisyo na naman sa mga lokal na magbababoy ang ASF oras na pinalusot sa bansa ang porcine PAP, gayong sumisipa pa lang sila para maakahon sa pesteng dulot nito sa kanilang babuyan.
Ginagamit ng lokal na industriya ng pangisdaan ang porcine PAP na gawa sa balat, dugo at buto ng baboy dahil mas mura itong pagkain ng mga isda na layong maibaba ang presyo ng isda sa bansa.
Binigyang diin ni Marcos na hindi tamang “magbubulag-bulagan sa maaaring paglusot ng ASF para paboran ang isang sektor sa agrikultura na ikapapamahak naman ng iba.”
Senator Idol Raffy Tulfo called for a Senate investigation into the persistent and recurring power outages and rotational blackouts in the different parts of the country, as well as the rising cost of electricity amid these power interruptions.
Tulfo, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Energy, filed Proposed Senate Resolution (PSR) No. 107 seeking to find an immediate solution to an impending energy crisis and adopt necessary legislative measures that will provide long-term energy security, sufficiency and stability to all Filipinos.
“Hindi ko tatantanan itong problemang ito hanggang hindi nabibigyan ng solusyon. Tamaan na ang dapat tamaan. Sagasaan na ang dapat sagasaan, para sa kapakanan at ikabubuti ng mga taong nire-represent ko at ng mga taong bumoto sa akin,” he said in a press conference held at the Senate Press Office after the filing of the Proposed Resolution yesterday, Aug. 8.
In filing PSR No. 107, Tulfo cited various reports claiming that by early to mid-2022, the Philippines might be in for a serious energy crisis, with allegations of thinning power reserves, outdated energy system and the impending depletion of the Malampaya gas fields.
The most perplexing concerns relative to the alleged forthcoming energy crisis are the cases of Oriental Mindoro and Albay, with reports of power and electric supply interruptions pervasive almost every day in these provinces, thus, power outages unreasonably becoming a way of life to their residents.
In June 2022, at least 78 power interruption notices were announced by APEC (Albay Power and Energy Corp.) on its social media account, with at least 39 of those were scheduled power interruptions and there were 37 emergency power interruptions.
Both Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, meanwhile, have been enduring six to 14 hours of power outages every day since June 27 causing shortage in power supply affecting over a million of its residents.
“This problem has been going on again and again. Ito pa ang masaklap, pagdating ng oras ng bayaran ng kuryente, mataas ang singil sa consumers at mayroon pang pagbabanta, sa mga residente ito ng Mindoro, na kapag hindi ka nagbayad on time doon sa mataas na singil ng kuryente, ay puputulan ka ng linya,” he said.
“Adding insult to the injury, napag-alaman ko, base sa isang reklamo sa aking program na ‘Wanted sa Radyo,’ na mayroon pang gana at kapal ng mukha itong mga taga-Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative o ORMECO na magpadagdag ng kanilang sweldo at bonus,” he added.
In his Resolution, Tulfo said the inexplicable power supply interruptions and power rate hikes have caused enormous discomfort, disturbance, and inconvenience to the Filipino people, essentially robbing them of their Constitutional right to quality life.
Aside from consumers in Albay and Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, residents of Camarines Norte , Laoag City and Olongapo City have also demanded explanations from authorities, particularly from electric cooperatives, on the rising rates of electricity despite scarcity in supply.
There were also numerous complaints regarding unfair electricity charges and power outages, particularly from the consumers of Oriental Mindoro, Nueva Ecija, Northern Samar, Pampanga, Batangas, Quezon Province, South Cotabato, Maguindanao, Laguna, Zamboanga, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Marinduque, Camarines Norte, Isabela, Masbate, Aurora, Bicol, Southern Leyte and Davao Oriental, abound in different social media forums.
Isinulong ni Sen. Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla ang karapatan ng mga same-sex couples para magkaroon ng civil union, sa pamamagitan ng paghain ng isang panukalang batas para rito.
Ayon kay Padilla, sang-ayon ito sa Sec. 1, Art. III ng ating Saligang Batas na nagbibigay ng pantay na proteksyon sa karapatan ng lahat.
“This representation believes it is high time that the Philippines provides equal rights and recognition for couples of the same sex with no prejudice as to sexual relationships are protected and recognized and given access to basic social protection and security,” ani Padilla sa Senate Bill 449.
“Providing equal rights and privileges for same-sex couples will in no way diminish or trample on the rights granted to married couples,” dagdag nito.
Idiniin ni Padilla na bagama’t tanggap na ang civil union ay tanggap na sa ibang bansa, wala pang batas ang Pilipinas para tiyakin ang karapatan para sa same-sex couples tulad ng para sa different-sex couples.
Sa ilalim ng panukalang batas, ang mga magsasama sa civil union ay hindi dapat bababa sa 18 ang edad, at hindi kasama sa dating kasal o civil union. Kailangan din nila ng license para sa civil union mula sa civil registrar.
Kailangan ding may personal appearance ang dalawang magsasama sa isang civil union ceremony na may hindi bababa sa dalawang testigo.
May karapatan ang mga nasa civil union para magmana, mag-ampon, at magkaroon ng benepisyo sa social security at insurance.
Samantala, multang aabot sa P1 milyon o pagkulong ng hanggang 10 taon ang parusa para sa pagtanggi sa pag-isyu ng civil union license o certificate, at sa diskriminasyon sa trabaho.
Confusion arose yesterday after President Marcos denied approving a plan to import 300,000 metric tons of raw and refined sugar.
Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said in a statement that the President rejected a plan to import more sugar.
“He is the chairman of the Sugar Regulatory Board and denied this in no uncertain terms,” Cruz-Angeles said in response to the order issued by the Sugar Regulatory Administration clearing the importation of additional sugar to address tight sugar supply and skyrocketing prices.
Industry players could only speculate as to why the President, who chairs the SRA board, thumbed down the importation of additional sugar.
In a text message to The STAR, Luzon Federation of Sugarcane Growers Association (LuzonFed) president Arnel Toreja said the latest events show some anomalies in the order.
“The raw sugar importation should not happen, so it’s possible that it is one reason why the President rejected it,” he said.
However, Torreja said importation could still be delayed since some sugarcane producers have already started harvesting.
Sugar Order No. 4 (SO4), which calls for the importation of 300,000 MT of sugar was posted on SRA’s website yesterday morning but was removed as of this writing.
SO4 was signed by DA Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian for President Marcos, who sits as SRA board chairman; SRA administrator and vice chairman Hermenegildo Serafica, and SRA members Roland Beltran and Gerardo Valderamma Jr.
Last July 29, the SRA conducted a stakeholders’ consultation with sugar planters, millers, refiners, and traders about the need to import sugar and the details of the import program.
Serafica earlier said there is no other way to address the problem but to import sugar.
Beltran, who represents the milling sector, said it has become imperative to import sugar considering the deflated buffer stock and the spiraling prices of sugar.
“Sugar Order No. 4 addresses the high prices of sugar, the requirements of the retail market, the industrials as well as the refineries that allows the importation of raw sugar for tolling purposes,” he said in a text message.
The SRA implemented last February a sugar importation program for 200,000 MT of refined sugar under Sugar Order No. 3 (SO3).
However, its implementation was stalled by temporary restraining orders (TROs) issued by two regional trial courts in Negros Occidental as sought by some sugar groups.
But even as importation under SO3 resumed, the SRA estimates that by Aug. 31, the country’s raw sugar balance would be around -35,231 MT and refined sugar balance would be -20,748.65 MT, significantly lower than the 228,690 MT “B” raw sugar balance and 195,000 MT refined sugar balance from the previous crop year.
Due to the tightening of supply, wholesale price of raw sugar and refined sugar reached P3,250 and P4,400 per 50-kilogram bag, respectively, as of July 31, based on data from SRA’s monitoring unit.
It also showed prevailing retail prices of raw and refined sugar breached P90 per kilogram in public wet markets, both higher than the suggested retail prices for the commodities.
In its final crop estimate, the SRA has projected raw sugar production to drop by 16 percent to 1.8 million MT this crop year from 2.143 million MT in the past season.
It also said that as of July 31, the actual production of raw sugar is 1.792 million MT and of refined sugar is 732,254 MT, down 16.18 percent and 2.84 percent, respectively, from last year’s levels.
This has led sugar retailers and businesses producing sugar containing products to complain over the unavailability of sugar in the market.
In terms of import arrival dates, the SRA said imported raw sugar for consumption should arrive the country no later than Oct. 15 while raw sugar for tolling into refined should arrive on or before Nov. 30.
Meanwhile, imported refined sugar must arrive no later than Nov. 30.
The Senate will implement a lockdown for guests for three weeks starting August 15, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri announced on Wednesday.
The stricter protocol came after Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Imee Marcos, and Cynthia Villar tested positive for COVID-19.
“For the record, papasok po tayong lahat. ‘Yung exempted lang sa pagpasok natin dito sa plenaryo ay ‘yung mga may COVID, ‘yung may sintomas, and ‘yung may close contacts,” Zubiri said during the plenary session.
“They will be allowed to avail of the hybrid system,” he added.
According to Zubiri, visitors allowed to enter the Senate compound are limited to resource persons only.
Each agency or organization will only be allowed to bring three resource persons. Others may participate virtually.
Visitors will be required to present a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test with a quick response (QR) code taken within 24 hours or an antigen test taken within 12 hours before entry to the upper chamber.
The COVID-19 test must be conducted by a facility accredited by the Department of Health.
During committee hearings, senators may be assisted by two staff members. Panel chairpersons may bring more.
Meanwhile, during sessions, the two-staff-per-senator rule will be imposed.
Further, in elevators, only five people will be limited at a time.
“In this case, it is the hybrid of the hybrid because we’re having hybrid sessions only for those members who have COVID-19 and those who have symptoms as well as exposure,” said Zubiri.
Independent analytics group Octa Research said that COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila may reach its peak next week as indicators have gone down.
PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF HON. LOREN LEGARDA International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples Senate of the Philippines August 10, 2022
Mr. President,
My dear colleagues,
I rise on a matter of personal and collective privilege.
August 9 marked a momentous day for indigenous peoples all over the world and in the Philippines because yesterday, we celebrated the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (IP) and the Philippine National IP Day.
In 2015, I sponsored Republic Act No. 10689, which declared August 9 as National Indigenous Peoples Day in recognition and protection of the rights and causes of the IPs across the country.
Pagkalipas ng pitong taon, labis kong ikinagagalak na makitang mas pinapahalagahan ng ating mga kapwang Pilipino ang ating mga kapatid na katutubo.
Every day, we see more Filipinos transforming traditional textiles and materials into beautiful, contemporary pieces, such as clothing, furniture, and artworks. We also see more public support, even clamor, for such creations. It is no secret that I, myself, have a deep love and appreciation for these tropical fabrics and native products. Indeed, today is a fitting recognition of our IPs who give meaning to our identity as Filipinos.
As we honor our IP brothers and sisters, the bearers of our cultural diversity, and their overwhelming contributions to our rich arts, culture, and heritage, may we also be reminded of how far we still need to go. Mr. President, my dear colleagues, nararapat nating bigyang pansin ang mga pangangailangan ng mga katutubong Pilipino at bigyang lunas ang kanilang mga suliranin.
There are 110 indigenous groups in the country, with each community possessing its own traditional knowledge and practices. More than expressing our appreciation for them, August 9 should serve as a constant reminder that we should provide the needed support for our IPs to strengthen their part in nation-building. It is also a timely reminder for us public servants to craft and promote measures that benefit our IPs and value their rights as we continue to protect our cultural heritage amid the challenges of modernization. The ways and means of our IPs may be considered “ancient” compared to those of the modern society, but everything that defines us as Filipinos is rooted in the creativity, resourcefulness, and passion of our forefathers.
For these reasons, I continue to advocate for policies and programs that would give respect, recognition, and opportunities due to our IPs. I spearheaded the creation of the National Museum’s Baybayin Gallery and Manlilikha ng Bayan Gallery. I have also dedicated my efforts in reviving the age-old tradition of weaving, creating the country’s first permanent textile gallery, Hibla ng Lahing Filipino at the National Museum, and leading the Hibla Travelling Exhibition which has already reached Portugal, Madrid, New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, Singapore, and Geneva, among others.
I have actively supported the creation of Schools of Living Traditions (SLTs), as well as the documentation of indigenous knowledge and traditional practices.
As a legislator, I also continue to fight for the strengthened protection of the rights and cultural heritage of our IPs and communities. As the Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities in 2011, I successfully organized regional assemblies–in Baguio City for Luzon IPs, in Iloilo City for Visayas IPs, and in Tagum City, Davao del Norte for Mindanao IPs–and the First National Indigenous Cultural Summit that served as avenues for dialogue with local and national policymakers as well as international institutions.
As Congresswoman of the lone district of Antique, I filed a resolution to investigate the sale of counterfeit Cordillera garments and fabrics from abroad.
In my return in the Senate this 19th Congress, I have filed Senate Bill No. 831, which underscores the important role our indigenous communities play as partners in the conservation and preservation of protected areas within their ancestral domains. I also filed the IP Resource Centers Bill under Senate Bill No. 838, as well as Senate Bill No. 839, or the proposed Traditional Property Rights of IPs Act, which seeks to support traditional artists and artisans by ensuring that their rights are safeguarded.
As a sign of gratitude for my work, the cultural communities of Mindanao adopted me as “Bae Matumpis,” which means “the one who takes care.”
These are only few among all our accomplishments in protecting and promoting the rights of our IPs, culture, and heritage. Despite these, there is still so much to be done. Imagine how much more we can accomplish if we further prioritize programs and initiatives aimed in addressing the needs and issues of indigenous communities.
That is why, Mr. President, my esteemed colleagues, as we honor the rich and vibrant culture of our IPs, I also urge each and every one of you to rise to the challenges and join me as “Bae Matumpis”.
Kung kinaya ng Pilipinas ang maglunsad ng makasaysayang pagkilos para sa karapatan nito sa West Philippine Sea, hindi ba ganyan din dapat ang pagpursigi sa karapatan natin sa Sabah?
Ito ang nilalaman ng unang privilege speech ni Sen. Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla nitong Martes, kung saan nanawagan siya sa pamahalaan na suportahan ang laban ng Sultanato ng Sulu para makuha ang bayad upa na $14.92 bilyon.
“Sariwa pa sa atin ang makasaysayang desisyon ng Hague Permanent Court of Arbitration noong 2016 ukol sa West Philippine Sea. Binuhusan ng pansin at panahon ang usaping ito na nagbunga ng monumental na desisyon para sa kapakinabangan ng bansa. Kung kinaya nating maglunsad ng makasaysayang pagkilos sa katulad na national agenda, bakit tila po salat na salat sa pansin ang Sabah?” aniya.
“Hindi natin maitatanggi: sensitibo ang paksa. Ngunit tulad ng lahat ng usapin na may malalim at mabigat na implikasyon sa ating Inang Bayan, hindi natin ito maaaring ipagsawalang bahala; hindi tayo maaaring manahimik na lamang,” dagdag niya.
Ani Padilla, karapat-dapat na “tulungan ng buong kapangyarihan ng ating pamahalaan ang mga tagapagmana ng Sultanato ng Sulu katulad ng pagtulong nito sa kahit sinong mamamayan sa loob at labas ng bansa.”
Iginiit niya na ang pagtulong ng pamahalaan sa kanyang mamamayan ay “mandato ng Estado,” at “hindi ito dapat pagmulan ng anumang tensyon sa relasyon ng Pilipinas at Malaysia.”
“Isipin natin: kung malaki ang kapakinabangan ng bansa mula sa desisyong ito – kabilang na ang buwis na bubuhos mula sa parangal sa mga claimants – bakit wala tayong ginagawa para tulungan sila?” aniya.
Ani Padilla, pinagbabayad ng French Arbitration Court ang Malaysia ng halagang $14.92 bilyon para sa pinaupahang teritoryo.
Sa loob ng 135 taon, alinsunod sa kasunduan noong 1878, tuloy-tuloy ang natatanggap na bayad-upa ng mga tagapagmana ng Sultanato, ani Padilla. Ito ang taunang bayad galing sa United Kingdom mula 1878 hanggang 1962 at sa gobyerno ng Malaysia naman mula 1963 hanggang 2013, kung kailan itinigil ng Malaysia ang taunang bayad-upa pagkatapos ng sigalot sa Lahad Datu.
Ang pagtigil ng pagbayad ang nag-udyok sa paghahain ng Sulu Royal family ng reklamo sa internasyonal na tribunal noong 2018 – nguni’t sa kabila ng tuloy-tuloy na paglilitis, hindi nagpaabot ng representasyon ang pamahalaan ng Malaysia liban na lamang sa tatlong pagkakataon. “Patuloy ang pangbabalewala ng gobyerno ng Malaysia sa arbitrasyon,” ani Padilla.
Sa kabila ng pikit-matang tugon ng gobyerno, napanalunan ng claimants ang kasong isinampa sa Madrid High Court noong Mayo 2020. Pinagtibay rin ng French Arbitration Court ang desisyon, at inatasan ang Malaysia na magbayad ng may kabuuhang $14.9 bilyon sa mga tagapagmana ng Sultanato.
“Nakadidismaya na sa panig natin ay pareho rin ang tugon ng pamahalaan. Hindi ba malaking kapabayaan na hinahayaan nating umasa na lamang ang Sultanato sa tulong ng pribadong organisasyon para tustusan ang kanilang lehitimong laban?” dagdag nito.
“Isapuso at isip po natin: Bilang Pilipino at iisang bansa, isang tagumpay ang panalo sa internasyunal na hukuman ng mga tagapagmana ng Sultanato para sa kanilang karapatan sa Sabah,” ani Padilla.
Mahalaga ang desisyon ng Arbitral Tribunal dahil binibigyan nito ng internasyonal na legal na pagkilala ang tunay na layunin ng mga partidong lumagda sa kasunduan sa Sabah mahigit isang siglo na ang nakararaan, ayon kay Padilla.
Dagdag ni Padilla, tinuran ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sa kanyang State of the Nation Address noong Hulyo na “I will not preside over any process that will abandon even one square inch of the territory of the Republic of the Philippines to any foreign power.”
Inimungkahi ni Sen. Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla ang ropeway o aerial cable cars bilang tugon sa problema ng trapik sa Metro Manila at ibang urban areas sa Pilipinas.
Ayon kay Padilla, nauuso ang paggamit ng ropeway sa ibang bahagi ng mundo – at maaari itong bagay sa Pilipinas, lalo na sa Metro Manila.
“Meron pong isang nauuso ngayon na kung tawagin po nila ay ropeway. Ito po ang paggamit ng cable. Nais ko din po sana na maimungkahi po sa inyo na ito ay bagay din sa Pilipinas lalong lalo na sa Metro Manila dahil sa trapik,” ani Padilla sa kanyang manifestation.
Ayon sa blog sa World Bank, ang mga aerial cable cars ay unti-unti nang ginagamit sa malalaking siyudad bilang alternatibong paraan ng transportasyon, kabilang ang Medellin sa Colombia noong 2004.
Iginiit ni Padilla na hindi uunlad ang bansa kung ang trapik ay masama.
“Noong ako ay nasa first year ng Criminology, pinagusapan po namin ang trapik. Yan ang isa sa mga subject diyan na sinabi doon na kapag ang trapik natin ay masama, ang pag-unlad ng isang bansa ay masama din,” aniya.
“Kaya nangangahulugan kailangan natin ayusin ang trapik. At maaayos lamang yan kung may magandang transportasyon,” dagdag ng mambabatas, na sumuporta sa mungkahi ni Sen. JV Ejercito patungkol sa pagpapalakas ng ating mga tren.
