Courtesy: Chinelas at Kuchinta
THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) expects a higher consolidation rate of public utility vehicle (PUV) operators / drivers after the consolidation deadline was extended by Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for three months or until April 30, 2024.
Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said the President extended the deadline to allow unconsolidated PUV operators / drivers to join the PUV Modernization Program.
“We’ll allow more to join as a result of the extension. With this extension, we can increase the consolidation rate to around 85 percent,” Sec. Bautista said during a media briefing Thursday.
Current nationwide consolidation rate stands at 76.6%.
The transport chief added that the extension will create more opportunities for transport workers, while ensuring that sufficient PUVs are operating.
“With the three-month extension, we encourage our drivers and operators to join the PUV modernization program. This gives them ample time to join the PUVMP and thus provide for their families,” the Secretary said.
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) National Capital Region Director Zona Tamayo backstopped the transport chief, saying the agency aims to reach 85% consolidation rate.
“We’ll abide by this projection,” said Director Tamayo.
In the same briefing, Sec. Bautista emphasized the benefits of the PUVMP’s consolidation component, explaining that the program will intends to improve PUV operations through efficient fleet management and dispatching.
“Napaka importante nitong component na consolidation because it will improve jeepney operations,” the transport chief said.
The PUVMP also provides commuter convenience and safety, the Secretary added.
“They will be able to adopt yung best practices. Ang idea nito ay magiging good travel experience sa ating mga pasahero,” he said.
Marcos urges Pinoys to continue remember heroic sacrifices of SAF 44
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. urged Filipinos to continue working hard as part of their contributions to the “Bagong Pilipinas” envisioned by the administration, citing the gallant sacrifice of the Special Action Force (SAF) 44 policemen who died for the love of the country.
“Huwag nating pababayaan ang kapay-paan na kanilang ipinaglaban. Sa pagpupugay sa SAF 44, patuloy tayong magsisikap tungo sa isang Bagong Pilipinas” President Marcos said during the remembrance of the heroic sacrifice of the SAF 44 at the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in Silang Cavite.
The President led the wreath-laying ceremony in honor and remembrance of the 9th death anniversary of the 44 SAF policemen whose sacrifices remained in the hearts and minds of Filipinos.
The chief executive said the Filipino people can only pay homage to the sacrifices of the SAF 44 by working tirelessly to realize their dreams for their family, their loved ones, for their comrades and for the people.
“It is now up to us, who lived, who benefitted from their full measure of devotion to duty, to build a kinder and gentler society, wherein those they have left behind can live in peace and prosperity. That is the mission they have left us to pursue when they did not return from their last patrol,” Marcos said.
“In their last hours, in that place of honor, we can draw many important lessons. The lesson such as to put nation before self. To display courage under fire. To resolve to forge ahead. To never give up. We would also be disrespecting their memory if we give quarters to those who terrorize our people,” he added.
“We would be devaluing their valor if we cede our territory to those who trespass upon it.”
The President said the people should also work hand in hand to achieve “the day when swords were pounded into plows.”
President Marcos said he is hoping that the loved ones of the SAF 44 can find comfort in their heroic sacrifices nine years ago as he called on the comrades-in-arms of the slain policemen to honor their memory “by never letting down the flag they fought for.”
“Be worthy stewards of their devotion to duty, their fidelity to the oath, and their love of country. Be the patriots and professionals who are driven by the same fearlessness and fortitude that the SAF 44 had shown,” President Marcos said.
“My countrymen, the defiant stand of the Brave 44 still echoes today. It is a clarion call for unity and action against the challenges we might face. Let our reverence for these men be always accompanied by a deeper reflection, so we too can summon the fight in ourselves to build a better future for our nation,” he added.
The 44 SAF commandos were killed in a firefight with insurgents during a police operation in a remote village in Mamasapano in Maguindanao on January 25, 2015.
The SAF operation, codenamed “Oplan Exodus,” successfully neutralized Malaysian bomb maker and Jemaah Islamiyah leader Zulkifli Bin Hir, alias Marwan.
The retreating SAF troopers, however, were ambushed by guerillas from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and other private armed groups, resulting in the deaths of 44 SAF policemen.
On February 21, 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte issued Proclamation No. 164, declaring January 25 of every year as the Day of National Remembrance for the SAF 44.
Tulfo questions PCSO on P500M additional cash prize in lotto draw
SENATOR Raffy Tulfo presides over the Games and Amusement Subcommittee hearing to discuss Senate Resolution No. (SRN) 253 or The Integrity and Trustworthiness of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Lotto Games, and SRN 466 or the Prize Fund Tax Remitted by the PCSO.
During Thursday’s hearing January 25, 2024, Tulfo said the committee wanted to ferret out the truth on an issue that has been tarnishing the reputation of the PCSO.
“We will tackle a very important and pressing issue that has been the main concern for a long time by many lotto players and that issue pertains to the integrity of the game,” Tulfo said.
The senator asked PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles why the agency gave P500 million as additional cash prize in the lotto draw.
In response, Robles said it was part of the PCSO marketing campaign to encourage more bettors and to boost revenue for charity.
STOP THIS FOOLISHNESS
Koko appeals to PBBM to step in Cha-cha brouhaha
SENATE Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III called upon President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to intervene in the ongoing Charter Change brouhaha, warning that the House of Representatives’ continued hijacking of the people’s initiative is seriously disrupting legislative works.
“Stop this foolishness,” Pimentel said in a television interview on Thursday.
“I hope the President will now step in and exercise the power and prerogatives of his office to stop this foolishness,” he said.
“Kami sa minority, alam namin na iisa lang ang bansa natin. We rise and fall on the performance of this administration. Therefore, we want this administration to succeed,” Pimentel said.
“Our role is to criticize, comment and test the ideas of this administration and the Senate majority,” he added.
Pimentel, thus, raised concerns about the disruption of legislative works caused by the House of Representatives’ hijacking of the people’s initiative, labeling this action as “wrong and immoral.”
The 1990 bar topnotcher and former Senate President explained that if the House leadership is keen on amending the Constitution, the available mode for legislators is through a constituent assembly.
“If you really want to amend the Constitution, let us not hijack the mode reserved for the genuine people’s voice,” Pimentel said.
“This is an abuse and a mistaken use of the third mode of amending the Constitution – people’s initiative – because na-hijacked na ng House of Representatives and proseso,” he said.
Pimentel added: “If they have brilliant ideas, the mode reserved for them is through a constituent assembly at huwag nilang i-hijack yung people’s initiative kasi para sa taumbayan yun.”
The minority leader said that due to the House of Representative’s alleged interference, there are now doubts if this is really a people’s initiative.
“Ang ibig bang sabihin, ang naunang naisip ng taumbayan ay procedural at palakasin ang kapangyarihan ng House of Representatives at sila na ang bahala. Do you think that’s people’s initiative?” Pimentel said.
Pimentel is referring to the amendment included in the so-called people’s initiative that will allow Congress to vote jointly.
Over 160 tons of highland vegetables sold in January through Kadiwa, DA
OVER 160 tons of highland vegetables were sold and will be sold this January through Kadiwa’s Veggie Connect and other market linkage programs of the Department of Agriculture.
The move, according to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr., will provide a much-needed financial boost to close to 100 farmers, preventing potential food wastage and providing consumers access to cheaper food.
“A total 163,189 kilograms [of vegetables] were sold and will be sold until January 26, 2024, assisting 93 farmers from the provinces of Mt. Province, Benguet and Ifugao,” said Atty. Jennilyn Dawayan, officer-in-charge of the office of the Regional Executive Director-Cordillera Administrative Region, in her report to Sec. Tiu Laurel.
“We will continue to provide Kadiwa services to farmers as may be needed,” she added.
Dawayan said the Kadiwa Veggie Connect started as a collaboration with the Cordillera Association of Regional Executives to help DA monitor vegetable supply and amount of unsold vegetables, particularly cabbages and Chinese cabbage whose prices have fallen due to a supply glut.
She said unsold vegetables from various trading posts totaling 11 tons were initially procured by the national government offices in Baguio City and neighboring areas between January 5 and 6. From January 8 to 14, farmers sold 44 tons, followed by 105.6 tons a week later at prices ranging from P10 to P15 per kilo, she added.
Some vegetable farmers in the Cordilleras usually opt to dump older inventory to prevent prices of vegetables from falling further when new harvests— those preferred by traders—arrive at trading posts.
Agriculture Secretary Tiu Laurel wants to improve and expand market access for farmers and fisherfolk as part of his 8-point plan to modernize agriculture, increase food production, lower food cost, ensure food security, and make farming and fishery a bankable investment alternative.
“It’s our goal to make agriculture a profitable venture for millions of farmers, fishermen and others in the value chain. By helping them bring their products directly to market, we’re not only helping agriculture workers and entrepreneurs but providing consumers access to lower-priced food products,” said Secretary Tiu Laurel.
“We hope to replicate this program in other parts of the country and in other agricultural products, including poultry, livestock, fish and high value crops,” he added.
Gina De Venecia, 15 other Pangasinan execs transfer to Lakas-CMD
THE ranks of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats continue to swell after local officials and political leaders from the 4th District of Pangasinan took their oath as new members of the party Wednesday afternoon.
Headlining the newest Lakas-CMD addition, the biggest party in the House of Representatives, is former Rep. Ma. Georgina “Gina” De Venecia, wife of five-time House Speaker Jose De Venecia Jr. and co-chairperson emeritus of Lakas.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, who is Lakas-CMD party president, administered the oath to former Rep. De Venecia and 15 others from Pangasinan during simple rites held at the Social Hall of the Speaker’s Office in the House of Representatives.
She served as a member of the House of Representatives for the 4th district of Pangasinan from 2010 to 2016.
“We are truly grateful to welcome all of you to our party, especially our beloved ‘Manay Gina’ as she is fondly called, who is not only a respected figure in her own right but also the spouse of our esteemed Co-chairman Emeritus,” Romualdez said.
Accompanying Mrs. De Venecia during the oath-taking rites were her husband, former Speaker De Venecia and their son, incumbent Pangasinan 4th District Rep. Christopher De Venecia.
“We look forward to working closely with you as we continue to champion the values of integrity, service, and progress that Lakas-CMD holds dear and to support the vision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for socioeconomic transformation towards a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient society,” he added.
The new party members from the municipality of San Fabian include Mayor Marlyn Agbayani and Councilors Hercules Magliba, Errol Sison, Rolando Pedralvez, Marieta Cuaresma, Chelsea Narvasa, and Kimberly Bandarlipe
In addition, San Jacinto Mayor Leo de Vera, Manaoag Mayor Jeremy Agerico Rosario, along with Winston L. Chutan, Eduardo E. Paraan, Nemo S. de Vera, Pedro F. Palaganas, Merlinda M. Tantay, Arnold L. Saragoza were sworn in by Romualdez as new party members.
The event was witnessed by House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City 2nd District Rep. Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe, Agusan Del Norte 1st District Rep. Jose “Joboy” Aquino and Rep. Ramon Guico, Jr. as well as other stalwarts of the party.
Romualdez lauds SMC, Starbucks’ promo offers, urges establishments to obey laws on discounts
SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez today urged business establishments to obey laws granting discounts, benefits and other privileges to millions of senior citizens, persons with disability (PWDs) and solo or single parents.
The leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives made the appeal as he lauded the move of popular coffee chain Starbucks offering a 40-percent discount to elderly, PWDs and medal of valor awardees, among other beneficiaries.
The 40-percent discount, which is 15-percentage points higher than the legally mandated 20 percent, was good only last Wednesday.
He also welcomed the offer of San Miguel Corp. (SMC) of a 20-percent discount to the elderly and PWDs for the use of its skyway system in Metro Manila and its expressways in northern Luzon and southern Luzon.
“I am sure the operators of other expressways will match the gesture of Ramon S. Ang’s San Miguel Corp.,” he said.
He asked the tollway operators and concerned government agencies to release the details of the offer so it would soon be enjoyed by senior citizens and PWDs patronizing the skyways and expressways.
“We appreciate the gesture of Starbucks. It gives meaning to its apology given to three House committees for what they acknowledged as its ‘mistake.’ We also value their promise to henceforth fully support the discounts and benefits of those covered. We appeal to other establishments to follow suit,” Romualdez said.
He was referring to the signage Starbucks posted in all its stores last week limiting the 20-percent discount of the elderly and PWDs to “one food item and one beverage.”
Numerous complaints received by the Office of the Speaker on the limitation prompted him to order three House committees to launched an inquiry into “gaps and confusion” in the implementation of laws granting discounts, benefits and other privileges to more than 35 million senior citizens, PWDs and solo parents.
During the panels’ hearing on Tuesday, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, who is presiding over the investigation as ways and means committee chairman, read the names of more than 100 violators, among them malls, supermarkets, airlines, bakeshops, hotels, drugstores, and food and transportation service providers.
Romualdez warned non-compliant establishments that he and the House would not hesitate to exercise their oversight power to force compliance.
“We have granted these privileges to our people, and we will see to it that those covered receive them. Entities that are not granting the discounts and other benefits will be exposed and compelled to comply with the laws. We will also not hesitate to initiate prosecution,” he added.
Rodriguez: We can finish Charter reform before Holy Week
THE chairman of the House of Representatives committee on constitutional amendments today said the House and the Senate can finish Charter reform before the Holy Week recess of Congress in March.
“We welcome the change of heart on the part of our senators on Charter change. If they are serious, we should target to conclude this effort, which the House has been advocating since the 8th Congress, before we go on our Holy Week break on March 23,” Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said.
He said it is important that the restrictive economic provisions of the Constitution be tweaked in a manner that would attract foreign investments, which in turn would create more job and income opportunities for Filipinos.
“Instead of wasting their time on seeing and fearing ghosts and no-el (no elections) scenarios where there are none in the ongoing people’s initiative, senators should work with us on changes in the economic provisions. That may ease the pressure from our people for them to act on Charter reform,” he added.
The Mindanao lawmaker stressed the urgency of changing the language of the Constitution’s economic provisions.
“We have to do it as early as possible, lest we miss the boat on enticing foreign investors, if we have not missed it yet. As it is, we are now No. 8 in foreign direct investments in the10-member ASEAN. Alarmingly, we have already been overtaken by Vietnam and Cambodia. We are only ahead of Laos and Myanmar,” he said.
He said his committee has voluminous records on constitutional amendment proposals presented since the 8th Congress.
“We have the records, the institutional memory. So we are ready to tackle this matter of constitutional reform with the Senate as soon as possible,” he said.
Rodriguez pointed out that the House, “recognizing the bicameral nature of our legislature,” had sent to the Senate all Charter reform measures it had approved or adopted for the smaller chamber’s own consideration.
“We have always respected bicameralism. But our proposals and insistent appeals for them to consider Charter reform have invariably fallen on deaf ears until two weeks ago, when my beloved Senate president from Mindanao announced their change of heart because they are already feeling the heat from our people,” he said.
He said the people have launched a campaign for a direct amendment of the Charter, which senators feel would erode bicameralism and render them irrelevant on Charter change.
“Senators have put themselves in a problematic situation for which they have only themselves to blame. They have consistently ignored the people’s clamor for Charter reform voiced through their elected district representatives until the people decided to take matters into their own hands,” he said.
He added that he hoped that the Charter reform advocacy of the House would succeed this time “for the sake of our country, our economy and our people.”
Barbers slams CHED for alleged OSG inclusion in payroll
SURIGAO del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers lauded the order of the Office of the President suspending CHED Commissioner Adrin Darilag and ordering an investigation on charges of grave misconduct against said commissioner.
Barbers however said that the investigation should not only be confined to Darilag but should extend to all CHED Commissioners including its Chairman even if there are no pending charges against them.
“I am elated at the swift action of the Office of the President. This shows our President’s resolve to rid our government agencies of corrupt, incompetent and undeserving officials. They are being paid by the people and it is very embarrasing when they do not perform their duties as public servants honestly and beyond reproach,” Barbers said.
“Investigations should not be limited to those with pending cases. All actions and pronouncements of the other Commissioners including its Chairman should also be reviewed to find out whether they are acting with competence in the discharge of their duties. If there are questionable rulings, opinions, actions manifesting gross ignorance of the laws and evident partiality, they must be meted with penalties allowed by law and replaced immediately should they cling to their posts and refuse to resign,” Barbers said.
“I have voiced my observation and displeasure at some highly questionable actions of the Commission. I was right about Commissioner Libre. But there are other actions of the Commission that need to be reviewed such as its alleged engagement for a fee of the Office of the Solicitor General to render legal advice and opinions on matters concerning interpretations of RA 8292 and such other laws governing the Commission. This was proudly revealed and announced by ex-Commissioner Libre in one of the SUC board meetings he presided over last December. Yet despite the presence of two OSG lawyers in the board meeting, the question on the prohibition of elected officials to be appointed in other government positions in any capacity couldn’t be addressed, when an elected barangay kagawad continued to sit as member of the governing board of that SUC. More importantly, when asked if the term limit of eight years for SUC Presidents has been amended already, both CHED and the OSG lawyers could not categorically reply. It seems that at least in that instance, CHED tried to evade responsibility in taking an official position and delegated that function to the OSG which is to my thinking, highly irregular at the least,” Barbers said.
“If this is now the practice of CHED as announced by Libre, it renders the legal department of CHED totally useless and puts in question the propriety if not legality of engaging the OSG as the agency’s legal team, in the absence of actual controversy in our courts”, Barbers said.
“Is this alleged practice allowed, if ever? The OSG has its hands full as the lawyers of the government in cases where the government is hailed to courts or made to state an official legal position. If all agencies can hire the services of the OSG in substitution of their legal departments and included in their payrolls, there will be nobody left defending the government in courts. And this alleged practice violates the Constitution and the laws on double compensation and conflict of interest to say the least. The OSG could be tying its hands or be estopped should an actual controvery arise,” Barbers added.
“In meetings of the governing board of an SUC under my jurisdiction, the lawyers from OSG were present and the CHED Commisioners who presided as Chairmen made the OSG lawyers to comment on legal questions. Is this normal? They have disregarded their legal department whose head and staff may now enjoy holidays and travels abroad and other extra legal affairs,” Barbers said.
Pinoy soldier among 21 fallen IDF soldiers killed in Gaza explosion
THE Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv reported the death of an Israel Defense Forces soldier of Filipino descent as among 21 IDF members killed in a massive explosion in Gaza on Monday.
Sgt. First Class Cydrick Garin, 23, was from San Mateo, Rizal and spent most of his life in Israel.
He died along with 20 other IDF soldiers when a massive explosion caused a building to collapse on them, bringing to 219 the number of Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza.
Garin was a combat sergeant in the 8208th Battalion of the 261st Bsrigade.
In April 2021, he received recognition from the Southern Command as an outstanding soldier in the Givati Brigade.
His mother, a native of Isabela, resides in Tel Aviv while his father is from General Santos City.
The Israeli embassy in Manila said it is facilitating the travel of Garin’s father to Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday vowed that Israel would not stop fighting in Gaza until “absolute victory” after it sustained its highest single-day death toll in the Palestinian enclave.
