EFFORTS by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez to lessen the burden of Filipinos by helping lower the prices of rice in the market, including onions and other basic commodities, have paid off, according to Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr.
“This simply means the Speaker – and that includes us representatives of our institution – is on the right track. Regardless of what naysayers have been saying, the people have apparently started appreciating the work that he did, and of course with us as support group,” Barzaga remarked.
The House leader was referring to a recent survey conducted by the OCTA Research group, showing that 54 percent of the respondents were satisfied with the performance of the House of Representatives.
Nine percent said they were dissatisfied, while 36 percent were undecided, according to the survey.
Barzaga, chairman of the House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, commended Speaker Romualdez for a “job well done,” noting that “his heart is on the right place.”
“The 54 percent satisfaction rating tells us that we started on the right path. And so it’s also a continuing challenge for us to do more and reach a level where a larger majority of our people will benefit from government initiatives,” Barzaga, former president of the National Unity Party (NUP), said.
“Just like in basketball, we already did good in the first half of the game. So now, we will keep and even step up the pace until the end of the race,” the former mayor of Dasmarinas City – a CPA-lawyer by profession – vowed.
Apart from this, Barzaga also said they will continue to pass measures that will help alleviate the plight of the people, most especially those who live below the poverty line, as the government tries to achieve a better future by slowly moving away from the third-world status.
Rillo to DOTr: Fast-track MRT-3 capacity upgrade as dep’t seeks another P2.9B rehab project
QUEZON City Rep. Marvin Rillo wants the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to fast-track the rehabilitation of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) so that it can easily move up to 500,000 commuters per day from 300,000.
“We want MRT-3’s carrying capacity upgrade to succeed so that commuters will have faster, safer, and more convenient rides,” Rillo, vice chairperson of the House committee on Metro Manila development, said in a statement on Sunday.
MRT-3 moved an aggregate of 98.3 million commuters in 2022, or 273,141 per day.
“We, in Congress, are prepared to provide the DOTr all the funding needed to renew the aging train line,” Rillo, also a member of the House committee on appropriations, said.
In the proposed P5.768-trillion national budget for 2024, the DOTr is asking for P2.9 billion in new appropriations for the MRT-3 Rehabilitation Project, in addition to the P549 million earmarked for the same item this year.
One of the project targets is to enable MRT-3 trains to run four railcars at a time instead of three, thus allowing the entire line to transfer an additional 200,000 commuters per day, according to Rillo.
On top of the P2.9 billion for the rehabilitation project, the DOTr is also asking Congress for P6 billion in subsidy for MRT-3 plus P1.3 billion for the train line’s operations and maintenance.
The subsidy is meant to cover any deficiency in the train line’s operating income and help keep fares down.
At present, MRT-3’s fare box revenue and non-rail income are used to pay for the equity rental and other obligations due the Metro Rail Transit Corp. (MRTC), the private consortium that built the train line.
The elevated train line began operations in 2000 and was constructed under a 25-year build-lease-and-transfer agreement with the DOTr that expires in 2025.
8 Ericsson Telecoms PH execs sued for fraud
AMID its multi-year program embarking on hefty contracts with top business corporations, Ericsson Telecommunications Inc. suddenly found itself embroiled in a legal tussle seen to affect its business outlook in view of criminal charges filed by a Filipino contractor commissioned to undertake its projects.
Documents obtained from the Department of Justice (DOJ) showed that eight of its corporate executives were sued for allegedly swindling a Filipino contractor commissioned to undertake a long list of infrastructure projects with Smart Communications Inc.
Named respondents facing cases of estafa are corporate officers holding offices at the Ericsson Telecommunications, Inc. office in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. The Filipino contractor claimed in its complaint affidavit filed before DOJ’s National Prosecution Service that the accused commissioned them to undertake a long list of projects embarking on system integration, structured cabling, civil works, electrical services in malls, hospitals, business centers and schools with whom Ericsson Philippines has existing contracts.
After completion of the commissioned projects spanning from 2020 onwards, Ericsson Telecommunications Philippines allegedly refused to pay over P50 million despite an existing contract designating the complainant as sub-contractor.
“Respondents are clearly guilty of estafa by means of deceit” under the Revised Penal Code Article 315 (Swindling) which says “any person who shall defraud another by any of the means” of “false pretenses or fraudulent acts executed prior to, or simultaneously with the commission of fraud… using fictitious names, or falsely pretending to possess power, influence, qualifications, property, credit, agency, business or imaginary transactions, or by means of other similar deceits,” reads a part of the complaint affidavit.
As this developed, country-based business groups urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to protect Filipinos against swindlers masquerading as investors.
“The practice of allowing investors to come to the Philippines and bag contracts only to rely on Filipino contractors to deliver results should stop. We call on the President to step in and protect Filipinos from being duped right inside our backyard.”
8 Ericsson Telecoms PH execs, sabit sa panunuba ng subcon
SA kabila ng magandang pakikitungo ng pamahalaan sa mga malalaking kumpanya, nakuha pang subain ng walong opisyales ng Ericsson Telecommunications Ph ang isang Pinoy na kontratistang pinasahan ng kontrata kaugnay ng mga proyektong nasungkit mula sa Smart Telecommunications.
Sa 34-pahinang dokumentong nakalap mula sa tanggapan ng Department of Justice (DOJ), sinampahan ng kasong estafa ang walong opisyales – kabilang ang limang Pilipinong nagtatrabaho sa sangay ng nasabing kumpanya sa Bonifacio Global City sa Taguig City.
Nag-ugat ang paghahain ng kasong kriminal matapos tumanggi ang Ericsson Telecommunications Ph na bayaran ang isang maliit na lokal na kumpanyang kinuhang subcon para sa “system integration, structured cabling, civil works, electrical services” sa mga sikat na malls, pribadong ospital, malalaking kumpanya at pribadong paaralan kung saan nakasungkit ang dayuhang kumpanya ng bonggang kontrata.
Batay sa reklamo ng kumpanyang pag-aari ng isang Pinoy, hindi umano siya binayaran para sa mga natapos na proyekto mula taong 2020 hanggang 2023 sa kabila pa ng kontrata. Ang katumbas na singilin – tumataginting na P54 milyon.
“Respondents are clearly guilty of estafa by means of deceit under the Revised Penal Code Article 315 which says – any person who shall defraud another by any of the means of false pretenses or fraudulent acts executed prior to, or simultaneously with the commission of fraud… using fictitious names, or falsely pretending to possess power, influence, qualifications, property, credit, agency, business or imaginary transactions, or by means of other similar deceits,” saad sa isang bahagi ng reklamo. Samantala, nanawagan naman ang iba’t ibang grupong binubuo ng mga maliliit na kontratista kay Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na bigyan proteksyon ang mga Pilipino laban sa mga dorobong kumpanyang nagpapanggap na investor.
“Napapanahon nang tuldukan ang pagpasok ng mga dayung kumpanya sa Pilipinas para kumuha ng malalaking kontrata… tapos ipagagawa sa mga Pilipino, tapos pag natapos hindi naman nila binabayaran. Niloloko tayo sa loob mismo ng ating sariling teritoryo!”
Gov’t to provide cash grant to rice retailers in Metro Manila, Zambo del Sur on Monday
ANOTHER set of cash payouts will be held on Monday, Sept. 11, in the metropolis and in Zamboanga del Sur as part of the efforts of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to assist small rice retailers who were affected by the implementation of the rice price ceilings nationwide.
In its report to President Marcos, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said the distribution of PhP15,000 cash grants to affected rice retailers will be held in the municipality of Pateros and the cities of Navotas, and Parañaque and in Zamboanga del Sur.
The DSWD said the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) identified 337 beneficiaries who will receive the cash aid on Monday – 15 rice retailers in Pateros, 161 in Navotas, 129 in Parañaque, and 32 in Zamboanga del Sur.
The DSWD said the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) will help them inform the identified beneficiaries in Pateros, Navotas, and Parañaque about the cash grants of President Marcos.
As the government’s cash assistance continues, the DSWD and the DTI will meet on Monday to discuss the list of beneficiaries for the rest of the National Capital Region (NCR) and those in the provinces, among other measures.
President Marcos recently approved the recommendation of the DTI and the DA to implement the mandated PhP41.00 rice price ceiling on regular milled rice and the PhP45.00 rice price cap on well-milled rice nationwide through Executive Order 39 amid the surge of rice prices in the market.
The order took effect Sept. 5.
239 retailers monitored in 37 markets in the National Capital Region, or 94 percent of the rice retailers in the metropolis have complied with the mandated price ceilings on rice as of Sept. 9, according to the monitoring report of the DA.
Anticipating the effects of the mandated rice price ceilings on small-scale rice retailers, President Marcos ordered the DSWD to extend PhP15,000 cash assistance to them through its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
Simultaneous distribution of cash assistance started on Sept. 9 at the Commonwealth Market in Quezon City led by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Mayor Joy Belmonte, and at the Agora Market in San Juan City by DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual and Mayor Francis Zamora.
DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr., Congressman Oscar Malapitan, and Mayor Dale Malapitan led the distribution of cash grants at the Maypajo Market in Caloocan City.
Pekeng Pinoy puganteng Koreano pala, arestado
ARESTADO ng Immigration officers sa Davao ang isang South Korean na nagpanggap na Pinoy.
Sinabi ni BI Intelligence Deputy Chief for Mindanao Melody Penelope Gonzales na hindi nakalusot sa kanila ang suspect na si Kim Jinkoon, 58, ng Sitio Mojon in Barangay Langub, Davao City.
Nabatid na si Kim ay isang pugante sa South Korea at nahaharap sa pitong mga kaso sa kanyang bansa. Kanselado na rin ng kanilang gobyerno ang pasaporte nito.
Nauna nang inaresto si Kim ng mga tauhan ng National Bureau of Investigation Region XI matapos ireport ng Department of Foreign Affairs Region XI.
Sinabi na nagpanggap na Filipino si Kim at nagt-apply ng Philippine passport sa pangalang Allan Sun Duran.
Nagmatigas din si Kim nang arestuhin at pinanindigang Pinoy sya ngunit ayon sa record ng Korean government deklaradong pugante ito.
Inamin din ni Kim kalaunan na nakakuha sya ng Philippine birth certificate noong 2008 sa tulong hindi kinilalang fixer.
Pansamantala itong nasa BI Davao District Office at ililipat sa Warden Facility sa Taguig bago ipatapon dahil sa pagiging overstaying.
Universal meal program susupo sa malnutrisyon – Gatchalian
IMINUNGKAHI ni Senador Win Gatchalian ang pagpapatupad ng isang universal meal program upang sugpuin ang mga suliraning kinakaharap ng mga kabataan pagdating sa nutrisyon, kabilang ang stunting, wasting, at undernutrition.
“Pangarap ko na tulad ng ibang bansa, magkaroon tayo ng isang universal meal program na titiyaking may sapat at masustansyang pagkain ang bawat mag-aaral. Kakailanganin nito ng malaking pondo, ngunit hindi tayo titigil na gumawa ng paraan,” ani Gatchalian, Chairperson ng Senate Committee on Basic Education.
Ayon sa datos ng Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute’s (DOST-FNRI) para sa taong 2021, humigit-kumulang 2.7 milyon o 20% ng mga batang 5 hanggang 10 taong gulang ang stunted o kulang ang taas para sa kanilang edad, humigit-kumulang 2.8 milyon o 21% ang underweight, at 1 milyon o 7% naman ang wasted o magaan para sa kanilang timbang.
Sa ilalim ng pondo ng school-based feeding program (SBFP) para sa school year na ito, paaabutin na ng 220 days o buong school year ang pagpapatupad ng programa. Nitong mga nakaraang taon, umaabot lamang sa 120 days ang saklaw ng programang ito. Mula sa P5 bilyong pondo, umakyat sa P11 bilyon ang pondo ng SBFP sa ilalim ng National Expenditure Program (NEP) para sa taong 2024, katumbas ng 105% na pag-akyat sa pondo ng programa. Balak ng Department of Education (DepEd) na maabot ang 1.6 milyong benepisyaryo mula Kindergarten hanggang Grade 6 para sa susunod na taon.
Ayon naman kay DepEd Assistant Secretary for Field Operations Francis Cesar Bringas, lumabas sa pag-aaral ng kagawaran na pare-pareho ang nagiging benepisyaryo ng programa kada taon. Bumabalik kasi ang mga mag-aaral sa dating estado ng kanilang nutrisyon kung 120 araw lang sila nakakatanggap ng mga school meals. Dagdag pa ng opisyal, bumabalik din sa pagiging malnourished ang mga mag-aaral na ito pagbalik nila mula sa bakasyon ng dalawang buwan.
Romualdez vows to continue working hard in wake of high survey rating of House
SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Sunday vowed to continue working hard in the wake of the high rating of the House of Representatives in the recent OCTA Research poll.
“I thank our people for recognizing the work we do at the House of Representatives for them and the nation under the Marcos administration. That will inspire us to push on and even work harder to remain worthy of their trust,” Speaker Romualdez, leader of the 311-strong House of Representatives, said.
Speaker Romualdez said he is deeply grateful that the public appreciates what he and the House have been doing in terms of passing the necessary legislative measures to support the prosperity agenda of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr. and exercising their oversight power to fight inflation and keep prices down so that basic goods will be affordable by the people, especially the poor.
“We have already made some headway, and we will carry on with those tasks with more vigor until we have achieved the goals we have set out to do,” Speaker Romualdez said.
The Speaker added that in particular, he and the House would remain focused on stabilizing the prices of rice, onions and other staples, and helping those adversely affected by government measures to keep commodity prices low, such as retailers, small traders, and market stallholders.
He pointed out that they would also address the supply and production side of the commodity prices issue in terms of supporting agriculture and other related sectors with appropriate funding in the national budget and overseeing program implementation by relevant agencies.
“Needless to say, if there is enough supply, we would not be having problems with prices,” he stressed.
The recent OCTA Research survey showed that 54 percent of the respondents were satisfied with the performance of the House of Representatives.
Only nine percent were dissatisfied, while 36 percent were undecided.
Trust for the House was at 55 percent, while distrust was at seven percent.
China has no authority to conduct law enforcement operations in PH EEZ, Ayungin Shoal
AN official of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) asserted on Saturday that China lacks the authority to carry out any law enforcement operations within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
“The National Task Force-West Philippine Sea wishes to emphasize that China has no authority or power to conduct law enforcement operations in our exclusive economic zone,” National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said in a news forum in Quezon City.
Malaya said that it is only the Philippine government that has the sovereign right to law enforcement operations in the area as it is within the country’s exclusive economic zone.
He added that it is the power of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) “to assert to the extent, the Armed Forces of the Philippines” as far as law enforcement operations in the West Philippine Sea are concerned.
Malaya made the remarks in response to the claims of the China Coast Guard (CCG) that they were conducting law enforcement operations in Ayungin Shoal on Friday when the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the PCG were conducting a rotation and reprovisioning (RoRe) mission in the Philippine waters.
Two supply boats brought food and other replenishment supplies to troops stationed onboard BRP Sierra Madre.
While the PCG and the AFP succeeded with their mission, Malaya said that there were still incidents of “harassment, dangerous maneuvers and aggressive conduct by vessels of the China Coast Guard and of the Chinese maritime militia (CMM)” directed at Filipino troops.
Malaya explicitly condemned the actions of the CCG and the CMM, stressing that law enforcement operations within the country’s EEZ are well within its sovereign rights and responsibilities of the Philippines.
“Law enforcement operations in the exclusive economic zone are within the purview of elements of the Philippine government – and that is why mali po iyong sinabi ng China Coast Guard,” Malaya stressed.
“Again, we strongly deplore and condemn the continued illegal, aggressive, and destabilizing conduct of the CCG and CMM within the nation’s exclusive economic zone,” he added.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. made clear in his intervention during the 18th East Asia Summit in Indonesia that the Philippines condemned the harassment in the South China Sea and stood firm in the government’s commitment to assert its sovereign rights over the Philippine waters.
The chief executive also called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to rally and take action on the continued use of the “dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels in the South China Sea.
