Philippine Views

Understand anti-terror bill first, women’s group to Pia Wurtzbach

2020-06-09T02:06:00.001-07:00

•A women’s group called on women and the Filipino people to understand issues at hand first before reacting emotionally on the proposed anti-terrorism bill

•President of MELCHORA party-list organization, made a call as a reaction to the tweets of Pia Wurtzbach and Angel Locsin who expressed opposition to the proposed anti-terrorism bill

•The exact reason why the women sector should support the anti-terrorism bill, as it will be a means for the government to protect its people

A women’s group on Monday called on women and the Filipino people to understand issues at hand first before “reacting emotionally,” amid surge in protests on the proposed anti-terrorism bill.

Grace Ibuna, president of Movement of Women for Change and Reform (MELCHORA) party-list organization, made this call as a reaction to the tweets of Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and actress Angel Locsin who expressed opposition to the proposed anti-terrorism bill, saying their rights would be endangered under the measure.

Ibuna said while there is no problem to voice out dissent, pushing for democratic rights should not be used to “cause anarchy.”

“Kung purely expression of dissenting opinion lang yan, walang problema yan at karapatan naman natin yan. Pero yung pagkamit sa demokrasya at may nakatagong agenda ng panggulo na mag-resulta ng anarkismo at pagkamatay ng mga tao at pagwasak ng mga pribadong pag-aari, ibang usapan na po yan (If it is purely expression of dissenting opinion then it is fine as it is a basic right. But obtaining democracy with an underlying agenda to agitate and cause anarchy, death and destruction of properties, then it is another thing),” she said.

Ibuna said in that way, that becomes terrorism against people and the women.

Ibuna added that it is the exact reason why the women sector should support the anti-terrorism bill, as it will be a means for the government to protect its people and that even the state can be held liable if it abuses in its implementation.

She said the measure would help push for peace and order in the country.

“I ask my fellow women and the Filipino people to give this measure a chance. We have been longing for peace and stability in our country. This measure will give way to it” Ibuna said. (PNA)

Bisikleta, libreng ibinigay ng may-ari ng shop dahil kulang ang pambayad ni lolo

2020-06-06T03:07:00.002-07:00

Sa halip na ibenta, libreng ibinigay ng may-ari ng isang bike shop sa Pasay City ang bisikletang inaasam-asam ng isang 87 taong gulang na lalaki.

Ibinahagi sa Facebook ng CARBS Motor & Bicycle Parts ang nakaaantig na eksena sa pagitan ng negosyanteng si Fe Carandang at ni Tatay Carlos Samonte nitong Miyerkoles.

Kuwento ni Carandang, halos dalawang linggo nang dumadaan sa kaniyang shop si Tatay Carlos parta tanungin kung maari niyang bilhin ang napupusuang MTB bike sa halagang P2,000. Kulang pa kasi siya ng P2,500 para sa original price na P4,500.

Kaya nang makausap niya ang senior citizen, hindi na siya nag-atubili pang iregalo na lamang ang naturang bisikleta.

Maliban dito, binigyan din niya ng lock para sa MTB bike ang matandang lalaki upang hindi ito mawala o manakaw.

Bakas sa mukha ni Tatay Carlos, na labis ang pasasalamat kay Carandang, ang matinding kasiyahan nang mauwi ang binalik-balikang bisikleta.

Simula raw ng umiral ang community quarantine sa Metro Manila, araw-araw naglalakad si Tatay Carlos patungong Makati City upang magtinda ng kendi.

Sa loob lamang ng isang araw ay umabot na sa mahigit 3 million views ang video.

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Reservists display ‘bayanihan’ to help needy amid health crisis

2020-05-31T00:44:00.000-07:00

•BAYANIHAN' SPIRIT.

•Master Sgt. Emmanuel "Manny" Barcenas, a general surgeon and urologist at the Mactan Doctor's Hospital, seals packs of rice while Maj. Thadeo Jovito "Jonkie" Ouano helps fill plastic packs with grains at the DSWD - Visayas Disaster Response Center in Mandaue City, Cebu.

•They are among the 1,799 volunteers of the uniformed service of the AFP and the PCG who render services in repacking some 100,000 family food packs for families affected by the ECQ in their localities.

Like other front-liners, Army, Navy, and Air Force reservists in Cebu have displayed their “bayanihan” spirit in augmenting government efforts to combat the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

As they became home buddies when community quarantine protocols began last March, many reservists volunteered to do various tasks, such as repacking family food packs at the Department of Social Welfare and Development - Visayas Disaster Response Center (DSWD-VDRC) in Mandaue City.

Director of DSWD 7 (Central Visayas), Rebecca Geamala, commended the reservists for their “bayanihan” in helping the agency produce some 100,000 family food packs intended for the poor in six different regional locations since the start of the nationally imposed enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

In the first half of May, a total of 73,810 family food packs produced by the reservists at the DSWD-VDRC augmented the requirements in Central, Eastern, and Western Visayas and the Northern Mindanao regions, as well as in the National Resource Operations Center in Pasay City.

Young reservist Sgt. Yedda Rea Loquellano, a business promotions specialist, became jobless after the bakeshop company that she was working for closed down after Mayor Edgardo Labella signed Executive Order 64 placing the city under ECQ, which was extended until May 31.

However, she reported to her unit, the 1901st Ready Reserve Infantry Brigade stationed at the 7th Regional Community Defense Center (7RCDG) in Camp Lapu-Lapu here, where she and other female reservists waited for a vehicle that would bring them to the DSWD-VDRC to prepare family food packs, along with reservists of the Naval Reserve Center Eastern Visayas in Pier 3 and the 5th Air Force Reserve Center in Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base.

Sgt. Jean Princess Pepito was among the staff of the Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Office who was forced to work from home when the ECQ was implemented by Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan. However, during weekends and work breaks, Pepito joined other reservists in volunteering at the DSWD-VDRC to repack goods.

Master Sgt. Cristopher Ngosiok, a registered nurse, said, “I also like to volunteer because I like to help in a way that I can because I am a reservist and at the same time a nurse. We are here for DSWD to promote the (well-being) of our people who have nothing to eat, so we can reach for them in this way".

Ngosiok is known in the 1901st Ready Reserve Infantry Brigade as the “brother of all seasons” because he always extended help by driving home other reservists after their repacking activities at the DSWD.

Among the reservists who served at the VDRC are a human resource development officer, call center supervisors and agents, hospital staff members, convenient store operator, government employees, teachers, barangay peace officers, and mall security consultant.

“I am very thankful dun sa (for the) teamwork between the DSWD staff and the reservists. Malaking pera, na wala tayo, ang magastos ng DSWD, that’s why nanghingi tayo ng tulong sa mga partners natin (A huge amount of money, which we do not have, would have been spent by the DSWD. That is why we sought help from our partners) to produce family food packs that will help our needy constituents,” Geamala said.

She said they found it easy to tap uniformed personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) because DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista was the commanding general of the Philippine Army before he joined the Duterte administration.

Bautista is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Sandiwa” Class of 1985.

Geamala said AFP personnel, such as the regular soldiers and reservists, are responsible and committed and have a sense of direction in doing their job.

“With the presence of our uniformed men, plus our secretary and undersecretary who are actually close to the upper echelon of the AFP, mas madali makipag-MOA (memorandum of agreement) sa mga grupo ninyo (it’s easy to have a MOA with your group) so that we can realize our dream of faster service,” she said.

Derick Triumfo, a DSWD-VDRC coordinator for volunteers, praised the work attitude of the AFP volunteers.

“They are very passionate and dedicated to help. The AFP has always been a partner to the DSWD in the uplifting of the poor and vulnerable. Their compassion has been a huge factor in the disaster relief augmentation of the department, as well as the Visayas Disaster Resource Center,” Triumfo told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

According to him, the DSWD-VDRC was able to mobilize 1,799 uniformed volunteers from both the reservists and regulars of the AFP, as well as the Philippine Coast Guard.

Regular officers and enlisted men of the Central Command, 53rd Engineering Brigade, Naval Fleet in Cebu City, and air force squadrons from Mactan airbase also helped repack goods.

At the VDRC facility, Triumfo briefs volunteers and reminds them to wash their hands, undergo temperature checks, and disinfect their boots or shoes.

Col. Ricky Bunayog, chief of the 7RCDG, Army Reserve Command said the deployment of the reservists to the VDRC has a letter order.

“Our reservists are trained for disaster preparedness and being protectors of our vital structures. They also feel that they could contribute to the overall development and well-being of the Filipinos and how they can contribute to the improvement of the Philippine society,” Bunayog said of the “bayanihan” spirit shown by the reservists during the ECQ. (PNA)

Bulakenyo driver returns SAP aid so others can benefit from it

2020-05-30T23:47:00.002-07:00

•BENEFICIARY RETURNS CASH AID.

•SAP aims to provide cash aid to 18 million low-income families assessed to be most affected by the imposition of community quarantine due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

•Pancho Pancheco, 46, returns the PHP6,500 cash aid he received under the government's Social Amelioration Program (SAP) so others who need it most would benefit from the money.

A 46-year old driver from San Jose del Monte, Bulacan returned his PHP6,500 cash aid under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) to the local government unit so others could benefit from the government assistance while the quarantine order is still in effect.

On Tuesday, Pancho Pacheco, who lives with his wife, two children, and grandchild, went to the city treasurer’s office to give back the money.

“Marami ho kasi ang mas nangangailangan na nakikita ko. Yung walang-wala talaga (I can see that there are people who need the money more than we do),” he said in an interview on Thursday.

Pacheco has spent 20 years on the roads of San Miguel, Bulacan to Quiapo driving a passenger jeepney to sustain the needs of his family.

While doing this, he also sought other jobs to earn extra income.

“Nagtatabi ako kahit gaano galing sa sweldo para may pera kapag nagkagipitan (I would somehow save as much as I can from my salary, so I would have something in times of emergency),” he added.

In December 2018, he got a regular post in a government office as a driver.

“Binalik ko po ang pera kasi nakikita ko na yung iba ko pong kapitbahay talagang nawalan sila ng trabaho dahil sa Covid-19. Pasasalamat na lang din ho kasi kahit papaano meron pa rin po akong trabaho ngayon at may babalikan pa po pagkatapos nito (I returned the money because some of my neighbors really lost their jobs due to Covid-19. It’s also a form of gratitude for me knowing that I still have a job to return to after this),” he added.

The Department of Welfare and Development (DSWD) has earlier hailed and expressed its admiration for beneficiaries who waived their slots as recipients of the emergency cash subsidy to make way for other qualified families.

SAP, which is being spearheaded by the DSWD, provides PHP5,000 to PHP8,000 cash subsidy, based on the regional minimum wage rate to 18 million low-income families nationwide assessed to be most affected by the imposition of community quarantine due to the Covid-19 pandemic given their existing life situations or circumstances. (PNA)

Vlogger, pinakyaw ang paninda ng 47-anyos street vendor

2020-05-30T05:05:00.001-07:00

Isang street vendor ang umagaw ng atensyon ng Syrian vlogger na si Basel Manadil habang naglalakad siya sa isang kalye — ang resulta, pakyaw lahat ang kanyang paninda.

Napansin kasi ng vlogger ang kakaibang gimik ng tindero habang dala-dala ang kanyang kariton ng panindang mangga.

Sa Facebook post ni Basel, “Walking Mango Tree Using Kariton! Yung dinala na pati puno ni Tatay to attract customers to notice and buy his fruits habang naglalako sa kalsada! namunga na ng ibat ibang prutas ang puno ng mangga ni Tatay 😂🙌.”

Aniya, ang kakaibang istilo ni tatay ang nagtulaksa kanya para pakyawin ang paninda nito.

“Nagulat ako sa punong naglalakad 😅 malayo palang agaw pansin na paninda ni Tatay 👌 #YouGotMyAttentionTay,” sabi niya.

“Pakyaw paninda 😇 Rewarding some hardworking kababayans in a way to show people that if there’s a will there’s a way,” dagdag niya.

Nang makapanayam, napag-alaman ni Basel na ang tindero ay si Mang Renato, 47, at isang oras na umanong naglalakad mula Muntinlupa hanggang Las Piñas para lamang makabenta ng prutas.

“Reviving bayanihan. To show people maraming mga nangangailangan at sana sa mga may kaya tumulong sa mga katulad nila, this is the best time na magtulungan,” saad pa ng naturang vlogger.

Mensahe niya rin para sa mga Pinoy, “Wag mawawalan ng pagasa mga Kababayan, malalagpasan din natin ito.”

Samantala, kilala si Basel pagdating sa pagtulong sa mga kababayan lalo na si gitna ng krisis.

Sa katunayan, hindi ito ang unang pagkakataong naghandog siya ng tulong sa mga Pinoy na nangangailangan.

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LOOK: Malaking isda, napadpad sa baybayin ng Biri Island

2020-05-28T19:54:00.000-07:00

Isang higanteng isda ang napadpad sa baybayin ng Biri Island sa Northern Samar noong umaga ng Miyerkules.

Nakunan ng netizen na si Nhald Sy Guianan ang sitwasyon ng naturang hayop.

Kuwento niya, may sugat sa ulo at nanghihina ang malaking isda nang mapansin nila sa karagatang nasasakupan ng Barangay Poblacion.

Ayon sa Facebook post ng Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines, ito ay isang uri ng ocean sunfish o mola-mola na tinaguriang “heaviest bony fish” sa buong mundo.

Kadalasang umaabot ang timbang nito sa mahigit dalawang kilo at bihirang makita dahil namamalagi ito sa lalim na halos 2000 talampakan, base sa pag-aaral ng mga dalubhasa.

Tinatayang may haba na 6 feet ang namataang mola-mola.

Sa tulong ng mga residente ay naibalik sa malalim na parte ng tubig ang naghihingalong isda.

Iniimbestigahan na ngayon ng Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) kung bakit nagkaroon ng mga sugat ang ocean sunfish.

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TINGNAN: Puting paniki, naispatan sa Samal Island

2020-05-19T04:23:00.000-07:00

Viral ngayon sa social media ang larawan ng isang puting paniki na namataan ng isang pamilya sa Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte.

Umani ng 4,000 likes at 20,000 shares ang Facebook post ni Gigi Senajonon na ibinahagi niya nitong Mayo 16.

Sa kuhang litrato, matatanaw na ang tenga, finger bone, at iba pang parte ng katawan ng hayop dahil sa tindi ng pagkaputi nito.

Kuwento ng uploader, napadpad ang kakaibang paniki sa loob mismo ng kanilang bakuran sa Barangay Remegio noong Mayo 10.

Ito rin daw ang unang beses na nakakita sila ng puting paniki sa tagal nilang naninirahan sa naturang probinsiya.

Ayon naman sa Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region XI, isang uri ng Cynopterus brachyotis o lesser short-nosed fruit bat ang naispatang paniki.

Wala rin silang naitalang sightings ng puti o “albino” kaya iniimbestigahan na nila ang insidente.

Dagdag pa ng kagawaran, madalang pumunta sa Pilipinas ang nasabing hayop.

The post TINGNAN: Puting paniki, naispatan sa Samal Island appeared first on Philippine News.

Michael Jordan game-worn sneakers set record at auction

2020-05-18T08:22:00.000-07:00

NBA legend Michael Jordan's game-worn Nike Air Jordan 1s from 1985 was sold for USD560,000 (PHP28 million) on Sunday, setting a new world auction record for a pair of sneakers.

The sneakers, designed by Peter Moore, were sold by London-based auctioneers Sotheby’s.

Jordan wore the Air Jordan 1 -- one of the most iconic designs in the history of both streetwear and basketball -- in 1984 and 1985, as well as modified versions in 1986, Sotheby’s said on its official website.

Featuring the Chicago colorway, "in 1984, Nike gave Michael Jordan his own signature line of shoes and clothes, which was pivotal in Michael agreeing to sign with Nike," it said.

The pair is in a size 13 (left shoe) and a 13.5 (right shoe). (PNA)

Sara Duterte Lambasts ABS-CBN’s Article About President’s Davao Trip

2020-05-18T07:27:00.000-07:00

Here’s the reaction of Sara Duterte to ABS-CBN’s article

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte lambasted ABS-CBN due to its article about President Rodrigo Duterte’s Davao trip amid the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

Under the MECQ, domestic flights are not still not allowed. However the Chief Executive went back to his home city right after the enhanced community quarantine was lifted.

In line with this, ABS-CBN wrote an article based on the statement of Inday Sara during a radio interview talking about this matter. The article with the title “Sara Duterte defends father’s Davao trip: President is frontliner” cited a line from the mayor during the said interview: “So wala nay mas frontliner pa sa atong tanan sa presidente sa atong nasud.”

However, based on the recent Instagram post of the presidential daughter, she has cited a lot of reasons and not just a single sentence which ABS-CBN cited.

“Alam niyo Abs-Cbn kaya marami naiinis sa inyo dahil nanadya kayo. Apart from this sassy answer, I gave a mouthful of numbers as legal basis, aba kahit isa wala man lang kayo sinulat,” Inday Sara clarified.

She also stressed out the other reasons that supported her statement such as the “IATF Omnibus Guide dated 15 May 2020 Sec. 7 (2) 2 at Notam DIA exemption to restricted travel 2) Government flights.”

“Andami niyo na nga kalaban gusto niyo pa dagdagan. Kung sabagay pasok naman na sila Espasol, Sapin-Sapin at Chicharon sa bulsa eh noh, 6 months to 25 years. So tuloy lang tayo sa bias,” she added. [...]

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Mag-ina, bumuo ng kotse gawa sa karton para makabili ng fast food sa gitna ng lockdown

2020-05-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

Naging malikhain ang isang mag-ina sa Belgium para mapawi ang kanilang fast food cravings sa gitna ng coronavirus lockdown.

Nakatira sina Nathalie Moermans at 16-anyos niyang anak malapit sa isang McDonald’s branch — kaso ang problema, available lang ito para sa drive-thru customers dahil sa lockdown.

Imbis na kalimutan ang inaasam na burger dahil wala silang sasakyan, naisipan nila na gumawa na lang ng cardboard “car” at maglakad papunta sa fast food resto.

“At the beginning, my daughter thought it was a stupid idea — she was embarrassed. So I started building the car on my own and then she started helping me,” kuwento ni Moermans sa The Brussels Times.

Para mas makumbinsi ang anak, aniya, “I told her it would give her some nice memories to tell her children about their grandmother’s crazy ideas.”

Nilagyan nila ang imbensyon ng plaka na “COVID-19”, at sulat sa gilid na “Sorry, I want a McDonald’s but don’t have a car,” na makikita sa Facebook post ni Moermans noong May 1.

Gaya ng inaasahan, naging agaw-pansin ang mag-ina sa kalsada. [...]

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Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine

2020-05-12T04:07:00.000-07:00

OMNIBUS GUIDELINES ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNITY QUARANTINE IN THE PHILIPPINES

Page 8 - Section (3) Guidelines for areas under General Community Quarantine. Areas placed under GCQ should observe the following protocols:

1. Minimum public health standards shall be complied with at all times for the duration of the GCQ.

2. The movement of all persons in areas placed under GCQ shall be limited to accessing essential goods and services, and for work in the offices or industries permitted to operate hereunder. Provided, the movement for leisure purposes shall not be allowed.

3. Any person below 21 years old, those who are 60 years old and above, and those with immunodeficiency, comorbidities, or other health risks, and pregnant women, including any person who resides with the aforementioned, shall be required to remain in the residences at all times, except when indispensable under the circumstances for essential goods and services or for work in permitted industries and offices.

4. Work in government offices may be at full operational capacity, or under such alternative work arrangements as agencies medium proper in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations issued by the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

5. Accredited diplomatic missions and international organizations may be at 50% operational capacity. alternative work arrangements such as flexible work arrangements compressed workweek, telework, and telecommuting are strongly encouraged.

6. The following sectors or industries shall be allowed to operate:

A. Category I Industries - Agriculture, fishery, and forestry industries, food manufacturing, and food supply chain businesses, including food retail establishments such as supermarkets, grocery stores, and food preparation establishments in so far as takeout & delivery services, food delivery services, health-related establishments, the logistics sector, information technology, and telecommunication companies, and the media, at full operational capacity;

B. Category II Industries - Mining and other manufacturing, export-oriented, and electronic commerce companies, as well as other delivery, repair and maintenance, and housing and office services, at anywhere between 50% up to full operational capacity, and without prejudice to work from home and other alternative work arrangements; and

C. Category III Industries - Financial services, BPOs, legal and accounting, and auditing services, professional, scientific, technical, and other non-leisure services, barbershops, salon, and other personal care services as defined by the DTI, and other non-leisure wholesale and retail establishments at a maximum of 50% work on-site arrangement, and without prejudice to the work from home and other alternative work arrangements.

Specific industries under each category are reflected in a separate document issued by the DTI.

7. Limited Operations in malls and shopping centers shall be allowed, except for leisure exhibitions and services which shall continue to be closed. Provided, that establishments and other services allowed to operate in malls and shopping centers may only operate at the capacity consistent with the item (5) of this Section. Provided, further, those ages below 21 years old, and those 60 years old and above may not enter malls and shopping centers, except when indispensable under the circumstances for obtaining essential goods and services or for work in establishments located therein. Provided, finally, that DTI may issue guidelines to limit food traffic in such establishments.

8. Essential public and private construction projects, such as but not limited to sewerage, water services facilities, and digital works, and facilities, and priority projects, shall be allowed to operate in accordance with guidelines issued by the DPWH, reflected in a separate issuance.

9. Amusement, gaming, and fitness establishments, as well as those in decades and the tourism industries, and all Category IV industries may not operate. Industries in Category IV are reflected in the separate DTI Issuance mentioned above.

10. No hotels or similar establishments shall be allowed to operate, except those accommodating the following:

a. For areas outside Luzon, guests who have existing booking accommodations for foreigners as of May 1, 2020.

b. Guests who have existing long-term bookings;

c. Distressed Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and stranded Filipinos or foreign nationals;

d. Repatriated OFWs in compliance with approved quarantine protocols;

e. Non-OFWs who may be required to undergo mandatory facility-based quarantine; and

f. Healthcare workers and other employees from exempted establishments under these Omnibus Guidelines and applicable Memoranda from the Executive Secretary.

Provided that in all of the foregoing, hotel operations shall be limited to the provision of basic lodging to guests.

11. Physical classes shall be suspended for the duration of the GCQ.

This notwithstanding, Higher Education Institutions (HEI) May hold classes through flexible learning arrangements to finish the academic year 2019-2020 and may operate at a limited capacity to receive students' requirements and prepare and issue credentials to students subject to the guidelines as may be issued by the Commission on Higher Education.

12. The prohibition on mass gatherings as provided in Section 2 of these guidelines shall also be applicable to areas placed under GCQ.

13. The road, real, maritime, and aviation sectors of public transportation shall operate at a reduced capacity in accordance with the guidelines issued by the DOTr. Provided, in all public transports, a stricken meter distance between passengers should be observed and appropriate engineering controls in place.

Section (4) GUIDELINES FOR INTERZONAL MOVEMENT. This section shall apply to the transit of people and goods from (a) an ECQ area to a GCQ area, and vice versa, and (b) an area not under community quarantine to a GCQ or ECQ area, and vice versa. In the case of transit across localities in the same community quarantine setup, such transits will be treated as movements within a single GCQ or ECQ zone.

1. The non-essential entry and exit of people to and from the ECQ zone shall be prohibited, except: (1) health workers, (2) government officials and government frontline personnel, (3) those traveling for medical or humanitarian reasons, (4) persons transiting to the airport for travel abroad, (5) workers in permitted establishments and persons providing essential goods and services and public utilities, (6) essential skeletal workforce, (7) repatriated OFWs and non-OFWs returning to the residences, and (8) other person's transported through the efforts of the national government of upon conduct of the necessary quarantine protocols and in concurrent with the receiving LGUs;

2. The movement of all types of cargoes by land, air, or sea within and across areas placed under ECQ or GCQ shall be unhampered. Workers In the logistics sector, such as cargo, trucking, and port operations shall likewise be allowed to transit across areas placed under ECQ or GCQ. All LGUs are directed to strictly abide by this national policy. Provided, and that only a maximum of five personnel may operate cargo and delivery vehicles by land, with or without load.

LGUs and local health units (LHUs) are hereby and joined not to issue orders contrary to or inconsistent with the said directive, such as but not limited to, requiring asymptomatic drivers and crew of cargo or service delivery vehicles to undergo mandatory 14 day home quarantine. Provided, further, and that streak social distancing measures must be strictly observed, which may include, if necessary, the putting up of additional safe and humane seats or space and the vehicles. Provided, finally, that the PNP retains its authority to conduct inspection procedures in checkpoints for the purpose of ensuring that protocols on the strict home quarantine are observed.

3. Land, air, or sea travel by uniformed personnel and government officials and employees for official business, with the corresponding travel authority, especially those transporting medical supplies and laboratory specimens related to Covid-19, and other relief and humanitarian assistance, shall be allowed.

4. OFWs, permanent residents of foreign jurisdictions, and stranded foreign nationals may leave for abroad through any of the airports or seaports in areas placed under ECQ or GCQ without any impediment. Provided that this provision shall not be interpreted to allow outbound travel by Filipinos to countries where travel restrictions are in place. Provided, further, that departing passengers may be accompanied by not more than one person when traveling to any international port, who shall be allowed to return to his or her point of origin.

5. Repatriated OFWs or returning non-OFWs who have been issued a DOH or LGU Certificate of completion 14-day facility-based quarantine, or those who may be required to undergo a mandatory 14 day home quarantine shall be granted Unhampered transit across zones en route to their final destinations in the Philippines. For this purpose, LGUs are enjoined to allow maritime vessels or aircraft transporting the aforementioned OFWs and non-OFWs to dock or land at their ports of destination.

SECTION (5) GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. LGUs are enjoined to enact and the necessary ordinances to enforce curfew for non-workers in jurisdictions placed under GCQ and to penalize, in a fair and humane manner, violations of the restrictions on the movement of people as provided under these Omnibus Guidelines.

2. For residential and commercial rents falling within the duration of the ECQ or GCQ upon residential lessees and micro-, small, and medium enterprises (MSME’s) not permitted to operate during the said period, a grace period of 30 days from the last and read it, or until such time that the community quarantine is a lifted shall be observed, whichever is longer, without incurring interests, penalties, fees, or other charges.

3. All persons are mandated to wear face masks, earloop masks, indigenous, reusable, do-it-yourself masks, or face shields, handkerchiefs, or such other protective equipment or any combination thereof, which can effectively lessen the transmission of Covid-19, whenever they go out of their residences, pursuant to existing guidelines issued by the national government. Concerned LGU’s are hereby enjoined to issue the necessary executive order or ordinance to that effect and to provide fair and humane penalties.

4. Supermarkets, public and private wet markets, grocery stores, agri-fishery supply stores, veterinary supply stores, pharmacies, drug stores, and other retail establishments engaged in the business of selling essential goods are strongly encouraged to extend their store operations to a maximum of 12 hours. LGUs are directed to allow such establishments to operate pursuant to the foregoing. Provided that in the operation of wet markets, LGU’s are encouraged to adopt reasonable schemes to ensure compliance with social distancing measures, such as, but not limited to, providing for specific daily schedules per sector, barangay, or purok, as the case may be. In no case shall such schemes to evolve and narrowing the hours of operation of the foregoing establishments.

5. Minimum public health standards shall be complied with at all times for the duration of the GCQ.9 cases, whether confirmed, recovered, or undergoing treatment, as well as suspect and probable cases, and persons under monitoring are denounced in the strongest of terms. Acts in furtherance of discrimination, such as, but not limited to, coercion, libel, slander, physical injuries, and other dishonor of contractual obligations such as contracts of lease or employment, shall be dealt with criminally, civilly, and/or administratively. LGUs are enjoined to issue the necessary executive orders and or enact ordinances prohibiting and penalizing and discriminatory acts.

Marcelito Pomoy, ipinaayos ang bahay ng isang kababayan sa Quezon province

2020-05-08T05:42:00.003-07:00

Sa gitna ng banta ng COVID-19 pandemic sa bansa, isa ang singer na si Marcelito Pomoy na naghandog ng tulong sa ilang mga kababayang labis na apektado ng krisis.

Ibinahagi ng singer sa kanyang YouTube channel ang video kung saan mapapanood ang buong pangyayari sa ginawang pagtulong nito sa isang kababayang si Aurora Verano.

Sa loob lamang ng apat na araw ay muling naipatayo at naipaayos ni Marcelito ang bahay ni nanay Aurora na aniya’y sira-sira na at sobrang liit.

Nagtungo ang team ng singer sa lugar kung saan nakatira si nanay Aurora saka sinimulan ang demolition sa bahay nito at nagtayo ng bago.

Ayon kay Marcelito, nakilala niya ang ginang habang namimigay sila noon ng relief goods at nang makita nila ang kalagayan nito sa isang Facebook post na ibinahagi ng isang netizen.

Huli niya raw nabigyan ng relief si nanay Aurora at dito niya nakitang walang-wala umano ang ginang.

Kwento ng singer, hindi raw siya nagdalawang-isip na tulungan ito dahil naaalala raw niya ang buhay noong wala pa sa showbiz.

“Doon ko po na-realize na kailangan kong tulungan itong taong ito dahil bilang ako, kasi wala rin akong nanay noon,” aniya.

Sa video ay matutunghayan din ang labis na galak ni Marcelito nang matapos ang bago at munting bahay ni nanay Aurora.

Ngayon daw ay makakatulog na ito ng mapayapa dahil maayos na ang kanyang tirahan.

Samantala, maaalala namang kamakailan lang ay namahagi ng relief goods sa Quezon province ang singer kasama ang kanyang asawang si Joan dahil sa krisis dulot ng COVID-19.

Nagpasalamat din ito sa lahat ng mga naging katuwang nila sa pagbibigay tulong.

Nitong taon lang ng muling nakilala ang singer dahil sa pagsali niya sa America’s Got Talent: The Champions kung saan nakatuntong siya sa ikaapat na puwesto.

The post Marcelito Pomoy, ipinaayos ang bahay ng isang kababayan sa Quezon province appeared first on Philippine News.

ABS-CBN shutdown not press freedom issue

2020-05-07T22:11:00.000-07:00

The National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC) order to halt the television and radio broadcasting operations of local media giant ABS-CBN is not an issue of press freedom, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said on Thursday.

Andanar issued the statement, as he decried the claims and assertions that President Rodrigo Duterte had induced the NTC to issue a cease and desist order against ABS-CBN.

In a press statement, Andanar said the NTC made an “independent and impartial” decision when it directed ABS-CBN to cease its broadcast operations nationwide following the expiration of the network’s 25-year legislative franchise on May 4.

Thus, the freedom of the press and the right to free speech are still protected under Duterte’s leadership, he said.

“This is not an issue of press freedom but an issue regarding legislative franchise. Democracy, and the free press and free speech that come with it, is very much alive in the country and effectively protected,” he said.

The NTC on Tuesday ordered ABS-CBN to stop the operations of its television and radio stations across the country since the broadcast firm “no longer has a valid and subsisting congressional franchise.”

The law granting a 25-year franchise to ABS-CBN was signed on March 30, 1995, but only took effect on April 19, 1995. For this reason, ABS-CBN’s franchise expired on May 4.

‘Unfair, objectionable’ to blame PRRD

Andanar said claims that Duterte was behind ABS-CBN’s shutdown are “bereft of truth and just a rehash of an old malicious imputation to bedevil the President and his administration.”

“One should understand, first and foremost, the Philippines’ legislative processes and rule of law before connecting any precedents as being orchestrated by the President,” he said.

Andanar branded as a mere “false narrative” that Duterte’s previous displeasure against ABS-CBN was a factor in NTC’s decision.

He said such assertion is “remarkably erroneous, lacks objectivity and scant on factual basis.”

“It is, therefore, totally unfair and objectionable for some parties and some international media to insist that what happened to the network is due to ‘having incurred the ire’ of the President,” Andanar said.

Not above the law

Andanar said Duterte no longer feels any resentment toward ABS-CBN since its president and chief executive officer, Carlo Katigbak, apologized to the President in February.

He said the NTC ordered ABS-CBN to stop its broadcast operations because the commission is bounded by law to decide on and execute any policies and programs that are "in accordance with what our Constitution dictates".

Andanar stressed that it would be in violation of the law or a Constitutional infringement for Duterte to intervene in the NTC’s “independent, regulatory, and quasi-judicial undertaking.”

He added that the NTC’s decision only proves that ABS-CBN is not above the law.

“No one is above the law. ABS-CBN’s shutdown was brought about by the expiration of its 25-year legislative franchise last 4 May 2020,” Andanar said. “It is within the purview of the Constitution that NTC, as a regulatory body, disallows the continued operation of any broadcast network with an expired franchise.”

Franchise renewal up to Congress

Andanar said ABS-CBN’s bid to renew its franchise now lies in the hands of Congress.

He said the decision on the legislative franchise of ABS-CBN falls “within the purview and wisdom of Congress.”

Andanar said ABS-CBN can exhaust all legal remedies to resolve the issues hounding its franchise.

“The mandate of a broadcast franchise issuance and renewal is within the authority of the Congress, and not solely of the President, who only signs the law to be executory,” he said.

ABS-CBN failed to secure a fresh franchise because House lawmakers did not act on the 11 pending bills granting another 25-year legislative franchise to the network.

On Wednesday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte has no reason to veto a ratified franchise bill from Congress once it reaches the President’s table.

Andanar said the government is thankful to ABS-CBN for its service to the Filipino nation, especially at this time of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

“The hard work and passion of everyone from the said media organization are truly commendable,” he said. (PNA)

ABS-CBN ordered to stop broadcast after franchise lapse

2020-05-05T05:08:00.001-07:00

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on Tuesday issued a cease and desist order (CDO) against broadcast network ABS-CBN after the expiration of its legislative franchise on Monday.

In a statement, the NTC said its order directed ABS-CBN to stop the operation of its various television (TV) and radio broadcast stations nationwide that require a valid congressional franchise to operate legally.

“ABS-CBN was also given ten days from receipt of the Order to respond as to why the frequencies assigned to it should not be recalled,” the NTC said.

In a radio interview, NTC Deputy Commissioner Edgardo Cabarios said the CDO, while immediately executory, may be appealed by the company to continue its operation without a valid franchise.

“May mga legal remedies naman (There are legal remedies), so that they can continue operating.

Depende sa pag-analyze ng lawyers (It depends on the analysis of lawyers). I think they are studying the matter already,” Cabarios said.

The order, he said, would only affect the physical TV and radio broadcasting stations of ABS-CBN and does not prevent the company from creating content and broadcasting over new media such as digital TV and the internet.

“Yun lang physical facility. Pero maraming platform kasi to air their content (Only the physical facility. They have many platforms to air their content). Only the radio station, yung (the) physical,” Cabarios said.

He said a provisional authority was not granted to ABS-CBN, in lieu of a franchise from Congress, as it has never issued a provisional authority to a broadcasting company without a valid franchise.

While there has been no decision yet on ABS-CBN’s “quo warranto” case before the Supreme Court filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida, he said the CDO was issued as there was no legal basis for the continued operation of the network.

In its order, the NTC cited Republic Act No. 7966 which granted ABS-CBN a 25-year license to operate TV and radio broadcasting stations expired on Monday.

It also cited the Radio Control Law, Act No. 3846, which stated that “(n)o person, firm, company, association, or corporation shall construct, install establish, or operate a radio transmitting station, or radio receiving station used for commercial purposes, or a radio broadcasting station, without having first obtained a franchise therefor from the Congress of the Philippines.”

Following its issuance of the CDO, it said that NTC regional offices will implement the closure order in their areas of jurisdiction.

After receiving a response from ABS-CBN, it said a hearing for the case will be scheduled at “the earliest time after the enhanced community quarantine is lifted by the government.”

Earlier, Calida warned that the NTC will be charged with graft should it issue a provisional license to ABS-CBN, saying the NTC has no power to do so.

NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba in March said it would “most likely” issue a provisional authority to ABS-CBN “barring a gross violation of its franchise of the NTC rules and regulations.”

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said the NTC order is immediately executory and may be questioned before the courts. "(The) CDO is immediately executory but still appealable (and subject to) judicial review by either the Regional Trial Court (RTC) or the Court of Appeals (CA)," Guevarra said in a message to reporters.

Guevarra has publicly stated his position that a provisional authority (PA) may be validly granted by the NTC to ABS-CBN during the pendency of hearings into the continuation of its franchise.

"The NTC requested our opinion and the DOJ gave them advice in accordance with law and equity. The congress expressed essentially the same view as that of the DOJ and further enjoined the NTC to issue a provisional authority to ABS CBN. The NTC issued a cease and desist order instead. It must have a very good reason for doing so. Let's wait for the explanation."

Guevarra said. Guevarra said existing laws provide that a person who wishes to operate a radio/television station must first obtain a legislative franchise and thereafter a license to operate from the NTC.

He clarified, however, that no law governs the rights and obligations of a person or entity similar to ABS-CBN "which has already been granted a legislative franchise previously and has fully operated for many years, has applied for the renewal of its franchise long before the expiration, but for reasons not attributable to said person or entity, the legislature has not yet acted on the renewal of said franchise".

"In the present case, the subject company had already been granted a franchise and a license to operate, albeit subject to further deliberations for its renewal," Guevarra said.

In a statement, ABS-CBN said it will go off-the-air starting Tuesday night. "This is in compliance with the cease and desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) today that prohibits ABS-CBN from continuing its broadcast operations effective immediately," it said.

The network that it has been providing comprehensive news coverage on the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic and is working with local government and the private sector in providing aid for those in need.

"We trust that the government will decide on our franchise with the best interest of the Filipino people in mind, recognizing ABS-CBN's role and efforts in providing the latest news and information during these challenging times," it said. (PNA)

PH remains No.1 in Southeast Asia for budget transparency

2020-05-04T22:06:00.001-07:00

The Philippines secured the top spot in Southeast Asia for budget transparency based on the results of the 2019 Open Budget Survey (OBS) released on April 29.

The country received an Open Budget Index (OBI) score of 76, maintaining its position as the most fiscally transparent country in the region while ranking 10th place worldwide.

The country’s 2019 OBI score climbed nine notches higher to 76 out of 100 from 67 in 2017, exceeding the 2019 and 2021 OBI target scores of 67 and 71, respectively, under the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022.

A transparency score of 61 and above implies comprehensive, timely and online publication of all eight key budget documents, including the mid-year review, a feat achieved twice by the country since the onset of the OBS.

The score is also notably higher than the global average score of 45, as well as that of other Asian countries such as Indonesia (70), Japan (62), South Korea (62), and Thailand (61).

In terms of global ranking, for the first time, the Philippines made it to the top 10 out of 117 countries surveyed worldwide by the International Budget Partnership (IBP), a substantial jump from its 19th spot in the previous OBS.

The OBS is a global biennial survey conducted by the IBP which assesses transparency based on the amount and timeliness of information governments make available to the public in eight key budget documents, such as the pre-budget statement, executive’s budget proposal, enacted budget and citizen’s budget, among others.

For the 2019 round, seven out of eight budget documents improved their scores, signifying a more comprehensive and high-quality budget information that helps support public debate on the national budget.

Aside from transparency, the OBS likewise evaluates public participation in the budget process and budget oversight.

The country’s participation score is the sixth highest score worldwide at 31 out of 100, and is significantly above the global average score of 14.

This implies that the country should increase opportunities for meaningful and inclusive public engagement in the different stages of the budget process.

Moreover, budget oversight remained strong in the Philippines with a composite oversight score of 74 out of 100, which implies adequate oversight by the Congress and the Commission on Audit during the budget process.

“We are pleased with the results of the OBS and we are very thankful to everyone who exerted extra effort in the process. May we continue finding value in transparency in our work,” Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Wendel Avisado said in a statement.

Moving forward, the department plans to create an Inter-Agency Task Force on Fiscal Openness for effective and efficient inter-agency coordination on fiscal matters to further improve fiscal transparency and the country’s OBI score. (PR)

DSWD opens new text hotline, email for SAP queries

2020-05-03T00:27:00.000-07:00

The Department of Social Welfare and Development announced Saturday its new text hotline and e-mail address where the public can inquire regarding Social Amelioration Program (SAP) concerns.

"Earlier, DSWD has published its hotline number, 16545, set up through the support of PLDT Enterprise, as well as mobile numbers for GLOBE, 0916-247-1194; SMART, 0947-482-2864; and SUN, 0932-933-3251, which are designated to receive calls only,” DSWD said in a press release.

DSWD, this time, set up text a hotline with the number 0918-912-2813 and an e-mail address, sapgrievances@dswd.gov.ph, so the public can easily reach out to the agency.

These numbers are managed by the DSWD’s 24/7 Operations Center which will respond to concerns and queries regarding the SAP as well as other DSWD programs, such as the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), and the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SocPen).

The staff manning the OpCen, DSWD said, will do their best to respond to the queries on SAP, while concerns on the other DSWD programs shall be immediately forwarded to the appropriate office or bureau within the central office and the concerned field offices.

The activation of the DSWD OpCen is part of the department’s public service delivery especially that the country is under a public health emergency. (PR)

PH financial strength among highest in the world: report

2020-05-02T04:16:00.000-07:00

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno said a report that identified the Philippines as among countries with high financial strength validates the authorities’ belief in a robust economic recovery from the pandemic.

A report from The Economist showed that the Philippines placed sixth out of 66 select emerging economies with a high level of financial strength.

Botswana led the list, followed by Taiwan, South Korea, Peru, and Russia. Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, and China rounded out the Top 10, placing seventh to 10th, respectively.

These economies were measured based on the percentage of public debt to gross domestic product (GDP), foreign debt, cost of borrowing, and reserve cover.

Diokno, in a Viber message to journalists on Friday, said the country’s ranking on the list “is consistent with what we've been saying all along: the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic hit the Philippines from a position of strength.”

“The Philippines before the Covid-19 crisis was on the road to A-rating. We're not saying that the Philippines has not suffered from this crisis, together with the rest of the world. But our relative position among emerging economies gives us confidence that the Philippines would have a U-shaped bounce-back once the pandemic fades,” he said.

Diokno traced this strength to the current administration’s “well-crafted economic plan, the close coordination and competence of President (Rodrigo) Duterte's economic team, and the President's strong leadership in getting the much-needed legislation passed by Congress.”

Data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) show that the national government’s total outstanding debt as of the end of March reached PHP8.177 trillion, the bulk, or 67 percent, of which is accounted for by domestic debt while 33 percent were sourced from external fund sources.

The proportion of the country’s debt-to-domestic output also stood at 44.2 percent as of 2019, down from as high as 78.3 percent in 1986.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III earlier traced this to continued sound fiscal management by the administrations since that period.

Dominguez said excluding guarantees, the country’s actual debt-to-GDP ratio was at 41.5 percent last year.

Relatively, BSP data show a preliminary figure of a record-high USD89 billion for the county’s gross international reserves (GIR) as of end-March.

This amount provides 7.9 months’ worth of cover for imports of goods and services and payments of primary income, higher than the international standard of a three-month cover. (PNA)

DILG, DSWD give 7-day extension on SAP distribution

2020-05-01T01:04:00.000-07:00

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año on Thursday said the government will extend the distribution of financial assistance under the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) social amelioration program (SAP), following the appeal of mayors in Metro Manila.

“Pinag-aaralan namin ni Secretary Rolly Bautista yung situation ng Metro Manila at ibang mga lugar na may high-density population ng mga urban poor families. At nakita namin na valid naman ang kanilang reasons (Along with Social Welfare Secretary Rolly Bautista, we are considering the situation of the Metro Manila and other areas with a high-density population of urban poor families. And we saw that they actually have valid reasons)” he said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

Año said local officials in Metro Manila, provinces of Rizal, Laguna, Bulacan, Cavite as well as the cities of Cebu and Davao will be given a 7-day extension from the original April 30 deadline of distribution.

He said it would have been possible for the local governments to distribute the cash assistance on time, however, physical and social distancing may be violated.

"Kasi kaya naman idistribute yan (cash assistance) sa takdang oras pero maba-violate yung physical at social distancing, (so) balewala din yun kung nadefeat yung purpose na 'wag mag spread yung virus (They can distribute the cash assistance within the deadline, but the physical and social distancing will be violated so the purpose to halt the spread of the virus might be defeated)," he said.

Meanwhile, Año reminded local officials to immediately prepare their liquidation on SAP's first tranche of the financial assistance so that the second tranche of could be processed right away.

“For other LGUs has a problem, four days extension. They have to liquidate immediately para mai-prepare ang (to prepare) second tranche. Kahit nag-partial liquidation, para tuloy-tuloy, ‘pag once ma full liquidation sila may basis na ang ating DSWD para ilabas ang kanilang (even a partial liquidation will do, so it would be continuous, once the full liquidation is submitted the DSWD will now have the basis to pull out the) the second tranche,” he said.

The subsidies, he said, which range from PHP5,000 to PHP8,000, will be distributed in two tranches, between April and May.

The DSWD, he added, will be working on the validation of the cash subsidy liquidations.

Bautista said the DSWD has already distributed about PHP80.8 billion, to some 1,515 local government units nationwide.

A total of 98.8 percent of the budget under the SAP implementation, he said, has already been distributed to more than 5.7 million low-income earners and poor families in the country, through LGUs. (PNA)

GSIS raises emergency loan amount to P40K

2020-04-30T04:50:00.003-07:00

Government workers can now avail of emergency loans from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) up to PHP40,000.

During the #Laging Handa PH briefing aired over the state-owned television network, PTV, GSIS president Rolando Macasaet said the agency’s Board of Trustees have decided to increase the loanable amount after noting that some of those who applied for emergency loans have existing loans.

Under GSIS rules, the outstanding loan amount of a member will be deducted from the proceeds of the emergency loan once the application has been approved.

Emergency loans may be availed of within three months after the declaration of a state of calamity in an area.

GSIS members may apply for emergency loans after Malacanang declared a state of calamity nationwide since March 16 and the declaration will last for six months “unless earlier lifted or extended as circumstances may warrant” due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

Macasaet said they are accepting online loan applications because of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) declared over Luzon, among other areas.

He said the system has yielded good results, with total loan applications reaching nearly 40,000 with payout almost reaching PHP4 billion.

He said GSIS members who are medical front-liners will get additional life insurance if they die of the virus.

He said GSIS members are automatically given a life insurance coverage amounting to 150 percent of their salary multiplied by 12.

He, however, said that because of the pandemic, GSIS officials decided to give medical front-liners who are GSIS members additional insurance amounting to PHP500,000.

He said they have been received reports that eight GSIS members who are medical front-liners have died because of Covid-19. (PNA)

Cyber Libel at Estafa, kakaharapin ni Mystica pagkatapos ng ECQ

2020-04-27T04:11:00.001-07:00

Tatlong tao ang nakahandang kasuhan si Mystica ng Estafa at Cyber Libel pagkatapos ng Enhanced Community Quarantine.

Dalawa sa pursigidong magdemanda sa nasabing singer ay sina Nazel Suan na nakabase ngayon sa Saudi Arabia at Leinad, isang negosyante na taga-Bulacan.

Nakausap ko na ang dalawang ito at anila, may isa pang taga-Mindanao na handa ring ihabla ang dating split queen anumang oras na matapos na ang krisis sa Covid-19.

Aminado si Nazel na dati siyang fan ni Tikay at naging inspirasyon daw niya ito kaya siya nagtagumpay sa buhay.

Marami siyang negosyo ngayon na pinapa-manage niya sa kanyang mga kapatid dito sa Pilipinas at sya naman ay nasa Saudi at nagtatrabaho sa isang malaking laboratoryo.

Ani Nazel, inabuso ni Mystica ang kanyang kabaitan. Ginawa umano siyang palabigasan nito pati ng anak nitong si Stanley.

Nung ma-ospital daw ang anak ng dating bukaka singer ay tinulungan niya ito para makalabas ng hospital. Nagpadala siya ng pera para pambayad pero hindi raw ibinayad sa hospital kundi ihinulog sa motor na inutang nito at muling humingi ng tulong sa kanya gamit ang iba’t ibang alibi to the point na siniraan pa raw nito ang sariling ina.

Sa kabilang dako naman, habang nage-emote sa kanya si Mystica ay inilalaglag din nito ang anak. Bandang huli, nalaman ni Nazel na dinadramahan lang daw pala siya ng mag-ina para mahuthutan siya.

Sa kabila ng mga tulong na ginawa niya sa mga ito sinisiraan pa siya sa ibang tao. Ipinopost siya sa facebook ng hindi maganda at kapag kinokompronta niya, ang sasabihin sa kanya gimik lamang iyon para may makuha itong pera sa ibang fans.

Nung palayasin daw sa inuupahang bahay itong si Mystica, sya rin ang tumulong. Ikinuha niya ito ng rent-to-own na condo.

Uupahan/huhulugan ito ni Tikay at kapag natapos ay saka niya ibibigay ang titulo. Pero pinipilit na daw nitong kunin ang titulo at nagalit sa kanya nang ayaw niyang ibigay.

Sinisi pa siya nito dahil sinabihan daw niya ito na huwag na itong humingi ng tulong sa munisipyo dahil sasagutin daw niya ang problema nito gayong wala naman siyang sinasabi.

Dahil sa kanya nakilala ni Mystica ang tiyuhin niyang si Mr. Ilagan na tulad niya ay sinuportahan din ang singer. Pero hindi alam ng huli na tyuhin niya ito.

Malaking pera raw ang nakukuha ng naturang mang-aawit sa tiyo niya na ipinanghuhulog nito sa sasakyan na kinuha nito noong nakapasok ito sa Ang Probinsyano ngunit bigla siyang tinanggal kaya naging sakit niya ng ulo ang paghuhulog nito buwan-buwan.

Umabot umano sa puntong niligawan pa ng daldakinang singer si Mr. Ilagan para mahumaling sa kanya sa kabila ng meron na siyang asawa, ang 23 years old noon na si Kid Lopez na pinakasalan niya.

Ang matindi, ayon pa sa tsika sa atin ni Nazel, nagpadala si Mystica ng malaswang video nito kay Mr. Ilagan para mas lalo niyang makuha ang loob nito. Samantalang si Leinad, nakuhanan din daw ni Mystica ng 60 thousand plus ilang sako ng bigas. Idinaan sa utang, nang sinisingil na niya ay blinock siya sa facebook.

Ang ikinasasama ng loob niya, nang minsang pumunta raw ito sa kanyang kiskisan nag-live ito sa fb at pinalabas na pag-aari nito ang nabanggit na rice milling. Kaya nagulat na lamang daw si Leinad nang batikusin siya ng mga fan ni Mystica.

Pinalalabas ng mga ito na inaangkin niya ang kiskisan ni Mystica. Ayon kay Leinad, ngayong tatlo na silang nagrereklamo kay Mystica, humanda raw ito dahil bibigyan nila ito ng leksyon.

Sa kasalukuyan, iniimbestigahan din ng NBI si Mystica sa pagmumurang ginawa nito kay President Digong. Mukhang may kalalagyan siya dahil dalawang beses na niya itong ginawa sa Pangulo.

The post Cyber Libel at Estafa, kakaharapin ni Mystica pagkatapos ng ECQ appeared first on Philippine News.

Elanel Egot Ordidor AKA Linn Silawan to be deported for ‘nasty’ online posts against President Duterte

2020-04-26T06:41:00.000-07:00

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) constrained to act for the deportation of a Filipina working as caregiver in Taiwan for the crime of cyber libel for willful posting of nasty and malevolent materials against President Duterte on Facebook intended to cause hatred amidst the global health crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement yesterday, labor attaché Fidel Macauyaghe said the caregiver, Elanel Egot Ordidor, is employed in Yunlin County, Taiwan.

Macauyag said they went to her workplace on April 20 to enlighten her that her actions amounted to a crime for which she might be prosecuted both in Taiwan and the Philippines.

Ordidor was cooperative and cordial at first and committed to delete all her uploaded videos against the President and promised not to do it again. She also promised to upload a video of her public apology to the President and to the people in the government at 9 pm of the same day.

However, hours after the visit, several posts were seen on the Philippine Overseas Labor and Office (POLO) Taichung’ Facebook page from several fake accounts assuring Ms. Ordidor’s cause and further giving her assurance of support.

Ms. Ordidor is using several social media accounts, among which are Lenale Elanel Egot, Mha Lan Dee, Linn Silawan and Hampas Lupa and has a group organized to discredit and malign the President and destabilize the government.

Due to her acts, POLO coordinated with her broker and employer on her deportation on the basis of the gravity of Ordidor’s offense under Philippine Law.

The sharing and posting of such videos are punishable under Cyber libel under Republic Act No. 10175.DOLE

5M nat’l ID registrants eyed this year

2020-04-25T23:35:00.000-07:00

Newly-appointed acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua on Tuesday said the government aims to have five million Filipinos enrolled into the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys ID) this year and possibly complete the registration of the entire population by 2022.

Chua said he and Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Undersecretary Dennis Mapa have agreed to use the next two months to finish the remaining procurement and preparations for the PhilSys ID.

“So that June or July when ECQ (enhanced community quarantine) is relaxed or modified, we will be able to begin again the registration of the households,” he said in a presser.

Chua, also acting National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) director general, said they are looking for ways so that many of the registrations will be front-loaded this year as much as possible.

“One thing that we are thinking about is if we can target so that each household gets to be registered ibig sabihin (that means), the household head will be registered instead of everyone in the household so we still reach five million registration. But we are not merely covering five million people, we are covering five million households and that is one way to ensure that we can address some of the issues in the social amelioration,” he said.

Chua was optimistic that the 2022 completion target is “still feasible”.

He said accelerating the implementation of the national ID system is among the “marching orders” of Malacañang to him upon his appointment as acting secretary of NEDA.

He added that Congress passed the National ID Law which will allow the country to implement its social welfare programs more effectively and efficiently in the near future.

Apart from the national ID system, Chua said he will also prioritize the crafting of the national recovery plan amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and support the country’s “Build, Build, Build” program through NEDA’s work in the Investment Coordination Committee.

“We probably will be entering a new normal and we will have to determine which of the Build, Build, Build projects have the maximum impact. And the Build, Build, Build projects, when we are allowed to continue when it is safe to go out and work, we will have to use that as one of the main drivers of our economy because that is where jobs are created, that is where the multiplier effects are higher so that will be an important part of our recovery,” he added. (PNA)

P73.7-B downloaded to LGUs for social amelioration: DSWD

2020-04-20T21:49:00.004-07:00

EMERGENCY FUND. Bernardo Busa of Barangay Jacinto Lumbreras, GMA in Cavite, one of the beneficiaries of the government's Social Amelioration Program (SAP). Busa said he has exhausted his savings to feed his family of five since the quarantine started. (Photo from DSWD IV-A)

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday said it has downloaded PHP73.766 billion to various local government units for the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) of the government amid the ongoing enhanced community quarantine.

DSWD Undersecretary for Special Concerns Camilo Gudmalin said the figure, as of 8 p.m. of April 19, is a running data.

“Our database is online and it changes from time to time as field offices are encoding data as it arrives,” Gudmalin said in a message.

In an email sent to the Philippine News Agency, data showed that the Calabarzon region posted the highest number of beneficiaries with 1,880,617.

Of the PHP73.766-billion budget, the region received a PHP12.208-billion fund.

DSWD-Calabarzon posted on their Facebook the updates of the constituents who have availed of the emergency subsidy.

Esmeraldo Casajeros from Barangay Poblacion 2, Ternate in Cavite was among the 2,100 beneficiaries of the SAP who received PHP6,500.

Casajeros qualified as a beneficiary after the social workers reviewed his background being a farmer who gets paid with 10 kilos of rice every harvest.

He and his two children who work in a hardware shop do not have any source of income as the enhanced community quarantine halted all their operations.

Data from DSWD also showed that there are already 4,886,083 beneficiaries who already received their subsidy as of 8 p.m. of April 19.

Of this number 1,164,250 are non-4P’s beneficiaries while 3,721,833 4P’s beneficiaries received their subsidy through their cash cards.

Cash aid amounting to PHP3,650 to PHP6,650 per beneficiary was credited to their Landbank cash cards.

Together with the DSWD, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Landbank started distributing to 18,602 Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) drivers in the National Capital Region amounting to PHP148.816 million with each driver receiving PHP8,000 to help tide them over in these difficult times.

Under the COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), a total of PHP1.2 billion in financial assistance will be released to an initial batch of 250,000 beneficiaries from 2,773 private companies at PHP5,000 per worker.

Landbank has already started releasing to the workers from the National Capital Region.

It is also working with DOLE on the cash assistance for displaced land-based and sea-based OFWs due to the pandemic under the DOLE AKAP for OFWs Program. (PNA)

SSS eyes launching of calamity loan program by April 24

2020-04-20T07:43:00.002-07:00

Executives of the Social Security System (SSS) target to launch by April 24, 2020 a calamity loan assistance program to support members affected by quarantine implemented to address the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

In an online briefing, SSS Vice President Fernando Nicolas said they are just finalizing their system for this loan, which will have a maximum amount of PHP20,000 per member.

He said application for the loan will be online via MY.SSS, which can be accessed using the agency’s website, www.sss.gov.ph.

Members who are qualified for this loan are those who have paid contributions for 36 months and six months of these should have been made within the last 12 months before the loan application is submitted.

Delinquent borrowers are not qualified for this loan program.

Nicolas urged SSS members to open bank accounts because SSS management has approved the recommendation to pay all the loan proceeds and other benefits through an online banking facility.

He clarified that proceeds of this loan program are not sure to be made through online bank crediting because SSS officials are still finalizing agreements with several banks “but definitely, the benefits that have been approved earlier can be sent to the members’ bank accounts anytime.”

Aside from the calamity loan program, SSS has extended to within 60 days the filing of sickness notifications for self-employed and voluntary members.

A three-month moratorium on loan payments is also in effect until May 2020 to lessen the impact of the quarantine on workers in the private sector and those who are self-employed.

SSS members may send any inquiries on the agency’s programs to member_relations@sss.gov.ph, ofw.relations@sss.gov.ph; prnhelpline@sss.gov.ph, onlineservicesassistance@sss.gov.ph, the SSS website at MY.SSS.

They may also call the SSS automated telephone number at 7917-7777. (PNA)

Duterte, Trump discuss bilateral cooperation vs. coronavirus

2020-04-20T06:52:00.002-07:00

CALL FROM TRUMP. President Rodrigo Duterte receives a phone call from US President Donald Trump on Sunday night (April 19, 2020). Malacañang on Monday confirmed the two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation against Covid-19 but no other details were announced. (Photo from Sen. Bong Go)

President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday night received a phone call from US President Donald Trump as the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic continues to affect almost every country and territory across the world.

In a virtual presser on Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed that the two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation against Covid-19 but he did not go into details.

“The call came in at 10:10 in the evening. It was initiated by the US government. It lasted for about 18 minutes. It was cordial and it was about bilateral collaboration on Covid-19 but beyond that I have no authority to divulge any further details,” he said.

Roque appealed for understanding from the public for not giving a full account of the conversation, stressing that diplomatic communications are an exception under the Executive Order No. 2 on the Freedom of Information program which mandates public disclosure of all government records involving public interest.

“We have notes and transcripts but even that po hindi pupuwedeng inanunsyo sa publiko.

Humihingi po ako ng inyong pag-iintindi (cannot be announced to the public. I am asking for your understanding),” he said.

Roque said he had no knowledge about whether Duterte and Trump discussed the former’s sentiment about the US’ aggressive recruitment of Filipino nurses.

On April 13, Duterte criticized the US for causing problems by luring Filipino nurses to their country instead of relying on their own human resources.

He said that because the US also made it easier for Filipino nurses to apply for a working visa, he was concerned that the Philippines would run out of medical professionals to treat Covid-19.

“Dapat kayo umasa sana sa sariling mga tao ninyo. Eh ngayon kinukuha, kinakaltasan mo ang Pilipinas pagdating ng panahon magkulang, sorry na lang tayo (You should rely on your own people. Now you’re getting them away from the Philippines. If there will be a shortage, we’ll be sorry),” Duterte said in a televised public address.

Over the weekend, Trump said China should face unspecified consequences if it was “knowingly responsible” for the Covid-19 pandemic.

Asked to react on the US leader’s pronouncement, Roque said all countries that have violated international obligations under the 2005 International Health Regulations (IHR), a treaty established under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO), may be held liable.

However, Roque said Trump has to prove first that China “knowingly” suppressed crucial information about Covid-19.

“Ang issue nga lang po ay pati si Presidente Trump, hindi sigurado kung merong ginawa ang China na magiging isang paglabag sa kaniyang obligasyon sa larangan ng international law. He himself is unsure pero siyempre po kung aakusahan niya ang Tsina na merong paglabag ay kinakailangang siya po magbigay ng pruweba (The issue is even President Trump is unsure if China violated its obligation under international law. He himself is unsure but if he wants to take action against China, he needs to give proof),” he said.

The total number of Covid-19 cases in the US is currently at 755,533, according to data from Johns Hopkins University (JHU).

To date, the JHU said the disease has killed more than 40,000 people in the US, nearly a quarter of all deaths from Covid-19 across the globe.

In the Philippines, there are a total of 6,250 confirmed Covid-19 cases in the country and 409 deaths as of April 19.

Globally, there are more than 2.3 million cases while fatalities reached 164,000. (PNA)