15 Disyembre,2024 Linggo

16 days to 2025, Merry Christmas

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Headlines

Slashing  of DepEd’s 2025 budget justified

By Nidz Godino

“Secretary Angara may argue that education funding is sacrosanct, but Congress cannot keep throwing good money after bad…this is not about depriving education; it’s about ensuring proper fund use and accountability,” 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez said House of Representatives has stood firm on slashing P10 billion from  Department of Education (DepEd)’s 2025 computerization budget, calling out  agency’s alleged glaring inefficiency and fund mismanagement.

Dismissed  objections of DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara,  earlier criticized lawmakers for  budget cut.

 “While it’s unfortunate that Sec. Sonny inherited  problems and scandals left behind by his predecessor, Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, Sec. Angara knows that  law is clear: unused funds must be accounted for before new allocations can be made, now that he’s education secretary, he should focus on fixing DepEd’s internal mess instead of crying foul about budget decisions,” he said.

Citing DepEd’s poor track record, the lawmaker pointed to  Commission on Audit (COA) report,  revealed DepEd’s disbursement of only P2.075 billion of its P11.36-billion 2023 budget for ICT equipment.

“This isn’t just inefficiency , it’s negligence,” Gutierrez pointed out, adding that DepEd’s failure to deliver on its mandate justifies Congress’ decision to reallocate funds.

At  budget hearing last September, DepEd ICT director Ferdinand Pitagan admitted that 12,022 laptops for teachers and 7,558 for non-teaching personnel remained undelivered by end-2023.

“And that’s just for 2023, we’re not even talking about  computerization budget for 2024 and  year is almost over,” Gutierrez said.

Critics scored department for  laptop procurement mess under Duterte’s term as DepEd chief, during  overpriced units drained resources without meeting schools’ needs.

“Excuses are wearing thin,” Gutierrez said “we know it’s extremely difficult for Secretary Angara to defend DepEd’s lack of action when  Philippines is already at rock bottom in global education rankings…  teacher-to-computer ratio of 30:1 is unacceptable and we have VP Sara to blame for it.”

Philippines ranked 76th among 81 countries in reading and mathematics in 2023 PISA assessment. Analysts argue that DepEd’s delays in delivering ICT resources have only deepened  crisis.

With  education sector in disarray, lawmakers insist  cut is not  attack on education but  wakeup call for DepEd to prioritize effective governance over bloated budgets.

With Malacañang vowing to enact  national budget program for 2025 before Christmas, Sen. Pia Cayetano  intends to question before  Supreme Court  move of  bicameral conference committee of Congress to give zero subsidy to  state insurer Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

Cayetano said she as  lawyer would study  proposed P6.352-trillion national budget as she questioned budget cuts on key agencies like  Departments of Health and Education.

She said  bicam move to remove government subsidy for PhilHealth violates  Sin Tax Law,  mandates  portion of tax collected from vices should be used for universal health care.

“We passed  Sin Tax Law that requires that 80 percent of revenues from tobacco products and sugar-sweetened beverage must be allocated to PhilHealth…for 2025, that amount of sin tax collection is P69 billion…under  bicam, zero…by law, it is required to deliver that fund, iolation of  Sin Tax Law… I am seriously considering questioning this in  Supreme Court because that is  law that we passed,” Cayetano said.

While she understands  Senate leadership’s position that PhilHealth does not deserve government subsidy because of its unused P600 billion in reserve funds, Cayetano said  government is mandated to give support for PhilHealth’s payments of premiums for indirect contributors.

“Clearly, PhilHealth is not managing their funds properly… I’d like to believe there are improvements…but are we improving fast enough, I am just posing those questions because it has reached  point government may not fund them anymore, even though by law, they are required to be funded…we are now at stalemate,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano,  seeking reelection,  remains ally of  administration even though she is questioning  budget cuts in  2025 budget.

“I am ally of  administration… I will not say  administration is not giving education and health  priority….what I am saying is that I respect the process, I respect that there may be differences in opinions in terms of setting priorities,” Cayetano said.

She expressed disappointment that  bicam had to cut the budgets of  DOH by P25.80 billion, DepEd (P11.57 billion), Commission on Higher Education (P26.91 billion) and the University of the Philippines (P641.38 million).

“This is outside  administration…it’s  bicam process only that I am making  observation on,” she added.

Former senator Panfilo Lacson, meanwhile, vowed to scrutinize  bloated budget of  Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for 2025.

Lacson said  DPWH budget increased from P900 billion in  2025 National Expenditure Program, to P1.113 trillion in  reconciled budget after Congress convened as  bicameral conference committee.

Lacson  would look into  DPWH budget if he gets elected again as senator in next year’s midterm elections.

“God willing and with  enlightened electorate, in  exercise of congressional oversight, among others, I pledge to scrutinize each and every additional item that caused  spike in  agency’s budget, among other items in  2025 General Appropriations Act,” Lacson said.

He said  DPWH is known for its poor implementation of projects and utilization of funds  secretly inserted by lawmakers.

“Assuming it comes from congressional insertions, let me reiterate my usual and oft-repeated concern about  attendant poor or lack of proper planning and vetting by  DPWH,  has  proper authority to implement these ‘whimsically inserted’ budgeted items that could very well end up in either unutilization of funds or poor implementation that will not be responsive to  needs and priorities of the country and its communities,” Lacson said.

He questioned  bicam’s move to give  whopping increase to DPWH while drastically reducing  budget of  DepEd.

Lacson said this “blatantly violates Art XIV Sec 5(5) of Constitution, declares  ‘The State shall assign  highest budgetary priority to education and ensure  teaching will attract and retain its rightful share of  best available talents through adequate remuneration and other means of job satisfaction and fulfillment.’”

He urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to use his veto power and restore DepEd’s budget and reverse DPWH’s bloated funding.

“Only the President can save the Constitution from becoming wastebasket-bound by exercising his line item veto power once  Enrolled Bill lands on his desk,” he said.

Senate finance committee chair Grace Poe earlier defended  P288.7-billion increase in  DPWH’s budget, saying there are foreign-assisted projects next year that need government funding.

While senators were critical of  DPWH’s billions of pesos worth of poorly implemented flood control projects, Poe said there are audit guidelines for monitoring DPWH projects to prevent corruption and make possible  blacklisting of unscrupulous contractors. 

14 Disyembre,2024 Sabado

17 days to 2025, Merry Christmas

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Headlines

Angara, teachers decry P12 B budget cut

By Creselda Canda-Lopez

“Sad to learn that both houses of Congress have decided to decrease by P12 billion  budget  President proposed for DepEd for 2025. .. reverses  trend in recent years where Congress added even more to  education budget, save for one year during pandemic,”  Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara posted on X, Secretary Sonny Angara and teachers’ groups have decried Congress’ decision to cut  DepEd’s 2025 budget by P12 billion.

Bicameral  conference committee on Wednesday reduced to P737 billion, from P748.65 billion,  DepEd’s 2025 funding allocation in  reconciled version of General Appropriations Bill (GAB).

Of the amount cut, P10 billion will be slashed from DepEd’s computerization program,  aims to provide public schools with gadgets, equipment, software and training for teachers and students.

“Infrastructure is important, but so is investing in our people and human capital… digital divide will widen,those who do not have computers will find it hard to catch up,” Angara lamented.on sidelines of his visit to public schools in Iloilo City.

DepEd will explore partnerships with private sector and non-government organizations to provide technology to public schools, Angara said.

Of  P6.352-trillion national budget for 2025, P1.1 trillion will be allocated to  Department of Public Works and Highways.

“Investing in infrastructure is very important, that’s why we have increased  funds of different agencies in relation to this,” Sen. Grace Poe said in her sponsorship speech before  bicam approved  GAB’s reconciled version.

Poe pointed out  despite  budget cut,  DepEd’s 2025 budget increased from this year’s P715.3 billion.

Utilization  rate of  computerization program is at 50 percent in 2023 and 11.92 percent as of June 2024, Poe said, citing Commission on Audit report.

DepEd budget for teaching supplies allowance has been doubled, from P4.825 billion in 2024 to P9.948 billion next year, she noted.

Teachers’ Dignity Coalition said  budget cut will widen digital divide among students and exacerbate  learning crisis following  COVID-19 pandemic.

Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) said  budget cut was alarming.

“We’re seeing suspicious increases in presidential and congressional pork barrel and unprogrammed appropriations. ..these discretionary funds conveniently balloon as we approach  2025 national elections…  timing and nature of these realignments clearly suggest political motivations rather than genuine concern for public welfare,” ACT chairman Vladimer Quetua said.

Education  budget must be increased equivalent to six percent of  country’s gross domestic product, as recommended by international standards, he noted.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said Congress did its best in allocating scarce resources and reconciling differing versions of budget.

Sen. Pia Cayetano was disappointed by budget cuts suffered by  Department of Health (DOH), DepEd, Commission on Higher Education and University of the Philippines.

Meanwhile,  2025 budget restoration for Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) has been welcomed by  Department of Social Welfare and Development.

DSWD’s cash aid program has received  P26-billion allocation for next year.

“We are happy about this because it would mean implementation of social welfare services will continue, it will not be interrupted,” said DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao.

More than four million “near poor” Filipinos have benefitted from  AKAP during its first year of implementation from January to October 2024.

Health benefits provided by  Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) will continue with or without subsidy from  General Appropriations Act,  DOH said.

“We reviewed  financial statements of PhilHealth together with its established performance and  DOH is confident that it has enough money to continue and even improve operations,” Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said.

At the end of calendar year 2023,  state health insurer’s accumulated net income was recorded at P463.7 billion.

Following  Universal Health Care Act, PhilHealth has secured  reserve fund of P280.6 billion, good for two years’ worth of benefits and other operating expenses.

PhilHealth counted its surplus fund balance to be at least P183.1 billion at the start of 2024.

14 Disyembre,2024 Sabado

17 days to 2025, Merry Christmas

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

3 Boy Scouts succumbed, 11 hurt in jamboree electrocution accident

By J.Lo

Police authorities are looking into electrocution incident killing three Boy Scouts while 11 others were hurt on Thursday in Zamboanga City.

Police Regional Office-9, director Brig. Gen. Bowenn Joey Masauding, said victims’ tent with metal materials , they were to transfer to  strategic spot in  camping site in Zamboanga City hit  dangling power transmission cable.

Electrocution  incident in  highland Abong Abong area left three students, Kevin Iquid, Geoffrey Atillano and Alvin Gaspar, dead.

Sources from Department of Education-9 and employees of  Zamboanga City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) were quoted in radio reports as saying three of eleven other scouts transported by emergency responders to  hospital for treatment of injuries due to accidental electrocution are in critical condition.

Education officials overseeing  scouting jamboree, among them Butch Alejabo and  lawyer Jay-Ar Ortega, had told police investigators  victims got electrocuted when  tent with metal framings they were carrying overhead, to be transferred from one spot to another in  Abong Abong camping site, hit  dangling power line of  Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative.

Masauding said their investigators, officials of  Bureau of Fire Protection and personnel of  Zamboanga CDRRMO, under Mayor John Dalipe, will soon release  common report on the incident.

13 Disyembre,2024 Biyernes

18 days to 2025, Merry Christmas

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Budget signed before Christmas

By Nidz Godino

“Following standard practice,  Congress-approved national budget bill will be transmitted to  Office of the President for review… national budget for 2025 will be signed before Christmas Day,”  Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in  statement President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.is slated to sign into law P6.532-trillion national budget for 2025 before Christmas.

PCO Secretary Cesar Chavez previously said  signing of  spending bill has been tentatively set for Dec. 20.

Militant lawmakers, meanwhile, are questioning what they considered  hasty ratification of  bicameral conference committee report on approved budget.

In  manifestation, Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel of Makabayan bloc questioned specifically  huge increase from P158.7 billion to P531.7 billion in  “unprogrammed appropriations” of  bicam-approved budget program.

“Do all  items slashed from  programmed appropriations like in education go here, unprogrammed appropriations?” Manuel asked.

Manuel  is questioning  bicam conference report “because we have seen new changes, not for  better, but to bring  country away from true progress.”

He also questioned  decrease in  budget of  Department of Education (DepEd), while taking note of  increase in  P7 billion budget for state colleges and universities (SUCs).

Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Agriculture (DA) and  National Irrigation Authority (NIA).

Kabataan representative also cited  “big challenge” facing  Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth),  would be receiving zero subsidy based on next year’s budget.

“While this zero budget for PhilHealth is  big challenge for this agency to live up in expectations to it, it is surprising why there is  cut in  budget of DOH…so how can we expect to have better health care services if there is  P25.8 trillion peso budget cut in DOH as compared to  bicam version of NEP ,National Expenditure Program in our national budget?” Manuel said.

For Senate President Francis Escudero,  zero subsidy for PhilHealth under approved budget program should serve as wakeup call for underperforming agencies.

“For such blunder, this should serve as  wakeup call to them, if not  slap in the face to make them do their job… not right to reward them for their blunder by giving them money they will not use anyway,” Escudero said.

He scored  health insurer for not having  single patient avail of zero balance billing despite its P600 billion allocation.

Meanwhile, Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said Sen. Ronald dela Rosa was “misinformed” about his criticism of its memorandum of agreement (MOA) with PhilHealth and  Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).

On Wednesday, Dela Rosa  was wondering why PhilHealth and DBP would choose to partner with  party-list and not with  DOH in  development and rehabilitation of health facilities.

“It is worth asking why Senator Dela Rosa is so fixated on attacking this program,  designed to uplift underserved communities…could this be  attempt to deflect attention from  House investigation into extrajudicial killings during his time as police chief…his sudden concern for governance and ethics appears more like  smokescreen to distract from his own accountability issues than  genuine critique of MOA,” Acidre said .

“Tingog Partylist’s participation in underserved and rural communities. is rooted in its mission to improve access to health care, especially in underserved and rural communities. This initiative is not about power or control but about facilitating solutions for local government units (LGUs) to enhance public health care services,  initiative is not about power or control but about facilitating solutions for local government units (LGUs) to enhance public health care services,” Acidre explained.

He said  MOA outlines Tingog’s role in supporting LGUs by helping them access DBP’s financial mechanisms, and provide “fiscal training, capacity building and other initiatives to allow LGUs access to DBP’s credit facility, as well as “direct medical assistance” to patients.

Acidre said Tingog’s involvement is strictly facilitative and does not infringe on  mandates of government agencies.

“Tingog Partylist does not handle funds, manage projects, or encroach upon functions of  Department of Health or  Department of the Interior and Local Government…these agencies remain central to national health care programs,” he stressed.

He rejected Dela Rosa’s criticisms, including claims that  initiative bypasses government agencies.

“MOA does not bypass these agencies. ..Tingog complements, not replaces, their mandates, on accusations of politicization… Tingog’s involvement is grounded in service, not politics, MOA adheres to all legal protocols… financial arrangements are strictly between DBP and LGUs, and no funds are transferred to Tingog… ethics of this partnership should be measured by its intent and outcomes, not by Dela Rosa’s baseless speculations,” Acidre clarified.

He called on Dela Rosa to recognize  true purpose of  initiative.

“Instead of politicizing  well-intentioned initiative, Senator Dela Rosa should focus on addressing  lingering questions about his past and how it has affected  lives of countless Filipinos… Tingog, for its part, remains committed to serving  people, especially those in rural areas who have long been neglected, we call on public to see through this distraction and focus on what truly matters: ensuring that health care reaches every Filipino, regardless of political noise…public service should always prioritize  welfare of  people, not personal or political agendas” Acidre said.

13 Disyembre,2024 Biyernes

18 days to 2025, Merry Christmas

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Headlines

Sara won’t explain why ‘Piattos,’ ‘Chippy’ received confidential funds

By J.Lo

“I will not give  explanation because it will entail that I explain intelligence operations,  will compromise offices who do intelligence operations,” Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio during  press conference after hosting media  lunch.declined  to explain why her office’s confidential fund receipts bore names of non-existent individuals, including certain “Mary Grace Piattos” whom  Philippine Statistics Authority confirmed has no birth, death or marriage records. Duterte’s response comes amid mounting allegations by lawmakers of irregularities in  P612.5-million worth of confidential funds spent by Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education in two years. These included  use of fake names in “fabricated receipts” to liquidate its secret funds.  PSA  found that 405 out of 677 supposed “recipients” of these funds were either non-existent or lacked birth certificates.

 House committee on good government and public accountability revealed Tuesday that “Mary Grace Piattos,” who supposedly received P70,000 for medicines on December 30, 2022, has no birth, marriage, or death records with  PSA. Two lawmakers have offered  P1-million reward for information about this person.

Duterte distanced herself from  preparation of these acknowledgment receipts (AR), telling reporters: “I had nothing to do with  preparation of ARs. ..that went down to  grassroots level… I was up here in the structure and money went down for information.”

When pressed about other suspicious names like “Chippy McDonald,” “Fernando Tempura,” and “Carlos Oishi,” Duterte refused to confirm if these were code names, saying such confirmation “will add to cases that will be filed against me.”

Acknowledgment  receipts bore other markings of forgery, according to House lawmakers. Specifically, two recurring signatories  identified only as “AAS” and “JOV” – received substantial payments.

Certain  AAS collected P280,000 in three tranches: P60,000 in December 2022, P150,000 in February 2023, and P70,000 in  third quarter. JOV, meanwhile, received  total of P920,000 – P170,000 for “reward payment,” P250,000 for “supplies,” and P500,000 for “medical and food aid.”

Rep. Joel Chua (Manila, 3rd District) who chairs  House panel, noted that many receipts bore “similar handwritings, same color of ballpens in  common pattern.” He also suspects  receipts were hastily made due to  nature of  errors and dates  they were issued.

Duterte’s office previously explained to COA that errors in  receipts occurred because “confidential activities took place within  short period” and personnel had  “lack of attention to detail” due to handling “voluminous papers.”

Duterte , made  rare appearance at the last House good government panel hearing last month  doubts  authenticity of  receipts being examined by lawmakers.

“We do not even know if these are ARs which came from DepEd or OVP to COA because there is  chain of evidence, nobody can answer that because nobody knows if these ARs are true,” Duterte said.

These acknowledgment receipts were submitted by OVP to  Commission on Audit (COA),  then turned these over to  House good government committee for its inquiry into Duterte’s use of confidential funds. Confidential funds, as name implies, are secret expenses that can only be audited through government agencies’ submission of documents to  COA. Duterte has direct oversight of these.

Duterte insisted she would only answer to state auditors, despite Congress’ constitutional power to conduct investigations not just in aid of legislation, but also to exercise oversight over public funds.

House committee has maintained that its investigation falls under Congress’ oversight function to examine how public funds are spent, particularly given that confidential expenses come from public funds.

“They cannot make me answer and say that we represent  taxpayers, I will only answer to  Commission on Audit because that is the body who can ask us questions about  fund use,”Duterte said.

Duterte cited ongoing proceedings with state auditors, who earlier in August disallowed P73 million worth of  OVP’s confidential funds for 2022 due to “non-submission of documents evidencing  success of information gathering/and or surveillance,” state auditors also flagged P164 million in Duterte’s 2023 confidential expenses.

 Notice  of disallowance indicates COA’s disapproval of transactions deemed irregular, unnecessary, excessive, extravagant, or unconscionable.

“There was  partial disallowance only…and even then, we are not yet finished with  process because we can still submit documents that are required by Commission on Audit, everything that they asked for, we submitted ,” she said, insisting her offices have been “fully cooperative” with state auditors.

Alleged  misuse of confidential funds has been cited in two separate impeachment complaints filed against Duterte.

12 Disyembre,2024 Huwebes

19 days to 2025, Merry Christmas

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Chiz, lawyers weigh legalities of Maris Racal, Anthony Jennings issue

By Cynthia Montojo

“Wala namang mawawala na maging maingat sinuman, na ‘wag masyado manggigil,” Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero  with several lawyers, have offered their thoughts regarding  swirling issue about  sharing of screenshots possibly becoming  violation of the Data Privacy Act.

Topic is  result of recent issue involving Maris Racal and Anthony Jennings after latter’s ex-girlfriend posted screenshots and photos allegedly showing Jennings cheated on her with Racal.

Both actors have since released apology statements addressing the issue, but discussions continue to flourish in regard to how each party could have acted or should act going forward.

Last week, during  press conference with  media, Escudero alluded to  sharing of screenshots during  discussion about illegal brokers.

Asked if celebrities should be more careful in  conversations they have, the senator quipped that his wife Heart Evangelista asks him to review everything she signs without any payment for  attorney’s fees (Escudero passed the Bar in 1994).

The senator was then asked if sharing screenshots is violation of data privacy, and he appeared to allude to  MaThon issue when he joked: “Sinabi na kasing i-delete eh,” and pointed out  existence of  disappearing messages feature.

Escudero then said in his capacity as  lawyer that sharing screenshots on social media violates data privacy, but points out allegations need to be proven in court.

He brought up  recent Supreme Court decision that screenshots can be used as evidence in  criminal case, similar to what fellow lawyer Jesus Falcis had said about the issue.

Other lawyers had differing opinions on whether  issue at hand broke any law.

Legal counsel-turned-filmmaker Joji Alonso said both Racal and Jennings did not commit any crime, though their actions may be considered immoral, as they were not married to their respective partners.

Jennings’ ex who leaked  screenshots was Jamela Villanueva, while Racal’s ex-boyfriend was singer-songwriter Rico Blanco,  latter couple splitting early during alleged cheating timeline.

Alonso then said that Villanueva, by sharing  screenshots, may have committed Cyber Libel and Violation of Data Privacy.

“She cannot hide her actions under  guise of ‘moving on.’ yes, she may have experienced pain and betrayal, but this does not give her license to violate the law,” she said, ending with Latin phrase for “no one can claim the right for themselves.”

Another lawyer, Mark Tolentino, however, backed Villanueva and pointed out she can’t be liable for either crimes as  screenshots did not contain any personal information or any libelous statements.

“Mga landian messages lang naman ‘yun… Villanueva is just exercising her freedom of expression,  constitutionally guaranteed right,” Tolentino explained.

Tolentino reiterated Villanueva did not commit libel, even sharing the word’s definition, and celebrities are subject to public consumptions so it wouldn’t be libelous to speak against public figures such as them.

The lawyer again said Data Privacy Act only covers personal information,  he also explained in full as he ended his point, “hindi personal information ang kalandiang messages!”

12 Disyembre,2024 Huwebes

19 days to 2025, Merry Christmas

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

UP, 4 other universities ranked in QS world

By J.Lo

For  second straight year, University of the Philippines (UP) emerged as top-performing Philippine university in sustainability, placing 300th in the world, but slipping notches in the bracket from its previous place at 231st in last year’s edition.

Five Philippine universities, led by UP, landed in  third Quacquarelli-Symonds (QS) World University Sustainability Rankings,  tracks higher education institutions’ ability to tackle  world’s most pressing environmental, social and governance challenges.

It received  overall score of 70 out of 100, having garnered best domestic scores across all three metrics , environmental impact, social impact and good governance.

Ateneo de Manila University climbed rankings at 503rd place from last year’s 593rd, making it  second top-performing university in sustainability in the country.

De La Salle University (DLSU)’s sustainability performance also improved as it landed in 911-920 bracket from the 981-1,000 bracket last year.

Mapúa University,  debuted in rankings last year, also saw improvements as it ranked within  1,141-1,160 bracket this year from last year’s 1,201+ placement.

University of Santo Tomas (UST) slipped by  few notches to 1,041-1,060 from last year’s 1,001-1,050 bracket.

Report, released recently, ranked about over 1,700 universities globally this year.

Sustain ability rankings are among  quality assessments conducted on colleges and universities. Rankings for sustainability was launched in 2022 and ranked about 700 in its 2023 report.

UST was  lone Philippine university recognized by  Times Higher Education (THE) in its inaugural Online Learning Rankings (OLR), tracks excellence in  delivery of online programs by universities worldwide.

UST landed in  “silver” tier in  three-tier ranking system of  2024 OLR, with gold as  highest level and bronze  lowest.

Among Southeast Asian universities, UST also stood alone in the top tier, just below  gold level.

Online  program delivery was rated on four base metrics, such as  staff and resources devoted to online learning, level of student engagement, outcomes and environment.  Latter three were tracked based on student survey responses.

UST received a 49.4 rating out of 100 for staff and resources, 66.0 for student engagement, 50.5 for outcomes and 50.3 for environment.

Outcomes represent student progression and whether they would recommend the university to others, while environment tracks inclusion, diversity and support levels, especially for those with special needs.

THE said no university achieved high scores in all  metrics, “reflecting  varying aims of online education providers and perhaps also  burgeoning nature of online learning.”

11 Disyembre,2024 Miyerkules

20 days to 2025, Merry Christmas

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Indon has no conditions for Veloso’s repatriation

By Nidz Godino

“There seems to be no conditions imposed. ..they’re just handing Mary Jane Veloso to us and it is up to us to decide whether or not there should be other steps taken,” Department of Justice spokesman Mico Clavano said  Indonesian government did not impose any condition on repatriation of convicted drug courier Mary Jane Veloso.

Clavano said  Indonesia has agreed to relinquish both physical and legal custody of Veloso to the Philippines.

“We initially thought  physical custody will be with us and legal custody will remain with Indonesia but it seems right now, both legal and physical custody are now with  Philippines,” he stressed.

With this,  Philippines no longer needs permission from Indonesian government should executive clemency be granted to Veloso.

Other decisions such as possible sentence commutation or  location of Veloso’s detention will be in the hands of Philippine authorities, Clavano said.

Philippines and Indonesia signed on Dec. 6  agreement on transfer of Veloso, who has been on death row since her conviction, back to  Philippines.

Clavano said Indonesia has indicated  it wants Veloso transferred to Philippines by Christmas day.

It has yet to be determined where Veloso will be detained once she’s back in the Philippines. Clavano, said she will be kept separate from her convicted illegal recruiters Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanlinao.

11 Disyembre,2024 Miyerkules

20 days to 2025, Merry Christmas

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

VP welcomes impeach move

By Nidz Godino

“Based on my understanding of my lawyer’s explanation, I can skip  NBI’s investigation and just submit  letter or affidavit. ..second, we have thanksgiving activities on Dec. 11,” Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio said.on  advice of her lawyers, she will not attend  National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)’s probe into her remarks against President Marcos, First Lady Liza and Speaker Martin Romualdez on Dec. 11.

After  activities, Duterte  would be flying home to Davao City for  interment of her uncle.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago said  probe would proceed without her.

Duterte also welcomed  impeachment moves against her, saying  proceedings may “finally bring peace” amid political and legal storm that landed in her lap after she locked horns with  Marcos administration.

She said  impeachment move was “O” because it left out her staff from  Office of the Vice President and former colleagues in  Department of Education (DepEd).

“I welcome  development finally,  impeachment case they have been talking about since last year has already been filed,” Duterte said.

“Impeachment case is OK because I’m the only one being investigated and attacked…this is to finally answer everything they’re accusing me of,” she stressed.

Duterte is facing two impeachment complaints filed days apart last week, with  first one citing 24 Articles of Impeachment covering alleged violations of  1987 Constitution, starting from when Duterte was Davao City mayor in 2007 up to the time she was elected Vice President in 2022 and served as secretary of  DepEd in  concurrent capacity.

She addressed  support thrown against her impeachment by  Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) and said  110-year-old Christian church only seeks “peace that could clear the way for prosperity.”

“I understand why  INC wants peace in our country because they know that if there’s peace, prosperity will follow…that’s what all Filipinos want , to have peace and continuous prosperity for our country,” she said.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Isaiah 7:14

¹⁴ Therefore the Lord himself will give you^[a] a sign: The virgin^[b] will conceive and give birth to a son, and^[c] will call him Immanuel.^[d]

Footnotes

1. Isaiah 7:14 The Hebrew is plural.
2. Isaiah 7:14 Or young woman