18 Nobyembre,2024 Lunes

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come

Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come

Family  of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas appreciates every moments shared by friends and relatives in their bereavement

Headlines

CHR commissioner Maria Amifaith Fider-Reyes

By Nidz Godino

“Her appointment represents  pivotal milestone in fulfilling leadership structure crucial to CHR’s mandate of upholding and advancing human rights in the Philippines,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed  retired judge of  special commercial court in San Fernando City, Pampanga as commissioner of  Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

Maria Amifaith Fider-Reyes,  retired from  judiciary in December, will complete  CHR’s sixth commission serving from 2022 to 2029.

She is the third female member of  five-person body, serves as CHR’s highest decision-making and policy-setting body.

 “Her inclusion bolsters gender representation and reinforces diverse expertise guiding  commission’s work,” she said.

Marcos appointed Fider-Reyes to the position on Nov. 13. Her appointment paper was formally transmitted to CHR last Friday.

Fider-Reyes was  member of  judiciary for 17 years. Before her retirement, she was  presiding judge of  Regional Trial Court Branch 42 in San Fernando City in Pampanga,  functions as  general jurisdiction court and  designated special commercial court. She also concurrently served as acting judge for other courts in Metro Manila.

Fider-Reyes also had  extensive experience in private practice and taught law at  University of Southern Philippines and  University of San Jose-Recoletos.

“Her extensive judicial experience is further enriched by her time as  court attorney and her work with esteemed justices of  Supreme Court and  Court of Appeals,”  CHR said.

The new CHR commissioner was Chevening scholar who specialized in International Rights of the Child at  University of London, Queen Mary and Westfield Colleges.

She was also  visiting scholar at the International Legal Institute in Washington and earned her Master of Laws at the University of Haifa in Israel.

“Her rich legal and judicial experience equips her to be invaluable asset to the commission…her multidisciplinary expertise and unwavering dedication to justice will undoubtedly strengthen CHR’s initiatives to protect and promote  rights of the vulnerable, disadvantaged and marginalized sectors,”  CHR said.

“The commission is confident that Commissioner Fider-Reyes’ leadership will further energize CHR’s efforts in crafting policies, advocating for rights and instituting preventive measures to address human rights challenges in the Philippines,” it added.

Other  members of the sixth commission of CHR are Chairman Richard Palpal-latoc and Commissioners Beda Epres, Faydah Maniri Dumarpa and Monina Arevalo Zenarosa.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

John 17:17

¹⁷ Sanctify them by^[a] the truth; your word is truth.

Footnotes

1. John 17:17 Or them to live in accordance with

17 Nobyembre,2024 Linggo

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come

Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come

Family  of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas appreciates every moments shared by friends and relatives in their bereavement

Impeachment Sara first before plunder raps — House leader

By Nidz Godino

“Yung P16 million na rental for safe houses noong last quarter of 2022, walang detalye…hindi po natin alam kung totoo nga pong nagamit sa rentals,” Rep. Joel Chua (Manila, 3rd District),  heads  House inquiry into Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpiop’s alleged misuse of public funds, named two potential grounds for the vice president’s impeachment: graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust. 

Duterte must first be impeached before any graft or plunder charges can be filed.

Sounding confident that Duterte will be impeached, Chua said at  press conference, “So after  impeachment, once proven or impeached, that’s the time for cases to be filed against  vice president.”

While 1987 Constitution does not state that the president and vice president are immune from prosecution, Supreme Court ruled in 2019 De Lima vs. Duterte case that  president is immune from criminal and civil cases only while in office. 

As there is no law explicitly granting the vice president  same privileges, some lawyers, including Romulo Macalintal, suggested in 2021 that presidential immunity could be extended to the vice president.

Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra stated in 2019, when he was  Justice secretary, that the vice president is not immune from criminal charges while in office.

Whether charges could be filed against  vice president, Duterte is  impeachable official according to  Constitution, means  case will not be sufficient to remove her from office. 

Chua referenced  House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability’s findings from October 17, revealing  Office of the Vice President (OVP) spent P16 million in confidential funds on 34 safe houses within just 11 days in December 2022.

Audit reports indicated that rental payments ranged from P250,000 to P1 million per day. Given this amount, lawmakers calculated that most expensive safehouse rented by  OVP cost P91,000 per day for 11 days.

Committee, however, was quick to point out  lack of proper documentation for the rental payments, emphasizing  difficulty in verifying  identities of those who received acknowledgment receipts due to illegible handwriting or  use of only signatures and initials instead of full names.

Committee  also identified discrepancy regarding  use of confidential funds for  military-led “youth leadership summits,” as Philippine Army denied receiving P15 million from  Department of Education (DepEd). Military officers told lawmakers that  Philippine Army and local government units mainly financed  said youth training program.  

Duterte made  similar statement during her press conference on October 18, asserting  DepEd did not utilize confidential funds for  Armed Forces of the Philippines or  leadership summits. 

She clarified  confidential funds were used to provide “supporting information” about areas identified in reports received by DepEd where “children are at risk.”

Denial contradicts four certifications received by COA confirm  release of these funds to  Army. 

 “Pare-parehas po tayong nagtatanong kung saan napunta ‘yung P15 million…may certification, sine-certify pero inamin naman ng Army na hindi sa kanila napunta, walang dinownload…ngayon ang tanong  saan napunta?” Chua said.

To file plunder charges, Republic Act 7080 stipulates  ill-gotten wealth must amount to at least P50 million. This requirement is why Chua informed reporters that they are still assessing which cases will be included.

House lawmakers have also examined  P73 million inappropriately spent by OVP from confidential funds, as reported by state auditors,  included expenditures for relief goods and medicines. 

COA disallowed this amount as part of  P125 million spent in just 11 days, meaning  P73 million must be returned to the government as they have been deemed as “irregular, unnecessary, excessive, extravagant or illegal.”

If committee validates  grounds for impeachment, Chua said  they will present it to the House Committee on Justice,  responsible for making impeachment recommendation that will be discussed in  plenary session.

Chairman  of good governance committee reiterated  inquiry is conducted “in aid of legislation,” emphasizing that possible filing of  impeachment complaint is  consequence of  evidence gathered.

To impeach  public official,  House of Representatives must secure at least one-third of  vote for referral to  Senate. The vice president will then be tried in  Senate, where  two-thirds majority vote is required for conviction.

17 Nobyembre,2024 Linggo

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come

Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come

Family  of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas appreciates every moments shared by friends and relatives in their bereavement

Hurry to Palace new appointments

By Nidz Godino

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. named Leonor Cleofas new administrator and chief executive of  Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).

Malacañang announced new appointments in  Departments of Agriculture (DA), Education (DepEd), Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Foreign Affairs (DFA), Labor and Employment (DOLE), Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Trade and Industry (DTI), Transportation (DOTR) and  Office of the President (OP).

President Marcos named Lorna Belinda Calda as Director III of DA while Nasser Halipa was named member of Representing Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries of Mindanao.

Gerson Abesamis and Graciela Mendoza were named Director IVs of DepEd while Ricky Arzadon was appointed Director IV of DENR together with Director III Vicente Abella.

Marcos named three ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary to DFA, namely Patrick Chuasoto to Sweden and Latvia, Eduardo de Vega to France and Monaco and Christopher Montero to Indonesia.

DOLE’s Rogelio Chavez Jr. was named representative of  labor sector to Technical Education and Skills Development Authority board.

Meanwhile, Sabeniano Caliao Jr. of DPWH and Jerico Namoro of DTI were named Directors III while Ernesto Robillo of DOTr was named Director II.

OP’s legislative liaison office also appointed three Officers III, namely Rickee Brieva, Joshua Soriano and Rey Zarate Jr.

Apart from these, Marcos also named Maria Amifaith Fider-Reyes as member of  Commission on Human Rights and Danton Bueser and Jose Mari Ponce as national government representatives in Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority’s board of directors.

Elpidio Vega,  long-time government corporate counsel and acting MWSS chairman, was now named chairman in official capacity.

They will sit on  MWSS board of trustees alongside new members Merly Cruz, Dale Brian Go and Jose Hernandez.

17 Nobyembre,2024 Linggo

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come

Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come

Family  of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas appreciates every moments shared by friends and relatives in their bereavement

No need sp court for Duterte case

By J.Lo

“We have existing law that will govern this special case,” Sta. Rosa, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez  co-chairs  quad committee of  House of Representatives said there is no need for new legislation to create  special court  former president Rodrigo Duterte wished would handle his possible trial for  summary executions of thousands in his so-called war on drugs.

Fernandez said there is  existing law that allows  creation of such courts for hearing crimes of  scale allegedly perpetrated by  Duterte administration.

Official data placed drug war deaths during  Duterte administration at more than 7,000 while independent sources said  figure could reach more than 20,000.

He said Section 18 of Republic Act (RA) 9851 or “Act defining and penalizing crimes against international humanitarian law, genocide and other crimes against humanity, organizing jurisdiction, designating special courts and for related purposes” provides  Philippine courts, prosecutors and investigators shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction over  crimes punishable under this act.

“That will take  longer time…since we have already existing law, we might as well designate our Philippine courts as mentioned in RA 9851…designating  court in  judiciary will be  fastest and most economical way to do it,  Supreme Court shall designate special courts to try cases involving crimes punishable under this Act…for these cases,  Commission on Human Rights,  Department of Justice,  Philippine National Police (PNP) or other concerned law enforcement agencies shall designate prosecutors or investigators as  case may be, State shall ensure judges, prosecutors and investigators, especially those designated for purposes of this Act, receive effective training in human rights, international humanitarian law and international criminal law,” Fernandez said, referring to  process of legislating  new law for the purpose, quoting RA 9851.

With Duterte’s pronouncement of his willingness to undergo trial, Fernandez said DOJ should start working immediately by examining all  pieces of evidence presented before  quad comm by witnesses and resource persons.

Rep. Bienvenido Abante, also in  text message, said he is filing bill on creation of special courts to try cases of extrajudicial killings, particularly those related to drugs.

“To try to lessen  load of our courts….for PRRD ,president Rodrigo Roa Duterte wanting to create  special court to try him, he can be tried before special courts that I want created…not  special court for him,” Abante said.

Duterte expressed his wish to be tried by  special court at  quad comm hearing on Wednesday, or immediately after he dared  International Criminal Court to begin investigating him for crimes against humanity.

But he stressed he did not want to be prosecuted and tried by “white people,” apparently unaware that the ICC prosecutors and judges are of different nationalities.

“I don’t believe in whites… I would rather face  Filipino court…even if I will not have  lawyer…just me…and  judge can sentence me to death or reclusion perpetua…for as long as it is a Filipino court, I will abide by it, I will not allow  foreigner to judge me for the things that I have to do during my time as president of this republic,” Duterte told  quad comm.

17 Nobyembre,2024 Linggo

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come

Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come

Family  of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas appreciates every moments shared by friends and relatives in their bereavement

Headlines

Pepito landfalls in Catanduanes

By J.Lo

“Let us pray that the storm will weaken or dissipate completely so that it will no longer cause devastation to any area,” in Caloocan City, Mayor Dale Gonzalo Malapitan put on alert their disaster response teams, led by  city disaster risk reduction and management department.

Malapitan also inspected their rubber boats and other mobility assets.

Super Typhoon Pepito has made  landfall in Panganiban, Catanduanes on Saturday evening, November 16.

In its Facebook post, state weather bureau PAGASA said Pepito made landfall at 9:40 in the evening.

As of 8 in the evening Pepito was located over coastal waters of Viga, Catanduanes.

Pepito is carrying maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 325 kph. 

It is now moving west-northwest at 25 kph.

Based on PAGASA’s 8 p.m. bulletin, Pepito will remain either  super typhoon or  typhoon as it moves through areas in Aurora. Significant  weakening is expected during its passage over Luzon.

Signal No. 5, highest warning level, was raised over Catanduanes and  northeastern part of Camarines Sur, including Caramoan, Garchitorena, Lagonoy and Presentacion, as of 8 p.m.

PAGASA earlier warned  Super Typhoon Pepito could bring “potentially catastrophic and life-threatening” impacts on Bicol Region.

Pepito is expected to exit  Philippine area of responsibility by Monday afternoon, November 18.

Local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila have started mobilizing its search and rescue equipment and other resources in preparation for  potential impact of Super Typhoon Pepito.

In Malabon City, Mayor Jeannie Sandoval has placed  city under red alert status and activated  21 barangays’ disaster risk reduction and management councils for  evacuation of residents.

Apart from mobility assets,  city government had already prepared evacuation centers where residents can seek shelter.

Sandoval  visited city’s disaster risk reduction and management office and inspected  readiness of their personnel.

In Mandaluyong, local government has ordered billboard owners to roll down all billboards to prevent mishaps and ensure public safety.

Pasig City government under Mayor Vico Sotto has ordered building contractors to secure tower cranes, construction elevators, gondolas, lifters and other construction machinery.

Billboard operators in the city have been directed also to roll down signages and other advertising materials.

In Marikina City, Mayor Marcelino Teodoro urged his constituents to prepare for the super typhoon.

Rescue assets and other equipment were mobilized by city government  in preparation for Pepito’s impact.

Teodoro ordered prepositioning of rubber boats and other rescue vehicles to ensure quick response in  city’s 16 barangays.

Evacuation centers with modular tents had been already established to accommodate evacuees.

Teodoro directed camp managers of evacuation centers to regularly monitor updates of typhoon’s movement.

During cyclones, local government keeps  close watch on  Marikina River. First alarm is raised when its water level reaches 15 meters.

San Juan City government also mobilized its rescue and emergency response equipment.

Mayor Francis Zamora  said city environment and natural resources office had already trimmed trees and also cleared waterways of garbage to ensure proper flow of water in drainage systems.

Canals also have been declogged to minimize flooding.

Zamora said  San Juan Gym is ready to serve as evacuation center for families that would be evacuated from  city’s 21 barangays.

“Our San Juan Police, San Juan Bureau of Fire Protection and barangay officials and personnel are ready to assist in rescue and relief operations,” he said in  Facebook post.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Psalm 119:105

נ Nun

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path.

16 Nobyembre,2024 Sabado

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come

Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come

Family  of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas appreciates every moments shared by friends and relatives in their bereavement

VP Sara to skip another House probe on budget use

By Nidz Godino

“They invited me once, during  first hearing… I attended, I sat there but they did not ask me any questions…you can see it in  videos, I was just sitting there, my time was wasted…so, I asked if I could leave already and they allowed me… I don’t understand why they invited me but did not even ask me any question,” Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio  said despite personally receiving invitation, said she will not attend  hearing of House committee on good government and public accountability on Nov. 20 on her alleged misuse of  Office of the Vice President (OVP)’s confidential funds.

In  chance interview with reporters on sidelines of  OVP’s 89th anniversary celebration, Duterte lamented  she was not asked any questions by lawmakers when she attended earlier hearing of the committee.

Duterte was referring to the hearing last Sept. 18, wherein she refused to be placed under oath, saying she was not invited as  witness but as  resource person.

“When you sent letter to Office of the Vice President, you attached  copy of  rules in aid of legislation…it was stated there in  rules that only witnesses shall be placed under oath,” Duterte back then told  House panel members.

Last Wednesday, Duterte was served with fresh invitation to attend  next hearing when she made  surprise appearance at  House quad committee hearing on extrajudicial killings committed in connection with  war on drugs under  administration of her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte.

The Vice President, nonetheless, maintained that there was no misuse in  budgets of  OVP and  Department of Education (DepEd) when she was still its secretary.

In her interview with reporters, Duterte said she has no plan of attending any more hearings by  House committee on good government and public accountability.

“I will no longer attend upcoming hearings…because I already went there before, and they did nothing, they just let me sit there,” Duterte said.

Duterte nonetheless  will send to  House committee  sworn affidavit explaining  OVP’s confidential fund spending as well as  position paper on some other issues.

“We plan to send  letter, we plan to say why we are not attending  hearing… and I plan as well to submit affidavit about confidential funds, that affidavit will be under oath, anyway….and for all  other issues we plan to tell House committee members what they can do to me,” Duterte said.

OVP had earlier slammed House committee’s probe on its confidential funds expenses, saying  audit process by  Commission on Audit (COA) is not yet final.

“Office of the Vice President maintains  ongoing congressional inquiry by  House committee on good government and public accountability is unnecessary and plagued with irregularities in  conduct of  proceedings,”  OVP said in  press statement early this month.

For Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega of La Union and Assistant Majority Leader Jay Khonghun of Zambales, the Vice President was apparently evading responsibility and accountability by refusing to face lawmakers.

“She refused to appear in our inquiry because she does not want to be asked, she is afraid to be questioned…her refusal to appear is part of her strategy to avoid her responsibility and accountability for  misuse of public funds,” Ortega said. He also slammed Duterte’s refusal to take  oath.

“A person who does not want to accept  simple oath to tell the truth, meaning she is not prepared to tell the truth and nothing but the truth, that is why we don’t ask her,” Ortega said. 

16 Nobyembre,2024 Sabado

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come

Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come

Family  of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas appreciates every moments shared by friends and relatives in their bereavement

Smooth Ayungin resupply mission

By J.Lo

“AFP continues to uphold its mandate of safeguarding Philippine sovereignty and ensuring  welfare of its stationed personnel in  West Philippine Sea,” Col. Xerxes Trinidad, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)  public affairs office chief said, adding  despite challenges, military will not be deterred from carrying out RORE and patrol missions inside  country’s exclusive economic zone.

Without any untoward incident,  military was able to bring food and supplies to troops stationed at  BRP Sierra Madre,  AFP said as it announced  successful rotation and resupply (RORE) mission to Ayungin Shoal.

Trinidad said  RORE mission was supported by Philippine Coast Guard and was completed without any harassment or interference from China.

This is despite continuing presence of China Coast Guard vessels, People’s Liberation Army Navy ships and maritime militia boats in  West Philippine Sea.

He also said that more recent RORE missions to Ayungin Shoal have been carried out smoothly, unlike in several previous attempts wherein China used water cannons, dangerous maneuvers and ramming to stop  missions.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. slammed China for claiming  military’s plan to upgrade its capabilities, may include  acquisition of mid-range missile systems similar to the Typhon  US military used during this year’s Exercise Balikatan, is  wrong path.

“I think the whole world knows who is on the right path and wrong path….definitely, you know, we cannot take advice from people who distort  truth and nobody believes them anyway…so, I think it’s  waste of air time to broadcast  claims of China because only their leadership believes in what they say anyway,” Teodoro said in  chance interview.

“We have the force of international law on our side, not purely Philippine law. China does not have  force of law on its side… does not have right on its side…that’s why they’re leftist,” Teodoro stressed.

Asked about  impending visit of United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III to the Philippines, he said he intends to have “review of our bilateral cooperation this time.”

“It is once again opportunity to also lay down some future plans…anyway, whatever it is, it’s on  institutional basis, our bilateral relations…there are mechanisms…for example,  security sector assistance roadmap,  bilateral strategic dialogue and other mechanisms like quad,” Teodoro said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros stressed need for the country to modernize its defense posture in light of China’s maritime threats and incursions at West Philippine Sea.

In her interpellation of  proposed 2025 budget of  Department of National Defense, Hontiveros asked budget sponsor Sen. Ronald dela Rosa for updates on  AFP modernization program, suffered  P10-billion cut in  House of Representatives version of  national budget.

Senate proposed to increase DND budget in the House version by P2.9 billion to P266 billion.

Senators also supported restoring  P50-billion proposed budget for AFP modernization,  House cut by P10 billion.

16 Nobyembre,2024 Sabado

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come

Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come

Family  of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas appreciates every moments shared by friends and relatives in their bereavement

FMJ inaugurates LRT-1 extension; 5 new stations start operations

By Nidz Godino

“Our journey towards  more seamless and modernized public transportation system does not end here,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in his speech… “we are committed to building station after station, reaching as far and as fast as our people’s needs dictate.”

Five new stations of Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT 1) from Baclaran to Sucat in Parañaque City will start serving  riding public today.

President Marcos led  unveiling of  marker of Dr. A. Santos station he cited as another milestone in making the country’s transport system “more seamless” and modernized.

New  stations under  LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project (L1CE) Phase 1 covers five stations: Redemptorist-ASEANA, Manila International Airport Road, Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange or PITX, Ninoy Aquino Avenue and Dr. A. Santos (formerly Sucat) Ave.

Among those who joined the President at the inauguration were Senators Grace Poe and Cynthia Villar, Parañaque Mayor Eric Olivarez, Metro Pacific Investments Corp. chairman, president and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan and economic affairs minister Nihei Daisuke of  Japanese embassy.

Marcos was among the first to try  new route.

The President and other guests alighted at Redemptorist-ASEANA station.

With  completion of new segment, LRT 1 can now serve  additional 80,000 passengers every day, according to Marcos.

“Commuters will now see  great reduction in their travel time, allowing them to spend more time with their loved ones,” he said.

Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) general manager Enrico Benipayo said  new LRT 1 segment would reduce travel time from Quezon City to Parañaque City to less than an hour.

LRMC is  operator of  LRT 1. MPIC holds  majority stake in LRMC.

Marcos  hopes Phases 2 and 3 of the project that would reach Bacoor City, Cavite would be completed as soon as possible.

Japanese government, through Official Development Assistance, is also supporting construction of  rail yard and  introduction of new rolling stock on LRT-1 extension.

Marcos vowed to fast-track  completion of other railway projects in the country, including  Unified Grand Central Station in Quezon City,  MRT 7 and the North-South Commuter Railway.

The President said country should also take advantage of  Public Service Act that removes  40 percent cap on foreign investment in railways to attract foreign investments in transport sector.

He said Public-Private Partnership or PPP hybrid model on L1CE serves as  perfect template for future investment.