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6 Nobyembre,2024 Miyerkules

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

Deepest sympathy to the family of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas

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US decides in knife-edge polls

By Nidz Godino

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Make  Kamala Harris  first woman president in US history or deliver Donald Trump  comeback that sends shockwaves around the world ,American voters deliver their verdict today after extraordinarily turbulent election.

As polling stations open nationwide on Election Day, Democratic Vice President Harris, 60, and Republican former president Trump, 78, are dead-even in  tightest and most volatile White House race of modern times. Bitter  rivals spent their final day of  campaign frenziedly working to get their supporters out to  polls and trying to win over any last undecided voters in  swing states expected to decide  outcome.

Despite series of head-spinning twists in  unprecedented campaign  from Harris’ dramatic entrance when President Joe Biden dropped out in July, to Trump riding out two assassination attempts and  criminal conviction nothing has broken  deadlock in the opinion polls. Polling stations open at 6 in the morning (1100 GMT) on  US east coast and tens of millions of voters are expected to cast their ballots, on top of  more than 82 million people who have already voted early in preceding weeks.

Final  outcome may not be known for several days if  results are as close as  polls suggest, adding to  tension in deeply divided nation. And there are fears of turmoil and even violence if Trump loses, then contests  result as he did in 2020, with barriers erected around  White House and businesses boarded up in Washington.

World  is meanwhile anxiously watching as outcome will have major implications for conflicts in Middle East, for Russia’s war in Ukraine and for tackling climate change  Trump calls  hoax.

Harris and Trump are effectively tied in seven main swing states  Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin.

On the eve of  vote, Harris went all-in on  must-win state of Pennsylvania, rallying on Philadelphia steps made famous in  “Rocky” movie and declaring: “momentum is on our side.”

 “This could be one of the closest races in history  every single vote matters,” cautioned Harris, who was joined by celebrities including Lady Gaga and Oprah Winfrey.

Trump  would become  first convicted felon and oldest person to win  presidency  cast himself as the only solution to an apocalyptic vision of the country in terminal decline and overrun by “savage” migrants. “With your vote tomorrow, we can fix every single problem our country faces and lead America indeed,  world  to new heights of glory,” Trump told his closing rally in Grand Rapids in  key swing state of Michigan, after touring North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

Harris meanwhile hammered home her opposition to Trump-backed abortion bans across United States  one of her key vote-winning positions with crucial women voters. But she also struck  upbeat note  and notably avoided mentioning Trump, after weeks of targeting him directly as  threat to democracy for his dark rhetoric and repeated threats to exact retribution on his political opponents.

Trump comeback would be historic first non-consecutive second term for  US president since Grover Cleveland in 1893 and just second ever.

Trump’s return would instantly fuel international instability, with US allies in Europe and NATO alarmed by his isolationist “America First”policies. Trading partners are nervously watching his vow to impose sweeping import tariffs.

Harris victory meanwhile would give US its first Black woman and South Asian president  and signal an end to the Trump era which has dominated US politics for nearly a decade.Trump has said he would not seek election again in 2028.

However, Republican still refuses to admit he fairly lost  2020 election to Biden and  trauma over his supporters’ violent attack on  US Capitol to stop certification of  result remains heavy.

Trump has hinted that he would refuse to accept another loss, and in  final days of  campaign brought up baseless claims of election fraud while saying he should “never have left”  White House.

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6 Nobyembre,2024 Miyerkules

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

Deepest sympathy to the family of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas

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Multiple  registrants can vote

By J.Lo

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“Multiple registrations won’t be removed;  registration is retained even for  double or multiple registrant… initial registration remains,” Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia said while facing investigation and possible criminal suit,  estimated one million double or multiple registrants still have  chance to vote in  May 2025 midterm elections.

Garcia said only  “subsequent registrations” of multiple registrants will be removed from official list of voters.

 “Person cannot be deprived of his right to vote, as stated in our Constitution,” he stressed.

According to Garcia, Comelec has identified around  million double and multiple registrants following  hearings conducted by  Election Registration Board (ERB) from February until September.

He said those people, whether deliberately or not, decided to register as voters in another place instead of just transferring their registration. It’s suspicious that  number of registrants in certain areas would unusually increase, prompting  Comelec to investigate.

Garcia said double and multiple registrants are common in  National Capital Region and various parts of Mindanao.  Comelec will post  list of double and multiple registrants nationwide on its website.

Poll  chief stressed need for Comelec to purge  voters’ list from double and multiple registrants to prevent those people from voting more than once.

ERB will also call double and multiple registrants to explain their side. Criminal charges will be filed against those found guilty of committing such election offense.

Garcia said  Comelec would be able to identify all double and multiple registrants through  Automated Fingerprint Identification System.

Meanwhile,  Comelec has given assurance of enhanced benefits and protection for teachers who will serve in  2025 elections,  ACT Teachers party-list said.

Former ACT Teachers party-list representative Antonio Tinio said they secured commitment directly from Garcia during  dialogue at  Comelec office.

Tinio said Garcia agreed to double the service credits for teachers from five to 10 days and extend five days of service credits to other government employees serving in elections.

Tinio said Garcia also committed to implement previously announced P2,000 increase in honorarium and work towards providing  P1,000 transportation allowance for election day. Additionally,  Comelec will streamline  process for reimbursing legal and medical expenses of teachers.

He said  dialog was attended by himself, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) national chairman Vladimer Quetua, ACT-NCR union president Ruby Bernardo and other education sector leaders.

“We welcome these concrete steps to protect our teachers… removal of  digital signature requirement and  assignment of two additional support staff per precinct will significantly ease their election day duties,” Tinio said.

Tinio said  establishment of  partnership between  ACT election hotline and Comelec will further strengthen  support system for teachers during elections. 

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TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Ephesians 1:9-10

he[a] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 1:9 Or us with all wisdom and understanding. And he

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3 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

Deepest sympathy to the family of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas

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Probe on apartment tomb rental scheme

By Nidz Godino

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“Timing is so bad, just when it should be  time to visit and pray for our departed loved ones… local government unit should have come up with  program for those who cannot afford permanent burial,” Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III wants to investigate alleged scheme of renting out apartment-style tombs in public cemeteries across the country, following  unauthorized exhumation of 800 bodies in Marikina just as  country commemorated All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

Pimentel said  Senate local government committee should investigate alleged practice of emptying tombs with expired leases and transferring  remains without  families’ consent.

He also wants to know if rental scheme is being done in other cemeteries nationwide, saying that it “is not  good setup to be hostaged by  bones and remains of departed loved ones.”

He made  call after 800 sacks of bodies were found dumped at  open area in Barangka public cemetery after their five-year “rental period” expired.

Marikina city council should also investigate  incident at  same cemetery where  syndicate is allegedly behind scheme of emptying tombs with expired leases to rent them out at exorbitant prices.

“Whoever thought of this is assured of cash flow because families are bound to pay rent forever… should be investigated in public hearing so that we would understand  situation on the ground,” Pimentel said.

He stressed city government under Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro cannot wash its hands of  controversy.

He cited  Local Government Code that city or municipal government is responsible for  public cemeteries.

He also cited  Marikina City Ordinance 020-2010,  states  exhumation of bodies should have consent of families and  permission of  health office.

“It is clear that  city government allowed this to happen…we should hold them accountable and ensure that this neglect won’t happen again,” Pimentel also said.

“It is saddening that some families won’t be able to offer candles at gravesites of their loved ones…let us pray for  dead and for  enlightenment of our leaders,” he added.

Charges for violating  city’s Sanitation Code have already been filed against  cemetery administrator and five others, according to Teodoro.

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3 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

Deepest sympathy to the family of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas

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ERC chief still under probe

By Nidz Godino

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“Respondent Dimalanta has already filed her counter-affidavit and  documents needed in investigation are already in  possession of  investigators… simply left to be done is the submission of position papers and  clarificatory hearing,” Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta is not off the hook yet of administrative charges filed against her by consumer group National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms, Inc. (NASECORE).

In  press statement, Office of the Ombudsman said Dimalanta is still under investigation for administrative charges even though it already lifted her preventive suspension.

Ombudsman  said  preventive suspension of Dimalanta was lifted prior to  expiration of  six-month period because its investigators were already in the possession of pieces of evidence relevant to the case.

“When  reason for  preventive suspension has already ceased, justice and fair play demands that  preventive suspension should not be for  full six-month period allowed by law but should immediately be lifted,”  ombudsman said.

Dimalanta is facing investigation for administrative charges of grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

Filed by NASECORE in November 2023, charges stemmed from Dimalanta’s alleged act of permitting  Manila Electric Company (Meralco) to regularly purchase electricity from Wholesale Electricity Spot Market at higher prices.

 NASECORE said Meralco, in turn, passed on charges to consumers without  required prior approval of  ERC, in violation of  Electric Power Industry Reform Act.

NASECORE said  Meralco’s application for performance-based adjustment of its power distribution rate remained pending with  ERC, thus passing charges to consumers is unlawful.

Ombudsman  placed Dimalanta under preventive suspension because initial evidence on record “shows  guilt of respondent Dimalanta is strong” and that “her continued stay in office may prejudice  case filed against her.”

Dimalanta filed  motion for reconsideration but it was denied by  ombudsman, insisting that there was “sufficient basis” for her suspension.

Following  lifting of  suspension,  Office of the President, through executive secretary Lucas Bersamin, issued  memorandum dated Oct. 30, ordering the reinstatement of Dimalanta to her post.

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3 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

Deepest sympathy to the family of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas

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PAOCC disowns POGO hub raid in Manila

By J.Lo

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“We were never consulted nor informed regarding this operation, ”Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) distanced itself from  raid at  suspected Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in Manila and accused  National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) of attempting to associate them with  “flawed” operation.

PAOCC  was not part of  operation at  Century Peak Tower at the corner of Adriatico and Sta. Monica streets on Tuesday wherein 85 people, including 69 foreigners, were rounded up.

It said  raid was spearheaded by NCRPO and  Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG).

Moreover, PAOCC denied it called  raided POGO as  “mother of all POGOs” as agency was not involved in the operation.

PAOCC’s spokesman Winston John Casio told reporters in  separate message on Viber that they condemn  NCRPO’s attempts to associate commission with  “failed” operation.

Reason  why Casio called  operation  failure was  foreigners who were caught were released after  police allegedly failed to secure  legal hold on them.

Casio stressed  PAOCC would never allow such  flaw to happen as they coordinate with  Department of Justice’s Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (DOJ-IACAT) and  Bureau of Immigration (BI).

He also challenged NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Sidney Hernia to clear PAOCC’s name from being associated with  “botched” raid.

He stressed they were also busy preparing for the “successful” operation on Central One,  suspected POGO hub in Bagac, Bataan  was raided on Thursday, therefore  PAOCC is nowhere near Century Peak Tower.

“On  personal note, I call on Maj. Gen. Hernia to man up and act as  true honorable cavalier,” Casio said.

NCRPO, however, never mentioned  PAOCC took part in the operation when it issued a press release on the raid on Wednesday.

In response to Casio’s description of their operation, Hernia said  raid was focused strictly on executing cyber warrants to counter cybercriminal activities.

He reiterated only  NCRPO and  PNP-ACG were  units involved in the operation and not  PAOCC.

“This was not  human trafficking operation, therefore, the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking was not involved,” he said in a message on Viber.

Hernia added  discovery of foreigners at the site was incidental to operation’s primary objective. As such,  BI bears no responsibility for any subsequent release of  foreigners.

Foreigners  caught in Manila – 34 Indonesians, 25 Chinese nationals and 10 Malaysians – were released after BI refused to take legal custody of them, ACG director Maj. Gen. Ronnie Francis Cariaga said.

“Police has arbitrary detention for them if we will have to detain them under our custody,” Cariaga said at a news briefing  as he noted  government offices are closed due to  Undas break.

He added they requested  BI to take legal custody of the foreigners for being undocumented nationals as they were not carrying passports.

“There was already a letter coming from the BI that they cannot take legal custody of these foreign nationals…we cannot do otherwise but to release these personalities,” Cariaga said.

In response,  BI accused police of “withholding access to  necessary information and reports” as they are yet to receive  official custody of 69 foreigners.

“BI has been actively pursuing to process  detainees in compliance with regulations, yet  PNP has been withholding access to  necessary information and reports,” said  BI in  statement.

The 69 foreigners should undergo an assessment by the DOJ-IACAT, said the BI.

Bureau  added it “awaits  necessary documentation from  PNP to initiate the formal turnover process, as has been previously communicated.”

Said  documentation should include “all available information related to the subjects’ identities and  affidavit of arrest, detailing circumstances of apprehension.”

BI would start its investigation on the 69 foreigners and file charges for violating Philippine immigration laws once it receives all  necessary documentation from  police.

Following  raid of scam hub, Manila city government urged executives of other scam hubs operating in the city to start closing their operations “this week.”

“POGOs need not wait to shut down in December…they can start shutting down now and in the coming weeks…they need not prolong their agony…can end their operations this week because they can,” said Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan in statement .

She referred to POGOs that have been notorious for carrying out online scams and even crimes against their employees.

She advised all POGO executives to voluntarily go to the city hall to start working on their documents to wind down their operations and tell  owners of the buildings and houses they occupy that they are ending their rent or lease agreements.

They could also “start serving notices to their employees their employment contracts will end very soon,” she added.

She also vowed  city government would help Filipino workers in POGOs find other jobs.

Lacuna-Pangan commended  PNP-ACG, PAOCC and the Manila Police District for successfully carrying out  raid.

She also echoed her support for  ban on POGOs by the end of the year as declared by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.in his State of the Nation Address this year.

Meanwhile,  Authority of Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) has confirmed that Central One Bataan PH Inc. is  enterprise registered with the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB). They are currently operating in  FAB expansion area located in Bagac. In  statement, AFAB said inspections are regularly conducted on locators and registered enterprises to ensure they are compliant with the terms and conditions of the authority granted to them.

“We are aware of coverage on news media outlets that Central One has recently been  subject of  court-issued search warrant carried out by  PAOCC… AFAB has not yet received official copies of abovementioned warrant, or any documents relating to the said incident,”  authority said.

AFAB said another official statement will be issued after it has seen copies of  above-mentioned documents or upon proper communication with appropriate government authorities has been made.

“We remain dedicated to upholding  integrity of our regulatory framework and will ensure  all necessary actions align with the investigation’s findings and legal standards,” AFAB said.

PAOCC disowns POGO hub raid in Manila

By J.Lo

“We were never consulted nor informed regarding this operation,”Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) distanced itself from  raid at  suspected Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in Manila and accused  National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) of attempting to associate them with  “flawed” operation.

PAOCC  was not part of  operation at  Century Peak Tower at the corner of Adriatico and Sta. Monica streets on Tuesday wherein 85 people, including 69 foreigners, were rounded up.

It said  raid was spearheaded by NCRPO and  Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG).

Moreover, PAOCC denied it called  raided POGO as  “mother of all POGOs” as agency was not involved in the operation.

PAOCC’s spokesman Winston John Casio told reporters in  separate message on Viber that they condemn  NCRPO’s attempts to associate commission with  “failed” operation.

Reason  why Casio called  operation  failure was  foreigners who were caught were released after  police allegedly failed to secure  legal hold on them.

Casio stressed  PAOCC would never allow such  flaw to happen as they coordinate with  Department of Justice’s Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (DOJ-IACAT) and  Bureau of Immigration (BI).

He also challenged NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Sidney Hernia to clear PAOCC’s name from being associated with  “botched” raid.

He stressed they were also busy preparing for the “successful” operation on Central One,  suspected POGO hub in Bagac, Bataan  was raided on Thursday, therefore  PAOCC is nowhere near Century Peak Tower.

“On  personal note, I call on Maj. Gen. Hernia to man up and act as  true honorable cavalier,” Casio said.

NCRPO, however, never mentioned  PAOCC took part in the operation when it issued a press release on the raid on Wednesday.

In response to Casio’s description of their operation, Hernia said  raid was focused strictly on executing cyber warrants to counter cybercriminal activities.

He reiterated only  NCRPO and  PNP-ACG were  units involved in the operation and not  PAOCC.

“This was not  human trafficking operation, therefore, the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking was not involved,” he said in a message on Viber.

Hernia added  discovery of foreigners at the site was incidental to operation’s primary objective. As such,  BI bears no responsibility for any subsequent release of  foreigners.

Foreigners  caught in Manila – 34 Indonesians, 25 Chinese nationals and 10 Malaysians – were released after BI refused to take legal custody of them, ACG director Maj. Gen. Ronnie Francis Cariaga said.

“Police has arbitrary detention for them if we will have to detain them under our custody,” Cariaga said at a news briefing  as he noted  government offices are closed due to  Undas break.

He added they requested  BI to take legal custody of the foreigners for being undocumented nationals as they were not carrying passports.

“There was already a letter coming from the BI that they cannot take legal custody of these foreign nationals…we cannot do otherwise but to release these personalities,” Cariaga said.

In response,  BI accused police of “withholding access to  necessary information and reports” as they are yet to receive  official custody of 69 foreigners.

“BI has been actively pursuing to process  detainees in compliance with regulations, yet  PNP has been withholding access to  necessary information and reports,” said  BI in  statement.

The 69 foreigners should undergo an assessment by the DOJ-IACAT, said the BI.

Bureau  added it “awaits  necessary documentation from  PNP to initiate the formal turnover process, as has been previously communicated.”

Said  documentation should include “all available information related to the subjects’ identities and  affidavit of arrest, detailing circumstances of apprehension.”

BI would start its investigation on the 69 foreigners and file charges for violating Philippine immigration laws once it receives all  necessary documentation from  police.

Following  raid of scam hub, Manila city government urged executives of other scam hubs operating in the city to start closing their operations “this week.”

“POGOs need not wait to shut down in December…they can start shutting down now and in the coming weeks…they need not prolong their agony…can end their operations this week because they can,” said Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan in statement .

She referred to POGOs that have been notorious for carrying out online scams and even crimes against their employees.

She advised all POGO executives to voluntarily go to the city hall to start working on their documents to wind down their operations and tell  owners of the buildings and houses they occupy that they are ending their rent or lease agreements.

They could also “start serving notices to their employees their employment contracts will end very soon,” she added.

She also vowed  city government would help Filipino workers in POGOs find other jobs.

Lacuna-Pangan commended  PNP-ACG, PAOCC and the Manila Police District for successfully carrying out  raid.

She also echoed her support for  ban on POGOs by the end of the year as declared by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.in his State of the Nation Address this year.

Meanwhile,  Authority of Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) has confirmed that Central One Bataan PH Inc. is  enterprise registered with the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB). They are currently operating in  FAB expansion area located in Bagac. In  statement, AFAB said inspections are regularly conducted on locators and registered enterprises to ensure they are compliant with the terms and conditions of the authority granted to them.

“We are aware of coverage on news media outlets that Central One has recently been  subject of  court-issued search warrant carried out by  PAOCC… AFAB has not yet received official copies of abovementioned warrant, or any documents relating to the said incident,”  authority said.

AFAB said another official statement will be issued after it has seen copies of  above-mentioned documents or upon proper communication with appropriate government authorities has been made.

“We remain dedicated to upholding  integrity of our regulatory framework and will ensure  all necessary actions align with the investigation’s findings and legal standards,” AFAB said.

iskup news-on-line daily

3 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

Deepest sympathy to the family of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas

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Aircraft landing incident in Batanes probe

By J.Lo

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“On or about 3 in the afternoon, Nov. 1, 2024,  C-295 aircraft of PAF on an HADR, humanitarian assistance disaster relief mission carrying essential relief supplies encountered  incident while landing in Basco Airport, Basco, Batanes,” Philippine Air Force (PAF)spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said in a statement PAF is investigating  mishap on  landing incident involving one of its C-295 transport aircraft after it skidded off  runway in Basco Airport in Batanes.

Nose  landing gear of the aircraft detached while it was attempting  landing at  said airport.

She stressed  investigation is ongoing and they are yet to identify  cause of incident, noting that  aircraft’s pilots and crew are safe.

C-295, with tail no. 217, was carrying family food packs for the Office of Civil Defense.

Castillo assured  people of Batanes  despite  mishap,  PAF would continue its relief operations in the province and other areas severely affected by recent weather disturbances.

AFP also assured the people of Batanes that essential supplies would be transported to affected communities despite the incident.

“An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident and steps will be taken to ensure the safety and efficiency of future operations. Updates will be provided as the situation develops,” AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said.

Basco Airport is temporarily closed to fixed-wing aircraft and only helicopters are allowed to land at the airport. Normal operations are expected to be restored today.

Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines announced that flights in the Ilocos and Cagayan Valley regions have resumed normal operations.

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3 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

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Sandiganbayan convicts Sajid Ampatuan P393M in public funds embezzled

By J.Lo

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“Review of  overwhelming documentary and testimonial evidence reveals evident bad faith on the part of accused Ampatuan… pieces of evidence clearly show that he deliberately orchestrated fictitious payments to various contractors and suppliers for  infrastructure projects  not implemented,” Sandiganbayan has convicted former Maguindanao Governor Sajid Ampatuan of graft and malversation of public funds.

In  66-page decision  court sentenced Ampatuan to an indeterminate prison term of eight years and one month to 12 years for violating Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019,  Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

He was also found guilty of malversation under Article 217 of  Revised Penal Code,  he received sentence of reclusion perpetua 20 to 40 years imprisonment and  fine of P393 million,  amount embezzled.

In addition, Ampatuan was ordered to repay  same amount to  government, with 6% annual interest, starting from  finality of  decision until full payment.

He was also permanently disqualified from holding any public office.

Ampatuan is currently at large.

Charges  against Ampatuan and provincial auditor Danny Calib stemmed from  special audit conducted by Commission on Audit (COA), focusing on transactions in Maguindanao and selected municipalities in  Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao in 2009.

As acting governor, Ampatuan signed several Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) with  Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) for farm-to-market road projects in the province. He requested P500 million from DAR for these projects, and DAR initially released P200 million.

Provincial treasurer Osmena Bandila issued official receipts as proof of  transfer. Ampatuan approved disbursement vouchers that led to cash advances for Bandila, totaling P393 million.

These funds were purportedly paid in cash to contractors and suppliers for  road projects. John Dollosa, provincial accountant, provided liquidation reports and certified that nearly  entire P500 million had been spent on agricultural supplies and road projects between June and September 2009.

After  Ampatuan Massacre on November 23, 2009, and  declaration of martial law in the Municipality of Ampatuan,  COA audit team led by Calib was reassigned, prevented  post-audit of transactions from September to November 2009.

In July 2011,  special audit by COA Special Audit Office (SAO) revealed irregularities in  use of DAR funds. Audit  found  P393 million had been disbursed without following legal procedures, including  absence of public bidding and certification for incomplete projects.

Sandiganbayan ruled  Ampatuan acted in evident bad faith by facilitating fraudulent payments to contractors and suppliers for infrastructure projects that were never executed.

Although Ampatuan claimed he did not sign four specific disbursement vouchers, court held him accountable as acting governor at the time, citing his approval of numerous other disbursements to Bandila.

“Court noted  numerous Disbursement Vouchers subject of these cases, representing grant of cash advances to accused Bandila amounting to P393 million, all approved by accused Ampatuan,”  decision read.

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2 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

Deepest sympathy to the family of Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas

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FMJ declares holidays across regions for November, December 2024

By Nidz Godino

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Series  of proclamations declaring special non-working holidays in several cities and municipalities nationwide for November and December has been issued by Malacañang on Saturday issued  special non-working days are as follows:

  • November 8 – Tanay, Rizal (Proclamation No. 725)
  • November 12 – Valenzuela City (Proclamation No. 711)
  • November 15 – Oriental Mindoro (Proclamation No. 712)
  • November 15 – Borongan City, Eastern Samar (Proclamation No. 726)
  • November 22 – Palayan City, Nueva Ecija (Proclamation No. 713)
  • November 22 – Itogon, Benguet (Proclamation No. 715)
  • November 22 – Tublay, Benguet (Proclamation No. 716)
  • November 23 – Benguet Province (Proclamation No. 717)
  • November 25 – Marasugan, Davao de Oro (Proclamation No. 718)
  • November 26 – Dasmariñas City, Cavite (Proclamation No. 719)
  • November 28 – Sarangani Province (Proclamation No. 720)
  • November 28 – Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte (Proclamation No. 721)
  • December 5 – Palayan City, Nueva Ecija (Proclamation No. 714)

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also declared annual observances for two new national days:

  • National Myopia Consciousness Week during the second week of October each year (Proclamation No. 722)
  • Transport Cooperative Day on October 19 each year (Proclamation No. 723)

Holiday  declarations were signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on behalf of Marcos.