28 Mayo 2024, Martes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

City of Makati, France in June

supports World Press Freedom Day, May 3

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party

Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance

supports May, Cardiac Illness Prevention Month 

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

PM for any hospital discharge problem

FMJ off today to Brunei, Singapore

By Nidz Godino

“State visit is  signal of our vibrant relations as both countries conducted joint commission for bilateral cooperation chaired by  DFA last year,” Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Aileen Mendiola-Rau said. President Ferdinand  Marcos Jr. leaves for Brunei and Singapore today, his 26th and 27th foreign trip since assuming office in 2022.

Marcos begins today his two-day visit to Brunei , his first  to be highlighted by meeting with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

At  press briefing recently Mendiola-Rau said discussions between two heads of state would focus on economic cooperation, noting that Brunei is  “powerhouse” in energy.

From Brunei, Marcos will fly to Singapore to deliver  keynote address at the International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue 2024,  first Philippine president to do so.

Philippines and Brunei are also working on several memoranda of understanding in priority areas like agriculture, food security, maritime cooperation and tourism.

Rau said  40-year-old relationship between Philippines and Brunei is multifaceted, covering cooperation in defense and security, maritime, agriculture, trade and people-to-people relations.

 “This state visit will provide avenue for both leaders to take stock of progress of our commitments and ongoing bilateral undertakings, and fine-tune them accordingly,” she added.

Marcos will also meet with  Filipino community and attend  business forum, where he is expected to push for stronger trade ties between  Philippines and Brunei, both members of  Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN),  Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation and  Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area.

“Aside from being part of  tradition of  ASEAN leaders visiting fellow ASEAN countries, this state visit is in line with President’s commitment to continue exploring avenues for economic growth and job opportunities for Filipinos as  business forum is aimed to boost trade and investments into the country,” Rau said.

There are more than 25,000 Filipinos in Brunei.

During his working visit to Singapore, Marcos will deliver keynote address at 21st Edition of  Shangri-La Dialogue,  annual inter-governmental security forum  started in 2002.

Forum  would be held against  backdrop of tensions in  South China Sea sparked by China’s acts of aggression  threaten regional stability and freedom of navigation. China, whose expansive maritime claim in South China Sea was invalidated by  international arbitral court in 2016, is expected to send representatives to the event.

Some 500 participants from 40 countries are expected to participate in the forum.

“Dialogue will provide good platform for defense ministers, military chiefs, government officials and security experts around the world to discuss and address regional and global security challenges, when you have  forum such as this, it gives  good platform for country to actually expound and articulate its position on key issues…so, it will be  important platform for us to actually also convey our positions relative to what is happening within the region and what we are advocating for,” DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said.

Marcos will also meet with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and former prime minister and now Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong on sidelines of  forum.

Rau said Marcos’ meeting with Singaporean leaders comes at  “very auspicious juncture,” noting  two countries are commemorating 55 years of diplomatic relations.

28 Mayo 2024, Martes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

City of Makati, France in June

supports World Press Freedom Day, May 3

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

happy Birthday Andrea Mae Sebugan, more birthdays to come

Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party

Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance

supports May, Cardiac Illness Prevention Month 

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Komedya o Komida

Ni Derek Jorge

Komida Pransya

KOMIDA itong kapana-panabik na sorpresang handog ng embahada ng Pransya sa Pilipinas, magpapatikim sila ng pagkaing lutong Pranses sa lansangan ng Makati City. Shout out muna kina Binang 1^st Barangay Chairman Alfredo Quiambao, secretary Michelle Santos at treasurer Con-con Adatu,admin Ricardo Sta. Ana, konsehal Aru Cando, Pepito Nicandro, Gerry Noel. Sa mga mahihilig sa event, antabayanan ninyo ito. Magpapatikim ang mga Pranses ng putahe, alak, lutong Pinoy na itatampok sa French Food Market sa mga lansangan ng lungsod Makati sa Hunyo 1 at 2, 2024. “French street food, crêpes, pastries and other delights with wines, liqueurs, coffees and beverages will be presented by  Goût de France (Good France) Street Market on tree-lined Paseo Avenue along Ayala Triangle on June 1 to 2.” “Goût de France” ay ipinakilala kasambahay noong taong  2015 ng French Ministry of Foreign Affairs kapartner si  chef Alain Ducasse. Nasa  20 French restaurant  at pangunahing otel ang kalahok sa  Goût de France hatid ang “special Goût de France menu” sa buong lingo hanggang  June 9. Komedyante itong ospital sa kabayanan ng Bocaue, Bulacan, hindi  nga ho ito kasambahay naniningil ng deposito agad at palilipasin muna ang 24 oras pero bawal ang promisorry letter. . Pagkuha mo Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal ng kwarto sa ipaaadmit mong pasyente, walang charity ward doon, P1,900 at P2,200 lang ang halaga ng room, palalagdaan sa iyo ang kasulatang bawal ang promisorry letter. Sige lang pirma, pero alam naman ng mga abogado nitong ospital na may “Anti-hospital hostage law” na hindi dahilan ang kakapusan mon ang pananalapi upang hindi ka pauwiin kung galling ka na at ang unang hakbang para magamit mo ang batas ayh PM. PM lang din ho sa akin kung may problema kayo sa discharge ng inyong pasyente. Pagbati sa mga kongresistang nagsisikap pagmalasakitan ang kapakanan naming mga nakatatanda-pagpapanatili sa 20% diskwento sa mga pangunahing pangangailangan. . Pero bakit kaya hanggang 20% lang Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal, dahil ba tinatanggal lang ang tubo sa puhunan at hindi ito kailangang galawin? Sa panukala nitong ilang deputado, ipinasasaklaw sa diskwento kahit mga produktong ipinakikilala pa lamang sa pamamagitan ng “promo”. Ipinaggigiitan ho ng mga hotel na ang mga ratang nasa promo gaya ng P500 ang sampung oras na pamamalagi na hindi saklaw ng 20% discount. Yun ho kasing promo ng kumpanya ay para sa kapakanan nito, paano naman ang batas na nilalabag na, dapat pang idiskwento ang nasa promo. Gusto ko ring tingkiin ang petrolyo, gasoline at krudo ng nagpapakargang senior citizen, dapat ikonsidera rin.   Komedya na naman ang magaganap sa mga lansangan sa pagtataguang pung at girian ng mga “unconsolidated traditional jeepney” at magsisiga-sigaang enforcer.  Tapos na kasi kasambahay ang grace period ng mga uncon at simul ana ng tugisan ng mga kulorum. Tyak magtatago ang mga kulorum hanggang manghinawa ang mga tugis boys. Alam nyo naman ang ugaling ningas-kugon, di pa rin nawawala at alam ng mga kulorum yun, pahinga muna, payagay-tagay muna. Pagkatapos ng sigwada, muling mamamayagpag ang mga kulorum, “happy days are here again”. Dyan nga Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal sa Imus City, Cavite, marami sa mga traditional jeepney ang ni walang ruta sa gilid, byaheng Dasmarinas City bayan-Imus City proper, kinunsinte ng mga awtoridad at pamahalaang lokal. Inutil rin dyan ang bantay-kulorum. Mababawasan kasambahay ang komedya sa munisipyo, city hall at barangay hall dahil mauudlot ang pamumulitika sa pamamahagi ng ayuda ng mga pulitiko. . Hindi na ho kasi kasambahay idaraan sa opisina ng mga ehekutibo lokal ang ayuda ni Social Welfare secretary Rex Gatchalian. Ito ho bang Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program o AKAP. Ang konswelo na lang ni Mayor at barangay chairman ay makapagmasid sa pamimigay, iniiwasan na ho kasi Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal na akalain ninyong mula sa pulitiko iyon kaya muling maiboboto sa nalalapit na naming halalan. Komedya  naman talaga itong nagaganap sa ating hudikatura, makaraan kasambahay ng mahigit isang dekadang paglilitis, katarungan nang tinatawag ang pagkakakulong ng tigagalawang taon ng dalawang saragateng tsuper na kahit tinawag ng korteng maingat naman sa pagmamaneho ay nakamatay pa rin ng beteranang mamamahayag at edukador. Makukulong nga kasambahay itong dalawang tsuper  Daniel Espinosa at Victor Ancheta makaraang mapatunayan ni Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 83 Judge Ralph Lee na nagkasala ng reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property with homicide sa pagkamatay ng journalist at UP Professor Chit Estella. Pinagbabayad naman kapwa ang Universal Guiding Star Bus Line Corp. at Nova Auto Transport Bus Corporation ng P7.46 milyong “moral and exemplary damage” sa pamilya ni  Estella o Lourdes Estella-Simbulan. Masasabing nasa “wrong place at wrong time” si Chit nang mga panahong iyon.   Itong  tsuper ng traditional jeepney byaheng Sto. Nino -Meycauayan City, mas pinili pang libre pamasahe kaysa tanggapin ang perang papel na P20, baka raw kasi hindi tanggapin mula sa kanya. Kasambahay, hangga’t hindi pinawawalang-bisa ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas ang pinalaganap nitong salapi sa bansa, kung nababasa pa naman ang serial number, hindi ito pwedeng hindi tanggapin. Isinukli din naman sa akin ang P20, at tinanggap ko naman kaya kailangang tanggapin mo rin driver, ang katangahan, hindi ipinag-aaraw-araw yan. Kung walang tatanggap, ang bangko, kahit anong bangko tatanggapin yan. Kasama yan sa hanap-buhay mo driver, kung wala pala akong alam, ibang salapi pa ang ibabayad mo, nungka. Consolidated na ba yang jeep mo, kung hindi magtago ka na. Tinutugis ho ngayon ng mga pulis ang kabaro nilang babae dahil nahuling nakikipagniig sa kapwa pulis at huli rin ng maybahay ang katalik. Hindi kinilala ni Col. Fajardo ang pasaway sa matinding kahihiyan, sino kaya ang life coach niyan? Nananawagan kasambahay ang obispong katoliko sa mga panatikong magdasal para ulanin. Noong araw ipinagpuprusisyon pa ng mga panatiko ang paghingi ng ulan kaya lang galit ang itaas sa pagkikilik ng imahen sa prusisyon dahil iyon ay dinidiyos pa kaysa Kanya. Paano diringgin kung mali ang pamamaraan. Lalo lamang lalala ang sitwasyon kung hindi matututuhan ng tao ang tamang pagtawag sa nasa Itaas.

Shout out muna sa Values Bocaue Advocates, Wilfredo Jimenez Jr., Alex Driodoco, Gemma Daseco, Delfin Lawa at Alex Castro. Shout out muna sa mga may “hang over” pang bagong Marked Men for Christ”. Nagsipagtapos ng phase 2 at 3 seminar sa Plaridel,Bulacan staff na kayo kung saka-sakali, unang staffing nyo ang Phase 1 sa San Carlos City, Pangasinan sa HUlyo 3-5,2024. Jonathan Fernandez, nagkakalimutan na yata a..    Salamat JO1 Adrian Montojo, magkatulungan tayo sa ikarereporma ng mga detenido.

28 Mayo 2024, Martes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

City of Makati, France in June

supports World Press Freedom Day, May 3

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party

Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance

supports May, Cardiac Illness Prevention Month 

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

PM for any hospital discharge problem

HEADLINES

social pension bills enhanced

By Nidz Godino

“Twenty percent discount for senior citizens or PWDs applied on certain goods and services,  input tax attributable to  VAT-exempt sale to seniors and PWDs and special discount on basic necessities and prime commodities shall be treated as part of deductible expense pursuant to Section 34 of  National Internal Revenue Code of 1997,”  bill noted, three bills enhancing social pension for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) were approved on third and final reading as administration and opposition lawmakers in  House of Representatives crossed party lines.

Universal pension for seniors (House Bill 10423), enhanced discounts (HB 10312) and additional services in  eGov PH Super App platform (HB 10313) have all been approved.

HB 10423 received  overwhelming 232-0 affirmative votes. HB 10312 and HB 10313 both received 235-0 votes.

HB 10423 seeks to expand current social pension program to include all seniors, not just indigents.

Non-indigent seniors would receive  P500 monthly stipend once  measure is signed into law.

Within five years, all seniors would be entitled to  universal social pension equivalent to  monthly stipend of at least P1,000, regardless of any other pension benefits they may receive from other pension providers.

HB 10312 clarified  existing discounts for seniors and PWDs should be treated as additional to “any prevailing promotional offers or discounts extended by business establishments.”

Proponents of  measure  House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe and Reps. Joey Salceda, Erwin Tulfo, Gus Tambunting, Luis Raymund Villafuerte and Rufus Rodriguez  wanted  20 percent discount and exemption from value-added tax, as stated in the law, intact.

HB 10313 would include services for seniors and PWDs in  eGov PH Super App.

Department of Information and Communications Technology is tasked with incorporating dedicated sections with  “user-friendly interface including adjustable text sizes, voice assistance and other features.”

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Romans 12:15

¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

27 Mayo 2024, Lunes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

City of Makati, France in June

supports World Press Freedom Day, May 3

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party

Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance

supports May, Cardiac Illness Prevention Month 

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Bill to outlaw POGOs

By Nidz Godino

“Republic Act No. 11590, otherwise known as ‘Act Taxing Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations… is hereby repealed,” Senate Bill 2689 filed by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian read,  bill was filed in Senate seeking to outrightly ban  operations of offshore gaming hubs following  series of raids on those involved in crimes.

Gatchalian said this would effectively ban POGOs by repealing the only law that legitimized  offshore gaming hub.

Bill was filed following inaction from Malacañang on Senate’s recommendation to ban POGOs because of its involvement in human trafficking and scams and its minimal contribution to  economy.

“Main goal is ultimately to outlaw and prohibit offshore gaming operations in the country,” Gatchalian said.

In his bill, Gatchalian cited  raids on following POGO hubs for criminal activities , Colorful and Leap Group in Clark Freeport Zone; Xinchuang Network Technology in Las Piñas; Smart Web Technology in Pasay and Zun Yuan Technology in Bamban, Tarlac, where its mayor, Alice Guo was allegedly involved in its operation.

Gatchalian also cited  cost-benefit analysis of  Department of Finance in 2022 that POGO operations generated economic benefits worth P133.7 billion against P144.5 billion lost annually due to foregone potential investments and tourism revenues, with costs to enforcement and immigration.

This resulted in  net cost of P3.3 billion to P14 billion annually, equivalent to 0.01 percent to 0.06 percent of gross domestic product, respectively, Gatchalian added.“This means  POGO operations have brought more harm than good, as  economic costs greatly outweigh  benefits derived from such operations,” Gatchalian concluded

27 Mayo 2024, Lunes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

City of Makati, France in June

supports World Press Freedom Day, May 3

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party

Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance

supports May, Cardiac Illness Prevention Month 

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

PM for any hospital discharge problem

House drug war probe highlights PNP inaction faced by EJK victims

By Nidz Godino

“Wala kaming nakuhang kahit anong info…they never showed us  evidence…possible din na isa sa mga evidence noon makakapaglink talaga na police ang gumawa… pero hindi sila nakipagcooperate sa amin,” victim Ephraim  Escudero’s sister Sheerah Escudero said  House of Representatives began its first hearing into  extra-judicial killings  resulted from  Duterte administration’s drug war, allowing select relatives of victims and human rights lawyers to testify for  first time in  lower chamber about  scale of government inaction during  former president’s brutal six-year campaign against illegal drugs.

Victims’ families told House lawmakers that for years, they have borne  brunt of authorities’ inaction and apparent reluctance to fully cooperate in their quest for justice, pushing them to bring their case to  International Criminal Court (ICC), also known as  court of last resort.

Sheerah Escudero, whose brother, Ephraim, was found dead in Pampanga with his head wrapped in tape in 2017,  recalled approaching police officers who refused to provide them with information or evidence about Ephraim’s demise. 

 Llore Pasco,  mother of two drug war victims and  volunteer for human rights group Rise Up for Life and for Rights, also recounted difficulties she faced in trying to retrieve her sons’ bodies with little cooperation from authorities.

“Pinagpasa-pasahan kami bago ko nakita ang labi ng aking mga anak… noong nagdown kami ng P50,000, halos nabubulok na ang katawan ng aking mga anak dahil sa di maayos na pagkakalagay ng formaline sa kanilang mga katawan,” Pasco said.

Lawyer Neri Colmenares, co-counsel of  families of extra-judicial killings victims in ICC case, said  among evidence they will present if  ICC goes to trial is  pattern of evidence that indicate  killings were state-sponsored.

Colmenares said  not only public villification of  victims, but  killings were also “so brazen that they took place in public, as if perpetrators were not afraid of being caught or accosted by authorities.” 

Bayan Muna chairman also pointed out government’s apparent lack of interest to seriously investigate drug war killings, citing data that shows only 52 out of over 6,000 killings admitted by  police have been so far investigated. 

Citing  rule in  Philippine National Police’s manual, Colmenares pointed out that if someone dies in the course of  police operation, there should always be an inquest or investigation.

This is regardless if suspect had fought back, Colmenares said, citing notorious “nanlaban” argument wielded by cops during violent anti-illegal drug operations. 

Among several recommendations to more effectively investigate drug war-related deaths, Commission on Human Rights Chairman Richard Palpal-latoc said  committee should consider enacting  law that will require mandatory autopsies to be conducted. 

Lawyer Kristina Conti, another co-counsel for drug war victims, supported this suggestion, saying that these should also be conducted by independent expert. 

“We are talking about killings committed by police themselves… in some cases,  very same policemen will be investigating  same crimes…terrifying to victims to see  perpetrators as investigators,” Conti added.

Palpal-latoc added PNP has often refused to provide rights body with official documents related to its drug war probe, which CHR chair said was part of their mandate to conduct investigations.

CHR chair said PNP officers invoke data privacy law.

While Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. (Manila, 6th District), chair of  House human rights panel, made sure to clarify  committee will not “in any way” work with  ICC, both Pasco and Escudero appealed to  government to work with  international tribunal,  they both said gave them their best hope for  fair trial.

“I’ve been going to places in search of justice and hope for Ephraim’s two little boys…  been almost seven years now and there is still no justice…kanino pa kami lalapit? ” Escudero said, adding that this was why her family had hopes when ICC announced its drug war probe in 2018.

“Ang hirap mag-imbestiga sa Pilipinas lalo na kung may agam-agam o paniniwalang pulis din ang may gawa,” she added.

Escudero asked Congress and the president to work with  ICC, saying that their clamor is for “investigations and trials that are fair, thorough and comprehensive.”

“We want truth and accountability…please help our family heal,” Escudero added.

Rep. Dan Fernandez, chair of  House public order and safety committee, asked Pasco if she no longer had any trust in  justice system

“Nawalan na kami ng tiwala…seven years na mula noong namatay mga anak ko… hanggang ngayon wala pa kaming hustisyang nakamit…kailan kami kakamit ng hustisya…kaya kami dumulog sa inyong committee para tulungan kami na ipursue ang case na finile namin sa ICC kasama ng lahat ng biktimang tinanggalan ng karapatang pantao,” Pasco said.

Escudero said that just months before Pasco’s brother was killed allegedly during police’s anti-illegal drugs operations, she wrote for her school paper about the case of 17-year-old Kian de los Santos, another drug war victim, whose death was caught on CCTV.

“I was  aspiring journalist writing about social issues, then  month after we were also in  newspaper, similar to what happened to Kian.”

27 Mayo 2024, Lunes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

City of Makati, France in June

supports World Press Freedom Day, May 3

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

happy Birthday Andrea Mae Sebugan, more birthdays to come

Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party

Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance

supports May, Cardiac Illness Prevention Month 

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

PM for any hospital discharge problem

 ‘Judas’ cop detailed further

By Nidz Godino

SEN. RONALD DELA ROSA

“So sad of my upper classman…when PRRD, Duterte was about to remove you from your post because you are PNoy appointee, I moved heaven and earth to dissuade him,” Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa in  Facebook post  gave more details about  unnamed ranking police official allegedly convincing cops to testify against him in his drug war crimes case before  International Criminal Court (ICC).

Dela Rosa said  unnamed “upper classman” who betrayed him is in  powerful position under  present administration.

Unnamed  official was  appointee of the late president Benigno Simeon Aquino III and was supposed to get  ax under former president Rodrigo Duterte, but got to retain his post with Dela Rosa’s help.

 “You finished  whole six-year term…now, you are busy convincing PNP officers to testify against us in  ICC… God bless you, sir,” he added.

Dela Rosa  would identify the official “in proper time.”

“I just posted that on Facebook to express my frustrations and ill feelings toward this person, whom I trusted and even helped… I wasted that trust on him as my upper classman, only for him to turn his back on me,” he said.

Dela Rosa said this schoolmate of his is of impressive record and influence that he was able to keep his post up to the administration of President Marcos…he refused to confirm if the official is part of  Cabinet.

“But it is not  question of skills… question of values… I am not one to believe in one’s debt of gratitude…but his character is questionable for taking advantage of me, only to turn his back on me to be used as  pawn of the enemy,” Dela Rosa said.

Pressed for more details, Dela Rosa said  former friend is allegedly “following up” on police officers to pin down Dela Rosa in  crimes against humanity case against him as  top drug war enforcer of Duterte.

Brutal  narcotics crackdown led by police in  previous administration killed thousands of mostly poor drug users.

Dela Rosa alleged there is also “bagman” who carries cash to entice cops to testify against him. He also did not name alleged financier.

“He won’t be able to convince cops against me if he is not in  position of power… financier is also  prominent person,” Dela Rosa said without giving any more details.

Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV alleged  he has information that  ICC would order Duterte and Dela Rosa’s arrest this year. He also claimed at least 50 active and former police officers were implicated in drug war probe.
Dela Rosa, however, is still banking on Marcos’ word of not cooperating with  ICC, even as there are signs from legal briefer preparations of  Department of Justice that  administration seems open to rejoining  ICC.

Duterte unilaterally withdrew from  Rome Statute that created ICC after  complaint was filed against him for his drug war.

“I have no doubt 100 percent that the President will keep his word… I grew up in family of Marcos loyalists… I wanted to be  soldier when I saw that his father took care of the military,” Dela Rosa said, referring to the late Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

“I believe in the President… people around him that I don’t trust anymore,” he added.

27 Mayo 2024, Lunes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

City of Makati, France in June

supports World Press Freedom Day, May 3

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party

Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance

supports May, Cardiac Illness Prevention Month 

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Quo Warranto vs. Guo

By Nidz Godino

“This is blatant already, this Bamban Mayor Alice Guo…based on her answers, we must look if she is really  Filipino. ..she should not be mayor if she cannot prove her Filipino citizenship… only proper that she be removed as mayor,” Reps. Bienvenido Abante Jr.  said plan  of  Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to file  quo warranto case against Mayor Alice Guo of Bamban town in Tarlac got  backing of two members of House of Representatives.

Quo  warranto is  legal remedy that is used to challenge  person’s rights to hold  public or corporate office.

At  briefing  Abante . of Manila and Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur declared  imperative to ensure  public servants fulfill all  requirements for holding public office.

According to Abante, Guo should be stripped of mayorship if it is proven that she is not  Filipino.

Guo is facing investigation at  Senate for her alleged involvement in  illegal operation of POGOs in the province.

Her identity as  Filipino is being questioned as her responses concerning her birth and family background were vague.

Abante noted  important to verify Guo’s Filipino citizenship as he expressed concerns over her “potential foreign influence.”

“China does not only want to control  West Philippine Sea, but  entire Philippines and even universities,” he maintained, apparently referring to  influx of Chinese students near  Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in Cagayan province.

For his part, Adiong underscored  importance of preserving  integrity of  electoral process and protecting  rights of natural-born Filipinos. “OSG just wanted to protect our electoral processes which should be for … Filipinos,” he said.

Adiong raised personal concerns regarding  citizenship acquisition process, particularly its apparent inconsistencies and inefficiencies. He sought  comprehensive review of local registry procedures.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has been conducting  probe on Guo in connection with both  issue on her citizenship, as well as  controversial POGO hub in her town.

Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos as early as April 5,  had ordered creation of  task force to probe any possible administrative misconduct or neglect by LGU officials in connection with  illegal POGO hub in Bamban, Tarlac.

Benjamin Zaballa, chief operations audit division of  Internal Audit Service, was tasked to lead task force.

Task force was ordered last May 10 to also conduct fact-finding on concerns regarding  citizenship and eligibility for public office of Guo.

“We already created task force way back in April…anytime, everything will come out…this is recommendatory for  ombudsman…all actions, very comprehensive what happened..on  permits and second on citizenship,” he said.

He said all findings are recommendatory and will be forwarded to Office of the President and Office of the Ombudsman as soon as they are available.

Abalos said they do not have any power to suspend or dismiss Guo as only  two offices have that authority.

President Ferdinand  Marcos Jr.backed further investigation on Guo, citing  ongoing Senate probe, as he added that Tarlac politicians do not know her.

Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said  they are also gathering information to determine if Guo is illegally “holding or exercising  public office.”

27 Mayo 2024, Lunes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

City of Makati, France in June

supports World Press Freedom Day, May 3

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

happy Birthday Andrea Mae Sebugan, more birthdays to come

Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

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PSA flags irregularities in Guo’s birth certificate

By Nidz Godino

“We can believe that there are several irregularities in this birth certificate,”  lawyer Eliezer Ambatali, director of  Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) legal service. confirmed they found several discrepancies in  birth certificate of Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, including  absence of any government record that proves her mother’s existence and her parents’ marriage.

During  Senate women committee hearing, Sen. Loren Legarda also flagged  possibility that based on Guo’s case,  operations of  so-called “syndicate” that allowed dozens of foreigners obtain Philippine passports using fake birth certificates,  being probed by blue ribbon committee, is “all rooted in  PSA.”

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chair of  Senate women committee, said during  hearing that no existing PSA documents prove  marriage and identity of  parents listed in her birth certificate: Angelito Guo and Amelia Leal.

While Guo’s birth certificate states that her father’s nationality was Filipino, Guo herself said her father was Chinese and  Chinese passport holder.
 
Based on these details,  PSA said  there is  “high possibility” that Guo’s father,  person who provided  information used to belatedly register Guo’s birth provided false information.

Based on their fact-finding investigation, PSA Assistant National Statistician Marizza Grande said Guo’s mother, Amelia Leal, “is not existing” as she does not have any birth, marriage or death certificate.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian asked Ambatali if it is possible that Amelia Leal is not  real person,  PSA official answered  affirmative. 

With three “critical irregularities” marring Guo’s birth certificate, namely her parents’ marriage, her father’s nationality and her mother’s identity, Gatchalian clarified whether  Bamban mayor’s birth certificate could still be used as  primary document to obtain other IDs and records.

“Birth certificate that is registered may be used as  basis for other documents, but it is not  absolute basis for  existence of a person,” Ambatali said. 

PSA official explained case can be filed to cancel  individual’s birth certificate if it does not meet  minimum requirements needed to declare  birth certificate as valid.
 
PSA’s investigation found  Guo’s birth did not have any supporting documents except for “negative certification” that basically proves Guo does not have any record prior to her birth. 

Guo’s birth certificate appeared to be purely based on information provided by her father, Gatchalian pointed out.

“It appears there is an irregularity in  registration because there are no supporting documents,” Grande said.

Citing PSA records, Grande added  contrary to Guo’s earlier testimony that she is  only child,  certain “Shiela Leal Guo” and “Seimen Leal Guo” also listed Amelia and Angelito as their parents.
 
PSA also found that in total, Amelia and Angelito had four children, two of which are registered in Tarlac City, while  other two are registered in Caloocan City.

Gatchalian said  irregularities in Guo’s birth certificate points to even more evidence of how non-Filipinos have abused PSA’s late birth registration policy to obtain government documents, findings that were previously established by  powerful blue ribbon committee.

Besides endorsing the case to  Office of Solicitor General for  filing of  petition to cancel  documents,  PSA may also block  birth certificate to prevent it from being used in official transactions. 

Ambatali said  PSA revised its guidelines on registration of late births in October 2021 after receiving several reports of inividuals “abusing delayed registration to get  legal identity.”

Legarda, who flagged  issue of foreigners obtaining real Philippine passports during last year’s budget hearing, said that  problem proves that  “syndicate” in government is aiding the practice.

“If there is  syndicate in government agencies… for sure there is, because how will you obtain  birth certificate and  authentic passport except through syndicates working in government?” Legarda said.

She said that not only are  non-Filipinos competing with legitimate Filipino citizens in governments’ financial aid programs, but they can also run for public office.

“If they can fake their birth certificate, what more for other IDs emanating from that?” Legarda also said. 

27 Mayo 2024, Lunes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

City of Makati, France in June

supports World Press Freedom Day, May 3

Register now and vote in midterm polls

supports International Nurses’ Day

Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party

Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance

supports May, Cardiac Illness Prevention Month 

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Economic growth rests on hitting targets

By J.Lo

HOUSE SPEAKER FERDINAND MARTIN ROMUALDEZ

“Year on year, BIR’s revenue collections grew by 17 percent this year… welcome news, and I credit  BIR for that,” Speaker Martin Romualdez urged Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to ensure tax agency hits its targets this year, emphasizing  “hitting revenue targets means  government can fund its spending program,  will enable growth.”

 “But 17 percent growth from total collections last year will mean  BIR will fall short of  P3.05-trillion target set by  economic managers,” the Speaker stressed.

BIR collected P2.516 trillion in 2023.  Increase  of 17 percent will bring total collections this year to P2.944 trillion, still slightly below  target.

“It’s high bar to clear…that’s why Congress has given  BIR  tools to collect more effectively from taxpayers,” Romualdez said.

“We enacted  Ease of Paying Taxes, effective this year, to digitalize most of BIR’s transactions and encourage taxpayers to comply voluntarily… law will also broaden  base of taxpayers, since we made registering as taxpayer simpler, more convenient and above all free.”

Romualdez pointed out country’s economic growth this year “depends in large part on government carrying out  budget President Marcos proposed and Congress authorized…of course, the sooner the BIR can collect the cash, the faster  government can fund its programs.”

“Government final expenditure grew by only 1.7 percent during first quarter, so I’m hoping that  BIR will be able to collect more in  second quarter so government spending can also catch up…we need to fund both programmed spending and as much of  unprogrammed appropriations as possible to meet our growth targets this year, tax is  lifeblood of government, and  vitality of economic growth this year depends on whether  BIR can supply that lifeblood,” Romualdez said.