23 Mayo 2024, Huwebes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

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

NPC probes AG’s membership

By Nidz Godino

“Mayor Guo is an NPC member…she joined party after she won  2022 elections,” former Senate president Vicente Sotto III said during  Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum  Nationalist People’s Coalition is looking into  origins of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo,  ran and won as an independent candidate but later joined  party  recently entered into  alliance with President Ferdinand Marcos’ Partido Federal Pilipinas (PFP).

Sotto clarified that after  controversy surrounding Guo,  NPC has started investigating  Bamban mayor.

Sotto asked Tarlac Gov. Susan Yap to look into Guo’s case.

“If there are party rules violations by  member, we will definitely decide on it, like Rep. Arny Teves,” he noted, referring to  expelled Negros lawmaker.

He noted that Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, one of the senators investigating Guo, is with  NPC.

“It doesn’t mean that even if she is our partymate, if she is really involved in POGO ,Philippine offshore gaming operators activities, human trafficking, then it will escalate in the party, like Teves, we will expel her,” Sotto said.

President Marcos’ PFP will ally with  NPC in preparation for  May 2025 midterm elections.

NPC’s alliance with PFP is  formalization of its longtime close alliance with Marcos, Sotto said.

“Right now,  NPC as  party is in alliance with the President…  merely formalizes  association… realization of  continuing allegiance, of friendship,” he added.

More questions instead of answers were raised about  origins of Guo,  stood by her Filipino citizenship during  Senate investigation on her alleged involvement in Philippine offshore gaming operators.

Guo attended  resumption of Sen. Risa Hontiveros’ investigation, centered on how she was able to grow her piggery business and go into local politics despite issues raised about her birth.

Hontiveros presented during  hearing  contradicting details in Guo’s birth certificate and those of her two siblings Shiela and Seimen,  showed conflicting marriage dates of their parents, businessman Angelito Guo and Amelia.

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) confirmed to Hontiveros’ office that not only does  patriarch Guo not have  registered birth certificate, the Guo couple also do not have  record of marriage in  PSA.

Asked to explain  discrepancies in their family’s birth records, Guo  could not answer because she “did not prepare birth certificates.”

“My father has different partners…we do not talk about these sensitive matters in our family,” Guo said when asked why she did not question her father who is  native of Fujian province.

“Gaps in  document cannot be denied,” Hontiveros said.

Guo confirmed to senators what she media that she was  “lovechild” of her father with Amelia,  family househelp.

“How I wish I had  perfect family,” Guo said of their family situation.

But senators raised  possibility that Guo’s mother may not exist at all, after they learned from  PSA that  person under  name Amelia Leal Guo does not have  birth registration in its records.

“In the eyes of the law, there is no person born Amelia Leal… possible  Amelia Leal is non-existing…so there are three irregularities here  Amelia Leal is not  real person, their marriage is null and  father is not Filipino,” Gatchalian said.

This puts to question Guo’s birth certificate  she used to prove her Filipino citizenship when she filed for candidacy as Bamban mayor, he said.

Senators did not buy Guo’s colorful story of growing up on  farm and taking care of their farm animals when she was  minor.

Guo claimed she was raised by her Chinese father to be  entrepreneur and that she had always dreamed of being  politician in their town.

But the mayor became evasive when pressed by Sen. Loren Legarda to recall to committee her childhood in Bamban.

“Tell us about  first nine years of your life…tell us about your farm life… must have been  charming, idyllic life…who are your Chinese or Filipino playmates… if you’re Chinese and fronting for other people, then go back to your country…but if you’re born here, convince us,” Legarda said.

.

Guo maintained her story that she was born on  farm but that she could not recall details of her childhood.

Asked to speak her Chinese language, Guo at first resisted, but was compelled to say in Fookien: “My father is from China… I am not Chinese… I am Filipino.”

“My life has not been normal,”  teary-eyed Guo said.

23 Mayo 2024, Huwebes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

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

Sacked Wescom chief hit Chinese envoy

By Nidz Godino

“First, I admit I had  casual and informal conversation with  Chinese military attaché but I condemned the act of  Chinese embassy to record our conversation without my consent, much more to divulge it to  public in malicious twist and manipulation in order to appear that our discussion to be supportive of  narrative of PRC… I am not authorized to enter into agreements,” former commander of  Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command (AFP-Wescom)  has denied entering into any agreement with China involving  dispute in  West Philippine Sea.

During hearing of  Senate committee on national defense and security, peace, unification and reconciliation, Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos condemned  alleged wiretapping of his conversation with  Chinese embassy military attaché.

Chinese embassy neither responded nor sent any representative to  Senate committee hearing  chaired by Senate Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada  investigating  alleged wiretapping of  ranking AFP official.

Senate secretariat had sent  invitation, through  Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on May 21, to  embassy and AFP-Wescom as panel investigated  supposed conversation between Carlos and  Chinese official on  “new model” to de-escalate tensions.

Carlos maintained  he has no authority to enter into agreement with any country and that his main mandate is to conduct operations in  West Philippine Sea to ensure territorial integrity and that sovereign rights are protected.

 “We did not discuss ‘new model…’ we did not discuss  term… ‘common understanding’ and ‘new model’ were not part of our conversation, I have not given up our sovereign rights and entitlement… I am  soldier for  Filipino people and I remain  loyal servant of the Republic,“ he told the Senate panel.

Carlos recalled last January, Colonel Li of  Chinese military called him on phone while he was aboard  ship in  West Philippine Sea.  Conversation  lasted three to five minutes.

“As  WesCom commander, I have done my very best to provide for  welfare of WesCom personnel… I did not enter into any secret deals that will compromise  interest of our country,” he added.

AFP official insisted  he did not enter into any agreement with  official that would pose  threat to Philippine territory and did not agree on issue of bringing supplies to  BRP Sierra Madre in  West Philippine Sea, as China has insisted.

Further pressed by Estrada on gist of  conversation, Carlos said discussion was about exploring ways to reduce tensions in  WPS.

“From  conversation,  alleged new model came out,” Estrada asked, but Carlos said: “we did not discuss  new model and it was not part of our conversation.”

While  Chinese embassy snubbed  committee hearing, Carlos said  Chinese official sent him  message two days ago but he did not reply.

Carlos  was ready to detail  content of  text messages and other things discussed in January in  executive session.

Earlier,  Chinese embassy had threatened to divulge  supposed transcript of  conversation between Carlos and  Chinese diplomat, where  embassy claimed Philippine official expressed compliance with agreement for  “new model.”

Carlos  did not know  their conversation was recorded and he  did not give permission for their conversation to be recorded.

An official said they have yet to investigate  alleged wiretapping incident but  AFP is willing to cooperate with  appropriate agencies.

Carlos has now been reassigned to  Headquarters Support Command (HSC) under office of AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. in Camp Aguinaldo.

Military however, quick to dismiss  idea that Carlos is being punished or demoted.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said Carlos’ reassignment forms part of  normal occurrence in  military organization.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino asked Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Aileen Mendiola-Rau if there would be consequences for  alleged wiretapping involving Chinese embassy.

Mendiola-Rau said  diplomatic agent is immune from  criminal, civil and administrative jurisdiction of  receiving state, except in cases involving real actions related to private immovable property unless held for  mission, succession matters where  agent acts privately and professional or commercial activities outside their official duties.

Tolentino then asked if  DFA has  authority to declare diplomats as persona non grata and if  DFA is conducting its own investigation into the matter.

Mendiola-Rau replied  “DFA would have to defer to  law enforcement agencies in looking into  reports of wiretapping.”

Department of Justice senior state counsel Frettie Ganchoon said there is  order from  Secretary of  DOJ to  National Bureau of Investigation to hear  testimony of Carlos about  authenticity of  transcript.

“This is the first time that we are hearing  sworn testimony of Vice Admiral Carlos…because we are not sure before of  truthfulness and authenticity of transcript, so we don’t know…but we have  testimony now that we can use that indeed there was  call and it was recorded and we can consider as violation of anti-wiretapping law,” she said.

Meanwhile, Estrada said “alleged wiretapping incident is worrying…we should take steps about it…  even more disturbing that we can be manipulated by these Chinese officials… they can manipulate  conversation to disturb us to even suspect bemedaled officer like Vice Admiral Carlos who faithfully serves our people.” 

23 Mayo 2024, Huwebes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

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

Komedya o Komida

Ni Derek Jorge

Komedyanteng Guo

KOMEDYA ang litong pagsagpt at pangungumbinsing pagpapakilala ni Bamban Mayor Alice Guo sa senado.  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 wikang Fuokien ay mahihinuhang mas intsik si Guo kaysa Pinay. Umanib siya sa Nationalist People’s Coalition maharaang magwagi sa 2022 elections bilang independiyente na bihirang mangyari. Kaaanib lamang niya sa Partido Federal bilang paghahanda sa halalang local sa susunod na taong 2025. Parang labis-labis sa katotohanang kita lamang sa babuyan ang ginugol niya sa bakaraang halalan. Masalimuot ang nagkakakontrahang pangyayari sa buhay ni Guo na hindi maayos nitong naikwento ang kanyang kabataan. Sinuman kasing Pilipino ay hindi magkakagatol-gatol sa pagkukuwento ng kanyang pinagmulan kung totoo lang. gamitan nyo kaya ng polygraph test?. Kasambahay mukhang hindi basta illegal parking ang usapin sa  kontrobersyal na barkong MT Hyperline 988, nagwagayway ito ng watawat ng Pinas gayong rehistrado sa Siera Leone, ineresado tuloy ang NICA, may kinalaman kaya ito sa “national security?” Ano na mangyayari kay alkalde Alice Guo kapag nahubaran ng police power, baka pulis pawis matira? Napikon  si mayor sa pagpapabitay ni barangay captain sa mga magkakalat ng basura sa ikatlong pagkakataon. . Suspendido  kasambahay sina  Brgy. Calaba, Bangued, Abra  chairman Renato Brasuela, council members Marjun Santiago, Rosemel Viado,  Marlbour Valera,  Carmelita Venus at SK chairperson Darryl Blanes dahil sa “death penalty” sa sinuman doong mahuhuling magtatapon ng basura sa ikatlong pagkakataon. Kapag unang beses ay may multang isang bulig, sa ikalawa ay multang bulig at walong oras na “community service”. Ibig sabihin Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal babarilin ang ikatlong ulit na magkakalat ng basura. Ang tanong, makahuhuli naman kaya? Ipinakukonsidera ng Department of Transportation sa mga tsuper ng kulorum na mag-iba nan ang hanap-buhay. Mag-aral sa TASDA ng kursong pangkabuhayan at iyon ang isakatuparan. 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.

23 Mayo 2024, Huwebes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

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

HEADLINES

Divorce bill approved

By Nidz Godino

“By legalizing divorce, Philippines acknowledges  need to provide options for individuals trapped in unhappy and irreparable marriages…this recognition reflects  evolving understanding of  complexities and challenges  can arise within marital unions,” Rep. Edcel Lagman said divided House of Representatives approved on third and final reading  absolute divorce bill that in nearly four decades only reached plenary debates in the halls of Congress.

Congressmen voted 126-109  with 20 abstentions  in stamping their approval on House Bill 9349 authored by long-time divorce advocate  Lagman,  said there is now “ imminent liberation for Filipino wives who are entombed in toxic, abusive and long-dead marriages.”

 “Divorce is not monster plaguing  marriage…it is marital infidelity, abandonment, violence and cruelty, among others,  devils that destroy marriages,”  first district congressman of Albay province reiterated.

Among those who voted against  measure were Reps. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Rufus Rodriguez, Richard Gomez, evangelist-lawmaker Bro. Eddie Villanueva of Citizens Battle Against Corruption party-list and preacher Bienvenido Abante of Manila’s sixth district.

House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan,  former seminarian, also voted no.

“May God have mercy on our nation,” Villanueva,  Jesus is Lord movement evangelist, said. “We have explained and warned our colleagues of  ill effects of  measure;  accountability is now between them and God.”

“We should have realized that annulment and legal separation exist to remedy problematic marriages without rebelling against God, insulting Him and drawing  curses of disobeying Him,” Villanueva warned.

Opposition  lawmakers usually lumped for voting practically against all pieces of legislation, three-member Makabayan bloc expressly manifested their desire to have  measure approved by their House colleagues from  super majority coalition.

“This victory is nearly two decades in the making, following our initial introduction of  bill to legalize divorce back in 2005… necessity for this legislation has only grown more urgent over  years,  easy to romanticize  Filipino family as perfect and conflict-free…but  reality is that political, economic and social factors often strain marriages, leading to inequalities and violence, Gabriela Women’s Party looks forward to  future where all Filipinos have  legal means to escape harmful marriages and rebuild their lives…let us give abused women and their children another chance to live in loving and supportive family environment,” Rep. Arlene Brosas of women’s group Gabriela stated.

In  statement, Gabriela reported  2022 National Demographic and Health Survey revealed  “18 percent of women with intimate partners have experienced violence, while nearly 40 percent of women aged 15-49 have faced controlling behaviors from their partners.”

“Socio-economic challenges in the Philippines  such as labor export, low wages, joblessness and rising living costs exacerbate marital issues… proposed divorce legislation acknowledges these realities, providing legal recognition to existing social conditions without further fragmenting already broken homes,” Brosas said.

HB 9349 provides limited grounds and well-defined judicial procedures for divorce and aims to save children from  pain, stress and agony brought about by their parents’ marital clashes or irreconcilable differences.

It also allows divorced spouses  right to marry again for another chance at marital bliss.

Under  bill, troubled couples may file  petition for absolute divorce using grounds:

1) legal separation under Article 55 of the Family Code of the Philippines, as modified;

2) annulment of marriage under Article 45 of  Family Code of the Philippines, as modified;

3) separation of  spouses in fact for at least five years at the time  petition for absolute divorce is filed, and reconciliation is highly improbable;

4) psychological incapacity as provided in Article 36 of Family Code of the Philippines;

5) irreconcilable differences; and

6) domestic or marital abuse to include acts under Republic Act 9262, or Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Romans 15:2

² Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.

22 Mayo 2024, Miyerkules

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

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

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

Queen Máxima promote financial inclusion

By Nidz Godino

“We had  wonderful visit…fishermen were explaining to me how important credit has been for them because it actually allowed them to grow and invest even more and expand on their income,” Queen Máxima of Netherlands, in her capacity as  United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA), is in  Philippines for three days to promote financial inclusion, especially among “traditionally underserved groups,” like  poor, women, smallholder farmers and small businesses.

On first day of her three-day trip, Queen Máxima visited Talim Island,  remote island under  jurisdictions of  municipalities of Binangonan and Cardona in Rizal and whose residents have faced significant barriers to accessing financial services.

In  bid to mitigate this problem,microfinance-oriented rural bank, CARD MRI Rizal Bank (CARD-RBI), has provided  wide range of financial services, including payments, savings, credit and insurance to remote community.

CARD RBI has also introduced  innovative use of  mobile application konek2CARD,  has been instrumental in delivering financial service to Talim Island.

During the trip, the Queen talked to members of  fisherfolk community to see how  services of CARD-RBI have been  transformative impact in making financial services more accessible.

At  media briefing after  trip, she said  her favorite part was learning about  improvements in Talim Island that made financial services more accessible to its residents.

 “But very importantly, they were telling me about five types of insurance that they actually have… hospitalization insurance… biggest worries for Filipinos is medical expenses…so this was  very big leap for a lot of people,” she added.

Additionally, among biggest improvements  Queen Máxima saw in Talim Island is  use of  mobile application konek2CARD.

“They were telling me, of course, what  big difference it is that they live on  island…now, you can access financial service from your phone…otherwise, you have to pay $3 to go back and forth, and three hours to make  payment…now, you can do it from your home,” she said.

22 Mayo 2024, Miyerkules

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

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

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

Noynoy admin approved Ayungin status quo

By Redentor Oro

“Status quo on Ayungin Shoal where  BRP Sierra Madre dilapidated warship  served as  Philippine military outpost in  low elevation reef since 1999  was in  2013 commitment of former defense secretary Gazmin to  Chinese ambassador Ma Keqing  he would only deliver food and water to  Marines stationed at the vessel,” former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea said  second Aquino administration that first made  commitment in 2013 not to have  BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal repaired.

At  joint hearing of  House committees on national defense and security and  West Philippine Sea, Medialdea said keeping status quo on  Sierra Madre was  commitment made by then defense chief Voltaire Gazmin to then Chinese ambassador Ma Keqing.

Medialdea said  commitment was to limit resupply missions to  delivery of food, water and other provisions to troops stationed on Sierra Madre,  rusty World War II-era transport ship deliberately beached on shoal to serve as  military outpost.

Delivery of construction materials was explicitly not allowed.

House committees were investigating  supposed “gentleman’s agreement” between former president Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Upon questioning by 1Rider partylist Rep. Rodge Rodrigo, Medialdea stressed  such  agreement between  two leaders does not exist. “There was none.”

ACT-CIS partylist Rep. France Castro moved to invite Gazmin to shed light on matter. There was no objection to her motion.

According to Medialdea, he got  information regarding Gazmin’s deal with  Chinese ambassador when he asked around concerning favorable ruling of Permanent Court of Arbitration on arbitral case filed against China by Aquino administration.

Court  decision came out on July 12, 2016 or 12 days after Duterte took office.

He said that while commitment was made during Aquino administration,  succeeding leadership opted to keep it, out of respect.

“I cannot elaborate with particularity on status…that was what I gathered when  decision came out 12 days after we assumed office,” he maintained, referring to  arbitral ruling.

He said then president Duterte was only “of position that we respect”  commitment.

22 Mayo 2024, Miyerkules

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

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

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

Hse ethics body ‘unanimously’ decides to sanction Alvarez

By Nidz Godino

“We discussed  merits of the case, but I’m sorry… I’m not at liberty to disclose  recommendations.;;but it was unanimous most certain,” Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon said at  news briefing House ethics committee has “unanimously” decided to impose  administrative sanction against former speaker Pantaleon Alvarez for alleged disorderly behavior, following his purported seditious remarks against Marcos administration.

Panel member  Bongalon refused to disclose to journalists administrative penalty recommended  whether  just  reprimand,  slap on wrist or  warning not to repeat  offense again.

He clarified  decision of  committee, headed by Rep. Felimon Espares of Coop-Natcco party-list, is only recommendatory and subject to  approval of  plenary.

“Committee is finalizing  report,” Bongalon said.

House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe,  heads  House committee on rules where  Alvarez report will be submitted, promised newsmen  panel would report to  plenary  administrative sanction at soonest time possible.

“We want to dispense with this Alvarez complaint right away…we will wait for  committee report…as soon as we get it, we can take it up any time before  sine die adjournment,” Dalipe said, referring to today being last day of sessions.

Complaint  against Alavarez,  filed by Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy, stemmed from his alleged remarks against local government officials and pronouncements during so-called “prayer rallies,”  have been  subject of  investigation by  Espares panel.

Alvarez,  counsel is former Ilocos Norte congressman Rodolfo Fariñas, refused to apologize to Uy and to his colleagues in the House, invoking his constitutional right to free speech.

Fariñas served as Alvarez’s majority leader when he was House speaker.

Alvarez,  buddy of former president Rodrigo Duterte, earlier faced three violations in his ethics complaint: disorderly behavior as public official, conduct unbecoming as well as violation of  libel provision of  Revised Penal Code and inciting to sedition.

He served as Duterte’s House speaker during his first two years in office until he was ousted in July 2018 and replaced by former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who served as speaker until June 2019.

Bongalon earlier told journalists  House ethics probe on Alvarez for disorderly conduct is devoid of politics.

“I just want to clarify that this complaint started because  case was filed against him… committee on ethics has to act on complaint filed,” Bongalon said.

He said it just happened that  subject of  complaint is  member of  House and  committee “has to act on it.”

In rally of  supporters of Duterte in Tagum on April 14, Alvarez urged Armed Forces of the Philippines to turn their backs on Marcos, who is  commander-in-chief of  AFP.

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No travel halt amid COVID-19 surge

By J.Lo

“There is no scientific basis for travel restrictions to any country because of  increase in COVID-19 cases,” Department of Health (DOH) said despite emergence of new COVID-19 variants and surging cases in other countries, DOH sees no need to impose travel restrictions.

DOH assured  public  it continues to track COVID-19 case counts and newly designated variants under monitoring, in parallel with international developments.

“DOH remains to be in close coordination with international health authorities and its Bureau of Quarantine is keeping watch over points of entry nationwide,” DOH noted.

All Philippine regions remain at low risk for COVID-19, DOH said.

Based on reports in  DOH Data Collect application, 116 severe and critical COVID-19 cases were admitted to hospitals.

From May 7 to 13, 877 new cases were reported, or  daily average of 125 cases.

“While there is  observed increase recently, it is small and lower than previously observed increases,”  DOH said, noting that of  new cases reported, seven were severe or critical.

Five deaths were recorded between April 30 and May 13.

As of May 12, only 11 percent of dedicated COVID-19 ICU beds were occupied, while only 13 percent of dedicated COVID-19 non-ICU beds were occupied, DOH noted.

World Health Organization reported three new COVID-19 variants under monitoring: JN.1.18, KP.2 and KP.3, all  descendants of JN.1.

Variants KP.2 and KP.3 are proper names of what is informally known as “FLiRT” variants, as coined by some researchers.

To prevent  possible surge of COVID-19 cases in the country,  DOH recommended voluntary use of face masks along with standard precautions like hand washing, avoiding crowds and ensuring good airflow in spaces.

Meanwhile, Makati Medical Center reported  slight uptick in  number of COVID-19 admissions but  “overall situation is manageable.”

“After having zero occupancy for many days in  8th floor COVID wing, we had to increase capacity to  dozen beds since  few days ago,” said MMC medical director Saturnino Javier.

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“Sorry Migz”- Bato

By Nidz Godino

“Being  good soldier, I wanted to tell him, ‘my commander, sorry, boss, I failed to win  war for you,’” Sen. Ronald dela Rosa said at  press briefing drug probe by  panel headed by himself was cited as key reason for ouster of Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri as Senate president.

It  was revealed that Dela Rosa was one of  15 senators who supported Zubiri’s replacement with Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

Dela Rosa apologized to Zubiri, saying he failed to defend the latter from  plot to unseat him.

Dela Rosa admitted signing  document  endorsed Escudero’s Senate presidency, correcting reports that he was among  seven senators who stood by Zubiri.

Dela Rosa  had no choice but to join his three other Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) colleagues  Senators Francis Tolentino, Bong Go and Robin Padilla  in voting Zubiri out, saying that it is  party deal to abide with  majority decision.

Tolentino was elected as Escudero’s majority leader, replacing Zubiri’s ally Joel Villanueva.

Dela Rosa  was also flattered  he was approached by Escudero’s camp to convince him to join them in the majority.

“I was close to joining minority, but I was persuaded otherwise into joining  majority,” Dela Rosa said.

“Senate president Chiz is  magnanimous victor…even though he did not need my vote anymore because  battle was won, he still convinced me to join  majority,” Dela Rosa said.

Dela Rosa was perceived as backing Zubiri because the former PNP chief was among  seven senators  Zubiri thanked in his valedictory speech during  Monday session.

Dela Rosa cried at the mention in Zubiri’s tearful farewell speech and saluted him.

Asked about his breakdown, Dela Rosa  was just overwhelmed by emotion when Zubiri thanked him for standing by him. Zubiri thanked Dela Rosa in his speech because he had thought Dela Rosa was with him.

“When Senator Migz saluted me in his speech, I could not help but cry… I felt ashamed…if he is heartbroken, I am also heartbroken…he is  good leader,” Dela Rosa said.

He also denied crying for feeling guilty that he had contributed to Zubiri’s downfall because of his motu proprio inquiry into  alleged leaked 2012 Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) pre-operation report targeting then senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“I was told that that was not  reason he was replaced,” Dela Rosa said, adding that he would continue with his “PDEA leaks” investigation.

Dela Rosa  was also assured by Escudero that he would not be stripped of his post as public order and dangerous drugs committee chair.

Zubiri had hinted that Dela Rosa’s investigation  Zubiri allowed in deference to  independent committee chairmanship  “ruffled  feathers” of  “powers that be” and led to his demotion.

“I failed to follow instructions from  powers that be…I fought  good fight…if I have ruffled some feathers in doing so, if I have upset  powers that be, then so be it,” Zubiri said in his speech before stepping down.

Those who backed Zubiri were Senators Loren Legarda, Joel Villanueva, Sonny Angara, JV Ejercito, Nancy Binay and Sherwin Gatchalian.

Two-member minority of Aquilino Pimentel III and Risa Hontiveros abstained.

Remaining  14 others voted to replace Zubiri with Escudero  Dela Rosa, Tolentino, Go, Padilla, Jinggoy Estrada, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Lito Lapid, Imee Marcos, Grace Poe, Bong Revilla, Raffy Tulfo, Cynthia Villar and Mark Villar.

Estrada was elected Senate president pro tempore, replacing Legarda.

Newly elected Senate majority leader Francis Tolentino  respected  feelings of former Senate president Zubiri, who said  he was  victim of  growing Marcos-Duterte rift.

“Let’s respect his feelings…let’s just leave it at that…we want everyone to be in  reconciliatory mode, and we don’t want to add to  heat from what happened, I cannot comment on that, but we respect  opinions of the former Senate president and we still consider him in high esteem,” Tolentino said.

In television interviews on Monday, Zubiri had to give way to the new Senate president Francis Escudero because of pressure from  factions of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.and of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio.

He  drew  Marcos camp’s ire for allowing Dela Rosa’s motu proprio inquiry into an alleged leaked anti-drug operation report that implicated  then senator Marcos in illegal drugs.

Zubiri  also angered Duterte camp when he signed  arrest order against Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy, after Hontiveros cited  fugitive pastor in contempt for snubbing her hearings on alleged sexual abuses in his church.

“I was caught in  middle of  Duterte and Marcos factions… I’m caught in between, but I just did my job, and did it well… consequences of my action, why did it have to happen, I’m  loyalist… I am one of those who felt bad about rift in  UniTeam… I was caught in  middle of  growing fight between Duterte and Marcos factions…but we move on…we’re politicians… I am not  crybaby,” Zubiri said .

At separate press briefing  new Senate president pro tempore Jinggoy Estrada  would rather not fan speculation that Malacañang had  hand in removing Zubiri as Senate president.

“I don’t need to tell the whole story… already water under  bridge…they have nothing to do with  change of leadership here in  Senate,” Estrada said.