TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

James 5:16

¹⁶ Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

4 Mayo 2024, Sabado

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

BSP execs, highest paid in govt – COA

By J.Lo

“2023 Report on Salaries and Allowances” or ROSA Commission on Audit (COA)’uploaded on its website on Thursday, executives of  Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas have dominated anew annual list of highest paid government officials.

BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. topped COA list with  net pay of P35.48 million.

Remolona’s net pay grew by P29.3 million or 474 percent from P6.18 million net pay he received in 2022 where he was not even in  top 20 but at 132nd.

COA’s breakdown showed Remolona’s net pay for 2023 included P5.97 million in basic salary as BSP governor for six months (July to December) and P3.3 million in basic salary as BSP Monetary Board member for six months (January to June); P11.7 million in allowances; P10.01 million in bonus, incentives and benefits; P2 million in discretionary and extraordinary and miscellaneous expenses (EME); P24,000 in additional compensation and honorarium; and additional P2.47 million from “prior years’ adjustment.”

Remolona took  top spot from his predecessor, former BSP governor Felipe Medalla, who was relegated to second spot with  net pay of P28.05 million from P34.17 million in 2022.

Medalla ended his term as BSP governor on July 2, 2023 and was immediately replaced by Remolona who is set to serve  six-year term until July 2029.

COA’s breakdown showed  in just six months, Medalla took home P6.06 million in basic salary as BSP governor; P6.93 million in allowances; P14.36 million in bonus, incentives and benefits; P684,390.09 in discretionary and EME; and P12,129.03 in additional compensation and honorarium.

Total  of 9,513 officials from 1,007 national government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, state universities and colleges and water districts were included in COA’s 2022 ROSA.

Excluded in the COA report were elected government officials such as the President, senators and congressmen.

Just like in previous years, COA’s list for 2023 was dominated by BSP officials.

In third spot was BSP deputy governor Chuchi Fonacier with  net pay of P26 million from P25.16 million in 2022 when she was at fifth spot.

Fonacier took  third spot from BSP Monetary Board member Anita Linda Aquino who landed in fourth with  net pay of P25.05 million from P26.36 million in 2022.

Aquino was followed by fellow Monetary Board member Victor Bruce Tolentino with  net pay of P24.75 million from P25.68 million in 2022.

In sixth place was BSP senior assistant governor Edna Villa with  net pay of P23.52 million, followed by deputy governor Francisco Dakila Jr. (P23.32 million), senior assistant governor and general counsel Elmore Capule (P22.34 million) and senior assistant governors Johnny Noe Ravalo (P21.60 million) and Iluminada Sicat (P21.12 million).

Landing in 11th and 12th spots, respectively, were BSP deputy governor Eduardo Bobier (P21.01 million) and senior assistant governor Ma. Ramona Gertrudes Santiago (P20.77 million).

Two other BSP executives were also in the top 20 , deputy governors Mamerto Tangonan (P16.89 million) and Bernadette Romulo-Puyat (P16.07 million) at 16th and 20th spots, respectively.

Meanwhile, three magistrates of  Supreme Court also made it to  list, with Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa at 13th place with net pay of P19.65 million, Chief Justices Alexander Gesmundo at 18th (P16.32 million) and Associate Justice Antonio Kho Jr. at 19th (P16.08 million).

Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra landed 14th on the list with  net pay of P17.81 million, followed by Development Bank of the Philippines president and chief executive officer Michael de Jesus at 15th (P17.04 million) and Government Service Insurance System president and general manager Jose Arnulfo Veloso at 17th (P16.63 million).

4 Mayo 2024, Sabado

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

ICC arrest order ‘worthless’

By Nidz Godino

“We know when  ICC investigators came into the Philippines,  already violation of our sovereignty…we know  they were not prevented from investigating,” , former presidential spokesman Harry Roque said prospect of being ordered arrested this year by  International Criminal Court doesn’t worry former president Rodrigo Duterte, as any arrest warrant UN-backed ICC might issue would be “worthless and useless.”

In separate text messages former Duterte officials , executive secretary Salvador Medialdea, Roque, and chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo  said reports on  impending issuance of arrest warrants by  ICC should not be taken seriously as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself had ruled out cooperating with  court.

Roque  has credible information that  Marcos administration did not stop ICC investigators from entering the country.

He also found it disturbing that  administration has refused to put in writing its commitment not to cooperate with  ICC.

Former  senator Antonio Trillanes IV , staunch Duterte critic said  ICC is expected to issue arrest warrants by midyear against Duterte and later in batches for his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio and several other individuals.

ICC is investigating  deaths of thousands of suspected drug offenders in  conduct of  former president’s war on drugs.

Panelo said assuming  Trillanes’ pronouncements were true, such arrest orders were worthless and should be ignored considering that Marcos had already reaffirmed his predecessor’s position that  ICC has no jurisdiction over  Philippines.

“Discredited renegade just wants publicity for himself…he has become totally irrelevant,” Panelo said, referring to Trillanes.

He maintained  Marcos had “emphatically declared government will not cooperate, in whatever form or shape, with  ICC.”

Medialdea, meanwhile, said  ICC has become  “recurring” issue “every time  issue as big as  PDEA agent’s revelation would come out.” He was referring to  testimony before  Senate by  former agent of  Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency linking Marcos to illegal drugs. PDEA has already denied  allegation.

“It’s as if this administration is seeking retribution…targeting FPRRD in this kind of scenario will not work FMJ is facing  huge leadership problem including  alleged use of drugs,” Medialdea said, referring to the former president and to Marcos by their initials.

“Marcos image might even worsen if they continue doing it this way…they must face this squarely and responsibility to recoup its image,” he said.

According to Medialdea, Duterte would feel “numb” every time he hears ICC, “Deadma nya yan.”

He also said Trillanes “is just  kibitzer craving for attention…let’s not take him seriously.”

Roque said ICC investigators were allowed into the country by  Bureau of Immigration even without hiding their identities.

“Investigators were able to enter  Philippines and we know  immigration bureau is under  executive… investigators did not hide their identities, that’s why we have  record when they entered and left the country,” he added.

Roque did not disclose when  ICC investigators supposedly entered  Philippines, but said it was shortly after  House of Representatives passed  resolution encouraging Marcos to cooperate with  ICC last November.

Citing information he received, Roque also said  “high-level government officials met with  investigators” during their visit.

He did not identify  officials, but said one is “ second highest government salaried classification…one notch lower than  salary grade of the President.”

Government  officials who receive  salary grade one notch lower than the President are  Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker and  Chief Justice.

On reports that arrest warrants may soon be issued against  former president, Roque stressed  matter is “not as simple as putting him in  private plane and bringing him to The Hague.”

“Legally,  court has no jurisdiction, and we will exhaust all legal remedies, including of course the fact that it is mandatory to face Philippine courts first before they can actually bring  accused to ICC,” he added.

Roque confirmed  split in UniTeam and that it was Marcos’ flip-flopping on ICC issue that dealt  alliance  fatal blow. UniTeam is  campaign tandem of the two highest officials of the land.

He noted Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla’s making  360 degree turn in November when he said  ICC cooperation needs further study.

“After  360-degree turn, they refused now to reduce in writing  non-cooperation with  ICC,  further worsened  relationship,” he added.

Roque also described Trillanes as “full of hot air” for claiming he was serving as “facilitator” between  ICC and some witnesses. “I’m not aware of  position of  facilitator,” he added.

The former senator has been in touch with ICC representatives since its preliminary examination, during  conduct of  investigation, and up to junking of Duterte’s appeal.

“Warrant will be released late second quarter, so we can say middle of the year, maybe June or July, that will actually happen…so it is  waiting game at this point,” Trillanes said.

Apart from Duterte and his daughter, among  other personalities reportedly investigated by  ICC in connection with  controversial drug war are his “tokhang” enforcer Sen. Ronald de la Rosa and former aide Sen. Bong Go.

More than 6,000 drug suspects had been killed in previous administration’s drug war based on government data. However, human rights groups said number of dead could be several times higher.

At forum organized by  Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines last month, Marcos said Philippine government would not hand over Duterte should  ICC issue  arrest warrant against him.

“We don’t recognize  warrant,  warrant that they will send to us,” Marcos said, asserting  ICC has no jurisdiction over  Philippines since  country’s judicial system is working.

In February, he even called  ICC investigation on Duterte’s drug war  “threat” to country’s sovereignty.

In 2019,  Philippines officially cut ties with  international court after it launched  preliminary probe on thousands of drug-related deaths during Duterte’s term.

Marcos  was not inclined to rejoin  ICC.

Meanwhile,  Philippine National Police (PNP) said it’s still premature to comment on the matter.

“We’d rather not comment on that issue because these are not official information reaching the office of the chief PNP or any office of  PNP for that matter,” police spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said at  press conference at Camp Crame.

She maintained  country has  working judicial system that can hear cases against police officers linked to abuses in  implementation of Duterte’s crackdown against illegal drugs. 

4 Mayo 2024, Sabado

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

Komedya o Komida

Ni Derek Jorge

Mabuhay Bagacay

PAGBATI sa mabubunying kapitan at 38 tripulante ng BRP Bagacay na pinarangalan sa kabayanihan nang mga itong nakalagpas mula sa panganganyon ng tubig ng Chinese Coast Guard sa kasagsagan ng makataong misyon sa Panatag Shoal. 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. “Coast Guard Merit Medal and Ribbon” ang iginawad kina Philippine Coast Guard Capt. Jane Gesulgon,  skipper ng BRP Bagacay, 44-meter multirole response vessel at mga tauhan nito. Inalalayan nila ang Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel Bankaw  sa pagrarasyon ng pagkain at mga pangunahing pangangailangan ng mga mangingisdang Pilipino malapit sa   Panatag Shoal noong April 30.  Ang dalawang barko ay kinanyon kapwa ng tubig na may lakas na mahigit  200 pounds per square inch, makayuyupi ng bakal at makamamatay.  Nasira ang “superstructure” ng Bagacay,  canopy at LED screens, napinsala rin ang “ship’s rails.” Gagastos ang gobyerno ng P3 M sa pagpapakumpuni ng pinsala.

Sinusorpresa pa ng tambalang Dingdong Dantes at Charo Santos ang publiko hinggil sa pamagat ng kanilang unang pelikulang magkasama. Nagsimula raw kasambahay ang istorya sa pagkakaibigang humantong sa magandang ugnayan. Tengang ngiti ang iniukol ng Amazing Earth host sa kaakit-akit na si Tindeng sa set ng pelikula, abangan na lang kasambahay.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. Masdan  nyo kasambahay ang nagagawa ng pera, hindi madampot-dampot itong si Puloy kahit sandamukal ang mandamyento de aresto, maliban sa “delaying tactics” gawa ng ‘sang batalyon nitong abogado, malawak din ang taguan nito. Hinihirit ho ngayon ni Puloy na dinggin ng Korte Supremang mga manananggol na lamang ni Puloy ang lulutang at magpapabango ng kanyang baho. Pwede yun sa mga kasong pinapipyansahan ng hukuman e yung hindi, hindi naman pwedeng magpakulong abogado para sa kanya. Ito kasambahay ang sinasabing lahat ng usapin ay mapipyansahan, depende sa laro ng abogado. Ipaghalimbawa na sa mga piitan, kaya may nakapiit ay dahil walang pampyansa at de kampanang abogadong magtatanggol.

Kasambahay na magpupulis, ipabura mo muna ang tato mo dahil ang mga pulis na burdado ay pinakakalas na kung ayaw magbura ng tato. Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal PNP Memorandum Circular 2024-023 ang nagbabawal sa tato ng pulis, mantakin ninyong 30k pala ang magpabura ng tato o kaya’y magbitiw na sa pwesto kung nagtitigas-tigasan ng ulo. Pero hindi ligtas ang tatong nasa labi at kilay ng lady cop. Komedyante rin  talaga itong si Tata Digong, malamang daw na sa pagod ng mga ahente ng gobyerno sa pagtugis sa puganteng si Puloy ay hindi makauuwi nang hindi mananamba na rin nito. Magkakatotoo lang ang sinabi mo kung walang gulugod o “backbone” ang pananampalataya ng mga sugo ng gobyerno. Pero kung mga taga-langit ang mga ito, hindi kailanman magogoyo ni Puloy. Ano naman kaya kung ideklarang “no man’s land ang “Tamayong Prayer Mountain”  ni Puloy gaya ng ginawa ni Tata Digong sa Marawi City at ng mga dating nasa poder ng pangasiwaan sa panahon ni Kamlon, tatagal kaya si Puloy laban sa buong pwersa ng pamahalaan? Malamang maraming “pinsalang kolateral”, ang mga magtitigas-tigasan nang ulong panatiko ni Puloy pero aaminin kong “next to impossible “naman ito. Nagpapakatanggi-tanggi ho kasi ang lolo nyong kinakandili nya si Puloy. Ipinapapakete na rin ni Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa sa Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) ang mga serbisyong ultrasound at mammogram.   Ipinahaharang ho ng mga maka-puloy ang pagpapaaresto rito ng senado dahilan sa pangiisnab nito sa hearing. Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal, kung saka-sakali, mararagdagan ang santang pango. Tumango na ang batikanong simulan ng simbahang katoliko ang proseso sa pagiging santa ni Nina Ruiz-Abad ng Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, Nagpamudmod  lang ng kung ano-ano noong nabubuhay pa, santa na. Mas mabuti naman ito kaysa ang sunong sariling bangkong nagtatagong Puloy, anak daw ng dios. 

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 JO! Adrian Montojo, magkatulungan tayo sa ikarereporma ng mga detenido.

4 Mayo 2024, Sabado

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

DepEd urges indoor end-of-school ceremonies as sch yr closes

By Creselda Canda-Lopez

“To ensure  safety and protection of learners, teachers and attendees, schools are advised to hold their EOSY Rites in indoor venues with proper ventilation or covered courts to avoid exposure to  extreme heat of sun,” Department of Education (DepEd) memorandum read as  extreme heat is expected to continue this month advised all schools nationwide to hold their end-of-school-year or EOSY rites, such as graduation and moving-up ceremonies, indoors.

Under DepEd Memorandum No. 023 Series of 2024, issued on May 2, all EOSY rites for school year 2023-2024 shall be conducted on any date from May 29 to 31.

“Schools shall avoid scheduling their EOSY Rites during  time of the day when temperatures are at their highest,” it added.

DepEd also reminded all schools to keep their graduation and moving up ceremonies “simple but meaningful.”

“While these rites mark  milestone in  lives of  learners, graduation and moving-up ceremonies shall be conducted without excessive spending, extravagant attire, or extraordinary venues,” DepEd said.

DepEd also stressed attendance to non-academic activities such as field trips, film showings, Junior-Senior Promenade and other similar school events, must not be compulsory and “shall not be imposed as graduation or completion requirements.”

For public schools, DepEd said expenses related to  EOSY activities shall be charged to their respective Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses account, “subject to existing guidelines.”

“No DepEd personnel shall be allowed to collect any kind of contribution or fee for  Graduation/Moving-up Ceremony,”  education agency warned.

DepEd said theme for SY 2023-2024 EOSY rites shall be “Kabataang Pilipino Para sa Matatag na Kinabukasan ng Bagong Pilipinas (Filipino youth for stronger future of the new Philippines).”

“Theme highlights pivotal role of education in shaping Filipino youth as vanguards in building stronger and progressive nation,”  DepEd said.

DepEd said EOSY rites may be conducted for kindergarten, Grade 6, Grade 10, Grade 12 and Alternative Learning System students who satisfactorily met  curriculum requirements at  end of SY 2023-2024.

SY 2023-2024 was originally slated to end on June 15, but  DepEd last Feb. 19 issued DepEd Order No. 3, s. 2024 adjusting  end of  current school year to May 31.  Same  DepEd order also set opening and closing dates for SY 2024-2025 as July 29, 2024 and May 16, 2025, respectively.

Just like last year, onsite classes were suspended in several schools this April due to  extreme heat. This prompted DepEd to craft  more aggressive transition toward  old school calendar, where classes run from June to March and vacation from April to May.
Based on  latest data released by DepEd, 7,949 out of 47,678 public schools nationwide remain under alternative delivery mode (ADM) instead of holding face-to-face classes.

Western Visayas had  most number of schools under ADM at 1,595 followed by Central Luzon at 1,285, Bicol region at 1,203, Zamboanga peninsula at 647, Central Visayas at 482, Ilocos at 466, Mimaropa at 462, Cagayan Valley at 443 and Soccsksargen at 366.

Meanwhile,  total of 255 public schools in Metro Manila remain under ADM.

Also under ADM are 275 schools in Calabarzon, 261 schools in  Cordillera Administrative Region, 108 schools in Northern Mindanao, 72 schools in Eastern Visayas, 28 schools in Davao region and one school in Caraga.

DepEd previously eyed full return to old academic calendar by school year 2026-2027 but due to  clamor of several lawmakers and education stakeholders, it said last Tuesday  it has already suggested to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.to end  coming SY 2024-2025 in March 2025 and start  succeeding school year by June.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

2 Chronicles 7:14

¹⁴ if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

3 Mayo 2024, Biyernes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

70% of enviro journalists report attacks, threats, pressure — UN

By Nidz Godino

“Without reliable scientific information about  ongoing environmental crisis, we can never hope to overcome it,” United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ) director general Audrey Azoulay said in  statement seventy percent of environmental journalists from 129 countries, polled in March, reported experiencing “attacks, threats or pressure” related to their job.

Of those, two in five subsequently experienced physical violence, it said in  report released on World Press Freedom Day.

UNESCO warned of  increase in violence against, and intimidation of, journalists reporting on environment and climate.

“And yet  journalists we rely on to investigate this subject and ensure information is accessible face unacceptably high risks all over the world, and climate-related disinformation is running rampant on social media.”

3 Mayo 2024, Biyernes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

Coal-fired power plants by mid-2030s

By J.Lo

“Many of these countries have already publicly committed to phase out dates ahead of 2030, and only have  small amount of coal capacity anyway,” Jane Ellis from Climate Analytics said in statement G7 ministers agreed  timeframe  for phasing out coal-fired power plants, setting as  goal  mid-2030s, in  move hailed as significant by some environmentalists but slammed as “too late” by others.

Group of Seven two-day meeting in Turin was  first big political session since  world pledged at UN’s COP28 annual climate summit in Dubai in December to transition away from coal, oil and gas.

G7 commits to “phase out existing unabated coal power generation in our energy systems during first half of 2030s,”  final statement from energy and climate ministers read.

However it left some wiggle room, saying nations could follow ” timeline consistent with keeping  limit of 1.5-degrees-Celsius temperature rise within reach, in line with countries’ net zero pathways”.

It also preserved  place for coal power if it is “abated”, meaning its emissions are captured or limited by technology something panned by many as unproven and  distraction from cutting fossil fuel use.

G7 brings together Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and US.

Negotiations over  fixed date were reportedly tricky. Some countries, and many environmentalists, had been pushing for  2030 limit, but Japan  relies heavily on coal was reluctant to set date.

Leaders  of  G7 countries will produce their own statement after  summit in southern Italy in June.

The 2015 Paris Agreement saw countries agree to cap global warming at “well below” 2C above preindustrial times with  safer limit of 1.5C if possible.

To keep  1.5C limit in play,  UN’s climate expert panel has said emissions need to be slashed almost in half this decade, but they continue to rise.

International Energy Agency (IEA) has said to reach net zero emissions by 2050 key milestone to limit global warming advanced economies should end all generation by unabated coal-fired power plants by 2030.

Italian Environment and Energy Security Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin said  talks had been “intense” but showed  G7 had “grasped” climate change.

Luca Bergamaschi from  Italian climate think tank ECCO said  G7 had taken  “decisive step forward”  translating  Dubai agreement into national policies.

World Resources Institute hailed  commitment as “beacon of hope for  rest of the world”.

But Oil Change International said  G7 “have failed” their first post-COP28 test, while  Climate Analytics policy institute said “2035 is too late”.

She also pointed out it was “notable that gas has not been mentioned”, despite it being  largest source of global increase in CO2 emissions in the last decade.

Germany,Europe’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases is unwilling to wean off gas, as is G7 host Italy, which is investing in new domestic gas facilities.

G7 ministers  will scale-up battery storage “more than sixfold” by 2030, to support electricity grids powered by renewable energy sources.

They also tackled  thorny issue of plastic pollution amid  heated debate over how to best design  treaty addressing  scourge.

Plastic waste is now found everywhere from  summits of mountains to  ocean floor and in human blood and breast milk.

Broadly,  debate is between whether to focus on reducing production, or boosting recycling.

Ministers  “aspired” to reduce and if necessary restrain  global production of plastic, and renewed their commitments to end plastic pollution by 2040.

Climate watchers are pushing for more funds for adaptation to climate change and energy systems for developing countries, and all eyes will be on G7 finance minister’s meeting  at the end of May.

Ministers  in Turin stressed efforts to raise money to help poorer countries deal with climate change should include “those countries that are capable of contributing”.

Under  UN climate treaty signed in 1992, only  small handful of high-income countries  dominated  global economy at the time were required to pay climate finance  not including China,  has since become wealthier, and is now world’s largest polluter.

“By making it clear that we were calling on other countries to contribute, we want China to join us in this direction,” Franck Riester,  minister representing France on climate issues, told media.

3 Mayo 2024, Biyernes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

New life for 42 Pinoy seafarers after Red Sea missile attack

By Nidz Godino

“Crew are all safe and en route to their destinations…minor damage on ships was reported,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said all 42 Filipino seafarers onboard foreign vessels  encountered missile attacks while traversing  Red Sea are safe.

Six ships have been attacked in  Red Sea and  Gulf of Aden since April 25, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said  during  Kapihan sa Manila Bay media forum.

Three of  six ships have Filipino seafarers, he noted.

DMW has been pleading with ship owners to divert their voyages and not pass through  Red Sea and Gulf of Aden for  safety of seafarers, he added.

If passing through  Red Sea and  Gulf of Aden  declared as “war-like zones” cannot be avoided,  DMW wants ship owners to allow Filipino seafarers to disembark and join another voyage, Cacdac said.

Due to  current situation in  Red Sea and Gulf of Aden,  DMW has developed  mechanism for Filipino seafarers to exercise their right to refuse sailing in high-risk and war-like areas.

As of this time, 25 Filipino seafarers have exercised their right to refuse sailing in high-risk and war-like zones, Cacdac reported.

DMW is utilizing  P2.8-billion budget to assist distressed overseas Filipino workers, including seafarers.

Philippines recorded an all-time high of 578,626 deployments of Filipino seamen in 2023, he noted.

Late last year, 17 Filipino seafarers were captured and held hostage by Houthi rebels while their ships were traversing  Red Sea and  Gulf of Aden.

Two seafarers were killed and two others were injured when Houthi rebels attacked their vessels last March.

Department of Foreign Affairs is leading negotiations for  safe release of 17 Filipino seafarers, Cacdac said.

DMW is working on  repatriation of two seafarers’ remains, he added.

Seafarers’ deployment has returned to pre-pandemic levels, he said.

Filipino seafarers are in high demand by foreign ship owners.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.called for stronger protection of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), whose remittances have kept  Philippine economy afloat. During  Labor Day celebration at Malacañang, Marcos issued three directives promoting  welfare and safety of more than two million OFWs.

DMW must continue mobilizing  P2.8-billion Aksyon Fund to protect distressed OFWs, help them attain justice and keep them safe during global crises and emergencies, Marcos said.

“Second, let us strengthen our efforts on labor diplomacy at bilateral and multilateral level and realize our shared responsibility with host country to ensure safe and ethical recruitment processes and just and humane conditions for our OFWs,” he added.

Agencies have also been directed to empower OFWs as “partners in nation-building,” FMJ noted.

“I have directed  DMW,  Department of Labor and Employment and all other government agencies to strengthen program coordination and development for reintegration of returning OFWs,” FMJ concluded.

Mayo 2024, Biyernes

Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan

Terminating HIV positive worker ‘illegal’

By J.Lo

“Further, if  foreign law stated in employment contract contradicts Philippine law, morals, good customs, public order or public policy, then Philippine law shall apply,”  Supreme Court (SC) has ruled  firing employee solely for testing positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is illegal.

In  decision promulgated on Feb. 14, 2024, but released yesterday,  SC’s Third Division found invalid  dismissal of  HIV-positive overseas Filipino worker (OFW) for being discriminatory.

Case  stemmed from 2017 when OFW was deployed to Saudi Arabia under  two-year contract through recruitment agency Bison Management Corp.

After working for 15 months,  OFW tested positive for HIV following  routine medical exam.

In February 2019, he was repatriated to  Philippines after his employment was terminated by his foreign employer, who cited Saudi Arabian laws that consider HIV-positive individuals unfit to work.

After his repatriation,  OFW filed  complaint for illegal dismissal but was dismissed by  Labor Arbiter.

However,  National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) reversed  ruling and found Bison, its president and its foreign recruitment agency Saraja Al Jazirah Contracting Est liable for illegal dismissal.

Court of Appeals affirmed  NLRC’s ruling, prompting Bison to appeal to  high court.

In denying Bison’s petition,  SC reiterated  OFW was illegally dismissed as there “was no valid cause” to terminate his employment.

Citing  Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act,  SC said law “prohibits use of  person’s HIV-positive condition as  ground for dismissal.”