22 Abril 2024, Lunes

more birthdays to come JO GOD-SAVES MONTOJO LOPEZ

welcomes Bagong Bayani Monico Lopez Caranay

supports International Autism Day, April 1-8, 2024

supports DENR Earth Day, Every Day campaign

FL’s sentiments have nothing to do with mandate — Sara Du30

By Nidz Godino

“Bilang tao karapatan ni unang ginang Liza Marcos na makaramdam ng sama ng loob at galit, subalit, ang kanyang personal na damdamin ay walang kinalaman sa aking mandato bilang opisyal ng pamahalaan,” in video message Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio said  personal sentiments of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos against her are not covered by her mandate as  public servant.

The vice president, also  country’s Education secretary, said this in  video message days after the first lady revealed she now views Duterte negatively.

The vice president also would have  private talk with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“Upang maka-usad tayo, iiwan na natin sa isang pribadong pag-uusap sa pagitan lamang namin ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos Jr. ang mga susunod na hakbang,” she said. 

Araneta-Marcos said  Duterte “crossed  line” after she was spotted attending  anti-Charter Change prayer rally in January and laughing her father’s former President Rodrigo Duterte remarks about Marcos being “stoned.”

“You are getting suweldo from  government, you are supposed to be  alter ego, that’s not right…that’s entitled politics. ..you’re in  government…you’re the vice president…bad shot na ‘yan sa akin unless she says sorry,” the first lady said.

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 Duterte patriarch previously claimed  the president was on watchlist of  Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. However,  agency debunked claim of the former president. 

In response, Marcos said  Rodrigo was suffering the effects of  use of fentanyl. Drug  accusations between  two further fueled speculations of  falling out between  Dutertes and Marcoses.

When asked relationship with  Dutertes last April 15, Marcos responded: “It’s complicated.”

Meanwhile,  lawmaker asked the vice president to resign from her post at Department of Education, saying  she cannot serve  interests of her family while their allies challenge  authority of the president.

“The Vice President should show some decency by resigning from her DepEd post at the very least…her family unleashed  barrage of insults and attacks directly to the President and yet she does nothing and is still enjoying  perks of being part of the official family, she cannot have the best of both worlds by being  fence sitter while her family and their allies challenge the authority and mandate of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr while having little to show for in terms of substantive results at  Department of Education, where she is Secretary,” Rep. Joel Chua (Manila, 3rd District) said in a statement. 

22 Abril 2024, Lunes

more birthdays to come JO GOD-SAVES MONTOJO LOPEZ

welcomes Bagong Bayani Monico Lopez Caranay

supports International Autism Day, April 1-8, 2024

supports DENR Earth Day, Every Day campaign

Hse optimistic Senate will pass Cha-cha in May

By Nidz Godino

“Utter failure of our country to attract  enviable level of foreign direct investment inflows enjoyed by our Southeast Asian neighbors is proof enough that our constitutional restrictions on foreign participation in local businesses is  deal-breaker for overseas investors,” administration lawmakers in the House of Representatives are pinning their hopes on their Senate counterparts to pass  economic Charter change bill before Congress goes on recess on May 24.

Rep. LRay Villafuerte of  National Unity Party is banking on what he describes as  assurance given by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri to pass Resolution of Both Houses 6 (RBH6).

This should set the tone, Villafuerte said, in eliminating “anachronistic economic provisions that continue to spook investors despite  Philippines’ trademark as one of Asia’s best-performing economies pre- and post-pandemic.”

“Senate President Migz Zubiri’s announcement about his chamber fast-tracking  release of  panel report on RBH6 to make way for plenary deliberations on it in May, is certainly  welcome development,” Villafuerte added.

Should this promise be fulfilled, then this certainly “boosts  prospects for 19th Congress to soon come up with  bicameral push for constitutional reform to finally open wide our economy to foreign investors.”

Senators, however, have said they see no reason to rush Cha-cha, especially after  Pulse Asia survey showed  overwhelming 88 percent of Filipinos against it.

The earliest that senators see RBH6 being passed, if at all, is October this year, with  plebiscite on any changes to be ratified alongside  midterm elections in May 2025.

Sheer  absence of questions in latest Pulse Asia survey about  merits of economic Charter change should “enrage” senators too since  Senate’s RBH6 and  House’s RBH7 are almost identical, lawmakers said.

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Administration lawmakers raised  howl over manner by which survey questions were framed, with House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin observing  reputable pollster made it like  “chopsuey” where non-economic queries were raised, and included issues that were not taken up.

“It’s like inviting  Muslim friend to lunch or dinner, but without telling him the menu or food on the table will be pork,” she said, hinting there could have been  hand behind  survey results.

Meanwhile,  majority of young students and community leaders who joined  recent consultative session in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are in favor of amending  Charter’s economic provisions.

“We’re OK with foreign investors because of its benefits to the people… because we are opening employment… more we generate employment, we stop combat and end poverty,” said Abdul Abedin III of Mindanao State University.

Responding to claims that  Philippines should first look inward, Abedin said: “If we focus on what is in the Philippines, we don’t create employment, we don’t strengthen tourism…we are open to investments and to enhance tourism,” he added.

He cited the experiences of Malaysia, Singapore,  United Arab Emirates and BARMM, which opened up their economies to foreign investments.

22 Abril 2024, Lunes

more birthdays to come JO GOD-SAVES MONTOJO LOPEZ

welcomes Bagong Bayani Monico Lopez Caranay

supports International Autism Day, April 1-8, 2024

supports DENR Earth Day, Every Day campaig

Exo’s Suho returning to the Ph in June

By Cynthia Montojo

“Welcome Su: Home” ,Korean singer-actor Suho,  member of  boy band Exo, is coming back to the Philippines this June as part of his upcoming Asia tour.

Concert promoter Wilbros Live confirmed  Manila will be  second stop of Suho’s “Welcome Su:Home” tour after  two-night concert in Seoul’s Olympic Hall.

Suho is slated to perform in Araneta Coliseum on June 22 before flying to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand and Malaysia each weekend of July.

Details for Suho’s solo concert, such as seat sections and ticket prices, will be announced at later date.

The singer debuted with  twelve-member Exo in 2012 as its leader. He also leads group’s sub-unit, Exo-K, composed of himself, Baekhyun, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai and Sehun.

Just before enlisting in  military in 2020, Suho debuted as  soloist  fourth member of Exo to do so  with his extended play, “Self-Portrait,”  he followed up with 2022’s “Grey Suit” after getting discharged.

Suho was in the Philippines late last year for November’s On Festival in  Mall of Asia Arena and December’s Asia Artist Awards held in  Philippine Arena.

His Exo colleagues, Baekhyun and D.O., are also set to arrive in the Philippines. Baekhyun will be having  solo concert on April 13 in Araneta Coliseum, while D.O. is staging  fan concert in August.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Romans 1:20

²⁰ For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

22 Abril 2024, Lunes

more birthdays to come JO GOD-SAVES MONTOJO LOPEZ

welcomes Bagong Bayani Monico Lopez Caranay

supports International Autism Day, April 1-8, 2024

supports DENR Earth Day, Every Day campaign

Farm produce import barriers eased

By J.Lo

“It is imperative to further streamline administrative procedures to foster transparency and predictability of policies on importation of agricultural products in order to help ensure food security, maintain sufficient supply of agricultural goods in domestic market and improve local production,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.said in Administrative Order No. 20, dated April 18 citing constraints that increase importation costs and limit  supply of farm goods, has ordered removal of non-tariff barriers on importation of agricultural products and streamlining of administrative procedures to address rising commodity prices.

Non-tariff barriers are policy measures, other than customs tariffs, restrict trade, including quotas, import licensing systems, regulations and red tape, he said.

Despite existing measures, these barriers and administrative constraints continue to persist, increasing domestic prices of farm commodities, Marcos noted.

The order,  took effect immediately, also contained President’s directives on processing and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance for agricultural products and guidelines for importation of sugar and fishery products.

Department of Agriculture (DA), in coordination with either  Department of Trade and Industry or  Department of Finance, is tasked with streamlining procedures and requirements in  licensing of importers, minimizing  processing time of application for importation and exempting licensed traders from submission of registration requirements.

DA should also facilitate  importation of certain agricultural products beyond authorized minimum access volume and reduce or remove administrative fees, subject to consultations with National Economic and Development Authority’s committee on tariff and related matters.

Sugar Regulatory Administration was directed to streamline and standardize guidelines for sugar importation.

Marcos also called for  faster processing of agricultural imports, directing  Bureau of Customs to prioritize  unloading and release of imported agricultural products.

FMJ reconstituted  surveillance team comprised of various agencies to ensure effective implementation of  order.

Team will monitor  importation and distribution of farm goods, prevent illegal acts of price manipulation and other forms of unfair or anti-competitive commercial practices, take appropriate remedial measures to address unlawful acts and craft guidelines on sharing information and enhancing transparency and accountability of concerned agencies.

Meanwhile, Marcos also ordered agencies and local government units to support  implementation of  Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty program.

Retail  price of regular and well-milled rice increased between P1 and P2 per kilo in the past few days compared to  prevailing price last week, according to  DA.

“We are still in  harvest season and during this time,  retail price of rice should go down…at present, prevailing price of regular and well-milled rice ranges between P51 and P52 per kilo… last week,  prevailing price was P50 to P51 per kilo,” Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa noted.

DA is determining cause of  movement in  retail price of rice, he added.

“We are now checking with  National Food Authority and other concerned government agencies… increase was not that big but there was  upward trend,” he said.

Based on DA’s monitoring,  retail price of local regular rice ranged between P48 and P52 per kilo; local well-milled rice, between P48 and P55 per kilo; local premium rice, between 51 and P58 per kilo and local special rice, between P57 and 67 per kilo.

Imported regular rice, between P48 and P51; imported well-milled P50 and P58 per kilo; imported premium rice, between P50 and P62 per kilo; and imported special rice, between P56 and P56 and P64 per kilo.

 US Department of Agriculture decreased its forecast on the country’s total importation of  staple to 3.9 million metric tons from  previous 4.1 million MT, De Mesa said.

“This only shows that we expect  good harvest despite  El Niño and limited typhoons…ihis is because we have good irrigation in Central Luzon…we have  good palay production,” he added.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. is pushing for at least  P250-billion budget in 2025 to implement  four-year plan for  agriculture sector, he noted.

“Our priority is  expansion and improvement of our production areas… big portion of  budget of  DA for 2025 will be focusing on irrigation systems…we’ll also be focusing on modernization of agriculture; we’ll also be focusing on improvement in post-harvest and decrease in post-harvest losses… so our proposal is to double  budget, from P170 to at least 250 billion next year,” he said.

Meanwhile, retail price of pork increased between P5 and P10 per kilo, De Mesa said.

“For pork shoulder,  retail price ranged from P335 to P340… higher by P5 to P10 per kilo compared to  previous week…in terms of pork belly,  prevailing price is P380 per kilo but we also monitored P400 per kilo… farmgate is only  little over P200 per kilo so if  traders will add P100 per kilo as  benchmark,  retail price should only be between P320 and P330 per kilo for shoulder,” he noted. 

22 Abril 2024, Lunes

more birthdays to come JO GOD-SAVES MONTOJO LOPEZ

welcomes Bagong Bayani Monico Lopez Caranay

supports International Autism Day, April 1-8, 2024

supports DENR Earth Day, Every Day campaign

Ph lauds G7 support in sea dispute with China

By Nidz Godino

“Philippines welcomes  G7 Foreign Ministers’ reiteration of their collective commitment to  rule of law and to  rules-based maritime order anchored on 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea ,UNCLOS,”  Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in  statement  Philippines welcomed  Group of Seven (G7)’s support in rejecting China’s baseless and expansive claims, and  use of water cannons against Philippine vessels in  South China Sea.

In  strongly worded statement, G7 foreign ministers criticized China’s “dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia in  South China Sea” and  use of “water cannons against Philippine vessels”, first time seven of the world’s most powerful democracies specifically referred to China’s use of water cannons on Philippine resupply missions near Ayungin Shoal.

“We appreciate  G7’s support in rejecting China’s baseless and expansive claims, and their call for China to cease its illegal activities, particularly its use of coast guard and maritime militia in  South China Sea that engage in dangerous maneuvers and use of water cannons against Philippine vessels,”  DFA said.

G7 communiqué dated April 19 came after their Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Capri, Italy.  G7 includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom and  United States.  European Union is  “non-enumerated” member.

DFA  “duly note and appreciates  G7’s reaffirmation that  2016 Arbitral Award is  significant milestone and  useful basis for  peaceful management and resolution of differences at sea.”

G7 said “there is no legal basis for China’s expansive maritime claims in South China Sea, and we oppose China’s militarization, coercive and intimidation activities in  South China Sea.”

Philippines, firmly committed to  UNCLOS and binding Arbitral Award of 2016, shares  G7’s vision of  stable and secure Indo-Pacific region, and stands firm against any actions  undermine international security and stability. 

“We want to see  South China Sea of peace, stability and prosperity, and  cessation of interference, obstruction and harassment of  Philippines’ legal activities within our recognized maritime entitlements,”  DFA said.

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Admission  of former president Rodrigo Duterte of his secret deal with China involving  BRP Sierra Madre stationed at  Ayungin Shoal would all  more warrant investigation from Senate, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said.

“Duterte has already admitted that is  big crime of his in our country,” Hontiveros said in  interview.

The senator described as “unacceptable” Duterte’s secret deal with China involving  Sierra Madre,  was to allow resupply missions, but not  outpost’s repair. 

22 Abril 2024, Lunes

more birthdays to come JO GOD-SAVES MONTOJO LOPEZ

welcomes Bagong Bayani Monico Lopez Caranay

supports International Autism Day, April 1-8, 2024

supports DENR Earth Day, Every Day campaign

HEADLINES

Step up, arrest Quiboloy

By J.Lo

“Three warrants were served on them: one from  Davao court,  Pasig court for non-bailable offense and warrants from  Senate itself,” Sen. Risa Hontiveros said Philippine National Police (PNP) might be suffering from  failure of intelligence as fugitive Apollo Quiboloy continues to roam freely.

Newly appointed PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil should step up in implementing warrants of arrest against Quiboloy, she told media.

“But he still couldn’t be arrested…so I am calling on the new PNP chief Marbil to step up because there might be  failure of intelligence as Quiboloy’s whereabouts have not yet been determined so that he can be arrested,” she added.

Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder is facing qualified human trafficking and child and sexual abuse charges.

Hontiveros also questioned  delay in  cancelation of Quiboloy’s firearms license.

“Quiboloy has  private army, it is armed, and they post on social media that they are ready to almost kill themselves and they are ready to use their weapons…willing to go wild just to protect Quiboloy…he is  threat to the country’s peace and order,” she stressed.

Quiboloy should be arrested so he could face hearings in different courts and  Senate, Hontiveros said.

21 Abril 2024, Linggo

more birthdays to come JO GOD-SAVES MONTOJO LOPEZ

welcomes Bagong Bayani Monico Lopez Caranay

supports International Autism Day, April 1-8, 2024

Qatar’s emir visits Ph to meet FMJ

By Nidz Godino

“Two leaders are expected to exchange views on regional issues and to discuss PH-Qatar bilateral relations now covers cooperation in  areas of labor, climate change, trade and investments, energy security, education, youth, and sports, among others,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani will be visiting  Philippines this week for  state visit. 

Sheikh Tamim is scheduled to be in Manila from April 21 to 22 upon  invitation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 

Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Lillibeth Pono described  emir’s state visit as  “strong indication” of relations between Manila and Doha. 

“It also provides excellent opportunity for  two sides to have  personal exchange of views on bilateral issues and foster greater engagement arising from  shared sense of responsibility as regional and global actors,  Philippines will continue to collaborate with Qatar in reinforcing rule of law, equality, and mutual respect as  foundation for the kind of global action that overcomes differences among nations, promotes  inclusive and just society, and facilitates sustainable and just response to challenges such as public health emergencies, humanitarian crises, and climate change,” Pono said. 

There are over 270,000 Filipinos working or residing in  Gulf country. 

The last visit by  Qatari emir to the Philippines took place in 2012

21 Abril 2024, Linggo

more birthdays to come JO GOD-SAVES MONTOJO LOPEZ

welcomes Bagong Bayani Monico Lopez Caranay

supports International Autism Day, April 1-8, 2024

supports DENR Earth Day, Every Day campaign

DENR has Earth Day, Every Day campaign

By J.Lo

“‘Earth Day, Every Day’ project advocates  promotion of feasible methods to reduce waste and foster  culture of sustainability among  youth and communities, and motivates participation through incentives,” Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is set to launch  its “Earth Day, Every Day” project in  bid to mobilize  younger generations in curbing plastic pollution in the country.

Project  aims to instill and foster  culture of environmental responsibility among  youth, according to Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga.

Around 11 million public school students are set to take part in solid waste management education alongside capacity-building for over 2,000 community leaders nationwide.

Project  will entail  plastics collection competition among students nationwide to help curb plastic pollution and strengthen  fight against single-use plastic.

Students with  highest volume of plastic items collected will win prizes, with points assigned depending on  type of plastic collected.

Prizes will be awarded to  class with  highest points every month and at the end of the year.

DENR is advocating  circular economy in the country where plastic applications can be reused, recycled and responsibly managed.

21 Abril 2024, Linggo

more birthdays to come JO GOD-SAVES MONTOJO LOPEZ

welcomes Bagong Bayani Monico Lopez Caranay

supports International Autism Day, April 1-8, 2024

Caloocan court acquitted ‘Piston 6’

By J.Lo

Caloocan Metropolitan Trial Court, through Judge Marlo Bermejo Campanilla, granted  demurrer to evidence filed by  “Piston 6,” acquitting them of simple resistance and disobedience to authority,  charge under  Revised Penal Code.

 Six  jeepney drivers who were arrested in 2020 for protesting against  government’s restrictions on their livelihood during  lockdown have been acquitted by  Caloocan Metropolitan Trial Court (MTC) Branch 83.

Granting  demurrer to evidence is equivalent to an acquittal resulting from  court’s examination, determines  there is insufficient evidence following  filing of  demurrer.

Six  jeepney drivers are: Severino Ramos, Arsenio Ymas, Wilson Ramilla, Ramon Paloma, Ruben Baylon and Elmer Cordero.

It could be recalled that they were arrested in June 2020 while holding  peaceful protest in Caloocan City. 

Drivers  were protesting against what they perceived as unfair treatment by the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte towards jeepneys, which were not allowed to resume their previous routes due to safety and health concerns.

During this time, government loosed  health restrictions under General Community Quarantine (GCQ).