29 Marso 2024, Biyernes

Biyernes Santo

supports Fire Prevention Month

deepest sympathy to family of the late Danilo Halili

deepest sympathy to family of the late Mario Cruz

deepest sympathy to family of the late Elyn Ocampo

supports Women Month March

joins Christian nations in observance of Lenten season

welcomes Bagong Bayani Monico Lopez Caranay

Komedya o Komida

Ni Derek Jorge

Ultrasound, ipinapiPhilHealth na

IPINAPAPAKETE na rin ni Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa sa Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) ang mga serbisyong ultrasound at mammogram.  Shout muna kina Bullet Bitag Chairman Emiritus Ricardo Sta. Ana, Pepito Nicandro, Binang 1^st Chairman Alfredo Quiambao, mga nagsisipagtikang alalay sa summer vacation sa Manila North Road. Ipinatitiyak ni Herbosa ang serbisyo laban sa kanser sa tulong ng PhilHealth. Ipinahaharang ho ng mga maka-puloy ang pagpapaaresto rito ng senado dahilan sa pangiisnab nito sa hearing. Hinihirit ho ng nahihiyang abogado ni puloy sa SC ang “temporary restraining order” o kaya’y “writ of preliminary injunction” laban sa mandamyento de aresto ng senado kay puloy, labag daw iyon sa karapatang bigay ng konstitusyon kay puloy, “due process”  at “self-incrimination.” E yung karapatan naman ng mga biktimang dalagitang binaboy raw paano na? kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal, kung saka-sakali, mararagdagan ang santang pango. Tumango na ang batikanong simulan ng simbahang katoliko ang proseo 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 puloy, anak dawn g dios. May utang ho kasi kasambahay si Ka Bella na 10k kay Olang, OFW sa Timbukto, nakahuhulog raw ho naman itong si Bells pero hindi pa panahon ng paghuhulog ay siningil na at nang mabigong maghulog dahil nga hindi pa naman panahon, inimarites sa facebook. Olang, sa galing-galing na ikaw ang may renda ng sitwasyon ngayon ikaw na ang marerendahan. Ang atraso ni Bells ay “sum of money” o “small claim”, kapag binayaran, quits na. Pero  ang  nasirang karangalan dahil sa marites sa fb, hindi na maibabalik pa. Wika ni Elong ay palitan naman ng paninira sa fb iyon, para nga makita ko, humarap kayo. Sa oras na maireklamo ni Bells si Olang sa pulis anti-cyber crime, posible syang mapauwi, baka pagsisihan nya ito at pati na kayong mga walang malasakit na nakikinabang kay Olang. Ano ba naman yung 5 minutong pagtityaga kung ihahambing sa pagkaresolba sa napipintong himagsikan.

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..    

30 Marso 2024, Sabado

Sabado de gloria

supports Fire Prevention Month

deepest sympathy to family of the late Danilo Halili

deepest sympathy to family of the late Mario Cruz

deepest sympathy to family of the late Elyn Ocampo

supports Women Month March

joins Christian nations in observance of Lenten season

welcomes Bagong Bayani Monico Lopez Caranay

PCG probe alleged hacking of Fb acct anew

By J.Lo

“Coast Guard Public Affairs is now coordinating with  Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center under  Department of Information and Communications Technology to conduct backend operations and assess  security breach,” Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) announced its plan to investigate  reported breach of its social media account.

PCG revealed  unknown entity had gained unauthorized access to its official Facebook page at 12:30 in the afternoon.

PCG spokesperson Armand Balilo said unknown breachers uploaded two “malicious short videos” to the agency’s official Facebook page.

As of writing,  Facebook page of  PCG continues to display movie recap videos.

This is the third time  PCG’s social media account has been hacked. Agency  first lost access to its Facebook account on February 26 but was recovered on February 29.

On February 15,  PCG’s X account  was also hacked, but access was restored  few hours later.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Isaiah 53:3-4

³ He was despised and rejected by mankind,
    a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
    he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

⁴ Surely he took up our pain
    and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
    stricken by him, and afflicted.

LGU legal officers: cannot represent local gov’t officials’ cases

By J.Lo

“However,  Court sees  need for leniency in this case in light of respondent’s honest belief that his acts were part of his duties and responsibilities as provincial legal officer. Instead, Court finds that respondent must be reprimanded for his act of representing the Provincial Governor, which gave rise to  conflict of interest.  Court, however, stresses that  leniency of this penalty extends only to  present case and not to subsequent cases of legal officers representing their LGU’s public officials when they are charged in their private capacities,”  decision read, legal officers from local government units (LGUs) are not allowed to represent local government officials in their cases before office of the Ombudsman. 

In 2-page decision promulgated on March 27, 2023, high court reprimanded lawyer Richard Enojo, after  disbarment case was filed against him.

However, he was not disbarred nor suspended from  practice of law by  SC but was issued  stern warning that  repetition of the same offense would be dealt with more severely.

Enojo was  provincial legal officer of Negros Oriental appointed in 2011.  

When criminal cases against late Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo reached  Sandiganbayan in 2013, Enojo served as  former governor’s legal counsel.

However, his representation was challenged by prosecutors of Ombudsman, leading  Sandiganbayan to instruct him to cease representing the late governor.

Subsequently, Enojo still represented Degamo in his administrative cases that progressed in  Court of Appeals (CA) and eventually SC.

It was during  proceedings in SC that  petition for Enojo’s disbarment was filed.

Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) subsequently directed Enojo to submit  response to  complaint. In his argument, Enojo contended that only “Sanggunian Officers” from  LGU are prohibited from serving as legal counsels in cases involving public officers, and that appointed legal officers are not covered by this prohibition.

After conducting  investigation, IBP recommended dismissal of  complaint against Enojo, citing lack of merit. 

IBP ruled that there is no law that prohibits  respondent (Enojo) from handling  case of his governor.

SC, however, overturned  IBP’s decision and said  Enojo engaged in  “unauthorized practice of law.”

“After conducting  investigation, IBP recommended  dismissal of  complaint against  lawyer, citing lack of merit.  IBP held that currently, “there is no law that positively prohibits respondent from handling  case of his Governor,” the court’s decision read.

According to the SC, Degamo’s cases and alleged offenses are “no longer deemed as official acts of the LGU he serves”, and thus “fall beyond  ambit of  lawyer’s functions as  provincial legal officer.”

“Verily, Degamo’s alleged acts constituting those administrative offenses and crimes are no longer deemed as official acts of the local government unit which he serves; and as such, falls beyond  ambit of respondent’s functions as provincial legal officer,” ruling read. 

SC highlighted if  legal officer working for  local government faces  conflict of interest by representing  LGU’s top executive or any of its public officials in cases filed before  Ombudsman, it would be considered unauthorized practice of law.

Palace appoints anew

By Nidz Godino

CONGRATULATIONS to the new appointees Malacañang has announced including  finance and agriculture departments and  Office of the President.

In  Facebook post,  Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said  appointees in  finance department are Joven Balbosa (undersecretary), Gerald Alan Quebral (assistant secretary), Cherry Mae Gonzales and Donalyn Minimo (directors IV) and Rizalino Jose Torralba (collector of customs VI).

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.also appointed Bureau of the Treasury officer-in-charge Sharon Almanza as national treasurer.

Newly  appointed officials in  agriculture department are Christopher Morales and Cheryl Marie Caballero, Constante Palabrica, Ernesto Enriquez and Larry Lacson, and Abbey Charles Gawaran.

Marcos also designated new officials to agencies under his office, namely Cris Tenorio (director IV of the Assets Management Office), Manuel Plaza III (member of the Games and Amusement Board), Julius Leonen (PCO director III), Adrian Bautista (PCO director II) and Felix Castro Jr. (OP assistant secretary).

Other appointees are Christian Tan Aguado (part-time commissioner representing the languages of the southern cultural communities of the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino), Reggie Cruz ( Pampango language of the KWF), Bianca Patrice Go (commissioner representing Mindanao of the National Youth Commission), Ernesto Severino (member of the Philippine Postal Corp. board of directors), Ivy Grace Rivera (agrarian reform director IV), Sittie Rahma Alawi, Jimmicio Daoaten and Reynaldo Sy (information and communication technology directors IV) and Jhino Ilano (information and communication technology director III).

The President also appointed Lynna Joy Cardinal (provincial trade and industry officer), Mario Tani (foreign trade service officer II), Anthony Rivera (foreign trade service officer III), Rudolph Jay Velasco (foreign trade service officer IV), Althea Karen Antonio, Alma Argayoso and May Niña Celynne Layug (special trade representatives), Reymundo de Guzman Jr. (Office of Transportation Cooperatives executive director II) and Gregorio Pastorfide (member of the University of the Philippines Board of Regents).

Ph won’t be ‘cowed into silence, submission’ by China

By Nidz Godino

“We seek no conflict with any nation, more so nations that purport and claim to be our friends but we will not be cowed into silence, submission, or subservience… Filipinos do not yield,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said  Philippines will not be bullied into silence as he vowed actions to counter China’s aggressive behavior in West Philippine Sea. 

The president issued  statement after  China Coast Guard (CCG) once again blocked and fired water cannons at  Filipino supply vessel  damaging  vessel and injuring three soldiers. 

Marcos said  government will implement  “response and countermeasure package that is proportionate, deliberate, and reasonable in the face of  open, unabating, and illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous attacks by agents of  China Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia.” 

Marcos added  he has been in “constant communication” with international allies and partners who offered to help  Philippines in protecting and securing its sovereign rights and jurisdiction while ensuring peace and stability in Indo-Pacific. 

“I have given them our requirements and we have been assured that they will be addressed,” he said. 

United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III once again reaffirmed Washington’s “ironclad” commitment to Manila in  phone call with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on Wednesday. 

China  blamed  “provocations” by  Philippines for rising tensions in hotly contested waters.

“China will not allow  Philippines to do whatever it wants, and has responded in reasonable and forceful manner,”  statement from  Chinese defense ministry read.

The flare-up last weekend was  latest in  long-running territorial conflict between Manila and Beijing. 

As  response to the incident,  Philippines summoned  Chinese envoy to protest CCG’s “aggressive actions” near Ayungin Shoal. China’s embassy in the Philippines also complained to Manila over what it called  “illegal intrusion” of Filipino ships into its waters. 

Beijing claims nearly  entire South China Sea, dismissing claims from other countries, including  Philippines, and  international court ruling that found its assertions to have no legal basis. 

Relations between Manila and Beijing have deteriorated under Marcos as he improves ties with  United States and pushes back against China’s attacks against Filipino troops.

29 Marso 2024, Biyernes

Biyernes Santo

supports Fire Prevention Month

deepest sympathy to family of the late Danilo Halili

deepest sympathy to family of the late Mario Cruz

deepest sympathy to family of the late Elyn Ocampo

supports Women Month March

joins Christian nations in observance of Lenten season

welcomes Bagong Bayani Monico Lopez Caranay

Calorie  labeling policy backed for healthier eating choices

By J.Lo

“This will enable Filipinos to make informed and healthy choices on what to eat,” Department of Health (DOH) support  proposed calorie labeling policy in Quezon City, a move expected to help people to make healthier dietary decisions.

Local  government of Quezon City passed  ordinance requires large and mid-sized restaurants to display calorie information for each food item on their menus. This policy awaits only  signature of Mayor Ma. Josefina “Joy Belmonte”-Alimurung  to be enforced.

Public interest group ImagineLaw,  collaborated with  Quezon City government on this policy, previously said  calorie labeling aims to create  healthier food environment to prevent obesity and diet-related noncommunicable diseases.

Around 27 million Filipinos were overweight and obese, according to  2019 survey of  Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute.

World Health Organization stressed  rise in obesity is largely driven by current food environments, characterized by  increasing availability, accessibility, affordability and marketing of processed foods high in saturated fats, trans fats, sugars, or salt. 

DOH also urged  public to eat  “balanced, well-moderated, and varied diet.”

“Limit processed foods and foods that are high in calories…opt for healthier choices, partnered with sufficient physical activity,” DOST said.

29 Marso 2024, Biyernes

Biyernes Santo

supports Fire Prevention Month

deepest sympathy to family of the late Danilo Halili

deepest sympathy to family of the late Mario Cruz

deepest sympathy to family of the late Elyn Ocampo

supports Women Month March

joins Christian nations in observance of Lenten season

welcomes Bagong Bayani Monico Lopez Caranay

Komedya o Komida

Ni Derek Jorge

Komedyanteng Puloy

HINIHINTAY kasambahay ng tropang puloy ang sagot ng Korte Suprema sa pagpapaharang sa pagdampot ng senado kay puloy. Huwag nawang pagsisihan nitong sina Tata Elong ang kanyang pagkikibit-balikat sa reklamo laban sa kanyang anak na nasa Timbukto, ako na ang naninikluhod na siputin lamang ang huling pagdinig makamahal na araw alang-alang sa mahaderang apong nagbibiro sa social media. Shout muna kina Bullet Bitag Chairman Emiritus Ricardo Sta. Ana, Pepito Nicandro, Binang 1^st Chairman Alfredo Quiambao, mga nagsisipagtikang alalay sa summer vacation sa Manila North Road. Ipinahaharang ho ng mga maka-puloy ang pagpapaaresto rito ng senado dahilan sa pangiisnab nito sa hearing. Hinihirit ho ng nahihiyang abogado ni puloy sa SC ang “temporary restraining order” o kaya’y “writ of preliminary injunction” laban sa mandamyento de aresto ng senado kay puloy, labag daw iyon sa karapatang bigay ng konstitusyon kay puloy, “due process”  at “self-incrimination.” E yung karapatan naman ng mga biktimang dalagitang binaboy raw paano na? kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal, kung saka-sakali, mararagdagan ang santang pango. Tumango na ang batikanong simulan ng simbahang katoliko ang proseo 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 puloy, anak dawn g dios. May utang ho kasi kasambahay si Ka Bella na 10k kay Olang, OFW sa Timbukto, nakahuhulog raw ho naman itong si Bells pero hindi pa panahon ng paghuhulog ay siningil na at nang mabigong maghulog dahil nga hindi pa naman panahon, inimarites sa facebook. Olang, sa galing-galing na ikaw ang may renda ng sitwasyon ngayon ikaw na ang marerendahan. Ang atraso ni Bells ay “sum of money” o “small claim”, kapag binayaran, quits na. Pero  ang  nasirang karangalan dahil sa marites sa fb, hindi na maibabalik pa. Wika ni Elong ay palitan naman ng paninira sa fb iyon, para nga makita ko, humarap kayo. Sa oras na maireklamo ni Bells si Olang sa pulis anti-cyber crime, posible syang mapauwi, baka pagsisihan nya ito at pati na kayong mga walang malasakit na nakikinabang kay Olang. Ano ba naman yung 5 minutong pagtityaga kung ihahambing sa pagkaresolba sa napipintong himagsikan.

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..    

SMC urged to w/draw permit applications for PAREX, halt other expressway plans

By J.Lo

“It is win for  Pasig River and its communities,”  environmental, heritage and mobility advocates Ilog Pasiglahin movement  in  statement called on  San Miguel Corporation (SMC) to scrap its toll deal and environmental permit application for  planned Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) after  conglomerate’s chief announced  project is no longer pushing through. 

Ilog Pasiglahin movement welcomed  statement of SMC President and CEO Ramon Ang , his company is abandoning plans for  19-kilometer elevated expressway.

Ang said  public opposition led  conglomerate to drop  project pitched as  solution to address  traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

“Sinasabi ng maraming tao na ayaw nila ‘yan…laban sa kalooban nila, hindi magandang tingnan or whatever…narinig mo kung tinuloy ko…hindi na…kasi very sensitive din kami…nakikinig kami sa pulso ng bayan,” Ang was quoted in media reports as saying. 

Advocates from  Move as One Coalition earlier argued  PAREX,  proposed to run along  banks of Pasig River, “will deliver little or no benefit while causing significant harm.”

Critics of the project stressed it will exacerbate not solve metro’s traffic congestion as increased road capacity can induce demand, meaning more people will be encouraged to drive.

They also said that PAREX will worsen air pollution, increase temperature in the capital region, damage heritage structures, and further degrade Pasig River.

To formally cancel the project,  Ilog Pasiglahin movement demanded  SMC to revoke  expressway’s Supplemental Toll Operation Agreement (STOA) with  Toll Regulatory Board (TRB).

It added that  conglomerate should withdraw their Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) application with  Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and scrap their permit applications and resolutions with local governments. 

Ilog Pasiglahin movement said  if SMC were truly committed to saving Pasig River, it must also cancel  portion of  Southeast Metro Manila Expressway (SEMME) that will be constructed along  easternmost part of  river from Buting in Pasig City to Taytay in Rizal.

It also urged SMC to scrap  portion of  Southern Access Link Expressway (SALEX) that will be built around  Manila Bay Port Area, Intramuros, and Hospicio de San Jose in Manila near  Pasig River. 

Advocates pointed out that these proposed expressways, if continued without modification, “will also bring  same disastrous impacts of PAREX” to  environment, heritage structures, and local communities.

“Whatever happens to Pasig River also affects its connected bodies of water Manila Bay, Laguna de Bay, Marikina River, San Juan River, Taguig River, and many others ..any destructive activity in those areas–reclamation, deforestation, and expressway construction will also affect  Pasig River, SMC must withdraw all PAREX permits and immediately stop all their environmentally destructive projects within  Manila Bay-Laguna de Bay area and beyond to truly protect nature,” Ilog Pasiglahin said.

Ilog Pasiglahin also called on  government to issue policies disallowing river and coastal expressways as well as to review current projects such as  SALEX, SEMME, and C5 Southlink Expressway, also known as  Marikina River Expressway.

SMC is set to take over  operations and maintenance of  Ninoy Aquino International Airport as it builds  New Manila International Airport along Manila Bay, another project that scientists and environmentalists warned would destroy important ecosystems.

29 Marso 2024, Biyernes

Biyernes Santo

supports Fire Prevention Month

deepest sympathy to family of the late Danilo Halili

deepest sympathy to family of the late Mario Cruz

deepest sympathy to family of the late Elyn Ocampo

supports Women Month March

joins Christian nations in observance of Lenten season

welcomes Bagong Bayani Monico Lopez Caranay

PhilHealth to cover ultrasound, mammogram in Konsulta package

By Nidz Godino

“This will ensure sustainable financing of preventive health services that can catch cancer and other conditions early, so that we can unload higher level hospitals within  health care provider network,” Department of Health (DOH) chief Teodoro Herbosa chairs  PhilHealth board of directors, has ordered  Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to include ultrasound and mammogram services in its primary care benefit package. 

DOH said Herbosa has directed  state health insurer to add these screening services to  current Konsulta package.

Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) said in 2023 that breast and cervical cancer screening was “extremely low” in the country. Breast and cervical cancer top  list of cancers affecting Filipino women.

Government  think tank attributed  low screening rate to lack of funds, especially for  poor. Many also fear finding out that they have cancer and go for screening only when they are already suffering from symptoms. 

Data showed  27,000 new cases of breast cancer are reported each year, while 9,000 women die annually.