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Komedya o Komida

Ni Derek Jorge

Komedysnteng Digong

KOMEDYANTE  rin itong dating pangulong Digong pero hindi komedya ang posibleng ikakulong nito ang kasong sedisyon na “no bail recommended “ pala kapag naisampa sa justice department. Shout out muna Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal kina Bocaue Values Advocates Wilfredo Jimenez Jr., Rodrigo Nicolas, Joel Borreta, Ricky Buizon, Alex Driodoco, kahalili kasambahay ang inyong lingkod sa “Thursday squadding” ng Bocaue Police. Ang pagpipilit ni Digong at dating House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez na maihiwalay sa Pilipinas ang Mindanao ay tahasan daw paglabag sa soberenya ng bansa at sa 1987 Saligang Batas na usaping sedisyon at hindi pinahihintulutang makapagpyansa ang nahaharap ditto, e di makukulong si Digong. Ano nga naman ang ginawa ng dating president noong kanyang termino at hindi niya inungkat ang ganoong paksain  at ngayong wala na sya sa poder saka sya maghihimutok, nagkataon lang kayang narito sa bansa ang international rapporteur, ikot ang pang-upo niyang baka maaresto? Nagaganyak ang Komedya sa posibleng pagbabalik sa himpapawid ng programang haranahan “Pananambitan ng Puso”, ito Kiwal ay isinahimpapawid noong dekada 70 sa Lungsod ng Lucena sa Quezon at sisikaping i-upload sa You Tube, abangan po. Shout out din kay Bocaue Police Chief Manuel De Vera, mespo Salvatierra.

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Duterte’s call for Mindanao secession opposed

By J.Lo

“The Department of Justice vehemently opposes calls for the secession of Mindanao or other parts of the country and stands firmly against any attempts to undermine the unity and territorial integrity of the Philippines, as enshrined in the Constitution,”

Department of Justice (DOJ) rejected the idea of an independent Mindanao from the Philippines proposed by former President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a statement released on Monday, the principal law agency of the executive department said that the call for secession is contradicting the principles of our democratic society” as stated in the 1987 Constitution. 

 “The DOJ remains committed to protecting our sovereignty and upholding the sanctity of the highest law of the land,” it added. 

However, when asked if Duterte violated any law due to his pronouncement, DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano said that the justice department can only comment if there is a “pending matter” endorsed to the agency. 

“If their call is the division of the Philippines, our call naman is the unity ng buong bansa,” Clavano said in an interview with reporters. 

On January 31, Duterte put forward the idea of separating Mindanao from the rest through a people’s initiative after accusing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of being behind the people’s initiative signature campaign to change the Constitution.

Duterte’s call, according to a Makabayan bloc lawmaker, is allegedly being used by the former president to evade the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court which gave the green light to resume its investigation into Duterte’s “war on drugs,” which saw thousands of deaths as recorded by local and international human rights groups.

Aside from the DOJ, the National Security Council (NSC) on Sunday also rejected Duterte’s secession pronouncement saying that it poses to progress made in peace and development.

“Any attempt to secede any part of the Philippines will be met by the government with resolute force, as it remains steadfast in securing the sovereignty and integrity of the national territory,” National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said, according to NSC’s statement on Sunday. 

In a separate statement, the Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro echoed NSC’s rejection of Duterte’s secession call.

“The mandate of the Department of National Defense is to secure the sovereignty of the state and integrity of the national territory as enshrined in the constitution,” Teodoro said in a statement on Monday.

“We will strictly enforce this mandate whether externally or internally,” he added.

On Friday, Carlito Galvez Jr., the presidential adviser on peace, reconciliation and unity, also urged Filipinos to reject any movement calling for an independent Mindanao to separate from the Philippines.

Both Año and Galvez are former Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines appointed during the Duterte administration. 

Aside from government personalities and agencies, the Bangsamoro government and some governors of Mindanao also oppose the secession call of Duterte.

In separate statements, governors of Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao del Sur on Sunday joined the rejection of the separation of Mindanao proposal. 

“Mindanao’s concerns should be resolved without pursuing secession…It would disrupt the interconnected productivity of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao that has long sustained our national stability,” Sultan Kudarat Gov. Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu said.

Maguindanao del Sur Gov. Bai Mariam Mangudadatu, meanwhile, emphasized that secession will not resolve the concerns of Mindanao residents.

“We are for one and united Philippines,” she added.

The Bangsamoro leaders also opposed the secession idea, saying that they would continue to adhere to the provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement of the Bangsamoro “towards the right to self-determination.”

“We, therefore, urge everyone to help protect the gains of the peace processes. Let us continue to support the current administration and allow peace and civility to reign over the affairs of our land,” BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim said in a statement on Friday. 

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‘sedition vs Duterte, Alvarez’

By Nidz Godino

“The proposal and subsequent actions by Duterte and Alvarez are seditious insofar as it calls for the separation of Mindanao from the Philippine Republic in violation of the 1987 Constitution,” Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo warned pronouncements of former president Rodrigo Duterte and former House speaker Pantaleon Alvarez for Mindanao to “secede” from the country make them liable for sedition.

Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo and his son Gov. Xavier Jesus or XJ warned that the statements made by Duterte and the Davao del Norte first district congressman could result in an indictment for sedition.

Sedition, a non-bailable offense under Philippine laws, is an act – either in writing or verbally broadcast nationwide – of inciting people ,using burned flags, among other incendiary acts to rebel against a duly constituted authority or government.

 “The Charter explicitly protects the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Philippines, prohibiting any form of secession or division,” they said in a joint statement, adding the island-province of Camiguin in Northern Mindanao is “vehemently opposed to dividing the nation.”

XJ said Duterte and Alvarez “should thus answer for their complaints about the state of Mindanao.”

“If things are as bad as they say, why is it that way when you ruled the country for six years? What were you doing when you were at the helm?”

Governor Romualdo added that it is clear that Duterte and Alvarez are “engaging in dangerous antics and stunts to distract and divide the nation for their own interests.”

“Whether it’s his fear of possible prosecution by the International Criminal Court, or to be politically relevant again, or whatever his reason is, the former president is toying with dangerous proposals for selfish interests and self-preservation,” the younger Romualdo remarked.

As this developed, the older Romualdo urged his colleagues in the House of Representatives to “investigate and – should the evidence warrant – initiate expulsion proceedings against Alvarez for his role in advocating for Mindanao secession.”

“Lawmakers and ordinary Mindanaoans are gravely concerned over the potential implications of such separatist movements on national unity and stability. The secession proposal has far-reaching effects on the values of sovereignty, unity, and rule of law in the Philippines,” he reiterated.

“It took many decades and countless lives lost before Mindanao experienced relative peace. Now that it’s on the road to prosperity, it’s frustrating that people like Duterte and Alvarez are willing to throw all that sacrifice in the name of self-preservation,” Rep. Romualdo stressed.

Meanwhile, four governors under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao dropped calls for Mindanao to secede from the Philippines and expressed their full support to the administration of President Marcos.

Governors Yshmael Sali of Tawi-Tawi, Hadjiman Hataman-Salliman of Basilan, Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. of Lanao del Sur and Abdulraof Macacua of Lanao del Norte stood firm that the Bangsamoro people will celebrate their identity “as an integral part of the Philippine Republic,” according to the statement signed Friday.

“Marcos consistent and substantial policy statements and programs have installed a sense of stability since assuming office,” the governors said, adding that his Bagong Pilipinas program is a testament to his steadfast commitment to ensuring that the government’s presence is felt through the effective delivery of services to the people and communities. 

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SCU get P27 B budget hike

By J.Lo

“Our sincerest thanks and appreciation for this substantial support,” Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC)  president
 Tirso Ronquillo said, acknowledging that their respective colleges and universities now have “adequate resources to effectively perform their core mandates of instruction, research, community engagement and other public undertakings.”  

Congress has approved a substantial increase of as much as P27.3 billion for state universities and colleges (SUC) for 2024 through unprogrammed funds.

PASUC was granted an allocation of P128.2 billion in the 2024 General Appropriations Act, which is P27.3 billion higher than the originally proposed budget.

Among the beneficiaries of the budgetary increase, according to Ronquillo, are the 1.85 million students enrolled in SUCs nationwide, 72,000 faculty and staff and 50,000 job orders and contract of service workers.

The allocation, sourced from “unprogrammed funds,” includes P20.1 billion capital outlay for the “digital transformation” or smart campus system for seven SUCs, P7 billion for payment of Free Higher Education deficiencies in 2022 and 2023, P5.3 billion for the “construction, completion or rehabilitation of classrooms, dormitories” for 40 SUCs.

Also, P692 million under the maintenance operating and other expenses (MOOE) for the establishment and support of 22 SUCs that have a “College of Medicine,” P232 million from the P2 million each across-the-board to all SUCs for “Capacity Development on Futures Thinking and Strategic Foresight;”  

P273 million for the SUCs’ “Tulong Dunong program,” P115 million for the increase in carrying capacity of nursing health programs of three SUCs, P100 million under the miscellaneous personnel benefits fund for the implementation of the reclassification of faculty positions;

P30 million as “financial assistance to athletes and athletic programs” of 16 SUCs, while P102 million is allotted for personnel services, P465 million for yearly MOOE and P43 million for capital outlay.

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Baste clears apology to Imee, out of pity

By Nidz Godino

“Madame Imee, let me clarify because you are using this in your drama in the media. I asked for forgiveness because I pitied you, not because of what I said about your brother, the President,” Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte called out Sen. Imee Marcos for using him in her “drama” in the media.

Duterte, unamused by the senator’s account of his apology, took to social media to air his displeasure.

In a social media post on Saturday, the mayor clarified that his apology was not for asking her brother, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to resign, but out of pity for her.

In his speech during the Hakbang ug Maisug leaders’ Forum on Jan. 28, the youngest son of former president Rodrigo Duterte called for the President’s resignation.

“Mr. President, if you do not have love and aspirations for your country, resign,” he said.

The younger Duterte also told the senator to stop using him for publicity.

“Stop using me in your publicity stunts. I let it go the first time, but you are still making noise about it,” he added in Bisaya.

In response, Marcos said she and Duterte have already talked and all is well.

She, however, refused to disclose more details as doing so would only be interpreted differently by some people.

“We’ve talked, it’s OK… I will no longer say anything. And in this situation, it is very easy to distort and assign the wrong meaning,” Marcos said.

“It’s like someone wants us to fight. It’s good and we’ve already talked, and I won’t talk about it anymore!” she added. 

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House hopes Senate passes RBH6 by March

By Nidz Godino

“We hold them ,Zubiri and the senators to this commitment, which was even reported in the media. The House is just waiting for the Senate to approve RBH 6 so we can quickly adopt it,” House Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe, who represents Zamboanga City, said administration lawmakers, under the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez in the House of Representatives, are hoping that an inter-parliamentary ceasefire the senators initiated will result in their promise to pass economic reforms in the 1987 Constitution.

Dalipe, Deputy Speaker David Suarez and Rep. LRay Villafuerte called on Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri to honor his commitment to pass Resolution of Both Houses 6 (RBH6) by March, a self-imposed deadline.

This was reportedly Zubiri’s promise to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.and Romualdez during a recent event in Malolos City, Bulacan where they were guests at the commemoration of the 125th anniversary of the first Philippine Republic.

He earlier vowed to “adopt in toto” the Senate version of RBH 6.

House leaders assured senators they will “embrace” and will have “no questions asked” to the Senate version of the economic only provisions that they wanted amended in the 37-year-old Constitution, if only to arrive at a starting point, since it’s been almost 40 years of stalemate.

Suarez expressed confidence Zubiri will be “true to his word” and jumpstart the discussions on RBH 6, and eventually rally the needed 18 votes for the resolution that would pave the way for amendments to the restrictive economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.

“We in the House believe that SP Zubiri will be true to his word and walk the talk in realizing his commitment to President Marcos to approve RBH 6 before the Holy Week break this year, which is by the end of March,” the Quezon province second district congressman said.

Villafuerte, for his part, called on their Senate counterparts to focus their energy instead on passing RBH 6 before Congress’ Holy Week break, that would finally give the green light to the bicameral push for amending the restrictive economic provisions of the Constitution.

“The Senate hearings on the people’s initiative process, initiated by private groups long yearning for Charter change, in which the House have surprisingly and unfortunately become the subject of the inquiry, contravene inter-parliamentary courtesy and reek of undue interference by members of one chamber in the official acts of legislators belonging to the other,” he said.

“In a bicameral setup such as the Philippine Congress, respect, civility and decorum among members of both chambers forbid legislators belonging to one body to be investigating those of the other,” the Camarines Sur congressman said. 

“And more so when there is actually nothing to investigate about such peers. There is no room for such a breach in the spirit of bicameralism as members of the Senate and the House are co-equals in our national legislature,” Villafuerte stressed.

If there were to be a gentleman’s agreement among lawmakers, requiring three-fourths of the votes from both the Senate and the House of Representatives voting separately, a constituent assembly could be convened to amend the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian said that the two chambers do not have to convene physically.

However, Gatchalian was quick to clarify that his fellow senators might hold differing opinions on the issue. He emphasized the necessity of seeking clarification from legal luminaries and constitutional experts when the Senate commences its public hearing today on RBH 6.

“My personal opinion is that as long as there is an agreement, a gentleman’s agreement of 3/4 votes, voting separately and not physically convening, it can be done. Of course, our other colleagues might have a different opinion and that’s what we’ll ask from constitutionalists,” the senator said. “For me personally, if there is an agreement, there is a meeting of the minds, that’s what we do.”

In the sub-committee list of resource persons for today’s hearing are retired chief justices Hilario Davide Jr. and Renato Puno, former justices Antonio Carpio, Artemio Panganiban, Vicente Mendoza and Adolfo Azcuna, Philippine Judicial Academy Chancellor Rosmari Carandang, former Commission on Elections chairman Christian Monsod, former Comelec commissioner Rene Sarmiento and University of Asia and the Pacific professor Bernardo Villegas.

Other invited resource persons include Integrated Bar of the Philippines national president Antonio Pido, National Scientist Raul Fabella, University of the Philippines School of Economics professor emeritus Gerardo Sicat, IBON Foundation executive director Sonny Africa, Foundation for Economic Freedom’s Gary Teves, and Ateneo Policy Center senior economist Ronald Mendoza.

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4-km Bypass Road Speeds Up Travel in Bukidnon

By J.Lo

A 4-kilometer bypass road project by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has provided overall travel improvement for locals and tourists between the two (2) municipalities of Damulog and Kadingilan in the province of Bukidnon.

Citing a report submitted by Region 10 4-kilometer Bypass Road Speeds Up Travel in Bukidnon

Also citing a report submitted by Region 10 Director Zenaida Tan, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said that the newly-completed bypass road has solved the transportation woes in the rural and secluded areas of Barangay Maican in Damulog and Barangay Balaoro in Kadingilan, Bukidnon.

Implemented under two (2) packages, an initial budget of ₱65.6 million was released in 2022 for the construction of Package 1 which covers road opening and construction of its first 1.37-kilometer segment, including 899 meters of reinforced concrete lined canal with 375 meters of slope protection.

The second and final package which was completed in 2023 in the amount of ₱96.5 million, involved the construction of the remaining 2.6-kilometer, 3.35-meter wide concrete pavement, with 2.4 kilometers of reinforced concrete lined canal and 290-lineal meters of rubble concrete that functions as a slope protection.

“Students and employees who travel daily to school and work all the way to the neighboring towns now have easier access to convenient modes of transportation with the completion of the bypass road, thus improving education and employment opportunities for locals,” said Secretary Bonoan.

The improved road also provides a safer, cheaper, and faster way for farmers to deliver locally-grown agricultural goods such as corn, pineapple, and cacao to markets and distribution centers.

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BI fund to cover OFWs’ missed flights

By Nidz Godino

“The travel expenses incurred by Filipino passengers who were deferred or denied boarding without a court order shall be charged from the balance of the BI’s special trust fund account of accrued collections of express lane fees and charges,” Rep. Luis Jose Angel Campos Jr., vice chairman of the House of Representatives’ committee on appropriations said departing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) no longer need to worry about missing their flights – at least as far as airfare is concerned – as the Bureau of Immigration (BI) will shoulder it if the delay was caused by “prolonged immigration checks.”

Campos said they have provided in the 2024 General Appropriations Act a “special provision” for the travel expenses of overseas-bound Filipino passengers who miss their flights.

Being left behind by their scheduled flight due to “prolonged secondary inspection by immigration officers” is not the OFWs’ fault, according to the congressman of Makati’s District 2.

Campos’ wife is Makati Mayor Abigail Binay.

“The special provision strikes a balance between the right of every Filipino to travel and the BI’s obligation to enforce immigration laws,” Campos said.

He added that the committee is waiting for the guidelines to be issued by the BI, the Department of Budget and Management and the Commission on Audit with respect to the implementation of the special provision.

Sen. Francis Escudero had pushed for the reimbursement of the travel expenses of Filipino passengers who were offloaded from their flights due to the lengthy interrogation by immigration officers “in the guise of fighting human trafficking.”

Citing BI records, Escudero said 32,404 Filipino passengers were not allowed to proceed with their flights in 2022 alone and “only 472 of them were found to be victims of human trafficking or illegal recruitment.”

In the past, Filipino passengers who missed their flights on account of extended immigration secondary interviews had also vented their frustration on social media.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in his budget message agreeing to the “conditional implementation” of the special provision, said that “this should not render nugatory the mandate of the Bl to administer and enforce immigration laws.”

At present, express lane fees and charges collected by the BI are deposited in a special trust fund account with a government bank to be used exclusively for the following purposes: 64 percent to augment the salaries of the BI’s organic personnel working beyond regular office hours, 25 percent for the salaries of the BI’s contractual personnel, and the remaining 11 percent remitted to the National Treasury as income of the general fund.