“I haven’t experienced that kind of heavy and continuous rain before,” provincial information officer Fe Maestre told media death toll from landslides and floods triggered by torrential rain in the southern Philippines in the past week has risen to 14.
Rain has pounded parts of Mindanao, the country’s second-largest island, on and off for weeks and forced tens of thousands of people into emergency shelters.
At least 10 people died in recent days in the mountainous gold mining province of Davao de Oro as it endured relentless downpours.
Of the 10 deaths in Davao de Oro, three were recorded in New Bataan municipality and another four people were killed in landslides in Maragusan and Monkayo municipalities.
Another three people drowned in separate incidents in Pantukan and Maco municipalities in Davao de Oro.
In the neighbouring province of Davao del Norte, a landslide buried four people inside a house in Kapalong municipality, rescue officer Jaiasent Cabactulan told media.
Widespread flooding in the adjacent province of Agusan del Sur has inundated villages and crops.
Provincial disaster agency spokesman Alexis Cabardo told local radio it could take five or six days for the floodwaters to recede as more flows down from Davao de Oro.
“We still have to be alert,” he said.
The Philippines is ranked among the most vulnerable nations to the impacts of climate change.
Because a warmer atmosphere holds more water, climate change increases the risk and intensity of flooding from extreme rainfall.
4 For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. 5 The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.
“Any attempt to secede any part of Philippines will be met by government with resolute force, as it remains steadfast in securing sovereignty and integrity of national territory,” National Security Adviser Eduardo Año served as interior secretary and Armed Forces of the Philippines chief under former president Rodrigo Duterte said NSC and governors from Mindanao have strongly rejected calls for region’s secession from Philippines, emphasizing threat it poses to progress made in peace and development.
Año said any attempt to sow division in the country must be rejected unequivocally after former President Duterte pushed for “separate and independent Mindanao.”
He warned national government “will not hesitate to use its authority and forces to quell and stop any and all attempts to dismember the Republic.”
The national security adviser also said calls to separate Mindanao from rest of the country does not only run counter to the Constitution, “but also threatens to undo hard-won gains of peace and development, particularly in Mindanao.”
Año stressed comprehensive peace process, brought end to armed conflict in Mindanao, must instead be protected and strengthened.
Similarly, Presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. earlier urged Filipinos to reject any movement calling for independent Mindanao. Like Año, Galvez was also AFP chief of staff during Duterte’s presidency.
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim called on public to protect gains of peace process.
“Let us continue to support current administration and allow peace and civility to reign over affairs of our land,” he said.
Governors of Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao del Sur also joined other leaders from Mindanao in rejecting secession calls.
“Mindanao’s concerns should be resolved without pursuing secession… It would disrupt interconnected productivity of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao that has long sustained our national stability, preserving peace, heritage, and progress in Mindanao compels Philippines to remain united,” Sultan Kudarat Gov. Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu said.
Maguindanao del Sur Gov. Bai Mariam Mangudadatu pointed out secession will not address concerns of residents of Mindanao.
“It denies our people rights embodied by Constitution, including destruction of our territorial integrity compromising our efforts to build stronger nation, we are for one and united Philippines,” Mangudadatu said.
“Last week, we experienced series of rains due to shear line…rain caused flooding and led to many evacuations…after five-day gap, it rained again due to LPA,” Rep. Maricar Zamora (Davao de Oro) told media death toll from floods and landslides in Mindanao has risen to 16.
National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) said fatalities were all reported in Davao region, battered by relentless downpour in past week.
NDRRMC also reported three people from Davao region were missing, while 11 were injured.
Over 772,000 individuals from Northern Mindanao, Davao region, SOCCSKSARGEN, CARAGA, and Bagsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) were affected by trough of now-dissipated low pressure area (LPA) and northeast monsoon.
Of affected population, more than 409,000 were displaced.
“Second round of rain was quite heavy, and because not all water from first round of rain had drained yet, flooding is higher now during second round,” she added.
According to NDRRMC, initial damage to infrastructure was estimated at around P2.6 million.
Government has so far provided P10.9 million in assistance to affected residents.
iskup news-on-line daily is creation of Godino’s Advertising Agency, Trece Martires City, Cavite
love month in iskup
DENR atmospheric study collaborates with NASA
By J.Lo
ENVIRONMENT SECRETARY ANTONIA YULO-LOYZAGA
“Data gathered from research flights will be used in our programs to mitigate air quality issues that affect public health and address climate change,” Environment Secretary Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said.Philippines would collaborate with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in study to address air quality issues in Asia.
To study Metro Manila’s atmosphere, NASA would conduct scientific research flights, with engineers and air quality specialists of DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau on board.
Loyzaga is hopeful that collaboration would lead to significant advances in understanding air pollution and how to tackle issue.
Airborne and Satellite Investigation of Asian Air Quality will bring together experts from NASA, DENR, South Korea’s National Institute of Environmental Research, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Thailand’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency.
Study mission will use advanced satellite technology, ground-based observations and airborne missions.
“Collaboration will help to improve air quality models, provide accurate forecasts and develop effective policies to ensure better air quality in the future,” Loyzaga said.
In the Philippines, other partners include Philippine Space Agency, Manila Observatory, Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines.
For the director of music. Of David the servant of the Lord. He sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said:
1 I love you, Lord, my strength.
2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield[b] and the horn[c] of my salvation, my stronghold.
Footnotes
Psalm 18:1 In Hebrew texts 18:1-50 is numbered 18:2-51.
“Under the Bill of Rights, no person shall be deprived of his life, liberty and property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws. This order was issued without notice of hearings. In fact, the bases of the order were non-existent,” Rolex Suplico said l awyers of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) filed a motion for reconsideration yesterday asking the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to reverse its decision to impose an indefinite suspension on the operation of the media network.
Aside from the motion for reconsideration, a separate petition to allow a pre-hearing conference was filed at the NTC, according to counsel Mark Tolentino.
Tolentino noted that under NTC procedures, a pre-hearing conference is allowed on highly contentious administrative complaints.
In a six-page order to cease and desist operation, NTC Commissioner Ella Blanca Lopez ordered an indefinite suspension on operations of SMNI until a final ruling is issued by the commission.
The NTC has also directed SMNI to submit a written explanation after it failed to strictly follow the 30 days suspension order.
Lopez also directed concerned NTC regional directors who exercise territorial jurisdiction in areas where SMNI is operating to immediately and strictly implement the cease and desist order.
Rolex Suplico has said that the indefinite suspension issued by the NTC only covers the radio and broadcast stations of SMNI, adding that its social media will continue to operate.
The legal team of SMNI maintained that the cease and desist order of NTC violated due process under Article III, Section One of the 1987 Constitution.
He said that among the issues raised by the NTC include SMNI violating the 30-day suspension when its two stations in Western Visayas, particularly in Aklan and Roxas City, operated despite the order.
“The order stated that the Roxas City station operated which in fact it did not. Number 2, it stated we did not file an answer when in fact, we filed an answer. The weird part is that it seems the NTC used our filing of the motion to inhibit and motion to file a bill of particulars against us as if it is our fault to avail of the remedies,” Suplico added.
The House of Representatives through House Resolution 189 had urged NTC to suspend the business of Swara Sug for allegedly violating the terms and conditions of its franchise under Republic Act 11422.
“Lack of universities in provinces – especially in Visayas and Mindanao, where there is a disparity in healthcare access as compared to Luzon – offering medicine programs and the cost of medical education prevent low-income students from accessing med school,”,” Philippine Red Cross (PRC) chairman Richard Gordon said
pushing for a more inclusive and accessible medical education as it expressed concern over the shortage of doctors in the country.
Gordon said country has to wait 12 years to fill the gap in nurse shortage and 23 years for doctors.
Citing a study by the University of the Philippines Center for Integrative and Development Studies, Gordon said that in a span of five years, medical schools only graduated an average of 3,000 students every year.
Another issue, Gordon said, is that Filipino doctors and nurses seek better opportunities abroad.
The PRC is looking for ways to help the country address the shortage of medical professionals.
The humanitarian organization granted scholarships to 12 medical students covering their tuition as well as living and transportation allowances.
“A certain Yap gave it to her and that Yap is reporting to Cong. Migz Nograles,” Richell Siguera, a barangay coordinator, showed to the panel a piece of paper which she received from those who secured her signature,
Ayuda for your signature.
Residents testified at a Senate hearing in Davao City that they were made to sign people’s initiative (PI) signature sheets with the promise that they would be given ayuda or financial assistance, food packages and other benefits.
The continuing probe by the Senate committee on electoral reform and people’s participation chaired by Sen. Imee Marcos has focused on the residents and critics of the latest Charter change push, speaking of bribery and of money clandestinely changing hands during the signature drive.
Former president Rodrigo Duterte, who has openly opposed the latest Cha-cha push, was on the guest list but did not show up at the hearing.
The Senate hearing, which lasted for almost four hours, was attended by Senators Bong Go and Ronald dela Rosa, both from Davao, and several local government officials and residents.
A barangay captain presented to the committee several documents in a green folder containing a list of residents who wanted to withdraw their signatures from the PI. “My personnel in the barangay were also considered victims. They were offered P4,000 just to gather signatures,” he said.
An official of the Commission on Elections said the signatures of residents who would like to withdraw would not be used by the Comelec.
Siguera, showed to the panel a piece of paper which she received from those who secured her signature. The paper contained a stub of AICS or Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations.
She said she also solicited signatures from her neighbors.
She admitted that she did not explain the PI to her neighbors as she herself has limited knowledge about it.
“They told us to keep the coupon and wait for the money. They have yet to receive any amount yet,” Siguera added.
When Dela Rosa asked the residents if they would have signed the signature forms without being assured of coupon, they replied “no sir.”
At the hearing, the senators also warned the People’s Initiative for Modernization and Reform Action (PIRMA) to submit its list of donors of the P55 million spent for television advertisements promoting PI.
Marcos said PIRMA led by its convenor Noel Oñate should submit the list required by Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III.
“I have a stern warning for PIRMA, the legal counsel are here, you need to advise your client about the donations lists that constitute until today, three days after the fact, donors list, BIR receipt or whatever documents. Nothing has been submitted so far. Submit it at the earliest possible opportunities,” Marcos said before suspending the public hearing.
Marcos said many people wanted to participate in the hearing but there was limited time.
She encouraged barangay officials to submit more evidence to prove cases of bribery and misuse of government funds.
During the previous hearing, Sen. Francis Escudero asked Oñate about the cost of the printing of the PI forms but he claimed he was not familiar with it.
“What I know is the figure in the airing of the advertisement which cost P55 million, ABS-CBN, TV5 and GMA7.”
House Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe has again assured Senate counterparts and the public that Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 on Cha-cha would not lead to a shift to a parliamentary form of government.
Dalipe said there is no truth to the claims of Duterte that Cha-cha would also change the country’s political landscape.
“With regards to suspicion that we are trying to do this to have somebody become a PM (prime minister) or something, records will prove (otherwise),” noted the representative of Zamboanga City.
The lawmaker added that what any doubting individual could do is to check the RBH 6 documents that the House of Representatives had submitted to the Senate.
“So I don’t know where it came from – the allegation that changes will be political. It is clear that what we transmitted is for (amendment of) economic provisions,” he maintained. Dalipe also challenged those making such accusation to show evidence.
According to Duterte, once the parliamentary form of government is established, Speaker Martin Romuldez would be installed as the prime minister and he would be succeeded by presidential son Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos.
Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep. David Suarez said what they see is the “narrative against development and progress is consistent.”
“They always want to put political color to the constitutional amendment that we are proposing, when in fact what is on the table are purely economic amendments,” Suarez added.
He cited as basis some senators’ claims the House is bent on abolishing the Senate, when this is just a “figment of their imagination.”
Suarez said this is “nowhere to be found in RBH No. 6.”
“These were the same arguments they have always raised, like they will be abolished and all. Another is the insinuation that we will perpetuate ourselves in power, it’s really the same narrative thrown against the proposal to push for Charter amendments,” he added.
Suarez also said the Senate’s probe has turned into a “witch hunt.”
“After two hearings, no witnesses have come forward to say that they received money or were bribed to sign the petition calling for Charter amendments,” he added.
Suarez maintained it is a “shame that the probe continues despite having no witness who testified that they were paid” in exchange for their signatures.
The Quezon lawmaker earlier asked the Senate to just “refocus their attention” on the discussion and expedite approval of the Resolution of Both Houses 6 which is aimed at amending the restrictive economic provisions in the Constitution.
He underscored the need to focus on “more pressing issues facing the nation.”
According to Suarez, the “substance and direction” of the inquiry is questionable since there is no witness to confirm the allegation, even in the investigation being done in Davao City where the signature buying was reportedly rampant.
He also raised concerns over the resources and time being spent on the probe.
“While it is crucial to investigate any allegations of misconduct, especially those that could affect constitutional processes, the consistent lack of corroborative testimonies suggests that this investigation may not be the best use of our legislative body’s time and resources,” he added.
Meanwhile, one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution described as “perilous and dangerous” the ongoing push for Charter change initiated by the House of Representatives, while a former chief justice maintained there is absolutely no need for one.
Former Commission on Elections commissioner Rene Sarmiento, a member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission, and retired chief justice Hilario Davide Jr. submitted their separate position papers on the PI to Marcos’ committee.
Sarmiento said “constitutions, though imperfect, are fragile democratic instruments that must be protected and safeguarded with vigilance at all times.”
“With numerous challenges facing the country today, internationally and domestically, what is needed at this time is for us and for our elected public officers to take heed the advice of Claro M. Recto when he wrote that the ‘best amendment of the Constitution would be the amendment of our lives, the amendment of our attitudes, outlook and actions, the realization that we are free men and the resolution to live and act as free men,’” he said.
“Yes, attitudes, outlook and attributes that uphold the principle that ‘public office is a public trust,’ that affirm social justice and human rights, that seek to promote the common good of Filipinos,” he noted.
Davide, for his part, reiterated his “stand, repeated many times in the past whenever there were attempts to amend or revise the 1987 Constitution, that there is no need to do so and there are no compelling reasons for that.”
“As one of the commissioners of the 1986 Constitutional Commission who drafted this Constitution, I know it very well, and in explaining my affirmative vote for the final draft of the Constitution at the plenary session of the Commission, I openly declared that this is the Constitution I am willing to die for,” Davide added.
“Verily, the people’s initiative to amend the fundamental law of the land – the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines – is a sacred sovereign power which should be exercised with absolute good faith. It should never be tainted with or stained by any vice, defect, trickery, deceit, misrepresentations, wickedness and corruption of any kind,” he said.
The University of the Philippines community and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines have also voiced their opposition to Charter change.
NAGDIRIWANG daw Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal ang mga sindikato ng sugalan dahil binigyang pag-asa ng mga tao ni Benhur at hindi ako naniniwalang alam ito ito ng kagalang-galang na kalihim interior. Shout out muna sa masarap na palugaw ni Kapitan Alfredo Quiambao, Konsehal Pablo De Guzman, Alexander Malvar, Roreilou Cando, Esperanza Benedicto at marami pang iba, nilugawang manok Kiwal, nabusog ako. Habang ginagawa ang new years ball ay nasa command post naman ng Camp Crame ang mga pasaway na sumisira sa bawat pamilyang nalululong sa sugal. Ang dami nyong ipamamana sa mga bata, bakit sugal pa? Bubuksan na raw sa sugal ang Kalakhang Maynila, sige lang baka ma-Torre kayo, ha Jun Mistica? Alam ko namang kabilang ako sa pinuproblema ng mga tata, Matagal na kayo sa PNP, hindi nyo pa alam ang “amicable settlement?” ipagpapalit ba naman ni Heneral sa P1 M ni Mistica ang Estrella nya? Sabagay, matagal na rin naman kayong kumikita e. Kaya hirap ang mga pasaway sa pagsustini ng intelihensya. Isang libo na raw ang social pension ng DSWD sa mga lolo’t lola, hindi lang sana sa press release. Sige nga makapasyal sa munisipyo, makatsika kung paano pakikinabangan ni nana yang ang 90 anyos nya sa daigdig. Magkitakita tayo Marked Men sa petsa 20 sa preskong Baguio. Pero aalalayan ko muna si Derek Kim sa Iba, Zambales sa a-kinse. Kahit maglulupasay kayo sa korte suprema, ma-ABS-CBN pa rin kayo SMNI.
ISKUP! 