FL leads DSWD payout for indigent seniors

By Nidz Godino

“Your empathy in action, integrity in service and unity in community are the guiding principles that make the DSWD an invaluable force for good in our nation, to all seniors out there, you are in good hands with DSWD,” First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos led ceremonial payout by Department of Social Welfare and Development of increased social pension for indigent senior citizens at the DSWD’s central office in Batasan, Quezon City.

The payout for the first batch of beneficiaries also marked the 73rd founding anniversary of the DSWD. The pension has increased from P500 to P1,000 starting this month.

In her message, the First Lady commended social workers, saying they are “the heart and soul of the DSWD.”

She underscored the social workers’ role in the development, implementation and delivery of social protection and welfare services to the most vulnerable and marginalized sectors.

The  First Lady said.In his speech, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian emphasized that the social pension payout for older persons is the Marcos administration’s way of recognizing the significant role of senior citizens in their respective families and in society as a whole.

“I know that many of you, despite your age, continue to put food on the table, persistently working to provide for the needs of your families,” he said.Gatchalian had expressed his gratitude to the elderly, underscoring that he is aware that many of the elderly are “the ones raising your grandchildren because your children are busy with work.”

“In Bagong Pilipinas, you can rest assured that our senior citizens are our priority. You will never be left behind. That is the commitment of our beloved President and our First Lady who is with us this morning,” he added.

DSWD Undersecretary Romel Lopez said the agency is looking for funding to increase the number of beneficiaries of the social pension.

“We want to enroll more pensioners because now, there are only four million seniors covered and we want this increased. However, we need funds to do that,” Lopez added.

He pointed out, however, that there are some 400,000 elderly who are “waitlisted.”

Asked how the DSWD is able to check if a pensioner had already passed, the official said they have been working with the local government units on this.

Lopez said Gatchalian has been coordinating with lawmakers for the possible increase of the payout next year.

He added that aside from this, the DSWD is looking for ways to expand its other programs for indigent senior citizens, such as medical assistance.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Psalm 59:16

¹⁶ But I will sing of your strength,
    in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
    my refuge in times of trouble.

100k 4Ps fraudulent beneficiaries delisted

Bby J.Lo

“Turning over their ATM cards to loan sharks is one act that we are in the process of continuously cleansing, because they can be delisted from the program. It’s prohibited. And we have delisted many already,” Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) national manager Gemma Gabuya told reporters in a news briefing

DSWD has so far delisted about 100,000 families from the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) because of anomalies. 

This figure was “accumulated” over the years but has been “purged” by DSWD as of December 2023.

 “That pawning should not be the practice. It’s not the normal thing. But the law has no teeth yet, although we are glad that some local government units have issued ordinances to that effect. That’s why we want this to be included in the law – for it to stop,” she said. 

Gabuya revealed that the challenge for the DSWD is that they have to remove 1.2 million more beneficiaries this year so as to give other qualified families from the vulnerable sector the chance to avail themselves of the 4Ps program.

Of this figure, 200,000 beneficiaries are expected to “graduate” from the conditional cash transfer program this September, Gabuya said.  

She said they will “automatically exit” because these parents have no more children to send to school. 

So far, a total of 339,660 have already graduated from 4Ps.

“They can now stand on their own, financially, socially, economically. They are already self-sufficient. We didn’t abandon them, we took care of them and they’re now ready.”

Gabuya added that there are 4.4 million families comprising 4Ps and about 180,000 are in the “waitlisted” category. 

Those who will “graduate” from 4Ps, according to Gabuya, should also be given livelihoods so that they will be self-sufficient.

She said 4Ps “is not an income, that is why there has to be complementary assistance from other agencies. The funds cannot be used as capital for business, for instance.”

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Komedya o Komida

Ni Derek Jorge

Komedya sa korte

KASAMBAHAY kong kelot, mag-ingat-ingat sa inyong pagbibiro at baka makulong kayo ng dalawang dekada. Shout out muna sa apat na pastor kong kap3 sa Burol 2^nd Pandi, Eduardo Halili, Reimbert Yap at 2 iba pa ng Marked Men for Christ Philippines. Ipinabibilanggo ng Kataastaasang Korte ang lalaking nanghipo sa pang-upo ng isang babaeng teen-ager. Pinagtibay ng high court ang pasya ng mababang husgadong “clear, candid at categorical” ang naturang usapin.  Shout out din muna kina Binang First Bocaue, Bulacan Barangay Chairman Alfredo Quiambao, asahan ninyo ang buong suporta ng Komedya sa inyong pangasiwaan, brgy. Administrator Ricardo Sta. Ana, Lupong Tagapamayapa members Serapio Bautista, Reynaldo Dela Cruz, Mario Eustaquio, Oscar De Guzman, Alfredo San Juan, Victor Santiago, Helen Ayala, Necy De Vera at Orlando Sta. Maria, Izze Lizano. Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal, dapat magdahan-dahan ang aplikante seaman sa pagpirma ng kontrata, hindi sakay na lang nang sakay dahil kailangang kumita, pagkatapos pag nabihag na nang pirate saka ngangawa. Para lamang iyang pagkonsidera sa uri ng barkong sasakyan, anila’y pinakamalaking magpasahod ang tanker nguni’t mapanganib namang pumutok. Humilata na lang at ngumanga bahala nang kumalam sikmura. 17 Filipino seaman ang bihag ng pirating Yemeni. Itaas daw sa International Bargaining Forum ang usapin. Itinatag ang IBF noong 2003, usapan  ng mga  maritime employer, kinakatawan ng “Joint Negotiating Group”,  seafarers’ unions, hinggil sa sweldo at kondisyon ng patrabaho sa seaman. Batay sa  United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, pinakamalaking supplier ng seaman ang Pilipinas mula 2021,  400,000 Filipino seafarers overseas,  average, mula 2016 hanggang 2021, anang Maritime Industry Authority. Batay kay House secretary general Reginald Velasco, gumastos ang opisina ni Speaker, House Secretariat at House member ng P39,605,123 mula January hanggang October 2023.  P4,347,712 sa  Office of the Speaker, P35,257,411 sa  House Secretariat at iba pang kawani sa mga official trip. Binubusisi ng panel ni Parañaque Rep. Gus Tambunting sa utos ng plenaryo ang  SMNI report “fake news” , paglabag sa  probisyon ng legislative franchise nitong nakamit noong August 2019 para makakilos hanggang 25 taon, 2044. Jonathan Fernandez, muzta na, nagkakalimutan na tayo a. Problema ba, pag-usapan natin, ndgodino@yahoo.com.

20 years for lascivious conduct

By J.Lo

Man has to serve 14 to 20 years prison term for lifting teenager’s skirt and touching her buttocks.

In a decision penned by Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Antonio Kho Jr., copy has yet to be uploaded to the SC website, the high court found the testimony of the 16-year-old victim to be “clear, candid and categorical.”

The name of the defendant was not immediately available. The SC affirmed his conviction for lascivious conduct under Article III, Section 5(b) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

Aside from imprisonment, the defendant was ordered to pay the complainant a total of P150,000 as civil indemnity as well as moral and exemplary damages.

The SC rejected the defendant’s claim that the penalty “is disproportionate to the crime committed and the surrounding circumstances of its commission,” saying it is “duty bound to apply the law in full force and impose the proper penalty for the crime.”

Considering the penalty imposed, the SC said it is recommending the case to the Chief Executive, through the Department of Justice, “for study and consideration of the mitigation of the penalty imposed.”

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

1 Corinthians 2:9

⁹ However, as it is written:

“What no eye has seen,
    what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”^[a]—
    the things God has prepared for those who love him—

Footnotes

1. 1 Corinthians 2:9 Isaiah 64:4

Transport  group seeks ‘unity’ vs PUVMP

By J.Lo

“It’s apparent that the two warring  factions only intent in overtaking each other in terms of power, because both of them represent the country’s ruling elite,” said PISTON national president Mody Floranda.

warned public against being distracted by the recent spat between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former President Rodrigo Duterte, saying that they are equally responsible for the impending jeepney phaseout.

Word  war between the two erupted this week amid Marcos’  UniTeam alliance with Vice President Sara Duterte, with Marcos shrugging off the former president’s drug allegations against him as a sign of fentanyl side-effect.

Floranda, however, lambasted the two erring camps pointing out that they both “notoriously” pushed for the controversial Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), a move that could send thousands into unemployment.

“Instead of responding to the needs of Filipinos, especially the transportation sector who faces great danger while only getting alms in the form of a short extension given to our jeeps, it’s like Marcos and Duterte are fighting over who’s going to get their hands on modernization kickbacks first.”

Marcos earlier extended the consolidation deadline for PUVs until April 30 after countless protests and transport strikes.

The consolidation of jeepneys and UV Express units into cooperatives and corporations is a requirement under the PUVMP, a program aiming to transition drivers and operators into using eco-friendly minibuses and e-jeeps. 

PISTON and other transport groups earlier criticized this move, saying that the purchase of said vehicles — which could cost up to almost P3 million each — could bury operators in debt.

After the consolidation deadline, coops will only be given 27 months to modernize and leave their old vehicles behind. Those who could not consolidate by April 30 will no longer be permitted to operate.

PISTON further advised Filipinos to not be decieved by the personal “political maneuvers” of the said factions, reminding them to unite against real pressing issues.

“True unity is in the solidarity of Filipinos who are ready to advance our national and democratic interests,” said Floranda, while taking a jab at the Marcos-Duterte joint political slogan last 2022 elections.

The president earlier assured the public that his “UniTeam” with Sara is intact despite his recent exchange of words with the vice president’s father.

The Duterte patriarch  hurled expletives against Marcos calling him “bangag” (high), this while rallying members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines against their “drug addict” commander in chief.

Magic Men Australia to storm Manila in March

By Cynthia Montojo

“Magic Men is all about, well, it’s all about making women happy. The main goal of everything is about making sure the women are having a good time. So we provide them with entertainment, we also make sure that guys are very welcoming when they get there, ” Jeffrey said during the press conference last February 1. Australia’s worldwide sensation Magic Men is coming to the Philippines to heat up the stage with their one-of-a-kind live performances.  

Produced by Trifecta Brand Lab, Magic Men Australia takes center stage with 10 of its hottest male performers on March 16 and March 17 at Newport World Resorts.

The show features a diverse cast of performers that include Jeffrey Cornelius, Will Parfitt, Jaxon Human, Ceazr Smith and Carlos Fang.

Founded in 2014, Australia’s Magic Men gained a massive cult following due to their reputation for delivering entertainment that combines the art of seduction with sensual choreography, ultimately making them Oceania’s largest and leading male revue show in the adult entertainment industry.

With their blend of magic, dance and charisma, Magic Men transports audiences into a world of fantasy and delight.

From mind-bending fantasies to pulse-pounding dance routines, each moment of the show is crafted to leave spectators on the edge of their seats, craving for more.

Tickets for this exclusive event will soon be available for purchase at TicketWorld.

Concerts, events for February 2024

By Cynthia Montojo

February might be the shortest month of the year even with Leap Day this 2024. January is finally over, and but it’s still packed with things to go to.

Some could be heart’s dates ideas, while others can be simply opportunities to show one’s passions and fan support.

Here are several of the concerts, events, and productions happening in February:

‘Monet & Friends Alive’ (February 1 to 29 except Mondays)

French Impressionist painter Claude Monet is the latest subject of a multi-sensory experience in BGC Arts Center, which will also feature other artists of the Impressionist era.

Travel Tour Expo (February 2 to 4)

The 31st edition of the country’s biggest annual travel and tourism event will take place in SMX Convention Center in Pasay.

‘ENHYPEN: Fate’ (February 3)

K-pop group ENHYPEN are coming to the back to the Philippines, following up its sold-out three-night concerts at the Mall of Asia Arena last year with a one-night-only show at the New Clark City Stadium for their ongoing “FATE” world tour.

‘Pops Fernandez: Always Loved’ (February 9)

The Philippines’ Concert Queen returns to the stage at the Theater at Solaire! Come see the legend’s solo performance with her soulful tunes and timeless classics!

‘Nina: Only Nina’ (February 9)

Nina, the Philippines’ Soul Siren, will have a pre-Valentine one-night-only concert at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City.

‘Philippine Philharmonic Concert: Beethoven and Brahms’ (February 9)

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s sixth concert in its ongoing series at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater under the tutelage of musical director Maestro Grzegorz Nowak.

‘Cup of Joe: Seatbelts On!’ (February 9 and 10)

The pop-alternative band from Baguio is staging its first-ever solo concerts in Quezon City’s New Frontier Theater.

‘Side A: Live and Love’ (February 10)

With Valentine’s Day approaching, Filipino pop band Side A celebrates love through music. Experience a multitude of emotions as they perform at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.

‘Mr. Streisand’ (February 10)

Happening at the Music Museum in San Juan, Michael de Mesa, Arman Ferrer, Audie Gemora, Franco Laurel, Jett Pangan, and Michael Williams will perform their own takes of popular American actress-singer Barbra Streisand!

Adie, Rob Deniel, MRLD, Rhodessa, Janine Teñoso, and Arthur Nery: ‘ILYSM’ (February 13)

A wide variety of current OPM stars gather for a Valentine’s concert at the Araneta Coliseum, with special guest ALAMAT.

The CompanY: ‘Beautiful Day’ (February 14)

In addition to celebrating love on Valentine’s Day, The CompanY will also celebrates joy and hope in this fundraiser concert for the Kythe Foundation as they commemorate the 32nd Kythe Founding Anniversary and International Childhood Cancer Day.

Odette Quesada and Ogie Alcasid: ‘Love, Q and A’ (February 14)

OPM stars Odette Quesada and Ogie Alcasid, who know a thing or two about love, will be teaching such through song at the Newport Performing Arts Theater on Valentine’s Day. Through their repertoires of songs, expect a trip down memory lane with laughs and maybe a few tears.

Bituin Escalante: ‘With Love… Bituin’ (February 15)

This post-Valentine’s Day concert features one of the Philippines’ best female vocalists, Bituin Escalante! Watch as she and her jazz band entertain you with passionate, beautiful melodies and songs in JZA Hall of the Samsung Performing Arts Theater (the first of the JZA Hall Concert Series).

Rey Valera, Jamie Rivera, Jim Paredes, and Boboy Garrovillo: ‘Your Songs’ (February 16)

Rey Valera, Jamie Rivera, Jim Paredes, and Boboy Garrovillo will be bringing back the good times as they perform their classic hits and songs of love, hope, and resilience in Newport Performing Arts Theater!

Julia Fordham: ‘A Valentine Concert’ (February 16)

British singer-songwriter Julia Fordham will serenade you in this Valentine’s Day concert with classics such as “Happy Ever After.” Filipino balladeer Christian Bautista will be present for this occasion as the special guest, ensuring an unforgettable evening.

‘Rama, Hari’ (February 16)

With its 2023 run a resounding success, “Rama, Hari” returns by popular demand! The Filipino rock opera ballet will be performing at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater.

Inspired by the Sanskrit epic Ramayana, the production tells the story of the demigod Prince Rama, his wife Sita, and his enemy the demon king Ravana.

Art Fair Philippines (February 16 to 18)

Art Fair Philippines will again set up in Makati’s The Link Car Park with an expanded program that spotlights the Philippine visual arts as the fair fully embraces its identity as “the best in Philippine Contemporary Art.”

‘Rivermaya: The Reunion’ (February 17)

The classic lineup of the phenomenal Filipino rock band, Rivermaya, reunite for one night at the SMDC Festival Grounds! Relive the glory as the band performs the classics!

Park Hyung Sik: ‘SIKcret Time’ (February 17)

The Korean star of “Strong Girl Bong-soon” and “Our Blooming Youth” will have a fan meeting at the Araneta Coliseum.

Ryan Gallagher: ‘The Voice of Ryan’ (February 17)

The Voice USA 2020 Fan Favorite Ryan Gallagher, who impressed the audience with his rendition of Andrea Bocelli’s and Celine Dion’s “The Prayer,” will be having his first major performance in the Philippines at the Music Museum in San Juan!

Body Rock Asia (February 17)

Considered the “Superbowl of the Dance Community,” Body Rock will be holding its sole Asian qualifier in Theater at Solaire. Winners of this competition will be qualified to compete in the USA Finals!

OPM Stars: A Concert Part Celebration (February 21)

The ’70s and ’80s make a comeback at the Theater at Solaire as OPM legends Jun Polistico, Leah Navarro, Anthony Castelo, Sampaguita, and many more bring a magical night of nostalgia and tribute.

ALT 2024 (February 21)

The third collaborative project of nine foremost galleries who seek to reframe the art show, taking place at Hall 4 of the SMX Convention Center in Pasay.

Jonas Brothers (February 22)

Pop-rock band the Jonas Brothers will be kicking off the 2024 leg of its ongoing world tour in the Philippines, the brothers’ first time in the country in over a decade, as they continue performing the band’s five albums and greatest hits over the years.

Joey Generoso, Noel Cabangon, and Ice Seguerra: ‘Strings and Voices’ (February 23)

Joey Generoso, Noel Cabangon, and Ice Seguerra, equipped with their voices and guitars, will be serenading you for the evening in Newport Performing Arts Theater! This night is all about acoustic, as the strumming of their guitars will be taking you back.

Youngjae: ‘Inside Out’ (February 24)

The GOT7 member is returning to Manila following a solo fanmeet and a K-pop Masterz Ep. 2 performance in 2022 for a tour stop in New Frontier Theater.

Aegis: ‘Unbreakable’ (February 24)

Iconic Filipino rock band Aegis hits the Newport Performing Arts Theater stage with The Dawn!

Bobapalooza Music & Arts Festival (February 24 and 25)

The two-day festival in Filinvest Event Grounds is headlined by Pale Waves, Bad Suns, The Band Camino and Atarashii Gakko!, as well as several local artists.

“Le Corsaire” (February 24 and 25)

Lisa Macuja-Elizalde revamps her spin on one of Ballet Manila’s most thrilling classical ballets, “Le Corsaire.” Incredible ballet dances with virtuoso class music combined will make for two magical nights!

26 BIR officials halt

By J.Lo

“The suspension of 26 BIR officials shows our commitment to the Filipino people. You deserve only the best in public service. The BIR will continue to create a culture of professionalism and integrity under my watch,” Bureau of Internal Revenue commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. has ordered the suspension of 26 BIR employees charged with misconduct and various other offenses.

The BIR has approved formal charges with preventive suspension orders against 21 employees. Of the 21, 18 were implemented, with the remaining three due for implementation. The agency has also approved decisions for the suspension of five employees as a penalty.

The suspension of these officials was brought about by their acts which constitute grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, violation of reasonable office rules and regulations, violation of the anti-red tape act of 1997 and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.