DA won’t impose rice SRP

By Nidz Godino

“At present, we are not talking about that SRP Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. already announced that. We are focusing right now on our supply,” Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said imposing a suggested retail price (SRP) or price ceiling for rice is not an option for the Department of Agriculture (DA) amid reports that the retail cost of the staple has reached as high as P75 per kilo in the Bicol region.Increase in rice prices continues despite a report by the Philippine Statistics Authority that palay production in 2023 increased to 20.05 million metric tons compared to 19.75 million MT in 2022, according to Bantay Bigas spokesperson Cathy Estavillo on Wednesday.She said consumers do not feel the increase in palay production, noting that retail prices of rice in 2023 were the highest in 14 years.De Mesa gave assurance that the high retail prices of rice will be tackled during the meeting of the Cabinet to involve other agencies of the government.“We have the challenge of the El Niño and we want to ensure that we will be able to sustain it or at least minimize the impact of the El Niño by providing support to the farmers like seedlings, fertilizer and irrigation, especially small scale irrigation projects,” De Mesa noted.Based on monitoring of the DA, the retail price of local regular milled rice reached as high as P53 per kilo; local well-milled rice, P59 per kilo; local premium rice, P63 per kilo; local special rice, P68 per kilo; imported well-milled rice, P56 per kilo; imported premium rice, P62 per kilo and imported rice, P65 per kilo.Bantay Bigas had earlier issued a warning on the increase in hunger incidence amid the continued spike in retail prices of rice and that retailers have noted a drop in the volume of rice that consumers buy in the market. 

“At present, we are not talking about that SRP Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. already announced that. We are focusing right now on our supply,” Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said imposing a suggested retail price (SRP) or price ceiling for rice is not an option for the Department of Agriculture (DA) amid reports that the retail cost of the staple has reached as high as P75 per kilo in the Bicol region.

Increase in rice prices continues despite a report by the Philippine Statistics Authority that palay production in 2023 increased to 20.05 million metric tons compared to 19.75 million MT in 2022, according to Bantay Bigas spokesperson Cathy Estavillo on Wednesday.

She said consumers do not feel the increase in palay production, noting that retail prices of rice in 2023 were the highest in 14 years.

De Mesa gave assurance that the high retail prices of rice will be tackled during the meeting of the Cabinet to involve other agencies of the government.

“We have the challenge of the El Niño and we want to ensure that we will be able to sustain it or at least minimize the impact of the El Niño by providing support to the farmers like seedlings, fertilizer and irrigation, especially small scale irrigation projects,” De Mesa noted.

Based on monitoring of the DA, the retail price of local regular milled rice reached as high as P53 per kilo; local well-milled rice, P59 per kilo; local premium rice, P63 per kilo; local special rice, P68 per kilo; imported well-milled rice, P56 per kilo; imported premium rice, P62 per kilo and imported rice, P65 per kilo.

Bantay Bigas had earlier issued a warning on the increase in hunger incidence amid the continued spike in retail prices of rice and that retailers have noted a drop in the volume of rice that consumers buy in the market.

“At present, we are not talking about that SRP Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. already announced that. We are focusing right now on our supply,” Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said imposing a suggested retail price (SRP) or price ceiling for rice is not an option for the Department of Agriculture (DA) amid reports that the retail cost of the staple has reached as high as P75 per kilo in the Bicol region.

Increase in rice prices continues despite a report by the Philippine Statistics Authority that palay production in 2023 increased to 20.05 million metric tons compared to 19.75 million MT in 2022, according to Bantay Bigas spokesperson Cathy Estavillo on Wednesday.

She said consumers do not feel the increase in palay production, noting that retail prices of rice in 2023 were the highest in 14 years.

De Mesa gave assurance that the high retail prices of rice will be tackled during the meeting of the Cabinet to involve other agencies of the government.

“We have the challenge of the El Niño and we want to ensure that we will be able to sustain it or at least minimize the impact of the El Niño by providing support to the farmers like seedlings, fertilizer and irrigation, especially small scale irrigation projects,” De Mesa noted.

Based on monitoring of the DA, the retail price of local regular milled rice reached as high as P53 per kilo; local well-milled rice, P59 per kilo; local premium rice, P63 per kilo; local special rice, P68 per kilo; imported well-milled rice, P56 per kilo; imported premium rice, P62 per kilo and imported rice, P65 per kilo.

Bantay Bigas had earlier issued a warning on the increase in hunger incidence amid the continued spike in retail prices of rice and that retailers have noted a drop in the volume of rice that consumers buy in the market.

Ban those who joke about bombs

By J.Lo

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL), low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) and AirAsia Philippines are seeking the help of the Philippine National Police, the Manila International Airport Authority and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines to stop people from disseminating bomb threats or jokes.

 Local airlines are asking for help in banning persons or air passengers who make bomb threats or jokes.

In an interview with media, PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna and CEB spokesperson Carmina Romero said bomb jokes have a domino effect on flight schedules.

It would take two to three hours before the police would allow flights to resume after a thorough inspection of luggage and passengers, they added.

PNP-Aviation Security Group investigation chief Col. Gary Reyes yesterday said that under Presidential Decree 1727, making bomb threats or jokes is unlawful and suspects could face up to five years in prison and a P40,000 fine.

Bomb threats are also punishable under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 with a penalty of 12 years in prison.

Airlines are asking for stiffer penalties amid incidents of bomb scares last year at the Bicol International Airport on Oct. 2 and at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Aug. 18.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Mark 9:35

³⁵ Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

Komedya o Komida

Ni Derek Jorge

Komedya kalsada

IPINABABASURA kasambahay ng mga transport group ang palugit sa public utility vehicle modernization program. Pagbubunyi  muna’t pakikiramay sa pamilya Garin, naulila ng Pilipinong sundalong Israeli Sgt. First Class Cydrick Garin. Shout out muna kay Bocaue Police chief  Lt. Col. Manuel De Vera, salamat sa seminar ninyo sa Binang 1^st Katarungang Pambarangay. Hi to Kagawad Pablo De Guzman, Ezperanza Benedicto, Michelle Bautista, Rorielou Cando, Acemond Pineda, Mark Del Rosario, Alexander Malvar at Chairman Alfredo Quiambao, Administrator Ricardo Sta. Ana. Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal,  Lulusot na naman itong kakarag-karag na jeepney na magpatuloy sa paghahari sa kalye. Istayl nyo bulok, palitan na. kabi lang si Garin sa mga kawal Israel na nadaganan ng bumagsak na gusali sa pambobomba ng teroristang Hamas. Tubong San Mateo, Rizal, ginugol ni Garin ang buong buhay nitong 23 anyos sa Israel. Isnabin ba naman ni “god’s appointed son” Apollo Quiboloy ang paanyaya ni Sen. Risa Hontiveros e, hindi naman ito titigil hanggang hindi napapaupo sa lupon si ‘Buloy  Mabuti pa “anak ng dios” magpaunlak ka na kaysa makulong ka pa. Tatlo ho ang saksi laban kay ‘Buloy  na nakaniig daw nito nang napilitan. Kundi ba naman kulto yang itinatag mo e, labag sa banal na sulat ang espikikas na illegal a, lalo namang labag ang mamilit. Pangingikil ay sapilitang panghihinging labag sa loob ninumang mayroon man o walang ginagawang hindi tama.   Amicable  settlement ay paglalambing sa naaping hanay kapalit ng halaga ng salapi o anumang mungkahi ng nang-aping hanay. Dito ay sinisilaw ang pwedeng maghabol nang nakaaakit na halagang hindi niya mapahihindian. Patawarin ka Tata. Kinakastigo pa rin sa korte itong Marco Polo Hotel-Ortigas at Goldilocks sa hindi tamang pagpapatupad sa benepisyo ni lolo. Itong Sogo Hotel, napakaraming promo pero, huwag nyong itangging ang promong yan ay sa inyong kapakanan, kaya dapat pa ring idagdag ang batas sa mga lolo. Sya nga pala Kiwal, hindi napapansin pero kasama dapat sa diskwento ang pamasahe sa tricycle, barya lang nga yan pero malaking bagay kay lolo ang barya, hindi na nga makapagpangipin dahil pati barya, simot. Nasa 300 ruta kasambahay ang ilegal mula aprimero ng Pebrero, buwan ng pag-inig Kiwal. ito raw 313 ruta sa kalakhang Maynilsa ay hindi “consolidated” kaya batay sa modernisasyon ay magiging ilegal. Hindi nagbibiro si Tata Pilo na kulorum ang mga pasaway na hindi tumalima sa patakaran. 238 ruta daw ang mabubuting batang sumunod, 306 ruta ang may 60% sumunod. Karamihan naman dawn g kulorum ay nasa secondary route at halos walang problema sa mga pangunahing lansangan. Pero marami ring pasahero ang secondary route gaya ng Quezon Avenue-Magsaysay Bvd., Novaliches-Camarir, pritil-Rizal Avenue, kumusta kaya ang mga ito? 30k traditional jeepney raw ang kulorum sa buong bansa, gutom ang mga ito, ilan pa rito ang dalawa kinakasama. 76.6% raw naming tagumpay ang konsolidasyon. Sa mga pasahero, isasakay raw naman kayo nang libre ni Mayor Joy.  kasambahay, pakiramdaman ninyo, baka may pabahay dyan sa lugar ninyo, pakinabangan ninyo. Magkita-kita tayo mga Marked Men for Christ facilitators sa petsa 26, phase 2 seminar at phase 1 sa Baguio City, Febrero 21-23, maghanda-handa na tayo. Kung nais nyong makarating sa  korea sa Abril mayroong orientation sa jan 11 8am to 4pm sa GFWC , Plaridel, Bulacan,may food registration 150 pesos Sagot ng Korea  accomodation and food, Bale 12 days po tayo don kung makasama tayo. Kapag  nabigyan na tayo ng invitation ay visa at airfare balikan ,para poi to sa lahat ng church leaders ,pastor at wives, pators kids at young people leaders. Von voyage Thomas and Aida Capica. Ididiskwento ng Meralco nang hanggang syento porsyento sa singil sa koryente ang mga benepisyaryo ng 4ps. Kwalipikadong aplikante ay kailangang hindi kumukunsumo ng 100 kw.hr. DSWD, huwag naman nyong pahirapan mga aplikante. Dalawang buwan na lang at Marked Men for Christ sa Baguio na. Jonathan Fernandez, muzta na, nagkakalimutan na tayo a. Problema ba, pag-usapan natin, ndgodino@yahoo.com.

Demetriou complaint vs priest over unverified ‘miracle’ trashed

By J.Lo

“In view of the foregoing, it is respectfully recommended that the complaint against respondent Winston Ferdinand Roman F. Cabading be dismissed for insufficiency of evidence,” the resolution read Makati City Prosecutor’s Office has dismissed a perjury complaint that retired Sandiganbayan justice Harriet Demetriou filed against exorcist priest Fr. Winston Cabading last year.

In a resolution dated Jan. 19, Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Crystal Embido-Buenaventura said she found no probable cause to indict Cabading for perjury.

Demetriou alleged in her complaint that Cabading committed perjury when he made false statements in a petition before the Department of Justice on May 27, 2023.

In Cabading’s petition before the DOJ, the priest said that a papal decree of Pope Pius XIII on March 29, 1951 declared that the 1948 Lipa Marian apparitions had “no supernatural character” and that a 2015 Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith decree, which Pope Francis approved on Dec. 11, 2015, affirmed that the apparition was not of supernatural origin.

The Makati Prosecutor’s Office said in dismissing the case that there is no proof or any document proving that the statements of Cabading in his petition are false. It noted that the statements “are merely reiterations of the Vatican’s declarations and are not merely based on his opinions.”

In December 2022, Demetriou also sued Cabading for “offending religious beliefs.” She accused the priest of being a “rabid critic” of the Mediatrix of All Grace, whose supposed apparition happened at the Carmelite Monastery of Lipa in Batangas in 1948.  

Cabading said all his claims about the Lipa apparition were reiterations of the Vatican’s decision and the Catholic church’s teachings.

Transport groups want PUVMP deadline removed

By J.Lo

“Modernization is not just about consolidation and throwing to the junkyard our iconic jeepneys. .. should be about rejuvenating our transportation landscape to make it safer and more reliable to our commuters, and at the same time sustainable to our drivers and operators,” Senator Grace Poe saidtransport groups yesterday lauded the three-month extension of the deadline for the public utility vehicle modernization program, but said they preferred to see the PUVMP deadline lifted.

Manibela president Mar Valbuena said that while they welcome the extension, they want the government to remove all deadlines and to review the modernization policies.

The Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide said the extension is not enough and the group would continue to fight to keep jeepneys on the streets.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it would heed President Marcos’ order to extend the consolidation deadline for the PUVMP until April 30.

LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz urged operators and drivers “to take advantage of this opportunity provided by the President.”

But Senators Grace Poe, Imee Marcos and JV Ejercito welcomed the extension as they urged the affected sector to use the time to look for better solutions to the problem.

She cited the hefty price tag of modern units and “reports of idle units and missed amortization payments” by the consolidated groups as among the problems the PUVMP faces.

Marcos lauded the administration of her brother for listening to her earlier call to give the jeepney operators and drivers a reprieve.

“This is a good step in the right direction. However, this additional time should be used not only to allow jeepney drivers to consolidate. This period should be used to come up with a better solution to allow our jeepney drivers and owners to continue with their livelihood,” Marcos said.

Ejercito, in welcoming the extension, said the three months should allow for “more time for those who want to partner with the government to solve worsening transportation problems and offer reliable services to Filipino commuters.”

According to LTFRB, 313 routes within the National Capital Region do not have any consolidated transport service entity. It also noted that only 238 routes in Metro Manila have a consolidation rate of more than 60 percent and that 306 rates had less than 60 percent consolidation rate.

Over 38,000 jeepneys could be taken off the roads and will be deemed as illegally operating PUVs if the deadline was not extended.

But if it were up to Speaker Martin Romualdez, he would rather keep the decades-long image of diesel-fed engine jeepneys as a classic icon of the Philippines’ public transport system, amid efforts of the government to modernize them.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

James 4:10

¹⁰ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Komedya o Komida

Ni Derek Jorge

Komedya gyera

PAGBUBUNYI at pakikiramay sa pamilya Garin, naulila ng Pilipinong sundalong Israeli Sgt. First Class Cydrick Garin. Shout out muna kay Bocaue Police chief  Lt. Col. Manuel De Vera, salamat sa seminar ninyo sa Binang 1^st Katarungang Pambarangay. Kagawad Pablo De Guzman, Ezperanza Benedicto, Michelle Bautista, Rorielou Cando, Acemond Pineda, Mark Del Rosario, Alexander Malvar at Chairman Alfredo Quiambao, Administrator Ricardo Sta. Ana. Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal, kabilang si Garin sa mga kawal Israel na nadaganan ng bumagsak na gusali sa pambobomba ng teroristang Hamas. Tubong San Mateo, Rizal, ginugol ni Garin ang buong buhay nitong 23 anyos sa Israel. Isnabin ba naman ni “god’s appointed son” Apollo Quiboloy ang paanyaya ni Sen. Risa Hontiveros e, hindi naman ito titigil hanggang hindi napapaupo sa lupon si ‘Buloy  Mabuti pa “anak ng dios” magpaunlak ka na kaysa makulong ka pa. Tatlo ho ang saksi laban kay ‘Buloy  na nakaniig daw nito nang napilitan. Kundi ba naman kulto yang itinatag mo e, labag sa banal na sulat ang espikikas na illegal a, lalo namang labag ang mamilit. Pangingikil ay sapilitang panghihinging labag sa loob ninumang mayroon man o walang ginagawang hindi tama.   Amicable  settlement ay paglalambing sa naaping hanay kapalit ng halaga ng salapi o anumang mungkahi ng nang-aping hanay. Dito ay sinisilaw ang pwedeng maghabol nang nakaaakit na halagang hindi niya mapahihindian. Patawarin ka Tata. Kinakastigo pa rin sa korte itong Marco Polo Hotel-Ortigas at Goldilocks sa hindi tamang pagpapatupad sa benepisyo ni lolo. Itong Sogo Hotel, napakaraming promo pero, huwag nyong itangging ang promong yan ay sa inyong kapakanan, kaya dapat pa ring idagdag ang batas sa mga lolo. Sya nga pala Kiwal, hindi napapansin pero kasama dapat sa diskwento ang pamasahe sa tricycle, barya lang nga yan pero malaking bagay kay lolo ang barya, hindi na nga makapagpangipin dahil pati barya, simot. Nasa 300 ruta kasambahay ang ilegal mula aprimero ng Pebrero, buwan ng pag-inig Kiwal. ito raw 313 ruta sa kalakhang Maynilsa ay hindi “consolidated” kaya batay sa modernisasyon ay magiging ilegal. Hindi nagbibiro si Tata Pilo na kulorum ang mga pasaway na hindi tumalima sa patakaran. 238 ruta daw ang mabubuting batang sumunod, 306 ruta ang may 60% sumunod. Karamihan naman dawn g kulorum ay nasa secondary route at halos walang problema sa mga pangunahing lansangan. Pero marami ring pasahero ang secondary route gaya ng Quezon Avenue-Magsaysay Bvd., Novaliches-Camarir, pritil-Rizal Avenue, kumusta kaya ang mga ito? 30k traditional jeepney raw ang kulorum sa buong bansa, gutom ang mga ito, ilan pa rito ang dalawa kinakasama. 76.6% raw naming tagumpay ang konsolidasyon. Sa mga pasahero, isasakay raw naman kayo nang libre ni Mayor Joy.  kasambahay, pakiramdaman ninyo, baka may pabahay dyan sa lugar ninyo, pakinabangan ninyo. Magkita-kita tayo mga Marked Men for Christ facilitators sa petsa 26, phase 2 seminar at phase 1 sa Baguio City, Febrero 21-23, maghanda-handa na tayo. Kung nais nyong makarating sa  korea sa Abril mayroong orientation sa jan 11 8am to 4pm sa GFWC , Plaridel, Bulacan,may food registration 150 pesos Sagot ng Korea  accomodation and food, Bale 12 days po tayo don kung makasama tayo. Kapag  nabigyan na tayo ng invitation ay visa at airfare balikan ,para poi to sa lahat ng church leaders ,pastor at wives, pators kids at young people leaders. Welcome to the Philippines Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Capica. Ididiskwento ng Meralco nang hanggang syento porsyento sa singil sa koryente ang mga benepisyaryo ng 4ps. Kwalipikadong aplikante ay kailangang hindi kumukunsumo ng 100 kw.hr. DSWD, huwag naman nyong pahirapan mga aplikante. Dalawang buwan na lang at Marked Men for Christ sa Baguio na. Jonathan Fernandez, muzta na, nagkakalimutan na tayo a. Problema ba, pag-usapan natin, ndgodino@yahoo.com.

SC to decide people’s initiative issue

By Nidz Godino

“Maybe we should appeal to our compatriots, before signing, do not sign the rotating people’s initiative because the agenda is hidden. .. in the heavy and beautiful words about the constitutional amendment procedure,” Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III said

people’s initiative to amend the Constitution might be challenged by the Senate before the Supreme Court (SC).

Pimentel said the Senate is planning to file a petition before the SC or the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to stop the signature campaign for a people’s initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution.

Asked for details about the planned legal action, he said the Comelec could be questioned for “receiving signatures from an unknown entity and executing its ministerial duty of counting signatures.”

The case could be filed with the Comelec itself “to ask them to stop what they are doing,” Pimentel said, “and/or the SC to prohibit Comelec from continuing to do what they have been doing under their jurisdiction of a ministerial duty.”

The Senate minority leader said senators would hold a planning session this weekend to put “finishing touches” on the petition.

During the plenary session, Pimentel pointed out the issue raised by Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva of other possible steps or actions to be taken by the Senate to address the PI.

He supported Villanueva’s idea of launching a movement for those who have signed to encourage them to withdraw their signatures as the main idea was not really explained to them.

“Because the Comelec accepts the given paper with a signature so therefore Comelec is following a certain procedure. They said they have a resolution. But Comelec cannot give power unto itself. Therefore, there must have been a law authorizing the Comelec to receive these signatures and following procedures, pursuant to the resolution promulgated by the Comelec,” he said.

Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda said the 12 percent threshold requirement for voters’ signatures have been achieved nationwide, apart from the three percent in the district level.

“It’s already 12.1 percent. It’s a point of no return. Let the Commission on Elections validate the signatures. They should remove the signatures from voters who they find out have been forced or coerced. And even if they do, it has already exceeded the 12 percent threshold,” he disclosed.

“Why don’t they (senators) listen to the people? For what is the people’s initiative mode anyway? Let the Comelec validate the signatures. They can check them one by one. Let them pinpoint whose signatures were bought,” he stressed, following allegations of bribery in exchange for signatures.

At the same time, Salceda said it’s about time that Filipinos, and not only Congress, should have the option to choose what mode they want to undertake in changing the Constitution.

“Ultimately, over and above the House and the Senate, the people are supreme and sovereign. The people’s initiative is a valid mode of amending the Constitution. Neither the Senate nor the House can deny this,” the House ways and means committee chairman insisted.

Being the country’s chief executive officer, President Marcos should “broker” or defuse the “impending impasse” that Charter change has created between the Senate and House of Representatives, an independent opposition lawmaker proposed Wednesday.

“President Marcos must broker a solution to diffuse the impending impasse in order that the executive and legislative departments can truly focus on the overriding crises in the economy,” Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, president of the opposition Liberal Party, suggested.

The controversy, according to him, is “divisive and disruptive” following the 24 senators’ unanimous declaration rejecting people’s initiative as a way of amending the 1987 Constitution, while the House leadership indicated they are committed to it if turns out to be the people’s will.

“We welcome the change of heart on the part of our senators on Charter change. If they are serious, we should target to conclude this effort, which the House has been advocating since the 8th Congress, before we go on our Holy Week break on March 23,” he said.

For his part, Speaker Martin Romualdez said divisiveness in the bicameral Congress is the last thing he wants, as he called on their Senate counterparts to revive their pronouncements of convening into a constituent assembly for purposes of amending the 1987 Constitution.

“We don’t like divisiveness. There should be no division on this. That division is bad, I don’t want that divisiveness too,” he told said.

The House leader likewise declared he is ready to work with senators’ hand-in-hand as the people’s initiative signature drive has taken on another level, describing it as a “welcome development,” adding this has “always been the message” of his cousin, President Marcos.

“I’m one with the message of the President. It’s the option of the people. It’s their prerogative,” the Speaker said of people’s initiative, noting that amending “economic provisions” in the Charter has always been the “priority of the House.”

The Speaker said he can agree to disagree with the senators on their manifestation rejecting people’s initiative.

Even if they are political by nature and not prohibited from participating in political activities, barangay officials should refrain from gathering signatures for people’s initiative, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia said yesterday.

“Personally, I won’t allow barangay officials to interfere to show the public sentiment, to prove the legitimacy of signatures and it’s proper for us to proceed with verification,” Garcia said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on Wednesday.

He noted that barangay officials are considered “non-partisan” because they are prohibited from joining political parties.

But Garcia said barangay officials are allowed to support a candidate and join political activities.

However, Garcia explained that barangay officials, upon election to office, are already beyond the jurisdiction of the Comelec. Whether Comelec’s authority will extend beyond the election is still to be determined, he added.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)

is still seeking clarification from Comelec on whether or not barangay officials could participate in the signature campaign for Charter change, Secretary Benhur Abalos said.

Sen. Bong Go underscored yesterday the significance of the Constitution as a document “of the people, by the people, for the people” after all 24 senators have signed a statement opposing the ongoing attempt to amend the Constitution via people’s initiative.

The manifesto, read by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri during the regular plenary session of the Senate on Tuesday, emphasizes the risks associated with the current proposal that the Senate and House vote jointly, rather than separately, as a constituent assembly on constitutional amendments.

“As a member of the Senate… I will defend what is for the good of all. We will guard against any possible changes in our Constitution,” he affirmed, as he highlighted the importance of maintaining “checks and balances” within the government.

“We must protect the Senate as an important institution, let us protect the Constitution and the interest of the Filipino people,” he added.

While acknowledging the importance of every Filipino voter’s right to participate in the people’s initiative, Go expressed his disapproval on the current form being pushed, witness the Senate’s ability to safeguard public interest. 

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25 Enero 2024, Huwebes

Happy 90th birthday Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

condemns murder of Juan Jumalon

underboard nurses, be health care associates, inquire to DOH

HEADLINES

FMJ extends PUVMP deadline by 3 months

By Nidz Godino

“President Marcos has approved a recommendation of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, granting an additional three months until April 30, for the consolidation of public utility vehicles,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a statement President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved a three-month extension of the consolidation of public utility vehicles (PUV) as some groups are calling on the government to resolve issues in the implementation of a program designed to modernize the sector.

The new deadline for the consolidation of PUVs – a key component of the PUV modernization program (PUVMP) – is April 30, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said yesterday.

 “This extension is to give an opportunity to those who expressed intention to consolidate but did not make the previous cut-off,” Garafil added.

Under the PUVMP, transport cooperatives will be created and entitled to benefits like state subsidies and access to credit facilities to aid in modernizing their fleets and run them in a “systematic and predictable manner.”

The deadline for the consolidation of PUVs lapsed last Dec. 31.

Initially, PUVs that did not consolidate their franchises before the deadline were permitted to ply select routes only until the end of this month.

About 38,000 out of the more than 150,000 PUVs have not undergone consolidation.

The PUVMP aims to make commuting and public transportation operations “more dignified, humane and on par with global standards” and provide a “safer, more efficient, reliable, convenient, affordable, climate-friendly and environmentally sustainable” transportation system, according to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Some transport groups, however, have claimed that the program would displace thousands of transport operators and drivers.

The House committee on transportation approved yesterday a resolution appealing to Marcos to “reconsider” the government’s extension of the Dec. 31, 2023 deadline for the PUVMP.

Presided over by committee chair and Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop, committee members Santa Rosa, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez manifested the approval of a pre-drafted resolution urging the Chief Executive to delay a little bit more the full implementation of the PUVMP.

“While the intention is beyond question and considering that the modernization of public transportation is long overdue, the needed reforms must be done in accordance with law and due process to ensure the protection of the affected stakeholders and the riding public in general,” the resolution stated.

The LTFRB is in the process of consolidating the franchise of PUV owners, and Fernandez prefers that Marcos and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) extend the PUVMP deadline.

Members of the Acop committee did not object to the manifestation, wherein the DOTr was asked to extend the franchise consolidation deadline until “the government can come up with a concrete plan to address the major issues in the implementation of the program.”

The franchise consolidation is a focal part of the PUVMP.

As the deadline had already lapsed, the LTFRB allowed drivers of “unconsolidated” jeepneys to continue plying routes only until the end of this month.

For another lawmaker, the past LTFRB under the Duterte administration may have been partly to blame for the problems now besetting the PUVMP for jeepneys.

“The LTFRB is not really prepared for the PUVMP. They didn’t seem to know how they will implement the program; it seems that they didn’t have any consultation at all with the jeepney drivers and operators,” Bulacan 2nd District Rep. Augustina Pancho said.

Speaker Martin Romualdez yesterday also committed to drivers of traditional jeepneys that he would personally raise to Marcos their concerns regarding the PUVMP.

In a consultation meeting with jeepney drivers from various organizations, Romualdez said he does not want traditional jeepneys out of the roads as they have become a symbol of the country.

He said he would ask the LTFRB to review the program again and to look for better options for jeepney drivers.

“You have our support. Jeepneys should not be phased out… Rest assured, there is a Speaker that listens to you, and I will ask the LTFRB to extend (the PUVMP deadline), if possible,” Romualdez said.