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‘UN rapporteur to see freedom of expression in Ph’

By Nidz Godino

“Government is confident that through meaningful dialogues and meetings with government, media, civil society organizations and other stakeholders, Ms. Khan will see for herself transparency and progressive agenda of government with respect to promotion and protection of freedom of speech and expression,” Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan would see for herself “flourishing” Philippine democracy and government’s progressive agenda.

Khan, special rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, will visit Philippines from Jan. 23 to Feb 2,2024.

Third  special rapporteur to visit the country in 14 months, following special rapporteur for sale and exploitation of children Fatimah Singhateh in November 2022 and special rapporteur for climate change and human rights Ian Fry in November 2023.

DFA said Philippines , signatory to all eight core human rights treaties has completed five constructive dialogues in 14 months, starting with Committee on Rights of the Child and Human Rights Committee on civil and political rights in September and October 2022, respectively.

In 2023, country had dialogues with Committee on Migrant Workers, Committee on Elimination of Racial Discrimination and Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women in March, April and October 2023, respectively.

Philippines completed its 4th Universal Periodic Review in November 2022.

In December 2023, Philippines welcomed Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture for country visit pursuant to its obligation under Optional Protocol to Convention Against Torture.

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China pushed Pinoy fishers return WPS shell catch

By J.Lo

“Fishermen were instructed to return shells they had gathered to the sea and were subsequently driven away,” Philippine Coast Guard-West Philippine Sea (PCG-WPS) spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said China Coast Guard (CCG) harassed Filipino fishermen gathering taktakun shells earlier this month at Scarborough Shoal, ordering them to throw their catch back into sea and preventing one boat from departing until fishermen had complied.

Tarriela confirmed Filipino fishermen were harassed by CCG on Jan. 12, and were allegedly ordered to return shells they had gathered from Scarborough Shoal.

Tarriela said they were able to identify origin of videos circulating on social media, reportedly showed CCG personnel harassing Filipino fishermen at Scarborough Shoal, also called Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc.

Tarriela said witness, Filipino fisherman Jack Tabat, at 8:43 in the morning of Jan. 12 while aboard FB Legendary Jo, saw five members of CCG on board rubber boat with registration number 3104.

CCG’s rubber boat sounded its siren and went after one of Filipino fishing vessels and prevented other Filipino fishermen from taking shells  taktakun, local delicacy similar to snails or susu they had gathered from south side of shoal.

Four CCG members reportedly jumped from rubber boat and swam toward fishing vessel situated near shoal.

 “Tabat also documented one Chinese Coast Guard personnel grabbing fishing boat and preventing it from departing unless fishermen threw back their gathered sea shells into the sea,” PCG-WPS official added.

Other members of CCG chased other Filipino fishing boats also in the area.

FB Legendary Jo approached area to record incident on video, but as they got near they believed CCG rubber boat was about to chase them so they decided to return to their mother boat.

CCG personnel were also seen taking pictures.

“Currently, PCG is awaiting arrival of the fishing vessel this evening, which was subjected to China Coast Guard’s harassment. ..we intend to gather testimonies from fishermen as well,” Tarriela concluded.

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22 Enero 2024, Lunes

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Chickens, too, says SINAG after onion import suspension

By J.Lo

“As early as last week, we already recommended moratorium on importation of onions…obviously, farmgate price of onions is down, so we recommended suspension in importation of onions and we are commending DA for immediate action,” Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) executive director Jayson Cainglet said moratorium on importation of agriculture products should be practice of Department of Agriculture (DA) if there is slump in farmgate price of farm products, after Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel ordered suspension in outsourcing of onions.

According to Cainglet, poultry raisers suffer because of oversized chickens, amid flooding of imported frozen products in the market.

“Poultry raisers are forced not to release chickens in the markets, as there are no buyers. ..spend more for feeds if chickens stay in the farm,” he noted.

Laurel directed Bureau of Plant Industry to halt issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance until July as local harvest season started, as farmers in Nueva Ecija said farmgate price of white bulbs went down to as low as P18 per kilo.

 “The key word here is that the policies should always be timely, like release of subsidy, inputs, fertilizer. ..so, this moratorium to import is very timely amid slump in farmgate price of onions,” Cainglet said.

He added peak harvest season of onions will start in February until March.

“Bulk of onion farmers will already harvest. ..so, we commend DA for swiftness and timeliness of policies. ..even if you have policies, but are late, either you are not sincere or too slow or inefficient,” Cainglet said.

He added onion growers thanked Laurel for moratorium in importation of bulbs.

“We are happy he listened to industry, and this moratorium should be across commodities if there is slump in farmgate price like for palay, pork and chickens. .. data is crucial, so that if there is depression in farmgate, you can impose moratorium anytime,” Cainglet said.

On the other hand, Cainglet maintained infestation of armyworm at onion farms is isolated case, and not cause of slump in farmgate prices.

“Isolated case, otherwise farmgate price will increase as it means there is limited supply. ..armyworm is being highlighted but main issue is decline in farmgate price because of flooding of imported onions,” he said.

Cainglet said farmgate price for red onions should be at P80 per kilo, and white onions at P100 per kilo to ensure farmers will earn.

He added farmgate price of white onions reached as low as P18 per kilo amid oversupply.

“There are many supplies, and even if you store white onions in cold storage, weight decreases, farmers really suffer,” Cainglet said.

He said DA should also closely monitor retail price to ensure consumers benefit from lower farmgate price of bulbs.

“Also crucial for DA to monitor retail prices as it is possible that cost will increase because of speculation,” Cainglet added.

Based on of DA monitoring, retail price of local red onions ranged between P110 and P200 per kilo; local white onions between P70 and P140 per kilo; imported red and white onions, between P80 and P170 per kilo.

For his part, Gregorio San Diego, chairman of United Broiler Raisers Association (UBRA) and Philippine Egg Board, said local chicken raisers have been calling for suspension on importation of chickens amid flooding of imported frozen products in the market.

For his part, UBRA president Elias Jose Inciong said board will meet to tackle possible proposal for moratorium on chicken imports.

“Our priority is the implementation of laws that ensure competitiveness, fair trade, and decision-making process based on unmassaged data and information,” Inciong said .

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Komedya o Komida

Ni Derek Jorge

Sana Komedya lang iyan Jinggoy

DAHIL sa “due process”, makapanunungkulan pa bilang senador si Jinggoy Estrada habang hindi pa pinal ang hatol sa kanya ng Sandiganbayan. 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. Ang wala pa sa batas senior ay ang petrolyo, singil sa tubig at koryente.inaasahang iaapela ni Jinggoy ang hatol sa kanya ng “antigraft court”, motion for reconsideration , baka sakaling baguhin pa ang hatol na pagkakasala ng 3 ulit na panunuhol “one count of direct bribery and two counts of indirect bribery” sa sinasabing dawit sya sa  “pork barrel scam”, nanganganib syang masibak sa pwesto, magmulta at makulong  o abswelto. Hindi ba’t ganito rin ang sinapit ng kanyang amang dating president. Sayang na lang ang pagkakabalik nya sa senado. Kaya patawarin nyo na sya Redentor Oro at Noel Noble. 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. Hindi naman kailangang pumunta sa “University of Recto” para magpagawa ng resibong palalabasing pangingikil sa gambling lord. Bulok nang lakad yan, hindi naman siguro turo ng iyong superior officer yan, sino ginaya mo tata. Maninira ka ng pinagpala, “can’t put blessed man down”, dugay na sa  Manila, tonto pa gihapon? Yang resIbong iyan hijo, magagamit laban sa iyo yan. Ayaw kong sabihing “handler is owner”, cheap mo naman barya lang yan. Tatawanan ka ni Maj. Reyes nyan, hellow po, happy new year. Muzta kaya rating ng Sta. Maria police, alin kayang rating pinaka-sadsad sa Bulacan? Paanong hindi pasang-awa e outstanding yata sa row 4 si tata, walang iniintindi kundi bulsa. Nasabon siguro ni Mayor kaya nagpuputok ang butsi. Nagpalamig lang at umaatungal na naman. Kung tatawagin na ako ng aking amang Dios, una-una lamang naman yan, may nagkakasabay pero hindi madalas. Itong kasisibak lang sa serbisyong si Lt. Col. Mark Julio Abong, gun toting lang kaso nito, walang makukuhang benepisyo dahil hindi nagdahan-dahan nang pagkilos, basahin nyo na lang sa iskup, English kasi e.  e  ikaw tata, sindikato ng sugalan ang protection raket mo. Alam kaya ni PD yan o dalawin ko ang olivas, Gen. Hidalgo sir? Hindi ba kasisibak lang ng isang hepe sa Bataan, ganyan din lakad?

Nasa 80,000 hong pabahay ang nagawa ng gobyernong Marcos noong katatapos na taong 2023, 6 milyon sa pagtatapos ng kanyang termino sa 2028. Executive clemency na lang ang ultimo remedio sa leeg ni Veloso at kapag nabigo si Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo sa paglalakad nito, tigbak ang Pinay. Nasabat Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal si Veloso sanYogyakarta noong  Abril 2010 dala sa bagahe nito ang 2.6 kilong heroin nakatahi sa luggage nito. 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.

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CHED to dismiss commissioner

By Nidz Godino

“As to  CHED officials, appointed commissioners with pending serious charges should not be given assignments as chairs of  various SUC boards… if they have no delicadeza to resign, they should not be allowed to wield more power and influence over SUCs,” Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers noted Office of the Ombudsman has ordered  Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to dismiss commissioner Jo Mark Libre, after he was found guilty of nepotism and grave misconduct in  line of duty.

In  statement, CHED said it has already transferred Libre’s chairmanship of 24 state universities and colleges (SUCs) to other commissioners “to ensure  continuity of educational services and programs in  institutions.”

Ombudsman meted Libre  penalty of dismissal from service,  also means his retirement benefits save for accrued leave credits have been forfeited, and that he would be perpetually disqualified for reemployment in government service.

His dismissal was  result of complaints of his alleged recommendation of appointments of his relatives to work under his “immediate supervision.”

Libre had already been found guilty in 2019 by  Civil Service Commission of Davao region of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, fabrication of official documents, and conduct prejudicial to  best interest of service.

CSC said he has since been penalized and dismissed from service, but was still appointed by former president Rodrigo Duterte in 2020 as CHED commissioner until 2025, as his appeal against  CSC decision deemed  case ongoing and not final.

Senior  House member  asked CHED to stop appointing commissioners, who have pending charges, as heads of SUCs.

In  statement, Barbers said CHED should exercise discretion in making such appointments.

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21 Enero 2024, Linggo

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‘Neither coercion nor cash for people’s initiative’

By Nidz Godino

“There is no instruction from  higher ups to offer money, as far as I know… maybe it as  initiative of  individual or official. I, myself, won’t allow that,” House Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo gave assurance  there was no instruction from  House leadership to coerce signatories or offer cash incentives to push for  people’s initiative as  means to amend  Constitution.

Tulfo, representative of  ACT-CIS party-list, also denied  allegation of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio  signature buying for  initiative is rampant in Davao City.

Tulfo noted  even before  19th Congress,  House was already keen on amending restrictive economic provisions in Constitution, but  did not progress.

Before  Christmas break in 2023, House members realized  proposals for Charter change (Cha-cha) have not been moving, so they decided to push it this year.

“It was brought up, but never was it mentioned to force promote it by hook or by crook, and there were rumors  it would be a gift to  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his SONA ,State of the Nation Address this year there’s nothing like that… just discussed,” he added.

According to Tulfo,  House no longer interferes with  campaign for  people’s initiative, especially since session is about to resume on Monday and their hands are full with proposed legislation.

He said it is  People’s Initiative for Reform Modernization and Action or PIRMA that “keeps on doing it.”

“So, ball is now with  Senate, not with Congress, House…  Monday, we will pass many legislations, there are priority bills of  Marcos administration, so we will be focusing on them,” he added.

Barangay officials who will take part in  people’s initiative to amend 1987 Constitution will face sanctions, source from Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said.

DILG Undersecretary for barangay affairs Felicito Valmocina gave  warning as he stressed  department is taking  hands-off policy on moves to change provisions of  Constitution.

He said people who have information about barangay officials joining Cha-cha proponents may file  complaint before  DILG.

Among these are local officials helping people push for Cha-cha, who gather signatures from  public.

“If there are complaints against local officials, you may submit these to  DILG,” Valmocina said in news forum at  Dapo Restaurant and Bar in Quezon City.

Local officials found participating in efforts to amend  Constitution could be held liable, he said.

While barangay halls are off limits, Valmocina said Cha-cha proponents may use covered courts for their activities, provided they seek clearance from barangay officials.

“So, they would need large covered courts, to me, there’s nothing wrong with that if  barangay lets them use it,” he said.

Valmocina has received stories about barangay officials participating in efforts to shore up support for Cha-cha, but he declined to go into details in  absence of concrete evidence.

 DILG’s guidance to barangay officials, Valmocina said, is just to monitor  activities of groups pushing for Cha-cha, especially those who are getting signatures of people through harassment and intimidation.

“Barangays can investigate and make  report,” he said.

Meanwhile, over 100 members of various groups held  noise barrage at the University of the Philippines Diliman campus in protest of Cha-cha.

 Demonstrators  are composed of civil libertarians, lawyers, peasant advocates and farmers who have expressed their objection against  signature campaign to change  provisions of the Constitution.

Conference  was organized by  Sentro para sa Tunay na Repormang Agraryo (Sentra), Legal Assistance Center and Tanggol Magsasaka.

Sentra executive director Jobert Pahilga urged  public to oppose Cha-cha, as it will open  country to foreign domination and wholesale ownership of education, media organizations, advertising and public utilities.

“We must thwart  sinister attempts for never-ending Marcos presidency,” Pahilga said in a statement.

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Comelec may pause voter registration

By J.Lo

“We check if  person is real, if they are  active and registered voter, and we will compare their signature with our records,” Commission on Elections may have to temporarily pause its voter registration for  2025 midterm elections to allow its election officers to sift through  signatures collected in People’s Initiative seeking to change  Charter.

Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiangco said poll body has yet to begin its verification process of  ongoing People’s Initiative signature drive to change  1987 Constitution as  signature pages need to be submitted and certified first.

But if  People’s Initiative campaign “pushes through,”  poll body could pause its voter registration to give way to  verification of signatures as there is only one election officer per municipality and city, Laudiangco said.

Laudiangco said  about 630 municipalities and cities nationwide have already submitted their signature pages supporting Charter change. “Our election officers in nearly all segments have received signature pages. This is spread out across  country,” Laudiangco said.

But  Comelec officer explained there are still several steps before  poll body can start verifying  signatures.

After  submission of signature pages,  Comelec will certify these with  total number of signatures collected, Laudiangco said.

Once those behind People’s Initiative campaign submit petition, Laudiangco said,  Comelec will assess whetherer  signatures complies with  requirement of having at least 12% of  total registered voters in the country and each legislative district is represented by at least 3% of their registered voters.

Only after  Comelec has approved petition can election officers proceed to verification, Laudiangco said.

While Laudiangco said Comelec will have to carry out all tasks under its mandate as part of its constitutional duty,  voter registration process may need to be halted to allow each election officer to verify  signatures.

Comelec official also said  People’s Initiative campaign comes just in time as  poll body can cross-check  signatures with  information of those who will register as voters.

Minority lawmakers at  House of Representatives have called on  poll body to ensure  authenticity of  signatures collected in People’s Initiative campaign amid allegations of widespread vote-buying.

Comelec is expecting three million new registered voters ahead of  May 2025 midterm elections, bringing  total number of registered voters to 71 million.

Voter registration for  May 2025 midterms elections resumes on February 12.