“In present case, we have thoroughly reviewed records and are convinced petitioners have failed to sufficiently prove their allegations… basic rule in evidence that burden of proof lies on party who makes allegations,” Second Division’s resolution read, Sandiganbayan has dismissed forfeiture case against several alleged cronies of late former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and his widow, former first lady Imelda Marcos, seeking to recover in favor of government shares of stocks in Eastern Telecommunications Philippines Inc. (ETPI), allegedly illegally acquired during martial law.
In 19-page resolution promulgated on Jan. 10, court’s Fourth Division granted respective demurrers to evidence filed by defendants, prayed for dismissal of case on ground of supposed weakness or insufficiency of evidence presented by Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG).
Granted were demurrers of defendants Rosario Arellano, Victoria Legarda, Angela Lobregat, Benito Nieto, Carlos Nieto, Manuel Nieto III, Ma. Rita Delos Reyes, Carmen Tuazon and Ramon Nieto Jr.
Likewise granted were demurrers filed by legal representatives of deceased defendants Ramon Nieto, Benigno Manuel Valdes and Rafael Valdes.
“However, despite protracted opportunity afforded, sum of plaintiff evidence failed to preponderate to their favor,” said resolution penned by Associate Justice Lorifel Pahimna with concurrence of Associate Justices Michael Frederick Musngi and Georgina Hidalgo.
Meanwhile, proceedings against several other defendants who did not file their demurrer will continue. Filed by PCGG at Sandiganbayan in October 1997, suit docketed as Civil Case No. 0178 seeks to recover in favor of government 3,305 shares of stock in ETPI.
PCGG, represented in court by Office of the Solicitor-General (OSG), said shares were held in trust for Marcos couple but were registered in names of their supposed cronies, dummies or business associates.
Two other defendants in the case Andres Africa and Rosario Songco already passed away and were not being represented by their heirs.
In its resolution, Second Division sided with defendants’ argument PCGG failed to present any evidence or witnesses that would prove their ETPI shares were ill-gotten or that funds used to acquire their shares belonged to government or to any government banks or financial institutions.
Furthermore, Second Division said PCGG also failed to prove defendants were merely holding their ETPI shares in trust for benefit of Marcos family or of Marcos spouses’ close business associate Manuel Nieto.
Court said PCGG, through OSG, also failed to “show credibly purported fraudulent transfer and recording of shares in individual names of defendants were undertaken to conceal its true ownership, allegedly part of ill-gotten wealth of Marcoses.”
Anti – graft court’s Third Division, in decision promulgated on Dec. 4, 2019, had awarded in favor of government P2.756 billion worth of stocks in ETPI under names of Jose Africa and Manuel Nieto Jr., small individual shareholders and Aerocom Investors and Managers Inc., transferred its ETPI shares to ISM Communication Corp. on July 11, 2005.
Supreme Court upheld Third Division’s decision on Oct. 3, 2023.
However, while Civil Case No. 0009 and Civil Case No. 0178 are closely related as they involve allegedly ill-gotten ETPI shares, cases have different sets of defendants, thus Second Division had earlier ruled to proceed with its own trial of latter case.
“Now, we can report that there are no more active NPA ,New People’s Army guerrilla fronts as of December 2023…we will continue to fight for this, ”President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said with no more active communist guerrilla fronts as reported by military, government can now claim success in its fight against local terrorism.
In video message posted on Facebook, FMJ attributed gains in campaign against armed threats to vigorous operations of security forces and to coordination among defense and intelligence agencies.
“Performance of AFP ,Armed Forces of the Philippines is good. .. performance of police is good and coordination of SND ,secretary of national defense,Department of National Defense and all our intelligence agencies is good… working together, that’s why our campaign against internal terrorism is a success,” he added.
Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil clarified having zero guerrilla fronts means there are no more active NPA strongholds, but there are still communist rebels.
In his post, FMJ said government was able to neutralize 1,399 members of communist and local terrorist groups in 2023.
Total of 1,751 firearms were captured, recovered or surrendered during the period, FMJ added.
Earlier this month, AFP reported no more active guerrilla NPA fronts because of its intense and focused military operations. NPA is the armed wing of communist rebels.
Military was able to dismantle eight and weakened 14 communist guerrilla groups last year.
Last December, nine NPA members were killed in series of clashes in Bukidnon.
Government forces recovered eight high-powered firearms, assorted ammunition and personal belongings after armed encounters, Philippine Army said.
At recent press briefing, National Security Council assistant director general Jonathan Malaya claimed NPA is now at its weakest in its 55 years of existence, saying number of its combatants has gone down to less than 1,500.
Last November, government and National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) signified their readiness to go back to negotiating table to settle their decades-old conflict peacefully.
In their joint statement issued in Oslo last Nov. 23, Marcos administration and NDFP, political arm of Communist Party of the Philippines, agreed to seek “principled and peaceful” resolution to conflict by addressing its root causes.
Officials have expressed hope that final peace agreement that would end longest-running Maoist rebellion in Asia is doable under Marcos administration.
After cozying up with communists during early part of his term, former president Rodrigo Duterte terminated his peace initiatives with rebels, citing their “acts of violence and hostilities” and their supposed push for power-sharing set-up that is against Constitution.
FMJ earlier described decision to start fresh talks with rebels as “bold” and “meaningful” step towards reconciliation and unity.
“In Traffic Index, we use representative sample of this data, spanning 551 billion kms., to assess and show how traffic has evolved in cities around globe throughout 2023,” read methodology used for index, traffic further worsened in Metro Manila in 2023, resulting in an estimated 117 hours ,almost five days lost in traffic congestion last year by every Filipino who had to deal with rush hour every working day.
2023 Traffic Index, released by transportation data company TomTom Traffic, found drivers in Metro Manila spent average of 25 minutes and 30 seconds to travel 10 kilometers in 2023, slowest among 387 metro areas included in the study.
This was up from average of 24 minutes and 40 seconds it needed for Metro Manila drivers to travel 10 kms. in 2022.
From ranking second in 2022, Metro Manila took top spot among metro areas in 2023 index, overtaking Bogota in Colombia, dropped to fifth (23 minutes and 30 seconds).
Following Metro Manila were Lima in Peru (24 minutes and 20 seconds), Bengaluru in India (23 minutes and 50 seconds) and Sapporo in Japan (23 minutes and 30 seconds).
For comparison, some of largest metro areas in Southeast Asia , Singapore, Jakarta in Indonesia, Bangkok in Thailand and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia ,clocked less than 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, in terms of traffic in city center, Manila ranked ninth, same as in 2022. Index said it took average of 27 minutes and 20 seconds to travel 10 kms. in busiest parts of the city last year, slower by 20 seconds in 2022.
London in United Kingdom is still slowest city in city center list (37 minutes and 20 seconds), followed by Dublin in Ireland, Toronto in Canada, Milan in Italy, Lima in Peru, Bengaluru and Pune in India and Bucharest in Romania.
TomTom Traffic said index is based on floating car data, collected from various sources it uses to create traffic services for its clients and customers.
Ranking of metro areas is based on traffic in entire region, including “rural areas in close proximity,” while city center ranking covers radius of 5 kms. covering busiest parts of the city.
Cities were classified as megacities, large and small. Manila is considered large city.
“Travel time in different cities is result of multiple factors, can be grouped into quasi-static factors , road infrastructure, such as street categories, capacities, and speed limits and dynamic factors , traffic congestion and changes in flow,” it added.
According to TomTom Traffic, Dec. 15 was worst day to travel through Manila in 2023, with average of 31 minutes and 50 seconds to drive 10 kms. It was last payday Friday before Christmas.
Based on report, average driver in Metro Manila spent 240 hours on the road last year, including 117 hours due to congestion.
It resulted in average of 1,027 kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per car per year, including 304 kgs. due to congestion.
Ralf-Peter Schäfer, TomTom’s vice president for product management of traffic, travel and routing, stressed need to think beyond congestion to solve traffic problem.
“Traffic shouldn’t just be about managing cars or making situation better for cars, we need more than that,” he said in Q&A published on site’s website.
Schäfer cited examples such as cities of Amsterdam in Netherlands and Copenhagen in Denmark, invested in biking and pedestrian infrastructure.
“Amsterdam is famous for bikes, not just because it’s flat and cyclable, but it’s thanks to excellent cycling infrastructure, includes segregated cycle lanes, bike parking and legislative hierarchy protects most vulnerable road users,” wrote Matthew Beedham, editor at TomTom Traffic.
“Amsterdam also has robust public transit network and many pedestrian walkways and pedestrianized zones…all this lightens load on roads and helps keep people moving, regardless of their chosen mode of transport,” he added.
According to index, drivers and commuters in Metro Manila could save about 47 hours and reduce CO2 emissions by 201 kgs. per year if they would be allowed to work from home on Fridays.
It could be as high as 147 hours and 608 kgs. of CO2 emissions if work from home setup is extended to three days per week ,Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Index said worst day and time to travel in Metro Manila is Friday, from 5 in the afternoon to 6 in the evening when driving 10 kms. took average of 35 minutes and 30 seconds.
20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
“Let’s not deceive people that we need Charter change to solve society’s problems… not the answer to stomach aches, unemployment, coming El Niño and constant increase in price of basic commodities,” Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said Senate would most likely not support effort of House of Representatives to have 1987 Constitution amended, with many congressmen insisting that Congress would vote jointly and not separately.
Charter change was one of “pressing urgent concerns” discussed during all-member Senate caucus, less than two weeks before resumption of second regular session of 19th Congress on Jan. 22.
Sixteen senators attended session.
While senators are bound to uphold secrecy of discussions in executive session, some of them issued statements to media expressing their opposition to efforts to amend Constitution.
Villanueva called to “stop deception and threats just to prioritize personal interests of those who are greedy to stay in office. Stop denying our countrymen aid just because they did not sign petition of so-called people’s initiative.”
“Just be honest…we know real reason why they insist on dissolving Senate is to control power under unilateral or single Congress…above all, they want to extend their terms,” he noted.
National lead convenor of People’s Initiative for Reform Modernization and Action (PIRMA) revived its advocacy to amend 1987 Constitution via people’s initiative and admitted its goal is to see senators and congressmen “voting jointly” on Charter change proposals.
PIRMA national lead convenor Noel Oñate confirmed his group was behind signature campaign in various areas in the country. He added PIRMA aims to finish signature drive by June at earliest and signatures will be submitted to Comelec.
Speaker Martin Romualdez said lawmakers will make another pitch for constitutional amendments this year, focusing on economic provisions deemed “very prohibitive.”
Like Villanueva, Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito said, “there are too many problems to fix, too many challenges need attention, early political bickering and Charter change will surely affect goals have been laid down.”
“Personally, I would rather concentrate on surmounting these challenges…it’s all about timing,” Ejercito said.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri led executive session held for about four hours but not all 24 senators were able to attend meeting in Makati City.
“Four-hour long meeting was well-attended, with 16 senators in attendance… few senators were still on their break and were unable to join,” stated Viber message from office of Zubiri.
Aside from Zubiri, other senators present at executive session were Senate President Pro-Tempore Loren Legarda, Villanueva, Senators Nancy Binay, Ronald dela Rosa, Jinggoy Estrada, Sonny Angara, Ejercito, Mark Villar, Lito Lapid, Sherwin Gatchalian, Cynthia Villar, Pia Cayetano, Risa Hontiveros and Francis Tolentino.
Senators Bong Go and Raffy Tulfo did not give any confirmation for meeting. Some information indicated Go had to attend to family concerns while Tulfo had conflict in schedule as he had to preside over hearing of Senate committee on energy, he chairs.
Four senators sent regrets from abroad: Alan Peter Cayetano in Singapore, Imee Marcos, Robinhood Padilla in Europe and Grace Poe in United States.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III and Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. failed to attend due to illness.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will look into allegation of Senator Marcos that agency’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) was being used to gather signatures in support of Charter change via people’s initiative.
“I will coordinate with office of Sen. Imee so I can get details and I can look into matter immediately,” Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said on sidelines of 73rd founding anniversary of DSWD.
Gatchalian gave assurance AICS and other social protection programs of DSWD “adhere strictly to their guidelines, with no additional requirements.”
He said he will make sure that all DSWD field offices are following guidelines of these programs and “that no additional requirements will be asked from clients.”
“We implement our programs in accordance with guidelines and laws, DSWD does not participate in the ongoing people’s initiative,” he said.
Charter change through people’s initiative being pushed by certain sectors is just cover for President Marcos to stay in power beyond 2028, former DSWD secretary Judy Taguiwalo said.
Taguiwalo, convenor of People’s Summit, said proponents of Cha-cha are blaming 1986 EDSA Revolution and 1987 Constitution to absolve themselves from inequalities made by worse by Marcos’ father, late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
“Cha-cha for economic development is just cover for Marcos family’s plot to stay in power beyond 2028, we reject this insidious attempt of Marcoses to consolidate their hold on power on pretext of pursuing reform and development,” she said.
She said what is more important is for government to end export-oriented, import-dependent, debt driven economic policies of past and pursue national industrialization and genuine land reform as foundation for developing domestic production and expanding employment and consumption.
MASAGANANG bagong taon para sa may 360 pamilyang benepisyaryo ng Phase 1 Ciudad Kaunlaran Project, bigyan ka ba naman ng bahay at lupa kung hindi happy new year mo. Happy birthday muna kay Binang First Secretary Michelle Ayala-Santos, more birthdays to come. Sa mga hindi nakarating sa orientation ng Korean trip, sa isang taon na lang uli. Ang byahe ngayong taong ito ay sa Abril at Hulyo. Shout out din kay Bocaue Municipal Engineer Miguel Castillo, paki asikaso po ang reklamo sa Sitio Bihunan, Binang First, pinakialaman na ang muhon, wala pang building permit. Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal hindi pwedeng galawin ninuman ang muhon ng bawat lupa maliban sa inhinyero. Nai-turn over na ang certificate of occupancy sa mga taga-Bacoor City, Cavite, kasambahay, pakiramdaman ninyo, baka may pabahay dyan sa lugar ninyo, pakinabangan ninyo. Ang P2 ng CKP ay inaasahang matatapos sa 2025. 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. Paglabag daw ho sa “freedom of expression” ni retired military officer Johnny Macanas Sr. ang pagkastigo sa kanya sa korte ni CPNP. Sobra naman kasi ang kalayaang ibig nito, gamitin ba naman ang litrato ni PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr.,paano naman ang karapatan ni Acorda Johnny boy. Baka nga naman isipin ng commander-in-chief totoo ang marites mo’t si Junior ang kapural. Ngayon naghahanap ka ng abogado, anong klaseng sundalo ka, walang poresight. Hindi raw ho natawa ang madlang people sa komedya ni Filipino-American comedian Jo Koy sa hosting ng Golden Globe Award, hindi nakuha ng madla ang puchline, practice pa more. Kararating lang ng dokumento mula Tacurong City para sa pabahay ng mga Badjao, Shout out muna kay Settlements sect. Acuzar. 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.
“My fellow Filipinos, these two gentlemen embody values of competence, integrity and deep sense of responsibility that we look for in our government leaders,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.said newly appointed Finance Secretary Ralph Recto took his oath, amid avalanche of praise from various quarters and peers, with FMJ voicing confidence in his new official’s capability to ensure fiscal sustainability while keeping inflation down.
FMJ also swore in Frederick Go, former Robinsons Land president and chief executive officer, as special assistant to the president for investment and economic affairs.
Former finance chief Benjamin Diokno, meanwhile, took his oath as member of Monetary Board before Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona Jr.
Both new officials were accompanied during oath taking by their families, including Recto’s wife, veteran actress and former lawmaker Vilma Santos.
At press conference at Malacañang, FMJ said appointment Recto and business leader Go would reinvigorate economic team,has to deal with daunting task of slowing inflation, managing public debt and bringing in investments as country moves toward recovery.
FMJ believes Recto would be major player in maintaining country’s economic growth, meet and even surpass its medium-term fiscal targets and achieve developmental targets.
“He will promote not just ease in paying taxes, but also in efficiently and effectively spending those collections, because citizen’s reward for tax compliance should be better and more responsive public services,” FMJ said.
“He will continue to help devise strategies that will tame inflation through basket of responses, ranging from plugging supply gaps to injecting non-monetary measures so that prices will be stable,” he added.
As former senator and congressman, FMJ is confident Recto would leverage his influence in both houses of Congress to pass bills that accelerate growth, draw in investments and create better jobs while raising funds that would be invested back for human development.
He said he has also tasked his new finance chief to be at forefront of administration’s anti-smuggling drive, as well as in its pursuit of tax cheats, starting with habitual ones he said have raised tax evasion not just into art but into business.
“And when seductive call of populism beckons, I am sure Secretary Recto will counsel us on merits of fiscal discipline, to remind us of price tag of dreams and to stick to kind of stewardship that bequeaths no huge generational debt for our children,” FMJ said.
As his former colleague in House and the Senate, FMJ cited Recto for “being fastidious” with examination of appropriations of national budget, of revenue and economic numbers.
“We have always suspected he sleeps with General Appropriations Act under his pillow and treats Tax Code as leisurely reading, and his copy of Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing is probably most dog-eared book in his house,” FMJ said.
FMJ also hailed his former finance secretary, Benjamin Diokno who, he said, has chosen to return to his “natural habitat,” Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
“We are not changing horses in midstream…we are continuing policies that we had laid out from beginning,” FMJ said when asked about revamp in DOF.
In his remarks, Recto vowed to focus on boosting tax collection, which is projected at P4.273 trillion.
“Number one is to collect for next year, I think P4.3 trillion in taxes, P3 trillion with BIR ,Bureau of Internal Revenue, P1 trillion with BOC ,Bureau of Customs and I think Treasury has P300 million, it’s all about fiscal sustainability, so every night, when I wake up in the morning, tax collected should be more or less P20 billion to fund all needs of our people, requirements of government and to make sure money is spent wisely,” Recto said.
He would work on passing pending revenue measures.
Recto said there will be no major policy changes in DOF as he would be guided by Philippine Development Plan and 8-point Economic Agenda.
Diokno, for his part, said new finance chief would inherit department and economy that are on solid footing.
“I am proud knowing that I will be leaving my post at time when Philippine economy, in general, and DOF, in particular, are in better state of affairs than when I inherited them,” Diokno said.
Rest of economic team also threw their support behind their latest member.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman is confident that Recto would pick up from where Diokno left off, as she referred to latter as economic team’s guiding light.
“Sec. Diokno established very good foundation for our economic transformation so I am confident we can continue this under Sec. Recto, legislator with executive branch experience and can merge these experiences to pursue our desired reforms,” Pangandaman said.
Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) also welcomed Recto’s appointment, noting his experience is necessary to promote Philippine economic growth through implementation of effective fiscal policy.
“Country needs experienced economist who can navigate ongoing challenges of this operating environment, and Secretary Recto is ideal fit for this job,” BAP president Jose Teodoro Limcaoco said.
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) also welcomed the appointment of Recto as finance secretary.
“As we acknowledge the invaluable contributions of outgoing Secretary Benjamin Diokno to the growth of the economy under the Marcos administration, we welcome the appointment of Deputy Speaker Ralph Recto as his successor, NEDA looks forward to working with Secretary Recto and rest of Cabinet to realize President Marcos’ goal of securing better future for Filipinos through sustained economic growth and inclusion,” NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said in statement.
Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) called Recto “valuable addition” to Marcos administration’s economic team.
“Senator Recto is perfectly suited for the job…he has experience, expertise and political backing that are critical if he is to oversee strengthening of country’s economic and fiscal positions, we look forward to continue working and collaborating with government to drive our economy forward,” PCCI president Eunina Mangio said in statement.
Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual also expressed full support for Recto.
“We at DTI are fully committed to fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth in our country…we will continue to work closely with economic team in realizing President’s economic priorities,” Pascual said in statement.
Makati Business Club also congratulated Recto on his appointment. “Mr. Recto’s previous stints in NEDA, House of Representatives and Senate including his authorship of Expanded VAT law of 2006 (RA 9337) will serve administration and country well as we address growing financial and economic challenges,” MBC said.
For senators, Recto is perfect choice for leader of economic team. “Recto is both competent and hardworking… adept at economics and finance…we have seen him work, he also has good relations with people… DOF will be in good hands with Ralph at helm…he will be able to lead and traverse our economic sustainability during challenging times… I am happy for him and for our country,” Senate President Pro-Tempore Loren Legarda said.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III called Recto’s appointment “well-deserved,” as he wished him luck “on his assumption to difficult job at very turbulent moment.”
Sen. Sonny Angara, Senate committee on finance chairman, “can attest to new secretary’s political acumen and sterling intellectual abilities.”
“He is a good friend and, as legislator for several decades both in House and Senate and as former NEDA chief, Sec. Recto is able and capable addition to President Marcos’ Cabinet in ensuring we continue to sustain economic gains we have thus far achieved,” Sen. Francis Escudero said.
“Deputy Speaker Ralph as finance chief is perfect choice because of his extensive experience as economist and his contribution to country’s financial restructuring as NEDA chief and legislator,” Sen. Nancy Binay said.
Like her colleagues, Sen. Grace Poe lauded choice of Recto as one of country’s top economic managers.
“We don’t only have assertive and bold Batangueño at helm of DOF, but seasoned lawmaker and economist who can steer our financial state to progressive path, I am certain Sec. Recto will use his competence, compassion, hard work and brilliance to better lives of people,” Poe said.
Former Senate president Franklin Drilon also praised Recto’s appointment. “Having served alongside him in Senate for impressive 12 years , three years as Senate President Pro-Tempore when I was Senate President we have witnessed firsthand his profound understanding of needs of Filipino people,” Drilon said.
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada said Recto can expect “smooth-sailing” confirmation process at Commission on Appointments.
Recto’s party, Nacionalista Party, called his appointment “ testament to administration’s determination to strongly push country’s economic recovery and success.”
Meanwhile, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said chamber has yet to determine how to find a replacement for Recto.
FMJ turns over Bacoor housing units to relocated residents
By Nidz Godino
“As immediate response, we expedite their relocation to new housing safe, high-quality, comfortable and has well-organized community,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in his speech government remains committed in its goal of building six million houses until 2028. FMJ turned over housing units to hundreds of families in Bacoor City, Cavite affected by Manila Bay cleanup.
Total of 360 families received their units under Phase I of Ciudad Kaunlaran project.
Once completed, Phase I will be composed of nine five-story buildings totaling 540 housing units.
FMJ also led groundbreaking ceremonies for second phase of project, involves construction of two five-story low-rise buildings, consisting of 120 housing units.
These resettlement projects in Barangay Molino II form part of relocation sites identified for informal settler families affected by Supreme Court mandamus to clean up Manila Bay area.
The target completion for turnover of all housing units under Phase I will be before March. Second phase is expected to be completed by first quarter of 2025.
Writ of continuing mandamus by SC issued in 2008 directs Department of Environment and Natural Resources and other government agencies to clean, rehabilitate and preserve Manila Bay.
Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino or 4PH Program aims to build 6.15 million housing units until 2028, end of Marcos admin
Country’s housing backlog was estimated at 6.8 million based on Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.
FMJ said National Housing Authority (NHA) was able to construct over 80,000 housing units nationwide in 2023.
He said government has also provided shelter to Filipino families, including P700-million budget through Emergency Housing Assistance Program for families who were affected by natural and man-made disasters last year.
“It is your government’s desire to maintain sufficient funds to meet housing needs of many… NHA continues to develop and implement housing program for Filipino families,” FMJ said.
FMJ also led Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)’s 73rd anniversary celebration in Quezon City on Friday.In his remarks, He reminded DSWD personnel to continue serving public with care and compassion.
“You are country’s social welfare forces, always on red alert, in country where distress calls from disaster victims and disadvantaged sectors never end, as you put our people out of harm’s way and on to road to recovery and better life, always serve your clientele with care and compassion as you have been doing.” Chief Executive said.
Marcos said DSWD’s budget increased to P245 billion from last year’s P196.5 billion.
19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
KOMEDYANTE rin itong si dating pangulong Digong, hindi raw nya inaabogade ang himpilan ni Quiboloy. Happy birthday muna kay Binang First Secretary Michelle Ayala-Santos, more birthdays to come. Nabondat si Kiwal, bulati kong kikiwal-kiwal sa handa ni sect., pansit canton at sphaghetti, may extention pa sa tahanan ni Chairman Alfredo Quiambao, kaya lang na-low bat si administrator Ricardo Sta. Ana. kakausapin daw ni Digong “indirectly” si Pangulong FMJ, paano kaya yun, telepono, zoom, radio, hindi naman pwede sa SMNI dahil sarado. Pero ang paksa ay itong pasaway SMNI. Nilalakad ng Davaoeno ang saradong station, hindi rin kasi nya mai-ere ang “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa.” Ano Kiwal, hindi sya makapagmura, bakit hindi ba iniedit ng SMNI pagmumura? Nagmamaktol lolo mo dahil hindi hindi mautusan MTRCB na buksan ang pasaway. Hindi ba’t ganyan din ang nangyari sa ABS-CBN noong araw, social media ka na lang muna tata. Pero hindi naman pakikialaman ni Lolo ang pagbusisi sa pasaway at wala naman talaga syang magagawa roon. Wala naman daw nakitang palso ang NTC, ngayon, pinintasan naman NTC, ‘di ba dyan din nagsimula pagsasara sa kapamilya noong araw? Itatama raw nakaraang pagkakamali, mababawi pa ba naisuka na sa ere. Hirap sa inyo, pinabili lang ng suka announcer na. Shout out muna kay Bocaue, Bulacan Municipal Local Government Operation Officer Bernadette Salazar,municipal agriculturist Rosemarie Galingana. 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. Paglabag daw ho sa “freedom of expression” ni retired military officer Johnny Macanas Sr. ang pagkastigo sa kanya sa korte ni CPNP. Sobra naman kasi ang kalayaang ibig nito, gamitin ba naman ang litrato ni PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr.,paano naman ang karapatan ni Acorda Johnny boy. Baka nga naman isipin ng commander-in-chief totoo ang marites mo’t si Junior ang kapural. Ngayon naghahanap ka ng abogado, anong klaseng sundalo ka, walang poresight. Hindi raw ho natawa ang madlang people sa komedya ni Filipino-American comedian Jo Koy sa hosting ng Golden Globe Award, hindi nakuha ng madla ang puchline, practice pa more. Kararating lang ng dokumento mula Tacurong City para sa pabahay ng mga Badjao, Shout out muna kay Settlements sect. Acuzar. 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.
ISKUP! 