5 solons eyed to replace Tolentino in BRC

By Nidz Godino

“In fulfillment of  sacred commitment to serve as Blue Ribbon committee chairman and member of  Commission on Appointments for  concise term of one and  half years, I find it both  duty and  honor to uphold  essence of  prior agreement,” Sen. Francis Tolentino resigned from his post as chairman of  Blue Ribbon committee to honor his agreement with  Senate leadership he would be serving in  panel for only one and  half years.

At  press conference, Tolentino stressed  he made  same agreement as  member of  Commission on Appointments.

 “This decision is rooted in  deep-seated belief  public office demands fidelity to pledges made,” he added.

In addition to his plan to campaign for his reelection bid in 2025, Tolentino noted he relinquished  post to focus on his other duty as chair of  Senate special committee on maritime and admiralty zones.

New  special committee, he said, was made all  more important due to  escalating maritime conflict in West Philippine Sea, such as China Coast Guard’s use of water cannons and dangerous maneuvers against Philippine resupply ships to Panatag and Ayungin Shoals.

“An additional reason is my desire to fortify and solidify our claims pursuant to  2016 Arbitral Ruling… special maritime committee is important for our fisherfolk as well as for our national security,” he added.

Tolentino promised to pass  new maritime zones law as well as  archipelagic sea lanes law as chair of that committee.

Despite letting go of his Blue Ribbon committee post, Tolentino said  committee on accountability of public officers  tasked to investigate “malfeasance, misfeasance and nonfeasance” in government  has investigated  sugar importation mess, Department of Education’s overpriced laptop deal,  vaccine procurement nondisclosure agreements and ghost irrigation projects. 

He denied claims he resigned due to superstition that  previous chairs of powerful committee TG Guingona and Richard Gordon  failed in their reelection bids.

He cited as  exception late former senator Joker Arroyo,  chaired  committee but won his reelection bid in 2007.

Tolentino said  next panel chair should “recognize  duty of  Blue Ribbon is above everything else, whoever it is against.”

Among those eyed to replace Tolentino in  committee are Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Sonny Angara and Francis Escudero. 

Cayetano was chair of  Blue Ribbon committee during  Arroyo administration, during  he investigated  anomalous national broadband network deal with ZTE and  fertilizer fund scam, among others.

SMNI Duterte, Badoy shows suspended

By Cynthia Montojo

“Upon careful review and consideration of recent events and complaints received by board, it was found  certain aspects of  above-mentioned programs may have violated  established guidelines and standards set by Presidential Decree 1986 and its implementing rules and regulations governing broadcasting content,”  Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has imposed  14-day preventive suspension order on two programs of  Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI)  featured former president Rodrigo Duterte and his former administration official Lorraine Badoy.

MTRCB  said it issued  suspension order on “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa” and “Laban Kasama ang Bayan”  became effective last Monday.

MTRCB said  suspension was  result of  “thorough review and investigation” on supposed violations on show’s aired content.

It added it received multiple complaints regarding  alleged death threat made on show “Gikan sa Masa,” but did not directly name Duterte as  guest.

SMNI had committed to pre-recording and reviewing episodes, but another complaint on alleged death threats and profane language was filed regarding another episode last month.

“Laban Kasama ang Bayan” was suspended over  unverified report claiming  Speaker Martin Romualdez has travel funds amounting to P1.8 billion.

Badoy and co-anchor Jeffrey Celiz were recently detained at  House of Representatives after they were cited in contempt over  unverified report.

House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro welcomed  suspension.

“This suspension is long overdue, but at last, now something has been done to curtail  constant redtagging, spreading of disinformation,fake news and threatening of individuals using these two shows as well as  network,” Castro said in  statement.

She hope  MTRCB decision “marks  start of SMNI and  people behind it being accountable.”

“Authorities should look into pattern and consistent red tagging, terrorist-labeling for longer and more decisive measures,”  lawmaker said.

Castro earlier filed grave threat charges against Duterte over  alleged death threat he uttered on Gikan sa Masa.

Militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)  also welcomed  MTRCB’s decision.

MTRCB action is  vindication of Bayan’s complaints against SMNI’s alleged red-tagging and disinformation, according to group’s chairman Teodoro Casiño.

“I hope  MTRCB also considers  many other incidents when these two shows spewed false and defamatory content, including death threats and malicious imputations of serious crimes against innocent people,” Casiño said in statement.

Former   lawmaker on Monday filed P2.1-million suit against Badoy and Celiz who he said have “falsely, maliciously and repeatedly” accused him of being involved in terrorism and rebellion.

Casiño said  lies and incitement against him and other activists, government critics and members of  opposition are much worse than  incidents cited by MTRCB.

He added  regulatory body could use their complaints as basis in reviewing  violations of  hosts and SMNI.

National Union of Journalists of the Philippines also  supports suspension of  SMNI shows. Certain NUJP members have complained of being red-tagged by Badoy,  former spokesperson for  National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

“While we are wary of government censorship, we note network was given due process on its potential violations, due process that was not given to  individuals and organizations  Badoy-Partosa and Celiz brazenly defamed on their show,”  NUJP said in  statement issued earlier. 

Former  lawmaker  filed  P2.1-million civil suit against SMNI hosts Lorraine Marie Badoy and Jeffrey Celiz.

In filing  case, former Bayan Muna representative Teddy Casiño said Badoy and Celiz have been “falsely, maliciously and repeatedly” accusing him of being involved in terrorism and rebellion as  supposed ranking official of Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army and National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

“They have been constantly spewing lies, aspersions, inciting ridicule and hate against me, my family, my fellow activists and our legitimate political beliefs and activities,” Casiño said.

He said  reason for filing  case was also for the “sake of other activists and ordinary citizens” victimized by  SMNI.

According to Casiño’s lawyer, Kristina Chi,  civil complaint is for damages under Articles 19, 20 and 21 of  Civil Code, provide remedies against people who abuse their rights.

Chi enumerated several malicious public statements  “red-tagged and maligned” Casiño.

Among them were utterances of Badoy and Celiz in their talk show aired on SMNI, allegedly calling Casiño “ liar, thief,  enabler of criminal and terrorist acts and  risk to national security.”

Chi also cited  open letter of Badoy on Facebook addressed to  parents of students in De La Salle Greenhills, warning them not to let their children go near Casiño due to his supposed involvement in  terrorist group.

Celiz  remains unperturbed by  civil case, describing  move as  form of “harassment and intimidation.”

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Luke 2:1

The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.

Luke 2:4-5

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

Gov’t. pursues rights-based approach vs drugs, terrorism

By Nidz Godino

“Plan is  blueprint for embracing  most vulnerable in peaceful, prosperous and humane communities  uphold  highest expression of human dignity,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin stated  Human Rights Coordinating Council will be created to sustain current initiatives under United Nations Joint Program on Human Rights (UNJP) that  country entered into with  UN to promote human rights-based approach to drug control and counterterrorism.

Philippine mission in Geneva said  Bersamin represented Philippines and presented  government’s three pledges aimed at strengthening human rights and accountability mechanisms and  rule of law in the country, during  pledging session of  UN Human Rights 75 High-Level Event commemorating  75th anniversary of  Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in Geneva, Switzerland .

Bersamin reaffirmed Philippines’ commitment to  principles and ideals embodied in  UDHR.

He said  Philippines is committed to pursuing comprehensive justice sector reforms, including  establishment of  training institute for forensic science and investigation to scale up forensics capability and competence of law enforcement and justice authorities based on  Minnesota Protocol.

Bersamin said  Human Rights Coordinating Council will be created to sustain current initiatives under  six work streams of  UNJP on human rights, will end in August 2024.

Launched in 2021,  UNJP is  three-year technical cooperation and capacity-building program  supports government and non-government institutions in critical areas, including safeguarding civic space and engaging with civil society and Commission on Human Rights. It also strengthens reporting mechanisms for accountability and promotes human rights-based approaches to drug control.

Philippines will adopt its fourth National Human Rights Action Plan encompassing emerging human rights issues, such as climate justice and rights of older persons.

UDHR was adopted by  United Nations General Assembly on Dec. 10, 1948 in Paris, France, in  aftermath of  Second World War. It enshrines  universality and indivisibility of human rights and has been  blueprint for human rights regime building over  past seven decades.

Two-day High-Level Event brought together dignitaries from various parts of the world to present tangible and transformative human rights commitments to reinvigorate  UDHR.

Komedya o Komida

Ni Derek Jorge

Komida lotto

KASAMBAHAY na opisyonado ng lotto hindi mo na kailangang lumabas ng iyong tahanan para bumili ng tiket at kahit pa kumolekta ng premyo dahil may magandang balita ang Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). Ipinaaabot ng mga naulila ng yumaong Danilo Caudio Delos Santos ang pasasalamat sa lahat ng nakiramay sa oras ng kanilang pagdadalamhati. Sa mga mahihilig sa exotic food, tikman ninyo ang chichaworm.  Pinasinayaan ng PCSO ang PCSO E-Lotto app. On line gaming itong dahil nga hindi ka na lalabas ng bahay kaya ligtas. Trial pa lamang naman ito sa loob ng papasok na taong 2024, maglalabas ng QR code para sa website. Pagbati kay PCSO general manager Mel Robles, anya’y magrerehistro ka sa website at lilikha ng e-wallet na magagamit sa paglalaro. Hakbang din ito ng gobyerno laban sa illegal lottery.hindi naman apektado ang face to face lotto.  Pagagamitin ka ng Filipino sim, Philippine registered phone.  . Shout out din muna kay Bea Caalim. Maligayang bati Ginoo at Gng. Aristides Valdez, mabuhay ang bagong kasal.    Jonathan Fernandez, muzta na, nagkakalimutan na tayo a. Problema ba, pag-usapan natin, ndgodino@yahoo.com.

Farmgate price of onions, P40/kilo – SINAG

By J.Lo

“Imported onions have started to arrive as local harvest will start in January to February and we expect  retail price of onions to go down,” Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG)chairman Rosendo So said  farmgate price of onions went down by P40 per kilo in  Ilocos region amid high demand for  bulbs this holiday season.

So added  21,000 imported onions started to arrive, to prevent  possible spike in retail prices after reaching  high of P720 per kilo in December 2022.

All  21,000 metric tons of imported onions should arrive on or before Dec. 31 after allowing  procurement of 17,000 metric tons of red onions and 4,000 metric tons of white bulbs, Bureau of Plant Industry Director Glenn Panganiban said.

“Last year,  DA,Department of Agriculture  was at fault after it did not allow importation of onions despite our recommendation so we don’t expect  spike in  retail price,” he added.

Based on monitoring of DA in Metro Manila markets,  retail price of local red onions ranged between P120 and P220 per kilo; local white onions, between P100 and P160 per kilo; and imported white onions, P80 and P160 per kilo.

At the same time, So said  wholesale price of upland vegetables already declined with  expected demand this Christmas.

“Almost half of price of upland vegetables in Benguet, already decreased…carrots are now at P17 to P30,  decline is big… price of vegetables has normalized,” he noted.

So said  retail price of medium-sized eggs should range between P8 and P8.20 per piece as  farmgate price was only pegged between P7 and P7.30 per piece.

DA monitoring revealed  retail price of medium-sized eggs went as high as P9 per piece.

For his part, United Broiler Raisers Association and Philippine Egg Board chairman Gregorio San Diego said  farmgate price of chicken remains low at P91 per kilo.

San Diego said  retail price of eggs was higher in supermarkets, adding that based on monitoring, retail price of one dozen eggs ranged between P134 and P135 or P11.17 and P11.25 per piece

iskup news-on-line daily is creation of Godino’s Advertising Agency, Trece Martires City, Cavite  

18 Disyembre 2023, Lunes

Klinpix Janitorial and Pest Control Services is hiring riders with units of college or equivalent in non-formal training, pretty account executives (college graduates), drivers, graphic artist  09916444376

HEADLINES

Transport groups 2-wk strike vs jeepney phaseout starts

By J.Lo

“We hope  before  end of the week, President Ferdinand  Marcos Jr. will hear our pleas… I call on our fellow drivers and operators to make  stand until President Marcos hears us and implement maximum tolerance on  streets,” Manibela president Mar Valbuena said  two-week strike  starts today and runs until Dec. 29 will push through as  yearend deadline to phase out traditional jeepneys in the country draws near.

Over 60,000 public utility vehicles could be phased out as  Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) officially issued  order revoking  franchises of units that do not comply with  consolidation requirement

“What  LTFRB gave us was headache because starting Jan. 1, our franchises will be revoked if we fail to consolidate,” Valbuena said.

Under Memorandum Circular 2023-051, all provisional authorities issued to individual operators and for routes without consolidated transport service entities will be deemed revoked by Jan. 1, 2024.

Mody Floranda, president of transport group PISTON, said country could face transport crisis if  yearend consolidation deadline is imposed.

Valbuena said drivers and operators would gather at 8 in the morning at  Monumento Circle in Caloocan City. “Those coming from  Camanava, we will stage  protest and there will be strike centers nationwide, especially in  National Capital Region, Region 3, Region 4, Calabarzon, Visayas and Region 1.”

He also said members of other transport groups will join  transport strike.

“At least 85 percent of members of Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations already joined us and 65 percent of Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines… not important whether you are from Manibela, Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON)…this is  fight for drivers and operators,” he said.

LTFRB signed  memorandum on Dec. 14,  first day of  transport strike of PISTON.              

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Luke 1:68-70

⁶⁸ “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
    because he has come to his people and redeemed them.
⁶⁹ He has raised up a horn^[a] of salvation for us
    in the house of his servant David
⁷⁰ (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),

Footnotes

1. Luke 1:69 Horn here symbolizes a strong king.

Kabayan poised for landfall over Mindanao – PAGASA

By J.Lo

“Due to frictional effects associated with landfall, Kabayan is forecast to weaken over land and  possibility of being downgraded into  low pressure area while over land or after emerging over  sea is not ruled out although in such case, re-development may still occur over  Sulu Sea,” PAGASA said.

Philippines’  11th tropical cyclone Tropical Depression Kabayan,  may make landfall over Mindanao Sunday evening or early Monday, according to country’s weather agency.

Kabayan was last spotted 440 kilometers east of Davao City in Davao del Sur, with maximum peak winds of 55 km per hour near  center and gusts of up to 70 kph.
PAGASA said Kabayan is likely to maintain its strength until its initial landfall over Mindanao. But  weather bureau is not ruling out  possibility of  cyclone reaching tropical storm category before landfall.

Moving north northwest slowly, Kabayan is likely to make landfall along coast of Surigao del Sur or Davao Oriental tonight or early Monday.

PAGASA placed  following areas in Mindanao under Wind Signal No. 1:

• Southern portion of Samar (Basey, Santa Rita, Marabut, Talalora, Villareal, Pinabacdao)
• Southern portion of Eastern Samar (Maydolong, City of Borongan, Quinapondan, Guiuan, Lawaan, Balangiga, Llorente, Giporlos, Salcedo, Balangkayan, General Macarthur, Hernani, Mercedes)
• Leyte
• Southern Leyte
• Bohol
• Camotes Islands
• Dinagat Islands
• Surigao del Norte
• Surigao del Sur
• Agusan del Norte
• Agusan del Sur
• Northern portion of Davao Oriental (Cateel, Boston, Baganga)
• Northern portion of Davao de Oro (Monkayo, Laak)
• Misamis Oriental
• Camiguin
• Northern portion of Bukidnon (Impasug-Ong, Malitbog, Manolo Fortich, Sumilao, Libona, Baungon, Cabanglasan, City of Malaybalay)

 Weather  agency warned  “minimal to minor impacts from strong winds” are possible in any of  areas under Wind Signal No. 1.

Surge  of northeast monsoon or amihan will also bring gusty conditions for  next two days to  following areas not under any wind signal, especially in coastal and upland areas:

• Batanes
• Babuyan Islands
• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• Aurora
• Bataan
• Bulacan
• Rizal
• Quezon province
• Lubang Island
• Marinduque
• Cuyo Islands
• Bicol region
• Visayas
• Northern and eastern portion of mainland Cagayan
• Eastern portions of Isabela and Nueva Ecija
• Portions of Cordillera Administrative Region, Zambales, Pampanga, Cavite, Mindoro provinces

PAGASA said  parts of Visayas and Mindanao will experience heavy rainfall due to Kabayan.

Sunday

• 100 to 200 mm: Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands and Southern Leyte
• 50 to 100 mm: Eastern Visayas, Davao region, Northern Mindanao, rest of Caraga

Monday

• 100 to 200 mm: Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands and Southern Leyte
• 50 to 100 mm: Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao and rest of Caraga

Rainfall is expected to be higher in mountainous areas. This may result in flooding and landslides, particularly in areas highly susceptible to these hazards and those that have experienced significant rainfall in recent days.

Shear  line, weather system formed when cold and warm winds converge,may also bring heavy rainfall to  eastern portion of southern Luzon Sunday and eastern portion of Luzon Monday.

After making landfall in Mindanao, Kabayan is projected to cross  region’s rugged terrain and emerge over Bohol Sea or Sulu Sea Monday morning or afternoon.

Kabayan will move across  Sulu Sea south of Cuyo Islands for  remainder of Monday and into early Tuesday.

Cyclone  is forecast to make another landfall over central or southern Palawan as  tropical depression by Tuesday morning. It may pass near or over  Kalayaan Islands in  West Philippine Sea.

PAGASA noted  projected track and intensity of  tropical depression could change due to its nature and strength.

Philippines has so far endured fewer storms in 2023 than in any of the past 25 years. So far this year, only 11 have made landfall or come close.  Archipelago  is usually affected by around 20 cyclones a year.

Forecast position

• Dec. 17, 2023 8 p.m. – 160 km east southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur
• Dec. 18, 2023 8 a.m.  – Over the Macajalar Bay
• Dec. 18, 2023 8 p.m. – 220 km west of Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental
• Dec. 19, 2023 8 a.m.  – Over the coastal waters of Aborlan, Palawan
• Dec. 19, 2023 8 p.m. – 205 km east southeast of Pagasa Island, Palawan
• Dec. 20, 2023 8 a.m.  – 125 km west southwest of Pagasa Island, Palawan (outside PAR)
• Dec. 21, 2023 8 a.m. – 510 km west southwest of Pagasa Island, Palawan (outside PAR)

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5 business deals to be signed in Tokyo

By Nidz Godino

“More than five definitely,” Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said when asked how many business deals would be inked during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s visit in Tokyo, Japan.

More than five business deals with Japanese firms are expected to be signed on  sidelines of  Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Japan Commemorative Summit.

Pascual, member of  Philippine delegation to summit, said  signing of memoranda of understanding (MOU) indicates  seriousness of  business groups in investing in the country.

 “It’s their expression of interest to invest in the Philippines, expression of Japanese companies…some are MOUs between Philippine companies and Japanese companies. I don’t want to discuss details of this…maybe we’ll talk about it later,” he added.

But at press briefing, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Daniel Espiritu said new agreements to be signed include those involving  creative and information technology sectors.

Pascual said  government is inviting foreign investors to operate in the Philippines so they could create higher quality and better paying jobs.

“It’s part of  present policy of administration… inviting foreign investors to come to the country… Japanese investments are most welcome… among  largest investors in the Philippines, among all  nationalities that have operations in the country,” he said.

FMJ  is in Japan to attend  summit. This was his second visit to Tokyo and his 19th overseas trip since becoming president in 2022. 

Philippines’ total trade with Japan amounted to $23.49 billion last year, 10.9 percent higher than  $21.83 billion in 2021, government data showed.

Japan is also  second largest trading partner of the Philippines in 2022. Priority sectors for investment promotion to Japan include manufacturing, information technology-business process management, electronic design services, public-private partnership projects, agribusiness and aquaculture, according to the Presidential Communications Office.

Japan was  second export destination and third import source of the Philippines in 2022 and its largest source of official development assistance as of June 2023.

Responding to critics of Marcos’ visit, Pascual said there are investments that materialize even if they are not among  pledges made during President’s trips.

“While at end of each trip, we announce certain investment leads, in reality, there are more  happening outside those in our lists. We run economic briefings and we, in the process, explain what we have to offer in the country, and  attendees are those who are interested to hear, but have not made any expression of interest or commitment to invest,  number of them, surely, are convinced during  discussion and once they have verified their research, they will come in our list of investment leads… if you notice,  approvals being made by BOI ,Board of Investments and PEZA ,Philippine Economic Zone Authority are not limited to companies or investments that are in  list of presidential visits,”  trade chief said.

He explained  idea of investment promotion is not just about signing MOUs or receiving letters of intent but “inviting  broader audience” to take  look at  Philippines and decide for themselves how their investments could have  strong potential in the country.   

“There are more and there will be more beyond those that have actually expressed their interest at the time we are in particular country,” he added. 

For Speaker Martin Romualdez, President’s trip to Japan is vital to security, peace and progress in the Philippines and in entire ASEAN region.

“President Marcos’ presence at this landmark event is  powerful symbol of  Philippines’ unwavering commitment to strengthening its ties with Japan and further elevating our collective partnership within  ASEAN bloc,” he said in  statement.

He added summit “presents  unique opportunity to not only celebrate past achievements but also chart  brighter, more prosperous future for our region.”

Romualdez,  part of the President’s official delegation,  is hopeful that  Chief Executive would play  key role in advancing crucial discussions on key regional issues, including enhanced Japan-Philippines economic cooperation.

He said  Marcos’ giving priority to infrastructure development, renewable energy and digital transformation aligns perfectly with Japan’s “expertise and strategic investments in the region.”

“Our shared history, cultural ties and common aspirations for  peaceful and prosperous region form  strong foundation for this partnership,” he maintained.

The Speaker added  summit carries “immense potential” to redefine ASEAN-Japan relationship and usher in  new era of progress and prosperity for all.