29 Disyembre,2024 Linggo

2  days to 2025, Happy New Year

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

Headlines

P20/kilo rice achievable-Quimbo

By Nidz Godino

“Kadiwa ng Pangulo Rice-for-All program resumed Friday, Dec. 27, on its seventh day, targeting more public markets in time for  celebration of New Year,”  Presidential Communications Office said affordable rice will soon be available in more public markets nationwide as  government eyes  expansion of its P40 per kilo program.

Rice retailers have started lowering prices following successful implementation of  program led by  Department of Agriculture (DA),  PCO noted.

Staple, being sold at Kadiwa stores at P40 per kilo in some areas in Metro Manila, is cheaper by P3 to P5 compared to those being sold by market retailers.

Public  may purchase up to 25 kilos of  affordable rice.

“Market retailers are currently reducing their prices to keep up with  lower price offered by rolling stores,” the PCO said, quoting  DA report.

So far, EDSA Balintawak Market distributed 110 sacks of rice; New Marulas Public Market in Barangay Marulas, Valenzuela City, five sacks and Malabon Central Market, 32 sacks.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. earlier said among  cities that agreed to allow  sale of P40 per kilo of rice in markets are Quezon City, Pasay, Caloocan, Manila, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Malabon and Makati.

Current  retail prices of rice range from P48 to P55 per kilo, DA said.

DA targets to open at least 1,300 more Kadiwa stores next year and 1,500 Kadiwa kiosks inside  markets, Tiu Laurel said.

He noted  Office of the President has approved  allocation of P5 billion for  Rice-for-All and P29 per kilo of rice programs.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.has ordered  expansion of  government’s rice programs and Kadiwa outlets nationwide.

Meanwhile, Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo has asked  National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to further study its contract farming program to achieve  government’s target price of P20 per kilo of rice in local markets.

Quimbo made call during House quinta committee hearing before Congress went into Christmas break.

Committee, chaired by Rep. Joey Salceda, is probing alleged rice price manipulation by traders and rice importers.

Quimbo requested  NIA to present its findings at future meetings of quinta comm.

At  recent quinta comm hearing, NIA administrator Eduardo Guillen said Irrigation agency collaborates with irrigation associations, providing funds equivalent to 50 percent of  target yield for farm inputs, with  remaining paid at harvest time.

Under the program, farmers are free to sell any surplus yield above  contracted target.

Guillen said P29 per kilo of rice reflects only 25 percent of  total yield under  contract farming program, with  remaining 75 percent being sold at higher prices.

Contract  farming program, he said, is aimed at shifting  practice of planting rice only during  wet season, when farmers are guaranteed water for their crops.

Guillen said NIA can supply irrigation water during  dry season, would allow farmers to harvest earlier, before  typhoon season begins.

If NIA managed to sell rice for P29 per kilo under  contract farming program, Quimbo said it could also achieve  target of P20 per kilo of rice.

27 Disyembre,2024 Biyernes

4  days to 2025, Happy New Year

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

Firecrackers for sale on line taken down

By J.Lo

“If we see  violation, we will request for  takedown,” Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) director Brig. Gen. Bernard Yang said in  news briefing apart from entrapment operations, PNP-ACG has also intensified its drive against social media accounts to deter  online sale of firecrackers.

Data from ACG showed  115 social media pages were deleted for selling firecrackers online, 59  from Facebook followed by 54 on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Website  was removed for  same offense and also one on Spotify.

At least 93 online accounts are still active, 71 on Facebook, 20 on X, one on Spotify and  website.

ACG chief said they have intensified  cyber patrolling against  online sale of firecrackers. Yang said it does not matter even if  firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices are legal, stressing that selling items online is prohibited.

“Legal or illegal, it’s prohibited,” he said.

Since Nov. 20,  ACG has confiscated assorted firecrackers such as atomic bomb, Judas belt, whistle bomb, kabase, Goodbye Philippines and Piccolo worth P76,400.

Among those who were arrested for  online sale of firecrackers are alias Rico and alias Chris, who were arrested in San Fernando City in Pampanga on Tuesday.

Suspects, who are from Makati City, were apprehended in an entrapment operation at around 2:20 in the afternoon. Seized from them were 201 atomic bombs, 15 reams of pla-pla and 10 bundles of kabase with  combined value of P60,000.

Suspects  are facing cases for violation of Republic Act 7183,  regulates  sale, manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices in relation to RA 10175, or  Cybercrime Prevention Act.

PNP has also intensified its drive against tutorials circulating in online platforms on how to make boga,  improvised cannon which has been prohibited for its destructive effects. PNP  is looking for people behind  videos.

PNP public information officer Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said  ACG and other police units were directed to investigate and unmask  people behind  online tutorials.

Department of Health said  boga is among  most common causes of firecracker-related injuries, alongside  five-star and Piccolo.

 Total  of 69 cases of firecracker-related injuries have been recorded nationwide, according to  Department of Health (DOH).

There were 26 new firecracker-related injuries added to  43 cases registered by 62 sentinel hospitals on Christmas Day.  Injuries  were logged from Dec. 22 up to yesterday morning. Of those injured, 65 were male and four were female, with most victims aged 19 and below.

DOH data showed that 51 (74 percent) of the cases actively used firecrackers, and 59 or 86 percent used illegal firecrackers such as boga.

DOH warned  too much use of firecrackers and fireworks can result in body burns, loss of hearing, blindness, eye irritation, even death.

Apart from poisoning, using firecrackers can also affect  person’s respiratory system and other organs due to toxic chemicals such as lead, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.

In Bolinao, Pangasinan, there will be  total ban on firecrackers and pyrotechnics this yuletide season and in welcoming  new year, in accordance with Executive Order 70 series of 2024 signed by Mayor Alfonso Celeste last Dec. 20.

EO imposes  total ban on  manufacture, sale, distribution, and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices in the municipality.

“Firecrackers shall be subject to confiscation by  PNP and,or BFP from seller/s and,or users of violating provisions of this Executive Order,” it added, and that “Barangay Council is hereby authorized to stop any activity which is not in conformity with this policy and shall immediately report and coordinate with BFP and  PNP.”

In Bulacan, however, firecracker enthusiasts can greet coming new year with  bang in 46 community firecracker zones in the province.

Bulacan Provincial Police Office said these zones are located in different places in Bulacan’s 20 municipalities and four cities.

Zones  are  only places where legal firecrackers can be used and exploded by fireworks enthusiasts based on Executive Order 28 signed by then president Rodrigo Duterte in June 2017. 

27 Disyembre,2024 Biyernes

4  days to 2025, Happy New Year

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

Headlines

Hard to counterfeit polymer bills

By J.Lo

“Counterfeits were of low quality, as their elements poorly matched advanced security features of polymer banknotes,” Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported  significant decrease in counterfeit banknotes since  introduction of polymer currency, with only one fake P1,000 polymer note detected per 82 million pieces in circulation.

This compares to  one per 19,000 counterfeit rate recorded for  older paper-based notes.

In  statement,  BSP  collected data based on  P1,000 polymer notes launched in April 2022.

Key  findings show  documented counterfeits of P1000 polymer banknote were only one per 82 million pieces. This means that there were 10 counterfeits out of 825.4 million in circulation from 2022 to November 2024.

In contrast, documented counterfeits of  P1000 paper currency stood at one per 19,000 pieces. There were 98,316 counterfeits found out of 1.86 billion in circulation, reflecting  vulnerability of traditional materials to forgery.

According to  BSP, polymer banknotes incorporate advanced security features such as flora clear window, vertical clear window, embossed mirrored denomination and iridescent figure, among others,  reduce risk of counterfeiting.

In a separate study conducted by De La Salle University’s Center for Engineering and Sustainable Development Research in 2023 and commissioned by  BSP, global warming potential (GWP) of  P1000 polymer banknote is 38.36 percent lower than that of its paper counterpart.

“Lower GWP is attributed to  longer lifespan of polymer banknotes,  reduces  consumption of resources, such as electricity, throughout their life cycle,”  BSP said.

Findings  were in line with studies conducted by other central banks,  Bank of England, the Bank of Canada and Banco de Mexico.

Department of Health also reviewed evidence from data collected during  COVID-19 pandemic, confirming  polymer banknotes are resistant to damage and dirt caused by water, oil and grime.

Meanwhile, BSP research shows  polymer banknotes can last for as long as 7.5 years compared to 1.5 years for paper banknotes.

Central  bank also receives fewer worn-out polymer banknotes compared with paper banknotes. From 2022 to November 2024, only 0.08 percent or 689,571 pieces of P1000 polymer notes issued were returned as worn-out or damaged, significantly cutting replacement costs.

By contrast, 54.4 percent or about one billion pieces of  P1000 paper notes issued during  same period were returned in poor condition.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Psalm 103:1-2

Psalm 103

Of David.

¹ Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
² Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—

26 Disyembre,2024 Huwebes

5  days to 2025, Happy New Year

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

Demand for Japs content booms post ‘Shogun’

By Cynthia Montojo

“Demand from Western markets is clearly increasing,” said Kaori Ikeda, managing director at TIFFCOM,  content trade fair affiliated with  Tokyo International Film Festival.

 Fueled in part by  success of TV hit “Shogun,” foreign studios are hungry for quality Japanese content and local creators are adapting to meet demand.

Fans of Japanese manga and anime cartoons have often criticized foreign adaptations that are unfaithful to  original material.

But “Shogun,” based on  1975 novel by Australian-British writer James Clavell, broke  mold when  period drama series  mostly in Japanese and hailed for its authenticity  won 18 Emmy awards in September.

Other recent Japanese works have also become worldwide hits. Franco-US-Japanese show “Drops of God,” based on  manga of the same name, won best drama series at  International Emmy Awards in November.

Netflix’s 2023 adaptation of  manga superhit “One Piece” starring Mexican actor Inaki Godoy as  lead  was hailed by viewers and critics alike and will return for  second season.

More adaptations of major manga and anime hits are in the works, including  superhero adventures of “My Hero Academia” and  ninja escapades of “Naruto.”

But Japanese companies lack “know-how” when it comes to things like negotiating rights, she said. So TIFFCOM has organized Tokyo Story Market, a space to facilitate networking and meetings between international producers and Japanese publishers.

Foreign studios are also getting better at avoiding some of the pitfalls of the past, such as  2017 film version of  manga “Ghost in the Shell” starring Scarlett Johansson.

Critics accused  movie, whose main actors except Takeshi Kitano were all non-Japanese, of “whitewashing.”

Similarly,  2017 supernatural thriller “Death Note” was panned for veering too far from  original manga.

“Manga authors are highly respected and fan communities are very vigilant,” said Klaus Zimmermann, producer of “Drops of God.”

His adaptation takes some liberties, such as starring  French actor as one of the main characters, but Zimmermann insists it was developed in collaboration with  authors of  original manga, “It was about finding  spirit of manga so as not to distort it.”

Yuki Takamatsu,  rights negotiator at manga’s publishing house Kodansha, said  process of adapting “Drops of God” was “amazing.”

“Everyone was open to tackling those challenges together… at every step, everyone was understanding about how we should do it,” he said.

Past failures were in part down to publishers struggling to communicate their wishes to foreign producers, who in turn lacked  proper understanding of manga and anime, Takamatsu said.

“Back just 15, 20 years ago, most of enquiries we received from those big studios were like, hey, I know ‘Dragon Ball’, do you have ‘Dragon Ball’ IP?” Takamatsu said.

“But nowadays, especially since Covid,  producers in their 30s, 40s, they watch anime together with their kids on Netflix or Amazon” and then reach out, he said.

Japanese broadcasters have also become “better and better at presenting and marketing their content” abroad, said Makito Sugiyama, executive director at the Broadcast Program Export Association of Japan (BEAJ).

This includes their participation at global events such as MIPCOM in Cannes,  annual trade show for the television industry, Sugiyama said.

Japanese broadcasters have long had success selling show concepts abroad, like  one for “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” known in Britain as “You’ve Been Framed.”

Now, some Japanese dramas are also finding  wider echo abroad.

Nippon TV’s original drama “Mother” became  hit thanks in part to its Turkish remake, and has been broadcast in around 50 countries.

Western viewers have overcome their initial reluctance to watch series with Asian actors, believes Masaru Akiyama, chief executive of  BEAJ, “They have got used to it, they don’t care anymore…they want to see, they want to feel  stories.”

“Shogun” was “game changer for Japan,” he added, and Ikeda agrees.

“That  samurai story with such attention to historical detail can become mainstream entertainment is proof of  potential” of Japanese content, she said.

26 Disyembre,2024 Huwebes

5  days to 2025, Happy New Year

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

‘Home Along Da Riles’ comeback in 2025

By Cynthia Montojo

“Cosmes are back…see you in 2025…our favorite family returns along da riles this 2025” teased Claudine in the caption, also including  line from  theme that goes “Kung tayo ay may unity, ang imposible ay pwede.”

Actress Claudine Barretto teased fans of “Home Along Da Riles”  iconic comedy series would be returning in  new year.

Claudine posted on her Instagram account  video showing  miniature version of  “Home Along Da Riles” set celebrating Christmas.

Miniature  set, designed by Pampanga-based artist Nhoda Muñoz, was accompanied by  slowed-down version of  show’s theme song composed by Homer Flores.

Coincidentally, Claudine posted  video just as  original show marked its 32nd anniversay since it first aired on ABS-CBN.

 “Home Along Da Riles” ran from  1992 to 2003 in  cast led by the late Dolphy, Nova Villa, Bernardo Bernardo, Smokey Manaloto, Gio Alvarez, Maybelyn dela Cruz, and Vandolph Quizon.

Claudine was  main cast member until 1998 when she departed  show for other commitments, returning for guest appearances.

Also appearing on the show were Babalu, Carding Castro, Paula Peralejo, Nikki Valdez, Ces Quesada, Rica Peralejo, Vhong Navarro, and Dennis Padilla.

Restored  version of the series’ movie adaptation opened  Philippine Film Industry Month back in September 2023 attended by the cast, who also recently reunited for  Christmas party.

26 Disyembre,2024 Huwebes

5  days to 2025, Happy New Year

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

Be agents of hope- Advincula

By J.Lo

“May  Holy Year of 2025 make us agents of hope and heralds of joy in our communities… I pray for all of you and your families that you may not allow despair and resignation to take away your hope,” Roman Catholic Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula said be agents of hope this Christmas.

Christmas message relayed by Advincula to remind  Catholic fanatics despite  problems they encountered in their lives, they should continue to live with hope because the baby Jesus Christ has been born.

Prelate  issued  message of hope as Pope Francis opened  Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve and launched  Jubilee Year 2025 with  theme, “Pilgrims of Hope.”

Advincula emphasized  with  start of Jubilee Year of Hope,  restore climate of hope and trust, for everyone to have new strength and to look into  future with  open spirit,  trusting heart and  far-sighted vision.

“In  very dark world we are living in, we do not lose hope because the Star of Bethlehem will light our path and guide us in our journey, The circumstances of the first Christmas were very much like ours today… world today is no different. It was filled with lamentations and longings for freedom and redemption… dark… night…in this darkness,  light has shone and hope was born,” he said..

Jesus was born as  man to make him closer to His people, according to the Manila archbishop.

“Our God is Emmanuel… He is not distant… He is not far away… He has  face… He has  name… He has  family… He is with us… He was born in our midst… He has entered into human history… God the creator of all things, God  all-powerful and almighty, has become so tiny that He could fit in  manger…so helpless and powerless that He could be carried in our arms, According to the ancient fathers of the Church, He is God who ‘abbreviated’ Himself, who made Himself so small that we may no longer be afraid of Him. This gives us hope… gives us strength…we are not alone in our journey,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David called for inclusivity and unity this Christmas.

In his homily during the late evening Christmas Eve mass at  Kalookan Cathedral, David emphasized  Christmas is  time for people to break down barriers that divide them.

“Christmas invites us to open our hearts and minds, not just our homes, to welcome God through our hospitality toward one another, we will not have peace on Earth until we learn to tear down  walls of division and conflict based on color, religion, race, gender or socio-economic status,” he said.

David noted that even Pope Francis has urged everyone to practice inclusivity.

In considering who should be welcomed into  Church, David  would say “todos,” meaning, everyone.

Senate President Francis Escudero  commended  Filipino people’s resilience amid  series of tropical cyclones that hit  country this year.

“As we reflect on challenges we faced in 2024, including numerous natural calamities that battered our nation, we also celebrate  resilience and unity of  Filipino people,” Escudero said in his Christmas message.

Philippines was hit by six tropical cyclones ,severe Tropical Storm Kristine, Super Typhoon Leon, Typhoons Marce and Nika, and Super Typhoons Ofel and Pepito in  month, from late October to mid-November, displacing thousands of people and killing others in their paths.

Escudero said  Filipino people emerged stronger after  consecutive tropical cyclones,  becoming stronger and more frequent due to climate change.

The Senate President prayed for millions of Filipinos affected by  record number of consecutive tropical cyclones that hit the country just  month before Christmas. 

26 Disyembre,2024 Huwebes

5  days to 2025, Happy New Year

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

Headlines

Firecracker-related injuries spiked to 43

By J.Lo

Department of Health (DOH) announced 18 new cases of firecracker-related injuries bringing to 43  total number of such injuries recorded nationwide from Dec. 22 to 25.

Number is lower than 28 cases recorded in the same period last year.

Of  43 total cases, 34 are aged below 19 and nine cases are aged 20 and above.

Thirty-nine cases are men and four are women.

Illegal firecrackers, including boga, caused 86 percent or 37 of  total cases.

Philippine Health Insurance Corp. reminded  public to celebrate  holidays safely and avoid using firecrackers.

25 Disyembre,2024 Miyerkules

6 days to 2025, Merry Christmas

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

Leadership  change at Senate

By Nidz Godino

Public  witnessed eventful 2024 in Senate, including dramatic shift in leadership,  rare appearance of former president Rodrigo Duterte as  resource person at  hearing,  explosive revelations surrounding Alice Guo,  Chinese national elected as mayor, as well as several high-profile investigations.

Adding  year’s turbulence was  Senate’s tug-of-war with  House of Representatives over efforts to amend  1987 Constitution through people’s initiative. This contentious push for Charter change (Cha-cha), widely criticized as  attempt to bypass  legislative process,  believed by some sectors to have triggered  leadership change in  upper chamber.

By yearend, relations between  two chambers improved as  Senate agreed to most of  House’s proposals in  P6.352-trillion national budget, including  P1.3-billion cut to  allocation for the Office of the Vice President.

Both houses also thumbed up  controversial Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) after senators were given their fair share of  program.  House would get P21 billion while  Senate would get P5 billion, or  total of P26 billion.

Two days before  second regular session of  19th Congress last May, Senate President Francis Escudero unseated then Senate president Juan Miguel Zubiri amid political maneuvering and investigation into leaks related to sensitive investigations, including  controversial PDEA documents implicating high-level officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Zubiri said rumors that one of the reasons for his ouster was due to  Senate’s lack of support for Cha-cha does not make sense, since his successor Escudero was very vocal against amending  Constitution.

Before 2023 ended,  House pushed for Cha-cha through people’s initiative, calling for Congress to vote as one body ,seen as  move to weaken  Senate’s influence by merging its 24 votes with over 300 congressmen.

House’s push for Cha-cha was tempered by Marcos, who emphasized Senate should take  lead in amending  Constitution. In response, Zubiri, along with Senators Loren Legarda and Sonny Angara, filed Resolution of Both Houses No. 6,  sought to amend  Charter’s economic provisions, particularly on public services,  education sector and advertising industry.

Although  Senate committee on constitutional amendments, chaired by Sen. Robinhood Padilla, spearheaded discussions, Zubiri designated Angara,  lawyer to lead  subcommittee. Angara’s subcommittee conducted several public hearings on proposed amendments. However,  proceedings were cut short when Escudero assumed Senate presidency, halting further deliberations.

In  rare occurrence, former president Rodrigo Duterte appeared before  Senate as  resource person, marking  significant moment in Philippine political history. Duterte’s presence underscored  gravity of  issues being investigated, particularly those related to controversies from his administration, such as  war on drugs, allegations of extrajudicial killings and links to Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGO).

Duterte’s presence came as House quad committee conducted  parallel inquiry, implicating both Duterte and his long-time allies, Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Bong Go, both snubbed  hearings.

Citing  long-standing tradition of parliamentary courtesy,  two senators declined  House’s invitation. Instead, they called for  Senate to conduct its own probe.

Senate committee on women, children and family relations, chaired by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, launched  investigation into  alleged scamming and human trafficking activities within  POGO hub in Bamban, Tarlac.  Probe  uncovered  alleged involvement of then mayor Alice Guo, senators later revealed to be Guo Hua Ping,  Chinese national  spoke fluent Tagalog.

Not only did Guo possess fake documents – including birth certificate, passport and other proof of Filipino identity but her father and siblings were also found to have falsified their records.

When authorities closed in, Guo and her companions attempted to evade capture by fleeing to Indonesia, but they were eventually arrested and deported back to the Philippines.

Following 16 marathon hearings, senators concluded their investigation, leading to Guo’s dismissal as mayor. She is now detained and facing multiple charges across various courts, including allegations of human trafficking, document falsification and involvement in illegal POGO activities.

Senate’s inquiry not only exposed Guo but also uncovered broader criminal operations using POGOs as front for human trafficking, money laundering and illegal immigration.

In response, President Marcos ordered  total ban on POGOs by yearend, signaling  decisive move to address  national security risks and social issues posed by these controversial operations.

Scandal  also sparked calls for stricter immigration policies and document verification processes, with lawmakers urging reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Just days after assuming office as Senate President, Escudero ordered  suspension of  new Senate building’s construction due to its skyrocketing costs. Originally budgeted at P8.9 billion, Escudero revealed  project cost had ballooned to P13 billion, with  additional P10 billion needed for completion, bringing  total estimate to P23 billion.

In  strategic move, Escudero appointed Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano as chair of  Senate committee on accounts, replacing Sen. Nancy Binay, who previously held  position.  Decision  reignited  longstanding rivalry between  Cayetano and Binay families, rooted in  territorial dispute between Makati City and Taguig over  Embo barangays,  Supreme Court ruled in Taguig’s favor.

International Criminal Court is reportedly pursuing its investigation against Duterte and Dela Rosa, among others, over thousand of deaths in  war on drugs. Duterte called  ICC to speed up its probe against them.

Escudero raised questions about Duterte’s call, considering that the former president led  Philippines’ withdrawal from  ICC in 2019.

Dela Rosa, considered  architect of  war on drugs, vowed to cooperate with  Department of Justice (DOJ) investigating  alleged extrajudicial killings committed during Duterte administration.

Dela Rosa  respects  jurisdiction of  DOJ which formed task force to look into  violation of Republic Act 9851, also known as  Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide and Other Crimes Against Humanity.

Despite Escudero securing 15 votes to claim  Senate leadership from Zubiri, persistent rumors of  coup against him continue to circulate.  Escudero dismissed  speculation,  also been denied by several senators.

Another high-profile Senate investigation, led by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, focused on allegations of human trafficking and sexual abuse against controversial religious leader Apollo Quiboloy, founder of  Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Both  Senate and  Pasig Regional Trial Court issued arrest orders, prompting law enforcement to stake out Quiboloy’s Davao property for several days. He  eventually surrendered and appeared before  Senate, where he denied all  accusations leveled against him.

25 Disyembre,2024 Miyerkules

6 days to 2025, Merry Christmas

Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

ABS 2025

Headlines

FMJ to sign 2025 national budget on December 30

By Nidz Godino

“Signing on 30 December 2024 after  Rizal Day program in Manila,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cesar Chavez told Palace reporters  P6.352-trillion national budget for 2025 is set for enactment on Dec. 30 after undergoing “rigorous” examination by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.and key officials, who decided to maintain some of  cuts and insertions made at the last minute by lawmakers.

Signing  of  spending measure by Marcos will coincide with  country’s commemoration of Rizal Day.

Marcos deferred signing of  proposed 2025 General Appropriations Act because of  number of issues, including  “insertions” without appropriate documentation and  P12-billion cut in outlay of  Department of Education.  Cut  in  DepEd outlay goes against  administration’s policy direction, officials said earlier.

Spending  bill  ratified by Congress on Dec. 11  was supposed to be enacted on Dec. 20.

Deferment  was meant to “allow more time for  rigorous and exhaustive review of  measure that will determine  course of the nation for next year,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said in  statement.

Bersamin earlier said the President is likely to veto certain items in the proposed national budget “in the interest of public welfare” and “in compliance with laws.”

Marcos met  Bersamin, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan and Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan at  Bahay Pangulo on Monday to review  spending bill. The President also met  same officials at Malacañang on Dec. 18.

Marcos earlier vowed to restore  multibillion-peso allocation slashed from DepEd’s budget, saying  move to reduce  agency’s proposed outlay for next year goes against his policy direction.

Apart from reduction in  DepEd’s proposed budget, some sectors also criticized  removal of subsidy for  Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) for next year.

The Chief Executive upheld move to give PhilHealth zero subsidy, saying it has multibillion-peso reserve funds anyway.

According to the President,  state-run health insurer has  P500-billion reserve, but  cost of providing its services in a year is just less than P100 billion.

Presidential sister Sen. Imee Marcos lamented  decision of her brother to push through with  signing of  budget program despite cuts in  allocation for education and health.

“Like  thief of the night before  New Year!” Sen. Marcos said.

She confirmed receiving  advisory from the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) regarding ceremonial signing of  budget program by the President.

“The President will hold  ceremonial signing of FY2025 GAA at 9:30 in the morning  on Dec 30 in Malacañang Palace,” Marcos said in  Viber message to Senate reporters.

On Dec. 11, Congress approved bicameral conference committee report on  P6.532-trillion national budget for 2025, retaining  cut in the Office of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s budget as tensions between her and President Marcos heightened.

Both Houses also thumbed up  controversial Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) after senators were given their fair share from the program. House would get P21 billion while  Senate would get P5 billion, or  total of P26 billion.

The senator warned her brother that he is not allowed under the law to realign  vetoed budget items to augment other projects, like use it to fix  Department of Education’s P11.6-billion budget cut or PhilHealth’s zero subsidy.

“If the President does line item veto, they cannot use  appropriation of the items vetoed to fund or augment other items in the budget….they will have less projects to fund, which may translate to  deficit lower than what was originally programmed  which may be  good or bad thing, depending on who’s counting,” Marcos said.

She pointed out that  P1.113-trillion budget for  DPWH is unconstitutional because it exceeded  DepEd’s P737 billion budget.

The least the President could do is to veto P188 billion worth of DPWH projects to make education budget priority again, Marcos said.

1987 Constitution states education should receive  highest budgetary allocation in the national budget.

But  vetoed DPWH funding may be factored in next year’s P531.665-billion unprogrammed appropriations,  standby funds that can only be tapped when revenue exceeds target, the senator said.

“Unless they have  different way of computing budgetary allocations for education, at least P188-billion public works projects should be slashed so that  budget would not violate Constitution. So there may be at least P188 billion worth of rewards in  unprogrammed appropriations for  ‘old ye faithful,’” she said.

“Those unprogrammed funds can be released only if there is excess income, or if there are new sources of funds not included in  Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing,” she stressed

Other  projects earlier criticized by Senator Marcos are  P26-billion budget for  Department of Social Welfare and Development’s AKAP program and  Department of Health’s Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP) Program,  she said can be used by politicians to court votes.

She has taken issue with AKAP, insertion by  House of Representatives, after her falling out with her cousin, Speaker Martin Romualdez.