20 Nobyembre,2024 Miyerkules

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come

Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come

Family  of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas appreciates every moments shared by friends and relatives in their bereavement

Malaysia hit new Ph maritime laws

By Nidz Godino

New  maritime laws in the Philippines has been protested by  Malaysia it says encroach on its territory.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mohamad Alamin said Malaysia sent  protest note on Thursday over  Philippine laws.

Experts have found that reference documents related to  laws restated Manila’s long-standing claim over  oil-rich Malaysian state of Sabah in northern Borneo, he said.

Last week, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed  Philippine Maritime Zones Act and  Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act,  reaffirmed  country’s maritime territories and right to resources, including in  South China Sea.

They further cement Manila’s rejection of Chinese claims to virtually  entire South China Sea and stipulate jail terms and stiff fines for violators. Laws  have also angered China.

Philippines, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Indonesia and Taiwan all claim parts of  South China Sea.

Confrontations between Chinese and Philippine coast guard and naval forces in the sea have surged since last year, sparking fears that  United States – Manila’s longtime treaty ally – might get drawn into  major conflict.

Mohamad Alamin was quoted by local media saying in Parliament on Thursday that  new Philippine laws extend its claims into Malaysian boundaries mapped out in 1979 that were internationally recognized. He said  protest note demonstrated Malaysia’s commitment to defending its sovereignty.

Sabah,  two hours away by boat from southern Philippines, and neighboring Sarawak on Borneo became part of Malaysia in 1963.

Philippines has long laid claims to Sabah, once part of  centuries-old sultanate of Sulu.

Despite  possible diplomatic row,  Philippines and Malaysia concluded their 11th Combined Defense Cooperation Committee (CCDC) meeting, with commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations as nations with shared interests.

Defense Senior Undersecretary Irineo Espino and his team welcomed Malaysia Ministry of Defense Deputy Secretary General Mohd Yani bin Daud and his delegation to Camp Aguinaldo on Friday, where two sides had discussions centering on enhancing defense cooperation, addressing regional issues and strengthening defense capabilities of both nations.

DND spokesman Director Arsenio Andolong said  Malaysian delegation reiterated productive outcomes of  CCDC meeting, where developments in  South China Sea situation were discussed.

Other key topics in  CCDC meeting were Philippines-Malaysia diplomatic relations, humanitarian assistance and disaster response and advancing defense cooperation.

Notably, discussions highlighted  finalization of  terms of reference for  proposed Defense Science and Industry Working Group,  aims to formalize collaboration in defense technology and industry.

20 Nobyembre,2024 Miyerkules

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come

Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come

Family  of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas appreciates every moments shared by friends and relatives in their bereavement

Enough  evidence to deport Alice Guo

By J.Lo

“These data were legally, validly and voluntarily given by your client,” Bureau of Immigration (BI) board of special inquiry  chief Gilbert Repizo believes there is evidence to prove that dismissed mayor Alice Guo of Bamban, Tarlac is not  Filipino and that she should be kicked out of the country.

Guo, said to be  Chinese citizen named Guo Hua Ping, attended for the first time  hearing  led by Repizo in Intramuros, Manila.

Accompanied by her lawyer Stephen David, Guo challenged  BI’s allegation that she is not  Filipino.

Repizo maintained there is enough evidence to dispute Guo, as he showed  finding from  National Bureau of Investigation that reported both “Alice Guo” and “Guo Hua Ping” having  exact same fingerprint, as well as Guo’s falsified birth certificate.

He called on Guo to “challenge” these findings, including biometrics, by seeking  “competent witness or expert” within 15 days.

Meanwhile, David asserted it would be “unfair” for Guo to be deported from  Philippines.

“It is unfair to deport  Filipino citizen who is not recognized…she will be stateless because no one will accept her…what will be her state then?” he said.

Guo is currently detained at the Pasig City Jail and faces charges of qualified human trafficking and graft. She is accused of using her former position as mayor to build  Philippine offshore gaming operator firm and scam hub in Bamban.

19 Nobyembre,2024 Martes

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come

Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come

Family  of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas appreciates every moments shared by friends and relatives in their bereavement

‘Ch wants respect, but bullies Ph’

By Nidz Godino

“While China wants  international community to respect their self-drawn nine-dash line and eleven-dash line, they do not respect us and continue to intrude in our declared 200-mile economic zone,” quad committee overall chairman Rep. Robert Ace Barbers observed  accused China of implementing  double standard with its “expansionist” conduct in  West Philippine Sea (WPS), demanding respect but continuing its bullying of  Philippines and other neighboring countries.

The Surigao del Norte second district congressman further claimed  Beijing repeatedly “ignores decision of  United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS) on issue” Manila won in July 2016.

In a statement, entitled “China wants respect over their WPS claims but disrespects Philippines, other Asian country-claimants in the region,” Barbers assailed China’s “expansionist” policies and its “bullying tactics by “questioning and trying to meddle over  country’s laws and policies.”

The chairman of the House committee on dangerous drugs issued  statement following protests by  Chinese government over President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent signing of two maritime laws Republic Acts 12064 and 12065 both aimed at reinforcing  country’s rights over its maritime zones.

“While China wanted us to respect their claims in West Philippine Sea…  were without historical and legal basis, they continuously disrespect us on our own claims and position on the matter,” Barbers said.

He said after “videotaped incidents of bullying, using water cannons, ramming ships and causing injuries” to some Philippine Coast Guard personnel, China is now trying to object, meddle, intimidate and stop us from adopting and implementing laws and policies over our maritime zones.

“Hague-based decision, constituted under UNCLOS, ruled  China’s claim of historic rights to resources in areas falling within its invisible demarcation in  WPS ‘had no basis in law and is without legal effect,’” Barbers stressed.

He also said 135-member-state UNCLOS, arbitral ruling, has upheld  Philippine’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its exclusive 200-mile economic zone.

“China wanted  Philippines to respect its unfounded claims in West Philippine Sea, but they manifestly disrespect our position on this issue and  decision of  UNCLOS on the matter,” Barbers said.

Marcos has stated  Philippines stays firm in its position on country’s sovereignty in  WPS, despite China’s objection to  passage of  new maritime and archipelagic sea lane laws.

Beijing said Manila should respect China’s territorial sovereignty, maritime rights and interests, immediately stop taking unilateral action, and earnestly maintain peace and stability in  South China Sea.

19 Nobyembre,2024 Martes

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come

Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come

Family  of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas appreciates every moments shared by friends and relatives in their bereavement

AFP purpose of new intelligence unit classified

By J.Lo

“This renewed establishment addresses pressing need for  more adaptive and efficient intelligence,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla told reporters AFP remains guarded about  specific functions of its newly established intelligence command, has been operating since August.

When pressed for details about unit’s specific role,  Padilla provided broad statements, saying it was created “to enhance  nation’s intelligence capabilities in response to evolving security challenges.” 

Padilla said  unit, officially called  AFP Intelligence Command, was activated on August 21.

Questions about how new unit would differ from  military’s existing intelligence bodies were met with reserved responses.

“We prefer not to respond in detail at this time, we are focused on enhancing coordination across all intelligence units to ensure  unified approach to emerging threats, ” Padilla said.

The military already has  Intelligence Service of the AFP (ISAFP),  its main intelligence arm. 

This is different from the AFP’s Counter-intelligence Group,  AFP reactivated in January as ordered by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro. It was first activated in December 1989 and then deactivated in 1995. Its main function is to protect military from sabotage. 

This comes as  AFP includes information warfighting exercises for the first time in its military-wide joint drills this month. Over 3,000 troops from  Navy, Air Force and  Army will join exercises.

AFP Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. expects “almost all” of  AFP to be focused on territorial defense by next year.

19 Nobyembre,2024 Martes

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come

Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come

Family  of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas appreciates every moments shared by friends and relatives in their bereavement

Use updated hazard maps

By J.Lo

“These are very detailed maps, even barangay level or street level, you can see  hazards,” UP Resilience Institute executive director Mahar Lagmay said with  series of typhoons causing widespread devastation across the country,  disaster scientist from  University of the Philippines has urged local government units and  general public to utilize updated maps showing hazards from different disasters.

Lagmay, developed under Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards) are available at noah.up.edu.ph.

 “Know your neighborhood, click place where you are in… and you will see  flood hazard maps, the landslide hazard maps and the storm surge hazard maps,” he stressed.

Lagmay said  maps can be used alongside weather forecasts and rainfall advisories from  Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

“Look at the maps, if you are in an area that is color red or orange, that is  sign for you to go to… safer place,” he added.

Despite availability of  hazard maps, Lagmay said there are still local government units that use outdated maps.

“Concept of NOAH is that  business of hazards mapping is not just to map out  hazards, but really to identify  safest places in  given area,” he added.

Project NOAH was adopted by UP,  established  UP Resilience Institute, after previous administration ceased to provide funding.

Lagmay also urged local officials and policymakers to implement  holistic approach in disaster risk reduction and management.

For instance, in flood control projects, he recommended exhausting soft and nature-based solutions first before implementing solutions that involve building infrastructure such as dikes and other concrete-based projects.

“Soft solutions include making room for river, making sure that there are no subdivisions or development,” he said, citing rules on easement for waterways.

Nature-based solutions  include planting more trees and making mountains more vegetated to minimize erosion.

He also recommended having retention basins that will hold rainwater,  will be released when it is no longer raining.

“If you start with soft solutions and nature-based solutions, along with proper planning,  expense for concrete infrastructure will be lower,” he said.

19 Nobyembre,2024 Martes

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come

Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come

Family  of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas appreciates every moments shared by friends and relatives in their bereavement

Chelsea Manalo , 1st Miss Universe – Asia

By Cynthia Montojo

Miss Universe – Asia title was won by Philippines’ Chelsea Manalo  following conclusion of  73rd pageant.

Miss Universe recognized four continental queens from  125  participated in this year’s edition held in Mexico.

Similar to one of the duties of  reigning Miss Universe, these queens will serve as ambassadors for  continents they received titles for.

Chelsea was selected as  continental queen for Asia. Joining her are Finland’s Matilda Wirtavuori as  continental queen for Europe and Middle East, Peru’s Tatiana Calmell as  continental queen for Americas, and Nigeria’s Chidimma Adetshina as continental queen for Africa and Oceania.

Chidimma is  first runner-up to  newly crowned Miss Universe, Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark. If Victoria is unable to fulfill her duties, the Nigerian beauty queen will assume  title. Meanwhile, Tatiana was Chelsea’s roommate during  competition.

Four  continental queens received their titles and sashes following Victoria’s first press conference as Miss Universe accompanied by  few executives.

Chelsea was still wearing her feathered tiffany evening gown designed by fellow Bulacan native Manny Halasan she never got to properly show off onstage having exited  competition at Top 30.

After each continental queens were recognized, Miss Universe Organization teased  2025 edition would be held in either India, South Africa, Thailand, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Spain, Argentina, or Morocco.

Victoria, celebrated her 21st birthday just days before coronation night, is  first Miss Universe winner to hail from Denmark and  first from Europe since French 2016 titleholder Iris Mittenaere.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Psalm 1:1-2

BOOK I

Psalms 1–41

Psalm 1

¹ Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
² but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.

18 Nobyembre,2024 Lunes

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come

Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come

Family  of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas appreciates every moments shared by friends and relatives in their bereavement

Apply now for gun ban exemption

By J.Lo

“In some cases, approval of  application for exemption is delayed because  documents are incomplete…if it is complete, we could promise applicants that their applications will be approved in one week,” Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia said those seeking to apply for exemption to  poll gun ban are reminded to complete their requirements before submitting their applications to Comelec

Garcia assured applicants they could obtain  exemption in just a week, if they submit  complete requirements.

Application  for gun ban exemption begins today.

Garcia said those who apply for exemption could also use online payment system.

Starting Jan. 12, 2025, Comelec will enforce  gun ban in connection with midterm elections in May.

Tomorrow, Garcia said  Comelec would hold first convention for election officers, provincial election supervisors and regional election directors. Convention  aims to teach poll officials on use of new automated counting machines and other matters concerning  automated election.

Meanwhile, poll workers need to be compensated with P15,000 and given enough protection during  2025 midterm elections due to enduring climate of political violence during polls,  Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) said over the weekend.

As both chambers of Congress continue to deliberate on 2025 proposed national budget, ACT said  government needs to push for higher poll service honoraria, allowances and enhanced protection for poll workers  most of whom are public school teachers. 

18 Nobyembre,2024 Lunes

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come

Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come

Family  of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas appreciates every moments shared by friends and relatives in their bereavement

Solons  puzzled by Duterte’s ‘inconsistencies’

By Nidz Godino

“I myself have actually been puzzled by his inconsistencies… I can’t explain why … he’s like that…we should probably have  in-depth assessment and evaluation of  context of his replies,” overall quad chairman Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said members of  quad committee of  House of Representatives have noted several inconsistent or contradictory statements made by former president Rodrigo Duterte when he faced  panel last Nov. 13.

 “It’s very difficult to determine whether he is joking, serious and truthful or just being witty and humorous… very difficult to read,” Barbers stressed.

Among  most notable self-contradictions Duterte made were his challenge to  International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate him the soonest, but pushed this back by saying he will not yield to any foreign agent or judge, preferring to be judged by Filipino jurists and incarcerated domestically.

Another was Duterte’s supposed straightforward vow to sign any and all bank waivers with regard to his alleged P2.4 billion bank accounts, as exposed by his critic, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, only to backtrack later by invoking  conjugal nature of his financial transactions

There was also excuse or alibi that Duterte has “no money” being elderly retiree, to the point where he asked lawmakers to fund his travel to The Hague where  ICC is headquartered, but yet offered  initial P1-million seed money for his cops facing criminal and administrative suits on alleged extrajudicial killings or EJKs.

Representatives Zia Alonto Adiong of first district of Lanao del Sur and Gerville Luistro of Batangas’ second district made similar observations, particularly on former president’s flip-flopping stand on  absolute bank waiver he promised to execute regarding his accounts.

“Is it now  understanding of  committee that when the former president was asked by chairman Romeo Acop, that the President be willing to sign any waiver, would that be safe to assume, Mr. Chair, that that would be ‘conditional,’” Adiong clarified.

House assistant majority leader wanted to be doubly accurate he heard it right when the former Davao City mayor assured his colleague, quad comm senior vice chairman Acop, that he will sign  absolute bank waiver at first instance, without any conditions.

According to Adiong, he made this assumption on the basis that “when the former president right away answered  question of Acop, I presume that it was actually in the affirmative and it was actually in all candidness and all honesty.”

Luistro , lawyer by profession likewise noticed  “inconsistencies” in the testimony of the former Davao City mayor, who, unfortunately, is also  member of Bar, and was a prosecutor for nine years in his province.

“The president made his testimonies inconsistent… I don’t know why,” she said .

Initially, Duterte was very straightforward in his statements. “I’ll sign  waiver tomorrow Nov. 14,” he originally offered.

When Adiong first mentioned word “waiver” in his interpellation, he replied: “waiver…yes, right away.”

18 Nobyembre,2024 Lunes

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come

Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come

Family  of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas appreciates every moments shared by friends and relatives in their bereavement

DTI monitors prices of Noche Buena items

By J.Lo

“By publishing this price guide,  DTI urges consumers to compare prices and select products that best fit their budget and preferences for holiday season,” Acting Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said more than 100 shelf-keeping units (SKUs) of Noche Buena products have posted price increases, based on price guide released by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

DTI said price guide covers 236 SKUs of Noche Buena items across  following categories: ham, queso de bola, fruit cocktail, cheese, sandwich spread, all-purpose cream, mayonnaise, pasta, elbow and salad macaroni, tomato and spaghetti sauce.

Select brands in all categories of Noche Buena items had price increases such as ham,  ranges from P170 to P928.50 depending on size, and queso de bola, whose prices range from P210 to P445.

Fruit cocktail is priced at P61.76 to P302.50 and cheese ranges from P56.50 to P310.

Prices for mayonnaise vary from P20.40 to P245.85,  sandwich spread costs P27 to P263.60.

For all-purpose cream, prices range from P36.50 to P72.

Prices  of pasta or spaghetti range from P32 to P114. Elbow macaroni costs P30.50 to P126.25, while salad macaroni has  price range of P36.50 to P126.25.

Tomato sauce prices range from P16.50 to P92.85, while spaghetti sauce costs P28.50 to P103.

Meanwhile, DTI said 121 SKUs maintained their prices while 13 had price reductions.

DTI said these prices will remain in place until Dec. 31.

Roque said  Noche Buena price guide is intended to help Filipino families make informed choices.

DTI also advised consumers to check expiration dates to ensure  quality of products being purchased.

Consumers are also encouraged to consider bulk purchases, as well as special promotions and discounts that may be available to achieve savings per unit.

DTI will closely monitor prices of Noche Buena items nationwide.