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.
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.
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 Wirtavuorias 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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
“Her appointment represents pivotal milestone in fulfilling leadership structure crucial to CHR’s mandate of upholding and advancing human rights in the Philippines,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed retired judge of special commercial court in San Fernando City, Pampanga as commissioner of Commission on Human Rights (CHR).
Maria Amifaith Fider-Reyes, retired from judiciary in December, will complete CHR’s sixth commission serving from 2022 to 2029.
She is the third female member of five-person body, serves as CHR’s highest decision-making and policy-setting body.
“Her inclusion bolsters gender representation and reinforces diverse expertise guiding commission’s work,” she said.
Marcos appointed Fider-Reyes to the position on Nov. 13. Her appointment paper was formally transmitted to CHR last Friday.
Fider-Reyes was member of judiciary for 17 years. Before her retirement, she was presiding judge of Regional Trial Court Branch 42 in San Fernando City in Pampanga, functions as general jurisdiction court and designated special commercial court. She also concurrently served as acting judge for other courts in Metro Manila.
Fider-Reyes also had extensive experience in private practice and taught law at University of Southern Philippines and University of San Jose-Recoletos.
“Her extensive judicial experience is further enriched by her time as court attorney and her work with esteemed justices of Supreme Court and Court of Appeals,” CHR said.
The new CHR commissioner was Chevening scholar who specialized in International Rights of the Child at University of London, Queen Mary and Westfield Colleges.
She was also visiting scholar at the International Legal Institute in Washington and earned her Master of Laws at the University of Haifa in Israel.
“Her rich legal and judicial experience equips her to be invaluable asset to the commission…her multidisciplinary expertise and unwavering dedication to justice will undoubtedly strengthen CHR’s initiatives to protect and promote rights of the vulnerable, disadvantaged and marginalized sectors,” CHR said.
“The commission is confident that Commissioner Fider-Reyes’ leadership will further energize CHR’s efforts in crafting policies, advocating for rights and instituting preventive measures to address human rights challenges in the Philippines,” it added.
Other members of the sixth commission of CHR are Chairman Richard Palpal-latoc and Commissioners Beda Epres, Faydah Maniri Dumarpa and Monina Arevalo Zenarosa.
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
Impeachment Sara first before plunder raps — House leader
By Nidz Godino
“Yung P16 million na rental for safe houses noong last quarter of 2022, walang detalye…hindi po natin alam kung totoo nga pong nagamit sa rentals,” Rep. Joel Chua (Manila, 3rd District), heads House inquiry into Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpiop’s alleged misuse of public funds, named two potential grounds for the vice president’s impeachment: graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust.
Duterte must first be impeached before any graft or plunder charges can be filed.
Sounding confident that Duterte will be impeached, Chua said at press conference, “So after impeachment, once proven or impeached, that’s the time for cases to be filed against vice president.”
While 1987 Constitution does not state that the president and vice president are immune from prosecution, Supreme Court ruled in 2019 De Lima vs. Duterte case that president is immune from criminal and civil cases only while in office.
As there is no law explicitly granting the vice president same privileges, some lawyers, including Romulo Macalintal, suggested in 2021 that presidential immunity could be extended to the vice president.
Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra stated in 2019, when he was Justice secretary, that the vice president is not immune from criminal charges while in office.
Whether charges could be filed against vice president, Duterte is impeachable official according to Constitution, means case will not be sufficient to remove her from office.
Chua referenced House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability’s findings from October 17, revealing Office of the Vice President (OVP) spent P16 million in confidential funds on 34 safe houses within just 11 days in December 2022.
Audit reports indicated that rental payments ranged from P250,000 to P1 million per day. Given this amount, lawmakers calculated that most expensive safehouse rented by OVP cost P91,000 per day for 11 days.
Committee, however, was quick to point out lack of proper documentation for the rental payments, emphasizing difficulty in verifying identities of those who received acknowledgment receipts due to illegible handwriting or use of only signatures and initials instead of full names.
Committee also identified discrepancy regarding use of confidential funds for military-led “youth leadership summits,” as Philippine Army denied receiving P15 million from Department of Education (DepEd). Military officers told lawmakers that Philippine Army and local government units mainly financed said youth training program.
Duterte made similar statement during her press conference on October 18, asserting DepEd did not utilize confidential funds for Armed Forces of the Philippines or leadership summits.
She clarified confidential funds were used to provide “supporting information” about areas identified in reports received by DepEd where “children are at risk.”
Denial contradicts four certifications received by COA confirm release of these funds to Army.
“Pare-parehas po tayong nagtatanong kung saan napunta ‘yung P15 million…may certification, sine-certify pero inamin naman ng Army na hindi sa kanila napunta, walang dinownload…ngayon ang tanong saan napunta?” Chua said.
To file plunder charges, Republic Act 7080 stipulates ill-gotten wealth must amount to at least P50 million. This requirement is why Chua informed reporters that they are still assessing which cases will be included.
House lawmakers have also examined P73 million inappropriately spent by OVP from confidential funds, as reported by state auditors, included expenditures for relief goods and medicines.
COA disallowed this amount as part of P125 million spent in just 11 days, meaning P73 million must be returned to the government as they have been deemed as “irregular, unnecessary, excessive, extravagant or illegal.”
If committee validates grounds for impeachment, Chua said they will present it to the House Committee on Justice, responsible for making impeachment recommendation that will be discussed in plenary session.
Chairman of good governance committee reiterated inquiry is conducted “in aid of legislation,” emphasizing that possible filing of impeachment complaint is consequence of evidence gathered.
To impeach public official, House of Representatives must secure at least one-third of vote for referral to Senate. The vice president will then be tried in Senate, where two-thirds majority vote is required for conviction.
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