TODAY’S GOD’S MESSÀGE
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
25 Octubre,2024 Biyernes
supports 35th National Statistics Month October, Advancing data and statistics through digital transformation,a road to empowered nation
supports World Food Day October 16, 2024
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Happy Birthday Loida Tajan-Ocampo, more birthdays to come
Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come
Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come
“No regrets, will do it again, same approach”-Bato’s drug war
By Nidz Godino
“No regrets…if you are going to give me chance to do it again, I will do it again. ..same approach,” Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has no regrets implementing bloody war on drugs of former president Rodrigo Duterte, saying he would “do it again” if given chance as he expressed willingness to participate in Senate’s inquiry on Monday.
Dela Rosa, who with Duterte faces investigation by International Criminal Court for possible crimes against humanity, said government could not win drug war by being “cute.”
“You can’t fight war, especially against drug personalities, by being decent, by being cute…no way you can win battle… to win war, you have to be forceful enough to send your message down spine of these criminals,” he stressed.
Dela Rosa renewed his willingness to face Senate Blue Ribbon investigation on Oct. 28.
Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel is tasked to lead Senate’s own investigation parallel to House of Representatives quad committee investigation on rights abuses of previous administration’s narcotics crackdown.
Asked if he would take it against them if his fellow senators interpellate him, Dela Rosa said he “won’t feel offended, because of need to ferret out truth.”
He added he would be willing to answer questions from his colleagues about drug war following claims by retired police colonel Royina Garma on bounty system for police officers who killed drug suspects.
“I am open to questions from my colleagues as resource person… I am opening up myself to be questioned, to be interpellated by my colleagues,” Dela Rosa said.
Pimentel heard about former president Duterte having “second thoughts” in attending Blue Ribbon committee hearing, but Dela Rosa gave assurance that former chief executive is still willing to attend despite health concerns.
Pimentel added Dela Rosa as former police chief “has no choice but to share with committee his experiences under drug war.”
25 Octubre,2024 Biyernes
supports 35th National Statistics Month October, Advancing data and statistics through digital transformation,a road to empowered nation
supports World Food Day October 16, 2024
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Happy Birthday Loida Tajan-Ocampo, more birthdays to come
Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come
Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come
Kristine death toll spiked to 26
By Nidz Godino
“Rain is not stopping, so floodwater is going up fast….we have received countless reports asking for rescue,” Batangas Disaster Risk Reduction and Management officer April Serrano said rescuers raced to reach residents stranded by fast-rising floodwaters after torrential rains from Severe Tropical Storm Kristine submerged villages and left up to 26 people dead.
Schools and government offices were shuttered across Luzon as storm made landfall in Isabela after first leaving trail of destruction in Bicol region.
Hospital in town of Lemery, Batangas was forced to turn away patients as its wards and emergency rooms were flooded, according to provincial health office.
On Luzon’s western coast, surge warning was raised in Pangasinan at around 2 in the afternoon., with officials estimating waves could reach as high as two meters.
In hardest-hit areas of Naga City and Nabua municipality in Albay,Bicol, rescuers were using boats to reach residents stranded on rooftops.
“They are seeking assistance through Facebook posts and that’s how we learned about them,” Bicol police spokeswoman Luisa Calubaquib said.
Over 30,000 people were forced to evacuate in Bicol, police said, as “unexpectedly high” flooding turned streets into rivers.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather specialist Lorie dela Cruz said month’s worth of rain had been dumped in Bicol within 24-hour window from 8 in the morning on Oct. 22 until next morning, with Camarines Sur and Legazpi City in Albay particularly hard hit.
“As of 7 in the morning , we have 20 dead throughout the Bicol region,” Bicol police chief Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon said, attributing most of deaths to drowning and landslides.
Of reported deaths, seven were from Naga City, five in Catanduanes, four in Albay and one each in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon and Masbate.
In Quezon province, elderly woman drowned, while toddler was also killed after falling into flooded canal, police said. In Planas, Masbate one person was killed by falling tree branch, according to Office of Civil Defense.
Data from National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) placed confirmed fatalities at seven individuals, six of them from Bicol. Seven missing persons were also recorded, five from Bicol and one each for Ilocos region and Calabarzon.
On Thursday, rescuers were forced to halt search for missing fisherman after boat sank in waters off Bulacan province.
Fisherman in Barangay Poro in San Feranando City,La Union was also reported missing, authorities said.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.did not have public engagement as various parts of Luzon experienced heavy rains and floods due to Kristine.
Asked about Marcos’ schedule, Presidential Communications Secretary Cesar Chavez said the President had “face-to-face” meeting with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro.
Marcos led situation briefing on effects of Kristine in Camp Aguinaldo and directed agencies to coordinate with each other to ensure immediate delivery of aid in inundated areas. He also instructed agencies to dispatch water purifiers to affected areas.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla has assured public all resources of government are being mobilized to help victims affected by severe tropical storm Kristine.
Remulla said the President has ordered to “provide all possible support to local government units” who faced onslaught of tropical cyclone.
“His instructions were, all means possible get to them as quick as possible,” he said .
Remulla noted that Department of Public Works and Highways has 100 percent deployment rate to clear out roads following Kristine’s passage.
Head of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said they are working toward rescue, relief and recovery of those affected by Kristine.
Marcos directed DILG to ramp up preparations for provision of emergency field hospitals and medicines, especially in Naga and other affected areas.
“PBBM’s marching orders are clear: work with utmost urgency and compassion, to rescue those in danger, provide relief for all affected, and make efforts towards restoration of basic services in all affected areas,” Remulla stressed.
Meanwhile, Cavite province has declared state of calamity due to Kristine.
Gov. Athena Tolentino declared state of calamity following Kristine’s passage.
As of 6 in the evening, Bicol is most storm-affected region (1.67 million persons or 345,548 families), according to Office of Civil Defense.
It was followed by Eastern Visayas (528,103 persons or 138,201 families), Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (433,940 persons or 88,893 families), Soccsksargen (78,075 persons or 19,531 families) and Mimaropa (35,334 persons or 9,286 families).
Some 299 roads and bridges in affected regions have also been affected with power interruptions reported in 114 different cities and municipalities mostly in Bicol region.
NDRRMC said 5,980 passengers, 1.351 rolling cargoes, 106 vessels, and 12 motor bancas are stranded in various affected provinces, mostly in Bicol and in Eastern Visayas.
More than thousand houses were also reported damaged in Ilocos, Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Caraga, BARMM and CAR.
In Batangas, around 9,000 individuals fled from various towns and cities due to severe flooding and have been relocated to designated evacuation centers in Lemery, Balayan, Mataasnakahoy, Balete, San Juan, Taal, Cuenca, Sta. Teresita, San Luis, Mabini, Calatagan, Alitagtag, Lobo, Nasugbu, Tuy, and cities of Lipa, Batangas, Sto. Tomas and Calaca.
NDRRMC said more than P21.5 million worth of assistance include food and non-food items and other basic needs has been provided to 7,088 affected families.
Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is investigating incidents involving two vessels that hit port of Batangas during onslaught of Kristine and will file charges against those liable for them.
PPA General Manager Mark Palomar said Super Shuttle 2 broke anchor and authorities could not find its captain when incident was reported.
Other incident involved oil tanker Cassandra, seized by customs bureau last week for transferring unmarked fuel. Palomar said vessel was tied to dock but there was request to move it because of upcoming storm.
Palomar said Kristine has caused damage in the Port of Bulan in Sorsogon, Port of Pio Duran in Albay and PPA’s base port in Legazpi City.
Philippine National Railways (PNR) facilities in Bicol were not spared from wrath of Kristine.
Since Oct. 22, train journeys at PNR have been suspended, as rail management reported that some tracks and stations were flooded.
Some PNR employees were also left trapped inside trains that were inundated in PNR’s Naga station, according to photos. Surrounding area of station was submerged in flood that reached roofs of some houses.
Meanwhile, PNR’s engineering personnel is still assessing potential damage sustained by trains, stations and other PNR facilities in Bicol region.
Tropical Cyclone Kristine left behind trail of destruction in Negros Occidental, with initial P1.7 million in damage to crops and fisheries, while 932 families were affected by flash floods in seven local government units.
Negros Occidental also remains on blue alert status, due to strong gale force winds, although flooding in 10 areas of Sipalay, Bago, Cadiz and Sagay cities has already subsided, while landslide areas in Brgy. Nabulao, Sipalay City, have been cleared.
As of noon of Oct. 24, there are still 232 families, composed of 762 persons, occupying different Negros Occidental evacuation centers, including highly urbanized Bacolod City. Classes have also remained suspended in Negros Occidental.
Meanwhile, Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando has suspended face-to-face classes in all levels, both public and private today. School officials were ordered to conduct online classes or modular distance learning mode.
Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific cancelled on Thursday 74 domestic flights especially in Bicol region due to Kristine.
Some 11,000 passengers or more are affected by cancellation due to Kristine as airlines prioritized safety first.
Leading telco Globe Telecom Inc. started restoration work in parts of Visayas that experienced service disruption.
As of yesterday morning, Globe has successfully restored call, text and data services in some sites that experienced service disruptions due to power outages in provinces of Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar and Southern Leyte.
Less than six percent of Globe sites in Visayas experienced weather-related outages. Restoration efforts will commence in storm-hit provinces across Luzon as soon as ground conditions permit.
Globe said it was ready to deploy Libreng Tawag, Libreng Charging and Libreng WiFi stations to provide communications support in severely affected areas.
TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE
Proverbs 9:10
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
23 Octubre 2024, Miyerkules
supports 35th National Statistics Month October, Advancing data and statistics through digital transformation,a road to empowered nation
supports World Food Day October 16, 2024
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Happy Birthday Loida Tajan-Ocampo, more birthdays to come
Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come
Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come
Duterte to attend first Senate hearing
By Nidz Godino
“The former president told me that he is going to attend Senate hearing regardless of who is presiding,” Sen. Ronald dela Rosa told reporters in Viber message after begging off from quad committee hearing at House of Representatives on extrajudicial killings during his administration, former president Rodrigo Duterte has committed to attend first Senate hearing on the same issue on Monday.
This was according to Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who said Duterte had told him of his readiness to attend hearing next week.
Senate Blue Ribbon committee will lead investigation on EJKs.
“This is the first time he will attend hearing related to what he did or did not do when he was president,my hope is that there will be clear, peaceful and comprehensive exchange of views and providing information that will not lead to any kind of fight, confrontation and hot temper,” Senate President Francis Escudero said at press conference.
Escudero noted that there will be no special treatment to be extended to Duterte. “It’s not that there is no special treatment, but I expect t committee will give him full respect, not only as Filipino, not just as person, but because he was former president of our country,” the Senate President said.
Senate Minority Aquilino Pimentel III, spearheading Senate probe, said other invited resource persons for Oct. 28 hearing are retired police colonel Royina Garma, former National Police Commission head Edilberto Leonardo, former senator Leila de Lima, alleged drug personalities Kerwin Espinosa and families of victims of war on drugs.
“He said he was willing to attend. ..so I said, since he willing to attend… I’ll invite him…but I’ll still start with Garma…should be stated first what the issue is,” Pimentel said in a phone patch interview with Senate reporters.
Pimentel said they are still finalizing list of resource persons to be invited for Monday’s hearing.
“Victim families are OK to be present, and Garma is OK too…but either way, what I want to say first is, what happened in the Philippines’ declared war against illegal drugs?” Pimentel stressed.
Pimentel said Dela Rosa and Sen. Bong Go can use hearing as opportunity to ask questions to resource persons or air their side.
“Dela Rosa and Go will be given time…all senators, we will give time for our hearing to be orderly…limited time, they could use that time to ask. ..they could also use that to read their statement,” Pimentel added.
Pimentel expects hearing on Monday to last six to seven hours, and there is really time for former president Rodrigo Duterte to explain in case his name is mentioned.
De Lima was wishing Duterte gets well soon so he would be able to face investigation of House quad comm.
“I hope, he gets well na so he would have health to face music. So to former president Duterte, I hope you get well soon so you will have strength to face everything,” she told reporters on sidelines of quad comm hearing
She said the former president could be held liable for crimes against humanity under 15-year-old Philippine law.
At recent quad comm hearing, ninth, De Lima cited Republic Act (RA) 9851 of 2009 defines and punishes crimes against international humanitarian law, genocide and other crimes against humanity.
She argued RA 9851, enacted two years before Philippines became signatory to Rome Statute of International Criminal Court (ICC), covers systematic killings under Duterte’s drug war.
“Crime of EJKs carried out by state security forces and their agents in implementation of war on drugs falls under general category of ‘other crimes against humanity’ under Section 6, consists of acts ‘committed as part of widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population, with knowledge of the attack,’” De Lima said, quoting the law.
“These acts include willful killing, extermination, torture and enforced disappearance, among others,” she pointed out.
De Lima emphasized under RA 9851, those crimes are non-bailable and could be punished by life imprisonment.
She added that law holds not just direct perpetrators responsible, but also those leadership positions who order or induce such crimes. “According to Section 8, person who orders, solicits or merely induces systematic attack on civilian population and which thereafter occurs or is attempted is liable as principal, same applies to anyone who contributes to commission of the crime by group of persons acting with common purpose,” De Lima explained.
De Lima further pointed out that RA 9851 does not exempt government officials, including heads of state, from criminal responsibility.
“Section 9 provides that ‘official capacity as head of state or government shall in no case exempt person from criminal responsibility under this Act, nor shall it, in and of itself, constitute ground for reduction of sentence,’” De Lima said.
The former senator stressed crimes under RA 9851 are not subject to prescription, meaning those responsible can be prosecuted at any time.
“Crimes defined and penalized under this Act, their prosecution and execution of sentences imposed on their account, shall not be subject to any prescription, they can be hunted for life,” she said,
De Lima also noted that Philippines recognized authority of international courts like ICC to prosecute crimes against humanity even before joining Rome Statute in 2011.
“Through this law, we have recognized jurisdiction of ICC over crimes against humanity committed in the Philippines even before we ratified Rome Statute as binding treaty,” De Lima said.
Garma admitted before quad committee last night that Duterte called her up once through her cellphone last week, but didn’t stop her from giving her testimony.
Garma was initially reluctant to answer query of ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro, with whom she hugged when they bumped into each other in comfort room, since Garma has been detained at Batasang Pambansa Complex.
“Tumawag po…he just explained na mapagkakatiwalaan ang Iglesia …sabi niya mapagkakatiwalaan sila sa pera,” she said, referring to Iglesia member Edilberto Leonardo whom Garma tagged as the one who handled alleged cash reward system for drug kills.
Asked if Duterte meant Leonardo could be trusted with money matters, Garma replied, “It can be interpreted that way, maybe, your honor.”
“Hindi niya ako pinigilan,..actually, nag-sorry po ako…yes, I said sorry.” Garma said, referring to Duterte. “”
Garma also admitted last night to Castro that it was her daughter, special child who is now with her at Batasan Complex, who advised her to spill beans on alleged extrajudicial killings in previous administration.
23 Octubre 2024, Miyerkules
supports 35th National Statistics Month October, Advancing data and statistics through digital transformation,a road to empowered nation
supports World Food Day October 16, 2024
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Happy Birthday Loida Tajan-Ocampo, more birthdays to come
Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come
Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come
Palace suspends gov’t work, classes in Luzon on October 23,31
By Nidz Godino
“Suspension of work for private companies and offices is left to discretion of their respective heads,” Office of the Secretary (OES) said Malacañang suspended government work and classes in Luzon for Wednesday, October 23, due to Tropical Storm Kristine.
Kristine is forecast to further intensify and make landfall over Isabela or northern Aurora on Wednesday.
“In view of the inclement weather brought about by Tropical Storm “Kristine” affecting whole country, particularly Island of Luzon, work in government offices and classes at all levels in Luzon are hereby suspended on 23 October 2024,” OES said.
Government agencies whose functions involve first response to disasters will continue with their operations.
As these developed Malacañang has suspended work in government offices and classes in all levels nationwide from 12 noon onwards on Oct. 31 to provide state employees full opportunity to properly observe All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
Suspension of work comes from Memorandum Circular 67 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
Agencies whose functions involve delivery of basic and health services, preparedness or response to disasters and calamities, and,or performance of other vital service, however, are not covered by the order.
Suspension of work for private companies and offices, meanwhile, is left to discretion of their respective heads, memo read.
Nov. 1 was previously declared by Malacañang as special non-working day.
TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE
Galatians 6:2
2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
22 Octubre 2024, Martes
supports 35th National Statistics Month October, Advancing data and statistics through digital transformation,a road to empowered nation
supports World Food Day October 16, 2024
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Happy Birthday Loida Tajan-Ocampo, more birthdays to come
Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come
Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come
5,753 teachers pass DepEd exam for school administrators
By Creselda Canda-Lopez
Yearly, 22,000 examinee slots for school administrators are distributed nationwide in each region and priority is given to those who have served as head teacher for one year, assistant school principals without NQESH eligibility, teachers-in-charge and master teachers.
Over 5,000 teachers nationwide are now qualified to become school principals after passing Department of Education (DepEd)-administered examination for school heads.
Under DepEd Memorandum 059, out of nearly 22,000 takers of 2023 National Qualifying Examination for School Heads (NQESH), 5,753 or 26 percent passed for appointment to entry-level school principal positions.
Rest of takers who scored below required indicators were advised to take next NQESH.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said NQESH aims to “increase department’s pool of qualified aspiring principals to fill in existing and continuous vacancies due to retirement, promotion or vacancies.”
Top-performing takers were all from school divisions in Metro Manila, including Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Pasay, Manila, Valenzuela, Malabon, Navotas, Parañaque and Taguig-Pateros.
Marlon Maravilla, teacher from Quezon City, was named top overall scorer with grade of 92.10.
Angara said NQESH serves as an opportunity for head teachers to progress and for DepEd to continue its baseline assessment of all aspiring school heads’ competencies and learning needs.
He added it also assesses and identifies learning and professional development needs of potential school heads to prepare them to lead school.
Aspiring school heads take NQESH every year, but to qualify for examinations, they must have spent at least a year as head teacher or two years as master teacher or teacher-in-charge.
Also qualified to take test are those with Teacher III rank or other positions within same salary grade who have had five years teaching experience or incumbent public school teachers who have had managerial and supervisory experience in DepEd-recognized private school or private and state university or college.
Those who have aggregate experience of all qualifications are also eligible.
DepEd would release rating of all takers to their regional offices.
2 Octubre, 2024 Martes
supports 35th National Statistics Month October, Advancing data and statistics through digital transformation,a road to empowered nation
supports World Food Day October 16, 2024
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
PM for any hospital discharge problem
FMJ expands West Cebu Industrial Park
By Nidz Godino
Designating several parcels of land in Balamban, Cebu for inclusion into special economic zone President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expanded West Cebu Industrial Park.
Parcels of land are located at Barangays Arpili and Buanoy, and have aggregate area of 176,783 square meters, according to Proclamation No. 710 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin by authority of Marcos last Oct. 16.
Proclamation was issued upon recommendation of board of directors of Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and covers 19 lots.
West Cebu Industrial Park is operated by Cebu Industrial Park Developers Inc., joint venture between Philippine conglomerate Aboitiz Group and Japan’s Tsuneishi Group.
PEZA special economic zone hosts variety of global enterprises employing over 14,000 skilled Filipinos across medium to heavy industries, according to website of Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates.
PEZA gives fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to registered business enterprises depending on location and industry priority. Fiscal incentives include income tax holiday of four to seven years and availment of special corporate income tax rate of five percent or enhanced deductions for 10 years for export-oriented firms; and income tax holiday of four to seven years and availment of enhanced deductions for five years for domestic market enterprises.
22 Octubre, 2024 Martes
supports 35th National Statistics Month October, Advancing data and statistics through digital transformation,a road to empowered nation
supports World Food Day October 16, 2024
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
PM for any hospital discharge problem
NPC to lower electricity costs
By J.Lo
“Look for ways to reduce UCME…. I know that hybridization is one and connecting to grid could be another,” Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian told NPC officials National Power Corp (NPC) should work to reduce universal charge for missionary electrification (UCME) subsidy to possibly bring down electricity rates for consumers connected to main transmission grid.
During recent Senate hearing on proposed budget of NPC, Gatchalian said government-owned and controlled corporation is mandated by law to energize far-flung, off-grid areas and islands in the country.
UCME is used to subsidize more expensive cost of providing electricity in off-grid areas.
“I’m very optimistic that one day, benefit of hybridization and rationalization of UCME would translate to lower subsidy,” senator said.
Gatchalian, vice-chair of Senate committee on energy, however, noted that UCME subsidy has steadily increased over the years, from P7.34 billion in 2015 to P24.62 billion in 2024.
At present, NPC is pushing to accelerate hybridization of its small power utilities group diesel power plants using renewable energy resources.
NPC officials said hybridization lowers cost of energy by P2 to P3 per kilowatt hour.
NPC said with completion of hybridization for 16 projects, power firm expects to generate up to P1.3 billion in savings from fuel costs by 2025.
NPC, however, accounts for only 30 percent of energy supply in missionary areas, while 70 percent is provided by new power providers (NPPs).
“How do we convince NPPs, account for 70 percent, to hybridize…I understand they have supply contracts, so we should explore possibility of incentivizing or compelling them, if necessary, to hybridize… UCME subsidy is steadily increasing,” Gatchalian said.
At the same time, the senator urged NPC to pursue rationalization study of UCME that Department of Energy has conducted.
ISKUP! 