TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Proverbs 15:23

²³ A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—
    and how good is a timely word!

21 Octubre, 2024 Lunes

supports 35th National Statistics Month October, Advancing data and statistics through digital transformation,a  road to empowered nation

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DOST to address Ph plastic polluter tag

By Nidz Godino

“According to the SEA circular,  initiative from  UN Environment Programme and Coordinating Body on Seas of East Asia,  Philippines is one of the world’s worst offenders on marine plastic pollution, with 0.28 – 0.75 million tons per year of plastic entering oceans and coastal areas in Manila Bay,” Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. will pursue  initiative to promote circular, green and sustainable economy that will address  country’s notoriety as one of the world’s top plastic polluters especially of oceans.

Solidum said DOST is now implementing their Science, Technology and Innovation for Circular Economy (STI4CE) initiative that actively supports research and development projects and efforts at adoption of sustainable plastic and packaging materials technologies by communities and industries.

 “This is  result of  limitations we see in  linear economy…for too long, our economic model has followed  linear trajectory of ‘take, make and dispose,’” Solidum said.

Under their STI4CE framework push, Solidum said DOST has already supported 53 R&D initiatives to advance  circular economy concept aimed at managing plastic waste generation in the country.

DOST and corporate giant SM Investments Corp. have meanwhile forged  partnership to advance  development and adoption of sustainable plastic materials and improve plastic waste management strategies in the country.

DOST and SMIC agreed to collaborate on essential and sustainable plastic initiatives, including joint research and development, training programs and conferences.

“Being  responsible company is important to SM and plastics are  real sustainability issue for the country…we are keen to work with our many stakeholders to reduce plastics use in the Philippines…we always look for practical solutions,” Timothy Daniels, consultant for investor relations and sustainability, said. 

SM group, most notably its retail and mall teams, has been taking steps to reduce plastic use, recognizing that key contributors of plastic waste include bags at retail outlets, product packaging, as well as plastic water bottles and food packaging.

Standardized  waste segregation policy called RDC (Recyclable, Disposable and Compostable) and  mall-wide campaign called Waste-Free Future are currently being implemented.

SM, through SM Prime Holdings, partnered with Japanese company GUUN to develop infrastructure for systematic waste management and resource recovery. This partnership will implement  Japanese technique of reducing landfill impact. Technology converts non-recyclable and hard-to-recycle packaging into alternative fuel.

21 Octubre, 2024 Lunes

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

Alice Guo is spy, but ‘not  special one’

By Nidz Godino

“Guo hua Ping was  spy but not  special one… just so happens there is  copy of her state security background there…and her situation with Mr. She has lot of similarities,” Guo’s friend and cellmate, Wang Fu Gui,  files of self-proclaimed Chinese spy She Zhijiang point to dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo also known as Guo Hua Ping) being a spy just not a special one. 

In  bombshell Al Jazeera documentary, She alleged Alice Guo was  spy, entrusting his friend and cellmate, Wang Fu Gui, with secret files that confirmed Guo’s status as a spy.

Wang said  field agents are recruited by  state security. He explained there are special hacking teams and chambers of commerce in charge of information collection from agents abroad. 

“Guo Hua Ping’s fake Filipino identity is such  secret and weakness that she can only listen to state security,” Wang said. 

Wang went as far as to say that Guo’s campaign for mayor was funded by Chinese state security. 

Asked if Philippine offshore gaming operators have something to do with spying operations, Wang said that there was  connection. 

“There’s also  fact that all of this is totally connected to  Belt and Road,  also just part of  huge United Front and intelligence strategic plan for the whole world, including foreign colonization tactics,” Wang said. 

 Belt and Road Initiative is China’s massive infrastructure project  spans multiple countries, which aims to establish  new, modern “Silk Road”. 

Meanwhile, China’s United Front is  network of  Chinese Communist Party with various allies to achieve specific objectives.

Sen. Rissa Hontiveros’ team has attempted to contact She himself, who is in the custody of Thai officials. However, She remains under strict surveillance. 

National Bureau of Investigation has found  Alice Guo’s fingerprints matched with Chinese national Guo Hua Ping. 

21 Octubre, 2024 Lunes

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

Headlines

Hse quad comm invites Duterte to drug war probe

By Nidz Godino

“Joint committee respectfully invites you to attend  inquiry to provide valuable insights and shed light on  issues under discussion, particularly  EJKs,” read a portion of the one-page document dated Oct. 18 and signed by lead chairman Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, quad committee of  House of Representatives has invited former president Rodrigo Duterte to attend its next hearing tomorrow to shed light on allegations that he implemented  reward system for extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during his term.

Senate President Francis Escudero said Senate Blue Ribbon committee would investigate  Duterte administration’s drug war, parallel to  inquiry being done by  quad committee.

Escudero said Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III will spearhead proceedings in  Blue Ribbon subcommittee, since its chairperson, Sen. Pia Cayetano, is busy campaigning for reelection.

Barbers asked Duterte, if he has  presentation or opening statement, to submit it to the quad secretariat beforehand.

Hearing  will start at 9:30 in the morning. when  four committees  dangerous drugs, public order and safety, human rights and public accounts will resume for purposes of conducting  further probe on EJKs,  retired police colonel Royina Garma exposed as having  systematic reward system. 

Joint  committee also instructed newly assigned Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief, Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, to assist  House in “ensuring” invitation to Duterte will be received by him, or his “representative in his residence in Davao City.”  

Torre was known for his no-nonsense approach in arresting fugitive pastor Apollo Quiboloy last month.

Rep. Jude Acidre of party-list Tingog, for his part, expects “more explosive testimonies” from Garma , very loyal and trusted aide of Duterte whom he appointed as general manager of  Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)  when  quad comm hearing resumes. 

“Her testimonies lay bare what many have feared: that  so-called war on drugs wasn’t just  campaign against crime  it was  state-sanctioned bloodbath,” Acidre pointed out.

“Details we are hearing are appalling, and it is clear that this wasn’t  anti-drug campaign , it was  systematic execution plan with rewards for killings, these revelations are shocking, but unfortunately, they aren’t surprising… Duterte administration was known for its violent rhetoric, but we are now seeing how deeply entrenched this violence was in the institutions themselves, Garma’s testimony doesn’t just implicate rogue officers , it implicates  highest levels of government, including Duterte and Go,” he said, recalling Garma’s signed affidavit implicating Duterte and his former special assistant now Sen. Bong Go to the so-called war on drugs.

The former PCSO chief revealed how she was instructed by Duterte to help find  police officer who could replicate  deadly “Davao model” nationwide  operation  police were rewarded for killing suspects. 

Garma recommended former police colonel Edilberto Leonardo, who later led  task force that, according to Garma, operated with impunity under Duterte’s directive.

Leonardo was appointed National Police Commission chief until he filed his resignation recently.

Pimentel said “Ok, yes. I will accept my new assignment” as blue ribbon subcommittee head. 

Escudero pointed out that two Senate members , Senators Go and Ronald dela Rosa held key positions under  previous administration.

Go was special assistant to the president, and Dela Rosa was  first chief of the Philippine National Police under  Duterte administration and was considered  architect of  anti-drug campaign dubbed “Oplan Tokhang.”

The Senate President also pointed out that Congress went on recess last Sept. 27, and will resume session on Nov. 4, and only  Senate Blue Ribbon has  motu proprio power to conduct investigation.

In agreeing to tap  Senate panel to handle the matter, Escudero explained senators discussed in plenary regarding  motu proprio power of the committees.

“When we go into recess,  referral of the committee on rules to  appropriate committee seems to be hijacked as other committees conduct their investigation motu proprio,” he said. “Reason for us to reiterate that only  Blue Ribbon committee, and not all committees, can have  motu proprio hearing.”

Escudero pointed out that  decision was meant to grant Dela Rosa’s wish to have  hearing even during recess. Claiming that  House quad committee hearings were politicized, Go and Dela Rosa pushed for  Senate to conduct  parallel probe.

He also revealed that he spoke to the committee secretariat, and asked them if it is possible to coordinate with Go and Dela Rosa to identify witnesses to be invited to the Senate hearing.

Escudero wanted  Senate to conduct  hearing while Congress is in recess, since upon  resumption on Nov. 4, senators would be busy discussing  proposed P6.352-trillion national budget for 2025 and other proposed measures.

House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.to order  creation of  independent fact-finding commission to investigate EJKs.

“We urge the President to form  panel  similar to  Agrava Fact-Finding Board  that will probe  summary killings and identify all individuals who may be held criminally liable, just like  Agrava board,  proposed commission should be independent from  legislative and executive branches of government,  should consist of distinguished individuals who are highly regarded for their fairness and impartiality, and  are not politically aligned,”  4Ps party-list congressman  Libanan added.

Libanan,  lawyer by profession, served as chairman of  House committee on justice.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin earlier stated that  Marcos administration “places  highest importance on the fair dispensation of justice and on universal observance of rule of law” in  ongoing investigations into  summary execution of drug suspects.

The five-member Agrava Fact-Finding Board investigated  Aug. 21, 1983 assassination of former senator Benigno Aquino Jr. at  Manila International Airport.

Board  was chaired by  country’s first woman judge, retired appellate court Justice Corazon Agrava, alongside lawyer Luciano Salazar, businessman Dante Santos, educator Amado Dizon, and labor leader Ernesto Herrera, who was later elected senator.

Within 11 months, board took testimonies from 194 witnesses at 146 public hearings, and examined more than 1,400 photographic exhibits.

Board  concluded  Aquino was killed by  military conspiracy led by then-Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Fabian Ver.

In 1990,  Sandiganbayan sentenced 16 soldiers, including Brig. Gen. Luther Custodio, to double life imprisonment for  assassination of Aquino and fall guy Rolando Galman. Ver died in Thailand in 1998.

Testimonies and evidence presented during  ongoing House quad committee hearings corroborate previous findings of  Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in its investigation into Duterte administration’s deadly campaign against illegal drugs.

CHR, in  statement, expressed optimism with  recent developments at  quad committee hearings, particularly on details by witnesses regarding EJK incidents.

“CHR is closely monitoring  testimonies and emerging pieces of evidence,  may contribute to our own ongoing investigations…we are hopeful that  quad committee’s inquiry will lead to tangible progress in advancing justice for  victims of EJKs, given  considerable challenges  CHR faced during  past administration, we are encouraged that current socio-political climate offers  more conducive environment for  resolution of these case,”  commission said.

Some of the testimonies affirmed previous CHR findings, such as  supposed reward system revealed by Garma.  CHR report, released in April 2022, found that police operatives involved in the campaign “are either to be awarded, rewarded, or recognized.”

“We reiterate urgency of thoroughly investigating this reward system, as it is crucial in understanding  scope and depth of  violations committed during  campaign,” CHR said.

Commission  highlighted its other findings, including  consistent narrative of “nanlaban (fought)” and  use of excessive and disproportionate force by  police conducting  operations.

“It cannot be overemphasized that justice and accountability must be pursued, considering  significant number of alleged EJK cases, as well as  alleged involvement of high-profile personalities, after years of raising concerns over  anti-drug campaign and relentless call for accountability,  CHR welcomes these promising developments that may contribute to  long-awaited pursuit of justice,”  CHR said.

Commission  expressed its support with ongoing investigation, saying it is ready to share its own reports and findings to the committee. 

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Psalm 40:8

⁸ I desire to do your will, my God;
    your law is within my heart.”

20 Octubre,2024 Linggo

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

Ph, France strengthen marine conservation cooperation efforts

By Nidz Godino

“Discussions on marine biodiversity and biodiversity conservation is also very important because Philippines, archipelagic state made up of more than 7,100 islands, maintains existential link with ocean,” French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel said.Philippines and France are taking steps to strengthen cooperation in ensuring marine conservation, with key government officials from both countries holding first of a series of “Blue Talks” with local and foreign experts on biodiversity.

First  conference was held last Wednesday. It was organized by Stratbase ADR Institute in partnership with embassy of France in the Philippines.

Fontanel explained Blue Talk conference is part of Blue Nations initiative,  holistic program of bilateral cooperation between France and  Philippines in  perspective of working together as two maritime nations toward  next United Nations Ocean Conference,  will take place in France in June 2025.

 “Purpose of this conference is to foster  dialogue between all stakeholders in order to identify successful ways and ideas to help  policymakers and every one of us to better protect and preserve  biodiversity that we all depend on,” she stressed.

Fontanel announced second Blue Talk conference will take place on Nov. 21 and will explore  possibility of having  maritime dialogue between France and  Philippines.

Stratbase ADR Institute president Dindo Manhit noted importance of working with like-minded states like France in protecting  Philippine marine environment for future generations.

“Development of  ‘blue economy’ is  crucial step towards sustainable growth and today’s collaboration with  embassy of France offers  valuable opportunity to strengthen partnerships with like-minded nations,” he said.

He added that  conference “underscored  benefits of sustainable ocean use and conservation such as ensuring food security and boosting livelihoods and connectivity” as  threat of climate change is constantly increasing.

Environment Undersecretary Ernesto Adobo Jr., who is also supervising  Biodiversity Management Bureau, emphasized importance of collaborations between  Philippines and France in enhancing political, scientific and civic engagement in environment protection, climate action, blue economy and maritime security.

“We need to ensure  sustainability not only of our use of marine biodiversity, but also of our conservation, restoration and regeneration efforts…we can only do this through cooperation,” he said.

Environment  official also said their cooperation with  French embassy and Stratbase ADR Institute brought  “triple planetary crisis”  biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution into  awareness of  different sectors.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) National Maritime Center director Vice Admiral Roy Echeverria said one of the alarming threats in the Philippines is  environmental collateral damage happening in  West Philippine Sea (WPS) due to  island building and construction and destructive fishing methods being conducted by some foreign fishermen.

“Philippine Coast Guard conducted underwater survey in some parts of  West Philippine Sea, specifically in Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal, we found that Rozul Reef exhibits  environment void of living organisms,on the other hand, Escoda Shoal presents noticeable color difference between  top half of its sandbar and its portion that is submerged during low tide,” he said.

PCG official revealed two maritime areas have “deep-dead marine ecosystems with minimal to no presence of life forms,” warning that other areas of  WPS may experience  same fate.

PCG Maritime Security Law Enforcement Command head Vice Admiral Robert Patrimonio also reported that  primary maritime security threat in the Philippines is “illegal unreported unregulated fishing” conducted by both local and foreign fishermen.

Other security threats include smuggling, illegal transport of forest products, dangerous drug trafficking, human trafficking, armed robbery at sea and piracy and hijacking.

“Addressing  evolving maritime threats is  shared responsibility for all of us to mitigate, if not suppress, such threats… precious information from our shipping and coastal communities, when shared to proper authorities, could be vital in revising policies, strategies and deployment of our very limited and precious resources,” Patrimonio said.

20 Octubre,2024 Linggo

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

16 falsification, perjury complaints against Tony Yang

By Nidz Godino

“Respondent concealed his identity as  Chinese national, obtained  Filipino birth certificate and used his Filipino name/s as incorporator of these corporations, thus committing falsification in  corporations’ articles of incorporation and by-laws…he was also charged for committing perjury and illegal use of alias,” National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed 16 complaints for falsification of public documents, perjury and violations of  Anti-Alias Law against Yang Jianxin, also known as Tony Yang, brother of former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang.

 Complaints were lodged with Office of the City Prosecutor of Cagayan de Oro and were led by Regional Director Patricio Bernales Jr.

Tony, who was arrested by Bureau of Immigration officials last Sept. 19, is linked to ongoing Senate and House of Representatives inquiries regarding human trafficking and  illicit operations of Philippine offshore gaming operators. He is alleged to have significant involvement in illegal activities through POGOs.

NBI’s investigation revealed that Tony used various pseudonyms to establish multiple corporations, including Oro One Inc., Philippine Sanjia Steel Incorporated and Mis. Or. Sand and Gravel Corporation. These corporations were registered with  Securities and Exchange Commission in Cagayan de Oro City. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency also confirmed at  House quad committee hearing that one of Tony’s business associates is  person of interest.

Furthermore, Hongjiang Yang, another brother of Tony and Michael, is reportedly connected to  drug case and had his account frozen due to  joint bank account with Zhengcan Yu, one of the founders of Hong Sheng Gaming Corporation,  Bamban-based POGO located within  compound owned by Baofu,  incorporated by dismissed mayor Alice Guo.

From 2018 to 2022,  bank account held by Hongjiang and Yu recorded nearly P2-billion cash flow.

20 Octubre,2024 Linggo

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

Headlines

Overhaul party-list system- Comelec

By J.Lo

“In my opinion, it should be given  complete overhaul so that it can reflect decisions of Supreme Court, concerns on marginalized and underrepresented would be reflected, address qualification of nominees and even check how to compute their representation in Congress,” Commission on Elections (Comelec Chairman George Garcia called on lawmakers to push for  complete overhaul of Republic Act (RA) 7941 or  Party-List System Act to address  concerns of different sectors, especially  marginalized.

Garcia said amending the law would make it more responsive to  requirements of party-list representation.

 “We really hope that it will be updated, revised, amended and fixed, this party-list system, especially since it was passed way back in 1995,” he stressed.

Garcia said  overhaul is necessary since all  party-list groups, their nominees and even  Comelec are facing numerous criticisms.

“lssues,  problems and  criticisms being thrown to party-list organizations are all rooted in this law that is being implemented by  Comelec,” Garcia said.

RA 7941 was signed into law by then-president Fidel Ramos in March 1995.  Law aims to promote proportional representation in House of Representatives through  party-list system of registered parties or organizations of Filipinos belonging to marginalized and underrepresented sectors.

Critics of the law argue that it is being exploited by political aspirants who do not genuinely represent  marginalized and underrepresented sector.

TODÀY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Psalm 51:12

¹² Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

19 Octubre,2024 Sabado

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

Asiya 2024 highlights quirky dance music, bubblegum pop, ‘hugot’

By Cynthia Montojo

“So many thoughts going through my head… exactly two years ago kasi medyo may mabigat akong pinagdaanan two years ago. ..two years ago ‘yun…siyempre hindi na ngayon…masaya na ‘yung buhay ko ngayon…hove on, move on din ‘pag may time, girl,” Singaporean singer-songwriter SHYE shared when one is stuck on ’80s and ’90s playlists, it is hard to think that one can enjoy  music festival that has mostly Gen Zs, Alphas and younger Millenials as its audience. 

Two-day Asiya Music Festival and Conference hosted musicians and artists in World Trade Center. 

Singaporean singer-songwriter, though evidently  bit shy, established camaraderie with her mostly Filipino audience. 

SHYE shared she wrote her own songs from her bedroom. Her songs remind listeners of  rainy day afternoon while cozying up in  room reading young adult fiction novels.

She sings about young love and unrequited love in “Flowers,” while she hopes for  better day for her loved ones in “How R U Sleeping.” 

Her cover of IV of Spades’ “Come Inside of My Heart,” earned her cheers and applause from  Filipino crowd who usually appreciates any foreign artist that covers Filipino songs. Incidentally,  Spades’ Zild also had his own set at  music fest.