Happy third birthday with father God Cynthia Lopez
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Seaport passenger volume increase this weekend expected
By Nidz Godino
“Unless there is favorable company policy, practice or collective bargaining agreement granting payment on special day, ‘no work no pay’ principle applies,” Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said with long holiday weekend starting today until Aug. 26, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is expecting increase in volume of passengers at seaports, including those heading to tourist destinations.
PCG acting spokesman Commodore Algier Ricafrente said higher volume of passengers, comprising mostly of tourists, would most likely occur in short route ports like Batangas to Calapan in Oriental Mindoro and mainland Aklan to Boracay Island.
With expected increased activity at seaports, Ricafrente said their personnel in concerned stations and sub-stations would implement necessary safety measures to maintain order at the ports.
PCG would be on lookout for unscrupulous passenger boat operators and boat captains intending to take advantage of the high number of passengers, in hurry to reach their destinations and offer their colorum services.
Meanwhile, workers who opt to enjoy holiday and not report for work today are not getting any pay, according to the DOLE.
In advisory, DOLE noted “no work no pay” principle applies during special non-working days like today.
Meanwhile, those who will be reporting for work shall be paid additional 30 percent of their basic wage on the first eight hours of work.
Those who render overtime work shall be paid additional 30 percent of their hourly rate.
Employees who will be required to report on Ninoy Aquino Day, coincides with their rest day, shall be paid additional 50 percent of their basic wage on the first eight hours of work and another 30 percent for overtime work.
On National Heroes’ Day, workers who will be reporting for work shall receive double their regular daily pay. Services rendered beyond eight hours shall be paid additional 30 percent of worker’s hourly rate.
DOLE said employees who will report for work on Monday that falls on their rest day shall get additional 30 percent on top of 200 percent pay. Additional 30 percent of hourly rate will be added for services beyond eight hours.
Those who will not report for work shall receive 100 percent of their regular daily pay.
Happy third birthday with father God Cynthia Lopez
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supports Agosto 2024, Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa
Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024
Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party
Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance
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watch for the coming “Gamefowl Quest”
General aviation terminals,Chiz renews call to set up
By Nidz Godino
“I have been asking CAAP ,Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and DOTr ,Department of Transportation for long time in relation to our lack of general aviation terminal since airport was invented in the Philippines,” Senate President Francis Escudero said on sidelines of 30th Defense and Sporting Arms Show at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Wednesday with escape of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo apparently on chartered flight.
Escudero renewed his call for establishment of general aviation terminals, where customs and immigration could check aircraft catering, rented and exclusive flights.
Escudero said without general aviation terminals, persons like Guo or Chinese national Guo Hua Ping can slip in and out of the country without going through standard inspection by customs and immigration officials. He underscored gap in the system that allows wealthy to bypass usual checks ordinary citizens face.
Escudero expressed suspicion that Guo likely used chartered plane to escape, though he acknowledged myriad ways someone with means could leave Philippines, given its archipelagic nature.
“That’s probably what she did…unless she also took ship, without general aviation terminal, individuals with private planes can bypass standard procedures, including inspections by customs and immigration, right now, anyone who has private plane, those rich people, will just go to their hangar, send their passport, get it stamped, go to their lounge and get on the plane to leave…landing back in the Philippines like this again,” Escudero lamented noting various escape routes available to well-connected.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada threatened to push for cut in intelligence funds of Philippine National Police (PNP) for its failure to locate and arrest Guo.
Estrada said PNP leadership should justify that police force deserves intelligence funds they have requested for 2025.
“That’s big thing to focus on, I warned NBI ,National Bureau of Investigation and PNP, their intelligence is weak since subject of manhunt remains free…let’s cut their intel fund if they can’t track that person,” Estrada said during Kapihan sa Senado forum.
Estrada also expressed belief that officials and personnel of Bureau of Immigration and CAAP should be held accountable for escape of Guo.
Du30 ordered killing of drug inmates, hitmen claim
By J.Lo
“I heard Padilla’s caller saying…congrats Superintendent Padilla…job well done…but job was grim, it was like blood stew…’ I know that Padilla was talking with president Duterte because I am familiar with his voice,” convicted drug dealer Leopoldo Tan Jr. one of two inmates from Davao penitentiary come forward and tagged former president Rodrigo Duterte as mastermind who indirectly ordered them to kill three Chinese drug lords inside penal colony in August 2016.
Tan confessed he, along with fellow inmate Fernando Magdadaro, made good on their deal with Supt. Gerardo Padilla and stabbed Chinese drug lords Chu Kin Tung also known as Tony Lim, Li Lan Yan aka Jackson Li and Wong Meng Pin aka Wang Ming Ping.
Tan stated in his sworn affidavit that as soon as they killed trio, they were called to the investigation section of penal colony.
There, Padilla received call on his cellular phone. Tan claimed he had inkling it was Duterte on other end of the line.
Appearing before quad committee of House of Representatives that is investigating extrajudicial killings during Duterte’s administration until June 2022, duo admitted they were given P1 million each for the job, but complained that they were never granted freedom promised to them.
Magdadaro and Tan, who gave their testimonies under oath, categorically stated that they issued their affidavits out of frustration and motivated by their wish to be released from prison, as promised by Tan’s high school classmate and alleged broker for the hit job, SPO4 Arthur Narsolis, among others.
Tan recalled that Narsolis visited him when senior police officer was still assigned at the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detective Ggroup-11 in Davao City and his superiors were Col. Edilberto Leonardo, regional CIDG-11 chief, and Lt. Col. Royina Garma.
“I know Lt. Col. Royina Garma who has relationship with Art,” Tan stated in his affidavit.
Tan quoted his policeman-friend telling him… “I have job for you and this has the go signal from higher authorities…maybe we could also help secure your freedom, we will talk with the president.”
Both inmates expressed their anger and frustration over broken promises of freedom.
He claimed they were forced to admit killing Chu, Wang and Lee and were charged with homicide for murders and received additional sentences following subsequent conviction despite assurances that they would be released.
Tan also said in his affidavit that everything stated in his affidavit was truth and that no one influenced him. He also acknowledged that his statement might be used against him. Sworn statement was dated Aug. 21 and notarized in Baguio City by lawyer Jocelyn Runes Bulwayan.
Duterte’s former chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo dismissed allegations as mere demolition job.
“Demolition job on the Dutertes is in full swing… enemies of FPRRD Duterte are using convicted felons of murders and drug trafficking to link him to murders of the three Chinese detainees of which they were perpetrators on the basis of their bare allegations, convicts have nothing to lose since they are jailed for life,” Panelo said in statement.
Panelo claimed accusers are making statements “for consideration.”
“If it is true as they say that they killed three Chinese in exchange for money and release from prison, necessarily they can lie about FPRRD’s alleged link to murders for the same consideration of money and freedom coming from those who want to destroy Dutertes,” he said.
In a Facebook post, former presidential spokesman Harry Roque said confessions have “no probative value as to former president.”
“Res inter alios acta…confessions bind only confessants and not third parties…no probative value as to third parties such as FPRRD,” former Cabinet official said.
Happy third birthday with father God Cynthia Lopez
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Guo sister, companion back in Ph after arrest
By Nidz Godino
“They were considered illegal aliens by Indonesian immigration as they are wanted in the Philippines,” Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco said two companions of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo , her sister Sheila and Lucky South 99 incorporator Cassandra Li Ong arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on board Philippine Airlines flight PR540 landed at 4:18 in the afternoon yesterday.
Escorted by four female Philippine immigration officials, Guo and Ong were met at the airport by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director Jaime Santiago and Tansingco.
The two were brought to immigration counter for processing and whisked away by personnel, first to BI for medical and inquest procedures, then to NBI headquarters for questioning and debriefing.
Sheila Guo will be turned over to custody of the Senate while Ong will be under House of Representatives, in accordance with their respective warrants.
Indonesian immigration officials apprehended the pair at Mega Mall Batam Centre in Riau, Indonesia on Aug. 20.
While Alice Guo was initially believed to have entered Indonesia with them via cruise ship from Singapore, she apparently evaded authorities.
Upon learning that Guo siblings traveled to Batam island last Aug. 18, BI said they immediately coordinated with their Indonesian counterparts, who initiated investigation on subjects’ whereabouts.
BI also learned that male Singaporean national allegedly assisted four persons, reportedly including Guo’s brother Wesley, in booking their stay in Indonesia.
Sheila Guo and Ong were allegedly about to leave Batam Island when Indonesian investigation team from Directorate of Wasdakim intercepted them and initiated their return to the Philippines.
Guos and Ong flew to Indonesia while under investigation for illegal activities in Philippine offshore gaming operator hubs in Porac, Pampanga and Bamban were subjects of active warrants issued by Senate and Congress.
Santiago confirmed they are now coordinating with International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to find Alice Guo.
They have plans to request blue notice from Interpol to help determine Guo’s whereabouts. While investigation is ongoing, they have not confirmed if Guo is still in the Philippines.
Philippines has worked with Indonesian authorities for return of Sheila Guo and business associate Ong, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.said yesterday.
“You know what I know, that they were intercepted in various places in Singapore and Indonesia…and, we are now of course in coordination with Indonesian government and their agencies, arranging for them to be brought back,” the President told reporters in Malacañang.
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Sheila Guo and Ong will be under NBI custody for questioning.
“We have to debrief them…we have to know what happened…we have to process them first… legislative investigation should come later…we have to process everybody in accordance with law,” he said.
On the issue of canceling passports, Remulla said Philippine government cannot summarily do this as such documents are “vested with rights.”
“It was not found advisable also to treat it summarily because if passports are canceled immediately then how can you make them travel back to the country,” he stressed.
For her part, Sen. Risa Hontiveros commended Indonesian authorities for immediate arrest of Guo and Ong. Hontiveros looks forward to their attendance in Senate’s next hearing on Tuesday.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian expressed confidence that with apprehension of Guo and Ong by Indonesian authorities, “it is only matter of time before Guo Hua Ping, aka Alice Guo, is brought to justice.”
Senate President Francis Escudero had already spoken to Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. and Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Lt. Gen. Roberto Ancan for arrangements on custody of the individuals involved.
“Senate Secretary and Sgt-at-Arms will coordinate with BI and office of Senator Risa to enforce and effect warrant of arrest issued by Senate vs. Sheila Guo and detain her at Senate,” Escudero said.
Escudero said OSAA “would effect arrest of Sheila Guo at the airport and bring her to Senate detention facility.”
Ancan also told Senate President that they have “made coordination with HOR-SAA (House of Representatives-Sgt-At-Arms).”
Maj. Gen. Napoleon Taas said they will take custody of Cassandra Ong. PNP will arrest her at NAIA then bring her to HOR where she will be detained.”
Alice Guo is staying in Batam City, Indonesia based on latest information received by Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), which is tracking her movement.
Citing information from their foreign counterparts, PAOCC spokesman Winston John Casio said Guo arrived in Batam last Sunday by ferry from Singapore.
“In Indonesia, the latest sighting was in Batam on Tuesday,” Casio said “we need to apply for Interpol blue notice to track her location, movement as person of interest in criminal investigation of sovereign member country.”
PAOCC and PNP have asked justice department to reject motion of Guo to reopen investigation and admit her counter-affidavit on qualified trafficking complaint lodged against her and others.
In their comment,opposition filed before DOJ, complainants expressed doubts that Guo personally appeared before notary public in San Jose del Monte on Aug. 14.
They noted that Guo did not personally appear before prosecutors to submit her motion and counter-affidavit.
Through her legal counsel, Guo yesterday asked Commission on Elections (Comelec) for additional 10 days to answer misrepresentation charges against her.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia previously said preliminary investigation into criminal liability of Guo will proceed despite reports that she had slipped out of the country.
Happy third birthday with father God Cynthia Lopez
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supports Agosto 2024, Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa
Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024
Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party
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Jennifer Lopez divorce Ben Affleck after 2 years of marriage
By Cynthia Montojo
“Love is beautiful…love is kind…and it turns out love is patient…twenty years patient,” Jennifer Lynn Affleck, announcing their first, quickie Las Vegas wedding that July, and signing off as Jennifer Lynn Affleck after relationship spanned two decades, two engagements, two weddings and headlines too numerous to count, Jennifer has filed for divorce from Ben Affleck.
Filing, Aug. 20, in Los Angeles Superior Court brought to apparent end celebrity coupling or at least second installment of it dazzled from very heights of pop culture firmament and emblazoned countless tabloid covers. They became known, even before such power-couple portmanteaus were ubiquitous, as “Bennifer.
Filing was first reported by TMZ website. TMZ said Lopez listed date of separation as April 26, 2024. It stressed she did not mention any prenuptial agreement.
After meeting, falling in love and getting engaged in early 2000s and starring together in 2003’s infamous “Gigli” and 2004’s “Jersey Girl” couple parted ways, blaming in part pressure of public eye.
But to delight of many and perhaps skepticism of others, they reunited two decades later and married twice in 2022.
“Stick around long enough and maybe you’ll find best moment of your life in drive-through in Las Vegas at 12:30 in the morning in the tunnel of love drive-through with your kids and the one you’ll spend forever with,” she wrote in her newsletter.
Couple had flown to Las Vegas, stood in line for their license with four other couples, and were wed just after midnight at A Little White Wedding Chapel, where Lopez said Bluetooth speaker played their brief march down the aisle. She called it the best night of the couple’s lives.
A month later, they had much grander wedding at Affleck’s house in Georgia, in front of friends and family.
Happy third birthday with father God Cynthia Lopez
Register now and vote in midterm polls
supports Agosto 2024, Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa
Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024
Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party
Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance
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Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
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PM for any hospital discharge problem
watch for the coming “Gamefowl Quest”
TV5 axed program manager accused of sexual harassment
By Nidz Godino
“Personal na nakipag-ugnayan si TV5 Chairman Manuel Pangilinan kay Sen. Raffy Tulfo para ibalita na tapos na ang ginawang imbestigasyon ng network hinggil sa reklamong pangmomolestiya ni Cliff Gingco, program manager ng TV5 News and Public Affairs, sa isang baguhang talent”.
TV5 officially terminated employment of program manager accused of sexual harassment by male talent or casual employee of Kapatid network.
In Facebook post of Senator Raffy Tulfo’s service-oriented program on Tuesday, , it announced TV5 chairman and business magnate Pangilinan personally informed him that respondent, identified as Gingco, has been sacked from his post and dismissed from company service after investigation showed that there’s strong evidence against him.
“At lumitaw sa imbestigasyon na may matibay na basehan ang reklamo laban kay Gingco, kaya nagdesisyon ang TV5 na tanggalin siya sa trabaho,” it stressed.
Statement also stated that Kapatid network will provide medical assistance, among others, to help victim, as well as help prepare criminal charges Gingco will be facing in the eyes of law.
Happy third birthday with father God Cynthia Lopez
Register now and vote in midterm polls
supports Agosto 2024, Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa
Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024
Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party
Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance
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Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
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PM for any hospital discharge problem
watch for the coming “Gamefowl Quest”
Ph, US national security brass discuss sea row
By J.Lo
“This is pretty typical of China…whenever they try to block Philippines’ movement… Philippines tries to get around ship and when ships collide, they blame Philippines…what possible motivation would Philippines have going out and running out into Chinese ship?” International maritime security expert Ray Powell asked top security officials of Philippines and United States have expressed grave concern over China’s continuing and latest acts of aggression in West Philippine Sea (WPS).
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año and US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan spoke by phone to exchange information on current maritime security situation in the region and how both can work together in addressing this.
National Security Council (NSC) “particularly raised grave concerns on recent illegal, aggressive and dangerous actions of China’s People’s Liberation Army-Air Force against Philippine Air Force aircraft conducting routine maritime security operation over Bajo de Masinloc.”
Both also discussed how China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels harassed and rammed Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ships in the area of Escoda (Sabina) Shoal while en route to Patag Island and Lawak Island.
NSC said both security advisers look forward to implementation of strategic priorities to accelerate Philippines’ capability development and to continuously modernize alliance.
Sullivan also lauded recently concluded inaugural Philippines-Vietnam joint coast guard exercise and Manila’s efforts to expand conduct of maritime cooperative activities with like-minded countries in the region and beyond.
Following Monday’s ramming incident damaged PCG vessel, Armed Forces of the Philippines has committed to increase its presence and aerial and naval patrol operations in WPS.
Military gave assurance it will not be deterred and will continue to defend and secure country’s rights and sovereignty within its exclusive economic zone.
Powell accused China of gaslighting Philippines over disputed WPS.
Powell said China is maintaining its “typical” behavior of blaming the country whenever incident caused by CCG’s unlawful and aggressive maneuvers occurred in WPS.
China has issued false narrative about incident on Monday, pinning blame on PCG’s vessels.
“It’s what the term gaslighting is… trying to refute your reality, it is introducing its completely contrary and clearly false idea…and trying to see if they can get you and others to believe them,” Powell stressed.
Powell said compared to Ayungin Shoal, China will have difficulties in controlling Escoda Shoal.
“It takes number of ships…controlling Sabina Shoal is really hard…. much larger feature and you can’t have just one entrance like in Ayungin Shoal,and, of course, it is much closer to Philippines for they have to go further away from their base Mischief (Panganiban) Reef. And, of course, unlike BRP Sierra Madre Philippine ship in Sabina Shoal can move,tactically for China, it’s harder problem…they are not gonna defend this very, very large feature…and if Teresa Magbanua wanted to move to different parts of the shoal they can do it today,”Powell said.
He said China is engaged in “grey zone battle” in its serious efforts to take over WPS, merely based on its nine-dash line.
“China’s sovereignty claims over all these are very ambiguous…sometimes, they will say that all of the nine-dash line belongs to China…but then sometimes they will say we don’t claim sovereignty over everything, it just that specific places…and so really, whatever they decide is theirs, it is moving of battle lines and, this is grey zone…and battle lines had been drawn before at Ayungin Shoal and they have now moved closer to Palawan,” Powell said.
Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino reiterated his call for Philippine government to convene NSC after the incident in Escoda Shoal.
“I reiterate my plea to the President to convene NSC because what happened was aggravated action… convening of NSC will allow country to formulate more focused response, we can get the opinion of Coast Guard, Philippine Navy and DFA ,Department of Foreign Affairs…incident involves] one of the highest forms of aggravated maritime intentional allision and collision,” Tolentino said.
He further said incident puts into question sincerity and seriousness of China in Bilateral Consultative Meeting mechanism with Philippines.
“China must show its sincerity in negotiating with Philippines…we just concluded talks on Ayungin Shoal, and this happened,” lamented Tolentino, who has strongly advocated for multilateral mechanisms to resolve issues between Philippines and China… “ rhetoric must stop…we should file necessary cases.”
Tolentino also said Philippines must demand compensation from China for damage sustained by two PCG patrol vessels after being rammed by CCG in the vicinity of Escoda Shoal.
“Philippines should also file claim for damages…under Part 15 of UNCLOS,United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, owner of the ship, whether state-owned or private, can be held accountable for what happened,” he added.
Tolentino intends to bring up during budget hearing of the Office of the Solicitor General and Department of Justice his proposal for creation of specialized team of lawyers that will handle maritime cases.
“Vast majority of toll expressway users at 91 percent are compliant and responsible ETC users and are often greatly inconvenienced by erring motorists,” Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) said beginning Aug. 31, motorists will be fined up to P5,000 for entering expressways without electronic toll collection (ETC) device as part of efforts to speed up traffic flow.
In statement, TRB signed joint memorandum circular (JMC) with Land Transportation Office and Department of Transportation for imposition of penalties on motorists using tollways without ETC device.
JMC penalizes entry of vehicle on toll road without ETC device: P1,000 for initial offense, P2,000 for second offense and P5,000 for subsequent offenses.
Moreover, JMC punishes motorists who exit toll gate with insufficient load balance to pay required fee. Circular slaps fines of P500 for first offense, P1,000 for second offense and P2,500 for proceeding offenses.
Agency instructed motorists to ensure compliance with order to spare themselves from paying penalties as JMC will take effect by end of the month.
Justifying issuance of tcircular, TRB has to penalize motorists without ETC device and insufficient load balance in fairness to responsible toll users.
Agency hopes imposing fines, motorists would be forced to fix their ETC devices and load up properly for their trips. In the process, this would quicken traffic flow and minimize long queues at tollway booths.
TRB will issue subsequent advisories dispersing responsibilities of toll operators, RFID providers and government agencies in enforcing JMC.
Agency also committed to conducting information campaign to disseminate provisions of tcircular.
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