TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

James 1:22

²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

1 Agosto 2024, Huwebes

Happy third birthday with father God Cynthia Lopez

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Medical marijuana bill hurdles House

By Nidz Godino

“We’re not delisting marijuana as a prohibited drug… tis is not for recreational purposes… law ,Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 or Republic Act 9165 will just grant  exemption on list of prohibited drugs,” Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chairman of the House committee on dangerous drugs,  told reporters at  briefing voting 177-9 with nine abstentions,  House of Representatives  approved on third and final reading controversial piece of legislation  aims to allow  use of cannabis or marijuana for medicinal purposes.

House Bill 10439,  received overwhelming approval from lawmakers, legalizes  use of marijuana for  treatment of various ailments.

Measure  will result in  legalization of medical cannabis, but only for qualified patients. It can only be availed on prescription and under supervision by accredited physician.

Bill  also establishes  Medical Cannabis Office (MCO) that will be tasked to screen medical practitioners who will prescribe  use of medical cannabis, along with prior clearance from  Dangerous Drugs Board, where  physician is excluded from  agency’s watchlist.

Barbers clarified once  measure is signed into law,  use of marijuana by patients will only be allowed upon prior approval of qualified physicians who should meet certain requirements in issuing prescriptions.

Accreditation  of qualified physicians aims to control and monitor who prescribes medical cannabis to patients. Medical practitioners need training, clearances and other requirements which are not easy to acquire, according to  legislator.

Bill  lists following medical conditions that will allow use of medical marijuana: cancer, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, damage to  nervous system of  spinal cord, patients with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity and epilepsy.

List  also includes positive status for human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, rheumatoid arthritis or similar chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorders, diseases that require hospice care admission and other conditions that may be identified by  Department of Health through  MCO.

Bill  metes  heavy penalty on those found faking illnesses or prescriptions to secure cannabis: jail time of at least six months but not more than six years and,or  fine ranging from P500,000 to as much as P1 million.

Last February,  Barbers panel along with  House committee on health led by Rep. Ciriaco Gato Jr. of Batanes gave  green light to the measure, but only for medicinal purposes and not for recreational activities.

1 Agosto 2024, Huwebes

Happy third birthday with father God Cynthia Lopez

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Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024

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‘Blue notices’ is not public doc

By Nidz Godino

“Blue Notices used to collect additional information about  person’s identity, location or activities in relation to  criminal investigation  are not made public,”  Interpol press office said  International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) has declined to confirm  reported inclusion of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and four other former and current police officers on its Blue Notice list.

“As with all notice requests, these are assessed by  specialized task force to determine if they are in compliance with our Constitution and rules,” it stressed.

Interpol referred the matter to  Office of the Prosecutor of  International Criminal Court (ICC-OTP),  supposedly made the request.

In an earlier message  ICC-OTP  “does not provide comment on any statements made by governments or other state representatives and is unable to verify or authenticate any documents shared by outside sources.”

“Protecting  confidentiality of our work is crucial, to ensure  safety of all those that office interacts with and to protect  integrity of our operations,” it added.

Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV  claimed  Dela Rosa and four others have been placed on  Blue Notice list upon  request of  ICC-OTP.

Other  four are former Philippine National Police chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde, former PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr., National Police Commission commissioner Edilberto Leonardo and former PNP chief intelligence officer Brig. Gen. Eleazar Matta.

ICC-OTP earlier formally tagged five as suspects in its ongoing investigation into Duterte administration’s war against illegal drugs.

Trillanes said  inclusion of  five on Blue Notice list meant  they would be held upon arrival in  foreign country until ICC investigators arrive to conduct  interview.

“Their term is interview…but actually, that’s essentially  tactical interrogation… they will not be able to leave until after that interview,” Trillanes said .

He stressed  inclusion in  Interpol’s Blue Notice list is one of the tools ICC-OTP uses “to increase or scale up  pressure for them to cooperate.”

“They’re giving these people all chances  they can get so that they will not be included in the case…at the end of the day, it’s up to them,” Trillanes said.

Saying he will put his government career on the line, Albayalde is ready to face  ICC-OTP  tagged him as  suspect in its investigation on previous administration’s war on drugs.

Albayalde,  second police chief of former president Rodrigo Duterte, maintained his innocence over  alleged human rights abuses  marred  previous administration’s anti-drug campaign.

“If that will be  outcome of our more than 37 years of serving our country, we can’t do anything but face it,” Albayalde said in  interview.

He chided Trillanes, who made public  copy of the document supposedly from  ICC  tagged him and  four other officials as suspects.

Albayalde asked  former senator if he is  spokesman for  ICC or playing politics for releasing what was supposed to be  classified document.

“Is Trillanes playing as spokesperson of ICC now or  government…we don’t know, or he is using  ICC as  political tool for his political personal interest,” the former PNP chief said.

Despite  recent development, Albayalde expressed belief President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not change his stand that  ICC has no jurisdiction over Philippines.

For Albayalde, allowing  ICC into the country is  slap to country’s sovereignty.

Meanwhile, official of Duterte administration slammed Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra over his remark that  Philippine government would not prevent  ICC from questioning Filipinos linked to  bloody drug war.

In  statement, Salvador Panelo, who served as Duterte’s chief presidential legal counsel, said Guevarra’s stance seemed to contradict that of Marcos, who has repeatedly stated that  ICC has no jurisdiction over  Philippines.

“By saying  Philippine government will not stop and allow  ICC investigation,  solicitor general is effectively conceding  ICC has jurisdiction over this country, thereby not only contradicting but subverting  pronouncement of PBBM ,President Bongbong Marcos on  ICC,” Panelo stressed.

Guevarra asserted that while  government would not “get in the way” of ICC prosecutor, it would not assist in investigation.

“Philippine government, through the President, has repeatedly stated that we have no legal duty to cooperate or to lend assistance…but that does not mean  ICC prosecutor cannot continue his investigation, he can do so and he can interview these five people directly… all that we’re saying is that  government will not be involved,” he said.

Document from the international tribunal said  former officials of  PNP were responsible for  ordering of killings of drug suspects and users from 2011 to 2019.

Panelo said Guevarra had filed  request for deferment of  investigation before  ICC, and after being denied, filed  motion for reconsideration, which was again denied.

“Not realizing his colossal mistake that by making those official submissions to  ICC,  Philippine government in effect recognized its jurisdiction, instituted appeal in ICC, which rejected it, and chided  appellant that its various pleadings filed before it are deemed to be in recognition of its jurisdiction over us,” Panelo added.

For him, there is  disconnect between what  principal is saying and what his agent is doing.

Meanwhile, labor group Federation of Free Workers  lauded  Marcos administration’s decision not to stop  ICC prosecutors from investigating bloody drug war under  Duterte administration.

1 Agosto 2024, Huwebes

Happy third birthday with father God Cynthia Lopez

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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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No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Timor-Leste court will uphold Teves’ extradition despite new plea-DOJ

By Nidz Godino

“There’s little they can argue beyond what they have already presented before…that’s why we are highly confident that we will once again receive confirmation of  initial decision,” Justice Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano said Department of Justice expressed confidence that Timor-Leste’s justice system will uphold its ruling granting  Philippine government’s extradition request for expelled lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr., despite  latter’s recent plea to petition  decision.

Clavano revealed in ambush interview that Teves’ camp filed two appeals.  First  one, similar to  petition to nullify  judgment, questioned  process and  testimony of witnesses. However,  Court of Appeals denied petition.

Timor-Leste’s Tribunal de Recursos,  counterpart of  Philippines’ appellate court, had already granted  Philippines’ extradition request in June, but Teves’ camp countered it through  motion for reconsideration filed on July 26.

Timor-Leste’s appellate court, however, denied Teves’ first plea, prompting his camp to file another motion for reconsideration on merits of  case.

In March, Teves was arrested in Timor-Leste’s capital Dili by virtue of  Interpol’s red list requested by  Philippine government.

Upon his return, Teves will face several criminal cases, including one related to the killing of former Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo in March 2023, and several other criminal raps related to  series of killings in 2019.

Along with his brother, who was arrested on June 20, 2024, Teves is also facing terrorism financing charges. On Aug. 16, 2023, Teves was expelled from  House of Representatives for “disorderly conduct” after being tagged as  terrorist by  Anti-Terrorism Council.

1 Agosto 2024, Huwebes

Happy third birthday with father God Cynthia Lopez

Register now and vote in midterm polls

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

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

DPWH hit for no flood national master plan

By J.Lo

“So there’s  admission in the part of  DPWH, that in fact,  national flood control master plan still does not exist?” Sen. Imee Marcos asked  Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) , admitted that there was no national master plan yet to address floods in the Philippines as planning was largely limited per area. 

Senators were eager to question officials from  DPWH during  Committee on Public Works hearing, with lawmakers interjecting in DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan’s opening statement and beginning their questioning before the other agency heads were able to speak. 

According to Bonoan, there are 18 major river basins in the country and there are existing plans on how to mitigate each river basin. However, Bonoan admitted that many of these plans are still being updated. 

“To some extent that is correct, Madame Senator,” Bonoan replied. 

Sen. Joel Villauneva brought up Bonoan’s promise last year that  Central Luzon – Pampanga Floodway will commence this 2024. DPWH chief said project could help mitigate  flooding in Bulacan and Pampanga. 

To Villanueva’s dismay, however,  project was still in its planning stages. Bonoan explained that they are in detailed engineering stages. 

Super Typhoon Carina and southwest monsoon triggered widespread floods in the Philippines. Some senators believed that flooding has gotten progressively worse in the past few years, despite  DPWH getting  massive chunk of  budget for flood projects.

“Taunan ng lumulobo ang budget ng DPWH para sa baha…nasa P42 billion na lang, nung 2015, pero lumobo ng halos P244.7 billion nung 2024…it grew by over P200 billion…and in less than 10 years, may P1 trilyon budget kayo para sa baha,” Sen. Ramon Revilla, chairs  Committee on Public Works, said. 

Yearly,  DPWH’s budget for flood increases. In 2015, it was just at P42 billion, now it is at P244.5 billion in 2024. It grew by over P200 billion. And in less than 10 years, there is P1 trillion for floods     

01 Agosto 2024, Huwebes

Register now and vote in midterm polls

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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Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro

happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor 

PM for any hospital discharge problem

House approves bill regulating motorcycles-for-hire

By Nidz Godino

“House of Representatives acknowledges that motorcycles-for-hire does not just serve as  efficient alternative to mass public transportation but also  viable source of livelihood for Filipinos,” House Speaker Martin Romualdez said House of Representatives  passed on final reading  measure  seeks to regulate motorcycles-for-hire and allow its use as common carriers for transportation of passengers and goods.

House Bill 10424,  was passed with  200-1 vote with no abstention, also sets  60 kilometers per hour speed limit for motorcycles-for-hire.

Once passed,  law will mandate  registration of motorcycles-for-hire with  Land Transportation Office (LTO) to ensure  roadworthiness of all motorcycle-for-hire before their registration, or renewal of registration.

Bill  also requires  registration of Motorcycle Taxi Platform Providers (MTPPs) and Online E-commerce Platform Providers (OEPPs) with Securities and Exchange Commission and sets forth  minimum accreditation requirements that must be maintained by these digital platforms. 

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board will determine  fares and surcharges for motorcycle-for-hire services. These rates will be set in consultation with  industry and require approval from  Department of Transportation.

Bill makes both  operator and  MTPP or OEPP jointly liable for any death, injuries, or property damage that occurs while operating  motorcycle-for-hire. 

1 Agosto 2024, Huwebes

Happy third birthday with father God Cynthia Lopez

Register now and vote in midterm polls

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

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Headlines

22 solons want PUVMP halt

By Nidz Godino

“Those who did not participate in  consolidation are now considered as colorum or operating illegally and run  risk of being fined and their vehicles impounded should  drivers continue to ply their routes,” twenty-two senators have signed  resolution calling for  suspension of Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

In Senate Resolution 1096,  senators “expressed sense of  Senate to suspend  implementation of  Public Transport Modernization Program, formerly known as  PUV modernization program, pending resolution of valid and urgent concerns raised by affected drivers, groups, unions and transport cooperatives with the end in view of ensuring  more efficient and inclusive implementation of  PTMP.”

Senators  who signed  resolution are Senate President Francis Escudero, Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, Minority Leader Koko Pimentel, Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Raffy Tulfo, Nancy Binay, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Ronald dela Rosa, JV Ejercito, Sherwin Gatchalian, Bong Go, Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, Imee Marcos, Robinhood Padilla, Grace Poe, Bong Revilla, Joel Villanueva, Cynthia Villar, Mark Villar and Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Only Sen. Risa Hontiveros did not sign  resolution,  has enough votes to be approved in the plenary.

Hontiveros has yet to issue  statement explaining her decision.

In seeking  suspension of  program,  senators cited  thousands of drivers and operators who have yet to join as of April 30,  deadline of  program.

Senators said still 36,217 jeepneys and other public utility vehicles that have yet to be consolidated under the program, and that only 174 of the total 1,574 local government units have approved their local public transport route plan.

They cited  lack of information drive to educate drivers, as well as  hefty price tag of  new units as reasons for “high figure of unconsolidated units.”

“These small stakeholders, particularly drivers who remain unconsolidated, are effectively forced out of their livelihoods, with most of them expressing that the only skill they have is driving,” they stressed.

PUVMP also seeks to “phase out”  “iconic jeepney design” and replace these with “so-called modern jeepneys that are merely mini-buses imported from other countries.”

“While  PTMP is integral to  traffic management solution, there is  urgent need to thoroughly review and reassess  impact of  program, to alleviate  fears of  drivers and transport operators who will be directly burdened by its implementation, while  intent of  PTMP is laudable, continuing with  program without threshing out these concerns would go against constitutional directive of promoting social justice in all phases of national development,”  senators said.

Escudero has expressed confidence  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will listen to  Senate’s sentiment in the same way he heeded  call to ban Philippine offshore gaming operators.

Transport groups have lauded  Senate resolution.

Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) lauded  resolution,  it claimed as  win following  eight-year fight against  modernization program.

“We are glad because we know  decision of senators is  result of our determination and joint action,” PISTON president Mody Floranda said.

Floranda stressed  suspension would greatly benefit  drivers and operators whose livelihoods suffered from  modernization.

Thousands of drivers and operators effectively lost their franchises and authority to operate following  consolidation deadline last April.

Data from Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board earlier showed  about 10,000 have not consolidated nationwide, including 1,900 jeepneys in Metro Manila.

“It is necessary to push  administration to end  PUVMP because many are suffering and will lose their livelihood,” Floranda said.

Transport group Manibela also welcomed  resolution that called for  suspension of  PUVMP.

They thanked 22 senators who signed Senate Resolution 1096 as they  hope Marcos will listen to the resolution.

Transport  group is set to hold  nationwide caravan to compel Marcos to suspend  PUVMP.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Psalm 119:114

¹¹⁴ You are my refuge and my shield;
    I have put my hope in your word.

31 Hulio 2024, Miyerkules

Congratulations and more power FMJ!!!

Register now and vote in midterm polls

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

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro

happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor 

PM for any hospital discharge problem

Blinken, Austin hold defense talks with Ph counterparts

By Nidz Godino

“We are truly grateful for this partnership,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.at the presidential palace US foreign and defense ministers met their Philippine counterparts in Manila on Tuesday, with Beijing’s growing assertiveness in  South China Sea likely to dominate talks.

Series  of escalating confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels in disputed waterway have raised concern  Washington could be dragged into  conflict due to its mutual defense treaty with Manila.

Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin are in Asia to strengthen  latticework of regional alliances as Washington counters China’s growing military and diplomatic influence.

Blinken and Austin kicked off their Manila leg with  meeting with President Marcos, before holding “2+2” talks with their Philippine counterparts Enrique Manalo and Gilberto Teodoro.

It marks  first time Philippines has hosted  “2+2″ talks,  Blinken said were evidence of ” steady drum beat,  very high level of engagements between our countries”.

Philippines’ proximity to  hotly contested South China Sea, as well as self-ruled Taiwan, would make it  key partner for  United States if conflict were to break out.

Beijing claims almost  entire waterway, despite  international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis, and considers democratic Taiwan to be part of its territory.

Under their mutual defense treaty,  Philippines and  United States are required to come to the other’s defense in case of  “armed attack” against vessels, aircraft, military and coast guard anywhere in  Pacific theatre,  Washington says includes  South China Sea.

Beijing’s actions in  strategic waterway have been high on agenda for Blinken’s Asia-Pacific trip, included foreign ministers meeting of  Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Laos and “2+2” talks in Japan.

Filipino sailor lost  thumb in  June 17 confrontation near  flashpoint Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands.

Chinese coast guard members wielding knives, sticks and  axe foiled  Philippine Navy attempt to resupply Filipino troops stationed on  crumbling ship.

Two sides subsequently agreed to  “provisional arrangement” for  delivery of food and water to  Sierra Madre,  deliberately grounded in 1999 to assert Manila’s claims to the area.

Philippines  had carried out  resupply mission on Saturday without “untoward incident”.

31 Hulio 2024, Miyerkules

Congratulations and more power FMJ!!!

Register now and vote in midterm polls

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

No to Divorce!!!

Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez

No to SOGIE bill

Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro

happy 10th Anniversary Binang City, Laguna Chapter Servants of God in Christ Jesus Christian Ministries Inc., Dr. Enrico San Pedro, Pastor 

PM for any hospital discharge problem

MV Mirola 1 cargo vessel ran aground Bataan waters

By J.Lo

“It’s not  threat at this time…we are not spreading our resources too thinly…but we are dealing with it when we realize that it is not threat at this time,” Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)  Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gavan said, referring toe MV Mirola Uno  sea vessel ran aground in Bataan.

MV Mirola Uno is  third reported vessel to recently experience troubles in waters of Bataan. 

First  vessel, MT Terra Nova, capsized and sank with 1.4 million liters of oil. Just days after,  MTKR Jason Bradley sank in  shallow waters of Mariveles. Two vessels were found  mere few days apart.

However,  PCG said  their attention is geared towards  MT Terra Nova. 

News of MV Mirola Uno already reached  PCG on July 23, but Encina said that it was still above water. It ran aground, unlike  MT Terra Nova and  MT Jason Bradley,  submerged in  Bataan waters. He also clarified that  MV Mirola Uno is only  cargo vessel.

PCG is still finding out  MV Mirola Uno’s exact amount of diesel. 

Encina said oil spill booms have already been deployed to address  MT Terra Nova’s oil leaks.  

Regarding  MT Jason Bradley, Gavan mentioned that all its valves are sealed and oil spill booms have also been installed in the area.