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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No to SOGIE bill
Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro
happy 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
Ch fugitive nabbed while trying to extend tourist visa
By J.Lo
“Luo is the subject of summary deportation order issued by BI in 2023 after Chinese authorities informed agency that he has standing detention warrant issued by the Chongqing Hechuan District Public Security Bureau of People’s Republic of China,” Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Chinese fugitive fell into hands of authorities while trying to extend validity of his tourist visa.
Luo Xinya, 27, showed up at BI head office in Intramuros, Manila last June 26 to apply for visa extension.
During transaction, BI’s Special Investigator Teresa Javier found out Luo has derogatory record with BI, according to a statement from the agency.
Arrest warrant made him undesirable alien and subject of deportation, it stressed.
Personnel from BI’s fugitive search unit held Luo and detained him in BI’s facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.
Data from BI’s tourist visa section is “connected to BI’s centralized database of derogatory records, allowing us to immediately detect those with deportation orders,” said unit’s chief Raymond Remigio.
“Based on my work, my character and my principles, I don’t act for benefit of the administration, or opposition, or for politics,” Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio disagreed with claims that she is now leader of opposition against Marcos administration.
Her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, meanwhile would not run for Senate seat in May 2025 midterm elections, contrary to Sara’s June 25 announcement.
“I work based on whatever is beneficial to the people, and whatever is rightful to them,” she stressed.
The Vice President earlier resigned as education secretary and co-vice chair of National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.
UniTeam alliance, she said, was tandem formed only for 2022 elections.
Liberal Party has also rejected idea of Duterte becoming an opposition leader. LP will field its own senatorial slate in 2025 midterm elections.
Duterte remains focused on her remaining two weeks as outgoing education secretary, stressing that her mind has not yet taken focus on politics.
Earlier , Duterte said former president, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte and Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte intend to run for Senate in 2025.
Sebastian would run for president in 2028.
“You believed Inday…she made fool out of you…where can you see father and his two sons in Senate… I will not return to politics… I’m done. I’m old… I don’t have money to spend…yabang lang meron ako,” the former president said at press conference in Tacloban City.
Filipinos should not believe the Vice President because “she is just like me, but I have mellowed down since I’m old,” Duterte said.
As for former senator Leila de Lima, Duterte respects court’s decision to acquit her in her last drug case.
After her acquittal, De Lima warned Duterte that he would “pay for his crimes.”
Duterte reiterated International Criminal Court has no jurisdiction over Philippines.
The Vice President spoke of plans to build senatorial slate for 2025 polls, which could include Partido Demokratiko Pilipino members.
She founded the regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago, met great success during previous midterm elections.
No confidential fund has been requested by Office of the Vice President (OVP) for its 2025 budget, Duterte said.
In September 2023, Commission on Audit confirmed Duterte spent controversial P125-million confidential funds in 2022 in just 11 days.
OVP and Department of Education did not pursue their requested P500-million and P150-million confidential and intelligence funds for 2024 budget, respectively.
This decision prompted Congress to allocate these funds for resolution of West Philippine Sea issue, as well as peace and order.
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
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
Von Voyage Thomas and Aida Capica, your family enjoys your visit
No to SOGIE bill
supports June 20, National Refugees Day
Congratulations !26th Philippine Independence Day
supports June Men’s Health Month
Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro
happy 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
5 succumed, 21 injured in Zamb firecracker explosion
By J.Lo
“Most of those injured were workers of warehouse,” Col. Kimberly Molitas, Zamboanga City Police Office acting director said investigators are still determining cause of explosion. warehouse storing stocks of pyrotechnics and firecrackers accidentally exploded, killing five people and injuring 21 others.
Explosion ripped through warehouse in Marquez Compound, Barangay Tetuan Zamboanga City. It also damaged several residential and commercial buildings nearby.
Molitas said minor was among five killed in the incident.
Molitas stressed that firemen and medical responders rushed injured to different hospitals for treatment.
However, he ruled out terrorism as among causes, citing accounts of several witnesses.
“We heard series of firecracker explosions. .. suddenly, massive blast came shaking our building,” said witness Raymond Enriquez, worker at nearby construction supply store.
Molitas said owner, Jonathan Chua, was “very distraught and in state of shock and could still not provide information about incident.”
“We will provide needed assistance to injured workers and civilians who were brought to the hospitals,” Mayor John Dalipe assured.
“It turns out, it’s harder than I thought because we have to absolutely get it right…so, I’m giving myself more time,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told reporters after attending an event in Makati City picking next education secretary was harder than he thought, so he is giving himself more time to find “right person” for the job vacated last week by his Vice President.
“As I told you before, we have to see really what DepEd ,Department of Education needs,” he said.
Marcos explained next DepEd chief should be able to “manage agency properly” and help “bring up test scores” of students in the country.
“In other words, yes, I am having hard time choosing because work of DepEd chief is very complicated,” the President said.
Marcos earlier said he would name replacement of Vice President and former education secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio by the end of the week.
Asked whether he already had shortlist, Marcos said, “I’m not going to let you tie me down to anything…we are looking at everyone.”
Sen. Sonny Angara is reportedly being eyed as possible replacement of Duterte.
“I know people myself who I think can do job,” he said.
The Chief Executive received several recommendations for the position, including educator, administrator and history professor.
“And I’ve gone through so many CVs, we have lot of competent people,” the President said.
“Many people come to me and say why don’t you think about this fellow, why don’t you think about this maestra…why don’t you… so, we look at them all,” Marcos said.
The Chief Executive said next DepEd secretary should be someone who “understands bureaucracy, and how to use budget properly.”
Furthermore, he or she should be someone who can steer country to higher test scores, according to Marcos.
“What we always look at is our test scores…we have to bring up test scores…you all know that…so, you need an educator who understands how to help students, how to help teachers,” he said.
Philippines landed in the bottom four of global test for creative thinking, according to results of Program for International Student Assessment (PISA)’s newly launched benchmarking test for creativity.
Among 64 countries, 15-year-old Filipino junior high students were deemed to have one of the weakest creative thinking skills globally, with mean score of 14.2.
In PISA results released in December last year, Philippines landed in the bottom 10 out of 81 countries in reading comprehension, mathematics and science in 2022.
“There’s great deal more work to be done and we’ll find right person to do it,” Marcos said.
Duterte’s resignation as DepEd secretary will take effect on July 19. She resigned as DepEd secretary and vice chair of National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict on June 19 amid souring relationship between her family and Marcoses. Marcos earlier said Duterte did not say why she quit her post.
Senate colleagues of Angara have vouched for his qualification as next DepEd chief.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian is convinced of Angara’s capability to lead DepEd, citing their experience working together in Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2).
Gatchalian is EDCOM 2 co-chairman while Angara is commissioner for governance and finance. Gatchalian himself was reportedly also being considered for the post of DepEd secretary.
Harvard educated lawyer with economics and international relations degree, Angara chaired youth, finance and ways and means committee in Senate, as well as higher and technical education committee when he was Aurora congressman.
Angara has also authored and sponsored several laws improving access to quality education, such as Free College Education law, Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UNIFAST), Anti-Bullying law, Alternative Learning System law, among others, according to his curriculum vitae.
“He is on his last term, so this would be good transition for him…he, as active member of Education Commission, knows solutions to problems of education sector,” Gatchalian said.
“He also took up college at London School of Economics and then Master of Laws at Harvard University…his education background is really top class… I see in his experience and in his passion for education that he is fit for the position,” he stressed.
Gatchalian would prefer to finish his term in Senate, squelching talk that he was shoo-in for the post.
It would also not look good if he is appointed education secretary when his brother Rex Gatchalian is social welfare secretary.
“I still have four years in Senate… I want to finish mandate given to me by millions of voters,” Gatchalian said.
Sen. Nancy Binay, for her part, is proud that two of her fellow “Solid 7” members – Gatchalian and Angara are being considered for DepEd post.
They formed bloc of senators who sided with former Senate president Juan Miguel Zubiri when the latter was ousted by now Senate President Francis Escudero.
“It is proud moment that our fellow two group mates are fit for the job…both of them are part of EDCOM and thus know problems of education sector, I guess consideration is that Senator Sherwin has four more years left as senator, while Angara is graduating next year,” Binay said .
Escudero and Sen. JV Ejercito have also vouched for Angara’s competence as DepEd leader.
Meanwhile, teachers’ group Teacher Dignity Coalition has reiterated its call on President Marcos to choose non-politician with managerial skills and teaching background as next education secretary.
“First, we insist that new secretary should not be politician or actively involved in partisan politics… crucial to keeping DepEd free from political conflicts and ensuring its focus remains on educational advancement rather than divisive politics or electoral considerations,” TDC said.
TDC also said that since DepEd is considered as largest bureaucracy in the country, its next leader should have necessary knowledge and experience in managing agency’s extensive operations.
“The new secretary will confront complex challenges, manage extensive resources, implement policies affecting some 47,000 schools and 1 million personnel and initiate reforms that will impact entire educational sector,” TDC pointed out.
TDC also said next DepEd chief should have “teacher’s heart,” meaning he or she comes from academe or at least has an experience in public school teaching.
“Such a background ensures that new secretary has firsthand experience with daily challenges faced by teachers and students, providing deeper understanding and empathy for their situations… new secretary should have teacher’s heart,” TDC said.
TDC, however, clarified despite its preference for candidates possessing these three qualifications, it is not endorsing any specific individual, particularly from its organization or allied organizations.
“Regardless of who the President appoints, we vow that we will continue to engage with DepEd to improve our education system…our focus remains advocating for better policies for teachers, single most important factor in education,” TDC said.
Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), for its part, said resignation of Duterte as DepEd chief has finally freed agency of an “inept” leader, contrary to claim of former presidential legal adviser Salvador Panelo that she had been productive.
“Education sector, in fact, has finally been freed from grip of agency head who, for two years, miserably failed in addressing learning crisis and resolving massive shortages in teachers, classrooms, education support personnel and teaching and learning resources,” ACT chairman Vladimer Quetua said in statement.
“Her declared accomplishments in her two Basic Education Reports barely scratched surface of declining state of education as schools remain overcrowded, understaffed, underfunded and neglected, while teachers and education workers continue to be overworked, underpaid and undersupported,” he said.
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
Von Voyage Thomas and Aida Capica, your family enjoys your visit
No to SOGIE bill
supports June 20, National Refugees Day
Congratulations !26th Philippine Independence Day
supports June Men’s Health Month
Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro
happy 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
Arnie Teves’ sibling nabbed in Dumaguete
By J.Lo
“I think part of the case against them is illegal possession of firearms, coupled with terrorism and terrorism financing cases because apparently property and some of their assets are being used in furtherance of their terrorist activities resulted in spate of killings in the past,” Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres said brother of expelled lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr., Pryde Henry Teves, was arrested in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental by Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
Brother of expelled lawmaker, former governor of Negros Oriental, was arrested by authorities due to alleged terrorism violations under Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.
Warrant of arrest was issued by Cebu City Regional Trial Court Branch 74 on May 13, 2024.
In July, Anti-Terrorism Council designated Teves brothers and 12 others as terrorists for their alleged involvement in several murder incidents and harassment in Negros Oriental.
These incidents include murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, which also led to the deaths of several civilians.
In interview with press, Andres said expelled Arnolfo is also included in the charge of terrorism financing.
According to the undersecretary, illegal possession of firearms charge has also been lodged aside from terrorism raps.
Pryde Henry’s bail has been set at P200,000.
In statement, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla lauded arrest of expelled solon’s brother.
“CIDG’s diligent efforts have ensured those who threaten peace and security are brought to justice,” Remulla was quoted as saying in the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) press release.
On June 18, DOJ said trial of Timor-Leste’s tribunal de recursos on extradition case of expelled solon Teves has concluded.
Decision concerning extradition is expected to be promulgated before end of June.
Arnolfo has been in detention in Timor-Leste since March by virtue of Interpol red list against him.
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
Von Voyage Thomas and Aida Capica, your family enjoys your visit
No to SOGIE bill
supports June 20, National Refugees Day
Congratulations !26th Philippine Independence Day
supports June Men’s Health Month
Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro
happy 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
Forfeiture vs raided POGOs
By J.Lo
“So far, we have taken down eight POGOs… include hospitals that are operating without license… doctors we arrested, Vietnamese national, doctor, nurses and pharmacists have no license,” Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, PAOCC Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz said forfeiture cases await all seized items, properties and equipment from Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hubs raided by PAOCC.
Cruz, guest of Kapihan sa Manila Bay media forum, said they would file for forfeiture of seized currencies, buildings, gadgets and other equipment once their inventory of evidence from 46 raided POGO buildings in Porac, Pampanga is finished.
“What is alarming here is that they practice medicine and treated even fugitives…they also have cosmetic surgeons… planted hair… can change physical looks of fugitives,” he said.
Cruz said all raided POGO hubs are equipped with torture rooms, cubicles for prostitution and rooms for scamming activities.
“We confiscated thousands of pre-registered SIM cards…also bloodstains in rooms, indicate they were torturing people… fugitives have assumed names and drivers licenses and other IDs,” he said.
Cruz said they confiscated 100 grams of suspected shabu.
One POGO worker and Chinese national told them he was tortured for failing to meet quota of P5 million to P8 million per day, Cruz said.
“Torture victim told us that they were beaten with baton and other torture equipment…they are not also allowed to use their cellphone, which will cost them P10,000 fine if caught,” he said.
Cruz also said one of the Chinese nationals they arrested, identified as Wu Li Feng, turned out to be “enforcer of torture” among POGO’s foreign and local workers.
“He was browsing his cellphone when we arrested him…he did not show any nervousness while we were questioning him and during his arrest…his cellphone contains photos of POGO workers that were tortured… photos even included mine, when we checked, we were informed that Wu Ling Feng’s crimes include violent crimes…he appeared to be well trained in torture and he is vain…he was very relaxed during interrogation,” Cruz said.
PAOCC has already spent about P35 million to P40 million since it started its campaign against illegal operations of POGOs nationwide, according to Cruz.
“We really want to put a stop to POGOs operations,” he said.
Cruz said PAOCC expenditures do not only cover raids of hubs but also for deportation of foreign criminals working for POGO.
“We also need to protect our witnesses because they could easily be bought or killed,” he said.
National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) director Ricardo de Leon meanwhile said his agency is also validating all information, including angle that POGOs may have been China’s “Trojan horse” referring to Greek mythology that led to fall of Troy.
“On Trojan horse, we continue to validate…we cannot say yet that they are capable,” De Leon said.
Cruz said one of the equipment confiscated during POGO raid in Pasay City was communication equipment with foreign characters, experts said may have been used to directly communicate with China.
De Leon said this equipment, as well as other pieces of evidence, are being subjected to forensic examination.
“NICA is coordinating with our intelligence counterpart in other countries for experts to intervene,” De Leon said.
Philippine National Police (PNP) said it is too early to say if illegal POGO hub in Pampanga is involved in espionage.
PNP chief information officer Col. Jean Fajardo said investigators have yet to secure evidence that would show people inside raided compound were spying on the country’s government facilities.
Fajardo said hundreds of computers, cellphones and gadgets seized from POGO hub have yet to be examined as police will still have to apply for warrant to examine computer data from court.
PAOCC also found what appeared to be military uniforms from People’s Liberation Army, armed wing of Chinese Communist Party, during the raid. They also found Chinese military sergeant badge, handgun and several bullets.
Fajardo said Criminal Investigation and Detection Group is investigating if uniforms and those who wore them are indeed connected with Chinese military.
Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said presence of Chinese military uniforms may likely be used as props in these illicit online transactions. Limited number of PLA uniforms found suggests they are more indicative of use in deceptive activities rather than any preparation for invasion.
Meanwhile Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. said that while not yet national security threat, POGO sites in the country are now national security concern.
“Concern is that we should stop these syndicated criminal activities operating out of our base, which weaken our financial standing, our country ratings… corrupt our society,” he said in statement.
De Leon said it is up to policymakers whether to ban or to just regulate POGO operations in the country.
“We are calling on our policymakers to review POGO…are we gaining or losing the war because it is affecting the youth… policymakers are the ones making laws…we gather inputs which we provide to our leaders,” De Leon said.
Speaker Martin Romualdez has expressed openness to existence of POGO in the country, but issued stern reminder that all Philippine laws must be strictly adhered to the letter.
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
Von Voyage Thomas and Aida Capica, your family enjoys your visit
No to SOGIE bill
supports June 20, National Refugees Day
Congratulations !26th Philippine Independence Day
supports June Men’s Health Month
Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro
happy 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
Canada inmates relocated as hundreds flee wildfires
By Nidz Godino
Hundreds of people including 225 inmates from maximum security prison has been evacuated wildfires hit eastern Canada.
Federal penitentiary in Port-Cartier, about 500 kilometers (300 miles) north of Quebec City, was ordered evacuated along with about 1,000 local residents over, and 750 workers at hydroelectric dam in Labrador further north.
In statement, correctional services commissioner Anne Kelly said prison was closed and inmates “were successfully moved from affected area to other secure federal correctional facilities.”
Prison has housed some of the nation’s most notorious criminals including several serial killers.
Local state of emergency was declared as wildfires menaced town of Port-Cartier.
Hundreds of workers at massive hydroelectric plant in Churchill Falls also remained displaced after fleeing advancing fires earlier this week.
Plant provides power to province of Newfoundland, neighboring Quebec and other jurisdictions.
Fire “remains threat to community,” Newfoundland Premier Andrew Furey told news conference, but it has been “largely contained” to opposite shores of river from plant.
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro boss Jennifer Williams said skeleton crew remained behind to keep generating plant working.
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
Von Voyage Thomas and Aida Capica, your family enjoys your visit
No to SOGIE bill
supports June 20, National Refugees Day
Congratulations !26th Philippine Independence Day
supports June Men’s Health Month
Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Seth Elyon San Pedro
happy 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
‘Urgent’, Australia to protect Great Barrier Reef — UNESCO
By Nidz Godino
“Urgent and sustained action is of utmost priority,” Australia must take “urgent” action to protect Great Barrier Reef, including setting more ambitious climate targets, UN’s cultural organization has warned.
In draft decision, UNESCO also asked Australia to submit update on protection efforts early next year, but stopped short of recommending reef be placed on its list of endangered heritage sites.
Decision, was welcomed by Australia’s Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek as a “huge win”.
“We are acting on climate change, improving local water quality, protecting our marine life, dealing with invasive species, and investing record amount of money into reef programs,” she said in a statement.
But UNESCO decision, which will guide meeting of World Heritage Committee in New Delhi next month, warns world’s largest coral system “remains under serious threat.”
Fate of reef has been recurrent source of tension between UNESCO and Australian authorities, with World Heritage Committee threatening to put world’s largest coral system on its list of “in danger” global heritage sites.
Behind–scenes diplomacy and lobbying from Australia have avoided such move and commitments from Labour government of Anthony Albanese have drawn praise from Paris-based organization.
Draft decision welcomed some of the steps taken by Australia, including on water quality around reef and restrictions on gill-net fishing.
But it expressed “high concern” about land clearing threatening water quality, and said Australia should “set more ambitious emission reduction targets.”
Citing ongoing mass bleaching of reef, it asked for update by next February, rebuffing Australia’s request to wait until 2026.
It also urged Australia to make public “as soon as possible” details on reef mortality rates in latest round of bleaching.
Plibersek said UNESCO had recognized Australian efforts to protect reef.
“Today’s draft decision is huge win for Queensland, huge win for thousands of people who rely on reef for work, and huge win for all plants and animals that call it home,” she said.
Environmental groups, however, said UNESCO decision should be “wake-up call”.
“UNESCO has asked Australia to set more ambitious climate targets, and given us February 2025 deadline to submit progress report clock is ticking,” said Greenpeace Australia Pacific CEO David Ritter.
World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia also released new images showing bleached and dead coral on the reef.
Group urged Australia to commit to federal emissions reduction target of at least 90 percent below 2005 levels by 2035 and to stop approving new fossil fuel projects.
Australia currently targets reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent from 2005 levels by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050.
ISKUP! 