Nation
The
thursday, january 11, 2018
#nationataglance
NATIONWIDE ROUND-UP
“President Duterte, I
wholeheartedly ask for your help
to let me testify against Christina
Sergio in the Philippines so that I
can reveal the truth and those who
are at fault will be punished. I know
that you are against drugs and
you want to bring down the drug
syndicates for the betterment of
our country and the safety of our
youth. But how can you eradicate all
that has connections with drugs?...
President Duterte, the preservation
of my life is in your hands. I do not
lose hope that I will achieve justice
because God is with me in this
battle. And never will I claim the
crime I did not commit.”
— Excerpts from Mary Jane Veloso’s
statement in Filipino on her 32nd
birthday, Jan 10.
BoC chief orders creation of anti-corruption unit
Customs chief Isidro S. Lapeña has ordered the creation of the
Interim Internal Affairs and Integrity Unit (IIAIU), the Bureau of
Customs (BoC) said in a statement on Wednesday. The said unit’s
functions, according to a Dec. 29, 2017, memorandum issued
by Mr. Lapeña, are as follows: investigate complaints against
BoC personnel, receive and gather evidence in support of an
open investigation; conduct motu propio investigation on in-
cidents where evidence in the prosecution of smuggling cases
was compromised, tampered with, obliterated, or lost while in
the custody of customs personnel; conduct lifestyle checks on
said personnel; evaluate or recommend the filing of appropri-
ate criminal cases against BoC personnel before the court as
evidence warrants and assist in the prosecution of the case; and
undertake liaison work, coordination, and provide assistance to
the Office of the Ombudsman, National Anti-Corruption Commis-
sion of the Office of the President, and Revenue Integrity Protec-
tion Service of the Department of Finance. The IIAIU is headed
by the commissioner and composed of one attorney, two special
investigators, and three administrative staff. All reports will be
submitted monthly to the commissioner.
Senator: Don’t forget public schools in free Wi-Fi rollout
Don’t forget our public schools and state universities and
colleges (SUCs). Senator Paolo Benigno Aguirre Aquino IV in
a statement issued this call as the government prepares the
rollout of Republic Act (RA) 10929 or the Free Internet Access
Program in Public Places, of which he is principal sponsor
and co-author. “Magagamit din ito ng ating mga guro para
mapabuti ang kanilang mga sistema ng pagtuturo,” he added.
(Our teachers can avail themselves of this to develop their
system of teaching.) RA 10929 provides free Internet access in
all national and local government offices, public schools, public
transport terminals, public hospitals and public libraries. In
addition, the law contains provisions for the faster processing
of permits for Internet infrastructure, which is designed to fast-
track the improvement in the country’s internet backbone.
Marcos claims ‘obvious bias’ by PET justice
Former senator Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in a statement on
Wednesday decried the “obvious bias” of Supreme Court As-
sociate Justice Benjamin Caguioa, the ponente of his election
protest pending before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET),
against him and in favor of Maria Leonor G. Robredo, the sena-
tor’s rival in the 2016 vice-presidential race. “It has now become
fairly obvious that his resolutions are biased against me and
biased in favor my oppositor,” Mr. Marcos said at the Kapihan sa
Manila Bay forum on Wednesday. Mr. Caguioa, Mr. Marcos noted
in his statement, was appointed by Ateneo classmate former
president Benigno S.C. Aquino III. The former senator enumer-
ated some of the orders issued by Mr. Caguioa “which showed
his one-sidedness in favor of Robredo,” citing that as early as
April 2017, the PET gave him only two working days, right during
the Holy Week, to pay his initial P36 million protest fee. Ms. Ro-
bredo, on the other hand, did not to pay on the deadline set by
the PET but Mr. Caguioa gave her an extension, Mr. Marcos said,
adding that Ms. Robredo “has still not managed to fully com-
plete the payment of her deposit.” Mr. Marcos also said he found
it “strange that Romeo Macalintal, lead counsel of his opponent,
kept issuing unsolicited advise that he should run for a Senate
position in 2019 and forego his election protest.”
Gov’t ordered to respond in Dengvaxia case
The Supreme Court en banc ordered to comment within 10
days the respondents on the petition for mandamus filed last
Dec. 22, 2017, by Gabriela Women’s party and the parents of
the children inoculated with the controversial Dengvaxia vac-
cine. Named respondents were Department of Health (DoH)
Secretary Francisco T. Duque III, DoH National Center for
Disease Prevention and Control Program Director Lyndon L.
Lee Suy, Food and Drug Administration Director-General Nela
Charade G. Puno, Education Secretary Leonor M. Briones, and
former Interior Department officer-in-charge Catalino S. Cuy.
— MNDC
EDITOR RICKY s. TORRE
Mimaropa
Senator seeks inquiry on ‘anomalous Cordillera
disbursements’ of Malampaya funds Administrative Region
Contaminated water downs
Lawmaker Sherwin T. Gatchalian has called for a
Senate investigation into what he called “anomalous 56 in Benguet village
disbursements” worth billions of pesos of Malampaya Fifty-six residents of a village
funds under the past two administrations. “These in Atok, Benguet were rushed
funds were meant to finance the development of to hospital during the first week
energy resources. Their usage for other purposes, and
without following the clear procedural requirements
of the year in what was initially
suspected to be a case of mass
concerning their disbursement, is a serious cause food poisoning but which health Photo tweet by News5AKSYON and courtesy of Christopher “Bong” Go/DZRH
for concern that must be looked into by the govern- officials later attributed to con-
ment,” said the senator, who also chairs the Senate taminated water used for cooking.
Cordillera Administrative Region
committee on energy. In a statement, Mr. Gatchalian — interaksyon.com Godfather
said he had filed on Tuesday Senate Resolution No. >> See full story on https://goo.gl/ President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Wednesday stood as godfather
579, directing the appropriate Senate committee to Zw7Km2 to the wedding of P/Dir. Gregorio Pimentel and Social Welfare
conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the release
of the Malampaya funds. He said the funds’ release by
Assistant Secretary Michelle Ortega in Baguio City.
the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
without complete documentary requirements violates
Presidential Decree No. 910 Series of 1976, Executive National Capital Region: Makati
Mayor Abby Binay cites 2-digit increase in 2017 revenues
Order No. 683 Series of 2007, DBM-DOE-DOF Joint
Circular No. 3 Series of 2008, and other relevant laws Makati City had a remarkable increase in its total revenue collections last year
and rules and regulations as specified in the Com- amounting to P16.97 billion, which is 12% more than in 2016 and 116% of revenue
mission on Audit’s Special Report No. 2017-04. The target, Makati Mayor Mar-len Abigail Binay said in her State of the City Address before
Malampaya fund is the government’s profit share from Rotarians on Tuesday. “We have reason to be jubilant about the two-digit increase
the exploitation of natural gas resources in the Cama-
go-Malampaya reservoir under Service Contract 38. Mr.
because based on official records, the city has only posted one-digit year-on-year
increases for the past 12 years,” said the mayor, who cited the business tax as the
Gatchalian placed the accrued profit from operations top revenue source at P8.22 billion, followed by real property tax at P6.22 billion. Ms.
at P173.28 billion from January 2002 until June 2013. Binay also cited accomplishments for the city and its residents in the fields of public
The funds were collected by the Department of Energy health, education, and public safety and order, among other areas of public service.
and managed by the Bureau of the Treasury for the
exploration and development of energy resources. In
2007, the DBM was authorized to release money from Western Visayas: Aklan
the fund according to certain guidelines. However, a DoT, DENR chiefs conduct aerial survey over Boracay
Commission on Audit special report issued in 2017 re- The Department of Tourism (DoT) and the Department of
vealed that Special Allotment Release Orders (SAROs) Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have embarked
and Notices of Cash Allocations (NCAs) were issued on a joint effort to save Boracay island. DoT Secretary Wanda
with incomplete documentary requirements, Mr. Tulfo-Teo and DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu took off on an
Gatchalian said. The anomaly includes the lack aerial survey of the world-renowned island and later presided
of project proposals, requests for funds from over a meeting, including the island’s tourism stakeholders,
the implementing agencies, proof of DBM to address pressing concerns on offshore pollu-
evaluation, or approval by the President, tion brought about by waste disposal. She said
he added. As of May 21, 2012, a total a list of over 100 establishment violators will be
of P38.8 billion of public funds has disclosed soon while Mr. Cimatu vowed to con-
been released by DBM to various duct an individual inspection of their sewer facili-
nongovernment agencies, ties. Mr. Cimatu, for his part, said he has called
government-owned and the attention of Malay Mayor Ciceron Cawaling
controlled corporations, regarding the worsening garbage problem. Mr.
and the provincial Cawaling, along with Aklan Governor Florencio
government of Miraflores, have urged the Duterte administra-
Palawan, the tion to provide more funds. “We appeal to both
senator said. Secretaries to adopt Boracay,” Mr. Miraflores
— Victor V. urged the visiting Cabinet officials. Ms. Teo and
Saulon Mr. Cimatu disclosed that an executive order ill
be submitted to President Rodrigo R. Duterte to
address the problems besetting Boracay.
Mimaropa
Reyes’s detention sought anew for graft
State prosecutors on Wednesday filed an Davao Region
urgent omnibus motion before the Sandigan- Transmission of Malacañang document needed
bayan to cancel the bail and rearrest former before new vice-mayor can take oath
Palawan governor Mario Joel T. Reyes. “It is The Sangguniang Panlungsod secretary marked resigned
most respectfully prayed of the Honorable vice-mayor Paolo Z. Duterte as “still on vacation leave”
Court that this motion be granted and that: as the roll was called Tuesday, the first regular session for
accused Reyes’s bail be canceled; and accused ARMM: Lanao del Sur the year. However, Councilor Bernard E. Al-ag is expected
Reyes be immediately committed to prison in US allocates additional P330M in funding to take his oath of office as vice-mayor anytime this week
view of his conviction for violation of Section for Marawi, surrounding areas  depending on the receipt by the Department of Interior and
3(e) of RA (Republic Act) 3019,” the petition, The US government, through the United States Local Government (DILG) XI of the necessary document
penned by Deputy Special Prosecutor Omar Agency for International Development (USAID), has from Malacañang. “The document which shows that Presi-
L. Sagdal, reads. On Aug. 29, 2017, Sandigan- allocated an additional P330 million ($6.6 million) dent Rodrigo Duterte has accepted the resignation (of Vice-
bayan found Mr. Reyes guilty of graft for “giv- to support vulnerable populations affected by the Mayor Paolo Duterte) is already in transit and is expected
ing unwarranted benefits, preference and ad- conflict in Marawi City and surrounding areas. The today or tomorrow,” Mr. Al-ag said during Tuesday’s regular
vantage” to Olympic Mines and Development US Embassy in a statement said this assistance will session which he presided over still as acting vice-mayor.
Corp. On the other hand, the Court of Appeals provide opportunities for young women and men Mr. Al-ag said he already talked with Mayor Sara Duterte-
(CA) on Jan. 4 ordered the release of Mr. to enhance job skills and attain livelihoods, helping Carpio about the transition after Mr. Duterte’s resignation.
Reyes, who was implicated in the 2011 murder stimulate the economy. These new funds will also Section 44 of the Local Government Code (LGC) provides
of journalist and environmentalist Gerardo help vulnerable populations strengthen positive that in case of a permanent vacancy in the office of the
V. Ortega, after finding no probable cause to engagement within their communities.  This brings vice-mayor, the highest ranking Sanggunian member, in this
issue a warrant for his arrest. — Minde Nyl R. the total USAID contribution to recovery and reha- case Mr. Al-ag, shall become the vice-mayor who will serve
dela Cruz bilitation of Marawi and surrounding areas to over P1 only the unexpired term of his predecessor. “A permanent
billion ($20.9 million). vacancy arises when an elective local official fills a higher
vacant office, refuses to assume office, fails to qualify, dies,
is removed from office, voluntarily resigns, or is otherwise
Mindanao permanently incapacitated to discharge the functions of
Oral arguments on martial law extension set his office.” Mr. Al-ag also cited the Code which provides
The Supreme Court en banc scheduled on Jan. 16 and 17 oral arguments on the that when such vacancy arises in a chartered and highly
consolidated petitions questioning the legality of the re-extension of martial law urbanized city like Davao, only the President can appoint a
and suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus. Two similar petitions replacement. Section 45 that when automatic succession
filed separately by opposition lawmakers led by Albay Rep. Edcel C. Lagman on does not apply, the vacancy shall be filled by “the President,
Dec. 27, 2017 and by the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) on Jan. 4 were through the Executive Secretary, in the case of the Sang-
also ordered consolidated. The Supreme Court also directed the Office of the Solic- guniang Panlalawigan and the Sangguniang Panlungsod of
itor-General to submit its comment on the petition filed by NUPL on Jan. 13 and for highly urbanized cities and independent component cities.”
the petitioners to submit their respective memorandum on Jan. 20. — MNDC — Carmencita A. Carillo
Davao Region
Suspension of SSI has implications on BPO industry, says official 
DAVAO CITY — Suspending the company whose 37 employees died in a fire just two days before Christmas here will result in about P97 million in lost salaries in the informa-
tion technology-business process management industry, an industry association official said. “That is why we have to find a way to enable (Research Now) SSI to resume
operations,” said lawyer Samuel R. Matunog, president of Information and Communication Technology Davao, on Monday in reference to the company’s impending suspen-
sion of operations. Mr. Matunog’s reaction came about after the Philippine Economic Zone Authority announced it was suspending the company. Thirty-seven of its employ-
ees perished following a fire that razed down the NCCC Mall on Dec. 23 last year. Mr. Matunog said his association is urging the government to lift the suspension order as the
company, which started its operations in the city in 2008 as a market researcher using telephone interview services, has started looking for a new location for its operations
so that its 500 employees could resume their jobs. The company said it is planning to resume operations within the next two months in another cite in the city so that its
employees can return to work. The company announced that even when the employees have not gone back to work, they continue to receive their salaries as it is also “ex-
ploring (other) avenues to provide them with employment.” It added that it has continued to “reimburse employees for personal effects that were destroyed in the fire. As
assistance to the victims’ families, it said it has raised about $115,000 in funds. This developed as a city councilor proposed that companies set up photo luminescent paints
on hallways and fire exits as part of the mechanism to help employees get out of burning buildings. Councilor Maria Belen S. Acosta, head of the public safety committee
of the local legislative body, said other countries have used the glow-in-the-dark paint “to guide persons to emergency exits and other possible means of egress especially
when the power goes out.” — Carmelito Q. Francisco