Script for 20171028 KSK Edition
(READ THE
HEADLINES OF THE NEWS ITEMS FIRST)
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IILAN LAMANG
PO IYON SA MGA IMPORMASYONG ATING NAKALAP SA KAMARA DE REPRESENTANTES NITONG
NAKARAANG MGA ARAW.
MAGANDANG
UMAGA PILIPINAS, MAGANDANG UMAGA KATROPA, AT MAGANDANG UMAGA SA LAHAT NG ATING
MGA TAGAPAKINIG!
ARAW NA
NAMAN PO NG SABADO AT NANDITO NA NAMAN PO KAMI PARA MAGTANGHAL NG ATING PROGRAMANG
KATROPA SA KAMARA NI TERENCE MORDENO GRANA.
YES, TERENCE MORDENO GRANA PO ANG INYONG LINGKOD, ANG INYONG KAAGAPAY AT GABAY SA ATING PALATUNTUNAN.
YES, TERENCE MORDENO GRANA PO ANG INYONG LINGKOD, ANG INYONG KAAGAPAY AT GABAY SA ATING PALATUNTUNAN.
AT KUNG
NAIS PO NINYONG MAKIPAG-TALASTASAN O MERON MAN PO KAYONG MGA REAKSIYON AT SUHESTIYON
HINGGIL SA ATING MGA PAKSA, TUMAWAG LAMANG O DIDI KAYA AY MAG-TEXT SA MOBILE
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ANG KATROPA SA KAMARA AY MATUTUNGHAYAN, EKSKLUSIBO, DITO LAMANG PO SA DWDD, KATROPA RADIO, ONSE TRENTA'Y KUWATRO SA TALAPIHITAN NG INYONG MGA RADYO.
OKEY, NARITO NA PO ANG ATING NAKALAP NA MGA IMPORMASYON MULA SA KAMARA DE REPRESENTANTES, KABUUAN NG ATING MGA BALITA:
ANG KATROPA SA KAMARA AY MATUTUNGHAYAN, EKSKLUSIBO, DITO LAMANG PO SA DWDD, KATROPA RADIO, ONSE TRENTA'Y KUWATRO SA TALAPIHITAN NG INYONG MGA RADYO.
OKEY, NARITO NA PO ANG ATING NAKALAP NA MGA IMPORMASYON MULA SA KAMARA DE REPRESENTANTES, KABUUAN NG ATING MGA BALITA:
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HUWAG
KAYONG BIBITIW AT KAMI PO AY BABALIK KAAGAD MATAPOS ANG ILANG MGA PAALAALA MULA
SA ATING HIMPILAN. (STATION ID)
(INSTITUTIONAL
MESSAGES)
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SA ATING
PAGBABALIK, KAYO PO AY NAKIKINIG SA PATATUNTUNANG KATROPA SA KAMARA NI TERENCE
MORDENO GRANA DITO LAMANG SA HIMPILANG DWDD, KATROPA RADIO, AT TAYO AY
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KAMI PO
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TULOY-TULOY
NA PO TAYO SA IILAN PANG MGA BALITA NA ATING NAKALAP.
(READ AGAIN
THE OTHER NEWS AND INFORMATION)
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WALA NA
PO TAYONG ORAS AT KAMI AY MAMAMAALAM NA MUNA PANSAMANTALA SA INYO.
MARAMING
SALAMAT AT KAMI PO AY INYONG PINAHINTULUTANG PUMASOK SA INYONG MGA TAHANAN SA
PAMAMAGITAN NG ATING PALATUNTUNANG KATROPA SA KAMARA.
BAGO TAYO
MAGTAPOS NG ATING PALATUNTUNAN, BATIIN KO MUNA SINA: Dennis at Joanna Melarpis,
Cecille Figueroa, Eloisa Lomeda ng Bills and Index Service ng House of Representatives;
sina Lumon Ray Mordeno, Oscar Cadenas, aking mga kapatid na sina Edmund, Edith
and Jing ng Brisbane, Australia; Ehm, Orland, Myra and Willie ng Jabonga, ADN;
those who are listening via live streaming sa internet, wwwdotdwdddotcomdotph,
sa Facebook wwwdotfacebookdotcom @dwdd1134 at sa Twitter #Katropa; and
everybody.
DAGHANG SALAMAT PUD SA ATONG MGA KAHIGALAANG MGA BISAYA NGA NAMINAW KANATO KARONG TAKNAA.
DAGHANG SALAMAT PUD SA ATONG MGA KAHIGALAANG MGA BISAYA NGA NAMINAW KANATO KARONG TAKNAA.
ITO PO
ANG INYONG LINGKOD – KINI ANG INYONG KABUS NGA SULUGUON, TERENCE MORDENO GRANA.
AT SA NGALAN DIN NG LAHAT NA MGA BUMUBUO NG PRODUCTION STAFF SA ATING PALATUNTUNAN, AKO PO AY NAGSASABING: PAGPALAIN SANA TAYONG LAHAT NG ATING PANGINOONG MAYKAPAL, GOD BLESS US ALL, AT PURIHIN ANG ATING PANGINOON! GOOD MORNING.
AT SA NGALAN DIN NG LAHAT NA MGA BUMUBUO NG PRODUCTION STAFF SA ATING PALATUNTUNAN, AKO PO AY NAGSASABING: PAGPALAIN SANA TAYONG LAHAT NG ATING PANGINOONG MAYKAPAL, GOD BLESS US ALL, AT PURIHIN ANG ATING PANGINOON! GOOD MORNING.
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STATEMENT
BY THE
HONORABLE
FREDERICK W. SIAO
Lone
District of Iligan City
Vice
Chair, Committee on Tourism
Member,
Committees on Appropriations, Mindanao Affairs, Youth & Sports Development,
and 7 other committees www.freddiesiao.com
COMELEC MUST BE READY AGAINST IDENTIFY THIEVES WHO
USE HACKED VOTERS DATA
GIST:
[House Committee on Suffrage & Electoral Reforms Member and Iligan Lone
District Congressman Frederick W. Siao is concerned about the possibility that
the massive security breach suffered by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC)
over a year ago could still be used by fraudsters in 2018 Barangay and SK
elections and 2019 mid-term elections.]
BACKGROUNDER:
[In March and April 2016, the public information website of the COMELEC was
hacked causing the personal data of 55 million registered voters, passport
details of 1.3 million overseas Filipino voters, and fingerprint records of
15.8 million voters to be uploaded online and be accessible to all.]
STATEMENT:
COMELEC
must assure Filipino voters here and overseas that the database of voters is
secured. COMELEC must also have measures in place to prevent anyone who has the
data hacked from the COMELEC or used data from the hacking to vote.
Now, it
is not impossible or improbable for identify thieves to issue fake voter IDs.
With the hacked data out there, they have the information they need to produce
fake voter IDs and if this is done on a massive scale, the results of future
elections could be in serious doubt.
COMELEC
should also updated Congress and the Filipino people on the status of the
hacking case, including the case/s against the suspects or suspects in the
hacking.
Filing of
applications for registration and other voter-related registration for the May
13, 2019 National and Local Elections, according to the COMELEC, will be on
December 4, 2017 to December 30, 2017 except December 25, 2017 (Christmas Day)
and January 2, 2018 to September 29, 2018, except March 29 & 30, 2018
(Maundy Thursday and Good Friday).
But there
are reports voter registration could start earlier than scheduled.
###
Radio-Tv
Monitor
10/23/2017
Monday
DZBB/PDA
“Dobol A
sa Dobol B” (10:00AM-11:00AM)
Arnold
Clavio and Ali Sotto
(10:50AM)
Panayam
kay House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez
Clavio:
May bisita po tayo, walang iba kundi si House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.
Speaker, good morning! Igan at Ali.
Sotto:
Magandang umaga Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.
Alvarez:
Magandang umaga sa inyo Igan at Ali. Kamusta na kayo?
Clavio:
Mabuti. Reaksyon lamang…
Sotto:
Hingan namin kayo ng panig ninyo dito sa lumabas na ulat na you are motivated
by vengeance dito sa impeachment case…
Clavio:
Ganti, ganoon…
Sotto:
Oo, laban kay Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno.
Alvarez:
Alam niyo po, ang tingin ko kasi diyan, kung mahina po yung depensa, ay
nagreresort po tayo sa diversionary tactics ano… In fact, wala pa naman, hindi
pa nga nag-uumpisa yung committee hearing, at may mga komento na, na kangaroo
court, ganito, ganyan, kaya tinitingnan yung motibo ko. Ano naman ang kinalaman
ko diyan, bakit hindi nila tingnan yung motibo ni Gadon? Siya yung nag-file ng
complaint. Ako, nangyari lang na ako ang Speaker diyan, hindi ko naman
pupuwedeng basta i-dismiss iyan, kailangan nating i-proseso iyang complaint na
fi-nile ni Gadon…
Sotto:
Hindi po kayo malapit kina Atty. Larry Gadon, na nag-file?
Alvarez:
Ano po, ano po?
Sotto:
Totoo po ba na malapit kayo kay Atty. Larry Gadon? Kasi narinig…
Alvarez:
Hindi po, ni hindi ko nga kilala yan.
Sotto:
Ahhh..
Alvarez:
Opo, opo. Sa amin kasi, talagang Constitutional duty namin iyan, na kapag na
may nag-file ng impeachment against any impeachable official, we have to
process it… kaya ganyan po ang nangyayari…
Clavio:
Hindi kayo kasama Speaker sa nag-endorse sa reklamo ni Gadon?
Alvarez:
Hindi po…
Clavio:
Hindi rin… okay.
Sotto: So
hindi rin naman po kayo mag-iinhibit, kumbaga, dahil nga parang ngayon na
nakulayan na, na sinasabi na…
Clavio:
Hindi, teka, bakit personal daw siya?
Sotto:
Parang may history sila ng PIATCO…
Clavio:
Bakit may history? Ahh, sa PIATCO.
Sotto: Sa
PIATCO nga.
Alvarez:
Sa akin kasi hindi naman kailangan na mag-inhibit ako dahil hindi naman ako
yung mag… anong tawag dito… yung parang huwes ba?
Sotto:
Hindi naman kayo Senator-Judge na uupo…
Alvarez:
Hindi po. Ako ay, ano lang ako, passive spectator lang ako diyan. Wala po akong…
ang sa akin kasi diyan, para sa kanila, just argue on the merits. Huwag nang
kahit saan dalhin yung usapan. Parang sa Customs din iyan, noong inumpisahan
namin, kung saan-saan nila gustong dalhin yung usapin. Kaya lang, alam niyo,
yung katotohanan talagang lumalabas kapag nag-umpisa na yung hearing. So ganyan
din ang mangyayari diyan, hintayin na lang nila na mag-umpisa ang hearing at
mag-attend sila dahil bibigyan sila ng pagkakataon na komprontahin yung mga
nag-aakusa sa kanila, na bigyan sila ng pagkakataon na komprontahin yung mga
testigo at yung mga dokumento na isa-submit. So hintayin na nila yun, at ito
naman ay iko-cover ng media, I’m sure, at makikita rin ng taong bayan kung
talagang may katotohanan o wala yung reklamo na inihain ni Gadon.
Sotto:
Okay. May katotohanan po ba yung nilatag na fact na she testified against you
doon sa mga kaso laban sa inyo, mayroon bang ganitong history in between you?
Alvarez:
Ito nga yung nakakatawa diyan, itong… sino yung spokesperson nila?
Sotto: Si
Jo Perez.
Alvarez:
Oo. Yakyak siya ng yakyak hindi muna niya pag-aralan, tingnan niya yung record
ng kaso, there was no instance na nagtestigo iyang si Sereno against me. Kung
ano-ano ang sinasabi niya, naghahatid siya ng kasinungalingan, hindi pa nga
nag-uumpisa yung hearing, kung ano-ano na ang sinasabi. Wala, hindi po, there
was no instance in any court na naalala kong nagtestigo iyang si Sereno against
me.
Sotto: So
that by itself, kumbaga wala na kaagad yung basis for the revenge, para kayo ay
magkaroon ng motibo na to get back at her, if it’s true na hindi nga nagtestify
against you…
Alvarez:
Wala po… at saka… hindi po isyu dito yung motibo ko, wala naman akong kinalaman
dito, wala naman akong kasong naka-pending ngayon, lahat na-dismiss na ng
Sandigan, ng Ombudsman, wala na po akong ano…
Sotto:
But is it within your power na gawing lutong Macao ito?
Alvarez:
Alam niyo po, yung sinasabi nilang lutong Macao, iyan ay… it’s a very unfair
statement. Kasi nga hindi pa tayo nag-uumpisa. Huhusgahan na agad nila ng
lutong Macao, para bang… alam niyo kapag mahina yung depensa mo, ay
kino-condition mo yung utak ng tao na ano ito, hindi ito ano… lutong Macao ito,
parang ganyan. Bakit hindi muna natin tingnan, komprontahin natin yung mga
ebidensya na ilalatag, komprontahin natin yung mga testigo na magsasalita…
Clavio:
Speaker…
Alvarez:
Huwag po tayo kaagad-agad na maghusga.
Clavio:
Kumpara ko lang sa impeachment ni Andy Bautista, bakit naman napabilis naman
yun?
Sotto:
Kumbaga step one pa lang, form pa lang, wala na ano?
Clavio:
Kumbaga, binasura yata ng komite, tapos na-override ng House…
Sotto:
Oo…
Alvarez:
Ganito kasi yun…
Clavio:
May info ba kayo? Ok…
Alvarez:
Ganito yun. Yung kay Andy Bautista, dumaan yun sa committee hearing, tiningnan…
sabi ng komite hindi siya…
Sotto:
Lacking in form, dapat… lacking in form siya…
Alvarez:
Oo, hindi siya compliant in form. So under the rules, ididismiss yun. Ngayon,
yung dismissal na iyan, magkakaroon ng committee report tungkol doon sa
dismissal na yun na isa-submit niya sa plenaryo. Ngayon, under our rules,
pagdating sa plenaryo, puwede pong baliktarin ng plenaryo iyan. Yun po ang
nangyari kay Andy Bautista.
Clavio:
Bakit nga po nabaliktad, Speaker? Ano ang mga impormasyon mo?
Alvarez:
Alin po?
Clavio:
Bakit nabaligtad po, ano po ang mga impormasyon na mayroon ang Kamara para
sabihin na sufficient yung mga reklamo laban kay Andy Bautista po?
Alvarez:
Ganito po yun… kasi karamihan ng miyembro ay naniniwala na hindi dapat
palampasin yung mga reklamo against Bautista dahil nga insufficient in form
lang siya, at mabibigat din yung alegasyon against him. So binaligtad po ng
plenaryo yun, kaya umakyat na diretso sa impeachment court.
Clavio:
Walang ganti-ganti rin doon? Baka sabihin yung motibo, kuwestiyunin…
Alvarez:
Wala po, wala po. So ngayon sasabihin na naman nila may motibo, wala pong
motibo iyan.
Clavio:
Okay. Kasi ang sinasabi baka ito ay motibo dahil pabor kay Bongbong Marcos,
Speaker?
Alvarez:
Hindi… hindi ko nga kandidato iyan. Kita mo nga, alam mo kung pabor kami diyan
sa mga Marcos, di sana hindi namin iyan hini-hearing doon sa House of
Representatives yung anomalya…
Clavio:
Yung sa Ilocos…
Alvarez:
Yung anomalya doon sa Ilocos.
Clavio:
Okay. Speaker, maraming salamat po sa oras na binigay niyo sa amin.
Alvarez:
Maraming salamat din po sa inyo Igan at Ali.
Sotto:
Thank you very much po.
Clavio:
House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez po.
###
Speaker Alvarez: FATE is
part of hatchet job to divert public attention
Speaker
Pantaleon Alvarez today dismissed the allegations hurled against him by the
group Filipino Alliance for Transparency and Empowerment (FATE) as part of a
hatchet job in a bid to divert public attention from the substance of the
accusations raised against Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno in the impeachment
case against her.
In a
radio interview, Alvarez dismissed as baseless FATE’s allegations that the
House hearings on Sereno’s impeachment could be railroaded. Such allegation,
according to Alvarez, betrays the weakness of Sereno’s evidence in her defense.
“Yung
ginagawa nila, doon mo mahahalata na mahina yung ebidensiya. Unang-una yung
FATE na iyan, ngayon lang sumulpot iyan, parang kabute iyan na itinayo lang
para nga dito sa impeachment hearing ni Sereno. At kapag ganyan, iyan ay trabaho
din ng PR, pilit nililihis yung usapin,” Alvarez said.
He
pointed out that this was the same PR tactic employed against him and the House
of Representatives when they investigated the P6.4 billion shabu smuggling
though the Bureau of Customs but eventually the truth came out.
Alvarez
also laughed off the claim of FATE that the House is controlling the impeachment hearings because he has an ax
to grind against Sereno for allegedly testifying against him in the Philippine
International Air Terminals Co. Inc. (PIATCO) case.
He noted
that all the cases against him related to the PIATCO case were all dismissed
and that Sereno did not testify against him as FATE alleged.
“Nadismiss
na po lahat ng kaso. In fact, hindi po totoo na nagtestigo laban sa akin iyan,”
Alvarez said.
Alvarez
said that aside from the allegations against Sereno’s income derived as member
of the government’s counsel, the PIATCO case has nothing to do with the
impeachment case against her.
“Ang laki
ng kinita nila doon sa kasong iyon, pinagkakitaan nila yung gobyerno doon. Ako
naman wala naman akong kinita doon, hindi ko naman pinagkakitaan yung gobyerno.
At saka bakit natin ilalabas iyan na wala namang kinalaman dito iyan?”Alvarez
said.
Among
others, Sereno was charged by complainant Atty. Larry Gadon for failing to
declare the estimated US$745,000 or P37 million she earned as a private lawyer
from the PIATCO case in any of her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net
Worth (SALN) from 2010 until 2016.
Alvarez
also pointed out that as Speaker of the House he is duty-bound to comply with
the constitutional mandate to refer impeachment cases to the House Committee on
Justice.
“Unang-una hindi naman ako ang nag-file ng
complaint, hindi ba? Nagkataon lang na ako ay Speaker ngayon, at hindi ko naman
po pupuwedeng idismiss yun, yung reklamong impeachment laban sa kanya. Ito ay
dadaan talaga sa proseso, doon sa House of Representatives kung saan
magkakaroon ng pagdinig doon sa Committee on Justice,” Alvarez explained.
He
pointed out that if he really wanted Sereno impeached, he could muster enough
number to get the required 1/3 vote of the House and immediately bring the case
to trial at the Senate.
Instead,
Alvarez said he had repeatedly emphasized that the House Committee on Justice
must conduct a thorough and careful scrutiny of the evidence submitted against
Sereno to determine if there is enough basis to warrant her impeachment.
“Mapapatunayan
natin kung talagang may basehan yung reklamo, mayroon ba tayong sapat na
ebidensiya para nga ituloy at i-prosecute siya doon sa impeachment court? Kasi
paulit-ulit kong sinabi na kaya natin ginagawa itong hearing sa House of
Representatives upang sa ganoon ay matiyak natin kung talagang mayroon tayong
ebidensya kasi kami yung magpo-prosecute sa impeachment court,” Alvarez said.
Contrary
to FATE’s allegation, Alvarez said, the House is in fact giving Sereno the
opportunity to air her side in the impeachment case against her.
“Talagang
bibigyan natin sila ng pagkakataon, si Sereno na dumalo doon sa House of
Representatives sa Committee on Justice. Ngayon, kung hindi siya pupunta doon,
wala kaming magagawa dahil yun ang pagkakataon na puwede niyang komprontahin
yung mga nag-akusa sa kanya at saka yung mga testigo.”
Sereno’s
lawyers earlier asked the House committee on justice to allow them to
cross-examine the witnesses against the Chief Justice on behalf of Sereno.
However, Alvarez said it should be Sereno who should conduct the cross
examination.
Alvarez
said the House committee on justice will resume its hearings on the Sereno
impeachment case when Congress resumes session on November 13.
Last
October 5, the Justice committee declared that there are sufficient grounds
alleged in the complaint to impeach Sereno. The next committee hearings will focus
on whether or not there is probable cause to pursue her impeachment.
###
NEWS
Release
23
October 2017
House approves bill granting benefits to day-care
workers
The House
of Representatives has approved on second reading House Bill 6550 which seeks to
grant benefits and privileges to day-care workers.
House
Bill No. 6550 or the proposed “Magna Carta of Day Care Workers,” seeks to
improve the social and economic welfare of day-care workers in recognition of
their vital role in providing pre-school education and social development
services to children.
The
measure defines day care workers as persons primarily engaged in the provision
of early child development services and programs such as care, social
development, education, protection, and other needs of children aged four years
old and below in all government-sponsored day care centers.
It
mandates the creation of plantilla positions in all day care centers
nationwide, which would grant day care workers with security of tenure and
other rights and benefits provided under civil service rules and regulations.
Moreover,
the bill seeks to professionalize the ranks of day care workers by setting
qualifications and standards, and mandates the establishment of personnel
selection boards to ensure systematic and merit-based screening, shortlisting,
and hiring of applicants.
Likewise,
it prescribes the compensation, additional allowances such as overtime pay,
hazard allowance, subsistence allowance, and other benefits and privileges such
as free medical examination and treatment in government hospitals for
work-related ailments, access to livelihood programs, continuing education and
skills training, same-area assignment for married couples who are both day care
workers, and other benefits such as automatic membership in the Government
Service Insurance System (GSIS), Pag-IBIG, and PhilHealth.
The bill
protects the current day care workers from disenfranchisement through
transition measures that can help them comply with the hiring requirements.
Section 7
of HB 6550 provides that day care workers legitimately serving as such upon the
passage of the Act, who are above 17 years old but below 18 years old, shall
continue to serve as such and are qualified to be covered under the Act.
Same
section also provides that day care workers who have no college education upon
the effectivity of the Act shall be given two years within which to complete
equivalent training to be able to continue in the service…”
Furthermore,
the bill provides funding for the program from the Internal Revenue Allotment
(IRA) and Special Education Fund of local government units, national government
subsidy for poorer municipalities, and contribution of the Philippine Amusement
and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to and other collections of the Early Childhood
Care and Development Council (ECCDC).
The
authors of HB 6550 are Deputy Speakers Romero
Quimbo (2nd District, Marikina City) and Linabelle Ruth Villarica, Reps.
Emmeline Aglipay-Villar (Party-list, DIWA), , Rosenda Ann Ocampo (6th District,
Manila), Lawrence Fortun (1st District, Agusan del Norte), Romeo Acop (2nd
District, Antipolo City), Estrellita Suansing (1st District, Nueva Ecija),
Horacio Suansing Jr. (2nd District, Sultan Kudarat), Yedda Marie Romualdez (1st
District, Leyte), Sol Aragones (3rd District, Laguna), Julieta Cortuna
(Party-list, A TEACHER), Peter Unabia (1st District, Misamis Oriental), Strike
Revilla (2nd District, Cavite), Bernadette Herrera-Dy (Party-list, BH), Maximo
Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City), Arlene Brosas (Party-list,
GABRIELA), Emmi De Jesus (Party-list, GABRIELA), Carlos Isagani Zarate
(Party-list, BAYAN MUNA), Antonio Tinio (Party-list, ACT TEACHERS), France
Castro (Party-list, ACT TEACHERS), Ariel Casilao (Party-list, ANAKPAWIS), Sarah
Jane Elago (Party-list, KABATAAN), Winston Castelo (2nd District, Quezon City),
Alexandria Gonzales (Lone District, Mandaluyong City), Jose Panganiban
(Party-list, ANAC IP), Micaela Violago (2nd District, Nueva Ecija), Deogracias
Victor Savellano (1st District, Ilocos Sur), Anna Marie Villaraza-Suarez
(Party-list, ALONA), Maria Vida Espinosa Bravo (1st District, Masbate), Jose
Antonio Sy-Alvarado (1st District, Bulacan), Carmelo Lazatin II (1st District,
Pampanga), Celso Lobregat (1st District, Zamboanga City), Marlyn Alonte (Lone
District, Binan City), Makmod Mending Jr. (Party-list, AMIN), Manuel Monsour
Del Rosario III (1st District, Makati City), Salvador Belaro (Party-list, ANG
EDUKASYON), Greg Gasataya(Lone District, Bacolod City), Pablo Ortega (1st
District, La Union), Vini Nola Ortega (Party-list, ABONO), Michael Romero
(Party-list, 1-PACMAN), John Marvin Nieto (3rd District, Manila), Marlyn
Primicias-Agabas (6th District, Pangasinan), Wilter Palma II (1st District,
Zamboanga Sibugay), Dale Malapitan (1st District, Caloocan City), Lianda
Bolilia (4th District, Batangas), Johnny Ty Pimentel (2nd District, Surigao del
Sur), John Enrique Garcia III (2nd District, Bataan), Tricia Nicole
Velasco-Catera (Party-list, MATA), Emmanuel Madrona (Lone District, Romblon), Divina
Grace Yu (1st District, Zamboang del Sur), Alberto Ungab (3rd District, Davao
City), Vicente Veloso (3rd District, Leyte), Aniceto Bertiz III (Party-list,
ACTS OFW), Jericho Jonas Nograles (Party-list, PBA), Richard Eusebio (Lone
District, Pasig City), Frederick Siao (Lone District, Iligan City), Ma. Lucille
Nava (Lone District, Guimaras), Ma. Theresa Collantes (3rd District, Batangas),
Lorna Bautista-Bandigan (Lone District, Davao Occidental), Leopoldo Bataoil
(2nd District, Pangasinan), Alfredo Garbin (Party-list, AKO BICOL), Angelina
Tan (4th District, Quezon), Joseph Bernos (Lone District, Abra), Cesar
Sarmiento (Lone District, Catanduanes), Edgar Mary Sarmiento (1st District,
Samar), Vilma Santos-Recto (6th District, Batangas), Cristina Roa-Puno (1st
District, Antipolo City), Ma. Lourdes Aggabao (4th District, Isabela), Roger
Mercado (Lone District, Southern Leyte), Manuel Jose Dalipe (2nd District,
Zamboanga City), Gus Tambunting (2nd District, Paranaque City), Karlo Alexei
Nograles (1st District, Davao City), Joey Sarte Salceda (2nd District, Albay),
Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo (1st District, Lanao del Norte), Ana Cristina Go (2nd
District, Isabela), Mark Aeron Sambar (Party-list, PBA), Jorge Almonte (1st
District, Misamis Occidental), Isagani Amatong (3rd District, Zamboanga del
Norte), Arlene Arcillas (1st District, Laguna), Kaka Bag-ao (Lone District,
Dinagat Islands), Evelina Escudero (1st District, Sorsogon), Mark Go (Lone
District, Baguio City), Virgilio Lacson (Party-list, MANILA TEACHERS), Carlito
Marquez (Lone District, Aklan), Teodoro Montoro (Party-list, AASENSO), and
Manuel Zubiri (3rd District, Bukidnon).
###
NEWS
Release
22
October 2017
House acts to provide Pinoys comprehensive mental
care
WITH at
least one study claiming that one out of every three Filipinos grapples with
mental issues, the House of Representatives passed on second reading a measure
that would address the growing need for a national mental health system that
really works for Filipinos needing psychological care.
Coming
just one more step for approval with the formality of a third reading is House
Bill 6252 entitled "The Comprehensive Mental Health Act" which
intends to deliver
an
integrated mental health services, while protecting the rights of persons
availing psychiatric, neurologic and psychosocial health services.
The
bill's principal author, Deputy Speaker Rep. Romero Quimbo cited several studies in the Philippines which called
attention to the lack of proper care for mental health patients who are prone
to abuses in the health care system.
Mental
health refers to a state of well-being
in which every individual realizes one’s own potential; is able to cope with
the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and make a
contribution to the community.
Rep.
Angelina Tan (4th District, Quezon), chairperson of the committee on health,
and Rep. Chiqui Roa-Puno (1st District, Antipolo City) sponsored the bill on
the floor.
Ultimately,
the proposed law wants to ensure that Filipinos
are able to contribute to the development of the country and are able to
attain better quality of life because their mental needs are assured along with
their overall physical and health needs.
The bill
integrates mental health care in the general health delivery system, especially
in the programs of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of
Interior and Local Government (DILG). It also promotes the study of mental
health in both elementary and secondary educational systems to prevent
depression, obesity, and teenage pregnancy among students of this age group.
The bill
strengthens the functions and reconstitutes the composition of the Philippine
Council for Mental Health (PCMH) which was created under Executive Order 470
and attached to the DOH to provide a coherent, rational and unified response to
mental health problems, concerns, and efforts through the formulation and
implementation of the National Mental Health Care Services Delivery System.
Likewise,
it provides for the rights of person with mental illnesses or who is being
treated for a mental illness such as the right to freedom from social,
economic, and political discrimination and stigmatization.
Under the
bill, mental health professionals shall have the right to have a safe and
supportive health environment; participate in a continuous professional
development program; and participate in the planning, development, and
management of health services.
Aside
from Quimbo, Roa-Puno and Tan, the other authors of the bill are House Speaker
Pantaleon Alvarez, Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas, Minority Leader Danilo
Suarez, Deputy Speakers Pia Cayetano and Linabelle Ruth Villarica, among
others.
###
Rep Tom Villarin
Akbayan
filed versions of the mental health bill in both House and the Senate through
Sen Risa Hontiveros, the principal author in the upper chamber. Rep Edcel
Lagman of the independent minority bloc introduced floor amendments
particularly providing appropriations of at least two percent from new taxes
aside from GAA provisions.
###
NEWS
Release
22
October 2017
House sets pension system for Ombudsman workers
The House of Representatives has approved on
second reading House Bill 6578 that provides retirement benefits and hazard
allowance to workers of the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB).
Under the
proposed “Retirement Law of the Office of the Ombudsman”, the Ombudsman shall
enjoy the same retirement and other benefits as those of the Presiding Justice
of the Court of Appeals, while the Deputies and the Special Prosecutor shall
enjoy the same retirement and other benefits as those of the Associate Justice
of the Court of Appeals.
All other
officials and employees covered by the Act, from Salary Grade 26 to 29,
shall
enjoy the same retirement and other benefits as those of the Judges of the
Regional Trial Courts (RTC), Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, Municipal Trial
Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts with the same salary grades.
HB 6578
provides for the automatic increase in the pension benefits of OMB retired
officials or employees whenever there is an increase in the salary and
allowance in the same position from which they retired.
It also
provides for additional monthly hazard allowance not exceeding 50 percent of
the basic monthly salary to officials and employees exposed to hardships,
security risks and other hazards by reason of their assigned tasks and
responsibilities.
Upon the
death of a retired or incumbent official or employee covered by the Act, the
surviving legitimate spouse and dependent children of said official or employee
shall be entitled to receive on a monthly basis all the retirement benefits the
deceased had been receiving or entitled to receive at the time of death under
the provisions of the applicable retirement laws then in force.
The
amounts necessary to implement the proposed Act shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act.
Rep. Ann Hoffer, (2nd District, Zamboanga Sibugay),
co-author of the bill, said the benefits and allowances of the employees and
officials of the OMB are still not comparable to those of their counterparts in
other government agencies and in other anti-graft and corruption bodies in the
Pacific Region.
Hofer
said the OMB also suffers from a high turnover of personnel, who eventually
join other government agencies or the private sector that offer better
compensation and retirement benefits.
Co-author
Rep. Sherwin Tugna (Party list Cibac), said the work force of the OMB has been
receiving salaries and benefits that are not commensurate to their heavy task
of gathering evidence and establishing air-tight cases against erring public
officials.
The House
committee on justice has endorsed the said bill for plenary approval.
###
NEWS
Release
21
October 2017
House tackles reforms in retirement benefits of
uniformed services
A
technical working group (TWG) of the House committees on government enterprises
and privatization and on national defense and security this week started
consolidating two measures seeking to reform the retirement benefit and pension
system of the seven major uniformed services of the government.
TWG head
Rep. Mark Go (Lone District, Baguio
City), said President Rodrigo Duterte himself emphasized the need to reform the
benefits and pension system of the uniformed services in his budget message to
Congress for fiscal year 2017.
Go said
the bills aim to address the many concerns of the major uniformed services of
the government.
The seven
major uniformed services are the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP),
Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Fire
Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Bureau of
Corrections (BuCor), and National Mapping and Resource Information Authority
(NAMRIA).
The TWG
is harmonizing House Bills 1137 and 5673 filed by Reps. Gary Alejano (Party
list, Magdalo) and Francisco Jose Matugas (1st District, Surigao del Norte),
respectively. The bills are both titled “Unified Uniformed Personnel Retirement
Benefits and Pension Reform Act.”
The bills
provide that the State duly recognizes the vital role of the uniformed services
in providing internal and external security, promoting peace and order,
ensuring public safety and further strengthening local government capability
aimed towards the effective delivery of basic services to the citizenry.
The State
also recognizes the extraordinary hazards, risks, perils and dangers the
uniformed personnel of the uniformed services encounter in the performance of
their duties.
It shall
therefore be the prime concern of the State to provide all uniformed with
personnel adequate remuneration and benefits, including retirement benefits and
pension. To this end, the State shall ensure that the retirement benefits and
pension scheme of the uniformed personnel is secure, reliable and sustainable.
The bills
provide that existing retirees and future retirees of the uniformed services
shall be entitled to receive a monthly retirement pay equivalent to
two-and-a-half percent for each year of active service rendered, but not
exceeding 90 percent of the monthly base and longevity pay of the grade next
higher than the permanent grade last held, amending Section 17 of Presidential
Decree 1638 also known as “Establishing A New System Of Retirement And
Separation For Military Personnel Of The Armed Forces Of The Philippines”
issued in 1979 by former President Marcos.
All new
entrants, who at the time of their actual retirement, are eligible to receive
retirement benefits and pension under existing laws applicable to the uniformed
services, shall be entitled to receive their lump sum benefit equivalent to
three years within one month of their effective date of retirement.
All
uniformed personnel who are disabled in the line of duty shall be eligible to
receive a monthly pension, the rates of which shall be determined by the
respective department concerned.
The bills
seek to provide a new fund-sourcing scheme for the unified retirees’ pension
and benefits that is sustainable in the long term.
They
mandate the creation of a Uniformed Personnel Retirement Fund (UPRF) to be
managed by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for the
sustainability of the retirement benefits and pension of uniformed personnel.
The GSIS
shall create a new department which shall exclusively administer the UPRF.
Upon the
effectivity of the Act, it shall be mandatory for new entrants to contribute a
percentage of their monthly compensation as personal share and for the national
government to contribute a corresponding share sourced from the general appropriations
for the maintenance of the UPRF.
The
additional funding for the maintenance of the UPRF shall be sourced from the
sale or disposition of public lands, as may be authorized by the President.
During
the hearing, the seven major uniformed services presented their respective
retirement and pension system.
###
NEWS
Release
20
October 2017
House pushes for shorter processing of permit or
license
Securing
a business permit or license will soon be just a piece of cake for investors
and businessmen planning to put up businesses in the country
The House
of Representatives has approved on second reading a bill which seeks, among
others, to simplify permit and licensing system procedures and streamline the
requirements at the national and local levels.
House
Bill 6579 entitled “An Act Establishing A National Policy On Ease Of Doing
Business, Creating For The Purpose The Ease Of Doing Business Commission” also
aims to provide a business environment that is conducive for the establishment
and operation of enterprises in the country.
Likewise,
it intends to promote transparency in government with regard to business
registration and other manner of public transactions, to reduce red tape and
expedite permitting, licensing, and other similar transactions in government.
It also
seeks to ensure timely and expeditious processing of business requirements by
national government agencies (NGAs) and local government units (LGUs).
Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto (6th District,
Batangas), principal author of the bill, said it takes 16 procedures to
navigate and an average of 29 days to start a business in the country.
“Compared
to our other ASEAN neighbors in the “Ease in Starting a Business” rankings, the
Philippines has performed poorly,” Santos-Recto said.
She said
the Philippines placed at 165th in the ranking of 189 economies and lags behind
Singapore ranked in 1st place, Malaysia in 14th place, Thailand in 96th place,
Vietnam in 119th place, and Laos in 153rd place.
The bill
calls for the creation of the National Policy in the Ease of Doing Business
which is a comprehensive and regulatory management policy to improve
competitiveness and ease undue bureaucratic and regulatory burden to business
entities.
Furthermore,
it seeks the creation of the Ease of Doing Business Commission, an attached
agency to the Office of the President which shall be the policy-making body on
business registration and regulatory management and shall set the overall
direction for the implementation of the National Policy on Ease of Doing
Business.
As the
lead agency in the implementation of the National Policy on Ease of Doing
Business, the Commission has the powers and functions to among others, plan,
implement, and oversee a national policy on ease of doing business; receive
complaints and institute investigations for violations of this Act; assist
complainants in filing necessary cases without prejudice to the jurisdiction of
the Civil Service Commission and the Office of the Ombudsman, as the case may
be; compel or petition any NGA or LGU to issue the permit, license, or
clearance of business entities deemed approved; and periodically review and
assess the country’s competitiveness performance, challenges and issues.
The
measure directs all NGAs and LGUs issuing licenses, clearances, or permits to
business entities to post a comprehensive checklist of requirements for every
type of license, clearance, or permit to be issued.
It
mandates the NGAs and LGUs involved in the processing and issuance of licenses,
clearances, or permits to business entities to process the application of such
business entities and communicate the decision regarding the approval or
disapproval of the application along with the reasons for such disapproval.
It
mandates further that the prescribed processing time shall in no case be longer
that one working day for barangay governments.
For NGAs
and LGUs for simple application, the prescribed processing time shall be three
working days while for national government agencies and LGUs in case of complex
applications, the prescribed processing time shall be 10 working days from the
time of receipt of the application.
For
special types of businesses that require clearances, accreditation, or licenses
issued by government agencies, including regulatory agencies as provided for by law, where technical
evaluation or such necessary condition is required in the processing of
license, clearances, or permits, the prescribed processing time shall in no
case be longer than 30 working days or as determined by the government agency
or instrumentality concerned whichever is shorter.
Where the
prescribed processing time is fixed by special laws, the time prescribed by
such laws shall apply.
Violations
of the Act include refusal to accept an application within the prescribed period
or any document being submitted by the applicant, this despite all required
documents have been submitted and the necessary fees have been paid.
Other
considered violations are; failure to refer back to the applicant an
application which cannot be acted upon due to lack or incomplete requirements
or non-payment of required fees or charges within the prescribed period;
failure to act on application despite the complete submission of requirements
and payment of required fees or charges within the prescribed period; failure
to give the applicant a written notice on the disapproval of an application
within the prescribed period or inform the applicant of any error, omission or
deficiency in the application; and imposition of additional irrelevant
requirements other than those provided by the concerned agency or LGU.
Penalties
for said violations are: for the first offense, 30 days suspension without pay;
second offense, three months suspension without pay; and third offense,
dismissal and perpetual disqualification to hold public office, cancellation of
civil service eligibility and forfeiture of retirement benefits.
Among the
other authors of the bill are House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Majority Leader
Rodolfo Fariñas, Minority Leader Danilo Suarez, Reps. Linda Bolilia, Jose
Antonio Sy-Alvarado, Ferjenel Biron, Arthur Yap, Gus Tambunting, Maximo
Rodriguez Jr., Winston Castelo, Salvador Belaro Jr., Linabelle Ruth Villarica,
Manuel Zubiri, Sherwin Tugna, Ricardo Belmonte, Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, Luis
Raymund Villafuerte, Joaquin Chipeco Jr., Xavier Jesus Romualdo, Lorna
Silverio, Rosanna Vergara, Lucy Gomez, Jerry Treñas, Franz Alvarez, Rene Relampagos, Jose Christopher
Belmonte, Jocelyn Limkaichong, Maria Lourdes Acosta-Alba, Mark Go, Deogracias
Victor Savellano, Carlo Lopez, Juliette
Uy, Jose Enrique Garcia III, Francis Gerald Abaya, Sabiniano Canama, Ben
Evardone, Paolo Javier, Mercedes Cagas, Abdullah Dimaporo, Rodante Marcoleta,
Raul Tupas, Raymond Democrito Mendoza, Arlene Arcillas, Cecilia Leonila Chavez,
Richard Eusebio, Karlo Alexei Nograles, Rozzano Rufino Biazon, Oscar Garin Jr.,
Scott Davies Lañete, Celso Lobregat, and Federico Sandoval II.
###
STRIKING
A BALANCE IN PUV TRANSPORT MODERNIZATION--The two-day transport strike last
Monday and Tuesday could have been prevented if there were avenues for dialogue
and exchange of facts between affected sectors and proponents of the public
utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program, according to House Committee on
Transportation Chairman Rep. Cesar V. Sarmiento. President Rodrigo Duterte
declared that PUV modernization will be implemented starting January 1,
2018. Other lawmakers who were present
during the meeting were Reps. Edgar R. Erice, Johnny Ty Pimentel, Rodel M.
Batocabe, Carlos Isagani T. Zarate, Emmi A. de Jesus, Ron P. Salo, Harry L.
Roque, Jr., Arlene D. Brosas, Carlo V. Lopez, Gavini C. Pancho and Teodoro G.
Montoro. Meanwhile, the Executive Department was represented by officials from
DoTR, MMDA, LTFRB, LTO, DBP, LandBank, Office of Transport Cooperatives, PNP
Highway Patrol Group. Transport groups such as PISTON, FEJODAP, ACTO, L-TOP,
ALTODAP and PASANG-MASDA were also in attendance.
###
NEWS
Release
19
October 2017
Anti-Elder Abuse Act backed
The House
committee on appropriations chaired by Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles (1stDistrict, Davao City) has approved the
funding provision of a substitute bill seeking to protect senior citizens from
violence.
The
approved Section 27 of the unnumbered substitute bill provides that the amount
necessary to implement the provisions of the “Anti-Elder Abuse Act” shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
The bill,
which was referred to the appropriations committee by the committee on
population and family relations chaired by Rep. Sol Aragones (3rdDistrict,
Laguna), will now be endorsed to the plenary for approval.
The bill
is authored by Reps. Victor Yap, Wes Gatchalian, Magnolia Rosa Antonino, Rodel
Batocabe, Alfredo Garbin, Jr., Christopher Co, Linabelle Ruth Villarica,
Estrellita Suansing, Raul del Mar, and Jose Antonino Sy-Alvarado.
The bill
declares it is the policy of the State to value the dignity of senior citizens
and thereby guarantee full respect for human rights. The State shall also
recognize the need to protect the family and its members, particularly the
senior citizens from all forms of violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation and
coercion, especially acts deleterious to their personal safety and security.
Towards
this end, the State shall exert efforts to address all forms of violence,
abuse, neglect, exploitation and coercion, especially acts deleterious to their
personal safety, security, dignity or any discriminatory act committed against
senior citizens in keeping with the fundamental freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution
and the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The bill
identifies the context of elder abuse or acts of violence against senior
citizens. This includes single or repeated acts that cause harm or distress to
an elderly committed through threatening or attempting to cause of the
following: emotional or psychological abuse; financial or material
exploitation; physical abuse; neglect by refusal or failure to fulfil any part
of a person’s obligations or duties to an elderly person; mental or emotional
suffering; abuse to include withdrawal of financial support, deprivation of
financial resources; deprivation of food, comfortable clothing, essential
medication, personal and basic financial services; battery, physical assault,
or arbitrary deprivation of liberty; abandonment; coercion especially acts
deleterious to their personal safety and security.
In
addition to those provided for under existing laws during the pendency of the
case, a victim of violence shall have the right to avail of protection and
legal assistance from the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) of the Department of
Justice (DOJ) or any public legal assistance office; be entitled to support
services from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the
Local Government Unit (LGU) concerned; be entitled to all legal remedies and
support as provided for under the Family Code; be informed of the rights and
services available including the right to apply for a protection order; and be
entitled to actual compensatoy, moral and exemplary damages.
The DSWD
Secretary, in coordination with the LGUs shall provide the senior citizen, who
is a victim of violence and similar acts, the following services: a safe place
or temporary shelter; counselling, healing, recovery and rehabilitation
programs; grants for non-profit organizations to support projects in local
communities; and make grants to develop and implement outreach programs
directed toward assisting senior citizens who are victims of abuse and
violence.
The bill
also mandates the Philippine National Police (PNP) to adopt a written protocol
establishing written guidelines and procedures to be followed by police
officers in responding to request for assistance and calls related to violence
against senior citizens.
Moreover,
the bill provides for education and training programs for law enforcement
officers and persons involved in responding to cases of violence against senior
citizens; mandatory reporting by public and private hospitals and their
attending physicians or nurses, barangay health workers, therapists or
counsellors of the outcome of treatment or examination of domestic violence
within 48 hours to the nearest police station; establishment of a Senior
Citizen Help Desk in every barangay; and establishment of DOJ Special
Prosecution Units that will handle cases of violence against senior citizens.
It
mandates the Regional Trial Court (RTC), as a Family Court, to have original
and exclusive jurisdiction over cases of violence against senior citizens.
Protection
Orders (POs) to prevent further acts of elder abuse or violence against senior
citizens may be issued. These include Barangay Protection Order (BPO),
Temporary Protection Order (TPO), and Permanent Protection Order (PPO).
Criminal
acts constituting attempted, frustrated or consummated parricide or murder or
homicide shall be punished in accordance with the provisions of the Revised
Penal Code. Other acts shall be punished by prision correctional, a fine in the
amount of P100,000 to P300,000. The perpetrator shall also undergo mandatory
psychological counselling or psychiatric treatment.
###
RESENDING:
SPELLING MISTAKES CORRECTED
STATEMENT
BY THE
HONORABLE
FREDERICK W. SIAO
Lone
District of Iligan City
www.freddiesiao.com
COMELEC MUST BE READY AGAINST IDENTITY THIEVES WHO
USE HACKED VOTERS DATA
GIST:
[House Committee on Suffrage & Electoral Reforms Member and Iligan Lone
District Congressman Frederick W. Siao is concerned about the possibility that
the massive security breach suffered by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC)
over a year ago could still be used by fraudsters in 2018 Barangay and SK
elections and 2019 mid-term elections.]
BACKGROUNDER:
[In March and April 2016, the public information website of the COMELEC was
hacked causing the personal data of 55 million registered voters, passport
details of 1.3 million overseas Filipino voters, and fingerprint records of
15.8 million voters to be uploaded online and be accessible to all.]
STATEMENT:
COMELEC
must assure Filipino voters here and overseas that the database of voters is
secured. COMELEC must also have measures in place to prevent anyone who has the
data hacked from the COMELEC or used data from the hacking to vote.
Now, it
is not impossible or improbable for identity thieves to issue fake voter IDs.
With the hacked data out there, they have the information they need to produce
fake voter IDs and if this is done on a massive scale, the results of future
elections could be in serious doubt.
COMELEC
should also updated Congress and the Filipino people on the status of the
hacking case, including the case/s against the suspects or suspects in the
hacking.
Filing of
applications for registration and other voter-related registration for the May
13, 2019 National and Local Elections, according to the COMELEC, will be on
December 4, 2017 to December 30, 2017 except December 25, 2017 (Christmas Day)
and January 2, 2018 to September 29, 2018, except March 29 & 30, 2018
(Maundy Thursday and Good Friday).
But there
are reports voter registration could start earlier than scheduled.
STATEMENT
OF MUNTINLUPA CITY REP. RUFFY BIAZON,
SENIOR VICE CHAIRMAN OF HOUSE COMM. ON NATIONAL DEFENSE AND SECURITY ON THE END OF COMBAT OPERATIONS IN MARAWI
CITY
October
23, 2017
With the
formal declaration by the Secretary of National Defense that military
operations have ended, we can finally say "Mission Accomplished".
The
Battle of Marawi will go down the annals of Philippine Military history as one
of the fiercest and most bitterly fought campaigns the AFP has engaged in. The
high casualty count on both sides, the duration of the siege and the impact it
has had on the lives of civilians make it a conflict which has taken a huge
toll not only on the AFP resources but on the country's efforts to bring development
to that part of Mindanao.
It is
appropriate for the nation to give honor, recognition and thanksgiving to the
men and women of the AFP who were deployed there to fight the terrorists and
take back Marawi, whether in the frontlines or in rear positions.
For those
who gave the ultimate sacrifice in fighting against the terrorists, perhaps a
marker or memorial with an eternal flame can be erected in Marawi, as a way of
honoring them for giving their lives so that others may live and that the
country's major Islamic city is liberated from the clutches of extremist
terrorists.
Of
course, more than the memorial, the government should make sure that the
families left behind by the fallen heroes are well taken cared of with regard
to the benefits and welfare they deserve.
The
process of recognizing and giving honor to the individual soldiers through
awards and medals should likewise proceed immediately, following the prescribed
vetting and selection system of the AFP. Honor and recognition is best served immediately.
As the
troops come home from the battlefield, there will be those who will require
medical care. Those with wounds and injuries should be given the appropriate
medical care to heal their bodies back into fighting form or at least enable
them to live productive lives. But for some, the military operations may have
ended in Marawi but the battle still rages in their heads. The soldiers who
have been affected by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) should likewise be
given mental health care, because while their bodies may not have any wound or
injury, the damage may have been psychological. The ravages of war can push
anyone's sanity on the brink.
Finally,
with the fighting over, there must be some form of assessment or inquiry into
how this all came about. If the Defense establishment says that there was no
failure of intelligence but only failure of appreciation of intelligence,
shouldn't somebody be held liable for that failure to appreciate? What is going
to be done to prevent that from happening again?
If the
military suffered casualties from friendly fire, how did this happen? Was it
failure in equipment? In leadership? In operations? In tactical training?
These and
other questions and issues could not be taken up during the height of the
conflict but now that the fighting is over, we must be prepared to search for
answers, with the end in view of avoiding them in the future.
The
snappiest salute goes to the officers and men of the AFP. Ooorah and Oooah!
STATEMENT
BY THE
HONORABLE
RON P. SALO
KABAYAN
Party-list
Assistant
Majority Leader
SOLON ASKS PALACE TO CONSIDER DECLARING OCT 30 A
SPECIAL HOLIDAY
I ask
Malacanang to consider declaring October 30, 2017 a special non-working
holiday, as a National Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer for Peace in Marawi and
Mindanao.
This will
give all Filipinos a time to pause to honor the sacrifice of our men in uniform
who gave their lives, who suffered serious injuries, and who fought bravely, so
that Marawi would be free of the extremist terrorists who tried to separate
Marawi City from the Republic of the Philippines and establish a way of life
that is against what makes all of us Filipinos.
It is a
special day for Filipinos everywhere to internalize the heroism displayed by
our soldiers and to consider how they can concretely manifest their heroism as
well in helping to rebuild Marawi City and to attain lasting peace in Mindanao.
One of which is by supporting the reconstruction bonds to be issued by the
government.
If palace
would declare October 30 a holiday,that would give students, government
workers, and private employees ample time to enjoy a long-weekend holiday from
October 28 to November 1. That would reduce disruption to business and
production schedules, and encourage domestic tourism.
On
October 30, let us personally thank the soldiers, volunteers, rescuers, and
news reporters who went to Marawi.
NEWS
Release
24
October 2017
Negros Oriental solon says allegations vs Speaker
are FAKE
Negros
Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves
yesterday said the allegations raised against Speaker Alvarez by the so called
Filipino Alliance for Transparency and Empowerment (FATE), are FAKE and utterly
baseless and malicious.
He said
the allegation that the Speaker is manipulating the outcome of the impeachment
hearings because he has an ax to grind against Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno
for testifying against him in the PIATCO (Philippine International Air
Terminals Co. Inc.) case is FAKE and a mere
fabrication.
By
alleging that the Speaker is manipulating outcome, ID is like saying that all
congressmen are like puppets and the House is just a rubber stamp which is
never true.
“They
should rather be called FAKE because based on the information I have, it
appears that Sereno never testified against Speaker Alvarez in the Piatco case.
Apparently it is one organization that sprouted suddenly like a mushroom and
solely meant to serve the interest of Sereno,” said Teves.
He said
that contrary to the group’s allegations, the impeachment case against Sereno
had nothing to do with the Piatco case per se.
“But it
has something to do with the income that Sereno earned as counsel in case that
she allegedly did not declare in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net
worth (SALN), like the allegations raised in the impeachment case of the late
CJ Renato Corona,” Teves said.
Atty.
Larry Gadon, the complainant against Sereno, alleged that Sereno ever declared
the estimated US$745,000 or P37 million she earned as a private lawyer in the
PIATCO case, among others.
Teves decried the FATE statement as malicious too.
He pointed out that if Speaker Alvarez really wanted Sereno impeached, he could
have mustered enough numbers to get the 1/3 vote of the House to automatically
bring the case to the Senate for trial.
“Yet, it
did not happen. Instead, the House Committee on Justice decided to give CJ
Sereno an opportunity to cross examine the witnesses and rebut the evidence
against her. How can FATE now say the Speaker is manipulating the impeachment
hearings?” he said.
On the
contrary, he noted that in various interviews Speaker Alvarez categorically
said he does not want the House to rush its decision on the impeachment case
against Sereno and that the Justice committee must carefully weigh if the
evidence presented would warrant her impeachment.
“The only
thing that Speaker Alvarez really insisted is that Sereno herself should do the
cross-examination of the witnesses against her, not her lawyers. But there is
nothing wrong with that,” Teves said.
He noted
that the position of Speaker Alvarez is appropriate considering that several SC
justices have reportedly expressed willingness to testify against Sereno. Atty.
Gadon had claimed that up to six SC justices may testify against the Chief
Justice in the impeachment hearings.
“It may
be awkward for ordinary lawyers to cross-examine justices of the Supreme Court,
which exercises disciplinary powers over law practitioners,” Teves said.
Besides,
he pointed out, Sereno is in the best position to examine the evidence against
her which includes certified documents issued by the Supreme Court.
“If CJ
Sereno really has nothing to hide, then she should not hesitate to face her
accusers and instead welcome the opportunity to prove them wrong,” he said.
Instead
of issuing statements, which only serve to muddle the impeachment case against
Sereno, he said, FATE should attend the hearings and find out if there is
really enough ground or not to warrant the impeachment of the Chief Justice.
“Any
unfounded allegations coming from FATE or any other similar group is
irresponsible and doing the entire nation a disservice. They only serve to
strengthen suspicions that a coordinated PR campaign is underway
STATEMENT
OF CONG. MILAGROS AQUINO-MAGSAYSAY,
Senior Citizens Party-list on the
alleged exploitation of Philippine National Living Treasure Apo Whang-Od Oggay
in ManilaFAME
"In
light of the controversy concerning the last 'mambabatok' of the Philippines
and Kalinga centenarian Apo Whang-Od Oggay's participation at this year's ManilaFAME,
we at Senior Citizens Party-List calls for clarification from the event
organizers, ManilaFAME and the DTI Design Center of the Philippines, on the
alleged exploitation of our Philippine National Living Treasure.
While
Senior Citizens Party-list lauds our government's efforts in upholding our
national heritage through our traditional, indigenous crafts, as well as their
preservation and propagation for our succeeding generations, it is also of
utmost importance for us that we observe this without making it a venue for
abuse and ill-treatment, particularly for one of our country's most respected
and valued elderlies.
The
Kalingan tradition of 'batok' tattoo holds a special significance for the
Cordilleran identity and heritage, and we understand their people's, as well as
the public's, concern on how their most-revered artisan, as well as their most
respected tradition, could have been exploited at the said 3-day trade event.
While it
is understood that Apo Whang-Od's transfer from her native Buscalan to Manila
was ensured of her safety and protection by the Philippine Air Force, we at
Senior Citizens Partylist have noticed a few lapses in the organizer's handling
of her recognition and participation on the said event.
While Apo
Whang-Od may welcome such an event as an opportunity for her to share her and
her people's precious craft, having a centenarian of that stature and state
undergo a rigorous activity of servicing close to 300 people may prove taxing
on her waning health.
The venue
by which it was also presented, by having her tattoo done for a fee, as though
it were peddling a service, could also prove demeaning for an artist
representing a priceless artistry.
And,
lastly, it is also quite disconcerting how the organizers may have failed in
according her the proper treatment, importance, and honor she deserves; one
that upholds her dignity and prestige as one of the last living pillars of our
national identity and heritage.
As this
issue brings to light the vulnerability of our elderly artisans and traditional
craftsmen to commercial exploitation, as well as the public's consternation for
the respect and the protection of our elderly's health, welfare, and dignity,
this representation is calling for a clarification by the ManilaFAME and the
DTI-Design Center of the Philippines on the said issue.
We hope
that the said warranted clarification would assure our people, particularly our
elderly, that our state respects and upholds their health, honor, and heritage
above commercial or popular gains."
NEWS
Release
24
October 2017
House approves bill rationalising DAR rules for
land registration
The House
of Representatives has approved on second reading House Bill 6589 seeking to
rationalize the requirements imposed by the Department of Agrarian Reform
regarding land registration to enable smooth and speedy transactions between
DAR agents and the public.
The bill
principally authored by Speaker
Pantaleon Alvarez provides it is the
policy of the State to warrant the efficiency and responsiveness of the
government by ensuring the implementation of national policies and procedures
that reduce, if not eradicate, bureaucratic red tape, and enable smooth and
speedy transactionsbetween government agents and the public.
It
mandates that clearance or permits from the DA for registering land shall only
apply to those lands which are covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform
Program (CARP).
For the
registration of lands not covered by the CARP, as provided for in Section 10 of
Republic Act 6657, as amended, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Agrarian
Reform Law (CARL), as well as those lands with a size below the five hectare
retention limit imposed by Section 6 of the same Act, no clearance or permit
from DAR shall be required.
A
Certificate or Order of Exclusion issued by the DAR shall be submitted as
adequate proof that the agricultural land still possesses the status of being
exempt or excluded from coverage of the CARP as provided for in Section 10 of
the CARL.
Moreover,
an affidavit of aggregate total agricultural lands by both the transferor and
the transferee shall be presented in case of lands with a size below the five
hectare retention limit.
No deed
of sale of agricultural lands under cultivation by an agricultural lessee or
lessees shall be recorded in the Registry of Property unless accompanied by the
affidavit required of the vendor as contemplated in Section 13 of RA 3444,
otherwise known as the Agricultural Land Reform Code.
Any
public officer or employee who violates the Act shall be removed from service
and shall suffer the penalty of perpetual absolute disqualification without
prejudice to other criminal, civil, or administrative penalties imposable as
provided for by law, the bill provides.
Alvarez
said it is the State policy to create conditions that eliminate unnecessary red
tape that prolong public processes to
the prejudice of the interests of the people – and serve as potential areas for
corruption.
“One such
area exists in the realm of land registration wherein the DAR, which reasonably
should be the clearing house before land covered by the CARP could be
registered, also serves, unnecessarily, as the clearing house for the
registration of lands which are not covered by the CARP,” said the Speaker.
To
rationalize the process, the Speaker said he proposed that clearance permits
from the DAR for the purpose of land registration shall only apply to lands
covered by CARP.
The bill
was endorsed for plenary approval by the House committee on agrarian reform
chaired by Rep. Rene Relampagos (1st District, Bohol). It is co-authored by
Relampagos, Reps. Melencio Yap Jr., Ruwel Peter Gonzaga, Arnolfo Teves,
Jesulito Manalo, Roger Mercado, Fernando Gonzalez, Henry Oaminal, Orestes
Salon, Wilter Wee Palma, Manuel Jose Dalipe and Delphine Gan Lee.
PRESS
RELEASE
OCTOBER
25, 2017
REFERENCE:
REP. JOSEPHINE Y. RAMIREZ-SATO – (0918)
9068294
RACHEL
MORALA, Legislative Focal Person – (0917) 852 3380
32 provinces do not have a component city
Sato files bill mandating creation of component
city for all PHL provinces
To spur
economic growth and development, Occidental Mindoro Rep. Josephine Ramirez Sato
filed a bill last week seeking to allow the conversion of a municipality into a
city in provinces with no component city.
Sato,
vice chair of the economic affairs committee of the House of Representatives,
said a total of 32 provinces in the country still do not have a component city
because the municipalities fail to meet the minimum requirement in terms of
income, population, or land area.
The
provinces with no component city are spread across Luzon (16 provinces), Visayas
(6 provinces) and Mindanao (10 provinces).
Sato
filed House Bill No. 6624 last October 19, 2017, seeking to amend Section 450
of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code as amended by Republic Act
9009.
The said
provision sets the minimum requirement for the conversion of a municipality
into a component city.
Currently,
under the said provision, a municipality must have generated an income of P100
million in the last two years, with a contiguous territory not less than 100
square meters and a population not less than 150,000.
A former
Governor of Occidental Mindoro, Sato’s proposed measure aims to exempt a
municipality in a province with no component city from such requirement.
“Having a
component city is a catalyst for change and development in a province. Its character complements each other and
carries economic gains in adjacent municipalities,” Sato stressed.
Instead
of waiting for a municipality to reach its financial target or quota to qualify
for cityhood, Sato said the measure, once enacted into law, will exempt a
municipality from the minimum requirements under the current law, to attract
more investments that will spur economic activities and boost growth and
development.
“Having
at least one component city in a province is instrumental in boosting
socio-economic development in the area.
It promotes commerce, improves delivery of services, tourism and
alternative sources of income to the communities,” she said.
“To
function and become a city is more of a character rather than just financial,
population or land requirement. Even a
small municipality can qualify as a city when it can perform and has the
character and functions of a city,” Sato explains.
She added
that a municipality can even excel further if the qualified municipality is the
center of trade and commerce, provides services and maintains the supply of
goods to neighboring towns.
The bill
sets other requirements and categories for compliance for candidate
municipalities, including established offices and units with an adequate number
of personnel, local government plans, and public infrastructure. The candidate town should also have an
economic characteristic similar to a city to qualify as a component city.
Once
enacted into law, the proposed measure mandates the Department of Budget and
Management (DBM) to allocate funds for the first three years of Internal
Revenue Allotment (IRA) of the newly established component cities.
The
allocation will be an additional and separate from the IRA of already existing
cities, so as to not drastically decrease the allocation of all cities, Sato
stressed.
MOOT AND ACADEMIC: Deliberation on the Articles of Impeachment
pertaining to COMELEC Chairman Andres Bautista was terminated by the House
Committee on Justice as President Rodrigo Duterte accepted the former’s
resignation effective immediately. The
hearing was called by Chairman Reynaldo V. Umali after House Members sitting in
plenary overruled the committee’s decision to declare the charge against
Bautista as insufficient in form. Also present during the hearing were Deputy
Speaker Gwendolyn Garcia, vice chair Doy Leachon and Reps. Romeo Acop, Salvador
Belaro, Jr., Anthony Bravo, Luis Jose Angel Campos, Jr., Eugene Michael De
Vera, Rodante Marcoleta, Harry Roque, Jr. and Jerry Treñas.
OFFICIAL
STATEMENT OF THE
KABAYAN PARTY-LIST
By Joshua
P. Sebastian,
Secretary
General
09178917755
/kabayan Party-list/ @Kabayan_Ron
Reports
that erstwhile member of KABAYAN Party-list Atty. Harry Roque is being
considered for the post of Presidential Spokesperson is a positive development
for his public service career. KABAYAN Party-list is happy with this exciting
development as very few and select individuals are given the opportunity to
work closely with, and speak on behalf of, the President.
The
podium there at Malacanang is clearly a more powerful position although it is
appointive, not elective in nature.
The
KABAYAN Party-list is ready when Atty. Roque assumes the post. All the
necessary documents are being readied and all the necessary protocols are being
prepared for the proclamation of the third nominee, Atty. Ciriaco S. Calalang.
All these
are necessary to ensure KABAYAN Party-list constituents are ably and adequately
represented in Congress.
THE
HONORABLE RON P. SALO
KABAYAN
Party-list
Assistant
Majority Leader
09178917755
/kabayanParty-list/ @Kabayan_Ron
KABAYAN PARTY-LIST CONGRATULATES HARRY ROQUE FOR
BEING CONSIDERED FOR A PALACE SPOKESPERSON POST
“Reports
that erstwhile member of KABAYAN Party-list Atty. Harry Roque is being
considered for the post of Presidential Spokesperson is a positive development
for his public service career,” reads the official Statement of KABAYAN
Party-list.
“The
podium there at Malacanang is clearly a more powerful position although it is
appointive, not elective in nature,” Salo, who used to be Undersecretary of
then Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, said.
Salo also
noted that the Spokesperson post will be a better avenue for Roque to showcase
his intellectual prowess.
“Very few
and select individuals are given this kind of opportunity to work closely with,
and to speak on behalf of, the President,” added Salo.
“We wish
him well for this exciting development in Atty. Roque’s public service career,”
Joshua Sebastian, KABAYAN Party-list Secretary General said.
KABAYAN
Party-list is now preparing for the proclamation of its third nominee, Atty.
Ciriaco S. Calalang vice Atty. Roque.
“As
founder and Chairman of KABAYAN Party-list, it is part of my responsibility to
make sure that our constituencies are not under-represented in Congress, so
prudence dictates that we set in motion preparatory processes to ensure that
Atty. Calalang is ready, able, and can immediately take his oath of office as
KABAYAN Party-list representative,” Rep. Salo added.
Salo also
said that he has advised the KABAYAN Party-list Secretariat and Atty. Calalang to
exercise due diligence and be ready to ensure that KABAYAN Party-list is ably
and adequately represented in Congress.
Atty.
Calalang is a certified public accountant. He is an alumnus of Manuel L. Quezon
University and passionately shares the advocacies of KABAYAN Party-list.
NEWS
Release
25
October 2017
System loss to be exempt from VAT
The House
of Representatives approved on second reading House Bill 1616 seeking to exempt
the system loss charge component in the sale of electricity by distribution
companies and electric cooperatives from the coverage of the value added tax
(VAT) to lower power rates.
The bill
principally authored by Rep. Isagani Zarate (Party-list, Bayan Muna) seeks to
amend Section 109 (1) of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended
by Republic Act 9337 and RA 10378, so that the system loss component in the
sale of electricity by distribution companies and electric cooperatives shall
be among the transactions exempt from VAT.
Another
amendment provides the VAT exemption of sale or lease of goods or properties or
the performance of services, the gross annual sale and/or receipts do not
exceed the amount of P1.5 million. Provided that not later than January 31,
2009 and every three years thererafter, the amount herein stated shall be
adjusted to its present value using the consumer price index as published by
the National Statistics Office (NSO).
Zarate
said the VAT is a form of sales tax. It is a tax on consumption levied on the
sale, barter, exchange or lease of goods or properties and services in the
Philippines and on importation of goods into the country.
“VAT is
an indirect tax. It is shifted or passed on to the buyer, transferee or lessee
of goods, properties or services. Being a pass-on tax, the tax burden of paying
the VAT is therefore ultimately left upon the shoulder of the end users – the
consuming public,” said Zarate.
Meanwhile,
Zarate said system loss is the part of one’s electric bill representing the
cost of electricity lost during transmission, pilferage, and due to technical
and administrative inefficiency. Even pilfered power and electricity used by
the distribution companies such as the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) and
electric cooperatives are passed on to consumers, according to Zarate.
In a
report by independent think-tank Ibon Foundation, the lawmaker said the system
loss charge comprises about eight percent of the total electricity bill. Worse,
this system loss charge is also subjected to the coverage of VAT which further
drives electricity bills up, said Zarate.
As a tax
on consumption, Zarate said VAT ought to be imposed upon the goods and services
people actually buy and consume. By its very definition, therefore, Zarate said
the imposition of VAT upon the system loss charge is unfounded and illegal as
the people are taxed for goods/services they have not actually consumed.
“For
instance, in 2013, based on Meralco’s tariffs, which averaged 24 US cents per
kilowatt hour, the price Filipinos paid for their electricity was the fifth highest
in the world. It also showed that electricity in the Philippines costs nearly
twice that of Thailand’s, while about five times that of Indonesia,” said
Zarate.
In
another study conducted by the International Energy Consultants (IEC), a
Perth-based consultancy firm commissioned by Meralco to conduct the study,
Zarate said the rates in Luzon were placed at ninth highest electricity tariffs
of the 44 countries surveyed.
He said
per the IEC study, the primary reason for such higher power rates as compared
to other countries is the absence of government subsidies for electricity,
unlike countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia, where electricity
rates are subsidized by the government. These subsidies comprise a large part
of their public budget, he said.
“With
this backdrop, along with the rising prices of consumer goods and commodities,
fuel, education and medical costs, worsening inflation, and unabated sinking of
the purchasing power of the peso, it is high time that the Congress devise
means which could readily help in keeping the pockets of Filipinos, especially
those coming from the lower income class, from completely running dry,” said
Zarate.
The bill
was endorsed for plenary approval by the House committee on ways and means
chaired by Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua (Lone District, Quirino).
House ends deliberation on impeach bid against
Bautista
The House
committee on justice chaired by Rep. Reynaldo
Umali (2nd District, Oriental Mindoro) on Tuesday terminated the
deliberation on the impeachment complaint against Commission on Elections
(Comelec) Chairman Andres Bautista following the acceptance by President
Rodrigo Duterte of the poll chief’s resignation “effective immediately.”
Umali said the former Comelec
chairman’s resignation was good news as the committee would be able to focus on
other matters involving national interest.
He
thanked the President for his prompt action in accepting the resignation.
“The resignation of former Comelec
Chairman Andres Bautista was good news for us in the committee on justice,
House of Representatives, and the Senate because this will relieve us of the
many things that we have to do,” Umali said.
“We wish to thank the President for
his swift and decisive action in accepting the resignation,” Umali said.
Umali explained that for purposes
of formally terminating Bautista’s impeachment bid, the committee would have to
present a report to the plenary.
Rep. Rodante Marcoleta
(Party-list, SAGIP) said the impeachment complaint against Bautista has been
mooted by the former poll chief’s resignation and the President’s acceptance of
his resignation.
Rep. Doy Leachon (1st District,
Oriental Mindoro) requested the lawyers of Bautista to submit a letter to the
justice committee stating categorically the effective date of his resignation.
“For record purposes, may we
request a categorical and definitive letter from the former Comelec Chairman
stating the effective date of his resignation,” Leachon said.
Rep. Harry Roque (Party-list,
KABAYAN) pointed out that the announcement of Bautista at a press conference
that he was vacating his post and that he was no longer attending the meetings
of the Comelec en banc indicated that the poll chief has already resigned
immediately.
“There is judicial precedent for what
Bautista had just done yesterday, that is, the case of (former President
Joseph) Estrada. When he left the Palace, the SC (Supreme Court) ruled that
that he in effect performed constructive resignation,” Roque said.
“His (Bautista) pronouncement that he
was vacating his post, that he is no longer attending the en banc and that the
en banc in turn will elect an acting Chair, are acts indicating that he has,
for all intents and purposes, resigned immediately,” Roque said.
NEWS
Release
25
October 2017
System loss to be exempt from VAT
The House
of Representatives approved on second reading House Bill 1616 seeking to exempt
the system loss charge component in the sale of electricity by distribution
companies and electric cooperatives from the coverage of the value added tax
(VAT) to lower power rates.
The bill
principally authored by Rep. Isagani Zarate (Party-list, Bayan Muna) seeks to
amend Section 109 (1) of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended
by Republic Act 9337 and RA 10378, so that the system loss component in the
sale of electricity by distribution companies and electric cooperatives shall be
among the transactions exempt from VAT.
Another
amendment provides the VAT exemption of sale or lease of goods or properties or
the performance of services, the gross annual sale and/or receipts do not
exceed the amount of P1.5 million. Provided that not later than January 31,
2009 and every three years thererafter, the amount herein stated shall be
adjusted to its present value using the consumer price index as published by
the National Statistics Office (NSO).
Zarate
said the VAT is a form of sales tax. It is a tax on consumption levied on the
sale, barter, exchange or lease of goods or properties and services in the
Philippines and on importation of goods into the country.
“VAT is
an indirect tax. It is shifted or passed on to the buyer, transferee or lessee
of goods, properties or services. Being a pass-on tax, the tax burden of paying
the VAT is therefore ultimately left upon the shoulder of the end users – the
consuming public,” said Zarate.
Meanwhile,
Zarate said system loss is the part of one’s electric bill representing the
cost of electricity lost during transmission, pilferage, and due to technical
and administrative inefficiency. Even pilfered power and electricity used by
the distribution companies such as the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) and
electric cooperatives are passed on to consumers, according to Zarate.
In a
report by independent think-tank Ibon Foundation, the lawmaker said the system
loss charge comprises about eight percent of the total electricity bill. Worse,
this system loss charge is also subjected to the coverage of VAT which further
drives electricity bills up, said Zarate.
As a tax
on consumption, Zarate said VAT ought to be imposed upon the goods and services
people actually buy and consume. By its very definition, therefore, Zarate said
the imposition of VAT upon the system loss charge is unfounded and illegal as
the people are taxed for goods/services they have not actually consumed.
“For
instance, in 2013, based on Meralco’s tariffs, which averaged 24 US cents per
kilowatt hour, the price Filipinos paid for their electricity was the fifth
highest in the world. It also showed that electricity in the Philippines costs
nearly twice that of Thailand’s, while about five times that of Indonesia,”
said Zarate.
In
another study conducted by the International Energy Consultants (IEC), a
Perth-based consultancy firm commissioned by Meralco to conduct the study,
Zarate said the rates in Luzon were placed at ninth highest electricity tariffs
of the 44 countries surveyed.
He said
per the IEC study, the primary reason for such higher power rates as compared
to other countries is the absence of government subsidies for electricity,
unlike countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia, where electricity
rates are subsidized by the government. These subsidies comprise a large part
of their public budget, he said.
“With
this backdrop, along with the rising prices of consumer goods and commodities,
fuel, education and medical costs, worsening inflation, and unabated sinking of
the purchasing power of the peso, it is high time that the Congress devise
means which could readily help in keeping the pockets of Filipinos, especially
those coming from the lower income class, from completely running dry,” said
Zarate.
The bill
was endorsed for plenary approval by the House committee on ways and means
chaired by Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua (Lone District, Quirino)
House approves bill
restoring authority of PNP-CIDG to issue subpoena
ad testificandum or subpoena duces tecum
The House
of Representatives has approved on second reading House Bill 4863 which seeks
to restore the authority of the Philippine National Police-Criminal
Investigation Group (PNP-CIDG) to issue Subpoena Ad Testificandum or Subpoena
Duces Tecum by amending Republic Act No. 6975, otherwise known as “The
Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990.”.
The bill
seeks to strengthen the capacity of the PNP-CIDG in gathering documents and securing witnesses
in the conduct of its investigations.
Rep.
Francisco Jose Matugas II (1st District, Surigao del Norte), principal author
of the bill , said the CIDG was created pursuant to Republic Act 6975,
otherwise known as "An Act establishing the National Police, under a
reorganized Department of the Local and Interior Government, and for other
purposes," primarily to undertake the monitoring, investigation and
prosecution of all crimes involving economic sabotage and other crimes of such
magnitude and extent and to investigate all major cases involving violation of
the Revised Penal Code (RPC) and to conduct operations against organized crime
groups (OCGs).
“A
perusal of the provisions of RA 6975 shows that it did not provide the PNP or
the CIDG with the power to administer oath and to issue subpoena and subpoena
duces tecum. On the other hand, RA 6975 gave the NAPOLCOM the power to issue
subpoena and subpoena duces tecum in matters pertaining to the discharge of its
own powers and duties pertaining to cases against its personnel,” he said.
Matugas
said it bears stressing that present statutes allowed some agencies with the
power to issue administrative subpoena and subpoena duces tecum such as the
Ombudsman, Department of Justice, the National Bureau of Investigation, the
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, NAPOLCOM, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and
the Cybercrime Operation Center of the Cybercrime Investigation Coordination
Center.
“It is
surprising that the PNP-CIDG, the main enforcement agency of the country, does
not possess such power to issue administrative subpoena which plays a
significant role in any fact finding or investigation,” he said.
Rep.
Romeo Acop (2nd District, Antipolo City), chairman of the committee on public
order and safety and one of the authors of the bill, said the deletion of the
authority of the Chief and Deputy Chief of the now CIDG to administer oaths and
to issue subpoena or subpoenas duces tecum in investigations it conducted
affected the unit’s efficiency and effectiveness in the discharge of its
mandated duties.
Matugas
said the life blood of the investigation is the flow of fact, the gathering,
the organization and the analysis of evidence.
“Investigations
are useful for all administrative functions, not only for rule making,
adjudication, but also for prosecuting, for supervising and directing, for
determining general policy, for recommending legislation, and for purpose no
more specific than illuminating obscure areas to find out what if anything
should be done,” he explained.
Matugas
further explained an administrative agency may be authorized to make
investigations, not only in proceedings of a legislative or judicial nature,
but also in proceedings whose sole purpose is to obtain information upon which
future action of a legislative or judicial in nature may be taken and require
the attendance of witnesses in proceedings of a purely investigatory nature.
“Along
this line, it is with more reason that the PNP-CIDG, an investigative unit
should be given the power to issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum in the
furtherance of its mandated functions, especially in the fight against the
evils of illegal drugs,” he added.
The CIDG
shall likewise investigate all cases involving violations of the Revised Penal
Code and operate against organized crime groups, unless the President assigns
the case exclusively to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
The
Director and the Deputy Directors of the Criminal Investigation and detection
Group shall have the power to administer oath upon cases under investigation
and to issue subpoena ad testificandum or subpoena duces tecum: Provided, that
the attendance or submission of evidence of an absent or recalcitrant witness
may be enforced by application to any trial court.”
Other
authors of the bill are Deputy Speaker and Cebu Third District Rep. Gwendolyn
Garcia, Reps. Horacio Suansing Jr. (2nd District, Sultan Kudarat), Teodoro
Montoro (Party-list, AASENSO), Johnny Ty Pimentel (2nd District, Surigao del
Sur), Manuel Jose Dalipe (2nd District, Zamboanga City), and Henry Oaminal (2nd
District, Misamis Occidental) (30) MVIP
-------------------
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