mga ibinalita ni terencius: Script for 20180127 KSK Edition

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.

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 PHONE NUMBER: 0905 457 7102.

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 SINASAMAHAN NI ENGINEER (RONALD ANGELES, DEXTER ORATA OR LEONOR NATAP) SA ATING TECHNICAL SIDE.

KAMI PO AY MATUTUNGHAYAN DIN // SA LIVE STREAMING: SA TripleWdotDWDDdotCOMdotPH AT SA FACEBOOK: FACEBOOKdotCOMslashKATROPADWDD AT SA TWITTER: HASHTAG #KATROPA

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: … and 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.

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.

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STATEMENT BY THE

HONORABLE ROGER “OGING” MERCADO

Southern Leyte, Lone District

Chair, Committee on Constitutional Amendments

Deputy Majority Leader

‎‎0917-865-2286

U.S. MODEL OF JUDICIAL REVIEW IS NOT THE ONLY MODEL PHL CAN FOLLOW

Lamentable but understandable are the various over-reactions and jumping to conclusions about the proposed revision of the provision on judicial review.

We hope the critics will also consider the fact that the American model of judicial review is not the only working model in the free world. We can learn from the examples or models of democracies in Europe, Asia, Oceania, and South America. Just because we have become so accustomed to the US model, does not mean it is the only model worth following.

The Philippines’ laws have in recent years been influenced by jurisprudence in other countries, by international treaties, and global dispute settlement systems. Our Supreme Court has had decisions, resolutions, and opinions citing European jurisprudence. Our SC has even developed the Writ of Kalikasan.

The judicial review question is imbued with crucial economic development and separation of powers concerns. One valid issue is that courts and their restraining orders must not encroach upon the power of the executive to deliver critical public services. Time and again, judicial overreach has violated the power of the executive to implement. The law must not be used as an excuse by sore losers in public biddings wherein winners won fair and square. The better approach would be to reform the government procurement process and its legal infrastructure with proper safeguards.

We agree with President Duterte that the lowest bidder system has been more detrimental than developmental. Note also that the Commission on Audit (COA) has been applying the value for money concept in its audits. We can level this up as we should because it is what would best serve public interest.

The House Committee on Constitutional Amendments, in the spirit of openness and seeking to spur balanced public debate on the various issues, made public the salient features updates on the work of the subcommittees.

What would have been more worrisome to democracy advocates is if Congress simply did charter change behind closed doors, which we have not and will not do. (END)

STATEMENT BY THE

HONORABLE ROGER “OGING” MERCADO

Southern Leyte, Lone District

Chair, Committee on Constitutional Amendments

Deputy Majority Leader

‎‎0917-865-2286

REP. ROGER MERCADO REACTS TO BUSINESS GROUPS' INPUTS ON CHARTER CHANGE

[BACKGROUND: Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX), Makati Business Club (MBC), and Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) are recommending (1) that amendments to the constitution should be focused only on certain economic provisions; (2) that it would be more democratic for the two chambers of the Congress to vote separately; and (3) that a duly elected Con-con is the appropriate body to amend the Constitution.]

We appreciate the inputs and concerns of FINEX, MBC, and MAP on the current, very public, and open debate on constitutional change.

The House Committee on Constitutional Amendments has Sub Committee 4 on the Review of Articles XI, XII, XIII, XIV and XV of the 1987 Constitution. Their work covers the economic provisions and has been well-informed by the public consultations done in 2016 and 2017, including inputs from the business community.

However, the suggestion that this attempt at charter change be limited to the economic provisions is unwise, partly because, as the business sector knows, governance issues are also at the core of the medium term and long term development goals. To neglect governance is to just partly solve decades-old problems.

It is also unwise because it would be wasted opportunity to overlook governance issues at this time when the combined political capital of President Duterte and of Congress is enough to deliver on the commitment to give Filipinos a government that is closer to them and away from Imperial Manila.

We wish to assure the business community that seeming disagreements between the House and Senate are simply part of the dynamics of the same democracy that produces the free market environment wherein businesses thrive.

The two chambers of Congress are working on solutions. As I have said before, reason and pragmatism are serving as guideposts. (END)

STATEMENT BY THE

HONORABLE ROGER “OGING” MERCADO

Southern Leyte, Lone District

Chair, Committee on Constitutional Amendments

Deputy Majority Leader

‎‎0917-865-2286

A FEDERAL CHARTER CAN PREVENT REPEAT OF DICTATORSHIP

A dictatorship ended in 1986. We are not going to let that part of our history repeat itself. We are going through all this trouble to produce a charter that is much better than the 1987 Constitution because we want to prove to future generations of Filipinos and to the world that it was this 17th Congress and the Duterte presidency that had the political will to build upon the successes and strengths of Philippine democracy.

A federal constitution will precisely give even more safeguards against dictatorship because of the dispersal or sharing of executive power, by dismantling the vestiges of Imperial Manila.

There are many concerns about federalism being abused by political dynasties. To address these concerns, we then ask the various sectors to seize the opportunity of this very public debate on charter change to present their proposals on how to convince non-traditional candidates to venture into politics and public service. Let us then give voters more options. Let us give new breeds of public servants the opportunities to enter politics.

It is not enough that critics oppose. It is much better for critics to propose solutions, present alternatives, raise options. We are here to listen and take a look at various ideas on how to make the federal constitution being drafted a much better charter than the 1987 Constitution. (END)

STATEMENT BY THE

HONORABLE ROGER “OGING” MERCADO

Southern Leyte, Lone District

Chair, Committee on Constitutional Amendments

Deputy Majority Leader

‎‎0917-865-2286

ON THE CURRENT PUBLIC DEBATE ON CHARTER CHANGE

Specific language of the proposed charter still in the works – Rep. Mercado

We, in the House of Representatives, are still at work on the complete specific language of the draft provisions of a federal constitution. There is no “final draft” yet. What is available as of now are simply proposed salient features. We still do not even have a working draft because there are various parts of the draft that have yet to be consolidated into one cohesive document.

The Committee understands that the public debate on the mode of charter change is important. Congress is listening to what the public is saying, however divergent and varied those voices and ideas are. In fact, the public debate has been going on for many years, practically since the 1987 Constitution was approved, because as early as back then, the country knew it was an imperfect document.

Federalism is a core feature of the charter changes, but it not the only key objective nor philosophy.

Note also that many hundreds of thousands of Overseas Filipinos are very familiar with federalism, particularly those who reside or work in Europe, North America, several countries in South America, the Middle East. Africa, India, and Malaysia. Federalism works in these countries because the people there know it is difficult to govern everything from the center, that there is a necessity to delegate powers from the center to the rest of the country.

The Committee seeks to formulate a new constitution that is attuned to Philippine culture, heritage, sociology, and ways of Filipinos being Filipino. This is partly why the proposed Federal States are Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, Bangsamoro, and Metro Manila—not the administrative regions that we have now, which are too small for economies of scale. The larger proposed Federal States have the needed economies of scale.

While the Philippines is grateful for the lessons of democracy learned from the Americans, it is now truly time for Filipinos to have a constitution that is respectful of the cultural nuances distinguishing Filipinos from other sovereign nations, while manifesting the openness of Filipinos to the world and its peoples. (END)

STATEMENT BY THE

HONORABLE ROGER “OGING” MERCADO

Southern Leyte, Lone District

Chair, Committee on Constitutional Amendments

Deputy Majority Leader

‎‎0917-865-2286

HOUSE CHA-CHA PANEL OPEN TO REACH “REASONED CONSENSUS” WITH ITS SENATE COUNTERPART

[Con-Ass Reso not railroaded: Legal luminaries, sectoral groups among those consulted during public consultation]

I wish to make clear, in response to speculation on ongoing moves toward charter change, some facts which may have been overlooked in the rush to judgment about the salient features of the draft federal constitution still being drafted in the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments.

The Committee drew lessons from previous charter change episodes since the 8th Congress. The 17th Congress does not discard the insights and hard work put in by the previous Congresses.

We conducted public consultations about the mode of charter change and asked for recommendations from many sectors and experts. In fact, four such consultations were held outside Metro-Manila in 2017 and there were also consultations last November 2016 at the Batasan. The names of those who attended are familiar to many, especially to the news media.

(See attached list of actual attendees in the consultations).

The Committee has May 2018 as its immediate working target for a plebiscite simply because it is the next nearest electoral exercise.

The Committee is open to working with its counterpart in the Senate on how to best proceed and we are hopeful that a reasoned and pragmatic consensus can be achieved in the days ahead. Inter-parliamentary diplomacy remains in play. Doors and windows are open. Communication channels are active.

Our democratic institutions have become stronger over the years and the Filipino people, now 31 years wiser since 1987 are completely aware that despite the noblest of intentions of previous administrations and previous Congresses in Imperial Manila, equitable development and participatory democracy have not reached much of the countryside, although great strides have been achieved.

The defects of the 1987 Constitution which have kept the Philippines from reaching its development ambitions must be removed now, not later. Thirty-one years is more than enough time for the constitutional status quo. The old fiery rhetoric about having a government run like heaven by the Americans versus one run like hell by Filipinos shall give way to a paradigm shift: a much better Philippines run by Filipinos away from Imperial Manila to attain the goals of the Philippine Development Plan ‎2017-2022 geared toward achieving Ambisyon Nation 2040. (END)

OFFICE OF CONG. JB BERNOS

Lone District, Abra

STATEMENT ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS AND ON THE CONSTITUTION OF THE CONGRESS AS A CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY

There is a need for a Constitution that can stand the test of time. The Constitution of the United States, created more than 230 years ago, survived the test of time and guided that nation into superpower status. We would need a Charter that centers on strong democratic institutions and will benefit the future generations of Filipinos -- one that is for the protection of the welfare of the people.

The government as "parens patriae" or the "parent of the nation" has the responsibility ensure the rights and welfare of its people. Thus, the provisions of the new Constitution must be progressive and must adequately address the issues in the long run. Economic provisions must be strictly implemented and must project a Philippines that is labor-friendly and investor-friendly at the same time. Moreover, provisions guaranteeing human rights are of utmost importance for any democratic country like ours.

Furthermore, I welcome the transition to a federal form of government -- one that devolves vital government services to the state governments so that the people will be nearer to their governments and that basic services will be delivered effectively and efficiently. Contrary to fears of many, this will not involve a division of our national sovereignty; only functions previously held by the central government will be delegated to the states. Our sovereignty, I assure you, will remain intact. I just hope that my colleagues consider adding more states to the original proposal, considering our diverse cultures and experiences in various areas, especially ours in the Cordilleras.

I stand behind the resolve of the House of Representatives to convene into a Constituent Assembly. This is an option guaranteed by Article XVII, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution as a manner of amending the current Charter. This is a special task for the Congress, but ultimately, the power to put the new Constitution into effect resides to the People through the conduct of referendum. I strongly believe that this is the optimal choice for amending the Constitution, given that your public officials are elected with a mandate from their constituents, and that they are bound by the public trust inherent in their offices. The Constituent Assembly, as a collegial body of public officials, is willing to listen to the opinions and grievances on this matter.

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KAUTUSAN NG LTFRB NA NAGTATAKDA NG TNVS COMMON SUPPLY BASE LIMIT, PINAREREBISA

[Malulugi ang TNCs at maraming TNVS drivers ang mawawalan ng trabaho kapag ipinatupad ang LTFRB Memo ‎2018-003]

Hinimok ni KABAYAN Party-list Representative Atty. Ciriaco Calalang ang Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) na rebisahin ang kapapalabas pa lang nitong Memorandum Circular ‎2018-003 na nagtatakdang limitahan sa 45,000 lang ang bumibiyaheng Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) sa Metro-Manila.

“Tataas ang pamasahe sa Transport Network Companies (TNCs) gaya ng Uber at Grab at libu-libong mga TNVS ang mawawalan ng kita dahil sa bagong direktiba ng LTFRB. The common supply base decision has the effect of being anti-entrepreneur, when the country needs more entrepreneurs,” giit ni Calalang.

Paliwanag ni Calalang: “Natural lamang na kapag sobrang kaunti ng ‘supply’ ng TNVS sa lansangan, tataas ang presyo; kapag sobrang dami naman, babagsak ang presyo na ikahihina ng kita ng mga TNVS drivers. Mali itong limitasyon na 45,000 TNVS units na itinatakda ng LTFRB.”

Suhestiyon ni Calalang na sa halip na magtakda ng limitasyon na, dapat ang i-set ng LTFRB ay ang minimum na dami ng mga TNVS na bumibyahe sa lansangan para matiyak na laging may TNVS na masasakyan ang publiko.

Dapat rin umanong patuloy na bantayan ang price surge sa mga TNVS, dagdag ni Calalang.

“Ang tumpak na papel ng LTFRB ay protektahan ang commuters sa sobrang taas na pamasahe. This would serve TNCs and TNVS notice that they cannot manipulate supply for price gouging purposes,” ani Calalang.

Inirekomenda rin ni Calalang na bago mag-June 2018 ay:

1. magbukas ng mga bagong Public Utility Jeepney routes;

2. magtakda ng mas maiigsing PUJ routes; at

3. gawing permanente ang mga ruta para sa point-to-point passenger Public Utility Buses (PUBs).

“Pabor sa PUJ operators at drivers ang mga hakbang na ito. New PUJ routes and shorter PUJ routes will make for more profitable operations for the jeepneys while also reducing vehicle volume along major roads,” dagdag ni Calalang.

“More P2P buses will address jeepney supply shortages because of the PUV modernization program,” aniya. (WAKAS)

Press Release

Office of ACTS OFW Party-List Rep. Aniceto Bertiz III

January 19, 2018

OFW solon backs President Duterte’s call for a total ban on deployment of domestic workers to Kuwait; cites 3 suicides in less than two months

The lone OFW representative in Congress backed the call of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for a total ban on the deployment of Filipino domestic workers to Kuwait in light of recent deaths and a continuous stream of welfare cases.

ACTS OFW party-list Representative Aniceto “John” Bertiz III said the President’s statement showed great sensitivity to the rights of women migrant workers particularly domestic workers overseas who suffer the most because of the vulnerable nature of their occupation.

“As far back as 2016, I filed a resolution calling for a moratorium on the deployment of our domestic workers to Kuwait. I am happy that no less than the President believes that enough is enough. I fully support his statement and am hoping for the DFA and DoLE to implement his instructions,” Bertiz added.

The lone OFW party-list representative cited three suicides involving Filipino domestic workers from December to January of this year and monthly average of at least 300-400 runaway household workers staying at the embassy’s Bahay Kalinga as proof that a moratorium is called for.

In the President’s speech yesterday during the launch of the Overseas Filipino Bank, he reportedly said,” We have lost about 4 Filipino women in the last few months, always in Kuwait. My advice is we talk to them, tell them it’s not acceptable. We impose total ban – I do not want a quarrel with Kuwait, I respect their leaders but they have to do something about this.”

The congressman noted that even Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III had earlier promised that he would impose a ban on domestic workers bound for Kuwait if more deaths occurred, but failed to take action.

“It is disconcerting that the directive to talk to Kuwait about the tragic deaths of our domestic workers in Kuwait had to come from the President himself. Even when the labor secretary promised to stop deployment to Kuwait in light of such tragic incidents, the number of deployed OFWs increased. This may lead to suspicions of corruption and negligence among those in government tasked to look after the welfare of our domestic workers overseas and particularly, in Kuwait. It is an open secret that Kuwait is one of the most lucrative job markets in the Middle East.”

“ The President’s instructions are crystal clear and I hope it will spur DoLE through the POEA to take the appropriate action in close coordination with the DFA,” Bertiz said.”

He noted that the President’s statement follows the forthcoming first anniversary of the execution of OFW Jakatia Pawa in Kuwait for the alleged murder of the 22 year-old-daughter of her employer in 2007. Pawa was executed in January 25, 2017 despite protestations of her innocence throughout the court trial.

On the day of Pawa’s execution, a Filipino domestic worker died in a hospital after a severe beating at the hands of her Kuwaiti employer. Several cases of abuse and injustice have since been recorded by the Philippine Embassy and yet the number of domestic workers deployed to Kuwait continues to increase.

“It is time for our government to stand up for the rights of our domestic workers not only in Kuwait but here and across the globe. The President’s call is not only timely but it is also grounded on a fair and realistic assessment of the situation of our domestic workers in Kuwait,” Bertiz said.

END

NEWS Release

21 January 2018

House awaits signing into law of Ph Qualifications Framework and Tech-Voc Day

Members of the House of Representatives are awaiting the signing into law by President Duterte of two landmark measures, namely the proposed “Philippine Qualifications Framework,” which shall adopt national standards and levels of learning outcomes of education, and the bill declaring August 25 of every year as “National Tech-Voc Day.”

Members of the House committee on higher and technical education expressed optimism over the enactment into law this year of the two significant measures.

Committee chairperson Rep. Ann Hofer said both bills are now in the Office of the President.

Hofer said the past year was a hectic one for the committee as it also shepherded the approval of the “Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education” that was signed into law as Republic Act 1093.

“We are just waiting for RA 1093’s implementing rules and regulations which will be released on January 22 or 24. I hope they will release these to us already. But definitely the law will be implemented for the academic year 2018 and 2019,” said Hofer.

For 2018, the committee approved the consolidation of House Bills 1707 and 5608, both seeking to create an advanced studies development program for exceptional employees from the government and private sectors.

HB 1707 and 5608 is authored by Reps. Rufino Biazon and Alfred Vargas, respectively. Both bills seek to harness and optimize the country’s intellectual resources through the establishment of the “Pensionado Program.”

The program shall pool together all foreign and local public and private sponsorship intended for further education, enrichment and training of exceptionally able and highly motivated Filipinos employed in both the government and private sectors.

The program shall be under the Commission of Higher Education (CHED), in coordination with non-government organizations(NGOs, the private sectors and other government agencies, such as the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Department of Education (DepEd).

There shall be 24 fellows annually. The scholarship shall not exceed three years. (EAG)

#onehouseforchange

NEWS Release

19 January 2018

Children in armed conflict get protection fund

The House committee on appropriations has approved the funding provision of a substitute bill seeking to provide special protection for children in situations of armed conflict (CSAC).

The bill was approved without amendment to its appropriations provision.

Section 32 of the bill provides that the amount necessary to cover the initial implementation of the Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the concerned implementing departments/agencies. Thereafter, the amount necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in the budgets of the concerned departments/agencies in the annual General Appropriations Act.

The bill endeavors to make the structure of Executive Order No. 138 of 2013 which adopts the Comprehensive Program for Children in Armed Conflict more responsive.

On the other hand, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) expressed opposition to the bill. DSWD Undersecretary Mae Fe Templa said existing laws protecting children in various situations as provided by Republic Act 7610, the Juvenile Welfare Act or Republic Act 9344, and the Revised Penal Code are more than enough to protect children in various situations, in particular, situations of armed conflict.

“We further support these existing laws and thus, appropriations should be increased to support and strengthen the programs and services identified by these laws,” said Templa.

The bill prohibits violation of grave child rights, penalizing this with six years to lifetime imprisonment and fines of up to P 2 million. Non-implementation or violations by public officers shall be punished by imprisonment of six to 12 years and perpetual absolute disqualification from public office.

The rehabilitation and reintegration, rescue, and release of children is provided for by the bill as well.

In particular, Section 23 of the bill mandates the State to take all feasible measures to ensure children involved in armed conflict (CIAC)—those recruited or used in armed conflict—are demobilized, dissociated or otherwise released from the armed force or group. It adds that release activities shall be initiated independent of negotiated peace agreements.

The state and relevant government agencies are tasked to develop a child-specific release program that should not make as a requirement the surrender of arms by CIAC; the monitoring and documentation of the status of CIAC who undergo a formal or informal release process; and share data and information between government and nongovernment entities to assess the needs or released CIAC, among others.

The Inter-Agency Committee on Children Involved in Armed Conflict (IAC-CIAC) created in EO No. 138 shall become the Inter-Agency Committee on Children in Situations of Armed Conflict (IAC-CSAC) to effectively undertake the measure. It shall be chaired by the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), while members include the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Commission on Human Rights, Philippine Commission on Women, and other government organizations.

Transitory provisions further mandate the immediate dismissal of criminal cases against CIAC, including those who reach the age of 18 pending court proceeding or in suspended sentences. Children who have been convicted and are serving sentence at the time of effectivity of the bill and who were below 18 at the time of the commission of the offense shall be awarded retroactive application of the bill. They are also entitled to appropriate dispositions and their sentences shall be adjusted accordingly.

In addition, relevant government bodies shall submit to the CWC an inventory of custody of CSAC.

But as the contentions lie outside the jurisdiction of the appropriations committee, these will be addressed during deliberations of the committee on welfare of children. / CMBE

#onehouseforchange

News Release

22 January 2018

“Zero” budget a joke - Alvarez

It was meant to be a joke but some people took it seriously.

This was the clarification Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez made today in connection with reports he threatened to give zero budget to provinces unsupportive of the administration’s push for the shift to a federal form of government.

“Alam mo iyong pag nag speech ka, kailangan mo ng kaunting biro-biro, di ba? Iyon lang naman iyon. Ewan ko ba bakit sineryoso nila,” Alvarez said in a TV interview.

Alvarez made the zero-budget joke during his speech last January 18 before thousands of Iloilo local officials who had taken their oath as new members of the ruling party, Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino, in simple rites held at the Pototan Coliseum.

“Nagbibiro lang ako na, alam ninyo nagpapasalamat ako na sumali sila doon sa partido at nagpapasalamat din ako na iyong kanilang mga representatives ay nasa majority kaya nga hindi sila makakakuha ng zero budget, di ba? Hindi naman seryoso iyon,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez said the supposed threats are actually empty words because it is clear that any decision to give zero budget to provinces does not rest on the House of Representatives alone, adding that the national budget must also secure approval of the Senate.

“Papaano ka naman mag tre-threaten kung alam mo naman na hindi talaga magagawa?” Alvarez said.

He said that during the deliberation of the proposed 2018 national budget the House of Representatives gave zero budget to some agencies, such as the Commission on Human Rights, but these agencies eventually received funding after the deliberation of the bicameral conference committee.

However, Alvarez said that it’s a different matter with respect to the House of Representatives as the leadeship can give zero budget for lawmakers opposed to charter change for federalism.

Alvarez noted that this was actually done in the past Congresses but in a different manner: the opposition lawmakers were provided funding in the budget but the administration withheld the release of the funds.

“Ako nagiging prangka lang ako, di ba? Kung wala, wala. Pero ang nangyayari noon, ilalagay nila iyong budget diyan iwi-withhold nila iyong release, hino-hostage nila iyong politiko,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez said that if opposition lawmakers would continue to refuse joining the administration he would respect their decision but they would have to face the consequences.

“Pero, hindi ko iniipit (ang budget). Sinasabi ko lang na o di ba, bakit kita bibigyan? Kumbaga sa ano, prangkahan lang tayo. Hindi kita pinapaasa, hindi kita pini-pressure,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez is confident his joke in the Iloilo gathering would not affect his credibility as a public official.

‘Maraming bagay kasi yung credibility. Unang-una iyong na de-deliver mo iyong kung ano iyong kailangan. Kagaya ng pagpapasa ng mga batas, na de-deliver namin iyon. In fact, pending lahat iyan sa Senado,” Alvarez pointed out.

In the December 8-16 survey of the Pulse Asia, Speaker Alvarez’ performance satisfaction rating registered a nine-point percentage increase from 33 percent to 42 percent, while his trust rating improved by six points to 37 percent in December, or up six points compared to his 31 percent in September.

Likewise, the performance rating of the House of Representatives rose 6 percentage points to 50 in December 2017 from 44 in September 2017.

Similarly, the December 8-16, 2017 survey of the Social Weather Stations, showed that the net satisfaction rating of the House of Representatives stayed good, at +43 in December 2017, up by 9 points from +34 in September 2017. This rating was a record high for the House since 1988. ###

#onehouseforchange

News Release

22 January 2018

No rush in Cha-cha for federalism: Alvarez

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez today said the House of Representatives is not rushing Charter change for a shift to a federal form of government.

In a TV interview, Alvarez said that while his original target date is to submit to the Filipino people the proposed Charter changes simultaneous with the May 2018 barangay elections, he is open to the possibility of moving the deadline if necessary.

“Ang target ko isasabay sa May barangay elections, kung pupwede para makatipid tayo,” Alvarez said.

On the other hand, Alvarez said that if some unforeseen circumstances cause delays in the process, the House is flexible enough to move down its timetable to 2019.

“Kung, halimbawa, hindi namin magawa iyong mga requirements ng law (mag-aadjust kami)--- e kailangan i-comply namin ito,” Alvarez said.

However, Alvarez said he is serious in saying the House could go at it alone if the Senate refused to participate in convening Congress into a Constituent Assembly to propose Charter changes, or if the Senate insisted on voting separately for this purpose.

“Hindi joke yan,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez reiterated his position that the 1987 Constitution is clear on voting jointly when Congress is convened as a Constituent Assembly to propose amendments or revisions to the Charter.

“Ang linaw-linaw: ‘The Congress upon a vote of three-fourths of all its members’. Of all its members, ang ibig sabihin niyan lahat kami,” Alvarez said, citing paragraph 1, Section 1, Article XVII of the 1987 Constitution.

Alvarez said anti-federalism forces are trying to present a complicated interpretation of the provision of the Constitution.

“Ang mahirap kasi dito, gusto nilang bigyan ng ibang kahulugan iyong nakalathala diyan (sa Constitution). Hindi tula ito na puwede mong bigyan ng ibang kahulugan. Batas ito. Laws must be interpreted kung simple, kung ano yung intindi noong ordinaryong mamamayan na kapag binasa niya iyan, iyon ang ibig sabihin niyan,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez said the House and the Senate could conduct their session separately and vote separately on ordinary legislation. However, Alvarez said proposing amendments to the Charter as through a Constituent Assembly did not require separate voting.

“Naglagay lang iyong Saligang Batas ng required number of votes,” Alvarez pointed out.

According to Alvarez, as long as the required ¾ vote of Congress is met---based on the combined number of the Senate and the House-- proposed Charter amendments may be considered and adopted even without the participation of the Upper Chamber.

Disagreement over this procedure may be brought before the Supreme Court for resolution, according to Alvarez.

“Kahit sino puwede naman dalhin sa Supreme Court yan---now let the Supreme Court decide kung ano sa tingin nila talaga.” Alvarez said.

Likewise, Alvarez dismissed allegations the House is rushing the adoption of proposed Charter amendments.

“Tingnan natin iyon records ng House of Representatives kung ni-railroad iyong botohan namin,” Alvarez said. He said that the House had in fact started over a year ago public consultations on proposed Charter change for a shift to a federal form of government.

Alvarez said he is pushing for Charter change because it was one of the major campaign promises of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.

“This federalism is an advocacy of the party, of PDP. Matagal na yan. Panahon pa ni Manong Nene Pimentel (former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. ), iyan na iyong advocacy ng partido. Ngayon nung kumandidato iyong ating Pangulo, that was also his advocacy,” Alvarez said.

He said that the shift to a federal form of government was one of the four major campaign promises of Duterte when the latter ran in the 2016 elections.

Duterte already has “substantial compliance” with his other three main promises--the fight against illegal drugs, war against criminality, and war against corruption--according to Alvarez.###

News Release

22 January 2018

Alvarez to critics: No public funds used in b-day celebration

Squelching speculations of his critics, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez today categorically said no public funds were used when he celebrated his 60th birthday in Tagum City two weeks ago

Bashers in the social media and a few newspaper columnists have raised questions on the source of funds spent for the event.

“Patunayan nila na pera ng bayan yon, mag-resign ako,” Alvarez said in a TV interview.

Alvarez said that while he did not usually hold birthday celebrations, this year was different because it marked a significant milestone in his life.

“Ngayon, kung gusto nilang mag-celebrate ng birthday nila o di mag celebrate sila. Ako, minsan lang ako nag-celebrate ng birthday ko. Ito lang dahil nga, alam mo na, na magsi-senior citizen ka na, konting selebrasyon, di ba? O, last year wala naman akong celebration,” he added.

For the record, Alvarez said he spent his own money, along with those contributed by his friends, for the birthday celebration, which he did not consider as extravagant.

“Doon ako nag birthday sa city hall (ng Tagum City), hindi diyan sa Shangrila,” Alvarez pointed out.

Likewise, the Speaker said he saw nothing wrong with giving his constituents a treat on his birthday.

“Masama bang i-blow out ko ang constituents ko?” Alvarez said.

Alvarez said he did not care if critics persist in their effort to malign him, particularly in uploading to YouTube videos of his birthday celebration.

“Alam mo puwede nilang ipalabas yan nang ipalabas. I don’t care, di ba? O, di magpaliwanag sila doon sa mga ano bumoboto sa akin, na masama iyong ginawa ko, pinakain ko sila,” Alvarez said.

Earlier, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque who attended the event along with President Rodrigo Duterte defended Alvarez, saying the Speaker’s birthday celebration was a simple affair.

“I was in the birthday party of the Speaker. It was in the City Hall of Tagum. I don’t think it can be described as ma-garbo because he only availed of the physical facilities of the City Hall of Tagum,” Roque was quoted earlier in media reports.

Roque admitted that a number of government officials attended the celebration but this is something expected given the stature of Alvarez.

“But it was very simple in terms of program and menu. It was a very simple meal,” Roque added. ###

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22 January 2018

PHOTO RELEASE

PUSHING THE CONVERSATION: Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez stresses that he is pushing charter change to help President Rodrigo Duterte realize his four major campaign promises: to go after illegal drugs, reduce crime, fight corruption, and install a federal form of government.

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News Release

22 January 2018

Alvarez pushes federalism as election issue

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez today said he would make federalism an election issue even as he asked the Filipino people not to vote for lawmakers, particularly the senators, opposing charter change for a shift to a federal form of government.

“Gusto kong mangyari gawing election issue talaga yan. Kasi kung ayaw mo ng federal form of government--yung structure--ibig sabihin ayaw mong umasenso yung mga regions. Ayaw mong magbigay ng mga bagong opportunities,” Alvarez said in a press briefing.

Alvarez said that poor regions like Bicol, for example, possesses certain strategic advantages because of their natural resources but remain mired in poverty because of the present unitary setup.

“Ito lang ano, ito lang pag-usapan natin iyong source of power. Mahal pa iyong kuryente sa Bicol, galing sa kanila iyon ah, geothermal ito. Anong nangyayari? Kasi iyong pino-produce nilang kuryente doon, magte-tren pa iyan papunta sa National Capital Region to see to it na walang brownout dito. Bahala na mag-brownout sila doon. At kung may sobrang kuryente diyan babalik sa Bicol yan. Ngayon mayroon tinatawag na system loss diba? Dalawang beses silang nacha-charge diyan, system loss, kaya mas mahal iyong kuryente sa kanila at saka may magba-brownout,” Alvarez explained in an earlier interview.

Under a federal form of government, Alvarez said the region would be empowered to determine the electricity rate they can offer, among others.

“Kasi kung iyan nasa federal form of government tayo puwede na sabihin nila: ‘O sige, babaan ko iyong charges ng kuryente dito sa akin.’ Tingnan natin kung hindi maglipatan iyong mga industry doon at mag-relocate,” Alvarez said.

It is this kind of empowerment under a federal setup that opens up opportunities to the local governments, according to Alvarez.

“Now you create opportunities; now you create jobs; now you allow them to manage their own economy; now you give them the chance to chart their own destinies--hindi yung nakikipag-siksikan lahat dito sa National Capital Region na halos hindi na tayo makagalaw. Why? Because nandito lahat ng opportunities, wala doon sa mga probinsya, wala doon sa mga regions,” Alvarez said.

He urged the public to be issue-oriented particularly in choosing national officials during elections, instead of succumbing to the usual popularity-oriented strategies of candidates.

“Kasi ang nangyayari papogi-papogi lang; motherhood statements kaliwa't-kanan, ayaw mag-take ng stance, di ba? So tingnan natin, ngayon saan ka, dito ka o dito? Then let the people decide,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez said his call is timely now that the discussion on the shift to a federal form of government is in the center of people’s attention. He lamented that many of the senators immediately rejected the idea of a shift to a federal form of government.

“Ang problema kasi dito karamihan ng mga officials natin hindi sanay sa totoong pagbabago. Hindi tayo sanay na tinutupad yung pangako panahon sa eleksyon,” Alvarez said.

He recalled that during the presidential campaign in 2016, President Duterte made only four major campaign promises: to go after illegal drugs, crime, corruption and to shift to a federal form of government.

Pres. Duterte has substantially addressed the first three issues while the move for a shift to federal form of government has just barely begun.

“Kaya natin inuumpisahan yan. At ako naman wala naman akong ibang hangarin kundi suportahan ang ating Pangulo so he will be able to successfully deliver what he promised during the campaign,” Alvarez said.

Meanwhile, Alvarez said that while the House is ready to propose charter change to the people even without the participation of the Senate, he is always open to a dialogue with the Senate.

However, he insisted that the text of the constitution is clear that a vote ¾ of all the members of Congress—whether the Senate agrees to take part or not--is enough for the legislature to propose changes to the constitution.

Nothing in the text of the 1987 Constitution requires both Houses of Congress to convene in a joint session for the purpose of proposing amendments to the constitution, according to Alvarez.

In the end, Alvarez said it is the Filipino people who will decide whether or not they want a shift to a federal form of government. ###

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PHOTO Release

22 January 2018

BANGSAMORO POLICE IN FOCUS: The joint House sub-committee on local government, Muslim affairs and peace, reconciliation and unity chaired by Rep. Wilter Wee Palma continues to polish the draft bill on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). On Monday, the panel discussed the establishment of the Bangsamoro Police Force, and how it should function under the Philippine National Police. The provisions of the BBL seek to serve the needs of the people in the region and to strengthen peace and order. It shall repeal Republic Act 9054, entitled “An Act to Strengthen and Expand the Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao” and RA 6374, otherwise known as “An Act Providing for an Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao." Among those present were Reps. Makmod Mending, Jr., Khalid Dimaporo, Delso Lobregat, Ruby Sahali, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Mauyag Papandayag, Divina Grace Yu, and Manuel Zubiri. / CMBE

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NEWS Release

22 January 2018

Alvarez: Allow poor regions to flourish

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez today said that a federal system of government would allow local government units, especially those from poor regions, to flourish using their strategic advantages.

In a press briefing, the Speaker cited poor regions such as Bicol and Leyte will have the opportunity to flourish under a federal setup because of their strategic advantage in natural resources, including geothermal power.

“That is one of the cheapest power na makukuha natin. Sa mga lugar nila, mahal yung power, yung electricity rates mahal. Tapos nagbo-brown-out pa sa kanila. Bakit, kasi lahat ng pino-produce nilang power dinadala dito sa National Capital Region to ensure na talagang walang brown-out dito at masa-satisfy yung mga requirement ng mga industries," said Alvarez.

With this technical set-up, Alvarez said these poor regions can offer cheap electricity rates.

“Kapag nangyari yun syempre yung mga industries na yan maglilipatan sa lugar nila,” Alvarez said.

This situation will create job opportunities and allow the regions to manage their own economy and to chart their own destiny, said the Speaker.

The Speaker also maintained that his statement on zero budget for lawmakers against the passage of the proposed shift to federalism was nothing but “empty words.”

“Ganito kasi ‘yan. Syempre pag nagsasalita ka, hindi naman seryoso lahat. Madali naman makita kung biro. Sila na din ang nagsabi na wala akong karapatan na gumawa noon na masi-zero, kasi nga, dadaan naman talaga sa kanila ‘yun. Tapos para sa mga local government, ‘yun kanilang internal revenue allotment talaga naman automatic ‘yung pagbigay. So, pag wala naman akong power talaga, sabi ko, those words are empty,” Alvarez emphasized during a press conference yesterday.

“E bakit, kung gusto ko magbiro ng ganoon. Bakit nila alisin yung karapatan ko na magbiro. Kung hindi nila nagustuhan ‘yung biro, problema nila ‘yun, hindi ko problema ‘yun,” he added.

The Speaker also stressed that lawmakers against federalism are also guaranteed to get their share because the executive branch proposes infrastructure projects intended for their respective districts.

“Saka ito, pinapaalala ko lang, hindi talaga laban ko ito o laban ng Pangulo. Laban ito ng mga local government units. Kasi dito sa federal form of government, sila ‘yung makikinabang hindi po kami,” said Alvarez.

“May 2018 pa rin. Ang sinabi ko nga, may mga iko-comply tayong requirements. Ngayon kung kinapos tayo, iuurong natin ‘yan sa 2019. Pero sigurado tayong mangyayari within the term of the President,” he

said. (EAG)

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STATEMENT BY THE

HONORABLE CIRIACO S. CALALANG

KABAYAN Party-list

NEW SOLON URGES DFA CHIEF TO ISSUE NOTE VERBALE TO KUWAIT

As Representative of KABAYAN Party-list advocating support for overseas Filipino workers, I urge Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano to issue a note verbale to the Kuwait government, through their ambassador of Kuwait, asking them to explain in writing what happened to the seven OFWs who died in Kuwait.

As chief diplomat, Secretary Cayetano would be within his right and justified to ask the Kuwaiti envoy for an explanation and secure, via note verbale, the Kuwaiti government’s firm assurance that justice will be served and that the bereaved families will be amply compensated.

I also request the DFA to take stock of and review the implementation of bilateral agreements between the Philippines and Kuwait, given the fate of the seven OFWs who returned from Kuwait as corpses. There may be some bilateral agreements that have outlived their usefulness or are no longer worth continuing.

The DFA may also need to work with the Philippine Association of Agencies to Kuwait (PHILAAK) and the Department of Labor and Employment so they can produce tripartite solutions that are preventive and proactive. (END)

KUWAIT, KAILANGANG PANAGUTAN ANG SINAPIT NG 7 OFWS

Calalang hiniling sa DFA na magpadala ng ‘note verbale’ sa Kuwait

Hinihimok ni KABAYAN Party-list Representative Ciriaco Calalang si Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano na padalhan ng isang note verbale ang

pamahalaan ng Kuwait upang pagpaliwanagin nang pormal hinggil sa mapait na sinapit ng pitong overseas Filipino workers sa Kuwait.

Nagpalabas ng Administrative Order No. 25, series of 2018, si Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III para agarang masuspinde ang pagproseso ng mga bagong Overseas Employment Certificate ng mga papunta sana sa Kuwait. Indefinite ang suspension at sakop lahat ng uri ng OFWs patungong Kuwait.

“As chief diplomat, Secretary Cayetano would be within his right and justified to ask the Kuwaiti envoy for an explanation and secure, via note verbale, the Kuwaiti government’s firm assurance that justice will be served and that the bereaved families will be amply compensated,” aniya.

Pinarerebisa rin ni Calalang ang mga kasalukuyang kasunduan sa pagitan ng Pilipinas at Kuwait.

“There may be some bilateral agreements that have outlived their usefulness or are no longer worth continuing,” ayon kay Calalang.

“Marahil kailangan ng DFA makipagtulungan sa Philippine Association of Agencies to Kuwait (PHILAAK) at Department of Labor and Employment para magpatupad ng tripartite solutions na preventive and proactive,” dagdag ni Calalang. (WAKAS)

HON. BERNADETTE “BH” HERRERA-DY

Bagong Henerasyon Party-list

Chair, Committee on Public Information

SOLON RENEWS PUSH FOR AIR PASSENGER BILL OF RIGHTS, PROPOSES TRANSPORT COOP SOLUTION TO MIASCOR MESS

Yet again, the rights of airline passengers hang in the balance. This time with the non-renewal of the ground handling services contract of MIASCOR with the MIAA. This time, also hanging in the balance are the jobs of thousands of workers at MIASCOR.

I understand completely why President Duterte and the MIAA decided not the renew the concession agreement. Their patience had simply run out. MIASCOR management repeatedly failed at giving air travelers world-class high quality service they deserve. They kept failing at preventing and stopping theft and other unauthorized access to the luggage of airline passengers.

Tapos na ang mga maliligayang araw nila. Their stranglehold at the airports is over.

Note that many of the problems air travelers experience happen while on the ground and not in the air. These problematic encounters basically involve two sets of people: (1) airline personnel at the service counters and departure/arrival gates and (2) the ground handling personnel.

My recent unfortunate experience at the airport went like this: I had a flight booked and the booking included a choice of seat, but when I was waiting for my flight, there was a change of aircraft and because of that sudden, unexpected change, the selected seat was no more. There was no effort on the part of the airline staff to make up for their fault.

With the ongoing MIASCOR episode, millions of airline passengers in our country’s airports stand to be on the losing end and not just because of mishandled baggage.

As author of House Bill 6056 for the Air Passenger Bill of Rights, I continue the advocacy to inject accountability, processes and swift response to problems that arise at our airports and on airplanes.

One possible solution to avert the loss of thousands of jobs because of MIASCOR management’s fault is for the personnel of MIASCOR to form a transport service cooperative and takeover ground handling operations at the airports. They must, however, commit to defend their honor and stamp out baggage theft and unauthorized access to baggage. This option addresses both the unemployment and continuity of operations issues.

Their transport cooperative would need capital. Enter, either the Development Bank of the Philippines or the Land Bank of the Philippines. With the help of the Department of Transportation, particularly the Office of Transport Cooperatives, the cooperative of MIASCOR personnel can navigate through compliance with the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184).

Kapag gusto, may paraan. Kapag ayaw, maraming dahilan.

This humble suggestion is just one possible way out of this MIASCOR mess. There can be other solutions being worked out at the DOTr and MIAA.

Lastly, I urge my colleagues on the House Committee on Transportation to expedite passage of the Air Passenger Bill of Rights, so that it can become law before the end of the second regular session in May. (END)

News Release

23 January 2018

Fernando confirms Sereno asked CA to defy House

Court of Appeals Justice Remedios Salazar Fernando today confirmed that Supreme Court Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno has advised the CA justices to defy the House of Representatives.

In the impeachment complaint against Sereno she was accused, among others, of committing other high crimes when she met with the Presiding Justice and Associate Justices of the Court of Appeals and instructed them to ignore the show cause order from the House of Representatives and question it before the Supreme Court.

On June 20, 2017 the House Committee on Good Government issued the show cause order against the Special Fourth Division of the CA in connection with the court’s to release six Ilocos Norte officials that the House Committee on Good Government ordered detained for refusing to cooperate with its investigation.

Fernando said that on June 21, 2017 CA Presiding Justice Andres Reyes called the CA justices to an emergency meeting and told them that he had just come from a meeting with Sereno where they talked about the case of the Ilocos Norte officials.

“According to our Presiding Justice he was given an assurance by the CJ that the SC will protect the CA,” Fernando said.

“According again to our Presiding Justice, in his talk with the Chief Justice, she advised the 3 (CA) justices to file a petition before the Supreme Court with a TRO at siya na daw ang bahala. And everybody was silent about it,” she added.

The three CA justices of the special Fourth Division who handled the habeas corpus case of the Ilocos Norte officials were Associate Justices Stephen Cruz, Edwin Sorongon and Nina Antonio-Valenzuela.

Fernando said she believes Sereno’s action was irregular.

“For me, personally, because I would not do it,” she said.

Fernando refused to say whether or not Sereno’s action would constitute intervention in the CA.

At the very least, Fernando thinks such action constituted “lack of delicadeza, or lack of propriety.”

“Propriety dictates that it should not be the case,” Fernando said when asked if Sereno’s action was proper.

Fernando said the committee could confirm her testimony once former CA Presiding Justice testifies before the panel

Continuing her testimony, Fernando said that a day after the June 21 meeting, PJ Reyes again called the CA justices to another emergency meet.

“He again informed us that he came from the Supreme Court and he already signed a joint statement with the Chief Justice regarding that particular case. According to him we will have Mass the next morning and after the Mass he will host a lunch and the Chief Justice will join us for lunch,” Fernando said.

However, Fernando said there was a specific directive from Sereno for the three CA justices handling the case not to join them for lunch.

“According to our Presiding Justice, the Chief Justice instructed our Clerk of Court to tell them not to include the three because there might be a case filed before the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice might be asked to inhibit from the case,” Fernando said.

Fernando said that Sereno indeed joined them for lunch where she informed them that since a joint statement on the issue had already been released, any statement on the matter should emanate from the SC spokesperson Atty. Theodore Te. ###

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HIGHLIGHTS

Hearing of the House Committee on Justice

Impeachment Case vs. CJ Sereno

23 January 2018

On alleged intervention of CJ Sereno in the Ilocos Norte 6 case

1. Court of Appeals Justice Remedios Salazar Fernando said she has no personal knowledge about the reported meeting between CJ Sereno, CA Presiding Justice Andres Reyes, and three other CA justices.

2. Fernando however told the House Committee on Justice that PJ Reyes called a meeting of the CA justices on June 21, 2017 and told them about the meeting with CJ Sereno.

3. She said that according to the PJ, he had just come from a meeting at the Supreme Court upon the invitation of Sereno and they talked about the Ilocos 6 case.

4. She said that according to PJ Reyes, he was given an assurance that the SC will protect the Court of Appeals.

5. Fernando added that PJ Reyes also said Sereno advised the 3 justices of the CA involved in the case (members of the Special Fourth Division of the CA) to file a petition before the Supreme Court, with prayer for TRO, to question the show cause order sent by the House Committee on Good Government.

6. Fernando said that on June 22, PJ Reyes called another emergency meeting of the CA and told them that he and Sereno signed a joint statement. The PJ, according to Fernando, also told them that there would be a Mass and lunch the next day and Sereno will join them.

7. However, Fernando said there was an instruction from Sereno for the 3 CA justices not to join the lunch.

8. Fernando said that according to PJ Reyes, Sereno issued the instruction because there might be a case before the Supreme Court and that she might be asked to inhibit.

9. Fernando said Reyes could confirm or corroborate her testimony when the latter testifies before the House Committee on Justice (probably by next Monday).

10. According to Fernando, she was uncomfortable with Sereno’s action, saying that "propriety dictates that it should not be the case.”

11. Personally, Fernando said she found Sereno’s actuations to be lacking in delicadeza, or lacking in propriety.

On the hiring of IT Consultant Helen Macasaet

1. Deputy Court Administrator Raul Villanueva, who also headed the Bids and Awards Committee with respect to the hiring of IT consultant, testified that the amount of P1.5 million for a consultancy contract, or P250,000 per month, awarded to Helen Macasaet was the highest for an individual contract.

2. Villanueva said the BAC did not approve the consultancy contract but merely acknowledged that it met the requirement for a negotiated procurement, where the main criteria was trust and confidence of the procuring agency or end-user on the consultant.

3. According to Villanueva, the BAC considered 2 other names for the position but the name of Macasaet was supplied by the Office of the Chief Justice, which is the procuring office along with the Management Information System Office (MISO).

4. Villanueva said BAC only considered the Oct.1, 2013 and May 23, 2014 contract of consultancy of Macasaet, who served at the Supreme Court from 2013 to 2017. Subsequent renewals of Macasaet’s consultancy contract were done by the Office of the Chief Justice.

5. Macasaet’s consultancy contract was renewed for 6 times; each time for P1.5 million, or a total of P9 million, according to Villanueva.

6. Deputy Speaker Gwen Garcia noted that Villanueva’s testimony belied the claims of Sereno that Macasaet’s contract was endorsed and approved by appropriate office.

7. The Committee on Justice would ask for documents that would show the accomplishments of Macasaet for the duration of her consultancy at the Supreme Court.

(as of 1:48 pm)