Marcos approves onion...

PAGE 4 bought a half kilo of onions for almost P500.

creation of a task force that would zero in on stopping rampant smuggling and hoarding of agricultural products.

The senator, who heads the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, said the task force should be headed by the DA and should involve the National Bureau of Investigation.

"Obviously, there is a shortfall in supply of onions, but prices continue to climb even with the entry of additional supply in the market," Gatchalian also noted.

He surmised that certain groups or individuals may be hoarding supply and manipulating prices to push onion prices even higher.

The senator said he recently

"Not only the households are the victims here, [but] it has also affected the small businesses. There is a need to probe the issue of smuggling in the country and file charges of economic sabotage against the smugglers," he added.

Gatchalian said smugglers are likely to continue with their illegal activities unless the government tracks down bigtime smugglers and appropriate charges are filed against them.

"Their data shows that the conviction rate is very low, and this is one of the issues that the Committee on Ways and Means will look into. We will look into the products that are being shout out as well doon sa (about the) reputation, excellent reputation ng (of) Filipino workers,” Ople said.

The Philippine side will go to Singapore in March to finalize the implementation of protocols in preparation for the hiring of more Filipino health workers while Portugal plans to employ Filipinos for its tourism sector.

Hong Kong’s Minister of Labor and Welfare also broached the possibility of holding exploratory talks on the deployment of Filipino caregivers, Ople said.

When the President goes to Japan in February, the DMW will be renewing a bilateral agreement forged under the Labor department, Ople said.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia may hire about 6,000 Filipinos this month.

Among the DMW’s 2023 plans are more scholarship programs for children of OFWs and opening about 1,000 positions to address better the needs of migrant workers. (PNA) imported and how much tax is being paid, and how many cases were filed. We will also look into the problem of the BoC because if there is no conviction, the smugglers will continue with their illegal activities," he added.

Republic Act 10845 or "An Act Declaring Large-Scale Agricultural Smuggling as Economic Sabotage," was enacted into law in 2016.

Smuggled agricultural products, however, continue to enter the country unabated.

Aside from onions, other agricultural products being smuggled into the country include sugar, corn, pork, poultry, garlic, carrots, fish and vegetables, according to the Agriculture department. g

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New year...

He said he would be evaluated by a committee that the President will create to determine if he was in any way involved in the narcotics trade, or if he had been tolerating police officers who were.

Azurin said that not all PNP officers were pleased with Abalos’ “request.” They are wary because their careers are on the line, he said.

Despite the resistance from some officers, Azurin expects everyone to comply before January 31.

“If you’re not involved, there’s nothing to worry about,” he said.

He said his resignation can also be considered as an application for retirement.

First lady wades in

As if the situation was not knotted enough, the first lady, Marie Louise Araneta-Marcos, waded into the controversy by issuing a denial that she had intervened in military and agency appointments.

She sent a video message to Malacañang reporters, declaring that she had no involvement in any appointments made by President Marcos. She particularly denied influencing appointments in the military.

“I leave that up to my husband. And if I find out that somebody is using my name, I shall tell my husband not to appoint you, OK?” she said.

Mrs. Marcos instructed PSG commander Col. Ramon Zagala to “disseminate the information.”

The first lady’s statement came a day after Centino was given a second tour of duty as AFP chief.

Talk circulated that Bacarro, whom Centino replaced, had a close affiliation with former executive secretary Rodriguez, whose relationship with the first lady soured before his removal. Ironically, the first lady’s denial of involvement in appointments may not kill the rumors, but only lead the public to talk about her some more.

It is bizarre that she had instructed the PSG chief to disseminate her statement. The idea of harnessing the presidential security chief as a messenger mirrors the strange decision to make do with a “press briefer” in the dissemination of information about the actions and decisions of the President. (ManilaTimes.net)

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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

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Email: eyesgonzales@gmail.com. Follow her on Twitter @eyesgonzales. Column archives at EyesWideOpen on FB.