US Asian Post (Los Angeles edition) January 19, 2024

Los Angeles Edition

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VOL. 13 NO. 3

January 19 - 25, 2024

A BALITA MEDIA PUBLICATION

Sandro Marcos calls for 12-strong 6 Partido Federal Senate slate in 2025

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Gov’t encourages Pinoys to shift to digital TV for 5 better experience, emergency warning feature

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PH, UK ink defense pact; focus set on maritime domain DEFENSE COOPERATION.

MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippines and the United Kingdom have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that outlines the two states' intended defense engagements in the next five years, with maritime domain expected to be among the priorities.

The MOU was signed between the Department of National Defense

Philippine Ambassador Teodoro Locsin Jr. (left) and The Earl of Minto Timothy Minto sign a memorandum of understanding at the Philippine Embassy in London on Jan. 11, 2024.

According to UK Embassy in Manila, the cooperation is the cornerstone of the two countries’ defense relationship. (Photo courtesy of DFA)

(DND) and the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) on Jan. 11.

Philippine Ambassador Teodoro Locsin Jr. signed for the Philippine side while The Earl of Minto Timothy Minto, Minister of State for Defence, signed for the UK side.

“The UK/Philippines MOU on Defence Cooperation is the cornerstone of our defence relationship,”

the UK Embassy in Manila said in an email on Tuesday.

“It outlines the intent of our defence engagement for the next five years across a range of areas including military exercises, training and modernisation efforts. We can expect this engagement to focus on the maritime domain, Exclusive Economic Zone, hydrography

and UK participation in future military exercises,” it added.

In a separate statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the MOU also seeks to provide a framework for enhancing bilateral cooperation on defense and military education, peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and See PH Page 4

Gibo hits 'gutter level talk' after China spox urges Marcos to 'read more'

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Business

PH vehicle sales breach 2023 target PAGE 9 

“We suggest that President Marcos read more books to properly understand the ins and outs of the Taiwan issue, so as to draw the right conclusions,” Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spox Mao Ning said on Tuesday addressing the issue of Marcos congratulating Taiwan’s president-elect Lai Ching-te.

Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning

PH Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has taken exception to the remarks of a spokesperson for China's foreign affairs ministry who suggested President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. read more about the Taiwan issue.

Addressing the issue of Marcos congratulating Taiwan's president-elect Lai Ching-te, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning said Marcos' remarks violated the One-China policy and were "a serious breach of the political commitments by the Philippines."

"We suggest that President

Marcos read more books to properly understand the ins and outs of the Taiwan issue, so as to draw the right conclusions," Mao said on Tuesday.

In a statement on Wednesday, Teodoro said Mao "stooped to such low and gutter level talk—resorting to insulting our President and the Filipino nation, and further

debasing herself, the Ministry, and Party she represents in the process."

"But then again, we should not at all be surprised—being a nation and people enjoying the privileges, rights, and freedoms of a democratic society—that an agent of a Party and system of government incompatible with our way of

Fil-Am News

Fil-Am lawyer appointed judge in the LA County Superior Court PAGE 2 

ENTERTAINMENT

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AFP chief: PBBM wants 'innovative approach' to security concerns MANILA (Mabuhay) — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. trusts his military commanders and prefers that they be innovative in their approaches to the country's security concerns.

Armed Forces for the Philippines (AFP) chief

Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. made this response when asked whether the Chief Executive gave specific guidelines on how to go about with the "paradigm shift" he earlier called for in handling the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue.

"Kailangan po natin magkaroon ng 'paradigm shift' pero hindi na po naging specific ang ating Pangulo because he also mentioned that he doesn't want to micromanage at kami na lang po sa AFP and our commanders on the ground

will have to be very innovative, imaginative in our approaches (A 'paradigm shift' is needed but the President did not give specifics because he also mentioned that he does not want to micromanage and we in the AFP and our ground commanders

will have to be very innovative, and imaginative in our approaches)," he said during the press conference shortly after the AFP Command Conference on Monday afternoon.

The President earlier said he is seeking a "paradigm shift" in addressing

Miles Ocampo: ‘Yes. I’m cancer-free’ 10

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HEALTH

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COMELEC: 300 AREAS SUBMIT SIGNATURES BACKING PEOPLE'S INITIATIVE

ART AND HISTORY. A woman views a painting of Philippine heroines at the Sining Saysay: Philippine History in Art exhibit at a mall in Cubao, Quezon City on Friday (Jan. 12, 2024). The exhibit, a collaborative project of the University of the Philippines, UP Alumni Association, and Araneta City, features the country's history through the masterpieces of various Filipino artists.

MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday reported that signatures from 300 areas have been submitted to their offices in cities and municipalities nationwide regarding the proposal for constitutional reform through the People's Initiative (PI).

In an interview, Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia said they aim to determine the total number of signatures submitted to their offices by Friday.

“Cities and municipalities po yan. Hindi pa lang na-determine ilang distrito yan. Mula Cordillera hanggang Bangsamoro, nakakatanggap na ang local Comelec ng signature pages (Those are from cities and municipalities. We have yet to determine how many districts are involved. From the Cordillera to the Bangsamoro region, Comelec offices have been receiving signature pages)," he said.

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Viruses associated with stomach flu found in some stool samples: Baguio LGU

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LA County Conducts Pathway Home Operation in Compton

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os Angeles County’s Pathway Home program brought 33 people experiencing homelessness off the streets of Compton and into safe interim housing, where they will receive supportive services and other resources that will enable them transition out of homelessness and into permanent housing.

“LA County continues to make significant progress in helping people move from unhealthy and unsafe conditions on the street and finding them housing and supportive services,” LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell said. “These comprehensive efforts under Pathway Home help break the cycle of homelessness by putting our neighbors onto a journey toward permanent housing and stability.”

The LA County Homeless Initiative collaborated with the Office of LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell and the City of Compton in conducting the Pathway Home operation on January 9th. The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) and the nonprofit service provider HOPICS were essential to bringing unsheltered residents indoors, as they had built trusting relationships with them by providing engagement and support during their unhoused experience.

HOPICS will continue to work with them at the interim housing location, a motel.

The LA County Chief Executive Office and the LA County Departments of Health Services, Mental Health, Public Health, Sheriff’s, Public Works, and Animal Care and Control were also critical partners, along with the Army Corps of Engineers.

“The Board of Supervisors’ emergency declaration enables us to fast-track and scale up the efforts we know are effective in ending homelessness,” LA County Homeless Initiative Director Cheri Todoroff said. “Pathway Home is part of an urgent mobilization with our local jurisdiction partners that reflects an all-hands-on deck approach to bringing our unhoused neighbors indoors."

Pathway Home is an LA County Homeless Initiative-led encampment resolution program that is a critical component of the County’s comprehensive response to the local emergency on homelessness adopted by the Board of Supervisors in 2023. By leveraging emergency powers and partnerships with local jurisdictions, Pathway Home is a full-circle solution that brings people off the streets into immediately available interim housing accompanied by a comprehensive suite of supportive services and, ultimately, into safe, permanent homes.

District Attorney Gascón Announces Conviction of Sheriff’s Deputy in Fatal On-Duty Shooting

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os Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced that a former Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy was convicted in the 2019 on-duty fatal shooting of an unarmed man, Ryan Twyman, in his vehicle in the city of Willowbrook.

“Today, justice has been served for Mr. Twyman’s family who have spent years mourning the loss of their loved one,” District Attorney Gascón said. “This verdict reflects my office’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that every individual, regardless of their profession, is held accountable for their actions.

I would like to commend the dedicated efforts of my office’s Justice System Integrity Division who worked tirelessly to prosecute this case. This conviction sends a strong message that no one is above the law. Our aim is not to undermine the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers who serve our communities. However, accountability is paramount to maintaining public trust and ensuring that the principles of justice are upheld.”

Andrew Lyons (dob 5/10/84) pleaded no contest in case BA503497 to one felony count of assault with a semi-automatic firearm, and one count of assault under the color of authority.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Eleanor Hunter accepted the defendant’s plea.

Lyons is expected to be sentenced to two-years’ formal probation; the maximum term allowed by law. As a condition of his probation, Lyons will serve 30 days in county jail, voluntarily surrender his POST certification, and pay all fines and fees.

On June 6, 2019, Lyons and another sheriff’s deputy responded to an apartment complex in Willowbrook. Both deputies exited their vehicle and approached a parked vehicle where 24-year-old Ryan Twyman was sitting in the driver’s seat.

Twyman put the car in reverse and both deputies opened fire. The car came to a stop nearby.

Lyons then retrieved his semiautomatic assault rifle and shot into the vehicle after it stopped moving. Twyman was killed and his passenger was uninjured.

The case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

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Fil-Am News

January 19 - 25, 2024

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Fil-Am lawyer appointed judge in the LA County Superior Court Growing up in the Philippines under Martial Law, Judge Christine Gonong learned at a very young age the value of freedom and fighting for basic human rights.

By Nimfa U. Rueda LOS ANGELES — California Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed accomplished Filipino American lawyer Christine Gonong as a judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Gonong has served as a commissioner at the LA County Superior Court since 2022. She was a member of the State Bar of California Board of Trustees from 2020 to 2022.

She has an extensive appellate experience, having served as a law clerk to Associate Justice Mario R. Ramil of the Hawaii Supreme Court and Circuit Judge Jacqueline H. Nguyen of the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Gonong was also a career law clerk for the US District Court for the Central District of California, having served as clerk to Judges S. James Otero, Dale S. Fischer, Otis D. Wright II and Jacqueline H. Nguyen.

She also practiced complex litigation focusing on catastrophic injury at Nguyen Lawyers, ALC. Gonong was named a “Southern California Rising Star” by Super Lawyers Magazine in 2008.

In addition to her law practice, Gonong served as an adjunct faculty at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law, where she taught Legal Writing and Advocacy. Previously, she taught Business Law at Los

istrate Judge James Larson of the US District Court for the Northern District of California.

Gonong, a democrat, filled the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Wesley Hsu to the federal bench.

Accomplished Fil-Am lawyer Christine Gonong has been appointed by California Governor Gavin Newsom as a judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

CONTRIBUTED

Angeles Valley College.

Christine earned her J.D. from University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 2002, where she was bestowed with the Hastings Academic Excellence Award. She served as a Notes and Managing Editor for the Hastings Law Journal and was awarded with the Raymond L. Ocampo, Jr. Scholarship by the Filipino Bar Association of

Northern California.

She received her B.A. in Political Science, graduating magna cum laude, from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she was awarded with college honors and the Morgan Harris Scholarship Award.

While in law school, she worked for US District Judge Susan Y. Illston and US Mag-

Giving back to the community Gonong is a former president of the Philippine American Bar Association (PABA) and one of the longest-serving members of the PABA Board of Governors.

Gonong also served on the Board of Governors of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles and was a member of the Asian Jewish Initiative Planning Committee of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).

Gonong migrated to the United States when she was 16 years old. She was the first in her family to graduate from an American university. Growing up in the Philippines under Martial Law, Christine learned at a very young age the value of freedom and fighting for basic human rights.

Like many first-generation immigrants, Christine strived to overcome adversities and was able to attend college and law school through hard work and the generosity of those who helped her along the way. This deep sense of gratitude is what inspires her to give back to her community.

Gonong was one of the 18 Superior Court judges recently appointed by Gov. Newsom – one in Contra Costa County; eight in LA County; one in Madera County; one in Marin County; three in Orange County; one in Riverside County; two in San Francisco County and one in Santa Barbara County.

The other newly appointed LA County Superior Court judges were Kelly Boyer, Stephanie Dixon, Anne Kiley, Natalie Nardecchia, Scott Nord, Melanie Ochoa and Stephanie Santoro.

The governor has also announced his nomination of two Court of Appeal Justices: Judge Monique Langhorne Wilson as an associate justice of the First District Court of Appeal, Division One and Aimee Feinberg as an associate justice of the Third District Court of Appeal.

Philippine Theater Star RED CONCEPCIÓN marks Boadway debut in CHICAGO THE MUSICAL

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ed Concepción joins the cast of the Tony Award-winning, record-breaking hit musical CHICAGO on Broadway, currently running at The Ambassador Theater. He will be playing Amos Hart starting January 15, 2024. He is the first Filipino to play the role on Broadway.

Red is best known for playing The Engineer in the MISS SAIGON US National, and UK and Ireland Tours. Prior to launching his international theatre career, his body of work in Philippine theatre spans over 15 years, which includes the Manila restaging of Peter Shaffer’s hit psychological drama, Equus, where he played the lead role of disturbed teenager, Alan Strang. In 2014, he won the Aliw Award for Best Actor in a Musical and the Gawad Buhay Award for Outstanding Male Actor in a Musical for his star turn as Adam/Felicia in the Manila production of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

Red joins current cast members Charlotte d’Amboise as

Roxie Hart, Kimberly Marable as Velma Kelly, Max von Essen as Billy Flynn, Lili Thomas as Matron “Mama” Morton, and R. Lowe as Mary Sunshine.

ABOUT CHICAGO With a legendary book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music

by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, Chicago is now the #1 longest-running American musical in Broadway history.

Produced by Barry and Fran Weissler, Chicago is the winner of six 1997 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Recording.

Directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Tony Award win-

Red Concepción

ner Ann Reinking, Chicago features set design by Tony Award winner John Lee Beatty, costume design by Tony Award winner William Ivey Long, lighting design by Tony Award winner Ken Billington, sound design by Tony Award winner Scott Lehrer, casting

by ARC/Duncan Stewart, CSA & Patrick Maravilla and Executive Producer Alecia Parker.

Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, Chicago is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her.

Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today's tabloids.

Bonta Announces Settlement with Invitation Homes Over Unlawful Rent Increases

OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a settlement with Invitation Homes to resolve allegations that the company violated the California Tenant Protection Act (TPA) and California’s price-gouging law by unlawfully increasing rents on approximately 1,900 homes. As part of the settlement, Invitation Homes will pay $2.04 million in civil penalties and is required to take specific actions to ensure compliance with California law. Invitation Homes also refunded or credited tenants the amount it collected in excess of state rent caps, plus 5% interest, totaling over $1.68 million.

“Californians are facing a housing crisis of epic proportion. California has laws in place to protect tenants from sudden, large rent increases, and landlords need to be diligent in ensuring that they abide by those laws,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The settlement announced today should serve as a reminder to landlords in California to familiarize themselves with the law and protections put in place to keep homes accessible to Californians.”

The California Department of Justice's (DOJ) investigation found that a limited percentage of the rent increases that Invitation Homes imposed from late 2019 through 2022 violated the TPA and California’s price-gouging law. Invitation Homes, which owns and

manages approximately 12,000 rental homes across California, had identified some of these issues through its own reviews. The company promptly provided remediation to affected tenants.

Co-authored by Attorney General Bonta during his time as a state Assemblymember, the TPA was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2019. It created significant new protections for most tenants, including limiting rent increases and prohibiting landlords from evicting tenants without just cause. The TPA prohibits landlords from raising rent annually for most tenants more than 5% plus the percentage change in the annual cost of living, or 10% total, whichever is lower, over a 12-month period. California’s price-gouging law, Penal Code section 396, prohibits landlords from increasing the price of rental housing by more than 10% during and in the aftermath of a state of emergency or local emergency. Cities and counties may have more stringent rent caps that landlords must follow.

Under the proposed settlement, Invitation Homes is required to: • Restore lawful rental rates for all of its California tenants.

• Evaluate the compliance of any proposed rent increase or any new base rental rate with all state and local laws.

• Perform quarterly audits on all processes and systems designed to ensure that rental increases comply with state and local law.

• Monitor all California statewide and local states of emergencies on a weekly basis to ensure that base rental rates and rent increases do not violate state or local laws governing rent setting.

• Refrain from collecting, or claiming in a legal action, any rent not lawfully owed by a tenant.

• Ensure that any information it provides to credit reporting agencies on late rental payments or nonpayment by tenants is correct or corrected.

• Provide an annual compliance report to DOJ for the next five years regarding rent increases, steps taken to ensure compliance with state and local laws, any potential violations, and any remediation.

Attorney General Bonta is committed to protecting California renters and using the tools of DOJ to address California's housing crisis. In November 2021, he announced the creation the Housing Justice Team within DOJ. In June 2023, the Housing Justice Team entered into a settlement against Green Valley Corporation, a San Jose-based housing developer and property manager, over violations of the TPA. In May 2023, the team filed a lawsuit against

the City of Elk Grove, challenging the city’s denial of a proposed supportive housing project in the city’s Old Town Special Planning Area. In March 2023, they filed a lawsuit against the City of Huntington Beach for violating state housing laws.

Members of the public are encouraged to visit DOJ’s Housing Portal and HCD’s website for more resources and information aimed at supporting access to housing. If you believe your landlord has violated the law, you can file a report online at www.oag.ca.gov/report.

Tenants who need legal help are encouraged to visit www.lawhelpca.org to find legal aid resources in their communities.

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Friday - Thursday l January 19 - 25, 2024

THE US ASIAN POST

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January 19 - 25, 2024

Canada sends team to PH to tackle MOU on defense MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Canadian government is sending a team to the Philippines to discuss ways to boost defense cooperation as it anticipates to sign a new deal.

Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman did not provide more details but said the officials would arrive within the week.

Last year Hartman said Ottawa and Manila are hoping to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on defense cooperation by January 2024, a deal that could also open up opportunity for a visiting forces agreement between the two states.

“Very soon (we’ll sign the MOU), we have colleagues coming from Canada this week, we’re waiting to receive a little bit of final direction from our Ministry of National Defense,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

Speaking on the sidelines of a Stratbase ADR Institute conference in Makati City, Hartman said the MOU would also serve as a “facilitative mechanism” to allow both countries to scope out potential opportunities to cooperate on cybersecurity.

“From the military-to-military perspective, that would be an area where there would be a potential cooperation but we want to go beyond that,” he said.

STRENGTHENED CYBERSECURITY Beyond the military, Hartman said Canada wanted to expand this area of cooperation with other stakeholders, citing the prevalence of cyber threats directed against other sectors.

He said they can provide solutions and help the Philippines as a whole build its capacity, banking on Canada’s “world class information communication technology ecosystem”. "[N]ow, more than ever, with the growing threat from the proliferation of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, likeminded countries must work together to build a resilient and adaptable cyber workforce for the future; indeed, one trained and ready for the whatever the future may hold," he said.

"It is in this light that Canada is prepared to work hand-inhand with the Philippines to build this capacity together," he added.

Meanwhile, Canadian Centre for Cyber Security Head Sami Khoury agreed that the world faces various cyberthreats that necessitate a "whole-of-society" approach and closer collaboration between countries.

Some of the threats, he said, were misinformation, disinformation, data leakage down to cyberespionage.

"The threats that we see are the same threats that we see here so it's a whole-of-society-- we need to invest in not only making the government more resilient but also in the private sector and the civil society," he said.

"Because we live in a connected world, everything has to be factored in to those all investments," he said.

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., meanwhile, said the agency is undertaking a transition to stricter operational security and exploring ways to enhance cybersecurity infrastructure and processes.

He said the Philippine government’s process models advanced openness, transparency and competitiveness, especially in acquisitions, could be “anathema to actual realities of cybersecurity, even in cooperation.”

“Naturally, cooperation in cybersecurity entails a critical political analysis of your foreign partners, like-minded nations, treaty partners. Your friend today could be an adversary tomorrow in different aspects,” Teodoro said during Tuesday’s "Fortifying Cyber Cooperation Towards Digital Security" forum organized by Stratbase ADR Institute.

Due to vulnerabilities in cyberspace, he said, the DND is transitioning into stricter operational security, which “starts from individual security, facility security, to digital hygiene, to the architecture that we're going to put into our systems.”

“So we have to start from base zero. We have had a gap analysis, and there's a lot to do. We have to put in the right infrastructure, architecture, hardware, software, protocols, and hygiene," Teodoro said.

“Secondly, contrary to government rules of just-in-time, inventory, etc., we will be building in redundancy, taking into account vendor reliability or servicing reliability,” he added.

Citing national security as a paramount concern, the DND chief underscored the need to create government standards for accountability and prevention rules and regulations to avoid abuse.

Teodoro also urged the academe to spur further research and development, in consonance with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s instruction to utilize the vast potential of the country for the provision of revenue, security and employment to all Filipinos.

“We know that the Philippines now, as Ambassador (David) Hartman said, is patient zero for vulnerability. This gives us room for working and cooperating with like-minded partners, creating the proper frameworks and operational and institutional arrangements for long-term cooperation, with the Philippines’ interests in mind, and respecting those of like-minded nations,” he added. (MNS)

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NEWS from the PHILIPPINES

AFP modernization's Horizon 3 to focus on archipelagic defense MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Horizon 3 phase of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program (RAFPMP) will focus on improving the military's archipelagic defense capabilities, the country's military chief said Monday.

AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. made this remark when asked whether President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. had already approved the list of equipment and weapons system itemized for Horizon 3.

"Hindi pa po na-approve ng ating Pangulo yun Horizon 3 (the President is still to approve Horizon 3), we are still in the process of refining it further but the Horizon 3 of our modernization program will focus on the archipelagic defense concept)," Brawner said during the press briefing held shortly after the AFP Command Conference in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

By focusing on the archipelagic defense concept, the AFP chief said the military plans to acquire more ships, aircraft and radar systems.

This defensive concept is aimed at protecting the country's 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone.

Horizon 3 was initially scheduled from 2023 to 2028, while Horizon 2 from 2018 to 2022 and Horizon 1 from 2013 to 2017.

Earlier, Brawner said the multirole fighters, which are being

eyed to backstop the 12 FA-50PH light jet fighters acquired from South Korea, will be acquired under Horizon 3.

PBBM present Brawner also said the President, who attended the command conference, cited the need to "reconfigure our approaches to dealing with the different threat groups."

Brawner was referring to the "communist terrorist groups, the local terrorist groups, the threats being faced in the West Philippine Sea", alongside those natural disasters.

He said all these threats pose a challenge to the AFP, adding that Marcos instructed them to "think of new ways of dealing with them (through) innovative ways."

"That is why, we really have to really make sure that we study all of these things very carefully so that we come up with the necessary solutions," he added.

In resolving these threats, Brawner said a whole-of-nation approach is needed along with the citizenry.

"Most especially, our President mentioned that we also have to gain the support of our international allies and partners, countries that are like-minded with us," he said.

The AFP chief also clarified that the President does not see anything wrong with the present

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the Year-End 2023 Command Conference with the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Camp Aguinaldo. He also led the awarding of the Campaign Streamer awards to outstanding military units setup and was merely stressing the need to reconfigure to be more effective in addressing the threats.

One of the developments cited by Marcos, Brawner said, is developments in cyber warfare.

In response, he said the creation of the AFP Cyber Command would allow them to counter threats in the cyber domain.

Habitable features in WPS Meanwhile, Brawner said the AFP will focus on making all Philippine-held islands and features in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) more habitable to troops manning them.

"We will also focus on developing the islands (WPS) and the other features that we are occupying, for instance Pagasa, Lawak and the other features that we are occupying," he added.

Brawner also clarified that this does not include "fortifying" the BRP Sierra Madre (LS57) which stands watch over Ayungin Shoal.

He added the goal is to make the living quarters of Filipino troops manning these features more liveable.

These include provision of desalination machines to provide drinking water and communication facilities to enable troops to talk to their families. (MNS)

Under the PI method, petitions for constitutional reform should be backed by at least 12 percent of the total number of registered voters, which must also include 3 percent of the total voting population of a legislative district.

Once the petition is filed before the Comelec, it would then verify the legitimacy of the signatures.

Meanwhile, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said they would need PHP13 billion for the possible holding of the plebiscite for constitutional reform through PI. In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing, Laudiangco said this was based on their expenses from the recent polls in the country, the latest of which was the October

2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.

“Sa PHP13 billion na iyan ay halos 70 percent po niyan ay tumutumbas sa honoraria ng ating mga electoral boards, sa ating members of the boards of canvassers at mga support staff. So, depende po kung ito po man po ay maisasakatuparan – kung io-automate ba ito o manu-mano, basta po lagi ang baseline budget po natin ay laging nasa PHP13 billion (Of the PHP13 billion, 70 percent is for the honoraria of the electoral boards, members of boards of canvassers, and support staff. Once this pushes through, it would depend on whether it would be done manually or it would be automated. Our baseline budget is always PHP13 billion),” he said. (MNS)

COMELEC... FROM PAGE 1 Garcia also noted that under the poll body's Resolution 10650, proponents would have to secure first certification of the total number of voters in each legislative district before they could file a petition for PI. “May checklist yan, nakalagay ano mga hinahanap namin para sufficient in form and substance (ang petition).

Clerk of (Commission) ang magde-determine nyan. After nyan, magbibigay ang Clerk of Commission ng recommendation sa Comelec en banc kung sufficient ba or hindi (We have a checklist containing the requirements to determine whether these petitions are sufficient in form and substance. The Clerk of Commission will determine that and recommend to the Comelec en banc whether or not these

are sufficient in form and substance)," he added.

Garcia also maintained that they have yet to receive a formal petition on the measure.

“At this point, wala pa sa Comelec, wala pang filing fee, wala pang jurisdiction. Magkakaroon lang pag may na-file nang petition, bayad ng filing fee, kapag sinabi namin (It has not yet been submitted to the Comelec. There is no filing fee yet and the poll body has still no jurisdiction over it.

We will only have jurisdiction over it once a filing fee has been paid and if we say these are) sufficient in form and substance,” he said.

The PI is one of three methods for constitutional reform, aside from constitutional convention and constituent assembly.

AFP... FROM PAGE 1

PH... FROM PAGE 1

China's recent aggression and harassment in the WPS. He made this call after noting that "very little progress" has been made using the "traditional methods of diplomacy" in addressing the issue between the Philippines and China.

Marcos, who was present during the conference, directed the AFP to "reconfigure" its approach to handling security threats posed by the remaining insurgents, local terrorist groups, the WPS issue, and natural disasters.

Brawner said the President's call seeks to ensure that the AFP becomes more effective in addressing these threats.

"He (Marcos) did not say that there is something wrong with the current organization we have, what he meant was that we have to reconfigure to be more effective in addressing the threats," Brawner stressed. (MNS)

research and technology, among others.

In the Joint Statement of Intent signed by Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo and former UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly in August 2023, the two nations agreed to further developing bilateral defense engagement to uphold the rules-based international order.

The two top diplomats at that time said UK and the Philippines will promote “a free and open maritime order” based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as the legal framework for all activities in the ocean and seas.

The statement further highlight-

ed the two states’ commitment to “strengthen maritime law enforcement, marine environment protection, fisheries management and professional seafaring”.

The MOU signing also followed the October 2023 visit of then UK Minister of State for Defense Baroness Goldie to the Philippines, where she expressed the UK’s support to the Indo-Pacific and regional peace and security.

“The UK is proud of our relationship with the Philippines and defence forms a crucial part to this.

We look forward to working closely to continue developing this engagement,” the UK Embassy said.

(MNS)

GIBO.. FROM PAGE 1

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life and who routinely spouts State-sanctioned propaganda and disinformation would go that far and that low," Teodoro said.

"It is unfortunate, but I am, myself, unsurprised. The spokesperson's statements were 'on brand.' We, and the world, should not expect more," he added.

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian has declined to comment on Teodoro's statement, but referred to the Taiwan issue as part of China's "internal affairs" that "represent the core interests of our country, with extremely high sensitivity."

Marcos on Monday congratulated Lai Ching-te on his election as Taiwan's next president.

The President's congratulatory message came a day after the Department of Foreign Affairs said the Philippines was committed to its one-China policy when asked to comment on the conduct of the Taiwanese elections.

"On behalf of the Filipino people, I congratulate President-elect Lai Ching-te on his election as Taiwan's next President," Marcos said in a

post on X. "We look forward to close collaboration, strengthening mutual interests, fostering peace, and ensuring prosperity for our peoples in the years ahead," he added.

Responding to a request on Sunday for comment on Taiwan's elections, DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza said, "The Philippines is committed to its One-China policy."

"The Department of Foreign Affairs reaffirms the principles contained in the Joint Communique of the Philippines and the People's Republic of China signed by President Ferdinand E. Marcos and Premier Zhou Enlai on June 9, 1975," Daza said.

"The Philippines is committed to its One-China Policy. The Joint Communique states that 'the two governments agree to settle all disputes by peaceful means... without resorting to the use of threat or force'," she added.

In deference to the One-China Policy, Manila does not have diplomatic ties with Taiwan, a democratic self-ruling island which has been separated from the Beijing government since 1949,

but still claimed by China as part of its territory.

The Philippines, however, maintains a de-facto embassy in Taiwan, called the Manila Economic and Cultural Office or MECO. Taiwan hosts 115,000 Filipinos, mostly working in factories.

In Manila, the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy said, "China strongly opposes such remarks, and has made immediate and solemn démarches to the Philippines from both Beijing and Manila."

"There is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China," the spokesperson said.

"Following the elections in Taiwan, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement reaffirming the Philippines’ commitment to the one-China policy."

"Relevant remarks by the Philippine leader are at odds with the one-China Principle

and contradict the statement of the Philippine government, sending out erroneous signals to 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces," the spokesperson said.

"We urge the Philippine side to earnestly abide by the one-China principle, stop the wrong words and deeds on Taiwan-related issues, prudently and properly handle the Taiwan-related issues."

On X, Lai thanked Marcos for the message.

"Thank you, President @ bongbongmarcos for your congratulations. I deeply value the enduring friendship between #Taiwan & the #Philippines," Lai said in a tweet.

"I look forward to enhancing our economic and people-to-people ties while championing democracy, peace & prosperity in the region," he added.

Three diplomats said there the the DFA was not informed beforehand as regards Marcos' congratulatory message for the Taiwanese president-elect.

One diplomat said the DFA was caught by surprise while another said the post on X was "very damaging." (MNS)

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MANILA (Mabuhay) — The government is calling on the public to shift to digital television service for better TV experience, more programming, and early warning broadcast during times of emergencies and disasters.

“Sa atin pong mga televiewers right now, we encourage you, or hinihikayat po namin kayo na mag-shift na rin po sa ating digital TV service. Mas maganda po ang experience sa digital television kapag nag-digital TV po kayo. Mas maraming programs na mapapanood, mas maraming programa and then mas maganda ang signal,” National Telecommunication (NTC) Deputy Commissioner Alvin Blanco said in a television interview over PTV. “Mas klaro and of course mas marami kayong programs na makikita. Other than that, meron din po tayong early warning broadcast na makakatulong din po sa ating mamamayan pagdating sa mga emergencies and disasters. So, we encourage everyone to please let us prepare for our full digital television service,” he said.

Launched during the Ceremonial Digital Switch On (DSO) at the Digital TV Summit 2017, the plan enjoins broadcasters, manufacturers, content producers, including televiewers, in a comprehensive nationwide implementation strategy for the expedient migration from analog to digital broadcasting come the Analog Switch Off (ASO) target

at the end of 2023.

Engr. Erwin Galang, director of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), also called on the public to transition to digital TV and see the difference.

“Tulad po ng nasabi ni DepCom Alvin, hinihikayat po namin lahat ng manonood ng digital TV. Makikita n’yo po ang diperensya, mas maganda, mas malinaw. Yung mga paborito mong artista, mas makikita mo ang itsura. Life changing po ‘yun,” he said.

Galang also said that the plan of the NTC, the

Friday--Thursday Thursday ll January January 19 Friday 19 -- 25, 25, 2024 2024

Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) is to adopt the emergency warning broadcast system feature of the digital TV. This is similar to the emergency warning in Japan when the country was struck by a powerful earthquake on New Year’s Day, Galang pointed out.

“Ang experience po na nakita po sa Japan ay prior po na dumating sa ibang lugar nakita na po nila at nawarningan na po sila. So, inaasahan po natin na magagawa rin po natin ‘yun dito sa Pilipinas,”

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the KBP official said.

The government is implementing measures to make it easier for the public, especially in the rural areas, to shift to digital from analog broadcast.

Blanco said that the NTC required the networks for simulcast broadcast of their analog and digital signals to continue serving households using analog television while the preparations are being done for the transition to digital.

“And we also have to make sure na itong mga households na ito that are still relying on analog reception ay makapag-access po ng digital TV before po natin ipatigil ang analog TV service,” he said.

“Pinag-aaralan rin po ng pamahalaan ang pag-provide ng subsidy for some of the households na kailangan po nating i-transition. Pinag-aaralan rin po ito to make sure na maili-limit ang mga inconvenience,” he stated.

Blanco said that the NTC has not changed the timeline for the ASO and at this point in the country’s transition, the agency started to prepare for the ASO until the full adoption of the digital system.

Outside of Mega Manila, the transition from analog to digital is ongoing, Blanco said, noting that there are digital TV services being provided in other areas of the country like Cebu, Davao and many other key cities.

Based on the latest data for Metro Manila, 82 to 83 percent of households could now receive digital TV signal or reception, with less than a million households relying purely on analog TV. “So, mangilan-ngilan na lang na household or maybe about mga 17 percent, 18 percent. Based on the data that we had, very recently, ‘yung mga households that are, that’s for the Mega Manila area,” Blanco said.

“Ito po yung ating hinihikayat na mga households na as much as possible, tangkilikin na po nila ‘yung ating digital TV service na pino-provide na po ng ating mga television networks,” he noted. (MNS)

PBBM admin ready to tackle ‘vibrant’ press freedom with UNSR Khan DMW: Germany, Middle

MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Marcos administration is ready to present the “vibrant” status of the Philippine press freedom to United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression Irene Khan, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) said Tuesday.

During the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon Program aired over state-run PTV-4, PTFoMS executive director Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez said the Philippine government, as a “good host, would try to make Khan’s visit not only productive but comfortable for all.”

“Ito pong pagbisita ni Ms. Irene Khan ay gagawin po nating pagkakataon upang mai-highlight po ang katotohanan na ang Pilipinas po ay matibay sa pagtataguyod po ng mga karapatang pantao, lalo na po sa ating pamamahayag (This visit of Ms. Irene Khan, we will make it an opportunity to highlight the fact that the Philippines is strong in promoting human rights, especially [the rights of the] media),” Gutierrez said.

“Ang implikasyon po nito sa atin ay maibandera po natin o maibandila sa buong mundo na taliwas po sa sinasabi ng mga kritiko, sadya pong masigla at mayabong ang estado po ng pamamahayag sa ating bansa (The implication of this for us is that we can raise our flag to the whole world to prove that contrary to what the critics are saying, the state of the media in our country is indeed vibrant and fertile),” he added.

Gutierrez said that as early as October last year, the PTFoMs started coordinat-

ing with government offices that Khan intends to meet with, including the Department of Justice, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Supreme Court and the Congress.

He added Khan’s plan to meet with former Senator Leila de Lima, who secured a temporary freedom in November 2023 after nearly seven years in detention due to her alleged drug involvement, should not be a cause for concern.

“Tingin po natin ay hindi magiging issue ito and besides, gusto ko pong i-stress na wala pong itinatago ang ating administrasyon pagdating po sa pagtataguyod ng karapatang pantao at pamamahayag sa ating bansa. So, sa tingin po natin ay wala po tayong dapat ikatakot o ikapangamba sa pagbisitang ito (Let’s hope that this will not be an issue and besides, I want to stress that our administration has

Presidential Task Force on Media Security excutive director Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez

nothing to hide when it comes to promoting human rights and press freedom in our country. So, we think that we have nothing to fear or worry about this visit),” he added.

Gutierrez also underscored the Marcos administration’s sincerity to uphold press freedom in the country.

He said the government is ready to discuss with Khan its accomplishments when it comes to ensuring that all Filipinos enjoy their right to free speech and freedom of expression.

“Bagaman may nakikita po tayong maaring maging kritisismo, ang gusto ko lamang pong bigyan ng emphasis dito ay ang katotohanang meron po tayo functioning judicial system (Although we see something that can be criticized, the only thing I want to emphasize here is the fact that we have a functioning judicial system),” Gutierrez said.

“Meron po tayong mga umiiral na proseso na bagaman may maaari pong kahinaan ay patuloy naman po nating tinutukan at ina-address ang mga kahinaang ito hanggang ika nga po ay maayos po natin ang sistema at proseso (We have existing processes that although there may be weaknesses, we continue to focus and address these weaknesses until we fix the system and the process),” he added.

Khan is set to make an official visit to the Philippines from Jan. 23 to Feb. 2.

Based on the Office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Khan will examine, in the spirit of cooperation and dialogue, the situation of the rights to freedom of opinion and expression in the country.

Khan invited civil society, human rights organizations, media organizations, experts and academics, other stakeholders and individuals to share any information in the national normative framework, freedom of the media, internet freedom and freedom of expression. (MNS)

Senate stand: Yes to economic changes, no to political provisions

MANILA (Mabuhay) — The resolution to amend the economic provisions of the Constitution will liberalize the public services, educational institution and advertising industries.

Liberalizing the three sectors will allow foreign corporations or individuals to enter the country and bring more opportunities, explained Senator Sonny Angara, who will lead the subcommittee that will discuss the proposed amendments.

He reiterated in an interview over radio station DZRH on Tuesday that they will not allow any political provision.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri filed on Monday Resolution of Both Houses No. 6, which was also signed by Senate Pro Tempore Loren Legarda and Angara.

It seeks to amend Articles XII, XIV and XVI of the constitution after consulting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. “Tingin ko mas maganda ang tsansa ngayon dahil maaga pa sa termino ng ating Pangulo.

Dahil kadalasan kapag nasa second half na ay ayaw na ng publiko sasabihin pampahaba lang ng termino. Eh ngayon na maaga pa klaro na ang usapin ay economic provision lang ng Saligang

Batas at di ang usapin ng sistema ng gobyerno o termino (I think it has a better chance because it is still early in the term of the President. Because usually if it will be filed in the second half, the public will think that it is for term extension. Now, it’s earlier and clearer that only the economic provisions will be discussed and not the government system or term),” Angara said.

He said when the Senate resumes sessions on Jan. 22, they will start discussions with economic experts and representatives from the industries concerned.

Angara’s subcommittee will be under the Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, currently chaired by Senator Robinhood Padilla.

In a statement on Monday, Padilla welcomed the resolution citing it as a “very good news for the nation.”

“Magkakaroon na po ng bagong sigla ang ating ekonomiya tungo sa pag-unlad ng buhay ng mga Pilipino (Our economy will be revitalized, and this will lead to progress in the lives of Filipinos),” Padilla said.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian expressed his full support to the resolution as the proposed

amendments “would lead us to fully realize the economic potential of the country.”

Gatchalian noted that despite the country’s growth, the economy is still characterized by constitutional restrictions such as limits to foreign equity in the ownership and operation of public utilities, educational institutions, mass media, and advertising.

“In certain industries, there are restrictions for foreign ownership. Currently, in the case of operation of public utilities, only up to 40 percent foreign ownership is allowed while for educational institutions, even partial foreign ownership is prohibited,” he said in a news release on Tuesday.

Gatchalian cited the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development 2020 Foreign Direct Investment Regulatory Restrictiveness Index that ranked the Philippines as the third most restrictive among 84 member countries.

He said innovations generated from competition and development of new linkages with regional and global chains will improve the diversity of the Philippine foreign trade portfolio and ultimately increase worker productivity (MNS)

East hiring skilled Filipino workers

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Germany and several countries in the Middle East are hiring Filipino skilled workers, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced on Monday.

The DMW said several countries in the Middle East have open roles for electricians or electrical mechanics, according to a “BaliTanghali” report.

Meanwhile, Germany is seeking Pinoy employees to fill positions as nurses, skilled workers and hospital industry workers under the joint declaration of intent the Philippines and Germany recently signed.

The DMW said the developments are “good news” for training schools and Filipinos who are looking for opportunities abroad.

The department also reminded interested parties to only apply to job vacancies offered by licensed recruitment firms and to refrain from accepting work offers posted in social media platforms. (MNS)

Recto, 170 others await CA confirmation hearings MANILA (Mabuhay) — Commission on Appointment (CA) Assistant Minority Leader Johnny Pimentel on Tuesday said they have already received the appointment papers of new Finance Secretary Ralph Recto along with the nomination papers of two ambassadors and the promotion papers of 168 senior military officers.

The Surigao del Sur representative said the CA will start the hearings once Congress resumes session on Jan. 22.

“Based on CA records, Flerida Ann Camille Mayo was named Philippine ambassador to Cambodia while Edgar Tomas Auxilian was selected Philippine ambassador to Papua New Guinea with concurrent jurisdiction over Kiribati and Solomon Islands,” Pimentel said.

The latest batch of senior military officers awaiting their confirmation hearings, he said, is led by four Philippine Army major generals: Leodevic Guinid, Allan Hambala, Edmund Peralta, and Ramon Zagala II. “We also have 13 brigadier generals from the Philippine Army, three commodores from the Philippine Navy and 148 colonels from the Philippine Army and the Philippine Air Force pending confirmation,” Pimentel added.

Pimentel urged the public to submit to the CA Secretariat in case there is any information, written report, or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions to the appointees.

The Constitution empowers the 25-member CA to scrutinize the competence, fitness and integrity of key presidential appointees, and to approve or disapprove them.

The commission is composed of 12 members each from the House of Representatives and the Senate, with the Senate President as ex officio presiding officer. (MNS)

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Sandro Marcos calls for 12-strong Partido Federal Senate slate in 2025

MANILA (Mabuhay) — House Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte lawmaker Sandro Marcos called on his party-mates in the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) to prepare for the 2025 midterm polls by fielding a 12-strong Senate slate.

The Ilocos Norte lawmaker, son of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., made the call during the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) National Directorate meeting held in Malacañang last January 12.

“We all have to work double-time,” Marcos said in a statement.

“Let’s take it all upon ourselves to take the initiative not just in ensuring the internal affairs of the party are in order; we need to make our presence felt,” Congressman Marcos added.

The younger Marcos, during the same gathering, said it was important to field a 12-strong Senate slate that would share the Marcos administration’s ideals.

PFP President and South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo, for his part, accepted Rep. Marcos’ challenge and vowed to form a winning slate.

PFP Secretary General Thompson

Lantion, PFP General Counsel and lawyer George Briones, as well as key PFP Representatives Richard Gomez of Leyte, Florida Robes of San Jose del Monte City, Primicias Aggabas of Pangasinan, Isidro Lumayag of South Catabato, Teody Tarriela of Occidental Mindoro, other delegates from Regions 1 to 13 and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Cordillera Administrative Region, attended the PFP meeting.

The meeting, according to the PFP statement, was facilitated by the Office of Special Assistant to the President and PFP Executive Vice President Anton Lagdameo.

President Marcos was the PFP’s standard bearer during the 2022 presidential polls, but the PFP did not field a Senate slate.

Congressman Marcos joined the PFP in August 2023.

House Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte lawmaker Sandro Marcos PFP Secretary General Tamayo said 23 of the country’s governors were PFP mem“Now, more than ever, the PFP needs to prove that it is and will always be an invaluable extension of bers, including Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) President and the Marcos administration as it builds a culture of unity, peace, and prosperity toward an inclusive and sustainable Bagong Pilipinas,” Tamayo said. (MNS) Quirino Governor Dakila Cua.

Marcos thinks Cha-cha via people’s initiative ‘too divisive,’ says Zubiri MANILA (Mabuhay) — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. believes the proposed amendments in people’s initiative for Charter change was “too divisive,” Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said Monday.

In a press conference, Zubiri said he and Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda met with Marcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez on January 11 before the Vin d’Honneur to raise concerns on the proposed amendments contained in the people’s initiative.

“The President agreed with us that the proposal was too divisive, and asked the Senate to instead take the lead in reviewing the economic provisions of the Constitution. In this way, we can preserve our bicameral nature of legislation,” he said.

Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 Zubiri said the Senate is open to discussion on the amendment on the economic provisions of the Constitution.

He, Legarda, and Senator Sonny Angara thus filed Resolution of Both Houses No. 6, proposing amendments to certain economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution. It included reforms in the Public Services Act, education, and advertising industry by adding the phrase “un-

ECONOMIC PROVISION AMENDMENT. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri files on Monday (Jan. 15, 2023) a resolution that seeks to start discussions on amending the economic provisions of the 1987 constitution.

He said the proposed measure is a result of his meetings last week with House Speaker Martin Romualdez and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who designated the Senate to lead the process.

less otherwise provided by law.”

Zubiri said Marcos, who was a former senator, told him that he would not allow the power of the Senate to be undermined or diminished when it comes to bicameralism or bicameral form of

government.

“Sabi niya sa akin at kay Speaker [Marcos told me and Speaker], why doesn’t the Senate take the lead in the discussions of the economic provisions and then you approve your version which the House can adopt? Para hindi na tayo

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maglalagay pa ng kung anuano pang mga amendments na sa tingin natin ay magagalit ang taumbayan [this is so we will not add any more amendments that will make the people angry],” the Senate president said.

Zubiri said he got the support of 14 senators for the review of the economic provisions of the Constitution, but Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed reservations.

Angara was also tasked to lead a subcommittee on the Committee of the Constitutional Amendments to tackle the matter.

As to the people’s initiative, Zubiri said its proposal subject could result in a constitutional crisis, “destabilizing our bicameralism and upsetting the system of checks and balances.”

“While we respect and recognize the people as our sovereign, with the right to call for Constitutional change, we must guard against any attempt to revise the Constitution by exploiting our democratic process under the guise of a people’s initiative,” he said.

He said while the Senate is vehemently opposed to a dilution of its participation in the task of reviewing the Constitution, it exercised all restraint, because in any conflict, it is always the people who stand to suffer the most.”

“While the Constitution must be reviewed in keeping with the demands of the

present and the possibilities of the future, we believe that we must first exhaust all other avenues open to us, through policy-making and legislation,” he added.

Romualdez last year said 2024 is the right time to push for Charter change, and said he was keen on launching a people’s referendum to determine how Congress should vote on proposals amending the Constitution.

‘All about greed’ Hontiveros, meanwhile, said that the push for people’s initiative is “all about greed and the desire to act with zero accountability to the nation.”

“Umpisa pa lang, nang mag-viral ang patalastas, halatang ang galaw na ito ay para lang sa kapakinabangan ng mga abusadong may nakatayang personal na interes.

Kaduda-duda na ‘yung mga organizer na nasa likod ng TV ad, at ‘yung mga kumakalat ng form ay ayaw magpakilala at nagtatago sa likod ng isang law firm,” she said in a statement.

(Right from the start, when the ad went viral, it was obvious that this was done only for the benefit of those who have their personal interests at stake. The organizers behind the TV ad and those spreading the form both don’t want to get identified and are hiding behind a law firm.)

Hontiveros was referring

to the “EDSA-Pwera” TV ad questioning the 1987 Constitution and calling for changes to its provisions, as well as the signature campaign to push for Cha-cha.

She also said that the people’s initiative was not about any economic or political reforms in the Constitution.

“Walang nabanggit tungkol diyan ang mismong form daw na kumakalat [the form being spread does not mention anything about these].

The campaign only wants both houses of Congress to ‘vote jointly’ during a Constituent Assembly, thus weakening the Senate’s voice and participation in the process of Charter Change,” she added.

No money involved in Antipolo Antipolo 2nd District Representative Romeo Acop on Monday admitted that a signature campaign for people’s initiative is ongoing in his district, but said that it did not involve money.

“Merong nangyayaring signature campaign doon sa aking distrito but I can assure you na kung merong pumipirma roon, walang bayad,” he said in an ambush interview at the House of Representatives.

When asked if there was a directive from the House leadership to legislators regarding people’s initiative, Acop replied, “Wala naman [none].” (MNS)

AFP chief: NPA fighters down to ‘over 1,500’

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said on Monday the remaining number of active New People’s Army (NPA) insurgents are now “a little over 1,500”.

“Yung manpower, dun sa presentation po natin (during the Command Conference), ang estimate is just now a little over 1,500 (per the presentation, NPA manpower is estimated a little over 1,500),” Brawner said in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, shortly after the first command con-

ference with military officials this year.

This is significantly lower than the estimated 25,000 active NPA fighters from the late 1980s up to early 1990s, Brawner said.

Asked if the AFP is capable of ending the insurgency threat within the year, he said the military “will try to do that”.

Last December 31, the AFP announced that it had dismantled eight NPA guerilla fronts in 2023, aside from weakening 14 others in the same year.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. also said while the

NPA has “zero active guerilla fronts,” there is a need to continue the counterinsurgency efforts to enhance the country’s internal security.

Continued focused military operations also resulted in the neutralization of 67 high-value individuals who belong to communist and local terrorist groups, the AFP added.

In 2023, the military also successfully neutralized 1,399 members of communist and local terrorist groups.

It has also seized 1,751 firearms through capture, confiscation, recovery, or surrender. (MNS)

UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion, expression to visit PH MANILA (Mabuhay) — United Nations Special Rapporteur (UNSR) freedom of opinion and expression Irene Khan is set to make an official visit here from Jan. 23 to Feb. 2.

According to the Office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights website, Khan will examine, in the spirit of cooperation and dialogue, the situation of the rights to freedom of opinion and expression in the country.

The UNSR invited civil society, human rights organizations, media organizations,

experts and academics, other stakeholders, and individuals to share any information on the national normative framework, freedom of the media, internet freedom, and freedom of expression.

Khan assumed office on Aug. 1, 2020 and became the first woman to hold the position since the establishment of the mandate in 1993.

She is an internationally recognized advocate for human rights, gender equality, and social justice.

Born in Bangladesh, she

studied at Manchester University and Harvard Law School.

Khan started her professional career with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, working for 21 years at the UN headquarters and in various country operations, including Chief of Mission in India and Deputy Director, Division of International Protection.

She has received several awards, including the Sydney Peace Prize in 2006, for her contribution to human rights. (MNS)

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Continue serving with care, compassion, PBBM tells DSWD

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. graces the 73rd anniversary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Together with DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the President activated the new Disaster Response Command Center of the department.

MANILA (Mabuhay) — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday urged the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to serve the public with care and compassion.

“You are the country’s social welfare forces, always on red alert, in

a country where distress calls from disaster victims and disadvantaged sectors never end,” President Marcos said during DSWD’s 73rd anniversary celeneation held at its head office in Quezon City.

“As you put our people out of harm’s way, and on to the road to re-

covery and a better life, always serve your clientele with care and compassion as you have been doing,” the chief executive added.

The President also called on the DSWD to treat the poor and the vulnerable with kindness, understanding, and compassion “because that

care is a hallmark of public service as well, empathy goes a long way.”

President Marcos noted that DSWD has clearly demonstrated empathy in the past year.

And with the DSWD being at the forefront of the government welfare services, Marcos said Congress in-

creased its 2024 budget to PhP245 billion, from last year’s PhP196.5 billion.

As a result, in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and Senior Pension alone, the agency will be running a payroll operation bigger than that of the government.

The 4Ps has received an allocation of PhP106 billion for the benefit of more than four million Filipinos families.

The money is in addition to PhP49.8 billion for the social pension of 4.085 million seniors including the incentives for super-seniors, and centenarians.

DSWD’s food catering operations, which will serve tens of millions of hot meals to 2.027 million preschool children in different communities has PhP4.1 billion allocation.

And to address hunger, the agency is carrying out food stamps program providing PhP3,000 each month to 50,000 families.

The increasing needs of poor families and the vulnerable sector also mean expanded mandate of the DSWD, which prompted Congress to give more resources to the agency.

“Ngayong taon, dinagdagan pang muli ng Kongreso ang AKAP ng dalawampu’t pitong bilyong piso upang lalong makinabang ang mga mang-gagawang maliliit na ang kini-kita at higit na apektado ng mataas na presyo ng bilihin,” Marcos said in referring to the Abot Kamay Ang Pagtulong program.

“Suma-tutal, malaking bahagi ng populasyon ng mga na- nga-ngailangan sa ating bansa ay nada-daupan ng tulong ng DSWD, which helps them tide over, to help them get back on their feet, and not consigning them to a life of dependency, because aid that emancipates a human being is the kind of dignified giving that government should practice, and that this government is practicing,” he added.

DSWD programs, however, have never been regarded as a hand-out but a hand up, designed to help people pull themselves up from helpless situations, Marcos said. (MNS)

QC prosecutor’s office junk grave threats rap vs. FPRRD MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office has thumbed down the grave threats complaint filed by a lawmaker against former President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

In a 14-page resolution, the prosecutors dismissed the complaint filed by ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. and Deputy Minority Leader France L. Castro for statements made by Duterte in his television program “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa” aired by Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) last October.

“After careful and judicious evaluation of the allegations and evidence obtaining in the complaint, the undersigned finds the same to be insufficient to indict respondent

for the crime charged against him,” the resolution read.

The resolution was signed by Senior Assistant City Prosecutors Ulric Q. Badiola and Rosanna Morales Montojo, and Deputy City Prosecutor Leilia R. Llanes.

In his television program, Duterte defended his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, from criticisms by opposition parties over the confidential intelligence funds of the Office of the Vice President, and denounced supposed supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army.

In the resolution, the prosecutors said they “find it unusual, if not ridiculous for a person to make public pronouncements of death threats or perpetuate threatening remarks, ut-

terances or statements if he is that serious and deliberate enough in actualizing or effectuating such threats conceived in his mind, especially so considering that such individual , like herein respondent, is already in an advanced age and not anymore immune from criminal prosecution, as he is not anymore the incumbent president of the country.”

They also noted that the complainant failed to obtain the necessary authentication from social media platforms and SMNI. “Absent of any proper authentication, this Office cannot just take on its face value the genuineness and veracity of the subject threatening remarks/utterances / statements allegedly perpetrated by the respondent,” they said. (MNS)

Former President Rodrigo R. Duterte

PNP monitoring if ICC investigators already in Philippines MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it is monitoring if representatives from the International Criminal Court (ICC) are already in the Philippines.

At a press conference, PNP chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. said the police organization is keeping the report on the matter to themselves for now.

“We cannot confirm or

deny that. But the PNP is monitoring kung anuman ang efforts dito, anong presence nila. But as of now, we are keeping it to ourselves muna iyong report,” he said.

He made the statement when asked if the PNP has intelligence information that ICC investigators, who are seeking to investigate the Duterte administration’s drug war, are already in the country.

Bureau of Immigration (BI) spokesperson Dana Sandoval previously said they could not comment on the matter as they had no official information yet.

On Friday, Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano said the BI could not verify whether personalities from the ICC. “Upon inquiry doon sa BI, kay Commissioner Norman Tansingco mismo, hindi po nila

Premium lounge opened to serve OFWs at NAIA T1 MANILA (Mabuhay) — The country’s modern heroes now have an exclusive place where they can comfortably spend idle time while waiting for their flights at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Parañaque City.

Located on the fourth floor near the pre-departure area, the OFW (overseas Filipino workers) Lounge can be used for free, regardless of what type of tickets they are holding.

A similar place is also being prepared at Terminal 3.

More OFW lounges would also be put up in other international airports in Clark, Pampanga; Cebu; and Davao.

The lounge is a joint project of the

House of Representatives, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Migrant Workers and Manila International Airport Authority.

It is patterned after similar spaces run by airlines but only for their business-class and first-class passengers.

“Binuksan namin ito batay na rin sa utos ng Pangulong (We opened it as directed by President) Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,” Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said in a statement on Sunday.

On Saturday night, Romualdez and OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio and Deputy Administrator Mary Melanie Quiño inspected the new lounge. (MNS)

mabe-verify or ma-confirm kung pumasok nga ba talaga ‘yung mga taga ICC,” Clavano said in an ambush interview.

However, Clavano said that this is not a denial or a confirmation of the ICC’s presence.

“We’re also not admitting or confirming or acknowledging their presence here in the

Philippines. Puwede rin naman pong hindi totoo ‘yung balita na ‘yun (that could be false),” he said.

The ICC’s supposed presence in the country was first floated by former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque after he claimed that some individuals told him that personalities from the ICC are “coming in and

out” of the Philippines.

Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra earlier stressed that the Philippine government had no legal duty to cooperate in the ICC’s investigation.

“As far as the government is concerned, it has maintained its position that the state has no legal duty to cooperate with the ICC investigator,”

Guevarra said.

Guevarra pointed out that the ICC could investigate the drug war without coming to the Philippines.

“The ICC prosecutor can actually conduct his investigation without coming to the Philippines, as he has local groups providing him support and assistance,” he said. (MNS)

Solon wants probe on alleged signature buying in latest Cha-cha campaign MANILA (Mabuhay) — A lawmaker has called for a probe on the ongoing Charter change signature campaign in the country, citing instances of supposed signature buying as these were done alongside the distribution of government aid and gifts.

Under House Resolution 1541, House deputy minority leader and ACT Teachers party-list representative France Castro and the Makabayan bloc pushed for a probe on the ongoing people’s initiative for Charter change.

The resolution said there were reports of signature buying in areas such as Barangay Silangan, San Mateo, Rizal; Barangay Pinyahan, District 4 and Barangay Kalusugan in Quezon City; Caloocan; Valenzuela; and Gerona, Tarlac during the holiday season.

“Ang ilan ay pinangakuan ng ayuda, at iba naman ay isinabay ang pagpapa-pirma sa gift giving noong kapaskuhan. May report din na pati mga PWD (persons were disability) ay nililinlang para papirmahin sa Cha-cha,” she said.

“Ano mang tangi ng mga nagsusulong ng Cha-cha ay hindi rin natin masisisi ang ating mga kababayan na isipin na maaaring pondo ng bayan ang ginamit dito lalo pa at may bagong tulak ang administrasyong Marcos para baguhin ang Konstitusyon at mukhang koordinado at may timeline na sinusunod ang kanilang ginagawa,” she added.

Despite the denials, we cannot blame our countrymen for thinking that the push for Cha-cha could be financed by public funds, especially with the push of the Marcos

administration to amend the Constitution. It also looks coordinated as they are following a timeline.)

Opposition lawmakers last week accused public officials of buying signatures and deceiving people into signing documents that allegedly portray that there is public clamor to make certain changes to the 1987 Constitution.

To recall, House speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez last year said 2024 is the right time to push for Charter change, as he called on local officials to back such proposals. His cousin, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier expressed support for such a move, saying amendments to the 1987 Constitution should focus on attracting more investors to the country. (MNS)

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l January January19 19--25, 25,2024 2024

HEALTH HEALTH

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Viruses associated with stomach flu

found in some stool samples: Baguio LGU

MANILA (Mabuhay) — As its probe on the source of the diarrhea outbreak continues, the local government of Baguio said some stool samples tested positive for norovirus and sapovirus, which are usually associated with stomach flu.

In a press briefing on Sunday, acting city health officer Dr. Celia Brillantes said this comes after stool samples from the Baguio General Hospital were submitted to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), and underwent gastrointestinal and virological testing.

“Ten stool samples were submitted, and five were positive for Norovirus - so 50 percent - and three out of the 10 - or 30 percent - were positive for Sapovirus. Two samples were also positive for both Norovirus and Sapovirus,” Brillantes explained.

Still, Brillantes said these are still inconclusive results to identify the main source of the contamination, as more tests are being done.

Earlier, some water samples already tested positive for bacteria e coli, which indicates fecal contamination, according to the official.

Brillantes explained the same establishments will be tested again until they are found negative from the said bacteria.

She added they will soon shift their surveillance from the self-reporting system to the clinical or health facility-based reporting, wherein they will talk to actual patients and get samples from them for testing.

Dr. Donnabel Panes of the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) explained norovirus and sapovirus, which were found in some stool samples, are the “most common cause[s] of acute viral outbreak now”.

“There has been a documented outbreak of the same causative agent in Mindanao region. Since we already have those machines to document them, now we are able to document these already. So it’s an eye opener for everyone that virus can also cause an outbreak,” Panes said.

“Ito iyong tinatawag natin na

stomach flu or intestinal flu - but they are not actually flu - but we always experience them especially during the cold season,” she added.

Panes explained transmission can be done through contaminated food and water.

“They can be transmitted through direct contact also and contact transmission. For example, kunwari ako iyong nag-aalaga sa isang pasyente na may sakit. And then it can be transmitted through my hands, and then I put them in my mouth, and it can transmit. They can also be transmit-

PH to get P625.8M for health services, climate adaptation – Canadian minister MANILA (Mabuhay) — Reinforcing its bilateral ties with the Philippines, Canada is providing P625.8 million or CAD$15 million to strengthen the Marcos administration’s efforts to improve public health services and the country’s climate adaptation initiatives, Canada’s top development official said.

Canadian Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen said his government is committed to build on strong ties with Manila and seek ways to enhance cooperation under Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, particularly on regional security, addressing climate change, protecting maritime environments, access to healthcare, and build more resilient, inclusive and prosperous societies.

“Canadian overseas development assistance is meant to be deployed in the Philippines in a manner that complements, supplements, and supports Phil-

ippine national priorities,” Hussen recently told a selected group of journalists in Manila.

On climate adaptation, Canada is providing P333.7 million or CAD$8 million over five years in grant financing to build resilience of vulnerable communities by supporting nature-based solutions – such as reforestation and coastal wetlands restoration – for climate adaptation.

The project will target six regions across the country representing key biodiversity or protected areas, Hussen said.

On health services, P292 million or CAD$7 million will be provided to the Philippines over six years in grant financing to strengthen the capacity of local governments, and support health facilities and communities to improve delivery of, and access to, health services.

Hussen said it seeks to aid vulnerable populations, including women and girls and indigenous people, in four geograph-

ically isolated and disaster-prone provinces.

“As part of our Indo-Pacific strategy, which is Canada’s way to focus in this region in terms of diplomacy, trade and investment, and development, the Philippines is central to that strategy,” Hussen said, adding cooperation with Manila on renewable energy and food security is also in the pipeline.

Hussen also highlighted the vibrant people-to-people ties between the two countries, through tourists, scholars and Filipinos in Canada, where close to a million people of Filipino descent work and live - the fourth biggest diaspora population in Canada.

Annual official development assistance to the Philippines from Canada is valued at around P1 billion or CAD$24 million to P1.04 or CAD$25 million, focusing on peace and security, economic, and health programs. (MNS)

ted through touching tables, itong surfaces. Once you get a hold of this, and you put it in your mouth, then you can transmit it. It’s really very contagious,” she explained.

According to the City Health Office, the said viruses can cause acute gastroenteritis.

“Unfortunately, in the Philippines, the one documented was only in 2016, [in] Zamboanga, in the Mindanao region. There are a lot of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) outbreaks in the Philippines, but only in 2021 did we have the capacity to identify norovirus and sapovirus. And this is the first AGE outbreak that is now subjected to virology testing in RITM,” Brillantes explained.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ian Christian Gonzales from the Department of Health’s Epidemiological Bureau said general preventive measures are the same when it comes to diarrhea, which includes good hand hygiene and safe drinking water.

“Because we think it may likely

be due to water, so we have to use treated water. So either purified, distilled water for both drinking and cooking. We also have to continue practicing good hand hygiene, such as washing our hands before and after using the toilet, before and after eating, and when caring for sick household members,” he said.

“Also, when caring for sick household members, we should be careful in cleaning up fecal material or vomit, and disinfecting contaminated surfaces. These viruses or even bacteria are easily killed using our common household bleach or other common commercial disinfectants. And lastly, if we are feeling sick, if we still have diarrhea, we know that it’s infectious, nakakahawa po siya. So it’s better to rest and stay at home while we are still sick, and also to avoid preparing food if we still have symptoms,” he added.

Gonzales said taking a bath using tap water is acceptable, so as long as the water is not ingested. (MNS)

PhilHealth: Benefits plan won’t be affected should Marcos suspend premium hike MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) plan to expand the coverage of its benefits packages this year will still push through even if President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. suspends the mandated increase in premium rates as scheduled under the Universal Health Care (UHC) law.

At a press conference in Pasig City on Friday, PhilHealth president and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. said that the state health insurer already implemented the increase in premium or contribution rate this year in the absence of any directive from the President to suspend.

“There is no message or directive from Malacañang so we already [implemented] the increase,” Ledesma said.

To recall, Marcos ordered the suspension of the premium rate and income ceiling hike of PhilHealth for the calendar year 2023, citing the socioeconomic challenges caused by the pandemic.

Last year, the premium rate was supposed to increase to 4.5%, while the monthly basic salary ceiling should have been P90,000.

For this year, the premium rate will go up to 5% while the monthly basic salary ceiling will increase to P100,000 and the minimum remains at P10,000.

To illustrate, if a worker earns P10,000 a month, his/her monthly contribution to PhilHealth should amount to P500 effective this year. The premium contribution shall be equally shared between the em-

ployee and employer.

Should the President order to suspend anew the scheduled premium hike this year, Ledesma said, “Once we get the directive or instruction, we will immediately comply.”

The PhilHealth chief said the state health insurer is expecting an additional P17 billion in revenues this year from the increase in premium rate.

“If PBBM freezes it, that’d be minus P17 billion for the year… but with our current cash position and with all the help we are getting from other agencies, I don’t think that anything will be affected, all the plans will push through as expected,” Ledesma said.

“We’re just talking of minus P17 billion for 2024, I think we will be fine,” he said.

This year, Ledesma said the state health insurer is planning to “rationalize six other case rates for the top cases or the most burdensome diseases and commonly availed cases among Filipinos.”

“On top of that, PhilHealth is looking into reviewing all case rates in 2024. This is prompted by the increasing costs of healthcare in the country brought about by inflation. This move is expected to greatly lower out-of-pocket expenses of patients during hospitalization and outpatient care,” he said.

Ledesma added, “We commit to fund the proposed rationalization and expansion of benefits to ease the burden of the Filipino people in times of medical need and lessen the out-ofpocket expenses of members.” (MNS)

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Solons flag int’l coffee shop, online stores for ‘limiting’ senior, PWD discount MANILA (Mabuhay) — The local licensee of coffee shop chain Starbucks apologized Wednesday for what it claimed was the erroneous signage that limited the grant of senior citizen, person with disability (PWD) and other government-mandated discounts to just one food item and one beverage per visit.

Angela Cole, operations director of Starbucks Philippines, faced a joint hearing of the House Committees on Ways and Means and Senior Citizens and Persons with a Disabilities, where lawmakers confronted her with a sample of the signage.

“We fully acknowledge the error in the signage,” Cole told lawmakers.

“We remain steadfast in extending privileges as intended. Allow me to share to be assured with everyone here, Starbucks has always, has always and will continue to extend full discount privileges to the senior citizen for their personal use and enjoyment of our honored and valued senior citizen and PWD customers,” she added.

Cole said the signage “was not properly worded.”

“We are taking full accountability and acknowledge the mistake and we are really disappointed at the confusion that we had caused because of the erroneous signage,” she said.

She told lawmakers that the signage was immediately removed and the guideline was never followed.

House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro called out Starbucks for even having the signage.

“Bakit niyo naman ginawa yun, anong rationale naglagay kayo ng ganiyan?

Di pwede sabihin niyo lang tatanggalin namin yan,” Castro said.

“Actually ang mahal mahal nga talaga ng kape niyo, tapos yung ating senior citizen ayaw niyo pa bigyan ng discount?” she added.

Cole said it was meant to be a response to their employees.

Meanwhile, Ways and Means committee chair Rep. Joey Salceda also lamented the absence of a mechanism for the discounts to be availed online in some shopping platforms, an observation shared by Bulacan Rep. Salvador Pleyto.

“Bakit po ‘pag online booking wala pong option ang application ng senior citizen at PWD discount? Kung sakali po na nag-online booking at di applied, maaari po ba ma-claim ang discount in person?” Pleyto asked.

Pleyto also flagged establishments that supposedly cited ongoing promos for not granting the discounts. Lawyer

and advocate Romulo Macalintal also pointed out the same.

However, Salceda pointed to a flawed law.

“Problema we wrote it differently.

We need remedial measure,” he said.

The House hearing was called to address gaps in the implementation of the discounts. (MNS)

PH vehicle sales breach 2023 target

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Sales of local vehicle assemblers in 2023 reached 429,807 units last year, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) said on Wednesday.

This surpassed the target sales of 423,000 units for 2023, according to the CAMPI and TMA’s joint report.

CAMPI and TMA also reported that their vehicle sales grew 21.9 percent in 2023, from 352,596 units sold in 2022.

“2023 was a very strong year for the

industry and we are very excited about 2024. Positive economic outlook, new model introductions and the electrification trend are expected to contribute to record-breaking sales this year,” CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez said.

Both passenger car and commercial vehicle segments rose by more than 20 percent for the full year of 2023 compared to the 2022 level.

The full-year sales of passenger cars increased to 109,264 units in 2023, 27.2 percent higher than the 85,897 units sold in 2022.

Commercial vehicle sales grew 20.2 percent to 320,543 units last year from 266,699 vehicles in 2022.

For December 2023 alone, local vehicle sales increased by 5.1 percent to 39,153 units from 37,259 units in the past 12 months.

Market leaders in the Philippine automotive vehicle industry for 2023 were Toyota, with 46.5 percent market share; followed by Mitsubishi, with 18.2 percent; Ford, with 7.3 percent; Nissan, with 6.3 percent; and Suzuki, with 4.3 percent. (MNS)

CHR to gov’t: Address issue of potential income loss due to PUV modernization MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday called on the government to provide efficient subsidy and address potential income loss of drivers and operators due to the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program.

The CHR made the call a day after the Land Transportation, Regulatory and Franchising Board (LTFRB) stood pat on its decision that vehicles who are yet to consolidate under a single cooperative or transport service entity by January 31 will not be allowed to operate anymore.

“The Commission calls on the government, particularly the relevant agencies, to take appropriate steps to address the issue of potential income loss among affected operators.

Adhering strictly to rigid consolidation deadlines may jeopardize PUV operators’ right to a sustainable livelihood,” the CHR said in a statement.

“Furthermore, it is the State’s responsibility to efficiently subsidised the program, develop an effective communication strategy for the general public, and make the implementing rules and regulations of PUVMP more understandable,” it added.

The PUV Modernization Program, which started in 2017, mandates the use of Euro 4 engine vehicles dubbed as modern

jeepney which costs P1.6 million to P2.8 million per unit. Of the cost, the government will only subsidize 10%.

While local manufacturers have been able to make a modern jeep worth around P980,000, it remains to be seen if these local manufacturers are already included in the 54 accredited manufacturers of the Department of Transportation for the PUV modernization.

The LTFRB earlier said an operator would need to shell out P25,000 a month for seven years to pay each modern jeep unit costing P1.6 million, and P40,000 a month for seven years for a modern jeep unit worth P2.8 million.

“The Commission respects the government’s prerogative to make our PUVs more safe and environmentally friendly on the road. We recognise the importance of transitioning to a more sustainable and safer mode of transportation as it encompasses the very essence of the right to freedom of movement. On the other hand, the Commission believes that genuine progress is inclusive and leaves no one behind,” the CHR said.

The CHR then noted that with these problems unaddressed, the program will have unintended consequences such as strikes, “tigil-pasada,” and protests, among others. (MNS)

Landbank online fund transfers for P1K below remain free

Photo via Automology

BIR: House and lots valued P3.6M and below are VAT exempt MANILA (Mabuhay) — House and lots to be sold at P3.6 million and below are exempted from value-added tax (VAT).

This after the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) raised the VAT exemption threshold on the sale of house and lot, and other residential dwellings to P3.6 million from P3.199 million.

In a statement on Wednesday, the BIR said Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. issued Revenue Regulations No. 1-2024.

The RR No. 1-2024 increased, “for VAT exemption purposes, the selling price threshold of the sale of house and

lot, and other residential dwelling from P3,199,200.00 to P3,600,000.00.”

The taxman said the adjustment was pursuant to the Section 109 (P) of the National Internal Revenue Code which mandates that every three years the subject amount should be adjusted to its present value using the Consumer Price Index as published by the Philippine Statistics Authority.

“This timely increase in VAT exemption shows our commitment to Excellent Taxpayer Service,” said Lumagui.

“This increase in the selling price threshold, for VAT exemption pur-

poses, of the sale of house and lot, and other residential dwelling from P3,199,200.00 to P3,600,000.00 gives testament to the BIR’s improved and updated services,” said the BIR chief.

The BIR, moreover, said it will focus on its pillar of Excellent Taxpayer Service this 2024.

The taxman said the recently signed landmark Ease of Paying Taxes Act would pave the way for a more modern tax system, “with the ultimate goal of helping taxpayers in their tax obligations.” (MNS)

MANILA – In line with providing safe, convenient, and accessible digital banking services, the Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) continues to waive fees for fund transfers to other banks via InstaPay and PESONet for transactions worth PHP1,000 and below.

Landbank customers can enjoy free online fund transfers for the first three transactions facilitated in a day through the Landbank Mobile Banking App (MBA), and the Bank’s online retail banking channel, the iAccess.

For interbank fund transfers amounting to more than PHP1,000, a lowered fixed transaction fee of PHP15 from the previous rate of PHP25 will be applied. Meanwhile, fund transfers between Landbank and Overseas Filipino Bank (OFBank) accounts, regardless of the amount, remain free-ofcharge.

“We are extending our waiving of fees for small-value online fund transfers to encourage more clients to embrace cashless transactions, in support of the National Government’s thrust of building a cash-lite economy. Beyond the convenience of free fund transfers, customers can also use Landbank’s digital platforms for bills payment, cardless withdrawal, and opening of additional deposit accounts,” Landbank president and CEO Lynette Ortiz said in a news release.

For seamless and convenient online fund transfers and bills payment, the Landbank MBA can be downloaded for free on Google Play, Apple App Store, and Huawei App Gallery. Landbank customers can easily enroll their account in the MBA to conduct online financial transactions, by providing their deposit account details. (MNS)

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January 19 - 25, 2024

NTERTAINMENT

Piolo Pascual, Eugene Domingo, Dingdong Dantes, Christopher de Leon among stars coming to MIFF

THEY’RE COMING TO LA! (L-R) Piolo Pascual, Eugene Domingo, Dingdong Dantes and Christopher de Leon are among the stars confirmed to attend the inaugural Manila International Film Festival from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2. The stars and filmmakers will grace in person select screenings at the TLC Chinese Theatres and the exciting closing night awards gala on Feb. 2 at the Directors Guild of America.

T

he stars and filmmakers are flying from the Philippines to attend the inaugural Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) in Los Angeles from January 29 to February 2.

In a partial list of confirmed talents coming from Manila, Piolo Pascual, Eugene Domingo, Dingdong Dantes and Christopher de Leon lead the talents who will grace the screenings and Q&As of the 10 films, a star-studded closing night awards gala and other exciting events in the five-day film festival.

The 10 films in the very successful 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival, which has earned an estimated P1.069 billion (estimated $19.11 million), making it the biggest-grossing edition in the festival’s half-a-century history, will make their American premiere at MIFF. The following stars and filmmakers will represent their movies at MIFF (note this is only a partial list – more stars may be confirmed) and will either introduce their films before the screenings or participate in Q&As after the screenings at the TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood: “Becky & Badette” – Eugene Domingo, lead actress, and Perci Intalan, executive producer. Eugene and Perci will introduce “Becky & Badette” before the 8:55 pm screening on Wednesday, Jan. 31.

“Broken Heart’s Trip” – Christian Bables, lead actor; Andoy Ranay, supporting actor; Benjie Cabrera and Omar Tolentino, executive producers.

Christian, Andoy, Benjie and Omar

will participate in a Q&A after the 7:25 pm screening on Tuesday, Jan. 30.

“Family of Two” – pending confirmation.

“Firefly” – Ysabel Ortega, supporting actress; Dingdong Dantes, actor (special participation); and Anj Atienza, writer. Ysabel will participate in a Q&A after the 5:55 pm screening on Tuesday, Jan. 30.

“GomBurZa” – Enchong Dee and Cedric Juan, lead actors; Piolo Pascual, supporting actor; and Pepe Diokno, director. Enchong, Cedric, Piolo and Pepe will participate in a Q&A after the 7:25 pm screening on Thursday, Feb. 1. “(K)Ampon” – Beauty Gonzalez, lead actress, and Joji Alonso, producer. Beauty and Joji will introduce “(K) Ampon” before the 8:55 pm screening on Tuesday, Jan. 30.

“Mallari” – Piolo Pascual, lead actor; Janella Salvador, lead actress; Derick Cabrido, director; and Brian Dy, producer. Piolo, Janella and Derick will participate in a Q&A after the 7:25 pm screening on Monday, Jan. 29.

“Penduko” – John Arcilla, supporting actor. John will introduce “Penduko” before the 8:50 pm screening on Thursday, Feb. 1.

“Rewind” – Dingdong Dantes, lead actor. Dingdong will introduce “Rewind” before the 8:35 pm screening on Monday, Jan. 29.

“When I Met You in Tokyo” – Christopher de Leon, lead actor, and Karishma Gidwani, executive producer.

Christopher and Karishma will participate in a Q&A after the 7:25 pm screening on Wednesday, Jan. 31.

The 10 films will have two other screenings (including simultaneous screenings on Feb. 2 at both the TCL Chinese Theatres and DGA) during the festival but the screenings above are where the stars and filmmakers will be in person. The complete screening schedule and ticket information are available here: https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-manila-international-film-festival-tickets-771883764117.

The public can also buy limited tickets to the glittering closing night awards gala and see the stars, filmmakers and celebrities in person on Friday, Feb. 2, at 6:00 pm at the Directors Guild of America on famed Sunset Boulevard. The star-studded gala features a red carpet, cocktails, an awards show and a dinner/after-party.

Limited tickets to the gala are available here: https://www.eventbrite. com/e/2024-miff-awards-gala-tickets791645993477?aff=erelpanelorg.

Nine MIFF awards, including Best Picture, voted by an independent jury of respected professionals in film, will be announced. As previously announced, acclaimed veteran actress Hilda Koronel will receive the inaugural Monty Manibog Lifetime Achievement Award, named after the late outstanding community leader, public servant and Olympian.

An audience award, voted by MIFF moviegoers at the screenings, will be given to a movie that gets the highest score.

The MMFF team will be represented by Romando “Don” Artes, chairman; Tim Orbos, executive committee

Yasmien Kurdi goes back to school to learn baking MANILA (Mabuhay) — Yasmien Kurdi is happy that she was finally able to find time to learn how to bake.

The actress took to Instagram to reveal that she has enrolled in the Pastry and Bakery Arts program of the Academy of Pastry and Culinary Arts of the Philippines.

While she is confident in her cooking skills, the celebrity mom admitted that she struggles when it comes to making pastries and other baked goods.

"Ipagluto niyo na ako ng kahit ano kaya ko, pero hirap talaga ako sa baking at paggawa ng pastries," she said.

Kurdi went on to share that she has always wanted to take baking classes, but was unable to due to her busy schedule as an actress.

"Kaya kinuha ko na itong chance na ito na makapag-aral while pregnant with my Baby Dragon," said Kurdi, who is expecting her second child with husband Rey Soldevilla.

"I'm really happy today 'cause I learned a lot from Chef Anthony! First lesson: tarts and quiches. Kilig! Marunong na ako!" she ended. (MNS)

YASMIEN KURDI

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Regine Rocks Concert

echanga Resort Casino proudly presents the Regine Rocks concert that will be held on Friday, February 9th at 8pm, at the Pechanga Theater.

Regine Velasquez is a Filipino singer and actress. She is considered as one of the most influential figures in Philippine popular culture and is known for her vocal range and belting technique. Velasquez rose to prominence after winning the television talent show Ang Bagong Kampeon in 1984 and the Asia Pacific Singing Contest in 1989. She achieved commercial success in some Asian territories with her fifth album Listen Without Prejudice, which sold more than 700,000 copies and became her highest-selling album to date. Velasquez has played leading roles in the romantic comedies Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw and Pangako Ikaw Lang and received the Box Office Entertainment Award for Box Office Queen for the latter. Referred to as “Asia’s Songbird”,

she has consistently been credited with inspiring a generation of Filipino singers. She has received many awards, including MTV Asia’s Favorite Artist Philippines in 2002 and 2003, and the Aliw Awards’ Entertainer of the Year in 2007, 2009, and 2019. Regine Velasquez performed with Sharon Cuneta at the Pechanga Summit on July 22 and July 23, 2023 for their ‘Iconic’ concert. Now she’s back again to put on a more intimiate show for her fans and she couldn’t be more excited!

Hurry, you don’t want to miss this! Buy your tickets now from the Pechanga Box Office, or by calling 888-810-8871, or visit www.pechanga.com.

Shows in the Pechanga Theater offer a comfortable and intimate concert experience. With 1,200 seats in its theater, each show features state-of-the-art, acoustically perfected sound, plus comfortable chairs, and an up-close view from every theater seat.

About Pechanga Resort Casino Pechanga Resort Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/casino experiences anywhere in the United States. Voted best casino in the west USA Today and rated a Four Diamond property by AAA since 2002, Pechanga Resort Casino provides an unparalleled getaway, whether for the day or for an extended luxury stay. Offering 5500 of hottest slots, 152 table games, a 1,100 room and suite hotel, dining, luxury spa, and golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort Casino features a destination unrivaled anywhere in California. Pechanga Resort Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band

member and former transportation undersecretary; Atty. Rochelle Macapili-Ona, executive director; Irene Jose, executive committee member and COO of The Araneta Group’s entertainment unit; Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo, actress and team member; and Noel Ferrer, spokesperson.

Also scheduled to attend the MIFF are the Film Development Council of the Philippines’ Tirso Cruz III and Jose Javier Reyes, chairman and consultant, respectively. Other events promoting collaboration and cooperation between the Philippines’ filmmakers and Hollywood and beyond are also scheduled by MIFF, whose mission is to showcase, promote and help uplift Philippine cinema.

The TCL Chinese Theatres is located on the third level of Ovation Hollywood (formerly Hollywood & Highland), 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028. The DGA is located at 7920 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90046.

The MIFF founders are Omen Ortiz, chairman; Ebradu Udarbe, president; Lisa Lew, executive producer; Ruben Nepales and Janet Nepales, media relations consultants; and Celia Abaya Dy, ticketing manager. Also on the MIFF team are Leo Dela Cruz, chief financial officer; Erickson Ilog, chief operations officer; Ron Ramores, chief marketing officer; Cindy Sison, consultant; and Meriden Angeles, coordinating producer.

For MIFF sponsorship inquiries, contact Erickson Ilog (eilog@manilainternationalfilmfest.com) and Ron Ramores (rramores@manilainternationalfilmfest.com).

Visit www.usasianpost.com

MILES OCAMPO: ‘YES. I’M CANCER-FREE’ MANILA (Mabuhay) — Actress Miles Ocampo happily announced that she is now cancer-free after she underwent thyroid surgery last year.

The actress shared that she wasn't aware that it was cancer until after she underwent surgery. "'Yung doktor ko sinabi na ito ang situation ko na parang ayaw pa nilang sabihin 'yung cancer sa akin. It was malignant at ang laki na niya. Kung hindi ko po siya naagapan, posible talagang kumalat," Ocampo revealed.

"Nalaman kong cancer siya nung after na nung operation."

After the surgery, Ocampo said she also had oral radiation.

miLES OCAMPO

Now, Ocampo happily shared that she is cancer-free.

"Yes, I'm cancer-free. But 'yun na nga maintenance for life. 'Yung meds ko, habambuhay na siya.

And doon na ako naka-base, kumbaga 'yung weight ko rin. Doon na siya magbi-base kung papayat o tataba. Kasi every 2 months kailangan kong magpa-blood test para i-check kung i-adjust ba 'yung dosage," Ocampo said.

Asked of what she learned from her thyroid scare, Ocampo said: "'Yung mga times na 'yon na parang it's so uncertain, hindi mo alam kung ano ang mga mangyayari, just trust Him. Trust Him, kapit ka lang sa Kanya, talk to Him." Ocampo was last seen in "FPJ's Batang Quiapo" and "The Iron Heart."

Last December, she won best supporting actress at the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival Awards Night for her performance in "Family of Two." (MNS)