Embassy

PNP gets Ford truck from US Embassy

NEW MOBILE ASSET. The new Ford F-550 truck of the Philippine National Police (PNP) is parked at the PNP Transformation Oval in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Wednesday (March 10, 2021). The truck donated by the US Embassy in Manila will boost the PNP-Highway Patrol Group's (HPG) capability to respond to emergencies. (Photo courtesy of PNP)

MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group's (PNP-HPG) capability to respond to emergencies got a boost with the US Embassy donation of one Ford F-550 truck on Wednesday.

“The PNP extends its heartfelt appreciation to the US Embassy for the donation of a Ford truck that will help our HPG augment their police visibility in public roads and highways especially in this time of the Covid-19 pandemic,” said PNP chief Gen. Debold Sina, in a statement Thursday.

Sinas and US Embassy Attach Jason B. Hapkins signed the deed of donation in a ceremony which was followed by the blessing of the donated vehicle at the PNP Transformation Oval in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Also present in the ceremony, as witnesses, were Ermilio R. Samson, Jr., Motorpool Supervisor of the US Embassy, the PNP Command Group, and Directors of PNP Logistics and Highway Patrol Group.

The donated truck has been officially recorded in the PNP Property Book as a PNP-owned mobile asset. (MNS)

House bill seeks 7-day emergency leave for calamity-hit workers

MANILA (Mabuhay) — A House measure seeking to grant seven-day special emergency leave for workers in private and public sectors who were directly affected by natural calamities has been filed.

In filing House Bill 8847 or the "Lingkod Calamity Leave Act," Bulacan Representative Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado said the proposed measure is an effort to provide assistance to workers, especially considering the distress calamities might bring to victims.

Sy-Alvarado said under the bill, qualified employees shall be entitled to a seven-day special emergency leave each year. "Every employee who has rendered at least six months of services shall be entitled to seven-day special emergency leave each year, with pay, in times of natural calamities or disasters, based on any of the grounds specified in Section 6 of this Act," the bill read.

Under the measure, any qualified could avail of the special emergency leave on any of the following grounds:

Being stranded in affected areas where there are no means of transportation that can ensure a safe travel to and from work;

Disease or illness of employee incurred by reason of the natural calamity or disaster;

Caring of immediate family member affected by natural calamity disaster; and

Urgent repair and clean-up of damaged houses.

The seven-day leave with pay shall be made available upon declaration of a state of calamity.

If a state of calamity was not declared but the area was severely affected by natural calamities, the head of the employees may grant the special emergency leave to affected employees based on proof or evidence presented or news account. "The special emergency leave can be applied for five straight working days or on staggered basis and will not be deducted from employee's leave credits," the measure stated.

This leave may be availed of by employees within ten days from the date when the natural disaster occurred, the bill added.

Further, the benefits under the proposed measure shall not in any way mean any reduction, diminution, discontinuation, or elimination of other existing benefits. (MNS)

Biazon calls on House panel to convene, discuss possible option for Philippines regarding VFA

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Muntinlupa City Representative Ruffy Biazon has called on House members in the congressional committee on the Philippines-United States Visiting Forces Agreement to thoroughly discuss the possible option for the country regarding the pact.

Through House Resolution 1606, Biazon said in light of the renewed vigor in relations between the Philippines and the US governments, "now may be the opportune time for policymakers to discuss possible options for the country regarding VFA."

Biazon said the volatile situation in the West Philippine Sea — as well as the need for the Philippine military to modernize and improve its systems to conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations — "compel [the Philippines] to seek and maintain alliances with other countries."

President Rodrigo Duterte has said he wants to listen first to public opinion before deciding if he will abrogate or renew the VFA, which allows American troops to hold military exercises with their Filipino counterparts in Filipino counterparts in the country. Duterte had ordered the abrogation of the VFA after the US government revoked the visa of his close ally, Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa. According to Biazon, lawmakers, being representatives of Filipino citizens, are in position to help Duterte about the matter. REP. RUFFY BIAZON (MNS)

Go-Duterte tandem dominates Pulse Asia poll

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Filipino voters prefer Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and President Rodrigo Duterte to be the respective president and vice president of the country in 2022, according to the pre-election survey conducted by private polling firm Pulse Asia.

Pulse Asia, in its February 10 to 19 poll, disclosed that the possible Go-Duterte tandem is the team to beat in the 2022 national and local elections.

The Go-Duterte tandem earned the highest voter preference, getting the nod of 32 percent of the respondents nationwide.

The pair received the highest score in Mindanao (62 percent), followed by the Visayas (39 percent), Metro Manila (21 percent), and Balance Luzon (18 percent).

The possible pairing of Senator Grace Poe and Senate President Vicente Sotto III is second on the list of voters’ preferred presidential and vice presidential candidates, obtaining 32 percent.

Next to the Poe-Sotto pair are the possible tandems of former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao (17 percent), as well as of Senator Panfilo Lacson and Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso (11 percent).

SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE “BONG” GO AND PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE

The possible tandem of Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo and Senator Francis Pangilinan got the lowest voter preference at 8 percent.

‘Ripe’ for prexy race

In his commentary show “Counterpoint” aired Wednesday, Presidential Chief Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said he believed that Go is already “ripe” for the 2022 presidential derby.

Panelo said Go, being Duterte’s long-time aide before getting elected as a senator, has been able to acquire all the qualities needed to be the country’s leader.

“Hinog na rin si Senator Christopher Bong Go na maging presidente sapagkat yung mga kakayahan at qualities ni Presidente ay nailipat na sa kaniya (He is already ripe to become president because the President has been able to pass on to Go all the qualities he has),” he said.

On February 26, Panelo first floated the possible Go-Duterte tandem, saying Go is also qualified to be Duterte’s successor in 2022 and can continue the President’s legacy.

He said Go’s competence should not be underestimated, noting that the senator has had an “on-the-spot” training with Duterte.

“Huwag ninyong mamaniin ang pagtakbo ni Senator Christopher ‘Bong’ Go bilang presidente. Baka kayo ay magkamali diyan (Do not belittle Senator Christopher ‘Bong’ Go when he runs for president. It would be a mistake do that),” he said.

Duterte, in a speech delivered in Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental on March 5, praised Go and even called the senator “president.”

In a March 5 statement issued in response to Duterte’s statement, Go said he has no plan to run for president in 2022. (MNS)