House OKs reso calling for con-con on second reading

By Filane Mikee Cervantes and Zaldy De Layola PhilippineNewsAgency

MANILA – The proposal calling for a constitutional convention (con-con) to amend the 1987 Constitution inched closer to final approval after the House of Representatives passed the resolution on second read- ing Tuesday.

During the plenary session, the chamber approved the Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 6 through voice voting.

Gatchalian, Baste Duterte distribute aid to Davao fire victims

DAVAO CITY – Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao Secretary Leo Tereso Magno visited Monday victims of a recent huge fire in three villages here and distributed relief assistance.

In a short message, Gatchalian said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. instructed him to personally visit the fire victims in the affected villages and coordinate with the local chief executives on how the national government could assist them

“

We will coordinate with the city government to help you start over again. We will make sure that whatever your city government needs, DSWD will always be there as your partner,” he said.

A big fire earlier hit Barangays 21-C, 22-C and 23-C over the weekend affected more than 900 families, based on the initial assessment by the city social welfare office.

Gatchalian also led the turnover of food and hygiene kits to the fire victims along with Mayor Sebastian Duterte.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)Davao, at least 1,200 houses were destroyed by the Feb. 25 fire.

Several hours after the fire was controlled, the Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte provided heavy snacks and dinner for the fire victims.

The lawmaker’s staff also distributed emergency food packs on Sunday and promised to provide hot meals to the fire victims for five days.

"The boulevard area is my second home. I am saddened for what happened and those who were affected by the fire incident," said Philippine drag queen contestant Lady Morgana Perez on her Facebook page.

Meanwhile, Junie Alivio, a college student, wrote on Facebook about how the conflagration that took his family's belongings.

Under the resolution, the Senate and the House of Representatives, with a vote of two-thirds of all its members, shall vote separately to call a constitutional convention for the purpose of proposing economic amendments to, or revision, of the 1987 Constitution.

The resolution also stipulates that the election and appointment of delegates shall be held on Oct. 30, 2023, simultaneous with the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.

The con-con will be composed of appointed and elected delegates from all legislative districts of the country.

Cagayan de Oro City Representative Rufus Rodriguez said the con-con mode would be the "most transparent, exhaustive, democratic and least divisive means of implementing constitutional reforms."

He said the Constitution needs to be reviewed, claiming it is the third most restrictive in the world and the most restrictive in Southeast Asia.

Citing a graph from the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development in 2020, Rodriguez noted that the Philippines is the most restrictive in terms of foreign equity capital which is enshrined in the Constitution.

"Although the restrictions on foreign ownership are designed to prioritize Filipino citizens, it is noted, however, that the country sorely lacks the requisite capital to boost our economy and develop our natural resources. It is high time to liberalize such restrictions in order to encourage the free flow of capital in the country and pave the way to global competitiveness," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said the whole exercise surrounding con-con may cost at least PHP10 billion but the amount is a small price to pay” to open up the economy to more foreign direct investments (FDIs).

Senior Minority Leader and Northern Samar 1st District Rep. Paul Ruiz Daza voted against concon, saying constitutional assembly (con-ass) is more “practical, expedient and transparent.”

Daza said con-con is a “free for all” which opens up the possibility of a com- plete Constitutional overhaul.

He said con-ass has minimal or no cost” to the government, adding that the PHP10 billion to PHP15 billion that would be spent for con-con would be better spent for scholarships and medical assistance.

“It would go a long way to help the average Filipino,” he added.

Daza also said con-ass will foster less controversy.

The process of choosing the representative delegates to this con-con may become another opportunity for divisiveness,” he said. “While I appreciate the good intentions, a potentially divisive and costly exercise at this point may do more harm than good.”

(PNA)

Comelec sets COC filing for 2023 BSKE in July

MANILA – Filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) for the Oct. 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) will begin July 3.

In Resolution No. 10899, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) set the filing period from July 3 to 7.

Campaign activities are prohibited from July 8 to Oct. 18 while the campaign period will be on Oct. 19 to 28.

It will be illegal to remove or deface lawful propaganda materials; use or post illegal campaign materials; use armored land, water or air crafts; deploy police officers as bodyguards; release public funds; and construct village-funded roads and bridges during the campaign period.

During the election period from July 3 to Nov. 14, it is forbidden to bear or carry firearms; use security personnel; buy and sell votes; transfer civil service employees; and suspend local elective offi-

On the eve of election day, campaigning shall be banned as well as selling, buying, serving, and taking intoxicat-

Voting will start 7 a.m. and end 3 p.m. The counting and canvassing of votes as well as the proclamation of winning candidates shall take place immedi-

Candidates have until Nov. 29 to file their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures. (PNA)

“I wasn't able to secure our stuff, especially identification cards, books, and everything that is needed in school, as my priority during the incident is my siblings," he said.

Alivio is asking for anyone's generosity that could help him, his siblings, and fellow students affected by the fire incident, especially since their examination period is fast approaching. ChePalicte/PNA

NTC to look into 'syndicate' behind telco modus in Mindanao

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The National Telecommunications Commission in Northern Mindanao (NTC-10) said Monday it will conduct an investigation on the involvement of individuals or groups claiming to represent telecommunication companies (telcos) in order to infiltrate private premises.

NTC-10 Director Teodoro Buenavista Jr. said these individuals may be linked to a wider network or syndicate operating not only in the region but throughout Mindanao.

"We have a relative who experienced this lately; some individuals claiming to be from a telco but when verified, they were not associated from any firm," he said in an interview here.

Buenavista noted that telecommunications giant PLDT-Smart warned the public recently about the modus operandi.

In a statement, the telco raised concerns about rising incidents of unauthorized modem collection in General Santos City, Cotabato, and Zamboanga areas.

Cathy Yang, First Vice President and Group Head of Corporate Communications at PLDT and Smart, said customers should only transact with authorized PLDT personnel, especially inside their premises, and always check for proper identification in case of doubt.

“PLDT personnel will never collect modems from customers without replacing them first. Our campaign is part of PLDT Group’s strengthening of its asset protection efforts as part of a broader program to elevate the quality of customer experience," she said.

In a similar incident, city resident Karen Laisa shared that some individuals claiming to represent another telco were asking her parents for a copy of the land title and map of their residence for a supposed installation of a satellite tower.

"The process was easy because they said it was in a rush due to a target deadline," she said.

She also said her parents were told to pay PHP7,500 as a "notarial fee" after a contract signing.

Upon verification with NTC-10, the telco in question denied such operations existed and that no such project is taking place as of the moment. NefLuczon/PNA