16 senators okay regional trade pact

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SIXTEEN senators signed the committee report backing the ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement which was sponsored on the Senate floor Wednesday night by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda. then sold all over the world. As a result, vastly fewer products are solely made in any one country," Zubiri said.

The RCEP, which was among the priority bills tackled during the recent LEDAC Meeting, is subject to approval and concurrence in the Senate.

“Is good to go back to RCEP now, especially since we can now observe how well our fellow RCEP signatories have been faring since they all greenlit the implementation of the agreement,” Zubiri said. Covering all the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), plus Japan, South Korea, China, Australia, and New Zealand, the RCEP Agreement is the largest regional Free Trade Agreement in the world.

To date, the Philippines remains the sole RCEP signatory that has yet to concur on the ratification of the agreement.

“It’s want that we should left be behind. I don’t like that they will see us as a revolutionist and an isolationist,” Zubiri said, adding “but it would be wrong to simply argue that we must join it because others did. Rather, we should join out of the belief that it will create a snowball effect on jobs for our people, and market for our produce.”

The RCEP Agreement, Zubiri said covers almost all aspects of the economy.

“We have to appreciate it in its broader context. In a globalized economy, products are put together in one country from components sourced in other countries and

“This is what RCEP is all about.

It provides a stable platform so that countries in the region can optimize their participation in the global economy.”

To illustrate the benefits of RCEP, Zubiri pointed out the growth of ASEAN countries like Vietnam, which exported $108.48 billion to RCEP countries in 2022, up 16.4 percent from the previous year.

“In just one month, Vietnam earned nearly $50 million from exporting durian to China. This is one product where the Philippines should have a competitive advantage, which is not being utilized as we continue to withhold participation in the RCEP bloc,” he said.

He also brought up Thailand, whose exports to RCEP countries totaled $140 billion in 2022 (7 percent growth); Cambodia (4 percent growth), whose rapidly growing garment industry earned $10.25 billion from exports in just the first three quarters of 2022; and Malaysia, who is forecasting a 9.3 percent growth in exports this year.

“Definitely, this development is a clear indication of RCEP’s positive effects, and we cannot afford to be a fence-sitter while witnessing other ASEAN member states reaping the benefits of the Agreement,” Zubiri stressed.

Senate to probe human trafficking in NAIA

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE Senate Blue Ribbon committee will investigate the alleged human trafficking using private flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) said to be in cahoots with some personnel of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and Airport Police Department.

The human trafficking activity was disclosed by Sen. Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate committee on public services, in a privilege speech delivered before the Senate floor Wednesday night. She related that last February 13, the PNP Aviation Security Group got information about human trafficking activity involving an aircraft with tail no. N9527E, which was set to leave the airport at 10:00 that night bound for Dubai.

After verification and confirmation of the information, it was learned that six passengers were declared although 14 people boarded the aircraft. The senator said the airplane was operated by Cloud Nine No. 1 Leasing Company Limited, a Hong Kong-registered leasing company. Their assigned aircraft ground handler is Globan Aviation Service Corporation (GLOBAN), a local company.

According to Poe, the PNP Aviation Security Group then told aircraft inspectors of the possible operation and directed them not to sign tagged in ‘sabungero’ case plead not guilty: PNP

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) disclosed that police officers who were tagged as suspects in one of the cases of missing ‘sabungeros’ (cockfight enthusiasts) have pleaded not guilty to charges filed against them. At a televised public briefing, PNP public information office chief Police Colonel Redrico Maranan said that the suspects, who surrendered to authorities, have already undergone arraignment, GMA News reported.

“In one of the cases, where the suspects were police officers who surrendered to the authorities, have undergone arraignment and entered not guilty plea,” Maranan, quoted by GMA News, said.

COURTESY CALL. Former Prime Minister of Japan Yukio Hatoyama, with his wife Madame Miyuki Hatoyama, shakes hands with Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez during a courtesy call Wednesday afternoon at the plenary hall of the House of Representatives. Ver

In January, Police Patrolman Rigel Brosas and Police Staff Sergeant Daryl Paghangaan surrendered to the PNPIntegrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group Team 4-A. Former Police Corporal Roy Navarete also voluntarily surrendered at the Calauan Municipal Police Station in Laguna.

The three suspects are facing kidnapping, serious illegal detention, and robbery with violence charges in connection with the alleged kidnapping of e-sabong master agent Ricardo Lasco.

Lasco was illegally arrested at his house in Laguna by the police officers who allegedly pretended to be members of the National Bureau of Investigation in August 2021. He has not been seen since.

The PNP is working on at least eight cases on the disappearance of 34 sabungeros.

On Monday, the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said it already has an idea about the mastermind behind the missing sabungeros.

“We have an idea but since CIDG is the primary investigating agency of the PNP, we don’t want to file a case that will just be dismissed,” PNP-CIDG chief Brig. General Romeo Caramat Caramat, quoted by GMA News, said, adding that the CIDG “cannot yet divulge the alleged mastermind’s identity.”

PBBM appoints new Coast Guard officials to new rank, assignments

By Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed new Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) officials to the rank of Flag-rank Wednesday morning, according to a Palace statement.

The Presidential Communications Office bared the said appointments of various PCG Flag-rank officers including:

For the rank of Coast Guard Vice Admiral (CG-VADM): Joseph M. Coyme, Ronnie Gil L. Gavan, and Robert N. Patrimonio.

Gavan was the Deputy Commandant for Administration of the Philippine Coast Guard (O/DCAPCG) and Coyme was the commander of the Maritime Safety Services Command of the Philippine Coast Guard.

Patrimonio was the Commander of the PCG’s Marine Environmental Protection Command.

Furthermore, the Coast Guard RearAdmiral (CG-RADM) rank appointees were; Gregorio I. Adel Jr., Armand A. Balilio, Hostillo Arturo E. Cornelio, Eustacio Nimrod P. Enriquez Jr., Edgardo T. Hernando, Rudyard M. Somera, and Nelson B. Torre. Cornelio was the Commander of the Coast Guard District

Tulfo files measure seeking review of minimum wage

SEN. RAFFY Tulfo filed a Senate Resolution (SR) No. 476 to review existing policies on minimum wage increases.

THE House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on third and final reading a bill mandating the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) to select at least one student applicant from each of the congressional districts in the Philippines to comprise the freshman cadet class of every school year to ensure the representation of all districts in graduating classes and widen the access to education of students from far regions.

With 247 affirmative votes and one abstention, the chamber approved on third reading House Bill (HB) 6994 on Wednesday.

“This proposed legislation will not only provide equity, but will also accord the opportunity to study in PMMA to deserving students, especially the youth coming from provinces and far-flung areas,” Speaker Martin G. Romualdez said.

“This bill does not aim to give special treatment because the applicants must still pass the examination and submit the requirements. But this will definitely ensure that at the very least, youth from across the country can start on a level playing field in terms of access to education in the prestigious PMMA,” the Leyte 1st District congressman added. Maricel V. Cruz

Tulfo stressed that while there was a minimum wage increase last year, it will not be able to sustain the living conditions of workers.

He noted that many workers are facing financial difficulties brought about by rising inflation. He also maintained that the minimum wage serves as a critical tool for ensuring that workers receive a basic standard of living and for promoting economic growth.

“It is the responsibility of the state to ensure that the minimum wage is set at a level that provides workers with a decent standard of living, taking into account factors such as inflation rates,” the resolution read.

He said it is imperative to improve the standard of living and quality of life for workers, particularly those in the lower income bracket, and to ensure that the policies on the minimum wage increase are fair, effective, and consistent with the needs of the workers and the economy.

It can be noted that the latest minimum wage increase took effect last June 4, 2022, with the rates ranging from P533 to P570 per day in NCR.

The increase in minimum wage outside Metro Manila, meanwhile, took effect between June 6 to June 30, 2022, with the rates ranging from P306 to P470. Macon Ramos-Araneta

National Capital Region - Central Luzon. Enriquez Jr. was the commander of the Philippine Coast Guard Education Training and Doctrine Command and Hernando was the Commander of theCoast Guard Special Operations Force. Adel Jr was the Commander of PCG’s Inspector General and Internal Affairs Service and Somera was the director of PCG’s Strategic Studies and International Affairs Center. Torre was the Former commander of the PCG’s K-9 Force Command and former Deputy Commander of the PCG’s Maritime Security and Law Enforcement

Bill of firemen certification as medical responders OK’d

WITH an overwhelming 236 votes, the House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on third and final reading a bill requiring Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel to be certified medical first responders and emergency medical technicians.

House Speaker Martin G. Romualdez said the requirement under House Bill (HB) 6512 “will save lives.”

“In emergency situations like a fire, an earthquake or a road accident, BFP personnel are often, if not always, the first responders. They have to have adequate basic medical training to assist and save victims,” Speaker Romualdez said.

“This is the reason why fire departments in many countries, including our own BFP, are mandated to have emergency medical service (EMS) units,” he said.

Romualdez added that the type and quality of training EMS personnel receive “can spell life or death for persons needing immediate medical assistance.”

He cited the recent case of a popular American football player who collapsed after tackling an opponent during a nationally televised game. The player suffered cardiac arrest and his heart stopped beating. First responders administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on him for 10 minutes before he was taken to a hospital. Many American doctors said the CPR given by responding personnel saved the player’s life. Maricel V. Cruz any document not until the inspection of the aircraft and the passengers. Around 9:15 pm, three foreign national crew boarded the plane. Two GLOBAN vans arrived. At 10:11 pm, another GLOBAN van carrying three immigration officers and three other vehicles with six foreign nationals arrived. They were escorted by the Airport Police Department patrol vehicle.

Command.

Balilio was also the PCG spokesperson and PCG’s Internal Auditor. He was also vocal on the recent events involving PCG in conflict with the Chinese Coast Guard on the usage of CCG’s Military-grade Laser on the PCG personnel and vessel patrolling the waters off the Ayungin shoal which was a part of the Philippines’ Kalayaan Group of Islands. The PCG is mandated and responsible to perform maritime search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, maritime safety, marine environmental protection, and maritime security.

In the flight general declaration, there were only three crew members and six passengers In the plane. But based in the information by Poe from the BI, seven passengers were in the plane’s general declaration, including – one Malaysian, Korean, Chinese, Vanuatu, and three from Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Marcos thanks Ukraine leader for 451 Pinoys’ safe passage

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has thanked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for ensuring the safe passage of Filipino repatriates at the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday. In an official statement on the two leaders’ Feb. 13 phone conversation, the DFA said Marcos reiterated that the Philippines would continue to support the “peaceful resolution of the crisis in Ukraine.”

“President Marcos underscored the Philippines’ support for previous UN resolutions reaffirming the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of Ukraine and other UN member states,” the DFA said.

“The President also conveyed his gratitude to President Zelenskyy for ensuring the safe passage of Filipino nationals who were repatriated from Ukraine during the conflict,” it added.

Quoting Zelenskyy as saying, the DFA said the Ukrainian leader thanked Marcos for the support and Manila’s “clear” position on the conflict.

“The Ukrainian President requested for continued Philippine support in the United Nations and other related fora. He expressed hope for the future of Philippines-Ukraine relations, as Ukraine considers the Philippines a strategic partner in the region,” it said.

The phone call was the first of its kind between the two leaders since Marcos assumed the presidency in June last year.

Based on the latest DFA data, a total of 451 distressed Filipinos were assisted since the war started, 397 of whom have been repatriated to the Philippines while 54 others were evacuated to other countries.