House political parties back priority bills passage

By Maricel V. Cruz

POLITICAL parties in the House of Representatives have committed to support the passage of 13 remaining priority bills of

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. before the sine die adjournment next month.

Leaders of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), PDP-Laban, Nacionalista Party (NP), National Unity

Party (NUP), Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), and Party-list Coalition Foundation, Inc. (PCFI) gave the commitment during an all-party caucus on Monday presided over by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez

The Speaker, who is president of Lakas-CMD, expressed his gratitude to weeks of yellow alerts forecasted to occur for the rest of the year.

Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said the recent prolonged power outages in Panay and Negros, and the power in- terruption experienced were traced to “inadequacies in the transmission system.”

Lotilla said the government extended

PNP monitoring 3k ‘erring’ cops

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) ordered intensified intelligence monitoring on about 3,000 “erring” police officers to clear the force’s name amid the issue of “ninja cops” within its ranks.

PNP Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. on Tuesday said the derogatory records of these scalawags include involvement in extortion and illegal drugs, among others.

The COC is intended to reduce the risk of conflict in the South China Sea in the disputed waterway where China’s expansive maritime and territorial claims clash with those of four ASEAN member states: Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Brunei.

“Kapag may code of conduct lahat susunod. That makes things clearer, walang possibility na magkamali kasi maliwanag na maliwanag dapat ang usapan (If there’s a Code of Conduct, everyone will follow. That makes things clearer, there’s no room for error because everything discussed should be clear),” the President said.

Mr. Marcos also said Taiwan’s conflict with China is “an unavoidable subject” in the ASEAN Summit as leaders treat it as a “grave concern” to the region.

He said the matter has been a point of discussion for a long time, noting the need to calibrate measures to address this.

“The discussions on that we had goes to a year ago, in that time many changes occurred, that it why we have to really calibrate whatever it is that we are planning,” Mr. Marcos said.

“So, yes, there’s no way around it.

was the place of detention. But we’re amenable to special arrangements to DG Bantag and Mr. Zulueta if that is a problem to them,” he said, adding that their main concern is for the two not to be detained at a BuCor facility.

“I think they are trying to avoid being put into BuCor for obvious reasons,” Remulla said without elaborating.

Bantag and Zulueta earlier said drug syndicates affected by their intensified drive against illegal activities when they were still with BuCor, especially in the New Bilibid Prison, have worked for their ouster.

After he was suspended, several inmates and BuCor personnel filed torture complaints against Bantag before the DOJ.

Remulla said Bantag and Zulueta would not be detained in a BuCor facility since inmates who have yet to be convicted with finality are kept in prison facilities operated by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

Bantag and Zulueta are the subject of warrants of arrest issued by the Las Pinas and Muntinlupa regional trial courts in connection with the murder of radio broadcaster Percival Mabasa, better known as Percy Lapid, and inmate Cristito Palana Villamor, who had allegedly recruited the gunmen for the hit.

“There were two feelers sent. One through a Cabinet official and another through one of my friends but it looks like they’re not really serious about surrendering,” Remulla said.

In April, Remulla said Bantag had sent a surrender feeler also through a Cabinet member, but he declined to identify the official.

Bantag and Zulueta were also subject of a hold departure order issued by the court to prevent them from leaving the country.

The Justice secretary said the second surrender feeler from Bantag was made to Remulla’s friend from law enforcement, while he was in the United States to accompany the President on his official visit.

That will inevitably be a part of the conversation that we’ll be having tomorrow and the day after,” he added.

The President also disclosed he is considering the proposal of the Chinese side to map out fishing grounds of both countries in the South China Sea.

“I talked to the Coast Guard, I talked to the DFA and I said here’s the proposal of the Chinese. Let’s see if we can accommodate that into our agreement so we’re headed there,” he said.

On Tuesday, Mr. Marcos emphasized the importance of promoting and protecting the Philippines’ interests in the biannual meeting of the regional bloc.

In his pre-departure speech delivered at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, Mr. Marcos said he would discuss with his fellow ASEAN leaders their efforts to sustain economic prosperity, attain food and energy security, boost trade and investments, address transnational crimes, and protect distressed migrant workers.

“I will join other Leaders of ASEAN to advance our community-building efforts in the region and ensure the wellbeing and security of our people, in line with Indonesia’s chairmanship theme of ‘ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth’,” the President said.

“My participation will serve to pro - mote and protect the interests of our country, including our continued efforts towards economic growth, attaining food and energy security, promoting trade and investment, combatting transnational crimes such as the trafficking in persons, and protecting migrant workers in crisis situations, amongst others,” he added.

Mr. Marcos said he and his fellow Southeast Asian leaders would also exchange views on “pressing issues of common concerns” such as developments in the West Philippine Sea, the situation in Myanmar and major power rivalries.

He expressed confidence in having “productive engagements” with the other ASEAN leaders, noting that the 10 member-states of the regional bloc have a “very clear area of commonality,” especially when it comes to their aspiration for sustained economic growth.

“And as the theme of this ASEAN Summit is clearly manifesting, it is once again towards economic growth,” he said, stressing that the Southeast Asian region has been viewed by non-ASEAN members like China, the United States and the European Union as “growth center for the global economy.”

“And that is why it is very important that we go and continue to discuss amongst other ASEAN leaders of all the Anti-Terrorism Council to create a technical working group to work on the designation. the member-states on how we can maximize and find that extra energy, that synergy from our working together,”

Mr. Marcos added.

The President will also attend the 15th Brunei Darussalam-IndonesiaMalaysia-Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit.

He would also participate in a series of interfaces of the Southeast Asian leaders with the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) and representatives from the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), ASEAN Youth, and the High-Level Task Force on the ASEAN Community Post-2025 Vision.

“In these meetings, we will have the opportunity to highlight the importance of strengthening cooperation in the BIMP-EAGA subregion to sustain its thriving economy, the strong partnership between the executive and legislative bodies of ASEAN, the pivotal role of private sector and the youth in advancing growth and shaping the future as well as the future direction of the ASEAN Vision,” Mr. Marcos said.

The Philippine government underscored the need to reinforce ASEAN centrality amid what it calls “unprecedented” and more complex challenges that the region faces today. With AFP his colleagues for supporting his goal to have the chamber approve most, if not all, of the 13 remaining priority bills on the third and final reading before next month’s adjournment.

“We give it to our sailors because they continue to perform their mandate patrolling in the area even though the... other side is there,” he added.

On April 29, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported more than 100 Chinese militia vessels were roaming the waters off Julian Felipe Reef.

On April 23, a Chinese coast guard ship sailed into the path of the BRP Malapascua near Ayungin Shoal, causing a near collision. Journalists on board the Filipino vessel and another one witnessed the incident.

The Philippine Navy and the PCG are among the members of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS), created to safeguard and monitor the country’s territorial waters.

Many security experts have urged the government to prioritize the modernization of the PCG to stand up to China’s provocative tactics in the West Philippine Sea.

The PCG currently has three vessels that can conduct patrols in the area.

“We will try to achieve that objective on a best-effort basis. The bills on deck will complement those that we have already passed and which support the Agenda for Prosperity and eight-point socioeconomic roadmap of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,” Romualdez said.

Deputy Speaker and Pampanga

Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. and Reps. Johnny Pimentel of Surigao del Sur and Rida Robes of San Jose City represented PDP-Laban in the party leaders’ caucus.

NP was represented by Reps. Eleandro Jesus Madrona of Romblon, Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte, and Janette Garin of Iloilo.

NPC was represented by Quezon

Rep. Mark Enverga and Ilocos Sur file an appeal regarding the decision,” the DFA added.

Rep. Kristine Meehan Singson, and NUP by Antipolo City Rep. Robbie Puno and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Teves entered Timor Leste a week ago.

“We have written a letter telling Timor-Leste that he is a person of interest in murder cases and he is being considered for designation as a terrorist by the country,” Remulla said.

Teves, wanted for three murders in 2019, is also being tagged by the government as the mastermind behind the March 4 killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and nine others.

Remulla said the information about Teves was provided by the Philippine ambassador to Timor Leste.

Teves was seen in Timor Leste’s capital city of Dili “where he applied for a protection visa with the intent of asylum.”

In his letter, Remulla told Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo that the DOJ has taken steps to designate Teves as a terrorist under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 and he has already asked

“In line with the above-mentioned, it is respectfully requested that these latest updates be relayed to our good Ambassador to Timor Leste,” Remulla said.

Earlier, Remulla said Teves was moving back and forth between South Korea and Cambodia.

The DOJ secretary expressed confidence that Timor Leste’s authorities would deny Teves’ request, saying the latter is being sought not for political crimes.

”There is a special provision in law if that if you want to seek asylum it is usually just for political purposes but we don’t see any reason for him to seek asylum in Timor Leste,’ Remulla said, adding that they have coordinated with their counterparts in other countries to ensure that Manila is fully informed if the suspended lawmaker enters their jurisdiction.

He said Teves’ move to seek asylum in Timor Leste only showed that he is afraid to return to the country and face investigation.

Aside from being implicated in the Degamo killing, Teves is also facing multiple murder charges before the DOJ over the 2019 killing ofvformer Negros Oriental Board Member Miguel Dungog and two others, asvwell as complaints of illegal possession of firearms. counterpart, President Joko Widodo.

Teves, who refused to return to the country over fears for his safety, has denied any link or involvement in the killing.

His lawyer Ferdinand Topacio declined to comment on the reported bid for asylum.

Earlier, Topacio said they are taking the threats against Teves seriously since these were provided by people who previously told them that his residence will be raided and evidence would be planted.

He said these threats took place long before Degamo was killed in his residence, adding that Teves sounded the alarm as early as December 2022 and January this year.

In a related development, Remulla said the delay in the filing of multiple murder cases against Teves in connection with Degamo’s killing does not mean the DOJ’s case is weak or lacking in evidence against the embattled legislator.

Remulla earlier said the National Bureau of Investigation was expected to file the cases before the DOJ last week.

Meanwhile, maritime law expert Dr. Jay Batongbacal said the current administration is doing a good job in handling the tension in the West Philippine Sea. “But we also now need to consider longer term and follow actions through,” he added.

Batongbacal also said that in order to rightfully claim the disputed territory, the country needs to make China accept and recognize international law.

In July 2016, the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague invalidated the nine-dash claims of China covering the entire South China Sea and recognized the Philippines’ sovereign rights in the area within its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

Beijing has been ignoring the international ruling and has deployed hundreds of militia vessels to bully and intimidate local fishermen and other boats.

Meanwhile, the Navy said its missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF151) joined the at-sea-phase of the first ASEAN-India exercises in the South China Sea from May 7 to 8.

“We continue to ask for a commutation or even a pardon, or even an extradition back to the Philippines (for Veloso),” Mr. Marcos said.

The President said he is still hoping that Indonesia will grant his request to release Veloso.

“They’ve already given us many postponements, but that doesn’t mean it’s done, I always at least bring it up. Maybe it will make a difference on their stance,” Mr. Marcos said and Sta. Mesa in Manila, Caloocan, Malabon, Batangas, Antipolo in Rizal, San Pedro and Biñan in Laguna, and San Rafael and Pulilan in Bulacan.

“We understand that the law of Indonesia (prevails) but nonetheless, maybe we can find a way to bring her home, and we will be the one who will sentence her in whatever or any way to ask (Jakarta) for clemency, ask for grace,” he added.

“We have potential yellow alerts for the entire month of May,” Guevara said, noting that this was the worst case scenario.

Veloso was arrested in Indonesia in April 2010 for smuggling 2.6 kilograms (5.7 pounds) of heroin in a suitcase. Her case, among others, sparked international attention toward Indonesia’s capital punishment and drug prohibition laws.

Throughout her trial, Veloso maintained her innocence, claiming she was duped into carrying the suitcase by her godsister, Maria Kristina Sergio, who convinced her to go to Indonesia after losing a job in Malaysia.

“The participation of BRP Antonio Luna in AIME 2023 underscores the PN’s commitment to building bridges of friendship, as well as promoting regional cooperation for peace and security in the ASEAN region,” Ensign Menoel R. Orpilla, the PN public affairs office chief aboard the ship, said in a statement Tuesday.

He added that the at-sea-phase “comprises numerous events involving ships, conducted with ASEAN member-states’ navies and Indian Navy counterparts.” transmission system? And what can we do in order to address these problems,” Lotilla said. assistance to National Grid Corp. of the Philippines to speed up the completion of its transmission projects.

Orpilla said BRP Antonio Luna left Changi Naval Base in Singapore May 5 for the exercise.

The BRP Antonio Luna arrived in Singapore on May 1.

“Notwithstanding these efforts, these projects still have not been completed... We call on everyone’s cooperation in the completion of these projects and the identification of other critical transmission projects that need upgrading or rehabilitation,” Lotilla said.

“There is still a possibility [of red alert] like yesterday [Monday]. Remember, this is the first red alert for the year,” Department of Energy Undersecretary Rowena Guevara said during a briefing on Tuesday.

Apart from May, some weeks in June, August, September and October will also have yellow alerts, DOE data showed.

Guevara said the 1,200 megawatt Ilijan power plant in Batangas will help ease power supply once it comes online on May 26.

“If that power plant comes in, the yellow alerts will be reduced,” she said.

At 3:40 p.m. Tuesday, an automatic load dropping occurred in the Manila Electric Co. franchise area due to the tripping of the Duhat-Hermosa 230kV line. Service was restored by 3:57 p.m.

This affected more than 200,000 Meralco customers in portions of Paco

Lotilla said the support of the local governments and landowners in facilitating the construction of towers and distribution lines is equally essential.

“We will work with Congress to insure that performance standards are adhered to in order to provide an adequate power supply for our people,” the Energy chief said.

He said the Energy Regulatory Commission has finished its audit on NGCP’s performance.

“It is not a case of blame throwing. What we want to do is establish in an objective manner what are the weak links, what are the problems in the

The NGCP said its initial investigation of the Luzon red alerts on Monday showed that the Bolo-Masinloc 230kV Line 2 tripped.

NGCP said the line is N-1, or operates with a redundancy. The load carried by Line 2 was automatically transferred to Line 1 when the former tripped.

It said each of Lines 1 or 2 is more than capable to singularly carry the entire loading of the Bolo-Masinloc 230kV facility at any time.

Thereafter, two of three Masinloc Units (315MW x 2 units = 630MW) tripped. Together with other units already on forced outage, the total power lost to the grid was 1,354MW.

“We have been monitoring these personalities, those scalawags, and my instruction after hearing those adjudications is that intel operatives will actually work to make sure that they don’t do anything stupid anymore,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a ceremony inducting eight senior officials as major generals and brigadier generals.

“I am encouraging also the commanders at all levels to make sure the counter-intelligence function of their office is functioning at their level,” he added at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Tuesday.

This came after two generals and two colonels are facing administrative and criminal charges for their alleged links to the illegal drug trade, while 32 senior officers face further investigation and 917 others were cleared by an advisory group that screened the top ranks of the police force.

Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. revealed this Monday as the fate of the policemen involved in the missing drugs from the record P6.7-billion shabu haul seized last year will be revealed within the week, the PNP said.

The issue of “ninja cops” or those involved in the alleged recycling of illegal drugs seized from operations back to the street continues to hound the PNP.

To address this, Acorda said the PNP will implement radical moves to ensure “honest law enforcement operations,” including the possibility of dissolving the Special Operations Unit of the PNP

Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG).

Acorda maintained that erring cops have no place in the organization, especially under his watch, as he vowed to implement an intensified internal cleansing.

He said the PNP Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) and the PNP Internal Affairs Service (IAS) would be given “more teeth” to weed the erring personnel out of the service.

IMEG is the primary PNP unit going after erring policemen while IAS is in charge of investigating the administrative charges against police officers.

Meanwhile, Acorda urged the public to report rogue police officers in their community just as he vowed that he would be “quick and decisive” in their cleansing efforts.

“We are really going to punish erring personnel but in a way that we are not going to disrespect their uniform… But definitely, we will be harsh to them especially if they are not going to change,” he said.

During the ceremony, Acorda also told the eight promoted senior officials to focus on their institutional priorities when making a decision.

“You should always think of the institutional priorities hence when you make a decision, you should always consider the institution that we serve for, so with your new rank now, don’t test your powers,” he said in his speech.

“You have that power already. Do not use (it) as a means to advance personal interest but rather use your rank in upholding institutional development and with that I hope with your new rank, use it for our unity,” he added. With Charles Dantes