VP named NTF-ELCAC co-vice chair

By Charles Dantes

VICE President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte has been named as the co-vice chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) during its latest executive committee meeting on Wednesday.

In a press conference, National Security Adviser and NTF-ELCAC vice chairperon Eduardo Año said the addition of Duterte would reinvigorate the task force.

“Her unstinting commitment to the cause of NTF-ELCAC will undoubtedly be very valuable to the task force and we thank her for accepting the challenge,” he said.

According to the task force, 75 percent of New People’s Army guerilla fronts have been dismantled and only 22 out of 89 original fronts are still existing.

Meanwhile, of the 22 left, 20 are weakened, and the remaining two active groups are the subject of focused military operations and development efforts by NTF-ELCAC agencies.

“We redeployed forces from cleared areas in Western Mindanao and added battalions of infantry units to Samar ing in Lao PDR and we are very proud of the contributions that they have made, especially in the educational sector,” Mr. Marcos said with the Lao PDR official. to help out our campaign there, as of the timeline, within the year we will be able to address these active fronts,” said Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Andres Centino. be ready for this future. Empowering the ASEAN youth [will ensure]... that ASEAN will remain the epicentrum of growth and undoubtedly contribute to the realization of our shared vision of prosperity and peace for all.” retary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the mobile wallet service may not be legally liable if it was able to immediately rectify the “glitch” in its system, which saw some users losing a reported P37 million in funds.

“We are inviting them (CPP-NPANDF) to join us in the localized peace engagements. We’ve seen that our interventions should be community-driven and that is our objective,” said acting Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity head Sec. Isidro Purisima.

At the same time, Mr. Marcos expressed his concerns over the aging population in the Southeast Asian region.

“Decades of sustained economic growth and prosperity have resulted in longer lifespans in ASEAN. According to the Asian Development Bank, one out of four people in the Asia Pacific will be over the age of 60 by the year 2050,” Marcos said.

Remulla assured the public that the DOJ Office of Cybercrime will take action if hacking into GCash user accounts was involved.

“I think they’re correcting it already… I don’t think they can be liable because glitches are expected but rectification is more expected also. Of course, we are ready to tackle cases of cybercrime. That’s one of our mandates,” he said.

As for GCash users who have yet to regain their funds, the Justice chief said that these could be the subject of prospective complaints.

The Privacy Commission, meanwhile, also ordered GCash to explain the incident and set a meeting on Friday with officials of the fintech firm.

In a separate interview with ANC, GCash Public Affairs and Communication Head Gilda Maquila said the affected customers “unknowingly accessed a phishing link.”

In a statement Wednesday, BSP said it has ordered G-Xchange, Inc., the operator of GCash, “to swiftly resolve the deduction of balance in GCash accounts experienced by its customers.”

BSP also said it has directed GCash to submit the required regulatory report on the unauthorized transactions which, according to affected clients, involved the transfer of amounts from their GCash accounts to banks.

“In response, GXI has expressed its commitment to make the necessary adjustments in the affected accounts,” the BSP statement said.

The central bank said it is also actively engaging with its affected supervised financial institutions “to mitigate the impact of the GXI incident.”

GCash had already assured its users Tuesday morning their funds were safe after some customers experienced unauthorized deductions to their accounts.

GCash said services were restored after users may have had experienced difficulty accessing their accounts.

“We extended our scheduled maintenance to investigate and determined that no hacking occurred,” it said, adding any deduction from a GCash account will be adjusted before 3 p.m. on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the bloc’s nations said Wednesday they are “deeply concerned” about the violence ravaging Myanmar, and condemned a recent attack on a convoy of diplomats delivering humanitarian aid in the country.

Turmoil in junta-ruled Myanmar has dominated talks at this week’s summit in Indonesia, as the regional bloc faces criticism for its perceived inaction.

Mr. Marcos also introduced several recommendations to help the ASEAN achieve its shared regional aspirations and recognize the importance of inter-parliamentary cooperation in synergizing regional efforts towards tackling shared challenges.

“Inter-parliamentary cooperation will synergize regional efforts towards tackling shared challenges such as climate change, transnational threats, and upholding a rules-based international order anchored in international law,” the President said during his intervention with representatives from the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).

“We thank the AIPA for continuing to support our vision for a rules-based, people-oriented, and people-centered ASEAN,” he said.

During a bilateral meeting, the President and newly-appointed Laos People’s Democratic Republic Prime Minister Sonexay Siphadone both agreed to work also with ASEAN leaders toward the collective benefit of the regional bloc.

“We have 2,000 more or less Filipino nationals who are living in Lao and work-

During his intervention at the ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with the HighLevel Task Force on the ASEAN Community’s post-2025 vision (HLTFACV), President Marcos pointed out the regional bloc must continue improving its efforts to advance its welfare.

“The ASEAN of today must be better than the ASEAN of yesterday. For ASEAN to succeed, ASEAN must be the master of its future,” the Philippine leader told the regional forum held at the Meruorah Convention Center in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia.

“The work of the High-Level Task Force requires sober deliberation of the potentials and the possibilities of the evolving regional and global architecture. It is imperative that we be decisive, it is imperative that we be responsive,” Mr. Marcos stressed.

The President added ASEAN must show the world that “we are able to respond effectively to geopolitical and geo economic challenges as a cohesive (force).”

This can be done as “an ASEAN Community by strengthening our Centrality, and actively reinforcing a global order anchored in international law,” Mr. Marcos said, echoing a statement by Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo on Tuesday during the ASEAN ministers’ meeting.

“Today, ASEAN faces a complex geopolitical environment which includes rivalries amongst great powers, climate change, and technological disruptions, movements by all jurisdictions. They will inform us of his movements. That’s why Timor Leste immediately informed us of his arrival,” Remulla said.

Topacio said.

Topacio declined to comment on his client’s failure to obtain asylum from Timor Leste, saying he did not have enough information.

Teves, who is facing charges for three murders in 2019, is also a key suspect in the March 4 assassination of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo.

Remulla asserted that Teves should be considered as a fugitive because he is wanted for legal processes that may be served on him in the country such as subpoenas.

Teves has refused to return to the Philippines, saying he fears for his life and his family’s safety.

Teves’ lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, said the move of the DOJ to have the lawmaker’s passport canceled has no legal basis at this time.

“There are only three instances when a Philippine passport may be canceled, when one is a fugitive from justice; when one has been convicted of a crime, and when the passport was fraudulently acquired or has been tampered with,” amongst others. ASEAN itself is not immune to its own challenges, as we continue to navigate our differences in the region towards a general consensus of action,” the President said.

In separate interview, Remulla clarified that the NBI will request for the cancellation of the lawmaker’s passport only after it filed a case with the prosecutors.

He admitted that the right to travel is a constitutional right which should be respected.

“We will only cancel it when there is a cause to cancel it, which is a court case for murder or terrorism or whatever cases,” Remulla said.

But Remulla said the NBI will also seek the cancellation of Teves’ diplomatic passport if it was used in his travels.

“We will validate that information, if he used the diplomatic passport when he went to another country. Then, we can seek its cancellation because a diplomatic passport is not a right but a privilege given to government officials,” Remulla said.

“Regionalism should mirror our collective interests, for our strength relies on our united voice,” President Marcos remarked on the need to balance agility with stability and inclusivity.

As for the Philippines, the President said the country continues to underscore the need “to strengthen our institutions, enhance existing ASEAN mechanisms such as the East Asia Summit, and streamline processes for ASEAN to better translate our Community-building efforts towards achieving concrete results.”

As for Myanmar, ASEAN has led diplomatic attempts to resolve the festering crisis, but its efforts so far have failed to stem the bloodshed unleashed by a military coup in 2021.

“We were deeply concerned with ongoing violence in Myanmar and urged the immediate cessation of all forms of violence and the use of force to create a conducive environment for the safe and timely delivery of humanitarian assistance and inclusive national dialogues,” ASEAN leaders said in a statement.

The junta has ignored international criticism and refused to engage with its opponents, which include ousted lawmakers, anti-coup “People’s Defence Forces” and armed ethnic minority groups.

An air strike on a village in a rebel stronghold last month that reportedly killed about 170 people sparked global condemnation and worsened the junta’s isolation. With AFP

Teves is still in Timor Leste despite the denial of his application for a protection visa with intent of seeking asylum as reported by the Ministry of Interior of Timor-Leste to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Tuesday.

Teves was given five days to leave Timor Leste, the DFA said.

Remulla said he expects Teves to go back to South Korea following Timor Leste’s denial of his plea for asylum.

The DOJ has also moved to designate Teves as a terrorist due to his alleged involvement in several high-profile killings and other criminal activities.

Remulla said the Anti-Terrorism Council-Technical Working Group (ATC-TWG) has already convened to discuss the possibility of declaring Teves a terrorist aside from being a person of interest in several murder cases.

On the other hand, Remulla cleared former Negros Oriental governor Pryde Henry Teves, the congressman’s brother, of any complicity in the March 4 killing of Degamo and eight others.

“I think therefore it is time that ASEAN should start discussing the concerns of an aging population, consistent with the ASEAN tradition of valuing our elders,” said.

Marcos said these issues must be viewed as an opportunity and as a challenge, “especially in terms of adequate social benefits on the one hand and social empowerment on the other. ASEAN goals and work plans should ensure health for our elders, [and] a safe and dignified, and productive life.” the generation charge,” Zaldarriaga said.

The region also needs to be futureready to make it competitive in the global arena, the President said, highlighting the exponential growth of the digital realm and the world’s increasing dependence on digital tools, along with the rising global demand for creative products and services.

Mr. Marcos also pointed out that ASEAN must take immediate action to prepare its youth to seize opportunities in the digital and creative economies.

At the same time, the youth can play a role in addressing other pressing challenges such as climate change, the environment and biodiversity, peace and security, education and traditional and social media, he said.

Mr. Marcos also highlighted the Filipino youth’s initiative on climate change and disaster resiliency.

At a talk during the ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with representatives of ASEAN youth, the President said Filipino youth are at the forefront of advocacies to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change in the Philippines.

He said one of the initiatives is leading the declaration of the annual ASEAN Youth in Climate Action and Disaster Resilience Day to promote awareness and provoke positive action among the youth to address climate change and galvanize disaster risk reduction efforts.

“Since 2018, the Philippines, with the support of various partners and stakeholders, has ensured the conduct of annual celebrations and involvement of youth leaders from all ASEAN member states in the activities,” Mr. Marcos said.

The President also brought up the need for ASEAN to transition to renewable and alternative energy technologies, noting that the Philippines is doing its part in that regard.

The President also called for unity among ASEAN members as he urged developed countries to fulfill their longstanding commitments to the Paris Agreement.

“We don’t see him at all. He has not turned out... to be a major actor,” Remulla said in an interview with CNN Philippines. dangerous to print or broadcast content critical of the current Marcos administration, even if it was the truth.

Some 27 percent of Filipinos were undecided, while 26 percent disagreed with the statement.

“The resulting net agreement score of +20, classified by SWS as moderate, is 4 points below the moderate +24 in December 2021,” the SWS said.

The highest number of respondents who said it was still dangerous to publish content critical of the administration came from Metro Manila, followed by the Visayas, Luzon, and Mindanao.

However, net agreement scores in Metro Manila and Visayas fell in the recent survey compared to the figures recorded in December 2021, during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

In Metro Manila, the number of people who said it was dangerous to publish anti-administration content fell to +28 from +41 in December 2021, while the number in Visayas also decreased to +23 from +36.

SWS conducted the survey from Dec. 10 to 14, 2022, using in-person interviews for 1,200 adults nationwide: 300 each from Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

He said this month’s generation charge will also include the last installment of deferred costs from last March, equivalent to about P0.20 per kWh.

“In addition, this month’s bills will reflect the P0.0433 per kWh increase in Universal Charge for Missionary Electrification as ordered by the En - ergy Regulatory Commission,” Zaldarriaga said.

“But since he is suspended from the House, he should not be using it--all members of the House have diplomatic passports,” he said.

In April, the overall rate for a typical household went down to P11.3168 per kWh from P11.4348 per kWh in March.

The generation charge went down to P7.3295 in April from P7.3790 per kWh, even with the collection of the first installment of deferred generation costs equivalent to around P0.20 per kWh this April billing period.

Meralco coordinated with its suppliers and the Energy Regulatory Com-

“Although developing countries such as the Philippines only account for less than 1 percent of global emissions, our countries bear the brunt of the devastating impacts of climate change,” Marcos said. With Maricel V. Cruz

“We expect that the Committee Report will come out in about two weeks, and we hope to pass the bill before we adjourn in June,” said Zubiri.

However, employers are concerned the proposed bill, which would increase workers’ wages by another P150 per day, will only serve to widen the salary disparity between formal and informal sector workers.

The Employers Confederation of the Philippines, the biggest group of employers in the country, said only big businesses and a few medium enterprises can manage to comply with the proposed act.

“While we have faith in Senator Zubiri, we are wondering if he has ever consulted with the right government agencies and the employers (for data) to back up his bill. One big issue here is that only 16 percent of 50 million workers may benefit from the proposed wage hike,” said ECOP president Sergio mission to stagger the collection of a total of around P1.1 billion in generation costs to cushion the impact of the rate increase on its customers.

Also on Wednesday, Senator Risa Hontiveros urged the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to proactively address the looming power shortage. She noted that blackouts and lack of power have been a yearly problem.

“And the appeal to the DOE and

Ortiz-Luis.

He noted that ECOP members are mostly small and medium enterprises. Micro enterprises, comprising about 90 percent of Philippine businesses, are not ECOP members.

“SMEs and the big companies have all the assistance they need. But how about the farmers, vendors, fishermen, tricycle drivers and other self-employed workers? How will this bill help the informal workers?” he added.

Ortiz-Luis said micro employers do not have the capability to generate the monthly wage augmentation even if they have less than 10 workers, which is like “squeezing water out of rocks.”

NGCP to act has been done annually. “But it seems that nothing is happening,” Hontiveros said.

She said these agencies should step up and put an end to the energy crisis once and for all.

She added that the DOE and NGCP should provide a transparent power and rates outlook for the coming days and months, following the unexpected power outages across Luzon and the Visayas due to the tripping of NGCP’s Bolo-Masinloc transmission lines.

But the Senate President stressed that the last legislated minimum wage increase was in 1989, at Php89, before the passage of the Republic Act 6727, which created the Regional Wage Boards. The wage boards also took too long to act on inflation and often approved wage hikes of between P5 to P16 only, Zubiri added.