Filing of exemptions from gun ban starts June 5—Comelec

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) will start accepting next month applications for gun ban exemption in connection with the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) this October.

In a resolution released Saturday, the Comelec said applications for certificate of authority to carry firearms outside of residence must be electronically filed before the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns (CBFSC) from June 5 until Nov. 15.

“Filing of applications shall be made through electronic means taking advantage of the current information

DOE: PH open to exploration of new gas fields

THE Philippines is open to exploration of potential gas fields that remained untapped, the Department of Energy (DOE) said on Saturday.

Energy Undersecretary Alessandro Sales said the agency could entertain investors interested in tapping the country's potential power resources.

"The more important thing here is the Philippines' openness for oil and gas exploration)," Sales said during the Saturday news forum in Quezon City.

"There are still many potential areas in the country, not just Malampaya, that have huge gas deposits," he added.

Sales said the government supports upstream exploration and production of oil and gas, despite the country’s full commitment to decarbonization to cope with growing demands.

On Monday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the extension of Service Contract No. 38 for the Malampaya Deep Water Gas-to-Power Project until Feb. 2039.

The renewal is seen to add at least $600 million worth of investments for drilling two wells and subsea facilities, Sales said.

He explained that a contract renewal has to be signed to produce the remaining gas reserve after 2024.

“It’s about 80 to 140 BCF (billion cubic feet) that would have been stranded if the contract was not renewed. In the renewal agreement, it is also required that the consortium conduct near field appraisal and development. This is to add reserves and increase the production of the Malampaya field,” he said.

technology advancements, adopting the principle of efficient government service delivery, addressing the geo-logistical challenges in some regions, and for mutual safety under the new normal,” the resolution stated.

The filing may be done through the Comelec website at www.comelec. gov.ph.

The President, Vice President, Chief

Justice of the Supreme Court, the Senate President; all incumbent senators and all members of the House of Representatives Speaker; and all justices of the SC, Court of Appeals, Sandiganbayan, and Court of Tax Appeals are exempted from the ban.

Also not covered by the ban are all judges of the regional, municipal, and metropolitan trial courts; the Ombudsman, Deputy Ombudsman, and investigators and prosecutors of the Ombudsman; the prosecutor general, chief state prosecutor, state prosecutors, and prosecutors of the Department of Justice; and officials and agents of the National Bureau of Investigation.

Likewise , Cabinet secretaries, undersecretaries, and assistant secretaries, all election officers, provincial election supervisors, and regional election directors are not covered by the ban.

The ban disallows the carrying and transport of firearms and other deadly weapons during the election period.

The CBFSC is composed of one Comelec commissioner as chairperson, and one senior officer each from the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines and not lower than officer grade 07, brigadier general, and police brigadier general, respectively, as members.

Inbrief

Robin eyes additional Shari’a courts in PH

SENATOR Robinhood Padilla is pushing a measure seeking to establish additional Shari’a Judicial Districts, stations for the district courts, and circuit courts in the country to ensure Muslim Filipinos have access to fair and speedy justice.

Padilla filed Senate Bill 2215 proposing amendments to Presidential Decree 1083, citing the 1987 Constitution’s provision that the State shall recognize, respect and protect the rights of indigenous cultural communities to preserve and develop their cultures, traditions and institutions.

“This is to ensure that our Muslim brothers and sisters across the archipelago will have better access to the specialized knowledge and expertise of Shari’a judges, promoting fair and equal treatment of Muslims under the law, regardless of their geographic location,” the senator said. Joel E. Zurbano

Talusan assumes post at Subic Bay Customs

THE Bureau of Customs in Subic Bay, Olongapo City has welcomed Carmelita Talusan as its new district collector responsible for overseeing and managing the port’s operations.

“With her extensive background in Customs and trade, Collector Talusan brings experience and expertise to this critical role. Having served in various capacities within the bureau and successfully managed numerous projects, she is well-prepared to navigate the challenges and intricacies of operations at the Port of Subic,” port officials said in a statement.

Talusan holds a Mass Communications degree from Maryknoll College and a master’s in Business Administration. She also holds a Career Executive Service officer (CESO) V rank and has completed a Finance Course at the Ateneo graduate school of business.