PH, Eurojust forge pact vs. online sex abuse

THE Philippines, through the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice (Eurojust) forged closer collaboration in fighting transnational crimes, especially online sexual abuse of children.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the DOJ said the agreement was reached during a meeting between Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and Eurojust President Ladislav Hamran in The Hague, The Netherlands last May 24.

“This significant meeting with Eurojust paves the way for more exchanges of information and best practices on the institutional and policy level, as well as foster closer coordination among our agencies in terms of investigation and prosecution of specific transnational crimes,” Remulla said.

The DOJ noted that during the meeting, the two sides “agreed to establish cooperative working arrangements between their respective agencies.”

Philippine Ambassador to The Netherlands J. Eduardo Malaya, who accompanied Remulla during the meeting, explained the visit was “a valuable opportunity to explore cooperation against cross-border crimes, especially online sexual exploitation of children.”

“Protecting children is a priority for both sides. We stand ready to work closely together,” Malaya said. Rey E. Requejo

Catherine T. Manahan of the CTA’s First Division.

“The CTA cited Section 21, Article III of the 1987 Constitution whichstates: “No person shall be twice put in jeopardy of punishment for the same offense. If an act is punished by a law and an ordinance, conviction or acquittal under either shall constitute a bar to another prosecution for the same act,” the CTA added.

In can be recalled that on March 4, Reyes assumed the province’s highest post after Governor Roel Degamo was killed in an attack in Pamplona town on the same day.

Meanwhile, Vice Governor Manuel Sagarbarria was sworn in as governor of Negros Oriental on Wednesday afternoon.

In a Facebook post, former board member Ikay Villanueva shared that Sagarbarria took his oath before Executive Judge Gerardo Paguio.

“I would like to give my deepest condolences to the family of my good friend Governor Guido. I have a lot of challenges, a lot of ideas for the province of Negros Oriental,” Sagarbarria said.

He said that he was saddened by Reyes’ passing and that he had always hoped for his recovery.

Poe supports law on bike safety for passengers

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Grace Poe said she is supporting a law legalizing and regulating the country’s motorcycle taxis that would ensure the safety of riders and passengers and minimize the number of accidents.

This is amid concerns about the viability of motorcycles-for-hire as a mode of public transportation.

The joint hearing of the Senate Public Services and Local Government committees on the legalization of motorcycle taxis highlighted the training and skills of those operating motorcycles to ensure the safety of their passengers.

“We need to legalize to reflect the reality on the ground but we also need the highest safety standards to make this a true mobility alternative,” Poe said.

Poe, chair of the public services panel also said “The established vulnerability of motorcycles as a mode of transportation calls for the government to step in.”

In the hearing, Angkas, JoyRide and Move It—companies that were allowed to operate under the three-year-old pilot program approved by the government —were grilled on the safety training they provide to their drivers.

In particular, Sen. Raffy Tulfo aired concern about the number of accidents involving Angkas, the market leader holding 30,000 slots out of 45,000 available under the pilot program.

He said Angkas has figured out that in 7,500 accidents in 2022 alone, there were more than double the recorded 3,069 accidents in 2021.

In case of accidents, Tulfo said operators should pay for the medical expenses of a victim. “They have to pay for everything.”

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