Villar underscores ‘true value’ of education

SENATOR Cynthia Villar has underscored the value of education towards people empowerment and in making a difference in the lives of others.

Addressing the graduation rites of Bulacan State University, Villar said “true education goes beyond textbooks and exams and extends far beyond the walls of this institution,”

The senator also told the graduates she was one with them in reaching their dream for an abundant agriculture, a developed economy, and food-sufficient Philippines.

Villar served as a member of the school’s Board of Regents when she was still a congresswoman.

As educated individuals, she told the graduates it is their duty to use their knowledge and skills “to make a positive impact on the world around us.”

“Let us remember that education is not just a privilege; it is a call to action. You have the privilege of education, and with it, the responsibility to uplift those who are less fortunate,” said Villar.

She further reminded the graduates it is incumbent upon them to use their knowledge, skills, and resources to create opportunities.

They are also bound to empower individuals to break free from the cycle of poverty and adversity.

“While we are on the issue of poverty and adversity, our agriculture sector is faced with tremendous challenges, despite the fact that we are an agricultural country,” she lamented. Macon Ramos-Araneta

In a recent meeting with German Ambassador to the Philippines Anke Reiffenstuel in Camp Crame, Abalos said over the years, the German government has been extending a helping hand to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) through technical support and capacity-building interventions to enhance the capability of local government units in service delivery.

“The German government has always been generous and supportive of our developmental efforts in the DILG. We are hopeful that our partnership will further blossom to give way to more productive undertakings,” Abalos said. Abalos also said he hopes to explore potential cooperation with the German government in areas such as sustainable development, digitalization, innovation, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

Antitrafficking

RAID Operatives of the National Capital Region Police Office and other law enforcement units swoop down on a compound in barangay Almanza Uno, Las Piñas City being used by an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator where they round up over 2,700 Filipino and foreign nationals believed recruited by a human trafficking. Norman Cruz

In Brief

Bill allows lateral entry of professionals in PNP

A BILL filed at the House of Representatives mandates the Philippine National Police (PNP) to recruit professionals such as aeronautical engineers, molecular biologists psychologists, information technology (IT) experts and other professionals with highly technical skills to strengthen the unit’s capability in meeting new challenges to law enforcement and public safety.

House Bill (HB) 7686 filed by Reps. Paolo Duterte of Davao City, Eric Yap of Benguet and Edvic Yap of and ACTCIS party-list proposes to institutionalize the expansion of the PNP’s lateral entry program by amending Section 33 of Republic Act 6975.

“The hiring of professionals with highly technical qualifications, which will be done through the PNP’s lateral entry program, will significantly help the police organization keep people safe from crime and other threats to public safety at a time when criminals have turned to technology and other sophisticated means to commit their illegal acts,” Duterte said. Maricel V. Cruz

TESDA warns against buying counterfeit NCs

THE Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has served warning against buying National Certificates (NCs) being sold online and through other channels, saying such documents are fake. The warning came after reports that a man was recently arrested in Cotabato City while selling fake NCs and driver’s licenses.

TESDA director general Suharto Mangudadatu, explained that NCs are only issued by TESDA offices to qualified individuals who have passed the assessment for their respective qualifications. When issued, these NCs are valid for five years.

The TESDA said that among the items in Mangudadatu’s 10-point agenda is compliance and enhanced monitoring saying, the agency will regularly inspect TESDA-accredited training and assessment centers to check their compliance with regulations on program registration as well as the conduct of assessment and certification. Vito Barcelo

Bill ensures protection for children of OFWs

A PARTY-list lawmaker has filed a bill seeking to institutionalize mechanisms, under the Parens Patriae doctrine, for the protection of minor children whose parents are working as Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

Rep. Marissa Magsino of OFW party list group filed House Bill 8560 noting that in March 2023, a Filipina OFW in Saudi Arabia tragically lost her four children, aged 5, 9, 12, and 14, when her live-in partner fatally stabbed them before taking his own life.

Similarly, in November of the previous year, two children, aged 11 and 15, were raped and killed by the boyfriend of their OFW mother in the Middle East. These incidents have spurred the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to take immediate action in protecting children left under the care of non-parents and preventing any future occurrences of such violence. Maricel V. Cruz

Pope’s Ukraine peace envoy heads to Russia

POPE Francis’ peace envoy to Ukraine will visit Moscow on Wednesday and Thursday, just weeks after visiting Kyiv, the Vatican said.

It will be the first visit to Moscow by a senior Vatican official since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

“On June 28 and 29, 2023, Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi... accompanied by an official of the (Vatican) Secretary of State, will pay a visit to Moscow as envoy of Pope Francis,” a Vatican statement said.

“The main purpose of the initiative is to encourage gestures of humanity, which can help promote a solution to the current tragic situation and find ways to achieve a just peace.”

Pope Francis asked Zuppi, the head of the Italian bishops conference, in May “to help ease tensions” in Ukraine in the hope of facilitating peace between Kyiv and Moscow.

The 67-year-old Italian cardinal hails from the Sant’Egidio Catholic Community, which specializes in diplomacy and peace efforts.

His trip to Moscow follows a visit to Kyiv on June 5 and 6 for a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who told the envoy a ceasefire would not lead to peace.

Francis, head of the worldwide Catholic Church since 2013, has repeatedly called for peace in Ukraine.

In the first few months after Russia’s invasion in February 2022, he faced criticism for not blaming Moscow explicitly for the conflict.

Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin said recently that Zuppi’s mission was not aimed at mediation, at least not yet, but sought to “favor a climate that can lead to paths of peace.”

The pope hosted Zelensky at the Vatican in May, and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal a few weeks earlier.

Shmyhal invited the pope to visit Ukraine and also asked for help to return children forcibly taken to Russia. AFP

Thai PM front runner claims Senate support

THE front runner to become Thailand’s next prime minister, Pita Limjaroenra, said on Tuesday he had secured enough support from the Senate to take the top job.

Pita’s progressive Move Forward Party (MFP) won the most seats at last month’s election as voters delivered a crushing rejection of military-linked parties that have run the kingdom for nearly a decade.

To become PM, Pita has to muster a majority across both houses, including the Senate, whose 250 members were handpicked by the last junta.

His eight-party coalition has a total of 312 seats in the lower house, but needs another 64 – from either house – for a majority.

Asked on Tuesday how many senators would endorse him, Pita told reporters at the parliament building: “Enough to make me become PM.”

Thailand’s parliament is set to sit next Monday for the first time since the election and a vote on the prime minister is due in mid-July.

MFP’s determination to amend Thailand’s tough laws against insulting the royal family has spooked the royalist-military conservative establishment. AFP