PBBM assures LGBT of protection

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured members of the LGBTQIA+ community that under his government any forms of discrimination would not be tolerated.

To celebrate Pride Month, the President and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos hosted a meeting in Malacañang Thursday with LGBTQIA+ group LGBT Pilipinas. "I just wanted to say hello and to let

Senators,...

From A1

“There is no sugar-coating the situation of Filipino workers – the minimum wage as [currently] determined is not enough for a family to live decently," he said.

He noted that the NCR minimum wage is only half of the required living wage.

He said this is especially alarming due to the country's 6.6 percent inflation rate in April 2023, which is still above the target inflation rate. This was further exacerbated by the 20 percent global food price inflation, the highest level in two decades, according to the World Bank.

While describing the increase as a "wonderful development," Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri however stressed it is not enough.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada agreed that the P40 increase in the daily minimum wage may not be sufficient to achieve a living wage in the NCR.

However, as a product of a tripartite body where employers, workers, and the government are all represented, he's hopeful this amount serves and protects the interests of all stakeholders.

Still, as soon as Congress resumes its Second Regular Session, Estrada vowed to take up the matter of wages again.

Senator Grace Poe said she considered the P40 increase “woefully inadequate,” since the rising prices of basic goods have hit the poor the hardest, including families that earn the minimum wage.

"We hope employers capable of going the extra mile will do so through additional allowances or non-monetary benefits," she said. "Our workers deserve wages that will help their families live decently.”

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III lamented the very low minimum wages in several regions as he called on regional wage boards across the country to implement reasonable wage adjustments.

Pimentel pointed out the urgency of reviewing and reassessing current wage rates to ensure they are both reasonable and realistic for workers across all provinces.”

“Today’s minimum wage rates across the country are unacceptable,” Pimentel said. “To increase our wage rates in every corner of the nation today is a matter of social justice given the prevailing challenges of inflation and its adverse effects on purchasing power.”

With the P40 increase in NCR, the minimum wage rate in the region now stands at P610 per day. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Imee:...

From A1 cargo, and the reason for a 10-hour layover in Manila.

"What we know so far is that the plane came from Guam, was on its way to Puerto Princesa, and proceeded to Honolulu," she said.

Marcos has filed Senate Resolution 667 calling for an investigation of the incident.

In response to the senator’s questions, the US Embassy in Manila on Thursday clarified that it has been coordinating with the Philippine government to grant permission for the entry of any US government aircraft into the country.

“The embassy coordinates with the Philippine government to receive diplomatic clearance for all U.S. government aircraft that enter the Philippines. We refer you to Philippine authorities

Napoles,...

From A1 facie evidence that he has put such missing funds or property to personal use.

In a decision issued on Friday, the antigraft court's Third Division said Hagedorn, former Puerto Princesa City mayor, was found to have failed to return 13 of the 20 refurbished M-16 rifles issued to him during his incumbency.

The Sandiganbayan Second Division in a ruling also released Friday said Olaño, Napoles, former Technology you know that we in the Philippines want everybody is treated not for any other thing, not for race, not for creed, not for orientation, but just as Filipinos,” said the 65-year-old President. He added Filipinos were more open-

SC...

From A1 the incident in question happened in 1999.

It has been Meralco's policy to serve 48hour prior notice before disconnecting any service to comply with the due process requirements," he added.

In her complaint for damages against Meralco, respondent Lucy Lu alleged that on Dec. 9, 1999, representatives from Meralco forcibly entered the premises of the New Supersonic Industrial Corporation (NSIC) in Valenzuela City, which her family owned.

After the inspection, the Meralco representatives issued a Notice of Disconnection and immediately disconnected the electricity supply of NSIC’s factory and Yu’s residence.

PBBM...

From A1 accountability in the government, Marcos should ensure the implementation of Executive Order No.31, which institutionalized the Philippine Open Government Partnership.

Manhit gave Marcos a grade of 8 out of 10, noting that his government has started many reforms and new policies. And although the current government inherited a bad fiscal situation, Manhit said the economy is recovering quite well.

“The reinforcing link and variable in achieving a resilient, inclusive, and prosperous Philippine society pertains to the dynamic relationship between government as the enabler, the private sector as the indispensable actor, and civil society for further information,” acting US Embassy spokesperson Stephen Dove said in a statement.

Citing a confidential source, Marcos said no prior advisory on the plane’s arrival reached the Airport Integrated Command and Control Center at NAIA.

A provision in Section 8 of the VFA states that "aircraft operated by or for the United States Armed Forces shall observe local air traffic control regulations while in the Philippines."

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said the US Embassy had informed the Department of Foreign Affairs and gained diplomatic clearance number DSN-0659-KB-JUN-US-2023 for a US military plane supporting joint Philippine-US activities under Kapit Bisig.

But Marcos emphasized it is crucial for the state to carefully scrutinize the activities of foreign militaries in the country, particularly those which appear question-

Resource Center (TRC) group manager Maria Rosalinda Lacsamana, Countrywide Agri and Rural Economic Development Foundation, Inc. (CARED) president Mylene Encarnacion, and Philippine Social Development Foundation, Inc. (PSDFI) chief Evelyn De Leon, violated Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Olaño was found guilty of allocating more than P7 million of his Priority Development Assistance Fund, or pork barrel, for 2007 to CARED and PSDFI. The two were declared bogus non- minded compared to other countries when it came to sexual orientation.

LGBT Pilipinas is proposing the creation of an advisory group under the Office of the President to push more visibility and representation in the country.

The group sought support from the First Lady to further push their proposal.

“Knowing my husband, I’m sure he will grant the wish because he knows that you all campaigned for him and he wouldn’t be there without you guys,” said Mrs. Marcos.

For the past years, various LGBT groups were calling for the passage of legislation against discrimination over sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics (SOGIESC) bill, which is still being deliberated in Congress.

The late Senator Miriam DefensorSantiago and former Akbayan party-list Representative Etta Rosales originally passed the legislation back in 2000.

The 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates the country to provide equal protection laws to everyone and full respect for human rights.