IN BRIEF

This prompted respondent Yu to file a complaint for damages before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Valenzuela City, Branch 172. The RTC ruled in Yu’s favor. Meralco elevated the case to the CA, which affirmed the RTC ruling with modification. Meralco then appealed before the High Court.

In denying Meralco’s petition for review on certiorari, the Court ruled that before Meralco can disconnect the electric service of a consumer on grounds cited under Section 4(a) of RA 7832, there must be prior written notice to the consumer to disconnect.

The Court emphasized the prior written notice must be given at least 48 hours prior to the disconnection, pursuant to due process requirements.

“Thus, the act of Meralco in cutting off the respondent’s electricity on the same as the guardian of societal processes and the commerce of relations,” Manhit said. able or are shrouded in secrecy.

Manhit urged the President to use his momentum from the 2022 electoral victory to task different sectors to work together toward a more transparent, accountable, and responsive governance.

He also stressed the need to push the E-Governance initiative to give effect to the people's freedom of information.

Previously, Marcos Jr. called on all branches of government “to genuinely uphold and give effect to the people’s freedom of information,” which serves as the basis of the E-Governance initiative.

Meanwhile, Democracy Watch Philippines Co-Convenor Shanice Espiritu cited Marcos’ lack of strong anti-corruption and reform statements compared to his predecessors, Presidents Benigno Aquino III and Rodrigo Duterte.

The upcoming Senate inquiry will be the second that Marcos has called for in two weeks to discuss the lack of transparency in US military activities in the Philippines.

A previous hearing made public a US government plan to have the Philippines temporarily host up to 50,000 Afghans while they are processed for special immigrant visas to the United States.

Meanwhile, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said the halfway house that will be built by the United States could be used to house Afghan refugees.

"It would be the US that would finance their construction, " said Zubiri. He said they also have a halfway house in Germany and Qatar. He also emphasized the Afghans are not seeking asylum in the Philippines.

"They will stay temporarily in the Philippines while they await their US visa,” he said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net) government organizations linked to Napoles.

The anti-graft court said the TRC released P1.890 million and P5.830 million to CARED and PSDFI, respectively.

''The NGOs however did not actually conduct any regular business activity but were only utilized as conduits for the transfer of public funds that ended up being divided as commissions and/or kickbacks among accused Olaño, Napoles, and TRC officials," the the decision, written by Associate Justice Edgardo Caldona, read. (See full story online at manilastandard.net) day the disconnection notice was given to the consumer was violative of due process requirements,” the SC said. The Court further held that Meralco is presumed to be in bad faith for its failure to follow the due notice requirement under RA 7832 during the disconnection of Yu’s electric service.

Hence, the SC denied Meralco’s Petition for Review on Certiorari, and affirmed the Decision dated Nov. 26, 2020 of the CA in CA-G.R. CV No. 111808, as follows: the award of temperate damages is reduced to P50,000; the award of moral damages is deleted for lack of basis; and the award of exemplary damages is reduced to P100,000.

"The Court ordered that the rest of the CA ruling stands,” the SC statement said.

"The Duterte and Aquino III administrations were met with failing trust in institutions, the Marcos Jr. administration’s main challenge is to recover from the pandemic and build a strong and resilient post-pandemic economy," Espiritu said.

Espiritu recommended that the government should confront urgent issues such as inflation and anti-corruption policies to accomplish long-term development goals.

Meanwhile, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri gave the President a grade of 8 out of 10 for doing “a very fine job” in his first year.

Senate finance committee chairperson Senator Juan Edgardo Angara said the President would get 87 percent because there are still a lot of things that he must do, being in office for only a sixth of his term. He has five more years, he said.

AFP:...

From A1 promised increased support from the General Headquarters.

In another development, the Philippines is looking at partnering with Japan through its ongoing Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) program.

This came after Japanese Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko paid a courtesy call to Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. at the DND headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Thursday.

"Both officials explored the possibility of collaboration on the development of the Philippines’ SRDP through research and development on defense equipment, systems, and other related technologies, as well as expertise exchange," DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said in a statement Friday.

Koshikawa and Teodoro also agreed to advance the security partnership between the two nations.

Centino told the forces in Batanes in a statement forwarded to reporters Friday: "I appreciate what you are doing for the country. It is because of you that we are able to monitor activities in this area and assert our sovereignty. I hope that you show the true heart of military personnel in this difficult deployment."

The first area visited by the AFP chief, who also led a flag-raising ceremony at a sovereignty marker, was the "Fishermen's Shelter" on Mavulis Island, the country's northernmost island where a Philippine Naval detachment is also located. Charles Dantes (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Marcos to NAPC: Find problematic poor communities

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. tasked National Anti-Poverty Commission to engage residents of depressed and remote communities to tackle poverty.

In the first en banc meeting of the NAPC at Malacañang Palace, the President ordered the anti-poverty commission to determine the needs in such areas.

"I think, that the NAPC should be doing. Hanapin natin kung saan talaga ‘yung problematic na area and then engage natin lahat ng ibang departamento para the other departments can come in,” said Marcos.

He also emphasized the importance of coordination between government agencies and local government units.

“I think it all comes down to the same thing...marami tayo, like the NAPC, is a dedicated organization agency to look at the incidents of poverty and what are the things that can be done,” the President said. Charles Dantes (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Taiwan extends PH visa-free privilege

TAIWAN on Friday extended Filipinos' visa-free privileges for another year.

Its Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Filipinos, except those holding diplomatic or official/service passports, are eligible for the visa exemption program with a duration of stay of up to 14 days effective August 1, 2023.

Citizens of Brunei and Thailand are also entitled to the 14-day visa-free privilege, which will run until July 31, 2024.

''Holders of Brunei, Philippines and Thailand passports must have: A proof of accommodation (hotel) booking, host/ sponsor's contact information and sufficient travel funds,'' Taiwan's Bureau of Consular Affairs said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

LPG...

From A1

"Based on the 4-day trading, there will be a rollback on the prices of petroleum products," Department of Energy director for the Oil Industry Management Bureau Rodela Romero said.

Members of the LPG Marketers Association already implemented a P3 per kilogram rollback in the price of cooking gas last Tuesday.

Other oil companies are expected to roll back LPG prices by July 1.

LPG prices are adjusted on a monthly basis, while petroleum products' pump prices are adjusted every Tuesday.

"Investors point to prevailing pessimism over the interest rates outlook and uncertainties on long-term demand expectations as a global recession looms," Romero said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)