Pag-IBIG gets COA top audit rating

PAG -IBIG Fund has earned the Commission on Audit’s highest audit rating on the presentation of its financial statements for the 11th consecutive year, top officials announced on Monday.

State auditors, in a letter dated June 22, informed Pag-IBIG Fund that it has rendered an unmodified opinion on the fairness of the presentation of its financial statements for the years 2021 and 2022. In the same letter, COA upgraded its prior issued modified opinion on the agency’s books for the year 2021, after Pag-IBIG Fund enhanced its data migration system following the state auditors’ recommendations.

These developments have enabled the

Marcos repeats vow to build 1m houses by 2028

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reaffirmed his commitment to build one million houses yearly during a visit to a housing project in Pampanga on Monday.

The government will deliver around 100,000 housing units by next year, Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jerry Acuzar said, accompanying the President on the Pampanga trip.

The President said under his flagship Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Program, Filipino families in the provinces will have easier access to decent shelters.

The goal is to build one million houses each year until the end of his tenure as President, Mr. Marcos said as he inspected the progress of the Crystal Peak Estates, a 9.8-hectare housing development site being built in San Fernando, Pampanga.

The Crystal Peak Estates was designed to house 8,300 families in the public and private sectors, including overseas Filipino workers and personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and the Department of Education.

The President added that his administration was planning to build other buildings such as hospitals, schools, markets, and other recreational facilities around the housing projects to help establish communities.

The Chief Executive also cited that the private sector is coordinating with the national government to achieve its goal to build houses before his term ends in 2028.

Charles Dantes

Marcos...

From A1 in Pampanga on Monday. agency to maintain its streak of garnering COA’s highest audit rating for the 11th straight year.

“The Philippine Air Force’s maritime air patrol missions are thus essential in upholding our territorial integrity and safeguarding Philippine maritime zones,” added the commander-in-chief.

Mr. Marcos expressed his administration’s strong commitment to support the Air Force as part of the Armed Forces modernization program.

Mr. Marcos, who led the awarding of outstanding PAF officers, also attended a PAF capability demonstration at the Col. Ernesto Rabina Air Base in Tarlac.

Earlier, Defense chief Gilbert Teodoro said the Philippines is not a pawn in the geopolitical maneuvering in the South China Sea.

Teodoro said the Philippines’ partnerships with other nations should not be linked to the territorial dispute in the Asia-Pacific region.

“The Philippines is for the Philippines and we leverage that. And I think other countries want to help us because they view it as... standing strong with democratic values,” he said.

“The Philippines is a value proposition by its own self, and is not a pawn of anybody else in the geopolitical battle that’s raging within our area now,” Teodoro added.

In April, China condemned the Philippines for expanding the number of military bases in the country that US troops can use under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.

The Philippines and the US added four new military sites, with two of them near Taiwan.

“This is truly a significant milestone in Pag-IBIG Fund’s history.

Earning the highest opinion from COA for the 11th consecutive year is yet another proof that Pag-IBIG Fund has been, and continues to be, managed properly,” said Secretary Jose Rizalino L. Acuzar, who heads the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and the 11-member Pag-IBIG

DOT...

From A1 and aligned with the DOT’s advocacies.”

“The DOT reserves the right to change, suspend, or discontinue temporarily or permanently the contract at any time should the DOT deem the agency incapable of the project,” the contract reads.

DDB Philippines has publicly apologized, taken full responsibility, and admitted that non-original materials were used in their AVP, reflecting a failure to comply with their obligations under the contract and a direct contravention of the DOT’s objectives for the enhanced tourism branding.

No payments have been made to DDB under the tourism branding campaign contract, the DOT said.

Legislators expressed dismay over the tourism mess.

“The whole mess with the contractor using stock footage in the promotional video proves my earliest point about the DOT either apologizing to Albay or firing the consultant,” Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda said.

Clearly, the exclusion of Mayon and other tourist attractions intrinsic to the

MRT...

From A1

As of November 2022, the MRT3 system’s total expenses amounted to P8.96 billion, while the total revenue amounted only to P1.1 billion, resulting in a deficit of P7.8 billion or a government subsidy of P88.34 for every passenger.

DOTr Secretary Jaime J. Bautista earlier approved the fare increase for the LRT (Light Rail Transit) line, adding P2.29 to the P11 boarding fare, and P0.21 to the P1 distance fare.

Chavez said the approval “is not only necessary, beneficial and practical for both the LRT operators and commuters,

Senate...

From A1 and come up with the committee report proposing a P100 additional minimum wage increase for our workers,” Zubiri said.

Zubiri said is optimistic that the P100 legislated wage increase would pass into law since all his fellow senators

Probe...

From A1 she was killed. A P459,000 reward has been raised for any information that would lead to the arrest of her killer or killers.

The reward was raised by CareFM

Zubiri...

From A1

“I really can’t run anymore because I’m on my second consecutive term.

I’m not looking for a higher office,” he said in a television interview.

“We have yet to elect a president or vice president that is mestizo like me. At this point in time, I have no political ambitions. I’m looking forward to my retirement in 2028,” Zubiri said.

By 2028, Zubiri said he would have already served 25 years in public office.

“Having run in so many elections, I am also tired,” Zubiri said.

“It’s now time to look back and take care of my children who are going to be

Fund Board of Trustees.

“This is a testament to how Pag-IBIG Fund upholds excellence and integrity in managing their funds, in the fulfillment of our mandates and in line with the directive of President Marcos of providing Filipinos with more stable and more prosperous lives,” he added.

COA rendered unqualified opinions on Pag-IBIG Fund’s financial statements from 2012 to 2017 and unmodified opinions for the years 2018 to 2022.

Auditors use both unqualified and unmodified opinions, which are the highest opinions that COA can give to a government agency or corporation, to mean that the financial statements of a company or agency are presented, in all material

Philippine brand was just a symptom of “trabahong tamad” (lazy work) that is now evident to everyone, Salceda said.

“Since the DOT will not be apologizing (because the video, supposedly, is just a first installment), the way forward seems clear,” Salceda said.

“The first video was supposedly a ‘mood video,’ according to the contractor. For something as critical as an entire country’s image, you don’t set the mood with plagiarism,” Salceda said.

Second, “as for the branding itself, the slogan is a creative decision best left to experts and its usefulness will be proven ultimately in tourist numbers. We will know soon enough if it works,” Salceda said.

“One lesson here is not to dismiss legitimate concerns as ‘political soundbites’ but to listen, consult, and discuss. The country’s branding is reflective of our identity and aspirations as a people: what’s wrong with wanting to be represented well in that?”

Salceda, who chairs the House Ways and Means committee, suggested nationwide consultations with tourism stakeholders on how to really rebrand and restart the country’s tourism sector.

“The back-and-forth of statements was good for revealing what needs but also for the country as well.”

“Let’s make the rail system sustainable to build more and to serve more,” he added.

Chavez said the LRT-1 and LRT-2 deserve a modest fare increase after petitions were denied for the past eight years. He said that the actual rates for endto-end travel at the LRT-2 from Antipolo to Recto costs P178 per passenger, but only P30 is being charged.

“Therefore, P148 is the indicative subsidy by the government for every passenger for every end-to-end trip,” Chavez said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Chavez said the LRT-1 operators had also asked for a fare increase since 2016.

The LRT-1 runs from Baclaran in support the measure.

“You know their claim is always that we have the second highest minimum wage in Southeast Asia. That’s no longer true. Indonesia has already gone over P800. I think they’re about P830 per day. Malaysia is already I think P890, close to P900 per day. Of course, Singapore has a minimum monthly income, which is tens of thousands of Singapore dollars. So we’re no longer second high- broadcaster Mariboy Ysibido on his program “Pag-Usapan Natin.”

Contributing to the fund were Rep. Odie Tarriela, who committed P100,000; Gov. Eduardo Gadiano, P100,000; Vice Gov. Diana Tayag, P100,000; the municipality of San Jose, P100,000; Care FM, P25,000; Board Member Alex Robles del Valle, P25,000; and Barangay Bagong teenagers at that time. And [so I will] do my best in these next five years for our people. I think that is what is important because I tell my colleagues, I don’t have political ambitions,” he added.

Zubiri said in an earlier interview that has no illusions of being irreplaceable even as he rejected the idea of conducting a loyalty check among his colleagues amid rumors of a leadership coup in the Upper Chamber.

On Monday, he said that preserving the independence of the Senate would be his legacy.

“I’m here only to protect the institution because I believe in the Senate. I truly believe in the Senate as the last bastion of democracy in our country. We need the Senate, and we need a respects, in accordance with applicable financial reporting frameworks.

Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Marilene C. Acosta, meanwhile, emphasized the value of the state auditor’s findings citing that these fittingly complete the agency’s bestperforming year of 2022.

“The year 2022 stands out as our best performing year yet, as we posted our highest ever annual net income of P44.50 billion. We also posted record-highs in home loan takeout worth P117.85 billion, which benefitted 105,212 members who now have new or better homes, membership savings collections amounting to P79.90 billion, and loan payment collections worth P127.42 billion.” to be improved. But we have to move forward. Let’s genuinely sit down and talk,” Salceda said. est,” he said.

Rep. France Castro of ACT Teachers raised concerns over the apparent similarity of the campaign slogan used in the DOT’s recent promotional materials to one previously used in Cyprus.

“The use of deceptive stock footage by the DOT is not only a disservice to Filipinos but also to foreigners who may be misled into believing that these images represent the beauty and attractions of our country,” Castro said. “This type of shoddy work undermines the credibility and integrity of our tourism industry.

She also highlighted the significant amount of public funds allocated for these promotional materials.

“The DOT allocated almost P50 million for this type of work. Taxpayers’ money should be used judiciously and with utmost transparency, especially when it comes to promoting our country,” she said.

Castro called on the DOT to rectify this issue promptly and ensure that future promotional campaigns are genuine representations of the beauty and diversity of the Philippines. She also urged concerned government agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and file appropriate charges.

Parañaque City to Bago Bantay, Quezon City (Roosevelt); LRT-2 from Recto in Manila to Antipolo City in Rizal; and MRT-3 along EDSA from Taft Avenue to North Avenue in Quezon City.

But Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte appealed to transport officials to rethink their plan to hike LRT fares.

At the same time, Villafuerte, president of the National Unity Party, appealed to President Marcos to suspend this fare-hike plan by the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) and Metro Rail Transit Corp. (MRTC), respectively, for LRT Lines 1 and 2 (LRT-1 and LRT-2) and for MRT Line 3 (MRT-3), as he did in April.

“Vietnam is about P510 pesos per day, we are at P580 but remember that Vietnam has no deductions. They are a communist country. They don’t need to contribute to Pag-Ibig. They don’t need to contribute to Philhealth because their housing is free. The hospitals are free,” he added.

In the Philippines, Zubiri said deductions from the wage of workers range strong Senate,” Zubiri said.

Sikat Captain Ismael Cacayurin, P5,000; and anonymous sources, P4,000.

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Police Col. Jean Fajardo quoted Occidental Mindoro Police chief Col. Jun Dexter Danao as saying they obtained CCTV footage captured at around 3 a.m. showing a man walking near the area where Villacete’s body was found.

Last week, at least six senators denied rumors of a leadership change in their chamber during the opening of the 2nd Regular Session of the 19th Congress on July 24.

Rumors said Zubiri will be replaced by Senator Jinggoy Estrada or Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda.

But both Legarda and Estrada denied the rumors, calling them mere gossip.

Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito also denied the rumor, saying the senators are very satisfied with Zubiri’s leadership.

Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, chairman of the finance committee, also denied any move to oust Zubiri, who he said was “well-liked.”

In Brief

PBBM, Sara retain high trust ratings

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara-Duterte maintained high approval and trust ratings on the latest survey on public acceptance of their leadership.

Results of the PAHAYAG 2023 second quarter survey released on Monday showed that the approval and trust ratings of the country’s top two officials “remained stable”.

The President’s approval rating even went up slightly to 62 percent from 60 percent last quarter poll attributed to a significant increase from the Visayas, Catholic, and government workers sectors.

The Vice President maintained her approval rating at 67 percent as she received overwhelming support in Mindanao at 79 percent.

Charles Dantes

MTRCB to review ‘Barbie’ after ban

THE movie “Barbie” will be reviewed for rating and classification on Tuesday, Movie and Television Review and Classification Board chairperson Lala Sotto said Monday. Sotto was asked if the Philippines will also ban the movie starring Margot Robbie for showing a map that featured China’s nine-dash-line in the South China Sea.

“In connection thereto, the MTRCB assures the public that as with any material rated by the Board, the film shall undergo a fair and thorough review in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 1986,” Sotto added. Asked if the MTRCB review was related to the ban by Vietnam, Sotto said the local distributor applied before the MTRCB its request for rating and classification.

from P45 to P50 a day.

For its part, the research group IBON said the P40 wage hike approved for the NCR remains a far cry from what labor groups demand and “certainly much less than what Filipino workers need and deserve.”

“The real value of the NCR minimum wage or adjusting for inflation is still lower than the highest it reached fourand-a-half years ago.

CHED...

From A1 and secure,” CHED chairman Prospero de Vera III said.

In a statement, the UPD administration said it was working with the police to arrest the suspect and provide assistance to the victim.

It said more roving security personnel and university police officers will be deployed in different areas of the campus, especially after office hours.

De Vera said higher education institutions must remain safe spaces for students.

“I encourage anyone and everyone who has any information regarding the incident to report to the authorities to aid in the investigation. The University must spare nothing to ensure that justice is obtained for the victim and her family,” the CHED chairman said.

“I have asked the University Administration to extend all possible assistance to the student and her family at this time of great challenge. I share with the entire UP Community our full support for her and her family in overcoming this difficult traumatic hurdle in their lives,” added De Vera, who is also the chairperson of the UP Board of Regents.