House adopts resolution on PH, South Korea solidarity

THE House of Representatives on Monday adopted a resolution expressing support and solidarity with the Republic of Korea in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement on July 27.

House Resolution (HR) 1126, which was also based on the celebration of the 10th United Nations (UN) Forces Participation Day, was introduced by Speaker Ferdinand

Martin G. Romualdez, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales, Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, Senior Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan and Tingog Party-list Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre.

“This resolution recognizes the longstanding friendship between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea that started way before the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement in 1953 and has flourished since then. We hope the ties that bind both our countries together shall be perpetually strong,” said Romualdez, leader of the 312-strong House of Representatives. Romualdez also presented to Speaker Kim Jin-Pyo of the National Assembly of South Korea the resolution.

According to the resolution, the year

2023 marks the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement on July 27, 1953, by military commanders from the United States that represented the United Nations Command, the Korean People’s Army and Chinese People’s Volunteer Army, ending roughly three years of fighting of the 1950-1953 Korean War. Maricel V. Cruz

Zubiri: Senators united in passing resolution vs. Chinese incursions

SENATE President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Monday said he cannot secondguess who will oppose the proposed Senate resolution to elevate Chinese incursions to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

He said 95 percent of the senators agreed to pass a strongly-worded statement to China.

“That’s why we’re going to pass a resolution recommending it to our government agencies like the Department of Foreign Affairs and the President himself that we should file all the evidence (including videos) in the last seven years,” Zubiri said.

He said this will form part of the evidence that the senators will submit to UNGA. This will show that the Chinese “what they’ve been doing is building, reclaiming islands, building bases,” he said.

Zubiri also said these are bases carrying missiles and ships all around the areas that are part of the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines as declared by the arbitral ruling in 2016.

“So we have to go back to the United Nations, show them that this is not being respected,” he said.

“China may not do anything, or they may ignore these, but we’ll let the international community know what is happening here near our shores in the Philippines, within our EEZ,” he further stated.

He also called neighbors in China to get out of the country’s territory. “Get out of our territory. It makes no sense it is so illogical,” he said Macon Ramos-Araneta

Go: Regional

specialty health centers needed

SEN. Christopher Go underscored the importance of bringing specialized medical services closer to communities by establishing dedicated specialty centers in regional hospitals under the Department of Health (DOH).

He shared the progress of the measure, saying, this still lacks the signature of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

He said it is the priority of the President to establish a specialty center in every sa regional hospital,” he added.

The bill aims to distribute specialized medical facilities more equitably across the country, thereby making such services available to a larger number of Filipinos.

For example, under the Act, services provided by the Philippine Heart Center, currently located in Quezon City, will also be available in regional DOH hospitals in cities such as Zamboanga City

Go further emphasized that the enactment of the measure will not be limited to cardiovascular care.

It include services for a broad range of specialties, including lung care, orthopedics, neonatal care, renal care, cancer care and mental health, making it a comprehensive nationwide healthcare improvement plan.

On May 31, the Senate ratified the Bicameral Conference Report on the Regional Specialty Centers Act.Macon Ramos-Araneta

CA scraps appeal to inhibit judge in Masbate murder case

THE Court of Appeals (CA) has scrapped a petition asking for inhibition of a Manila judge from handling a murder case filed against a town vice mayor in Masbate and others by his predecessor for being moot and academic.

This, after the appellate court’s 11th Division granted the motion filed by Butuan, Masbate vice mayor Nelson P. Cambaya to withdraw his petition against Manila regional trial court (RTC) Branch 42 Judge Dinnah C. Aguila-Topacio based on a four-page decision promulgated on July 20.

Cambaya decided to withdraw his petition for the inhibition of the magistrate following his acquittal on the murder charges by the Manila RTC on Jan. 16, 2023.

Acquitted alongside Cambaya were former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board member Sandra Cam and five others over the death of former Batuan vice mayor Charlie Yuson III in 2019.

“The proceeding having been concluded, with petitioner having been acquitted of the felonies charged during the promulgation of judgment, the Court sees no reason to resolve the present petition as it would serve no purpose at all. Indeed, the petition has become moot and academic,” the CA said.

Local airlines lift face mask requirement

By Darwin G. Amojelar

LOCAL airlines on Monday announced that the wearing of face masks would no longer be implemented on all domestic flights after the government lifted the state of a public health emergency.

The wearing of face masks for international destinations, meanwhile, shall remain subject to the existing health protocols in the destination country. AirAsia destinations Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan have lifted the face mask requirement as early as the first quarter of 2023, the airline companies said.

Despite dropping the face mask policy, AirAsia Philippines remains committed to adhering to the highest standards of safety among all its flights.

Steve Dailisan, AirAsia Philippines country head for Communications and Public Affairs saiddeep cleaning and aircraft sanitation will still be in effect after every flight. This way, guests will have peace of mind and confidence as air travel returns to normalcy.

“There is no room for complacency in the airline business. We want our guests to feel secure when they fly with AirAsia. Although it is no longer a policy, guests, and crew may still opt to wear face masks whenever they deem necessary,” Dailisan said.