PH improves trade ranking in UN survey

By Vito Barcelo

THE Philippines has improved its ranking from third to second spot among Southeast Asian nations in the 2023 UN Global Survey, according to the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

The UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation graded the Philippines’ implementation rate at 87.1% this year, against 86.02% in 2021.

With the scores that the country gained for 2023, the Philippines, together with Malaysia and Indonesia, placed second in the Southeast Asian region, following Singapore with a score of 96.77%.

The survey tracks progress made on implementing trade facilitation measures. It evaluates transparency, formalities, institutional arrangements and cooperation, paperless trade, and crossborder paperless trade.

“We take immense pride in the Philippines’ remarkable ascent to the second spot in the 2023 UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation,” Customs Commissioner Bienvenido.

The survey, jointly conducted by various UN bodies, provides an in-depth analysis of trade facilitation progress in the country and highlights its remarkable achievements in fostering efficiency and promoting international collaboration.

He said that one of the key factors contributing to the Philippines’ success on the global stage is the BOC’s active participation in regional and sub-regional initiatives.

Rubio meanwhile implemented a change in leadership in the BOC. He ordered the transfer of Port of Manila district collector Maritess Martin to the Port of Davao to replace Guillermo Pedro Francia who was reassigned to the Port of Limay.

Martin was replaced by Manila International Container Port deputy collector for assessment Rizalino Jose Torralba, who in turn was replaced by Batangas deputy collector for operations Filemon Mendoza Jr.

Port of Limay collector Alexandra Lumontad replaced Port of Cagayan de Oro collector Erastus Sandino Austria who was reassigned to the Port of Clark.

Port of Subic collector Carmelita Talusan replaced X-ray Inspection Project chief Giovanni Imaysay who was transferred as district collector of Port of Iloilo.

Bantag files court appeal seeking overturn of DOJ murder indictment

FUGITIVE former Bureau of Corrections

(BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag has asked the Court of Appeals to overturn the resolution of the Department of Justice (DOJ) indicting him of two counts of murder, in connection with his involvement in the murder of radio commentator Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa and Bilibid inmate June Villamor.

Bantag insisted on his innocence, despite his co-accused previously pleading guilty to lesser offenses over the deaths of Mabasa and Villamor.

In a petition dated July 10 filed through his lawyers from the Santos Law Office, Bantag assailed the Justice Secretary, the Prosecutor General, and the panel of prosecutors of committing grave abuse of discretion for indicting him with murder before 2 courts in Las Piñas and Muntinlupa.

Bantag also challenged the DOJ’s and prosecution panel’s refusal to recuse from handling the murder probes, citing flaws in the prosecution’s theory over the deaths of Lapid and Mabasa. His former deputy, Ricardo Zulueta, joined him in the petition, represented by lawyer Lauro Gacayan.

Bantag told the CA that the DOJ lacks evidence to link him to the killing of Lapid outside his subdivision in Las Piñas on October 3, 2022.

The DOJ prosecutors claimed that Bantag gave the instructions to kill Lapid to Zulueta, who in turn relayed it to other inmates through a chain: from Zulueta to Denver Mayores; Mayores to Alvin Labra;

Labra to Aldrin Galicia; Galicia to Jun Villamor; Villamor to Christopher Bacoto; and Bacoto to Joel Escorial.

Escorial had confessed to killing Lapid.

Labra, Galicia and another inmate Alfie Peñaredonda are commanders of the BCJ Gang, Sputnik Gang and HappyGoLucky Gang, respectively.

Bantag noted that only Escorial mentioned him by name as the person whom Villamor allegedly identified as the mastermind behind Lapid’s killing while Mayores, Labra and Galicia, who claimed to have met with Zulueta, only referred to “itaas” and “tanda.”

According to the accused, the chain is “inherently defective” for its “potential for distortion, misinterpretation, or misinformation at each step of the chain.”

“Consider that based on the evidence it was only the last person, Escorial, who identified the petitioner. All the others simply mentioned references to the petitioner. This type of communication process is often referred to as a ‘rumor mill’ or ‘hearsay chain,’ is inherently unreliable and susceptible to errors, biases, and deliberate manipulation,” Bantag said, in his petition.

“In this chain of communication, the

Captain of capsized MB Princess Aya says he bribed PCG officials

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

TESTIFYING before the Senate Public Services Committee, Donald Anain, the captain of the capsized MB Princess Aya divulged that he bribed members of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to allow the ship to sail hours after Typhoon Egay left the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

Pressed by Sen. Raffy Tulfo, Anain said he handed P100 worth of bananas and P50 cash to the PCG.

Anain said he usually gives money. Tulfo however, rejected the story of Asain that he only gave bananas and P50 cash since the boat was overloaded and had no license.

Anain also admitted before the panel chaired by Sen. Grace Poe that he only has Seafarer Identification Book (SIB) and that he has no license. He got the SIB after a three-day training with MARINA. The SIB, he said, is honored by MARINA and PCG.

The Philippine Coast Guard denied the allegations.

“That’s absurd. I do not think our personnel would resort to accepting banana and fifty pesos in exchange of favors. The Captain denied giving liquors to our personnel. Our personnel also denied demanding any of these items. Wala silang tinatangap (They did not receive anything),” PCG spokesman Rear Admiral Armand Balilo told the media in a message.

But MARINA and PCG said the boat captain should have a license.

Anain also said the boat has 50 life vests, and that he was only expecting 30 to 35 passengers that time.

PO2 Jay Rivera of the PCG assigned in Binangonan, Rizal where the tragedy occured said he signed the manifesto for only 22 passengers. Charles Dantes original alleged source of the order is distant from the final recipient. As a result, there is no clear and direct link between the alleged order and the person who supposedly issued it. Each person in the chain may unintentionally or intentionally alter the message, misunderstand its meaning, or misremember the details. This can lead to a distortion of the original order, making it unreliable as evidence,” he added. gram in Bataan.

According to Bantag, Escorial claimed he had already been hired to kill Lapid as early as September 5, 2022 but according to the gang leaders, they only met with Zulueta for the order to kill the broadcaster on the second week of September.

Bantag said Escorial never mentioned him in his initial extrajudicial confession but only in his subsequent affidavit, which the former BuCor chief claimed could have been influenced by the prosecution’s promise to discharge him as state witness.

The First Lady express gratitude to the governor, citing the official’s participation and leadership in the free medical services that are seen to benefit many Bataan residents.

Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa also attended the medical caravan, as well as Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, and TESDA Director General Suharto Mangudadatu. Herbosa said the national government is launching the LAB For All initiative in several provinces across the nation. Butch Gunio

FORMER Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Martin Diño passed away after a battle with cancer.

The news was confirmed by Diño’s daughter, actress Liza Diño, in a statement posted on social media.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Martin Diño, Former Undersecretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). ‘Bobot,’ as he is fondly called, peacefully died at 2:15 am on August 8, 2023, surrounded by his family,” the actress, in the statement, said.

Salceda urges promotion of local chocolate

ALBAY Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda has cited the need for the promotion of a unique Filipino brand of chocolate as a means to boost the local cacao industry.

Salceda, vice chair of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food, made the statement in a congressional hearing on various bills on institutionalizing a Philippine Cacao Development Program, creating for the purpose the Philippine Cacao Development Council, and appropriating funds.

“There is an existing global demand of 142,000 tons of cacao and chocolate in the market, and that deficit is expected to grow to 190,000 tons next year. So, this is an area of agriculture where prices are expected to continue being promising for producers,” Salceda, chair of the House ways and means committee and the House resident economist, said. Maricel V. Cruz

Gadon eyes private sector on feeding plan

PRESIDENTIAL Adviser for Poverty Alleviation Larry Gadon on Tuesday said they are partnering with the private sector as part of its corporate social responsibility to help feed school children from depressed areas.

“Why do many students from the depressed areas could not finish their studies? Because they do not have the nutrition they need,” he said. “It would be hard to study if one is hungry,” he added.

He said he has tapped large companies under the Batang Busog Malusog program to help address hunger among students in severalselect public schools located within poor communities. Rio N. Araja

STOP AND GAIN.

Dr. Maricar B. Limpin, executive director, Action on Smoking and Health Philippines, explains the mechanics of the ‘Stop and Gain: A Quit and Win Tobacco Cessation Contest,’during a press conference held at the Department of Health building in Manila. Norman Cruz.