20170608 Press Realease

5-year PRC license validity proposed

Statement by Rep Salvader Belaro, Jr.

Continuing professional development takes time and finances to accomplish while practicing professions, living life with family, friends, and professional associates, and undertaking leisurely or life-enriching pursuits.

The current period of three years of validity of the license to practice professions which is evidenced by the Professional Identification Card and the Certificate of Registration is insufficient time for doing continuing professional development learning.

There is precedent for five-year validity of professional license and that is as regards the maritime professionals’ compliance with the Standards of Certification and Watch keeping (STCW).

Today I filed House Bill 5870 - AN ACT EXTENDING TO AND SETTING AT FIVE (5) YEARS THE VALIDITY OF THE PROFESSIONAL IDENTIFICATION CARD AND CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION OF EVERY PROFESSIONAL UNDER LAWS GOVERNING THE PRACTICE OF PROFESSIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES or The PRC License Effectivity Act of 2017.

With this proposed legislation, we give professionals ample time for continuing professional development.

TRYING TO MAKE SENSE OF A TRAGEDY. Speaker Alvarez, flanked by Committee on Public Order and Safety chairman, Rep. Romeo Acop on the left, and Majority Floor Leader Rodolfo Fariñas on the right, listens to the testimony of one of the resource persons during the congressional hearing on the Resorts World tragedy.

Photo 2

RW MANILA OFFICIALS ON SPOTLIGHT. Resorts World Chief Operating Officer, Stephen James Reilly (left) confers with RW President Kingson Sian (middle) during the congressional hearing on the tragic attack in RW that resulted to 38 deaths and injury to several others.

RESORTS WORLD TRAGEDY INQUIRY:  The House committees on public order and safety, on games and amusements, and on tourism chaired, respectively, by Reps. Romeo Acop (2nd District, Antipolo City), Gus Tambunting (2nd District, Parañaque City) and Lucy Torres-Gomez (4th District, Leyte) held a joint inquiry into the June 2 attack on Resorts World  Manila in Pasay City by lone gunman and gambling addict Jessie Carlos, which resulted in the death of 37 guests and employees. Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez and Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas led lawmakers in interpellating Resorts World Manila executives led by its President and CEO Kingson Sian and its Chief Safety and Security Officer Armeen Basister Gomez, officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) about security and safety issues in the aftermath of the attack. Several lawmakers also conducted  an ocular inspection of the Resorts World complex. /PC/ENG

DZMM/PDA

Dos Por Dos(5:30-6:30PM)

Gerry Baja/Anthony Taberna

(6:15PM)

PANAYAM KAY HOUSE SPEAKER PANTALEON ALVAREZ KAUGNAY NG PAGDINIG NG KAMARA SA RESORTS WORLD ATTACK

BAJA: Kausapin natin si Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez. Si Speaker mismo.

TABERNA: Napakalaking karangalan, tayo’y nabigyan ng panahon ng...

BAJA: Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez.

TABERNA: Mr. Speaker, magandang hapon po sa inyo!

ALVAREZ: Magandang hapon sa inyo. 

TABERNA: Napansin niyo ba yung tindi ni Cong. Farinas nung nakatutok yung video?

ALVAREZ: (laughs)

TABERNA: Siguro, kahit mga 24 hours  yan si Majority Leader Farinas, hindi mapapagod yan. 

ALVAREZ: Bar topnotcher yan.

BAJA: Ay oo nga, hindi pa nagpapapasok yan noong estudyante pa. Na-interrogate tuloy masyado yung Vice President ng security ng Resorts World, Mr. Speaker? Kayo ba, anong mga napansin niyo sa buong pagdinig kanina?

ALVAREZ: Well, marami pang katanungan lalong dumami yung katanungan na kailangang sagutin. Dahil napansin ko na parang maliwanag na yung ginawa – yung pinagsusunog niya, nagpaputok siya…ngayon, ang pinagtatakahan ko, yung pinuntahan niya…510, anong meron doon? Klarong-klaro, hinahanap niya yung Room 510. 

BAJA: Hindi lang pala random na pumasok sa kwarto.

ALVAREZ: Malinaw ho, naghahanap ng number…ng room. So saka nung nakita niya na 510, doon niya pilit na binuksan. Lumabas din doon na yung unang pasok ng mga pulis sa room 510 ay walang nakita na body…naka-apat e.

BAJA: Naka-apat nga raw na balik. 

ALVAREZ: Nung pang-apat, saka pa lang nakita yung body nung assailant. So, bakit ganon?

BAJA: Tapos sa video, ang daming nakitang pumasok. 

ALVAREZ: Totoo yon, dumadami ang katanungan. 

BAJA: Nabigyang-linaw din ba kanina sa hearing yung taong patay doon ay confirmed na siya mismo, si Jessie Carlos?

ALVAREZ: Yun ang sinasabi, yun ang report na base sa DNA. Ngayon, ang sa akin naman, parang siya ba talaga yon? Unang-una no? Talagang yun ba talaga yung tao dahil bakit pabalik-balik doon sa kwarto…ang tagal ng pagitan…yung unang punta, walang nakita…yung pangalawa, wala, yung pangatlo…wala, yung pang-apat, doon pa lang nakita yung body.

BAJA: So, may duda ba kayo, Mr. Speaker?

ALVAREZ: Siyempre, kahit sino ba naman magdududa. Bakit ganon, siyempre kung talagang…eto pa, sinasabing nagpakamatay…nagbaril…meron bang taong magbabaril ng sarili tapos magsusunog? Susunugin yung sarili mo?

BAJA: Saka magtatago nang hindi makikita sa tatlong beses na pagpunta doon?

ALVAREZ: Oo, tapos kini-claim pa nung mga taga-Resorts World na ang nakapatay doon sa ano ay yung tauhan nila. Ano ba, namatay o pinatay?

TABERNA: Actually, Mr. Speaker, ang unang claim ng RWM diyan, tinamaan sa binti. Nakabarilan nung tao nila at tinamaan sa binti. Pero ngayon, ang sinasabi nila, sila ang nakapatay…ganun po ba?

ALVAREZ: Parang ganun ang lumalabas. Ngayon, meron ding theory na nagpakamatay…pagkatapos magpakamatay, sinunog ang sarili…paano naman nangyari yon?

TABERNA: Pwedeng ganito naman ang eksena, narinig ko na sa pulis to – nilagyan niya muna ng gasoline ang kanyang kumot pagkatapos ay pinuwesto niya yung sarili niya sa sunog tapos  pinutukan yung sarili niya. Kumbaga, nauna yung act of burning himself bago yung pagbabaril…does it makes sense to you?

ALVAREZ: Hindi pa ko nakakita ng ganun katapang na tao, yung nagpakamatay at nagbaril…tapos na…pero para barilin tapos sunugin pa yung sarili…ewan ko…

TABERNA: Parang sinet niya yung sarili niya. Kasi parang malabo naman na nagbaril muna siya bago niya sunugin yung sarili niya. Parang sinetup niya muna yung sarili niya na masusunog siya pero babarilin niya muna sarili niya para tuluyan na siyang masunog. Ano po ang theory niyo, bakit niya pinili ang room 510? 

ALVAREZ: Yan na nga ang…para sa akin, ang kailangang usisain pa nating mabuti no? Kasi kung gusto mo na rin lang magpakamatay, magbaril ka, bakit maghanap ka pa ng isang kwarto na... unless na naka-check in siya doon. 

TABERNA: Hindi po ba siya naka-check in doon, Sir?

ALVAREZ: Yun din ang kailangan nating alamin dahil ang sabi, dumating doon…nakataxi…sabagay, regular na customer siya doon sa pasugalan.

TABERNA: Baka naman swerte siya sa number na yon? Na 510? (laughs) May mga taong ganun di ba? Alam niyo, Mr. Speaker, nung Monday nakausap namin si PAGCOR Chair Andrea Domingo, ang sinasabi po niya ay parang may koneksyon din, although hindi pa confirmed na ito pong tao na ‘to, si Carlos, yung sa pagkamatay ng isang abogado at isang dating pulis doon naman sa Maynila na galing sa RWM. Kaya yung binabanggit po ninyo, gusto naming…hindi nga kaya nandoon talaga siya sa Room 510? Tapos sinundan niya ito, kasama nitong dalawang ‘to…may ganoon talagang istorya according to Chair Domingo, at saka lang siya bumalik?

ALVAREZ: Hindi ko na talaga alam, Anthony. Kanina, yung sa video, nung nakita niya yung 510…binuksan niya, sinilip-silip pa…definitely, hindi siya nakacheck in doon kasi kung naka-check in siya, may susi sana siya. Pagpasok niya, kinuha yung kumot, nilabas, dinala doon sa hallway saka sinunog niya yung kumot doon. Tapos bumalik siya ulit doon at pumasok sa 510. Tapos naputol yung video.

TABERNA: Ano po kaya ang sabi ng RWM doon sa kwarto na yon? Mag-focus tayo sa kwarto…ano ba yan, regular ba yun, suite?

ALVAREZ: Hindi namin naitanong yan kanina ngunit nung pauwi na ko kanina kasi meron nga akong pupuntahan na iba, saka pumasok sa isipan ko, bakit hinanap niya yung kwarto na yon? Anong meron sa kwarto na yon?

BAJA: Yun pong apat na beses na pumasok sa kwarto na yon, nung nag-responde na, ano ho yon, puro security ng RWM o may kasama ng mga pulis?

ALVAREZ: Mga pulis. 

BAJA: Sa kabuuan, sa narinig niyong kwento ng RWM at kanilang security officials, sa tingin niyo ba, talagang may problema…may lapses talaga sa security nila?

ALVAREZ: Sa tingin ko, more lapses talaga doon sa security dahil unang-una, tinanong nga namin – kasi pagbaba, nakataxi yan, so, pagbaba niyan, may bitbit daw na bag na malaki…di ba pag pumasok ka, meron na agad security doon sa pagpasok…merong X-ray machine…oo…at saka yung pinapasukan ng tao…metal detector…ngayon, kasi yung video, nung pinakita, nasa elevator na siya...lumabas…merong panibagong…tapos tinutukan yung guard na babae, tumakbo…pero yung pagbaba niya sa taxi at pagpasok niya…first niyang pumasok sa premises...paano siya nakapasok na bitbit yung bag?

BAJA: Ito, pinapakita namin sa teleradyo yung pagbaba niya ng taxi, pagpasok ng elevator…

TABERNA: Nung nakita nung security na babae yung baril, tumakbo yung babae. Mr. Speaker, tama po yung sinabi niyo, pagbaba ng taxi, bago pa makapasok sa premises mismo, sa pinto, dapat may gwardiya doon eh. Kasi five steps yun eh..bakit nakalusot nang walang kahirap-hirap, doon pa lang sa unang point na yun?

ALVAREZ: Oo, tapos yung mga gwardiya nila, napag-alaman natin na sa SOSIA, ay kailangan pala na tandem yan palagi.

BAJA: Ay dito wala, mag-isa lang. Babae pa.

ALVAREZ: Nag-iisa, babae, walang baril.

BAJA: Doon pa lang nagkagulo na, nung nakita pa lang sa CCTV, hindi dumaan sa metal detector at hinabol nung guard na babae at tumakbo, dapat nakaresponde na agad di ho ba?

ALVAREZ: Oo, at saka dapat, meron talaga silang…yung tinanong ko kanina…kung meron ba silang Action unit…tapos dapat meron yan kasi malaking establishment yan eh. Sinabi na meron daw. Pero nakita sa video na yung action na kanilang…emergency reaction team ay mapapanood natin…kasi wala…walang tao eh, dire-diretso yung ano e…

BAJA: At saka ang haba ng pangyayari. Mula 12:07, nung nanununog na siya doon sa table, 12:12 na yun e.  That’s five minutes na…medyo mahaba-haba na yun. Mga 12:40 na ata yun, bago siya umakyat doon sa kwarto. Mahaba-habang panahon po yon pero ito ho, Mr. Speaker, tinitingan ko kanina…kung sa unang sigwada agad, ang nasa isipan nila agad ay ISIS, sa parte ho ng pulis, di ba dapat tinakeover na agad ng pulis ang scene. Ganun ang nakikita natin sa pelikula…pagdating sa site, ite-takeover nila ang situation from the local security…eh dito ho, anong lumitaw sa inyo pong pagtatanong?

ALVAREZ: Tama ho ang sinabi niyo, Ka Gerry, yun talaga ang procedure…kahit na hindi napag-alaman na ISIS yan, kung merong may baril, may nangyayaring kaguluhan sa loob, dapat immediately, yung police authority talagang mag-takeover na sa operation. At ito, ang napag-alaman natin kanina, hindi nila agad sinabi agad sa police authority na mayroon pa palang backup CCTV room. Inaalam natin doon sa officers ng Resorts World, kung bakit hindi niyo sinabi sa pulis na meron pa lang backup na CCTV. 

BAJA: Saka dapat pulis na sana ang pumoste doon, di ho ba?

ALVAREZ: Saka para sila na yung magsasabi kung anong dapat gawin ng kanilang mga sundalo, mga kapulisan doon sa loob.

TABERNA: So, ito pong existence ng isa pang CCTV, yun po ay hindi nila sinabi sa otoridad? Inilihim nila yun, Speaker?

ALVAREZ: Opo, dahil hindi nila kami masagot ng diretso. Ang sagot ng kanilang Presidente, sila daw ang nagsasabi na nag-ano ng mga pulis na dito…dito…dito…dumaan. 

TABERNA: Ang labo…yun nga ang nangyari…

ALVAREZ: Doon daw sa control room ng CCTV, doon sa kabilang building…bakit hindi niyo pinaalam sa pulis yan? Para sila na mismo ang nagko-control?

BAJA: Kaya tuloy pinagtawanan pa na may security na may armalite din na nung pumapasok doon, na biglang lumabas si Jessie, biglang nagtatakbo…napagtawanan tuloy yung security ng RWM.

ALVAREZ: Oo, imbes na barilin na lang niya, ang ganda na ng pwesto niya…parang mabubulaga niya yung assailant from his position pero tumakbo siya at saka nagkaputukan na…

TABERNA: Speaker, kayo po bilang isang abogado rin, gaano ka-significant yung admission ng COO ng RWM na meron po silang lapses sa security kung ang pag-uusapan po natin ay yung pong kaso na posibleng i-file sa kanila lalo na po yung civil case po?

ALVAREZ: Mabigat na bagay yan dahil pag na-establish natin o ng complainant na talagang merong lapses sa security kaya yun ang naging cause kung bakit namatay yung mga tao doon sa loob, malakas na kaso yan. 

TABERNA: May binabanggit po kayo kanina …nung nagsasalita ay taga-PAGCOR, parang gusto niyo na kanselahin ang lisensya…prangkisa nitong Resorts World? 

ALVAREZ: Immediately, sa tingin ko, immediately, dapat suspendihin na agad parang naka-disgrasya na bus…maliwanag na may kapabayaan, immediately, isuspend mo muna yung operations kasi otherwise, paano yung... kailangang i-determine na muna natin. Bago nating payagan na mag-operate ulit, kung papayagan man yan, dapat na-comply na yung dapat na safety measures na dapat nilang gawin. 

BAJA: At meron pa silang kapabayaan…yun hong excluded persons…yung national database of restricted persons na ipinalalabas ng PAGCOR, yun daw ho ay mahigit sa 400 na katao na banned sa lahat ng casino, mukhang sa itsura ho ng mga nakita natin sa video ay wala silang pamamaraan para iimplement, i-identify ang isang excluded person para hindi makapasok sa loob…

ALVAREZ: Tama po yan, saka hindi lang po yon. I think, a week before ay nagbigay ang PAGCOR ng notices doon sa mga casinos. Dahil nga doon sa pangyayari sa Marawi ay nagbigay ng notices ang PAGCOR na higpitan yung security nila. Hindi po nagkulang ang ating gobyerno.

TABERNA: Yun pong…maraming namatay dito.

BAJA: Isang Kongresista at isang staff ng isang Congressman…

TABERNA: Pati na yung iba pang pumanaw doon, ang sama-sama ng loob, kahit nga hindi natin kamag-anak, imaginine mo lang kung paano sila nadisgrasya doon kahit na nandoon sila to make fun, magtrabaho…ang sinasabi po natin, kung naisagawa yung tamang protocol diyan…yung sa evacuation, ano pong nakitang problema sa evacuation? Ang sinasabi nila na-clear na lahat , yun pala nandoon sa isang kwarto…sa may VIP…bakit hindi nila nakita? Kaya napakaimportante ng CCTV…

ALVAREZ: Yun na nga Anthony, kaya naitanong natin kanina kung meron silang emergency reaction team dahil yung mga bagay na yan…may standard procedure para sa ganun, walang maiwan doon sa loob at meron nag-a-assist talaga doon sa mga taong na-trap sa loob kung saan sila lalabas. Pero wala tayong scene na nakitang ganoon. Merong mga empleyado na pumunta sa exit…di ba sa ibang bansa, nakita mo, may dalang palakol, chainsaw, kung ano-ano…kumpleto sa gamit…kung kailangan na gibain yung pintuan, magigiba, kung naipit ng ano…yung mga equipment, wala tayong nakikitang ganun. 

TABERNA: Parang wala pong crisis management team na na-activate immediately no?

ALVAREZ: Wala at saka nakita natin na yung backgroung ng kanilang security nung tinatanong na ni Cong. Acop kanina, yung kanilang background di ba? Nung una ay nagsisinungaling…tapos ayaw pa magsabi…hindi pa niya sinabi na siya pala ay na-dismiss sa Philippine Military Academy tapos biglang nung tinanong siya kung anong natapos niya…kung grumaduate siya, sumagot siya ng oo…management ata, nung tinanong siya kung anong eskwelahan ay hindi na niya masabi. 

TABERNA: May problema talaga sa integridad. Ang totoo non, hindi naman natin hahamakin yung pinag-aralan, hindi naman issue yun pero ang usapan dito, yung katapatan mo sa pagtugon…tinatanong ka lang naman…integrity of the person e.

ALVAREZ: Opo at makikita natin na ang Resorts World ay may kapabayaan sa pagpili rin ng kanilang empleyado, hindi natin pinagkakatiwala yung buhay ng mga tao doon sa isang tao na kulang sa training, kulang sa kaalaman tungkol sa security so bakit siya nilagay doon?

BAJA: Siya po ang head pero iba pa ho yung security agency na kaniyang hina-hire…dito rin eh…kasama rin sa agency na ito ay nagpo-provide din ng security sa dalawang terminal ng ating airport…ano ho bang magiging sitwasyon noon? Dalawang importanteng pasilidad ang kasama sa binabatayan ng nasabing security agency?

ALVAREZ: Yun nga ang reason ko kung bakit kami nagtayo ng isang security agency doon…yung Philippine Aviation Security Group parang ganun, kasi nga, yun ay trained sila specifically sa aviation security kaya lang noon, yung Nanting na yan ay nilalagay namin yan doon sa land-side, hindi doon sa air-side, yung air-side, yun yung sinisecure nung security agency na pinuhunan ng airport authority. Yung Nanting, yun yung nagsesecure a land-side, paglabas ng mga terminal. 

BAJA: Sa ngayon ho ba, hindi na ganon o ganun pa rin ang sistema?

ALVAREZ: Wala na. Noong umalis kami, wala na rin…so..

BAJA: Pagtitiwalaan ho ba natin yan sa sitwasyon na nakita natin sa RWM?

ALVAREZ: Yun, kailangan reviewhin ng airport authority yung pag-hire nila ng security guards, dapat maging strikto talaga sila diyan dahil nga uso ngayon yung terrorism. Kinakailangan talaga na mahigpit tayo dito to secure yung public safety. 

TABERNA: Mr. Speaker sa pakikinig niyo po kanina, kumbinsido na po ba kayo na this is not an act of terrorism.

ALVAREZ: Ah hindi! Kaya nga, sinabi ko kanina…wag nating paghiwalayin yung crime doon sa…ay hindi…let’s not confuse no? yung crime mismo doon sa description ng terrorism kasi yung terrorism may be committed by murder, arson, hindi naman kailangan na merong mamatay basta nanggulo ka, nang-terrorize ka ng people…I mean, that could classify as terrorism. I can maintain na since...inamin din ni Gen. Albayalde na naterrorize yung mga tao doon sa loob. So, kung na-terrorize yung mga taong nasa loob…anong tawag natin doon? 

TABERNA: Yung tinutukoy po ninyo yung mismong kahulugan ng terrorism…ay talagang swak na swak po yun…mukhang ang terrorism na we are referring to ay yun po bang link sa extremism o mga ISIS…baka yun po yung direksyon ng publiko…

ALVAREZ: Ay hindi po ganun…yung terrorism naman, hindi lang naman yan ginagawa nung organized groups e…pwedeng gawin yan ng isang tao lang, In fact, kagaya nung nangyari sa 9/11, ilang tao lang yon…binangga yung building, ang daming namatay…hindi ba terrorism yun?

TABERNA: Pero yun po ay parte ng isang pagpaplano ng marami pong involved na mga tao…hindi naman po tayo dapat na mag-debate pa doon…alam naman po natin ang ating pinag-uusapan…sabi nga ni George Carino, terrorism as defined by human security act or anti-terror law, baka po hindi bumagsak doon sa layman’s definition natin yung pinag-uusapan natin kanina na terrorism. Well, anyway, isa na lang po no, baka pwedeng maging focus ng investigation at baka po kailangan ng legislation ito pong nakita natin sa fire safety ng …ang laki-laking kumpanya…ang laki-laki ng kinikita nito tapos yun lang ang kanilang fire safety na pinatutupad?

ALVAREZ: Magandang (inaudible) yan, kasi ang inaasahan natin diyan, yun ay ang tumutulong ay ang LGUs kasi di ba, sila yung nagbibigay ng permit saka yung occupancy permit. Ngayon, tinitingnan lahat yan, yung mga requirements sa fire protection at sa tingin ko naman, medyo mahigpit ang batas sa fire protection…yung implementation..

BAJA: May next hearing pa ba ito, Speaker?

ALVAREZ: Ay marami pa, marami pang katanungan ang dapat talagang sagutin at yung ipapatawag namin ay yung may-ari mismo ng Resorts World. 

BAJA: Sa parte po ng PNP, kuntento po ba kayo…sapat ba ang naging aksyon ng pulisya?

ALVAREZ: Sa tingin ko naman, okay naman yung pag-askyon ng ating kapulisan.

House greens proposed "LGU-led on-site, in-city or near-city Resettlement"

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading House Bill 5347 which seeks to establish a local government resettlement program that will implement an on-site, in-city or near-city strategy for informal settler families (ISFs) in accordance with a People’s Plan.

The bill principally authored by Rep. Tom Villarin (Party-list, Akbayan) also mandates that the relocating local government unit (LGU) shall provide other basic services and livelihood components in favor of the recipient LGU.

These relocation programs shall be made possible through the amendment of Republic Act 7279, as amended, otherwise known as the “Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992.”

The bill refers to “in-city resettlement” as a relocation site within the jurisdiction of a LGU where the affected ISFs are living. It refers to “near-city resettlement” as a relocation site within the jurisdiction of a LGU, closer to the original location of the affected ISFs, with minimal transportation cost based on their income profile and adjacent to the LGU that has jurisdiction over their present settlement.

People’s Plan” under the bill, meanwhile, refers to the plan formulated by the beneficiary-association, in coordination with the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor with or without the support of civil society organizations (CSOs), which shall contain a site development plan to conform to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan of the LGU whose jurisdiction the project site is proposed to be located.

The plan includes community health; sanitation and security plans; non-physical development components such as self-help housing cooperative, livelihood, self-help development, capability building; and a system of allocation of socialized housing units that promote and protect the welfare of the elderly, persons with disability, and children.

"On-site development" per the original RA 7279 refers to the process of upgrading and rehabilitation of blighted slum urban areas with a view of minimizing displacement of dwellers in said areas, and with provisions for basic services.

The bill seeks to amend Section 3 of Republic Act No. 7279, as amended, by adding terms and their definition, such as “adequate and responsive consultation”, “civil society organizations CSOs)”, “in-city resettlement”, ‘informal resettlements”, “informal settler families (ISFs)”, “key shelter agencies (KSA)”, “near-city resettlement”, “nongovernment organizations”, “off-city resettlement”, “people’s plan” and “social  preparation”.

Secondly, the bill seeks to mandate that government agencies dealing with the provision of skills and livelihood training, development of livelihood programs, and grant of livelihood loans shall give priority to the beneficiaries of the Program. These are the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Philippine Trade and Training Center.

The bill also seeks to amend Section 23 of RA 7279, as amended, which deals with the participation of program beneficiaries, formation of beneficiary-association, mainstreaming social preparation and formulation and implementation of a People’s Plan.

The amendment provides that “The LGUs, in coordination with the PCUP and concerned government agencies, shall afford Program beneficiaries or their duly designated representatives an opportunity to be heard and to participate in the decision-making process over matters involving the protection and promotion of their legitimate collective interests which shall include appropriate documentation and feedback mechanisms.”

Moreover, the Program beneficiaries shall also be encouraged to organize themselves into an association for accreditation as beneficiaries or awardees of ownership rights under the resettlement program, community mortgage program, land tenure assistance program, and other similar programs in relation to a socialized housing project actually being implemented by the national government or by the LGUs. They shall also assist the government in preventing the incursions of professional squatters and members of squatting syndicates into their communities.

The association, with the assistance of CSOs and government agencies, including the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), PCUP, National Housing Authority (NHA), City or Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, Social Housing Finance Corporation, LGUs, and other relevant agencies of government, shall agree on how to develop and implement the People’s Plan.

In accordance with the protection guidelines provided under Section 28 of the Act, a relocation action plan shall be an indispensable component of the People’s Plan. The relocation action plan shall include the following objectives:

        “(A) Ensure safe, affordable, decent, and humane condition of relocation, incorporating therein appropriate disaster risk reduction management and climate change adaptation standards;

          “(B) Provide adequate social preparation; and

          “(C) Prevent forced eviction: Provided, that primary consideration shall be given to the housing financially scheme suggested in the People’s Plan.”

Thirdly, the bill seeks to amend Section 26 of RA 7279, as amended, so that “Urban Renewal and Resettlement shall include the rehabilitation and development of blighted and slum areas and the resettlement of program beneficiaries in accordance with the provisions of the Act."

Fourth, the bill seeks to amend Section 29 of RA 7279, as amended, so that the LGUs shall be in charged with the primary responsibility of implementing resettlement of affected ISFs in their respective localities, in coordination with the appropriate key shelter agencies.

The Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and the Department of Finance–Bureau of Local Government Finance (DOF-BLGF) shall formulate the implementing rules and regulations on the cost-sharing mechanism necessary to fully implement the provision of such other basic services and facilities.

In addition to the funding sources provided under the bill, the allocation for the basic services and facilities may be taken by the LGU implementing the relocation or resettlement from the 20 percent of the Internal Revenue Allotment appropriated for development projects as mandated under Section 287 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the “Local Government Code of 1991.”

The bill further states the principles and provisions of the Act shall be incorporated in the National Shelter Program of the government.

The bill is co-authored by Reps. Kaka Bag-ao (Lone District, Dinagat Islands), Alfredo Benitez (3rd District, Negros Occidental), Jose Christopher Belmonte (6th District, Quezon City), Strike Revilla (2nd District, Cavite), Isidro Rodriguez Jr. (2nd District, Rizal), Ron Salo (Party-list, KABAYAN), Alfred Vargas (5th District, Quezon City), Greg Gasataya (Lone District, Bacolod City), John Marvin Nieto (3rd District, Manila), Edward Maceda (4th District, Manila),  Sherwin Tugna (Party-list, CIBAC), Gabriel Bordado, Jr. (3rd District, Camarines Sur),  Angelina Tan (4th District, Quezon), Juliette  Uy (2nd District, Misamis Oriental),  Cesar Sarmiento (Lone District, Catanduanes), Florida Robes (Lone District, San Jose Del Monte City), Joaquin Chipeco Jr. (2nd District, Laguna), Maria Vida  Bravo (1st District, Masbate), Nancy Catamco (2nd District, North Cotabato), Aniceto Bertiz III (Party-list, ACTS OFW), Joseph Stephen Paduano (Party-list, ABANG LINGKOD), Eugene de Vera (Party-list, ABS), Alberto Ungab (3rd District, Davao City) , Deogracias Ramos, Jr., (2nd District, Sorsogon), Gavini Pancho (2nd District, Bulacan), Romero Quimbo (2nd District, Marikina City), Jericho Jonas Nograles (Party-list, PBA), Gary Alejano (Party-list, MAGDALO), Alfredo Garbin Jr. (Party-list, AKO BICOL), Wilter Wee Palma II (1st District, Zamboanga Sibugay), Julieta Cortuna (Party-list, A TEACHER), Winston Castelo (2nd District, Quezon City), Virgilio Lacson (Party-list, MANILA TEACHERS), Deogracias Victor Savellano (1st District, Ilocos Sur), Michael Romero (Party-list, 1-PACMAN), Rodel Batocabe (Party-list, AKO BICOL), Arnulfo Teves, Jr. (3rd District, Negros Oriental), MA. Lucille Nava (Lone District, Guimaras), Harry Roque, Jr. (Party-list, KABAYAN), Marisol Panotes (2nd District, Camarines Norte), Ben Evardone (Lone District, Eastern Samar), Rene Relampagos (1st District, Bohol), Aileen Radaza (Lone District, Lapu-Lapu City), Manuel Luis Lopez (1st District, Manila), Edgar  Mary Sarmiento (1st District, Samar), Alexandria Gonzales (Lone District, Mandaluyong City), Mark Go (Lone District, Baguio City), Manuel Jose Dalipe (2nd District, Zamboanga City) and Rozzano Rufino Biazon (Lone District, Muntinlupa City). (30) MVIP

Sato bats for measure regulating public solicitations

A proposed measure seeking to regulate public solicitation and promoting transparency and accountability in using solicited funds has finally passed third and final reading in the House of Representatives. 

Occidental Mindoro Rep. Josephine Ramirez Y. Sato, a principal author of the bill, said the measure seeks to put in place mechanisms for public solicitations, particularly during state of calamities or disasters. 

Sato expressed her appreciation to Rep. Sandra Ereguel of La Union, chairman of the House committee on social services, for her sponsorship and the bill’s passage, underscoring both its importance and urgency.

Among others, the proposed measure aims to increase the proceeds allocated for charity projects, protect the beneficiaries and impose penalties for violators, strengthen monitoring mechanism of organizations who are exempted from getting permits, and institutionalize check and balance on where the funds go.

Under the proposed measure, issuance of permit includes requirements such as identifying the programs, projects or beneficiaries on which the solicitation proceeds will be spent.

Essentially, it also aims to ensure protection of beneficiaries as well as the general public from whom the donations are going to be solicited from, Sato said.

As the proposed measure passed third and final reading in the House of Representatives, Sato is now urging fellow legislators to sponsor a counterpart measure in the Philippine Senate.

“The measure promotes transparency and public accountability of solicited funds.  It will empower the DSWD to regulate public solicitations and prevent unscrupulous individuals or groups from taking advantage of the generosity of institutions and individuals, particularly during disasters,” Sato, a former Governor of Occidental Mindoro said.

The lady solon noted that during disaster, many individuals and institutions start soliciting funds purportedly to help people affected by natural calamities. 

“It is about time that the government, through the DSWD, checks on the propriety of these public solicitations,” she added.

With its enactment into law, the measure will empower the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in serving as regulatory and monitoring body for public solicitations.

House Bill No. 5342 repeals Act No. 4075, as amended by presidential Decree No. 1564, otherwise known as the Solicitation Permit Law, was unanimously passed on third and final reading last May 22, with 221 affirmative votes.

The bill covers individuals and organizations operating in the Philippines which are partly or fully financed with funds solicited from public and private sectors.

Exempted from the proposed measure are organizations and agencies created by laws that specifically confer authority on these organizations and agencies to solicit or conduct fund campaign for charitable or public welfare purposes shall continue to be covered by their charters; caroling during holiday; solicitations for religious purposes inside religious sanctuaries or buildings where religious activities are regularly held.

Under the proposed measure, the DSWD Secretary or duly authorized representative for regional, provincial, city or municipal public solicitations are authorized to issue necessary permits for public solicitations.

The bill also defines the parameters of solicitation during disasters and calamities, enumerates the methods of public solicitation, provides for the mechanism in the monitoring of public solicitation activities, and grants DSWD regulatory powers to verify the authenticity of reports and visitorial power to ensure that funds are properly utilized.

It also lays down the prohibited acts in the conduct of solicitation as well as the penalties prescribed in violating the provisions of the measure and mandates DSWD in consultation with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Transportation (DoTr), Department of Information, Communication, and Technology (DICT) Philippine National Police (PNP), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Association of Provincial, City and Municipal Social Welfare and Three (3) representatives selected by DSWD from NGOs and media organizations to promulgate the IRR. ###

News Release

Office of Rep. Johnny T. Pimentel (PDP-Laban)

0917-6238571

Member, Committee on national defense and security

June 8, 2017

Lengthy battle in Marawi “very dangerous,” warns solon Armed Forces urged to nip problem in the bud before local terrorists get to “rouse” foreign reinforcements

Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel has warned that a prolonged armed conflict in Marawi City could enable local terrorists to muster, mainly via the Internet and social media, foreign reinforcements from Islamic State (IS) fighters around the world.

“This is why the Armed Forces should swiftly demolish the terrorists in Marawi -- and nip the problem in the bud -- before it develops into something larger,” said Pimentel, a member of the House committee on national defense and security.

“We do not want the clashes there to drag out, because this is precisely what the enemy wants. The longer the fighting, the more they’ll be celebrated before the eyes of IS followers abroad who might be roused to join a warped glorious struggle in Mindanao,” Pimentel said.

This early, Pimentel urged the Bureau of Immigration and the Philippine Coast Guard to be on the lookout for possible foreign-based IS backers who might be emboldened to go to Mindanao to aid the local terrorists in Marawi.

“These IS sympathizers, including those radicalized online, could come from everywhere – from as far as Europe or to as near as Indonesia. They may try to legally come in through our regular ports of entry, or illegally by way of Mindanao’s vast coastline,” Pimentel said.

The two-week old battle in Marawi has given rise to fears that the conflict in the predominantly Islamic city could drag out longer than originally expected.

According to a formal report sent by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to members of Congress, the skirmishes in Marawi have so far “internally displaced” 20,049 families, or 100,530 persons.

DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said 25 evacuation centers are open with 3,026 families, or 14,229 persons.

She said 17,023 families, or 86,301 persons “are staying outside evacuation centers with relatives or friends” in various cities and municipalities in Northern Mindanao and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Rep. Johnny T. Pimentel (Second District, Surigao del Sur)

Scaled-Down E-Trike Project to Push Through: DOE

(Taguig City.) The Department of Energy (DOE) will push through with the long-delayed E-Trike Project although on a much smaller scale from the original 100,000 units to just 3,000 and from the original project cost of P21.672 billion to P1.73 billion.

According to Assistant Secretary Leonido Pulido III, despite the many challenges faced by the project from previous Administrations, now nearing the end of its five-year loan term period, the DOE will move to showcase the potential use of clean and diversified energy technologies through the E-Trike.

The DOE headed by Secretary Alfonso Cusi moved to partially cancel the loan contract last year as the Department wanted to revisit all the options available in view of significant flaws in the project’s design, including the choice of just one model and pricing concerns.

Since the approval of the E-Trike Project by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) in June 2013, recorded investments in e-trike manufacturing and support reached P500 million and generated 14,840 jobs as of the end of 2016, according to the Board of Investments and Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines.

This month, NEDA-Investment Coordination Committee took note of the DOE proposal last March on the revised project implementation, including the additional deployment options and arrangements.

As there would be substantial changes in the project, the DOE is securing amendments to the loan, Project Administration Manual and related documents with the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The current DOE leadership is pushing through with the procurement of the 3,000 units of e-trikes instead of 100,000 units because this had already been contracted by the previous Administration.

Pulido explained that the DOE decided on 3,000 e-trike units as a sufficient quantity to demonstrate the viability of the technology.

"Sustainability dictates that the appropriate eco-system be in place to support the e-trike beyond deployment or at the point of sale. The terms of the contract of the winning bidder under the project include after-sales support and warranty. This sends a clear and strong signal to the public to make the switch to e-trikes," Pulido said.

Prior to the E-Trike Project, there had been previous attempts to deploy electric tricycles in various parts of the country. However, these early attempts failed because after-sales support was absent or inadequate.

In fact, during the pilot study which served as the basis for the E-Trike Project conducted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in 2011, after-sales support and warranty were key lessons learned that would determine the success or failure of the e-trike, Pulido pointed out.

Nonetheless, he said, the DOE is committed to working with the ADB and other government partners to address the socially sensitive issue of the project regarding price.

The DOE also noted that ADB’s international competitive bidding rules were observed in every step of the project.

The original project scope of deploying 100,000 e-trike units with a total project cost of P21.672 billion required various arrangements involving the government, the private sector and ADB.

Nevertheless, the DOE acted to ensure that the project would benefit the public at minimal cost to taxpayers. Proof of this is the downscaling of the project cost from a whopping P21 billion to just P1.73 billion. 

Pulido said the project is an investment not only in technology and the environment but more importantly, a socio-economic investment that would jumpstart a nascent industry, generate jobs and ensure sustainable energy consumption in the country.

Reference:

Usec. Wimpy Fuentebella

DOE Spokesperson

09189467993

Pamsy L. Tioseco

Public/Media Affairs Office Head

09178343449

NEWS Release

8 June 2017

House digs deeper into Resort World tragedy

The House committees on public order and security, on games and amusement, and on tourism convened Wednesday for a joint motu proprio inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the circumstances surrounding the Resorts World Manila (RWM) incident last June 1 which claimed the lives of 37 people and injured 78 others.

House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez (1st District, Davao del Norte), Majority Leader Rodolfo C. Fariñas (1st District, Ilocos Norte), and the chairpersons of the committees, namely Rep. Romeo M. Acop (2nd District, Antipolo City) of the committee on public order and security, Rep. Gus S. Tambunting (2nd District, Parañaque City) of the committee on games and amusements, and Rep. Lucy T. Gomez (4th District, Leyte) of the committee on tourism led the grueling 11-hour investigation.

The probe aims to determine the security and safety lapses, how similar incidents can be avoided in the future, and the corresponding legislation Congress can introduce to strengthen the country’s security protocols.

Among the significant issues raised and noted by the lawmakers during the inquiry were: RWM’s apparent disregard of the advisory issued by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR); the obvious lapses in coordination between security personnel of RWM and government security forces; conflicting provisions of two laws which seriously affect the fire prevention integrity of buildings within ecozones; and the evident lack of proper equipment of government security and safety personnel which hinders the effective performance of their mandates.

During PAGCOR chairperson Andrea Domingo’s briefing, it was learned that despite the advisory she issued on security strengthening in light of the ongoing Marawi terrorist attack, RWM seemed to have ignored the advisory and failed to reinforce its security.

Alvarez advised her that as RWM’s regulator, their ongoing investigation must also focus on franchise violations that RWM may have committed which could warrant the revocation of the establishment’s franchise.

During the briefing of the  Philippine National Police (PNP) and the RWM Safety, Security and Surveillance Office’s, it was revealed that the main reason why coordination was sloppy and not given in real time was because the information on and access to a remote CCTV site located in Remington Hotel was not given to the police as soon as the law enforcers took over the RWM situation.

It was only when PNP Chief Director-General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa arrived at the scene a few hours after the incident started that such information was given to the police.

The three committees strongly and unanimously believe that had the PNP been given access to the other CCTV monitoring site and there was cooperation of RWM’s expert CCTV personnel, things could have ended differently and would have led to the earlier subjugation of the gunman.

The lawmakers cited that the PNP has tactical awareness on what should be done.

The lawmakers also noted during the presentation of the CCTV footage of the RWM incident the evident ineffectiveness of RWM security personnel to handle the situation as they were running around and abandoning their respective posts. The lawmakers likewise cited how ill-equipped the RWM security personnel were in apprehending just a single gunman.

The House leaders emphasized that if the RWM security personnel failed to handle well a lone assailant who entered the establishment, what more if a bigger and more organized group entered RWM with such  lax security.

 Meanwhile, through the questions raised by Acop, a lawyer and former chief of the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the educational  background of RWM’s chief security officer Armeen Gomez was unraveled. The lawmakers believe this was the reason for Gomez’s inadequacy to handle such situation.

Initially, Gomez was reluctant to provide information on his education background until Alvarez warned that he could be cited for contempt and detained for not cooperating with the lawmakers.

The conflicting provisions of the “Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Act of 1995” or Republic Act 7916, as amended by RA 8748, and the Revised Fire Code Act of 2008 were also raised during the hearing with PEZA Director General Charito Plaza insisting that fire inspection and management of establishments within the ecozones fall under their jurisdiction.

This position resulted in several similar incidents in the past wherein the BFP was not allowed access to ecozones during fire incidents and during inspection of fire code compliance. The BFP acknowledged being in a bind on how to address the situation.

The lawmakers believe that had the BFP been given access to inspect RWM’ building’s fire compliance, then the establishment’s absence or lack of fire prevention systems could have been foreseen and addressed.

Rep. Winston Castelo (2nd District, Quezon City) said had the RWM’s smoke extractor system been operational, sufficient, and compliant with the National Building Code, then most of the victims would not have died of asphyxiation.

Rep. Rozanno Rufino B. Biazon (Lone District, Muntinlupa City) maintained that the fire code is a newer law and clearly supersedes the older PEZA law. He said PEZA’s belief may have been misplaced and overstretched its mandate. He then sought a review of the “Revised Fire Code Act of 2008” and the “Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Act of 1995.”

The lawmakers also noted the deficiency in the equipment of the country’s law enforcement and safety units. PNP officials said the law enforcers used cellphones which hardly worked inside the building instead of using radios for their communication. This occurred when the BFP took hours before it could enter the RWM premises to save people due to the lack of gas masks and heat-repelling suits.

This prompted the lawmakers to underscore the importance of reviewing the budget of security and safety agencies to strengthen their capacity to address such situation.

Several House leaders inspected the RWM premises during the hearing and followed the movements made by the gunman to better appreciate the issues surrounding the incident.

The lawmakers also requested the submission of pertinent documents and CCTV footage taken from May 31 to June 2, 2017, copies of reports, briefers and manuals of procedures during emergency for review of the committees.

The committee likewise agreed to invite additional resource persons for the next committee hearing which was set on Wednesday next week. (30) CM

Alvarez says SC can’t dictate Congress what to do; warns of possible crisis

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez today warned of a possible constitutional crisis as a result of several petitions asking the Supreme Court to compel Congress to convene in a joint session to discuss the factual basis of President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

“Balikan muna nila (petitioners) ang law books. How can the Supreme Court dictate Congress what to do? Co-equal body yan. O, mag-issue ng direktiba ang Supreme Court telling Congress, dictating Congress na mag convene kayo ng joint session, punitin ko yan,” said Alvarez in an ambush interview.

Alvarez said the petitioners have created a situation that could result to a clash between Congress and the Supreme Court.

“Eh talagang magkakaroon ng constitutional crisis. At hindi namin kasalanan yun,” said Alvarez, who is among the respondents named in the petitions before the Supreme Court.

Alvarez said he would be represented in the case by the Solicitor General.

“Ipinasa ko na sa Office ng Solicitor General. At ang position natin doon walang jurisdiction ang Supreme Court dyan,” Alvarez said.

The Speaker said he could not understand why the petitioners are insisting on a joint session over martial law in Mindanao.

He noted that both the Senate and the House of Representatives have adopted their respective resolutions supporting the declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

“Ngayon mag-convene ka ng joint session, anong pag-uusapan natin? Alam na natin kung anong decision,” Alvarez explained.

Maybe the President’s critics are pressing for a joint session of Congress in the hope of creating an opportunity to promote their personal political interests.

“Siguro baka naman gusto nilang mag-grandstanding lang diyan sa joint session,” he said.

Alvarez said he could not predict what would happen if a constitutional crisis ensues as a result of the petitions filed before the high court.

However, Alvarez said he is sure of one thing: the House of Representatives would not heed any order from the Supreme Court directing Congress to convene in a joint session.

“Basta kami hindi kami susunod kung anong sabihin ng Supreme Court diyan dahil wala silang karapatan para diktahan ang Kongreso kung anong dapat naming gawin,” Alvarez said. ###

Transcript: Ambush interiew of Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez

Andaya Hall, House of Representatives

08 June 2017

10:20 am

Q:        Sir, can you talk about that? Plano ninyong i-amend o i-repeal yung law na nagbibigay ng power sa Pagcor para mag-issue ng licenses?

A:        Ah, ganito 'yan. Meron kaming bill na ipa-file na yung Pagcor palitan natin ng pangalan: Philippine Games and Amusement Authority, na kung saan 'yung function nila will be purely regulatory. So Pagcor will no longer be allowed to operate casinos, and Pagcor will no longer be allowed to issue licenses. So lahat ng mga prangkisa ay manggagaling sa Kongreso. 'Yung PCSO, ganun din. They will no longer be allowed to operate lotteries, at saka magbigay ng kahit na anong lisensya para sa mga small-town lottery (STL), franchises, ano. Lahat 'yan kailangang pumunta sa Kongreso. Ngayon, 'yung PCSO will purely be a recipient para magawa nila 'yung kanilang mandato tungkol doon sa charity.

Q:        Bakit, sir? bakit kailangan Congress?

A:        Kasi 'yun talaga 'yung power ng Congress, eh. All franchises kailangan manggagaling sa Congress. Ngayon, parang dinelegate (delegate) lang ng Congress. Ngayon, I think, kailangang bawiin na ulit ng Congress dahil nga sa dami ng problema na nangyayari, kasama 'yung nangyari sa Resorts World, itong nagkakagulo na mga STL na 'yan, kasama po yan.

Q:        Mare-revoke, sir, lahat ng mga lisensysa?

A:        Mare-revoke lahat nung pinag-iisyu nilang lisensya pagka pumasa yung batas na 'yun. Pero bibigyan natin lahat ng one (1) year para mag-apply ng franchises sa Congress. So hihigpitan naman natin 'yung ano, 'yung requirements.

Q:        25 years pa rin, sir, 'yung ii-issue ninyo?

A:        Ah, depende na 'yun sa Committee on Franchises.

Q:        Sir, lumabas sa hearing kahapon na hindi pala nire-require ng Pagcor ang submission ng mga safety plans sa mga casinos? Pag lumabas ho ba, ire-require n'yo na 'yun pag nag-apply sila ng franchise sa Congress?

A:        Yes, lahat 'yun. Kaya sinasabi ko kailangan maging istrikto tayo. At hindi lamang iyon, pati 'yung pag-award ng prangkisa sa mga mining corporations, ano. Alam mo, dumami 'yung pagbibigay ng mga lisensya, prangkisa, kahit wala namang capability. Ang nangyari in the previous administrations, binibigyan ng mga prangkisa kahit wala namang capability na mag-operate. So ang ginagawa lang itini-turn-around; ibinebenta 'yung license. Ngayon, 'yung mga dapat na requirements na dapat ipatupad ng DENR ay na-i-ignore; maraming nagba-violate doon.

Q:        Pati ba LTFRB, sir, mga franchises ng mga sasakyan?

A:        Pati LTFRB. Ngayon, ang problema naman doon, nakita na nila na kapos ang mga ano, public utilities, mga buses—ay hanggang ngayon ay pinag-aaralan pa rin daw 'yung tamang numbers ng buses. Eh, ano namang pakialam natin doon? Bigyan mo ng prangkisa iyan—kung gusto mong one thousand, one thousand. Problema nila 'yun, ng negosyante, kung kikita o hindi.

Q:        'Yung BFP saka PEZA, nagkakaroon ng problema?

A:        Alin?

Q:        BFP and PEZA kahapon sa hearing.

A:        Bureau of Fire Protection?

Q:        And PEZA. Ang PEZA, kasi siya ang namamahala ng mga fire protecion sir?

A:        Hindi, kanya-kanyang ano naman iyan. Eh 'di syempre, sa isyu ng fire protection, eh 'di sa Bureau of Fire. Ngayon, kung sa isyu naman nung economic zone, eh 'di 'yung PEZA.

Q:        No need to amend this bill, that the law tungkol ho doon sa PEZA? Kasi may ruling si De Lima during her time na nasa poder ho ng PEZA, even the casinos’s life outside….

A:        Hindi, 'yun na nga e. Pag pumasa yung batas sa bagong function ng Pagcor na purely regulatory, lahat 'yan under ng PAGCOR.

Q:        Sir, anong assessment ninyo sa ocular kahapon? Nakasama po ba kayo sa ocular inspection?

A:        Ah, hindi ako nakasama sa ocular inspection.

Q:        Pero overall, dun sa 11-hour hearing, anong most striking thing na natutunan n'yo po doon?

A:        Ah, maraming tanong na dapat pang sagutin?

Q:        Tulad ng ano, sir? What’s the most important question na sa tingin ninyo dapat pa nilang sagutin?

A:        Ah, isang nakita ko doon ano….

Q:        Yung pinaka-glaring para sa inyo?

A:        Ah 'yung ano, una, 'yung assailant. Bakit niya hinahanap 'yung room 510? Ano bang meron doon. Kasi makita mo hinahanap niya talaga eh, room 510. Sino bang nakatira doon? Sino bang naka-check-in doon? Hinanap niya, sa dami ng kuwarto, 'di ba? O bakit tumitingin siya doon sa room 510, nakita niya, 'yun 'yung pilit niyang buksan?

Q:        So papakuha ninyo 'yung info?

A:        Kunin natin 'yung information doon. Una, sino 'yung naka-check-in doon? Bakit 'yun ang pinuntirya na kwarto?

Q:        Sir, kayo po may information doon sa room 510?

A:        Wala nga eh, kaya dapat alamin natin. Kaya nga sabi ko, marami pang dapat katanungan na dapat nating itanong maliban doon sa mga security procedure nung Resorts World, na dapat marami dapat sagutin. At kinakailangang yung may-ari mismo ang mag-attend ng committee hearing.

Q:        Sir, may nag-file po ng petition sa Supreme Court na mga abogado na sinasabi dapat daw mag-joint session ang Kongreso. Respondent po kayo doon, sir?

A:        Ah, balikan muna nila ang law books. How can the Supreme Court dictate Congress what to do? Co-equal body yan. O, mag-issue ng direktiba ang Supreme Court telling Congress, dictating Congress na, 'uy, mag convene kayo ng joint session'? Punitin ko 'yan.

Q:        Hindi n'yo susundin?

A:        Of course not. Kalokohan 'yan, 'di ba? Kaya sabi ko, eh mag-aral muna, bumalik muna sila sa law books. Pag-aralan nila kung puwede bang gawin 'yan.

Q:        'Di ba magkakaroon ng constitutional crisis?

A:        Eh talagang magkakaroon ng constitutional crisis. At hindi namin kasalanan 'yun.

Q:        Sasagutin n'yo ba?

A:        Ah, ipinasa ko na sa Office ng Solicitor General. At ang position natin doon walang jurisdiction ang Supreme Court diyan.

Q:        Sir, para sa tingin ninyo, palaging pinipilit ng mga kritiko ng Presidente na mag-convene ang Congress? Ano po sa tingin ninyo ang hanap nila?

A:        Hindi ko nga alam sa kanila eh, kung anong logic meron. Eh nagpasa na ang majority nung Senado supporting yung declaration ng martial law. Nagpasa ng resolution dito sa House of Representatives, majority supporting the declaration of martial law. Ngayon, mag-convene ka ng joint session, anong pag-uusapan natin? Alam na natin kung anong decision. O, ay siguro baka naman gusto nilang mag-grandstanding lang diyan sa joint session.

Q:        Anong possible na mangyayari pag nagkaroon ng constitutional crisis?

A:        Eh, itanong mo sa kanila kung epekto noon. Basta kami, hindi kami susunod kung anong sabihin ng Supreme Court diyan, dahil wala silang karapatan para diktahan ang Kongreso kung anong dapat naming gawin.

Q:        Sir, katatapos lang po nung northern expedition. May mga pumupuna po kasi sa social media, bakit daw po kailangang napakaraming congressman? Ang naging dating daw, parang outing? How would you address those criticisms?

A:        Alam mo, subukan kaya nila 'yung ginawa namin kung madali? Imbes na magpahinga kami, nag-iikot kami sa lahat ng probinsya. 'Yung congressman sumasakay ng bus. Isipin mo naman 'yan, nagsi-share ng kuwarto; isang kwarto, apat. O, 'yan ba ay outing? Tapos, nagko-conduct kami ng committee hearings. Ngayon, anong nakita namin? Banawe, pinabayaan. O, nasa ano 'yan... nasa Unesco. Pumunta ka ngayon ng Banawe, ang pangit. Bakit hindi natin inalagaan yun? Kaya nga sabi ko, itong Department of Tourism, 'yung budget nila kailangan merong rehabilitation 'yan. Kasi 'yan, national heritage 'yan eh; napabayaan. Tapos, gusto natin dumarami 'yung turista na dumarating sa ating bansa, na local and foreign. Pero, how can you promote tourism kung ganyan? Hindi natin kayang alagaan 'yung mga ano na 'yan, 'yang mga destinations.

O, kagaya halimbawa, 'yung away, 'yung bangayan sa Subic Bay, administrator-chairman. And then, nagkaroon kami ng committee hearing doon sa Subic. Napag-alaman namin na hindi pala sinunod 'yung batas. Nag-isyu ng executive order amending the Republic Act, 'yung batas. Eh, pupuwede bang gawin 'yun? Kaya tayo ngayon nag-conduct ng committee hearing dito. Ngayon, unfortunately, 'yung dapat na nandidito at dapat sumagot ng mga katanungan ay hindi dumating. So I would request the committee chairman na mag-issue ng corresponding subpoena doon sa mga taong hindi dumating, na kailangan dapat nandito sila para ipaliwanag kung bakit nag-issue ng ganung executive order, kaya ganun ang nangyari.

Q:        Sir, may 2-day status quo order sa SBMA po, no. May plano po ba kayong i-extend 'yung status quo order na 'yun kung sakaling hindi pa ma-resolve itong issue na ito?

A:        Ah, hindi ko alam kung anong napag-agree-han ng Committee dahil sa dami ng kausap doon sa opisina. Pero kinakailangan talaga na dumating 'yung Executive Secretary, 'yung present Executive Secretary at saka 'yung Executive Secretary noong panahon ni GMA na nag-issue nung Executive Order, 'yung si dating ES Alberto Romulo. Kailangang ipaliwanag niya, e bakit siya nag-issue ng Executive Order na in effect, parang inaamiyendahan niya 'yung Republic Act na nagki-create ng Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority?####