20170613 News Releases



Alvarez says House eyes disbarment raps vs CA justices



Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez today said the House of Representatives is contemplating on filing disbarment charges against the justices of the Special Fourth Division of the Court of Appeals for ignorance of the law.



In a radio interview, Alvarez said the order of the CA granting habeas corpus petition of 6 Ilocos Norte government officials detained by the House for contempt clearly contravenes the long line of decisions of the Supreme Court affirming the contempt powers of Congress, including a recent one involving the Senate.



However, Alvarez maintained that the House has the authority to keep the Ilocos Norte officials in detention.

“Hindi nila tinitingnan na recently nagdesisyon na naman ang Supreme Court, reaffirming yung karapatan ng Kongreso na mag-cite for contempt itong mga testigo na hindi nagsasabi ng totoo, hindi ba?,” Alvarez said.



"Magpa-file kami ng disbarment cases for ignorance of the law, itong justices na ito,” he added.



Alvarez was referring to Court of Appeals Special Fourth Division members, Associate Justices Stephen Cruz, Edwin Sorongon and Nina Antonino-Valenzuela.



Likewise, Alvarez said one of the CA’s Fourth Division members, Justice Nina Valenzuela, should have inhibited herself from the proceedings for “delicadeza” because her husband is a former associate in the law office of Atty. Estelito Mendoza, the lawyer of the so-called Ilocos Six.



“Delicadeza dapat nag-inhibit man lang siya diyan, pero hindi nag-inhibit. Ito namang dalawa pang bugok na kasama niya, ay pumanig pa. Dito talaga, malinaw na malinaw talagang gross ignorance of the law ito. Kaya ako, hindi ko ino-honor yung kanilang order na magpost ng bail,” Alvarez said.



Alvarez noted that the Court of Appeals is not even a co-equal branch of Congress.



“Kahit hanapin mo sa provision ng Constitution kung mayroon bang Court of Appeals justices diyan, wala. They are merely a creation of Congress, yung Court of Appeals. Kaya iyan nag-eexist dahil nga na-create iyan ng Congress---anytime puwede namin silang i-dissolve,” Alvarez said.


Alvarez stressed that the detention of the Ilocos Six stemmed from the exercise of the House of Representatives of its oversight functions to protect public interest.



"Huwag naman yung ganyan, ito ay ginagawa natin yung ating tungkulin sa bayan. Itanong nga natin sa sambayanan, tama ba na ang isang gobernador, mag-cash advance ng milyon-milyon tapos bibili ng multi-cab na segunda mano, walang bidding? Tapos hindi lang yun, wala pang rehistro hanggang ngayon, kasi kinonfirm po iyan ng LTO, walang mga multi-cab na nakarehistro doon sa Ilocos,” Alvarez pointed out.



Besides, Alvarez pointed out,  if the detainees would only cooperate with the congressional inquiry and provide credible answers they can be immediately freed.



"This is a simple thing, na yung liberty o kung kalayaan ng mga nakadetain, yung susi hawak-hawak nila, sila lang yung may hawak ng susi. Hindi na kailangan mag-file pa ng kung ano-ano, habeas corpus o bail, hindi ba? Sagutin lang nila nang maayos yung tanong doon sa House of Representatives, yung tanong doon sa committee hearing,” Alvarez stressed.



He noted that the Ilocos Norte officials were apparently trying to hide something from the House committee.



"Nakakaloko naman iyan, 30 million mahigit tinanggap mo hindi mo maalala? Siguro kung ikaw naman kung tumanggap ka ng ganoong kalaking pera ay hanggang kamatayan maalala mo yun dahil pambihira yun,” Alvarez said.



The six Ilocos Norte officials were deteined on May 29 after they were held in contempt for refusing to answer questions during a congressional inquiry into the alleged irregular procurement of P66.45 million worth of vehicles by the provincial government. ###


Alvarez today said the House of Representatives is contemplating on filing disbarment charges against the justices of the Special Fourth Division of the Court of Appeals for ignorance of the law.

In a radio interview, Alvarez said the order of the CA granting habeas corpus petition of 6 Ilocos Norte government officials detained by the House for contempt clearly contravenes the long line of decisions of the Supreme Court affirming the contempt powers of Congress, including a recent one involving the Senate.

However, Alvarez maintained that the House has the authority to keep the Ilocos Norte officials in detention.

“Hindi nila tinitingnan na recently nagdesisyon na naman ang Supreme Court, reaffirming yung karapatan ng Kongreso na mag-cite for contempt itong mga testigo na hindi nagsasabi ng totoo, hindi ba?,” Alvarez said.

“Magpa-file kami ng disbarment cases for ignorance of the law, itong justices na ito,” he added.

Alvarez was referring to Court of Appeals Special Fourth Division members, Associate Justices Stephen Cruz, Edwin Sorongon and Nina Antonino-Valenzuela.

Likewise, Alvarez said one of the CA’s Fourth Division members, Justice Nina Valenzuela, should have inhibited herself from the proceedings for “delicadeza” because her husband is a former associate in the law office of Atty. Estelito Mendoza, the lawyer of the so-called Ilocos Six.

“Delicadeza dapat nag-inhibit man lang siya diyan, pero hindi nag-inhibit. Ito namang dalawa pang bugok na kasama niya, ay pumanig pa. Dito talaga, malinaw na malinaw talagang gross ignorance of the law ito. Kaya ako, hindi ko ino-honor yung kanilang order na magpost ng bail,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez noted that the Court of Appeals is not even a co-equal branch of Congress.

“Kahit hanapin mo sa provision ng Constitution kung mayroon bang Court of Appeals justices diyan, wala. They are merely a creation of Congress, yung Court of Appeals. Kaya iyan nag-eexist dahil nga na-create iyan ng Congress---anytime puwede namin silang i-dissolve,” Alvarez said.
Alvarez stressed that the detention of the Ilocos Six stemmed from the exercise of the House of Representatives of its oversight functions to protect public interest.

“Huwag naman yung ganyan, ito ay ginagawa natin yung ating tungkulin sa bayan. Itanong nga natin sa sambayanan, tama ba na ang isang gobernador, mag-cash advance ng milyon-milyon tapos bibili ng multi-cab na segunda mano, walang bidding? Tapos hindi lang yun, wala pang rehistro hanggang ngayon, kasi kinonfirm po iyan ng LTO, walang mga multi-cab na nakarehistro doon sa Ilocos,” Alvarez pointed out.

Besides, Alvarez pointed out,  if the detainees would only cooperate with the congressional inquiry and provide credible answers they can be immediately freed.

“This is a simple thing, na yung liberty o kung kalayaan ng mga nakadetain, yung susi hawak-hawak nila, sila lang yung may hawak ng susi. Hindi na kailangan mag-file pa ng kung ano-ano, habeas corpus o bail, hindi ba? Sagutin lang nila nang maayos yung tanong doon sa House of Representatives, yung tanong doon sa committee hearing,” Alvarez stressed.

He noted that the Ilocos Norte officials were apparently trying to hide something from the House committee.

“Nakakaloko naman iyan, 30 million mahigit tinanggap mo hindi mo maalala? Siguro kung ikaw naman kung tumanggap ka ng ganoong kalaking pera ay hanggang kamatayan maalala mo yun dahil pambihira yun,” Alvarez said.

The six Ilocos Norte officials were deteined on May 29 after they were held in contempt for refusing to answer questions during a congressional inquiry into the alleged irregular procurement of P66.45 million worth of vehicles by the provincial government. ###

House passes bill ensuring safe and efficient payment systems

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to ensure the safety, efficiency and reliability of payment systems.

House Bill No. 5000, or “An Act Providing for the Regulation and Supervision of Payment Systems,” recognizes the payment system as an important component of the country’s financial infrastructure and mandates the government, through the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), to promote its high-quality operation in order to control systemic risk and provide an environment conducive to the sustainable growth of the economy.

The bill defines “payment system'' as the set of payment instruments, processes, procedures and participants that ensures the circulation of money or movement of funds.

Among the payment systems are debit cards, credit cards, and electronic fund transfers.

The bill seeks to grant the BSP the authority to oversee the payment systems and exercise supervisory and regulatory powers to ensure their security, dependability and efficacy, and the stability and effectiveness of the monetary and financial system.

It directs the BSP to carry out the following functions:

(1) Determine the payment system to be a “designated payment system” if it poses or has the potential to pose a “systemic risk” or when there is necessity to protect the public interest;

(2) Accredit or require a “payment system management body” organized by participants, i.e., operator, issuer, service provider, of the designated payment system;

(3) Require the participants of the designated payment system to comply with the provisions of the proposed “Payment Systems Act” and its implementing rules and regulations;

4) Issue rules and regulations governing, among others, (a) the mechanism for the protection of the rights of the end-users and participants to the designated payment systems; (b) the appropriate measure to ensure the confidentiality of payment information; (c) the necessary measures to ensure the compliance of designated payment systems with the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001 and other related laws; (d) the standard of operation of payment systems and the conduct of examination of the participants of the designated payment systems; and (e) the adequacy of resources of operators of the designated payment systems to ensure that the designated payment systems have a high degree of security and operational reliability and have contingency requirements for timely completion of daily processing commitments.

The bill defines “designated payment system” as a payment system that has been determined by the BSP as posing a systemic risk, or having the potential to pose a systemic risk, or when there is necessity to protect the public interest.

It refers to a “payment system management body” as an entity organized by participants of the designated payment system for the purpose of self-regulation.

Furthermore, it refers to “systemic risk” as the failure of one participant in a payment system or in financial markets to meet its required obligations which will cause other participants or financial institutions to be unable to meet their obligations, including settlement obligations in a payment system.

The measure imposes fines, penalties, and sanctions on a participant of a designated payment system, its directors and officers, including any person or entity acting as operator without authority from the BSP, for violations of the proposed “Payment System Act” or rules and regulations issued by the Monetary Board, or order or instruction of the BSP Governor.

The fines to be enforced will be determined by the Monetary Board, but these shall not exceed P1,000,000 for each transactional violation or irregularity, or P100,000 a day for each continuing violation or irregularity.

The Monetary Board is also empowered to suspend, disqualify, or remove any of the directors of the operator of a designated payment system for willful commission of irregularities or the conduct of business that threatens the safety, efficiency or reliability of a payment system; willful making of a false or misleading statement to the Monetary Board or BSP; or willful delay in the submission of reports or publications as required by the rules and regulations pursuant to the Payment System Act.

The authors of the bill are Reps. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2nd District, Pampanga), Ben Evardone (Lone District, Eastern Samar), Gus Tambunting (2nd District, Paranaque City), Henry Ong (2nd District, Leyte), Henry Oaminal (2nd District, Misamis Occidental), Jorge Almonte (1st District, Misamis Occidental), Ma. Theresa Collantes (3rd District, Batangas), Jocelyn Sy Limkaichong (1st District, Negros Oriental), Juliet Marie Ferrer (4th District, Negros Occidental), Orestes Salon (Party-list, AGRI), Julieta Cortuna (Party-list, A-TEACHER), Sitti Turabin-Hataman (Party-list, AMIN), Wilfredo Caminero (2ndDistrict, Cebu), Tom Villarin (Party-list, AKBAYAN), Marlyn Primicias-Agabas (6th District, Pangasinan), and Manuel Jose Dalipe (2nd District, Zamboanga City). (30) (ABR)

Harry Roque urges Duterte: certify IDP bill as urgent  

In light of the on-going conflict in Marawi, Deputy Minority Leader and Kabayan Party-list Rep. Harry L. Roque on Sunday urged President Rodrigo Duterte to certify as urgent House Bill (HB) No. 222, a proposed act that seeks to protect the rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

“As of the end of May, 180,000 people have already been internally displaced by the armed conflict in Marawi. Given this and the fact that the clash between government forces and the Maute group in Marawi is has not yet abated, the urgency of HB 222 could not be emphasized more,” Roque, the principal author of the bill, said.

Roque’s bill defines internal displacement as “the involuntary movement or forced evacuation or expulsion of any person or group of persons who flee or leave their homes or places of habitual residence, within the national borders, as a result of or in order to avoid or minimize the effects of armed conflict, situations of generalized and/or organized violence, violations of human rights, implementation of development projects, natural, human-induced, and human-made hazards.”

The bill, which Roque filed on his first day in office, seeks to provide for the protection of rights of IDPs during and after displacement, as well as their return, local integration or resettlement elsewhere.

HB 222 provides that “[i]f displacement is inevitable, the authorities, pursuant to their respective mandates and functions, shall ensure, to the greatest practicable extent, that proper accommodation is effected in satisfactory conditions of safety, nutrition, water and sanitation, health and hygiene, and that members of the same family, especially women and children, are not separated.”

The proposed act ensures that “[a]t the minimum, regardless of the circumstances, and without discrimination, and with special attention to gender sensitivity and varying vulnerabilities, competent authorities shall provide IDPs with and ensure safe access to essential and adequate food and nutrition and potable water, basic shelter and housing, appropriate clothing, and essential medical and dental services and sanitation.”

“The government has to prioritize giving a sense of normalcy to the lives of those affected. And with each passing day, it becomes more and more urgent to help bring those affected by the conflict in Marawi back on their feet,” Roque said.

“The massive displacement of Marawi residents and the destruction of property – the damage wrought by the conflict – could have been avoided if only the armed forces did not ignore warnings as early as last year that ISIS had already infiltrated Mindanao,” he added.

Roque was among the first to warn that the Philippines was already at war with ISIS.

Roque witnessed the clash between government forces and pro-ISIS groups during his visit to Tipo-Tipo town in Basilan last August.

“I have heard debates on whether ISIS has become a threat to the Philippines when in truth and in fact, we’re already engaged in a full-blown war against them,” Roque said then.

House tackles SBMA leadership row

 

The House ad hoc committee chaired by House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas (1st District, Ilocos Norte) and the special committee on bases conversion headed by Rep. Emi Calixto-Rubiano (Lone District, Pasay City) are in the process of helping resolve the leadership row at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) which stemmed from the conflicting provisions of Executive Order (EO) 340 and Republic Act 7227 or the “The Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992”.

 

EO 340, which was issued in 2004 during the time of then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, reorganizes the board of directors of the Subic Bay Management Authority (SBMA) and defines the powers, functions and duties of the chairman of the board of directors and the SBMA administrator.

 

EO 340 was the basis for the appointment of Martin Diño as current SBMA chairman.

 

Meanwhile, the appointment of Wilma Eisma as current SBMA Administrator was based on RA 7227.

 

The two appointments resulted in a leadership row between the two SMBA heads.

 

During the resumption of hearing recently on the issue, Fariñas said it is against the law to have two administrators in SBMA as it is RA 7227 that should take precedence in the appointment of the SBMA administrator.

 

A representative of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea told the committee that a draft executive order to rectify the problem is being prepared and will be reviewed and studied by President Rodrigo Duterte.

 

Lawyer Eulogio Sabban said he is not privy and cannot divulge the details of the draft executive order pending its review and study by the President.

 

Diño agreed to hold in abeyance an administrative order upon the recommendation of Rep. Federico Sandoval II (Lone District, Malabon City), .

 

The administrative order according to Sandoval “purports to create a task force, reporting to him (Diño), that is intended to inspect, monitor, and review business operations and the financial safety and security of the SBMA.”

 

Sandoval said these are acts that are beyond the SBMA Chairman’s powers and duties under the law.

 

According to Fariñas, it was Sandoval who brought the House'sa attention to the SBMA issue because he is a locator/investor at the freeport.

 

“How can we invite locators to invest if there are problems with the management of SBMA?” said Fariñas.

 

Sandoval said he has not seen such a confusion like this during the last few presidents and chairmen of the SBMA.

 

“If we have a two-tier policy, whose decision will be followed? What if the heads of the agency have problems?,” Sandoval said.

 

Sandoval said any day delay or even hours of delay will cost the locators thousands and maybe millions of pesos because of the leadership row.

 

“What I wish to happen is for the two heads to agree and if not, clarify their jurisdiction so locators will not be subject to problems,” he said.

 

Rep. Reynaldo Umali (2nd District, Oriental Mindoro) said the problem stemmed from the unwarranted issuance of EO 340.

 

Umali, chairman of the committee on justice, said locators at the freeport cannot be left hanging while the two heads are fighting.

 

Umali said there is a need to clarify the intent of the appointment of Diño as chairman and the appointment of Eisma as administrator as well.

 

The committee decided to suspend the meeting pending action on the draft executive order.

Lawmakers who joined the meeting include Deputy Speaker Frederick Abueg (2nd District, Palawan), Deputy Majority Leader Juan Pablo Bondoc (4th District, Pampanga), Deputy Majority Leader Arthur Defensor Jr. (3rd District, Iloilo), committee on transportation chairman Rep. Cesar Sarmiento (Lone District, Catanduanes), committee on Metro Manila and development chairman Rep. Winston Castelo (2nd District, Quezon City),  committee on veterans affairs and welfare Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil (2nd District, Pangasinan), Rep. Jeffrey Khonghun (1st District, Zambales) and Rep. Allen Jesse Mangaoang (Lone District, Kalinga). (30) MVIP

Solon suggests 'registry of journalists' to counter fake news purveyors

More journalists will soon be protected from being compelled to reveal their sources of information conveyed to them in confidence now that the House of Representatives and the Senate are preparing to reconcile their versions of bills seeking to expand coverage of the circa 1946 Sotto Law.

After the bicameral conference phase and ratification of the reconciled bill by both chambers, it will be sent to the President for his signature.

Representative Harlin Neil J. Abayon, III (Party-list AANGAT TAYO) noted the effort to update the very old Sotto Law is proof of the constructive, multi-partisan priority to protect press freedom in the country. Abayon is one of the authors of the House version of the bill (HB 684) the bicameral committee will tackle.

Rep. Neil Abayon, member for the minority of the House Committee on Public Information, said he will push for ratification of the reconciled bill as soon as Congress reconvenes on July 24, the day President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his second State of the Nation Address.

Abayon urged the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP), and the National Press Club (NPC) to "come up with a detailed, verified, and secure national online registry of working journalists and legitimate news outlets."

"The House and Senate versions did not provide in their bills for that registry of journalists and news outlets. Respecting the independence of the press, I believe building and maintaining that registry is up to the NUJP, KBP, and NPC. The registry must be the initiative of and under the complete control of the non-government news media and have zero government intervention or participation." Abayon said.

The AANGAT TAYO congressman also suggested the registry should "include journalists in the countryside, not just those based in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao." He said the registry of journalists is necessary because it will ensure the efficient and effective implementation of the soon-to-be law on press freedom.

Abayon appealed to the NUJP, KBP, and NPC to make sure their registry of journalists is “free of scammers, charlatans, misfits, and purveyors of fake news.”

"I am confident the NUJP, KBP, NPC, and their members will, in good faith, practice self-regulation and adherence to their codes of ethics and practice," Abayon said.

“The PIA would be responsible for the roster of journalistswho work in the government media entities,” he added.(END)

Rep. Abayon, nagpanukalang magkaroon ng listahan ng mga legit na reporter para labanan ang mga tagapagpakalat ng fake news

Hinihintay na lang ng mga mambabatas na magpulong ang bicameral conference committee upang mapag-isa na ang mga bersyon ng Senado at Kamara ng kanilang mga panukalang naglalayong ipagbawal na pilitin ang mga journalist na ibunyag ang mga "confidential source" ng kanilang mga ulat at artikulo.

Ang batas na aamyendahan ay ang tinaguriang "Sotto Law" na naging batas noon pang 1946 o 71 taon na ang nakararaan.

Sa Sotto Law kasi, mga journalist ng mga diaryo at magasin lang ang may proteksyon laban sa pamimilit na ihayag ang kanilang confidential source.

Layon ng mga mambabatas ngayon na pati mga journalist sa broadcast, internet, at multimedia ay mabigyan ng proteksyon o kalasag ng 1946 Sotto Law, na isinulong noon ng lolo at tukayo ng kasalukuyang senador na si Vicente Sotto III.

Isa sa mga nagsusulong ng nasabing panukalang batas ay si House Assistant Minority Leader Neil Abayon ng AANGAT TAYO Party-list na hinihimok ang mga grupo ng news media na bumuo at magpatakbo ng isang talaan o Registry ng Journalists.

Ayon kay Congressman Abayon na kasapi ng House Committee on Public Information, kailangan angRegistry of Journalists para madaling malaman kung sino ang maaaring gumamit ng kalasag na bigay ng 1946 Press Freedom Law.

Dagdag pa ni Abayon na ang kalasag ay para lamang sa mga lehitimong journalist kaya may pangangailangan na magkaroon ng Registry of Journalists.

Kaya naman hinihimok ngayon ni Abayon ang National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas, at National Press Club na gawin na ang Registry of Journalists project.

Kailangan ito, ayon kay Abayon, upang malaman kung sino ang totoo at sino ang pekeng journalist.

"Naglipana kasi ang fake journalists ngayon, lalo na nang gamitin na nila ang internet, social media, at multimedia," paliwanag ni Abayon.

Ipinaliwanag ni Abayon tiwala siya sa NUJP, KBP, at NPC na magagawa nila ang Registry of Journalists "upang maging malinaw sa lahat kung sino ang totoong mamamahayag at sino ang hindi."

Marapat lamang, ayon kay Abayon, na ang Registry of Journalists ay nasa poder at kontrol ng NUJP, KBP, at NPC. "Walang pakikialam ng gobyerno o pulitiko dapat sa proyektong ito dahil labag iyan sa press freedom."

Para naman sa mga journalist na nagtatrabaho sa gobyerno, bahala dapat ang Philippine Information Agency na gawin ang "Roster of Government Media".

"Maiging magtulungan ang NUJP, KBP, NPC, at PIA para sa pagpapalista ng mga foreign journalists," ani ni Abayon. (WAKAS)

Free irrigation gets House's green light

 

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading House Bill 5670 which seeks to strengthen assistance to all farmers by providing them with free irrigation services to boost their productivity.

 

The proposed “Free Irrigation Services Act” declares that the State shall pursue a genuine agricultural development strategy by providing support services to all farmers, including their irrigators’ associations and farmers’ cooperatives, with the end in view of raising their productivity and improving their access to markets.

 

More particularly, the government shall promote and institutionalize irrigation systems that are free, effective, suitable, applicable and efficient as a key strategy to achieve genuine agricultural development.

 

The qualified beneficiaries of the free irrigation program shall include farmers, irrigators’ associations and farmers’ cooperatives.

 

Owners or operators of corporate farms, plantations, fishponds and other non-agricultural crop users drawing water or using the drainage facilities of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) irrigation systems are not qualified beneficiaries of the program.

 

The government, together with the farmers’ and irrigators’ associations and farmers’ cooperatives, shall endeavor to build and operationalize an effective grassroots-based management of irrigation systems, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).

 

For purposes of ensuring construction, repair and maintenance of irrigation systems administered by the NIA, the required amount for such shall be included in the annual GAA.

 

The NIA shall provide technical and financial assistance to local government units (LGUs) and all farmers, including their irrigators’ associations and farmers’ cooperatives with respect to irrigation systems located, utilized, and managed in their respective jurisdiction, including all functional equipment and facilities appurtenant thereto.

 

The amounts necessary to cover the requirement of the NIA for payment of salaries and maintenance and other operating expenses shall be funded under the GAA.

 

The NIA, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture (DA), farmers and their irrigators’ associations and farmers’ cooperatives and other stakeholders, shall formulate the implementing rules and regulations within 90 days from the effectivity of the Act.

 

Lastly, the bill repeals Section 2, paragraph (c) of Republic Act No. 3601 or ‘’An Act Creating the National Irrigation Administration”; Section 1, paragraph (b) of Presidential Decree No. 552; Section 1, paragraph (b) of P. D. No. 1702, otherwise known as “The National Irrigation Administration Act”; Section 35 of Republic Act 8435, otherwise known as the ‘’Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997”; and all other laws, executive and administrative orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the Act.

 

The principal authors of the bill include Reps. Jose T. Panganiban, Arthur Yap, Anthony Bravo, Estrellita Suansing, Horacio Suansing, Jr., Alfredo Garbin Jr., Ariel Casilao, Isagani Zarate, Magnolia Antonino, Roy Loyola, Conrado Estrella III, Vini Nola Ortega, Vilma Santos-Recto, Luis Raymund Villafuerte, Jr., Enrico Pineda, Michael Romero, Manuel Jose Dalipe, Divina Grace Yu, Angelina Tan, Henry Oaminal, Raul Tupas, Rico Geron, Salvio Fortuno, Gary Alejano, Noel Villanueva, Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, Orestes Salon, Delphine Gan Gee, Cecilia Leonila Chavez,  Peter Unabia and Johnny Ty Pimentel and Deputy Speaker Eric Singson. (30) RBB

UNCONSTITUTIONAL TADECO DEAL. Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre concurred with the stand of House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez that the Tagum Development Corporation (TADECO) and Bureau of Corrections (BUCOR) joint venture agreement (JVA) is unconstitutional, and therefore null and void. The joint hearing of the House committees on good government and public accountability chaired by Rep. Johnny T. Pimentel (2nd District, Surigao del Sur), and on justice chaired by Rep. Reynaldo V. Umali (2nd District, Oriental Mindoro) is based on House Resolution 886 filed by the Speaker, seeking an inquiry into the alleged grossly disadvantageous contract entered into by BuCor and TADECO. Aguirre recommended presidential action to rescind the contract or for a more immediate solution, a judicial remedy initiated by the DOJ, or both. Alvarez asked the BuCor officials to study and report to Congress their next course of action on how to avoid further government revenue losses. Commission on Audit (COA) supervising auditor to BuCor Atty. Marilyn Balbin said that based on their evaluation, the holdings of TADECO in the Davao Penal Colony (DAPECOL) property exceeded the constitutional limitation, which is 1,000 hectares, and thus COA maintains that the JVA is unconstitutional. PC/GE/CM

UNCONSTITUTIONAL TADECO DEAL --Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre concurred with the stand of House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez that the Tagum Development Corporation (TADECO) and Bureau of Correction (BUCOR) joint venture agreement (JVA) is unconstitutional, and therefore null and void.

 

The joint hearing of the House committees on good government and public accountability chaired by Rep. Johnny T. Pimentel (2nd District, Surigao del Sur) , and on justice chaired by Rep. Reynaldo V. Umali (2nd District, Oriental Mindoro) is based on House Resolution 886 filed by the Speaker, seeking an inquiry into the alleged grossly disadvantageous contract entered into by BuCor and TADECO.

 

Aguirre recommended presidential action to rescind the contract or for a more immediate solution,  a judicial remedy initiated by the DOJ, or both.

 

Alvarez asked the BuCor officials to study and report to Congress their next course of action on how to avoid further government revenue losses.

Commission on Audit (COA) supervising auditor to BuCor Atty. Marilyn Balbin said that based on their evaluation, the holdings of TADECO in the Davao Penal Colony (DAPECOL) property exceeded the constitutional limitation, which is 1,000 hectares, and thus COA maintains that the JVA is unconstitutional. PC/CM

Roque seeks ₱10B supplemental budget for Marawi rehab

Deputy Minority Leader and Kabayan Party-list Rep. Harry L. Roque on Tuesday filed a ₱10-billion supplemental budget for the rehabilitation of Marawi City.

House Bill No. 5874 or the Tindeg Marawi Bill appropriates ₱10 billion as supplemental budget for the Department of National Defense (DND), the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the National Housing Authority (NHA).

The funds shall be used to provide humanitarian assistance to victims of the siege of Marawi City and for the rehabilitation of destroyed infrastructures, properties, and businesses. The appropriated amount shall be released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) equally to the DND, DepEd, DPWH, DSWD, and NHA.

“While many efforts have been successful in properly evacuating innocent civilians from the zone of conflict, the government must plan and appropriate funds towards the rehabilitation of Marawi City and the restoration of peace and order within the area,” Roque said in his explanatory note.

“As such, the purpose of this bill is to appropriate a supplemental budget specifically earmarked for Marawi City in order to expedite its recovery from the ruins of war and return to ordinary civilian life,” he added.

The lawmaker clarified that the bill supplements “the declared intention of the Executive Department to allot ₱10 billion for the rehabilitation of Marawi.

The amount shall be available “for release and obligation for the purposes specified for one year from the date of effectivity of [the] Act.”

Roque said the bill is named Tindeg Marawi “to embody the fighting spirit of the people of Marawi in overcoming this vicious attack.”

“Tindeg – as a cultural concept deeply embedded in the Maranao psyche – expresses the Maranao people’s resilience and fortitude to stand up for what is right and what is just,” he said.

School Feeding program back soon – House

 

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading House Bill 5269 which seeks to institutionalize the national school feeding program for public kindergarten and elementary pupils.

 

The bill aims to mitigate malnourishment among school children, thus ensuring that they will be adequately prepared for the formal learning system.

 

It likewise seeks to establish a system for early identification, prevention, referral, and intervention of developmental disorders and disabilities in early childhood.

 

The bill establishes the National School Feeding Program (NSFP) which shall serve as an alternative approach for providing free supplementary meals, including fresh milk and fresh milk-based food products, through a program menu particularly for all children studying in public kindergarten and elementary schools nationwide.

 

It authorizes the Department of Education (DepEd) to lead the NSFP administration and implementation.

 

Several national government agencies, in coordination with the DepEd, shall be tasked to make available such resources as may be necessary to ensure the successful implementation of the NSFP.

 

They are the Department of Agriculture (DA), National Food Authority (NFA), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Health (DOH), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Dairy Authority (NDA), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), National Nutrition Council (NNC) and Food and Nutrition Research Center (FNRC).

 

Aside from its consultative and inter-departmental coordinative functions, the DepEd shall also administer the NSFP in coordination with concerned government institutions.

 

The NSFP involves a minimum of 120 feeding days per school year to be done five days a week. There shall be one feeding activity per school day to provide the prescribed calorie and protein levels on dietary supplementation to be issued by the NNC.

 

The DepEd shall likewise ensure that the beneficiary school children eat their meals and drink their milk inside the classroom only, and shall thus be prohibited from taking their rations home.

 

Moreover, the DepEd shall conduct orientation-training activities utilizing its core of trainers to all DepEd health and nutrition unit personnel at the regional and division levels as to generate their support to the NSFP’s objectives and mechanics.

 

The procurement, storage, and handling of appropriate food supplies shall be spearheaded by the DepEd, in coordination with the NNC, the FNRI and other concerned government agencies.

 

The bill also provides for the creation of a Child Feeding and Nutrition Committee (CFNC), chaired by the DepEd Secretary or a duly authorized representative, co-chaired by the DOH Secretary or a duly authorized representative, and with members composed of a representative each from the NNC, DA, DILG, DSWD, DTI, NEDA, FDA, FNRI, NDA, teachers’ organizations, and parent-teacher associations.

 

It shall be the responsibility of the CFNC to formulate a school-based feeding and nutrition framework, oversee its review and evaluation, and may recommend the necessary refinements on the implementation of the NSFP.

 

The bill states that in case of shortage of funds, priority in the implementation of the NSFP shall be given to public kindergarten and elementary schools situated in municipalities and cities which are determined and identified by the NNC or by any competent government agency to have high malnutrition rates.

 

Any donation or bequest made to the DepEd for the NSFP shall be exempt from the donor’s tax and the same shall be considered as allowable deduction from the gross income of the donor, in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as amended.

 

Among of the authors of the bill are Reps. Raul Del Mar, Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, Jose Christopher Belmonte, Raul Tupas, Salvador Belaro, Jr., Luis Raymund Villafuerte, Jr., Carlos Isagani Zarate, Estrellita Suansing, Horacio Suansing, Jr., Reynaldo Umali, Wes Gatchalian, Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, Harry Roque, Jr., Maximo  Rodriguez, Jr. Evelina Escudero, Karlo Alexie Nograles and Dakila Carlo Cua.  (30) MVIP 

    

House approves early voting for seniors, PWDs

 

The House of Representatives unanimously approved on third and final reading a bill providing for early voting of qualified senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in national and local elections to make the voting process more comfortable and convenient for them.

 

Through the motions of Deputy Speaker Sharon Garin (Party-list, AAMBIS-OWA) and Rep. Cristina Roa-Puno (1stDistrict, Antipolo City), the House approved House Bill 5661 in the plenary last May 29, 2017.

 

 The bill aims to enhance the voting process to make it more comfortable and convenient for the voters, particularly PWDs and senior citizens, by giving them the option to vote earlier than the date set for election.

 

Section 2 of the bill provides that for the national and local elections, there shall be early voting, where a qualified senior citizen or a PWD may choose to cast his  ballot at accessible establishments designated by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) within seven working days before the date set for the election.

 

The bill also provides that there shall be a nationwide registration for senior citizens and PWDs who wish to avail of their early voting privileges. Those who are not registered under the Act shall vote on election day itself.

 

The COMELEC is mandated to keep a record of senior citizens and PWDs who are registered voters.

 

The COMELEC shall also coordinate with local government units (LGUs), the National Council for Disability Affairs (NCDA), the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), the Department of Health (DOH), and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to design a registration system that will allow senior citizens and PWDs to register and opt for early voting in order to improve their voting experience in national and local elections.

 

Moreover, the COMELEC shall ensure the full implementation of Republic Act 10366, entitled “An Act Authorizing the Commission on Elections to Establish Precincts Assigned to Accessible Polling Places Exclusively for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens”,  such that polling places for senior citizens and PWDs are safe, highly accessible and fitted with the necessary communication, visual and physical aids, and other forms of assistance where senior citizens and PWDs may be able to cast their votes with ease.

Lastly, the COMELEC shall mount an intensive information campaign on early voting for qualified senior citizens and PWDs.

 

The amount necessary to fund implementation of the Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for the corresponding fiscal year.

 

The provisions of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881 or the Omnibus Election Code, Republic Act 7166, entitled “An Act Providing for Synchronized National and Local Elections and for Electoral Reforms, Authorizing Appropriations Therefor, and for Other Purposes,” and other election laws not inconsistent herewith shall be applied to facilitate the early voting of senior citizens and PWDs.    

 

House Bill 5661 earlier substituted: HB 5019 authored by Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez, expanding the coverage of absentee voting to PWDs and senior citizens; HB 45 by Deputy Speaker and Marikina City Second District Rep. Romero Quimbo, authorizing the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to establish precincts assigned to accessible polling places exclusively for PWDs and senior citizens; HB 743 by Rep. Emmiline Y. Aglipay Villar (Partylist-DIWA), providing for qualified early voting for senior citizens, PWDs, and workers required to work on election day; HB 1371, providing for local absentee voting for lawyers, HB 1372, providing for local absentee voting for PWDs, and HB 1373, providing for local absentee voting for senior citizens by Rep. Angelina D.L. Tan (4th District, Quezon); HBs 2486 and 2487, providing for local absentee voting for senior citizens and PWDs, respectively, by Reps. Estrellita B. Suansing (1st District, Nueva Ecija) and Horacio P. Suansing Jr. (2nd District, Sultan Kudarat); and HB 4539, providing for early voting for the national and local elections, by Rep. Maximo B. Rodriguez Jr. (2nd District,Cagayan de Oro City).

 

“This bill seeks to allow persons with disabilities and senior citizens to vote under the local absentee voting system,” Speaker Alvarez said.

 

Alvarez said that absentee voting system laws were passed as means to increase participation of citizens who are in situations which prevent them to vote.  He explained that Executive Order No.157, Series of 1987 was issued by a past administration to provide for absentee voting by officers and employees of government who are away from their places of registration by reason of official function on election day.

 

Alvarez said Republic Act No.10380 was also passed into law to expand the coverage of the local absentee voting by including members of the media, media practitioners, and their staff, who are registered voters, and who, on election day, may not be able to vote due to the performance of their functions.

 

Other authors of the bill include Deputy Speakers Sharon Garin and  Gwendolyn E. Garcia  (3rd District,Cebu), appropriations committee chairman Karlo A. Nograles  (1st District, Davao City), Reps. Edward Vera Perez Maceda (4thDistrict,Manila), Anthony M. Bravo (Party-list,COOP-NATCCO), Joseph Stephen S. Paduano (Party-list, ABANG LINGKOD ), Aniceto “John” D. Bertiz III (Party-list,ACTS-OFW),Pablo C. Ortega (1st District, La Union), Luisa lloren Cuaresma (Lone District, Nueva Vizcaya), France L. Castro (Party-list, ACT TAECHERS), Xavier Jesus D. Romualdo (Lone District, Camiguin), Josephine Ramirez-Sato (Lone District, Occidental Mindoro), Raul V. Del Mar (1st District, Cebu City), Mohamamd Khalil Q. Dimaporo (1st District, Lanao del Norte),  Michael John R. Duavit (1st District, Rizal), Oscar S. Garin Jr.(1st District,Iloilo), Paolo S. Javier (Lone District,Antique), Doy C.Leachon (1st District, Oriental Mindoro), Joey Sarte Salceda  (2nd District, Albay ), Gil P. Acosta (3rd District, Palawan), Dakila Carlo E. Cua (Lone District, Quirino), Ann K. Hofer (2nd District, Zamboanga Sibugay), Limkaichong (1st District,Negros Oriental), Ma.Lucille M. Nava (Lone District,Guimaras), Vilma Santos-Recto (6th District, Batangas City), Noel L. Villanueva (3rd District,Tarlac), Maria Carmen S. Zamora (1st District, Compostela Valley), John Marvin “Yul Servo” C.Nieto (3rd District, Manila), Harlin Neil J. Abayon III (Party-list,AANGAT TAYO), and Maria Vida E. Bravo (1st District, Masbate). (30) ICY JR.

 

RESORTS WORLD INQUIRY RESUMES--The House committees on public order and safety,  games and amusements, and tourism chaired, respectively, by Reps. Romeo Acop (2nd District, Antipolo City), Gus Tambunting (2nd District, Parañaque City), and Lucy Torres-Gomez (4th District, Leyte), resumed Wednesday their joint inquiry into the Resorts World Manila tragedy. The RWM CCTV monitoring room personnel presented the CCTV footage which shed light among others on the lone gunman’s actions and the ‘mis-encounter’ between the Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team and the RWM special reaction team leader. Majority Leader Rodolfo C. Fariñas led the lawmakers in asking details of the incident from resource persons, including taxi driver Joselito Lucena and NC Lanting Security Specialist Agency general manager Nimfa Lanting. Also present during the hearing were: PNP chief Director-General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa; PNP National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Oscar Albayalde; RWM chairman David Chua, president Kingson Sian, COO Stephen James Reilly, and chief legal officer Atty. Ma. Georgina Alvarez; Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) chairperson Andrea Domingo; and Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) director-general Charito Plaza. The third and last hearing will be held on June 21. PC/JMC/KA/RBB