Friday, October 13, 2017

PRESS RELEASES

The hard work and diligence of members of the House of Representatives in addressing the various issues and concerns facing the country have paid off, as based on data, of the 7,975 bills and resolutions measures filed since the 17th Congress opened in July 2016, 428 have already been approved, 30 of which were enacted into law.

The committee on rules reported that of the 7,975 measures filed, 1,810 were processed during the 130 session days, or an average of 14 measures per session day.

Of the total number of measures filed, 6,549 are bills and 1,426 are resolutions. Moreover, a total of 420 committee reports were submitted, showing the hard work and dedication of the various House committees in acting on the various measures filed.

The measures filed seek to address the priority concerns of lawmakers such as poverty eradication, public safety and order, justice, gender equality, health, education, protection of women, children and elderly, environmental protection, and rights of Indigenous Peoples, among others.

In his acceptance speech during the House organizational meeting of the 17th Congress on July 25, 2016, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez called on House members to give the President the necessary legislation which will be his tools to effect meaningful and genuine change. “In sum, we too must be instruments of change,” the Speaker said.

Since the Second Regular Session opened last July 24, 2017, seven important bills were already enacted into law. These form part of the 30 measures passed into law this 17th Congress.

These are House Bill 4767 which was enacted into Republic Act 10928 or “An Act Extending The Validity Of Philippine Passports, Amending For The Purpose Section 10 Of RA 8239, Otherwise Known As The “Philippine Passport Act Of 1996”, principally authored by Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo; HB 5525 enacted into RA 10929 or “An Act Establishing The Free Internet Access Program In Public Places In The Country And Appropriating Funds Therefor,” principally authored by Rep. Gus Tambunting; HB 6548 enacted into RA 10930 or “An Act Rationalizing And Strengthening The Policy Regarding Driver’s License By Extending The Validity Period Of Drivers’ Licenses, And Penalizing Acts In Violation Of Its Issuance And Application, Amending For Those Purposes Section 23 Of RA 4136, As Amended By Batas Pambansa Blg. 398 And Executive Order No. 1011, Otherwise Known As The Land Transportation And Traffic Code,” principally authored by Rep. Cesar Sarmiento; HB 5633 enacted as RA 10931 or “An Act Promoting Universal Access To Quality Tertiary Education By Providing For Free Tuition And Other School Fees In State Universities And Colleges And State-Run Technical-Vocational Institutions, Strengthening The Unified Student Financial Assistance System,” principally authored by Rep. Ann Hofer; HB 5159 enacted as RA 10932 or “An Act Strengthening The Provision Of Emergency Health Care Service To Patients, Further Amending For The Purpose Batas Pambansa Bilang 702, As Amended, Entitled An Act Prohibiting The Demand Of Deposits Or Advanced Payments For The Confinement Or Treatment Of Patients In Hospitals And Medical Clinics In Certain Cases," principally authored by Rep. Tom Villarin; HB 5513 enacted into RA 10951 or “An Act Adjusting The Amount Or The Value Of Property And Damage On Which A Penalty Is Based, And The Fines Imposed Under The Revised Penal Code, Amending For The Purpose Act No. 3815, Otherwise Known As The Revised Penal Code, As Amended,” principally authored by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez; HB 6308 enacted into RA 10952 or “An Act Postponing The October 23, 2017 Synchronized Barangay And Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, Amending For The Purpose RA 9164, As Amended By RA 9340, RA 10656 And RA 10923,” principally authored by Rep. Robert Barbers.

Meanwhile, a total of 289 bills were approved on third and final reading since the 17th Congress convened, consisting of 100 national bills, 187 local bills and two Joint Resolutions.

Of the 100 national bills, 48 were approved since the start of the Second Regular Session. Among these bills are : House Bill 5811 or the proposed “An Act Providing For A Magna Carta Of The Poor,” principally authored by Rep. Raul del Mar; HB 6215 the proposed “An Act Appropriating Funds For The Operation Of The Government Of The Republic Of The Philippines From January 1 To December 31, 2018” (Certified Urgent Bill) by Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles; HB 6221 or the proposed “An Act Establishing The Filipino Identification System” by Rep. Sol Aragones; HB 4982 or the proposed “An Act Prohibiting Discrimination On The Basis Of Sexual Orientation Or Gender Identity Or Expression (SOGIE) And Providing Penalties Therefor” by Rep. Kaka Bag-ao; HB 5745 or the proposed “An Act Establishing The Coconut Farmers And Industry Development Trust Fund And Providing For Its Management And Utilization” by Rep. Jose Panganiban, Jr.; HB 5777 or the proposed “An Act Strengthening The National And Local Health And Nutrition Programs For Pregnant And Lactating Women, Adolescent Girls Of Reproductive Age And Teen-Age Mothers, Infants And Young Children In The First 1,000 Days” by Rep. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar; HB 5784 or the proposed “An Act Providing For A Universal Health Coverage For Filipinos And Appropriating Funds Therefor” by Rep. Angelina Tan; HB 6112 or the proposed “An Act Mandating The Installation Of Safety Monitoring Devices In Public Utility Vehicles And Providing Penalties For Violation Thereof” by Rep. Mariano Michael Velarde, Jr.; HB 5707 or the proposed “An Act Rightsizing The National Government To Improve Public Service Delivery” by Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles; HB 5685 or the proposed “An Act Instituting The Magna Carta Of Filipino Seafarers” ; and HB 6152 or the Proposed “An Act Increasing The Normal Work Hours Per Day Under A Compressed Work Week Scheme, Amending Articles 83,87 And 91 Of Presidential Decree No. 442, As Amended, Otherwise Known As The Labor Code Of The Philippines” by Rep. Mark Go.

The approved joint resolution on third reading is Joint Resolution 15 “Authorizing The National Housing Authority To Award To Other Qualified Beneficiaries The Unawarded Housing Units In The Armed Forces Of The Philippines (AFP)/Philippine National Police (PNP)/Bureau Of Fire Protection (BFP)/ Bureau Of Jail Management And Penology (BJMP)/Bureau Of Corrections (BuCor) housing projects, awarded housing units that are not yet occupied and whose ownership and possession are surrendered by their respective awardees, and housing units whose respective awards were cancelled by reason of default in the payment of amortization or for any violation of the terms and conditions of the individual loan agreement in accordance with existing laws.”

Meanwhile, 16 bills have been approved on Second Reading during the Second Regular Session. Two of these are national bills: House Bill 1530 or the proposed “An Act Requiring Government Agencies To Indicate The Blood Type Of Individuals In The Identification Cards, Certificates And Licenses,” principally authored by Rep. Alexandria Gonzales; and HB 6396 or the proposed “An Act Instituting Policies For The Protection And Welfare Of Caregivers In The Practice Of Their Profession” by Rep. Geraldine Roman.

At the bicameral conference committee, two House bills are currently being reconciled with their counterpart Senate bills. These are House Bill 5670 principally authored by Rep. Jose Panganiban, Jr. titled “An Act Strengthening Assistance To All Farmers By Providing Free Irrigation Service Fee And All Other Similar Or Related Fees Or Charges, Amending For The Purpose Certain Provisions Of Republic Act No. 3601, As Amended By Presidential Decree No. 552, Presidential Decree No. 1702, Otherwise Known As The National Irrigation Administration Act And Republic Act No. 8435, Otherwise Known As Agricultural And Fisheries Modernization Act, And Appropriating Funds Therefor”; and HB 6016 titled “An Act Regulating The Issuance, Use And Redemption Of Gift Checks, Gift Certificates And Gift Cards” principally authored by Rep. Winston Castelo.

So far, 81 resolutions were already adopted during the 17th Congress, as follows: 65 Regular Resolutions; eight Concurrent Resolutions; four Reports on Inquiries, in Aid of Legislation; two Resolutions of Both Houses; one Report of the Committee of the Whole; and one Report on Impeachment.

Of the four adopted Reports on Inquiries, two were adopted during the Second Regular Session: Committee Report 398 titled “Report: Motu Proprio Investigation, In Aid Of Legislation, On The Alleged Smuggling Of High Grade ꞌshabuꞌ Through The Express Lane Of The Bureau Of Customs; and Committee Report 399 titled “Report: On The 6.4 Billion Peso Worth Of Shabu Seized By The Bureau Of Customs” based on House Resolution 1054 filed by Rep. Wes Gatchalian and HR 1057 by Rep. Robert Ace Barbers. / RBB

Diokno bares end of line for North Rail

The government on Wednesday announced the proposed deactivation of the North Luzon Railways Corp. (NLRC), citing the need to rightsize the operations of a number of government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs), including the one operating the Manila-to-Clark rail line.

Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said he recommended the deactivation as part of efforts to abolish GOCCs with overlapping functions and to generate savings.

“We have a lot of recommendations for the abolishment, merger, or deactivation of agencies. For example, the North Rail,” Diokno told financial reporters.

The NLRC is an attached agency of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and a subsidiary of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

Executive Order (EO) 232, issued by then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, transferred the oversight of the NLRC to the DOTC.

“In order for the DOTr to effectively oversee and monitor the implementation of the North Rail Project, there is a need to transfer administrative supervision over North Rail from the Office of the President to the DOTr and to reorganize the respective Governing Boards of North Rail and the PNR [Philippine National Railways] to include the DOTr secretary as ex-officio cochairman thereof,” the EO said.

He said agencies that have eight employees and 11 board members should just be done away with to save on office space, equipment and supplies cost to the government.

But Diokno pointed out that rightsizing doesn’t necessarily mean reducing, he explained that the government is looking into merging existing agencies or GOCCs to create one centralized agency to cater to a specific sector or industry.

“But rightsizing does not really mean reduction. In fact, we are thinking of a Department of Housing and Urban Development so housing bodies will be merged. That is doable. It’s honest to goodness rightsizing. It does not necessarily mean reduction,” he added.

Diokno also said the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) also moved for the consolidation of agencies, starting with guarantee firms consisting of around five agencies.

“Those are also economies of scale, and as a matter of policy, government agencies should not be lending directly. It has to be through a bank,” he said.

Diokno said only deactivation, and not abolition, was recommended for the NLRC. An outright abolition requires an act of Congress.

“I think you need a law to repeal it. Deactivation means you will not be given a budget, you cannot operate, not abolished,” he said.

The government is pursuing an ambitious infrastructure build-up program to enhance the country’s roads, bridges and transport system. Some 75 flagship projects are under that
buildup program.

An estimated P8 trillion is needed for the buildup program over the next five years.

Is MRT-3 being billed for already paid parts?

Is the MRT-3 being billed anew for train parts it already paid for long ago?

Persistent info from railway sources is that crucial spares for which the Dept. of Transport is being billed are “balikbayan.” That's the moniker for the racket. Parts already paid for, and so duly stocked in the warehouse or installed in trains, are made to look newly purchased in order to collect again from the government.

The scam works when the railway warehouse or operation man colludes with the parts supplier or maintenance contractor to defraud the government. Supporting papers are doctored to facilitate fraudulent multi-collections.

The racket was discovered a decade ago at the Light Rail Transit Authority and the Philippine National Railways. By then the government already had lost millions of pesos.

The MRT-3 was thought to be insulated from “balikbayan” then, as it was privately operated and maintained. But the racket could have migrated there after the DOTr (formerly DOTC) took over MRT-3 operation and maintenance contracting starting 2012. It has since had a succession of favored inter-related contractors: PH Trams, Global Epcom, and now Busan Universal Rail Inc. (BURI).

BURI presently is billing MRT-3 P4 million for two signaling components recently installed on coaches Nos. 06 and 63. Called vehicle logic units (VLUs), the gadgets are supposed to electronically control train speeds and automatically brake them to avert collision.

But the MRT-3’s original signaling supplier Bombardier Ltd. of Canada reported to the DOTr that BURI has not purchased from it any part or equipment of late. Its audit also showed that the VLUs had been modified and the circuitry tampered with.

Usec. for Rails Cesar Chavez has been withholding P59 million in BURI collections pending submission of pertinent documents. For spare parts from abroad, those include supplier’s invoice, bill of lading, factory inspection report, warranty, certificate of origin, delivery receipt, certificate of acceptance, and property invoice – as required by the Commission on Audit.

The P4-million VLUs are among the reimbursements withheld from BURI for lack of supporting papers. The units came from the local shop Diamond Pearl Development and Marketing Corp., which is not an authorized Bombardier distributor. It is owned by Marlo dela Cruz, a Liberal Party campaigner-fundraiser in Pangasinan, also behind the series of MRT-3 maintenance outfits.

Chavez suspects the VLUs were cannibalized from other coaches. From records, the 12-year-long maintenance firm Sumitomo of Japan had left behind $17 million in spare parts when PH Trams suddenly grabbed its contract in Oct. 2012. PH Trams and later Global Epcom hardly purchased new parts but merely depleted Sumitomo’s left-behinds, leading to MRT-3’s rapid deterioration.

Notably among Sumitomo’s parts inventory was a VLU purchased in Swedish krona equivalent to P2.85 million.

Contracted for 2016-2018 BURI too is being accused of stinting on crucial spares. Since early 2017 MRT-3 has been suffering twice to thrice daily breakdowns, due to signaling and train failures.

Forty-eight new coaches from China’s Dalian Corp. could have saved the day for MRT-3. But the trains are inoperative because  overweight and so could crush the rails. They were delivered late; without motors and signaling; and untested for 5,000 km at the factory for safety, reliability, and durability. The DOTr is contemplating returning them to China.

Sen. Grace Poe wants former DOTr officials sued for purchasing from unqualified Dalian, for which the government has paid P526 million so far. As well, for contracting the unqualified BURI, to which the government has paid P650 million to date.

Eugene Rapanut, reportedly an LP-Ilocos Sur, had brokered the Dalian deal in 2013. He is now BURI’s managing director.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, appointed by President Noynoy Aquino, LP chairman, has yet to investigate the anomalies. Her brother Lucas Carpio is BURI’s lead lawyer. Last month BURI charged Chavez before the Ombudsman for recommending the termination of its P3.8-billion contract.

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The Metro Manila Development Authority must demolish all road barriers that illegally choke traffic. That includes metal fences of Kristong Hari Catholic church encroaching on two lanes of Commonwealth Avenue, north-bound Manggahan, Quezon City. Millions of commuters suffer hours-long gridlock every afternoon to midnight at the bottleneck. The barriers have been there nearly a year, since the old church was torn down for renovation, and the friars deemed it their power to occupy the national road. Commuters bore it at first, but the construction of the MRT-7 railway on the four center lanes has awakened them to the friar abuse. Subdivision residents along Commonwealth know that MMDA chairman Danny Lim is a homeowner there. The barriers contradict the three E's of traffic management: education (on social responsibility), engineering (to ease the flow), and enforcement (of the law). The MMDA must make the commuters feel that law and order is their right, and frailocracy is not their fate.

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Catch Sapol radio show, Saturdays, 8-10 a.m., DWIZ (882-AM).

Gotcha archives on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jarius-Bondoc/1376602159218459, or The STAR website http://www.philstar.com/author/Jarius%20Bondoc/GOTCHA

TV5 president Chot Reyes gives update on contracts of Derek Ramsay and Jasmine Curtis-Smith

Ano na ang mangyayari sa TV career nina Derek Ramsay at Jasmine Curtis-Smith?

Ito ay dahil magpo-focus na lamang sa digital, news, at sports ang pangatlong pinakamalaking TV network sa bansa—ang TV5.

Sina Derek at Jasmine na lang ang natitirang contract stars ng dating Kapatid network.

Mga dating contract stars ng TV5—katulad nina Sharon Cuneta, Aga Muhlach, Ogie Alcasid, Ritz Azul, at Vin Abrenica—ay nagsilipatan na sa ibang istasyon.

Nakausap ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) si TV5 President Chot Reyes sa launch ng pagsasanib-puwersa ng TV5 at ESPN na ginanap sa Snaps Bar sa Sofitel Hotel, ngayong Huwebes, October 12.

Dito ay tinanong namin siya kung ano na ang mangyayari kina Derek at Jasmine.

Pahayag ni Sir Chot, “Unfortunately, we are winding down all their contracts already.

"Si Jasmine, in fact, on TV, she’s no longer with us. She is still with us on digital.

"And, I think, the only remaining real star that we have left is Derek."

Patuloy niya, “And Derek is there because he is reflective of ESPN. He’s also into sports.

"I’m not just sure hanggang kailan pa yung contract niya.

"But we have absolutely no problem, especially with me, we have a very close relationship with Derek.

“So, we continue to have him as a talent.”

Samantala, magpapatuloy pa rin daw si Direk Brillante Mendoza sa pagpu-provide ng content sa istasyon.

Kasalukuyan pa ring mapapanood sa TV5 ang Brillante Mendoza Presents.

Ayon kay Sir Chot, “Brillante Mendoza is very different, in fact we’re going...

"Hindi ko lang ma-announce lang ngayon, pero may ia-announce kaming magandang malaking announcement for Brillante in the future."

SPORTS CONTENT. Ipinaliwanag din ni Chot kung bakit gusto nilang palakasin ang sports content ng TV5.

Pahayag ng 54-year-old network executive, “We wanted to see or find an area or niche where we can compete and we have a chance to be number one.

“Because what we found out over the past six or seven years as TV5, that being the number three network in the Philippines…

"Because, my learning is, being the number three network is not profitable.

“Being the number three network does not make business sense.”

Dagdag nito, “So, like what I said, it’s really going to be a timing issue.

"I think, there’s really an opportunity for us to get there, but the other networks have more than 15 years ahead over us [in entertainment].

"So, we don’t have the time nor the resources to still compete."

Sa ngayon daw, sports ang nakikita ng management na paraan upang kumita ang TV5, na matagal nang napapabalitang nalugi dahil sa hindi matagumpay na entertainment programs nito.

Nagkaroon pa nga ng tie-up sa Viva Entertainment ang TV5, ngunit hindi rin ito nagtagal.

Pinabulaanan naman niyang mag-iiba na ng pangalan ang istasyon, mula TV5 at magiging ESPN5 na raw.

Ang Sports5 lang daw ang ni-rebrand ng management.

Saad pa ng dating PBA coach, "TV5 is alive and kicking.

"We are just re-positioning, pivoting.

"And, like I said, we are just competing on a space that we have a chance to be number one."

Read more at http://www.pep.ph/news/68447/tv-president-chot-reyes-gives-update-on-contracts-ofderek-ramsay-and-jasmine-curtis-smith#SELAT0zg5vG1lxdi.99
Read more at http://www.pep.ph/news/68447/tv-president-chot-reyes-gives-update-on-contracts-ofderek-ramsay-and-jasmine-curtis-smith#IgoQDE5JkTQtFJyu.99
Read more at http://www.pep.ph/news/68447/tv-president-chot-reyes-gives-update-on-contracts-ofderek-ramsay-and-jasmine-curtis-smith#LdgE6GkxE03pmDlC.99
Read more at http://www.pep.ph/news/68447/tv-president-chot-reyes-gives-update-on-contracts-ofderek-ramsay-and-jasmine-curtis-smith#pt8fU1UWqt65rtC7.99
Read more at http://www.pep.ph/news/68447/tv-president-chot-reyes-gives-update-on-contracts-ofderek-ramsay-and-jasmine-curtis-smith#2Viiq0gVm37Khj1q.99
Read more at http://www.pep.ph/news/68447/tv-president-chot-reyes-gives-update-on-contracts-ofderek-ramsay-and-jasmine-curtis-smith#sdO5cuVbz3fz8A32.99
Read more at http://www.pep.ph/news/68447/tv-president-chot-reyes-gives-update-on-contracts-ofderek-ramsay-and-jasmine-curtis-smith#FxWKO924FeysPUyr.99
Read more at http://www.pep.ph/news/68447/tv-president-chot-reyes-gives-update-on-contracts-ofderek-ramsay-and-jasmine-curtis-smith#gwZZZQp7Q7hO5wdt.99
Read more at http://www.pep.ph/news/68447/tv-president-chot-reyes-gives-update-on-contracts-ofderek-ramsay-and-jasmine-curtis-smith#EMCE2H6bAWcPFEDk.99
Read more at http://www.pep.ph/news/68447/tv-president-chot-reyes-gives-update-on-contracts-ofderek-ramsay-and-jasmine-curtis-smith#4OlQTmhr6YB60XBI.99

IN PHOTOS: Thousands flock SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown grand opening

CROWDED. Thousands of mall goers flock the opening of the SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown. All photos by Gerard Lucena and Raymon Dullana
TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines- Thousands of people flocked the much-awaited opening of the newest mall in Cagayan on Thursday, October 12.

A reliable source from SM administration said the foot traffic, or the number of people who went inside the mall, of the opening of the SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown (SMTD) was 31,230 as of 6 pm.

SM Prime Holdings’ Non Executive Director Herbert Sy, Tuguegarao City Mayor Jefferson Soriano, Vice Mayor Benben De Guzman, Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba, and  Tuguegarao Archbishop Sergio Utleg led the ribbon-cutting ceremony and coin throwing at 9 am.

Celebrity host Robi Domingo joined the officials in the ribbon cutting of SM Hypermarket. Separate ribbon-cutting ceremonies for SM Appliance, Surplus, Simply Shoes, Golden Press, fastfood chains and restaurants, beauty and fashion stores, and other stores.



The mall doors were ceremonially opened around 9:30 as Afi Festival dancers swayed with SM’s official theme song to welcome mall goers.

On Saturday, October 14, celebrity wins Perkins brothers is coming for a meet and greet.

SMTD is SM Prime Holding’s 65th mall and the first in the province of Cagayan. It is the second SM mall in Cagayan Valley region, next to SM City Cauayan.

SM Hypermarket is the mall’s major anchor along with other SM mainstays: SM Appliance Center, Simply Shoes, Watsons, Miniso, ACE Hardware, Surplus, World Balance and BDO.

Dining options include international and national food chains and specialty restuarants as well as well as homegrown restuarants like Billy Jack’s Pansit Batil, Patung,Baker’s Percent, and Cup of Faith, SC Sugar Cane Juice, Ice Kingdom, Frutos, and Jio’s Juice Bar.

The mall also has fashion boutiques, specialty stores, wellness and services, and amusement centers.  It also has an IT Zone for Tuguegarao techies.