Thursday, May 31, 2018

More Celeb-Owned Items Released In “Signed Sold Delivered” Online Charity Sale


Get your hands on the most stylish pieces from your favorite celebrity’s closet as Metro.Style restocks with more items in online charity sale “Signed Sold Delivered” starting May 30 at 6pm.

The new collection features more precious pieces from stars such as Maja Salvador, Boy Abunda, Jodi Sta. Maria, Sam Milby, Liza Soberano, Inigo Pascual, Piolo Pascual, Enchong Dee, and Matteo Guidicelli.

Options of colorful dresses, intricate gowns, cool jackets, trendy accessories, and sleek shoes from these A-list celebs are up for grabs at Metro.Style’s online charity sale, continuing to raise P1 million fund for ABS-CBN’s Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc. (ALFKI).

Other elite personalities donating their memorabilia starting June 6 (Wednesday) are lifestyle personality Tootsy Angara, model mentor and “Women of Style” host Joey Mead King, internationally recognized fashion blogger Ingrid Chua-Go, and interior ace Steph Kienle Gonzalez.

Take a look on the new collection in www.signedsolddelivered.com. To purchase an item, click on the photo and complete the details for your transaction on CheckMeOut. Once order is confirmed, wait for your item to be delivered to your doorstep.

The month-long charity sale began last May 15 featuring coveted items from Angel Locsin, Maggie Wilson, Tim Yap, Ces Drilon, Korina Sanchez, Charo Santos, and more.

Metro.Style’s first-ever online celebrity charity sale is held in cooperation with digital logistics company QuadX and ALKFI. Visit www.signedsolddelivered.com for the full mechanics of #SignedSoldDelivered.

Supported by Backroom, Inc., KP&PR&EMS, Star Magic, Sun Life Financial, Timex, Yamaha, Century Tuna Superbods, Bench, Folded & Hung, Penshoppe, arena, speedo, Nike, DC Shoes, Titan 22

Philippine Congress ratifies national ID law

Philippine lawmakers on Wednesday (May 30) ratified a proposed law creating a "national identification system", amid criticism it will set up a mechanism prone to data breach and abuse.

The Bill, approved by Congress, creates a single proof of identity Filipinos can use for all transactions, similar to Singapore's National Registry Identity Card. It harmonises at least 33 government-issued IDs.

President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to sign the Bill into law and the system could be rolled out as early as June. It would take five years to complete, and will cost at least 30 billion pesos (S$760 million).


The Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) will include 13 sets of information, including a person's biometrics, taxpayer's number, passport number, health insurance number, driver's licence number, as well as personal details such as address, blood type and marital status.

The PhilSys card will be required for all government transactions. It will also be the main "proof of identity" for transactions with banks, job applications and verification for criminal records.

Representative Sol Aragones, who co-authored the Bill, said she expects a million cards to be issued this year, mostly to those who still lack "proof of identity", those with disabilities and the elderly.


"Each of us now has to carry a thick wad of IDs when transacting with the government and private companies. This reduces everything into a single card," said Ms Aragones.

But critics warned that the system could be used for state surveillance and is also vulnerable to third-party data leaks.

"A national ID system gives the government unprecedented access to a huge cache of its citizens' personal data," said Mr Jamael Jacob, director of the University Data Protection Office at the Ateneo de Manila University.

"Any government with the ability to keep tabs on its population via an ID system also has the ability to resort to oppressive activities."

Representative Carlos Zarate, of the Bayan Muna (Nation First) sectoral party, said information keyed into the PhilSys card would be part of a centralised database that law enforcement agencies could tap into to harass government critics.

"Especially during these troubling times, we, as a people, must always be mindful of any effort that gives more power to an administration that is not shy when testing the limits of its authority," said Mr Jacob.

Mr Zarate said the national ID database would also present a target for hackers, as there has been no guarantee of a "100 per cent safeguard" to the integrity of the information to be harvested.

He cited an incident in 2016 where hackers managed to steal from the election commission's website data on some 55 million voters.

But Senator Panfilo Lacson, principal author of the Bill, said concerns over privacy and data leaks were overblown.

"I don't understand the criticism and opposition (to the national ID). Don't they have driver's licences? Don't they have passports? Don't they have voter's IDs? The information needed for the national ID is the same, so why should they complain when they have already gone through the same process before?" he said.

House ratifies bicam report on nat’l ID system

The House of Representatives on Wednesday night ratified the bicameral conference committee report on a bill seeking to create a national identification (ID) system.

The move came a day after the Senate ratified its own version. The bill will be transmitted to the Palace for President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s signature.

The proposed bill seeks to integrate and interconnect some 30 redundant government IDs by coming out with one national ID system, or PhilSys.

The PhilSys will have three key components: the PhilSys Number or PSN, the PhilID and PhilSys Registry.

The PhilID will be a non-transferable card containing on its face the PSN, full name, facial image, date of birth, address and fingerprints of the individual.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is mandated to act as the PhilSys Registry, a repository and custodian of all data including the PSN, registered records, and information of all persons registered in the PhilSys.

Nat’l ID, rice tariffs to complement TRAIN mitigation measures

The government is accelerating the rollout of social mitigation measures such as unconditional transfers (UCTs) and fuel vouchers, which need to be complemented by the enactment into laws of a national ID system and the lifting of restrictions on rice imports, to further ease the impact of inflation on the country’s vulnerable sectors, the Department of Finance (DOF) said.

In a news release issued Wednesday, Finance Assistant Secretary Ma. Teresa Habitan said changing the way rice is imported – by shifting from setting import quotas to just imposing tariffs on cheaper imports of the grain – would help stabilize the supply of rice and lower its prices in the retail market, which will help the poor the most as rice accounts for 20 percent of their consumption.

A national ID system, meanwhile, will minimize leakages in implementing the UCT program and other social welfare programs; and will help ensure that the cash aid reaches the legitimate beneficiaries, Habitan said.

These twin measures, she said, will help cancel out the minimal impact of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law on inflation and speed up the rollout of the social mitigation measures provided under this law.

Based on estimates by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), rice tariffication alone will immediately lower the inflation rate by 0.4 percentage points, “which already offsets TRAIN’s impact on prices,” Habitan said.

Up to 30 percent of the incremental revenues collected under TRAIN, which is the first package of the Duterte administration’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP), has been earmarked for social protection programs to help vulnerable sectors cope with the minimal inflationary impact of this tax reform law.

“The impending passage of the national ID system law will complement these programs given the ambitious target of delivering social welfare benefits to 10 million poorest family beneficiaries,” Habitan said ahead of the resumption of the House of Representatives’ ways and means committee hearing on the second tax reform package of the CTRP, which covers corporate taxation and the modernization of investment incentives.
Habitan and Director Juvy Danofrata represented the DOF at the hearing.

According to Habitan, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has so far released some PHP4.3 billion to the Land Bank of the Philippines for some 1.8 million Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries with existing LandBank cash cards. Another 2.6 million household beneficiaries are in the process of getting their cash subsidies in May and June. For 2018, some PHP24 billion will be released to cover the poorest 10 million households.

Moreover, the Department of Energy (DOE) and major petroleum companies, such as Pilipinas Shell, Phoenix Petroleum and Petron agreed last March to provide fuel discounts for public utility vehicles (PUV) drivers, while the Department of Transportation (DOTR) is preparing the fuel vouchers for duly-franchised PUVs, Habitan said.

On the part of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), it has put in place the e-Presyo, an Online Price Monitoring System, where people can check the prevailing prices of basic necessities and prime commodities that are being monitored by the department. “It serves as a price guide for consumers in doing their grocery shopping, which in turn ensures ‘value for money’,” Habitan said.

She reiterated that TRAIN had a minimal upward effect on April’s 4.5 percent inflation rate, which rose mainly due to rising crude oil prices in the world market and adjustments in the peso-dollar exchange rate. TRAIN’s contribution to the April inflation rate was confirmed by the BSP, DTI and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to be only 0.4 percentage points, Habitan said.

She said that 3 percent of April’s inflation rate can easily be attributed to higher economic growth and stronger domestic demand, given that people now have more money to spend as a result of the reduced personal income tax rates under TRAIN.

Of the balance of 1.5 percent, Habitan said 0.2 percentage points was the result of the increase in the excise tax collections on cigarettes.

Multiply Comeback

Multiply, which the site closure and cessation of business operations for May 6 and May 31, 2013 due to long-term closure until June 30, 2021 after it announcing to shut down its social networking services on August 9, 2012.

Closing the blog service and sharing files are protesting from Multiply users. Users feel betrayed, especially since the previous Multiply management ensures that the service will not be eliminated even with the changing focus to e-commerce.


In March 2013, the Multiply International site has been completely closed and inaccessible, after previously Multiply only blocked access to Multiply.com from the IP address of Indonesia. The promise of Multiply to make a repayment of Premium account holders was never kept.


Launched in March 2004 in Boca Raton, Florida, Multiply had around 11 million registered users. It transferred to Jakarta, Indonesia in 2012 when it switched from a social networking site into an e-commerce site.


On April 26, 2013, Multiply announced it will close Multiply Indonesia and Multiply International website as of May 6, 2013. All business activities of Multiply will be terminated on May 31, 2013.


The cause of the closing of the Multiply site is because Multiply is expected to fail to reach the leading position in the e-commerce industry with a sustainable business model. Multiply CEO Stefan Magdalinski acknowledged that the total change of the Multiply business model from social networking to e-commerce sites was unsuccessful.


The full closure of the website, for 102 months effective March 16, 2013 to rehabilitate and resolve the issues surrounding Multiply, including hosted blogs, videos, photos and messaging.


On November 30, 2014— less than a year and six months after the closure of the site and their operations—Multiply announced it was permanently halting operations and filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. 


This time, however, it will no longer be a social networking service but an internet-based media platform.


If the website is making a comeback, first if signing of an agreement between the Philippines and Indonesia was supposed to take, securing the SEC Articles of Incorporation, By-laws and Treasurer's Affidavit, and having a legislative franchise .


1. Approval of company registration with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).


2. Drafting of the Franchise Bill. Company may seek assistance from the Committee on Legislative Franchises (House of Representatives) in drafting aFranchise Bill or secure a copy of sample bills.


3. It is preferred that the company securing a franchise shall select the sponsor of the bill who has jurisdiction of the district where the proposed public utility operation shall be located.


4. Filing of the bill at the Bills and Index Division (House of Representatives).


5. Franchise Bills originate at the House of Representatives and shall undergo the process on how a bill becomes a law.


Currently owned by Naspers, Multiply, which had operated in Indonesia before it closed shop.


The firm plans to recover deleted or lost photos, images and pictures from the old Multiply from 2005 to 2012.


Anticipating the liberalization of the social networking service in the Philippines, led by former Multiply CEO Stefan Magdalinski to reopen Multiply.com on July 1, 2021.


The company obtained its congressional franchise and was granted a provisional authority to operate social networking services.


The signing of an agreement between the Philippines and Indonesia was supposed to take place before the end of 2017.


The New Year holidays got in the way, considering that government offices in Indonesia closed on Dec. 29, 2017 and resumed normal operation on Jan. 4, 2018.


Plus, the brand style guide is a document that codifies how an organization presents itself to the world






Calls for its return


Many of former users who called for the website to return.

In January 2018, MediaQuest Holdings President and CEO Atty. Ray C. Espinosa stated in an interview that he would be willing to buy the old Multiply from Naspers and turned to became a independent, separate entity.


"Hi! Everyone we will announce soon the launching of the new Multiply! 😊😊😊" it said earlier, that the Multiply website will revert to it's original form as a social networking service and start to recover all hosted blogs, videos, photos and messaging.

"Sana nga maibalik sa orihinal na estado ang Multiply. Marami kaming naghihintay na bumalik ulit ang dating ganda ng Multiply."

Kapuso stars honored at 49th Box-Office Awards

Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera
Several GMA personalities and programs reaped recognitions at the 49th Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation (GMMSF) Box-Office Entertainment Awards held at Resorts World Manila recently.

Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera were two of the night’s biggest winners. He brought home the coveted Film Actor of the Year award while she received the Female TV Host of the Year award.

Regine Velasquez-Alcasid bagged the Female Concert Performer of the Year award while Alden Richards went home with the Male Recording Artist of the Year award.

Seasoned actor Gabby Concepcion won the TV Actor of the Year award for his performance on the hit Afternoon Prime drama series “Ika-6 Na Utos.”

“Eat Bulaga!” host Vic Sotto took home the Comedy Actor of the Year award while child star Baste Granfon received the Most Popular Male Child Performer award.

Ruru Madrid brought home the Most Promising Actor of the Year Award.

In the News & Public Affairs category, GMA Network’s Sunday program “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” received the Most Popular TV Program award.

In addition, receiving special awards were Janno Gibbs (Bert Marcelo Lifetime Achievement award); drama anthology “Maynila” (Longest Running Daytime Drama/Drama Anthology & Highest Rating Morning Primetime Drama of All Time); and Maynila’s host Cong. Lito Atienza (Outstanding Public Service award).

• • •

TFC shows nominated at annual NorCal Emmys

ABS-CBN’s The Filipino Channel (TFC) received four nominations in both program and individual categories in the 47th Annual Northern California Emmy Awards set on June 2 at the San Francisco Jazz Center.

ABS-CBN TFC’s daily news show “BA,” the magazine talk show “Adobo Nation,” ABS-CBN North & Latin America News Desk Editor Henni Espinosa and Director of Photography Jeremiah Ysip were all recognized by the 2018 NorCal Emmys.

The EMMY award is presented for outstanding achievement in television by The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS). San Francisco/Northern California.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, May 31, go to William Martinez, Alex Ricketts, Benhur Villanueva, Adel Almontero, Perlita Magno, Ruby Velasco Rennie, Jojo Gaela, Desiree Silan,  and Wheyee LozadaJune 1: Sen. Panfilo Lacson, Alicia Alonzo, Eva Abesamis, Max Ricketts, Froilan Antonio, Angela Andal, Ma. Clarissa Estefa, Nita Magat, Janelle Amanda Avanzado, Josie Tan, Gina Pajo, and Rhea Santos… Happy wedding anniversary to Eric Cruz and Shirley Halili-Cruz

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

House ratifies bicam report on nat'l ID system

The House of Representatives on Wednesday night ratified the bicameral conference committee report on a bill seeking to create a national identification (ID) system.

The move came a day after the Senate ratified its own version. The bill will be transmitted to the Palace for President Rodrigo R. Duterte's signature.

The proposed bill seeks to integrate and interconnect some 30 redundant government IDs by coming out with one national ID system, or PhilSys.

The PhilSys will have three key components: the PhilSys Number or PSN, the PhilID and PhilSys Registry.

The PhilID will be a non-transferable card containing on its face the PSN, full name, facial image, date of birth, address and fingerprints of the individual.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is mandated to act as the PhilSys Registry, a repository and custodian of all data including the PSN, registered records, and information of all persons registered in the PhilSys. (PNA)

House ratifies national ID system bill

The House of Representatives ratified on Wednesday night the National Identification System bill which seeks to integrate multiple government IDs in the country.

The lower chamber ratified the version adopted by the bicameral conference committee without objection.

Following its ratification by both chambers of Congress, the measure would then be up for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature. If the President would not neither sign nor veto it, it would lapse into law after 30 days.

The proposed measure seeks to integrate multiple government IDs by establishing a single national identification system to be known as the Philippine Identification System or PhilSys.

The ID includes the individual’s full name, sex, birthdate, birthplace, address and nationality, as well as biometric information, said Sen. Panfilo Lacson, chair of the Senate public order committee.

Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, chair of the House appropriations committee, earlier ensured a P2-billion funding for the program in 2018.

Some critics have expressed fears that the national ID system would pose threats to the country’s security and infringe on people’s right to privacy. /atm

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/995968/house-ratifies-national-id-system-bill#ixzz5GzZRJmlV
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

National ID system bill up for Duterte's signature

Once the bill is signed into law, the national ID system will be managed by the Philippine Statistics Authority

Both houses of Congress ratified the bill seeking the creation of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) or the national ID system.

The House of Representatives ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the bill on Wednesday, May 30. Only ACT Teachers Representative Antonio Tinio opposed the measure.

The Senate already ratified the bill the day before.

With both chambers ratifying PhilSys, the bill will now be brought to Malacañang so President Rodrigo Duterte can sign it into law.

Once Duterte signs it, the national ID system will be managed by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The system will collect a person's common reference number and basic information. It will also collect and store a person's biometrics, voter's ID, Philippine passport number, taxpayer's identification number (TIN), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) number, Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) number, and driver's license number, among others.

A resident's personal data, however, may only be released under the following conditions:


  • upon the consent of the registered person, specific to the purpose prior to the processing
  • upon risk of public health and safety when relevant information may be disclosed, provided the risk of significant harm to the public is established and the owner of the information is notified within 72 hours of the fact of such disclosure
  • upon order of the court
  • when a registered person requests access to his or her registered information and record history, subject to the guidelines and regulations to be issued by the PSA


Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno supports the measure, saying the national ID system will help improve the delivery of government services and reduce fraudulent transactions.

National Privacy Commission chief Raymund Liboro promised to ensure that other government agencies will adhere to the Data Privacy Act when handling or processing personal data to be made available through the national ID system.

Nat'l ID, rice tariffs to complement TRAIN mitigation measures

The government is accelerating the rollout of social mitigation measures such as unconditional transfers (UCTs) and fuel vouchers, which need to be complemented by the enactment into laws of a national ID system and the lifting of restrictions on rice imports, to further ease the impact of inflation on the country’s vulnerable sectors, the Department of Finance (DOF) said.

In a news release issued Wednesday, Finance Assistant Secretary Ma. Teresa Habitan said changing the way rice is imported - by shifting from setting import quotas to just imposing tariffs on cheaper imports of the grain - would help stabilize the supply of rice and lower its prices in the retail market, which will help the poor the most as rice accounts for 20 percent of their consumption.

A national ID system, meanwhile, will minimize leakages in implementing the UCT program and other social welfare programs; and will help ensure that the cash aid reaches the legitimate beneficiaries, Habitan said.

These twin measures, she said, will help cancel out the minimal impact of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law on inflation and speed up the rollout of the social mitigation measures provided under this law.

Based on estimates by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), rice tariffication alone will immediately lower the inflation rate by 0.4 percentage points, “which already offsets TRAIN’s impact on prices,” Habitan said.

Up to 30 percent of the incremental revenues collected under TRAIN, which is the first package of the Duterte administration’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP), has been earmarked for social protection programs to help vulnerable sectors cope with the minimal inflationary impact of this tax reform law.

“The impending passage of the national ID system law will complement these programs given the ambitious target of delivering social welfare benefits to 10 million poorest family beneficiaries,” Habitan said ahead of the resumption of the House of Representatives’ ways and means committee hearing on the second tax reform package of the CTRP, which covers corporate taxation and the modernization of investment incentives.
Habitan and Director Juvy Danofrata represented the DOF at the hearing.

According to Habitan, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has so far released some PHP4.3 billion to the Land Bank of the Philippines for some 1.8 million Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries with existing LandBank cash cards. Another 2.6 million household beneficiaries are in the process of getting their cash subsidies in May and June. For 2018, some PHP24 billion will be released to cover the poorest 10 million households.

Moreover, the Department of Energy (DOE) and major petroleum companies, such as Pilipinas Shell, Phoenix Petroleum and Petron agreed last March to provide fuel discounts for public utility vehicles (PUV) drivers, while the Department of Transportation (DOTR) is preparing the fuel vouchers for duly-franchised PUVs, Habitan said.

On the part of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), it has put in place the e-Presyo, an Online Price Monitoring System, where people can check the prevailing prices of basic necessities and prime commodities that are being monitored by the department. “It serves as a price guide for consumers in doing their grocery shopping, which in turn ensures ‘value for money’,” Habitan said.

She reiterated that TRAIN had a minimal upward effect on April’s 4.5 percent inflation rate, which rose mainly due to rising crude oil prices in the world market and adjustments in the peso-dollar exchange rate. TRAIN’s contribution to the April inflation rate was confirmed by the BSP, DTI and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to be only 0.4 percentage points, Habitan said.

She said that 3 percent of April’s inflation rate can easily be attributed to higher economic growth and stronger domestic demand, given that people now have more money to spend as a result of the reduced personal income tax rates under TRAIN.

Of the balance of 1.5 percent, Habitan said 0.2 percentage points was the result of the increase in the excise tax collections on cigarettes.

House approves national ID bill

The House of Representatives on Wednesday ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the bill seeking to establish a national identification (ID) system.

The ratification came a day after the Senate also ratified the bicameral report.

The reconciled bill will now be transmitted to President Rodrigo Duterte for signature.

Lawmakers agreed to include these sets of information on the ID card:

- the bearer's unique Philippine Identification System or PhilSys number;
- full name;
- sex;
- blood type;
- date of birth;
- place of birth;
- marital status;
- address;
- a front-facing photo.

The bicameral conference committee report was approved by both houses on May 22.

This is the farthest that the national ID system has come along in the legislative mill in its history.

More details to follow.

House approves proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law

The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, a measure which seeks to help end decades of fighting in the south and certified as urgent by President Rodrigo Duterte.

A bicameral conference will need to reconcile the House and Senate's versions of the bill before it can be signed into law by the President.

The BBL will install a Bangsamoro political entity in place of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. It is envisioned to grant wider self-rule to predominantly Muslim provinces and cities.

A total of 226 lawmakers at the House of Representatives voted for the bill while 11 voted against it. Two lawmakers meanwhile abstained.

The law is one of the requirements under a peace agreement that Manila signed with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in 2014 under then-president Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

Duterte had banked on the bill's passage to heal the "historical injustices" suffered by the Moros.

It failed to pass under Aquino after 44 police commandos died in a botched anti-terrorism raid in the remote town of Mamasapano in January 2015. Troops engaged rebels forces, including the MILF, in the hunt for Malaysian bomb-maker Marwan, who was killed in the operation.

House OKs Bangsamoro Basic Law

The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a measure creating a new autonomous region for the Moro peoples, a historic achievement meant to bring decades-long conflict in the southern Philippines to a close.

The House approval of the law, which will create a replacement for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with more powers while remaining part of the Philippines, followed President Rodrigo Duterte’s move Tuesday to certify the bills at the House and the Senate urgent.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the largest Muslim rebel group in the country, signed a peace deal with the administration of President Benigno Aquino III in 2014 to end decades of rebellion in the country’s restive south which has killed more than a hundred thousand people and displaced millions.

The House, voting 226-11-2, approved the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law on third and final reading.

The passage of the measure, officially known as the Bangsamoro Basic Law, was derailed after a raid on a remote town in Maguindanao  by police special forces led to the death of more than 60 Filipinos, including 44 police commandos.

The death of the policemen plunged the Aquino administration into its worst political crisis and put to question the sincerity of the MILF rebels, some of whom participated in the fighting that led to the commandos' deaths. Panels that investigated the clash found that the operation had been hampered by poor planning and a failure to coordinate with the military and with the MILF, with which the government has a ceasefire agreement.

The House’s version still needs to be reconciled with the draft of the bill coming from the Senate.

Once the two chambers agree on the final version, it will be sent to Duterte, who has strongly supported its measure, for his signature.

On different occasions, Duterte stressed the importance of the bill in attaining peace on the resource-rich island of 22 million.

He warned lawmakers that failure to pass the measure into law would fan extremism in Mindanao, which is already reeling from a five-month siege of Marawi City in Lanao del Sur by Islamic State-linked terrorists.

The measure will give Moros more political and economic power, but it still faces stiff challenges and questions over its constitutionality.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/05/30/1819776/house-oks-bangsamoro-basic-law

After much hesitation, Duterte certifies BBL as urgent

After contradicting statements, President Rodrigo finally certified the landmark Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) as urgent on Tuesday afternoon.

Before this, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque earlier said that the President may no longer certify House Bill 6475 and Senate Bill 1717 as urgent due to the stark differences between the versions of the Senate and House of Representatives.

But hours after, Roque said: “After much deliberation, the President has decided to make the House and Senate versions of the BBL as urgent and the copy of which is on its way to both houses of Congress.”

The certification means Congress does not need to wait three days before voting on the measure for final reading.

The Palace official said Duterte would sign the legislation into law once both chambers of Congress have reconciled and finalized the version at the bicameral conference committee during the break.

House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas said the signing would happen on July 23 in time for Duterte’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Fariñas said the lower house would consider BBL on second and third readings on Wednesday, May 30, the last session day before Congress adjourns sine die on June 2.

The Senate is expected to do the same.

Earlier, Duterte urged Congress to pass BBL by May 30 this year, saying the government is “racing against time” to enact the measure that could help keep peace in Mindanao amid threats of the spread of radical Islamic movement.

Amendments

In an interview after an all-member caucus on Monday, Fariñas refused to discuss the specific amendments on House Bill (HB) 6475, the Chamber’s version of BBL, but he said the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) “agreed to several of the amendments proposed.”

“We agreed that—in fairness to the BTC, they agreed naman to several of the amendments proposed. I’m working kasi on the draft presented by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission. May mga amendments, karamihan naman na-accept,” he said.

But he mentioned that the BTC agreed that the Autonomous Region of Bangsamoro (ARB) would remain concurrent with the national government, and the Bangsamoro police would still be under the Philippine National Police.

Fariñas said both camps have yet to agree on the opt-in and fiscal autonomy provisions of the BBL.

In another interview on Tuesday, a day after Congress leaders met with Duterte to discuss BBL, Fariñas said Duterte was apprehensive of many provisions under the BBL.

The House leader only mentioned in passing the provisions on the Bangsamoro police and the establishment of independent constitutional commissions.

“He (Duterte) was not willing na oh may sariling pulis and everything so we told them na payag naman yung BTC na yung kanilang police regional office sa kanilang Bangsamoro will still be like a regional office,” he said.

Fariñas also dismissed concerns that the BBL would be unconstituional because it seeks to abolish the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which is stated in the 1987 Constitution.

“Iaabolish na ng BBL yung ARMM. Another option would be to wait for the con-ass (constituent assembly) (to revise the Constitution) but dito na kami sa BBL,” he said.

Zubiri: Senate is on track with BBL passage

The Senate is on track with the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said Wednesday, vowing to approve the long-overdue measure within the day.

Zubiri, chair of the Senate subcommittee on the BBL, said senators are racing against time to pass the BBL, which was certified as urgent by President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday.

“We are on track with the BBL. These past two days and nights disproved the disbelievers that the Senate can hack it. At this time, the landmark measure is being forged by Senators across party lines,” Zubiri said in a statement.

“The Committee Report which was drawn mainly from the work of the BTC (Bangsamoro Transition Commission)  is being rewritten by Senators who hold their legal torches aloft on their own,” he added.

Zubiri said senators would tackle fiscal autonomy and find out ways to pump up the future Bangsamoro government’s ability to “rebuild communities ravaged by war and neglect.”

“We expect proposals to increase provisions that will ensure transparency and public accountability. Sen. Recto promised questions and proposals in all of the 18 chapters,” he said.

Zubiri said during the deliberations on Tuesday night, senators tackled the Bangsamoro police, which would remain part of the Philippine National Police with recruitment and promotions following what is nationally implemented.

“Military, national and Bangsamoro defense were also made more explicit,” Zubiri said.

Bangsamoro territory was also amended to a territorial jurisdiction, the senator said, adding all provisions referencing Bangsamoro to a sub-state status “has been disposed of to clarify that the BBL is about an autonomous region like any other.”

“If last night is indicative of how things will be today, then I think the BBL will be a better document coming out of the Plenary than when it first landed in the Senate,” Zubiri said.   /muf

Zubiri: Senate on track with BBL, will pass it Wednesday

Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said Wednesday the Senate is on track with the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, assuring the public that the measure will be approved within the day.

The Senate suspended its session past midnight Wednesday as it tackled the amendments to the proposed measure.

“These past two days and nights disproved the disbelievers that the Senate can hack it. At this time, the landmark measure is being forged by senators across party lines,”  Zubiri said in a message to reporters.

“The committee report which was drawn mainly from the work of the BTC (Bangsamoro Transition Commission)  is being rewritten by senators who hold their legal torches aloft on their own,” he added.

He said Minority Leader Franklin Drilon ,who propounded difficult questions during the period of interpellation and the ongoing period of amendments, headed the Justice Department for many years.

“While it may appear that he was unfeeling in peeling away provisions that the BTC laboriously put together, Senator Frank Drilon was in fact cutting through the verbiage to craft not just better language, but even enhanced it,” said Zubiri.

The majority leader said they will tackle later fiscal autonomy, which is not just about the pesos-and-cents issue, but about pumping up the future Bangsamoro government's ability to rebuild communities ravaged by war and neglect.

“We expect proposals to increase provisions that will ensure transparency and public accountability. Senator (Ralph) Recto promised questions and proposals in all of the 18 chapters. If last night is indicative of how things will be today, then I think the BBL will be a better document coming out of the plenary than when it first landed in the Senate,” he said.

Zubiri said among the amendments they have tackled were that Bangsamoro territory was changed to Bangsamoro territorial jurisdiction. He said there will be further discussion.

He said all provisions referencing to a sub-state status has been disposed of to clarify that the BBL is about an autonomous region like any other. He added the Republic's flag and Lupang Hinirang shall always be flown and played along with the Bangsamoro heraldic symbols.

He said Senators Panfilo Lacson and Gregorio Honasan polished the chapters on the Bangsamoro police to state that it is part of the Philippine National Police with recruitment and promotions following what is nationally implemented.

He said military, national, and Bangsamoro defense were also made more explicit.

Zubiri said the provisions on the Judiciary and system of courts took cognizance and clarified the extent of applicability of the Shariah justice system on Muslim and non-Muslims.

He said land titling, management of protected areas, and ancestral domains issues were also enriched and made more accurate with correlation to existing land, environment, and fisheries resources laws.

Zubiri said the anti-political dynasty provisions were also discussed and even got support for the BTC language.

“We expect another long day. It's all for the better version. Coming from all failed attempts of past administrations to build lasting peace in Mindanao, I am very hopeful we can have a BBL that satisfies the concerns of Muslim Mindanao and most of all our Constitution,” said Zubiri.

President Rodrigo Duterte certified as urgent Tuesday the proposed BBL. The certification will allow Congress to do away with the three-day rule and immediately pass the bill on third and final reading after its approval on second reading.

The 2nd regular session of Congress will adjourn its session Wednesday and will return on July 23 when the 3rd regular session starts. — RSJ, GMA News

Bangsamoro can't replace ARMM without charter change: Lagman

A new Bangsamoro entity cannot replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao unless the 1987 Constitution is revised, an opposition lawmaker said Wednesday.

The proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, which is pending in Congress, is an "affront to the Constitution" that specifically provided for the creation of the ARMM, making it a "constitutional entity," said Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman.

"There is nothing more to do except to implement constitutional provisions effectively," he told ANC's Headstart.

The BBL will not merely rename the ARMM and will instead create a "more ascendant and powerful" body, he said.

Under a BBL draft in Congress, the Bangsamoro region will have its own Commission on Elections, which should not happen because a poll body is supposed to be "constitutional," he said.

Anak Mindanao Rep. Amihilda Sangcopan previously pleaded to her colleagues at the House of Representatives to pass the measure and then let the Supreme Court to decide on its constitutionality.

President Rodrigo Duterte has certified the proposed BBL as urgent, allowing lawmakers to bypass the 3-day period between the second and third readings before the measure is passed.

Duterte to sign BBL on 3rd SONA

President Rodrigo R. Duterte is expected to sign the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) on July 23 in time for his third State of the Nation Address (SONA), House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas said.

Fariñas told House reporters Monday night about the Chief Executive’s plan, following a meeting between congressional leaders and the President to discuss the contentious provisions of the proposed BBL.

“The bicam (bicameral) conference committee report shall be submitted for ratification by the HOR (House of Representatives) and the Senate in their plenary sessions in the morning of Monday, July 23, 2018, with the President signing it into law in time for his State of the Nation Address at 4 p.m. of that same day,” Fariñas said.

Fariñas also revealed that President Duterte has already granted their request to certify the BBL as urgent to expedite its passage before Congress adjourns sine die (with no appointed date of resumption).

“The President did not impose anything on Congress, but granted our request to certify the BBL bill as urgent in order for the HOR and the Senate to pass their respective bills on 2nd and 3rd readings before we adjourn on Wednesday,” he said.

The House leader said Congress would be holding the bicam meetings, together with the Bangsamoro Transition Commission and the executive department, during the congressional break to resolve conflicting provisions in both versions.

Crunch time for the BBL

The passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law may be the single most consequential legislative objective of the Duterte administration, but it has unfortunately been overtaken by other priorities or overshadowed by other sideshows: impeachment threats and actual impeachment complaints, the ill-advised attempt to postpone the barangay elections yet again, the continuing campaign to change the system of government from unitary to federal.

Now the 17th Congress, controlled in both chambers by supermajorities allied (and aligned) with the Duterte administration, is staring at the bottom of the legislative barrel. It has less than a week left before it adjourns until the State of the Nation Address in July.

How important is the proposed BBL?

Enough for President Duterte to say, wearily, last April: “Nangangako ako na before May, lulusot ’yan … before the end of May, lulusot na ’yan. ’Pag hindi, baka mag-resign ako pagka-presidente. Inyo na lang ’yan, hindi ko talaga kaya.” (I promise that before May, that will pass … before the end of May, that will pass. If not, I might resign as President. You can have it, I really can’t do it).

The President has been known to wax emotional in public before, and indeed to claim that he was too old or too tired to continue in the presidency.

Passage of the BBL ranks among the few issues that have caused him to confess just giving everything up: “It’s useless. If you give me this kind of administration until the end of my term, frankly, I would rather resign. Napapagod na ako (I’m getting tired) to solve the problem.”

Going into the last three days of the second session of the 17th Congress, “this kind of administration” faces serious obstacles in passing the BBL.

As presidential spokesperson Harry Roque admitted on Tuesday morning: “There are kinks that are being ironed out but their promise is to pass the BBL. We would like the BBL enacted before Congress goes on recess on June 2 … The promise is they would do everything humanly possible to pass the BBL. Certifying it as urgent may not happen because of the conflicting versions of the Senate and House.”

This was an unusual position to take, because one of the uses of a presidential certification of urgency is precisely to force the Senate and the House to reconcile conflicting versions of a legislative measure.

And one of its effects is that the mandatory three-day waiting period between second and third readings is considered waived.

Perhaps Roque did not understand what the true situation was?

The Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Secretary Jesus Dureza, insisted that the President had committed to a speedy passage in a late-Monday meeting with congressional leaders.

“The meeting adjourned with a general consensus that the two chambers conclude their work at the earliest possible time and if there are varying versions, that the mandated bicameral committees of both chambers meet to come up with a joint reconciled and accepted version,” Dureza said.

“The President said he would certify the bill as urgent,” he added.

Finally, at around mid-afternoon on Tuesday, the head of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, Secretary Adelino Sitoy, told reporters that the BBL certification had been transmitted to Senate President Vicente Sotto III.

The lack of clarity that persisted until mid-afternoon is frustrating, but at least the President has again put the full force of his office behind the BBL.

The certification of urgency is needed to push the passage of the law. Necessary, but not sufficient.

As important as the substance of the proposed law is, and even though the passage of the law has serious consequences for the peace process in Mindanao, the chambers of Congress have run into the hard wall that is the legislative calendar.

Can they pass the law before the President delivers his third Sona?

House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas has a clever plan. He thinks that the bicameral conference committee can work on the reconciled version of the bill between now and the fourth Monday of July, when the Constitution requires Congress to begin a new session.

The conference version can then be ratified by the two chambers, meeting separately in the morning, and then passed and signed into law before the President addresses the nation in the afternoon.

It’s a long shot, but it’s crunch time, and Congress needs to take it.



Read more: http://opinion.inquirer.net/113558/crunch-time-bbl#ixzz5GxuEhOsu
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Duterte’s ‘urgent’ edict on self-rule for Muslims


  • The decades-long armed conflict in Mindanao that caused more than 120,000 deaths
  • The commission has also agreed that control of the defense, police and coast guard will be retained by the national government


MANILA: Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has given an “urgent” certification to the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) that will give wider autonomy to the country’s Muslim minority.

The president’s decision on Tuesday came one day after he held separate meetings with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), led by its chairman, Murad Ibrahim, and leaders of Congress.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Tuesday said he had spoken to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, who told him that Malacanang would send them the certification that the BBL is an urgent measure.

The office of the presidential liaison office later announced it had sent the BBL certification to Sotto.

Jesus Dureza, the presidential adviser on the peace process, said that “after much deliberation, the president has decided to make the House and Senate versions of the BBL as urgent.”

Dureza said earlier that during their meeting with Duterte on Monday, leaders from the Senate and House of Representatives vowed to pass the proposed BBL “at the earliest possible time.”

“It was a good meeting with all leaders of the House and the Senate, including their members who expressed strongly on their views on the bill,” Dureza said.

He said that Duterte first met with the MILF leadership before organizing a separate meeting with government representatives.

“The president initially expressed his own personal views and initial assessments which resonated well to all,” Dureza said.

The meeting agreed that the two chambers would complete their work as soon as possible.

Following the commitment of leaders of both Houses to pass the BBL and iron out any disagreements in a bicameral conference, Duterte agreed to certify the bill as urgent.

House Majority Leader Rodolfo Farinas, who took part in the meeting with the president, said Duterte did not impose anything on Congress, but granted their request to certify the BBL bill to allow both houses of Congress to pass their respective versions of the measure before they adjourn on Wednesday.

“We will then have a bicameral conference committee during the break, which will resolve conflicting provisions of our bills in collaboration with the Executive Department and the Bangsamoro Transition Commission,” said Farinas. The bicam conference committee report will be submitted for ratification by the both chambers of Congress on July 23.

Once both chambers have finalized the version, Duterte is expected to sign the BBL in time for his “state of the nation” address on the same day.

Farinas on Monday said the Bangsamoro Transition Commission had agreed to most of the proposed amendments to the draft BBL, including naming the new entity that will be created by the law as the Autonomous Region of Bangsamoro (ARB).

The commission has also agreed that control of the defense, police and coast guard will be retained by the national government. “There will be a police region in the Bangsamoro, but it will still be under the PNP (Philippine National Police).”

Agreement has yet to be reached on two major proposed amendments — the opt-in clause and fiscal autonomy for the Bangsamoro. Once the BBL is passed and approved by the president, a plebiscite will be held within 150 days. The MILF chair told Arab News they are “optimistic that once the Bangsamoro (bill) will be in place, it will be supported by the majority of the people in the area.

“Then we can be assured that security issues will be improved and the economic activities of the people will be also increased as there will be peace in the area. So that is expected in the future,” Murad said.

The BBL was the result of a peace agreement between the administration of then President Benigno Aquino III and the MILF to pave the way for the creation of a Bangsamoro region to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

However, passage of the bill stalled in 2015 following a clash between Philippine National Police commandos and MILF fighters in Maguindanao province that left 44 troopers and 18 MILF fighters dead.

When Duterte assumed presidency in 2016, he urged Congress to pass the bill, which is expected to address the decades-long armed conflict in Mindanao that caused more than 120,000 deaths.

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Duterte certifies as urgent the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, May 29, certified the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law as urgent following his meeting with the House and Senate leadership in Malacañang.

This was confirmed by Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque.

“After much deliberation, the President has decided to make the House and Senate versions of the BBL as urgent and copy of it is on its way to both houses of Congress,” Roque said.

Roque added that “once both chambers have reconciled and finalized the version, the President will sign the Bangsamoro Basic Law.”

#AweSM60 Greetings

Nora Aunor topbills GMAs ‘Onanay’

Nora Aunor
Superstar Nora Aunor leads the upcoming GMA Network primetime drama series “Onanay.”

The actress plays a special role on the series as Nelia, a loving and caring grandmother who is kind yet willing to fight for what is right and will do everything for her family.

She is proud to be part of the series. “Gusto ko ’yung teleserye at maganda ’yung istorya. Tungkol ito sa kung paano magmahal ang isang ina sa isang anak, at kung paano ipagtanggol ang isang anak ng ina.”

The actress is excited to work with some of the network’s sought-after and talented artists. “Dahil sa tagal na hindi ako gumawa ng mga ganitong serye, kabado po ako at dito sa bagong show, ’yung mga bata na ang nakakasama ko. May kaba pero excited din dahil maganda ang kwento,” she said.

Under the helm of Gina Alajar, Nora will be joined by Mikee Quintos, Kate Valdez and Cherie Gil. The series also introduces newest Kapuso, Jo Berry who auditioned for the role of Onay, the vertically challenged daughter of Nelia. Completing the cast are Gardo Versoza, Wendell Ramos, Rochelle Pangilinan, Vaness del Moral, Enrico Cuenca and special guest Adrian Alandy.

• • •

Praised by fans


Jacklyn Jose

Aside from the lead stars of “The Cure,” Jennylyn Mercado and Tom Rodriguez, fans watch the show for the award-winning actress Jaclyn Jose who plays Dr. Lazaro.

Many viewers praise Jaclyn’s performance, as in “ibang Jaclyn Jose ang mapapanood sa seryeng ito.”

What will happen now that Charity (Jennylyn) seems to be one of those infected by the virus? “The Cure” airs weeknights after “24 Oras” on GMA Telebabad.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, May 29, go to Celia Laurel, Robbie Tan, Pearl Susim, Emma Gutierrez, Ruby Villaruz, Dr. Luz Espiritu, Oliver Bundalian, Col. Reynaldo Gopilan, Virgie Lovely, Pacita Aguirre, Dianne Bautista, Shirley Uy, Berna Duran Velasco, Ines Ragodon, Shirley Uy, Narciso Talampas Jr., Rommel PlacenteLiza Madrienes and Barbara MilanoMay 30: Marlene dela Peña, Ricky Davao, Rep. Bingbong Crisilogo, Glenda Barretto, Rene Austria, Roxanne Lapus, Pocholo Malillin of Club Mwah, Ferdie Villar, Ronalisa Cheng, Chito Chavez, Marilen Cojuangco, Dr. Jofe Syquia, Mary Grace Macahindog, Leslie Lomeda, Midz Reyes, Monina Capili, Jacqueline Sagmit, and MB Entertainment’s Teresa G. Martinez

Monday, May 28, 2018

Senate renews franchises of 4 broadcast firms

Bills extending the franchises of four broadcasting companies to 25 more years hurdled the third and final reading at the Senate on Monday.

The Senate approved the renewal of franchises of the Manila Broadcasting Co., Bright Star Broadcasting Corp., Notre Dame Broadcasting Corp. and Vanguard Radio Network Co., Inc.

“Broadcasting services are the nervous system of our society as they connect communities and families through a seamless flow of information,” Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the Committee on Public Services,” said on Monday.

“The Committee deems it fit to integrate a new provision mandating the grantees decent and productive employment opportunities as well as apprenticeship programs or on-the-job trainings for students and young Filipinos,” she added.

Poe highlighted in her sponsorship speech the role played by the Manila Broadcasting Co., which is known by its flagship AM radio station DZRH, in the nation’s history from World War II to the EDSA Revolution and even up to the administrations of former Presidents Corazon Aquino, Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and Benigno Aquino III.

Created on April 1992, Bright Star or Retro 105.9 DCG-FM plays a diverse mix of retro pop, dance, hip-hop, rap, R&B, new wave and soul music.

Vanguard Radio provides news and entertainment through its broadcast stations in Nueva Ecija, Baguio City, La Union, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, Cagayan, and Bohol.

An affiliate of the Catholic Media Network, Notre Dame Broadcasting is based in Kidapawan City and was founded in 1956.

“Congress has the responsibility to ensure that only the most qualified individuals and organizations should be granted this privilege,” Poe said. ee

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/995090/senate-renews-franchises-of-4-broadcast-firms#ixzz5Gndkyo7u
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Philippine Identification System empowers citizens to exercise rights and allows access to services

The establishment of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) will enable Filipinos to have proof of identity, to exercise rights and privileges and to access vital services.

An announcement made by the Philippine House of Representatives (Philippine Congress) highlighted the benefits of establishing the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys, which include proof of identity, empowerment to exercise rights and privileges as well as access to vital services.

Education, social protection, healthcare, banking and finance are some of the vital services that can be accessed by the Filipinos once the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) is established, said one of the principal authors of the measure creating a national identification system in the country.

“The PhilSys is particularly important for vulnerable sectors of our population, like those who are marginalized and living in poverty and those living in remote areas. Once they have the means to prove their identity, people will be empowered to exercise their rights and privileges and access basic services,” said Camiguin Representative Xavier Jesus D. Romualdo.

PhilSys is a single national identification system for all citizens and resident aliens of the Philippines. This unified system will promote seamless delivery of service, improve the efficiency, transparency, and targeted delivery of public and social services, and enhance administrative governance.
Moreover, the National ID is expected to reduce corruption, curtail bureaucratic red tape, avert fraudulent transactions and misrepresentations, strengthen financial inclusion, and promote ease of doing business.

Every Filipino and resident alien of the country shall be identified through the use of a unique and permanent PhilSys Number (PSN), which is randomly generated. It shall be the standard number assigned to each individual to be incorporated in all identification systems of government agencies.

According to the Identification for Development initiative of the World Bank, over 16.3 million Filipinos do not have proof of identity and are hindered from availing of government and financial services. Concerns raised by critics against the national ID system involve infringement on the rights and privacy of the citizens.

Rep Romualdo, a member of the bicameral conference committee, dispelled these by saying that Congress assures only basic personal information will be stored in the PhilSys and this information will be protected and kept confidential.

“Only one’s name, sex, address, date and place of birth, blood type, and biometric data, such as facial photo and fingerprints, are required to be entered in the PhilSys. Furthermore, disclosure of and granting access to stored data and information to anyone, even to law enforcement agencies and the military, is prohibited and penalised,” Rep Romualdo explained.

Disclosure of information, according to the reconciled version of the bill, is only allowed when the registered person has given his or her consent, specific to the purpose prior to the processing.

Information can also be disclosed upon order of a competent court, when the compelling interest of public health or safety so requires as long as the risk of significant harm to the public is established and the owner of the information is notified within 72 hours of the fact of such disclosure.

Information obtained as a result of any unauthorised or illegal disclosure is inadmissible in any judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative proceeding.

Presidential hits and misses

by Atty. Ignacio R. Bunye

President Rody has a flair for drama which he uses to clearly drive his point.

Instead of just confiscating smuggled luxury cars and auctioning them, as he is allowed by law, he orders them destroyed. And in a dramatic fashion. On two recent occasions, we witnessed on television how multi-million peso cars were flattened and reduced to scrap by graders – to the horror of high end car aficionados.

In his much-touted fight against corruption in government, the President fired persons supposedly very close to him. Not content, he even followed this up with a shame campaign against his former political supporters. Nowadays, he even asks Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque to pre-announce the forthcoming firings.

The message to corrupt officials would have been loud and clear.

Unfortunately, President Rody also has his share of misses which tend to negate his gains.

In his bid to get closer to his new friend – China – he is opening the way for six Chinese firms to corner the bulk (around R17B) of rehabilitation projects for Marawi. On the surface, nothing wrong with that especially if these Chinese companies can offer the best terms. After all, the offer of the Chinese will be subjected to “Swiss Challenge”.

Unfortunately, as it turned out, two of the companies have previously been blacklisted by the World Bank for alleged corrupt dealings involving Philippine projects. In an earlier clarification, the palace said that President Duterte was not aware of the blacklisting. Subsequently, the inclusion of the two companies was justified for the reason that the blacklisting, for 6 years and 5 years of the two companies, had already lapsed.

So what has happened to his “Ayaw ko sa corruption!” pronouncement?

Again, appointees who turned out to be incompetent (if not downright corrupt) were simply re-cycled. They were pulled out from their previous posting and kicked sideways to other jobs with high-sounding titles.

And just recently, he promoted to the next higher rank a Philippine Coast Guard officer who had been suspended over funds misuse allegations.

All of a sudden, the signals coming from the palace have become mixed up.

Marawi – a year hence

Seven months after the cessation of hostilities in Marawi, the rehabilitation of Marawiis moving ever slowly.

Nonetheless, considering the tedious process entailed preparing the rehab plan – much of which was taken up by multi-sectoral consultation on the best development mix – the palace has expressed satisfaction of what has been accomplished so far.

902 priority projects have been identified and are being readied for implementation. Adequate funding – estimated in excess of R70 billion over the next three years – is being budgeted.

Unsatisfied, critics have described the proposed rehabilitation of Marawi as “a patchwork of sketchy plans”. The plans do not address many problems – not the least of which is the age old question of unresolved property rights among the Muslim population. This thorny issue has been tagged as one of the root causes of conflict in Mindanao.

The government is working on it, assures Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jess Dureza. Dureza concedes, however, that as of now there is no magic formula which answers all these questions.

At last – a national ID

After several Presidents, we will soon have a national ID system. It is about time. We are one of 9 remaining countries in the world which, to date, have not adopted one.

The advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. Not only will a national ID facilitate public and private transactions. It will also help enhance national and community security.

Of course, a noisy militant minority will continue the protest the system not just for being invasive of privacy but for being reminiscent of the cedula – considered as a sign of subservience to our former colonial masters.

Come one, guys. This is already 2018. Let us just move on. If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to be afraid of.
Note: You may email us at totingbunye2000@gmail.com. You may also “like” us at Facebook at “Speaking Out”.

CEZA pursuing expressway, railway projects in Cagayan

The Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) is pursuing expressway and railway projects to link the northern part of the country to the capital, its top official told reporters.

In an interview over the weekend, CEZA Administrator and Chief Executive Officer Raul Lambino said the agency is eyeing to build a new six-lane expressway that will connect Cagayan North International Airport to Port Irene in the town of Sta. Ana and Lal-lo to Tuguegarao City to Aparri and Claveria.

Lambino said this will complement the planned Global TransPark System in Cagayan, which targets to have an international cargo airport and seaport; manufacturing, distribution and cold-storage facilities; multi-modal transport linkages; efficient cargo transfer system; and central cargo area.

The Global TransPark System aims to provide seamless and efficient supply chain in the economic zone and the freeport.

Aside from the six-lane expressway, Lambino said CEZA aims to build a parallel railway system for passengers and cargo to provide better connectivity as well as faster, cheaper, and more efficient way to transfer goods.
He mentioned that a Russian company is studying and looking into linking Cagayan and Manila through a high-speed train system.

To pursue these infrastructure projects, Lambino said CEZA is requesting Congress to release the remaining PHP14 billion investment of the government in the agency as stated in the Republic Act No.7922 or the Cagayan Special Economic Zone Act

Congress to ratify national ID bill today

After three decades of languishing in the legislative mill, the national ID system bill is expected to be ratified by Congress today, the final step before it is transmitted to President Duterte for his signature.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, principal author and sponsor of the bill, said the measure is something that he has been pushing for since he first became senator in 2001.

First proposed during the administration of former president Fidel Ramos, the national ID bill has failed to take off due to lack of support in Congress and a general fear of the system because of privacy issues.

But now, with the backing of Duterte, the bill, which is also dubbed as the Philippine ID system, has been approved by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The bill has also gone through the bicameral conference committee where a consolidated version has been prepared and would be presented today in both chambers of Congress for ratification.

“This is a landmark legislation because it is only under the administration of President Duterte that this was approved,” Lacson said in a radio interview.

The fears raised about the present national ID, according to Lacson, have been unfounded considering that the information that would be stored in the ID are basic details of an individual such as name, birthdate, address, gender, photograph and biometrics.

The senator explained that all these information about a person are already kept by various government agencies that issue IDs or other documents.

“I don’t understand the criticism and opposition (to the national ID). Don’t they have driver’s licenses? Don’t they have passports? Don’t they have voter’s IDs? The information needed for the national ID are the same so why should they complain when they have already gone through the same process before?” he said.
The information contained in the national ID would be kept secure, with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) as the repository of the data, according to Lacson, adding there are enough safeguards under the proposed law that would keep the data of the national ID holders secure against unauthorized disclosures.

The only people who should be worried about the national ID, according to the senator, are rebels, terrorists and other criminal elements who thrive on anonymity.

“Those with aliases would now have a difficult time maintaining their aliases. I suppose this is the fear of the leftists because there are NPA (New People’s Army), ASG (Abu Sayyaf group), who are fighting the government, so now, with a national ID system, they would be easily identified,” Lacson said.

The bill calls for the allocation of an initial P25 billion for the PSA to implement the law.

Lacson, however, said the PSA has aired its concern that P25 billion might not be enough if all of the safeguards would be included in the law; thus, the actual budget needed could run up to P40 billion.

He added that the implementation could also take some time, with the PSA saying that this could take five years to complete.

16.3 million Filipinos to benefit
More than the taxpayers,  proponents said the poorest of the poor reaching about 16.3 million out of the total 104 million Filipinos today stand to benefit from the establishment of the national ID system or the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys).

“The PhilSys is particularly important for vulnerable sectors of our population, like those who are marginalized and living in poverty and those living in remote areas,” Camiguin Rep. Xavier Jesus Romualdo, one of the principal authors of the bill, said.

“Once they have the means to prove their identity, people will be empowered to exercise their rights and privileges and access basic services,” the chairman of the House committee on government reorganization added.

A study undertaken by the Identification for Development initiative of the World Bank had shown that over 16.3 million Filipinos “do not have proof of identity and are hindered from availing themselves of government and financial services.”

Romualdo said PhilSys would enable “more Filipinos to access vital services, such as education, social protection, health care, banking and finance.”

Another co-author of the bill, former journalist and incumbent Laguna Rep. Sol Aragones, described as a “historical milestone” the passing of the measure after more than 20 years since it was first proposed in Congress.

“We now have an opportunity to create a significant impact and everlasting effect on the lives of our people with something that can fit in our pocket, kasya sa bulsa, in the form of an ID,” the legislator said.

“This ‘one for all, all for one’ ID seeks to synchronize and harmonize all existing government-initiated identification cards, into a unified, comprehensive and efficient system,” she added.

The PhilSys ID, according to Aragones, will be issued to all citizens and resident aliens to provide them with a valid proof of identity and a means to simplify public and private transactions.

“We will no longer need to present multiple IDs to transact with government and private establishments that require individuals to present two or more government-issued IDs,” Aragones assured.

This landmark legislation is expected to promote seamless delivery of service; improve the efficiency, transparency and targeted delivery of public and social services; enhance administrative governance; reduce corruption and curtail bureaucratic red tape; avert fraudulent transactions and misrepresentations, strengthen financial inclusion and promote ease of doing business. – With Delon Porcalla

Sunday, May 27, 2018

Lacson downplays security, privacy ‘threats’ of national ID system

SENATOR Panfilo Lacson downplayed on Sunday the warning raised by some groups that the passage of the national identification system bill would pose a threat to security and people’s privacy, saying that only enemies of the government and those who uses “aliases” will be affected by the measure.

Lacson said the bill, which seeks to establish the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys), would be beneficial to billions of Filipinos because they could use the national ID in all transactions.

He said people would not need to carry all their government issued IDs when opening a bank account, applying for a loan, renewing their passport or driver’s license and other processes that would need proof of identification because their PhilSys would be enough.

Lacson said he found the claim of those saying that a national ID would infringe on people’s right to privacy inconsistent, noting that personal information are contained in passports, drivers’ licenses and other government issued IDs.

“To those criticizing the measure, don’t they have driver’s license, or voter’s ID because the information stated on those IDs, including biometrics, are the same information that will be included in the national ID so why are they complaining when they already underwent the process,” Lacson said.

The senator said that those who would be negatively affected by the implementation of the PhilSys would be those using aliases and enemies of the government intentionally hiding their real identities to carry out their activities.

“So this concern of the leftists, members [of the]Abu Sayyaf group and other enemies of government . . . because with the ID system it would be easy to identify who is who,” added Lacson, the sponsor and one of the authors of the bill.

The bicameral conference committee last week approved the reconciled version of the bill and both the Senate and the House of Representatives were expected to ratify this on Monday so President Rodrigo Duterte could sign it into law.

“This [national ID] will a be a landmark legislation because it is only under the Duterte administration that it would be enacted,” the Senator said, adding that the proposal has gone through four different administrations. JEFFERSON ANTIPORDA

Nat’l ID bill okayed today, fears allayed

SENATOR Panfilo Lacson allayed fears raised by some groups on the impending passage of the National ID system that allegedly will pose threats to security and privacy of a person.

The bicameral conference committee last week approved the reconciled version of the bill and both the Senate and the House of Representatives were expected to ratify the consolidated measure today so President Rodrigo Duterte could sign it into law.

Lacson said that only enemies of the government and those who use “aliases” will be affected by the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys).

“Ang di ko maunawaan ang bumabatikos at kumokontra. Wala ba silang mga driver’s license, wala ba silang mga passport o wala silang voter’s ID? Siguradong meron. Ang information na ilalagay sa national ID, pareho lang information pati biometrics at facial image, iris scan, pareho lang. Bakit sila nagrereklamo e dumaan sila sa ganitong proseso?” Lacson said in a radio interview over dzBB.

The senator said that those who would be negatively affected by the implementation of the PhilSys would be those using aliases and enemies of the government intentionally hiding their real identities.

“Siguro ito ang pinangangamba ng mawalang-galang ang maka-kaliwa kasi may mga NPA, may ASG, ang lumalaban sa gobyerno medyo mahihirapan sila ngayon dahil pag nagkaroon ng ID system makikilala talaga kung sino ang sino,” added Lacson.

The measure, Lacson stressed, would be beneficial to millions of Filipinos because they could use the national ID in all transactions.

“Napakaraming pakinabang. Una, kapag nag-transact tayo ng business sa public institutions o pribado, hindi na tayo hahanapan ng kung anu-anong papeles o dokumento para mapatunayan na tayo ang tao na nag-aapply,” he said.

Lacson added that people would not need to carry all their government issued IDs when opening a bank account, applying for a loan, renewing their passport or driver’s license and other processes that would need proof of identification because their PhilSys would be enough.

Lacson said he found the claim of those saying that a national ID would infringe on people’s right to privacy unfounded, noting that personal information are contained in passports, drivers’ licenses and other government issued IDs.

“This (national ID) will a be a landmark legislation because it is only under the Duterte administration that it would be enacted,” Lacson said, adding that the proposal has gone through four different administrations.

“Tatlong dekada ito kasi 1990s pa si Fidel V. Ramos, kaya halos tatlong dekada at sa Kongreso naman parang 18 years na binubuo ito, kasi mag-18 years ako sa Senate. File ako ng file nito,” Lacson added.

Senators support nat’l ID scheme

THE proposal to have one identification form for every Filipino gained support from Senators Koko Pimentel and JV Ejercito.

Pimentel said that the national ID may be of great help in transacting with government agencies and will be useful when voting.

“Ang importante dito, makakatulong sa transaksyon sa gobyerno kasi you produce one ID na magagamit na sa lahat ng government agency,” said Pimentel.

Ejercito also supports the National ID System.

“Ang sa akin suporta po ako dyan para rin not only for database kundi for security. Saka at least iisa na lang ang ID natin ngayon hindi na 5 o 7 ang dala nating ID. So I support the ID system,” he said.

The consolidated House and Senate measures may soon become law.

According to Senator Ping Lacson, the Senate and the House of Representatives reconciled their differences and agreed on a common version of the bill in a meeting of the bicameral conference committee recently, putting it on the verge of being signed by President Duterte into law.

On the issue of security features of the ID, Pimentel said concerned government agencies are set to come up with a system that will protect digital data.

Ejercito said the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and IT experts are in charge of protecting the database.

Under the version adopted by the bicameral committee, only the individual’s full name, sex, birthdate, birthplace, address and nationality, as well as biometric information, will be stored in the ID system, Lacson said.

The two panels agreed to adopt the Senate version with minimal amendments, doing away with the proposal in the House to require sensitive information, such as the cardholder’s parents’ names, permanent address, height and weight.

Both the House and Senate versions provide for the creation of a Philippine Identification System to help citizens establish their identity “as a means of simplifying public and private transactions.”

Besides serving as official proof of identity, the ID card may be presented in requesting social welfare, services and benefits from government agencies, applying for passports and driver’s licenses, opening bank accounts, registering as a voter, and getting admitted to schools and hospitals.

Saturday, May 26, 2018

On track for a nat’l ID system

The Asian Development Bank noted in a 2016 report that “for nearly two decades, the government of the Philippines has attempted to establish a national ID system. However, these attempts have faced opposition on constitutional and privacy grounds.”

The report was about the unified multipurpose ID (UMID) system that was put in place in 2005 by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo through an executive order, which required “all government-owned and -controlled corporations to streamline and harmonize their identification systems.” It was a good start to a national ID system but, according to the ADB, still a weak one, since it was merely based on an executive order and not a law from Congress. It also had very limited coverage—less than 8 percent of the population as of 2015. “In the current UMID system, groups such as the self-employed, the unemployed, minors and those working abroad have not been enrolled,” the report pointed out.

Congress has attempted many times to push for a national ID law, only to meet sustained and fierce opposition from privacy advocates and progressive groups who feared that such a system might result in the invasion of privacy and violation of civil liberties and human rights. Supporters of the system, on the other hand, point to its potential benefits: It would streamline government databases and make official transactions more efficient, while sparing citizens the inconvenience and cost of having to carry around multiple IDs. It could also help battle terrorism and crime.

President Fidel Ramos batted for such a system during his term as part of his administration’s security and counterinsurgency measures, but the proposal was disallowed by the Supreme Court in 1998, ruling that it posed a “clear and present danger” that would violate the right to privacy guaranteed by the Constitution.

That long-elusive law now appears closer to becoming a reality with the news that the Senate and the House of Representatives have agreed on a common version of the latest measures to push for a national ID system. Apparently to allay the fears of privacy and human rights advocates, the bicameral version has done away with the House bill’s more detailed information requirements, such as the cardholder’s parents’ names, permanent address, height and weight. The reconciled bill now on track to become law requires only the cardholder’s full name, sex, birthdate, birthplace, address and nationality, as well as biometric information. As reported in this paper: “Besides serving as official proof of identity, the ID card may be presented in requesting social welfare, services and benefits from government agencies, applying for passports and driver’s licenses, opening bank accounts, registering as a voter, and getting admitted to schools and hospitals.”

Still, apprehensions remain. The Makabayan bloc in the House has warned that the bill poses a serious threat to privacy and the right against surveillance. “For a regime that holds a record of criminalizing dissent and silencing vocal critics, this could be an additional arsenal for further espionage and repression,” said Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago. Added martial law victim and former Commission on Human Rights chair Etta Rosales: “Under more humane conditions where people are free to walk the streets and enjoy the comfort of police protection, I would say ‘yes’ because this facilitates government services to the public. But conditions are not healthy and safe.”

The proposed ID system is said to have included stringent safeguards against, and penalties for, the unwarranted disclosure of private information. But before this measure gets passed and forwarded to Malacañang to be signed into law by President Duterte, the public does need to know: Will they be safe with an all-knowing ID in hand? Anything less, and this critical project needs to be reconsidered.

Read more: http://opinion.inquirer.net/113462/track-natl-id-system#ixzz5GdDrgpMm
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