House of Representatives okays on 3rd reading ban on govt hospital privatization, 25-year extension of INC franchise

APPARENTLY infused with a sense of urgency as its new leadership buckled down to work after getting a long list of priority measures from the President’s third State of the Nation Address, the House of Representatives on Tuesday approved several measures on third and final reading.

These included a ban on the privatization of public hospitals and health facilities; a bill requiring the planting of trees for any construction of residential, commercial industrial and public buildings; and the extension for another 25 years of the telecommunication franchise granted to the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC).

 Anti-privatization

With 218 votes, members of the lower chamber approved House Bill 7437 prohibiting the privatization and corporatization of all public hospitals, public health facilities and public health services in the country.

House Bill 7437 or the “Anti-Privatization of Public Hospitals, Health Facilities and Health Services Act” seeks to address the inaccessibility and inequality in health care brought about by the privatization of public health services.

The bill enables indigent patients to access quality health care in public hospitals, public health facilities and public health services.

Under the bill, at least 90 percent of the total bed capacity of all public hospitals should be allotted to indigent patients.

It also improves hospital and health care services without resorting to privatization.

The measures defines privatization as the process in which non-government actors become increasingly involved in the financing and provision of health care services which includes: outright sale, public-private partnership; corporatization; contracting out of equipment; joint venture; franchising; management control and corporatization; leasing and user charges.

The bill provides liability and accountability to any person who initiates, causes and approves the privatization of hospitals, health facilities and health services

The bill penalizes violators with a fine ranging from P100,000 to P800,000 and suspension to removal from public office.

Planting of trees

In a move to mitigate the effects of climate change and preserve the environment, the chamber approved on third and final reading House Bill 7373 which seeks to require the planting of trees for any construction of residential, commercial industrial and public buildings.

The proposed “Green Building Act,” mandates all applicants for building permits of residential, commercial, industrial and public development projects to submit a Tree Planting Plan (TPP), in addition to other requirements imposed by local government units.

Any person, firm or corporation, or department, office, bureau agency or government instrumentality intending to construct, alter, repair, or convert any building or structure, shall be required to set aside and properly maintain areas adequate for planting and maintaining trees and flora in said property.

The TPP shall contain the following: total area of the project; indicative lay-out of the area or areas to be planted; number of trees to be planted, taking into account the ratio of at least one tree for every 500 square meters for commercial or industrial projects or one tree for every 250 square meters for housing development projects; species to be planted; and construction and design of said areas for trees and flora, which shall give emphasis to the facade of the structure and all communal areas.

The TPP shall give preference to indigenous species of trees, taking into account the location, climate and topography of the area.

Within 60 days from the effectivity of the Act, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in coordination with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Agriculture (DA), shall issue the necessary implementing rules and regulations to carry out the objectives of this Act.

INC franchise

Also approved on third and final reading is House Bill 7753 extending for another 25 years the franchise granted to the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC).

HB 7753 amends Republic Act 4439 or an act granting the INC a franchise to establish radio stations for private telecommunications as amended.

The bill allows INC to to carry on and operate private telecommunications or electronic communication services.

The measure also accords to the grantee any advantage, favor, privilege, exemption, exception or conditions granted under existing franchises, or which may hereafter be granted for telecommunications.

The bill, meanwhile, requires the grantee to submit an annual report to the Congress of the Philippines on its compliance with the terms and conditions of the franchise and its operations on or before April 30 of every year during the term of the franchise.

It also provides penalty of P500 per working day of non-compliance in the submission of its annual report to Congress.

National Bible Day

The House of Representatives also approved on third and final reading House Bill 7544, which celebrates “National Bible Day” every last Monday of January.

The bill calls on all Christians throughout the country to unite and celebrate the Bible as the cradle of Christian faith during the special working holiday.

Based on the 2015 data of the Philippine Statistics Authority, about 90 percent of Filipinos are Christians making the Philippines the largest Christian nation in the Asia-Pacific region and the fifth largest in the world.

The bill seeks to amend Section 26, Chapter 7, Book 1 of the Administrative Code of 1987, as amended, so that the last Monday of January of every year shall be declared as National Bible Day.

Filipino Sign Language

The Filipino deaf are close to getting their official communication medium with the approval on third reading of House Bill (HB) 7503 or the Filipino Sign Language (FSL) in the House of Representatives.

HB 7503 mandates the state to ensure the Filipino deaf can exercise the right to expression and opinion by requiring the use of FSL in schools, broadcast media, and workplaces when communicating with the deaf.

The bill is in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Under the bill, the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher and Technical Education (CHED), the Technical Educational Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), and all other national and local government agencies involved in the education of the deaf are tasked to henceforth use FSL as the medium of instruction in deaf education.

The FSL shall be taught as a separate subject in the curriculum of deaf learners. The reading and writing of Filipino, as the national language, other Philippine languages, and English shall also be taught to deaf learners.

The University of the Philippines and the Komisyon sa Wikanng Filipino (KWF), professional sign linguistics and linguistic researchers, in collaboration with the CHED, DepEd and the Early Childhood Care and Development Council, shall come up with guidelines in the development of training materials for the education of the deaf. These materials shall be used by all state universities and colleges as well as their teachers and staff.

In the justice system, the FSL shall be the official language of legal interpreting for the deaf in all public hearings, proceedings, and transactions of the courts, quasi-judicial agencies, and other tribunals.

To ensure effective and equal access of the deaf to justice and facilitate their effective roles as direct and indirect participants in the legal system, the courts, quasi-judicial agencies, and other tribunals are hereby mandated to ensure the availability of a qualified sign language interpreter in all proceedings involving the deaf, without prejudice to the right of the deaf to choose other forms or modes of communication, if they so prefer.

Hearings, proceedings and transactions shall include those that are held in police stations and before the Lupong Tagapamayapa as well as preliminary investigations and other initial stages in the court, other quasi-judicial bodies and tribunals.

The FSL also shall be the official language of the deaf employed in the civil service and in all government workplaces. All government offices shall take reasonable measures, including the conduct of awareness and training seminars on the rationale and use of FSL, to encourage its use among deaf and hearing-impaired government employees.

In the health system, state hospitals and all health facilities shall ensure access of the Filipino deaf to health services, including the free provision of FSL interpreters and accessible materials upon the request of deaf patients or individuals who have deaf family members.

The FSL also shall be used as the medium of official communication in all other public transactions, services and facilities.

Likewise, the FSL shall be the language of broadcast media interpreting. The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas and the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (shall, within one year from the effectivity of the Act, require FSL interpreter insets, compliant with accessibility standards for television, in news and public affairs programs.

The bill mandates the KWF, in coordination with the DepEd Secretary, CHED Chairperson, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director-General, Professional Regulation Commission Chairperson, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Secretary of Justice, and the heads of other relevant agencies, and in consultation with representatives of the deaf community, teachers with knowledge and experience with the use of FSL in deaf education, the academe, interpreters, and other persons concerned, to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the Act.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/house-of-representatives-okays-on-3rd-reading-ban-on-govt-hospital-privatization-25-year-extension-of-inc-franchise/

House passes on 3rd reading bill raising BSP capitalization

THE House of Representatives, voting 219-0, on Tuesday approved on third and final reading the bill strengthening the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

House Bill 7742 seeks to amend Republic Act 7653, “The New Central Bank Act,” by enhancing its monetary and financial stability functions.

The proposed measure raises the capital of the BSP from P50 billion to P200 billion, which will be subject to review every five years.

Adjustments to the BSP capital shall be made upon the recommendation of the Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management and the Monetary Board.

The bill further amends RA 7653 by placing money service businesses, credit granting businesses, and payment system operators under the BSP’s regulatory and examination powers.

Under the bill, the Monetary Board will also be allowed to authorize entities or persons to engage in money services.

The BSP is mandated to promote financial stability by overseeing “the payment and settlement systems in the Philippines, including critical financial market infrastructures.”

The BSP will also be tasked to closely work with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Insurance Commission, the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation and the National Government.

Among its authors were Representatives Ben P. Evardone, Henry S. Oaminal and Ma. Theresa V. Collantes.

For its part, the Senate has yet to pass on second reading, Senate Bill 1297, which likewise seeks to amend RA 7653. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

http://www.bworldonline.com/house-passes-on-3rd-reading-bill-raising-bsp-capitalization/

Poe argues that ‘height isn’t might’ for cops in new Senate bill

Senator Grace Poe has filed a bill seeking to lower the height requirement for cops.

In Senate BiIl No. 1876, Poe proposed that the height requirement for women be lowered to 5 feet (1.52 meters) from 5 feet and 2 inches (1.57 meters) today while the height requirement for men will be lowered to 5’2” (1.57 meters) from 5’4” (1.62 meters).

“The country’s police force has long held the notion that ‘height is might,’” Poe noted in her explanatory note on the bill.

The height requirement is among the ‘minimum’ qualifications for admission in the Philippine National Police (PNP) as provided for under Republic Act No. 6975 known as the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990.

The height prerequisite, however, has always been an issue within the law enforcement community, especially in a country where the average height is only 5’3’ (1.59 meters) for men and 4’11” (1.48 meters) for women, Poe noted.

“Today, the global trend is towards the path where tallness is no longer regarded as the symbol for strength, status, and power but performance does,” she said.

To back her claim, the senator cited that the minimum height requirement for policemen was in already abolished in many countries, such as Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Great Britain, Ireland, and even in some parts of Australia and the United States.

She said concerns on the discriminatory effect of such a requirement and the fact that there is no proven relation between height and physical fitness were among the reasons for its abolition in the said countries.

“Height requirements tend to disproportionately limit employment opportunities for those who want to serve in the police force,” the senator added.

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) earlier announced that the height requirement for PNP entrance examinations held last April 22 year was already scrapped.

READ: Height no longer a requirement to become a police officer – Napolcom

But Napolcom made it clear that this applies only to PNP entrance test applicants, not to the entire recruitment process. /ee



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Arroyo meets with economic managers on inflation

ECONOMIC CONCERNS. Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo meets with the country's economic managers on July 31, 2018. Photo by Mara Cepeda/Rappler

Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo met with President Rodrigo Duterte's economic managers on Tuesday, July 31, to help address soaring inflation.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said they discussed that rice tariffication would help curb rising prices.

"We discussed proper coordination between [the] legislative and executive [branches]. Priorities are rice tariffication and TRAIN (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion) 2," Pernia told reporters after the meeting.

During the House of Representatives session on Tuesday, ANAC-IP Representative Jose Panganiban sponsored House Bill No. 7735 on second reading. The bill, which counts Arroyo among its authors, seeks to replace the quantitative import restrictions on rice with tariffs as well as create the rice competitiveness enhancement fund.

Before the meeting, Arroyo said she primarily wanted to get a briefing on the proposed P3.757-trillion budget for 2019. But Arroyo, former president and economist, said she also wanted to discuss how to address inflation under the Duterte administration.

"While they will give me a briefing on the budget... I plan to segue to discussing inflation. [They already identified the] causes of inflation.... Then we have to address these one by one," said Arroyo in a chance interview. (READ: Who's to blame for soaring inflation? 'All of them' in gov't, says economist)

Aside from Pernia, the Pampanga 2nd District representative met with Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III.

"This is a professor-to-professor discussion on the economy, especially to address the inflation," Arroyo reportedly said at the start of the meeting.

Arroyo taught economics at the Ateneo de Manila University and also at Assumption College, her alma mater, before she joined government.

Also in the meeting were lawmakers allied with Arroyo: House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya, Bohol 3rd District Representative Arthur Yap, Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda, and Davao City 1st District Representative Karlo Nograles.

Yap is chairperson of the House committee on economic affairs while Nograles is appropriations panel chairperson.

Arroyo said she wanted the meeting to be "free-wheeling," so it was closed to the media. But journalists were allowed to take photos before the meeting started.

Inflation has continued to soar this year, hitting a fresh high of 5.2% in June. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas projected it could reach as high as 5.8% in July. (READ: [OPINION] Why inflation is actually at a 9-year high) – with a report from Ralf Rivas

House passes mandatory tree-planting bill on final reading

A bill requiring the planting of trees for any construction of residential, commercial, industrial, and public buildings has come one step closer to becoming a law after the House of Representatives approved it on third and final reading on Tuesday.

Voting 217, without any negative vote nor abstention, the lower chamber approved House Bill No. 7373, or “An Act Requiring The Planting Of Trees For Any Construction Of Residential, Commercial, Industrial And Public Buildings.”

The proposed measure aims to “enhance environmental quality, mitigate the effects of climate change and preserve the environment for present and future generations.”

Once passed into a law, organizations or individuals would be required to submit a tree planting plan (TPP) in securing a building permit.

The bill also encourages the planting of indigenous species, taking into account the location, climate, and topography of the area.

The principal authors of the bill are Reps. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, Gary Alejano, Nancy Catamco, Noel Villanueva, and Joseph Paduano. /atm

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Palace submits admin version of bill creating Department of Disaster Resilience

Malacañang has submitted to Congress its version of the bill seeking to create a new department that will oversee efforts on disaster risk management and emergency response.

Copies of the proposed Department of Disaster Resilience were transmitted on Monday by the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office to the Senate and House of Representatives, according to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday.

The transmittal came after President Rodrigo Duterte asked lawmakers during his third State of the Nation Address on July 23 to pass the bill "with utmost urgency."

"The bill is a product of inter-agency teamwork, building on the salient points of the pending bills in Congress," Roque said.

"Once passed into law, the creation of the Department will be a significant step toward attaining safe, adaptive, and disaster-resilient communities by leading efforts to reduce the risk of natural hazards and the effects of climate change."

At present, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) is the agency mandated to have policymaking, coordination, integration, supervision, monitoring, and evaluation functions under Republic Act 10121.

"However, this DRRM responsibility is shared among the different lead agencies in such a way that nobody is in charge of the overall disaster resilience on a full-time, focused basis," the Palace-sponsored bill's explanatory note stated.

It also said both human induced and natural disasters are currently lumped in one body – the Office of Civil Defense-- as the coordinating arm of the NDRRMC.

"This set-up is based on the presumption that the competencies, skills, policies, and institutional arrangements necessary to ensure resilience to natural hazards and human-induced disasters are the same. However, the realities of mother nature and climate change debunk this presumption," the bill stated.

"A careful review of each of the natural hazards that the country faces will show that the Department necessitates a highly-specialized set of personnel, resources and policies to bring about disaster resilience."

The proposed department shall be guided by a disaster resilience framework that shall deliver on three key result areas: disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness and response; and recovery and building forward better.

The bill also provides that the department shall focus on natural hazards and climate change.

It also seeks the creation of a National Disaster Operations Center and Alternative Command and Control Centers to monitor, assess, manage, and respond to disasters in all areas in the country.

It also calls for the establishment of the Disaster Resilience Research and Training Institute, "which shall be a platform for providing training, and for collecting, consolidating, managing, and/or sharing knowledge and information resources to improve and/or boost disaster resilience."

"A key feature of this bill is a clear system of responsibility for disaster preparedness and response classified into four levels – from Levels 1 to 4 or from the municipal/city mayor all the way up to the Secretary of Disaster Resilience," it said.

"This directly answers the oft-repeated question in times of disaster: who is in charge? This system of assigning levels of responsibility is aimed at ensuring unity of command and effective collaboration in the country’s disaster resilience efforts."

The Philippines ranked third on the World Risk Index in 2016 due to its vulnerability to disaster risk.

In particular, researchers said the Philippines has a "high" (80.92 percent) lack of coping capacities, which the report defines as "measures and abilities that are immediately available to reduce harm and damages in the occurrence of an event.”

The study ranked 171 countries according to how exposed and vulnerable they are to natural hazards, including earthquakes, floods and storms. — RSJ, GMA News

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/662453/palace-submits-admin-version-of-bill-creating-department-of-disaster-resilience/story/

Arroyo to create House disaster management committee

Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is planning to establish a new committee on disaster management at the House of Representatives.

The former president turned Pampanga 2nd District representative said this at the beginning of lawmakers’ briefing with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Monday, July 30.

“In as much as the President is prioritizing the disaster management bill and usually there is a mirror committee in the House for all the departments being created, I have asked my colleagues in the majority, including these two ladies, if they would agree to organizing a new committee for disaster management,” said Arroyo.

She was referring to Bataan 1st District Representative Geraldine Roman and Zambales 2nd District Representative Cheryl Deloso Montalla, who were seated beside her during the meeting.

Arroyo had set a meeting with the NDRRMC to review the government’s disaster relief plan for 10 districts legislators have identified to be badly hit by recent heavy rains and flooding. (READ: First on Arroyo’s agenda: Ratify Bangsamoro law, aid to calamity victims)

The planned disaster management panel is also expected to tackle the bills seeking to create the Department of Disaster Management, a measure President Rodrigo Duterte said he wants Congress to prioritize during his first 3 State of the Nation Addresses.

Records from the House’s official website says the Department of Disaster Management bills remain pending at the committee on government reorganization since July 2016.

Other lawmakers present during the NDRRMC briefing are expected to comprise the membership of the planned committee on disaster management. Apart from Roman and Montalla, they are as follows:

• Bataan 2nd District Representative Jose Enrique Garcia III
• Pangasinan 2nd District Representative Leopoldo Bataoil
• Nueva Ecija 1st District Representative Estrellita Suansing
• Bulacan 1st District Representative Jose Sy-Alvarado

Officials from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Health, National Housing Authority, National Food Authority, and the Office of the Civil Defense were also present during the meeting.

On Monday, NDRRMC executive director Ricardo Jalad told lawmakers that Tropical Storm Henry, Severe Tropical Storm Inday, and Tropical Depression Henry affected about 454,000 families. Damage to infrastructure and agriculture amounted to P3.6 billion.

According to Jalad, 13 people died, one remained missing, and two were injured.

Last week, Arroyo conducted relief operations in Sasmuan, Pampanga and Dinalupihan, Bataan, two of the areas hardest hit by the calamities.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/208528-arroyo-creation-house-disaster-management-committee

Arroyo to form House committee on disaster management

House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is set to create a new committee in the House of Representatives to tackle disaster preparedness and resiliency in every district in the country.

In a statement Tuesday, Arroyo said this was in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s call to create a Disaster Management Department.

During his third State of the Nation Address last July 23, Duterte urged Congress to pass a bill creating a Department of Disaster Management to “bolster our resilience to the impact of natural disasters and climate change.”

On Monday, Arroyo led a meeting with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to discuss assessments on the districts hit by recent typhoons.

“In as much as the President is prioritizing the disaster management bill and usually there is a mirror committee in the House for all the departments being created, I have asked my colleagues in the majority, including these two ladies if they would agree to organizing a new committee for disaster management,” she said.

She also said she would constitute the lawmakers present at the meeting as members of the new panel on disaster management, referring to Reps. Geraldine Roman (1st District, Bataan), Jose Enrique Garcia III (2nd District, Bataan), Cheryl Deloso-Montalla (2nd District, Zambales), Leopoldo Bataoil (2nd District, Pangasinan), Estrellita Suansing (1st District, Nueva Ecija), and Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado (1st District, Bulacan).

Also present during the meeting were officials of the Departments of Social Welfare and Development, Public Works and Highways and Health, the National Housing Authority, National Food Authority and the Office of Civil Defense.

The House committees on government reorganization and national defense and security have already jointly approved the substitute bill creating the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR). /cbb

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Arroyo bats for creation of House disaster management panel

Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered for the creation of a disaster management committee at the House of Representatives.

Arroyo bared the plan on Monday during a briefing of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) with lawmakers to discuss the effects of the recent typhoons in Luzon provinces.

"I have asked my colleagues in the majority... if they would agree to organize a new committee called the disaster management committee," Arroyo said.

Currently, there are 72 regular and special committees in the lower chamber.

During the briefing, NDRRMC executive director Ricardo Jalad said the total cost of damages to infrastructure and agriculture amounted to PHP3.6 billion in seven regions due to the recent weather events, including tropical storms Henry, Inday and Josie.

From June 29, 2018 to July 30, 2018, Jalad said 454,594 families, or an estimate of two million persons, were affected. A total of 13 casualties, one missing, and two injured were also reported.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte urged Congress to pass a measure seeking the creation of a disaster management department during his third State of the Nation Address.

The House committees on government and national defense and security have jointly approved a substitute bill, creating the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR).

Under the bill, the DDR will be the national government agency primarily responsible for disaster preparedness, prevention, mitigation, response, recovery, and rehabilitation. (PNA)

Arroyo sees disaster resilience department as a priority: Nograles

House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wants congressmen to prioritize the creation of a disaster resilience department, a lawmaker said Monday.

Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles said Arroyo called him Sunday regarding the proposed new government agency.

"That takes priority on our agenda," he told ANC's "Headstart."

Nograles said the House Committee on Government Reorganization is currently handling the proposal and is likely to submit it to the appropriations committee for budget plans.

If the proposal gets approved, Nograles said he can re-align funding for the new body.

"I can calendar it for discussion in the middle of the budget hearings. Puwede naman yan eh (That is possible)," he said.

The move comes after President Rodrigo Duterte called on Congress during his third State of the Nation Address to form a body that would focus on risk reduction in times of natural hazards and disasters using a science-based approach.

"We need a truly empowered department characterized by a unity of command, science-based approach, and full-time focus on natural hazards and disasters," Duterte said.

"We in the Cabinet have approved for immediate endorsement to Congress the passage of a law creating the Department of Disaster Management, an inter-agency," he added.

TRIVIA: 34 personalities you didn't know started in 'Eat Bulaga!'

Sino-sino ang mga artistang sumikat dahil sumali sila sa iba't ibang segments ng 'Eat Bulaga!?' Alamin sa gallery na ito.

Michael V
Bago pa man maging isa sa mga host ng 'Eat Bulaga,' sumali si Michael V sa Check 2000, isang singing contest kung saan nakaabot siya sa finals level. Ang judge na nagbigay ng pinakamababang marka sa kanya ay ang best friend niya ngayon na si Ogie Alcasid.

Catriona Gray
Reigning Miss Universe Philippines Catriona Gray is a proud contestant of one Eat Bulaga!'s most iconicsegments 'Little Miss Philippines.' The beauty queen joined the competition way back in 1999. #CutenessOverload

Arnold Clavio
Dati’y kasama ang mamamahayag na si Arnold Clavio sa isang banda at sila’y sumali sa Flashback noong 1982.

Alice Dixson
Naging contestant si Alice ng Reyna ng Santacruzan noong 1986. Ito rin ang naging tulay upang ma-discover siya para sa Binibining Pilipinas.

Camille Prats
Unang napanood sa TV si Camille Prats nang sumali siya sa Little Miss Philippines noong 1990. Inamin niyang idol niya si Aiza Seguerra kaya’t siya’y nag-audition noong siya’y five years old.

Angelica Panganiban
Tulad ng kanyang kaibigan at co-star sa 'Sarah ang Munting Prinsesa' na si Camille Prats, ang aktres na si Angelica Panganiban ay naging contestant din ng Little Miss Philippines.

Donna Cruz
Grand finalist si Donna Cruz sa Little Miss Philippines noong kapanahunan niya.

Geneva Cruz
Ang singer-actress na si Geneva Cruz ay una ring nakita sa Little Miss Philippines. Ngayon ay isa siyang single mom na naka-base sa America.

Rachelle Ann Go
Noong siya’y 11 years old, sumali si Rachelle Ann Go sa Birit Baby kung saan kinanta niya ang "All By Myself" ni Celine Dion. Ngayon ay isa na siyang performer sa West End ng London.

Jillian Ward
Ang Kapuso child performer na si Jillian Ward ay sumali sa Little Miss Philippines noong 2009. Four years old pa lamang siya noon. Ngayon ay isa na siya sa mga child stars ng GMA.

Julie Anne San Jose
Ang Asia’s Pop Sweetheart na si Julie Anne San Jose ay sumali ng Little Miss Philippines noong 1997. Ngayon ay isa na siyang aktres at multi-platinum singer.

Rosanna Roces
Nanalo sa daily round ng She’s Got the Look si Rosanna Roces noong 1991. Pagkatapos nito’y siya’y naging aktres.

Patricia Javier
Ang dating sexy star na si Patricia Javier ay sumali sa She’s Got the Look noon. Siya’y kinasal sa isang American chiropractor at ngayon ay may dalawa na silang anak.

Jessa Zaragoza
Naging contestant ng Little Miss Philippines ang singer-actress na si Jessa Zaragoza noong 1987. Batchmate niya sa kiddie pageant si Aiza Seguerra.

Gladys Reyes
Kasama sa first batch ng Little Miss Philippines si Gladys Reyes noong 1984. Siya’y naging runner-up dito.

Maybelyn dela Cruz
Ang dating child star na si Maybelyn dela Cruz ay sumali rin ng Little Miss Philippines. Ngayon ay isa na siyang councilor at hinirang na National President ng Philippine Councilors League.

EA Guzman
Mr. Pogi 2006 winner ang singer-actor na si Edgar Allan Guzman.

Francine Prieto
Noong 1988 ay naging daily winner ng Little Miss Philippines si Francine Prieto. Naging isa rin siyang beauty queen at cast member ng 'Bubble Gang.'

Jericho Rosales
Ang matinee idol at heartthrob na si Jericho Rosales ay sumali ng Mr. Pogi noong 1996. Naging daan ito upang siya’y maging aktor sa telebisyon at pelikula.

Danilo Barrios
Ang dating teen star at ka-love team ni Camille Prats na si Danilo Barrios ay sumali ng Mr. Pogi noon. Ngayon ay isa na siyang asawa at ama.

Sunshine Garcia
Sumali si Sunshine Garcia sa Teevee Babe noong 2002. Siya’y na-discover ng talent manager na si Joy Cancio, at siya’y naging parte ng Sexbomb Girls.

Goyong
Si Steven Claude Goyong, o mas kilala bilang Goyong ay runner-up ng That’s My Boy noong 1998. Siya’y naging parte ng comedy fantaserye na 'Beh Bote Nga.' Ngayon ay isa siyang commerce student sa University of Santo Tomas.

Dindin Llarena
Runner-up ng Little Miss Philippines si Dindin Llarena noong siya’y seven years old. Pagkatapos ng ilang taon ng pag-aartista, pinili niyang maging parte ng corporate world.

Makisig Morales
Sumali at nanalo sa That’s My Boy si Makisig Morales. Siya’y naging isang child star at ngayon ay based na siya sa Australia.

Richard Hwan
People’s Choice Awardee ng That’s My Foreignoy ang galing Hong Kong na si Richard Hwan. Naging paborito siya ng mga manonood ng 'Eat Bulaga' dahil sa kanyang galing sa pagta-Tagalog. Ngayon ay isa siyang model at host.

Pauleen Luna
Nagsimula ang entertainment career ni Pauleen Luna sa Little Miss Philippines noong 1995. Ngayon ay isa na siya sa mga host ng 'Eat Bulaga!' Dito niya rin nakilala ang kanyang asawa na si Vic Sotto.

Aiza Seguerra
Isa sa pinakasikat na produkto ng Little Miss Philippines ay si Aiza Seguerra. Siya’y tinaguriang child wonder noong ‘80s. Pagkatapos nito’y sampung taon siya naging parte ng 'Eat Bulaga!' Maliban sa pagiging host, siya’y naging aktres at singer.

Ryzza Mae Dizon
Kinoronahang Little Miss Philippines si Ryzza Mae Dizon noong 2012. Dahil sa kanyang angking husay at karisma, siya’y naging host ng kanyang sariling programa na 'The Ryzza Mae Show.' Siya’y kinilala bilang youngest television host.

Nicole Dulalia
Second runner-up ng Little Miss Philippines noong 2004 ang Kapuso teen star na si Nicole Dulalia.

Edric Ulang
Noong 2012, nanalo sa Mr. Pogi si Edric Ulang. Last year, siya’y sumali sa multi-platform boyband competition na 'To The Top.'

Mitoy Yonting
Ang 'The Voice of the Philippines' season 1 winner na si Mitoy Yonting ay sumali sa Ikaw at Echo noong 1990.

Rochelle Pangilinan
Isa si Rochelle sa founding members ng Sex Bomb Dancers. Sa kalauna'y nagkaroon siya ng solo career at naging isang aktres.

Maine Mendoza
Pagkatapos maging viral ng Philippine Dubsmash Queen, una siyang nakita sa telebisyon sa Eat Bulaga! bilang Yaya Dub. Naging simula ito ng kanilang phenomenal love team ni Alden Richards na tinawag na AlDub.

Kim Domingo
In an interview with Ricky Lo, Kim Domingo revealed that she joined 'Little Miss Philippines' in 2000 where she placed 4th runner-up.

DoTR approves Cavite’s proposed Sangley airport

The local government of Cavite obtained the green light from the Department of Transportation to undertake the proposed $9.3-billion Sangley airpot project.

“We just transmitted that we do not object to their proposal provided there are no government guarantees. The provincial government can now proceed.  It means there is no objection from the DOTr for them to implement the Sangley International Airport,” Transportation Undersecretary Ruben Reinoso said.

Reinoso said the  next step was to determine the legal framework for the project.  “It’s a go. So they now have to comply with the requirements for approval,” he said.

Reinoso said the proponent of the Sangley airport project should secure an endorsement from the  Philippine Reclamation Authority and approval from the National Economic and Development Authority board for the reclamation component.

Under the proposal, the provincial government of Cavite plans to reclaim about 1,500 hectares of land and to build an airport terminal that can accommodate 75 million passengers a year in Sangley Point.

The DOTr also received an unsolicited proposal to build an international airport in Sangley Point for $12 billion from Sangley Airport Infrastructure Group Inc., a consortium composed of Solar Group’s All-Asia Resources and Reclamation Corp. and the Sy family’s Belle Corp.

The Philippine Sangley International Airport was envisioned to be a regional airport hub that could accommodate about 120 million passengers a year once fully developed.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said: “If there’s two proposals, the priority is government to government initiative.”

San Miguel Corp., meanwhile, secured an approval from the Neda board for its proposed P735.63-billion international airport in Bulacan.

The unsolicited proposal involves the construction of a terminal, parallel runways and airport toll road. It will be able to accommodate 100 million passengers per annum by its opening year of 2023.

San Miguel’s proposal involves developing an “aerotropolis” on 1,168 hectares and a city complex on a 2,500-hectare area in Bulacan.

The Naia Consortium is also set to secure an original proponent status from the DOTr for its proposed rehabilitation and upgrade of Ninoy Aquino International Airport for P106 billion over a 15-year period.

The Naia Consortium proposed to expand and interconnect the existing terminals of Naia, upgrade airside facilities and develop commercial facilities to increase airline and airport efficiencies, enhance passenger comfort and experience and improve public perception of Naia as the country’s premier international gateway.

The consortium’s members are Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Alliance Global Group Inc., AEDC, Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp.

http://www.thestandard.com.ph/business/biz-plus/271685/dotr-approves-cavite-s-proposed-sangley-airport.html

Duterte open to amendments to Bangsamoro law

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has expressed willingness to review and propose amendments to the contentious provisions in the recently-signed Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) to make it acceptable to all Filipinos, Malacañang said on Monday, July 30.

"You know, nothing is perfect. And of course, the BOL signed into law is a result of compromise. So all that the President was saying was, if you have specific complaints, we're open to discuss[ing] these complaints with a view of possibly amending further the law," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. told Palace reporters.

"But I think the general sentiment of the President is if there are those who want to object because of specific revisions, we're open to reviewing the specific provisions," he added.

On July 27, Duterte signed the much-awaited BOL, formerly known as the Bangsamoro Basic Law, that will create the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in place of the former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The BOL, however, did not bear the signature of House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

But Roque said Arroyo's failure to sign the law was not a problem, stressing that it would be "easily cured."

The signing of the Bangsamoro law, or Republic Act (RA) 11054, is among Duterte's campaign promises to allow Moro people to enjoy self-governance over their territories in the southern Philippines.

The law is based on the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, a peace pact signed between the Aquino government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 2014.

The BOL overhauls the current setup in Mindanao as it grants the new Bangsamoro region greater control over resources and political power.

Under RA 11054, the BARMM is composed of Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Basilan, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.

However, a plebiscite is necessary to legalize the creation of the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region that would replace the ARMM.

Roque acknowledged that some Moro people, especially those residing in Sulu, opposed the new law.

He said the Chief Executive would exhaust all efforts to ensure that long-lasting peace in Mindanao will be achieved.

"We all know that Sulu traditionally is a bastion of opposition for BOL. So he's willing to sit down with Sulu and talk about possible amendments," he said.

"As of now, it's just really a strong message [of Duterte] that 'If you're not happy with BOL, come talk to me,'" Roque added.

Asked if possible amendments to the BOL would take more time, the Palace official said: "Of course, like any law, it would have to require Congressional action. Hindi naman po (mag-tatagal) kasi for now, we have BOL. So let's see whatever changes they may want from the BOL."

(Of course, like any law, it would have to require Congressional action. It would not take more time because for now, we have BOL. So let's see whatever changes they may want from the BOL.) (SunStar Philippines)

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1755419/Manila/Duterte-open-to-amendments-to-Bangsamoro-law

DOF upbeat on prospects for quick passage of rice tariffication bill

THE Department of Finance (DOF) has expressed optimism that Congress would pass soon enough the rice tariffication bill, after President Duterte has declared the proposal to liberalize rice imports an urgent and priority measure, in line with efforts to ease inflation and bring down prices of the food staple by as much as P7 per kilo.

Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said liberalizing rice imports through the passage into law of the rice tariffication bill pending in Congress is vital in helping low-income households cope with inflation, given that rice accounts for 20 percent of their consumption.

“Along with a national ID [identification] system, the passage of the rice tariffication bill will complement the social mitigation measures we are implementing now to further ease the impact of inflation on poor households,” Dominguez said.

Based on estimates by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, allowing cheap rice imports with tariffs will immediately lower the inflation rate by 0.4 percentage points.

The House of Representatives appropriations committee has already ​approved the funding provision for the consolidated version of its rice tariffication bill, while its counterpart version in the Senate is still being discussed at the committee level.

Package 1B, Package 2

Earlier in the month, DOF Undersecretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua explained that the DOF is hoping for three measures to be approved by Congress within the year, with two measures under the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP), namely Package 1B and Package 2, and the other being the Rice Tarrification Act.

Under House Bill (HB) 4904 or the rice tariffication bill is the proposal to amend the Agricultural Tariffication Act of 1996, prescribing import volumes to be removed and imports to be opened to private entities.

Measures under Package 1B include increasing the motor vehicle users charge, an estate tax amnesty program, as well as a measure on general tax amnesty, amendments to the bank secrecy law and automatic exchange of information.

Package 2 of the CTRP, which aims to reduce corporate income- tax rates from 30 percent to 25 percent while rationalizing the country’s fiscal incentives regime, was submitted by the DOF to Congress in January this year. The measure is under HB 7458 at the House of Representatives.

In his third State of the Nation Address (Sona), the President said rice tariffication was among the long-term solutions the government is working on to lower inflation, provide farmers with additional resources and reduce rice prices by up to P7 a kilo.

“We need to switch from the current quota system in importing rice to a tariff system where rice can be imported more freely. I ask Congress to prioritize this crucial reform, which I have certified as urgent today,”  the President said in his Sona.

The President also reiterated his commitment to a comprehensive tax reform, and called on the Congress “to continue the job,” starting with the approval of his administration’s proposed reforms in the corporate tax system and the rationalization of fiscal incentives.

The Chief Executive described such reforms, which comprise Package 2 of his tax-reform program, as “urgent,” and said he hopes to sign the bill into law before the year ends.

Dominguez said the DOF will “extend all the technical support that Congress needs in heeding the President’s call for the passage of Package 2 this year, especially for the benefit of our small and medium enterprises.”

“President Duterte has always been the principal advocate of inclusive growth and of the means to achieve it. Tax reform is a key tool to reach that objective,” Dominguez added.

Long Tall Howard Medina Reports: National Anthem

An excerpt from Rated K of ABS-CBN:

Sa panahon ngayon, kaya niyong pa bang kantahin ang pambansang awit ng Pilipinas? Sige nga, kung memorize mo ba?

Pero, ang batang ito, three years old pa lang noon favorite na niyang kantahin ang Lupang Hinirang.

“Bayang Magiliw, Perlas ng Silanganan. Alab ng puso sa dibdib mo’y buhay. Lupang Hinirang, duyan ka ng magiting. Sa manlulupig, di ka pasisiil sa dagat at bundok, sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw, may dilag ang tula at awit sa paglayang minamahal. Ang kislap ng watawat mo'y tagumpay na nagniningning, ang bituin at araw niya, kailan pa ma'y 'di magdidilim. Lupa ng araw ng luwalhati't pagsinta, buhay ay langit sa piling mo, aming ligaya na pag may mang-aapi ang mamatay ng dahil sa 'yo.”

Ambassador Marciano Paynor, Jr. along with De La Salle University (DLSU) professor Michael Charleston Chua, National Historical Institute (NHI) chairman Dr. Ambeth Ocampo and Research, Publication and Heraldry Division Chief Prof. Teodoro Atienza and UP Diliman College of Music dean and tenor Ramon “Montet” Acoymo was at the PICC, CCP complex a few hours before arriving at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila just in time for the launching of the “Milenyo Filipino” marker - a 30-foot-tall recycled “parol” (Christmas lantern) at the Rizal Park, with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and other top officials as guests and they talking about singing “Lupang Hinirang.”

Besides next to Ambassador Paynor, Professor Chua of DLSU, Drs. Ocampo and Atienza of NHI and Acoymo of UP College of Music is Sorsogon 1st District Rep. Salvador "Sonny" Escudero, author of "Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines"

Siya ay isang masugid na tagapagsulong ng tamang pag-awit ng Lupang Hinirang at siya ring may akda ng Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.

Alinsunod sa itinatakda ng section 37 ng Republic Act (R.A.) Number 8491, ang pag-awit ng pambansang awit, pinatutugtog man o kinakanta, ay dapat na naaayon sa pagkakaayos at komposisyon ni Julian Felipe.

Dagdag din ng R.A. Number 8491 na ang Lupang Hinirang ay dapat awitin sa ating pambansang wika, mapasa-ibang bansa man ito o dito sa Pilipinas.

Ayon sa R.A. 8491, naaayon sa alituntunin ng National Historical Commission of the Philippines ang paggamit ng awiting ito.

Pinagbabawal ng R.A. 8491 ang pag-awit nito bilang isang “recreation, amusement, o entertainment” maliban sa sumusunod: sa mga international competitions kung saan ang Pilipinas ang host o representative; mga lokal na kumpetisyon; tuwing "signing off" at "signing on" ng mga radio broadcasting at television stations; at bago ang pag-umpisa ng mga pelikula sa sinehan at iba pang mga theater performances. Ibinigay, na ang mga may-ari at pamamahala ng mga establisimyento ay dapat na utusan upang ipatupad ang tamang pakikitungo at ipatupad ang mga may kinalaman sa batas na ito; at iba pang okasyon na maaaring pahintulutan ng NHCP.

Ang Panatang Makabayan ay dapat na bigkasin pagkatapos ng pagkanta ng Pambansang Awit sa mga opisina at paaralan. Ang Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas ay maaaring kabisado din, bagaman ang batas ay hindi tumutukoy kung sino ang kinakailangan upang gawin ito.

Habang ang section 20 naman nito ay nagsasaad na ang seremonya sa pagtataas ng watawat ng Pilipinas sa mga opisyal o sibikong pagtitipon ay dapat na simple at may paggalang, at dapat na patugtugin o awitin ang pambansang awit na may orihinal na lirikong Pilipino at pamartsang ritmo.

Flag raising ceremonies are sometimes taken for granted. The spearheading brass band or chorale or rondalla takes away the accountability of the attendees to sing the Lupang Hinirang. The would-be singers become the audience to the “performers”. This scenario also happens during program when multi-media take the course of singing the Lupang Hinirang and the majority of the audience simply wait until the last note is played.

SM City Caloocan - Former Grand Central

Speaker Arroyo OKs Department of Disaster Resilience proposal

LEGAZPI CITY—The proposed draft for the creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) or House bill 6075 authored by Albay Second District Rep. Joey Salceda has been given the go-signal by House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Salceda announced on Friday that after Arroyo assumed her speakership post, she directed the House committees on Government Reorganization and Defense and Security to convene and unanimously draft the proposal and endorse it to the plenary.

“We responded to it because President Duterte has repeatedly underscored in his Sona [State of the Nation Address] the urgency for the creation of department level disaster management agency, a version of which he had approved in his recent regular cabinet meeting,” he said.

Salceda stressed that “with DDR, it will be accountable and responsible for overseeing, coordinating and implementing comprehensive disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and management programs and redirecting policy drifts among other agencies handling disaster response tasks.”

He said passing the bill would be easier with Arroyo, being the House Speaker, since she is familiar with such legislation, having approved during her presidency Republic Act 101221, the law which sought to “Strengthen the Philippine Disaster Risk Management System.” /jpv

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1015184/speaker-arroyo-oks-department-of-disaster-resilience-proposal-arroyo-ddr-house-proposal-house-bill#ixzz5Ml75OzjI
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Transpacific to renew Congress franchise

Transpacific Broadband Group International Inc. said it will apply for the renewal of its Congressional franchise for another 25 years as it plans to become the country’s third player.

Transpacific said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange the company’s Congressional franchise under Republic Act 8657 was eligible for the renewal for another 25 years from 2023 to 2048.

The renewal of the franchise aims to support the government’s initiative for a third telecommunications player to serve the public interest.

Transpacific is headed by businessman Arsenio Ng, who also owns ATN Holdings Inc., formerly Jabpract Mining and Industrial Corp.

Earlier, Transpacific said its board approved the fundraising, equivalent to a 40-percent equity to foreign investors, through a private placement.

The company said it would use the proceeds from the private placement to participate in various opportunities in the telecommunication market brought about by the directive of the government to have a third telco in the Philippines.

http://thestandard.com.ph/business/corporate/271515/transpacific-to-renew-congress-franchise.html

TO BOLSTER 3RD TELCO BID: Transpacific Broadband seeks congressional franchise renewal

Transpacific Broadband Group International Inc. (TBGI) is seeking to extend its Congressional franchise for another 25 years as its plan to take part in the government’s third telco initiative.

TBGI said it will apply for renewal of its congressional franchise (Republic Act No. 8675), which will expire in 2023.

Arsenio Ng, chairman of TBGI, has informed its board of directors that the company’s congressional franchise is eligible for renewal for another 25 years from 2023 to 2048.

Its franchise renewal is envisioned to “to support government initiative for a third telco to serve the public interest,” TBGI said in a regulatory filing submitted by its vice president, Paul Saria.

“TBGI maintains its current satellite operations for Uplink Services, VSAT Services, and Internet over Satellite Services to service the education and commercial sector.”

The company signified its interest in various telecommunications market opportunities opened by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

TBGI is planning to sell as much as 40 percent common equity to foreign investors in a fund-raising to bolster its coffers as it goes for the third telco slot.

The company intends to join a consortium of participating investors, or a consortium of “Common Tower Investment Corporation” to establish 50,000 tower sites nationwide.

Common Tower Investment can lease its towers to the third telco consortium.

TBGI said it could also establish a representative office in China in coordination and cooperation with a Chinese consortium in telecoms and technology.

“The aim of which is to bring in Artificial Intelligence Initiative, Block Chain Technology, Asset-backed Initial Coin Offering, and Internet of Things technology,” it said. —VDS, GMA News

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/662022/transpacific-broadband-seeks-congressional-franchise-renewal/story/

Duterte signs Bangsamoro Law

BOL expected to put an end to armed conflict in the south

By Argyll Cyrus Geducos

President Duterte has finally signed the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) which creates the Bangsamoro government and grants it fiscal autonomy.

In his speech during his visit to fire-affected families in Labuan, Zamboanga City, Duterte said that he has already signed the measure formerly called the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) after its ratification in Congress early this week.

But Duterte said that while there is a possibility that not everybody would like the BOL, he hopes that misunderstandings can be cleared immediately.

“Napirmahankonaang BBL (I have signed the BBL). I have no expectations, baka hindi magustuhan ng lahat (not everybody may like it),” he said Thursday evening.

“Tingnannatin kung kaya i-modify, palitan. ‘Yung ma-disappoint, mag-gyeraagad (Let’s see if we can modify or change it. Those who will be disappointed may just start a war),” he added.

This was the second time Duterte said on Thursday that he has signed the BOL. He first said it in his speech during the 69th Araw ng Ipil, in Zamboanga Sibugay.

Shortly after, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque saidDuterte is yet to be sign the measure as of 5:43 p.m.

When Duterte mentioned about signing the BOL for the second time on the same day, Roque said that the President has “not yet” signed the measure as of 7:19 p.m.

But only four minutes later, Roque confirmed that Duterte has signed the BOL into law.

“This is to announce that the President has just signed the BOL into law,” Roque said in a text message.

Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go also confirmed in a text message that Duterte has signed the measure on Thursday.

On Thursday afternoon, Duterte said that there would still be a ceremony for the signing but did not specify when or where the event would be held.

“The BBL has been signed, but I’m still going back because I have a ceremony with Jaafar and Murad,” Duterte said, referring to Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief Murad Ebrahim and MILF vice chairman Ghadzali Jaafar.

“And also I’d like to talk to Nur so that we can have it by the end of the year,” he added, referring to Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leader NurMisuari.

Malacañanghas yet to release a copy of the signed law.

Duterte was supposed to sign the BOL during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday, but the plan did not happen after the House of Representatives failed to ratify the measure on that day due to a leadership standoff.

In his SONA speech, Duterte vowed that after the bill’s ratification, he will sign the BOL within 48 hours but after making sure that it will not put other people at a disadvantage.

“I make this solemn commitment that this administration will never deny our Muslim brothers and sisters the basic legal tools to chart their own destiny within the Constitutional framework of our country,” he said.

“Give me 48 hours to sign it and ratify the law. Babasahinko pa bago ko pipirmahan. Baka may isiningit kayo diyan na hindi maganda para sa — para sa ibang tao (You may have put something there that may not be good for other people),” he added.

The President is also hoping that the signing of the BOL would put an end to the conflict between armed groups in the south.

Officially now called as the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OLBARMM), the BOL is the result of decades-long peace negotiations between the government and rebel groups in Mindanao, particularly the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The OLBARMM will establish the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region which replaces the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The measure is designed to address the grievances, sentiments, and demands of Muslims in the region.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/07/26/duterte-signs-bangsamoro-law/

BIG TICKET PROJECTS SOON IN SANTIAGO CITY BY 4Q OF 2018 AND EARLY 2019:

1. Santiago City Sports Complex
2. Santiago City Convention Center
3. Santiago City Hospital
4. Dariuk Hill Inner Development
5. Southern Isabela Medical Center 2nd - 8F Building
6. Miracle Condominium 10F
7. Honorata Residendes
8. Vista Mall Santiago
9. Ford Isabela New Showroom
10. De Vera Medical Center New Building 4F
11. Rumored SOGO Hotel along Turingan St. going 5F as of the moment
12. Amancio Hotel 2 @ Shell Calao 8F
13. Capstonewell Mixed Township
14. Promise Land Community (Brgy of Subdivisions)
15. Washington Hotel (No details yet on the Floors)
16. Robinson's Place Santiago Cyberzone
17. Charina's Food City
18. Golden Heaven Memorial Park
19. Palazzo Marcelino Hotel at the back
20. First Aaron Residences
21. Aaron Hotel
22. Mandaue Foam Corporate Office
23. Isabela State University Santiago City Campus

Pa add na lang mga heno kung may kulang... Big projects lang ha, wag na yung mga medium size.

Also, anong subdivision na ba ang pinaka-expensive sa Region 2? Can somebody share?

Honorata Residences entry rate is at P5M per model unit, and higher yung ibang model unit sa loob. Camella is at P1.5M entry level nila. 

Duterte signs Bangsamoro Organic Law

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines —President Duterte announced yesterday that he has signed the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) that will allow enhanced autonomy in Mindanao.

Duterte made the pronouncement during his visit for the 69th anniversary of Ipil town in Zamboanga Sibugay.

He said he will have to go home for the ceremony with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chairman Al-Haj Ebrahim Murad and vice chair Ghazali Jaafar in Davao.


“The BBL is already signed, but I have to go home to attend a ceremony with Jaafar and Murad and everyone,” Duterte said, referring to the BOL’s initial name, Bangsamoro Basic Law.

The President added he will also sit down with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founder Nur Misuari to determine his role in the peace deal.

Misuari has expressed his opposition to the MILF-led peace deal and would rather wait for the implementation of the federal system instead of joining the Bangsamoro region.

“I can create also just like an autonomy for him if that is what he wants and pending the federal system implementation. For the moment he can wait if he trusts me,” Duterte said.

Duterte said he still has three years to act on the issue presented by Misuari to establish a regional government.

Prior confusion
Earlier, there was apparent confusion after Malacañang officials sent mixed signals on the President’s signing the measure.

In the evening, presidential spokesman Harry Roque confirmed the President has signed the BOL after its transmittal from the office of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

“This is to announce that the President has signed the BOL into law,” Roque said in a text message.

Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) chief Adelino Sitoy said the BOL was received by Malacañang at 7:30 p.m. last Wednesday.

In a press briefing hours before Duterte’s speech in Ipil, Roque said there was no impediment to the signing of the BOL.

Duterte was supposed to sign the BOL during his third State of the Nation Address last Monday. However, the House of Representatives failed to ratify the measure because of the leadership squabble in the chamber.

Duterte then made a self imposed deadline of signing the BOL within 48 hours. He had earlier certified the measure as urgent.

Senators and House members last week reconciled their versions of the measure in bicameral meetings.

Even after the Duterte administration is banking on the immediate passage of the BOL in Congress, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said it has not been included in the 2019 budget.

Lawmakers, however, said they will provide funds for the implementation of the BOL and the creation of the envisioned new Bangsamoro region.

Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr., a senior deputy speaker, yesterday said funds must also be allotted to carry out the Supreme Court (SC) decision increasing the internal revenue allotment (IRA) of provinces, cities, towns and barangays.

“We must find space in the 2019 national budget for these two must-fund items,” he said.

Andaya noted Malacañang did not include funds for the BOL and the SC ruling in its 2019 budget proposal because these did not exist yet when the Palace put together the outlay.

Andaya, who served as budget secretary during the presidency of new Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, pointed out that at least P160 billion would be needed for the Bangsamoro region and increased IRA of local government units (LGUs).

He said the new Muslim entity that would replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) would need P110 billion.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto added he will raise the matter of lack of funding of the BOL with the DBM.

He said the Senate will have to find ways to fund the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as there is no allocation for it in the proposed P3.8-trillion national budget submitted by Malacañang to Congress.

Recto also pointed out the DBM failed to provide for the SC increasing the IRAs for LGUs, estimated to be an additional P160 billion.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said if the proposed BOL is ratified in a plebiscite before the end of the year, there must be some adjustments in the current budget to include at least the share of proceeds from taxes. – With Jess Diaz, Alexis Romero, Paolo Romero, Jaime Laude, Delon Porcalla

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/07/27/1837208/duterte-signs-bangsamoro-organic-law

Duterte signs Bangsamoro law

PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. Duterte on Thursday said he has signed the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

Speaking in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, Mr. Duterte said in Visayans, “The BBL has been signed, but I’m still going back (to Davao City) because I have a ceremony with (Moro Islamic Liberation Front leaders Ghazali) Jaafar and (Al-Haj) Murad (Ebrahim).”

Mr. Duterte, however, was contradicted that afternoon by his spokesman, Harry L. Roque, Jr., and aide, Christopher T. Go., who both said the President has not yet signed the autonomy law creating the Bangsamoro Region in Mindanao.

“As of 5:43 p.m., BOL has not yet been signed by the President,” Mr. Roque said in a text message to reporters.

Mr. Duterte in his remarks also said: “And also I’d like to talk to (Moro National Liberation Front leader) Nur ([Misuari)], so that we can have it by the end of the year. I can create also just like an autonomy for him if that’s what he wants, and pending the federal system implementation he can just wait for it if he (Nur) trusts me.” — Arjay L. Balinbin

Duterte signs Bangsamoro Organic Law

The law replaces the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) with the new Bangsamoro region with greater fiscal and political autonomy

President Rodrigo Duterte signed the landmark Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) on Thursday, July 26.

"This is to announce that the President has just signed the BOL into law," said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque in a message to reporters on Thursday.

The signing came 8 days after the bicameral conference committee (bicam) finalized the bill following days of heated discussions. Duterte had certified the bill as urgent, paving the way for the speedy passage of the measure in Congress.

The Senate was the first to ratify the bicam report on the measure, ahead of Duterte's 3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 23.

The House of Representatives failed to push through with the measure's ratification on Monday, however, due to the leadership showdown that saw former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo replacing Pantaleon Alvarez as House Speaker.

The House was only able to ratify the bicam report on Tuesday, July 24, and then the measure was sent to Malacañang for Duterte's signature.

The law replaces the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) with the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which would have greater fiscal autonomy, a regional government, parliament, and justice system.

The region would be composed of the current ARMM – Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Basilan, Maguindanao, and Lanao del Sur – pending a regional plebiscite.

Also included in the Bangsamoro region are 6 municipalities of Lanao del Norte and 39 barangays of Cotabato, provided that the province and their municipalities, respectively, vote to lose jurisdiction over them. These areas previously voted to be included in the ARMM, but their mother units voted against it. (READ: Duterte ends BBL impasse: Mother LGUs' vote needed for inclusion in Bangsamoro)

The chartered cities of Cotabato and Isabela would also be excluded, subject to the approval of their respective registered voters in the plebiscite.

The law has an opt-in provision, allowing areas adjacent to the region to join the Bangsamoro, with a petition of at least 10% of their voters.

The law is the culmination of a peace deal signed between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and past administrations. Former president Benigno Aquino III had wanted it passed before he stepped down, but a botched police operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, in 2015 derailed its passage. (READ: After Bangsamoro law, a bright yet bumpy path to peace)

Parliament, wealth, justice

The law will pave the way for the creation of the Bangsamoro government, headed by a chief minister and a ceremonial leader called a Wali.

There would also be a parliament composed of 80 members – 50% party representatives, 40% district representatives, and 10% sectoral representatives, including two reserved seats for "non-Moro indigenous peoples and settler communities."

Despite having its own government, the Bangsamoro would not have its own military and police force, as these would still be under the national government. (READ: Bicam adopts Senate provision vs Bangsamoro firearms purchase)

The region would have its own judicial system based on the unique cultural and historical heritage of the Bangsamoro. (READ: Bicam approves creation of Shari'ah High Court in Bangsamoro)

The law grants 75-25 wealth sharing between the Bangsamoro and national governments – higher than the current 70-30 scheme under the ARMM law. This means 75% of the national internal revenue collection would go to the Bangsamoro, and 25% to the central government.

An annual block grant, pegged at a 5% share of the national internal revenue or some P59 billion, would also be automatically appropriated to the region without any conditions.

The Bangsamoro region would also primarily oversee all inland bodies of water, except for those that produce energy for other areas outside its jurisdiction. Energy-producing bodies of water, like Lake Lanao, would instead be co-managed by the region together with the Department of Energy. – with a report from Pia Ranada

While Kapuso claims ratings leadership, ABS-CBN stays on top in June

More Filipinos turned to ABS-CBN for news and information and values-laden stories as the TV network hit an average audience share of 45 percent versus GMA’s 32 percent last month, according to data from Kantar Media.

The Kapamilya network won in both rural and urban homes, particularly in Metro Manila with an average audience share of 43percent, compared to GMA’s 29 percent. ABS-CBN likewise led in Total Luzon with 41 percent versus GMA’s 36 percent; in Total Visayas with 54 percent, compared to GMA’s 24 percent; and in Total Mindanao with 53 percent, while GMA only got 26 percent.

Multinational audience measurement provider Kantar Media uses a nationwide panel size of 2,610 urban and rural homes that represent 100 percent of the total Philippine TV viewing population.

FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (42.6 percent) held the top spot for the whole month of June, followed by Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids.

Also part of the top 10 are Bagani, Since I Found You, TWBA, Bandila, Asintado, Araw Gabi, The Blood Sisters, TV Patrol, MMK, Home Sweetie Home, Wansapanataym, It’s Showtime (Saturday), Ipaglaban Mo and Rated K.

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN also led across all time blocks, particularly the primetime block as it garnered an average audience share of 48 percent, or 15-point lead against GMA’s 33 percent. The primetime block is the most important time of the day when most Filipinos watch TV and advertisers put a larger chunk of their investments in to reach more consumers effectively.

The Kapamilya network also ruled the morning block (6 a.m. to 12 nn) with an average audience share of 39 percent versus GMA’s 29 percent; the noontime block (12 noon to 3:00 p.m.) with 47 percent, compared to GMA’s 31 percent; and the afternoon block (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.) with 44 percent, beating GMA’s 36 percent.

Naturally, the Kapuso network challenges these data with their own from the ratings provider they use (NUTAM) and insistently claims it has overtaken the Kapamilya network as the country’s no. 1 broadcast network.

Between the two companies, GMA’s has historically highlighted its performance in heavily populated areas, in particular, urban Luzon and mega Manila.

In Urban Luzon, GMA posted an average total day people audience share of 46.4 percent, more than ABS-CBN’s 32.6 percent.

In Mega Manila, it cornered a share of 48.1 percent versus ABS-CBN’s 29.5 percent.

More Kapuso shows also made it to the list of top-rating programs in NUTAM with Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS) securing its spot as the most watched Kapuso program nationwide.

Joining KMJS were Pepito Manaloto, Kambal, Karibal, 24 Oras, Magpakailanman, The Cure, Inday Will Always Love You, 24 Oras Weekend, and newly-launched program Amazing Earth.

Also included in the list were Lip Sync Battle Philippines, Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko, GMA Blockbusters, Imbestigador, Wowowin, Sunday Pinasaya, Bubble Gang, Saksi, Eat Bulaga, Tadhana, The Stepdaughters and Contessa.

Booster of US and RP brands

Numbers don’t lie. Data, in fact, tell startling truths about a population niche in the United States whose profile may be low, but whose income leads most populations: Filipinos.

 A median household income of $81,929 puts Filipinos near the top among all American consumers (only South Asians, Jewish Americans, and Taiwanese Americans are ahead, the US Census Bureau reports), while the current median household income for the US is $53,657. A median family income of $65,910 still makes America one of the world’s leaders in this category. But this number pales in comparison to the median family income of Filipinos in New York: a jaw-dropping $92,486. In the city with the most billionaires in the world, this figure ranks New York-based Filipinos as first or second among all population groups in the US.

Filipinos’ purchasing power is not lost on marketers at major American brands. Their stake in the Filipino consumer segment can clearly be seen at Fiesta In America Expo and Consumer Show. The event will celebrate its 20th Anniversary on Aug. 11 and 12 as the biggest expo and cultural show of its kind on the east coast. Its home for the past 18 years, New Jersey’s Meadowlands Exposition Center in the city of Secaucus, is one of the most prestigious convention sites in the American northeast region.

Fiesta In America’s blend of consumer show and concert attracts a two-day audience of more than 5,000 Filipinos and multicultural consumers from New York, New Jersey and five peripheral states.

According to Daphne Kwok, vice president, Multicultural Leadership, at the 37 million-member American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), “Our partnership with Fiesta in America has been very exciting and we look forward to creating more innovative ways on how we can share AARP’s resources with [this] population.”

For Meriterese Racanelli, MS, Food Scientist, Nutritionist and Chef at Goya Foods, America’s largest Hispanic food company, “It was a joy to work with Fiesta In America. The talent and entertainment are outstanding!”
Nemesio Kinsora, an executive at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the state’s foremost health management organization (HMO), cited the event’s niche-marketing value. “Fiesta In America gave us the chance to connect with the Filipino community on a large scale.”

In the Philippines, a diverse spectrum of Filipino industries is drawn to the buying power of Filipinos in the east coast of the US who attend Fiesta In America, and whose median household income far exceeds that of their kababayan in California. These business participants include some of the most respected names in Philippine real estate; small to medium-size manufacturers of handicraft, packaged food, shoes and apparel, holiday and home décor, and a myriad other products; Philippine Airlines; as well as the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board.

“Our two-day event is uniquely located at the junction of Filipino culture and U.S. diversity marketing,” said Nanding Mendez, founder and CEO of not-for-profit Fiesta In America.

“For our historic 20thyear, the concert headliners are Gary Lewis and the Playboys, Ogie Alcasid, and love team of Janella Salvador and Elmo Magalona.

For more information, log on to www.fiestainamerica.com

Palace: Duterte yet to sign BOL

By Argyll Cyrus Geducos

Malacañang clarified that President Duterte is yet to sign the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) which creates the Bangsamoro government and grants it fiscal autonomy.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the statement after Duterte said in a speech that the law has already been signed following its ratification in Congress this week.

In a text message, Roque said that the measure was still with Executive Secretary (ES) Salvador Medialdea.

“As of an hour ago, hindi pa (not yet) and still with ES,” Roque said Thursday afternoon.

Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go also confirmed that Duterte is yet to sign the BOL.

In his speech in Ipip, Zamboanga Sibugay Thursday afternoon, Duterte said that the measure has been finally signed and that he will meet with Moro leaders for a ceremony.

“The BBL has been signed, but I’m still going back because I have a ceremony with Jaafar and Murad,” Duterte said in mixed English and Bisaya. He was referring to Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief Murad Ebrahim and MILF vice chairman Ghadzali Jaafar.

“And also I’d like to talk to Nur so that we can have it by the end of the year,” he added, referring to Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leader Nur Misuari.

Duterte was supposed to sign the BOL during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, however, the plan did not happen after the House of Representatives failed to ratify the measure due to a leadership standoff.

In his speech, Duterte vowed that after the bill’s ratification, he will sign the BOL within 48 hours but after making sure that it will not put other people at a disadvantage.

“I make this solemn commitment that this administration will never deny our Muslim brothers and sisters the basic legal tools to chart their own destiny within the Constitutional framework of our country,” he said.

“Give me 48 hours to sign it and ratify the law. Babasahin ko pa bago ko pipirmahan. Baka may isiningit kayo diyan na hindi maganda para sa — para sa ibang tao (You may have put something there that may not be good for other people),” he added.

Sign language interpreters aid Duterte’s SONA

Local news networks ABS-CBN, ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC), GMA, TV5, and PTV4 recently tapped Filipino Sign Language (FSL) interpreters for the Third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.

PNASLI President John Baliza and Benilde SDEAS Dean Nicky Templo Perez for ABS-CBN, ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC), and DZMM.

To be able to fully deliver the President’s speech to the country’s Deaf community, the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS) of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, together with the Philippine Federation of the Deaf and the Philippine National Association of Sign Language Interpreters (PNASLI), lent the helping hands of its skilled and steadfast Deaf and hearing coordinators, partners, and associates to interpret the SONA through FSL.

To be able to fully deliver the President’s speech to the country’s Deaf community, the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS) of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, together with the Philippine Federation of the Deaf and the Philippine National Association of Sign Language Interpreters (PNASLI), lent the helping hands of its skilled and steadfast Deaf and hearing coordinators, partners, and associates to interpret the SONA through FSL.

Sign Language interpreters include SDEAS Dean Nicky Templo-Perez and John Baliza for ABS-CBN, ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) and DZMM; Jojo Esposa and Joi Villareal for GMA; Jun Sevilla and Rjay Soriano Jr. for TV5; and Naty Natividad and Febe Sevilla for PTV 4.

Proposed Bangsamoro law ratified, awaits President Duterte’s signature

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