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