CHANGE IN PCOO LEADERSHIP? | ‘We serve at the pleasure of the President’ – Andanar

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar has neither confirmed nor denied reports of a possible change of leadership in his department.

Online news site Politiko reported yesterday that former broadcaster Jay Sonza is being eyed to replace Andanar as head of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) after it faced a series of blunders under his supervision.

“We all serve at the pleasure of the President,” Andanar said in a text message.

Politiko also mentioned that Sonza is using his connections with Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to lobby for the position, but she clarified that she is not acquainted with the former broadcaster.

“I am not aware that Mr. Sonza is seeking a PCOO post. I’m not sure if I have ever met him, I cannot remember any meeting whether casual or official. But I know he is very close to,” she said.

The PCOO has been a subject of public scrutiny for errors made by its news organization Philippine News Agency and the recent “pepederalismo” video of Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson.

http://news.tv5.com.ph/breaking/change-in-pcoo-leadership-we-serve-at-the-pleasure-of-the-president-andanar

Enchong Dee's dream role: San Lorenzo Ruiz

Actor Enchong Dee on Friday said one of his dreams is to portray San Lorenzo Ruiz or a Filipino hero in a project.

The former champion swimmer said he is still currently a full-time actor, but he has given himself a time frame of up to when he would do this.

He explained that he was named after the first Filipino saint because his mother prayed to San Lorenzo when she was told she might miscarry.

Apart from the saint or heroes, Dee said he has another dream role, but it might become reality in the next few months.

Dee, who was paired with Erich Gonzalez in the recently concluded "The Blood Sisters," said he has moved on from the love-team phase in showbiz.

"To survive this business, you have to move forward," he told ANC's Headstart.

He candidly admitted that none of his past on-screen partners -- or anyone from showbiz for that matter -- became his girlfriend in real life.

Dee was previously partnered with Kim Chiu and Maja Salvador.

His most previous relationship made public was with British-Filipina model Samantha Lewis. They parted ways in 2016, and Lewis has since welcomed a son with her non-showbiz boyfriend.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/08/24/18/enchong-dees-dream-role-san-lorenzo-ruiz

Senate pushes for workers’ 14th month pay

By HANNAH TORREGOZA



SENATE President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III yesterday vowed to fast-track the approval of the measure mandating employers in the private sector to give 14th month pay to their employees.

Sotto said he has high hopes that the Senate would be able to pass the measure, Senate Bill No. 2, or the “14th Month Pay Law,” on third reading by September.

“I will follow it up with the Senate committee on labor,” Sotto said referring to the Senate panel on labor, employment and human resources development chaired by Sen. Joel Villanueva.

Sotto said those in the business sector need not be concerned over the measure as it will follow the provisions granted under the 13th month pay scheme which is a Presidential Decree.

“They (companies) think that we are changing the former presidential decree. The 13th month pay is a presidential decree and that also grants exemptions,” Sotto said.

“With the 14th month pay, there would also be exemptions, so our businessmen have nothing to be anxious about,” he further explained.

According to Sotto, the measure will allow companies, who cannot comply with a 14th month pay, to seek certification with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

“Hindi sila oobligahin. But they have to file a petition with the BIR,” he stressed.

Sotto further believes that the measure is doable, as there are multinational companies that are capable of granting a 14th month pay.

“There are so many that can afford to grant it, especially bigger companies, but they just won’t do it,” he said.

In the explanatory note of the measure, Sotto said there is an indispensable need to provide our Filipino laborers, both from the public and private sectors, additional 14th month pay.

He pointed out that with the rise in the prices of basic services and commodities, wages have invisibly decreased but improved business earnings have not cascaded on its own.

“The 13th month pay is gobbled up by Christmas expenses. We need extra earnings in the middle of the year to help in school and medical expenses. Health and education needs of the ordinary Filipino must be assisted by our government,” he said.

The Senate leader said passage of the measure into law would make the maxim attributed to President Ramon Magsaysay become a reality, that “Those who have less in life should have more in law.”

In an interview last week, Sotto said he hopes that the bill would be passed before Congress submits the reconciled version of the proposed 2019 national budget to President Duterte.

“I hope deliberations won’t have to reach until the upcoming (2019) elections,” Sotto said.

http://tempo.com.ph/2018/08/24/senate-pushes-for-workers-14th-month-pay/