Senate President Vicente Sotto III is hopeful President Duterte will use his veto power against questionable items, particularly the P75-billion pork barrel insertions, in the 2019 national budget.
Sotto said the Senate provided Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea a copy of the portions of the budget which were allegedly altered in the House of Representatives even after both chambers had approved and ratified the bicameral conference committee report.
“I signed the budget but with annotation and explanation,” Sotto said in Filipino and English during an interview over dwIZ.
He added that Duterte is still studying the General Appropriations Bill for 2019.
“Medialdea had requested a list of altered items so they can refer to it quickly. It’s a good sign for me since it could be vetoed,” Sotto noted.
But the P75 billion will not be removed from the national budget, Sotto said. The amount will be included in the supplemental budget to be discussed in July during the 18th Congress, he added.
Sotto maintained that the Senate stood firm not to allow any alteration on the spending program, which has been approved and ratified during the bicameral conference committee.
He said any alteration is tantamount to violating the Constitution.
‘Pork not hijacked’
Meanwhile, the majority leader of the House denied yesterday the accusation of disgruntled lawmakers that billions in infrastructure and health funds have been “hijacked” from their districts and given to favored members.
“There is no truth to the allegations hurled by Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte that the House leadership has taken away P92.3 billion from the 2019 national budget and distributed it to favored members,” Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro said.
“I can say with authority that Rep. Villafuerte is peddling fake news. I pity my good friend L-Ray, but I understand where he is coming from. He is one of the former House leaders who stand to gain billions in projects had we not corrected the inequities in the National Expenditure Program (NEP),” Castro maintained.
The NEP was submitted to Congress in July last year by President Duterte.
Castro noted that Villafuerte was allocated P2.7 billion by the previous House leadership.
“Of this amount, P1.2 billion was included in the P75-billion insertion by former (budget secretary Benjamin Diokno), which (lawmakers) questioned and opposed during the budget deliberation,” he said.
Castro also said more than 24 House members received allocations ranging from P3 billion to P8.4 billion each.
“The current House leadership considers the wide discrepancy in the distribution of programs and projects as unconscionable… Based on the current guidelines, we made sure allocations were equitably distributed,” he added.
A list earlier released by appropriations committee chairman Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. showed that former speaker Pantaleon Alvarez had the biggest allotment amounting to P8.4 billion.
Castro said if the House had not redistributed the funds, “the mind-boggling allocations for previous House leaders and their pet districts, plus (budget) insertions the (Department of Public Works and Highways) was clueless about, would have remained intact.”
“We made sure that the 2019 budget is not only constitutional and legal. It is also transparent, with the list of projects itemized per district. This way, our taxpayers will know who are accountable for these projects,” he said.
Castro said if Villafuerte “and other allies of the previous House leadership are not happy with their share of the national budget, there are more than 200 (lawmakers) who think otherwise.”
“Unlike before, programs and projects are now equitably funded for all legislative districts, regardless of their (political affiliation),” he said.
According to anti-pork Sen. Panfilo Lacson, the funds taken away from at least 62 districts were added to the allocations of House leaders and their allies.
Lacson and Sotto said scores of House members who lost funds complained to them.
Sotto named Rep. Raul Daza of Northern Samar and Rep. Aurora Cerilles of Zamboanga del Sur as among the complainants.
While it released the list of previous allocations topped by Alvarez, the House has not disclosed how it redistributed funds. – With Jess Diaz
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/03/31/1905989/sotto-hopes-duterte-will-veto-p75-billion-pork-budget
Sunday, March 31, 2019
Saturday, March 30, 2019
ABS-CBN diversifies into food, cosmetics, e-market
Media and entertainment giant ABS-CBN Corp. is diversifying in new businesses outside the media space in a move seen as a possible preparation in case its franchise will not be renewed next year.
ABS-CBN announced through separate disclosures to the Philippine Stock Exchange yesterday three major investments that would see the company venture into the food and beverage, customer and merchant e-wallet services, and cosmetics production sectors.
The company said it is investing in a wholly owned subsidiary, The Chosen Bun Inc., to raise, process, manufacture and package all kinds of food products, as well as establish, operate, manage and maintain restaurants, coffee shops, and refreshments parlors, and serve, arrange and cater refreshments and other food or commodities.
The Chosen Bun will initially have an authorized capital stock of P1 million, of which P250,000 will be subscribed by ABS-CBN.
“ABS-CBN Corp. aims to provide consumers with new food products that are healthy and affordable,” the company said.
Aside from its food and beverage venture, ABS-CBN is also making an investment in the customer and merchant e-wallet/e-market services business through a joint venture with information technology services company iBayad Online Ventures Inc.
The media giant and IBayad Online Ventures will organize, invest in, and operate a joint venture corporation for purposes of engaging in the business of customer and merchant e-wallet/e-money services and other related services, as well as advertising, producing, distributing, and marketing products and services that are connected to the operations of said business.
The joint venture company will initially have an authorized capital stock of P100 million, of which P51 million will be subscribed by ABS-CBN.
“The joint venture will enable the provision to customers and merchants of e-wallet and e-money services and other related services,” the listed firm said.
ABS-CBN is also teaming up with Ever Bilena Cosmetics Inc. to invest in a joint venture firm that will engage in the business of manufacturing, production, trading and sale, on wholesale or retail cosmetics, including purchase and importation of raw materials, finished goods, packaging materials and machinery and equipment necessary for said business.
The joint venture corporation will initially have an authorized capital stock of P10 million, of which P1.25 million will be subscribed by ABS-CBN.
The joint venture corporation will have its own management, with Ever Bilena providing support in product development, logistics and retail distribution.
From conceptualization to commercial launch, the parties have agreed to complete and execute all agreed milestones from a period of 54 to 76 weeks.
“The two industry leaders aim to provide consumers with cosmetic products that are affordable and with good quality. Leveraging the strengths and resources of both companies where expertise of Ever Bilena on production development, logistics and distribution and expertise of ABS-CBN on marketing promotions and talent development are utilized to launch a cosmetics brand,” ABS-CBN said.
ABS-CBN, home to the Philippines’ top-rating TV programs, box-office films, and best-selling books and music, is rapidly transitioning into an agile digital company with a growing list of digital properties.
The company, however, is in danger of not having its franchise renewed when it expires next year following repeated threats from President Duterte himself.
Duterte has said several times that he is personally against the renewal of franchise of the media and entertainment giant.
Eagle Equities Inc. head of research Chris Mangun said it is possible that these new investments being undertaken by ABS-CBN are in preparation should it fail to have its franchise renewed.
“It is quite surprising that they are starting to venture into other business outside of the media space. Food, beverage and cosmetics are highly profitable sectors and the e-market services sector is starting to take off,” Mangun told The STAR.
“So yes they may be covering their bases in case their franchise is not renewed,” he said.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/03/30/1905644/abs-cbn-diversifies-food-cosmetics-e-market
Deficit posted despite ‘forced underspending’
The government’s budget balance reverted to a deficit in February despite continued delays in the passage of this year’s outlay.
The month’s P76.4-billion gap was a reversal of the P44.5-billion surplus posted in January, Treasury bureau data released on Friday showed. It was also wider than the P51.7-billion deficit recorded a year earlier.
Government revenues rose by 13 percent to P202.1 billion, from P178.5 billion last year, while expenditures grew by 21 percent to P278.5 billion from P230.2 billion. A month earlier, revenues rose by 7 percent while expenditures fell by 7 percent.
The latest deficit resulted in a year-to-date shortfall of P31.8 billion, 23 percent lower compared to the P41.5 billion posted in the comparable 2018 period.
Revenues up
For February alone, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) accounted for the bulk of revenues with P135.7 billion, 16 percent higher compared to the year-earlier P116.6 billion. The growth was faster compared to January’s 5 percent.
The Bureau of Customs (BoC) netted P44.2 billion — a 1-percent gain from last year’s P43.7 billion — while other offices contributed P2.7 billion, bringing total tax revenues for the month to P182.6 billion. Tax revenue growth was faster at 12 percent from the 8 percent a month earlier.
Non-tax earnings, meanwhile, totaled P19.5 billion with the Treasury contributing P9.2 billion — up 56 percent — “mainly due to the P4.0 billion dividend from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and P2.9 billion national government share in Pagcor (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.) income.”
Other offices contributed P10.3 billion, 6 percent higher from last year.
Spending
The bulk of government spending or P253.2 billion was for primary expenditures, which rose by 24 percent from P204.1 billion a year ago.
The Treasury bureau said this was “due to payments of accounts payable by National Government Agencies and the release of January internal revenue allotment for local government units that slid to February.”
Interest payments of P25.3 billion, meanwhile, accounted for the rest of state spending. It dropped by 3 percent year-on-year “due to the coupon on bonds which matured in 2018.”
Netting out interest payments, the government recorded a P51.1-billion primary deficit in February, wider than the P25.6-billion shortfall posted last year.
Year to date, the primary balance hit a surplus of P39.4 billion, wider than last year’s P28.1 billion.
YTD tally
Reckoned from the start of 2019, revenues were up 10 percent year on year to P458.8 billion as of end-February.
The BIR’s two-month tally of P320.8 billion was 10 percent higher compared to a year earlier while the BoC’s year-to-date take of P92.6 billion was 9 percent better.
Primary expenditures rose 8 percent to P419.4 billion during the period while interest payments recorded 2 percent growth to P71.2 billion.
This resulted in lower-than-programmed state spending in the first two months of the year, the Finance department said in a statement.
January-February expenditures totalled P490.7 billion, 7 percent higher than a year ago but P43.7 billion less than estimated programmed funds of P534.4 billion.
In a statement, the Finance department said this was equivalent to P740.7 million in available funds that the government was not able to utilize per day because of the delay in the implementation of the 2019 national budget.
‘Forced underspending’
The government has been operating on last year’s P3.767-trillion budget since the start of the year. This means agencies can only spend for items detailed in the 2018 outlay and cannot embark on programs and projects supposed to be implemented this year.
“The No. 1 casualty of this forced under-spending is President [Rodrigo] Duterte’s signature ‘Build Build Build’ program,” Finance Assistant Secretary Antonio Lambino 2nd said.
“[I]t has barred the government from frontloading investments in big-ticket infrastructure projects during the best time of the year to do construction, and for projects that have the highest multiplier effect on the domestic economy,” he added.
Earlier this week, Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd ended the budget impasse by signing the 2019 General Appropriations Act. However, he signed the document with “strong reservations” given the Senate’s claims that the House of Representatives made post-bicameral conference committee changes.
The National Economic and Development Authority has warned that Philippine economic growth could decelerate sharply to 4.2-4.9 percent under a full-year reenacted budget.
Economic managers have also cut their growth targets for 2019 and 2020, citing the reenacted budget, an ongoing El Niño and the US-China trade war.
The interagency Development Budget Coordination Committee is now aiming for 6.0-7.0 percent growth this year and 6.7-7.5 percent next year, down from 7.0-8.0 percent previously.
Apprehensions validated
“Given that it would take weeks for Malacañang to review the Congress-submitted GAB (General Appropriations Bill), for the President to sign it, and for the concerned agencies to implement their respective projects, we can expect the 2019 GAA to be fully on stream on or before the middle of this year yet,” Lambino said.
ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Antonio Mapa stressed that the latest budget balance data “validates government officials’ initial apprehensions about the budget delay.”
“Budget delayed is growth denied. Hopefully the GAB can be signed to get government spending back on track but it may be difficult to ‘catch up’ given they’ll be attempting to spend funds allotted for 12 months in only seven months time,” he added.
https://www.manilatimes.net/deficit-posted-despite-forced-underspending/532779/
The month’s P76.4-billion gap was a reversal of the P44.5-billion surplus posted in January, Treasury bureau data released on Friday showed. It was also wider than the P51.7-billion deficit recorded a year earlier.
Government revenues rose by 13 percent to P202.1 billion, from P178.5 billion last year, while expenditures grew by 21 percent to P278.5 billion from P230.2 billion. A month earlier, revenues rose by 7 percent while expenditures fell by 7 percent.
The latest deficit resulted in a year-to-date shortfall of P31.8 billion, 23 percent lower compared to the P41.5 billion posted in the comparable 2018 period.
Revenues up
For February alone, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) accounted for the bulk of revenues with P135.7 billion, 16 percent higher compared to the year-earlier P116.6 billion. The growth was faster compared to January’s 5 percent.
The Bureau of Customs (BoC) netted P44.2 billion — a 1-percent gain from last year’s P43.7 billion — while other offices contributed P2.7 billion, bringing total tax revenues for the month to P182.6 billion. Tax revenue growth was faster at 12 percent from the 8 percent a month earlier.
Non-tax earnings, meanwhile, totaled P19.5 billion with the Treasury contributing P9.2 billion — up 56 percent — “mainly due to the P4.0 billion dividend from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and P2.9 billion national government share in Pagcor (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.) income.”
Other offices contributed P10.3 billion, 6 percent higher from last year.
Spending
The bulk of government spending or P253.2 billion was for primary expenditures, which rose by 24 percent from P204.1 billion a year ago.
The Treasury bureau said this was “due to payments of accounts payable by National Government Agencies and the release of January internal revenue allotment for local government units that slid to February.”
Interest payments of P25.3 billion, meanwhile, accounted for the rest of state spending. It dropped by 3 percent year-on-year “due to the coupon on bonds which matured in 2018.”
Netting out interest payments, the government recorded a P51.1-billion primary deficit in February, wider than the P25.6-billion shortfall posted last year.
Year to date, the primary balance hit a surplus of P39.4 billion, wider than last year’s P28.1 billion.
YTD tally
Reckoned from the start of 2019, revenues were up 10 percent year on year to P458.8 billion as of end-February.
The BIR’s two-month tally of P320.8 billion was 10 percent higher compared to a year earlier while the BoC’s year-to-date take of P92.6 billion was 9 percent better.
Primary expenditures rose 8 percent to P419.4 billion during the period while interest payments recorded 2 percent growth to P71.2 billion.
This resulted in lower-than-programmed state spending in the first two months of the year, the Finance department said in a statement.
January-February expenditures totalled P490.7 billion, 7 percent higher than a year ago but P43.7 billion less than estimated programmed funds of P534.4 billion.
In a statement, the Finance department said this was equivalent to P740.7 million in available funds that the government was not able to utilize per day because of the delay in the implementation of the 2019 national budget.
‘Forced underspending’
The government has been operating on last year’s P3.767-trillion budget since the start of the year. This means agencies can only spend for items detailed in the 2018 outlay and cannot embark on programs and projects supposed to be implemented this year.
“The No. 1 casualty of this forced under-spending is President [Rodrigo] Duterte’s signature ‘Build Build Build’ program,” Finance Assistant Secretary Antonio Lambino 2nd said.
“[I]t has barred the government from frontloading investments in big-ticket infrastructure projects during the best time of the year to do construction, and for projects that have the highest multiplier effect on the domestic economy,” he added.
Earlier this week, Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd ended the budget impasse by signing the 2019 General Appropriations Act. However, he signed the document with “strong reservations” given the Senate’s claims that the House of Representatives made post-bicameral conference committee changes.
The National Economic and Development Authority has warned that Philippine economic growth could decelerate sharply to 4.2-4.9 percent under a full-year reenacted budget.
Economic managers have also cut their growth targets for 2019 and 2020, citing the reenacted budget, an ongoing El Niño and the US-China trade war.
The interagency Development Budget Coordination Committee is now aiming for 6.0-7.0 percent growth this year and 6.7-7.5 percent next year, down from 7.0-8.0 percent previously.
Apprehensions validated
“Given that it would take weeks for Malacañang to review the Congress-submitted GAB (General Appropriations Bill), for the President to sign it, and for the concerned agencies to implement their respective projects, we can expect the 2019 GAA to be fully on stream on or before the middle of this year yet,” Lambino said.
ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Antonio Mapa stressed that the latest budget balance data “validates government officials’ initial apprehensions about the budget delay.”
“Budget delayed is growth denied. Hopefully the GAB can be signed to get government spending back on track but it may be difficult to ‘catch up’ given they’ll be attempting to spend funds allotted for 12 months in only seven months time,” he added.
https://www.manilatimes.net/deficit-posted-despite-forced-underspending/532779/
Thursday, March 28, 2019
Buildings inspired by exotic Mindanao plants to rise in Victoria Plaza complex
DAVAO CITY – A mix of “iconic” medium and high-rise buildings, inspired by some exotic and endemic plants of Mindanao, will rise within the 9.6-hectare property of the Victoria Plaza mall complex, an official of the Hong Kong-based design company said.
Walter V. Melicor, chief financial officer of the Elements Habitare, said that the development would have five phases.
The Lim family, which operates the homegrown New City Commercial Corporation (NCCC), took over the mall management on Wednesday after announcing its acquisition on March 12 at an undisclosed amount.
He discussed that the first two phases would have five-star hotel, condominium, and serviced apartments; a twin-tower in phase 3; NCCC headquarters in phase 4; and four-story mall in phase 5.
The designs of the most iconic components of the 9.6-hectare development, such as twin-tower, NCCC corporate building, and mall took inspiration from the exotic plants of Mindanao, according to Melicor.
He said the design of the twin tower would be inspired by the pitcher plant, a carnivorous plant endemic to Mt. Hamiguitan, Davao Oriental province; the corporate building by the exotic mangosteen fruit; and the mall by the petals of the waling-waling plant endemic to Mindanao.
Melicor’s team designed some of the world’s iconic buildings, among them Marina Bay Sands of Singapore, Galaxy Macau, a casino resort in Macau, and Okada Manila, a luxury hotel casino in the Philippines.
Melicor said the Lim family would decide if it wants to retain the old structure of the mall, but added the current conceptual design might require a total demolition of the old structure to give way for the construction of the new mall.
He said the current structure might not support the proposed expansion of the mall.
“We are moving forward to the future. The sentimentality will always be there, in the place but not in the building. I think the building — we have to enhance and make it iconic building at par with the world,” he said.
But NCCC President Sharlene A. Lim assured the old mall building would be retained, and that it would only need a facelift.
She said the company plans to proceed with a phase-by-phase development of the old Victoria Plaza Mall as it did for its NCCC Mall in Maa before a massive fire destroyed it on December 23, 2017. The fire incident killed the mall’s key custodian and 37 call center agents of Survey Sampling International (SSI).
Lim added the company plans to develop dilapidated cinemas into a family entertainment center, where the restaurants located at the periphery of the mall’s parking space will be relocated.
The mall tenants, including ukay-ukay vendors, would be provided a space, she said.
She said NCCC Department Store and Supermarket would eventually take over the department and supermarket of the Victoria Plaza.
She said the Victoria Plaza has over 300 tenants at present.
Inaugurated on March 16, 1993, the Davao Sunrise Investment & Development Corporation of the Limso family previously managed the Victoria Plaza, a premier mall of the Dabawenyos in the 1990s.
On the start of the development, Lim added her family plans to “get this running sooner.”
She said NCCC welcomes players to invest in the mixed-use development.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/03/28/buildings-inspired-by-exotic-mindanao-plants-to-rise-in-victoria-plaza-complex/
Walter V. Melicor, chief financial officer of the Elements Habitare, said that the development would have five phases.
The Lim family, which operates the homegrown New City Commercial Corporation (NCCC), took over the mall management on Wednesday after announcing its acquisition on March 12 at an undisclosed amount.
He discussed that the first two phases would have five-star hotel, condominium, and serviced apartments; a twin-tower in phase 3; NCCC headquarters in phase 4; and four-story mall in phase 5.
The designs of the most iconic components of the 9.6-hectare development, such as twin-tower, NCCC corporate building, and mall took inspiration from the exotic plants of Mindanao, according to Melicor.
He said the design of the twin tower would be inspired by the pitcher plant, a carnivorous plant endemic to Mt. Hamiguitan, Davao Oriental province; the corporate building by the exotic mangosteen fruit; and the mall by the petals of the waling-waling plant endemic to Mindanao.
Melicor’s team designed some of the world’s iconic buildings, among them Marina Bay Sands of Singapore, Galaxy Macau, a casino resort in Macau, and Okada Manila, a luxury hotel casino in the Philippines.
Melicor said the Lim family would decide if it wants to retain the old structure of the mall, but added the current conceptual design might require a total demolition of the old structure to give way for the construction of the new mall.
He said the current structure might not support the proposed expansion of the mall.
“We are moving forward to the future. The sentimentality will always be there, in the place but not in the building. I think the building — we have to enhance and make it iconic building at par with the world,” he said.
But NCCC President Sharlene A. Lim assured the old mall building would be retained, and that it would only need a facelift.
She said the company plans to proceed with a phase-by-phase development of the old Victoria Plaza Mall as it did for its NCCC Mall in Maa before a massive fire destroyed it on December 23, 2017. The fire incident killed the mall’s key custodian and 37 call center agents of Survey Sampling International (SSI).
Lim added the company plans to develop dilapidated cinemas into a family entertainment center, where the restaurants located at the periphery of the mall’s parking space will be relocated.
The mall tenants, including ukay-ukay vendors, would be provided a space, she said.
She said NCCC Department Store and Supermarket would eventually take over the department and supermarket of the Victoria Plaza.
She said the Victoria Plaza has over 300 tenants at present.
Inaugurated on March 16, 1993, the Davao Sunrise Investment & Development Corporation of the Limso family previously managed the Victoria Plaza, a premier mall of the Dabawenyos in the 1990s.
On the start of the development, Lim added her family plans to “get this running sooner.”
She said NCCC welcomes players to invest in the mixed-use development.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/03/28/buildings-inspired-by-exotic-mindanao-plants-to-rise-in-victoria-plaza-complex/
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
SWIPING THROUGH THE ’10S: 2010
THE START of the 2010s mark the unfolding of influence of Facebook and Twitter into our daily lives while the governments of the world are constantly planning and monitoring their plan of recovery from the Great Recession.
The viral video of the year is the Double Rainbow while in the middle of the year, the 2204355 meme (the gif of a KFC guy superimposed over the rainbow background to the tune of the chiptune of ALF theme). Rage comics, with the signature troll face (U Mad?), remains the mainstream funny of the cyberspace.
Jejemon is our own response of embracing the new culture — from text messaging, fashion and even on our media (Eugene Domingo’s JejeMom and Dolphy’s Father Jejemon). This trend seems to be a fad as the style is discouraged by our Department of Education.
The most discussed teleserye of that year is Agua Bendita (ABS-CBN) as Bruno Mars stands on his own musical path.
But how did the year 2010 unfold in the Philippines (including media)?
January 7: Rosanna Roces’ live remarks against teachers triggers MTRCB’s suspension of then-daily competition show Showtime (ABS-CBN).
January 12: Haiti rocks a 7.0-magnitude earthquake, killing hundreds of thousands.
February 13: 22-year-old Melai Cantiveros from General Santos City wins Pinoy Big Brother: Double Up. Her partner in the Bahay ni Kuya, Jason Francisco of Oriental Mindoro, is a finalist.
February 15: MTV Philippines ends with the final music video of The Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star” (ironically, the first music video in the United States, the country of origin, in 1981).
February 21: Sarah Lahbati and Steven Silva become the ultimate survivors of Starstruck V (GMA).
February 27: Chile rocks an 8.8-magnitude quake that triggers a tsunami, killing at least 525.
February 28: SOP (GMA) bows out after 13 years on the air as a Sunday variety noontime show. Its replacement, Party Pilipinas, premieres in a month.
March 28: Aside from Party Pilipinas, Pepito Manaloto also premiere on GMA. The premise of the sitcom focuses on the titular character (played by Michael V) on the change of life after winning P 700 million. In real life, the Grand Lotto jackpot prize of P 741.1 million becomes the largest jackpot to date in PCSO’s history and will be taken home by a balikbayan on November 29. The winning ticket is purchased in Olongapo City and the record remains unbroken until the next eight years.
April 4: After lawsuit by GMA over the constitutionality of ownership and losses under Media Prima, TV5 becomes part of Manny V. Pangilinan’s MediaQuest and brands as the “Kapatid” Network.
April 14: Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupts in Iceland.
April 20: The Deepwater Horizon oil drilling platform (owned by BP) explodes and spills over the Gulf of Mexico, damaging the aquatic fauna in the Deep South coastline.
May 10: The first automated elections take place where outgoing president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wins as a congresswoman in Pampanga's second district and Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III succeeds with the highest vote share of 42.1%. Aside from COMELEC’s faster and better voting technology, the Big 3 networks also upgrade their own coverage graphics. ABS-CBN and TV5 employ ORAD while GMA uses VizRT.
June 13: Jovit Baldivino becomes the first Pilipinas Got Talent (ABS-CBN) winner.
mid-June to mid-July: World Cup in South Africa. While the Philippine broadcaster is Studio 23 and Balls, Filipino sports fans generally thinks that football is not a big deal until six months later. Vuvuzelas blow all the rage and Paul the Octopus in the limelight in predicting the winners. In the finals, Spain beats the Netherlands, 1-0.
June 29: Eat Bulaga!’s Juan for All, All for Juan introduces the Sugod Bahay portion and becomes a daily permanent staple.
June 30: Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III takes oath as the 15th President of the Philippines at the Quirino Grandstand. The oath is administered by Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales (the future Ombudsman) instead of Chief Justice Renato Corona.
July 2: Daisy Siete, the dessert of Eat Bulaga!’s two-course meal, wraps up after seven years with 26 seasons.
July 25: WikiLeaks leak over 90,000 internal reports about the War in Afghanistan.
July 30: After five years of scandals of the show (ULTRA stampede, Hello Pappy and the inset of the funeral) and personal defeat (i.e. endorsing defeated presidential candidate Manny Villar), Wowowee pulls the plug. Ten days later, Willie Revillame unilaterally quits ABS-CBN for not demanding the removal of DZMM radio host Jobert Sucaldito.
August 5: In Chile, 33 miners are trapped in and are to be rescued successfully in 69 days with a specially built capsule for an individual.
August 22: As part of the 60th corporate anniversary of GMA Network, their network-conceived Philippine national anthem video is premiered, depicting the history of the country.
August 23: Hostage crisis in Luneta last about half a day, killing eight Hong Kong tourists and the perpetrator, dismissed police officer Rolando Mendoza. During the early evening newscast, reactions from news anchors are uttered during the botched standoff by the SWAT team. Post-newscast primetime block begins after the crisis about past 9 p.m.
August 24: Venus Raj, the Philippine contingent for Miss Universe, lands 4th Runner Up with the signature fumble of “Major Major” during the Question and Answer portion.
September 11: Wansapanataym is revived on ABS-CBN and the fantasy anthology format with moral lesson from its original iteration in 1997 is maintained but it will eventually deviate.
September 26: A grenade bombing rocks De La Salle University in Taft, Manila on the last Sunday of the Bar Examination. This is the last examination before they move to the University of Santo Tomas.
September 30: Intramuros tour guide Carlos Celdran pulls a stunt during the mass at the Manila Cathedral, raising the placard “Damaso” over the bishops’ stance against contraception.
October 23: Revillame returns to the small screen on TV5 with Willing Willie. About a bit more than two weeks later (November 8), Valenzuela City councilor and former Presidential girlfriend Shalani Soledad becomes his co-host, clashing the early evening newscast of Willie’s former employers.
November 7/8: In Pasig, ardent fans of NU 107 stage a candlelight vigil outside the studio to witness the end of their beloved rock radio station for 23 years.
November 14: Manny Pacquiao defeats Antonio Margarito for the WBC super welterweight title, making Pacquiao the first and so far the only boxer to garner eight world titles.
November 23: The tourism campaign called “Pilipinas Kay Ganda,” gets a negative reception over suspicious hints of plagiarism from Poland.
November 27: Batibot revives on TV5. Instead of the weekday format, it airs on Saturday morning and lasts for about three years.
December 5: In Vietnam, the Philippine national football team scores an upset win 2-0 against the defending champion-cum-host country in AFF Suzuki Cup. The team eventually lands on the semifinals and earns the Fair Play Award.
December 10: The Morong 43, the health workers who suspected to be communist rebels, are ordered to be released.
December 16: The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas releases the New Generation Currency series. The design of the bills mingle and become the sole official tender in seven years.
December 20: Senator Antonio Trillanes IV is released from jail.
The Review of the Year 2011 is undergoing construction. To be revealed by April.
https://timowsturf.wordpress.com/2019/03/26/swiping-through-the-10s-2010/
The viral video of the year is the Double Rainbow while in the middle of the year, the 2204355 meme (the gif of a KFC guy superimposed over the rainbow background to the tune of the chiptune of ALF theme). Rage comics, with the signature troll face (U Mad?), remains the mainstream funny of the cyberspace.
Jejemon is our own response of embracing the new culture — from text messaging, fashion and even on our media (Eugene Domingo’s JejeMom and Dolphy’s Father Jejemon). This trend seems to be a fad as the style is discouraged by our Department of Education.
The most discussed teleserye of that year is Agua Bendita (ABS-CBN) as Bruno Mars stands on his own musical path.
But how did the year 2010 unfold in the Philippines (including media)?
January 7: Rosanna Roces’ live remarks against teachers triggers MTRCB’s suspension of then-daily competition show Showtime (ABS-CBN).
January 12: Haiti rocks a 7.0-magnitude earthquake, killing hundreds of thousands.
February 13: 22-year-old Melai Cantiveros from General Santos City wins Pinoy Big Brother: Double Up. Her partner in the Bahay ni Kuya, Jason Francisco of Oriental Mindoro, is a finalist.
February 15: MTV Philippines ends with the final music video of The Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star” (ironically, the first music video in the United States, the country of origin, in 1981).
February 21: Sarah Lahbati and Steven Silva become the ultimate survivors of Starstruck V (GMA).
February 27: Chile rocks an 8.8-magnitude quake that triggers a tsunami, killing at least 525.
February 28: SOP (GMA) bows out after 13 years on the air as a Sunday variety noontime show. Its replacement, Party Pilipinas, premieres in a month.
March 28: Aside from Party Pilipinas, Pepito Manaloto also premiere on GMA. The premise of the sitcom focuses on the titular character (played by Michael V) on the change of life after winning P 700 million. In real life, the Grand Lotto jackpot prize of P 741.1 million becomes the largest jackpot to date in PCSO’s history and will be taken home by a balikbayan on November 29. The winning ticket is purchased in Olongapo City and the record remains unbroken until the next eight years.
April 4: After lawsuit by GMA over the constitutionality of ownership and losses under Media Prima, TV5 becomes part of Manny V. Pangilinan’s MediaQuest and brands as the “Kapatid” Network.
April 14: Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupts in Iceland.
April 20: The Deepwater Horizon oil drilling platform (owned by BP) explodes and spills over the Gulf of Mexico, damaging the aquatic fauna in the Deep South coastline.
May 10: The first automated elections take place where outgoing president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wins as a congresswoman in Pampanga's second district and Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III succeeds with the highest vote share of 42.1%. Aside from COMELEC’s faster and better voting technology, the Big 3 networks also upgrade their own coverage graphics. ABS-CBN and TV5 employ ORAD while GMA uses VizRT.
June 13: Jovit Baldivino becomes the first Pilipinas Got Talent (ABS-CBN) winner.
mid-June to mid-July: World Cup in South Africa. While the Philippine broadcaster is Studio 23 and Balls, Filipino sports fans generally thinks that football is not a big deal until six months later. Vuvuzelas blow all the rage and Paul the Octopus in the limelight in predicting the winners. In the finals, Spain beats the Netherlands, 1-0.
June 29: Eat Bulaga!’s Juan for All, All for Juan introduces the Sugod Bahay portion and becomes a daily permanent staple.
June 30: Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III takes oath as the 15th President of the Philippines at the Quirino Grandstand. The oath is administered by Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales (the future Ombudsman) instead of Chief Justice Renato Corona.
July 2: Daisy Siete, the dessert of Eat Bulaga!’s two-course meal, wraps up after seven years with 26 seasons.
July 25: WikiLeaks leak over 90,000 internal reports about the War in Afghanistan.
July 30: After five years of scandals of the show (ULTRA stampede, Hello Pappy and the inset of the funeral) and personal defeat (i.e. endorsing defeated presidential candidate Manny Villar), Wowowee pulls the plug. Ten days later, Willie Revillame unilaterally quits ABS-CBN for not demanding the removal of DZMM radio host Jobert Sucaldito.
August 5: In Chile, 33 miners are trapped in and are to be rescued successfully in 69 days with a specially built capsule for an individual.
August 22: As part of the 60th corporate anniversary of GMA Network, their network-conceived Philippine national anthem video is premiered, depicting the history of the country.
August 23: Hostage crisis in Luneta last about half a day, killing eight Hong Kong tourists and the perpetrator, dismissed police officer Rolando Mendoza. During the early evening newscast, reactions from news anchors are uttered during the botched standoff by the SWAT team. Post-newscast primetime block begins after the crisis about past 9 p.m.
August 24: Venus Raj, the Philippine contingent for Miss Universe, lands 4th Runner Up with the signature fumble of “Major Major” during the Question and Answer portion.
September 11: Wansapanataym is revived on ABS-CBN and the fantasy anthology format with moral lesson from its original iteration in 1997 is maintained but it will eventually deviate.
September 26: A grenade bombing rocks De La Salle University in Taft, Manila on the last Sunday of the Bar Examination. This is the last examination before they move to the University of Santo Tomas.
September 30: Intramuros tour guide Carlos Celdran pulls a stunt during the mass at the Manila Cathedral, raising the placard “Damaso” over the bishops’ stance against contraception.
October 23: Revillame returns to the small screen on TV5 with Willing Willie. About a bit more than two weeks later (November 8), Valenzuela City councilor and former Presidential girlfriend Shalani Soledad becomes his co-host, clashing the early evening newscast of Willie’s former employers.
November 7/8: In Pasig, ardent fans of NU 107 stage a candlelight vigil outside the studio to witness the end of their beloved rock radio station for 23 years.
November 14: Manny Pacquiao defeats Antonio Margarito for the WBC super welterweight title, making Pacquiao the first and so far the only boxer to garner eight world titles.
November 23: The tourism campaign called “Pilipinas Kay Ganda,” gets a negative reception over suspicious hints of plagiarism from Poland.
November 27: Batibot revives on TV5. Instead of the weekday format, it airs on Saturday morning and lasts for about three years.
December 5: In Vietnam, the Philippine national football team scores an upset win 2-0 against the defending champion-cum-host country in AFF Suzuki Cup. The team eventually lands on the semifinals and earns the Fair Play Award.
December 10: The Morong 43, the health workers who suspected to be communist rebels, are ordered to be released.
December 16: The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas releases the New Generation Currency series. The design of the bills mingle and become the sole official tender in seven years.
December 20: Senator Antonio Trillanes IV is released from jail.
The Review of the Year 2011 is undergoing construction. To be revealed by April.
https://timowsturf.wordpress.com/2019/03/26/swiping-through-the-10s-2010/
Senate sends 2019 budget to Duterte
By Camille A. Aguinaldo
Reporter
THE BICAMERAL DEADLOCK over this year’s P3.757-trillion national budget — which threatened to drag overall economic growth — ended on Tuesday as Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III announced that he has signed, with “reservations,” and transmitted the spending plan to Malacañang.
“We are informing that I already signed the budget… it is now going to be an enrolled bill; we sent it to the President but I placed my reservations on the signature. I have incorporated a note that says my signature is in reference to my attached annotation,” he told reporters in a press briefing at his Senate office.
His reservations — in a note attached to the measure — focused on post-ratification changes made by the House of Representatives.
Sought for comment, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia replied in a mobile phone message: “It looks like the long delay did not result in a major change in the budget — which time could have been used by the President to consider needed revisions, e.g., for line budget item vetoes.”
“Meanwhile, Q1 growth rate already likely to be trimmed.”
The inter-agency Development Budget Coordination Committee the other week slashed its 2019 gross domestic product growth forecast to 6-7% from 7-8% originally as the government operates on a reenacted budget, while the National Economic and Development Authority — which Mr. Pernia heads as director-general — has estimated separately that operating on a reenacted budget until April would cut full-year growth to 6.1-6.3%.
The government had been banking on front-loading infrastructure work this quarter, ahead of the 45-day ban on public works ahead of the May 13 midterm elections and weather disturbances next semester. The reenacted national budget left new projects unfunded.
Mr. Sotto said the Senate has transmitted to Malacañang the version of the national budget with the changes made by the House of Representatives, leaving President Rodrigo R. Duterte to decide on the provisions questioned by senators.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said in a statement that Mr. Duterte would scrutinize the national budget before signing it.
“We assure our people that the President will go over the enrolled bill, scrutinize it and sign it should the same be in accordance with our Constitution and the laws,” Mr. Panelo said. “As we approach the midpoint of the Duterte administration, we remain determined to build on the significant gains that we have started in the first two-and-a-half years and continue to stay on the right track to deliver real and lasting change to our people.”
Asked by reporters if Mr. Duterte would the sign the national budget with the House’s questioned changes, Mr. Panelo said, “It would depend on him. If he feels it’s not in violation with the Constitution, he can sign it immediately.”
“Knowing the President, he will act on it immediately because we need a new budget… Maybe in a few days,” he added.
In his note attached to the national budget transmitted to Malacañang, Mr. Sotto said his signature on the measure was limited to the items approved by the Senate and House in the bicameral conference committee and subsequently ratified.
“In particular, it is my view that it is unconstitutional that P75 billion worth of programs/projects under the Local Infrastructure Program of the Department of Public Works and Highways was funded through internal realignments after the Bicameral Conference Committee Report was ratified,” the Senate leader stated in his note.
He said in his note that Mr. Duterte “may wish to consider disapproving” the questionable provisions by vetoing them.
It was the idea of the Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon for Mr. Sotto to sign the national budget and to attach his reservations, according to Senator Panfilo M. Lacson in the same briefing.
“What we have done is propose this language to the Senate President, Senator (Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel F.) Zubiri, Senator Lacson, Senator (Loren B.) Legarda and (Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G.) Recto in order that we maintain our position that these insertions are unconstitutional, but at the same time, not prejudice national interests by holding on to the unsigned General Appropriations Bill,” Mr. Drilon told reporters in the press briefing.
“We maintain the view that this is unconstitutional but we must find a solution to the impasse in the budget and serve the interest of the nation.”
Messrs. Lacson and Sotto added that they have notified the House and the Executive Department by relaying the information to San Juan City Rep. Ronaldo B. Zamora and to Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea prior to the transmittal of the national budget to Malacañang.
https://www.bworldonline.com/senate-sends-2019-budget-to-duterte/
Reporter
THE BICAMERAL DEADLOCK over this year’s P3.757-trillion national budget — which threatened to drag overall economic growth — ended on Tuesday as Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III announced that he has signed, with “reservations,” and transmitted the spending plan to Malacañang.
“We are informing that I already signed the budget… it is now going to be an enrolled bill; we sent it to the President but I placed my reservations on the signature. I have incorporated a note that says my signature is in reference to my attached annotation,” he told reporters in a press briefing at his Senate office.
His reservations — in a note attached to the measure — focused on post-ratification changes made by the House of Representatives.
Sought for comment, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia replied in a mobile phone message: “It looks like the long delay did not result in a major change in the budget — which time could have been used by the President to consider needed revisions, e.g., for line budget item vetoes.”
“Meanwhile, Q1 growth rate already likely to be trimmed.”
The inter-agency Development Budget Coordination Committee the other week slashed its 2019 gross domestic product growth forecast to 6-7% from 7-8% originally as the government operates on a reenacted budget, while the National Economic and Development Authority — which Mr. Pernia heads as director-general — has estimated separately that operating on a reenacted budget until April would cut full-year growth to 6.1-6.3%.
The government had been banking on front-loading infrastructure work this quarter, ahead of the 45-day ban on public works ahead of the May 13 midterm elections and weather disturbances next semester. The reenacted national budget left new projects unfunded.
Mr. Sotto said the Senate has transmitted to Malacañang the version of the national budget with the changes made by the House of Representatives, leaving President Rodrigo R. Duterte to decide on the provisions questioned by senators.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said in a statement that Mr. Duterte would scrutinize the national budget before signing it.
“We assure our people that the President will go over the enrolled bill, scrutinize it and sign it should the same be in accordance with our Constitution and the laws,” Mr. Panelo said. “As we approach the midpoint of the Duterte administration, we remain determined to build on the significant gains that we have started in the first two-and-a-half years and continue to stay on the right track to deliver real and lasting change to our people.”
Asked by reporters if Mr. Duterte would the sign the national budget with the House’s questioned changes, Mr. Panelo said, “It would depend on him. If he feels it’s not in violation with the Constitution, he can sign it immediately.”
“Knowing the President, he will act on it immediately because we need a new budget… Maybe in a few days,” he added.
In his note attached to the national budget transmitted to Malacañang, Mr. Sotto said his signature on the measure was limited to the items approved by the Senate and House in the bicameral conference committee and subsequently ratified.
“In particular, it is my view that it is unconstitutional that P75 billion worth of programs/projects under the Local Infrastructure Program of the Department of Public Works and Highways was funded through internal realignments after the Bicameral Conference Committee Report was ratified,” the Senate leader stated in his note.
He said in his note that Mr. Duterte “may wish to consider disapproving” the questionable provisions by vetoing them.
It was the idea of the Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon for Mr. Sotto to sign the national budget and to attach his reservations, according to Senator Panfilo M. Lacson in the same briefing.
“What we have done is propose this language to the Senate President, Senator (Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel F.) Zubiri, Senator Lacson, Senator (Loren B.) Legarda and (Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G.) Recto in order that we maintain our position that these insertions are unconstitutional, but at the same time, not prejudice national interests by holding on to the unsigned General Appropriations Bill,” Mr. Drilon told reporters in the press briefing.
“We maintain the view that this is unconstitutional but we must find a solution to the impasse in the budget and serve the interest of the nation.”
Messrs. Lacson and Sotto added that they have notified the House and the Executive Department by relaying the information to San Juan City Rep. Ronaldo B. Zamora and to Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea prior to the transmittal of the national budget to Malacañang.
https://www.bworldonline.com/senate-sends-2019-budget-to-duterte/
Sunday, March 24, 2019
‘You shall return’
“The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it.” — Hubert H. Humphrey
It was an intimate birthday dinner that we had recently for my beautiful editor Joanne Rae Ramirez at the elegant Champagne Room of the Manila Hotel. The party, hosted by the country’s only floral architect and style director of the hotel Rachy Cuna, was overflowing with lively conversations.
The night overflowed, too, with good wine that complemented a sumptuous fare consisting of melt-in-your-mouth grilled black cod and US prime rib roast. Served also were the freshest Caesar salad with bacon bits and crispy croutons; and yummy French onion soup topped with Gruyere cheese. The Baked Alaska provided the sweet ending.
Guests included ad man Ed Ramirez, Russian Ambassador Igor Khovaev, Czech Ambassador Jana Sediva, Sen. Sonny Angara and wife Tootsy, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and wife Louie, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar and wife Justice Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte and wife Lara, former Antique governor Sally Perez, STAR’s Büm Tenorio Jr. and your columnist.
“I am honored that you celebrated with me tonight. This is a beautiful celebration of our friendship,” said the grateful celebrator.
Speaking of friendship, Joanne and Rachy share a beautiful friendship that is marked yearly with Rachy giving my lovely boss a birthday party, an endearing tradition that has been observed since 2005.
“Thank you all for coming. And Joanne, you shall return,” Rachy said, using the famous words of Gen. Douglas MacArthur, who stayed in Manila Hotel during the war.
With that, the birthday party for Joanne has been set for next year.
Happy birthday, Joanne. Many, many more blessings!
A bellissima evening
Anumber of individuals often called as the “Bella” group, leaders in their own fields of endeavor, invited your columnist to experience an evening of laughter, friendship and camaraderie.
It was a wonderful evening with brilliant people held at Chef Jessie at Rockwell in Makati City.
Until the next one, ladies and gentlemen!
Greetings
Happy birthday to our celebrator today, Carlos “Linggoy” Araneta.
Advance birthday greetings to Starweek’s Lydia Castillo and Lizzie Atayde, March 27; President Rodrigo Duterte, Co Ban Kiat Hardware Inc. chairman and president Johnny Cobankiat and Betty Preysler, March 28; broadcast journalist Tina Monzon-Palma and Miguel Cerqueda, March 29; Bonifacio Landmark Realty and Development Corp. president Hans Hauri, Veana Fores, Jennifer Peña and Al Perez, March 30.
So, how was your week?
(For comments and inquiries, please e-mail me at jjlitton@indanet.com.)
https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/allure/2019/03/24/1903785/you-shall-return
It was an intimate birthday dinner that we had recently for my beautiful editor Joanne Rae Ramirez at the elegant Champagne Room of the Manila Hotel. The party, hosted by the country’s only floral architect and style director of the hotel Rachy Cuna, was overflowing with lively conversations.
The night overflowed, too, with good wine that complemented a sumptuous fare consisting of melt-in-your-mouth grilled black cod and US prime rib roast. Served also were the freshest Caesar salad with bacon bits and crispy croutons; and yummy French onion soup topped with Gruyere cheese. The Baked Alaska provided the sweet ending.
Guests included ad man Ed Ramirez, Russian Ambassador Igor Khovaev, Czech Ambassador Jana Sediva, Sen. Sonny Angara and wife Tootsy, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and wife Louie, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar and wife Justice Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte and wife Lara, former Antique governor Sally Perez, STAR’s Büm Tenorio Jr. and your columnist.
“I am honored that you celebrated with me tonight. This is a beautiful celebration of our friendship,” said the grateful celebrator.
Speaking of friendship, Joanne and Rachy share a beautiful friendship that is marked yearly with Rachy giving my lovely boss a birthday party, an endearing tradition that has been observed since 2005.
“Thank you all for coming. And Joanne, you shall return,” Rachy said, using the famous words of Gen. Douglas MacArthur, who stayed in Manila Hotel during the war.
With that, the birthday party for Joanne has been set for next year.
Happy birthday, Joanne. Many, many more blessings!
A bellissima evening
Anumber of individuals often called as the “Bella” group, leaders in their own fields of endeavor, invited your columnist to experience an evening of laughter, friendship and camaraderie.
It was a wonderful evening with brilliant people held at Chef Jessie at Rockwell in Makati City.
Until the next one, ladies and gentlemen!
Greetings
Happy birthday to our celebrator today, Carlos “Linggoy” Araneta.
Advance birthday greetings to Starweek’s Lydia Castillo and Lizzie Atayde, March 27; President Rodrigo Duterte, Co Ban Kiat Hardware Inc. chairman and president Johnny Cobankiat and Betty Preysler, March 28; broadcast journalist Tina Monzon-Palma and Miguel Cerqueda, March 29; Bonifacio Landmark Realty and Development Corp. president Hans Hauri, Veana Fores, Jennifer Peña and Al Perez, March 30.
So, how was your week?
(For comments and inquiries, please e-mail me at jjlitton@indanet.com.)
https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/allure/2019/03/24/1903785/you-shall-return
Saturday, March 23, 2019
Sotto, Arroyo vow to end budget deadlock soon
SENATE President Vicente Sotto 3rd and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Friday vowed to end the budget deadlock that has pitted the two houses of Congress against each other.
Sotto said the House only needed to submit the measure as approved in February by the bicameral conference committee, which he would then submit to President Rodrigo Duterte for signature next week.
“Leave it as it is, what we ratified and what we agreed upon, [it should] remain in the budget for Public Works and Highways, which is already itemized originally in that state…if this happens, there’s no more problem with the rest of the budget,” the Senate chief said.
Senators claim the House tinkered with the approved budget and moved around some P95 billion in public works funds.
Arroyo said Congress would “end the impasse as soon as possible,” after she instructed a three-man team composed of Representatives Rolando Andaya Jr. of Camarines Sur, Edcel Lagman of Albay and Ronaldo Zamora of San Juan City to negotiate with the Senate.
The Senate panel consists of Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Loren Legarda and Senators Panfilo Lacson and Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan.
Arroyo denied anew her supposed hand in altering the already ratified 2019 national budget.
“We’ll end the impasse as soon as possible. That’s my instruction. I did not micromanage the putting together of the budget. I don’t want to micromanage also their negotiations because the ones who did the budget know what they did and know what their flexibilities are,” Arroyo said.
She initially denied that the House had withdrawn its version of the budget despite confirmation by Zamora on Monday.
But on Wednesday, the House “physically retrieved” its version of the budget it sent to the Senate last March 11 because the refusal of Sotto 3rd to sign the “pork-filled” measure.
https://www.manilatimes.net/sotto-arroyo-vow-to-end-budget-deadlock-soon/529764/
Sotto said the House only needed to submit the measure as approved in February by the bicameral conference committee, which he would then submit to President Rodrigo Duterte for signature next week.
“Leave it as it is, what we ratified and what we agreed upon, [it should] remain in the budget for Public Works and Highways, which is already itemized originally in that state…if this happens, there’s no more problem with the rest of the budget,” the Senate chief said.
Senators claim the House tinkered with the approved budget and moved around some P95 billion in public works funds.
Arroyo said Congress would “end the impasse as soon as possible,” after she instructed a three-man team composed of Representatives Rolando Andaya Jr. of Camarines Sur, Edcel Lagman of Albay and Ronaldo Zamora of San Juan City to negotiate with the Senate.
The Senate panel consists of Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Loren Legarda and Senators Panfilo Lacson and Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan.
Arroyo denied anew her supposed hand in altering the already ratified 2019 national budget.
“We’ll end the impasse as soon as possible. That’s my instruction. I did not micromanage the putting together of the budget. I don’t want to micromanage also their negotiations because the ones who did the budget know what they did and know what their flexibilities are,” Arroyo said.
She initially denied that the House had withdrawn its version of the budget despite confirmation by Zamora on Monday.
But on Wednesday, the House “physically retrieved” its version of the budget it sent to the Senate last March 11 because the refusal of Sotto 3rd to sign the “pork-filled” measure.
https://www.manilatimes.net/sotto-arroyo-vow-to-end-budget-deadlock-soon/529764/
Friday, March 22, 2019
Lone district for GenSan seen to spur growth
GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Residents can expect more developments with President Rodrigo R. Duterte's approval of the law that created a separate legislative or congressional district for this city.
This was according to Mayor Ronnel Rivera, who said Friday the city's lone congressional district complements the administration's initiatives to transform General Santos as one of the country’s premier cities.
Duterte signed on March 11 Republic Act (RA) 11243, which reapportioned the first district of South Cotabato and established a lone legislative district for the city.
“This is another milestone in the long and colorful history of this city that we should cherish. The people of this city have long been asking for this change to come and now it is finally here,” Rivera said in a statement.
He said the city will now have "better representation in the national government" as it moves forward with its goal of being the “economic beacon of South Cotabato.”
Rivera lauded Sen. Emmanuel Pacquiao and South Cotabato 1st District Rep. Pedro Acharon Jr. for pursuing the passage of RA 11243.
The city is currently part of the first legislative district of South Cotabato, along with the municipalities of Tampakan, Polomolok and Tupi. Under the new law, the city will become the third legislative district of the province while the three remaining towns will constitute the first district.
In a press conference on Thursday afternoon, South Cotabato Governor Daisy Avance-Fuentes said the creation of the new legislative district is a huge boost for the province in terms of development.
Fuentes said the three municipalities in the first district will now have bigger budget allocations for development projects.
“While GenSan will become a lone district, it will still remain as the third district of South Cotabato. That’s good for us because it means that its population and area will not be carved out of the province as part of the IRA (Internal Revenue Allotment) consideration,” the governor said.
Fuentes said the coming May 13 elections will be crucial as residents under the present first district will be voting for the “caretaker” of the two legislative areas as mandated by RA 11243.
“Whoever wins as representative of the first district will have three years to manage the congressional allocation for two districts,” she added. (PNA)
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065320
This was according to Mayor Ronnel Rivera, who said Friday the city's lone congressional district complements the administration's initiatives to transform General Santos as one of the country’s premier cities.
Duterte signed on March 11 Republic Act (RA) 11243, which reapportioned the first district of South Cotabato and established a lone legislative district for the city.
“This is another milestone in the long and colorful history of this city that we should cherish. The people of this city have long been asking for this change to come and now it is finally here,” Rivera said in a statement.
He said the city will now have "better representation in the national government" as it moves forward with its goal of being the “economic beacon of South Cotabato.”
Rivera lauded Sen. Emmanuel Pacquiao and South Cotabato 1st District Rep. Pedro Acharon Jr. for pursuing the passage of RA 11243.
The city is currently part of the first legislative district of South Cotabato, along with the municipalities of Tampakan, Polomolok and Tupi. Under the new law, the city will become the third legislative district of the province while the three remaining towns will constitute the first district.
In a press conference on Thursday afternoon, South Cotabato Governor Daisy Avance-Fuentes said the creation of the new legislative district is a huge boost for the province in terms of development.
Fuentes said the three municipalities in the first district will now have bigger budget allocations for development projects.
“While GenSan will become a lone district, it will still remain as the third district of South Cotabato. That’s good for us because it means that its population and area will not be carved out of the province as part of the IRA (Internal Revenue Allotment) consideration,” the governor said.
Fuentes said the coming May 13 elections will be crucial as residents under the present first district will be voting for the “caretaker” of the two legislative areas as mandated by RA 11243.
“Whoever wins as representative of the first district will have three years to manage the congressional allocation for two districts,” she added. (PNA)
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065320
GenSan LGU hopeful with creation of new congressional district
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 22 March) – The city government expects more developments in the city in the coming years, with the approval by President Rodrigo R. Duterte of the law that created a separate congressional district for the area.
Mayor Ronnel Rivera said Friday the move mainly complements with the efforts of the local government and stakeholders to transform the area into one of the country’s premiere cities.
The President signed last March 11 Republic Act (RA) 11243, which reapportioned the first district of South Cotabato and established a lone legislative district for the city.
“This is another milestone in the long and colorful history of this city that we should cherish. The people of this city has long been asking for this change to come and now it is finally here,” the mayor said in a statement.
With the city now a lone congressional district, Rivera said it will have a better representation in the national government.
He urged residents “to take part in this historic change in the city” as it moves forward with the plans to establish the area as the “economic beacon of South Cotabato.”
“This is the perfect time where we can fully utilize all of our resources to ensure that GenSan will become a premier city of the country,” Rivera said.
He lauded Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao and South Cotabato first district Rep. Pedro Acharon Jr. for pursuing the passage of RA 11243 in the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The city is currently part of the first legislative district of South Cotabato, along with the municipalities of Tampakan, Polomolok and Tupi.
Under the new law, the city will become the third legislative district of the province while the three remaining towns will constitute the first district.
In a press conference on Thursday afternoon, South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes said the creation of the new legislative district is a huge boost for the province in terms of development.
She said the three municipalities in the first district will now have its own congressional allocation for development projects.
“While GenSan will become a lone district, it will still remain as a third district of South Cotabato. That’s good for us because it means that its population and area will not be carved out of the province as part of the IRA (Internal Revenue Allotment) consideration,” she said.
Fuentes said the coming May 13 elections will be crucial as residents under the present first district will be voting for the “caretaker” of the two legislative areas as set in RA 11243.
“Whoever wins as representative of the first district will have three years to manage the congressional allocation for two districts,” she added. (MindaNews)
https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2019/03/gensan-lgu-hopeful-with-creation-of-new-congressional-district/
Mayor Ronnel Rivera said Friday the move mainly complements with the efforts of the local government and stakeholders to transform the area into one of the country’s premiere cities.
The President signed last March 11 Republic Act (RA) 11243, which reapportioned the first district of South Cotabato and established a lone legislative district for the city.
“This is another milestone in the long and colorful history of this city that we should cherish. The people of this city has long been asking for this change to come and now it is finally here,” the mayor said in a statement.
With the city now a lone congressional district, Rivera said it will have a better representation in the national government.
He urged residents “to take part in this historic change in the city” as it moves forward with the plans to establish the area as the “economic beacon of South Cotabato.”
“This is the perfect time where we can fully utilize all of our resources to ensure that GenSan will become a premier city of the country,” Rivera said.
He lauded Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao and South Cotabato first district Rep. Pedro Acharon Jr. for pursuing the passage of RA 11243 in the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The city is currently part of the first legislative district of South Cotabato, along with the municipalities of Tampakan, Polomolok and Tupi.
Under the new law, the city will become the third legislative district of the province while the three remaining towns will constitute the first district.
In a press conference on Thursday afternoon, South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes said the creation of the new legislative district is a huge boost for the province in terms of development.
She said the three municipalities in the first district will now have its own congressional allocation for development projects.
“While GenSan will become a lone district, it will still remain as a third district of South Cotabato. That’s good for us because it means that its population and area will not be carved out of the province as part of the IRA (Internal Revenue Allotment) consideration,” she said.
Fuentes said the coming May 13 elections will be crucial as residents under the present first district will be voting for the “caretaker” of the two legislative areas as set in RA 11243.
“Whoever wins as representative of the first district will have three years to manage the congressional allocation for two districts,” she added. (MindaNews)
https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2019/03/gensan-lgu-hopeful-with-creation-of-new-congressional-district/
General Santos City is now 3rd legislative district of South Cotabato
PRESIDENT RODRIGO Duterte signed into law a bill creating the lone legislative district of General Santos City in South Cotabato province. Duterte signed Republic Act 11243 on March 11 and a copy of which was released to media only recently.
General Santos City is currently part of the province’s first legislative district.
Under the law, “The First Legislative District of the Province of South Cotabato is hereby reapportioned in order to create the Lone Legislative District of General Santos City to commence in the next national and local elections after the effectivity of this Act.”
The legislative districts of South Cotabato will now be composed of: First Legislative District: Polomolok, Tampakan and Tupi. Second Legislative District: Koronadal City, Banga, Lake Sebu, Norala, Santo Niño, Surallah, Tantangan and T’Boli. And the Third Legislative District is now General Santos City.
The new law states that “the incumbent Representatives of the present First and Second Legislative Districts of the Province of South Cotabato shall continue to represent the districts until the new Representatives shall have been elected and qualified.”
Moreover, “the Commission on Elections shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act within 30 days after its effectivity”. General Santos is classified as a highly urbanized first-class city and the 15th most populous city in the country with 594,446 inhabitants as per 2015 census, according to the Philippine Information Agency.
The Act was passed by the House of Representatives on May 2, 2017, amended by the Senate on September 3, 2018 and which amendments were concurred in by the House of Representatives on January 29, 2019. (Azer Parrocha)
https://mindanaoexaminer.com/general-santos-city-is-now-3rd-legislative-district-of-south-cotabato/
General Santos City is currently part of the province’s first legislative district.
Under the law, “The First Legislative District of the Province of South Cotabato is hereby reapportioned in order to create the Lone Legislative District of General Santos City to commence in the next national and local elections after the effectivity of this Act.”
The legislative districts of South Cotabato will now be composed of: First Legislative District: Polomolok, Tampakan and Tupi. Second Legislative District: Koronadal City, Banga, Lake Sebu, Norala, Santo Niño, Surallah, Tantangan and T’Boli. And the Third Legislative District is now General Santos City.
The new law states that “the incumbent Representatives of the present First and Second Legislative Districts of the Province of South Cotabato shall continue to represent the districts until the new Representatives shall have been elected and qualified.”
Moreover, “the Commission on Elections shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act within 30 days after its effectivity”. General Santos is classified as a highly urbanized first-class city and the 15th most populous city in the country with 594,446 inhabitants as per 2015 census, according to the Philippine Information Agency.
The Act was passed by the House of Representatives on May 2, 2017, amended by the Senate on September 3, 2018 and which amendments were concurred in by the House of Representatives on January 29, 2019. (Azer Parrocha)
https://mindanaoexaminer.com/general-santos-city-is-now-3rd-legislative-district-of-south-cotabato/
Thursday, March 21, 2019
Law creating lone General Santos district signed
President Duterte has signed a law creating the lone legislative district of General Santos City.
Republic Act 11243 reapportions the first legislative district of South Cotabato to pave way for the creation of a separate district of General Santos.
The law divides South Cotabato into three legislative districts, with the first district composed of Polomolok, Tampakan and Tupi.
Koronadal City, Banga, Lake Sebu, Norala, Sto. Niño, Surallah, Tantangan and T’Boli will compose the second district while General Santos will compose the third district.
The incumbent representatives of the first and second legislative districts of South Cotabato shall continue to represent the existing districts until the election of the new representatives.
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2019/03/21/1903148/law-creating-lone-general-santos-district-signed
Republic Act 11243 reapportions the first legislative district of South Cotabato to pave way for the creation of a separate district of General Santos.
The law divides South Cotabato into three legislative districts, with the first district composed of Polomolok, Tampakan and Tupi.
Koronadal City, Banga, Lake Sebu, Norala, Sto. Niño, Surallah, Tantangan and T’Boli will compose the second district while General Santos will compose the third district.
The incumbent representatives of the first and second legislative districts of South Cotabato shall continue to represent the existing districts until the election of the new representatives.
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2019/03/21/1903148/law-creating-lone-general-santos-district-signed
GenSan City now a legislative district
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has reapportioned the First District of South Cotabato province in southern Mindanao to create General Santos (GenSan) City as a legislative district.
Duterte on March 11 signed Republic Act 11243, copies of which were given to members of media nine days later.
Under the law, the First District of South Cotabato will be composed of the towns of Polomolok, Tampakan and Tupi.
The Second District will have Koronadal City, Banga, Lake Sebu, Norala, Santo Nino, Surallah, Tantangan and T’boli.
General Santos City will be the Third District.
The incumbent representatives of the first and second districts of South Cotabato will continue to represent their respective districts until the new congressman for the lone legislative district is elected in the midterm elections in May this year.
The Commission on Elections will issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement the law within 30 days of its effectivity.
The law will be in force 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette and in a newspaper of general circulation.
https://www.manilatimes.net/gensan-city-now-a-legislative-district/528953/
Duterte on March 11 signed Republic Act 11243, copies of which were given to members of media nine days later.
Under the law, the First District of South Cotabato will be composed of the towns of Polomolok, Tampakan and Tupi.
The Second District will have Koronadal City, Banga, Lake Sebu, Norala, Santo Nino, Surallah, Tantangan and T’boli.
General Santos City will be the Third District.
The incumbent representatives of the first and second districts of South Cotabato will continue to represent their respective districts until the new congressman for the lone legislative district is elected in the midterm elections in May this year.
The Commission on Elections will issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement the law within 30 days of its effectivity.
The law will be in force 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette and in a newspaper of general circulation.
https://www.manilatimes.net/gensan-city-now-a-legislative-district/528953/
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Duterte signs law creating lone district of General Santos City
By Argyll Geducos
President Duterte signed Republic Act (RA) No. 11243 reapportioning the first legislative district of the province of South Cotabato which effectively creates the lone legislative district of General Santos City.
Under the new law, signed March 11, the first legislative district of the province will be composed of Polompok, Tamapakan, and Tupi.
The Second Legislative District will be composed of Koronadal City, Banga, Lake Sebu, Norala, Santo Niño, Surallah, Tantangan, and T’Boli.
General Santos City will be the province’s third legislative district.
Based on the new law, the incumbent representatives of the present First and Second Legislative District of the province shall continue to represent the districts until the new representatives have been duly elected and qualified in the next elections after the law takes effect.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is also mandated to issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement the Act within 30 days after its effectivity.
The law will take effect 15 days after it gets published in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
RA 11243 originated by the House of Representatives and was passed by members of the Lower House on May 2, 2017. It was amended by the Senate on September 3, 2018. Amendments were concurred in by the Lower House on January 29 this year.
This is the sixth law on reapportionments of congressional districts signed by President Duterte. It follows legislative district changes in Aklan, Isabela, Cavite, Calamba City in Laguna, and Southern Leyte.
House Bill 5162 was filed by South Cotabato (1st District) Representative Pedro Acharon Jr.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/03/20/duterte-signs-law-creating-lone-district-of-general-santos-city/
President Duterte signed Republic Act (RA) No. 11243 reapportioning the first legislative district of the province of South Cotabato which effectively creates the lone legislative district of General Santos City.
Under the new law, signed March 11, the first legislative district of the province will be composed of Polompok, Tamapakan, and Tupi.
The Second Legislative District will be composed of Koronadal City, Banga, Lake Sebu, Norala, Santo Niño, Surallah, Tantangan, and T’Boli.
General Santos City will be the province’s third legislative district.
Based on the new law, the incumbent representatives of the present First and Second Legislative District of the province shall continue to represent the districts until the new representatives have been duly elected and qualified in the next elections after the law takes effect.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is also mandated to issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement the Act within 30 days after its effectivity.
The law will take effect 15 days after it gets published in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
RA 11243 originated by the House of Representatives and was passed by members of the Lower House on May 2, 2017. It was amended by the Senate on September 3, 2018. Amendments were concurred in by the Lower House on January 29 this year.
This is the sixth law on reapportionments of congressional districts signed by President Duterte. It follows legislative district changes in Aklan, Isabela, Cavite, Calamba City in Laguna, and Southern Leyte.
House Bill 5162 was filed by South Cotabato (1st District) Representative Pedro Acharon Jr.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/03/20/duterte-signs-law-creating-lone-district-of-general-santos-city/
GenSan now a separate legislative district
President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure that would create a separate legislative district for General Santos City.
The city, currently part of the first district of South Cotabato, will compose the third legislative district of the province under Republic Act 11243, which Duterte signed on March 11. The new law was made public Wednesday.
Polomolok, Tampakan, and Tupi remain to be part of the first legislative district, while Koronadal City, Banga, Lake Sebu, Norala, Santo Niño, Surallah, Tantangan, and T’Boli comprise the second legislative district.
The incumbent lawmakers of the first and second legislative districts will continue to represent the districts until new representatives are elected.
The Commission on Elections shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement this act within 30 days after its effectivity.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/20/19/gensan-now-a-separate-legislative-district
The city, currently part of the first district of South Cotabato, will compose the third legislative district of the province under Republic Act 11243, which Duterte signed on March 11. The new law was made public Wednesday.
Polomolok, Tampakan, and Tupi remain to be part of the first legislative district, while Koronadal City, Banga, Lake Sebu, Norala, Santo Niño, Surallah, Tantangan, and T’Boli comprise the second legislative district.
The incumbent lawmakers of the first and second legislative districts will continue to represent the districts until new representatives are elected.
The Commission on Elections shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement this act within 30 days after its effectivity.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/20/19/gensan-now-a-separate-legislative-district
General Santos City gets own congressional district
The province of South Cotabato now has 3 legislative districts
General Santos City will soon have its own representative in the House.
Republic Act No. 11243, signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on March 11, carved General Santos City out of South Cotabato's first district. It becomes the province's third legislative district.
The towns of Polomolok, Tampakan, and Tupi will remain in the first district. The 2nd district of South Cotabato, on the other hand, will continue to include Koronadal City and the municipalities of Banga, Lake Sebu, Norala, Santo Niño, Surallah, Tantangan, and T'Boli.
It remains unclear if the new district will get to elect its representative in the coming May elections. Even the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is not sure.
Section 2 of the law simply states: "The incumbent Representatives of the present First and Second Legislative Districts of the Province of South Cotabato shall continue to represent the districts until the new Representatives shall have been elected and qualified."
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez told Rappler he "can't say right now" whether the election for the new district will happen on May 13, because "there is a process for that."
General Santos City has a population of 594,446, according to the 2015 census. For the 2019 elections, it has a voting population of 301,106.
The Comelec should issue the rules and regulations to implement RA 11243 within 30 days after the law's effectivity. The law will take effect 15 days after its publication in the government's Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
This is the 6th law on reapportionments of congressional districts under President Duterte. It follows legislative district changes in Aklan, Isabela, Cavite, Calamba City in Laguna, and Southern Leyte.
https://www.rappler.com/nation/226221-general-santos-city-new-congressional-district-march-2019
General Santos City will soon have its own representative in the House.
Republic Act No. 11243, signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on March 11, carved General Santos City out of South Cotabato's first district. It becomes the province's third legislative district.
The towns of Polomolok, Tampakan, and Tupi will remain in the first district. The 2nd district of South Cotabato, on the other hand, will continue to include Koronadal City and the municipalities of Banga, Lake Sebu, Norala, Santo Niño, Surallah, Tantangan, and T'Boli.
It remains unclear if the new district will get to elect its representative in the coming May elections. Even the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is not sure.
Section 2 of the law simply states: "The incumbent Representatives of the present First and Second Legislative Districts of the Province of South Cotabato shall continue to represent the districts until the new Representatives shall have been elected and qualified."
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez told Rappler he "can't say right now" whether the election for the new district will happen on May 13, because "there is a process for that."
General Santos City has a population of 594,446, according to the 2015 census. For the 2019 elections, it has a voting population of 301,106.
The Comelec should issue the rules and regulations to implement RA 11243 within 30 days after the law's effectivity. The law will take effect 15 days after its publication in the government's Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
This is the 6th law on reapportionments of congressional districts under President Duterte. It follows legislative district changes in Aklan, Isabela, Cavite, Calamba City in Laguna, and Southern Leyte.
https://www.rappler.com/nation/226221-general-santos-city-new-congressional-district-march-2019
Duterte signs law making GenSan separate district
President Rodrigo R. Duterte has signed into law a bill creating the lone legislative district of General Santos City in the province of South Cotabato.
Duterte signed Republic Act 11243 on March 11 and a copy of which was released to media on Wednesday (March 20).
Under the law, “The First Legislative District of the Province of South Cotabato is hereby reapportioned in order to create the Lone Legislative District of General Santos City to commence in the next national and local elections after the effectivity of this Act.”
General Santos City is currently part of the province’s first district. The new law, however, established General Santos as the third district.
The legislative districts of South Cotabato will now be composed of:
(a) First Legislative District
(1) Polomolok
(2) Tampakan
(3) Tupi
(b) Second Legislative District
(1) Koronadal City
(2) Banga
(3) Lake Sebu
(4) Norala
(5) Santo Niño
(6) Surallah
(7) Tantangan
(8) T’Boli
(c) Third Legislative District
(1) General Santos City
The new law states that “the incumbent Representatives of the present First and Second Legislative Districts of the Province of South Cotabato shall continue to represent the districts until the new Representatives shall have been elected and qualified.”
Moreover, “the Commission on Elections shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act within 30 days after its effectivity”.
General Santos is the Philippines’ southernmost city, classified as a highly urbanized first-class city and the 15th most populous city in the country with 594,446 inhabitants as per 2015 census, according to the Philippine Information Agency.
This act shall take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
This Act which originated in the House of Representatives was passed by the House of Representatives on May 2, 2017, amended by the Senate on Sept. 3, 2018 and which amendments were concurred in by the House of Representatives on Jan. 29, 2019. (PNA)
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065106
Duterte signed Republic Act 11243 on March 11 and a copy of which was released to media on Wednesday (March 20).
Under the law, “The First Legislative District of the Province of South Cotabato is hereby reapportioned in order to create the Lone Legislative District of General Santos City to commence in the next national and local elections after the effectivity of this Act.”
General Santos City is currently part of the province’s first district. The new law, however, established General Santos as the third district.
The legislative districts of South Cotabato will now be composed of:
(a) First Legislative District
(1) Polomolok
(2) Tampakan
(3) Tupi
(b) Second Legislative District
(1) Koronadal City
(2) Banga
(3) Lake Sebu
(4) Norala
(5) Santo Niño
(6) Surallah
(7) Tantangan
(8) T’Boli
(c) Third Legislative District
(1) General Santos City
The new law states that “the incumbent Representatives of the present First and Second Legislative Districts of the Province of South Cotabato shall continue to represent the districts until the new Representatives shall have been elected and qualified.”
Moreover, “the Commission on Elections shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act within 30 days after its effectivity”.
General Santos is the Philippines’ southernmost city, classified as a highly urbanized first-class city and the 15th most populous city in the country with 594,446 inhabitants as per 2015 census, according to the Philippine Information Agency.
This act shall take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
This Act which originated in the House of Representatives was passed by the House of Representatives on May 2, 2017, amended by the Senate on Sept. 3, 2018 and which amendments were concurred in by the House of Representatives on Jan. 29, 2019. (PNA)
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065106
Duterte signs law creating lone district of General Santos
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law that creates the lone legislative district of General Santos City.
Duterte signed Republic Act 11243 on March 11.
Under the law, the first legislative district of South Cotabato will be composed of Polomolok, Tampakan and Tupi.
Koronadal City, Banga, Lake Sebu, Norala, Santo Niño, Surallah, Tantangan and T’boli will be under the second district.
General Santos City will be the third legislative district.
The incumbent representatives of the first and second legislative districts of South Cotabato will continue to represent their respective districts until the new congressmen will be elected in May.
The law will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper. Ralph Edwin U. Villanueva
https://www.manilatimes.net/duterte-signs-law-creating-lone-district-of-general-santos/528428/
Duterte signed Republic Act 11243 on March 11.
Under the law, the first legislative district of South Cotabato will be composed of Polomolok, Tampakan and Tupi.
Koronadal City, Banga, Lake Sebu, Norala, Santo Niño, Surallah, Tantangan and T’boli will be under the second district.
General Santos City will be the third legislative district.
The incumbent representatives of the first and second legislative districts of South Cotabato will continue to represent their respective districts until the new congressmen will be elected in May.
The law will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper. Ralph Edwin U. Villanueva
https://www.manilatimes.net/duterte-signs-law-creating-lone-district-of-general-santos/528428/
Duterte signs law making GenSan a separate legislative district
President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure creating the lone congressional district of General Santos City in the province of South Cotabato.
Duterte signed on March 11 Republic Act 11243, or An Act Reapportioning the First Legislative District of the Province of South Cotabato, thereby creating the Lone Legislative District of General Santos City. A copy of the law was released to media on Wednesday.
General Santos City, an independent and highly-urbanized locality, is presently part of the province’s first district. With the signing of the law, the city will now represent the province’s third legislative district.
Under the new law, the legislative districts of the province shall now be composed of:
First Legislative District: Polomolok, Tamapakan and Tupi
Second Legislative District: Koronadal City, Banga, Lake Sebu, Norala, Santo Niño, Surallah, Tantangan and T’Boli
Third Legislative District: General Santos City
The incumbent representatives of the present First and Second Legislative District of South Cotabato shall continue to represent the districts until the new representatives have been duly elected and qualified, the law states.
The Commission on Elections is also mandated by the law to “issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act within thirty (30) days after its effectivity.” /cbb
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1097818/duterte-signs-law-making-gensan-a-separate-legislative-district
Duterte signed on March 11 Republic Act 11243, or An Act Reapportioning the First Legislative District of the Province of South Cotabato, thereby creating the Lone Legislative District of General Santos City. A copy of the law was released to media on Wednesday.
General Santos City, an independent and highly-urbanized locality, is presently part of the province’s first district. With the signing of the law, the city will now represent the province’s third legislative district.
Under the new law, the legislative districts of the province shall now be composed of:
First Legislative District: Polomolok, Tamapakan and Tupi
Second Legislative District: Koronadal City, Banga, Lake Sebu, Norala, Santo Niño, Surallah, Tantangan and T’Boli
Third Legislative District: General Santos City
The incumbent representatives of the present First and Second Legislative District of South Cotabato shall continue to represent the districts until the new representatives have been duly elected and qualified, the law states.
The Commission on Elections is also mandated by the law to “issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act within thirty (30) days after its effectivity.” /cbb
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1097818/duterte-signs-law-making-gensan-a-separate-legislative-district
Signing of partnerships for the Inquirer Lifestyle series Fitness Fashion with Samsung show
Inquirer Lifestyle renewed its contract with Samsung on February 1, 2019, in time for the fashion show's 11th anniversary on July 31, 2019.
Spotted at the signing were: Philippine Daily Inquirer chairman Raul Palabrica, president and CEO Alessandra Prieto-Romualdez, publisher Raul Pangalanan, founding editor Eugenia Apostol, executive editor Joseph Voltaire Contreas, lifestyle editor Thelma Sioson-San Juan, Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation president and managing director Kevin Lee, HSBC Philippines president Graham FitzGerald, Mastercard Philippines president and country manager Poch Villa-Real, Philippine Airlines, Inc. President and COO Jaime Bautista, Rustans Commercial Corporation President Zenaida Tantoco, San Miguel Corporation chairman and CEO Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr., Smart Chairman and President and CEO Manuel Pangilinan and SM Aura Premier mall manager Margarita de Leon.
The Fitness Fashion is flagship runway project of Samsung and Inquirer Lifestyle was held at the Rigodon Ballroom of the Peninsula Manila in Makati City held last July 31, 2008.
The show had 12 sought-after designers melding their creations with the latest brand collections: Kipling with Vic Barba; Fila with Lulu Tan-Gan; Nike Golf with Anthony Nocom; Speedo with Louis Claparols; Adidas with Patrice Ramos-Diaz and Rhett Eala; Marks & Spencer with Arcy Gayatin; Aigle and Oxbow with Rajo Laurel; Bench with Joey Samson; and Puma with Ivarluski Aseron and Randy Ortiz.
“Fitness.Fashion” also scored a coup with the runway debut of fitness enthusiast and sports advocate Sen. Pia Cayetano. Other guest models were Akiko Thompson, Amanda Carpo, Rina Go, Paolo Abrera, Phoemela Baranda, Svetlana Osmeña, Jeena Lopez, Enchong Dee, LA Aguinaldo, Ruby Gan, Fely Atienza, Trishan Cuazo, catwalk queens Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez and Apples Aberin-Sadhwani, and Inquirer’s own Tessa Prieto-Valdes and Leica Carpo.
Plus including Kennevic and Kennie Asuncion, Jacob Benedicto, Japoy Lizardo, Joaqui Mendoza, Nica Calapatan, Tim Polero, Katrice delos Reyes, Micco Sollano, Marielle Infantado, Kyle Arrieta, Eugene Herrera, Carlos Dala, Prince Carlos, Fille Cainglet, Maruja Banaticla, Jessey de Leon, Princess Gaiser, Therese Gaston, Dzi Gervacio, Melissa Gohing, Michele Gumabao, Aerieal Patnongon, Mika Reyes, Alyssa Valdez, Gretchen Ho, Kara Acevedo, Karlo Martin Santos, Leila Alcasid, Charlie Dizon, Karl Gabriel, Diony Hipolito, Tony Labrusca, Anna Luna, Zonia Mejia, Patty Mendoza, Donny Pangilinan, Markus Paterson, Inigo Pascual, Miko Raval, Daniella Stranner, Yasmine Suarez, Chantal Videla, Henz Villaraiz, Simon Atkins, Gwyne Capacio, Luigi dela Paz, Nico Elorde, Jeric Fortuna, Isaac Lim, Brent Paraiso, Jed Manguera, Aljun Melecio, Gab Reyes, Martin Reyes, Alfred Sajulga, Jan Sobrevega, Xavier Senoren, Renzo Subido, Axel Torres, Gab Banal, Woody Co, Isaac Go, Robin Tan, TY Tang, Chris Tiu, Jeric Teng, Jeron Teng, Tyler Tio, Norbert Torres, Thomas Torres, Arnold van Opstal, Yutien Andrada, Arvie Bringas, Ryan Buenafe, Roland Anthony del Rio, John Lester Dela Cruz, Fritz Delgado, Jeric Estrada, Alfren Gayosa, Paul Lee, Jon Macasaet, Mark Magno, Kenneth Mamaril, Arvin Jay Vitug, Arnold Vosotros, Paolo Javelona, Kyles Lao, Jarrell Lim, Kib Montalbo, Bobby Ray Parks, Von Pessumal, Joshua Torralba, Karol Vitangcol, Joshua Webb, Noah Webb, Juami Tiongson, Anton Asistio, Carlo Balmaceda, Gabe Capacio, Frank Golla, Emman Monfort, Giboy Babilonia, Jolo Riego de Dios, JP Erram, Kevin Ferrer, Genesis Manuel, Kurt Mikael Aguilar, BJ Andrade, SJ Belangel, Jeb Bello, RV Berjay, Kevin Jonathan Chu, Jason Credo, Robi Domingo, Charles Dumrique, Marck Espejo, Neil Patrick Flores, Mike Gamboa, Javier Gayoso, Shaun and Dave Ildefonso, Rex Intal, Ivan Jose, Enzo Joson, Ton Joson, Canciano Llenos, Gian Mamuyac, Joaquin Enrico Manuel, Jolo Mendoza, Carlos Monfort, Matt and Mike Nieto, JP Pareja, Martin Javier Pascual, Paolo Pe, Kris Porter, Kiefer Ravena, Thirdy Ravena, Jan Resurreccion, Jai Reyes, Tomie Rivera, Paolo Romero, Gavin Rosario, Raphael Santos, Kyle Suarez, Lambert Tenorio, Robert Bolick, Josef Elizalde, John Gob, Manolo Pedrosa, AJ Perez, Bruce Quebral, Mikee Reyes, Prince Rivero, Ricci Rivero, Kobe Paras, Gelo Vito, Van Abatayo, Lancelot Abude, Carmelo Afuang, Baser Amer, Joshua Caracut, Art Dela Cruz, Adven Jess Diputado, Alfonzo Gotladera, Axel Iñigo, Aljon Mariano, James Martinez, Javee Mocon, Dave Moralde, Ryan Monteclaro, Francis Munsayac, Alvin Padilla, LA Revilla, Eric Salamat, Nico Salva, Roldan Sara, Santi Santillan, Encho Serrano, Arvin Tolentino, Jacob Ochoa, Jinggoy Valmayor, Kenzo Gutierrez, Mikko Mabanag and Lukas Magallano, kart racers Matteo Guidicelli, Tyson Sy and Mark Bumgarner, race car driver Enzo Pastor, Illac Diaz, Ginggay Joven-dela Merced, Paco Magsaysay, Maggie Wilson, Divine Lee, Camille Villar, Mons Romulo-Tantoco, Luke Jickain, Robby Mananquil, Zanjoe Marudo, Joseph Marco, David Chua, Jake Cuenca, Victor Basa, Jon Avila, Priscilla Meirelles, Kristine Hermosa and Anton San Diego.
The show was supported by L’Oreal Phils. and Swatch.
Official mall partners are SM Supermalls, Robinsons Malls, Ayala Malls, Araneta Center, Star Malls and Trinoma Mall.
Our official media partners are ABS-CBN, People’s Television Network (PTV-4), ABC TV5, GMA-7, RPN-9, Q Channel 11, IBC-13, Studio 23, NET 25, ANC: ABS-CBN News Channel, ETC: Entertainment Central, GNN: Global News Network, Lifestyle Network, Living Asia Channel, Asian Journal, Panay News, DZBB Radyo Bisig-Bayan 594, DZMM Radyo Patrol 630, DZRH, Campus Radio 97.1 WLS-FM, RJ 100.3 FM, 90.7 Love Radio, 939 KCFM, 96.3 WRocK, 101.1 YES! FM, MOR 101.9 My Only Radio For Life and Focus Media Audiovisuals.
Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the guest of honor in the occasion, gave her greetings and message to the crowd. In attendance, also were watching the show are some members of the cabinet; former presidents Joseph Estrada, Fidel Ramos and Corazon Aquino; Sen. Benigno Aquino III, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Executive Assistant and Personal Aide Christopher Lawrence Go, Naga City first lady Leni Robredo, CBCP president Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, several senators led by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile; several congressmen led by House Speaker Prospero Nograles; and friends of El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde from the business, entertainment, media, legal, and religious sector.
Guest of Honor:
Spotted at the signing were: Philippine Daily Inquirer chairman Raul Palabrica, president and CEO Alessandra Prieto-Romualdez, publisher Raul Pangalanan, founding editor Eugenia Apostol, executive editor Joseph Voltaire Contreas, lifestyle editor Thelma Sioson-San Juan, Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation president and managing director Kevin Lee, HSBC Philippines president Graham FitzGerald, Mastercard Philippines president and country manager Poch Villa-Real, Philippine Airlines, Inc. President and COO Jaime Bautista, Rustans Commercial Corporation President Zenaida Tantoco, San Miguel Corporation chairman and CEO Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr., Smart Chairman and President and CEO Manuel Pangilinan and SM Aura Premier mall manager Margarita de Leon.
The Fitness Fashion is flagship runway project of Samsung and Inquirer Lifestyle was held at the Rigodon Ballroom of the Peninsula Manila in Makati City held last July 31, 2008.
The show had 12 sought-after designers melding their creations with the latest brand collections: Kipling with Vic Barba; Fila with Lulu Tan-Gan; Nike Golf with Anthony Nocom; Speedo with Louis Claparols; Adidas with Patrice Ramos-Diaz and Rhett Eala; Marks & Spencer with Arcy Gayatin; Aigle and Oxbow with Rajo Laurel; Bench with Joey Samson; and Puma with Ivarluski Aseron and Randy Ortiz.
“Fitness.Fashion” also scored a coup with the runway debut of fitness enthusiast and sports advocate Sen. Pia Cayetano. Other guest models were Akiko Thompson, Amanda Carpo, Rina Go, Paolo Abrera, Phoemela Baranda, Svetlana Osmeña, Jeena Lopez, Enchong Dee, LA Aguinaldo, Ruby Gan, Fely Atienza, Trishan Cuazo, catwalk queens Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez and Apples Aberin-Sadhwani, and Inquirer’s own Tessa Prieto-Valdes and Leica Carpo.
Plus including Kennevic and Kennie Asuncion, Jacob Benedicto, Japoy Lizardo, Joaqui Mendoza, Nica Calapatan, Tim Polero, Katrice delos Reyes, Micco Sollano, Marielle Infantado, Kyle Arrieta, Eugene Herrera, Carlos Dala, Prince Carlos, Fille Cainglet, Maruja Banaticla, Jessey de Leon, Princess Gaiser, Therese Gaston, Dzi Gervacio, Melissa Gohing, Michele Gumabao, Aerieal Patnongon, Mika Reyes, Alyssa Valdez, Gretchen Ho, Kara Acevedo, Karlo Martin Santos, Leila Alcasid, Charlie Dizon, Karl Gabriel, Diony Hipolito, Tony Labrusca, Anna Luna, Zonia Mejia, Patty Mendoza, Donny Pangilinan, Markus Paterson, Inigo Pascual, Miko Raval, Daniella Stranner, Yasmine Suarez, Chantal Videla, Henz Villaraiz, Simon Atkins, Gwyne Capacio, Luigi dela Paz, Nico Elorde, Jeric Fortuna, Isaac Lim, Brent Paraiso, Jed Manguera, Aljun Melecio, Gab Reyes, Martin Reyes, Alfred Sajulga, Jan Sobrevega, Xavier Senoren, Renzo Subido, Axel Torres, Gab Banal, Woody Co, Isaac Go, Robin Tan, TY Tang, Chris Tiu, Jeric Teng, Jeron Teng, Tyler Tio, Norbert Torres, Thomas Torres, Arnold van Opstal, Yutien Andrada, Arvie Bringas, Ryan Buenafe, Roland Anthony del Rio, John Lester Dela Cruz, Fritz Delgado, Jeric Estrada, Alfren Gayosa, Paul Lee, Jon Macasaet, Mark Magno, Kenneth Mamaril, Arvin Jay Vitug, Arnold Vosotros, Paolo Javelona, Kyles Lao, Jarrell Lim, Kib Montalbo, Bobby Ray Parks, Von Pessumal, Joshua Torralba, Karol Vitangcol, Joshua Webb, Noah Webb, Juami Tiongson, Anton Asistio, Carlo Balmaceda, Gabe Capacio, Frank Golla, Emman Monfort, Giboy Babilonia, Jolo Riego de Dios, JP Erram, Kevin Ferrer, Genesis Manuel, Kurt Mikael Aguilar, BJ Andrade, SJ Belangel, Jeb Bello, RV Berjay, Kevin Jonathan Chu, Jason Credo, Robi Domingo, Charles Dumrique, Marck Espejo, Neil Patrick Flores, Mike Gamboa, Javier Gayoso, Shaun and Dave Ildefonso, Rex Intal, Ivan Jose, Enzo Joson, Ton Joson, Canciano Llenos, Gian Mamuyac, Joaquin Enrico Manuel, Jolo Mendoza, Carlos Monfort, Matt and Mike Nieto, JP Pareja, Martin Javier Pascual, Paolo Pe, Kris Porter, Kiefer Ravena, Thirdy Ravena, Jan Resurreccion, Jai Reyes, Tomie Rivera, Paolo Romero, Gavin Rosario, Raphael Santos, Kyle Suarez, Lambert Tenorio, Robert Bolick, Josef Elizalde, John Gob, Manolo Pedrosa, AJ Perez, Bruce Quebral, Mikee Reyes, Prince Rivero, Ricci Rivero, Kobe Paras, Gelo Vito, Van Abatayo, Lancelot Abude, Carmelo Afuang, Baser Amer, Joshua Caracut, Art Dela Cruz, Adven Jess Diputado, Alfonzo Gotladera, Axel Iñigo, Aljon Mariano, James Martinez, Javee Mocon, Dave Moralde, Ryan Monteclaro, Francis Munsayac, Alvin Padilla, LA Revilla, Eric Salamat, Nico Salva, Roldan Sara, Santi Santillan, Encho Serrano, Arvin Tolentino, Jacob Ochoa, Jinggoy Valmayor, Kenzo Gutierrez, Mikko Mabanag and Lukas Magallano, kart racers Matteo Guidicelli, Tyson Sy and Mark Bumgarner, race car driver Enzo Pastor, Illac Diaz, Ginggay Joven-dela Merced, Paco Magsaysay, Maggie Wilson, Divine Lee, Camille Villar, Mons Romulo-Tantoco, Luke Jickain, Robby Mananquil, Zanjoe Marudo, Joseph Marco, David Chua, Jake Cuenca, Victor Basa, Jon Avila, Priscilla Meirelles, Kristine Hermosa and Anton San Diego.
Official mall partners are SM Supermalls, Robinsons Malls, Ayala Malls, Araneta Center, Star Malls and Trinoma Mall.
Our official media partners are ABS-CBN, People’s Television Network (PTV-4), ABC TV5, GMA-7, RPN-9, Q Channel 11, IBC-13, Studio 23, NET 25, ANC: ABS-CBN News Channel, ETC: Entertainment Central, GNN: Global News Network, Lifestyle Network, Living Asia Channel, Asian Journal, Panay News, DZBB Radyo Bisig-Bayan 594, DZMM Radyo Patrol 630, DZRH, Campus Radio 97.1 WLS-FM, RJ 100.3 FM, 90.7 Love Radio, 939 KCFM, 96.3 WRocK, 101.1 YES! FM, MOR 101.9 My Only Radio For Life and Focus Media Audiovisuals.
Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the guest of honor in the occasion, gave her greetings and message to the crowd. In attendance, also were watching the show are some members of the cabinet; former presidents Joseph Estrada, Fidel Ramos and Corazon Aquino; Sen. Benigno Aquino III, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Executive Assistant and Personal Aide Christopher Lawrence Go, Naga City first lady Leni Robredo, CBCP president Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, several senators led by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile; several congressmen led by House Speaker Prospero Nograles; and friends of El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde from the business, entertainment, media, legal, and religious sector.
Guest of Honor:
- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Guests
- Vice President Noli de Castro
- House Speaker Prospero C. Nograles
- Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile
- Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno
- Former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada
- Former President Fidel V. Ramos
- Former President Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino
- Senator Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III
- Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte
- Davao City Vice Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio
- Executive Assistant and Personal Aide Christopher Lawrence T. Go
- Naga City First Lady Maria Leonor G. Robredo
- Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines President and Jaro Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo
- Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal B. Rosales
- Antipolo Bishop Gabriel V. Reyes
- Antipolo Bishop Emeritus Crisostomo A. Yalung
- Antipolo Bishop Emeritus Protacio G. Gungon
- Cubao Bishop Honesto F. Ongtioco
- Imus Bishop Luis Antonio G. Tagle
- Imus Bishop Emeritus Manuel C. Sobreviñas
- Kalookan Bishop Deogracias S. Iñiguez, Jr.
- Malolos Bishop Jose F. Oliveros
- Novaliches Bishop Antonio R. Tobias
- Novaliches Bishop-Emeritus Teodoro C. Bacani, Jr.
- Parañaque Bishop Jesse E. Mercado
- Pasig Bishop Francisco San Diego
- San Pablo Bishop Leo M. Drona
- Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim
- Quezon City Mayor Feliciano R. Belmonte, Jr.
- Antipolo City Mayor Victor R. Sumulong
- Caloocan City Mayor Recom R. Echiverri
- Las Piñas City Mayor Vergel Aguilar
- Makati City Mayor Jejomar C. Binay
- Malabon City Mayor Canuto Senen A. Oreta
- Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr.
- Marikina City Mayor Maria Lourdes Carlos-Fernando
- Meycauayan City Mayor Joan V. Alarilla
- Muntinlupa City Mayor Aldrin L. San Pedro
- Navotas City Mayor Tobias Reynald M. Tiangco
- Parañaque City Mayor Florencio M. Bernabe, Jr.
- Pasay City Mayor Wenceslao B. Trinidad
- Pasig City Mayor Robert C. Eusebio
- San Juan City Mayor Joseph Victor G. Ejercito
- Taguig City Mayor Sigfrido R. Tinga
- Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin T. Gatchalian
- Angono Mayor Aurora A. Villamayor
- Binangonan Mayor Cecilio M. Ynares
- Cainta Mayor Ramon A. Ilagan
- Obando Mayor Orencio E. Gabriel
- Pateros Mayor Jaime Cruz Medina
- Rodriguez Mayor Pedro S. Cuerpo
- San Mateo Mayor Jose Rafael E. Diaz
- San Pedro Mayor Calixto R. Catáquiz
- Taytay Mayor Joric Gacula
- Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman
- Agriculture Secretary Bernie Fondevilla
- Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad
- Commission on Higher Education Chairman Carlito S. Puno, DPA
- Education Secretary Dr. Mona A. Valisno
- Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes
- Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Jose L. Atienza, Jr.
- Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima
- Foreign Affairs Secretary and Committee on Privatization Chairman Alberto G. Romulo
- Health Secretary Dr. Esperanza G. Cabral
- Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo
- Justice Secretary Raul M. Gonzalez
- Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque
- National Defense Secretary Gilbert C. Teodoro, Jr.
- Public Works and Highways Secretary General Hermogenes E. Ebdane, Jr.
- Science and Technology Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro
- Social Welfare and Development Secretary Celia Capadocia Yangco
- Tourism Secretary Alberto A. Lim
- Trade and Industry Secretary Jesli A. Lapus
- Transportation and Communications Secretary Anneli Lontoc
- Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process General Hermogenes Esperon
- Presidential Adviser for Constituency Affairs and Adviser for Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Edgardo D. Pamintuan
- Presidential Adviser for Provincial Affairs Hon. Conrado A. Limcaoco
- Presidential Adviser for Jobs Generation Hon. Luis P. Lorenzo, Jr.
- Special Assistant to the President, Presidential Adviser for Special Concerns Hon. Erlinda M B. de Leon
- Presidential Adviser on Strategic Projects Hon. Gloria L. Tan Climaco
- Presidential Adviser for New Government Centers Hon. Rodolfo Del Rosario
- Undersecretary Danilo L. Encinas
- Assistant Secretary, Presidential Adviser on Cooperatives Sarah Buena S. Mirasol
- Presidential Adviser for Muslim Communities, Presidential Adviser on Culture Hon. Nur. G. Jaafar
- Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs Hon. Arturo Carrillo
- Presidential Adviser for Police Affairs Hon. Orlando A. Macaspac
- Presidential Adviser for Eastern Visayas Hon. Victor A. Domingo
- Presidential Adviser for North Luzon Hon. Renato V. Diaz
- Presidential Adviser for Southern Tagalog Hon. Cesar N. Sarino
- Presidential Adviser on Regional Development Hon. Paul G. Dominguez
- Presidential Adviser on Agricultural Modernization Hon. Angelito M. Sarmiento
- Presidential Adviser Jose A. Rufino
- Presidential Adviser on Appointment Tomasito B. Monzon
- Presidential Adviser for Muslim Royalty Concerns Hon. Sultan Jamalul D. Kiram III
- Presidential Adviser for Cagayan Valley Hon. Silvestre Bello II
- Presidential Adviser Carolina G. Hernandez
- Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs Maj. Gen. Arturo B. Carillo (Ret.)
- Presidential Adviser for Police Affairs P/Dir. Orlando A. Macaspac (Ret.)
- Presidential Adviser on Infrastructure Teodoro T. Encarnacion
- Presidential Adviser on Foreign Affairs Alfonso T. Yuchengco
- Presidential Adviser on Rural Electrication Francisco G. Silva
- Presidential Adviser for New Government Centers Rodolfo P. Del Rosario
- Presidential Adviser on Food Security & Job Creation Arthur Yap
- Presidential Adviser for Revenue Enhancement Narciso Y. Santiago, Jr.
- Presidential Adviser for Trade & Development Amb. Rodolfo C. Severino
- Office of The Presidential Adviser Benjamin G. Dy
- Special Adviser for Energy Affairs and Presidential Adviser for External Affairs Edgardo M. Del Fonso
- Presidential Adviser for Region VI Rafael L. Conscolluela
- National Economic and Development Authority Director General and Political Adviser Ralph Recto
- Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Sergio Apostol
- National Security Adviser and Director-General Norberto B. Gonzales
- Deputy National Security Adviser Pedro R. Cabuay, Jr.
- Deputy National Security Adviser Virtus Gil
- Cabinet Secretary Atty. Silvestre Bello III
- National Anti-Poverty Commission Lead Convenor Domingo F. Panganiban
- Commission on Higher Education Chairman Carlito S. Puno, DPA
- Committee on Privatization Executive Director Crisanta S. Legaspi
- Cooperatives Development Authority Chairman Atty. Efren C. Moncupa
- Coordinating Council for Private Participation Chairman Paul G. Dominguez
- Coordinating Council for Private Participation Executive Director Noel Eli B. Kintanar
- Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Rodolfo B. Albano
- Energy Regulatory Commission Members TF Raul Tan and Alejando Barin
- Film Development Council of The Philippines (FDCP) Chairman Rolando Atienza
- Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB) of the FDCP Chairperson Christine M. Dayrit
- Games and Amusements Board Chairman Dominador R. Cepeda, Jr.
- Government Corporate Monitoring and Coordinating Committee Chairman Renato S. De Villa
- Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board Commissioner & Chief Executive Officer Romulo Q. Fabul
- Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Atty. Francis C. Tolentino
- Manila Broadcasting Company Chairman Fred J. Elizalde
- Philippine Long-Distance Telephone Company, Smart Communications, Inc. and TV5 Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan
- Ayala Corporation Chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala
- JG Summit Holdings, Inc. Chairman Emeritus John Robinson L. Gokongwei, Jr.
- Makati Business Club President Ramon Del Rosario Jr.
- Makati Business Club Executive Director Bill Luz
- Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of The Philippines Chairman/CEO Ali B. Sangki
- Baguio Economic Zone Administrator Digna D. Torres
- Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor / Chairman of the Monetary Board Armando M. Tetangco Jr.
- Bataan Economic Zone Administrator Emilio C. Reyes
- BCDA Management and Holdings, Inc. Chairman Filadelfo S. Rojas, Jr.
- Cagayan Economic Zone Authority Administrator Rodolfo O. Reyes
- Cavite Economic Zone Zone Administrator Raymundo T. Nagrampa
- Cebu Ports Authority General Manager Jose Joaquin M. Marquez
- Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions Executive Director Assistant Secretary Felicitas R. Agoncillo-Reyes
- Clark Development Corporation President / CEO Levi Laus
- Clark International Airport Corporation Chairman Nestor Mangio
- Clark International Airport Corporation Executive Vice-President Alexander S. Cauguiran
- Clark International Airport Corporation President Franco V. Puzon
- Cottage Industry Technology Center Executive Director Franklin P. Bunoan
- Cultural Center of the Philippines Chairman Emily Altomonte Abrera
- Cultural Center of the Philippines President Nestor O. Jardin
- Dangerous Drugs Board of The Philippines Secretary/Chairman Vicente C. Sotto III
- Deputy Administrator for Electric Distribution Utilities Services Edita S. Bueno
- Development Academy of The Philippines President Eduardo T. Gonzalez
- Development Bank of The Philippines Chairman Vitaliano N. Nañagas II
- Development Bank of The Philippines President & CEO Reynaldo G. David
- Duty Free Philippines General Manager Michael Christian U. Kho
- Government Service Insurance System President and General Manager Atty. Winston F. Garcia
- Guarantee Fund for Small and Medium Enterprises Managing Director Benel P. Lagua
- Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) President / CEO Atty. Romero Federico S. Quimbo
- Home Insurance and Guaranty Corporation President Wilfredo F. Hernandez
- John Hay-Poro Point Development Corporation President Damaso E. Bangaoet, Jr.
- Laguna Lake Development Authority General Manager Casimiro A. Ynares III, MD
- Light Rail Transit Authority Administrator Melquiades A. Robles
- Local Water Utilities Administration Administrator Lorenzo H. Zamora
- Lung Center of the Philippines Executive Director Dr. Juanito A. Rubio
- Mactan Economic Zone Administrator Dante M. Quindoza
- Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority General Manager-Chief Executive Officer Danilo August Francia
- Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Alfonso G. Cusi
- Metro Transit Organization, Inc. General Manager Moises S. Tolentino, Jr.
- Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Administrator Orlando C. Hondrade
- National Broadcasting Network Chairman and Presidential Management Staff Head Cerge Remonde
- National Commission for the Culture and Arts Chairperson Dr. Vilma Labrador
- National Dairy Authority Administrator Salvacion M. Bulatao
- National Food Authority Administrator Gregorio Y. Tan, Jr.
- National Historical Institute Chairman Dr. Ambeth R. Ocampo
- National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation President Angelico T. Salud
- National Irrigation Administration Administrator Marcelino Tugaoen Jr.
- National Kidney and Transplant Institute Executive Director Dr. Enrique T. Ona, M.D., FPCS, FACS
- National Power Corporation President Cyril C. del Callar
- National Tobacco Administration Administrator Carlitos S. Encarnacion
- Natural Resources Mining Development Corporation President Oliver Butalid
- North Luzon Railways Corporation Chairman and Acting President Rogelio L. Singson
- Northern Foods Corporation Chairman / Administrator LIVECOR Bernardo J. B. Mitra
- Northern Foods Corporation President Gerardo I. Ledesma, Jr.
- Occupational Safety and Health Center Executive Director Dr. Dulce P. Estrella-Gust
- Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Administrator Marianito D. Roque
- People’s Credit and Finance Corporation (PCFC) President and Chief Executive Officer Edgar V. Generoso
- Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation President B/Gen. Reynato R. Jose (Ret.)
- Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation President Ephraim C. Genuino
- Philippine Center for Economic Development Executive Director Raul V. Fabella
- Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Chairman Margarita Pengson-Juico
- Philippine Children's Medical Center Officer in Charge, Executive Director Dr. Zenaida L. Antonio, M.D., Mhped
- Philippine Coconut Authority Administrator Jesus Emmanuel M. Paras
- Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation Executive Director Daniel G. Corpuz
- Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation President Benito F. Estacio, Jr.
- Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Ricardo M. Tan
- Philippine Economic Zone Authority Director General Atty. Lilia B. De Lima
- Philippine Export-Import Credit Agency (PhilExIm) President / CEO Virgilio R. Angelo
- Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) General Manager Petronilo B. Buendia
- Philippine Health Insurance Corporation President Lorna O. Fajardo
- Philippine Heart Center Director Ludgerio D. Torres, M.D.
- Philippine Institute for Development Studies President Dr. Josef T. Yap
- Philippine International Convention Center General Manager Atty. Araceli E. Villanueva
- Philippine National Oil Company-Petrochemical Development Corporation (PNOC-EDC) President Peter Anthony S. Abaya
- Philippine National Railways General Manager Mr. Jose Ma. I. Sarasola, II
- Philippine Ports Authority General Manager Oscar M. Sevilla
- Philippine Postal Corporation Postmaster General Hector Villanueva
- Philippine Reclamation Authority Acting General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Andrea Domingo
- Philippine Retirement Authority Chief Executive Officer / General Manager Vernette Umali-Paco
- Philippine Rice Research Institute Executive Director Hon. Leocadio S. Sebastian
- Philippine Tourism Authority Chairman Senator Richard J. Gordon
- Phividec Industrial Authority Chairman Col. Emmanuel V. De Ocampo
- Public Estates Authority General Manager / CEO Teodorico C. Taguinod
- Quedan & Rural Credit Guarantee Corporation President & CEO Dr. Nelson C. Buenaflor
- Small Business Guarantee and Finance Corporation Undersecretary Zorayda Amelia C. Alonzo
- Social Security System President / CEO Corazon S. De La Paz
- Southern Philippines Development Authority Chairman of the Board of Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Datu Zamzamin Ampatuan
- Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman Commo. Feliciano S. Salonga PCGA
- Sugar Regulatory Administration Administrator James C. Ledesma
- Technology and Livelihood Resource Center Director-General Antonio Y. Ortiz
- Trade and Investment Development Corporation President Victor C. Macalincag
- Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority Chairman and Administrator Manuel A. Dalipe
- Philippine Olympic Committee Chairman Jose S. Cojuangco, Jr.
- Philippine Daily Inquirer Chairman Marixi Rufino-Prieto
- Philippine Daily Inquirer Founding Editor Eugenia Duran-Apostol
- Philippine Daily Inquirer President Alessandra Prieto-Romualdez
- Philippine Daily Inquirer Editor-in-Chief Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc
- Philippine Daily Inquirer Publisher Isagani M. Yambot, Sr.
- Philippine Daily Inquirer Lifestyle Editor Thelma Sioson-San Juan
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