RLC to build 200-ha township in Clark

Betting big on the fast-growing Clark corridor, Gokongwei-led property developer Robinsons Land Corp. is set to develop a 200-hectare idle land near the former American air base in Pampanga into a new township.

As the consortium that includes RLC parent conglomerate JG Summit, Changi airport and the Gotianun group bagged a 25-year concession to operate and maintain the Clark airport, RLC hopes to pursue projects near this international gateway.

“I anticipate that Robinsons Land will participate in that development,” RLC president Frederick Go told reporters after the company’s stockholders meeting on Wednesday. He said RLC would also be interested in building an airport hotel in the area.

“We really believe in the future of Clark so we deliberately went out there to look for land,” Go said.

About a year ago, RLC bought a 200-ha idle land close to Clark, which will be developed into a mixed-use estate called “Montclair.”

“We think that will be an important integrated township for the company,” Go said, adding that this estate would have residential subdivisions, commercial developments like office and retail outlets, hotels and industrial/logistics zones.

RLC is also banking on improved connectivity to Clark, especially with the construction of a railway connecting to Subic Freeport, Go said.

Meanwhile, RLC expects a big surge in contribution from the residential development business over the near term as it rolls out new inventory at an unprecedented pace. At least P12 billion worth of residential inventory will be launched in four projects under its homegrown brands this year—three in Pasig and one in Parañaque.

Two more residential upscale projects under joint venture deals—one in BGC under “Aurelia,” a venture with Shang Properties and “Velaris” in Bridgetown East in Pasig under a partnership with Hongkong Land—will also be launched in the second half of the year, adding P6 billion in new residential inventory.

All in all, RLC expects to roll out 4,000 residential units this year. Go thus sees RLC’s pre-selling sales take-up to reach another record high this 2019, outpacing last year’s P15.32-billion take-up.

Furthermore, RLC has sold 100 percent of the units in its first overseas project in Chengdu, China, as of end-March.

https://business.inquirer.net/271672/rlc-to-build-200-ha-township-in-clark

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DHSUD eyes P50B annual housing fund

THE IMPLEMENTING rules and regulations (IRR) of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Act will be signed by June 15, according to Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chairman Eduardo D. del Rosario.

In an interview at the Palace on May 20, Mr. del Rosario told BusinessWorld that the final draft of the IRR will be signed by the HUDCC, Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), and other concerned agencies by June 15.

“Nagsimula na kaming gumulong ‘yung (We have started moving along with the) six months [transition period]. Three months for the completion of the implementing rules and regulations, so it will be completed and signed by June 15,” he said.

“After that, we will have our organizational structure and staffing pattern para ‘yung (so that the) different bureaus and regional offices will be defined with their corresponding heads,” he added.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11201, also known as the DHSUD Act, on Feb. 14. Mr. del Rosario said the HUDCC and the HLURB are now crafting a roadmap for the new department, which will be operational beginning 2020.

“So it depends now on the budget, we presented our proposed budget for 2020 to the DBM (Department of Budget and Management),” he said, which “at the moment” will be “about P50 billion a year.”

Most of the budget, he explained, will go to the informal settler families nationwide.

“Those living in areas whose lots are not theirs and those living in hazard areas,” he said.

“We would like to achieve our housing need. They call it backlog, I call it housing need of 6.5 million from 2017 to 2022. In order to achieve that, we need about a minimum of P35 to P40 billion. But the budget for the housing sector for this year alone is only P2.7 billion. How could we possibly achieve that? So it is very timely that the department is created so that in 2020, we can possibly scale up,” he said.

Mr. del Rosario also noted that the current housing agencies are drafting a proposed bill to address the country’s housing needs.

He said the bill is “for the housing production so that there will be an allocation of at least P50 billion a year to construct for over 20-year period… about two million housing units.”

“We are now drafting the proposed bill. Once the next Congress resumes, we will request a senator or a congressman to sponsor the bill so that we can have a yearly budget allocated for housing. Because previously, it’s about P30 to P33 billion already. It ran down to P2.7 billion this year,” he added. — Arjay L. Balinbin

https://www.bworldonline.com/dhsud-eyes-p50b-annual-housing-fund/

National Flag Days start today

By Anthony Giron

IMUS, Cavite – The 15-day period that is known as National Flag Days starts today, May 28, and will be until June 12, Philippine Independence Day.

The Department of Interior and Local Government and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) have called on government offices, business establishments, schools and other institutions and private homes to display the Philippine flag during the period.

The declaration of the 15-day National Flag Days is contained in Republic Act No. 8491 or the “Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines” and House Bill 5224 which were approved by Congress.

The 15-day Flag Day period is also declared in Executive Order 179 issued by President Fidel V. Ramos.

The EO had set the extension of the commemoration of the national flag from May 28 to the days leading to Freedom Day on June 12. It also called on officials and residents to display the Philippine flag distinctly during the period.

The Flag Day is being celebrated on May 28 in Imus district, which was where the new Philippine flag was first raised and waved in victory by the revolutionaries, according to Philippine history.

The flag, designed by Aguinaldo, was sewn in Hong Kong by Marcela Agoncillo, her daughter Lorenza, and Delfina Herbosa de Natividad, a niece of Dr. Jose P. Rizal.

Battle of Alapan

The “Battle of Alapan” on May 28, 1898 was a hard-fought encounter of the revolutionaries under General Emilio F. Aguinaldo against the Spanish force prior to the proclamation of the Philippine independence on June 12, 1898.

The battle in Barangay Alapan I was a victory for Aguinaldo and the revolutionaries after the return of the general to the Philippines on May 18, 1898 from exile in Hong Kong.

Aguinaldo and the other revolutionaries also displayed the Philippine flag at Teatro Caviteño in Cavite Nuevo (now Cavite City) following the capture of more than 270 Spanish soldiers in the “Battle of Alapan.”

PH Independence Day

The flag was also waved in victory by Aguinaldo and the other revolutionaries by the window (now a veranda) at the General’s residence in Kawit during the proclamation of independence.

The country commemorated the Flag Day and anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence on June 12 from 1941 to 1964.

In 1965, President Diosdado Macapagal ordered the commemoration of the day of the flag moved to the date when it was first unfurled – May 28 – through Proclamation No. 374.

Flag Display Festival

Imus is the only city which had commemorated Flag Day with pomp and colorful program with its own “Wagayway” (Flag Wave or Display) Festival.

Imus was tagged as “Flag Capital of the Philippines” citing the historical Alapan encounter with the revolutionaries and the Philippines flag at the fore.

Officials said that some 3,000 Philippine flags would be displayed in Imus’ plaza, roads and public edifices, during the Flag Day celebration.

Organizers in Imus have set a month-long program of activities for the celebration, which started May 5.

The flags will remain on display in the city until June 12.

Nationalism and patriotism

Meanwhile, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday assured that it will continue to strengthen initiatives that will instill nationalism and patriotism among learners.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones said that the DepEd continues to ensure that students are educated about the country’s history so they will have better appreciation of the greatness of the Filipino race.

DepEd enjoined all schools to display the Philippine Flag in the respective classrooms, offices and residences of all teaching and nonteaching personnel from May 15 to June 30, 2019.

In particular, these special discussions should take place when teaching subjects such as Sibika at Kultura, HEKASI, Araling Panlipunan, Values Education, Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health (MAPEH), Filipino and English at least once a week for the whole school year.

Flag Campaign in Schools

Earlier, DepEd – in partnership with Ayala Foundation Inc., Chooks-to-Go of Bounty Agro Ventures Inc., and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) – also distributed 163 Philippine flags to the Schools Division of Quezon City to kick off the #MagingMagiting Flag Campaign.

10,000 flags

The NCR Flag Campaign is the first of 17 on-ground flag distribution events that will be done in all 17 regions nationwide. The goal of the campaign is to distribute 10,000 flags to public schools nationwide by 2019. (With a report from MERLINA HERNANDO-MALIPOT)

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/05/27/national-flag-days-start-today/

Duterte signs Sagip Saka Act

By Genalyn Kabiling

A new law establishing a farmers and fisherfolk enterprise development program has been signed by President Duterte in a bid to boost their income and productivity.

In Republic Act No. 11321 or the “Sagip Saka Act,” the government will extend assistance to farmers and fishermen by improving their production and productivity, enhancing access to credit grants and crop insurance as well as improved technologies, among others.

To promote and support the country’s farmers and fisherfolk, the law also mandates national and local government agencies to purchase agricultural and fishery products from accredited farmers and fisherfolk cooperatives and enterprises. Such procurement will be exempted from bidding process and instead undergo a negotiated procurement.

“It is declared policy of the State to achieve sustainable modern agriculture and food security by helping the agricultural and fishing communities to reach their full potential, increasing farmers’ and fishermen’s incomes, and bridging gaps through public-private partnerships, thereby improving their quality of life,” the law read.

“In pursuant of this policy, the State shall strengthen the farmers and fisherfolk enterprise development program by establishing a comprehensive and holistic approach in the formulation, coordination and implementation of enterprise development initiatives, consolidating the roles of different government agencies involved in farmers and fisherfolk enterprise development, and intensifying the building of entrepreneurship culture among farmers and fisherfolk,” it added.

The new law, signed by the President last April 17, has mandated the Department of Agriculture (DA) to be the implementing agency of the “Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Program.” It will work with concerned government agencies for technical support and assistance.

Under the program, the government seeks to promote the development of enterprises involving agricultural and fishery products, particularly use science-based technologies to identify and prioritize these products.

The forms of assistance include agricultural extension services, skills development, provision of production units, equipment, facilities and infrastructure for production and post-production activities; improvement of access to financing; provision of access to improved technologies through research and development; provision of business support and development services such as marketing and networking.

The beneficiaries of the program are existing producers of priority commodities, farmer and fisherfolk, producer group or cluster of growers, and micro, small and medium scale processors and exporters.

The law also stated that partnerships or alliances between farmers and fisherfolk and the private sector may be formed to improve market aces of producer groups.

Also approved by the law are certain tax incentives and exemptions such as exemption of gifts and donations of real and personal properties for donor’s tax.

The local government units will also exempt structures, buildings and warehouses for storage of farm inputs and outputs from real property tax provided the value of the property does not exceed P3 million.

The Land Bank of the Philippines will also provide preferential rates and special window to accredited framers and fisherfolk enterprises.

The government will also grant income tax exemption arising from the operations of the enterprises provided the farmer and fisherfolk cooperatives and enterprises are registered barangay micro-business enterprises.

Under the law, a Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Council is also created to oversee the implementation of the program. It will be chaired by the Secretary of Agriculture.

The agriculture department will also keep an information system that contains the registry of agricultural and fisheries enterprises and a roster of private companies engaged with these enterprises.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/05/27/duterte-signs-sagip-saka-act/

Senate approves franchise extension for RJ Jacinto’s network

THE Senate has approved on second reading the bill extending the franchise of Rajah Broadcasting Network, Inc. (RBN), owned by presidential adviser Ramon “RJ” P. Jacinto, for another 25 years.

The chamber approved on Wednesday House Bill No. 8177, whose enactment will renew RBN’s franchise a second time. It was first granted on June 19, 1965, under Republic Act No. 4505, and later renewed on July 9, 1995 through Republic Act No. 8104. The franchise was set to expire on July 9, 2020.

RBN’s flagship radio station is RJ100.3 FM, which operates ten stations in key cities nationwide. The RBN also broadcasts through its AM radio station, DZRJ 810 AM Radyo Bandido.

Aside from RBN, Mr. Jacinto, currently serves as the presidential adviser for economic affairs and information technology communications, also owns other companies under the RJ Group.

If enacted, the measure will allow RBN to “construct, install, establish, operate and maintain” radio or television broadcasting stations. This, however, may b revoked upon failure of RBN to operate continuously for two years.

Moreover, it shall require the RBN to offer at least 30% of its outstanding capital stock to Filipinos, in compliance with the constitutional provision, promoting public participation in public utilities.

It shall also allot a maximum of 10% of paid commercial time to public service time, as needed by the government.

RBN shall also be prohibited from the “sale, lease, transfer, grant of usufruct, or assignment of franchise,” without the approval of Congress.

The network is also required to submit an annual report to Congress on or before April 30 of every year. Non-compliance will subject RBN to a fine of P500 per working day. — C.A.Tadalan

https://www.bworldonline.com/senate-approves-franchise-extension-for-rj-jacintos-network/

Cabaero: House online poll

THE House of Representatives started last week an online poll on the question of same-sex marriage.

The poll makes no assurance that the results would guide legislators on their vote, and a survey is not really the best way to get the people’s sentiment because all issues cannot be threshed out in one question with two or three options for an answer.

An online poll is a way to get the public’s opinion. But an online poll can be limiting as only those who take it can have a “voice,” and it can be manipulated as when digital warriors are told to answer the question.

If House members were serious in taking this route of using online tools to measure public sentiment, they should conduct more than an online poll. Technology allows for interaction with an audience beyond an online survey. Legislators can have social media discussions and can do video, infographics or animation to let the public understand the issue. Maps can show the prevailing sentiment per congressional district.

The question posted on the House of Representatives website at www.congress.gov.ph is this: Are you in favor of the proposal in the House of Representatives which legalizes same-sex unions as civil partnership in the country? Voters have three options:

* Yes, because this will give equal civil rights to same-sex couples. The bill provides such couples with legal partnership status that will govern their property rights, custodial rights over children and adoption rights.

* No, because the underlying intention is to legalize marriage between members of the same sex and I personally believe this is wrong.

* I am undecided.

As of 4:20 p.m. Saturday, May 25, 2019, the yes votes reached 204,869 or 52 percent; no totaled 185,704 or 47 percent, and those undecided were 1,789. All votes totaled 392,362.

The timing of the poll is not a surprise. Last May 24, Taiwan became the first Asian country to grant same-sex couples the right to get married. The coming month, June, is also known as World Pride Month that celebrates lesbians, gay people, the bisexual and transgender.

The House bill legalizing civil partnerships whether by same-sex marriage or live-in arrangements was first discussed in 2018. House Bill 6595 authored by then Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez seeks to grant these couples the same benefits given to married couples.

The issue reached the Supreme Court when a petition in 2015 asked to nullify provisions of The Family Code of the Philippines which defines and limits marriage as “between man and woman.” Oral arguments before the court in 2018 had then Solicitor General Jose Calida saying same-sex couples can live happily together but they cannot marry, while one justice reportedly was “more inclined” to dismiss the petition.

There is still time to discuss the proposal. Legislators can use an online poll but it does not replace reaching out to constituents to get their sentiment.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1807182

Leviste power firm awaits approval by the Senate of 25-year franchise

By Vanne Elaine Terrazola

The Senate is poised to grant a 25-year franchise to the solar power corporation owned by Leandro Leviste, son of outgoing Senator Loren Legarda.

The chamber already approved on second reading the House Bill 8179, which seeks to grant the Solar Para Sa Bayan Corporation (SPSB) a congressional franchise to be able to “construct, install, establish, operate, and maintain distributable power technologies and minigrid systems throughout the Philippines”.

But Senate President Vicente Sotto III allayed fears over its approval, saying the Upper House’s version does not grant the firm a “mega-franchise”, as dubbed by oppositors.

“Hindi na ‘mega’. Pumasa sa amin sa second reading pero napakadaming amendments. Kasi ‘yon nga ang iniiwasan, ‘yong ‘mega’ (It’s not ‘mega’ anymore. We passed it on second reading but we made several amendments. Because that’s what we are preventing, for it to be a ‘mega’ franchise),” Sotto said in a radio interview.

“Doon sa version na pumasa sa amin, franchise na lang, hindi na ‘mega’ (In the Senate’s version, it is a mere franchise, not a ‘mega-franchise’),” he stressed.

Before its approval, HB 8179, sponsored by Senator Grace Poe’s Committee on Public Services, faced the grilling of senators during their interpellations last Wednesday.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson questioned the need to grant the solar firm a congressional franchise when it is engaged in power generation and is not considered a public utility operation.

He cited Section 6 of the Republic Act No. 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) which states that power generation and electricity supply need not secure a national franchise.

In response, Poe said SPSB uses micro-grid technology and is also engaged in transmission and distribution of energy, which, under the EPIRA, requires congressional approval.

“While it is true generation does not require a national franchise, It is significant to note that micro-grid does not only involve generation, but also transmission and distribution of electric power for which a franchise is required,” Poe explained.

“Moreover, when EPIRA was enacted in 2001, they could not have envisioned the micro-grid technology, considering that such technology is relatively new in the Philippines” she added, to which Sen. Francis Escudero, who was already a member of Congress then, agreed.

Lacson also raised that the EPIRA prohibits cross-ownership in power generation and distribution, which Leviste’s SPSB might violate.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon likewise raised the need for franchise when SPSB is already authorized by the Department of Energy (DOE) to operate without a legislative franchise.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, co-sponsor of the measure, said the bill seeks to permit the company to operate not only in remote and unviable areas, but in unserved and underserved parts of the country, or those not supplied with electricity 24/7.

The Senate’s version of the bill states that the SPSB can operate in barangays, municipalities and cities of Aurora, Batangas, Bohol, Cagayan, Camiguin, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, Isabela, Masbate, Misamis Occidental, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, and Tawi-Tawi.

Gatchalian assured that the firm cannot operate outside the enumerated provinces.

The proposed franchise, he added, does not grant the SPSB the exclusive rights over these areas. He said that it still has to go through a competitive selection process along with other private firms before being allowed to operate in these areas.

Senators also made sure that the DOE will not encroach on Congress’ authority in granting franchises to public utility companies.

After its second reading approval, the Senate is expected to pass HB 8179 in third and final reading next week.

The Senate and House of Representatives would then have to reconcile their versions before ratifying in their respective chambers, and transmitting it for the President’s signature.

Amid concerns over the possible conflict of interest, Sotto clarified that they merely acted on the House-approved measure and did not railroad the passage of the bill.

He said oppositors may take to court the granting of the franchise to SPSB.

“As far as we are concerned, we take it as it is. ‘Yong constitutional interpretation they can take to the court, the proper court to address that. Kasi sa samin, aaksyunan namin kung ano ang dumating sa amin,” the Senate leader said.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/05/25/leviste-power-firm-awaits-approval-by-the-senate-of-25-year-franchise/

World Youth Day 1995

{{Infobox event
| title                    = X World Youth Day 1995
| image                    = World_Youth_Day_1995_Logo_%28Remake%29.png
| image_size               =
| caption                  = Official logo depicting a native boat and fishermen, evoking [[Matthew 4:19]]<ref>{{cite web|last1=Marbella|first1=Winston|title=World Youth Day innovations started in Manila '95|url=http://marbellaonline.blogspot.com/2011/05/world-youth-day-innovations-started-in.html|website=Marbella Online|accessdate=27 January 2016|language=English|date=1 May 2011}}</ref>
| date                     = January 10–15, 1995
| time                     =
| type                     = Religious, youth festival
| theme                    = ''As the Father has sent me, so am I sending you'' ([[John 20|Jn 20]]:21) |
| venue                    =
| place                    = [[Manila]], [[Philippines]]
| coordinates              = {{Coord|14|35|N|121|0|E|display=inline}}
| organisers               =  [[Catholic Church]]
| participants             =  [[Pope John Paul II]]
| awards                   =
| url                      =
| website                  = http://www.vatican.va/gmg/years/gmg_1994-1995_fr.html
}}

'''World Youth Day 1995''' ([[Filipino language|Filipino]]: ''Pandaigdigang Araw ng Kabataan 1995'') was a [[Roman Catholic|Catholic]] youth festival that took place from January 10&ndash;15, 1995 in [[Manila]], [[Philippines]].<ref>[Antoni Jackowski: The lexicon of the pilgrimages of John Paul II. Krakow: WAM, 2006, pp. 319-320. {{ISBN|83-7318-613-1}}.]</ref> It was the first time for an [[Asia|Asian]] country to host the event. [[Pope John Paul II]] presided over the event, marking his second trip to the country as Pope after his visit in 1981, and also the last papal visit in the country of the [[20th century]] and [[2nd millennium]].

==The program of the days==
Since the opening ceremony, the Pope underlines the importance of the [[Catholic Church in the Philippines|Filipino Catholic Church]]. At the meeting of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC), the Pope points out what are the new areas of the contemporary mission: the poor of cities, migrants, refugees, young people, the media and social communications. "In the first millennium," he says, "the Cross has been planted on the soil of Europe; in the second on that of America and Africa; we can pray that in the third Christian millennium in this vast and vital continent there will be a great harvest of faith to be harvested".

==Events==
A week before the celebration of the World Youth Day proper, two representatives from each of countries all over the world gathered for an International Youth Forum (IYF) at the [[University of Santo Tomas]]. The Philippines sent eight representatives, while others were from the different Catholic religious youth organizations and campuses. These were the selected youth leaders and coordinators. During their five-day stay in UST, representatives were grouped and discussed issues and concerns laid out by the Episcopal Commission on Youth, on topics set months before.

The IYF was also a venue wherein few from these selected youth representative had able to have a short talk with the Pope.
Young pilgrims gathered from many different parts of the world to celebrate [[God]] together, to learn other cultures and to speak as "brothers and sisters" among themselves. There was also a [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]] where some youths directly received [[Mass (liturgy)#Communion rite|Communion]] from the Pope. Youth pilgrims gathered from different parts of the world to worship and talk together. Different activities were held, including a traditional ''Barrio Fiesta'', where it was possible to search company and entertainment. During these days, Masses were celebrated every day in most parishes throughout the Philippines.

The closing Mass, held at [[Luneta Park]], was estimated to have been attended by more than 5 to 10 million people, the [[List of largest gatherings in history|second-largest papal gathering]] in history.<ref>[http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1995-01-16/news/1995016078_1_pope-philippines-papal Millions flock to papal Mass in Manila Gathering is called the largest the pope has seen at a service]. Retrieved 16 May 2011.</ref><ref>[http://m.asianews.it/index.php?art=2947&l=en asianews.it]</ref><ref>[http://m.leparisien.fr/international/videos-retour-sur-l-histoire-des-jmj-16-08-2011-1567837.php leparisien.fr]</ref><ref>[http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1995-01-16/news/1995016078_1_pope-philippines-papal articles.baltimoresun.com]</ref>

The event saw the presence of Catholic representatives of all Chinese communities: [[China]], [[Taiwan]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Macau]], [[Malaysia]], and [[Singapore]]. Already on 12 January, the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Taipei|archbishop of Taipei]], [[Joseph Ti-kang]], celebrated mass with 5 priests of the "official" Chinese Roman Catholic Church. On 14 January, through Radio Veritas, the pope launches a message of reconciliation between the "official" and underground Chinese Church addressed to "all the Catholic faithful". At the end of the Mass in Luneta Park, the Pope greeted in [[Standard Chinese|Chinese]], the language of China and Taiwan.

This was Pope John Paul II's last visit to the Philippines, as his scheduled return for the [[World Meeting of Families]] in January 2003 fell through due to the progression of [[Parkinson's disease]].

==Official song==
The official song for World Youth Day 1995 was released in 1994, titled "[[Tell the World of His Love]]"<ref>[http://home.netcom.com/~mdmiguel/wyd95themesong.htm home.netcom.com]</ref>, composed by [[Trina Belamide]].

==Theme==
"As the Father has sent me, so am I sending you". ([[Gospel of John|Jn]] 20:21) the same as that of the World Youth Day of 1994, which was celebrated at the diocesan level on [[Palm Sunday]] of that year, fall on March 22.

==John Paul II's assassination attempt==

[[Ramzi Yousef]], an [[Al-Qaeda]] member, attempted to assassinate the Pope in the [[Bojinka Plot]], but the plan was discovered four days earlier and Yousef fled to [[Pakistan]].

==Delegations==
Pilgrims at [[World Youth Day]] 1995 represented the following countries:<ref>The [[Roman Catholic Church]] considers five inhabited continents when listing countries.</ref>
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="text-align: center; font-size:80%;" width=100%
|-
!Countries and territories represented at the 1995 World Youth Day
|-
|
;Africa
{{Columns-list|colwidth=18em|
*{{flag|Angola}}
*{{flag|Benin}}
*{{flag|Botswana}}
*{{flag|Burkina Faso}}
*{{flag|Burundi}}
*{{flag|Cameroon}}
*{{flag|Cape Verde}}
*{{flag|Central African Republic}}
*{{flag|Congo}}
*{{flag|Egypt}}
*{{flag|Eritrea|1993}}
*{{flag|Ethiopia|1991}}
*{{flag|Equatorial Guinea}}
*{{flag|Gabon}}
*{{flag|Ghana}}
*{{flag|Guinea}}
*{{flag|Guinea-Bissau}}
*{{flag|Ivory Coast}}
*{{flag|Kenya}}
*{{flag|Lesotho|1987}}
*{{flag|Liberia}}
*{{flag|Madagascar}}
*{{flag|Malawi|1964}}
*{{flag|Mauritius}}
*{{flag|Mozambique}}
*{{flag|Namibia}}
*{{flag|Nigeria}}
*{{flag|Rwanda|1962}}
*{{flag|São Tomé and Príncipe}}
*{{flag|Senegal}}
*{{flag|Seychelles|1977}}
*{{flag|Sierra Leone}}
*{{flag|South Africa}}
*{{flag|Swaziland}}
*{{flag|Tanzania}}
*{{flag|Togo}}
*{{flag|Uganda}}
*{{flag|Zaire}}
*{{flag|Zambia|1964}}
*{{flag|Zimbabwe}}
}}

;The Americas
{{Columns-list|colwidth=18em|
*{{flag|Antigua and Barbuda}}
*{{flag|Argentina}}
*{{flag|Aruba}}
*{{flag|Bahamas}}
*{{flag|Barbados}}
*{{flag|Belize}}
*{{flag|Bolivia|State}}
*{{flag|Brazil}}
*{{flag|British Virgin Islands}}
*{{flag|Canada}}
*{{flag|Chile}}
*{{flag|Colombia}}
*{{flag|Costa Rica}}
*{{flag|Cuba}}
*{{flag|Dominica}}
*{{flag|Dominican Republic}}
*{{flag|Ecuador}}
*{{flag|El Salvador}}
*{{flag|Grenada}}
*{{flag|Guatemala}}
*{{flag|Guyana}}
*{{flag|Honduras}}
*{{flag|Jamaica}}
*{{flag|Mexico}}
*{{flag|Nicaragua}}
*{{flag|Panama}}
*{{flag|Paraguay}}
*{{flag|Peru}}
*{{flag|Puerto Rico}}
*{{flag|Saint Kitts and Nevis}}
*{{flag|Saint Lucia|1979}}
*{{flag|Saint Vincent and the Grenadines}}
*{{flag|Suriname}}
*{{flag|Trinidad and Tobago}}
*{{flag|United States}}
*{{flag|United States Virgin Islands}}
*{{flag|Uruguay}}
*{{flag|Venezuela|1954}}
}}

;Asia
{{Columns-list|colwidth=18em|
*{{flag|Bangladesh}}
*{{flag|Brunei}}
*{{flag|Cambodia}}
*{{flag|China}}
*{{flag|Hong Kong|1959}}
*{{flag|India}}
*{{flag|Indonesia}}
*{{flag|Iraq|1991}}
*{{flag|Israel}}
*{{flag|Japan|1870}}
*{{flag|Jordan}}
*{{flag|Laos}}
*{{flag|Lebanon}}
*{{flag|Macau|colonial}}
*{{flag|Malaysia}}
*{{flag|Maldives}}
*{{flag|Mongolia}}
*{{flag|Myanmar|1974}}
*{{flag|Nepal}}
*{{flag|Pakistan}}
*{{flag|Philippines|1986}} (hosts)
*{{flag|Singapore}}
*{{flag|South Korea|1949}}
*{{flag|Sri Lanka}}
*{{flag|Syria}}
*{{flag|Taiwan}}
*{{flag|Thailand}}
*{{flag|Vietnam}}
}}

;China
{{Columns-list|colwidth=18em|
*[[Beijing]]
*[[Tianjin]]
*[[Hebei]]
*[[Shanxi]]
*[[Inner Mongolia]]
*[[Liaoning]]
*[[Jilin]]
*[[Heilongjiang]]
*[[Shanghai]]
*[[Jiangsu]]
*[[Zhejiang]]
*[[Anhui]]
*[[Fujian]]
*[[Jiangxi]]
*[[Shandong]]
*[[Henan]]
*[[Hubei]]
*[[Hunan]]
*[[Guangdong]]
*[[Guangxi]]
*[[Hainan]]
*[[Chongqing]]
*[[Sichuan]]
*[[Guizhou]]
*[[Yunnan]]
*[[Tibet]]
*[[Shaanxi]]
*[[Gansu]]
*[[Qinghai]]
*[[Ningxia]]
*[[Xinjiang]]
}}

;India
{{Columns-list|colwidth=18em|
* [[Chhattisgarh]]
* [[Madhya Pradesh]]
* [[West Bengal]]
* [[Bihar]]
* [[Jharkhand]]
* [[Odisha]]
* [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]]
* [[Jammu and Kashmir]]
* [[Himachal Pradesh]]
* [[Punjab, India|Punjab]]
* [[Chandigarh]]
* [[Uttarakhand]]
* [[Haryana]]
* [[Delhi]]
* [[Rajasthan]]
* [[Uttar Pradesh]]
* [[Arunachal Pradesh]]
* [[Assam]]
* [[Manipur]]
* [[Meghalaya]]
* [[Mizoram]]
* [[Nagaland]]
* [[Sikkim]]
* [[Tripura]]
* [[Andaman and Nicobar]]
* [[Andhra Pradesh]]
* [[Karnataka]]
* [[Kerala]]
* [[Lakshadweep]]
* [[Puducherry]]
* [[Tamil Nadu]]
* [[Telangana]]
* [[Dadra and Nagar Haveli]]
* [[Daman and Diu]]
* [[Goa]]
* [[Gujarat]]
* [[Karnataka]]
* [[Maharashtra]]
* [[Rajasthan]]
}}

;Indonesia
{{Columns-list|colwidth=18em|
* [[Sumatra]]
** [[Aceh]]
** [[Bangka-Belitung Islands]]
** [[Bengkulu]]
** [[Jambi]]
** [[Lampung]]
** [[North Sumatra]]
** [[Riau]]
** [[Riau Islands]]
** [[South Sumatra]]
** [[West Sumatra]]
* [[Java]]
** [[Banten]]
** [[Central Java]]
** [[East Java]]
** [[West Java]]
** [[Jakarta]]
** [[Special Region of Yogyakarta|Yogyakarta]]
* [[Kalimantan]]
** [[Central Kalimantan]]
** [[East Kalimantan]]
** [[North Kalimantan]]
** [[South Kalimantan]]
** [[West Kalimantan]]
* [[Lesser Sunda Islands|Lesser Sunda]]
** [[Bali]]
** [[East Nusa Tenggara]]
** [[West Nusa Tenggara]]
* [[Sulawesi]]
** [[Central Sulawesi]]
** [[Gorontalo]]
** [[North Sulawesi]]
** [[Southeast Sulawesi]]
** [[South Sulawesi]]
** [[West Sulawesi]]
* [[Maluku Islands|Maluku]]
** [[Maluku (province)|Maluku]]
** [[North Maluku]]
* [[Western New Guinea|Papua]]
** [[Papua (province)|Papua]]
** [[West Papua (province)|West Papua]]
}}

;Malaysia
{{Columns-list|colwidth=18em|
* {{flag|Johor}}
* {{flag|Kedah}}
* {{flag|Kelantan}}
* {{flag|Kuala Lumpur}}
* {{flag|Labuan}}
* {{flag|Melaka}}
* {{flag|Negeri Sembilan}}
* {{flag|Pahang}}
* {{flag|Penang}}
* {{flag|Perak}}
* {{flag|Perlis}}
* {{flag|Putrajaya}}
* {{flag|Sabah}}
* {{flag|Sarawak}}
* {{flag|Selangor}}
* {{flag|Terengganu}}
}}

;Philippines
{{Columns-list|colwidth=18em|
*[[Manila]]
*[[Quezon City]]
*[[Caloocan|Caloocan City]]
*[[Mandaluyong|Mandaluyong City]]
*[[Pasay|Pasay City]]
*[[Las Piñas]]
*[[Makati]]
*[[Malabon]]
*[[Marikina]]
*[[Meycauayan]]
*[[Muntinlupa]]
*[[Navotas]]
*[[Obando, Bulacan|Obando]]
*[[Parañaque]]
*[[Pasig]]
*[[Pateros, Metro Manila|Pateros]]
*[[San Juan, Metro Manila|San Juan]]
*[[San Pedro, Laguna|San Pedro]]
*[[Taguig]]
*[[Valenzuela]]
*[[Ilocos Norte]]
*[[Ilocos Sur]]
*[[La Union]]
*[[Pangasinan]]
*[[Abra (province)|Abra]]
*[[Baguio City]]
*[[Benguet]]
*[[Ifugao]]
*[[Kalinga-Apayao]]
*[[Mountain Province]]
*[[Batanes]]
*[[Cagayan]]
*[[Santiago (Philippine city)|Santiago City]]
*[[Isabela (province)|Isabela]]
*[[Quirino]]
*[[Nueva Vizcaya]]
*[[Angeles, Philippines|Angeles City]]
*[[Bataan]]
*[[Bulacan]]
*[[Nueva Ecija]]
*[[Olongapo City]]
*[[Pampanga]]
*[[Tarlac]]
*[[Zambales]]
*[[Aurora (province)|Aurora]]
*[[Batangas]]
*[[Cavite]]
*[[Laguna (province)|Laguna]]
*[[Lucena City]]
*[[Marinduque]]
*[[Occidental Mindoro]]
*[[Oriental Mindoro]]
*[[Palawan]]
*[[Quezon]]
*[[Rizal]]
*[[Romblon]]
*[[Albay]]
*[[Camarines Norte]]
*[[Camarines Sur]]
*[[Catanduanes]]
*[[Masbate]]
*[[Sorsogon]]
*[[Aklan]]
*[[Antique (province)|Antique]]
*[[Bacolod City]]
*[[Capiz]]
*[[Guimaras]]
*[[Iloilo City]]
*[[Iloilo]]
*[[Negros Occidental]]
*[[Bohol]]
*[[Cebu City]]
*[[Cebu]]
*[[Mandaue|Mandaue City]]
*[[Negros Oriental]]
*[[Siquijor]]
*[[Biliran]]
*[[Eastern Samar]]
*[[Leyte (province)|Leyte]]
*[[Northern Samar]]
*[[Samar (province)|Samar]]
*[[Southern Leyte]]
*[[Zamboanga City]]
*[[Zamboanga del Norte]]
*[[Zamboanga del Sur]]
*[[Agusan del Norte]]
*[[Agusan del Sur]]
*[[Bukidnon]]
*[[Cagayan de Oro City]]
*[[Camiguin]]
*[[Lanao del Norte]]
*[[Misamis Oriental]]
*[[Misamis Occidental]]
*[[Surigao del Norte]]
*[[Davao City]]
*[[Davao del Norte]]
*[[Davao del Sur]]
*[[Davao Oriental]]
*[[Cotabato]]
*[[Sarangani]]
*[[South Cotabato]]
*[[Sultan Kudarat]]
*[[Surigao del Sur]]
*[[Basilan]]
*[[Lanao del Sur]]
*[[Maguindanao]]
*[[Sulu]]
*[[Tawi-Tawi]]
}}

;Europe
{{Columns-list|colwidth=18em|
*{{flag|Albania}}
*{{flag|Armenia}}
*{{flag|Azerbaijan}}
*{{flag|Austria}}
*{{flag|Belarus|1991}}
*{{flag|Belgium}}
*{{flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina|1992}}
*{{flag|Bulgaria}}
*{{flag|Croatia}}
*{{flag|Cyprus|1960}}
*{{flag|Czech Republic}}
*{{flag|Denmark}}
*{{flag|Estonia}}
*{{flag|Finland}}
*{{flag|France}}
*{{flag|Georgia|1990}}
*{{flag|Germany}}
*{{flag|Greece}}
*{{flag|Hungary}}
*{{flag|Iceland}}
*{{flag|Ireland}}
*{{flag|Italy}}
*{{flag|Latvia}}
*{{flag|Lithuania|1988}}
*{{flag|Luxembourg}}
*{{flag|Macedonia|1992}}
*{{flag|Malta}}
*{{flag|Moldova}}
*{{flag|Monaco}}
*{{flag|Netherlands}}
*{{flag|Norway}}
*{{flag|Poland}}
*{{flag|Portugal}}
*{{flag|Romania}}
*{{flag|Russia}}
*{{flag|San Marino}}
*{{flag|Slovakia}}
*{{flag|Slovenia}}
*{{flag|Spain}}
*{{flag|Sweden}}
*{{flag|Switzerland}}
*{{flag|Turkey}}
*{{flag|Ukraine}}
*{{flag|United Kingdom}}
*{{flag|Vatican City}}
*{{flag|FR Yugoslavia}}
}}

;Oceania
{{Columns-list|colwidth=18em|
*{{flag|Australia}}
*{{flag|Fiji}}
*{{flag|Guam}}
*{{flag|Kiribati}}
*{{flag|Marshall Islands}}
*{{flag|Federated States of Micronesia}}
*{{flag|Nauru}}
*{{flag|New Zealand}}
*{{flag|Northern Mariana Islands}}
*{{flag|Palau}}
*{{flag|Papua New Guinea}}
*{{flag|Solomon Islands}}
*{{flag|Tonga}}
*{{flag|Tuvalu}}
*{{flag|Vanuatu}}
*{{flag|Western Samoa}}
}}
|}

==Notes and references==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/gwr5/content_pages/record.asp?recordid=54161 Guinness Book of World Records - Largest Papal Crowd]
* http://www.vatican.va/gmg/years/gmg_1994-1995_fr.html

{{World Youth Day}}

{{coord|14|34|56|N|120|58|40|E|region:IT_type:landmark_source:kolossus-itwiki|display=title}}

[[Category:World Youth Day|1995]]
[[Category:1995 in the Philippines]]
[[Category:1995 in Christianity]]
[[Category:January 1995 events]]
[[Category:History of Manila]]
[[Category:History of Metro Manila]]
[[Category:20th century in Manila]]
[[Category:Pope John Paul II]]
[[Category:Catholic Church in the Philippines]]

28 ex-solons making a comeback

By Charissa Luci-Atienza

More than 25 former lawmakers are returning to the House of Representatives to take over the seats that will be vacated by their parents, spouses, siblings, children and grandchildren.

Outgoing Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas Sr., who won as first district representative of Cebu, will replace his grandson, incumbent first district Rep. Gerald Anthony Gullas who won as Talisay mayor. The older Gullas, who is turning 89 on Oct. 13, represented the first district of Cebu from 1992 to 2001, and 2004 to 2013. He also served as a Cebu governor.

Former Rep. Manuel “Way Kurat” Zamora will replace her daughter, Compostela Valley first district congressman Maria Carmen Zamora. Way Kurat was the district representative in 2001, and was reelected in 2004 and 2007.

Incumbent Quirino governor Junie Cua, father of incumbent Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua, also had a successful House comeback bid. He served as Quirino representative in the 9th, 10th and 12th Congress.

Outgoing Northern Samar governor Paul Daza, outgoing Samar governor Sharee Ann Tan-de los Santos and Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo are also replacing their parents in the 18th Congress.

Daza is the son of incumbent Northern Samar Rep. Raul Daza. He won in the 2010 congressional derby, representing the first legislative district of Northern Samar.

Tan-de los Santos will replace her mother, incumbent Samar Rep. Milagros Tan. She won as representative of Samar’s second district in 2007, the youngest member of Congress at that time.

Mikey Arroyo will replace her mother, Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as Pampanga’s second district representative. After serving as Pampanga representative from 2004 to 2010, he became the representative for Ang Galing Pinoy party-list from 2010 to 2013. Former House members –Rufus Rodriguez, Mark Enverga, Pablo John Garcia, Romeo Jalosjos Jr., Vincent J. Garcia, Isidro Ungab will occupy the House seats left by their siblings.

Rodriguez will replace his younger brother, incumbent Cagayan de Oro Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr. Enverga is the older brother of incumbent Quezon Rep. Anna Kathrina Enverga.

PJ Garcia reclaimed the Cebu third district seat, replacing his sister, outgoing Deputy Speaker and Cebu Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia. He was representative of that district from 2007 to 2013.

Romeo Jalosjos Jr. will replace his brother, incumbent Zamboanga del Norte first district Rep. Seth Frederick Jalosjos. He won as Zamboanga Sibugay representative in 2010

Vincent J. Garcia, who served as first district representative of Davao City from 2001 to 2010, will replace his sister, incumbent Rep. Mylene Garcia-Albano.

Ungab also had a successful comeback as Davao city’s third district representative, replacing his brother, Davao City Rep. Alberto T. Ungab. He served as congressman from 2007 to 2016.

Ma. Lourdes Arroyo-Lesaca, sister-in-law of House Speaker Arroyo, won Negros Occidental’s congressional derby. Arroyo-Lesaca, wife of musician John Lesaca, was Kasangga partylist representative from 2007 to 2010.

Spouses of incumbent House members also dominated the congressional races.

Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa) president and former Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romuladez, former Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr., Mandaluyong City Rep. Boyet Gonzales, former Antipolo Rep. Robbie Puno, and Narciso “Bong” Bravo Jr. will take over the seats vacated by their wives.

Romualdez is the husband of incumbent Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez. Barzaga is husband of incumbent Cavite Rep. Jennifer Austria-Barzaga. Gonzales is the husband of incumbent Mandaluyong Rep. Alexandria Gonzales. Puno is the husband of incumbent Antipolo first dirstrict Rep. Roa Cristina “Chiqui” Puno. Bravo is the husband of first district Masbate Rep. Maria Vida Espinosa Bravo.

Former Health Secretary Janette Garin, and former Quezon Rep. Aleta Suarez will replace their husbands, incumbent Iloilo Rep. Oscar Richard Garin Jr., and House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, respectively.

Also included in the list of returning congressmen were Solomon Chungalao, Teodorico Haresco Jr., former Aklan representative from 2013 to 2016, and former Kasangga partylist representative; outgoing Cavite governor Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, outgoing Sta Rosa City, Laguna Mayor Dan Fernandez, former Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo, Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano and former ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman, who served as Anak Mindanao representative from 2001 to 2010 and won as representative of Basilan.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/05/23/28-ex-solons-making-a-comeback/

Duterte signs law renaming Compostela Valley as province of Davao de Oro

A new law renaming the province of Compostela Valley as the province of Davao de Oro has been signed by President Duterte.

Republic Act No. 11297 on renaming the province, known for its large gold deposits, was inked by the President last April 17 and released by the Palace to the media Thursday.

“The province of Compostela Valley is hereby renamed as the Province of Davao de Oro,” the law read.

Under the law, the renaming of Compostela Valley as Davao de Oro will be subject to ratification by a majority of votes cast in a plebiscite in the province.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will conduct and supervise the plebiscite on the proposed name change.

At present, Davao region is composed five provinces, namely Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental.

The new law takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or newspaper.

Apart from the Davao de Oro law, the President signed four other laws related to renaming of a police camp and creation of LTO offices in some areas.

The laws are the following:

-Republic Act No. 11276 establishing an extension office of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Tubigon, Bohol;

– Republic Act No. 11277 converting the Guimaras LTO extension office into a regular LTO district office;

– Republic Act. No. 11278 creating a Class D LTO district office in Pamplona, Camarines Sur; and,

– Republic Act No. 11296 renaming the Hilltop Rizal Philippine National Police command in Taytay, Rizal as Camp General Licerio Geronimo.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/05/23/duterte-signs-law-renaming-compostela-valley-as-province-of-davao-de-oro/

Compostela Valley now Davao de Oro

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a bill renaming the province of Compostela Valley as Davao de Oro.

Republic Act (RA) 11297 was signed by the President on April 17, but was only released to the media on Thursday.

“The renaming of the province of Compostela Valley as the province of Davao de Oro shall be subject to ratification by a majority of the votes cast by the qualified voters in a plebiscite to be conducted in the present province of Compostela Valley,” the law states.

The plebiscite will be conducted and supervised by the Commission on Elections.

RA 8470, creating the province of Compostela Valley, was amended by the new law, which will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Compostela Valley is the only province in the Davao Region without “Davao” in its name.

The province was created on March 7, 1998 through Republic Act No. 8470 that divided the province of Davao del Norte.

https://www.manilatimes.net/compostela-valley-now-davao-de-oro/558924/

Compostela renamed Davao de Oro

President Duterte has signed a law renaming Compostela Valley to Davao de Oro.

Malacañang released yesterday a copy of Republic Act 11297, which the President signed on April 17.

Republic Act No. 11297 amends Republic Act No. 8470, which created Compostela Valley.

The law needs to be ratified in a plebiscite by a majority of the voters in the province.

The Commission on Elections is tasked to conduct and supervise the plebiscite.

Once ratified, the names of all the provinces in Southern Mindanao will be Davao.

Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental and Davao del Sur are the other provinces in the region.

Compostela Valley is known as the country’s gold capital.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2019/05/24/1920337/compostela-renamed-davao-de-oro

Compostela Valley renamed 'Davao de Oro' in new law

But a plebiscite will be held for Compostela Valley voters to approve or reject the new name



A new law renames the province of Compostela Valley as Davao de Oro.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed the new measure, Republic Act No 11297, on April 17 but it was made public on Thursday, May 23.

President Duterte signs law renaming province of Compostela Valley as Davao de Oro. @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/1SFCqBaDJn

— Pia Ranada (@piaranada) May 23, 2019

But the province's new name will only be final after the approval of Compostela Valley voters in a plebiscite.

"The renaming of the Province of Compostela Valley as the Province of Davao de Oro shall be subject to ratification by a majority of the votes cast by the qualified voters in a plebiscite to be conducted in the present Province of Compostela Valley," reads the law.

The Commission on Elections is ordered to conduct and supervise the plebiscite.

The law will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/231376-new-law-compostela-valley-renamed-davao-de-oro 

Duterte signs law renaming Compostela Valley as Davao de Oro

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure renaming the province of Compostela Valley as the province of Davao de Oro.

This, however, has to be approved first by the residents through a plebiscite.

Under Republic Act 11297, approved April 17, the renaming of the province shall be subject to ratification by a majority of the votes cast by the qualified voters in a plebiscite.

The Commission on Elections shall conduct and supervise the plebiscite in compliance with the Local Government Code.

Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, sponsor of the bill, said the renaming of the province would mean entry of more investments.

He added Davao de Oro is a fitting name for the province, having the largest gold deposits in the country, with 10 out of its 11 towns having one or more gold mines each. Oro means gold in Spanish and Italian.

Compostela Valley is the only province in Davao Region which does not have Davao in its name just yet.

Davao region is composed of five provinces—Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental. — MDM, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/695429/duterte-signs-law-renaming-compostela-valley-as-davao-de-oro/story/

Goodbye, Compostela Valley? Hello, Davao de Oro?

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law renaming the province of Compostela Valley to Davao de Oro.

Duterte signed Republic Act 11297 on April 17 but was released only to the media on Thursday.

“The renaming of the Province of Compostela Valley as the Province of Davao de Oro shall be subject to ratification by a majority of the votes cast by the qualified voters in a plebiscite to be conducted on the present Province of Compostella Valley,” the new law read.

Compostela Valley Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy earlier said they wanted to rename their province as it is the only province in the Davao Region that does not bear the name “Davao.”

“The change of name is primarily motivated by our desire to be associated with the Davao region,” Uy said.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1122563/goodbye-compostela-valley-hello-davao-de-oro

12 senators proclaimed

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec), sitting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), officially proclaimed on Wednesday  all 12 senators-elect, nine days after the May 13 midterm polls.

All 12 winning senators were present during the proclamation at the canvassing headquarters of the NBOC at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

Senator-elect Francis Tolentino was first to arrive at the venue while comebacking Senator Pia Cayetano was last.

Except for Senators Christopher “Bong” Go and Ronald Dela Rosa, all others were accompanied by their wives or husbands and children.

Go and Dela Rosa were accompanied only by aides.

Below is the Comelec’s official count:

Cynthia Villar – 25,273,727
Grace Poe – 22,029,788
Christopher “Bong” Go – 20,657,702
Pia Cayetano 19,789,019
Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, 19,004,225
Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, 18,161,862
Lito Lapid 16,965,464
Imee Marcos, 15,882,628
Francis Tolentino, 15,510,026
Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel 3rd, 14,668,665
Ramon “Bong” Revilla, 14,624,445
Nancy Binay, 14,504,936

https://www.manilatimes.net/12-senators-proclaimed/558234/

Legarda says she can be a good House speaker

Outgoing Senator Loren Legarda, representative-elect of Antique’s lone congressional district, on Wednesday said she is confident that she can do a good job as speaker of the lower chamber.

Legarda’s name floated as one of the possible contenders for speakership at the House of Representatives at the opening of the 18th Congress on July 29.

“If it is the ability to perform a good job as speaker, I believe that I can do it, humbly speaking…in so far as performance at the job at hand,” she said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel.

But despite her optimism, Legarda recognizes that the speakership is a choice among the 297 elected representatives from various districts in the country.

“It’s not for a person to claim it. You can vie for it, but there is a process and it will be my first time in the bigger house,” she said.

Legarda was proclaimed as representative-elect of Antique after defeating former governor Exequiel Javier by 129,471 votes.

Asked what House committee she wants to head, Legarda, current chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, said she believes she can deliver in the appropriations committee.

She added, however, that she is “very open” to chair other committees in the lower chamber, since she had also experienced handling several committees in the Senate. (Editor: Gilbert S. Gaviola)

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1121898/legarda-says-she-can-be-a-good-house-speaker

D.M. Consunji boosts order book by P14B

The construction and engineering arm of DMCI Holdings has boosted its order book by P14 billion following a brand-new deal to build a commuter railway from Tutuban, Manila, to Malolos, Bulacan—the single biggest infrastructure project it bagged so far this year.

D.M. Consunji also expects to employ 5,000 workers for this North-South Commuter Railway (NCSR) phase 1, which will shorten travel time between Malolos and Tutuban to just 35 minutes from one hour and 30 minutes at present.

The construction firm has earmarked P2 billion in capital outlays for the next two years to support its railway construction activities, the bulk of which will be used to acquire construction equipment.

“Building mass transport systems and high-impact infrastructure is part of our DNA. We are very excited and grateful to be part of this game-changing project for our country,” said D.M. Consunji president and chief executive officer Jorge Consunji.

The project, which marks D.M. Consunji’s first partnership with Taisei Corp. of Japan, has a total contract value of around P54 billion. This project  will be done through an unincorporated joint venture with Taisei that recently bagged the project from the Department of Transportation.

D.M. Consunji’s share of revenues from this project is estimated at P14 billion, which is expected to be recognized as revenues over the next 30 months of the contract life.

The company was mandated to construct around 22 kilometers of elevated viaduct structures, six stations and a 14-hectare depot, which will be located in Valenzuela.

Including electromechanical and other components, NSCR phase 1 will be completed in 42 months. The railway will use the existing alignment of the Philippine National Railway and is expected to serve 300,000 passengers daily.  The trains will have the maximum operating speed of 120 kilometers per hour.

Isidro Consunji, president of parent conglomerate DMCI Holdings, said Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade had assured the group that 90 percent of the right-of-way in the segment awarded to Taisei and DM Consunji had already been cleared.

“Government is aware of the issues on completion and is doing something positive,” he told reporters after DMCI Holdings’ stockholders meeting.

https://business.inquirer.net/271023/d-m-consunji-boosts-order-book-by-p14b

Race is on: Who will be the next House speaker?

Several names are being floated for the possible replacement of Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo when she ends her term next month.

Sen. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, president of President Rodrigo Duterte's political party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), earlier said the party would regain the leadership of the House of Representatives.

Frontrunners for the speakership post are from the dominant PDP-Laban — Pantaleon Alvarez (Davao del Norte), Aurelio Gonzales (Pampanga) and Lord Allan Jay Velasco (Marinduque).

Administration allied lawmakers are also being eyed for possible speakership — Alan Peter Cayetano (Taguig City), Martin Romualdez (Leyte) and presidential son Paolo Duterte (Davao City).

Fredenil Castro (Capiz) of the National Unity Party and outgoing Sen. Loren Legarda have also expressed interest for the post.

Pantaleon Alvarez

Former Speaker Alvarez, who was booted out of the House Speakership in a coup last year, wants a comeback this year.

Alvarez was ousted as House speaker in July last year, with President Rodrigo Duterte's State of the Nation Address as his last official function as head of the lower chamber.

More than 180 members of the 292-member House of Representatives voted Arroyo to replace Alvarez while 12 abstained.

Earlier this week, Alvarez offered reconciliation with his political enemies, including Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, whom he had feud with.

“Now that elections are over, I offer my hand in peace to heal our deep and divisive wounds,” Alvarez said in a statement

Sara Duterte, however, said Alvarez's offer of reconciliation was "deceiving and lacked sincerity." She warned that the former speaker "remains to be a very dangerous, Machiavellian individual who do not deserve peace."

Fredenil Castro

House Majority Leader Fredenil Castro earlier admitted that he is interested in becoming the House Speaker but has yet to discuss this matter with Arroyo.

Castro, president of the National Unity Party, was reelected as congressman for the second disctrict of Capiz in the 2019 midterm polls. This would be his sixth term in the lower house.

Alan Peter Cayetano

Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, now a representative of his hometown Taguig City, gave up his Cabinet post for a seat in the House of Representatives.

As early as October last year, Cayetano had expressed interest in the speakership position.

"I will seek the leadership position in the House but it's a complex matter... You have to win the trust and confidence of the whole Congress especially na may specific vision tayo," Cayetano earlier told reporters.

Cayetano had also expressed optimism that he would get the House speakership without Sara Duterte's endorsement. Cayetano's Nacionalista Party is allied with the Davao City mayor's Hugpong ng Pagbabago coalition.

While Sara confirmed that Cayetano did not seek for her endorsement when they met in Davao last year, the presidential daughter claimed that the Taguig lawmaker warned her against endorsing Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco (Marinduque).

"He (Cayetano), however, came with a veiled threat, that if I endorse Rep. Velasco for Speaker, I would break up the 'group,'" Sara said.

Paolo Duterte

President Duterte's eldest son Paolo won his first term at the House of Representatives after winning the 2019 polls in their home town Davao City.

Paolo served as Davao City vice mayor before seeking a seat at the House. His younger sister Sara, however, said possible bid at the speakership "should best be addressed by our father because he is the president and our patriarch."

The president's eldest son is being linked to the illegal drug trade, which he already denied in a Facebook post in April.

Outgoing Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV claimed that Paolo Duterte has a dragon-like tattoo on his back that would supposedly prove his ties to a drug trafficking triad. Paolo refused to show his back to disprove the allegations during a Senate hearing.

Aurelio Gonzales

Pampanga's Aurelio Gonzales served as PDP-Laban's deputy national campaign manager in the 2019 midterm elections.

According to reports, Gonzales has the backing of newly-elected PDP-Laban senators, including former special assistant to the president Bong Go and former Philippine National Police chief Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa.

The Pampanga lawmaker was a member of Lakas-Kampi-CMD before transferring to the ruling PDP-Laban in the 2016 general elections.

Loren Legarda

Outgoing Sen. Legarda of the Nationalist People's Coalition would be taking over the lone district of Antique.

As her name was mentioned as possible House speaker, Legarda expressed confidence that she can do the job.

"If it is the ability to perform a good job as speaker, I believe that I can do it, humbly speaking… in so far as performance at the job at hand," Legarda told ANC's Headstart Tuesday.

Legarda, however, acknowledged that House leadership would depend on the 297 lawmakers elected from various districts in the country.

“It’s not for a person to claim it. You can vie for it, but there is a process and it will be my first time in the bigger house,” she said.

Martin Romualdez

Romualdez will be taking over the House seat that would be vacated by his wife Yedda after winning the 2019 polls. He is the president of Arroyo's Lakas-CMD party.

Rep. Prospero Pichay (Surigao del Sur) earlier claimed that Sara Duterte endorsed the possible speakership of Romualdez, nephew of former first lady Imelda Marcos.

Sara, however, denied Pichay's claims and clarified that she only raised Romualdez's hand during the HNP proclamation rally as he is supportive of the Duterte administration's reform agenda.

Lord Allan Velasco

In his Facebook page, Velasco shared an article stating that Sara Duterte "sealed a pact" to support his speakership in the 18th Congress.

This supposed agreement between Sara and Velasco seeks to avoid last year's House coup over the speakership.

Similar with her statement denying the endorsement of Romualdez, Sara noted that Velasco has been supportive of the president's agenda.

'Duterte will not meddle with House speakership'

Despite Pimentel's earlier declaration that PDP-Laban would regain House leadership, Malacañang earlier stressed that the president will not meddle with the speakership race.

"He (Duterte) does not meddle in the elections in Congress," presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said earlier this week.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/05/22/1919961/race-on-who-will-be-next-house-speaker

Ambush interview with Ambassador Marciano Paynor, Jr.

Updated

Earlier at the National Media Center of the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, when Ambassador Marciano Paynor, Jr. said to reporters it cited the live multimedia coverage of the 24th Southeast Asian Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand after the the 2005 Southeast Asian Games in Manila, the December 2000 to January 2001 Senate impeachment trial of former president Joseph Estrada that sparked the Second EDSA People Power Revolution that led to his ouster and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo becomes President from January 17 to 20, 2001, the January 12 to 16, 1995 Manila visit of Pope John Paul II for the 10th World Youth Day and 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain.

On December 7, 2000, the impeachment trial against former President Joseph Estrada began.

A first in Philippine history, it ended on January 17, 2001 when House prosecutors withdrew from the trial.

Millions immediately assembled on EDSA leading to the second People Power revolution that led to Estrada’s ouster.

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took her oath of office as 14th President of the Republic of the Philippines at 12:20 p.m., January 20, 2001 following the effective resignation of former president Joseph Estrada.

"I, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my duties as President of the Philippines," she declared before a cheering crowd of thousands at the EDSA Shrine. The oath was administered to her by Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr.

The former president and his family packed up and left Malacañang at around 2:15 p.m. on a barge that crossed Pasig River. The Estradas are currently at the family residence in 1 Polk Street in Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila.

San Juan Councilor Rolando Bernardo said that the tears of Estrada's tear were not prevented from happening. At around 3:25 pm Estrada stayed at his home in Polk St., Greeenhills. Jinggoy left the municipality.

On April 4, 2001, the Office of the Ombudsman filed plunder and eight other graft charges against him, his son Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, his wife former Senator Dra. Luisa “Loi” Ejercito, Charlie “Atong” Ang, and others.

Estrada was arrested on April 25, 2001 and was detained at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City. He was eventually transferred to his rest house in Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal where he was on house arrest.

Arroyo was elected to a full six-year presidential term in the May 10, 2004 elections and stepped down from office on June 30, 2010.

At around 4 p.m. on December 12, 2004, a bomb detonated in the main public market in General Santos City in Mindanao. The bomb, placed near some food stalls where meat and sausages were sold, killed at least 15 people and injured over 60 others.

Actor Fernando Poe, Jr. died at the age of 65 on December 14, 2004 at 12:01 am, without regaining consciousness.

The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake occurred at 8:58:53 a.m. on December 26, 2004 with an epicentre off the west coast of northern Sumatra. It was an undersea megathrust earthquake that registered a magnitude of 9.1–9.3 Mw, reaching a Mercalli intensity up to IX in certain areas. The earthquake was caused by a rupture along the fault between the Burma Plate and the Indian Plate. A series of large tsunamis up to 30 metres (100 ft) high were created by the underwater seismic activity that became known collectively as the Boxing Day tsunamis. Communities along the surrounding coasts of the Indian Ocean were seriously affected, and the tsunamis killed an estimated 227,898 people in 14 countries. The Indonesian city of Banda Aceh reported the largest number of victims. The earthquake was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history. The direct results caused major disruptions to living conditions and commerce particularly in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand.

On February 14, 2005, between 6:00 and 8:30 p.m., three separate bombs were detonated across the Philippines, one on a bus in Metro Manila, another in General Santos City, and another in Davao City. Four people were killed in Manila, three in General Santos, and one in Davao; over 100 people were wounded. Human Rights Watch interviewed witnesses to and survivors of all three attacks.

On the death of Pope John Paul II on April 2, 2005, President Arroyo declared three days of national mourning, and was one of many dignitaries at his funeral in Vatican City.

On November 27, 2005, the 23rd Southeast Asian Games was opened at the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, Manila.

On December 5, 2005, the 23rd Southeast Asian Games in Manila was closed. The flame of the games' cauldron was extinguished and the Federation flag was lowered. The final medal tally was led by host country, close to 112 gold medals.

After a lengthy trial at the Sandiganbayan, the anti-graft court ruled that Estrada was not guilty of perjury, but was guilty of plunder. He was sentenced to lifetime imprisonment. All his co-accused were acquitted.

On October 19, an explosion in Glorietta 2 left eleven people dead and injured more than a hundred. Initially, authorities said that it was caused by a liquefied petroleum gas explosion at a restaurant, but later began investigating the possibility that the explosion may have been a C-4 bomb.

On October 26, President Arroyo granted Estrada a presidential pardon. He was 70.

Espina clan still holds sway in Biliran

By Marie Tonette Marticio

TACLOBAN CITY– With their landslide victory in last week’s midterm elections, the Espina political clan bared plans to boost tourism in Biliran province.

Outgoing congressman Rogelio Espina was elected governor, while his younger brother, the outgoing governor Gerry Boy Espina, won in the lone congressional district.

Rogelio said that among his priorities is to promote Biliran’s tourism industry.

He is also eyeing cityhood for the province’s capital, Naval town.

Brigido Canejas III, who was elected vice governor, is an Espina ally, and so are all eight provincial board members and the municipal councilors.

All mayors except in the town of Cabucgayan are from Bando Espina, the clan’s political group. Marisol Masbang, the wife of Edwin Masbang won as mayor.

Among the seven mayors who won under Bando Espina is Congressman Espina’s son, Mayor Gerard Espina of Naval.

Gerard Espina, the youngest member of the clan, also prioritizes tourism in order to lure more investors.

One of his projects is to promote Higatangan Island, which will be holding its 3rd summer festival on May 25-26.

“This year’s festival will showcase local food products, culture, and livelihood of the locals such as mat weaving,” he said.

The island has been provided by the Department of Tourism with a two-lane circumferential road to facilitate travel around the island. Among the other destinations are a lighthouse, rock formations, and cliff diving site.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/05/21/espina-clan-still-holds-sway-in-biliran/

THE FILIPINO DECIDES 2019: THE POST-ELECTION WRAP

Both ABS-CBN and GMA have rendered an outstanding competition over augmented reality. Once again, the former does simulcast with S+A but the latter has not done so with GMA News TV (for their last time under VHF channel 11). Amidst the doubts, TV5 finally covered.

When the transparency server were stalled at 0.4% during 8 hours after the poll closing, ABS-CBN seems to make the most of their time by airing their usual primetime teleseryes but GMA stayed on persistently. Both in the South Triangle Duopoly remained overnight while TV5 signed off for a moment until their server is updated once again.

For Media ng Bayan, it was a disappointment that their coverage were resorted to a “talk show” format. Well, what do you expect over a state-owned media consortium that cannot acquire and employ better presentation technology — at par with commercial counterparts — due to procedural red tape?

The Agenda

Now, for that hard part to digest. What’s in store for the incoming (18th) Congress?

• Primarily, the Constitutional reform. Last week’s election might the last to considered as a midterm and on this running Charter. Unless a finalized form of federal charter will be resolved and presented, there may be some legislators who have obvious self-interests and/or reservations that could object some salient provisions.
• The other main legislations: the restoration of death penalty, lowering of minimum age of criminal responsibility and the TRABAHO bill (a.k.a. TRAIN 2).
• Martial Law in Mindanao. With the clear numbers in both houses, the declaration under the said island group are extended every year with a breeze up until 2022.
• The solid defense of China’s trespassing of our seas and complete, permanent trade-off of its patrimony. It can be a done deal since they have the numbers to ratify a treaty with the adversary.
• Last but not the least is ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal. This incoming Congress will take on this issue, which will expire come March. Although it’s for the legal ownership, operation and maintenance of telecommunication facilities, the signal of non-renewal might mean that the national media industry should prepare for the instantaneous change of competition.

What about the promises of the People’s Broadcasting Corporation bill (replacing PTV) — as promised on the President Duterte’s maiden State of the Nation address — and IBC’s privatization process? The former may be reintroduced if it failed to passed on the outgoing Congress but the latter is not as it would be answerable by the Presidential Communications Office during the budget interpellation on both Houses. If both did not prosper within the time period, it shouldn’t be surprising at all.

Conclusion

That being said, we carved up on what we chose that we cannot take it back (don’t say we didn’t warn you). That was our endgame and it is not as expected as what was in the movie.

Our results reflect what we are and we have no choice but to embrace them, whether we voted for any of them or not.

The Filipino Decides 2019 is hereby wrapped up.

Marking 100 years, NDC gears up towards high-impact projects

By Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat

National Development Co., the government’s investment arm, is looking at high impact projects where it continues to act as an enabler and support provider to local enterprises.

NDC General Manager Ma. Lourdes Rebueno said as the company just celebrated its centenary.

Rebueno said they they will continue to act as an enabler this time towards new technology-incubation, global competitiveness endeavors, renewable energy generation, addressing supply chain gaps, micro, small and medium enterprises and urban/rural development, providing support to local economies.

Its projects in the pipeline include the Multi-purpose Gamma Irradiation Facility, the expansion of the World Trade Center Metro Manila, the Davao Food Complex in Toril, Davao, the NDC Industrial Estate in Dasmarinas, Cavite, the solar hybrid system project initially targeted to be located in Palawan and the venture fund for start-ups.

NDC is, likewise, working in parallel with and is supportive of the investment priority plans of the Department of Trade and Industry, specifically in the Leyte Ecological Industrial Zone.

The company has and will continue to champion socio-economic programs through projects in greenfield areas generating employment and raising income towards the upliftment of the dignity of the Filipinos, Rebueno said.

The NDC celebration held at PICC was an opportunity for NDC to showcase its evolution from 1919 to 2019, from its first subsidiary, the Cebu Portland Cement Company incorporated in 1921 to its most recent investment in Rizal Mini Hydro Power Project.

DTI Secretary Lopez cited NDC’s rich history and commended the company for its contribution to the current economic progress that the country is experiencing now.

Through its 100 years of existence, NDC took the role of a catalyst in the country’s economic development, undertaking diverse projects, from inception, to nurturing, to privatization. These include industrial projects in the form of the National Steel Corporation, Philippine Phosphate Fertilizer Corporation, Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining Corporation, agricultural plantations through the NDC-Guthrie Plantations, Inc. and NDC-Guthrie Estates, Inc., transport with the Philippine Airlines, National Shipping Corporation and ocean-going vessels.

Likewise, NDC was the Philippine corporate representative in the Asean Joint Venture Projects in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

After focusing on privatization during the Aquino administration, NDC reverted on its cycle of investments with the likes of the very successful First Cavite Industrial Estate, Inc., Manila Exposition Complex, Inc., Science Park of the Philippines, Inc., San Carlos Bio-ethanol, Inc., Philippine Mining Development Corporation, Philippine Pharma Procurement, Inc., NDC Philippine Infrastructure Corporation, Alabang-Sto. Tomas Development, Inc.

Realizing the need for a definitive identity and to embrace a sense of corporate branding, the celebration was capped with the release of the new NDC Logo and the NDC Corporate Hymn.

NDC had a modest celebration of its centennial year which was held at the PICC with its Chairman, DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, as the guest of honor.

The occasion was a gathering of luminaries with the presence of former NDC Chairpersons, Ambassador Lilia Bautista, Jesli Lapuz and Adrian Cristobal. Likewise, present were former General Managers, Arthur Aguilar, Jose Mari Trenas, Samie Lim and Ofelia Bulaong together with partners from the government and the private sector.

Members of the NDC Board who attended the event are  NDC GM Ma. Lourdes F. Rebueno; DOF Usec. Grace Karen G. Singson; NDC Chairman and DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez; DOE Usec. Jesus Cristino P. Posadas; BOI Vice-Chairman and Managing Head Ceferino S. Rodolfo.

https://business.mb.com.ph/2019/05/20/marking-100-years-ndc-gears-up-towards-high-impact-projects/

Metro Channel Schedule (May 20, 2019)

• 5:55 am - Kape't Pandasal
• 6:00 am - Good Morning Hong Kong
• 7:30 am - Financial News
• 8:00 am - Property Experts
• 8:30 am - Global Market Bulletin
• 9:00 am - ETV
• 9:30 am - NBA Eastern Conference Finals 2019 (Game 3) - Milwaukee Bucks vs. Toronto Raptors
• 11:30 am - Market Update
• 12:00 pm - Global Watch
• 1:00 pm - Market Update
• 1:30 pm - Inside Market
• 2:30 pm - The Heat
• 3:00 pm - The World Today
• 3:30 pm - Market Update
• 3:55 pm - Inside Market
• 4:00 pm - The Furchester Hotel
• 4:30 pm - The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!
• 5:00 pm - Hotel Transylvania
• 5:30 pm - Super 4
• 6:00 pm - FINANCIAL REPORT
• 6:05 pm - Adam Ruins Everything
• 6:30 pm - Dolce Vita
• 7:00 pm - News Report with Sign Language
• 7:25 pm - Today in History
• 7:30 pm - News at Seven-Thirty
• 7:55 pm - Weather Report and Earth Live
• 8:00 pm - Pearl Magazine
• 8:30 pm - News File
• 8:35 pm - MasterChef Junior
• 9:25 pm - Video Cookbook
• 9:30 pm - Today in History
• 9:35 pm - Closer Look at Property
• 9:55 pm - Earth Live
• 10:00 pm - Financial at Ten
• 11:00 pm - News Roundup
• 11:30 pm - Tough Trucks
• 12:30 am - Marketplace
• 12:35 am - Signature Monday:Genius
• 1:40 am - WORLD MARKET UPDATE
• 1:45 am - NEWS ROUNDUP (PEARL)
• 2:00 am - Weather Report and Earth Live
• 2:05 am - Entertainment This Week
• 3:05 am - Sacred Sites
• 4:00 am - The Walking Dead
• 4:55 am - Channel Closed for Maintenance

Uy retains governorship of Zamboanga del Norte

The winners in the congressional races are Romeo Jalosjos Jr (1st district), Glona Labadlabad (2nd district), and Isagani Amatong (3rd district)

Governor Roberto Uy, candidate of the ruling PDP-Laban, retained the governorship of Zamboanga del Norte in a close contest with Representative Seth Frederick Jalosjos of the administration-allied Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP).

Uy was proclaimed governor by the Provincial Board of Canvassers at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session hall in Dipolog City early on evening Saturday, May 18.

Uy garnered 219,412 votes, just 2,895 ahead of Jalosjos.

In the province’s 1st district, Romeo Jalosjos Jr (HNP-APP) won against Uy’s son Roberto Jr (PDP-Laban), while in the 2nd district Representative Glona Labadlabad (PDP-Laban) retained the position against challenger Flora Villarosa (HNP-APP), outgoing mayor of Siayan municipality.

In the 3rd district, challenger Norbedieri Edding (HNP-APP) lost to incumbent Representative Isagani Amatong.

Retired General Alexander Yano, former Armed Forces chief of staff, lost to former congressman Rosendo Labadlabad, husband of the 2nd district congresswoman, in Sindangan, the province’s largest town.

Reports of vote-buying

Zamboanga del Norte is still among the 10 poorest provinces in the country, but it is also among the provinces with the most expensive vote.

According to reports, vote-buying ranged from P1,000 up to 5,000 for every stock vote of both sides. After their machineries were paid, the bidding started among those who were actively selling their votes, locally called “paling-paling.”

There were also reports of dirty tricks like “hamletting” – one camp would bring voters of their opponent to hotels or even to a ship to prevent them from voting.

It was reportedly more more “brutal” in Sirawai.

A watcher for Romeo Cariño, challenger of reelectionist Mayor Gamar Janihim, claimed the mayor’s men mauled watchers of his opponents and prevented his opponent’s voters from entering polling places, but no incident report from the authorities could prove this as of posting.

Of Sirawai’s 34 barangays, there were 9 barangays with a highly improbable turnout of 91-99%, while 24 barangays known to be the bailiwick of Cariño got very low turnout of voters at 80% down to zero percent.

“Meaning, there were no voters who cast their votes, including us watchers of Cariño,” the watcher said.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2019/231056-roberto-uy-retains-governorship-zamboanga-del-norte

GMA Network eyes diversification outside media space

Broadcast giant GMA Network Inc. is exploring opportunities outside the media space similar to the steps being undertaken by its rival network, its chairman and CEO Felipe Gozon said.

“Yes, there are plans. We are looking,” Gozon said when asked if GMA has plans to diversify its business just like what ABS-CBN has been doing recently.

Gozon, however, declined to disclose yet the potential areas which the company is looking to venture into, saying that the opportunities are still under study.

He said the possible revival of defunct TV network QTV on channel 11 under a blocktime agreement with Christian broadcaster ZOE Broadcasting Network and transformed into a general entertainment station as well the defunct social networking site Multiply.

“But we will do it slowly. We are not bold because we do not want to end up at a loss,” Gozon said.

GMA’s subsidiaries and affiliates are involved in media-related services such as movie making, sets and props construction, film syndication, music and video recording, new media, online gaming, post production services and marketing, which complement the company’s core television and radio broadcasting business.

Its rival network, ABS-CBN, is diversifying into new businesses outside the media space such as food and beverage, customer and merchant e-wallet services, and cosmetics production sectors.

ABS-CBN is also rapidly transitioning into an agile digital company with a growing list of digital properties.

GMA, for its part, is also undertaking its own digital transformation efforts.

Gozon said GMA’s digital device “which will have features which our competitors do not have” would be launched sometime in the second half of the year.

The network is in the final stretch of preparations for the launch of MyGMA Go, its mobile digital terrestrial television service that is targeted to revolutionize content consumption habits by combining digital TV viewing and the fun elements of mobile interactivity.

GMA will launch an affordable and compact end-user device that can act as a digital TV receiver when connected to an Android smartphone.

Complimentary to this device is a mobile application that can be downloaded from the Google Play Store from which users can watch GMA’s exclusive channels and other free-to-air channels without a need for an active internet connection.

Gozon said the device would be distributed by PLDT.

“It will be exclusive with PLDT. We have a contract already, but the details are just being finalized. PLDT will handle distribution, while we will be in charge of the content and device,” he said.

The proprietary technologies that include hardware and software solutions for MyGMA Go have been patented with both the local and international Intellectual Property Organization, and manufacturing of the end-user devices from China will be done in the late second quarter.

Gozon said the company is initially targeting to sell one million units nationwide.

GMA and PLDT signed last January a technology, content, and distribution agreement that will involve the launch of game-changing innovations that will power the TV network’s digital transformation.

ABS-CBN, for its part, has sold seven million TVplus boxes since its launch in 2015 up to end February.

https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/05/20/1919201/gma-network-eyes-diversification-outside-media-space

A Mangudadatu elected 1st woman governor of Maguindanao

BESTING FIVE other candidates, Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu has won as the first woman governor of Maguindanao with 256,338 votes. Her closest rival was Freddie Mangudadatu, who received 201,565 votes. Freddie is the first cousin of Bai Mariam’s husband, Suharto Mangudadatu, who also won as the governor of Sultan Kudarat province in the neighboring SOCCSKSARGEN Region. Ms. Sangki-Mangudadatu said that she will focus on providing medical services, livelihood, and scholarship programs. Meanwhile, former Maguindanao governor, Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, brother of Freddie, won as congressional representative for the province’s 2nd District. Esmael told the media that despite his brother’s defeat, he is still ready to help the governor-elect “in serving Maguindanao.” He said, “I am willing to support whatever the plans of the new administration because we share the same endeavor of serving the province of Maguindanao.” The congressman-elect also said that he will ask President Rodrigo R. Duterte for a temporary halt on military operations in Maguindanao. “I am hoping that the war stops. Allow the BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) government to talk to the lawless elements.” He added that he is willing to take part in the negotiations. “Civilian lives are always at risk, it will only make a cycle of violence,” he said.

BASILAN

In Basilan, former ARMM regional governor Mujiv S. Hataman won as congressman for the island province’s lone district. His wife, former ANAK Mindanao representative Djalia Hataman won as mayor of Isabela City, which is geographically part of Basilan but is under the administrative jurisdiction of Zamboanga Peninsula Region. The couple ran against candidates of the Akbar political clan of Basilan.

SULU

In Sulu, members of the Tan family running under the ruling PDP-Laban party won several seats. Among them are former governor Abdusakur M. Tan, who is returning to his old post while his son, incumbent Governor Abdusakur A. Tan II, was elected vice-governor. — Tajallih S. Basman

https://www.bworldonline.com/a-mangudadatu-elected-1st-woman-governor-of-maguindanao/