The Dish featuring Saigosan ( 24 December 2022 )

Lutong Daza | December 24, 2022

Lutong Daza with Alexa Miro | December 17, 2022

The Dish featuring Nokal (17 December 2022)

Lutong Daza with Jane Oineza | December 10, 2022

Lutong Daza with Eric Quizon | December 3 2022

The Dish featuring Craft 1945

Lutong Daza with Ella Cruz | November 26, 2022

The Dish featuring Prime Roasting (26 November 2022)

Dr. Marivic Villa on Intermittent Fasting | Be Well Now (16 November 2022)

Amerson Lin of Gigacover | Usapang Business | #kalingangkatribu (14 Nove...

Lutong Daza | November 12, 2022

‘Long overdue’: Gatchalian backs creation of CAR

by Seth Cabanban

Valenzuela 1st district Rep. Rex Gatchalian has expressed his support for the creation of the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR), something he described as “long overdue”.

“The establishment of the Cordillera Autonomous Region has been long overdue. It is high time that we legislate this very important measure that will give Cordillerans the right to freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development,” the chairman of the House Committee on Local Government said on Thursday, Nov. 10.

The CAR has been a transitory coordinating agency since 1987, following President Corazon Aquino’s Executive Order (EO) 220. HB 3267, if enacted, would grant it autonomy.

The local government panel approved House Bill (HB) 3267 or “An Act Establishing the Cordillera Administrative Autonomous Region” on Nov. 10.

“I congratulate the authors of this measure for their fortitude in tirelessly pursuing its passage. We assure our Cordilleran brothers and sisters that this Committee will continue to fully support this measure until its final approval in the House,” Gatchalian said. He is likely to sponsor the measure in plenary, as chairman of the Committee on Local Government.

Abra Rep. Ching Bernos, Apayao Rep. Eleanor Bulut-Begtang, Ifugao Rep. Solomon Chungalao, Mountain Province Rep. Maximo Dalog Jr., Baguio City Rep. Mark Go, Kalinga Rep. Allan Mangaoang, and Benguet Rep. Eric Go Yap authored the measure.

“The collective aspiration of the Cordillerans for genuine autonomy is rooted on the right to self-determination of the people fueled by a long history of struggle for the recognition of their rights. It is high time that we make good on this Constitutional mandate, and allow the Cordillerans to determine their political status and to freely pursue their economic, social, and cultural development,” the authors wrote

In the 18th Congress, a measure that sought autonomy for the Cordillera Administrative Region was approved on the third reading and was transmitted to the Senate but fell short because of a “lack of material time”, as Gatchalian put it.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/31/bill-batting-for-politically-autonomous-car-hurdles-house/

Lutong Daza | November 5, 2022

The Dish featuring Tatatito

Replay: Christine Dogma Mackenzie of Healthy Clover | Kalingang Katribu ...

Lutong Daza | October 29, 2022

The Dish featuring Vikings ( 22 October 2022 )

PLDT-DPC Metro Manila Telephone Directory Cover

1 - June 1987-May 1988, on the cover: "Pacific Rhythm" by Perfecto “Jun” Baloloy, Jr.
2 - June 1988-May 1989, on the cover: "Epoch in Communication" by Jaime “Jim” Battad, Jr.
3 - June 1989-May 1990, on the cover: "A Rich Heritage of Race and Spirit" by Neil Manalo
4 - June 1990-May 1991, on the cover: "Aanhin Pa ang Damo kung Patay na ang Kabayo" by Mario Uy
5 - June 1991-May 1992, on the cover: "Magkabalikat sa Iisang Mithiin" by Rizal D. Maddela
6 - June 1992-May 1993, on the cover: "Sama-sama, Tulong-tulong, Kaunlaran Para sa Ating Lahat" by Modesto P. Saldana, Jr.
7 - June 1993-May 1994, on the cover: "Seal of the noble Filipino" by Rodrigo Clapano
8 - June 1994-May 1995, on the cover: "Paghubog at Paglinang sa mga Bagong Sibol Tungo sa Maunlad at Matatag na Kinabukasan" by Armando E. Flaviano
9 - June 1995-May 1996, on the cover: "Sa Pamilya Magmumula ang Pagbabago at Pag-asa" by Wesley Valenzuela of the University of Santo Tomas
10 - June 1996-May 1997, on the cover: "Sagisag ng Tagumpay" by Alberto Emmanuel Villavert III,
11 - June 1997-May 1998, on the cover: "Sama-sama sa Pagdiwang ng Kalayaan" by The Art of Marcial Pontillas
12 - June 1998-May 1999, on the cover: "Kasarinlan at iba pa (Ang Tagumpay ng Bayang Pilipinas)" by Resty A. Tica
13 - June 1999-May 2000, on the cover: "Transformation of Time Towards a Bountiful Life"
14 - June 2000-May 2001, on the cover: "Pagdiriwang" by Randolf Q. Tuazon, Far Eastern University
15 - June 2001-May 2002, on the cover: "Ang Ilog Pasig Noon, Ay Siya Na Muli Ngayon" 29" x 29", oil/acrylic entry of Ronnie T. Tres Reyes of the University of the East-Kalookan.
16 - June 2002-May 2003, on the cover: "I.T. An opening To A New World", 24" x 25", Tempera Watercolor entry of Jaime B. Gubaton
17 - June 2003-May 2004, on the cover: "I Belong to One Big Happy Family" Oil on Canvas entry by Allan Jay Ballisi
18 - June 2004-May 2005, on the cover: "Huwarang hangarin: kabataan pag-asa pa rin ang bayan", 29" x 29" oil on canvass entry of Jaypee Samson
19 - June 2005-May 2006, on the cover: "Manggawang Pinoy: pinagbuklod ng isang layunin, kaya't tawagin natin silang mga bagong bayani", 29" x 29" oil on canvass entry of Jermaine W. Alvarez
20 - 

Lutong Daza with Sandy Daza and Pat-P Daza | Saturday | October 15, 2022

The Dish featuring Butchogs (15 October 2022)

Lutong Daza with Sandy Daza and Pat-P Daza | Saturday | October 8, 2022

The Dish featuring China Blue by Jereme Leung (08 October 2022)

The Dish featuring Mimi & Bros (01 October 2022)

Maguindanao split/ Election postponement/ New appointments | Politics As...

Multiply Social Network Now A Go After 9 Year Deadlock

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The nine-year deadlock is finally over.

After nine years of being closed, Prosus N.V. has inked a consensus among shareholders to reopen Multiply as a social networking site.

Multiply was a platform where people uploaded various media such as photos, videos, and blog entries, but its real charm among many users was its unlimited photo sharing. With the unlimited photo sharing feature, people upload massive amounts of photos without losing so much of the photos’ quality. People had these photos sorted into different albums, and segregated into different dates.

An agreement with Prosus will be signed tomorrow, September 28 to finalize the re-opening of the Multiply.com social network.

Resolving the problem

Getting all parties to agree is among Multiply CEO Stefan Magdalinski's targets within the first 100 days of Marcos's administration, and it involved engaging all stakeholders in meetings in order to reach a consensus. In a meeting, last Sept. 8, Multiply founder Peter Pezaris and former country manager for the Philippines Jonathan Madrid agreed that the website is necessary to recover and retrieve blogs, photos, and videos from 2004 to 2013.

Legal tussle

The Enchong Dee feature project in UAAP Magazine started on September 23, 2012, during the first semester of UAAP Season 75 hosted by the National University, and has been on hold due to legal issues and scheduling conflicts.

On May 6, 2013, Multiply Philippines officially announced it will permanently shut down.

On May 31, 2013, Multiply had ceased its operations and shut down entirely.

The long closure of the website lasted for 9 years, to rehabilitate and resolve the issues surrounding Multiply, including financial problems as well as to recover and retrieve hosted blogs, videos, and photos.

However, when President Rodrigo Duterte came to power on June 30, 2016, the website remains closed.

According to the sources, the website would remain shuttered when the president was still in office until June 30, 2022.

On April 1, 2019, the company issued a bankruptcy court filing which stated that it would no longer auction off its intellectual property, since its controlling lender planned to "the business behind the Multiply brand name" with their new mobile app, delivering old accounts, photos and videos from the old Multiply from it's launch in March 2004 to March 15, 2013, and establishing new opportunities. The company evaluated that selling its brand at auction is "not reasonably likely to yield a superior alternative."

Magdalinski said he had proposed to the website’s board plans and strategies which would include another set of efforts that should bring the company to profitability in the next couple of years.

“I’ve actually presented to the board some of the things that I like to do and because of the current struggles of the business when it comes to views, and correspondingly revenues. So an important pivot that we will do is, of course, we will still continue to offer social networking, but we want to maximize the assets that we have, that have by putting in more shows that more and more people will use the computer,” Magdalinski said in an interview.

It is expecting to resume its operations next year, after it announced President Rodrigo R. Duterte lifted the closure on August 22.

“Hopefully, next week basta ma-comply nila lahat ng requirement (I hope net week for compliant operators),” Multiply.com Philippines president Katherine Chloe S. de Castro-Cruz told reporters in a briefing Friday.

On October 15, 2019, the response of Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, when asked about the bankruptcy and potential demise of e-commerce and social networking site Multiply.

There was no direct response when asked if the President's previous statements were true that he would approve the reopening of a website, Panelo said.

Such statements by the president were simply out of frustration.

The management announced that it would engage in a decade-long rehabilitation effort, including the importation of old and new features such as similar to Facebook Live until Multiply is reopened by June 1, 2025; however, there were plans to partially re-open within 2021 depending on the social networking portion.

On December 30, 2019, Duterte again warned Multiply CEO Magdalinski that syndicated estafa charges “have no bail” and that he was determined to see them in jail.

On January 2, 2020, President Duterte doesn’t just make threats, he will pursue the filing of syndicated estafa charges against the CEO and owner of Indonesian E-commerce and global social networking giant Multiply over financial difficulties and corporate rehabilitation, Malacañang said on Thursday.

“Pag sinabi ni Presidente, tutuluyan niya iyan (When the President says something, he will really do it),” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

It then began the arduous task of resuming its operations.

To recall, according to Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares, Chair of the Senate Public Services Committee, and Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez on the process to reopen Multiply as a social networking site, to compete with Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter.

The Securities and Exchange Commission of the Philippines granted their application for an increase in capitalization and amendments to Multiply's articles of incorporation and by-laws. 

According to CEO and owner Magdalinski in his press release last February 19 at midnight, "Calls to return the blog platform and social networking portion of Multiply be reopen will have to wait until the next presidential administration."

Tech bloggers said the world is focused on the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Duterte maintained on July 26, 2021, that the E-commerce marketplace Multiply still has unsettled taxes with the government worth billions of pesos.

In his sixth and final State of the Nation Address (SONA), Duterte vented frustrations over Multiply’s supposed dishonesty by importing its equipment “tax-free”.

“Kaya talaga ako hindi papayag. They still owe government billions,” Duterte said.

Duterte, however, clarified that he is not holding a grudge against Multiply.

He said he even chose to keep silent over Multiply’s actions because he did not want to appear “vindictive.”

He, however, said he could not stomach the fact that Multiply is “cheating the government.”

“Wala akong problema sa Multiply. They got my money. They wanted to return it when the case blew up but they printed all garbage. Nilamon ko na lang lahat yun because I never wanted to appear vindictive but itong ano, they are cheating the government by billions in taxes,” (I have no problem with Multiply. They got my money. They wanted to return it when the case blew up but they printed all garbage. I just swallowed it all because I never wanted to appear vindictive but what is this, they are cheating the government with billions in taxes) Duterte said.

Duterte, in his previous speeches, has repeatedly said he would not allow Multiply to resume business operations along with the blog portal and social networking portion under his watch.

On July 27, 2021, SBMA Chairperson Wilma T. Eisma said in a briefing that discussions are at 99.99%, and she is hoping to announce the reopening before yearend.

“We are very excited because it means jobs will be back and the social networking portion will be fully operational together with the Multiply International site has reopened and accessible again,” she said.

On October 18, 2021, when senatorial aspirant Rafael "Raffy" Tulfo is among those who support the reopening of the Multiply.com social network to restore jobs for Filipinos and foreigners.

Tulfo said 12,000 Multiply workers lost their jobs after the website ceased its operations and shut down entirely along with the site on May 31, 2013.

“Of course. Kasi why I’m pro mga manggagawa na naapi, nawalan ng trabaho, na nadedehado,” (Of course. Because why I’m pro workers who have been oppressed, lost their jobs, who are disadvantaged) he told ANC’s Headstart host Karen Davila when asked about his support for the Multiply social network reopening.

“In this case I know mahigit 12,000 na empleyado ng Multiply na nawalan ng trabaho because of that,” (In this case I know more than 12,000 Multiply employees who lost their jobs because of that) the veteran broadcaster said.

In a television interview on December 21, 2021, Senator Imee Marcos was asked about her stand on the re-opening of social networking site Multiply should her brother get elected as president in next year’s elections.

Imee Marcos

“To my mind Multiply, under the new construct defined by law and all the problems that have been already revealed, once it solves all that, para sa akin walang problemang buksan yan, first 100 days para makita natin (for me there is no problem with its re-opening, even on the first 100 days so that we can see),” the senator said in an interview with Davila on ANC's Headstart.

According to Ryan Ang: “Is this a sign that they will open and resume operations this 2022?”

Under the new presidential administration, the website will make a comeback: to construct a new modern, permanent Philippine headquarters building in Clark, Pampanga with a data center, hiring former employees, and re-updating the 2013 Multiply logo (Flat variant version).

On June 30, 2022, the new administration forged a compromise with the shareholders involved, just to break the deadlock and get the website going.

On August 19, 2022, it finally agreed on the social networking portion of Multiply. According to Magdalinski, it has decided to reopen the website along with all business operations, the Multiply International site, and the social networking portion including 11 million users with hosted blogs, videos, photos, and messaging. It is set to sign the final agreement on August 31," according to Mon Jocson of UNTV.

The agreement is to be signed tomorrow.

The Dish featuring Tatatito (24 September 2022)

The Dish featuring 22 Prime Discovery Suites (17 September 2022)

Lutong Daza with Sandy Daza and Pat-P Daza | Saturday | September 10, 2022

The Dish featuring Craft 1945 (10 September 2022)

Dr. Johann Mañez on Healthy Eats | Be Well Now

Lutong Daza with Sandy Daza and Pat-P Daza | Saturday | September 3, 2022

Preview Ball 2022

Be Well Now | Dr. Johann Kim T. Mañez

PLDT Art Contest now accepting entries

Now on its 37th Year, the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) and the Directories Philippines Corporation (DPC) 2023-2024 Telephone Directory Cover Visual Arts National Competition carries the theme "Business for Life". The theme is in line with the .

Every year, the PLDT-DPC Telephone Directory Cover Visual Arts National Competition has a theme that reflects the changing concerns of society.

The Competition has given many young visual artists the opportunity to gain honors and see their works on the covers of telephone directories. The announcement of winners will be on February 4, 2023 at the Ayala Museum.

The Grand Prize-winning entry will be on the cover of PLDT Metro Manila Telephone Directory, which contains the White Pages and the Yellow Pages which come in two volumes, namely: Household and Business and Commercial and Industrial, while four remaining winning entries will be used for PLDT's provincial telephone directories. The entries are also judged by some of the country's top artists from the Artists Association of the Philippines Foundation Inc.

Almost PhP300,000 and trophies and plaques designed and executed by National Artist Napoleon Abueva are at stake. The Grand Prize Winner receives P60,000 and a trophy, while the School gets PhP25,000 and a plaque. The Second Prize Winner gets PhP50,000 and a plaque, while the School gets PhP20,000 and a plaque. The Third Prize Winner gets P40,000 and a trophy while the school receives PhP15,000 and a plaque. The Fourth and Fifth Prize Winners will receive PhP35,000 and PhP30,000, respectively; their schools get PhP10,000 and PhP8,000.

PLDT Telephone Directories

Metro Manila Telephone Directory - August Issue, 4-column book
Contains three volumes of directories included: White Pages - Alphabetical Listings, Yellow Pages - Household & Business (HB), and Yellow Pages - Commercial & Industrial (CI)
Delivered in: City of Manila, Caloocan City, Las Piñas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City, San Juan, San Pedro, Taguig, Valenzuela and Pateros

Regional Telephone Directories na Combined at hindi baliktad
Ilocos/Abra Telephone Directory - September Issue, 2-column book
Distributed and delivered in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, parts of La Union are San Gabriel, Santol, Sudipen, and Bangar and parts of Cagayan are Santa Praxedes, Claveria, Calayan, Sanchez-Mira, Pamplona.
Cagayan/Isabela/Nueva Vizcaya Telephone Directory - September Issue, 2-column book
Distributed and delivered in Santiago City, Isabela, Cagayan, Batanes, Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya
Pangasinan / La Union Telephone Directory - September Issue, 2-column book
Distributed and delivered in Pangasinan and La Union (San Fernando, Agoo, Aringay, Bacnotan, Bagulin, Balaoan, Bangar, Bauang, Burgos, Caba, Luna, Naguilian, Pugo, Rosario, San Juan, Sto. Tomas and Tubao)
CALABAR Telephone Directory - December Issue, 4-column book
Distributed and delivered in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas and Rizal
Palawan / Marinduque / Masbate / Occidental Mindoro / Oriental Mindoro / Romblon Telephone Directory  - July Issue, 2-column book
Iloilo/Capiz Telephone Directory - February Issue, 4-column book
Distributed and delivered in Metro-Iloilo Guimaras (Iloilo City, Leganes, Oton, Pavia, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, Buenavista, Jordan, Nueva Valencia, San Lorenzo and Sibunag), Aklan, Antique and Capiz
Negros Telephone Directory - September Issue, 4-column book
Distributed and delivered in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental, Parts of Negros Oriental: Canlaon, Guihulngan, Jimalalud, La Libertad and Vallehermoso
Bohol/Leyte Telephone Directory - July Issue, 2-column book
Distributed in Bohol, Tacloban City, Samar Leyte, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Biliran and Southern Leyte
Cebu Telephone Directory - October Issue, 4-column book
Distributed and delivered in Cebu
Davao Telephone Directory - November Issue, 4-column book
Distributed and delivered in Metro Davao (Davao City, Tagum, Panabo, Digos, Samal, Carmen, and Sta. Cruz), entire provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley.
General Santos / Maguindanao / North & South Cotabato / Sarangani / Sultan Kudarat Telephone Directory - November Issue, 2-column book
Distributed in General Santos City, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Maguindanao and North Cotabato
Zamboanga Telephone Directory - February Issue, 2-column book
Distributed and delivered in Zamboanga City, Basilan, Zamboanga Sibugay, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi

PLDT Telephone Directories fatter-thin for 2023

The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) and Directories Philippines Corporation (DPC) announces for its 2023-2024 telephone directories: the 4-column 3-volume fatter-thin marketed-segmented Metro Manila Telephone Directory has three volumes: White Pages - Alphabetical Listings (merger of Government and Business Listings and Residential Listings), Yellow Pages - Household & Business and Yellow Pages - Commercial & Industrial

PLDT Metro Manila:

1. White Pages - Alphabetical Listings (merger of Government and Business Listings and Residential Listings)
2. Yellow Pages - Household and Business
3. Yellow Pages - Commercial and Industrial

Regional

1. PLDT Iloilo / Capiz
2. PLDT Misamis Occidental / Misamis Oriental
3. PLDT Zamboanga
4. PLDT Maratel
5. PLDT Philcom
6. PLDT Palawan / Marinduque / Masbate
7. PLDT Bohol / Leyte
8. PLDT Quezon / Albay / Camarines Norte and Sur / Catanduanes / Sorsogon
9. PLDT Benguet / Mountain Province
10. PLDT Negros Occidental / Negros Oriental
11. PLDT Pangasinan / La Union
12. PLDT Ilocos Norte / Ilocos Sur / Abra
13. PLDT Cagayan / Isabela / Nueva Vizcaya
14. PLDT Bulacan / Nueva Ecija
15. PLDT Pampanga / Clarktel / Tarlac
16. PLDT Bataan / Zambales / Subictel
17. PLDT Cebu
18. PLDT Davao / Surigao del Norte
19. PLDT General Santos / Maguindanao / North and South Cotabato / Sarangani / Sultan Kudarat
20. PLDT Cavite
21. PLDT Laguna
22. PLDT Batangas
23. PLDT Rizal

The Dish featuring Lunes Everyday Dining ( 27 Aug 2022 )

Senate on ‘total lockdown’ on Monday following COVID-19 infections

Jauhn Etienne Villaruel, ABS-CBN News

The Senate building in Pasay City will be on “total” lockdown on Monday to undergo “thorough cleaning and disinfection” following the COVID-19 infections of several senators and some staff, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri announced Friday.

“I have instructed the Secretariat to conduct a thorough cleaning and disinfection of all Senate offices. For this reason, there will be a total lockdown of our Senate building, and all Senate employees shall work from home and need not report to the Senate on Monday,” Zubiri said. 

Zubiri said Senate sessions would resume on Tuesday.

Senators JV Ejercito, Nancy Binay, and Joel Villanueva are the latest members of the Senate to catch COVID-19 this month.

Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Imee Marcos, Cynthia Villar and Grace Poe were earlier infected with the virus.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/19/22/senate-on-total-lockdown-on-monday-following-covid-19-infections

Comelec urges Maguindanao residents to vote with plebiscite preparations underway

 The Commission on Elections has designated September 17 of this year for the holding of the Maguindanao plebiscite to determine whether or not the province will be divided into two. 

At the Maguindanao Plebiscite Coordinating Conference in Cotabato City earlier this week, Comelec chair George Garcia urged residents of Maguindanao to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming plebiscite. Residents are voting to ratify Republic Act 11550, which President Rodrigo Duterte signed in May last year, dividing the province into Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.

The commission is also set to print 818,790 ballots for the plebiscite.

"We're calling on Maguindanaoans to go out and vote. This is for your future, not just one person. It's for your future... I believe that because of the love of Maguindanaoans in their province, because these are your aspirations, whether you really want to divide, or if you really don't want it, the important thing is always to be able to vote."

"It is not enough for Yes to win or for No to win enough. We should make sure that the people can vote... We will remember, always, sovereignty resides on the people."

Garcia also appealed to the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to ensure the security of poll workers and remain vigilant against election-related violence and other violations. 

A gun ban has since been implemented in the province as part of the government's security preparations ahead of the plebiscite.

"Sometimes, the electoral exercises that we know will be quiet are the ones that suddenly doesn't go well. So, let's not ignore that it's just a plebiscite... That's why I'm asking all of you, how can we came together in 2022 May [elections], that would be our coming together, our coordination for this in the upcoming plebiscite," Garcia said. 

"That is my request, especially to the PNP and the ace AFP that I hope our election officers, election assistants and all election workers will be protected... I hope no lives will be lost or hurt because of this plebiscite."

A similar plebiscite was held in Palawan in March 2021, wherein a majority voted not to divide the province into three.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/08/19/2203726/comelec-urges-maguindanao-residents-vote-plebiscite-preparations-underway

Comelec asks PNP, AFP to secure poll workers in Maguindanao plebiscite

 Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News

Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman George Erwin Garcia on Thursday led the coordinating conference for the Maguindanao plebiscite next month.

Garcia was joined by Comelec commissioners Aimee Ferolino and Marlon Casquejo during the event held in Cotabato City.

According to the Office of the Comelec Chairman, security and preparations for the Sept. 17 plebiscite were discussed.

The plebiscite seeks to ratify the division of the Province of Maguindanao into two, to be known as Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.

The Maguindanao plebiscite will use 818,790 ballots.

Garcia appealed to the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to ensure the security of poll workers.

“Yun pong kahilingan ko lang, lalo na po sa ating PNP at sa ating AFP, na sana naman po ang ating mga election officers, election assistants, at lahat ng manggagawa sa eleksyon ay ma-protektahan," he said.

"Kahit paano po, ang kanilang security ay masiguro natin. Kahit paano, na sana walang buhay na mawawala o masasaktan dahil sa plebesito na ito,” he added.

The printing for the first batch of official ballots has commenced at the National Printing Office (NPO) in Diliman, Quezon City, Comelec said.

The poll body said the manual election system is used for the conduct of plebiscites, and ballots are accomplished manually by the voters by writing the answer for the approval or rejection of the proposed measure.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte last year approved Republic Act 11550 which divided the southern province.

The two provinces will be created upon approval by the majority of residents in a plebiscite, the charter reads. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/18/22/pnp-afp-asked-to-secure-poll-workers-in-maguindanao-plebiscite

Comelec prints ballots for Batangas, Maguindanao plebiscites

By: John Eric Mendoza - Reporter

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) started Tuesday the printing of ballots and other forms for the plebiscites to be held this September in Batangas and in Maguindanao.

The Batangas plebiscite on Sept. 3 is to ratify the conversion of Calaca town into a component city. The Maguindanao plebiscite on Sept.. 17  is to ratify the division of the province into Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.

The printing is being done at the National Printing Office, which has so far printed 58,881 ballots for Calaca.

Comelec said it would print 818,790 ballots for Maguindanao.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1647934/comelec-prints-ballots-for-batangas-maguindanao-plebiscites

Space Buddies featuring RLC Residences ( 13 Aug 2022 )

Maguindanao plebiscite: Gun ban starts August 16

A gun ban will be implemented from Aug. 16 to Sept. 24 as part of the security measures for the holding of a plebiscite in Maguindanao on Sept. 17.

In a resolution promulgated on Aug. 3, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said checkpoints would be set up in the province during the same period.

The plebiscite will ratify the division of Maguindanao into Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur, as provided under Republic Act 11550 signed by former president Rodrigo Duterte in May 2021.

The resolution was published in The STAR on Wednesday.

The poll body ordered its information department to furnish copies of the resolution to the Department of Justice, Cotabato City prosecutor’s office, Maguindanao provincial prosecutor’s office, Department of National Defense, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Cotabato City police officers and 36 local government units in Maguindanao.

The Comelec regional director in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, provincial election supervisor and election officers in the province should also be furnished copies of the resolution, the poll body said.

Comelec acting acting spokesman John Rex Laudiangco said Maguindanao allotted P89.14 million for the plebiscite.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/08/12/2202052/maguindanao-plebiscite-gun-ban-starts-august-16

Bill establishing Alcatraz-type 'heinous crime penitentiary’, other measures lapsed into law

Forty-one bills passed during the time of former president Rodrigo Duterte have lapsed into law, including measures seeking to establish an Alcatraz-like facility for prisoners convicted of heinous crimes and to strengthen the protection of minors against online sexual exploitation.

The measures lapsed into law last month, data released by Malacañang Wednesday showed.

The 1987 Constitution gives the president 30 days to sign a bill into law or veto it. If the chief executive does not act on the bill within 30 days, the measure would lapse into law.

Among the bills that have lapsed into law is the measure that aims to establish a separate facility for persons convicted of heinous crimes. Under the measure, the facility shall be built in a location away from the general population and other persons deprived of liberty, preferably within a military establishment or on an island separate from the mainland. The bill, which seeks to decongest jails and deter crimes, also directs the justice department to determine the location of the facility. The measure lapsed into law last July 30 and is now known as Republic Act No. 11929.

According to Encyclopedia Britannica, Alcatraz is a former maximum security prison located on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay, off the coast of California. Among the high-profile convicts who were imprisoned in Alcatraz were Al Capone and Robert Stroud.

In an earlier statement, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri proposed that the maximum prison security compound may be built either at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija or an island off Luzon.

Another measure that has lapsed into law is the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act or Republic Act No. 11930. The bill became law without the president's signature last July 30.

The law increases the responsibilities of social media platforms, electronic service providers and internet, and financial intermediaries by requiring them to block and preserve materials that promote sexual abuse and exploitation of children and to cooperate with law enforcers. The measure also forms a national coordinating center against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children that will be under the Inter-Agency Council against Trafficking.

Other bills that have lapsed into law include the measure penalizing willful and indiscriminate discharge of firearms; Sicogon Island Wildlife and Sanctuary Act; the measure creating the Metropolitan Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay Development Authority; Radio City Telephone Company Inc. franchise; Baliwag City charter; Philippine Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act; local measures related to Barangay Naibuan, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; Barangay Poblacion B, M'lang, South Cotabato; Barangay Tulalian, Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte; Barangay Tagukon, Kabankalan CIty, Negros Occidental; Barangay Songkoy, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte; Barangay Pangaylan-Ip, Santiago, Agusan del Norte; Barangay Panacan-2, Narra, Palawan; Barangay Crossing, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte; Barangay Batucan in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur; More Electric and Power Corporation franchise; Private Security Services Industry Act; and the bill increasing the social pension of indigent senior citizens.

Also in the list of measures that have lapsed into law are the National Music Competition for Young Artists Act; and Provincial Science and Technology Office Act; National Youth Day Act; the bill establishing a multi-species matine hatchery in Bagac, Bataan; the bill establishing a mangrove crab hatchery in Barangay Geratag, San Jose, Northern Samar; Summer Youth Camp Acy; Permanent Validity of the Certificates of Live Birth, Death and Marriage Act; Parent Effectiveness Service Program Act; Oro Broadcasting Network Inc. franchise; the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act; bills creating barangay Doña Maxima in San Luis, Agusan del Sur and the barangays Acma-Mariano Badelles Sr., San Roque, Luinab, Upper Hinaplanon and Ulbado Laya, Iligan province; the Agriculture Fisheries and Rural Development Financing Enhancement Act of 2022; the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act; the Second Congressional Commission on Education Act; Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022; National Baptist Day Act; the bill dividing Barangay Muzon in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan into four independent barangays; the measure establishing a multi-species marine hatchery in Tibiao, Antique, the Unicorn Communications Corporation Telcommunications franchise; and the measure converting the Land Transportation Office extension office in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija into a regular district office.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles denied that President Marcos went on "veto spree," noting that he only vetoed five measures.

The vetoed bills were the measure creating the Bulacan Airport City Special Economic Zone; the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel charter; the bill seeking to expand the franchise area of Davao Light and Power Company Inc.; the Philippine Transportation Safety Board Act; and the measure exempting from income taxation the honoraria, allowances and other financial benefits of persons rendering service during elections.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/08/03/2200037/bill-establishing-alcatraz-type-heinous-crime-penitentiary-other-measures-lapsed-law

Solon files bill to restore Negros Island Region

BACOLOD CITY — A Negros Occidental congressman has filed a bill seeking to restore the Negros Island Region (NIR) nearly five years since it was abolished.

Rep. Alfredo Marañon III of Negros Occidental’s second district formally asked the House of Representatives on Friday, July 1, to bring back the NIR.

House Bill 330, he said, will likely be approved by the House of Representatives since ten Negros Island representatives and others from the Visayas are supporting it.

Rep. Francisco Benitez of Negros Occidental’s third district said he would also file a similar bill which includes Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor in the new region.

“All of the bills seeking the creation of the NIR will be consolidated at the committee level for deliberation,” Benitez said.

Members of the Visayan bloc in the House of Representatives earlier expressed support for plans to bring back the NIR.

Negros Occidental is currently under Western Visayas while Negros Oriental and Siquijor are under Central Visayas.

Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Benitez said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. might issue an executive order reestablishing the NIR ahead of the bill’s passage.

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri earlier said he would file a counterpart bill in the Senate.

Negros is the fourth largest and third most populous island in the Philippines, with a total land area of 13,309 square kilometers. As of the 2020 census, Negros has a total population of 4,656,945.

The whole island was governed as an administrative region officially named the NIR, which comprised the highly urbanized city of Bacolod and the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental from May 29, 2015, to August 9, 2017.

It was created by virtue of Executive Order No. 183 issued by the late President Benigno Aquino III “to further accelerate the social and economic development of the cities and municipalities comprising the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, and improve the delivery of public services in the aforementioned provinces.”

However, on August 9, 2017, former president Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order No. 38 dissolving the NIR for “competing with the government priority programs and projects for funding,” as the substantial appropriation is needed to be fully operational.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1623849/solon-files-bill-to-restore-negros-island-region

Magdalinski to break Multiply social network impasse

Within its first 100 days, the new administration intends to break the deadlock over the Multiply social networking site, according to Multiply CEO and owner Stefan Magdalinski.

To break the impasse, Magdalinski proposed to revive the dead website, the failing business, and reopen the social networking portion itself.

During the Duterte administration, Multiply remains closed when Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Tiktok, Tumblr, and Twitter remain operational.

It was supposed to feature actor and former UAAP swimming star Enchong Dee in the third issue of UAAP Magazine which did not materialize and the website has been in a blog shutdown ever since.

It has announced that it will cease operation on May 6, 2013.

In a statement, Multiply said that it will maintain normal site operations through May 6, 2013. It has assured its merchant's full payment for all transactions made through the platform. Also, a pro-rated refund will be given to merchants who availed of the site’s trust badges or premium accounts.

Despite its attempt to reinvent itself as an e-commerce platform, the cause of the decision is attributed to poor performance. “About a year ago, our local Multiply teams were given the mighty challenge of totally re-inventing the company,” said Stefan Magdalinski, Multiply CEO based in Jakarta, Indonesia in a statement sent to online news site DailySocial.

Magdalinski added that “After much effort, we are forced to admit that we were not able to pull it off. I’m proud of my team for their diligence and determination, despite the disappointing outcome.”

Multiply started as a blogging and social networking platform launched in 2003. Eventually, the site added an e-commerce platform offering individual merchants to sell products online. After its fall from popularity as a social networking site, Multiply moved its headquarters from Florida, U.S.A. to Jakarta, Indonesia. The move was made to attend to users in the region where it has remained popular, especially as an online marketplace.

Last August 9, 2012, Multiply announced that it would be ceasing its social networking platform by December 2012 and would be focusing on e-commerce. Early this year, the site has undergone refurbishing.

On Philippine E-Commerce

Shopping online is expected to become more popular in the country because goods online tend to be cheaper than those bought in commercial establishments. Despite this, stricter taxation will be implemented as the Palace announced in late 2012 its support for stricter taxation on online merchants. Early this year, the Bureau of Internal revenue said that it will go after buy-and-sell sites over its merchants who fail to issue receipts.

Multiply’s closing can have little effect on the country’s e-commerce industry. With its closing, online merchants have to change their platform or move to other sites. Since many merchants are already using other e-commerce and social networking sites as platforms, they shall retain their online presence.

Other major players in Philippine e-commerce, particularly group buying, online shopping, and buy-and-sell sites, can be utilized as other platforms for online trade.

This week, Magdalinski disclosed he has spoken to technology bloggers over the reopening of the Multiply social networking service website.

“I hope I can get the parties to agree in the first 100 days. We can tackle the issues in terms of policies and agreements, in the first 100 days,” he reiterated.

New SM Malls Logos

 

SM City Bataan was the most recent in the list of SM Supermalls.

Ilocos Norte LGUs host public viewing of Marcos inauguration

By Leilanie Adriano

LAOAG CITY – Ilocos Norte was at a standstill on Thursday as locals watched the live coverage of the inaugural ceremony of President Ferdinand “Bongbong" Marcos Jr. at the National Museum in Manila.

Employees of City Hall and the Capitol here took time out from their regular routine as they watched Marcos take his oath of office as the 17th President of the Philippines before Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo.

Early Thursday, various local government units in Ilocos Norte hosted public viewings of the event in their respective gymnasiums or auditoriums.

As soon as the Information and Technology Department of the Ilocos Norte government installed the big screen at the Capitol auditorium, Fe Siazon, provincial government human resource, and management officials said Thursday she rushed to the venue to get a front-row seat at the viewing party.

Having worked with the now-President when he was still the governor of Ilocos Norte, Siazon was elated over Marcos' assumption as the newly inaugurated chief executive and promised to promote unity and bring progress to the country.

“The President is determined to make a change but he will be needing our cooperation to make it happen,” she said.

Despite the choppy internet signal, Helen Abad, 75, from Barangay San Lorenzo, San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte still managed to listen to the President’s speech via her cellular phone.

“This is history in the making. I pray for the President’s good health and wisdom to make a difference in the lives of Filipinos,” she said in Ilocano.

Market vendors and salon workers in Laoag City also rejoiced as they witnessed another Ilocano lead the country for the next six years.

In Batac City, thousands of employees and students of state-run Mariano Marcos State University virtually watched at the University Review Center the turnover and oath-taking ceremonies of Marcos.

"Being the sole state university in the province from where our newest president hails, we are very much proud of our [President Bongbong Marcos], and optimistic of the greatness that will unfold for our country starting today," MMSU president Shirley Agrupis said.

On Wednesday, around 60 invited guests mostly composed of provincial, city, and municipal officials as well as some department heads from Ilocos Norte left for Manila to personally witness the inauguration.

The Ilocos Norte officials are expected to take their oath-taking in Malacañang with Marcos. (PNA)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1177924

Marcos Jr. sworn in as Philippines’ 17th President

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos

Ferdinand Romualdez "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. took oath as the 17th President of the Republic of the Philippines, with a promise of promoting unity and bringing progress to the country.

Marcos, the son of the late former President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos Sr., was sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo at the National Museum of the Philippines in the City of Manila.

In his inaugural address, Marcos vowed to fulfill his mandate to serve and protect fellow Filipinos.

"This is a historic moment for us all," he said. "You picked me to be your servant to enable changes to benefit all. I fully understand the gravity of the responsibility that you have put on my shoulders. I do not take it lightly, but I am ready for the task," he said.

Marcos, donning a rayadillo-inspired barong made by multi-awarded designer Pepito Albert, opted for a "very solemn and simple" inauguration.

Marcos' wife First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and their sons Sandro, Simon, and Vincent graced the formal inauguration ceremony.

Also present were Marcos' mother, former First Lady Imelda Marcos; and sisters, Senator Imee Marcos and Irene Marcos-Araneta; Vice President Sara Duterte; and former Presidents Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Joseph Estrada.

The 1987 Constitution mandates the President-elect to take oath at noon on June 30, a ceremonial event marking the commencement of his six-year term as the country's new chief executive.

Prior to the inauguration, Marcos met with his predecessor, outgoing president Rodrigo Duterte, at Malacañan Palace for the latter's departure honors.

After his inaugural rites, Marcos is expected to host a traditional Vin d'honneur for foreign dignitaries, diplomatic corps and other invited guests.

Marcos will also administer the mass oath-taking of his Cabinet Secretaries at Malacañan Palace. He is also set to host an inaugural dinner.

The so-called People's Concert, which is part of Marcos' thanksgiving activity, will also be held on Thursday night.

The country's leading orchestra Philharmonic Orchestra and world-renowned Cecile Licad were tapped by Marcos to perform in the concert.

Marcos won the presidential race after garnering 31,629,783 votes or 58.77 percent of the votes cast in the May 9 national and local elections.

No hitch

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) thanked its personnel for their hard work which resulted in the peaceful and orderly inauguration rites.

In a statement, PNP director for operations, Maj. Gen. Valeriano de Leon also thanked soldiers and personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Fire Protection, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Department of Health, and other force multipliers from various government agencies.

"Indeed, all will be well if everything is planned well. The inauguration of our new President, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., is peaceful, orderly, and successful. But we would not be able to do it without the hard work and sacrifices of everybody who took part as early as in the planning up to the last-minute implementation of the security measures," he added.

More than 15,000 policemen, soldiers, and other members of law enforcement and national and local government were deployed to secure the inauguration, which was attended by VIPs and foreign dignitaries.

De Leon also recognized the role of leaders, organizers, and members of various groups that held protests for policing their own ranks, which led to the peaceful programs.

Close to 1,000 protesters held a peaceful program at the Plaza Miranda in Manila, which was designated as a freedom park for the event.

Meanwhile, more than 5,000 Marcos supporters trooped to the public viewing area at the golf course in front of the National Museum of the Philippines in Manila before a lockdown was enforced in the area. (with Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1177892

NegOcc city's neophyte mayor vows transparent gov't service

By Nanette Guadalquiver

BACOLOD CITY – Neophyte Javier Miguel Benitez has vowed to provide a responsive and transparent government service and lead by example as he assumes the post as the youngest-ever mayor of Victorias City, Negros Occidental on Thursday.

The 27-year-old son of Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, the new mayor of Bacolod City, took his oath before his uncle, reelected Third District Representative Jose Francisco Benitez, in ceremonies held at the Victorias City Sports and Amusement Center on Wednesday afternoon.

“I will be fair and just. I will lead by example. I will not demand what I will not do myself. I will set high expectations for each performance as I commit the same for myself,” the young mayor said.

He assured the people of Victorias that he will value their trust and will not let them down.

“I offer myself with full knowledge of the responsibilities that await me as a mayor. My youth will be my strength rather than my weakness,” said the former actor, who is in a relationship with television and movie actress Sue Ramirez.

A graduate of Political Science at the Santa Clara University in California, USA, Benitez said Victorias has been his childhood home, outside of Manila. When his father ran and served as congressman of the third district, he saw how it is like to lead and was inspired to join public service.

“During the time of the pandemic, I was able to reflect. I realized my purpose in life. I want to help others even in a small way, to alleviate their suffering,” he said.

Benitez said he will pursue an agenda that he introduced during the campaign, focusing on dignified human settlement, disaster resilience, the revival of the local economy, education, health, and responsive and transparent government service.

Acknowledging that he does not have all the solutions to the problems faced by the northern Negros city, he asked for help and welcomed suggestions from the various sectors on how to strengthen the delivery of government services to his constituents. (PNA)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1177904

Parliament passes controversial bills to create new provinces in Papua

The Indonesian parliament on Thursday approved the creation of three new provinces in the restive Papua region, despite opposition from many indigenous Papuans who fear an influx of outsiders, and criticism from rights groups that the move is a “divide-and-rule” strategy.

The action paves the way for the formation of South Papua Province, Central Papua Province, and Papua Highlands Province, in addition to the existing provinces of Papua and West Papua.

“The division is aimed at accelerating equitable development, the improvement of public services, people’s welfare and dignity,” lawmaker Ahmad Doli Kurnia Tandjung said in parliament.

The plans to carve up Papua have been widely opposed by indigenous people. Protests involving thousands of people against the plans have been held in Papuan cities including Jayapura, Wamena, Yahukimo, Timika, Nabire and Lanny Jaya.

Ika Mulait, an activist with Papuan People’s Petition, a group that organized rallies against the creation of new provinces, warned of worsening human rights violations with the presence of more security forces.

Jakarta granted special autonomy for Papua in 2001 to mollify desires for independence, but Indonesian security forces have been accused of human rights abuses during anti-insurgency operations there.

A special autonomy law for Papua, which was passed last year, allows Jakarta to create new administrative units in Papua without the approval of the provincial government and the Papuan People’s Assembly (MRP).

“These three new provinces will certainly result in more many military personnel entering Papua and the Papuan people are already traumatized by the presence of the security forces,” Ika told BenarNews.

Activists and Papuans said the bills were drafted without consulting the indigenous people who are represented through the MRP and the Papuan People’s Representative Council (DPRD).

“The government really has mastered the art of finding solutions to Papuan problems without listening to Papuans,” Ligia Giay, a Papuan studying in Australia, told BenarNews.

Legal challenge

Veronica Koman, an activist with Amnesty International Australia, said the creation of new provinces was a “divide-and-rule” tactic.

“New security bases and posts will be built in each new area, exacerbating conflicts and human rights violations through increased militarization,” she said on Twitter.

“As an Indonesian, I am deeply ashamed that a new chapter of Jakarta’s settler-colonialism project in West Papua has been officially legalized by the Indonesian parliament today,” she said.

Edho Gobay, director of the Papua Legal Aid Institute, said his organization would challenge the bills at the Constitutional Court in Jakarta.

“We will mount a legal challenge because Papuans also have constitutional rights guaranteed by the 1945 Constitution,” Gobay told BenarNews.

Meanwhile, Sebby Sambom, spokesman for the West Papua National Liberation Army, the armed wing of the separatist movement, said the creation of new provinces was to serve only the interests of the elite.

“We never asked for special autonomy or new autonomous entities. That’s what Indonesia wants through the Papuan elite,” Sambom told BenarNews .

“That is the nature of colonialism. Indonesia will impose its will on Papua using the hands of the indigenous Papuans,” he said.

Clashes between rebels and government forces have intensified since December 2018, after rebels killed 20 people who worked for a state-owned construction company building a road in Papua.

Papua has been home to a separatist insurgency since the 1960s. In 1963, Indonesian forces invaded Papua – like Indonesia, a former Dutch colony – and annexed the region that makes up the western half of New Guinea Island.

Papua was incorporated into Indonesia in 1969 after a United Nations-sponsored vote, which locals and activists said was a sham because it involved only about 1,000 people. However, the United Nations accepted the result, essentially endorsing Jakarta’s rule.

https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/indonesian/three-provinces-06302022133848.html

Blocktime radioman shot dead in CDO

By Nef Luczon

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—A radio commentator was killed by unidentified assailants Wednesday morning, police said.

The Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) said Federico “Deng” Gempesaw was shot to death by an assailant who approached him outside his home in Sitio Macanhan, Barangay Carmen here.

Maj. Mario Mantala, COCPO Station 4 chief, said investigators found Gempesaw's body on a roadside between a parked taxi and pick-up truck.

Citing a witness, Mantala said the assailant wore a brown shirt, a black cap, and a face mask, who fled the scene on a motorcycle driven by another suspect.

Mantala said Gempesaw tried to seize the assailant's firearm despite being wounded, but the gunman shot the victim on the head, causing the latter to fall into a canal.

Gempesaw's children brought the body from the canal to the roadside before the police arrived, he said.

Prior to working as a radio commentator, Gempesaw held was the head of the City Economic Enterprises Department during the time of former mayor Vicente Emano.

Ronald Rufin, manager of the radio station where he worked, said Gempesaw was a blocktime commentator since 2019 but became a regular program anchor after the 2022 elections.

“He handled the regular program here (in the station) because of his issue-based and constructive commentaries, which I think I won't get in trouble with KBP (Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas) rules. He is also a licensed KBP anchor,” Rufin said.

Authorities are still investigating the incident.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1177848

4 bills granting, renewing franchise of telcos lapse into laws

By Azer Parrocha

Four bills granting or renewing the franchise of telecommunications companies have lapsed into law.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte allowed the measures to lapse on May 27, 2022, sans his signature.

Republic Acts (RA) No. 11773, 11774, 11801 renew for another 25 years the franchises granted to Panay Telephone Corporation, Calapan Telephone System, Inc., and Victorias Telephone System, Inc., respectively.

RA 11775 grants the estate of Mr. Amado L. Ola, OPC, doing business as Amapola Broadcasting System, a franchise to construct, install, establish, operate, and maintain radio and television broadcasting stations in the Philippines.

All laws require the grantees to secure from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) a certificate of public convenience and necessity or the appropriate permits and licenses.

"In case of any violation of the provisions of this franchise, the NTC shall have the authority to revoke or suspend, after due process, the permits or licenses it issued pursuant to the franchise. The NTC may recommend to Congress the revocation of the franchise for any violation of the provisions of this franchise," the laws read.

Under the laws, the grantees must “conform to the ethics of honest enterprise and not use its stations or facilities for obscene or indecent transmission, or for dissemination of deliberately false information, or willful misrepresentation, or assist in subversive or treasonable acts.”

The laws also give the President of the Philippines a special right to temporarily take over and operate the stations, transmitters, facilities, or equipment of the grantees “in times of war, rebellion, public peril, calamity, emergency, disaster, or disturbance of peace and order.”

Grantees must also submit an annual report on their compliance with the terms and conditions of the franchise and on its operations to the Congress through the committee on legislative franchises of the House of Representatives and the committee on public services of the Senate on or before April 30 of every year during the term of its franchise.

Failure to submit the annual report to Congress will be penalized with a fine of PHP1 million for each working day of noncompliance.

Renaming roads

Meanwhile, Duterte also allowed two measures renaming roads to lapse into law on May 29, 2022 without his signature.

RA 11797 renames the Bogo-Curva-Medellin-Daanbantayan-Maya Road, stretching from Barangay Don Pedro Rodriguez in the City of Bogo, as Juan Macaraeg Highway.

RA 11798 renames the Marawi City-Kapai-Tagoloan II in Lanao del Sur Road, stretching from Barangay Banggolo Poblacion in the City of Marawi as Senator Ahmad Domocao Alangadi Alonto Sr. National Road.

The Department of Public Works and Highways must issue the necessary rules, orders, and circulars to implement the provisions of the laws within 60 days from effectivity.

Separating, converting schools

Five laws separating and converting schools also lapsed into law on May 29, 2022.

RA 11793 separates the Rodolfo V. Pamor Jr. Memorial National High School-Sagñay Southeastern High School Annex in Barangay Turague, Municipality of Sagñay, Province of Camarines Sur from the Rodolfo V. Pamor Jr. Memorial High School and converted into an independent national high school to be known as Turague National High School.

RA 11794 separates the Dulop National High School-Bag-ong Valencia Extension in Barangay Bag-ong Valencia, Municipality of Dumingag, Province of Zamboanga del Sur from the Dulop National High School and converted into an independent national high school to be known as the Bag-ong Valencia Agricultural National High School.

RA 11795 separates the Datu Danwata Elementary School-Agik-ik Extension in Barangay Datu Danwata, Municipality of Malita, Province of Davao Occidental from the Datu Danwata Elementary School and converted into an independent elementary school to be known as the Agik-ik Elementary School.

RA 11796 separates the Datu Danwata Elementary School-TFS of Balis Extension in Barangay Datu Danwata, Municipality of Malita, Province of Davao Occidental from the Datu Danwata Elementary School and converted into an independent elementary school to be known as the Balis Elementary School.

RA 11824 converts the Kinangan Elementary School in Barangay Kinangan, Municipality of Malita, Province of Davao Occidental into an integrated school to be known as Kinangan Integrated School.

The Department of Education Secretary must promulgate the rules and regulations implementing the provisions of the laws within 60 days after the approval of the laws.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1177775

The comeback of the Multiply social media platform after the nine year blog portal shutdown

About Multiply: Multiply, Inc. is one of the world’s preeminent Social Shopping and Media Sharing companies and operates the largest online marketplace in the Philippines. With over 70,000 storefronts, and 20 million monthly unique users, Multiply is a fast-growing environment, and the company to watch in the Philippines.

The Multiply social media platform would be reopened soon, with job hiring, the groundbreaking and opening of a new Philippine headquarters with the data center, and start to recover and retrieve all blogs, photos, and videos from 2004 to 2013. Under CEO and owner Stefan Magdalinski, the website would reopen for former users and start downloading blogs, photos, and videos.

In 2022, following the presidential elections and following his own inauguration, Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. would re-establish and reopen the former social media platform and social shopping site Multiply. The legal name of the company would be called Multiply, Inc. based in Boca Raton, Florida, U.S.A., and local subsidiaries or units Multiply Philippines, Inc. based in Pasig City, the Philippines, and PT Multiply Indonesia based in Jakarta, Indonesia, the primary purpose of the company is the world’s preeminent Media Sharing company and operates the largest online marketplace in the Philippines.

On August 19, 2022, it finally agreed on the social networking portion of Multiply. According to Magdalinski, it has decided to reopen the website along with all business operations, the Multiply International site, and the social networking portion including 11 million users with hosted blogs, videos, photos, and messaging. It is set to sign the final agreement on August 31, according to Mon Jocson of UNTV.

On September 28, 2022, it forged a consensus with shareholders on the social networking portion of Multiply.

Prosus N.V. is set to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to finalize the agreement.

The website which has photos, videos, and blog entries from March 2004 to March 2013, will provide features similar to Facebook Live and Instagram.

Getting all parties to agree was among the targets set by CEO Magdalinski within the first 100 days in office of the new presidency, and it involved engaging all shareholders in meetings in order to reach a consensus.

Magdalinski, along with Multiply founder Pezaris and former country manager for the Philippines Jack Madrid will sign a term sheet for the Multiply social network ending a 9-year closure of the website.

With the planned reopening of Multiply is a social networking service website and application, Multiply Media LLC will cease to exist.

But it was restarted operating the website after the end of the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte on October 8, 2022, the only social networking site to do so. Technology bloggers said that Multiply to re-establish itself as a social networking site and restart operating after the end of the Duterte administration.

The resolution of the nine-year closure of the E-commerce marketplace Multiply, along with all business operations, the Multiply International site, and the social networking portion including 11 million users with hosted blogs, videos, photos, and messaging for the first 100 days of the Marcos, Jr. administration.

"When the Marcos, Jr. administration took office on June 30, 2022, We were greeted with numerous long-standing issues that have tormented the country for years, and even decades. I remember fully well when we were only starting to take on the challenge five (5) years ago. The Filipino people have pinned their hopes on the new administration – with eyes intently and critically watching us on what we would do next? It enumerated the real issues before such as the controversial non-renewal of the franchise of ABS-CBN and the shutdown of E-commerce marketplace Multiply"

Poe, chairperson of the Senate committee on public services, will hold a public hearing on February 13, 2023, on the reopening of the social networking site Multiply.

The hearing will be held at noon in the Laurel Room, Philippine Senate.

The committee has invited Magdalinski, Pezaris, Madrid, and concerned shareholders of the website.

Magdalinski quoted in his post: "Hope. Finally, we will 1 day be back online. Finally, we will re-open Multiply. Finally, we will 1 day start our 20th year!"

According to Isel Ramos: "Multiply is renovating and it will re-open in the next several months as an archive photo and video site with a new mobile application on Android and Apple IOS."

"There is no quibbling around it: one of the original sins of the previous administration has been the cancelation of the planned feature of Enchong Dee in UAAP Magazine"

The World Tonight Line-Up (June 30, 2022)

2022 Revamp

A new and improved The World Tonight was introduced in time for President-elect Leni Robredo's inauguration, on June 30, 2022, coinciding with the reopening of ABS-CBN. This includes the return of 1996-1999 studio and 1995-2012 theme music.

Pia Gutierrez and Tony Velasquez as the anchors for the weeknight edition, as well as Stanley Palisada is the anchor for the Saturday edition and Ron Cruz is the anchor for the Sunday edition.

The edition's stories are the inauguration of president Leni Robredo and the reopening of the network's broadcasting operations and featured statements by ABS-CBN president and chief executive officer Carlo Katigbak and chairman Mark López.

The newscast's content are News Headlines, Highlights, Financial News, Special Report every Monday is Medical, Wednesday is International Personnel Book, Sports News, PCSO Lotto Results and Final Word Tonight.

In the opening ident, Davila starts the day's headlines "Tonight," with clips from the specific news items, after which, the opening billboard with Peter Musngi provided the voice-over, "Live from the ABS-CBN News Center Manila, this is the World Tonight" to introduce the newscast, as Gutierrez began the pilot and subsequent episodes with her opening line, "Good evening, I'm Pia Gutierrez and I'm Tony Velasquez, this is the World Tonight." It ended with their closing line, "And that's the World Tonight, the (day) of (month), (year), I'm Tony Velasquez and I'm Pia Gutierrez, Philippines, thank you and good night, Mabuhay!" to end the newscast.

The on-screen graphics for The World Tonight seem to have changed a bit. Previously blue, now the background is red. TeleRadyo is hoping to adopt this style to the lower thirds of the ANC. Just change the color family of the lower third package.

Line-up

1. ABS-CBN Station ID (1989 version) (2022)

2. Headliners

3. OBB

4. On-Cam

5. Local, International, and Financial News

6. Tina: Intro to the first gap

7. Gap 1 (3 minutes)

8. Local, International, and Financial News

9. Tony: Intro to the second gap

10. Gap 2 (3 minutes)

11. Local, International, and Financial News

12. Sports News (Dyan Castillejo)

12. Final Word Tonight

14. Banter/Extro

15. CBB

Negrenses get Senate backing to reestablish Negros Island Region

By Nanette Guadalquiver

BACOLOD CITY – The provinces of Negros Occidental and Oriental and this lone highly urbanized city on the island has secured support from the incoming Senate leadership to legislate the establishment of the Negros Island Region (NIR).

In a statement on Monday, reelected Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said he will spearhead efforts to pass the NIR bill in the upper chamber.

“As someone with paternal roots in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, I am prepared to continue advocating for the NIR in the incoming Congress. I am committed to spearheading the bill for the continued growth of the region,” said Zubiri, who is poised to become the next Senate president.

He added that President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. also gave assurance of his support for the creation of the NIR.

In November last year, Zubiri filed Senate Bill 2453, or the NIR Act, which seeks to bring together Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Bacolod City, and establish these as a single administrative region called the Negros Island Administrative Region.

Lawmakers from Negros led by Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez also filed House Bill 10534 for the creation of the NIR “for greater economic coordination and more efficient delivery of public services to promote sustainable and inclusive economic development in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.”

The NIR was first formed on May 29, 2015 through Executive Order (EO) 183 signed by then-President Benigno Aquino III, separating Negros Occidental from Western Visayas and Negros Oriental from Central Visayas.

On Aug. 7, 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte issued EO 38 abolishing the NIR, stressing the need to ensure that priority government programs and projects are sufficiently funded.

“The abolishment of the NIR was a setback, but with the new administration’s support, I am very hopeful that we can finally reestablish the region, under the proper legislative framework this time,” Zubiri said.

He stressed that the establishment of the NIR will hasten the development of Negros Island by having its own dedicated regional offices.

“That is really the main point behind the establishment of the NIR -- making government services accessible to our people. With those in place, we will be able to lay down the groundwork to make Negros a center of commerce and tourism in the Visayas,” he added.

Currently, Negros Occidental and Bacolod City belong to Western Visayas or Region 6, along with Iloilo City, Iloilo Province, Antique, Aklan, Capiz, and Guimaras while Negros Oriental is under Central Visayas or Region 7, with Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Cebu Province, Bohol, and Siquijor.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1177089

Abolition of K-12 program ‘cannot be decided overnight’, says Sara Duterte

The push to abolish the K-to-12 education system is an issue that “cannot be decided overnight,” incoming education secretary and Vice President-elect Inday Sara Duterte said Monday.

Duterte said the proposal to scrap the K-12 program needs to be discussed.

“That is something na kailangan mapag-usapan. It cannot be decided overnight but initially it is something na napag-usapan namin ni President [Bongbong] Marcos,” Duterte said in a press briefing in Davao City.

(That is something that has to be discussed. It cannot be decided overnight but initially, it is something that President Marcos and I discussed.)

For now, Duterte said Marcos Jr. has instructed her to review the implementation of the K-12 education system.

“He already gave instructions with regard to the review of the implementation of the K-12 program of the Department of Education,” Duterte said.

In 2020, ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro said the K-12 “congested curriculum” was a failure, resulting in Grade 4 students from the Philippines recording the lowest scores among participants from 58 countries in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study 2019.

Similar calls to abolish the K-12 program were also pushed by other groups such as Kabataan Partylist. 

Meanwhile, the Duterte camp earlier denied that the incoming education chief is pushing for a K14+ basic education program.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1613352/abolition-of-k-12-program-cannot-be-decided-overnight-says-sara-duterte

Amid online buzz, clamor for provincial branches of Tropical Hut grows

Some Filipinos clamored for more branches of Tropical Hut in the provinces after the homegrown brand trended early this week.

The name “Tropical Hut” briefly trended on Twitter Philippines again as more Filipinos continued to reminisce their memories of the place back in the day.

They posted photos of the meals that they ordered and the outlets’ interiors to join in the online conversation about the fast food chain.

Jumping on the Tropical Hut bandwagon pic.twitter.com/OV2gC4EMtl

— mk_kvn (@mike_it_happen) June 15, 2022

 

Takang taka sila bakit biglang dumami order. HAHAHAHAHA Sabi ko trending kayo sa twitter. Mataas din sales nila! 💚 @tropicalhutph pic.twitter.com/hdvNyNkIHw

— Raffee 💫 (@whuaffee) June 15, 2022

Some online users, meanwhile, shared that they became first-time customers of Tropical Hut because of the trend.

My first ever Tropical Hut meal in my entire life. Yep. Masarap and sulit!!! pic.twitter.com/HNU79ehhif

— Petty Pats ; (@nawawalost) June 15, 2022

 Celso Santiago, Jr. with the Twitter handle @oslecjunior, a former government official, also promoted the fast food chain and posted an updated schedule of its branches to his followers.

“For your information and for your cravings,” Santiago tweeted.

For your information and for your cravings.

Thank you @dumidyeypee for reminding us what a treasure Tropical Hut is. 😊 pic.twitter.com/zpwR9hWGh1

— JR Santiago (@oslecjunior) June 14, 2022

Based on the list, most of the branches are located in Quezon City and other parts of Metro Manila.

The only stores outside the National Capital Region are in Rizal and in Pampanga.

Some online users who also live in other provinces noticed this. They expressed hopes that more stores of Tropical Hut will open near them in the future.

“Cebu please,” one Twitter user said with a pleading emoji.

“Soon in Cainta,” another user tweeted.

Twitter user @_pamelle also called on her fellow Cebuanos to make a local burger joint in the province “trendy.”

“Can Cebuanos make Orange Brutus trendy like how Manileños are making Tropical Hut trendy,” she said.

“I personally loooove the sizzling burger steak,” she added.

Orange Brutus claims to be the first hamburger chain in Cebu which opened in the 80s.

Meanwhile, the buzz on the long-established Tropical Hut started when market surveillance analyst John Paul Tanyag with Twitter handle @dumidyeypee shared his dine-in experience in a branch in Escolta, Manila last June 12.

He also shared photos of the place’s interiors and his meal on that day.

His tweet later induced nostalgia among social media users. They shared how much they missed the brand’s burgers and clubhouse sandwiches.

Patrons considered Tropical Hut as the “OG” or original burger joint.

In an update that followed the online buzz, Tanyag shared a screenshot of a chat he had with an officer from Tropical Hut who happened to be his classmate.

“Not sure paano nagcome up iyon but here is the reply today of one of their officers, who happens to be my schoolmate. And yes, may mga cumo-contact na from Tropical Hut,” he said.

In the screenshot, the person thanked him for being a huge help to the fast food chain.

https://interaksyon.philstar.com/trends-spotlights/2022/06/16/219697/amid-online-buzz-clamor-for-provincial-branches-of-tropical-hut-grows/