‘Ties of History’ opens Aug. 8

The Metropolitan Museum of Manila, along with Yuchengco Museum, UP Vargas Museum, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Dalubhasaan Para sa Edukasyon sa Sining at Kultura (DESK), and the Office of Senator Loren Legarda present “Ties Of History: Art In Southeast Asia” from Aug. 8 to Oct. 6, 2018.

Sen. Loren Legarda

The opening event will be held at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila. The exhibits will also be held at the Yuchengco Museum, and at the UP Vargas Museum.

Artists from 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian National (ASEAN) are participating. Among them: Anusapati (Indonesia), Chris Chong Chan (Malaysia), Roberto Feleo (Philippines), Amada Heng (Singapore), Kim Thein Sung (Myanmar) and Hoang Tuong (Vietnam).

Curator Patrick Flores will give the opening remarks and will introduce the artists. Messages will be given by Virgilio Almario, chairman of NCCA and Sen. Legarda.

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Exclusive workshops

New York-based acting coach Anthony Vincent Bova returned to Manila recently to provide exclusive workshops for GMA Artist Center stars.

Antony Vincent Bova (center) and Ana Feleo with the GMA Artists Center stars who participated in the workshops

The international acting coach, who was here last February, and his co-teacher, actress Ana Feleo, conducted the “Empowerment” training, which focuses on the “emotional and psychological alignment for peak performance” of the artists.

Those who attended the workshops included Thea Tolentino, Andrea Torres, Chynna Ortaleza, Benjamin Alves, Gil Cuerva and Mikoy Morales.

Bova will come back on January 2019 to conduct the culminating activity, which will showcase what they have learned throughout the year from Bova’s training program.

Also an actor, writer, and artistic director, Bova is a protégé of famed acting coach Eric Morris, who has taught some of the best actors in the Philippines, including Laurice Guillen, Johnny Delgado, Leo Martinez, Michael de Mesa, and Joel Torre among others.

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Global Pinoy Singing Idol

Anthony Carbonel won as the grand winner of the “DZMM Global Pinoy Singing Idol” (GPSI) 2018 held recently at the Gazi Music Hall in Athens. He won over nine other finalists and won a trophy plus USD 1,000 after his astounding rendition of “Writings On The Wall” by Sam Smith.

Anthony Carbonel

Named as first runner-up was Kleoniki Perikleous, while Eunice Manigbas was second runner-up. Manigbas was also The Filipino Channel’s (TFC) People’s Choice awardee.

They were chosen by a panel composed of ABS-CBN Integrated News and Current Affairs senior vice president Ging Reyes, ABS-CBN Europe Ltd. Country Manager Luis Bariuan, and DZMM “Usapang de Campanilla” anchor Maresciel Yao.

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ABS-CBN, GMA clash over TV ratings in July

ABS-CBN Corp. and GMA Network, Inc. both claimed to lead in TV ratings in July, citing different audience management providers.

In a statement released on Friday, ABS-CBN said it recorded an average audience share of 44% versus GMA’s 33%, based on data from Kantar Media.

“ABS-CBN was also the TV network of choice for households in Metro Manila, where it scored an average audience share of 42% against GMA’s 28%, in Total Luzon, where it got 39% against GMA’s 37%, in Total Visayas where it garnered 51% against GMA’s 26%, and in Total Mindanao where it hit 53% against GMA’s 26%,” the Lopez-led media giant said.

Kantar Media data showed “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” was the most watched program in the country, with an average national TV rating of 42.8%.

Variety show “It’s Showtime” is still the most watched noontime show in the country with a national TV rating of 39.2% on weekdays and 35% on Saturdays, against its rival “Eat Bulaga” which only got 33.4% on weekdays and 23.4% on Saturdays.

ABS-CBN said it had 8 of the 10 highest-rated shows nationwide for July, including “Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids,” “TV Patrol,” “Bagani,” “Since I Found You,” “Tonight with Boy Abunda,” “Bandila,” “Umagang Kay Ganda,” “Sana Dalawa ang Puso,” “Asintado,” “Araw Gabi,” “The Blood Sisters,” “Ipaglaban Mo,” “MMK,” “Goin’ Bulilit,” “Wansapanataym,” “Home Sweetie Home,” “Rated K,” “I Can See Your Voice” and “Gandang Gabi, Vice.”

ABS-CBN said it garnered an average audience share of 47% in the primetime block (6 p.m. to 12 midnight), compared to GMA’s 33%.

In the morning block (6 a.m. to 12 noon), ABS-CBN recorded a 39% share versus GMA’s 30%, while in the noontime block (12 noon to 3 p.m.) it posted a 43% share against GMA’s 33%. In the afternoon block (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.), the media giant said it got 42% versus GMA’s 36%.

Kantar Media uses a nationwide panel size of 2,610 urban and rural homes, which it says represent 100% of the total Philippine TV viewing population. Local current subscribers include Peoples Television Network Inc., Viva Communications Inc., and Solar Entertainment Corporation, while international subscribers include Turner Broadcasting System Asia, Google Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, Home Box Office (Singapore) Pte Ltd, MTV Asia, and Fox International Channels.

Meanwhile, GMA said on Thursday it recorded an average total day people audience share of 41.8% in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM) in July against ABS-CBN’s 36.7%, citing data from Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

“GMA’s solid ratings performance was a result of the Network’s continued leadership across all dayparts. The Kapuso Network strengthened its lead in the morning block, registering 38.6% people audience share as against ABS-CBN’s 34.9%,” the company said in a statement.

GMA noted its average total day people audience share stood at 46.1% in Urban Luzon, versus ABS-CBN’s 31.3%. In Mega Manila (with official data from July 1 to 21), the comapny said its average total day people audience share stood at 47.2% against ABS-CBN’s 29.5%.

GMA said Urban Luzon and Mega Manila account for 72% and 59% of all urban viewers in the Philippines.

More GMA shows also made it to the list including “Magpakailanman,” “24 Oras,” “Lip Sync Battle Philippines,” “Pepito Manaloto,” “Kambal, Karibal,” “Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko,” and “The Clash.”

Completing the list were “The Cure,” “Amazing Earth,” “Inday Will Always Love You,” “24 Oras Weekend,” “Wowowin,” “Imbestigador,” “You’re My Destiny,” “Saksi,” “Hindi Ko Kayang Iwan Ka,” “Unang Hirit,” “Kapag Nahati ang Puso,” “My Guitar Princess,” “Tadhana,” “The Stepdaughters” “Sunday Pinasaya,” “Eat Bulaga,” and “Contessa.”

More viewers nationwide also preferred GMA Network’s coverage of Manny Pacquiao’s fight last July 15 as well as President Rodrigo Duterte’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 23.

GMA’s coverage of the much-awaited bout between Pacquiao and Argentinian Lucas Matthysse garnered a people audience share of 49.1 percent in NUTAM which topped ABS-CBN’s 30.8 percent.

“SONA 2018: The GMA News Special Coverage” was likewise the most watched with 41.2 percent overnight people audience share in NUTAM versus ABS-CBN’s 32.6 percent.

The listed media company noted the Nielsen survey covered 900 more homes in the Total Urban and Rural Philippines compared to Kantar Media. Its clients include TV5, Aksyon TV, CNN Philippines, and Viva Communications.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Aug. 7, go to Justice Corazon Agrava, Ramon Isberto of Smart, Bonjin Bolinao, Susan Limjoco, Ed Ponceja, Henri Calayag, Mary Jane Velayo, Mala Jane Luga, Marichie Josue, Michelle Castaneda, Riz Rebaya, Dr. Susan Kapalungan, Nicole Cumagun, Cynthia dela Cruz, Mell Navarro, Nieves Bates, Nixon Sy, DPWH Usec. Roberto Bernardo and Chuckie Dreyfus…Condolences to the family of Jose Lim, Sr. who passed away last Aug. 5 Aug. 8: Gov. Baby Ortiz, Delia Razon, Carmi Martin, Nora Calderon, Homer Pili, Pal Rabina, Pamela Tuazon, Vesper Valdez, Nelson Canlas, Sonny Cortez, Amy Reyes Forthomme, and Arnel Ogie Paala…

Roque: Privacy protected in national ID system

MALITA, Davao Occidental - Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque on Monday said Filipinos have nothing to fear with the enactment of the national ID system, saying privacy rights will remain protected.

Roque said that the Philippine Identification System Act, signed by President Rodrigo Duterte into law Monday, the government is mandated to protect personal information that may be gathered in connection with the law.

Roque gave the assurance in a press briefing on the sidelines of the mass oath-taking of new members of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) here on Monday.

Roque said the current national ID system is unlike the previous proposal declared unconstitutional by Supreme Court for lacking data protection safeguards.

"This time around, there is privacy law and in the law itself, the government has the obligation to protect the data gathered because of the national ID system," he said

Roque expressed confidence the law will pass constitutional muster should it be challenged in the courts.

He also underscored the importance of the National ID in promoting national security, preventing identity theft and in promoting better delivery of services from the government to the people.

While getting a national ID is not compulsory, Roque said having one would make easy to verify identity and promote national security.

The National ID System seeks to integrate and interconnect some 30 redundant government IDs by merging these into a single national ID system, or PhilSys, which will have PhilSys Number or PSN, the PhilID and PhilSys Registry.

The PhilID will be a non-transferable card containing on its face the PSN, full name, facial image, date of birth, address and fingerprints of the individual. (Lilian C Mellejor/PNA)

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1043870

ABS-CBN income slumps in Q2

ABS-CBN Corp. reported a 61% drop in net income attributable to equity holders of the parent company during the second quarter, dragged by higher production costs.

In a regulatory filing, ABS-CBN said its attributable net income fell to P397.35 million during the April to June period, from P1.03 billion during the same period a year ago.

This brought the six-month attributable income to P849.88 million, 41% lower than the P1.45 billion posted a year ago.

Second quarter revenues inched up 1.6% to P9.925 billion, bringing the first half total to P18.936 billion — 2% lower than a year ago.

Advertising revenues went up 4% to P5.23 billion in the April to June period. For the first half, advertising revenues fell 3% to P9.57 billion, while consumer sales dipped 1% to P9.35 billion.

“Advertising revenues decreased by P302 million or 3.1% lower, attributable to fewer advertising placements from first half of 2018. Consumer sales decreased by P106 million mainly resulting from lower theatrical receipts from Global and ABS-CBN Films and lower revenue from Sky Cable’s cable business,” ABS-CBN said.

Expenses increased by 4% during the first half to P18.494 billion from last year’s P17.783 billion. This was mainly due to a 9% rise in production costs to P6.45 billion.

“The increase (in production cost) was due the growth in depreciation and amortization expenses by P10 million and P90 million, respectively, year-on year. The Company’s facilities-related expenses and employee related costs grew also by P271 million or 15% increase year-on-year,” the Lopez-led media giant said.

By business segment, ABS-CBN reported its media networks and studio entertainment business saw a 33% drop in net income to P1.01 billion during the first half, as operating revenues slipped by 3% to P13.45 billion.

On the other hand, the cable, satellite and broadband business under Sky Cable slumped to a net loss of P81 million, as operating revenues fell by 3.6% to P4.4 billion.

“The decrease in Sky’s performance was triggered by the decrease in cable subscriber count by 80,000. In total, subscriber count of Sky increased by 168,000, significantly attributable to direct-to-home subscribers,” the company said.

Shares in ABS-CBN added 15 centavos or 0.61% to P24.55 each on Monday. — D. A. Valdez

http://www.bworldonline.com/abs-cbn-income-slumps-in-q2/

House ensures P854M budget for BOL plebiscite

The House Committee on Appropriations, presided by Vice Chair Doy Leachon (1st District, Oriental Mindoro), ensured on Monday that the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) will get the P854 million budget for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite in January 2019.

Leachon gave the assurance, saying implementation of BOL is a priority mandate of the Duterte administration.

Rep. Antonio Tinio (ACT TEACHERS Party List) confirmed that President Duterte led the ceremonial signing of the BOL on Monday.

Meanwhile, the Committee also tackled the P2.069 billion COMELEC deficit in its 2019 National and Local Elections budget, which is intended for payment of teachers’ honorarium and other benefits as mandated by the Election Service Reform Act (ESRA).

Tinio, being the principal author of ESRA, wanted to ensure that the deficit be provided in full.

Leachon guaranteed that the concerns of House Members and the COMELEC will definitely be attended to by the Appropriations Committee.

Leachon also conveyed that the COMELEC may consider charging the deficiency from the 2019 preparatory activities budget. This has been stated in a letter of Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno to COMELEC Chairman Sheriff Abas.

“Would you also affirm to us how much the continuing appropriation is, because as we recognize under the Constitution, you have your fiscal autonomy. So with other allotments that remain unspent will form part of your continuing appropriation that can be reflected still for 2019,” explained Leachon.

COMELEC Finance Services Department Director Zita Buena-Castillon disclosed that the Commission now has a total of P850 million that can be appended to the 2019 budget -- P150 million from the continuing appropriation and P700 million excess allotment for the 2018 preparatory activities budget.

Tinio requested the COMELEC to formally relay to the Appropriations Committee the budget deficiency matter as soon as possible.

He said additional funds may be needed for the possible Charter Change national plebiscite. Abas said the plebiscite will require approximately P6 billion to P8 billion. Tinio noted that this will entail new appropriations.

“Paano po ‘yong sinasabi ng iba na isasakay na lang sa national and local elections? Pwede po bang gawin ‘yon kung sakali? Sabi nila, ‘we just attach an additional question.’ Would that still be possible given the timetable [for the preparations]?” asked Tinio.

COMELEC Deputy Executive Director for Operations Bartolome Sinocruz Jr. affirmed that including additional questions to the ballots may be feasible. However, Abas said that COMELEC has yet to verify the additional budget that will be needed for this.

Also present during the hearing were Reps. Frederick Siao (Lone District, Iligan City) and Ciriaco Calalang (KABAYAN Party List) as well as COMELEC Commissoner Rowena Guanzon and Deputy Executive Director for Operations Helen Aguilar-Flores./ Monel Gonzales

http://www.congress.gov.ph/press/details.php?pressid=10799

NPC assures public data privacy top priority in national ID system

National Privacy Commission Chief Raymund Liboro says they will 'continuously press for the adoption of internationally accepted data protection and privacy standards in the implementation of the national identification system'

The National Privacy Commission on Monday, August 6, assured Filipinos the protection of their data privacy rights is a top priority in the implementation of the national ID system.

In a statement, NPC Commissioner Raymund Liboro said they will work together with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and give them “advice and guidance to address the privacy risks identified at the early stage of project design.”

PSA is the implementing agency, tasked to handle and secure the information collected under the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys).

“The NPC supports the proper implementation of this law in accordance with its role in the technical working group led by National Economic Development Authority and PSA and in line with the Commission’s dual mandate to protect the fundamental human right of privacy, of communication while ensuring free flow of information to promote innovation and growth inscribed in the Data Privacy Act of 2012,” he said.

Signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, PhilSys will become the government’s central identification platform that aims to improve the delivery of social services.

Each person will be issued a number and an ID to use with national government agencies, local government units, government-owned and controlled corporations, government financial institutions, and the private sector. (READ: What you need to know about the proposed national ID system)

All Filipino citizens and registered aliens are required to register in the system which will collect demographic information and biometrics data.

Standards to be followed

While it is beneficial, data privacy experts are worried about the implications of the national ID system. (READ: 'Record history' casts cloud of doubt on proposed national ID system)

Liboro, however, assured that the privacy commission will be vigilant in ensuring the rights of Filipinos are protected in the implementation of the system.

“The public may rest assured that the NPC shall continuously press for the adoption of internationally accepted data protection and privacy standards in the implementation of the national ID,” he said.

Among these standards include the deployment of a Privacy by Design approach and the adoption and comprehensive application of the NPC’s Data Privacy Accountability And Compliance Framework, Liboro added.

Legislation for a national ID system was among the Duterte administration's priorities in its legislative agenda as the Philippines used to be one of the few countries in the world without it.

Attempts in past administrations were met with budget issues, legal troubles, and poor public support, among others.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/208983-data-privacy-priority-national-identification-system-philippines

PRRD signs national ID law

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday signed into law the Philippine Identification System Act which seeks to integrate the various government IDs of all citizens and foreign residents in the country.

Duterte affixed his signature on Republic Act 11055 on the same event that an equally important measure, the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), was presented to Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim at the Malacañang Palace.

“Today, I signed into law the Philippine Identification System Act, a measure that will establish a single national identification system that will provide good governance, enhance governmental transactions and create a more conducive environment for trade and commerce to thrive,” Duterte said in his speech.

At present, some of the government-issued IDs include the Unified Multi-Purpose ID or UMID issued to the members of the Social Security System (SSS) and Government Service Insurance System (GSIS); Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth); Tax Identification Number (TIN); and the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund).

Duterte appealed to support the National ID system or “Phil-ID” which also seeks to promote the efficient delivery of services and to lessen corruption and red tape in the government.

“This will not just enhance administrative governance but reduce corruption, curtail bureaucratic red tape, and promote the ease of doing business, but also avert fraudulent transactions, strengthen financial inclusion, and create a more secure environment for our people,” he said.

The President allayed fears peddled by some groups that the National ID would infringe privacy and personal data of the Phil-ID holders.

“Let me be very clear about this: The information that will be included in the Phil-ID will not be any different from the information already in the possession of the Philippine Statistics Authority or the former NSO, GSIS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG Fund, COMELEC, and other agencies that gather personal data,” Duterte said.

He said the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) will work closely with the National Privacy Commission, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and the multi-agency PhilSystem Policy and Coordination Council to address all concerns pertaining to privacy and security.

“There is therefore no basis at all for the apprehensions about the Phil-ID, unless of course that fear is based on anything that borders to illegal,” Duterte said.

“If at all, the Phil-ID will even aid in our drive against the social menaces of poverty, corruption and criminal issues, as well as terrorism and violent extremism,” he added.

Duterte expressed his appreciation to the two houses of Congress, led by Senate President Vicente Sotto III and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, for passing the Phil-ID and BOL.

He also thanked former Senate President Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel III and former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez for their active involvement in the passage of both measures.

“Indeed, the passage of these laws speak well of their able leadership and firm resolve to rise above divisive partisan politics,” Duterte said.

Both the Senate and the House of Representatives ratified the national ID system on May 29 and 30, respectively.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, spearheaded the passage of the Palace-backed bill.

“I ask everyone to join me as we decisively implement measures that will create an environment where our people’s concern will no longer be center on their safety and security, but on charting a future they can proudly bequeath to succeeding generations,” Duterte said.

Duterte signed the BOL or R.A. 11054 two days after his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 23. (PNA)

Duterte admin lauded for ‘accomplishing the impossible’

A House leader has credited the Duterte administration for helping accomplish legislative tasks that have been previously deemed as “Mission Impossible.”

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Davao City 1st district Rep. Karlo Nograles specifically cited the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and the National Identification (ID) Law as measures under this category.

“These measures had previously experienced rough sailing in both houses of Congress because of the issues surrounding them. The National ID law, for example, was first proposed over 20 years ago but never saw the light of day; the BOL, on the other hand, has been the subject of intense debate for several congresses,” Nograles said.

The Mindanao lawmaker was invited to the ceremonial presentation of the two laws scheduled on Monday afternoon in Malacañang.

“One could say that passing these bills was Mission Impossible,” added the Nograles, referring to the blockbuster franchise headlined by action star Tom Cruise.

“But when the President threw his support behind these measures by certifying them as urgent, Congress acted and what was once Mission Impossible is now Mission Accomplished––a feat that was achieved because the President enjoys the support of a Legislature that embraces his legislative agenda,” he pointed out.

According to Nograles, the passage of the BOL and the National ID law reflected the President’s commitment “to bring peace and progress to the country, especially to his fellow probinsyanos (countryside residents).”

“Mindanao, especially, needs the BOL to bring peace and stability to the region. The National ID Law, on the other hand, will ensure quicker and easier access to government services for those in the regions who need them,” he said.

Republic Act (RA) No. 11054, or the Bangsamoro Organic Law will be presented to the Palace Monday, while Senate Bill Number 1738/House Bill Number 6221 or “An Act Establishing the Philippine Identification System” will be signed by Duterte.

Signed by the President on July 26, the BOL creates a new entity, the “Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), to replace the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The BARMM will be headed by a chief minister and two deputy ministers, to be elected from the parliament.

The National ID law mandates the issuance of a National ID card to every Filipino. It is a machine-readable government card that will store important data about the cardholder and will be the only ID needed for government and private sector transactions.

Duterte signs national ID law

President Rodrigo Duterte assured Filipinos that their privacy would be protected as he signed into law the national ID system.

In a ceremony at Malacañang on Monday, Duterte signed into law the Philippine Identification System Act or “PhilSys,” calling it a monumental legislative measure.

Under the new law, Duterte said a single national identification system called “Phil ID” which would promote “good governance, enhanced governmental transactions and create a more conducive environment for trade and commerce to thrive.”

Duterte said the law would also push for “the efficient delivery of services to our people through a single ID that will be issued to all citizens.”

The national ID system will not only help people in transacting with government and private entities but will also contribute in deterring criminality and terrorism, Senator Panfilo Lacson said.

“At long last, we now have a law that breaks the formidable barriers between government and the downtrodden and the poor due to the lack of identification,” Lacson said.

Currently, there are 33 different forms of “functional” identification cards issued by various government agencies, which according to the senator, may lead to “duplication of efforts, wastage of resources, and uncoordinated identity approaches.”

Under the newly-signed law, a foundational ID system dubbed as PhilSys will be created.

It will have three components: the PhilSys Number (PSN), PhilID and PhilSys Registry.

Duterte said the new Phil ID would cut down bureaucratic red tape, avert fraudulent transactions and reduce corruption.

There was no need for Filipinos to fear for their privacy as safeguards have been put into place in crafting the national ID law, Duterte assured the public in his speech.

Under the proposed national ID law, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) will collate the full name, sex, birthdate, address, citizenship and blood type of Filipino citizens and encode them in a centralized database.

“Several administrations before me have tried but failed to implement this very important measure partly because of the apprehensions furthered by some groups about privacy and data security among others,” Duterte said.

“Let me be very clear about this. The information that will be included will not be any different from the information already in the possession of the Philippine Statistics Authority or the former NSO, GSIS, PhilHealth, Pag-ibig Fund, Comelec and other agencies that gather personal data,” he said.

Duterte also assured that the PSA would work closely with the National Privacy Commission, the Department of Information and Communications Technology and a multi-agency coordination council to address issues involving privacy and security.

“There is, therefore, no basis at all for the apprehension about the Phil ID unless of course that fear is based on anything that borders to illegal,” Duterte said.

“If at all, the Phil ID will even aid in the drive against the social menace of poverty, corruption, and criminal issues as well as terrorism and violent extremism,” the President said.



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Duterte signs National ID, Bangsamoro Region laws

By Arjay L. Balinbin, Reporter

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte led the ceremonial signing of the Philippine Identification System Act and the presentation of the organic law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao at Malacañang on Monday, Aug. 6.

The ceremony was attended by the Cabinet members; members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, including Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III and House Speaker Gloria M. Macapagal-Arroyo; Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) officials; members of the diplomatic corps; Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) officials; and members of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), including Mohagher Q. Iqbal and Ghazali Jaafar who are also high-ranking leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

In his speech, Mr. Duterte said the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) Act “will not just enhance administrative governance but reduce corruption, curtail bureaucratic red tape, and promote the ease of doing business, (and) also avert fraudulent transactions, strengthen financial inclusion, and create a more secure environment for our people.”

The new law aims to eliminate the need to present other forms of identification when transacting with the government and the private sector by providing a single valid proof of identity for all Filipino citizens and foreign residents in the country.

As the implementing agency, PSA said in a statement it will lead the implementation of the national ID system together with National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Finance (DoF), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Interior Local Government (DILG), National Privacy Commission (NPC), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Social Security System (SSS) and Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) forming the PhilSys Policy and Coordination Council (PSPCC).

PSA also said NEDA Secretary and PSPCC Chairman Ernesto M. Pernia will convene the council to discuss plans for PhilSys implementation. As head of the implementing agency PSA, Undersecretary Lisa Grace S. Bersales will act as Co-chair.

In the coming months, PSA said it will conducting a pilot implementation in selected regions in the Philippines in collaboration with the Council’s member-agencies. “The pilot test aims to lay down the registration process prior to the full 5-year implementation starting 2019,” the PSA’s statement also read.

As for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) or Republic Act No. 11054, Mr. Duterte said he signed it into law hoping this will “finally end the decades-old conflict [in Mindanao] that is rooted in the Bangsamoro’s fight for self-determination and the recognition of their unique identity.”

According to a press briefer on the BOL, the autonomy with transparency and accountability of the Bangsamoro Government is guaranteed by the following features: parliamentary form of government, fiscal autonomy, and inclusivity.

“The Parliamentary form of government allows more democratic participation, ensures greater diversity and representation, and encourages the formation of genuinely principled political parties. The Parliament will be composed of 80 members representing different parties, sectors and districts elected by the people through popular representation which safeguards the monopoly of membership of a certain sector. The Members of the Parliament then choose the Chief Minister, and two Deputy Chief Ministers, nominated by the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister appoints members of his cabinet, majority of whom shall come from the members of Parliament. The Parliament is given the power to enact laws to promote, protect and ensure the general welfare of the Bangsamoro people and other inhabitants in the region. The Parliament has the power to pass an annual appropriations law for the region, clearly defining where the appropriation shall be utilized.”

“The Bangsamoro Organic Law grants the Bangsamoro Government the right to manage their funds, income and resources. The law also states that the National Government will provide an annual block grant automatically appropriated in the General Appropriations Act of the Congress to the Bangsamoro government in order for it to efficiently perform its powers and functions. The block grant which will be released directly to the Bangsamoro Government is equivalent to five percent (5%) of the net collection of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and from the Bureau of Customs. The block grant, though and other national government subsidies given in lump sum may not be spent without an appropriations law defining the purpose for which they are intended.”

“Taxes collected from the region will be split 25% — 75% in favor of the Bangsamoro Government. This sharing arrangement aims for the Bangsamoro Government to catch up with other region in terms of economic developments as it suffered years of accumulated neglect due to the armed-conflict and under investments both from the government and the private sector.”

“The Bangsamoro Organic Law recognizes and respects the rights of every sector and groups in the Bangsamoro area. Ten percent (10%) of the Parliamentary seats are reserved for non-Moro indigenous peoples and settler communities, women, youth, traditional leaders and the Ulama. Further, the Bangsamoro Government adopts measures for the promotion and protection of these rights thru the creation of a Ministry for Indigenous Peoples that will formulate and implement policies, plans, and programs for all IPs (indigenous peoples) in the region, on top of upholding the existing laws for IPs.”

http://www.bworldonline.com/duterte-signs-national-id-bangsamoro-region-laws/

Senators hail okay of National Identification System law

A landmark legislation embodied in the Philippine Identification System Act recently signed into law by President Duterte is expected to fast-track government transactions for all Filipino citizens, Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon, the bill’s main author, said on Monday.

“With the national ID system in place,” Drilon said, “identification of individuals seeking basic services from government would be faster and more accurate.”

As provided in the new law, all existing the government-initiated identification systems will be consolidated into an integrated and efficient identification system for citizens of the Philippines in order to help improve and speed up the delivery of public services in the country, Drilon said.

At the same time, the senator assured the remedial legislation will “not affect” data privacy, as pertinent provisions of the Data Privacy Act will still apply. “We have provided enough safeguards to protect the individual’s right to privacy and to prevent unscrupulous persons from accessing confidential information,” he added.

He explained personal data to be included in the national ID system would not be different from information currently present in all government-issued IDs.

Drilon pointed out that under the new ID law, a Common Reference Number (CRN) will be given to all Filipinos containing essential information, such as full name, address, date and place of birth, sex, civil status, signature, and date of card issuance, along with a recent photo.

The senator assures the CRN/ID can be used by a Filipino citizen transacting with any branch of the government, thus, “making it more convenient for Filipinos to avail [themselves] of government services.”

He added the ID will also be honored when transacting with banks and other private institutions.

The senator suggested that Filipinos living and working abroad can register at embassy or consular offices in their countries of location to get their assigned CRN.

At the same time, Drilon clarified that application for the ID system shall be free of charge, as part of the government’s social responsibility.

Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson Sr., principal sponsor of the measure in the plenary deliberations on the bill, said he expects  Filipinos will now have an easier time transacting with the government and with private entities, soon after the National ID bill is finally signed into law by President Duterte.

In a news statement, Lacson said Republic Act 11055, which harmonizes and integrates the redundant government ID cards into a single system, would also help deter criminality. “At long last, we now have a law that breaks the formidable barriers between the government and the downtrodden and the poor due to the lack of identification,” Lacson added.

He noted there are 33 different forms of “functional” identification cards issued by various government agencies­—a situation that may lead to “duplication of efforts, wastage of resources, and uncoordinated identity approaches.”

A former National Police chief, Lacson said the National ID system could help deter criminality and terrorism by facilitating the processes of apprehension and prosecution. Under the bill, a foundational ID system, dubbed PhilSys, will be in place. It will have three components: the PhilSys Number, PhilID and PhilSys Registry. PSN is a randomly generated, unique and permanent identification number for each individual to be incorporated in all identification systems of government agencies. It will remain with the person even after death.

EDITORIAL - A national ID

Brushing aside privacy concerns, President Duterte has put in place the national identification system. In signing the new law yesterday, the President called for public support for a measure that he said would cut red tape and reduce corruption and fraudulent transactions. The new law is also seen to strengthen the campaign against criminality and terrorism.

With the signing of the Philippine National Identification System Act, every Filipino must register for a physical national ID or PhilID and obtain a unique, randomly generated permanent ID number or Common Reference Number.

Information contained in the PhilID will include biometrics. A history of transactions made by the ID holder, such as travels by air or water as well as claims made with government agencies, will also be recorded. This has raised concern among certain sectors over privacy intrusions and data breaches, but lawmakers have reassured the public that there are enough safeguards designed into the law.

For others, the bigger concern is the efficient rollout of the IDs. With the PhilID, Filipinos need only a passport and driver’s license as separate government identification documents. There was a long wait, however, for the release of driver’s license cards. This was a nuisance for those who needed to use the driver’s license as the government document in obtaining certain goods or services such as in buying international plane tickets or getting a security clearance. Biometrics were also taken for voter’s ID cards several years ago, many of which were never delivered.

Authorities must also make sure that fears over data breaches and identity theft will prove unfounded. The new ID system, as the President stressed, is also a tool for fighting criminality and terrorism. But the system must be protected against breaches of its integrity. This is the first time that a national ID system is being implemented in this country. Those in charge of the rollout must see to it that any birth pains and glitches will be minimal.


Read more at https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2018/08/07/1840283/editorial-national-id#6k7y7Og5e8LQvI9M.99

PNP, National Privacy Commission welcome signing of national ID law

Government agencies on Monday expressed support for the newly signed Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) Act.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) welcomed the law, which will provide a national identification system for Filipinos.

"This much-awaited measure has become a necessity for any developing country to keep pace with global trends of technology in governance. An efficient national ID system offers benefits to practical applications in census, taxation, election registration, banking, travel documentation, social security, social welfare, and other transactions with government agencies," PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde said in a statement.

Albayalde also said PNP will soon migrate its own National Crime Information System and the National Police Clearance System to a national database "or sharing with other government agencies to optimize the operational potential of the entire national ID system."

The National Privacy Commission also expressed its support for the new law.

The NPC said it provided advice and guidance to the implementing agency to address privacy risks.

"The public may rest assured that the NPC shall continuously press for the adoption of internationally accepted data protection and privacy standards in the implementation of the National ID, such as the deployment of a Privacy by Design approach, and the adoption and comprehensive application of the NPC’s Data Privacy Accountability & Compliance Framework," Privacy Commissioner Raymund Enriquez Liboro said in a statement.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed PhilSys Act Monday.

According to the president, the new law will pave the way for efficient services delivery, will enhance administrative governance, reduce corruption, curtail bureaucratic red tape, promote ease of doing business, and strengthen financial inclusion.

The President also assured the public that government will protect the data in the PhilSys database, amid concerns of possible data breach and privacy violations. Prior to the signing of the PhilSys Act, the Philippines had been one of the few countries in the world which had no national ID system.

Previous administrations attempted to establish a national ID system but these efforts were met with strong opposition.

The PSA will be the implementing agency of the measure.

Gabby Concepcion renews contract with GMA: "Tumitibok ang aking puso dito sa Kapuso"

Nag-uumapaw ang excitement at pasasalamat ni Gabby Concepcion ngayong pumirma siya ng bagong kontrata sa GMA Network.

Ngayong araw, August 6, ay naganap ang contract renewal ni Gabby bilang isang Kapuso talent.

Present sa kanyang contract-signing ang kanyang manager na si Popoy Caritativo, GMA Chairman at CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, at GMA Senior Vice President for Entertainment TV Lilybeth G. Rasonable.

Wika ng Ika-6 Na Utos actor, “I guess it's sweeter the second time around. This is the second time and I'm really happy. Definitely, tumitibok ang aking puso dito sa Kapuso. Dito ang puso ko hindi masyado malaki, ngayon malaking-malaki na dahil sa GMA, tinanggap nila ulit ako for the second contract.”

Looking forward din daw siya sa kanyang upcoming projects bilang Kapuso.

“I'm really very happy sa magagandang mga palabas namin, magagandang shows, very successful. Magagaling kasi 'yung mga bosses namin, magagaling 'yung mga artista, lahat ng staff, ng creative, ng crew, and isa lang masasabi ko, I'm very happy,” patuloy ng aktor.

Nagpapasalamat din si Atty. Gozon sa ipinakitang tiwala at loyalty ni Gabby.

Aniya, “Alam naman ng lahat na si Gabby isa sa mga pinakamagaling na artista 'yan, walang kupas. Lahat ng ginawa niya sa 'tin nagre-rate so tayo'y nagpapasalamat na pumayag siyang mag-renew sa atin. We are hoping to give him more projects. 'Yan ang klase ng mga tao na walang kupas.”

Jen Bautista on SOP Gigsters

Duterte signs ID law, presents Bangsamoro law

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Duterte signs National ID System Act

President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law on Monday an act creating a national identification system in the country.

The Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) Act of 2018, authored by Senator Panfilo Lacson, aims to create a single official identification card for all citizens that integrates and interconnects various government-issued IDs.

Lacson previously said having different forms of functional IDs results in  "duplication of efforts, wastage of resources, and uncoordinated identity approaches."

The national ID system will have 13 sets of information. It will bear the PhilSys number (PSN), full name, sex, blood type, date of birth, place of birth, marital status, and photo of the ID owner. More information will be stored in the PhilSys registry, such as mobile number, email address, and biometrics data, including full set of fingerprints and iris scan.

Congress approved and ratified the measure in May. Once signed by the President, officials shall roll out the identification cards to one million Filipinos before the end of the year with priority to persons with disability, senior citizens, and the poor.

Duterte signs national ID system law

Filipinos will soon be asked to register with the Philippine ID System in order to get their national ID. Lawmakers give assurances that privacy rights and data will be protected.

Filipinos will soon get national IDs after President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law the Philippine Identification System Act on Monday, August 6.

The enrolled bill seeking to create a unified and streamlined national identification system was signed by the President in Malacañang in the presence of lawmakers and other officials.

The new law establishes the Philippine ID System or PhilSys, a centralized database for vital information on all residents and resident aliens in the Philipines.


It is meant to speed up and improve the delivery of government services and reduce fraudulent transactions.

"For the ordinary Juan dela Cruz, the signing of this Act means that he will no longer have to present multiple identification cards simply to prove his identity," said Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque in a statement.

How it works: A physical national ID or PhilID will be issued to each individual who registers with the system. Each person will also get a randomly generated, unique, and permanent ID number or Common Reference Number (CRN).

Personal data to be collected for the national ID will be include name, sex, date of birth, place of birth, and address. Biometrics information will also be collected, including facial image, full set of fingerprints, iris scan, and other identifiable features that are necessary.

It will be optional to give your mobile number and email address.

The PhilID or number can be used when dealing with national government agencies, local government units, government-owned and controlled corporations, government financial institutions, and the private sector.

Registeration for the ID will be free of charge. Filipinos living abroad may sign up for their national ID with the embassy or consular office where they are located.

Under the 2018 national budget, the government alloted P2 billion for the initial implementation of the program, lodged under the Philippine Statistics Authority's budget.

The passage of the law means the Philippines leaves the small list of countries in the world without a national ID system in place.

Securing privacy rights, data: Yet creating a national ID system has sparked a debate on privacy and data security, especially at a time when government websites have been vulnerable to data breaches.

While the system may be beneficial, data privacy experts are worried about certain provisions in the bill which may blur the line between what's appropriate and what may constitute a violation of privacy. (READ: 'Record history' casts cloud of doubt on proposed national ID system)

For example, the law's inclusion of a record history, which will track each transaction made, may pave the way for mass surveillance. If the national ID system aims to streamline identity verification, keeping a record history would be completely unnecessary, experts said.

Senator Franklin Drilon, however, sought to assuage such fears. Drilon, who thanked Duterte for signing the law, said, “We have provided enough safeguards to protect the individual’s right to privacy and to prevent unscrupulous persons from accessing confidential information.”

He gave assurances that the Data Privacy Act would protect those registered from any violation of their right to privacy.

Legislation for a national ID system was among the Duterte administration's priorities in its legislative agenda.

Presidential Spokesman Roque said the signing of the law is consistent with Duterte's commitment to cut bureaucratic red tape.

"Through PhilSys, we hope to improve efficiency and transparency of public services and promote ease of doing business," he said.

Last May, Duterte also signed the Ease of Doing Business Act which created a unified and streamlined system for persons seeking to put up businesses in the Philippines. 

Drilon: Proposed national ID law has ‘enough safeguards’ to protect privacy

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Monday allayed fears that the proposed national identification (ID) system would compromise Filipinos’ rights to privacy, noting that pertinent provisions of the Data Privacy Act will still apply.

President Duterte is expected to sign into law this Monday the bill establishing a single and streamlined identification system in the country.

“We have provided enough safeguards to protect the individual’s right to privacy and to prevent unscrupulous persons from accessing confidential information,” said Drilon, the principal author of the law, in a statement.

Drilon earlier claimed that the law should not be viewed as a threat to security because the main objective of the bill is “to ensure efficient delivery of service and ease transactions with government

“This landmark legislation is meant to ensure efficient delivery of service and ease transactions with government agencies. I wish to thank the President for signing it into law,” he said.

The data that will be included in the national ID system would not be different from the information that currently indicated in all government-issued IDs, Drilon added.

Under the new law, a Common Reference Number (CRN) will be given to all Filipinos containing essential information such as full name, address, date and place of birth, sex, civil status, signature, CRN and date of card issuance, along with a recent photo.

Filipinos living and working abroad can register at embassy or consular offices in their countries of location to get their assigned CRN.

The application for the ID system shall be free of charge, as part of the government’s social responsibility, Drilon noted.   /vvp

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1018182/drilon-proposed-national-id-law-has-enough-safeguards-to-protect-privacy

Duterte to sign National ID law

President Rodrigo Duterte will sign into law today the bill establishing a national ID system for Filipinos.

The proposed measure aims to cut red tape by integrating different government IDs in one card, which shall contain a person’s Philippine Identification System number, full name, sex, blood type, date of birth, place of birth, marital status, address and a front facing photo.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the national ID system will help the government improve the delivery of goods and services to Filipinos and also protect the public from identity theft.

He also allayed the public’s fears that their privacy may be violated.

“This time around there is a privacy law, and in the law itself, the government has obligation to protect data gathered because of the national ID system,” he said.

Congress ratified the national ID bill in May, even as some critics warn that it is a threat to privacy.

President Duterte will sign the national ID system law today in a ceremony at Malacañang's Rizal Hall.

The Philippines is one of the few countries in the world which do not have a national ID system.

The Philippine Statistics Authority will be the implementing agency of the measure.

National Statistician and Civil Registrar General Lisa Grace Bersales said in the months after the signing of the law, the PSA will be conducting a pilot implementation of the system in selected regions.

The pilot test aims to lay down the registration process prior to the full 5-year implementation starting 2019, Bersales said.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/06/18/duterte-to-sign-national-id-law

Duterte to sign Philippine ID System Act

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is expected to sign Monday afternoon, August 6, the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) Act.

This new law, which mandates the issuance of a National ID to every Filipino, is expected to improve efficiency and transparency in public services as well as promote ease of doing business, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said in a statement.

"For the ordinary Juan de la Cruz, the signing of this Act means that he will no longer have to present multiple identification cards simply to prove his identity," Roque said.

"This streamlining of information makes it likewise harder to commit identity theft or fraud," he added.

The measure was approved by the Bicameral Conference Committee on May 23, 2018.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, who sponsored the measure, earlier said there would an an initial fund of P25 billion for its implementation this year.

The measure authorizes the government to collate pictures, fingerprints, iris scan, family background and other significant details of each citizen. (MVI/SunStar Philippines)

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1756568/Manila/Local-News/Duterte-to-sign-Philippine-ID-System-Act

P2P: Pascual and Pastor's secondary residences

But for Keren Pascual and Miguel Pastor are they watching UAAP basketball and volleyball games.

Duterte to sign ID system law

President Duterte is expected to sign the Philippine Identification System Act (PhilSys) today which aims to improve the delivery of government services to the people and reduce fraudulent transactions.

Duterte is signing the measure after the bill was ratified in the Congress in May this year.

Based on the media advisory issued by Malacañang’s media relations office, the signing of the PhilSys will take place in Malacañang at 3:30 p.m. before the ceremonial signing or presentation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) chief Adelino Sitoy confirmed Sunday evening that President Duterte will sign the measure today.

“The Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) is the government’s central identification platform. In a nutshell, it is a means to simplify public and private transactions,” he said in a statement.

“Proponents of the national ID system said that it can greatly improve the delivery of government services – especially for those who lack proper government-issued identification cards as a person’s record in the PhilSys would be valid and sufficient proof of identity,” he added.

“It also aims to reduce corruption and curtail bureaucratic red tape, prevent fraudulent transactions, and ease doing business in the Philippines,” he continued.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque earlier assured that Duterte will sign the PhilSys due to the overwhelming support for a national ID system.

“This landmark bill is part of the legislative priority agenda of the Duterte administration to improve the delivery of government services; thus, once ratified, the President will sign this into law,” he said.

“There was an overwhelming consensus for the need for the national ID system… And there’s already a budget allotted in the 2018 national budget for the national ID,” he added.

Duterte, during his visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia last year, addressed the desire of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for the Philippines to have a national identification system just like in Saudi Arabia. He said then that it would be “good” to have a national ID in the country.

The proposed Filipino Identification System will consolidate all government-issued ID systems into one to improve government services and limit red tape in government transactions. It is also seen to lower costs, streamline transactions, and provide ease and convenience.

The first time it was proposed was during the time of former President Fidel Ramos in 1996 through Administrative Order 308 but was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court (SC).

In 2005, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo mandated government agencies, through Executive Order 420, to streamline and harmonize their ID systems under a Unified Multi-Purpose Identification System. The SC this time upheld the legality of the said EO.

However, the opposition to the proposal revolves on the perceived threat to security and violation of privacy by the government’s collection of personal information.

Consolidated ID

Once Duterte signs the measure, the national ID system will be managed by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The system will collect a person’s reference number and basic information, biometrics, voter’s ID, Philippine passport number, taxpayer’s identification number (TIN), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) number, and driver’s license number, among others.

A person’s personal data, however, can only be released upon the consent of the registered person. Information can also only be disclosed if a matter of public health and safety is concerned.

A court order may also prompt the disclosure of information; and when the registered person requests access to his information and record history, subject to the guidelines issued by the PSA.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/08/06/duterte-to-sign-id-system-law/

The Internet, not DU30, is killing the Inquirer

There was apparently good reason why the señoras at the Inquirer again conducted their by now trademark bigay-bawi operation -- handing out copies of the year-end financial report to the minority shareholders but retrieving them back at the end of the annual meeting.

According to a copy of an audited annual report finally secured by a minority shareholder, the Philippine Daily Inquirer posted a P215-million loss for 2017, an astounding reversal of fortune for the broadsheet tabloid since the year before it was still able to squeak in a modest P15-million profit.

In contrast, the Philippine Star, the newspaper alone and excluding the related businesses, cleared 2017 with P95-million profit, still good but a far cry from its record P400-million profit four years ago.

The Star's Port Area neighbor, the Manila Bulletin has also maintained its head above water despite the wholesale digital switch of news reading habits, reporting P49.8-million net income for 2017.

This, however, is not an apples-to-apples comparison.

The Bulletin newspaper also owns the printing presses, the one-hectare property and building in Intramuros, as well as seven provincial branches.

The Inquirer, on the other hand, is just, well, the print dinosaur by itself.

This is so because the Inquirer señoras somehow had managed to exclude the minority shareholder-journalists  -- while preaching financial inclusion to the Ayala Avenue-Diliman-Yellow echo chamber -- from the ownership of the building and the two blocks of the Chino Roces property and the printing assets in Laguna, Cebu and Davao.

Even the "Inquirer" website operations is a misnomer, the internet operations being another exclusive señora domain, along with Radyo Inquirer, with the Inquirer newspaper  reduced to being merely a supplier of news to the broadcast and web operations.

Unlike the Bulletin with its P3.475 billion in paid-up capital and nearly P200 million in retained earnings, with total current assets of P3.2 billion against total liabilities of about P1.6 billion as of end-2017, the Inquirer by comparison is skating on thin ice with its P500 million paid-up capitalization.

One does not need a PhD in rocket science to project where the road is heading if Inquirer suffers another financial loss of similar magnitude this year and next.

(The now Vancouver-based former Inquirer president, Danilo Venida, and fellow minority shareholder Victor C. Agustin have a 'simple' solution: The Inquirer broadsheet should just shut down and distribute whatever remaining capital to its shareholders while there is still left.

The señoras can simultaneously transfer the Inquirer liabilities to the website operations and merge them with other related companies like the real estate company to strengthen the enlarged corporate balance sheet. After all, they all belong to one caboodle, the exercise amounting to transferring from one pocket to the other pocket.

The question is, would the señoras put their money where their libertarian heart is?)

And that was probably why the señoras were forced to admit to their worried editors, after acknowledging that the announced deal with white knight Ramon S. Ang had essentially collapsed, that they wanted a resolution to the ownership sale by this year-end.

According to the industry chatter, the señoras have already returned the P1 billion that the San Miguel president had supposedly advanced as down payment and as proof of RSA's good intentions.

If that account is correct, this raises the question, how did the señoras book the exit of the PLDT group from Inquirer, given that RSA himself has admitted to providing the exit package for the PLDT group?

The answer, if we may venture a guess, may lie at the bottom front page of the Inquirer newspaper.

Meanwhile, to rally their troops, the señoras have even projected a better 2018 for their newspaper. We wish them luck, for the sake of our journalist colleagues whose profit-sharing scheme, courtesy of Inquirer founding partners Eugenia Apostol, Betty Go-Belmonte, and Florangel Rosario-Braid, is now just a memory.

But from our listening post, it looks like columnist-eventologist Tim Yap just as in the past will have another chance to crack his cutting thanksgiving remark at the next Star Christmas party: "Thank God we are enjoying steak at a five-star hotel while the other is feeding its employees with packed-lunch by the company driveway."

We cannot disagree while tut-tutting, Ang lupit mo, Tita Timmy!

Duterte signs Nat’l ID system

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is set to sign the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) Act into law on Monday, August 6.

The Senate ratified the measure on May 29, a week after the bicameral conference committee reconciled provisions of the bill that divided the chamber and the House of Representatives.

The signing ceremony will be held at Malacañang.

Once signed, the Philippine government will be able to start issuing national ID cards containing the basic details such as name, sex, birth date, birthplace, age and address.

The cards will contain the biometric information on the holders.

The bill will authorize the collection of photographs taken from the front, full set of fingerprints and iris scans as determined by the Implementing Rules and Regulations.

Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. earlier said the bill “is part of the legislative priority agenda of the Duterte administration to improve the delivery of government services.”

In March, Roque voiced confidence that the measure will be signed into law.

“I believe [it will be signed because]there was an overwhelming consensus on the need for the national ID system,” he said in a news briefing.

Some groups, however, raised warnings that the bill, if signed into law, will pose threats to the security and privacy of the ID holders.

The national ID system was first introduced during the time of then-President Fidel Ramos through Executive Order (EO) 308.

It, however, did not push through after the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional, citing the need for legislation.

Another attempt was made during the term of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo through EO 420, synchronizing all government-issued ID cards, calling it the Unified Multi-Purpose Identification System (UMID).

The UMID is still being issued by select government agencies but does not serve as a national ID card.

The signing of the PhilSys Act will coincide with the presentation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

Duterte signed the measure on July 26.

The original plan was for the President to sign the BOL on July 23, when he delivered his third State of the Nation Address but a House leadership ruckus stalled the idea.

The law will turn the Administrative Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) into the Bangsamoro Region.

The BOL will give the Bangsamoro Region fiscal autonomy and governed by the Bangsamoro Parliament elected by the Bangsamoro Region’s inhabitants.

It mandates the inclusion of the six Lanao del Norte municipalities and 39 barangay (villages) of North Cotabato in the Bangsamoro Region but it will only materialize if their respective mother provinces approve of it in a plebiscite.

The BOL grants the Bangsamoro Parliament the authority to create Shariah Courts (Shariah Circuit Court, Shariah District Court and Shariah High Court) that will have jurisdictions on personal, family, property and minor criminal offenses known as Ta’zir.

Minor criminal offenses are those punishable by fines and a jail time of one to 30 days.

http://www.manilatimes.net/duterte-signs-natl-id-system/427195/

Duterte signs national ID law today

President Duterte is expected to sign into law today (Aug. 6) the bill establishing a single and streamlined identification (ID) system in the country.

The event will be held this afternoon at Malacañang’s Rizal Hall, on the same day of the ceremonial signing of the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

The national ID law aims to integrate the different government IDs so that card holders will just present one card for all transactions. Proponents of the bill said the law would cut red tape and provide the public additional protection against terrorism and other security threats.

The card will contain the bearer’s identification system number, full name, sex, blood type, date of birth, place of birth, marital status, address and photo.

Militant lawmakers are worried that the national ID system would violate the right to privacy and infringe on civil liberties.

Congress ratified the national ID bill last May.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/08/06/1840060/duterte-signs-national-id-law-today

DU30 expected to sign national ID system Aug. 6

By Bernadette D. Nicolas & Cai U. Ordinario

PRESIDENT Duterte is expected to sign into law on Monday, August 6, the measure seeking to establish the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys).

Both houses of Congress ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the last week of May.

The ceremonial signing of the Philippine Identification System Act in Malacañan Palace will coincide with the presentation of Republic Act 11054 or the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, also known as the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), according to the schedule sent by Malacañang to reporters.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said the government will spend P4 billion billion to jumpstart the National ID system this year and next year.

In an interview, National Statistician Lisa Grace S. Bersales told the BusinessMirror around P2 billion will be spent this year and P2 billion next year for the National ID.

Bersales said of the P2 billion allocated for this year, around P1.4 billion will be spent to procure the system and P600 million will be for administrative costs.

The system will be procured through International Competitive Bidding (ICB), consistent with government procurement rules and regulations.

The remaining P2 billion allocated for 2019 will be used for actual data capture and implementation of the National ID system.

The President first announced he signed the BOL last July 26, days after his third State of the Nation Address.

Both bills were priority measures of the Duterte administration.

Once the Philippine Identification System Act is signed into law, all citizens and resident aliens of the country will be provided with a valid proof of identify as a means of simplifying public and private transactions.

One year after the effectivity of the Act, every citizen or resident alien shall register personally in the registration centers.

This proposed law also aims to eliminate the need to present other forms of identification when transacting with the government and the private sector, subject to appropriate authentication measures based on a biometric identification system.

The Philippine ID shall contain the following information: the PhilSys number, full name, sex, blood type, marital status (optional), place of birth, photograph, date of birth and address.

The PhilSys number is a randomly generated, unique and permanent identification number that will be assigned to every citizen or resident alien upon birth or registration by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), which is also the primary implementing agency to carry out the provisions of the measure.

For data privacy and security, the ID shall contain a QR code which contains some fingerprint information and other security measures, such as iris scan.

Any information obtained as a result of unlawful disclosure under the Act shall be inadmissible in any judicial, quasi-judicial or administrative proceeding.

Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno earlier said the establishment of a national identification system will help improve the delivery of government services and reduce fraudulent transactions.

Aside from the seamless delivery of services, the establishment of a single national identification system or the Philippine Identification System is also meant to improve the efficiency, transparency and targeted delivery of public and social services, enhance administrative governance, reduce corruption and curtail bureaucratic red tape, strengthen financial inclusion and promote ease of doing business.

The Philippines has a Unified-Multi-Purpose ID (UMID) system in place but Bersales earlier said the proposed Philippine ID is different from UMID.

Bersales said UMID is a “functional ID” while the proposed Philippine ID is a “foundational ID.”

She said functional IDs are ID cards, numbers, or other systems created for specific government services, such as driver’s licenses and voter cards. Foundational IDs are not linked to special services, but serve as a legal proof of identity for multiple purposes, for example, as unique ID cards.

“Parallel to the procurement of the system, we’re already talking to PhilPost that before the year ends also, we will enroll 1 million Filipinos,” Bersales said.

These one million citizens will be composed of Filipinos receiving the Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT). The list of recipients will be obtained from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

These recipients will be issued a 13-digit number which will serve as their National ID. Accessing the ID will reveal eight demographic contents, including the person’s photo and fingerprints.

Bersales said later on, the National ID will evolve into a digital ID that Filipinos can use to transact with government or even private sector participants.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/du30-expected-to-sign-national-id-system-aug-6/

Duterte to sign national ID system bill into law

The national ID system in the Philippines has been the center of debate concerning privacy and data security

President Rodrigo Duterte is set to sign into law on Monday, August 6, the bill that will create the national identification system.

Proponents of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) said it can greatly improve the delivery of government services as it addresses the lack of government-issued identification cards of many Filipinos.

All Filipino citizens and registered aliens would be required to register through the government's central identification platform. (READ: What you need to know about the proposed national ID system)

The system will collect a person's demographic data such as full name, sex, date of birth, blood type, address, and citizenship. Biometric information will also be recorded, including a front-facing photograph, full set of fingerprints, and iris scan.

Collected information will be handled and secured by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

A registered individual will be given a randomly generated, unique, and permanent ID number or the PhilSys Number (PSN). A physical ID card or PhilID will also be issued.

The PhilID or PSN can be used when dealing with national government agencies, local government units, government owned and controlled corporations, government financial institutions, and the private sector.

The Senate and the House of Representatives ratified the bill in May 2018.

Controversial bill

The establishment of a national ID system has been the center of debate concerning privacy and data security.

While the system may be beneficial, data privacy experts are worried about certain provisions in the bill which may blur the line between what's appropriate and what may constitute a violation of privacy. (READ: 'Record history' casts cloud of doubt on proposed national ID system)

For example, the inclusion of a record history, which will track each transaction made, may pave the way for mass surveillance. If the national ID system aims to streamline identity verification, keeping a record history would be completely unnecessary, experts said.

But proponents of the system and the National Privacy Commission insisted that measures are in place to secure the privacy of Filipinos.

The Philippines is one of the few countries in the world without a national ID system yet. Attempts in past administrations were met with budget issues, legal troubles, and poor public support, among others.

Duterte set to sign National ID law

By Arjay L. Balinbin, Reporter

PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. Duterte is scheduled to sign on Monday, Aug. 6, the Philippine Identification (ID) System Act which institutionalizes a single official identification for all Filipino citizens and foreign residents in the country, Malacañang said in an advisory on Sunday.

The National ID system, identified as among the priority measures of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), is expected to be rolled out next year as the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has already allotted P2 billion for its implementation.

The proposed legislation hurdled the bicameral conference committee last May, where lawmakers decided to adopt the Senate version, Senate Bill (S.B.) No. 1738.

The Senate bill was prepared by that chamber’s committees on justice and human rights, finance, and public information and mass media. Its purpose is to “provide a valid proof of identity for all citizens and resident aliens as a means of simplifying public and private transactions.”

The measure aims to eliminate the need to present other forms of identification when transacting with the government and the private sector, subject to appropriate authentication measures based on a biometric identification system.

“Furthermore, the PhilSys (Philippine ID System) shall be a social and economic platform through which all transactions including public and private services can be availed of and shall serve as the link in the promotion of seamless service delivery, enhancing administrative governance, reducing corruption, strengthening financial inclusion, and promoting ease of doing business,” the Senate bill also read.

Also on Monday, there will be a ceremonial signing of the organic law (Republic Act No. 11054) for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

“We cannot underplay the significance of this signing as we take comfort in this momentous step towards building the foundation of a lasting peace in Mindanao. We therefore would like to express our gratitude to all those who worked hard to enable the passage of this landmark law,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr. said in a statement on Sunday.

http://www.bworldonline.com/duterte-set-to-sign-national-id-law/

Heaven or hell, it’s our choice

Already going on his third year in office, former Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte could not still get over with his bitter campaign experience during the May 2016 presidential elections. In yet another extemporaneous speech last Friday, President Duterte dished out all hatred that has obviously built up in his heart and mind against those behind dirty tricks to thwart his presidential bid.

That was more than two years ago when then Mayor Duterte decided to throw his hat in the presidential race at the last minute. With such elephant memory, President Duterte lashed anew at ABS-CBN and other “oligarchs” for allegedly taking advantage of their wealth to oppress the small, the weak and the helpless like him during the campaign when his survey standing was not picking up then.

“Wala akong galit sa mayaman, especially those who got rich by the sweat of their brows,” President Duterte clarified. “Life is never fair but it will come at a time, it will just balance out everything,” he mused.

“So what else can I say except that I intend to finish my job,” the President stressed.

Towards this end, the President reiterated his instructions to Department of Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno. “And my order to Diokno is all. No, no, no political color. Give them all. You spread the money of the Republic of the Philippines so that all will benefit,” the President vowed.

For the nth time, however, the President lambasted in that same public address the Lopezes of ABS-CBN, businessman Roberto Ongpin and the Prietos of PDI as among the “oligarchs” allegedly who remain powerful in the country but owe a lot of back taxes to the government through these years.

While we could only mutter why can’t he move on and do something about it, he dished out what could be the strongest signal of the presidential retribution. The Chief Executive categorically placed these “oligarchs” on notice they will have it coming to them, later, if not any sooner.

With the latest presidential declaration he would not approve, if it ever reaches his table, the ABS-CBN franchise renewal before its end on March 30, 2020 will definitely remain in limbo at the 17th Congress. “Many congressmen are afraid of the President,” one lawmaker admitted.

Their fear was demonstrated when President Duterte nearly walked out from his own state of the nation address (SONA) last July 23 at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. It was delayed after administration allies from the so-called “super majority” led by partymates from the PDP-Laban initiated the ouster of erstwhile Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez who was eventually relieved from his post by former president and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA).

I could not blame President Duterte for waxing poetic justice on his campaign experience after all this time he has been in office at Malacañang Palace since June 30, 2016. It was apparently triggered by the campaign-like remarks at the program delivered by Bukidnon Governor Jose Ma. Zubiri Jr. who hailed the victory of President Duterte more than two years ago.

The Bukidnon Governor is the father of Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri who joined them at the program. This was after they joined President Duterte in the inauguration of a P500-million drug rehabilitation center in Malaybalay, Bukidnon donated by a group of Chinese businessmen.

In his introduction of the guest, the elder Zubiri recalled why he supported Mayor Duterte from among the five presidential candidates. Speaking in English and interspersed in their local dialect, Gov. Zubiri praised to high heavens the leadership now in our country by President Duterte and fulfilling his campaign promises, especially to their province.

Taking off from Zubiri’s accolades, it naturally led President Duterte to thank the Bukidnon Governor as one of the only two Governors who helped him during the 2016 campaign. The other, of course, as President Duterte repeatedly cites, is Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos. Gov. Zubiri’s campaign-like spiels pushed the buttons that apparently rekindled the hurts of the past presidential campaign.

Dispensing anew what he described as a “run-of-the-mill” prepared speech of two to three pages at the program, President Duterte told his audience he wants to freely express himself and “to connect” with his audience. This was why, the Chief Executive recalled, he complained about the limited time given to each candidate during the 2016 presidential debate that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) required them all to participate.

Speaking extemporaneously as usual, the President regaled anew his audience with his colorful language and went into his expletive-dashed rants against the oligarchs, his political foes, and human rights groups that revived the reported extrajudicial killings (EJKs) accusations against him while he was still Mayor of Davao City.

Despite earlier getting the ire of even his own supporters from the Catholic faithful for calling God “stupid,” the President went on with more tirades. In obvious digs at human rights advocates and Church leaders attacking his bloody anti-drug war, the President scored them for taking up the cudgels for suspects slain in police operations. In a make-believe conversation, he supposedly asked God to let these alleged slain EJK victims “to enjoy their human rights in heaven.”

As for himself, the 72-year-old President quoted himself saying: “I told God, I have nothing to ask from you. Reserve the hottest place in hell for me. And may I burn till eternity…if there is hell.”

 “But I don’t believe on that. Why would God create an oven for his creation? So I said, I have a God. But it is not your ‘stupid’ God. My God does not reserve anything for his creation. You created man and woman, then you reserve a furnace for them? What is that?” the President rhetorically asked.

The road to hell, as the proverb goes, is paved with good intentions. Its alternative form is: “Hell is full of good meanings, but heaven is full of good works.” So, it’s really our own choice which road to take.

https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2018/08/06/1839978/heaven-or-hell-its-our-choice

Opinion about sa franchise thingy madidiskaril ang DTV migration sa bansa, dahil sa mga banta ng presidente ng bansa na ikakansela ang prangkisa ng ABS-CBN sa Marso 30, 2020 for political motive. Samantalang sila pa ang may pinakamalawak na DTT coverage at malakas humahatak ng DTV migration sa bansa. While yung ibang network ay may limited coverage. Dahil sa kanselasyon ng prangkisa kung matutuloy ito ng walang alternative good DTT Channels. Maaring maudlot lang ang dtv migration at bumalik ang mga tao sa analog at hindi na magmigrate pa sa digital tv. Iisipin ng publiko na palpak o nagflopped ang DTV.

Hindi basta-basta pwede irush ang pagtatayo ng transmitter kasi milyun-milyon ang halaga ng transmitter. Bawat parts nito ay imported mula US, Europe, o Japan. Tapos may ihihire pa na foreigner para sa setup at precorrections.

Kaya kung anuman ang iringan ng gov at ng station mabuti pa na isantabi muna hanggang mag-full digital na ang pinas para may choice na ang viewers sa panonood.

Macgerald Bugay "hindi rin.. may chance pa ang ibang mga networks na iimprove pa ang programming nila kahit mawala man ang ABS-CBN.. nanjan naman ang GMA..

Jeffrey Evangelista "Yes nagiimprove pero yung coverage to other regions? Ang manila walang problema pero panu naman yung ibang regions? Plus kaya ba nila itodo ang paggastos mapalawak lang ang coverage nila?"

Perry Paterno says "Nah, I don't think so.  Sure, ABS-CBN may have influenced DTV migration pero hindi yan magtatapos kung sakaling mawala ang congressional franchise nila. By 2020, napagplanuhan na nila ang Plan B nila."

"I somehow or somewhat concerned with this issue,hindi biro na-ishutdown mo ang Channel 2, malaking porsyento ang magiging palyado ang entire Philippine industry, unang-una ang DTV sunod ang employment mahigit 11,000 ang apektado ng shutdown.At ang pinaka-malubha sa lahat ang ekonomiya. But for those na nag-sasaya ngayon na fantards, panandalian lang ang saya ninyo. Oo, magsasaya kayo pero pagkatapos nun. Ano na magiging papel niyo sa bashing.May plano ang ABS diyan. Pero ang nagtatako ako,bakit sunod-sunod na naexpire ang franchise nila GMA (March 2 or 20,2017, lumagpas na sa itinakda pero naka-ere pa (probably dahil parenew na ang franchise nila noon)], sa December 9,2019 ang T5N at March 30 ,2020 ang ABS-CBN."

Nagtataka kasi ako bakit sunod sunod yung mga expiration ng franchise nila. Siguro dahil noong panahong ipinasa ang batas na iyan ay panahon ni Cory kaya pareho ng timeline.

Sam Asajar: "Hindi eh,panahon ni FVR lahat narenew yan,maliban sa GMA na panahon ng last year ni Cory noong 1992.

Mark Castro II: "Panahon pa ba ni Marcos ang batas tungkol sa legislative franchise?"

Sam Asajar: "Idk. Parang noon lang na panahon ni Cory-FVR yata.Wala akong narinig na ganyan noong si President F. MARCOS ang pangulo nun."