Senate sets target for 2020 budget OK

By Charmaine A. Tadalan
Reporter

SENATE plenary deliberation on the proposed P4.1-trillion national budget for 2020 will begin on Nov. 11 as the chamber eyes bicameral approval by the first week of December, Senate leaders said on Monday.

The House of Representatives, meanwhile, moved to extend the availability of the 2019 national budget until Dec. 31 2020 as it approved on third and final reading House Joint Resolution No. 19.

“We’re looking at two weeks of budget deliberation. Hopefully, i-approve on second reading and third reading by Nov. 22,” Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri told reporters in a briefing on Monday.

“With that we’re looking at possibly having the bicam[eral conference committee discussions] by November 25-30.”

Mr. Zubiri said Senator Juan Edgardo M. Angara, chairman of the Finance committee, is scheduled to sponsor the proposed 2020 spending plan on Nov. 11.

Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III said in a separate briefing on Monday that the bicameral conference committee might convene in the “first week of December.”

The House of Representatives on Sept. 20 approved House Bill No. 4228, or the proposed General Appropriations Act (GAA) for Fiscal Year 2020, on final reading, the same day it was passed on second reading.

The bill was certified as an urgent measure by President Rodrigo R. Duterte, allowing the chamber to do away with the required three-day interval between second- and third-reading approval.

Lawmakers are moving to assure punctual approval of next year’s spending plan, following an almost four-month delay in enactment of the P3.662-trillion General Appropriations Act (GAA) for 2019 that made overall economic growth slow to 5.5% last semester from 6.3% a year ago and against a 6-7% full-year 2019 target set by the government.

“Ang consensus ng ating mga kasamahan sa Senado ay maganda naman: ipapasa the soonest possible time para hindi naman mangyari ‘yung nangyari last 17th Congress (The consensus among senators is… to approve the 2020 budget at the soonest possible time in order to avoid a repetition of what happened in the last 17th Congress),” Mr. Zubiri said.

To recall, the delay resulted from an impasse between the House and the Department of Budget and Management over a change in budgeting framework and later with the Senate over fund realignments that were deemed not in sync with the administration’s priorities. Mr. Duterte signed the proposed P3.757-trillion national budget in mid-April, but vetoed some P95 billion in funds realigned to the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Asked whether the Senate is open to adopting the House version in order to speed up budget approval, Mr. Zubiri replied: “Malabong mangyari ’yun (That will be far-fetched),” explaining that senators have proposed amendments to the spending plan.

Mr. Sotto, however, said he is open to the idea. “Kung maganda ang sinampa sa’min na (If the) House version, magandang budget at maliwanag na budget (that we received does not have items we find questionable), yes, payag ako i-adopt (I will be amenable to adopting the House version),” Mr. Sotto said.

In a separate development, the House, voting 199-0, passed HJR No. 19, which will extend the availability of the 2019 budget for maintenance and other operating expenses and capital outlays until Dec. 31, 2020.

It is a measure that is supported by the Senate. Its counterpart, Senate Joint Resolution No. 7, filed by Mr. Angara, is set to be sponsored in the plenary “this week.”

“Kailangan i-extend ang validity ng 2019 GAA dahil nawalan tayo ng six months sa implementation (We need to extend the validity of the 2019 GAA because we lost six months of implementation due to its late enactment),” Mr. Zubiri said.

He noted that under the cash-based budgeting system put in place starting this year, funds left unobligated to projects by yearend will revert to the Treasury.

Aside from late budget enactment, implementation of projects was also stalled by the ban on new public works 45 days ahead of the May 13 midterm legislative and local elections.

https://www.bworldonline.com/senate-sets-target-for-2020-budget-ok/

Mga ABS-CBN boss nakialam sa eleksyon — Alan

MATAPOS mangakong magiging patas ang Kamara sa pagtalakay sa panukalang renewal ng prangkisa ng ABS-CBN, isiniwalat naman ni House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano na tutol siya na mabigyan ng panibagong 25 taon na lisensiya ang nasabing network.

Nagpahiwatig pa si Cayetano na hindi nila prayodidad ang pagtalakay sa prangkisa ng network, kahit na mapapaso na ang lisensiya nito sa Marso 30, 2020.

Ang rason niya, nakialam daw kasi ang mga boss ng ABS-CBN noong 2016 elections kung saan tumakbo siya bilang running mate ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte.

“People like me, I also have some objections. I’ll tell you, this is my personal (opinion), okay?” saad ng kinatawan ng Taguig City sa interview ng ANC.

Isinumbat nito ang pangyayari noong 2016 elections kung saan ilang lider ng ABS-CBN ang nakialam umano sa kampanya.

“On one hand I feel that we have to protect the freedom of the press and freedom of expression; on the other hand I feel that there’s certain instances in history, and in the 2016 election, that some sectors or leaders of ABS interfered unjustly,” himutok ng mambabatas.

Tiniyak naman ni Cayetano sa publiko na tatapusin niya ang problema sa usapin ng franchise renewal na magi­ging katanggap-tanggap sa lahat “but will be good for the country.”

Umaabot sa anim na panukalang batas ang nakabinbin sa Kamara para sa renewal ng prangkisa ng ABS-CBN. Isa rito ay isinampa ni Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto. (JC Cahinhinan)

https://www.abante.com.ph/mga-abs-cbn-boss-nakialam-sa-eleksyon-alan.htm

GMA Network maintains Urban Luzon, Mega Manila TV ratings advantage

GMA Network kept the upper hand in the TV ratings competition in its bailiwick areas Urban Luzon and Mega Manila according to the latest data from ratings service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

For the month of October (with October 27 to 31 based on overnight data), GMA posted an average of 32.3 percent total day people audience share in Urban Luzon, outscoring ABS-CBN's 31.1 percent. The said viewer-rich area accounts for 72 percent of all urban TV viewers in the country.

The Kapuso Network continued to beat competition in the afternoon block with 33.0 percent people audience share while ABS-CBN registered 31.6 percent.

GMA also won in the evening block with 34.9 percent versus ABS-CBN's 32.9 percent.

Consistently dominating Urban Luzon's list of top rating programs is no other than Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS). The award-winning magazine program similarly led the list of top 30 shows in National Urban Philippines. Its Halloween special episode “Gabi ng Lagim” was again top-trending worldwide last October 27 and garnered a people rating of 16.8 percent.

Following KMJS in the list of top programs for October were The Boobay and Tekla Show, 24 Oras, The Clash, The Gift, Pepito Manaloto, Beautiful Justice, Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko, Magpakailanman, Studio 7, One of the Baes, Bubble Gang, Saksi, Daddy's Gurl, Amazing Earth, Unang Hirit, Mars Pa More, Wagas, Hanggang sa Dulo ng Buhay Ko, Tadhana, Wish Ko Lang, Imbestigador, Prima Donnas, Madrasta, Wowowin, Eat Bulaga, and the recently-launched afternoon series Magkaagaw.

Likewise in Mega Manila (with official data from October 1 to 26), GMA Network recorded 32.6 percent average total day people audience share as compared to ABS-CBN which only managed to get 29.5 percent. Meanwhile, Kapuso shows took 16 spots out of the top 30 shows in the said area, which accounts for 60 percent of all urban viewers in the country.

Nielsen TV Audience Measurement's client pool covers a total of 32 clients/subscribers consisting of 6 local TV networks including ABS-CBN, TV5, Aksyon TV and CNN Philippines, among others; 3 regional clients; 2 blocktimers; and 21 agencies (17 media agencies, 3 consulting agencies, and 1 digital agency).

https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/showbiznews/news/56131/gma-network-maintains-urban-luzon-mega-manila-tv-ratings-advantage/story

Cayetano has 'personal complaint' over ABS-CBN franchise renewal

But Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano vows there will be 'due process' when the House tackles the bill seeking to renew ABS-CBN's franchise

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said he has a "personal complaint" against the bill that would renew ABS-CBN Corporation's franchise, but he promised the House of Representatives would be fair in tackling the measure.

The Speaker admitted his misgivings about the franchise renewal in an interview on Headstart, a show produced under ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs division and aired over ABS-CBN News Channel, on Monday, November 4.

"People like me, ako may angal din ako. I'll tell you, this is my personal [opinion] ha?" Cayetano told journalist and Headstart host Karen Davila.

(People like me, I have a complaint about it too. I'll tell you, this is my personal opinion, okay?)

"On one hand, I feel that we have to protect the freedom of [the] press and freedom of expression. On the other hand, I feel that [there are] certain instances in history and in the 2016 election na nakialam unjustly some sectors or some leaders of ABS (where some sectors or some leaders of ABS-CBN meddled unjustly). So how do you sort it out?" asked the Taguig City-Pateros congressman.

No less than President Rodrigo Duterte himself has repeatedly opposed the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise.

In April 2017, Duterte accused the network of "swindling" him for not airing his paid political advertisements during the 2016 presidential campaign.

Duterte first publicly threatened ABS-CBN days after he signed into law the franchise renewal of its rival, GMA Network. Duterte then repeated his threat to block the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise in August 2018. (READ: Duterte: If it were up to me, no ABS-CBN franchise renewal)

Cayetano was the running mate of Duterte in the 2016 elections, and the latter even endorsed the term-sharing deal for the speakership between Cayetano and Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco.

Despite his personal issues over renewing the legislative franchise given to ABS-CBN, Cayetano said the House would give "due process" to the network when the committee on legislative franchises tackles the bill before the end of 2019.

"Right now, we can debate that, and of course you will stand up for the network. But I'd rather have it in a hearing, diretsuhan (straight to the point), face to face, and talk about it," said Cayetano.

"I'll just assure the public, whether they are for or against ABS-CBN, that we will do it with due process and we will find a conclusion that is acceptable to everyone but will be good for the country. Remember, may Senate at Presidente pa (we still have the Senate and the President)," the Speaker added.

ABS-CBN's current franchise, which was approved through Republic Act No. 7966 on March 30, 1995, is set to expire on March 30, 2020. If the bill renewing the franchise does not get signed into law, ABS-CBN would have to close down its radio and television operations.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/244116-cayetano-personal-complaint-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-but-vows-due-process

Cayetano vows House ‘will be fair’ in treating ABS-CBN application for franchise extension

By Ben Rosario

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday gave his guarantee that the House of Representatives “will be fair” in its treatment of the application for legislative franchise extension of broadcast giant ABS-CBN.

One of the country’s largest networks and multi-media firms owned by the Lopez family, which had earned the ire of President Rodrigo Duterte, will have to go off the air by March 2020, unless its expiring legislative franchise is extended by Congress.

In a television interview with ABS-CBN’s Karen Davila Monday, Cayetano said the chairpersons of various committees in the Lower House have been directed to focus and dispose of all priority bills.

“It is our duty to be fair,” stressed Cayetano during the interview.

Davila raised the ABS-CBN franchise issue near the end of her interview with the House leader on ANC, specifically with three minutes left in her program.

“I have to ask you, the ABS-CBN franchise will be tackled before the end of 2019, I mean the bill (has been) sitting there for months?” she asked.

The ANC senior journalist also pointed out that at least five bills have already been filed calling for a 25-year extension of the ABS-CBN legislative franchise.

Cayetano candidly stated that there “are real issues” raised against the ABS-CBN that requires the Lower House to conduct a hearing “so that the public knows sino ba ang tama’t mali (who’s right or wrong).”

“And I’m not referring to the President kasi ‘di ba the President said na he will file an objection, he said his last term ‘no? So that’s between ABS-CBN and the president because I’m sure may legitimate criticism ang Pangulo,” explained Cayetano.

The House leader said he also harbors personal issues against the network.
“On one hand, I feel that we have to protect the freedom of the press and freedom of expression. On the other hand, I feel there’s certain instances in history and in the 2016 election na naki-alam unjustly some sectors or some leaders of ABS, so how do you sort it out?” he said in the interview.

Cayetano said: “I’ll just assure the public whether they are for or against ABS, that we will do it with due process and we will find a conclusion that is acceptable to everyone but will be good for the country.”

He then pointed out that after the Lower House, where legislative franchise bills should emanate, the ABS-CBN franchise application will still have to pass Senate and Malacanang approval within the next four months.

During its last hearing in September, the House legislative franchise panel approved three legislative franchise applications, one of which was vehemently objected to by several congressmen representing the power sector.

The ABS-CBN franchise extension bill was not included in the September 11 agenda.

Alvarez admitted that he was waiting for the go-signal from the House leadership before his committee could take up the controversial franchise measure.

Also approved by the House panel were the new franchise applications of Lanao del Norte Electric Cooperative and the Bicol Light and Power Corporation (BLPC) which was also tainted with controversy.

ABS-CBN’s application for a 25-year franchise extension was not calendared for discussion in the last hearing.

Owned by the Lopez family, ABS-CBN’s legislative franchise is due to expire by March 30, 2020. Non-renewal of the license to operate will force the network to close shop.

The network will have to cease operating as a broadcast network if Congress fails to act on a franchise extension before the expiration date set by Republic Act 7966, its current legislative license.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/11/04/cayetano-vows-house-will-be-fair-in-treating-abs-cbn-application-for-franchise-extension/

(Update) It would renew their franchise, the network will have to continue operate as a broadcast network, the broadcast giant eyes the revival of UHF entertainment channel Studio 23 and the transfer of Sports and Action to channel 51. Studio 23 was a sister network of the Network itself and airing programming aimed towards young adults, such as North American imports and other English-language programming, and original Tagalog programming.

Disaster Resilience Department bill’s OK seen before Christmas break

There is  a big chance that a bill  proposing the creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) would  be approved before Congress  goes on  Christmas break next month.

Senate  President  Vicente  Sotto  III raised this  possibility  on Monday as he underscored its  importance amid a series of disasters that recently hit parts of  the  country.

Sotto, one of the authors of the proposed measure  in the Senate,  believes that its approval is long over due.

“Ang national disaster, hindi nakakapaghintay (National disasters can’t wait),” he said over DZMM.

Asked  about the bill’s chance of  getting approved before the Christmas break on December 20, the Senate leader said: “A very big chance, talagang kailangang-kailangan (this is really necessary).

“Malaki ang posibilidad, at malaki rin ang posibilidad na mapirmahan ng Presidente ito (There’s a big possibility, and a big possibility also  that  this would be signed by the President)”, Sotto said.

Under his Senate  Bill No. 245,  the DDR would  become the  primary government institution tasked  to ensure “safe, adaptive, and disaster-resilient communities.”

“Unlike the existing institutional arrangement that encompasses the very wide range of both natural and human-induced disasters, the Department shall focus on natural hazards and climate change,” Sotto said in the bill’s explanatory note.

A key feature of this measure   is  a “clear system of responsibility for disaster preparedness and response classified into four levels – from Levels 1 to 4 or from the municipal/city mayor all the way up to the Secretary of Disaster Resilience.”

“This directly answers the oft-repeated question in times of disaster: Who is in charge?”  he said.

“This system of assigning levels of responsibility is aimed at ensuring unity of command and effective collaboration in the country’s disaster resilience efforts,”  he pointed out. /gsg

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1185392/disaster-resilience-department-bills-ok-seen-before-christmas-break

MBC "Bagong taon, bagong milyon 2020"

PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY​

To join the promo, participants should indicate on a piece of paper their complete name, age, address, contact number (if any), and signature.

Place entry inside a white, legal-sized envelope and enclose any one (1) of the required proof-of-purchases.

On the outside of the envelope indicate promo title “BAGONG TAON BAGONG MILYON 2020 ”, the proof-of-purchase (POP) used, and MBC Station-City. The POP as indicated on the outside of the envelope must match the actual POP used with the entry.

Participants may mail their entries OR drop in drop boxes located at MBC regular stations or Radyo Natin Stations in their area.

​​For Mega Manila residents, participants may mail their entries to “BAGONG TAON BAGONG MILYON 2020”, c/o DZRH, 90.7 LOVE RADIO, 101.1 YES The Best! OR 96.3 EASYROCK, MBC Building, Sotto St., CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, or drop entries at the drop boxes located at the foregoing address.

​​

There is no limit to the number of entries a participant can send.

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Participant must be at least 18 years old or above to be eligible to join.

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Participant may win only once in each weekly draw per area.

​​

To join the promo, participants should indicate on a piece of paper their complete name, age, address, contact number (if any), and signature.

​​MBC Regular Stations

​

DZRH

Aksyon Radyo

Love Radio

Yes The Best!

Easy Rock

​

Radyo Natin Network

​

100 Stations nationwide



PROOF-OF-PURCHASE (POP):

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MILO®

Two (2) empty sachets of MILO® 22g or

One (1) empty pack, any size  (220g, 300g, 600g, or 1kg)

(Only packaging with expiration date May 2020 onwards are accepted)

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BEAR BRAND® FORTIFIED POWDERED MILK DRINK

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BEAR BRAND® FORTIFIED CHOCO MILK DRINK

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BEAR BRAND® FORTIFIED REAL STRAWBERRY MILK DRINK

One (1) empty pack, any size  (29g, 300g)

(Only packaging with expiration date July 2020 onwards are accepted.)

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BEAR BRAND® ADULT PLUS

One (1) empty pack, any size (33g, 180g, 300g, 600g, 1kg, or 1.2kg)

BEAR BRAND® ADULT PLUS CHOCO

One (1) empty pack, any size (180g or 600g)

BEAR BRAND® ADULT PLUS MILK DRINK WITH COFFEE 

One (1) empty pack, any size (33g or 300g)

(Only packaging with expiration date July 2020 onwards are accepted.)



COBRA ENERGY DRINK

Three (3) Cobra Returnable Glass Bottle (RGB) 240ml crowns

(any combination)

One (1) label of any Cobra resealable bottle

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NAPROXEN SODIUM FLANAX

Two empty (2) blister packs of NAPROXEN SODIUM FLANAX

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SAN MIGUEL PALE PILSEN

One (1) 2019 marked crown of 320 ml or 1000 ml

GOLD EAGLE BEER

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Three (3) wrappers of PRIDE Bar 100g

(Any variant)



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One (1) box of STARWAX 90g or 180

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Two (2) sachets of SMART Liquid 50ml, or

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There will be eight (8) weekly draws on MBC Regular Stations and two (2) monthly draws for Radyo Natin Network at 10:00 a.m. of every draw date.

For MBC Regular Stations, the deadlines for submission of entries for weekly draws are each Friday before the draw from November 15, 2019 (Friday) to January 3, 2020 (Friday) until 5:00 p.m. MBC stations will not accept entries beyond this period. Entries received after 5:00 p.m. will be included in the succeeding promo week.


For Radyo Natin Network, the deadline for dropping of entries for the first monthly draw is on December 4 at 5:00 p.m. Entries received after December 4, 2019, 5:00 p.m. will be included in the succeeding monthly draw. Deadline of submission of entries for the second monthly draw and the grand draw will be on December 31, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.

PRIZES:

Weekly Draw Prizes for MBC Regular Stations

Grid 1: Php 2,000 cash x 3 winners per station

Mega Manila: DZRH • 90.7 LOVE RADIO • 101.1 YES the Best! • 96.3 EASYROCK

Grid 2: Php 1,500 cash x 3 winners per Area

Dagupan • Cebu • Iloilo • Bacolod • Cagayan De Oro • Davao • Zamboanga

Grid 3: Php 1,000 cash x 3 winners per Area

Laoag • La Union • Santiago • Cauayan • Baguio • Naga • Lucena • Tacloban General Santos

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Tuguegarao • Tarlac • Urdaneta • Daet • Legaspi • Palawan • Catarman Catbalogan • Dumaguete • Kalibo • Roxas –Boracay • Butuan • Malaybalay Valencia • Koronadal• Iligan



Radyo Natin Network Monthly Draw Prizes:

1st Prize : 1 winner of P5,000 per area (Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao)

2nd Prize: 1 winner of P3,000 per area (Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao)

3rd Prize : 1 winners of P2,000 per area (Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao)



Grand Draw Prizes:

Grand Prize: 1 winner of Php 1 MILLION PESOS. A ball machine with 4 balls labeled Mega Manila, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao will be used to determine which pile the winner will be drawn

Consolation: 5 winners of Php 10,000 each per area Mega Manila, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao



RAFFLE DRAWS AND DETERMINATION OF WINNERS

 WEEKLY DRAWS FOR MBC REGULAR STATIONS

All entries from MBC Regular stations will be gathered to designated draw stations for each area. For Mega Manila, each station MBC Regular station will have their own draw. (See Weekly Draw Prizes for each area)

All non-winning entries in the weekly draws WILL NOT be included in the succeeding weekly draws but will be included in the Grand Draw.

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Radyo Natin Stations shall forward all entries received to Radyo Natin Center, MBC Bldg., Sotto St., CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City for each Monthly Draw

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GRAND DRAW is on January 18, 2020 (Saturday) at 5:00 p.m. at the Star City Activity Area.

Entries from MBC Regular stations and Radyo Natin stations shall be placed together but segregated into 4 piles: Mega Manila, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. This is determined by the station where the entry was dropped as required to be indicated on the outside of the envelope

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Winners will be notified through SMS or registered mail and announced on-air thru respective MBC radio stations.

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The twenty percent (20%) TAX on all prizes exceeding P10,000 will be shouldered by the winner. All prizes are non-transferrable.

All employees of MBC and its affiliates, participating sponsors, their advertising agencies and their spouses and relatives up to the 2nd degree of consanguinity or affinity including relatives by legal adoption are excluded from joining the promo.

Promo Period:

Submission of entries is from November 4 to January 3, 2020. Grand Draw is on January 18, 2020.

Why is Robi Domingo being part of Bench anymore?

To recall when TV host and VJ Robi Domingo is no longer a endorser of this clothing line. This is the truth that he did not miss any annual BENCH and BENCH/Body campaign such as summer, back-to-school and holiday and biennial denim and underwear shows.

Sources to newspapers and tabloids when the former Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition Plus runner up and Ateneo de Manila University graduate is no longer renewing his contract with Bench.

He was also took part in "Uncut: A Bold Look at the Future" Denim and Underwear Show at the Araneta Coliseum when he tore his sando in the Furne One's Far East segment.

A Twitter user who said "Nakakatawa yung ginawa ni Robi Domingo sa Bench Uncut."

by the way, hindi na bench endorser si robi no. :( kasi adidas na siya. :lol: Yup, di na po siya Bench endorser.. Tapos na contract niya :) But I believe happy naman si Robi ngayon sa endorsements niya ;)

House resumes session; barangay poll deferment a priority

The House of Representatives will prioritize the bills postponing the barangay polls and extending the availability of some portions of the 2019 budget until next year, according to a House leader, as the chamber resumes session today after a month-long break.

“We aim to hit the ground running on the first day of work. Time to roll up our sleeves once again and work double time on vital legislative measures,” House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez said, adding they intend to approve the two measures on third and final reading very soon.

The House approved last month Bill 4933 or the measure that seeks to postpone the 2020 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections to Dec. 5, 2022, on second reading through a vote of ayes and nays.

This would bring the third postponement of the barangay and SK polls under the Duterte administration. The passing of the measure was one of Duterte’s orders to Congress during his fourth State of the Nation Address in July.

The House committee on appropriations, meanwhile, approved in September House Joint Resolution Nos. 9 and 10, seeking to extend the availability of the 2019 appropriations for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) and capital outlays (CO) to Dec. 31, 2020.

It seeks to amend Section 65 of the general provisions of RA 11260 or the General Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2019, which provides that all appropriations shall be available for release and obligation until Dec. 31, 2019.

Romualdez said the House also aims to discuss and hasten the approval of a pending joint resolution that authorizes the use of the rice subsidy as provided in this year’s P3.757-trillion national budget for the purchase of palay (unhusked rice) from farmers.

So far, the chamber has already passed 18 measures on third reading since the start of the 18th Congress last July 22, including the P4.1-trillion 2020 national budget, key tax bills, and amendments to the Foreign Investment Act of 1991 led by Valenzuela Rep. Wes Gatchalian.

A key House official has proposed the utilization of the government’s Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act as a way of helping tide farmers over at least while the palay prices are at their lowest.

Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero called on the Departments of Finance and Agriculture to provide farmers a “combination of aid” either in cash or in kind, which is a result of the Rice Tariffication Law.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/11/04/1965754/house-resumes-session-barangay-poll-deferment-priority

House readies priority measures as sessions resume; SK, Brgy elections postponement tops list

By Charissa Luci-Atienza

As Congress resumes sessions Monday, November 4, the House of Representatives will prioritize the final approval of the bill seeking to postpone the May 2020 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK)  elections and the Joint Resolution extending the availability of the 2019 appropriations for maintenance and capital outlays to December 31, 2020.

House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez assured that they will roll up their sleeves to immediately pass the two priority measures.

“We aim to hit the ground running on the first day of work. Time to roll up our sleeves once again and work double time on vital legislative measures,” he said in a statement.

He also expressed the House leadership’s commitment to expedite the passage of a Joint Resolution authorizing the use of the rice subsidy as provided in this year’s P3.757-trillion national budget for the purchase of palay (unhusked rice) from farmers.

During the break last October 24,   the House Committee on Agriculture and Food approved the Joint Resolution that seeks to alleviate the plight of the country’s poor farmers following the continued fall of palay prices as a result of the implementation of Republic Act No. 11203, also known as the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL).

Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga, chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food, earlier said that there is a need for Malacañang to certify as urgent the approval of the House joint resolution to ensure its speedy adoption in both houses of Congress.

He said they could immediately approve today if there is a certification from President Duterte.

The joint resolution mandates the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Transportation (DOTr), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in coordination with the National Food Authority (NFA) and the Department of Agriculture (DA), to directly purchase palay of the local farmers and distribute rice subsidy in the form of actual rice, instead of cash.

Romualdez said they would also prioritize the passage of other economic measures–Real Property Valuation Reform, amendments to the Public Service Act, a bill raising the Motor Vehicle Road User’s Tax, and the creation of three new departments–Department of Water Resources, the Department of Filipino Overseas, and the Department of Disaster Resilience.

Re-echoing Speaker Allan Peter Cayetano’s commitment, Romualdez said they will pass the measures creating the three new government agencies before year-end.

During his fourth State of the Nation Address last July 22, President Duterte asked Congress to pass these measures.

Romualdez said the House is also eyeing to pass within this year the measure seeking to provide free legal assistance to officers and enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) who are charged in relation to the performance of their duties.

“These military officers offer their lives to serve and protect the public. It is but just to spare them from legal fees arising from harassment and nuisance cases,” he said.

The House leader noted that the Lower Chamber already approved 18 measures on third and final reading since the start of the 18th Congress in July.  These included the 2020 national budget, key tax bills, and amendments to the Foreign Investment Act of 1991.

“The tax legislation that we passed under the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP) will help the government achieve the A credit rating goal of the Duterte administration. We are a notch away from ‘A’ territory after a vote of confidence by Standard & Poor’s (S&P), upgrading the country’s credit rating from ‘BBB’ to ‘BBB+’ with a stable outlook because of robust economic growth,” Romualdez said.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/11/03/house-readies-priority-measures-as-sessions-resume-sk-brgy-elections-postponement-tops-list/

PTV Program Schedule (November 3, 2019)

Abangan ang mga sumusunod na programa sa PTV ngayong Linggo!

• 6 am - Bagong Pilipinas: Sunday Edition
• 7:55 am - PTV Newsbreak
• 8 am - Golden Age
• 8:30 am - Look and Learn
• 9 am - Cultural Plaza
• 9:30 am - Kaitou Sentai Lupinranger VS Keisatsu Sentai Patoranger
• 10 am - PTV Cordillera Newsbreak
• 10:05 am - Peanuts
• 10:30 am - How to Keep a Mummy
• 11 am - PCSO Lottery Draw
• 11:15 am - PTV Newsbreak
• 11:20 am - On the Record
• 11:30 am - Homemade Therapy
• 11:55 am - TV Easy
• 12 nn - PTV Newsbreak
• 12:05 pm - Good Cheap Eats 2
• 1 pm - The Bullet Vanishes
• 2:50 pm - One Minute, One Emotion
• 2:55 pm - Wellness On The Go
• 3:25 pm - Dolce Vita
• 4 pm - PCSO Lottery Draw
• 4:15 pm - PTVisMin Newsbreak
• 4:20 pm - Bakugan: Battle Planet
• 4:30 pm - Gorilla Study Group
• 5 pm - Chōsoku Henkei Gyrozetter
• 5:30 pm - Anpanman
• 6 pm - Financial Magazine
• 6:30 pm - PTV News
• 7 pm - Sunday Report
• 7:30 pm - Scoop
• 8 pm - Homegrown Flavours
• 8:30 pm - PTV Newsbreak
• 8:35 pm - Do Did Eat
• 9:30 pm - PCSO Lottery Draw
• 10 pm - Liza's Online
• 11 pm - Weekend Blockbuster:10 Cloverfield Lane
• 12:45 am - Programme Presentation 2020
• 1:15 am - Inspiring Journeys
• 1:45 am - News Roundup
• 2 am - Weather Report and Earth Live
• 2:05 am - My Father's Son
• 3:10 am - TV Easy
• 3:15 am - Financial Magazine
• 3:45 am - TV Easy
• 3:50 am - Taste of Love
• 4:45 am - SIGN OFF

*Programs subject to change without prior notice.

TV5 to undergo reprogramming under new chief

PLDT Inc.-backed TV5, the country’s third largest television network, wants to bring entertainment programs back into the fold through a reprogramming initiative being pursed by its new CEO, Jane Basas.

Basas, who also heads affiliate Cignal TV, told reporters recently that TV5 was shifting its strategic focus while maintaining much of the sports and news pivot implemented by her predecessor, veteran basketball coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes, who stepped down in July this year.

“We need entertainment to make sure that we get more and more people to support the network,” Basas told reporters on the sidelines of a partnership event between the PLDT Group and Sibol, the Philippines’ national sports team during the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

Basas said TV5 would not produce its own shows but would tap Cignal TV’s original content and those of its partners.

“We are looking at the possibility of [CignalTV] block timing in TV5 so we can put Cignal’s content on the platform of TV5,” she said.

Cignal TV is a satellite TV operator with about 2.1 million subscribers. It plans to spend about P100 million yearly to produce original TV shows and movies, Vitto Lazatin, Cignal TV vice president, said in August.

Basas said TV5 would keep news programming shows while the prime-time block would continue to be dedicated to sports.

She explained that the “decision to go into sports has allowed us to become more efficient on how we program.”

So far, entertainment shows airing on TV5 are foreign movies dubbed in Filipino and TV5’s existing entertainment library, Basas said. New entertainment programs, which are still being finalized, will be added in the coming months.

Basas said entertainment shows would support TV5, which continued to be unprofitable and would likely end 2019 with a loss.

Basas, who is TV5’s fourth CEO since the broadcast network was acquired by the PLDT Group in 2009, said TV5’s financial performance has “improved on a year-on-year basis.”

“There’s a plan to transform TV5 into a profitable company,” Basas said. —MIGUEL R. CAMUS

https://business.inquirer.net/282455/tv5-to-undergo-reprogramming-under-new-chief

House to tackle ABS-CBN franchise renewal before year-end–Cayetano

AMID issues between the Duterte administration and ABS-CBN Corp., the leadership of the House of Representatives has vowed to hear the legislative franchise of the TV station before the year ends.

In an interview, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said the lawmakers will exercise fairness on the proposals extending for 25 years the franchise of ABS-CBN, which is set to expire on March 30, 2020.

“There are issues with the media, but there are also challenges with social media… there are issues that we have to tackle; first and foremost is the freedom of the press,” Cayetano said.

“Maybe before the end of the year, probably the hearings will start,” he added.

Currently, there are six bills filed to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN.

Without giving further details, Cayetano said the House Committee on Legislative Franchises, chaired by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez “needs to discuss some issues on franchise renewal” of the TV station.

“Definitely, we’ll have hearings because there are issues that have to be resolved,” said Cayetano. During the 17th Congress, Alvarez’s panel failed to approve the franchise renewal.

According to Cayetano, it is Congress’s obligation to exercise fairness and “to bring out those real issues and to give the other side the opportunity to respond and determine who is right.”

For her part, Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos, one of the authors of the bill renewing the franchise of ABS-CBN, said despite the growing popularity of social media, television still remains a preferred mass medium in provinces and other far-flung areas. “ABS-CBN has remained steadfast in its commitment to reach out to as many Filipinos as possible by delivering their quality core programs closer to our countrymen by taking advantage of emerging broadcast technologies,” Santos said.

Another author of the measure, Laguna Rep. Sol Aragones said while information may be taken or received from various sources, broadcasting is still the highest, widest and fastest medium from which Filipinos at home or overseas get their information.

“In acknowledgement of the former and present contributions of ABS-CBN and its thousands of personnel in nation-building, the immediate renewal of its original franchise, which expires on March 30, 2020, is seriously and sincerely recommended, to ensure the continues and uninterrupted and improved and expanded, delivery of services to the Filipino people,” Aragones said.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/10/31/house-to-tackle-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-before-year-end-cayetano/

Cayetano: House to tackle ABS-CBN franchise before end-2019

At least 5 bills in the House of Representatives seek to renew ABS-CBN's franchise for another 25 years

After sitting on the bill for months, the House of Representatives is set to deliberate on the renewal of the franchise given to ABS-CBN Corporation.

"Siguro before the end of the year probably the hearings will start. But we have a little bit of time naman," Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano told reporters in Taguig City on Tuesday, October 29.

Short of saying the bill would be a priority, Cayetano said the House committee on legislative franchises will hold hearings to thresh out issues surrounding the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.

"Kung 'yong budget one month naipasa, definitely we [can] have hearings kasi may mga issues na kailangang i-resolve (If we were able to pass the budget in one month, then definitely we can have hearings because there are issues that need to be resolved)," the Taguig City-Pateros congressman said.

At least 5 bills in the House seek to renew ABS-CBN's legislative franchise for another 25 years. The measures were filed by the following:

• Sol Aragones, Laguna 3rd District
• Rose Marie Arenas, Pangasinan 3rd District
• Joy Myra Tambunting, Parañaque City 2nd District
• Michaela Violago, Nueva Ecija 2nd District
• Vilma Santos Recto, Batangas 6th District

ABS-CBN's current franchise, which was approved through Republic Act No. 7966 on March 30, 1995, is set to expire on March 30, 2020. If the bill does not become a law, ABS-CBN will have to close down its radio and television operations.

No less than President Rodrigo Duterte himself has repeatedly opposed the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise.

In April 2017, Duterte accused the network of "swindling" him for not airing his paid political advertisements during the 2016 presidential campaign. Duterte first publicly threatened ABS-CBN days after he signed into law the franchise renewal of the network's rival, GMA Network.

Duterte then repeated his threat to block the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise in August 2018.

Cayetano was the running mate of Duterte in the 2016 elections, and the latter even endorsed the term-sharing deal for the speakership between Cayetano and Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco.

A bill seeking to renew the franchise was filed in the previous 17th Congress, but it remained pending with the committee on legislative franchises and was not passed when the 17th Congress closed session in June.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/243689-cayetano-house-tackle-abs-cbn-franchise-before-end-2019

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano vows impartial hearings on ABS-CBN franchise renewal

“Ina-assure ko ang lahat ng ating kababayan, ang mga kapamilya, mga news anchors, artista and all concerned na magiging fair ang hearing sa Kongreso.”

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has assured the public that Congress’ debates on the franchise renewal of television giant ABS-CBN Corp. will be “fair.”

“Ina-assure ko ang lahat ng ating kababayan, ang mga kapamilya, mga newscaster, artista and all concerned na magiging fair ang hearing sa Kongreso,” the Taguig-Pateros first district congressman said in an interview with ABS-CBN’s Umagang Kay Ganda on Monday, October 28.

However, Cayetano did not provide details on when they would finally begin discussions on the measure renewing ABS-CBN’s 25-year franchise.

He also did not divulged if the franchise, which expires on March 30, 2020, would be approved or not.

The former senator only said they need to ratify first the proposed P4.1 trillion national budget for 2020 before focusing on other measures.

“Hindi ako makasagot sa inyo ng definite ngayon na definitely hindi o definitely maibibigay,” Cayetano noted.

“Pero naniniwala ako na ‘yung management n’yo ay determinado na harapin ‘tong mga issues na ito at makahanap ng resolution,” he added.

The former Foreign Affairs head also stressed that members of Congress value free press and fair media across the country.

The House legislative franchise panel took no action on any of the six bills that may save the TV giant from closing shop next year since November 2016.

In the previous 17th Congress, no ABS-CBN franchise bill was sidelined in Congress as President Duterte launched repeated verbal attacks against the media network due to perceived slights and its allegedly slanted reporting.

Aside from deputy speaker Vilma Santos-Recto, a movie actress known as “Ate Vi,” who has worked with the network, five other lawmakers also filed their version of the bill.

They were lawmakers, Pangasinan Rep. Rose Marie Arenas, Laguna Rep. Sol Aragones, Nueva Ecija Rep. Micaela Violago, Parañaque Rep. Joy Myra Tambunting, and PBA Rep. Jericho Nograles.

In the Senate, it was Senator Ralph Recto, who filed a bill renewing the franchise granted to ABS-CBN.

Congress would resume sessions on November 4. Lawmakers went on a break last October 3.

https://www.dailypedia.net/2019/10/speaker-alan-peter-cayetano-vows-impartial-hearings-on-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal/

Indonesia ready to form new 'South Papua' province: Home Minister

Indonesia is ready to establish a new province called South Papua in the country’s easternmost territory, which is currently divided into the two provincial administrations of Papua and West Papua, a minister has said.

Following his visit to the region with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo over the weekend, Home Minister Tito Karnavian said he had received proposals from local figures about the establishment of two new provinces, namely South Papua and Pegunungan Tengah Papua.

“The central government might only accommodate the establishment of two provinces. We are currently mulling over this matter,” Tito said as quoted by kompas.com. “However, it’s already OK for South Papua [to become a new province].”

Although the government is still imposing a moratorium on the establishment of new provinces and districts, Tito said the government would thoroughly consider the proposals of the Papuans.

Tito also admitted that he had already met with Merauke Regent Frederikus Gebze to discuss matters related to the establishment of a new province.

If the plan is to be realized, Merauke was among the regencies in the southern part of Papua that would be designated as part of a new South Papua province. The remaining were Mappi, Boven Digoel and Asmat regencies.

“[Papua] Governor Lukas Enembe said he has no problem with [the establishment] of a South Papua province,” Tito said.

As for Merauke itself, Tito said the regency would be divided into two areas, such as Merauke city and Merauke regency.

Meanwhile, areas in Papua’s highlands to be designated under the proposed Pegunungan Tengah Papua Province were Mepago in Paniai and Lapago in Wamena, Jayawijaya regency, he said.

However, so far there was no certainty about the matter as local administration leaders in the highlands had yet to reach a conclusion about the plan. (dpk)

https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/10/30/indonesia-ready-to-form-new-south-papua-province-home-minister.html

House debates on ABS-CBN franchise will be ‘fair,’ Cayetano assures

The House of Representatives will observe “fairness” in deliberating the franchise renewal of television giant ABS-CBN Corp., Speaker Alan Cayetano assured Monday.

“Ia-assure ko ang lahat ng ating kababayan ang mga kapamilya, ang mga newscaster, artista and all concern na magiging fair ang hearing sa Kongreso (I assure the public, your newscasters, artists and all concerned that our hearings will be fair),” the Taguig-Pateros 1st District congressman said in an interview with ABS-CBN’s “Umagang Kay Ganda.”

Cayetano explained that they would finish the ratification of the proposed P4.1 trillion national budget for 2020 before focusing on other measures like ABS-CBN’s franchise, which would expire on March 30, 2020.

“Pero ako naniniwala na ‘yung management n’yo ay determinado na harapin ‘tong mga issues na ito at makahanap ng resolution. So, hindi naman ako makasagot sa inyo ng definite ngayon na definitely hindi, o definitely maibibigay,” the former senator said.

(But I believe that your management is determined to face these issues and find a resolution. So, I can’t give a definite answer now that definitely no or definitely the franchise will be approved.)

The former Foreign Affairs chief also stressed that they value the preservation of a free press in the Philippines.

“But I can assure you na ang Kongreso magiging (that Congress will be) very fair, and I can assure you na importante sa atin ang (that we value) free press, atsaka ang balansyadong media sa buong bansa (and a fair media across the country),” Cayetano said.

Bills renewing ABS-CBN’s franchise for another 25 years remained pending at the committee on legislative franchises since November 16, 2016. The panel did not act on the bill until the 17th Congress ended.

The franchise also remained unacted upon under Cayetano’s leadership. Congress went on a break last October 3 and would resume sessions on November 4.

President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly launched threats against media outfits critical of his administration like the Lopez-owned ABS-CBN, the broadsheet Philippine Daily Inquirer, and the online news site Rappler. He even threatened to block the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, accusing the network of allegedly not providing him the airtime he had paid for.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo had clarified that Duterte’s threats to block the franchise renewal of the radio-television giant were mere expressions of displeasure. The Palace mouthpiece claimed the Chief Executive – known for brandishing tirades against critics – was not a vengeful person.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1182615/house-debates-on-abs-cbn-franchise-will-be-fair-cayetano-assures

Pagdinig sa panukalang franchise renewal ng ABS-CBN, magiging patas

Tiniyak ni House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano na magkakaroon ng patas na pagdinig ang panukalang i-renew ang franchise ng ABS-CBN.

Aabot sa anim na panukala ang inihain sa Kamara para bigyan ang ABS-CBN Corporation ng prangkisa na mag-construct, install, establish, operate at mag-maintain ng broadcasting station sa bansa sa susunod na 25 taon.

Ayon kay Cayetano – sisimulan na nilang dinggin ang mga panukala bago matapos ang taon.

Kinikilala ni Cayetano ang papel ng media sa lipunan, lalo na sa pagsiwalat ng korapsyon at anomalyang ginawa ng mga opisyal ng gobyerno.

Ang kasalukuyang franchise ng ABS-CBN Corporation ay nakatakdang mag-expire sa March 30, 2020.

Una nang nagbanta si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na haharangin niya ang franchise renewal ng broadcast network.

https://rmn.ph/pagdinig-sa-panukalang-franchise-renewal-ng-abs-cbn-magiging-patas/

LOOK: SM City Grand Central render

This five-level shopping mall combined with a 60-storey hotel and office tower, similar to sister malls SM Megamall, The Podium, SM Aura Premier, SM CDO Downtown Premier and SMDC Light Mall.

Phase 1: 5 + basement
Phase 2: 6 + basement
Carpark: 6 basement levels (from LG/B1 to B6)

It is located at Rizal Avenue Extension corner Bustamante Street, Caloocan City.

Look: Bacoor City administrative and population maps

Cavite Rep. Strike B. Revilla introduced House Bill No. 0___ or An Act Creating A New Legislative District in the City of Bacoor Amending Republic Act No. 10160, Entitled ‘An Act Converting the Municipality of Bacoor in the Province of Cavite into a Component City to Be Known as the City of Bacoor’ And Providing Funds Therefor,’ that that amends the law covering the conversion of Bacoor from a municipality to a city.

Under the amended law, the 73 barangays have been divided into two legislative districts.

Barangays of Alima, Aniban I, Aniban II, Aniban III, Aniban IV, Aniban V, Banalo, Camposanto, Daang-Bukid, Digman, Dulong-Bayan, Kaingin, Habay I, Habay II, Ligas I, Ligas II, Ligas III, Mabolo I, Mabolo II, Mabolo III, Maliksi I, Maliksi II, Maliksi III, Niog I, Niog II, Niog III, Panapaan I, Panapaan II, Panapaan III, Panapaan IV, Panapaan V, Panapaan VI, Panapaan VII, Panapaan VIII, Real I, Real II, Salinas I, Salinas II, Salinas III, Salinas IV, San Nicolas I, San Nicolas II, San Nicolas III, Sineguelasan, Tabing-Dagat, Talaba I, Talaba II, Talaba III, Talaba IV, Talaba V, Talaba VI, Talaba VII, Zapote I, Zapote II, Zapote III, Zapote IV and Zapote V fall under District 1 while Bayanan, Mambog I, Mambog II, Mambog III, Mambog IV, Mambog V, Molino I, Molino II, Molino III, Molino IV, Molino V, Molino VI, Molino VII, Queens Row Central, Queens Row East and Queens Row West form part of the second legislative district.

ABS-CBN franchise renewal remains uncertain, says Cayetano

By JOHN CARLO M. CAHINHINAN

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has admitted that the congressional franchise renewal of network giant ABS-CBN remains uncertain.

Cayetano made the remarks as Kapamilya network employees and artists took to social media to express concern over the impending closure of the network giant if Congress fails to approve its franchise renewal application, with only five months remaining before its current franchise under Republic Act No. 7966 finally lapses.

“So hindi naman ako makasagot sa inyo ng definite ngayon na definitely hindi, o definitely maibibigay,” said Cayetano in an interview with ABS-CBN’s Umagang Kay Ganda.

Around five measures were recently filed under the 18th Congress which seek to grant ABS-CBN a fresh 25-year franchise.

Similar proposed legislations under the previous 17th Congress didn’t proposer since it was failed to tackle by the House Committee on Legislative Franchises under the Palawan Rep. Franz “Chicoy” Alvarez.

But Cayetano gave an assurance that the House of Representatives under his helm that they will exercise fairness in tackling their congressional franchise renewal even as President Duterte has opposed it.

Duterte has previously threatened to veto the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN. He complained that the TV network did not air his campaign advertisement he paid for during the presidential campaign.

The network will have to cease operating as a broadcast network if Congress fails to act on a franchise extension before the expiration date set by RA 7966 by March 2020.

Under the 1987 Constitution, the application for franchise is done through a normal legislative process in both the Lower House and Senate and is still need to be signed by the President after its congressional approval.

Article 12 Section 11 of the present charter states that “Neither shall any such franchise or right be granted except under the condition that it shall be subject to amendment, alteration, or repeal by the Congress when the common good so requires.”

https://politics.com.ph/abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-remains-uncertain-says-cayetano/

House to tackle ABS-CBN franchise within 2019 – Cayetano

By Charissa Luci-Atienza

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday assured that the House of Representatives would give due attention to the measures concerning freedom of the press, including the proposed renewal of the legislative franchise of broadcasting giant ABS-CBN Corp.

He said the measures seeking to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise for another 25 years will be tackled within the year.

“Maybe before the end of the year, probably the hearings will start,” Cayetano told reporters.

“Definitely, we’ll have hearings because there are issues that have to be resolved,” he said.

Like any other hearings, he said, it is the obligation of Congress to be “fair” and “to bring out those real issues and to give the other side the opportunity to respond and determine who is right.”

“Kung mali yung naga-accuse sa issue then no problem, kung tama then ano resolution nun (If the accuser is wrong on the issue, then no problem. But if right, then what will be the resolution)?” he asked.

The franchise of the Lopez-owned broadcasting firm is set to expire on March 30, 2020.

Last year, President Duterte publicly declared that he would oppose the renewal of ABS-CBN’s legislative franchise.

The President repeatedly launched tirades against the ABS-CBN, alleging that it refused to run his advertisement during the 2016 election campaign and for showing an ad critical of him.

Among the authors of the franchise bill are Deputy Speakers Vilma Santos and Baby Arenas, and Laguna Rep. Sol Aragones.

“There are issues with the media, but there are also challenges with social media… There are issues that we have to tackle first and foremost is the freedom of the press,” Cayetano said.

The House during the previous 17th Congress failed to act on the bill.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/10/29/house-to-tackle-abs-cbn-franchise-within-2019-cayetano/

Cayetano: House to tackle ABS-CBN franchise renewal bid before yearend

The House of Representatives will finally tackle the franchise renewal bill for a major television network.

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said the House committee on legislative franchises will hold a hearing on the franchise of ABS-CBN before the year ends.

"Siguro (Perhaps) before the end of the year the hearings will start. But we have a little bit of time," Cayetano told reporters Tuesday.

The network's franchise is set to expire on March 30 next year. At least five bills have been filed to extend the franchise for another 25 years.

"Definitely we'll have hearings kasi may mga issues na kailangang i-resolve," Cayetano said, adding that the House will be fair and will give everyone a chance to air their side.

[Translation: Definitely we'll have hearings because there are issues that need to be resolved.]

Last year, President Rodrigo Duterte said he would reject the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise.

He said this is because the network failed to air his presidential campaign ads in 2016, even after they were paid to do so.

The president has repeatedly slammed the network in his speeches.

CNN Philippines' correspondent Xiane Arcangel contributed to this story.

https://cnnphilippines.com/business/2019/10/29/cayetano-abs-cbn-franchise.html

Cayetano says House will ‘definitely’ tackle bills on ABS-CBN franchise, vows fair hearings

By ERWIN COLCOL, GMA News

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday said that the bills seeking to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN Corporation will be tackled at the House of Representatives, and vowed that they will receive "fair" hearings.

This was after the same measure did not make significant progress in the 17th Congress.

At least six measures have so far been filed at the House aiming to grant ABS-CBN Corporation a franchise to construct, install, establish, operate and maintain broadcasting stations in the Philippines for another 25 years.

Cayetano said the House may start hearing these measures before the end of the year.

"Definitely we'll have hearings kasi may mga issues na kailangang i-resolve. But like any other hearing, obligasyon ng Congress, one, to be fair; patas na hearing," he said.

"Number two, [we have] to bring those real issues and to give the other side the opportunity to respond and to see kung sino ang tama. Kung mali yung nag-a-accuse sa issue, then no problem. Kung tama, ano ang resolusyon nun?" he added.

Cayetano said he recognizes the crucial role that media plays in the society, especially in helping expose corruption and misdemeanors committed by government officials.

"Isipin mo kapag nawala ang media, e di lahat ng abuso sa ating bansa ay lalabas," he said.

"So there are issues that we have to tackle, and first and foremost is the freedom of the press," he added.

The original franchise granted to ABS-CBN Corporation is set to expire on March 30, 2020, or only about five months from now.

But while a measure has been filed in the previous Congress to extend the network's franchise, it remained pending with the House Committee on Legislative Franchise since November 16, 2016 until it closed in June this year.

GMA News Online had reached out to House franchise panel chair Franz Alvarez to clarify the matter but he did not respond to the request for comment.

President Rodrigo Duterte has on many occasions threatened to block the broadcast network's franchise renewal.

This was after it supposedly did not air a political advertisement that was already paid for during Duterte's presidential bid in the 2016 elections.

Duterte has also said he was willing to enter into a compromise deal with ABS-CBN Corporation if the company promotes his bid for a shift to a federal form of government. — BM, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/713437/cayetano-says-house-will-lsquo-definitely-rsquo-tackle-bills-on-abs-cbn-franchise-vows-fair-hearings/story/

SWIPING THROUGH THE 2010S: 2017

On January 20, Donald Trump took the oath as the 45th President of the United States, signaling the seismic shift of geopolitical uncertainty. The following day, Women’s March took place around the world but it does not stop there.

In the rest of the world, riots in Catalonia over separatism. Canada turned 150 and Finland turned 100.

In February, two outspoken women senators were in the spotlight. Leila de Lima was detained in Camp Crame after hearing some detainees’ hearsays against her and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren was silenced after raising objections over the confirmation of her fellow colleague, Jeff Sessions, to the Cabinet as the Attorney General. (Nevertheless, in the eyes of their supporters, they persisted.)

We hosted Miss Universe after 23 years. Just like in 1974, our own Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach crowned her successor (in this case, Miss France Iris Mittenaire) at home.

It was also a gracious honor to host ASEAN, particularly on its Golden Jubilee. We even gave Trump a taste of our warm hospitality, even if protesters make the best protest gimmicks.

Resorts World Manila, Grenfell Tower and NCCC Mall in Davao were ablaze. In Manchester, an explosion rocked after an Ariana Grande concert.

Marawi City was flattened for five months. Martial Law in Mindanao was declared but it’s not yet lifted, as of now.

The greatest dud of the year is the Fyre Festival, which is supposed to take place in the Bahamas. Despite the promotion by social media influencers, the logistics problem arises and the luxury music festival was crushed. Billy McFarland (the organizer and founder of Fyre Media) was charged with fraud.

While Wildflower (ABS-CBN) was the most discussed teleserye for the year, GMA successfully expanded a teleserye duration to six days a week with Ika-6 na Utos. On the other hand, Trops remained a successful regular 5-day teleserye.

Honorable mention not mentioned in the attached video is Destined to Be Yours.

Light TV became the first TV network to shut down its analog transmission for good.

The Philippines Football League kicked off this year but its television coverage on PTV was cut short. After a long time, the coverage package of SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur package was also with there with their basketball games on 5.

In radio, Philippine Broadcasting Service has expanded and reformatted its existing radio frequencies. Radyo ng Bayan became Radyo Pilipinas while their FM assets became FM1 87.5 and FM2 104.3.

The year 2017 marked the boost of Cardi B, Bebe Rexha, Rita Ora and Marshmello. Inigo Pascual’s career began, thanks to the launch of Billboard’s local counterpart (which lasts until January).

While MMFF went back to its old commercialized ways, Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino was inaugurated that year to save the quality of Filipino films.

While Spiderman: Homecoming and Star Wars: The Last Jedi were successful in the box office, the Emoji Movie got negative reviews.

In youth culture, dabbing and fidget spinners were associated in that year. Oh yeah, the Paul brothers (Jake and Logan) were the controversial and most-discussed YouTube celebrities.

Five ad interim Cabinet members (Perfecto Yasay of DFA, Gina Lopez of DENR, Judy Taguiwalo of DSWD, Rafael Mariano of DAR and Paulyn Ubial of DOH) were rejected by the Commission of Appointments, the most in history. Another member, Mike Sueno of DILG, was sacked for alleged corruption.

A simple mishandling of Dengvaxia that lead to 600 deaths after its administration has led to the rise of distrust of vaccinations through scaremongering and disinformation.

Continuing the streak of Big 4 beauty pageants, Karen Ibasco was crowned as Miss Earth.

Super Bowl LI became the first of the NFL’s overall championship to decide a win into overtime. Atlanta Falcons was about to win its first championship but its lead was erased by the New England Patriots. (This was the first and only time S+A covered this American football game championship.)

For the first time in almost a century, the continental United States was fascinated with the solar eclipse.

https://timowsturf.wordpress.com/2019/10/29/swiping-through-the-2010s-2017/

PCOO to start upgrade of 14 state-owned radio stations

The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) will soon begin the rehabilitation of at least 14 state-run radio stations nationwide, following China’s recent donation of over PHP130 million worth of radio broadcast equipment to the Philippines.

PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar said 10 AM (amplitude modulation) and four FM (frequency modulation) stations operated by government-owned Radyo Pilipinas (RP) will undergo facility upgrade.

“We conceptualized the radio rehab program after going around the country and seeing that the status of our radio stations under the Philippine Broadcasting Service are not as inviting anymore,” the Communications chief said during the launch of radio rehabilitation program in Butuan City on Friday.

The first station that will be rehabilitated is RP-Butuan, as earlier promised by Andanar.

“I am happy to announce that we are launching the radio rehabilitation program here in Butuan City... This is the first time that we are doing this,” he said.

Apart from Butuan, other stations that will be part of the radio rehabilitation program are those from Cagayan de Oro City, Davao, Cebu, Tawi-Tawi and Batanes.

Andanar noted that the equipment turned over by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua will be installed in 10 AM stations, while the other radio broadcast tools donated by China will be set up in four FM stations.

In March this year, Andanar announced that Zhao had committed to donate PHP15 million worth of equipment to the PCOO, which include laptops, desktops, microphones, and audio consoles.

Meantime, Andanar and Chinese Vice Minister Wang Shouwen signed and exchanged certificates on the Philippine Radio Equipment Project on Thursday (Oct. 24) in Intramuros, Manila.

The new equipment worth more than PHP130 million from China include live broadcast room equipment, FM broadcast transmitter equipment, and medium wave transmitter equipment.

Andanar thanked the Chinese government for its donation.

“We plan to rehabilitate 10 radio stations nationwide and on top of that, the People’s Republic of China has already turned over more than PHP130 million worth of radio broadcast equipment,” he said.

On Friday, Andanar said China’s donation of radio broadcast equipment will be a “huge boost” to state-owned regional stations.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1084342

Devotees gather at Luneta for Jesus Is Lord’s 41st anniversary

Some 30,000 members of Jesus Is Lord (JIL) celebrated its 41st anniversary at Luneta on Saturday, according to a crowd number estimated by Manila police.

The celebration, which started at about 5 p.m, was led by JIL founder and congressman Bro. Eddie Villanueva, and his son, Sen. Joel Villanueva.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio was accompanied by former presidential sisters Ballsy Cruz, Pinky Abellada and Viel Dee, former first gentleman Atty. Mike Arroyo and former first lady Dr. Loi Ejercito and son former Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.

Also joined by Vice President Leni Robredo, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority Ernesto Pernia.

Senate President Tito Sotto gave a speech, before he and Sen. Villanueva presented a Senate resolution recognizing and celebrating JIL's anniversary.

Roxas Boulevard was not shut down because of the event, contrary to an earlier announcement, since traffic conditions were smooth.

—With a report from Jeffrey Hernaez, ABS-CBN News

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/27/19/devotees-gather-at-luneta-for-jesus-is-lords-41st-anniversary

JESUS IS LORD CHURCH WORLDWIDE TURNS 41

Jesus is Lord Church Worldwide (JIL) celebrated its 41st anniversary with millions of its followers -- from chapters in almost every province and city nationwide, and 6o nations worldwide -- at the Luneta Park yesterday.

When there is unity, God will do bigger and greater things through and in the Jesus is Lord Church Worldwide (JIL), Deputy Speaker Bro. Eddie Villanueva said in an interview yesterday at JIL’S 41st anniversary held at Luneta Park, Manila where hundreds of thousands of JIL members and supporters from across the Philippines and overseas gathered.

Cong. Bro. Eddie, speaking on the event’s theme taken from the Book of Galatians 3:26-29, passionately urged the multitude of congregants, and the netizens watching the livestream, to “be united with and in Christ, not with vices and sin.” He urged believers to set aside race and status, age and gender, educational status and family background, and be one in Christ. This will help us help our country, he said.

“If we are of the same heart, our genuine and passionate love for God will enable us to help our nation. Without this, we cannot contribute to the rebuilding of the Philippines. The nation cannot succeed without a people united in loving God and country,” Cong. Bro. Eddie said.

He said that with rampant shaming, bullying, and discrimination everywhere, there is truly a need to unite in demonstrating God’s love, and added that our differences as a people need not lead to dispute and disagreements. “There is no need to inflict pain, and damage the hearts of other human beings just to prove that we are right. Our Lord Jesus Christ asks us to banish thoughts of hatred and violence; to shun the darkness of the soul.”

He emphasized the mightier force of many, as against one: “One faithful Christian is powerful enough, but a multitude of faithful Christians working together would turn the world upside down for Christ.”

JIL’S mission is “to bring all peoples to the kingdom of the living God regardless of race, status, belief and religious affiliations through the saving, healing, delivering, and transforming power of the Lord Jesus Christ.” The core values that are weaved into its biblical teachings include integrity, faithfulness, and excellence, in addition to passionate love for God (“an intimate and wholehearted devotion, reserved to GOD alone, that is steadfast and unparalleled, evidenced by absolute submission and obedience to GOD’S will and commands”) and fellowman. Indeed, For 41 years now, JIL has been faithfully sharing the Word of God, resulting in the transformation of men and women who then became great contributors to community development.

This phenomenon has caught the attention of no less than the Philippine Senate. Recently, it issued Resolution 13 signed by Senate President Vicente Sotto III to commend JIL for its “continuous contribution to the country’s moral and spiritual recovery, and for its vibrant work in community development and nation-building.”

Stories of change, healing and freedom from vices, among many others, demonstrate how effective the ministry of JIL has been. Amazing transformations are experienced by JIL followers. Rehabilitation of character does happen among those who are taught with JIL biblical values. It proves that lessons gleaned from the Bible shape people for the good, in a way that no other kind of conditioning or training can do.

In other words, yesterday’s gathering was attended by men and women who were once lost and confused, and are now on the road to success in life here on earth, and salvation from the eternal hell fires in life hereafter.

JIL has chapters in almost every town, city, and province here in the Philippines, and in different areas in 60 countries worldwide.

Cong. Bro. Eddie’s principles in ministry have greatly helped in JIL’S growth. He would always tell his audiences JIL was born from the very heart of God and that no human being is indispensable in the ministry and no one should be forced to serve in the ministry. He is of the firm belief that all JIL pastors and leaders must be seekers of God and His will, and they must be living models of God’s principles, people who are visionary, and intentionally faithful.

Cong. Bro. Eddie believes no one should seek money, fame or power in the ministry. If a person decides that these three are the most important components in life, he should not be in ministry. Integrity in money and worldly possessions is a trait Cong. Bro. Eddie would want to see in a fellow ministry worker.

No wonder JIL has come this far and is now entering its 42nd year in service to God and country.

A special prayer for the nation was one of the highlights of the celebration. Sen. Joel Villanueva, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, Bocaue Mayor Joni Villanueva-tugna and Rev. Mike Mckinney graced the affair, together with long-time friends of Cong. Bro. Eddie and his wife, Sis. Dory Villanueva.