The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said security measures are in place to ensure the successful conduct of the special plebiscite on the renaming of the province of Compostela Valley to Davao de Oro on Saturday.
PNP spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said PNP officer-in-charge, Lt Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, through the PNP permanent liaison with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), has assured the readiness of the Compostela Valley Police Provincial Office under Col. Joselito Loriza, to perform official functions as deputized agents of Comelec for this plebiscite.
“The PNP high command has alerted the PNP Regional Office in Southern Mindanao, particularly the Compostela Valley Police Provincial Office (PPO), to provide all available assistance as deputized agents of the Commission on Elections for the holding of a special plebiscite,” Banac said in a statement.
He said the ComVal PPO will be primarily responsible for enforcing rules and regulations of the Comelec, particularly the implementation of the province-wide gun ban, liquor ban and other rules against prohibited acts.
The other Police Provincial Offices and Regional Mobile Forces under PRO-11 were also alerted to provide possible augmentation to ComVal for this security operation.
Under Memorandum Order (MO) 42 dated November 28 but released on Tuesday, Duterte concurred with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the deputation of the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for a referendum on the renaming of Compostella Valley to Davao de Oro province.
"Pursuant to Section 2(4), Article IX-C of the Constitution, the Comelec is empowered to deputize, with the concurrence of the President, law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the Government, including the AFP, for the exclusive purpose of ensuring free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections," Duterte said in the memorandum.
"By virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, [I] hereby concur with Comelec Resolution No. 10616, deputizing the AFP, the PNP, and other law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the Government, in connection with the 07 December 2019 Plebiscite in the Province of Compostela Valley," he added.
On April 7, 2019, Duterte signed Republic Act 11297 renaming Compostela Valley to Davao de Oro.
Presently, Compostela Valley is the only province in Davao Region that does not bear the name "Davao."
The Davao Region is composed of Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, and Davao Occidental.
Under RA 11297, changing the name of Compostela Valley to Davao de Oro will need the nod of a majority of residents of the province through a plebiscite that will be conducted for its eventual ratification.
Duterte's MO 42 directs law enforcement agencies and other concerned agencies to "coordinate and cooperate with the Comelec in the performance of their duties and functions."
The memorandum, signed by Duterte on November 26, takes effect immediately.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1087909
Wednesday, December 4, 2019
House assures fairness in tackling ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday assured that the House of Representatives would be fair in tackling the bill seeking the renewal of the 25-year congressional franchise to local broadcast network ABS-CBN.
In an interview, Cayetano noted that the chamber will not have enough time to tackle the bill this year, noting that there would be enough time in January or February next year.
“I reiterate that Congress would be fair, will always have a fair hearing. Alam naman to din ng management ng ABS-CBN na uunahin namin ang budget at tsaka mga revenue bills (The ABS-CBN management knows that we will prioritize the budget and revenue bills),” Cayetano said.
“Pero (But) we have more than enough time to tackle it in January, February dahil March pa naman ‘yung expiration ng franchise (because the expiration of the franchise is still in March). Mare-renew kaya sila (Will they be renewed) by that time? Depende sa kalalabasan ng hearing (It depends on the outcome of the hearing). I cannot preempt the committee or the issues that will be taken,” he added.
On Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte announced that he is not bent on granting the renewal of the 25-year congressional franchise to local broadcast network ABS-CBN.
Duterte made the pronouncement before the newly-appointed government officials, as he was still irked by ABS-CBN's supposed bias by slanting reports about him.
"ABS-CBN, you're a mouthpiece of… Ang inyong franchise, mag-end next year (Your franchise will end next year)," Duterte said in a speech delivered at the Palace's Heroes Hall.
Cayetano said he respects Duterte’s stance on the matter, noting that the President also respects Congress’ processes.
“As you know he’s the President at meron siyang stand sa mga issues so nirerespeto natin yan (and he has a stand on the issues, so we respect that). Having said that nirerespeto rin ng ating pangulo yung proseso so hintayin na lang natin yung proseso na yun (the President also respects the process so let’s wait for that) but even the President admits that there has to be a fair process,” he said.
ABS-CBN's franchise is set to expire on Mar. 30, 2020.
Several bills have been filed at the House of Representatives, seeking the renewal of the local media giant's congressional franchise.
However, the House franchise committee has not tabled the proposed measures for discussion.
Radio and television broadcast firms in the country are required to seek a franchise from Congress, pursuant to Republic Act 3846.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1087883
In an interview, Cayetano noted that the chamber will not have enough time to tackle the bill this year, noting that there would be enough time in January or February next year.
“I reiterate that Congress would be fair, will always have a fair hearing. Alam naman to din ng management ng ABS-CBN na uunahin namin ang budget at tsaka mga revenue bills (The ABS-CBN management knows that we will prioritize the budget and revenue bills),” Cayetano said.
“Pero (But) we have more than enough time to tackle it in January, February dahil March pa naman ‘yung expiration ng franchise (because the expiration of the franchise is still in March). Mare-renew kaya sila (Will they be renewed) by that time? Depende sa kalalabasan ng hearing (It depends on the outcome of the hearing). I cannot preempt the committee or the issues that will be taken,” he added.
On Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte announced that he is not bent on granting the renewal of the 25-year congressional franchise to local broadcast network ABS-CBN.
Duterte made the pronouncement before the newly-appointed government officials, as he was still irked by ABS-CBN's supposed bias by slanting reports about him.
"ABS-CBN, you're a mouthpiece of… Ang inyong franchise, mag-end next year (Your franchise will end next year)," Duterte said in a speech delivered at the Palace's Heroes Hall.
Cayetano said he respects Duterte’s stance on the matter, noting that the President also respects Congress’ processes.
“As you know he’s the President at meron siyang stand sa mga issues so nirerespeto natin yan (and he has a stand on the issues, so we respect that). Having said that nirerespeto rin ng ating pangulo yung proseso so hintayin na lang natin yung proseso na yun (the President also respects the process so let’s wait for that) but even the President admits that there has to be a fair process,” he said.
ABS-CBN's franchise is set to expire on Mar. 30, 2020.
Several bills have been filed at the House of Representatives, seeking the renewal of the local media giant's congressional franchise.
However, the House franchise committee has not tabled the proposed measures for discussion.
Radio and television broadcast firms in the country are required to seek a franchise from Congress, pursuant to Republic Act 3846.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1087883
Cayetano: 'Congress will be fair' on ABS-CBN franchise renewal
The House will not be tackling bills seeking to renew ABS-CBN Corporation's legislative franchise, which expires in March of next year, for the rest of 2019, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano (Taguig) said on Wednesday, saying also that Congress would be "fair" in deliberating the bills.
He said the House needs to prioritize the P4.1-trillion 2020 budget bill, which both chambers of Congress have passed and which will go to the bicameral conference committee.
"I reiterate that Congress would be fair. We'll always have a fair hearing. Alam naman 'to din ng management ng ABS-CBN na inuna namin 'yung budget at saka mga revenue bills," Cayetano told reporters.
"Pero we have more than enough time, more than enough time to tackle it in January, February, dahil March pa naman 'yung expiration ng franchise."
(I reiterate that Congress would be fair. We'll always have a fair hearing. ABS-CBN's management knows that we prioritized the budget and the revenue bills. But we have more than enough time to tackle it in January, February because the expiration of the franchise is still in March.)
President Rodrigo Duterte, who has the power to approve or veto bills that Congress passes, has already said the franchise will not be renewed.
The franchise's renewal has been pending since September 15, 2014.
Their current franchise, which was approved by virtue of Republic Act No. 7966, expires on March 20, 2020, at which point their radio and broadcast operations will have to shut down if no renewal is approved.
As with all bills, the Senate must also approve a counterpart measure.
Rep. Franz Alvarez (Palawan), who chairs the House committee on legislative franchises, told CNN Philippines on Wednesday that the committee no longer has any hearings scheduled through December 20, at which point the 18th Congress would adjourn session for the holidays.
In saying this, however, Cayetano contradicted his earlier claim that the House would see to it that the issue would be tackled before the end of the year.
"Siguro before the end of the year probably the hearings will start. But we have a little bit of time naman" he was quoted as telling reporters earlier on October 29.
"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.)
Duterte: If you expect your franchise to be renewed, I'm sorry
Cayetano's and Alvarez's statements came after a scathing threat made by Duterte on Tuesday that he would guarantee they would not receive a 25-year renewal.
"Ang iyong franchise mag-end next year. If you expect ma-renew 'yan, I'm sorry. I will see to it that you’re out," reiterated Duterte during a speech in front of new government officials at Malacañang, before whom he launched into another rant against what he said were oligarchs "screwing over" the country.
The chief executive's ire for the media network has extended back to 2017, when he publicly accused them of "swindling" him during his campaign.
Duterte has constantly targeted ABS-CBN, as well as the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Rappler, for what he said was their insistence on releasing reports that put him in a bad light.
The president also said ABS-CBN did not air his paid political advertisements while they aired anti-Duterte advertisements paid for by his political rivals.
'Weapon to control free press'
Media watchdog organization Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) in a statement released in June 2016 said that Duterte's moves against the network were signs of "congressional franchises [being used] as a weapon to control a free press."
In the same statement, CMFR argued that the dependence of broadcasting corporations on Congress and the Office of the President was a setup that was prone to abuse.
"It has not helped that Duterte himself has fanned the flames of resentment against the press by lashing out at the media in several of his now controversial press briefings," CMFR said in their statement.
"For a press used to politicians and their temperament, this is all par for the course. But what if a large and influential network – like ABS-CBN – owes its very existence to the government or, to be more specific, the now Duterte-controlled Congress?"
"The right to a free press is too precious a right to be at the disposal of government officials who, more often than not, react adversely to media coverage by using their power to stop the operations of media organizations they regard as too critical," they added.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/12/04/1974234/cayetano-congress-will-be-fair-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal
He said the House needs to prioritize the P4.1-trillion 2020 budget bill, which both chambers of Congress have passed and which will go to the bicameral conference committee.
"I reiterate that Congress would be fair. We'll always have a fair hearing. Alam naman 'to din ng management ng ABS-CBN na inuna namin 'yung budget at saka mga revenue bills," Cayetano told reporters.
"Pero we have more than enough time, more than enough time to tackle it in January, February, dahil March pa naman 'yung expiration ng franchise."
(I reiterate that Congress would be fair. We'll always have a fair hearing. ABS-CBN's management knows that we prioritized the budget and the revenue bills. But we have more than enough time to tackle it in January, February because the expiration of the franchise is still in March.)
President Rodrigo Duterte, who has the power to approve or veto bills that Congress passes, has already said the franchise will not be renewed.
The franchise's renewal has been pending since September 15, 2014.
Their current franchise, which was approved by virtue of Republic Act No. 7966, expires on March 20, 2020, at which point their radio and broadcast operations will have to shut down if no renewal is approved.
As with all bills, the Senate must also approve a counterpart measure.
Rep. Franz Alvarez (Palawan), who chairs the House committee on legislative franchises, told CNN Philippines on Wednesday that the committee no longer has any hearings scheduled through December 20, at which point the 18th Congress would adjourn session for the holidays.
In saying this, however, Cayetano contradicted his earlier claim that the House would see to it that the issue would be tackled before the end of the year.
"Siguro before the end of the year probably the hearings will start. But we have a little bit of time naman" he was quoted as telling reporters earlier on October 29.
"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.)
Duterte: If you expect your franchise to be renewed, I'm sorry
Cayetano's and Alvarez's statements came after a scathing threat made by Duterte on Tuesday that he would guarantee they would not receive a 25-year renewal.
"Ang iyong franchise mag-end next year. If you expect ma-renew 'yan, I'm sorry. I will see to it that you’re out," reiterated Duterte during a speech in front of new government officials at Malacañang, before whom he launched into another rant against what he said were oligarchs "screwing over" the country.
The chief executive's ire for the media network has extended back to 2017, when he publicly accused them of "swindling" him during his campaign.
Duterte has constantly targeted ABS-CBN, as well as the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Rappler, for what he said was their insistence on releasing reports that put him in a bad light.
The president also said ABS-CBN did not air his paid political advertisements while they aired anti-Duterte advertisements paid for by his political rivals.
'Weapon to control free press'
Media watchdog organization Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) in a statement released in June 2016 said that Duterte's moves against the network were signs of "congressional franchises [being used] as a weapon to control a free press."
In the same statement, CMFR argued that the dependence of broadcasting corporations on Congress and the Office of the President was a setup that was prone to abuse.
"It has not helped that Duterte himself has fanned the flames of resentment against the press by lashing out at the media in several of his now controversial press briefings," CMFR said in their statement.
"For a press used to politicians and their temperament, this is all par for the course. But what if a large and influential network – like ABS-CBN – owes its very existence to the government or, to be more specific, the now Duterte-controlled Congress?"
"The right to a free press is too precious a right to be at the disposal of government officials who, more often than not, react adversely to media coverage by using their power to stop the operations of media organizations they regard as too critical," they added.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/12/04/1974234/cayetano-congress-will-be-fair-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal
Thousands of ABS CBN workers fear of losing their jobs
By Leslie Ann Aquino
Defend Job Philippines reiterated its call to President Duterte to save the jobs of the thousands of workers of ABS CBN by granting a fresh 25-year franchise to the TV network giant.
The labor group issued the appeal following the latest remark of the President that he will not sign a legislative franchise for ABS CBN. The network’s legislative franchise will expire on March 30, 2020.
Since 2018, President Duterte has been vocal on his claims of the supposed failure of ABS-CBN to air his presidential campaign advertisements in 2016, and the company’s alleged political bias.
“Being vital in operating for the next 25 years, the legislative franchise of ABS-CBN will save the jobs and source of livelihood of more than 10,000 Filipino workers and their families,” Christian Lloyd Magsoy, spokesperson of Defend Job Philippines, said in a statement.
Magsoy added: Politics and personal ires of our politicians must be set aside for the sake of the looming loss of employment and livelihood of the Filipino working force. Our workers must not be made hostage and victimized of any political actions of the government.
The group urged Duterte to just resolve his rift with the ABS-CBN management in proper venues.
“President Duterte should rethink his threat to veto the franchise of ABS-CBN and let the company smoothly operate for the sake of its workers,” Magsoy said.
The labor leader also appealed to lawmakers to set aside political patronage.
“Members of the Upper and Lower House of the 18th Congress should set aside politics and political patronage system in voting for the said measure (and) think of the benefit of the thousands of workers, employees, and talents, who are relying on the said broadcast media company,” said Magsoy.
Meanwhile, Alan Tanjusay of the Associated Labor Unions Trade Union Congress of the Philippines revealed that around 5,000 ABS-CBN employees who are working at the national and regional networks are deeply worried about the future of their jobs and the source of their livelihood in case President Duterte turns down the renewal of the network’s franchise to operate.
“Some of them came to me and said they are seriously worried every day about losing their jobs. Particularly worried are those employees who are above 35 years old who think they might be unable to get decent jobs because they think they are old and past age qualifications,” he said in a separate statement.
“Some are worried of what will happen to their families who will also be financially affected once they lose their jobs. Some of the employees future plans are on hold, and some are trying to save their salary,” added Tanjusay.
“But all of them are very worried whether the ABS CBN management will respect and honor their obligations and responsibilities under the labor laws and pay them their separation wages and benefits because some of them have worked in the network for several decades,” he said.
According to Defend Job Philippines, the TV network employs 6,730 regular employees, 900 non-regular workers and more than 3,325 talents since the end of 2018 citing the company’s report to the Securities and Exchange Commission and Philippine Stocks Exchange.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/12/04/thousands-of-abs-cbn-workers-fear-of-losing-their-jobs/
Defend Job Philippines reiterated its call to President Duterte to save the jobs of the thousands of workers of ABS CBN by granting a fresh 25-year franchise to the TV network giant.
The labor group issued the appeal following the latest remark of the President that he will not sign a legislative franchise for ABS CBN. The network’s legislative franchise will expire on March 30, 2020.
Since 2018, President Duterte has been vocal on his claims of the supposed failure of ABS-CBN to air his presidential campaign advertisements in 2016, and the company’s alleged political bias.
“Being vital in operating for the next 25 years, the legislative franchise of ABS-CBN will save the jobs and source of livelihood of more than 10,000 Filipino workers and their families,” Christian Lloyd Magsoy, spokesperson of Defend Job Philippines, said in a statement.
Magsoy added: Politics and personal ires of our politicians must be set aside for the sake of the looming loss of employment and livelihood of the Filipino working force. Our workers must not be made hostage and victimized of any political actions of the government.
The group urged Duterte to just resolve his rift with the ABS-CBN management in proper venues.
“President Duterte should rethink his threat to veto the franchise of ABS-CBN and let the company smoothly operate for the sake of its workers,” Magsoy said.
The labor leader also appealed to lawmakers to set aside political patronage.
“Members of the Upper and Lower House of the 18th Congress should set aside politics and political patronage system in voting for the said measure (and) think of the benefit of the thousands of workers, employees, and talents, who are relying on the said broadcast media company,” said Magsoy.
Meanwhile, Alan Tanjusay of the Associated Labor Unions Trade Union Congress of the Philippines revealed that around 5,000 ABS-CBN employees who are working at the national and regional networks are deeply worried about the future of their jobs and the source of their livelihood in case President Duterte turns down the renewal of the network’s franchise to operate.
“Some of them came to me and said they are seriously worried every day about losing their jobs. Particularly worried are those employees who are above 35 years old who think they might be unable to get decent jobs because they think they are old and past age qualifications,” he said in a separate statement.
“Some are worried of what will happen to their families who will also be financially affected once they lose their jobs. Some of the employees future plans are on hold, and some are trying to save their salary,” added Tanjusay.
“But all of them are very worried whether the ABS CBN management will respect and honor their obligations and responsibilities under the labor laws and pay them their separation wages and benefits because some of them have worked in the network for several decades,” he said.
According to Defend Job Philippines, the TV network employs 6,730 regular employees, 900 non-regular workers and more than 3,325 talents since the end of 2018 citing the company’s report to the Securities and Exchange Commission and Philippine Stocks Exchange.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/12/04/thousands-of-abs-cbn-workers-fear-of-losing-their-jobs/
House won't tackle ABS-CBN franchise renewal bill in 2019 anymore
'We have more than enough time...to tackle it in January, February, dahil March pa naman 'yung expiration ng [ABS-CBN] franchise,' says House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano
A day after President Rodrigo Duterte's fresh tirades against ABS-CBN Corporation, the House of Representatives will continue to sit on the bills seeking to renew the franchise given to the media network.
On Wednesday, December 4, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, a Duterte ally, said lawmakers have "more than enough time" to tackle the measure in January and February next year. ABS-CBN's legislative franchise, however, expires by March 30, 2020.
"I reiterate that Congress would be fair. We'll always have a fair hearing. Alam naman 'to din ng management ng ABS-CBN na inuna namin 'yung budget at saka mga revenue bills (ABS-CBN's management knows we prioritized the budget and the revenue bills)," Cayetano said in an ambush interview.
"Pero we have more than enough time, more than enough time to tackle it in January, February, dahil March pa naman 'yung expiration ng franchise (But we have more than enough time to tackle it in January, February because the expiration of the franchise is still in March)," added the Taguig City-Pateros congressman.
House committee on legislative franchises chairperson Franz Alvarez told CNN Philippines that his panel has no committee hearings scheduled anymore until December 20, when the 18th Congress adjourns session for the holidays.
This means there will be no committee deliberations this month for at least 5 bills in the House seeking to renew ABS-CBN's legislative franchise for another 25 years.
This goes against Cayetano's earlier pronouncement that the House would begin tackling the bills by end-2019.
On Tuesday night, December 3, Duterte once again vowed to block the renewal of the franchise of ABS-CBN, which he previously accused of "swindling" him for supposedly not airing his paid political advertisements during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Cayetano, Duterte's running mate in 2016, earlier said he has a "personal complaint" against ABS-CBN, citing the alleged unfair airtime given by the network to vice presidential candidates.
Still, the Speaker assured ABS-CBN of "fair" deliberations in the House and said Duterte "respects" the legislative process.
"As you know, he's the President at mayroon siyang stand sa mga issues so nirerespeto natin 'yan. Having said that, nirerespeto rin ng ating Pangulo 'yung proseso so hintayin na lang natin 'yung proseso na 'yun. But even the President admits that there has to be a fair process," Cayetano said.
(As you know, he's the President and he has a stand on issues so we respect that. Having said that, the President also respects the process so let's just wait for that to happen. But even the President admits there has to be a fair process.)
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 approve or does not get signed into law, ABS-CBN would have to continue or close down its radio and television operations.
https://www.rappler.com/nation/246399-house-not-tackle-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-bill-2019-anymore
A day after President Rodrigo Duterte's fresh tirades against ABS-CBN Corporation, the House of Representatives will continue to sit on the bills seeking to renew the franchise given to the media network.
On Wednesday, December 4, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, a Duterte ally, said lawmakers have "more than enough time" to tackle the measure in January and February next year. ABS-CBN's legislative franchise, however, expires by March 30, 2020.
"I reiterate that Congress would be fair. We'll always have a fair hearing. Alam naman 'to din ng management ng ABS-CBN na inuna namin 'yung budget at saka mga revenue bills (ABS-CBN's management knows we prioritized the budget and the revenue bills)," Cayetano said in an ambush interview.
"Pero we have more than enough time, more than enough time to tackle it in January, February, dahil March pa naman 'yung expiration ng franchise (But we have more than enough time to tackle it in January, February because the expiration of the franchise is still in March)," added the Taguig City-Pateros congressman.
House committee on legislative franchises chairperson Franz Alvarez told CNN Philippines that his panel has no committee hearings scheduled anymore until December 20, when the 18th Congress adjourns session for the holidays.
This means there will be no committee deliberations this month for at least 5 bills in the House seeking to renew ABS-CBN's legislative franchise for another 25 years.
This goes against Cayetano's earlier pronouncement that the House would begin tackling the bills by end-2019.
On Tuesday night, December 3, Duterte once again vowed to block the renewal of the franchise of ABS-CBN, which he previously accused of "swindling" him for supposedly not airing his paid political advertisements during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Cayetano, Duterte's running mate in 2016, earlier said he has a "personal complaint" against ABS-CBN, citing the alleged unfair airtime given by the network to vice presidential candidates.
Still, the Speaker assured ABS-CBN of "fair" deliberations in the House and said Duterte "respects" the legislative process.
"As you know, he's the President at mayroon siyang stand sa mga issues so nirerespeto natin 'yan. Having said that, nirerespeto rin ng ating Pangulo 'yung proseso so hintayin na lang natin 'yung proseso na 'yun. But even the President admits that there has to be a fair process," Cayetano said.
(As you know, he's the President and he has a stand on issues so we respect that. Having said that, the President also respects the process so let's just wait for that to happen. But even the President admits there has to be a fair process.)
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 approve or does not get signed into law, ABS-CBN would have to continue or close down its radio and television operations.
https://www.rappler.com/nation/246399-house-not-tackle-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-bill-2019-anymore
Cayetano: We have enough time to tackle ABS-CBN franchise next year
House Speaker Alan Cayetano on Wednesday said the chamber has enough time to tackle the franchise renewal of radio-television giant ABS-CBN Corp. next year, confirming that the House would no longer tackle the franchise this year.
The Taguig-Pateros representative was asked about a report of CNN Philippines, which tagged House legislative franchises committee chair and Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez as saying that the House would no longer tackle ABS-CBN’s franchise this year. Alvarez later confirmed this to reporters.
“Walang hearing sa December 10, walang hearing (There will be no hearing on December 10, there will be no hearing) for the year,” Alvarez said.
The chamber would go on a Christmas break from Dec. 21 until Jan. 20.
“I reiterate that Congress would be fair, will always have a fair hearing. Alam naman ito din ng management ng ABS-CBN na uunahin namin ang budget atsaka mga revenue bills,” Cayetano said in an interview.
(I reiterate that Congress would be fair, will always have a fair hearing. ABS-CBN management knows this also that we will prioritize the budget and revenue bills.)
“Pero we have more than enough time to tackle it in January, February dahil March pa naman ‘yung expiration ng franchise,” he added.
(But we have more than enough time to tackle it in January, February because the expiration of the franchise will still be in March.)
But will the network have its franchise renewed before its expiration on March 30, 2020? The Speaker could not say, for now, noting that it would depend on the panel’s discussions.
“Depende sa kalalabasan ng hearing. I cannot preempt the committee or the issues that will be taken,” he added.
(It depends on the outcome of the hearing. I cannot preempt the committee or the issues that will be taken.)
Meanwhile, House Minority Leader and Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. said minority members have the freedom to decide on ABS-CBN’s franchise.
“Of course hindi ko masasabi sa majority congressman (But of course I cannot say the same with the majority congressmen),” he said in a press conference,
The six-member Makabayan opposition bloc for their part supports ABS-CBN, according to ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro.
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night issued a new threat to block the network’s franchise renewal.
Cayetano said he respects the opinion of his former running mate during the 2016 elections.
“Having said that, nirerespeto rin ng ating Pangulo ‘yung proseso so hintayin na lang natin ‘yung proseso na ‘yun but even the President admits that there has to be a fair process,” the congressman said.
(Having said that, our President also respects the process so let’s just wait on that process but even the President admits that there has to be a fair process.)
Both Cayetano and Duterte had accused the broadcast giant of being unfair to them during the 2016 national election campaign. But ABS-CBN chair Eugenio “Gabby” L. Lopez III, at the time, brushed aside such allegations.
Every now and then, the President has been repeatedly uttering threats against media outfits critical of his administration like ABS-CBN, broadsheet Philippine Daily Inquirer, and online news site Rappler.
Edited by KGA
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1197915/cayetano-we-have-enough-time-to-tackle-abs-cbn-franchise-next-year
The Taguig-Pateros representative was asked about a report of CNN Philippines, which tagged House legislative franchises committee chair and Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez as saying that the House would no longer tackle ABS-CBN’s franchise this year. Alvarez later confirmed this to reporters.
“Walang hearing sa December 10, walang hearing (There will be no hearing on December 10, there will be no hearing) for the year,” Alvarez said.
The chamber would go on a Christmas break from Dec. 21 until Jan. 20.
“I reiterate that Congress would be fair, will always have a fair hearing. Alam naman ito din ng management ng ABS-CBN na uunahin namin ang budget atsaka mga revenue bills,” Cayetano said in an interview.
(I reiterate that Congress would be fair, will always have a fair hearing. ABS-CBN management knows this also that we will prioritize the budget and revenue bills.)
“Pero we have more than enough time to tackle it in January, February dahil March pa naman ‘yung expiration ng franchise,” he added.
(But we have more than enough time to tackle it in January, February because the expiration of the franchise will still be in March.)
But will the network have its franchise renewed before its expiration on March 30, 2020? The Speaker could not say, for now, noting that it would depend on the panel’s discussions.
“Depende sa kalalabasan ng hearing. I cannot preempt the committee or the issues that will be taken,” he added.
(It depends on the outcome of the hearing. I cannot preempt the committee or the issues that will be taken.)
Meanwhile, House Minority Leader and Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. said minority members have the freedom to decide on ABS-CBN’s franchise.
“Of course hindi ko masasabi sa majority congressman (But of course I cannot say the same with the majority congressmen),” he said in a press conference,
The six-member Makabayan opposition bloc for their part supports ABS-CBN, according to ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro.
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night issued a new threat to block the network’s franchise renewal.
Cayetano said he respects the opinion of his former running mate during the 2016 elections.
“Having said that, nirerespeto rin ng ating Pangulo ‘yung proseso so hintayin na lang natin ‘yung proseso na ‘yun but even the President admits that there has to be a fair process,” the congressman said.
(Having said that, our President also respects the process so let’s just wait on that process but even the President admits that there has to be a fair process.)
Both Cayetano and Duterte had accused the broadcast giant of being unfair to them during the 2016 national election campaign. But ABS-CBN chair Eugenio “Gabby” L. Lopez III, at the time, brushed aside such allegations.
Every now and then, the President has been repeatedly uttering threats against media outfits critical of his administration like ABS-CBN, broadsheet Philippine Daily Inquirer, and online news site Rappler.
Edited by KGA
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1197915/cayetano-we-have-enough-time-to-tackle-abs-cbn-franchise-next-year
Oras de peligro! ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal dead in 2019, Alvarez says
By JOHN CARLO M. CAHINHINAN
The House of Representatives will no longer tackle this year the franchise application of broadcast giant ABS-CBN amidst latest threat from President Rodrigo Duterte to block its renewal.
Legislative Franchise panel chair and Palawan Rep. Franz “Chicoy” Alvarez told CNN Philippines that his committee doesn’t have any remaining matter to hear this 2019, with Congress scheduled to take its Christmas recess starting on December 20.
In his speech on Tuesday, Duterte said network executives of the Kapamilya Network that he will make sure that their franchise will no longer be renewed once it expires on March 2020.
“Ang inyong franchise mag-end next year. If you are expecting na ma-renew ‘yan, I’m sorry. You’re out. I will see to it that you’re out,” said Duterte.
House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano earlier said ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal will be most likely discuss by Alvarez’s panel this December, as “there are real issues” that need to be tackled by Congress over the matter.
Duterte’s partymate in the PDP Laban recently have joined calls for the renewal of the legislative franchise of the Kapamilya network.
PDP Laban executive vice-president and Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales together Deputy Speakers Johnny Pimentel and Salvador “Doy” Leachon filed House Bill No. 5608—a proposed legislation that seeks to grant the “Kapamilya Network,” a fresh 25-year congressional franchise.
The move comes with less than three months remaining in the current congressional franchise of ABS-CBN under Republic Act No. 7966 that will expire in on March 30, 2020.
In his October 30 interview with ABS-CBN’s Umagang Kay Ganda, Cayetano admitted that the congressional franchise renewal of network giant ABS-CBN remains uncertain.
“So hindi naman ako makasagot sa inyo ng definite ngayon na definitely hindi, o definitely maibibigay,” said Cayetano.
ABS-CBN needs to secure the passage of their congressional franchise on or before March 30, 2020—the expiration date set by its current franchise under Republic Act No. 7966—or the network will have to continue to or cease operating as a broadcast network if Congress approves or fails to act on the franchise bill.
Aside from HB 5608, at least five similar legislations were filed at the Lower House to in a bid give ABS-CBN a fresh 25-year franchise.
https://politics.com.ph/oras-de-peligro-abs-cbns-franchise-renewal-dead-in-2019-alvarez-says/
The House of Representatives will no longer tackle this year the franchise application of broadcast giant ABS-CBN amidst latest threat from President Rodrigo Duterte to block its renewal.
Legislative Franchise panel chair and Palawan Rep. Franz “Chicoy” Alvarez told CNN Philippines that his committee doesn’t have any remaining matter to hear this 2019, with Congress scheduled to take its Christmas recess starting on December 20.
In his speech on Tuesday, Duterte said network executives of the Kapamilya Network that he will make sure that their franchise will no longer be renewed once it expires on March 2020.
“Ang inyong franchise mag-end next year. If you are expecting na ma-renew ‘yan, I’m sorry. You’re out. I will see to it that you’re out,” said Duterte.
House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano earlier said ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal will be most likely discuss by Alvarez’s panel this December, as “there are real issues” that need to be tackled by Congress over the matter.
Duterte’s partymate in the PDP Laban recently have joined calls for the renewal of the legislative franchise of the Kapamilya network.
PDP Laban executive vice-president and Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales together Deputy Speakers Johnny Pimentel and Salvador “Doy” Leachon filed House Bill No. 5608—a proposed legislation that seeks to grant the “Kapamilya Network,” a fresh 25-year congressional franchise.
The move comes with less than three months remaining in the current congressional franchise of ABS-CBN under Republic Act No. 7966 that will expire in on March 30, 2020.
In his October 30 interview with ABS-CBN’s Umagang Kay Ganda, Cayetano admitted that the congressional franchise renewal of network giant ABS-CBN remains uncertain.
“So hindi naman ako makasagot sa inyo ng definite ngayon na definitely hindi, o definitely maibibigay,” said Cayetano.
ABS-CBN needs to secure the passage of their congressional franchise on or before March 30, 2020—the expiration date set by its current franchise under Republic Act No. 7966—or the network will have to continue to or cease operating as a broadcast network if Congress approves or fails to act on the franchise bill.
Aside from HB 5608, at least five similar legislations were filed at the Lower House to in a bid give ABS-CBN a fresh 25-year franchise.
https://politics.com.ph/oras-de-peligro-abs-cbns-franchise-renewal-dead-in-2019-alvarez-says/
Boy Abunda reacts to ABS-CBN franchise renewal issue
Inaasam ni Boy Abunda ang “the best” sa usapin ng franchise renewal ng ABS-CBN.
“I am not familiar with the problem. Hindi ko alam ang detalye ng problema.
"Pero ano man yun, sana ay maayos,” sabi ni Boy nang pumirma ito ng kontratra bilang spokesperson at ambassador ng AMA Online Education sa Kamameshi Restaurant, Greenhills, noong nakaraang linggo.
Sakaling hindi matuloy ang franchise renewal, may mga plano na ba siyang naiisip?
“Ang dami kong offer na magturo,” saad niya.
“Hindi ko alam how I’m going to behave. I’m under contract with ABS-CBN and I will remain loyal to ABS.
“My contract is still at the end of 2020.
“Halimbawa at mangyari kung ano man ang mangyayari, I will address that as it happens.
"But, I will honor my contract and my relationship and my friendship with people in ABS-CBN.”
Gusto niyang magturo at makapagtayo ng isang academe of the art.
“Parang gusto ko. Well, hindi parang... gusto ko talaga. Gusto kong magturo.
"I’d like to be able to... malay natin, with this AMA OED involvement, I’d like to put up my own academy.
“Pero simple lang, alam mo yung academy of the arts. May public speaking, may acting.
“I’m talking to one of the foremost acting coaches in this country, baka puwedeng ilang mga artes ang tawag namin sa National Commission for Culture of the Arts.”
Dugtong pa niya, “I’d like to put up my own school.”
Sa ngayon ay nauupo na siya sa ilang defense.
Hindi raw niya puwedeng sabihin na mas lamang na ang kagustuhan niyang magturo kumpara sa mag-host ng talk shows sa telebisyon.
Sa ngayon ay apat ang talk shows niya.
“Hindi ako nag-iisip ng talk show dahil sa kasalukuyan, I’m doing four.
"I’m doing Your Moment, Insider Cinema on cable. I have Bottomline and Tonight with Boy Abunda.
"And that’s the only reason why ang hirap sagutin, ‘Are you thinking of another show?’
“Parang ang hirap. I’m doing a lot and that will always be a priority.”
DOES BOY MISS THE BUZZ?
Nang sumabog ang kontrobersiya sa Barretto sisters na sina Gretchen, Marjorie, at Claudine, ang daming naka-miss sa showbiz talk show nila noong The Buzz.
Hindi ba niya nami-miss?
“Na-miss ko,” pag-amin ni Boy.
“At nakaka-flatter naman na hinahanap ng taong-bayan ang The Buzz.
"Pero you also have to be realistic. After the issue, what?
“There are economic considerations. Is this economically viable?
"Siyempre, nakaka-miss. Buhay ko yun ng 15, 16 years.
"Nakaka-miss, nakaka-miss siya."
“I am not familiar with the problem. Hindi ko alam ang detalye ng problema.
"Pero ano man yun, sana ay maayos,” sabi ni Boy nang pumirma ito ng kontratra bilang spokesperson at ambassador ng AMA Online Education sa Kamameshi Restaurant, Greenhills, noong nakaraang linggo.
Sakaling hindi matuloy ang franchise renewal, may mga plano na ba siyang naiisip?
“Ang dami kong offer na magturo,” saad niya.
“Hindi ko alam how I’m going to behave. I’m under contract with ABS-CBN and I will remain loyal to ABS.
“My contract is still at the end of 2020.
“Halimbawa at mangyari kung ano man ang mangyayari, I will address that as it happens.
"But, I will honor my contract and my relationship and my friendship with people in ABS-CBN.”
Gusto niyang magturo at makapagtayo ng isang academe of the art.
“Parang gusto ko. Well, hindi parang... gusto ko talaga. Gusto kong magturo.
"I’d like to be able to... malay natin, with this AMA OED involvement, I’d like to put up my own academy.
“Pero simple lang, alam mo yung academy of the arts. May public speaking, may acting.
“I’m talking to one of the foremost acting coaches in this country, baka puwedeng ilang mga artes ang tawag namin sa National Commission for Culture of the Arts.”
Dugtong pa niya, “I’d like to put up my own school.”
Sa ngayon ay nauupo na siya sa ilang defense.
Hindi raw niya puwedeng sabihin na mas lamang na ang kagustuhan niyang magturo kumpara sa mag-host ng talk shows sa telebisyon.
Sa ngayon ay apat ang talk shows niya.
“Hindi ako nag-iisip ng talk show dahil sa kasalukuyan, I’m doing four.
"I’m doing Your Moment, Insider Cinema on cable. I have Bottomline and Tonight with Boy Abunda.
"And that’s the only reason why ang hirap sagutin, ‘Are you thinking of another show?’
“Parang ang hirap. I’m doing a lot and that will always be a priority.”
DOES BOY MISS THE BUZZ?
Nang sumabog ang kontrobersiya sa Barretto sisters na sina Gretchen, Marjorie, at Claudine, ang daming naka-miss sa showbiz talk show nila noong The Buzz.
Hindi ba niya nami-miss?
“Na-miss ko,” pag-amin ni Boy.
“At nakaka-flatter naman na hinahanap ng taong-bayan ang The Buzz.
"Pero you also have to be realistic. After the issue, what?
“There are economic considerations. Is this economically viable?
"Siyempre, nakaka-miss. Buhay ko yun ng 15, 16 years.
"Nakaka-miss, nakaka-miss siya."
House won’t tackle ABS-CBN franchise renewal bill this year – solon
The House of Representatives will not act on bills seeking to renew the franchise of major television network ABS-CBN until the year ends, a lawmaker said Wednesday.
House Committee on Legislative Franchises Chairman Franz Alvarez told CNN Philippines on Wednesday that his panel has no scheduled hearings until Congress adjourns for the Christmas break on December 20.
This is contrary to the statement of House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano in October that a House panel will tackle the renewal by yearend.
All franchise bills must first be approved by the House before they go to the Senate. ABS-CBN's franchise will expire on March 30, 2020 unless Congress and the President approve a new one. Five bills have been filed to extend the franchise for another 25 years.
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said he will personally make sure the TV network will be out of business when its license to operate expires.
"Ang inyong franchise mag-end next year [Your franchise will end next year]. If you are expecting na ma-renew 'yan [a renewal], I'm sorry. You're out. I will see to it that you're out," said Duterte in a speech.
The President has repeatedly slammed the network since 2018 for supposedly failing to air his presidential campaign advertisements in 2016.
ABS-CBN would be forced to shut down its broadcast operations if it fails to secure a fresh 25-year franchise from Congress, which is currently dominated by Duterte’s allies.
The TV network, one of the largest in the country, had 6,730 regular employees, 900 non-regular employees and 3,325 talents at the end of 2018, according to its report to the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Philippine Stock Exchange.
CNN Philippines correspondent Xianne Arcangel contributed to the report.
https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/12/4/ABS-CBN-franchise-renewal-House-bill.html
House Committee on Legislative Franchises Chairman Franz Alvarez told CNN Philippines on Wednesday that his panel has no scheduled hearings until Congress adjourns for the Christmas break on December 20.
This is contrary to the statement of House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano in October that a House panel will tackle the renewal by yearend.
All franchise bills must first be approved by the House before they go to the Senate. ABS-CBN's franchise will expire on March 30, 2020 unless Congress and the President approve a new one. Five bills have been filed to extend the franchise for another 25 years.
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said he will personally make sure the TV network will be out of business when its license to operate expires.
"Ang inyong franchise mag-end next year [Your franchise will end next year]. If you are expecting na ma-renew 'yan [a renewal], I'm sorry. You're out. I will see to it that you're out," said Duterte in a speech.
The President has repeatedly slammed the network since 2018 for supposedly failing to air his presidential campaign advertisements in 2016.
ABS-CBN would be forced to shut down its broadcast operations if it fails to secure a fresh 25-year franchise from Congress, which is currently dominated by Duterte’s allies.
The TV network, one of the largest in the country, had 6,730 regular employees, 900 non-regular employees and 3,325 talents at the end of 2018, according to its report to the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Philippine Stock Exchange.
CNN Philippines correspondent Xianne Arcangel contributed to the report.
https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/12/4/ABS-CBN-franchise-renewal-House-bill.html
President Rodrigo Duterte to ABS-CBN: "I'm sorry, you're out!"
Hindi pa rin nagpapatinag si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa kanyang bantang hindi niya pipirmahan ang anumang panukalang batas para sa franchise renewal ng broadcast giant na ABS-CBN.
Nakatakdang magtapos ang 25-year franchise to broadcast ng Kapamilya Network sa March 2020 o tatlong buwan na lamang mula ngayon.
Sa kanyang talumpati sa harap ng mga bagong talagang opisyal ng gobyerno sa Malacañang kahapon, December 3, muling binuhay ng Pangulo ang kanyang naunang banta laban sa ABS-CBN na hindi niya hahayaang makapag-renew ito ng prangkisa.
Diin pa niya, huwag nang umasa ang istasyong ma-renew ang kanilang prangkisa.
Sabi ni Duterte, “Ikaw, ABS-CBN, you’re a mouthpiece of…
“Ang inyong franchise mag-end next year.
“If you are expecting na ma-renew 'yan, I'm sorry. You're out.
“I will see to it that you're out.”
Muli ring inungkat ng Pangulo ang panggagantso diumano ng network sa kanya at sa ilan pang kandidato noong 2016 Presidential Elections nang hindi inere ang kanilang political advertisements kahit bayad na ang mga ito.
“Ilan kaming mga kandidato na kinuha ninyo ang pera namin, but never aired our propaganda.
“Ako, Chiz Escudero... lahat kami.
“Pero yung propaganda ni Trillanes [former Senator Antonio Trillanes] portraying children and which is really a prohibited act under the rules of the Election Code, in spite of the fact na may TRO [Temporary Restraining Order] na huwag ninyong ipalabas, pinalabas ninyo.”
NETWORK EXECUTIVES REACHING OUT TO HIM?
Kasunod nito, nagpahiwatig ang Presidente na may ilang ehekutibo ng istasyon ang diumano’y “nagmamakaawa” sa kanya upang pirmahan ang franchise renewal ng ABS-CBN.
Saad pa ni Duterte, “Ngayon, you come to me begging.
“E, yung mga ang... ang kawawa, kayong second generation na walang ka among-among [hindi alam paano makitungo] diyan sa akin, parang hindi na malaman kung ano ang body language nila.”
May halos sampung panukalang batas sa Lower House ukol sa franchise renewal ng ABS-CBN ang nakahain, pero hindi pa ito natatalakay ng Committee on Legislative Franchises dahil inuuna ng Kongreso ang 2020 National Budget.
Sa Senado naman ay may isang panukalang ganun din ang layunin, ngunit hindi pa rin ito natatalakay.
Ayon naman kay House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, magkakaroon ng public hearing tungkol dito upang marinig ang magkabilang panig dahil pati siya ay may personal ding himutok laban sa ABS-CBN.
Simula nang pumutok ang isyung ito, hindi nagbibigay ng anumang pahayag ang ABS-CBN ukol sa isyu.
https://www.pep.ph/news/local/147967/president-rodrigo-duterte-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-a718-20191204
Nakatakdang magtapos ang 25-year franchise to broadcast ng Kapamilya Network sa March 2020 o tatlong buwan na lamang mula ngayon.
Sa kanyang talumpati sa harap ng mga bagong talagang opisyal ng gobyerno sa Malacañang kahapon, December 3, muling binuhay ng Pangulo ang kanyang naunang banta laban sa ABS-CBN na hindi niya hahayaang makapag-renew ito ng prangkisa.
Diin pa niya, huwag nang umasa ang istasyong ma-renew ang kanilang prangkisa.
Sabi ni Duterte, “Ikaw, ABS-CBN, you’re a mouthpiece of…
“Ang inyong franchise mag-end next year.
“If you are expecting na ma-renew 'yan, I'm sorry. You're out.
“I will see to it that you're out.”
Muli ring inungkat ng Pangulo ang panggagantso diumano ng network sa kanya at sa ilan pang kandidato noong 2016 Presidential Elections nang hindi inere ang kanilang political advertisements kahit bayad na ang mga ito.
“Ilan kaming mga kandidato na kinuha ninyo ang pera namin, but never aired our propaganda.
“Ako, Chiz Escudero... lahat kami.
“Pero yung propaganda ni Trillanes [former Senator Antonio Trillanes] portraying children and which is really a prohibited act under the rules of the Election Code, in spite of the fact na may TRO [Temporary Restraining Order] na huwag ninyong ipalabas, pinalabas ninyo.”
NETWORK EXECUTIVES REACHING OUT TO HIM?
Kasunod nito, nagpahiwatig ang Presidente na may ilang ehekutibo ng istasyon ang diumano’y “nagmamakaawa” sa kanya upang pirmahan ang franchise renewal ng ABS-CBN.
Saad pa ni Duterte, “Ngayon, you come to me begging.
“E, yung mga ang... ang kawawa, kayong second generation na walang ka among-among [hindi alam paano makitungo] diyan sa akin, parang hindi na malaman kung ano ang body language nila.”
May halos sampung panukalang batas sa Lower House ukol sa franchise renewal ng ABS-CBN ang nakahain, pero hindi pa ito natatalakay ng Committee on Legislative Franchises dahil inuuna ng Kongreso ang 2020 National Budget.
Sa Senado naman ay may isang panukalang ganun din ang layunin, ngunit hindi pa rin ito natatalakay.
Ayon naman kay House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, magkakaroon ng public hearing tungkol dito upang marinig ang magkabilang panig dahil pati siya ay may personal ding himutok laban sa ABS-CBN.
Simula nang pumutok ang isyung ito, hindi nagbibigay ng anumang pahayag ang ABS-CBN ukol sa isyu.
https://www.pep.ph/news/local/147967/president-rodrigo-duterte-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-a718-20191204
PRRD nixes ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday announced that he is not bent on granting the renewal of the 25-year congressional franchise to local broadcast network ABS-CBN.
Duterte made the pronouncement before the newly-appointed government officials, as he was still irked by ABS-CBN's supposed bias by slanting reports about him.
"ABS-CBN, you're a mouthpiece of… Ang inyong franchise, mag-end next year (Your franchise will end next year)," Duterte said in a speech delivered at the Palace's Heroes Hall.
"If you are expecting na ma-renew iyan (that it will be renewed), I'm sorry, you're out. I will see to it na (that) you're out," he added.
ABS-CBN's franchise is set to expire on March 30, 2020.
Several bills have been filed at the House of Representatives, seeking the renewal of the local media giant's congressional franchise.
However, the House franchise committee has not tabled the proposed measures for discussion.
Radio and television broadcast firms in the country are required to seek a franchise from Congress, pursuant to Republic Act 3846.
On November 4, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano admitted that he had "personal" objections to ABS-CBN's franchise renewal because of the company's leaders who "interfered unjustly".
In his latest speech, Duterte lambasted ABS-CBN anew for alleged failure to air his paid advertisements on television during the 2016 presidential campaign.
The President said he would not change his mind, despite the news outfit's persistence to come to him "begging".
"Ilan kaming mga kandidato na kinuha ninyo ang pera namin (You took my money, as well as the other candidates), but never aired our propaganda," he said.
On August 3 last year, Duterte revealed that ABS-CBN kept on sending emissary to his office to negotiate the renewal of its franchise.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1087836
Duterte made the pronouncement before the newly-appointed government officials, as he was still irked by ABS-CBN's supposed bias by slanting reports about him.
"ABS-CBN, you're a mouthpiece of… Ang inyong franchise, mag-end next year (Your franchise will end next year)," Duterte said in a speech delivered at the Palace's Heroes Hall.
"If you are expecting na ma-renew iyan (that it will be renewed), I'm sorry, you're out. I will see to it na (that) you're out," he added.
ABS-CBN's franchise is set to expire on March 30, 2020.
Several bills have been filed at the House of Representatives, seeking the renewal of the local media giant's congressional franchise.
However, the House franchise committee has not tabled the proposed measures for discussion.
Radio and television broadcast firms in the country are required to seek a franchise from Congress, pursuant to Republic Act 3846.
On November 4, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano admitted that he had "personal" objections to ABS-CBN's franchise renewal because of the company's leaders who "interfered unjustly".
In his latest speech, Duterte lambasted ABS-CBN anew for alleged failure to air his paid advertisements on television during the 2016 presidential campaign.
The President said he would not change his mind, despite the news outfit's persistence to come to him "begging".
"Ilan kaming mga kandidato na kinuha ninyo ang pera namin (You took my money, as well as the other candidates), but never aired our propaganda," he said.
On August 3 last year, Duterte revealed that ABS-CBN kept on sending emissary to his office to negotiate the renewal of its franchise.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1087836
I’ll see to it that you’re out, President tells ABS-CBN
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday vowed that “he will see to it” that the franchise of broadcast giant ABS-CBN would be or not be renewed.
The President made the statement as he lashed out against the alleged onerous contract between the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and the two water concessionaires—Manila Water Co. Inc. and Maynilad Water Services Inc.
“Your franchise will end next year. If you are expecting that it will be renewed, I’m sorry. You’re out. I will see to it that you’re out,” he said, addressing ABS-CBN.
There was no immediate response to the Inquirer’s request from the network to comment on the President’s latest statement.
Republic Act No. 3846 requires radio and television broadcasters in the Philippines to obtain a franchise from Congress.
It was the first time that the President had stated that he would personally ensure that the network’s franchise would not be renewed. ABS-CBN’s 25-year franchise expires on March 30, 2020.
Election campaign ad
Since he took office, Duterte has repeatedly threatened ABS-CBN’s franchise because the network allegedly ran a negative ad against him when he campaigned for President in 2016 and for refusing to air his own propaganda.
“There were several of us candidates from whom you took money but never aired our propaganda. Me, Chiz Escudero, all of us,” he said in Malacañang at the oathtaking of the executive committee of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines.
On the other hand, he said the network aired the ad of one of his sharpest critics, former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, that portrayed children allegedly in violation of the election law.
Trillanes, who was then running for Vice President, showed children reacting negatively to video clips of Duterte cursing Pope Francis and his joke about the gang rape and murder of an Australian missionary during a prison riot in Davao City in 1989.
In April 2017, the President accused the network of being unfair in reporting about him, including his brutal war on drugs.
Eugenio “Gabby” L. Lopez III, ABS-CBN chair, at the time brushed aside Duterte’s attacks, saying “it’s part and parcel of our work being a media institution.”
Lopez also said he “[did] not anticipate” significant problems in the approval of ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal.
The President may not have a hard time blocking the renewal as both the Senate and the House of Representatives are dominated by his allies.
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano early last month said he also had personal objections to the franchise renewal but promised that the House would be “fair” to the network.
He said the President’s dispute with ABS-CBN was between Duterte and the network. But he noted that Duterte had “legitimate criticisms” against the broadcast giant.
Press freedom
“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-CBN interfered unjustly,” he said.
But Cayetano assured the public that “we will find a conclusion that is acceptable to everyone but will be good for the country.”
“First and foremost, telling it straight, we will be fair. It’s our duty to be fair,” he said. —Reports from Julie M. Aurelio and Inquirer Research
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1197788/ill-see-to-it-that-youre-out-president-tells-abs-cbn
The President made the statement as he lashed out against the alleged onerous contract between the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and the two water concessionaires—Manila Water Co. Inc. and Maynilad Water Services Inc.
“Your franchise will end next year. If you are expecting that it will be renewed, I’m sorry. You’re out. I will see to it that you’re out,” he said, addressing ABS-CBN.
There was no immediate response to the Inquirer’s request from the network to comment on the President’s latest statement.
Republic Act No. 3846 requires radio and television broadcasters in the Philippines to obtain a franchise from Congress.
It was the first time that the President had stated that he would personally ensure that the network’s franchise would not be renewed. ABS-CBN’s 25-year franchise expires on March 30, 2020.
Election campaign ad
Since he took office, Duterte has repeatedly threatened ABS-CBN’s franchise because the network allegedly ran a negative ad against him when he campaigned for President in 2016 and for refusing to air his own propaganda.
“There were several of us candidates from whom you took money but never aired our propaganda. Me, Chiz Escudero, all of us,” he said in Malacañang at the oathtaking of the executive committee of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines.
On the other hand, he said the network aired the ad of one of his sharpest critics, former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, that portrayed children allegedly in violation of the election law.
Trillanes, who was then running for Vice President, showed children reacting negatively to video clips of Duterte cursing Pope Francis and his joke about the gang rape and murder of an Australian missionary during a prison riot in Davao City in 1989.
In April 2017, the President accused the network of being unfair in reporting about him, including his brutal war on drugs.
Eugenio “Gabby” L. Lopez III, ABS-CBN chair, at the time brushed aside Duterte’s attacks, saying “it’s part and parcel of our work being a media institution.”
Lopez also said he “[did] not anticipate” significant problems in the approval of ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal.
The President may not have a hard time blocking the renewal as both the Senate and the House of Representatives are dominated by his allies.
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano early last month said he also had personal objections to the franchise renewal but promised that the House would be “fair” to the network.
He said the President’s dispute with ABS-CBN was between Duterte and the network. But he noted that Duterte had “legitimate criticisms” against the broadcast giant.
Press freedom
“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-CBN interfered unjustly,” he said.
But Cayetano assured the public that “we will find a conclusion that is acceptable to everyone but will be good for the country.”
“First and foremost, telling it straight, we will be fair. It’s our duty to be fair,” he said. —Reports from Julie M. Aurelio and Inquirer Research
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1197788/ill-see-to-it-that-youre-out-president-tells-abs-cbn
Congress targets ratification of 2020 budget next week
THE HOUSE of Representatives and the Senate expect ratification of the proposed P4.1-trillion national budget for 2020 by next week to enable enactment before the year ends, key legislators said separately on Tuesday, while the Budget department has begun the process of crafting the 2021 spending plan.
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. Isidro T. Ungab of Davao’s 3rd District said the body’s secretariat completed on Monday its review of the Senate version of the 2020 national budget, in time for his meeting yesterday with his counterpart, Senator Juan Edgardo M. Angara.
“The House Appropriations secretariat just finished studying yesterday the figures in Senate’s GAB as approved on final reading. I presented these findings to the House bicameral conference committee panel and will proceed to discuss the details with my Senate counterpart, Sen. Angara,” Mr. Ungab said in a mobile phone message on Tuesday, referring to the general appropriations bill (GAB).
“We will be working this week despite the inclement weather.”
The House approved House Bill No. 4228, or the General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2020, on third and final reading on Sept. 20, while the Senate approved its version on Nov. 27.
The 18th Congress aims to submit the budget to President Rodrigo R. Duterte for signing ahead of its Dec. 21, 2019- Jan. 19, 2020 break in order to ensure yearend enactment.
Pressed for a target, Mr. Ungab said, “Hopefully, ratified na by next week to give time for printing.”
‘FEW POINTS OF DISAGREEMENT’
Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III confirmed the timetable, saying: “We’re on track.”
“I understand in the bicam(eral conference committee), there will be very few points of disagreement. Tingin ko baka… (I think) on the week of the (Dec.) ninth, baka mai-ratify namin (we may be able to ratify the 2020 budget),” Mr. Sotto told reporters in a briefing in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday.
Mr. Sotto said that, so far, Mr. Angara has not flagged any major contention that could delay passage of the 2020 national budget.
“Ang sabi lang niya sa akin (Mr. Angara told me) ‘everything’s fine, all is well, everything’s fine’,” Mr. Sotto said, adding that he does not expect the House to again make changes after ratification — a controversy that contributed to delayed enactment of the 2019 national budget.
“I don’t expect Speaker (Alan Peter S. ) Cayetano and the Chairman of Appropriation to do something like that.”
Mr. Duterte signed the 2019 budget on April 15, but vetoed some P95.3-billion appropriations deemed unconstitutional, reducing its total to P3.662 trillion.
A review of the Senate Committee report, shared by Appropriations Vice-Chairman Jose Ma. Clemente S. Salceda of Albay-2nd District, showed differences in Senate and House appropriations for the Department of Transportation (DoTr), Department of Health (DoH) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
House Bill No. 4228 allocated P146.04 billion to the DoTr, P529.75 billion to the DPWH and P88.92 billion to the DoH; while the Senate provided P120.32 billion, P536.58 billion and P100.49 billion, respectively.
WORK ON 2021 BUDGET BEGINS
And with work on the proposed 2020 national budget in the homestretch, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has instructed government offices to start crafting their spending plans for 2021.
The DBM released the national budget call for 2021 through the national budget memorandum no. 133, dated Nov. 29, that was signed by Acting Budget Secretary Wendel E. Avisado.
In a text message, Mr. Avisado said the Development & Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) will convene on Dec. 11 to discuss the proposed national budget for 2021 and review macroeconomic and fiscal targets.
Under the budget call, the DBM said it will maintain a cash budgeting system (CBS) that forces state offices to spend their allocations on time by limiting project obligation of such funds to within the fiscal year, compared to two years in the previous practice.
“In the third year of the transition towards CBS, there will be greater focus on ensuring the implementation-readiness of proposals through better procurement planning, programming of projects and activities, and coordination among agencies,” it explained.
The DBM also cited the need for closer coordination between officials of national and local government offices to make sure that national plans and projects are relevant to the grassroots and that local plans and projects adhere to national priorities.
“The Department Secretary/Head of Agency shall be held accountable in ensuring that its budget proposals have undergone the proper RDC review process with a duly issued endorsement,” DBM said in the memorandum, referring to regional development councils that have both national and local government representatives.
https://www.bworldonline.com/congress-targets-ratification-of-2020-budget-next-week/
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. Isidro T. Ungab of Davao’s 3rd District said the body’s secretariat completed on Monday its review of the Senate version of the 2020 national budget, in time for his meeting yesterday with his counterpart, Senator Juan Edgardo M. Angara.
“The House Appropriations secretariat just finished studying yesterday the figures in Senate’s GAB as approved on final reading. I presented these findings to the House bicameral conference committee panel and will proceed to discuss the details with my Senate counterpart, Sen. Angara,” Mr. Ungab said in a mobile phone message on Tuesday, referring to the general appropriations bill (GAB).
“We will be working this week despite the inclement weather.”
The House approved House Bill No. 4228, or the General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2020, on third and final reading on Sept. 20, while the Senate approved its version on Nov. 27.
The 18th Congress aims to submit the budget to President Rodrigo R. Duterte for signing ahead of its Dec. 21, 2019- Jan. 19, 2020 break in order to ensure yearend enactment.
Pressed for a target, Mr. Ungab said, “Hopefully, ratified na by next week to give time for printing.”
‘FEW POINTS OF DISAGREEMENT’
Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III confirmed the timetable, saying: “We’re on track.”
“I understand in the bicam(eral conference committee), there will be very few points of disagreement. Tingin ko baka… (I think) on the week of the (Dec.) ninth, baka mai-ratify namin (we may be able to ratify the 2020 budget),” Mr. Sotto told reporters in a briefing in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday.
Mr. Sotto said that, so far, Mr. Angara has not flagged any major contention that could delay passage of the 2020 national budget.
“Ang sabi lang niya sa akin (Mr. Angara told me) ‘everything’s fine, all is well, everything’s fine’,” Mr. Sotto said, adding that he does not expect the House to again make changes after ratification — a controversy that contributed to delayed enactment of the 2019 national budget.
“I don’t expect Speaker (Alan Peter S. ) Cayetano and the Chairman of Appropriation to do something like that.”
Mr. Duterte signed the 2019 budget on April 15, but vetoed some P95.3-billion appropriations deemed unconstitutional, reducing its total to P3.662 trillion.
A review of the Senate Committee report, shared by Appropriations Vice-Chairman Jose Ma. Clemente S. Salceda of Albay-2nd District, showed differences in Senate and House appropriations for the Department of Transportation (DoTr), Department of Health (DoH) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
House Bill No. 4228 allocated P146.04 billion to the DoTr, P529.75 billion to the DPWH and P88.92 billion to the DoH; while the Senate provided P120.32 billion, P536.58 billion and P100.49 billion, respectively.
WORK ON 2021 BUDGET BEGINS
And with work on the proposed 2020 national budget in the homestretch, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has instructed government offices to start crafting their spending plans for 2021.
The DBM released the national budget call for 2021 through the national budget memorandum no. 133, dated Nov. 29, that was signed by Acting Budget Secretary Wendel E. Avisado.
In a text message, Mr. Avisado said the Development & Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) will convene on Dec. 11 to discuss the proposed national budget for 2021 and review macroeconomic and fiscal targets.
Under the budget call, the DBM said it will maintain a cash budgeting system (CBS) that forces state offices to spend their allocations on time by limiting project obligation of such funds to within the fiscal year, compared to two years in the previous practice.
“In the third year of the transition towards CBS, there will be greater focus on ensuring the implementation-readiness of proposals through better procurement planning, programming of projects and activities, and coordination among agencies,” it explained.
The DBM also cited the need for closer coordination between officials of national and local government offices to make sure that national plans and projects are relevant to the grassroots and that local plans and projects adhere to national priorities.
“The Department Secretary/Head of Agency shall be held accountable in ensuring that its budget proposals have undergone the proper RDC review process with a duly issued endorsement,” DBM said in the memorandum, referring to regional development councils that have both national and local government representatives.
https://www.bworldonline.com/congress-targets-ratification-of-2020-budget-next-week/
Butuan health center upgraded
 |
| Oliver John Tiu (left), SM Group vice president for operations in Mindanao, and SM Foundation’s Connie Angeles turn over a symbolic ‘160’ sign to Butuan Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada (right) for the wellness center the mall giant just renovated for the city. |
With the recent turnover of its 160th Wellness Center to Butuan Medical Center, SM Foundation, together with SM City Butuan, ensured that residents of Butuan and its neighboring provinces will now have access to comfortable medical facilities without compromising the quality of the services.
Pediatrician Dr. Caridad Berdeos Plete, who has been with BMC for 13 years, said she is looking forward to more comfortable consultations with her patients in the air-conditioned rooms of the renovated wards with comfortable beds and ample moving spaces for the watchers.
Before the renovation, BMC patients’ illnesses sometimes get worsened due to the cramp and poor ventilation of the old ward.
OIC chief nurse, Paul Ritchie Pelos, who has been with the hospital since 2014 kid that the hotel-like ambiance of the renovated wards might encourage patients and watchers to overstay but he pressed that they will make sure to discharge the patients as soon as they are healed so others can use the upgraded medical facilities.
Moreover, noting that the children and elderly are the most vulnerable to virulent diseases, SM Foundation ensured that their new wards are shielded from the main ward of BMC via thick doors.
Also part of the renovation are the comfort stations for children and the elderly where they can stay comfortably while waiting for their doctors.
SMFI Executive Director for Health and Wellness Programs Connie Angeles explained: “Children and senior citizens are the most susceptible to viruses and bacteria that cause more deadly ailments. They are also the ones that need better protection as their immune systems are not as strong as people in between these stages.”
Butuan Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada said: “This effort has raised the bar and upgraded the quality requirements for public buildings like health centers and hospitals.”
Lagnada said he’s delighted that SM Foundation went ahead with the BMC upgrade even before the SM City Mall would open by February 14, 2020.
“With this, the Butuanons are grateful. This clearly demonstrates your desire to spread social good to people,” he added.
With the upgrade, the hospital can now qualify for certification as Level 3 tertiary health facility, said Dr. Plete.
http://www.manilastandard.net/lgu/mindanao/311623/butuan-health-center-upgraded.html
Congress leaders: 2020 budget bill OK next week
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz & Butch Fernandez
CONGRESS leaders have moved to avert the prospect of the government operating under a reenacted 2019 budget by January should lawmakers miss a deadline to ratify and submit to Malacañang for signing into law the final reconciled version of the P4.1-trillion 2020 budget bill before they adjourn for the Christmas recess on December 20.
“I do not expect hitches,” Senate President Vicente Sotto III told the BusinessMirror, adding he expects the annual money measure to be “ratified by next week.”
This, as Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon disclosed Tuesday that the Senate-House conference committee is on track to meet their deadline, forming a “small committee” to identify conflicting provisions in the two chambers’ versions that are likely to delay the process.
“The bicam authorized Sen. Angara and Cong. Ungab to constitute a small committee to go over the conflicting versions,” said Drilon. “I have worked with Senator Angara and Congressman Ungab in the past congresses. They are competent and reasonable legislators, and I am confident they can finish their task before we adjourn on December 20,” he added.
Angara, however, declined when asked to predict if the bicameral panel can meet the yearend deadline.
In a text message to BusinessMirror, Angara admitted: “It’s hard to say ahead of time. We are really trying to pass it before the congressional break, knowing what happened with the 2019 budget. Whatever differences may arise both panels realize the need for a timely passage of the budget.”
Ungab, the House Committee on Appropriations chairman, said members of the House and Senate Bicameral Conference Committee will be working this week despite the inclement weather to settle discrepancies in the two chambers’ different versions of the budget bill, including their institutional amendments or realignments.
“The House Appropriations Secretariat just finished studying [Monday] the figures in the Senate’s GAB [general appropriations bill] as approved on final reading. I presented these findings to the House Bicameral Conference Committee Panel and will proceed to discuss the details with my senate counterpart, Senator Angara. Both chairmen will still have to go through the details and we still have to agree on the contentious figures,” Ungab explained.
“Nevertheless, both panels agree on the need to pass and approve the national budget before the Christmas break [on December 18],” he said.
Meanwhile, a source from the House said the bicameral conference committee is eyeing to finish and approve the budget this week for the two chambers’ ratification on Monday next week.
Congress is eyeing to submit the 2020 national budget to President Duterte on December 20.
Earlier, House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Joey Sarte Salceda said the senators have realigned P135 billion under the 2020 budget.
He said the P135 billion has been realigned to the unprogrammed projects of the government.
The Department of Budget and Managment said the national budget provides for standby appropriation under unprogrammed funds that will supposedly give the government some allowance to undertake proactive measures in urgent situations. However, this was not detailed in the Palace’s National Expenditure Program (NEP).
Realignments for 4 sectors
In the House of Representatives, P9.5 billion in funds were realigned to various government agencies, covering the sectors of infrastructure, agriculture, education and health care.
At least P3.5 billion was allocated through the Department of Agriculture (DA) to enable it to buy more palay from farmers amid the plummeting farm-gate prices in certain parts of the country and to set up a quick-response fund.
The institutional amendments also included P800 million to the Department of Education (DepEd) for the operation of schools from Kinder to Grade 12, and establishment of model day-care centers nationwide.
The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) also got P500 million as part of the realignments, while the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) received P250 million for the maintenance and other operating expenses of community-based rehabilitation centers.
The other beneficiaries of the amendments were: the Department of Health (DOH) to augment funds for the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) in the amount of P100 million and another P100 million for a quick-response fund; the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) which received P1 billion each to set up their respective camp development funds; and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), P500 million for its National Resource Conservation and Development-Protected Areas and Development Management Program (NRCD-PADMP).
The Department of Transportation (DOTr), P274.95 million for the operating expenses of the Davao International Airport (DAI); National Electrification Administration (NEA), P500 million for its sitio electrification program; Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), P500 million for the special allowances of traffic enforcers and field personnel, and salary increases of 4,000 job order personnel; and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), P500 million, for the preparation and training of athletes for 2020 Olympic Games and 10th Asean Para Games.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/12/04/congress-leaders-2020-budget-bill-ok-next-week/
CONGRESS leaders have moved to avert the prospect of the government operating under a reenacted 2019 budget by January should lawmakers miss a deadline to ratify and submit to Malacañang for signing into law the final reconciled version of the P4.1-trillion 2020 budget bill before they adjourn for the Christmas recess on December 20.
“I do not expect hitches,” Senate President Vicente Sotto III told the BusinessMirror, adding he expects the annual money measure to be “ratified by next week.”
This, as Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon disclosed Tuesday that the Senate-House conference committee is on track to meet their deadline, forming a “small committee” to identify conflicting provisions in the two chambers’ versions that are likely to delay the process.
“The bicam authorized Sen. Angara and Cong. Ungab to constitute a small committee to go over the conflicting versions,” said Drilon. “I have worked with Senator Angara and Congressman Ungab in the past congresses. They are competent and reasonable legislators, and I am confident they can finish their task before we adjourn on December 20,” he added.
Angara, however, declined when asked to predict if the bicameral panel can meet the yearend deadline.
In a text message to BusinessMirror, Angara admitted: “It’s hard to say ahead of time. We are really trying to pass it before the congressional break, knowing what happened with the 2019 budget. Whatever differences may arise both panels realize the need for a timely passage of the budget.”
Ungab, the House Committee on Appropriations chairman, said members of the House and Senate Bicameral Conference Committee will be working this week despite the inclement weather to settle discrepancies in the two chambers’ different versions of the budget bill, including their institutional amendments or realignments.
“The House Appropriations Secretariat just finished studying [Monday] the figures in the Senate’s GAB [general appropriations bill] as approved on final reading. I presented these findings to the House Bicameral Conference Committee Panel and will proceed to discuss the details with my senate counterpart, Senator Angara. Both chairmen will still have to go through the details and we still have to agree on the contentious figures,” Ungab explained.
“Nevertheless, both panels agree on the need to pass and approve the national budget before the Christmas break [on December 18],” he said.
Meanwhile, a source from the House said the bicameral conference committee is eyeing to finish and approve the budget this week for the two chambers’ ratification on Monday next week.
Congress is eyeing to submit the 2020 national budget to President Duterte on December 20.
Earlier, House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Joey Sarte Salceda said the senators have realigned P135 billion under the 2020 budget.
He said the P135 billion has been realigned to the unprogrammed projects of the government.
The Department of Budget and Managment said the national budget provides for standby appropriation under unprogrammed funds that will supposedly give the government some allowance to undertake proactive measures in urgent situations. However, this was not detailed in the Palace’s National Expenditure Program (NEP).
Realignments for 4 sectors
In the House of Representatives, P9.5 billion in funds were realigned to various government agencies, covering the sectors of infrastructure, agriculture, education and health care.
At least P3.5 billion was allocated through the Department of Agriculture (DA) to enable it to buy more palay from farmers amid the plummeting farm-gate prices in certain parts of the country and to set up a quick-response fund.
The institutional amendments also included P800 million to the Department of Education (DepEd) for the operation of schools from Kinder to Grade 12, and establishment of model day-care centers nationwide.
The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) also got P500 million as part of the realignments, while the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) received P250 million for the maintenance and other operating expenses of community-based rehabilitation centers.
The other beneficiaries of the amendments were: the Department of Health (DOH) to augment funds for the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) in the amount of P100 million and another P100 million for a quick-response fund; the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) which received P1 billion each to set up their respective camp development funds; and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), P500 million for its National Resource Conservation and Development-Protected Areas and Development Management Program (NRCD-PADMP).
The Department of Transportation (DOTr), P274.95 million for the operating expenses of the Davao International Airport (DAI); National Electrification Administration (NEA), P500 million for its sitio electrification program; Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), P500 million for the special allowances of traffic enforcers and field personnel, and salary increases of 4,000 job order personnel; and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), P500 million, for the preparation and training of athletes for 2020 Olympic Games and 10th Asean Para Games.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/12/04/congress-leaders-2020-budget-bill-ok-next-week/
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Revenue bills pokus ng Kamara pero ikokonsidera ang ABS-CBN franchise renewal
Ikokonsidera ng House of Representatives ang iminumungkahing pagpapalawig ng legislative franchise ng ABS-CBN.
Ito’y sa kabila ng pagpopokus ng Kamara sa pagsasabatas ng mga importanteng revenue measure.
Ayon kay Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, may kalayaan umano ang House Committee on Legislative Franchise na magsagawa ng mga pagdinig hinggil sa ilang panukalang magbibigay-buhay sa ABS-CBN franchise sandaling mag-expire ito sa March 30, 2020.
Sa kabila din aniya ng isyu kaugnay ng journalistic fairness ng naturang network, tiniyak ni Cayetano na magiging patas ang mababang kapulungan sa pag-aksyon sa sinasabing franchise extension.
Gayunpaman, sinabi ni Cayetano na mananatiling pokus pa rin ang Kongreso sa kanilang mga prayoridad lalo na’t na-dispose na ang panukalang General Appropriations Act para sa taong 2020.
“Pero iyong priority at focus natin ay iyong revenue bills para mabayaran ang magagandang programa ng gobyerno at iyong budget. That’s the reality there but we will get to it,” aniya.
The House of Representatives will consider the proposed extension of the ABS-CBN legislative franchise.
This is despite the chamber's focus on enacting important revenue measures.
According to Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, the House Committee on Legislative Franchise has the freedom to hold hearings on some proposals that will revive the ABS-CBN franchise once it expires on March 20, 2020.
Despite the issue regarding the journalistic fairness of the network, Cayetano assured that the lower council would be fair in acting on the alleged franchise extension.
However, Cayetano said Congress will continue to focus on their priorities, especially after the General Appropriations Act for the year 2020 has been passed.
“But our priority and focus is your revenue bills to pay for good government programs and your budget. That's the reality there but we will get to it,” he said.
https://tnt.abante.com.ph/revenue-bills-pokus-ng-kamara-pero-ikokonsidera-ang-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal/
Ito’y sa kabila ng pagpopokus ng Kamara sa pagsasabatas ng mga importanteng revenue measure.
Ayon kay Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, may kalayaan umano ang House Committee on Legislative Franchise na magsagawa ng mga pagdinig hinggil sa ilang panukalang magbibigay-buhay sa ABS-CBN franchise sandaling mag-expire ito sa March 30, 2020.
Sa kabila din aniya ng isyu kaugnay ng journalistic fairness ng naturang network, tiniyak ni Cayetano na magiging patas ang mababang kapulungan sa pag-aksyon sa sinasabing franchise extension.
Gayunpaman, sinabi ni Cayetano na mananatiling pokus pa rin ang Kongreso sa kanilang mga prayoridad lalo na’t na-dispose na ang panukalang General Appropriations Act para sa taong 2020.
“Pero iyong priority at focus natin ay iyong revenue bills para mabayaran ang magagandang programa ng gobyerno at iyong budget. That’s the reality there but we will get to it,” aniya.
The House of Representatives will consider the proposed extension of the ABS-CBN legislative franchise.
This is despite the chamber's focus on enacting important revenue measures.
According to Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, the House Committee on Legislative Franchise has the freedom to hold hearings on some proposals that will revive the ABS-CBN franchise once it expires on March 20, 2020.
Despite the issue regarding the journalistic fairness of the network, Cayetano assured that the lower council would be fair in acting on the alleged franchise extension.
However, Cayetano said Congress will continue to focus on their priorities, especially after the General Appropriations Act for the year 2020 has been passed.
“But our priority and focus is your revenue bills to pay for good government programs and your budget. That's the reality there but we will get to it,” he said.
https://tnt.abante.com.ph/revenue-bills-pokus-ng-kamara-pero-ikokonsidera-ang-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal/
Duterte to ABS-CBN: Sorry, don't expect franchise renewal
‘I will see to it that you're out,' says President Rodrigo Duterte, claiming he is still angry at ABS-CBN for supposedly not airing his political ads in 2016
The Philippines’ biggest television network will lose its franchise next year, vowed President Rodrigo Duterte in a fresh rant against “oligarchs” on Tuesday, December 3.
"Ang iyong franchise mag-end next year. If you expect ma-renew 'yan, I'm sorry. I will see to it that you’re out," said Duterte during a speech in front of new government officials at Malacañang.
(Your franchise will end next year. If you expect it to be renewed, I'm sorry. I will see to it that you're out.)
This is his 3rd time to make the threat.
ABS-CBN's current franchise, 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.
Duterte repeated his threat to ABS-CBN as part of a larger diatribe against powerful corporations he accused of "screwing over" the government, like Ayala Corporation and Manny Pangilinan's Metro Pacific Investments Corporation.
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.
House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, Duterte's running mate in 2016, said he too has a "personal complaint" against the network.
But he promised the House of Representatives would give ABS-CBN's franchise renewal "due process." The House committee on legislative franchises was to tackle the franchise renewal bill before the end of 2019.
https://www.rappler.com/nation/246358-duterte-tells-abs-cbn-sorry-do-not-expect-franchise-renewal
The Philippines’ biggest television network will lose its franchise next year, vowed President Rodrigo Duterte in a fresh rant against “oligarchs” on Tuesday, December 3.
"Ang iyong franchise mag-end next year. If you expect ma-renew 'yan, I'm sorry. I will see to it that you’re out," said Duterte during a speech in front of new government officials at Malacañang.
(Your franchise will end next year. If you expect it to be renewed, I'm sorry. I will see to it that you're out.)
This is his 3rd time to make the threat.
ABS-CBN's current franchise, 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.
Duterte repeated his threat to ABS-CBN as part of a larger diatribe against powerful corporations he accused of "screwing over" the government, like Ayala Corporation and Manny Pangilinan's Metro Pacific Investments Corporation.
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.
House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, Duterte's running mate in 2016, said he too has a "personal complaint" against the network.
But he promised the House of Representatives would give ABS-CBN's franchise renewal "due process." The House committee on legislative franchises was to tackle the franchise renewal bill before the end of 2019.
https://www.rappler.com/nation/246358-duterte-tells-abs-cbn-sorry-do-not-expect-franchise-renewal
Duterte to ABS-CBN: Next year, you're out
President Rodrigo Duterte said he is not softening his stance against the franchise renewal of major television network ABS-CBN.
Duterte said Tuesday, the franchise — whose contract is set to end by March 2020 will definitely be "out" next year. Its contract is set to end by March 2020 unless Congress and the President approves its extension.
"Ang inyong franchise mag-end next year [Your franchise will end next year]. If you are expecting na ma-renew 'yan [a renewal], I'm sorry. You're out. I will see to it that you're out," said Duterte during the oath-taking of newly appointed government officials in Malacañang.
Five bills have been filed to extend the franchise for another 25 years.
House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said in October a panel from the lower chamber is set to tackle the renewal by yearend.
Duterte has repeatedly slammed the network in previous tirades. Last year, he stood firm against the renewal of the franchise, citing its failure to air his presidential campaign ads in 2016, even though the network was paid to do so. He repeated this claim.
"Ang ABS-CBN, 'yung bunganga ng inyong interes, they protect you...Kayo ngayon, mag-renew kayo ng contract? Ilan kayong mga senador ngayon na nagbayad sa inyo na hindi ninyo pinalabas yung kanila?," Duterte added.
[Translation: ABS-CBN, your interest protects you...Now you want to renew your contract? How many senators have paid you yet you failed to air theirs (ads)?]
He reiterated his allegation saying ABS-CBN showed preference in broadcasting the political ads of former Senator Antonio Trillanes over others.
"Unang nilabas ninyo 'yung kay Trillanes 'yung using the children of a propaganda.... Tinanggap ninyo ang ₱2 million ko, ni wala...Hindi lang ako 'yung na-ganoon, Chiz Escudero, marami. Lahat sa Congress," he said. "And you want us to bow down to your wealth and money and influence? Well, not with this administration. I am for the people and I will kill for the people."
[Translation: You aired Trillanes first who was using children for propaganda...You accepted my P2 million but none of my ads were aired...It was not just me but Chiz Escudero and many others. Everyone in Congress.]
https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/12/3/duterte-abs-cbn-franchise-out.html
Duterte said Tuesday, the franchise — whose contract is set to end by March 2020 will definitely be "out" next year. Its contract is set to end by March 2020 unless Congress and the President approves its extension.
"Ang inyong franchise mag-end next year [Your franchise will end next year]. If you are expecting na ma-renew 'yan [a renewal], I'm sorry. You're out. I will see to it that you're out," said Duterte during the oath-taking of newly appointed government officials in Malacañang.
Five bills have been filed to extend the franchise for another 25 years.
House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said in October a panel from the lower chamber is set to tackle the renewal by yearend.
Duterte has repeatedly slammed the network in previous tirades. Last year, he stood firm against the renewal of the franchise, citing its failure to air his presidential campaign ads in 2016, even though the network was paid to do so. He repeated this claim.
"Ang ABS-CBN, 'yung bunganga ng inyong interes, they protect you...Kayo ngayon, mag-renew kayo ng contract? Ilan kayong mga senador ngayon na nagbayad sa inyo na hindi ninyo pinalabas yung kanila?," Duterte added.
[Translation: ABS-CBN, your interest protects you...Now you want to renew your contract? How many senators have paid you yet you failed to air theirs (ads)?]
He reiterated his allegation saying ABS-CBN showed preference in broadcasting the political ads of former Senator Antonio Trillanes over others.
"Unang nilabas ninyo 'yung kay Trillanes 'yung using the children of a propaganda.... Tinanggap ninyo ang ₱2 million ko, ni wala...Hindi lang ako 'yung na-ganoon, Chiz Escudero, marami. Lahat sa Congress," he said. "And you want us to bow down to your wealth and money and influence? Well, not with this administration. I am for the people and I will kill for the people."
[Translation: You aired Trillanes first who was using children for propaganda...You accepted my P2 million but none of my ads were aired...It was not just me but Chiz Escudero and many others. Everyone in Congress.]
https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/12/3/duterte-abs-cbn-franchise-out.html
Duterte postpones 2020 barangay, SK polls
President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure postponing the barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) elections scheduled in May 2020.
Duterte inked Republic Act (RA) 11462 or the Postponement of the 2020 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections Act during a ceremonial signing held at Palace's Rizal Hall on Friday afternoon.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, Senator Maria Imelda Josefa Marcos, Negros Occidental 4th District Rep. Juliet Ferrer, Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea witnessed the ceremony.
In a keynote speech, the President said the signing of the law is vital in “realizing meaningful and lasting reform for the good of our nation.”
RA effectively moves the twin elections to Dec. 5, 2022.
Incumbent village executives and officials of the youth council will remain in office until their successors have been duly elected or unless they have been removed or suspended.
The new set of barangay and SK officials elected in December 2022 will assume office on Jan. 1, 2023.
Subsequent village and youth council polls will be held on the first Monday of December 2025 and every three years after.
Palace has yet to release a copy of the newly-signed law.
During his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 22, Duterte asked Congress to pass a measure suspending the elections set in May 2020, to give village officials more time to finish their programs and projects.
The Senate and the House of Representatives on November 12 ratified the bicameral conference report of their consolidated measure on the postponement of the twin elections.
This is the third deferment of the village and youth council's elections since 2016.
Duterte postponed twice the village and youth council elections for fear that incumbent village officials who allegedly have ties with drug syndicates might get re-elected.
In October 2016, Duterte inked RA 10923, moving the twin elections from Oct. 31, 2016 to Oct. 23, 2017.
The village and youth council elections were once again rescheduled to May 14, 2018 after the Chief Executive signed RA 10952.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1087830
Duterte inked Republic Act (RA) 11462 or the Postponement of the 2020 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections Act during a ceremonial signing held at Palace's Rizal Hall on Friday afternoon.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, Senator Maria Imelda Josefa Marcos, Negros Occidental 4th District Rep. Juliet Ferrer, Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea witnessed the ceremony.
In a keynote speech, the President said the signing of the law is vital in “realizing meaningful and lasting reform for the good of our nation.”
RA effectively moves the twin elections to Dec. 5, 2022.
Incumbent village executives and officials of the youth council will remain in office until their successors have been duly elected or unless they have been removed or suspended.
The new set of barangay and SK officials elected in December 2022 will assume office on Jan. 1, 2023.
Subsequent village and youth council polls will be held on the first Monday of December 2025 and every three years after.
Palace has yet to release a copy of the newly-signed law.
During his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 22, Duterte asked Congress to pass a measure suspending the elections set in May 2020, to give village officials more time to finish their programs and projects.
The Senate and the House of Representatives on November 12 ratified the bicameral conference report of their consolidated measure on the postponement of the twin elections.
This is the third deferment of the village and youth council's elections since 2016.
Duterte postponed twice the village and youth council elections for fear that incumbent village officials who allegedly have ties with drug syndicates might get re-elected.
In October 2016, Duterte inked RA 10923, moving the twin elections from Oct. 31, 2016 to Oct. 23, 2017.
The village and youth council elections were once again rescheduled to May 14, 2018 after the Chief Executive signed RA 10952.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1087830
PRRD signs Malasakit Center law
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night signed into law a bill seeking to establish Malasakit Centers in all hospitals run by the Department of Health (DOH) nationwide.
Duterte signed Republic Act 11463 in a ceremony at the Rizal Hall in Malacañan Palace but a copy of the law has yet to be released to reporters.
Earlier, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, main author and sponsor of Senate Bill 1076, said Malasakit Centers are meant to provide quick and quality access to health care to all Filipinos.
He said the Malasakit Center law is meant to complement the Universal Healthcare law (Republic Act 11223).
Under the law, a Malasakit Center serves as one-stop for easy access to medical and financial assistance needed to receive health care services.
However, the Malasakit Centers are not meant to provide additional funds for assistance since concerned government agencies retain and run their own medical and financial assistance programs.
A Malasakit Program shall also be formulated to complement these centers, as well as the implementation of the Universal Health Care law.
The Senate approved Senate Bill 1076 on third and final reading with a vote of 18-0 with no abstentions on November 11.
On the other hand, the House of Representatives passed their version of the bill on third and final reading on November 18 with 185 affirmative votes, one negative vote, and seven abstentions.
Currently, there are over 50 Malasakit Centers nationwide serving over 200,000 patients every month.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1087835
Duterte signed Republic Act 11463 in a ceremony at the Rizal Hall in Malacañan Palace but a copy of the law has yet to be released to reporters.
Earlier, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, main author and sponsor of Senate Bill 1076, said Malasakit Centers are meant to provide quick and quality access to health care to all Filipinos.
He said the Malasakit Center law is meant to complement the Universal Healthcare law (Republic Act 11223).
Under the law, a Malasakit Center serves as one-stop for easy access to medical and financial assistance needed to receive health care services.
However, the Malasakit Centers are not meant to provide additional funds for assistance since concerned government agencies retain and run their own medical and financial assistance programs.
A Malasakit Program shall also be formulated to complement these centers, as well as the implementation of the Universal Health Care law.
The Senate approved Senate Bill 1076 on third and final reading with a vote of 18-0 with no abstentions on November 11.
On the other hand, the House of Representatives passed their version of the bill on third and final reading on November 18 with 185 affirmative votes, one negative vote, and seven abstentions.
Currently, there are over 50 Malasakit Centers nationwide serving over 200,000 patients every month.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1087835
Duterte to approve or reject renewal of ABS-CBN franchise: I will see to it that you’re out!
By Prince Golez
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday threatened to block the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, which is set to expire on March 30, 2020.
Duterte made the statement during the oath-taking of newly appointed government officials in Malacañang.
“Ang inyong franchise mag-end next year. If you are expecting na ma-renew ‘yan, I’m sorry. You’re out. I will see to it that you’re out,” the President said.
Duterte accused the broadcasting company of not airing his campaign ad in 2016.
The President also claimed that ABS-CBN aired then Senator Antonio Trillanes’ advertisement that showed child actors calling him a killer.
https://politics.com.ph/duterte-to-reject-renewal-of-abs-cbn-franchise-i-will-see-to-it-that-youre-out/
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday threatened to block the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, which is set to expire on March 30, 2020.
Duterte made the statement during the oath-taking of newly appointed government officials in Malacañang.
“Ang inyong franchise mag-end next year. If you are expecting na ma-renew ‘yan, I’m sorry. You’re out. I will see to it that you’re out,” the President said.
Duterte accused the broadcasting company of not airing his campaign ad in 2016.
The President also claimed that ABS-CBN aired then Senator Antonio Trillanes’ advertisement that showed child actors calling him a killer.
https://politics.com.ph/duterte-to-reject-renewal-of-abs-cbn-franchise-i-will-see-to-it-that-youre-out/
Duterte to ABS-CBN: ‘I will see to it that you are out’
President Rodrigo Duterte has renewed his threat to block the franchise renewal of television giant ABS-CBN.
Duterte, speaking before newly-appointed officials in Malacañang on Tuesday, said the television network should not expect its franchise to be renewed once it expires in March 2020.
“If you are expecting na ma-renew ‘yan, I am sorry. I will see to it that you are out,” Duterte said.
(If you are expecting that your franchise will be renewed, I am sorry. I will see to it that you are out.)
Duterte has repeatedly said in his public speeches that he would hinder the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise for not airing his 2016 election advertisement and for alleged biased reporting.
Under the law, radio and television broadcasters are required to seek a franchise from Congress, pursuant to Republic Act No. 3846.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1197664/duterte-to-abs-cbn-i-will-see-to-it-that-you-are-out
Duterte, speaking before newly-appointed officials in Malacañang on Tuesday, said the television network should not expect its franchise to be renewed once it expires in March 2020.
“If you are expecting na ma-renew ‘yan, I am sorry. I will see to it that you are out,” Duterte said.
(If you are expecting that your franchise will be renewed, I am sorry. I will see to it that you are out.)
Duterte has repeatedly said in his public speeches that he would hinder the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise for not airing his 2016 election advertisement and for alleged biased reporting.
Under the law, radio and television broadcasters are required to seek a franchise from Congress, pursuant to Republic Act No. 3846.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1197664/duterte-to-abs-cbn-i-will-see-to-it-that-you-are-out
GMA Network holds TV ratings leadership in Urban Luzon, Mega Manila
GMA Network sustained its lead in the TV ratings game in Urban Luzon and Mega Manila, according to the latest data from ratings service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.
For November, with November 24 to 30 based on overnight data, GMA posted an average of 33.3% total day people audience share in Urban Luzon, outscoring ABS-CBN’s 29.6%. The viewer-rich area accounts for 72% of all urban TV viewers in the country.
The Kapuso Network continued to win in the afternoon block with 35.6% people audience share while ABS-CBN registered 28.4 percent.
GMA similarly led in the evening block with 35.3% versus ABS-CBN’s 31.9%.
Award-winning magazine program “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” (KMJS) was still unbeatable in the number one spot on Urban Luzon’s list of top-rating programs for the month. It also kept its position as the most viewed program on the nationwide list.
Following KMJS on the list of top programs for November were “24 Oras,” “The Clash,” “The Gift,” “Magpakailanman,” “Studio 7,” “Beautiful Justice,” “Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko,” “Pepito Manaloto,” “Daddy’s Gurl,” “One of the Baes,” “Bubble Gang,” “Saksi,” “Amazing Earth,” “The Boobay and Tekla Show,” “Unang Hirit,” “Mars Pa More,” “Wagas,” “Tadhana,” “Prima Donnas,” “Madrasta,” “Eat Bulaga,” “Wowowin,” “24 Oras Weekend,” and “Magkaagaw.”
In Mega Manila, with official data from November 1 to 23, GMA Network recorded 33.9% average total day people audience share as compared to ABS-CBN which only managed to get 27%. Meanwhile, Kapuso shows took 18 spots out of the top 30 shows in the area, which accounts for 60% 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; three regional clients; two blocktimers; and 21 agencies—17 media agencies, 3 consulting agencies, and 1 digital agency. —VDS, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/717693/gma-network-holds-tv-ratings-leadership-in-urban-luzon-mega-manila/story/
For November, with November 24 to 30 based on overnight data, GMA posted an average of 33.3% total day people audience share in Urban Luzon, outscoring ABS-CBN’s 29.6%. The viewer-rich area accounts for 72% of all urban TV viewers in the country.
The Kapuso Network continued to win in the afternoon block with 35.6% people audience share while ABS-CBN registered 28.4 percent.
GMA similarly led in the evening block with 35.3% versus ABS-CBN’s 31.9%.
Award-winning magazine program “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” (KMJS) was still unbeatable in the number one spot on Urban Luzon’s list of top-rating programs for the month. It also kept its position as the most viewed program on the nationwide list.
Following KMJS on the list of top programs for November were “24 Oras,” “The Clash,” “The Gift,” “Magpakailanman,” “Studio 7,” “Beautiful Justice,” “Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko,” “Pepito Manaloto,” “Daddy’s Gurl,” “One of the Baes,” “Bubble Gang,” “Saksi,” “Amazing Earth,” “The Boobay and Tekla Show,” “Unang Hirit,” “Mars Pa More,” “Wagas,” “Tadhana,” “Prima Donnas,” “Madrasta,” “Eat Bulaga,” “Wowowin,” “24 Oras Weekend,” and “Magkaagaw.”
In Mega Manila, with official data from November 1 to 23, GMA Network recorded 33.9% average total day people audience share as compared to ABS-CBN which only managed to get 27%. Meanwhile, Kapuso shows took 18 spots out of the top 30 shows in the area, which accounts for 60% 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; three regional clients; two blocktimers; and 21 agencies—17 media agencies, 3 consulting agencies, and 1 digital agency. —VDS, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/717693/gma-network-holds-tv-ratings-leadership-in-urban-luzon-mega-manila/story/
Full implementation of law creating new housing dep’t sought
A party-list lawmaker on Tuesday pushed for the full implementation of the law creating the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), which has certain mandates on disaster resilience and recovery, particularly those relating to housing concerns.
Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo said it has been 10 months since the DHSUD charter was signed into law, but there is no DHSUD Secretary yet nor any “semblance of the new department taking shape."
“By now, we should have had a DHSUD Secretary involved in ‘Tisoy’ disaster response and recovery particularly on housing concerns,” Salo said.
Salo cited a provision stating that the new department shall formulate a framework for resilient housing and human settlements as a basis for the mechanisms for the post-disaster housing and resiliency planning, research and development, extension, monitoring and evaluation of programs, projects, and activities to protect vulnerable communities from the adverse effects of climate change and disasters.
The law consolidates the functions of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) to the Department.
"The HUDCC chairman should update Congress very soon of the status of the DHSUD and inform the legislators of any and all problems that may be delaying the full implementation of RA (Republic Act) 11201,” Salo said.
"Ten months is more than enough time for the implementing rules and the reorganization of the government housing sector into the new DHSUD. In fact, RA 11201 provides a six-month deadline for the transition,” he added, noting that it has been four months after that deadline.
Salo said Congress and its members have the duty and right to exercise oversight authority on the implementation of laws, noting that he is eyeing a congressional inquiry into the matter.
"Sa ngayon malinaw na paliwanag at detalyadong report muna ang kailangan natin mula sa HUDCC. Kailangan nating malaman ang sitwasyon. Sayang 'yung panahon (For now, what we need is a clear and detailed report from the HUDCC. We need to know the status of the new department. Time should not be wasted),” Salo said.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1087759
Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo said it has been 10 months since the DHSUD charter was signed into law, but there is no DHSUD Secretary yet nor any “semblance of the new department taking shape."
“By now, we should have had a DHSUD Secretary involved in ‘Tisoy’ disaster response and recovery particularly on housing concerns,” Salo said.
Salo cited a provision stating that the new department shall formulate a framework for resilient housing and human settlements as a basis for the mechanisms for the post-disaster housing and resiliency planning, research and development, extension, monitoring and evaluation of programs, projects, and activities to protect vulnerable communities from the adverse effects of climate change and disasters.
The law consolidates the functions of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) to the Department.
"The HUDCC chairman should update Congress very soon of the status of the DHSUD and inform the legislators of any and all problems that may be delaying the full implementation of RA (Republic Act) 11201,” Salo said.
"Ten months is more than enough time for the implementing rules and the reorganization of the government housing sector into the new DHSUD. In fact, RA 11201 provides a six-month deadline for the transition,” he added, noting that it has been four months after that deadline.
Salo said Congress and its members have the duty and right to exercise oversight authority on the implementation of laws, noting that he is eyeing a congressional inquiry into the matter.
"Sa ngayon malinaw na paliwanag at detalyadong report muna ang kailangan natin mula sa HUDCC. Kailangan nating malaman ang sitwasyon. Sayang 'yung panahon (For now, what we need is a clear and detailed report from the HUDCC. We need to know the status of the new department. Time should not be wasted),” Salo said.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1087759
Sunday, December 1, 2019
ABS-CBN franchise renewal pinush ng PDP-Laban sa Kamara
Tatlong matataas na lider ng ruling PDP-Laban sa Kamara de Representante ang sumama na rin sa panawagan para sa renewal ng legislative franchise ng broadcast giant na ABS-CBN.
Naghain ng House Bill No. 5608 sina PDP-Laban executive vice president at Deputy Speaker Aurelio ‘Dong’ Gonzales kasama si Deputy Speakers Johnny Pimentel at Salvador ‘Doy’ Leachon na naglalayong payagan ang Kapamilya network na palawigin ng 25 taon ang congressional franchise nito.
Halos 5 buwan na lang ang natitira sa current congressional franchise ng ABS-CBN sa ilalim ng Republic Act No. 7966 na mapapaso sa Marso 2020.
Ang HB 5608 ay pang-anim na panukalang batas na naisampa sa ilalim ng 18th Congress na may kaugnayan sa franchise renewal na nalalagay sa alanganin matapos na sabihin ni House Speaker Alan Cayetano na may mga isyu pa na dapat talakayin ang Kongrego sa nabanggit na isyu.
Inamin ni Cayetano na may personal siyang galit sa network dahil sa pakikialam nito sa usapang politikal noong 2016 national elections kung saan nanalo si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte.
Inakusaan din nito na may pinaborang kandidato noon at binigyan ng VIP treatment na vice presidential candidate ang ABS-CBN.
Ngunit para kina Gonzales, Pimentel at Leachon, “ABS-CBN’s various achievement in the broadcast industry, certainly warrant the renewal of the broadcast franchise to insure the uninterrupted and improved delivery of its service to the Filipino people.”
Nabigo ang broadcast giant na iere noong 2016 ang political ad noon ni Duterte na siyang pangulo ng PDP-Laban sa kabila ng ibinayad na P20 milyon at mas pinaboran umano ang smear campaign commercial ni dating Senador Antonio Trillanes. IV. (JC Cahinhinan)
Three top leaders of the PDP-Laban ruling in the Chamber of Representatives have also joined in a call for the renewal of the legislative franchise of broadcast giant ABS-CBN.
House Bill No. 5608 PDP-Laban executive vice president and Deputy Speaker Aurelio 'Dong' Gonzales along with Deputy Speakers Johnny Pimentel and Salvador 'Doy' Leachon aimed to allow the Kapamilya network to extend its congressional franchise for 25 years.
ABS-CBN's current congressional franchise remains under 5 months under Republic Act No. 7966 expired in March 2020.
HB 5608 is the sixth bill introduced under the 18th Congress in relation to franchise renewal that is in doubt after House Speaker Alan Cayetano said there are still issues to be addressed by Congress on the issue.
Cayetano admitted that he had personal anger over the network over his involvement in political talks during the 2016 national elections in which President Rodrigo Duterte won.
"I feel that there are certain instances in history and in the 2016 election that have unjustly affected some sectors or some leaders of the ABS, so how do you sort it out," Cayetano said.
It also alleged that there was a favored candidate in the past and offered VIP treatment as vice presidential candidate to ABS-CBN.
But to Gonzales, Pimentel and Leachon, "ABS-CBN's various achievements in the broadcast industry, certainly warrant the renewal of the broadcast franchise to insure the uninterrupted and improved delivery of its service to the Filipino people."
The broadcast giant failed to disclose in 2016 the political ad of Duterte who was president of PDP-Laban despite being paid P20 million and allegedly favoring former Senator Antonio Trillanes' smear campaign commercial. IV. (JC Cahinhinan)
https://tonite.abante.com.ph/abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-pinush-ng-pdp-laban-sa-kamara/
Naghain ng House Bill No. 5608 sina PDP-Laban executive vice president at Deputy Speaker Aurelio ‘Dong’ Gonzales kasama si Deputy Speakers Johnny Pimentel at Salvador ‘Doy’ Leachon na naglalayong payagan ang Kapamilya network na palawigin ng 25 taon ang congressional franchise nito.
Halos 5 buwan na lang ang natitira sa current congressional franchise ng ABS-CBN sa ilalim ng Republic Act No. 7966 na mapapaso sa Marso 2020.
Ang HB 5608 ay pang-anim na panukalang batas na naisampa sa ilalim ng 18th Congress na may kaugnayan sa franchise renewal na nalalagay sa alanganin matapos na sabihin ni House Speaker Alan Cayetano na may mga isyu pa na dapat talakayin ang Kongrego sa nabanggit na isyu.
Inamin ni Cayetano na may personal siyang galit sa network dahil sa pakikialam nito sa usapang politikal noong 2016 national elections kung saan nanalo si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte.
Inakusaan din nito na may pinaborang kandidato noon at binigyan ng VIP treatment na vice presidential candidate ang ABS-CBN.
Ngunit para kina Gonzales, Pimentel at Leachon, “ABS-CBN’s various achievement in the broadcast industry, certainly warrant the renewal of the broadcast franchise to insure the uninterrupted and improved delivery of its service to the Filipino people.”
Nabigo ang broadcast giant na iere noong 2016 ang political ad noon ni Duterte na siyang pangulo ng PDP-Laban sa kabila ng ibinayad na P20 milyon at mas pinaboran umano ang smear campaign commercial ni dating Senador Antonio Trillanes. IV. (JC Cahinhinan)
Three top leaders of the PDP-Laban ruling in the Chamber of Representatives have also joined in a call for the renewal of the legislative franchise of broadcast giant ABS-CBN.
House Bill No. 5608 PDP-Laban executive vice president and Deputy Speaker Aurelio 'Dong' Gonzales along with Deputy Speakers Johnny Pimentel and Salvador 'Doy' Leachon aimed to allow the Kapamilya network to extend its congressional franchise for 25 years.
ABS-CBN's current congressional franchise remains under 5 months under Republic Act No. 7966 expired in March 2020.
HB 5608 is the sixth bill introduced under the 18th Congress in relation to franchise renewal that is in doubt after House Speaker Alan Cayetano said there are still issues to be addressed by Congress on the issue.
Cayetano admitted that he had personal anger over the network over his involvement in political talks during the 2016 national elections in which President Rodrigo Duterte won.
"I feel that there are certain instances in history and in the 2016 election that have unjustly affected some sectors or some leaders of the ABS, so how do you sort it out," Cayetano said.
It also alleged that there was a favored candidate in the past and offered VIP treatment as vice presidential candidate to ABS-CBN.
But to Gonzales, Pimentel and Leachon, "ABS-CBN's various achievements in the broadcast industry, certainly warrant the renewal of the broadcast franchise to insure the uninterrupted and improved delivery of its service to the Filipino people."
The broadcast giant failed to disclose in 2016 the political ad of Duterte who was president of PDP-Laban despite being paid P20 million and allegedly favoring former Senator Antonio Trillanes' smear campaign commercial. IV. (JC Cahinhinan)
https://tonite.abante.com.ph/abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-pinush-ng-pdp-laban-sa-kamara/
Friday, November 29, 2019
Araneta, Sta. Lucia Land sign joint venture deal to expand Bulacan project
Araneta Properties Inc. announced Friday it signed a joint venture deal with Sta. Lucia Land to expand the 230-hectare Colinas Verdes project in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.
Araneta Properties has an existing agreement with Sta. Lucia Land to develop the Colinas Verdes project, of which 57% of the 230-hectare development has been completed and sold.
In a disclosure to the stock exchange, Araneta Properties said that under the new agreement, it will add another 58 hectares to the existing development “to be able to meet strong market demand for residential lots in the area.”
The expansion area is within a kilometer of the proposed MRT-7 station along Quirino Highway in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, the company added.
“This increases our Colinas Project with Sta. Lucia to almost 300 hectares, and will complement the existing Colinas development as well as our soon to be launched country club and the other areas of development of the Araneta Group in the vicinity,” Araneta Properties Chairman Gregorio Ma. Araneta III said.
Aside from this project with Sta. Lucia Land, Araneta Properties has in its inventory an additional 215 hectares of land in Bulacan and in Ilocos Norte.
As of 2:26 p.m. Friday, shares in Araneta Properties were down 4 centavos or 2.52% to P1.55 each. — Ian Nicolas Cigaral
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/11/29/1972862/araneta-sta-lucia-land-sign-joint-venture-deal-expand-bulacan-project
Araneta Properties has an existing agreement with Sta. Lucia Land to develop the Colinas Verdes project, of which 57% of the 230-hectare development has been completed and sold.
In a disclosure to the stock exchange, Araneta Properties said that under the new agreement, it will add another 58 hectares to the existing development “to be able to meet strong market demand for residential lots in the area.”
The expansion area is within a kilometer of the proposed MRT-7 station along Quirino Highway in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, the company added.
“This increases our Colinas Project with Sta. Lucia to almost 300 hectares, and will complement the existing Colinas development as well as our soon to be launched country club and the other areas of development of the Araneta Group in the vicinity,” Araneta Properties Chairman Gregorio Ma. Araneta III said.
Aside from this project with Sta. Lucia Land, Araneta Properties has in its inventory an additional 215 hectares of land in Bulacan and in Ilocos Norte.
As of 2:26 p.m. Friday, shares in Araneta Properties were down 4 centavos or 2.52% to P1.55 each. — Ian Nicolas Cigaral
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/11/29/1972862/araneta-sta-lucia-land-sign-joint-venture-deal-expand-bulacan-project
Palace exec favors NIR revival
BACOLOD City – Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Commissioner Manuelito Luna said he is in favor of giving the abrogated Negros Island Region (NIR) a chance.
Luna, who was here for the Balangayan 2019: Constitutional Reform Provincial Roadshow, said that if the President will reconsider his decision in shelving NIR, this will help reduce the problems and burdens of the national government.
President Rodrigo Duterte dissolved the NIR, which was created by the Presidency of Benigno Aquino III, citing lack of funds.
Luna said that there are two kinds of autonomous regions in the country – the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
He said the BARMM operates like a semi-federal state.
Luna added that they hope it will survive because this will serve as a template for their shift later on to a federal form of government if the people want it.
“This is not their decision, but this will be the decision of everybody who will vote during a plebiscite once there is already a proposal.” he further said.
Luna said that the NIR may be considered because of the uniqueness of the two Negros provinces, he said.
A former lawyer of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, Luna said he knows the culture of Negrenses.
He also said that if NIR is revived, it will help reduce the problems of the national government as it will only focus on Bicol, Metro Manila, and other places like Cebu and other federated states.
“The problem will be reduced because the Negrenses want to contribute through being autonomous,” he said.
https://dailyguardian.com.ph/palace-exec-favors-nir-revival/
Luna, who was here for the Balangayan 2019: Constitutional Reform Provincial Roadshow, said that if the President will reconsider his decision in shelving NIR, this will help reduce the problems and burdens of the national government.
President Rodrigo Duterte dissolved the NIR, which was created by the Presidency of Benigno Aquino III, citing lack of funds.
Luna said that there are two kinds of autonomous regions in the country – the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
He said the BARMM operates like a semi-federal state.
Luna added that they hope it will survive because this will serve as a template for their shift later on to a federal form of government if the people want it.
“This is not their decision, but this will be the decision of everybody who will vote during a plebiscite once there is already a proposal.” he further said.
Luna said that the NIR may be considered because of the uniqueness of the two Negros provinces, he said.
A former lawyer of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, Luna said he knows the culture of Negrenses.
He also said that if NIR is revived, it will help reduce the problems of the national government as it will only focus on Bicol, Metro Manila, and other places like Cebu and other federated states.
“The problem will be reduced because the Negrenses want to contribute through being autonomous,” he said.
https://dailyguardian.com.ph/palace-exec-favors-nir-revival/
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Malacañang hails Senate approval of 2020 budget bill
Malacañang welcomed on Wednesday the Senate’s unanimous approval on third and final reading of the proposed P4.1-trillion national budget for 2020.
Twenty-two of 24 senators voted to approve the 2020 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) with no abstentions or negative votes.
“The Office of the President welcomes this development given that this budget per the Department of Budget and Management, aims to fund programs and projects that will help accelerate investments in public infrastructure, improve anti-poverty measures, and intensify employment generation,” Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement.
After the approval in the upper chamber, the Senate and the House of Representatives will then convene in a bicameral conference committee to reconcile their versions of the budget bill.
Panelo said the Executive Branch is hoping that the bicameral conference committee “would be able to arrive at a considered decision in reconciling the conflicting provisions found in the two versions of its respective houses without prolonged partisan discussion and undue delay.”
He also assured the public that President Rodrigo Duterte will “carefully scrutinize” the budget bill once it reaches his office to ensure that it would be in “accordance with the imperatives of the Constitution and responsive to the needs of the Filipino people.”
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1195280/malacanang-hails-senate-approval-of-2020-budget-bill
Twenty-two of 24 senators voted to approve the 2020 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) with no abstentions or negative votes.
“The Office of the President welcomes this development given that this budget per the Department of Budget and Management, aims to fund programs and projects that will help accelerate investments in public infrastructure, improve anti-poverty measures, and intensify employment generation,” Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement.
After the approval in the upper chamber, the Senate and the House of Representatives will then convene in a bicameral conference committee to reconcile their versions of the budget bill.
Panelo said the Executive Branch is hoping that the bicameral conference committee “would be able to arrive at a considered decision in reconciling the conflicting provisions found in the two versions of its respective houses without prolonged partisan discussion and undue delay.”
He also assured the public that President Rodrigo Duterte will “carefully scrutinize” the budget bill once it reaches his office to ensure that it would be in “accordance with the imperatives of the Constitution and responsive to the needs of the Filipino people.”
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1195280/malacanang-hails-senate-approval-of-2020-budget-bill
Doomed from the start?
NO, this is not about the flavor of the moment topic that most everyone on social media is talking about. Enough has been said about the first day hiccups and there’s no need to pile on. I think some of the criticisms are valid and some are exaggerated but I also think that how the issues have been handled show a lack of proper incident management preparations.
As we used to say at the beverage company I used to work for: “Incidents are inevitable but crises are not.”
Instead, what I want to write about is something (to me at least) more serious. It’s a matter that will persist long after the SEA Games cauldron has been switched off and the last delegate has arrived home. It’s what I think is of fundamental importance when it comes to Filipinos thinking of themselves in relation to each other and to the country. It’s at the heart of an oft-heard complaint: why don’t we Filipinos have a sense of nationhood?
Why?
My answer is simple: it’s because we are family-oriented. We are so family-oriented that everything comes second to family. Everything, including even the Rule of Law when a mother will do everything to shield a child while exclaiming “hindi po magagawa ng anak ko ‘yan!” (meaning “my child can never do that!”) even when the child-offender is caught red handed.
By the way, even if the “child” is already in his 30s, his mother remains as protective as ever.
At the other extreme, there’s the well-connected parent who will pull any and every string available to help a child get out of trouble or get a leg up on others. Call the brods. Call the classmates. Call tito or tita. Cash in on old favors.
Family first.
But when we put family first at the expense of everything else, how can we expect to have a sense of nationhood?
Think about it: when a child is born, he is born shorn of a sense of nationhood. What he wakes up to is a sense of family. Rich or poor it’s the family that becomes both his shield and his weapon. And as he grows up so does his “family” – the ninongs and ninangs to begin with and then the mentors and friends in a growing network of relationships. The family grows beyond the bloodline but it’s just a wider sense of family. It’s not yet – it’s never – the nation.
And that’s where we are. As we see the system “fail” us, our sense of family is deepened.
Who else do you rely on and who else do you trust? But as we do that we just accelerate the weakness or the failure of the system. And the cycle continues, spiraling downwards.
Forget sense of nationhood. Every day we live, every move we make, every word we utter, it’s all in the name of the family.
And when we can we make the system around us work for the family. Of course, the more powerful and influential are more successful in doing this. The poor fail – pushing them deeper into relying on their (powerless) families.
Which leaves me with only one conclusion: Is our effort to promote a sense of nationhood bound to fail? Is nationhood doomed from the start?
https://malaya.com.ph/index/index.php/news_opinion/doomed-from-the-start/
As we used to say at the beverage company I used to work for: “Incidents are inevitable but crises are not.”
Instead, what I want to write about is something (to me at least) more serious. It’s a matter that will persist long after the SEA Games cauldron has been switched off and the last delegate has arrived home. It’s what I think is of fundamental importance when it comes to Filipinos thinking of themselves in relation to each other and to the country. It’s at the heart of an oft-heard complaint: why don’t we Filipinos have a sense of nationhood?
Why?
My answer is simple: it’s because we are family-oriented. We are so family-oriented that everything comes second to family. Everything, including even the Rule of Law when a mother will do everything to shield a child while exclaiming “hindi po magagawa ng anak ko ‘yan!” (meaning “my child can never do that!”) even when the child-offender is caught red handed.
By the way, even if the “child” is already in his 30s, his mother remains as protective as ever.
At the other extreme, there’s the well-connected parent who will pull any and every string available to help a child get out of trouble or get a leg up on others. Call the brods. Call the classmates. Call tito or tita. Cash in on old favors.
Family first.
But when we put family first at the expense of everything else, how can we expect to have a sense of nationhood?
Think about it: when a child is born, he is born shorn of a sense of nationhood. What he wakes up to is a sense of family. Rich or poor it’s the family that becomes both his shield and his weapon. And as he grows up so does his “family” – the ninongs and ninangs to begin with and then the mentors and friends in a growing network of relationships. The family grows beyond the bloodline but it’s just a wider sense of family. It’s not yet – it’s never – the nation.
And that’s where we are. As we see the system “fail” us, our sense of family is deepened.
Who else do you rely on and who else do you trust? But as we do that we just accelerate the weakness or the failure of the system. And the cycle continues, spiraling downwards.
Forget sense of nationhood. Every day we live, every move we make, every word we utter, it’s all in the name of the family.
And when we can we make the system around us work for the family. Of course, the more powerful and influential are more successful in doing this. The poor fail – pushing them deeper into relying on their (powerless) families.
Which leaves me with only one conclusion: Is our effort to promote a sense of nationhood bound to fail? Is nationhood doomed from the start?
https://malaya.com.ph/index/index.php/news_opinion/doomed-from-the-start/
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