Duterte: If it were up to me, no ABS-CBN franchise renewal

'If I had my way, I would not give it back to you,' says President Rodrigo Duterte about ABS-CBN's franchise which will be up for renewal in 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte repeated his threat to block the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, a media network he has accused of "swindling" and of biased reporting.

"Now, ABS-CBN, their franchise is due for renewal. They sent emissaries to me. They sent Gabby away becaue nothing will happen. I will not talk to you, but I will also never intervene. But if I had my way, I would not give it back to you," he said on Friday, August 3 in a mix of Engish and Filipino.

"Magnanakaw kayo eh, linoloko niyo 'yung maliliit (You are thieves, you trick the small people)," he added during his speech at the inauguration of a drug rehabilitation facility in Bukidnon.

The current franchise of ABS-CBN is set to expire in 2020. House Bill 4349 seeking to renew the franchise granted to ABS-CBN for 25 years is still at the committee level.

The President then challenged ABS-CBN executives to let him slap them if records show he has less than P40 million in his bank accounts.

"This is a challenge which I am hurling at you now. Punta tayo ng Central Bank tayo pagkatapos sabihin ko buksan yung computer at tingnan ko yung account. 'Pag ka sumobra ng P40 million, I will step down. But kung hindi umabot ng P40 million, maglinya kayo diyan at sampalin ko kayo," he said.

(Let's go to Central Bank and then I'll tell them to open the computer and look at my account. If it exceeds P40 million, I will step down. But if it doesn't rach P40 million, line up so I can slap you.)

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV alleged that Duterte has around P1 billion worth of transactions using various bank accounts. Overall Deputy Ombudsman Arthur Carandang had also said the Office of the Ombudsman also had documents of bank transactions that showed the same thing.

This statement was what prompted Malacañang to dismiss him. Carandang was leading the probe into Duterte's supposedly hidden wealth. The probe was terminated after the Anti-Money Laundering Council refused to cooperate.

In his Friday speech, Duterte also again brought up his grievances against the Prieto family, owners of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/208802-duterte-threatens-again-block-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-august-3-2018

Malabo ito maging mitsa ng EDSA 4.

Una, BROADCAST FRANCHISE lang ng ABS-CBN Corporation ang madadamay, kung magtagumpay man ito.

BROADCAST FRANCHISE covers the following Construction, Installation, Establishment, Operation and Maintenance of RADIO AND TELEVISION BROADCASTING STATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES, meaning sa TRANSMISSION SIDE.

Kung ma-revoke man ang license nila, I'm sure may mga plano na sila to continue operating.

Should this happen, BROADCAST OPERATIONS lang ang madadamay.  Not the media and other business functions.

Don Claro Ramirez "If it were up to him...but is it up to him?"

Rey Refran "He has influence over Congress, which can do whatever he pleases."

Don Claro Ramirez to Rey Refran "he would do it without congress if he stayed true to being a dictator"

Duterte bares ABS-CBN sending emissary to secure franchise renewal

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte revealed on Friday, August 3, that local broadcast network ABS-CBN keeps on sending emissary to his office to negotiate the renewal of its franchise, which is set to expire in 2020.

Speaking before his audience in Bukidnon, Duterte said he was merely sending the media giant's representative away, stressing that he has no plans of intervening in its franchise renewal.

"Now, ABS-CBN, 'yung franchise nila is due for renewal. Sige, padala ng emissary para kausapin ako (Now, ABS-CBN's franchise is due for renewal. They are sending an emissary to negotiate with me)," the President said during the inauguration of Northern Mindanao Wellness and Reintegration Center in City of Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

"Nothing will happen. I will not talk to you, but I will never also intervene," he added.

Duterte has repeatedly slammed ABS-CBN, along with local newspaper Philippine Daily Inquirer, for their supposed bias by slanting reports about him, including his supposed ill-gotten wealth and his controversial war on illegal drugs.

ABS-CBN's franchise will expire on March 30, 2020. Its renewal remains pending in Congress.

To recall, Duterte said in April 2017 that he would block the renewal of ABS-CBN's 25-year congressional franchise.

Duterte reiterated that he personally does not want the broadcast company's franchise renewed.

He, however, clarified that he would not meddle in Congress' process for ABS-CBN's franchise renewal.

"If I had my way, I would not give it back to you. Magnanakaw kayo e. Niloloko ninyo yung mga maliliit (If I had my way, I would not give it back to you. You are thieves. You are duping small people)," Duterte said. (SunStar Philippines)

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1756153/Manila/Local-News/President-Rodrigo-Duterte-bares-ABS-CBN-sending-emissary-to-secure-franchise-renewal

ABS-CBN leads July ratings, keeps top TV network status

ABS-CBN said Friday it pulled in more viewers in July compared to rival GMA Network, solidifying its status as the country's number one network.

ABS-CBN got a 44 percent audience share in July, 11 points ahead of its closest rival, based on a study by Kantar Media that covered 2,610 urban and rural homes and represent 100 percent of the TV viewing population.

The Lopez-led network led in Metro Manila with 42 percent against GMA's 28 percent, in Luzon with 39 percent, the Visayas with 51 percent and Mindanao with 53 percent, ABS-CBN said in a statement.

The long-running police drama, “FPJ's Ang Probinsyano” remained as the most-watched program in the country with an average national rating of 42.8 percent.

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

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

ABS-CBN said it led the primetime block (6 p.m. to 12 m.n.), where advertisements pour, with a 47-percent audience share, compared to GMA's 33 percent.

The network said it led in all other blocks: morning (39 percent), noontime (43 percent) and afternoon (42 percent).

Sales of ABS-CBN's TVplus digital television box, a ratings driver, also reached 5.5 million in July. It also recently added 5 new channels: Asianovela Channel, Movie Central, MYX, Jeepney TV, and O Shopping in Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, and Metro Cebu.

On ABS-CBN's over-the-top content platform iWant TV, the top five most watched programs in July 2018 were "FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano," "Araw Gabi," "Asintado," "The Blood Sisters," and "Since I Found You."

News.abs-cbn.com is the official news website of ABS-CBN Corp.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/business/08/03/18/abs-cbn-leads-july-ratings-keeps-top-tv-network-status

Kata Inocencio faces her illness with faith, friends, and a feast

“Kayang-kaya ni Lord baligtarin at baguhin ‘yan,” said Kata Inocencio. This was a cheerful claim from someone who has been diagnosed with Stage 3 of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, secondary lymphoma.

A broadcast journalist, Kata joined ABS-CBN back in 1986. She served the network for a long time, being an anchor for TV Patrol and later on, a host of Bantay Bata 163 as she campaigned against child abuse. She later focused on spreading her faith as a a host of the The 700 Club Asia and Diyos at Bayan.

“I am responding well to the first chemo cycle because I have combined it with the natural-alternative treatments for the past year. It was working well for me, making me generally healthier, but it was a bit slow to arrest the cancer cell proliferation, so the need for chemo,” shared Kata.

Her next chemo cycle was set for August 1, making her immune-compromised for the time being. “Based on the latest CBC following the first chemo last July 4, the figures are now reversing. The chemo is working! And good news is I am responding well to it with no adverse side effects, thanks to the preparation through the natural treatments! I didn’t lose my hair too!”

Kata chose to be grateful for each win. “Thanks to the prayers of the saints and especially the Word of God which is true and permanent. Lab works change but God’s promises are a yes and amen! And that’s what I believe in!”

On September 17 at 7 pm, there will be a fundraising dinner for Kata at the UP Bahay ng Alumni. Entitled “Kata-kam Takam! Kanta, Kainan Kontra Kanser para kay KATA!”, this initiative is spearheaded by her friends from the UP Concert Chorus and UP College of Mass Communication. To those who wish to join and show support, you can email katafeast@gmail.com for details. Kata expressed her gratitude to all who are helping her through her battle. “Hope to see you soon,” she said. “Til then…be blessed.” 

Death penalty reimposition remains Palace’s priority

Malacañang on Friday said the reimposition of death penalty for heinous drug-related crimes remains the government’s priority despite Pope Francis’ declaration that capital punishment is “unacceptable” in all cases.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, however, said the revival of the death penalty for serious drug-related offenses is now up to the Senate.

“It is still the priority of the administration to reimpose the death penalty for serious drug-related offenses but the decision, because it was already passed by Congress, is now up to the Senate,” Roque said in a press conference in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte would still try his "gentle persuasion" but “it is the decision of the senators now”.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, who hails from Bukidnon, was with Roque at the press briefing but did not comment on death penalty issue.

In March 2017, the House of Representatives passed House Bill No. 4727, seeking to reimpose the death penalty for heinous drug-related offenses.

“So we leave it to the Senate whatever decision they may have,” Roque said.

Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III previously declared support for the restoration of death penalty for high-level drug trafficking cases.

In 2014, Sotto filed a Senate bill seeking to reimpose capital punishment for “heinous crimes".

The death penalty was abolished in the Philippines in 2006. (PNA)

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1043689

House approves Filipino Sign Language Act

The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to declare Filipino Sign Language (FSL) as the national sign language of the Filipino deaf.

House Bill 7503 also aims to establish FSL as the official sign language of the government in transactions with the deaf.

The measure seeks to mandate the use of FSL in schools, broadcast media, and workplaces involving the deaf.

"The FSL shall be taught as a separate subject in the curriculum of deaf learners. The reading and writing of Filipino, as the national language, other Philippine languages, and English shall also be taught to deaf learners," the lower chamber said in a statement.

The FSL also mandates the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) and the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to require FSL interpreter insets in news and public affairs programs.

Under the measure, courts should ensure the availability of a qualified sign language interpreter in all proceedings involving the deaf.

Meanwhile, state hospitals and all health facilities shall ensure access of the Filipino deaf to health services, including the free provision of FSL interpreters and materials upon the request of deaf patients or persons who have deaf family members.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/02/18/house-approves-filipino-sign-language-act

Gov't media expanding to Visayas, Mindanao

The government media is expanding to various locations in Visayas and Mindanao, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said on July 25.

In a radio interview with Surigao City local radio station 97.3 Nickel Balita, Andanar said he remains committed to his work on the rehabilitation of government media all over the country.

In the same interview, Andanar said the ongoing construction of the Mindanao Media Hub is already 40 percent underway and is expected to be finished by December 2019.

"We are setting up Mindanao Media Hub, a state-of-the-art media facility in Davao City which will be the center of government media here in Mindanao," he said.

The Mindanao Media Hub is a PHP700-million facility in Davao City that will house a television and radio stations for Mindanao.

Last May 2018, together with Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Bong Go, Andanar led the hat and time capsule ceremony of the future government media center.

As soon as it is finished, a new media hub for the Visayas region will be up in Cebu City.

Meanwhile, the communications secretary said a foreign country will be funding the Government Strategic Communications Learning and Research Center in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

The proposed media center in Bukidnon is envisioned to be a training center for government media practitioners and serve as an information facility as well.

"Magkakaroon din po 'yan ng TV, radio, social media room, opisina ng PIA, PNA at magkakaroon po ng auditorium, training facility, mga classroom po at mga dormitory. Ito po ang magiging information facility ng buong gobyerno (It will have spaces for TV, radio, social media room, and PIA and PNA offices. It will also have an auditorium, training facility, classrooms and dormitories. This will be the information facility of the whole government),“ Andanar said.

Another foreign country, Andanar said, will also fund a Disaster Broadcasting Center that will be built in Siargao, Surigao del Norte.

The transmission will also reach nearby towns such as Guiuan in Eastern Samar and the Dinagat Islands.

"Another good news, another foreign donor will be donating a television and radio station that mag ko-cover po (that will cover) Siargao, Dinagat at Guiuan. Bakit po mahalaga 'tong Siargao, Dinagat at Guiuan? Kasi ito po 'yung nakaharap talaga sa Pacific Ocean, sa Philippine Deep at ito po talaga 'yung prone to tsunami dahil sa kanyang location. In fact 'yung Guiuan ay tinamaan talaga ng Yolanda (Why is Siargao, Dinagat and Guiuan vital? Because these are the islands facing Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Deep, and these are the ones prone to tsunamis because of their location. In fact Guiuan was badly hit by Yolanda),“ the communications secretary said.

The PCOO's plan to set up government media throughout the country is in line with President Rodrigo Duterte's mandate to decentralize the government.

"For the longest time, ang media talaga-national media o government media-ay nakasentro dito lamang sa Luzon (it is focused on Luzon). So, as part of the President's mandate to decentralize government - kasama po ang media doon (the media is included),” Andanar added. (PR)

Proposed provincial division of Zamboanga del Norte

On February 21, 2017, House Bill No. 5040 was introduced in the House of Representatives that seeks to carve out a new province from Zamboanga del Norte. This new province, called Zamboanga Hermosa, is proposed to consist of the 12 municipalities and 2 legislative districts that make up the 3rd legislative district of Zamboanga del Norte:

• Baliguian
• Godod
• Gutalac
• Kalawit
• Labason
• Leon B. Postigo
• Liloy (Proposed capital)
• Salug
• Sibuco
• Siocon
• Sirawai
• Tampilisan

Plus:

• Malayal
• Senuyak 
• Sitog

GMA Network increases nationwide TV ratings lead in July

Broadcast leader GMA Network continued to widen its lead over the competition in nationwide television ratings based on the latest data from widely-trusted ratings service provider, Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

From July 1 to 31 (with July 22 to 31 based on overnight data), GMA posted an average total day people audience share of 41.8 percent in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM), beating ABS-CBN’s 36.7 percent.

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

GMA likewise posted a bigger margin in the afternoon block with 43.4 percent, while ABS-CBN only managed to get 35.9 percent.

In the evening block, GMA was also ahead of the competition with an average of 42 percent versus ABS-CBN’s 38 percent.

The Kapuso Network continued its dominance in the viewer-rich areas of Urban Luzon and Mega Manila, which respectively account for 72 and 59 percent of all urban viewers in the country.

GMA recorded an average total day people audience share of 46.1 percent in Urban Luzon, which toppled ABS-CBN’s 31.3 percent.

Similarly in Mega Manila (with official data from July 1 to 21), the Kapuso Network ruled competition with an average total day people audience share of 47.2 percent versus ABS-CBN’s 29.5 percent.

More GMA shows also made it to the list of top programs in NUTAM with Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS) keeping its spot as the most watched Kapuso program nationwide. The newly-launched Kapuso telefantasya and Alden Richards-starrer Victor Magtanggol immediately entered the list following KMJS.

Joining them were Magpakailanman, 24 Oras, Lip Sync Battle Philippines, Pepito Manaloto, Kambal, Karibal, Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko, and The Clash.

Completing the list of top-rating programs were The Cure, Amazing Earth, Inday Will Always Love You, Bubble Gang, Saksi, 24 Oras Weekend, Wowowin, Imbestigador, You’re My Destiny, Tadhana, The Stepdaughters, Kapag Nahati ang Puso, Sunday Pinasaya, Eat Bulaga and Contessa.

Kapuso programs also dominated the Urban Luzon and Mega Manila lists, respectively taking 23 and 25 spots out of the top 30.

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

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

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

Nielsen data is gathered through a greater number of sampled homes nationwide in comparison with Kantar Media. With approximately 900 more homes surveyed in Total Urban and Rural Philippines compared with Kantar, Nielsen data is statistically considered more representative of the total TV population.

In 2018, Nielsen TV Audience Measurement’s client pool covers a total of 34 clients/subscribers consisting of 8 local TV networks including ABS-CBN, TV5, Aksyon TV, CNN Philippines, and Viva Communications Inc., among others; 3 regional clients; 2 blocktimers; and 21 agencies (17 media agencies, 3 consulting agencies, 1 digital agency).

A movie about people living in a cemetery

Lou Baron

Coming over very soon is our good friend, the multi-faceted Fil-Am Lou Baron. This time, Lou will be working on her latest project, the short film “Tombstone Pillow.” She said the movie, to be shot entirely in the country, is about poor people living in a cemetery.

“This is a very compelling film, something I’m really committed to do. I intend to offer it for consideration in the various international film festivals, especially Cannes,” she said, adding that the screenplay was written by award-winning scriptwriter in Hollywood, Fraser Scott.

To prepare for her character as Sophia Zaragoza, a filthy rich widow, Lou has been taking one-on-one acting lessons from a noted acting coach in California. “I play a very rich and condescending woman who was married to a corrupt politician. My director wants me to look like the one in ‘The Devil Wears Prada,’ with really expensive taste,” she laughed.

The twist in the story is that Sophia Zaragoza was born dirt poor, and the ghost of a young girl she met at the cemetery will change her. “I will become a kind person because of her.”

A vocalist, songwriter, actress, producer and author rolled into one, Lou won Best Producer (for a documentary) at the Telly Awards 2017. She’s the only Fil-Am producer to win the award so far.

Also last year, she was honored at the Global Pinoy Web Radio Awards for her contribution to the music, film and entertainment industry.

• • •

An inspiring theme song

More and more viewers are tuning in to GMA’s newest singing competition, “The Clash,” aired Saturdays and Sundays at 7:30 p.m.

Apart from the intense battles between its clashers, avid viewers of the program like the program’s inspiring theme song ‘Mangarap Ka, Laban Pa,’ sung and composed by Filipino singer, rapper and songwriter Quest. At present, the theme song already has 18,000 views on YouTube.

After intense one-on-one battles, the number of clashers is down to 30. The clashers remain clueless as they don’t know when they will be called to fight, nor who their opponent at the Clash Arena would be. As the number of available slots for the next round decreases, the pressure for the Clashers to deliver an amazing performance increases. Who among them will impress Comedy Concert Queen Ai Ai Delas Alas, Asia’s Romantic Balladeer Christian Bautista and Asia’s Nightingale Lani Misalucha?

Find out on “The Clash,” hosted by Regine Velasquez-Alcasid.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Aug. 2, go to Dingdong Dantes, Baby Bueno Coady, Nenuca Blardony, Violeta Villanueva, Jennifer Ejercito, Benjamin Laxa Pangilinan, Eva Jacinto, Shonee Greene, Jay Mendoza, Jay Santos, Romulo "Kid" Pena and Sen. Joel Villanueva… Aug. 3: Judge Espie F. Victorino, Alex Libongco, Jayce Bautista, Linda Venago, Alex Javier, Polly Chua, Geraly Japuz, Ricky Cobiangkiat and MB publisher and editor-in-chief Cris Icban Jr.…

Creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience finally approved at the committee level

After lengthy discussions on several measures creating the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR), the House Committee on Appropriations chaired by Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles approved the substitute bill without amendments upon recommendation by Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay, Jr.

The measure principally authored by Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda substituted 40 bills. It was considered urgent by President Rodrigo Duterte in his recent State of the Nation Address.

The approval of the measure was in support of the desired accelerated implementation of the triangle of survival, the Paris Agreement of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction for 2030; the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals; the 2015 APEC framework for the RRI; the Philippine Development Plan for 2017 to 2022 and AmBisyon Natin 2040.

The bill seeks to create the DDR which shall be the primary government agency responsible for leading, organizing, and managing the national effort to reduce disaster risk, prepare for and respond to disasters, recover and rehabilitate, and build forward the country after the occurrence of disasters.

Likewise, the DDR shall perform the following functions: (a) oversee and coordinate the preparation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of disaster and climate resilience plans, programs, projects, and activities; (b) provide leadership in the continuous development of strategic and systematic approaches to disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, and rehabilitation to anticipatory adaptation strategies, measures, techniques and options; and (c) augment the capacity of local government units in the implementation of disaster risk reduction and management and climate change action plans, programs, projects, and activities, in collaboration with relevant national government agencies and stakeholders.

During the hearing, South Cotobato Pedro B. Acharon, Jr. expressed concern about the negative connotation that may be created if the head of the department will be addressed as “Secretary of Disaster”, in spite of the noble objectives of the measure. He said it might give an adverse impression so it may as well be replaced with another title.

Rep. Salceda clarified that “disaster resilience” was a better option and more appropriate title of the measure because it is very different from climate change. Moreover, disaster resilience subsumes the entire concept and legal framework of what the measure is all about.

The committee proposed a P20.2 billion funding for the DDR and P6.5 billion as Quick Response Fund or a total of P26.7 billion. This amount will be integrated in the 2019 national budget./ Jojo Menorca

Araneta group spending P6.5 billion for Gateway Mall 2, hotel in Cubao

THE Araneta Group is spending P6.5 billion for the expansion of its Gateway shopping mall in Cubao, Quezon City, and for the 300-room hotel in one of the country’s first mixed-use properties.

Antonio T. Mardo, Araneta Center Inc.’s senior vice president for operations, said the group will spend about P5 billion for the Gateway Mall 2, which is slightly bigger than the first one, and P1.5 billion for the Ibis Styles Hotel.

The expanded mall, which will have a gross floor area of 120,000 square meters (sq m), will have eight levels above ground that will house many big-box retailers, nine cinemas, a 3,500-sq-m gourmet food hall that Mardo said will be “very unique” and a 500-seater chapel at the top floor.

“We have already signed up some retailers. We were surprised there’s a major interest of both from food and beverage [firms] and retail stores in the country. It will complement the first Gateway mall because we found out our first mall is quite small. We need more space to accommodate more retail operators,” Mardo said at the sidelines of the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday.

Connected to the new mall is the hotel, the first Ibis brand in the country, also to be operated by the Accor Group, the same operator of Novotel Araneta.

The new mall is slated to open in 2020, the same year Araneta Coliseum will celebrate its 60th year.

The project is part of the 35-hectare Araneta Center’s redevelopment, which started with the completion of Gateway Mall 1 in 2004. The said mall has around 100,000 sq m of gross floor area.

Portions of the township now has some condominiums and office buildings for the business-process outsourcing (BPO) sector.

The said redevelopment is mainly anchored on the iconic coliseum, which will have malls and offices built around it.

Mardo said Gateway Mall 3 is already in the conceptual stage, but it involves expansion that connects its BPO buildings.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/araneta-group-spending-p6-5-billion-for-gateway-mall-2-hotel-in-cubao/

Ironman side events start Friday

ASIDE from the Regent Aguila Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific Championships, two side events will be held Friday and Saturday.

Ushering the major triathlon are the Irongirl and the Alaska Ironkids, both to be held at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa.

The Irongirl will be on Friday afternoon at 5 p.m. while the Ironkids will be on Saturday starting at 6 a.m.

The race, now on its third year, has attracted 850 participants, mostly female family members of the participants of the Ironman.

The race is a five-kilometer run.

The Alaska Ironkids also has more youngsters competing in different age groups after Sunrise Events, the organizing team behind the two side events, drew in 378 partricipants. Last year, there were 360 entries.

The Alaska Ironkids will have four age categories: 6-8 years old, 9-10 years old, 11-12 years old, and 13-14 years old.

Read more: http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/187112/ironman-side-events-start-friday#ixzz5MqsJdChw
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

House of Representatives okays on 3rd reading ban on govt hospital privatization, 25-year extension of INC franchise

APPARENTLY infused with a sense of urgency as its new leadership buckled down to work after getting a long list of priority measures from the President’s third State of the Nation Address, the House of Representatives on Tuesday approved several measures on third and final reading.

These included a ban on the privatization of public hospitals and health facilities; a bill requiring the planting of trees for any construction of residential, commercial industrial and public buildings; and the extension for another 25 years of the telecommunication franchise granted to the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC).

 Anti-privatization

With 218 votes, members of the lower chamber approved House Bill 7437 prohibiting the privatization and corporatization of all public hospitals, public health facilities and public health services in the country.

House Bill 7437 or the “Anti-Privatization of Public Hospitals, Health Facilities and Health Services Act” seeks to address the inaccessibility and inequality in health care brought about by the privatization of public health services.

The bill enables indigent patients to access quality health care in public hospitals, public health facilities and public health services.

Under the bill, at least 90 percent of the total bed capacity of all public hospitals should be allotted to indigent patients.

It also improves hospital and health care services without resorting to privatization.

The measures defines privatization as the process in which non-government actors become increasingly involved in the financing and provision of health care services which includes: outright sale, public-private partnership; corporatization; contracting out of equipment; joint venture; franchising; management control and corporatization; leasing and user charges.

The bill provides liability and accountability to any person who initiates, causes and approves the privatization of hospitals, health facilities and health services

The bill penalizes violators with a fine ranging from P100,000 to P800,000 and suspension to removal from public office.

Planting of trees

In a move to mitigate the effects of climate change and preserve the environment, the chamber approved on third and final reading House Bill 7373 which seeks to require the planting of trees for any construction of residential, commercial industrial and public buildings.

The proposed “Green Building Act,” mandates all applicants for building permits of residential, commercial, industrial and public development projects to submit a Tree Planting Plan (TPP), in addition to other requirements imposed by local government units.

Any person, firm or corporation, or department, office, bureau agency or government instrumentality intending to construct, alter, repair, or convert any building or structure, shall be required to set aside and properly maintain areas adequate for planting and maintaining trees and flora in said property.

The TPP shall contain the following: total area of the project; indicative lay-out of the area or areas to be planted; number of trees to be planted, taking into account the ratio of at least one tree for every 500 square meters for commercial or industrial projects or one tree for every 250 square meters for housing development projects; species to be planted; and construction and design of said areas for trees and flora, which shall give emphasis to the facade of the structure and all communal areas.

The TPP shall give preference to indigenous species of trees, taking into account the location, climate and topography of the area.

Within 60 days from the effectivity of the Act, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in coordination with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Agriculture (DA), shall issue the necessary implementing rules and regulations to carry out the objectives of this Act.

INC franchise

Also approved on third and final reading is House Bill 7753 extending for another 25 years the franchise granted to the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC).

HB 7753 amends Republic Act 4439 or an act granting the INC a franchise to establish radio stations for private telecommunications as amended.

The bill allows INC to to carry on and operate private telecommunications or electronic communication services.

The measure also accords to the grantee any advantage, favor, privilege, exemption, exception or conditions granted under existing franchises, or which may hereafter be granted for telecommunications.

The bill, meanwhile, requires the grantee to submit an annual report to the Congress of the Philippines on its compliance with the terms and conditions of the franchise and its operations on or before April 30 of every year during the term of the franchise.

It also provides penalty of P500 per working day of non-compliance in the submission of its annual report to Congress.

National Bible Day

The House of Representatives also approved on third and final reading House Bill 7544, which celebrates “National Bible Day” every last Monday of January.

The bill calls on all Christians throughout the country to unite and celebrate the Bible as the cradle of Christian faith during the special working holiday.

Based on the 2015 data of the Philippine Statistics Authority, about 90 percent of Filipinos are Christians making the Philippines the largest Christian nation in the Asia-Pacific region and the fifth largest in the world.

The bill seeks to amend Section 26, Chapter 7, Book 1 of the Administrative Code of 1987, as amended, so that the last Monday of January of every year shall be declared as National Bible Day.

Filipino Sign Language

The Filipino deaf are close to getting their official communication medium with the approval on third reading of House Bill (HB) 7503 or the Filipino Sign Language (FSL) in the House of Representatives.

HB 7503 mandates the state to ensure the Filipino deaf can exercise the right to expression and opinion by requiring the use of FSL in schools, broadcast media, and workplaces when communicating with the deaf.

The bill is in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Under the bill, the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher and Technical Education (CHED), the Technical Educational Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), and all other national and local government agencies involved in the education of the deaf are tasked to henceforth use FSL as the medium of instruction in deaf education.

The FSL shall be taught as a separate subject in the curriculum of deaf learners. The reading and writing of Filipino, as the national language, other Philippine languages, and English shall also be taught to deaf learners.

The University of the Philippines and the Komisyon sa Wikanng Filipino (KWF), professional sign linguistics and linguistic researchers, in collaboration with the CHED, DepEd and the Early Childhood Care and Development Council, shall come up with guidelines in the development of training materials for the education of the deaf. These materials shall be used by all state universities and colleges as well as their teachers and staff.

In the justice system, the FSL shall be the official language of legal interpreting for the deaf in all public hearings, proceedings, and transactions of the courts, quasi-judicial agencies, and other tribunals.

To ensure effective and equal access of the deaf to justice and facilitate their effective roles as direct and indirect participants in the legal system, the courts, quasi-judicial agencies, and other tribunals are hereby mandated to ensure the availability of a qualified sign language interpreter in all proceedings involving the deaf, without prejudice to the right of the deaf to choose other forms or modes of communication, if they so prefer.

Hearings, proceedings and transactions shall include those that are held in police stations and before the Lupong Tagapamayapa as well as preliminary investigations and other initial stages in the court, other quasi-judicial bodies and tribunals.

The FSL also shall be the official language of the deaf employed in the civil service and in all government workplaces. All government offices shall take reasonable measures, including the conduct of awareness and training seminars on the rationale and use of FSL, to encourage its use among deaf and hearing-impaired government employees.

In the health system, state hospitals and all health facilities shall ensure access of the Filipino deaf to health services, including the free provision of FSL interpreters and accessible materials upon the request of deaf patients or individuals who have deaf family members.

The FSL also shall be used as the medium of official communication in all other public transactions, services and facilities.

Likewise, the FSL shall be the language of broadcast media interpreting. The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas and the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (shall, within one year from the effectivity of the Act, require FSL interpreter insets, compliant with accessibility standards for television, in news and public affairs programs.

The bill mandates the KWF, in coordination with the DepEd Secretary, CHED Chairperson, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director-General, Professional Regulation Commission Chairperson, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Secretary of Justice, and the heads of other relevant agencies, and in consultation with representatives of the deaf community, teachers with knowledge and experience with the use of FSL in deaf education, the academe, interpreters, and other persons concerned, to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the Act.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/house-of-representatives-okays-on-3rd-reading-ban-on-govt-hospital-privatization-25-year-extension-of-inc-franchise/

House passes on 3rd reading bill raising BSP capitalization

THE House of Representatives, voting 219-0, on Tuesday approved on third and final reading the bill strengthening the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

House Bill 7742 seeks to amend Republic Act 7653, “The New Central Bank Act,” by enhancing its monetary and financial stability functions.

The proposed measure raises the capital of the BSP from P50 billion to P200 billion, which will be subject to review every five years.

Adjustments to the BSP capital shall be made upon the recommendation of the Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management and the Monetary Board.

The bill further amends RA 7653 by placing money service businesses, credit granting businesses, and payment system operators under the BSP’s regulatory and examination powers.

Under the bill, the Monetary Board will also be allowed to authorize entities or persons to engage in money services.

The BSP is mandated to promote financial stability by overseeing “the payment and settlement systems in the Philippines, including critical financial market infrastructures.”

The BSP will also be tasked to closely work with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Insurance Commission, the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation and the National Government.

Among its authors were Representatives Ben P. Evardone, Henry S. Oaminal and Ma. Theresa V. Collantes.

For its part, the Senate has yet to pass on second reading, Senate Bill 1297, which likewise seeks to amend RA 7653. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

http://www.bworldonline.com/house-passes-on-3rd-reading-bill-raising-bsp-capitalization/

Poe argues that ‘height isn’t might’ for cops in new Senate bill

Senator Grace Poe has filed a bill seeking to lower the height requirement for cops.

In Senate BiIl No. 1876, Poe proposed that the height requirement for women be lowered to 5 feet (1.52 meters) from 5 feet and 2 inches (1.57 meters) today while the height requirement for men will be lowered to 5’2” (1.57 meters) from 5’4” (1.62 meters).

“The country’s police force has long held the notion that ‘height is might,’” Poe noted in her explanatory note on the bill.

The height requirement is among the ‘minimum’ qualifications for admission in the Philippine National Police (PNP) as provided for under Republic Act No. 6975 known as the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990.

The height prerequisite, however, has always been an issue within the law enforcement community, especially in a country where the average height is only 5’3’ (1.59 meters) for men and 4’11” (1.48 meters) for women, Poe noted.

“Today, the global trend is towards the path where tallness is no longer regarded as the symbol for strength, status, and power but performance does,” she said.

To back her claim, the senator cited that the minimum height requirement for policemen was in already abolished in many countries, such as Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Great Britain, Ireland, and even in some parts of Australia and the United States.

She said concerns on the discriminatory effect of such a requirement and the fact that there is no proven relation between height and physical fitness were among the reasons for its abolition in the said countries.

“Height requirements tend to disproportionately limit employment opportunities for those who want to serve in the police force,” the senator added.

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) earlier announced that the height requirement for PNP entrance examinations held last April 22 year was already scrapped.

READ: Height no longer a requirement to become a police officer – Napolcom

But Napolcom made it clear that this applies only to PNP entrance test applicants, not to the entire recruitment process. /ee



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Arroyo meets with economic managers on inflation

ECONOMIC CONCERNS. Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo meets with the country's economic managers on July 31, 2018. Photo by Mara Cepeda/Rappler

Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo met with President Rodrigo Duterte's economic managers on Tuesday, July 31, to help address soaring inflation.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said they discussed that rice tariffication would help curb rising prices.

"We discussed proper coordination between [the] legislative and executive [branches]. Priorities are rice tariffication and TRAIN (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion) 2," Pernia told reporters after the meeting.

During the House of Representatives session on Tuesday, ANAC-IP Representative Jose Panganiban sponsored House Bill No. 7735 on second reading. The bill, which counts Arroyo among its authors, seeks to replace the quantitative import restrictions on rice with tariffs as well as create the rice competitiveness enhancement fund.

Before the meeting, Arroyo said she primarily wanted to get a briefing on the proposed P3.757-trillion budget for 2019. But Arroyo, former president and economist, said she also wanted to discuss how to address inflation under the Duterte administration.

"While they will give me a briefing on the budget... I plan to segue to discussing inflation. [They already identified the] causes of inflation.... Then we have to address these one by one," said Arroyo in a chance interview. (READ: Who's to blame for soaring inflation? 'All of them' in gov't, says economist)

Aside from Pernia, the Pampanga 2nd District representative met with Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III.

"This is a professor-to-professor discussion on the economy, especially to address the inflation," Arroyo reportedly said at the start of the meeting.

Arroyo taught economics at the Ateneo de Manila University and also at Assumption College, her alma mater, before she joined government.

Also in the meeting were lawmakers allied with Arroyo: House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya, Bohol 3rd District Representative Arthur Yap, Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda, and Davao City 1st District Representative Karlo Nograles.

Yap is chairperson of the House committee on economic affairs while Nograles is appropriations panel chairperson.

Arroyo said she wanted the meeting to be "free-wheeling," so it was closed to the media. But journalists were allowed to take photos before the meeting started.

Inflation has continued to soar this year, hitting a fresh high of 5.2% in June. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas projected it could reach as high as 5.8% in July. (READ: [OPINION] Why inflation is actually at a 9-year high) – with a report from Ralf Rivas

House passes mandatory tree-planting bill on final reading

A bill requiring the planting of trees for any construction of residential, commercial, industrial, and public buildings has come one step closer to becoming a law after the House of Representatives approved it on third and final reading on Tuesday.

Voting 217, without any negative vote nor abstention, the lower chamber approved House Bill No. 7373, or “An Act Requiring The Planting Of Trees For Any Construction Of Residential, Commercial, Industrial And Public Buildings.”

The proposed measure aims to “enhance environmental quality, mitigate the effects of climate change and preserve the environment for present and future generations.”

Once passed into a law, organizations or individuals would be required to submit a tree planting plan (TPP) in securing a building permit.

The bill also encourages the planting of indigenous species, taking into account the location, climate, and topography of the area.

The principal authors of the bill are Reps. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, Gary Alejano, Nancy Catamco, Noel Villanueva, and Joseph Paduano. /atm

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Palace submits admin version of bill creating Department of Disaster Resilience

Malacañang has submitted to Congress its version of the bill seeking to create a new department that will oversee efforts on disaster risk management and emergency response.

Copies of the proposed Department of Disaster Resilience were transmitted on Monday by the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office to the Senate and House of Representatives, according to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday.

The transmittal came after President Rodrigo Duterte asked lawmakers during his third State of the Nation Address on July 23 to pass the bill "with utmost urgency."

"The bill is a product of inter-agency teamwork, building on the salient points of the pending bills in Congress," Roque said.

"Once passed into law, the creation of the Department will be a significant step toward attaining safe, adaptive, and disaster-resilient communities by leading efforts to reduce the risk of natural hazards and the effects of climate change."

At present, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) is the agency mandated to have policymaking, coordination, integration, supervision, monitoring, and evaluation functions under Republic Act 10121.

"However, this DRRM responsibility is shared among the different lead agencies in such a way that nobody is in charge of the overall disaster resilience on a full-time, focused basis," the Palace-sponsored bill's explanatory note stated.

It also said both human induced and natural disasters are currently lumped in one body – the Office of Civil Defense-- as the coordinating arm of the NDRRMC.

"This set-up is based on the presumption that the competencies, skills, policies, and institutional arrangements necessary to ensure resilience to natural hazards and human-induced disasters are the same. However, the realities of mother nature and climate change debunk this presumption," the bill stated.

"A careful review of each of the natural hazards that the country faces will show that the Department necessitates a highly-specialized set of personnel, resources and policies to bring about disaster resilience."

The proposed department shall be guided by a disaster resilience framework that shall deliver on three key result areas: disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness and response; and recovery and building forward better.

The bill also provides that the department shall focus on natural hazards and climate change.

It also seeks the creation of a National Disaster Operations Center and Alternative Command and Control Centers to monitor, assess, manage, and respond to disasters in all areas in the country.

It also calls for the establishment of the Disaster Resilience Research and Training Institute, "which shall be a platform for providing training, and for collecting, consolidating, managing, and/or sharing knowledge and information resources to improve and/or boost disaster resilience."

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

"This directly answers the oft-repeated question in times of disaster: who is in charge? This system of assigning levels of responsibility is aimed at ensuring unity of command and effective collaboration in the country’s disaster resilience efforts."

The Philippines ranked third on the World Risk Index in 2016 due to its vulnerability to disaster risk.

In particular, researchers said the Philippines has a "high" (80.92 percent) lack of coping capacities, which the report defines as "measures and abilities that are immediately available to reduce harm and damages in the occurrence of an event.”

The study ranked 171 countries according to how exposed and vulnerable they are to natural hazards, including earthquakes, floods and storms. — RSJ, GMA News

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/662453/palace-submits-admin-version-of-bill-creating-department-of-disaster-resilience/story/

Arroyo to create House disaster management committee

Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is planning to establish a new committee on disaster management at the House of Representatives.

The former president turned Pampanga 2nd District representative said this at the beginning of lawmakers’ briefing with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Monday, July 30.

“In as much as the President is prioritizing the disaster management bill and usually there is a mirror committee in the House for all the departments being created, I have asked my colleagues in the majority, including these two ladies, if they would agree to organizing a new committee for disaster management,” said Arroyo.

She was referring to Bataan 1st District Representative Geraldine Roman and Zambales 2nd District Representative Cheryl Deloso Montalla, who were seated beside her during the meeting.

Arroyo had set a meeting with the NDRRMC to review the government’s disaster relief plan for 10 districts legislators have identified to be badly hit by recent heavy rains and flooding. (READ: First on Arroyo’s agenda: Ratify Bangsamoro law, aid to calamity victims)

The planned disaster management panel is also expected to tackle the bills seeking to create the Department of Disaster Management, a measure President Rodrigo Duterte said he wants Congress to prioritize during his first 3 State of the Nation Addresses.

Records from the House’s official website says the Department of Disaster Management bills remain pending at the committee on government reorganization since July 2016.

Other lawmakers present during the NDRRMC briefing are expected to comprise the membership of the planned committee on disaster management. Apart from Roman and Montalla, they are as follows:

• Bataan 2nd District Representative Jose Enrique Garcia III
• Pangasinan 2nd District Representative Leopoldo Bataoil
• Nueva Ecija 1st District Representative Estrellita Suansing
• Bulacan 1st District Representative Jose Sy-Alvarado

Officials from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Health, National Housing Authority, National Food Authority, and the Office of the Civil Defense were also present during the meeting.

On Monday, NDRRMC executive director Ricardo Jalad told lawmakers that Tropical Storm Henry, Severe Tropical Storm Inday, and Tropical Depression Henry affected about 454,000 families. Damage to infrastructure and agriculture amounted to P3.6 billion.

According to Jalad, 13 people died, one remained missing, and two were injured.

Last week, Arroyo conducted relief operations in Sasmuan, Pampanga and Dinalupihan, Bataan, two of the areas hardest hit by the calamities.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/208528-arroyo-creation-house-disaster-management-committee

Arroyo to form House committee on disaster management

House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is set to create a new committee in the House of Representatives to tackle disaster preparedness and resiliency in every district in the country.

In a statement Tuesday, Arroyo said this was in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s call to create a Disaster Management Department.

During his third State of the Nation Address last July 23, Duterte urged Congress to pass a bill creating a Department of Disaster Management to “bolster our resilience to the impact of natural disasters and climate change.”

On Monday, Arroyo led a meeting with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to discuss assessments on the districts hit by recent typhoons.

“In as much as the President is prioritizing the disaster management bill and usually there is a mirror committee in the House for all the departments being created, I have asked my colleagues in the majority, including these two ladies if they would agree to organizing a new committee for disaster management,” she said.

She also said she would constitute the lawmakers present at the meeting as members of the new panel on disaster management, referring to Reps. Geraldine Roman (1st District, Bataan), Jose Enrique Garcia III (2nd District, Bataan), Cheryl Deloso-Montalla (2nd District, Zambales), Leopoldo Bataoil (2nd District, Pangasinan), Estrellita Suansing (1st District, Nueva Ecija), and Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado (1st District, Bulacan).

Also present during the meeting were officials of the Departments of Social Welfare and Development, Public Works and Highways and Health, the National Housing Authority, National Food Authority and the Office of Civil Defense.

The House committees on government reorganization and national defense and security have already jointly approved the substitute bill creating the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR). /cbb

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Arroyo bats for creation of House disaster management panel

Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered for the creation of a disaster management committee at the House of Representatives.

Arroyo bared the plan on Monday during a briefing of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) with lawmakers to discuss the effects of the recent typhoons in Luzon provinces.

"I have asked my colleagues in the majority... if they would agree to organize a new committee called the disaster management committee," Arroyo said.

Currently, there are 72 regular and special committees in the lower chamber.

During the briefing, NDRRMC executive director Ricardo Jalad said the total cost of damages to infrastructure and agriculture amounted to PHP3.6 billion in seven regions due to the recent weather events, including tropical storms Henry, Inday and Josie.

From June 29, 2018 to July 30, 2018, Jalad said 454,594 families, or an estimate of two million persons, were affected. A total of 13 casualties, one missing, and two injured were also reported.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte urged Congress to pass a measure seeking the creation of a disaster management department during his third State of the Nation Address.

The House committees on government and national defense and security have jointly approved a substitute bill, creating the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR).

Under the bill, the DDR will be the national government agency primarily responsible for disaster preparedness, prevention, mitigation, response, recovery, and rehabilitation. (PNA)

Arroyo sees disaster resilience department as a priority: Nograles

House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wants congressmen to prioritize the creation of a disaster resilience department, a lawmaker said Monday.

Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles said Arroyo called him Sunday regarding the proposed new government agency.

"That takes priority on our agenda," he told ANC's "Headstart."

Nograles said the House Committee on Government Reorganization is currently handling the proposal and is likely to submit it to the appropriations committee for budget plans.

If the proposal gets approved, Nograles said he can re-align funding for the new body.

"I can calendar it for discussion in the middle of the budget hearings. Puwede naman yan eh (That is possible)," he said.

The move comes after President Rodrigo Duterte called on Congress during his third State of the Nation Address to form a body that would focus on risk reduction in times of natural hazards and disasters using a science-based approach.

"We need a truly empowered department characterized by a unity of command, science-based approach, and full-time focus on natural hazards and disasters," Duterte said.

"We in the Cabinet have approved for immediate endorsement to Congress the passage of a law creating the Department of Disaster Management, an inter-agency," he added.

TRIVIA: 34 personalities you didn't know started in 'Eat Bulaga!'

Sino-sino ang mga artistang sumikat dahil sumali sila sa iba't ibang segments ng 'Eat Bulaga!?' Alamin sa gallery na ito.

Michael V
Bago pa man maging isa sa mga host ng 'Eat Bulaga,' sumali si Michael V sa Check 2000, isang singing contest kung saan nakaabot siya sa finals level. Ang judge na nagbigay ng pinakamababang marka sa kanya ay ang best friend niya ngayon na si Ogie Alcasid.

Catriona Gray
Reigning Miss Universe Philippines Catriona Gray is a proud contestant of one Eat Bulaga!'s most iconicsegments 'Little Miss Philippines.' The beauty queen joined the competition way back in 1999. #CutenessOverload

Arnold Clavio
Dati’y kasama ang mamamahayag na si Arnold Clavio sa isang banda at sila’y sumali sa Flashback noong 1982.

Alice Dixson
Naging contestant si Alice ng Reyna ng Santacruzan noong 1986. Ito rin ang naging tulay upang ma-discover siya para sa Binibining Pilipinas.

Camille Prats
Unang napanood sa TV si Camille Prats nang sumali siya sa Little Miss Philippines noong 1990. Inamin niyang idol niya si Aiza Seguerra kaya’t siya’y nag-audition noong siya’y five years old.

Angelica Panganiban
Tulad ng kanyang kaibigan at co-star sa 'Sarah ang Munting Prinsesa' na si Camille Prats, ang aktres na si Angelica Panganiban ay naging contestant din ng Little Miss Philippines.

Donna Cruz
Grand finalist si Donna Cruz sa Little Miss Philippines noong kapanahunan niya.

Geneva Cruz
Ang singer-actress na si Geneva Cruz ay una ring nakita sa Little Miss Philippines. Ngayon ay isa siyang single mom na naka-base sa America.

Rachelle Ann Go
Noong siya’y 11 years old, sumali si Rachelle Ann Go sa Birit Baby kung saan kinanta niya ang "All By Myself" ni Celine Dion. Ngayon ay isa na siyang performer sa West End ng London.

Jillian Ward
Ang Kapuso child performer na si Jillian Ward ay sumali sa Little Miss Philippines noong 2009. Four years old pa lamang siya noon. Ngayon ay isa na siya sa mga child stars ng GMA.

Julie Anne San Jose
Ang Asia’s Pop Sweetheart na si Julie Anne San Jose ay sumali ng Little Miss Philippines noong 1997. Ngayon ay isa na siyang aktres at multi-platinum singer.

Rosanna Roces
Nanalo sa daily round ng She’s Got the Look si Rosanna Roces noong 1991. Pagkatapos nito’y siya’y naging aktres.

Patricia Javier
Ang dating sexy star na si Patricia Javier ay sumali sa She’s Got the Look noon. Siya’y kinasal sa isang American chiropractor at ngayon ay may dalawa na silang anak.

Jessa Zaragoza
Naging contestant ng Little Miss Philippines ang singer-actress na si Jessa Zaragoza noong 1987. Batchmate niya sa kiddie pageant si Aiza Seguerra.

Gladys Reyes
Kasama sa first batch ng Little Miss Philippines si Gladys Reyes noong 1984. Siya’y naging runner-up dito.

Maybelyn dela Cruz
Ang dating child star na si Maybelyn dela Cruz ay sumali rin ng Little Miss Philippines. Ngayon ay isa na siyang councilor at hinirang na National President ng Philippine Councilors League.

EA Guzman
Mr. Pogi 2006 winner ang singer-actor na si Edgar Allan Guzman.

Francine Prieto
Noong 1988 ay naging daily winner ng Little Miss Philippines si Francine Prieto. Naging isa rin siyang beauty queen at cast member ng 'Bubble Gang.'

Jericho Rosales
Ang matinee idol at heartthrob na si Jericho Rosales ay sumali ng Mr. Pogi noong 1996. Naging daan ito upang siya’y maging aktor sa telebisyon at pelikula.

Danilo Barrios
Ang dating teen star at ka-love team ni Camille Prats na si Danilo Barrios ay sumali ng Mr. Pogi noon. Ngayon ay isa na siyang asawa at ama.

Sunshine Garcia
Sumali si Sunshine Garcia sa Teevee Babe noong 2002. Siya’y na-discover ng talent manager na si Joy Cancio, at siya’y naging parte ng Sexbomb Girls.

Goyong
Si Steven Claude Goyong, o mas kilala bilang Goyong ay runner-up ng That’s My Boy noong 1998. Siya’y naging parte ng comedy fantaserye na 'Beh Bote Nga.' Ngayon ay isa siyang commerce student sa University of Santo Tomas.

Dindin Llarena
Runner-up ng Little Miss Philippines si Dindin Llarena noong siya’y seven years old. Pagkatapos ng ilang taon ng pag-aartista, pinili niyang maging parte ng corporate world.

Makisig Morales
Sumali at nanalo sa That’s My Boy si Makisig Morales. Siya’y naging isang child star at ngayon ay based na siya sa Australia.

Richard Hwan
People’s Choice Awardee ng That’s My Foreignoy ang galing Hong Kong na si Richard Hwan. Naging paborito siya ng mga manonood ng 'Eat Bulaga' dahil sa kanyang galing sa pagta-Tagalog. Ngayon ay isa siyang model at host.

Pauleen Luna
Nagsimula ang entertainment career ni Pauleen Luna sa Little Miss Philippines noong 1995. Ngayon ay isa na siya sa mga host ng 'Eat Bulaga!' Dito niya rin nakilala ang kanyang asawa na si Vic Sotto.

Aiza Seguerra
Isa sa pinakasikat na produkto ng Little Miss Philippines ay si Aiza Seguerra. Siya’y tinaguriang child wonder noong ‘80s. Pagkatapos nito’y sampung taon siya naging parte ng 'Eat Bulaga!' Maliban sa pagiging host, siya’y naging aktres at singer.

Ryzza Mae Dizon
Kinoronahang Little Miss Philippines si Ryzza Mae Dizon noong 2012. Dahil sa kanyang angking husay at karisma, siya’y naging host ng kanyang sariling programa na 'The Ryzza Mae Show.' Siya’y kinilala bilang youngest television host.

Nicole Dulalia
Second runner-up ng Little Miss Philippines noong 2004 ang Kapuso teen star na si Nicole Dulalia.

Edric Ulang
Noong 2012, nanalo sa Mr. Pogi si Edric Ulang. Last year, siya’y sumali sa multi-platform boyband competition na 'To The Top.'

Mitoy Yonting
Ang 'The Voice of the Philippines' season 1 winner na si Mitoy Yonting ay sumali sa Ikaw at Echo noong 1990.

Rochelle Pangilinan
Isa si Rochelle sa founding members ng Sex Bomb Dancers. Sa kalauna'y nagkaroon siya ng solo career at naging isang aktres.

Maine Mendoza
Pagkatapos maging viral ng Philippine Dubsmash Queen, una siyang nakita sa telebisyon sa Eat Bulaga! bilang Yaya Dub. Naging simula ito ng kanilang phenomenal love team ni Alden Richards na tinawag na AlDub.

Kim Domingo
In an interview with Ricky Lo, Kim Domingo revealed that she joined 'Little Miss Philippines' in 2000 where she placed 4th runner-up.

DoTR approves Cavite’s proposed Sangley airport

The local government of Cavite obtained the green light from the Department of Transportation to undertake the proposed $9.3-billion Sangley airpot project.

“We just transmitted that we do not object to their proposal provided there are no government guarantees. The provincial government can now proceed.  It means there is no objection from the DOTr for them to implement the Sangley International Airport,” Transportation Undersecretary Ruben Reinoso said.

Reinoso said the  next step was to determine the legal framework for the project.  “It’s a go. So they now have to comply with the requirements for approval,” he said.

Reinoso said the proponent of the Sangley airport project should secure an endorsement from the  Philippine Reclamation Authority and approval from the National Economic and Development Authority board for the reclamation component.

Under the proposal, the provincial government of Cavite plans to reclaim about 1,500 hectares of land and to build an airport terminal that can accommodate 75 million passengers a year in Sangley Point.

The DOTr also received an unsolicited proposal to build an international airport in Sangley Point for $12 billion from Sangley Airport Infrastructure Group Inc., a consortium composed of Solar Group’s All-Asia Resources and Reclamation Corp. and the Sy family’s Belle Corp.

The Philippine Sangley International Airport was envisioned to be a regional airport hub that could accommodate about 120 million passengers a year once fully developed.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said: “If there’s two proposals, the priority is government to government initiative.”

San Miguel Corp., meanwhile, secured an approval from the Neda board for its proposed P735.63-billion international airport in Bulacan.

The unsolicited proposal involves the construction of a terminal, parallel runways and airport toll road. It will be able to accommodate 100 million passengers per annum by its opening year of 2023.

San Miguel’s proposal involves developing an “aerotropolis” on 1,168 hectares and a city complex on a 2,500-hectare area in Bulacan.

The Naia Consortium is also set to secure an original proponent status from the DOTr for its proposed rehabilitation and upgrade of Ninoy Aquino International Airport for P106 billion over a 15-year period.

The Naia Consortium proposed to expand and interconnect the existing terminals of Naia, upgrade airside facilities and develop commercial facilities to increase airline and airport efficiencies, enhance passenger comfort and experience and improve public perception of Naia as the country’s premier international gateway.

The consortium’s members are Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Alliance Global Group Inc., AEDC, Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp.

http://www.thestandard.com.ph/business/biz-plus/271685/dotr-approves-cavite-s-proposed-sangley-airport.html

Duterte open to amendments to Bangsamoro law

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has expressed willingness to review and propose amendments to the contentious provisions in the recently-signed Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) to make it acceptable to all Filipinos, Malacañang said on Monday, July 30.

"You know, nothing is perfect. And of course, the BOL signed into law is a result of compromise. So all that the President was saying was, if you have specific complaints, we're open to discuss[ing] these complaints with a view of possibly amending further the law," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. told Palace reporters.

"But I think the general sentiment of the President is if there are those who want to object because of specific revisions, we're open to reviewing the specific provisions," he added.

On July 27, Duterte signed the much-awaited BOL, formerly known as the Bangsamoro Basic Law, that will create the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in place of the former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The BOL, however, did not bear the signature of House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

But Roque said Arroyo's failure to sign the law was not a problem, stressing that it would be "easily cured."

The signing of the Bangsamoro law, or Republic Act (RA) 11054, is among Duterte's campaign promises to allow Moro people to enjoy self-governance over their territories in the southern Philippines.

The law is based on the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, a peace pact signed between the Aquino government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 2014.

The BOL overhauls the current setup in Mindanao as it grants the new Bangsamoro region greater control over resources and political power.

Under RA 11054, the BARMM is composed of Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Basilan, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.

However, a plebiscite is necessary to legalize the creation of the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region that would replace the ARMM.

Roque acknowledged that some Moro people, especially those residing in Sulu, opposed the new law.

He said the Chief Executive would exhaust all efforts to ensure that long-lasting peace in Mindanao will be achieved.

"We all know that Sulu traditionally is a bastion of opposition for BOL. So he's willing to sit down with Sulu and talk about possible amendments," he said.

"As of now, it's just really a strong message [of Duterte] that 'If you're not happy with BOL, come talk to me,'" Roque added.

Asked if possible amendments to the BOL would take more time, the Palace official said: "Of course, like any law, it would have to require Congressional action. Hindi naman po (mag-tatagal) kasi for now, we have BOL. So let's see whatever changes they may want from the BOL."

(Of course, like any law, it would have to require Congressional action. It would not take more time because for now, we have BOL. So let's see whatever changes they may want from the BOL.) (SunStar Philippines)

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1755419/Manila/Duterte-open-to-amendments-to-Bangsamoro-law

DOF upbeat on prospects for quick passage of rice tariffication bill

THE Department of Finance (DOF) has expressed optimism that Congress would pass soon enough the rice tariffication bill, after President Duterte has declared the proposal to liberalize rice imports an urgent and priority measure, in line with efforts to ease inflation and bring down prices of the food staple by as much as P7 per kilo.

Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said liberalizing rice imports through the passage into law of the rice tariffication bill pending in Congress is vital in helping low-income households cope with inflation, given that rice accounts for 20 percent of their consumption.

“Along with a national ID [identification] system, the passage of the rice tariffication bill will complement the social mitigation measures we are implementing now to further ease the impact of inflation on poor households,” Dominguez said.

Based on estimates by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, allowing cheap rice imports with tariffs will immediately lower the inflation rate by 0.4 percentage points.

The House of Representatives appropriations committee has already ​approved the funding provision for the consolidated version of its rice tariffication bill, while its counterpart version in the Senate is still being discussed at the committee level.

Package 1B, Package 2

Earlier in the month, DOF Undersecretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua explained that the DOF is hoping for three measures to be approved by Congress within the year, with two measures under the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP), namely Package 1B and Package 2, and the other being the Rice Tarrification Act.

Under House Bill (HB) 4904 or the rice tariffication bill is the proposal to amend the Agricultural Tariffication Act of 1996, prescribing import volumes to be removed and imports to be opened to private entities.

Measures under Package 1B include increasing the motor vehicle users charge, an estate tax amnesty program, as well as a measure on general tax amnesty, amendments to the bank secrecy law and automatic exchange of information.

Package 2 of the CTRP, which aims to reduce corporate income- tax rates from 30 percent to 25 percent while rationalizing the country’s fiscal incentives regime, was submitted by the DOF to Congress in January this year. The measure is under HB 7458 at the House of Representatives.

In his third State of the Nation Address (Sona), the President said rice tariffication was among the long-term solutions the government is working on to lower inflation, provide farmers with additional resources and reduce rice prices by up to P7 a kilo.

“We need to switch from the current quota system in importing rice to a tariff system where rice can be imported more freely. I ask Congress to prioritize this crucial reform, which I have certified as urgent today,”  the President said in his Sona.

The President also reiterated his commitment to a comprehensive tax reform, and called on the Congress “to continue the job,” starting with the approval of his administration’s proposed reforms in the corporate tax system and the rationalization of fiscal incentives.

The Chief Executive described such reforms, which comprise Package 2 of his tax-reform program, as “urgent,” and said he hopes to sign the bill into law before the year ends.

Dominguez said the DOF will “extend all the technical support that Congress needs in heeding the President’s call for the passage of Package 2 this year, especially for the benefit of our small and medium enterprises.”

“President Duterte has always been the principal advocate of inclusive growth and of the means to achieve it. Tax reform is a key tool to reach that objective,” Dominguez added.

Long Tall Howard Medina Reports: National Anthem

An excerpt from Rated K of ABS-CBN:

Sa panahon ngayon, kaya niyong pa bang kantahin ang pambansang awit ng Pilipinas? Sige nga, kung memorize mo ba?

Pero, ang batang ito, three years old pa lang noon favorite na niyang kantahin ang Lupang Hinirang.

“Bayang Magiliw, Perlas ng Silanganan. Alab ng puso sa dibdib mo’y buhay. Lupang Hinirang, duyan ka ng magiting. Sa manlulupig, di ka pasisiil sa dagat at bundok, sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw, may dilag ang tula at awit sa paglayang minamahal. Ang kislap ng watawat mo'y tagumpay na nagniningning, ang bituin at araw niya, kailan pa ma'y 'di magdidilim. Lupa ng araw ng luwalhati't pagsinta, buhay ay langit sa piling mo, aming ligaya na pag may mang-aapi ang mamatay ng dahil sa 'yo.”

Ambassador Marciano Paynor, Jr. along with De La Salle University (DLSU) professor Michael Charleston Chua, National Historical Institute (NHI) chairman Dr. Ambeth Ocampo and Research, Publication and Heraldry Division Chief Prof. Teodoro Atienza and UP Diliman College of Music dean and tenor Ramon “Montet” Acoymo was at the PICC, CCP complex a few hours before arriving at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila just in time for the launching of the “Milenyo Filipino” marker - a 30-foot-tall recycled “parol” (Christmas lantern) at the Rizal Park, with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and other top officials as guests and they talking about singing “Lupang Hinirang.”

Besides next to Ambassador Paynor, Professor Chua of DLSU, Drs. Ocampo and Atienza of NHI and Acoymo of UP College of Music is Sorsogon 1st District Rep. Salvador "Sonny" Escudero, author of "Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines"

Siya ay isang masugid na tagapagsulong ng tamang pag-awit ng Lupang Hinirang at siya ring may akda ng Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.

Alinsunod sa itinatakda ng section 37 ng Republic Act (R.A.) Number 8491, ang pag-awit ng pambansang awit, pinatutugtog man o kinakanta, ay dapat na naaayon sa pagkakaayos at komposisyon ni Julian Felipe.

Dagdag din ng R.A. Number 8491 na ang Lupang Hinirang ay dapat awitin sa ating pambansang wika, mapasa-ibang bansa man ito o dito sa Pilipinas.

Ayon sa R.A. 8491, naaayon sa alituntunin ng National Historical Commission of the Philippines ang paggamit ng awiting ito.

Pinagbabawal ng R.A. 8491 ang pag-awit nito bilang isang “recreation, amusement, o entertainment” maliban sa sumusunod: sa mga international competitions kung saan ang Pilipinas ang host o representative; mga lokal na kumpetisyon; tuwing "signing off" at "signing on" ng mga radio broadcasting at television stations; at bago ang pag-umpisa ng mga pelikula sa sinehan at iba pang mga theater performances. Ibinigay, na ang mga may-ari at pamamahala ng mga establisimyento ay dapat na utusan upang ipatupad ang tamang pakikitungo at ipatupad ang mga may kinalaman sa batas na ito; at iba pang okasyon na maaaring pahintulutan ng NHCP.

Ang Panatang Makabayan ay dapat na bigkasin pagkatapos ng pagkanta ng Pambansang Awit sa mga opisina at paaralan. Ang Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas ay maaaring kabisado din, bagaman ang batas ay hindi tumutukoy kung sino ang kinakailangan upang gawin ito.

Habang ang section 20 naman nito ay nagsasaad na ang seremonya sa pagtataas ng watawat ng Pilipinas sa mga opisyal o sibikong pagtitipon ay dapat na simple at may paggalang, at dapat na patugtugin o awitin ang pambansang awit na may orihinal na lirikong Pilipino at pamartsang ritmo.

Flag raising ceremonies are sometimes taken for granted. The spearheading brass band or chorale or rondalla takes away the accountability of the attendees to sing the Lupang Hinirang. The would-be singers become the audience to the “performers”. This scenario also happens during program when multi-media take the course of singing the Lupang Hinirang and the majority of the audience simply wait until the last note is played.

SM City Caloocan - Former Grand Central

Speaker Arroyo OKs Department of Disaster Resilience proposal

LEGAZPI CITY—The proposed draft for the creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) or House bill 6075 authored by Albay Second District Rep. Joey Salceda has been given the go-signal by House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Salceda announced on Friday that after Arroyo assumed her speakership post, she directed the House committees on Government Reorganization and Defense and Security to convene and unanimously draft the proposal and endorse it to the plenary.

“We responded to it because President Duterte has repeatedly underscored in his Sona [State of the Nation Address] the urgency for the creation of department level disaster management agency, a version of which he had approved in his recent regular cabinet meeting,” he said.

Salceda stressed that “with DDR, it will be accountable and responsible for overseeing, coordinating and implementing comprehensive disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and management programs and redirecting policy drifts among other agencies handling disaster response tasks.”

He said passing the bill would be easier with Arroyo, being the House Speaker, since she is familiar with such legislation, having approved during her presidency Republic Act 101221, the law which sought to “Strengthen the Philippine Disaster Risk Management System.” /jpv

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1015184/speaker-arroyo-oks-department-of-disaster-resilience-proposal-arroyo-ddr-house-proposal-house-bill#ixzz5Ml75OzjI
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