House approves bill creating Department of Disaster Resilience on second reading

The House of Representatives, through viva voce voting, approved on second reading on Tuesday House Bill 8165, seeking to create the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) which shall be the primary government agency responsible for leading, organizing and managing the national effort to reduce disaster risk, and prepare for and respond to disasters, recover and rehabilitate.

Principally authored by Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez (1st District, Leyte), the bill also provides that the DDR shall oversee and coordinate the preparation, implementation, monitoring, evaluation of disaster and climate resilience plans, programs, and activities.

The DDR shall also provide leadership in the continuous development of strategic and systematic approaches to disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, and rehabilitation, and anticipatory adaptation strategies, measures, techniques and options.

It shall also augment the capacity of local government units (LGUs) in collaboration with relevant national agencies and other stakeholders to implement disaster risk reduction and management and climate change action plans, programs, projects and activities.

The bill declares it is the duty of the State to carry out and harmonize the policies on disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and management, and climate change adaptation, and sustainable development to uphold the welfare of the people particularly the vulnerable sectors of society.

The DDR shall be composed of the following: 1) Secretary to be appointed by the President; 2) five Undersecretaries. Each of the four Undersecretaries shall be responsible for resilience, policy and governance, operations, administration and finance, respectively, while the fifth one shall be the Senior Undersecretary; 3) 10 Assistant Secretaries; 4) 11 Service Directors who shall head the following services: administrative and financial management, logistics and resource management, operations, responders management, policy development and planning, capacity-development and training, legal affairs and compliance, disaster risk reduction, climate change, rehabilitation and recovery management, and strategic communications; 5) divisions, units and offices; 6) The National Climate and Disaster Resilience, Research, Education, and Training Institute ; 7) regional and other offices; 8) bureaus; 9) seconded personnel from relevant agencies; and 10) grievance desks in every region.

The DDR shall also have the power to receive donations and grants from any person, government institution, corporation, international organization, and other similar entities, and the power to recommend the procurement of developmental assistance for the purpose of disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and management, and climate change adaptation.

It shall be mandatory for the department to acknowledge and certify the receipt of all DDR grants and donated funds and ensure their judicious management, including their proper and accurate audit reporting to constituents.

The bill also provides for the creation of the National Disaster Resilience Council (NDRC) which shall be the policy advisory to the DDR on disaster risk reduction and management, and climate change adaptation. It shall be headed by the Secretary of Disaster Resilience and composed of the heads of the different government agencies.

The Council shall be organized into five clusters namely, Disaster Prevention and Management to be led by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST); Disaster Preparedness to be led by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); Disaster response to be led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); Logistics to be led by the Department of National Defense (DND); and Recovery and Sustainable Development to be led by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

The DDR shall also issue comprehensive guidelines on the initiation, entry, facilitation, transit and regulation of international relief goods and personnel, as well as eligibility guidelines to utilize the legal facilities for assisting international actors.

The bill also provides for penalties for prohibited acts of public officials, and private persons or institutions.

The amount needed for the initial implementation of the Act shall be taken from the current fiscal year’s unexpended appropriation of all agencies absorbed, transferred, and attached to the DDR. Thereafter, the amount needed for the operation and maintenance of the DDR shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.

The bill was sponsored and defended on the floor by Rep. Xavier Jesus Romualdo (Lone District, Camiguin). | Rowena B. Bundang

House OKs Department of Disaster Resilience bill on 2nd reading

The House bill seeks to transfer to the proposed department the 'applicable' powers and funds of existing agencies and offices in charge of disaster risk reduction and management

The House of Representatives approved on 2nd reading the bill that would create the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR).

Lawmakers gave their nod to House Bill (HB) No. 8165 through viva voce voting or a vote of ayes and nays on Tuesday, September 18.

If passed into law, HB 8165 would mandate the DDR to be primarily responsible for overseeing and coordinating the preparation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of disaster and climate change resilience plans and programs.

The bill would also establish the National Disaster Resilience Council, which shall serve as the department's policy advisory body on disaster risk and vulnerability reduction, emergency management, and climate change adaptation.

HB 8165 would also order the creation of the Prevention, Mitigation, and Preparedness Fund, which shall be used to support programs for climate change adaptation, disaster risk prevention and mitigation, disaster risk transfer, and disaster preparedness of 3rd to 6th class provinces and municipalities.

Lawmakers approved the bill on 2nd reading after Typhoon Ompong (Mangkhut) devastated parts of Luzon over the weekend, killing at least 74 people and affecting over 800,000 others. (READ: In Itogon, sister volunteers to dig beneath the soil to look for brother)

What happens to existing disaster-related agencies and bureaus? Under the bill, the "applicable" powers, functions, and funds of the following agencies would be transferred to the DDR:

• Office of Civil Defense
• Climate Change Office
• Geo-Hazard Assessment and Engineering Geology Section of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau
• Health and Emergency Management Bureau of the Department of Health
• Disaster Response Assistance and Management Bureau of the Department of Social Welfare and Development
• Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)

The BFP, however, would remain a "distinct entity" within the proposed department, including BFP employees and officials' uniformed personnel status and benefits.

The Climate Change Office of the Climate Change Commission would also continue to serve its functions, but would be an office under the DDR.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration as well as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology would become attached agencies to the proposed department.

Separation pay and other benefits would be given to officials and employees who would be affected by the transfer of agencies and bureaus.

Why push for a new department? No less than President Rodrigo Duterte asked Congress to pass a bill creating the DDR.

He said the proposed department, which would have more powers than the current National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, would help the country respond to natural and man-made calamities faster.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/212275-house-2nd-reading-bill-department-of-disaster-resilience

Duterte signs law creating 8th district for vote-rich Cavite

The new district is composed of Tagaytay City, Alfonso, General Aguinaldo, Magalles, Maragondon, Mendez, Naic, and Ternate

Eight months before the 2019 elections, President Rodrigo Duterte signed a law creating an 8th legislative district for the vote-rich province of Cavite.

Republic Act Number 11069 was signed by Duterte on Friday, September 14. The new arrangement will take effect in the next national and local elections.

The new district is comprised of the following cities and towns:

• Tagaytay City
• Alfonso
• General Aguinaldo
• Magallanes
• Maragondon
• Mendez
• Naic
• Ternate

The 7 other districts are as follows:

1st District

• Cavite City
• Kawit
• Noveleta
• Rosario

2nd District

• Bacoor City

3rd District

• Imus City

4th District

• Dasmariñas City

5th District

• Carmona
• General Mariano Alvarez
• Silang

6th District

• General Trias City

7th District

• Trece Martires City
• Indang
• Tanza
• Amadeo

Those cities and towns now under the 8th district but which were part of the 6th and 7th districts will be represented by the incumbent representatives of those districts until a new representative is elected.

The Commission on Elections is ordered to come up with rules and regulations within 30 days after the law's approval.

Cavite has a population of 3.78 million, based on 2015 census. It had 1.84 million registered voters in 2016.

BREAKING NEWS: Miss Earth is Now A Kapuso?

This 2018, marks the 17th year of Miss Earth since the Organization aired their first ever pageant in 2002. In 2001, the pageant debuted in now-defunct RPN 9. Seems like the Miss Earth Foundation is embracing so much changes after they have changed how they run their pageants.

From the selection of the finalists, the pre-judging, the production and the yearly theme. For 17 years, ABS-CBN acquired the rights to air the show in both Miss Earth Philippines and the Miss Earth. Since the organization is really serious in transforming their pageant, looks like a big switch is likely to happen and this could be a network switch.

According to a reliable source, the Miss Earth Foundation are going to meet with the people behind one of the biggest TV networks. One of the staff of Miss Earth even posted a hint through emoji which if you read between the lines, it would say, from Kapamilya to Kapuso. Will the major switch of network push through or will the major switch continue the streak of success in the international stage? We’ll find out soon. Tune in to the page for more upcoming news regarding this.

Senate OKs bills on provincial holidays

The Senate approved on Monday on its third and final reading 15 house bills seeking to declare special non-working holidays in several provinces to commemorate locally significant events.

Senator Sonny Angara, chair of the Senate Committee on Local Government and sponsor of the bills, said in a statement that these holidays would be opportunities for communities to honor historical events.

Among the approved bills is House Bill No. 5172, which declares June 19 as a special non-working holiday in Laguna to honor the birth of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.

House Bill No. 5551 proposes to declare a special non-working holiday on September 2 to honor the birth of Simeon Ola has also been approved.

Ola is the last general from the Philippines to surrender to the American forces after the Philippine-American War.

Meanwhile, the Senate has also approved House Bill No. 5640, which seeks to declare September 3 as a holiday in Baguio to commemorate the surrender of the Japanese troops led by General Tomoyuki Yamashita.

House Bill No. 2483 aiming to declare July 4 as a holiday in Cadiz, Negros Occidental, in commemoration of its charter day anniversary has also been passed.

Other bills approved are House Bill Nos. 6178, 5563, 2484, 2132, 3710, 2129, 2131, 2130, 6418, 5641, and 2097, the declaration of special non-working holidays on January 11 in Bataan; April 21 in Orani, Bataan; June 11 in Sagay, Negros Occidental; June 15 in Oplo, Misamis Oriental; June 27 in El Salvador, Misamis Oriental; July 1 in Alubijid, Misamis Oriental; July 22 in Claveria, Misamis Oriental; September 1 in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental; October 26 in Catanduanes; December 1 in Padre Garcia, Batangas; and December 2 in Pasay City, to commemorate their respective founding anniversaries. /ee

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1033380/senate-oks-bills-on-provincial-holidays

UST law school to host mass for Atio’s death anniversary

The University of Santo Tomas is set to hold a rosary praying and mass as it marks the first death anniversary of law student Horacio “Atio” Castillo III.

On a social media post, the UST Civil Law Student Council said it would be hosting the Eucharistic Celebration in remembrance of Castillo’s year of passing at the Santissimo Rosario Parish around 5 p.m.

The rosary praying will be held an hour before the mass, also at the same venue.

“We continue to pray for the peaceful rest of Mr. Castillo III, and the honest and swift service of justice,” the council said.

Last March, 10 members of the  Aegis Juris Fraternity surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation over the death of the student.

They are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Law.

The testimony of state witness Mark Ventura claimed Castillo was punched and paddled for hours as part of the fraternity's rites.

By dawn on Sept. 17, 2017, Castillo was dead.

The Department of Justice earlier cleared from anti-hazing and obstruction of justice raps UST law school dean Nilo Divina and other alumni of the fraternity. — Rosette Adel with a report from Kristine Joy Patag

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2018/09/17/1852283/ust-law-school-host-mass-atios-death-anniversary

Duterte signs law creating 8th legislative district for vote-rich Cavite

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law reapportioning vote-rich Cavite province into eight legislative districts months before the 2019 midterm polls. 

Republic Act 11069 signed by Duterte last September 14, would make General Trias City a separate legislative district and would reorganize two other districts.

General Trias City would become the province's sixth district. Trece Martires City, Indang, Tanza and Amadeo, areas that used to be part of the sixth district, would constitute the seventh district.  

The 8th district would consist of Tagaytay City, Alfonso, General Aguinaldo, Magallanes, Maragondon, Mendez, Naic and Ternate, areas that used to belong to the 7th district. 

The incumbent representatives of the 6th and 7th districts would continue to represent their districts until new representatives are elected.

The composition of the five other districts was unchanged. The first district is composed of Cavite City, Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario while Bacoor City constitutes the second district. 

Imus City constitutes the third district while Dasmariñas City constitutes the fourth. The fifth district consists of Carmona, General Mariano Alvarez and Silang.

There are about 1.8 million registered voters in Cavite.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2018/09/17/1852282/duterte-signs-law-creating-8th-legislative-district-vote-rich-cavite

Duterte signs law dividing Cavite into 8 legislative districts

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law reapportioning Cavite into 8 legislative districts, ahead of the 2019 national and local elections.

According to Republic Act 11069, signed by Duterte on Sept. 14, the 8 legislative districts are as follows:

First District

• Cavite City
• Kawit
• Noveleta
• Rosario

Second District

• Bacoor City

Third District

• Imus City

Fourth Distric​t

• ​Dasmariñas City

Fifth District

• Carmona
• General Mariano Alvarez
• Silang

Sixth District

• General Trias City

Seventh District

• Trece Martires City
• Indang
• Tanza
• Amadeo

Eighth District

• Tagaytay City
• Alfonso
• General Aguinaldo
• Magallanes
• Maragondon
• Mendez
• Naic
• Ternate

The law, which repeals RA 9727 signed by former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, makes General Trias City into a legislative district on its own. The composition of the first five districts, meanwhile, were left untouched.

The law states that the incumbent representatives of the 6th and 7th legislative districts shall continue to represent their districts until new representatives are elected.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/17/18/duterte-signs-law-dividing-cavite-into-8-legislative-districts

Former Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino general manager Marco Protacio

Chowking founder passes away

Roberto Fung Kuan, the businessman who founded Chinese style fast-food restaurant chain Chowking, passed away on Saturday at the age of 70.

His son Robert Kelvin announced his passing in a Facebook post.

“Today I bid goodbye to my father... Roberto Fung Kuan, born Aug. 6, 1948. He joined the Lord today, 12:18 p.m. Sept. 15 at the age of 70,” the younger Kuan said.

“Daddy accomplished much in his lifetime as a servant of God, being an exceptional leader and role model in the various fields he has devoted his life to – church ministry, business, medicine, education, sports, philanthropy and so much more. A passionate entrepreneur with a visionary mindset, tempered with humility and a thirst for life, people know Dad as a warm soul – strong, principled with a big heart. He led an extraordinarily remarkable life, filled with much love and great food, and had been a gifted mentor, loyal friend, devoted husband, brother, father and grandfather,” he also said.

Kuan founded Chowking Food Corp. in 1985 and served as its president until 2000 when the Jollibee Group acquired the fast-food chain.

He also served as the chairman of the board of trustees of St. Luke’s Medical Center.

According to his profile on Bloomberg, he also served as an independent director at China Bank Securities Corp. and chairman of Creative Dining Inc., Goodview Seafood Restaurant and Hot Café.

He served as trustee of Far Eastern College-Silang Inc. and Brent International School of Manila since 1989.

He was also a recipient of several awards and citations in the field of business, such as Business Leadership Award (Pillar Category) from Aurelio Periquet Jr. Foundation, TOFIL Awardee in the field of Business and Entrepreneurship for the year 2003, Agora Awardee for entrepreneurship, Triple-A Awardee of AIM, Outstanding Alumnus of the University of the Philippines (UP) in the field of Business, 1999 Franchise Excellence Awardee from the Philippine Franchise Association, 1999 Most Outstanding Professional Awardee in the field of Business Administration from UP Alumni Association, among others.

A graduate of the College of Business Administration at the University of the Philippines in 1970, Kuan also obtained an MBA from the Asian Institute of Management.

His son said Kuan is survived by “our loving mom Yvonne; siblings Joseph, Helen and Choleng; children Robert Kelvin and Reah, Natalie Cherubim and Randy, Jeremy Giancarlo and Dennis Ann and Sherwin Spencer and Kathleen Joan; and grandchildren Raphael Karlos, Louis Yñigo, Kenzo Nicolai, Kara Ysabelle, Yale Quinzel and Venice Skye.

https://www.philstar.com/business/2018/09/17/1852060/chowking-founder-passes-away

Officials elated by Cavite redistricting

By Anthony Giron

IMUS, Cavite — Officials were elated by President Duterte’s early signing of a Congress measure that moved for the creation of the eighth district in the Province of Cavite.

The President signed into law on Friday Republic Act 11069 or the Act amending Section I of R.A. 9727, reapportioning the historical province into eight legislative districts.

Cavite, Luzon’s most densely populated area, currently has seven districts comprising seven ities and 16 municipalities.

With the approved redistricting law, the province’s 6th and 7th Districts would be reapportioned, make General Trias City as a lone district and create the 8th District.

Under the law, General Trias will solely be the 6th District, the 7th District will be composed of Trece Martires City. Amadeo, Tanza and Indang and the 8th District will comprise Tagaytay City and the municipalities of Alfonso, General Emilio Aguinaldo (also called Bailen), Magallanes, Maragondon, Mendez-Nuñez, Naic and Ternate.

The 6th District is currently composed of the cities of General Trias, Trece Martires and municipalities of Tanza and Amadeo while the 7th District comprises Tagaytay City and the municipalities of Alfonso, General Emilio Aguinaldo, Indang, Magallanes, Maragondon, Mendez-Nunez, Naic and Ternate.

The 7th District Representative and the administration’s PDP-Laban-Cavite head Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and his brother, Francis, former mayor of Tagaytay, now Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs, said that the signed law was a welcome development as it would boost further developments and progress particularly in the three concerned districts (6th, 7th and the new 8th Districts).

The law was well supported by all the other six Cavite House legislators namely 1st District Rep. Francis Gerald A. Abaya, 2nd District (Bacoor) Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla, 3rd District (Imus) Rep. Alex L. Advincula, 4th District (Dasmarinas) Rep. Jennifer A. Barzaga, 5th District Rep. Roy M. Loyola and 6th District Rep. Luis A. Ferrer.

The law, earlier approved by Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III and House of Representatives Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, was also backed by the provincial and local officials.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/09/15/officials-elated-by-cavite-redistricting/

Dureza committed to pursuing autonomy for Cordillera Region

By Aaron Recuenco

While all the discussions are currently focused on the autonomous region for the Bangsamoro in Mindanao, Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza has committed to pursuing the autonomy for the Cordillera Region.

“I think the next priority for this government is to install the Autonomous Region for the Cordillera,” Jesus Dureza said.

The official made the statement during the 32nd anniversary of “Sipat” or the Mount Data Peace Accord which was the first culture-based peace agreement made in the history of the peace process in the Philippines.

It was done on September 13, 1986 between the Philippine government under President Corazon Aquino and the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) led by Fr. Conrado Balweg.

In a statement, Dureza commended the local leaders of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) for working as one to attain autonomy.

Those who were fragmented before are now united. And I saw convergence of your political leaders. We should not squander this opportunity,” Dureza said.

It’s not just the Bangsamoro that should have an autonomous region. The Constitution provides both for the Bangsamoro and the Cordillera,” he added.

Part of the move for autonomy in the Cordillera, according to Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) Secretary Adelino Sitoy, are bills filed in Congress that seek to establish the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera (ARC).

“The PLLO will pledge to exert all efforts in lobbying for the inclusion of Cordillera Autonomy Bill in the President’s legislative agenda and common legislative agenda,” Sitoy said.

Four identical versions of the proposed measure are now pending before the Senate and the House of Representatives.

House Bill 5343, which was authored by Cordilleran legislators, is now set to undergo deliberations in the House committee on local government. Serving as the counterpart of the House legislation, three Senate Bills — tagged as SB 1678, SB 1923, and SB 1930 — were filed by Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, JV Ejercito, and Bam Aquino, respectively.

In his message of support, former President Fidel V. Ramos, who was present in the 1986 signing of the Mount Data Peace Accord, urged everyone to help the present administration to attain peace and justice, relating it to the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations.

“Let us help him (President Rodrigo Duterte) finish the transformation of the Philippines,” Ramos said.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/09/15/dureza-committed-to-pursuing-autonomy-for-cordillera-region/

SGMA pushes for establishment of Disaster Management Department

Former President and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today pushed for the establishment of a Disaster Management Department that would be instrumental in improving the country’s preparedness before, during, and after the strike of natural calamities.

Speaker Arroyo reiterated her call for the creation of the Disaster Management Department in an interview prior to her distribution of relief goods to some 1,000 families in Marilao, Bulacan, who were affected by previous typhoons.

The relief operations were done by Speaker Arroyo despite the expected onslaught of supertyphoon Ompong.

Speaker Arroyo disclosed that there are difficulties encountered with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) in terms of determining where the relief operations should be held.

She said that while residents of Bulacan were definitely victimized by the calamities, people living in the East of Aurora apparently experienced it worse. She explained that they were almost clueless as to where the typhoon really hit.

“So because it’s a coordinating council, we just based it on where they announced ‘no classes.’ It turns out it’s East of Aurora. We should have gone to Aurora, but we didn’t know. If there is a Disaster Management Department, they would have better information, and they can prepare better,” Speaker Arroyo said.

She also bared that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also had logistical issues, which posed delay on the day of the relief operations.

“We asked (the) DSWD to bring relief goods. I brought mine. Good that it’s here. But DSWD, they have the goods, but do not have the truck. A Disaster Management Department would have everything. 

So what happened was that the DSWD had to borrow a truck from Meycauayan Mayor Henry Villarica, the husband of Congresswoman Villarica. "But then, the truck broke down. It just arrived now,” she said.

Speaker Arroyo then noted that it is important to already have a Disaster Management Secretary who can focus on concerns of risk reduction and management.

“We need to have a permanent and full-time Secretary of Disaster. Who’s the head of the Council? Secretary Lorenzana. Well, he’s busy fighting insurgency. He’s busy fighting terrorism. So how can he be there full-time? So now, what happened is since the typhoon is going to hit the North, four Secretaries are there. If there was a full-time Secretary, then you don’t need four Secretaries to be there,” Speaker Arroyo explained.

The Speaker mentioned how these matters have only proven that there is absolutely a need for a Disaster Management Department. She said that “They’re doing the best that they can. I’m satisfied with what they’re doing within the limitations of a coordinating council, but this really proves we should have a Disaster [Management] Department. Otherwise, we would have been in Aurora today, if we had known better,” she said.

Relatedly, House Bill 8165, seeking the creation of the Department of Disaster Resiliency (DDR), is now in the period of sponsorship and debate at the House of Representatives. 

Also present during the relief operations were Rep. Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado (1st District, Bulacan), Marilao Mayor Juanito Santiago, Marilao Vice Mayor Henry Lutao, Meycauayan Mayor Henry Villarica, some local officials of Marilao and representatives from the DSWD. | Monel Gonzales

Arroyo admits her experience justified creation of disaster management dep’t

Confused and bewildered about details on typhoon ‘”Ompong”s, former president and now Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo admitted her experience on Friday provided a strong justification for the creation of a new government department solely in charge of the country’s disaster preparedness and resilience program.

“We were clueless where the typhoon was going to hit so because it is a coordinating council so we based it where there are no classes, where it has been announced no classes. Marilao, Obando in Bulacan. It turns out it’s east of Aurora,” Arroyo told news reporters.

Arroyo distributed relief goods to more than 1,000 Marilao families who were affected by the “habagat” (west monsoon rains) and to prepare them for the approaching supertyphoon Ompong yesterday.

The House leader underscored the need to create the Department of Disaster Resilience which is currently debated in the Lower House plenary, saying that addressing national disaster preparedness and response concerns.

“We should have gone to Aurora but we did not know,” said Arroyo, adding that they were not aware of Ompong’s directiion when they prepared the relief goods the other day.

“If there is a disaster management department, they would have better information and they can prepare better,” she added.

Further, the former chief executive stressed that the proposed department can be expected to acquire better equipment, apparently in terms of communications, transportation and heavy-duty disaster control tools and gear.

She pointed out that while the Department of Social Welfare Development has enough relief goods and food to distribute, it lacks transportation to ensure delivery.

“A disaster management department would have everything so what happened? The DSWD had to borrow the truck from the mayor of Meycauayan, the husband of Cong. Villarica,“ she explained, referring to Deputy Speaker Linabelle Villarica and her husband, Mayor Henry Villarica.

Unfortunatley, the truck bogged down and belatedly arrived at the distribution venue.

“I mean these are the logistical problems when you have only a coordinating council and disasters happen to us all the time especially with climate change,” she said.

House bill 8165 seeking to create a Department of Disaster Resilience is up for second reading approval in the Lower House.

A consolidation of 42 bills and five resolutions, HB 8165 proposes the DDR to be the primary government agency responsible for managing the national effort to reduce disaster risk, manage preparations for natural calamities and lead the response, recovery and rehabilitation efforts for victims.

Principal authors included Reps. Winston Castelo (PDP-Laban, Quezon City); Isidro Rodriguez Jr. (NPC, Rizal); Bellaflor Angara-Castillo (LDP, Aurora); Alfred Vargas (PDP-Laban, Quezon City); Michael Romero and Enrico Pineda (1Pacman Party-list); Carlos Isagani Zarate (Bayan Muna); Yedda Marie Romualdez (Lakas-CMD, Leyte) ; Victoria Isabel Noel (An Waray Party-list) and Bernadette Herrera-Dy (Bagong Henerasyon Party-list).

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/09/14/arroyo-admits-her-experience-justified-creation-of-disaster-management-dept/

4,000 Bicolanos to be hired with opening of big mall in Legazpi City

LEGAZPI CITY – About 4,000 Bicolanos would be employed with the opening of SM City Legazpi on Friday.

“With the operation of SM, it is a big investment for Legazpi City,” said Mayor Noel Rosal.

With more than 150 stores and six cinemas, Rosal said the mall has generated more than 4,000 jobs. It would surely contribute to the city’s economy, he said.

The SM City Legazpi is the 71st mall of SM Prime Holdings Inc. in the country and the second in Bicol region, with SM City Naga in Camarines Sur as the first.

The three-level mall is located along Imelda Roces Avenue in Barangay Bitano.

“The newest SM City will awe mall goers because a lot of things can be explored,” said Lilbeth Azores, SM senior relations manager.

She said shoppers could also have their pictures taken at the exterior balcony of the mall, with Mayon Volcano as the backdrop. MICHAEL B. JAUCIAN

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1031211/4000-bicolanos-to-be-hired-with-opening-of-big-mall-in-legazpi-city

Senate OKs June 18 Bacolod Charter Day

The Senate approved the bill that seeks to change the Bacolod City Charter Day from Oct. 19 to June 18 of every year.

House Bill (HB) 7044 was passed in its third and final reading on Monday.

If signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte, it will amend Republic Act (RA) 7724, which declares Oct. 19 of every year as the Bacolod City Charter Day.

Aside from declaring June 18 as the annual Charter Day, making it a special nonworking holiday in Negros Occidental’s capital city, the bill also recognizes Oct. 19 as Bacolod City’s annual commemoration of its inauguration.

Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, chairman of the Senate committee on revision of laws, sponsored HB 7044 in February after the House of Representatives approved its version (HB 5875), which Rep. Greg Gasataya authored.

Gasataya filed the bill early this year upon the request of Mayor Evelio Leonardia.

Leonardia said RA 7724 “created the legally unfounded belief that the Bacolod City Charter Day is on Oct. 19.”

He added that then president Manuel Quezon signed Commonwealth Act 326 – which officially turned Bacolod into a city – on June 18, 1938.

Gasataya said RA 7724 “bears with it the misconception that the city was created on the day of its formal inauguration and the first assembly of the city council on Oct. 19, 1938” thus “causing several problems.”

Councilor Caesar Distrito – chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod committee on laws, ordinances and good government – welcomed Senate’s approval of HB 7044.

“Finally, the rightful celebration had been put in place by the passage of this law that recognizes the correct Charter Day of Bacolod which is June 18,” said Dsitrito.

In 2012, Distrito authored an ordinance that acknowledged June 18 of every year as the Bacolod City Charter Day.

“We appreciate the efforts of Gasataya, being the author of the House version,” said Distrito. “We also recognize our congressmen and senators for finally approving the bill in its third and final reading.”

Former mayor Monico Puentevella and son Councilor Claudio Jesus and Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. have opposed the June 18 Bacolod City Charter Day.

Monico and Gamboa cited records from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines showing that Bacolod came into “corporate existence” when Quezon inaugurated the city on Oct. 19, 1938./PN

House renews CBCP broadcast franchise for 25 years

By JOHN CARLO M. CAHINHINAN

The House of Representatives has finally approved on third reading the overdue congressional franchise renewal of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines.

Voting 216 without opposition, the House plenary approved House Bill 4820 which seeks to extends the congressional franchise granted to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)

Under the measure, the CBCP (formerly the Catholic Welfare Organization) is allowed “to construct, install, establish, operate and maintain radio and or television broadcasting stations in the Philippines” under Republic Act 7530 for another 25 years.

The bill, authored by Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, hurdled the committee level last August 15, more than a year after the CBCP’s congressional franchise lapsed.

It was rumored that both President Rodrigo Duterte and former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez were allegeldy blocking the franchise renewal of CBCP since the Catholic Church has been critical of the government’s policies including the war on drugs.

http://politics.com.ph/house-renews-cbcp-broadcast-franchise-for-25-years/

SM Prime opens SM City Legazpi in Albay

 SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), one of the largest integrated property developers in Southeast Asia, is set to open its newest mall, SM City Legazpi in Albay Province, this Friday, September 14. Dubbed as Bicol Region’s newest lifestyle destination, SM City Legazpi spans to almost 88,000 square meters (sqm) of gross floor area (GFA).

"SM Prime joins the City of Legazpi in bringing fun and adventure to the picturesque province of Albay with the opening of SM City Legazpi. To date, this is the company’s biggest mall in the Bicol Region. Together with SM City Naga in Camarines Sur, this new lifestyle destination in Bicolandia will elevate the malling experience of both the locals and tourists with offerings from top local and global brands,” SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim said.

Legazpi, The City of Fun and Adventure

Home to the majestic Mayon Volcano, Legazpi City is Bicol Region’s center for tourism, education, health services, commerce and transportation. The progress of this city is evident in the great number of hotels, restaurants, health and educational facilities, as well as banks and other financial institutions that serve this community of 200,000 residents.

Legazpi City is also among the top provincial cities with valuable OFW remittances in the Philippines, contributing significantly to national developme

Bicolandia’s Newest Lifestyle Hub

SM City Legazpi, which will open with 85% of space lease-awarded, has three levels of well-curated mix of shopping, dining and entertainment concepts led by The SM Store, SM Supermarket, SM Appliance Center, Ace Hardware, Our Home, Watsons, Surplus, Sports Central, Bata Shoes, Miniso, The Body Shop, Uniqlo and Banco de Oro.

The mall will feature  green architecture, accentuated by a vast glass-walled SM Food Hall that overlooks the splendor of Mayon Volcano, where mall goers get to enjoy crave-worthy food choices.  The mall will also have SM Cyberzone and six SM Cinemas.

Standing in a prime location along Imelda Roces Avenue (formerly known as Tahao Road), the mall offers convenience to its shoppers through its customer-centric facilities such as Breastfeeding Station, PWD-access ramps, customer service hub and an ample 922-slot carpark.

SM Prime has opened three new malls in the first half of 2018 - SM Center Imus in Cavite, SM City Urdaneta Central in Pangasinan and SM City Telabastagan in Pampanga. The Company is scheduled to open SM Center Ormoc in Leyte in the last quarter of the year.

SM Prime remains committed to its role as a catalyst for economic growth, delivering innovative and sustainable lifestyle cities, thereby enriching the quality of life of millions of people.

House OKs renewing CBCP broadcast franchise for 25 years

House Bill 8155 gives the President a 'special right' to 'temporarily take over and operate' the CBCP’s media facilities during times of war, rebellion, public peril, calamity, emergency, disaster, or disturbance of peace and order

The House of Representatives approved a bill that would extend the franchise granted to the Catholics Bishop Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) for its broadcasting operations for another 25 years.

A total of 216 lawmakers voted yes during the 3rd and final reading of House Bill 8155 on Monday, September 10. No legislator voted no or abstained from voting.

HB 8155 would allow the CBCP to continue operating and maintaining its radio and television broadcasting facilities in the Philippines for another 25 years. The last legislative franchise granted to CBCP under Republic Act 7530 lapsed in August 2017.

Section 5 of HB 8155 carries over from its old franchise law the provision that would give a “special right” to the President to “temporarily take over and operate” the CBCP’s radio stations or facilities during times of war, rebellion, public peril, calamity, emergency, disaster, or disturbance of peace and order.

The House, mostly composed by allies of President Rodrigo Duterte, backed the extension of the CBCP’s franchise weeks after Duterte’s tirades against the Catholic Church.

In July, the CBCP under its president, Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, released one of its strongest and most comprehensive critiques of the Duterte regime.

The CBCP slammed the crackdown on loiterers, the drug war killings, and other abuses under Duterte. The bishops also called for prayer and fasting from July 17 to 19.

https://www.rappler.com/business/211650-house-approves-cbcp-broadcast-franchise-renewal-25-years

The real deal with 34 Filipinos arrested for disrespecting Philippine Anthem

The arrest of 34 moviegoers in Batangas for allegedly disrespecting the Philippine National Anthem has renewed interest and sparked debate on the Republic Act 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.

The Philippine National Anthem should only be played and sang during the first and last screening of films, as stated in RA 8491.

However, the arrests in Batangas occurred at 2 p.m. during the second screening of “The How’s of Us” in a mall in Lemery, Batangas.

The Batangas police alleged that the moviegoers “did not stand in attention and disrespected the Philippine National Anthem while it was being played prior to the showing of movie film entitled The Hows of Us.”

Chief Inspector Alfie Salang of Batangas said in a radio interview that the arrests were part of “Oplan Bandila” conducted to teach Filipinos in the region to respect the national flag and the anthem while inside movie theaters.

“Bilang Pilipino, we should salute, we should respect our flag and our national anthem ‘pag ito po ay pinapatugtog,” Salang said.

He added that there were law enforcers in civilian clothing with surveillance cameras inside the movie house while those in uniform were stationed outside.

The “Oplan Bandila” operations will be conducted in all movie theaters in Region IV-A which is composed of the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon.

The basis for the arrest is Section 38 of the heraldic code, wherein every person in a “public gathering” is required to sing the Philippine National Anthem “Lupang Hinirang” every time it is played.

The public to stand at attention and face the Philippine flag when the anthem is played. In case no flag is displayed, the public should face the band or the conductor.

Members of the uniformed services, security guards and trainees in uniform should execute a salute to the anthem as prescribed by their regulations. The public is also required to put their right palms over their left chests until the last note of the anthem.

The NHI is mandated to disseminate a copy of the “official music score sheet that reflects the manner in which the national anthem should be played or sung” to ensure standards are followed.

The national anthem, however, would not be allowed to be played and sung preceding “events of recreation, amusement, or entertainment purposes.”


But the anthem may be played during the following: international competitions where the Philippines is the host or has a representative; local competitions; during the “signing off” and “signing on” of radio broadcasting and television stations; before the initial and last screening of films and before the opening of theater performances; and other occasions as may be allowed by the Institute.

The Oath of Patriotism (Panatang Makabayan) must be recited after the singing of the national anthem in basic education institutions. The Pledge of Allegiance (Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas) may be recited as well, though the law did not specify who is required to do so.

Section 20 of the law also states: “The observance of the flag ceremony in official or civic gatherings shall be simple and dignified and shall include the playing or singing of the anthem in its original Filipino lyrics and march tempo.”

If convicted, violators of the law can either be fined from P5,000 to P20,000 or imprisoned for one year, but only under the “discretion of the court.”

All citizens to stand at attention and sing with fervor, as a sign of respect, when the National Anthem is played at public gatherings.

Even moviegoers who do not stand up when the National Anthem is being played in cinemas will be sanctioned, as it empowers the security personnel and ushers in movie houses to arrest a violator and summon law enforcement officers to assist in conducting citizens' arrest.

Cagayan de Oro city Rep. Maximo Rodriguez, Jr. authored a bill seeking to criminalize those who “do not accord the respect due the Philippine flag and the national anthem.”

As of writing, the bill is now pending in the House of Representatives as House Bill No. 5224.

A part of section 38 also seemed to be misunderstood or left out when Batangas police put them into custody.

In general, a mall, along with the amenities inside it, is a private establishment. People have to pay, no matter how small, when you dine, watch a movie, and at times use the restroom of this establishment.

Malls or shopping centers are also not included in the definition of a public space in The Public Assembly Act of 1985.

Mixed reactions

Local authorities of Batangas were praised while those who were arrested were criticized for the alleged disrespect of the Philippine flag.

However, others questioned if what the officers did was “illegal.”

http://www.interaksyon.com/the-real-deal-with-34-filipinos-arrested-for-disrespecting-philippine-anthem/

Xiamen Airlines fines now up at P72 million

Xiamen Airlines would have to pay almost P72 million in fines for the penalty caused by an incident involving its aircraft last August 16, Manila International Airport Authority general manager Ed Monreal said.

The initial penalty that the Philippine government demanded from the Chinese airline was at least 33 million following the paralyzation of operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

During the Senate hearing into the NAIA fiasco, Monreal said Xiamen Airlines officials will be coming to the country on Wednesday to settle the initial penalty.

"Actually, the (Xiamen Airlines) finance officer went here last Friday and there was an exchange of information... the chairman himself will go again here," Monreal said in mix of English and Filipino.

Possible violations of Philippine civil aviation regulations
Meanwhile, the flight safety investigation committee (FSIC) of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines is looking into possible violations of Philippine civil aviation regulations.

CAAP Director General Jim Sydiongco said this committee would also impose corresponding penalties for such violations.

"This committee is tasked to implement our local laws on civil aviation. Aviation safety is of the utmost priority and the Philippines is duty-bound under our international obligations to abide," Sydiongco told the Senate panel.

The CAAP's Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board (AAIIB), on the other hand, is checking if the Philippines was complying to international obligations and treaties.

Both teams of the CAAP are working to determine what caused the accident.

"Both committees are at work continuing and gathering the information through interviews with eyewitnesses, examination of records, validation of data from all available sources to arrive at the truth on the accident involving the Xiamen Airlines aircraft," Sydiongco said.

Black box under CAAP custody
The Xiamen Airlines plane's cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder have arrived from Singapore but it is still under CAAP custody.

Sydiongco, however, refused to disclose details on the aircraft's black box while investigations are ongoing.

"CAAP will publish the final report of the AAIIB and FSIC upon the conclusion of the investigations," he said.

The CAAP will also issue an amount of penalty for the Chinese airline, which will be different from the Manila International Airport Authority's assessment.

"The Civil Aviation Authority's fine is different, which is against the operator and against the pilots," Sydiongco said.

Xiamen Airlines earlier committed to shouldering the expenses for the removal of its aircraft, which skidded off NAIA's runway, paralyzing the operations of the country's main gateway.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/09/10/1850289/xiamen-airlines-fines-now-p72-million

‘Eat Bulaga!’

BEFORE anything else, let me just park this:

Satire – the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues and it is also a genre of literature, and sometimes graphic and performing arts, in which vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals.

And its showtime folks!

In what could only be described as an unprecedented and radical, not to mention risky move in the annals of Philippine noontime television shows, the producers of that longest running mind-numbing show Eat Bulaga announced a complete overhauling of the show’s regular format.

No folks, the producers of Eat Bulaga did not just realize that their show has been creating “dumb and dumber” natives (they know that already), they just decided to go with the latest trend now affecting the “devotees to the cult of the yellow ribbon.”

And the “flavour of the month” and the newest “hero” of the “devotees to the cult of the yellow ribbon” is of course that sailor pretending to be a soldier; yep, the one with the puti itlog, Antonio Trillanes IV.

Maybe “hero” is too much because according to the “playbook” of the “devotees to the cult of the yellow ribbon” to be a “hero” one must die first and a violent public death is de rigour.

Unless they have a sacada from Hacienda Luisita shot Trillanes preferably in the tarmac of the Manila International Airport and dragged his bloody corpse all over Metro Manila in a huge public spectacle, then “Sonnyboy” is not a  full-fledged “yellow ribbon hero.”

If that happens then “Sonnyboy” is instantly a “hero”, of course not in the same level of that revered Malaysian Marcial Bonifacio who was also shot in the tarmac of the Manila International Airport.

Alive at best, “Sonnyboy” is just a clown or court jester meant to entertain the bored masses.

So what was that unprecedented perhaps “earth-shaking “upheaval in Eat Bulaga?

If by next week a warrant of arrest for “Sonnyboy” was issued and Police Chief Inspector Jovie Espendido leads the arresting team then maybe the “devotees to the cult of the yellow ribbon” might get their wish and have the “hero” in the mould of Marcial Bonifacio they have praying to high heavens for.

The supposedly unprecedented move of the producers of Eat Bulaga will become moot and academic if that happens.

On a plus side for the “devotees” their prayers are not for naught; all those pray overs and running in circles of Fr. Robert Reyes plus those pastoral letters of Archbishops Tagle and Villegas worked…God listened to them and lo and behold a second coming!

But if “Sonnyboy” is still alive and hold up in the Senate by next week then the producers of Eat Bulaga goes ahead with their move.

It will finally come to pass that “Tito, Vic and Joey” transforms into “Tito, Vic and Joey plus Sonny.”

Antonio Trillanes IV aka “Sonny” becomes the fourth member of “Tito, Vic and Joey” radically changing the trio of comedians into a quartet of comedians: “Tito, Vic and Joey plus Sonny.”

With that Eat Bulaga will move and broadcast live from the Senate building and no longer from that half a billion spanking new studio in Cainta, Rizal. Of course there is no truth to the rumor that Eat Bulaga will transfer from GMA to ABS-CBN.

And why will Eat Bulaga transfer to ABS-CBN when everyone knows their franchise renewal in Congress will be approved because of politics but because not a single congressman was even considered to be the fourth comedian in the “Tito, Vic and Joey” triumvirate.

Just plain and simple showbiz rivalry and nothing to do with politics.

And in another unprecedented move the producers of Eat Bulaga announced they will no longer continue nor support much less have as guest that very popular love team duo of Maine Mendoza and Alden Richards aka “Aldub”.

Again there was nothing kinky or bizarre in this move; it was just a corporate decision whatever that means.

With the advent of “Tito, Vic and Joey plus Sonny” it is expected that a new love team is in the offing.

Thus we have “Sonny and Gary”, a poor imitation and plagiarized version of that popular television sitcom in the ‘90s, “Will and Grace”.

Incidentally, if you’re not familiar with the television sitcom “Will and Grace” then moi is not surprised, rather expected it after all; “you’re nothing but a second rate copycat.”

Simply put, you’re just a trendy, naïve social climber.

“Sonny and Gary” is, and you guessed it right, Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV and Gary Alejano, the newest love team in town.

So folks, don’t be onion-skinned. Moi is just tickling your funny bone and have a good laugh; it does wonders for your health. (brotherlouie16@gmail.com/PN)

https://www.panaynews.net/eat-bulaga/

Danny Fajardo, Panay News founder, writes 30

Panay News founder Danny Fajardo, one of the pillars of journalism in Western Visayas, has died. He was 72.

Fajardo, who served as this paper’s editor-in-chief for years, passed away last night at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

He founded Panay News in 1981 to further expand the frontiers of press freedom in the region and hosted the popular Iloilo radio and cable television public affairs program Reklamo Publiko.

Fajardo headed the Iloilo Press Club – the oldest press club in the country – for several terms and served, too, as executive vice president of the Publishers’ Association of the Philippines.

Just this Sunday, Sept. 9, the Municipality of Mina, Iloilo honored Fajardo as one of its outstanding sons in the field of Business and Entrepreneurship.

Fajardo also served as Chief Executive Officer of the National Book Development Board; Commissioner of the Commission on Filipino Language; and Director, Media Division, Commission on Culture and the Arts.

He was also a Philippine media delegate to the United Nations’ 50th Anniversary.

Fajardo was an alumnus of Silliman University, Dumaguete City where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science.

He also took a special course on Para Legal Studies at the Manila Times School of Journalism./PN

***

Details on the interment will be announced later.

CHARTER DAY BABIES CHOSEN

BAGUIO CITY – A baby boy born to a young couple and a baby girl fathered by a 47-year old miner were proclaimed as this year’s Baguio Charter Day Babies.

The lucky infants were delivered separately minutes apart at past 2 a.m. last Sept. 1 at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center.

Baby boy Leam Mendizabal came out at 2:18 a.m. weighing 3 kg. He is the first child of Alvin Bustarde, 21, a third year college student and Ma. Christina Mendizabal, 17, Grade 11 of Marcoville barangay.

Baby girl Gladys Tusoy was delivered at 2:41 a.m. weighing 3.03 kg. She is the fourth child of 47-year old Jeremias Boligon, a miner employed at the Philex Mines and 27-year old Jene Rose Bangbanga of Pacdal, Tuba, Benguet.

In a report prepared by Social Welfare Officer Dolores Busacay, the couple shared that they met at a shop where Jene Rose was working as saleslady of second hand clothes.

“Jane Rose humorously said that Jeremias did not find clothes that would fit him, but he saw her instead,” Busacay related.

The chosen babies were presented with gifts and prizes last Sept. 2 by former councilor Narciso Padilla and wife Consuelo Sol, personnel of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (OCSWADO) under OCSWAD Officer Betty Fangasan and officers of the Baguio Elderly Association including Federation of Baguio Senior Citizens Association President Editha Ibarra.

Prizes consisted of cash pasalubong, a cavan of rice from the city government, baby clothes, food and goodies and mabuhay welcome medallion and othersfrom the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs, the Federation of Baguio Senior Citizens Association, Blessed Association of Retired Persons Foundation Inc. (BARP), the Philippine Government Retirees Association (PGRA), United States Army Forces in the Philippines–Northern Luzon and the Philippine Veterans Foundation Baguio District.

Padilla said the search in the tradition of the annual Quest for the Lucky Christmas and New Year Babies was started in 1987 to symbolize the dawning of a new year for the City.** Aileen P. Refuerzo

https://www.zigzagweekly.net/lifestyle/charter-day-babies-chosen/

Moviegoer arrested in Cavite for flag code violation

IMUS CITY, Cavite — A moviegoer was arrested after failing to stand up as the Philippine National Anthem was being played at the City Mall Cinema here Thursday evening.

Senior Supt. William Segun, the Cavite police director, identified the offender as Ria Chua Bautista, 28, food technologist and resident of Perpetual Village 7 in Barangay Mambog 5 in Bacoor City.

Bautista was the lone offender based on video footage and screenshot during the Cavite police’s simultaneous implementation of “Implan Bandila” across cinemas in the province.

Segun said their “Implan Bandila” is enforced in pursuit of the implementation of Republic Act No. 8491, or the “Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines” on orders of Police Regional Office 4-A (Calabarzon) Director, Chief Supt. Edward Carranza.

Carranza directed the Calabarzon police to enforce the law in all theaters, cinemas and public events across the region to instill a culture of patriotism and sense of duty.

According to Segun, the police operatives observed that most of the audience in movie theaters respected the singing of the Philippine National Anthem.

Only Bautista was the reported offender of the “Flag and Heraldic Code” and was accosted by the authorities after their “Bandila” operation.

Earlier on Wednesday, police arrested 34 moviegoers in Lemery, Batangas also for showing disrespect while the Philippine National Anthem was being played before a film screening of “The How’s of Us” in a local cinema.

Lemery municipal police chief, Chief Insp. Alfie M. Salang, reported to Batangas police director, Senior Supt. Edwin Quilates, that the local police operation “Oplan Bandila” was conducted in the movie house at a mall in Barangay Malinis.

In November last year, police arrested Bayle Einstein Gonzales also for showing disrespect while the Philippine National Anthem was being played before a film screening of "Justice League" (Dennis Abrina/PNA)

http://www.canadianinquirer.net/2018/09/08/moviegoer-arrested-cavite-flag-code-violation/

Moviegoer arrested in Cavite for flag code violation

A moviegoer was arrested after failing to stand up as the Philippine National Anthem was being played at the City Mall Cinema here Thursday evening, September 6.

Senior Superintendent William Segun, the Cavite police director, identified the offender as Ria Chua Bautista, 28, food technologist and resident of Perpetual Village 7 in Barangay Mambog 5 in Bacoor City.

Bautista was the lone offender based on video footage and screenshot during the Cavite police’s simultaneous implementation of “Implan Bandila” across cinemas in the province.

Segun said their “Implan Bandila” is enforced in pursuit of the implementation of Republic Act No. 8491, or the “Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines” on orders of Police Regional Office (PRO)-Calabarzon Director Chief Superintendent Edward Carranza.

Carranza directed the Calabarzon police to enforce the law in all theaters, cinemas, and public events across the region to instill a culture of patriotism and sense of duty.

According to Segun, the police operatives observed that most of the audience in movie theaters respected the singing of the Philippine National Anthem.

Only Bautista was the reported offender of the “Flag and Heraldic Code” and was accosted by the authorities after their “Implan Bandila” operation.

Earlier on September 5, 34 moviegoers arrested for ignoring national anthem

Lemery municipal police chief, Chief Insp. Alfie M. Salang, reported to Batangas police director, Senior Supt. Edwin Quilates, that the local police operation “Oplan Bandila” was conducted in the movie house at a mall in Barangay Malinis. (PNA)

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1763412

Philippine police nab 34 moviegoers for not standing up to national anthem

Philippine police have arrested 34 Filipino moviegoers for sitting out when the Philippine national anthem was played in a cinema, a police report released on Friday said.

The report said the Filipinos went to see the screening of the movie "The House of Us" at a cinema inside a mall in Lemery, a town in Batangas province south of Manila, on Thursday.

The national anthem called "Lupang Hinirang" is played before every screening in cinema but the 34 reportedly remained seated while the anthem was being played.

The 34 were detained at the town's police station while appropriate charges were prepared for filing in a local court.

Police said the 34 violated RA 8491 or an Act Prescribing the Code of the National Flag, Anthem, Motto, Coat-of-Arms and other heraldic items and devices of the Philippines. It is also known as the "Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines."

"As a sign of respect, all persons shall stand at attention and face the Philippine flag, if there is one displayed, and if there is none, they shall face the band or the conductor," it said.

According to the law, any person or judicial entity which violates any of the provisions of the law shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than 5,000 pesos (roughly 93 U.S. dollars) not more than 20,000 pesos (roughly 371 U.S. dollars), or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court.

All citizens to stand at attention and sing with fervor, as a sign of respect, when the National Anthem is played at public gatherings.

Even moviegoers who do not stand up when the National Anthem is being played in cinemas will be sanctioned, as it empowers the security personnel and ushers in movie houses to arrest a violator and summon law enforcement officers to assist in conducting citizens' arrest.

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-09/07/c_137451514.htm

34 arrested in movie house for disrespect of 'Lupang Hinirang'

For failing to stand up while the national anthem was played, at least 34 people were arrested inside the Cinema 2 of Xentro Mall in Lemery town in Batangas, according to a report on Unang Balita.

A video showed people standing up when "Lupang Hinirang" was played.

Some movie goers ignored the national anthem and remained seated. Some were seen texting while others continued eating and others were even locked in an embrace.

However, after the song was played, those seated were arrested.

Among the persons arrested were the spouse of a barangay chairman and a child of a mayor of a town in Batangas, for allegedly violating Republic Act 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.

The penalty for violating the law is a fine for P5,000 up to P20,000 or imprisonment of up to one year. — BAP, GMA News

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/666913/34-arrested-in-movie-house-for-disrespect-of-lupang-hinirang/story/

34 moviegoers nabbed for ignoring PH anthem

For ignoring the national anthem played inside a theater in Batangas province, 34 moviegoers are now in trouble, facing fines or a year in prison.

Chief Insp. Alfie Salang, police chief of Lemery town, said policemen took videos and photos of the moviegoers shortly before the screening of a romantic flick at a shopping mall on Wednesday afternoon.

After the national anthem was played and the movie was about to start, the police began arresting those who did not stand up.

Respecting PH flag

The 20-year-old Republic Act No. 8491, or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, requires the public to sing with fervor the national anthem, “Lupang Hinirang,” during public gatherings, such as at the initial and last screening of films or theater performances.

Upon conviction, the penalties include a fine of not less than P5,000 but not more than P20,000 or one year imprisonment.

Netizens were quick to chime in, as some said the arrest ought to teach the “basic duties of Filipinos.”

Others, however, described it as a prelude to a “state-enforced nationalism.”

“The arrest is overkill. It would be better if they (offenders) were reminded, rather than arrest them at once,” said Renato Reyes of the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan.

Supt. Chitadel Gaoiran, spokesperson for the Calabarzon police, said “Oplan Bandila” only enforced what was stated in the law that people seemed to had long ignored. —MARICAR CINCO

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1029348/34-moviegoers-nabbed-for-ignoring-ph-anthem

Disrespect ‘Lupang Hinirang’, get arrested

Thirty-four cinemagoers were arrested on Wednesday night for not standing during the singing of “Lupang Hinirang,” the Philippine national anthem, inside Cinema 2 of Xentro Mall in the town of Lemery in Batangas.

According to Inspector Hazel Luma-ang, information officer of the Batangas Provincial Police Office, members of the Lemery Police Station apprehended violators of Republic Act (RA) 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines in Cinema 2 at 2 p.m.

“The operation resulted in the arrest of the suspects for not standing at attention and for disrespecting the Philippine national anthem while it was being played prior to the showing of the movie titled “The How’s of Us,’” Luma-ang said.

The suspects were identified as: Kenneth Mendoza, John Aldrin Castro, Jerson Catapat, Mark Anthony Cabrera and Mark Gil Mercado, Michael Bautista, Reymundo Hernandez, Ron Jeric Ribot, Kent Vincent Amor, and Klen Aljohn Montenegro, Joshua Noche, Amony de Sogon, John Mark Villastas, Domingo Agojo And Juan Aldovino 2nd, Karen Decepeda, Angola Marie Dimayuga, Marie Joy Reyes, Cashmere Kyra Montenegro and Leny Jane Villanueva, Cathsien de Castro, Rose Ann de Castro, Mary Jane Lausa, Kimberly Martinez and Justine Mercado, Cynthia Mae Vergara, Donna Mae Catapang, Aileen Sinag, Marinette Cacanlalay, Maria Marcellana, Catherine Liday, Kyra Mae de Castro, Melody Megallon and Gladys Montenegro.

They are detained at the Lemery police station while appropriate charges are being prepared for filing in court today.

Section 38 of the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines mandates that when the national anthem is played in a public gathering, the attending public shall sing the anthem with fervor.

“As a sign of respect, all persons shall stand at attention and face the Philippine flag, if there is one displayed, and if there is none, they shall face the band or the conductor. At the first note, all persons shall execute a salute by placing their right palms over their left chests,” the code reads.

The national anthem, however, would not be allowed to be played and sung preceding “events of recreation, amusement, or entertainment purposes.”

But the anthem may be played during the following: international competitions where the Philippines is the host or has a representative; local competitions; during the “signing off” and “signing on” of radio broadcasting and television stations; before the initial and last screening of films and before the opening of theater performances; and other occasions as may be allowed by the Institute.

The Oath of Patriotism (Panatang Makabayan) must be recited after the singing of the national anthem in basic education institutions. The Pledge of Allegiance (Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas) may be recited as well, though the law did not specify who is required to do so.

Section 20 of the law also states: “The observance of the flag ceremony in official or civic gatherings shall be simple and dignified and shall include the playing or singing of the anthem in its original Filipino lyrics and march tempo.”

Penalties for any person who violates any of the provisions of RA 8491 shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than P5,000.00 but not more than P20,000.00, or by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, or both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court.

All citizens to stand at attention and sing with fervor, as a sign of respect, when the National Anthem is played at public gatherings.


Even moviegoers who do not stand up when the National Anthem is being played in cinemas will be sanctioned, as it empowers the security personnel and ushers in movie houses to arrest a violator and summon law enforcement officers to assist in conducting citizens' arrest.