Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) will now be able to fully participate in all liturgical celebrations at the Manila Cathedral, which will soon have a sign language interpreter.
“A simultaneous interpreter will also be present in the cathedral in all our liturgical celebrations,” the Manila Cathedral said in a Facebook post on Wednesday.
The inclusion of an interpreter in Masses, which will be done with the help of the Archdiocesan Ministry on Persons with Disabilities, would allow the active participation of PWDs.
The Cathedral, under the Archdiocese of Manila, assured PWDs that the church is always open to them.
“Dear brothers and sisters from the PWD community, you are very welcome to our Mother Church, our home,” it added.
Aside from providing an interpreter during Mass, the cathedral noted that TV Maria, a national Catholic television channel broadcasting in the country, will likewise have its own interpreter.
“To facilitate full and active participation of everyone, TV Maria, through the help of the Archdiocesan Ministry on Persons with Disabilities, will now include a sign language interpreter on their social media live streaming,” the Cathedral said.
The private channel, owned by TV Maria Foundation Philippines and airs 24 hours a day, can be seen on major and provincial cable operators, and via online live streaming.
According to Republic Act 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, PWDs are defined as "those suffering from restriction of different abilities, as a result of a mental, physical or sensory impairment, to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being." (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1067674
Thursday, April 18, 2019
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Duterte signs 2019 budget into law
PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday finally signed the four-month delayed P3.757-trillion 2019 national budget into law, but vetoed about P95.3 billion in appropriations.
The budget goes into the books as Republic Act No. 11260, or the General Appropriations Act of 2019, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III said in a mobile phone message to reporters. “RA No 11260 Budget Act for 2019 into law. Vetoed 95.3 B,” he said in his text message.
Asked for confirmation, Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea replied in a separate text message: “yes”, adding that “[t]he President, among others, vetoed P95.3 billion items of appropriations in the details of DPWH programs/projects, which are not within the programmed priorities.”
The President last week threatened to veto the entire 2019 budget, should Malacañang’s review unearth irregular fund realignments.
The budget, ratified on Feb. 8 by both chambers of Congress, was transmitted to the Office of the President just on March 26 by the Senate with a letter on the Senate President’s reservations over some P95 billion in funds the House of Representatives allegedly realigned after the spending plan was ratified.
Of this amount, P75 billion was realigned to fund programs and projects under the Local Infrastructure Program of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III had warned in January that the delay in budget enactment would prevent the government from spending on P46 billion worth of priority projects this quarter, and in the middle of March said the state would be hard-put to catch up on its disbursement program for the year. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said on Friday that economic managers have prepared a contingency plan to catch up on spending.
The delay in the budget enactment had prompted the interagency Development Budget Coordination Committee — headed by state economic managers — on March 13 to slash its target for 2019 gross domestic product (GDP) expansion to 6-7% from 7-8%, while the National Economic and Development Authority projected separately that the full-year GDP growth could clock in at 6.1-6.3% from 6.2% last year if the reenacted 2018 budget were to remain in force until April.
https://www.bworldonline.com/duterte-signs-2019-budget-into-law/
The budget goes into the books as Republic Act No. 11260, or the General Appropriations Act of 2019, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III said in a mobile phone message to reporters. “RA No 11260 Budget Act for 2019 into law. Vetoed 95.3 B,” he said in his text message.
Asked for confirmation, Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea replied in a separate text message: “yes”, adding that “[t]he President, among others, vetoed P95.3 billion items of appropriations in the details of DPWH programs/projects, which are not within the programmed priorities.”
The President last week threatened to veto the entire 2019 budget, should Malacañang’s review unearth irregular fund realignments.
The budget, ratified on Feb. 8 by both chambers of Congress, was transmitted to the Office of the President just on March 26 by the Senate with a letter on the Senate President’s reservations over some P95 billion in funds the House of Representatives allegedly realigned after the spending plan was ratified.
Of this amount, P75 billion was realigned to fund programs and projects under the Local Infrastructure Program of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III had warned in January that the delay in budget enactment would prevent the government from spending on P46 billion worth of priority projects this quarter, and in the middle of March said the state would be hard-put to catch up on its disbursement program for the year. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said on Friday that economic managers have prepared a contingency plan to catch up on spending.
The delay in the budget enactment had prompted the interagency Development Budget Coordination Committee — headed by state economic managers — on March 13 to slash its target for 2019 gross domestic product (GDP) expansion to 6-7% from 7-8%, while the National Economic and Development Authority projected separately that the full-year GDP growth could clock in at 6.1-6.3% from 6.2% last year if the reenacted 2018 budget were to remain in force until April.
https://www.bworldonline.com/duterte-signs-2019-budget-into-law/
Palawan elections in limbo after law splits province into 3
THE upcoming midterm elections in Palawan now face uncertainty following the recent passage of Republic Act (RA) 11259 dividing it into three new provinces.
The Commission on Election’s (Comelec) en banc is now in the process of deciding whether to push through or defer the midterm elections in Palawan.
Relatedly, Malacañang is unfazed by the warning of Sen. Risa Hontiveros that Palawan’s split into three provinces renders it more vulnerable to aggression by China, which has long been muscling its way into the West Philippine Sea. Palawan is the closest Philippine province to the disputed waters in the South China Sea.
Comelec Spokesman James B. Jimenez said among Comelec en banc’s consideration for its decision on whether to push through with the May elections in Palawan will be the resources and effort they already dedicated for the polls in Palawan.
“All the preparations, like the list of voters, are already ready. But the problem is the configuration on the ground suddenly changed,” Jimenez told reporters in an interview. “From one province, it will be three provinces each with its own list of voters and allocations,” he added.
Another factor which will be crucial for the decision, Jimenez said, is the plebiscite they would have to organize in Palawan to implement RA 11259.
“These should be taken into consideration by the en banc in deciding what the proper procedure moving forward is,” Jimenez said.
During the plebiscite, scheduled in May 2020, registered voters in Palawan will decide if they will support RA 11259. Under RA 11259, the province is split into Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental and Palawan del Sur.
No implication on West PHL Sea
Meanwhile, Malacañang does not see any possibility that the new law splitting Palawan into three provinces will bolster China’s position in the West Philippine Sea.
The Palace was responding to a statement by Hontiveros that the law has “deep geopolitical repercussions” since “China will now have the opportunity to infiltrate and influence smaller local government units” instead of having to face a single, strong provincial government, which can mobilize the entire island in its own defense.
President Duterte signed RA 11259 dividing Palawan into three provinces just days after Manila got embroiled in another word war with Beijing over the swarming by hundreds of Chinese boats in the vicinity of Pag-Asa Island, the biggest in the Kalayaan Island Group that is a municipality of Palawan.
More than 200 Chinese vessels were spotted swarming Pag-Asa Island, according to local authorities. But Presidential Spokesman and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo was quick to defend the law splitting Palawan in three, saying he sees “no connection” in relation to Hontiveros’s claim.
Panelo added that even though Palawan is not divided, China can infiltrate if it wants to.
“Even if there is no division into provinces, it will infiltrate it if it wants to,” Panelo added in Filipino.
The Palace spokesman also stressed that every creation of a new province was meant to help the government respond better to the needs of the people through faster delivery of basic services.
The first set of elective officials of the newly created provinces will be chosen in the May 2022 national and local polls.
The measure has also since been criticized by some Palawan residents and indigenous peoples.
Hontiveros also said there was a lack of genuine consultation in the proposal, citing a letter from Bishop Eduard Sarabia Juanich of Taytay, Palawan, and the petition by the Save Palawan Movement.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/04/16/palawan-elections-in-limbo-after-law-splits-province-into-3/
The Commission on Election’s (Comelec) en banc is now in the process of deciding whether to push through or defer the midterm elections in Palawan.
Relatedly, Malacañang is unfazed by the warning of Sen. Risa Hontiveros that Palawan’s split into three provinces renders it more vulnerable to aggression by China, which has long been muscling its way into the West Philippine Sea. Palawan is the closest Philippine province to the disputed waters in the South China Sea.
Comelec Spokesman James B. Jimenez said among Comelec en banc’s consideration for its decision on whether to push through with the May elections in Palawan will be the resources and effort they already dedicated for the polls in Palawan.
“All the preparations, like the list of voters, are already ready. But the problem is the configuration on the ground suddenly changed,” Jimenez told reporters in an interview. “From one province, it will be three provinces each with its own list of voters and allocations,” he added.
Another factor which will be crucial for the decision, Jimenez said, is the plebiscite they would have to organize in Palawan to implement RA 11259.
“These should be taken into consideration by the en banc in deciding what the proper procedure moving forward is,” Jimenez said.
During the plebiscite, scheduled in May 2020, registered voters in Palawan will decide if they will support RA 11259. Under RA 11259, the province is split into Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental and Palawan del Sur.
No implication on West PHL Sea
Meanwhile, Malacañang does not see any possibility that the new law splitting Palawan into three provinces will bolster China’s position in the West Philippine Sea.
The Palace was responding to a statement by Hontiveros that the law has “deep geopolitical repercussions” since “China will now have the opportunity to infiltrate and influence smaller local government units” instead of having to face a single, strong provincial government, which can mobilize the entire island in its own defense.
President Duterte signed RA 11259 dividing Palawan into three provinces just days after Manila got embroiled in another word war with Beijing over the swarming by hundreds of Chinese boats in the vicinity of Pag-Asa Island, the biggest in the Kalayaan Island Group that is a municipality of Palawan.
More than 200 Chinese vessels were spotted swarming Pag-Asa Island, according to local authorities. But Presidential Spokesman and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo was quick to defend the law splitting Palawan in three, saying he sees “no connection” in relation to Hontiveros’s claim.
Panelo added that even though Palawan is not divided, China can infiltrate if it wants to.
“Even if there is no division into provinces, it will infiltrate it if it wants to,” Panelo added in Filipino.
The Palace spokesman also stressed that every creation of a new province was meant to help the government respond better to the needs of the people through faster delivery of basic services.
The first set of elective officials of the newly created provinces will be chosen in the May 2022 national and local polls.
The measure has also since been criticized by some Palawan residents and indigenous peoples.
Hontiveros also said there was a lack of genuine consultation in the proposal, citing a letter from Bishop Eduard Sarabia Juanich of Taytay, Palawan, and the petition by the Save Palawan Movement.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/04/16/palawan-elections-in-limbo-after-law-splits-province-into-3/
Monday, April 15, 2019
Duterte signs 2019 national budget; vetoes P95.3B
President Rodrigo Duterte has signed the 2019 national budget, Malacañang said on Monday.
“Yes,” Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said when asked if Duterte has signed the budget.
“The President, among others, vetoed 95.3 billion pesos items of appropriations in the Details of DPWH Programs/Projects, which are not within the programmed priorities,” Medialdea said.
He said Duterte signed the budget on Monday.
Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III also confirmed on Monday night the signing of the 2019 General Appropriations Bill.
Asked what was vetoed by the President, Sotto said in a text message, “Yun recommended naming P75B plus P20.3 billion pa.”
When he signed the enrolled copy of the budget last March 26, the Senate leader affixed his signature with strong reservations and asked the President to consider vetoing the P75 billion “unconstitutional realignments.”
The Senate and the House had locked horns over the alleged unconstitutional realignments or “pork” in the budget. With a report from Maila Ager/ac
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1107024/duterte-signs-2019-national-budget-vetoes-p95-3b
“Yes,” Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said when asked if Duterte has signed the budget.
“The President, among others, vetoed 95.3 billion pesos items of appropriations in the Details of DPWH Programs/Projects, which are not within the programmed priorities,” Medialdea said.
He said Duterte signed the budget on Monday.
Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III also confirmed on Monday night the signing of the 2019 General Appropriations Bill.
Asked what was vetoed by the President, Sotto said in a text message, “Yun recommended naming P75B plus P20.3 billion pa.”
When he signed the enrolled copy of the budget last March 26, the Senate leader affixed his signature with strong reservations and asked the President to consider vetoing the P75 billion “unconstitutional realignments.”
The Senate and the House had locked horns over the alleged unconstitutional realignments or “pork” in the budget. With a report from Maila Ager/ac
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1107024/duterte-signs-2019-national-budget-vetoes-p95-3b
Sunday, April 14, 2019
Plebiscite on splitting Palawan into 3 provinces set for 2020
Palawan will not be a single province anymore, but only if the law dividing it into three is approved in a plebiscite.
Republic Act No. 11259 divides the country’s westernmost province into Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental and Palawan del Sur.
President Rodrigo Duterte signed the law on April 5, but Malacañang made it public only on Saturday.
The plebiscite is set for the second Monday of May 2020. The new provinces would be created if approved “by majority of the votes cast by the voters of the affected areas.”
The law is unclear, however, on what will happen if majority in one of the proposed provinces votes against it.
Puerto Princesa City, the current capital, will not take part in the plebiscite or in future elections in any of the new provinces as it will have its own district representative.
New composition
Under the law, Palawan del Norte will be composed of Coron, Culion, Busuanga, Linapacan, Taytay and El Nido. Taytay will be its capital.
Roxas, Araceli, Dumaran, Cuyo, Agutaya, Magsaysay, Cagayancillo and San Vicente will comprise Palawan Oriental with Roxas as the capital.
Brooke’s Point will be the capital of Palawan del Sur, which was designated as the “mother province” that will also include Aborlan, Narra, Quezon, Rizal, Española, Bataraza, Balabac and Kalayaan, whose only barangay is Pag-Asa Island in the South China Sea.
Each new province will have its own legislative district and will have a governor, vice governor and Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
The representatives of the first, second and third legislative districts who will be elected in the May 2019 elections will continue to represent their respective areas until the representatives of the newly created legislative districts for the three new provinces have been elected also in the May 2022 polls.
The three provinces shall be entitled to equitable shares in the proceeds from the utilization and development of the national wealth within their respective terrestrial and maritime jurisdiction.
They will have a combined share of not less than 40 percent of the gross collection derived by the national government from mining taxes, royalties, fishery charges and other taxes or fees from the previous year and from its share in any coproduction in the utilization and development of national wealth within their territorial jurisdiction.
Kalayaan is part of the Spratly Islands, which are believed to sit atop natural gas and oil reserves.
Palawan Gov. Jose Alvarez was among those who lobbied for splitting the province into three, saying that would improve local governance and the delivery of public services and spur the island’s growth.
Another proponent of the division of Palawan, Winston G. Arzaga, who is a member of its provincial board and a former vice governor, said the clamor to divide the province started as early as the 1960s.
Writing in Inquirer.net in November last year, Arzaga said the “overriding reason” to divide the province was its huge size that made effective governance “a nightmare.”
According to Sen. Sonny Angara, who had endorsed the original House Bill No. 8055 to the Senate, Palawan is so big that its 17,000-square-kilometer area is five times the size of Batangas.
Palawan, which has a population of 1.1 million (including Puerto Princesa), also encompasses 1,800 islands, making it an archipelago within an archipelago.
Opposed by civil society
The proposed measure met opposition from some civil society groups, which said it did not undergo proper consultation with the people of Palawan.
The House bill was passed on third reading in only five months after it was filed by the three representatives from the province. After it was handed over to them, the senators approved it three months later.
Puerto Princesa City Mayor Lucilo Bayron had said he and other city officials had declined an invitation by the law’s proponents to take part in the division campaign. He said the bill would lead to the downgrading of Puerto Princesa as a component city or being chopped up into smaller towns.
In 2012, Republic Act No. 10171 reapportioned the province of Palawan into three legislative districts from the previous two. —WITH A REPORT FROM INQUIRER RESEARCH
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1106550/plebiscite-on-splitting-palawan-into-3-provinces-set-for-2020
Tsa-a-bu
It’s not a new game or a new take on peek-a-boo. This term my colleague coined after almost half a ton of shabu packaged as tea (tsa-a) was seized in two operations in a house in posh Ayala Alabang village and at the Port of Manila recently. Unfortunately, the packages used to disguise the shabu looked very much like the tea I buy in my favorite grocery in Binondo which, coincidentally – or maybe not so coincidentally – was unavailable the past couple of weeks. The joke around the office, of course, was that “na-tokhang yung supplier mo (your supplier was busted)!”
And then there are those bricks of cocaine that keep bobbing up around our eastern coastlines. Since cocaine does not seem to be the Pinoy addicts’ drug of choice (who was it who said cocaine is the rich man’s drug, the choice of the party set, while shabu is the poor man’s poison?), authorities reported that all that cocaine was really destined for Australia, and the Philippines was just a transshipment point. That’s bad news all around; do international drug syndicates see us as so “welcoming” for their business?
While we’re at it, can someone please check whether all those drugs – shabu, cocaine, pills, even marijuana – seized in publicized raids are accounted for and securely kept? Just one of those packages of tsa-a-bu can make someone pretty rich.
* * *
So the 2019 national budget – P3.757 trillion – is finally going to be signed tomorrow. At least, as I write this, invitations have reportedly been sent out to Senate and House leaders to attend the signing ceremony tomorrow at the Palace.
Senators and congressmen have been squabbling, not over the merits of the budget, but over their takes, their shares of what is not supposed to be called pork. They have accused each other of hiding or parking their pork in various departments, the favorite being public works and highways, and transferring or re-aligning funds from districts whose representatives are no longer favored to districts that are now the flavor of the month under the new House dispensation.
It all sounds like quarrelling among thieves, fighting over division of the loot. And to think that, aside from what is not supposed to be called their pork, we poor taxpayers are going to spend P20.3 billion for all their salaries, allowances, travels (aside from their junkets paid for by “sponsors”), representation (parties and lunches and dinners), hiring of consultants… What an absolute waste of money!
Take out your calculator and figure out how many families that amount could feed if we get rid of those clowns in Congress. A family of five would need over P10,000 a month to survive, about P8,000 of that for food alone, according to government statisticians. Wouldn’t it be better use of our taxes if we spend the money to provide services to the people instead of funding Congress?
Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. Isaiah 40:21-23
https://www.philstar.com/other-sections/starweek-magazine/2019/04/14/1909766/tsa-bu
And then there are those bricks of cocaine that keep bobbing up around our eastern coastlines. Since cocaine does not seem to be the Pinoy addicts’ drug of choice (who was it who said cocaine is the rich man’s drug, the choice of the party set, while shabu is the poor man’s poison?), authorities reported that all that cocaine was really destined for Australia, and the Philippines was just a transshipment point. That’s bad news all around; do international drug syndicates see us as so “welcoming” for their business?
While we’re at it, can someone please check whether all those drugs – shabu, cocaine, pills, even marijuana – seized in publicized raids are accounted for and securely kept? Just one of those packages of tsa-a-bu can make someone pretty rich.
* * *
So the 2019 national budget – P3.757 trillion – is finally going to be signed tomorrow. At least, as I write this, invitations have reportedly been sent out to Senate and House leaders to attend the signing ceremony tomorrow at the Palace.
Senators and congressmen have been squabbling, not over the merits of the budget, but over their takes, their shares of what is not supposed to be called pork. They have accused each other of hiding or parking their pork in various departments, the favorite being public works and highways, and transferring or re-aligning funds from districts whose representatives are no longer favored to districts that are now the flavor of the month under the new House dispensation.
It all sounds like quarrelling among thieves, fighting over division of the loot. And to think that, aside from what is not supposed to be called their pork, we poor taxpayers are going to spend P20.3 billion for all their salaries, allowances, travels (aside from their junkets paid for by “sponsors”), representation (parties and lunches and dinners), hiring of consultants… What an absolute waste of money!
Take out your calculator and figure out how many families that amount could feed if we get rid of those clowns in Congress. A family of five would need over P10,000 a month to survive, about P8,000 of that for food alone, according to government statisticians. Wouldn’t it be better use of our taxes if we spend the money to provide services to the people instead of funding Congress?
Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. Isaiah 40:21-23
https://www.philstar.com/other-sections/starweek-magazine/2019/04/14/1909766/tsa-bu
Palace: Gov’t prepared if Duterte approves or vetoes 2019 nat’l budget
MANILA – The government is prepared to respond to the economic effects if President Rodrigo Duterte decides to approve or veto the proposed P3.7-trillion 2019 national budget.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the President needs time to decide if he will sign or veto the measure as he is exercising “utmost care” in reviewing the budget to ensure it abides by the Constitution.
“As a lawyer and strict enforcer of the rule of law, the President treads cautiously in performing his constitutional duty making sure before he inks his signature to the document, he does not violate our Constitution, as well as related jurisprudence on the matter,” said Panelo.
“While we are very eager and devoted to implement policies that will benefit Filipinos, this administration is equally committed to being a stickler for the rule of law,” he said.
The palace official assured the public that Duterte’s economic managers are prepared in the event the chief executive approves or rejects the submitted spending plan.
“As to the possible repercussion on the economy of a re-enacted budget, our economic managers have contingency plans prepared, responsive to any conceivable event, and they will correspondingly adjust their targets, which include the execution of programs and projects relating to infrastructure as well as the delivery of basic services to the people,” Panelo said.
In a speech in Bacolod City on Thursday, Duterte said he will carefully scrutinize the contents of the budget bill forwarded by the Congress to Malacañang on March 26.
“Ang budget kasa-submit lang. I have to sign it pagbalik ko pa, pinag-aralan pa, galing Budget [department] to the office of the president. The office of the president is not the Budget so ang legal ko magbasa uli,” said Duterte.
“Hindi magkasundo ang congress pati senado eh. And ‘yung mga insertions diyan titignan ko, pagka tagilid talaga I will not hesitate to veto the entire budget,” he added.
The 2019 national budget bill was originally ratified in early February but remained dormant in the House and not immediately transmitted to the Senate and Malacañang as congressmen said they had to itemize the lump sums.
After an impasse in the Senate, the budget bill was sent last month to Malacañang for the President’s signature after Senate president Vicente Sotto III signed the measure but with reservations.
The Palace had initially scheduled the ceremonial signing of the budget on Monday, April 15 but backtracked on Thursday, saying the ratification may push through after the Holy Week break since the President is still studying the bill.
The government is operating on a re-enacted budget and the Palace and finance officials warned remaining in this setup could affect the country’s economic growth for 2019./PN
https://www.panaynews.net/palace-govt-prepared-if-duterte-vetoes-2019-natl-budget/
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the President needs time to decide if he will sign or veto the measure as he is exercising “utmost care” in reviewing the budget to ensure it abides by the Constitution.
“As a lawyer and strict enforcer of the rule of law, the President treads cautiously in performing his constitutional duty making sure before he inks his signature to the document, he does not violate our Constitution, as well as related jurisprudence on the matter,” said Panelo.
“While we are very eager and devoted to implement policies that will benefit Filipinos, this administration is equally committed to being a stickler for the rule of law,” he said.
The palace official assured the public that Duterte’s economic managers are prepared in the event the chief executive approves or rejects the submitted spending plan.
“As to the possible repercussion on the economy of a re-enacted budget, our economic managers have contingency plans prepared, responsive to any conceivable event, and they will correspondingly adjust their targets, which include the execution of programs and projects relating to infrastructure as well as the delivery of basic services to the people,” Panelo said.
In a speech in Bacolod City on Thursday, Duterte said he will carefully scrutinize the contents of the budget bill forwarded by the Congress to Malacañang on March 26.
“Ang budget kasa-submit lang. I have to sign it pagbalik ko pa, pinag-aralan pa, galing Budget [department] to the office of the president. The office of the president is not the Budget so ang legal ko magbasa uli,” said Duterte.
“Hindi magkasundo ang congress pati senado eh. And ‘yung mga insertions diyan titignan ko, pagka tagilid talaga I will not hesitate to veto the entire budget,” he added.
The 2019 national budget bill was originally ratified in early February but remained dormant in the House and not immediately transmitted to the Senate and Malacañang as congressmen said they had to itemize the lump sums.
After an impasse in the Senate, the budget bill was sent last month to Malacañang for the President’s signature after Senate president Vicente Sotto III signed the measure but with reservations.
The Palace had initially scheduled the ceremonial signing of the budget on Monday, April 15 but backtracked on Thursday, saying the ratification may push through after the Holy Week break since the President is still studying the bill.
The government is operating on a re-enacted budget and the Palace and finance officials warned remaining in this setup could affect the country’s economic growth for 2019./PN
https://www.panaynews.net/palace-govt-prepared-if-duterte-vetoes-2019-natl-budget/
Saturday, April 13, 2019
No polls for House members in SoCot's 1st, 3rd districts
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said there will be no election of congressmen in the first and in the newly-created third district of South Cotabato in the May 13 polls.
“In case the position for member, House of Representatives for the First Legislative District, including General Santos City, of South Cotabato is voted upon in the May 13 elections, all votes for the said position shall be considered stray,” said the decision stated in Comelec Resolution No. 10524 promulgated on Thursday.
The poll body said that elections for the representatives of the said districts will be held “within six months” from May 13.
Last March, Congress passed Republic Act No. 11243, which created the third district after General Santos City was removed from the first district.
According to the Comelec, the holding of election of the congressmen for the two districts next month is already impossible since the present configuration of the electoral data for the first district of South Cotabato has already been completed.
“The present configuration can no longer be revised or modified in time for the May 13 elections without jeopardizing the preparations for the election of other positions,” it added.
The poll body noted that the election in the first district and third districts for the positions of Senators, Party-List Representatives, provincial city and municipal offices will be held on May 13.
For the second district, the election for the positions of Senators, Party-List Representatives, Legislative District Representative, provincial city and municipal offices will be held on May 13.
The First Legislative District is composed of Polomolok, Tampakan and Tupi; Second District, the City of Koronadal and the Municipalities of Banga, Lake Sebu, Norala, Santo Niño, Surallah, Tantangan and T’Boli and Third District, the City of General Santos.
It added that the incumbent Representatives of the First and Second Districts will continue until noon of June 30.
Earlier, the Comelec en banc also suspended the election of new representatives for the 1st and 2nd Districts of the province of Southern Leyte.
The order was issued as they already completed preparing for the lone district of the province prior to them being divided through the passing of Republic Act No. 11198.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1067196
“In case the position for member, House of Representatives for the First Legislative District, including General Santos City, of South Cotabato is voted upon in the May 13 elections, all votes for the said position shall be considered stray,” said the decision stated in Comelec Resolution No. 10524 promulgated on Thursday.
The poll body said that elections for the representatives of the said districts will be held “within six months” from May 13.
Last March, Congress passed Republic Act No. 11243, which created the third district after General Santos City was removed from the first district.
According to the Comelec, the holding of election of the congressmen for the two districts next month is already impossible since the present configuration of the electoral data for the first district of South Cotabato has already been completed.
“The present configuration can no longer be revised or modified in time for the May 13 elections without jeopardizing the preparations for the election of other positions,” it added.
The poll body noted that the election in the first district and third districts for the positions of Senators, Party-List Representatives, provincial city and municipal offices will be held on May 13.
For the second district, the election for the positions of Senators, Party-List Representatives, Legislative District Representative, provincial city and municipal offices will be held on May 13.
The First Legislative District is composed of Polomolok, Tampakan and Tupi; Second District, the City of Koronadal and the Municipalities of Banga, Lake Sebu, Norala, Santo Niño, Surallah, Tantangan and T’Boli and Third District, the City of General Santos.
It added that the incumbent Representatives of the First and Second Districts will continue until noon of June 30.
Earlier, the Comelec en banc also suspended the election of new representatives for the 1st and 2nd Districts of the province of Southern Leyte.
The order was issued as they already completed preparing for the lone district of the province prior to them being divided through the passing of Republic Act No. 11198.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1067196
Duterte signs law dividing Palawan into 3 provinces
(UPDATE) - President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law dividing western Luzon tourist haven Palawan into three distinct and independent provinces.
Under Republic Act No. 11259, the province is now divided into Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental and Palawan del Sur, which shall be the mother province.
"The terrestrial jurisdictions of the newly created provinces shall be within the present metes and bounds of all the municipalities that comprise the respective provinces," the law stated.
Duterte approved the measure on April 5, 2019 and it shall take effect 15 days upon its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general and local circulation.
The creation of the new provinces would require a plebiscite to be held on the second Monday of May 2020 and supervised by the Commission on Elections.
Each province, meanwhile, shall have its legislative districts effective upon the election and qualification of representatives to be held on the second Monday of May 2022.
Under the law, Puerto Princesa City shall have its own legislative district by the same year. Its residents shall not be qualified to vote in the 2020 plebiscite and for candidates in the provincial elective positions.
Incumbent representatives of the present province shall continue to represent their respective legislative districts until new representatives shall have been duly elected, qualified and assumed office.
The House of Representatives passed the measure on Aug. 29, 2018 and then amended by the Senate on Nov. 19, 2018. The House concurred with amendments on Jan. 23, 2019.
The new provinces and localities under them are as follows:
Palawan del Norte:
Palawan Oriental:
Palawan del Sur:
Under Republic Act No. 11259, the province is now divided into Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental and Palawan del Sur, which shall be the mother province.
"The terrestrial jurisdictions of the newly created provinces shall be within the present metes and bounds of all the municipalities that comprise the respective provinces," the law stated.
Duterte approved the measure on April 5, 2019 and it shall take effect 15 days upon its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general and local circulation.
The creation of the new provinces would require a plebiscite to be held on the second Monday of May 2020 and supervised by the Commission on Elections.
Each province, meanwhile, shall have its legislative districts effective upon the election and qualification of representatives to be held on the second Monday of May 2022.
Under the law, Puerto Princesa City shall have its own legislative district by the same year. Its residents shall not be qualified to vote in the 2020 plebiscite and for candidates in the provincial elective positions.
Incumbent representatives of the present province shall continue to represent their respective legislative districts until new representatives shall have been duly elected, qualified and assumed office.
The House of Representatives passed the measure on Aug. 29, 2018 and then amended by the Senate on Nov. 19, 2018. The House concurred with amendments on Jan. 23, 2019.
The new provinces and localities under them are as follows:
Palawan del Norte:
- Taytay (Capital town and seat of government)
- Coron
- Culion
- Busuanga
- Linapacan
- El Nido
Palawan Oriental:
- Roxas (Capital town and seat of government)
- Araceli
- Dumaran
- Cuyo
- Agutaya
- Magsaysay
- Cayancillo
- San Vicente
Palawan del Sur:
- Brooke's Point (Capital town and seat of government)
- Aborlan
- Narra
- Quezon
- Rizal
- Española
- Bataraza
- Balabac
- Kalayaan
Duterte signs law splitting Palawan into 3 provinces
President Duterte has signed into law the measure dividing Palawan into three provinces, namely: Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental, and Palawan del Sur.
A copy of Republic Act (RA) 11259 given to Palace reporters, Saturday morning, showed that the measure was signed by Duterte on April 5. It will be effective 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or any newspaper.
Under the law, the province of Palawan del Norte will be composed of the municipalities of Coron, Culion, Busuanga, Linacapan, Taytay and El Nido.
The province of Palawan Oriental, in turn, will be comprised of the municipalities of Roxas, Araceli, Dumaran, Cuyo, Agutaya, Magsaysay, Cayancillo, and San Vicente.
The province of Palawan del Sur, which will be considered as the “mother province,” will be composed of the municipalities of Aborlan, Narra, Quezon, Rizal, Espanola, Brooke’s Point, Bataraza, Balacbac and Kalayaan.
The three provinces will be created depending on the results of a plebiscite in the affected areas. It will be held on the second Monday of May 2020. The election of new elective officials will be held on the second Monday of May 2022 during the national and local elections.
The incumbent representatives of the present province of Palawan shall continue to represent their respective legislative districts until the new ones are elected.
Each of the three new provinces will have a provincial governor, vice governor, Sangguniang Panlalawigan secretary and members, provincial treasurer, assessor, accountant, budget officer, planning and development coordinator, engineer, health officer, administrator, legal officer, agriculturist, social welfare and development officer, veterinarian, and general services officer.
Early on, the proposal to divide Palawan into three provinces met negative criticisms, one coming from Senator Risa Hontiveros who expressed concern that if China has aggressively and arrogantly exerted its claim on the West Philippine Sea, it can now easily conquer the three provinces which are now reduced as small local government units.
Senator Sonny Angara, who endorsed the bill, explained that the proposal was not “motivated by partisan political concerns, nor a gerrymandering exercise.” He said it was appropriate since Palawan is the biggest province in the Philippines in terms of area.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/04/13/duterte-signs-law-splitting-palawan-into-3-provinces/
A copy of Republic Act (RA) 11259 given to Palace reporters, Saturday morning, showed that the measure was signed by Duterte on April 5. It will be effective 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or any newspaper.
Under the law, the province of Palawan del Norte will be composed of the municipalities of Coron, Culion, Busuanga, Linacapan, Taytay and El Nido.
The province of Palawan Oriental, in turn, will be comprised of the municipalities of Roxas, Araceli, Dumaran, Cuyo, Agutaya, Magsaysay, Cayancillo, and San Vicente.
The province of Palawan del Sur, which will be considered as the “mother province,” will be composed of the municipalities of Aborlan, Narra, Quezon, Rizal, Espanola, Brooke’s Point, Bataraza, Balacbac and Kalayaan.
The three provinces will be created depending on the results of a plebiscite in the affected areas. It will be held on the second Monday of May 2020. The election of new elective officials will be held on the second Monday of May 2022 during the national and local elections.
The incumbent representatives of the present province of Palawan shall continue to represent their respective legislative districts until the new ones are elected.
Each of the three new provinces will have a provincial governor, vice governor, Sangguniang Panlalawigan secretary and members, provincial treasurer, assessor, accountant, budget officer, planning and development coordinator, engineer, health officer, administrator, legal officer, agriculturist, social welfare and development officer, veterinarian, and general services officer.
Early on, the proposal to divide Palawan into three provinces met negative criticisms, one coming from Senator Risa Hontiveros who expressed concern that if China has aggressively and arrogantly exerted its claim on the West Philippine Sea, it can now easily conquer the three provinces which are now reduced as small local government units.
Senator Sonny Angara, who endorsed the bill, explained that the proposal was not “motivated by partisan political concerns, nor a gerrymandering exercise.” He said it was appropriate since Palawan is the biggest province in the Philippines in terms of area.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/04/13/duterte-signs-law-splitting-palawan-into-3-provinces/
Friday, April 12, 2019
DBM on Duterte threat to veto 2019 budget: It’s authorized under 1987 Constitution
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) sided with President Rodrigo Duterte after he threatened to veto the proposed 2019 budget, saying its exercise is allowed under the 1987 Constitution.
On Thursday, Duterte threatened to veto the P3.757-trillion proposed national budget for 2019 amid allegations of illegal insertions and realignments made in the spending plan.
Sought for comment, DBM officer-in-charge Secretary Janet Abuel said, "The exercise of the veto power of the President is authorized under the 1987 Constitution.
Section 27 (1), Article VI of the 1987 Constitution states that:
"Every bill passed by the Congress shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the President. If he approves the same he shall sign it; otherwise, he shall veto it and return the same with his objections to the House where it originated, which shall enter the objections at large in its Journal and proceed to reconsider it….'"
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) earlier warned that a full-year reenacted budget can bring down growth to as low as 4.2% to 4.9%.
Duterte's signing of the long awaited 2019 national budget has again become uncertain after the Palace removed it from the chief executive's calendar on Monday, April 15.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III had urged Duterte to veto the P75-billion allocation for programs and projects under the Local Infrastructure Program of the Department of Public Works and Highways which was made through internal realignments after the bicameral conference report was ratified.
The government has been operating on a reenacted budget since January. — RSJ, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/691051/dbm-on-duterte-threat-to-veto-2019-budget-it-s-authorized-under-1987-constitution/story/
On Thursday, Duterte threatened to veto the P3.757-trillion proposed national budget for 2019 amid allegations of illegal insertions and realignments made in the spending plan.
Sought for comment, DBM officer-in-charge Secretary Janet Abuel said, "The exercise of the veto power of the President is authorized under the 1987 Constitution.
Section 27 (1), Article VI of the 1987 Constitution states that:
"Every bill passed by the Congress shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the President. If he approves the same he shall sign it; otherwise, he shall veto it and return the same with his objections to the House where it originated, which shall enter the objections at large in its Journal and proceed to reconsider it….'"
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) earlier warned that a full-year reenacted budget can bring down growth to as low as 4.2% to 4.9%.
Duterte's signing of the long awaited 2019 national budget has again become uncertain after the Palace removed it from the chief executive's calendar on Monday, April 15.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III had urged Duterte to veto the P75-billion allocation for programs and projects under the Local Infrastructure Program of the Department of Public Works and Highways which was made through internal realignments after the bicameral conference report was ratified.
The government has been operating on a reenacted budget since January. — RSJ, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/691051/dbm-on-duterte-threat-to-veto-2019-budget-it-s-authorized-under-1987-constitution/story/
Thursday, April 11, 2019
Hotel opens in Manila’s Chinatown
MEGAWORLD Corp. launched its eighth hotel property, Hotel Lucky Chinatown, located in Binondo, Manila.
“It has always been the dream of our founder to have a hotel in Chinatown,” Jeremy Russell S. Go, resident manager of the hotel, told the media during the opening on Wednesday.
The 93-room hotel took two years to build and cost P750 million, according to a press release.
Mr. Go said the new hotel primarily targets Chinese businessmen and tourists who want to explore what is said to be the world’s oldest Chinatown.
“I believe we’ll have more business [customers] more than leisure,” he said.
Located beside the Lucky Chinatown mall which opened in 2012, Mr. Go said the hotel stands on a lot that was previously occupied by a warehouse.
“We wanted something modern and contemporary because the idea was not to make the hotel too Chinese,” he said, noting the idea was to “blend modernity with Binondo’s heritage.”
The hotel’s interiors will have Chinese accent pieces, while the all-day dining restaurant, Cafe de Chinatown, serves Chinese cuisine. Cafe de Chinatown is operated by the Raintree group of companies which owns and operates restaurants like Chelsea Kitchen.
Hotel Lucky Chinatown also features three ballrooms which can fit up to 350 people, three meeting rooms and a boardroom which can fit up to 20 people each.
The hotel also has a fitness center, sauna and spa and a Zabana bar which is also found in Savoy Hotel Manila. It is also connected directly to the Lucky Chinatown mall via footbridge.
Rooms range from standard queen or twin (24 square meters) to junior and executive suites (up to 79 sq.m.). Introductory prices for the standard rooms are at P3,118 nett (room only) while suites are at P5,888 nett (room only).
https://www.bworldonline.com/hotel-opens-in-manilas-chinatown/
“It has always been the dream of our founder to have a hotel in Chinatown,” Jeremy Russell S. Go, resident manager of the hotel, told the media during the opening on Wednesday.
The 93-room hotel took two years to build and cost P750 million, according to a press release.
Mr. Go said the new hotel primarily targets Chinese businessmen and tourists who want to explore what is said to be the world’s oldest Chinatown.
“I believe we’ll have more business [customers] more than leisure,” he said.
Located beside the Lucky Chinatown mall which opened in 2012, Mr. Go said the hotel stands on a lot that was previously occupied by a warehouse.
“We wanted something modern and contemporary because the idea was not to make the hotel too Chinese,” he said, noting the idea was to “blend modernity with Binondo’s heritage.”
The hotel’s interiors will have Chinese accent pieces, while the all-day dining restaurant, Cafe de Chinatown, serves Chinese cuisine. Cafe de Chinatown is operated by the Raintree group of companies which owns and operates restaurants like Chelsea Kitchen.
Hotel Lucky Chinatown also features three ballrooms which can fit up to 350 people, three meeting rooms and a boardroom which can fit up to 20 people each.
The hotel also has a fitness center, sauna and spa and a Zabana bar which is also found in Savoy Hotel Manila. It is also connected directly to the Lucky Chinatown mall via footbridge.
Rooms range from standard queen or twin (24 square meters) to junior and executive suites (up to 79 sq.m.). Introductory prices for the standard rooms are at P3,118 nett (room only) while suites are at P5,888 nett (room only).
https://www.bworldonline.com/hotel-opens-in-manilas-chinatown/
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Albayalde orders police to exchange notes with NBI on teen's slay
CEBU CITY – Philippine National Police chief, General Oscar Albayalde, on Wednesday ordered authorities to dig deeper in investigating the brutal killing of a 16-year-old girl in Lapu-Lapu City last month.
Albayalde, who is in Bohol for a command conference, said in a radio interview that he has ordered police probers to exchange notes with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in solving the case.
He noted that he is closely monitoring every development of the case.
Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas, chief of the regional police, said a 42-year-old man who reportedly confessed to the brutal killing of Christine Lee Silawan because of “obsession”, is now considered a person of interest.
He, however, refused to identify the person, saying that he is not yet considered as suspect while the police is still conducting validation of his testimonies.
“Yes, we have a person of interest. He’s different than the primary suspect earlier pinpointed,” Sinas was quoted by a radio report as saying.
Sinas said the person of interest came to know the teenage girl through exchanges of chat and text messages.
“He is known for duping girls,” he said.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza earlier broke the news about the man who is said to have owned up to the crime because of “obsession” for the 16-year-old.
She also refused to divulge the name of the person, saying that she is leaving disclosure of his identity to the police.
The mayor said Lapu-Lapu City Police chief, Col. Limuel Obon, confirmed to her that his office held a man who claimed to have knowledge about the cruel death of Silawan.
According to media report here, the man, a resident of Lapu-Lapu City, is included in the city’s drug watchlist. He was reportedly arrested for carrying an unlicensed firearm, but later confessed to the police probers that he killed the teenager.
The police is still determining the relationship between the second person of interest and the victim’s 17-year old boyfriend, who is now in the custody of the local social welfare and development office.
Lourdes, the mother of Christine, said she wanted to talk to the second suspect to know why he killed her daughter.
Silawan was found dead in an uninhabited lot in Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Bangkal, Lapu-Lapu City on March 11. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066992
Albayalde, who is in Bohol for a command conference, said in a radio interview that he has ordered police probers to exchange notes with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in solving the case.
He noted that he is closely monitoring every development of the case.
Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas, chief of the regional police, said a 42-year-old man who reportedly confessed to the brutal killing of Christine Lee Silawan because of “obsession”, is now considered a person of interest.
He, however, refused to identify the person, saying that he is not yet considered as suspect while the police is still conducting validation of his testimonies.
“Yes, we have a person of interest. He’s different than the primary suspect earlier pinpointed,” Sinas was quoted by a radio report as saying.
Sinas said the person of interest came to know the teenage girl through exchanges of chat and text messages.
“He is known for duping girls,” he said.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza earlier broke the news about the man who is said to have owned up to the crime because of “obsession” for the 16-year-old.
She also refused to divulge the name of the person, saying that she is leaving disclosure of his identity to the police.
The mayor said Lapu-Lapu City Police chief, Col. Limuel Obon, confirmed to her that his office held a man who claimed to have knowledge about the cruel death of Silawan.
According to media report here, the man, a resident of Lapu-Lapu City, is included in the city’s drug watchlist. He was reportedly arrested for carrying an unlicensed firearm, but later confessed to the police probers that he killed the teenager.
The police is still determining the relationship between the second person of interest and the victim’s 17-year old boyfriend, who is now in the custody of the local social welfare and development office.
Lourdes, the mother of Christine, said she wanted to talk to the second suspect to know why he killed her daughter.
Silawan was found dead in an uninhabited lot in Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Bangkal, Lapu-Lapu City on March 11. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066992
Piñol shrugs off resignation rumors
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol on Wednesday dismissed rumors that he has resigned from his post.
Piñol, in a press briefing, also shrugged off the supposed "joke" of President Rodrigo Duterte during an event in Palawan last week that he (Duterte) wants him out of his Cabinet.
"I don't own this position. If the President feels that he is not happy with my performance, I go and I will not feel bad, he said.
"I've done my best, but if the basis for my resignation is the joke of the President, I've heard that 20 times, whether in my presence, or in my absence. I've known this guy for the last 25 years, if you don't know him well, you will be offended. Well of course it's not comfortable to hear... but unless he calls me and tell me that he no longer needs my services, I will go," he said.
For the past 25 years, Piñol said: "Hindi ako nangurakot sa posisyon ko (I have never been corrupt) in my position. I would feel that if he (Duterte) feels that he doesn't need me anymore, patatawag niya ako (he will summon me)."
The DA chief has been placed under the microscope over the agriculture sector’s 0.1 percent contribution to the country’s overall gross domestic product growth in 2018.
"I can humbly say that while I may not have done so much as expected by some sectors, I have maintained a frugal life and resisted temptations. I am working and I will continue to serve the President and the Filipino farmers and fishermen. I'm just doing my job," he said. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066993
Piñol, in a press briefing, also shrugged off the supposed "joke" of President Rodrigo Duterte during an event in Palawan last week that he (Duterte) wants him out of his Cabinet.
"I don't own this position. If the President feels that he is not happy with my performance, I go and I will not feel bad, he said.
"I've done my best, but if the basis for my resignation is the joke of the President, I've heard that 20 times, whether in my presence, or in my absence. I've known this guy for the last 25 years, if you don't know him well, you will be offended. Well of course it's not comfortable to hear... but unless he calls me and tell me that he no longer needs my services, I will go," he said.
For the past 25 years, Piñol said: "Hindi ako nangurakot sa posisyon ko (I have never been corrupt) in my position. I would feel that if he (Duterte) feels that he doesn't need me anymore, patatawag niya ako (he will summon me)."
The DA chief has been placed under the microscope over the agriculture sector’s 0.1 percent contribution to the country’s overall gross domestic product growth in 2018.
"I can humbly say that while I may not have done so much as expected by some sectors, I have maintained a frugal life and resisted temptations. I am working and I will continue to serve the President and the Filipino farmers and fishermen. I'm just doing my job," he said. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066993
Megaworld opens P750-M hotel in Binondo
Property developer Megaworld Corp. on Wednesday introduced a new homegrown hotel brand in Binondo, Manila with an investment of PHP750 million, to meet the rising demand mainly from business visitors.
Jeremy Russell Go, resident manager at Hotel Lucky Chinatown, told reporters that target markets of the hotel are Chinese business travelers and tourists who are keen on exploring Chinatown.
“Actually, it’s in our pipeline of encouraging the DOT (Department of Tourism) to encourage especially tourists like the Korean market (to come here) because they are very much interested in Chinese culture,” he said.
Hotel Lucky Chinatown is the company’s eighth hotel property in its portfolio offering 93 rooms and suites.
Megaworld has already opened seven local homegrown hotels around the country under four brands that include Richmonde, Belmont, Savoy and Twin Lakes. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066996
Jeremy Russell Go, resident manager at Hotel Lucky Chinatown, told reporters that target markets of the hotel are Chinese business travelers and tourists who are keen on exploring Chinatown.
“Actually, it’s in our pipeline of encouraging the DOT (Department of Tourism) to encourage especially tourists like the Korean market (to come here) because they are very much interested in Chinese culture,” he said.
Hotel Lucky Chinatown is the company’s eighth hotel property in its portfolio offering 93 rooms and suites.
Megaworld has already opened seven local homegrown hotels around the country under four brands that include Richmonde, Belmont, Savoy and Twin Lakes. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066996
PRRD to sign 2019 national budget on April 15
President Rodrigo R. Duterte will sign the long-delayed PHP3.7-trillion national budget for 2019 on April 15, Malacañang confirmed on Wednesday.
"The Palace confirms that the ceremonial signing of the General Appropriations Act 2019 has already been calendared in the President’s schedule on April 15, Monday," said Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo in a statement.
Panelo said the 2019 budget is a continuation of Duterte's promise of bringing genuine change in the country.
"This year’s National Budget – our third under the Duterte Administration – is a continuation of our narrative of genuine change and meaningful progress through, among others, our intensified infrastructure development programs, expanded policies on human development and poverty reduction, as well as strategies in advancing the peace and order situation of the country," Panelo said.
Panelo thanked the Senate and the House of Representatives for passing a budget supportive of the President's vision.
"We thank the men and women of the Senate and the House of Representatives for supporting this Administration’s endeavors in pursuing a path towards the President’s vision of a prosperous and high-income economy under a secure and peaceful nation where all Filipinos can experience a dignified and comfortable life," he said.
The government has been operating on a reenacted budget since January 1 after lawmakers failed to pass the bill last year due to allegations of pork "insertions".
The passage of the 2019 budget was further stalled due to allegations of last-minute amendments made by the House after both chambers of Congress ratified the bicameral conference committee report.
Panelo earlier said Duterte has the right to veto certain realignments and would not sign anything ‘unconstitutional’.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III earlier announced that he has signed the proposed PHP3.7-trillion national budget “with strong reservations”.
Sotto appealed to Duterte to veto “unconstitutional” provisions amid allegations that some PHP75 billion had been realigned by the House of Representatives to benefit various lawmakers. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066997
"The Palace confirms that the ceremonial signing of the General Appropriations Act 2019 has already been calendared in the President’s schedule on April 15, Monday," said Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo in a statement.
Panelo said the 2019 budget is a continuation of Duterte's promise of bringing genuine change in the country.
"This year’s National Budget – our third under the Duterte Administration – is a continuation of our narrative of genuine change and meaningful progress through, among others, our intensified infrastructure development programs, expanded policies on human development and poverty reduction, as well as strategies in advancing the peace and order situation of the country," Panelo said.
Panelo thanked the Senate and the House of Representatives for passing a budget supportive of the President's vision.
"We thank the men and women of the Senate and the House of Representatives for supporting this Administration’s endeavors in pursuing a path towards the President’s vision of a prosperous and high-income economy under a secure and peaceful nation where all Filipinos can experience a dignified and comfortable life," he said.
The government has been operating on a reenacted budget since January 1 after lawmakers failed to pass the bill last year due to allegations of pork "insertions".
The passage of the 2019 budget was further stalled due to allegations of last-minute amendments made by the House after both chambers of Congress ratified the bicameral conference committee report.
Panelo earlier said Duterte has the right to veto certain realignments and would not sign anything ‘unconstitutional’.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III earlier announced that he has signed the proposed PHP3.7-trillion national budget “with strong reservations”.
Sotto appealed to Duterte to veto “unconstitutional” provisions amid allegations that some PHP75 billion had been realigned by the House of Representatives to benefit various lawmakers. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066997
DOLE orders total deployment ban of OFWs to Libya
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Wednesday ordered a total deployment ban of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) bound for Libya.
DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III issued the order upon the advice of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) amid the escalating violence in the North African country.
“Upon the advice of the DFA, we are imposing a deployment ban of workers to Libya to ensure their safety and security and to avoid getting caught in the escalating violence in Libya,” he said in a statement.
Bello noted that they are in coordination with DFA to closely monitor the situation and assess the possible repatriation of OFWs, to ensure the workers' safety and security.
“DOLE is ready to provide repatriation assistance to our Filipino workers who will signify interest to come home,” he said.
“An augmentation team will be dispatched this week to ensure the welfare of our workers, and assist their possible repatriation. Also, we are prepared for any exigency of forced repatriation if the situation deteriorates,” Bello added.
On Monday, DFA raised Alert Level 3 in Tripoli and some areas within a 100-kilometer radius of the capital, which is considered as voluntary repatriation phase.
The implementation of the deployment ban will take effect until the situation normalizes, or until further advice by the DFA.
The DOLE is in constantly assessing the situation and will issue appropriate advisories from time to time.
The reintegration assistance from Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) awaits OFWs who may be repatriated from Libya.
There are around 2,600 documented OFWs in Libya, mostly professionals, composed of medical workers and skilled workers. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066994
DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III issued the order upon the advice of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) amid the escalating violence in the North African country.
“Upon the advice of the DFA, we are imposing a deployment ban of workers to Libya to ensure their safety and security and to avoid getting caught in the escalating violence in Libya,” he said in a statement.
Bello noted that they are in coordination with DFA to closely monitor the situation and assess the possible repatriation of OFWs, to ensure the workers' safety and security.
“DOLE is ready to provide repatriation assistance to our Filipino workers who will signify interest to come home,” he said.
“An augmentation team will be dispatched this week to ensure the welfare of our workers, and assist their possible repatriation. Also, we are prepared for any exigency of forced repatriation if the situation deteriorates,” Bello added.
On Monday, DFA raised Alert Level 3 in Tripoli and some areas within a 100-kilometer radius of the capital, which is considered as voluntary repatriation phase.
The implementation of the deployment ban will take effect until the situation normalizes, or until further advice by the DFA.
The DOLE is in constantly assessing the situation and will issue appropriate advisories from time to time.
The reintegration assistance from Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) awaits OFWs who may be repatriated from Libya.
There are around 2,600 documented OFWs in Libya, mostly professionals, composed of medical workers and skilled workers. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066994
21 cops to secure journos, assist PTFoMS probe on media killings
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has provided 21 police officers to the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) as part of efforts to protect media practitioners, especially during the election season.
PTFoMS Executive Director, Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco, expressed gratitude to Police Security and Protection Group director, Police Brig. General Filmore Escobal, for this gesture.
“Basically we are here to personally express our gratitude to (Brigadier) General Escobal. Alam niyo kasi (You know) today, this is election season, and we observed in the PTFoMS that every election season is the most risky for media workers or journalists nationwide,” Egco told reporters in a press briefing after the simple turnover ceremony of the 21 cops.
Citing the Maguindanao massacre, which happened ahead of the 2010 presidential elections, Egco said the police officers will help secure media workers against election-related violence and assist the task force in investigating media killings.
Egco said the 21 PSPG personnel detailed to PTFoMS will conduct investigation of 170 cases from 1986 up to present.
The PSPG is the PNP unit mandated to provide security to anybody who needs it, including media workers facing threats.
“In terms of media killings, the PTFoMS has all the data. We have agreed long before that there should only be singular data. If you want updates on the case, you will be referred to the PTFoMS. This is the start of something good. We have to be vigilant now. There is indeed a spike in violence against the media. This is a sign we're actually prepared for anything. Not just the PNP, the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) are also there," Egco stressed.
Egco, a former journalist, said dirty politics, crime and corruption and economic vulnerability are the three main factors contributing to violence against media workers, especially those based in the provinces.
“We have to be very vigilant, we recognize the problem on media violence. I spent more than two decades (in) media. Always stick to the highest ethical standards of the profession,” he said.
Egco said they will assign the police personnel to media practitioners, who have imminent threats against their lives in line of their jobs as well as those who will be assigned to cover critical areas.
He said media personnel may send requests to their office for the provision of security personnel.
“What we usually do is we contact the local police to provide immediate security. We must be pro-active unlike the former task forces which were reactive. They only act when the journalist is already killed. Here, once the journalist calls, within 10 minutes, we have what we call quick reaction system and I instructed my men, you need to act within 10 minutes or you're fired,” said Egco.
Escobal, meanwhile, said the PSPG will fully support the PTFoMS when it comes to securing high-risk individuals.
“Since they (21 cops) are detailed to PTFoMS, they will perform duties on investigation and we will utilize, create regional and security protection unit personnel based on what the PTFoMS needs,” Escobal told reporters.
“We can provide security as long as it's not permanent. The permanent provision of security will depend on Comelec (Commission on Elections) provision,” Escobal said. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066936
PTFoMS Executive Director, Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco, expressed gratitude to Police Security and Protection Group director, Police Brig. General Filmore Escobal, for this gesture.
“Basically we are here to personally express our gratitude to (Brigadier) General Escobal. Alam niyo kasi (You know) today, this is election season, and we observed in the PTFoMS that every election season is the most risky for media workers or journalists nationwide,” Egco told reporters in a press briefing after the simple turnover ceremony of the 21 cops.
Citing the Maguindanao massacre, which happened ahead of the 2010 presidential elections, Egco said the police officers will help secure media workers against election-related violence and assist the task force in investigating media killings.
Egco said the 21 PSPG personnel detailed to PTFoMS will conduct investigation of 170 cases from 1986 up to present.
The PSPG is the PNP unit mandated to provide security to anybody who needs it, including media workers facing threats.
“In terms of media killings, the PTFoMS has all the data. We have agreed long before that there should only be singular data. If you want updates on the case, you will be referred to the PTFoMS. This is the start of something good. We have to be vigilant now. There is indeed a spike in violence against the media. This is a sign we're actually prepared for anything. Not just the PNP, the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) are also there," Egco stressed.
Egco, a former journalist, said dirty politics, crime and corruption and economic vulnerability are the three main factors contributing to violence against media workers, especially those based in the provinces.
“We have to be very vigilant, we recognize the problem on media violence. I spent more than two decades (in) media. Always stick to the highest ethical standards of the profession,” he said.
Egco said they will assign the police personnel to media practitioners, who have imminent threats against their lives in line of their jobs as well as those who will be assigned to cover critical areas.
He said media personnel may send requests to their office for the provision of security personnel.
“What we usually do is we contact the local police to provide immediate security. We must be pro-active unlike the former task forces which were reactive. They only act when the journalist is already killed. Here, once the journalist calls, within 10 minutes, we have what we call quick reaction system and I instructed my men, you need to act within 10 minutes or you're fired,” said Egco.
Escobal, meanwhile, said the PSPG will fully support the PTFoMS when it comes to securing high-risk individuals.
“Since they (21 cops) are detailed to PTFoMS, they will perform duties on investigation and we will utilize, create regional and security protection unit personnel based on what the PTFoMS needs,” Escobal told reporters.
“We can provide security as long as it's not permanent. The permanent provision of security will depend on Comelec (Commission on Elections) provision,” Escobal said. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066936
Signing of 2019 budget to force senators to identify realignments
The signing of the 2019 General Appropriations Act (GAA) by President Rodrigo Duterte will force senators to identify their respective individual realignments in the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) submitted to Malacañang, a House leader said Wednesday.
Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr., who chairs the House committee on appropriations, said this is due to the fourth budget book that was included in the 2019 GAB, the first time that the expenditure bill will be made up of four volumes of budget books.
“Congress has included the fourth book for this year’s GAB in the interest of transparency and accountability. The new book, which is part of the budget reforms initiated by the current House leadership, contains the list of itemized allocation for programs and projects under the 2019 GAB,” Andaya said.
The House leader said records of the bicameral deliberations on the national budget would show that the fourth book was a condition put forward by the House of Representatives during the initial stage of the bicam and accepted by the Senate contingent.
He said the House leadership moved for the itemization of the budget for specific programs and projects, in compliance with the latest Supreme Court's decision on the pork barrel issue.
The lawmaker noted that the 2013 SC decision specifically instructed lawmakers to adopt a detailed line-item budgeting for the full appreciation of the President.
“Line-item budgeting is our response to the people’s demand for transparency and accountability in the national budget. Lump-sum funds are more prone to corruption and violate many tenets of transparent expenditure of public funds. It is for this reason that the Supreme Court had declared discretionary lump sum funds unconstitutional,” Andaya said.
He said the line-item budgeting approach enables President Duterte to exercise his veto power.
Andaya cited SC Justice Antonio Carpio who, in his concurring opinion on the 2013 decision, said: “Congress has the constitutional duty to present to the President a General Appropriations Act (GAA) containing items, instead of lump-sums, stating in detail the specific purpose for each amount of appropriation, precisely to enable the President to exercise his line-item veto power. Otherwise, the President’s line-item veto power is negated by Congress in violation of the Constitution.”
In spite of this, Andaya said senators have opposed the itemization of the realignments done by the House after the ratification of the proposed 2019 budget, insisting that post-ratification itemization is “unconstitutional.”
“The line-item budgeting approach is adopted in the 2019 General Appropriations Bill. It is printed in the budget books for every taxpayer to see. The senators may oppose such approach, but it is in full compliance with the laws of the land and in light of the Supreme Court decision,” he said.
But while the House moved to itemize its realignments, he said senators unilaterally decided on certain budget cuts and realigned them to other items based on request of individual proponents.
“Up to now, the Senate has yet to make public a detailed report on the proponents who recommended the individual realignments,” Andaya said.
But this would not be for long, he said, since the fourth budget book with the itemized allocation for programs and projects will be out in the open once President Duterte signs the 2019 GAA.
“The public release of the new budget law will leave our esteemed senators no choice but to identify their individual realignments which found print in the 2019 GAA. Only by doing so can the public be made fully aware what are the pet programs and projects of the senators they voted into office,” Andaya said. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066937
Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr., who chairs the House committee on appropriations, said this is due to the fourth budget book that was included in the 2019 GAB, the first time that the expenditure bill will be made up of four volumes of budget books.
“Congress has included the fourth book for this year’s GAB in the interest of transparency and accountability. The new book, which is part of the budget reforms initiated by the current House leadership, contains the list of itemized allocation for programs and projects under the 2019 GAB,” Andaya said.
The House leader said records of the bicameral deliberations on the national budget would show that the fourth book was a condition put forward by the House of Representatives during the initial stage of the bicam and accepted by the Senate contingent.
He said the House leadership moved for the itemization of the budget for specific programs and projects, in compliance with the latest Supreme Court's decision on the pork barrel issue.
The lawmaker noted that the 2013 SC decision specifically instructed lawmakers to adopt a detailed line-item budgeting for the full appreciation of the President.
“Line-item budgeting is our response to the people’s demand for transparency and accountability in the national budget. Lump-sum funds are more prone to corruption and violate many tenets of transparent expenditure of public funds. It is for this reason that the Supreme Court had declared discretionary lump sum funds unconstitutional,” Andaya said.
He said the line-item budgeting approach enables President Duterte to exercise his veto power.
Andaya cited SC Justice Antonio Carpio who, in his concurring opinion on the 2013 decision, said: “Congress has the constitutional duty to present to the President a General Appropriations Act (GAA) containing items, instead of lump-sums, stating in detail the specific purpose for each amount of appropriation, precisely to enable the President to exercise his line-item veto power. Otherwise, the President’s line-item veto power is negated by Congress in violation of the Constitution.”
In spite of this, Andaya said senators have opposed the itemization of the realignments done by the House after the ratification of the proposed 2019 budget, insisting that post-ratification itemization is “unconstitutional.”
“The line-item budgeting approach is adopted in the 2019 General Appropriations Bill. It is printed in the budget books for every taxpayer to see. The senators may oppose such approach, but it is in full compliance with the laws of the land and in light of the Supreme Court decision,” he said.
But while the House moved to itemize its realignments, he said senators unilaterally decided on certain budget cuts and realigned them to other items based on request of individual proponents.
“Up to now, the Senate has yet to make public a detailed report on the proponents who recommended the individual realignments,” Andaya said.
But this would not be for long, he said, since the fourth budget book with the itemized allocation for programs and projects will be out in the open once President Duterte signs the 2019 GAA.
“The public release of the new budget law will leave our esteemed senators no choice but to identify their individual realignments which found print in the 2019 GAA. Only by doing so can the public be made fully aware what are the pet programs and projects of the senators they voted into office,” Andaya said. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066937
Benitez considered to head new housing department
BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental third district Rep. Albee Benitez is being considered to head the newly formed Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
Benitez told reporters here on April 7,2019 that he was informed by former President and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that he is being eyed for the position.
Benitez is on his last term as congressman and declined to run for governor in the 2019 elections to pave the way for a united ticket in the province.
Benitez was the main author of the bill that created the DHSUD in the House while Senator JV Ejercito sponsored the Senate version.
The DHSUD will combine the administrative functions of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and the planning and regulatory functions of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB).
The National Human Settlements Board will exercise the powers and functions of the attached agencies regarding policy and program development.
“The Department will act as the primary national government entity responsible for the management of housing and urban development. There will be a formulation and implementation of a more coherent and holistic plan for the housing sector,” Ejercito said.
He said the Philippines’ housing backlog in 2018 is more than two million and it is projected to balloon to 6,571,387 by the end of 2022.
The Department will be tasked to assist the local government units (LGUs) in the utilization of the socialized housing tax and other sources of funds for housing which shall be exclusively used for new settlement projects.
https://thedailyguardian.net/negros/benitez-considered-to-head-new-housing-department/
Benitez told reporters here on April 7,2019 that he was informed by former President and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that he is being eyed for the position.
Benitez is on his last term as congressman and declined to run for governor in the 2019 elections to pave the way for a united ticket in the province.
Benitez was the main author of the bill that created the DHSUD in the House while Senator JV Ejercito sponsored the Senate version.
The DHSUD will combine the administrative functions of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and the planning and regulatory functions of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB).
The National Human Settlements Board will exercise the powers and functions of the attached agencies regarding policy and program development.
“The Department will act as the primary national government entity responsible for the management of housing and urban development. There will be a formulation and implementation of a more coherent and holistic plan for the housing sector,” Ejercito said.
He said the Philippines’ housing backlog in 2018 is more than two million and it is projected to balloon to 6,571,387 by the end of 2022.
The Department will be tasked to assist the local government units (LGUs) in the utilization of the socialized housing tax and other sources of funds for housing which shall be exclusively used for new settlement projects.
https://thedailyguardian.net/negros/benitez-considered-to-head-new-housing-department/
Saturday, April 6, 2019
WHAT NATIONALISM?
HERE'S THE SCORE By Teodoro C. Benigno - Suddenly, this word is being nudged into our consciousness and we’ve forgotten what it’s all about. What, honestly and truly, is nationalism?. Okay, the easy answer. It’s love of country. It’s a return to the values of yesteryear when the notion of nation drew us close together, particularly the war years. Fear and loathing of the Japanese invader and occupant. The tramp of his hobnailed boot, the terrors of Fort Santiago. Bataan and Corregidor. The Death March. Filipinos dying by the multitudes. The sword of Dai Nippon plunged ruthlessly into their entrails.
That is the only time I personally remember, outside of the Philippine revolution against Spain and the insurgency against the United States, that many Filipinos were ready and willing to die for this entity called Bayan kong Pilipinas. The Filipino nation. Pilipinas kong mahal. Hundreds of thousands did perish if not a couple of millions. Then and only then did love of country surge into the Filipino soul like molten lava. La patria was the revered fatherland. And a brace of Filipino heroes at the end of the 19th century gave their lives – willingly, courageously, indomitably.
Then the patriotic songs – Bayang Magiliw, Bayan Ko, Pilipinas Kong Mahal.
'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 nang dahil sa'yo.'
Bayan Ko
Ang bayan kong Pilipinas
Lupain ng ginto't bulaklak
Pag-ibig ang sa kanyang palad
Nag-alay ng ganda't dilag.
At sa kanyang yumi at ganda
Dayuhan ay nahalina
Bayan ko, binihag ka
Nasadlak sa dusa.
Ibon mang may layang lumipad
Kulungin mo at umiiyak
Bayan pa kayang sakdal dilag
Ang di magnasang makaalpas!
Pilipinas kong minumutya
Pugad ng luha ko’t dalita
Aking adhika,
Makita kang sakdal laya!
Pilipinas Kong Mahal
Ang bayan ko'y tanging ikaw
Pilipinas kong mahal
Ang puso ko at buhay man
Sa iyo'y ibibigay
Tungkulin ko'y gagampanan
Na laging kang paglingkuran
Ang laya mo'y babantayan
Pilipinas kong hirang
Ako ay Pilipino
Ako ay Pilipino
Ang dugo'y maharlika
Likas sa aking puso
Adhikaing kay ganda
Sa Pilipinas na aking bayan
Lantay na Perlas ng Silanganan
Wari'y natipon ang kayamanan
ng Maykapal
Bigay sa 'king talino
Sa mabuti lang laan
Sa aki'y katutubo
Ang maging mapagmahal
Ako ay Pilipino, ako ay Pilipino
Isang bansa, 'sang diwa
ang minimithi ko
Sa bayan ko't bandila
Laan buhay ko't diwa
Ako ay Pilipino
Pilipinong totoo
Ako ay Pilipino, ako ay Pilipino
Taas noo kahit kanino
Ang Pilipino ay ako.
Ako ay Pilipino, ako ay Pilipino
Taas noo kahit kanino
Ang Pilipino ay ako.
“Lupang Hinirang” hindi “Bayang Magiliw” ang pamagat ang ating pambansang awit.
Sinulat ito noong nais ng mga Pilipinong maging malaya sa pananakop ng ibang bansa.
Kinatha ni Julian Felipe ang tugtugin ng "Lupang Hinirang." Isinulat naman ni Jose Palma ang mga titik nito. Una itong tinugtog nang itinaas ang ating watawat. Nanngyari ito noong Hunyo 12, 1898. Ginanap ito sa Kawit, Cavite.
Ang ating pambansang awit ay nagpapahayag ng pagmamahal sa bansa. Inilalahad din nito ang pagtatanggol sa bansa. Ito rin ba ang ibig mo sa inyong bansa?
Tignan ang mga bata sa larawan. Tignan kung paano ipinakikita ang kanilang paggalang habang umaawit ng “Lupang Hinirang.”
Matapos umawit, ito ang mga binibigkas. Ito ay “Panatang Makabayan” at “Panunumpa sa Watawat.” Binibigkas mo rin ba ang mga ito?
Panatang Makabayan
Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas,
Ito ang aking lupang sinilangan,
Ito ang tahanan ng aking lahi,
Ako'y kanyang kinukupkop at tinutulungan.
Upang maging malakas,
Maligaya at kapaki-pakinabang.
Bilang ganti ay diringgin ko
Ang payo ng aking mga magulang;
Susundin ko ang mga tuntunin ng aking paaralan,
Tutuparin ko ang mga tungkulin ng
Isang mamamayang makabayan
At masunurin sa batas.
Paglilingkuran ko ang aking bayan
Nang walang pag-iimbot at nang buong katapatan.
Sisikapin kong maging isang tunay na Pilipino
Sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa.
Panunumpa sa Watawat
Ako’y nanunumpa sa watatwat ng Pilipinas
At sa republikang kanyang kinakatawan.
Isang bansang pinapatnubayan ng Diyos,
Buo at di mahahati,
Na may katarungan
At kalayaan para sa lahat.
The national anthem was sung; “Bayan Ko” was sung; an artist got up on the small stage and proceeded to lead the crowd in hurling good natured and quite scandalous abuse at Estrada and the 11 senators of by now, more-than-ill repute. It was as if every time the fuse was lit, the protesters made a deliberate effort to snuff it out. They even called for cheers for the policemen. The policemen looked embarrassed.
That is the only time I personally remember, outside of the Philippine revolution against Spain and the insurgency against the United States, that many Filipinos were ready and willing to die for this entity called Bayan kong Pilipinas. The Filipino nation. Pilipinas kong mahal. Hundreds of thousands did perish if not a couple of millions. Then and only then did love of country surge into the Filipino soul like molten lava. La patria was the revered fatherland. And a brace of Filipino heroes at the end of the 19th century gave their lives – willingly, courageously, indomitably.
Then the patriotic songs – Bayang Magiliw, Bayan Ko, Pilipinas Kong Mahal.
'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 nang dahil sa'yo.'
Bayan Ko
Ang bayan kong Pilipinas
Lupain ng ginto't bulaklak
Pag-ibig ang sa kanyang palad
Nag-alay ng ganda't dilag.
At sa kanyang yumi at ganda
Dayuhan ay nahalina
Bayan ko, binihag ka
Nasadlak sa dusa.
Ibon mang may layang lumipad
Kulungin mo at umiiyak
Bayan pa kayang sakdal dilag
Ang di magnasang makaalpas!
Pilipinas kong minumutya
Pugad ng luha ko’t dalita
Aking adhika,
Makita kang sakdal laya!
Pilipinas Kong Mahal
Ang bayan ko'y tanging ikaw
Pilipinas kong mahal
Ang puso ko at buhay man
Sa iyo'y ibibigay
Tungkulin ko'y gagampanan
Na laging kang paglingkuran
Ang laya mo'y babantayan
Pilipinas kong hirang
Ako ay Pilipino
Ako ay Pilipino
Ang dugo'y maharlika
Likas sa aking puso
Adhikaing kay ganda
Sa Pilipinas na aking bayan
Lantay na Perlas ng Silanganan
Wari'y natipon ang kayamanan
ng Maykapal
Bigay sa 'king talino
Sa mabuti lang laan
Sa aki'y katutubo
Ang maging mapagmahal
Ako ay Pilipino, ako ay Pilipino
Isang bansa, 'sang diwa
ang minimithi ko
Sa bayan ko't bandila
Laan buhay ko't diwa
Ako ay Pilipino
Pilipinong totoo
Ako ay Pilipino, ako ay Pilipino
Taas noo kahit kanino
Ang Pilipino ay ako.
Ako ay Pilipino, ako ay Pilipino
Taas noo kahit kanino
Ang Pilipino ay ako.
“Lupang Hinirang” hindi “Bayang Magiliw” ang pamagat ang ating pambansang awit.
Sinulat ito noong nais ng mga Pilipinong maging malaya sa pananakop ng ibang bansa.
Kinatha ni Julian Felipe ang tugtugin ng "Lupang Hinirang." Isinulat naman ni Jose Palma ang mga titik nito. Una itong tinugtog nang itinaas ang ating watawat. Nanngyari ito noong Hunyo 12, 1898. Ginanap ito sa Kawit, Cavite.
Ang ating pambansang awit ay nagpapahayag ng pagmamahal sa bansa. Inilalahad din nito ang pagtatanggol sa bansa. Ito rin ba ang ibig mo sa inyong bansa?
Tignan ang mga bata sa larawan. Tignan kung paano ipinakikita ang kanilang paggalang habang umaawit ng “Lupang Hinirang.”
Matapos umawit, ito ang mga binibigkas. Ito ay “Panatang Makabayan” at “Panunumpa sa Watawat.” Binibigkas mo rin ba ang mga ito?
Panatang Makabayan
Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas,
Ito ang aking lupang sinilangan,
Ito ang tahanan ng aking lahi,
Ako'y kanyang kinukupkop at tinutulungan.
Upang maging malakas,
Maligaya at kapaki-pakinabang.
Bilang ganti ay diringgin ko
Ang payo ng aking mga magulang;
Susundin ko ang mga tuntunin ng aking paaralan,
Tutuparin ko ang mga tungkulin ng
Isang mamamayang makabayan
At masunurin sa batas.
Paglilingkuran ko ang aking bayan
Nang walang pag-iimbot at nang buong katapatan.
Sisikapin kong maging isang tunay na Pilipino
Sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa.
Panunumpa sa Watawat
Ako’y nanunumpa sa watatwat ng Pilipinas
At sa republikang kanyang kinakatawan.
Isang bansang pinapatnubayan ng Diyos,
Buo at di mahahati,
Na may katarungan
At kalayaan para sa lahat.
The national anthem was sung; “Bayan Ko” was sung; an artist got up on the small stage and proceeded to lead the crowd in hurling good natured and quite scandalous abuse at Estrada and the 11 senators of by now, more-than-ill repute. It was as if every time the fuse was lit, the protesters made a deliberate effort to snuff it out. They even called for cheers for the policemen. The policemen looked embarrassed.
Thursday, April 4, 2019
ABS-CBN claims winning TV ratings battle in March
COMPETITORS ABS-CBN Corp. and GMA Network Inc. claimed on Wednesday they led the ratings game last month, citing data from two different sources.
Lopez-led entertainment and multimedia conglomerate ABS-CBN, citing data from Kantar Media, claimed to have posted a higher national-average audience share in March, after recording a solid 47-percent audience share, beating GMA by 17 points.
ABS-CBN also claimed leadership in Metro Manila and Mega Manila, where it scored an average audience share of 44 percent and 38 percent, respectively, against GMA’s 24-percent and 30-percent share.
The Lopez-led broadcaster also attracted more viewers than GMA in other areas. It won the ratings game in Total Luzon with an average total-day audience share of 41 percent, versus GMA’s 33 percent; in Total Visayas with 57 percent versus GMA’s 23 percent; and in Total Mindanao with 56 percent, versus GMA’s 25 percent.
ABS-CBN also claimed it fared better against GMA in the prime-time block, after it registered a 50-percent audience share, significantly higher than its rival’s 30 percent.
The prime-time block is the most important part of the day when most Filipinos watch TV and advertisers put a larger chunk of their investment in to reach more consumers effectively.
Aside from prime time, ABS-CBN won in other time blocks nationwide that include the morning block with 38 percent, versus GMA’s 28 percent; noontime block with 48 percent, versus GMA’s 29 percent; and afternoon block with 49 percent, versus GMA’s 30 percent.
Since January, ABS-CBN took 9 of the 10 highest rated TV programs. In March, "FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano" continued to be the country’s number one show, ruling primetime with 42.4 percent, while the variety show “It’s Showtime” continued to be the country’s number one noontime show with 33.6 percent on weekdays and 31.7 percent on Saturdays, against its rival “Eat Bulaga” which only got 32.8 percent on weekdays and 30.2 percent on Saturdays.
Following its lead are "The General’s Daughter," with 32.3 percent; "World of Dance Philippines" with 31.5 percent; “TV Patrol,” with 30.9 percent; "Maalaala Mo Kaya," with 28.7 percent; "Halik," with 24.5 percent; "Pinoy Big Brother: Otso" with 23.8 percent, "Tonight with Boy Abunda" with 22.9 percent, "Bandila" with 22.4 percent, "Rated K," with 22.2 percent; "Wansapanataym," with 21.9 percent; and "Home Sweetie Home," with 21.6 percent.
As of February, ABS-CBN TVplus sold 7 million boxes since its launch in 2015. It recently added 5 new channels to its current line-up, namely the Asianovela Channel, Movie Central, MYX, Jeepney TV, and O Shopping in Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, and Metro Cebu.
ABS-CBN also leads all media networks in bringing its content online to address the change in the Filipinos' viewing habits. It launched its new streaming service, iWant, which became the most in-demand app for Filipino iOS and Android with more than 1 million app downloads on the first day of its official release in November last year.
The Gozon-led network claimed to have dominated in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM) with a 36.4-percent average household audience share in March, ahead of ABS-CBN’s 35.5 percent by just a few percentage points, based on data from Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.
It also claimed to have led Nutam’s morning block with 32 percent audience share versus its rival’s 29.2 percent. GMA also took the lead in the evening block with 38.4 percent audience share against the 37.1 percent average that its competitor netted.
GMA also furthered its leadership position in Urban Luzon and Mega Manila, which account for 72 percent and 60 percent of all urban households in the country.
In Urban Luzon GMA won across all day parts and registered an average household share of 39.8 percent, while ABS-CBN posted only 30 percent; in Mega Manila, it posted an audience share of 41.6 percent, while its rival booked 27.1 percent.
“KMJS” was followed by “Onanay,” “Magpakailanman,” “Daddy’s Gurl,” “Sahaya,” “Kara Mia,” “24 Oras,” “Pepito Manaloto” and “Studio 7.”
Completing the list were “Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko,” “TODA One I Love,” “Amazing Earth,” “Asawa Ko Karibal Ko,” “Dragon Lady,” “Tadhana,” “Inagaw na Bituin,” “My Special Tatay,” “Wish Ko Lang,” “Imbestigador,” “Bubble Gang,” “Saksi,” “Kapuso Movie Night,” “Hiram na Anak,” “Eat Bulaga,” “24 Oras Weekend” and “Wowowin.”
GMA bases its claims to leadership from Nielsen data, which has a nationwide sample size of 3,500 urban and rural homes.
The Lopez-led network sources its data from Kantar Media, which uses a nationwide panel size of 2,610 urban and rural homes that represent 100 percent of the total Philippine TV viewing population.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/04/04/abs-cbn-claims-winning-tv-ratings-battle-in-march/
Lopez-led entertainment and multimedia conglomerate ABS-CBN, citing data from Kantar Media, claimed to have posted a higher national-average audience share in March, after recording a solid 47-percent audience share, beating GMA by 17 points.
ABS-CBN also claimed leadership in Metro Manila and Mega Manila, where it scored an average audience share of 44 percent and 38 percent, respectively, against GMA’s 24-percent and 30-percent share.
The Lopez-led broadcaster also attracted more viewers than GMA in other areas. It won the ratings game in Total Luzon with an average total-day audience share of 41 percent, versus GMA’s 33 percent; in Total Visayas with 57 percent versus GMA’s 23 percent; and in Total Mindanao with 56 percent, versus GMA’s 25 percent.
ABS-CBN also claimed it fared better against GMA in the prime-time block, after it registered a 50-percent audience share, significantly higher than its rival’s 30 percent.
The prime-time block is the most important part of the day when most Filipinos watch TV and advertisers put a larger chunk of their investment in to reach more consumers effectively.
Aside from prime time, ABS-CBN won in other time blocks nationwide that include the morning block with 38 percent, versus GMA’s 28 percent; noontime block with 48 percent, versus GMA’s 29 percent; and afternoon block with 49 percent, versus GMA’s 30 percent.
Since January, ABS-CBN took 9 of the 10 highest rated TV programs. In March, "FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano" continued to be the country’s number one show, ruling primetime with 42.4 percent, while the variety show “It’s Showtime” continued to be the country’s number one noontime show with 33.6 percent on weekdays and 31.7 percent on Saturdays, against its rival “Eat Bulaga” which only got 32.8 percent on weekdays and 30.2 percent on Saturdays.
Following its lead are "The General’s Daughter," with 32.3 percent; "World of Dance Philippines" with 31.5 percent; “TV Patrol,” with 30.9 percent; "Maalaala Mo Kaya," with 28.7 percent; "Halik," with 24.5 percent; "Pinoy Big Brother: Otso" with 23.8 percent, "Tonight with Boy Abunda" with 22.9 percent, "Bandila" with 22.4 percent, "Rated K," with 22.2 percent; "Wansapanataym," with 21.9 percent; and "Home Sweetie Home," with 21.6 percent.
As of February, ABS-CBN TVplus sold 7 million boxes since its launch in 2015. It recently added 5 new channels to its current line-up, namely the Asianovela Channel, Movie Central, MYX, Jeepney TV, and O Shopping in Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, and Metro Cebu.
ABS-CBN also leads all media networks in bringing its content online to address the change in the Filipinos' viewing habits. It launched its new streaming service, iWant, which became the most in-demand app for Filipino iOS and Android with more than 1 million app downloads on the first day of its official release in November last year.
The Gozon-led network claimed to have dominated in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM) with a 36.4-percent average household audience share in March, ahead of ABS-CBN’s 35.5 percent by just a few percentage points, based on data from Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.
It also claimed to have led Nutam’s morning block with 32 percent audience share versus its rival’s 29.2 percent. GMA also took the lead in the evening block with 38.4 percent audience share against the 37.1 percent average that its competitor netted.
GMA also furthered its leadership position in Urban Luzon and Mega Manila, which account for 72 percent and 60 percent of all urban households in the country.
In Urban Luzon GMA won across all day parts and registered an average household share of 39.8 percent, while ABS-CBN posted only 30 percent; in Mega Manila, it posted an audience share of 41.6 percent, while its rival booked 27.1 percent.
“KMJS” was followed by “Onanay,” “Magpakailanman,” “Daddy’s Gurl,” “Sahaya,” “Kara Mia,” “24 Oras,” “Pepito Manaloto” and “Studio 7.”
Completing the list were “Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko,” “TODA One I Love,” “Amazing Earth,” “Asawa Ko Karibal Ko,” “Dragon Lady,” “Tadhana,” “Inagaw na Bituin,” “My Special Tatay,” “Wish Ko Lang,” “Imbestigador,” “Bubble Gang,” “Saksi,” “Kapuso Movie Night,” “Hiram na Anak,” “Eat Bulaga,” “24 Oras Weekend” and “Wowowin.”
GMA bases its claims to leadership from Nielsen data, which has a nationwide sample size of 3,500 urban and rural homes.
The Lopez-led network sources its data from Kantar Media, which uses a nationwide panel size of 2,610 urban and rural homes that represent 100 percent of the total Philippine TV viewing population.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/04/04/abs-cbn-claims-winning-tv-ratings-battle-in-march/
TV networks both claim ratings lead in March
MEDIA giants ABS-CBN Corp. and GMA Network, Inc. both continued to claim dominance in television ratings in March, citing different measurement providers.
ABS-CBN said on Wednesday it gained 47% average audience share last month to beat GMA’s 30%, based on data from Kantar Media.
Kanta Media, according to ABS-CBN, gathers its data from a survey of 2,610 urban and rural households across the Philippines.
GMA, on the other hand, said it had 36.4% average total day people audience share in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM) from March 1 to 27, with findings from March 24 to 27 based on overnight data. This is higher than its rival’s 35.5%, based on data from Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.
By location, ABS-CBN said its rating in March reached 44% in Metro Manila, almost double GMA’s 24%. In Mega Manila, it likewise outscored its rival with 38% against 30%.
The Lopez-led company said it dominated the country’s three main islands, with an average audience share of 41% in Luzon versus GMA’s 33%; 57% in Visayas compared to GMA’s 23%; and 56% in Mindanao against GMA’s 25%.
But in its own statement, GMA said it trumped the Urban Luzon market with an average audience share of 39.8% to beat ABS-CBN’s 30%. In Mega Manila, the network also claimed the lead with a rating of 41.6% against its rival’s 27.1%.
In terms of time slots, ABS-CBN again said it led the ratings across- the-board with an average audience share of 50% for prime time (6 p.m. to 12 a.m.) against GMA’s 30%. In the morning block (6 a.m. to 12 p.m.), it said it had 38% share versus GMA’s 28%. In the noon time block (12 p.m. to 3 p.m.), ABS-CBN scored 48% to beat GMA’s 29%. And in the afternoon block (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.), it had 49% against GMA’s 30%.
On the other hand, GMA said Nielsen data found it leading two time slots: the morning block with 32% rating versus ABS-CBN’s 29.2%, and the evening block with 38.4% against ABS-CBN’s 37.1%.
They also both said their shows were among the top programs in the month of March. ABS-CBN said its “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” was the number one show with a prime time rating of 42.2% and the variety show “It’s Showtime” is still the most watched noontime show with a rating of 36.8% on weekdays and 32 percent on Saturdays, whereas GMA said its “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS)” was the number one show, without giving the details.
Following its lead are "The General’s Daughter," with 32.3 percent; "World of Dance Philippines" with 31.5 percent; TV Patrol, with 30.9 percent; "Maalaala Mo Kaya," with 28.7 percent; "Halik," with 24.5 percent; "Pinoy Big Brother: Otso" with 23.8 percent, "Tonight with Boy Abunda" with 22.9 percent, "Bandila" with 22.4 percent, "Rated K," with 22.2 percent; “Gandang Gabi Vice” with 19.8 percent; the just-concluded drama series “Playhouse” with 19.2 percent; new late-morning series “Nang Ngumiti ang Langit” with 18.4 percent; “Kadenang Ginto” with 17.6 percent; “Los Bastardos” with 18.8 percent; “Minute to Win It: Last Man Standing” with 18.2 percent; "Wansapanataym," with 21.9 percent; and "Home Sweetie Home," with 21.6 percent.
“KMJS” was followed by “Onanay,” “Magpakailanman,” “Daddy’s Gurl,” “Sahaya,” “Kara Mia,” “24 Oras,” “Pepito Manaloto” and “Studio 7.”
Completing the list were “Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko,” “TODA One I Love,” “Amazing Earth,” “The Boobay and Tekla Show,” “Asawa Ko Karibal Ko,” “Dragon Lady,” “Inagaw na Bituin,” “My Special Tatay,” “Bubble Gang,” “Saksi,” “Kapuso Movie Night,” “Eat Bulaga,” “Tadhana,” “Wish Ko Lang,” “Imbestigador,” “24 Oras Weekend” and “Wowowin.”
GMA Network dominated both Urban Luzon and Mega Manila lists as well, taking 8 and 9 spots out of the top 10 programs, respectively. — Denise A. Valdez
https://www.bworldonline.com/tv-networks-both-claim-ratings-lead-in-march/
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
ABS-CBN keeps ratings lead in March
ABS-CBN, the country's largest media and entertainment company, said Wednesday it topped television ratings in March, once again beating rival GMA Network, based on Kantar Media research.
The Lopez-led network had an average audience share of 47 percent in March, 17 points higher than GMA, according to Kantar's poll of 2,610 urban and rural homes that represent 100 percent of the country's total TV viewing population.
ABS-CBN secured larger audiences in the urban and rural areas compared to GMA, keeping an average audience share of 44 percent versus GMA’s 24 percent in Metro Manila; and 38 percent in Mega Manila compared to GMA’s 30 percent.
In Total Luzon, ABS-CBN was the choice of more viewers with 41 percent over GMA’s 33 percent. It dominated Total Visayas, with 57 percent, sustaining a margin more than twice GMA’s share of 23 percent; as well as in Total Mindanao, where it got 56 percent of audiences versus GMA’s 25 percent.
ABS-CBN won primetime, earning 50 percent audience share, versus GMA’s 30 percent. It also led the morning block (6 a.m. to 12 p.m.) with an average audience share of 38 percent, compared to GMA’s 28 percent; the noontime block (12 p.m. to 3 p.m.) with 48 percent, versus GMA’s 29 percent; and the afternoon block (3 p.m. to 6 p.m. with 49 percent, versus GMA’s 30 percent.
Since January, ABS-CBN took 9 of the 10 highest rated TV programs. In March, "FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano" continued to be the country’s number one show, ruling primetime with 42.4 percent.
Following its lead are "The General’s Daughter," with 32.3 percent; "World of Dance Philippines" with 31.5 percent; TV Patrol, with 30.9 percent; "Maalaala Mo Kaya," with 28.7 percent; "Halik," with 24.5 percent; "Pinoy Big Brother: Otso" with 23.8 percent, "Tonight with Boy Abunda" with 22.9 percent, "Bandila" with 22.4 percent, "Rated K," with 22.2 percent; “Gandang Gabi Vice” with 19.8 percent; the just-concluded drama series “Playhouse” with 19.2 percent; new late-morning series “Nang Ngumiti ang Langit” with 18.4 percent; “Kadenang Ginto” with 17.6 percent; “Los Bastardos” with 18.8 percent; “Minute to Win It: Last Man Standing” with 18.2 percent; "Wansapanataym," with 21.9 percent; and "Home Sweetie Home," with 21.6 percent.
As of February, ABS-CBN TVplus sold 7 million boxes since its launch in 2015. It recently added 5 new channels to its current line-up, namely the Asianovela Channel, Movie Central, MYX, Jeepney TV, and O Shopping in Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, and Metro Cebu.
ABS-CBN also leads all media networks in bringing its content online to address the change in the Filipinos' viewing habits. It launched its new streaming service, iWant, which became the most in-demand app for Filipino iOS and Android with more than 1 million app downloads on the first day of its official release in November last year.
News.abs-cbn.com is the official news website of ABS-CBN Corp.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/04/03/19/abs-cbn-keeps-ratings-lead-in-march
The Lopez-led network had an average audience share of 47 percent in March, 17 points higher than GMA, according to Kantar's poll of 2,610 urban and rural homes that represent 100 percent of the country's total TV viewing population.
ABS-CBN secured larger audiences in the urban and rural areas compared to GMA, keeping an average audience share of 44 percent versus GMA’s 24 percent in Metro Manila; and 38 percent in Mega Manila compared to GMA’s 30 percent.
In Total Luzon, ABS-CBN was the choice of more viewers with 41 percent over GMA’s 33 percent. It dominated Total Visayas, with 57 percent, sustaining a margin more than twice GMA’s share of 23 percent; as well as in Total Mindanao, where it got 56 percent of audiences versus GMA’s 25 percent.
ABS-CBN won primetime, earning 50 percent audience share, versus GMA’s 30 percent. It also led the morning block (6 a.m. to 12 p.m.) with an average audience share of 38 percent, compared to GMA’s 28 percent; the noontime block (12 p.m. to 3 p.m.) with 48 percent, versus GMA’s 29 percent; and the afternoon block (3 p.m. to 6 p.m. with 49 percent, versus GMA’s 30 percent.
Since January, ABS-CBN took 9 of the 10 highest rated TV programs. In March, "FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano" continued to be the country’s number one show, ruling primetime with 42.4 percent.
Following its lead are "The General’s Daughter," with 32.3 percent; "World of Dance Philippines" with 31.5 percent; TV Patrol, with 30.9 percent; "Maalaala Mo Kaya," with 28.7 percent; "Halik," with 24.5 percent; "Pinoy Big Brother: Otso" with 23.8 percent, "Tonight with Boy Abunda" with 22.9 percent, "Bandila" with 22.4 percent, "Rated K," with 22.2 percent; “Gandang Gabi Vice” with 19.8 percent; the just-concluded drama series “Playhouse” with 19.2 percent; new late-morning series “Nang Ngumiti ang Langit” with 18.4 percent; “Kadenang Ginto” with 17.6 percent; “Los Bastardos” with 18.8 percent; “Minute to Win It: Last Man Standing” with 18.2 percent; "Wansapanataym," with 21.9 percent; and "Home Sweetie Home," with 21.6 percent.
As of February, ABS-CBN TVplus sold 7 million boxes since its launch in 2015. It recently added 5 new channels to its current line-up, namely the Asianovela Channel, Movie Central, MYX, Jeepney TV, and O Shopping in Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, and Metro Cebu.
ABS-CBN also leads all media networks in bringing its content online to address the change in the Filipinos' viewing habits. It launched its new streaming service, iWant, which became the most in-demand app for Filipino iOS and Android with more than 1 million app downloads on the first day of its official release in November last year.
News.abs-cbn.com is the official news website of ABS-CBN Corp.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/04/03/19/abs-cbn-keeps-ratings-lead-in-march
Cebu Pacific launches flight to Marinduque
Cebu Pacific said it launched a direct flight to its newest domestic destination, Marinduque province.
The airline is the only one operating flights in and out of the Marinduque Airport through subsidiary Cebgo.
“Being the only carrier flying to and from Marinduque, we are very happy to enable the opening of more resorts, other businesses and other opportunities―prospering growth of the province. Now, more tourists will be able to fly direct to Marinduque to see and experience the island for themselves,” said Cebu Pacific vice president for corporate affairs JR Mantaring.
“At the same time, it will also be easier for residents to fly to Manila and travel to any onward destination, be it domestic or international, through CEB’s seamlessly connected network,” Mantaring said.
Marinduque is the 37th domestic destination of Cebu Pacific. Aside from Marinduque, CEB also operates flights to other up-and-coming tourist destinations such as Tablas, Masbate, Siargao and Camiguin.
Along with subsidiary Cebgo, Cebu Pacific flies to 37 domestic and 26 international destinations with more than 107 routes spanning Asia, Australia, the Middle East and the United States.
The Cebu Pacific fleet is comprised of an Airbus A321neo, 36 Airbus A320, seven Airbus A321ceo, eight Airbus A330, eight ATR 72-500 and 12 ATR 72-600 aircraft.
The ATR aircraft are used by Cebgo for inter-island flights where jet operations are not possible.
Cebu Pacific boasts of one of the youngest fleets in the world, with an average fleet age of five years.
Cebu Pacific’s net income fell 51 percent last year amid a challenging macroeconomic environment.
The airline company controlled by industrialist John Gokongwei posted a profit of P3.9 billion in 2018, down from P7.9 billion in 2017.
The airline’s revenue reached P74.1 billion, up 9 percent from the previous year, on the back of continued demand for air travel and robust growth of its cargo business.
The growth in CEB’s 2018 business came amid a challenging environment with high fuel prices, a volatile Philippine peso, rising interest rates, increased competition, the six-month closure of Boracay and operational limitations in the country’s key airports.
CEB flew 20.3 million passengers in 2018, up 2.7 percent from 2017.
http://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/291606
The airline is the only one operating flights in and out of the Marinduque Airport through subsidiary Cebgo.
“Being the only carrier flying to and from Marinduque, we are very happy to enable the opening of more resorts, other businesses and other opportunities―prospering growth of the province. Now, more tourists will be able to fly direct to Marinduque to see and experience the island for themselves,” said Cebu Pacific vice president for corporate affairs JR Mantaring.
“At the same time, it will also be easier for residents to fly to Manila and travel to any onward destination, be it domestic or international, through CEB’s seamlessly connected network,” Mantaring said.
Marinduque is the 37th domestic destination of Cebu Pacific. Aside from Marinduque, CEB also operates flights to other up-and-coming tourist destinations such as Tablas, Masbate, Siargao and Camiguin.
Along with subsidiary Cebgo, Cebu Pacific flies to 37 domestic and 26 international destinations with more than 107 routes spanning Asia, Australia, the Middle East and the United States.
The Cebu Pacific fleet is comprised of an Airbus A321neo, 36 Airbus A320, seven Airbus A321ceo, eight Airbus A330, eight ATR 72-500 and 12 ATR 72-600 aircraft.
The ATR aircraft are used by Cebgo for inter-island flights where jet operations are not possible.
Cebu Pacific boasts of one of the youngest fleets in the world, with an average fleet age of five years.
Cebu Pacific’s net income fell 51 percent last year amid a challenging macroeconomic environment.
The airline company controlled by industrialist John Gokongwei posted a profit of P3.9 billion in 2018, down from P7.9 billion in 2017.
The airline’s revenue reached P74.1 billion, up 9 percent from the previous year, on the back of continued demand for air travel and robust growth of its cargo business.
The growth in CEB’s 2018 business came amid a challenging environment with high fuel prices, a volatile Philippine peso, rising interest rates, increased competition, the six-month closure of Boracay and operational limitations in the country’s key airports.
CEB flew 20.3 million passengers in 2018, up 2.7 percent from 2017.
http://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/291606
Shakey’s acquiring Peri-Peri stores
Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures Inc., one of the country’s leading restaurant operators owned by the Po family, is acquiring Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, an emerging fast casual and full-service restaurant brand in the Philippines.
Shakey’s said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it signed an agreement to purchase the assets and intellectual property relating to the Peri business, including its brand, trade name and the various proprietary recipes used by the chain to make its trademark peri-peri chicken.
The company did not disclose the acquisition cost.
The deal is expected to close by mid-year upon fulfillment of certain conditions.
The acquisition will also involve owning and operating all company-owned stores and serving as brand-owner and franchisor of stores being operated by franchisees.
“We look forward to growing this business through our tried and tested formula of investing in the brand, investing in the people and investing in the stores. We will maintain the taste and look that made Peri famous, but hope to further elevate the customer experience with Shakey’s trademark ‘wow-ing’ service and improve the stores’ accessibility via proper site selection and expansion of the network,” Shakey’s president and chief executive Vicente Gregorio said.
Peri has a store network of 23 units in several parts of Metro Manila, about 60 percent of which are franchised and 40 percent company-owned.
“We are excited by the potential of Peri to scale. We expect it to be an important future growth driver for our fast-casual chain restaurant business. Our deep insights into how to best serve the typical fast-casual restaurant guest should allow us to further grow the Peri brand. This is in addition to leveraging our team’s execution capabilities, which remain best-in-class and our restaurant operating systems, which have also continued to improve over the last few years,” said Shakey’s chairman Christopher Po.
Shakey’s had a nationwide store count of 228 as of end-2018. It expects to open 20 stores this year. Shakey’s also has three outlets abroad.
Shakey’s said with two international area development agreements signed up, its total international pipeline would be at least 20 outlets over the next few years.
Shakey’s owns the perpetual rights to the Shakey’s brand for the Middle East, Asia (excluding Japan and Malaysia), China, Australia and Oceania.
“This Peri acquisition is another vote of confidence in the growing middle class in the Philippines. We will continue to invest in the restaurant space and diversify the business portfolio in the hope of achieving our vision of establishing wow brands―a handful of industry leading, full-service restaurant chains appealing to the Filipinos’ increasing need for affordable yet premium dining out options,” Po said.
http://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/291607
Shakey’s said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it signed an agreement to purchase the assets and intellectual property relating to the Peri business, including its brand, trade name and the various proprietary recipes used by the chain to make its trademark peri-peri chicken.
The company did not disclose the acquisition cost.
The deal is expected to close by mid-year upon fulfillment of certain conditions.
The acquisition will also involve owning and operating all company-owned stores and serving as brand-owner and franchisor of stores being operated by franchisees.
“We look forward to growing this business through our tried and tested formula of investing in the brand, investing in the people and investing in the stores. We will maintain the taste and look that made Peri famous, but hope to further elevate the customer experience with Shakey’s trademark ‘wow-ing’ service and improve the stores’ accessibility via proper site selection and expansion of the network,” Shakey’s president and chief executive Vicente Gregorio said.
Peri has a store network of 23 units in several parts of Metro Manila, about 60 percent of which are franchised and 40 percent company-owned.
“We are excited by the potential of Peri to scale. We expect it to be an important future growth driver for our fast-casual chain restaurant business. Our deep insights into how to best serve the typical fast-casual restaurant guest should allow us to further grow the Peri brand. This is in addition to leveraging our team’s execution capabilities, which remain best-in-class and our restaurant operating systems, which have also continued to improve over the last few years,” said Shakey’s chairman Christopher Po.
Shakey’s had a nationwide store count of 228 as of end-2018. It expects to open 20 stores this year. Shakey’s also has three outlets abroad.
Shakey’s said with two international area development agreements signed up, its total international pipeline would be at least 20 outlets over the next few years.
Shakey’s owns the perpetual rights to the Shakey’s brand for the Middle East, Asia (excluding Japan and Malaysia), China, Australia and Oceania.
“This Peri acquisition is another vote of confidence in the growing middle class in the Philippines. We will continue to invest in the restaurant space and diversify the business portfolio in the hope of achieving our vision of establishing wow brands―a handful of industry leading, full-service restaurant chains appealing to the Filipinos’ increasing need for affordable yet premium dining out options,” Po said.
http://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/291607
SM subsidiary opens Park Inn by Radisson Hotel in Iloilo
Iloilo City―SM Hotels and Convention Corp., the hotel unit of the SM Group, opened its third Park Inn by Radisson Hotel in this city Tuesday amid the booming demand of the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) market.
SMHCC executive vice president Peggy Angeles said at least four more Park Inn hotels are in the pipeline as part of the group’s P8.2-billion, five-year expansion plan until 2022.
“We are confident that this new landmark in Iloilo will add to the city’s vibrant tourism landscape and set a new benchmark in hospitality in Panay Island,” Angeles said.
There is also a plan to construct an SMX Convention Center near the hotel which is strategically located six minutes from the Iloilo Business Park and less than half an hour from the Iloilo International Airport.
“All these will strengthen the position of Iloilo as a MICE destination,” she said.
The Department of Tourism earlier launched its MICE Roadmap 2030 to secure the country’s foothold as the leading MICE destination in Asia Pacific.
Under the roadmap, the industry is eyeing a revenue growth of more than 400 percent from only P4.6 billion posted in 2016 to P24.4 billion by 2030.
The 199-room hotel Iloilo, Angeles said, provides choice venues for meetings and social events, with a main function room that can accommodate up to 100 guests for mid-sized events and an al fresco area by the poolside for early evening functions.
“Park Inn by Radisson is a friendly, fresh, vibrant and uncomplicated brand that focuses on delivering the modern essentials of a great business hotel experience,” she said.
SMHCC earlier opened Park Inn by Radisson hotels in Davao and Clark, but the branch in Iloilo is the first under the corporation’s licensing agreement with Radisson Hotel Group.
Angeles said another Park Inn by Radisson hotel would be opened within the first half of the year beside SM North Edsa while the extension of the Clark facility would be completed by the first quarter of next year.
Park Inn Bacolod is scheduled for opening in the third quarter of 2020, while another in Baguio will likely be finished by 2022.
Angeles said that aside from the Radisson brand, SMHCC would also bring another international brand to the country. It is set to break ground for a 400-room hotel with serviced apartments near the SM Mall of Asia in June.
The group is also set to construct a hotel and an SMX Convention Center in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
SMHCC earlier announced the expansion of its portfolio, doubling its current hotel room inventory and growing leasable convention space by 2020.
http://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/291605
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