Thursday, November 7, 2019

Max's and Pancake House bundle

Max's Whole Fried Chicken
Pancake House Box of 8 Classic Pan Chicken
Pancake House Classic Pancakes
Pancake House Cheese Waffle


Multiply (website): Relaunching

On April 1, 2019, the company issued a bankruptcy court filing which stated that it would no longer auction off its intellectual property, since its controlling lender planned to "[revive] the business behind the Multiply brand name" with their new mobile app, delivering 217 million accounts, 210 million photos and 237,000 videos with hosted blogs, videos, photos and messaging from the old Multiply from it's launch in March 2004 to March 15, 2013 and establishing new opportunities. The company evaluated that selling its brand at auction "[was] not reasonably likely to yield a superior alternative."

Magdalinski, said he had proposed to the website’s board plans and strategies which would include another set of efforts that should bring the company to profitability in the next couple of years.

“I’ve actually presented to the board some of the things that I like to do and because of the current struggles of the business when it comes to views, and correspondingly revenues. So an important pivot that we will do is, of course, we will still continue to offer social networking, but we want to maximize the assets that we have, that we have by putting in more accounts that more and more people will use the site,” Magdalinski said in an interview.

It is expecting to resume their operations next year, after it announced President Rodrigo R. Duterte lifted the closure on August 22.

“Hopefully, next week basta ma-comply nila lahat ng requirement (I hope net week for compliant operators),” Multiply.com Philippines president Katherine Chloe S. de Castro-Cruz told reporters in a briefing Friday.

On October 15, 2019, the response of Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, when asked about the bankruptcy and potential demise of e-commerce and social networking site Multiply.

There was no direct response when asked if the President's previous statements were true that he would not approve the reopening of a website, Panelo said.

Such statements by the president were simply out of frustration.

This time, the Multiply operations in the Philippines is going to be bigger in scale, said Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez.

The first phase of operations in Clark, Pampanga will start in the 2nd quarter of 2020, while the long-term and bigger site will be completed in 2024. FedEx’s previously located in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila.

More foreign companies would move to the Philippines if the restrictions on foreign ownership are relaxed, like in Vietnam which benefitted largely from the trade war with many businesses relocating there recently.

Vietnam has been offering better incentives to foreign businesses, Romualdez noted.

“The biggest obstacle is the economic barriers that we have. These should be seriously looked into. It is the ownership issue—they cannot own more than 40 percent,” Romualdez said.

The management announced that it would engage in a nine-year-long rehabilitation effort, including the importation of new features and the reconstruction of the website, until Multiply is reopened by June 2025; however, there were plans to partially re-open within 2017 depending on the social networking portion.

TV networks, as usual, claim leadership in ratings war

RIVAL television giants GMA Network Inc. and ABS-CBN Corp. claimed separately on Tuesday that they led the ratings war in different areas last month, with the latter asserting dominance across the country, and the former in its bailiwick areas in the Philippine capital.

Citing data from Neilsen TV Audience Measurement, the Gozon-led network said it was able to beat its rival, after gaining a 32.3-percent average audience share in Urban Luzon versus its competition’s 31.1-percent share.

In Mega Manila, it scored an average of 32.6 percent, a 3.1-point difference over the Lopez-led network’s 29.5 percent.

Urban Luzon accounts for 72 percent of all urban TV viewers in the country, while Mega Manila represents 60 percent of all urban households in the Philippines.

GMA, likewise, led the afternoon block with 33 percent in people audience share versus ABS-CBN’s 31.6 percent; and the evening block with 34.9 percent share, compared to its rival’s 32.3 percent share.

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

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

In a separate statement, ABS-CBN said it continued to be the No. 1 network in the country with an average national audience share of 44 percent versus its rival’s 31-percent share in October, citing data from Kantar Media.

The Lopez-led entertainment and multimedia conglomerate also claimed leadership in Metro Manila and Mega Manila, where it scored an average audience share of 41 percent and 35 percent, respectively, against GMA’s 25-percent and 32-percent share.

ABS-CBN 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 40 percent, versus GMA’s 32 percent; in Total Visayas, with 53 percent versus GMA’s 25 percent; and in Total Mindanao, with 49 percent versus GMA’s 28 percent.

It also led all the time blocks, registering a 47-percent share in primetime versus the competitor’s 32 percent; netting 38 percent for the morning block against its rival’s 27 percent; booking a 44-percent share in the noon block versus the 30-percent share of GMA; and capturing 45-percent of the audience during the afternoon block versus GMA’s 34-percent share.

FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (35%) the country’s longest running primetime program for four years now, is still the top choice of viewers nationwide, while The General’s Daughter (34.1%) ended its run strongly.

The Voice Kids (30.2%) remained as the most-watched weekend show, while Parasite Island (28.8%) proved to be a hit among viewers.

Rounding out the top five most watched programs nationwide is TV Patrol (28.2%).

Making its debut in the top ten is new Kapamilya teleserye Starla (28.1%). Completing the list are The Killer Bride (27.8%), Tonight with Boy Abunda (27.1%), Bandila (26.1%); Home Sweetie Home: Extra Sweet (25.5%), Maalaala Mo Kaya (24.6%), Rated K: Handa Na Ba Kayo? (23.2%), I Can See Your Voice (21.6%), Gandang Gabi Vice (20.5%), Umagang Kay Ganda (19.7%), Magandang Buhay (19.2%), the recently-concluded drama series Nang Ngumiti ang Langit (18.6%), It’s Showtime (18.1%), Kadenang Ginto (17.5%), Ipaglaban Mo (16.8%), SOCO (16.3%), Kuha Mo (15.9%), Sandugo (15.3%) and Pamilya Ko (14.7%).

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/2019/11/06/tv-networks-as-usual-claim-leadership-in-ratings-war/

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Cayetano pushes for Pateros City

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano is pushing for the cityhood of municipality of Pateros.

For a municipality to be converted into a component city, it must first meet the requirement of an annual income of P100 million and a total population of 150,000.

As of the latest data in 2016, Pateros has earned an annual total revenue of 189,568,949.27.

Pateros population as of the 2015 Official Census of Populations and Households is 63,840 and is projected to rise to 65,000 by the year 2020 with a recorded 3.6 percent growth rate.

The ABS-CBN franchise is still tilted to the chamber

There are six bills on the franchise renewal of broadcast giant ABS-CBN that are being served at the lower house and among the billmakers are Deputy Speaker Vilma Santos-Recto of Batangas and Rose Marie Arenas of Pangasinan.

Under Republic Act No. 3846, owners of television and radio stations in the country are required to take a franchise to Congress before they can legally operate. Such franchises need to be renewed after 25 years being the life of a franchise.

Congressman Franz Alvarez of Palawan is chairman of the House committee on franchises and has taken no action to discuss the six bills for ABS-CBN franchise renewal.

The House committee on franchises has nothing to do with the dispute between ABS-CBN and President Rodrigo Duterte in which the president complained about the failure of the P3 million TV station paid by his campaign team in 2016 for political ads not is being broadcast by ABS-CBN.

Duterte campaign ads are a response to Senator Antonio Trillanes' accusations that ABS-CBN is echoing but not responding to Team Duterte despite paying for air time not returned by the TV station.

President Duterte has repeatedly criticized ABS-CBN in his speeches and has seen congressional hearings "marching orders" not to discuss pending bills regarding the renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise.

On March 30, 2020 the ABS-CBN franchise expires and this means that without the bill being passed the franchise chamber will not be able to operate the TV station beyond that date.

And once the ABS-CBN franchise bill passes through the chamber, the president can approved.

It would only matter if ABS-CBN gets a two-thirds vote in the chamber and Senate to override the presidential approval and TV station's franchise bill becomes law. But it is impossible to override the presidential approval because a majority of congressmen and senators support President Duterte and therefore his allies sit as Speaker and Senate President.

The Lopez family is in big trouble because they will lose a lot of money when ABS-CBN fails to operate.

Many employees and talent TV stations will also lose their jobs, including celebrities who regularly watch ABS-CBN such as Coco Martin, Vice Ganda and Anne Curtis.

And when that happens, it will only be in the movies of Star Cinema that the Filipino masses will be entertained while GMA 7 artists will be seen on public television.

House eyes passage of laws creating 3 new gov't departments

The House of Representatives aims to pass proposed laws creating 3 new agencies for overseas workers, disaster response and water distribution before the year ends, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said Wednesday.

"We want the 3 departments... before the end of the year," he told radio DZMM.

"As we know, kahit ma-create iyan before the end of the year, wala pa naman sa budget iyan tapos kukuha pa ng empleyado, lipatan ng opisina. Even assuming that we can do it by the end of the year, baka middle of next year pa [maging operational]," he added.

(Even if these are created before the end of the year, those departments would have no budget yet and will still get employees, offices. Even assuming that we can do it by the end of the year, it may be take until the middle of next year for the new agencies to be operational.)

Lawmakers are drafting a substitute bill that will replace several versions of the proposed Department of Disaster Resilience, which disagree on whether it should take over relief aid distribution from the social welfare department and how to incorporate police in disaster response, said Cayetano.

On the other hand, all the bills agree that there should only be one Cabinet Secretary held accountable for mitigating disaster, providing first response and rehabilitating destroyed structures, he said.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/11/06/19/house-eyes-passage-of-laws-creating-3-new-govt-departments

Salceda co-authors ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal bill

Broadcast giant ABS-CBN got a much needed boost for their congressional franchise renewal bill as House Committee on Ways and Means chair Joey Salceda moved that he be made additional co-author of the proposed legislation.

Salceda on Tuesday sent a communication to House secretary-general Joel Montales, manifesting that he wants to be one of the co-authors of House Bill No. 676—the first measure filed under the 18th Congress that seeks to grant a fresh 25-year congressional franchise to the Kapamilya Network.

Salceda’s move came with less than five months remaining in the current congressional franchise of ABS-CBN under Republic Act No. 7966 that will expire on March 2020.

Principally authored by Nueva Ecija Rep. Micaela Violago, HB 676 is a refiled version of House Bill No. 8163 which the 17th Congress both under the Alvarez and Arroyo Speakerships failed to tackle during the said period.

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

On Monday, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano admitted that he has a personal grudge over broadcast giant ABS-CBN for supposedly meddling in the political arena during the height of the 2016 presidential polls.

“I feel that there’s certain instances in history and in the 2016 election na naki-alam unjustly some sectors or some leaders of ABS-CBN, so how do you sort it out?” said Cayetano in an interview with the ABS-CBN News Channel.

“People like me, ako may angal din ako. I’ll tell you this is my personal ha? On one hand I feel that we have to protect the freedom of press and freedom of expression,” he added.

Cayetano last week admitted that the congressional franchise renewal application of the Kapamilya Network remains uncertain although he gave an assurance that the Lower House under his helm will exercise fairness in tackling the matter amidst earlier opposition from no less than President Rodrigo Duterte.

“We will be fair. It’s our duty to be fair, when we will take it up I’ve already stated in public at saka sa mga chairman, tapusin muna ang mga priority bills para naka-focus tayo diyan,” said Cayetano.

Duterte on many occasions has threatened ABS-CBN that he will approve or veto its franchise renewal if ever it will hurdle congressional approval, claiming that he got swindled by the Kapamilya network’s top honchos for not airing his political ad during the final stretch of the 2016 presidential polls.

https://politics.com.ph/salceda-co-authors-abs-cbns-franchise-renewal-bill/

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano says he has "personal objections" to ABS-CBN franchise renewal

May "personal objection" si House Speaker at Taguig City-Pateros Representative Alan Peter Cayetano sa franchise renewal ng ABS-CBN.

Ngunit nilinaw niyang hindi ito nangangahulugang hindi na sila magiging patas sa pagtalakay nila sa mga nakabinbing panukalang batas sa Kongreso ukol sa pagbibigay ng panibagong prangkisa sa broadcast giant.

Sa panayam ni Karen Davila sa mambabatas sa programang Headstart sa ANC, ang cable channel ng ABS-CBN, kahapon, November 4, inamin ni Cayetano na mayroon din siyang pag-aalinlangan tungkol sa franchise renewal ng network.

Pahayag niya, “People like me, I also have some objections.

"I’ll tell you, this is my personal [opinion], okay?

"On one hand, I feel that we have to protect the freedom of [the] press and freedom of expression.

“On the other hand, I feel that certain instances in history and in the 2016 election na nakialam unjustly some sectors or some leaders of ABS.

“So, how do you sort it out?"

Sa Marso 30, 2020 nakatakdang mag-expire ang 25-year franchise to broadcast ng Kapamilya Network na iginawad noong Marso 30, 1995 via Republic Act 7966.

PUBLIC DEBATE ON PROPOSED BILLS

Hindi raw priority ng Kongreso, na kakabalik lang sa session, ang tungkol dito dahil mas maraming priority bills ang kailangan nilang unahin.

Pero tatalakayin daw ito ng Committee on Legislative Franchises bago magtapos ang taon.

Saad ni Cayetano, "Right now, we can debate that, and of course you will stand up for the network.

“But I'd rather have it in a hearing, diretsuhan, face to face, and talk about it.

"I'll just assure the public, whether they are for or against ABS-CBN, that we will do it with due process and we will find a conclusion that is acceptable to everyone but will be good for the country.

“Remember, may Senate at Presidente pa.”

Sa kasalukuyan, may anim na proposed bills tungkol sa franchise renewal ng network sa Lower House ang nakabinbin pa rin sa komite at hindi pa naikakalendaryo.

May isang panukalang batas din sa Senado ukol dito.

Tungkol naman sa warning ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na haharangin niya ang panibagong prangkisa ng ABS-CBN, sabi ni Speaker Cayetano, “So, that’s between ABS-CBN and the President because I’m sure may legitimate criticism ang Pangulo.”

Ikinagalit nang husto ni Pangulong Duterte ang hindi pag-ere ng ABS-CBN sa kanyang political ad noong 2016 Presidential Elections kahit bayad na ito.

https://www.pep.ph/news/local/147333/alan-peter-cayetano-personal-objections-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-a718-20191105

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

House Speaker Cayetano says he has ‘personal objections’ to ABS-CBN franchise renewal

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano yesterday admitted that he was hesitant to support the renewal of the television and radio franchises of ABS-CBN on personal grounds, despite having previously said that Congress would be fair to the media conglomerate.

In an interview yesterday on the show “Headstart” on ANC, a cable channel owned by ABS-CBN, Cayetano, a vocal supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte, accused the media company of interfering in politics.

“People like me, I also have some objections” to the franchise extension, Cayetano told host Karen Davila. “I’ll tell you, this is my personal [opinion], OK?”

“On one hand, I feel that we have to protect the freedom of the press and freedom of expression; on the other hand, I feel that there are certain instances in history, and in the 2016 election, that some sectors or leaders of ABS interfered [in elections] unjustly,” he said.

“So how do you sort it out? Like right now, we can debate that, and of course, you will stand up for the network but I’d rather have it in a hearing, straight talk, face to face, and talk about it.”

Cayetano also maintained that his reluctance to support ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal has nothing to do with the objections voiced by Duterte, who has publicly said several times that he would approve or veto the renewal because the media company allegedly refused to air his political ads prior to the 2016 presidential elections despite being paid to do so.

Despite his misgivings, however, Cayetano promised that the House of Representatives will find a solution that was “acceptable” for everyone and beneficial to the country.

In the Philippines, radio and television stations have to secure a 25-year-franchise — approved by the House of Representatives — before they can operate. Since Duterte became president on June 30, 2016, he has signed 10 laws granting franchises to radio and television stations, Manila Bulletin reported. In the case of television station TV5, Duterte abstained from signing off on the franchise renewal but didn’t veto it outright, allowing the renewal to automatically lapse into law.

ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal, however, has faced multiple roadblocks. Its franchise will expire in March 2020, but the panel chaired by Congressman Franz Alvarez of Palawan has yet to discuss the bills seeking to extend ABS-CBN’s license to air. This despite the existence of no fewer than six proposed laws seeking the renewal of its franchise.

Duterte spokesman Salvador Panelo said in July that the renewal of the franchise will depend on the House of Representatives, and not on the president’s whims.

Observers have said that ABS-CBN is more than just a media company. Its newscasters and celebrities have become popular all over the country thanks to its wide reach, enabling many to launch successful political careers.

Its news anchors Noli de Castro, for example, was a former vice president of the Philippines, while former reporters Loren Legarda and Sol Aragones have gone on to become representatives

https://coconuts.co/manila/news/house-speaker-cayetano-says-he-has-personal-objections-to-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal/

Cayetano says he has ‘personal objections’ to ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano admitted on Monday that he had personal objections to the renewal of the franchise of ABS-CBN, even as he promised that the House of Representatives would be “fair” to the broadcast giant.

The leader of the 300-strong chamber implied that ABS-CBN’s 25-year license was not considered priority legislation at the moment, even though it would expire in a matter of four months, on March 30, 2020.

“People like me, I also have some objections. I’ll tell you, this is my personal, okay?” Cayetano said in an interview on ANC, the cable news channel of ABS-CBN.

‘Freedom of the press’

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

“So how do you sort it out? Like right now, we can debate that, and of course, you will stand up for the network but I’d rather have it in a hearing, straight talk, face to face, and talk about it,” the Taguig lawmaker told TV host Karen Davila.

But Cayetano assured the public “we will find a conclusion that is acceptable to everyone but will be good for the country.”

“First and foremost, telling it straight, we will be fair. It’s our duty to be fair,” he said. “When we will take it up, [as] I’ve already stated in public and to the chairman, we will finish our priority bills so we can focus on that,” he added.

Cayetano said one way to show fairness was to have the House legislative franchises committee hold a hearing to discuss some issues involving ABS-CBN, “so that the public knows who’s right or who’s wrong.”

6 bills seek renewal

“And I’m not referring to the President because didn’t the President say he will file an objection? So that’s between ABS-CBN and the President, because I’m sure the President has legitimate criticisms,” Cayetano said.

At least six bills have been filed at the House seeking the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, including Deputy Speakers Vilma Santos-Recto of Batangas and Rose Marie Arenas of Pangasinan.

But to date, the franchises panel chaired by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez has not tabled the measure for discussion.

In the previous Congress, similar bills were sidelined at the House as the President launched verbal attacks against the media network.

In the Philippines, radio and television broadcasters, unlike newspapers, are required to seek a franchise from Congress, pursuant to Republic Act No. 3846.

Such a setup has been criticized by media watchdogs like the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility as a weapon to control the press.

Since he assumed the presidency, Mr. Duterte had repeatedly threatened to block the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, castigating the network for running a negative ad against him during the 2016 presidential campaign, and refusing to air his own paid ad.

The President can approved any bill passed by Congress.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1185710/cayetano-objects-to-abs-cbns-franchise-renewal

Senate sets target for 2020 budget OK

By Charmaine A. Tadalan
Reporter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mga ABS-CBN boss nakialam sa eleksyon — Alan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GMA Network maintains Urban Luzon, Mega Manila TV ratings advantage

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Monday, November 4, 2019

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Ben Rosario

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Disaster Resilience Department bill’s OK seen before Christmas break

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MBC "Bagong taon, bagong milyon 2020"

PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY​

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

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

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

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

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

​​

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

​​

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

​​

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

​​

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

​​MBC Regular Stations



DZRH

Aksyon Radyo

Love Radio

Yes The Best!

Easy Rock



Radyo Natin Network



100 Stations nationwide



PROOF-OF-PURCHASE (POP):

​​

MILO®

Two (2) empty sachets of MILO® 22g or

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

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



BEAR BRAND® FORTIFIED POWDERED MILK DRINK

One (1) empty pack, any size (33g, 60g, 99g, 150g, 320g, 700g, 900g, 1.2kg, 1.6kg, or 2kg)

BEAR BRAND® FORTIFIED CHOCO MILK DRINK

One (1) empty pack, any size (29g, 150g, 300g, or 900g)

BEAR BRAND® FORTIFIED REAL STRAWBERRY MILK DRINK

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

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



BEAR BRAND® ADULT PLUS

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

BEAR BRAND® ADULT PLUS CHOCO

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

BEAR BRAND® ADULT PLUS MILK DRINK WITH COFFEE 

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

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



COBRA ENERGY DRINK

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

(any combination)

One (1) label of any Cobra resealable bottle



NAPROXEN SODIUM FLANAX

Two empty (2) blister packs of NAPROXEN SODIUM FLANAX

​​

SAN MIGUEL PALE PILSEN

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

GOLD EAGLE BEER

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



UNIQUE TOOTHPASTE

Five (5) sachets of UNIQUE 10ml, or

One (1) box of UNIQUE 50ml, 100ml or 150ml

(Any flavor or variant)



PRIDE DETERGENT

Three (3) sachets of PRIDE Powder 40g, or

One (1) pouch of PRIDE Powder, any size (500g, 1000g or 2000g) or

One (1) wrapper of PRIDE Bar 400g, or

Three (3) wrappers of PRIDE Bar 100g

(Any variant)



STARWAX FLOOR WAX

One (1) box of STARWAX 90g or 180

(Any variant)



SHIELD BATH SOAP

One (1) wrapper of SHIELD 60g, or

One (1) box of SHIELD 90g or 120g

(Any variant)

SMART DISHWASHING

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

One (1) pouch of SMART Liquid 200ml, or

One (1) label wrapper of SMART paste 200g or 400g

(Any variant)



WHITE ROSE KOJIC WHITENING SOAP

One (1) box of WHITE ROSE 60g or 120g


PROMO SCHEDULE

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

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


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

PRIZES:

Weekly Draw Prizes for MBC Regular Stations

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grid 4: Php 800 cash x 3 winners per Area

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



Radyo Natin Network Monthly Draw Prizes:

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

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

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



Grand Draw Prizes:

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

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



RAFFLE DRAWS AND DETERMINATION OF WINNERS

 WEEKLY DRAWS FOR MBC REGULAR STATIONS

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

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

All non-winning entries shall qualify for the Grand Draw and shall be sent to the following address: MBC Promo Dept., MBC Bldg., Sotto St., CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City for the Grand Draw

MONTHLY DRAWS FOR RADYO NATIN NETWORK

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

All non-winning entries in the monthly draws WILL NOT be included with the entries from MBC Regular Stations for the Grand Draw on January 18, 2020.

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

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

If a name is drawn more than once in the Grand Draw, he/she shall be awarded the prize with the higher amount and another winner will be drawn for the prize with the smaller amount.

All draws will be done in the presence of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Representative.

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

Winners are required to personally claim their prize by presenting a valid ID and the SMS or registered notice when claiming prizes.

 All raffle prizes should be claimed within sixty (60) days from receipt of notification otherwise such will be forfeited in favor of MBC upon prior approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

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

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

Promo Period:

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

Why is Robi Domingo being part of Bench anymore?

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

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



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




















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


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

House resumes session; barangay poll deferment a priority

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sunday, November 3, 2019

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

By Charissa Luci-Atienza

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PTV Program Schedule (November 3, 2019)

Abangan ang mga sumusunod na programa sa PTV ngayong Linggo!

  • 6 am - Bagong Pilipinas: Sunday Edition
  • 7:55 am - PTV Newsbreak
  • 8 am - Golden Age
  • 8:30 am - Look and Learn
  • 9 am - Cultural Plaza
  • 9:30 am - Kaitou Sentai Lupinranger VS Keisatsu Sentai Patoranger
  • 10 am - PTV Cordillera Newsbreak
  • 10:05 am - Peanuts
  • 10:30 am - How to Keep a Mummy
  • 11 am - PCSO Lottery Draw
  • 11:15 am - PTV Newsbreak
  • 11:20 am - On the Record
  • 11:30 am - Homemade Therapy
  • 11:55 am - TV Easy
  • 12 nn - PTV Newsbreak
  • 12:05 pm - Good Cheap Eats 2
  • 1 pm - The Bullet Vanishes
  • 2:50 pm - One Minute, One Emotion
  • 2:55 pm - Wellness On The Go
  • 3:25 pm - Dolce Vita
  • 4 pm - PCSO Lottery Draw
  • 4:15 pm - PTVisMin Newsbreak
  • 4:20 pm - Bakugan: Battle Planet
  • 4:30 pm - Gorilla Study Group
  • 5 pm - Chōsoku Henkei Gyrozetter
  • 5:30 pm - Anpanman
  • 6 pm - Financial Magazine
  • 6:30 pm - PTV News
  • 7 pm - Sunday Report
  • 7:30 pm - Scoop
  • 8 pm - Homegrown Flavours
  • 8:30 pm - PTV Newsbreak
  • 8:35 pm - Do Did Eat
  • 9:30 pm - PCSO Lottery Draw
  • 10 pm - Liza's Online
  • 11 pm - Weekend Blockbuster:10 Cloverfield Lane
  • 12:45 am - Programme Presentation 2020
  • 1:15 am - Inspiring Journeys
  • 1:45 am - News Roundup
  • 2 am - Weather Report and Earth Live
  • 2:05 am - My Father's Son
  • 3:10 am - TV Easy
  • 3:15 am - Financial Magazine
  • 3:45 am - TV Easy
  • 3:50 am - Taste of Love
  • 4:45 am - SIGN OFF
*Programs subject to change without prior notice.

Saturday, November 2, 2019

TV5 to undergo reprogramming under new chief



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thursday, October 31, 2019

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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