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Top esports teams and PH artists unite at the Asia Pacific Predator League 2024
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Saab Lariosa
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23/01/2024 17:38
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The Asia Pacific Predator League 2024 came to a close on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena, Philippines with the crowning of new DOTA 2 and VALORANT esports champions and electrifying performances from some of the Philippines’s most talented artists. This year’s edition of the Asia Pacific Predator League was a major success with sold-out arenas and online spectators tuned in via the Predator social media channels during the two-day event. From the 26 teams competing for top honors in the Dota 2 and VALORANT, Blacklist Rivalry, and Team Secret emerged victorious and lifted the prestigious Predator Shield in their respective categories.
“The success of the Asia Pacific Predator League 2024 is indicative of the strength of the region’s growing esports community and the Predator brand devices’ ability to support intense gaming sessions when playing the most popular titles,” said Andrew Hou, President of Acer Pan Asia Pacific Operations. “I would like to extend my congratulations to the tournament winners and my heartfelt appreciation to all the players, fans, and staff who make this yearly event possible.”
Blacklist Rivalry prevailed over fellow Filipino team Execration in the Dota 2 grand finals. Abed “Abed” Yusop was in incredible form, averaging 8.5 kills and 14 assists in the series to spearhead the offense of his team. They were successful in shutting down Execration’s star Mark “Bob” Urbino, resulting in a heartbreaking defeat for team Execration and another second-place finish in the Predator League grand finals for two consecutive years.
As this year’s DOTA 2 Champions, Blacklist Rivalry will be going home with a cash prize of USD$ 65,000, while Execration will receive $20,000. Third and fourth finishers in China’s Team Aster and IHC Esports from Mongolia will also receive $7,500 each for their impressive showing.
Team Secret came into the Asia Pacific Predator League 2024 as the favorites and exceeded all expectations. They were in full control of the Japanese side FAV gaming during the final, with Adrian “invy” Reyes continuing to be the brightest spot for the team. Team Secret, also known as the “The Adobo Gang” among its fans, has won its first LAN trophy and Predator Shield since the inception of its VALORANT team.
Team Secret goes home with the USD$ 65,000 prize pool, while FAV Gaming wins USD$ 20,000 for their performance. Third and fourth placers BOOM Esports from Indonesia and Team Flash from Vietnam also receive USD$ 7,500 each.
Merits were given to exceptional players who stood out amongst the competition during the Asia Pacific Predator League 2024. For Dota 2, it was awarded to carry player Polo “Raven” Fausto while in VALORANT it was awarded to duelist player Jeremy “Jremy” Cabrera. Both players take home an extra USD$ 10,000 prizes as well as the Intel MVP Award Trophy for their individual performances.
Beyond the live esports action, the audience was also treated to world-class entertainment composed of the Philippines’ brightest stars, including Acer ambassadors SB19 and Sarah Geronimo. There were also meet-and-greet sessions with Predator ambassadors Cong TV and the Team Payaman boys, burg, KuyaNic, Chibiby, Maggiekarp, amaratv, Een Mercado, Kang Dupet, and cosplayer Alodia Gosiengfiao.
Felip and Ylona Garcia were the opening acts for Day 1, exciting the crowd with their exhilarating performance. This was followed by numbers from Urbandub and Al James, and with a special appearance by TV personality Donny Pangilinan. Day 2 was just as impressive with amazing performances from Josh Cullen, Sandwich, Spongecola, Pablo, and KZ Tandingan, who sang the Predator anthem, “It Lies Within.”
The next Asia Pacific Predator League will be held in Malaysia, with the qualifiers starting in late 2024 and the grand finals to be held in early 2025.
For more information and updates about the Predator League, visit www.facebook.com/PredatorGamingPhilippines or the official website www.predator-league.com. – Rappler.com
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Newsbreak Chats: Why Filipinos turn to sugar dating
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Jodesz Gavilan
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24/01/2024 12:20
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MANILA, Philippines – Sugar dating has long been associated with young women getting into relationships with older men in exchange for a lifestyle filled with luxury goods.
But in recent years, sugar relationships have evolved into different set-ups where even intimacy is a pre-requisite.
A two-part Rappler series also found that most Filipino sugar babies use their allowances – an average of P52,000 a month – for basic necessities, including education and housing. Women taking part in these relationships are also fighting the unequal power dynamics by asserting their boundaries.
On Thursday, January 25, Rappler senior desk editor Chito dela Vega sits down with the writer of the series, multimedia reporter Michelle Abad, to discuss the realities of sugar dating in the Philippines, what it takes to be a sugar baby, and how they protect themselves.
What led to the changing landscape in sugar dating? What makes a “fruitful” sugar dating relationship?
Read the two reports below.
– Rappler.com
Watch other Newsbreak Chats episode this 2024:
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House urges Marcos to extend PUV modernization deadline
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lkyu0285
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24/01/2024 13:18
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PUBLIC UTILITY VEHICLES. Jeepneys ply Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on December 12, 2023.
Jire Carreon/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives Committee on Transportation has approved a motion requesting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to extend the January 31 deadline for the PUV Modernization Program until there is a “concrete plan to address the major issues.”
“With the love of our country, and notwithstanding all the different issues surrounding this modernization, may I move to request His Excellency, the President of this country, President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos, to reconsider the implementation of the deadline on January 31 on the consolidation under the modernization program?” said Lone District of Santa Rosa, Laguna Representative Dan Fernandez during the committee meeting on Wednesday, January 24.
The motion was quickly seconded by lawmakers present, and no others objected.
Fernandez first raised the motion during the committee’s January 10 meeting, but the motion was not approved due to a lack of quorum.
Although the resolution is still subject to amendment, the most pertinent snippet of the draft reads: “[The House of Representatives resolves] to urge the President of the Philippines and the Department of Transportation to reconsider the implementation of the deadline for industry consolidation under the Public Utility Modernization Program which lapsed on December 31, 2023, thereby extending the same until the government can come up with a concrete plan to address the major issues in the implementation of the program.”
Throughout the January 10 and Wednesday’s committee hearings, lawmakers questioned whether the Department of Transportation and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) were ready to implement the modernization program.
Lawmakers also raised concerns that public transportation could be disrupted by February 1, after unconsolidated jeepneys will not be allowed to ply their routes anymore.
Asked what assurance the LTFRB can give that there will be no shortage of PUVs next month, LTFRB Board Member Riza Marie Paches said that the agency has already identified the cooperatives and corporations that can take over the routes being plied by unconsolidated jeepneys. If there are observed shortages in routes, permits for these consolidated entities to assume those routes could be issued within the same day.
Paches said that LTFRB regional directors and transportation officials have “assured and committed that there will be no disruption in supply.”
Lawmakers also cast doubt on the LTFRB’s “changing” figures on industry consolidation. For instance, LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III said during the hearing that “in terms of modes of public transport, there are about 163 unconsolidated routes for NCR [National Capital Region].”
However, according to documents provided by the LTFRB on its website, there are at least 396 unconsolidated routes – 320 jeepney routes and 76 UV Express routes – registered in the LTFRB’s National Capital Region (NCR) office. If we include all routes that pass through Metro Manila, some of which are registered in LTFRB’s Central office, that number goes up to 503 unconsolidated routes, or 395 jeepney routes and 108 UV Express routes.
Commuters may search through Rappler’s database of jeepney and UV Express routes to see if the route that they take will be affected by the January 31 deadline. (READ: Check if your jeepney, UV Express route will still exist by February 1).
Jeepney operators in the hearing also talked about how the consolidation requirement can hit them hard. Lilian Sembrano, a jeepney operator in Bacolod City, said that 73% of operators in the area chose not to consolidate because they want to retain their individual franchises and operate individually. Sembrano, along with other operators, pointed out how in-fighting and politics in cooperatives and corporation can actually cause an operator to be kicked out.
Meanwhile, Lito Andal, a jeepney operator in Batangas, questioned why some cooperatives and corporations in their area were not being led by operators but by public servants, such as retired policemen and barangay councilors. He also pleaded to officials for unconsolidated operators to be permitted to keep operating and to retain their jeepneys.
“‘Pag kami hindi pinagpasada sa February 1, ano hong aming papakain sa aming pamilya?” Andal said. “Ito lang ho ang aming alam na hanapbuhay.”
(If we’re not allowed to ply our routes by February 1, how will we feed our families? This is the only livelihood that we know.)
“Ang magiging kapalit po nito ay ‘yun ho aming kahirapan sa buhay. Kayamanan na ho namin ang jeep…. Pag may manganganak, yung din po sinasakyan. Pag may dadalhin ho sa ospital, alas-dos ho ng madaling araw, o anong oras, ‘yun din po namin sinasakyan. Paano naman po kung iyun isusurrender na namin?” he added.
(In exchange for this will be our poverty. We already consider the jeep as our wealth… If someone’s giving birth, that’s what we ride. If we need to bring someone to the hospital, at 2 am or whatever time it might be, that’s what we ride. So, what happens now if we surrender it?)
The probe into the PUV modernization program came after House Speaker Martin Romualdez alleged that “corrupt practices may have tainted” its implementation. (READ: Anti-poor? How gov’t defends PUV modernization, why jeepney stakeholders oppose it) – Rappler.com
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I hope President Marcos Jr. will follow the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation request. The idea is “to extend the January 31 deadline for the PUV Modernization Program until there is a ‘concrete plan to address the major issues.’” With all the experts in the Government, especially in the Department of Transportation, nobody could create such a concrete plan to address the significant issues. The major problems are lack of funds and corruption. However, these major problems will not be addressed unless the root cause is first dealt with; the root cause is that the affected transport sector is just not on President Marcos Jr.’s government’s top priority list.
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SCHEDULE: 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals
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delfin.dioquino editor
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22/01/2024 22:48
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PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – Four teams remain to dispute the PBA Commissioner’s Cup crown.
The top four in the elimination round, Magnolia, San Miguel, Barangay Ginebra, and Phoenix all advanced to the semifinals after disposing of their lower-seeded opponents to start the playoffs.
No. 1 Magnolia returned to the final four after missing it last conference. It battles No. 8 Phoenix, which reached the semifinals for the first time since the 2020 Philippine Cup.
Meanwhile, No. 2 San Miguel and No. 3 Ginebra duke it out in the semifinals for the second straight conference after the Gin Kings swept the Beermen, 3-0, in the Governors’ Cup last season.
Both series are best-of-five affairs.
Here is the schedule:
– Rappler.com
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FACT CHECK: PH among fastest-growing economies even before Marcos administration
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Lorenz Pasion
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24/01/2024 13:45
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Claim: Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration, the Philippines is surpassing other countries in economic growth – the first time in 38 years since the ouster of the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos.
Why we fact-checked this: The YouTube video bearing the claim, posted on January 11, has 50,626 views and 4,400 likes from a channel known for disseminating dubious information about the Marcos government.
The video’s narrator claims, “Sa loob po ng mahigit tatlong dekada na nakalipas…Ngayon lang po ulit nangyari na ang Pilipinas ay nabalita na nangunguna ang ekonomiya sa maraming bansa.”
(In over three decades, it’s the first time it’s been reported that the Philippine economy is performing better than other countries.)
The channel cited a Business World article posted in October 2023 titled, “World Bank expects Philippine growth to be fastest in SE Asia.”
The facts: By the end of the elder Marcos’ regime, the Philippine economy suffered its worst postwar recession, becoming known as the “sick man of Asia.” The economy recovered under succeeding administrations, and – contrary to the video’s claim – the Philippines even became among the fastest-growing economies in Asia under the administrations of former presidents Benigno Aquino III and Rodrigo Duterte.
Under his term, Aquino implemented reforms that strengthened the country’s macroeconomic foundations, paving the way for a stable economy later inherited by his successor. While economic growth continued under Duterte, the Philippines missed its growth targets and recorded rising inflation and a heavy debt burden.
Fastest-growing economies: Under the Aquino administration, the economy grew for six straight years by an average of 6.2% yearly – the highest average GDP growth rate among the presidents since the 1950s. The country’s positive economic growth has led it to become one of Southeast Asia’s best-performing economies and among the fastest growing in Asia: in the first quarter of 2013, its 7.8% growth surpassed China’s 7.7%, and in the first quarter of 2016 the Philippines again pulled ahead of the regional giant.
Duterte inherited a growing economy, with the Philippines posting a 6.8% growth rate in 2016, outpacing both China and Vietnam. While the Philippines’ economic growth before the pandemic was still among the fastest in Asia, the economy shrank by 9.5 % in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Philippine economy on recovery: While the economy has grown under the current Marcos administration, analysts say much of the growth can be traced back to the country recovering from the economic slump due to the pandemic.
According to global financial consultant McKinsey & Company, the Philippines was the fastest-growing economy in Southeast Asia in the third quarter of 2023. Household expenditure, government spending, net exports, and investments contributed to the growth, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. (READ: [In This Economy] Something’s broken, and it’s hidden by ‘high’ economic growth)
For 2024, the World Bank said the Philippines’ economic growth is expected to be faster than in 2023, albeit at a lower pace of 5.8%. If realized, the Philippines would be the fastest-growing economy in Southeast Asia along with Cambodia.
However, this economic growth forecast falls short of the government’s target of 6.5% to 7.5%. Analysts have also flagged the slow decline in poverty incidence, high inflation, and a shortage of investments under the Marcos administration.
Rappler has already debunked false claims related to the Philippine economy under the elder Marcos:
– Kyle Marcelino/Rappler.com
Kyle Marcelino is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.
Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
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After sexual abuse testimonies, Senate probe on Quiboloy braces for more witnesses
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Herbie G
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23/01/2024 21:21
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Witnesses to hide their identities as they testify during the senate inquiry on the activities and alleged abuses in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and its leader Apollo Quiboloy, on January 23, 2024.
Angie de Silva/Rappler
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – Several women detailed how they were allegedly abused by doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy in a Senate probe on Tuesday, January 23, with lawmakers expecting more to come forward.
“Pinagsamantalahan ako ni Pastor Quiboloy (Pastor Quiboloy raped me),” said an alleged victim identified only as “Amanda.”
She told the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality that she was only 17 years old in 2014 when Quiboloy allegedly first forced himself on her. She said she had been indoctrinated not to ask questions because that was akin to questioning God.
Amanda had served as one of the Filipino pastorals of Davao-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), a group of allegedly exploited female members who run errands for Quiboloy under the guise of serving God.
She was told she needed to sanctify herself in preparation for the “special privilege” of “touching” their religious leader.
“I was about to ask why but then I remembered that I was taught never to ask questions… I was trembling in fear and just looked at the ceiling while holding back my tears… I had thought that it was God’s will,” Amanda said in Filipino.
The committee, chaired by Senator Risa Hontiveros, presented separate video recordings of two Ukrainian women, identified only as “Sofia” and “Nina,” who gave damning testimonies about how Quiboloy allegedly sexually abused them.
Two other former Quiboloy followers, Minnesota-based Arlene Caminong-Stone and a man identified only as “Jerome,” told the committee how the preacher allegedly inflicted physical harm on them for trivial reasons, as their actions were perceived as breaches of KOJC rules.
Stone is one of three former KOJC members interviewed by Rappler in late 2021, shedding light on the alleged abuses within Quiboloy’s church. The others are Kentucky-based Faith Killion and Reynita Fernandez, who works in Singapore.
They were among the first known former Quiboloy followers to go public, providing detailed insights into the inner workings of the KOJC.
In one of the 2021 Rappler interviews, Stone alleged that some of the pastorals were forced into engaging in sexual relations with Quiboloy. She also claimed that the controversial preacher maintained a pool of “spiritual wives.” According to her, this was part of Quiboloy’s purported Solomonic ministry, inspired by the biblical account of King Solomon, who had 700 wives and 300 mistresses.
An American, Stephen Wood, who served as a resource person, told the committee how he and his wife provided shelter in the United States to several former KOJC workers from Ukraine who were allegedly pursued and threatened by Quiboloy’s group while they were in Estonia.
Wood said there were also victims of abuse by Quiboloy’s group in other countries like Brazil.
The narratives of the women corroborated the allegations reported by Rappler in 2021.
Sofia, one of the Ukrainians, revealed that her ordeal began when she was asked if she was willing to sacrifice everything, including her body, for God.
“I was scared; I was crying,” said Sofia in one of the video recordings, recounting how she was taken to a room to give Quiboloy a massage while he lay face down.
Sofia alleged that Quiboloy eventually turned towards her, undressed, and proceeded to abuse her.
She told the committee that she started questioning the abuse when she discovered younger church workers, one as young as 12 years old, who Quiboloy had turned into pastorals like her. She eventually severed her ties with the group.
Another Ukrainian, Nina, recounted that she accompanied her mother and siblings to KOJC services in Ukraine in 2012.
A year later, she was brought to Davao City, where she served as one of Quiboloy’s pastorals.
Like Sofia, Nina said she was conditioned to believe she needed to surrender everything to God.
She also received strict instructions not to disclose her scheduled night shifts because what was happening was supposedly part of a “sacred ministry.”
“Every time I went there, I prayed that he was already sleeping,” she said.
The alleged abuse continued until 2021, the year she decided to leave Quiboloy’s church for good and return home.
More victims will come forward, according to Hontiveros, who is already planning the next hearing.
The lawmaker earlier ordered a subpoena for Quiboloy, who was the spiritual adviser of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
“Sa hearing na isa-subpoena kayo, maglalabas kami ng iba pang mga testigo (In the hearing where you will be subpoenaed, we will present other witnesses),” said Hontiveros, addressing Quiboloy, who was a no-show even after two written invitations.
Quiboloy and several of his church associates were indicted in the US for various crimes, including sex trafficking of children, marriage fraud, and money laundering. He and two of his associates are in the US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most wanted list. – Rappler.com
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I’ve noted that “Quiboloy … was a no-show even after two written invitations.” Will the number of written invitations equal the number of diplomatic protests our country has filed against China? Perhaps Pastor Quiboloy may attend, provided that he is given the chance to present his witnesses, too. This is a must-view Senate Committee Hearing through social media; there is no need to ride on a helicopter.
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Kevin Quiambao stars anew as Strong Group stays perfect in Dubai
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Jasmine Payo
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24/01/2024 10:26
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STANDOUT. Strong Group's Kevin Quiambao (right) evades his Beirut defender in the Dubai International Basketball Championship.
UAE BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
MANILA, Philippines – The reigning UAAP men’s basketball MVP delivers again.
For the second time in four matches, La Salle Green Archers star Kevin Quiambao showed the way for Strong Group Athletics (SGA) as they remained undefeated in the Dubai International Basketball Championship with a 95-73 drubbing of Beirut Sports Club on Tuesday, January 23 (Wednesday, January 24, Manila time).
Five players breached double-digit scoring for the powerhouse Philippine squad that features former NBA superstar Dwight Howard and naturalized Filipino center Andray Blatche, but it was the 22-year-old Quiambao who once again stole the show with a team-best 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting.
Just last Saturday, January 20, Quiambao erupted for a tournament-high 24 points in Strong Group’s 89-67 beating of Al Wahda, before following it up with a 19-point performance against Homenetmen, 104-95, two days ago.
Against Beirut Sports Club, Quiambao wasted little time in making his presence felt as he dropped 9 of his 20 points in just the first quarter to lead Strong Group to a 32-20 start.
With Quiambao still on fire in the second frame, Strong Group extended its lead to 18 points at halftime, 58-40, before leading by as many as 22 points late in the third period, 75-53.
Beirut Sports Club managed to pull back within 13 points early in the fourth quarter, 77-64, but the lead that Strong Group built early on was simply too much for the Lebanese side to overcome in the endgame.
Former TNT Tropang Giga import Mckenzie Moore backstopped Quiambao with 19 points, while Gilas Pilipinas sharpshooter Jordan Heading added 15.
UP Fighting Maroons point guard JD Cagulangan produced 12 points off the bench, while Howard, who exploded for 32 points in Strong Group’s previous outing, finished with a near double-double of 11 markers and 9 rebounds.
Lebanese national team player Sergio El Darwich sizzled for a game-high 28 points in the loss, while Ali Haidar and Jordan’s naturalized player Dar Tucker contributed 15 and 14, respectively, for Beirut Sports Club.
Strong Group looks to end the elimination round with a 5-0 record when it collides with Al Ahly Tri Sports Club on Thursday, January 25 at 1:15 am, Manila time.
Strong Group Athletics 95 – Quiambao 20, Moore 19, Heading 15, Cagulangan 12, Howard 11, Escandor 6, Liwag 3, Blatche 3, Baltazar 2, Sanchez 2, Roberson 2.
Beirut Sports Club 73 – El Darwich 28, Haidar 15, Tucker 14, Saleh 8, Rabay 3, Ghudwin 3, Mahmoud 2, Martinez 0, Mechref 0, Jarrouj 0.
Quarters: 32-20, 58-40, 75-56, 95-73.
– Rappler.com
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Senate panel orders subpoena for Quiboloy in abuse allegations hearing
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Herbie G
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23/01/2024 13:57
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RISA HONTIVEROS. Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, presides over the Senate inquiry on the reported cases of Apollo Quiboloy, leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, at the senate in Pasay City on January 23.
Angie de Silva/Rappler
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality ordered controversial doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy to be subpoenaed after he failed to show up during its hearing on the alleged abuses committed by the Davao-based pastor and his church, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC).
“Kayo, pastor, ang dapat humarap sa susunod na pagdinig because you are being subpoenaed by this committee,” said the committee chair, Senator Risa Hontiveros, in her closing statement, which she addressed to Quiboloy on Tuesday, January 23.
(You, pastor, should appear at the next hearing because you are being subpoenaed by this committee.)
“Hindi po kayo anak ng Diyos na exempt sa otoridad ng estado,” she added. (You are not a son of God who is exempt from the authority of the state.)
The decision to subpoena Quiboloy, who styles himself as the “appointed son of God,” came after former workers of the KOJC and an American who helped some of his alleged victims testified against the preacher and his group during the hearing.
Two Ukrainians and a Filipino woman alleged Quiboloy subjected them to sexual abuses on separate occasions in the guise of a body sacrifice to God.
Two other former workers also accused Quiboloy of subjecting them to fraternity-like hazing and of squeezing them dry financially.
Hontiveros expressed disappointment in Quiboloy, stating that she sees his non-appearance as a disrespect to a government institution.
“Kawalan ng galang sa buong institusyon ng Senado ang inyong pagtangging humarap,” she said. (Your refusal to appear is a lack of respect for the entire Senate institution.)
Hontiveros said the subpoena will be the committee’s third attempt to ask Quiboloy to face the committee and answer the accusations leveled at him and the KOJC by his former followers.
The committee earlier sent two invitations to Quiboloy, one via registered mail and another through the private courier company LBC Express Incorporated.
Hontiveros said Quiboloy responded by sending a letter addressed to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri. She did not disclose the contents of the letter.
Hontiveros pointed out that even the Supreme Court (SC) cannot stop Senate inquiries and the requirement for individuals to attend, emphasizing its constitutional authority in conducting such investigations.
She also addressed Quiboloy’s claim of having influential friends, asserting that regardless of any connections, he, like any ordinary witness, can only invoke the right against self-incrimination when faced with potentially incriminating questions.
Earlier during the hearing, the committee showed a video clip of Quiboloy threatening to go after his social media critics and former followers, boasting about his connections with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). The Davao-based preacher is known for his close associations with former president Rodrigo Duterte, whom he served as “spiritual adviser.”
“Sinasabi niyo, pastor, mang marami kayong makapangyarihang kaibigan. But, ‘like any ordinary witness,’ you, of course, can invoke the right against self-incrimination only when and as the [possibly] incriminating question is propounded,” she said.
(You claim, pastor, that you have many influential friends. However, just like any ordinary witness, you can only use the right against self-incrimination when faced with a question that might incriminate you.)
Hontiveros said the Senate committee investigation is not into religious persecution, and stressed that senators were looking into the use of faith or religious conviction to commit heinous abuses and inflict harm on people whose beliefs have been distorted, whose strength has been taken away, and who have been exploited. – Rappler.com
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This is a test of the authority of the State, in particular that of the Senate, if it can persuade the self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” to attend its hearing.
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2 Ukrainians, Filipino woman accuse Quiboloy of sexual abuse at Senate hearing
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Mia Gonzalez
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23/01/2024 11:04
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SENATE HEARING. 'Amanda' restifies at the hearing presided by Senator Risa Hontiveros on the alleged abuses in the Davao-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) on January 23, 2024.
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – Two Ukrainian women, both former members of the Davao-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), have come forward, alleging that they were sexually abused by controversial doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy.
In video recordings played at the beginning of an investigation into KOJC’s activities and alleged abuses by the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality on Tuesday, January 23, the women identified only as Sofia and Nina, claimed that they were raped by Quiboloy while serving as his “pastorals.”
In the KOJC, pastorals are women who serve as close aides of Quiboloy, with some allegedly being turned into “spiritual wives.” (READ: Quiboloy sexually abused women, minors – ex-followers, US prosecutors)
A Filipino, identified only as “Amanda,” also testified about how the preacher allegedly raped her when she was still a minor.
They all claimed that Quiboloy made them think that they were sacrificing their bodies to God.
Quiboloy, who is on the US’ most wanted list, is among the 40 individuals and entities across nine countries that had been sanctioned by the US government in connection to corruption and human rights abuses. – Rappler.com
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Pastor Quiboloy’s persuasive power seems “God-given” as he was able to fool these children or women to sacrifice their bodies to “God.” It will be interesting to watch if such “power” can also persuade the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality not to continue its investigation of Pastor Quiboloy.
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Nothing but love: Shaquille O’Neal buries hatchet with Strong Group star Dwight Howard
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jisaga0269
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23/01/2024 17:45
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MAIN MAN. Dwight Howard goes for a shot during practice with Strong Group.
STRONG GROUP ATHLETICS
MANILA, Philippines – All love between the two NBA legends.
After many years of criticizing his fellow former Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers superstar big man, Shaquille O’Neal finally buried the hatchet with Dwight Howard, who is currently playing for the Philippine squad Strong Group Athletics (SGA) in the Dubai International Basketball Championship.
In an appearance on Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young’s From The Point podcast, O’Neal gave Howard his much-deserved flowers, saying Howard did something he couldn’t do in his 19 seasons in the NBA.
“If I mention your name, it means I love you and I respect you,” said the four-time NBA champion O’Neal.
“I used to love Dwight; he did something I couldn’t do. I wish I could jump that high.”
“I love Dwight Howard – a lot of people don’t know that. This is my first time saying that,” added the one-time NBA MVP.
Since the tail-end of his illustrious NBA career, O’Neal had been very vocal about his animosity towards Howard, mostly due to the latter’s use of the “Superman” moniker which O’Neal had already been known for.
Back then, O’Neal and Howard drew a lot of comparisons as they were both drafted by Orlando as the No. 1 overall pick in the 1992 and 2004 NBA Draft, respectively, before leaving the Magic for the Lakers during their prime.
Unlike O’Neal, who steered the Lakers to three straight championships from 2000-2002, Howard failed to live up to expectations during his first stint with the storied franchise in the 2012-2013 season.
After bouncing around the league, it was only during the 2019-2020 season when Howard captured his one and only NBA title with the Lakers as the team’s backup center.
When Howard’s playing career in the NBA came to an end in 2022, O’Neal even threw shade at Howard for taking his talents to the T1 League in Taiwan.
Howard, a five-time All-NBA First Team member, eight-time NBA All-Star, and three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, clapped back at O’Neal, saying the 51-year-old great is “too old” to be hating.
On Young’s podcast, O’Neal made it clear that he was only tough on his “little brother” Howard because he wanted the younger center to be even better than him.
“As a big brother, I’m not going to let my little brother slide because I want you to be better than me,” said O’Neal.
“A lot of people don’t understand this thing of ours, they think it’s just hate.”
“No, it’s not hate. I’m telling you how to get here,” added O’Neal.
As of posting, the 38-year-old Howard is currently averaging 17 points for Strong Group, which remains unbeaten in three matches. – Rappler.com
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Is someone gaming the PCSO lotto?
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gdecastro0289
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20/01/2024 8:00
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BETS. A lotto kiosk in Manila.
Pacific Online
That’s what Senator Raffy Tulfo wants to know after several major lotto draws produced winners of over P500-million each in a span of three weeks.
On his radio show Tulfo in Action on Friday, January 19, the first-term senator said he wants to dig deeper into why the PCSO raised the jackpot by huge amounts for each for its major lotto games in December and early January instead of letting the pot grow from the lotto bets.
The PCSO raised on December 16, 2023 the minimum guaranteed jackpot for the Grand Lotto 6/55, Ultra Lotto 6/58, Super Lotto 6/49 by P500 million each, and P100 million each for Lotto 6/42 and MegaLotto 6/45 as part of its Christmas and New Year draws.
On December 29, 2023, a lone bettor won P571 million in the Ultra Lotto 6/58, the biggest jackpot in 2023.
On Tuesday, January 16, 2024, a bettor won P640 million with the combination 26-33-14-48-06-42 in the Super Lotto 6/49 draw.
On Wednesday, January 17, another lone bettor hit the Grand Lotto 6/55 with the correct combination of 24-50-52-09-51-03 through PCSO’s new E-Lotto platform.
Three bettors, meantime, won in the Lotto 6/42 jackpot on January 2 with a prize of P108 million.
Two people split the Megalotto 6/45 jackpot of P121 million on January 8.
Tulfo said boosting the jackpot allows wealthy bettors to win the big lotto prizes.
“Ang purpose nila, kaya nila dinagdagan, para magkaroon ng excitement at maraming tataya. Na usually, dapat, hayaan mo lang tumaas ‘yung pot base dun sa mga tumataya. Habang tumatagal, tumataas ‘yung pot. Ang ginawa nung December, pinalobo ‘yung pot, especially ‘yung 6/49. Dinagdagan ng P500 million – boom. ‘Pag dagdag ng P500 million, may nanalo,” he said.
(Their purpose in boosting the pot is to have excitement so that many will bet. Usually, they should just let the pot grow big from the bets. As the betting goes on, the pot expands. What they did last December, they ballooned the pot, especially the 6/49. They added P500 million, boom. When they added P500 million, someone won.)
Tulfo, who admitted that he used to play lotto and had once won around P500,000 around a decade ago, said a bettor can place bets on all 14 million combinations in the 6/49. At P20 per combination, a rich bettor would need P280 million to win. If he is the sole winner of P640 million, he or she takes home a whopping P360 million before tax (20%).
“Kung ‘di nagdagdag ng P500 million, ang pot lang dapat was only P130 million-something. So kung P120 million or something ang pot, tumaya ka ng P280 million, lugi ka pa. Kaya ang ginawa, nagdagdag ng P500 million para may ganansiya,” he said.
(If they did not add P500 million, the pot would have been just P130 million-something, So if it’s just P120 million and you spend P280 million, you lose. So, what they did, they added P500 million to generate interest.)
PCSO General Manager Mel Robles, in an interview on GMA’s Unang Hirit on Thursday, said betting on all combinations to win is allowed, but it carries a big risk because if there’s more than one winner, the wealthy bettor stands to lose big.
“In the case of 6/49, interesting ito, 14 million ang odds. At P20, that’s only P280 million, eh ang pot mo ay P600 million. Kaya po talaga theoretically [to bet on all combinations and win]. Kaya lang, ‘pag may nakahati ka, dalawa o tatlo, lugi ka na, so talagang chance pa rin,” he said. (In the case of 6/49, this is interesting, the odds are 14 million. At P20, that’s only P280 million, but your pot is P600 million. That’s why theoretically, it’s really possible [to bet on all combinations and win]. But if you have to share it with two, or three, you already lose, so it’s really still chance.)
Robles told Radyo5 on Friday that the PCSO used its prize reserve fund to jack up the pot last December to generate interest in the games. He said this strategy was also done by his predecessors, and he expects the PCSO to generate a billion in revenues in December alone and possibly in January too as more people joined the games. For instance, the PCSO recorded P265 million in one-day sales on Tuesday, the state-owned gaming firm said.
Robles denied that someone was rigging the system, and lamented that not an “iota of evidence” has been presented.
“Having frequent winners is not an indication na may nangyayaring masama. Meron din naman time na ang tagal-tagal walang nananalo eh what do you call that?” Robles said.
(Having frequent winners is not an indication that something bad is happening. There are times when it takes a long time to have winners, so what do you call that?)
Tulfo, however, wants to stop PCSO from using this strategy of boosting the pot since it’s helping wealthy bettors get rich. He suggested using PCSO’s reserve fund to help those in need.
“Ang tanong: legal ba ‘yun base sa charter ng PCSO? Patatanggal ko po ‘yan, na ‘wag ka nang magdagdag sa prize fund. Bigay mo na lang sa mahirap, sa charity, ospital, nangangailangan ng gamot, dialysis, imbes na isa lang ang manalo,” he said.
(Question is: is it legal to do that based on the PCSO charter? I will have that removed, they should not add to the prize fund. Just give it to the poor, to charity, hospitals, those who need medicines, dialysis, instead of having just one winner.)
A Senate hearing will be held on this on Thursday, January 25, Tulfo said.
Meantime, Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel said they will also probe whether PCSO’s e-lotto platform can be used to bet on all combinations.
“Iniimbestiga na natin yan. Nagiging mas madali ba sa bettor na magtaya nga ng ganyan na all combinations? Yan ang magandang tanong….,” Pimentel told Radyo5 on Monday, January 22. “That is one of the angles na dapat tingnan.”
(We’re investigating that. Is it now easier for a bettor to bet on all combinations? That’s a good question…That’s one of the angles that should be looked into.)
It’s also possible, he said, that it’s not just one person placing a bet on all combinations in order to win but that it could be a group.
“Ang sabi ko nga, ‘wag lang magisip na isang tao lang s’ya, what if you’re a group? Let us say wala yung feature [in e-lotto] na you can place your bets on all combinations pero if you’re a group, nagtutulungan ba kayo para cover n’yo all bets, all possible combinations?” Pimentel said.
(As I said, don’t think that it’s just one person, what if you’re a group? Let us say there’s no feature [in e-lotto] that you can place your bets on all combinations but if you’re a group, are you helping each other in order to cover all bets, all possible combinations?) – Rappler.com
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Comelec receives forms with over 50,000 Cha-Cha signatures in Butuan
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Herbie G
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24/01/2024 10:50
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PROTEST. Progressive groups opposed to charter change picket the gates of the House of Representatives to protest the alleged use of public funds for collecting signatures for the Peopleu2019s Initiative on Charter Change, on January 22, 2024.
Jire Carreon/Rappler
BUTUAN, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Butuan City has confirmed receiving forms containing 53,495 signatures as part of the so-called people’s initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution.
Butuan City Election Officer Tristan Niog told Rappler that they received 5,767 forms for Charter change (Cha-Cha) with signatures from 86 barangays. These were submitted by a group called Lawyers for Constitutional Change through its representative, lawyer Isha Vallinas, on January 17.
“This constitutes 23% of the voters, significantly higher compared to the required percentage for each congressional district in the people’s initiative, set at only 3%. So, if it’s 23%, that 3% would be around 8,000 to 10,000, but we have more than 53,000, and that’s a substantial number,” he said.
Niog said his office submitted the certification to the Comelec national office on the same day.
“We have only accepted the signature forms to issue a certification confirming that we have received them, which is part of the initial stage, and submitted them already to the clerk at the national office of Comelec. Currently, we have not provided any comments on the forms’ accuracy or the authenticity of the signatures as it will be in phase 2 or the verification phase, where we will scrutinize these forms and check if the signatures match those of registered voters,” he added.
Niog said they were awaiting directives on the verification process from the national office, whether it would involve checking against their database system or visiting the barangays.
Amid the issues of coercion and signature buying, Niog reminded the voters of Butuan to be careful and treat their signatures as “sacred.”
“As we’ve been saying during the election, voting must be voluntary. The same is true with this signature campaign. Voters should sign voluntarily, and it should be done conscientiously. They must also carefully examine what they are signing,” he said.
The so-called people’s initiative being pushed by groups seeks to amend Article 17, Section 1 of the Constitution, allowing members of the Senate and the House of Representatives to vote jointly.
Based on Republic Act 6735, or the Initiative and Referendum Act, a constitutional amendment via people’s initiative requires the signatures of a minimum of 12% of all registered voters, including representation from at least 3% of registered voters in each congressional district.
Butuan is a 1st-class highly-urbanized city in the Caraga region. In the 2022 National and Local Elections, the city had 225,895 registered voters. – Rappler.com
Ivy Marie Mangadlao is an Aries Rufo Journalism fellow.
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I hope Rappler will post an image of the form used so we can easily express our opinion on this matter. Is this group the first one to submit? If indeed it is or even if it is not, then the “mastermind” behind this People’s Initiative is very happy now. After that, what “gift” will the proponent group (Lawyers for Constitutional Change) receive by doing so? (Note: Assuming that there ever is a “mastermind” behind this PI, who has prepared lots of money, etc., as an incentive.)
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Marcos now open to amending economic provisions of 1987 Constitution
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Dwight de Leon
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24/01/2024 7:14
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CHIEF EXECUTIVE. In this file photo, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers a speech after he arrives in the Philippines from Saudi Arabia on October 21, 2023.
Presidential Communications Office
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has now publicly warmed up to the idea of an economic charter change, a year after saying it’s not his priority.
“The 1987 Constitution was not written for a globalized world,” he said in an exclusive interview with GMA News anchor Pia Arcangel on Tuesday, January 23. “We have to adjust so that we can increase the economic activity in the Philippines, we can attract more foreign investors.”
The President added that he is open to a discussion on full foreign ownership of corporations “except in critical areas, such as power generation, media, [and] all the strategic areas that we cannot allow to be influenced by a foreign entity, be it a corporation or another country.”
He also thumbed down foreign ownership of land.
“Papasok ang mga mayayaman na dayuhan (Wealthy foreigners will come in), they will pay big money to buy that land. The value of the land will go up, and the old residents cannot pay for the real estate tax, kasi nawala na sa market nila, tapos papaalisin natin iyang mga iyan (they have lost in the market, and we would kick them out). I don’t think I agree with that,” he added.
The House of Representatives under Speaker Martin Romualdez’s leadership first started pushing for charter change in January 2023.
When asked about the subject in February of the same year, Marcos quickly put the suggestion to rest.
“For me, all these things being talked about, we can do without changing the Constitution,” he said at the time.
He softened on the matter in December 2023, disclosing that his people were studying whether there’s a need to amend the Constitution to make the Philippines more attractive to foreign investors.
As a general rule, foreigners cannot have more than 40% stake in industries, but in recent years, the government has passed numerous laws to open up the country’s economy to the world.
Marcos is also not closing his doors to the idea of amending political provisions in the 1987 Constitution, but he said that he would rather have discussions on term limits at a later time.
“For the present day, my concern is the economic provisions, and I don’t want to confuse the issue any longer,” he said.
Marcos Jr.’s father – the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. – successfully changed the Constitution during his time as president, which, as per the Martial Law Museum, allowed him to stay in power beyond the two four-year terms stated in the 1935 Constitution. He ran the country from 1965 to 1986, stepping down only after being ousted by the EDSA People Power Revolution.
That episode in Philippine history has tainted conversations on charter change, sparking fears that its advocates in government would eventually want to extend their terms of office.
The latest push for charter change – which appears to be led by the Romualdez-led House – envisions a people’s initiative route, in which signatures are being gathered all over the country to change just one provision of the 1987 Constitution.
That amendment seeks to allow the House and the Senate to vote as one when a motion to form a constituent assembly is called.
In that scenario, the House can force the Senate’s hand, as the 24-member Senate is essentially outnumbered by the 300-plus-member House.
The Senate has rejected the House’ bid for charter change through a people’s initiative, amid allegations of bribery in securing signatures for the campaign. – Rappler.com
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Changing the economic provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution could be the bait. We know that we cannot trust these politicians. In the end, their term limits would be extended. It would take a miracle if they would be true to their words that term limits will not be extended.
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Kevin Quiambao stars anew as Strong Group stays perfect in Dubai
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Jasmine Payo
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24/01/2024 10:26
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STANDOUT. Strong Group's Kevin Quiambao (right) evades his Beirut defender in the Dubai International Basketball Championship.
UAE BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
MANILA, Philippines – The reigning UAAP men’s basketball MVP delivers again.
For the second time in four matches, La Salle Green Archers star Kevin Quiambao showed the way for Strong Group Athletics (SGA) as they remained undefeated in the Dubai International Basketball Championship with a 95-73 drubbing of Beirut Sports Club on Tuesday, January 23 (Wednesday, January 24, Manila time).
Five players breached double-digit scoring for the powerhouse Philippine squad that features former NBA superstar Dwight Howard and naturalized Filipino center Andray Blatche, but it was the 22-year-old Quiambao who once again stole the show with a team-best 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting.
Just last Saturday, January 20, Quiambao erupted for a tournament-high 24 points in Strong Group’s 89-67 beating of Al Wahda, before following it up with a 19-point performance against Homenetmen, 104-95, two days ago.
Against Beirut Sports Club, Quiambao wasted little time in making his presence felt as he dropped 9 of his 20 points in just the first quarter to lead Strong Group to a 32-20 start.
With Quiambao still on fire in the second frame, Strong Group extended its lead to 18 points at halftime, 58-40, before leading by as many as 22 points late in the third period, 75-53.
Beirut Sports Club managed to pull back within 13 points early in the fourth quarter, 77-64, but the lead that Strong Group built early on was simply too much for the Lebanese side to overcome in the endgame.
Former TNT Tropang Giga import Mckenzie Moore backstopped Quiambao with 19 points, while Gilas Pilipinas sharpshooter Jordan Heading added 15.
UP Fighting Maroons point guard JD Cagulangan produced 12 points off the bench, while Howard, who exploded for 32 points in Strong Group’s previous outing, finished with a near double-double of 11 markers and 9 rebounds.
Lebanese national team player Sergio El Darwich sizzled for a game-high 28 points in the loss, while Ali Haidar and Jordan’s naturalized player Dar Tucker contributed 15 and 14, respectively, for Beirut Sports Club.
Strong Group looks to end the elimination round with a 5-0 record when it collides with Al Ahly Tri Sports Club on Thursday, January 25 at 1:15 am, Manila time.
Strong Group Athletics 95 – Quiambao 20, Moore 19, Heading 15, Cagulangan 12, Howard 11, Escandor 6, Liwag 3, Blatche 3, Baltazar 2, Sanchez 2, Roberson 2.
Beirut Sports Club 73 – El Darwich 28, Haidar 15, Tucker 14, Saleh 8, Rabay 3, Ghudwin 3, Mahmoud 2, Martinez 0, Mechref 0, Jarrouj 0.
Quarters: 32-20, 58-40, 75-56, 95-73.
– Rappler.com
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Marcos defends tweet that angered China, says PH not endorsing Taiwan independence
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Dwight de Leon
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23/01/2024 21:20
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SUMMIT. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his visit to Tokyo for the Commemorative Summit on the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in December 2023.
Presidential Communications Office
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he was surprised by China’s reaction to his tweet congratulating Taiwan’s newly elected president, and insisted he meant no ill will.
“Noong naging presidente ako, binati ako (When I became president, I was congratulated). So what do you do? It’s just common courtesy that you do the same to them. That’s really where it came from,” Marcos said in a one-on-one interview with GMA News anchor Pia Arcangel on Tuesday, January 23.
The President asserted that the Philippines’ commitment to the One China policy, signed by his dictator-father Ferdinand Marcos and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai in 1975, remains.
“That has not changed, that will not change. We do not endorse Taiwan’s independence. Taiwan is a province of China,” Marcos added.
The controversial tweet was posted on January 15, with Marcos saying: “On behalf of the Filipino people, I congratulate President-elect Lai Ching-te on his election as Taiwan’s next president. We look forward to close collaboration, strengthening mutual interests, fostering peace, and ensuring prosperity for our peoples in the years ahead.”
That post on X, formerly known as Twitter, prompted a flurry of exchanges between Philippine and Chinese officials.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Philippine Ambassador Jaime FlorCruz to file a protest, and asked Marcos to “read more to develop a proper understanding of the ins and outs of the Taiwan question and come to a right conclusion.”
The Chinese embassy also subsequently pointed out that Marcos was the “only head of state to congratulate Lai among 182 countries which establish diplomatic relations with China.”
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro later came to Marcos’ defense, lamenting the “gutter-level talk” from China.
Diplomatic ties between Manila and Beijing have soured in the past year as tensions in the West Philippine Sea have escalated.
Marcos, unlike his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte, has adopted a stronger stance against Chinese activities in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, describing them as “aggression and provocations.”
China has stood by its all-encompassing claim to the South China Sea, even though a Hague arbitral tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines in 2016 and invalidated Beijing’s nine-dash line. – Rappler.com
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I appreciate President Marcos Jr.’s reply. It is indeed out of “common courtesy.” It is sad that concerning the One China Policy: “That has not changed, that will not change. We do not endorse Taiwan’s independence. Taiwan is a province of China.” If China’s bullying does matter to him, he could have said: “That has not changed, but it may change if China continues bullying our Country.” Well, it may take another President to express that. (Note: But for now, certainly not VP Sara Duterte.)
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Alex Eala seeks rebound after Australian Open exit, nabs doubles win in India tournament
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jisaga0269
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23/01/2024 20:12
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SPEED. Philippine tennis standout Alex Eala races to return a shot.
Engie Open Nantes Atlantique
MANILA, Philippines – Determined to get her pro campaign back on track, Alex Eala partnered with Latvia’s Darja Semenistaja and came back from a set down to defeat Taiwan’s Yu-Yun Li and Japan’s Eri Shimizu 6-7 (7-9), 6-1, 10-7, in the Necc-Deccan $40,000 ITF Pune women’s doubles opening round in India on Tuesday, January 23.
This bounce-back effort comes on the heels of Eala’s forgettable 2024 Australian Open stint, where she crashed in the qualifiers’ opening round.
Things started to click for the fourth-seeded Filipina and Latvian pair in the second set, where they broke off from a 1-1 deadlock to blank their Taiwanese and Japanese foes the rest of the way, extending the match to a deciding third set.
The super tiebreak was a tight contest which remained even at 3-3. Eala and Semenistaja then took control by going up 7-4, a lead they maintained until they closed out the tough battle at 10-7 after an hour and 37 minutes.
The 18-year-old Eala and the 21-year-old Semenistaja initially struggled as a pair, finding themselves trailing 0-3 in the first set. They managed to eventually tie the count and send the set to a tiebreak but fell short as Li and Shimizu drew first blood.
Eala and Semenistaja will next face the United States’ Jessie Aney and Germany’s Lena Papadakis in the second round.
After making the doubles semifinals of the WTA Workday Canberra in early January, Eala is now No. 365 in the world in women’s doubles.
Eala is also set to plunge into action in women’s singles on Wednesday, January 24. Seeded 5th in the competition, the world No. 187 prospect will be taking on world No. 260 Fanni Stollar of Hungary.
Finding herself in the upper half of the singles draw, Eala is on a potential collision course in the quarterfinals with her doubles partner Semenistaja, who is the top seed in women’s singles.
Meanwhile, Francis Casey Alcantara is also in India for the GNC-BR Adityan Memorial ITF Men’s Future.
He and Christopher Rungkat of Indonesia, the top seeds in the $25,000 event, will be facing world men’s singles No. 17 Bernard Tomic and Alexey Shtengelov of Australia on Wednesday in the men’s doubles first round. – Rappler.com
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Sara Duterte says she will not cooperate with ICC probe
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Bonz Magsambol
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23/01/2024 18:08
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VICE PRESIDENT. Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte addresses participants at the 2023 National Literacy Conference at the DepEd ECOTECH Center in Cebu City on October 12, 2023.
Jacqueline Hernandez/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, January 23, said that she will not cooperate with the International Criminal Court’s investigation into her father’s drug war, amid reports that she is among the respondents into the tribunal’s probe.
“Hindi po ako lalahok o magiging parte ng isang prosesong hindi lamang magsasadlak sa kahihiyan sa bansa kundi dudurog din sa dignidad ng ating mga huwes, korte, at buong justice system ng Pilipinas,” she said.
(I will not join nor be part of a process that will not only embarrass our country but also erode the dignity of our judges, courts, and the whole justice system of the Philippines.)
The Vice President said that she will only face any charge against her “before a Filipino judge and only before a Filipino court.”
“Huwag nating ipahiya ang bansa sa buong mundo sa pamamagitan ng pagpapahintulot sa mga dayuhan na manghimasok at makialam sa Pilipinas. Ang kahiligan na magpailalim sa mga dayuhan ay sampal sa mga bayaning Pilipino na nagbuwis ng kanilang buhay at lumaban para lang sa ating kalayaan,” she said.
(Let’s not embarrass our country to the world by letting foreigners intervene. The preference on foreigners is slap to Filipino heroes who sacrificed their lives and fought for our freedom.)
Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV claimed that the Vice President is supposedly among the respondents in the ICC probe as she allegedly continued “tokhang” operations when she was Davao City mayor.
To this, the Vice President said, “Sa mga taon na nagsilbi ako bilang vice mayor at mayor ng Davao City, ni minsan ay hindi napag-usapan o naiugnay ang aking pangalan sa umano’y Davao Death Squad.”
(In the years that I served as vice mayor and mayor of Davao City, my name was never dragged into or linked to the alleged Davao Death Squad.)
“Subalit, matapos akong manalo bilang Vice President, bigla na lang nagkaroon ng testigo laban sa akin at ngayon ay kasama na ako sa mga akusado sa International Criminal Court,” she added.
(But when I won as vice president, all of a sudden there’s someone who want testify against me and now I’m part of the accused in the International Criminal Court.)
Trillanes had claimed that ICC probers had visited the Philippines to gather evidence in relation to Duterte’s drug war. He also alleged that an arrest warrant against former president Rodrigo Duterte will be out soon, according to an Inquirer report.
On Tuesday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. insisted that the Philippines is not cooperating with the ICC.
“The Philippine government will not lift a finger to help any investigation that the ICC conducts. However, as ordinary people, they can come and visit the Philippines, but we will not help them,” Marcos said. – Rappler.com
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‘Ahon sa Antipolo’: Faithful prepare for pilgrimage site’s historic event
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Chito de la Vega
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23/01/2024 19:25
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VIVA LA VIRGEN. Parishioners from the Vicariate of St Francis Xavier gather around the images of their patron saints and the Virgin of Antipolo during the sixth day of the novena masses on January 23 for the solemn declaration of Antipolo Cathedral as an international shrine.
The Antipolo Cathedral Facebook page
ANTIPOLO, Philippines – Locals from different parishes across Rizal province have been bringing their respective patron saints and gathering at the Antipolo Cathedral since January 17 – and will do so until the 25th – as part of their historic “ahon” (disembark upward) and novena masses in preparation for a monumental occasion.
The 450-year-old National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, commonly known as Antipolo Cathedral, is set to be formally declared as an international shrine on Friday, January 26, in a solemn mass to be presided by Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles John Brown.
The popular pilgrimage shrine, where thousands participate in its “Alay Lakad” every Maundy Thursday, will become the first international shrine in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, and only the 11th worldwide.
The nine vicariates under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Antipolo are expected to lead the novena masses. The Vicariates of St. Jerome, Our Lady of Aranzazu, St. Ildefonso, St. John the Baptist, and Our Lady of Light from the different towns in the province have already participated in the processions and masses in Antipolo since January 17.
In his homily during the first novena mass on January 17, Father Celso Bagabaldo Jr., Vicar Forane of Vicariate of St. Jerome, called on attendees to start their historic journey with “reflections and openness” and hope that the Virgin Mary will lead them to the right direction.
In a country where overseas workers are hailed as modern-day heroes, Antipolo’s Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage is among the celebrated images, with devotees usually praying for safe travels in their journeys.
“If we start right with Mary, we end up right with Jesus and we’ll never be lost. We will never give up dahil nariyan kasama natin sa paglalakbay si Maria (because Mary will always be with us in our journey),” he said.
For Flora Latina, a 20 year-old member of the Social Communications Ministry of Sta. Ursula Parish in Binangonan, the “ahon” feels like a one big reunion where she sees her fellow faithful from different parishes coming together to celebrate the Virgin of Antipolo.
“With the entire vicariate coming as one, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event in the parish, cathedral, and diocese. It’s rare for each parish to come together,” she told Rappler in Filipino.
Expressing her gratitude to be part of the event, Latina also emphasized the importance of becoming a devotee of Mary for the current generation, since she observed how less youth are interested to engage in religious activities with some not recognizing Mary at all.
“It will be helpful if they pray and devote themselves to Mama Mary. Hindi naman magiging mabuti yung buhay (Life will not instantly become better), but Mama Mary will guide them no matter what happens,” she said.
The Diocese of Antipolo presented the theme, “Ave Regina Pacis” (Latin for “Hail, Queen of Peace”), for the solemn declaration of the cathedral as an international shrine.
“As a ‘Pueblo amante de Maria’ – a people in love with Mary – we recognize the remarkablevalue of this celebration not only for the Diocese of Antipolo, but for the whole Church at large,” the diocese said in its celebration primer.
The celebration’s logo also featured imagery of the cathedral and the Virgin of Antipolo, and various symbols representing key teachings of the Church.
In 2021, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines endorsed the diocese’s petition to raise the Antipolo Cathedral’s status to an international shrine. The Holy See approved the petition in June 2022, with a papal decree being issued in March 2023.
The cathedral’s recognition as an international shrine took effect on March 25, 2023, which coincided with the anniversary of the start of the journey of the Virgin of Antipolo from Acapulco, Mexico to the country in 1626.
Lance Arevada is an Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow for 2023-2024.
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Senate unanimously rejects House push for charter change via people’s initiative
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Bonz Magsambol
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23/01/2024 17:16
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MANIFESTO. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on January 23, 2024, reads a manifesto against the proposed people’s initiative to amend the Constitution, signed by all 24 senators.
Angie de Silva/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – In a strongly-worded manifesto signed by all 24 senators, the Senate rejected the House of Representatives’ bid for charter change through a people’s initiative, amid allegations of bribery in securing signatures for the campaign.
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri read the manifesto during the upper chamber’s regular session on Tuesday, January 23. It was a product of the Senate’s almost three-hour executive session on Monday, January 22.
“While it seems simple, the goal is apparent to make it easier to revise the Constitution by eliminating the Senate from the equation. It is an obvious prelude to further amendments, revisions, or even an overhaul of our entire Constitution,” Zubiri said.
Zubiri shared concerns that once constitutional amendments would go beyond the economic provisions of the Constitution, and will include lifting term limits that would allow politicians to stay longer in power.
“This singular and seemingly innocuous change in the Constitution will open the floodgates to a wave of amendments and revisions that will erode the nation as we know it,” Zubiri said.
The Senate President also slammed the House push to amend the Constitution through a constitutional Assembly. Under that mode, the Senate and House of Representatives will convene into a constituent assembly and will not vote separately, diluting the voice of the senators.
“If this PI prospers, further changes to the Constitution can be done with or without the Senate’s approval, or worse, even absent all the senators. Should Congress vote jointly in a constituent assembly, the Senate and its 24 members cannot cast any meaningful vote against the 316 members of the House of Representatives,” Zubiri said.
“It is ridiculous that the Senate, a co-equal chamber of the House, which is needed to pass even local bills, will have a dispensable and diluted role in charter change the most monumental act of policymaking concerning the highest law in the land,” he added.
Zubiri feared that if Cha-Cha through people’s initiative pushes through, it will “destabilize the principle of bicameralism and our system of checks and balances.”
“With the change, the Senate is left powerless to stop even the most radical proposals: We cannot protect our lands from foreign ownership; We cannot stop the removal of term limits or a no election scenario in 2025, or worse, in 2028,” he said.
JUST IN. In a strongly worded manifesto signed by 24 senators, the Senate condemns House initiative for Cha cha via supposed "People Initiative" "The Senate once again stands as bastion of democracy, as it rejects the brazen attempt to violate the Constitution" @rapplerdotcom
House members have always been eager to amend the charter. All previous attempts fizzled out as their Senate counterparts were not too keen on amending the Constitution, especially through a constituent assembly.
Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva on Tuesday called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to “invalidate” all the signatures on the people’s initiative that it had received from all over the country.
“We join the call of the President to invalidate and iparamdam sa taumbayan na hindi dapat kayo niloloko dahil gusto ‘nyo lamang makatikim ng programa ng gobyerno (make people feel that they shouldn’t be fooled because they only want to experience programs of the government),” Villanueva said.
Vice President Sara Duterte is against the House’s charter change bid. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had brushed aside allegations of bribery in exchange for signatures but said it would be up to the Comelec to validate the signatures it had received.
In early January, signature documents began circulating nationwide, seeking to amend the Constitution to allow the House and the Senate to vote as one when a motion to form a constituent assembly is called.
In that scenario, the House can force the Senate’s hand, as the 24-member Senate is essentially outnumbered by the 300-plus-member House.
Under this method, 3% of voters in every legislative district of the Philippines, and 12% of the national voting population, must sign a petition in favor of an amendment in the 1987 Constitution.
As of Tuesday, the Comelec has received signature documents from some 900 out of over 1,600 cities and municipalities across the country. – With reports from Dwight de Leon/Rappler.com
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Thank you, Senator Zubiri, for your concern: if Cha-Cha, through people’s initiative, pushes through, it will “destabilize the principle of bicameralism and our system of checks and balances.” In particular: “With the change, the Senate is left powerless to stop even the most radical proposals: We cannot protect our lands from foreign ownership; We cannot stop the removal of term limits or a no election scenario in 2025, or worse, in 2028.” I hope that this is not For Show Only (FSO).
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Romualdez denies House behind charter change signature drive
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Kaycee
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23/01/2024 19:51
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CLOSING REMARKS. Speaker Martin Romualdez delivers his closing remarks as he wraps up the plenary debates for the 2024 budget, at the House of Representatives on September 28, 2023.
Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – House Speaker Martin Romualdez maintained that lawmakers in the lower chamber are not involved in the ongoing signature drive calling for constitutional amendments.
In a statement on Tuesday, January 23, Romualdez said the House “does not endorse or sanction direct participation by its members in signature gathering” as it would erode the essence of the movement being a people’s initiative.
The House Speaker also criticized those who are allegedly offering registered voters cash in exchange for their signatures.
“Such actions, if true, would violate the initiative’s spirit of honest and voluntary participation and erode our democratic foundations,” he said.
This comes amid reports that some lawmakers are involved in the collection of signatures in their provinces. (READ: ‘Let’s safeguard the Constitution’: Sara Duterte slams ‘vote-buying’ for charter change)
Albay 1st District Representative Edcel Lagman previously raised alarm after mayors from his province allegedly received “mobilization funds” to get the petition started in their towns and pointed to Ako Bicol party coordinators. This was denied by Raymond Adrian Salceda, president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Albay Chapter, and Ako Bicol Representative Jil Bongalon.
In Davao City, 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte accused PBA Representative Margarita Nograles of leading the signature drive. Nograles has yet to directly respond to Duterte’s claims.
The House Speaker himself has been accused of being behind the campaign to gather signatures, which he already denied.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez said he did not give marching orders to congressmen to kickstart charter change via people’s initiative. “That’s Senator Bato talking, I don’t know what he’s talking about,” says Romualdez pic.twitter.com/lgXNn6Qg6O
“While the House respects and supports the people’s initiative as an independent, citizen-driven process, our role is to facilitate and encourage democratic participation without direct involvement in signature collection,” Romualdez said.
There have been multiple attempts to amend the Constitution over the years, with lawmakers from the House leading efforts. However, these attempts were unsuccessful, with senators being less than enthusiastic to pursue charter change.
Romualdez said last December that there is a need to lift “restrictive” economic provisions in the Constitution. (READ: How Philippine economy opened up to the world without charter change)
For a people’s initiative to succeed, collected signatures must account for at least 3% of registered voters per legislative district and 12% of the country’s total registered voters – which is around 8 million, based on 2022 numbers.
Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda previously said the minimum number of required signatures for the petition may be reached by this week.
Kabataan Partylist has claimed that those behind the petition hope to get a plebiscite done before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s third State of the Nation Address in July. – Rappler.com
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House Speaker Martin Romualdez has the right to deny such accusations.
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Philippines, Vietnam eye ‘strategic partnership’ agreement between coast guards
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Bea Cupin
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23/01/2024 15:25
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VIET-PH TIES. Vietnamu2019s Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu visits the Philippine Coast Guard Headquarters on January 23, 2024.
Philippine Coast Guard
MANILA, Philippines – Ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s expected visit to Vietnam in late January, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday, January 23, met with and briefed Vietnamese officials on “its current engagement and maritime security operations in the West Philippine Sea.”
In a release, the PCG said Vietnam’s Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu visited its headquarters, alongside Vietnamese Ambassador to Manila Dr. Lai Thai Binh, and other other top officials from the Vietnamese embassy here.
During the meeting, the two countries talked about a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between its two coast guards. Talks for that memorandum began in 2018.
“The MOU aims to enhance the strategic partnership and cooperation between the PCG and VCG [Vietnam Coast Guard] toward the promotion, preservation, and protection of their mutual interest in the Southeast Asian region,” said the PCG, which was represented in the meeting by its Deputy Commandant for Administration Vice Admiral Allan Victor dela Vega.
The final version of the MOU is “almost done,” according to PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilio, with the signing expected to take place when Marcos visits Vietnam.
Vietnam is among the Southeast Asian claimant states in the South China Sea. Like the Philippines, Vietnam has had to deal with China’s claim of practically the entire South China Sea – a claim that a 2016 Arbitral Award deemed invalid.
Vietnam has several outposts in the Spratlys, an island group in the South China Sea which has features within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
While Vietnamese vessels are regular voyagers in the South China Sea, there have been no recent reports of confrontations between their ships and Philippine vessels.
Hanoi, however, had rebuked the Philippines’ decision to place navigational buoys in five areas of its EEZ to claim its sovereign rights in areas of the Spratlys which Vietnam also claims. – Rappler.com
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Check the consolidation status of your jeepney, UV Express route
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lkyu0285
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23/01/2024 18:20
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CONSOLIDATION. Jeepneys ply Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on December 12, 2023.
Jire Carreon/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Caving in to pressure, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has granted a “final extension” for operators of public utility vehicles (PUVs) to consolidate.
Prior to the new April 30 deadline, more than 1,900 jeepney and UV Express routes risked being wiped out nationwide by February 1. Under a Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) memorandum circular, jeepneys that failed to consolidate before the deadline of December 31, 2023, had only until January 31 to ply certain routes, including those with low consolidation rates.
But there were also some routes where none of the jeepneys or UV Express units plying them formed a cooperative or corporation. Based on LTFRB data, 395 jeepney routes in Metro Manila have no consolidated entities, along with 108 routes for UV Express. Nationwide, the number of PUV routes without consolidated entities reaches 1,948. What happens to these routes?
Before the extension, this meant that legally, those routes were supposed to have no more trips by February 1 unless other consolidated PUVs were pulled in to serve them, or the PUVs originally under that route continued to ply them as “colorum” vehicles.
However, the government clarified now that unconsolidated PUVs will still be allowed to ply their routes by February in light of the extended deadline. The LTFRB, however, has yet to release an updated memorandum on how it will implement the extension.
Even with the new deadline granted, transportation officials were firm that operators must consolidate if they want to keep their routes. This extension will serve as a last chance for operators to consolidate into a cooperative or corporation.
Search this table below to see the consolidation status of your route as of December 31, 2023, if your route will still be in service by February 1. Take note that only routes labeled as having no consolidated entities are in danger of being wiped out.
Before the extension was announced, left-leaning critics of the PUV Modernization Program warned that the consolidation requirement will soon bring job losses and messy commutes.
“This reaffirms our fears of massive job losses and disruption of public transport after January 31 when unconsolidated jeeps and UVE will no longer be allowed to operate,” said Bagong Alyansang Makabayan president Renato Reyes in a statement on Saturday, January 20.
Transport group PISTON, which has co-led a series of protests against the program, also said a “mass transport disaster” awaited as “thousands” of drivers and operators could be displaced.
Using the data provided by the LTFRB, Rappler created a map visualizing the status of consolidation nationwide. Regions are shaded based on the number of jeepney or UV Express routes that failed to consolidate before December 31, 2023.
Looking closely at the data, Bicol is the region that has the most number of unconsolidated jeepney routes. Nearly 68% of all routes in Bicol, or 451 routes, have no consolidated jeepneys. In Metro Manila, more than 35% of jeepney routes have no consolidated jeepneys. Central Visayas, Caraga, and Soccsksargen are the only regions that do not have routes that failed to consolidate.
Still, the government insists that there will be no transportation crisis. According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), consolidated cooperatives will be asked to operate on routes with unconsolidated jeepneys. In relation to this, drivers who will be displaced by consolidation could be absorbed by other cooperatives or corporations that will “badly need” them as they expand routes.
“We were assured by the cooperatives na sila po ay tatanggap ng mga drivers doon sa operators na hindi po nag-consolidate (that they will accept drivers from operators who were unable to consolidate),” said Office of Transportation Cooperatives Chairman Jesus Ferdinand Ortega on January 5.
The DOTr also views consolidation as an opportunity to “rationalize” routes, which means that it really doesn’t expect to keep all routes. Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said that based on the government’s study, achieving a 65% consolidation rate nationwide will be “sufficient” to carry the program forward. He explained that some routes are redundant, with shorter routes overlapping with longer ones.
“‘Yung mga naiwan, sa tingin namin, will be enough. And we will, siyempre, rationalize na ‘yung mga ruta. For example, merong isang ruta 'nyo na mahaba. May mga ruta in between. ‘Yun ‘yung mga unconsolidated, ‘yung in between, baka hindi na. Kaya, ‘yun ang mga tinitignan natin,” he said in an interview on January 5.
(Those that were left, in our view, will be enough. We will, of course, rationalize the routes. For example, there's one long route. There are routes in between. Those routes in between that were unconsolidated may be dropped. That's what we're looking at.)
In the meantime, the LTFRB also advised the public to turn to other modes of public transportation for their daily commute.
“There are still other modes of public transport in Metro Manila. We are talking of buses, other modes like taxis, TNVS (transport network vehicle services) that could also accommodate public demand,” said LTFRB NCR Regional Director Zona Tamayo in a press briefing last December 29.
The government has also gone on record numerous times to defend its controversial PUV Modernization Program, holding three press conferences about it in a week. In each one, officials underscored how the program will uplift drivers and operators and how consolidation is a necessary first step to upgrading to modern jeepneys. (READ: Anti-poor? How gov’t defends PUV modernization, why jeepney stakeholders oppose it) – Rappler.com
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Book it! Here are the PH’s top 5 most-searched travel destinations for 2024
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Steph Arnaldo
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23/01/2024 15:43
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MANILA, Philippines – How’s your 2024 travel calendar doing? Seems like both local and international travelers’ itineraries are set on the Philippines this year, as travel booking platform Agoda shared 2024’s top five “Philippines’ New Horizons” – a list of local destinations most searched by travelers year-on-year.
These emerging travel spots are “fast growing in popularity,” Agoda said, based on a “significant growth in interest” from users here and abroad. It comes as no surprise that the beautiful province of Bohol tops the list, with a 72% increase in searches just after a year. Hello Chocolate Hills, Loboc River, cave pools, and the pristine beaches of Panglao, among many other nature sights!
In May 2023, The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared Bohol Island as a Global Geopark – the first in the Philippines. This is a seal of recognition of the provincial government’s efforts to rise from the devastation of the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck Bohol on October 15, 2013.
Surigao del Norte’s Siargao Island comes in second place with a 32% increase in searches – the small, teardrop-shaped island and humble tourist haven found at the northeastern coast of Mindanao is hailed as the country’s surf paradise. It was also recognized as Time’s World Greatest Places in 2021 and among Condé Nast’s Best Islands in Asia in October 2023, alongside Boracay and Palawan; and one of the best holiday destinations of 2020 in December 2019.
In third place is Davao City with a 23% rise. Known as the “gateway to Mindanao,” Davao City is suited for travelers looking for outdoor sightseeing activities, sandy beaches like Dahican Beach and Kaputian Beach, and lush, green areas like Eden Nature Park. Try durian while you’re at it!
In fourth place is foodie haven Iloilo City, the first Philippine province that bagged a spot on UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network, representing the field of gastronomy. In fifth place is Cagayan De Oro, a city for adrenaline junkies who want to experience whitewater rafting or spelunking at Kweba de Oro, a cave with a 40-meter descent.
In November, Agoda listed Singapore, Bangkok, and Tokyo respectively as the most popular destinations of Filipino solo travelers. In December, Agoda named Iloilo City as the top “Tastiest Travel Destination” of 2023, followed by Roxas City in Capiz, Davao City, and Angeles City in Pampanga. – Steph Arnaldo/Rappler.com
Note: This article contains affiliate links. We earn a small commission every time you buy through these links.
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Meet the cast of ‘Rent’ musical in Manila
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Ysa Abad
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23/01/2024 15:47
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MANILA, Philippines – Local theater company 9 Works Theatrical unveiled the cast members for the highly-anticipated revival of hit Broadway musical Rent in the Philippines.
Based loosely on Puccini’s opera La Boheme, Jonathan Larson’s Rent follows a group of young people struggling to survive in Manhattan in the ‘90s under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.
The rock musical was nominated for 10 Tony Awards in 1996 and won four including Best Musical. It was also one of the longest-running shows on Broadway and was adapted into a film in 2005.
For its run in Manila, Anthony Rosaldo will portray Roger, a struggling musician who is HIV-positive. Meanwhile, actresses Molly Langley and Thea Astley will be alternating as Mimi, Roger’s love interest.
Ian Pangilinan and Reb Atadero will be alternating in the role of narrator Mark Cohen.
The role of his ex-girlfriend Maureen will be played alternately by Justine Peña and Jasmine Fitzgerald. Mica Fajardo and Fay Castro will play Maureen’s lawyer girlfriend Joanne.
Adrian Lindayag and Lance Reblando will be alternating for the role of Angel, a drag queen and street percussionist who is HIV-positive. His partner, Tom Collins, will be played by Garrett Bolden and Markki Stroem.
Stroem will also play Benny together with Guji Lorenzana, who will also portray the role of Mr. Johnson.
Also part of the cast are Abi Sulit (Pam), Jordan Andrews (Gordono), Misha Fabian (Ally), Chesko Rodriguez and Paul Valdez (Steve), Kai Banson (Alexi Darling), and Vyen Villanueva (Paul).
9 Works Theatrical has yet to announce the show’s final schedule and ticket prices.
9 Works Theatrical, which was also behind the local productions of American Idiot, Eto na! Musika nAPO!, and Tick, Tick… Boom!, previously staged Rent in Manila in 2010 and 2011. – Rappler.com
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DSWD Central Visayas Facebook page hacked
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Victor Barreiro Jr.
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23/01/2024 16:49
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The official Facebook page of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas (DSWD-7) has been taken over by hackers.
It was the first time for the account, which has around 524,000 followers, to be compromised since it was created in November 2013, DSWD 7 information officer Leah Quintana said in a text message to SunStar Cebu on Tuesday, January 23.
The DSWD 7 Facebook page still got to post updates on the distribution of food packs to 152 families displaced by a fire in Barangay Basak Pardo before the page was hacked on January 17.
Since it was hacked, the DSWD 7 Facebook page has been displaying random videos on just about everything, from tips on catching eels from a swamp, training ducks to form a heart, to pranking pet birds.
Quintana that they were already addressing the issue but did not provide details as a security precaution.
Last year, the official Facebook page of DSWD Cebu City was also taken over by hackers.
Joshua Corona, focal person for the Management Information System Services at the Department of Information and Communications Technology in Central Visayas said that activating the multi-factor authentication is a crucial measure against getting hacked on Facebook.
He said that those who manage Facebook pages should ensure that they enable multi-factor authentication for the administrators and those with roles in the page, including editors and authors.
Corona said that since most attacks target the page administrator, it is advisable for the latter to exercise discretion and avoid showcasing their administrator role on a specific social media page for an organization.
“The weakest link in cybersecurity is usually the users. Most of the time, it’s the one managing the page who gets hacked,” he said in Cebuano.
He also cited the importance of having someone dedicated to the tasks of auditing and monitoring the Facebook page, and to update passwords regularly with strong passwords to enhance security.
Corona also recommended that page administrators fully comply with the privacy checks set by Meta Platforms for Facebook. – Rappler.com
Wenilyn Sabalo is a writer for SunStar and an Aries Rufo fellow. Her outputs for the program are carried by both SunStar and Rappler.
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SCHEDULE: 2024 Dubai International Basketball Championship
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jisaga0269
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16/01/2024 14:15
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STAR POWER. Former NBA star Dwight Howard in a practice session with Strong Group.
Strong Group Athletics
Strong Group looks to complete a tournament sweep after wrecking Beirut Sports Club, 94-72, in the knockout semifinals of 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship.
But the Philippine club team, bannered by the Dwight Howard-Kevin Quiambao tandem, needs to put together another formidable outing as Strong Group faces unbeaten defending champion Al Riyadi of Lebanon in the winner-take-all title match:
A victory will be sweet redemption for Strong Group after a quarterfinal exit last year.
It will also make the team the second Philippine club to rule the tournament after Mighty Sports pulled off the feat in 2020.
Strong Group secured its spot in the final four after outlasting Moroccan squad AS Sale, 92-80, in the knockout quarterfinals of the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship.
Led by Dwight Howard and Kevin Quiambao, the Philippine club team vies to stay unbeaten for a spot in the title round. Here’s their semifinal schedule:
Lebanon’s Al Riyadi, another unbeaten squad, battles Libya’s Al Ahli Tripoli in the other semifinal match.
The winners will march to the winner-take-all championship showdown the next day.
Strong Group Athletics marched to the knockout round of the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship after completing a 5-0 sweep of the eliminations behind the solid plays of former NBA star Dwight Howard, UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao, and former Gilas Pilipinas sniper Jordan Heading.
Here’s the Philippine club team’s quarterfinal schedule:
The winner will advance to the knockout semifinal clash the next day.
Other quarterfinal duels pit the Emirates National Team versus the Beirut Club, the Al-Riyadi Club Beirut against Dubai’s Al Nasr Club, and Lebanon’s Homenetmen Club versus Dubai’s Al Wahda Club.
After weeks of high anticipation, former NBA champion and eight-time All-Star Dwight Howard is finally suiting up for the Philippines as part of Strong Group Athletics in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship tipping off on Friday, January 19.
Arguably the most decorated import in Philippine basketball history, the 38-year-old center is joined by fellow former NBA players Andray Blatche, who once suited up as Gilas Pilipinas’ former naturalized player, and defensive ace Andre Roberson, who played seven seasons for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Making up the local Filipino cast of Strong Group is another collection of stars, including reigning UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao, MPBL MVP Justine Baltazar, and UAAP champion JD Cagulangan.
Import McKenzie Moore rounds out the roster alongside locals Francis Escandor, Allen Liwag, Justine Sanchez, and Tony Ynot.
Here is the elimination round schedule for the one-week pocket tournament:
– Rappler.com
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SCHEDULE: 2024 Dubai International Basketball Championship
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jisaga0269
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16/01/2024 14:15
|
STAR POWER. Former NBA star Dwight Howard in a practice session with Strong Group.
Strong Group Athletics
Strong Group looks to complete a tournament sweep after wrecking Beirut Sports Club, 94-72, in the knockout semifinals of 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship.
But the Philippine club team, bannered by the Dwight Howard-Kevin Quiambao tandem, needs to put together another formidable outing as Strong Group faces unbeaten defending champion Al Riyadi of Lebanon in the winner-take-all title match:
A victory will be sweet redemption for Strong Group after a quarterfinal exit last year.
It will also make the team the second Philippine club to rule the tournament after Mighty Sports pulled off the feat in 2020.
Strong Group secured its spot in the final four after outlasting Moroccan squad AS Sale, 92-80, in the knockout quarterfinals of the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship.
Led by Dwight Howard and Kevin Quiambao, the Philippine club team vies to stay unbeaten for a spot in the title round. Here’s their semifinal schedule:
Lebanon’s Al Riyadi, another unbeaten squad, battles Libya’s Al Ahli Tripoli in the other semifinal match.
The winners will march to the winner-take-all championship showdown the next day.
Strong Group Athletics marched to the knockout round of the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship after completing a 5-0 sweep of the eliminations behind the solid plays of former NBA star Dwight Howard, UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao, and former Gilas Pilipinas sniper Jordan Heading.
Here’s the Philippine club team’s quarterfinal schedule:
The winner will advance to the knockout semifinal clash the next day.
Other quarterfinal duels pit the Emirates National Team versus the Beirut Club, the Al-Riyadi Club Beirut against Dubai’s Al Nasr Club, and Lebanon’s Homenetmen Club versus Dubai’s Al Wahda Club.
After weeks of high anticipation, former NBA champion and eight-time All-Star Dwight Howard is finally suiting up for the Philippines as part of Strong Group Athletics in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship tipping off on Friday, January 19.
Arguably the most decorated import in Philippine basketball history, the 38-year-old center is joined by fellow former NBA players Andray Blatche, who once suited up as Gilas Pilipinas’ former naturalized player, and defensive ace Andre Roberson, who played seven seasons for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Making up the local Filipino cast of Strong Group is another collection of stars, including reigning UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao, MPBL MVP Justine Baltazar, and UAAP champion JD Cagulangan.
Import McKenzie Moore rounds out the roster alongside locals Francis Escandor, Allen Liwag, Justine Sanchez, and Tony Ynot.
Here is the elimination round schedule for the one-week pocket tournament:
– Rappler.com
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The Black Beauty Boys are back, bag P1-M cash prize at 2024 Ati-Atihan
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Marguerite de Leon
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23/01/2024 15:36
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CHAMPS. The Black Beauty Boys was declared a champion in this year's ati-atihan fest.
KAFEB
AKLAN, Philippines – The Black Beauty Boys, a modern tribal group known for their Ati-Atihan street performances, are back on top, bagging the championship crown in 2024 after their second-place finish in 2023.
They were proclaimed the best group among all the Ati-Atihan performers on Sunday January 21, at the culmination of the Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-Atihan Festival. The group, which hails from Barangay Linabuan Norte in Aklan, received a cash prize of P1 million.
Kalibo Mayor Juris Bautista-Sucro introduced the P1 million grand prize in 2023, with The Vikings from Makato, Aklan touted then as the champions, followed by the Black Beauty Boys in second place.
Aside from the P1 million cash prize, the Black Beauty Boys also received special awards worth P5,000 each – Most Disciplined, Best in Beats and Sound, Best in Headdress, and Best in Costume.
This year’s second place went to Tribu Linabuanon, followed by last year’s champs The Vikings, then the Pride of Libtong, then the Pangawasan Tribe, then The Maharlika Tribe, then Tribu Alibangbang, and finally Tribu Waswas.
Black Beauty Boys leader Lucas Francisco said they got emotional after hearing them declared as champs. He considered the win a blessing from the Sto. Nino, the Catholic figure to which the festival is dedicated.
“We strived hard to win although [we were] cash-strapped. All of our participants were volunteers. I keep on asking our members to be determined, have faith, and sacrifice. We will use the cash reward as cash incentives [for] all of our sacrifices,” he said to local reporters.
Kalibo Mayor Juris Bautista-Sucro said during the awarding ceremony that he will be raising the grand prize to P1.2 million in cash in 2025. The prize will be funded personally by Sucro.
According to the Kalibo Ati-atihan Festival Board (KAFEB), the local government had allocated some P2.93 million for the 35 participating performers in 2024.
Meanwhile, a brawl between two Ati-Atihan drum and lyre groups, The Lagalag Boys and The Bayangan Band, occurred on Wednesday, January 24. The incident was captured by netizens and posted on social media.
Through these posts, the Kalibo police were able to identify the two suspects behind the brawl. Kalibo Police Chief Lieutenant Colonel Ricky Bontogon said the suspects were charged with alarm and scandal at the Provincial Prosecutors Office.
Mayor Sucro also issued an executive order banning the The Lagalag Boys and The Bayangan Band from participating in the rest of the festivities. – Rappler.com
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[OPINION] Senators won’t Cha-Cha with Zubiri?
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Glenda Gloria
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23/01/2024 14:08
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Since 1997, when the first attempt was made to revise the Constitution, the Senate has stood like an immovable slab of concrete blocking all initiatives by charter revisionists.
The stubborn defiance has earned for the Senate the admiration of public intellectuals who regard the Constitution as sacred text and sectors who discern the selfish designs behind charter change, or Cha-Cha.
Yet we have to concede that the senators’ obstinacy has been driven mainly by self-preservation.
Emasculating the Senate seems to be a recurring obsession among members of the House, where most Cha-Cha efforts have started. Reducing the senators’ six-year term of office has been a recurring resolution, intended, in the view of observers, to weaken the potency of the Senate’s institutional independence and dampen their predisposition to act as gadflies to a sitting president.
But the Senate that has said “no” to Cha-Cha for decades and through several administrations is now willing to dance.
Why did the Senate yield? According to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, this time the Senate will take the lead, or rather, has been asked by the President himself to take the lead, in amending the Constitution’s economic provisions.
In Zubiri’s ballroom, the once inflexible Senate will now show the House how to do the Cha-Cha. Not through People’s Initiative, which the President, according to Zubiri, has described as divisive, but through a Constituent Assembly where both chambers will vote separately.
To underscore his earnest dedication to Cha-Cha, Zubiri initially said the hearings would be led by veteran Senator Sonny Angara, head of the finance committee, rather than the neophyte Robin Padilla, chair of the constitutional amendments committee whose knowledge of the Constitution is as deep as a puddle.
But after a caucus that lasted, according to media reports, for more than three hours, the senators decided to transfer the responsibility to Padilla without offering an explanation. The former action star, surly and predisposed to shaming resource persons smarter than him, will now be charged with presiding over committee hearings on allowing foreign ownership in educational institutions, public utilities, and the advertising industry. (READ: Padilla first non-lawyer to head Senate charter change panel since 1986)
The scope of these amendments would call for the erudite inputs of constitution experts, business leaders, and economic thinkers. Smart people, in short.
According to Zubiri, these three provisions were vetted by the President in a meeting with him and Speaker Martin Romualdez before the Speaker flew to Davos, Switzerland, as the President’s representative to the annual elite smooch fest.
The turnaround in committee assignments, however, could be seen as a slap on the wrist from his fellow senators. Zubiri may have overstepped when he eagerly accepted the President’s request without consulting the other senators, breaking the time-honored norm of collegiality.
But the trigger for the President’s request, the supposedly divisive signature drive to amend the charter, has shown no signs of slowing down.
By this week the so-called people’s initiative is expected to garner the signatures of 12% of voters nationwide, the threshold set by the Constitution. Albay Representative Joey Salceda sees ratification by July, in time for the President’s State of the Nation Address.
Why the persistence? It’s all about the numbers. The proposed amendment in the signature drive, that the two chambers vote as one instead of separately on charter amendments, gives the House the numerical advantage.
If the amendment is ratified, the House representatives can outvote the senators on any provision. They can expand the scope of the amendments to include other economic provisions. They can even introduce amendments to political provisions, such as term extensions for the President and themselves, and shorter terms for senators.
Malacañang could act shocked, wag its finger at the House, and then accept the amendments as an expression of democracy.
Of course, all of that is in the realm of conjecture. But stranger things have happened in politics in the last two years, as if we need reminding.
The signature campaign’s timetable, however, can be derailed by a legal challenge before the Supreme Court. The High Court is entitled to change its mind, although Cha-Cha opponents are certain that it won’t. But like I said, stranger things have happened.
That is where the Senate comes in. After all, three economic provisions are better than nothing. But with the smart-shaming Padilla helming the discussions, it would be tough attracting a half-decent roster of resource persons. The amendments could die from intellectual asphyxiation.
So is the Senate’s consent a Plan B for charter change, or was it all a ruse to buy time for the signature drive and dampen the senators’ opposition to charter amendments? The harder question: Was Zubiri set up? We hope not.
Regardless, the President seems poised to accomplish this year, July at the earliest, what no other post-EDSA president has done. He would have amended the Constitution with only token resistance from senators. And all he had to do was ask nicely. – Rappler.com
Joey Salgado is a former journalist, and a government and political communications practitioner. He served as spokesperson for former Vice President Jejomar Binay.
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Cha-cha will more likely continue and succeed. Plan A is the Signature Campaign and Plebiscite, Plan B is the Constituent Assembly – Senate Version, and Plan C is the Constituent Assembly – House Version. Secondly, a “magical insertion” is sure to happen: term extensions. Senator Padilla will continue doing and enjoying his smart shaming. The Duterte Political Dynasty is busy acting as its Opposition. Senator Zubiri, Speaker Romualdez, and President Marcos Jr. will continue feigning ignorance at the right time. This is an intellectually asphyxiating yet also intellectually engaging Political Exercise.
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Tim Cone philosophy on assembling PH teams unchanged: Get the best players
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delfin.dioquino editor
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21/01/2024 17:09
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MASTERMIND. Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone reacts during a game in the 19th Asian Games.
Marko Djurica/REUTERS
MANILA, Philippines – If Gilas Pilipinas intends to compete with the rest of the world, it needs the best players in the country to suit up.
That is the way Tim Cone sees it as he weighed in on the future of the national team after admitting he has been in talks with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to coach the squad.
Cone called the shots for one of the most stacked Philippine crews in history when he guided the 1998 Centennial Team that featured the likes of Alvin Patrimonio, Allan Caidic, and Johnny Abarrientos to an Asian Games bronze.
Nearly three decades later, his philosophy of putting together a national team remains unchanged.
“I’ve always firmly believed from back in 1998 when I coached there that you got to go out and get the best players in the country to represent you if you want to have a chance against the Europeans and the Americas or even teams like China, Lebanon, Iran, Australia,” said Cone.
“You can’t go with lesser teams and expect to beat those guys. Can you? Is that a fair expectation? Is that a reasonable expectation? You bring your 12 best players, that’s a reasonable expectation.”
Cone, though, knows it is easier said than done.
After all, national team players are scattered all over Asia, with a bunch of them signed to clubs in the Japan B. League and Korean Basketball League.
Others are still in college like reigning UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao.
“You got to figure out a way to get the stakeholders to allow you to get the best players in the country, including the PBA, Japan, and Korea, and allow them to give you the time to work with these guys,” said the 66-year-old mentor.
“It’s not a simple thing.”
Cone said the SBP can also go a different route by assembling a squad of young players and allowing them to develop as a team for years.
But that option comes with considerable challenges.
“Two things with that in my mind, you’re not sending your best players, because they won’t be your best players. Number two, can you keep young guys together for a long time?” said Cone.
“We’ve proven over and over again that young guys want to grow and do other things. It’s hard to keep a team together for four, five years to get them to reach their full potential.”
Although he has his own way of thinking, Cone left it to the SBP to decide which path the national team will take.
“They are the ones making the decisions, not me.”
Cone, who holds a record 25 PBA championships, became a frontrunner for the coaching post after steering the Philippines last year to its first title in Asian Games basketball since 1962.
With him at the helm, the Philippines dethroned China with a miraculous win in the semifinals and overcame erstwhile unbeaten Jordan in the championship game in the continental games in Hangzhou, China.
Gilas Pilipinas returns to action next month for the opening window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, where the Nationals will face Hong Kong in an away game on February 22 and will host Chinese Taipei on February 25. – Rappler.com
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Sara Duterte says she will run in next election
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jsitchon0312
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23/01/2024 14:59
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BUDGET. Vice President Sara Duterte attends the House of Representatives' deliberations on the proposed 2024 budget of the Office of the Vice President, on September 27, 2023.
Rappler
CEBU, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte announced her campaign bid for the next election on Monday, January 22, but did not specify for which post.
Duterte said in her speech at Barangay Bago Gallera, Davao City, that she heard her brothers Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte and Congressman Paolo Duterte say they will not be seeking another term.
“Basin dili sila mudagan sa sunod nga eleksyon so mao na naa ko dinhi sa inyoha para mangampanya kay mudagan ko sa sunod nga eleksyon,” Duterte said.
(They might not run in the next election so that’s why I’m here to campaign because I will be running for the next election.)
The Vice President, however, has not yet confirmed which particular position she will be running for.
The next election is the senatorial race in 2025. If she chooses to run in 2025, she will be cutting short her term, which is supposed to end in 2028.
Rappler has reached out to the Office of the Vice President for clarification on the matter but has yet to receive any reply. We will update this story once we get a response.
Her pronouncement calls to mind past declarations made by her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, about running for president in 2016. After repeated denials and even filing a certificate of candidacy for Davao City mayor, he withdrew that COC on November 27, 2015, and filed his candidacy for president on the same day. Sara Duterte then ran for mayor as substitute candidate of her father.
Based on the results of the Pulse Asia survey released on January 8, Duterte’s trust rating stood at 78% between September 2023 and December 2023, maintaining the seat of the “most trusted government official”.
Recently, the Vice President either expressed reservations or spoke against moves associated with the administration, such as the reboot of peace talks with communist rebels, and the people’s initiative route to amend the 1987 Constitution.
She also eventually withdrew her bid for P650 million in confidential funds in 2024 after Congress denied her request.
In an exclusive interview with GMA News anchor Pia Arcangel on Tuesday, January 23, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he hasn’t talked to his veep about her plans for 2025.
“I think she’s also testing the waters to see what the reaction will be,” he added. – with reports from Dwight de Leon/Rappler.com
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Is it true that the Duterte brothers will no longer run in the coming elections? Can VP Sara Duterte be trusted? It has to be proven after the deadline for filing of candidacy. The Duterte Political Dynasty is known for flip-flopping, especially former President Digong Duterte.
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NTC orders stop to SMNI operations
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Victor Barreiro Jr.
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23/01/2024 12:31
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MANILA, Philippines – The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued an order dated January 18 but made public on Tuesday, January 23, directing Swara Sug Media Corporation, the business behind Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), to cease the operations of its radio and television stations until the hearing and final considerations regarding its administrative case pending before the NTC are completed.
SMNI is facing an administrative case over supposed violations of its franchise.
SMNI operations were ordered suspended for 30 days last December after its two shows were temporarily ordered off air for 14 days by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) – orders that Swara Sug allegedly did not “strictly comply” with, prompting the NTC to issue the new cease-and-desist order.
The NTC directed Swara Sug to explain in writing within 15 days from receipt of the January 18 order why it failed to strictly comply with the initial 30-day suspension order.
SMNI lawyer Mark Tolentino in an ANC interview said the NTC order is “in grave violation” of the Philippine Constitution, saying that “any decision or ruling [of] any government agencies that affects freedom of press or freedom of expression are presumed unconstitutional, so therefore the NTC ruling [is] presumed unconstitutional.”
Tolentino also denied that SMNI failed to respond to the show-cause and cease-and-desist orders from the NTC, and they followed proper legal proceedings. He also denied that SMNI continued to operate in spite of the December suspension order, and asserted that they complied. – Rappler.com
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I appreciate NTC for doing its job. I hope that it will evaluate the written explanation of Swara Sug correctly, fairly, and rightfully.
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Marcos defends tweet that angered China, says PH not endorsing Taiwan independence
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Dwight de Leon
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23/01/2024 21:20
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SUMMIT. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his visit to Tokyo for the Commemorative Summit on the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in December 2023.
Presidential Communications Office
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he was surprised by China’s reaction to his tweet congratulating Taiwan’s newly elected president, and insisted he meant no ill will.
“Noong naging presidente ako, binati ako (When I became president, I was congratulated). So what do you do? It’s just common courtesy that you do the same to them. That’s really where it came from,” Marcos said in a one-on-one interview with GMA News anchor Pia Arcangel on Tuesday, January 23.
The President asserted that the Philippines’ commitment to the One China policy, signed by his dictator-father Ferdinand Marcos and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai in 1975, remains.
“That has not changed, that will not change. We do not endorse Taiwan’s independence. Taiwan is a province of China,” Marcos added.
The controversial tweet was posted on January 15, with Marcos saying: “On behalf of the Filipino people, I congratulate President-elect Lai Ching-te on his election as Taiwan’s next president. We look forward to close collaboration, strengthening mutual interests, fostering peace, and ensuring prosperity for our peoples in the years ahead.”
That post on X, formerly known as Twitter, prompted a flurry of exchanges between Philippine and Chinese officials.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Philippine Ambassador Jaime FlorCruz to file a protest, and asked Marcos to “read more to develop a proper understanding of the ins and outs of the Taiwan question and come to a right conclusion.”
The Chinese embassy also subsequently pointed out that Marcos was the “only head of state to congratulate Lai among 182 countries which establish diplomatic relations with China.”
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro later came to Marcos’ defense, lamenting the “gutter-level talk” from China.
Diplomatic ties between Manila and Beijing have soured in the past year as tensions in the West Philippine Sea have escalated.
Marcos, unlike his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte, has adopted a stronger stance against Chinese activities in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, describing them as “aggression and provocations.”
China has stood by its all-encompassing claim to the South China Sea, even though a Hague arbitral tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines in 2016 and invalidated Beijing’s nine-dash line. – Rappler.com
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I appreciate President Marcos Jr.’s reply. It is indeed out of “common courtesy.” It is sad that concerning the One China Policy: “That has not changed, that will not change. We do not endorse Taiwan’s independence. Taiwan is a province of China.” If China’s bullying does matter to him, he could have said: “That has not changed, but it may change if China continues bullying our Country.” Well, it may take another President to express that. (Note: But for now, certainly not VP Sara Duterte.)
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Cash in exchange for Cha-Cha signatures? ‘Wala namang ganoon,’ says Marcos
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Dwight de Leon
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23/01/2024 13:51
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PHILIPPINE LEADER. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers a departure speech as he heads to Tokyo for the Commemorative Summit on the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in December 2023.
PCO
MANILA, Philippines – In his first public statement on charter change since the push for a people’s initiative came to light, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. brushed aside allegations of bribery in exchange for signatures.
“Kapag binayaran iyong signature, hindi tatanggapin ng Comelec iyon. Pero sa pagkakaalam ko, wala namang ganoon (If you paid for the signature, the Commission on Elections won’t accept it. But as far as I know, a scheme like that does not exist),” Marcos said in an ambush interview on Tuesday, January 23, when asked about the “vote-buying” allegations in relation to the campaign to amend the Constitution.
He said he was aware of reports that government benefits were being promised to people who would provide their signatures to the charter change campaign, and added that he sought clarity from the legislative branch.
“Sabi ko totoo ba iyan? Hindi naman nagbago iyong mga release namin e, constant pa rin. Sabi ko, the other things para hindi tayo pagdudahan, stop muna natin iyong pagrelease ng mga benepisyo. E hindi naman maganda rin iyon dahil may mga nangangailangan talaga,” he shared with reporters.
(I asked, is it true? Our releases did not change, and are still constant. I suggested that to avoid suspicion, let’s stop the release of benefits for the meantime. But that’s also not good because there are people who are really in need.)
“So we will just let Comelec do their job, do their work, and to validate the signatures, and if there’s suspicion, at may mga ganoon nga, hindi talaga mabibilang ang mga signature na iyon (and something like that happened, those will not be counted),” he added.
It is unclear what benefits the President referred to, although some lawmakers alleged that the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), a government subsidy program, is being weaponized in order to obtain signatures.
Albay 1st District Representative Edcel Lagman also previously alleged that voters in his province were being bribed in exchange for their signatures, but his fellow lawmakers in the region denied this.
Vice President Sara Duterte also earlier alleged “vote-buying” for charter change, calling it a “Pera kapalit ng pirma para sa People’s Initiative (Money in exchange for signatures for people’s initiative), and claimed this was happening in her hometown, Davao City, and in other parts of the country.
The President has yet to make a categorical stance on charter change, although he appears to have changed his tune recently, from once shutting down the idea, to saying that the administration is studying the merits of amendments on economic provisions of the Constitution.
The House of Representatives under Speaker Martin Romualdez’s leadership has been pushing for charter change since last year.
In March 2023, the House passed a bill on charter change via the expensive formation of a constitutional convention, but the proposal languished in the Senate.
In December of the same year, Romualdez unveiled the House’s plan to embark on a people’s initiative to break a procedural impasse between the House and the Senate.
In early January, signature documents began circulating nationwide, seeking to amend the Constitution to allow the House and the Senate to vote as one when a motion to form a constituent assembly is called.
In that scenario, the House can force the Senate’s hand, as the 24-member Senate is essentially outnumbered by the 300-plus-member House.
Under this method, 3% of voters in every legislative district of the Philippines, and 12% of the national voting population, must sign a petition in favor of an amendment in the 1987 Constitution.
As of Tuesday, the Comelec has received signature documents from some 900 out of over 1,600 cities and municipalities across the country.
A supposed timetable leaked by Kabataan, and confirmed by House ways and means chairperson Joey Salceda, revealed that the lower chamber is eyeing to have a charter change-related plebiscite before the President’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July. – Rappler.com
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Of course, President Marcos Jr. can feign ignorance on the matter. This is also true of Speaker Martin Romualdez. For the time being, it seems that only Representative Lagman and VP Sara Duterte are speaking the truth, but, unfortunately, they did not present their supporting pieces of evidence and file the appropriate complaint at the COMELEC. So it all ends up as Who is really telling the Truth?
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2 Ukrainians, Filipino woman accuse Quiboloy of sexual abuse at Senate hearing
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Mia Gonzalez
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23/01/2024 11:04
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SENATE HEARING. 'Amanda' restifies at the hearing presided by Senator Risa Hontiveros on the alleged abuses in the Davao-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) on January 23, 2024.
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – Two Ukrainian women, both former members of the Davao-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), have come forward, alleging that they were sexually abused by controversial doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy.
In video recordings played at the beginning of an investigation into KOJC’s activities and alleged abuses by the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality on Tuesday, January 23, the women identified only as Sofia and Nina, claimed that they were raped by Quiboloy while serving as his “pastorals.”
In the KOJC, pastorals are women who serve as close aides of Quiboloy, with some allegedly being turned into “spiritual wives.” (READ: Quiboloy sexually abused women, minors – ex-followers, US prosecutors)
A Filipino, identified only as “Amanda,” also testified about how the preacher allegedly raped her when she was still a minor.
They all claimed that Quiboloy made them think that they were sacrificing their bodies to God.
Quiboloy, who is on the US’ most wanted list, is among the 40 individuals and entities across nine countries that had been sanctioned by the US government in connection to corruption and human rights abuses. – Rappler.com
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Pastor Quiboloy’s persuasive power seems “God-given” as he was able to fool these children or women to sacrifice their bodies to “God.” It will be interesting to watch if such “power” can also persuade the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality not to continue its investigation of Pastor Quiboloy.
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NTC orders SMNI to cease operations | The wRap
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Cara Angeline Oliver
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23/01/2024 22:31
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Today on Rappler – the latest news in the Philippines and around the world:
The National Telecommunications Commission orders the business behind Sonshine Media Network International or SMNI to cease the operations of its radio and television stations.
Two Ukrainian women, both former members of the Davao-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ allege they were sexually abused by controversial doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy.
In a strongly worded manifesto signed by 24 senators, the Senate rejects the House of Representatives’ initiative for charter change through a supposed ‘people’s initiative.’
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. brushes aside allegations of bribery in exchange for signatures in a people’s initiative.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says the Philippines is not cooperating with the International Criminal Court. Meantime, Vice President Sara Duterte says she will ‘not be part of a process that will not only embarrass our country but also erode the dignity of our judges, courts, and the whole Philippine justice system.’
The Diocese of Borongan holds a prayer rally calling for the immediate end to mining in the entire island of Samar.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. seems unfazed by criticism surrounding his chopper ride to Coldplay’s concert last Friday, January 19. — Rappler.com
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Vigan to use ‘passport’ for mass tranvia
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gdecastro0289
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23/01/2024 14:53
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TOURISM. The Vigan passport will be used for the heritage city's planned mass tranvia.
Mau Victa
VIGAN CITY, Philippines – Vigan City is one of the few tourist cities with its own “passport.” Around 2,000 were already issued for the smaller-than-passport-size 52-page booklet which also has a history, tourist guide, emergency numbers, and QR code.
But the Vigan passport will not be just a tourism gimmick.
Soon, Vigan will unveil a mass tranvia that will service not only the city but its four neighboring towns, and the Vigan passport will be stamped when visiting key tourist sites.
Vigan Mayor Jose Bonito Singson Jr. said the tranvia will be designed like the tranvia which was the streetcar system plying Manila during the early part of the 20th century.
Mayor Singson, more known here as “Bonito,” said the tranvia will service not only Vigan but also the towns of Sta. Catalina, San Vicente, Cauayan and Bantay towns. Its main terminal will be at the major parking loading area at the city market.
He said it will become another tourist attraction for this heritage city which was inscribed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1999 for being a well-preserved example of a Spanish colonial town in Asia with influences from China and other trading partners.
Bonito said that unlike the tranvia of old, it will do away with its electric wires from above as it will be using rechargeable batteries.
He said they will initially employ six sets of coach trains for the system.
Bonito said that it also will spur economic growth for the city and the four other municipalities.
There will be a different fare system for the residents of these places compared to tourists, and preloaded cards will be used.
He also said that Vigan passport holders will also be given discounts. – Rappler.com
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New ride-hailing app inDrive suspended due to fare-haggling system
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lkyu0285
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23/01/2024 20:45
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inDrive
MANILA, Philippines – inDrive, a potential newcomer to the ride-hailing industry, was suspended by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for violating the agency’s established fare matrix by allowing passengers to haggle rates.
About a month after officially accrediting the new ride-hailing app as a transport network company, the LTFRB has now halted inDrive’s operations.
“The suspension comes in response to alleged violations concerning the haggling of fares, a clear breach of the terms and conditions outlined in its accreditation as a transportation network company,” LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III said in a statement on Tuesday, January 23.
The LTFRB ordered inDrive to stop its operations starting Tuesday until it can present proof of compliance. The company has 15 days to comply.
The LTFRB issued the suspension order against inDrive after a hearing on Tuesday. It previously issued a show cause order against inDrive regarding the company’s fare-haggling system.
“Haggling of fares not only goes against the principles of transparency but also jeopardizes the welfare of both passengers and drivers. We take these allegations seriously and are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the extent of the violation,” Guadiz added.
Two days after the LTFRB suspended inDrive, the company released a statement acknowledging the order.
“During our recent engagement with the LTFRB, productive discussions transpired and we are now in the process of further developing our application to ensure that there is no confusion amongst our users and that they experience the best possible service,” inDrive said in its statement on Thursday, January 25.
“As part of these ongoing improvements, we will be temporarily pausing our service operations. This is a necessary step to ensure that our enhancements are implemented effectively and align with both our users’ needs and regulatory standards.”
Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection president Ariel Inton, who was present in Tuesday’s hearing as the counsel of the complainants, told Rappler that the LTFRB “was not satisfied” with the explanation of inDrive when asked about the allegations of fare haggling.
“Sa kanilang paliwanag, lumalabas na they admitted na talagang meron silang fare haggling (In their explanation, it appeared they admitted that there really is fare haggling),” Inton told Rappler.
“There is nothing in the memorandum circular of the fare matrix of the LTFRB na puwede kang mag-haggle ng [fares] (that you can haggle fares). The fares for TNVS (transport network vehicle services) are provided for in the fare matrix.”
Prior to the suspension order, inDrive was positioning itself to make a splash as a competitor to Grab. In December 2023, the company sent out a press release announcing that it had been accredited by the LTFRB and that it would start operations soon.
inDrive did not give a specific date for its official launch, but a company representative told Rappler that they were focusing on recruiting drivers before piloting services in the cities of Baguio, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Butuan, and Bacolod. In a new press release sent out just hours before the LTFRB decision came out, inDrive said it would soon “activate its services in Metro Manila this first quarter of 2024.”
However, Inton told Rappler that inDrive has already been offering its services in Metro Manila. He cited instances where complainants used the inDrive app to book a ride in Metro Manila, only to be surprised that a taxi – and not a TNVS vehicle – was the one that arrived.
“’Yung complainant ko, pinakita doon na when he booked a ride, taxi dumating. He was surprised. ‘Di naman taxi ‘yung binook niya,” Inton said. “So ‘yung sinasabi ng inDrive na nagre-recruit pa lang sila is a total lie. Nakaka-book na sila sa Metro Manila.”
(My complainant showed that when he booked a ride, a taxi came. He was surprised. He didn’t book a taxi. So what inDrive is saying, that they’re just recruiting, is a total lie. You can already book in Metro Manila.)
inDrive also ended up in hot water in January 2023, which was around the time that it first filed its application for accreditation with the LTFRB. Back then, the LTFRB slammed what it called two unaccredited “Russian ride-hailing services” – which were inDrive and Maxim – for operating in the Philippines illegally. – Rappler.com
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Coldplay concert ‘unmissable’ for chopper-riding, ‘music lover’ Marcos
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Dwight de Leon
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23/01/2024 12:35
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. seems to still be on a sky full of stars after watching Coldplay’s concert live over the weekend that he appears undeterred by criticisms surrounding his experience.
In a chance interview with reporters on Tuesday, January 23, he said the concert was “unmissable.”
Remember, the President used a helicopter to make it in time for the event, drawing flak from netizens.
For the record, Marcos was asked by a reporter whether watching concerts with his family is among the things that he likes to do in his free time.
“By now, you would have known, I’m a music lover, I have been for a long time. I studied music for many years. And to have somebody like Coldplay, that’s unmissable, cannot miss,” he said.
“It was, by the way, fantastic. Ask anybody who attended the concert,” he added. “The show they performed was spectacular. I haven’t seen anything like it.”
Social media was abuzz on Friday night, January 19, when people learned that Marcos and his family rode a chopper to fly to the Philippine Arena in Bulacan province to watch the British group’s concert.
That’s while thousands of other concert-goers braved the heavy traffic just to attend the same event.
Some critics even referred to an administrative order issued during the Arroyo administration, which prohibits government agencies and offices from “using government vehicles for purposes other than official business.”
The controversy prompted a statement a day later from the Presidential Security Group chief, who framed Marcos’ chopper use as a noble act by the President.
“Recognizing that this traffic situation posed a potential threat to the security of our President, the PSG took decisive action by opting for the presidential chopper,” PSG chief Major General Nelson Morales said.
“This decision not only ensured the safety of our leader but also exemplified our commitment to prioritizing security in the face of unexpected challenges. Your continued understanding and support for these measures are crucial in maintaining the safety and well-being of our nation’s leadership,” he added.
Even Coldplay itself poked fun at the horrendous traffic situation during the concert.
“We’ve seen some traffic. But I think you have the number one [traffic] in the world. Thank you for making the effort to come through all of that bullshit to be here,” Coldplay’s lead vocalist Chris Martin said.
It makes one wonder what Marcos – who was part of the audience – must have felt.
As Coldplay would have sung later that night, “Am I a part of the cure, or am I part of the disease?” – Rappler.com
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How advantageous is it to be the President of the Philippines? You can attend private events using government vehicles. No wonder VP Sara Duterte is very eager to be the next President of this country.
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Nothing but love: Shaquille O’Neal buries hatchet with Strong Group star Dwight Howard
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jisaga0269
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23/01/2024 17:45
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MAIN MAN. Dwight Howard goes for a shot during practice with Strong Group.
STRONG GROUP ATHLETICS
MANILA, Philippines – All love between the two NBA legends.
After many years of criticizing his fellow former Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers superstar big man, Shaquille O’Neal finally buried the hatchet with Dwight Howard, who is currently playing for the Philippine squad Strong Group Athletics (SGA) in the Dubai International Basketball Championship.
In an appearance on Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young’s From The Point podcast, O’Neal gave Howard his much-deserved flowers, saying Howard did something he couldn’t do in his 19 seasons in the NBA.
“If I mention your name, it means I love you and I respect you,” said the four-time NBA champion O’Neal.
“I used to love Dwight; he did something I couldn’t do. I wish I could jump that high.”
“I love Dwight Howard – a lot of people don’t know that. This is my first time saying that,” added the one-time NBA MVP.
Since the tail-end of his illustrious NBA career, O’Neal had been very vocal about his animosity towards Howard, mostly due to the latter’s use of the “Superman” moniker which O’Neal had already been known for.
Back then, O’Neal and Howard drew a lot of comparisons as they were both drafted by Orlando as the No. 1 overall pick in the 1992 and 2004 NBA Draft, respectively, before leaving the Magic for the Lakers during their prime.
Unlike O’Neal, who steered the Lakers to three straight championships from 2000-2002, Howard failed to live up to expectations during his first stint with the storied franchise in the 2012-2013 season.
After bouncing around the league, it was only during the 2019-2020 season when Howard captured his one and only NBA title with the Lakers as the team’s backup center.
When Howard’s playing career in the NBA came to an end in 2022, O’Neal even threw shade at Howard for taking his talents to the T1 League in Taiwan.
Howard, a five-time All-NBA First Team member, eight-time NBA All-Star, and three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, clapped back at O’Neal, saying the 51-year-old great is “too old” to be hating.
On Young’s podcast, O’Neal made it clear that he was only tough on his “little brother” Howard because he wanted the younger center to be even better than him.
“As a big brother, I’m not going to let my little brother slide because I want you to be better than me,” said O’Neal.
“A lot of people don’t understand this thing of ours, they think it’s just hate.”
“No, it’s not hate. I’m telling you how to get here,” added O’Neal.
As of posting, the 38-year-old Howard is currently averaging 17 points for Strong Group, which remains unbeaten in three matches. – Rappler.com
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HIGHLIGHTS: Ginebra vs San Miguel, Game 1 – PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals 2024
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delfin.dioquino editor
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24/01/2024 19:42
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PBA Images
San Miguel survived a thriller against Ginebra with a 92-90 escape in Game 1 of the in PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-five semifinals.
CJ Perez powered the Beermen with 26 points.
MANILA, Philippines – Something’s got to give between San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra.
Either the Beermen or the Gin Kings will see their winning streak snapped as they begin their best-of-five semifinal duel in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday, January 24, at the Araneta Coliseum.
The owner of the longest active winning streak in the league with six straight victories, San Miguel hopes to extend its hot run behind high-scoring import Bennie Boatwright.
Boatwright is averaging 40.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 4 assists through four games since he came in as a replacement for original import Ivan Aska.
The locals are no slouches either, with June Mar Fajardo (16.8 points), CJ Perez (16), Terrence Romeo (15.4), Jericho Cruz (12), and Don Trollano (11.3) all averaging in double-digit scoring for the Beermen.
Ginebra, meanwhile, enters the final four on a five-game winning streak, and it aims to reassert its mastery over San Miguel as they face each other in the semifinals for the second straight conference.
The Gin Kings swept the Beermen, 3-0, to reach the finals of the Governors’ Cup last season.
Best Player of the Conference frontrunner Christian Standhardinger, who averages 17.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.1 steals, is expected to deliver as Ginebra looks to make the championship round for the third straight conference.
The Gin Kings also rely on do-it-all import Tony Bishop, who is churning out 23.6 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.3 steals, and 1.2 blocks as a stand-in for resident Ginebra import Justin Brownlee.
Game time is 8 pm. – Rappler.com
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US NCAA Div. II player Miguel Yniguez adds further depth to loaded UP
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jisaga0269
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23/01/2024 19:11
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COMING SOON. New UP recruit Miguel Yniguez (R) poses for a photo with UP Office of Athletics and Sports Development Bo Perasol (C).
UP Office of Athletics and Sports Development
MANILA, Philippines – The University of the Philippines (UP) does not plan to endure another lengthy title drought in the UAAP men’s basketball.
More than a month after falling to the La Salle Green Archers in a thrilling three-game Season 86 finals series, the Fighting Maroons are back on the recruitment path, securing Fil-Am forward Miguel Yniguez for Season 88 and beyond.
“We’re looking forward to the contributions that Miguel can give us. We saw for a while now that he can be a big help for our team, so it’s good that his commitment is sure now,” UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde said in Filipino.
This recruitment rebound comes just two weeks after highly touted guard Jared Bahay de-committed from the Maroons program, with UP citing “outside forces” as the reason.
Yniguez, a 6-foot-5 shooter who last played for San Francisco State of the US NCAA Division II, will have to sit out Season 87 before being eligible for a maximum of four more years starting 2025.
He, however, has already played with the Maroons in the Pinoyliga Cup, an off-season tournament where eligibility rules are much more relaxed.
His arrival will boost a loaded Maroons squad that boasts the likes of Francis Lopez, Harold Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano, Terrence Fortea, and Season 87 transferees Gani Stevens, Chris Hubilla, and new foreign student-athlete Dikachi Udodo – assuming the aforementioned keep their commitments.
Also on board for Season 87 and beyond are other intriguing prospects such as Chicco Briones, Luis Pablo, Seven Gagate, and Mark Belmonte.
UP last won the men’s basketball championship in Season 84 in 2022 – its first since 1986. – Rappler.com
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FAST FACTS: What President Marcos’ Task Force El Niño is all about
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Dwight de Leon
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23/01/2024 8:00
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Photo by Inoue Jaena/Rappler; Graphics by Alyssa Arizabal/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – A month after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the reactivation of a task force to address the impacts of El Niño, Malacañang has released an executive order (EO).
Published on January 22, EO 53 pointed out that the reactivation of the task force was in response to calls for long-term solutions, as government monitoring indicated that El Niño would likely last until the second quarter of 2024.
El Niño is a climate phenomenon that is associated with extreme weather conditions. In the Philippines, it usually means below-normal rainfall conditions, resulting in droughts and dry spells.
Malacañang said in December 2023 that, per the Department of Science and Technology, “65 provinces across the country have potential for drought, while there are around six provinces with potential for dry spell.”
The membership of the task force is as follows:
Based on EO 53, the task force’s responsibilities are as follows:
A provision in EO 53 that was not present in past memos is the creation of a so-called El Niño Online Platform, in coordination with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
The document says the platform will “serve as a centralized repository for a wide range of data, research, and information concerning El Niño, such as interactive maps and visualizations, as well as well-informed, data-driven plans and programs related to El Niño.”
The Marcos-era EO also lowers the number of members of the task force to six, compared to more than 12 in the task force constituted under the administrations of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Rodrigo Duterte.
– Rappler.com
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I appreciate President Marcos Jr. for this action. But it is remarkable that “A month after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the reactivation of a task force to address the impacts of El Niño, Malacañang has released an executive order (EO).” Why did it take a month to release the corresponding executive order? Is this proof of efficiency in the Marcos Jr. government?
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Sara Duterte says she will run in next election
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jsitchon0312
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23/01/2024 14:59
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BUDGET. Vice President Sara Duterte attends the House of Representatives' deliberations on the proposed 2024 budget of the Office of the Vice President, on September 27, 2023.
Rappler
CEBU, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte announced her campaign bid for the next election on Monday, January 22, but did not specify for which post.
Duterte said in her speech at Barangay Bago Gallera, Davao City, that she heard her brothers Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte and Congressman Paolo Duterte say they will not be seeking another term.
“Basin dili sila mudagan sa sunod nga eleksyon so mao na naa ko dinhi sa inyoha para mangampanya kay mudagan ko sa sunod nga eleksyon,” Duterte said.
(They might not run in the next election so that’s why I’m here to campaign because I will be running for the next election.)
The Vice President, however, has not yet confirmed which particular position she will be running for.
The next election is the senatorial race in 2025. If she chooses to run in 2025, she will be cutting short her term, which is supposed to end in 2028.
Rappler has reached out to the Office of the Vice President for clarification on the matter but has yet to receive any reply. We will update this story once we get a response.
Her pronouncement calls to mind past declarations made by her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, about running for president in 2016. After repeated denials and even filing a certificate of candidacy for Davao City mayor, he withdrew that COC on November 27, 2015, and filed his candidacy for president on the same day. Sara Duterte then ran for mayor as substitute candidate of her father.
Based on the results of the Pulse Asia survey released on January 8, Duterte’s trust rating stood at 78% between September 2023 and December 2023, maintaining the seat of the “most trusted government official”.
Recently, the Vice President either expressed reservations or spoke against moves associated with the administration, such as the reboot of peace talks with communist rebels, and the people’s initiative route to amend the 1987 Constitution.
She also eventually withdrew her bid for P650 million in confidential funds in 2024 after Congress denied her request.
In an exclusive interview with GMA News anchor Pia Arcangel on Tuesday, January 23, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he hasn’t talked to his veep about her plans for 2025.
“I think she’s also testing the waters to see what the reaction will be,” he added. – with reports from Dwight de Leon/Rappler.com
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Is it true that the Duterte brothers will no longer run in the coming elections? Can VP Sara Duterte be trusted? It has to be proven after the deadline for filing of candidacy. The Duterte Political Dynasty is known for flip-flopping, especially former President Digong Duterte.
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Marcos defends tweet that angered China, says PH not endorsing Taiwan independence
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Dwight de Leon
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23/01/2024 21:20
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SUMMIT. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his visit to Tokyo for the Commemorative Summit on the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in December 2023.
Presidential Communications Office
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he was surprised by China’s reaction to his tweet congratulating Taiwan’s newly elected president, and insisted he meant no ill will.
“Noong naging presidente ako, binati ako (When I became president, I was congratulated). So what do you do? It’s just common courtesy that you do the same to them. That’s really where it came from,” Marcos said in a one-on-one interview with GMA News anchor Pia Arcangel on Tuesday, January 23.
The President asserted that the Philippines’ commitment to the One China policy, signed by his dictator-father Ferdinand Marcos and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai in 1975, remains.
“That has not changed, that will not change. We do not endorse Taiwan’s independence. Taiwan is a province of China,” Marcos added.
The controversial tweet was posted on January 15, with Marcos saying: “On behalf of the Filipino people, I congratulate President-elect Lai Ching-te on his election as Taiwan’s next president. We look forward to close collaboration, strengthening mutual interests, fostering peace, and ensuring prosperity for our peoples in the years ahead.”
That post on X, formerly known as Twitter, prompted a flurry of exchanges between Philippine and Chinese officials.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Philippine Ambassador Jaime FlorCruz to file a protest, and asked Marcos to “read more to develop a proper understanding of the ins and outs of the Taiwan question and come to a right conclusion.”
The Chinese embassy also subsequently pointed out that Marcos was the “only head of state to congratulate Lai among 182 countries which establish diplomatic relations with China.”
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro later came to Marcos’ defense, lamenting the “gutter-level talk” from China.
Diplomatic ties between Manila and Beijing have soured in the past year as tensions in the West Philippine Sea have escalated.
Marcos, unlike his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte, has adopted a stronger stance against Chinese activities in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, describing them as “aggression and provocations.”
China has stood by its all-encompassing claim to the South China Sea, even though a Hague arbitral tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines in 2016 and invalidated Beijing’s nine-dash line. – Rappler.com
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I appreciate President Marcos Jr.’s reply. It is indeed out of “common courtesy.” It is sad that concerning the One China Policy: “That has not changed, that will not change. We do not endorse Taiwan’s independence. Taiwan is a province of China.” If China’s bullying does matter to him, he could have said: “That has not changed, but it may change if China continues bullying our Country.” Well, it may take another President to express that. (Note: But for now, certainly not VP Sara Duterte.)
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Sara Duterte says she will not cooperate with ICC probe
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Bonz Magsambol
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23/01/2024 18:08
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VICE PRESIDENT. Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte addresses participants at the 2023 National Literacy Conference at the DepEd ECOTECH Center in Cebu City on October 12, 2023.
Jacqueline Hernandez/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, January 23, said that she will not cooperate with the International Criminal Court’s investigation into her father’s drug war, amid reports that she is among the respondents into the tribunal’s probe.
“Hindi po ako lalahok o magiging parte ng isang prosesong hindi lamang magsasadlak sa kahihiyan sa bansa kundi dudurog din sa dignidad ng ating mga huwes, korte, at buong justice system ng Pilipinas,” she said.
(I will not join nor be part of a process that will not only embarrass our country but also erode the dignity of our judges, courts, and the whole justice system of the Philippines.)
The Vice President said that she will only face any charge against her “before a Filipino judge and only before a Filipino court.”
“Huwag nating ipahiya ang bansa sa buong mundo sa pamamagitan ng pagpapahintulot sa mga dayuhan na manghimasok at makialam sa Pilipinas. Ang kahiligan na magpailalim sa mga dayuhan ay sampal sa mga bayaning Pilipino na nagbuwis ng kanilang buhay at lumaban para lang sa ating kalayaan,” she said.
(Let’s not embarrass our country to the world by letting foreigners intervene. The preference on foreigners is slap to Filipino heroes who sacrificed their lives and fought for our freedom.)
Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV claimed that the Vice President is supposedly among the respondents in the ICC probe as she allegedly continued “tokhang” operations when she was Davao City mayor.
To this, the Vice President said, “Sa mga taon na nagsilbi ako bilang vice mayor at mayor ng Davao City, ni minsan ay hindi napag-usapan o naiugnay ang aking pangalan sa umano’y Davao Death Squad.”
(In the years that I served as vice mayor and mayor of Davao City, my name was never dragged into or linked to the alleged Davao Death Squad.)
“Subalit, matapos akong manalo bilang Vice President, bigla na lang nagkaroon ng testigo laban sa akin at ngayon ay kasama na ako sa mga akusado sa International Criminal Court,” she added.
(But when I won as vice president, all of a sudden there’s someone who want testify against me and now I’m part of the accused in the International Criminal Court.)
Trillanes had claimed that ICC probers had visited the Philippines to gather evidence in relation to Duterte’s drug war. He also alleged that an arrest warrant against former president Rodrigo Duterte will be out soon, according to an Inquirer report.
On Tuesday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. insisted that the Philippines is not cooperating with the ICC.
“The Philippine government will not lift a finger to help any investigation that the ICC conducts. However, as ordinary people, they can come and visit the Philippines, but we will not help them,” Marcos said. – Rappler.com
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Senate unanimously rejects House push for charter change via people’s initiative
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Bonz Magsambol
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23/01/2024 17:16
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MANIFESTO. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on January 23, 2024, reads a manifesto against the proposed people’s initiative to amend the Constitution, signed by all 24 senators.
Angie de Silva/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – In a strongly-worded manifesto signed by all 24 senators, the Senate rejected the House of Representatives’ bid for charter change through a people’s initiative, amid allegations of bribery in securing signatures for the campaign.
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri read the manifesto during the upper chamber’s regular session on Tuesday, January 23. It was a product of the Senate’s almost three-hour executive session on Monday, January 22.
“While it seems simple, the goal is apparent to make it easier to revise the Constitution by eliminating the Senate from the equation. It is an obvious prelude to further amendments, revisions, or even an overhaul of our entire Constitution,” Zubiri said.
Zubiri shared concerns that once constitutional amendments would go beyond the economic provisions of the Constitution, and will include lifting term limits that would allow politicians to stay longer in power.
“This singular and seemingly innocuous change in the Constitution will open the floodgates to a wave of amendments and revisions that will erode the nation as we know it,” Zubiri said.
The Senate President also slammed the House push to amend the Constitution through a constitutional Assembly. Under that mode, the Senate and House of Representatives will convene into a constituent assembly and will not vote separately, diluting the voice of the senators.
“If this PI prospers, further changes to the Constitution can be done with or without the Senate’s approval, or worse, even absent all the senators. Should Congress vote jointly in a constituent assembly, the Senate and its 24 members cannot cast any meaningful vote against the 316 members of the House of Representatives,” Zubiri said.
“It is ridiculous that the Senate, a co-equal chamber of the House, which is needed to pass even local bills, will have a dispensable and diluted role in charter change the most monumental act of policymaking concerning the highest law in the land,” he added.
Zubiri feared that if Cha-Cha through people’s initiative pushes through, it will “destabilize the principle of bicameralism and our system of checks and balances.”
“With the change, the Senate is left powerless to stop even the most radical proposals: We cannot protect our lands from foreign ownership; We cannot stop the removal of term limits or a no election scenario in 2025, or worse, in 2028,” he said.
JUST IN. In a strongly worded manifesto signed by 24 senators, the Senate condemns House initiative for Cha cha via supposed "People Initiative" "The Senate once again stands as bastion of democracy, as it rejects the brazen attempt to violate the Constitution" @rapplerdotcom
House members have always been eager to amend the charter. All previous attempts fizzled out as their Senate counterparts were not too keen on amending the Constitution, especially through a constituent assembly.
Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva on Tuesday called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to “invalidate” all the signatures on the people’s initiative that it had received from all over the country.
“We join the call of the President to invalidate and iparamdam sa taumbayan na hindi dapat kayo niloloko dahil gusto ‘nyo lamang makatikim ng programa ng gobyerno (make people feel that they shouldn’t be fooled because they only want to experience programs of the government),” Villanueva said.
Vice President Sara Duterte is against the House’s charter change bid. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had brushed aside allegations of bribery in exchange for signatures but said it would be up to the Comelec to validate the signatures it had received.
In early January, signature documents began circulating nationwide, seeking to amend the Constitution to allow the House and the Senate to vote as one when a motion to form a constituent assembly is called.
In that scenario, the House can force the Senate’s hand, as the 24-member Senate is essentially outnumbered by the 300-plus-member House.
Under this method, 3% of voters in every legislative district of the Philippines, and 12% of the national voting population, must sign a petition in favor of an amendment in the 1987 Constitution.
As of Tuesday, the Comelec has received signature documents from some 900 out of over 1,600 cities and municipalities across the country. – With reports from Dwight de Leon/Rappler.com
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Thank you, Senator Zubiri, for your concern: if Cha-Cha, through people’s initiative, pushes through, it will “destabilize the principle of bicameralism and our system of checks and balances.” In particular: “With the change, the Senate is left powerless to stop even the most radical proposals: We cannot protect our lands from foreign ownership; We cannot stop the removal of term limits or a no election scenario in 2025, or worse, in 2028.” I hope that this is not For Show Only (FSO).
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‘Ahon sa Antipolo’: Faithful prepare for pilgrimage site’s historic event
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Chito de la Vega
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23/01/2024 19:25
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VIVA LA VIRGEN. Parishioners from the Vicariate of St Francis Xavier gather around the images of their patron saints and the Virgin of Antipolo during the sixth day of the novena masses on January 23 for the solemn declaration of Antipolo Cathedral as an international shrine.
The Antipolo Cathedral Facebook page
ANTIPOLO, Philippines – Locals from different parishes across Rizal province have been bringing their respective patron saints and gathering at the Antipolo Cathedral since January 17 – and will do so until the 25th – as part of their historic “ahon” (disembark upward) and novena masses in preparation for a monumental occasion.
The 450-year-old National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, commonly known as Antipolo Cathedral, is set to be formally declared as an international shrine on Friday, January 26, in a solemn mass to be presided by Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles John Brown.
The popular pilgrimage shrine, where thousands participate in its “Alay Lakad” every Maundy Thursday, will become the first international shrine in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, and only the 11th worldwide.
The nine vicariates under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Antipolo are expected to lead the novena masses. The Vicariates of St. Jerome, Our Lady of Aranzazu, St. Ildefonso, St. John the Baptist, and Our Lady of Light from the different towns in the province have already participated in the processions and masses in Antipolo since January 17.
In his homily during the first novena mass on January 17, Father Celso Bagabaldo Jr., Vicar Forane of Vicariate of St. Jerome, called on attendees to start their historic journey with “reflections and openness” and hope that the Virgin Mary will lead them to the right direction.
In a country where overseas workers are hailed as modern-day heroes, Antipolo’s Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage is among the celebrated images, with devotees usually praying for safe travels in their journeys.
“If we start right with Mary, we end up right with Jesus and we’ll never be lost. We will never give up dahil nariyan kasama natin sa paglalakbay si Maria (because Mary will always be with us in our journey),” he said.
For Flora Latina, a 20 year-old member of the Social Communications Ministry of Sta. Ursula Parish in Binangonan, the “ahon” feels like a one big reunion where she sees her fellow faithful from different parishes coming together to celebrate the Virgin of Antipolo.
“With the entire vicariate coming as one, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event in the parish, cathedral, and diocese. It’s rare for each parish to come together,” she told Rappler in Filipino.
Expressing her gratitude to be part of the event, Latina also emphasized the importance of becoming a devotee of Mary for the current generation, since she observed how less youth are interested to engage in religious activities with some not recognizing Mary at all.
“It will be helpful if they pray and devote themselves to Mama Mary. Hindi naman magiging mabuti yung buhay (Life will not instantly become better), but Mama Mary will guide them no matter what happens,” she said.
The Diocese of Antipolo presented the theme, “Ave Regina Pacis” (Latin for “Hail, Queen of Peace”), for the solemn declaration of the cathedral as an international shrine.
“As a ‘Pueblo amante de Maria’ – a people in love with Mary – we recognize the remarkablevalue of this celebration not only for the Diocese of Antipolo, but for the whole Church at large,” the diocese said in its celebration primer.
The celebration’s logo also featured imagery of the cathedral and the Virgin of Antipolo, and various symbols representing key teachings of the Church.
In 2021, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines endorsed the diocese’s petition to raise the Antipolo Cathedral’s status to an international shrine. The Holy See approved the petition in June 2022, with a papal decree being issued in March 2023.
The cathedral’s recognition as an international shrine took effect on March 25, 2023, which coincided with the anniversary of the start of the journey of the Virgin of Antipolo from Acapulco, Mexico to the country in 1626.
Lance Arevada is an Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow for 2023-2024.
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Romualdez denies House behind charter change signature drive
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Kaycee
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23/01/2024 19:51
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CLOSING REMARKS. Speaker Martin Romualdez delivers his closing remarks as he wraps up the plenary debates for the 2024 budget, at the House of Representatives on September 28, 2023.
Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – House Speaker Martin Romualdez maintained that lawmakers in the lower chamber are not involved in the ongoing signature drive calling for constitutional amendments.
In a statement on Tuesday, January 23, Romualdez said the House “does not endorse or sanction direct participation by its members in signature gathering” as it would erode the essence of the movement being a people’s initiative.
The House Speaker also criticized those who are allegedly offering registered voters cash in exchange for their signatures.
“Such actions, if true, would violate the initiative’s spirit of honest and voluntary participation and erode our democratic foundations,” he said.
This comes amid reports that some lawmakers are involved in the collection of signatures in their provinces. (READ: ‘Let’s safeguard the Constitution’: Sara Duterte slams ‘vote-buying’ for charter change)
Albay 1st District Representative Edcel Lagman previously raised alarm after mayors from his province allegedly received “mobilization funds” to get the petition started in their towns and pointed to Ako Bicol party coordinators. This was denied by Raymond Adrian Salceda, president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Albay Chapter, and Ako Bicol Representative Jil Bongalon.
In Davao City, 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte accused PBA Representative Margarita Nograles of leading the signature drive. Nograles has yet to directly respond to Duterte’s claims.
The House Speaker himself has been accused of being behind the campaign to gather signatures, which he already denied.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez said he did not give marching orders to congressmen to kickstart charter change via people’s initiative. “That’s Senator Bato talking, I don’t know what he’s talking about,” says Romualdez pic.twitter.com/lgXNn6Qg6O
“While the House respects and supports the people’s initiative as an independent, citizen-driven process, our role is to facilitate and encourage democratic participation without direct involvement in signature collection,” Romualdez said.
There have been multiple attempts to amend the Constitution over the years, with lawmakers from the House leading efforts. However, these attempts were unsuccessful, with senators being less than enthusiastic to pursue charter change.
Romualdez said last December that there is a need to lift “restrictive” economic provisions in the Constitution. (READ: How Philippine economy opened up to the world without charter change)
For a people’s initiative to succeed, collected signatures must account for at least 3% of registered voters per legislative district and 12% of the country’s total registered voters – which is around 8 million, based on 2022 numbers.
Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda previously said the minimum number of required signatures for the petition may be reached by this week.
Kabataan Partylist has claimed that those behind the petition hope to get a plebiscite done before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s third State of the Nation Address in July. – Rappler.com
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Philippines, Vietnam eye ‘strategic partnership’ agreement between coast guards
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Bea Cupin
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23/01/2024 15:25
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VIET-PH TIES. Vietnamu2019s Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu visits the Philippine Coast Guard Headquarters on January 23, 2024.
Philippine Coast Guard
MANILA, Philippines – Ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s expected visit to Vietnam in late January, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday, January 23, met with and briefed Vietnamese officials on “its current engagement and maritime security operations in the West Philippine Sea.”
In a release, the PCG said Vietnam’s Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu visited its headquarters, alongside Vietnamese Ambassador to Manila Dr. Lai Thai Binh, and other other top officials from the Vietnamese embassy here.
During the meeting, the two countries talked about a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between its two coast guards. Talks for that memorandum began in 2018.
“The MOU aims to enhance the strategic partnership and cooperation between the PCG and VCG [Vietnam Coast Guard] toward the promotion, preservation, and protection of their mutual interest in the Southeast Asian region,” said the PCG, which was represented in the meeting by its Deputy Commandant for Administration Vice Admiral Allan Victor dela Vega.
The final version of the MOU is “almost done,” according to PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilio, with the signing expected to take place when Marcos visits Vietnam.
Vietnam is among the Southeast Asian claimant states in the South China Sea. Like the Philippines, Vietnam has had to deal with China’s claim of practically the entire South China Sea – a claim that a 2016 Arbitral Award deemed invalid.
Vietnam has several outposts in the Spratlys, an island group in the South China Sea which has features within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
While Vietnamese vessels are regular voyagers in the South China Sea, there have been no recent reports of confrontations between their ships and Philippine vessels.
Hanoi, however, had rebuked the Philippines’ decision to place navigational buoys in five areas of its EEZ to claim its sovereign rights in areas of the Spratlys which Vietnam also claims. – Rappler.com
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Top esports teams and PH artists unite at the Asia Pacific Predator League 2024
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Saab Lariosa
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23/01/2024 17:38
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The Asia Pacific Predator League 2024 came to a close on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena, Philippines with the crowning of new DOTA 2 and VALORANT esports champions and electrifying performances from some of the Philippines’s most talented artists. This year’s edition of the Asia Pacific Predator League was a major success with sold-out arenas and online spectators tuned in via the Predator social media channels during the two-day event. From the 26 teams competing for top honors in the Dota 2 and VALORANT, Blacklist Rivalry, and Team Secret emerged victorious and lifted the prestigious Predator Shield in their respective categories.
“The success of the Asia Pacific Predator League 2024 is indicative of the strength of the region’s growing esports community and the Predator brand devices’ ability to support intense gaming sessions when playing the most popular titles,” said Andrew Hou, President of Acer Pan Asia Pacific Operations. “I would like to extend my congratulations to the tournament winners and my heartfelt appreciation to all the players, fans, and staff who make this yearly event possible.”
Blacklist Rivalry prevailed over fellow Filipino team Execration in the Dota 2 grand finals. Abed “Abed” Yusop was in incredible form, averaging 8.5 kills and 14 assists in the series to spearhead the offense of his team. They were successful in shutting down Execration’s star Mark “Bob” Urbino, resulting in a heartbreaking defeat for team Execration and another second-place finish in the Predator League grand finals for two consecutive years.
As this year’s DOTA 2 Champions, Blacklist Rivalry will be going home with a cash prize of USD$ 65,000, while Execration will receive $20,000. Third and fourth finishers in China’s Team Aster and IHC Esports from Mongolia will also receive $7,500 each for their impressive showing.
Team Secret came into the Asia Pacific Predator League 2024 as the favorites and exceeded all expectations. They were in full control of the Japanese side FAV gaming during the final, with Adrian “invy” Reyes continuing to be the brightest spot for the team. Team Secret, also known as the “The Adobo Gang” among its fans, has won its first LAN trophy and Predator Shield since the inception of its VALORANT team.
Team Secret goes home with the USD$ 65,000 prize pool, while FAV Gaming wins USD$ 20,000 for their performance. Third and fourth placers BOOM Esports from Indonesia and Team Flash from Vietnam also receive USD$ 7,500 each.
Merits were given to exceptional players who stood out amongst the competition during the Asia Pacific Predator League 2024. For Dota 2, it was awarded to carry player Polo “Raven” Fausto while in VALORANT it was awarded to duelist player Jeremy “Jremy” Cabrera. Both players take home an extra USD$ 10,000 prizes as well as the Intel MVP Award Trophy for their individual performances.
Beyond the live esports action, the audience was also treated to world-class entertainment composed of the Philippines’ brightest stars, including Acer ambassadors SB19 and Sarah Geronimo. There were also meet-and-greet sessions with Predator ambassadors Cong TV and the Team Payaman boys, burg, KuyaNic, Chibiby, Maggiekarp, amaratv, Een Mercado, Kang Dupet, and cosplayer Alodia Gosiengfiao.
Felip and Ylona Garcia were the opening acts for Day 1, exciting the crowd with their exhilarating performance. This was followed by numbers from Urbandub and Al James, and with a special appearance by TV personality Donny Pangilinan. Day 2 was just as impressive with amazing performances from Josh Cullen, Sandwich, Spongecola, Pablo, and KZ Tandingan, who sang the Predator anthem, “It Lies Within.”
The next Asia Pacific Predator League will be held in Malaysia, with the qualifiers starting in late 2024 and the grand finals to be held in early 2025.
For more information and updates about the Predator League, visit www.facebook.com/PredatorGamingPhilippines or the official website www.predator-league.com. – Rappler.com
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Here’s what you need to know about CongressTV
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Kaycee
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23/01/2024 16:54
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House of Representatives handout
MANILA, Philippines – It’s like “reality TV” but you’re watching lawmakers craft laws and debate over proposed bills in real time.
The House of Representatives, in partnership with state-run People’s Television Network (PTV), launched CongressTV, which will air the lower chamber’s committee and plenary sessions from 9 am to 9 pm daily. This means House proceedings can be accessed through free television as well, on top of livestreams on Facebook and Youtube.
Lawmakers on Monday, January 22, touted this as their way of being more transparent with the public after supposedly receiving criticism last year.
“CongressTV is our commitment to ensuring that no Filipino is left in the dark, that every citizen is afforded a front-row seat to the legislative process,” House Speaker Martin Romualdez said. (READ: FACT CHECK: Romualdez not replaced as House Speaker)
ACT-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo, who also sits as House majority leader, said giving greater public access to House proceedings would help keep elected lawmakers accountable to their constituents, especially now that some are up for reelection in 2025.
“Ito po ‘yung opportunity para makita ng mga kababayan natin wherever they are, kung ano ‘yung ginagawa ng kanilang representative – kung nagtatrabaho ba sa Congress o walang ginagawa,” Tulfo said.
(This is an opportunity for our countrymen wherever they are to see what their representatives are doing – if they are working in Congress or if they are not doing anything.)
The public can tune in to CongressTV through Channel 14-PTV Digital Channel. PTV General Manager Ana Puod said they decided to host the program because the network has multiple channels under its frequency that does not air anything aside from replays from “many, many years ago.”
“Ako po ay nag-suggest na kung maaari ay baguhin namin ‘yung laman para ‘yung magiging bagong laman po ay makakatulong na sa pamahalaan [at] baka maging source pa ng income at mag-rate,” Puod said in a press conference on Monday.
(I suggested that we change its programs so that this can also help the government and it might also be a source of income and might even compete through ratings.)
CongressTV can also be accessed through Channel 46 via GMA Affordabox and Channel 2 on ABS-CBN TVPlus.
CongressTV was inspired by the United States’ C-SPAN, which also airs proceedings in both houses of the US Congress.
According to C-SPAN’s website, among their goals is to “provide elected and appointed officials and others who would influence public policy a direct conduit to the audience without filtering or otherwise distorting their points of view.” C-SPAN airs sessions live and without commentary.
“‘Noong ako po ay na-appoint ng June, few weeks after, sinulatan ko si Speaker Martin Romualdez at ako po ay nag-propose na gayahin na natin ‘yung C-SPAN na meron po sa abroad para magkaroon po ‘yung Pilipinas, ‘yung gobyerno natin ng similar na channel,” Puod said.
(When I was appointed in June, a few weeks after, I wrote to Speaker Martin Romualdez and I proposed that we do something like C-SPAN so that the Philippines and our government can have a similar channel.)
Puod said it took a few months before she received a response.
While lawmakers are the “stars” of the channel, production and editorial control for CongressTV remain with PTV.
“Maybe they can suggest content they think would be good but, at the end of the day, it’s PTV who is going to decide what’s going to air because CongressTV, although named CongressTV, is the property of PTV,” Puod explained in a mix of English and Filipino.
Without giving specifics, Puod said CongressTV will not be a burden on the state network’s financials.
“‘Yung transmission kasi namin is via RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol) or may mga technology kaming ginagamit na hindi magiging very expensive for us to produce this,” Puod said.
(Our transmission is via RTMP or we use certain technology that will allow us to produce this without getting very expensive for us.
While CongressTV is not yet ad-supported, commercials from “private organizations or government agencies” will be welcome. Advertising revenue will be collected by PTV.
A congressman’s exposure on live TV will depend on how they work at the lower chamber.
The launch of CongressTV comes a year before the 2025 midterm polls, when all seats in the lower chamber are up for grabs.
Puod clarified that since PTV will be airing live whatever is happening during session, it is up to lawmakers to perform and do their duty. – Rappler.com
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Check the consolidation status of your jeepney, UV Express route
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lkyu0285
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23/01/2024 18:20
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CONSOLIDATION. Jeepneys ply Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on December 12, 2023.
Jire Carreon/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Caving in to pressure, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has granted a “final extension” for operators of public utility vehicles (PUVs) to consolidate.
Prior to the new April 30 deadline, more than 1,900 jeepney and UV Express routes risked being wiped out nationwide by February 1. Under a Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) memorandum circular, jeepneys that failed to consolidate before the deadline of December 31, 2023, had only until January 31 to ply certain routes, including those with low consolidation rates.
But there were also some routes where none of the jeepneys or UV Express units plying them formed a cooperative or corporation. Based on LTFRB data, 395 jeepney routes in Metro Manila have no consolidated entities, along with 108 routes for UV Express. Nationwide, the number of PUV routes without consolidated entities reaches 1,948. What happens to these routes?
Before the extension, this meant that legally, those routes were supposed to have no more trips by February 1 unless other consolidated PUVs were pulled in to serve them, or the PUVs originally under that route continued to ply them as “colorum” vehicles.
However, the government clarified now that unconsolidated PUVs will still be allowed to ply their routes by February in light of the extended deadline. The LTFRB, however, has yet to release an updated memorandum on how it will implement the extension.
Even with the new deadline granted, transportation officials were firm that operators must consolidate if they want to keep their routes. This extension will serve as a last chance for operators to consolidate into a cooperative or corporation.
Search this table below to see the consolidation status of your route as of December 31, 2023, if your route will still be in service by February 1. Take note that only routes labeled as having no consolidated entities are in danger of being wiped out.
Before the extension was announced, left-leaning critics of the PUV Modernization Program warned that the consolidation requirement will soon bring job losses and messy commutes.
“This reaffirms our fears of massive job losses and disruption of public transport after January 31 when unconsolidated jeeps and UVE will no longer be allowed to operate,” said Bagong Alyansang Makabayan president Renato Reyes in a statement on Saturday, January 20.
Transport group PISTON, which has co-led a series of protests against the program, also said a “mass transport disaster” awaited as “thousands” of drivers and operators could be displaced.
Using the data provided by the LTFRB, Rappler created a map visualizing the status of consolidation nationwide. Regions are shaded based on the number of jeepney or UV Express routes that failed to consolidate before December 31, 2023.
Looking closely at the data, Bicol is the region that has the most number of unconsolidated jeepney routes. Nearly 68% of all routes in Bicol, or 451 routes, have no consolidated jeepneys. In Metro Manila, more than 35% of jeepney routes have no consolidated jeepneys. Central Visayas, Caraga, and Soccsksargen are the only regions that do not have routes that failed to consolidate.
Still, the government insists that there will be no transportation crisis. According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), consolidated cooperatives will be asked to operate on routes with unconsolidated jeepneys. In relation to this, drivers who will be displaced by consolidation could be absorbed by other cooperatives or corporations that will “badly need” them as they expand routes.
“We were assured by the cooperatives na sila po ay tatanggap ng mga drivers doon sa operators na hindi po nag-consolidate (that they will accept drivers from operators who were unable to consolidate),” said Office of Transportation Cooperatives Chairman Jesus Ferdinand Ortega on January 5.
The DOTr also views consolidation as an opportunity to “rationalize” routes, which means that it really doesn’t expect to keep all routes. Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said that based on the government’s study, achieving a 65% consolidation rate nationwide will be “sufficient” to carry the program forward. He explained that some routes are redundant, with shorter routes overlapping with longer ones.
“‘Yung mga naiwan, sa tingin namin, will be enough. And we will, siyempre, rationalize na ‘yung mga ruta. For example, merong isang ruta 'nyo na mahaba. May mga ruta in between. ‘Yun ‘yung mga unconsolidated, ‘yung in between, baka hindi na. Kaya, ‘yun ang mga tinitignan natin,” he said in an interview on January 5.
(Those that were left, in our view, will be enough. We will, of course, rationalize the routes. For example, there's one long route. There are routes in between. Those routes in between that were unconsolidated may be dropped. That's what we're looking at.)
In the meantime, the LTFRB also advised the public to turn to other modes of public transportation for their daily commute.
“There are still other modes of public transport in Metro Manila. We are talking of buses, other modes like taxis, TNVS (transport network vehicle services) that could also accommodate public demand,” said LTFRB NCR Regional Director Zona Tamayo in a press briefing last December 29.
The government has also gone on record numerous times to defend its controversial PUV Modernization Program, holding three press conferences about it in a week. In each one, officials underscored how the program will uplift drivers and operators and how consolidation is a necessary first step to upgrading to modern jeepneys. (READ: Anti-poor? How gov’t defends PUV modernization, why jeepney stakeholders oppose it) – Rappler.com
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Book it! Here are the PH’s top 5 most-searched travel destinations for 2024
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Steph Arnaldo
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23/01/2024 15:43
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MANILA, Philippines – How’s your 2024 travel calendar doing? Seems like both local and international travelers’ itineraries are set on the Philippines this year, as travel booking platform Agoda shared 2024’s top five “Philippines’ New Horizons” – a list of local destinations most searched by travelers year-on-year.
These emerging travel spots are “fast growing in popularity,” Agoda said, based on a “significant growth in interest” from users here and abroad. It comes as no surprise that the beautiful province of Bohol tops the list, with a 72% increase in searches just after a year. Hello Chocolate Hills, Loboc River, cave pools, and the pristine beaches of Panglao, among many other nature sights!
In May 2023, The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared Bohol Island as a Global Geopark – the first in the Philippines. This is a seal of recognition of the provincial government’s efforts to rise from the devastation of the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck Bohol on October 15, 2013.
Surigao del Norte’s Siargao Island comes in second place with a 32% increase in searches – the small, teardrop-shaped island and humble tourist haven found at the northeastern coast of Mindanao is hailed as the country’s surf paradise. It was also recognized as Time’s World Greatest Places in 2021 and among Condé Nast’s Best Islands in Asia in October 2023, alongside Boracay and Palawan; and one of the best holiday destinations of 2020 in December 2019.
In third place is Davao City with a 23% rise. Known as the “gateway to Mindanao,” Davao City is suited for travelers looking for outdoor sightseeing activities, sandy beaches like Dahican Beach and Kaputian Beach, and lush, green areas like Eden Nature Park. Try durian while you’re at it!
In fourth place is foodie haven Iloilo City, the first Philippine province that bagged a spot on UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network, representing the field of gastronomy. In fifth place is Cagayan De Oro, a city for adrenaline junkies who want to experience whitewater rafting or spelunking at Kweba de Oro, a cave with a 40-meter descent.
In November, Agoda listed Singapore, Bangkok, and Tokyo respectively as the most popular destinations of Filipino solo travelers. In December, Agoda named Iloilo City as the top “Tastiest Travel Destination” of 2023, followed by Roxas City in Capiz, Davao City, and Angeles City in Pampanga. – Steph Arnaldo/Rappler.com
Note: This article contains affiliate links. We earn a small commission every time you buy through these links.
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Meet the cast of ‘Rent’ musical in Manila
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Ysa Abad
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23/01/2024 15:47
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MANILA, Philippines – Local theater company 9 Works Theatrical unveiled the cast members for the highly-anticipated revival of hit Broadway musical Rent in the Philippines.
Based loosely on Puccini’s opera La Boheme, Jonathan Larson’s Rent follows a group of young people struggling to survive in Manhattan in the ‘90s under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.
The rock musical was nominated for 10 Tony Awards in 1996 and won four including Best Musical. It was also one of the longest-running shows on Broadway and was adapted into a film in 2005.
For its run in Manila, Anthony Rosaldo will portray Roger, a struggling musician who is HIV-positive. Meanwhile, actresses Molly Langley and Thea Astley will be alternating as Mimi, Roger’s love interest.
Ian Pangilinan and Reb Atadero will be alternating in the role of narrator Mark Cohen.
The role of his ex-girlfriend Maureen will be played alternately by Justine Peña and Jasmine Fitzgerald. Mica Fajardo and Fay Castro will play Maureen’s lawyer girlfriend Joanne.
Adrian Lindayag and Lance Reblando will be alternating for the role of Angel, a drag queen and street percussionist who is HIV-positive. His partner, Tom Collins, will be played by Garrett Bolden and Markki Stroem.
Stroem will also play Benny together with Guji Lorenzana, who will also portray the role of Mr. Johnson.
Also part of the cast are Abi Sulit (Pam), Jordan Andrews (Gordono), Misha Fabian (Ally), Chesko Rodriguez and Paul Valdez (Steve), Kai Banson (Alexi Darling), and Vyen Villanueva (Paul).
9 Works Theatrical has yet to announce the show’s final schedule and ticket prices.
9 Works Theatrical, which was also behind the local productions of American Idiot, Eto na! Musika nAPO!, and Tick, Tick… Boom!, previously staged Rent in Manila in 2010 and 2011. – Rappler.com
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Diocese of Borongan leads call to end mining in entire island of Samar
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Chito de la Vega
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23/01/2024 16:47
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NO TO MINING. Anti-mining advocates sign a large tarpaulin set up outside the Immaculate Conception Church in Guiuan as their expression of support for the call to stop mining in the entire island of Samar.
Rowel Montes/Rappler
TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines – The Diocese of Borongan led on Saturday, January 20, a prayer rally which called for the immediate end to mining in the entire island of Samar.
The rally, dubbed the Island-wide Jericho Prayer Assembly, was led by Bishop Crispin Varquez of the Diocese of Borongan and held at the Immaculate Conceptcion Church in Guiuan town, Eastern Samar province. Other dioceses in Samar – Catarman and Calbayog – and the Archdiocese of Palo in the nearby island Leyte also sent delegates to the anti-mining event.
In his homily during the Mass, Varquez urged the hundreds who attended the event to be more circumspect of what is happening with the environment and the world. “We have to think globally, act locally,” he said.
“Whatever damage done in any part of the world, it will affect us entirely. If Homonhon (island) is ruined, it will affect the whole Philippines, and the whole world because everything God created is interrelated, including humans,” Varquez said.
Varquez’s homliy also lifted from Laudato Si (Praise Be To You), the second encyclical of Pope Francis. He quoted paragraph 217: “Therefore, the ecological crisis is also a summons to profound interior conversion.”
Early last year, Varquez issued a statement calling on the government to do something to the mining operations on Homonhon Island in Eastern Samar, saying the impact of mineral extraction on people and the environment were worrying.
The diocese is “very much disturbed” by escalating mining activities on Homonhon Island in Guiuan town, Varquez said.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has issued Mineral Production Sharing Agreements in Homonhon and Manicani Islands with the following mining companies: Chromiteking, Techiron Resources, Nickelace, Verrum Terra Geoscience, Global Min-Met Resources, Emir Mineral Resources, and Hinatuan Mining.
According to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Eastern Visayas (Region 8), the four mining companies actively operating in Homonhon Island are Techiron Resources, Emir Mineral Resources, King Resources Mining, and Global Min-met Resources.
Homonhon Island is part of the municipality of Guiuan in the province of Eastern Samar. Historically, it was one of the early sites of contact between Europeans and East Asians. Homonhon Island is believed to be the first landing place of the fleet of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who led a Spanish expedition to the East Indies between 1519 and 1522.
The island has 8 barangays (villages) that have rich deposits of mineral resources such as chromite and nickel.
Carmi Macapogao of the Homonhon Environmental Advocates and Rights Defenders (HEARD) said that the prayer rally was significant for them. She said the strong support of the Catholic Church and other non-government organizations will finally get the attention of concerned government agencies to the various violations done by the mining companies.
“We join the call to stop mining operations because despite being a historical site, there is a lot to offer in eco-system services and economic opportunities where you don’t no need to disturb nature and instead we can utilize it sustainably,” Macapogao said.
She added that from the start of the mining operation, there was no proper information dissemination. The mining companies did not inform the affected communities what benefit will the residents get from these extractions, Macapogao said.
We have been experiencing every day so much dust and noise pollution due to the proximity of the mining operations to our communities. Imagine there are four mining companies actively operating 24/7 on our island of Homonhon, Macapogao told Rappler.
Macapogao also said that some of their sources of drinking water were already silted. Although there are still other sources of drinking water, especially during the dry season, the problem is during rainy days. The water is no longer safe for drinking because of too much siltation during the wet season.
Another concerned Guiuananon who also joined the prayer rally was Jaerim Sison Tumanda. He told Rappler, he was happy to attend the anti-mining event because he was an advocate for nature, as well as, being a father.
Tumanda said the issue was not just about the anti-mining and pro-mining. “It’s not about the fight between the pro- and anti-mining. Do we hate people working in the mining industry? Of course not. We do not hate them, we care for them.”
Mario Ian Mosquesa who represented the private sector at the Regional Development Council (RDC) of Eastern Visayas, and one of the hundreds of people who attended the rally, told Rappler that there was already a resolution enjoining the members of the RDC to monitor mining issues in Manicani and Homonhon. The monitoring will include other agencies and sector representatives.
“This is a very good move of the Dioceses of Samar Island so that the issue would gain ground in terms of awareness of the people and this is also important because it’s not the only mining issue in Manicani and Homonhon but practically the whole of Samar Island is a mineralized area,” Mosquesa said.
“It’s not preposterous to think that if they (mining companies) succeed here, the next level of mining operations would be in Samar Island,” Mosquesa added.
Rappler tried to get the side of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of Eastern Visayas, particularly from the heads of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB). However, an office staff explained that their directors are barred from issuing any statements and press releases unless with prior consent from the Office of the DENR Secretary.
A copy of the memorandum from the DENR secretary dated April 25, 2023, says that all bureau and regional executive directors, including the heads of provincial and community offices of the agency, are “all instructed to secure written clearance from the Office of the Secretary, through the Special Communication and Initiatives Services (SCIS) prior to releasing any statement or press release concerning the Department’s plans, programs, activities, and policies.” The memorandum is signed by Secretary Antonia Yulo Loyzaga.
The MGB, on top of being in charge of the administration and disposition of mineral lands and mineral resources of the country, is also a member of the Multipartite Monitoring Team (MMT) which, together with the EMB, the municipal and provincial LGUs, and certain people’s organizations, supposedly conducts periodic inspections of all active mining companies on whether they comply with regulations and standards as well as with existing and relevant environmental laws. – Rappler.com
Rowel Montes is an Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow for 2023-2024.
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DSWD Central Visayas Facebook page hacked
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Victor Barreiro Jr.
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23/01/2024 16:49
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The official Facebook page of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas (DSWD-7) has been taken over by hackers.
It was the first time for the account, which has around 524,000 followers, to be compromised since it was created in November 2013, DSWD 7 information officer Leah Quintana said in a text message to SunStar Cebu on Tuesday, January 23.
The DSWD 7 Facebook page still got to post updates on the distribution of food packs to 152 families displaced by a fire in Barangay Basak Pardo before the page was hacked on January 17.
Since it was hacked, the DSWD 7 Facebook page has been displaying random videos on just about everything, from tips on catching eels from a swamp, training ducks to form a heart, to pranking pet birds.
Quintana that they were already addressing the issue but did not provide details as a security precaution.
Last year, the official Facebook page of DSWD Cebu City was also taken over by hackers.
Joshua Corona, focal person for the Management Information System Services at the Department of Information and Communications Technology in Central Visayas said that activating the multi-factor authentication is a crucial measure against getting hacked on Facebook.
He said that those who manage Facebook pages should ensure that they enable multi-factor authentication for the administrators and those with roles in the page, including editors and authors.
Corona said that since most attacks target the page administrator, it is advisable for the latter to exercise discretion and avoid showcasing their administrator role on a specific social media page for an organization.
“The weakest link in cybersecurity is usually the users. Most of the time, it’s the one managing the page who gets hacked,” he said in Cebuano.
He also cited the importance of having someone dedicated to the tasks of auditing and monitoring the Facebook page, and to update passwords regularly with strong passwords to enhance security.
Corona also recommended that page administrators fully comply with the privacy checks set by Meta Platforms for Facebook. – Rappler.com
Wenilyn Sabalo is a writer for SunStar and an Aries Rufo fellow. Her outputs for the program are carried by both SunStar and Rappler.
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SCHEDULE: 2024 Dubai International Basketball Championship
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jisaga0269
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16/01/2024 14:15
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STAR POWER. Former NBA star Dwight Howard in a practice session with Strong Group.
Strong Group Athletics
Strong Group looks to complete a tournament sweep after wrecking Beirut Sports Club, 94-72, in the knockout semifinals of 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship.
But the Philippine club team, bannered by the Dwight Howard-Kevin Quiambao tandem, needs to put together another formidable outing as Strong Group faces unbeaten defending champion Al Riyadi of Lebanon in the winner-take-all title match:
A victory will be sweet redemption for Strong Group after a quarterfinal exit last year.
It will also make the team the second Philippine club to rule the tournament after Mighty Sports pulled off the feat in 2020.
Strong Group secured its spot in the final four after outlasting Moroccan squad AS Sale, 92-80, in the knockout quarterfinals of the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship.
Led by Dwight Howard and Kevin Quiambao, the Philippine club team vies to stay unbeaten for a spot in the title round. Here’s their semifinal schedule:
Lebanon’s Al Riyadi, another unbeaten squad, battles Libya’s Al Ahli Tripoli in the other semifinal match.
The winners will march to the winner-take-all championship showdown the next day.
Strong Group Athletics marched to the knockout round of the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship after completing a 5-0 sweep of the eliminations behind the solid plays of former NBA star Dwight Howard, UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao, and former Gilas Pilipinas sniper Jordan Heading.
Here’s the Philippine club team’s quarterfinal schedule:
The winner will advance to the knockout semifinal clash the next day.
Other quarterfinal duels pit the Emirates National Team versus the Beirut Club, the Al-Riyadi Club Beirut against Dubai’s Al Nasr Club, and Lebanon’s Homenetmen Club versus Dubai’s Al Wahda Club.
After weeks of high anticipation, former NBA champion and eight-time All-Star Dwight Howard is finally suiting up for the Philippines as part of Strong Group Athletics in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship tipping off on Friday, January 19.
Arguably the most decorated import in Philippine basketball history, the 38-year-old center is joined by fellow former NBA players Andray Blatche, who once suited up as Gilas Pilipinas’ former naturalized player, and defensive ace Andre Roberson, who played seven seasons for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Making up the local Filipino cast of Strong Group is another collection of stars, including reigning UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao, MPBL MVP Justine Baltazar, and UAAP champion JD Cagulangan.
Import McKenzie Moore rounds out the roster alongside locals Francis Escandor, Allen Liwag, Justine Sanchez, and Tony Ynot.
Here is the elimination round schedule for the one-week pocket tournament:
– Rappler.com
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Book it! Here are the PH’s top 5 most-searched travel destinations for 2024
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Steph Arnaldo
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23/01/2024 15:43
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MANILA, Philippines – How’s your 2024 travel calendar doing? Seems like both local and international travelers’ itineraries are set on the Philippines this year, as travel booking platform Agoda shared 2024’s top five “Philippines’ New Horizons” – a list of local destinations most searched by travelers year-on-year.
These emerging travel spots are “fast growing in popularity,” Agoda said, based on a “significant growth in interest” from users here and abroad. It comes as no surprise that the beautiful province of Bohol tops the list, with a 72% increase in searches just after a year. Hello Chocolate Hills, Loboc River, cave pools, and the pristine beaches of Panglao, among many other nature sights!
In May 2023, The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared Bohol Island as a Global Geopark – the first in the Philippines. This is a seal of recognition of the provincial government’s efforts to rise from the devastation of the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck Bohol on October 15, 2013.
Surigao del Norte’s Siargao Island comes in second place with a 32% increase in searches – the small, teardrop-shaped island and humble tourist haven found at the northeastern coast of Mindanao is hailed as the country’s surf paradise. It was also recognized as Time’s World Greatest Places in 2021 and among Condé Nast’s Best Islands in Asia in October 2023, alongside Boracay and Palawan; and one of the best holiday destinations of 2020 in December 2019.
In third place is Davao City with a 23% rise. Known as the “gateway to Mindanao,” Davao City is suited for travelers looking for outdoor sightseeing activities, sandy beaches like Dahican Beach and Kaputian Beach, and lush, green areas like Eden Nature Park. Try durian while you’re at it!
In fourth place is foodie haven Iloilo City, the first Philippine province that bagged a spot on UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network, representing the field of gastronomy. In fifth place is Cagayan De Oro, a city for adrenaline junkies who want to experience whitewater rafting or spelunking at Kweba de Oro, a cave with a 40-meter descent.
In November, Agoda listed Singapore, Bangkok, and Tokyo respectively as the most popular destinations of Filipino solo travelers. In December, Agoda named Iloilo City as the top “Tastiest Travel Destination” of 2023, followed by Roxas City in Capiz, Davao City, and Angeles City in Pampanga. – Steph Arnaldo/Rappler.com
Note: This article contains affiliate links. We earn a small commission every time you buy through these links.
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The Black Beauty Boys are back, bag P1-M cash prize at 2024 Ati-Atihan
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Marguerite de Leon
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23/01/2024 15:36
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CHAMPS. The Black Beauty Boys was declared a champion in this year's ati-atihan fest.
KAFEB
AKLAN, Philippines – The Black Beauty Boys, a modern tribal group known for their Ati-Atihan street performances, are back on top, bagging the championship crown in 2024 after their second-place finish in 2023.
They were proclaimed the best group among all the Ati-Atihan performers on Sunday January 21, at the culmination of the Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-Atihan Festival. The group, which hails from Barangay Linabuan Norte in Aklan, received a cash prize of P1 million.
Kalibo Mayor Juris Bautista-Sucro introduced the P1 million grand prize in 2023, with The Vikings from Makato, Aklan touted then as the champions, followed by the Black Beauty Boys in second place.
Aside from the P1 million cash prize, the Black Beauty Boys also received special awards worth P5,000 each – Most Disciplined, Best in Beats and Sound, Best in Headdress, and Best in Costume.
This year’s second place went to Tribu Linabuanon, followed by last year’s champs The Vikings, then the Pride of Libtong, then the Pangawasan Tribe, then The Maharlika Tribe, then Tribu Alibangbang, and finally Tribu Waswas.
Black Beauty Boys leader Lucas Francisco said they got emotional after hearing them declared as champs. He considered the win a blessing from the Sto. Nino, the Catholic figure to which the festival is dedicated.
“We strived hard to win although [we were] cash-strapped. All of our participants were volunteers. I keep on asking our members to be determined, have faith, and sacrifice. We will use the cash reward as cash incentives [for] all of our sacrifices,” he said to local reporters.
Kalibo Mayor Juris Bautista-Sucro said during the awarding ceremony that he will be raising the grand prize to P1.2 million in cash in 2025. The prize will be funded personally by Sucro.
According to the Kalibo Ati-atihan Festival Board (KAFEB), the local government had allocated some P2.93 million for the 35 participating performers in 2024.
Meanwhile, a brawl between two Ati-Atihan drum and lyre groups, The Lagalag Boys and The Bayangan Band, occurred on Wednesday, January 24. The incident was captured by netizens and posted on social media.
Through these posts, the Kalibo police were able to identify the two suspects behind the brawl. Kalibo Police Chief Lieutenant Colonel Ricky Bontogon said the suspects were charged with alarm and scandal at the Provincial Prosecutors Office.
Mayor Sucro also issued an executive order banning the The Lagalag Boys and The Bayangan Band from participating in the rest of the festivities. – Rappler.com
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Here’s what you need to know about CongressTV
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Kaycee
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23/01/2024 16:54
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House of Representatives handout
MANILA, Philippines – It’s like “reality TV” but you’re watching lawmakers craft laws and debate over proposed bills in real time.
The House of Representatives, in partnership with state-run People’s Television Network (PTV), launched CongressTV, which will air the lower chamber’s committee and plenary sessions from 9 am to 9 pm daily. This means House proceedings can be accessed through free television as well, on top of livestreams on Facebook and Youtube.
Lawmakers on Monday, January 22, touted this as their way of being more transparent with the public after supposedly receiving criticism last year.
“CongressTV is our commitment to ensuring that no Filipino is left in the dark, that every citizen is afforded a front-row seat to the legislative process,” House Speaker Martin Romualdez said. (READ: FACT CHECK: Romualdez not replaced as House Speaker)
ACT-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo, who also sits as House majority leader, said giving greater public access to House proceedings would help keep elected lawmakers accountable to their constituents, especially now that some are up for reelection in 2025.
“Ito po ‘yung opportunity para makita ng mga kababayan natin wherever they are, kung ano ‘yung ginagawa ng kanilang representative – kung nagtatrabaho ba sa Congress o walang ginagawa,” Tulfo said.
(This is an opportunity for our countrymen wherever they are to see what their representatives are doing – if they are working in Congress or if they are not doing anything.)
The public can tune in to CongressTV through Channel 14-PTV Digital Channel. PTV General Manager Ana Puod said they decided to host the program because the network has multiple channels under its frequency that does not air anything aside from replays from “many, many years ago.”
“Ako po ay nag-suggest na kung maaari ay baguhin namin ‘yung laman para ‘yung magiging bagong laman po ay makakatulong na sa pamahalaan [at] baka maging source pa ng income at mag-rate,” Puod said in a press conference on Monday.
(I suggested that we change its programs so that this can also help the government and it might also be a source of income and might even compete through ratings.)
CongressTV can also be accessed through Channel 46 via GMA Affordabox and Channel 2 on ABS-CBN TVPlus.
CongressTV was inspired by the United States’ C-SPAN, which also airs proceedings in both houses of the US Congress.
According to C-SPAN’s website, among their goals is to “provide elected and appointed officials and others who would influence public policy a direct conduit to the audience without filtering or otherwise distorting their points of view.” C-SPAN airs sessions live and without commentary.
“‘Noong ako po ay na-appoint ng June, few weeks after, sinulatan ko si Speaker Martin Romualdez at ako po ay nag-propose na gayahin na natin ‘yung C-SPAN na meron po sa abroad para magkaroon po ‘yung Pilipinas, ‘yung gobyerno natin ng similar na channel,” Puod said.
(When I was appointed in June, a few weeks after, I wrote to Speaker Martin Romualdez and I proposed that we do something like C-SPAN so that the Philippines and our government can have a similar channel.)
Puod said it took a few months before she received a response.
While lawmakers are the “stars” of the channel, production and editorial control for CongressTV remain with PTV.
“Maybe they can suggest content they think would be good but, at the end of the day, it’s PTV who is going to decide what’s going to air because CongressTV, although named CongressTV, is the property of PTV,” Puod explained in a mix of English and Filipino.
Without giving specifics, Puod said CongressTV will not be a burden on the state network’s financials.
“‘Yung transmission kasi namin is via RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol) or may mga technology kaming ginagamit na hindi magiging very expensive for us to produce this,” Puod said.
(Our transmission is via RTMP or we use certain technology that will allow us to produce this without getting very expensive for us.
While CongressTV is not yet ad-supported, commercials from “private organizations or government agencies” will be welcome. Advertising revenue will be collected by PTV.
A congressman’s exposure on live TV will depend on how they work at the lower chamber.
The launch of CongressTV comes a year before the 2025 midterm polls, when all seats in the lower chamber are up for grabs.
Puod clarified that since PTV will be airing live whatever is happening during session, it is up to lawmakers to perform and do their duty. – Rappler.com
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[OPINION] Senators won’t Cha-Cha with Zubiri?
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Glenda Gloria
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23/01/2024 14:08
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Since 1997, when the first attempt was made to revise the Constitution, the Senate has stood like an immovable slab of concrete blocking all initiatives by charter revisionists.
The stubborn defiance has earned for the Senate the admiration of public intellectuals who regard the Constitution as sacred text and sectors who discern the selfish designs behind charter change, or Cha-Cha.
Yet we have to concede that the senators’ obstinacy has been driven mainly by self-preservation.
Emasculating the Senate seems to be a recurring obsession among members of the House, where most Cha-Cha efforts have started. Reducing the senators’ six-year term of office has been a recurring resolution, intended, in the view of observers, to weaken the potency of the Senate’s institutional independence and dampen their predisposition to act as gadflies to a sitting president.
But the Senate that has said “no” to Cha-Cha for decades and through several administrations is now willing to dance.
Why did the Senate yield? According to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, this time the Senate will take the lead, or rather, has been asked by the President himself to take the lead, in amending the Constitution’s economic provisions.
In Zubiri’s ballroom, the once inflexible Senate will now show the House how to do the Cha-Cha. Not through People’s Initiative, which the President, according to Zubiri, has described as divisive, but through a Constituent Assembly where both chambers will vote separately.
To underscore his earnest dedication to Cha-Cha, Zubiri initially said the hearings would be led by veteran Senator Sonny Angara, head of the finance committee, rather than the neophyte Robin Padilla, chair of the constitutional amendments committee whose knowledge of the Constitution is as deep as a puddle.
But after a caucus that lasted, according to media reports, for more than three hours, the senators decided to transfer the responsibility to Padilla without offering an explanation. The former action star, surly and predisposed to shaming resource persons smarter than him, will now be charged with presiding over committee hearings on allowing foreign ownership in educational institutions, public utilities, and the advertising industry. (READ: Padilla first non-lawyer to head Senate charter change panel since 1986)
The scope of these amendments would call for the erudite inputs of constitution experts, business leaders, and economic thinkers. Smart people, in short.
According to Zubiri, these three provisions were vetted by the President in a meeting with him and Speaker Martin Romualdez before the Speaker flew to Davos, Switzerland, as the President’s representative to the annual elite smooch fest.
The turnaround in committee assignments, however, could be seen as a slap on the wrist from his fellow senators. Zubiri may have overstepped when he eagerly accepted the President’s request without consulting the other senators, breaking the time-honored norm of collegiality.
But the trigger for the President’s request, the supposedly divisive signature drive to amend the charter, has shown no signs of slowing down.
By this week the so-called people’s initiative is expected to garner the signatures of 12% of voters nationwide, the threshold set by the Constitution. Albay Representative Joey Salceda sees ratification by July, in time for the President’s State of the Nation Address.
Why the persistence? It’s all about the numbers. The proposed amendment in the signature drive, that the two chambers vote as one instead of separately on charter amendments, gives the House the numerical advantage.
If the amendment is ratified, the House representatives can outvote the senators on any provision. They can expand the scope of the amendments to include other economic provisions. They can even introduce amendments to political provisions, such as term extensions for the President and themselves, and shorter terms for senators.
Malacañang could act shocked, wag its finger at the House, and then accept the amendments as an expression of democracy.
Of course, all of that is in the realm of conjecture. But stranger things have happened in politics in the last two years, as if we need reminding.
The signature campaign’s timetable, however, can be derailed by a legal challenge before the Supreme Court. The High Court is entitled to change its mind, although Cha-Cha opponents are certain that it won’t. But like I said, stranger things have happened.
That is where the Senate comes in. After all, three economic provisions are better than nothing. But with the smart-shaming Padilla helming the discussions, it would be tough attracting a half-decent roster of resource persons. The amendments could die from intellectual asphyxiation.
So is the Senate’s consent a Plan B for charter change, or was it all a ruse to buy time for the signature drive and dampen the senators’ opposition to charter amendments? The harder question: Was Zubiri set up? We hope not.
Regardless, the President seems poised to accomplish this year, July at the earliest, what no other post-EDSA president has done. He would have amended the Constitution with only token resistance from senators. And all he had to do was ask nicely. – Rappler.com
Joey Salgado is a former journalist, and a government and political communications practitioner. He served as spokesperson for former Vice President Jejomar Binay.
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Cha-cha will more likely continue and succeed. Plan A is the Signature Campaign and Plebiscite, Plan B is the Constituent Assembly – Senate Version, and Plan C is the Constituent Assembly – House Version. Secondly, a “magical insertion” is sure to happen: term extensions. Senator Padilla will continue doing and enjoying his smart shaming. The Duterte Political Dynasty is busy acting as its Opposition. Senator Zubiri, Speaker Romualdez, and President Marcos Jr. will continue feigning ignorance at the right time. This is an intellectually asphyxiating yet also intellectually engaging Political Exercise.
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Tim Cone philosophy on assembling PH teams unchanged: Get the best players
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delfin.dioquino editor
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21/01/2024 17:09
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MASTERMIND. Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone reacts during a game in the 19th Asian Games.
Marko Djurica/REUTERS
MANILA, Philippines – If Gilas Pilipinas intends to compete with the rest of the world, it needs the best players in the country to suit up.
That is the way Tim Cone sees it as he weighed in on the future of the national team after admitting he has been in talks with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to coach the squad.
Cone called the shots for one of the most stacked Philippine crews in history when he guided the 1998 Centennial Team that featured the likes of Alvin Patrimonio, Allan Caidic, and Johnny Abarrientos to an Asian Games bronze.
Nearly three decades later, his philosophy of putting together a national team remains unchanged.
“I’ve always firmly believed from back in 1998 when I coached there that you got to go out and get the best players in the country to represent you if you want to have a chance against the Europeans and the Americas or even teams like China, Lebanon, Iran, Australia,” said Cone.
“You can’t go with lesser teams and expect to beat those guys. Can you? Is that a fair expectation? Is that a reasonable expectation? You bring your 12 best players, that’s a reasonable expectation.”
Cone, though, knows it is easier said than done.
After all, national team players are scattered all over Asia, with a bunch of them signed to clubs in the Japan B. League and Korean Basketball League.
Others are still in college like reigning UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao.
“You got to figure out a way to get the stakeholders to allow you to get the best players in the country, including the PBA, Japan, and Korea, and allow them to give you the time to work with these guys,” said the 66-year-old mentor.
“It’s not a simple thing.”
Cone said the SBP can also go a different route by assembling a squad of young players and allowing them to develop as a team for years.
But that option comes with considerable challenges.
“Two things with that in my mind, you’re not sending your best players, because they won’t be your best players. Number two, can you keep young guys together for a long time?” said Cone.
“We’ve proven over and over again that young guys want to grow and do other things. It’s hard to keep a team together for four, five years to get them to reach their full potential.”
Although he has his own way of thinking, Cone left it to the SBP to decide which path the national team will take.
“They are the ones making the decisions, not me.”
Cone, who holds a record 25 PBA championships, became a frontrunner for the coaching post after steering the Philippines last year to its first title in Asian Games basketball since 1962.
With him at the helm, the Philippines dethroned China with a miraculous win in the semifinals and overcame erstwhile unbeaten Jordan in the championship game in the continental games in Hangzhou, China.
Gilas Pilipinas returns to action next month for the opening window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, where the Nationals will face Hong Kong in an away game on February 22 and will host Chinese Taipei on February 25. – Rappler.com
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The Black Beauty Boys are back, bag P1-M cash prize at 2024 Ati-Atihan
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Marguerite de Leon
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23/01/2024 15:36
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CHAMPS. The Black Beauty Boys was declared a champion in this year's ati-atihan fest.
KAFEB
AKLAN, Philippines – The Black Beauty Boys, a modern tribal group known for their Ati-Atihan street performances, are back on top, bagging the championship crown in 2024 after their second-place finish in 2023.
They were proclaimed the best group among all the Ati-Atihan performers on Sunday January 21, at the culmination of the Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-Atihan Festival. The group, which hails from Barangay Linabuan Norte in Aklan, received a cash prize of P1 million.
Kalibo Mayor Juris Bautista-Sucro introduced the P1 million grand prize in 2023, with The Vikings from Makato, Aklan touted then as the champions, followed by the Black Beauty Boys in second place.
Aside from the P1 million cash prize, the Black Beauty Boys also received special awards worth P5,000 each – Most Disciplined, Best in Beats and Sound, Best in Headdress, and Best in Costume.
This year’s second place went to Tribu Linabuanon, followed by last year’s champs The Vikings, then the Pride of Libtong, then the Pangawasan Tribe, then The Maharlika Tribe, then Tribu Alibangbang, and finally Tribu Waswas.
Black Beauty Boys leader Lucas Francisco said they got emotional after hearing them declared as champs. He considered the win a blessing from the Sto. Nino, the Catholic figure to which the festival is dedicated.
“We strived hard to win although [we were] cash-strapped. All of our participants were volunteers. I keep on asking our members to be determined, have faith, and sacrifice. We will use the cash reward as cash incentives [for] all of our sacrifices,” he said to local reporters.
Kalibo Mayor Juris Bautista-Sucro said during the awarding ceremony that he will be raising the grand prize to P1.2 million in cash in 2025. The prize will be funded personally by Sucro.
According to the Kalibo Ati-atihan Festival Board (KAFEB), the local government had allocated some P2.93 million for the 35 participating performers in 2024.
Meanwhile, a brawl between two Ati-Atihan drum and lyre groups, The Lagalag Boys and The Bayangan Band, occurred on Wednesday, January 24. The incident was captured by netizens and posted on social media.
Through these posts, the Kalibo police were able to identify the two suspects behind the brawl. Kalibo Police Chief Lieutenant Colonel Ricky Bontogon said the suspects were charged with alarm and scandal at the Provincial Prosecutors Office.
Mayor Sucro also issued an executive order banning the The Lagalag Boys and The Bayangan Band from participating in the rest of the festivities. – Rappler.com
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TNT fends off 2 tournament ousters in a week as KBL’s Anyang visits PH for EASL
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jisaga0269
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21/01/2024 15:44
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SCORING LEADER. Roger Pogoy topscores for TNT in its Game 1 win over San Miguel.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – The TNT Tropang Giga are not playing winning basketball as of late.
Plagued by import woes and general inconsistency throughout the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Manny V. Pangilinan’s flagship franchise limped to the quarterfinals with a 5-6 record as the eighth and final seed before promptly bowing out to top-ranked Magnolia off a 94-109 blowout last Wednesday, January 17.
TNT, however, still has somewhat of a redemption chance lined up just seven days from that ouster on January 24 as the East Asia Super League (EASL) resumes with the Korean Basketball League’s (KBL) Anyang Jung Kwan Jang taking on the Tropang Giga on their home turf at the PhilSports Arena.
With the Red Boosters’ import Rhenz Abando still out of commission due to a harrowing spinal injury, TNT will likely have a better fighting chance as the Gilas Pilipinas high-flyer’s 9.5 points per game average and intangible energy will definitely be missed by Anyang at some point in its next encounter.
The Tropang Giga will definitely need every advantage they can get as they are facing elimination at the Red Boosters’ hands.
Anyang, in turn, is also keen on evading a lower-rank logjam and clinching an outright Final Four berth as it only holds a 2-2 record.
“We’re preparing for all scenarios and making sure we respect the talent that Anyang brings to the court,” said TNT team manager Jojo Lastimosa, who has also noted that reinstated head coach Chot Reyes will not yet be making his sideline return.
TNT will once again rely on import Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson as his brother Rondae, although allowed to play under EASL’s two-import limit, is still on the mend from a neck injury he suffered against Taiwan P.League+ squad Taipei Fubon last December 20.
The Tropang Giga will also have the likes of Calvin Oftana, returning star Roger Pogoy, surging rookie Kim Aurin, and other young and old standouts shoring up their local cast.
Meanwhile, Anyang, in Abando’s absence, will lean on imports Omari Spellman and Darryl Monroe, while locals such as Ji Hoon Park and Sung-Won Choi are also on top of opponents’ scouting reports.
“We expect them (Red Boosters) to come out aggressively as they also have a lot at stake in this match,” added Lastimosa, who is giving up the head coaching reins for now to deputy Josh Reyes.
With a win, TNT will still not have its fate back in its hands as it also needs Anyang to lose its final regular season assignment against Taipei Fubon to forge a three-way tie at second place and trigger tiebreaker rules. – Rappler.com
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Sara Duterte says she will run in next election
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jsitchon0312
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23/01/2024 14:59
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BUDGET. Vice President Sara Duterte attends the House of Representatives' deliberations on the proposed 2024 budget of the Office of the Vice President, on September 27, 2023.
Rappler
CEBU, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte announced her campaign bid for the next election on Monday, January 22, but did not specify for which post.
Duterte said in her speech at Barangay Bago Gallera, Davao City, that she heard her brothers Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte and Congressman Paolo Duterte say they will not be seeking another term.
“Basin dili sila mudagan sa sunod nga eleksyon so mao na naa ko dinhi sa inyoha para mangampanya kay mudagan ko sa sunod nga eleksyon,” Duterte said.
(They might not run in the next election so that’s why I’m here to campaign because I will be running for the next election.)
The Vice President, however, has not yet confirmed which particular position she will be running for.
The next election is the senatorial race in 2025. If she chooses to run in 2025, she will be cutting short her term, which is supposed to end in 2028.
Rappler has reached out to the Office of the Vice President for clarification on the matter but has yet to receive any reply. We will update this story once we get a response.
Her pronouncement calls to mind past declarations made by her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, about running for president in 2016. After repeated denials and even filing a certificate of candidacy for Davao City mayor, he withdrew that COC on November 27, 2015, and filed his candidacy for president on the same day. Sara Duterte then ran for mayor as substitute candidate of her father.
Based on the results of the Pulse Asia survey released on January 8, Duterte’s trust rating stood at 78% between September 2023 and December 2023, maintaining the seat of the “most trusted government official”.
Recently, the Vice President either expressed reservations or spoke against moves associated with the administration, such as the reboot of peace talks with communist rebels, and the people’s initiative route to amend the 1987 Constitution.
She also eventually withdrew her bid for P650 million in confidential funds in 2024 after Congress denied her request.
In an exclusive interview with GMA News anchor Pia Arcangel on Tuesday, January 23, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he hasn’t talked to his veep about her plans for 2025.
“I think she’s also testing the waters to see what the reaction will be,” he added. – with reports from Dwight de Leon/Rappler.com
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Is it true that the Duterte brothers will no longer run in the coming elections? Can VP Sara Duterte be trusted? It has to be proven after the deadline for filing of candidacy. The Duterte Political Dynasty is known for flip-flopping, especially former President Digong Duterte.
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2 Ukrainians, Filipino woman accuse Quiboloy of sexual abuse at Senate hearing
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Mia Gonzalez
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23/01/2024 11:04
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SENATE HEARING. 'Amanda' restifies at the hearing presided by Senator Risa Hontiveros on the alleged abuses in the Davao-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) on January 23, 2024.
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – Two Ukrainian women, both former members of the Davao-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), have come forward, alleging that they were sexually abused by controversial doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy.
In video recordings played at the beginning of an investigation into KOJC’s activities and alleged abuses by the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality on Tuesday, January 23, the women identified only as Sofia and Nina, claimed that they were raped by Quiboloy while serving as his “pastorals.”
In the KOJC, pastorals are women who serve as close aides of Quiboloy, with some allegedly being turned into “spiritual wives.” (READ: Quiboloy sexually abused women, minors – ex-followers, US prosecutors)
A Filipino, identified only as “Amanda,” also testified about how the preacher allegedly raped her when she was still a minor.
They all claimed that Quiboloy made them think that they were sacrificing their bodies to God.
Quiboloy, who is on the US’ most wanted list, is among the 40 individuals and entities across nine countries that had been sanctioned by the US government in connection to corruption and human rights abuses. – Rappler.com
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Pastor Quiboloy’s persuasive power seems “God-given” as he was able to fool these children or women to sacrifice their bodies to “God.” It will be interesting to watch if such “power” can also persuade the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality not to continue its investigation of Pastor Quiboloy.
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Cash in exchange for Cha-Cha signatures? ‘Wala namang ganoon,’ says Marcos
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Dwight de Leon
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23/01/2024 13:51
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PHILIPPINE LEADER. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers a departure speech as he heads to Tokyo for the Commemorative Summit on the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in December 2023.
PCO
MANILA, Philippines – In his first public statement on charter change since the push for a people’s initiative came to light, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. brushed aside allegations of bribery in exchange for signatures.
“Kapag binayaran iyong signature, hindi tatanggapin ng Comelec iyon. Pero sa pagkakaalam ko, wala namang ganoon (If you paid for the signature, the Commission on Elections won’t accept it. But as far as I know, a scheme like that does not exist),” Marcos said in an ambush interview on Tuesday, January 23, when asked about the “vote-buying” allegations in relation to the campaign to amend the Constitution.
He said he was aware of reports that government benefits were being promised to people who would provide their signatures to the charter change campaign, and added that he sought clarity from the legislative branch.
“Sabi ko totoo ba iyan? Hindi naman nagbago iyong mga release namin e, constant pa rin. Sabi ko, the other things para hindi tayo pagdudahan, stop muna natin iyong pagrelease ng mga benepisyo. E hindi naman maganda rin iyon dahil may mga nangangailangan talaga,” he shared with reporters.
(I asked, is it true? Our releases did not change, and are still constant. I suggested that to avoid suspicion, let’s stop the release of benefits for the meantime. But that’s also not good because there are people who are really in need.)
“So we will just let Comelec do their job, do their work, and to validate the signatures, and if there’s suspicion, at may mga ganoon nga, hindi talaga mabibilang ang mga signature na iyon (and something like that happened, those will not be counted),” he added.
It is unclear what benefits the President referred to, although some lawmakers alleged that the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), a government subsidy program, is being weaponized in order to obtain signatures.
Albay 1st District Representative Edcel Lagman also previously alleged that voters in his province were being bribed in exchange for their signatures, but his fellow lawmakers in the region denied this.
Vice President Sara Duterte also earlier alleged “vote-buying” for charter change, calling it a “Pera kapalit ng pirma para sa People’s Initiative (Money in exchange for signatures for people’s initiative), and claimed this was happening in her hometown, Davao City, and in other parts of the country.
The President has yet to make a categorical stance on charter change, although he appears to have changed his tune recently, from once shutting down the idea, to saying that the administration is studying the merits of amendments on economic provisions of the Constitution.
The House of Representatives under Speaker Martin Romualdez’s leadership has been pushing for charter change since last year.
In March 2023, the House passed a bill on charter change via the expensive formation of a constitutional convention, but the proposal languished in the Senate.
In December of the same year, Romualdez unveiled the House’s plan to embark on a people’s initiative to break a procedural impasse between the House and the Senate.
In early January, signature documents began circulating nationwide, seeking to amend the Constitution to allow the House and the Senate to vote as one when a motion to form a constituent assembly is called.
In that scenario, the House can force the Senate’s hand, as the 24-member Senate is essentially outnumbered by the 300-plus-member House.
Under this method, 3% of voters in every legislative district of the Philippines, and 12% of the national voting population, must sign a petition in favor of an amendment in the 1987 Constitution.
As of Tuesday, the Comelec has received signature documents from some 900 out of over 1,600 cities and municipalities across the country.
A supposed timetable leaked by Kabataan, and confirmed by House ways and means chairperson Joey Salceda, revealed that the lower chamber is eyeing to have a charter change-related plebiscite before the President’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July. – Rappler.com
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Of course, President Marcos Jr. can feign ignorance on the matter. This is also true of Speaker Martin Romualdez. For the time being, it seems that only Representative Lagman and VP Sara Duterte are speaking the truth, but, unfortunately, they did not present their supporting pieces of evidence and file the appropriate complaint at the COMELEC. So it all ends up as Who is really telling the Truth?
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Sara Duterte says she will run in next election
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jsitchon0312
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23/01/2024 14:59
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BUDGET. Vice President Sara Duterte attends the House of Representatives' deliberations on the proposed 2024 budget of the Office of the Vice President, on September 27, 2023.
Rappler
CEBU, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte announced her campaign bid for the next election on Monday, January 22, but did not specify for which post.
Duterte said in her speech at Barangay Bago Gallera, Davao City, that she heard her brothers Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte and Congressman Paolo Duterte say they will not be seeking another term.
“Basin dili sila mudagan sa sunod nga eleksyon so mao na naa ko dinhi sa inyoha para mangampanya kay mudagan ko sa sunod nga eleksyon,” Duterte said.
(They might not run in the next election so that’s why I’m here to campaign because I will be running for the next election.)
The Vice President, however, has not yet confirmed which particular position she will be running for.
The next election is the senatorial race in 2025. If she chooses to run in 2025, she will be cutting short her term, which is supposed to end in 2028.
Rappler has reached out to the Office of the Vice President for clarification on the matter but has yet to receive any reply. We will update this story once we get a response.
Her pronouncement calls to mind past declarations made by her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, about running for president in 2016. After repeated denials and even filing a certificate of candidacy for Davao City mayor, he withdrew that COC on November 27, 2015, and filed his candidacy for president on the same day. Sara Duterte then ran for mayor as substitute candidate of her father.
Based on the results of the Pulse Asia survey released on January 8, Duterte’s trust rating stood at 78% between September 2023 and December 2023, maintaining the seat of the “most trusted government official”.
Recently, the Vice President either expressed reservations or spoke against moves associated with the administration, such as the reboot of peace talks with communist rebels, and the people’s initiative route to amend the 1987 Constitution.
She also eventually withdrew her bid for P650 million in confidential funds in 2024 after Congress denied her request.
In an exclusive interview with GMA News anchor Pia Arcangel on Tuesday, January 23, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he hasn’t talked to his veep about her plans for 2025.
“I think she’s also testing the waters to see what the reaction will be,” he added. – with reports from Dwight de Leon/Rappler.com
Error.
Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines.
Is it true that the Duterte brothers will no longer run in the coming elections? Can VP Sara Duterte be trusted? It has to be proven after the deadline for filing of candidacy. The Duterte Political Dynasty is known for flip-flopping, especially former President Digong Duterte.
How does this make you feel?
|
Rappler
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https://www.rappler.com/philippines/sara-duterte-to-run-next-election/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3gGVC-uBrh4Mv2qgwGMV4inufGEp64xqJWq_inMBBqSuBRr1s7N1LCKvQ_aem_p84AHLrgOkQyFAILBePgJA
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Senate panel orders subpoena for Quiboloy in abuse allegations hearing
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Herbie G
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23/01/2024 13:57
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RISA HONTIVEROS. Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, presides over the Senate inquiry on the reported cases of Apollo Quiboloy, leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, at the senate in Pasay City on January 23.
Angie de Silva/Rappler
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality ordered controversial doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy to be subpoenaed after he failed to show up during its hearing on the alleged abuses committed by the Davao-based pastor and his church, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC).
“Kayo, pastor, ang dapat humarap sa susunod na pagdinig because you are being subpoenaed by this committee,” said the committee chair, Senator Risa Hontiveros, in her closing statement, which she addressed to Quiboloy on Tuesday, January 23.
(You, pastor, should appear at the next hearing because you are being subpoenaed by this committee.)
“Hindi po kayo anak ng Diyos na exempt sa otoridad ng estado,” she added. (You are not a son of God who is exempt from the authority of the state.)
The decision to subpoena Quiboloy, who styles himself as the “appointed son of God,” came after former workers of the KOJC and an American who helped some of his alleged victims testified against the preacher and his group during the hearing.
Two Ukrainians and a Filipino woman alleged Quiboloy subjected them to sexual abuses on separate occasions in the guise of a body sacrifice to God.
Two other former workers also accused Quiboloy of subjecting them to fraternity-like hazing and of squeezing them dry financially.
Hontiveros expressed disappointment in Quiboloy, stating that she sees his non-appearance as a disrespect to a government institution.
“Kawalan ng galang sa buong institusyon ng Senado ang inyong pagtangging humarap,” she said. (Your refusal to appear is a lack of respect for the entire Senate institution.)
Hontiveros said the subpoena will be the committee’s third attempt to ask Quiboloy to face the committee and answer the accusations leveled at him and the KOJC by his former followers.
The committee earlier sent two invitations to Quiboloy, one via registered mail and another through the private courier company LBC Express Incorporated.
Hontiveros said Quiboloy responded by sending a letter addressed to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri. She did not disclose the contents of the letter.
Hontiveros pointed out that even the Supreme Court (SC) cannot stop Senate inquiries and the requirement for individuals to attend, emphasizing its constitutional authority in conducting such investigations.
She also addressed Quiboloy’s claim of having influential friends, asserting that regardless of any connections, he, like any ordinary witness, can only invoke the right against self-incrimination when faced with potentially incriminating questions.
Earlier during the hearing, the committee showed a video clip of Quiboloy threatening to go after his social media critics and former followers, boasting about his connections with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). The Davao-based preacher is known for his close associations with former president Rodrigo Duterte, whom he served as “spiritual adviser.”
“Sinasabi niyo, pastor, mang marami kayong makapangyarihang kaibigan. But, ‘like any ordinary witness,’ you, of course, can invoke the right against self-incrimination only when and as the [possibly] incriminating question is propounded,” she said.
(You claim, pastor, that you have many influential friends. However, just like any ordinary witness, you can only use the right against self-incrimination when faced with a question that might incriminate you.)
Hontiveros said the Senate committee investigation is not into religious persecution, and stressed that senators were looking into the use of faith or religious conviction to commit heinous abuses and inflict harm on people whose beliefs have been distorted, whose strength has been taken away, and who have been exploited. – Rappler.com
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This is a test of the authority of the State, in particular that of the Senate, if it can persuade the self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” to attend its hearing.
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Vigan to use ‘passport’ for mass tranvia
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gdecastro0289
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23/01/2024 14:53
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TOURISM. The Vigan passport will be used for the heritage city's planned mass tranvia.
Mau Victa
VIGAN CITY, Philippines – Vigan City is one of the few tourist cities with its own “passport.” Around 2,000 were already issued for the smaller-than-passport-size 52-page booklet which also has a history, tourist guide, emergency numbers, and QR code.
But the Vigan passport will not be just a tourism gimmick.
Soon, Vigan will unveil a mass tranvia that will service not only the city but its four neighboring towns, and the Vigan passport will be stamped when visiting key tourist sites.
Vigan Mayor Jose Bonito Singson Jr. said the tranvia will be designed like the tranvia which was the streetcar system plying Manila during the early part of the 20th century.
Mayor Singson, more known here as “Bonito,” said the tranvia will service not only Vigan but also the towns of Sta. Catalina, San Vicente, Cauayan and Bantay towns. Its main terminal will be at the major parking loading area at the city market.
He said it will become another tourist attraction for this heritage city which was inscribed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1999 for being a well-preserved example of a Spanish colonial town in Asia with influences from China and other trading partners.
Bonito said that unlike the tranvia of old, it will do away with its electric wires from above as it will be using rechargeable batteries.
He said they will initially employ six sets of coach trains for the system.
Bonito said that it also will spur economic growth for the city and the four other municipalities.
There will be a different fare system for the residents of these places compared to tourists, and preloaded cards will be used.
He also said that Vigan passport holders will also be given discounts. – Rappler.com
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NTC orders stop to SMNI operations
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Victor Barreiro Jr.
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23/01/2024 12:31
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MANILA, Philippines – The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued an order dated January 18 but made public on Tuesday, January 23, directing Swara Sug Media Corporation, the business behind Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), to cease the operations of its radio and television stations until the hearing and final considerations regarding its administrative case pending before the NTC are completed.
SMNI is facing an administrative case over supposed violations of its franchise.
SMNI operations were ordered suspended for 30 days last December after its two shows were temporarily ordered off air for 14 days by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) – orders that Swara Sug allegedly did not “strictly comply” with, prompting the NTC to issue the new cease-and-desist order.
The NTC directed Swara Sug to explain in writing within 15 days from receipt of the January 18 order why it failed to strictly comply with the initial 30-day suspension order.
SMNI lawyer Mark Tolentino in an ANC interview said the NTC order is “in grave violation” of the Philippine Constitution, saying that “any decision or ruling [of] any government agencies that affects freedom of press or freedom of expression are presumed unconstitutional, so therefore the NTC ruling [is] presumed unconstitutional.”
Tolentino also denied that SMNI failed to respond to the show-cause and cease-and-desist orders from the NTC, and they followed proper legal proceedings. He also denied that SMNI continued to operate in spite of the December suspension order, and asserted that they complied. – Rappler.com
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I appreciate NTC for doing its job. I hope that it will evaluate the written explanation of Swara Sug correctly, fairly, and rightfully.
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FACT CHECK: China has not declared war on PH
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Lorenz Pasion
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23/01/2024 14:19
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Claim: The Philippine military is preparing for battle after China declared war on the Philippines.
Why we fact-checked this: The claim was made in the thumbnail and title of a YouTube video posted on January 17, which has gained 87,834 views, 1,800 likes, and 457 comments as of writing.
The video’s title reads: “Militar dumating lahat sa Manila! PBBM nagulat sa China! Gyegyerahin na dito! Humanda ang lahat!”
(Military arriving in Manila! PBBM surprised by China! War is coming here! Everyone, be ready!)
Its thumbnail shows images of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Chinese President Xi Jinping along with the text, “Pinagbantaan is PBBM! Humanda ang lahat!” (PBBM was threatened! Get ready everyone!)
The bottom line: There are no reports or official announcements of China supposedly declaring war on the Philippines. The video’s narrator merely suggests that Marcos called for a high-profile meeting at Camp Aguinaldo, involving all military personnel, to allegedly prepare for war.
Marcos presided over the military command conference on January 15 for updates on the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)’s campaigns and programs, not to prepare for battle. During the conference, there was no mention of war threats from China.
Reconfiguring security approaches: AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said the President instructed the AFP to “reconfigure” its approach for “dealing with different threat groups.”
Marcos instructed them to “think of new ways, innovative ways” to address “communist terrorist groups, the local terrorist groups, [and] the threats being faced in the West Philippine Sea,” added Brawner.
Marcos earlier said that a “paradigm shift” was needed in the Philippines’ approach to the South China Sea issue, as “traditional methods of diplomacy” had produced very little progress. (READ: [ANALYSIS] China’s increased coercive activities in the WPS: Recalibrating the PH’s security response)
According to the Philippine Information Agency, this announcement signals a shift of the AFP’s focus from internal security operations to external defense. This comes amid continuing tensions between the Philippines and China, which both claim territory in the South China Sea. Despite a 2016 Hague ruling in favor of the Philippines, China continues to claim almost the entire South China Sea. – Andrei Santos/Rappler.com
Andrei Santos is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
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Senate panel orders subpoena for Quiboloy in abuse allegations hearing
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Herbie G
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23/01/2024 13:57
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RISA HONTIVEROS. Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, presides over the Senate inquiry on the reported cases of Apollo Quiboloy, leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, at the senate in Pasay City on January 23.
Angie de Silva/Rappler
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality ordered controversial doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy to be subpoenaed after he failed to show up during its hearing on the alleged abuses committed by the Davao-based pastor and his church, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC).
“Kayo, pastor, ang dapat humarap sa susunod na pagdinig because you are being subpoenaed by this committee,” said the committee chair, Senator Risa Hontiveros, in her closing statement, which she addressed to Quiboloy on Tuesday, January 23.
(You, pastor, should appear at the next hearing because you are being subpoenaed by this committee.)
“Hindi po kayo anak ng Diyos na exempt sa otoridad ng estado,” she added. (You are not a son of God who is exempt from the authority of the state.)
The decision to subpoena Quiboloy, who styles himself as the “appointed son of God,” came after former workers of the KOJC and an American who helped some of his alleged victims testified against the preacher and his group during the hearing.
Two Ukrainians and a Filipino woman alleged Quiboloy subjected them to sexual abuses on separate occasions in the guise of a body sacrifice to God.
Two other former workers also accused Quiboloy of subjecting them to fraternity-like hazing and of squeezing them dry financially.
Hontiveros expressed disappointment in Quiboloy, stating that she sees his non-appearance as a disrespect to a government institution.
“Kawalan ng galang sa buong institusyon ng Senado ang inyong pagtangging humarap,” she said. (Your refusal to appear is a lack of respect for the entire Senate institution.)
Hontiveros said the subpoena will be the committee’s third attempt to ask Quiboloy to face the committee and answer the accusations leveled at him and the KOJC by his former followers.
The committee earlier sent two invitations to Quiboloy, one via registered mail and another through the private courier company LBC Express Incorporated.
Hontiveros said Quiboloy responded by sending a letter addressed to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri. She did not disclose the contents of the letter.
Hontiveros pointed out that even the Supreme Court (SC) cannot stop Senate inquiries and the requirement for individuals to attend, emphasizing its constitutional authority in conducting such investigations.
She also addressed Quiboloy’s claim of having influential friends, asserting that regardless of any connections, he, like any ordinary witness, can only invoke the right against self-incrimination when faced with potentially incriminating questions.
Earlier during the hearing, the committee showed a video clip of Quiboloy threatening to go after his social media critics and former followers, boasting about his connections with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). The Davao-based preacher is known for his close associations with former president Rodrigo Duterte, whom he served as “spiritual adviser.”
“Sinasabi niyo, pastor, mang marami kayong makapangyarihang kaibigan. But, ‘like any ordinary witness,’ you, of course, can invoke the right against self-incrimination only when and as the [possibly] incriminating question is propounded,” she said.
(You claim, pastor, that you have many influential friends. However, just like any ordinary witness, you can only use the right against self-incrimination when faced with a question that might incriminate you.)
Hontiveros said the Senate committee investigation is not into religious persecution, and stressed that senators were looking into the use of faith or religious conviction to commit heinous abuses and inflict harm on people whose beliefs have been distorted, whose strength has been taken away, and who have been exploited. – Rappler.com
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This is a test of the authority of the State, in particular that of the Senate, if it can persuade the self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” to attend its hearing.
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Cash in exchange for Cha-Cha signatures? ‘Wala namang ganoon,’ says Marcos
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Dwight de Leon
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23/01/2024 13:51
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PHILIPPINE LEADER. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers a departure speech as he heads to Tokyo for the Commemorative Summit on the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in December 2023.
PCO
MANILA, Philippines – In his first public statement on charter change since the push for a people’s initiative came to light, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. brushed aside allegations of bribery in exchange for signatures.
“Kapag binayaran iyong signature, hindi tatanggapin ng Comelec iyon. Pero sa pagkakaalam ko, wala namang ganoon (If you paid for the signature, the Commission on Elections won’t accept it. But as far as I know, a scheme like that does not exist),” Marcos said in an ambush interview on Tuesday, January 23, when asked about the “vote-buying” allegations in relation to the campaign to amend the Constitution.
He said he was aware of reports that government benefits were being promised to people who would provide their signatures to the charter change campaign, and added that he sought clarity from the legislative branch.
“Sabi ko totoo ba iyan? Hindi naman nagbago iyong mga release namin e, constant pa rin. Sabi ko, the other things para hindi tayo pagdudahan, stop muna natin iyong pagrelease ng mga benepisyo. E hindi naman maganda rin iyon dahil may mga nangangailangan talaga,” he shared with reporters.
(I asked, is it true? Our releases did not change, and are still constant. I suggested that to avoid suspicion, let’s stop the release of benefits for the meantime. But that’s also not good because there are people who are really in need.)
“So we will just let Comelec do their job, do their work, and to validate the signatures, and if there’s suspicion, at may mga ganoon nga, hindi talaga mabibilang ang mga signature na iyon (and something like that happened, those will not be counted),” he added.
It is unclear what benefits the President referred to, although some lawmakers alleged that the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), a government subsidy program, is being weaponized in order to obtain signatures.
Albay 1st District Representative Edcel Lagman also previously alleged that voters in his province were being bribed in exchange for their signatures, but his fellow lawmakers in the region denied this.
Vice President Sara Duterte also earlier alleged “vote-buying” for charter change, calling it a “Pera kapalit ng pirma para sa People’s Initiative (Money in exchange for signatures for people’s initiative), and claimed this was happening in her hometown, Davao City, and in other parts of the country.
The President has yet to make a categorical stance on charter change, although he appears to have changed his tune recently, from once shutting down the idea, to saying that the administration is studying the merits of amendments on economic provisions of the Constitution.
The House of Representatives under Speaker Martin Romualdez’s leadership has been pushing for charter change since last year.
In March 2023, the House passed a bill on charter change via the expensive formation of a constitutional convention, but the proposal languished in the Senate.
In December of the same year, Romualdez unveiled the House’s plan to embark on a people’s initiative to break a procedural impasse between the House and the Senate.
In early January, signature documents began circulating nationwide, seeking to amend the Constitution to allow the House and the Senate to vote as one when a motion to form a constituent assembly is called.
In that scenario, the House can force the Senate’s hand, as the 24-member Senate is essentially outnumbered by the 300-plus-member House.
Under this method, 3% of voters in every legislative district of the Philippines, and 12% of the national voting population, must sign a petition in favor of an amendment in the 1987 Constitution.
As of Tuesday, the Comelec has received signature documents from some 900 out of over 1,600 cities and municipalities across the country.
A supposed timetable leaked by Kabataan, and confirmed by House ways and means chairperson Joey Salceda, revealed that the lower chamber is eyeing to have a charter change-related plebiscite before the President’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July. – Rappler.com
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Of course, President Marcos Jr. can feign ignorance on the matter. This is also true of Speaker Martin Romualdez. For the time being, it seems that only Representative Lagman and VP Sara Duterte are speaking the truth, but, unfortunately, they did not present their supporting pieces of evidence and file the appropriate complaint at the COMELEC. So it all ends up as Who is really telling the Truth?
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Coldplay concert ‘unmissable’ for chopper-riding, ‘music lover’ Marcos
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Dwight de Leon
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23/01/2024 12:35
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. seems to still be on a sky full of stars after watching Coldplay’s concert live over the weekend that he appears undeterred by criticisms surrounding his experience.
In a chance interview with reporters on Tuesday, January 23, he said the concert was “unmissable.”
Remember, the President used a helicopter to make it in time for the event, drawing flak from netizens.
For the record, Marcos was asked by a reporter whether watching concerts with his family is among the things that he likes to do in his free time.
“By now, you would have known, I’m a music lover, I have been for a long time. I studied music for many years. And to have somebody like Coldplay, that’s unmissable, cannot miss,” he said.
“It was, by the way, fantastic. Ask anybody who attended the concert,” he added. “The show they performed was spectacular. I haven’t seen anything like it.”
Social media was abuzz on Friday night, January 19, when people learned that Marcos and his family rode a chopper to fly to the Philippine Arena in Bulacan province to watch the British group’s concert.
That’s while thousands of other concert-goers braved the heavy traffic just to attend the same event.
Some critics even referred to an administrative order issued during the Arroyo administration, which prohibits government agencies and offices from “using government vehicles for purposes other than official business.”
The controversy prompted a statement a day later from the Presidential Security Group chief, who framed Marcos’ chopper use as a noble act by the President.
“Recognizing that this traffic situation posed a potential threat to the security of our President, the PSG took decisive action by opting for the presidential chopper,” PSG chief Major General Nelson Morales said.
“This decision not only ensured the safety of our leader but also exemplified our commitment to prioritizing security in the face of unexpected challenges. Your continued understanding and support for these measures are crucial in maintaining the safety and well-being of our nation’s leadership,” he added.
Even Coldplay itself poked fun at the horrendous traffic situation during the concert.
“We’ve seen some traffic. But I think you have the number one [traffic] in the world. Thank you for making the effort to come through all of that bullshit to be here,” Coldplay’s lead vocalist Chris Martin said.
It makes one wonder what Marcos – who was part of the audience – must have felt.
As Coldplay would have sung later that night, “Am I a part of the cure, or am I part of the disease?” – Rappler.com
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How advantageous is it to be the President of the Philippines? You can attend private events using government vehicles. No wonder VP Sara Duterte is very eager to be the next President of this country.
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NTC orders stop to SMNI operations
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Victor Barreiro Jr.
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23/01/2024 12:31
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MANILA, Philippines – The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued an order dated January 18 but made public on Tuesday, January 23, directing Swara Sug Media Corporation, the business behind Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), to cease the operations of its radio and television stations until the hearing and final considerations regarding its administrative case pending before the NTC are completed.
SMNI is facing an administrative case over supposed violations of its franchise.
SMNI operations were ordered suspended for 30 days last December after its two shows were temporarily ordered off air for 14 days by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) – orders that Swara Sug allegedly did not “strictly comply” with, prompting the NTC to issue the new cease-and-desist order.
The NTC directed Swara Sug to explain in writing within 15 days from receipt of the January 18 order why it failed to strictly comply with the initial 30-day suspension order.
SMNI lawyer Mark Tolentino in an ANC interview said the NTC order is “in grave violation” of the Philippine Constitution, saying that “any decision or ruling [of] any government agencies that affects freedom of press or freedom of expression are presumed unconstitutional, so therefore the NTC ruling [is] presumed unconstitutional.”
Tolentino also denied that SMNI failed to respond to the show-cause and cease-and-desist orders from the NTC, and they followed proper legal proceedings. He also denied that SMNI continued to operate in spite of the December suspension order, and asserted that they complied. – Rappler.com
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I appreciate NTC for doing its job. I hope that it will evaluate the written explanation of Swara Sug correctly, fairly, and rightfully.
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Thirdy Ravena relishes San-En success in best B. League season yet
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Jasmine Payo
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18/01/2024 20:56
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TOP SQUAD. Thirdy Ravena puts up his best numbers with San-En NeoPhoenix.
JAPAN B. LEAGUE
OKINAWA, Japan – After years of mediocrity, Thirdy Ravena’s pro team finally flourishes in the Japan B. League.
In his fourth season in the top-flight division, San-En NeoPhoenix impressively sustained their strong start and now share the top spot with Alvark Tokyo with a 25-4 record.
The pioneering Asian import is also authoring his best season yet, putting up a career-high 13.3 points on 51.5% shooting, along with 4.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists, as his contract is set to expire at the end of the season.
It has been a remarkable turnaround, with Ravena coming extremely far from winning just 10 games with San-En in his sophomore season.
“Honestly, I feel like this has been the best season for me, because the system that we’re running has been drawing my strengths,” Ravena told Rappler in a media availability during the Japan B. League All-Stars.
“At the same time, we see the changes that we have made and the reason why we are winning, so both experiences for me are good as an individual,” he added.
The NeoPhoenix’s success came in their second year under Japanese mentor Atsushi Ono, who himself was a former player.
Ravena pointed out the changes in his team, including running a five-out offense, where all players are outside the three-point line to stretch the defenders.
With his team rolling, Ravena said he also used his past failures to be a better version of himself.
“It allows me to actually factor out which things are good, which things are bad, in terms of my habits in the game or off the court, eventually helping the team with games as well,” he said.
“It’s a great experience for me, it’s been a long time coming, I wish it would just continue.” — Rappler.com
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Andray Blatche clutch triple barrage in Strong Group win proves unmatchable NBA caliber
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jisaga0269
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22/01/2024 7:47
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STILL GOT IT. Strong Group Athletics-Philippines center Andray Blatche receives the ball in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship
Dubai Sports
MANILA, Philippines – NBA players automatically get lofty expectations whenever they play anywhere else in the world, and Strong Group Athletics (SGA) just got a close-up sample on why that is always the case in the ongoing Dubai International Basketball Championship.
Playing in its third game in as many days, the stacked Philippine squad leaned on an old hero in Gilas Pilipinas naturalized veteran Andray Blatche, who exploded for 15 fourth-quarter points – all off threes – in an eventual 104-95 win over Homenetmen-Lebanon on Sunday (Monday, January 22, Manila time).
Despite being hampered by conditioning issues, the 37-year-old big man still found ways to help SGA fend off its pesky foe, parlaying his old post moves that needed quick footwork for a silky-smooth jump shot and used it to great effect.
With Homenetmen still leading at the 7:07 mark of the fourth, 77-76, Blatche’s barrage from beyond the arc pushed Strong Group ahead to a comfortable 92-83 advantage off a pivotal 16-5 run with 3:23 left to play.
Reigning UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao, who continued to show his worth to the world with a team-high 24 points against Al Wahda-Syria, then put the finishing touches with a triple of his own at the 1:20 mark for the 99-91 separation.
He finished with 19 points on a 7-of-12 clip as SGA’s top two scorer of the night, barely edging Blatche’s 18 on 6-of-10 shooting from three.
Further proving that NBA-level skill sets are second to none is Blatche’s teammate Dwight Howard, who blew his Dubai tournament-best scoring mark of 14 out of the water with a 32-point masterclass on a near-perfect 12-of-13 clip to go with 7 rebounds and 5 blocks.
The eight-time All-Star and three-time Defensive Player of the Year, even at 38 years old, almost made it look too easy, powering down multiple dunks and short hook shots against other pro players mostly still in their athletic prime.
Homenetmen likewise had its own proof of NBA-level excellence as Zach Lofton, a former benchwarmer who only played a single game in the big league, played like a superstar in the losing effort with a game-high 37 points on a 12-of-26 clip, to go with 8 boards and 7 assists.
The 31-year-old guard also made a big splash in his brief PBA stint, exploding for 54 points in his Meralco Bolts debut – also his first game in the Philippines.
Now boasting a 3-0 record in the annual pocket tournament, Strong Group has so far proven that both its NBA-caliber stars and Filipino supporting cast are capable of pulling their own weight when it matters most.
The team now gets a much-needed break before its next game against Beirut Sports Club – Lebanon’s other representative – on Tuesday night (Wednesday, January 24, 1:15 am, Manila time).
Strong Group-Philippines 104 – Howard 32, Quiambao 19, Blatche 18, Roberson 13, Moore 12, Baltazar 8, Heading 2, Sanchez 0, Cagulangan 0, Escandor 0.
Homenetmen-Lebanon 95 – Lofton 37, Hadidan 21, Holman 18, Jackson 16, Khalil 2, Salem 1, Akiki 0, Ajemian 0, Chivichyan 0.
Quarters: 17-24, 42-48, 71-67, 104-95.
– Rappler.com
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2 Ukrainians, Filipino woman accuse Quiboloy of sexual abuse at Senate hearing
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Mia Gonzalez
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23/01/2024 11:04
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SENATE HEARING. 'Amanda' restifies at the hearing presided by Senator Risa Hontiveros on the alleged abuses in the Davao-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) on January 23, 2024.
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – Two Ukrainian women, both former members of the Davao-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), have come forward, alleging that they were sexually abused by controversial doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy.
In video recordings played at the beginning of an investigation into KOJC’s activities and alleged abuses by the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality on Tuesday, January 23, the women identified only as Sofia and Nina, claimed that they were raped by Quiboloy while serving as his “pastorals.”
In the KOJC, pastorals are women who serve as close aides of Quiboloy, with some allegedly being turned into “spiritual wives.” (READ: Quiboloy sexually abused women, minors – ex-followers, US prosecutors)
A Filipino, identified only as “Amanda,” also testified about how the preacher allegedly raped her when she was still a minor.
They all claimed that Quiboloy made them think that they were sacrificing their bodies to God.
Quiboloy, who is on the US’ most wanted list, is among the 40 individuals and entities across nine countries that had been sanctioned by the US government in connection to corruption and human rights abuses. – Rappler.com
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Pastor Quiboloy’s persuasive power seems “God-given” as he was able to fool these children or women to sacrifice their bodies to “God.” It will be interesting to watch if such “power” can also persuade the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality not to continue its investigation of Pastor Quiboloy.
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Kris Aquino says health issue has become ‘more complex,’ bares onset of lupus
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Ysa Abad
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22/01/2024 11:29
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MANILA, Philippines – Kris Aquino promised her loved ones that she wouldn’t be a “wimp” during her treatment, given that an onset of lupus has made her health issues “more complex.”
On Sunday, January 21, the media personality shared her first health update in around two months, saying that she’s “felt very weak” since Thanksgiving 2023 in the United States.
“I lost my appetite, my headaches were on a daily basis, the cold weather didn’t bother me at all,” she recalled. In her three-part Instagram post, Kris also shared clips of her getting treatment, as well as photos of her with relatives and friends visiting her in the hospital.
She added that she was reluctant to share her pictures as she had lost some weight and her hemoglobin levels had also gone down.
“The doctors told me that unless I put serious effort into eating real food with high iron content…I would be endangering my heart’s health,” she said.
Kris said that because of this development, she had to get her blood drawn twice, partly for a thorough autoimmune blood panel.
“I cried nonstop when I got my blood panel results,” she wrote. “My Churg Strauss/EGPA is still being treated, but to add to it my crest syndrome is now in full active mode.”
Kris continued that she was also exhibiting many symptoms for another autoimmune disease, including high inflammatory numbers, anemia, constant elevated blood pressure at night, and the constant appearance of a “butterfly rash” on her face.
“It’s highly likely…that I’m at the initial stage of SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) or what’s commonly known as lupus,” she said.
According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, lupus “occurs when the immune system, which normally helps protect the body from infection and disease, attacks its own tissues. It causes inflammation, and in some cases permanent tissue damage, which can be widespread – affecting the skin, joints, heart, lung, kidneys, circulating blood cells, and brain.”
With this, she shared that her doctors had increased some of her medicine dosages. Despite her health journey taking a toll on her, however, Kris declared that her “faith is still strong.”
“My battle has become more complex. But I promised my sons and my sisters — I won’t be a wimp. And I’m promising all my friends plus all who continue to pray for me: bawal sumuko, tuloy pa rin ang laban (we won’t give up, we’ll continue to fight),” she said.
In her caption, she also expressed her gratitude for the support that she’s been receiving throughout this ordeal.
“My prayer for more tomorrows. Thank you for the love,” she said.
In a separate post, she wrote: “2024, please be kind.”
Since 2018, Kris has been battling a number of autoimmune diseases. She was first diagnosed with chronic spontaneous urticaria and was additionally diagnosed with erosive gastritis and a gastric ulcer in March 2022.
She went to the US in June 2022 to receive treatment for her autoimmune diseases and has been there since.
In August 2023, the 52-year-old shared that she’s “finally on the path to remission.”
In November 2023, she shared positive news about her improving health, with her autoimmune markers slowly showing signs of improvement. – Rappler.com
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Ebe Dancel celebrates 20th anniversary of landmark Sugarfree 2nd album ‘Dramachine’
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Marguerite de Leon
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22/01/2024 12:13
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Amplified Entertainment
The following is a press release from Amplified Entertainment.
Two decades ago, a collection of songs were released by a band that was steadily rising to the top, yet still unaware of the impact that the album would have on both music fans and the overall landscape of local music. Songs that simply were painfully honest, melodically soaring, and lyrically on-point in capturing the sentiments and emotions of a generation that was going through the very same aches of growing up its chief songwriter was going through.
The band was Sugarfree. At the helm was its chief songwriter Ebe Dancel, and that album was Dramachine.
Now an accomplished solo artist with a ton more OPM classics under his belt, Dancel is taking a trip down memory lane and will be treating fans to a night of nostalgia and bittersweet anthems that will surely have audiences singing-along (and maybe even shedding a few tears…) with his upcoming Dramachine: 20 Years show this January 26th at 123 Block Mandaluyong.
Featuring an impressive lineup of songs in Dancel’s extensive repertoire of hits and favorites, the celebrated album will definitely be performed in its entirety, including standout hit singles like “Prom,” and “Hari Ng Sablay,” fan faves like “Kwentuhan,” and tear jerking anthems like “Kandila,” “Tulog Na,” and “Kwarto,” among others. Dancel will be joined by an impressive cast of musicians, including former Sugarfree drummer Mitch Singson. Jam Quijano will be opening the evening as well.
Asked if he had any inkling during the album’s creation that those songs would forever resonate with listeners decades later, Dancel humbly states: “I don’t think I have an answer for that – they were just songs written by an average guy about everyday life…. I never thought of the songs to be arena songs or anthems – I just made sure it was something I could sing along to.”
When further asked how the creative process for Dramachine was, Dancel shares: “I remember we were touring almost every day for weeks – we’d be in the studio writing and recording, then rush to a gig in the evening and would come back to the studio after to see what we could finish. It was fun, and because we were young, we could bounce back from anything…and it was produced by Raymund Marasigan and Buddy Zabala, who gave us the freedom to do what we wanted.”
Truly, this is a show that no serious die-hard would want to miss. Presented by Balcony Entertainment, tickets for the show are now available online via event partner Backspacer Records, but they’re going fast – regular tickets are at P1,200 and special tickets which include the vinyl and official merchandise are still available at P3,300+.
“It’s a celebration of the album that introduced us to the whole country,” Dancel says, when asked what fans can expect of the show. “Come for the songs and the memories – eat, drink, and sing along; throughout the years, the fans are still what keeps me in the industry…. This show will also kick off my 25th year in the business: I am eternally grateful that there are a lot of reasons for all of us to celebrate.” – Rappler.com
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FACT CHECK: Romualdez not replaced as House Speaker
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Lorenz Pasion
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22/01/2024 11:54
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Claim: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. removed House Speaker Martin Romualdez from office following the latest push for charter change among members of Congress.
Why we fact-checked this: The claim was made in several videos alleging Romualdez’s removal as House speaker.
A video from YouTube channel TAONG KALYE, posted on January 18, bore a thumbnail with the text: “PBBM napuno na kay Tambaloslos, Gloria ipapalit na Speaker, hindi nagustuhan ang galaw ni Martin (PBBM is fed up with Tambaloslos, Gloria will be next Speaker. He didn’t like Martin’s actions).” The thumbnail includes images of Marcos, Pampanga 2nd District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and Romualdez, referred to as “Tambaloslos” – a reference to Vice President Sara Duterte’s cryptic remarks in May 2023. As of writing, the video gained 23,359 views, 951 likes, and 142 comments.
A similar video uploaded by Showbiz Sports Fanatics on January 14 uses the thumbnail with the text, “Nag-desisyon na, PBBM at Imee tanggalin na si Tamba (Decision is made, PBBM and Imee will remove Tamba).” It has 67,397 views, 1,100 likes, and 153 comments.
The facts: Romualdez is still the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the current 19th Congress.
No news of his possible ouster has emerged recently, as Romualdez is currently in Davos, Switzerland to lead the Philippine delegation to the 2024 World Economic Forum.
Marcos has not made any statements calling for Romualdez’s replacement with Arroyo, who was removed as House deputy speaker in November.
No power: The authority to elect or replace a sitting House Speaker lies with the House of Representatives.
Article VI, Section 16 of the 1987 Constitution clearly states that the House Speaker is elected “by a majority vote of all its respective Members.” The Rules of the 19th Congress also state the same provisions.
No resolution seeking to oust Romualdez from office has been filed in the House of Representatives in the past months.
Both Rappler and VERA Files have previously flagged similar claims on Romualdez’s removal as House speaker.
Charter change stance: Videos claiming that Romualdez has been replaced as House Speaker have been circulating recently amid the shake-up in the legislative branch over talks on amending the 1987 Constitution.
In December, Romualdez said charter change would be part of the House’s agenda for 2024. He also expressed support for the Senate’s initiative to file a resolution of both houses of Congress to amend the Constitution. The proposed amendments would ease economic restrictions that hinder the entry of foreign investors.
Several senators, including Romualdez’s cousin, Senator Imee Marcos, oppose charter change. She has also slammed Romualdez’s alleged involvement in the latest move for charter change through the people’s initiative. Romualdez’s allies in Congress, like ACT-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo, came to his defense, saying that he did not give instructions for a nationwide signature campaign. – Lance Arevada/Rappler.com
Lance Arevada is an Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow for 2023-2024.
Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. You may also report dubious claims to #FactsFirstPH tipline by messaging Rappler on Facebook or Newsbreak via Twitter direct message. You may also report through our Viber fact check chatbot. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
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FACT CHECK: Zubiri not expelled from Senate
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Lorenz Pasion
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22/01/2024 13:54
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Claim: Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri was expelled from office.
Why we fact-checked this: The false video was uploaded on January 20, 2024, by a YouTube channel with 111,000 subscribers. As of writing, it has been viewed over 23,000 times with 481 likes and 56 comments.
The video’s thumbnail originally showed photos of Zubiri, Vice President Sara Duterte, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and Senator Imee Marcos. It was altered to appear as if Senator Marcos was holding a supposed order expelling Zubiri from the Senate. An arrow points to the document along with the text, “Confirmed. Good News” and “Sibak na” (Expelled). The thumbnail also displayed the text: “Tinanggal na si Zubiri. Sa wakas pinalitan sa pwesto” (Zubiri was removed. Finally he was replaced.)
The video’s title, which has since been revised, previously read: “Viral video: Nasíbak na. Zubiri sa wakas tinanggal sa pwesto. Nagulat si Tamba sa pasabog ni Sen. Imee” (Viral video: Expelled. Zubiri was finally removed from his post. Tamba was shocked by the revelations of Sen. Imee.)
The bottom line: Zubiri remains the Senate President, as seen on the Senate website’s roster of senators of the 19th Congress.
The official Facebook accounts of Zubiri, Marcos, and the Senate have not made any confirmation regarding the senator’s alleged removal from office.
Moreover, there are no reports about any move in the Senate to expel Zubiri from office. Article VI, Section 16, of the Constitution explains the process for expelling a senator: “Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds of all its Members, suspend or expel a Member. A penalty of suspension, when imposed, shall not exceed sixty days.”
What the video actually shows: No evidence is provided in the misleading video to support its claim. Instead, it only shows a compilation of photos of Zubiri, Romualdez, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., with audio narration from the YouTube channel Badong Aratiles Vlog. The video’s narrator talks about Zubiri’s statement that he would step down from his post as Senate president if Congress introduces amendments other than the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.
Zubiri changes tune: Known for being previously against charter change, Zubiri, after meeting with the President and Speaker Romualdez, said the Senate would now take the lead in reviewing proposals to amend the economic provisions of the Constitution, for eventual adoption by the House of Representatives. (READ: [In This Economy] Will economic charter change work? An objective look at the studies)
On January 15, Zubiri filed Resolution of Both Houses No. 6, “proposing amendments to certain economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.” Co-authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda and Senator Sonny Angara, the resolution only includes amendments to the operation of public utilities and education services.
The resolution needs 18 votes in the Senate to be adopted. The review will be led by Senator Sonny Angara, chair of the Senate finance committee. – Larry Chavez/Rappler.com
Larry Chavez is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program.
This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
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RUNNING LIST: President Marcos’ foreign trips in 2024
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Dwight de Leon
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22/01/2024 15:00
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TRAVEL. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos fly to Malaysia for a state visit in July 2023.
Presidential Communications Office
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has established himself as a frequent flyer, does not intend to slow down in 2024.
For this year, the Office of the President (OP) has been provided a budget of P1.4 billion for missions and state visits, as well as P1.1 billion for traveling expenses.
The amounts are a significant increase from what the OP had in its budget for traveling purposes in 2023.
Rappler tracks the countries that the President will visit in 2024.
Updated as of Apri 22, 2024
The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) announced on January 24 that President Marcos will be the keynote speaker at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, dubbed as Asia’s premier defense summit, on May 31.
As per the IISS, he will join an esteemed list of heads of state who delivered a speech at the summit in the past, such as Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Malacañang has yet to confirm Marcos’ visits to the following countries. The list is based on international gatherings usually attended by the President, invitations that Malacañang received, and other statements that Philippine officials made in the past.
President Marcos and First Lazy Liza attended the royal wedding of Prince Abdul Mateen, the 10th child of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and businesswoman Yang Mulia Dayang Anisha Rosnah Binti Adam.
Marcos flew to Vietnam for a state visit upon the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Vo Van Thuong.
There, Marcos reiterated the agreements between Manila and Vietnam’s coast guards, and the two nation’s “cooperation and coordination” in the South China Sea. The two countries also inked an agreement on rice trade.
Marcos was in Canberra, Australia on February 28 to 29. As a guest of the government, he addressed the Australian Parliament, zeroing in on security issues. He also witnessed the signing of agreements on maritime domain, cyberspace, and antitrust between the Philippines and Australia.
The President returned to Australia on March 3, just a few days after his state visit to the country, to take part in the special summit in Melbourne between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Australia from March 4 to 6.
President Marcos was in Berlin in March for a working visit, meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
The two countries signed agreements to strengthen cooperation on maritime issues and the upskilling of Filipino skilled workers.
After his trip to Germany, Marcos wrapped up his Central Europe tour with a state visit to the Czech Republic, where he met with President Petr Pavel, Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Senate President Miloš Vystrčil, and President of the Chamber of Deputies Markéta Pekarová Adamová.
President Marcos flew to Washington on April 10 to take part in the first-ever trilateral summit between the Philippines, the United States, and Japan on April 11. It was a meeting that ultimately zeroed in on the growing threat posed by China in the West Philippine Sea. – Rappler.com
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[Point of Law] The elusive constitutional amendments
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Glenda Gloria
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22/01/2024 10:15
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Following the administration of former president Corazon Aquino, attempts to amend the Constitution, colloquially known as Cha-Cha, have faced skepticism. This skepticism traces its roots back to the fear of perpetuating power, a concern deeply ingrained in the aftermath of the late president Ferdinand Marcos’ term extension after the amendments to the 1935 Constitution.
Despite efforts to focus exclusively on the economic provisions of the Constitution to allay public concerns, these endeavors proved futile. The public perceived these limited amendments as a cover for amendments aimed at prolonging the term of those in power.
Meanwhile, our country’s competitiveness in attracting foreign direct investments (FDI) has suffered. The 2023 Special ASEAN Investment Report by the World Bank and ASEAN shows a stark contrast in FDI inflows, with the Philippines lagging behind at about half compared to ASEAN newcomer Vietnam, which boasts nearly US$18 billion. Singapore, despite its small size and limited natural resources, has attracted US$141 billion in FDI, principally attributed to an enabling legal framework and an investor-friendly business environment.
Our country’s inability to attract substantial FDIs has adversely impacted millions of Filipinos who are now either unemployed or underemployed and living below the poverty line.
Fast forward to two years into President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s term, Cha-Cha movements have resurfaced. The signature campaign under the People’s Initiative to amend the Constitution is now facing criticism for alleged misuse of public funds and lack of an enabling law.
Senate President Miguel Zubiri’s proposal for a constituent assembly, focusing on specific economic provisions, is emerging as a potential compromise. This proposal seeks to address public apprehensions about potential political amendments. It is aligned with the approach advocated by former senator Franklin Drilon, ensuring a piecemeal amendment process – with separate votes from each of the Senate and House of Representatives.
The system is similar to enacting laws, which requires a three-fourths majority vote for approval of any amendment, maintains transparency, and provides a crucial check-and-balance mechanism between the two chambers of Congress. Although untested, it can be constitutionally defended.
As the call for amendments to the Constitution emerges once again, a crucial question arises: should we further delay changes to the economic provisions of the Constitution, or should we seize the opportunity at this time?
Regardless, any changes necessitate the approval of our duly-elected representatives in Congress, acting separately through their respective chambers, and, ultimately, the approval of the Filipino people. – Rappler.com
The author is a senior legal counsel of the Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALAW) and chairman of the Justice Reform Initiative. The views expressed in this column are exclusively his personal views.
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Atty. Francis Lim’s proposal is excellent. But what is genuinely elusive is different from the correct, proper, or relevant constitutional amendments. It is the Trust of the Filipino People to their senators and lower house representatives. Unless this is effectively addressed, it will be easier to amend the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
Clarification: Unless this is effectively addressed, it will not be easy to amend the 1987 Philippine Constitution. (Sorry)
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PH’s first 2024 resupply mission to Ayungin thwarted… by boat repairs
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Bea Cupin
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22/01/2024 20:05
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BRP SIERRA MADRE. The BRP Sierra Madre, a transport ship used as a military outpost of the Philippine Marines, marooned at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, on March 2014.
REUTERS
The humble Unaizah May 1 has been through the wringer, especially in 2023.
The Unaizah May 1 or UM1 is one of two boats the Philippine Navy uses in its regular rotation and resupply (RORE) missions to Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, where the rusty BRP Sierra Madre serves as a military outpost.
But what would have been its first resupply mission over the weekend (January 20 and 21) was thwarted by a “technical difficulty” that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) declined to elaborate on.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, January 22, AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Padilla said they had “identified that there was a technical difficulty” and that RORE would not take place until the AFP determined that the ship was “sea worthy.”
A source privy to the status of the Unaizah May 1 said minor repairs were being made and would be “completed soon.”
Meanwhile, on social media, accounts seemingly dedicated to spreading information on activities in the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, posted footage and stills showing a supposed air drop of supplies to soldiers stationed on the Sierra Madre.
Padilla told media air drops are typically only used in “emergency situations.”
Colonel Xerxes Trinidad, the AFP’s Public Affairs Office chief, said they could not “comment on operational details.”
“Again, such option (air drop) has been part of the operational mix that the AFP employs to support emergency supplies needed by our troops in LS57 given a short period of time,” he said in a messaging group for defense reporters. LS57 is the identifier of the BRP Sierra Madre.
The first RORE to Ayungin in 2024 has been long delayed. It was first scheduled in early January and then the week after, but both times it had to be postponed because of bad weather. The UM1 can only safely navigate through certain wave heights, those familiar with its structure told Rappler.
To be sure, the UM1 and boats like it have not had it easy.
Its sister boat, the Unaizah May 2, is still being repaired after colliding with a much larger and stronger China Coast Guard vessel during the October 2023 resupply mission. The ship that temporarily replaced the UM2, the ML Kalayaan, was also damaged after being subject to the CCG’s water cannons.
Ayungin Shoal is a low-tide elevation located over 100 nautical miles away from the coast of Palawan, which means it’s well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, where it should have sovereign rights. Yet China claims Ayungin Shoal and most of the South China Sea, and views resupply missions to the Sierra Madre as a violation of its territorial rights.
In a statement released over a week after supplies were reportedly airdropped, the China Coast Guard claimed it made “temporary special arrangements” to allow the delivery of goods.
Referring to the Sierra Madre as an “illegally beached warship,” the CCG said in a January 27 statement that it “followed up and monitored” the airdrop and “controlled and dealt with it in accordance with laws and regulations.”
This would not be the first time for the military to use air drops – if they’re admit to it in January 2024 – in Ayungin Shoal. Almost a decade ago, in May 2014, the Navy airdropped supplies following a tense rotation and resupply mission in March 2014.
While airdrops are, as the AFP puts it, “part of the operational mix” in bringing emergency supplies to the Sierra Madre, it’s not ideal.
For one, there’s a limit to what you can send troops through airdrops. There’s no way airdrops can include supplies for the rusting Sierra Madre, with its long list of things to repair and improve.
Second, RORE missions to Ayungin Shoal are also for the rotation of troops, who are stationed there for months at a time. It’s only through RORE missions that those done with their tour of duty in the rusty warship can finally go home.
UM1 is the same vessel that AFP General Romeo Brawner and Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos rode when they joined a RORE mission to see for themselves the condition of the BRP Sierra Madre.
The regular RORE missions made headlines in the latter part of 2023, after the government decided to routinely embed journalists in Philippine Coast Guard vessels that accompany the Navy-contracted boats. During those missions, the UM1, UM2, ML Kalayaan, as well as PCG vessels weave through and dodge a swath of CCG and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels trying to block their access to Ayungin Shoal.
The Philippines and China recently agreed to improve its communication mechanism to avoid untoward incidents in the West Philippine Sea. – Rappler.com
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Peter Groseclose misses out on PH’s 1st medal in Winter Youth Olympics after crash
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delfin.dioquino editor
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22/01/2024 21:46
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COLLIDE. Sean Boxiong Shuai of the US in action as Peter Joseph Groseclose of the Philippines crashes with Zhang Bohao of China during the short track speed skating men's 500m in the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics.
OIS/IOC/Handout/Reuters
MANILA, Philippines – A coveted medal in the Winter Youth Olympics slipped out of the hands of short track speed skater Peter Groseclose.
Groseclose missed becoming the first Philippine medalist in the Winter Youth Games after an unlucky crash late in the men’s 500 final at the Gangneung Ice Arena in Gangwon, South Korea, on Monday, January 22.
Running third, the Filipino-American skater collided with China’s Zhang Bohao at the final turn before the finish line as he landed fifth on penalty.
USA’s Sean Boxiong Shuai clocked 41.498 for the gold, while China’s Zhang Xinzhe (41.755) and Hungary’s Dominik Gergely Major (41.969) – who were originally behind the pack – bagged silver and bronze, respectively.
“I got tripped,” said Groseclose, who needed to be treated in a hospital as he sustained a wound on his foot following the crash.
“I think it was my blade that cut the right side of my foot, but I’m okay.”
After a pair of quarterfinal exits in the men’s 1500m and 1000m categories, Groseclose saved the best for last in the 500m division.
The 16-year-old topped his opening heat (42.019), quarterfinal heat (41.329), and semifinal heat (41.697) to advance to the medal round.
He looked on his way to bronze as he kept a significant distance over Zhang Xinzhe and Major before the sorry collision.
Placing fifth out of 36 skaters, though, is still considered a commendable feat for Groseclose.
“The Philippines is proud of Peter’s accomplishment despite what happened. Nothing to be ashamed of,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.
“Close to the bronze but still so much to be proud of,” Team Philippines chef de mission Ada Milby said. “Still our best finish ever in a winter sport at an Olympic event.”
Two more athletes will don the national colors as freestyle skier Laetaz Amihan Rabe and cross country skier Avery Balbanida see action in the coming days. – Rappler.com
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SCHEDULE: 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals
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delfin.dioquino editor
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22/01/2024 22:48
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PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – Four teams remain to dispute the PBA Commissioner’s Cup crown.
The top four in the elimination round, Magnolia, San Miguel, Barangay Ginebra, and Phoenix all advanced to the semifinals after disposing of their lower-seeded opponents to start the playoffs.
No. 1 Magnolia returned to the final four after missing it last conference. It battles No. 8 Phoenix, which reached the semifinals for the first time since the 2020 Philippine Cup.
Meanwhile, No. 2 San Miguel and No. 3 Ginebra duke it out in the semifinals for the second straight conference after the Gin Kings swept the Beermen, 3-0, in the Governors’ Cup last season.
Both series are best-of-five affairs.
Here is the schedule:
– Rappler.com
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RUNNING LIST: President Marcos’ foreign trips in 2024
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Dwight de Leon
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22/01/2024 15:00
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TRAVEL. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos fly to Malaysia for a state visit in July 2023.
Presidential Communications Office
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has established himself as a frequent flyer, does not intend to slow down in 2024.
For this year, the Office of the President (OP) has been provided a budget of P1.4 billion for missions and state visits, as well as P1.1 billion for traveling expenses.
The amounts are a significant increase from what the OP had in its budget for traveling purposes in 2023.
Rappler tracks the countries that the President will visit in 2024.
Updated as of Apri 22, 2024
The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) announced on January 24 that President Marcos will be the keynote speaker at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, dubbed as Asia’s premier defense summit, on May 31.
As per the IISS, he will join an esteemed list of heads of state who delivered a speech at the summit in the past, such as Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Malacañang has yet to confirm Marcos’ visits to the following countries. The list is based on international gatherings usually attended by the President, invitations that Malacañang received, and other statements that Philippine officials made in the past.
President Marcos and First Lazy Liza attended the royal wedding of Prince Abdul Mateen, the 10th child of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and businesswoman Yang Mulia Dayang Anisha Rosnah Binti Adam.
Marcos flew to Vietnam for a state visit upon the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Vo Van Thuong.
There, Marcos reiterated the agreements between Manila and Vietnam’s coast guards, and the two nation’s “cooperation and coordination” in the South China Sea. The two countries also inked an agreement on rice trade.
Marcos was in Canberra, Australia on February 28 to 29. As a guest of the government, he addressed the Australian Parliament, zeroing in on security issues. He also witnessed the signing of agreements on maritime domain, cyberspace, and antitrust between the Philippines and Australia.
The President returned to Australia on March 3, just a few days after his state visit to the country, to take part in the special summit in Melbourne between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Australia from March 4 to 6.
President Marcos was in Berlin in March for a working visit, meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
The two countries signed agreements to strengthen cooperation on maritime issues and the upskilling of Filipino skilled workers.
After his trip to Germany, Marcos wrapped up his Central Europe tour with a state visit to the Czech Republic, where he met with President Petr Pavel, Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Senate President Miloš Vystrčil, and President of the Chamber of Deputies Markéta Pekarová Adamová.
President Marcos flew to Washington on April 10 to take part in the first-ever trilateral summit between the Philippines, the United States, and Japan on April 11. It was a meeting that ultimately zeroed in on the growing threat posed by China in the West Philippine Sea. – Rappler.com
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FACT CHECK: Zubiri not expelled from Senate
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Lorenz Pasion
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22/01/2024 13:54
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Claim: Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri was expelled from office.
Why we fact-checked this: The false video was uploaded on January 20, 2024, by a YouTube channel with 111,000 subscribers. As of writing, it has been viewed over 23,000 times with 481 likes and 56 comments.
The video’s thumbnail originally showed photos of Zubiri, Vice President Sara Duterte, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and Senator Imee Marcos. It was altered to appear as if Senator Marcos was holding a supposed order expelling Zubiri from the Senate. An arrow points to the document along with the text, “Confirmed. Good News” and “Sibak na” (Expelled). The thumbnail also displayed the text: “Tinanggal na si Zubiri. Sa wakas pinalitan sa pwesto” (Zubiri was removed. Finally he was replaced.)
The video’s title, which has since been revised, previously read: “Viral video: Nasíbak na. Zubiri sa wakas tinanggal sa pwesto. Nagulat si Tamba sa pasabog ni Sen. Imee” (Viral video: Expelled. Zubiri was finally removed from his post. Tamba was shocked by the revelations of Sen. Imee.)
The bottom line: Zubiri remains the Senate President, as seen on the Senate website’s roster of senators of the 19th Congress.
The official Facebook accounts of Zubiri, Marcos, and the Senate have not made any confirmation regarding the senator’s alleged removal from office.
Moreover, there are no reports about any move in the Senate to expel Zubiri from office. Article VI, Section 16, of the Constitution explains the process for expelling a senator: “Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds of all its Members, suspend or expel a Member. A penalty of suspension, when imposed, shall not exceed sixty days.”
What the video actually shows: No evidence is provided in the misleading video to support its claim. Instead, it only shows a compilation of photos of Zubiri, Romualdez, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., with audio narration from the YouTube channel Badong Aratiles Vlog. The video’s narrator talks about Zubiri’s statement that he would step down from his post as Senate president if Congress introduces amendments other than the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.
Zubiri changes tune: Known for being previously against charter change, Zubiri, after meeting with the President and Speaker Romualdez, said the Senate would now take the lead in reviewing proposals to amend the economic provisions of the Constitution, for eventual adoption by the House of Representatives. (READ: [In This Economy] Will economic charter change work? An objective look at the studies)
On January 15, Zubiri filed Resolution of Both Houses No. 6, “proposing amendments to certain economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.” Co-authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda and Senator Sonny Angara, the resolution only includes amendments to the operation of public utilities and education services.
The resolution needs 18 votes in the Senate to be adopted. The review will be led by Senator Sonny Angara, chair of the Senate finance committee. – Larry Chavez/Rappler.com
Larry Chavez is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program.
This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
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FACT CHECK: Romualdez not replaced as House Speaker
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Lorenz Pasion
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22/01/2024 11:54
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Claim: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. removed House Speaker Martin Romualdez from office following the latest push for charter change among members of Congress.
Why we fact-checked this: The claim was made in several videos alleging Romualdez’s removal as House speaker.
A video from YouTube channel TAONG KALYE, posted on January 18, bore a thumbnail with the text: “PBBM napuno na kay Tambaloslos, Gloria ipapalit na Speaker, hindi nagustuhan ang galaw ni Martin (PBBM is fed up with Tambaloslos, Gloria will be next Speaker. He didn’t like Martin’s actions).” The thumbnail includes images of Marcos, Pampanga 2nd District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and Romualdez, referred to as “Tambaloslos” – a reference to Vice President Sara Duterte’s cryptic remarks in May 2023. As of writing, the video gained 23,359 views, 951 likes, and 142 comments.
A similar video uploaded by Showbiz Sports Fanatics on January 14 uses the thumbnail with the text, “Nag-desisyon na, PBBM at Imee tanggalin na si Tamba (Decision is made, PBBM and Imee will remove Tamba).” It has 67,397 views, 1,100 likes, and 153 comments.
The facts: Romualdez is still the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the current 19th Congress.
No news of his possible ouster has emerged recently, as Romualdez is currently in Davos, Switzerland to lead the Philippine delegation to the 2024 World Economic Forum.
Marcos has not made any statements calling for Romualdez’s replacement with Arroyo, who was removed as House deputy speaker in November.
No power: The authority to elect or replace a sitting House Speaker lies with the House of Representatives.
Article VI, Section 16 of the 1987 Constitution clearly states that the House Speaker is elected “by a majority vote of all its respective Members.” The Rules of the 19th Congress also state the same provisions.
No resolution seeking to oust Romualdez from office has been filed in the House of Representatives in the past months.
Both Rappler and VERA Files have previously flagged similar claims on Romualdez’s removal as House speaker.
Charter change stance: Videos claiming that Romualdez has been replaced as House Speaker have been circulating recently amid the shake-up in the legislative branch over talks on amending the 1987 Constitution.
In December, Romualdez said charter change would be part of the House’s agenda for 2024. He also expressed support for the Senate’s initiative to file a resolution of both houses of Congress to amend the Constitution. The proposed amendments would ease economic restrictions that hinder the entry of foreign investors.
Several senators, including Romualdez’s cousin, Senator Imee Marcos, oppose charter change. She has also slammed Romualdez’s alleged involvement in the latest move for charter change through the people’s initiative. Romualdez’s allies in Congress, like ACT-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo, came to his defense, saying that he did not give instructions for a nationwide signature campaign. – Lance Arevada/Rappler.com
Lance Arevada is an Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow for 2023-2024.
Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. You may also report dubious claims to #FactsFirstPH tipline by messaging Rappler on Facebook or Newsbreak via Twitter direct message. You may also report through our Viber fact check chatbot. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
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Para-para-paradise: Which local celebs attended Coldplay’s concert in PH Arena?
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Ysa Abad
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22/01/2024 13:45
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MANILA, Philippines – Filipino celebrities were among the thousands of fans who flocked to the Philippine Arena on January 19 and 20 to watch Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres concert.
Among the songs they performed were “Something Like This,” “Sky Full of Stars,” “Yellow,” “Fix You,” “Paradise,” “My Universe,” and “Viva La Vida,” among others.
But one of the main highlights of the show was when Coldplay shared the stage with local acts — Lola Amour on the first night and Dilaw on the second night.
The “Raining in Manila” hitmakers described the whole experience as “surreal.”
“Still can’t believe this happened. Thank you Coldplay for this once in a lifetime experience,” band Lola Amour wrote.
Meanwhile, Dilaw perormed their hit single “Uhaw” alongside Coldplay. On social media, the band said that they still haven’t gotten over the experience.
“Umpisa palang ng taon parang season-ender feels na agad,” they added.
(The year has just started but it already feels like a season-ender.)
Celebrity couple Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos also shared clips of them singing along to Coldplay’s songs.
Julie Anne San Jose, who watched the concert with boyfriend Rayver Cruz, praised the band for still being “the best.”
“So grateful for this experience,” she added.
Isabelle Daza was also all-praises for the band, saying that she was even moved to tears during Coldplay’s performance of “Everglow.”
“Every song was performed with heart,” she wrote. “I forgot what live music can do for the soul.”
Sarah Lahbati was ecstatic to attend the concert with her eldest son, Zion.
“What a blessing to share this moment with you, my love,” she captioned their photos.
Sofia Andres also expressed her happiness in being able to see Coldplay perform live.
“Finally,” she wrote, alongside clips she took during the concert.
Alexa Ilacad shared that attending a Coldplay concert was part of her bucket list.
“Truly the best concert experience so far,” she added.
Marco Gallo went to the concert with loveteam partner Heaven Peralejo. The actor said that their first concert together was “one of the most magical nights with [her].”
Maine Mendoza said that she felt nothing but “happiness” during the concert, which she attended with husband Arjo Atayde.
Shaina Magdayao shared that she might not get over Coldplay’s concert any time soon. She also thanked the band for being “generous with [their] light.”
The two-night show served as the Grammy-winning British rock band’s return to the country after nearly seven years. – Rappler.com
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Ebe Dancel celebrates 20th anniversary of landmark Sugarfree 2nd album ‘Dramachine’
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Marguerite de Leon
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22/01/2024 12:13
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Amplified Entertainment
The following is a press release from Amplified Entertainment.
Two decades ago, a collection of songs were released by a band that was steadily rising to the top, yet still unaware of the impact that the album would have on both music fans and the overall landscape of local music. Songs that simply were painfully honest, melodically soaring, and lyrically on-point in capturing the sentiments and emotions of a generation that was going through the very same aches of growing up its chief songwriter was going through.
The band was Sugarfree. At the helm was its chief songwriter Ebe Dancel, and that album was Dramachine.
Now an accomplished solo artist with a ton more OPM classics under his belt, Dancel is taking a trip down memory lane and will be treating fans to a night of nostalgia and bittersweet anthems that will surely have audiences singing-along (and maybe even shedding a few tears…) with his upcoming Dramachine: 20 Years show this January 26th at 123 Block Mandaluyong.
Featuring an impressive lineup of songs in Dancel’s extensive repertoire of hits and favorites, the celebrated album will definitely be performed in its entirety, including standout hit singles like “Prom,” and “Hari Ng Sablay,” fan faves like “Kwentuhan,” and tear jerking anthems like “Kandila,” “Tulog Na,” and “Kwarto,” among others. Dancel will be joined by an impressive cast of musicians, including former Sugarfree drummer Mitch Singson. Jam Quijano will be opening the evening as well.
Asked if he had any inkling during the album’s creation that those songs would forever resonate with listeners decades later, Dancel humbly states: “I don’t think I have an answer for that – they were just songs written by an average guy about everyday life…. I never thought of the songs to be arena songs or anthems – I just made sure it was something I could sing along to.”
When further asked how the creative process for Dramachine was, Dancel shares: “I remember we were touring almost every day for weeks – we’d be in the studio writing and recording, then rush to a gig in the evening and would come back to the studio after to see what we could finish. It was fun, and because we were young, we could bounce back from anything…and it was produced by Raymund Marasigan and Buddy Zabala, who gave us the freedom to do what we wanted.”
Truly, this is a show that no serious die-hard would want to miss. Presented by Balcony Entertainment, tickets for the show are now available online via event partner Backspacer Records, but they’re going fast – regular tickets are at P1,200 and special tickets which include the vinyl and official merchandise are still available at P3,300+.
“It’s a celebration of the album that introduced us to the whole country,” Dancel says, when asked what fans can expect of the show. “Come for the songs and the memories – eat, drink, and sing along; throughout the years, the fans are still what keeps me in the industry…. This show will also kick off my 25th year in the business: I am eternally grateful that there are a lot of reasons for all of us to celebrate.” – Rappler.com
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Kris Aquino says health issue has become ‘more complex,’ bares onset of lupus
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Ysa Abad
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22/01/2024 11:29
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MANILA, Philippines – Kris Aquino promised her loved ones that she wouldn’t be a “wimp” during her treatment, given that an onset of lupus has made her health issues “more complex.”
On Sunday, January 21, the media personality shared her first health update in around two months, saying that she’s “felt very weak” since Thanksgiving 2023 in the United States.
“I lost my appetite, my headaches were on a daily basis, the cold weather didn’t bother me at all,” she recalled. In her three-part Instagram post, Kris also shared clips of her getting treatment, as well as photos of her with relatives and friends visiting her in the hospital.
She added that she was reluctant to share her pictures as she had lost some weight and her hemoglobin levels had also gone down.
“The doctors told me that unless I put serious effort into eating real food with high iron content…I would be endangering my heart’s health,” she said.
Kris said that because of this development, she had to get her blood drawn twice, partly for a thorough autoimmune blood panel.
“I cried nonstop when I got my blood panel results,” she wrote. “My Churg Strauss/EGPA is still being treated, but to add to it my crest syndrome is now in full active mode.”
Kris continued that she was also exhibiting many symptoms for another autoimmune disease, including high inflammatory numbers, anemia, constant elevated blood pressure at night, and the constant appearance of a “butterfly rash” on her face.
“It’s highly likely…that I’m at the initial stage of SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) or what’s commonly known as lupus,” she said.
According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, lupus “occurs when the immune system, which normally helps protect the body from infection and disease, attacks its own tissues. It causes inflammation, and in some cases permanent tissue damage, which can be widespread – affecting the skin, joints, heart, lung, kidneys, circulating blood cells, and brain.”
With this, she shared that her doctors had increased some of her medicine dosages. Despite her health journey taking a toll on her, however, Kris declared that her “faith is still strong.”
“My battle has become more complex. But I promised my sons and my sisters — I won’t be a wimp. And I’m promising all my friends plus all who continue to pray for me: bawal sumuko, tuloy pa rin ang laban (we won’t give up, we’ll continue to fight),” she said.
In her caption, she also expressed her gratitude for the support that she’s been receiving throughout this ordeal.
“My prayer for more tomorrows. Thank you for the love,” she said.
In a separate post, she wrote: “2024, please be kind.”
Since 2018, Kris has been battling a number of autoimmune diseases. She was first diagnosed with chronic spontaneous urticaria and was additionally diagnosed with erosive gastritis and a gastric ulcer in March 2022.
She went to the US in June 2022 to receive treatment for her autoimmune diseases and has been there since.
In August 2023, the 52-year-old shared that she’s “finally on the path to remission.”
In November 2023, she shared positive news about her improving health, with her autoimmune markers slowly showing signs of improvement. – Rappler.com
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Pia Cayetano is first woman to lead Senate blue ribbon committee in Senate’s 106-year history
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Bonz Magsambol
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22/01/2024 17:46
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File photo of Senator Pia Cayetano
Senate PRIB
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Pia Cayetano was named the new chairperson of the Senate blue ribbon committee on Monday, January 22 – the first woman to hold the powerful position.
She was formally elected by her colleagues during the upper chamber’s regular session.
Cayetano replaced Senator Francis Tolentino, who resigned from his position to prepare for his reelection bid in 2025. (READ: Who will replace Tolentino as Senate blue ribbon chair?)
“We are in a receipt of resignation of Senator Tolentino dated January 22, 2024. At this juncture, I move to elect Pia Cayetano as part of [the] majority and that the composition remains the same,” Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said.
Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel supported Cayetano’s appointment to the position. “The minority applauds the decision of the majority, and we congratulate our first-ever female chairperson of the Senate Blue ribbon committee,” he said.
“It’s a fact that Senator Pia Cayetano will be the first female chairperson of the BRC (blue ribbon committee) in the Senate in its 106 years in existence. We are very honored that Senator Pia Cayetano is the new chairperson,” Senate President Migz Zubiri said.
As the new chairperson of the blue ribbon panel, Cayetano will lead Senate investigations into wrongdoings by officials and agencies.
The blue ribbon committee should “initiate an inquiry on any matter referred to it by the Senate or the President, or its own initiative on any matter affecting the public interest,” according to the rules of the Senate.
Cayetano, a lawyer, is the sister of Senate Alan Peter Cayetano. She is well-known for promoting women’s rights, having championed the controversial Reproductive Health Law, among others. – Rappler.com
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Congratulations to Senator Pia Cayetano. May the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee do its work and perform its tasks with utmost dedication, competence, impartiality, and integrity. Good luck and best wishes.
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Pia Cayetano is first woman to lead Senate blue ribbon committee in Senate’s 106-year history
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Bonz Magsambol
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22/01/2024 17:46
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File photo of Senator Pia Cayetano
Senate PRIB
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Pia Cayetano was named the new chairperson of the Senate blue ribbon committee on Monday, January 22 – the first woman to hold the powerful position.
She was formally elected by her colleagues during the upper chamber’s regular session.
Cayetano replaced Senator Francis Tolentino, who resigned from his position to prepare for his reelection bid in 2025. (READ: Who will replace Tolentino as Senate blue ribbon chair?)
“We are in a receipt of resignation of Senator Tolentino dated January 22, 2024. At this juncture, I move to elect Pia Cayetano as part of [the] majority and that the composition remains the same,” Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said.
Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel supported Cayetano’s appointment to the position. “The minority applauds the decision of the majority, and we congratulate our first-ever female chairperson of the Senate Blue ribbon committee,” he said.
“It’s a fact that Senator Pia Cayetano will be the first female chairperson of the BRC (blue ribbon committee) in the Senate in its 106 years in existence. We are very honored that Senator Pia Cayetano is the new chairperson,” Senate President Migz Zubiri said.
As the new chairperson of the blue ribbon panel, Cayetano will lead Senate investigations into wrongdoings by officials and agencies.
The blue ribbon committee should “initiate an inquiry on any matter referred to it by the Senate or the President, or its own initiative on any matter affecting the public interest,” according to the rules of the Senate.
Cayetano, a lawyer, is the sister of Senate Alan Peter Cayetano. She is well-known for promoting women’s rights, having championed the controversial Reproductive Health Law, among others. – Rappler.com
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Congratulations to Senator Pia Cayetano. May the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee do its work and perform its tasks with utmost dedication, competence, impartiality, and integrity. Good luck and best wishes.
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PH’s first 2024 resupply mission to Ayungin thwarted… by boat repairs
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Bea Cupin
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22/01/2024 20:05
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BRP SIERRA MADRE. The BRP Sierra Madre, a transport ship used as a military outpost of the Philippine Marines, marooned at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, on March 2014.
REUTERS
The humble Unaizah May 1 has been through the wringer, especially in 2023.
The Unaizah May 1 or UM1 is one of two boats the Philippine Navy uses in its regular rotation and resupply (RORE) missions to Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, where the rusty BRP Sierra Madre serves as a military outpost.
But what would have been its first resupply mission over the weekend (January 20 and 21) was thwarted by a “technical difficulty” that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) declined to elaborate on.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, January 22, AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Padilla said they had “identified that there was a technical difficulty” and that RORE would not take place until the AFP determined that the ship was “sea worthy.”
A source privy to the status of the Unaizah May 1 said minor repairs were being made and would be “completed soon.”
Meanwhile, on social media, accounts seemingly dedicated to spreading information on activities in the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, posted footage and stills showing a supposed air drop of supplies to soldiers stationed on the Sierra Madre.
Padilla told media air drops are typically only used in “emergency situations.”
Colonel Xerxes Trinidad, the AFP’s Public Affairs Office chief, said they could not “comment on operational details.”
“Again, such option (air drop) has been part of the operational mix that the AFP employs to support emergency supplies needed by our troops in LS57 given a short period of time,” he said in a messaging group for defense reporters. LS57 is the identifier of the BRP Sierra Madre.
The first RORE to Ayungin in 2024 has been long delayed. It was first scheduled in early January and then the week after, but both times it had to be postponed because of bad weather. The UM1 can only safely navigate through certain wave heights, those familiar with its structure told Rappler.
To be sure, the UM1 and boats like it have not had it easy.
Its sister boat, the Unaizah May 2, is still being repaired after colliding with a much larger and stronger China Coast Guard vessel during the October 2023 resupply mission. The ship that temporarily replaced the UM2, the ML Kalayaan, was also damaged after being subject to the CCG’s water cannons.
Ayungin Shoal is a low-tide elevation located over 100 nautical miles away from the coast of Palawan, which means it’s well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, where it should have sovereign rights. Yet China claims Ayungin Shoal and most of the South China Sea, and views resupply missions to the Sierra Madre as a violation of its territorial rights.
In a statement released over a week after supplies were reportedly airdropped, the China Coast Guard claimed it made “temporary special arrangements” to allow the delivery of goods.
Referring to the Sierra Madre as an “illegally beached warship,” the CCG said in a January 27 statement that it “followed up and monitored” the airdrop and “controlled and dealt with it in accordance with laws and regulations.”
This would not be the first time for the military to use air drops – if they’re admit to it in January 2024 – in Ayungin Shoal. Almost a decade ago, in May 2014, the Navy airdropped supplies following a tense rotation and resupply mission in March 2014.
While airdrops are, as the AFP puts it, “part of the operational mix” in bringing emergency supplies to the Sierra Madre, it’s not ideal.
For one, there’s a limit to what you can send troops through airdrops. There’s no way airdrops can include supplies for the rusting Sierra Madre, with its long list of things to repair and improve.
Second, RORE missions to Ayungin Shoal are also for the rotation of troops, who are stationed there for months at a time. It’s only through RORE missions that those done with their tour of duty in the rusty warship can finally go home.
UM1 is the same vessel that AFP General Romeo Brawner and Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos rode when they joined a RORE mission to see for themselves the condition of the BRP Sierra Madre.
The regular RORE missions made headlines in the latter part of 2023, after the government decided to routinely embed journalists in Philippine Coast Guard vessels that accompany the Navy-contracted boats. During those missions, the UM1, UM2, ML Kalayaan, as well as PCG vessels weave through and dodge a swath of CCG and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels trying to block their access to Ayungin Shoal.
The Philippines and China recently agreed to improve its communication mechanism to avoid untoward incidents in the West Philippine Sea. – Rappler.com
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New administrator Eduardo Aliño vows to ‘sell’ SBMA to the world
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Joann Manabat - CMS
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22/01/2024 20:10
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Newly installed SBMA administrator Eduardo Aliño taks to the members of the media on several issues inside the freeport zone.
joann manabat/rappler
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines – Newly installed chairman and administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Eduardo Aliño, said when he officially assumed the job Monday, January 22, he sees improvement and potential developments inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
Aliño is no stranger to Subic. He was the former president and chair of STAR Group of Companies since 2018, former chair of Subic Bay Yacht Club from 2015 to 2018 and January to December 2023. He was also the vice president and chair of Mega Equipment International Corporation for 36 years.
Aliño resigned from the executive positions he held for many years before he assumed position as the new SBMA Administrator due to conflict of interest. This, despite Aliño’s assurance saying that there will not be any conflict in serving as both chair and SBMA locator during his first press briefing with the media.
There will be transparency in his management as he intends to develop Subic Bay, he said.
Aliño said his mandate was to improve and develop the freeport zone, help its people, and “sell” Subic Bay to both local and foreign investors from countries like Japan among others.
“I have always been a sales representative all my life. This time it’s all about selling. I want to sell SBMA to not only locally but definitely abroad, internationally. We are trying to attract investors. We have the port, infrastructure, good governance, the people who are here we will definitely support them. When those things happen, everything becomes easy,” Aliño said during the press briefing.
“2023 was basically a good year for SBMA. We will be able to determine where we are lacking. Hopefully, with the blessing, I would say I am very positive for SBMA,” he added. “I promise I will be fair (and) honest. I don’t have an agenda right now here at this job other than for you to give me a chance to help you. That is my objective.”
On existing issues about the erring locators inside the freeport zone, Aliño said that he would show regard to the facts and figures and understand the situation to move forward favorably.
“First of all, it is part of the business. We don’t see everything. If it’s necessary, try to understand their position, what happened to them. Only the facts and figures will tell us what to do. Let’s understand. We will try to go forward as positively as possible,” he said.
As for the issue surrounding the Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc, Aliño said he will leave the decision up to the Supreme Court (SC).
The SC awarded Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc. the development, operation, and management of seaports inside the freeport zone, according to media reports.
Aliño is the third to assume the position of SBMA administrator in two years. He was appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and took an oath on January 12 in Malacañang Palace.
He replaced Jonathan Tan, who resigned from his position and is now undersecretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government. – Rappler.com
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This statement is notable: “The new SBMA chief assured that there will not be any conflict of interest in serving as both chairman and locator of SBMA.” Really? What are the differences between these two positions? Why is this dual position approved? Who approved this setup? Is it true that there would be no conflict of interest under this setup?
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Jollibee vs McDonald’s: Fried chicken war spills over to noon show
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gdecastro0289
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22/01/2024 18:55
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RIVALRY. The friend chicken war between fast-good giants Jollibee Foods Corporation and McDonald's Philippines took an amusing turn on January 20, 2023 on ABS-CBN noon show, It's Showtime.
MANILA, Philippines – The fried chicken war between fast-food titans Jollibee Foods Corporation and McDonald’s Philippines spilled over into a popular noontime show, with the hashtag #Jollibee trending on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, January 21.
Fil-Australian actress Anne Curtis, a major Philippine influencer and a Jollibee endorser, had an embarassing moment on ABS-CBN’s It’s Showtime on Saturday, after comedian Vice Ganda, an endorser of McDonald’s, made her say the phrase “Nice, Ganda” which is used on McDonald’s Philippines’ recent fried chicken commercials.
On the show, Curtis apologized for her slip and said, “Bad ‘yun sa akin. Sorry po. Pasensiya na po kayo, ‘di ko po sinasadya ‘yun.” (That’s bad for me. Sorry. Excuse me, I didn’t mean it.)
When Vice then teased her by saying she said nothing wrong, Curtis replied: “Ito, kapag nawalan ako ng kontrata, pasensiya na po kayo ‘di ko po sinasadya, lapse of judgement, sorry. (Hey, if I lose my contract… Excuse me, I didn’t mean it, lapse of judgement, sorry.)
“Pasensiya na po. Ikaw talaga. ‘Pag ako nawalan, bayaran mo ‘yun…kasi ‘pag siningil ako roon… sitwasyon ang pinag-uusapan natin,” she added.
(Excuse me. Oh, you. lf I lose something, you have to pay me…if I get charged for that, that’s a possible situation we’re discussing.)
The exchange went viral and the hashtag #Jollibee, and other related hashtags, trended on Sunday.
Curtis, with 20 million followers on Instagram, made up for her slip by posting a video of her eating Jollibee Chicken Joy, the Philippines’ leading chicken brand that is popular among children.
A post shared by Anne Curtis (@annecurtissmith)
“#Chickenjoyer forever! Even when I was in London shooting @theperfect magazine, this is what we chose to eat for lunch,” she said in her post. “#BidaAngSaya talaga sa @jollibee.”
On X, Curtis also appealed to netizens to “calm down,” adding that she’s still the best of friends with her Kapamilya colleague. Vice and Curtis are both handled by the same talent company, Viva Artists Agency.
Morning everyone. Guys, kalma. No need for such negative energy. Vice and I are fine. It was a lapse of judgment on both sides. At least we can move forward and be keyrfuul. Ganyan ang biriun backstage but syempre dapat iba pag on air. Kaya kalma. It’s a beautiful day. Gawin na…
“Morning everyone. Guys, kalma. No need for such negative energy. Vice and I are fine. It was a lapse of judgment on both sides. At least we can move forward and be keyrfuul. Ganyan ang biriun backstage but syempre dapat iba pag on air. Kaya kalma. It’s a beautiful day. Gawin na lang #BidaAngSaya every day! HAHAHAHA!”
(Morning everyone. Guys, stay calm. No need for such negative energy. Vice and I are fine. It was a lapse of judgment on both sides. At least, we can move forward and be careful. That’s the joking backstage but it should be different on air. So, stay calm. It’s a beautiful day. Let’s just make it #BidaAngSaya every day! HAHAHA!)
Jollibee’s official X account then thanked Curtis for her move, saying “We love you Anne! We’re still best friends!”
We 🫶 you, Anne! Best friends pa rin tayo! 🤣 #BEEdaAngSaya https://t.co/fCrxJchwsv
On Sunday, Vice apologized for making Curtis say “Nice, Ganda” on the show.
I put Anne in an uncomfortable situation. Wrong. Sorry.
“….yes it was lapse of judgement. It was our usual ‘brandagulan’ moment na late nya narealize so nasabi nya ung tagline ng di nya namalayan. I apologized to her And pinagtawanan n lng namin. Our sisterhood will always be Nice Ganda!” Vice said.
(…Yes it was a lapse of judgement. It was our usual ‘brandagulan’ moment and she realized belatedly so she said the tagline [Nice, Ganda] unconsciously. I apologized to her and we just laughed about it. Our sisterhood will always be Nice Ganda!)
Replying to a netizen, Vice said making such mistakes comes with the territory of being a comedian.
“At times I don’t think enough. Sa kagustuhan kong magpatawa bira ako ng bira kaya minsan sablay. Sometimes i hate myself. Pero ganun talaga sa comedy man o sa real life talagang hit and miss. And we’ll just have to try again,” he said.
(At times, I don’t think enough. In my desire to make people laugh, I just shoot and shoot, sometimes, I miss. Sometimes, I hate myself, but that’s the reality in comedy or in real life, it’s really hit or miss. And we’ll just have to try again.)
On Monday, January 22, Vice again tried to pull a fast one on Curtis on the show, but the actress didn’t fall for it.
When other hosts teased them about their similar hair color and beauty-contest-like gowns and urged them to do a catwalk, Vice said to Curtis, “Rampang normal lang o gusto mo may dala tayong manok?” (Do you want to do a a normal catwalk or do you want us to do it carrying [fried] chicken?)
“Careful, careful” said Curtis. “Dapat careful na tayo. (We should be careful now.)”
McDonald’s Philippines has upped the fried chicken war with Jollibee in recent months when it tapped Vice, also a major social media influencer like Anne, and another LGBTQIA+ celebrity, Paolo Ballesteros, in an ad campaign that seeks to hit Jollibee’s popular Chicken Joy.
In the 1:15-minute ad time released in October 2023 for the holiday season, Vice brings out a box of Chicken McDo and shares it with Ballesteros in a McDonald’s outlet. He opens it, takes a photo of the fried chicken and says, “Nice, Ganda!”
The commercial then says that Chicken McDo is now “much bigger, much tastier, much juicier, and much crispier.”
In the history of Philippine advertising, it’s a major Philippine food commercial involving two high-profile LGBTQIA+ celebrities shown on free television. Many Philippine companies prefer to be conservative about tapping LGBTQIA+ personalities in the pre-dominantly Roman Catholic country, and it took a US brand to try this tack in a bid to shake up the competition in the fast-food industry.
Jollibee is the Philippines’ largest food chain with more than 1,200 stores nationwide and over 370 stores abroad as of December 2022. Its target segment is a family with children aged 16 and below. It had a “store network market share” of 49% with McDonald’s coming in second at 29%, and KFC at third with 14%.
The Philippines is one of the few countries in the world where a local food company is trumping McDonald’s.
Established in 1978, publicly listed Jollibee Foods Corporation is seeking to be among the top 5 food companies in the world. – Rappler.com
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