Presumptive death
Dear Atty. Angela, I am married to wife Cassandra way back in 2005. After we lived together for three years, I had to work in London as a caregiver and my wife worked in Hong Kong as a domestic helper. After a year apart, I have not heard from her at all and I do not know anymore about her whereabouts. I even tried contacting her parents and relatives to no avail. Until today, there is no news about her and if she is still alive. I have a live-in partner whom I would want to marry. I plan to file a declaration of presumptive death of my wife in the court. Will this be recognized? Tony *** Dear Tony, Article 41 of the Family Code of the Philippines provides that if a spouse has been absent for four consecutive years and the present spouse has a well-founded belief that the absent spouse was already dead, he or she can file a summary proceeding to have the absent spouse declared presumptively dead in order to remarry. The period of four years is shortened to two years if the absent spouse was on board a vessel lost during a sea voyage or an airplane which is missing, or a member of the armed forces taking part in a war or in danger of death under similar circumstances. This must be filed in Court and the spouse should obtain an official declaration of the presumed death of the spouse. However, in the case of Republic v Sareñogon Jr., G.R. 199194 (10 February 2016), the Supreme Court stressed that the degree of diligence and reasonable search required by law is not met (1) when there is failure to present the persons from whom the present spouse allegedly made inquiries especially the absent spouse’s relatives, neighbors, and friends, (2) when there is failure to report the missing spouse’s purported disappearance or death to the police or mass media, and (3) when the present spouse’s evidence might or would only show that the absent spouse chose not to communicate, but not necessarily that the latter was indeed dead. Given the Court’s imposition of “strict standard” in a petition for a declaration of presumptive death under Article 41 of the Family Code, it must follow that there is a required degree of stringent diligence in the search of a spouse. Therefore, you must first prove that your belief of her death is a result of diligent and reasonable efforts and inquiries. The law states that exertion of active effort (not a mere passive one) is strictly required. Atty. Angela Antonio The post Presumptive death appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
It’s imperative to rise in the Life Sciences and Global Innovation Index
Increasing and improving the quality of life sciences innovation in the country is mission-critical if we want our people to thrive and achieve a successful way of life. However, the life sciences, which include pharmaceuticals and medical technologies, is a complex sector heavily dependent on large capital due to the intensity of the research needed and the cost of development. The entire process, from research to commercialization, could take more than a decade, if not decades. Moreover, manufacturers are exposed to high risks, such as if field trials do not yield favorable results or if a product fails to meet regulatory standards. How then can we boost innovation outputs in this high risk and capital intensive sector? This was the question hanging over everyone’s head at the Asian Regional Conference in Support of Accelerated Life Sciences Innovation which IPOPHL and the World Intellectual Property Organization held earlier this September. In the Philippines, what we want is to sustain the momentum as patenting in life sciences has been growing over the years. Our data show that patent filings in the pharmaceutical sector have been growing by over 4 percent annually since 2020. Success in boosting life sciences innovation, as shown by the experiences of various countries, depends on robust incentives for research and development, a strong and balanced patent system and an effective rule of law. Another important factor is the establishment of trust among crucial players in the life sciences value chain, allowing them to collaborate and co-create. In fact, it was collaboration that paved the way for the world’s new and brave story of survival and recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. In his opening remarks, Alejandro Campaña, senior director at WIPO’s IP for Innovators Department, highlighted collaboration as making possible the development and launch of vaccines in one and a half years, a far cry from the average 10 to 15 years. This was supported by WIPO’s patent applications data in which almost a quarter named more than one inventor as the patent holder. Rising in the GII In the Philippines, collaboration takes center stage in our innovation efforts with the creation of the National Innovation Council, created by the Philippine Innovation Act of 2019. The 25-member NIC, which IPOPHL is a member of, aims to transform Philippine innovation with more and better quality outputs. It also aims to elevate the country’s ranking in the Global Innovation Index from 59th to the top third of economies. The 16th edition of WIPO’s GII will be released on Wednesday, 27 September, during a hybrid event from 13:30 to 15:30 p.m. CEST (Geneva time). Centered on a very timely theme, “Innovation in the face of uncertainty,” the report will be discussed in greater detail in a panel discussion which will also talk about the way forward for global innovation. Aside from driving innovation in an imperative sector like the life sciences, the Philippines has been relentless in making the country’s overall innovation ecosystem more vibrant and productive. Our efforts must be reflected and justified in this next GII report where we hope to see the Philippines rise up and soar. The post It’s imperative to rise in the Life Sciences and Global Innovation Index appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Appeal to Pope Francis: Restore the Mediatrix
Devotees are appealing to Pope Francis to restore the Mediatrix because there is evidence that the 1951 Pope Pius XII decree, which declared the Mediatrix apparitions not “of supernatural origin,” has been proven invalid, including all subsequent Church decrees to suppress the Mediatrix devotion in the last 70 years. The Vatican allows Mediatrix devotion (prayers, novenas) but bans any Church activity in reference to the apparition. The 1951 Pius XII decree is invalid because it is not found in the Acta Apostolicae Sedis, a requirement for a decree to be binding, according to Canon Law. The decree is considered “non-existent” even though the Holy Office (the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith back in 1951) issued a similar decree, which was not binding. Only the Pope can issue such an official decree, according to Canon Law. On 11 December 2015, Gerhard Cardinal Muller, as head; and Archbishop Luis Ladaria, SJ, as the secretary of the CDF, the Vatican office in charge of investigating Marian apparitions, issued Protocol 226/1949 which hinted at the non-existence of the Pius XII decree. Archbishops of Lipa Mariano Gaviola and Ramon Arguelles, during their respective tenures, separately asked the CDF for the documents on the status of the 1951 disapproval of the Lipa apparitions. After the CDF failed to give this, Gaviola permitted public veneration of the original image of the Mediatrix, and Arguelles issued a decree lifting the ban on Mediatrix veneration, which they could do under Canon Law, and which resulted in the erroneous CDF Protocol 226/1949, quoted below. “11. Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, in a letter dated 7 October 2009, requested permission to examine the archives of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, regarding the phenomenon at Lipa. Shortly thereafter, on 12 November 2009, Archbishop Arguelles issued a decree by which he ordered that ‘all bans written or unwritten intended to curtail or diminish the devotion to Mary Mediatrix of all Grace be lifted’ and ‘ that a new commission be formed to review the documents on the alleged apparitions of 1948 as well as to compile additional documents from the period up to the present.’” “12. After examining its archives, and discovering the error in Archbishop Ramon Arguelles’s assumption that the matter of the phenomenon of Lipa was still open to discussion, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, in a letter dated 20 March 2010, responded to Archbishop Arguelles, informing him that the decision communicated by the Episcopal Commission in 1951 was, in fact, a decision approved by the Holy Father and, therefore, the matter no longer rested under the authority of the Archbishop.” Under Canon Law, Arguelles and Gaviola, as bishops of the Lipa diocese, had the right to be provided a copy of the Holy Office-Pius XII decree, if it existed at all. When it was not given, under Canon Law, Arguelles and Gaviola had the right to lift the ban on Mediatrix devotion. The CDF claim that the matter was no longer “open to discussion” is false and is a contravention of Canon Law, which states that, in the absence of a Vatican decree, local bishops had a right to act on their own authority. The CDF, in Protocol 226/1949, wrongly blamed Gaviola and Arguelles for violating Vatican protocol.Both the Holy Office of 1951 and the CDF of 2015 committed the “sin” of not reporting that the Pius XII decree was not registered in the Acta. Muller and Ladaria , who have retired from the CDF, should be investigated by Pope Francis. No one in the entire Church knew that the Pius XII decree was non-existent for seven decades up to this very day, except for a few who did not come out in fear of Vatican repercussions. The CDF claim that the “Episcopal Commission in 1951 was in fact a decision approved by the Holy Father” is completely baseless. The Episcopal Commission issued its decision on 11 April 1951, while the Holy Office-Pius XII issued its decision two weeks before on 28-29 March. How could the Holy Office issue a decision on a still non-existent future Episcopal Commission decision? Mediatrix devotees are appealing to Pope Francis to retract Protocol 226/1949, restore the images of Bishops Gaviola and Arguelles, and stop the suppression of the Philippine clergy and the Marian devotees, in the name of the Virgin Mary whom we all love. We welcome any reply from Rome on this matter. eastwindreplyctr@gmail.com The post Appeal to Pope Francis: Restore the Mediatrix appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
UniSQ in Toowoomba
Just recently, the 13th Australian Media Traditions Conference was held on the 20th and 21st of September at the University of Southern Queensland, or UniSQ, in the Garden City of Toowoomba in Brisbane on the theme “Beyond Boundaries.” Thirty-six paper presenters, who were largely PhDs and PhD candidates from various universities on the Australian continent and beyond, each had 20 minutes to share their research and scholarly works in the field of communication in the context of the digital age. Most conferees came from the universities of Southern Queensland, Queensland, Macquarie, La Trobe, RMIT, Monash, James Cook, Swinburne, Deakin, South Australia, Melbourne, Canberra and QUT — all in Australia — while two were from the University of China and the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, and one from the University of the Philippines (the only Filipino in the pack). Each day featured a keynote speaker, a morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Everyone received a ring-bound booklet that contained the individual abstracts and biographies of every participant. The various subthemes delved into — literature, journalism, television drama, civic engagement, music industry, radio, cinema, mobile developments, media/politics/issues, technologies and globalization, SVODs in Australia, creation and content production, and archives (i.e., collection of digital/social media at the National Library of Australia) — were all reflective of the contemporary communication and media ecosystem. For one, this author presented his paper titled, “Scoping the reformative and transformative impact of media traditions.” Let me share, dear readers, what my seminal and expository paper was all about. The terms reformative and transformative simply refer to access to news, entertainment, or information in various modalities, while impact, as a term, refers to “hit,” it denoting who are adversely affected in an era of digital media (i.e., print newspapers, periodicals, magazines and other forms of publishing). These social and economic dimensions are on opposite ends of a continuum. There’s no need to be an apologist for print newspapers since the notion that the “editor is dead” in this digital age is a myth. Neither is there such a thing as the “golden age of journalism,” as one presenter embraced the view — with some authority based on her research — that it never existed. In fact, if it were any consolation, there had been a common point when the portion who got its news via social media was about equal to the portion who got its news from newspapers and that was in 2017. Therefore, if there was a crucial paradigm shift to the digital or social media platform, it must have been an entirely slow and gradual process where the readership of print newspapers slid down and the readership on social media climbed, not to mention that such transformation was only of recent memory or origin. In the case of Americans, and it may be a universal phenomenon elsewhere in the world, television dominates as a news source followed by news websites, in turn followed by radio then social media, in turn followed by print newspapers — in this pecking order. As well articulated with evidence-based data, two age groups, namely, those between 50-54 and those 65 and over, still preferred print newspapers as their news source with lower percentages in the younger age groups (i.e., 18-29, 30-48). More particularly, while most Americans get their news often from social media rather than print newspapers, there is only a marginal variance of 20 percent and 16 percent, respectively, over the period 2016 to 2018. In other words, we can embrace the view that print newspapers “will never die,” very much so in countries with aging populations to the extent possible that it might even overcome social media at some point as a source for news in this…. “digital divide” as well as “age divide.” This media traditions conference at the UniSQ in Toowoomba was probably the most fulfilling intellectual experience for experts, scholars, and practitioners in the present-day communication and digital landscape. The post UniSQ in Toowoomba appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ombudsman vindicates (3)
It was the incendiary Independent Auditor’s Report on the Department of Health’s accounts and financial operations, crafted by a state auditor, a colleague of Heidi Mendoza’s, and released prematurely that roused strife between former CoA chairpersons allied with the senators of the Republic against President Rodrigo Duterte and Health Secretary Francisco Duque. On CoA’s and the senators’ side were Grace Pulido Tan, Heidi Mendoza and Michael Aguinaldo allied with Senators Richard Gordon, Franklin Drilon, Leila de Lima, Risa Hontiveros and Kiko Pangilinan. Words and deeds are enough to establish culpability for conspiracy by the former CoA chiefs and the senators of the Republic to destabilize the Duterte administration, to say the least, and to incite the people to sedition, at most. Immediately, this column issued commentaries informing the people that the report released by CoA on the alleged irregularities in DoH funds for Covid-19 was not an annual audit report but mere Audit Observation Memorandums, or AOMs, that were released prematurely. Almost instantaneously, Mendoza came from nowhere to declare that the release of the CoA findings on the P67.32 billion in DoH funds was not premature. The writings and voices of the former CoA chairpersons were loud, clear and eloquent in defense of an annual audit report that never was. “Today I weep for my colleague, a CoA-UN auditor, who just died of a heart attack. He was the auditor behind the DoH report. Stress can kill. Please let us offer a minute of prayer,” Mendoza said. Mendoza was referring to lawyer Jake Cimafranca who wrote the Independent Auditor’s Report on DoH’s accounts. Both Mendoza and Grace Pulido Tan were quick to say that the CoA annual audit report on DoH’s accounts and financial operations was regular and went through the process of review and approval before its release. The release was not premature, both said. The premature release put CoA under fire from President Duterte and administration officials like DoH Secretary Francisco Duque and allies for the screaming headlines in local newspapers and internet news flashes in capital cities around the world that said P67.32 billion intended to protect the people from Covid-19 was being lost to corruption. During the House hearing on CoA’s audit of the DoH, then CoA Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo announced that CoA would continue making and publishing audit reports on government agencies despite criticism from Duterte and Duque. Citing the huge misstatements and deficiencies contained in the Independent Auditor’s Report, Senator Leila M. De Lima submitted P.S. Res. No. 859 ( Resolution directing the appropriate Senate committee to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation on the findings of the Commission on Audit report on the DoH on the reported unspent funds, misstatements, irregularities and deficiencies, with the end in view of addressing recurrent issues that plagued its services, as well as the persistent faults and lapses that gave rise to wastage even amid times of scarcity and shortages, and holding accountable, identifying and holding accountable those responsible for the same). The Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations (Blue Ribbon) headed by Senator Richard J. Gordon submitted its partial committee report to the Senate, preluded by a poem entitled “Pity the Nation” by Lawrence Ferlinghetti (After Khalil Gibran) 2007. “Pity the nation whose people are sheep And whose shepherds mislead them Pity the nation whose leaders are liars Whose sages are silenced And whose bigots haunt the airwaves Pity the nation that raises not its voice Except to praise conquerors And acclaim the bully as hero.” (To be continued) The post Ombudsman vindicates (3) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Son of a gun
What is it about carrying around a firearm that transforms a Dr. Jekyll into a Mr. Hyde? Lately, the public has been treated (if that is the right word) to a slew of spectacles showing ordinary citizens involved in gun-toting road rage incidents. There would be a traffic altercation, it would turn confrontational, one person would alight from his vehicle, pull out a gun and point it at his adversary to intimidate him. Unfortunately for these “kawawang” cowboys (to borrow the song lyrics of the late Fred Panopio), they forget that the entire population these days is armed with phone cameras. Their gung-ho attitude is caught on camera and posted online, going viral among a population looking for sensational footage. Worse for the bully, since there are a lot of reelectionist senators, such videos invariably trigger a Senate inquiry supposedly in aid of legislation, never mind if our country already has strict gun laws. This would inevitably give the anti-gun advocates another chance to restate their mantra of “guns are evil,” disregarding the fact that firearms are inanimate objects that do not spontaneously pull their own triggers without human intervention. Those like us who are in favor of the right to carry arms — under the proper legal regulations, of course — would then counter with our own mantra: “Guns don’t kill; people do.” The debate is monotonously repeated every time there are morons such as that bald Gonzales character, who unlawfully use guns. The call for a total gun ban to address the issue is a knee-jerk reaction by jerks. For every a-hole who pulls out his gun out of pique, there are tens of thousands like me who have never used their firearm even under pressure. I believe that the safeguards now in place for applicants for gun licenses have been effective in filtering out the vast majority of psychos who cannot handle the perceived “power” born out of carrying a gun. To call for a firearms ban just because some weirdos out there abuse their privilege to carry guns is like calling for a total ban on cars simply because there are a few drivers who get into accidents due to their lack of driving skills. In this connection, I have been wondering why my proposal to test drivers’ IQs, and if it is low, to put a notice on their cars saying “Warning: Stupid Driver” (much like the notice on beginners’ cars, “Warning: Student Driver”) has fallen on deaf official ears. My best friend, Dr. Francis Aquino, a psychology major before becoming an anesthesiologist, once told me that those who swagger around, gun in hand, are covering up for something. The psychoanalytic term he used was “compensation.” It may be for lack of parental affection when an infant, lack of wealth or power, a timid nature, or even — seriously — a small penis. Doc Francis added that sometimes those who drive the biggest cars or pack a gun with the longest barrel are those with the smallest dicks. Well, I drive a compact car and have a snub-nose revolver, so draw your own conclusions. Reminds me of that famous quote from Mae West: “Is that a gun in your pants, or are you just happy to see me?” Levity aside, a legal gun-carrying citizen should always possess the proper mindset when lugging around his weapon for protection. He should be aware of the multitude not only of the online hatred that he will be getting when he unlawfully unholsters his firearm and uses it to threaten someone but of the legal problems he will face afterward. And then there is the possibility of encountering someone who also has a gun, or who has armed bodyguards, in which case the resulting shootout will definitely result in casualties, both on the part of the combatants and, worse, of innocent bystanders. In this case, one might end up being a dead son of a gun. The post Son of a gun appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Biden recognizes two Pacific nations in move to counter China
President Joe Biden said the United States officially recognized the Pacific nations of Cook Islands and Niue Monday, as he hosted regional leaders in a bid to wrest influence from China. The announcement came at the start of a summit with the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum, where US officials said the president was announcing a more assertive American stance in the region. Biden said in statements that Washington recognized the Cook Islands and Niue as "sovereign and independent" states and would establish diplomatic relations with both. The move would help maintain a "free and open Indo-Pacific region," said Biden. Biden added that the deals to recognize the two nations would also help curb illegal fishing, deal with climate change in a vulnerable region and boost economic growth. The Cook Islands and Niue together have fewer than 20,000 inhabitants but constitute a sprawling economic zone in the South Pacific. Both are self-governing nations in "free association" with New Zealand, meaning that their foreign and defense policies are in varying degrees linked to Wellington. After decades of being treated as a relative backwater, the South Pacific has become an important arena for competition between the United States and an increasingly assertive China. China has dramatically ramped up its economic, political and military footprint in the strategic ocean region. 'Assertiveness' There is "no question that there is some role that the PRC has played in all this," a senior White House official said on condition of anonymity, referring to China by the abbreviation of its formal name. China's "assertiveness and influence, including in this region, has been a factor that requires us to sustain our strategic focus." The forum brings together states and territories scattered across the Pacific Ocean, from Australia to sparsely populated micro-states and archipelagos. But China's influence will be felt through the absence of the prime minister of the Solomon Islands, now closely aligned with Beijing. Manasseh Sogavare, who was in New York last week to attend the UN General Assembly, did not extend his stay in the United States. "We're disappointed that he's chosen not to come to this very special summit," another White House official said. Biden had been due to follow up last year's inaugural summit with a meeting of Pacific leaders this May, in Papua New Guinea. But he cut short an Asia trip and returned stateside to address a debt-ceiling crisis. For the Washington summit, Biden has prepared a full program, kicking off with an afternoon of American football on Sunday. The leaders traveled by train to Baltimore, where they were guests of honor at an NFL game between the port city's Ravens and the Indianapolis Colts. Monday's agenda features meetings and a lunch with Biden. On Tuesday, the leaders will meet with top officials on climate and the economy, and spend time with US lawmakers. The post Biden recognizes two Pacific nations in move to counter China appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Philippine Coast Guard says ‘successfully removes’ barrier at disputed reef
The Philippine Coast Guard said Monday it had removed a floating barrier at a disputed reef that was allegedly deployed to stop Filipinos accessing the traditional fishing ground. The statement was issued hours after Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano vowed to take "all appropriate actions" for the removal of barriers installed by the Chinese coast guard at Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. A 300-meter (328-yard) long floating barrier was found across the entrance of the shoal last week during a routine government resupply mission to Filipino fishermen plying the waters near the Chinese-controlled reef. It was not clear from the Philippine statement if the entire barrier had been removed from the water. A video released by the Philippine Coast Guard showed a man wearing a mask, snorkel and fins using a knife to sever a rope attached to white buoys. Another video showed an anchor being hauled from the water into a wooden outrigger boat. The Coast Guard announced it had "successfully" removed the barrier "in compliance with presidential instruction". "The barrier posed a hazard to navigation, a clear violation of international law," it added. China, which seized Scarborough Shoal from the Philippines in 2012, deploys coast guard and other vessels to patrol the fishing ground. The floating barrier prevents fishing boats from entering the shoal's shallow waters where fish are more abundant. Philippine officials previously accused the Chinese coast guard of installing the barrier shortly before the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ship arrived at the shoal last Wednesday. Several media outlets, including AFP, were on board the BRP Datu Bankaw and saw the barrier. "We will take all appropriate actions to cause the removal of the barriers and to protect the rights of our fishermen in the area," National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano said in a statement Monday. Ano said the Philippines condemns the installation of barriers, arguing such action "violates the traditional fishing rights of our fishermen whose rights... have been affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral ruling". Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin hit back Monday, saying Scarborough Shoal was "an inherent part of China" and China had "indisputable sovereignty over it and its surrounding waters". Scarborough Shoal is 240 kilometers (150 miles) west of the Philippines' main island of Luzon and nearly 900 kilometers from the nearest major Chinese land mass of Hainan. Under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which China helped negotiate, countries have jurisdiction over the natural resources within about 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) of their shore. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, while several other countries, including the Philippines, have overlapping claims to parts of it. Beijing has ignored the 2016 international court ruling that its claims have no legal basis. The Philippine foreign ministry said Monday it would "take all appropriate measures to protect our country's sovereignty and the livelihood of our fisherfolk", without elaborating. Filipino fishermen say that China's actions at Scarborough Shoal are robbing them of a key source of income and a place to shelter safely during a storm. burs-pam/amj/dva © Agence France-Presse The post Philippine Coast Guard says ‘successfully removes’ barrier at disputed reef appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Army, Air Force begin joint exercise
Some 836 personnel from the Philippine Army and the Philippine Air Force will participate in a joint exercise that will enhance the interoperability, combat readiness, and effectiveness of the two service branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The ceremonial opening was held Monday at the PA’s 5th Infantry Division headquarters in Camp Melchor F Dela Cruz, Upi, Gamu, Isabela on Monday, 25 September. 5ID commander MGen. Audrey Pasia, who graced the event, reminded the soldiers “to give their best in the entirety of the exercise.” The PA and PAF personnel will train side-by-side from 25 to 30 September in this year's Interoperability Exercise. PAF spokesperson Col. Consuelo Castillo said several drills will cover command post exercises, subject matter expert exchanges, and field training exercises. The subject matter expert exchanges will cover a series of topics, including Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), Air-to-Ground Operations, Close Air Support, Fast Rope Insertion Extraction System (FRIES) Military Free Fall, Hoist, Communication and Support System, and Sustainment Operations. The Battle Staff Exercise will focus on problem-action scenarios, which will all be applied to the field training exercises, which will be done as a culmination activity. During the drills, Castilo said that the PAF and PA personnel are expected to showcase their capabilities, strengthen working relations, as well as evaluate tactics, techniques, and procedures to improve air-to-ground communication and operations. The post Army, Air Force begin joint exercise appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Philippines vows removal of Chinese barriers at disputed reef
The Philippines vowed Monday to take "all appropriate actions" for the removal of floating barriers allegedly installed by the Chinese coast guard at a disputed reef to stop Filipinos accessing the traditional fishing ground. A 300-meter (328-yard) long floating barrier was found across the entrance of Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea last week during a routine resupply mission to Filipino fishermen plying the waters near the Chinese-controlled reef. China, which seized Scarborough Shoal from the Philippines in 2012, deploys coast guard and other vessels to patrol the fishing ground. The floating barrier prevents fishing boats from entering the shoal's shallow waters where fish are more abundant. Philippine officials previously accused the Chinese coast guard of installing the barrier shortly before the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ship arrived at the shoal last Wednesday. Several media outlets, including AFP, were on board the BRP Datu Bankaw and saw the barrier. "We will take all appropriate actions to cause the removal of the barriers and to protect the rights of our fishermen in the area," National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano said in a statement Monday. Ano said the Philippines condemns the installation of barriers, arguing such action "violates the traditional fishing rights of our fishermen whose rights... have been affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral ruling." Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin hit back Monday, saying Scarborough Shoal was "an inherent part of China" and China had "indisputable sovereignty over it and its surrounding waters". Scarborough Shoal is 240 kilometers (150 miles) west of the Philippines' main island of Luzon and nearly 900 kilometers from the nearest major Chinese land mass of Hainan. Under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which China helped negotiate, countries have jurisdiction over the natural resources within about 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) of their shore. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, while several other countries, including the Philippines, have overlapping claims to parts of it. Beijing has ignored the 2016 international court ruling that its claims have no legal basis. The Philippine foreign ministry said Monday it would "take all appropriate measures to protect our country's sovereignty and the livelihood of our fisherfolk", without elaborating. Filipino fishermen say that China's actions at Scarborough Shoal are robbing them of a key source of income and a place to shelter safely during a storm. The post Philippines vows removal of Chinese barriers at disputed reef appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senate panel cites in contempt husband of alleged abusive employer of Elvie Vergara
First the wife, now the husband. The Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights has cited in contempt Pablo Ruiz, the husband of France Ruiz, the couple who allegedly abused their domestic helper, Elvie Vergara. During Monday’s fourth marathon hearing of the Senate panel’s investigation into the alleged abuse of the couple to Vergara, lawmakers once again cited another member of the Ruiz family, this time their patriarch. Senator Raffy Tulfo made the motion to cite Pablo in contempt for allegedly lying to lawmakers. Tulfor made the motion after Pablo denied a new testimony that implicates them in the case. His motion was seconded by Senator Jinggoy Estrada. Pablo is detained inside the Senate premises along with his wife, France, who was cited in contempt last week for the exact reason. ‘New witnesses’ Meanwhile, three more witnesses namely Melinda Magno, ‘Alias Paopao,’ and Richard Pinto, floated to support Vergara’s claims that she was abused by the couple. Senator Francis Tolentino, who chairs the Senate panel, ensured the safety of the new witnesses. “Let us make sure that while we are conducting hearings and even after, no harm will happen to them. They came here to reveal the truth,” Tolentino said. To recall, Jay-ar Suarez Dimerez, or ‘Alias Dodong,’ star witness of the case, was attacked by unknown gunmen in his residence. The post Senate panel cites in contempt husband of alleged abusive employer of Elvie Vergara appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Online passport renewal for migrant workers, seniors eyed
Migrant workers and senior citizens will soon be able to renew their passports via online processing with the Senate’s approval of the New Philippine Passport Act. The upper chamber on Monday has approved on the third and final reading the Senate Bill 2001, an act providing for a new passport law, repealing for the purpose of Republic Act 8239, which allows senior citizens and migrant workers to renew their passports virtually, without having to go to the Department of Foreign Affairs office. Senator Win Gatchalian said the bill, which was among Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s priority measures, would allow Filipinos who lost their passports to request emergency passports that are valid for a year. “Tungkulin ng gobyerno na gawing maayos ang mga dokumento na kinakailangan ng ating mga kababayan para sa kanilang maayos na paglalakbay It is the duty of the government to properly prepare the required documents for their smooth travel of our countrymen),” he added. SB 2001 mandates the DFA to work in collaboration with other relevant government agencies, in establishing and maintaining an online application portal and an Electronic One-Stop Shop easily accessible on its official website, to ensure convenience in the application process and the collection and submission of necessary requirements. The measure also mandates the issuance of passports using the latest tamper-proof and data management technologies. Senator Imee Marcos, who sponsored and co-authored the bill, previously said the measure will also set up a watchlist for people who have been denied passports or have had their passports canceled. “It would be wise to improve, as much as we can, the language involved during the bicameral conference and even thereafter,” she said. SB 2001 also targets the development of a new generation of passports aligned with international standards and streamlining the application process. It includes provisions for the non-appearance renewal of passports for senior citizens and Filipino migrant workers abroad at consular offices. The post Online passport renewal for migrant workers, seniors eyed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BFP received an unmodified opinion from COA
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) received an unmodified opinion from the Commission on Audit (COA) for the first time in the fiscal year of 2022 and it got a perfect score of 20. According to the COA, the released report is based on the Financial Management Performance Rating based on the financial audit performed in this period of 2022 report by Michael R. Bacani Director Cluster 4, Defense and Security. Based on the COA report, BFP received a 93 percent score an excellent score from the first Financial Performance Rating report. Before this, it will be recalled that the COA approved the action of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) about the fact that the BFP should have a modernization program to keep up with the modern era. The COA report stated that there was nothing wrong with the actions taken by the BFP in placing the technical requirements that the Bureau of Fire needs to keep up with the BFP's modern methods and modernization program. Meanwhile, the COA report of the Financial Management Performance Rating said the BFP got an excellent rating this past period of 2022. In this regard, according to the COA report this past 2010, the BFP launched its Modernization Program by the government's Comprehensive Fire Code of 2008 so that the Bureau of Fire can adapt to modern times in the event of a fire. The report further stated that the main goal is for the government to upgrade its firefighting capability with adequate personnel and adequate firefighting equipment to protect people from dangerous fires. It was further noted in the COA report that the total funds of the Modernization Program amounted to P13.17 Billion from the year 2011 to 2017. Earlier this past 2019, Senator Bong Go filed a bill in the Senate requiring the BFP to implement the modernization program of the Bureau of Fire Protection. According to the COA report, there is nothing wrong with the technical requirements in requirements for the modernization program because it is in line with the COA report on the COA's performance audit. The Commission also believes that the government should strengthen its fire suppression campaign in conjunction with its ongoing modernization program. The post BFP received an unmodified opinion from COA appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Regulate them’: Hard-up Indonesia traders urge TikTok sales ban
As clothing seller Hendri Tanjung struggles to hawk his tunics to Indonesian buyers outside his market shop, he says customers are turning to cheaper versions on TikTok, pummeling his income. The 35-year-old sells his wares at Tanah Abang, Southeast Asia's largest textile market, where sellers are desperately calling out to passersby. The market in the capital Jakarta is less crowded than usual, with some outlets shuttered, as many of its thousands of merchants selling products made in factories or by tailors and weavers complain about the impact of TikTok's booming e-commerce arm on their business. "We want the government to close TikTok Shop, or at least regulate them. I feel bad for my employees," said Tanjung. Indonesians spent more money on the Chinese-owned app than anywhere else in the region over the past year, as TikTok Shop rapidly gained a substantial regional market share and millions of sellers since its 2021 launch. But government ministers in Southeast Asia's biggest economy have threatened to ban the app outright because of its impact on local sellers, including those at Tanah Abang who rely on offline buyers. Tanjung said a tunic he sells at 60,000 rupiah ($3.90), can be found for 40,000 rupiah on TikTok Shop, undercutting his business. "I don't know where they source their products to sell at such low prices. Ours are our own products and we cannot sell them at that price," he said. After a daily revenue drop of more than 80 percent from 30 million rupiah ($1,948) to five million ($324) in recent months, he was forced to lay off five of his 30 employees. Laws in the archipelago nation do not cover transactions through social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook or Instagram. But President Joko Widodo said new regulation on social media transactions could come as early as Tuesday. The draft regulation, expected to be presented soon after Widodo said Monday it was "being finalized in the trade ministry", will aim to curb what Jakarta says are monopolistic practices. Level playing field Experts say such regulation would create a level playing field for local businesses. "The key is to regulate social commerce to be on par with e-commerce and traditional offline retailers," said Nailul Huda, a researcher at the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance. "The government should enhance protection for local products by tightening regulations on imported goods and offering disincentives for imports." TikTok has criticized calls for a ban, saying it would harm Indonesian merchants and consumers. "Close to two million local businesses in Indonesia use TikTok to grow and thrive through social commerce," Anggini Setiawan, TikTok Indonesia's head of communications, told AFP earlier this month. Indonesia is TikTok's second-largest market, with 125 million users, according to company figures. It is owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance. The country represented 42 percent of TikTok's $4.4 billion regional gross merchandise value last year, according to Singapore-based consultancy Momentum Works. TikTok's chief executive Shou Zi Chew visited Jakarta in June, pledging to pour billions of dollars into Southeast Asia in the coming years. But the market sellers want TikTok's rise restricted. Atinah, a 21-year-old who sells clothing, said she could no longer hope for high weekend sales at her shop at Tanah Abang, which used to bring in around 10 million rupiah per day. "We are happy if the government can regulate TikTok Shop since now we can only make around three million rupiah on weekends," said Atinah, who like many Indonesians goes by one name. "Buyers always compare the prices here with what they see on TikTok Shop." The post ‘Regulate them’: Hard-up Indonesia traders urge TikTok sales ban appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Still without CA nod, Herbosa to face powerful appointments body
Dr. Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa’s fate as secretary of the Department of Health is scheduled to be determined today by the powerful Commission on Appointments. Herbosa, who was tapped by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to lead the Health department last June, is the only remaining Cabinet official who has yet to be confirmed by the CA. He would face the 25-member Constitutional body that is mandated to confirm or reject appointments made by the president. In August, SAGIP Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta admonished Herbosa for opposing the Department of Trade and Industry’s plan to make the Philippines a manufacturing hub for heated tobacco products or HTPs. Marcoleta then cautioned Herbosa to “respect the rule of law” if he wanted to secure his appointment. “The Philippine government, particularly Congress and Senate, have already set the country’s state policy on vape and heated tobacco products with the passage of RA11900 (Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation law ) regulating the same. The President allowed it to lapse into law which means he supports the policies stated therein. Otherwise, he would have vetoed it,” he said. “If he wants to secure his confirmation, he should learn to respect the rule of law and abide by existing laws and state policies enacted by Congress,” he added. Herbosa expressed his opposition to the government’s proposal, stressing that it would be “counterproductive” to the government’s long history of fighting against the use of tobacco products. “Economic managers should consider the long-term economic burden resulting from these harmful products due to premature sickness and deaths, which outweighs potential economic gains from investing in these industries,” he said. Prior to his appointment, Herbosa served as special adviser to the National Task Force against Covid-19. He also served as undersecretary at the Department of Health from 2010 to 2015, under the Aquino administration. The post Still without CA nod, Herbosa to face powerful appointments body appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
EU envoy calls out China’s new floating barrier in Scarborough Shoal
“Deeply concerning.” This was how European Union Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Veron described China’s move to install a floating barrier around Scarborough Shoal Bajo, also known as Bajo de Masinloc. In a tweet, Veron flagged China’s newest actions in the West Philippine Sea, which now prevents Filipino fishermen from entering the shoal for their livelihood activities. He said that China’s action "disregards" the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS. “The installation of the floating barrier is dangerous, detrimental to the livelihoods of Philippines fishermen, and disregards the peace-driven objectives of UNCLOS,” he said. Over the weekend, the Philippine Coast Guard reported the presence of the floating barrier in the southeastern portion of Bajo de Masinloc, allegedly installed by the China Coast Guard. Located 120 nautical miles from Zambales, Bajo de Masinloc is considered a traditional fishing ground for Filipinos in the West Philippine Sea. The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs had already vowed to “take all necessary measures” to protect the country's sovereignty and the livelihood of affected Filipino fishermen. “We will take all appropriate measures to protect our country’s sovereignty and the livelihood of our fisherfolk,” the DFA said in a statement. China claims the vast South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. The 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea invalidated Beijing’s historic nine-dash line claim in the entire South China Sea. Seven years after the Tribunal favored the Philippines’ arbitral case against China, the ruling remains on paper as China continues to disregard it by going about its illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea. The post EU envoy calls out China’s new floating barrier in Scarborough Shoal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Escudero urges Marcos to appoint full-time DA chief
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. should appoint a “full-time and competent alter ego” to lead the Department of Agriculture, said Senator Francis Escudero on Monday. In a radio interview, Escudero lamented that the DA chief should address the challenges confronted by the agricultural sector with “urgency” including the administration's campaign against rice smuggling and hoarding. “Kung mahalaga talaga iyan, kailangang may full-time at dedicated na kalihim at hindi part-time lamang (If that's really important, it should have a full-time and dedicated secretary and not just a part-time one,” he lamented. While he understands the President's desire to hold on to the position in a bid to "personally oversee" the sector, Escudero stressed that “there are too many national issues and concerns that Marcos has to attend to as head of state.” “Maganda ang intensyon ng Pangulo. Ang problema ay iisa lang ang katawan niya, dadalawa lamang ang mga kamay niya at ang 24 oras niya ay 24 oras din nating lahat (The President’s intention was good. But the problem is, he has only one body, two hands and his 24 hours time is for ours too),” he added. Escudero further pressed the need to focus on resolving woes related to the agricultural sector, particularly rice smuggling and hoarding, which are mainly blamed for the high prices of rice in the markets. Also, Escudero reiterated his call for the government to expose the names of people, not just the trading companies, involved in rice smuggling and hoarding in the country. He said appropriate charges must also be filed against them. The Bureau of Customs reported Saturday that it has seized P31.5 billion worth of smuggled goods, including agricultural products, from January to September this year. The majority of the items seized by the bureau were counterfeit items such as shoes, bags and clothes. The smuggled agricultural products were logged at P3.3 billion. Escudero had previously lamented that no charges have been filed against any individual involved in the smuggling of goods into the country. The post Escudero urges Marcos to appoint full-time DA chief appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
No need to panic over Nipah virus – expert
An infectious disease expert on Monday allayed public fears over the Nipah virus, a zoonotic disease that is transmitted from animal to human through contaminated food or directly between people. In a radio interview, Dr. Rontgene Solante, president of the Philippine College of Physicians, clarified that although a Nipah outbreak has been declared in Kerala, India, the public should not “panic” over the disease. “There is no need to panic with this Nipah virus in one part of India. It is just that we need to monitor what is its extent,” Solante told TeleRadyo Serbisyo. He noted that the outbreak in India was a “controlled outbreak.” He also said that, unlike COVID-19, which hit the world nearly three years ago, symptomatic infections of the Nipah virus are “easy to track down.” According to Solante, people who contract Nipah virus may experience intense fever, severe headaches and excessive sleepiness. The World Health Organization said that the first Nipah virus case was detected in 1999, during an outbreak among pig farmers in Malaysia. “It was also recognized in Bangladesh in 2001, and nearly annual outbreaks have occurred in that country since. The disease has also been identified periodically in eastern India,” it said. The Department of Health earlier said that it has yet to detect a Nipah virus case in the country. The agency, however, noted that the Philippines recorded a case of Henipah Virus Infection in 2014. The post No need to panic over Nipah virus – expert appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DTI Secretary Pascual Supports Kadiwa ng Pangulo
Kadiwa ng Pangulo is a farm-to-consumer program that ensures Filipino consumers' access to low-priced and guaranteed high-quality produce from local consumers......»»
8ID installs new Battalion Commander of 19IB
The 19th Infantry "Commando" Battalion, Philippine Army based in Catubig, Northern Samar welcomes its new Battalion Commander in a change of command ceremony on February 23, 2023......»»