Jay Sonza (Photo courtesy of VivaPinas.com)
Jay Sonza has been granted release from detention after the dismissal of criminal charges against him by two Quezon City Regional Trial Courts (QC RTC).
However, he has chosen to remain incarcerated due to a separate commitment order that mandates his detention at the Quezon City Jail Quarantine Facility in Barangay Payatas. This order is linked to a libel case filed against him at QC RTC Branch 77.
Sources within the jail, speaking on condition of anonymity, conveyed to The Manila Times via Viber that Sonza, who had reportedly declined communication with individuals, including some “politicians,” until his legal matters concluded, has presently opted to continue his detention.
According to the same undisclosed jail official, Sonza’s libel case is scheduled for a hearing by the end of the week, during which he is anticipated to post bail of P10,000 for his temporary release.
Alongside QC RTC Branch 215, Judge Editha Mina-Aguba of Branch 100 also decided to dismiss the case against Sonza. This ruling was due to the repeated absence of the private complainants in the proceedings. (ai/mnm)
MANILA — A significant majority of Filipinos view China as the foremost potential danger to the Philippines and support President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s stance of not capitulating to the dominant force in Asia, despite its provocative maneuvers in the contested South China Sea, according to the most recent poll conducted by PUBLiCUS Asia.
In the Pahayag 2023 First Quarter survey, the bulk of Filipinos conveyed their confidence in Japan, the member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Canada, South Korea, Australia, and the United States (US). In addition to China, Filipinos also hold a sense of distrust toward Russia, as indicated by the survey.
Carried out between March 2 and March 6, 2023, with a sample size of 1,500 respondents, the survey revealed that 55 percent of participants exhibited trust in Japan, closely followed by ASEAN and Canada, at 45 percent and 44 percent, respectively.
Interestingly, PUBLiCUS Asia noted that South Korea (39 percent), Australia (39 percent), and the US (39 percent) “share similar levels of trust.”
However, the report highlighted a slightly more cautious outlook towards the US, comparable to attitudes regarding the UK (34 percent) and the European Union (30 percent). (AI/MNM)
Photo shows Commissioner Albert Dela Cruz (seated, center) after signing the memorandum of agreement with SWTI president Francis Eric Chao (right) and John Gilbert Madarang of 11 FTCEI. (Photo supplied)
MANILA — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) has established collaborations with private sector entities to advance the creation and production of local environmentally friendly goods.
These partnerships are also aimed at finding cooperative approaches for safeguarding the environment and addressing the challenges of climate change through adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Albert Dela Cruz Sr., the Climate Change Commissioner, recently announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with SafeWater Technologies Incorporated (SWTI).
This MOU signifies a joint endeavor to bolster the nation’s climate change action program. Another MOU was also secured with 11 FTC Enterprises Inc. (11 FTCEI) to foster joint initiatives in crafting ecologically sustainable products, as well as exploring innovative techniques for waste collection and recycling.
Commissioner Dela Cruz emphasized that effectively addressing the consequences of climate change necessitates a comprehensive and collective approach involving the entire nation and its communities.
He stressed that everyone’s participation is crucial in the concerted effort to safeguard and conserve the environment.
Francis Eric Chao, the President and CEO of SafeWater Technologies, concurred with the commissioner’s stance. He noted that as a domestically owned manufacturing and service company, SWTI envisions a robust collaboration with the CCC.
Such a partnership aims to facilitate projects that contribute to the government’s pursuit of resilience and economic stability.
Similarly, John Gilbert Madarang from 11 FTCEI highlighted the vital role of private organizations in orchestrating and leading diverse climate change, environmental, and ecological sustainability initiatives in coordination with relevant government bodies. (ai/mnm)
In Pasay City, a bustling printing shop is hard at work producing campaign t-shirts intended for use by candidates in the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Election on October 30. Elmo Duque, the assistant regional election director of Comelec, has issued a warning regarding the distribution of oversized posters before October 19, 2023. He emphasized that such actions are strictly prohibited, and individuals found engaging in the solicitation of votes for or against any political candidates will face penalties. (BENJAMIN CUARESMA/ai/mnm)
By Benjamin Cuaresma
Undersecretary Edu Punay of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) personally assisted beneficiaries during the launch of the “Walang Gutom 2027 Food Stamp Program of the agency in Pritil, Tondo, Manila on Wednesday, August 16, 2023.
Usec Punay also thanked the Asian Development Bank, World Food Programme, DOST-FNRI, DOH-National Nutrition COuncil and Pilipinas Kontra Gutom for their roll as partners for the “walang Gutom 2027” Food Stamp Program.
The program’s goal is to enroll as many as one million families who will each receive a tap card containing an amount of P3,000 worth of monthly food credits. (ai/mnm)
Amidst severe flooding in Central Luzon, President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. conducts an aerial inspection on affected areas by the recent typhoons in this file photo. (Photo from the Office of the President)
ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte — Following President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Romualdez Marcos Jr.’s directive for a thorough study on the proposed construction of an impounding system in Candaba, Pampanga, Climate Change Commissioner Albert Dela Cruz Sr. expressed his support to the proposal, saying the project would contribute considerably in resolving the lingering problem of massive flooding in Central Luzon.
During a meeting with local officials, the chief executive had stressed the need to study the proposal as a long-term solution to the flooding problems in Pampanga and nearby provinces even as he allayed the fears of local government units (LGUs) over the impact of the construction on people’s livelihood in the area, particularly that of palay farmers in Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac and Bulacan.
The Candaba impounding system project was actually proposed by former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Rogelio Singson in 2013 but local officials had opposed it because they believe the project would affect more than 9,000 residents in Candaba whose lives would be drastically disrupted because there were no measures apparently outlined for their welfare.
Despite this, however, the President has now allayed the misgivings expressed by local government chief executives (LGCEs) who were apprehensive over the impact of the construction of the impounding facility on their constituents.
“Do not worry when it comes to the LGUs. Kayo naman ay hindi namin basta . . . sasagasaan na lang iyong project. Hindi namin gagawin iyon (We will not let the project affect you. We will not do that),” he enthused during his meeting with the LGUs in the area.
The chief executive likewise assured them that those who will be displaced by the proposed project would be relocated to other areas where they would be provided with all their needs.
Commissioner Dela Cruz recently visited Marawi City in Lanao del Sur, where he discussed with local officials to transform the well known trade hub into an ‘Ecopolis’ or Green City, and as of press time, he is now in Iligan City in Lanao del Norte to meet with students and the youth to inculcate in them the significance of their involvement and active participation in the government’s efforts to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change and global warming.
He spelled out that the establishment of the impounding system facility, or what he has described as a total water ecosystem, would not only be beneficial in flood prevention but also in providing an additional water source for the National Capital Region (NCR) and outlying areas.
“Makakatulong din ito sa pangangalaga ng ating biodiversity sa Candaba swamp at maaaring din itog maging lugar para sa ecotourism tulad ng La Mesa Nature Reserve sa Quezon City,” Dela Cruz pointed out in the vernacular. (ai/mnm)
ANGE Kouame and Anton Assistio answered the call for Rain or Shine as they delivered in the clutch to survive a gritty Iran side in double overtime, 98-90, for its first ever win in the 42nd William Jones Cup on Wednesday.
The naturalized player stood at the forefront of a closing 10-2 Elasto Painters run in the second extra period that took the fight out of the Iranians at the Taipei Heping Gymnasium.
Assistio capped the scoring job by nailing a long three pointer, before Leonard Santillan put the exclamation point with a completed three-point play for the final count.
Until the telling run, the game was nip and tuck affair and was tied for the last time at 88-all.
The win was the first for coach Yeng Guiao and the Elasto Painters, who previously lost all of their first four outings including two winnable games against United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
The celebration may be a bit short for Rain or Shine though, as it faces Anyang KGC on Thursday.
Anyang, which sports a 2-1 slate in a tie for third with Chinese Taipei-B, is the reigning champion of the Korean Basketball League (KBL) and the East Asia Super League.
Kouame led Rain or Shine with 20 including 14 points in the two extra period when he practically carried the team on his broad shoulders.
The 6-foot-11 former Ateneo stalwart, who also added nine rebounds and nine block shots, accounted for all the points of the Elasto Painters in the first extra period, which ended at 83-all.
Andrei Caracut finished with 19 points and Santillan with 17 as they were responsible for giving Rain or Shine its biggest lead of the game at 72-58 in the fourth period.
But the Iranians, the same team which Gilas Pilipinas beat in the Heyuan WUS International Basketball Tournament in Guandong, China recently, crawled their way back and went on a huge 16-2 run to catch up with the Elasto Painters, 74-74, at the end of regulation.
Amir Azari had 16 points and Ali Reza Sharifi and Amir Yazarloo with 15 each for Iran, which fell to a 1-3 record.
Former Congressman Arnie Teves (ABS-CBN photo courtesy)
In a landmark occurrence, the House of Representatives has ousted Congressman Arnie Teves, marking an unprecedented event following a series of deliberations by the House ethics committee that culminated in his removal.
On Wednesday, August 16, the House of Representatives expelled Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr., the representative of the 3rd District of Negros Oriental.
This historic development is significant for a legislative body that has not taken such a step towards any of its members since the reestablishment of a bicameral Congress in 1987.
A decisive 265 legislators cast their votes to remove Teves from his position due to his disruptive behavior and breach of the code of conduct. The recommendation received unanimous support, with no opposing votes, although three members from the Makabayan bloc abstained from the decision.
The House ethics committee, which had held seven private sessions since March to discuss Teves’ case, conveyed the recommendation to the plenary.
Before the events of Wednesday, Teves had already faced two 60-day suspensions within the House: the first in March and the subsequent one in May.
House leaders had repeatedly called upon Teves to return and address the multiple allegations against him, notably concerning his alleged involvement in the killing of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo in February.
However, Teves chose to disregard these appeals, asserting that he was unable to return home due to perceived grave threats to his life.
Departing the country in February, shortly after Degamo’s demise, Teves had cited medical grounds for his travel clearance, which had expired by March.
Grounds for Teves’ Expulsion
The House’s decision to expel Teves was motivated by the following factors:
Teves’ pursuit of political asylum in Timor-Leste, which was construed as an abandonment of his public office responsibilities
Teves’ continuous absence from the House, violating established House regulations
Teves’ inappropriate conduct on social media, where he shared a video of himself dancing in just a tank top and boxer shorts, causing reputational damage to the House
Felimon Espares, the chairman of the ethics committee, announced, “This committee, with the unanimous agreement of its members, advises the House of Representatives to enforce the penalty of expulsion from the House of Representatives upon Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr.”
(Source: AI/mnm)
ILOILO City – Romeo Constancio of University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos outraced Peter Molina of West Visayas State University(WVSU) in the crucial stretch to rule the men’s 100-m dash in 11.5 seconds and became the most bemedalled athlete with three golds at the end of the athletics competition in the 2023 ROTC Games Visayas Leg on Wednesday at the Iloilo Sports Complex here.
Constancio, a 20-year-old Air Force ROTC cadet from Pulupandan, Negros Occidental later joined with teammates David Paul Balagat, John Lloyd Moreno and Christian Sericon in topping the PAF’s men’s 4×400-meter relay.
The deadly quartet of the UNO-R likewise dominated the men’s 4×100-m relay in 49.6 seconds on Tuesday.
“I am very thankful to our Creator for this wonderful gift. I never expected this.This is my first time to participate in a multi-event meet,” said Constancio, a second year BS Criminology student.
He said they will continue with their preparation for the national Finals in Metro Manila tentatively set in October.
“I knew Molina, who won yesterday’s 200-m run, is fast but I told myself, this is my time also to test my capability. Parang tiwala lang sa sarili,” added Constancio.
Jerson Gison of West Visayas State University likewise won the Philippine Army’s competition of the men’s 100-m dash in 11.7 seconds.
The three branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines including the Philippine Navy will have their own respective competition and separate winners.
As expected, Piepet Prebillo of Filamera Christian School of Capiz secured her second gold by winning the gold in the Philippine Army’s women’s 100-m dash.
The 20-year-old Army cadet Prebillo also won the PA’s 200-m run on Tuesday in 27.91 seconds. “I’m very happy to win both the 100-m dash and 200-m run and become the fastest woman in this competition,” said the second year BS Criminology student Prebillo. (ai/mnm)
MANILA – For two consecutive days, bargain hunting has supported the local bourse pushing it back to its 6,400 level, while the peso also bounced back on Wednesday.
The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) recovered 74.18 points, supporting the equities market to reach 6,410.09 level.
All shares also increased by 25.54 points to 3,426.41, with five out of six sectors closed in the green.
“Funds bought up into the local market as investors sought refuge from the geopolitical concerns from China’s woes,” Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales Luis Limlingan said.
“Locally, shares were bought up on bargain hunting, supported by the latest remittances print. This was reported to have reached a six-month high in June at USD2.81 billion, up by 2.1 percent year-on-year,” he added.
Financials was the only sector that declined by 3.51 points to 1,900.92.
The rest ended in the positive territory, with three sectors increasing by over 100 points, which include Mining and Oil (+181.11 points), Industrial (+127.44 points) and Holding Firms (+103.97 points).
Property and Services also rose by 21.19 and 11.76 points, respectively.
Advancers outnumbered decliners at 92 to 89, with 45 issues left unchanged.
Meanwhile, peso appreciated by 0.32 to 56.52 to a US dollar from the previous trading’s close at 56.84.
It started trading weak at 56.80 from last day’s opening at 56.65.
The currency pair traded to a low of 56.52 to a high of 56.91, bringing the average level for the day at 56.76 to the greenback.
Total volume slipped to USD1.02 billion from USD1.09 billion on Tuesday. (PNA)
TACLOBAN CITY – At least 200 surfers from all over the country will be in Calicoan Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, in September for the Calicoan Odyssey Wave 2023, the second leg of NextGen Pilipinas Surfing Nationals 2023.
Kinna Kwan, Guiuan town municipal administrator, said in a phone interview Wednesday that the actual competition, scheduled from Sept. 15 to 21, will be held at the ABCD Beach, which is considered the best surfing site in Calicoan and known for its left-handed and right-handed reef breaks.
The event will kick off on Sept. 14 through an orientation and a beach clean-up and will be followed by the opening of the surfing competition the following day. The awarding ceremony is on Sept. 20 and will be concluded by another beach clean-up the next day.
More than PHP600,000 cash prizes are stakes for winners of the four categories in the competition.
Before Calicoan, the first leg of NextGen Pilipinas Surfing Nationals 2023 is set in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte from Sept. 1 to 7. Another leg of the surfing competition will be in Baler, Aurora; Borongan City, Eastern Samar; and Cabugao, Ilocos Sur.
The event is sanctioned by the United Philippine Surfing Association (UPSA), the national sports body for surfing in the Philippines, and recognized by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee as a regular member.
The event is organized by the local government unit of Guiuan, UPSA, and the local surfing organizations of Calicoan Island and Eastern Samar; ABCD Surf Calicoan Local Surfers Samrayan Surfboards, The Backyard Surf Co., and the Surfriders Club of Eastern Samar Inc.
Calicoan, unlike other popular surfing destinations in the country, is known for its left-handler waves, which surfers would dream of surfing. It is one of the islands in Guiuan town. (PNA)
ISTANBUL – YouTube announced its new health policy Tuesday to tackle medical misinformation shared on its platform.
The company said it needs a policy framework that holds up in the long term and preserves the balance of removing harmful content while ensuring space for debate and discussion.
“While specific medical guidance can change over time as we learn more, our goal is to ensure that when it comes to areas of well-studied scientific consensus, YouTube is not a platform for distributing information that could harm people,” it said.
The company said it will streamline dozens of its existing medical misinformation guidelines to fall under three categories — prevention, treatment, and denial.
“These policies will apply to specific health conditions, treatments, and substances where content contradicts local health authorities or the World Health Organization,” it said.
“To determine if a condition, treatment or substance is in scope of our medical misinformation policies, we’ll evaluate whether it’s associated with a high public health risk, publicly available guidance from health authorities around the world, and whether it’s generally prone to misinformation,” it added.
YouTube said it will remove content that contradicts and disputes health authority guidance on the prevention, transmission, and treatments of specific health conditions from the platform.
Some topics that will see contradictory content removed include the coronavirus, reproductive health, cancer, and harmful substances and practices. (Anadolu)
GENEVA – Global household wealth, measured in current nominal US dollars, fell last year for the first time since the 2008 financial crisis, a new study found.
The total private net wealth was down 2.4 percent in 2022 compared with the previous year, according to the 14th edition of the Global Wealth Report released Tuesday.
According to the report, compiled by Swiss banks UBS and Credit Suisse, net private wealth fell by USD11.3 trillion to USD454.4 trillion. Wealth per adult also declined by 3.6 percent or USD3,198 to USD84,718.
The study attributed much of the decline to the appreciation of the US dollar against numerous other currencies.
Financial assets contributed most to the decline in wealth in 2022, while non-financial assets, mainly real estate, remained stable despite rapidly rising interest rates.
But the study also revealed regional differences in wealth development. The loss of global wealth is heavily concentrated in wealthier regions such as North America and Europe, which together lost USD10.9 trillion.
In contrast, an opposite trend is evident in Latin America. There, the study recorded a total increase in wealth of USD2.4 trillion.
This, according to the report, was boosted by an average currency appreciation of 6 percent against the US dollar.
The study also indicates that the highest wealth gains were achieved by Russia, Mexico, India and Brazil.
In terms of wealth per adult, Switzerland leads the way with USD685,230, followed by the US, Hong Kong, Australia and Denmark.
The authors of the study said global wealth will increase by 38 percent over the next five years, reaching USD629 trillion by 2027.
Moreover, growth in middle-income countries is expected to be the main driver of global trends. (Anadolu)
DHAKA, Bangladesh – Bangladesh’s central bank has suspended several internal online services to prevent a possible cyberattack.
Some web-based services of Bangladesh Bank (BB) were closed for a span of 36 hours starting on Monday night as a cautionary measure to avoid an incident similar to a 2016 cyberattack in which hackers stole nearly USD1 billion, the central bank said in a circular.
Its Executive Director Md. Mezbaul Haque told Anadolu on Tuesday that the bank had strengthened its vigilance and surveillance since Sunday to guard against any possible cyberattack.
“We have only shut some internal online services systems and those won’t disrupt any public services,” he added.
The move followed an alert by the country’s electronic incident response team on Aug. 4 that warned that a hacker group planned on attacking critical information infrastructure, banks, financial institutions, and government and private agencies on Tuesday.
Earlier in 2016, hackers stole nearly USD1 billion from the account of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York that belonged to the Bangladesh central bank. The hackers made away with less than one-tenth the amount in the biggest cyber heist in history.
However, the bank has made little progress in recovering the money.
Haque said officials are on high alert and issued the circular, not just for the possible cyberattack but also for maintenance of some 126 internal services.
“The increased surveillance will continue for some more days,” Haque said.
Following the cyberattack warning, the central bank on Thursday also issued an 11-point directive asking all banks and financial institutions to be alert and counter possible strikes.
The cyber security alert came after a group of hackers, calling themselves hacktivists from India, threatened banks, financial institutions, healthcare providers, and government agencies in Bangladesh and Pakistan.
The group said an attack could take place on Aug. 15, national day on which Bangladesh mourns the death of its founder. (Anadolu)
MANILA – An official of the Department of Energy (DOE) sees the Philippines will have 100,000 electric vehicle (e-vehicle) registrations by 2028, backed by government policies that will support the growth of e-vehicle industry in the country.
In a press conference of the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) in Taguig City Wednesday, DOE Energy Utilization Management Bureau Director Patrick Aquino said it is expected that majority of these e-vehicle registrations will come from motorcycles.
Citing the figures from the Land Transportation Office, Aquino said there are 9,666 registered e-vehicles last year, 8,100 of which are two- and three-wheelers.
“From the government perspective, we’re looking at more lively sector,” he said.
He added that with the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) now in place, the implementation of the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry (CREVI) as well as other programs, such as the Vehicles Fuel Economy Labeling Program (VFELP) and the Fuel Economy Performance Rating (FEPR), will help in accelerating the adoption of e-vehicles in the country.
“What you will be hearing moving forward from the government is our continued push to support the sector, the expansion of the import tariff suspension under the existing Executive Order (EO)… We are looking forward to having the inclusion of two- and three-wheelers,” Aquino said.
Last Jan. 13, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed EO 12 scrapping tariffs on completely built-up e-vehicles for a period of five years.
Aquino underscored that the local industry has big potential in two- and three-wheeler types of e-vehicles based on the number of vehicle registration last year.
More than 8 million out of 13 million vehicles that were registered last year are motorcycles.
“So we are trying to bring those costs down by way of rollout of EV charging infrastructures. We’re looking at our private sector partners. You’re seeing more and more model developments, building facilities, the charging infrastructure coming in,” Aquino said. (PNA)
MANILA – Two lucky bettors would split the PHP31.7 million jackpot prize of the Super Lotto 6/49 draw on Tuesday night.
In a statement on Wednesday, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Melquiades Robles said the winners from Imus, Cavite and Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu Ozamis City got the winning combination of 12-05-01-30-09-14 with total jackpot prize of PHP31,725,228.
The bettors can claim the prize at the PCSO main office in Mandaluyong City by presenting the winning ticket and two identification cards.
As provided in the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law, lotto winnings of more than PHP10,000 shall be subject to a 20 percent tax.
Prizes not claimed within a year shall be forfeited.
Meanwhile, 82 others won PHP50,000 each for guessing five out of the six winning digits, while 2,409 will get PHP1,200 each for four correct digits, and 30,144 will settle for PHP50 each for three correct digits.
The Super Lotto 6/49 is drawn every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
Meanwhile, the PCSO reported that it has released PHP35.8 million in medical assistance to a total of 4,765 eligible beneficiaries nationwide from Aug. 7 to 11.
Citing its latest data, the state lottery agency said in a statement the funds were released to beneficiaries through its Medical Access Program (MAP).
The beneficiaries include 715 indigents from the National Capital Region who received PHP8.3 million worth of assistance; 1,212 from Northern and Central Luzon who were given PHP8.1 million; and 1,447 from the Southern Tagalog and Bicol Region who received PHP6.8 million.
In the Visayas, 1,091 individuals were provided with PHP6.1 million in medical aid while 1,138 in Mindanao received PHP6.3 million.
The MAP, formerly known as the Individual Medical Assistance Program, augments medical assistance for indigent Filipinos, particularly for hospital confinement, chemotherapy, dialysis and post-transplant medicines.
Robles urged the public to support the agency’s gaming products to raise additional revenue for health initiatives, medical services, and other national charities.
Through its mandatory contributions, the PCSO not only helps individuals in need of medical assistance but also provides funds to government institutions. (PNA)
MANILA – Sweden has again offered its Saab JAS 39 “Gripen” multi-role fighter aircraft for the modernization needs of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) which is looking to beef up its fleet.
This developed following Monday’s courtesy call of Sweden Ambassador to Manila Annika Thunborg to Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. at the DND headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
“On modernizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines to more effectively protect the country’s territorial integrity and interests in its EEZ (exclusive economic zone), Secretary Teodoro emphasized that whatever defense acquisition the Philippines will pursue must be sustainable, interoperable, and supportable. Recognizing the Philippines’ need for a modern PAF, Ambassador Thunborg highlighted Sweden’s offer of its flagship multi-role fighter aircraft, the Saab JAS-39 ‘Gripen’,” DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said in a statement Wednesday.
The JAS-39 is considered one of the top two contenders for the PAF multirole fighter (MRF) acquisition project with the other jet fighter being the US Lockheed Martin F-16V “Viper”, the latest version of the American-made aircraft now being supplied in quantities in many air forces in the world.
The JAS-39 is classified as the most reliable “swing-role combat aircraft” available in the world.
The Swedish-made fighter requires minimal personnel and ground support equipment for dispersed operations and can operate from small unprepared roads. It is also equipped with sophisticated radar and sensors and weapons.
The MRFs are expected to backstop the military’s existing fleet of 12 South Korean-made Mach 1.5 capable FA-50PH light jet fighters.
The requirements for the MRF project stipulate that the offered aircraft must be “fourth generation or higher.”
The project also requires 12 MRFs at least capable of patrolling the country’s protected waters and airspace.
The MRF project is supposed to be part of Horizon 2 of the AFP Modernization Program slated for 2018 to 2022, which aims to acquire more equipment for external defense, but was pushed back for implementation due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Exchanging regional security situation updates, Ambassador Thunborg noted the developments in the South China Sea (SCS)/West Philippine Sea (WPS) and conveyed Sweden’s support for the Philippines’ position and upholding the rules-based international order,” Andolong said.
“Welcoming the support from Sweden and other like-minded partners, Secretary Teodoro hoped for a global consensus on the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling on the SCS and underscored the importance of the Philippines’ enforcement of its sovereign rights over its EEZ,” the DND spokesperson said.
He added that both sides looked forward to the ratification and implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding concerning Cooperation in the Acquisition of Defense Materiel, which was signed between the Philippines and Sweden last June 3 in Singapore.
“In anticipation of possible projects in the future, the Swedish Ambassador proposed to facilitate the exchange of information on the two countries’ differing financial systems and financing packages that Sweden could offer,” Andolong stressed.
Both countries are also looking at possible cooperation or capacity-building on disaster resilience and management. (PNA)
MANILA – National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez ordered the relief of Navotas City police chief Col. Allan Umipig from his post in connection with the death of 17-year-old Jerhode Jemboy Baltazar in a case of mistaken identity.
In an order dated Aug. 15 and released Wednesday, Nartatez said the move is based on the recommendation of the Philippine National Police-Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) after its investigation showed that he ordered the exclusion of the names of another 11 police officers from the report on the Aug. 2 operation in the city’s Barangay NBBS Kaunlaran that led to Baltazar’s death.
Nartatez said the IAS recommendation is the same as that of the recommendation of Northern Police District (NPD) director Brig. Gen. Rizalito Gapas.
“Perusal of these records I concurred with their conclusion as well as approved their recommendation and one of the recommendations is the relief of the Chief of Police (Umipig),” Nartatez said.
Nartatez also ordered the filing of an administrative complaint against Umipig for failure to supervise the conduct of police operation and investigation and command responsibility for the lapses in the probe.
“The Chief of Police failed to supervise the conduct of police operation and corresponding investigation hence, he is liable under the Doctrine of Command Responsibility; and violation of article 275 of the revised penal code or the abandonment of one’s own victim by failing to help or render assistance to another whom the offender has accidentally wounded and injured was committed for which all the participating personnel in the said operation could be liable,” Nartatez.
Also ordered relieved from their posts were Capt. Juanito Arabejo, officer-in-charge of the Station Investigation and Detection Management Section (SIDMS) of the Navotas City Police and Chief Master Sgt. Aurelito Galvez, chief clerk of the same section.
They would also face complaints for simple neglect of duty after failing to submit suspects to paraffin examination and failure to search for, collect preserve and record evidence.
Nartatez also ordered the relief of Captains Mark Joseph Carpio, Luisito dela Cruz and Luis Rufo; Executive Master Sgt. Jose Oriendo; Staff Sergeants Rondell Sauza, Johnvir Tagacay, Melvin Napay, Mervin Villanueva, Rolan Orbita, Kenneth Amangan, Jorge Boco and Ever Layco; and Corporals Aldrin Pascual and Mark Joseph Blanco and the filing of criminal and administrative complaints for violation of Article 275 of the Revised Penal Code (failure to help or render assistance to another whom the offender has accidentally wounded or injured) and for less grave misconduct.
Nartatez explained that there was a failure on the part of Umipig to effectively supervise his men during the conduct of both the operation and the ensuing investigation.
“The other policemen involved in the operation on August 2, there were lapses there,” said Nartatez.
“The IAS will also file charges against the 11 police officers whose identities were initially concealed. They will be charged for abandoning the victim and other possible violations of police operational procedures,” Triambulo said.
Triambulo said the case is already at the summary hearing stage which may take around 20 days.
He earlier said they are expecting to release their recommendation in the first week of September.
Six police officers, along with their two immediate supervisors, have already been charged with administrative cases for grave misconduct over the incident.
Those charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide in connection to Baltazar’s death were Executive Master Sgt. Roberto Balais, Staff Sergeants Gerry Maliban, Antonio Bugayong and Nikko Esquilon, Cpl. Eduard Blanco and Pat. Benedict Mangada.
The six police officers’ legal counsels attended Tuesday’s preliminary hearing on the case on their behalf.
Baltazar’s camp, meanwhile, filed a motion seeking to upgrade the charges against the cops to murder, a non-bailable case. Reckless imprudence resulting in homicide is a bailable case.
Baltazar’s companion during the incident was also present during the preliminary probe. He will serve as the witness for the victim’s camp.
The teenager and his companion were preparing their boat for fishing when the police officers, who were then conducting a pursuit operation in relation to a murder incident, arrived at the scene.
The witness said they initially hid in a corner as they were afraid of the cops.
He said around 10 police officers, some of them clad in civilian clothes, ordered them to come out and threatened to shoot them.
When they were about to come out, the police started shooting, prompting Baltazar to jump in the water.
He said the police shot Baltazar several times while in the water, hitting the victim in the head and right hand, and was later recovered dead hours later.
The policemen in their report following the incident admitted that they had mistaken Baltazar for a murder suspect. (PNA)
MANILA – The Philippine government is pushing for a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea that is anchored on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday.
UNCLOS, also the basis of a Hague-based arbitration award that denied Beijing’s “historical rights” over the South China Sea, is regarded as the Constitution of the Oceans that defines the rights of a coastal state in the seas.
It also covers freedom of navigation, development of resources and preservation of marine environment, among others.
“A Code of Conduct which finds its moorings on UNCLOS, is part of the diplomatic solution for the management and resolution of disputes in the South China Sea,” said Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo during the highly anticipated “Dialogue on Maritime Governance in the South China Sea” co-organized by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Philippines (KAS-PH) and the Foreign Service Institute Philippines (FSI) in Makati.
“The Philippines advocates for an effective and substantive code of conduct that adheres to UNCLOS and takes into account the interests of all stakeholders, even extending beyond ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and China,” he added.
Manalo said Manila’s approach has always been “peace” as he underscores the UNCLOS’ significance as the “arbiter of good governance and order” in the disputed waters.
“Peace is in our approach, as embodied in the 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes, which reaffirms the principles set out in the United Nations Charter that all States shall settle their disputes by peaceful means,” he said.
“Rule of law ensures equity in the global commons. Current complexions in the South China Sea underline its significance in governing this particular maritime domain,” he added.
Manalo pointed out that this approach will also be “crucial” in maintaining an open, inclusive and free Indo-Pacific region and the momentum of global economic growth.
China and ASEAN first started the COC discussions in 1999 but were only able to produce the nonbinding Declaration on the Conduct (DOC) of Parties in the South China Sea in 2002.
Senior officials from China and member states of the ASEAN will be meeting for the next round of COC talks in Manila from Aug. 22 to 24.
During the Makati dialogue, KAS-PH Country Director Daniela Braun said the South China Sea has become a potential flashpoint prompting the need to discuss dispute management.
Braun said China’s sweeping claims of sovereignty in the sea, extensive land reclamation, and harassment of boats from the Philippines have antagonized competing claimant states.
In addition, she said tensions between China and the US are also “increasing” while the latter protects its security and economic interests in the region.
“These dynamics show that the risk of an armed conflict is growing and a real concern,” Braun said. (PNA)
MANILA – Malacañang on Wednesday justified the hefty increase in the expenses incurred by the Office of the President for local and foreign travels in 2022.
In a statement, Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil explained that the OP’s travel expenses increased to PHP403,087,594 in 2022 from PHP36,791,902 in 2021 because the government aims to revitalize the Philippine economy through domestic and foreign engagements.
Garafil stressed that when President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assumed office in June 2022, he intends to have direct communications with local and international communities.
“As everyone knows, 2021 was the height of the pandemic when mobility was restricted, with lockdowns implemented all throughout the country,” she said.
“With the opening of the economy and lifting of restrictions in 2022, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has begun going around the country to ensure that various programs, projects and assistance of the government reach its intended beneficiaries as part of the post-Covid recovery efforts,” Garafil added.
Garafil said direct engagements with the local governments, local communities and sectoral groups are “an integral part of the President’s decision-making process.”
She also noted that the OP, receiving “huge volume” of invitations for international events, conferences, high-level meetings and state visits, has accepted some of the requests, “knowing that the country and the public, in general, will benefit immensely from the President’s participation in these engagements.”
“We reiterate that the Administration, guided by its eight-point socioeconomic agenda, avails of opportunities to generate more foreign investments in our post-pandemic recovery initiatives,” Garafil said.
“At the same time, we also hope to elevate our position in the international community through stronger bilateral ties and improved relations with multilateral or international organizations.”
The Commission on Audit, in its 2022 audit report for the OP, found that the office’s total expenses for both local and foreign trips reached PHP403,087,594.
The OP’s foreign travel expenses amounted to PHP392,307,409 in 2022, higher than the PHP25,255,163 incurred in 2021.
However, local travel expenses decreased to PHP10,780,185 in 2022 from PHP11,536,738 in 2021.
According to the COA report, traveling expenses-local account is used to recognize the cost incurred in the movement/transport of government officers and employees outside the country.
“This account also includes transportation travel per diem, ferriage, and all other travel-related expenses,” the report read.
Traveling expenses-foreign account, on the other hand, covers transportation travel per diem, passport and visa processing, and all other travel-related expenses.
The state audit body said the significant increase of PHP367,052,245 is “due to the official travels relative to the foreign summits and state visits attended by the President during the year in Singapore, Indonesia, the United States of America, Cambodia, Thailand and Belgium.” (PNA)