By Liezelle Soriano
The Supreme Court has issued guidelines directing all courts, judiciary offices, Justices, judges, court officials, and employees to observe strict security protocols, remain vigilant in identifying and reporting suspicious cyber activities, and adopt a set of guidelines on the observance of proper cyber hygiene.
Acting Chief Justice Marvic Leonen signed Administrative Order No. 150-2023 to minimize the incident of cyber threats, ordering the judiciary not to open unknown links sent in email; practice routine changing of passwords, and report suspicious activities.
“Judiciary employees should be cautious when sharing their personal information online and they should only use applications from trusted sources,” said Leonen.
“Additionally, Judiciary employees should read the privacy policy of any application before using it and should be aware of how their data will be used. By taking these precautions, Judiciary employees can help protect themselves from potential privacy and security risks,” he added.
Earlier, systems of government agencies and the website of the House of Representatives have been hacked.
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By Liza Soriano
Senator Francis Tolentino said that the country needs to implement quality Reserve Officers’ Training Corp (ROTC) taking a cue from the raging Israel-Hamas war but he made it a point that it’s about patriotism and not war pandering.
Tolentino said that in the most recent hostilities in Gaza, Israel mobilized their 300,000 ROTC reservists in the war against Hamas.
“Siguro, mas ano, mas naha-highlight ‘yung need for a quality ROTC program. Kasi kung makikita mo ‘yung sa Israel 300,000 ‘yung minobilize na ROTC reservists nila,” the senator said.
However, the lawmaker emphasized that he is not war pandering, rather it is to prepare the youth for them to imbibe a deeper meaning of patriotism.
“It’s not about war. It’s about patriotism,” Tolentino said.
Following the simultaneous strikes by Hamas on October 7 that resulted in more than 1,000 fatalities, the Israeli military had claimed it called up to 300,000 reservists.
The Senate’s measure mandating the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps for students in technical-vocational and higher education institutions is currently up for discussion in the full Senate.
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By Liza Soriano
KABAYAN party-list Representative Ron Salo has proposed the immediate creation of a task force that will monitor and impose decisive action to ensure the safety and well-being of overseas Filipinos amid the war in Israel and Gaza.
This is in light of the escalating situation in Israel and Gaza and the reported capture of Filipino nationals by Hamas militants.
“With the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the risks it poses to our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and Filipino nationals in the region, I have filed House Resolution No. 1369 urging the Executive Department to immediately create a crisis management and response task force for the assistance of our countrymen in Israel and Gaza,” the Kabayan party-list representative said.
“This task force, jointly led by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), will be mandated to closely monitor the evolving situation, ensure the safety of our Kabayans, and be fully prepared for any possible contingencies,” Salo, chairman of the committee on overseas workers affairs, added.
There are over 30,000 Filipinos in Israel as of December 2021, DFA spokesman Ma. Teresita Daza said, citing records of Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority.
“The Crisis Management and Response Task Force will work diligently to closely monitor the ongoing conflict and establish effective systems to track the whereabouts and conditions of Filipino nationals in the affected areas, providing around-the-clock updates and assistance as may be necessary,” Salo explained.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv reported that 20 of the 26 Filipinos who were abducted and kidnapped have been rescued.
To ensure a decisive, holistic, and coordinated response of the Philippine government, the members of the task force will include pertinent agencies, including the Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), National Intelligence and Coordinating Agency (NICA), and our dedicated diplomatic representatives led by the Philippine Ambassador to Israel and the Labor Attaché in Israel.
The House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, chaired by Rep.Salo, will also conduct a hearing tomorrow, 11 October 2023, at 1:30 PM on the matter.
This vital session will focus on the current situation of our overseas Filipinos in Israel amidst the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a comprehensive briefing on the efforts by key government agencies involved in ensuring the safety and well-being of Filipinos out there.
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Teofilo Guadiz III, the chair of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), has been suspended by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. following reports of alleged corruption.
In a statement issued by the Presidential Communications Office, President Marcos made it clear that he does not tolerate misconduct within his administration and has called for an immediate investigation into the matter.
The statement also emphasized the President’s strong condemnation of dishonesty and duplicity in public service.
The Department of Transportation has initiated an investigation into Guadiz’s actions, and he has been instructed to provide an explanation regarding the allegations of misconduct related to the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista underscored the agency’s commitment to rooting out corrupt officials who misuse their positions.
In a statement, Bautista revealed that the investigation was prompted by allegations of corruption and other irregularities, particularly concerning the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.
“We have launched an investigation into the accusations against the LTFRB. While we are in the process of evaluating the alleged irregularities involving Chairman Guadiz, we have also issued a notice to explain to him, asking for clarification on the allegations,” Bautista stated.
He further emphasized the Department’s unwavering stance against corruption and its readiness to impose severe sanctions when warranted by the evidence.
Guadiz responded to the allegations with a statement on the same day, asserting that the agency remains committed to delivering efficient and equitable service to its stakeholders.
“As of this morning, I am in my office, and I am unaware of any official charges filed against me. However, if there are any, I will address them because I maintain my innocence,” he declared.
The suspension of Guadiz followed revelations by a former senior executive assistant who exposed alleged corrupt activities within the LTFRB. (ai/mnm)