By Liza Soriano
Deputy Minority Leader and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman on Thursday said he would file a resolution in the House of Representatives calling for an immediate end to violence against innocent civilians, women, children, and the elderly in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
“I call on my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join calls for an end to the violence. I believe this august body can encourage governments including our own to take a strong position against the continued violence against innocent civilians caught in the crossfires of the conflict,” Hataman, former governor of the now-defunct ARMM, said.
“Saksi ang buong mundo sa mga epekto ng karahasan sa Israel-Hamas conflict lalong-lalo na ang mga namamatay at nasusugatang inosenteng sibilyan, pati ang mga bata, kababaihan at matatanda. Nananawagan tayo para sa pagtatapos ng gulong ito at pagtahak ng mas mapayapang paraan ng pagtugon sa ugat ng digmaan,” Hataman added.
The United Nations estimates the death toll from the war between the Israelis and Palestinians already reached 4,300 since the ongoing conflict reignited last Oct. 7 when Hamas suddenly attacked Israel.
Of the death toll, it was gathered that at least 1,300 Israelis were estimated to have died in the war and the Palestinians accordingly sustained around 3,000 casualties.
Hataman also said the resolution will also call for immediate and unimpeded access to international humanitarian agencies in the affected communities, especially in Gaza, to provide relief and medical care to civilians.
“This resolution will also urge the international community of nations to work collaboratively towards a permanent and peaceful resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Ang ating bansa ay naniniwala sa peaceful resolution ng conflict, at napatunayan na natin ito sa Bangsamoro,” the Basilan lawmaker explained.
“We call upon the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority to return to the negotiating table to seek a just and lasting peace in the region. Madami nang inosenteng biktima ang nadadamay sa digmaan. Dalangin natin ay ‘wag na sanang tumaas ang bilang ng mga namamatay at nasusugatan,” he said.
The latest in the series of violence in Gaza is the bombing of the al-Ahli Arab Hospital, where hundreds died.
(ai/mnm)
Image Courtesy of Benjamin Cuaresma
THE 2023 Bar Examinations concluded on Sunday, September 24, 2023, in a festive atmosphere as families and friends gathered to extend their best wishes to the Bar takers across various venues, as depicted in the accompanying photo.
In almost every location, the ambiance was adorned with balloons and banners, fostering a celebratory and supportive atmosphere on the last day of the examination.
The Supreme Court has officially announced that the results of this year’s Bar exams will be released in December 2023.
For the first time in history, this year’s Bar exams were conducted across 11 different examination venues, as designated by the Supreme Court.
According to the Office of the 2023 Bar Chair, a total of 5,832 first-time candidates and 4,984 re-takers participated in this year’s examination.
An estimated 2,571 Bar personnel were deployed nationwide, with San Beda College Alabang in Muntinlupa City serving as the national headquarters. The Supreme Court also designated 14 local testing centers, including institutions such as San Beda University and the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, San Beda College Alabang, the University of the Philippines – Diliman in Quezon City, Manila Adventist College in Pasay City, and UP – Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City (Metro Manila). In Luzon, testing centers included Saint Louis University in Baguio City, Cagayan State University in Cagayan province, and the University of Nueva Caceres in Naga City, Camarines Sur. Visayas had the University of San Jose – Recoletos and the University of San Carlos in Cebu, along with the Dr. V. Orestes Romualdez Educational Foundation in Tacloban, Leyte. Finally, in Mindanao, testing centers comprised Ateneo de Davao University – Senior High School in Bangkal, Davao City, and Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan in Cagayan de Oro City.
(Benjie Cuaresma/ai/mnm)
HANGZHOU, China—Led by Olympians Jayson Valdez and Paul Bryan Rosario, the Philippine national shooting team is aiming to end its long wait for a gold medal in the 19th Asian Games.
Valdez and Rosario will be accompanied by veterans Amparo Teresa Acuna, Hagen Topacio, Joaquin Miguel Ancheta, Franchette Shayne Quiroz and rookie Enrique Enriquez in their bid to return to the gold-medal podium after 65 years.
The last time that Team Philippines struck gold in shooting was in 1958 Tokyo when Martin Gison ruled the men’s air rifle open and Adolfo Feliciano topped the men’s small-bore rifle 3 positions.
“This is the crème dela crème of Philippine shooting. Expect some nice performance from these two,’’ said Philippine National Shooting Association secretary general Iryne Garcia, referring to Valdez and Rosario.
“We also have rookie Enrique who is currently doing well and pistol shooter Franchette. We’re expecting to give it a little push,” added Garcia, who arrived Friday with the team at the Athletes Village here.
Rosario, who saw action in the 2012 London Olympics, entered in the men’s skeet while Valdez, a 2020 Tokyo Olympian, will try his hand in the men’s 10m air rifle, 50m rifle 3 positions and air rifle mixed team.
Also joining the team are 2008 Beijing Olympian Eric Ang (men’s trap and trap team), Carlos Carag (men’s trap and trap team) and Elvie Baldivino (women’s 10m air pistol and 25m pistol).
Topacio will also compete in the men’s trap, Enriquez in the men’s skeet along with Ancheta and Quiroz has been lined up in the women’s 10m air pistol. (ai/mnm)