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.
(ai/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
SENATOR Grace Poe has urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to suspend the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) until after all issues hounding it are resolved.
Earlier, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has suspended Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Teofilo Guadiz amid reports of alleged corruption.
The chairperson of the Committee on Public Services in the Upper House said that the alleged act of corruption is “unjust” for the public utility vehicle drivers.
“Kung totoo ang alegasyon, hindi ito makatarungan sa ating mga drayber na nawalan ng kabuhayan dahil pinaboran pala ang mga naglalagay,” Poe said.
Erring officials must be held accountable for bungling a very critical program of the transport sector, she added.
The senator hopes that while those involved are being investigated, the modernization program is also being organized that will improve the livelihood of drivers and provide proper service to commuters.
(ai/mnm)