GMA News Online / News / Nation

Public fiscals laud SC for extending modified Judicial Affidavit Rule

 News
Jan 032014
 
Public fiscals laud SC for extending modified Judicial Affidavit Rule

A group of government prosecutors on Friday lauded the Supreme Court for dispaying “sensitivity” when it extended for another year the modified version of the Judicial Affidavit Rule (JAR). Prosecutor General Claro Arellano, head of the National Prosecution Service (NPS), told GMA News Online that he and other public prosecutors welcomed the recent resolution that extended the modified JAR until December 31 this year. “In behalf of the prosecutors, I welcome the SC’s resolution as a manifestation of the Court’s sensitivity to the concerns of the stakeholders of the justice system of which the prosecution is a vital component,” said Arellano. Under the JAR, parties are required to prepare judicial affidavits in place of the traditional and usually lengthy direct testimony in order to expedite the presentation of evidence. Judicial affidavits are sworn statements containing the witness’ testimony in question-and-answer form. Following the rule’s approval in 2012, the NPS complained that its prosecutors might not yet be ready to comply with the JAR as it would mean additional work for them on top of their already heavy workload. In response, the high court issued a modified JAR, in which public prosecutors are allowed to use sworn statements that had been used during preliminary investigation or inquest in place of new judicial affidavits. The modified version was only supposed to have been in effect until last December 31, 2013, until the high court extended it for the entire 2014. The NPS is under the Department of Justice. Asked if he thinks Read More …

Palace: No ‘magic wand’ to solve rising power costs

 News
Jan 032014
 
Palace: No ‘magic wand’ to solve rising power costs

There is no “magic wand” that could be waved to solve the problem on high power costs, a Malacañang official said Friday. “There’s something that can be done but within the bounds of the law,” said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte at a press briefing Friday. “So while you believe that the executive has so much power, perceived power, we are limited by what the law says.” Valte specifically cited Republic Act 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001, which she said prevents the government from being a power generator. “People keep asking ‘why don’t you build your own power plants?’ Because of the law that we have, we can’t. Government can’t do that. You can’t put money into that because it’s prohibited,” Valte said. “So we try to work within what is present to address these concerns and these issues. The President has already given instructions to the relevant agencies to see what we can do,” she added. But asked if President Benigno Aquino III will personally push for amendments to the law, Valte said they will still have to look at the proposed amendments.   “Perhaps it’s a matter of finding the right proposal that the President will throw his weight behind,” she said. “Which is why we’ve said that we welcome any initiatives to amend or at least to put forth amendments from our legislators to the EPIRA Law,” she added. The Palace likewise remained cool to the idea of convening the Legislative Read More …

With New Year injuries rising, 5 senators favor firecracker ban

 News
Jan 022014
 
With New Year injuries rising, 5 senators favor firecracker ban

At least five senators are in favor of partially or totally banning the use of firecrackers in the country after over 800 cases of injuries caused by consumer fireworks were recorded in the recent holiday revelry. Senators Loren Legarda and Miriam Defensor Santiago are pushing for the banning of the use of firecrackers in residential areas. “There are too many deaths and injuries already,” Legarda said in a text message Thursday. Santiago has formalized her proposal to prohibit the use of firecrackers near houses in Senate Bill 1876, which she refiled this Congress. She proposed that those who use firecrackers near residential areas be slapped with a fine of up to P50,000, and imprisonment of up to a year. As of Thursday morning, the number of injuries caused by consumer fireworks climbed to 804, including a 16-year-old who lost his eye due to a sky rocket (kwitis). Because of these injuries, the Department of Health (DOH) is pushing for a ban on the individual use of firecrackers, “allowing only community fireworks managed by responsible persons, local government units or organizations, in designated areas,” said Health Secretary Dr. Enrique Ona in a statement on New Year’s Day. Malacañang said it supports this proposal. The current law regulating the use of firecrackers in the Philippines, enacted 22 years ago, allows the use and sale of certain pyrotechnic devices, including kwitis and watusi, which has caused the poisoning of minors in past years. Designated areas Santiago’s law also proposes that local government units Read More …

Efforts being made to address problem on unburied Yolanda victims – Palace

 News
Jan 022014
 
Efforts being made to address problem on unburied Yolanda victims – Palace

The government is doubling its efforts to address the problem on unburied victims of Typhoon Yolanda, which is said to be numbering about 1,400, a Malacañang official said Thursday. At a press briefing, Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. quoted Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Sec. Panfilo Lacson as saying that national government agencies are “working closely” with the Tacloban City government to “speed up” the burial of the bodies. Lacson specifically said the Department of Health has already sent 1,500 body bags and protective kits for personnel in charge of the burial. On the other hand, the Department of Public Works and Highways has sent additional backhoes and payloaders while the National Bureau of Investigation has redeployed its forensic team on the ground. “So ginagawa na po ito sa pamamagitan ng puspusang pagtutulungan ng DOH, NBI, DPWH at kanilang pakikipag-ugnayan sa Tacloban City government,” said Coloma. Agence France-Presse earlier reported that about 1,400 rotting corpses in black body bags are laying on a muddy open field in Tacloban in Leyte province, more than a month after super typhoon Yolanda hit central Philippines on Nov. 8. Coloma said there was a delay in their burial because of problems in the procedure in identifying the bodies. He explained it was taking longer because they were following the INTERPOL way of identifying cadavers, which he said was designed for victims of crimes and therefore takes longer. “So they threshed it out… kung paano makakapag-comply doon and at the same time Read More …

SC extends modified Judicial Affidavit Rule for another year

 News
Jan 022014
 
SC extends modified Judicial Affidavit Rule for another year

Government prosecutors will be allowed to use past sworn statements instead of new “judicial affidavits” in criminal cases for another year. This was after the Supreme Court, in a two-page resolution, extended until 2014 the modified Judicial Affidavit Rule (JAR) for public prosecutors. “Acting on the recommendation of the Chairman of the Chief Justice Committee to address case congestion and delays, the court resolves to extend for another year, ending on 31 December 2014, the modified public prosecutors’ compliance with the provisions of the Judicial Affidavit Rule insofar as the prosecution of criminal cases is concerned,” the SC said. Under the JAR, parties are required to prepare judicial affidavits in place of the traditional and usually lengthy direct testimony in order to expedite the presentation of evidence. Judicial affidavits are sworn statements containing the witness’ testimony in question-and-answer form. Following the approval of the JAR in 2012, the National Prosecution Office complained that its prosecutors might not yet be ready to comply with the JAR as it would mean additional work for them on top of their already heavy workload. In response, the high court eventually issued a modified JAR, in which public prosecutors are allowed to use sworn statements that had been used during preliminary investigation or inquest in place of new judicial affidavits. Private lawyers, however, were not covered by the modified JAR and were still required to prepare judicial affidavits for their clients. In its latest resolution, the SC said it will later decide whether to extend Read More …

Aquino admin not giving up on peace talks with CPP

 News
Jan 022014
 
Aquino admin not giving up on peace talks with CPP

The government has not given up hope on reaching a peace agreement with communist insurgents despite the rebels’ pronouncement last week that they will no longer negotiate with the Aquino administration, Malacañang said Thursday. “Hindi po nawawalan ng pag-asa o ng determinasyon ang ating pamahalaan na malampasan kung ano man ‘yung mga hamon na nagsisilbing balakid [sa peace agreement] dahil isa pa rin po ‘yan sa mga peace table ng ating pamahalaan,” said Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. at a press conference. Last week, the Communist Part of the Philippines (CPP) said it will no longer engage in peace talks with the Aquino administration due to the government’s “unwillingness” to negotiate. But Coloma, citing a statement by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, said the government will continue to find a peaceful solution to the conflict despite disagreements between the two parties. “Sinisikap po nating maisulong ang kapayapaan hindi lamang doon sa Mindanao kundi sa iba’t iba pang mga larangan at kasama na po diyan yung pakikipag-ugnayan o pakikipag-negosasyon sa CPP-NPA-NDF para po maresolba ang matagal nang usapin hinggil diyan,” he said. As for the CPP’s reported threat that it will intensify acts against government troops in 2014, the Palace official said the government’s security and law enforcement authorities are ready. “Tungkulin po ng Sandatahang Lakas na ipagtanggol ang ating mga mamamayan at panatilihin ang kaligtasan ng ating mga komunidad,” he said. Truce Both the military and the CPP, through its armed wing Read More …

CCTV camera fails to catch latest NAIA intruder

 News
Jan 012014
 
CCTV camera fails to catch latest NAIA intruder

A man believed to be mentally ill breached the security fence of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on Monday night and was able to get near a plane. In a phone interview with GMA News Online on Wednesday, Civil Security Officer Luis Cometa of the NAIA Terminal Police Division said airport security personnel were alerted at around 9:45 p.m. Monday about a man seen standing near a Kuwaiti Airlines plane parked at Bay 4. Airport security officials apprehended the man, identified as Marcelo Maligalig, a resident of Taguig City. Initial investigation showed that he was a mental patient who has been repeatedly confined at the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) in Mandaluyong City. “Hindi naman siya nag-cause ng disruption sa airport o naging threat sa mga pasahero. Nakalapit lang siya sa aircraft,” Cometa said of Maligalig. Maligalig, who was carrying several identification cards bearing his name, was eventually turned over to his sister, policewoman Christine Maligalig of Southern Police District. NAIA reportedly has no CCTV cameras around the perimeter fence where Maligalig climbed. But an airport official speaking on condition of anonymity said there are CCTV cameras installed in the area but the incident was not recorded because the area was too dark. General Jesus Gordon Descanzo, manager of the airport police department, also said there are CCTV cameras installed at Terminal 1, although he was uncertain if they are still working. “Hindi ko alam kung gumagana pa yung nakakabit doon dahil subject for rehabilitation na Read More …

Palace: ‘Friendly’ shootfest will not deter BIR from pursuing tax case vs. Pacquiao

 News
Jan 012014
 
Palace: ‘Friendly’ shootfest will not deter BIR from pursuing tax case vs. Pacquiao

The government will still pursue the tax case against boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao despite a recent sports activity in Malacañang where President Benigno Aquino III had Pacquiao partnered with Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares. “Joining a sports activity where the President is present does not stop or deter the [Bureau of Internal Revenue] from pursuing its case against Representative Pacquiao,” said Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) head Herminio Coloma Jr. in a report on GMA News’ “24 Oras” Wednesday. He was referring to the shootfest held at the Presidential Security Group’s firing range last December 21 where Pacquiao was partnered with Henares. The Pacquiao-Henares tandem in the shootfest was reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Jan. 1, 2014. The BIR has filed a P2.2-billion tax evasion case against Pacquiao, resulting in the freezing of his bank accounts. The case stemmed from the supposed failure of Pacquiao’s accountant to report in his income tax returns (ITR) the multi-million-dollar taxes collected by the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from his prize winnings for the years 2008 to 2009, reportedly amounting to $28 million. The Court of Tax Appeals has issued a gag order against Pacquiao and Henares. Interviewed by GMA News, Henares said she and Pacquiao did not talk about the tax case during the shootfest. “We just conversed about who shoots which target and how we will do it,” Henares said. “Lahat ng usapan was all about the friendly game lang.” She added that they were “cordial” Read More …

12M devotees to join feast of the Black Nazarene, say organizers

 News
Jan 012014
 
12M devotees to join feast of the Black Nazarene, say organizers

Catholic devotees gather on Wednesday for a procession of the Black Nazarene in the streets of Quiapo, Manila, on New Year’s Day as a prelude to the January 9 feast. Danny Pata Around 12 million devotees from all over the country are expected to join in the nine-day celebration culminating in the Feast of the Black Nazarene from Wednesday, January 1, to Thursday, January 9, the feast proper. The figure encompasses those who will visit Quiapo Church from January 1 up to January 9. The Black Nazarene is a wooden sculpture of a dark-skinned Jesus Christ, adorned in heavy velvet embroidered with gold thread and carrying the Cross. Originally one of two statues of Christ brought on a galleon from Mexico, it was believed to have been fair-skinned until a fire that broke out in the ship blackened the wood. The other, more popular statue was destroyed in the Liberation of Manila at the close of World War II. The highlight of the pilgrimage is the procession on Thursday, (January 9), called the Traslacion, in which the supposedly miraculous image of the Black Nazarene will be transferred from the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta to Quiapo Church. Barefoot devotees will be walking with the image, as a sign of penance and thanksgiving for favors received. In article posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news website, it was stated that Quiapo Church Rector Rev. Msgr. Clemente F. Ignacio met with the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Read More …

DOH: 599 injured in New Year revelries

 News
Jan 012014
 
DOH: 599 injured in New Year revelries

For one simple mistake, 15-year-old Christian Tupaz will spend the rest of his life incomplete, specifically without a thumb and an index finger. A report on GMA News TV’s “Balitanghali” on Wednesday said Tupaz’s two fingers had to be amputated after a pla-pla, an illegal firecracker, exploded in his hand during the New Year’s Day revelry. Tupaz was among the 93 patients with firecracker-related injuries brought to Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center in Manila, the hospital that accommodated the most number of patients with revelry-related injuries during the New Year celebrations, according to the Department of Health. Aside from firecracker-related injuries, the hospital also attended to cases of vehicular accidents, stabbing, and indiscriminate firing. None of the six victims of stray bullets brought to the hospital died, the “Balitanghali” report said. As of 6 a.m. Wednesday, the DOH has reported 599 cases of fireworks- and firecracker-related injuries during the celebrations. The number was 29 percent higher than the injuries recorded in the same period last year, said DOH assistant secretary Eric Tayag at a press conference. The highest number of firecracker-related injuries was recorded in the National Capital Region, followed by Region I (Ilocos Region). Manila was named as the most dangerous city as it posted the most number of revelry-related injuries. The DOH said children up to 15 years old were the usual victims, most of them by “piccolo,” another illegal firecracker. — Rouchelle Dinglasan/KBK, GMA News

 Older Entries  Newer Entries