House panel head mulls scrapping ‘questionable’ provisions in Bangsamoro law

 General
Dec 142014
 
House panel head mulls scrapping ‘questionable’ provisions in Bangsamoro law

The chair of the committee deliberating on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is considering scrapping some of the provisions delegating the duties of constitutional bodies to the porposed political entity because of the constitutional issues raised against them.  In particular, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez believes the provisions in the Bangsamoro bill mandating the creation of the Bangsamoro Civil Service Office, audit body and human rights commission should be removed because they might diminish the inherent power of the existing constitutional bodies. “That’s my position. I don’t know how the other members will decide… but as a lawyer, I see there’s a valid reason to question these provisions after hearing the side of COA (Commission on Audit), CSC (Civil Service Commission), and the Ombudsman,” he said in an interview over dzBB radio Sunday. During deliberations on House Bill 4994, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales expressed apprehension about the provisions on the creation of certain agencies in the Bangsamoro, saying these might diminish the power of the constitutional bodies of the national government. Among the provisions opposed by Morales, a retired Supreme Court associate justice, was Section 2 (8) Article 5 of the BBL which states that “the Bangsamoro Government shall have primary disciplinary authority over its own officials and employees”. “We believe that this diminishes the Ombudsman’s constitutional power to investigate any act or omission of any public official, employee, office or agency as it divests the Ombudsman’s powers to investigate elective and appointive officials of the Bangsmoro government,” Read More …

Senate wants stiff penalties for coin hoarders

 General
Dec 132014
 
Senate wants stiff penalties for coin hoarders

The Senate is seeking to approve a bill that would impose stiff penalties on coin hoarders in the country. Sen. Sergio Osmeña III, chairman of the Senate committee on banks, financial institutions and currencies, pointed out that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has uncovered the presence of syndicates that hoard coins for use as raw materials for various products that are in demand in several industries. All Philippine coins are made of various alloys of copper, brass, nickel, aluminum or steel and with the rising values of these metals, Osmeña noted that this has encouraged syndicates to hoard and export coins. The BSP has reported a shortage in coins since 2004 and replacing these for local circulation would entail a significant cost on the economy. Osmeña clarified though that the proposed measure would cover only individuals or groups engaged in the large-scale hoarding and exportation of coins, which syndicates smelt and convert for use as raw materials for mobile phones, computers or other industrial applications. It would not cover “piggy bank” savings and businesses using coins to operate, like vending machines and “piso” nets. Osmeña, who is also the author of Senate Bill No. 2452, or the proposed Anti-Hoarding of Philippine Legal Tender Coins Act, said “people who save their coins and place them in piggy banks will not be jailed because the volume is so small.” “The measure targets large-scale hoarders who sell the coins abroad to be melted down because the intrinsic value of the metal is more Read More …

Encore ’57: Fashion show for a cause

 General
Dec 132014
 
Encore ’57: Fashion show for a cause

Then and now, fashion shows are mounted for good causes, be they civic, religious, charitable and educational. One such fashion show was Encore held in 1957 at the Fiesta Pavilion of The Manila Hotel. A project of socialites Conching Sunico, Chito Madrigal and Minna Gaberman, Encore raised money for the anti-TB fund. True to its billing, Encore was held for two successive nights, much talked-about and praised for many days after. Participating couturiers included such noted names as Ramon Valera, Ben Farrales, Pitoy Moreno, Ernie Arandia, Madonna, Slims, Mary Esteban, Mercel, Syyap, Fely, Carlos, Carolina, Gutierrez, Millie and Rose Vale. Actually, Encore was more than a fashion show (for a cause), it was also a musical extravaganza, song-and-dance numbers, mostly Broadway, were performed within the program. The climax was a ballet sequence from My Fair Lady. The fashion collection was composed of formal gowns worn by prominent women in high society and the most regal of all movie queens, Gloria Romero. — RKC Entertainment ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

South Korea pledges aid for PHL's disaster risk reduction measures

 News
Dec 132014
 
South Korea pledges aid for PHL's disaster risk reduction measures

The South Korean government has promised to provide financial support for the Philippine’s disaster risk reduction and rehabilitation activities, President Benigno Aquino III said. In an interview with reporters on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Korea Commemorative Summit in Busan, Aquino said the Republic of Korea has pledged a grant of $5 million for disaster response and rehabilitation, and a $20-million grant for technical assistance. He added that South Korean government offered their assistance after witnessing the effects of global climate change to the Philippines. “Basically nag-offer ang Korea a lot of their assistance towards ‘yung disaster risk reduction and management, so ipinakita sa atin ‘yon,” he said. In addition, Aquino said South Korea will also provide a $500-million loan to fund the Philippines’ development plans. Typhoon Ruby tore through Visayas and south Luzon, making landfall six times last weekend. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Ruby, which later weakened into a tropical storm, left at least 19 dead. — Amanda Fernandez/JDS, GMA News

Regulator fines Emirates P1.8M for unauthorized ticket sales

 Economy
Dec 132014
 

THE TWO MAJOR local airlines scored a victory against rival Emirates after regulators handed down a fine of P1.8 million against the Middle Eastern carrier for the unauthorized sale of Manila-Dubai tickets beyond Dec. 26. Carmelo L. Arcilla, executive director of the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), said in a text message on Friday that his agency also ordered the airline to stop selling tickets for a third daily Manila-Dubai flight scheduled for after Dec. 26.

PNoy: Ona in hot water over other questionable DOH projects

 News
Dec 132014
 
PNoy: Ona in hot water over other questionable DOH projects

Aside from the issue on the controversial purchase of more than P800 million worth of anti-pneumonia vaccines in 2012, Health Secretary (on leave) Enrique Ona also faces investigation on at least three more questionable procurement transactions, President Benigno Aquino III said on Saturday. In an interview with reporters in Busan, Aquino said Ona, who was questioned for the purchase of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV)-10 instead of the reportedly more cost-effective PCV-13, will remain on leave pending investigations on these issues. “Well, I’ll have to follow up kung kailan matatapos ‘yung lahat ‘nung imbestigasyon,” he said. “It’s not just the PCV. There are several others. In my mind, about three or four other issues that have to be attended to.” While Aquino declined to elaborate further on the other procurement issues, he noted that investigations on two of these have been completed. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is currently investigating why the DOH, under Ona’s watch, purchased expensive vaccines in 2012 despite a reported recommendation for more cost-effective ones. While Ona is on extended leave, the DOH will still be under the supervision of Acting Health Secretary Janette Garin. —Amanda Fernandez/KG, GMA News

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