17 MARCH 2019

More documents

Recommendations

Info

NEWS 2 Sunday, 17 March 2019 Daily Tribune From page 1 EU probes Red money The EU stands ready to receive precise information that would enable it to further evaluate and verify the allegations Documents obtained by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) revealed that the Belgian government has released its first tranche of more than 621,000 euros (P36,663,840) out of the 15-million euros (P885,600,000) grant to some NGO for the 2017 to 2021 program. This year, some 1.3 million euros (P76,752,000) is expected for release. EU vows action Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on 14 March also informed the United Nations (UN) of EU-based NGO funding of communist front organizations in the Philippines. Should the allegations be established, the EU will immediately take full legal action. The EU delegation underscored that the bloc continues to consider both the CPP and the NPA as terrorists, which means “no assets can be held in EU by these organizations.” While the allegations have yet to be verified, it vowed to respond immediately once the illegalities have been proven. “Should the allegations be established, the EU will immediately take full legal action,” it said. As early as January, the EU has conducted an audit of funds that have allegedly reached the communist groups after a request sent by the government. Following its audit, the EU confirmed it received a Philippine delegation in February “to better understand the precise content on the allegations.” Undersecretary Joel Egco, executive director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, who was part of the Philippine delegation to Europe, said EU was “receptive” when it received the information and has vowed to look into the matter “seriously.” “They promised to look into it because it is unacceptable that their funds are going to the front organizations of the CPP-NPA which they declared as a terrorist organization,” he had said in an earlier interview. Both the CPP and its armed wing, NPA, have been on the EU’s list of terrorist organizations since 2006. The CPP and its armed wing, NPA, have been on the EU’s list of terrorist organizations since 2006. AFP deputy chief of staff for civil military operations, Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade, said the government would soon file a formal complaint before the EU once it has gathered more evidence. Parlade, in particular, called human rights group Karapatan a red front citing evidence it has amassed. Strong proof “We have a lot and Karapatan is worried about all these truth coming out now. AFP, not a credible institution? Then refute the very high trust rating of AFP in all surveys except CPP’s (Communist Party of the Philippines),” Parlade said. “Karapatan has perfected the art of lies and deception after 24 years of existence. I never said I don’t have evidence to show they are communist front organizations,” Parlade added. He also called the group’s selectiveness when it comes to helping people. “Where were you when the NPA have been killing the IP (indigenous peoples) in Mindanao, until now? Where is Karapatan when non-participating civilians were killed by NPA?” Parlade said. Parlade also asked where Karapatan was when ACT and Bayan Muna reportedly trafficked children in Davao last year. Fabricated claims “Karapatan is afraid of becoming irrelevant because the AFP has not committed any rights violation for the past five years or more. Even in the past, many of the violations and civilian killings attributed to AFP were in fact committed by the NPA, disguised as soldiers in uniform, as admitted openly by former rebel Father Balweg,” he said. It is unacceptable that its funds are going to the front organizations of the CPP-NPA which they declared as a terrorist organization. Karapatan, he said, has to fabricate reports of human rights violations by the AFP so that the UN and EU may continue to collect donations from European countries. Parlade added Palabay is worried about the government’s success in unmasking the truth about the communist front organizations, which were tagged by CPP founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison himself in all its revolutionary websites, Joma’s verbal pronouncements and CPP publications. Non-refoulement “You have to consistently paint any administration as oppressive and tyrant, even by fabricating lies like the 27,000 EJK (extrajudicial killings) from PRRD’s (President Rodrigo R. Duterte) drug war, because with a professional AFP now, the EU Courts would soon send Joma back to the Philippines to spend the rest of his life in jail for his crimes against humanity (80,000 killed after 50 years of CPP-NPA-NDF atrocities without Karapatan blinking) because there is no more danger of state persecution,” he said. He added that Joma can no longer invoke “non-refoulement” in the courts and this is what Palabay and Karapatan fear. Non-refoulement is a principle of customary international law prohibiting the expulsion, deportation, return or extradition of an alien to his state of origin or another state where there is a risk that his life or freedom would be threatened for discriminatory reasons. This law is often regarded as one of the most important principles of refugee and immigration law. Fading Reds Flags of the European Union flutter outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium where the verdict to cut off the flow of funds for fronts of the communist movement is expected to be made. US sanctions ICC Mr. Duterte said the country’s ICC membership is flawed From page 1 The sanctions came on the eve of the effectivity of the Philippines withdrawal from the ICC after a one year grace from the filing of withdrawal papers upon the order of President Rodrigo Duterte. Mr. Duterte said the country’s ICC membership is flawed as the treaty, which was ratified during the time of former President Joseph Estrada, was not returned to the Office of the President and should have been published on the Official Gazette. “It is mandatory,” the President said, adding the treaty was directly sent and appended to the Rome Statute that created the tribunal. The Philippines is one of the oldest Asian partners of the US and a strategical major non- NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) ally. Early this month, Pompeo traveled to the Philippines to reaffirm US support as a “critical treaty ally.” “US visa restrictions may also be used to deter ICC efforts to pursue allied personnel without allies’ consent,” according to Pompeo. Primary obligation “The first and highest obligation of our government is to protect its citizens and this administration will carry out that duty,” Pompeo said. A similar line was stated by Mr. Duterte who said his primary responsibility is protecting the nation more than complying with international norms. Pompeo, acting on a threat delivered in September by US national security adviser John Bolton, framed the action as necessary to prevent the international body from infringing on US sovereignty by Stomach rescue Have no hunger, Duterte’s Kitchen is around the corner. This one at the waterfront. BOB DUNGO JR. prosecuting American forces or allies for torture or other war crimes. “We are determined to protect the American and allied military and civilian personnel from living in fear of unjust prosecution for actions taken to defend our great nation,” Pompeo said. US officials have long regarded The Netherlands-based ICC with hostility, arguing that American courts are capable of handling any allegations against US forces and questioning the motives of an international court. The ICC and its supporters, including human rights groups that denounced Pompeo’s announcement, argue that it is needed to prosecute cases when a country fails to do so or does an insufficient job of it. Wide scope “Persistent to existing legal authority to post visa restrictions on any alien “whose entry or proposed activities in the United States would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences,” I’m announcing a policy of visa restrictions on those individuals directly responsible for any ICC investigation of US personnel,” he said. US visa restrictions may also be used to deter ICC efforts to pursue allied personnel without allies’ consent. “This includes persons who take or have taken action to request or further such an investigation,” he added. Pompeo said implementation of the policy against the ICC had started. Speaking directly to ICC employees, Pompeo said: “If you are responsible for the proposed ICC investigation of US personnel in connection with the situation in Afghanistan, you should not assume that you still have or will get a visa or will be permitted to enter the United States.” That comment suggested that action may have already been taken against the ICC prosecutor who asked last year to formally open an investigation into allegations of war crimes committed by Afghan national security forces, Taliban and Haqqani network militants, as well as US forces and intelligence officials in Afghanistan since May 2003. The US government may impose more penalties on the ICC. “These visa restrictions will not be the end of our efforts. We are prepared to take additional steps, including economic sanctions if the ICC does not change its course,” Pompeo said. Signatory but no member The United States has never been a member of the ICC. The Clinton administration in 2000 signed the Rome Statute that created the ICC but had reservations about the scope of the court’s jurisdiction and never submitted it for ratification to the Senate, where there was broad bipartisan opposition to what lawmakers saw as a threat to US sovereignty. When President George W. Bush took office in 2001, his administration promoted and passed the American Service Members Protection Act which sought to immunize US troops from potential prosecution by the ICC. In 2002, Bolton, then a State Department official, traveled to New York to ceremonially “unsign” the Rome Statute at the United Nations. This past September, Bolton said the ICC was a direct threat to US national security interests and he threatened its personnel with both visa revocations and financial sanctions should it try to move against Americans. Pompeo said Friday more measures may come. The ICC said in a statement it was established by a treaty supported by 123 countries and that it prosecutes cases only when those countries failed to do so or did not do so “genuinely.” Afghanistan is a signatory. “The court is an independent and impartial judicial institution crucial for ensuring accountability for the gravest crimes under international law,” the statement said. “The ICC, as a court of law, will continue to do its independent work, undeterred, in accordance with its mandate and the overarching principle of the rule of law.” Supporters of the court slammed Pompeo’s announcement. Human Rights Watch called it “a thuggish attempt to penalize investigators” at the ICC. Amnesty International described the move as “the latest attack on international justice and international institutions by an administration hell-bent on rolling back human rights protections.” Not cool City governments face the difficult task of choosing between the refreshing shade of trees or threats from overhanging branches on electric lines in a pruning drive. ANALY LABOR Good review Malacañang also appreciated the positive findings of a US State Department’s recently released report on the human rights situation in the country. In a statement, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said he welcomes the State Department’s 2018 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices as a reflection of “US government’s appreciation of the Duterte administration’s governance agenda anchored on fighting corruption, criminality and illegal drugs.” The first and highest obligation of our government is to protect its citizens and this administration will carry out that duty. The report stated that supposed summary executions have been the “chief human rights concern in the country for many years,” amid rising impunity following a dramatic surge in drug-related slays. “While the political opposition and detractors of the President, including some of those in the mainstream media, would dwell on what they consider as negative observations and milk the same for their political purposes, we prefer to see the glass half full and focus on the positive aspects of the report,” Panelo said. He then urged the public to read the report in full so that they “may not be deceived by intended negative and false commentaries.” AP
Sunday, 17 March 2019 Daily Tribune Public urged to conserve water PAGE THREE I am calling not just the residents of La Union but also other Filipinos to conserve water during summer By Raymart T. Lolo La Union Bishop Daniel Presto of the Diocese of San Fernando on Saturday has called on the public to conserve water in the wake of simultaneous water interruption be in many parts of Metro Manila. Bishop Presto pointed out the importance of conserving water especially now that summer is fast approaching. “I am calling not just the residents of La Union but also other Filipinos to conserve water during summer,” Bishop Presto. said. The bishop appealed to the people to likewise plant trees as a means of preserving the environment and cushioning the impact of the El Niño phenomenon.. According to Bishop Presto, planting trees helps water conservation especially in parts of the watershed. Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) sees an improvement in the water situation in Metro Manila in the coming weeks with the additional water supply from the National Water Resource Board, the Maynilad Water Services Inc., including the water treatment plant of Manila Water Co. Inc. (MWCI) in Cardona, Rizal province. DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said the DENR has already coordinated with the three water agencies serviced by MWCI with a total additional water supply of 180 million liter a day that will be obtained by April. MWSS says DU30 order impossible but… Whoever advised the President gave him the wrong information Although President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to release a bigger volume of water from Angat Dam is based on wrong information, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System said the Chief Executive’s message is clear: do something to address the water shortage. In a radio interview, MWSS Administrator Reynaldo Velaso said they would heed Mr. Duterte’s order although not by releasing 150 days’ worth of water supply from Angat Dam as the President had directed them to do. Duterte had issued an order compelling MWSS and concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad to release water from the Angat Dam by 12 noon last Friday, 15 March, good for 150 days. “I will comply because I understand what he (President Duterte) wants to happen. I know what I should do. The advice was erroneous. Whoever gave the President such advice does not know the operation of the dam,” he said. The MWSS earlier explained that Angat Dam supplies some 4,000 million liters per day (MLD), which is about 96 percent of the total demand of Metro Manila. It added that the current infrastructure only allows a maximum of 4,000 MLD to be released from the dam and there is no way to increase that limit. Velasco said letting out a 150-day supply or some 600,000 million was impossible. “So, whoever advised the President gave him the wrong information. But we get the message and that is to solve the water problem so that people need not queue in the streets anymore to wait for water rations,” he added. You know summer is within us when people start trekking to bodies of water like the Wawa Dam in Rodriguez, Rizal for swimming and other recreational activities. Clean up act, Go tells ‘narco pols’ If you insist that you are not into illegal drug trade, give sufficient evidence to clear your names Former Special Assistant to the President and 2019 senatorial candidate Christopher Lawrence Bong Go on Friday urged so-called “narco politicians” to either clean up their acts or submit evidence to clear their names. This developed after President Rodrigo Duterte released on Thursday night the list of 46 local government officials allegedly linked to the illegal drug trade. Duterte bared the drug list during the National and Regional Peace and Order Council meeting in Davao City. “To those on the list, it would be better if you coordinate with authorities, Go advised the concerned officials. “If you insist that you are not into illegal drug trade, give sufficient evidence to clear your names.” In running for the Senate, Go had committed to support the programs and policies of President Duterte, including the campaign against illegal drugs, criminality and corruption. He said that like President Duterte, he is committed to the effort to safeguard the innocent from the criminal elements, particularly the country’s youth. If elected to the Senate, Go said he would help further fine-tune the government’s multi-pronged strategy to counter illegal drugs through enforcement, rehabilitation and reintegration. Go had also called for amendments to existing laws to deprive drug syndicates the opportunity to exploit minors as drug couriers. Apprehended minors, on the other hand, should be confined in reformation centers, separate from adult detainees, and assisted by the DSWD Fruits beckon in the advent of summer like these huge jackfruits being sold by the ambulant vendor also in Rodriguez, Rizal. ANALY LABOR Bong Go for proper rehabilitation. Meanwhile, the City of Davao on Friday gave a rousing homecoming to Go as the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino staged its campaign rally in his hometown. Go thanked the a huge crowd made up of entire families, elderly and children that trooped to welcome the ruling party’s senatorial ticket and their guest candidates at Crocodile Park, located at the Riverfront, Corporate City Diversion Highway, Ma-a, Davao City, about 15 to 30 minutes from downtown. Go said any politician or aspirant for public office with links to the illegal drug trade should stay away from him or suffer the consequences. Last January, Go had vowed to reject any support coming from “narco politicians” for his Senate bid as he also dismissed speculations going the rounds in social media that some politicians included in the alleged “narco list” submitted to President Duterte were offering support for his senatorial bid. Go said that while he is trying to win the support of the people as well as of other local and national leaders, he does not want to have to do anything with “narco politicians.” “No compromise if you are a ‘narco politician.’ I don’t accept any kind of support like drug money,” Go emphasized. Before naming the officials allegedly involved in the “narco list,” President Duterte said he relied on the appropriate government agencies to validate the information. “My decision to unmask these drug personalities was anchored on my trust in the government agencies who have vetted and validated the ‘narco list,’” Duterte said. Noting that public office is a public trust, Duterte stressed that “an official’s right to privacy is not absolute” as he also said there is a compelling reason to prioritize the interest of the state and the people.” CRP By Kristina Maralit Phl condemns NZ massacre Malacañang on Saturday strongly condemned the bloody mass shooting at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand that left at least 49 dead and 40 others injured. In a statement, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo extended the Philippine government’s deepest sympathies to the victims of the massacre which New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinta Ardern described as her country’s “darkest days.” “The Philippines joins all peaceloving nations and peoples around the world in condemning — in the strongest and in no uncertain terms — this assault on the faithful in places of worship,” Panelo said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident, and we pray for strength and speedy recovery of those who were injured,” he added. The Palace official also called for a “universal unified action” as well as a conscious and determined effort “to demolish any attempt at destabilizing the order” of citizens around the world. ANALY LABOR We cannot allow ourselves to be held hostage by fear and intimidation The DFA has been instructed to closely monitor the situation and determine the condition of Filipinos in the area. The Supreme Court (SC) has issued a temporary restraining order against the implementation of the Philippine Law School Admission Test (PhilSAT) as a requirement for admission to law schools, highly-placed sources said yesterday. PhiLSAT is a standardized national qualifying exam the Legal Education Board administers LEB as a measure of the academic potential of students who wants to study law. Two separate petitions were filed before the High Court challenging the validity of RA 7662, the law which created the LEB, as “We cannot allow ourselves to be held hostage by fear and intimidation sown by terrorists and psychologically challenged persons and live in an endangered environment. With unity in action against the enemies of the states, we shall prevail,” Panelo said. He bared that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has been instructed to closely monitor the situation and determine the condition of Filipinos in the area. The DFA earlier said there was no indication of any Filipino casualty in connection with the attacks, adding the Philippine embassy in Wellington has advised all the 5,000 members of the Filipino community in Christchurch to remain indoors. It was considered the worst ever mass killing in New Zealand’s history. The police tagged as the primary suspect, a 28-year-old Australian named Brenton Tarrant, believed to be an “extremist” and “supremacist.” He allegedly stormed two mosques during midday prayers on Friday and plowed through dozens of huddling and fleeing worshipers while he streamed the killing live over social media with a helmetmounted camera. New Zealand has already raised its security threat alert to the highest alert following the carnage that is considered one of the worst cases of right-wing terrorism in the country in years. SC halts PhiLSAT well as the 2016 LEB memorandum imposing PhilSAT. Based on the memorandum, LEB set school year 2017-2018 as the pilot period for PhilSAT although schools were still allowed to enlist students who failed the tests. The petitioners have argued that LEB is unconstitutional because it encroaches upon the Supreme Court’s constitutional power to promulgate rules on admission to the practice of law by imposing an additional requirement. Likewise, they complained of the steep exam fee of P1,500 and limited locations of testing centers. CRP Aspiring law students need not hurdle the Philippine Law School Admission Test before enroling in a law school, at least for now, after the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order against it.
Page 1: PARQAL BREAKS GROUND, EYES 2021 COM
Page 5 and 6: Sunday, 17 March 2019 Daily Tribune
Page 9 and 10: MOST INNOVATIVE BROADSHEET 2018 44T
Page 13 and 14: MAGNOLIA, GINEBRA FAN HOPES P18 XI
Page 17 and 18: MAGNOLIA, GINEBRA FAN HOPES P18 XI
Page 21 and 22: Dinah S. Ventura, Editor SPOTLIGHT

17 MARCH 2019

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?