09 APRIL 2019 - Copy

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NEWS 2 Tuesday, 9 April 2019 Daily Tribune ‘War’ vs enemies of state The threat — if it was a threat — was not against the people but precisely against the enemies From page 1 industry, corrupt bureaucrats, greedy politicians, communist rebels, foreign and local terrorists and other enemies of the state,” Panelo said. The President made the pronouncement about declaring a revolutionary war until the end of his term over the weekend after he was questioned over his decision to review government contracts that he said would be found onerous. According to Panelo, Mr. Duterte “was not threatening the people on a whim” when he said he would declare a revolutionary war if “pushed to the wall.” I have enough problems with criminality, drugs, rebellion and all. If you push me to my limit, I will declare a suspension of writ of habeas corpus and I will arrest all of you. I will detain you along with the criminals, rebels and drug lords. The Chief Executive was referring to the country’s continuing problem with illegal drugs — despite the administration’s unceasing campaign against narcotics, graft and corruption in government, impunity of criminals and the alleged questionable deals entered into by the government, he explained. These issues frustrate the President who wants to see results, he said, adding Mr. Duterte was just expressing his right to exercise powers accorded him by the Constitution to duly serve and protect the people. “When the very democratic institutions are being used to the detriment of the people and have become illusory for the people’s interest, when their safety is imperiled, when the territorial integrity is at stake, and when the enemies of the republic are bent on bringing it down, then it becomes the constitutional duty of the President to use the powers reposed to him by the Constitution to quell the attacks on the people and save the state,” Panelo said. “I have enough problems with criminality, drugs, rebellion and all. If you push me to my limit, I will declare a suspension of writ of habeas corpus and I will arrest all of you. I will detain you along with the criminals, rebels and drug lords,” the President exclaimed. Mr. Duterte was not threatening the people on a whim when he said he would declare a revolutionary war if pushed to the wall. “If you give me a hard time, I will declare a revolutionary war until the end of my term. Deal with it,” he added. “The seeming impunity of criminals to do their nefarious trade, the onerous contract entered into by the government that prohibited it from performing government action protective of the interest of the people and the communist rebels’ attacks and ambushes of military and police personnel and local government units and their continuing extortion activities may have triggered the President’s statements,” Panelo said. The Palace official also mentioned the “continuing threat” from terrorists that endangers the security of the state and “other acts of its enemies” that imperil the safety of the nation as the other issues that the President wants to face. Panelo said it was more of an exasperated expression by the President as he tried to address the threats imposed by enemies of the state who do not want government to succeed in bringing quality life to the people. Calling the Constitution a “living instrument,” Panelo said the framers of the country’s charter “would have not intended the President to have without recourse in confronting any exigency that places the people’s interest in jeopardy and their safety in mortal danger.” Palace to US solons: Don’t dictate on us Panelo said the foreign officials should better mind their own business and focus on their own country’s concerns From page 1 executive officer and executive editor Maria Ressa dropped. US Senators Edward Markey (Massachusetts), Marco Rubio (Florida), Richard Durbin (Illinois), Marsha Blackburn (Tennessee) and Chris Coons (Delaware) slammed the Philippine government for what they called were attempts to arrest and jail “human rights defenders and political leaders who exercise their rights to freedom of expression.” It only means one thing, they don’t like this administration. They believe what the opposition or critics say. They also condemned the administration’s alleged hand in “state-sanctioned extrajudicial killing by police and other armed individuals.” But presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the foreign officials should better “mind their own business” and focus on their own country’s concerns. T h e Philippines, Panelo said, is “not under t h e dominion of the United States of America or any of its high-ranking officials.” “It is an outrageous intrusion to our nation’s sovereignty as the subject cases are now being heard by our local courts. It only means one thing; they don’t like this administration. They believe what the opposition or critics say,” Panelo said. “No government official of any foreign country has the authority or right to dictate on how we address the commission of crimes,” he added. De Lima, one of President Rodrigo Duterte’s staunchest critics in his unrelenting campaign against narcotics, is detained at Camp Crame since February 2017 for allegedly coddling convicted drug lords at the national penitentiary while she was still serving as Secretary of the Department of Justice. It was also alleged that De Lima received campaign contributions in behalf of the Liberal Party from the drug lords who were allowed to continue with their trade despite their incarceration. Ressa, meanwhile, is entangled with charges of cyber libel and tax evasion. The veteran journalist has repeatedly claimed the cases against her were meant to curtail freedom of the press and silence those who openly criticize the President’s policies. Panelo, however, insisted that De Lima and Ressa’s cases passed through administrative and judicial processes before their respective warrants of arrest were issued by the courts. It is an outrageous intrusion to our nation’s sovereignty as the subject cases are now being heard by our local courts. “Senator De Lima is no prisoner of conscience, but rather a prisoner of no conscience or a prisoner of her own folly. She is charged with illegal drug-related transgressions committed while she was Justice Secretary. But (she) thought she could get away from them by virtue of being a member of Congress,” he stated. “Ms. Ressa, on the other hand, is a high-profile journalist who is obsessed with hiding behind the mantle of the freedom of speech but who is criminally charged due to her commission of illegal acts, which include the offense of tax evasion, breach of our antidummy laws and violation of our cyber libel laws,” he reiterated. He also rebuked claims regarding the alleged extrajudicial killings and stressed that the incidents were absolutely not state-initiated nor state-sponsored. THE US Senate building in Washington DC. The Philippine Army announced that it has 5,387 slots to fill From page 1 on a massive recruitment of additional personnel. Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala revealed that of the total slots, 4,777 will be allotted for enlisted personnel, while 610 will be filled by officials graduating from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA). Some 4,000 Filipino, 3,500 American and 50 Australian troops are participating in the annual military maneuvers from 1 to 12 April. Applicants who will qualify as privates will get P41,000 in monthly basic pay and allowance. New Filipino heroes needed Those who wish to join the Army should be natural-born Filipinos between the ages of 18 and 23 and must have completed high school or have taken at least 72 units in college and are at least five feet tall. The Army has long been in the forefront of the country’s defense against external and internal threats, including those from the Maoist Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), which has been waging a five-decade protracted war against the government. The Army has also been fighting religious, secessionist and terror groups in Mindanao. They should be emulated and honored alongside the veterans who have sacrificed their lives to keep the country glued, Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said, even as he reminded the nation to continue honoring Filipino heroes. “As we remember our heroes, let us not forget that they put their lives on the line when they were needed and we must always prepare, just as we are doing in these exercises with our allies, for the day when our nation calls us to action during disasters or when our freedom is threatened,” Andolong said ahead of the celebration of the Day of Valor. As we remember our heroes, let us not forget that they put their lives on the line when they were needed. Andolong added that this year’s observance of Araw ng Kagitingan is made more meaningful as it coincides with the annual Balikatan exercises, with Filipino troops joining forces with their American and Australian counterparts. “This year’s Balikatan is more meaningful because it coincides US Marine personnel take the Stryker for a drill during yesterday’s Balikatan exercises with Filipino and Australian soldiers in Pampanga. AFP with our Araw ng Kagitingan, which commemorates the courage and sacrifices of Filipino veterans and our allies, who valiantly fought side by side to defend the Philippines during World War II,” he said. This year’s Balikatan is more meaningful because it coincides with our Araw ng Kagitingan. Some 4,000 Filipino, 3,500 American and 50 Australian troops are participating in the annual military maneuvers from 1 to 12 April. Military personnel from the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam are also in the country to observe the drills. Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs office chief Col. Noel Detoyato remembered the “shared sacrifices by the Filipino and American soldiers during World War II, especially during the infamous Bataan Death March (a 140-km trek from Bataan to Capas) where thousands died before reaching Capas, Tarlac (where they were interned).” Detoyato thanked the joint troops as they are “together again in a different situation, like delivering basic services, training together to prepare for calamities and shoulder-to-shoulder in the rigors of exchanging skills in anti-terrorism training and exercises.” Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesperson, said this year’s Balikatan exercises are a tribute to the Filipino and American troops who have fallen in defense of Bataan. PNA CANCER patients, health advocates and other stakeholders gather at the AFP Theatre of the Camp Aguinaldo to celebrate the passage of the National Cancer Control Act. ANALY LABOR From page 1 driving while under the influence of alcohol may result in an accident and they may hurt themselves or others. “That’s better than drunk driving because it’s safe,” commented MS. From CCA: “Very good, instead of putting your life on the line.” From HDDW: “This is the right one. I hope the same thing should be done by others. If they can no longer drive, they should just rest.” “It’s obvious they are drunkards because they both have big bellies. But what they did is good. If you can’t drive, Sleep talk rest,” posted DA. From LAR: “I salute you sir. Even though drunk, you think.” For such a post coming from a motorcycle group, it reinforces the safety tip of not driving when drunk to avoid a road crash and loss of life or limb. Other netizens saw another story angle in the photos. They commented that the two sleepers are true friends for not leaving each other. But one observation aptly sums up why two sleeping drunkards can become the talk of the town. The comment from NCM: “That’s the power of liquor. It can make you sleep even on the road.”
Tuesday, 9 April 2019 Daily Tribune PAGE THREE Rice law brings retail prices down The NFA has a total 515,215 metric tons in remaining stock of imported rice that will be distributed to markets only until August By Elmer N. Manuel As the Rice Tariffication Law moved forward to full implementation following the signing of its implementing rules and regulations (IRR) last week, the average farmgate price of palay, or unmilled rice, fell 0.47 percent to P18.87 per kilogram in the fourth week of March. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said the implementation of the IRR had an effect on the average wholesale price of well-milled rice, which fell 0.12 percent from a week earlier to P40.61 per kilo and the average retail price fell 0.25 percent to P44.22. The law, which leaves rice importation to the private sector, is a practice which promises to significantly bring down retail prices for the staple in the wake of the political outcry from last year’s inflation crisis. The PSA also reported that the average wholesale price of regular-milled rice fell 0.83 percent week-on-week to P36.87 Included in the agenda of Bersamin in his short stint at the SC are the expeditious resolution of court cases. per kg. The average retail price fell 0.69 percent to P40.02 and prices for both yellow and white corn grain, used in both animal feed and food products, rose during the fourth week of March. The average farmgate price of yellow corn grain rose 0.29 percent week-on-week to P13.87 per kg. while the average wholesale price for yellow corn grain rose 0.59 percent week-on-week to P18.61 per kg. The average retail price rose 0.33 percent to P24.08. Days after the signing of the Rice Tariffication Law, consumers were quick to rush to markets to get their stock of the lowest price milled rice as the new law will end the sale of the staple by the National Food Authority (NFA) and liberalize the importation, exportation and trading of rice to procure cheaper rice in the market. Villar pushes calamity funds release VILLAR By Hananeel Bordey Doubtful on the numbers given by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Department of Agriculture (DA), reelectionist Sen. Cynthia Villar pushed for the release of calamity funds and eyed the additional research on the impact of the El Niño phenomenon. In an ambush interview, Villar said the statistics presented by the NDRRMC and DA do not match, as she assumed they don’t want to be blamed for incompetence. She also reiterated that education is the most important preventive measure for El Niño. “They have different reports on the damages. The NDRRMC reports P5 billion, the DA reports P4 billion. Why do they have different reports?” Villar asked, pointing out that the national government should find out the real numbers to evaluate the current situation. “I guess we have to find out what is really the truth because the disaster agency, if the damage is huge, some may say that they failed to prevent the disaster, while for the agri, they want (to report) huge damage so that they’ll get a huge budget for them. They have different interests,” she explained. Moreover, the lawmaker sought to With retirement only a good six months away, Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin spent his first and last summer session as head of the Judiciary in Baguio City yesterday speaking to his colleagues, employees and bidding them farewell. Bersamin was with his family and associate justices for their summer session at the Supreme Court (SC) compound in the City of Pines. Joining the SC in 2009, Bersamin is due to retire as top magistrate on 18 October this year. When asked by mediamen, the Chief Justice said, “Legacy is what you will be remembered for.” Right after he was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte last year to be the next Chief Justice, Bersamin vowed to purge the courts of misfits and scalawags as part of his four-point agenda in his 11-month tenure as head of the Judiciary. He said he will enforce the rules of discipline. He pointed out that in the provinces, there is a very strong perception that justice is only for the strong, the influential and the wealthy. Bersamin said the judges and employees in the provinces who have contributed to this wrong perception about the Judiciary will have to go. Included in the agenda of Bersamin in his short stint at the SC are the expeditious resolution of court cases, upgrading of the mechanics of Bar examinations and enhancement of the participation of law students in legal aid programs for the poor. Alvin Murcia Some consumers said they are now planning their budget for rice for the next few months. declare a state of calamity for the utilization of calamity funds which were appropriated to each local government units to secure budget in times of disaster. “All of the cities and goverment agencies have a budget for disaster or calamity. We just have to declare a state of calamity to make use of this,” she pointed out. Villar added these funds should be utilized to aid Filipinos who are most affected by the calamity. She also reiterated that education is the most important preventive measure for El Niño. Bersamin wants preserved legacy RESIDENTS give former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go a warm welcome as he went around Metro Manila in a motorcade. Some consumers said they are now planning their budget for rice for the next few months when the P27 rice is no longer available as prices of commercial rice at the Commonwealth Market have been down by at least P4 to P5 for a month now. From P38, the lowest price of commercial rice is now P34. The NFA has a total 515,215 metric tons in remaining stock of imported rice that will be distributed to markets only until August. After then, NFA rice will only serve as buffer stock that could only be released during calamities and emergencies. Meanwhile, the National Food Authority Employees Association stressed that the Rice Import Liberalization Law’s IRR would effectively displace more than a thousand workers of the agency due to downsizing. According to the technical working group for the law’s IRR, a conservative estimate sees the displacement of 1,134 workers during the first phase of NFA’s restructuring plan, or about 27 percent of its 4,136 workforce nationwide. By Kristina Maralit Speakership fight a toss-up President Rodrigo Duterte will not meddle when the House of Representatives elects its next Speaker nor will he endorse a candidate for the post, Malacañang reiterated yesterday. According to presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo, the President is not one to interfere with matters concerning another branch of government. This, even if Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio Floirendo Jr., a known friend of the Chief Executive, has reportedly expressed his intent to join the race for the House’s coveted post currently occupied by Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. By Alvin Murcia Floirendo will be up against three others for the post, should they win their congressional bids in the coming polls. Arroyo is now at the tailend of her third and final term as representative of Pampanga’s Second District and will wrap up her congressional stint after the midterm elections in May. “The Palace never intrudes into the other branches,” Panelo stated at a news conference. “The President never does that. He allows everybody to seek whatever position they want and let the constituency of that class decide,” he added. Panelo earlier told Palace reporters he received a text message from an unknown sender about Floirendo “throwing his hat into the Speakership.” “When I received that message, I called him up he said “Yes.” He said he will issue a statement on the matter,” said the official. Floirendo will be up against three others for the post, should they win their congressional bids in the coming polls. They are former Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano. 18 BI operatives in hot water More officers of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) are under investigation by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) for possible A WORKER is dwarfed by sacks of rice at a Quezon City warehouse. involvement in various illegal schemes. PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica announced this yesterday following the completion of investigation on the 18 intelligence division operatives of the BI who allegedly extorted a total of P9 million from 15 Korean nationals arrested in Angeles City, Pampanga last 6 March despite being documented aliens. Based on the report and recommendation of Belgica, President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered to suspend, pending investigation, the BI officials involved. Dana Krizia Sandoval, BI spokesman, said the 18 BI intelligence officers have already been summoned to explain their side. The BI will decide within three months whether to dismiss the said officials while separate criminal cases would be filed before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and eventually to the Department of Justice (DoJ). President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered to suspend, pending investigation, the BI officials involved. ANALY LABOR Belgica said the extortion activity has been going on for some time and is being committed by the said corrupt officials with impunity. Belgica believes the law needs more teeth to ensure accountability of public officials. The intelligence officers made headlines after several Korean victims filed a complaint to the Office of the President and the DoJ. “We have our Board of Discipline to recommend to the DoJ sanctions against these employees, if proven guilty. We have also requested the NBI to conduct a separate probe against them for filing of criminal charges,” BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said. LTFRB exec refutes bribery raps Amid the controversy that led to his preventive suspension, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) executive director Samuel Jardin on Monday slammed allegations he solicited P4.8 million for a franchise application as “fabricated.” Jardin has been suspended for 90 days to give way to an impartial investigation into the accusation made by Michelle Sapangila, who claimed a certain “Madam Lolit” asked for the bribe that will allegedly be split between Jardin and LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra for the issuance of a Route Measured Capacity. “The sworn statement of Michelle Sapangila is fabricated and full of lies,” said Jardin. “Sapangila is not a franchise applicant or operator and I have no staff member named Lolit.” Elmer N. Manuel
Page 1: TRUMP’S REVOLVING DOOR SPINS ANEW
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Page 9 and 10: SHE STEERS HER OWN LIFE ZION BAGS
Page 13 and 14: LLOYD POWERS U.S. TIES THAT OVERCOM

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