SC wraps up oral argument on De Lima petition

MANILA, March 28 (PNA) -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday ended the oral argument on the petition filed by detained Sen. Leila De Lima questioning the issuance of warrant of arrest by a Muntinlupa court in connection with the drug trafficking charges filed against her by the Department of Justice (DoJ).

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno asked both parties to submit their memoranda simultaneously after 20 days after which the case will be submitted for decision.

Appearing as counsel for respondent Muntinlupa RTC Branch 204 Judge Juanita Guerrero and PNP chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa, Solicitor General Jose Calida asked the High Court to dismiss the petition of De Lima against her indictment and detention in drug trafficking cases.

During the continuation of oral arguments, the top government lawyer argued that the detained senator's move to bring the case immediately to SC was a clear forum shopping and violation of hierarchy of courts.

Calida said De Lima is not entitled to special treatment from the SC adding that as far as they are concerned, her case is similar to the thousands of drug-related cases filed by the government.

"Senator De Lima's case is only one of the tens of thousands of drug-related cases now being handled by 955 branches of the Regional Trial Court. There is nothing remarkable about this case except for her insistence that she be treated above the law so my plea on behalf of the people -- kindly dismiss the petition and let Judge Guerrero finish her task," Calida told the justices led by Chief Justice Sereno in his opening statement during Tuesday’s resumption of the oral arguments.

Calida said De Lima is asking the SC basically to waive the rules for her when she violated numerous rules, including the rule against forum shopping and the hierarchy of courts, when she elevated the case to the SC instead of waiting for Guerrero to rule on her motion to quash which he stressed is the plain, speedy and adequate remedy as required under the Rules.

He also pointed to the embattled senator's alleged “fabrication” of her affidavit which was notarized without her presence in violation of the Rules on Notarial Procedure.

“No matter her stature, she is not exempt from the principle of hierarchy of courts. Her case does not fall within the exceptions and her petition fails to show that the order of Judge Guerrero is a patent nullity," Calida added.

He observed that before De Lima was indicted and arrested, there was the perception that only the less privileged members of society are being charged with drug offenses but that when the DOJ indicted her, the same detractors still cried foul.

"Now that the government has put one of the high and mighty on the dock, the same detractors are crying foul," the Solicitor General said.

At one point, Calida reminded the justices of what he described as De Lima’s arrogance when she was still the DOJ chief when she refused to follow the injunction issued by the High Court allowing former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to leave the country to seek medical treatment in 2011.

At the same time, Calida maintained that the Muntinlupa RTC has jurisdiction over the case under Section 90 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act contrary to De Lima’s assertion that it should be heard by the Sandiganbayan.

He said the anti-graft court has never tried drug-related cases before since RA 9165 has made it clear that RTCs has jurisdiction over such cases.

During the interpellation by Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr., the Solicitor General also pointed out that De Lima failed to raise a valid constitutional issue or any issue of transcendental importance to justify relief from the High Court.

Calida likewise cited as another procedural ground for dismissal of the petition the supposed violation of court rules in the notarization of the verification and certification in De Lima's petition.

He explained that since the verification and certification against forum shopping were fabricated or not signed in the presence of the notary public as required by law, the petition should be considered unsigned pursuant to Section 4, Rule 7 of the Rules of Court and therefore has no legal effect.

Velasco pointed out during questioning that lawyer Maria Cecille Tresvalles-Cabalo, who supposedly administered De Lima's signing of the petition last February 24 inside Camp Crame in Quezon City, admitted in her affidavit submitted to the SC that De Lima did not personally subscribe to the petition before her.

The magistrate hinted that this could be a violation of the 2004 Rules on Notary Public, which require the signing and subscription of affidavits personally before the notary public.

He said that notary public Tresvalles-Cabalo admitted that De Lima’s affidavits were already signed before they met when he stressed that Section 6 of the Rules on Notarial Practice requires that the individual personally appear before the notary public and signs the document in his or her presence.

In her affidavit, Cabalo said that while she is already familiar with De Lima’s signature, she still asked for a government issued identification card to compare the signatures.

“The petition was already signed at the time she met Senator De Lima. She did not sign the petition before the notary public. So, from the affidavit alone of the notary public, there was non-compliance of our 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice,” Velasco said.

During the interpellation by Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo, Calida differentiated the act of "taking advantage of public office" as alleged against De Lima and crimes committed "in relation to public office," which fall under jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan.

He argued that the position of De Lima as secretary of Justice was "just an aggravating circumstance" and that her purpose really was to raise drug money for her senatorial bid last year.

Sereno and Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, for their part, grilled Calida on the jurisdiction issue.

Both magistrates pointed out that De Lima's case requires the SC to settle if the drug case falls within the jurisdiction of the RTC or Sandiganbayan to set the standard for similar drug cases expected to be filed against public officials.

Sereno tackled the issue of violation of the equal protection clause of the Constitution in De Lima's case, citing the gray area on which criminal cases against public officials should be filed before the RTC or the Sandiganbayan.

She stressed it would be necessary for the SC to clarify the issue to serve as guide for the Department of Justice on when to pursue cases in RTC and when to refer the cases to the Ombudsman, which is tasked to prosecute cases in the anti-graft court.

Calida, in response, suggested that drug cases should be left to the jurisdiction of RTCs while graft cases to the Sandiganbayan.

Leonen, on the other hand, quizzed the Solicitor General on De Lima's allegation that she is being persecuted by the Duterte administration for her persistent criticisms on the war on drugs.

The justice cited exemptions to the general rule on hierarchy of courts in criminal cases as set by the SC in previous cases.

The three-part oral arguments focused on six procedural and substantive issues on the plea of De Lima to nullify the arrest warrant issued by a Muntinlupa court in connection with the drug trafficking charges filed by the Department of Justice.

On the procedural side, the SC will determine whether or not De Lima is excused from compliance with the doctrine of hierarchy of courts considering that the petition should have been filed first with the Court of Appeals and whether or not the pendency of the motion to quash the information before the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 204 renders the instant petition premature.

Likewise, the SC will also rule whether the petition violated the rule on forum shopping considering the pending motion to quash she filed before the trial court and a petition for certiorari before the Court of Appeals questioning the preliminary investigation conducted by the DOJ.

On the substantive issued, the Court will determine whether the Muntinlupa RTC or the Sandiganbayan has the jurisdiction over De Lima’s case and whether or not the respondent -- Judge Juanita Guerrero -- gravely abused her discretion in finding probable cause to issue the arrest warrant.

The Court will also decide whether or not the petitioner is entitled to a temporary restraining order and or a status quo ante order in the interim until the instant petition is resolved or until the trial court rules on the motion to quash.

De Lima, now detained at the PNP Custodial Center, argued that the allegations against her do not actually constitute sale and trading of illegal drugs and liability of government officials under Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act), but rather only direct bribery.

Under the law, petitioner stressed that such charges should fall under the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan -- not the RTC -- because her position at that time was secretary of Justice which has salary grade higher than 27.

Separate cases for three counts of drug trafficking were filed against De Lima before the Muntinlupa RTC which were assigned to three different courts.

The cases for sale and trading of illegal drugs and liability of government officials under Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act) were assigned to RTC Branch 204 Judge Juanita Guerrero, Branch 205 Judge Amelia Fabros-Corpuz and Branch 206 Judge Patria Manalastas-De Leon.

The first case in Branch 204 includes De Lima, Dayan and Ragos.

De Lima is joined by her nephew Jose Adrian Dera in the second case in Branch 205.

The third case in Branch 206 is against De Lima, Dera, Dayan, former BuCor chief Franklin Bucayu, his alleged bagman Wilfredo Elli, high-profile inmate Jaybee Sebastian, and De Lima's former bodyguard Jonel Sanchez. (PNA)

CHRISOPHER LLOYD T. CALIWAN

Russian diplomat says new Cold War possible

MADRID, March 29 (PNA/TASS) -- A new Cold War is possible, Russian Ambassador to Spain Yuri Korchgin said at a colloquium arranged in Madrid by the New Economy Forum.

Korchagin pointed out that the Cold War had been based on ideological differences between the Soviet Union and the United States. "Today, there are no such ideological reasons," he stressed adding that at the same time, "some other features of the Cold War are there." In this regard, the Russian ambassador noted that a number of countries "are strengthening their military capabilities."

According to Korchagin, some "say that the Cold War cannot repeat itself." "But I think it can," he said. However, the Russian diplomat emphasized that "today, Russia is open to the world as never before" as it is building its "young democracy."

When asked to comment on relations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump, Korchangin said that "I can only say that they haven’t met in person yet, they only had a telephone conversation in the beginning of the year." The Russian ambassador went on saying that "in order to describe bilateral relations between the United States and Russia, it is possible to say that they are at level zero." However, Korchagin added that "relations (between countries) should be friendly and equal taking into consideration that each country has its own interests."

The diplomat also said that Brexit would be "a blow" for the European Union. "If someone leaves (a union) but no one can join it, it weakens the system," he stressed.

Senators greet Pres. Duterte on his 72nd birthday

MANILA, March 28 (PNA) -- Some Senators took to social media their greetings to Pres. Rodrigo Duterte who turned 72-years-old on Tuesday (March 28).

Senate Pres. Aquilino Pimentel III, president of the administration party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-LABAN) on his official Twitter account, shared a photo of himself with Pres. Duterte using the hashtags #PartnersForChange and #PDPLaban.

Like Pimentel, Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito, an ally of Pres. Durerte, also shared a throwback photo of himself with the President together with some of the chief executive’s bodyguards to greet him happy birthday.

Sen. Cynthia Villar also joined the bandwagon by greeting him with “God bless and more power!” and also sharing a candid photo they shared together.

Another ally, Pres. Sherwin Gatchalian, meanwhile chose to send his greetings to the President in the vernacular: “Maligayang kaarawan, President @RRD_Davao (Happy birthday, President @RRD_Davao)!

“Sana ay matupad ang iyong hangarin na maging ligtas ang ating bansa, alang-alang sa sambayanan (I hope your desire to make the country a safe place for the sake of the people comes true),” he added.

Gatchalian, however, did not have a photo of himself and the President to share but instead shared a photo of the chief executive wearing a barong.

Pres. Duterte previously said that he only wished for two birthday gifts -- more strength to complete his work and a quiet time with his family.

“I only ask God that give me a little bit of time, a little strength to surmount the problems of the country and that I’d be able, not really to solve but maybe mitigate some of the rigors of governance,” Duterte said in a previous press conference.

"I would be very glad to spend my time with my newest grandson Stone and the rest of my children and grandchildren. That would have been the greatest gift that I can ask in this planet. To me, that’s enough," he said. (PNA)

AZER N. PARROCHA

Senate President Pimentel urges IBP to help in disseminating to public federal system of gov’t

By Perfecto T. Raymundo

MANILA, March 23 (PNA) -- Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on

Thursday urged the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) to help in disseminating to the public the federal system of government.

During his speech before the 16th National Convention of Lawyers in Marriott Hotel, Newport City, Pasay City, Pimentel was supposed to deliver an inspiration talk but he opted to lecture the more than 2,500 members of the IBP to about the federal system of government.

He told the participants that under a federal form of government, the President will be the head of State while the Prime Minister will be the head of government.

Under a federal system, he went on to say, there will be 11 regions such that the Northern Luzon will be composed of the present Ilocos Region (Region 1), Cagayan Valley Region (Region 2) and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

Likewise, the Senate President also said that the Central Luzon Region (Region 3) will also be the same as the present Region and the Southern Luzon Region will be composed of Region IV-A or the present Calazabarzon (Cavite/Laguna/Batangas/Quezon) Region.

At the same time, there will be a Metro Manila Region, among others.

Pimentel said the 11 regions will have their respective own Senate, which will have at least 3 senators each or at the most 77 senators.

Pimentel added that under the federal system, there will be the same Judiciary, one Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), one national police force, and one Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

The Senate President expounded that there would be no problem if there will be vacancy in the Presidency or the Prime Minister such that if the latter is vacant, the President will be the acting Prime Minister and vice-versa. 

Pres. Duterte asks China to prioritize Bukidnon’s agricultural dev't

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 25 (PNA) -- President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday asked China

to give priority to the development of the agricultural industry in Bukidnon, a landlocked province in Northern Mindanao and the country's eighth largest province.

President Duterte arrived at the Provincial Capitol of Bukidnon in Malaybalay City as an honored guest of the province’s Kaamulan Festival, an annual project of the provincial government designed to lure both domestic and foreign tourists and for the groundbreaking of the largest drug rehabilitation center in Mindanao.

He arrived in Bukidnon Saturday noon and delivered an impromptu speech after Bukidnon Governor Jose Maria Zubiri introduced him to a cheering crowd of about 50,000 people.

In his speech monitored by the Cagayan de Oro-based Magnum Radio, President Duterte asked Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua to extend to Bukidnon China’s first agricultural assistance to the Philippines.

The President expressed elation over the presence of Ambassador Jianhua, something which seldom happened in the past.

“I would like to take this rare opportunity to ask Ambassador Jianhua to bring the first agricultural tractor to Bukidnon in order that the province’s agricultural industry could be developed to the fullest,” he said.

The President also encouraged the people of Bukidnon to plant crops that could be exported to China, saying that China no longer restricts agricultural products from the Philippines.

He said China currently accepts 100 percent all bananas exported from the Philippines while pineapple exports to China stand at 75 percent.

“China would buy all agricultural products from the Philippines and it is high time that the country’s agricultural industry take the opportunity to plant any agricultural product for export,” President Duterte said.

The Chief Executive recounted that when the country was exporting its produce to the United States, the US government would impose product standards, leading to the rejection of the Philippine exports.

However, when the Philippines began exporting its produce to China, the US also began accepting the country's crops.

“Actually, we remain friends with the United States, but we should not rely so much on Americans anymore because we have close friends, neighbors like China,” President Duterte pointed out.

Before leaving for Davao City after his speech, the President led the groundbreaking ceremony of the PHP700-million Drug Rehabilitation Center in Casisang village at the outskirts of Malaybalay City. The proposed drug rehabilitation center, the largest in Mindanao, would house an administration building, three dormitories, training centers, gymnasium and three basketball courts when completed in December.

He said he directed the construction of the drug rehabilitation center in Bukidnon to make the center accessible to neighboring provinces and cities, such as Cagayan de Oro City and Davao City.

Grenade explosion kills 4, injures 15 in Jolo

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 25 (PNA) - Four people were killed while 15 others were wounded in a grenade explosion late Saturday in downtown Jolo, the capital of Sulu.

Col. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of Joint Task Force Sulu, said the incident occurred around 7:10 p.m. Saturday at Katrina Bakeshop and Grocery in Sitio Lambayong, Barangay Busbus, Jolo.

Two were instantly killed when a grenade was tossed into the bakery. Two others expired while undergoing medical treatment in the hospital.

The 15 wounded victims were also rushed to the hospital.

"A suspect was arrested and now in the custody of Jolo Municipal Police Station. Motive is still under unknown," Sobejana said.

The police said the possible motive was retaliation to a shooting incident on Friday that injured a child in Jolo.

Police said the suspected grenade thrower is relative of the child. (PNA)

DARWIN WALLY T. WEE

Kidnapped tugboat skipper walks two hours to freedom

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 25 (PNA) - Tug boat skipper Aurelio Agac-ac walked for two hours to his freedom at dawn on Saturday following a 37-hour harrowing

and tension-filled ordeal with the Abu Sayyaf Group in Basilan province.

“They (captors) were asleep, perhaps because they were too tired. I took the risk and escaped,” he told reporters at the headquarters of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).

Agac-ac, who was visibly tired, said he walked and run until he was recovered by pursuing troops that have surrounded the mountainous area of Barangay Basakan in the coastal town of Hadji Mohammad Ajul at around 3:20 a.m. Saturday.

“Even at night, we can hear the presence of military choppers in the mountain,” he said explaining the heavy presence of military forces in the area has forced his captors to lessen the grip on him.

“I walked and run. I was tired at same time hungry,” he said.

On Thursday, the Abu Sayyaf bandits hijacked M/T Tug R9 and forcibly took Agac-ac, along with his chief engineer, Laurencio Tiro, in the vicinity of Sibago Island, Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Basilan.

“Although I was scared, but I gather my strength to escape. I always pray and don’t lose hope,” Agac-ac said.

Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Westmincom commander, said it was the combined efforts of Navy, Air Force, and the local government of Basilan that pressured the Abu Sayyaf bandits and lose its focus.

“It was the constant pressure that we deployed that he was able to escape,” Galvez said.

Following receipt of distress call on Thursday, the Navy dispatched three gun boats to the vicinity of Sibago island, while Air Force helicopters tracked down the locations of the bandits.

“We have increased our capabilities in terms of interdiction. We can react immediately,” Galvez said.

With the enhance military, “this will deter future kidnapping incidents [and seajacking],” Galvez said.

He said the pursuit operation is ongoing in a bid to rescue the remaining kidnapped victim.

“We have strong indications that his companion is still there, and hopefully we can rescue him with the help of the local government units in Basilan,” he said.

Currently, the military is constricting the area of the bandits, saying naval assets and special forces are scouring the area.

“I believed he is alive. He’ll be rescued because of the continuing military operations,” Agac-ac said.

Agacac, who admitted that it was his first time to set sail in the waters of Basilan, said the hijacking occurred so fast.

“I was really scared. But we were able to make a distress call,” he said.

According to him, he were separated from his companion--Tiro.

“They (Abu Sayyaf) told us not to resist or else something wrong might happen to us,” Agac-ac said, adding that he saw three motorboats the Abu Sayyaf bandits used during the hijacking.

“We were about five to six miles when the Navy and military helicopter tried to rescue us. They were shooting the kidnappers,” Agacac said.

“Thank god I was not hit,” he added.

At least one of the bandits was killed, and another was wounded, Galvez said, adding that they were also able to apprehend two more Abu Sayyaf members and recovered five motorboats that were used in the hijacking. (PNA)

DARWIN WALLY T. WEE

Gov't forces liberate N. Cotabato upland village from NPAs

COTABATO CITY, March 25 (PNA) -- Government forces drove away communist rebels who occupied a remote uptown village in North Cotabato following a brief clash, the Army said Saturday.

“Government forces have retaken the village of Camutan in Antipas town, which the NPAs (New People's Army) occupied for a day,” 1Lt. Silver Belvis, speaking for the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion, said.

Antipas Mayor Egidio Cadungon said the rebels have fled and that all civilians earlier reported trapped, have been accounted for.

Belvis said the village had been recovered at about 5 p.m. Friday and residents have been told to return home.

No civilian was harmed, and no government troop was hurt in a brief firefight Thursday night, Belvis said.

The local government of Antipas had started sending back to their communities about 80 families who fled when the rebels belonging to Guerilla Front 73 arrived and tried to convince males to join their ranks.

In a similar incident, the 27th Infantry Battalion also occupied a remote village in Tablu, Tampakan, South Cotabato after the NPA fled to the borders of Sultan Kudarat, Davao del Sur and South Cotabato Saturday morning.

The villagers can return home, said Army Lt. Col. Benjamin Leander, 27th IB commander.

More than 50 families fled Friday morning after about 50 guerrillas harassed a militia detachment in Barangay Tablu.

There was no casualty on the government side. Quoting villagers, Leander said at least four NPA attackers were seen carried by fleeing guerrillas following an Army operation.

But Leander admitted they could not confirm the report.

“Barangay Tablu is now peaceful. The rebels have fled to the other side of the mountains,” Leander said, referring to the NPA strongholds in the mountains of Columbio town in Sultan Kudarat and Kiblawan in Davao del Sur.

Mila Lorca, South Cotabato provincial disaster risk reduction officer, said the displaced families, now at the Tampakan town gymnasium, reside near the militia base camp near Sagittarius Mines Inc., a mining firm.

Following Friday’s skirmishes, classes have been suspended in Barangay Tablu.

Lorca said the affected families have been given relief goods. The provincial government is working for their return to Tablu where the evacuees’ livelihood is located. 

Ex-Cebu town mayor, councilor indicted for graft

CEBU CITY, March 24 (PNA) - The Office of the Ombudsman has approved the filing of graft cases before the Sandiganbayan against former mayor Ma. Luisa Loot and councilor Sammy Moralde of Daanbantayan, Cebu.

The indictment of the two former town officials for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act stemmed from the town’s financial grant to RBA Quail Raisers Association.

The RBA Quail Raisers Association requested the Daanbantayan local government for financial assistance for the expansion of its agri-business in 2007.

The municipal government of Daanbantayan entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with RBA granting the association a loan of PHP500,000.00.

Moralde claimed to be the chairman of RBA.

The Ombudsman said it was found that Loot and Moralde failed to comply with the conditions in the MOA, such as the periodic monitoring and evaluation to ascertain the progress and accomplishment of the projects.

The loan also remains unpaid up to this time.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales held that both Loot and Moralde “acted with evident bad faith, manifest partiality or gross inexcusable negligence.” (PNA)

Negros Occidental gov orders 60-day preventive suspension of provincial agriculturist

 BACOLOD CITY, March 23 (PNA) -- Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. ordered the 60-day preventive suspension of Provincial Agriculturist Igmedio Tabianan while he is being investigated for alleged administrative

offenses of grave misconduct/malversation of public funds.

The directive, which was implemented by the Provincial Administrator upon receipt, was stated in a two-page memorandum order dated March 21 released by the Office of the Governor to the media Thursday.

A team under the Provincial Legal Office has been tasked to conduct the investigation and hearing.

“After careful investigation of the allegations and evidence available and presented, this office concludes that a prima facie evidence for administrative offenses of grave misconduct/malversation of public funds exists against you,” Marañon said.

The governor added that “administrative charges of grave grave misconduct/malversation of public funds warrant a preventive suspension in view of the fact that the respondent exercises authority over the herein witnesses and the entire Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) where other evidence, testimonial or documentary, are available.”

“It is therefore imperative that the witnesses, other testimonial and documentary evidence, as well as the proceeding itself, be protected from whatever form of influence from the respondent to give due course to a fair and impartial investigation and hearing,” he further said in the order.

Marañon also directed Tabianan to refrain from entering the premises of the Provincial Capitol and any of its offices during the duration of his suspension, or from doing acts that will influence the witnesses and the proceeding.

“To reiterate, this is to give due course to a fair and impartial investigation and hearing of your administrative case,” he told Tabianan.

In November last year, Tabianan paid the amount of P299,000 spent for the fertilizer project the OPA implemented in 2013, which was issued a notice of disallowance by the Commission on Audit (COA).

After he settled the amount, the COA issued another notice of disallowance to Tabianan, involving the P239,805 purchase of various vegetable seeds.

The first case involved the purchase of fertilizers worth P299,000 for the farmers in Cauayan town on January 10, 2013.

COA ordered Tabianan to return the amount after he failed to comply with the required documents. (PNA)

Alvarez backs Duterte plan to appoint barangay officials, scrap polls in October

By Filane Mikee Cervantes

MANILA, March 24 (PNA) -- House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Friday backed the plan of President Rodrigo Duterte to cancel barangay (village) elections in October and instead appoint barangay officials in a bid to stamp out narcopolitics in the country.

In a radio interview, Alvarez said Duterte’s plan to appoint leaders of over 42,000 barangays is possible through a legislation amending the Local Government Code without violating the Constitution.

“Well, wala akong problema diyan at suportado ko ang ating Pangulo diyan dahil napaka-valid po noong reason, dahil tama yun, majority of the barangay officials are involved in illegal drugs, nagagamit ito,” Alvarez said in a radio interview.

(“Well, I don’t have any problem with that and I support our President on that matter because the reason is valid. In fact, majority of the barangay officials are involved in illegal drugs”)

“Kinakailangan po ng legislation diyan para magbigay ng kapangyarihan sa Comelec na huwag ituloy yung election (A legislation is need to grant Comelec the power to defer the elections,” he added.

Alvarez said the necessary amendment can be proposed and tackled when Congress resumes session on May 2.

President Duterte had admitted that his plan to appoint barangay officials to fill the vacant posts would be “quite messy” because incumbent barangay officials would likely oppose the move.

According to the President, the first requirement for a barangay officer-in-charge nominee is that they should not have any connections at all with rebels. Second, is that they are not into drugs, and lastly, they are not really leaders of politicians.

The President said he would accept nominations from the Catholic Church, from Islam leaders, religious denominations and other organizations.

However, opposition lawmakers at the House of Representatives warned against this move of postponing anew the barangay polls and having its officials appointed instead.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said that existing laws do not provide for appointment of officers-in-charge (OICs) for elective barangay positions, stressing that the choice of elective officials belongs to the electorate.

"It has been consistently provided under the various barangay election laws, including the law which postponed the barangay elections to October 2017, that all barangay officials shall serve until their successors are duly elected and qualified, unless meanwhile they have been dismissed for cause," Lagman said.

"Any further postponement of the village polls must not allow the appointment of OICs either by the President, or the Secretary of DILG," he added.

For his part, Magdalo Partylist Rep. Gary Alejano said that administrative charges should be filed against barangay captains with alleged links to the illegal drug trade.

"In that way, those suspected barangay captains will have the opportunity to defend themselves and at the same time those who are considered clean will not be dragged unnecessarily and their names destroyed before the public," Alejano said. (PNA)

Pres. Duterte completes ASEAN visits

BANGKOK, Thailand, March 22 (PNA) -- Foreign Affairs Acting Secretary Enrique Manalo praised the completed ASEAN visits of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte by

emphasizing the importance of agreements between countries, including a framework on code of conduct, to promote cooperation, stability, and sustainability during a press briefing held Wednesday at the Mandarin Oriental.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha with President Rodrigo Duterte 

“The purpose of the Code is to see how we can manage disputes carefully, not to raise tensions, not to escalate tensions,” Manalo said.

The details of the framework will be under continuing negotiations and discussions, to be based on the “key principles of mutual respect and mutual benefit.”

Manalo summarized the positive results of President Duterte’s official visits to Myanmar and Thailand, which caps the ASEAN-wide introductory visits he has made since assuming office in July 2016.

Joining Manalo in the panel were Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo, Executive Director Arnel del Barrio of the Philippine Carabao Center of the Department of Agriculture, Sen. Allan Peter Cayetano and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar who led the briefing.

The meetings in Myanmar with President U Htin Kyaw and other officials such as

Myanmar President U Htin  Kyaw  Philippines President Rodrigo Roa Duterte 

State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, said Manalo, “reaffirmed the friendship and excellent relations” between the two countries, spanning six decades.

Synergy

In Bangkok, President Duterte issued a joint statement with Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, recognizing “the synergy to further deepen and expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest and to work together to strengthen the ASEAN Community.”

Common areas of cooperation identified with the two countries are on trade, tourism, agriculture, defense and security, intelligence, science and technology, cultural exchange, education, energy, and humanitarian assistance and development cooperation programs.

On a more specific note, Del Barrio shared that the Philippines and Thailand reached an understanding “to establish and promote cooperation and exchange in the areas of swamp and dairy buffalo.” The cooperation gives a boost to researchers and scientists to expand collaborative opportunities to exchange knowledge and techniques that will mutually benefit both agricultural countries.

Teo, meanwhile, is eyeing to improve the marketing and promotion of the Philippines in relation to Thailand.

"I would like to see more Thai people coming to the Philippines," the Tourism Secretary said. Thailand has promised to start flying its airline to Cebu and Davao and back to Bangkok.

Balance

Trade Secretary Lopez shared the good news that Thailand made a commitment "to help us balance the trade" between Thailand and the Philippines. Currently, Thailand is the country's sixth largest trading partner.

"But they have a trade surplus. In other words, mas malaki po ang export nila sa atin, kaysa 'yung export natin sa kanila," Lopez explained to illustrate the need to balance trade between economies.

Myanmar hosts some 800 Filipinos as overseas workers. Thailand has more than 14,000 Filipinos, with a number working as English teachers, engineers, and other professionals.

In Myanmar, President Duterte extended a pledge worth USD 300,000 to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as humanitarian assistance to Myanmar's Rakhine State, the Foreign Affairs Acting Secretary confirmed.

Asked about whether the Philippines is going to file a protest against China on its planned construction of an environmental monitoring station, Manalo said that the Philippines is seeking clarification with China, but at the same time is "maintaining a regular close watch over Scarborough Shoal."

Cayetano explained the diplomatic stance of the President who in a statement expressed cognizance that “the respect for freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea is in the interest of all countries within and outside the region."

Both Myanmar and Thailand reiterated full confidence and support to the Philippines as host of the ASEAN Summit this year.

Manalo is aware that the negotiations among the countries may not be always easy, considering the differences in each country’s background, history, and present needs.

“But I think with enough will, I think we can move forward,” he said. (PNA)

PND

DILG urges public to attend Barangay Assembly on March 25

MANILA, March 21 (PNA) -- Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno has enjoined the public to suggest ways to improve the anti-illegal drugs drive of their respective barangays during the Barangay Assembly to be held in villages across the country on Saturday.

"In the Barangay Assembly, the people have a voice… The people also have the duty to help the Barangay Captain by suggesting ways to resolve the illegal drug problem in the barangay," Sueno said in a news release issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

He said the Barangay Assembly is open to all Filipino citizens, 15 years and above who have been residents of the barangay for at least six months.

The interior chief encouraged the people to attend the March 25 meeting, saying it is the proper venue to discuss community concerns and learn how barangay officials are spending barangay funds.

Sueno meanwhile called on barangay officials to discuss with the people the MASA MASID program, a barangay-based anti-criminality, anti-corruption, and anti-illegal drugs program that encourages volunteerism at the community level. MASA MASID stands for Mamamayang Ayaw Sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Iligal na Droga.

Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 requires barangays to hold a Barangay Assembly Day every last Saturday of March and second Sunday of October to give their constituents a chance to hear the developments and discuss concerns in their community.

Saturday’s assembly will carry the theme,"Sulong Barangay Kontra Droga, Krimen at Katiwalian: Makialam! Makilahok! Makiisa!" 

NPA rebels burn heavy equipment at Del Monte's Bukidnon plantation

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 22 (PNA) - Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels burned a heavy equipment used by Del Monte Philippines, Inc. (DMPI) in Bukidnon, a belated military report here said Wednesday.

Capt. Norman Tagros, spokesperson of the Army 401st Brigade, said communist rebels raided the DMPI plantation in the outskirt of Malaybalay City on Monday night and disarmed and seized the firearms of private security guards before burning the heavy equipment.

He said that a tractor, three boom harvesters and a Skinner were burned before the rebels withdrew under cover of darkness.

Tagros said the police and the military sent a combined team of operatives to pursue the rebels, but they have not made contact as of Wednesday.

He said that an investigation to determine whether the heavy equipment were owned by the DMPI or company contractors is still going on.

“We want to find out whether DMPI or a sub-contractor owns the heavy equipment because there were reports that the DMPI owns the equipment,” Tagros said.

Last week, NPA rebels also burned a fuel tanker owned by a sub-contractor of DMPI in the company’s plantation in the outskirt of Balingasag, one of the rebel-infested towns, east of Misamis Oriental.

Zamboanga City allots PHP9.8M for 2017 SPES

 ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 22 (PNA) - The city government has allocated PhP9.8 million as its counterpart in this year’s implementation of the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES).

SPES is a joint undertaking of local government units (LGUs) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) aimed to help poor but deserving students pursue their education by providing income or augment their income by employing them during summer or Christmas vacations.

The LGUs shoulders 60 percent of the beneficiaries’ salary while DOLE pays the remaining 40 percent.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar on Wednesday said the local government will hire around 2,766 high school and college students for the 2017 SPES this summer.

Salazar said they will be employed into two batches. The first batch will comprise of 1,400 beneficiaries who will work from April 11 to May 11.

The second batch consisting of 1,366 beneficiaries will work for the remaining summer period from May 9 to May 31.

They will be employed in different programs to include clean and green projects, beautification, surveys, barangay data updating, janitorial activities, and office clerical works.

Salazar said the daily wage rate of SPES beneficiaries has been set at P296 each.

The objective of the SPES is to develop the intellectual capacities of children from poor families and harness their potentials for the country's well being.

The implementation of SPES is pursuant to Republic Act 7323, which was amended through R.A. 9547. (PNA)

Maute Group out for attacks not to be discounted -- AFP

 MANILA, March 22 (PNA) -- While still to validate the presence of the Maute Group in Metro Manila, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said that it cannot discount the possibility that the lawless group might conduct diversionary attacks to stymied the ongoing focused military operations against the bandits in Lanao Del Sur.

"Our focus for now is on coordination (so) we could arrest other members of the group. We cannot (just) discount the possibility of the Maute Group or any of their cohorts out there, to conduct diversionary attacks in Metro Manila and other key cities for that matter, (to disrupt ongoing focused military operations against them)," AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said in Filipino Wednesday.

He added the arrest of alleged Maute Group member Nasip Ibrahim, 35, married, a native of Marawi City and presently residing at No. 31-Libyan St., Salaam Compound, Barangay Culiat, Quezon City Monday night, bolsters the country's fight against terrorism.

Arevalo also reiterated the AFP is still validating reports from the Philippine National Police (PNP) that the Maute Group has already infiltrated in Metro Manila.

"We are still validating that particular report," he added, stressing that the PNP has its own basis in coming out with that declaration.

"They have at hand pertinent information at that time for them to make that conclusion, what we are saying now is that there is a possibility that this group will be there to conduct diversionary attacks and that is something that we are being prepared about," the AFP official disclosed. 

DILG: Barangay officials uncooperative in anti-illegal drugs drive will be charged

By Aerol B. Patena

BACOLOD CITY, March 22 (PNA) -- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has issued a warning to barangay officials who fail to

reduce drug-related incidents in their respective jurisdictions will be charged with negligence of duty.

“If a certain barangay official was not able to reduce by lower than 50 percent the number of drug personalities in his area by June, we will file charges of negligence of duty against the barangay officials,” DILG Secretary Ismael Sueno said in an interview on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the 15th Meeting of the ASEAN Senior Officials Responsible for Information (SOMRI) held Wednesday at the SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City.

Sueno said the department is working with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority (PDEA) in identifying barangays that are seriously affected by illegal drugs due to larger presence of personalities involved such as users, pushers and financiers as well as the prevalence of drug dens in the area.

A DILG memorandum has reiterated the importance of the barangay’s anti-drug abuse councils (BADAC) led by the barangay chairman on the government’s campaign against illegal drugs and in drug clearing operations.

Under the DILG memorandum, failure of local officials to appropriate a portion of their budgets to assist or enhance Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 is a ground for disapproval of a barangay’s annual budget. Administrative charges for dereliction of duty will be filed against violators.

The department has also organized the MASA Masid (Mamamayang Ayaw Sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw Sa Iligal na Droga ) teams in various barangays nationwide.

MASA MASID is a barangay-based and volunteerism-based program of the DILG that adopts a multi-sectoral and mass-based approach in reporting incidences of illegal drug activities, criminality and corruption in communities.

Meanwhile, the PDEA has also set new standards for the classification of drug-affected barangays in the country.

A reported presence of at least one clandestine drug laboratory or marijuana plantation in the community will merit a classification of a seriously affected barangay.

Barangays will also be classified as seriously affected if more than 20 percent of its total population are drug personalities (users, pushers, financiers) and there is a reported presence of three or more drug dens or “tiangges" (flea markets).

Moderately affected barangays have two to 20 percent of its total population as drug personalities.

Those that have reported drug personalities that are less than two percent of the population will be classified as slightly affected.

According to the PDEA, 20 percent of the barangays nationwide are drug-affected at present. The National Capital Region (NCR) has the highest rate of affectation with 92.10 percent of the region’s barangays affected, followed by Region 4A (Calabarzon) at 33.78 percent. (PNA)

Town vice mayor receives award from world bank

ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR—Vice Mayor Nacianceno Mejos Pacalioga of Dumingag town, this province received Jose Edgardo Campos Collaborative Award last March 6 – 7 from World Bank.

Dumingag Vice mayor Nacianceno M Pacalioga

The bank recognizes his outstanding contribution in the area of collaborative leadership and coalition building in developing country context.

The recognition has been instituted in the memory of Jose Edgardo Campo, an individual who understand the importance of collaborative leadership and practiced it at World Bank Institute.

The first forum on Global Partnership on Collaborative Leadership for Development of World Bank was held on June 1 – 3, 2016 at the headquarters in Washington, DC, USA.

About 300 participants attended the forum coming from different countries around the world.

Dumingag mayor Mark Pacalioga 

Meanwhile, during the March 6 – 7, 2017 forum the body awarded Vice Mayor Pacalioga the Jose Edgardo Campos Collaborative Leadership Award as Lifetime Achievement Award -- the highest award of the institution. 

Some five leaders from Bangladesh, Colombia, Tonga, Tunisia and Philippines also received some leadership awards.

President Rodrigo Duterte sent Secretary Leoncio Evasco to USA to accompany Pacalioga and to extend appreciation to the institution over their effort.

the peoples and the employees of Dumingag Zambo Sur happy for the recognition
they prepare program for the vice mayor. 

It maybe recalled that Nacianceno Mejos Pacalioga – known in his hometown as Mayor Jun – must have spent a happy childhood on his family’s farm because the passion for agriculture.

After his studies he started his professional career as a community organizer, but he always envisioned that he could best help society as a politician.

His first political engagement was the town council of Dumingag. After 9 years as deputy mayor, he was elected mayor in 2007 in a very tight election race. In the center of his political campaign stood the development of organic agriculture as one pillar of an integrated concept for a sustainable rural development.

Mayor Jun is responsible for about 50,000 people living in 44 villages.

In many of the villages, some of which are very difficult to reach, the inhabitants belong to the indigenous Subanan tribe.

The economic situation in Dumingag, however, is his greatest challenge as 90% of the people there live below the Philippine poverty level.

Together with the municipal employees and the people of Dumingag, the “Genuine People’s Agenda” (GPA) was developed as the basis for the sustainable development program.

The program encompasses 15 strategic items such as the development of organic agriculture or the improvement of health services, environmental protection, security, peace and tourism. The implementation of the development agenda already begins in nurseries and in schools.

 All teachers are trained in the basic principles of organic cultivation and organic agriculture was incorporated in the curricula as a mandatory subject. Biological cultivation not only expanded into the teaching schedule of the agricultural technical college but the entire college was converted to “organic.”

Dumingag is an extraordinary town that became a beacon for sustainable, rural development within 5 years only.

Ambush-slay of 4 policemen in Davao del Sur unfortunate incident -- PNP

MANILA, March 8 (PNA) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) termed as an unfortunate incident the ambush-slay of four policemen allegedly perpetrated by the New People’s Army (NPA) in Davao del Sur on Wednesday morning.

”Unfortunately, nangyari po ito (It's unfortunate that it happened). We have our policemen killed in ambush perpetrated by the NPA in Barangay Sibayan, Bansalan Davao del Sur. Natambangan (ang) mga pulis na nasa patrol car 7:40 this morning. We’re now looking at the progress report,” he said.

”Nakakalungkot na bakit kailangan ambushin ang mga ito (It’s saddening why they were ambushed). I will wait for the latest report coming from NOC (National Operations Center),” he added.

The four slain PNP members of Davao del Sur were later identified as PO1 Rholly Benelayo, PO1 Joey Narvaza, PO1 Saro Mangotara and a SOCO (Scene of the Crime Operation) member identified as PO3 Jayden May Rabor.

The PNP team was dispatched to conduct investigation on a shooting incident which happened in Barangay Sibayan, Bansalan, Davao del Sur and upon arrival in the area, they were ambushed by armed assailants.

”This is a long time lesson learned re-deception of NPAs,” the PNP said in a statement on Wednesday.

Carlos said that when peace talks bogged down, there had been “harassment, so we took necessary defensive action to prevent any assault in our police stations so if the true intention is peace, they (NPAs) should not ambush those who are serving in our government.”