Escudero: Duterte can compel House to sign Road Board bill
President Rodrigo Duterte can compel the House of Representatives to sign the enrolled bill seeking to abolish the graft-ridden Road Board, Senator Francis Escudero said Tuesday. ADVERTISEMENTThe senator explained that the Senate adopted en toto the House bill abolishing the Road Board and the enrolled bill just needs to be transmitted to the President for signature. “If the House refuses to sign the enrolled bill, President Rodrigo Duterte can direct his allies in the House to do so,” he added. If the House still refuses to sign, a case for mandamus could be filed to compel the House to sign the enrolled bill. READ: House passes bill abolishing Road BoardThe Senate then passed and adopted the House version of the bill filed by former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 18, 2018 10:18 UTC
Supreme Court inks purchase of lot for Taguig move
MANILA, Philippines — Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin on Tuesday signed an agreement with the Bases Conversion Development Authority signalling the start of moving the Supreme Court to Taguig City. The SC, in a statement released by its Public Information Office, said that Bersamin signed the Deed of Absolute Sale with the BCDA for the purchase of 21,463-sq.m. property located at the former Philippine Army Security Escort Group Area, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. The chief justice handed the P1,044,021,642.86 check—the full payment for the purchase—to BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Vivencio Dizon. The SC building is currently located in an area owned by the University of the Philippines.
Source:Philippine Star
December 18, 2018 09:45 UTC
Fact check: Is medical marijuana already allowed in the Philippines?
MANILA, Philippines — There is no need for a law legalizing medical marijuana in the Philippines as it is already allowed, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Tuesday. Compassionate useSotto, principal author of this law, stressed that use of medical marijuana is allowed under "compassionate use." The term "medical marijuana" however was not explicitly mentioned in any of the sections of RA 9165. In October 2016, Ubial said patients may request for a special permit from the FDA to use marijuana for medical purposes. Sotto's comments about the legalization of medical marijuana came after Miss Universe Catriona Gray spoke on the issue on Monday.
Source:Philippine Star
December 18, 2018 09:22 UTC
PH 8th most gender-equal country
PH 8th most gender-equal country 0 SHARES Share it! Share TweetBy MB OnlineThe Philippines was ranked 8th most gender-equal country by the World Economic Forum for 2018, a two-step rise from last year. WEF’s Global Gender Gap Report, published December 17, found that the Philippines was able to close about 80 percent of its overall gender gap this year, which was “the highest value” ever recorded for the country. “The country’s Health and Survival gender gap remains open for a second year, although its Educational Attainment gender gap remains fully closed,” the report showed. Overall, WEF said there had been some improvements in wage equality this year compared to 2017 when the global gender gap widened for the first time in a decade.
Source:Manila Bulletin
December 18, 2018 09:22 UTC
Suarez blasts Alvarez: You’re using Road Board issue to ‘divert attention’
“What’s the relevance of the Road Board [on the issue of ‘insertions’]? Ano naman ‘yung relevance ng Road Board dito sa issue,” he added. ‘Former leaders want Road Board abolished’Suarez said some “former leaders” only wanted the Road Board abolished because the agency supposedly refused to grant their requests for the so-called “parking fund” scheme. When asked why Malacañang wanted to abolish the Road Board, Suarez said the executive department might want to control the MVUC fund. READ: IN THE KNOW: Road BoardThe Senate passed Senate Bill 1620, which seeks Road Board’s abolition in February.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 18, 2018 09:22 UTC
NBI ordered to act on Senate report on multi-billion-peson shabu shipment
NBI ordered to act on Senate report on multi-billion-peson shabu shipment 0 SHARES Share it! Share TweetBy Jeffrey DamicogThe National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has been instructed to act on the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s report on the billion-peso illegal shipment of illegal drugs which slipped through the country concealed in magnetic lifters, said Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra Tuesday. “I have referred the Senate blue ribbon committee report on the drug smuggling incident thru magnetic lifters to the NBI for evaluation, further investigation (if necessary), and filing of the appropriate criminal complaints (if warranted),” Guevarra told reporters. The Gordon committee report tagged Acierto as the “linchpin in all these events” and who facilitated the entry of the magnetic lifters that contained billions of pesos worth of shabu, at the BOC. Lapeña was at the helm of the BOC leadership at the time the magnetic lifters were shipped to the country.
Source:Manila Bulletin
December 18, 2018 09:11 UTC
Newly formed political party throws full support to federalism shift
Newly formed political party throws full support to federalism shift 0 SHARES Share it! Share TweetBy Chito ChavezA newly formed political party that claims full support to the shift to federalism has requested President Duterte to be its chairman. “We hope to introduce President Duterte as new party chairman hopefully at the launch of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas soonest next year,” he added. Lantion a former spokesman of the Philippine National Police said the party fielded local candidates nationwide from councilor to mayor and governor. He noted the shift to federalism is gaining grounds at the Lower House with the passage of the draft constitution.
Source:Manila Bulletin
December 18, 2018 09:11 UTC
Catriona’s Miss Universe statement, huge endorsement for medical marijuana – solon
Catriona’s Miss Universe statement, huge endorsement for medical marijuana – solon 0 SHARES Share it! Gray’s “brave” stand on marijuana won admiration from all parts of the world that watched her win the Miss Universe pageant, according to him. “Athletes who suffer from excruciating pain caused by serious sports injuries should be allowed to access medical cannabis,” said Albano. HB 6517 provides for the compassionate and right of access to medical cannabis. Current NBA Commissioner Adam Silvers admitted that allowing NBA players access to medical cannabis was”something we will look at.”
Source:Manila Bulletin
December 18, 2018 09:11 UTC
How China opened its doors to world
Martin Jacques, the British academic and author of When China Rules the World, believes 1978 was the year in which the world we are living in today began to take shape. The policy welcomed foreign investment, with multinational companies from around the world launching operations in China through joint ventures. “They had been the dynamo of China’s economy up to the 1920s and (also drove) other East Asian economies,” he said. As people look back to 1978, Brown, also author of China’s World: What Does China Want?, said it is important to remember and reflect on Deng’s leadership. “Through his reforms China has emerged as a country that once again is a force in the world.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 18, 2018 09:11 UTC
AFP directs units to be on alert following NPA attacks
AFP directs units to be on alert following NPA attacks 0 SHARES Share it! In an interview, Madrigal said the Army in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) has stepped up its security to repel NPA attacks on government installations. Madrigal said, although the attacks could be considered just a form of “harassment,” the government should not take any chances. Also, Army units are in close coordination with the PNP, we strengthened the coordination due to their (NPA) diversionary tactics,” Madrigal said In Filipino. Earlier, CPP founding chairman Joma Sison of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) ordered the NPA to step up its tactical offensives against the government.
Source:Manila Bulletin
December 18, 2018 09:00 UTC
Lawyer's aide 'tortured' before being killed, PAO's Acosta says
MANILA, Philippines — Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Acosta said that an autopsy by the agency suggests that Richard Santillan III, aide of lawyer Glenn Chong, was tortured before he was killed. According to police, Santillan and his female companion were killed in an operation in Barangay San Andres, Cainta, Rizal on December 11. PAO autopsy shows Richard Santillan, slain aide of lawyer Glenn Chong, was tortured before he was killed in supposed shootout with police. Santillan is the aide of Chong, a former Biliran representative now running for senator. Chong believes that his aide was not killed in an “encounter.”READ: Cainta ‘shootout’ fatality is lawyer’s security aide“I have no enemies except for Comelec and Smartmatic.
Source:Philippine Star
December 18, 2018 08:52 UTC
Senate to file another bill to abolish Road Board by July 1
The Senate will file another bill seeking to abolish the Road Board on July 1 if the House of Representatives still won’t recognize its abolition, Senate President Vicente Sotto said Tuesday. (We will file a new bill for its abolition if they do not believe that it is already abolished. READ: Senate, House clash over fate of Road Board“As far as we’re (Senate) concerned, it’s abolished. (It’s good as abolished because the Executive Department will no longer release funding because the funds are graft-ridden. He added that the Senate cannot bring the matter to the courts because they have a “stand” that the Road Board should be abolished.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 18, 2018 08:48 UTC
Sandiganbayan approves Jinggoy’s travel to Hong Kong
MANILA, Philippines–The Sandiganbayan on Tuesday approved the request of former Senator Jinggoy Estrada for him to travel abroad from Dec. 26 to 31. ADVERTISEMENTThe anti-graft court said there is no more need for Estrada to post a travel bond as there is a remaining P2.6-million worth of bond from his previous trips abroad. Previously, Estrada asked the court’s permission to allow him and his family to travel to Hong Kong. READ: Jinggoy Estrada seeks to travel, stay in 5-star HK hotelRevilla and Estrada were among those indicted by the Office of the Ombudsman for plunder and multiple counts of graft in connection with the P10-billion pork barrel scam. READ: WHAT WENT BEFORE: Napoles and the pork barrel scamIn 2017, the Sandiganbayan also allowed Estrada to travel overseas to be with his family during the holiday season.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 18, 2018 08:37 UTC
SC pays Taguig property in full
MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court on Tuesday has fully paid the Fort Bonifacio, Taguig property which will be the site of the new SC Complex. The 21,463 square meter property is located at the former Philippine Army Security Escort Group Area, Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City. “I am certain that I will no longer be the Chief Justice when this day finally arrives. But I assure you that I will be among the first to feel the most proud and excited to have our beloved Supreme Court finally have a home,” he added. Bersamin acknowledged Bernabe’s efforts as chair of the Committee on the New Supreme Court Complex.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 18, 2018 08:37 UTC