FILE PHOTO: Commission on Elections (COMELEC) logo

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has disqualified a total of 105 individuals for habitual non-submission of Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE.)

This means they are already barred from holding any public position.

Win or lose, all election candidates are required by law to submit a SOCE for a certain period after the day of the election.

In line with the May 14 polls, all candidates should submit their respective SOCEs on or before June 13. — UNTV News & Rescue

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The cargo ship MV Diamond 8 with the smuggled rice in Zamboanga Sibugay

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) will not allow the resell of smuggled rice from Zamboanga, Sibugay unless the shipment goes through proper investigation.

According to Atty. Lyceo Martinez, BOC’s collection officer in Zamboanga, the agency is giving the owner of the shipment as well as the owner of the cargo vessel, MV Diamond 8, ample time to prepare for the investigation.

BOC said the process will take time because the ship involved is an international vessel. If the owners are proven to have violated the Philippine law, a warrant of seizure and detention will be issued against them and the shipment.

“After considering all the facts of the case from the Navy at saka sa mga may-ari ng barko (and the vessel owners)…after the proper seizure and forfeiture proceedings, doon pa lang natin sila pwedeng i-auction (only then can we hold the auction),” Martinez explained.

On Tuesday, representatives from the Philippine Navy, BOC, the Bureau of Immigration and the Bureau of Quarantine met to discuss the joint inventory on the smuggled rice.

“We want to turn this over to the proper agencies and then iyong sa crew naman, doon sa (as for the crew, turn them over to the) Bureau of Immigration. As far as the goods are concerned naman itu-turn over namin ito sa (we will turn them over to the) Bureau of Customs,” Col. Joe Anthony Orbe, the acting commander of the Naval Task Force said.

The shipment includes 27,180 sacks of rice valued at P67 million.

The BOC wants to make sure through the inventory if there are other illegal items aside from the smuggled rice on board MV Diamond 8. — Dante Amento | UNTV News & Rescue

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Credits: Google Map

An escapee has died while being treated at Laguna Medical Center following a grenade blast inside his home in Pagsanjan, Laguna.

The fugitive, identified as Nelson Romulo, suffered multiple shrapnel wounds to the head and body.

Romulo was detained at a jail facility in Mulanay, Quezon for charges of estafa and illegal possession of explosives but escaped in August 2015.

“Ang kaso niya pag-iingat din ng granada which is a non-bailable offense. Tumakas sya sa bilangguan,” Pagsanjan Chief of Police PSinsp Marlon Comia said.

(His case is possession of hand grenade which is a non-bailable offense. He escaped from prison.)

According to Pagsanjan Police, Romulo accidentally removed the pin from a grenade which then exploded.

Two of Romulo’s children sustained minor injuries but are now in stable condition. — UNTV News & Rescue

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A commuter booking a ride on Grab

MANILA, Philippines — Ride-hailing company Grab Philippines stressed that the company has not implemented any overcharging in its services.

According to Grab, their fare structure is based on the department order released by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

Also, Grab said they informed the Land Transportation and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) regarding their fare scheme, maintaining that they did not implement any illegal fare calculation.

“Grab would like to set the record straight. We are not charging any illegal fares,” Grab PH legal counsel Atty. Miguel Aguila said.

Grab explained that the P2.00 per minute travel charge is a necessary step in helping their operators recover lost profits from Metro Manila’s traffic jams.

However, Grab admitted that they did not inform their customers regarding the fare scheme before it was implemented.

“There were no comms to the riders inside the app in the information card. We’ve updated that but when we raised to P2.00, it wasn’t included yet so hindi namin nailagay or na-icommunicate (we were not able to put it or communicate it ),” Grab country head Brian Cu said.

Apart from the fare overcharging issue, Grab defended itself against viral complaints about alleged difficulty in ride booking and higher fare collection.

As explained by Cu, soaring rates are inevitable because of the sharp rise in demand since the cessation of Uber operations.

“Demand went up sharply by 70 percent compared to a 40 percent increase in supply. Kulang pa rin ang (There are still not enough) cars to meet the demand,” the country head said.

Grab, however, assured that it is closely monitoring the performance of its drivers and promised to impose corresponding disciplinary action on anyone found taking advantage of riders and habitually cancelling booking requests.

LTFRB will continue investigation of said complaints against Grab on May 29. — Joan Nano | UNTV News & Rescue

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Chairman Martin Delgra during an inspection at the crash site of Dimple Star Bus.

MANILA, Philippines — Owners of Dimple Star firm admitted that the bus unit in the Occidental Mindoro crash that left 19 people dead was sourced from a junk shop.

At the hearing of Land Transportation and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Hilbert Napat said that he just changed some parts of the bus and painted it to make it look new.

The LTFRB, on the other hand, was puzzled as to how the unit passed the motor vehicle inspection system of Land Transportation Office (LTO).

Following the confession of the operators, the LTFRB stands firm on their decision to suspend the firm’s operations.

The LTFRB will resume hearing the case on May 30. — UNTV News & Rescue

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Philippine Map (Google Map)

MANILA, Philippines — The Consultative Committee (ConCom) is presently deliberating on the creation of “federated” regions that will constitute the Federal Republic of the Philippines.

According to Prof. Edmund Tayao, the sub-committee chair on the structure of the federal government, each federated region will be created based solely on economic factors.

The committee will also consider natural resources, revenues, population, contiguity of the territory as well as language and ethnicity.

The committee has yet to determine which of the current 17 regions will qualify into a federated region.

Tayao said they will also consult the administration’s economic managers and other experts on this issue.

“Pero kung economics lang ang pag-uusapan (If economics were the only issue), the lesser, the better. Pero, hindi nga economics lang ang pinag-uusapan (But economics is not the only matter being considered),” Tayao said. — Roderic Mendoza | UNTV News & Rescue

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Tourist enjoying the Boracay Beach

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has released the updated general guidelines for the six-month rehabilitation program of Boracay Island.

One of the revisions include the swimming guidelines.

In the initial guidelines, Angol Beach in Station 3 is identified as the sole swimming area in the island.

But with the new policy, the swimming area was moved to Station 1.

To identify the open area for swimming, buoys will be placed.

Another change in the guidelines is the provision on floating structures. From the original 15 kilometers, floating structures are only allowed to be set within three kilometers from the shoreline.

Also included in the new guidelines is the fishing policy.

According to the DILG update, fishing is allowed anywhere in the island despite the closure.

However, the coast guard said fishermen should have identification cards.

“Pwede mangisda as long as na taga-Boracay sila (Fishing is allowed as long as they are residents of Boracay). Ang gobyerno hindi naman pahirapan ang tao sa Boracay (The government will not let the people of Boracay suffer),” said  Lt. Commander Ramil Palabrica, chief of the PCG-Caticlan station.  —UNTV News & Rescue

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FILE PHOTO: An MRT train

MANILA, Philippines — Over 1,000 passengers of Metro Rail Transit Line-3 (MRT-3) were offloaded at Ortigas Avenue Station, southbound lane at 1:17 pm on Thursday.

According to the MRT management, the train experienced door failure thereby forcing them to offload the passengers.

They explained that a possible cause of disruption in train operations is the surge of passengers who forcibly open train doors.

The passengers were transferred to the next train after six minutes. — UNTV News & Rescue

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FILE PHOTOS: Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Senator Leila De Lima

Senators Antonio Trillanes IV and Leila De Lima on Thursday, April 19, filed a manifestation before the Supreme Court (SC) seeking the dismissal of the quo warranto petition against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

In a 4-page manifestation filed through former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, the two senators again questioned SC’s jurisdiction over a case that aimed to oust an impeachable official.

“Ang quo warranto proceedings nila ay ilegal at unconstitutional at ito ay magdi-diminish ng power ng Senado,” Trillanes said.

(Their quo warranto proceedings are illegal and unconstitutional and diminishes the power of the Senate.)

The two opposition senators insist that it is only through an impeachment trial in Senate that the chief justice can be deposed. They argued that their opposition has nothing to do with the merits of the case against Sereno.

Meanwhile, Atty. Hilbay noted that the treatment in the conduct of the recent oral arguments on the quo warranto petition is deemed questionable thus, their motion to dismiss the case.

“Mapapansin niyo talaga na parang hostile yung environment for conducting those proceedings,” the former solicitor general observed.

(You could really see that the environment seemed hostile for conducting those proceedings.)

Trillanes, meanwhile, vowed to seek the support of his colleagues on their position on the matter. — Nel Maribojoc | UNTV News & Rescue

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Credits: LTFRB, GRAB, Reuters

MANILA, Philippines — After Grab Philippines on Wednesday, admitted to imposing the unauthorized P2 per minute travel charge to its riders, the Land Transportation and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) suspended the implementation of the fare scheme.

The board had previously stressed that Grab implemented the said charge without their consent.

However, the LTFRB has yet to decide on calls for P3.2 million refund obligation of the company on the alleged overcharging issue.

Meanwhile, Grab is set to file a motion for consideration to appeal the suspension.

In the released statement of Grab PH, they said this may result in cease of service operations of their drivers and difficulty in booking rides of passengers. — Joan Nano| UNTV News & Rescue

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FILE PHOTO: Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque

In a press briefing in Malacañang on Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the President’s position on contractualization is the same with Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, which is to let Congress decide on the matter.

“Alam mo naman ang posisyon ng Presidente (You know the position of the president). He leaves the management of the line departments to the secretary,” Roque said.

The sudden announcement was contrary to Malacanang’s recent statement that President Rodrigo Duterte would sign the order before Labor Day on May 1.

The secretary added that President Duterte already fulfilled his campaign promise of stopping the 555 scheme or the labor practice wherein employees are given only up to five months contract.

“DOLE has beefed up the number of its labor inspectors from 200 to 500 and that’s why they effectively crack down on those resorting to prohibited ‘endo’,” Roque explained.

Meanwhile, Secretary Bello said instead of an EO, the President opted to certify as urgent a bill on contractualization for its speedy approval.

“Instead of the President signing an executive order on the issue of contractualization, he will instead certify a priority bill. That bill that is now pending in the Senate on security of tenure,” Bello said. — Rosalie Coz | UNTV News & Rescue

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Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence Go, newly-installed Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Oscar Albayalde and outgoing PNP Director General Ronald dela Rosa strike President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s signature pose on the sidelines of the PNP Change of Command Ceremony at Camp BGen. Rafael Crame in Quezon City on April 19, 2018. RICHARD MADELO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa formally passed his post to National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde on Thursday.

The two police officers came from Philippine Military Academy Sinagtala Class of 1986.

Albayalde was chosen by President Rodrigo Duterte to be the next PNP chief after the end of Dela Rosa’s three-month term extension on Saturday.

The turnover ceremony was led by President Rodrigo Duterte and strict security was observed in Camp Aguinaldo.

The EDSA gate was closed and Task Force Disiplina police officers were deployed for security measures. — UNTV News & Rescue

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Department of Foreign Affairs facade

The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait recently reported that they receive not less than five rescue requests each day.

Because of this, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has sent an augmentation team to rescue a number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) seeking help in the Arab nation.

According to Director Raul Dado, head of the augmentation team, they have already rescued 30 OFWs with different employment issues since their arrival in Kuwait on April 7.

The rescue team admits there are complications in their conduct of rescue operations. This is because some OFWs need to transfer locations as they are victims of human trafficking.

Ohers are being held by employers who do not want to open communication with authorities. But the most challenging cases, according the team, are cases of missing OFWs.

Despite the Kuwaiti government’s extension of its amnesty program from February to April 22, many Filipinos still opt to gamble and stay in the Gulf state even without proper documents.

“Aming hinikayat, ginawa natin lahat ng paraan para makumbinsi sila ngunit ang sinasabi ng iba, gusto pa rin nila magpatuloy na magtrabaho ng part time kahit pinaalalahanan na pagkatapos ng amnesty, simula sa April 23 ay magkakaroon na malawakang crackdown,” Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Renato Pedro Villa explained.

(We have done everything to convince them but some say they want to continue working part-time. This is despite warnings of a widespread crackdown after the amnesty ends on April 23.)

Based on embassy records, from around 10,000 OFWs without proper documents or expired visa, only around 5,500 have applied for amnesty and repatriation.

Since February this year, a total of 4,515 distressed workers have already been repatriated from Kuwait. — Sonny delos Reyes | UNTV News & Rescue

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FILE PHOTO: White Beach in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines, looking towards the west end. (Credits: Eugene Alvin Villar via Wikipedia)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has ordered 14 establishments in Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro to clear out its beaches in the next 30 days.

DENR noted that the establishments are located along the shorelines of Sabang and White Beach which violates the agency’s requirement of “three-meter easement zone.”

Also among the establishments’ violations is improper disposal of wastewater.

The 14 establishments ordered to vacate the area include:

1. Ocean Dream Lodge
2. Black Lodging House
3. Sabang Inn
4. Sabang Divers
5. Mangosteen Restaurant
6. Captn Gregg
7. Eddies Place Bar and Restaurant
8. Tinas Sunset Cottages
9. Restaurant and Dive Center
10. Montani Beach Resort
11. I Dive at Casa Mia
12. Marginor Dinner and Snack
13. Modem Development Company Inc.
14. Mermaid Resort Charletan

DENR is readying to conduct demolition should the owners refuse to adhere to the voluntary dismantle order.

Currently, Task Force Galera is reviewing the operations of around 500 establishments in Sabang and White Beach which are popular tourist destinations in Oriental Mindoro. — UNTV News & Rescue

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A Jehovah’s Witnesses pastor was killed and two others were injured when suspected members of the New People’s Army attacked Barangay Lahi in the town of Gigaquit, Surigao Del Norte on Wednesday.

The religious minister was identified as Jepti Asido, 32, while the wounded were identified as Virgil Ortiz and Abner Malaque, residents of Barangay Villafranca.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines condemned the attack.

“Sana mag-sorry sila doon sa family. Akalain mo ng dahil doon sa balak nilang i-harass ang barangay at iniisip nilang makaka-score sila sa army, pinagbabaril nila iyong tatlo. That is (not) accident. That is plain murder,” said BGen. Franco Nemesio Gacal, the Commander of the 402nd Infantry Bridage of the Philippine Army.

(I hope they apologize to the family. Because of their plan to harass the village in order to score against the army, they gunned down the three victims. That is [not] an accident. That is plain murder.)

According to Gacal, Jepti’s group was supposed to hold a meeting in Barangay Lahi when they were ambushed by the rebels.

Gacal said they suspect that the ambush was intended for the military troops in the area. He added that such cowardly act implies that the rebel group is not taking the government’s offer of peace seriously.

“Dapat hindi nila ginagalaw ang mga sibilyan. Hindi nila sinusunog o sinisira ang mga private properties. Iyan ang kasunduan so in this instance, nag-violate na naman sila,” Gacal added.

(They should not touch the civilians. They shouldn’t be burning or breaking private properties. That was the agreement, so in this instance, they violated again.)

Prior to Wednesday’s ambush, some rebel militants also stormed Police Station 5 in Butuan City last week. — Raymond Octobre | UNTV News & Rescue

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MANILA, Philippines — Ruling party PDP-Laban has bared its senatorial line-up which includes 20 personalities for the 2019 midterm elections.

Among them are six re-electionists namely, Senators Grace Poe, Sonny Angara, Cynthia Villar, JV Ejercito, Nancy Binay and Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.

The line-up is also composed of Representatives Ace Barbers, Albee Benitez, Karlo Nograles, Zajid Mangudadatu, Geraldine Roman, Reynaldo Umali and Pia Cayetano.

Also included in the slate are secretaries Special Assistant to the President Secretary Bong Go, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque,  presidential political adviser Francis Tolentino, communications assistant secretary Mocha Uson, musician Freddie Aguilar, former interior secretary Raffy Alunan and TV reporter Jiggy Manicad.

According to the Senate president, the senatorial bets should express their support to the platforms of the political party.

“Titingnan natin ang service to the party. Tulungan naman ang partido. Alam mo number one advocacy namin federalism. Dapat magpakita sila na active sila sa federalism movement,” said Pimentel.

(We will look at their service to the party. The party is very supportive. Our number one advocacy is federalism. Members should show their active support to the federalism movement.)

The Senate president also said that the line-up will undergo the scrutiny of the party chairman, President Rodrigo Duterte.

The final line-up of the party’s senatorial slate is set to be released in September. — UNTV News & Rescue

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FILE PHOTO: Senator Leila De Lima

Senator Leila De Lima is among Fortune Magazine’s “50 Greatest Leaders” for 2018.

In the list, De Lima ranked 39th and was noted for her fierce criticism against President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war especially during a probe in Senate over extrajudicial killings in the country.

The annual list released Thursday also commended the lady senator’s continuous fight even behind bars.— UNTV News & Rescue

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Sea coastline of Babak District, the center of Samal Island

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is currently checking on the sea coastlines and beaches in Samal Island.

The move is in line with Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu’s directive to intensify monitoring efforts against establishments in the island that are violating environmental laws.

According to Victor Billones, Chief of Davao Del Norte Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENRO,) they are particularly monitoring structures that lack water treatment facility and water discharge permit among other violations.

“What is clear sa ngayon ay wala pang sewerage and treatment facility ang island. So I think para mapaghandaan natin yung situation na ganun na magkaproblema tayo sa waste and water pollution, kailangan talagang i-prioritize,” he said.

(What is clear at the moment is that the island has no sewerage and treatment facility yet. So I think, we need to prioritize it to prevent future problems with waste and water pollution.)

Billones added that from more than a hundred commercial establishments in the island, only two have special treatment facility for wastewater.

“Over the 100 plus, upon verification with the EMB, only 15 lang yung may (have) ECC (Environmental Compliance Certificate). Mayroon dun sa (Among the) private establishments, mayroon lang 32 ang (only 32 had been) issued with ECC . That’s a total of 47. Of the 47, dalawa lang ang mayroong (only two have) special treatment facility,” revealed Billones.

DENR is also inspecting all establishments for violations of the imposed easement zone and the proper solid waste management system of the agency.

As of today, DENR has already completed its inspections on ten barangays in Babak District, the center of Samal Island.

Billones said the inspection will last for a month after which PENRO will submit its findings to DENR Region 11 for appropriate actions. — By Dianne Ventura and Marje Pelayo | UNTV News & Rescue

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PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde on his first press conference

Newly installed PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde on Friday stressed the importance of validating all information when a barangay official is suspected of being a narco-politician.

“Ma-deliberate at ma-adjudicate din to be fair doon sa mga andon sa watchlist,” he said.

(It has to deliberated and adjudicated to be fair to those on the watch list.)

During his first press conference as PNP Chief, Albayalde said it is possible that some of the names on the drugs watch list have no actual links to illegal drugs.

According to Albayalde this is particularly true in cases of political rivalry.

“Puwede ka kasing bigla na lamang ilagay doon sa listahan kung galit especially today na election period o election time. Ang barangay (elections) very personal iyan.” he explained.

(It is possible for your name to suddenly appear on the list if someone has a grudge on you; especially during election period. Barangay elections are very personal.)

For this reason, the Chief of Police said he is leaving the decision up to the President and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on whether or not to publish the names of barangay officials suspected to have involvement in illegal drugs trade.

PDEA Chief Aaron Aquino previously said that should the President order them to disclose the list, they would be compelled to do so.

Based on record of PDEA, there are 289 barangay chairmen and councilmen on the government’s drug watch list.  — Lea Ylagan | UNTV News & Rescue

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MANILA, Philippines — Thirty-one Filipino fishermen, on board Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Lapu-Lapu of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) arrived in Davao City on Friday after being detained in Indonesia.

The Indonesian Navy turned over the Filipino repatriates on April 13, three days after the conduct of boarder patrol exercises (Corpat Philindo 18) in Indonesia.

They were detained in Indonesia for illegal entry, fishing and overstaying.

Fifteen of them hail from General Santos City; seven from Zamboanga City; four from Davao; 2 from Saranggani province while the rest are from Tawi-Tawi.

According to Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Bong Go, the government will address the matter at the ASEAN meeting to speed up the process of repatriation for the remaining 46 Filipino fishermen detained in Indonesia.

The secretary added that the president wants to establish an office that will prioritize the concerns and needs of fishermen to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

Meanwhile, repatriated Randy Capricho, 31 from General Santos City was grateful to see his wife and 8-month old child.

Capricho was detained in Indonesia for six months after his transfer to the immigration.

“Mahirap kami masyado, Ma’am, dahil kami sa preso kumain lang kami ng kangkong,” he said.

(It was difficult for us Ma’am, because all we ate in prison was watercress.)

The repatriates received cash assistance and food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), assorted vegetable seeds from Department of Agriculture (DA) and some fishing gadgets from BFAR.

After DWSD accomplished several documents needed, the repatriates may return to their families today. —Marisol Montaño | UNTV News & Rescue

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