(File photo)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is confident that the price of rice in the country will go down in the following weeks due to the arrival of imported rice.

Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol said the season to harvest palay has also begun, which is seen to elevate rice production.

 “When do we expect the stabilization of the price of rice in the market? It’s starting in the market actually. By the end of this October, last week of October, we will be instituting reforms in the grains rice market industry,” he said.

Piñol also said that starting next week, the public will be able to determine the rice variant that were imported and locally-produced.

Rice labels will also be limited to four, namely: regular milled (P38/kg), well milled (P40-42/kg), special rice and premium rice (P44/kg).

The suggested retail price for rice is also expected to be released by the National Food Authority (NFA) Council on October 18.

 “The exact pricing of SRPs will be determined on October 18, when we will be meeting for the final time with the stakeholders of the rice industry kasama na ang mga farmers, traders, millers and even the rice retailers,” Piñol said.

 The Agriculture Secretary, meanwhile, clarified reports on the unimpeded process of rice importation.

He said restrictions will be lifted but a set of guidelines and process will still be followed.

The easier rice importation is in line with President Duterte’s order to government agencies to ensure there is over or enough supply of rice in the country.

“The President never used the unimpeded importation because that would be a disservice and injustice to the Filipino farmers,” Piñol concluded. — Rosalie Coz

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President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Secretary Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President interact with their supporters after the latter files his certificate of candidacy for his senatorial bid before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Intramuros, Manila on October 15, 2018. KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has been under fire since the controversial filing of certificate of candidacy (COC) of Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go on Monday (October 15).

Around two dozen of Go’s supporters stormed the third floor of Palacio del Gobernador to include some members of the Cabinet and President Rodrigo Duterte himself.

Adding to the crowd were members of the Presidential Security Group which obviously were there to secure the President’s safety.

Comelec Spokesperson Director James Jimenez admitted that somehow a “special allowance” or special treatment was given to Go’s entourage.

Jimenez said the Comelec staff seemed to have been overwhelmed by the president’s security personnel that restrictions were inadvertently relaxed, that was why even the supporters of the President on the 8^th floor were able to get in.

Jimenez argued that if they held the supporters of Go, the situation might jeopardize the order inside the filing area as well as the safety of the President.

The Comelec has launched an investigation on the matter to know at which part of the process did the Comelec fail to observe the proper protocol inside the filing area. – Marje Pelayo (with reports from Aiko Miguel)

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Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos

MANILA, Philippines – Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos formally filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) in the fourth day of filing on Tuesday (October 16).

She was accompanied by her brother, former Senator Bongbong Marcos along with her sons.

Marcos, daughter of late President Ferdinand Marcos, is on her last term as governor of the Marcoses’ bulwark, Ilocos Norte.

She will run under the banner of the Nacionalista Party.

During the media briefing, Marcos promised to work on lowering the price of basic goods and file measures that would alleviate poverty in the country.

“Pigilan ang matataas na presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin at higit sa lahat ay matapos ang kahirapan sa henerasyon na ito,” she said.

She cited as an example the developments made in Ilocos Norte wherein even “without free port, city, without any burgeoning metropolis nearby,” they managed to bring down poverty to a very low rate. Among the strategies she mentioned include bringing down the prices of goods and helping local farmers.

When asked what made her decide to run, Marcos said she believes that people in the countryside should have a voice and a representative in the Senate.

She added that she is confident that the potential rise in anti-Marcos sentiments during the campaign period will not hinder her from running, and if given the chance, in pushing her advocacy in the Senate.

“May pagbabago na rin ng pangunawa ng nakalipas. I think that the new generation particularly the millennial generation so-called are ready to hear our side of the story,” she said.

When asked if she would be demanded again for an apology for the Marcos dictatorship, she said her family has been making public apologies for the longest time for the unexpected effects of her father’s actions in the past.

But when it comes to admission of guilt, the governor said: “Kung ang inaasahan o idine-demand ay ang admission, palagay ko hindi naman pwede iyon…Bakit kami mag-a-admit sa hindi naman namin ginawa,” she concluded. – Marje Pelayo

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(L-R) Atty. Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno and Atty. Erin Tañada

MANILA, Philippines – On the fourth day of filing of certificate of candidacy (COC), some notable personalities appeared at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) main office to formalize their bid.

Among them was Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, founding dean of the De La Salle University College of Law, one of the three senatorial candidates endorsed by the Liberal Party despite being a non-member of the LP.

He is the son of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) founder Jose “Pepe” Wright Diokno.

During the media interview, Diokno said he would work on improving the country’s justice system especially for the benefit of the poor.

“Ang gusto ko maging kasama sa usapan natin ay hustisya, lalong lalo na ang hustisya para sa mahihirap…Hangga’t di naayos ang sistema ng katarungan, wala tayong makikitang accountability,” he said.

Also from LP, former Quezon Representative and House Deputy Speaker Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada filed his COC for senator.

He emphasized on reviving the “Tañada politics,” a family brand established by his father Lorenzo M. Tañada Sr., who was named the “The Grand Old Man of the Philippine Politics,” the longest serving senator in Philippine history for 24 years.

When asked to describe the “Tañada politics,” the former lawmaker replied, “Principled politics, nakikinig sa taong bayan, hindi takot lumaban kahit, sabhin na nating, nagiisa para ipaglaban ang isang posisyon kung iyan ay tatayo para lumaban sa posisyon ng isang president, kapartido o hindi, ay handing tumayo upang ipaglaban ang tama.”

When asked about his priority agenda as a senator, Tañada said he would work on measures that would provide more jobs to Filipinos and improve the lives of local farmers.

“Ang paglutas sa kahirapan. Unang una kailangan may trabaho. Pangalawa sa usapin ng kahirapan ay iyong ating mga magsasaka. Hanggang ngayon ang kanilang kabuhayan ay hindi umaangat…Kailangan ma-ensure natin na ang ating mga magsasaka ay mayroon silang decent na makukuha kung sila ay magtatanim,” he said.

Diokno and Tañada are known human rights lawyers and scions of political clans notable for fighting the Martial Law regime.

Both their fathers were among the staunchest critics of the late president Ferdinand Marcos and the alleged human rights violations during his term. – Marje Pelayo

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FILE PHOTO: Philippine National Police

President Rodrigo Duterte urged the military and police to remain neutral and not to indulge in partisan politics as he vowed for an honest 2019 midterm elections.

During the change of command ceremony of the Philippine Army at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday, Duterte appealed to the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines not to support any political candidates.

“And let us make a deal here, a promise to make a commitment to the Filipino people. This election, strictly neutral tayong lahat. The armed forces, the police, and the uniformed personnel of government, I am asking you not to indulge in partisan politics. Wala tayong susuportahan. Iyong mga kandidato ko, ako lang because this is a political position. But I expect everybody to respect that constitutional prohibition,” the president said.

Duterte made the statement after he personally escorted his long-time aide, Christopher ‘Bong’ Go, who filed his candidacy for senator before the Commission on Elections.

The president also assured the public that no one will be allowed to use government sources for their political activities, not even his trusted aide.

Duterte also said he will campaign for his candidates.

“I’ll announce to the country now that we make a pledge: there will be an election and it will be an honest one. Walang — nobody but nobody can use government resources, not even bong. I will not allow it. As a friend I can invite him but he should not… of course I will campaign for my candidates, eh wala pa naman akong slate.”

The Chief Executive also reiterated his plan to appoint newly retired Philippine Army chief Rolando Bautista as the new secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The former commander of the intelligence service of the AFP, Major General Macairog Alberto is the newly installed army chief. — Rosalie Coz

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Media personality Jiggy Manicad | Comelec photo

MANILA, Philippines — Rodrigo Defeo Manicad Jr. filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for the senatorial race in the 2019 mid-term elections on Wednesday (October 17).

Known as Jiggy Manicad  to his colleagues, the veteran journalist for 23 years said his everyday exposure to a number of societal issues pushed him to decide to enter the political arena.

“Ang nagtulak sa akin siguro po iyong aking araw araw na exposure sa mga isyu sa ating lipunan. Ang accountability ko sa GMA bilang aking employer. Para sa akin hindi po sapat iyon…obviously maraming kakulangan. Nakita ko na iyong limitation ng role ko as a media person,” he explained.

During the media briefing, Manicad detailed a number of points where he wants to focus on should he get a seat in the Senate.

These include the creation of a magna carta for rescue workers, incorporation of science and technology into disaster management, introduction of “culture hour” in media programming, and strengthening the spirit of nationalism, and OFW concerns.

Asked about his platform for his colleagues in the media, Manicad said: “May pagkakataon na may mga walang hazard pay. May mga reklamo about OT (overtime). So itong mga polisiyang ito, whether internal or external, with regard to labor laws ay dapat na-a-address. Marapat lamang na kung ikaw ay ipinadala sa lindol, sa isang super bagyo o sa giyera, marapat lamang na mayroon ka man lang maiuwi sa iyong pamilya. So doon muna ako magsisimula,” he explained.

Manicad was among the personalities supposed to be included in the ruling party PDP-Laban’s senatorial slate.

When asked why he still preferred to run as an independent candidate despite not being considered by the government party, he said being in a political party is not an issue with him.

“Ang motivation ko talaga is not really about the party, it’s really about public service,” he said. – Marje Pelayo

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Aerial shot of Boracay after its six-month rehabilitation

BORACAY ISLAND, Philippines — Hotels and resorts in Boracay that have not passed the set environmental standards to operate should not accept booking reservations.

According to Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, these establishments should stop promoting online until they complete the requirements mandated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Puyat warned that these establishments may face charges for doing so.

“The actions of these non-compliant establishments in soliciting and or accepting booking reservations may be considered deceptive and may subject them to civil liability and suits,” said Romulo-Puyat.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año added that establishments should be 100 percent compliant before they will be allowed to operate.

This is to avoid any confusion that may cause negative impact on tourists planning to visit Boracay.

Some hotels are also having difficulty in getting new environmental compliance certificate (ECC) for not having a proper waste disposal.

Aside from that, the easement rule is also not followed by establishments along the white beach and even beside the road.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu reiterated,”The rule is very clear, non-compliant no operation. Ganun lang ka simple. And it should be 100 percent compliant hindi 95 percent [or] 90 percent.”

When asked what will happen to non-compliant establishments that insist on operating, Cimatu said, ” We will padlock it.”

Meanwhile, a hotel in Boracay was found to have a falsified DENR permit.

According to Cimatu, they were able to identify the culprit as an employee of the owner of the hotel.

A law suit will be filed by the DENR against the individual who falsified the document

“Falsification of documents against the person gumawa ng ganun. Pag inincrimate niya yung boss niya, bahala sila,” Cimatu said.

The Boracay Interagency Task Force required the establishments in Boracay to be compliant with the standards of DENR, the DILG and the DOT for them to finally be able to operate on the island.

Puyat added that they will continue accepting applications for compliance even after the soft opening on October 26. – Vincent Arboleda

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FILE PHOTO: Former Senator Ramon ” Bong” Revilla Jr.

MANILA, Philippines – Detained former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., through his wife Bacoor City Mayor Lani Mercado, filed on Wednesday his certificate of candidacy (COC) for a new term in the Senate.

Revilla said his detention is not a hindrance for him in helping solve the country’s problems.

“Hindi nila maikukulong ang aking diwa at puso para sa bayan,” he said in a statement read by his wife Lani.

Revilla is currently detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City, over his alleged involvement in the P10-billion pork barrel scam, which the former senator denied.

He is the remaining personality in detention in connection to the case following the release of his co-accused former senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Jinggoy Estrada.

Meanwhile, Mercado said Revilla might be out of detention by December after the court has issued a ruling on his pending plunder case as most witnesses against him already backed out.

Mercado contested that Revilla was the most guilty in the case following the release of Enrile and Estrada. She said they are confident that the truth about the matter will prevail.

“The truth will come out. I believe justice will prevail,” she said. — Marje Pelayo

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Senator Sonny Angara

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) on the last day of filing on Wednesday (October 17).

The 46-year-old senator is seeking reelection for another term after serving in the Senate since 2013.

Prior to his stint in the Senate, he served as representative of Aurora province for three consecutive terms.

Angara is being dubbed as the “tax man” in the Senate for his role in the passage of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law as the chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.

The new tax reform package faces mounting criticisms for allegedly  adding to the burden of Filipinos.

When asked how the issue would affect his candidacy, Angara said: “I’m sure the TRAIN will be an issue in 2019. Pag-uusapan po iyan and there will be talks on its pros and cons, hindi maiiwasan iyan.”

“We try to point out what’s in the law. If ever may binabatikos doon ay ang excise tax which is maybe 1 percent of the law…Doon talagang nagkamali sa prediction, sa assumptions regarding kung saan papunta ang presyo ng gasoline o petrolyo…Doon nagkamali talaga that’s why we’re moving to suspend the second tranche of the excise tax increase,” he explained further.

If given the chance in the Senate, Angara said he would push for the full implementation of the remedial measures to alleviate the impact of the law alongside the rising inflation.

Sonny Angara is running under the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) where he took over as president in September.

The LDP is the political party founded by his late father former Senate President Edgardo Angara. — Marje Pelayo

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Former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque speaks after filing his certificate of candidacy on October 17, 2018

MANILA, Philippines – Former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque surprised the public as he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator on Wednesday (October 17), the last day of filing.

His decision came days after he announced that he was considering the advice of President Rodrigo Duterte for him to run for a lower position which he eventually confirmed as a nominee of an environmental party-list group Luntiang Pilinas.

He said his main reason for finally aiming for a seat in  the Senate  is to relive and continue the legacy of one of the most brilliant senators in history, the Iron Lady of Asia, late Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago.

“Ang aking babala ay ‘yung mga korap, mga bobo, mga tiwali sa gobyerno ay mumultuhin na po ni Miriam Defensor-Santiago sa pagkatao ni Harry Roque,” he announced.

Roque said he was grateful that the ruling party Duterte’s Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) offered him to run under its banner though he preferred to run under People’s Reform Party (PRP), the political party of the late Senator Santiago.

Roque claimed it was Mayor Sarah who arranged with PRP for his certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA), a group which he implied is not a breeding ground for “traditional politicians.”

“Ang ating puso ay nasa Senado. Ang importante po talaga ay maisulong ang liderato na binigyang buhay ni dating Senador Miriam Defensor Santiago,” he said.

“Kinakailangan na mamili ang mamamayang Pilipino hindi lang basehan ng kasikatan, kinakailangang suriin ang kwalipikasyon ng mga kandidato…lalong lalo na sa senado. Ang Senado ay deliberative body. Kinakailangan po diyan ay may alam sa batas…bagong anyo ng mga maninilbihan sa senado,” he added.

When asked how his relationship with the President is doing, Roque said: “It’s a very good relationship.”

He stressed that he holds no grudges, “none at all,” against the President even with the sudden replacement of him as the Presidential Spokesperson by Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo.

“Let me make it clear. I did not feel offended at any time during my stint as the presidential spokesperson even if there was at least one instance when I thought I could perhaps do my job better,” he noted. — Marje Pelayo

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Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio

Nothing will stop Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio from advocating a tougher stance in claiming Philippine’s sovereign rights to the West Philippine Sea — not even its potential impact on his nomination for chief justice of the Supreme Court (SC).

The possibility of his chances being affected due to his position on the issue is not lost on Justice Carpio, knowing that president Rodrigo Duterte, who holds the power to appoint the next chief justice, is friendly with China.

“It’s the prerogative of the president to appoint whoever he wants and I respect that. But that doesn’t stop me from continuing my advocacy because I think this is more important than anything else,” Carpio said.

Carpio made the statement during his lecture on the West Philippine Sea at the gathering of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas in Makati, Tuesday night.

Last week, Carpio decided to accept his automatic nomination to the chief justice post, noting that the circumstances are different this time as there are no longer any legal issues involved unlike during the ouster bid against former Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno.

“Because in Sereno, my opinion stated that she could not be removed by quo warranto but she was removed. Now, I do not want to benefit from a ruling that I disagreed on. But now this is an expiration of term. De Castro’s term as CJ expired. There’s no legal issue anymore. That’s why I said there is no reason anymore to decline,” Carpio explained.

Other SC justices who accepted their automatic nominations are Associate Justices Lucas Bersamin, Estella Perlas-Bernabe and Andres Reyes Jr.

Justice Antonio Carpio is currently the acting chief justice after Chief Justice Teresita de Castro retired on October 10 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.

The Judicial and Bar Council of the Philippines (JBC) extended the deadline for the submission of applications and nominations until October 26.

If he is selected for the post, Carpio will have until October 2019 to lead the Supreme Court. — Mai Bermudez

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Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile

MANILA, Philippines – A day after his lawyer Atty. Joseph Sagandoy filed his certificate of candidacy (COC), former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile personally showed up at Palacio del Gobernador to revise his COC.

Instead of running as an independent candidate, Enrile on Wednesday (October 17) formalized he is running under the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (COC).

Aside from rectifying some of the typographical errors in the entry of his previously filed COC, Enrile wants to disabuse the minds of the people that he is “physically decrepit to run for public office.”

If he wins, Enrile said he will focus on issues such as easing the impact of inflation, measures against criminality, insurgency, and measures to address the deteriorating value of peso.

In 2010, Enrile was known for his campaign slogan: “Gusto ko happy ka!”

The 94-year-old veteran politician explained during that year that “Happiness synthesizes everything that a government represents and when you want to make society happy.”

This was what his supporters in the Senate noted as the senator’s “secret” to longer stay in government service as he constantly made everyone at work happy. —Marje Pelayo

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Former presidential aide Christopher Bong Go gives Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano a motorcycle ride on their way to Comelec office | Photo courtesy of Gigi De Mesa via Facebook

MANILA, Philippines – Senatorial candidate and former presidential aide Christopher “Bong” Go showed up at the Commission on Election (Comelec) grounds on Wednesday (October 17) on board a motorcycle.

He drove former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano to the Palacio del Gobernador to file his certificate of candidacy (CoC) as representative of Taguig City.

As always, Go said he is thankful for the support that he receives from no less than President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Sa trabaho siyempre mahirap kaya nga naiyak ako. Masakit na iwanan ang trabaho sa kaniya officially … pero naging magaan ang loob ko na hinatid niya ako sa Comelec, parang isang ama na sinamahan niya ako sa Comelec at binigyan niya ako ng pahintulot na tumakbo,” Go said.

Though he recommended somebody to replace him in the position of Special Assistant to the President, he said it is still the President’s prerogative as to who he will appoint as his next personal aide.

“Marami silang pinagpipilian…Hindi ko rin masasabi. It will be isa lang, o maging dalawa o pagtutulungan nila ang aking naiwang trabaho. Pero in my personal capacity, hindi ko po iiwan ang ating Pangulo. Marami pong personal na pangangailangan ang Pangulo,” he added.

Meanwhile, Cayetano said he is grateful for the President’s understanding for also allowing him to leave his Cabinet to run for the 2019 mid-term elections.

He will run for the lone district of Taguig City and he wishes to become the House Speaker if given a seat.

“Kailangang mailagay sa batas at sistema iyong change. Marami po na kailangang palitan sa sistema natin at gawing permanente or at least long term,” he concluded. – Jun Soriao

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Boracay Island

Instead of running for the upcoming elections, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary John Castriciones has decided to continue his duty in the department.

Earlier reports said the Secretary was going to run under the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas that advocates federalism.

However, Castriciones confirmed that he will focus instead on serving farmer-beneficiaries by implementing government’s land distribution program.

“The president has given me a directive that we will aggressively distribute all these lands to our farmer beneficiaries,” said the agrarian reform secretary.

Castriciones said that there are currently 561,000 hectares of land and 260,000 “government-owned lands” that are up for distribution by DAR.

He also assured to carry out President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to distribute among farmer-beneficiaries the agricultural lands in Boracay Island.

“I will see to it, with the blessings of the president that his directive about the lands in Boracay to be distributed shall be finally implemented,” said Castriciones.

Currently, there are 7.9 hectares of land in Brgy. Manoc-Manoc in Boracay that can be distributed to the island’s indigenous Ati tribe.

The government targets to place about 25 hectares of land in Boracay under land reform as part of the island’s clean-up drive. — Yssa Jalmasco ( with reports from Charlie Barredo)

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MANILA, Philippines – The period of filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) for the 2019 mid-term elections has just concluded.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said they will immediately start the evaluation of the COCs as they need to screen thousands of them to include those from different parts of the country.

“We expect to have that information out by December…by tomorrow we expect na magdadatingan ang mga filing from different provinces so we will start the evaluation process right away. Pero since napakarami ng nag-file sa atin, we have thousands of COCs literally to go through. Again, by December, matatapos natin iyan,” said Comelec Spokesperson Director James Jimenez.

Overall, the poll body received a total of 152 COCs for the senatorial race and 185 certificates of nomination and acceptance (CONA) at the Comelec Main office in Manila.

Jimenez said generally the five-day period of filing the COCs was peaceful except for some problems like filers using the old version of the COC and the lax in security during the filing of former Special Assistant to the President Bong Go.

The poll body, however, clarified that there was no standoff.

“We investigated on the event for what happened, it turns out that there were other people who joined the entourage or the companions so it appeared that there were too many companions of one candidate when in fact these were companions drawn from various other candidacies,” Jimenez explained.

“I speak for the Commission comfortably and with confidence when I say that the Commission will always be fair and transparent in our dealings with the candidates,” he added.

The poll body also reminded all candidates that they can submit substitution for candidacy only until November 29, 2018.

“Ang voluntary withdrawal pwedeng samahan iyan ng substitution of candidate. Kailangan lamang, kapartido mo ang magsa-substitute para sa iyo. Hanggang November 29 iyan. After Novermber 29, involuntary withdrawal na lang ang allowed,” the Comelec spokesperson said.

The Comelec is expected to issue the final list by December 15, 2018.

The poll body also wants to make it clear that the campaign period for the senatorial candidates and party-list groups will be from February 12 to May 11, 2019.

Meanwhile, those running for a seat in the House of Representatives may only start campaigning on May 11, 2019.

In accordance with Resolution No. 10429, election period is set on January 13 until July 12, 2019 in which gun ban will also take effect.

Finally, election day will be on May 13, 2019, a Monday,

As always, the Comelec reminds the voting public to use their right to suffrage wisely.

“Hindi pa natin alam ang final list pero may idea na kayo kung sino ang dapat nating pag-aralan ang plataporma, ang ikinikilos sa gobyerno, sa pakikitungo sa tao. Dapat magdesisyon tayo ng tama para tama rin ang iboboto natin,” Jimenez concluded — Marje Pelayo (with reports from Aiko Miguel)

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After approving the P10 minimum fare in jeepneys, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has also granted a provisional P1.00 fare increase in commuter buses.

This raises the P10 minimum fare of ordinary buses to P11 while air-conditioned buses with a  minimum fare of P12 will now charge P13.

The fare hike will be implemented 15 days after publication of the decision.

Other than the P1.00 increase, buses are also authorized to add P0.15 per succeeding kilometer of travel. — UNTV News & Rescue

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President Duterte signs the Petroleum Service Contract for East Palawan Area during a ceremony held at the Malacañan Palace on October 17, 2018. | PCOO/Rolando Mailo

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte signed on Wednesday (October 17) an oil and petroleum exploration deal with an Israel firm in line with the government’s “effort to attain energy security and sustainability at the soonest time possible.”

The Department of Energy (DOE) initiated the ceremonial signing of the Petroleum Service Contract (PSC) covering Area 4 or the East Palawan Basin under the Fifth Philippine Energy Contracting Round (PECR) of the DOE.

“The PECR was established as a transparent and competitive system of awarding service or operating contracts for prospective petroleum or coal areas within the country,” the DOE explained on its website.

President Duterte and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi signed the PSC on behalf of the Philippine government while Mr. Itay Rapahel Tabibzada, president and CEO, signed for the Israeli firm Ratio Petroleum Ltd.

The PSC is the first petroleum service contract signed under the Duterte administration.

“The President has been very clear – our country needs to attain energy security and sustainability at the soonest possible time. We are currently experiencing how our dependence on importation has left us at the mercy of price movements in the global oil markets. We need to boost the exploration and development of our own energy resources and the awarding of the petroleum service contract to Ratio Petroleum is a step in the right direction,” Secretary Cusi was quoted as saying.

Under the contract, Ratio Petroleum Ltd would be able to conduct exploration activities in about 416,000 hectares of the East Palawan Basin for potential energy resources for a period of seven years. – Marje Pelayo

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MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) clarified confusion on the official implementation of the P2.00 increase in minimum fare on public utility jeepneys (PUJ).

In a decision issued by the LTFRB, the P2.00 fare increase is broken down to “additional one peso for the first four kilometers or a minimum fare of ten pesos from the original fare of eight pesos.”

The decision covers PUJs in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and in the Southern Tagalog Region.

However, the DOTr stressed that the P2.00 fare hike is not yet executory and will only take effect on the first week of November.

This, after a copy of the order leaked on social media that bears no final and official signature.

 “We request drivers to wait until the LTFRB releases the official document on the fare hike before charging any additional fare. Thank you for understanding.” The DOTR-LTFRB’s statement said.

It was in September 2017 when transport groups filed a petition for a fare increase for PUJs citing uncontrollable increase in prices of oil products.

The LTFRB granted the P1 provisional fare increase for jeepneys in Metro Manila and the regions concerned in July this year thus making the minimum fare for jeepneys P9.00.

With an additional P1.00 increase, the minimum fare is now set at P10.00 – Marje Pelayo (with reports from Joan Nano)

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High-powered firearms seized from the house of Sara town mayor, Emerlita Salcedo | Courtesy: PRO 6

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – A number of high-powered firearms were seized from the house of Sara mayor, Ermilita Salcedo in a raid held by members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Office 6 on Wednesday (October 17).

Authorities said Salcedo’s husband, former Mayor Neptali Salcedo was the subject of the search warrant.

However, the former mayor was not at their home in Barangay Poblacion, Ilawod.

When the authorities launched the search, they discovered a number of assorted firearms namely an M14 rifle; an M16 rifle; an Ultimax 100 311 rifle; a 12-gauge shotgun; an AK47 rifle; three .45 calibre pistols; and some rounds of ammunition.

According to the PRO6 Director PCSupt. John Bulalacao, Mayor Ermilita failed to present licenses for the firearms discovered that’s why authorities temporarily placed her under police custody.

After initial investigation, the Mayor was released pending further investigation.

“Wala naman pala siyang legal responsibility doon sa kasong maaari naming isampa laban sa kaniya. The initial evaluation of our lawyer ay wala siyang kasalanan. But that does not bar us from filing charges against her kung ma find out naming na mayroon din siyang responsibility,” Bulalacao explained.

Mayor Ermilita refused to make a statement on the incident and the whereabouts of her husband.

PCSupt. Bulalacao meanwhile, called on Neptali Salcedo to surrender.

“It would be better for him to face the charges sumurrender nalang siya at kung mayroon pa siyang ibang hawak firearms that are unlicensed i-turn over nalang niya sa amin para wala na siyang problema,”

The mayor’s stepson, Ricky Salcedo and the couple’s grandson, Nixon Salcedo were both killed in the gun fight during the raid.

The police said the two opened fire so authorities were forced to retaliate.

Ricky was a former cop and the subject of the raid.  He was in the house when the police served the search warrant.

Multiple firearms were seized from Ricky including a .9mm submachine pistol, a .38mm revolver and a .22mm rifle.

Seized from Nixon, meanwhile, was a .45mm pistol.

The raid was part of the PNP’s campaign against loose firearms in view of the upcoming 2019 mid-term elections. – Marje Pelayo (with reports from Lalaine Moreno)

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Bodies of cops killed in action

Three police escorts of Food and Drugs Administration Director General Nela Charade Puno were killed while three others were wounded in an ambush along the national highway of Brgy. Napolidan, Lupi, Camarines Sur at around 9:10 AM, Thursday (October 18).

Based on initial report, the three Philippine National Police (PNP) security personnel were on board a PNP marked vehicle on their way to Daet, Camarines Norte when more or less 20 unidentified armed men believed to be members of the New People’s Army, assaulted the group which resulted in the killing and wounding of the police victims.

Route security personnel from 1st Camarines Sur PPSC were able to immediately respond to the area and retaliate, thereby suppressing the enemy and preventing further casualties.

The fatalities were identified as:

SPO1 Percival Rafael
PO3 Carlito Navarroza
PO1 Ralph Jason Vida

The Wounded personnel were immediately brought to Bicol Medical Center (BMC), Naga City. They were identified as:

PO1 Jonathan Perillo
PO1 Ruby Buena
PO1 Rodolfo Gonzaga

The Bicol PNP has coordinated with the military for a joint pursuit operation.

Nearby municipalities were also alerted to conduct checkpoints in all strategic locations in their respective areas of responsibility. — Lea Ylagan

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