Insurgency: Marcos is Daydreaming

Last week we heard Año saying the insurgency will be defeated by the end of President Marcos' term. The CPP says they are day dreaming.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/marcos-is-daydreaming-that-he-can-defeat-the-npa/

Officials of the Marcos regime are daydreaming when they make declarations of attaining “strategic victory” and defeating the New People’s Army (NPA). These wishful declarations are not new. They have been issuing exactly the same statements for three decades now and have repeatedly been proven wrong by facts.

General Año’s pronouncement yesterday of “ending the local communist armed conflict” within the term of the Marcos government rings hollow, especially after an NPA unit carried out a successful against the much detested 85th IB in Tagkawayan, Quezon last Friday morning, in which Red fighters seized five high-powered rifles and inflicted a number of casualties against the AFP. The ambush blasts recent claims that Quezon is already “insurgency free.” Together with the recent tactical offensives of the NPA in Masbate and Negros, the AFP’s much-hyped PR line that the NPA has “only active guerrilla front” is clearly a figment of their imagination.

The Filipino people and their people’s army will continue to wage armed struggle as long as US imperialism, oppression, bureaucratic corruption and social injustice prevails. The broad masses of the Filipino people are continually being roused to take up arms by widespread landlessness, grossly low wages, economic dislocation, environmental destruction, and rampant dispossession of their sources of income and means of production.

Over the past few years, the fascist reactionaries have waged an all-out campaign of state terrorism with the desperate aim of shattering the bond between the NPA and the broad masses of the Filipino people. But the more Marcos employs terrorism against the people, the more that this bond is tempered and reinforced. Indeed, without the NPA, the Filipino people have nothing to defend themselves with and will be left to the mercy of multinational corporations, the IMF and World Bank, big bourgeois compradors, landlords, and bureaucrat capitalists.

The aim of achieving complete victory might not yet be within the immediate horizon of the NPA. But it is determined to frustrate the AFP’s current campaign of encirclement and suppression, fight the Marcos regime’s rule of all-out state terrorism, and carry forward the armed struggle to even greater heights.

NO matter how determined they are the aim of achieving complete victory is nowhere within the immediate horizon of the NPA.  Despite the AFP's waffling on the matter it is rathe evident that the NPA is on the way out. Certainly by the end of the 21st century if not sooner. 

The NTF-ELCAC says they are on track to curb the remaining insurgents. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209110

The government is on track to wipe out the remaining New People's Army (NPA) units still operating in the country following the declaration of Palawan as an insurgency-free province.

The latest feat brings the country closer to the Marcos administration's vision of a united, peaceful and prosperous nation, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) said in a Facebook post Monday.

"The NTF-ELCAC lauds this achievement as a significant breakthrough that reflects the collective efforts of the local government, the security sector and civil society. " the agency stated.

The body also reiterated its commitment to promoting peace in all aspects of its work -- from diplomacy and security to development and human rights.

"We believe that peace is not only the absence of violence but also the presence of justice, equality, and dignity for all. We are one in attaining unity, peace, and development," the NTF-ELCAC said.

The Army has declared the remaining NPA in Samar as roving bandits. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209313

The remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Samar Island now are classified as roving bandits with no single village official supporting their ideology, an Army official said Wednesday.

Maj. Gen. Camilo Ligayo, commander of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division told reporters that the remaining NPA rebels are jittery with the continued deaths, capture, and surrender of their leaders.

“The remaining 180 active regular NPA members are now roving bandits with the dismantling of two guerilla fronts and weakening of two others. They refuse to surrender since they are facing criminal charges,” Ligayo said in an interview Wednesday.

The official is confident in eradicating insurgents in three Samar provinces before the end of the year.

There are about 10 army battalions assigned in Samar province as the government heightened its fight against communist insurgents.

Only two NPA guerilla fronts in Samar Island remain in existence after the dismantling of one front and the weakening of another early this year.

But these fronts are already weakened with the surrender of mass supporters in communities.

Ligayo said the rebel’s Front Committee 2 that operated at the border of Samar and Northern Samar has been demolished after the capture and surrender of some of their combatants and recovery of firearms.

He said the NPA Front Committee 3, which operated near the borders of Northern and Eastern Samar, has been dismantled after a series of operations by government forces.

This kind of declaration is good propaganda but bad doctrine if it is really believed. If there is one thing the AFP should not do it is underestimate the strength and determination of the NPA to launch attacks whether out of principle for their cause or out of desperation to stay ahead of the law. 

In Negros Occidental 55 barangays have been identified as "areas of concern" due to NPA influence in the upcoming election.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/09/06/2294088/55-negros-occidental-barangays-eyed-areas-concern

Citing sightings of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, the Provincial Joint Security Coordinating Center (PJSCC) said 55 barangays in Negros Occidental should be categorized as areas of concern in the forthcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the PJSCC is leaving the matter to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

He said the 55 barangays had earlier been cleared of communist rebels, but there were renewed attempts by remnants of the NPA to recover their lost territories.

He stressed the need for law enforcers and the public to remain vigilant against rebel infiltration, especially in communities that have been declared NPA-free.

The Comelec said areas of election concern or election hotspots are places where there is potential violence or tension among local candidates, presence of armed rebels and a history of election-related violence.

Edralin said NPA rebels in Negros make their presence felt by collecting so-called permit to campaign or win fees.

All 55 barangays have been declared insurgency free and yet the NPA is doing its best to make a comeback. I suppose you can't fault them for trying. But you can fault the AFP for premature declarations of "insurgency free" when there are still insurgents. 

This back and forth between the NPA being both a non-entity and a force to reckon with is best illustrated in the DepEd's claim that16 public high schools in the NCR are engaged in NPA recruitment. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1826446/deped-claims-16-public-high-schools-in-ncr-are-engaging-in-npa-recruitment

Sixteen (16) public high schools in Metro Manila are involved in the recruitment activities of New People’s Army.

Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary and Spokesperson Michael Poa made this revelation on Monday during the deliberations on the proposed budget of DepEd for 2024.

The DepEd official, however, did not identify the names of the institutions engaging in this illegal campaigns.

He gave the information to justify why the department is requesting P150 million confidential fund.

“The threats nowadays, whether it be recruitment or drug-related activities, [are] quite alarming in our schools,” Poa explained in a mix of English and Filipino.

“That’s why we requested for the confidential funds so that we can help in prevention and, of course, in coordination with law enforcement agencies, when it comes to the response to such things,” he said.

“In fact, we have information that 16 public high schools just within Metro Manila are involved in [NPA] recruitment activities,” the spokesperson disclosed.

Without naming the schools, Poa proceeded to talk about the alleged target age bracket of NPAs in employing students.

According to the DepEd official, 12 percent of the rebels who surrendered from 2016 to 2022 were minors, aged 12 to 17 years old.

Poa also said over 5,000 minors were discovered to have been involved in drug-related activities from July 2022 to July 2023.

Of this number, 871 minors were rescued.

Amid this record, Poa admitted DepEd can also “live without” the proposed confidential funds.

However, he stressed the provision of the fund will make their jobs easier.

“As the Vice President has always said, we defer to the wisdom of Congress when it comes to the [approval of] our confidential funds,” he said.

“The reason why we made the request is, of course, [in line] with our mandate of providing accessible and quality basic education,” he added.

DepEd is asking for a P758 billion budget for 2024.

This proposed amount includes P150 million in confidential fund.

Of course we cannot expect the DepEd to name those schools but they should be able to reconcile how the AFP has declared a strategic victory over the CPP-NPA with how they are able to continue recruiting. The DepEd says this information has been verified by the NICA. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/5/dep-ed-working-with-authorities-to-put-a-stop-to-alleged-npa-recruitment-in-schools

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday, Sept. 5, confirmed that it is currently coordinating with concerned law enforcement agencies to “put a stop” to the alleged recruitment activities of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Metro Manila schools.

“We cannot give the names of the schools due to the sensitive nature of the issue,” DepEd Undersecretary and Spokesperson Michael Poa told reporters in a Viber message.

During the Senate hearing on DepEd's proposed 2024 budget on Sept. 4, Poa alleged that 16 public high schools in the National Capital Region (NCR) are involved in NPA recruitment activities.

When asked for more details on the matter, Poa maintained that “info was vetted by NICA [National Intelligence Coordinating Agency], as I mentioned during the hearing yesterday.”

But how reliable is the NICA? They claim to know the names of 300,000 to 400,000 CPP affiliated members working for the government. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1129696

“We know who they are, that they are even party members, supporters of the CPP [Communist Party of the Philippines]. We have informed them that we know. They know that we know, the security forces know, the government knows them, and we are watching them,” Monteagudo said.

“When they enter the government, part of their salary goes to the party)but their primary function is to recruit more, to influence, to agitate and to indoctrinate and to act as eyes and ears of the CPP-NPA,” Monteagudo said.

He said NICA has been presenting special briefings in different government agencies on the extent of CTG infiltration on the bureaucracy.

As per NICA’s latest estimate, there are about 300,000 to 400,000 who are allies of different CPP-NPA-NDF front organizations.

However, Monteagudo clarified that being a member of these front organizations does not mean that they are terrorists.

It's been two years now since this report. Who are these people? What has happened to them? It's all so tiresome. 

Renaming the Philippines: Maharlika or Ophir?

In a privilege speech given on July 31st Congressman Dan Fernandez gave a lenghty harangue about one of the most important issues facing the nation: renaming the Philippines to finally rid this nation of its colonial past. This is nothing new as Maharlika has been floated around as a possible name for the Philippines before with Duterte even considering such a change. 

https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Duterte-wants-Philippines-renamed-Maharlika

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has suggested renaming the country "Maharlika," a word originally meaning warrior class, to pay homage to the country's pre-colonial past. 

Duterte has revived an idea advocated by Ferdinand Marcos, the Philippines' former president and dictator who implemented martial law to keep himself in power for two decades. During his regime, Marcos popularized the word and named the state broadcaster, a north-south highway and a presidential hall after it. 

Marcos promoted the term to mean nobility, but historians say Maharlika refers to the warrior class that served the ruling clans during pre-Hispanic times.

The name also referred to Marcos' fictitious guerrilla unit in World War II. A 1986 New York Times report said his fondness for using Maharlika was meant to honor his military experience, which army investigators later concluded was fraudulent.

"Marcos was right. He wanted to change it to Maharlika, a Malay word, and it means more of a concept of serenity and peace," Duterte said on Feb. 11.

Then Senator Eddie Ilarde first proposed the name change in 1978, citing the need to honor the country's ancient heritage before Western colonialists occupied the country. A Spanish explorer first named the archipelago Las Islas Filipinas (Philippine Islands) in honor of Spain's King Philip II. Spain ruled the Philippines for three centuries, then the U.S. occupied it for 48 years.

The idea of changing the name of the Philippines to Maharlika dates back to the Marcos dictatorship and was actually a sly way of concealing his ill-gotten wealth. 

During the "New Society Movement" (Kilusang Bagong Lipunan) era in the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos used the word maharlika to promote an authoritarian view of Filipino nationalism under martial law, claiming that it referred to the ancient Filipino nobility and included the kings and princes of ancient Philippine society. Marcos was influential in making "maharlika" a trendy name for streets, edifices, banquet halls, villages and cultural organizations. Marcos himself utilized the word to christen a highway, a broadcasting corporation, and the reception area of Malacañang Palace.

Marcos's utilization of the word started during World War II. Marcos claimed that he had commanded a group of guerrillas known as the Maharlika Unit. Marcos also used Maharlika as his personal nom de guerre, depicting himself as the most bemedalled anti-Japanese Filipino guerrilla soldier during World War II. In the years before the martial law period in the Philippines, Marcos commissioned a film entitled Maharlika to be based on his "war exploits". However, critic Ernie M. Hizon of the Manila Standard noted that the film does not actually depict any of the details from Marcos' alleged exploits during World War II, but is instead a "run-of-the-mill Hollywood war film populated by third-class actors."

A later variant of the hoax linked with Marcos historical distortionism falsely claimed that the whole Philippine archipelago had once been a single "Maharlika Kingdom," and that Marcos' alleged personal wealth came about because the so-called royal family of this kingdom had hired Marcos as their lawyer in the days after World War II, paying him "192 thousand tons of gold" for his legal services.

Senator Eddie Ilarde was the first to propose to rename the Philippines into "Maharlika" in 1978, citing the need to honor the country's ancient heritage before the Spanish and Americans occupied the country. Ferdinand Marcos was in favor of changing the name of the Philippines into "Maharlika", thinking it meant "nobility", as a symbol of nationalism. In 2019, President Rodrigo Duterte reiterated the idea, thinking that it means "more of a concept of serenity and peace". 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maharlika

But Congressman Dan Fernandez has a different name in mind. Ophir.

https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/inside-track/dan-fernandez-delivers-privilege-speech-theorizing-philippines-ophir-bible/

At least once a week, lawmakers in the House of Representatives can take advantage of the so-called “privilege hour” to talk about anything of general interest in an open session: they can discuss their advocacies, make calls to action, or just boast about their accomplishments.

But one congressman on Monday, July 31, used it to fixate on a theory that says a place mentioned in the Bible could be the Philippines.

It was a speech that lasted 24 minutes.

Santa Rosa City Representative Dan Fernandez is flirting with – or maybe seriously entertaining – the idea that the Philippines is the land of Ophir, a biblical region or port that is supposedly rich in gold. 

Its exact location is unknown, but a quick search on Facebook would indicate that it has caught the attention of conspiracy theorists in the Philippines. 

In his speech, Fernandez said: 

• a Spanish colonial document in the Archivo General de Indias from the 16th century states that to reach Ophir, one must sail from the Cape of Good Hope in Africa to India all the way to a group of islands opposite China that was rich in gold;
• that the Philippines has the second largest gold deposit in the world after Africa;
• that the Tagalog baybayin is similar to Hebrew, the primary language of the Bible, which mentions Ophir numerous times. 

Implying that Ophir could be a better name for the country of Filipinos, Fernandez said: “When we learn to know ourselves, we will be known in the entire world as Ophir and we will know that we are the sons of the living father, but if not, we will continue to be ignorant just what the Spaniards wanted.”

The idea that the Philippines is Ophir goes back to the time of the Spanish occupation when a few Jesuits theorized it was so. The notion seemed to have faded out until Pedro Paterno revived it in the late 1800's. Later in the early 21st century the idea was once again championed most vociferously by American Timothy Jay Schwab also known as The God Culture. Some of his audience were excited about this speech and Tim even thinks the Congressman has watched his videos. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlQkRpZWdSc

froicabuling: Another exciting series about Ophir. Bro. Tim have you heard lately that one lawmaker propose to rename the Philippines to Ophir. He is Rep. Dan Fernandez. I jsut though he is following your series video. I've seen that latest vide on UNTV interview. 

The God Culture: Indeed it appears he must have watched our Series. He even warns of being ignorant. proving all things for oneself, etc. Yah Bless.

I don't know if Dan Fernandez watched Tim's videos. He might have but he also mentions all kinds of weird things like ancient humans and rhinos in the Philippines 97,000 years ago. He does talk about understanding migration patterns which is a TGC original so it's possible he saw Tim's videos. But if he did watch them he did not get an education as I have proven again and again that Timothy Jay Schwab is a liar on such an unprecedented scale it is rather amazing that anyone believes the nonsense he spouts.

And that is the thing here. Renaming the Philippines Maharlika or Ophir is based on 100% NONSENSE! It is understandable that Filipinos would want to shake off all remnants of colonialism which is why some desire to get ditch the name "Philippines." But here is the thing. It is all NONSENSE! Before the Spanish arrived these 7,000 islands were not unified. Instead they were filled with warring tribes. We see this in Pigafetta's journal when Humabon goaded Magellan into fighting his enemy Lapu-Lapu. They were only made friends after the death of Magellan.

Each province in this nation was practically its own nation before the arrival of the Spanish. 

https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/pre-colonial-map-philippines-a00225-20210809-lfrm

A unified "Philippines" is a fiction created by the Spanish. And it's not all that bad as in the 1599 referendum some thanked the Spanish for "freeing us from "the tyranny and domination of our chiefs!"

The bishop of Nueva Segovia, Don Fray Pedro de Soria, collected those Indians together, by order of his Majesty, and told them of the advantages of the Spanish monarchy, and how beneficial it would be for them to have Don Felipe, the king of the Spaniards, as their king, who would protect them peacefully and with justice. The chiefs answered not a word to this. Thereupon, the bishop spoke again and asked them whether they had understood the words he had spoken to them, and if they would answer. Thereupon a clownish Indian arose and said: “We answer that we wish the king of España to be our king and sovereign, for he has sent Castilians to us, who are freeing us from the tyranny and domination of our chiefs, as well as fathers who aid us against the same Castilians and protect us from them.”

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XXIII, 1629-30, pg. 253

So, let's stop all this nonsense. There would be no united Philippines if it were not for the Spanish and the Americans. To call this nation anything other than the Philippines is a direct denial of history and truth. The people of these islands were never united until the Spanish arrived.

Retards in the Government 326

It's your weekly compendium of foolishness and corruption in the Philippine government.

 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1971708/zamboanga/local-news/cop-nabbed-in-gun-slay-of-village-chief-in-zamboanga-city

OPERATIVES of the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) have arrested a policeman tagged as one of the two suspects in the killing of a village chief and a former village official in Zamboanga City.

Police Colonel Alexander Lorenzo, ZCPO director, identified the arrested cop as Police Staff Sergeant Bazir Hamid, 37.

Hamid was arrested in a follow-up operation around 1 a.m. Monday, September 4, 2023, on Comet Street in Tumaga village.

The other suspect, who was not identified, remained at large and is subject of the police manhunt.

Lorenzo said Hamid has been tagged as one of the two gunmen who shot and killed Jul-Asmad Anjawang, 56, and his younger brother, Jamar, 50, around 8:12 p.m. Sunday, September 3, along Labuan Road, in San Jose Gusu village, Zamboanga City.

Jul-Asmad was the incumbent village chief of Pamansaan, Mabuhay, Zamboanga Sibugay, while Jamar was former councilor in the same village.

Lorenzo said that Hamid was recognized by Jul-Asmad's son, Abdurajak, 21, as one of the two suspects involved in the incident.

Two others, Habir Nasta, 46, a candidate for village councilor in Pamansaan, and his younger brother, Ibrahim, 38, were wounded in the incident.

Lorenzo said that investigation showed Jul-Asmad was shot by one of the two suspects as he alighted from a vehicle in front of a business establishment in San Jose Gusu village.

The other suspect went to the driver side of the vehicle and opened fire, hitting Jamar and the Nasta brothers.

Jul-Asmad expired while under medical treatment, while his brother, Jamar, was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

The two suspects boarded a car that sped off toward the city proper after the incident.

The ZCPO said the arrested policeman turned out to be a cousin of the slain village chief.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Paul Andrew Cortes, ZCPO spokesman, said they have yet to ascertain the motive in the incident.

There were 13 people, including the victims, who were aboard the victims' vehicle, a pick-up truck, at the time of the incident.

The other passengers were unscathed.

A cop has been arrested and charged with the killing of a village chairman and his bother. He also happens to be the village chief's cousin. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209106

Pasay City Police personnel rescued a Chinese woman allegedly kidnapped by two siblings, one of whom is a police officer, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said on Monday.

In a report, NCRPO director Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez said Zhou Yunqiing, 26, was abducted by Staff Sgt. Lordgin Antonino, 34; and his brother Nelson, 20, at around 10:48 p.m. Sunday.

Nartatez said the police received information on the incident around 1 a.m. on Monday from the victim’s friend, Malaysian Law Yi Wei, 34, who is living at a condominium complex in Pasay City.

Wei appeared before the Pasay police substation 3 in Libertad to seek assistance regarding his friend who was taken by the suspects who posed as operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) for an alleged case of human trafficking.

Wei also said the victim was detained inside a room at Qing Qing Hotel in Pasay City.

He also showed a photo of the victim who was then handcuffed and a photo of a police ID bearing the name "PMSG John Reggie Reyes" as well as the text message from the suspects who asked for PHP500,000 in exchange for the woman's release.

Authorities launched an operation at the hotel and saw Lordgin, who matched the description on the police ID shown by Wei, sitting at the lobby of the establishment.

When the police approached the suspect, he identified himself as a police officer assigned at the CIDG Pasay and claimed that he was involved in an operation at the hotel.

However, police arrested Lordgin after verifying with the District Special Operations Unit (DSOU) of SPD that the unit was not conducting any operation at the establishment at that time.

Police officers proceeded to a room at the hotel where they rescued the victim and arrested the police officer’s brother.

The police officer yielded a 9mm Taurus with serial number TBW77621 classified as a property of the Philippine National Police, a police ID, wallet, 14 PHP1,000 bills; five assorted identification cards and a mobile phone. 

A cop has been arrested for kidnapping. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1825900/raps-filed-vs-3-qc-traffic-investigators-for-failure-to-protect-cyclist-in-road-rage-case

Complaints have been filed against three traffic investigators of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) traffic sector for allegedly failing to protect the cyclist in a road rage case.

The Quezon City Public Affairs and Information Services Department (PAISD) said lawyer Raymond Fortun filed complaints of oppression, irregularities in the performance of duties, and incompetence against Staff Sergeant Darwin Peralta, Staff Sergeant Joel Aviso, and Executive Master Sergeant Armando Carr – all of the QCPD Traffic Sector 4 in Kamuning, Quezon City.

According to PAISD, Fortun filed the complaints before the Quezon City People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) pursuant to Rule 21 of the National Police Commission Memorandum Circular 2016-002.

PAISD said that based on the results of the ongoing investigation, authorities first brought dismissed policeman Wilfredo Gonzales and the cyclist to QCPD Kamuning Police Station 11. However, PAISD noted that no complaints seemed to have been filed against Gonzales at the police station and that the case was later referred to the QCPD Galas Police Station.

“Despite the clear and imbalanced status of the parties, the same police officers failed to protect the cyclist’s rights when they failed to provide a legal counsel for him so that the latter would be duly appraised of his rights,” Fortun said in a statement released by PAISD on Sunday.

“Further, they failed to secure the CCTV footage in the area in order to ferret out the real facts in the conflicting statements made by the parties. Finally, and for reasons known only to them, and despite there being sufficient basis to do so, the same police officers failed to file the appropriate charges,” he added.

Fortun’s action received support from Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, who underscored the importance of PLEB – the check and balance mechanism that can “summarily dismiss, demote, suspend and reprimand abusive policemen.”

“This incident also highlights the need to institutionalize the presence of PLEB in other cities and municipalities to hear and decide the complaints filed against erring policemen. I am confident that the case filed in the PLEB will be handled without fear or favor,” Belmonte said.

Charges have been filed against 3 QCPD cops for failing to protect a cyclist rights after he got in to an altercation with a former cop. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/09/03/2293478/deped-flagged-over-p10-billion-unliquidated-cash-advances

The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged the Department of Education (DepEd) over the accumulation of unliquidated cash advances (CAs) by its central office (CO) and several regional offices (ROs), which stood at P10.183 billion as of the end of 2022.

“The existence of substantial accumulated unliquidated cash advances is attributable to the lapses in the controls placed by management in the granting, liquidation and monitoring of CAs in disregard of the existing rules and regulations and pertinent DepEd guidelines relative thereto,” the COA said in its 2022 annual audit report on the DepEd.

The COA’s record showed that as of Dec. 31 last year, the DepEd’s CO and 16 ROs have yet to liquidate their CAs past the prescribed period.

The audit breakdown showed that P4.74 billion of unliquidated CAs was for payroll, P2.084 billion was for operating expenses, P1.144 billion was granted to special disbursing officers for various purposes, P166.815 million was granted to officers and employees also for various purposes, while P2.05 billion of the advances was “without specific account details.”

Having the biggest amount of unliquidated CAs was RO 8 with P1.169 billion, followed by RO 4-A with P1.133 billion, RO 6 with P980.527 million, RO 7 with P962.655 million and RO 12 with P913.297 million.

Also listed as having significant amounts of unliquidated CAs were RO 9 with P833.772 million, RO 5 with P790.103 million, RO 3 with 731.27 million, NCR with P696.267 million, RO 2 with P548.851 million and RO 13 with P483.94 million.

Likewise mentioned in the COA report were ROs 1, 11, 4-B, CO and 10 for unliquidated CAs amounting P377.712 million, P219.684 million, P155.583 million, P54.753 million and P503,295, respectively.

The COA said that among the lapses or deficiencies observed by the audit team were the grant of additional CAs despite non-liquidation of previous ones, grant of CAs to accountable officer (AO) and special disbursing officer without proper bond or authority, grant of CAs despite incomplete documentary requirements and liquidation, transfer of CAs by the AO to another personnel and grant of CAs to the AOs in the amounts exceeding the allowed maximum cash accountability.

The state auditor added that the audit team also noted dormant or long-outstanding CAs and that some of the outstanding liquidation accountabilities were due from “retired/ resigned/ deceased/AWOL (absence without official leave)” employees.

Several AOs also failed to refund excess or unused CAs granted to them, according to the COA

Nonetheless, the agency said the DepEd had already agreed to the audit recommendation to “exhaust all possible means to locate the whereabouts of retired/transferred officials and employees with outstanding advances and demand immediate liquidation/refund of their unliquidated cash advances.”

The COA said the DepEd also agreed to “send final demand letters to erring AOs still in active service to settle or liquidate their past due accounts.”

It added that otherwise, the DepEd agreed to impose the appropriate penalties or remedies as provided in the Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 23, series of 2019.

The DepEd has 10 billion in unliquidated cash advances. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209217

Motorcycle-riding gunmen shot dead an employee of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) North Cotabato 1st Engineering District along the national highway here Tuesday morning.

Lt. Col. John Miredel Calinga, municipal police chief, identified the victim as Jerry Largo Jr., an employee of DPWH-Midsayap and resident of Barangay Cabayuran, Libungan, North Cotabato.

Largo was driving a motorbike heading for work at the DPWH district office when tailed and fired upon by two men riding on motorbikes around 7:15 a.m. along the highway in Barangay Villarica.

He died on the spot due to multiple gunshot wounds on the chest and abdomen.

A police pursuit operation has been launched following the incident.

A DPWH employee has been assassinated. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1826863/village-captain-seeking-re-election-in-upcoming-polls-shot-dead-in-batangas

A motorcycle-riding gunman shot and killed on Tuesday morning, Sept. 5, in Taal town in Batangas province an incumbent village chief, who was seeking another term in the upcoming local elections in October.

Major Fernando Fernando, Taal police chief, in his report, identified the victim as Erasmo Hernandez, 59, the chief of Barangay Poblacion Zone 10.

The police said Hernandez was standing in front of the barangay office when two unidentified armed men arrived aboard a motorcycle and repeatedly shot him around 7:20 a.m.

The assailants sped off after the shooting.

Hernandez was taken to the Lemery Doctors Hospital in neighboring Lemery town, but died while undergoing treatment.

“We’re still conducting thorough investigation to determine if the killing was election-related,” Fernando said in a phone interview.

An investigation is ongoing to establish the motive behind the incident, he added.

Police launched a manhunt operation to arrest the assailants.

A village chief seeking relection has been assassinated. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209211

A court worker who went AWOL (absent without official leave) since August 2018 after he was administratively charged has been dropped from the rolls.

In a resolution published online Sept. 4, the Supreme Court’s (SC) Third Division ordered the dropping from the rolls of Dumaguete City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 32 legal researcher, Jaime Jasmin, who had wanted to return to work after going AWOL for five years.

Jasmin had initially wanted to go on sick leave in July 2018 but was disallowed by Judge Roderick A. Maxino.

Jasmin proceeded to go on leave after the SC’s Medical Service allowed a medical leave for July 2018. He, however, did not return to work after a month.

Maxino then filed an administrative complaint against Jasmin for alleged usurpation of authority but the charge was dismissed for lack of merit by the SC in February 2020.

“Respondent (Jasmin) during the pendency of the administrative complaint against him, was neither prevented nor disallowed from reporting to work. By going on AWOL for a long period of time, respondent not only failed to adhere to the high standards of public accountability imposed on all those in government service but also caused disruption to the functions and the operations of his office,” the court said.

The tribunal, however, explained “the dropping from the rolls is not disciplinary in nature and that this mode of separation shall not result on the disqualification from reemployment in the government, or in the forfeiture of benefits that the concerned employee may be entitled to.”

A court worker who has not showed up to work for five years has finally been dropped from the rolls. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1828084/aspirant-for-village-council-seat-in-cotabato-province-slain-in-gun-attack

Another aspirant in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections this October was killed Wednesday by two men riding tandem on a motorbike in this town.

Rhoyden Matt Clarence Flores, 36, was buying vegetables at a roadside store in Barangay Takepan, when one of two men shot him from behind at past 4 p.m., according to Major Arvin John Cambang, Pikit municipal police chief.

Flores is seeking a seat in the barangay council of Takepan, where he is a resident and a registered voter.

He died on the spot from bullet wounds in the head and body. Responding police found empty shells for a caliber .45 pistol at the crime scene.

Police probers are uncertain if the killing was related to the coming polls or his active involvement in village peacekeeping duties.

Flores is the second aspirant for a village seat slain in a gun attack in Cotabato in the past seven days.

Another candidate has been assassinated in Cotabato. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/7/candidate-for-village-chair-in-leyte-wounded-in-shooting

A barangay councilor running for barangay chairman in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections next month was shot and wounded in Sitio Naga, Barangay Consuegra, Leyte, Leyte on Thursday, September 7.

Police Capt. Rush Alvarado, Leyte, Leyte municipal police station chief, identified the victim as Junie dela Peña, 51, a resident of Barangay Tag-abaca, Leyte, Leyte.

Initial investigation disclosed that the victim, a candidate for chairman of Barangay Tag-abaca, was driving a center cab towards Barangay Tag-abaca with a passenger, Rosalia Gondong, on board.

The suspects suddenly appeared upon reaching Sitio Naga on board a truck from behind the center cab.

The truck overtook the center cab and two passengers clad in black jackets occupying the passenger seats fired and hit the victim in different parts of the body.

The victim was taken to a hospital in Ormoc City and fighting for his life as of posting time.

A barangay councilor running for barangay chairman has been wounded in an assassination attempt.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209398

Anti-narcotics operatives arrested a former police officer and seized some  PHP7.4 million worth of shabu following a buy-bust in this city on Wednesday night.

Jocelyn Mary, speaking for the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM), said Nelson Sali, 50, a former police officer, was arrested during the 8 p.m. operation in Barangay Bagua Mother.

Mary said the Sali earlier agreed to meet and sell several sachets of shabu. He was immediately nabbed after handing over the illegal stuff to an undercover agent.

“He did not resist arrest,” Mary said, noting that the information provided by local officials and citizens led to the success of the operation.

A follow-up operation and search led to the recovery of more shabu items from the suspect. 

The suspect’s companion managed to escape during the sting operation. 

Authorities seized from Sali 1,100 grams of shabu worth PHP7,480,000; a .45-caliber pistol, and a .38-caliber revolver.

Mary said Sali has been trafficking illegal drugs in Cotabato City and parts of Maguindanao del Norte.

An ex-cop has been busted for selling drugs. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1826967/govt-paying-p26-7-billion-yearly-for-pnps-66203-excess-positions-dbm-documents

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has been spending P26.7 billion yearly on over 66,203 excess positions, a document from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) revealed.

Based on a letter dated Oct. 12, 2022, which was addressed to Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., Mary Anne Dela Vega, director of the DBM’s Budget and Management Bureau, said the rank distribution of the PNP, as approved by the DBM, covers only 226,410 personnel.

However, the PNP’s actual strength and rank distribution, as implemented by its leadership, indicated that there are excess positions, contradicting the number set by the DBM.

As stated by Dela Vega, “any changes in the PNP organizational structure should be supported by a study and recommendation of Napolcom(National Police Commission), to include its impact on the hierarchy and leadership structure of the organization, and subsequently, the same shall be subject to the President’s approval.”

This, as the DBM only approved three positions for the rank of lieutenant generals but there are currently eight officials having the rank in PNP. Likewise, there should only be 11 major generals but there are 17. There are 110 brigadier generals, too, way higher than the DBM-approved 86.

The excess, which already reached 66,203 as of June 30, translates to a yearly base pay of P26.7 billion.

The PNP has an excess of positions and as a result is spending more money than it should be. 

Coronavirus Lockdown: Fililpino Genetics, One Town One Product, and More!

More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government. 

President Marcos has issued a rather bizzare and racist statement about current vaccines not being compatible with Filipino genetics.  

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1824712/marcos-wants-specialized-study-of-filipino-genetics

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. expressed support for a research project on Filipino genetics.

He made this known as he bestowed upon clinical geneticist Carmencita Padilla the honor of being a National Scientist.

During his speech on Thursday in Malacañang, Marcos said a conversation with Padilla revealed the importance of the Filipino genome.

Genetics is the scientific study of genes and heredity.

Genome is the set of genetic information in a human being.

The President explained Philippines should not have to wait for foreign vaccines “because one size does not fit all.”

“That is why this effort of genetic research and all the way through to being able to apply that specifically to the Filipino situation, to the genetics of the Filipino,” he said.

“And it even becomes more granular in the sense that she was explaining to me,” he went on.

“There are some Filipinos for which these medicines are effective. There’s another group of Filipinos for which it is not,” he specified.

“So that is really – well, the cracks of the problem,” he pointed out.

Moreover, Marcos sees the need to improve research and development program (R&D) in the Philippines.

The President explained modern R&D can be used for the treatments against diabetes, cancer, tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

“We put together a program so we can support such activities, as we have been speaking about in terms of R&D, and of actually bringing that technology to the general populace,” said Marcos.

He directed Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Health and Department of Science and Technology to develop the program.

What exactly is the problem? If this is the case why did no one bring it up during the vaccination drive? Because it's total nonsense. Of course this statement would be good fodder for any anti-vaxxers to use.

It begs the question if these people who received bivalent shots are at risk because they are not genetically geared for Filipinos.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209153

About 94 percent of the 390,000 doses of the bivalent vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 donated by the Lithuanian government have been administered.

"So maganda yung rollout, hindi tayo na expire-an (We had a good rollout, and the vaccines are not yet expired)," Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa told reporters on Monday at the sidelines of the national launch for the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2023-2028.

"I'm waiting for the new one eh 'yun monovalent XBB which is proposed to be better than the bivalent, so tignan natin kung ano ang makukuha natin (so we will see what we can get)." 

The COVAX Facility, a worldwide initiative which aims to provide equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines, still has a standing offer of 2 million doses of bivalent vaccines to the country. 

"We're requesting less than 2 million kasi baka ma-expire, maiksi ang shelf life eh, so we know the rate, from how we consume it, so 'yung tama lang hihingin natin (because the vaccines might expire, they have short shelf life, so we know the rate from how we consume it so we'll just request for the right amount)," Herbosa said.

The Department of Health started the administration of bivalent jabs as third booster dose to healthcare workers and the senior citizens on June 21. 

There are better and more important questions to ask about the vaccine though. Questions which can get you blacklisted.

The DOH says they will no longer be using monovalent vaccines. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/09/06/2294128/doh-stop-administering-monovalent-covid-19-jabs

The Philippines will soon stop administering monovalent COVID vaccines once stocks are fully consumed, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

“Based on our inventory, there are only less than 200,000 monovalent vaccines and these are only available in Calabarzon. The other local government units in the different regions already ran out of monovalent vaccines,” DOH Undersecretary Eric Tayag said at a press conference on Tuesday.

“If there will be a recommendation that bivalent vaccines can be used as substitute to the monovalent vaccines, that is one possibility – though most of the country’s bivalent jabs have also been consumed,” he added, noting that there are no plans to procure monovalent vaccines.

Only bivalent vaccines from now on. 

Marcos also wants "revenge travel" to spur the post-pandemic recovery. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/2/marcos-solidify-ph-tourism-take-advantage-of-revenge-travel

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has highlighted that the country's tourism sector remains vital to its growth and urged stakeholders to take advantage of the so-called "revenge travel" to solidify its economic position.

Marcos said this in his speech for the 34th Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) on Sept. 1. His message was delivered by the Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Frasco, as the President could not attend the event due to schedule conflicts.

In his speech, the President said the Philippine tourism sector has consistently proven itself as a strong pillar of the country's economic growth, noting that it provides livelihoods to over 5 million Filipinos.

"With the innate beauty of our 7,641 islands and our people, our tourism will remain to be a vital economic sector for our country in the decades to come," Marcos said.

Marcos urged the government and tourism stakeholders to consciously solidify the sector's economic position, especially by taking advantage of the so-called "revenge travel."

"Through the consistent whole-of-nation approach, we must consciously leverage our strengths and competitive advantages to solidify the sector's economic position, especially with the phenomenon of 'revenge travel,'" he said.

Revenge travel, a buzzword that came about in 2021, refers to the phenomenon wherein people book trips and go on vacation to make up for time lost during the Covid-19 pandemic.

On the other hand, the President assured stakeholders of his administration's fervent support for the entire tourism industry.

"Policies and programs are underway to create a wholesome climate and stable foundation," he said.

Among these programs and policies, according to Marcos, are upgrading critical tourism infrastructure, capacity-building for the workforce and entrepreneurs, fostering a more business-friendly environment, and improving security and the rule of law.

How many times do we have to hear about how crucial the tourism sector is to post-pandemic recovery? It's ad nauseam at this point. 

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez says The One Town, One Product Philippines Act will help small businesses "recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic."

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1826029/romualdez-one-town-one-product-law-to-help-msme-in-post-pandemic-recovery

The One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Act would help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and boost economic growth through policies and programs pushing for inclusive local economic activity, according to House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

Last August 25, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed into law Republic Act (RA) No. 11960 or the Act Institutionalizing the OTOP Philippines Program.

Romualdez claimed the law would be “perfect” for the country’s economic recovery, particularly the MSMEs.

“The OTOP Philippines Act is the true embodiment of the Filipino first policy. This is exactly the kind of attitude we need to aid in the recovery of MSMEs, which make up 90 percent of all local business, following the pandemic,” the lawmaker said in a statement on Sunday.

Aside from establishing policies and programs, the law also pushes for the promotion of “the preferential use of Filipino labor, domestic materials, and locally produced goods, and adopt measures to make them competitive.”

“The OTOP Philippines Program is hereby institutionalized and shall be one of the government’s stimulus programs that will encourage the growth of MSMEs in the countryside through the development of indigenous raw materials, utilizing local skills and talents and featuring local traditions across the country; Provided, that simplified requirements and procedures shall be adopted for beneficiaries to easily access the components of the program,” the law reads.

The program will likewise cover locally produced products and skill-based services such as processed foods, agricultural-based products, home and fashion products, arts and crafts, and skills-based services.

“The OTOP Program will redound not just to the individual localities or regions, but the entire country itself in an expedited manner,” Romualdez said.

“It also aims to assist rural communities in growing the local economy and being more market-oriented and innovation-driven, as well as promote convergence of initiatives from local government units (LGUs), national government agencies, and the private sector in developing and promoting Philippine products, whether for export of the domestic market,” he added.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) would be in charge of the law’s implementation and the creation of the program’s management office in order to oversee the program.

The agency’s regional and provincial offices, in cooperation with the concerned local government units, are likewise mandated to determine the beneficiaries of the said program.

He should be more forthright and say that the law will help small businesses recover from the destructive and unnecessary lockdowns imposed by the government. 

The DOH still owes health workers money and the government has yet to fund that debt. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/881274/doh-p1-6b-of-unpaid-covid-19-allowance-for-health-workers-still-unfunded/story/

The government is yet to fund around P1.6 billion worth of COVID-19 emergency allowance for health workers, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said Wednesday.

Herbosa made the disclosure when asked by House Deputy Minority Leader Marissa Magsino as to how much of the COVID-19 allowance for health workers have been disbursed.

“We requested additional money [for COVID-19 emergency allowance] because the total funding requirement is P63 billion. With P22 billion budget for 2022, P19.4 billion for 2023, and P20 billion for the [proposed] NEP [budget for] 2024, we hope to get some funds from our unprogrammed funds this year,” Herbosa said during the House appropriations panel hearing on the DOH's proposed P199 billion budget for 2024.

“Last April, the Department of Health wrote the DBM and we are still awaiting their approval of a few billion pesos from the unprogrammed funds of DOH to be used for the [COVID-19] health workers emergency allowance," he added.

The unprogrammed fund refers to budget items which will only be funded if there is an excess of target government revenues for the year, subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Herbosa said that most of the unpaid COVID-19 allowance for health workers involve those who work in private hospitals who take longer time in securing documentary requirements compared with their counterparts in the public sector.

“For the government health workers, it is about 93% [who already got their COVID-19 allowance],” he said.

The Health secretary said of the P22.8 billion budget for the COVID-19 allowance for health workers in 2022, 97.66% of such amount has been disbursed.

The 2023 DOH budget, on the other hand, earmarked P19.48 billion for the COVID-19 allowance for health workers, of which 71.89% has been disbursed so far.

The DOH says this amount is mostly for private hospital workers but that is no excuse.