Friday, January 27, 2023

Retards in the Government 294

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

  

 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/858053/bi-relieves-3rd-personnel-allegedly-involved-in-trafficking-activities/story/

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has relieved another personnel at the Clark International Airport due to alleged involvement in human trafficking activities, Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval said Friday.

In an interview on Unang Balita, Sandoval said the third personnel has links to the illegal recruitment of Filipinos to work as crypto-scammers in Cambodia.

(The name of another individual who is assigned at the Clark International Airport came up during a meeting with BI heads at the airport yesterday, so we are now investigating three people.)

(We’re still at the initial stages of the investigation right now so we can’t disclose too much about what we have seen, but we received information that they might be linked to some human trafficking activities.)

On Thursday, Sandoval said that the BI has relieved two personnel from their post due to alleged human trafficking activities. One was stationed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport while the other was assigned to Clark.

Another BI employee has been received pending an investigation into actives involving human trafficking. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193154

Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) have arrested two former cops who were implicated in the kidnapping and killing of a lady merchant in the province of Nueva Ecija.

CIDG chief, Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat, identified the suspects as ex-Staff Sergeant June Marcelo Mallillin of Palayan town, and ex-Master Sergeant Rowen Reyes Martin, both members of Cabanatuan City police station.

Caramat said the suspects were arrested on Thursday at the RTC-Branch 24, Old Capitol Compound in Cabanatuan City by virtue of the Joint Judgment dated Jan. 18, 2023, issued by Presiding Judge Ana Marie Joson-Viterbo, charging them for the crime of kidnapping for ransom with homicide under Art 267 of the Revised Penal Code as amended by Republic Act No. 7659.

“Our personnel in Nueva Ecija received a call from the said court to inform that they will issue their verdict against the accused. Our staff went there immediately, got a copy of the Joint Judgment and made the arrest,” Caramat said in a statement on Friday.

The 36-page Joint Judgment disclosed that the accused and their other co-accused were “confederating and conspiring with one another, mutually aiding and abetting one another with the use of firearms, did then and there willfully, unlawfully and feloniously kidnap and threaten to kill Nadia Motalib Casar, for the purpose of extorting a PHP100,000 ransom from her and her family, then killed, burned and buried her body, to the damage and prejudice of her family.”

“Also according to the said Joint Judgment, Casar and Grab driver Mark Nua Batac were abducted by the said accused on July 20, 2021 in Santa Rosa town, Nueva Ecija. They were detained in an undisclosed location and the lady victim was instructed to call her family to send money in exchange for her freedom. The Grab driver was released, but unfortunately, the victim’s burned cadaver was located and recovered 13 days after,” said Caramat.

Mallillin and Martin are now under the custody of the CIDG Nueva Ecija office pending the issuance of a commitment order from the court.

Two PNP officers have been arrested for kidnapping and murder.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193240

Two former cops who were implicated in the kidnapping of a master agent of online cockfighting in Laguna when they were still in the service, have surrendered to members of the Philippine National Police's (PNP) anti-scalawag unit, a police official said on Saturday.

Brig. Gen. Warren de Leon, chief of the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG), identified the two former cops as Rigel Brosas and Daryl Paghangaan, who were convinced to surrender after a series of negotiations on Thursday.

“After (a) series of negotiations, our Team 4A (Calabarzon) have convinced these two former PNP personnel to surrender and stop putting the image of the PNP in a bad light,” de Leon said in a statement.

He said Brosas surrendered at the Rizal municipal police station at 2:45 p.m. on Jan. 19, while Paghangaan surrendered five hours later at the Liliw municipal police station in Laguna.

The two, along with then patrolman Roy Navarrete, were charged with robbery and kidnapping with serious illegal detention.

Brosas, then a patrolman, and Paghangaan, then a staff sergeant, were among those who allegedly pretended to be agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) when they took Ricardo Lasco from his house in San Pablo City in Laguna on Aug. 30, 2021.

They were also accused of taking cash and other valuable personal belongings inside Lasco's house.

The arrested suspects were two of the three subjects of a warrant of arrest dated Jan. 17, 2023, issued by Presiding Judge Luvida Padolina Roque of the Regional Trial Court Branch 29 in San Pablo City Laguna, for the crime of robbery (with recommended bail set at PHP400,000 each); and kidnapping and serious illegal detention (with no bail recommended).

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said Brosas and Paghangaaan, as well as Navarrete, were dismissed from the service last year after they were linked to Lasco’s kidnapping.

Two former cops have been arrested for kidnapping. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/858308/ex-bohol-mayor-gets-up-to-48-years-for-falsification/story/

The Sandiganbayan has sentenced a former mayor of Cortes, Bohol to 48 years of imprisonment for falsifying documents to liquidate her expenses in 2010.

In a 39-page decision promulgated on January 20, the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division sentenced Apolinaria Balistoy to six years and one month to eight years in prison for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The court perpetually disqualified her from holding public office.

She was also ordered to indemnify the Municipality of Cortes in the amount of P20,779, with interest of 6% per annum until fully paid.

For each count of falsification, the Sandiganbayan sentenced her to four years and two months to up to 10 years of imprisonment. This totals up to 40 years of imprisonment for four counts of falsification.

The court also ordered Balistoy to pay a fine of P10,000 for each count.

The case stemmed from Balistoy’s utilization of falsified Certificates of Appearance for her unauthorized travels in Cebu City.

The Certificates of Appearance dated January 5, 20, and 21 in 2010 and February 4 and 5 in 2010 included the signature of Dr. Loreno Canapi of the Civil Service Commission. However, the court said Canapi had already retired in 2009.

A former mayor has been given 48 years in prison for falsifying documents related to her travel expenses.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1719674/cafgu-member-shot-dead-by-village-exec-in-calbayog-city

A member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu) was shot dead by a village official in Calbayog City on Saturday, Jan. 21.

Reports reaching the regional Philippine National Police headquarters based in Palo town, Leyte disclosed that the victim, Crisanto Domayan, 57, was killed by Noli Sameniano in P-5 Barangay Himalandrog, a remote village in Calbayog City at about 6:40 a.m.

Based on the investigation, the victim armed with a bolo locally known as “sundang,” tucked in his waist and with a homemade shotgun locally known as “doble zero” roamed the village and challenged anyone to a fight.

He then proceeded to the house of Sameniano, who at that time, was attending to the wake of his wife.

Sameniano got an unknown firearm and shot the victim several times which caused his immediate death.

Police operatives are now conducting a manhunt operation against Sameniano who fled after the incident.

A village official is wanted for shooting and killing a CAFGU member who was roaming the streets looking for a fight. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1720223/village-chief-shot-dead-in-cagayan

The village chief of Santo Domingo in Piat town, Cagayan province was killed by unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen on Monday evening, Jan. 23, police said.

Investigators identified the barangay chairman as Richard Biraquit, 57, who had bullet wounds in his head and body.

According to initial reports, Biraquit and his wife had just left their farm and were heading home aboard a Toyota Fortuner when they were shot by the assailants using .45-caliber pistols at around 6 p.m.

Biraquit’s wife took him to the Nuestra SeƱora De Piat District Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival, police said.

Investigators were still trying to establish the motive behind the attack.

A barangay chief has been assassinated. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1720180/govt-tricked-by-pogo-auditor-senators-say

The government may have been duped — or allowed itself to be duped — by entering into a P6-billion contract with a private firm that was tapped to audit the earnings of state-sanctioned offshore gaming operations, senators said on Monday.

At a joint hearing of the Senate committees on ways and means and public order, the lawmakers concluded that Global ComRCI, the third-party auditor chosen by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) to examine the revenues of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) was not suited to the task.

“Bottom line is based on the documents and all of that, the third-party auditor is not credible, not capable… not qualified,” said Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chair of the Senate ways and means committee.

“They do not even have simple things like (office) address and business permit so how do you expect us, the Filipino people, to believe that what they are supplying to us in the form of information is accurate?” he said.

“Like I said, it’s either you were tricked or allowed yourselves to be tricked,” he added, addressing Pagcor officials.

By choosing Global, Pagcor may have violated the “strict qualifications” of Republic Act No. 11590 for the external auditor of POGOs, such as being “independent, reputable, internationally known and duly-accredited… by industry experts,” the senator said.

The company, according to Gatchalian, submitted spurious documents to prove its financial and technical capability, did not secure business permits from the local governments where they purportedly operated, and did not have a proper office.

The firm tapped with auditing POGOs is vastly unqualified for the task and Senator Gatchilan thinks PACGOR might have been willingly duped. Another scandal unfolding. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1720183/jail-guards-keep-part-of-money-sent-to-inmates-says-bucor-chief

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has seized P300,000 from jail guards who kept that cash equivalent in GCash transfers sent by relatives of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

In an interview with reporters on Monday, BuCor officer in charge Gregorio Catapang Jr. said he had heard about allegations of prison guards taking a percentage of the amounts sent by relatives of PDLs through the mobile wallet app.

Since the inmates have no mobile phones, the GCash transfers intended for them are sent to the guards instead.

But rather than give the inmates the cash equivalent of the transfers, the guards get a share of those amounts and even oblige the inmates to take loans at high interest.

“I’ve spoken to some of the inmates and they said, ‘Sir, please tell those who lend us money not to become loan sharks,’” Catapang said.

“They said, ‘Can the deductions be reduced? If we get P1,000, they take P100,’” he added.

Catapang said the P300,000 was confiscated from the jail guards on Jan. 12.

“[But] we discovered that a lot of money is being hidden in the employees’ lockers. Those [amounts] belonged to PDLs and were being kept by the guards,” he said.

Charges would be filed against the prison guards, who could face summary dismissal if found guilty.

Prison guards have been taking money from prisoners. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/01/25/2239991/barangay-chief-punches-mmda-employee

A barangay chairman in Tondo, Manila was accused of punching an employee of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday.

Barangay 51 captain Rommel Bravo allegedly punched a member of the agency’s clearing operations team, MMDA Task Force Special Operations and Anti-Colorum Unit head Bong Nebrija said.

The MMDA team was clearing the Mabuhay Lane along Dagupan extension in Tondo when the encounter happened.

Bravo reportedly intervened and stopped the MMDA personnel from removing the water compressor of his “vendo-car wash” supposedly because it provides additional funding for the barangay.

Nebrija said Bravo allegedly threatened them with the words, “Sige, subukan niyo kunin ‘yan. Sa barangay ‘yan. Magkakasubukan tayo.”

Nebrija said he reported the incident to the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

A barangay chairman punched and threatened an MMDA employee.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193444

The Office of the Governor of Negros Occidental has affirmed its decision, dismissing four employees of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist for using a government vehicle beyond office hours.

On Tuesday, a copy of the resolution, which was served by the Provincial Legal Office (PLO) to the respondents on Monday afternoon, showed that Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson denied the motion for reconsideration dated Jan. 17 to contest the original decision dated Jan. 3.

Ordered dismissed for an administrative case of grave misconduct were German Abihay and Ramelo Letran, both Engineer III; Rezin Palacios, Engineer I; and Maria Luisa Abano, project development assistant.

"After the resolution and upon receipt (of the copy), they have 15 days to file their appeal if they want to. It's their right to file before the Civil Service Commission regional office," Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas Jr., who sits as the hearing officer and the signatory of the resolution, told reporters.

Records showed that the respondents made the driver wait for them until 8 p.m., after their official meeting at the Victorias City Hall on July 15, 2022 ended at 4:45 p.m., but they claimed that the discussion was continued in a nearby restaurant.

However, the driver "saw them engaging in a drinking spree", which the respondents also denied in the motion.

In the resolution, Nellas said "no new evidence has been discovered and submitted by the respondents" that "would materially alter or affect" the decision dated Jan. 3.

He noted that in the motion, "the facts of the case at hand and the arguments therein have only been reiterated from the position paper dated Oct. 27, 2023."

"Even though the respondents insist that the meeting at the restaurant was part of the official business, still, nothing was submitted or presented to support the claim," Nellas said.

The Governor of Negros Occidental has affirmed the firing of four capital workers for using a government vehicle to go on a drinking spree after hours. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193494

No special treatment will be accorded to Police Senior Master Sgt. Darwin Nolasco who was tagged as the primary suspect in the killing of a couple here.

This was the assurance Wednesday of Brig. Gen. Pablo Labra II director of the Police Regional Office in the Caraga Region.

“Rest assured that no special treatment shall be given to PSMS Nolasco in the course of the investigation and if proven guilty, the full force of the law will be applied upon him to give justice to the lives lost and forever shattered,” Labra said in a statement.

The Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) said Charlie and Mary Anne AƱasco were gunned down by Nolasco on Monday night upon arrival at their house in Barangay Villa Kananga.

Initial investigation showed that jealousy and personal grudge are possible motives behind the killing of the couple, said Col. Marco Archinue, the city police director.

“We are now preparing charges of multiple murder against PSMS Nolasco as we go through the depths of this investigation,” Archinue said, adding that the suspect is now under the custody of the BCPO Police Station 1.

PNP officer has been charged with murder.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193512

A former regional director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) accused of being involved in illegal drugs surrendered on Wednesday to the Philippine National Police regional office here.

Tagged as a high-value target, Erwin Ogario, former PDEA-National Capital Region (NCR) head, showed up at the office of PNP regional director Brig. Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil after receiving death threats.

“He showed up since he has been getting death threats. We just found out that he has a warrant of arrest issued by a court in Quezon City. His voluntary surrender manifests his trust and confidence in our system and leadership,” Marbil told reporters.

Marbil handcuffed Ogario after the reading of his warrant of arrest. After booking procedures, he will be turned over to the Quezon City court.

Ogario is facing charges over the importation of dangerous drugs violating Section 4, Article II of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Judge Elvira Panganiban of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 227 issued an arrest warrant against Ogario on Jan. 3, 2019.

Ogario was the PDEA regional director of NCR when he was dismissed from service in 2017 as part of the agency’s internal cleansing efforts.

He was held liable for obstruction of justice for facilitating the release of an arrested drug importer after claiming a parcel containing 1,358 ecstasy tablets at a post office in Pasay on June 29, 2015, without filing any criminal charge against the suspect.

In 2021, former President Rodrigo Duterte tagged Ogario as one of the PDEA officials who accepted bribes from arrested drug personalities to facilitate their release from detention and the dismissal of cases filed against them.

A former PDEA director has been arrested for drugs. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/01/25/sandigan-convicts-ex-leyte-townvice-mayor-6-others-of-graft-charge/

The Sandiganbayan has convicted of graft former Hilongos, Leyte vice mayor Panfilo O. Go and six other former town officials for their refusal to recognize the appointment of a member of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) in 1999.

Also convicted were former SB members Lamberto Rainier L. Flanco, Manuel M. Gabisan, Epifania Q. Nerves, Lilia M. Sabando, Edwin F. Faller, and Rogelio V. Yan.

They were sentenced to a jail term ranging from six to 10 years imprisonment with perpetual disqualification from holding public office. The anti-graft court also ordered that their retirement or gratuity benefits be revoked.

Their co-accused, former mayor Altagracia R. Villaflor, was acquitted of the graft charge.

In filing the graft charge, the prosecution said that on June 15, 1999, the accused officials refused to recognize the appointment of Trinidad C. Cabardo as SB member. Cabardo’s appointment was issued by former Leyte governor Remedios L. Petilla.

During trial, the accused told the court that they did not act with manifest partiality, evident bad faith, or gross negligence when they refused to recognize the appointment of Cabardo and ordered the withholding of her salary.

They insisted during the trial that they had a well-founded belief that her appointment was flawed and not in accordance with the law.

But the Sandiganbayan said: “Accused’s actions, taken together, show that their refusal is hinged heavily on Ms. Cabardo’s previous political affiliation.”

“In fact, accused Faller admitted that he believes that Ms. Cabardo is not qualified for the position simply because she is a former Liberal Party member and thus cannot be a member in good standing of the Lakas Party,” the court said.

It added that no other evidence was presented to show valid or justifiable grounds for their refusal to recognize Cabardo’s appointment.

Seven former Leyte officials have been convicted of graft for refusing to recognize the appoint of and withholding the salary of an SB member because of her party affiliation. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193551

The Philippine National Police-Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) has recommended the dismissal from the service of a police sergeant who was arrested in an operation that yielded PHP6.7 billion worth of shabu in Manila in October last year.

IAS Inspector General Alfegar Triambulo said they have submitted to the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management on Jan. 9 the recommendation to dismiss Master Sgt. Rodolfo Mayo Jr., a member of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group Special Operations Unit in the National Capital Region.

"It is now upon the discretion of the Chief PNP (Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr.), whether he will uphold or reverse the decision. We respect that," he said in a phone interview with reporters.

Triambulo said Mayo's benefits would be forfeited, his eligibility will be revoked and he will be perpetually disqualified from holding any other government posts once he is dismissed from the service.

Azurin, meanwhile, said he has yet to read the copy of the IAS' recommendation.

"For as long as they (IAS) have the recommendation, the result of the investigation is already for my approval. We will still have to check if the recommended punishment is appropriate for the supposed offense he (May) had committed," Azurin said on the sidelines of the National Day of Remembrance for the 44 PNP-Special Action Force (SAF) police commandos at Camp Crame.

Reacting to the report that Mayo did not submit a counter-affidavit during the IAS probe, Azurin said it was tantamount to waiving all his rights in the investigation.

"So we cannot fault whatever the recommendation of the IAS because they are investigating an administrative case. I think it is Sgt. Mayo's fault that he did not submit any counter-affidavit," he said.

He said the investigation as to who ordered the return of Mayo to PDEG is ongoing.

A cop arrested last year for drugs has been recommend for dismissal. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193562

The special investigation task group (SITG) of the Police Regional Office in Davao Region (PRO-11) identified Wednesday a high-ranking official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as the mastermind in the killing of businesswoman Yvonette Plaza.

Brig. Gen. Benjamin Silo Jr., PRO-11 director, said they have sufficient evidence to charge Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III, the Army's 1001st Infantry Brigade (1001IBde) commander, for murder and obstruction of justice in the killing of Plaza.

Plaza was shot at close range by motorcycle riding in tandem gunmen in front of her rented house at Green Meadow Subdivision in Tugbok District here on Dec. 28, 2022.

Based on the testimonies of two witnesses, Silo said Durante masterminded Plaza's killing because the victim was trying to blackmail the Army official with "sensitive information." He did not elaborate.

“These two extrajudicial confessions have interlocked, so I think we have a very strong case against the mastermind,” Silo said in a press briefing here.

Silo was referring to the testimonies of the gunman, Sgt. Delfin Sialsa Jr., and another unnamed witness.

Sialsa and five other soldiers under the 1001Bde have been charged with murder, along with a certain Noel Japitan, who was allegedly instructed to dismantle and change the color of the motorcycle used in Plaza's killing.

Police also charged with murder Col. Michael Licyayo, the deputy brigade commander of 1001IB, who allegedly instructed Sialsa and the other suspects to kill Plaza.

Silo said Licyayo also provided the logistics to carry out the murder.

The other suspects are identified as Staff Sgt. Gilbert Plaza, the alleged team leader, Cpl. Adrian Cachero, the motorcycle driver, Cpl. Rolly Cabal and Cpl. Romart Longakit who allegedly acted as lookouts, Alias Jr., and Alias Master Sergeant who allegedly modified the barrel of the caliber .45 used in the killing.

An army general has been tagged as the mastermind behind the murder of a businesswoman which was carried out by officers under his command. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/01/24/23/2-barangay-kagawad-nahulihan-ng-droga-sa-sampaloc

Instead of the barangay hall, the 2 barangay members of Barangay 573, Zone 53 of Sampaloc, Manila will now stay in jail after being caught with illegal drugs last night.

According to P/SSGt. Carlo John Quijano of the SDEU-Sampaloc Police Station, one of the suspects is the target of their buy-bust operation.

After he transacted with the police who pretended to be a poseur buyer, the suspect brothers arrived and were handed a plastic sachet of suspected shabu.

Here the three suspects were arrested and eight grams of illegal drugs were confiscated from them.

After the suspects were caught, the barangay captain went to the police station to verify the report. It is said that he knows nothing about the work of his members.

The suspects will be charged with violation of R.A. 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002.

Two barangay councilors have been arrested for drugs. 


https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1721252/suspect-in-dacer-corbito-double-murder-apprehended-after-22-years-of-hiding

After 22 years in hiding, a suspect in the double murder of publicist Salvador Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito has been arrested, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

The suspect, a former police officer, was identified as William Flores Reed, now 57 years old. He was arrested in Barangay Poblacion in Pulilan, Bulacan.

Reed has a pending arrest warrant dated  May 25, 2001, and signed by Judge Rodolfo Ponferrada of Branch 41 of the Manila  Regional Trial Court, the NCRPO said.

The double murder took place on Nov. 24, 2000, in Makati.

Flores is on the national list of Most Wanted Persons with a P250,000 reward on his head.

The suspect was served his warrant of arrest and is currently detained in the Regional Special Operations Group’s detention facility.

The Dacer-Corbito double murder case was highly controversial, as it implicated several persons in power, including then-President Joseph Estrada and former Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who was then chief of the Philippine National Police.

A former cop has been arrested for a murder which took place in 2000 and implicated high officials including the Chief of the PNP and the President. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/01/26/sandigan-affirms-graft-falsification-convictionsof-ex-qc-councilor-paulate-on-ghost-employees/

The Sandiganbayan has affirmed its decision that convicted former Quezon City councilor and television host and actor Roderick M. Paulate and his driver and liaison officer, Vicente E. Bajamunde, in the hiring of “ghost” employees in 2010.

With the ruling, the anti-graft court denied the motions filed by Paulate and Bajamunde against the judgment of conviction handed down on Nov. 25, 2022.

The decision imposed on them a prison term ranging from six to eight years for graft. They were also ordered to indemnify, jointly and severally, the Quezon City government P1,109,000 which was used to hire the “ghost” employees.

Paulate was also convicted in nine falsification charges and ordered to pay a fine of P10,000 for each count. He was also sentenced to a prison term of six months and one day to six years and one day for each case of falsification of public documents.

Bajamunde, on the other hand, was acquitted of his falsification charges for failure of the prosecution to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

In their motion for reconsideration, they argued that they had no knowledge that the job contractors were fictitious. They added that there was no attempt on the part of the prosecution to prove that they knew they (the job contractors) did not exist.

Paulate said that he saw people working. But he told the court he did not know the workers by their names and faces. He insisted that it was an “absurdity and impossibility” that he should have checked and verified each of the job contractors since he had no reason to believe they were fictitious.

However, the Sandiganbayan junked the allegations in a resolution issued last Jan. 23. “The court maintains its findings that the prosecution sufficiently established that it was accused who falsified or caused the falsification of the personal date sheets, job order contracts, and general payrolls.”

“In view of the foregoing, the court finds no cogent reason to warrant the reconsideration of the assailed decision,” the court ruled.

The conviction of an ex Quezon City councilor and his driver for graft concerning ghost employees has been upheld by the Sandiganbayan.

Thursday, January 26, 2023

Coronavirus Lockdown: Vaccines Always Have a Risk, Communion on the Tongue Now Allowed, and More!

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

There has still been no extension of the state of calamity which means the DOH has hit a roadblock in attempting procure bivalent vaccines. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1717952/bivalent-vax-purchase-hit-roadblock-as-covid-19-state-of-calamity-in-ph-not-extended

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said the process of procuring COVID-19 bivalent vaccines hit a “roadblock” as the government decided to not extend the coronavirus-induced state of calamity edict.

Bivalent vaccines are a type of vaccine that targets specific variants of COVID-19 such as the more transmissible Omicron.

"Our negotiation in terms of bivalent vaccines continues. We just need to thoroughly study this process because we have only met a roadblock in this state of calamity that was not extended," DOH officer-in-charge Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire disclosed  during an interview over TeleRadyo’s program Sakto.

According to Vergeire, the non-extension of the state of calamity declaration means the DOH now has to revert to the usual process of procurement – which takes longer because the DOH is no longer eligible to make emergency procurement.

"Because the usual process of procurement under Republic Act 9184 is not as fast as emergency procurement, which we were able to do when we have a state of calamity," Vergeire explained.

Nevertheless, Vergeire assured the public that while negotiations continue, they are also looking for ways to make the country’s acquisition of bivalent vaccines faster.

But why even attempt to obtain these vaccines when they are linked to strokes?

https://mb.com.ph/2023/01/17/doh-on-pfizer-covid-19-bivalent-shots-possible-link-to-stroke-vaccines-always-have-a-risk/

Any vaccine or health technology will always have a health risk attached to it, an official from the Department of Health (DOH) stated on Tuesday, Jan. 17 as United States (US) authorities are bound to investigate drugmaker Pfizer’s Covid-19 bivalent vaccine and its possible link to a type of brain stroke in older adults.

Currently, DOH, according to the agency’s Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire is still having discussions with vaccine manufacturers for the procurement of bivalent vaccines.

Vergeire also mentioned that the totality of the report does not conclude and indicated that those who have received Covid-19 bivalent vaccines will have a stroke.

“Ang sinabi lang diyan sa study na yan, the risk would be there,” she added.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated in a report that following the availability and use of the updated COVID-19 vaccines, CDC’s Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD), a near real-time surveillance system, met the statistical criteria to prompt additional investigation into whether there was a safety concern for ischemic stroke in people ages 65 and older.

“Although the totality of the data currently suggests that it is very unlikely that the signal in VSD represents a true clinical risk, we believe it is important to share this information with the public, as we have in the past,” it added.

The report does not indicate those who receive the vaccines WILL have a stroke but only there is a risk??  Why is the DOH downplaying the risk of having a stroke? Who benefits from this potentially death drug? Not the people.

Not only is the economy back on track post-pandemic but now so is the Church. Specifically, the receiving of communion. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193125

The Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan has restored the giving of communion to the faithful through the tongue.

In a circular containing "liturgical guidelines" issued on Thursday, Archbishop Socrates Villegas said the measure which was suspended for nearly three years due to the coronavirus pandemic has been restored.

He also asked the public to put down their face masks when they fall in line to receive communion or at least before facing the ministers giving these.

“This is to insure that both hands are totally free to receive the Body of Christ. The incidents of accidentally dropping the Host on the floor have become frequent due to the double preoccupation of the hands with the Host and the face mask at the time of reception,” he added.

At the same time, the Mass presider, lectors and commentators are no longer required to wear face masks when proclaiming the Word of God or reading the intercession during the Mass.

He also allowed Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to receive the Host before giving Holy Communion to the churchgoers, which was a pre-pandemic practice.

“They must receive the ciborium from the priest and not take the vessels with the Hosts by themselves,” Villegas added.

He said the guidelines are in consonance with the “wise counsel” of experts in moral theology and liturgy and those in the health sectors.

But parishioners must still wear their face masks. 

Vaccination rates are so low that the public is being reminded they are still available for free. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193264

The top health official of Negros Oriental province has reminded the public that the coronavirus disease 2019  (Covid-19) vaccines and booster shots are still available for free.

Dr. Liland Estacion, officer-in-charge of the Provincial Health Office (PHO), told the Philippine News Agency on Saturday the vaccination rollout has slowed down and people are no longer mindful of the follow-up doses now that pre-pandemic routines have resumed.

The number of fully vaccinated in the province has not reached the targeted 70 percent

As of Jan. 17, PHO data showed only 58 percent have full doses against Covid-19, including those who availed of one-shot jabs -- or 662,644 of the target 1,148,424.

Among those with complete doses are 248 children aged 5 to 11, which Estacion hopes will increase as in-person classes have already resumed.

“It is sad to see that people have already stopped coming to the designated vaccination centers in the different local government units as well as in other designated sites in Dumaguete,” she said.

Regular vaccination in private establishments, such as a department store and a business process outsourcing firm here, is still conducted regularly.

She warned that Covid-19 is still “in our midst and with new Omicron sub-variants being reported elsewhere, we can never tell if the cases will rise again.”

As of Jan. 18, Negros Oriental has 14 active Covid-19 cases.

COVID-19 may be still "in our midst" but the number of new cases is declining. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1719786/fwd-octa-metro-manilas-covid-19-positivity-rate-further-declines-to-2-4

The seven-day COVID-19 positivity rate in Metro Manila has further decreased to 2.4%, independent pandemic monitor OCTA Research Group said Monday.

OCTA fellow Guido David said the positivity rate in the metropolis dropped to 2.4% on Jan. 21 from the 3.7% on Jan. 14.

“NCR positivity rate decreased from 3.7% to 2.4% as of Jan 21, 2023. No province in Luzon had an increase in positivity rate. Many provinces have [a] LOW positivity rate (less than 5%),” David said in a Twitter post.

The Ilocos region has also seen a drop in cases. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1720103/ilocos-region-sees-drop-in-weekly-covid-19-cases

Fewer COVID-19 cases were reported in the Ilocos region between January 15 and 21, with 57 individuals infected with the disease, according to the regional Department of Health (DOH) on Jan. 23, Monday.

The regional DOH said that the new infections translated to an average daily case count of eight, or 44.1 percent lower than the cases logged the previous week.

Out of the 57 cases, at least one was tagged as severe and critical, the regional DOH said.

Health authorities also verified one death due to the virus during the same period.

Active cases in Quezon have also declined. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1720116/active-covid-19-cases-in-quezon-province-down-to-25

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Quezon province dropped to 25 after tallying 65 on Jan. 1.

In its latest bulletin, the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) at 5 p.m. on Sunday (Jan. 22) reported only two new COVID-19 cases in Mauban town.

The report did not provide further details about the new cases.

As of Sunday, 23 of the 41 municipalities in the province no longer have any recorded COVID-19 cases. Those previously infected in the localities have either recovered or died.

But out of the 23 towns, at least 13 have only one active case each.

Taguig City has recorded only one new case.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/01/24/taguig-lgu-lists-only-1-covid-19-case-in-past-week/

The Taguig City government tallied only one new Covid-19 case in the past week as its classification remained at low risk.

Data from Jan. 16 to 22 showed the city government recorded one new Covid-19 case, two deaths, and 44 patients who have recovered.

But instead of celebrating these numbers they want to keep pushing the vaccine on the public.

The DOT thinks an influx of Chinese tourists will speed up economic recovery. 

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/209995/ph-welcomes-chinese-tourists-sees-faster-tourism-recovery

The Philippines welcomed around 190 Chinese tourists on Tuesday, celebrating the Chinese New Year.

With this, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is expecting a quicker tourism recovery with the volume of Chinese travelers.

“The arrival of Chinese tourists to the Philippines signals a very auspicious start to the New Year and indicates a positive result of President Bongbong Marcos Jr.’s state visit to China to further the relations between our countries,” Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said in a statement.

“We anticipate even more Chinese tourists to arrive, which will greatly help us in our efforts to transform and to recover the tourism industry as our intention is not only to regain our pre-pandemic numbers but to exceed it knowing how the relationship between the Philippines and China will only further improve in the years to come with the stance of both our governments,” she continued.

The Chinese tourists were aboard Xiamen Airlines flight MF819. They arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 at 4:55 p.m.

Frasco, Huang, Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Cesar Chiong, and Xiamen Air General Manager of Manila Office Yan Tan welcomed the travelers.

Leis and gifts were given to the visitors.

Hopefully the arrival of these passengers does not signal the beginning of a new surge. Even if it does it's not as if people will start dying in droves as that has never been the case in the past three years.

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Picture of the Week: No Employee Is To Be Trusted

I witnessed this scene at TriNoma mall in Manila. 

Before leaving the floor each employee is required to remove his socks and shoes and be frisked. There is a security guard dedicated to just that task. All day long she frisks employees to make sure they haven't stolen anything. I have seen employees in other places getting frisked as they leave the premises. Pray tell what exactly is a barista going to be stealing from Starbucks that can be stuffed down their pants? 

It's just another example of how the Philippines lacks social capital and no one is to be trusted. That is not to say there are no trustworthy people in the Philippines but clearly no one is taking that risk. 

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Insurgency: Leaderless

Despite the gains against the insurgency there is still an insurgency. Not only are communist rebels in the hinterlands causing trouble but there are still Islamic separatists causing trouble in Mindanao. All the while China is slowly building up its military presence and seemingly preparing for war in the WPS on islands it has built in stolen territory. Despite these threats President Marcos does not believe the Philippines should increase is defense budget. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/01/19/beefing-up-defense-budget-not-a-ph-priority-pbbm/

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. thought increasing the country’s defense budget was not a priority, saying there was no point in the Philippines building up its armory since the exercise of military power is not always the primary consideration in addressing national concerns.

Marcos said this after being asked by World Economic Forum (WEF) President BĆørge Brende if he would follow in the footsteps of Japan, which has reportedly committed to doubling its defense budget from one percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) to two percent of GDP.

In response, the President said there would be an increase in the country’s defense budget but only to a certain extent.

“I think to an extent but not — because the belief is that first of all, there is no point in the Philippines building up its armory,” he said.

Marcos explained that the Philippines was not in an economic situation where it could build up to the levels that the Americans or the Chinese have.

More importantly, he believes that the solutions to current issues are not military.

“If they are going to be military, then they are not solutions because this will — it will end badly if it goes that way. It will end badly for everyone involved,” the Chief Executive said.

The President brought up the war in Ukraine as an example, saying the armed conflict has only adversely affected agriculture in many countries, including the Philippines.

“I guess it just goes to show how well-connected that is,” he said.

“If a similar situation would arise in the region, then it would be actually — I would say it would be disastrous for the rest of the world as well, not only for the region but for the rest of the world,” he added.

Marcos is right that if war came to this region it would be disastrous. Yet that is exactly what China has indicated it wants as they saber rattle over Taiwan. It would be doubly disastrous if the Philippines is not prepared for whatever may come if war were to raise its ugly head. If the defense budget is not beefed up how can the AFP continue its modernization program?

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1192619

To address challenges to the country's territorial integrity, newly-appointed Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said he fully supports the ongoing Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program.

This is among the new DND chief's thrusts he bared during Thursday's AFP command conference in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City,

"Address the growing and significant challenges to the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty by guaranteeing full support to the modernization program, strengthening coordinative mechanisms with interagency partners, and leveraging and maximizing with the country's defense partnerships," he said.

The Horizon 3 of the AFP Modernization Program is scheduled from 2023 to 2028.

The military is supposed to acquire external defense equipment in this phase such as missile systems and multi-role fighters, among others.

Galvez also wants existing defense initiatives and efforts towards attaining the vision of a transformed defense organization that guarantees Philippine security, territorial integrity, and sovereignty.

This is aside from transforming the DND into a reliable partner in national development and a strategic partner in the region.

Galvez is also pushing for the total defeat of the communist insurgency through the dismantling of all guerrilla fronts and clearing of affected barangays, neutralizing threat groups, and supporting national and local efforts for peace.

It sounds very much like building up the Philippines' armory is a priority for new DND Chief Galvez. 

There have been a lot more surrenders in the past week. Two rebel surrenderees claim the NTF-ELCAC has crippled the NPA in Samar.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193001

A couple who had been with the New People’s Army (NPA) for over a decade admitted Wednesday that the implementation of the whole-of-nation approach against insurgency has crippled the rebel group in Samar province.

Dino Bachicha, an NPA platoon leader who surrendered days ago, said the lack of support even from remote communities in Samar makes it harder to continue the armed rebellion.

“We noticed that since the formation of local task forces against NPA, our supporters have surrendered to the government and they stopped giving us food supplies, other resources, and information,” said 32-year-old Bachicha, a native of Can-avid, Eastern Samar.

“The past years have been boring since there was no information from our supporters about the location of government forces. We’re like lost and starved in the forest,” he added.

He joined the armed struggle when he was 16 through the persuasion of young combatants who happened to be his peers.

His common-law wife, Jennelyn Guarino, 32, a native of General MacArthur, Eastern Samar served as the NPA’s political instructor. Influenced by her rebel mother, she joined the NPA when she was 20.

“Recently, we noticed that we are becoming irrelevant even in far-flung communities. It’s hard to find recruits and fewer people listen to us in our assemblies,” Guarino said.

With their two children growing, the couple decided to surrender last week. They were among the 13 rebels presented Tuesday to members of the media by the Philippine Army.

The couple were former leaders of the NPA Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee, sub-regional committee, Bugsok Platoon operating in the mountains of Pinabacdao, Calbiga and Basey towns in Samar province.

The rebels handed over 10 M16 rifles, two .45-caliber handguns, and one Glock 17 pistol. They also revealed the location of banned anti-personnel mines, medical paraphernalia and several ammunitions.

Isn't it interesting that these former leaders of the NPA is now parroting the AFP line about them becoming irrelevant? How convenient. 

20 activists, not NPA fighters, in Nueva Ecija have pledged loyalty to the government. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1192941

Twenty female activists in the town of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija province have returned to the fold of the law and pledged commitment to support the government.

In his report on Tuesday, Col. Richard V. Caballero, acting provincial director of the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (NEPPO), said the activists were members of the Women Peasant Sector under the Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon (AMGL)-Nueva Ecija.

Caballero said the joint police and military elements conducted a special intelligence operation at Sitio Saudi, Barangay Pias in General Tinio on Monday that resulted in the withdrawal of support of female activists from the communist terrorist organization.

He said one of the militants, who was also a member of the militant group under the Underground Mass Organization (UGMO), surrendered a .38-caliber revolver without a serial number and loaded with three live ammunition.

“The activists are now undergoing debriefing with 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC)-NEPPO,” Caballero said in a statement.

Meanwhile, he said an internal security operation Tuesday by the same police and military units in Barangay Balaring in General Natividad town, also in Nueva Ecija resulted in the recovery of one 40mm rifle grenade, two M203 40mm, one short magazine of M-16 rifle, and 15 rounds of ammunition for caliber 5.56mm.

Surely their guaranteed benefits of job training, housing, and money are not behind. 

The AFP claims the NPA in the Eastern Visayas is now leaderless.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193153

The remaining members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Eastern Visayas are now “leaderless” and disorganized with the recent deaths, capture and surrender of its top leaders in the region, an official of the Philippine Army said.

Maj. Gen. Camilo Ligayo, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, said the NPA in the region is on the verge of collapse as they could not find potential leaders who would direct and make critical decisions for the group.

“They are leaderless now since no one is giving them instructions. Many of their members realized that they have been deceived,” Ligayo told reporters on Friday.

Even without a leader the NPA in the Eastern Visayas is still very active and dangerous. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193084

Hundreds of residents were displaced while classes in three schools in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental were suspended on Thursday following two armed clashes between the Philippine Army's 15th Infantry Battalion (IB) troops and New People's Army (NPA) rebels.

2Lt. Weann Sandag, civil-military operations officer of 15IB, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that the first encounter took place around Wednesday noon in the hinterlands of Barangay Camalandaan, Cauayan and later in the afternoon in Purok Malipayon, Barangay San Jose, Sipalay during the pursuit operations on of around 20 rebels from the NPA's South West Front.

"We received information about the rebels' extortion activities. The army acted upon the report and we found it to be true," she added.

A soldier of 15IB was injured in the Sipalay encounter but is now out of danger while the evacuees from Purok Malipayon are still staying at the Binulig Elementary School in Barangay San Jose.

Sandag, who helps in debriefing and interviewing of affected individuals, said the evacuation site currently houses 210 persons, including children, from 53 families, based on the report of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).

When will the AFP stop hyping on supposed victories as if the insurgency has been defeated when that is so clearly not the case? 

It's 2023 and Lorraine Badoy is still red-tagging. On the SMNI radio network along with Quiboloy and alleged former rebel Jeffery Celiz Baguio Mayor Magalong was accused once more of working with the rebels. 

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/1/16/Benjamin-Magalong-slams-SMNI-owner-hosts.html

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong blasted Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) personalities, including its owner Apollo Quiboloy, for accusing him of treason and colluding with communist insurgents.In a statement on Monday, Magalong called out controversial religious leader Quiboloy, former anti-communist task force spokesperson Lorraine Badoy, and former communist rebel Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz over “unfounded accusations” made in the programs of SMNI.

“This tirade against me is unfounded and baseless and has subjected my person to needless and undeserved condemnation,” the local chief executive said.

“To be accused that I have turned my back on my lifelong commitment against the CPP/NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army) is a grave insult that sweeps aside my lengthy and loyal service to the Philippines,” Magalong added.

He also warned of legal action against the three for their "habit of incessantly defaming people without an iota of evidence."

Magalong made the statement after Quiboloy "red-tagged" him, accusing the mayor of supporting the communist movement over his 2022 directive to remove tarpaulins and posters in the city directly linking local activists to the CPP, NPA, and the National Democratic Front (NDF).

In his program Spotlight, Quiboloy stated that Magalong had taken down posters criticizing the party-list groups Kabataan and Anakbayan, which the pastor said were fronts for the CPP-NPA-NDF. The party-lists have consistently refuted the claim.

"The posters showing that the Anakbayan and Kabataan party-list are CPP-NPA-NDF-inclined were removed in the city of Baguio. He stopped the activities against the Kabataan party-list... What do these say? He's an ally, he's an accomplice, he's with them," Quiboloy said.

Badoy and Celis echoed Quiboloy’s remarks on the SMNI program Laban Kasama Ang Bayan which they hosted.

Meanwhile, Magalong asserted that he had participated in anti-communist insurgency efforts and was a member of the regional branches of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

After graduating from the Philippine Military Academy in 1982, he recounted how he engaged in guerilla warfare against communists in Luzon and Mindanao. He said his first deployment was in Abra, where he was injured during combat operations.

As mayor of Baguio, Magalong said his support for the government remains "unflinching.”

These accusations are particularly ridiculous because Magalong has been appointed by the President to sit on a committee which will investigate all the PNP officers who have resigned.  In essence it means that the intelligence apparatus of the Philippines has failed once more. 

https://opinion.inquirer.net/160418/red-tagging-at-its-worst

The Red-tagging of Magalong by Badoy and Celiz amounts to multiple virtual accusations: that the Marcos Jr. administration has been incompetent in its intelligence work; that the police and military organizations are inept on intelligence matters because the current administration is assumed to have obtained security clearance for Magalong’s appointment; and that the Duterte administration (of which Badoy was very much a part of) was clueless for previously reposing trust in Magalong.

To be fair the police and military are indeed inept on intelligence matters. The fact that they ignored and denied the presence of ISIS and knew about but ignored the plan to take over Marawi is proof enough of that. But maybe they have not fumbled the ball this time around.