Retards in the Government 351

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

 

https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/02/04/regions/village-chief-shot-in-bulacan/1930981

THE police are on the lookout for the two suspects in the shooting of a barangay chief in Santa Maria, Bulacan, on Friday evening.

PCol. Relly Arnedo identified the victim as Julian Rosillas, 59, married, and chairman of Barangay Mag-asawang Sapa in Santa Maria, Bulacan.

Two unidentified suspects shot Rosillas in front of the barangay hall, Arnedo said.

Rosillas suffered two gunshot wounds and was immediately rushed to Rogaciano M. Mercado Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Arnedo said the victim is now in stable condition but added that the attending physician has recommended the transfer of Rosillas to Bulacan Medical Center Provincial Hospital.

Police investigation showed that the gun attack took place at around 8:30 p.m. while Rosillas was outside the barangay hall. Two suspects onboard a black motorcycle appeared and one of them shot the victim twice in the abdomen.

The suspects fled after the shooting.

Operatives from the Santa Maria Police Station immediately conducted an investigation and manhunt to find the suspects.

A village chief has survived an assassination attempt. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/4/3-soldiers-nabbed-in-tarlac-buy-bust

Three soldiers were nabbed and suspected shabu worth P340,000 was seized in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Anupul here on Sunday night, February 4. 

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Tarlac identified the suspects as Corporal Venancio D. Delmoral, Corporal Juan Carlo G. Feliciano, and Sgt. Modesto D. Rosquero.

PDEA said that the suspects were considered high-value targets due to their active duty status.

Recovered from the suspects were a knot-tied transparent plastic sachet containing more or less 50 grams of shabu worth P340,000, a .45 caliber service firearm with magazine and four bullets, a car, and the marked money.

The operation was conducted with the local police.

Suspects face non-bailable case of violating Section 5 (sale of dangerous drugs) in relation to Section 26-B (conspiracy to sell) under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002

Three soldiers have been busted for drugs. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/02/06/2331289/sc-sacks-3-ca-employees-shabu

The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the dismissal from the service of three Court of Appeals (CA) employees who tested positive for shabu in 2022.

In full session, SC justices found Garry Caliwan, Edmundo Malit and Frederick Mauricio administratively liable for using illegal drugs under Section 14(o) of Rule 140 of the Rules of Court.

The CA employees tested positive for shabu in a random drug test conducted by the appellate court in 2022.

The CA transmitted the case records to the Judicial Integrity Board (JIB), which recommended to the SC the dismissal of Caliwan, Malit and Mauricio.

Since Mauricio opted for early retirement, the JIB recommended that his benefits be forfeited, except his accrued leave credits, instead of dismissal from the service.

The JIB also proposed that Mauricio be disqualified from holding public office.

The high court agreed with the JIB’s recommendation of dismissal as penalty, considering that it was the second time that the CA employees tested positive for shabu.

Three SC employees who tested positive for shabu for the second time have been dismissed.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/5/police-general-colonel-ordered-detained-at-house

The House Committee on Public Order and Safety cited in contempt two high-ranking police officers for their apaprent refusal to tell the truth in relation to the alleged unlawful arrest, arbitrary detention, extortion, and grave coercion of four Chinese nationals last September 2023 in Parañaque City.

ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo moved to detain Southern Police District’s (SPD) Brigadier General Roderick Mariano and Colonel Charlie Cabradilla for supposedly lying and showing disrespect to the the committee during its probe on Monday, Feb. 5.

Tulfo called out Mariano for being a “disgrace to the Philippine National Police (PNP), especially to the high-ranking officers”.

“Obvious na obvious na nagsisinungaling ka, obvious na obvious na pinagtatakpan ka,” Tulfo told him to his face.

(It's obvious that you're lying, it's obvious that they’re covering up for you.)

“This investigation is not going anywhere because they’re really lying, we already have witnesses, and they don't want to talk,” the lawmaker added.

“We don’t have a choice, it's like your committee is being insulted, played with, laughed at. Maybe they thought we’re just toddlers here in Congress so we have to teach them a lesson,” he told the panel chaired by Santa Rosa City lone district Rep. Dan Fernandez. 

The House panel cited both Mariano and Cabradilla in contempt. They were slapped with a penalty of 30 days in detention at the House premises.

The two will join six other detained officers who were previously cited in contempt during a committee hearing on Jan. 30.

Originally detained for only 15 days, the detention of the six officers was extended to 30 days or “until such time they reconsider their statements” to the panel.

Fernandez bared that he expected the officers to be freed during Monday's proceedings, but he decided against it after the individuals continued to lie.

“The problem is you continue lying. I would like to release them but the lying persists,” noted Fernandez.

Two high ranking cops have been detained by the House for lying. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1218361

The Supreme Court (SC) has suspended a judge in General Santos City for gross neglect due to a 10-year delay in deciding on a rape case.

In a statement Tuesday, the high court said it imposed a two-year suspension on General Santos City Regional Trial Court Branch 35 Judge Oscar P. Noel Jr. as “a result of gross neglect of duty in his role as Assisting Judge (Justice on Wheels) in Alabel, Sarangani province.”

The Office of the Court Administrator inquired about an administrative complaint alleging a prolonged delay in a criminal case under Noel's jurisdiction since 2010.

Noel clarified that another judge initially presided over the rape charges against a certain Jimmy dela Torre filed on Oct. 30, 2007 and that he only assumed responsibility for it on Feb. 11, 2010, concurrently presiding over three different courts.

The case was heard in Maasim, Sarangani, with the Justice on Wheels (JOW) bus traveling to and from General Santos City once a month.

Noel said infrequent hearings were caused by his high caseload and time constraints, with hearing resets taking two to three months.

The Judicial Integrity Board (JIB) recommended that Noel was guilty of gross neglect of duty and meted him with a PHP250,000 fine. The SC adopted the JIB's findings but modified the penalty to a two-year suspension.

The SC cited invoked Section 15(1), Article VIII of the Constitution, mandating lower courts to decide cases within three months.

“Efficiency and dedication in case disposition were stressed by the SC, highlighting the inevitability of delays to the prejudice of litigants without such qualities. Judges, therefore, must possess a high sense of duty and responsibility in administering justice promptly,” the court said.

Under Rule 140 of the Rules of Court, as amended by AM 21-08-09-SC, the SC categorized the offense as gross neglect of duty in the performance or non-performance of official functions under Section 14(d).

A judge has been suspended for sitting on a rape case for 10 years. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/6/barangay-kagawad-falls-in-drug-sting

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency arrested a barangay kagawad or councilor in a buy-bust operation in this town on Monday, February 5.

The suspect was identified as Jaimes Bernard N. Peralta.

PDEA-Ilocos Director Joel Plaza said confiscated from the suspect were three heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu weighing more or less five grams worth P34,000, a cigarette box, a motorcycle, and the buy-bust money.

Peralta faces a case for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) and Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The suspect is detained at the PDEA Pangasinan Provincial Office in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan.

A barangay councilor has been busted for drugs. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1900429/3-ex-govt-officials-convicted-for-graft-malversation

The Sandiganbayan on Tuesday convicted for graft and malversation three former officials of the defunct Technology Resource Center (TRC) for greenlighting the disbursement of a former Laguna lawmaker’s “pork barrel” funds worth P10 million for a ghost livelihood project in 2007.

The antigraft court’s Sixth Division sentenced former TRC deputy director general Dennis Cunanan, former program manager Maria Rosalinda Lacsamana and chief accountant Marivic Jover to serve up to eight years in prison for graft, and up to 18 years and eight months for malversation of public funds.

All three were barred for holding public office while their retirement and gratuity benefits were deemed forfeited … On top of this, they were each ordered to pay P9.8 million—equivalent to the misappropriated state funds. They were also ordered to “solidarily refund” to the treasury bureau the same amount, with an interest of 6 percent per annum until fully paid.

The conviction of the three TRC officers was based on the irregular diversion in 2007 of P10 million in public funds from the pork barrel of then Laguna Rep. Danton Bueser to bankroll a livelihood program that turned out to be fictitious.

According to the court, the TRC sent the funds to a bogus nongovernmental organization (NGO), the Aaron Foundation Philippines Inc., without a notarized memorandum of agreement (MOA) against Commission on Audit rules. A MOA was later executed, but only after the funds were released to the NGO. There was also no list of beneficiaries, estimated cost, procedures for implementation and monitoring requirements.

3 former government employees have been convicted of graft. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/7/cop-shoots-wife-dead

A policeman assigned to Isabela, Basilan allegedly shot his wife during a heated argument inside their house in Barangay San Jose Gusu here on Saturday, February 3.

Police identified the suspect as Police Staff Sgt. Julius Santillan Ocariza.

Investigation said Ocariza repeatedly fired at his wife, Fredellen, killing her on the spot.

Police recovered three fired cartridge cases and two fired bullets from a 9mm pistol in the crime scene.

Ocariza escaped but was later arrested by the police.

Zamboanga City Police Office Operations Officer Police Major Albert Alfaro denounced the killing in a press conference on Tuesday, February 6.

A cop has killed his wife.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1901387/village-watchman-shot-dead-by-sibling-in-lipa-city

A barangay tanod (village watchman) was shot and killed on Wednesday, Feb. 7, by his younger brother in Lipa City, Batangas province on Wednesday, Feb. 7, police said Thursday.

The Batangas police said in a report that Jason Gangga, 44, was driving his tricycle around 7:30 p.m. with his wife as passenger, along J.P. Laurel Highway in Barangay Balintawak.

Suddenly, Jason’s younger sibling, Jonel, 36, who had been following the couple with his motorcycle, came close to the tricycle and shot his brother using a caliber 357 gun.

The suspect fled after the shooting and left his brother dead on the spot from a fatal gunshot wound on his head. His wife was unhurt in the incident.

The police immediately conducted a hot pursuit operation and captured the suspect in Barangay Bolbok.

The police seized the handgun used in the killing.

Lipa City police said the shooting incident was motivated by an “old grudge” between the two brothers but did not elaborate.

A village watchmen has been assassinated by his brother. 

Coronavirus Lockdown: Jollibee Celebrates, Migrants Face Tough Homecoming, and More!

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

Celebrities are still contracting COVID-19 and posting about their convalescence online. 

https://entertainment.inquirer.net/539466/shaina-magdayao-reflects-on-rest-pause-she-needed-after-bout-with-covid-19

Despite spending over a week in isolation due to COVID-19, Shaina Magdayao said she’s grateful to have had the pause she “didn’t ask for but apparently needed.”

The actress, who appears to have contracted the virus in early January, reflected on the kind of peace attained through spending time with one’s self via her Instagram page on Tuesday, Jan. 30.

“Trust YOUR process. With isolation, everything you feel will sort itself out,” she said, quoting American author R.M Drake.

“Beautiful words I kept on reading and reminding my frustrated sick self during more than a week of isolation and testing positive,” she stated.

Magdayao also documented how she spent her days in “solitude” by reading books and exercising in an open area in her home.

“Nevertheless, thank you, COVID, for the rest (lots of TV time, too) and pause I did not ask for but apparently needed,” she concluded.

Other celebrities who recently contracted the virus were Jennylyn Mercado, Dennis Trillo and Lea Salonga, among others.

It's like it's 2020 all over again! The real story is that vaccines do not prevent infection.

"Stakeholders" cannot stop talking about tourism. Philippine tourism is alive again in case you missed it.  

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/02/03/2330558/philippines-tourism-alive-again

With more Filipinos able to afford traveling around the country and even overseas, a travel executive declared that the Philippines’ tourism industry is alive again amid continuous easing of pandemic restrictions.

Travelers look for tourism offerings that cater to families and even bigger groups, including those in the corporate sector sponsored by their companies, Aileen Clemente, president of Rajah Travel Corp. said.

“They prefer guided tours. They are not as concerned about their security as before. But it’s more of they want a family-like tour which is more intimate, more experiential… they still prefer those with exclusivity,” she told The STAR.

Asked if the tourism industry is revived, Clemente replied, “Yes, the tourism industry is alive.”

Fitch Solutions’ research firm BMI projected that this year, the Philippines will “fully recover” its tourist arrival levels before the pandemic plagued the world and shut down travel in 2020.

“In 2024 we project the Philippines’ tourist arrivals will grow to 8.21 million,” BMI said in a statement on Jan. 31.

The Philippines welcomed over 8.26 million foreign tourists in 2019, according to the Department of Tourism.

The growth in tourist arrivals in the Philippines – perceived to be at 64 percent– would “primarily be driven by increasing arrivals from key source markets, such as South Korea, China, the US, Japan and Australia,” BMI noted.

This same story is published practically every week these days. 

All those tourists are going to require air traffic controllers to guide them safely on and off the tarmac. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/02/04/2330803/wanted-300-air-traffic-controllers

The Philippines is in need of nearly 300 air traffic controllers to handle the growing volume of flights to and from its airports.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said it is looking for at least 288 more personnel to man air traffic control towers, as the country is running short on manpower with the demand for air travel returning to pre-pandemic levels.

Transportation Undersecretary Roberto Lim said the Philippines is starting to feel the shortage of aviation staff, a problem that is also affecting airlines and airports across the globe. Currently, CAAP employs a total of 776 air traffic controllers.

Lim noted that hiring should be done right away, as it takes about a year for a new recruit to finish training and get the required certification.

In the coming Singapore Airshow from Feb. 20 to 25, the Philippine delegation, composed of government officials and private shareholders, will look for investors who may be interested in setting up aviation schools in the country.

“We would welcome investors from any part of the aviation industry to look at the Philippines, to invest in education, to invest in airports, to invest in logistics,” Lim said.

He said the shortage in air traffic controllers has to be addressed immediately, as the situation is putting greater pressure on current employees to work longer hours.

Eventually, this could become a problem for the government, especially as air traffic is expected to increase over time as carriers plan to scale up flight frequencies to meet the demand.

Were air traffic controllers let go during the pandemic? If so they could be brought back. Interesting that the Transportation Undersecretary is looking for foreign investors to fix this problem. 

2.24 million Filipino migrants were flown back home during the pandemic. It turns out they should have stayed where they were. 

https://interaksyon.philstar.com/politics-issues/2024/02/05/269757/flown-back-and-forgotten-filipino-migrants-face-tough-homecoming/

The Philippines is among the world’s top sources of migrant labor and Filipino workers overseas sent back an estimated $40 billion in remittances to their families last year, accounting for about 10% of gross domestic product (GDP).

The government covers emergency repatriation costs for workers caught up in wars, political crises or exploitation abroad.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, 2.24 million Filipinos were flown home free of charge, and dozens of Filipino women and their children have recently been repatriated temporarily from Gaza and Israel due to the war between Israel and Hamas.

But with the number of Filipinos who received overseas employment certificates at a record high of about 2.5 million in 2023, migrant rights advocates are sounding the alarm about the problems faced by many returnees on arriving home – from unemployment to homelessness.

“The latest government figures mean we are sending 6,800 Filipinos per day (abroad). More and more Filipinos can be at risk, especially in conflict areas, if we fail to properly monitor all of them,” said Arman Hernando, chairperson of migrant rights group Migrante Philippines.

“Are we deploying more Filipinos than we can protect?” he asked.

Some say more must be done to support them by the country’s Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), a government agency established two years ago to facilitate overseas employment and reintegration services for returning Filipinos.

Reintegration is “the weakest link” in the country’s migration policies, according to a 2023 study by a group of university researchers on economic migrants.

Filipinos repatriated from Syria and recent returnees from Gaza said the government had paid for their flights and provided an emergency cash assistance of between 10,000 and 50,000 Philippine pesos ($178-$889).

Some of them were encouraged to use the money to start a small business.

But after spending sometimes years abroad, many migrant workers lack the social network required to launch a successful enterprise, said Hernando.

Few migrant workers have a background in self-employment, according to a survey published by the U.N. migration agency in 2022. It showed finding a way to make a living was rated as the biggest challenge by more than 80% of Filipino returnees.

Despite the risks, some of the returnees from Syria travelled abroad for work again after losing hope of finding work at home – especially during the pandemic when unemployment rose to 10.3%, Alcala said.

Migrating to work overseas is always a gamble, said Hernando, but the lack of sufficient support at home pushes some to take the risk.

“Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose,” he said. “(But) many of them leave again despite suffering abuses abroad because there’s no real reintegration here.”

What a travesty that there is no social safety net to reacclimatize these people back to life in the Philippines. And to think the DFA calls the OFW program the Philippines' soft power!

Jollibee has won an award for their 2022 Christmas advertising campaign which was designed to uplift the nation after two years of dreary economic lockdowns. 

https://malaya.com.ph/news_living/jollibee-celebrates-prestigious-anvil-awards-victories/

Jollibee, the Philippines’ largest and most beloved fast-food chain, is thrilled to announce its triumphant wins at the prestigious Anvil Awards.

Presented annually by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), the ANVIL is the symbol of Excellence in Public Relations. It is awarded to outstanding public relations programs, tools and now, practitioners after careful screening by select PR professionals and judging by a distinguished multi-sectoral jury.

The brand shined brightly with its accolades in several categories, including a Grand Anvil Nomination, underscoring its commitment to innovative and impactful campaigns.

Dorothy Dee Ching, Jollibee’s Head of Marketing, expressed her delight and gratitude for the wins, “These awards are a testament to our Marketing team’s creativity and commitment to excellence, and the collaborative efforts with our partner agencies Ripple8 and Stratworks, which produced these amazing campaigns. After a 3-year hiatus from joining industry awards, we’re glad and thankful to be recognized once again for bringing joy and meaningful experiences to our customers through these campaigns.”

Jollibee’s award-winning campaigns, such as “Sarap ng Pasko” and the Christmas Drive-Thru Experience, were centered around the joy of Filipino Christmas traditions and the spirit of giving.

Launched for the 2022 holidays, Jollibee’s “Sarap ng Pasko” campaign aimed to rekindle the joy of a Filipino Christmas following two years of pandemic-subdued celebrations. The integrated marketing communications plan was kicked off by a holiday-themed video commercial featuring the megabrand’s all-time favorites Chickenjoy, Jolly Spaghetti, and Burger Steak and exciting new products.

A special feature of the campaign entailed transforming one store’s Drive-Thru into a magical spectacle via Christmas lights and décor, adding to the festive experience. Finally, a special delivery promo also allowed customers to share in the holiday gift-giving spirit by donating group meals to underprivileged families. The campaign performed well, helping Jollibee reach top of mind awareness and delivered growth sales targets to cap the year on a high note.

Good for them.

Another enterprise designed to help the Filipino community during the pandemic, farmers especially, is still assisting them.

https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3250810/how-philippine-social-enterprise-brought-help-and-hope-farmers-when-they-needed-it-most

In 2020, Ace and Andie Estrada were walking through a public market in the Philippine city of Baguio when they saw farmers giving away vegetables in perfectly good condition. A torn piece of cardboard, turned into a makeshift sign, read: “Free tomatoes, bring your plastic bag.” 

The pandemic was a dire time for many Filipino farmers, already struggling with the challenges of inflation and market disruption. Covid-19 restrictions meant fewer people visited Baguio, a mountainous town in Benguet province, including traders from Manila who would normally buy produce harvested from neighbouring towns to sell back in the capital.

Without that demand, many farmers were forced to give their crops away or leave them rotting in their backyards.

“In Baguio and Benguet now, you can drive a pickup truck to the public markets and load up on free produce. As much as you want or as much as your conscience would allow you to take … We should all be smiling, but everyone is not. This situation speaks so much about the total disruption that’s happened to the supply chain,” Ace Estrada wrote in a Facebook post that became shared some 6,000 times. 

Encouraged by the response, the Estradas, who are tech education and e-commerce entrepreneurs, saw a way to link farmers directly to consumers by cutting out the middlemen who would usually price down the rates they offered farmers.

They gathered the farmers’ produce and managed to sell three tons. Within a month, they rescued 20 tons of vegetables from distressed farmers in Benguet. What went unsold was donated to various community pantries around Metro Manila to help families affected by the pandemic.

The Estradas named their online community Rural Rising. They began conducting regular rescue buys from small-scale farmers at above-market gate prices and selling them to members of their online community at affordable rates, eliminating the middlemen that often caused retail prices to spike.

Ace Estrada told This Week in Asia that even after the pandemic faded, lowball pricing continued to be a problem for farmers. For example, middlemen would sometimes buy native shallots from farmers at 8 pesos (14 US cents) a kilogram and then sell them in Metro Manila for 60 to 120 pesos.

“We realised that we have the ability to help not only distressed farmers but also consumers who are paying 10 times more the farm gate prices for their produce because the prices were jacked up by many layers of middlemen,” Estrada said.

Pandemic or not Filipino farmers cannot seem to win. At least not on their own.

Daily COVID-19 cases have dropped by 26%.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/1/ph-logs-26-decrease-in-daily-covid-19-cases-doh

The Department of Health (DOH) said on Thursday, Feb. 1, that 1,580 new Covid-19 infections were recorded from Jan. 23 to 29.

It noted that these cases showed a 26 percent decrease with an average daily count of 225 cases compared to the previous week from Jan. 16 to 22.

Based on the latest data, 30 of the newly reported cases have been classified as "severe” or “critical.”

Meanwhile, the DOH recorded 13 additional Covid-19-related deaths that occurred between Jan. 16 and Jan. 29.

It was also stated that as of Jan. 28, hospitals across the Philippines had admitted a total of 194 severe and critical Covid-19 patients for treatment.

Of the 1,166 ICU beds designated for Covid-19 patients, 181 of them, or 15.5 percent, are currently occupied.

DOH also noted that 1,458 out of 10,306 non-ICU Covid-19 beds, constituting 14.1 percent, are also in use.

Related to this, it reminded the public that practicing different layers of protection can limit transmission among vulnerable groups and in enclosed, overcrowded areas.

Frequent handwashing, using masks, social distancing, and providing adequate ventilation in closed settings altogether remain effective prevention measures.

But be sure to do all the stuff that doesn't actually prevent infection. 

OFW's Drive the Philippines' Foreign Policy as Soft Power

The OFW program is undoubtedly a brain drain program which robs the Philippines of its best and brightest. No rational nation would encourage its workers to leave the nation. But not is all as it seems as the DFA recently made clear.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1217840

Diaspora, or the spreading of Filipinos across the globe along with the Filipino culture, is the country's “soft power”, an official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday.

In diplomacy, soft power is the ability of a nation to influence other nations through attraction and persuasion instead of force or intimidation.

"We send our people or they themselves go without government intervention or support. We deploy our workers, beginning 1973 in the oil crisis, caused by the conflict between Israel and their cousin, the Arabs but not just as workers," DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega said during his speech at a multi-stakeholder symposium.

He said these Filipinos sent abroad are instruments of the country's foreign policy.

"Oftentimes, especially after Republic Act 8042, our diaspora drives our foreign policy," he added.

According to DFA's latest report to Congress, there are 10,854,592 Filipinos abroad. The Americas host 49.04 percent of the tally; the Asia-Pacific, 22.83 percent; the Middle East, 21.88 percent; Europe 6.03 percent and Africa, 1 percent.

Filipinos experience disasters, calamities, famine, war and pandemic happening in their host countries.

While the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) ensure the welfare of Filipinos abroad, the DFA sees their potential to be leaders -- their capability to be rescuers instead of being only rescuees.

"In such manner, our diaspora becomes not only a group of Filipinos who seek employment abroad, but more than that: they are a great gift of the Filipino nation to all peoples on earth, and our contribution to world peace and harmony," he added.

To establish a framework of the RA 9148 implementation abroad, de Vega said the DFA could work with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, the DMW, Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of National Defense, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency.

That is an absolutely incredible admission. It should not be forgotten that Philippine citizenship is by blood or "jus sanguis." That means the children of OFWs born abroad are Filipino citizens and are "are instruments of the country's foreign policy."  It's a ridiculous policy as anyone related to a Filipino citizen can become a Filipino citizen despite never having set foot in the Philippines. 

So, how exactly does this soft power manifest? RA 8042 says:

SEC. 2. Declaration Of Policies—

(a) In the pursuit of an independent foreign policy and while considering national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest and the right to self-determination paramount in its relations with other states, the State shall, at all times, uphold the dignity of its citizens whether in country or overseas, in general, and Filipino migrant workers, in particular.

(c) While recognizing the significant contribution of Filipino migrant workers to the national economy through their foreign exchange remittances, the State does not promote overseas employment as a means to sustain economic growth and achieve national development. The existence of the overseas employment program rests solely on the assurance that the dignity and fundamental human rights and freedoms of the Filipino citizens shall not, at any time, be compromised or violated. The State, therefore, shall continuously create local employment opportunities and promote the equitable distribution of wealth and the benefits of development.

These words are very clear that "the State does not promote overseas employment as a means to sustain economic growth and achieve national development. That cannot be any clearer yet what do we see in reality but OFWs sustaining economic growth!? Nay, as a PILLAR of economic growth!

https://www.philstar.com/business/2023/11/25/2313962/

Remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will continue to fuel consumption and boost the Philippines’ economic resilience, according to British banking giant HSBC.

Aris Dacanay, economist for ASEAN at HSBC, said OFWs are among the Philippines’ strongest “exports,” providing services and manpower to the rest of the world.

“In return, OFWs earn incomes that are usually better than what they could get back home, and a substantial portion of these incomes is remitted to their households to cover their daily expenses,” he said.

Dacanay said OFW remittances remain a pillar of Philippine economic growth.

“This cycle has strengthened the country’s current account, supported the peso, and fueled consumption to the point where consumption became the economy’s pillar for growth,” he said.

According to Dacanay, remittances have represented around 20 percent of the economy’s current account receipts and around nine percent of gross domestic product (GDP) since 2006.

Latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed personal remittances grew by 2.8 percent to $27.24 billion from January to September versus last year’s $23.82 billion.

Of the total, cash remittances coursed through banks rose by 2.8 percent to $24.49 billion from $23.82 billion.

Remittances are the LIFEBLOOD of the consumption-dependent Philippine economy. 

Remittances are considered the lifeblood of the consumption-dependent Philippine economy. Money sent home by overseas Filipinos augment their families’ income here. 

https://www.philstar.com/business/2022/11/15/2223976/remittances-sustain-growth-expats-help-ease-inflations-sting

Now, those are not official government pronouncements but if the rest of the world can see what is so obvious you can bet your bottom dollar or peso the Philippine government knows the score. The government is not seeking to retain workers by raising wages and working conditions. They are elated that more OFWs are leaving the country post-pandemic. In fact, they encourage it by partnering with other countries to ship off healthcare workers among others. 

This is not merely a private working relationship between employer and employee. The government is deeply involved in promoting overseas jobs. 

The rest of the RA 8042 is mostly about protecting workers. 

SEC. 4. Deployment of Migrant Workers – The State shall deploy overseas Filipino workers only in countries where the rights of Filipino migrant workers are protected.

SEC. 5. TERMINATION ORBANONDEPLOYMENT – Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4 hereof, the government, in pursuit of the national interest or when public welfare so requires, may, at any time, terminate or impose a ban on the deployment of migrant workers.

SEC. 23. ROLE OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. – The following government agencies shall perform the following to promote the welfare and protect the rights of migrant workers and, as far as applicable, all overseas Filipinos:

(a) Department of Foreign Affairs. – The Department, through its home office or foreign posts, shall take priority action its home office or foreign posts, shall take priority action or make representation with the foreign authority concerned to protect the rights of migrant workers and other overseas Filipinos and extend immediate assistance including the repatriation of distressed or beleaguered migrant workers and other overseas Filipinos;

That whole section is outrageous. Filipinos are regularly deployed to countries where they are raped and murdered by their employees. This happens with alarming frequency in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Employment bans on those countries should be permanent but they never are. It is only when a particular case is amplified and causes outrage that the DFA does anything and only for a month or two when the commotion dies down. If they really cared about protecting migrant workers no Filipino would be allowed into countries where they are routinely killed. 

This final section contradicts Section 2 Paragraph c which says "the State does not promote overseas employment as a means to...achieve national development."

SEC. 31. INCENTIVES TO PROFESSIONALS AND OTHER HIGHLY-SKILLED FILIPINOS ABROAD. – Pursuant to the objective of encouraging professionals and other highly-skilled Filipinos abroad especially in the field of science and technology to participate in, and contribute to national development, the government shall provide proper and adequate incentives and programs so as to secure their services in priority development areas of the public and private sectors.

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1995/06/07/republic-act-no-8042-2/

This section says that the government does encourage highly-skilled OFWs to "contribute to national development" by providing them with proper incentives to "secure their services!" That means the government is encouraging workers to go abroad, hone their skills, and return to the Philippines to participate in national development!

I mentioned that people not born in the Philippines but born to Philippine citizens have Philippine citizenship by right of blood. That is VERY important. This is where the real soft power of the Philippines could come into play. Here is a recent example. 

https://usa.inquirer.net/144013/3-fil-am-legal-luminaries-named-superior-court-judges-in-southern-california

California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced the appointment of 16 Superior Court judges, including three Filipino Americans in Southern California.

Appointed as Superior Court judges in Los Angeles County were Cristina Legaspi, a principal deputy county counsel for the Office of the Los Angeles County Counsel, and Lowrie Mendoza, assistant head deputy district attorney at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Bryan Clavecilla, a commissioner at the Orange County Superior Court, was named Superior Court judge in the County.

Mendoza has been assistant head deputy district attorney at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office since 2023 and has served in several roles there since 2005.

She was a law clerk at the Law Offices of Enrico Mendoza from 2004 to 2005 and at Yuhl, Rhames, Yuhl & Atkinson in 2003.

Mendoza earned a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School Los Angeles. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Terry A. Green.

Legaspi has served as senior deputy county counsel in the Los Angeles County Counsel’s Office since 1999 and an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California, Gould School of Law since 2022.

She was an associate at Weissman and Associates from 1998 to 1999 and at Ivie, McNeil and Wyatt in 1998.

Legaspi earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of West Los Angeles School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Monica Bachner.

Clavecilla has served as a commissioner at the Orange County Superior Court and a senior deputy district attorney and assistant head of court at the Orange County District Attorney’s Office Central Justice Center.

Clavecilla earned a Juris Doctor degree from Chapman Law School. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Linda Marks.

Legaspi, Mendoza and Clavecilla have been active as leaders in the Fil-Am community.

Legaspi has served on the Board of Directors of the Philippine American Bar Association (PABA) and the UCLA Pilipino Pipeline Project.

Mendoza is PABA Foundation  director and Clavecilla is a PABA lifetime member.

Founded more than 40 years ago, PABA is the largest local association of Filipino American lawyers in the United States.

Late last year, Gov. Newsom also appointed accomplished Fil-Am lawyer Christine Gonong as a judge in the LA County Superior Court.

As children of Filipino immigrants these people are all Philippine citizens. This is how Philippine soft power is really working through OFWs. They migrate for economic reasons, raise children who are born citizens of the host country and yet retain their Filipino identity and citizenship, and work their way into the higher echelons of power in a foreign land. 

And the Philippine government wants it this way. Rather than build up the Philippines as an industrial and technological powerhouse with livable wages and safe working conditions the fat cats in charge would rather plunder the national coffers, drive away the best and brightest so they can send back dollars and euros to prop up the economy, and let the masses eat cake pretending they are so happy and resilient. But the DFA did not need to tell us this is what they are doing. It is rather obvious to anyone who cares to look. 

Insurgency: U.S. Deploys Counter-Terrorism Operators

The AFP claim the perpetrators of the December, 2023 MSU bombing have been killed in a firefight. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1217761

The Philippine Army (PA) reported Saturday the death of nine members of the Dawlah Islamiya (DI) terrorist group after a series of encounters in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur in the past two days.

In a statement, PA spokesperson Lt. Col. Louie Dema-ala said the nine belonged to the group involved in the Mindanao State University - Marawi bombing on Dec. 3, 2023. Four were killed during the explosion at the gymnasium while a Catholic Mass was ongoing.

"The Army troops were able to neutralize nine local terrorist members and recovered eight high-powered firearms,” Dema-ala said.

The clashes between the heavily armed DI terrorists and troops from the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion took place in Barangay Taporug on Thursday and Friday, triggered by internal security operations.

Four soldiers were hurt in the encounters and were transported to the Amai Pakpak Medical Center, also in Marawi.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the four soldiers who sustained injuries during the said operation," Dema-ala said.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. lauded the Army troops for their successful operation, citing their “precision and unwavering dedication” that delivered justice for MSU victims, including the more than 50 who were wounded.

"This operation sets a clear precedent: The AFP will not tolerate those who endanger the lives and well-being of our people. The remaining few will face our full force and unshakeable resolve in bringing every single responsible individual to account," Brawner said in a statement.

He also called on those considering violence to rethink their choices as AFP remains an "indomitable force" in ensuring the safety of Filipinos.

It is not clear what exactly makes this particular operation precedent setting as the AFP has been going after terrorists for the past 50 years. The AFP says they are on heightened alert in case the Muslims launch a retaliatory attack. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/28/troops-on-heightened-alert-vs-retaliatory-attack-by-islamist-militants

Government forces in Mindanao were alerted by the military leadership for possible retaliatory attack by Dawlah Islamiyah (DI) - Maute Group (MG) following the death of nine alleged Islamist militants during a series of counter-terrorism operations in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur last week.

Maj. Gen. Gabriel Viray III, commander of the Philippine Army's 1st Infantry Division (1ID), said troops were directed to be vigilant against potential ambuscades, bombings, and liquidation as the DI-MG is expected to get even with the military unit that killed nine of its fighters, including three who were implicated in a deadly bomb attack at the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City last month.

"As of the moment, they [DI-MG] are in disarray and on the run. But we cannot discount the possibility of retaliatory attacks against our troops through liquidation and other terror actions. But as to  bombings, it is very remote as of the moment," Viray said on Sunday, Jan. 28.

"We already alerted our troops plus pursuit operations are on going. We're currently on a heightened alert," he added.

Viray said security in Piagapo, Marawi City, and other nearby areas was tightened while the troops are tracking the escaped militants.

"It's just part of SOP [standard operating procedure]. It's better to be careful, right?" he noted.

Viray said the DI-MG under Mas'od's command has around 20 more remaining members, including two to four fighters who may have been involved in the MSU bomb attack

With these men on the loose and the AFP tightening security is it any wonder that Canada has issued a travel warning for Mindanao to its citizens? Needless to say the AFP is not happy about this warning. 

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/10th-id-bashes-canadian-govt-for-travel-advisory-vs-mindanao

THE 10th Infantry "Agila" Division (10ID) of the Philippine Army (PA) slammed the Canadian government for their surprise travel advisory against all parts of Mindanao, which affects their area of responsibility.

Expressing his sentiments, 10th ID spokesperson Major Mark Anthony Tito clarified that the four regions governed by their military agency are peaceful, which means there is the absence of threats from terrorism and violent forces contrary to what was announced by the Canadian embassy on their travel advisory dated January 10, 2024.

The division has operational responsibility in 12 provinces, seven cities, and 72 municipalities of the Davao Region, parts of Sarangani and South Cotabato, Second District of Cotabato and Columbio, Sultan Kudarat, Trento, Agusan del Sur, and Linging, Surigao del Sur.

"We do not know what is the basis behind that travel advisory. They do not know what is happening on the ground. We in the army, we can assure that the whole region is peaceful. It  doesn't jive or that is not what is happening in our area of ​​responsibility,"  the official said during the Davao Region’s 2023 Socioeconomic Performance and 2024 Development Council press conference on Tuesday morning, January 30.

Tito cited the situation of the whole Davao Region during 2023 and that according to him, no threats and major violence were recorded in the timeline.

"Just imagine, for the whole 2023, we do not have recorded any incidents in terms of terrorism and insurgency" he added.

The 10th ID is claims that the warning is based on wrong information because "the whole region is peaceful." That may be the case for the Davao Region but it is not only that region which is included in the warning. 

Based on the travel advisory, the Canadian embassy warned its citizens to avoid visiting Mindanao provinces following the ongoing presence of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, high rates of violence, and encounters between the rebel forces and government security authorities.

In the advisory, Canada cited Northern Mindanao particularly in Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao Del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental as places to possibly avoid any travel.

In Soccsksargen, citizens are told to exercise high caution in Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat.

On the other hand, it also advised its citizens to avoid non-essential travels in Eastern Mindanao especially in Caraga and Davao Region except for Davao City.

However, despite the exclusion of Davao City, Tito emphasized that the area will still experience the impact of the advisory as it is a part of the Davao Region.

If Mindanao is so peaceful and this warning does not reflect the situation on the ground then why is the AFP being reinforced by American counter-terrorism operators? 

https://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2024/01/us-deploys-counter-terrorism-operators.html

The Pentagon has deployed U.S. Marines in the southern Philippines to train and assist Filipino soldiers in counter terrorism.

The American soldiers replaced another batch from the Special Operations Task Force 511.2 (SOTF 5112) under the U.S. Joint Special Operations Task Force (JSOTF) based in the Western Mindanao Command here. 

The Western Mindanao Command confirmed the arrival of the U.S. Marines but it did not say how many have arrived. 

Brig. Gen. Aldrin Annani, the Deputy Commander of Western Mindanao Command, lauded the departing U.S. troops led by Maj. Jeffry Schuele and awarded his group the Military Civic Action Medal and plaques for their valuable contributions.

Shuele's group was deployed here in July 15, 2023 and would return to their unit on January 31 after six months tour in southern Philippines.

Schuele expressed his gratitude to his Filipino counterpart for making their six-month mission a success. He also encouraged the Western Mindanao Command to give the same support to the new group of U.S. Marines.

Annani welcomed the new batch of American soldiers who will be part of the SOTF 511.2 in the next six months.

He lauded the SOTF 511.2 for supporting the endeavors of the Western Mindanao Command. 

The actions of the AFP, from battling NPA and Islamists terrorists to employing the assistance of the American military, belies their claims that Mindanao is peaceful. 

The anger from the security sector is that the warning will put a damper on tourism to Mindanao but seeing as that island is only recently being touted as a tourist destination it shouldn't hurt much if at all. Other areas once home to major security threats are also looking to become tourist destinations. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1896096/with-rebels-gone-samar-town-aims-to-develop-tourism-sites

The municipal government of Matuguinao in Samar province is now seeking funding to develop its cold spring and pristine cave as an ecotourism site in a bid to transform the image of the town that used to be a haven of communist rebels into a safe and relaxing place for visitors.

Matuguinao Mayor Aran Boller said he asked P45 million in financial support from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza), an attached agency of the Department of Tourism tasked to construct tourism-related infrastructures.

The amount, he said, would be used to develop the Salpan Cave and cold spring in Barangay Barruz, located about 3 kilometers from the town proper.

“We want to develop the Salpan Cave and cold spring and make it a tourist destination so we can generate income for our municipality and at the same time help provide livelihood for our people,” Boller said.

As part of the development plan, the town mayor said they intended to construct a path bridge, pathway, storage area and grouted riprap leading the cave area; and install solar lights and other amenities in the area.

“I want Matuguinao to be known, not as a terrorism-infested area, but as a tourist destination,” he said.

In previous years, the town was known to be among the lairs of the New People’s Army (NPA), with all of its 20 barangays under the influence and control of the rebels.

At present, all villages are free from the influence of the NPA, although four villages are under monitoring due to attempts of the rebels to regain control over these areas, the mayor said.

“Now, I am happy that our people have realized the evils of the NPA and are very cooperative with the local government,” Boller said.

The town is "free from the influence of the NPA" but four barangays "are under monitoring due to attempts of the rebels to regain control over these areas." That means the NPA is not totally gone from this town. 

Elsewhere in Samar it appears criminal groups are receiving support from the NPA.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/895975/3-cops-killed-4-hurt-in-samar-clash-with-armed-men/story/

Three policemen were killed in Sta. Margarita, Samar, on Tuesday morning when the serving of arrest warrants led to an encounter with armed men.

According to the police, members of the Samar Provincial Mobile Force and Regional Mobile Force went to Barangay Mahayag to serve arrest warrants to members of Ampoan Criminal Gang.

Aside from the three fatalities, four policemen were also wounded in the encounter. 

In a press briefing on Wednesday, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo identified the subjects of the arrest warrants as Jojo Altarejos, Edito Ampoan, and one  Macurol. The three were able to elude the policemen, she said.

"When your troop [of the police] was there, they were shot," Fajardo said, adding seven suspects were arrested in the operation.

The group, according to the police, is involved in gun-for-hire activities and responsible for the killing of  several barangay officials and businessmen in the area.

"It is not only operating in Santa Margarita, even extending to Calbayog City, Gandara and the whole province of Samar. It is so notorious that a large force came to the area," Fajardo said of the group.

The PNP official also said the group may be receiving support from New People's Army (NPA) rebels.

Fajardo said hot pursuit operations are ongoing against the members of the group, who are believed to be hiding in adjacent villages.

"Possibly they have escaped from the area, so we are now checking the nearby barangays and establishing checkpoints and border control," she said.

Fajardo said policemen are receiving help from the military in pursuing the suspects. She said they are also verifying reports that some of the suspects were wounded in the gun battle.

Despite the violence, Fajardo said the regional police director did not recommend raising the alert level in the area.

There is an armed criminal group operating in the whole province of Samar which is possibly receiving support from the NPA. They likely escape from the area and yet the regional police director does "not recommend raising the alert level in the area."

How is that keeping people safe? It will only serve to keep them complacent. But there is the tourism money to think of!