THE STORY BEHIND THE VIRAL KID CRYING FOR OFW FATHER

Dili ko." (I don't like.)

Five-year-old Vaniah Ayn Perdido was in tears as she tried to stop her father, Joe Mar David Perdido, from returning to the Maldives where he works as an assistant restaurant manager for a resort.

The emotional parting of Ayn and her father was captured on camera by her grandmother. The video was later posted by her mother, Icar Yves, on Facebook.

The video shows Ayn passionately crying and hugging her father at the Davao International Airport. "Dili man ko love nimo daddy," she tells her dad in Bisaya. (You don't love me, daddy.)

The post touched the hearts of netizens, especially overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and quickly went viral – getting 240,000 shares and 7.5 million views in just 2 days.

Ayn's story

For the first few years of her life, Ayn was cared for by her grandparents in Dangcagan, Bukidnon, along with her little brother, David.

Her parents were both OFWs who first met in the United Arab Emirates and eventually moved to the Maldives where they worked at the same resort.

Back then, Ayn and David could only be with their parents for 30 days a year.

According to their mom, Icar, she and her husband each had 30 days of leave annually, which they would divide into two trips.

It was easier at first because the 2 children were still too young to understand their situation, but as they grew older, Icar said Ayn would cry every time they had to return to the Maldives.

In one instance, Ayn was so upset that she ignored her parents' long-distance calls for a week.

Seeing her daughter incredibly sad was what pushed Icar to leave her high-paying job abroad and return to the Philippines this year.

Her husband, Joe Mar, remains in the Maldives.

– Rappler.com

DUTERTE'S HEALTH

President Rodrigo Duterte is in good and well health condition.

It was emphasized by Atty. Salvador Panelo, Chief Legal Counsel of the President, amid in the doubt about the real state of health of the President.

Panelo said that the President just often feel acid reflux and nothing else.

DISAGREEMENT of the CABINET MEMBERS DENIED BY MALACAÑANG

Atty. Salvador Panelo, Chief Legal Counsel of President Rodrigo Duterte denied that there is disagreement within the cabinet.

According to Panelo, statements of former President Fidel V. Ramos are unfounded, but despite this they still respect his comments.

The former President said earlier that the cabinet members are helpless to unite and work together.

VETERAN ACTRESS LOLITA RODRIGUEZ PASSED AWAY

Veteran actress Lolita Rodriguez passed away at age 81.

Lolita died in Hemet, America on tuesday due to a heart attack.

Lolita was among the artists who rose to fame in Sampaguita Pictures Decade 50.

Among those films were the Fil-Am actress starred were Jack and Jill(1955) with Dolpy and Rogelio dela Rosa, Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang(1974) directed by Lino Brocha and Ina Ka Ng Anak Mo(1986) with Nora Aunor were she won the Gawad Urian Best Actress Award.

DE LIMA REACT TO 'KILL LIST' OF PDU30

De Lima reacted and criticized President Duterte on his statement that he will include the human rights advocates in his 'kill list' incase the drug problem in the country get worsen.

According to De Lima, the former Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), the statement should not be considered as a joke rather it should be taken seriously because it is a threat from the President of the country.

De Lima stressed out that we should not allow the president to threaten to kill the human rights advocates and saving himself to disconnect the Philippines from Criminal International Court or ICC.

Finally, De Lima stood for ending the impunity of speech as well as the work of the president and this can only be done by pushing what is right for the country.

BRANDON VERA DETERMINED NOT TO LOSE IN PH

There’s no way Brandon Vera is letting his Japanese foe Hideki Sekine take the title away from him in front of his hometown crowd.

“Bahay ko ito. Matatalo ka ba sa bahay mo? Hindi pwede. Mamamatay muna ako bago ako matalo (It’s my house. Will you lose in your house? That can’t be. I’ll die first before I lose.),” he said on Tuesday.

“There’s no way. I can’t let anybody beat me here in the Philippines,” he said.

Vera is set to defend his ONE Heavyweight Championship on Friday as headlines the stacked card at ONE Championship: Age of Domination at Mall of Asia Arena.

Returning to the site where he won the title last year, Vera shared that he’s more motivated than ever to showcase that Filipinos are truly on the rise when it comes to the sport of mixed martial arts.

“It’s an honor (to headline the card because) everybody’s becoming so well-rounded and so good. Everybody’s starting to step up their cardio, they’re pulling instructors from around the world to get better at takedowns, on the ground and on standup. It’s an honor to be fighting and headlining a show here in the Philippines again, especially with all the talent that we have,” he said.

The 39-year-old Vera also shared that he’s on the best shape he’s ever been, something which surprised even his trainers back in the United States after working out solo here in the country.

“I went back to San Diego to be with my training partners to find out if I’m really in shape. All of my coaches and my training partners there were surprised and told me that I’m in better shape now than I’ve ever been and they don’t understand why since I was only halfway through camp. I was so nervous because I did everything I could, I put in 150-percent effort because I didn’t know if what I’m doing is right. But when they told me that I’m doing good, I just kept it going,” he said.

Vera, though, isn’t discounting the abilities of the undefeated Sekine, who has yet to drop a fight in his seven bouts.

“He’s a tough guy. He’s been undefeated for seven years in jiu-jitsu and he’s been undefeated in his MMA career. I’m expecting a hard fight, I’m expecting shots to be traded, but I’m expecting him to slip and get caught. I’m expecting him to push the pace and try to take me down, and I don’t expect him to be successful at the end of the night,” he said.

Clutching the belt tightly, Vera ended: “In my mind, I know I will take this (belt) home. This is for the Philippines. This is mine.”

-inquirer.net

PHILIPPINES RANKS 101st in HUMAN FREEDOM INDEX THIS YEAR 2016

The Philippines ranked 101st out of 159 countries in the Human Freedom Index by Canada’s Fraser Institute and a network of international public policy think-tanks.

The Human Freedom Index (HFI) is the most comprehensive freedom index so far created for a globally meaningful set of countries.

It measures 76 indicators of personal, civil, and economic freedom of 159 countries.

Hong Kong topped the list, garnering a Human Freedom Index score of 9.06.

"While the freedom index doesn't measure democracy, democracy remains the best safeguard of personal freedoms, so if China encroaches on its one-country, two-system relationship with Hong Kong, we can expect Hong Kong's ranking to drop," said Fred McMahon, project editor as well as Fraser Institute Resident Fellow and holder of the Dr. Michael A. Walker Research Chair in Economic Freedom.

Completing the top 10 freest jurisdictions are:

2. Switzerland

3. New Zealand

4. Ireland

5. Denmark

6. Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom (tied)

9. Finland

10. The Netherlands

The Philippines ranked 101st, getting a Human Freedom Index score of 6.53. It is tied with Honduras.

Other notable countries include Germany (13), the U.S. (23), France (31), Japan (32), Russia (115) and China (141).

Meanwhile, the 10 least-free countries are:

150. Angola

151. Democratic Republic of Congo

152. Algeria

153. Myanmar

154. Venezuela

155. Central African Republic

156. Syria

157. Iran

158. Yemen

159. Libya

The country profile of the Philippines shows it scoring higher in economic freedom (Rank 80, 7.01/10) than personal freedom (Rank 113/159, 6.05/10).

Under the personal freedom component, the Philippines got the following scores:

Rule of Law – 4.05

Security and Safety – 7.06

Movement – 6.67

Religion – 7.5

Association – 6.46

Expression and Information – 7.11

Relationship – 5

Under the economic freedom aspect, the Philippines got the following scores:

Size of government – 8.76

Legal System and Property Rights – 4.83

Sound Money – 6.87

Freedom to Trade Internationally – 7.08

Regulation – 7.5

The think-tank said the Philippines ranked 62 in the Human Freedom Index in 2008, 59 in 2010, 62 in 2011, 81 in 2012, and 101 both in 2013 and 2014.

BARON GEISLER IN TROUBLE AGAIN!

A word war is ongoing on Facebook between filmmaker Arlyn dela Cruz and actor Baron Geisler over who was accountable for an “untoward incident” that happened on the set of the indie film, “Bubog.”

Dela Cruz said that what Geisler did was “unacceptable and cannot be justified by any claim of (an actor) being in character,” but Geisler insisted that everything was just a “misunderstanding.”

The director claimed that she has repeatedly explained to Geisler what he should do and that it was written “clearly” on the script “where (Baron’s) character (was) coming from, and how I wanted it to be tackled.”

Geisler insisted that he has attempted to talk with Dela Cruz three times to tell her what he had planned to do, but the director merely told him to “just do it while filming the scene.”

This was why Geisler just went on and pissed on costar Ping Medina.

“If you had asked me about my plan, this could have been avoided. You are our captain on the set,” Geisler pointed out. “You can check the behind-the-scene (photos and videos) for proof of whether I was disrespectful toward anyone. There is none.”

He then accused Dela Cruz of “trying to pull off a Brillante Mendoza,” whenever she would allegedly instruct her actors to surprise their costars with a slap or two, so she could get a more natural reaction from them. “I was slapped many times, so I thought it was OK to surprise my co-actors,” he explained.

Dela Cruz declared: “Ping Medina does not deserve what you did. No actor deserves that. No person deserves that… Define to me respect after what you did.”

Geisler’s girlfriend, Niña Peña, told the Inquirer that the actor has already sent Medina a sorry note via text, but has not received any reply.

As for his last words for Dela Cruz, Geisler said: “So low of you to discredit my name. You are better than that. Mahal kita.”

Meanwhile, Dela Cruz said she has “killed” Geisler’s character in the film. “The story and script will stand without you,” she added. “You told Ping you are ready to face the consequences of your action. Be ready to face it. Because you cannot get away with everything that you do, all the time.”

Peña, who claimed to have stepped out to buy coffee when the incident happened, said Geisler meant no disrespect. “He thought that everyone would just laugh about it after filming the scene. Baron said he won’t feel offended if it was the other way around, because he is an artist.”

Peña also said she believed that all will be well soon because Geisler and Medina are good friends.

-inquirer.net

HOUSE OF CHAMBER ASSURES DE LIMA TO BE LIABLE IN ANY WAY

House of chamber stands for making senator Leila de Lima liable and guilty for restraining Ronnie Dayan to attend the previous hearing of the Committee on Justice.

House Justice Committee Chairman Reynaldo Umali explained that they must do actions for the sake of the chamber.

Umali insisted that apart from clarifying statement of the Senator, they can still charged her with ethics complaint in the senate, file a criminal case or even disbar her.

DUTERTE ADMINISTRATION WILL REVIVE BOTIKA NG BAYAN

The government will bring back Botika ng Bayan(People's Pharmacy) for poor Filipinos.

Announced by himself Arnel Ignacio, head of Pagcor and Community Relations Service Department after turning over of P5 billion to President Rodrigo Duterte.

Ignacio said that President Duterte wants to give free medicine for the poor and they will only have to show prescription in Botika ng Bayan.

However, according to Ignacio, it is the president's prerogative if he wants to use the P5 billion as fund for other projects such its campaign against illegal drugs.

President Duterte yesterday announced at the inauguration of the new rehabilitation center in Nueva Ecija that he will build rehab center in the Visayas, from funds provided by Pagcor.

ANDRES BONIFACIO y de CASTRO | BONIFACIO DAY 2016

Today is Bonifacio Day, commemorating the 152nd anniversary of the birth of Filipino nationalist and revolutionary leader Andres Bonifacio y de Castro in Tondo, Manila on Nov. 30, 1863.

Andres Bonifacio is often referred to as “the Father of the Philippine Revolution and Filipino Nation” for founding and leading the Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (more popularly called Katipunan) that fought for independence from Spanish colonial rule in the 1890s. Although Bonifacio has not been officially elevated to the level of national hero as the martyred Dr. José P. Rizal is, he is virtually a “de facto national hero of the Philippines” as he is also considered by some historians as really the first President of the Philippines by the first claim in Philippine history of an independent Filipino government through the revolutionary government he had established.

So Andres Bonifacio is not a national hero, as he is not listed in the House of Congress archives as having been selected and proclaimed expressly as such like José Rizal -- but Bonifacio’s birthday is a national public holiday to be celebrated every year “on 30 November, or the Monday nearest this day to create a long weekend,” as the official declaration of Congress goes. Then why would the birthday of Andres Bonifacio be the national holiday -- why not his day of death, as Rizal’s Day death anniversary is commemorated as a national public holiday every year on Dec. 30 exactly? This is because Bonifacio was killed by his fellow countrymen, and not executed by the foreign colonizers, nor killed in open battle for independence, many historians say.

Shame and scandal. As if somehow to efface the collective guilt that Filipinos killed Bonifacio, there is a special day for the nation to celebrate his birthday in perpetuity, whilst cowardly avoiding shameful remembrance of his death by the blind jealousy of his compatriots.

Bonifacio was killed by treacherous rival factions in a power-grab, some historians now bravely assert, as they correct and expand the terse history textbooks of at least the four immediately succeeding decades after the true release from American control after the Liberation from World War II in 1945.

The upfront-ness with history might have come earlier had the country not been in the clutches of a 14-year martial law where history books were believed expunged of some details perhaps deemed unnecessary and even disadvantageous as these might have been thought of by the dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos to be incendiary. Notice that only after the February 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution that iconoclastic details in history were released to all more freely.

Historian Renato Constantino (The Philippines: A Past Revisited, 1975) relates that the Katipunan leaders met in Tejeros, Cavite on March 22, 1897 on the pretense of settling the Magdalo and Magdiwang factions’ rivalries, but really to settle the more divisive issue of leadership of the Katipunan -- was the Manila-based Andres Bonifacio to remain Supremo, or was it time for the Cavite strongman Emilio F. Aguinaldo to take the reins from Bonifacio? Bonifacio was with and for the Magdiwang, which was headed by his brother-in-law, but Aguinaldo had the advantage of regional loyalty of both Magdalo and Magdiwang, which were both based in Cavite, Aguinaldo’s stronghold since he was from there.

Leon Ma. Guerrero (The Philippine Revolution, 1969) cites that Apolinario Mabini, legal and political adviser to Aguinaldo, revealed that at this point the Magdalo leaders “already paid little heed to his (Bonifacio’s) authority and orders.”

Bonifacio was accused of being dictatorial and monarchical (Álvarez, Santiago, The Katipunan and the Revolution: Memoirs of a General, 1992) and the splintered group at that meeting challenged an election. Although he presided over the elections (Constantino, 1975), Bonifacio was painfully shamed: he decidedly lost leadership -- the presidency of the revolutionary government that will replace the Katipunan was clearly given to Aguinaldo. Bonifacio was not even automatically elected vice-president though he had the second-largest votes next to Aguinaldo. He was given consuelo de bobo (appeasement) by being appointed as Director of the Interior but even this was withdrawn when someone said the position called for a lawyer, and Bonifacio was just a high school drop-out (Agoncillo, Teodoro, History of the Filipino People, 1990, 1960).

Historians Álvarez and Guerrero both relate protests against the fraud and cheating at the elections that Bonifacio was waylaid into participating. Gregoria de Jesús, Bonifacio’s wife, and her nephew Santiago Álvarez both alleged “that many ballots were already filled out before being distributed,” and Gregorio Masangkay, Bonifacio’s trusted ally, claimed that more ballots were prepared than voters present. Bonifacio was warned about rigged ballots before the canvass, but Bonifacio did not heed the warning, and only got very angry after his unexpected total loss of face and position.

But Bonifacio would not go away quietly.

He tried to consolidate his remaining people and form his own structure to proceed with his own plans for the revolution. Guerrero writes that Bonifacio cried treason against Aguinaldo for seeming to compromise with the Spaniards and historian Adrian Cristobal (The Tragedy of the Revolution, 2005, 1997) relates that Bonifacio was accused of stealing Katipunan funds; that his sister was the mistress of a priest and worst of all, that he was paid by the friars to bait the people to unrest and protest to bring matters to a head.

Based on an account of historian Ambeth Ocampo, the Aguinaldo group tasked to arrest him as persona non grata, paid him a friendly visit, then turned around and shot him, wounding him and his brother Procopio, and killing his other brother Ciriaco.

A half-dead Bonifacio was brought to trial in Naic, Aguinaldo’s bailiwick, where the jury was composed entirely of Aguinaldo’s men, as was the defense lawyer who entered a plea of guilty purportedly to try to mitigate the judgment, and the state witness who was made to disappear after testimony before Bonifacio could confront him.

Historians Agoncillo and Constantino, among other historians and watchers of history know as fact that there was a trial of Andres Bonifacio and his brother Procopio by the Aguinaldo camp, and that the Bonifacio brothers were found guilty and executed on May 10, 1897 in Maragondon, Cavite. Details of the power-grab in the allegedly rigged election, the frame-up and the hasty kangaroo trial that meted out the pre-decided death by execution -- these vary in historical fact and anecdotal history recently roused by fictionalized biopics that have caught the imagination and support of curious citizens.

The more prominent (and financially successful) movies about Andres Bonifacio and their actors are: Ang Paglilitis kay Andres Bonifacio (2010, Alfred Vargas); Supremo (2012, Alfred Vargas); El Presidente (2012, Cesar Montano); and Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo (2014, Robin Padilla). Good to watch these on DVD or YouTube on Bonifacio Day.

- www.bworldonline.com

SUSPECT FOR LEAVING IED NEAR THE U.S. EMBASSY, ARRESTED!

Authorities arrested the suspect who left an improvised explosive device (IED) near the US Embassy in Manila.

Police identified the suspect as Rayson Kilala or Rashid Kilala, 34, a resident of Barangay Bagumbayan, Bulakan, Bulacan.

He was arrested by the operatives of the Manila Police District and Bulacan provincial police at around 9: 30 in Bulakan.

It was on monday, a street sweeper found a bomb placed in a trash can.

Also yesterday PNP released a sketch of the suspect by PNP Chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa.

PRESIDENT DUTERTE's WARNING TO HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST

President Rodrigo Duterte warns his critics particularly human rights activist on the anti-drug campaign of the government.

The President said he will kill them the moment the country's problems on illegal drugs will get worse.

The President made the statement in front of the threats of the human rights advocates at the International Criminal Court or ICC due to the growing cases of extrajudicial killings in the country.

The President reiterated that summary executions of suspected drug users and pushers are not the law enforcement doings instead it is the drug syndicates.

Part of the statement by President Rodrigo Duterte

KERWIN ESPINOSA DENIES RETRACTED STATEMENT AGAINST ESPENIDO

Kerwin Espinosa's camp clarify reports about revoking his statement especially with regarding Albuera Police Head Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido.

According to Atty. Lanie Villarino, his client Kerwin Espinosa did not change anything about the content of his affidavit.

There was never a time that Kerwin involved Espinido on illegal drugs especially in accepting 'payola'.

Yesterday, Atty. Villarino presented the handwritten statement by Kerwin where he stressed that he has no withdrawals statement when he met PNP Chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa.

However, Kerwin stood his statement that Espenido actually called him and introduce Ronnie Dayan reason why he got connected to Senator Leila De Lima.

DIFFERENCE IN TESTIMONY BY KERWIN AND DAYAN, JUST A MINOR THING- DOJ

Small thing or 'minor' only of 'inconsistencies' in the testimonies of Kerwin Espinosa and Ronnie Dayan regarding the illegal drugs trade.

According to Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre, it is seemingly Dayan have not told everything yet because it may put him in danger or it is 'self-incriminatory' to him.

Aguirre clarified that Espinosa and Dayan did not yet formally filed for witness protection program under the Department of Justice.

Chief Justice further pointed out that discordant statements by Dayan and Espinosa will not affect their credibility.

ALARMING HIGH HIV CASES OF YOUNG PINOY, CONCERNS

National Youth Commission (NYC) alarmed and worried about the rising number of young Filipinos who are already positive of human immunodeficiency virus or HIV.

As a result, NYC Chair Aiza Seguerra describe it as an "epidemic" where young filipinos are the top victims.

Based on data gathered by the commission, Seguerra revealed that 62 percent of new HIV cases in the country includes the youth.

According to NYC Commissioner Percival Cendaña, out of 29 HIV victims every day in the country, more than half of them are aged 15 to 24.

RUSSIA WILL BE OPEN FOR FILIPINO WORKERS

Russia will not shut their doors for Filipino workers.

According to Russian Ambassador Igor Khovaev, it is also because of the brewing good relation between the two countries.

Khovaev said that Russia also needs farmers, engineers, nurses and domestic workers.

Khovaev assured, that Filipinos will not experience discrimination from the Russians.

FORMER CIDG POLICE GENERAL DELOS SANTOS IS THE NEW BuCor DIRECTOR

Formally sworn former CIDG Police General Benjamin Delos Santos as the new Director of the Bureau of Corrections.

The oath-taking ceremony was led by Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre.

Delos Santos is a brotherhood of President Duterte and Aguirre in Lex Taliones Fraternitas.

Meanwhile new BuCor Chief sworn that he will do all the legal means for the good of New Bilibid Prison.

PNP ISSUED THE SKETCH OF U.S. EMBASSY PH BOMBING ATTEMPT SUSPECT

PNP released the sketch of the suspect leaving a bomb in the U.S. Embassy in Manila.

Based on computerized facial composite, the male suspect has a height of 5'5 "and 44 to 45 in age. Approximately 60 to 65 kilograms in weight and fair complexion.

Consequently, PNP Chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa appealed to the public to immediately inform the authorities if they recognize such suspect.

MEGA REHAB CENTER IN NUEVA ECIJA, FORMALLY OPENED

Led by President Rodrigo Duterte the inauguration of the formal opening of the mega rehab center in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija.

According to the Department of Health (DoH) Sec. Paulyn vaccinate, the mega rehab has the capacity of up to 10,000 beds that can provide services to our countrymen in need of attention in drug addiction.

He also added that from the drug surrenderees recorded around 780,000 only 1% or 7,800 of them really needs serious attention in rehabilitaion.

The government is still continuing on building more rehab centers nationwide to fill the large number of addicts to be given attention.

DE LIMA ADMITS TELLING HER EX BOYFRIEND/DRIVER/SECURITY RONNIE DAYAN TO HIDE AND NOT TO ATTEND THE PREVIOUS HOUSE INQUIRY

“I stand by my advice. It was an advice and I stand by it,” De Lima told the reporters.

De Lima explained that she didn’t committed obstruction justice when she gave her advice to Dayan, but was actually “obstructing persecution”.

 “Asan ang hustisya sa ginagawa nila sa akin? Why call it obstruction of justice. Mas maganda ang itawag natin diyan obstruction of persecution. I am trying to obstruct the acts of persecution being done to be by this administration,” De Lima said.

The House Justice Panel said that they would summon Sen. De Lima and ask her to explain why she should not be cited for contempt for telling Dayan not to attend the House probe.

But De Lima said that she would not honor any show cause order that the Congress would issue against her. She also called the House Inquiry as a “Kangaroo Court” that only wanted to destroy her image.

"Certainly, I will not face them I will not honor that show cause,” De Lima said.

ETHICS CASE HEARING OF DE LIMA, SET IN Dec. 6

Hearing of the Senate ethics committee for complaints against Sen. Leila de Lima Will begin on December 6, 2016.

Sen. Vicente "Tito" Sotto III told that they will prioritize the complaint of Atty. Renato Abelardo De Jesus.

De Jesus filed yesterday noon the second supplemental complaint against De Lima because of coercion of her former driver/security Ronnie Dayan to attend the House inquiry.

Moreover, it is also possible to file a separate complaint by the House of Representatives against the senator, especially if it does not respond to the show cause order brought by House Majority Leader Rep. Rudy Farinas and the House justice committee chairman Rep. Rey Umali.

HOUSE OF CHAMBER WILL NOT ARREST DE LIMA ANYMORE

Officers of the House and Senate agreed to just follow the process of senate Congress about disciplining their own personnel.

This relates to the issues facing by Sen. Leila de Lima, where she would cite in contempt by some lawmakers for restraint was with Ronnie Dayan to face the justice committee hearing.

Remembered, the lower House issued a show cause order for De Lima signed by Rep. Rey Umali, and gave them 72 hours to explain in the committee.

But if the senator will not still show up in the House, they will lodge an ethics complaint with the lawmakers in the Senate.

Clarified by Sen. Panfilo Lacson that they would not take side with their colleague, but simply want to apply the due process.

Earlier, House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas also said  that they would arrest De Lima.

Congressman made the statement despite some told that the House has no power for it to do so.

But according to Fariñas, although he said that the members of the cabinet of the president can arrest anyone, as long as there is a violation of the rules of the House based on the jurisprudence of the Supreme Court.

Fariñas also said that senators are wrongly thingking that they are higher on their congressmen because Senate and the House of Chamber are co-equal bodies.

It was also emphasized that only the president alone has the privilege of immunity.

US AID FOR ILLEGAL DRUG WAR CAMPAIGN IN THE PHILIPPINES, REMOVED

US removed their assistance funds for illegal drug campaign of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Instead, the US State Department said that they will focus more funding for maritime security and human rights training for national police.

According to State Department spokesman John Kirby, 5 million dollars destined for the Philippine Law Enforcement, 4.5 million dollars they gave for maritime law enforcement especially for the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries as half a million dollars for human rights and internal reform efforts.

Under the Leahy Law of the United States, it prohibits the US to provide assistance funds or equipment to foreign troops that are involved in human rights violations.

Recalled that US criticism of alleged human rights violations in illegal drugs campaign by the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte was the root of constant stretching of the President of America.

KERWIN BACKTRACKS ON POLICE CHIEF

Self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa has backtracked on his accusation linking Albuera municipal police chief Jovie Espenido to the illegal drug trade.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said Espinosa made the retraction during their meeting after the Senate hearing last week.

“He clarified that whenever he would text Espenido, the latter’s reply would always be a Bible verse. Ayaw kumagat sa drug money (he wouldn’t bite),” said Dela Rosa, quoting Espinosa.

“In fairness to him, Kerwin is gradually withdrawing what he said against Espenido. Kerwin said the other night that in reality, Espenido is not corrupt,” he said.

Close Ad X

Espinosa testified about his illegal drug trade before the Senate and tagged Espenido as among policemen who received drug money from him.

Meanwhile, Dela Rosa expressed support for President Duterte’s advice to drug users not to go out of their house or they would be arrested or killed. He added he would prioritize the new drug list to be given to the PNP by the President.

He said the PNP is yet to investigate a former Eastern Visayas police regional director pending resolution of another case on irregular procurement of rubber boats with the Court of Appeals.

14 THINGS THE SENATE MINORITY WANTS TO SEE IN THE 2017 BUDGET

As bicameral hearings on the proposed 2017 national budget are set to start, the Senate minority has laid out suggestions for the next year's budget.

Senate Minority Floor Leader Ralph Recto said they scrutinized the proposed national budget and came up with 14 points they want to push for.

1. Itemization of lump sum funds

According to Recto, large amounts in the budget remains unitemized. He said these one-line item appropriations abound in the budgets of:

• Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
• Department of Agriculture (DA)
• Department of Education (DepEd)
• Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
• Department of Transportation (DOTr)

2. Recommends geo-tagging of projects

3. Penalties for underspending

The minority calls for 'ironclad penalties' against underspending. Recto cited DOTr and DepEd as examples:

• In DOTr, P38 billion worth of rail, air, maritime, and road projects did not materialize
• In DepEd, accumulated backlogs from 2014 to 2016 continue to pile. Money could have been used to create 122,000 classrooms, hire 72,000 teachers, construct 19,000 tech-voc and computer labs, deliver 120 million books, and purchase 20,000 science and math lab equipments.

4. End transfering of expiring allocations

Recto said it is an emerging bad habit among agencies to transfer their expiring allocations to other agencies and report them as 'fund utilization.' He said it is only an accounting trick – not fund utilization nor procurement.

5. Reinstallation of 'rearview mirror' provision

The provision would allow the public to know if projects funded in past appropriations were implemented.

6. An 'employment odometer'

Recto said the minority advocates for the odometer to know how many jobs will be generated with the P3.35-trillion budget.

7. Restore 'Buy Philippine Made' provision

Recto scored the need to restore the provision to add muscle to the domestic manufacturing sector.

8. Increase budget on the P13 meals for malnourished kids to P25

According to Recto, the nutritional value of the P13-value meals served to malnourished children is questionable. He said increasing it to P25 will cost the government P2.5 billion more. This figure is incomparable to the P328 billion annual loses caused by childhood malnutrition, he said.

9. P1.6-B increase in the Rural Health Practice Program of DOH

This should end what he called 'en-DOH' (end of contract in the Department of Health) of 6,000 nurses deployed in rural areas.

10. P3-B increase in DOH's drugs and medicines procurement budget

11. Additional incentives for centenarians

12. Use unutilized DepEd funds to increase the P1,500 chalk allowance of teachers

13. Use P5 billion in the Unprogrammed Fund for police equipment

14. Cut non-essential government expenses by 10%

The minority calls for lowered overhead expenses so that funds be used instead for social services. Recto also said the government's proposed P17.7 billion travelling expenses should also be trimmed down. 

SPREAD OF DANGEROUS FIRECRACKER DUE TO BAN, WARNED

Possibility of spreading of unsafe fireworks and pyrotechnics this holiday season warned by a concern group.

Associated Labor Union or ALU made a statement in the middle of the impending closement of firecracker manufacturing firms in Bulacan.

ALU spokesman Alan Tanjusay, the imminent ban on fireworks or firecrackers ban may result in acute smuggling of imported firecrackers and unsafe.

Consequently, Tanjusay emphasized that instead of closing the factories of fireworks will better improve or develop just such industries.

DUTERTE ADMIN MAY SPEND UP TO P9T for INFRASTRACTURES

Administration of President Rodrigo Duterte may spend up to 9 trillion php over the next six years just for infrastructure.

Said by Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno after the approval of the proposed 3.35 trillion pesos budget for 2017 in the Senate.

According to Pascual, the target is also to carry out 24 hours for infra construction projects for Manila, Cebu and Davao, to create more jobs.

SHOW CAUSE ORDER VS DE LIMA DELIVERED IN SENATE

Delivered to the House by Senate Majority Floor Leader Rodolfo Fariñas and House Ethics Committee Chair Reynaldo Umali's show cause order for Senator Leila de Lima.

Show cause order was brought by the Fariñas and Umali during the bicameral conference committee meeting of the proposed 2017 national budget.

The show cause order was delivered through Senator Koko Pimentel.

According to Umali, the Chamber is open with their three options which includes cited for contempt De Lima, filing charges and disbar in Santiago.

9 WOUNDED IN ROADSIDE BOMBING IN Marawi

     9 people wounded, including seven members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) and two military escorts in roadside bombing occurred in Sitio Matalupay, Marawi City in Lanao del Sur.

This is confirmed by AFP and Lt. Col. Michael Aquino, spokesman of the PSG.

According to Aquino, a roadside improvised explosive device or IED exploded at around 10:45 am earlier that the convoy burst PSG would advance party of President Rodrigo Duterte for the scheduled visit to the area tomorrow.

Still getting information on the incident.

So far has not been given the names of the injured were critical one.

SECURITY IN US EMBASSY, TIGHTEN

   Security around the US Embassy has been tightened after discovery of an improvised explosive device (IED) near the compound on Roxas Boulevard in Manila. More police patrols notice around the US Embassy especially last night. Also on standby is a mobile police unit just a few meters away from the US Embassy.

Suspect

    Meanwhile, suspects who planted the IED near the embassy yesterday are possibly still in Manila, according to National Capital Region Police Office (PNP) Director Chief Supt. Oscar Albayalde  on their amid an ongoing pursuit.

    ISAFP and other law enforcement agencies are also in their operation to find the suspects.

    He said they also demanded the footage from CCTV cameras installed in the US Embassy and near establishments.

   Albayalde is now holding the witness who can picture out the suspect planted the IED and said they will be releasing the composite sketch of it in the next few days.