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DoJ chief pushes joint inquiry on boat sinking

By Vann Marlo M. Villegas, Reporter

JUSTICE Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said he suggested a joint inquiry with China be conducted to probe the June 9 collision between a Chinese vessel and a Filipino fishing boat off Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea.

Mr. Guevarra said he suggested the joint inquiry during the Cabinet cluster meeting so the findings for the incident would be “mutually acceptable.”

“That’s my proposal so that’s something for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to bring up to the attention of the Chinese side if they would prefer to have, to conduct a joint inquiry with the Philippine side,” he told reporters.

“I would prefer that para isahan na lang kasi baka mamaya iba ‘yung finding nila, iba ‘yung findings ng side natin, ‘di magulo pa. So why don’t they just conduct it jointly,” he said.

(I would prefer that so there will only be one inquiry because maybe their findings would be different from our findings, there could be confusion).

“(I)’m hoping that this could be done jointly with the Chinese side para (so) whatever facts may be established will be mutually acceptable,” Mr. Guevarra said.

If there would be disagreement in the factual findings, the secretary said a “neutral third party” may be considered. A Chinese vessel allegedly rammed the Filipino boat F/B Gem-Vir 1 off Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea on June 9 and abandoned the 22 Filipino crew members after the boat sank. The Filipino fishermen said they were rescued by a Vietnamese fishing vessel.

Mr. Guevarra also said that “we cannot insist” if China does not agree with the joint inquiry, and the country will conduct its own probe.

He added that the DFA should be the one to communicate with China. “I’m not sure if they have done so at this time.”

President Rodrigo R. Duterte also described the collision and sinking of the Filipino boat as a “little maritime incident.”

Jonel Insigne, the captain of F/B Gem-Vir 1, said in media interviews last week that the ramming of their boat by the Chinese vessel was “intentional.”

But Mr. Insigne calibrated his remarks on Wednesday in the presence of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol, who said the fishermen are now “uncertain” if the Chinese vessel intentionally rammed their boat.

Mr. Piñol went to Mindoro on Wednesday to meet the 22 fishermen and said 11 fiber-glass fishing boats and a P25,000 loan each will be provided to the crew members.

The Philippine Coast Guard is conducting its investigation on the incident.

Embassy in Libya to repatriate more OFWs

OFW

By Charmaine A. Tadalan, Reporter

THE PHILIPPINE Embassy in Libya will send home another batch of Filipino migrants affected by the fighting in Tripoli, bringing the total repatriated overseas to 84.

The Embassy reported 11 Filipinos have sought its repatriation offer, with the help of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE).

“The Philippine Embassy in Libya (is) getting ready to repatriate another 11 Filipinos who requested the assistance of DFA and DoLE in leaving Tripoli,” recently appointed Ambassador Elmer G. Cato said in a social media post, Wednesday evening.

“The latest batch will bring to 84 the total number of kababayan repatriated from Libya since crisis began in April.”

The Embassy, for its part, appealed anew to Filipinos in Tripoli and those living within its 100-kilometer radius as well as their families in the Philippines to avail themselves of the Embassy’s repatriation assistance.

Filipino migrants had also been reminded to move to safer locations or seek refuge in the Embassy.

“The members of the Filipino Community in Tripoli are advised to stay vigilant and to take the necessary precautions in view of the reported intense artillery and heavy weapons exchanges and air-strikes in the outskirts of the capital,” Mr. Cato said in a separate post.

According to the Embassy, there are more than 1,000 Filipinos affected by the conflict, due to attempts to retake the capital from the United Nations-recognized government.

Mr. Cato had earlier said that some Filipinos have chosen to stay in Tripoli despite the clashes, instead of relying on the livelihood assistance the government is expected to provide upon repatriation.

“We will not be able to convince them to go home unless we offer them more than just a one-way ticket, P10,000 and promises of jobs, livelihood and other assistance. We did that in 2011 and 2014. Many believed us then and went home. But the promised jobs weren’t there,” Mr. Cato said in a June 9 post.

CoA flags DoJ’s travel bills

By Vince Angelo C. Ferreras, Reporter

THE Commission on Audit (CoA) said the Department of Justice (DoJ) claimed a “huge amount of traveling expenses” abroad in 2018 amounting to P7.8 million.

According to its annual audit, P5.5 million was spent on travels by the same people in 23 meetings and forums abroad.

“There were 23 types of meetings/fora/dialogues wherein two to five participants were sent by DoJ to attend, resulting in huge amounts of traveling expenses being spent by DoJ totaling P5,550,149.44. We also noted that, majority of those who were sent to attend such events were the same officials/personnel of DoJ,” reported CoA.

Further, state auditors noted that the disbursement vouchers and liquidation reports of the said foreign travels amounting to P771,643.30 “were not supported with complete documentation.”

“On the other hand, review of disbursement vouchers and liquidation reports pertaining to various travels during the year were not supported with complete documentation totaling P771,643.30, contrary to CoA Circular No. 2012-001 dated June 14, 2012, the prescribed rules/guidelines listing all documentary requirements for common government transactions,” said CoA.

Moreover, CoA also said the DoJ purchased airline tickets worth P1 million from travel agencies instead of complying with the Government Fares Agreement (GFA).

“There was no showing that the Department entered into a MoA with PS-DBM Government Fares Agreement (GFA) since they have used the services of a travel agency in the procurement of airline tickets totaling…P1,060,467.67,” said state auditors.

With these findings, COA recommended that DoJ submit the necessary requirements in compliance with CoA Circular No. 2012-001 dated June 14, 2012.

Sought for comment, DoJ Secretary Mernardo I. Guevarra said in a text message: “I will make sure that the DoJ will comply with the CoA recommendations and take appropriate corrective actions.”

Duterte approves reduced performance-based incentives for GOCC execs

By Arjay L. Balinbin, Reporter

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has moved to reduce the performance-based incentives (PBI) of appointive directors of Government Owned or Controlled Corporations (GOCCs).

In a statement on Thursday, the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) said the Office of the President has “approved” the revised Interim Performance-Based Incentive (PBI) System for the Appointive Directors of GOCCs.

The new incentive system, according to the agency, decreases the maximum PBI amount that GOCCs can receive by 67%.

“For the largest GOCCs (Class A), the maximum PBI has been reduced to P512,000 from the previous maximum amount of P1,536,000. On the other hand, the maximum PBI for the smallest GOCCs (Class E) is now P64,000, compared to the previous P192,000,” the GCG said.

The agency noted that the grant of the incentive was previously suspended following Mr. Duterte’s directive to “study and control the allowances of GOCCs and other government entities for transparent and corrupt-free governance.”

With the new system, an appointive director will receive PBI only if the GOCC has “achieved a weighted-average of at least 90% in its Performance Scorecard for the applicable year” and “complied with the various good governance conditions set by the Inter-Agency Task Force and the GCG.”

Also, the appointive director must have “attended at least 90% of all duly called for Board and Committee meetings, rendered at least three months of aggregate service as an appointive director in any GOCC for the applicable calendar year, submitted all the requirements for Director Performance Review, and not been found guilty of any administrative and/or criminal cases related to his/her work.”

The GCG said funding for the PBI will be “charged to the respective corporate funds of GOCCs, subject to the approval of their respective Governing Boards per applicable laws, rules, and regulations.”

Nationwide round-up

Duterte promotes more Army generals

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Wednesday said he has promoted more army generals. In his speech during his visit to an infantry division of the Philippine Army in Samar on Wednesday night, Mr. Duterte said: “Marami akong pinirmahan…‘yong promotion. Pinirmahan ko na lahat. Maraming na-promote na sa inyo (I signed a lot of [documents]. Your promotion. I signed all. Many of you are promoted).” He added, “Next week lalabas na ‘yung sa mga generals ninyo, ‘yung mga major, mga lieutenant general. So congratulations sa na-promote (Next week, you will know your new generals: the major [generals], the lieutenant generals. Congratulations to all who are promoted).” The President also asked Senator-elect Christopher Lawrence T. Go, who was present at the event, to thank the soldiers who supported him in the 2019 midterm elections. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Appeal to legislators: Stop revival of death penalty


THE CATHOLIC Bishops Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care (CBCP-ECPPC) on Thursday appealed to incoming legislators to stop the reimposition of the death penalty. “The CBCP-ECPPC stands with His Holiness Pope Francis in calling for the abolition of capital punishment worldwide. We believe that such a stand is a defense of the dignity of human life,” the CBCP said in a statement, issued during the 13th anniversary of the signing of the law abolishing the death penalty. The Coalition Against Death Penalty and Restorative Justice Advocates also voiced its opposition to the revival of capital punishment in the 18th Congress. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

China proposes joint probe with PHL on boat sinking

By Arjay L. Balinbin, Reporter

THE Chinese government on Thursday proposed a joint inquiry into the June 9 Recto Bank incident.

Malacañang has said that it is open to this “possibility.”

Responding to a question on the incident in a press conference in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang said: “To find a proper solution, we suggest a joint investigation at an early date so the two sides can exchange respective initial findings and properly handle the matter through friendly consultations based on mutually-recognized investigation results.”

The Chinese Embassy in Manila posted the transcript on its Twitter and Facebook pages on Thursday evening.

Mr. Lu reiterated that the Chinese government “sympathizes” with the 22 Filipino fishermen involved in the incident, which took place at the Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea.

“Once again, I would like to offer sympathy to the Filipino fishermen who were in distress after the accidental collision of a Chinese and a Filipino fishing vessel in Liyue Tan, Nansha,” the official said.

Last Tuesday, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said in a press briefing at the Palace: “I am tinkering the idea of suggesting that [to Mr. Duterte], joint investigation ng dalawang bansa (of both countries).”

For his part, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei B. Nograles told reporters in an interview that a joint probe is a “possibility.”

“It’s one of the options,” the Palace official also said.

Mr. Lu said the Chinese government “attaches great importance to friendly relations with the Philippines and safety of personnel at sea, regardless of nationality.”

He added that China will “continue to investigate the incident thoroughly and communicate with the Philippine side via bilateral channels.”

Contingency plan discussed for water shortage

THE METRO Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MMDRRMC), concerned government agencies and water concessionaires have met to discuss contingency measures on how to prepare for a worsening water shortage. The meeting was attended by officials of Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and water concessionaires, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, and other concerned government agencies. To facilitate the delivery of water supplies to areas that may be affected, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and concurrent MMDRRMC chairman Danilo Lim said trucks of Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Company Inc. are still exempted from the number coding scheme.

Grab hatchback drivers to file complaint against LTFRB

A GROUP of deactivated Grab hatchback drivers and a labor group will file a class suit on Friday against the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for its policy on hatchback vehicles. “Kinukumpleto namin ‘yung mga kailangan na dokumento para magkaroon ng kaukulang permit or provisional authority. Pagdating sa Step 1 pa lang, e-evaluate nila ‘yung papel at kapag nakita nila na hatchback, papaalisin ka na. Ganun lang po, walang paliwanag,” said Leonardo V. De Leon, Jr., Hatchback Community President during a press briefing in Quezon City on Thursday, June 20. (We are already completing the documents required to have a permit or provisional authority to operate. However, as they evaluate your paper in Step 1, they will reject your application if they see that you are driving a hatchback. Just like that, no explanation). Last week, ride-hailing giant Grab Philippines deactivated 8,000 vehicles, including hatchbacks, for not submitting any proof that they were granted provisional authority by LTFRB. Hatchback Community, which has 1,225 drivers removed from the Grab platform, and Defend Job Philippines will file the complaint before the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City. They will be assisted by Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection. Sought for a comment, Grab Philippines said, “To clarify, we are limited by the regulations that we need to abide by. If a TNVS has no proper docs, regardless if the vehicle is HBs (Hatchbacks) or Sedan, we can no longer allow on our platform. But do we support plight of the HBs? Yes, we do.” — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Forum held on grassroots development

THIRD SECRETARY Junichi Hirano attended the “20th Philippine Council for NGO Certification Annual Assembly” in Quezon City on June 4 to promote “The Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP),” a program to assist NGOs and local public authorities in responding to various development needs. The event was attended by around 500 accredited NGO members of the PCNC. Since 1989, the Embassy of Japan had implemented 543 projects in the Philippines under the GGP.

Makati rewards honor graduates of public schools

THE CITY government of Makati has granted cash incentives ranging from P6,000 to P10,000 to some 2,014 honor graduates from the city’s public elementary and senior high schools for school year 2018-2019. Makati Mayor Mar-len Abigail Binay led the Gawad Parangal ceremony held on June 18 and 19 at the A. Venue Hotel along Makati Avenue, where she handed each awardee a voucher for claiming the cash incentive at the Cash Division at City Hall. She also raffled off 60 brand new laptops among them. City schools division superintendent Rita Riddle said the cash incentives were given as follows: P6,000 each for those who graduated with honors; P8,000 for those with high honors; and P10,000 for those with the highest honors.

Chinese construction workers arrested for ‘causing trouble’

THE BUREAU of Immigration (BI) arrested 35 Chinese working as construction workers in a subdivision in Parañaque City, following a complaint that they were “causing trouble” at the construction site. “The location keeps on popping in different complaints, so this prompted us to conduct surveillance in the area and we indeed confirmed the presence of these illegal workers,” BI Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato S. Manahan, Jr. said. He added that at least two Philippine construction companies with building projects in three different streets in the village were involved in the hiring of the Chinese nationals. According to the policy of BI, “foreign national are disallowed from engaging in work involving manual labor.” BI Commissioner Jaime H. Morente said the Chinese will be deported and barred entry to the Philippines. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

EU Ambassadors exploring opportunities in Mindanao

THE PRESENCE of the EU Ambassadors in the opening of the Davao Investment Conference 2019 (Davao ICON 2019) is an indication of their interest in exploring opportunities in Mindanao, according to Dr. Maria Lourdes G. Monteverde, Davao ICON 2019 chairperson. EU countries participating in this year’s conference include the Netherlands, Sweden, Russia, France, Hungary, and Belgium. EU Ambassadors from Singapore, Mexico, and Romania were also present. Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc (DCCCII) president Arturo M. Milan observed the presence of the ambassadors as merely observing security issues, especially considering that Mindanao is still under martial law. For his part, Lemuel G. Ortonio, officer-in-charge of the Davao City Investment Promotion Center, said, “The city is confident of achieving its target of 3 million tourist arrivals in 2019 with the addition of more international routes to and from Davao. In general the tourism industry in Davao is mainly driven by local tourists. However, in the past number of years we have seen a growth in foreign arrivals.” Topping international arrivals in Davao City are American, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean visitors. — Maya M. Padillo

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