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DA request for emergency procurement of X-Ray machines approved

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it will tap a Quick Reaction Fund (QRF) to buy 20 X-ray machines to be deployed in various ports to guard against the entry of pork from African Swine Fever (ASF)-affected countries.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte “has approved the utilization of the Quick Reaction Fund (QRF) of the Department of Agriculture for the emergency procurement of 20 units of X-Ray machines which will be established in all international airports of the country to check agricultural products, especially meat, brought in by passengers,” Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said in a social media post on Friday.

DA proposes to spend P130 million from the QRF for the immediate procurement of the machinery, as well as other items to prevent the entry of tainted pork, which could decimate the domestic hog industry.

He also noted that Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III, who also heads the Economic Development Cluster, also supported the procurement proposal.

The x-ray machines are intended to examine passenger baggage for por products from ASF-affected territories like Belgium, Bulgaria, China, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Ukraine, Zambia, Mongolia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Hong Kong, and North Korea.

The DA has requested all delivery companies not accept any meat products sent from those countries, while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also order the recall and seizure of imported pork meat products from those countries.

The DA has also deployed sniffer dogs at airports. Passengers found to be carrying such pork products are subject to a fine of P200,000.

Canned goods confiscated from an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) from Hong Kong has tested positive for ASF.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), total hog production in the first quarter of 2019 grew 1.6% to 567,420 metric tons (MT). The average farmgate price of hogs raised for slaughter fell 2.7% to P110.52 per kilogram (kg).

ASF is non-treatable and contagious, and can kill swine in as little as two days. The virus still has no vaccine, and raises the prospect of mass culls if the P200-billion hog industry is affected. — Vincent Mariel P. Galang

Customs seeking to simplify broker accreditation process

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) said its Account Management Office (AMO) is hoping to simplify the accreditation process for brokers and other entites that routinely deal with the bureau by decentralizing approvals.

Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 19-2019 allows the renewal of brokers’ accreditation and the activation of the Client Profile Registration System (CPRS) at the collection district nearest the brokers’ place of business.

The CMO was issued by Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero on April 16.

The new process will involve activation by the AMO Head Office will now handle the CPRS accounts and the preparation of the Certificate of Accreditation (CoA). Signed CoAs will then be transferred to the District Collectors for release to the custom brokers.

Instead of having the brokers’ accreditation go through signatories such as the Office of the Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence and the Office of the Commissioner, it will now be processed by the local Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) and at the office of the District Collectors to be released to the customs brokers.

In a memo earlier this year, Commissioner Mr. Guerrero said the decentralization exercise is in compliance with Republic Act No. 11032, or the East of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Act of 2018.

The Office of the District Collector will processed CPRS activation of entities accredited by other government agencies upon the endorsement receipt from concerned government agencies along with the other documents.

Mr. Guerrero has listed among his top priorities the enhancement of the BoC’s information and technology system, alongside filling up the buearu’s many job vacancies. — Kimani Eros S.Franco

China ‘thoroughly, seriously’ investigating boat collision — ambassador

CHINESE Ambassador Zhao Jianhua said China is “thoroughly and seriously” investigating the collision between a Chinese vessel and a Filipino boat on June 9.

Presidential spokesman Salvador S. Panelo shared a text message with reporters from Mr. Zhao following his statement on the collision “condemning the Chinese ship for abandoning the Filipino vessel crew after it hit and sunk.”

“This fishing boat issue is being thoroughly and seriously investigated. We share your concerns about fishermen. If it were true that it was Chinese fishing boat which did it, they would be duly educated and punished for their irresponsible behavior,” read the text message from the Chinese ambassador.

Mr. Panelo on Thursday said the Philippines “will cut of diplomatic relations with China if the investigation proves the collision is not accidental.” He also said that a diplomatic protest will be filed first.

Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana on Wednesday condemned the Chinese vessel which abandoned the 22 crew members of the sinking Filipino boat it collided with. The Filipino boat was anchored at the Recto Bank which is within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command said the collision on June 9 was “accidental” based on the information it received, but confirmed that the Chinese vessel left after the incident.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) also condemned the collision and the abandonment of the Filipino fishermen in open water by the Chinese vessel.

“We believe that asserting our sovereignty and the right of our fishers to rightfully gain economically from the resources found off the coast of Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea, a country’s exclusive economic zone, protects our people’s right to self-determination,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said in a statement.

“To this end, we affirm the need to protest the said incident before the Chinese government, and for our own government to appropriate robust measures that will protect the rights of all Filipinos — be it on land or at sea,” she added. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Bong Go biggest spender in senatorial race

PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

WITH 11 of the 12 senators who won in the 2019 midterm elections having submitted their reports on campaign expenses and contributions before the June 13 deadline, the top spender turned out to be former presidential special assistant Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go who spent over P161 million on his campaign.

The 11 recently proclaimed senators who submitted their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Campaign Finance Office are: Cynthia A. Villar, Grace Poe-Llamanzares, Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go, Pilar Juliana “Pia” S. Cayetano, Ronald “Bato” M. Dela Rosa, Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara, Maria Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos, Francis N. Tolentino, Aquilino Martin “Koko” D. Pimentel III, Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., and Maria Lourdes “Nancy” S. Binay

Only actor and re-electionist Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid has not submitted his SOCE.

The Comelec said winning candidates do not have to submit their SOCEs before the June 13 deadline (both winning and losing candidates have to submit the report) as they can submit their SOCEs within six months after the elections. However, winning candidates are not permitted to sit in office until they have submitted their reports.

Out of all the elected senators, Mr. Go’s SOCE showed he had the most campaign expenditures, spending P161,418,299.31. Total campaign contributions were P162,035,537.34. He spent only P415,500 of his own money for his campaign.

Mr. Tolentino was the second biggest spender with P159,169,836.54. He received P112,900,000 in contributions.

According to the SOCEs seen by BusinessWorld, senators Villar and Marcos spent only their own money in their campaigns, not having received any contributions and donations. Ms. Villar spent P135,529,061.09 while Ms. Marcos spent P132,146,754.55.

Unlike Ms. Marcos and Ms. Villar, Ms. Llamanzares-Poe used only contributions from other sources for her election campaign, expenses of which totaled P156,433,463.80. She spent no personal funds and resources according to her SOCE. Ms. Binay also used contributions to fuel her senatorial bid, spending only P59,470,000.

Ms. Revilla’s election expenditures came to P121,952,358.93. He received contributions from his political party, Lakas CMD, and other sources, which amounted to P115,575,235.21. Only Mr. Revilla received contributions from his political party unlike the other senators who did not report receiving anything from their own parties.

Meanwhile, Mr. Angara spent P153,341,072.84; Mr. De la Rosa spent P92,701,416.79; Mr. Pimentel spent P79,525,818.90; and Ms. Cayetano spent P73,714,198.55. — Gillian M. Cortez

DoJ indicts WellMed officer, whistleblowers for estafa

THE Department of Justice (DoJ) indicted an officer of WellMed Dialysis and Laboratory Center Corp. and the two whistleblowers for several counts of estafa through falsification of data in connection with the “ghost” dialysis claims which were paid by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

In a statement released Friday, Undersecretary and spokesperson Markk L. Perete said the investigating prosecutor found that WellMed owner and Vice-President Bryan Christopher W. Sy and whistleblowers Edwin C. Roberto and Liezel Aileen Santos-De Leon “conspired in using falsified documents to collect payments from PhilHealth for alleged medical services to patients who were already dead.”

“The inquest prosecutor meanwhile referred the case against seven other WellMed officers/employees for preliminary investigation. Said employees were not brought to the prosecutor for inquest,” Mr. Perete said.

Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said the charges are bailable.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed the complaint with the DoJ on June 11, following a complaint filed by PhilHealth.

Mr. Sy and the two whistleblowers, who were former employees of WellMed, were presented for inquest proceedings on the day after they were arrested by the NBI on June 10.

The other WellMed officers included in the complaints are Medical Director John Ray M. Gonzales, Chairman Claro N. Sy, Purchasing Officer Therese Francesca R. Tan, Administration Officer Dick S. Ong, and physicians Porshia C. Natividad and Joemie D. Soriano.

In Mr. Roberto’s sworn statement, which was attached in the complaint, he said that it was Mr. Sy who first instructed him to file the dialysis billing of PhilHealth claims of two deceased patients. Before he resigned in 2018, a total of 27 claims for 280 session worth P808,600 were charged.

Lawyer Harry L Roque, Jr., the legal counsel of the two whistleblowers, previously said that they are applying for the witness protection program so they have to be charged first and have to be discharged in court as a requisite to be under the program. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Immigration told to keep a lookout for KAPA officers

THE Department of Justice has issued an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against 16 officers and incorporators of KAPA-Community Ministry International Inc., and three officers of Alabel-Maasim Credit Cooperative (ALAMCCo).

“Immigration officers are directed to monitor within all ports of exit and entry the movement of those covered and verify if legal basis exists to prevent them from leaving Philippine jurisdiction,” Undersecretary and spokesperson Markk L. Perete said in a statement.

The eight incorporators of KAPA are Joel A. Apolinario, Nonita S. Urbano, Junnie G. Apolinario, Nelia V. Nino, Maria Pellea B. Sevilla, Jouelyn A. Del Castillo, Cristobal R. Barabad, and Joji A. Jusay.

The eight KAPA officers included in the ILBO, meanwhile, are Mr. Apolinario, Reyna L. Apolinario, Modie S. Dagala, Benigno D. Tipan, Jr., Marnilyn M. Maturan, Ricky A. Taer, Joji A. Tusay, and Margie A. Danao.

The three officers of ALAMCCo under the Lookout order are Chairman Jerson A. Cagang, Corporate Secretary Cynthia A. Gomeri, and Chief Finance Officer, Ailene D. Mancao.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said they are going to file appropriate complaints against officers of KAPA for violation of Sections 8 (Requirement of Registration of Securities) and 26 (Fraudulent Transactions) of the Securities Regulation Code.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) found KAPA, an independent religious corporation, to be soliciting investments despite the lack of a secondary license to do so. The SEC issued a cease-and-desist order against the religious group last February but it still continued it operations and revoked its certification of registration last April.

SEC also secured a freeze order from the Court of Appeals against KAPA over its alleged involvement in an investment scam.

The office of ALAMCCo meanwhile was among the offices served with search warrants by the SEC and NBI on June 10 in a bid to shut down alleged fraudulent schemes. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

FDA orders Shopee, Lazada to stop selling medicines

THE Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered Shopee Philippines and Lazada Philippines to stop selling medicines online, after it had warned the public regarding the purchase of health products over the internet earlier this week.

In a statement released on Friday, the FDA said that it directed the two online shopping platforms to cease their sales of medicines in line with an advisory issued by the FDA on June 11. Shopee and Lazada will only be permitted to sell medicines when they obtain an FDA license to offer medicines online.

“The FDA, through the Regulatory Enforcement Unit, served and implemented Summons with Preventive Measure Order (SPMO) directing Shopee Philippines and Lazada Philippines under pain of direct or indirect contempt and/or other administrative sanctions, to immediately CEASE AND DESIST from further online selling and offering for sale drug products until it has secured the appropriate License to Operate (LTO) from the FDA,” the FDA said.

In FDA Advisory No. 2019-154, the FDA said that online selling of medicines is not allowed except through an FDA-approved online ordering service of an existing licensed pharmacy that has a physical establishment.

The FDA also told the public that purchasing medicines over the internet “can pose serious health risk,” adding that improper storage issues could cause serious side effects. The FDA also added that there is also no assurance of medicines being genuine since fake health products are also widespread online.

“The continuous online selling of any of these drug products will place the lives of the general public in danger and at risk. Likewise, the FDA assures the public of the continued implementation and monitoring of an effective drug regulatory system responsive to the country’s health needs and problems,” the FDA said. — Gillian M. Cortez

Sandiganbayan nixes Jinggoy, Napoles’s bid for dismissal

THE Sandiganbayan on Friday dismissed Janet Lim-Napoles and former Senator Jose “Jinggoy” P. Ejercito Estrada’s pleas to dismiss their plunder case, stating that the evidence presented by the prosecution could lead to their conviction.

The Fifth Division of the anti-graft court said in its Resolution dated June 13 that the prosecution denied Mr. Estrada’s demurrer to evidence he filed last March regarding his plunder case which is linked to the allocation of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to non-existent non-government organizations (NGOs) managed by Ms. Napoles, since evidence of the prosecution is strong enough to prove his role in transferring the funds.

“(T)his court is convinced that the prosecution presented sufficient evidence both testimonial and documentary which established each element of the crime of plunder against the accused,” the resolution said.

A demurrer to evidence is an option for the accused to seek the dismissal of the case due to lack of evidence on the part of the prosecution.

The former senator, who lost his latest senatorial bid in the May 13 elections, allegedly received more than P55 million from Ms. Napoles in the PDAF scam.

The Sandiganbayan also stressed that the prosecution established that Mr. Estrada was able to allocate his PDAF in Ms. Napoles’ NGOs for a commission of 40 to 60% of the PDAF, in which both shared the kickbacks.

Based on the demurrers Mr. Estrada and Ms. Napoles filed, they stressed that the proof filed before the Sandiganbayan did not show that plunder had been committed.

Now that their demurrer has been dismissed, they have to present evidence that will prove their innocence in court. — Gillian M. Cortez

PDEA denies some travel expenses lacked documentation

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) denied reports that some P74 million in domestic travel expenses were insufficiently documented after the Commission on Audit (CoA) flagged the agency.

In a statement released Friday, PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino said that the documents supporting P22.45 million in travel expenses had already been submitted to the commission by the agency through its Finance service last May.

According to CoA’s 2018 annual report, the PDEA had P110.82 million in domestic travel expenses but eight of the domestic vouchers (DVs) and liquidation reports pertaining to the P22.45 million had insufficient documentation such as office/travel orders, approved itineraries, tickets, and boarding passes, among others.

The PDEA also clarified the report of the state auditor which said that 101 DVs worth P51.83 million were submitted but were not supported with official receipts. It said the DVs refer to various suppliers paid by the agency but which were under the LDDAP (List of Due and Demandable Accounts Payable), a bank transaction mode of payment that replaced the old check payment system in line with COA rules.

“We are adhering to all COA rules and regulations, however, pagkabayad naming sa suppliers through bank deposits, hindi na sila nagbibigay ng official receipts (after payment to suppliers through bank deposits, they no longer give official receipts,” Mr. Aquino was quoted as saying in the PDEA statement.

The statement said that Mr. Aquino had, on several occasions, asked COA to “reconsider check issuance as a mode of payment to make sure that PDEA will be issued Official Receipt upon releae of payment.”

PDEA said it asked it suppliers to immediately issue the official receipts which were lacking. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

DoH secretary says he did not misuse OWWA funds

DEPARTMENT of Health (DoH) Secretary Francisco H. Duque III denied claims made by Senator Panfilo M. Lacson that he was involved in the misuse of government funds during his term as PhilHealth president, saying that these were resolved in his favor years ago.

“I would like to address an issue that is being revived again. I was accused of being involved in the alleged misuse of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) funds. For the record and information of the honorable Senator Panfilo Lacson, this case was already dismissed by the Ombudsman in 2012 and dismissed with finality by the Supreme Court in 2013 due to the lack of evidence,” Mr. Duque said in a statement released on Friday.

Mr. Lacson said in a social media message on Wednesday that the Mr. Duque, when sitting as PhilHealth president in 2004, illegally used more than P500 million in OWWA funds to purchase and distribute PhilHealth cards during the administration of Former President and outgoing Speaker of the House, Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Mr. Lacson did not mention Mr. Duque’s name in his social media post, although his message called on President Rodrigo R. Duterte to mind the DoH Secretary, who also currently sits as PhilHealth Chairman.

The senator’s statements come amid reports of alleged fraud by current PhilHealth officials and health providers over ghost kidney dialysis paid for by PhilHealth. Philhealth’s President, CEO, and six other officials tendered their courtesy resignations soon after the news broke.

Mr. Duque was appointed as DoH Secretary in 2018, during which time the Commission on Appointments (CA) dismissed the the issue linking Mr. Duque to the misuse of OWWA funds. Mr. Lacson sat as a member of the CA at the time of Mr. Duque’s appointment as DoH Chief.

“It is my sincere hope that information like this that may damage one’s reputation is verified first before being narrated to the public to avoid confusion. It is also my sincere hope that this puts the issue to rest. I have been in public service for more than two decades and I have never been convicted of any wrongdoing, simply because I hold integrity as my core principle,” Mr. Duque said. — Gillian M. Cortez

Human Rights Commission concerned over non-renewal of ABS-CBN franchise

THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expressed concern over lawmakers’ freezing of ABS-CBN franchise bill, saying that it “could signal a bleaker state of press freedom in the country.”

In a statement released on Friday, CHR Spokesperson Jaqueline Ann C. de Guia said “Non-renewal can be tantamount to shutting down the network. If an entire media giant would be toppled down due to political caprice, it could signal the beginning of a bleaker state of press freedom in the country and a catapult to the wave of previous assaults to media.”

Earlier this week, the House of Representatives froze the renewal of ABS-CBN’s legislative franchise to operate — the network’s franchise is set to expire in 2020.

The franchise renewal bill or House Bill 4349 was filed back in 2016 by Nueva Ecija 2nd District Representative Micaela S. Violago. The bill aimed to renew the TV network’s franchise for another 25 years.

Lawmakers can re-file the bill once the 18th Congress begins sessions in July.

The CHR Spokesperson stressed that possible violations done by the media network should be tackled through the appropriate processes rather than just outright dismissal by lawmakers.

“The services provided by ABS-CBN, alongside other media networks, cater to the Filipino people in numerous ways that are beyond the whim of politics. If the network has committed any violation, it must be tackled through due process,” said Ms. De Guia.

Last November 2018, President Rodrigo R. Duterte said in a speech that he “objects” to the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, adding that a 2016 TV ad he paid for when he was running for office was not aired by the network. — Gillian M. Cortez

Palace announced non-working holiday to commemorate Pinatubo eruption

MALACANANG on Friday announced a special non-working day on June 15 in Angeles City in Pampanga, in “remembrance of the ruinous volcanic eruption of Mount Pinatubo” 28 years ago.

On Friday, upon the request of Angeles City, the Palace declared June 15 a special non-working day in the City of Angeles through Proclamation 735.

The eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991 was the second largest in the 20th century and caused massive destruction in the provinces of Zambales, Pampanga, Bataan, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija noted the proclamation, signed by Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea on June 11.

The proclamation is meant “to render appropriate tribute to those who perished, as well as to those who survived, and to those who helped in the relocation, rehabilitation, and recovery of families affected by the volcanic eruption.”

The proclamation will give the people of Angeles “full opportunity to celebrate and participate int eh occasion with appropriate ceremonies.”

The Palace has also issued proclamations on Friday for four other municipalities and cities that call for special non-working days in remembrance of their founding anniversaries/charter anniversaries:

• the Municipality of Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental (June 18, 2019);

• General Santos City (June 15, 2019);

• Lapu-Lapu City (June 17, 2019);

• the Municipality of Bindoy, Negros Occidental (June 17, 2019);

• and, the Municipality of Maco, Compostela Valley (June 17, 2019). — Gillian M. Cortez

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